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Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/16/23)
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Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/16/23)

Round four, fight!

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BOSJ 30

Will the Bad Child have bad luck?

The number four is bad luck in Japan, so whose luck in Best of the Super Juniors 30 turns sour in round four? Or will someone’s lucky actually turn around?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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 current 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

 

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

The Direct Drive couldn’t quite #StunTheWorld when facing Dan Moloney, but 100 Proof did give Bushi a hard shot. Will Yoh rev back up in round four? Or will there be No Chaser against the Wild Rhino?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Yoh jumps over Connors, and again! Connors is annoyed and he tries again, but Yoh trips him into a corner! Yoh then goes to the other corner and unties the buckle pad! Yoh’s given shoutouts to  icons already, here’s one to Toru Yano. Connors snarls, runs in, but narrowly avoids hitting bare buckles! Yoh aims but the ref stops him from hitting Connors with the pad! Connors ROCKS Yoh, but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs, but Connors goes the other way to CLOBBER Yoh! Fans fire up and Connors glares at the ref. Connors takes the buckle pad, to SMACK Yoh with it!

The ref reprimands but Connors SMACKS Yoh again! And again! Yoh flops out of the ring, Connors pursues, and Connors stalks Yoh towards commentary. Connors SMACKS Yoh with the pad, then smothers him with it! The ring count starts, Connors tosses the pad to the ring, and he drags Yoh up. The count is 8 of 20 and Connors POSTS Yoh at 10! Fans applaud while Connors stalks Yoh. Connors hears the count so he goes back into the ring at 14. The count continues, fans rally up, Yoh crawls over at 17! He springs in at 19! Fans applaud but Connors is annoyed. Connors drags Yoh up but Yoh throws forearms!

Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, and Yoh hits the bare buckles! Yoh probably forgot this strategy backfires on Yano every so often, too. Connors talks trash while he looms over Yoh and drags him up. Connors suplexes Yoh high and hard! Fans applaud while Connors pushes Yoh down. Connors runs and drops a BIG elbow! Gedo applauds, the fans also applaud, and then Connors sits Yoh up. Connors clamps on a chinlock with a knee in Yoh’s back. Yoh endures, fans rally up, and Yoh fights up. Yoh throws body shots but Connors CLUBS him down. Connors runs, but Yoh dodges! Yoh comes back to RANA Connors out!

Fans fire up and Yoh hurries to the apron. Yoh aims, runs in and CANNONBALLS! Direct hit and fans fire up. Gedo complains while Connors flounders, and Yoh comes back around. Yoh stomps Connors, puts him in the ring, and fans applaud as Yoh scoops to SLAM! Yoh goes up the corner, TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO! Gedo coaches Connors but fans rally for Yoh. Yoh drags Connors back up, reels him in, but Connors fights the suplex. Connors swings, but into a full nelson! Connors breaks that, throws elbows, but Yoh reels him back in! Connors fights the German Suplex and Yoh’s back hurts! Connors then DECKS Yoh!

Fans applaud and Connors calls his shot. Connors drags Yoh up, whips him, but Yoh holds ropes. Yoh BOOTS back, spins, but into the POWERSLAM! Gedo is amazed and the fans fire up. Gedo says it’s time and Connors aims from a corner. Yoh stands, Connors runs in to SPEAR! Connors says he’ll finish this and Gedo says “Break his ass!” Connors puts one out, suplexes, but Yoh fights free to slip around, pop up, but Connors throws him into the bare buckles! Connors then runs corner to corner, but Yoh dodges! Connors hits buckles, and then Yoh SUPERKICKS! O’Conner, FIVE STAR CLUTCH! YOH WINS!

Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors gains 0)

Direct Drive snatches victory from the jaws of defeat and Connors can’t believe it! Will this help Yoh #StunTheWorld? But then Connors attacks Yoh as a sore loser! Connors beats him with the buckle pad! Fans boo but Connors drags Yoh up, for NO CHASER to the buckle pad! Actually, wouldn’t that make it hurt less? But either way, Gedo gets Connors a chair! Connors is showing us this is truly the Savage Era of Bullet Club, he puts Yoh’s head on the buckle and aims the chair! CON-CHAIR-TO!! Connors blames everyone else for his loss, but will Connors take responsibility for his actions in round five?

As for Yoh, he rolls out, hugging the buckle pad. He did win this, but will he be able to rebound next round?

 

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

The Funky Weapon is the bottom of the block, all because he’s tried to get serious. Meanwhile, El Inmortal is still doing well at 2-1. Will Titan keep his chances alive? Or will Taguchi seriously get going in the block?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Titan facelocks. Taguchi gets around to a waistlock but Titan switches then spins Taguchi back to the facelock. Taguchi wrenches to a wristlock but Titan rolls, handsprings and arm-drags! Fans applaud the standoff and the two reset. They feel things out, then Titan rushes in to trip Taguchi. Things speed up, Taguchi bypasses, and bypasses, and bypasses for some classic Taguchi antics! But Titan sees through this and whips Taguchi, and now Titan returns the favor! He makes Taguchi run and run and run, and run and run and run!

Fans applaud as Taguchi starts to slow down, and he asks for a timeout. Titan shrugs, and Taguchi comes back, to whip Titan! Titan reverses and DROPKICKS! Taguchi bails out and fans fire up as Titan builds speed. Titan rolls and flips but Taguchi slides in! Triangle jump PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Titan! Fans applaud and Taguchi rises. Taguchi CLUBS Titan, follows him around the way, and then puts him back in the ring. Fans applaud and Taguchi takes aim from the apron. Springboard, MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! Taguchi gets a leg for a standing toehold and Titan endures.

Taguchi steps through for a deeper toehold, but Titan kicks at him with the other leg. Taguchi pushes that leg away, shifts his position, and he ties Titan up in a figure four and abdominal stretch! Fans applaud while Titan endures. Titan pops his legs free and gets to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets off, but then holds onto a foot. The ref reprimands, Taguchi lets go, and he brings Titan up. Titan ROCKS Taguchi, SOBATS, but Taguchi DECKS Titan! Titan sputters, but Taguchi stomps him around. Taguchi CHOPS Titan, follows him around the way, and whips him to ropes. Titan reverses then goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK!

Fans fire up while Taguchi flops around. Titan runs in but Taguchi puts him on the apron. Titan blocks to GAMANGIRI! Taguchi staggers, Titan springboards, CROSSBODY! Fans fire up and Titan keeps moving, the DROPKICK sends Taguchi out! Titan then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit in front of commentary! Fans fire up more while both men stir. Titan stands, he HIP DROPS Taguchi, then poses. Fans cheer, Titan puts Taguchi in the ring, and then covers, TWO! Titan holds onto a leg and ties Taguchi up in a deathlock! But Taguchi turns things over to have OH MY GAH ANKLE! Titan scrambles to a ROPEBREAK!

Taguchi lets go in frustration and Titan clutches his knee. Fans rally up, Taguchi stands Titan up but Titan fires off a strike fest! Titan runs but into a SOBAT! Taguchi fires off the same strike fest, with an ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as Taguchi runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Titan runs, but into a DROPKICK! The Master of the Dropkick shows him how it’s done! Fans rally up and both men stir. Titan goes to a corner, runs back in, pops up but Taguchi blocks the rana to OH MY GAH ANKLE! Titan crawls, reaches out, but Taguchi reels him in! Chicken wings, DODON TO THE THRONE!! Cover, TWO!!

Titan survives and fans fire up. Taguchi grits his teeth but he nods. Taguchi drags Titan up, tucks him in and spins around, VERTA- NO, Titan slips free! Titan goes to a corner, Taguchi runs in but into a BOOT! Titan SOBATS, front kicks and DROPKICKS Taguchi down! Fans fire up and Titan skins the cat to the top rope! Titan stands, leaps and DIVING- NO, Taguchi avoids the stomps! Titan jams his leg! BUM-A-YE!! Cover, TWO!?! Titan survives but Taguchi fires up! Taguchi drags Titan up, chicken wings again, but Titan fights free! Taguchi ROCKS Titan, whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up again and Titan fires up! Titan gets the leg, hooks it up, rolls Taguchi around to the deathlock, and then bridges back for INMORTAL LOCK! Taguchi taps, Titan wins!!

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

Serious Taguchi is in serious danger as he goes 0-4! Is he already doomed to miss the semifinals? As for Titan, his take on the Muta Lock wins him another one, is he going to take a spot in the semifinals?

 

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

The Black Mask is the bottom of his block, but there’s always time to score. Will Bushi drag the Sniper down? Or will Eagles still fly high towards the top?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They approach and Bushi kicks low. Bushi throws forearms, whips Eagles but Eagles reverses. Bushi counters arm-drag with arm-drag but Eagles counters back to roll Bushi then kip up and basement dropkick! Fans cheer that fast opening exchange while Bushi bails out. Eagles runs, but Bushi moves, so Eagles just springboards to backflip and reload. Eagles DIVES onto Bushi at the ramp! Fans fire up and Eagles fires up with them before going back to Bushi. Eagles drags Bushi up, CHOPS him, then follows him around the way while the ring count starts.

Eagles puts Bushi in at 4 of 20, then brings Bushi up. Bushi rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, Bushi stops but Eagles KICKS him back! Eagles runs but Bushi dropkicks the leg out! Fans applaud while Eagles clutches his knee. Bushi stomps Eagles, drags him up, and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Eagles hangs tough but Bushi keeps cool. Bushi stomps Eagles more, drags him into a stepover leglock, and he pulls hard on the foot. Eagles endures, moves around, but Bushi gets him for a STF! Eagles still fights around as fans rally up, and Eagles reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud and the ref counts.

Bushi lets go quickly, and he paces around Eagles. Bushi stomps Eagles, drags him up and fisherman’s a leg, but Eagles fights the lift. Bushi kicks Eagles low, then brings him up to FISHERMAN- NO, Eagles slips out of the screw! But Bushi ducks the roundhouse, reels Eagles in, back suplex, but Eagles lands out of it! Eagles reels Bush in for a SNAP SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down. Bushi stirs, the fans rally up and Eagles rises. Eagles goes to ropes, then comes back to KICK Bushi in the chest! And KICK! And KICK! And then run, to LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bushi is still in this but Eagles rallies the fans.

“ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “Robbie!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” Eagles is all fired up now and he brings Bushi up. Eagles whips Bushi corner to corner, runs in and DOUBLE KNEES! Bushi sits down, Eagles runs back in, METEORA! Eagles pushes Bushi to a cover, TWO! Bushi survives but Eagles keeps his cool. Eagles drags Bushi around by a leg, but Bushi flounders to the ROPEBREAK! Eagles still steps through, so Bushi kicks him away. Eagles runs in, but into an elbow! Eagles LOW 619s the legs! And then springboards, but Bushi gets under!

Bushi kicks, Eagles blocks but Bushi fights the backpack. Bushi ROCKS Eagles, runs, but Eagles ROCKS him at the ropes! Eagles runs but Bushi DROPKICKS Eagles at the ropes! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Bushi goes to a corner, runs back in, but Eagles blocks the Code Breaker to a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO, into the EAGLE LOCK! Bushi endures the Ron Miller Special and fans rally up! Bushi crawls around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and the ref counts, Eagles lets off cleanly. Eagles drags Bushi back to stomp the leg! Eagles then goes up the corner!

Eagles aims, 450, but Bushi dodges! Bushi BOOTS back but Eagles frowns. Eagles comes back, blocks a boot and he stomps the other leg! Bushi still kicks Eagles away, then goes up to avoid the Low 619! Bushi leaps but Eagles gets under, and Bushi’s leg jams! Eagles runs in but Bushi catches him and spins him, DDT but Eagles handsprings through!? Eagles runs in again, blocks one kick, ducks the enziguri, but the HEEL KICK hits! Fans fire up and Bushi FISHERMAN SCREWS! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives and fans rally up. Bushi goes out to the apron, drags Eagles through the ropes, DRAPING APRON DDT!

Eagles flops back and Bushi clutches his leg. Bushi fires up and fans fire up with him! Bushi rolls in, hobbles to Eagles and brings him up. Bushi reels Eagles in but Eagles Alabama Lifts! Eagles throws Bushi away, then ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! And PELES! Bushi wobbles, Eagles roars, but Bushi turns asai into backslide! Eagles rolls through to TRIGGER KICK! Cover, Eagles wins!!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi gains 0)

And just like that, the Sniper hits the mark! Bushi falls to 0-4 while Eagles is 3-1, will these trends continue until the end?

 

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

Japones Del Mal may be 1-2 but he’s had nothing but strong showings so far. The same can be said for Public Enemy Number One, who is also at 1-2. Who has the stronger showing here and now to break even?

But as Douki makes his entrance, TJP dropkicks him off the apron! TJP then throws Douki into the ring, goes up top, the bell rings and TJP MAMBA SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!!! Douki survives this sudden start and bails back out. But TJP PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up as TJP finally takes off his jacket. TJP puts Douki back in, goes back up top, MAMBA SPLASH into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Douki has TJP caught now, but TJP fights around! TJP reaches back, ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go as the ref counts and TJP bails out. Douki builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up again!

Fans rally up and Douki fetches TJP. Douki throws forearms but TJP throws them back. They brawl up the ramp, TJP aims at the entryway but Douki blocks! TJP CLUBS Douki, then SMACKS Douki off the steel! Fans rally, TJP finally takes off his shirt and throws it to the crowd, free souvenir! Douki throws body shots in return, then SMACKS TJP off the steel! Fans fire up and TJP flounders down the ramp. Douki brings TJP back up, but TJP blocks the suplex! TJP throws body shots, then snap suplexes Douki to the ramp! TJP kicks Douki around, throws up the crown, and fans rally up.

TJP waits on Douki to rise, and then runs down the ramp to CROSSBODY! Douki catches TJP! SAHARAWI to the ramp! Fans fire up, and then rally up as Douki rises. Douki roars and he brings TJP up as the ring count starts. Douki brings TJP over and in at 7 of 20 and then he climbs the corner. COUP DE GRACE! Cover, TWO! TJP survives the double stomps but Douki stalks TJP. Douki drags TJP up, Gory Especials, but TJP fights that off. Douki spins TJP to knee low and whip to ropes. TJP goes Spider-Man, then dodges as Douki runs in! Douki ends up on the apron, shoulders back in, and then slingshots, DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up and Douki roars again! Douki reels TJP into the wheelbarrow, full nelsons, but TJP fights it by bending fingers! TJP slips around, hooks Douki up, COBRA TWIST DRIVER!! Both men are down and fans fire up! TJP goes to one corner, Douki goes to the other. TJP runs corner to corner to back elbow! TJP sits Douki down, and fans rally up as TJP scrapes laces off Douki’s face! TJP runs side to side, but Douki is up! TJP dodges Douki, Douki dodges TJP but TJP SUPERKICKS! TJP keeps moving, and he BOOTS Douki! TJP goes side to side again, for a BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and TJP climbs the corner!

TJP leaps, MAMBA SPLASH onto knees!! Then ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! TJP is caught again but he reaches around! Fans rally as TJP drags Douki along, but Douki rolls him away to have ITALIAN- NO, TJP slips through and rolls Douki, only for Douki to cradle TJP! TWO!!! TJP escapes, JUMP SOBATS, but Douki ENZIGURIS! Douki runs, but TJP slips around. Douki drops to victory roll, TWO! Into the wheelbarrow! But TJP slips out of the full nelson to FINAL CUT! And then SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and fans fire up! But TJP pounds the mat and goes back up the corner! TJP aims, MAMBA SPLASH!!! Cover, TJP wins!

Winner: TJP, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki gains 0)

It took a few more shots than TJP expected, but he still came away with the win! Will the United Empire soon conquer the Best of the Super Juniors? Speaking of…

 

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

The Nova Fireball and #DaDrilla are both United Empire, but they’re both 2-1 and they both want to be Best of the Super Juniors. Will this stay a friendly match? Or will things get tense within the team?

The two throw up the crowns to show respect and the fans applaud. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Dan powers Akira back to ropes. The ref counts, Dan lets off and he lets Akira come back. Akira gets fans to clap “A! KI-RA!” and the two tie up again. Dan headlocks, grinds Akira down, but Akira fights up, only for Dan to grind him back down. Akira keeps fighting, and he pushes on one of Dan’s legs to make him kneel. Akira then slips out to headlock back. Fans applaud and Dan fights up. Dan powers out, they RAM shoulders, and Dan eggs Akira on. Akira runs again, they RAM shoulders, but neither falls.

Dan flexes, but Akira kicks low! Akira CLUBS away on Dan’s neck, then says he’s smarter than Dan. But Dan blocks the whip! And blocks again! Dan whips Akira, Akira ducks ‘n’ dodges then CALF KICKS! Dan stays up because he’s bigger than Akira. Akira goes up a corner, Dan runs in but Akira BOOTS him! Akira leaps, but Dan catches him! Dan says, “Abunai gaijin desu <I’m a dangerous foreigner.>” Dan then pops Akira to a suplex but Akira slips free. Akira waistlocks, Dan breaks free and shoves Akira. Akira comes back but Dan hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up and Dan suplexes Akira high and hard! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally and Dan keeps his cool. Akira crawls to a corner but Dan stalks him. Dan kicks Akira around, then CHOPS him! Dan stalks Akira to the other side now, but Akira throws forearms! Dan CHOPS again! Akira falls into the corner and Dan even shakes out his hand. Dan drags Akira up to kick, CHOP and repeat! Akira falls on the last chop, Dan covers, TWO! Fans rally up for “A! KI-RA!” but Dan stalks him. Dan CLUBS Akira and eggs him on. Akira throws a forearm, but Dan eggs him on more. Akira throws a forearm, and a CHOP! And a DOUBLE CHOP! Dan CHOPS Akira right back down!

Fans rally up, Dan runs, but Akira follows and wheelbarrows, victory roll for STOMP 182! Both men are down and fans fire up! Fans rally, both men go to corners, and Akira runs in to clotheslines! Akira goes corner to corner to back elbow! Akira fires up and shouts, “Akita! Iku ze! <Here we go!>” The fans fire up for Akira’s Japanese and he runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Dan bails out, Akira PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Dan! Fans fire up and Akira puts Dan back in. Fans rally up, Akira climbs a corner, and Akira CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” again as he drags Dan around.

Akira tries to bring Dan up but he’s a big boy. Akira hooks Dan up but Dan fireman’s carries! Akira fights free, CLUBS Dan down, then runs again. Dan fireman’s carries! But Akira pops up, POISON-RANA!! Dan staggers, rebounds, ducks ‘n’ dodges and GORES!! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives and the fans fire up again! Dan sits up and slashes his throat. Dan drags Akira up, and shouts he is again the dangerous gaijin! But Akira arm-drags free, pops up, only for Dan to block the rana! Dan brings Akira up, pops him out and SPINNING CHOPS! Then fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up as Akira survives again. Dan pounds the mat and fans rally up. Dan drags Akira up but Akira is dead weight now. The ref checks Akira but Dan pats him on the shoulder. Dan drags Akira up, Canadian Racks, but Akira slips out to SUPERKICK! Dan sits up, but into a SLIDING KNEE! And then Akira aims, FIREBALL!! Cover, Akira wins!

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

That was definitely a heated battle! And in the end, Akira proves he is the senpai in the team! They both still throw up the crowns, will this block still belong to the Empire?

 

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

The Timesplitter has been slowing down but Speedball is speeding up! Will Kushida be stuck at the bottom of the block? Or can he bring Bailey down from the top?

The bell rings and fans applaud as the two fist bump to show respect. They feel things out, Mike gives testing kicks but Kushida pushes forward. Mike avoids Kushida’s drop toehold, and tries some palm strikes. Kushida keeps up his guard, each man tests with a kick, and then Kushida gets a leg. Mike slips free and the fans applaud. The two keep moving around, Mike again avoids Kushida’s toeholds, but Kushida blocks Mike’s cartwheel move. Mike floats to a waistlock, Kushida spins around and the two clinch onto ropes. The ref counts the break, Kushida lets off cleanly, and fans applaud.

Mike and Kushida feel things out, and then Kushida leaps for a body scissor! Mike fights out of that to turn Kushida over and facelock. Mike then floats to a waistlock, he gator rolls Kushida, but Kushida works on an escape. Kushida grabs Mike’s legs for leverage. Kushida spins around, Mike fights him off with hands but Kushida KICKS Mike in the side. Kushida drops on Mike but Mike spins to avoid the lateral press. Mike’s leg guard keeps Kushida back but Kushida gets around to a waistlock. Kushida then floats and he wants the double wristlock! Mike resists by clasping hands, then he back dorps Kushida!

Mike sets up, but Kushida sunset flips him before the knee drop! Both men get a HEEL HOOK! They fight each other while pulling on the holds, and they roll towards the apron. They both fall to the floor! Both men get up and are forehead to forehead. Kushida CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Mike KICKS in return! And KICKS! And KICKS but only gets post! Even the fans feel that one! Kushida body scissors Mike to drag him down for a KNEEBAR! The ref counts, Mike CLUBS away on Kushida, and Kushida lets go at 4. Mike clutches his leg but Kushida puts him back in the ring, which fans applaud.

Kushida keeps after Mike with the sliding kicks! Mike blocks one but Kushida just KICKS the leg out! Kushida lets the ref check Mike but Mike says he’s fine. It’s a standing count but Mike hobbles up at 3. Kushida then CHOP BLOCKS the leg! And SMASHES the knee on the mat! Kushida shows his mean side but Mike kicks at him. Kushida gives some kicks to the side but Mike keeps a leg guard up. Kushida kicks through the guard, and kicks and stomps and kicks! Kushida grabs the legs but Mike fights up to the ropes. Kushida brings him away, they go to the other side, and the ref counts the break this time.

Kushida lets go at 4, but he KICKS Mike’s arm! Mike KICKS back, and they KICK back and forth! Mike stumbles but he comes back for the lightning flurry! Fans fire up and Mike ENZIGURIS! Kushida stumbles and Mike grits his teeth. Fans rally up and Mike goes to a corner. Mike runs in to SOBAT! And AX KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Kushida falls, and Mike powers up to SHOOTING STAR into the body scissors! HOVERBOARD!! Mike scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets off quickly, then runs in! Mike avoids the roll-up, Kushida tries again, but Mike KNEES him down!! The ref checks and Kushida is dazed!

The ref starts a standing count for Kushida, but he’s still down past 5 of 10! Kushida stirs at 7, stands at 9, but Mike runs in! TATSUMAKI- NO, Kushida blocks! Kushida pushes Mike, Mike BOOTS but Kushida PELES! Kushida aims but Mike HEEL KICKS him first! Then ROUNDHOUSES! Then ROUNDHOUSES again! Mike kicks away on that arm, and rolls Kushida to an ARMBAR! But Kushida stacks it to a cover, TWO!! Kushida tries again, TWO!! Mike lets go to BACKFLIP KNEE DROP! And then ARMBAR!! Fans fire up as Kushida endures! Kushida kicks, flails, reaches out, but Mike traps the other arm, too! Kushida moves around, ROPEBREAK with a foot!

The fans applaud as Mike lets go. Mike rises, drags Kushida up by that arm, and he KICKS Kushida down! And then stands him up, to KICK him back down! Fans rally up, Mike stands Kushida to KICK him down again! Mike drags Kushida up once again, wrenches through, and ELBOW- NO! SLEEPER! Kushida squeezes tight, then shifts around, COBRA TWIST! But Mike powers out! And ROUNDHOUSES! And then THRUST KICKS! And then aims, to spin and TATSUMAKI ROUNDHOUSE!! Kushida falls, Mike goes up and fans fire up, ULTIMA- NO! Kushida moves, and PENALTY KICKS the bad arm!

Kushida KICKS away on the legs, drags Mike down, HOVERBOARD! But Mike throws knees! Mike stands, throws more knees, but Kushida scoops him! BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, TWO!?! Kushida can’t believe it! But he winds up, fires off palm strikes, but Mike SOBATS! And fires off palm strikes in return! BODY BLOW! Kushida blocks the kick, rolls Mike up, HEEL HOOK!! Mike kicks away with his free leg but Kushida gets that, CROSS HEEL HOOK!! Mike taps, Kushida wins!!

Winner: Kushida, by submission (gains 2 points; Bailey gains 0)

The Ace of the Junior Heavyweight Division finally gets on the board! Is there still time for Kushida to turn this around? Will Mike be able to stay near the top after this stumble?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight!

The Rogue Luchador and The Jet are both up from round three, but Desperado is in better shape. Well, record wise at least. Will that leg hold out so Desperado can win again? Or will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion break even?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. Desperado avoids Knight’s drop toehold a la Kushida, and the two keep circling. Knight headlocks, Desperado powers out to headlock but Knight powers out in return. Things speed up, Knight hurdles and Desperado leaps. Things keep moving, Desperado drops and Knight hops over, to then leap over on the return! Fans cheer the opening exchange and even Desperado has to applaud Knight’s agility. Desperado then rushes in but Knight dodges and runs in to top rope springboard! FLYING ARM-DRAG! Desperado bails out, Knight slingshots but Desperado gets in!

Desperado BODY BLOWS Knight and he goes down. Desperado runs, slides, but Knight gets under. Knight sends Desperado into the apron, runs back in, but Desperado pops him up. Knight lands safe to mule kick Desperado, slingshot in and then PLANCHA back out! Fans fire up and Knight brings Desperado up. Knight CHOPS and Desperado goes around the way. Knight follows and CHOPS Desperado again. “Mo ikai!” Knight swings but Desperado ducks! But Knight stops from hitting the post! Desperado stands back up, and Knight CHOPS him again! Fans cheer while Desperado staggers away.

Knight says he outsmarted Desperado there and he puts Desperado in the ring. Snapmare and basement SHOULDER! Knight flexes and fans applaud. Cover, TWO! Knight drags Desperado up, but Desperado throws body shots. Knight knees low, whips, but Desperado avoids the dropkick! Desperado then runs Knight over and fans rally up. Desperado drags Knight up, to CHOP! And then Desperado gets a leg, for the SHIN BREAKER! Trip and elbow drop to the knee! Desperado pulls on the leg in a toehold but Knight endures. Fans rally, Knight crawls back, even as Desperado traps the leg, and gets the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Desperado lets go, “Oops!” He drops a knee on the knee! Desperado plays dumb but Knight tells him no one believes him. Desperado goes to a corner and fans rally up. Knight rises, Desperado storms up and stomps the bad leg. Desperado then CLUBS Knight on the neck. Knight crawls, Desperado drags him up, but Knight throws body shots and an UPPERCUT! Desperado knees low in return. Desperado whips, Knight reverses and SPLASHES In the corner! Knight puts Desperado up top to DROPKICK Desperado to the floor! Fans fire up and Knight builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Desperado!

Knight fires up, he puts Desperado back in and he aims from the apron. Desperado stands, Knight springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Knight went a long distance but didn’t get the win with that. Knight tells “Despy” to get up and he has him in a corner. Knight CHOPS, then he hoists Desperado up top. Knight says “Time to fly!” But Desperado jumps over! Desperado comes back, into the SKY HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Knight keeps focus, saying he’ll end it here. Desperado rises, Knight runs in, but Desperado stops the DDT! Desperado gets the bad leg, for the STRETCH MUFFLER!

Knight reaches out but Desperado drags him away! Desperado thrashes the leg, bends Knight back, but Knight claws his way forward! ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Desperado lets go quickly. Fans rally and duel as Desperado rises. Knight sits up and crawls around, but Desperado roars. Desperado reels Knight in but Knight fights the gut wrench. Knight then slips out, but Desperado switches to back suplex. Knight lands on his feet, swings, but into the gut wrench! GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and fans fire up! Desperado grows frustrated but he fires himself back up.

Desperado stalks Knight and brings him up. Underhooks and PINCHE- NO, Knight wrenches out! Sayanagi and ghost pin! TWO!! But then sunset flip! TWO but back to the ghost pin, TWO!! Desperado stands, blocks a kick, and rolls Knight, to the STRETCH MUFFLER! But Knight rolls it to a cradle! TWO!!! Desperado stands, but Knight SUPERKICKS! Knight says here goes! Knight brings Desperado up, reels him in, picks him up, but Desperado fights the bomb to PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Desperado wins!

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

The Jet started to take off, but he got grounded quickly! Desperado wins this one for Team Strong Style, will he keep on representing until the finals?

 

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

The Ticking Timebomb fell in last round’s main event, and now he’s up against The Murder Machine, whose cheating ways finally helped him out. Will Hiromu be ready for whatever tricks Sho (and Evil) might pull? Or will the House stack the deck again?

Whoa, wait, Evil is already making his way out to the ring! The King of Darkness isn’t hiding that he’s here, even though fans want him to leave. Wait, is Evil joining commentary? Since when? He takes Milano Collection AT’s chair! Will this be all the input Evil has tonight? Sho makes his entrance, and surprisingly doesn’t have his jacket or towel to hide the wrench. In fact, he just has it out in the open. Sho gets the mic, to read a statement? It’s supposedly from Hiromu, and supposedly, Hiromu can’t make it tonight, so he apologizes to the fans but he has to forfeit this round. Fans boo but Sho says this is all true.

As such, Sho expects to be awarded this match. He wants the ring announcer to verify the message and officially award him the match. The announcer isn’t sure, and neither is the ref. But then Sho threatens the announcer into saying it! The announcer reads that Hiromu Takahashi is not able to make it to the show tonight, so he will let Sho win this match. Fans boo more but Sho won’t let the ref read the message. The fans chant for “HI-RO-MU!” but Sho tries to tell them he’s not here. Sho wants the ref to raise his hand, but the ref refuses. There’s nothing proving this is true, but Evil says it’s too bad the champ wasn’t here tonight.

Sho and Evil decide to leave, but the fans still want “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” The House of Torture says there’s nothing that can be done if Hiromu can’t make it. But then Hiromu’s music hits! Sho and Evil are freaking out, because here comes Hiromu, all tied up!! He SHOTGUNS The House! The ref and Young Lions hurry to get Hiromu free of the wrist tape, and he throws Sho into the ring. Hiromu stomps Sho around, the bell rings, and Hiromu fires off forearms! This match is still happening and the fans fire up! The ref wants Hiromu to left off but Hiromu shoves him away to drag Sho back up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries and CORNER DEATH VALLEY! And then another fireman’s carry, but Sho bends the fingers! The ref stops Sho but Sho grabs hold of the ref. This is to distract as Evil gets in with a chair! But Hiromu dodges to SUPERKICK Evil! Hiromu gets the chair, but the ref sees him! The ref grabs the chair and Evil runs away! Sho shoves Hiromu into the ref! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES Hiromu! Fans boo as Evil slides back into the ring. Evil and Sho stomps away on Hiromu, then put one out. They drag Hiromu up and Sho has the chair. Fans boo but Sho SMACKS Hiromu right on the back! And again! And again!

Sho SMACKS Hiromu again, then tosses the chair. Fans boo but Evil puts the ref in the ring. Sho drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS! Then deadlift to POWERBOMB again! And then again! Sho covers, TWO!! Hiromu survives and fans fire up! But Sho has the legs for a BOSTON CRAB! Hiromu endures, the fans rally up, and Hiromu crawls his way forward! Evil has the bell hammer? He wants to wait for Sho to win so he can ring the bell himself! But Hiromu keeps fighting forward to the ROPEBREAK! Sho lets go in frustration and paces around. Sho drags Hiromu up but Hiromu’s dead weight.

Sho wants the ref to check Hiromu. Hiromu’s still in this so Sho drags him up and reels him in. Sho tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Hiromu body scissors! But Sho powers through that, but Hiromu slips out to suplex and FALCON ARROW! Fans fire up while both men crawl. Evil coaches Sho but the fans rally behind Hiromu. Hiromu stands, roars, and he drags Sho up to a fireman’s carry. Sho slips off, swings, misses, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Sho staggers, Hiromu fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY to the outside! Sho holds on, Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP, but Sho still holds onto the ropes!

Sho grabs at the ref! Fans boo as Evil JAMS Hiromu in the chest with a chair! Sho is free and he hurries to fetch Hiromu. Sho sends Hiromu back into the ring, then drags him up. Sho runs, to LARIAT! But Sho isn’t done there, he stands Hiromu up and reels him in to tuck the arms! STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and fans fire up! Sho and Evil are furious but the count is the count! Fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” but Sho slashes his throat. Sho drags Hiromu up, reels him back in and tucks the arms again, SHOCK- NO, Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu Alabama Lifts but Sho fights it back down!

Sho lifts, but Hiromu RANAS through, and into TRIANGLE D! Evil distracts the ref, Sho claws at Hiromu’s face!! Sho gets free, and gets the wrench! Sho takes aim, but Hiromu blocks! Hiromu kicks low, and then pretends Sho hit him with the wrench!! The ref asks Sho about this, Sho defends his innocence, and Hiromu CLOBBERS Evil with the wrench! Sho runs in at Hiromu, into EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Hiromu then dragon sleepers to TIMEBOMB MK. II!! But Hiromu isn’t done there! Hiromu drags Sho back up, brings him around to a fireman’s carry, and TIMEBOMB!! Cover, Hiromu wins!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho gains 0)

The more Sho & Evil play games, the more they find out! The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion isn’t so easy to cheat, will he not be stopped on his journey back to the finals?

 

Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Way of the Grandmaster lost to El Desperado, who lost to the Heel Master in an earlier round. So if Wato beats Kanemaru, can that propel him to the top? Or will Kanemaru keep climbing the ranks for Just5Guys?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Kanemaru wrenches to a wristlock but Wato spins through to wrench back. Wato wristlocks but Kanemaru kicks low to wrench back. Kanemaru hammerlocks, Wato spins that around onto Kanemaru but Kanemaru spins it back onto Wato. Wato throws elbows to hammerlock then headlock. Wato hits the takeover but Kanemaru headscissors. Wato kips free but Kanemaru kicks him low. Kanemaru whips, Wato RANAS! Fans fire up while Kanemaru bails out. Wato runs but Kanemaru gets away. Kanemaru stretches while fans applaud the savvy.

Wato rushes out, Kanemaru runs around the way. Kanemaru slides back in Wato pursues, and Kanemaru runs him over. Kanemaru keeps moving, but he anticipates Wato’s back drop to whip him away. Wato still runs Kanemaru over on the return! Things keep moving, and Kanemaru trips Wato to SMASH the knee on the mat! The game plan that beat Desperado is coming into play. Kanemaru stomps Wato then throws him out. Kanemaru goes out after Wato, SMACKS him off the apron, and then talks some trash. Wato kicks, but Kanemaru blocks to send the leg into the POST! Wato falls and writhes and Red Shoes checks on him.

Kanemaru slides into the ring to wait. Wato is still in this so the ring count starts. Wato sits up at 5 of 20, fans rally, and Wato stands at 12. Wato slides in at 13 but Kanemaru is on him with a SHIN BREAKER! And then a YANK of the leg! Wato writhes more but Kanemaru YANKS the leg again! Fans rally up and Kanemaru SMASHES the knee on the mat! Wato writhes even more, but Kanemaru drops an elbow on the knee. Kanemaru has a toehold but Wato fights back with a chinlock. Kanemaru shrugs that off and pulls on the leg. Wato moves around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud, Red Shoes counts, and Kanemaru lets go.

Kanemaru has his own take on Desperado’s “Oops,” he’s still kneeling on Wato’s knee! Red Shoes reprimands and Kanemaru plays dumb. Kanemaru steps away, then he drags Wato to center. Kanemaru steps through, ties the legs up, and he has a modified DEATHLOCK! Wato endures, flails, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru claims he needs help undoing the hold. Red Shoes counts, Kanemaru lets go for real, and Wato crawls away. Kanemaru stomps the leg, and stomps it again. Kanemaru gives toying kicks but Wato throws forearms! Kanemaru rakes the eyes, then kicks the bad leg!

Kanemaru whips Wato corner to corner, but Wato can’t even make it on that bad leg. Wato hobbles the rest of the way, Kanemaru runs in but into BOOTS! Wato then BULLDOGS! Fans applaud and Wato fires back up. Wato drags Kanemaru up, blocks a kick, and hits a ZIGZAG! Both men are down but Wato gets his bad leg working. Fans rally and Wato brings Kanemaru up to wrench and hook. Kanemaru fights the lift, so Wato throws knee after knee. Wato whips Kanemaru to a corner, runs in, but Kanemaru puts him on the apron. The bad leg jams! Kanemaru runs in but Wato dodges to GAMANGIRI!

Fans fire up and Wato aims, springboard, but Kanemaru dodges! The leg jams again! Kanemaru runs in to dropkick the leg out! Kanemaru then steps through, for a FIGURE FOUR! Wato endures the legendary leglock, and Kanemaru thrashes around to add more pressure! Wato grabs at Red Shoes, begging him not to call this! Wato flails, reaches out, and then he turns it over! Kanemaru turns things back over, but they’re in the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go of the hold and he drags Wato back up. Kanemaru scoops Wato to SLAM him down! Kanemaru then goes up the corner, for the MOONSAULT! Wato moves, Kanemaru lands on his feet!

Wato goes back to the apron, to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Wato goes to ropes, as does Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs in but Wato gets around to a crucifix takedown, and then he brings Kanemaru back up for RECIENTEMENTE! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru escapes and fans fire up! Wato also fires up as he beats his bad leg into working. Wato waistlocks but Kanemaru fights the lift. Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg, shoves and victory rolls, TWO! Kanemaru trips Wato, steps through, but Wato kicks back! SCREW HIGH KICK! Fans fire up as Wato drags Kanemaru back up.

TUTENKAKU GERMAN!! Bridging cover, Wato wins!!

Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru gains 0)

Even Wato is surprised with that result! Will this win over the Heel Master help the Way of the Grandmaster find his way to the finals?

 

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

The Bad Child won big last round, both because it was the main event and because it was against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will Lio continue to that momentum and truly be the Man of the Hour? Or will the Bone Soldier make sure #ItsReborn?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two stare down. Lio encourages the fans to get louder so they oblige. Taiji and Lio circle, feel things out, and then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. They’re in a deadlock, but Taiji does find a point of leverage to put Lio in a corner. Red Shoes counts, and Taiji lets off with a pat on the shoulder. Taiji flexes while egging Lio on. Lio and Taiji reset, circle again, and tie up again. Taiji throws Lio down! Taiji grins, but Lio shoots around to waistlock. Taiji switches, Lio switches then spins Taiji. Taiji blocks the snapmare and spins Lio back to a waistlock. Lio switches to shove Taiji, then he goes the other way.

Taiji stops, Lio ducks ‘n’ dodges but Taiji follows to run Lio over! Fans fire up but Lio is right up to fire forearms! Taiji gives them back, Lio gets the edge and whips. Taiji reverses but Lio slides out. Lio dares Taiji to follow him out there and the fans fire up. Taiji doesn’t follow and he wants Lio to get back in. Red Shoes wants Lio to get back in, but Taiji rushes out after all. Lio slides back in and now Lio taunts Taiji to get back in. Taiji is annoyed, but he does slide in. Taiji blocks a kick, flips Lio, and things speed up again. Lio hurdles, Taiji goes around Lio but Lio avoids the basement dropkick!

Lio runs in to SLIDING LARIAT but Taiji catches it! Ghost pin, TWO! Lio has a cover, TWO! The two stand up, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up and fans fire up. Taiji CHOPS, Lio nods. Lio CHOPS, Taiji shakes it off. Fans rally up and Taiji CHOPS again! Lio CHOPS again! Taiji CHOPS again! Lio gets the fans to get louder, and Lio winds up, to feint and fire off a strike fest! Lio eggs Taiji on, then he dodges the haymaker to fire off more shots and an ENZIGURI! Taiji bails out, Lio builds speed, but Taiji ducks the slide. Taiji fireman’s carries to POST Lio! Red Shoes checks Lio but Taiji unties the blue buckle pad.

Taiji has the Bullet Club Special in play as Red Shoes starts the ring count. Lio stands, gets back in the ring, and Taiji stalks him to a corner. Lio slips away to another corner but Taiji keeps after him. Taiji stomps Lio, CLUBS him, then throws down fists. Taiji digs his boots in but Red Shoes reprimands. Taiji lets off as Red Shoes counts, and Taiji drags Lio back up. Taiji wrenches the arm, then whips and WRINGS Lio’s arm out! Taiji then pulls on the arm, digging his boots into Lio’s shoulder! Lio endures, fans rally, and Lio fights. Lio kicks at Taiji then moves around to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as Taiji lets go.

Taiji stalks Lio back to a corner and CLUBS him back down. Taiji whips Lio corner to corner, runs in corner to corner, but he blocks the boots. Taiji puts Lio in the ropes, ENZIGURI and then SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up and Taiji goes back in to cover, TWO! Lio is still in this but Taiji keeps cool. Taiji drags Lio around but Lio kicks at Taiji. Taiji twists the wrist, Lio sits up to throw body shots, but Taiji just twists harder. Taiji hammerlocks Lio, and aims at the bare buckles. Lio stops himself in time, then he throws elbows Taiji away! Lio ELBOWS Taiji more, ROCKS him again, and then whips.

Taiji holds ropes and blocks the hip, and that hurts Lio’s bad arm. Taiji swings but Lio bobs ‘n’ weaves. Lio whips, Taiji reverses, but Lio JUMP KNEES! And ELBOWS! Fans fire up as Taiji rushes back in, but Lio tosses him out! And then DIVES OUTTA NOWHERE! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks both men and they’re both okay to continue. The ring count starts, fans rally up, and Lio sits up first. Lio gets in the ring at 11, Taiji sits up at 13. Taiji crawls his way over, grabs at the apron at 18, but leaps in at 19! Lio then rushes up to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Lio’s shoutout to tag partner Yoh was not enough!

Lio grows a bit frustrated, but he says it is time! Lio runs the ropes, RUSH- NO, Taiji blocks! Taiji inverted suplexes but Lio slips out. Taiji knees low, whips, Lio reverses but Taiji handsprings for a NEURALIZER! Both men are down and fans fire back up. Taiji stands and storms over, drags Lio up, and POSTS him in the bare corner! Taiji hammerlocks, half nelsons, and scoops for the SHOULDER BUSTER! Lio writhes and fans rally up, but Taiji takes aim from the corner. Taiji runs in, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Lio endures, fans rally up, and Taiji pulls back on the hold! Lio fights his way over, but Taiji kicks the ropes!

Taiji has Lio stuck in the center with the BONE LOCK!! Lio endures, fans rally as hard as they can, and Lio fights up again. Lio rolls Taiji to a cover, TWO! Taiji still has the BONE LOCK, but not the leverage! Lio endures, gets to his feet, and he scoops Taiji! But Taiji turns it around, only for Taiji to turn it back around! But Taiji fights it back around, only for Lio to slip out and schoolboy! TWO!! Lio runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up again as both men stir. Taiji and Lio slowly rise, and Lio throws a forearm! Taiji throws it back, so Lio throws another! Taiji throws that one back, too!

Lio shakes his head, and he throws another forearm! Taiji shakes his head now, and both men stand. The forearms keep going back and forth, and fans rally as they go faster and faster! Taiji kicks low! Taiji brings Lio up by his hair, and swings, but Lio ducks to headbutt low! But Taiji avoids the Scissor Kick! But then Lio ducks the Penalty Kick! Lio rolls Taiji and spins to BASEMENT ENZIGURI! Fans fire up but Taiji roars! Taiji LARIATS but Lio stays up! Lio LARIATS right back! And then Lio fireman’s carries, spins and spins and F5!! Lio goes to the corner, goes up top, and fans fire up for the FINAL HOUR, onto knees!!

Lio sputters, Taiji drags him up and gut wrenches, for CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO!! Lio survives and fans fire back up! Taiji is too tired to be upset, he just goes to the ropes. Taiji drags himself up, takes aim with his finger gun and  says BANG! Taiji drags Lio back up, BLOODY- NO, Lio slips out! And then ducks as Taiji rushes in, to SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and Lio is beside himself! Fans rally, Taiji gives Lio a kick while they’re both down. Lio sits up first, and he again says it’s time! Lio goes for a corner but Taiji anchors a foot. Lio hops up to HEEL KICK! And then Lio runs, RUSH- KNEE!!

Taiji roars as he disrupts Rush Hour! Dragon sleeper, 1916!! Cover, TWO!!! Lio survives Taiji’s shoutout to The Prince! Taiji drags Lio up, but Lio is dead weight. Taiji grins and drags Lio up again. Taiji gut wrenches, CIPHER- ROLLING SPIKE-RANA!! Lio counters with an almost inverted Destroyer! Fans are thunderous, Lio runs, RUSH HOUR!! Lio hurries up top for the FINAL HOUR!!! Cover, LIO WINS!

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

The Bad Child is the ONLY undefeated man in the entire tournament! Taiji joins the 3-1 club, will he have to work even harder to make sure that’s his only loss?

As for Lio, he gets the ice, catches his breath, and then gets the mic. Fans cheer Lio on as he sits up to say, “AKITAAA~! I am… I always have, from the moment that I was a little boy, just like that one right there. You see? Please. Show these kids.” Lio has the cameraman follow him out of the ring so he can point out the very young fans in the front row. “This right here is what it is all about. These two.” And on his wrist tape are the names of his boys, his babies, at home right now, watching Lio be UNDEFEATED in the BOSJ 30! Fans cheer that.

Lio says, “At the end of the day, these people are who I do it for. These people are why I am alive today. These people are why I breathe. Akita, you are why I feel more alive than ever before!” The fans cheer that, too, as they appreciate that. Lio continues with, “Look at me. Look at me! I am the best thing out today. I knew it since I was a little boy, I knew it since I was a child, and I will prove it at the end of this tournament that I am in deed the Best of the Super Juniors. And my name is the Bad Child, LIO! RUSH!” Fans cheer as the Man of the Hour waves hi to the young girl, and holds the little baby up. Will these young fans be Lio Rush fans for life?

 

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Lio Rush: 4-0, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-1, 6 points
Mike Bailey: 3-1, 6 points
Titán: 3-1, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
TJP: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 1-3, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-3, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-3, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-4, 0 points

 

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Francesco Akira: 3-1, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-1, 6 points
Master Wato: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-2, 4 points
Dan Moloney: 2-2, 4 points
YOH: 2-2, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 1-3, 2 points
BUSHI: 0-4, 0 points


My Thoughts:

Another great round of the BOSJ for the NJPW, and it is awesome that Lio not only won in the main event again, but that he is THE guy at 4-0 in this tournament. That is great for him, as NJPW seems to be the one promotion that fully understands Lio Rush. NXT did great, but RawDown didn’t (Vince). AEW tried, still didn’t quite do it right, but here, in NJPW, he has been able to really shine. I feel like he should definitely be a finalist, an they already gave him a win over Hiromu, so he doesn’t have to win the whole thing.

Speaking of Hiromu, it was hilarious that Sho’s newest way of faking genuineness was claiming Hiromu couldn’t make it like there was an accident or something. Hiromu wins out so that he breaks even, he’ll surely make it to the semifinals, probably even facing Lio again. Taguchi continuing to be winless is a bit of a surprise but I guess this is to add more power to when Serious Taguchi finally does win. Bushi’s in the same boat, but he isn’t really changing up his style, he just isn’t cutting it. Maybe Bushi’s big win is meant to be a big spoiler for someone wanting to get into the semifinals.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/30/25)

The greatEST SmackDown!

Published

on

Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?

SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
  • R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
  • Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
  • Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
  • Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bianca Belair is here!

Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!

Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!

Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!

Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.

Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!

Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!

SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!

Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!

Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.

Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!

Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!

Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”

Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?

 

Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.

Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.

Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?

 

Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.

The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!

Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”

The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?

 

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.

Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?

 

R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!

To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?

SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!

JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!

Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall

Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?

 

The Street Profits are here!

The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”

The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…

Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!

Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.

Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!

Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?

 

Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!

Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?

Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!

Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!

Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.

Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.

Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.

Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.

Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!

Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!

Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!

Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall

All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?

 

The Wyatts speak.

“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?

 

Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!

La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?

The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.

Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!

The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!

The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.

Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!

Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?

 

The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.

Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.

But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?

 

Giulia speaks.

“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”

Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?

 

Zelina returns backstage.

She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?

 

Damian Priest is here!

Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.

“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!

The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.

Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!

SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!

Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!

Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.

Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.

Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.

Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.

Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.

Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.

Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!

The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!

The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!

Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!

But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!

Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?

 

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!

“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.

“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?

 

Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.

Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”

 

Cody Rhodes is here!

Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.

Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.

The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.

Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.

“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!

The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!

The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.

The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”

Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.

“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!

Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!

Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!

Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?


My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.

The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.

Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.

R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.

Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25

Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

Published

on

Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.

Ratings:

  • The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
  • Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
  • ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
  • Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
  • Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
  • International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***

 

Results:

The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System

Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb. 

Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.

KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.

AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.

Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali

Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.

Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.

Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.

This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”. 

ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee

ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.

Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!

Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber

Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.

Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa

Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.

Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.

International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona

A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.

Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!

Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!

 

Overall Score: 4.5/10

Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?

Go home TNA, you’re drunk.

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