Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni Results & Report! (4/29/23)
NJPW is on fire!
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Will the Holy Emperor finally slay The Rampaging Dragon?
Taichi and Shingo Takagi have battled over the KOPW Championship before, and this could be their biggest showdown yet: a Takagi Style Triad match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bishamon VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Bishamon wins.
- Shota Umino & Oskar Leube VS EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi; Evil & Yujiro win.
- Six Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma & The Intergalactic Jet Setters VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan; Cobb & Khan win.
- 8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Togi Makabe & Ryohei Oiwa VS Team Strong Style & Yuto Nakashima; Team Strong Style & Nakashima win.
- 8 Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Hikuleo, Master Wato & Jado VS Bullet Club; Tama, Hikuleo, Wato & Jado win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS SANADA, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI; Sanada, Kanemaru & Douki win.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Aussie Open VS TMDK; Aussie Open wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Takagi Style Triad Match: Shingo Takagi VS Taichi; Taichi wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS SANADA, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI w/ Taka Michinoku!
Hiromu Takahashi survived the battle with the Heel Master, and now he’s aiming for the top! Will Tetsuya Naito & Bushi help the Ticking Timebomb roll towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will the Cold Skull and his guys be anything but tranquilo?
As part of their entrance, Just5Guys split up and go through the crowd from the ramp side, and make their way all around to then meet at the ring. Sanada stares down with Hiromu, champion to champion. The teams sort out, Naito taking his time with the entrance attire. Fans applaud as LIJ fist bumps, but then J5G attack! The bell rings to get this on record as Sanada throws Hiromu out and Kanemaru throws Bushi out. Douki keeps after Naito as payback for just a couple days ago. Sanada whips but Hiromu reverses to send Sanada hard into railing! Kanemaru ends up the same way as Bushi whips him into railing!
Douki fires forearms back and forth with Naito! Fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster! Naito gets the edge, but Douki HELL STABS! Douki whips, Naito reverses and arm-drags! Naito then dodges Douki to hip toss and basement dropkick! Fans applaud, and Naito drags Douki up by his mask. Tag to Bushi, LIJ mugs Douki, then Bushi turns Douki for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Douki hangs tough and fans applaud as Bushi brings him up. Douki fires off forearms, runs, but into a kick! Bushi runs as Hiromu slides in! Hiromu dropkicks Douki’s legs out, and Bushi basement dropkicks Douki!
J5G complain but Hiromu bails out. Bushi tags Naito back in and Naito stalks Douki to a corner. Naito throws hands, but Douki fires forearms! Naito rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, Naito lets off, and Naito whips corner to corner. Naito runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINATION CABRON! Naito poses and fans fire up while Douki writhes. Naito stares J5G down, then spits on Douki! Douki throws forearms but Naito pulls hair and mask! Douki breaks free, swings a punch but Naito gets around to a waistlock. Douki switches but Naito switches, but Douki fights free. Naito reels Douki in, Douki uses his leg to get free, then he DDTs Naito down!
J5G BLAST Hiromu and Bushi off the corner! Douki kicks Naito out while Sanada sends Hiromu into railing! Kanemaru sends Bushi into railing, and then Douki whips Naito hard into railing! Naito ends up stuck upside-down! Naito flops into No Man’s Land so Douki goes after him. Sanada brings Hiromu up to CLAW his back! Hiromu hits back with forearms! Sanada knees low, CLUBS Hiromu down, and Douki brings Naito back to the ring. Tag to Kanemaru and he drags Naito up. Kanemaru snapmares, runs and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru drags Naito back up to drag out of the ring.
Douki helps keep Naito on the apron, for Kanemaru to DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Naito writhes but Kanemaru drags him back in. Kanemaru then goes to the apron, to SLINGSHOT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tag to Sanada and they get the legs, to drop knees on Naito’s ribs! A wishbone fake-out! Sanada stands Naito up to throw knees into the stomach. Sanada whips corner to corner, runs in and elbows, then brings Naito out to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Sanada tags Douki. Douki drags Naito up but Naito deadweights him. Fans rally up, Douki drags Naito up but Naito throws forearms!
Douki dodges, catches Naito, ITALIAN STRETCH #32! J5G BLAST LIJ off the corner again! Naito endures, moves around, reaches out, and fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” as he gets the ROPEBREAK! Douki holds until Hiromu stomps him down! Douki hits Hiromu back then throws him out. Douki drags Naito to a drop zone then climbs the corner. DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Naito avoids the stomps! Naito BOOTS from the corner, then ELBOWS Douki! Douki ENZIGURIS! Douki whips, Naito reverses, TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down. Fans rally up, both men crawl, hot tags to Hiromu and Sanada!
Fans fire up as Hiromu fires off forearms on Sanada! Hiromu whips, Sanada reverses but Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Sanada goes to a corner, Kanemaru runs in, but Hiromu dodges the boot! Hiromu kicks and whips Kanemaru to a corner, to clothesline! Then a clothesline for Sanada! Kanemaru runs in, Hiromu dodges, and Kanemaru stops from colliding with Sanada! Hiromu runs back in to SHOTGUN Kanemaru into Sanada! Then he clotheslines Sanada! Snapmare and running basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu fires up and the fans fire up with him! Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free!
Sanada shoves Hiromu away but Hiromu BOOTS back! Hiromu runs, Sanada hurdles! And hurdles! And DROPKICKS! Fans fire up again while Sanada grits his teeth. Sanada encourages the fans to get louder and they do. Sanada brings Hiromu up but Hiromu throws forearms! Sanada CHOPS in return! Fans duel and Hiromu grits his teeth. Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada CHOPS back! Then waistlocks to back suplex! Hiromu lands on his feet but his leg still bothers him! Sanada avoids the superkick, fireman’s carries, but Hiromu fights free with elbows! Only to run into another fireman’s carry!
Sanada throws Hiromu into the dragon sleeper! Hiromu fights free to arm-drag! Then he spins Sanada around to a FALCON ARROW! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Fans rally, Hiromu and Sanada crawl, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi DECKS Douki to cut Sanada off. Bushi BOOTS Sanada, runs and RANAS! Kanemaru kicks Bushi, runs but into a dropkick to the legs! Fans rally up as Bushi brings Sanada around. Sanada knees low, whips, but Bushi reverses. Bushi kicks low, then runs to sunset flips! Rewind for Naito’s basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Bushi brings Sanada back up.
Sanada slips out of Fisherman Screw but Bushi kicks low again. Bushi runs but Sanada follows to O’Conner Roll, then dragon sleeper! SKULL END! Naito storms in to stomp away on Sanada! Kanemaru dropkicks Naito’s leg! Douki RANAS Naito, Kanemaru DECKS Hiromu! Douki DIVES out onto Naito into the railing! Fans fire up but Sanada has Bushi in the SKULL END again!! SKULL SWING!! But Bushi turns it into a cradle!? TWO!!! Sanada escapes just in time! Bushi swings, into the SHIRANUI into SKULL END!!! Bushi taps, J5G wins!
Winners: Sanada, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Douki, by submission
Hiromu is frustrated as he was just a second too late. The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion stands tall tonight, but will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion find a way at Wrestling Dontaku?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Aussie Open w/ The United Empire VS TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis are DOUBLE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, but that could be just for now! They’re up against the Mighty OG, Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls! Will the Aussie Arrow & Dunkzilla see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will the United Empire hold onto all their gold?
The introductions are made, the heavyweight titles are raised, and we see who is truly mighty!
The teams sort out and after the Empire throw up the crowns, Davis starts with Mikey. Fans rally as the two stare down. Mikey eggs Davis on, they tie up, and are in a deadlock. Davis uses leverage to push Mikey back to ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Davis lets off clean, but then swings! Mikey dodges to headlock! Davis powers up but can’t power out as Mikey holds tight. Davis throws hands, powers out the second time, and they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls so Mikey runs, and they RAM shoulders again! Davis just snarls at Mikey, so Mikey tries again. Mikey ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Davis, but Davis rebounds to run Mikey over!
Fans rally as Mikey gets up and Davis CHOPS Mikey back down! Davis wrenches an arm, brings Mikey over and tags in Fletcher. Mikey gets away and Shane tags in. Fans applaud as the speedsters now circle. They tie up, Shane gets around to headlock and he grinds Fletcher down. Fletcher powers up and out, things speed up, and Fletcher hurdles. Shane waistlocks, Fletcher wrenches out, but Shane rolls, kips up and arm-drags Fletcher! Fletcher scoop SLAMS Shane! Fans applaud the exchange while Fletcher tags Davis. Aussie Open double whip Shane, double CHOP, then sit him up. But Mikey trips Fletcher on the Penalty Kick!
Mikey drags Fletcher out, Davis goes through with the combo, but Shane avoids the senton! Mikey sends Fletcher into railing, then joins Shane. They double whip Davis, but he holds ropes. Davis BOOTS Shane, dodges Mikey, and Fletcher dumps Mikey out as payback! Davis gets Shane up, he and Fletcher double whip to double CHOP! PENALTY KICK! SENTON! The combo completes and fans fire up! Aussie Open drag Shane to a cover, but Davis’ knee is too high on Shane’s neck for Red Shoes’ liking. Davis lets off to KICK Shane in the back. Davis stands Shane up to CHOP! And then he CHOP LARIATS in the corner!
Davis drags Shane out to then scoop SLAM! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Davis looms over Shane. Davis stands Shane up, wrenches the arm, and tags Fletcher. Aussie Open mugs Shane, Shane hits back but Fletcher ROCKS him with a forearm! Fletcher has Shane in a corner, and ROCKS him with a body shot! Shane shoves Fletcher, BOOTS him, then UPPERCUTS! Fletcher kicks low, whips, but Shane reverses to RANA! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hot tag to Mikey! Mikey rallies on Fletcher, knocks Davis off the apron, then swings but misses on Fletcher! Fletcher waistlocks but Mikey spins around to DDT!
Fletcher sits up, Mikey hits a BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up again as Mikey drags Fletcher up. Mikey fireman’s carries, Fletcher fights free and waistlocks, but Mikey switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO but Mikey uses that momentum to BLAST Davis! Mikey SLIDING LARIATS Fletcher, covers, TWO! Mikey keeps close on Fletcher and gives him some toying kicks. Mikey drags Fletcher up, throws body shots, and then CHOPS him to the corner! Tag to Shane and Mikey throws Fletcher out. Mikey BLASTS Davis again while Shane whips Fletcher hard into railing! Fletcher tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Shane goes out to fetch Fletcher, and he KICKS Fletcher in the back, right in front of the front row! Shane drags Fletcher up to TOSS back over the railing, and he returns to the ring for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane pushes Fletcher in at 12 of 20 to cover, TWO! Shane stomps Fletcher down, KICKS him around, then gives him even more kicks and stomps. Fletcher stands up to ROCK Shane! And again! And again! Shane DROPKICKS Fletcher! Tag to Mikey and Mikey drags Fletcher to center. Mikey drops a knee on Fletcher’s head! Mikey wraps Fletcher up in a seated abdominal stretch!
Mikey fishhooks Fletcher’s face! Red Shoes reprimands and Mikey stops, only to turn Fletcher away and fishhook him out of Red Shoes’ sight! Red shoes sees it now, and Mikey stops again. Mikey pushes Fletcher down, but Fletcher avoids the knee drop! Mikey hurries to CLOBBER Fletcher and keep him from Davis! Mikey bumps Fletcher off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane BLASTS Davis, and then helps Mikey in the BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, but Davis breaks it apart immediately! Mikey DECKS Davis! Henare & Khan stare down ZSJ and Fujita, Shane RAMS Fletcher into buckles!
Shane KICKS Fletcher in the back! Khan coaches Fletcher but Shane CHOKES him on the ropes! Red Shoes counts, Shane lets off, and he distracts Red Shoes so that Mikey can CHOKE and even BITE Fletcher! Mikey gets away with it, Red Shoes gets the Empire to calm down and stay in their corner, and Shane stands Fletcher up. Fletcher fights the suplex, fans rally up, and Fletcher throws hands! Fletcher reaches out but Shane reels him in. Fletcher switches, Shane switches, repeat, but Fletcher gets Shane for a BRAINBUSTER! Fans fire up and both men crawl, hot tags to Davis and Mikey!
Davis busts through Mikey’s lariat to clothesline Shane in the corner! Davis then CHOPS Mikey, clotheslines Shane again, and CHOPS Mikey again! And again! Mikey dodges, TMDK both kick low! They double whip but Davis cartwheels through! Davis comes back, DOUBLE LARIAT, but Mikey dodges! Davis comes back and LARIATS Mikey after all! Fans fire up with Dunkzilla as he runs in to clotheslines Mikey in a corner! Then he runs to clothesline Shane in a corner! Then Davis short arm LARIATS Shane! Shane bails out, Mikey is on the apron, Davis triangle jump LARIATS him down!
Fletcher returns and he builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on both TMDK at the ramp! Fletcher hurries to get Mikey up and in for Davis! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Mikey flounders. Davis runs but Mikey LARIATS first! Mikey runs, but Davis LARIATS back! They throw forearms back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster! They just keep going! Both men roar and get forehead to forehead. Davis BLASTS Shane, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And then DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Mikey dodges to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But Davis is right back up to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!
But Mikey is right back up! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down!! Fans are thunderous, and both factions are pounding the apron! Mikey and Davis crawl, hot tags to Fletcher and Shane! Shane CHOPS Fletcher, but Fletcher just grimaces. Fletcher CHOPS Shane, so Shane CHOPS again! They CHOP and CHOP and CHOP back and forth! Fletcher gets the edge with CHOP after CHOP, but Shane KICKS and UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS again! Shane swings, but into a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Fans rally up again as Shane flounders to a corner. Fletcher runs in to GAMANGIRI! And then suplex, but Shane fights out!
Shane UPPERCUTS, reels Fletcher in, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Shane calls to Mikey and he gets in to scoop Fletcher. But Davis saves Fletcher and Aussie Open throws forearms on TMDK! They have TMDK in opposite corners, then pick them both up, for the SPINE- NO, double sunset flips! Aussie Open slips out but they get clotheslines! TMDK then trade to clothesline the other way! TMDK trade back, but Aussie Open dodges! But then TMDK dodges, only to run into the SPINEBUSTER SANDWICH! Fans fire up again and Aussie Open picks up Shane. AUSSIE- NO, no dental plan! Shane sends Fletcher’s foot into Davis!
Fletcher avoids Shane’s boot to ROLLING ELBOW! But Mikey ROCKS Fletcher! Davis swings on Mikey but he dodges, to LARIAT! Fletcher SUPERKICKS Mikey! Shane BOOTS Fletcher! Davis GAMANGIRIS Shane! All four men are down and fans are thunderous again! Aussie Open regroups, brings Mikey up, AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! And then they get Shane up, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Shane hangs tough but Fletcher tags in Davis. Fans fire up as Aussie Open take opposite corners. But Mikey trips Fletcher again! Shane rolls through Davis’ lariat and reels him in, for a DYNAMIC BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
Davis survives but Shane tags in Mikey! TMDK LARIAT PINBALL, then HIGH LOW! Mikey covers, TWO!! Fans rally up and TMDK drags Davis up. Mikey scoops, but Fletcher GAMANGIRIS Shane! Davis slips free to GERMAN SUPLEX Mikey! Fans fire up, Davis runs to KING KONG LARIAT Mikey down! Cover, TWO!! Mikey survives but Davis tags Fletcher back in. Fletcher runs corner to corner at Mikey, to GAMANGIRI! Then he puts Mikey up top, and Davis crucifix lifts, for the SWINGING CRUCIFIX BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again as Mikey says you gotta do better than that!
Fletcher stands and goes to the corner, as does Davis. But Mikey flops back down! Is he playing possum to avoid the lariats? Davis gives him toying kicks, as does Fletcher. Shane returns but he gets DOUBLE BOOTS! Mikey SLAPS Davis, then SLAPS Fletcher! But he gets a SUPERKICK BOOT COMBO!! Fans fire up as the elbow pads come off! Aussie Open aims, but Mikey dodges! Shane goes up top to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Aussie Open bails out, Shane FLIES to take them both out at the ramp! Fans fire up again, Shane puts Fletcher in, and Mikey hurries to tag him in! TMDK say this is the end!
TMDK drags Fletcher up, but Fletcher fights free. But Shane SLAPS, Mikey SLAPS, then TMDK DOUBLE SLAP!! Fletcher drops to his knees, Mikey slaps him around, and TMDK double pump handle?! They’re copying Aussie Open! COREALIS!!! Cover, Davis barrels in to break it!! All four men are down again and fans fire back up! The teams regroup, TMDK throw forearms but Aussie Open gives them back. They go back and forth, stand up, and keep throwing shots! TMDK gets the edge, but Aussie Open BOOT back! Aussie Open runs, into ELBOWS! TMDK runs, into ELBOWS! Aussie Open, then throws TMDK out!
Davis triangle jumps and LARIATS Mikey! Fletcher DROPKICKS Shane! TMDK hit the floor and fans fire up again! Aussie Open goes out to fetch them, bringing them up to the apron. But TMDK fight free of the piledrivers, and Mikey back drops Davis on the apron! Shane shoves Fletcher at Mikey for some forearm pinball! Then Mikey scoops Fletcher, Shane takes aim, APRON TANK BUSTER!!! TMDK shoves Fletcher in, drags him back up, and Shane goes up the corner! TANK BUSTER!!! Cover, DAVIS BREAKS IT!! Fans are thunderous again as the match continues! Mikey TOSSES Davis and regroups with Shane.
TMDK drags Fletcher up, hoist him up, but Davis returns! TMDK shoves Fletcher into him! Davis falls back out, TMDK hoist Fletcher up again, THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! Davis slides in and he clotheslines Mikey out! Mikey tumbles to railing and the Empire rallies the fans! Fletcher & Davis go to corners, they run in, but Shane ROCKS Davis, ELBOWS Fletcher, repeat! But then Aussie Open get Shane’s arms! Double wrench, DOUBLE FOREARMS! Double pump handle, but Mikey SPEARS Davis! Shane rolls Fletcher up, TWO!?!? Fletcher escapes in time! But he staggers into Mikey’s grip!
Davis ENZIGURIS Mikey! Fletcher scoops Mikey for PENALTY KICK GRIMSTONE!! Shane runs in, but Fletcher blocks the kick and hands it to Davis, to then SUPERKICK Shane! Davis hoists Shane up, PENALTY KICK PILEDRIVER!! Fans fire up with Aussie Open, and the elbow pads return, just so they can be thrown off again! DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH!! They TOSS Mikey, aim at Shane, and DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH again!! Pump handles, COREALIS!! Cover, AUSSIE OPEN WINS!
Winners: Aussie Open, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Aussie Aussie Aussie! OI OI OI! The double champions stay double champions! Will nothing stop Fletcher & Davis from creating their ultimate tag title collection?
But wait! BISHAMON is here! Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi lost the heavyweight titles to Aussie Open, and now they want them back! But wait, the House of Torture attacks Bishamon AND the Empire! Fans boo, the ref reprimands them but Evil & Yujiro go after Aussie Open! And then Sho and Dick join in! The House of Torture mugs Aussie Open, and even use the SPOILER CHOKER! Fans boo more, especially as Evil & Yujiro hold up the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles. But then the rest of the Empire runs in! Jeff Cobb, TJP & Francesco Akira run the House of Torture off!
Evil gets the mic to say that’s how it is, huh? The House is officially challenging for those heavyweight tag titles! Get ready to witness their power! The House leaves, especially as fans tell them to go home. But between the House and Chaos, will the Empire be able to hold onto their treasure?
KOPW Championship Takagi Style Triad Match: Shingo Takagi w/ Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Taichi w/ Just5Guys!
The Rampaging Dragon continues to rain over the KOPW Division, but the Holy Emperor is challenging him once more! In this match, inspired by Aaron Henare’s Ultimate Triad match, the winner must any three of pinfall, submission, count-out, and even knockout and referee stoppage! How far will Taichi go to finally take this title from Takagi? And how far will Takagi go to hold onto it?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the King of Pro-Wrestling!
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Fans duel as “TA-KA-GI!” and “TA-I-CHI!” approach. They RAM shoulders, then RAM again! Takagi runs, into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Takagi runs him over! Taichi gets up to BOOT Takagi down! Takagi gets up but Taichi throws him out. LIJ is there as Takagi gets up and the standing count climbs. Takagi stands at 7 of 10, goes around the way, then slides into the ring before the ring count begins. Taichi nods and resets with Takagi. Fans rally up, the two stare down, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Taichi pushes Takagi away.
Taichi CHOPS! Takagi nods and CHOPS! Taichi CHOPS again! Takagi CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going, then Taichi KICKS! Takagi throws a forearm! Taichi KICKS, Takagi forearms, repeat! Takagi walks off the pain, the back and forth continues, and Taichi gets the edge with KICK after KICK! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Then he spins Taichi to a backslide, TWO!! Taichi avoids going down a point! Takagi argues the count, but Taichi pulls his hair! Taichi puts Takagi in the corner, but Takagi turns it around, only for Taichi to push him down and out of the ring. Taichi whips Takagi into railing!
Taichi gets space, goes back to Takagi, and then whips him again. But Takagi reverses and sends Taichi into railing! Takagi then POSTS Taichi, but Taichi POSTS Takagi! The ring count is climbing, we’re at 15 of 20 as Taichi CHOKES Takagi! Both men are throwing hands! The count is 19!! They slide in at 19.99!! They avoid both going down a point, and Takagi knees low. Takagi whips Taichi to the corner, runs in, but blocks the boot. Takagi powers through and clotheslines! Takagi then JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Takagi shows those weren’t closed fists at all.
Takagi brings Taichi up, whips him corner to corner, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Both men are down and fans rally up. Taichi sits up, fans rally, and Taichi brings Takagi up. Taichi snapmares and KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi goes to ropes, Taichi stalks him and kicks him around. Taichi digs his boot into Takagi, but lets off as the ref counts. Taichi drags Takagi up, gives him Kawada Kicks, but Takagi eggs him on. So Taichi fires off more Kawada Kicks! Takagi roars and headbutts the turnbuckles! Fans fire up with Takagi and he storms up on Taichi. Takagi forearms, knees, and CLUBS Taichi!
Takagi whips, Taichi reverses and kitchen sink knees! Taichi drags Takagi up and into the COBRA TWIST! Takagi endures, even as Taichi thrashes him around! Takagi fights his way over, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Taichi lets go, but he kicks Takagi out of the ring. Taichi then brings Takagi up and reels him in. But Takagi resists the lift! Taichi fires off more Kawada Kicks, but Takagi blocks! Takagi RAMS Taichi into the apron! And then he reels Taichi in, traps the arms, but Taichi back drops free! Takagi hits the floor and fans fire up! Taichi stalks Takagi, drags him up, and brings him around to the ramp.
Taichi knees low, and again, then hits a DDT to the floor! A count begins as both men are down, Taichi stands at 9 and gets in the ring at 11. LIJ coaches Takagi and he stands at 17, to slide in at 18! But into the GEDO- NO, Takagi slips out to put Taichi in the GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Taichi escapes, swings, but into a GROUND COBRA TWIST! Takagi scores the pin!
Takagi: 1; Taichi: 0
The first fall is secured, and now Takagi can focus on the other possibilities! Taichi gets a quick drink of water and the two reset. Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON LARIAT! Takagi tells the came he’s not done yet! Takagi goes back to Taichi as the fans rally up. Takagi drops an elbow, another elbow, and then a SENTON! Cover, but oh, he doesn’t need it, it won’t count now. Takagi remembers his own match rules and he kicks Taichi around. Taichi stands and Takagi throws hands. Taichi eggs him on, then boots, but into a Gory Especial! NOSHIGAMI! Takagi leaves Taichi be for the standing count!
Taichi stirs at 3 of 10, sits up at 5, and Takagi is after his leg! Takagi turns Taichi for a HALF CRAB! Then an STF! Taichi endures, crawls forward, and Taka coaches him, but Takagi shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Taichi kicks forward to get the ROPEBREAK! Takagi lets go, kicks Taichi to the apron, then goes out to join him. Takagi calls his shot and he brings Taichi up. Takagi fireman’s carries but Taichi blocks! Taichi throws down elbows, then clinches! Takagi fights the lift in return! Taichi BOOTS Takagi, but Takagi fireman’s carries! APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Both men fall to the floor and Red Shoes checks them.
Takagi and Taichi are somehow okay to continue, so Red Shoes has their teams back off for the ring count. Takagi stands at 7 and slides in at 8. Taichi is still down at 11 so J5G coach him up. Taichi drags himself up at 16, the apron skirt starts to give way, but Taichi gets in at 19! Takagi is right on him, pump handle and lift, but Taichi slips out! GEDO CLUTCH! Taichi scores the pin!!
Takagi: 1; Taichi: 1
We’re all tired up and both men check off the same item on their bingo card! Now they can both focus on submissions, count-outs and knockouts! Taichi goes to a corner, Takagi runs in both only gets buckles! And a GAMANGIRI! Takagi drops but Taichi is also down. Fans rally and duel, and Taichi eggs Takagi on. Taichi kicks, Takagi ducks, but the SOBAT and BUZZSAW hit! Takagi goes to ropes, and OFF COME TAICHI’S PANTS! Fans rally and Taichi takes aim, to KICK! Taichi eggs Takagi on but Takagi eggs Taichi on. Taichi KICKS again! And again! Takagi fires up and fans fire up with him!
Taichi kicks, Takagi blocks and he CLUBS the leg! They go forehead to forehead, Taichi pushes Takagi back, roundhouse collides with lariat! Taichi KICKS from his other leg! Taichi runs, but Takagi clotheslines at the ropes! And then SAIDOS! Taichi rises up! Takagi runs in, but Taichi gets around, DANGEROUS SAIDO! Takagi springs up but he staggers around, then falls over! Both men are down as fans rally up, and the standing count begins! Both men stir, they crawl to corners and stand at 7! Fans fire up, and both men egg the other on. They run in and DOUBLE LARIAT! But neither falls!
They try another DOUBLE LARIAT, but still neither falls! And then another DOUBLE LARIAT! Taichi roars, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- AX BOMBER! But Takagi’s right up to PUMPING BOMBER! But Taichi’s right up to BOOT, then BLINDSIDE BOMBER, then GAMANGIRI!! Taichi roars again and he hurries to bring Takagi up! LAST RIDE!! Both men are down again and another standing count begins! Fans rally and Taichi sits up at 5. Takagi is still down at 7, but stands at 8! Into an AX BOMBER!! Taichi hurries to Alabama Lift, for BLACK MEPHISTO!! And the standing count returns!
Both men are down as the fans rally up and we reach 4 of 10. Taichi is up at 5 again but Takagi crawls to ropes. Takagi drags himself up at 8, but flops back over! He’s down at TEN, Taichi scores!
Takagi: 1; Taichi: 2
Taichi takes the lead with the “KO” on his bingo card! Will he finish this off? And how? LIJ coaches Takagi but the fans duel. Taichi clamps on the SEITEI JUJIRO! Takagi endures the Holy Emperor’s Tomb, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Taichi lets go and fans rally up again. Taichi drags Takagi but he’s deadweight. Fans rally harder but Taichi decides to let Red Shoes choose. It can’t be a standing count, but Takagi sits up so it won’t be a referee stoppage, either. Taichi takes aim, Takagi turns around, but Takagi blocks the superkick! But Taichi Alabama Lifts! Takagi slips out, backslides, roll through, pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN!!
Taichi sits up in a daze, but Takagi hits a SLIDING LARIAT! Taichi is still prey to the standing count, but Takagi says he’s not done with Taichi! Takagi drags Taichi up as fans rally, but Taichi lariats! Not a lot of power behind it, and Takagi lariats back! Well, Takagi doesn’t have a lot of power there, either. Taichi lariats, but Takagi stays up. Takagi lariats, but Taichi stays up. Both men catch their breath, Taichi LARIATS, but Takagi stays up! Takagi LARIATS, but Taichi stays up! Taichi winds up, but he drops to his knees, unable to follow through. Takagi stands him up to LARIAT, and LARIAT, and LARIAT! Taichi flops against ropes!
Taichi drags himself up quickly to avoid the count, and Takagi runs in. But into an Alabama Lift! But Takagi fights it, hooks the arms, TAKAGI DRIVER!! But that’s not all, Takagi drags Taichi up to run and PUMPING BOMBER!!! Fans fire up and Takagi leaves Taichi to the standing count! Taichi stirs but he’s still down at 5 of 10! He sits up at 7, but then flops back over! The count restarts, but then Takagi storms over to SLIDING FOREARM! And then a pump handle and lift, LAST OF THE DRAGON!! Takagi lets the count start this time, and Taichi sputters at 6! He rises at 7, stands at 8, but flops down! Takagi scores the KO!
Takagi: 2; Taichi: 2
We’re tied again, it all comes down to the next fall! Submission, count out, or stoppage, what wins it all? Takagi shouts “OI! OI! OI!” and fans rally behind him. Takagi stalks Taichi to a corner, hoists him up top, and then climbs up after him. Taichi resists the lift! Taichi CLUBS and CHOPS Takagi, reels him in, but Takagi fights the lift! Takagi fires off chops of his own! And HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, too! Takagi moves Taichi around, but Taichi fights the fireman’s carry! Takagi still picks Taichi up! STAY DREAM!! Both men are down, but there will be no standing count! Red Shoes checks but Takagi’s still stirring.
Takagi crawls to Taichi and sits him up. Takagi rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then a SLEEPER! Taichi is already red as Takagi squeezes tight! Takagi drags Taichi up into the REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors but J5G shout at him to reach! Takagi turns Taichi away from ropes! Taichi endures, but he’s fading! But then he gets a second wind! Only for Takagi to make it a GROUND COBRA TWIST!! Taichi endures, Kanemaru has the towel! Taka tells him no, not yet! Taichi keeps fighting, even as Takagi thrashes him around! Kanemaru isn’t sure, but Taka keeps telling him to trust Taichi!
Taichi gets a third wind and gets the ROPEBREAK!! Takagi lets Taichi go and he flops out of the ring. Just5Guys are there to check on him, and the ring count begins. The count passes 5 of 20 but Taichi is still down. He’s still down at 10 of 20! He stirs at 13, but Takagi goes out at 15 to drag Taichi back up. Fans applaud as Takagi puts Taichi in, wanting something other than a count-out victory. Takagi reels Taichi in, but Taichi fights the pump handle! But Takagi still lifts, only for his legs to give out! They both flop over, and both teams coach them up. Takagi drags Taichi up to lariat, but there isn’t much to it.
Takagi runs to lariat, but again, there isn’t much to it. Takagi slaps his arm, runs, and PUMPING BOMBER! But Taichi stays up! Taichi rebounds and runs in, but into a SLEEPER! But Taichi slips around to hit a DANGEROUS SAIDO! Takagi rises, staggers, into the ROUNDHOUSE! And then YOKAZUNA FOREARM!! Both men fall out of the ring!! J5G check Taichi and LIJ check Takagi, and the ring count starts! They’re both down at 10 of 20, but the fans rally as hard as ever. The count reaches 15 of 20, then 17! Taichi slides in at 19, Takagi flounders, but gets in at 19.9999!!!! Even the teams have to double check!
Takagi and Taichi stir as the fans are thunderous! Taichi gets a quick drink of water, and then he drags himself up the ropes. Takagi forces himself up, Taichi stands him up, and forearms! Takagi staggers, but he comes back to forearm Taichi. Taichi staggers, and he boots Takagi. Takagi chops, but even that has little to it. Taichi CHOPS, Takagi ELBOWS! They start throwing backhands back and forth! Takagi gets a flurry in, but Taichi OVERHAND chops! And again! Takagi HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS and HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger, they’ve been at this for almost 40 minutes!
Taichi slaps himself, then KICKS Takagi! And KICKS! Taichi eggs Takagi on, and Takagi stands, but throws a weak forearm. Fans fire up for Taichi as he brings Takagi up. But Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS!! Taichi drops and Takagi staggers away to a corner! Fans rally and duel, and Takagi runs in to forearm! And forearm! And forearm! Taichi wobbles and stumbles around, into more forearms! Takagi LARIATS! Taichi FOREARMS! Takagi FOREARMS! Takagi runs in, into a ROUNDHOUSE! And then TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Takagi is down and in a daze, Taichi covers out of habit!
Taichi remembers and he lets off. Taichi drags Takagi up, into the SEITEI JUJIRO!! Takagi endures, reaches out, but Taichi twists him around! Fans rally and duel, Red Shoes keeps checking with Takagi, but Takagi refuses to give up! Taichi twists again but Takagi powers his way out! Both men are down again, running on fumes! Taichi wags his finger, he’s not done yet. Taichi roars and J5G fire up with the fans! Taichi staggers over to Takagi, drags him up, and powers up to JUMPING HIGH KICK!! Takagi leans against ropes and Hiromu coaches him on! Takagi staggers over, but into another JUMPING HIGH KICK!
Taichi powers out, JUMP- PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi swats the kick away with his clothesline! Takagi roars, runs, but into another JUMPING HIGH KICK!! Taichi isn’t done, he wraps on the SEITEI JUJIRO!!!! Takagi is fading! Taichi thrashes him around, Hiromu has the towel but Bushi has him hold on! But Takagi is barely moving! Hiromu shouts at him to get back up!! But Taichi just keeps thrashing him around!!! Fans duel as hard as they possibly can, but Red Shoes checks Takagi. Takagi is OUT!!! Taichi wins!!!
Winner: Taichi by 3-2, pinfall, KO and TKO (NEW KOPW Champion)
Clocking in at 43 minutes and 40 seconds, the battle finally ends, as does Takagi’s reign! Will the Rampaging Dragon be able to soar again after this?
As for Taichi, after finally catching his breath and standing back up, the belt is put around his waist. Fans chant “Let’s Go, Taichi!” as Taichi gets the mic. Taichi starts by saying, “Hold on a moment.” Taichi still has to catch a bit more, then he says, “Takagi. Thank you. Thank you for standing in front of me over and over and over again, and being my wall. Thank you very much.” Fans applaud the sportsmanship. Taichi says it is thanks to Takagi that they could put on such fiery matches for this title. For a moment, Taichi thought, “Let’s do it again.”
Taichi says that even if you lose again and again, so long as you bounce back, so long as you don’t give up, so long as you keep trying, you’ll definitely get the results you want one day. He was told by his team that was a challenge, but he overcame it, so he thanks them for their support. Taichi knows Sanada usually closes with his “present,” or Taka would say the catchphrases, but Taichi has something more to say first. Taichi is proud that he won this title here in Kagoshima. Because of everywhere in Japan, he loves Kagoshima the most. Fans cheer and Sanada laughs at Taichi copying his line.
Taichi then hands the mic over to Taka, and he says that with that, they will close with their team name. They are who? The fans reply, “JUST! FIVE! GUYS!” Okay, well, perhaps it hasn’t caught on quite yet. “SO WHAT?! We’re gonna change everything!” That means they’re changing the landscape here in NJPW! They are JUST! FIVE! GUYS!! Sanada has the world title, Taichi now has the KOPW title, will J5G keep adding gold to the collection?
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW, especially as a prelude to Wrestling Dontaku that also isn’t part of the Dontaku build. Now, yes, skipped things again, but it turns out the results were relevant. Really good Six Man Tag from LIJ, and we got the standard formula for the go-home math. Sanada gets the win off Bushi to keep Hiromu strong going into their match. But I don’t expect this to affect the go-home math much, aka I don’t expect Sanada to lose the world title. He only just got it, so he’s not losing it for a good amount of time. But Hiromu will surely have a strong showing so that he also goes into BOSJ 30 still looking good.
The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match was awesome stuff, but of course, Aussie Open always has great matches. They did a great tease of TMDK winning, but Aussie Open pulls it out. And now they have two teams coming for them, which is a good move. Bishamon wanting the titles again is logical, and House of Torture moving on from the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag titles also makes sense, but I don’t see either team winning if NJPW and AEW agree that Aussie Open should get at like FTR and the AEW World Tag titles.
And then we got just an amazing main event with that unique stipulation. It was a bit silly for Takagi to forget that after getting a pin, he didn’t need another pin. And I like that they paralleled each other instead of having unique bingo cards, as these two have become rivals through this title. And in the end, a great win for Taichi and Just5Guys by extension. It is incredible that NJPW has been able to turn the KOPW title around from being a comedy belt (which was still a great time) into a title that comes up with innovative and hard-hitting stipulations. Can’t wait to see what Taichi comes up with now that he is the defending champion.
My Score: 8.8/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
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Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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