Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/12/23)
THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY!
The tradition returns again!
NJPW starts the THIRTIETH Best of the Super Juniors tournament! Will Hiromu Takahashi prove he’s still the best? Or will a new top guy emerge?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Clark Connors VS Kevin Knight; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: BUSHI VS Dan Moloney; Moloney wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Francesco Akira; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS SHO; Lio wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS TJP; Titán wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
This year’s tournament will be even bigger!
While two blocks and ten participants each is the norm, what’s different for this special 30th anniversary is that there will be semifinals! After the ninth round, the TOP TWO in each block will face off, and those will determine the block finalists that battle for the trophy! Who will fight hard and make the cut for this milestone tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Clark Connors w/ Gedo VS Kevin Knight!
The Wild Rhino is now Bullet Club, but he’s still hunting gold. As for The Jet, he is now one half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, but he still wants to be the best. Who makes their team proud with an opening round win?
The second Knight is in the ring, he fires off on Connors! Fans fire up, the bell rings and Knight just fires off more shots! Fans rally, Knight bumps Connors off buckles and stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Knight digs his boot in but lets off at 4. Knight finally puts the belt aside to whip Connors to ropes. Connors holds ropes, bails out, but Knight PLANCHAS right out onto him! Fans fire up more and Knight finally takes off the tracksuit jacket. Knight throws it at Connors, then he CLUBS Connors. Knight UPPERCUTS, then follows Connors around the way to ROCK him, and SMACK him off the apron!
Fans rally behind Knight as he keeps after Connors. Knight throws more hands, CLUBS Connors some more, then UPPERCUTS again! The ring count starts, Knight tells Gedo to back off, and he brings Connors around. Connors knees low and he POSTS Knight! The ring count is 10 of 20 but Connors takes his time returning. Connors refreshes the count at 14, then he brings Knight up to POST him at high speed! Fans boo but Connors shouts, “WHAT?!” The count restarts, Connors CLUBS Knight and puts him in the ring at 12. Fans cheer the bit of sportsmanship, but then Connors pushes Knight right out of the ring, to POST him again!
Fans boo but Connors tells them off. Connors looms over Knight, brings him up, pushes him back into the ring, and fans cheer again as this returns to the ring. Gedo taunts Knight, Connors brings him up, and Connors whips Knight hard into a corner! Fans rally for Knight while Connors seethes and paces around. Connors drags Knight up, but Knight throws body shots. Knight chops but Connors CHOPS! Knight sits down in the corner, and Connor stands on Knight’s face! The ref counts, Connor lets off, and he drags Knight back up. Connors whips Knight hard into another corner! Fans fire up and rally while Gedo taunts Knight more.
Connors toys with Knight, then CLUBS him down! Connors sits Knight up to ROCK him with a left. The ref reprimands about the closed fist, but Connors snap suplexes! Connors clamps onto Knight with a chinlock and digs his knee into Knight’s back. Fans rally, Knight endures and fights up. Knight powers up but Connors snapmares and CLUBS him again! And back to the chinlock! Connors fishhooks and the ref reprimands, so Connors lets Knight go. Connors wraps Knight up in a chinlock but fans rally. Knight fights up, throws body shots, but Connors CLUBS him down! Knight roars and rises to fire off forearms!
Fans fire up but Connors UPPERCUTS! Connors whips, Knight reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Knight kips up and fans fire up again! Knight stomps and UPPERCUTS, stomp and UPPERCUT, then stomps a mudhole into Connors! The fans rally, the ref counts, but Knight lets off at 4. Knight drags Connors up, whips him corner to corner, and runs in to SPLASH! Knight puts Connors up top, and he says it’s time! JUMPING SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up and Knight somersaults into the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but the fans are behind Knight!
Knight wants Connors to stand, then runs in, SATELLITE- NO, Connors denies the DDT! Knight avoids the spear, to SKY HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives again and Knight is surprised. Gedo is worried but the fans rally again. Knight goes to a corner, he jumps up fast, but Connors SHORYUKENS! Connors goes up after Knight, brings him up, but Knight fights with body shots. Knight shoves Connors away, leaps, but into a POWERSLAM! Gedo says “Show me the No Chaser!” Connors nods and he brings Knight up. Connors powers up but Knight wrenches out! Connors blocks the whip to whip Knight!
Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this and the fans fire back up. Knight says it’s done! Knight aims, runs in, but into the SPEAR!! Connors drags Knight up, reels him in, puts one out, and BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
#100Proof just gave Knight a stiff shot and a bitter defeat. But Gedo wants there to be a second shot by sending in a chair! Connors stomps Knight down, grabs the chair, and fans boo as he aims at his former friend. Connors still SMACKS Knight down! And ANOTHER! And ANOTHER! And ANOTHER, and ANOTHER, and ANOTHER! Shot after shot, until Connors has had his fill. Gedo demands the ref raise Connors’ hand in victory and the ref obliges. If this is the “Only Killers” Era of Bullet Club, will anyone survive standing against them?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Funky Weapon has been through quite a few of these BOSJ tournaments, but he’s only won one, and that was back in 2012. Will he finally return to the top? Or will Bone Soldier make sure #ItsReborn?
As he enters the ring, Taguchi offers a handshake. Taiji says no thanks, and Taguchi says okay then. The bell rings, and Taguchi DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! He’s still the Master of the Dropkick! Taguchi whips, then DROPKICKS again! Taiji falls out of the ring, Taguchi triangle jumps to PLANCHA! Direct hit and fans fire up! Taguchi stomps Taiji’s legs, grabs one, and SMASHES the knee off the floor! The fans cheer and Taguchi stalks Taiji. Taguchi brings Taiji up, throws body shots and then kicks the bad leg. Taiji tumbles, but Taguchi baseball slide dropkicks! Fans cheer and the ring count starts.
Taguchi brings Taiji up and in at 4 of 20, then springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Taguchi steps through to a single leg cover, TWO! OH MY- NO, Taiji gets the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds onto the ankle lock until the ref counts 4. Taguchi stomps Taiji, drags him up, and reels him into a SHIN BREAKER! Taiji hobbles, and Taguchi dropkicks the leg out! Then he gets the leg, but Taiji victory rolls! TWO and Taguchi sits back onto the cover, TWO! But Taguchi has the leg! OH MY GAH ANKLE! Taiji endures, reaches out, rolls, but Taguchi holds on! Taguchi keeps on that ankle lock!
Fans cheer, Taiji crawls, and Taiji drags Taguchi into the BONE LOCK! Taguchi endures, crawls around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away! But Taguchi uses that to get OH MY GAH ANKLE! Taiji endures, reaches out, but Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taiji claws at the mat, it’s not a tap out. Taguchi drags Taiji back into chicken wings! But Taiji pops free, facelocks, only for Taguchi to slip free. Taguchi shoots in, Taiji avoids him and tilt-o-whirls to the MYSTICA! FUJIWARA! Chicken wing, BONE LOCK!! Taguchi still endures, Taiji rolls him away and PULLS! Taguchi TAPS, Taiji wins!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
A fast and furious three minutes as Taguchi turned up the seriousness, but it all fell apart! Taiji takes the win, will he also take the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: BUSHI VS Dan Moloney!
The Black Mask of Los Ingobernables de Japon takes on The United Empire’s newest recruit! Will Bushi give #DaDrilla a tranquilo “welcome” to NJPW? Or will Dan show us why he’s the #Superbeast?
The bell rings and fans rally for Bushi. Bushi and Moloney tie up, Moloney powers Bushi to ropes, but he lets off quick. Bushi avoids the cheap shot and fans applaud. Moloney and Bushi reset, tie up, and Moloney puts Bushi on the ropes. Bushi turns things around, Moloney turns it around, but then Bushi turns it back around. Bushi rolls back and lounges to taunt Moloney. Moloney runs in, Bushi dodges and kicks low. Bushi ROCKS Moloney, whips him to ropes, then ducks, hurdles, and DROPKICKS Moloney’s dropkick! Fans fire up as Moloney bails out. Bushi builds speed but Moloney DROPKICKS back! Cover, TWO!
Moloney rips Bushi’s shirt off! Fans boo but Moloney has prevented Bushi from using his favorite strategy! Moloney then KICKS Bushi in the back, and he smirks as fans rally up. Moloney drags Bushi up, CHOPS him, and Bushi is stinging already. Fans fire up, Moloney throws up the crown, and he drags Bushi up. Bushi CHOPS, but Moloney eggs him on. Bushi CHOPS and CHOPS, but Moloney CHOPS Bushi off his feet! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Moloney stomps Bushi’s hands. And then his feet! And then his torso! Fans continue to rally but Moloney mocks them and throws the crown up again.
Moloney drags Bushi up, CHOPS him to a corner, and he CLUBS Bushi on the neck. Moloney throws body shots, whips Bushi corner to corner, then runs in, but into a BOOT! Bushi RANAS Moloney and fans fire up. Both men are down but stirring, and Bushi is up first. Bushi brings Moloney around but Moloney ROCKS him! Bushi ROCKS Moloney, and then gets the edge with those forearms. Bushi reels Moloney in for a BIG back suplex! Both men are back down and fans fire up again. Moloney goes to a corner, Bushi runs in, but Moloney dodges. Moloney comes back in but Bushi SWING KICKS him!
Bushi goes up top while Moloney staggers away. Bushi MISSILE DROPKICKS! And Bushirooni! Fans fire up and Bushi watches Moloney go to the corner. Bushi runs in, elbows Moloney, then brings him out. Moloney swings but into a spin and facelock. Moloney fights and wrenches, but Bushi avoids the chop to dropkick a leg out! Bushi drags Moloney up, has a leg, but Moloney fights free. Moloney CLUBS Bushi then leans on the ropes. Bushi runs in, blocks Moloney’s boot, and puts it in the ropes to DROPKICK the leg! Bushi then has Moloney in the ropes for a DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up and Bushi goes to the apron.
Bushi drags Moloney to the ropes again but the ref reprimands. Moloney fights free and ENZIGURIS Bushi down! Fans rally up and Moloney build speed. Moloney WRECKS Bushi with a dropkick! Moloney hurries to put Bushi in, covers, TWO! Moloney scowls but the fans rally up. Moloney slashes his throat, vowing to end this. Moloney drags Bushi up, reels him in, Canadian racks, but Bushi slips free. Bushi ducks the haymaker, Moloney blocks a kick and ducks the enziguri but not the REWIND HEEL! Fans fire up with Bushi and he aims from the corner. Moloney stands, and he blocks the Code Breaker, into a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!!
Bushi survives and fans fire up but Moloney pounds the mat. Moloney stalks Bushi, runs the ropes, and GORE!! Moloney Canadian Racks, DRILLA KILLA!! Cover, Moloney wins!!
Winner: Dan Moloney, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
The United Empire’s newest soldier scores big! Will nothing stop the Empire from taking over the entire tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS DOUKI!
The Timesplitter is the other half of the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, but the Intergalactic Jet Setters aren’t stopping there! Will Kushida prove he is still the Ace of Junior Heavyweight wrestling? Or will Japones Del Mal get a big win for Just5Guys?
The bell rings and the fans duel, “KU-SHI-DA!” “DO-U-KI!” The two feel out a grapple, then Douki avoids the drop toeholds. They go again, Kushida rolls but Douki avoids the takedown. They feel out another grapple, Kushida gets a leg and drags Douki down to float and push to a lateral press. Douki gets away before a count and fans cheer as the two stand off. Kushida and Douki circle again, Kushida jumps on for body scissors and the armmlock, but Douki has the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets go quickly and the two reset again. They tie up, Kushida waistlocks but Douki pries the hold to wrench the arm.
Kushida slips through, wrenches back and wristlocks. Kushida hammerlocks, spins Douki and arm-drags. Kushida floats, Douki tries to headscissor hold but Kushida slips out to hammerlock. Fans applaud the technical exchange and Kushida floats into a headlock. Douki fights up, Kushida wrenches and steps over to spin Douki and take him down. Kushida traps the arm to JAM it! Kushida then moves around, ties up the arms in a modified straitjacket, and then twists! Douki has his shoulders down, ONE as Douki manages to push up. But Kushida ties up the legs! Another cover, TWO! Kushida drops back to tweak the arms!
Douki flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Even Kushida applauds as he lets off. Douki shakes out his arms and the two reset. They circle, feel out a grapple, Kushida throws Douki down with an STO. Douki reaches up with his legs but Kushida pushes those away. Kushida flips Douki over, but Douki kips up and arm-drags! Douki wheelbarrows but Kushida turns that around with a pump handle and SLAM, into an ARMBAR! Douki flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Kushida holds on a little longer. Kushida gives Douki kicks as he gets up, and then he dropkicks Douki into the ropes!
Fans boo Kushida’s aggression and start to rally behind Douki harder. Kushida tells Douki the fans are cheering so he should earn it. Kushida then BUZZSAWS Douki in the arm! The ref checks on Douki but Kushida gets the bad arm. Kushida drags Douki up, wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! Douki ROCKS Kushida with forearms, but Kushida KICKS the bad arm! Kushida wrenches again but Douki rakes eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, Douki lets off, then whips. Kushida reverses to JAM the arm and KICK it! Douki writhes but Kushida drags him up to trip him. Kushida then has the legs, and he turns Douki over for a SEATED SURFBOARD!
Douki endures, even as Kushida pulls him way back! Fans rally, Douki rocks the boat, and he tips it over to put the SURFBOARD onto Kushida! Kushida has one arm free as Douki can’t hold on , but Douki grabs it again. Kushida powers through to turn things back around! Douki endures again, and Kushida stands up as he pulls on the arms. Kushida steps over to add more pressure, but Douki fights up to his feet. Douki tries to power things around but Kushida pulls the arms! Fans rally, Douki moves around and turns Kushida around, but Kushida turns it back around! Douki keeps fighting, turns things around again, but Kushida just turns it back!
But Douki flips to throw Kushida away! Kushida RAMS Douki, Douki RAMS Kushida, repeat! Then Kushida drops, Douki rolls and Douki runs Kushida over! Douki runs to RANA, cover, TWO! Kushida has the unset but Douki rolls through to stack! TWO and Kushida has Douki back in the sunset, TWO! Douki has the prawn hold, TWO!!! Kushida escapes in time! Kushida drop toeholds, La Magistrols, TWO!! Kushida tilt-o-whirls to get the arm, wring and step through, La Magistrol into an O’Conner Bridge! TWO and Douki has the Bridge!! TWO!! Kushida has it back, TWO!!! Fans are thunderous as Kushida points out there was tight tugging.
Kushida shoots in, Douki dodges and shoves. Kushida runs Douki over, things keep moving, and Douki follows. Kushida dodges to CROSSBODY! Kushida ducks the lariat to PELE! Fans fire up as Kushida aims, PENALTY KICK to the bad arm! Kushida says it’s time, and he runs in, but Douki blocks the Hoverboard! They waistlock and switch back and forth, and Douki arm-drags! Then he rolls Kushida around, SEATBELT!! DOUKI WINS?!?!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)
Douki survives with just one arm! Kushida asks commentary, but no, that was Douki’s win. Will Japones Del Mal prove there is no weak link in Just5Guys?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Francesco Akira!
The Way of the Grandmaster and the Nova Fireball may be opposites, but they also have things in common. They’ve both been IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and both have yet to be THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Who looks to change all that with a big first win here tonight?
The two start shoving but the ref keeps them back. The bell rings and the two rush in! Wato runs Akira over, covers, ONE! Wato headlocks, fans chant “A! KI-RA!” as Akira powers out. Things speed up, Akira hurdles but Wato shoves him to pop him up. Akira wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Wato comes back into a sweep and cover, ONE! Wato sweeps and covers, ONE! Dropkicks cancel out and both men kip up. Fans fire up and the shoving returns. Akira slaps so Wato STOs! Wato knuckle lock covers, TWO and Akira kips up to DROPKICK Wato out! Akira builds speed, Wato returns to hurdle and run.
Wato RANAS Akira out, then he builds speed, but Akira avoids the dropkick! Akira DIVES and direct hit into Wato and the Young Lions! Fans fire up and Akira talks some trash. Akira drags Wato, RAMS him into the apron, and then Tiger Feint Kicks from the apron! Fans rally, Akira drags Wato back up, and Akira puts Wato in the ring. Cover, TWO! Akira drags Wato up, wrenches and hammerlocks, then tucks the other arm, to roll and GROUND OCTOPUS! Wato endures, fans rally up, and Wato reaches out. Akira pulls on Wato’s arm but Wato gets the ROPEBREAK with a leg. The ref counts, Akira lets off quickly.
Fans rally, Akira talks some trash and he pushes Wato around. Akira CLUBS Wato, talks more trash, then ROCKS him in the back. Wato writhes, and Akira talks more trash. Akira drags Wato up, Wato throws body shots and forearms! Akira DOUBLE CHOPS back! Wato goes to a corner and Akira digs his knee in! The ref counts, Akira lets off, and Akira comes back to stand Wato up. Akira whips Wato corner to corner, runs in, but into BOOTS! Wato runs in to BULLDOG! Fans fire up with Wato, he gets around Akira to ZIGZAG! Fans rally as both men are down! Wato goes to the apron and he aims at Akira.
Akira rises, Wato springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up more as Wato brings Akira back up. Akira resists the German Suplex and throws elbows. Wato still reels Akira in, Akira tries to victory roll but Wato sits on it! ONE, and Wato holds on to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Akira lands on his feet! Akira runs in, Wato whips him but Akira reverses to then clothesline in the corner! And SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Akira roars but so does Wato! Akira runs, but Wato follows to ELBOW! Wato runs, Akira dodges and rolls, and turns bomb into SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and fans fire up again!
Akira is surprised but he refocuses. Akira drags Wato up, reels him in and tucks the arm, but Wato fights Speedfire! Akira throws knees, SUPER- NO, Wato blocks the kick! Akira ducks the roundhouse to SUPERKICK after all! Akira runs and builds speed, BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and Akira can’t believe it! Akira aims from a corner and he pounds the mat. “A! KI-RA!” runs back in, but Wato ducks the fireball! Roll-up, tuck and- Victory roll! STOMP 182 from Akira!! Akira hauls Wato up but Wato wrenches out to hook and RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
Water beats fire, and Wato heats up! Will he wash away the competition to take the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS SHO!
The Bad Child essentially faces the man he replaced in both Chaos and as Yoh’s tag team partner. Will Lio prove he’s still the Man of the Hour? Or will the Murder Machine kill Lio’s momentum before it builds?
Sho makes his entrance alone, is the House of Torture going to play fair for once? Wait, EVIL attacks Lio during his entrance! So much for that. Fans boo as Evil stomps away on Lio and smacks him with his own jacket! Sho keeps the ref from doing anything about this and Evil CHOKES Lio! Evil pushes Lio in, Sho apologizes and says they can still have the match. Lio flounders up, he nods and wants this, sot he bell rings. Fans rally for Lio, Sho runs and LARIATS Lio down! Sho drags Lio up, brings him around and up, for the POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Lio is still in this and Sho is upset. Fans rally but Sho stalks Lio.
Sho drags Lio up, brings him back in, tucks the arms and STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Lio survives again! Sho is furious but the ref says his count was fair. Sho says fine, he’ll end this. Sho aims his bow, drags Lio back up and reels him back in, tucks the arms again, SHOCK- NO, Lio fights it! Lio powers up to back drop Sho away! Fans fire up but Evil is back! Evil has a chair, the ref stops him, but Sho gets his “murder tool!” Fans boo as Sho takes aim, but Lio dodges the wrench attack! And dodges it again! Lio baits Sho in, then gets the ref out of the way, so that Sho crashes into Evil and the chair!
Fans cheer and Lio builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Evil! Lio finally takes his mask off and runs from Sho. They go around the way, into the ring, and Lio HANDSPRING KICKS Sho down! Lio keeps moving to DIVE! Direct hit on Sho into the Young Lions! Fans fire up with Lio and he drags Sho up. Lio puts Sho into the ring, climbs up the corner, but Evil returns to anchor Lio! Lio kicks Evil away, ROCKS Sho, then goes up again. Lio leaps but Sho avoids the Final Hour! Lio rolls through, comes back, redirects, but Sho sends the ref in! The ref and Lio crash! Fans boo as Sho takes aim, runs in, and SPEARS!
Fans boo but now Evil slithers in! Sho gets his wrench, fans tell Evil to go away, but Evil drags Lio up. Sho runs in but Lio BOOTS him away! And then LOW BLOWS Evil! Fans cheer as Lio gets the wrench, to CLOBBER Evil! And he CLOBBERS Sho! Lio throws the wrench away, goes up top and takes aim, FINAL HOUR!! Lio wakes the ref for the cover, Lio wins!!
Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Justice is served as Lio pulls off the win against half of the House of Torture! Will the BOSJ’s 30th anniversary be Lio’s time?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Robbie Eagles!
Speaking of Mr. Direct Drive, he faces another former Chaos member. The Sniper of the Skies is now with TMDK, but will he really not kneel? Or will Yoh find a way to shoot down Eagles?
The bell rings and Eagles gets the fans to join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” But then Yoh rolls Robbie up! TWO, and fans boo. Eagles says that’s sneaky but Yoh mocks the Sniper. Eagles wants everyone to calm down and the two circle. They tie up, Eagles wrenches and wristlocks, but Yoh rolls, kips and wrenches back. Yoh wristlocks but Eagles goes to ropes. Eagles flips through to wrench and hammerlock. Yoh reaches back, slips through and fireman’s carry takeovers. Fans rally, Eagles fights up but Yoh wrenches and YANKS the arm. Yoh CLUBS the arm, hammerlocks, but Eagles reaches back.
Eagles headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, wrenches and top wristlocks. Fans applaud that fast string of holds, but Yoh powers Eagles to the ropes. The ref calls the break and Yoh lets off. But then Yoh goes to whip, only for Eagles to block. Eagles grins and keeps holding the ropes. Yoh kicks low and he whips Eagles, but Eagles goes up and around and arm-drags Yoh away! Eagles keeps moving, he hurdles then RANAS and Yoh ends up in a corner. Eagles runs in, Yoh dodges to whip, and things speed up. Yoh drop toeholds, runs but Eagles avoids the basement dropkick. Eagles turns Yoh over but Yoh avoids the knee drop!
Fans fire up as the two stand off, but Eagles aims his finger guns. The two reset and circle again. They rush in, Yoh kicks low, and he kicks Eagles at the ropes. Yoh wrenches and whips, Eagles turns arm-drag into takedown and he rolls to basement dropkick Yoh! Fans cheer and Eagles drags Yoh to a cover. TWO, but Eagles keeps cool. Eagles gets Yoh’s legs, ties them up in a deathlock, and then he rolls Yoh into a stretch! Yoh endures, fans rally up, but Eagles pulls on the legs. Yoh throws forearms but Eagles turns him back over to hold onto one leg. Eagles starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” to SMASH the knee with each “OI OI OI!”
“ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” SMASH SMASH SMASH! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” SMASH SMASH SMASH! “ROBBIE!” SMASH! “ROBBIE!” SMASH! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” SMASH SMASH SMASH! Fans cheer as Eagles finishes the combo and lets Yoh go. Eagles then goes to the apron, tells Yoh to get up, and springboards in. Yoh avoids the dropkick but Eagles BOOTS him! Yoh rewinds, 52 FAKEOUT! Yoh runs to basement dropkick! Fans rally up while both men are down. Yoh goes to a corner, and he runs to rally with forearms! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS!
Fans fire up, Eagles tumbles out of the ring, and Yoh takes aim. Yoh PLANCHAS and takes Eagles down! Fans fire up more, air guitars and gives it to Hiroshi Tanahashi at commentary. Fans rally up more as Yoh catches his breath. Yoh watches Eagles rise, the ring count is 10 of 20 but Yoh puts Eagles in at 14. Yoh brings Eagles up to scoop, SLAM, and then TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps his focus as the fans rally up again. Yoh drags Eagles up, suplexes, but Eagles knees free! Eagles swings, Yoh dodges, and Yoh suplexes! Eagles slips free, ROLLING CHOP BLOCK! BLINDSIDER LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down again!
Yoh goes to a corner and Eagles watches. Eagles runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Eagles rolls back, BASEMENT 619! Yoh sits down, Eagles METEORAS! Eagles drags Yoh to a high stack cover, TWO! Yoh is still in this but Eagles puts him in the drop zone. Eagles goes up the corner, fans rally, and Eagles 450 but has to roll through! Yoh BOOTS Eagles, runs in, but into a knee! Yoh blocks the roundhouse to ROLLING FOREARM! Yoh full nelsons, Eagles switches and spins Yoh around, clinch to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO, but into the RON MILLER SPECIAL! Or as he calls it now, the EAGLE LOCK! But Yoh scrambles forward to the ROPEBREAK!
Eagles lets go in frustration and fans rally up. Eagles gets Yoh’s leg and drags him from ropes, but Yoh kicks at him with the other leg. Eagles KICKS the bad leg! Fans rally, Eagles drags Yoh around again and steps through, but Yoh kicks Eagles away! Eagles comes back, Yoh goes Matrix! Eagles blocks a kick, whips, but Yoh ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls and suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cradle cover, TWO!! Eagles escapes and fans fire up some more! Both men slowly rise, and Yoh throws a forearm! Eagles gives it back, so Yoh throws another! Eagles SLAPS Yoh, so Yoh SLAPS Eagles! They both stand, and Eagles SLAPS!
Yoh smirks, SLAPS back, but Eagles forearms! Yoh forearms, they go back and forth and fans fire up! Yoh gets the edge, UPPERCUTS, then runs but into a KICK to the bad leg! But Yoh ducks the roundhouse! Yoh scoops and USHIGOROSHIS! Eagles’ headband flies off from the impact! Yoh crawls to ropes, Eagles goes to a corner. Fans fire up, Yoh roars and tunes up the band! SUPER- NO, Eagles blocks, fires off strikes, but Yoh turns backpack into Electric Chair, only for Eagles to let Yoh down! ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! ENZIGURI! Fans fire up with Eagles as he SHIRANUIS! Cover, TWO!
Eagles hurries up the corner, 450 LEG SPLASH! Eagles steps through, but Yoh drags him into the STARGAZER! But then Eagles pushes it back into an O’CONNER! TWO!! Step through, but cradle counter! TWO!!! Eagles escapes but Yoh runs in, only for Eagles to dropkick the bad leg!! Eagles aims from the apron, springboards back in, MISSILE DROPKICK to the legs! Eagles fires up and LEG LARIATS Yoh down! Cover, Eagles wins!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
The Sniper’s got a chipped tooth, but he can count it a badge of honor for having such a killer match! Will the BOSJ belong to TMDK?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS TJP!
El Inmortal is back in NJPW and ready to rise to the top! But in his way is Public Enemy Number One! Will Titan stay tranquilo? Or will he be conquered by The United Empire?
The bell rings and fans rally for Titan. Titan feeds off that but TJP shrugs it off. They circle, feel things out, and TJP waistlocks. Titan switches, TJP spins around to knuckle lock, but Titan bridges him back. TJP rolls and slips through to then wrangle Titan down with a top wristlock. Fans applaud, and Titan moves around. Titan gets up, rolls, kips up and cartwheels to handspring and wrench back. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, drops, and twisting headscissors, but Titan handsprings through! TJP ducks the Penalty Kick and rolls Titan up, but Titan rolls through. TJP kicks and whips, Titan reverses to TORNADO-
NO, TJP denies the DDT! TJP runs in but into a sweep and cover, ONE! TJP sweeps and covers, ONE! Both men handspring up and fans fire up as the two stare down! The two circle, fans rally for “T J P!” and he ties up with Titan. TJP puts Titan in the corner, UPPERCUTS, then whips corner to corner. Titan reverses but TJP does a gentleman’s headstand in the corner. TJP then headscissors Titan away! Things keep moving, TJP goes Spider-Man in the ropes, then drops as Titan runs in. Titan tumbles out and fans rally as TJP aims. TJP PLANCHAS but Titan dodges! Titan returns to DIVE! Direct hit and fans fire up!
Fans now rally for “TITAN! TITAN!” as he puts TJP in the ring. Cover, ONE!! TJP is hanging tough but Titan keeps on him. Titan whips TJP to ropes, but TJP Spider-Mans and goes to the apron. Titan is wary but he still runs in. TJP slips under, rolls Titan up, steps over and has the arm, to then YANK the other! Titan writhes and clutches the elbow but TJP is on him. TJP SLAMS the bad arm, then sits Titan up. TJP is after the mask for a moment, steps over sot he ref can’t see, and then goes after the mask again! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but TJP stops at 4. TJP stomps Titan down, then drags Titan up.
TJP bumps Titan off buckles, stomps him down, and scrubs Titan’s face with his laces. The fans rally up, TJP runs side to side, and he BOOT WASHES Titan! Fans fire up while Titan drapes out of the ring. The fans want that again, so TJP obliges! He sits Titan in the corner, scrapes his laces off Titan’s face, then goes side to side, for a BIG BOOT WASH! Titan falls all the way out of the ring and fans fire up! TJP soaks up the cheers and he brings Titan up. TJP puts Titan in, covers, TWO! TJP stands Titan up but Titan SOBATS! Titan ROCKS TJP with forearm after forearm! TJP rakes the eyes!
The ref reprimands but TJP scoops Titan for a BACKBREAKER! TJP goes to the apron as fans rally, and TJP slingshots, only for Titan to dodge! Titan GAMANGIRIS TJP, but TJP SUPERKICKS back! TJP runs, but Titan springboards to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Titan goes back to the apron! Titan springboards, TJP intercepts, but Titan uses that to body scissor throw TJP out of the ring! Titan gets back up, fires up, and he QUEBRADAS! Direct hit and the Young Lions are part of the landing! Fans fire up with Titan as he rises back up. Titan puts TJP in, covers, TWO! TJP is still in this but Titan keeps his focus.
Titan drags TJP up, fires off a flurry of strikes, and then powers up, only for TJP to duck and SOBAT! TJP runs, but Titan gets him at the ropes! TJP just hangs Titan out to dry! TJP goes to the corner, climbs up, and GUILLOTINE MAMBA SPLASHES!! TJP puts Titan right back in, takes aim again, and springboards to FLYING DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and TJP can’t believe it! TJP pushes Titan into a drop zone, goes back up top, but Titan GAMANGIRIS! Titan powers up, but TJP blocks the punch to ROCK Titan! TJP throws Titan down by his mask, but Titan kips up to PELE!
TJP falls to the apron and fans fire up. Titan climbs up now, takes aim, and APRON DIVING STOMPS!!! TJP sputters while he’s in the ring and Titan fires up outside the ring! Titan hurries back to the corner and aims again! But TJP catches the stomp into an STF! And from there into THE PINOY STRETCH!! Titan endures, reaches out, crawls his way forward, ROPEBREAK!! TJP lets go in frustration and he drags Titan up. TJP fireman’s carries but Titan slips free. TJP elbows, whips, but Titan reverses. Titan goes Matrix to CALF KICK! Titan roars, fans fire up with him, and he reels TJP in.
Titan gut wrenches to a Canadian Rack, and from there he gets a Gory Especial, only for TJP to sunset flip! TWO!! TJP stalks Titan, drags him up and whips, but Titan reverses to use the ropes, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! But Titan holds onto a leg, ties TJP up, and he has the DEATHLOCK! Bridge back, MUTA LOCK!! TJP endures, but TAPS! TITAN WINS!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; TJP earns 0)
TJP is usually the technical master, but he is the one falling to a submission hold! Will Titan use this victory to launch himself to the top?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Rogue Luchador and the Heel Master used to be tag team partners, as well as allies under Suzuki-Gun. But with that faction’s splitting, Desperado followed Minoru Suzuki into Team Strong Style while Kanemaru followed Taichi into Just5Guys. Who proves they were the stronger teammate all along?
Kanemaru welcomes his old friend into the ring by holding the ropes open. Desperado accepts the favor, but then Kanemaru attacks! Desperado should’ve known better! The bell rings as Kanemaru throws Desperado right out, then SMACKS him off the apron! And again! And again! Red Shoes reprimands but the fans rally up. Kanemaru stomps Desperado, CLUBS him on the neck, but Desperado CHOPS! Kanemaru rakes the eyes! Kanemaru then tells fans to move, so they do, and Kanemaru whips Desperado! Desperado reverses to avoid the chairs, and he reels Kanemaru into a FLAPJACK onto the apron!
Fans rally up, the ring count starts, and Desperado steadies himself. Desperado drags Kanemaru up, SMACKS him off the apron at 11 of 20, then pushes him in at 13. Fans cheer and Desperado stalks Kanemaru. Desperado stomps Kanemaru, CLUBS him on the neck, then headlocks. Kanemaru powers up but can’t power out as Desperado holds tight! Kanemaru rolls Desperado to a cover, ONE! Kanemaru tries again, ONE! Desperado grinds the headlock, but Kanemaru fights up. Kanemaru throws body shots, pries the hold open, but Desperado clamps it back on. Kanemaru keeps fighting, and he throws body shots.
Kanemaru powers out, but Desperado runs him over! Things speed up, but Desperado drops to roll Kanemaru to the headlock. Fans applaud while Kanemaru endures. Kanemaru fights up but Desperado hits the takeover. Kanemaru pulls at the mask but Desperado grinds the headlock. Desperado then shifts to a cravat, but Kanemaru breaks free. But Desperado headlocks right back! Kanemaru throws body shots, hooks the mask, and he powers out to get his own headlock! Desperado powers out but Kanemaru runs him over! Things speed up, but now Kanemaru hops over and gets a leg to SMASH the knee!
Fans applaud the exchange while Kanemaru catches his breath. Desperado clutches his knee but he’s still in this. Kanemaru storms up to stomp Desperado’s leg. Kanemaru stands Desperado up and grabs that leg but Desperado fights free. Desperado runs, but Kanemaru drops and trips Desperado, into the KNEE SMASH! Fans fire up as Kanemaru says he’s smarter than Desperado. Kanemaru stalks Desperado to a corner, stomps the bad leg, then drags Desperado up to whip. Kanemaru dropkicks the bad leg out! Desperado flounders to the apron but Kanemaru storms over to him. Kanemaru drags Desperado back in by the bad leg.
Kanemaru drops an elbow on the leg and pulls on the toehold. Desperado endures, flails, drags Kanemaru along and gets the ROPEBREAK! But Kanemaru drags him back to put on the FIGURE FOUR! Desperado endures again, flails around again, and he claws at the hold. Kanemaru puts on the pressure as fans rally up. Desperado still pries at the hold but Kanemaru just puts on more pressure. Desperado drags Kanemaru along again, to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Kanemaru claims he needs help. Desperado endures as Kanemaru plays dumb, but Kanemaru lets go when Red Shoes starts to count.
Desperado bails out of the ring but Kanemaru pursues. Kanemaru gets the bad leg, to SMASH it on the floor! Desperado flounders away and Red Shoes checks him. Desperado doesn’t want this ending the match, and he crawls around the way. Kanemaru pursues, but he refreshes the ring count first. Kanemaru then drags Desperado back up and puts him back in. Fans applaud the sportsmanship and Kanemaru takes his time returning to the ring. Desperado dropkicks his legs as he does! Desperado then reels Kanemaru in, but Kanemaru fights free. Kanemaru kicks Desperado’s leg, but Desperado hits a BIG back suplex!
Fans rally up while both men are down. Desperado hobbles up, stomps to get his bad leg working, and he then drops knees on Kanemaru’s knees! Desperado goes for both legs but Kanemaru kicks him away. Desperado comes back but Kanemaru BOOTS him! Kanemaru runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Desperado slips free of that to trip and roll Kanemaru into the STRETCH MUFFLER CALF SLICER COMBO!! Kanemaru endures and reaches out, but Kanemaru then shifts around to have the STRETCH MUFFLER SOLO! Kanemaru flails but Desperado gets an arm, NUMERO DOS! Kanemaru crawls with his one free arm, but Desperado tries to get that arm, too!
Kanemaru reaches, stretches as far as he can, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado thrashes around but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Now things might be a bit more even. Fans rally up, Desperado gets his bad leg working and he runs in at Kanemaru. Desperado blocks one boot but not the other, and then Kanemaru dropkicks the bad leg! Kanemaru dropkicks it from behind now! Desperado writhes, and Kanemaru hobbles over to bring him up. SHIN BREAKER! Step through, FIGURE FOUR!! Desperado shouts in pain as he endures, and the fans fire up as he reaches out! Kanemaru thrashes to add pressure!
Desperado fights, pushes back, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go and Desperado bails out again. Kanemaru goes out after him again, and Kanemaru brings Desperado around to POST him! Desperado is down, Kanemaru goes into the ring, and the ring count begins. The count reaches 10 of 20 while Desperado is still down. Desperado sits up at 15, stands at 16, but his bad leg is holding him back! The count is 19, Desperado launches in at 19.9!! Kanemaru dropkicks the bad leg out! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Kanemaru gets the legs again, but Desperado kicks him away! Table top to a roll-up, TWO, into STRETCH MUFFLER!
But Kanemaru rolls Desperado!! TWO!! Kanemaru grabs the leg but Desperado fights him off with a gut wrench! They go around like that, Kanemaru brings the leg up but LOCO MONO hits! Kanemaru comes back, swings, misses, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!!! Kanemaru survives and Desperado can’t believe it! Fans rally, Desperado slaps his leg and roars! Desperado drags Kanemaru up, underhooks, PINCH- NO, Kanemaru trips him! FIGURE FOUR!!! Desperado flails, crawls, reaches out, but Kanemaru keeps on the pressure! Desperado pries the hold open but Kanemaru SLAPS it back down! DESPERADO TAPS, KANEMARU WINS!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by submission (gains 2 points; Desperado earns 0)
The Rogue Luchador could not stop the onslaught on his knee, the Heel Master is the victor! Will the BOSJ soon belong to Just5Guys?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Mike Bailey!
Naturally, the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and defending four-time BOSJ Tournament winner closes out opening night! But will the Ticking Timebomb continue that incredible streak? Or will Speedball be Hiromu’s speedbump on the road to another trophy?
Hiromu brings back his picture diary, and for Speedball, it says “Long time no see, it’s been six years.” Speedball appreciates that Hiromu remembers. The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” Mike applauds for Hiromu, and then fans chant for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” Mike thanks Hiromu for that, and then offers a handshake. Hiromu accepts, and fans applaud the show of respect. They even hug! But then Hiromu reels Mike in! Mike slips out, shoves, but Hiromu RAMS Mike! Mike rebounds to run Hiromu over! Things speed up, Mike handsprings then hurdles, but Hiromu leaps over. Mike kips up to KICK Hiromu down!
Fans fire up and rally for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” but Hiromu runs in. Mike dodges to fire off kicks from all sides again and again and again and again! After about a dozen, Mike ENZIGURIS Hiromu down! Fans fire up while Hiromu bails out. Mike builds speed, but Hiromu avoids the dropkick. Mike lands on his feet, to CHOP Hiromu! Mike CHOPS in return! Mike ROCKS Hiromu but Hiromu ROCKS Mike! They brawl outside, go back and forth, and Hiromu ROCKS Mike! Mike staggers away, says hi to a fan and their Daryl plush, then runs back to DROPKICK Hiromu down! Fans fire up as Mike stands up again.
Mike feels that energy and he brings Hiromu up. Mike puts Hiromu in, fans rally up, and Mike climbs a corner. Mike leaps but Hiromu ducks under! Hiromu comes in to clothesline, snapmare, and basement dropkick! Mike bails out but Hiromu goes to the apron, for the JOHN WOO! Fans fire up and Hiromu puts up V for victory. Hiromu then brings Mike up, brings him over, but ignores Red Shoes to go into the crowd, and he RAMS Mike into railing! Fans cheer as Hiromu opens the way to the bleachers. Mike crawls up the steps and Hiromu has him. They go to the upper level, and Hiromu snap suplexes Mike to the floor!
Fans fire up and Hiromu encourages them to get louder a la Sanada. Hiromu gets a lot of space, he aims at Mike, and he runs in, for the JOHN WOO!! Fans fire up more and Hiromu looms over Mike. Hiromu drags Mike up, the ring count starts, and Hiromu brings Mike back to ringside. Hiromu puts Mike in at 10 of 20 and fans cheer. Hiromu fires everyone up, covers Mike, TWO! Hiromu drags Mike up but Mike CHOPS! Hiromu eggs Mike on, so Mike CHOPS! But Hiromu CHOPS Mike off his feet! Hiromu drags Mike up to suplex, but Mike slips out and waistlocks. Mike ducks the elbow but Hiromu catches the haymaker!
Hiromu spins Mike to a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Hiromu drags Mike up to a fireman’s carry. Mike slips out, swings, but Hiromu whips. Mike handsprings, Hiromu dodges, but then Mike dodges Hiromu to SHOTGUN BOOT! Fans fire up again and Mike feeds off the energy. Mike goes to a corner, he aims, and then runs in to SOBAT! And AX KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up as Mike’s martial arts take Hiromu down, and then he SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Mike says he’ll finish this. Mike powers up as Hiromu rises and the fans rally back up.
Mike aims, but Hiromu blocks the buzzsaw! Mike wrenches out, whips, but Hiromu reverses. Mike handsprings, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans rally back up while both men are down. Hiromu stands, brings Mike up, but Mike fights the fireman’s carry to whip. Hiromu BOOTS, runs, but Mike dodges, only to run into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Hiromu then drags Mike up, fireman’s carry, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Mike flounders but Hiromu says he’s just getting going! Fireman’s carry, pop-up, and Mike SPIKE-RANAS! Cover, TWO! Hiromu sunset flips, TWO and Mike PENALTY KICKS Hiromu! STANDING MOONSAULT KNEE DROP!
Fans fire up with Mike, he watches Hiromu rise, and then aims again. BUZZSAW!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Mike is shocked! The fans are thunderous and Mike grits his teeth. Hiromu goes to a corner, Mike goes to the opposite. Fans rally, Mike focuses his power, and he runs, spins, but Hiromu blocks! Hiromu shoves Mike, then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Mike into the corner! Mike has a rough landing and both men are down. Fans rally up as the two stir. Now Hiromu goes to the opposite corner and fires himself up. Fans continue to rally, and Mike rises up again!
Mike turns around slowly, he and Hiromu stare down, and they both rush in! They RAM shoulders, then fire off heavy forearms! Fans rally as the shots go back and forth, and then Mike KICKS Hiromu! Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS! Hiromu spins again, into a BOOT! Mike spins, Hiromu ducks the roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! Fans fire up, Hiromu runs in but Mike dodges. Hiromu elbows, and LARIATS! Hiromu fireman’s carries, and TOSSES Mike to the apron! Hiromu then runs to SUNSET FLIP, but Mike stops the bomb! Mike slingshots in, runs back and BOOTS Hiromu down!
Mike keeps moving, triangle jump MOONSAULT!! Direct hit and fans are thunderous again as both men are down on the outside! Mike catches his breath, but the ring count starts. Mike looms over Hiromu at 10 of 20, goes into the ring and lets Hiromu figure it out. Hiromu’s on the apron at 18, so Red Shoes stops the count. Mike runs in, Hiromu blocks the boot! But Mike breaks free to sweep the legs! Mike then goes out to the apron, has Hiromu’s leg, and backflips, but Hiromu avoids the knee drop! Mike’s knees hit apron! Hiromu grins and runs, to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB to the floor!!
Fans are thunderous again as Mike looks around in a daze. Red Shoes checks him, but Mike says he’s okay. Hiromu growls and rises, and the fans rally back up. Hiromu drags Mike up, puts him in, and fireman’s carries, for the DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu snarls, he’s still got more to give. Hiromu waits on Mike to stand, then he runs, HIROMU-CHAN- NO, Mike dodges, only to run into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fireman’s carry, but Mike sunset flips! TWO!! Hiromu prawn holds, TWO! Both men hurry to their feet, Hiromu runs in, but into a COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO!!
Mike fires up but he has to flounder to the corner. Fans fire up as Mike slaps some sense into himself. Mike aims, runs in, but Hiromu dodges! Mike BOOTS Hiromu, SUPERKICKS, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu superkicks but Mike uses a heel kick to deflect it! And then Mike SUPERKICKS! Hiromu staggers to a corner, Mike ROLLING ROUNDHOUSES!! Mike goes up the corner, for the ULTIMATE WEAPON KNEE DROP!! Cover, MIKE WINS?!?!
Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)
Even Speedball is shocked! He just pinned the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and the defending BOSJ winner! Is time running out on the Ticking Timebomb?
As for Mike, he shows respect by helping Hiromu sit up and offering another handshake. Hiromu nods and shakes Mike’s hand. Hiromu says he’s ready for them going another round, when and where will that be? Mike then gets the mic to say, “Friends, mes amis, tomodachi. <That was really awesome.> Incroyable. Incredible!” Fans applaud his trilingual ability. Mike says in English, “I have done it. I have defeated the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, the FOUR-TIME Best of the Super Juniors winner.” Fans cheer that because it’s true! Mike says momentum is on his side. He is razor sharp, laser focused, and sure to win the 30th BOSJ!
Mike says that for everyone around the world, “Gracias, thank you, merci, arigato gozaimasu!!” Fans cheer Mike’s confidence and respect, but will we see the Speedball change up the landscape in the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Division?
Here are the current A Block standings.
Mike Bailey: 1-0, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-0, 2 points
Lio Rush: 1-0, 2 points
Titán: 1-0, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 0-1, 0 points
TJP: 0-1, 0 points
SHO: 0-1, 0 points
KUSHIDA: 0-1, 0 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings.
Clark Connors: 1-0, 2 points
Dan Moloney: 1-0, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 1-0, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-0, 2 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
BUSHI: 0-1, 0 points
Kevin Knight: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome opener to what is always a great tournament in NJPW. A real big card with all 10 matches happening, and none of the matches disappointed. Some real good surprise results, like Douki beating Kushida, Moloney beating Bushi, and I think biggest of all, Hiromu not opening this tournament with a win. Mike Bailey is obviously a great talent, so this is a great start for his run. And even if he doesn’t ultimately win the tournament, he has that golden ticket in his back pocket as NJPW honors the tradition of “if you beat the champion in non-title action, you get a title match down the line.”
Other great stuff was Taguchi bringing out his serious side, even though he lost, Lio Rush overcoming the cheating of the House of Torture, and just everything with Desperado and Kanemaru knowing each other so well. With there being semifinals this year so that we get a rematch of the top two in each block, it is of course anyone’s game. With many teams and rivalries split up between the blocks, like Yoh and Sho as rivals but then three United Empire members in here, we could get some pretty wild combinations for the semifinals and finals.
My Score: 8.9/10
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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
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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?
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.
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