Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Sapporo Results & Report! (2/5/23)

New Beginnings, new champions?

Published

3 years ago

February 5, 2023

Steven Mitchell

It’s a golden finale here in Sapporo!

Sapporo has THREE championships for night two! The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team, NJPW World TV and IWGP Junior Heavyweight titles, all in a row!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

8 Man Tag: The United Empire VS Just4Guys; The United Empire wins.
8 Man Tag: Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Ren Narita & Ryohei Oiwa VS The House of Torture; Suzuki, Desperado, Narita & Oiwa win.
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Master Wato VS KENTA & Taiji Ishimori; Kenta & Ishimori win.
Six Man Tag: Guerillas of Destiny VS Bullet Club; GoD wins.
8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Ryusuke Taguchi & Shota Umino VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Okada, Yano, Taguchi & Umino win.
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS The Mighty; Bishamon wins and retains the title.
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Tomohiro Ishii; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS YOH; Hiromu wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS The Mighty!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won World Tag League 2022 to then take these titles back from FTR at WrestleKingdom 17. And they also beat Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls along the way! Will The Mighty avenge their loss? Or will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter make The Mighty kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly mighty!

The teams stare down before they sort out. Fans applaud as Goto starts against Mikey. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally and duel, the two tie up, and Goto powers Mikey back to ropes. Mikey turns things around but Goto turns it back around, and the ref reprimands them both, calling for the ropebreak. Goto lets off with pats to the shoulders and fans applaud. Mikey applauds, circles with Goto again, and they approach. Mikey kicks low, clamps on a headlock and grinds Goto down. Goto powers out, they RAM shoulders, but neither man falls! Mikey eggs Goto on, Goto runs and they RAM shoulders again, and Mikey again eggs Goto on.

Goto runs, Mikey follows and ELBOWS Goto, then runs to run Goto over! Mikey drags Goto up, wrenches and he tags Shane. The Mighty mug Goto then Shane clamps on a headlock. Goto powers out to get the headlock on Shane! Shane pulls hair, powers out, and ELBOWS Goto, to then snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Shane beats his chest to fire up, too. Shane runs, but Hashi gets in, double shoulder tackles! Then ZANMAI, the hip toss senton! Mikey runs in, Goto kicks him first, then Goto snap suplexes Mikey onto Shane! Hashi drags Mikey up, Goto has Shane, Bishamon beats the war drums in stereo!

Fans fire up as Bishamon throws The Mighty out of the ring. Hashi fires up, Goto goes out after Shane to kick and CLUB him, then POST him! Hashi has Mikey, but Mikey SMACKS Hashi off the apron! Mikey stomps Hashi down while Goto puts Shane in the ring. Shane knees low, whips, but Goto reverses to send Shane into a corner. Goto fires off forearms, then brings Shane around to CLUB him on the neck. Goto brings Shane around, whips, but Shane reverses. Mikey trips Goto up at the ropes! Shane basement dropkicks Goto, Mikey spins Goto around and SLAMS him on the apron! Fans rally as Mikey lets off and Goto falls to the floor.

Shane BLASTS Hashi, Mikey whips Hashi hard into railing! Shane whips Goto hard into railing, then throws him into more railing! The Mighty regroup and Shane drags Goto up and into the ring. Shane stomps Goto, paces around, then drags Goto over. Tag to Mikey, but Goto fights back with forearms on The Mighty! Shane ROCKS Goto, Mikey reels him in, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Mikey is annoyed. Mikey sits Goto up for a neck wrench. Goto endures as Mikey twists the head. Mikey spits at Hashi! Fans rally, and Goto reaches out to a ropebreak! Mikey lets go then tags Shane.

Mikey stands Goto up, scoops him and SLAMS him, then Shane runs. The Mighty steals ZANMAI! Cover, TWO! Shane grins, and he KICKS Goto in the back! Shane bumps Goto off buckles, tags in Mikey, then CHOPS Goto. Mikey toys with Goto, talking trash and slapping him around. Fans rally for Goto, Mikey dares Goto to hit him, so Goto fires off forearms! Goto CHOPS Mikey, Mikey ROCKS Goto! Shane holds Goto so The Mighty can mug him! The ref reprimands, Mikey lets off and he runs back in, but into a BOOT! Goto fires off fists on Shane, then DECKS him! Mikey kicks Goto low and whips him, only for Goto to reverse and whip Mikey OUT of the ring!

Fans fire up as The Mighty regroups outside. Goto crawls his way over, but Mikey hurries in! Mikey drags Goto back but Goto BOOTS him away! Shane tags in, he hurries to BLAST Hashi off the apron! Shane stomps Goto down, then kicks him around. Fans rally for “GO-TO-O!” as Shane kicks and kicks. Shane says we’re getting new champs, but Goto blocks a boot! Shane UPPERCUTS, then runs in, but Goto deflects the boot to LARIAT! Fans rally while both men are down, and Goto hot tags Hashi! Hashi ELBOWS Shane, BLASTS Mikey, but Shane kicks low. Shane whips, Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up with Hashi!

Hashi sees Shane go to a corner. Hashi runs in to CHOP! Hashi whips to CHOP again! And mule kick! Hashi hangs Shane out to dry, runs side to side, and he dropkicks Shane down! Hashi then stands Shane up, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shane hangs tough and fans rally up. Hashi drags Shane up, fisherman’s the leg, but Shane fights free! Hashi SUPERKICKS back! Hashi tries again, but Shane suplexes for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and fans fire up! Fans rally and duel, Shane bumps Hashi off buckles then hoists him up top. Shane throws hands, climbs up after Hashi, but Hashi throws body shots.

Hashi fires forearms on Shane, and Shane falls and staggers back! Mikey tags in and he hurries to ROCK Hashi! Shane gets a boost up from Mikey, they SUPERPLEX BOMB Hashi!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and fans fire up again! Mikey sits Hashi up but Hashi avoids the sliding lariat! Hashi CHOPS, ROCKS, and repeat! Hashi roars, whips Mikey, but Mikey reverses to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, Goto breaks it! Fans fire up but Shane throws Goto out. The Mighty drag Hashi up, but Hashi BOOTS free! Hashi elbows Mikey, sends Shane into him, then SPIN KICKS Shane away! Hashi runs to HEADHUNTER on Mikey!

Fans fire up as Hashi crawls past The Mighty! Hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior runs to Mikey in a corner! Then he runs corner to corner to clothesline Shane in a corner! Goto goes back the other way but Mikey rushes him! Goto gets around, shoves Mikey into Shane, then hits a MURAMASA SANDWICH! Fans fire up as Goto gets them both, DOUBLE BULLDOG! Goto drags Mikey up, fireman’s carries, but Mikey fights free. Mikey throws a forearm but Goto gives it back! They go back and forth, Mikey gets the edge, and Mikey runs, but Goto follows! Mikey dodges, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up as Mikey survives. Mikey has a cut on his forehead that’s a bit bloody, but Goto drags him up. Goto dragon sleepers Mikey, but Shane LARIATS Goto in the back! Shane keeps moving, Mikey ducks, and Shane LARIATS Goto down! Mikey drags Goto up while Shane climbs the corner. Scoop and- NO, Goto slips off to shove Mikey at the corner! Shane leaps over, into HIDDEN GAP! Hashi’s superkick takes out Shane, and Goto holds Mikey in the corner for Hashi’s BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Feed to the fireman’s carry, Goto throws Mikey into the dragon sleeper! Hashi goes for the legs, but Shane BOOTS Hashi down!

Mikey scoops Goto, Shane runs in, TANK BUSTER! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives and shocks The Mighty! Shane throws Hashi out and Mikey throws off his elbow pads! Shane keeps on Hashi while Mikey whips Goto. MIKEY BOMB!! Cover, TWO!??! Goto survives again and Mikey can’t believe it! Shane RAMS Hashi into railing, and then The Mighty coordinate in the ring. Fans cheer the double thumbs down pose, and The Mighty stand Goto up. THUNDER- NO, Goto slips free to shove Mikey into Shane! Hashi returns to SUPERKICK Mikey! Hashi LARIATS Shane off the apron! Mikey and Hashi run at each other to DOUBLE LARAIT! But neither man falls!

Another DOUBLE LARIAT, but neither falls! ANOTHER DOUBLE LARIAT, and Hashi falls!! But he roars as he rises back up! Mikey runs in, Hashi moves and Goto LARIATS Mikey! Goto stands Mikey up, he and Hashi coordinate, G Y R!! Fans are thunderous as Bishamon resets! Hashi calls their shot, SHOUTO!!! Cover, Goto & Hashi win!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Whether or not the Mighty kneel, it was still lights out for them! The gold stays with Goto & Hashi, but the night is not done for Chaos! Will there be even more gold added to the collection tonight?

NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The Submission Master made history by winning this title at WrestleKingdom to become its very first champion! But now the Stone Pitbull looks to make history as the second-ever champion! Will Ishii have his 15 minutes of fame? Or will “The Front Man” keep his show on the air?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the star of the show!

The bell rings and fans rally as we’re on the clock. ZSJ and Ishii feel things out, back away, then come back to try again. ZSJ waistlocks, Ishii standing switches, but ZSJ switches back. Ishii breaks free to switch again, but they keep going back and forth, around and around. They break, and the fans applaud this opening exchange. They circle again, tie up, and Ishii hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! ZSJ scrambles to roll Ishii up, TWO, and Ishii has a HEEL HOOK! ZSJ scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Ishii lets off quickly. Fans applaud as Ishii is getting the better of ZSJ at his own game. ZSJ himself is a bit amused as he resets with Ishii.

They circle again, ZSJ rushes in to get an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks, Ishii elbows free and puts the hammerlock on ZSJ. ZSJ clasps hands behind his back, then slips around, only for Ishii to put the hold back on ZSJ. ZSJ slips out to headlock, but Ishii slips right out to hammerlock again! Ishii cranks the hold but ZSJ reaches back to snapmare. ZSJ headlocks but Ishii slips out again to go back to the hammerlock! Fans applaud but ZSJ is annoyed. ZSJ rolls and wrenches Ishii’s arm, but Ishii wrenches ZSJ right back, and again has the hammerlock! ZSJ is getting frustrated but fans rally up. ZSJ stands, Ishii wrenches, and Ishii YANKS the arm!

ZSJ avoids Ishii’s haymaker, Ishii ducks ZSJ’s roundhouse, and Ishii avoids the uppercut! Ishii also deflects a boot to run the ropes, and he runs ZSJ over! Fans fire up as Ishii now has the advantage. Ishii sits ZSJ up to KICK him in the back. ZSJ stands up to kick, snapmare and KICK! Ishii just frowns and stands up. ZSJ ducks a chop, waistlocks, but then ducks Ishii’s elbow and forearm to get a COBRA TWIST! Ishii pops out to hip toss, but ZSJ bridges up and snapmares Ishii, into a NECK TWIST! Ishii writhes and fans applaud, but then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Ishii in the back! Fans rally while Ishii writhes some more.

ZSJ shakes out his own arms while talking trash on Ishii. ZSJ drags Ishii up by his ears, EuroUppers him to a corner, then fires off another EuroUpper! And another! And another! And then a BOOT! Ishii sits down, ZSJ drags him back up and snapmares. ZSJ clamps on a headscissor squeeze and pushes up to put on the pressure! ZSJ then sits back to grab Ishii’s arm! ZSJ twists the wrist, bends the arm, and then traps Ishii in a TESCO MEAL DEAL! Ishii rolls to get the ROPEBREAK and fans applaud. ZSJ lets go quickly, keeping his cool. We’re at five minutes as ZSJ kicks Ishii around. Ishii stands up to ROCK ZSJ with a forearm!

Ishii ROCKS ZSJ again, and again, but ZSJ EuroUppers! ZSJ whips, Ishii reverses, ZSJ goes up and around and leaps for a GUILLOTINE! But Ishii OVERHEAD suplexes ZSJ away! Fans fire up while both men are down! Ishii sits up first, and he stands over ZSJ. Ishii stands ZSJ up to CHOP him! ZSJ goes to a corner, and Ishii CHOPS again! Ishii stands ZSJ up for another CHOP! And another CHOP! ZSJ EuroUppers, but Ishii CHOPS him down! Fans fire up and Ishii stands ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the back suplex. ZSJ slips around to a full nelson, then spins Ishii around into a cravat! Ishii powers through to a facelock but ZSJ wrenches, and wrenches, and wrenches!

ZSJ reels Ishii into a headlock, shifts to a facelock, but Ishii wrenches out to whip. ZSJ reverses but Ishii reverses and reels ZSJ in, SAIDO! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Ishii stands up first, looms over ZSJ then stands him up. Ishii CHOPS but ZSJ blocks! ZSJ uppercuts the arm, but Ishii still CHOPS! Ishii whips, ZSJ reverses and captures the arm, but Ishii grabs at ZSJ! ZSJ grabs Ishii’s ear and twists! Then he TWEAKS Ishii’s arm! ZSJ wrenches and wrangles Ishii, isolates that arm, and STOMPS the elbow! Fans rally up as both men are down again. ZSJ stands and PENALTY KICKS, then eggs Ishii on.

Ishii swings but ZSJ catches the arm! ZSJ spins, brings Ishii into monkey lift, and then drops him into an ARMBAR! Ishii endures, fights up, and he stacks ZSJ! ZSJ keeps his shoulders up so Ishii stomps away on ZSJ! Ishii gets free and fans applaud. Ishii kicks ZSJ around, egging him on. ZSJ stands to ROCK Ishii with a forearm! ZSJ swings again, but Ishii wrenches, YANKS, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! To a SLIDING FOREARM! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Both men sit up, and Ishii kicks ZSJ. ZSJ kicks back, and they kick at each other while still on the mat. They both stand, and Ishii throws a forearm! ZSJ comes back to EuroUpper!

Fans rally up as Ishii throws another forearm. ZSJ shakes that off to EuroUpper! Ishii forearms, ZSJ eggs him on, so Ishii CHOPS! But that hurts the arm! ZSJ wrenches the arm, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! ZSJ stays up to UPPERCUT! But Ishii stays up to full nelson, spin and suplex! ZSJ staggers, but he PENALTY KICKS! Ishii is right up, he gets through ZSJ’s boot but ZSJ catches the lariat to wrench and PELE the arm! ZSJ keeps moving, but Ishii CLOBBERS him! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Ishii has a bloody lip, and we’re only at 10 minutes! Ishii stands, brings ZSJ in, and gets ZSJ up for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!!

INTO AN ARMBAR! ZSJ has Ishii’s bad arm and has a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Then BOTH arms! Ishii reaches out to a ROPEBREAK! Ishii survives by a literal foot! Fans are thunderous as ZSJ lets off. The fans rally up, ZSJ grabs Ishii’s bad arm and stands him up. Wrench and ELBOW BREAKER, but Ishii gets a SLEEPER! And then an IRON OCTOPUS!? Ishii is using ZSJ’s own style against him! But ZSJ Alabama Lifts, only for Ishii to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and fans are thunderous! Ishii runs, ZSJ trips him up! Body scissors, to JAPANESE LEG ROLL, TWO!!! ZSJ full nelsons, Ishii breaks it, but ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES!

But Ishii’s right back up! And he GERMAN SUPLEXES ZSJ! ZSJ wobbles back to his feet, he and Ishii run in, Ishii LARIATS ZSJ!! We’re at the three minute warning!! Fans are thunderous and Ishii roars! Ishii runs as ZSJ stands, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and time is running out on Ishii’s chance! Ishii fires himself back up, he drags ZSJ back up, and Ishii suplexes. ZSJ slips out to a SLEEPER, but Ishii throws him away! But ZSJ drags Ishii down to a EURO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Two minute warning!! Both men stand, run in, and ZSJ BOOTS! ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES but Ishii swats it! Ishii HEADBUTTS ZSJ down!

ZSJ staggers up, Ishii runs in, but ZSJ slips around! Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Ishii escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Fans are thunderous and ZSJ goes to ropes. ZSJ waits on Ishii to sit up, and PENALTY- NO, Ishii blocks the kick! ZSJ SLAPS, then ducks the enziguri! PENALTY KICK!! Fans are thunderous and ZSJ roars! ZSJ drags Ishii up, reels him in, ZACK- NO, Ishii slips out to suplex, but ZSJ slips out! Ishii ENZIGURIS! Both men are down with just one minute left!! Ishii runs in to SLIDING- GHOST PIN!! TWO!?!? Ishii escapes, and then CLOBBERS ZSJ!

Ishii hurries to run again, SLIDING LARIAT!! Ishii roars, time is running out, and he suplexes! But ZSJ slips free! ZSJ tilt-o-whirls, scoops, ZACK DRIVER!!!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

With 30 seconds to spare, The Front Man gets it done! The Tomohiro Ishii Show did not get greenlit, the ZSJ Show continues! Will time ever run out on Zack’s clock?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS YOH!

The Ticking Timebomb made history of his own, making it to a fourth consecutive Best of the Super Juniors Final, and winning his third! But Mr. Direct Drive wants to crash all of that and start his own reign atop the Junior Heavyweight Division! Will Chaos be up one thanks to Yoh? Or will Hiromu keep Sapporo tranquilo?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the Best of the Super Juniors!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” Yoh doesn’t let that bother him as he circles with the champ. They tie up, and are in a deep deadlock as both men drop to a knee. Yoh pushes Hiromu back a step, but Hiromu pushes Yoh back. They keep pushing, Yoh gains some ground, but Hiromu gains it right back. Fans continue to rally, and Hiromu puts Yoh on the ropes. Yoh turns it around but Red Shoes calls the break. Yoh lets off with a pat on the shoulders, and fans applaud. Then Yoh rushes in, only for Hiromu to dodge the basement dropkick! Hiromu drags Yoh up to whip but Yoh reverses.

Yoh drops down, Hiromu stops himself to bring Yoh back up. Hiromu whips again to ROCK Yoh, put him on the ropes, KICK the ropes to jam Yoh up, then runs. Yoh dodges to run, Hiromu dodges, things speed up again and Yoh drop toeholds to basement dropkick! Fans applaud this exchange while Hiromu bails out. Yoh taunts Hiromu, “C’mon, champion~!” Hiromu slides in, but then slides back out. Hiromu walks around the outside but Yoh rushes out. Hiromu kicks Yoh, whips, but Yoh reverses! Hiromu stops himself from hitting railing, then he dodges Yoh to send him into railing! Hiromu then CHOPS Yoh, and Yoh falls through the gate.

Fans rally up while Hiromu catches his breath. Hiromu fetches Yoh, brings him back to the ring as the count climbs, then CHOPS Yoh at 7 of 20. And again at 9 of 20! Hiromu puts Yoh in at 10 and fans applaud. Hiromu drags Yoh up to CHOP him to a corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! He snapmares Yoh and runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is right on Yoh with a headscissor squeeze! Yoh endures, kicks around, but Hiromu keeps him down. Yoh moves, Hiromu puts on more pressure, but Yoh gets the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets off cleanly and fans applaud. Hiromu taunts Yoh with kicks as well as sarcastic applause.

Hiromu drags Yoh up, but Yoh CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hiromu ducks the next chop to CHOP back! Hiromu whips, Yoh reverses, but Hiromu holds ropes. Yoh runs in but Hiromu BOOTS him! Hiromu reaches up with his legs, and has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR HOLD! Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu lets go at 3. Hiromu then drags Yoh out to whip him hard into railing! Hiromu says “Mada mada!” because he’s not done! Hiromu whips Yoh into more railing! Yoh is stuck a moment but he slumps off. Hiromu brings Yoh around to the ramp, to snap suplex him to the floor! Fans rally while Hiromu leaves Yoh behind.

Red Shoes checks on Yoh but he’s okay to continue. Hiromu waits in the ring as the ring count starts. Yoh stirs at 4 of 20, but doesn’t sit up until 8. Yoh crawls his way over and Hiromu gets impatient. The count is 13, then 14! Yoh is back at the railing by 15, then springs up at 18 to get into the ring! Hiromu drags Yoh by his legs to tie them up, Cloverleaf JAMMER! Yoh writhes from Hiromu’s creative attack, but then Hiromu is right on him with another creative hold. Hiromu straddles Yoh’s head while tying up the arms! Yoh endures, fights around, and fans rally up. Hiromu keeps on his armlocks but Yoh gets the ROPEBREAK!

Hiromu lets go and fans applaud. Hiromu eggs Yoh on and even kicks him around. Yoh gets up at the ropes but Hiromu pie faces him over and over. Yoh smirks and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hiromu eggs Yoh on more so Yoh throws more CHOPS! Hiromu then CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Yoh eggs Hiromu on now, getting right in his face! Hiromu dares Yoh to do something, so Yoh CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Hiromu mule kicks, front kicks and CHOPS! Hiromu whips, Yoh reverses and DROPKICKS! Yoh dropkicks so hard, he and Hiromu collide on the landing! Hiromu flops out of the ring while Yoh stays in.

Fans rally up, Yoh rises up, and Yoh builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp with that no-touch tope conjilo! Fans fire up while both men are down on the outside. A ring count starts, Yoh stands at 4 of 20. Yoh stalks Hiromu, brings him up at 9 and puts him in at 10. Yoh then hurries up the corner, Hiromu stands for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Hiromu flounders away, Yoh covers, TWO! Fans rally up and Yoh drags Hiromu back up. Yoh waistlocks, Hiromu throws elbows, and then Hiromu runs, but into a BACKBREAKER! Yoh gets a leg, but Hiromu CLUBS away on Yoh! Hiromu gets free, runs, but Yoh handsprings to dodge!

Hiromu blocks Yoh’s superkick, but Yoh avoids Hiromu’s! Yoh SOBATS, runs, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Hiromu doesn’t stop there, he rolls Yoh to his feet, only for Yoh to suplex! FALCON ARROW! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Yoh and Hiromu stir and fans start dueling, “HI-RO-MU!” “YO-OH!” Both men stand and go forehead to forehead. Hiromu throws a forearm, but Yoh gives it back! Hiromu throws another, but so does Yoh! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and fans rally up! Hiromu ROCKS Yoh, but Yoh comes back with another! Hiromu ROCKS Yoh again and Yoh drops to a knee!

Hiromu runs, but Yoh ELBOWS! Yoh runs, but Hiromu ELBOWS! Hiromu fakes Yoh out, elbows, then goes from the corner to SHOTGUN Yoh into another corner! Hiromu waits for Yoh to sit back up, then he goes corner to corner, but Yoh dropkicks the leg out! Hiromu clutches the knee but Yoh is also down. Hiromu goes to ropes, Yoh rushes over, DRAGON SCREW! And then another DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally up while Hiromu leans against the ropes. Yoh drags Hiromu up, picks him up, and then drops him on his knees! Yoh then clamps on the KNEEBAR! Hiromu endures, drags himself over, but Yoh thrashes the leg! ROPEBREAK!!

Fans applaud as Yoh lets off cleanly but in frustration. Yoh stands as fans rally and duel more. Hiromu goes to a corner and Yoh puts him up top. Yoh climbs up after Hiromu but Hiromu throws body shots. Hiromu and Yoh throw forearms, but Hiromu gets the edge! Yoh eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu keeps throwing forearms until Yoh falls! Hiromu adjusts, but Yoh is right after him! SUPER DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!! Hiromu is stuck up top, and Yoh repositions Hiromu’s leg. Yoh climbs up after Hiromu and fires up the fans! SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO, into a KNEEBAR!! Hiromu writhes as Yoh pulls on the leg!

Hiromu reaches out, but Yoh twists the knee! Hiromu keeps fighting but Yoh drags him away! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then, FIGURE FOUR!! Hiromu endures as Yoh puts as much pressure as he can on the hold! Fans rally, Hiromu grits his teeth and reaches out, but Yoh keeps him stuck at center! Hiromu still fights, still crawls, still reaches out, but Yoh twists the foot to keep him from ropes! Fans rally as hard as they can, and Hiromu lunges forward to the ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go, growing further frustrated. Yoh drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! So Yoh dropkicks the leg!

Yoh underhooks the arms, Hiromu breaks free to wrench out, but Yoh rolls free of the pump handle. Yoh swings, but Hiromu catches that to spin him around, but Yoh fights the suplex! Yoh wrenches, but Hiromu HEADBUTTS! Both men drop to their knees and fans fire back up! Hiromu drags Yoh back up, fireman’s carries, but Yoh slips free to hop up. Hiromu slips free to waistlock, but Yoh REAR HEADBUTTS! Yoh runs but Hiromu sidesteps to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Yoh rises up!? Only for HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER to take him down!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down again!

Fans duel, “HI-RO-MU!” “YO-OH!” and Hiromu sits up first. Hiromu drags Yoh up by an arm, fireman’s carries, and CORNER DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Then Hiromu drags Yoh up to fireman’s carry, TIME- NO, SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu roars, runs, but Yoh LARIATS back! Perhaps that was a Yoh Bomber?! Fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Yoh and Hiromu stir again, and Yoh crawls his way over to Hiromu. Yoh drags Hiromu up into underhooks! But Hiromu fights the lift! Yoh hammerlocks an arm, and he fires off forearm after forearm! Hiromu roars but Yoh just fires more forearms!

Hiromu drops to his knees, Yoh DECKS him! Fans fire up with Yoh and he drags Hiromu back up into a full nelson. Hiromu backs Yoh into buckles, is free of the nelson, but Yoh dropkicks the bad leg! Yoh then grabs the leg, but Hiromu CLUBS away on his back! Yoh holds on so Hiromu throws forearms into Yoh’s face! Fans rally, Yoh stands back up to DRAGON SCREW! But Hiromu sits on it as a cover!! TWO!!! Yoh hurries up, swings, but Hiromu spins him, pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE! TWO!!! Yoh escapes again, rushes in, but into a scoop and dragon sleeper! But his bad leg limits the inverted suplex!

Yoh spins through, reels Hiromu in, but Hiromu suplexes! VICTORY ROYALE!! Fans fire up with Hiromu as he rises back up! Hiromu drags Yoh up, reels him into the dragon sleeper, but Yoh slips out of the inverted suplex! Yoh waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, but Hiromu slips out to waistlock back! Yoh swings an elbow but Hiromu ducks it! Fireman’s carry, but Yoh fights free! POISON-RANA!! Hiromu staggers to a corner, Yoh aims to SUPERKICK!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives and fans are thunderous again! Yoh shakes his head, grits his teeth, and drags Hiromu up. Suplex, FALCON GOROSHI! And then full nelson, for the DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!!

Hiromu survives and fans are thunderous while Yoh is furious! Yoh pounds the mat, roars, and fans fire up with him. Yoh drags Hiromu up, underhooks, DIRECT- NO, snapmare and roll into a fireman’s carry!! TIMEBOMB!!! Cover, TWO?!!? Yoh survives and no one can believe it! Hiromu is too tired to be furious, and the fans rally up again, “HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu and Yoh stir, but Hiromu sits up first. Hiromu gets his bad leg moving and he roars again! Fans fire up, Hiromu drags Yoh up, dragon sleeper for TIMEBOMB- NO, Yoh kicks away on Hiromu’s head! Hiromu drops to a knee, but he gets up again!

But Yoh slips out! Yoh inverted suplexes for a SAVING GRACE!! Fans are thunderous, Yoh roars and brings Hiromu up again! DIRECT- NO, Hiromu slips free! Hiromu catches, spins, and STUNNERS! Hiromu holds onto Yoh to spin him around again, double overhook, D’S NIGHTMARE DRIVER!!! Hiromu crawls to the cover, TWO?!?!?!? Yoh survives by the thinnest of margins but Hiromu won’t stop him here! Hiromu roars, drags Yoh back up, and runs, HIROMU-CHAN- NO, Yoh dodges to O’Conner, FIVE STAR CLUTCH!!! TWO!!??!?! Hiromu also shocks everyone with his escape! And then he SUPERKICKS Yoh!

Hiromu runs, into a SUPERKICK from Yoh! Hiromu fires a forearm, Yoh HEADBUTTS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS again! Yoh stays up, but walks into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! Hiromu powers up again, runs, and Yoh stands into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! And then dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, TIMEBOMB MKII!!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Yoh could not diffuse the Ticking Timebomb, Hiromu is still the Best of the Super Juniors! With how hard he fought here in a losing effort, how hard must Yoh fight in order to finally win the title?

As for Hiromu, he holds up the title, then gets the mic. Hiromu flops down in the center of the ring. Fans chant for “HI-RO-MU!” while he catches his breath. “Wait just a moment, everyone. Yeah, you can scream out now. How long has it been? I know some of you were here yesterday, but let me hear you chant for me like you mean it!” The fans again chant “HI-RO-MU!” and Hiromu thanks them. Hiromu tells Yoh, “No matter what good vibes you’re riding, you can bet, I’ll always stand as champion above you!” Fans applaud that.

Hiromu admits, “that was hot. I didn’t think you had that in you, Yoh. I hope you keep it up. I didn’t think it could get this hot here in Sapporo. We may have melted the snow outside.” Fans cheer that. Hiromu even wants a hashtag! #YohMeltedTheSnow! Make it trending, please! “As champion, I wanted to pack the house. Anything less is disappointing. Naito got things rolling in the ring here yesterday. Of course I felt the pressure today. I was well aware of yesterday’s main event. Above all, I had to win.

“But in my mind was day two of this same show last year. Do you all remember? The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Kazuchika Okada VS Tetsuya Naito. That match was in the back of my mind.” Fans applaud, and Hiromu says Naito gave Hiromu so much momentum, he had to make it count. So thanks to that, LIJ was victorious in both main events. But one man still has his match to go. February 11th in Osaka, also for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Kazuchika Okada VS Shingo Takagi! “Oi, Shingo! You better win, buddy!” Fans applaud that, too.

Hiromu stands up and remembers that Abe-san the ring announcer asked Hiromu about his “vision for this title.” Hiromu didn’t have an answer then and he doesn’t have one now. But he does have a dream he’s been holding on to! To be BOTH Junior Heavyweight and World Heavyweight Champion at the same time!! And to wrestle for everyone on primetime! Fans like the sound of that! Hiromu says until that day becomes a reality, let’s have more! More! More! Fans join in with “MORE! MORE! MORE!” and Hiromu keeps them going! “MORE! MORE! MORE!” MORE FUN TOGETHER~!! The Timebomb has an ambitious dream, will it come true this year?

My Thoughts:

A great second night in Sapporo for NJPW. I again skimmed, and I saw at the end of Not Suzuki-Gun beating House of Torture, Suzuki called them out for the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles, that is going to be a great match. I don’t know if the new team of Suzuki, Desperado & Narita will take those titles off Evil, Yujiro & Sho, but I sure would love if they did. Guerrillas of Destiny won to again give Hikuleo momentum into the Loser Leaves Japan match he is surely losing, but the big development there was El Phantasmo clobbering Tama Tonga with the NEVER Openweight title, adding to their title match happening in Osaka.

Okada’s team winning against LIJ was interesting. That isn’t the go-home to Osaka as there is a “Road to” set of events this week (sorry, I won’t be covering any of that because of time constraints), but it does even things out. I’m still leaning towards Okada retaining the world title, it’s too soon for him to lose it and Takagi still has the KOPW title to work with.

And all the title matches today were awesome stuff. But similar to Okada, it was too soon for any of the champions to lose their belts after just getting them at WrestleKingdom. Bishamon did show The Mighty respect after the loss and The Mighty showed it back, who knows what’s next in the heavyweight tag division. ZSJ VS Ishii really pushed the time limit, that was great, and ZSJ still has limitless potential for opponents. And Hiromu VS Yoh was an awesome main event, a step up from Naito VS Shota yesterday. Hiromu’s promo was great, too. He gives props to Yoh, then sets a huge goal. Heavyweight Champ VS Junior Heavyweight Champ is usually an Anniversary Show tradition, will Hiromu try and make that match for the world title?

My Score: 8.8/10

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Up Next

Greg DeMarco’s Results, Reaction, & Analysis: WWE NXT Vengeance Day 2023

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s NXT Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/4/23)

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/22/26)

TAIGASTYLE steps on the Proving Ground!

Published

2 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Steven Mitchell

Will Daddy Magic earn a golden ticket?

Lee Moriarty is still ROH Pure Champion, but he’s looking for contenders! Will Matt Menard survive the Proving Ground? Or will he lose in ten minutes or less?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners VS ???
Ace Austin VS Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie; wins.
Adam Priest & Tommy Billington VS The Premier Athletes; win.
Alec Price & Jordan Oliver VS CRU; win(s).
“Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith VS ???
Billie Starkz & Diamante w/ Athena VS Londyn Dior & Rachael Ellering; win.
Satnam Singh VS ???
ROH Pure Championship Proving Grounds: Lee Moriarty VS Matt Menard; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (1/21/26)

Straight like that!

Published

21 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Steven Mitchell

Will there still be a Kali Connection in Evolve?

After falling short in the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship match, Kali Armstrong was taunted by Karmen Petrovic. Will Karmen eat her words tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey VS Wendy Choo; Kendal wins and retains the title.
Marcus Mathers VS Braxton Cole; Cole wins.
Kali Armstrong VS Karmen Petrovic; Karmen wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Karmen Petrovic walks ‘n’ talks.

“2026 has been a crazy couple weeks, right? WWE ID clashing with PC talent, Harlem Lewis is back, but I’m focused on the stacked and evolving Women’s Division. Tonight, I’m gonna handle Kali Armstrong. Cuz to me, you’ve just been coasting off being the first Evolve Women’s Champion, and pookie, that’s just so last year. You made your first and last mistake when you jumped me over the barricade last week. So tonight, I’m gonna make sure that the difference is made, just not by you.” The Blackbelt Beauty is ready to Shing-Shing, but will she back up everything she’s said? Or will she be hit with a Kali Connection?

Wendy Choo is here!

The fans cheer the formerly Sleepy Psycho who is now positive and confident in herself. She grabs the mic to say, “Hey, y’all. New Year, New Me! Do I look good or what? Sheee~!” The fans cheer that. “But in all seriousness, I have three New Year’s Resolutions this year. And that’s to be unbothered, unfiltered, and unapologetic. And let’s be real for a second, it’s been almost a whole year, and I never had a real shot at the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship. So, I’m calling out the woman who opened up Pandora’s Box, and the person you can blame for having me never shut up again, Kendal Grey.” The fans cheer that!

And with that, here comes the Evolve Women’s Champion! Chuey Martinez catches up to Kendal and says wait, she was given the week off given her title defense. What’s she doing already in her gear? Kendal asks why she would need a break. If Wendy wants it, she can get it! Kendal will defend this title right now even! The fans cheer that! Chuey asks if they can do this, and a ref is already sent out here. The ref lets them know, the match is now official! Then okay, Kendal VS Wendy for THE Evolve Women’s Championship! Let’s do it! What a way to OPEN the show! Will the Grey Area stay golden? Or will Wendy catch Kendal off guard?

WWE Evolve Women’s Championship: Kendal Grey VS Wendy Choo!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really ready for anything!

The bell rings and the two circle while the fans rally and duel. They tie up, Kendal waistlocks, and she SLAMS Wendy down. Kendal holds on as Wendy moves around, and she goes for the ARMBAR! Wendy high stacks, TWO! DIRTNAP, but Kendal rolls back to a cover! TWO! Both women back off and the fans cheer the standoff. Wendy and Kendal reset, tie up, and Kendal waistlocks. Wendy arm-drags free, ROCKS Kendal in the corner, then runs side to side for a YAKUZA KICK! Wendy snapmares Kendal, then SHOTGUNS! The fans cheer while Kendal flounders and Wendy heads after her.

Wendy brings Kendal up but Kendal ROCKS her! And SMACKS her off buckles! Kendal slips under, redirects, then ducks the boot! SHOTGUN! The fans fire up while Wendy bails out. Wendy cools off, then storms up to the apron. She avoids the baseball slide to CANNONBALL! The fans fire up again and Wendy is feeling it! Wendy storms over to Kendal while Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns and Wendy has Kendal in a Tree of Woe! The fans duel as Wendy runs, and she DROPKICKS Kendal outta the Tree! Cover, TWO! Kendal survives but the fans rally up again. Wendy brings Kendal up, suplex, but Kendal fights it to a cradle! TWO, and Wendy has it! TWO and both women stand. Kendal trips Wendy, high stacks, TWO! Wendy tucks Kendal for a cover, TWO! Kendal sits on it, TWO! Wendy has it again, TWO! The fans cheer as both ladies kick low! Then double forearm! Then DOUBLE LARIATS! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks and both women are okay to continue.

Kendal and Wendy sit up, and Kendal fires a forearm. Wendy fires back, so Kendal fires another. They stand up to throw bigger shots! The fans rally, Wendy CHIPOS, Kendal KICKS and CHOPS and CHOPS! But Wendy CHOPS, CHOPS, and kicks! Kendal ducks the roundhouse to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Kendal runs up, trips Wendy, and spins her around for the slingshot STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Wendy stays in this but Kendal stays on her for a fireman’s carry. Wendy fights free, shoves her away, but Kendal runs up. Wendy pops Kendal to the apron, then avoids a lariat! And another!

Wendy ROUNDHOUSES Kendal, then has her in the ropes! Wendy brings Kendal in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Kendal survives, Wendy is frustrated, but the fans fire up again! The dueling continues as Wendy hauls Kendal up. Kendal fights the nelson, but Wendy stops the victory roll! DIRTNAP!! Kendal flails and fights around! Kendal arm-drags free, then wrenches Wendy, ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Wendy clasps hands to fight it off, but Kendal pries at that grip! Wendy stacks her again, TWO! Both women stand, Kendal SUPERKICKS Wendy! Kendal hurries to the apron, then up the corner.

Wendy UPPERCUTS Kendal first! Wendy climbs, brings Kendal up, SUPERPLEX! But that’s not all, Wendy rolls it through to BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Kendal survives again and Wendy is beside herself! “This is Awesome!” Wendy looms over Kendal, snatches her into the nelson, but Kendal breaks again! Wendy blocks the superkick to spin and SLAP Kendal! Then the TWIST- NO, Kendal slips through! SHADES OF GREY!! Cover, Kendal wins!

Winner: Kendal Grey, by pinfall (still WWE Evolve Women’s Champion)

Wendy wanted her match, she got her match, but she could not take the title from Kendal! The Grey Area stays golden, but for how much longer?

Kali Armstrong finishes watching the match.

She nods and tells Kendal to keep doing her thing as champ, cuz their paths will cross again. Tonight, Kali is focused on Karmen. Karmen keeps asking how Kali gets all these opportunities, but Kali doesn’t see Karmen doing nothing trying to work her way to the top. Other than running her mouth! Damn right Kali carried Evolve as the first Women’s Champion. Karmen must’ve forgotten, Kali already ran through her once. And tonight, it ain’t be no difference. All gas, no brakes ’til she gets that title back! Now get outta her way. Kali is ready to put pedal to the metal, but will Karmen run her off the road?

Nikkita Lyons & Arianna Grace visit a psychic…?

They enter the mysterious mystic room, and Lyons asks Grace how she found out about this place. Grace had a giant stack of fan mail, and inside was a coupon for a free psychic reading. And then the lights turn on and the psychic is at her table. “I’ve been waiting for you.” She knew they were coming? Oh, of course, psychic, duh. Grace & Lyons sit at the table, and Lyons asks if she makes her first million this year or next year. And who will she sit next to at the Grammy’s? Oh, wait, is she going to be champion soon? The psychic does palm reading, and says, “Oh. Oh! Oh, my… Ooh…” Is this good or bad?

There is much darkness in their lifelines. OH NO! What does that mean? Let us ask the tarot cards. Five of Swords, conflict and hollow victories. The TEN of Swords, suffering and pain. And lastly… The Tower! Sunset Tower? No, reversal! Destruction! Grace & Lyons freak out, but the psychic says to change their ways! Okay, yes, they will! They will! The psychic keeps telling them to change their ways or else! Does that mean Grace & Lyons will have to… be nice to people?!

Evolve congratulates their first graduates!

Eli Knight, Keanu Carver, Sean Legacy, and all three members of The Vanity Project, Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor, and Ricky Smokes, are all officially signed to the NXT roster, as we saw just last night. But even so, Jackson Drake still has a hard road ahead of him with next week’s 3v1 Handicap Match, followed by his title defense against Kam Hendrix on February 4th. Will the Carolina Reaper survive to bring the Evolve Championship to NXT? Or will Wednesdays soon be about Lights, Kam-era, Action?

Marcus Mathers VS Braxton Cole!

The war of WWE ID VS WWE PC continues as Philly’s Finest takes on the newest addition to the Evolve roster. Will Mathers make his teammates proud with a big win? Or will Mr. Letterman lead the way into next week’s takeover?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two feel things out. Cole corners Mathers, gets a leg, but Mathers dodges the lariat to fire haymakers and CHOPS! The fans fire up but Cole shoves Mathers away. Mathers dodges the lariat to DROPKICK! And DROPKICK! And- NO, Cole catches him with both hands! Cole TOSSES Mathers to the corner, but Mathers ELBOWS Cole away. Mathers goes up, but Cole trips him off the ropes! Cole runs for a NECKBREAKER DROP! The fans applaud, and Cole clamps onto Mathers to HAMMER him with elbows! Cole grinds Mathers down, then CLUBS him down! And CLUBS him again!

Mathers snarls as he rises up, and the fans rally, only for Cole to CLUB Mathers again. Cole whips Mathers and LARIATS, then covers, TWO! Cole pushes Mathers around, talks trash on him, then drags him up. But Mathers fires body shots! The fans rally for Mathers but Cole UPPERCUTS him down! Cole drags Mathers up, puts him on the ropes, and goes to the apron for a HOTSHOT! Mathers flounders away, but Cole brings him up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mathers survives but Cole drags him up for a neck wrench! The fans rally for Mathers as he endures, but Cole puts on the pressure.

Mathers fights up, claws at the grip, and refuses to give up. The fans rally even more, and Mathers fires body shots. Cole UPPERCUTS Mathers down and the fans boo. Cole pushes Mathers around, then stands him up, but Mathers holds ropes to deny the neckbreaker! Cole flounders, comes back, but Mathers dodges the splash! And he BOOTS Cole back! Mathers goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up again, and Mathers CHOPS, ROCKS and CHOPS Cole on repeat! Cole shoves Mathers, but Mathers ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up with Mathers and he goes up, up, and FLYING STUNNER!

The fans fire up again as Mathers waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Cole survives and Mathers is frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mathers clamps onto Cole, drags him up, and CLUBS away on Cole. Mathers winds up to ROCK Cole, and then brings him back around. But Cole suplexes for the X PLEX! Cover, TWO! Mathers survives and the fans fire up again! Cole is frustrated but he vows to finish this. Cole drags Mathers up, fireman’s carries, but Mathers fights with elbows. Mathers HAMMERS away on Cole, but Cole powers up again. Cole UPPER- NO, Mathers hooks the arm!

Mathers and Cole fight for control! Mathers almost has Cole, but he powers up out of the backslide! Cole flips Mathers over, blocks a kick, but not the ENZIGIRI! And the HOOK KICK! Mathers hurries to the apron, hurries up the corner, but Kam Hendrix shows up just to distract Mathers! Mathers leaps, Cole dodges! Mathers runs up, Cole dodges, and Kam is there! Cole rolls Mathers up, high stack! Cole wins!!

Winner: Braxton Cole, by pinfall

Speaking of handicap, Cole only won because of Kam! And then Kam CHOP BLOCKS Mathers! The fans boo as these two are basically just high school bullies! Team ID says nuh-uh, but Cole hits a DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Wait, someone locked the WWE ID door?! Kam puts a chair on Mathers’ leg! DIVING STOMP!! The fans boo, but Team PC doesn’t care what anyone thinks, only that they get results! Even Brooks Jensen likes how that went. But Keanu Carver’s the one who questions Jensen even being here. Riggins says easy, Keanu. Riggins assures Jensen that Keanu isn’t really a people person, but he’s a stone cold killer.

Jensen says yeah, it’s all good. Now, everyone knows they- Keanu again questions Jensen, how is he part of this? Riggins calms Keanu down again, but Jensen says when Team PC has control, they’re also looking for people to inflict pain on the ID clowns. So hear Jensen out: Let Jensen be one of those guys. Let him inflict pain on Cappuccino Jones. That little punk, what he did to Jensen in the gauntlet, not only will Jensen win, he’ll knock Jones’ freakin’ head off his freakin’ shoulders! Riggins likes that! Presley likes that! Even Keanu likes that. They can make that happen, and more. They’ve got some things cooking.

Jensen heads out, Team PC is starting to like where he’s coming from. Will the Lost Cause get himself a big win on the Performance Center takeover? Or will he fail to bring Cappuccino Jones down from his caffeine high?

Harlem Lewis speaks.

“Do you think I give a damn that Kam Hendrix, Keanu Carver, and all those stooges are running the show next week? That doesn’t matter to me. But I heard that Jackson Drake will be here next week. Which means I will be here next week. Team PC and Team ID, they can tear each other to shreds, they can do whatever they wanna do. But while they’re fighting for control, I’ll be fighting for gold. Cuz mark my words, Harlem Lewis IS the next Evolve Champion.” He has put all of Evolve on notice, but who will heed his warning?

Kali Armstrong VS Karmen Petrovic!

The inaugural Evolve Women’s Champion has been without that title for almost 100 days, and she is hungry for her second taste. But will she eat up the competition and go right back to the top? Or will is the Shing-Shing about to Evolve?

The big fight introductions are made, and we see who truly holds the “title” of Difference Maker!

The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Kali drop toeholds, then she slaps Karmen around. Karmen is mad already but the fans cheer. Karmen waistlocks, but Kali THROWS her off! The fans chant, “Too Strong, Armstrong!” Karmen goes for a leg, but Kali THROWS her away again! Kali then whips Karmen to ropes, but Karmen dodges the shot to fire off KICK after KICK! Karmen SOBATS, eggs Kali on, then dodges her! Karmen swings around, crucifix takedown, TWO, but into body scissors! Kali endures the squeeze, and we see Tyra Mae Steele is not only back in Evolve, but she’s watching from the VIP Lounge.

The fans rally as Kali endures, but Karmen shifts to a LEG HOOK NELSON! Kali endures, powers up, and pushes back to a high stack! TWO, and Karmen turns Kali over for a leg clutch cover, TWO! Karmen is right back on with the body scissors, but Kali elbows free! Kali kicks and whips, but Karmen goes up to SOBAT! Karmen runs, tilt-o-whirl SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Karmen CLUBS Kali down and clamps on with the armlock. Karmen gets the fans to chant, “SHING SHING! SHING SHING!” Is that something she learned from Natalya? Kali fights up, fights around, but Karmen grinds her back down to the mat.

The fans rally as Kali endures, and Kali fights back up. Kali pulls hair, KNEES low, and then scoops, only for Karmen to slips free! Kali bucks the O’Conner, but Karmen dodges Kali! Kali tumbles out of the ring, and Karmen builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Kali at the ramp! The fans fire up with Karmen, and she dares Kali to make a difference now! Karmen stands tall while Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns once more as Kali runs up to RAM Karmen in the corner! Kali RAMS Karmen again and again, stops as the ref counts, and then runs corner to corner to RAM Karmen again! The fans fire up while Karmen slumps down. Kali eggs Karmen on now, then runs around the world to BOOT WASH! Karmen sputters and even Tyra Mae is stunned seeing that. Kali runs again, but Karmen KNEES Kali! Karmen then JUMP KICKS, and she dodges the splash! ELBOW and run, FLYING FOREARM! And another! Then a wrench and SOLE FOOD! The fans fire up as Karmen keeps moving, SLIDING KICK against the ropes!

Kali staggers, Karmen ROUNDHOUSES, and then Karmen runs up to SHING-BLADE! Cover, TWO! Kali survives and Karmen is shocked, but Tyra Mae applauds along with the fans. Karmen suplexes but Kali blocks! Kali wrenches out, kicks low, then whips Karmen. Karmen goes up but gets caught! Kali runs, Karmen slips free, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Karmen rebounds, Kali scoops, POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kali, and she starts building speed! Karmen stands, but dodges! Kali hits ropes and stumbles, into the PETROFIER! Karmen reloads, PETROFIER AGAIN!! Cover, KARMEN WINS!

Winner: Karmen Petrovic, by pinfall

Kali’s momentum came back to bite her and Karmen arguable scored the biggest win in her career! Even Tyra Mae Steele is impressed. Karmen grabs the mic to say for herself that this is her biggest win in Evolve! Now, it seems to her that the gold blooded killer is #1 contender to the Evolve Women’s Championship! So Kendal Grey, Karmen’s got next! Kendal makes her way back out here, and she applauds Karmen’s win. Kendal has the mic to say they can go next week! She doesn’t stop, she will do it all day! Karmen says okay then! And so, is it official?

We check in with Team PC, as they will be in charge next week. Kam says nah, that ain’t happening next week. PC runs things! And WWE ID got a preview of when Marcus Mathers went down. It will be a full-blown nightmare for them next week. Presley says everything that will happen is justified. Riggins says that reminds him of that clown, Tate Wilder. The cowboy’s gonna learn there are consequences. Kam says the table is set. They take care of Jackson Drake and he’ll become Evolve Champion. Then they’ll control everything! Team PC is ready to do whatever they want, whenever they want, to whoever they want! But will it all go according to plan?

My Thoughts:

A very good but also very strange episode. I suppose Evolve is in an adjustment period given all the “graduations” to NXT. Like, I thought them giving us Wendy VS Kendal outta nowhere was to give us a surprise title change, but apparently not. It was a great showing for the new Wendy Choo, though this doesn’t really help her if even her new form isn’t enough to be champion. Kali VS Karmen was a very good main event, but was there some weird editing magic to make it seem as if Kendal accepted the title challenge? And even then, they wouldn’t claim they want the match next week if they knew Team PC wasn’t gonna honor it.

Though that does put good Heel heat on Team PC for saying “LOL No.” I suppose the whole point of PC winning over ID has been to get them big Heel heat, which they have. Them screwing Mathers over was also good Heel heat, really gets you to dislike Kam and Cole. I wonder if the chair spot on Mathers’ leg is to excuse him from Evolve tapings for a minute while he does indie dates. Jensen also wanting credit for being Team PC was a clever promo, and he’ll have a great match with Cappuccino Jones. And at this rate, it does seem Kam will take the Evolve title off Drake, setting him up as the new Heel champion for a Face Harlem Lewis to challenge.