Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Osaka Results & Report! (2/11/23)
One last New Beginning!
The Rainmaker and Rampaging Dragon have a rematch!
As NJPW’s New Beginning ends, Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against KOPW Champion, Shingo Takagi! Will we see the rise of a new two belt champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Toru Yano & Oskar Leube VS Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare; Khan & Henare win.
- 8 Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Shota Umino VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
- Master Wato VS Taiji Ishimori; Ishimori wins.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA; Tanahashi wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita; Suzuki, Desperado & Narita win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
- Loser Leaves Japan: Jay White VS Hikuleo; Hikuleo wins and White cannot return to Japan.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS El Phantasmo; Tama wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi; Okada wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The House of Torture VS Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita!
The King of Darkness, Tokyo Pimp and Murder Machine have held onto these titles by any means necessary, but they might’ve just run into the meanest trio yet! Will Evil, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho have no choice but to submit? Or will the House be the ones to torture Suzuki’s team?
The challengers come out first, and the House of Torture takes advantage! They all attack Narita as he was bringing up the rear! Fans boo and both Suzuki and Desperado finally realize what happened! They rush back out to the ramp but Evil and Yujiro intercept! The ref reprimands but the match hasn’t started so there’s nothing he can do! Evil stomps Desperado, Yujiro smacks Suzuki off the apron, and then Yujiro sends Suzuki into railing! Fans boo and jeer more, but Dick sits Narita up as Sho takes aim with his title belt. BELT SHOT for the Son of Strong Style! Sho laughs but fans boo, and they leave Narita down and out on the ramp.
Evil gets the mic to say, “Oi! How dare you say we’ll be stripped of our championships! Oi, Desperado, if you and your sensei want it that badly, then let’s go at it fair and square!” Big talk from the leader of the team that ambushed their opponents. But Suzuki and Desperado both attack Evil together! The bell rings and Yujiro and Sho go after Suzuki and Desperado! The 3v2 gives House of Torture the advantage as they stomp away. Fans boo as Sho digs his boot into Suzuki and Evil digs his into Desperado. Dick sits up on the apron as the House all “have a smoke.” Young Lions check on Narita but he’s still down.
Sho kicks out Suzuki and Evil stomps away on Desperado’s leg. Evil drops an elbow on the leg, CHOKES him on the ropes, and Sho digs his boot in, too! The ref reprimands them both, they both let off at 4, and then Suzuki gets a chair! The ref has to stop Suzuki, allowing the House to CHOKE Desperado more! Evil DECKS Suzuki, then Yujiro tags in to snapmare Desperado. Yujiro claws Desperado’s eyes through the mask! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yujiro lets off to drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Desperado, but wait, the blue buckle pad is already gone! Sho tags in and he brings Desperado up.
Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS but Sho rakes eyes! Sho wrenches, whips, and Desperado hits bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special strikes already! Sho drags Desperado up again, rakes his eyes some more, and has him down at the ropes. Sho and Evil stand on Desperado, the ref counts, and they let off at 4. Desperado drags himself up but Sho kicks at him. Desperado snarls at Sho but Sho keeps egging him on with those toying kicks. Desperado CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Sho rakes eyes and throws Desperado down! Fans boo but Sho just grins. Sho drags Desperado up, wrenches the arm, and makes Desperado kneel.
Sho KICKS, KICKS but Desperado blocks the Superkick! Only for Sho to rake his eyes again! The ref reprimands but Sho kicks, only for Desperado to block with forearms! A bit double-edged for Desperado. Sho runs in, Desperado scoops him for a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down! Desperado rolls and crawls, hot tag to Suzuki! Fans fire up as Suzuki fires off forearms on Sho! Suzuki backs Sho down but Evil and Yujiro attack! They double whip Suzuki to a corner, then Yujiro runs in. But Suzuki dodges Yujiro to BOOT down Evil! And then Suzuki BOOTS down Yujiro! Sho runs in and kicks low, but then runs into a BOOT!
Fans are thunderous for Suzuki as he looms over Sho. Suzuki drags Sho up, fires off forearm after forearm, then DECKS Sho! Fans rally behind Suzuki as he drags Sho back up. But Sho bends the fingers! Suzuki kicks low, whips, but Sho reverses. Sho keeps the ref from seeing Dick trip Suzuki! Sho then stomps Suzuki out of the ring. Evil RAMS Suzuki into railing, then Evil rakes Suzuki’s eyes! Yujiro CLUBS Suzuki in the chest, and Evil RAMS Suzuki into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san! Sho distracts the ref again so that Evil can CHOKE Suzuki with the microphone! Everyone can hear Evil shout at Suzuki to give up! Suzuki instead says he’ll kill Evil!
Fans fire up but Evil lets off of Suzuki. Fans rally for Suzuki and the ref reprimands Evil. Evil puts Suzuki in the ring, Sho covers, ONE!! Sho drags Suzuki up with a facelock, and he brings Suzuki over. Yujiro tags in, Suzuki throws body shots on Sho but Yujiro kicks low. Yujiro ROCKS Suzuki with a forearm, Sho & Evil hold Suzuki in and Yujiro BOOTS Suzuki! But Suzuki just scowls through the impact! Yujiro rakes eyes and Sho pulls on ears, but Suzuki just powers through it! Only for Evil and Sho to rake Suzuki’s eyes! The ref has to keep Desperado back, and Yujiro snapmares Suzuki to BASEMENT BOOT! Cover, ONE!!
Fans fire up as Suzuki just sits up with a frown! Yujiro pushes Suzuki down to drop a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Suzuki snarls and sits up. Yujiro reels him in, brings him back and Evil tags in. They mug Suzuki, then Evil CHOKES Suzuki with his merch shirt! Fans boo but Sho distracts the ref again. But then NARITA returns! Dick kicks Narita, whips him, but Narita whips Dick into railing! Evil sees Narita on the apron and BLASTS him! But Suzuki is free to get around, to a SLEEPER! Fans fire up, but Sho and Yujiro rush in to attack! Desperado gets in but he gets mugged, too! Yujiro throws Desperado out and Evil brings Suzuki up.
Suzuki kicks low and headlocks! Evil powers out but Suzuki holds onto hair! Suzuki HEADBUTTS Evil! Evil rushes in, but Suzuki spins him around and DECKS him! Fans fire up and Suzuki points to Narita! Hot tag to the Son of Strong Style! Fans are thunderous as Narita rallies on the House! Narita throws his shirt at Evil, then KICKS, KICKS and KICKS Evil down! Fans fire up more and Narita drags Evil up. Narita whips Evil to the corner, runs in, and back elbows! Then HALF HATCH! Bridging cover, TWO! Evil escapes but Narita drags him back up. Narita clinches but Evil blocks! Evil throws elbows, runs, but into a clinch!
Evil fights free again, clinches back, but Narita escapes! Narita boots but Evil blocks! Evil rakes Narita’s eyes! The ref reprimands but then Evil hands him Narita’s foot and mule kicks Narita down! Evil tags Yujiro, he brings Narita up and puts him on ropes. Yujiro runs to BOOT Narita, then reels him in for the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Yujiro calls the rest of the House in. Yujiro drags Narita up, he and Evil double whip Narita to a corner. Yujiro runs in but Narita BOOTS! Suzuki and Desperado drag Sho and Evil out! Suzuki gets in as Narita whips Yujiro to a corner! Narita elbows, Desperado clotheslines, and Suzuki BOOTS!
Fans fire up as Suzuki and Narita feed Yujiro to Desperado’s SPINEBUSTER! Desperado sits Yujiro up for Suzuki’s PENALTY KICK! Suzuki and Desperado then double whip Yujiro into Narita’s clinch! EXPLODER WITH BRIDGE! But Sho breaks it! Desperado throws Sho out and Suzuki keeps Evil out. Fans fire up with Narita and he brings Yujiro up, into the COBRA TWIST! But Yujiro BITES Narita’s hand! The ref reprimands, Yujiro swings, but into another COBRA TWIST! Dick distracts the ref, he misses Yujiro tapping! Sho and Evil get in to mug Narita! Yujiro crawls to get his pimp cane!
Sho and Evil stand Narita up, but Suzuki BOOTS Yujiro down! Desperado trips Dick while Suzuki BOOTS Sho! Suzuki whips Evil and wrenches, to have a COBRA TWIST! Sho returns, Desperado dodges his haymaker to roll him up, into a STRETCH MUFFLER! Fans fire up as he makes it NUMERO DOS! Narita catches Yujiro into his own COBRA TWIST! The House of Torture endures TRIPLE submissions, and Yujiro taps!! Narita’s team wins!!
Winners: Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita, by submission (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture has been torn down! Suzuki hugs Narita and Desperado, and then raises Narita’s hand in victory! This new trio is golden on their first try, will they soon elevate the spirit of Strong Style?
Wait, Suzuki gets a mic to tell the House of Torture, “To you, the former champions, please get the hell outta here!” Fans like the sound of that! Suzuki continues by saying, “I’m not alone. Inside me is El Desperado and Ren Narita. And we have all of you.” Fans also like the sound of that! They chant for “MI-NO-RU!” and Suzuki says that today, they took these titles. Suzuki has a present for Narita and everyone here. It’s a name for their new trio! This is to embody what Narita and his lineage brings, they shall be TEAM STRONG STYLE! Will anyone be able to dethrone this trio that carries such a banner?
Loser Leaves Japan: Jay White w/ Gedo VS Hikuleo w/ Jado!
The Switchblade was on top of the world, but he’s since fallen back to earth. And yet he blames the Young Gun for it all! Will White banish Hikuleo from the land of the rising sun? Or will his thirst for vengeance cost him everything he has left?
White mocks Tanahashi on commentary by showing off his abs. White and Gedo get the fans to join in on the “Tooooo… SWEET~!” The bell rings and fans rally up as White and Hikuleo stare down. The two step up, White says Hikuleo will never have a WrestleKingdom moment. White has had moments, and he’ll have one more as he sends Hikuleo home for good. The two circle, Hikuleo rushes forward but White slips away before he’s cornered. White taunts Hikuleo but Hikuleo storms up on him again. Hikuleo corners White, catches him this time, so White uses ropes as a defense while desperately shouting for the ref!
The ref has Hikuleo let off and White slips away to the outside. White spits at Hikuleo, but Hikuleo rushes out after him. White slips back in, Hikuleo hurries back to the apron, but White rushes over. Hikuleo catches White into a choke grip! Fans fire up as Hikuleo steps over the top rope, to TOSS White to a corner! White dodges the elbow, but Hikuleo BOOTS him down! White flounders, fans fire up and Hikuleo stalks White to ropes. Hikuleo grabs a leg to drag him back! Hikuleo puts White in a corner, throws body shots and forearms, then throws back elbows. The ref reprimands and counts, Hikuleo lets off with one more elbow.
Hikuleo then kicks White low and White sputters. Hikuleo drags him up, throws him to the corner, then THROWS him across the way! Fans fire up while White writhes at the ropes. Gedo gets on the apron but Hikuleo backs him down. Hikuleo drags White up, whips him, but White holds ropes! Hikuleo runs in but White dodges to dump Hikuleo out of the ring! Hikuleo hits apron hard then tumbles to the railing. Gedo likes what he sees but Jado coaches Hikuleo. White goes out but Hikuleo CHOPS him! Fans fire up as White falls right down! Hikuleo paces to walk off the soreness, and then he CHOKES White on the ground!
The ref reprimands and counts, Hikuleo stops at 4, and then he stands over White. Hikuleo drags White up by his hair, and he has cameramen move aside. Hikuleo TOSSES White over the railing, and he tumbles off the commentary table to hit the second railing! Fans fire up for how close the action is getting, and Hikuleo watches White stir in the wreckage. Hikuleo goes out and moves things aside while White crawls into the crowd! Hikuleo drags White up, and RAMS him into the blue railing! White flops down and the ref reprimands, but Hikuleo says he’s getting White back to ringside.
White crawls, but Hikuleo scoops him! Gedo begs for mercy but Hikuleo tells him to get away. White rakes Hikuleo’s eyes! White then POSTS Hikuleo! White flounders his way back into the ring while Hikuleo sits up in a daze. White goes back out, brings Hikuleo up, and SMACKS him off the apron! And again! And again! And again! And again! White brings Hikuleo around, CLUBS away on him, then SMACKS him off the apron again. Now White has cameramen move, and he RAMS Hikuleo into the railing! Hikuleo tumbles over and out and lands hard on the floor!! Fans fire up while both men are down in No Man’s Land!
White crawls away from Hikuleo and demands the ring count. The count begins, White gets in at 5 of 20 but fans rally for Hikuleo. Hikuleo sits up at 8, crawls his way around at 10, and slides in at 14, only for White to stomp away on him! White drags Hikuleo up in a corner, RAMS his shoulder in again and again and again! The ref reprimands, White laughs but lets off. Hikuleo CLUBS White down! Fans rally up as White flounders. Hikuleo storms up but into a kick! And DDT! Cover, ONE!! Fans fire up but White grows frustrated. White shows the Too Sweet, and he CHOPS! Hikuleo doesn’t budge! White Too Sweet CHOPS again, but Hikuleo just brushes it off!
White kicks low, Too Sweet and kick! White whips but Hikuleo blocks, and he sends White into a corner hard! White falls from hitting buckles face first! Hikuleo storms up on White, drags him up, and scoops. White slips off, to CHOP! Hikuleo shakes his head, but White dodges his chop. Hikuleo UPPERCUTS on the return! Hikuleo scoops White to SNAKE EYES! And then LARIAT! Fans fire up and Hikuleo goes to a corner. White stands, Hikuleo runs in to SPLASH! White staggers, Hikuleo scoops him, and hits a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! White survives but Jado coaches Hikuleo to keep on him.
Hikuleo readies his hand and fans rally up. White rises, but he sees the hand and scurries to ropes! Hikuleo storms up and drags White up from the apron, only for White to HOTSHOT him! White is in a corner, Hikuleo runs in but White dodges! The boot gets caught up, and White CHOP BLOCKS the other leg! Gedo fires up and Jado checks on Hikuleo while White crawls away. White goes to the opposite corner, runs back in, and UPPERCUTS! White brings Hikuleo up, but Hikuleo suplexes! Only for White to slip free, and CHOP BLOCK again! Fans rally as Hikuleo crawls to the corner. He rushes back in but into a COMPLETE SHOT!
White says he’s gonna cradle Hikuleo like a baby. White drags Hikuleo up, waistlocks, but Hikuleo’s a big baby! Hikuleo swings an elbow, but into the SAIDO!! Fans fire up while White drags Hikuleo up again! White suplexes, for a BLADE BUSTER! Cover, ONE?!? Hikuleo shocks everyone and White is beside himself! White sits Hikuleo up, aims a finger gun at him, and clamps on a sleeper! But Hikuleo elbows free! Only for White to CHOP BLOCK on the rebound! Hikuleo falls into a corner and White grins. Fans rally up as White watches Hikuleo drag himself up with the ropes. White runs in, but into a BOOT!
White staggers back up, comes back, and he dodges to boot for a KNEE JAMMER!! And then he gets the other leg, KNEE JAMMER!! Jado and the ref check Hikuleo but White is on him with stomps! The ref reprimands, White digs his boots in, but White lets off. White sits Hikuleo up to dribble him off the buckles! The ref reprimands again, he gets White to stop, and White backs off. To then stomp Hikuleo down again! Hikuleo sputters, and White unties part of the buckle pad! The ref sees that and stops White. White and Gedo argue with the ref but then White grabs a chair! White SMACKS away on Hikuleo with the chair!!
Fans boo but White wears that chair out! White then calls for the ref, drags Hikuleo up, and he hooks a leg, KIWI KRUSHER!! Cover, TWO!!! Hikuleo survives and White is speechless! Fans rally up for Hikuleo but White sits him up. White takes Hikuleo’s vest off, to Too Sweet CHOP! Hikuleo falls over but White isn’t done with him. White sits Hikuleo back up, Too Sweet CHOP! Fans rally up, White grins and sits Hikuleo up again, Too Sweet CHOP! Hikuleo growls and fans fire up! Hikuleo glares at White but White CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Hikuleo just rises up! White CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Hikuleo tells him, “F YOU!”
White says, “You want it? You think you can take me out?” Hikuleo CHOPS White off his feet!! White gets up in a huff and eggs him on again, so Hikuleo CHOPS him down again! White stands up again, but Hikuleo CHOPS again! White wobbles but he stays up. White storms up into another CHOP, and he falls back over! Gedo is getting worried but Jado coaches Hikuleo on. White drags himself up, Hikuleo storms up to CHOP again! White stays up, so Hikuleo CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!! White just keeps coming back for CHOP after CHOP after CHOP! White is slowing down, but he still comes back for a CHOP!
White SPITS at Hikuleo, so Hikuleo just DOUBLE CHOPS him down!! Fans fire up and White grins like a madman as he drags himself up. Hikuleo waits on White and dares him to bring it! White dodges the chop, but runs into the POWERSLAM! Fans fire up again and Hikuleo stands up. Hikuleo raises his hand, and clamps it onto White! But Gedo gets on the apron! Only for Jado to YANK him down! White claws at Hikuleo’s eyes, so Hikuleo shoves White away, but he falls back into the ref! White LOW BLOWS Hikuleo! Fans boo but White calls to the ref. The ref staggers up, White tells him to not mess this up!
But Hikuleo LARIATS White back down! Hikuleo drags White up, whips him to ropes, and then POWER- BLADERUNNER OUTTA NOWHERE!!! White turns things around at the last possible moment, then crawls over. Hikuleo turns onto his side to keep White from pinning him! White pushes him back over, drags him back up, but that’s a lot of dead weight to lift. White uses ropes to help, BLADE- NO! Choke grip! Hikuleo grins, but White clubs away on the arm. White kicks the legs, too, but Hikuleo uses both hands! POP-UP- NO, White throws hands! But Hikuleo still POWERBOMBS White!! Cover, TWO!?!?
White survives and fans are thunderous, but Hikuleo can’t believe it! Fans rally up again and White crawls to a corner. Hikuleo stalks White but White flops over. White crawls over to Hikuleo, Hikuleo choke grips him again. White feebly tries to fight free, but then offers a Too Sweet. Hikuleo gives him the Too Sweet, to then give him the CHOKE SLAM!!! Cover, HIKULEO WINS!!!
Winner: Hikuleo, by pinfall (Jay White must LEAVE Japan)
King Switch has truly fallen from grace! He wanted to ruin Hikuleo’s future, but has now doomed his own! Hikuleo gives White a Too Sweet good-bye, will White have to settle for being NJPW Strong?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS El Phantasmo!
Tonight has not been a good night for Bullet Club, and that’s exactly how the Good Bad Guy likes it! Will he add on to their woes by keeping this title from the Headbanga? Or will ELP be the silver lining in Bullet Club’s New Beginning?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if this ends in Sudden Death!
The bell rings and fans rally up. Plenty of fans chant “E L P!” as he circles with Tama, and ELP makes sure Tama knows it. They tie up, go around, and ELP headlocks. Tama powers up but can’t power out as ELP holds tight. Tama tries again but ELP holds tighter. ELP grinds Tama down but Tama fights up. Tama throws body shots, powers out this time, and they RAM shoulders. Fans applaud as neither man falls. ELP dares Tama to try, so Tama runs, and they RAM shoulders. ELP says okay, and he winds up his arms, only to knee low! Now ELP runs, but Tama hurdles, hurdles and DOUBLE CHOPS! ELP stands up, into a DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as ELP ends up in a corner. Tama waits on ELP and ELP stands. The two reset and tie up, and Tama headlocks. ELP powers out, things speed up, and ELP hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Tama goes to a corner now. Tama stands and fans rally up again. ELP and Tama circle, ELP applauds “Good job” to the fans. ELP then gets around Tama to waistlock but Tama standing switches and slams ELP down. Tama floats to a headlock, hits a takeover, but ELP headscissors. Tama kips free, ELP headlocks for a takeover, but Tama headscissors! ELP handsprings free, and dropkicks cancel out!
GUN- NO, ELP throws Tama away! SUDDEN- NO, Tama ducks the kick! Fans fire up seeing the exchange! Tama and ELP reset, and ELP offers a Too Sweet. Will Tama take it like Hikuleo? Tama doesn’t, so ELP SLAPS him! Tama fires off forearms, uppercuts, and then he clotheslines ELP up and out! Then Tama PLANCHAS! Down goes ELP and fans fire up! Tama stalks ELP, stands ELP up and ROCKS him with a right. ELP staggers, but he throws hands in return. Tama fires off hands, whips ELP at railing, but ELP leaps up and over! Fans fire up as ELP lands safe in No Man’s Land! But then Tama LEAPS over! ELP moves and Tama crashes into railing!
The front row is getting a lot of the action tonight as Young Lions and the ref check on Tama. Tama is okay to continue, but he is clutching his hand. ELP SLAMS the bad hand against the blue railing! ELP then drags Tama around to SLAM the hand off the table! ELP tips that table over, puts it on top of Tama’s hand, and STOMPS it! The ref reprimands and ELP moves aside. Fans rally up, ELP comes back to bring Tama up, and he knuckle locks the bad hand. ELP brings Tama over to put him in the ring, but he keeps the hand on the apron. ELP drops a knee on the hand! And again! And again! The ref reprimands as ELP digs his knee in.
ELP steps into the ring, Jado coaches Tama and fans rally up, but ELP bends Tama’s fingers! ELP tortures Tama’s hand, then SNAPS the fingers! Tama clutches the hand but ELP grabs hold again. ELP knuckle locks, then stands Tama up to CHOP! ELP goes up and up and jumps around, to then FLYING RANA! Fans applaud the athleticism, and then ELP covers. TWO, and fans rally up again. ELP stands Tama up to ROCK him with a forearm, then whips him corner to corner hard! Tama bounces off the buckles, ELP covers, TWO! Fans applaud as Tama hangs tough, but ELP sits him back up. Tama throws back elbows, and then a haymaker! But that was his bad hand!
ELP BOOTS Tama to the corner, throws hands of his own, and he sits Tama down with haymakers. The ref reprimands, ELP backs off, then drags Tama up by his bad hand again. ELP knuckle locks, then ROCKS Tama. ELP whips corner to corner, but Tama comes back to CLOBBER ELP! Off comes the vest! Fans fire up and Tama elbows ELP, throws body shots, and then forearm after forearm! Tama whips corner to corner, runs in and STINGER SPLASHES! Then a clinch, to an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tama and ELP rise. Tama stands first, he brings ELP up, and whips him to ropes for a BIG back drop!
Fans fire up as Tama goes to the corner. ELP writhes, and Tama sits him up. Tama throws down elbows, then CLUBS away on ELP’s chest! Tama CLUBS ELP down, then paces as ELP rises back up. Tama dragon sleepers, but ELP snapmares free! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to then FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Both men are down and fans fire back up. Jado coaches Tama and he sits up. Fans rally, and ELP kips up! Atomic drop, then ELP DECKS Tama! Tama stands, but ELP scoops and SLAMS him! ELP goes up a corner, to DIVING FOREARM! Fans fire up as ELP tunes up the band in the corner. Tama rises, ELP runs in, SUDDEN-
NO, Tama dodges and fires off strikes! ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO! ELP flounders to a corner and Tama storms up to him. Tama CLUBS ELP, elbows him, then elbows him again! And again! Tama whips corner to corner, ELP goes up and over, keeps moving, and springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! ELP rolls to LIONSAULT, but Tama dodges! Tama bails out but ELP DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up while both men are down on the outside! The chants for “E L P!” return as he sits up first. ELP crawls over to Tama while Tama rolls his way to ringside. ELP steps up and over Tama to go up the ropes! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit!!
Fans are thunderous but ELP clutches his leg. That may have been riskier than he needed, but too late now. ELP drags himself up with railing and hobbles his way over. The ring count climbs, ELP makes it back to railing at 7 of 20. ELP drags Tama up at 10, puts him in at 12, and fans applaud. ELP stretches his leg out, gets on the apron, and steps in, but Tama gets the leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tama gets the leg again, another DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! And then he SLAPS ELP, before a third DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! ELP flops into the ring, and fans rally up. Tama shakes out his bad hand and waits on ELP.
ELP hobbles up, Tama grabs the leg, and he trips ELP to DDT the foot! ELP writhes and fans rally up again. Tama stalks ELP, grabs the legs again, but ELP throws hands from below! Tama ROCKS ELP, steps through on the legs, but ELP throws more hands! Tama still steps over, SHARPSHOOTER!! ELP claws at Tama, endures, powers up and claws his way forward! But Tama sits on the hold! Fans rally up as ELP still endures, powers up again, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go in frustration and ELP beats his bad leg into shape. Fans rally again, Tama brings ELP up, and Tama brings ELP into a fireman’s carry!
But ELP fights free, and CLAWS Tama’s back! Dragon sleeper, and ELP steals TONGAN TWIST! Both men are down, fans rally up, and ELP sits up. ELP shakes out the bad leg, and throws a forearm on Tama. Tama throws it back, so ELP gives another. The forearms continue as both men stand. Fans rally as the two step to each other. ELP throws a forearm, and Tama throws it back! ELP throws another, so Tama throws it back! ELP SLAPS Tama, SLAPS him, but Tama SLAPS! But that’s the bad hand! ELP fires off a flurry, but Tama knees low then fires off uppercuts! They brawl fast and furious, fans fire up, and the two slow down.
But then they start up again! Tama knees low, uppercuts, and uppercuts! Tama fires furious fists, and he has ELP on the ropes! The ref counts, Tama lets off, but ELP comes in with a BOOT! Tama ROCKS ELP in return, ELP rebounds into the fireman’s carry! SRC! Tama goes to the corner and fans fire up! Tama climbs, aims, SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up again! Jado beats the apron, fans clap along, and Tama waits on ELP to rise. ELP stands, GUN- NO, ELP drops to fire off ELBOWS on Tama! Then ghost pin, but Tama rolls through it! Tama fireman’s carries again but ELP fights it off with more elbows!
Tama powers up again! TKO!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up again! Tama stands, and he vows to end this. Tama drags ELP up, underhooks the arms, but ELP resists the lift! Tama CLUBS ELP, throws body shots, and underhooks again. But ELP back drops! Tama sunset flips, ELP rolls through and he tucks Tama in! CR STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! ELP’s fake-out didn’t finish this! Fans rally back up but ELP aims his finger gun. ELP drags Tama up, reels him in and hooks an arm, BLOODY- NO, Tama fights out to GUN- NO! ELP holds that off, straitjackets and torture racks, and he throws Tama over! But Tama lands on his feet!
Tama ducks the haymaker, and hits BLOODY SUNDAY!!! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP survives Tama’s shoutout to the Prince! Tama beats the mat, ELP stands, and Tama runs in, SUDDEN DEATH!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! ELP can’t believe Tama survives and the fans are thunderous! Fans rally up again as ELP goes out of the ring. ELP goes to the timekeeper’s area, and he grabs the belt! ELP gets in the ring with it, but the ref tells him no. ELP stands up with the belt, but the ref tells him to put the belt down. ELP pushes the ref aside but the ref keeps telling him no. ELP gives the belt to the ref, and he brings Tama up, but Tama cradles! TWO!!
Tama rolls ELP up, TWO! Tama kicks the bad leg, hooks the arms, but ELP fights! Tama still gets the backslide! TWO!!! ELP escapes, hurries up, but Tama dodges to GUN- NO, ELP flips him through! CR2!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Fans are thunderous as Tama manages to survive! ELP goes to the corner, slaps himself to fire back up, and he retunes the band. Tama rises, ELP slaps himself some more, and gets the bad leg working. ELP runs in, but Tama blocks the kick to flip ELP! GUNSTUN!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Now ELP shocks everyone by surviving! Tama flounders to ropes, drags himself up, and fans rally back up.
Tama roars, drags ELP up and tucks the arms. But ELP BACK DROPS! Bridging cover, TWO! JAY DRILLER!!! Cover, Tama wins!!!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
The Good Bad Guy finishes ELP off with the #DSD, and the Bullet Club continues to lose! Will Bullet Club continue to fall apart? Will Tama Tonga continue to shoot down challenger after challenger?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi!
The Rainmaker may have invented the KOPW Championship that the Rampaging Dragon now holds. But he wasn’t as worried about winning it here tonight, wanting to make sure THE title in NJPW was taken seriously. Will Takagi make Okada take him seriously by taking the top title back? Or will Okada keep Takagi from becoming a two belt champion?
The introductions are made, the world title is raised, and we see who leads the way in NJPW’s New Beginning!
The bell rings and fans duel between “O-KA-DA!” and “TA-KA-GI!” The two circle, Takagi approaches but Okada backs away to a corner. Takagi backs away, and Okada comes back. They feel out a grapple, but back away. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Okada waistlocks but Takagi switches and half nelsons to snapmare and headlock. Okada slips out to a hammerlock, and he tweaks it! Okada rolls Takagi to a cover, ONE! Takagi slips free to facelock but Okada puts him in a corner. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak and Okada lets off cleanly. Fans applaud and the two reset again. Takagi and Okada tie up, and Takagi wrenches to YANK the arm!
Takagi wrenches, wristlocks, then hammerlocks, but Okada drop toeholds. Okada waistlocks, pushes Takagi down, and he ties up the legs. Okada shifts to a headlock, but Takagi fights up. Takagi pries at the hold, but Okada clamps on tighter. Takagi keeps trying, wrenches out to a hammerlock then headlock for the takeover. Okada headscissors and Takagi kips free, and fans applaud the standoff. Okada and Takagi both catch their breath and go again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder. Their test of strength is rather even, but Takagi gets a point of leverage. Okada turns things around with his height advantage!
Takagi drops to a knee, but he powers his way back up! Takagi gets under to BACK DROP Okada! And then run him over! Fans fire up while Takagi dusts himself off. Takagi looms over Okada, brings him up, and fans rally. Takagi CLUBS Okada, puts him on ropes, and knees him low! And again! Red Shoes reprimands, Takagi lets off and whips, to knee Okada against ropes! Takagi then runs Okada over again! Fans applaud while Takagi brings Okada back up, for a big suplex! Takagi stands and he drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Takagi brings Okada up again, and bumps him off buckles. Takagi pushes Okada, but Okada throws a forearm!
Okada throws more forearms but Takagi stays put. Takagi JABS Okada and Okada sits back down! Takagi stands Okada, for a CHOP! And another CHOP! And another CHOP! And then a JAB! Fans rally as Takagi whips corner to corner. Takagi runs, blocks a boot, but Okada avoids the haymaker! Okada puts Takagi up top, blocks a boot, then DROPKICKS Takagi down! Fans fire up while Takagi tumbles to the floor! Okada goes out after Takagi, brings him up and around, to put through railing in front of commentary! Okada bends Takagi against the railing and Red Shoes reprimands! Okada lets off, to kick the railing! Fans actually boo Okada!
Takagi clutches the back of his head while Okada goes into the ring. Fans rally up for Takagi as the ring count climbs. Takagi crawls his way over, stands at 8 of 20, and slides into the ring at 10. Fans applaud but Okada snapmares Takagi, runs side to side, and basement dropkicks Takagi against ropes! Fans applaud, and Okada waits on Takagi. Okada storms over, brings Takagi up, but Takagi throws body shots! Okada knees low, turns Takagi, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Okada clamps on with a chinlock, but Takagi reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Okada holds on, Red Shoes counts, and Okada lets go at 4.
Fans boo again at Okada bending the rules. Okada goes back to Takagi in the corner and brings him up. Takagi fires a forearm, but Okada just frowns. Takagi forearms and CHOPS, but Okada just stares Takagi down! Takagi forearms, CHOPS, but Okada DECKS Takagi! Fans fire up for that, and Okada stands Takagi up. Okada whips but Takagi reverses, then dodges the elbow! Okada blocks a kick, ROCKS Takagi, but Takagi roars! Takagi swings, but Okada catches the arm, MONEY CLIP! Takagi RAMS Okada into the corner and is free! Takagi runs in but Okada elbows him away. Okada runs, but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT!
Fans fire up while Okada is down and Takagi drops to his knees. Fans rally up and Takagi stands. Takagi runs to run Okada over, and then scoops to SLAM him! SENTON! Okada goes to a corner, Takagi runs in but blocks a boot. Takagi clotheslines in the corner, then reels Okada in, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! But Takagi says that’s not all! Fans fire up and Takagi brings Okada around. Takagi drives elbows into the shoulder, runs, but Okada avoids the sliding lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint to the DDT! Okada staggers up, Takagi runs in to clothesline him up and out! Fans fire up again as Okada hits the floor!
Takagi goes out after Okada, drags him up, and whips him into railing! Okada staggers and Takagi says he’s not done there. Takagi whips Okada into more railing! Okada slumps down and fans fire up again. Takagi takes his time bringing Okada up again, to fireman’s carry and APRON SNAKE EYES! Okada staggers, into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY to the floor!! Fans fire up again while both men are down! The ring count climbs, Takagi stands at 6 of 20 and rolls in. Okada is still down at 10, sits up at 12, but the count gets to 15 before he stands! Okada slides in at 18, and fans applaud. Takagi encourages the fans to get louder, so they do.
Takagi runs in at the corner to clothesline! Fans fire up with Takagi, and Takagi puts Okada up top. Takagi climbs up, brings Okada to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX! Okada writhes and fans fire up again! Takagi crawls over to Okada, sits him up, then runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this, but Takagi rallies the fans with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans echo the “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi brings Okada up. Takagi pump handles, but Okada clubs free. Okada uppercuts, but Takagi CHOPS! Okada stumbles and falls in the corner! Takagi powers up, runs in, but Okada pops him up! REVERSE NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down again and fans fire back up. Fans rally, Okada crawls his way over, and he gut wrenches! Takagi CLUBS that off, throws more elbows, then DOUBLE CHOPS! Okada staggers then bails out. Takagi goes out after Okada, brings him up, and whips him into railing! Okada staggers, into a scoop! But he fights that to a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE to the floor!! Both men are down on the outside again and fans fire back up! Fans rally back up as the ring count returns. Okada sits up first at 6 of 20, then stands at 10. Okada hobbles over to bring Takagi up at 13 and put him in at 14. Fans applaud as this continues in the ring!
Okada brings Takagi up, wrenches, and wraps on the MONEY CLIP!! Takagi fights but Okada tightens the hold! Takagi RAMS Okada into a corner and is free, but Okada’s right on him with a BACK2BACKBREAKER! And then the MONEY CLIP!! Fans rally for Takagi as he endures and throws hands! Okada wraps on tighter but Takagi still endures! Takagi fights with fists but Okada squeezes as tight as he can! Takagi starts fading! Red Shoes checks, but Takagi gets a second wind, and the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go in frustration while fans fire up. Takagi sputters but Okada brings him up. Okada scoops to SLAM Takagi in the drop zone.
Okada goes up a corner, to MACHO ELBOW! And of course, he hits the Rainmaker Pose! Okada stands Takagi up, ripcords, but Takagi dodges! Only to run into a DROPKICK! Okada stands Takagi back up, ripcords, YUKON LARIAT!! Takagi counters Okada but he still has to rest against ropes. Fans rally up, Takagi crawls his way over and scuffs Okada with his boot. Takagi gives Okada some kicks to the head, then a KICK to the back! Okada gets right up and in Takagi’s face! They chest bump, then Okada throws a forearm. Takagi throws a forearm, Okada hits back, fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” for every shot!
They go fast and furious, then Takagi fires up! Takagi throws heavy shots but Okada just scowls. Okada fires a flurry, and an UPPERCUT! Takagi drops to a knee! Okada stands him up but JAB and HEADBUTT take Okada down! KNEE DROP on the back of the head! Takagi drags Okada up as fans rally. Okada is dead weight so Takagi has Red Shoes check him. Okada seems okay to continue, so Takagi stands him up for boxing elbows! Okada UPPERCUTS, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Okada BOOTS, but Takagi puts that through ropes! And then DRAPING GTR! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?!
Fans are thunderous as Okada survives! Fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” as he sits up first. Takagi brings Okada up, pump handles and torture racks, but Okada slips off to backslide! Takagi rolls through, short arm LARIAT! But Takagi doesn’t even budge! Okada swings again, Takagi spins him around, tucks the arms, TAKAGI PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! SLIDING FOREARM!! Okada is down and dazed but fans are thunderous for Takagi! Okada rises, Takagi runs in, PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars and the fans are thunderous again as he pump handles and torture racks! But Okada fights free! Back drop, Okada sits on it, TWO!!!
Even Takagi is surprised he escaped! But Okada gets around him, ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! But Okada is too tired to make the cover!! Fans are thunderous, both men stir, and Okada crawls after Takagi. Takagi goes to a corner but Okada brings him up first. Okada has hold of Takagi’s tights but Takagi resists. Okada grabs at the hand, but Takagi elbows free with the other! Only for Okada to GERMAN SUPLEX! Okada holds on, ripcords, but Takagi ducks! Takagi CLUBS the lariat, CLUBS Okada on the back, but Okada SHOTGUNS! Takagi is right back up! But he runs into a scoop and LANDSLIDE!!!
Okada fires up, ripcords, but Takagi ducks and torture racks! LAST OF THE DRAGON!!!! But now Takagi can’t make the cover!! Fans are thunderous as he crawls his way over, TWO!?!?!?! Okada survives because of the delay, and Osaka is electric!! Takagi and Okada stir, and Takagi crawls back over to Okada. Takagi drags Okada up, pump handles, but Okada CLUBS Takagi. And CLUBS again. Takagi clotheslines but there isn’t a lot of force. Takagi clotheslines again and he’s getting stronger. Then he clotheslines again and Okada falls! Takagi fires up, fans fire up, and Takagi torture racks! Okada slips off, RAIN-
NO, Takagi ducks! Takagi ripcords, but Okada ducks! Okada ripcords, to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Okada hurries to get Takagi up, scoops, but Takagi slips off to DRAGON SUPLEX!! Takagi runs, into a DROPKICK! But he’s right back up! Takagi swings, Okada blocks and spins Takagi to also spin, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Fans are electric all over again as Takagi drags Okada back up! Takagi runs, but Okada steals PUMPING BOMBER!!! Okada scoops, spins, EMERALD FLOSION! And ripcord, RAINMAKER!!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Despite everything he was hit with, Okada was still able to slay the Rampaging Dragon! If Takagi fought this hard and still lost, what hope does anyone have of taking the KOPW title from him?
As for Okada, he puts on the belt and stands tall with the mic. “OSAKAAA~! Thank you for all your hot and passionate support, even though it wasn’t all for the champion. Takagi-san. Thank you for all that you’ve done to get NJPW to this point with this support. We finally fought an awful lot in front of live crowds, and now I know just how great you are, to fight you in front of this crowd. Let’s do it again.” Fans cheer on Takagi as he makes his exit, and Okada continues. “There is one thing I’d like to say here. Today, that was professional wrestling!” Fans cheer that! Okada says that was NJPW’s pro-wrestling!
Okada says that he know what is next for him: San Jose, California, defending the world title at Battle of the Valley! And he will show America how great NJPW’s pro-wrestling is, and come back as NJPW’s champion. When it comes to showing what NJPW is, Okada needs an appropriate opponent. Many years ago, Okada was here in Osaka, against TANAHASHI! Fans cheer that choice! Okada asks Tanahashi, “If you’re not tired, how about you face me in San Jose?” Tanahashi steps off commentary and he goes to the ring as fans cheer him on! Tanahashi steps in, Okada hands him the mic, and Tanahashi says, “I say, of course! I’ve never been tired a moment in my life.”
Tanahashi says that over a decade ago, the “Rainmaker Shock…” This time, he’ll make a shock for Okada! Fans like the sound of that! Tanahashi tells Okada, “Thanks for your hard work,” repeating what Okada said all those years ago. Okada takes the mic back to say that Tanahashi should consider this shot his last shot. He wants all Tanahashi has to give! Both men strike their poses, and we’re just one week away from an epic showdown! Tanahashi takes his leave, will the Once in a Century Talent be ready for one last shot?
As for Okada, he closes with, “So now, next week in America, we are going to have an unbelievable even with an unbelievable match in Okada VS Tanahashi. So sorry to those who don’t like it, but I’m coming back to Osaka still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. And we’ll be right here, with all of these sold out crowds all over Japan and the world, because that is what NJPW will keep on doing! So long as you’re still with us, so long as you still love us, I will continue to make it rain!” Okada goes from one powerful challenger to another, and the golden streamers fall! Will Okada prove this New Beginning is just the beginning of his next chapter?
My Thoughts:
A great event to wrap up the New Beginnings series, and it was great to see Suzuki’s new team take the Six Man titles. “Team Strong Style” isn’t that strong of a name, but I suppose it is the most fitting, and it makes all three men equals. They’re going to have a strong run with those belts, but also a lot of fun. Really good match out of White VS Hikuleo, and I was genuinely surprised to see Hikuleo win. Again, this is Loser Leaves Japan, not NJPW, so White can still be active in the company through NJPW Strong and the American events like we’re seeing with Battle of the Valley and Capital Collision.
At the same time, White’s NJPW contract is coming to an end soon, this could be their way to brace the fans for his full departure. Tama VS ELP was great stuff, especially each of them busting out former Bullet Club leader finishers. Tama retaining was the right call, as the Bullet Club needs to struggle to find itself again. White’s claim as leader will be weakened now that he can’t be in Japan, he might end up having to fight for it with guys like ELP and Kenta more than capable of stepping up. And finally, after thinking we’d get it the last few years, we could see that Bullet Club Civil War II, but now it’s about Bullet Club Japan VS Bullet Club USA.
And then hot damn that main event. Takagi had Osaka on his side, and if it were me, I might’ve given him the win just to hear Osaka go really nuts. But at the same time, Takagi has a belt, and it’s too soon for NJPW to have another double champion, as Okada said himself. Okada winning was the right move for NJPW as a whole, and now we’re getting a huge match in Okada VS Tanahashi to really elevate Battle of the Valley. Okada will surely retain the title there, too, but he and Tanahashi can definitely give us something on par with the main event here.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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