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Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/14/23)

Round three, fight!

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BOSJ 30

The three day opening weekend finishes up!

Happy Mother’s Day, it’s MORE Best of the Super Juniors! Will Hiromu Takahashi go up 2-1 or fall to 1-2 in round three of the tournament?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Knight wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO; Sho wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: BUSHI VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Titán; Titán wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Dan Moloney; Moloney wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: TJP VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Master Wato; Desperado wins.
  • Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Hiromu Takahashi; Lio wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

Mike Bailey: 2-0, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 2-0, 4 points
Lio Rush: 2-0, 4 points
Titán: 1-1, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-1, 2 points
TJP: 1-1, 2 points
SHO: 0-2, 0 points
KUSHIDA: 0-2, 0 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-2, 0 points

 

Here are the current B Block standings.

Robbie Eagles: 2-0, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-0, 4 points
Clark Connors: 1-1, 2 points
Dan Moloney: 1-1, 2 points
El Desperado: 1-1, 2 points
YOH: 1-1, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-1, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
BUSHI: 0-2, 0 points
Kevin Knight: 0-2, 0 points

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Jet has yet to take flight in the BOSJ, but the Heel Master is off to a strong 2-0 start. Will Knight finally get off the airstrip? Or will Kanemaru pull off a hattrick of tap-outs?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up, the two tie up, and are in a deadlock. They separate, circle some more, and tie up again. Kanemaru headlocks, Knight powers out, but Kanemaru runs him over! Fans applaud, then things speed up. Knight hurdles but Kanemaru stops to elbow him away. But Knight comes back with a springboard FLYING ARM-DRAG! Kanemaru tumbles out, Knight PLANCHAS, but Kanemaru dodges it! Kanemaru comes back to dropkick the legs out! Kanemaru grabs Knight’s leg to SMASH it on the floor! Knight writhes and rolls away but Kanemaru pursues.

Kanemaru puts Knight in the ring, fans applaud, and Kanemaru whips. Kanemaru dropkicks the leg out again! Knight writhes and clutches the knee but Kanemaru looms over him. Kanemaru stomps the leg, stomps it some more, then drags Knight around to SMASH the knee on the mat! Fans rally while Kanemaru paces around Knight. Kanemaru gets the leg again, drops an elbow on the knee, and he wraps it in a toehold. Knight endures but Kanemaru pulls back on the foot! Knight crawls, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud, Kanemaru lets off, but he drops a knee on the knee!

Kanemaru kneels on Knight’s knee, the ref reprimands, and Kanemaru lets off at 4. Knight crawls but Kanemaru drags him up and has the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! And then steps through for the FIGURE FOUR! Knight endures and fans fire up as Kanemaru thrashes around! Knight crawls, reaches out, drags Kanemaru along, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Kanemaru claims he needs help. The ref pries the hold apart and Knight is free to clutch the knees. Kanemaru stomps Knight’s legs, has him on the ropes again, but Knight throws body shots! And a CHOP! Kanemaru kicks the leg out!

Kanemaru brings Knight up, but Knight fights the lift this time! Knight throws elbows over and over on Kanemaru’s neck, but Kanemaru CHOPS the leg! Kanemaru whips, Knight reverses, and Knight DROPKICKS! Fans fire up though that was a touch double-edged given the damage. But Knight fires up and fans rally behind him. Knight stomps and UPPERCUTS Kanemaru in the corner over and over! Knight stomps a mudhole but lets off as the leg bothers him. Knight whips Kanemaru corner to corner, and manages the STINGER SPLASH! Knight says “MO IKAI! <One more time!>” But Kanemaru BOOTS him!

Kanemaru goes up, but Knight LEAPS right up! Kanemaru slips under, but Knight kicks him away! Knight adjusts, to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up, Knight whips and SKY HIGH SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Knight grows frustrated and he pounds the mat. The fans rally behind him again as he aims from a corner. Kanemaru rises, Knight says it’s time, but Kanemaru denies the DDT and throws Knight back! Knight’s leg jams, and then Kanemaru dropkicks it out again! Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight hobbles up, but falls back over! Kanemaru goes to a corner, fans rally again, and Knight stands, for Kanemaru to tilt-o-whirl!

Knight stops the DDT but Kanemaru trips Knight to get the legs! Kanemaru steps through, but Knight cradles! TWO!! Knight runs in but Kanemaru trips him again! Knight kicks Kanemaru away, Kanemaru comes back, but Knight still kicks him away! Knight runs in, but into a BOOT! Kanemaru goes up again, but Knight JUMPING STEINERS! Fans fire up as Knight reaches the “Upper Room!” Knight roars, he aims at Kanemaru as he stands, and Knight runs in to SUPERKICK! And then JET DDT!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!!

Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)

The Jet finally scores by giving Kanemaru his first loss this tournament! Will Knight be able to rise and reach the sky in the BOSJ?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS SHO!

The Funky Weapon has tried to be serious, but has gone 0-2. The Murder Machine has tried to cheat, but has gone 0-2. Something’s gotta give, so who finally gets on the board?

As Taguchi enters the ring, Sho gets the mic and says “You really gotta be serious in this match. Even if I’m your opponent, are you going to be serious? Taguchi, if you’re going to be serious… If you’re going to be serious, then I’m going to be serious!” Fans applaud, and to Taguchi’s surprise, he gives over the wrench! And he’s wearing a main unit shirt!? Everyone is stunned, but Sho respectfully puts the shirt aside. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Taguchi shoots in, Sho avoids it, and then Sho shoots in but Taguchi avoids it. They keep circling, they tie up, and it’s a deadlock!

Sho manages to power Taguchi back to ropes, the ref counts, and Sho lets off cleanly. Fans applaud and Sho nods. Taguchi nods, it seems Sho is true to his word. They go again, tie up, and Sho headlocks. Sho grinds Taguchi, Taguchi powers out and they RAM shoulders! Taguchi stays up so Sho runs again. They RAM shoulders, neither falls, so Sho goes again. Another RAM, and now Sho dares Taguchi to try. Taguchi runs, RAMS Sho, and Sho rebounds to RAM Taguchi! They go again, and Taguchi runs Sho over! Fans fire up and things speed up. Taguchi fakes out the hurdle, Sho avoids the hip attack but Taguchi DROPKICKS!

Sho bails out, Taguchi triangle jump PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Taguchi stands up and shakes out his arms before he brings Sho up. Taguchi puts Sho in and fans applaud. Taguchi springboards, Sho avoids the hip, and he BOOTS from a corner! Sho runs, LARIATS, but Taguchi stays up! Sho fires boxing elbows, runs again, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Sho staggers and fans fire up. Taguchi runs, but Sho ducks to waistlock! Taguchi blocks, flails, but Sho still GERMAN SUPLEXES through! Taguchi goes to a corner, comes back, and he LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Sho is hanging tough in this serious fight!

Taguchi brings Sho up, chicken wings, but Sho fights free! Sho switches, Taguchi fights and drop toeholds, OH MY GAH ANKLE! Sho fights up, drags Taguchi down and has the ARMBAR! Taguchi stacks Sho, TWO, but into OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Sho roars, flails, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Sho shouts, flails, and the fans rally up. Taguchi leans on the hold, Sho hops up, but Taguchi drops an elbow on the leg! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Sho endures, crawls, fights up, and rolls, sending Taguchi into the ref!

And then the lights go out!? So much for playing fair, because when the lights turn on, EVIL is here! The House was just waiting for the right opening! Taguchi and Sho go to their corners while the fans tell Evil to leave. Wait, is Evil being a referee? HE IS!! The Referee of Darkness wants them have at it! Taguchi says alright then! Sho and Taguchi circle, but then Evil says hold on, he wants to check Taguchi. Evil pats Taguchi down, and Sho sneaks up to LOW BLOW! Welp, there goes any sort of fighting fair. Evil gives Sho the wrench, and Sho CLOBBERS Taguchi with it! Evil fetches the ref into the ring and Sho brings Taguchi up.

Sho tucks the arms, lifts Taguchi, SHOCK ARROW! Cover, Sho wins!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)

Who could’ve guessed? Sho cheating finally got him a win. The Young Lions try to stop him and Evil from stomping Taguchi but they get sent right back out! Sho goes under the ring and he brings out SCISSORS! Evil grabs the “King of Strange Style” shirt Taguchi was wearing, and Sho cuts it down the middle! Then they do the same to the main unit shirt! Fans boo as the House of Torture disrespects everyone, but will this be Sho’s only win this tournament?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: BUSHI VS Clark Connors w/ Gedo!

The Black Mask has yet to get a win while 100 Proof has gone 1-1. Will Bushi make the Wild Rhino tranquilo? Or will he a take a hard shot with No Chaser?

The bell rings and Connors runs in to CLOBBER Bushi! Connors then drags Bushi up, and RAMS him into the corner! Connors rips Bushi’s shirt away, then CHOKES him with it! The ref reprimands and counts, Connors lets off at 4 and gets in the ref’s face. Connors drags Bushi up, throws him out of the ring, then goes out after him. Connors talks trash on the fans, then POSTS Bushi! Bushi writhes, Connors talks more trash, and Connors kicks Bushi around. The ring count starts, Connors smirks and drags Bushi up. Connors looks to the ring, but POSTS Bushi again! Connors rolls in and lets the ring count climb.

Bushi is down at 7 of 20, but sits up at 9. Fans rally, Bushi stands at 12 and staggers around. Bushi slides in at 13, but Connors drags him up. Connors suplexes high and hard! Connors sits Bushi up to wrap him up in a straitjacket stretch! Bushi endures, kicks around, then fights up to his feet. Bushi throws body shots, runs, but Connors goes the other way to POUNCE Bushi! Bushi doesn’t go far from that glancing blow, but Connors taunts the fans. Bushi goes to a corner, Connors runs in, but Bushi BOOTS him! Connors comes back, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Connors goes to the apron and clutches the knee!

Connors shakes the bad leg out while the fans rally up. Bushi runs in to BLAST Connors off the apron, then he DIVES! Direct hit and the Young Lions stop them from hitting the fans! Bushi fires up and the fans fire up with him. Bushi puts Connors in, then aims from a corner. Bushi runs in to back elbow! Bushi brings Connors out, Connors swings on Bushi, but Bushi spins him around to a DDT! Cover, TWO! Connors is hanging tough but fans rally up. Bushi brings Connors up, but Connors fights the fisherman. Connors throws body shots and UPPERCUTS, then runs, but into an ENZIGURI!

Bushi gets the leg, FISHERMAN- NO, Connors slips free! Bushi dodges the haymaker but runs into a POWERSLAM! Gedo likes what he sees as Connors drags Bushi back up. Connors suplexes, but Bushi fights it! Bushi wrenches out, spins Connors to a backslide, but Connors slips through! But Bushi avoids the Spear to roll Connors up! TWO, and Connors SPEARS Bushi down! Connors growls, drags Bushi up, and puts one out. NO CHASER! Cover, Connors wins!

Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)

Bushi is 0-3 as Connors is on the rise! Will everyone get a taste of 100 Proof before the BOSJ is over?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS Taiji Ishimori!

Japones del Mal has a strong 1-1 but The Bone Soldier has a stronger 2-0. Will Douki prove to be even stronger? Or will he tap out like the others?

The bell rings and Taiji rushes in to kick and CLUB Douki! Taiji whips, Douki reverses then drops to roll back and headscissor! Taiji gets back up but Douki springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Douki then DROPKICKS Taiji out, builds speed, but Taiji ducks the slide. Taiji pops Douki up to the apron, Douki rebounds but Taiji catches him! Taiji LAWN DARTS Douki into the post! Douki writhes but the fans rally up. The ref checks Douki, so Taiji unties the blue buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in play! Fans rally up as Douki shakes out his bad arm, and the ring count starts. Douki stands at 7 and rolls in at 8, but Taiji stomps him down!

Taiji CLUBS Douki, wrenches his arm, and whips him to WRING the arm out! Taiji then pulls on the arm, but Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go quickly, and the fans rally up. Taiji stands Douki up, Douki throws a forearm, but Taiji ROCKS and CLUBS Douki back. Taiji scoops, Douki slips out to waistlock, but Taiji switches. Douki throws elbows, Taiji reels him back in but Douki breaks free to kick. Taiji ducks the enziguri! Taiji runs, but into the STANDING TOPE! Fans fire up while both men are down! Douki goes to ropes, stands up, but Taiji runs in. Douki BOOTS Taiji, Taiji comes back but Douki dumps him out!

Douki runs to DIVE! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Douki roars and fans fire up more! Douki drags Taiji up, puts him in, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Douki brings Taiji up. Douki scoops and swings, SAHAWARI! Bridging cover, TWO! Taiji escapes but Douki keeps his focus. Douki drags Taiji up, turns him for the Gory Especial, but Taiji fights it! Douki spins Taiji around, knees low, runs, but Taiji redirects him into the POST of the bare corner! Taiji then brings Douki around into a hammerlock, half nelson and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Douki writhes while fans rally up again.

Taiji goes to the corner, he watches Douki rise, and fans rally. Taiji runs in, but Douki spins him around, drops down, ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Taiji scrambles backwards to the ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go quickly and fans rally as he goes to the apron. Douki aims, slingshots, but Taiji blocks Daybreak to suplex and gut wrench! CIPHER- NO, Douki blocks and wheelbarrows, full nelsons, but Taiji fights that, so Douki puts Taiji in a BOW ‘N’ ARROW RACK! Douki spins around and around and around, before the FACEBUSTER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Taiji escapes, but ends up in ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!

Fans rally as Taiji fights around! Douki pulls on the arms but Taiji keeps moving, so Douki rolls him from the ropes! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Taiji is fading! Taiji sputters, fans rally, but Taiji fights up! Only for Douki to pull on the hold even harder! Taiji reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Douki lets go in frustration but the fans rally behind him! Douki goes back to the apron, takes aim again, and slingshots, DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!!! Taiji survives and no one can believe it! Douki roars and the fans fire up! Douki gets Taiji’s legs, wheelbarrows, but Taiji hits an ARM BREAKER! Both men are down and the fans rally again!

Taiji and Douki rise up, they both roar, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Douki rebounds to LARIAT but Taiji stays up! Taiji rebounds, Douki dodges, and DOUKI-SAN BOMBER!! Douki drags Taiji up, torture racks, MARI- NO, Taiji tilt-o-whirls, but Douki stops Mystica to drag Taiji down and SEAT- NO, Taiji stops the seatbelt to go for the chicken wing! Douki fights, but he’s in the BONE LOCK!! Douki crawls, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away!! BONE LOCK!! Douki taps, Taiji wins!!

Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)

So close and yet so far, Douki could not survive! Taiji is 3-0, all tap-outs, will he make everyone suffer until #ItsReborn?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira!

The Sniper is still aiming at the top spot, but the Nova Fireball is rolling after taking down The Jet. Will Akira burn Eagles? Or will Eagles hit the bull’s eye a third time in a row?

Robbie makes fun of Akira being Italian with “Mamma mia!” The bell rings and fans rally up for Eagles. Eagles revels in it, then he circles with Akira. They tie up, Eagles headlocks, but Akira rolls to a cover. ONE but Akira gets an armlock. Eagles fights up, Akira wrenches, but Eagles drop toeholds and floats around. Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud the opening exchange. The two go again, Eagles headlocks for a takeover but Akira headscissors. Eagles kips free, but Akira arm-drags Eagles down! Eagles headscissors now but Akira kips free, and Eagles handsprings up! Fans applaud the stand off!

Eagles says, “This is MY block.” Akira calls for a test of strength and Eagles knuckle locks with him, but then Akira kicks low! Akira whips but Eagles blocks by holding the ropes! Akira CHOPS Eagles, whips, but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Things speed up, Eagles hurdles to RANA! Akira gets up, into the WHEEL KICK! Eagles kips up and fans fire up as Akira bails out. Eagles builds speed but Akira runs away, so Eagles springboards to backflip. “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Akira gets annoyed and rushes back in!

Eagles trips Akira, pushes him to a knuckle lock cover, TWO as Akira gets an arm up. Eagles pushes that arm back down, TWO as Akira gets the other arm up. Eagles pushes that arm down again, TWO as Akira bridges up! Eagles hops on but Akira stays up! Eagles sweeps the legs, TWO and Akira jumps up to DROPKICK Eagles out! Akira then PLANCHAS to take out Eagles! Fans throw up the crowns with Akira, and he brings Eagles back up. Akira RAMS Eagles into the apron, follows him around the way, and CHOPS! Akira says hey to commentary but Eagles CHOPS back! Akira kicks low, then SMACKS Eagles off the apron!

Akira follows Eagles around the way, puts him in the ring, and drags Eagles back up. Akira whips then CALF KICKS! Cover, ONE! Eagles is hanging tough but Akira mocks the “oi oi oi.” Fans rally, Akira wraps on a chinlock, but Eagles endures. Akira shifts around to have a seated Cobra Twist! Eagles endures more, fights up, and throws body shots. Akira dropkicks the legs out! Akira runs, but Eagles avoids the knee to CHOP BLOCK Akira’s leg! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Eagles rises, he sits Akira up, and he KICKS Akira in the chest! And again! And again! But Akira blocks, to then CHOP in return!

Eagles sputters, Akira whips but Eagles reverses to CALF KICK back! Eagles runs, LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Akira stays in this. Eagles has the leg, he steps through, but Akira kicks with the free leg! Eagles grabs that leg, to spinning toehold it! Eagles goes for another step through, but Akira kicks him to the corner. Eagles comes back to mule kick! Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Akira slips free! Eagles waistlocks, but Akira victory rolls! Eagles rolls through to get the legs! EAGLE LOCK!! Akira endures the Ron Miller Special and fans rally up! Akira reaches out, crawls forward, ROPEBREAK!

Eagles puts pressure on as he lets go, then “apologizes.” Akira goes to a corner, fans rally up and Eagles goes corner to corner, but Akira dodges! Akira tucks Eagles in a la Will Ospreay! But Eagles jumps over Cheeky Nandos to SNAP SAIDO! Eagles knows Ospreay better than Akira! But Akira’s right back up!? And he HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Eagles roars and rises up! Eagles waistlocks, Akira switches, HALF ‘N’ HALF, but Eagles lands on his feet!! Eagles runs in, Akira ducks the roundhouse, but Eagles blocks the superkick! Eagles tucks Akira in, but Akira pops right up, POISON-RANA!! Eagles staggers, and comes back with the BLINDSIDER!!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Akira and Eagles stir, and then crawl towards each other. Eagles throws a forearm, but Akira throws it back. Eagles throws another forearm, but Akira throws it back! They stand, and the forearms keep going back and forth! Akira gets the edge, he ROCKS Eagles again and again, but Eagles knees low! And KICKS Akira to a corner! Fans fire up, Eagles runs corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Eagles rolls back, but Akira SHOTGUNS Eagles away! Akira keeps moving, but Eagles follows! Akira BOOTS Eagles, but Eagles LOW 619s! Eagles roars, but Akira comes back to SUPERKICK!

Akira runs, SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Eagles is still in this and the fans fire up! Akira crawls back over to Eagles, drags him up, and reels him in. Eagles fights off Speedfire! Akira throws knees, but Eagles blocks one! Akira DOUBLE CHOPS Eagles, reels him back in, but Eagles wrenches out! ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! Akira dodges the enziguri! NOVA- NO, Eagles ducks the fireball! Eagles grabs the legs to have the EAGLE- NO, Akira turns things around into a ghost pin! TWO!! Eagles escapes, but Akira spins him to a rolling leg cradle! TWO!! Oklahoma Roll! ONE and Eagles La Magistrols!

Akira slips free, hobbles, Eagles SCHOOLBOY BRIDGE! TWO!!! Akira escapes by nanoseconds and fans fire up again! Both men run in, Akira dodges the boot to roll, but Eagles pops Akira around, into a TURBO BACKPACK!! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives and Eagles is shocked! Fans fire up but Eagles takes aim. SUPERKICK! Akira flops to a corner, Eagles runs in, METEORA!! Eagles roars and he pushes Akira into the drop zone! Eagles goes up top, 450 FLOPS as Akira moves! NOVA FIREBALL!!! Cover, Akira wins!!

Winner: Francesco Akira, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)

Eagles falls, and now Akira is the top of the block! Will the Nova Fireball lead the United Empire in conquering the BOSJ?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Titán!

The Timesplitter is down 0-2 but there’s still time. El Inmortal is also still alive, but will he stay afloat? Or will he be trumped by the Ace of the Junior Division?

Titan eyes the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship belt, perhaps thinking of another prize he can win. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up, the two feel things out, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Kushida waistlocks, spins Titan around, and wrenches to a wristlock. Titan rolls, kips and bridges to then spin and handspring and arm-drag! Kushida stands up and the two stand off while fans applaud. They go again, feel out a knuckle lock, and Kushida trips Titan to roll him into a SEATED SURFBOARD! Titan endures, Kushida stands, and Titan rolls through to kip up and arm-drag!

Fans applaud this second stand off, and the two go again. Titan shoots around to a waistlock, but Kushida pries free to a knuckle lock. Titan CHOPS Kushida, goes up and up and tightrope walks to then jump and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Kushida handsprings through it! Things speed up, and Titan RANAS Kushida out! Fans rally, Titan builds speed, but Kushida moves so Titan rolls and flips out of the ring. Kushida’s in No Man’s Land, and the spotlight points him out. Titan pursues, they go all the way around, Kushida uses ring crew and railing to slow Titan down, and then he goes to the other side of the crowd!

The ring count climbs, the chase continues, and Kushida returns to the ring at 9 of 20! Titan slides in, and Kushida PENALTY KICKS the arm! Kushida then traps that arm, to TWIST it! Titan writhes but Kushida drags him up. Titan breaks free to SOBAT! Kushida goes to ropes, BOOTS Titan away while going up and out. Kushida GAMANGIRIS Titan, climbs the corner, and leaps into the COBRA TWIST! Titan endures, Kushida hooks him up in a modified stretch, but Titan walks forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Kushida lets go in frustration. Kushida then returns to DROPKICK the bad arm!

Fans rally and duel as Kushida paces. Kushida grabs the bad arm, CLUBS it, then wrenches it to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida ENZIGURIS the bad leg! Fans rally more as Kushida stalks Titan to ropes. Kushida drags Titan up, but Titan throws a strike fest! Titan whips, Kushida reverses but Titan handsprings, only for Kushida to kick the arms out! Titan writhes and clutches the arm while fans continue to rally. Kushida brings Titan up, CHOPS him, then whips him corner to corner. Titan goes up and over, rolls back, and goes Matrix to avoid the fastball! CALF KICK! Fans fire up while Kushida goes to ropes.

Titan runs in but Kushida puts him on the apron. Titan GAMANGIRIS, springboards, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up, Titan rushes in for another strike fest! Titan powers up, but Kushida ROUNDHOUSES the bad arm! Kushida runs, but Titan follows to TORNADO DDT! Kushida bails out, Titan builds speed, and Titan FLIES! Direct hit right in front of commentary! Titan puts Kushida back in, springboards and DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, Titan wins!!

Winner: Titán, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)

Kushida is 0-3?! This is unheard of! Is Titan the new Ace of the Junior Division? Or does the Timesplitter still have time to turn it all around?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Dan Moloney!

Direct Drive got a big win in the main event last night, and he’s ready to #StunTheWorld! But will he keep his motor running? Or will #DaDrilla wreck him in the third?

The bell rings and fans rally up as Yoh and Dan stare down. They circle, tie up, and then Yoh CHOPS! Yoh eggs Dan on, then dodges him. Dan swings again but Yoh dodges and even cartwheels. Yoh taunts Dan, “Hit me~!” and then pretends to wave a cape like a matador. Dan rushes in, OLE! Yoh then pocks Dan in the eyes, and tells him kiss this! Dan storms up, Yoh bails out, and Yoh takes a page out of Kushida’s book by going around the crowd! Yoh keeps taunting Dan, they go back to ringside, and then Yoh stops. Dan gets up in Yoh’s face as Yoh dares him to chop. Dan gets mad, rears back, but then Yoh puts a Young Lion in the way!

Dan is even more upset, but he still CHOPS the Young Lion! But then Yoh CANNONBALLS Dan from the apron! Fans fire up and Yoh pretends to be shocked about what happened to the Young Lion. Yoh stomps Dan as payback! Yoh drags Dan up and into the ring, then CHOPS him! Dan snarls, but Yoh CHOPS again! Dan chops but Yoh blocks! Yoh Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! A message in part to Great-O-Khan, but then Yoh adds some Tenzan with the DOWN CHOP! Fans cheer and Yoh stalks Dan to a corner. Yoh wrenches and CHOPS, then he whips corner to corner.

Dan goes up and over, and he ENZIGURIS! Dan reels Yoh in, suplexes high and hard, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Dan keeps cool, and he stomps Yoh around. Dan stands Yoh up to CHOP! Yoh goes to a corner, Dan stands him up and CHOPS! Yoh sputters and staggers away, but Dan stalks him to another corner. Dan kicks the legs out, stomps Yoh, but the ref reprimands. Dan apologizes, but then he stomps Yoh again! The ref has Dan back off and Dan “apologizes” again, and the fans rally up. Dan mockingly asks, “Daijobu? <Are you okay?>” Dan says yeah, he’s still gaijin. Fans applaud as Dan puts up the crown.

Dan steps on Yoh, drags him up, and then hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Dan says okay, daijobu. Dan sits Yoh up to KICK him in the back, and then he stomps Yoh’s foot. Fans rally as Dan eggs Yoh on now. Dan drags Yoh up, but Yoh CHOPS back! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dan CHOPS Yoh in return! Yoh fires off forearms, runs, and ROCKS Dan! Dan rebounds to CHOP! Yoh rewinds in the ropes, I’LL BE BACK CHOP! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Both men go to ropes, stand up, and Dan runs in, only for Yoh to CLOBBER him! Yoh CLOBBERS Dan again! Yoh whips, Dan reverses, but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS!

Fans fire up with Yoh and he stalks Dan to a corner. Yoh CHOPS Dan, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Shoutout to Kojima! Fans fire up with Yoh more and he whips corner to corner. Yoh runs in to back elbow, and then he shoves Dan down! Yoh even copies Kojima’s catchphrase, “ICCHAUZO BAKAYARO~!” Yoh goes up, but Dan CHOPS him back! Dan climbs up after Yoh, brings him up, but Yoh resists the superplex! Yoh throws body shots, shoves Dan away, and leaps, but Dan gets under! Dan CHOPS Yoh! Dan runs, but Yoh DROPKICKS! Yoh suplexes, for FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Dan is still in this!

Dan sits up but Yoh roars! Yoh brings Dan up, reels him in, underhooks the arms, but Dan breaks free and waistlocks, to ripcord and CHOP! Cover, TWO! Dan goes to a corner, pounds the mat and slashes his throat. Yoh rises while fans rally, and Dan runs in, but Yoh scoops! GOROSHI! Dan flounders, and he kicks Yoh while they’re both down! Yoh goes to ropes, drags himself up, and fires up! Yoh tunes up the band, fans clap along, but Dan blocks the kick! Dan CHOPS and CHOPS and POWER- NO, Yoh ranas through! TWO!! Dan runs in, Yoh gets around but Dan bucks the O’Conner!

Dan runs in, Yoh hurdles over the Gore to JUMP KNEE! Dan rebounds but dodges, to GORE!! Dan drags Yoh up, Canadian Rack, DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover, Dan wins!!

Winner: Dan Moloney, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)

The United Empire’s newest recruit scores again! Yoh is going to need to fight harder if he’s going to #StunTheWorld, but will Da Drilla shake the Junior Heavyweight Division to its core?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: TJP VS Mike Bailey!

The Public Enemy is feeling good after getting the best of Kushida, and Speedball overcame Sho stacking the deck. Who keeps their momentum going through the third?

The bell rings and fans rally up. The two circle, tie up, and TJP wrenches to a hammerlock, then spins Mike around to wristlock. Mike kicks a leg out, wrenches back, and has the wristlock. TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels, drops down and twisting headscissors! Fans applaud, but Mike reaches up with his feet. TJP denies the headscissors, and he bops Mike on the head. Mike KICKS TJP, headscissors him, but TJP moves around. TJP headstands, fans applaud as he holds it, and then TJP turns Mike over. TJP bridges back, rolls around, BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Mike pops free, covers, TWO! Mike feints a kick, and when TJP lets his guard down, Mike bops TJP on his head.

Fans applaud as Mike smirks and eggs TJP on. TJP and Mike circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. TJP drops, spins, gets a leg, but Mike stays up. Mike hops the leg sweep, and again, but TJP puts him on ropes. The ref calls the break, Mike kicks TJP away, then Mike goes up and over as TJP rushes in! TJP kicks low, headlocks, but Mike powers out. TJP runs Mike over, but Mike kips right up! TJP is too busy throwing up the crown, but when he turns around, Mike mocks the crown! TJP runs in, Mike dodges, and Mike fires off the lightning flurry of kicks! ENZIGURI! TJP flops out of the ring and fans fire up!

Mike builds speed, TJP gets on the apron, and TJP avoids the boot to trip Mike! TJP drags Mike out to RAM him into the apron! TJP gets back in the ring and fans rally. TJP goes to the corner, triangle jump, but Mike avoids the dropkick! TJP lands hard on the apron, and then Mike KICKS him down! Mike drags TJP up, puts him in the ring, and he stalks TJP. TJP sits up, into a CHOP! TJP flounders to ropes, but Mike is on him. Mike wrenches, whips, but TJP goes Spider-Man! TJP slides under but Mike catches his legs! TJP holds the ropes, the ref counts, Mike lets off, but then TJP gets Mike in the ropes for a GUILLOTINE!

The ref counts again, TJP lets Mike go, and then revels in the cheers for a moment. TJP goes back in, brings Mike up and scoops to SLAM near the ropes. TJP goes to the apron for a SLINGSHOT SENTON! Cover, TWO! TJP stalks Mike to a corner, and bumps him off buckles. TJP has Mike sit up, fans rally and TJP scrapes his laces off Mike’s face! TJP then goes side to side, to BOOT WASH! Fans cheer and TJP says “MO IKAI!” Fans cheer for that and TJP goes back to Mike. But Mike shoves TJP away, so TJP stomps him down. TJP whips, Mike reverses, TJP dodges a kick but Mike dodges a lariat! Mike goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK!

Fans rally up and Mike powers up. Mike aims, SOBATS, AX KICKS, then BUZZSAWS! Fans fire up more and Mike runs, SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! TJP hangs tough but Mike keeps cool. Mike aims as TJP sits up, but TJP blocks the buzzsaw! Mike throws forearms but TJP holds onto the leg! Mike ROCKS TJP, but TJP ROLLING SOBATS Mike! TJP whips, Mike handsprings and avoids the sweep! TJP whips, Mike reverses, TJP goes Spider-Man, then TJP dodges Mike to send him through the ropes. TJP runs in, blocks Mike’s punch and stomps the toes! TJP runs, but Mike jumps over the slide to TOP ROPE QUEBRADA! Direct hit!!

Fans fire up again while both men are down! Mike fires up, the fans rally behind him, and Mike puts TJP in. TJP crawls to a corner, Mike powers up, TATSUMAKI- NO, TJP blocks the kick! TJP puts Mike in a corner but Mike KNEES him back! Mike hops up, ULTIMA- NO, TJP avoids the knees, and he grabs Mike’s leg! Roll back into the stepover, but Mike resists the rest of the hold! TJP still snatches that arm, PINOY STRETCH!! Mike endures, fans rally, and Mike fights his way forward! ROPEBREAK! TJP lets go in frustration while fans cheer. Mike sputters but TJP stands and the fans rally up.

TJP grabs Mike’s arms, drags him up, and wrenches an arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! TJP holds onto the arm, Mike resists as best he can, but TJP still wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Mike swings but TJP kicks low. TJP wrenches, Mike BOOTS, but TJP avoids the kicks to SUPERKICK! TJP wags his finger but Mike THRUST KICKS! Fans fire up while TJP leans against ropes. TJP and Mike both rush in, TJP blocks a kick to CHOP, stomp the toes, slip around and LEG CAPTURE SUPLEX! Fans fire up and TJP brings Mike back up. TJP fireman’s carries, but Mike sunset flips! TJP rolls through but Mike PENALTY KICKS!

Mike focuses, and STANDING- NO, TJP avoids the knees again, hits a headlock takeover to a lateral press, TWO as Mike ghost pins! TWO!! TJP headlocks, goes up the corner and sunset flips, but Mike stays up! Mike slaps the hands away, to BACKFLIP KNEE DROP!! Fans fire up and Mike drags TJP up. Mike puts TJP on the top rope, ties up the legs and brings him off the corner in a backpack, but TJP slips free to dragon sleeper! Mike drops, victory rolls, TWO!! TJP escapes in time! The fans rally up and TJP goes to a corner. Mike runs in, TJP goes up and over, TORNADO DDT! Then TJP goes to the apron!

Mike stands, TJP springboards, MAMBA DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! Mike survives and fans are thunderous! TJP says he’s gonna end this, and he goes up the corner. But Mike springs up to CHOP TJP! TJP throws hands but Mike GAMANGIRIS! Mike goes up but TJP GOURD BUSTERS him away! MAMBA- NO, TJP has to roll through! He turns around into TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU!! And then the leg cross and lift, FLAMINGO DRIVER!! Cover, Mike wins!!

Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; TJP earns 0)

TJP tried to dunk on Speedball but Speedball dunked TJP! Mike Bailey is 3-0 with six points, will nothing stomp him from becoming the Best of the Super Juniors?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Master Wato!

The Rogue Luchador and Way of the Grandmaster are no strangers to each other, but does either man consider this a rivalry? Perhaps we’ll see as they fight over the difference between 2-1 and 1-2!

The bell rings and fans rally and duel. Desperado and Wato circle, tie up, and Wato headlocks. Desperado powers up but can’t power out as Wato holds tight. Wato grinds Desperado down, but Desperado fights up to throw body shots. Desperado powers out to then headlock Wato, but Wato slips out to headlock back. They switch back and forth on the headlock, again and again, then Desperado shifts to a facelock! Desperado spins Wato, headlocks again, but Wato slips out to get the headlock back. Wato grinds Desperado again, thrashes around, but Desperado fights back up. Desperado pops out to wrench and hammerlock, but Wato switches that onto Desperado.

Desperado goes to the ropes, steps through and steps back in to wrap Wato’s arm around the ropes! Fans applaud, and then Desperado goes back to the headlock. Wato powers out, Desperado runs him over, and fans applaud again. Things speed up, Desperado hobbles a bit, and Wato dropkicks that leg out! Desperado bails out, still recovering from what Kanemaru and Bushi did to the knee. Wato pursues, and he fires forearms! Desperado CHOPS, Wato ROCKS him with more forearms! Desperado CHOPS, but Wato comes back with more forearms! Wato cravats and brings Desperado around for knees!

Wato lets go of Desperado and follows him around the way. Desperado CHOPS back! Wato kicks low, SMACKS Desperado off the apron, and puts him in the ring. Fans fire up with Wato, and he hurries in after Desperado. Desperado blocks the boot, whips Wato to a corner, then runs in, but into BOOTS! Wato BULLDOGS, covers, ONE!! Wato clamps onto Desperado with a chinlock, then spins him to a cravat. Desperado gets the ROPEBREAK, and Wato lets off to stomp Desperado down. Wato brings Desperado up, snapmares and wraps on a headscissors squeeze. Desperado endures but Wato pushes up for pressure.

Desperado kicks around, reaches out, but Wato puts on more pressure. Desperado still gets the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go, Desperado bails out, and Red Shoes checks on Desperado. Wato hurries out after Desperado and stomps him down! Wato brings Desperado up, throws knees, then kicks low! Wato CHOPS and Desperado grits his teeth. Desperado CHOPS, but Wato CHOPS again! They CHOP back and forth, Wato ROCKS Desperado and throws more forearms! Desperado crawls away, and Wato stalks him. Wato puts Desperado in the ring, covers, ONE!! Desperado is hanging tough but Wato keeps cool.

Wato brings Desperado up, CLUBS him on the neck, but Desperado scoops! Wato slips out, headlocks, but Desperado lifts! Wato fights that off with elbows, but then Desperado reels Wato back in for a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down. Desperado storms up on Wato, drags him up and whips him to a corner. Desperado runs in, back elbows, then reels Wato in for a high and hard suplex! Cover, TWO! Desperado drags Wato up, but Wato ROCKS Desperado with forearms! Wato rears back but Desperado blocks the kick! Desperado trips Wato to a STRETCH MUFFLER!

Wato flails, reaches out, but Desperado thrashes him around! Wato reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets off, drags Wato up, and Desperado whips, only for Wato to block! Desperado kicks Wato’s legs, whips him, but Wato reverses and CALF KICKS! Both men are down but Desperado bails out. Fans rally up, Wato builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Desperado! Fans fire up with Wato and he hurries to put Desperado in. Wato aims from the apron, springboards in, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Wato is frustrated but he fires back up. Fans rally and Wato drags Desperado up.

Wato ROCKS Desperado with a forearm, but Desperado fights the scoop. Desperado wrenches but Wato ROCKS him with another forearm! Desperado CHOPS back! Wato dodges Desperado, SOBATS, hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO, into VENDAVAL!! Desperado shouts as he endures the hold! Fans rally, Desperado moves around, reaches out, but Wato pulls on the hold! Desperado powers through to the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go and fans fire up. Wato grabs at Desperado but Desperado is dead weight. Wato stomps Desperado, drags him back up, and scoops, but Desperado slips out! But the leg jams!

Wato kicks, Desperado ducks and waistlocks but Wato switches. Desperado spins things around to gut wrench and GUITARRA- NO, Wato slips free! Wato waistlocks, lifts, but Desperado fights! Desperado reaches for the ropes but Wato brings him back. Desperado elbows free, spins around, but Wato blocks the suplex! Fans rally and duel as the two struggle for control! Desperado suplexes but Wato scoops! TTD!! Fans fire up and Wato puts Desperado in a drop zone! Wato goes up top, takes aim, R P P FLOPS! Desperado avoids the hit and fans fire back up! Desperado roars, runs in from the corner, and SPEARS!!

Fans fire up, Desperado drags Wato up, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and Desperado can’t believe it! Desperado roars, fans fire up with him, and he drags Wato back up. Desperado reels Wato in, underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Wato sunset flips it! TWO!! Desperado prawn holds, TWO!! They roll around, Desperado gets the leg for the STRETCH MUFFLER!! Wato rolls it to a cradle, TWO!! Wato hurries up, takes aim, and BUZZSAWS! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Wato roars, he wants Desperado to get up! Desperado rises, Wato- LOCO MONO!!! Desperado staggers around, but he fires back up!

Desperado drags Wato up, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, Desperado wins!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)

Rivals or not, that was a powerful showdown! And in the end, the Rogue Luchador is still near the front of the pack! Will he be able to use this momentum to take a spot in the semifinals?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The Bad Child has been rolling, overcoming Sho’s cheating and taking Taguchi seriously. But now he runs into the Ticking Timebomb, who while 1-1, is still the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and defending BOSJ winner. Will Lio’s win streak blow up in his face? Or will this be Hiromu’s Final Hour?

Hiromu’s picture diary entry for Lio Rush is that he is a “dangerous dragon.” The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” Lio and Hiromu get face to face, and Lio says it won’t go like last time. Then both men run the ropes, but then stop before running into each other. They go to their respective rights, but then stop again. They both go Lio’s left, but then stop to go Hiromu’s left, and then stop again! Fans cheer as these two stand off. Lio and Hiromu decide to circle now, and Lio rallies the fans up with claps. The two then approach, crouch low, and feel things out. They knuckle lock but then Hiromu kicks low.

Hiromu whips, Lio slides to stop, Hiromu rushes in but Lio gets out of the way. Hiromu chases Lio to the other corner, and Red Shoes barely gets out of the way in time as Lio runs to the next corner. Lio slides out of the ring, eggs Hiromu on, then goes around the corner as Hiromu rushes out. Lio slides in, Hiromu pursues, but Lio goes Matrix, then fires off kick after kick and an ENZIGURI! Hiromu bails out and fans rally as Lio builds speed. Hiromu slides back in, but Lio redirects. Hiromu follows, Lio ducks, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS! Lio bails out now and Hiromu rolls out after him. Hiromu brings Lio up and fireman’s carries.

Lio fights free, RAMS Hiromu into the apron, then gets space. Lio comes back, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Hiromu tells commentary to brace itself! Milano Collection AT and the rest panic but Lio slips off to stop Hiromu. Lio then snap suplexes Hiromu to the floor! Hiromu writhes and Lio grabs the picture diary to hold it up for everyone to see. “That’s a damn good picture.” Lio fetches Hiromu, he asks a fan if he can borrow a chair, and the fan obliges. Lio tells Red Shoes it’s okay, it’s not like that. Lio ROCKS Hiromu, makes him take a seat, and then CHOPS Hiromu! Red Shoes reprimands and tells Lio to get in the ring.

Lio obliges, and he slides into the ring, to then slide back out. Lio rallies the fans again, gets some space, and then he runs all the way around the ring, to come back in, only for Hiromu to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Lio onto the chair! Fans fire up while Lio writhes. Red Shoes checks on Lio but somehow he’s okay to continue. Red Shoes isn’t sure what to do with the busted chair, though. Hiromu kindly asks someone bring a new one for the fan to use. Hiromu then puts Lio in the ring, covers, but Red Shoes says hold on! Hiromu asks why and Red Shoes brings up the chair! Hiromu stalks Lio to a corner, and CHOPS!

Lio staggers away to another corner, but Hiromu CHOPS him there, too. Lio goes to another corner, and Hiromu waits on him to stand up. Hiromu whips corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu wraps on a headscissors squeeze! Lio endures, Hiromu pushes up for more pressure, but Lio pushes back. Lio turns things over, Hiromu holds tight, but Lio turns again and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as Hiromu lets off slowly and cleanly. Hiromu stalks Lio, eggs him on, and Lio throws body shots. Hiromu eggs him on more, Lio throws forearms, but Hiromu DECKS Lio!

Hiromu drags Lio up, whips him to ropes, but Lio reverses. Hiromu holds ropes, BOOTS back, then goes up to get the headscissors! Lio pries the hold open, but Hiromu clamps on again! Red Shoes reprimands Hiromu but Lio keeps prying at the scissors. Hiromu tightens down again, but Lio powers up a third time. Lio dumps Hiromu up and out! Hiromu hits off the apron and clutches a shin. Lio goes out to the apron and KICKS Hiromu! Hiromu staggers, Lio builds speed, and Lio DIVES! Direct hit and they land between Japanese and English commentary! But Lio keeps going, he gets in and DIVES again!

Fans fire up as the Young Lions keep them from falling onto fans. Lio gets back into the ring, he goes again, for another… Wait, Lio rebounds to build even more speed, and then DIVE!! Direct hit and now even the Young Lions fall over! Red Shoes checks everyone, and somehow, both men are okay. The fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” and a ring count starts. Lio stirs at 5 of 20, crawls his way over, but both men are still down at 10. The count reaches 15, Lio reaches the apron! Lio slides in at 17, Hiromu springs in at 19! Fans cheer and Lio is beside himself. Lio rises up and the fans rally again.

Lio hobbles over, brings Hiromu up, but Hiromu ROCKS him with a forearm! Lio shakes it off, brings Hiromu up, but Hiromu ROCKS him again! Lio tries again, but Hiromu ROCKS him again! Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Lio fights free. Lio fires off a flurry and forearm! But Hiromu roars! Lio dodges, and comes back with a JUMP KNEE! Lio brings Hiromu up, fireman’s carries, and spins around, for a COUNTERCLOCKWISE F5! Would that be a 5F? Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and Lio grows frustrated. Fans rally, Lio says it is time! Lio waits as Hiromu rises, and then Lio springboards, RUSH- NO, Hiromu catches him to a waistlock!

Hiromu lifts, Lio fights it and slips under! Lio kicks but Hiromu blocks it! Hiromu flips Lio, Lio lands on his feet, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Lio crawls to the apron but Hiromu follows him out there. Hiromu drags Lio up, but Lio SLAPS him! Lio flips Hiromu off, so Hiromu SUPERKICKS him! Hiromu roars, fireman’s carries, and APRON DEATH VALLEY! Lio flops off the apron and Hiromu has a wild grin on his face. Hiromu roars again, fans fire back up, and Hiromu puts Lio back in the ring. Another fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO!!

Lio survives and the fans rally up. Lio flounders around but Hiromu crawls after him. Hiromu fires up, runs the ropes, but Lio SUPERKICKS!! Lio hurries to a corner! Lio climbs up, fans fire up, FINAL- NO, Lio has to bail out as Hiromu moves! Lio runs back in, into an OVERHEAD- Wait! Lio lands safe on the ropes! And then mule kicks Hiromu down, to VADER BOMB! And then Lio goes back up top, for a FINAL HOUR onto knees! Hiromu saves himself, rolls to the fireman’s carry, TIME- NO, Lio slips out of the timebomb! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Lio PELES! Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS! Lio 720 ROLLING ELBOWS!!

Both men wobble, Lio roars and fans fire up! Lio runs, but Hiromu dodges! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Lio takes it, drops to his knees, but Hiromu fires up more! Hiromu runs again, into SPANISH FLY!! And then a STUNNER!! Hiromu flops into a drop zone and Lio hurries to a corner! Lio goes up, roars, and FINAL- NO, Hiromu is up! CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans are thunderous as Hiromu rises. Hiromu drags Lio up by his hair, fireman’s carries, but Lio pops up to POISON-RANA! Lio roars, runs, springboard and RUSH HOUR!!! Lio hurries to a corner, climbs up, and FINAL HOUR to Hiromu’s back!!

Hiromu writhes, Lio crawls back to cover him, TWO!!! Hiromu survives somehow, but Lio is too tired to be upset. Both men stir as Red Shoes checks them. The fans rally up, Lio hobbles to a corner and climbs back up. Hiromu hurries after him! Hiromu lifts Lio into a fireman’s carry, but Lio throws down elbows! Lio slips down, and he HEADBUTTS Hiromu! And again! And again and again and again!! Lio roars, and gives one last BIG HEADBUTT! Hiromu falls, into FINAL HOUR!!! Cover, LIO WINS!!

Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)

The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion falls in the main event! He’s 1-2, will he have to give Lio a title match no matter what happens in the tournament?

As for Lio, he takes a moment and gets the mic. “NAGOYAAA~!” The fans cheer, and then chant for “LIO! LIO! LIO!” Lio says, “In my eyes, this… was the hardest test that I’ve had to overcome in my life! NAGOYAAAA~! This win means everything to me. This win… means everything to my family. And believe it or not, you guys… are my family!” Fans cheer Lio again and he encourages them to get louder! Lio then says he will leave it at this: “One simple task. One last thing I will leave you all with. The Best of Super Junior 30 Champion will be the Bad Child, Lio Rush!” Fans love the confidence! Will Lio truly be the Man of the Hour in this tournament?

 

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Mike Bailey: 3-0, 6 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-0, 6 points
Lio Rush: 3-0, 6 points
Titán: 2-1, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-2, 2 points
TJP: 1-2, 2 points
SHO: 1-2, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 0-3, 0 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-3, 0 points

 

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Francesco Akira: 2-1, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-1, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-1, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-1, 4 points
Dan Moloney: 2-1, 4 points
El Desperado: 2-1, 4 points
YOH: 1-2, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-2, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 1-2, 2 points
BUSHI: 0-3, 0 points


My Thoughts:

An awesome round here to round out the weekend. I suppose the only real low point was that it was The House of Torture winning against Taguchi instead of Serious Taguchi winning out. But at least there was some creativity, where for that first half, it looked like Sho was gonna be straight up with Taguchi. The shocker is that Kushida is 0-3 right now, because he is both IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion and Kushida. At this point, it feels like Kushida won’t even be a semifinalist because he’d have to win six straight.

I do like that Mike Bailey, Taiji Ishimori and Lio Rush are 3-0. All great matches from each of them, but Lio VS Hiromu was awesome stuff. That was definitely main event worthy, and quite the surprise for Hiromu to be on the downside at this point. As I said for a previous night, Hiromu will owe those who beat him after the tournament, as is NJPW’s use of tradition. Hiromu VS Speedball and Hiromu VS Lio before taking on the tournament winner (assuming it isn’t him for a fourth year in a row) will be awesome rematches, and will make for great summer content.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (3/28/25)

SmackDown in the UK!

Published

on

London calling to the champion crowns!

SmackDown brings gold to London as LA Knight defends his WWE US Championship and The Street Profits defend their tag team titles! Will the landscape change this close to WrestleMania?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly; The Profits win and retain the titles.
  • Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; The Secret Her-vice wins.
  • WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and Knight retains the title.
  • Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; Charlotte wins.
  • Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
  • Jimmy Uso VS The Miz; Jimmy wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes is here!

We follow The American Nightmare as walks to gorilla, then through the curtain, and London sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, says hello to fans along the ramp, and then we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, then kneels down to kiss the WWE logo on the mat. The fans continue to sing along all the way to the end, “I AM MY KINGDOM!” The fans then cheer, and Cody holds up the belt to fire them up even more! The fans now sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and he soaks it in. The fans cheer again as Cody smiles, and he finally says, “So, London~! Whaddya wanna talk about?”

The fans chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody hears that dueling, and he smiles again. The song of “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” returns, then they cheer. Cody says, “At WrestleMania 41, I will be facing John Cena…” The fans boo, but Cody says, “I will be facing John Cena as he goes to break the record and win 17. But that is WrestleMania 41. In just a few nights, I will be standing face to face with John Cena in this very same city, in this very same arena.” The fans cheer that, but then here comes Randy Orton! Now the fans sing along with Voices as The Viper heads to the ring. Orton also high-fives fans before he joins Cody.

Orton grabs a mic, paces while the fans keep singing on their own, and then the fans cheer. Orton says he’s not really the sentimental type, but for Cody and for London, screw it. The fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Orton tells Cody, “Look at you. Look at who you are now, the man you are now. Look at where he came from.” The fans cheer and sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and Orton says he remembers a Cody in his early 20s, just breaking into the business. Cody was busting his ass harder than anyone else. He wasn’t exactly happy, and in fact, he was frustrated. But Cody was man enough, smart enough, to know he needed to grow, and that he couldn’t grow in the WWE.

Cody wasn’t exactly treated fairly in the WWE, so Cody left the WWE! That took some big ass balls to do what he did! Cody changed the business singlehandedly, and everyone in the back knows it. And Orton appreciates Cody for it. But then Cody came back, as they all knew one day he would. And the industry has been changed forever since the day Cody came back to the WWE. Cody is a bit teary eyed as Orton says Cody’s still the same guy, he just did what he set out to do, and he grew. Orton teases he would sing along with the fans, but the fans might leave. The fans again sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!”

Orton asks if they remember when Cody Rhodes faced Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell. The fans cheer because they do. Orton says that was impressive, and even impossible, as he started with a partially torn pec and then ended with a fully torn pec! His body changed all kinds of shades of purple that Orton’s never seen on a human body. The pain he must have been in. Cody persevered not just for himself. Maybe not even at all for Cody. It was not even for his family legacy; it was for each and every single fan out there! Then Cody went on to WrestleMania, beat Roman Reigns and finished the story!

But there’s always another story, isn’t there? And Cody’s right in the middle of one. Cody is in charge of his legacy, and it is a privilege for Orton to watch Cody take control of it. Ticket sales have been up, there’s more intrigue around the world, and listen to the people! It is 99.9% all because of Cody! The fans cheer that, and of course they sing. Orton says what he’s trying to say is a long-winded version of he respects Cody, loves him, and is very, very proud of him. The fans cheer that! Orton then says, “But… But now it is time for WrestleMania.” They both look to the sign, and Orton says he can guarantee Cody that Orton will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head…!

Orton can just feel it already! He forgets how many days are left, but he can’t wait to remove Kevin’s head from his shoulders. And Orton knows Cody will enter champion, exit champion, but not before he beats the holy hell outta Cena all up and down the Vegas strip! But after all the smoke clears and the dust settles, just like Orton wants Number 17, there will come a time when Orton will want Number 15. But Orton won’t kick Cody in the balls like a coward. Orton will look Cody in the eye because he respects Cody, is proud of Cody, and sees him as an equal. Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell him that he’s coming for the title.

The fans cheer but wait! Drew McIntyre is here! The fans cheer the Scottish Terminator as he steps out on stage, mic in hand, and has a wry smile on his face as he looks at the ring. Drew waves as the fans now sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew says, “Isn’t this wonderful? A couple of nepo babies having a love fest in the middle of the ring> It makes me absolutely sick. What’d you just say, Randy? if Cody gets through Cena at WrestleMania, you’re coming for that title? What exactly have you done since that big comeback to justify that title match? Aside be Randy Orton. The only big moment I can remember is you being on the shelf for months and months and months.

“People like to make jokes about it, but more people talk about my five-minute-45-second title reign than your entire comeback so far! So get to the back of the line, sunshine! As for you, Cody, you should’ve listened to me. But you shunned me. You attacked me. Everybody should’ve listened to me about John Cena, but they didn’t. And the next night, he kicked you right in the twig ‘n’ berries, proving me right as usual. And the main event of WrestleMania should be Cody Rhodes VS The UK’s only ever world champion, Drew McIntyre!” Fans do like that idea. But sadly, it’s not, because of that guyliner wearing Temu Undertaker, Damian Priest!

Drew wants to talk about what is happening. And what’s gonna happen! Drew steps up to the ring while fans sing for him again. Drew says it will not be Randy that takes the title from Cody, should he get through Cena; it’ll be McIntyre. The fans cheer, but Orton says they were trying to have a moment. Can Drew just cut the crap already? Drew says okay, sure. He’ll tell the truth, because that’s all he ever does. The truth is, Kevin might have a point! If those Voices are talking to Orton again, then they know Drew very, very well. And he’s thinking, “My God, Randy looks great! Absolutely jacked! On the outside.

On the inside, that back is hanging by a thread. And if Orton provokes McIntyre, McIntyre will break him. And as for Cody- Cody kicks Drew and UPPERCUTS him! The fans fire up, and Orton R- NO, Drew gets away! The fans boo, but the battlelines are drawn! Even if Cody makes it out of the frying pan that is Las Vegas, it’ll be into the fire that is these contenders waiting in line! Will the American Nightmare be ready for whoever comes for the crown?

 

WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!

Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are finally golden again, but it’s time to put the titles on the line already! And while they’re ready for the grind, they’re up against the hometown heroes! Will the Profits still be up in the O2? Or will Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say #YESBOY to a new reign of their own?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really wants the smoke!

The teams sort out and Kit starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks, but Kit powers up and out. Dawkins runs Kit over, the fans fire up, and Dawkins fires hands on Kit in the corner! The fans rally for Pretty Deadly, Dawkins whips Kit to a corner, but Elton takes that bump! Kit CLOBBERS Dawkins, then tags Elton! Atomic drop into DROPKICK! Ford runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Dawkins whips, Elton reverses, and then Elton hurdles so Kit can DDT! The fans fire up with Pretty Deadly while the Profits bail out. Pretty Deadly has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Elton is right on Dawkins as he gets in, and UPPERCUTS him to the corner. Elton clinches Dawkins for another UPPERCUT! Tag to Kit, and Elton RAMS into Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT! Dawkins flops over, Kit drags him up to wrench the arm. Kit whips, Dawkins reverses, but Kit grabs ropes. Kit ELBOWS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but Dawkins CLOBBERS Kit! The ref reprimands but Dawkins RAMS Kit into the corner again and again! The ref counts, Dawkins fires fast hands, then he tags in Ford. Ford says, “SUCK IT!” then he KICKS Kit! Ford scuffs Kit, then drags him to a cover, TWO!

Ford keeps Kit down with a facelock, but Kit endures the grind. Kit fights up, fires body shots, but Ford whips him away. Kit sunset flips! Ford rolls through, and PENALTY KICKS! Ford mocks Elton with the Scott Hall fingers, and the ref has to keep Elton back. Ford drags Kit up, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Kit. Dawkins CLUBS Kit down, then stalks him. Dawkins stays between Kit and Elton, then whips Kit into the Profits’ corner. CYCLONE- NO, Kit dodges! Ford tags in, he keeps Kit from Elton now, but Kit slips out of the suplex! Kit fakes high to go low, hot tag to Elton! Elton rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT!

Elton kicks and whips Ford to a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Elton whips the other way, UPPERCUTS again, and then does it again! Elton adds to the hattrick with a lift, Ford says a quick prayer before the SUPLEX! Ford flounders, gets to his feet, but Elton dodges to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Elton stays on him. SmackDown returns to single picture and fans rally for Pretty Deadly as Elton gives Ford a back suplex. Ford lands out, waistlocks, but Elton switches and shoves Ford. Ford CLOBBERS Elton in return! Ford is also dazed but he covers, ONE!

Kit reaches out, Elton and Ford both crawl, hot tags to Kit and Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Kit, underhooks and SILENCER! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Kit, Ford climbs, but Kit slips free! Kit shoves Dawkins into Ford! Ford falls to the floor, but Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Kit! Elton tags in, and Kit LARIATS Dawkins! Pretty Deadly combine for DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives and the Profits are a bit unsure of what to do next. Dawkins crawls to a corner, Elton runs up, but Dawkins dodges! Elton hits buckles and Dawkins TOSSES Kit, then Dawkins hits a SKY HIGH on Elton!

Dawkins hurries to tag Ford and Ford climbs up! But Kit pushes Elton out of the way! Kit takes FROM THE HEAVESN, and Elton ghost pins Ford! TWO!! Ford escapes, and he ROCKS Elton! Elton UPPERCUTS Ford! Dawkins sneaks a tag, Ford SUPERKICKS! POUNCE SAIDO COMBO!! Cover, KIT BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The teams go to opposite ends, then they all stand up in the corners. They all roar, all run in, and Kit SPEARS Ford while Elton FLYING UPPERCUTS Dawkins!! London is thunderous, and Kit hurries to tag in! Pretty Deadly gets Dawkins up, for SPILT MILK!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT!

The fans are shocked, as is Elton, but Ford saves this for his team! “This is Awesome!” as Ford runs up and Elton TOSSES him out! Now DRY MARTI- NO! Dawkins doesn’t accept the second serving, and he DUMPS Kit out! Kit skins the cat while Dawkins DECKS Elton! Dawkins catches Kit to an Electric Chair! Ford rises, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)

Pretty Deadly put up a heroic fight, but the hometown heroes could not capture the gold. Dawkins & Ford hold onto the gold, will this be the strongest the Profits have ever been?

 

Kayden & Katana talk with Zelina Vega.

Carter & Chance know La Muneca got screwed over by The Green Administration. Chelsea thinks she’s untouchable, but someone’s gonna stop them eventually. Well, speaking of, Alba Fyre leads the way in as she & Piper Niven “scope the perimeter.” There’s one small threat. They frisk the “miniscule” threat, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. Chelsea struts in and says, “The Eagle has landed~!” Zelina says she is so glad the “Bootleg Men in Black” have crashed the party. Now, yeah, they all know she’s small. But clearly this small “threat” is a big threat to Chelsea’s title reign. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken all three of them to beat her.

KC Squared agree with that. How about tonight, we see what happens when the odds are even? Chelsea says that’s fine, because Agents P & A are ready. The Secret Her-vice has been given their next mission, but will they be able to crash the party? Or will the party crash them?

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice!

SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Alba starts against Katana, and the two tie up. Alba KNEES low, CLUBS Katana down, then fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, tags Kayden, and they KICK, double whip, and then trip Alba up for the basement DROPKICK! Katana adds a slingshot SENTON, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden tags Katana, they double whip Alba to a corner, then Kayden runs in. Alba DUMPS Kayden out, ROCKS Katana, and she tags Piper! Katana arm-drags Alba out, then goes out to run up. Kayden gives her a boost, Katana CROSSBODIES Alba down!

The fans fire up, but Piper goes up and out?! CANNONBALL and down goes KC Squared! Piper salutes Chelsea and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns, Kayden rallies on Alba while the fans rally up. Kayden fires up, runs in and whips, but Alba reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, then SUPERKICKS! Kayden fires up again but the fans are torn. Kayden runs in at Alba to BOOT WASH her against the ropes! Chelsea protests, Kayden kicks at her, then Kayden springboards for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Alba survives, Kayden whips, but Alba KICKS back! Tag to Piper, but Kayden jackknife bridges Alba! The ref explains bout the tag, Piper runs up, but Kayden moves! The SENTON hits Alba! Piper panics, Kayden tags Katana!

Katana goes up onto Kayden’s shoulders, VICTORY ROLL LAUNCHER, but Piper catches Katana! Katana fires hands, BOOTS, and then hurries to go up again. Kayden ROCKS Piper, and fireman’s carries?! SAMOAN DROP! Kayden then gives Katana the boost, for the KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Kayden runs up on Alba to BOOT her out! Katana gives Kayden the boost now, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Alba! Kayden hurries to tag back in, and she brings Piper up. Piper swings, Kayden dodges and SUPERKICKS! Katana goes up, Piper staggers over that way, but Chelsea distracts the ref!

The fans are torn as Alba grabs Katana. Katana kicks Alba down, chases Chelsea off, but Piper sends Kayden into her! Piper scoops to PIPER DRIVER!! Cover, Secret Her-vice wins!

Winner: The Secret Her-vice, by pinfall

The Women’s US Champion helps her team, and now they all mug Kayden & Katana! But here comes Zelina! Vega runs down the ramp, CLOBBERS Alba, and then she gets in the ring! Zelina tilt-o-whirl DDTS Piper! And she KNEES Alba off the apron! But Chelsea CLOBBERS Zelina! Chelsea fires up, the UK is oddly with her, and she chicken wings Zeina. But Zelina fights free to fire forearms and body shots! And a BACK ELBOW! Zelina reels Chelsea in, CODE- SUPERKICK from Alba! SENTON from Piper! The Green Administration is just too much for Zelina to fight against alone! But can she, Kayden & Katana find a way to turn things around?

 

WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman!

Did the Mega Star just get this title back from Shinsuke Nakamura? YEAH! Did he help the Monster of All Monsters fight off Solo Sikoa’s rouge bloodline? YEAH! And now, does he have to defend this title against the monster he just helped? YEAH!! But will Knight still reign this close to WrestleMania? Or will Braun #GetTheseHands back on a championship?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for Knight’s biggest challenge, YEAH!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Knight away. Knight comes back, Braun SHOVES him down again! Knight gets up, gets around, and he headlocks. Braun powers up to back suplex, but Knight lands out! Knight tries but Braun’s too big to suplex! Braun ELBOWS Knight, storms up on him, but Knight fires haymakers! Knight whips, Braun reverses, but Knight KICKS back! Knight runs, but Braun HIP TOSSES! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, but Braun brings him up. Braun puts Knight in a corner, CHOPS, then runs, for a SPLASH! Knight sputters along ropes, Braun keeps moving, but Knight DUMPS him out!

The fans fire up as Knight then WRECKS Braun with a dropkick! Knight keeps moving, and he WRECKS Braun again! The fans fire up with Knight, but then Braun BOOTS Knight down! The fans are torn but Braun stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Braun puts Knight back in the ring. The fans cheer as Knight KICKS Braun! Knight tries again, but Braun’s still too big to back suplex! Braun CLUBS Knight, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS Braun, goes up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Knight and Braun rise back up, and Knight dodges a shot to JAB! Then he dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Braun KNEES low! Braun scoops, Knight slips free, and Knight RAMS Braun into buckles! Then the BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Knight rises again! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!

Braun has plenty left in the tank but the fans rally for Knight. Knight stands Braun up to kick low, but Braun THROWS Knight away! Knight rises, and Braun LARIATS Knight up and out! The fans fire up as Braun rips the shirt! Braun gets on the track, and he runs in, STROWMAN EXPRESS MEETS JACOB FATU!! The Samoan Werewolf strikes Braun down!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification; LA Knight retains the title

The fans boo as Jacob now goes after Knight! He just ruined what was becoming a great match, but Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! SAMOAN DROP onto the desk!! The desk doesn’t budge, but Braun might’ve been broken in half! The UK fires up for Fatu as he puts Braun in the ring! Jacob fires more HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS away on Braun in the corner! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE, FATU~, FATU~!” Jacob runs corner to corner, but Knight kicks him first! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jacob denies the BFT to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! And then HIP ATTACK for Braun anyway!

Jacob keeps going, HIP ATTACK for Braun again! Jacob throws off his jacket, glares at Braun, and he runs in for a third HIP ATTACK! Braun flounders into the drop zone, so Jacob goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit on Braun, but the fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Jacob obliges, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The Samoan Werewolf just tore up #OneBigSOB and LA Knight, will there be no stopping him from taking the United States Championship?

 

Backstage interview with Jimmy Uso.

Jackie Redmond is with #BigJim, and she says that while she knew WWE was going global this month, she did not know they’d get the slap heard ’round the world! Jimmy says he’d do it again, and he’ll slap Gunther as many times as he needs! Jimmy knows Jey is up in his own head, doubt is creeping on him. But just because Jey’s 0-3 against Gunther doesn’t mean Gunther’s unbeatable! The Ring General CAN be got! Jimmy’s going to Raw this Monday, he will bust Gunther’s ass, Jey will go to Mania and bust Gunther’s ass to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And then they leave Las Vegas just like this: YEET!

Jimmy heads out, but then The Miz & Carmelo Hayes walk by. Miz is mocking Jimmy’s words, and he asks excuse me. Miz says it’s just funny that suddenly, Jimmy is a tough guy, even though for most of his career, he’s been “The Other Uso.” Doesn’t Jimmy get it? Jimmy and Jey are career sidekicks while Gunther is a main character. Gunther is the lead, neither Jimmy nor Jey can beat him. And here’s another thing: The Usos are just blips on the trailer that was Roman Reigns’ Bloodline. Melo says Jimmy & Jey are stuck outside the club, they can’t even get in.

Miz says as a former WWE Champion, a former WrestleMania main eventer, Jimmy will never know what it is to carry this industry. And after this year’s WrestleMania, neither will Jey. Oh, and by the way, if Jimmy ever slapped Miz like that, Jimmy would still be on the ground. Jimmy feints the slap and Miz freaks out. Jimmy says it may be him and Gunther on Monday, but he’ll holler at Aldis real quick so it can be Jimmy VS Miz here tonight. Yeah, YEET! Jimmy heads out, Melo says he thought Miz was gonna do something about the slap. Will Miz have to do something about running his mouth before he gets his teeth kicked in?

 

Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga find Jacob Fatu backstage.

Solo asks Jacob what the Hell he was doing out there. Jacob goes out there alone without saying a thing to them? Jacob says he ain’t gotta say nothing to nobody! Matter fact, didn’t Solo not tap in with him last week? Tama says, “But Jacob,” only for Jacob to say, “But nothing, Tama!” Solo wants Jacob to lower his tone, but Jacob says okay. Let him be very clear with them. When it comes to Braun Strowman, Jacob WILL be the last man standing. Y’all better get in where you fit in, cuz that US title? Oh, Jacob’s bringing it home to the family. And he will do it with them, or without them! Yadada mean? Fatu heads out, is the Samoan Werewolf no longer following Solo?

 

Naomi speaks.

“I mean… How did we even get here? I don’t know. One thing that I do know is that I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. So Bianca, what makes you think that my attack on Jade was anything different from me doing the right thing? When I sit here and I think about all that I’ve sacrificed, all that I’ve given, and that’s what really breaks my heart. Because through all of that, I’m made to be the bad one in this situation. I just don’t understand, how does Jade come in outta nowhere and take my place with you? I want you to ask yourself this, Bianca. Who inspired you? Hmm?

“Who’s inspired women over the last decade? Who’s always had your back from day one of you being here? Me. Not Jade. Hmm. But you know what? What I’ve learned through all of this: You teach people how to treat you. And I’m done with being treated as a third wheel. I’m done being pushed to the side, I’m done with being too nice, I’m done with being undervalued, underutilized, underappreciated! So moving forward, hmm… Moving forward, here’s my message to you, Jade. If you continue to be in my way, I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.” The Glow shows her dark side, but will the storm be moved?

 

Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill.

Speaking of, the SmackDown General Manager understands things have been rather difficult for her as of late. Jade says she’s been trying to get her hands on Naomi for the past few weeks, now where is she? No one has seen her all day, so as far as anyone knows, Naomi’s not here. Well, when Jade catches Naomi, it’s on sight. Jade leaves, B-Fab & Michin are there. They let her know that what Naomi did to her was straight trash, totally uncalled for behavior. And after Jade gets her hands on Naomi, she’ll handle that business. Jade agrees. Mia says they’ve all got business to handle. Jade’s got Naomi, and Mia’s gonna get Charlotte for messing with her girl, B.

B-Fab says Naomi’s got what’s coming to her: no sympathy, no regrets. Jade, just do what you gotta do. Oh, she will. Jade also wishes Mia luck tonight. Mia & B-Fab head out, will the Head Baddie in Charge make the Queen bow down in London?

 

The darkness approaches.

“You are as I was. As I am, you will be.” The shadows are starting to take shape, but is SmackDown about to fade to black?

 

Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!

The Queen looks down on everyone, so it’s no surprise that everyone else wants to take her down. Charlotte may have checked off B-Fab, but will the HBIC be a much different story? Or will Charlotte only sharpen her edge before facing Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania?

WAIT! NAOMI ATTACKS B-FAB & MICHIN! Naomi drags Mia up for a FACEBUSTER! Naomi rains down fists, the ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Naomi tells the ref to back off. Naomi then BOOTS B-Fab off the apron! Naomi goes out after B-Fab to THRWO her into barriers! Naomi SLAPS B-Fab, tells her to stay down, but B-Fab gets up. Naomi fires hands, then she SMACKS B-Fab off the desk! Naomi rains down fists, but here comes Jade! Jade hurries down the ramp, she runs around the way, but Naomi runs away! Jade makes sure B-Fab is okay, but refs have to help her to the back. And what of Mia? Will she even be able to compete?

Charlotte makes her entrance, not really caring about what Naomi just did to Mia. But that means she also crosses paths with Jade. The fans like the look of this stare down, but Jade and Charlotte both let the other slide. Charlotte gets her pyro, and it seems she’ll still get her match. Will Mia be little more than an appetizer now?

The bell rings, and Charlotte BOOTS Mia down! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and the fans rally up. Charlotte just struts around while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns, Charlotte has Mia down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Mia fights up, fires body shots, and she then blocks a shot to ROCK Charlotte! Mia ROCKS Charlotte again and again, then reels her in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Charlotte up, wrenches, but Charlotte says no to Da Feet! BIG back suplex! Mia stagger sup, Charlotte whips her, but Mia reverses! Charlotte goes up and out, BOOTS her away, then slingshots in and rolls Mia! Mia rolls through and BUZZSAWS! Mia runs corner to corner, but Charlotte avoids the cannonball!

Charlotte YAKUZA KICKS Mia down, then fires herself up! The fans “WOO~!” as Charlotte has Mia in the drop zone,. Charlotte steps on her, goes up the corner, but Mia gets underneath her! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Mia is shocked! Mia nods as the fans rally back up, and she brings Charlotte up. But Charlotte ROCKS Mia! Mia SOBATS, PELES, and then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte stays in this, Mia grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mia uses that energy to stay focused, and she stalks Charlotte to waistlock. But Charlotte ELBOWS her away!

Charlotte CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Charlotte winds up, and she CHOPS again! Mia sputters, but then she dodges the boot! Charlotte is caught, and Mia hits a SAIDO! Charlotte flounders to a corner, the fans rally behind Mia, and Mia runs up, CANNONBALL! Mia hurries to wrench and EAT- NO, Charlotte shoves Mia away! Charlotte gets under, back suplexes, but Mia lands out! EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte’s long legs help her survive by a literal foot! Mia is beside herself while Charlotte bails out. Mia storms after Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Mia’s kick hits steel steps!

Mia hobbles away, goes to the apron, but Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg out! Charlotte grabs Mia’s leg, drops a KNEE on the knee, but fans chant, “We Want Tiffy!” Charlotte just steps through, FIGURE FOUR, into FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission

Charlotte got more of a fight out of Mia than expected, but she still won. Will The Queen be more than ready to reign again after WrestleMania?

 

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Jackie Redmond is with the WWE Women’s Champion and says Charlotte certainly looks confident. Let’s be real, Charlotte came at Tiff pretty hard. It got a lot of people talking. Tiff says yes, people talk. And Charlotte sure loves to hear herself talk. Ten years into the business and Charlotte is still so insecure that she can’t let a “rookie” get a word out. But last week, Tiff did learn something: She learned that walking into WrestleMania, she isn’t the one with something to lose. Truth is, if Tiff loses, then she lost to the great Charlotte Flair, as just a 25-year-old rookie with one year into SmackDown.

But if Charlotte loses… Well, then she lost to an “undeserving, delusional, unoriginal, backflip doing, blonde-hair-having, little girl.” Did she get it all? And Tiff can’t wait to hear the look on Charlotte’s face when they hear the words, “And STILL!” Then maybe Charlotte will finally shut up for the sake of literally everyone! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Tiff will make damn sure what stays is Charlotte’s massive ego. Tiff is walking into and out of Mania as the WWE Women’s Champion. Tootles! Tiff heads out, will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?

 

Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre!

The Viper told Cody how proud he was, but also how he wants the next shot after John Cena. The Scottish Terminator took offense to that, and basically said he is taking that shot instead. Will this match be an unofficial #1 contender’s match between these two former world champions?

SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~, Drew McIntyre~!” and chant “R K O! R K O!” Drew and Orton circle, tie up, and they go around in a deadlock. Drew powers Orton to a corner, but Orton headlocks back. Drew powers up and out, then he runs Orton over! Orton hurries to ropes and Drew mockingly asks, “How’s the back feel, Randy?” Orton stands, he and Drew reset, and the fans duel some more. Drew calls for a knuckle lock, Orton accepts, but then Drew kicks low! Drew bumps Orton off buckles, then climbs up, but he panders for too long and Orton YANKS him down!

The fans fire up as Orton climbs now! Orton rains down fists, and the fans count to nine. Orton hops down, brings Drew around, and POSTS him for ten! Drew tumbles out of the ring, Orton goes out after him, and they’re by the desk! But Drew kicks Orton first and SMACKS him off the desk! Drew clears the desk, and he brings Orton up for the DESK- NO, Orton fights free! Orton turns things around, DESK BACK SUPLEX for Drew! The fans fire up while Orton leaves Drew behind, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Drew writhes on the floor, but Orton goes out to fetch him! Orton brings Drew around, UPPERCUTS him, then says one more time! DESK BACK SUPLEX! Drew writhes as that desk stays standing! Orton grins, refreshes the ring count, and then he storms up on Drew. Drew pokes Orton in the eye! Drew POSTS Orton now, then brings him around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into barriers! Orton slumps down, and Drew also grits his teeth from that double-edged attack, but Drew fires up as he stands tall. Drew drags Orton up, puts him in the ring, then stalks Orton. Drew looms over Orton, and HIP DROPS him!

Orton sputters, Drew says one more time, and he winds up for the HIP DROP! Drew paces around Orton, says maybe one more time, and he pretends he can’t hear the fans. Drew winds up again, but Orton flips over! Hip drop meets kneecaps! And then Orton pokes Drew in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Orton rises up. Drew sputters and flounders, Orton ROCKS him with a right! Drew ROCKS Orton back! Drew storms up, Orton kicks low, but Drew fires another haymaker! The haymakers go back and forth, Orton gets the edge, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Drew clamps onto Orton with an armlock!

SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Orton fights up, pries at the chinbar, and then throws right hands! Drew CHOPS Orton in return! The fans “WOO~” and Drew winds up. Drew ROCKS Orton again, eggs him on, then CHOPS again! Drew shoves Orton to a corner, CHOPS again, then dares Orton to fight! Drew whips corner to corner, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Drew swings, Orton dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton stalks Drew to the apron. Drew HOTSHOTS Orton first! Drew then runs in, but Orton puts him through the ropes!

The fans fire up as Orton has Drew for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up for Orton, and Orton hears those voices! Drew rises, but then Orton spots KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter is on the ramp, Orton glares at him, but then he turns around into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, DREW WINS!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

Kevin’s mere presence costs Orton, and now Drew has a huge win propelling him down the Road to WrestleMania! As for Orton, Kevin drags him out of the ring, SMACKS him off the desk, and then climbs up to join him! The fans boo but Kevin and his hot pink sneakers have Orton in position, but Orton slips free and TRIPS Kevin up! Kevin hits the desk then the floor! Orton staggers around, the fans rally behind him, and Orton stalks Kevin to the corner of the barriers. Orton lines up the shot! Orton runs in, but Kevin jumps over barriers! Security is there to stop Orton from pursuing, so Kevin runs away into the night!

The fans boo, but The Viper was that close! Will Orton be able to strike Kevin down and completely take him out?

 

Fire, thunder, smoke…

The force of nature is drawing ever closer. And he’s ready to fly! REY FENIX arrives next Friday Night SmackDown!

 

Jimmy Uso VS The Miz!

#BigJim gave Gunther a piece of his mind and a mark on his cheek, but it seems not everyone got the message. Will the Hollywood A-lister soon star in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will he prove Jimmy is NOT ready for a world champion level opponent?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Jimmy powers Miz to a corner, Miz turns things around, and the ref counts. Miz takes a swing, Jimmy ducks it to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz shoves Jimmy back, then runs up, but Jimmy TACKLES Miz! Jimmy rains down fists, Miz shoves him away to go to ropes, but Jimmy storms back up. Miz ELBOWS Jimmy away, then runs back up, only for Jimmy to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up while Jimmy storms up on Miz. Jimmy CHOPS Miz, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Miz staggers back to ropes, but Jimmy is right on him.

Jimmy whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! The fans fire up, Miz scowls, and Miz KNEES Jimmy in the back again and again. Miz stalks Jimmy to the ropes now, and he CHOKES Jimmy! The ref counts, Miz runs, and Miz STRADDLE ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Miz runs again. Jimmy ducks the boot, then dodges a lariat! Jimmy runs up to LARIAT Miz up and out! The fans fire up and Jimmy builds speed, but Miz runs away! Jimmy smirks as he goes out the side, and UPPERCUTS Miz over the barriers! Jimmy makes sure Gunther knows he’s coming to get him, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and both men are down. Miz and Jimmy crawl, and Jimmy pounds the mat. The fans rally, Jimmy rises and runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And mule kick! Jimmy then UPPERCUTS Miz, dodges a lariat, then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the corner, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Jimmy UPPERCUTS again! Jimmy climbs, leaps, but Miz gets under! Miz then waistlocks, ripcords, and MOVIE MAKER! Fans boo that blatant parody, but Miz full nelsons! Jimmy drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz has the cover, TWO! Miz hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up as Jimmy survives! Miz stalks Jimmy, the fans rally up more, and Miz fires a KICK! And then another KICK! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, but then Miz winds up. Jimmy ducks the buzzsaw, Miz blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP connects! Miz rebounds to B-MOVIE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The parodies don’t get it done, but Miz still has his original work to fall back on. The fans rally for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Miz runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Jimmy down, then springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy hurries up top, for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jimmy wins!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

Miz may be a movie star, but Big Jim’s the one winning this main event! Jimmy then borrows Joe Tessitore’s headset to call out Gunther! He’s coming after dat ass on Monday! Gunther won’t be the ring general, he will be “Private Gunther,” and he will salute Big Jim! Uh, uh, YEET! Will Jimmy be the one making examples out of the World Heavyweight Champion? Or will everything come crashing down when Gunther gets his turn?

 

Drew McIntyre returns backstage.

And he says hey to Lewis Capaldi, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and also a big fan of Drew’s. They’re ready to have a good night in the pub, but Jackie Redmond walks over to congratulate him on the win tonight. She was hoping to get some thoughts on that victory and what happened with Orton and Kevin. Drew says it’s alright, this is what happens. He doesn’t care about anybody else’s business, but no one gets away with screwing him over. And when no one meddles in his business, he wins! Drew called out Priest, where is he? Priest doesn’t have the balls! So time to get mad in the pubs, everyone’s invited!

Drew turns the corner, but PRIEST IS THERE! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the door, then throws him into road cases! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the trunk of a car, and then again! Or since it’s London, “the boot.” The driver complains, but Priest BODY SLAMS that guy through a table! Drew comes back to KNEE Priest low, SMACK him off the trunk, and then off the side! They go to the hood, or bonnet for UK. Drew drags Priest up, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s eyes! Priest then sends Drew SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the windshield! Priest tells security that he’s done for now. Any more jokes, Drew? Didn’t think so! RIP, jackass!

Priest leaves, the producers hurry to help Drew, and Drew’s got glass in his eye! Will that glass help Drew see why he shouldn’t piss off the Punisher?

 

CM Punk heads to gorilla.

He has a security detail with him, and he passes by Drew writhing in pain. Punk chuckles, then continues on. Will his contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins be just as brutal? We find out, after the break.

 

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

The SmackDown General Manager welcomes us back, and says it is his honor and privilege to be here in the O2 in London. Now, we all know why he and this table is here, and why additional security is here tonight. Tonight, we are here to sign a contract for a Triple Threat. Perhaps the biggest Triple Threat in the history of WrestleMania: Seth Rollins VS CM Punk VS Roman Reigns! The fans cheer all those names, and here comes the OTC! London puts the ones up, and Paul Heyman accompanies THE Tribal Chief out on stage. Roman raises his finger to the sky for the pyro, then security follows him to the ring.

SmackDown goes picture in picture as Roman’s entrance continues, and he raises his finger to the sky for the second round of pyro. Roman steps into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Heyman hands him a mic. The fans sing, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!” Roman nods, the fans cheer, and now they chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman tells London, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and again chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman smiles, but he sees the chairs are not to his liking. Heyman makes sure to put one at the head of the table. Heyman also dusts the chair off while Roman enjoys the singing of, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!”

Roman takes a seat and says that was beautiful. The way they sing to their Tribal Chief, it’s just beautiful. The singing continues, and Heyman even joins in! Roman smiles, and he says that is what he’s talking about. That’s the OTC for you, baby! The biggest star on the planet! The OTC came here for two reasons. One: to be acknowledged; check! And two: to sign this contract. Roman does just that, and he says he’s checked both boxes. That means- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins interrupts! The fans now sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in his red wine paisley suit and conducts the O2 Choir all the way into the ring.

The fans cheer while Roman frowns, but Rollins takes the seat to Roman’s left. Rollins offers Heyman a chance to sing to this song, but Heyman frowns. Rollins chuckles, and he says the fans do have beautiful singing voices. He doesn’t know why Roman is in such a hurry to leave, though! This is their building! There’s a lot of history here! 12 years ago, they landed on the roof of this place in a helicopter! They came down those stairs over there, “ready to burn down the old guard!” They put the Undertaker down through the desk, and they were going to remake this company in their image!

Now don’t get him wrong, Rollins knows a lot has happened since then. They fought against each other, with each other, a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate. But Rollins dare says, as the fans continue to sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” that Rollins and Roman accomplished their mission. The fans start to chant for CM Punk, but Rollins tunes them out. Roman says, “We? We? You keep saying we. Our mission? We died a long time ago. It’s only been ME. You been here, but I done all the work! I’ve made this place what it is today! I took us to the level that we are here today! I made this place better than we found it!

“I’m the one that made us desirable to Netflix! I’m the one that took us into billion-dollar deals! Tell me, what have you done?” Rollins shouts, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done! YOU, YOU, YOU, it’s that mindset that keeps me having to screw you! You understand that? And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger that’s right in front of us! The danger that’s right in front of you! You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden! And you could’ve cut his head off at WarGames! But instead, you shook his hand. You could’ve let me finish him inside the cage at The Garden, but you didn’t. And now, I am left to do what I always do: Clean up your mess, again.”

Rollins drops his mic, picks up the pen, and signs his part. And now, here comes CM PUNK! The fans fire up and sing along with Cult of Personality, then join in on saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, but as he grabs a mic, he goes up a corner, just like he did last Friday. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract. And I’m all outta bubblegum.” The fans cheer the Rowdy Roddy Piper reference, and Punk hops down to take his seat on Roman’s right. Punk looks over said contract, but Roman asks if Punk needs a highlighter or something. What’s he doing? Just go to page four, clause five.

Punk does as Roman says, but Roman says Punk needs to hurry, this is precious TV time. Punk reads the segment, Roman tells Heyman to just smarten Punk up. Heyman tells Punk he knows what Punk is looking for. It is in there. They’re closing the show at WrestleMania. The fans go wild hearing that! Heyman tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of dreams. CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer! The fans cheer and while Roman smiles, Rollins is furious. Roman says, “One man’s dream is another man’s favor! CHECK!” Wait, this was the favor? Rollins says no! This is not something to laugh at, and Punk does not get to tear up!

Punk is NOT deserving! He does NOT deserve this! The fans boo but Rollins continues to throw a fit! Main eventing WrestleMania is SACRED, the most important thing in the world to Rollins! More than anything! Except the fact that Punk NEVER gets to main event! This is all Roman’s fault! This is all Heyman’s fault! Rollins THROWS his mic down, paces angrily, but Punk picks up the mic. The fans cheer Punk on again, and Punk stands to thank London, to thank Chicago, to thank Louisville, Kentucky, and to thank ALL the fans. As corny as it sounds, he thanks the WWE Universe who stood by him and chanted his name for TEN LONG YEARS!

Roman says hold on, hold on. Punk shouldn’t be thanking the fans! He should be thanking the Tribal Chief! It is because of Roman that Punk gets this honor! So please, take this moment, close the show with that acknowledgement! Do this the right way. The credits are already rolling as Punk kneels before Roman!? Punk smiles, and he thanks “My Tribal Chief, the holder of the ula fala, the Head of the Table, the… Big Dog? Thank you for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by your presence. Thank you, My Tribal Chief, for allowing me to stand in your ring. And thank you so much. Thank you, Roman Reigns, so very much.

“But because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” And again, Rollins is agonizing over this. Punk finishes putting his signature on the contract, and London tells him, “You Deserve It!” Punk thanks Roman again, and then says, “But that’s not the favor that I’m owed.” WHAT?! Roman looks at Heyman and Heyman can’t look him in the eye! If getting this Triple Threat made into the main event isn’t the gift of the Wise Man, then what is?!


My Thoughts:

A good SmackDown, but they pulled off quite the paradox. They made it feel like they were struggling to fill three hours, yet they also filled the show to the point where that contract signing segment was almost bleeding over the three hour mark. Ironically, part of the problem was just how excited the London crowd was for this. The superstars still wanted to enjoy the chants and songs, but that’s time SmackDown doesn’t have to spare. It made the opening promo from Cody, Orton and Drew take longer, and it kinda did the same to the contract signing at the end. Even so, we still got a very good promo, and good stuff to set up Orton VS McIntyre.

Orton VS McIntyre was a great match, but of course Kevin costs Orton. McIntyre gets his win, Kevin and Orton have a bit of a brawl, but of course Kevin ends up on the losing end and runs off. McIntyre’s trash talk also comes back to bite him as Priest gets the better of him in their brawl. Here’s hoping Drew didn’t actually get glass in his eye, but that being the thing in kayfabe can be some good stuff. I can imagine McIntyre with an eyepatch, and he takes it off at the opportune time to get the better of Priest in their match. Also what a fitting choice for Punk to be passing by Drew suffering because of real glass.

Very good title matches tonight, but of course the status quo was kept. Pretty Deadly gets to look great here in London, but the Profits only just got the belts, they’re not going to be transitional champions like that. And Knight VS Braun was really good stuff, but honestly, Jacob Fatu going after them both should’ve been a given. Jacob also had a great promo with Solo & Tama to start adding to that divide between Jacob and Solo. I would hope Solo doesn’t screw Jacob out of the US Championship, but it feels like he will as Solo won’t stand for Jacob defying his authority, even though Solo’s been trying to make Jacob the champion all along.

Very good stuff from Jimmy Uso tonight, from his promo with #MeloDon’tMiz and then a great match with Miz. Their match ended up the de facto main event match, so that’s also great for both guys. Great win for Jimmy, but that’s likely because Jimmy is losing big time to Gunther on Monday. And it might just be me, but it feels like only now is the Jey VS Gunther build really moving, largely in part because Jimmy got involved. Jimmy’s promo after his match is something along the lines of what Jey should be saying. But I suppose as brothers, Jimmy is the one who knows Jey best and knows what Jey needs to be motivated again. And seeing Jimmy get beat up by Gunther will definitely motivate Jey…

Good final vignettes for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black. I’m a little surprised they confirmed Rey Fenix is showing up next week, and that they confirmed who Rey Fenix even is. I believe commentary confirmed Rey Fenix is Penta’s real brother, even namedropped “Lucha Brothers,” but all that is still surprising considering Fenix is going to start on SmackDown. Aleister’s vignette (at least I am fairly confident it’s his) was giving us glimpses of his silhouette, but I think there was usage of AI in the snake imagery. It was fine they did it for El Grande Americano because that is all trolling, but they really should try and do things the old fashioned way of photoshop and stock imagery.

Very good stuff in the Women’s Division tonight, though the WWE Women’s Championship portion was the weaker. Naomi’s got a great Heel persona going, her promo was great, and her going after B-Fab & Michin over them supporting Jade was a great detail. Jade runs Naomi off, helps B-Fab, but there was no helping Michin in being fed to Charlotte. Tiffany had a decent promo, and it does fit how Charlotte kept her from speaking so she finally gets things out here. It didn’t really add that much, though, but they already gave us a great brawl so not sure what more they can give.

KC Squared VS The Secret Her-vice was a very good match, but of course Chelsea made sure her team won. A Six Woman Tag of Zelina & KC Squared VS The Green Administration is certainly coming, to help give us Zelina VS Chelsea for the Women’s US Championship.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025

Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won’t see any of the fallout just yet!

Published

on

Now we all heard the news about the TNA change in hierarchy, and I…have no positive outlook on that. Delirious sucked at booking and creative in the dying days of ROH before it got bought as a B show. Dreamer having even more control is concerning because his ideas the last two years haven’t been much better.

Gail leaving makes more sense to me. Be it firing or a “you can’t quit, you’re fired” kind of situation, the Knockouts division is the worst it’s been in a long time and Gail was close with Scott D’Amore. So I don’t think Gail parting ways is as big of a problem since TNA has slowly been bleeding out with the Scott faithful.

Granted, I think the next few shows were already taped before the firing so things shouldn’t be completely unwatchable for at least a week or two. So let’s see where we’re going.

Ratings:

  • Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge: Ash wins via Rarefied Air – ** 1/4
  • Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr: Chavo wins via Gory Bomb into Frog Splash – *** 1/4
  • Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – ***
  • Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin: Eric wins via Piledriver – ** 1/2
  • Seto & Mokuba – I mean – Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater: Nic wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4

 

Results:

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge

Ash and Gigi start off, Gigi with a little Rascalz after her first takedown. So both her and Wentz are making it obvious something’s going on between them, and I’m not mad at it. Good for my man Wentz.

Tatum and Gigi get some quick tandem offense in, Ash does manage to scurry off to a tag and Heather gets bent into a Pretzel. Some kind of Inverted Tarantula from Tatum, Gigi tags in, Bronco Buster on Heather followed by Kawada Kicks. Heather sells against the ropes, Gigi goes for a Hesitation Dropkick, but Concierge pulls her away so Gigi crashes and burns. Ref is distracted, Ash gets in some cheap shots and then the Elegant duo starts working over Gigi. A few quick tags, but once Heather comes in, Gigi fights out of the corner, gets the hot tag to Tatum. Tatum stacks up both Elegance members, Corner Stacked Crossbody, Butterfly Suplex and an Elbow Drop with some some flare. Tatum goes to the top rope, Heather pulls Gigi off the apron, Concierge shoves Tatum off the turnbuckle and Ash hits Rarefied Air for the win.

Post match the Elegance Clique wants to make their wish with the cake, they light the candles and Tatum and Gigi recover enough to do what we all expected last week, the cake in the face spot. Some…suggestive licking from both of our Hot Topic Hotties, so…no complaints here. 

Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr

Chavo and Kaz start since he’s King Petty, a quick rope run turns into a Headscissor from Chavo. Kaz recovers, they lock up, Kaz hits the Knee Lift during the lock up to tag out to KC. KC pulls off some athletic dodges, gloats a bit so Chavo waits, measures and nails a gorgeous Dropkick. Laredo comes in on fire, quick high spots that send KC bouncing around like HBK against Hulk. KC powders after sells the Satellite Takedown, AJ checks on him and we go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Octagon is lighting up KC’s chest with overhand chops, he perches, Sunset Headscissor Flip from corner to corner, KC tries to Back Drop him but Octagon does a headstand, kicks KC away and lays him out with a high spot. AJ gets on the apron to stop Octagon from running the ropes, the referee has a stroke or something because he stops paying attention and AJ pulls Octagon out of the ring and chucks him. KC with the Tope con Hilo and tag (tag ropes haven’t mattered since the 80s we all know this). So AJ is getting taunted by the crowd in Spanish, but he’s manhandling Octagon since it looks like a Child fighting their parent. AJ knocks off Chavo and Laredo, Laredo pops up and tries to get involved but he’s caught on the shoulders, Octagon goes for the Crossbody but gets caught and AJ pulls off “World’s Strongest Wasteland” but Chavo breaks up the pinfall. AJ throws Octagon into the corner, Tennessee Whiskey, and tag out to KC. KC hits a few moves, but starts to lose the momentum until he connects with a Super Kick. Simultaneous rope run into the Dueling Crossbodies, so we get the timely tag outs from both sides. Kaz and Laredo come in, Laredo lands like two moves before Kaz hits a Sole Butt, Lariat and eats his lunch. KC and Kaz try to double team Laredo but he fights out and the crowd is chanting for Chavo.

Chavo tags in, and he’s rocking KC, Saito Suplex, Low Bridge to AJ, Reverse the Whip so Chavo goes to the corner and perches, KC feeds, Chavo Backflips to safety, rolls through and lays out KC. Chavo is feeling himself, 3 Amigos start on KC but only 2, Kaz comes in and Chavo switches to Kaz for the Amigos, only 2 again before AJ breaks it up. AJ goes for the disrespect, but Chavo counters and hits the 3 Amigos on the biggest Culero. Aztec Warriors dive to stop AJ and Kaz, KC tries a Dirty Victory Roll but Chavo kicks out. GORY BOMB into FROG SPLASH!

Chavo looked fantastic and he’s the one in the best shape in the ring. I wouldn’t be mad at more Chavito. 

Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich

I expect very little from this match.

Collar and Elbow, gator rolling for the first 30 seconds or so, then Jacy goes to some Hair Pull takedowns and does a little taunt before Masha pops back up and hits a Lariat into a Dive. Jacy sells it like she’s really hurt, even the ref tries to hold Masha back a little before Masha gets annoyed and just grabs her, Masha throws her in, looks for a Dive and Jacy sees it and powders. Masha tries to go back to the well for the Dive again but Jacy hits the Uppercut and then an Apron Run PK to drop Masha. Forearms rain down into a Foot Choke as Jacy continues to arrogantly play to the crowd. Another Foot Choke into a Cannonball, and near fall.

Masha gets space with a Sole Butt, tries to snap off Requiem but Jacy fights off, fights through a Sunset Flip another effective PK keeps Masha on her ass. Jacy looks for a kinda half-assed Camel Clutch as Masha is fighting up, but Jacy runs her into the corner, gets distracted mouthing off to the crowd, so Masha recovers, 5 Hole Up Kick sends Jacy into the corner, Yakuza Kick into Capo Kick for two. Requiem attempt again, but Jacy pushes off, a little back and forth, Masha tries a Backslide but Jacy gets away and hits a V-Trigger but only a 2 count. Jacy looks for the Discus Punch but Masha ducks it, they strike back and forth, but some dodges from both leave the exchange more even. Jacy with the Front Kick to the face sends Masha to the outside. Jacy wants another PK, but Masha blocks, Electric Chair Apron Snake Eyes. Masha throws her in, a PK into a near all. Requiem attempt 3, and thwarted from Jacy with a Superkick into a Neckbreaker. Senton misses from Jacy, Buzzsaw Kick, into Spinning Back Kick and Russian Death Device for the win.

Better than I expected, and Tessa attacks as soon as the bell rings. Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Li make the save after Tessa grabs the belt. 

Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin

Ace and Eric tie up, World of Sport start but as soon as Ace starts to get away EY punches him in the face. Eric looks at the camera and says “This is what trust looks like”, turns his back on Ace, when Ace looks to attack, the loser duo cut him off. EY takes advantage of the weird situation, but Ace with some Up and Over quick spots, into an Inside Cradle and La Magistral. EY kicks out of the quick flash attempts, but eats a Dropkick, and Ace goes all Speed Kils on him with fast strikes and then a face buster for another near fall. Strike spot very early in the match, Ace gets the best of it, goes for a Tear Drop Suplex but EY sits on it to block, Headlocks to keep him close and then a snap Lariat into beatdown bully tactics. EY takes the referee’s attention and one of the nerds punch Ace in the face.

Eric tries to lean on Ace, but Ace fires, a few strikes, Click Click Boom, the Miz Seated Lariats in the corner, Mochizuki Triangle Kick connects! Only a 2 count, but Ace seems to be in control. Ace puts EY on the ropes, a few strikes to keep him rocked, wants a Superplex, but EY blocks, bites the face and Macho Elbow gets a very close two count. EY tries the Piledriver but Ace turns it into a Jacknife Cradle,Spinning Heel Kick, calls for The Fold, but the losers hop on the apron to distract, Ace attacks them. Ace tries to time out the Triangle Kick again, but Eric dodges, throws Ace head first through the buckles. As Ace stumbles out of the corner, Piledriver, and it’s over.

Oh look it’s the “we’ll hear from Joe Hendry” segment. Again, I’ve loved this gimmick since Day 1, even didn’t hate his What Culture Pro stuff, but there is such a thing as milking a cow too much. 

Elijah interrupts the whole “Who’s next” speech. When Elijah comes out he says he’s not the challenger and he believes in Joe. The crowd wants Elijah to turn on Hendry. Elijah pauses for a moment, and starts proving his friendship with stating his favorite color and a little “You Got a Friend in Me”. The crowd is into singing along and waving their cameras like Lighters to a 30 year old song. THANKFULLY Kaz breaks up the hug fest. Now he gets the “Culero” chant. 

Kaz pulls out a Bass…what the hell is this Jam Session. Kaz has to warm up so he plays “La Cucaracha” on the bass. Kaz…is a national treasure. Hendry kicks Kaz out of the ring after his Heelish and playfully racially charged song choices. Kaz tries to sow dissension, but Joe and Elijah pinball Kaz between them. Kaz slips a power move and tries to shove Elijah into Joe but Elijah puts the brakes on, a small tense moment. But then Joe and Elijah play “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye”…and that goes right into a commercial. Oddly…perfect.

Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater

Nic shoots the half immediately for a flash pinfall but Leon kicks out at one. Nic continues to keep things grounded with his amateur wrestling skills, and then does a little Dolph Ziggler show off. So Nic isn’t really taking this seriously, and Leon starts getting the best of things with an Arm Wringer, into drag, Shoulder Tackle and rope run as Nic tries to Leap Frog and Leon puts on the brakes and just shoves Nic on his ass. Nic gets annoyed, a few strikes, grinds his face along the ropes, but Leon keeps stringing some offense together, Back Handspring Elbow into his Corner con Hilo.

Ahh the classic formula of the commercial gives the heel the advantage, Twisting Suplex from Leon stops Nic’s offense momentum, right hand, Leon lifts Nic up for something, Nic slips it, kicks him in the gut, looks for the FameAsser, but Leon catches him into a Blue Thunder Bomb variation. Slater wants the Swanton 450, but Nic powders. Leon tries to adjust into a Dive, but Nic cuts him off, counter for counter and a FameAsser out of the counters for a two count. Nic starts the big brother tactics, bootwashes and arrogance, Slater fires, punches into a Yakuza Kick. Leon wants another Lethal Injection variant, but Nic catches him into a Rear Naked Choke. Slater tries to turn it into a pin so Nic breaks it. Leon wants a Leg Lariat but misses and gets unceremoniously dropped by Nic. Nic puts Leon up on the buckles, Superplex possibly but Slater counters, tries to collect himself for a move, but Nic falls into the ropes to crotch Leon, and finally hits the Superplex.

Twist of Slate from Leon, Swanton 450 but knees get up. Locomotion Cradles from both but they kick out, Ryan picks the ankle to trip up Leon just a touch and then Danger Zone ends the match.

Ryan starts the post match beatdown, but the Hardy’s music hits and they come down to the ring for the save. Matt challenges the Nemeths for Rebellion because they’re not medically cleared yet.

 

Overall Score: 6.5/10

Decent story motion, no match was offensive, and there was actually some solid match action for television standards. I don’t have a ton to complain about aside from the Knockouts Division is in a weird spot, and giving Hendry a lot of just talking and hollow payoff segments feels stupid. If we need to hear from him every week, give him a talk segment like Highlight Reel or something. Yes I know First Class just got The Penthouse, but if Hendry is going to talk more than wrestle, give him a talk segment for us to sink our teeth into.

There was the announcement that Xia, Lei Ying and Masha will face Tessa, Jacy and a mystery partner. So you gotta wonder if there’s going to be another NXT mercenary, a surprise return or if it’ll just be Rosemary since she’s got her issues with Xia. Also I just realized that Unbreakable is going to be on a Thursday, seemingly after iMPACT? I’m gonna have to see how they do it, because if there’s an Impact episode and 2-3 hour PLE…I do not want to be awake until 1am. People need to work, and I will be Unwakeable if things go that long.

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