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 MOONSAULTÂ 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 POWERBOMBÂ 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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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.Â
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.Â
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.Â
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.Â
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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