Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/17/23)
Round five, FIGHT!

Number five is alive!
Get ready for still more Best of the Super Juniors 30! Hiromu Takahashi has broke even at 2-2, can he move up or will he fall down the ranks?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS BUSHI; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: TJP VS SHO; TJP wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Dan Moloney; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS YOH; Yoh wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current 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 current 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
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The Funky Weapon has been fighting much more seriously, but he’s seriously in trouble! He’s 0-4 and going up against the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, will he be out of the running after this? Or can he win big and defuse the Timebomb?
Hiromu’s picture diary shows the last time Taguchi was serious, and that was a long time ago. And instead of handing it to Milano Collection AT, Hiromu hands the diary over to Hiroshi Tanahashi, the special guest on commentary. Tanahashi thanks Hiromu for that, though Milano may be a little sad. The bell rings and fans rally and duel between “HI-RO-MU!” and “TA-GU-CHI!” They tie up, Taguchi gets around to a waistlock but Hiromu wrenches out to a wristlock. Taguchi rolls, kips, wrenches and hammerlocks. Hiromu reaches back to get a headlock, but Taguchi powers up to wrench out.
Hiromu powers through but Taguchi still gets the headlock. Fans applaud and Hiromu fights up. Hiromu powers out but Taguchi runs him over! Fans fire up and things speed up. Taguchi fakes Hiromu out to dropkick! Taguchi steps over but Hiromu rolls him up, TWO! Hiromu steps through, but Taguchi blocks to a cover, TWO! Fans rally and things speed up. Hiromu sunset flips but Taguchi rolls through to basement dropkick! Hiromu bails out and Taguchi strikes a pose a la The Prince! Taguchi builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and fans fire up for “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi drags Hiromu up and puts him in the ring.
Taguchi aims from the apron, springboards, and MISSILE HIPS! Hiromu comes back but Taguchi dodges to dropkick the legs out! Taguchi gets a leg for OH MY GAH ANKLE! Hiromu flails around, reaches out, but Taguchi leans on the hold! Hiromu hops up but Taguchi reels him in for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Taguchi keeps focus. Taguchi goes up the corner, to ENBAN CHUUDOKU! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but Taguchi is right on him with OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Hiromu flails, reaches out, but Taguchi stands to lean as much as he can on the leg!
Hiromu grips at his hair, reaches out for the ropes, but Taguchi drags him away! Chicken wings and DODON- NO, Hiromu fights it, so Taguchi TIGER SUPLEXES! Fans fire up and Taguchi runs, but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taguchi hurries to chicken wing again, DODON- NO, Hiromu slips out to facelock! Taguchi wrenches out to ENZIGURI! Taguchi runs to AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again but fans are thunderous for “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi chicken wings again, DODON- NO, Hiromu fights out again! Fireman’s carry roll and then- CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN! TWO!!
Hiromu tucks Taguchi, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! HIROMU WINS!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi gains 0)
That was the closest that Serious Taguchi came to winning! And yet, Hiromu is the one who comes away with the points! Will Taguchi ever get on the board like this? Will Hiromu continue to prove why he’s the Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS BUSHI!
The Jet is doing only a little better than the Black Mask, but that could change right here. Who wins to make the other the bottom of the B Block?
The bell rings and Knight SHOTGUNS Bushi down! Knight hurries to fire off forearms in the corner, then he kicks low. Knight whips corner to corner, runs and STINGER SPLASHES! Fans fire up and Knight says it’s time already. Bushi stands, but he denies the satellite DDT! He puts Knight on the apron and dropkicks him down! Knight hobbles but he hurries back up, only for Bushi to DECK him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up with Bushi and he brings Knight up. Bushi puts Knight in, whips him to ropes, but Knight reverses. But Bushi avoids the dropkick to basement dropkick!
Bushi snapmares Knight, and clamps on a chinlock. Knight endures as Bushi’s knee digs into his back. Knight reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go quickly, and brings Knight back up. Bushi suplexes, puts Knight on the ropes and CLUBS him! Bushi then goes to the corner for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Bushi drags Knight up, brings him through the ropes, but Knight throws body shots. Bushi brings Knight towards a corner but Knight blocks the bump to bump Bushi off buckles! Knight then triangle jump LARIATS Bushi down! Fans rally up as Bushi flops to the floor. Knight waits on Bushi to stand, and then PLANCHAS! Direct hit in front of commentary!
Fans fire up as Knight flexes, and Knight drags Bushi back into the ring. Knight drags Bushi up, whips him, but Bushi reverses. Knight springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Knight keeps his cool and he brings Bushi up. Knight CHOPS, hoists Bushi up top, and then says it’s time to fly! Knight springs right up, but Bushi slips under! Bushi CLUBS Knight, brings him down and whips him corner to corner. Bushi runs in to elbow Knight, then brings Knight out. Knight swings but Bushi catches him, spins him, but Knight wrenches out. Bushi dodges to dropkick the legs out! Fans rally up while Knight writhes.
Bushi goes to a corner, he watches Knight rise, and he runs in. Knight blocks the Code Breaker, jumps, but no satellite! Bushi runs in, into the SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO! Knight says he’s done, and he brings Bushi back up. Bushi ROCKS Knight with a forearm! Knight ROCKS Bushi! Bushi ROCKS Knight! The fans rally as they go back and forth! Knight gets the edge, but Bushi dodges! Knight blocks one kick, ducks the enziguri, but the HEEL KICK hits! Fans fire up and Bushi runs, but Knight DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up again and Knight fires up, too! Knight drags Bushi up, UPPERCUTS, then puts him up top.
Knight springs up to FLYING STEINER! OW that is a rough landing for Bushi! Knight waits on Bushi to stand back up, then jumps again, SPIKE DDT!! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi gains 0)
A crash landing for Bushi leaves him at the bottom, will he ever get a win? As for Knight, he’s flying high again, will he still reach the destination?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: TJP VS SHO!
The Public Enemy conquered Douki for the United Empire, but the Murder Machine could not cheat the Ticking Timebomb. Will Sho have a new trick up his sleeve? Or will TJP be ready for anything he pulls?
Wait, Evil appears, and he has a United Empire towel? Did he steal that? He’s claiming he’s here as TJP’s friend? What new trickery is this? TJP is wary as he puts his things aside, but the bell rings and TJP circles with Sho. Fans rally for “T J P! T J P!” Evil creeps close, TJP tells him to back off, but Sho CLOBBERS TJP from behind! Sho stomps TJP around, claws his eyes, but the ref reprimands. Sho lets off, he whips TJP corner to corner, but TJP headstands in the corner. Sho storms up but into a headscissors! Things keep moving, TJP drop toeholds and then ties Sho up! Fans rally as TJP leans back, MUTA LOCK!
Sho fights free of the crossface and gets the ROPEBREAK! TJP SLAPS Sho while he lets off. TJP then drags Sho up to UPPERCUT! Sho staggers, TJP tells Evil to go away but Evil throws up the crown! He’s really committed to the bit. TJP whips, Sho reverses but TJP ducks then goes Spider-Man! Sho distracts the ref and Evil shoves TJP down! Fans boo, of course Evil isn’t TJP’s friend. But Sho drags TJP up to TOSS him out! Sho distracts the ref so Evil can CHOKE TJP with the towel! Fans boo more but Evil gets away with it. Evil then drags TJP up and puts him in the ring. Sho covers, TWO! Sho gets mad but fans applaud.
Sho knuckle locks TJP and twists the wrist. Sho brings TJP down to a knee to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud but Sho grins as he paces around TJP. Sho stands on TJP’s head, Evil taunts TJP, and the ref reprimands. Sho digs his boots in, the ref counts and Sho lets off. Sho puts TJP in the corner to rake the eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, Sho stops at 4. Sho grinds his forearm into TJP’s face a few times, and TJP sits down. Sho decides to give TJP a taste of his own medicine! Sho scrapes laces off TJP’s face, then he runs side to side. TJP gets up to RANA Sho! Fans fire up as Sho staggers.
TJP atomic drops Sho, whips him, but Sho reverses. TJP springboards to FLYING FOREARM! Direct hit, and TJP drags Sho up. TJP whips Sho to the corner, runs corner to corner to back elbow! TJP sits Sho down to give him the laces in the face! TJP runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up while Evil gets upset. Fans chant “MO IKAI! MO IKAI!” so TJP gives Sho another round! TJP runs side to side but Evil trips him up! TJP WRECKS Evil with a dropkick! Sho runs in, into a GAMANGIRI! TJP climbs but Evil distracts! The ref tells Evil to get down, but Sho hits the ropes to trip TJP!
Fans boo but Sho goes up after TJP. Sho brings TJP up for a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Sho is frustrated but he brings TJP right up. STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and Evil is furious! Sho argues the count but the count was fair! Fans rally for “T J P! T J P!” but Sho stalks him. Sho aims his bow, brings TJP back up, but TJP is deadweight. Sho says he wins but the ref says no, TJP is still conscious. So Sho hauls TJP up, tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, TJP slips free! TJP blocks the haymaker to ROLLING SOBAT! Sho staggers around, swings, but into the FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO!!
Sho survives and Evil is relieved. But TJP shakes his head and the fans rally up. TJP brings Sho up, fireman’s carries, calls his shot, but Sho bends the fingers! Fans boo, the ref counts, but Sho throws TJP into the ref! Sho then hurries to get his wrench! Fans boo more as Sho takes aim, but TJP HAS A WRENCH!? The Public Enemy came prepared! But then Sho drops?! He’s trying to pull an Eddie Guerrero! Fans boo but the ref is still down. TJP takes the other wrench and Evil shouts! The ref sees TJP with both tools, TJP defends his innocence, but Sho rolls TJP up! TWO!! TJP checks with the ref, but Sho runs in!
TJP goes up and over, and Sho avoids hitting the ref! Evil distracts the ref, but TJP blocks the low blow! TJP reels Sho in and kicks off Evil for the TORNADO DDT! Sho is in the drop zone and TJP goes up top! Fans fire up as TJP hits the MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TJP wins!
Winner: TJP, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho gains 0)
The House of Torture cheated themselves out of a win, will they ever give up on these antics? Will TJP take over the block for the United Empire?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors w/ Gedo!
The Nova Fireball beat #DaDrilla but with respect as fellow United Empires. However, 100 Proof has shown no respect to his opponents, because this is the Savages Only Club now! Will Connors put out the fire with No Chaser? Or will Akira give the Wild Rhino the stiff shot?
The bell rings and Connors runs Akira right over! Connors mocks the fans cheering Akira, then he suplexes Akira high and hard! Fans still rally for Akira but Connors brings him up to trophy lift. Connors aims for ropes, but Akira slips off! Akira CHOPS, whips, but Connors reverses to CLOBBER Akira! Connors TOSSES Akira out, then goes out after him. Connors talks trash on the fans, brings Akira up, and POSTS him! Akira tumbles all the way to commentary, and Connors storms up. Kevin Knight has joined Kevin Kelly, Connors talks trash on him, and then Connors mocks the crowd.
Akira crawls but Connors stomps him down. Connors tells fans to move, but Akira throws forearms. Connors ROCKS Akira, the fans get out of the way, and Connors BOWLS Akira into the chairs! Gedo says that’s a strike! The ref checks Akira but he’s somehow okay. Connors goes back into the ring, Akira crawl out from the chairs. Fans rally as “A! KI-RA!” crawls. Gedo tells Akira to give up but he does not. The ring count reaches 5 of 20, then 10. Akira is still crawling, but he flounders and uses the commentary table to get up at 15! Akira staggers and stumbles in at 18! Fans applaud but Connors says fine, he’ll just beat Akira more.
Connors drags Akira up, and he gives POINT-BLANK HIPS! A reference back to his #WildHips team with Taguchi. Akira CHOPS, Connors CHOPS and then Connors whips Akira hard into a corner! Akira writhes on the mat and Gedo says he should just give up already. Connors looms over Akira, brings him up, and CLUBS him on the back. Connors whips but Akira avoids the powerslam. Akira BOOTS Connors, runs in to wheelbarrow, but Connors turns that into a WHEELBARROW GERMAN! Fans fire up and Connors sits Akira up. Akira endures the chinlock with a knee in his back, and he fights to his feet.
Akira throws elbows but Connors snap suplexes him! Connors pushes Akira down, lines up the shot, and drops an elbow! “That’s what I’m talking about!” Connors sits Akira back up for the chinlock. Akira fights up again, throws body shots, but Connors snapmares him back into the chinlock. Akira endures again, fights up again, and throws more elbows. Connors CLUBS him down! Akira roars and rises, to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Akira runs, but Connors goes the other way! But Akira ducks the Pounce! Connors flies into ropes! Fans fire up, Connors runs up, but Akira dodges to fire off forearms!
Connors swings, misses, and Akira fires more forearms! And a DOUBLE CHOP! Akira powers up, but Connors ROCKS him back! Connors runs, but Akira follows and wheelbarrows to victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans fire up while Connors sputters to the corner. Akira runs corner to corner to SHOTGUN Connors! And then Akira brings Connors around, “IKU ZO!” Akira runs, dodges, RANAS and Connors flops out of the ring! Akira PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up more! Akira keeps going, he puts Connors back in! Akira goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Connors is in this but the fans rally behind “A! KI-RA!”
Akira and Connors rise, and Akira reels Connors in. Connors fights free but Akira dropkicks the legs out! Akira goes to a corner, runs in, but into a POWERSLAM! Gedo says this is it, and Connors snarls as he goes to a corner. Akira rises, Connors runs in, SPEAR- SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Akira stands, spins Connors to a rolling leg cradle! TWO!! Akira SUPERKICKS, fires up, runs, but into a SPEAR!! Connors hurries to bring Akira up, NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira gains 0)
Connors puts out the fire and takes Akira’s spot at the top! Will the Nova Fireball be able to heat back up next round? Will the BOSJ 30 be 100 Proof?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS DOUKI!
The Bad Child is the ONLY undefeated 4-0 man in the BOSJ! Will he keep that streak going against Japones Del Mal? Or will Douki win big for Just5Guys?
The bell rings and Douki rushes in, but Lio dodges! Lio kicks, kicks and ENZIGURIS! Douki bails out, Lio builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up! Lio puts Douki in, but Douki builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit in return! Fans fire up while both men are down! Douki brings Lio around and into the ring and fans applaud. Douki goes up top, leaps, but Lio avoids the diving stomps! Lio rolls Douki up, spins and BASEMENT ENZIGURI! Fans applaud again while Lio catches his breath. Lio encourages the fans to get louder, then he brings Douki up. Douki fights the lift, but both men kick low.
Lio throws hands, he reels Douki in again, but Douki again fights the lift with punches. Douki has Lio in a corner and claws at his eyes! The ref reprimands, Douki lets off and he whips Lio corner to corner. Lio reverses, runs in to clothesline, then whips side to side. Douki dodges to come back and CLOBBER Lio! Fans fire up, Douki brings Lio around to swing and SAHARAWI! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Douki goes to the apron. Douki aims as Lio rises, and Douki slingshots, but Lio blocks Daybreak! Lio suplexes, SPINNING FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and Lio grows frustrated.
Lio pounds the mat, fans rally behind him, and Lio says it is time! Lio runs, but Douki anchors a foot! Douki trips Lio, wheelbarrows, but Lio mule kicks him away. Douki comes back, Lio dodges and SPANISH FLIES! Lio hurries to a corner and climbs up! FINAL HOUR into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Lio gets caught, reaches out, but Douki rolls him away! ITALIAN STRETCH #32, but Lio jackknife bridges! TWO, and Douki swings. Lio dodges, fires off a strike fest, then runs. Douki ducks to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Douki roars! Douki wheelbarrows and lifts, but Lio fights the full nelson!
Douki CLUBS and ENZIGURIS Lio down! Douki tries again, but Lio scrambles to ropes! The ref counts, Douki CLUBS Lio but Lio refuses to let go. Douki keeps pulling, Lio uses that momentum to swing around and sunset flip! High stack, TWO, into ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Lio is caught and fans fire up! Lio fights around, reaches out, drags Douki with him, but Douki rolls Lio away again! ITALIAN STRETCH, but Lio rolls! Douki makes it a cover, TWO!! Back to ITALIAN STRETCH 32!! Lio VERBALLY QUITS, DOUK WINS!!!
Winner: Douki, by submission (gains 2 points; Lio gains 0)
Incredible!! Douki defeats the undefeated!! Granted, Lio is still the leader in the block and Douki is still stuck in the middle, but could this lead to quite the change in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Robbie Eagles w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Heel Master fell to 2-2 against the Way of the Grandmaster, but The Sniper is still aiming for the top spot. Will Kanemaru take that shot away from Eagles? Or will he learn why The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
As soon as Kanemaru’s in the ring, he attacks Eagles! Just5Guys must be fired up after Douki’s big win! Kanemaru stomps Eagles all around, the bell rings, and Kanemaru just keeps stomping! Kanemaru whips, Eagles hurdles and then RANAS Kanemaru out! Fans rally up and Eagles builds speed, but Kanemaru moves. Eagles backflips off the ropes, then DIVES out the side, onto to get Fujita! Eagles apologizes, but then Kanemaru attacks Eagles! Kanemaru SMACKS Eagles off the apron, brings him around, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Then Kanemaru SLAMS the bad leg into the post! Eagles falls and the ref reprimands but fans rally up.
Kanemaru slides into the ring and he waits on Eagles. The ring count starts and Eagles stirs. Eagles rises but the bad leg keeps him down. The count passes 10 of 20 as Eagles continues to hobble. Eagles manages to get in at 14 but Kanemaru whips Eagles and dropkicks the leg! Then he SMASHES it on the mat! Eagles scrambles to ropes but Kanemaru puts him in a corner. Kanemaru stands on the bad leg, the ref calls the break, then counts. Kanemaru lets off at 4, and he stomps the leg again! Kanemaru stomps the leg, but Eagles CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Kanemaru just stomps the bad leg again!
Kanemaru steps through, ties up the legs, CROSS HEEL LEGLOCK! Eagles endures Kanemaru’s unique hold and the fans rally up. Eagles crawls forward, drags Kanemaru along, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets go at 4. He didn’t even pretend not to know how this time. Kanemaru stomps Eagles around, taunts him, gives him toying kicks, then brings Eagles up. Kanemaru grabs the bad leg for another SHIN BREAKER! Fans rally while Eagles writhes but Kanemaru looms over him. Kanemaru stomps the bad leg, fans rally for Eagles, but Kanemaru stands him up, just to kick the bad leg again.
Kanemaru whips corner to corner and Eagles barely makes it there. Kanemaru runs in to BOOT Eagles down! Eagles throws body shots and a kick, but Kanemaru kicks the leg! Kanemaru runs, but Eagles avoids the slide! Eagles kicks, Kanemaru ducks and kicks back. Kanemaru scoops but Eagles slips off to ROLLING CHOP BLOCK! Eagles then runs to BLINDSIDER! Both men are down and fans fire up. Eagles clutches his leg but he hobbles back up. Fans rally and Eagles KICKS Kanemaru in the chest! And again, and again! Eagles runs, LEG LARIAT! Kanemaru goes to the corner, Eagles runs in, and DOUBLE KNEES!
Eagles rolls back but the bad leg slows him down! Kanemaru BOOTS Eagles, but then Eagles LOW 619s! And then METEORAS! Eagles hobbles back, clutching the leg, but he drags Kanemaru from the corner. Eagles covers, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this but Eagles vows to end this. Eagles brings Kanemaru up but Kanemaru fights the Asai DDT. Eagles ROCKS Kanemaru, cravats again, but Kanemaru kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru grabs the leg again, but Eagles turns shin breaker into sunset flip! TWO! Kanemaru swings, misses, Eagles schoolboys with a bridge! TWO, Kanemaru kicks, but Eagles blocks!
Eagles fires off shots, picks Kanemaru up, and flying-mares him over! No backpack, but Kanemaru victory rolls! TWO, and Kanemaru steps through! FIGURE FOUR!! Fans fire up while Eagles endures! Kanemaru thrashes around, Eagles reaches out, and Eagles works to turn the hold over. Kanemaru keeps it stuck where it is but Eagles keeps fighting! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets off slowly and the fans rally up again. Kanemaru drags Eagles up, has the leg again, but Eagles fights the lift with elbows! Kanemaru kicks the leg out! And then suplexes, but Eagles slips free!
Eagles shoves Kanemaru to a corner, runs in, but is put on the apron. The leg jabs! Kanemaru kicks the leg! But Eagles still GAMANGIRIS in return! Eagles aims, springboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS Kanemaru’s legs! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Eagles fires up and hobbles over. Eagles steps through but Kanemaru kicks him away. Eagles comes back, but Kanemaru blocks the Trigger! Kanemaru runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Eagles blocks the DDT! Eagles manages to power Kanemaru around to a fireman’s carry, and the TURBO BACKPACK!! But the bad leg won’t let him make the cover! Eagles crawls to the pin, TWO!!
Fans fire up, Eagles takes aim and runs in, TRIGGER KICK!! Cover, Eagles wins!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru gains 0)
Even with one leg, the Sniper still hits the mark! Will Eagles continue to fly towards the top, damaged as he is?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS Mike Bailey!
Both men are 3-1, but one is on the rise while the other is on the downfall. Will El Inmortal stay alive? Or will the Speedball rebound in the fifth?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up and duel, and Mike encourages them to get louder. They cheer for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” but there’s also “TI-TA-NN! TI-TA-NN!” The dueling chants continue as each man gets the fans on their side. Mike applauds and he offers a handshake. Titan takes it and fans applaud the sportsmanship. They circle, feel things out, and then Mike trips Titan. Things speed up, Mike handsprings over and then sidesteps. Mike then hurdles, Titan leaps over, and Mike kips up. Titan avoids the boot to RANA! Mike bails out and fans fire up as Titan builds speed!
Mike moves so Titan rolls and flips! Mike comes running back in to JUMP KICK Titan down! Fans fire up and Mike feels the energy. Mike follows Titan around the way, kicks him low and then CHOPS him at the ramp! Mike brings Titan around and into the ring, and fans applaud again. Mike encourages them to get louder, then he brings Titan up. Mike whips Titan corner to corner, runs in and BOOTS! Then he scoops to SLAM Titan, and he goes up the corner. Fans rally as Mike DOUBLE KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO! Titan is still in this but Mike keeps his cool. Mike waits on Titan as the fans rally up.
Titan stands, into a CHOP! Titan CHOPS back! Mike CHOPS again! Titan CHOPS again! They CHOP and CHOP and CHOP and fans fire up! Mike eggs Titan on, Titan roars and CHOPS again and again and again! Mike fires off the lightning kicks! And he tops it off with the ENZIGURI! Fans fire up and Titan flounders to a corner. Mike storms over, brings Titan up, and CHOPS again! Titan sputters and the fans rally. Mike hears them, and he brings Titan up to whip. Titan reverses but Mike holds ropes. Titan runs in but is put on the apron. Titan GAMANGIRIS back, then springboards to CROSSBODY!
Titan keeps going but Mike kicks and whips. Titan reverses but Mike denies the tornado! SOBAT! AX KICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up and Mike takes aim, SHOOTING STAR FLOPS as Titan moves! Titan then goes to ropes. Mike blocks the boot, CHOPS Titan and whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up but Mike flops out of the ring. Fans fire up and Titan builds speed, but Mike trips him! Mike gets in, builds speed, and WRECKS Titan with a dropkick! Mike hurries to put Titan back in but Titan gets moving, and Titan DIVES! Direct hit in front of commentary!
Titan hurries to put Mike back in, but Mike is up to BOOT him down! Mike triangle jump QUEBRADAS! Another direct hit and Mike puts Titan in the ring. Mike climbs a corner, but Titan GAMANGIRIS him down! Titan builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit again!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down at commentary’s feet! A ring count starts, both men are still down at 7 of 20. Titan sits up at 10, fans rally as hard as they can, and Titan crawls around at 15. Commentary tells him to hurry! We’re at 18! Titan and Mike slide in at 19.5!! Titan hurries to the apron, and up the corner, but Mike shoves him down!
Titan gets up, runs back in but Mike dodges to throw Titan down by his mask! Titan kips up to PELE! Mike is on the apron, Titan slingshots but Mike avoids the stomps! Leg sweep! Mike hurries out to the apron, has the leg, and then decides to BACKFLIP KNEE DROP!! Direct hit and Titan flops to the floor! Mike hurries to put Titan back in and he goes up the corner! Fans rally as Mike aims, ULTIMA- NO, Titan moves and Mike rolls through. Titan runs in, Mike wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO! Titan has it, TWO! Titan has a leg and steps through! But Mike kicks him away, and then catches him for a cradle! TWO!!
The fans are thunderous again as this continues! Titan hurries up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! THRUST KICK! Mike aims and powers up, TATSUMAKI- BOOT! SOBAT! KICK! JUMPING SOBAT!! Fans are thunderous again as Titan hurries back to a corner! Titan skins the cat, but TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU! And then, the tuck, lift, FLAMINGO DRIVER!!! Cover, Mike wins!!
Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titán gains 0)
A truly fast and furious fight of constant motion, and in the end, Speedball smiles as the victor! Mike shows Titan respect by shaking his hand, will these two get to go again in the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Dan Moloney!
The Way of the Grandmaster overcame the Heel Master, but he’s still just 2-2, same as #DaDrilla. Will Wato find a way to keep the momentum going? Or will “Dangerous Gaijin Dan” conquer him for the United Empire?
Dan attacks Wato during the ref’s check! The bell rings as Dan stomps away! The fans rally up and Dan throws up the crown. Dan CLUBS Wato, kicks him around, but Wato kicks back! Wato kicks more but Dan UPPERCUTS! Wato goes to ropes, Dan storms up and he whips Wato to ropes. Dan hurdles, drops, but Wato avoids the dropkick! Wato turns Dan over, body scissors, but Dan slips free to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Dan mocks the Wato pose. Dan stomps Wato around, kicks him in the back, and watches Wato writhe. Wato goes to ropes, Dan drags him up, and snapmares to kick again!
Dan wraps on a body scissors to squeeze! Wato endures, moves around, and fans rally. Dan pulls hair, the ref reprimands, and Wato fights forward to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Dan lets go, “apologizing” to the ref. Dan drags Wato up, hits a BIG back suplex, then covers. TWO and fans rally up. Dan grows frustrated and asks, “This your guy?” Dan drags Wato up to HEADBUTT him down! Dan looms over Wato, brings him up, and kicks! And CHOPS! And kicks! And CHOPS! And kicks but Wato blocks! Dan CHOPS free, then reels Wato in. Wato fights the back suplex and gets to a corner.
Dan runs in but Wato BOOTS him! Wato BULLDOGS! Fans fire up and Wato brings Dan up. Dan swings, misses, and Wato ZIGZAGS! Fans rally up while both men are down. Wato goes to the corner, then the apron. Dan stands, Wato springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up, Wato brings Dan up and reels him in to waistlock. Dan fights the lift, but Wato CLUBS him on the back! Wato CLUBS him again, then whips. Dan reverses and DROPKICKS Wato down! Fans rally up while both men are down. Dan rises and throws up the crown, then he waistlocks Wato. Wato fights the lift, switches, but Dan fights the lift!
Dan switches, spins Wato around and CHOPS him down! Fans rally, Dan builds speed, and he GORES Wato down!! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives and the fans rally back up. Wato and Dan rise, Dan brings Wato in, “ABUNAI GAIJIN!” But Wato slips free of the bomb! Dan CHOPS him, but Wato roars! Dan runs in but Wato sunset flips the Gore! TWO, into VENDAVAL!! Dan is caught, but he moves around and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets go quickly and fans fire up again. Wato drags Dan up, hooks him, but Dan fights free. Dan DOUBLE CHOPS! Wato staggers, but he grits his teeth, only for Dan to ENZIGURI!
But Wato stays up to SCREW HIGH KICK! TUTENKAKU! Cover, Wato wins!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Moloney gains 0)
Da Drilla gets dropped, and Wato has now conquered the United Empire in the B Block! Will nothing stop the Way of the Grandmaster from making his way to the top?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Timesplitter finally got a win, but he’s still got a long way to go if he wants to be a semifinalist. Will he make it through the Bone Soldier? Or will he see #ItsReborn?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up for “KU-SHI-DA!” as he and Taiji tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Kushida gets around but Taiji switches. Kushida switches, Taiji switches, repeat again and again and again, until Kushida arm-drags Taiji away. Fans applaud that opening exchange, and the two reset quickly. Kushida shoots in but Taiji avoids the drop toehold. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Kushida breaks one to wrench and trip Taiji to a standing toehold. Taiji rolls over but Kushida shifts to a headlock. Taiji powers up and out, but Kushida RAMS him! Taiji comes back, into a drop toehold!
Kushida wrenches the arm and wristlocks again. Kushida wrangles Taiji then steps over to drop a knee on the elbow! Kushida keeps on Taiji with a keylock, but moves around. Kushida wraps Taiji up in a half straitjacket, then has an armlock. Taiji fights up, but Kushida wrenches and CHOPS! Kushida stands Taiji up to CHOP him down again! And then he CHOPS Taiji down again! Kushida brings Taiji up again, but Taiji rakes the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji runs in at the corner. Kushida elbows him away, goes up and FLYING KNEES the arm! Cover, TWO! Kushida drags Taiji around and crosses the arms!
Kushida knees on Taiji to trap the arms, and drops back to SNAP the lock! Taiji endures, but Kushida adds the legs to this! Hog tie cradle, TWO! But Kushida still has Taiji’s arms so he SNAPS the lock again! Kushida then shifts around, grinds Taiji down, but Taiji fights up. Kushida wraps the arm around the ropes but Red Shoes counts. Kushida lets off, brings Taiji around, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida then runs in at the corner but is put on the apron, and Taiji HOTSHOTS Kushida’s arm! Fans fire up while Kushida flops back into the ring. Red Shoes checks Kushida, and Taiji goes to his corner to untie the buckle pad.
The Bullet Club Special comes into play as Taiji wrenches Kushida. Taiji has Kushida’s arm around ropes, but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Taiji whips, YANKS and wrenches, to then WRING the arm out! Fans rally as Taiji wraps Kushida in a cobra twist. Kushida endures, fights up, but Taiji ripcords to RAM him! And then hammerlock and BACKSTABBER! Fans cheer the technical savagery while Kushida bails out. The fans rally, Taiji pursues Kushida, and he grabs at him through the corner. But Kushida uses that to YANK Taiji into the post! Fans rally as Kushida rolls back into the ring and Taiji pursues.
Taiji stomps Kushida, shakes out his arm, and storms up on Kushida. Kushida CHOPS, but Taiji CLUBS him. Taiji wrenches Kushida’s arm and hammerlocks, to POST Kushida in the open corner! Red Shoes reprimands but there’s no changing it now. Taiji hammerlocks, half nelsons, lifts and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Fans rally while Kushida writhes, and Taiji aims from the corner. Kushida stands, Taiji runs in, and Kushida elbows him! Taiji avoids the low kick to basement dropkick! Fans rally up again as Kushida goes to the corner. Taiji runs in, Kushida BOOTS him then ENZIGURIS! Taiji runs back in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT!!
Fans fire up while Taiji clutches his nose! Kushida fires up, runs in at the corner and SHOTEIS! Kushida whips Taiji, hip tosses, then cartwheels to basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Kushida aims again. Kushida jumps on but Taiji slips around. Taiji waistlocks but Kushida mule kicks the leg! Kushida runs in, blocks the boot, and gets the other leg! Kushida flips Taiji off before the DOUBLE LEG DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up while Taiji writhes. Kushida climbs up top, leaps, DIVING KNEE DROP on the bad leg!
Kushida then goes to another corner, climbs up top, and he DIVING KNEE DROPS again! Kushida steps through, has the leg, HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR COMBO!! Taiji endures, fans rally up, and Taiji reaches out! Taiji crawls, drags Kushida along, but Kushida drags him away! HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR!! Taiji endures, flails, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Kushida lets off, and fans rally up. Kushida aims from the corner, runs in around the way and DROPKICKS the bad arm! Kushida then tilt-o-whirls, but Taiji blocks the Hoverboard into CIPHER UTAKI! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Taiji sits up and beats his bad leg into working. Taiji aims his finger gun and says BANG. He drags Kushida up, but Kushida fights the lift. Taiji shifts to get the BONE LOCK!! Kushida slips around, drags Taiji up, BLADE- NO, Taiji slips out, but Kushida spins to ROLLING ELBOW! Taiji fires off a flurry, then runs, but into a BOOT! Kushida hits BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, TWO!! But into BONE LOCK?!? Kushida is using the Bullet Club’s moves against Taiji! Taiji endures, Kushida struggles to keep the grip, and the fans rally up hard as ever! Taiji fights and rolls Kushida to a cover, TWO!! Kushida stands, Taiji tilt-o-whirls to MYSTICA!
But Kushida slips out! Taiji and Kushida fight for control, going around and around and around with headlocks! Taiji gets the BONE LOCK!!! Kushida fights to the ROPEBREAK!! Taiji lets go but brings Kushida in, 19- NO, Kushida fights the lift, but Taiji powers through! 1916!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Taiji can’t believe it but Kushida survives! Fans rally up again as both men stir. Taiji gets to ropes, takes aim again, and BANG! He drags Kushida up, BLOODY- NO, Kushida wrenches out and leaps on! HOVERBOARD!! Taiji endures as Kushida thrashes, and then Taiji suplexes out! BLOODY CROSS!!! But he can’t cover from the bad leg hurting him!
Taiji crawls to Kushida and covers, Taiji wins!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida gains 0)
The Timesplitter pushed the Bone Soldier to his limits, but Taiji came out on top! Taiji is keeping pace with Speedball and the Bad Child, will he overtake them in the end?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS YOH!
The Rogue Luchador grounded The Jet while the Direct Drive made it past 100 Proof. But who wins big here in the main event of round five?
Yoh mirrors Desperado as he makes his entrance, but Desperado ignores it. The bell rings and fans rally up. The fans start to duel, “DE-SU-PE!” “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh and Desperado circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yoh pushes Desperado back to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Yoh rolls back. Yoh again copies Desperado, and Desperado rushes in. Yoh dodges him, then smacks him on the head. Fans cheer as Yoh drums on Desperado’s head while calling him “BAKA BAKA BAKA! <Dummy dummy dummy!>” Desperado SLAPS Yoh back! Desperado then scoops and SLAMS Yoh, and Yoh flounders his way out of the ring!
Desperado pursues, stomps Yoh down in front of commentary, and now Desperado wants to move. Desperado drags Yoh up, whips him in and BOWLS Yoh through the chairs! If Connors rolled a strike earlier, then this is definitely a strike! Desperado drags Yoh out of the chairs, fans rally up, and Desperado brings Yoh around. Desperado CLUBS Yoh, then POSTS- NO! You slings around the post to get into the ring! Desperado rushes up but Yoh DROPKICKS him back down! Fans fire up and Yoh encourages them to get louder. They oblige, Yoh fakes the plancha, and then wags his finger. Desperado swipes at Yoh, Yoh PLANCHAS after all!
Fans fire up with Yoh and he struts around. Yoh stomps Desperado, brings him up and POSTS him hard! The ring count is climbing, Yoh SMASHES Desperado’s knee on the floor! Yoh puts Desperado in at 17, hurries and SMASHES the knee again! Yoh mocks Desperado’s pain and fans rally up. Yoh stands on Desperado’s leg but Desperado chops from below. The chops aren’t strong, though, and Yoh eggs Desperado on. Desperado throws more chops, but Yoh stomps the leg! Yoh digs his heel in, mocks “DE-SU-PE!” chants, and tells Desperado not to disappoint his fans. Then he stomps the leg again!
Desperado goes to ropes, Yoh runs in to dropkick the leg! Desperado bails out and Yoh slowly rolls out, but then rolls in, then just kinda goofs around under the bottom rope. Desperado slides in but Yoh stomps away on him! Fans applaud the aggression and Yoh drags Desperado up. Desperado throws body shots! And a CHOP! And another CHOP! Yoh kicks the bad leg, then brings Desperado around for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Yoh is surprised, and he literally pushes Desperado around and eggs him on. Yoh toys with Desperado and dares him to hit back. Desperado stands, but then Yoh kicks the bad leg!
Yoh has the leg, wraps it around the ropes and pulls! Desperado shouts, Red Shoes counts and Yoh lets off at 4. Yoh whips Desperado corner to corner but Desperado barely makes it. Desperado turns around, into a dropkick to the leg! Yoh steps through to have a toehold! Desperado pulls Yoh’s hair but Yoh just pulls the leg! Fans rally, Yoh ties up the legs in an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Yoh eggs Desperado on, Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Yoh “falls back” to put on the pressure! A very Desperado move! Yoh sits back up, he eggs Desperado on again, and then he grabs Desperado’s arm to make Desperado hit him! Yoh comically falls back again!
Desperado endures, crawls and reaches back, ROPEBREAK! Yoh lets go and gives childish kicks to Desperado’s back. Desperado is getting annoyed with Yoh now and he glares as he stands up. Desperado CHOPS, but Yoh shrugs it off. Desperado CHOPS again and that one stings. Yoh comes back with another grin but Desperado CHOPS! Yoh kicks the bad leg, whips, but Desperado blocks! Yoh kicks again, whips, but Desperado reveres and scoops, BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Desperado stands, Yoh goes to a corner, and Desperado runs in to clothesline! Desperado reels Yoh in for a high and hard suplex!
Fans fire up and Desperado stands on Yoh. Desperado steps off, gets Yoh’s leg, and YANKS it, to then SPLASH down on it! Desperado steps through to drop a leg on the leg! And now Desperado has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Desperado dares Yoh to do something now! Yoh throws forearms and CHOPS, and Desperado “falls back” to put on the pressure! Desperado makes Yoh suffer while resting his own bad leg. Desperado says Yoh was all talk a second ago. Desperado stands to put pressure on the hold, but Yoh scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets off, but “Oops!” he drops a knee on the knee.
Fans fire up for Desperado and he drags Yoh up. Gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL- NO, Yoh slips free! But Yoh’s leg jams! Desperado shrugs, drags him up, but Yoh fights the back suplex to get around, SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX! And then a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and Yoh grows frustrated but the fans continue to rally. Yoh hobbles up, goes to Desperado and brings him into a full nelson. Desperado fights his way to the ropes! Red Shoes counts, Yoh lets go, but he CHOP BLOCKS! Yoh whips, Desperado reverses and reels Yoh in, SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO, into STRETCH MUFFLER!
Yoh endures and reaches out as Desperado thrashes! Yoh reaches, crawls, but Desperado drags Yoh from ropes! Desperado gets an arm, NUMERO DOS!! Yoh keeps fighting with his one free arm, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets go quickly and the fans rally up more. Desperado drags Yoh up, gut wrenches, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado put some stank on that one but Yoh still survives. Desperado hobbles up, goes to a corner, and climbs up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Yoh moves! Yoh CHOP BLOCKS the leg again! Yoh reels Desperado in, hoists him up, and DROPS him on the knees!
Yoh jackknife rolls through to have the STARGAZER!! Desperado endures Yoh’s take on the calf killer, reaches out, but Yoh drags him away! Desperado flails, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Desperado still crawls forward! But Yoh traps both legs! Desperado lurches forward, ROPEBREAK!! Yoh lets go in frustration and the fans rally again. Yoh fires up and the fans fire up with him! Yoh drags Desperado up, underhooks, but Desperado fights! Desperado reaches out, Yoh keeps him from ropes, but Desperado still tries! Yoh spins him around, full nelsons, but Desperado breaks the grip! Yoh tries again but Desperado still fights!
Yoh shoves Desperado onto the ropes, gets the bad leg, REVERSE DRAGON SCREW! And then suplex, to FALCON GOROSHI! Fans rally harder and harder while both men are down! Yoh waistlocks, he drags Desperado up, full nelsons, and DRAGON SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Desperado survives and Yoh can’t believe it! Yoh pounds the mat, the fans rally back up, and Yoh drags Desperado up. Underhooks, but Desperado wrenches out to dropkick Yoh’s legs! Yoh clutches the knee and writhes on the mat! Yoh crawls after Desperado, brings him back up, but Desperado has the leg! SHIN BREAKER! And another dropkick to the leg!
Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Desperado slaps himself and fires up! Desperado brings Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh kicks the bad leg! Desperado CHOPS! Yoh ROLLING ELBOWS! Desperado ROCKS Yoh, then LOCO MONO! But Yoh SUPERKICKS!! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! The dueling of “DE-SU-PE!” and “YO-OH!” is strong as Desperado reaches up to sit up. Yoh crawls after him, gets the arms, stands up, but Desperado fights the lift! Desperado spins Yoh around and around, underhooks, and PINCHE- NO! Yoh fights that off! They struggle for control, and Yoh has the wrists!
Yoh kisses Desperado on the forehead? Desperado swings on Yoh but misses, and Yoh ripcords to FINAL FLASH KNEE! Fans are thunderous again and Yoh drags himself up with the ropes. Yoh roars and the fans are with him again! Yoh drags Desperado up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, YOH WINS!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Desperado gains 0)
The Rogue Luchador could not make heads or tails of Yoh’s behavior tonight, and that cost him! Will this loss also cost him a spot in the semifinals? Yoh helps Desperado sit up and offers him a handshake. Desperado takes it to show respect. But then he BITES Yoh’s hand! So much for respect. But as Desperado leaves, Yoh blows a kiss, gives a thumbs down, and gets the mic. Yoh lies down to rest as he says, “Hey, Sendai… I’m home.” Fans cheer and Yoh asks them if they like what they saw. They cheer because they did! Do they like Junior Heavyweight pro-wrestling? They cheer because they do!
Yoh crawls to the apron and asks if the fans love NJPW. They fans cheer because they do! Yoh thanks them, and says HE will be the Best of the Super Juniors! Fans cheer, and then Yoh says that Desperado really fought his heart out, so he’s thankful to him. And so like he said before, Yoh is going to STUN THE WORLD! Direct Drive is building up the energy, will he speed up and take the block?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Lio Rush: 4-1, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-1, 8 points
Mike Bailey: 4-1, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Titán: 3-2, 6 points
TJP: 3-2, 6 points
DOUKI: 2-3, 4 points
SHO: 1-4, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-4, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-5, 0 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Robbie Eagles: 4-1, 8 points
YOH: 3-2, 6 points
El Desperado: 3-2, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-2, 6 points
Master Wato: 3-2, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 3-2, 6 points
Dan Moloney: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points
Kevin Knight: 2-3, 4 points
BUSHI: 0-5, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great fifth round, great action, but not as much in the shocker department. Douki winning against Lio was massive, though. Even with Douki not that high on the block, that is huge for him as an individual, and now Lio being the one and only is just gone. He’s back tied with Taiji and Speedball, who both had awesome matches. I really would love to see Titan and Mike go another round in the semifinals or something, but who knows how things shake out.
My Score: 8.7/10
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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.

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.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
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.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
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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