Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/19/23)
Round 7, FIGHT!
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Anyone feeling lucky?
We’ve reached the Best of the Super Juniors homestretch, and Master Wato is red hot after a main event win! Will he keep that heat going through this round?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Clark Connors; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Francesco Akira; Akira wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Lio Rush; Lio wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS BUSHI; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Mike Bailey; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Dan Moloney; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS TJP; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
Mike Bailey: 5-1, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-2, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-2, 8 points
Titán: 4-2, 8 points
Lio Rush: 4-2, 8 points
TJP: 4-2, 8 points
DOUKI: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 2-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-6, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current B Block standings.
Master Wato: 4-2, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-2, 8 points
YOH: 4-2, 8 points
El Desperado: 4-2, 8 points
Clark Connors: 3-3, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 3-3, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-3, 6 points
Dan Moloney: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
BUSHI: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS Clark Connors!
The Way of the Grandmaster won big in last night’s main event, but now he’s leading off. Will Wato be able to hit harder than 100 Proof? Or will things start with No Chaser?
The bell rings and Connors rushes in! Wato SOBATS him, knees low then fires off kicks to the legs. Wato fires up and the fans are with him. Wato whips, Connors reverses but Wato holds ropes. Wato BOOTS Connors, runs in, but Connors TOSSES him away! Connors drags Wato up, CHOPS him back down, and fans rally up. Connors taunts Wato, CHOPS him to a corner, and CHOPS him again! And again! Connors storms around, then he UPPERCUTS Wato. Connors brings him up but Wato throws forearms! Connors UPPERCUTS again! Connors whips Wato hard into a corner! Wato bounces off buckles, Gedo cheers and the fans applaud.
Connors drags Wato up to suplex high and hard! Gedo cheers again and the fans rally for Wato. Connors stomps Wato, mocks the fans cheering for “WATO~!” then drops a BIG elbow! Connors sits Wato up into a chinlock! Wato endures the knee in his back, and Connors talks trash on the fans. Fans rally up, Wato fights up, and Wato throws elbows. Connors CLUBS Wato on the back! Wato KICKS Connors in the chest! And again! And again! Connors swings, Wato dodges and Wato ELBOWS! Wato runs to BOOT! Wato then whips, Connors reverses but Wato ducks ‘n’ dodges, to RANA Connors to a corner!
Fans fire up, Wato runs corner to corner, but Connors puts him on the apron. Wato GAMANGIRIS, fans rally up, and Wato springboards to FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Wato fires back up and the fans are with him! Wato brings Connors up, wrenches, reels him in, but Connors fireman’s carries! Wato fights free to waistlock but Connors elbows free of that. Connors runs, but Wato jumps to RANA again! Connors bails out, fans rally up and Wato aims to PLANCHA! But Connors catches him! And POSTS him! Wato falls and Connors snarls. Connors brings Wato up, to whip and POST him again!
A ring count starts as Connors storms over. Connors looms over Wato at 6 of 20, drags him back up, and puts him in at 10. Fans applaud, and Connors drags Wato back up to whip and POWERSLAM! Gedo fires up and the fans do applaud the show of strength. Connors aims from the corner as Wato rises, and Connors runs in to SPEAR! But Connors isn’t done there! He drags Wato up, but Gedo says pour on the pain! Connors says sure, and he runs to SPEAR Wato again! Gedo is loving this, and Connors says he wants one more! Connors waits for Wato to rise, and Wato goes to a corner.
Wato staggers around, Connors runs in, but Wato drop toeholds him to the ropes! Connors staggers back, into TUTENKAKU! Bridging cover, Wato wins!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Connors earns 0)
There was no chaser here, Wato gave Connors a straight shot of his own! Wato’s still heading towards the top, but is 100 Proof all but done?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS DOUKI!
Two men out of the running are competing for pride! The Funky Weapon has been trying to fight seriously, will it work out now that the pressure’s off? Or will Japones Del Mal make Taguchi feel even worse?
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. They slowly circle, tie up, enter a deadlock, but Taguchi arm-drags! Fans cheer and the two reset. They circle, tie up and Taguchi arm-drags again! Douki rushes in, Taguchi trips him, and things speed up. Douki hurdles, Taguchi leaps over, keeps moving, springboard FLYING ARM-DRAG! And then a DROPKICK! Douki bails out, Taguchi slingshots, but Douki avoids the plancha! Douki builds speed to slide, but Taguchi gets under! Taguchi pops Douki up but Douki rebounds to DDT Taguchi to the floor! Fans rally, Douki brings Taguchi up and puts him in.
Fans applaud and Douki brings Taguchi up for another DDT! Cover, TWO! Douki clamps onto Taguchi with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Taguchi’s back. Taguchi endures, kicks forward, but Douki pulls back on the hold! Taguchi scrambles and still gets the ROPEBREAK! Douki lets off, he brings Taguchi up, but Taguchi throws body shots. Taguchi throws more shots but Douki rakes the eyes! Douki turns Taguchi, but Taguchi turns it to a roll-up, TWO! Douki dodges and rams Taguchi, but Taguchi cartwheels to HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Douki flops out! Taguchi triangle jump PLANCHAS!
Fans fire up and Taguchi stands. Fans rally, the ring count climbs, but Taguchi puts Douki in at 9 of 20. Taguchi springboards to MISSILE HIP! Cover, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE! Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi holds on until the ref counts. Taguchi brings Douki up, has the leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Taguchi then goes to the corner, “ORYA~!” But Douki ducks the bum! And he drags Taguchi into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Taguchi endures, moves around, and reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go as the ref counts 4, and he goes to the apron. Taguchi rises, Douki slingshots, but Taguchi catches Douki! OH MY GAH ANKLE!
Douki flails around and fans fire up! Douki crawls, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back! Chicken wings and DODON- NO, Douki victory rolls! But Taguchi rolls through that, OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Douki scrambles, but Taguchi brings him back, only for Douki to drag Taguchi into the ITALIAN STRETCH!! Taguchi moves around but he falls over! Douki pulls harder on the hold but Taguchi fights over to the ropes. Douki rolls Taguchi away! ITALIAN STRETCH!! Taguchi keeps fighting! He pushes through, turns Douki over, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Now Douki endures!
Douki crawls, but Taguchi drops an elbow on the knee! Douki flails, claws around, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back! Chicken wings, DODON- NO, Douki pops free! Gory Especial, DOTON NO JUTSU! Cover, TWO!! But Douki floats, wheelbarrows, full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
Serious Taguchi fails to win again! He’s 0-7, will he ever get points this tournament? Douki may not be going for the finals, either, but is this a sign he’s finally reaching that next level?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Jet is holding onto hope at 3-3, but that bubble could burst. Will the Sniper take out another contender? Or will Knight fly higher than Eagles?
The bell rings and the two circle. Knight uses a very Kushida style low advance, but Eagles keeps his distance. Knight stands, he and Eagles tie up, then Knight gets around to a waistlock. Eagles wrenches free to a wristlock but Knight forces right through to a wrench and snapmare. Knight headlocks but Eagles slips out to hammerlock. Eagles has Knight on the mat, traps the hammerlock then grabs the other arm, to have it clap along! Eagles then shifts to facelock and grind Knight down. Knight fights up, Eagles wrenches to wristlock, but Knight rolls, handsprings and wrenches to snapmare. Knight drops a knee on the arm!
Fans applaud the exchange while Knight keeps on the arm. Eagles rolls, gets to his feet and to ropes. Knight goes to whip but Eagles holds onto the ropes. Knight wrenches, whips, but Eagles reverses to go up and around, but Knight blocks the arm-drag to snapmare and ghost pin! TWO, Knight now sunset flips! TWO, and Knight goes back to the ghost, TWO!! Eagles narrowly escapes, but then Knight scoops, spins and SLAMS! Fans fire up and Knight flexes. But Eagles drags Knight right down to a kneebar, then the EAGLE LOCK! Knight scrambles and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer while Eagles lets go.
Knight gets up, Eagles rushes in, but Knight sends him out! Knight then PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Knight lets out a “WOO!” and the fans echo it. Knight drags Eagles up, puts him in the ring, and fans applaud as Knight stomps Eagles. Knight brings Eagles up to CLUB him on the back, and then he UPPERCUTS! Eagles staggers, Knight whips but Eagles reverses. Knight goes to the ropes but Eagles CHOP BLOCKS him! Knight gets stuck, Eagles goes to the apron, and Eagles DROPKICKS the legs! Fans fire up while Knight falls into the ring. Eagles hurries back in, for a spinning toehold! Eagles pushes Knight down, covers, ONE!
Eagles keeps on Knight with a STUMP PULLER! Knight endures as he’s being folded up, and Eagles twists a foot! Knight fights through to a roll-up, TWO! HEEL HOOK! Knight scrambles around, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Eagles lets off with some kicks. The ref reprimands but Eagles apologizes. Eagles brings Knight up but Knight throws body shots. Knight throws forearms, and UPPERCUTS, but Eagles sweeps the legs! Fans rally and Eagles talks trash. Knight sits up, into a KICK! And another KICK! And another KICK! Eagles runs, but Knight blocks the kick! Eagles SOBATS, whips, but Knight reverses to DROPKICK!
Fans fire up but that was a little double-edged with the bad leg. Knight still goes to a corner, dares Eagles to get up, and he runs in to LARIAT! And ELBOW! Eagles goes to a corner, Knight hops his way to the SPLASH! Knight whips, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Again a little double-edged, but Knight covers, TWO! Knight scoops Eagles again but Eagles slips off to waistlock. Knight switches, Eagles blocks the superkick, and Eagles hooks Knight up, TURBO- NO, Knight handsprings through the throw! And rebounds to SLIDING SHOULDER! Fans fire up with Knight and he manages the JUMPING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Fans cheer as Eagles is still in this. Knight pounds the mat, watches Eagles rise, and he runs in, but Eagles dumps him over! Knight sunset flips but Eagles rolls through to a stack! TWO and back to the sunset, TWO! Eagles goes after the legs, Knight kicks him away! Eagles comes back but Knight gets around to ripcord and SKY- NO, Eagles wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and hooks up the legs! Knight drags Eagles down into a cradle! TWO!! Eagles escapes, shoots in, rolls Knight but Knight comes back to roll Eagles! SCHOOLBOY BRIDGE, TWO!! Eagles kicks, Knight ducks and SUPERKICKS!
Eagles is in a corner, Knight fires up and runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Fans fire up and Knight goes to a corner. Eagles runs in, but Knight puts him on the apron. Eagles ROCKS Knight first, springboards, but Knight gets under! Knight comes back, ROCKS Eagles, ROUNDHOUSES, then roars! Knight puts Eagles up top, says it’s time, and he jumps for the- NO, Eagles lands on his feet from the Steiner! EAGLE LOCK!! Knight endures, reaches out, but Eagles drags him back! Fans rally as Knight keeps fighting, but Eagles drags him back again! Eagles throws knees into the knee, drops down, EAGLE LOCK!!! Knight taps, Eagles wins!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Eagles flies over the Jet, and he keeps pace with the man who just beat him in Wato! Will the Sniper still have a shot at the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Titán VS SHO!
El Inmortal is still alive in the block, unlike the Murder Machine. Sho cheated Taiji Ishimori just last round, will he cheat Titan here? Or will things still be tranquilo in the BOSJ?
Evil accompanies Sho out to ringside like yesterday, but as Sho wants to put one out with him, Evil leaves him hanging! And then he sits at the timekeeper’s area instead of standing in the corner! Is Evil still upset that Sho tried to put the blame on him? Sho looks worried, but then he attacks Titan on the ramp! Sho pulls at the mask! The ref reprimands, Sho lets off, and he drags Titan up to bring him around the way. Sho CLUBS Titan, and then asks Evil to help him mug Titan. Evil refuses! Sho frowns and he puts Titan in the ring. The bell rings, Sho kicks Titan around. Sho throws forearms, then runs, but Titan DROPKICKS him!
Fans fire up, Titan finally gets his jacket off, and Titan builds speed! Sho moves so Titan rolls and flips out of the ring! Sho rushes back in, but Titan dodges to RA- NO! Sho blocks to APRON POWERBOMB! Titan flops to the floor and Sho talks some trash. Sho brings Titan up, SMACKS him off the apron, and Titan staggers around the way. Sho stalks Titan, puts him back in the ring, and Evil walks around. Sho stomps Titan, drags him up and puts him on the top rope. Sho climbs and pulls at the mask! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Sho shoves the ref away! Sho has the mask halfway up!
The ref counts, Sho stops at 4, and Titan gets his mask back down. Sho CLUBS Titan into a Tree of Woe, then stomps away! Sho digs his boot in, the ref counts and Sho dumps Titan down. Sho drags Titan up, throws him out, and he distracts the ref. But Evil just stands there! Sho can’t believe it! Why’d Evil even come out here, then? Sho goes out after Titan, puts him back in, and Sho slides in. Sho drags Titan up, but Titan throws a forearm! And a SOBAT! And another forearm! Sho rakes Titan’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Sho whips. Titan holds ropes, BOOTS back, and fans fire up! But Sho ELBOWS Titan!
Sho whips, Titan reverses and TORNADO DDTS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Titan runs, but Sho dumps him to the apron! Sho runs, but Titan slingshots and body scissors Sho out of the ring! Titan fires up, springboards, TOP ROPE QUEBRADA! Evil doesn’t even try to make the save! Fans fire up as Titan roars, and he stomps Sho around. Titan puts Sho in, covers, TWO! Sho is hanging in there but Titan kicks him in the leg. And the other leg! And then a strike fest, and SOBAT! Fans fire up, Titan runs, but Sho shoves the ref in the way! Sho then runs to SPEAR Titan down!
Sho hurries to the corner, he grabs the wrench, and fans boo. Sho aims at Titan as he stands up, but Titan goes Matrix! CALF KICK! Down goes Sho! Cover, the ref is back, TWO!! But Titan has the leg to step over, tie Sho up, and JAVE MORTAL!! Sho endures the Muta Lock, Titan thrashes him around, and NOW Evil gets on the apron! Evil distracts while Sho taps! Fans boo, Titan would’ve won! Titan rushes over but Evil shoves the ref away so he can throw Titan by his mask! But Titan kips up to PELE! Fans fire up and Titan goes to a corner. Sho runs in, Titan KICKS and KICKS and CALF KICKS!
Fans fire up and Titan goes to the corner! Titan skins the cat to the top, aims and DIVING- NO, Sho gets clear! Sho JUMP KNEES, runs, but Titan gets him for a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives but fans rally behind Titan. Titan roars, he grabs Sho’s leg, but Sho grabs the ref! Sho kicks Titan away and Evil SMACKS Titan with a chair!! Sho rolls Titan up, TWO!!! Titan survives and fans fire up! Sho aims his bow, drags Titan up and tucks him in, SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, Sho wins!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titán earns 0)
Evil comes through for Sho in the end, what a “good” friend. And then he and Sho stomp away on Titan! They pull his mask off, too!! Insult to injury and the fans boo! A Young Lion gives his shirt to Titan, but then Evil & Sho mug him, while putting Titan’s mask on the Young Lion! Titan covers the Young Lion, but the House put one out on them both. What a twisted happy ending this is. Sho may not be going to the semifinals, but will the House of Torture only get worse?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Francesco Akira!
The Heel Master is out of the running, and the Nova Fireball is on the bubble. Will Kanemaru put out the fire right here? Or will Akira survive another round?
Changing things up, Akira has the Great-O-Khan with him now to help literally wave the United Empire’s banner. Kanemaru takes a swig, and then he kicks Akira low! Kanemaru CLUBS Akira, has him in a corner, the bell rings, and Kanemaru whips corner to corner. Akira BOOTS Kanemaru but Kanemaru elbows Akira. Kanemaru runs, Akira dodges him, and then Akira comes back to RANA! Kanemaru bails out, fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” and Akira builds speed. But Kanemaru slides in to dropkick the legs out! Kanemaru stalks Akira to a corner, brings him up and throws him out. Kanemaru then chases Akira, to get his leg and SHIN BREAKER!
Kanemaru then SWINGS the leg into the post! Akira writhes and clutches his leg while Kanemaru slides into the ring. Akira hobbles up and hops into the ring, but Kanemaru is after the leg. Kanemaru SMASHES the knee on the mat! Kanemaru grabs the leg again, drags Akira from ropes, and then YANKS the leg! Fans rally, Kanemaru steps through and has the CROSS HEEL DEATHLOCK! Akira endures, but he keeps his shoulders up. Akira grabs at Kanemaru but Kanemaru pulls on the legs! Akira reaches out, claws his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and the ref counts, and Kanemaru lets off slowly.
Akira crawls but Kanemaru stomps the legs. Kanemaru drags Akira up to get the leg again, SHIN- NO, sunset flip! TWO, and Kanemaru kicks the bad leg again. Kanemaru whips Akira corner to corner but Akira falls before making it there! Kanemaru runs in again but Akira avoids the dropkick! Akira wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and STOMP 182! Fans fire up while both men are down. Akira and Kanemaru go to corners and fans rally up. Akira runs in but into a BOOT! Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls but Akira throws him away! Akira rolls but Kanemaru throws him off! The leg jams, Kanemaru kicks it out, and Kanemaru steps through.
But Akira kicks Kanemaru away! Kanemaru rebounds and Akira trips him! Akira Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Fans cheer and Kanemaru stomps the leg out. Kanemaru brings Akira up, SHIN- NO, Akira sunset flips again! But Kanemaru sits on the cover, TWO!! Akira escapes, hobbles up, and SUPERKICKS! Akira runs, but Kanemaru victory rolls him! TWO, Kanemaru steps through, but Akira drags him to a cradle! AKIRA WINS!
Winner: Francesco Akira, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Akira defeats a man who’s been wrestling as long as Akira’s been alive! His leg may be hurting, but will Akira be able to fight his way to the top?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Lio Rush!
It seems almost unimaginable that the Ace of the Junior Heavyweight Division is 1-5 in the BOSJ, but he is, so he’s out of the running. Can he at least save face by bringing down The Bad Child? Or can not even the Timesplitter avoid the Final Hour?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two approach. Lio offers a handshake, Kushida accepts, and fans cheer the sportsmanship. The two go around, Kushida tries his drop toehold but Lio stays back. Lio tells Kushida to stand up so Kushida obliges and they feel things out. They start to knuckle lock but Lio rolls. Kushida baits Lio in by sitting down and reclining back, but he also has a leg guard ready. Lio copies Kushida, they go feet to feet and feel out a knuckle lock. They fight for control, Kushida grabs one arm with both hands to wristlock! Lio rolls but Kushida rolls with him to hold on!
Lio spins, breaks free, and speeds up! Kushida follows but Lio redirects! Kushida still keeps up, and Lio backs away to a corner. Kushida rushes in but Lio slips under! Lio then mocks Kushida by copying the leg bait. Fans cheer while Kushida tells him to stop. Lio scoots around, he and Kushida knuckle lock, and then Lio lifts Kushida up with his legs! They rock back, Lio jumps up, but Kushida blocks the monkey flip and jackknifes! ONE and Kushida gets moving. Lio avoids the Penalty Kick to the arm, goes Matrix to avoid the clothesline, but Kushida blocks the kick. Kushida flips Lio but Lio lands on his feet!
Lio bobs ‘n’ weaves as Kushida swings on him! Lio then whips, but Kushida reverses. Lio springboards to FLYING RANA! Kushida comes back, Lio dodges to mule kick and ENZIGURI! Cover, ONE!! Fans rally up and Lio follows Kushida to the apron. Lio brings Kushida up but Kushida KICKS him in the arm! Kushida goes for that arm, he has the double wristlock, but Lio steps through the ropes. Lio turns things around to have the armlock on Kushida! The ref counts, Kushida throws body shots, but Lio goes back to the apron. Lio gets around Kushida, sunset flips but Kushida holds off the bomb! APRON ARMBAR!
The ref counts, Kushida lets go at 4, and fans rally up. Kushida hits the arm with a FLYING KNEE! The fans fire up and Kushida brings Lio around. Kushida puts Lio in, drags him around, goes after the arm and steps through to hammerlock it. Kushida goes for the other arm, steps over, but Lio moves around to fight the pressure. Kushida traps the arm to SNAP LOCK it! Lio flounders to ropes, Kushida is after him again. Kushida wrenches, snapmares and drops a knee on the arm! Kushida chicken wings Lio on the mat, to move into CATTLE MUTILATION! Lio rolls to get out of the hold but ends up in a cover, TWO!
Fans cheer and Lio goes to ropes. Kushida SLIDE KICKS! Lio flounders to a corner, Kushida wrenches the arm and CHOPS! Kushida whips, hip tosses and cartwheels to basement dropkick! Lio bails out, fans fire up, and Kushida goes to the apron. Lio avoids the knee this time, and he mule kicks from the apron! Lio jumps in, builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit, but Kushida caught Lio into a KIMURA! Lio fights up, whips free, but Kushida comes back! DOUBLE LARIATS and both men are down on the floor! Fans rally up and the ring count starts! Lio sits up at 4, Kushida follows, and both men stand at 10.
Lio throws hands, goes for the ring, but Kushida yanks him back. Kushida slides in at 13, Lio hurries in, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS the arm! Fans fire up and Kushida says its time! But Lio avoids the Hoverboard! Kushida avoids the superman punch, and he PELES! But Lio blocks the fastball! Kushida avoids the heel kick, DOUBLE LARIATS, DOUBLE BOOTS, and then DOUBLE SHOTEIS take both men down! Fans fire up again and Kushida rises. Lio goes to ropes, swings, but Kushida dodges to KICK and KICK and KICK! Kushida whips, Lio reverses but Kushida handsprings! Lio dodges to run, RUSH- ARMBAR!!
Kushida has Lio but Lio moves around to stack! TWO, and Lio mule kicks! Kushida avoids the heel kick to KICK the bad arm! But then Lio spins to HEEL KICK after all! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Lio goes to a corner, climbs up top, and FINAL- ARMBREAKER!! It was double-edged for Kushida, it ended up more a shoulder tackle from Lio now! Lio hurries back up, and he hits the FINAL HOUR!! Cover, LIO WINS!
Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)
Kushida tried a last ditch counter but it may have cost him more than just this loss! Will the Bad Child keep this momentum going into the final rounds?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS BUSHI!
Direct Drive is on a roll and having a lot of fun while he’s at it. Will he continue to #StunTheWorld? Or will the Black Mask look to spoil that fun?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up and the two approach. Bushi kicks low, CLUBS and whips, but Yoh reverses. Yoh drops, bypasses then drop toeholds. Yoh runs to basemen dropkick! Bushi bails out, Yoh builds speed, but then he rolls back to copy Bushi’s little lounging move. Bushi rushes in but Yoh kicks him first. Yoh stomps Bushi, then stomps a leg. Yoh brings Bushi up to ROCK him to a corner. Yoh stomps a mudhole in, then wrenches and whips corner to corner. Yoh runs in but into a BOOT! Bushi dropkicks a leg out! Fans rally up while both men are down, and Bushi stands first.
Bushi stomps Yoh, drags him up, and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Bushi drags Yoh into a chinlock, digs his knee into Yoh’s back, and pulls back into a headscissor. Yoh kicks around as he endures the squeeze, then kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! Bushi smothers Yoh but lets off as the ref counts 4. Yoh sputters but Bushi stomps him down. Bushi drags Yoh up, but Yoh throws forearms. Bushi ROCKS Yoh back, then ROCKS him again! Bushi whips, Yoh CLOBBERS him in return! Bushi bails out but Yoh goes to the apron. Yoh CANNONBALLS and down goes Bushi!
Fans fire up and Yoh taunts Robbie Eagles now that he’s on commentary. Eagles tells him to focus on Bushi. Yoh drags Bushi up, puts him in at 10 of 20, then drags him up again. Fans rally as Yoh SLAMS Bushi into a drop zone, and then TWISTING VADER! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps his focus and fans rally up. Yoh drags Bushi up, suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi goes to ropes, Yoh runs in but Bushi dumps him to the apron. Bushi knocks Yoh off the apron, runs, but Yoh slides in to DROPKICK! Yoh then suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and the fans rally back up.
Yoh goes to ropes, shakes his head, and he roars! Yoh tunes up the band, but Bushi blocks the superkick to fire off forearms! Bushi runs, but into an elbow! Yoh runs, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down again and fans rally back up again. Yoh drags himself up with the ropes, Bushi storms up and blocks a kick. Bushi puts the leg in the ropes to DROPKICK the leg, then he DRAPING BACKSTABBERS! Fans fire up with Bushi and he brings Yoh up. FISHERMAN- NO, Yoh fights it by sprawling! Yoh throws body shots, knees low, and runs, but Bushi ENZIGURIS! Bushi brings Yoh up, FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO!
Yoh is still in this but Bushi calls his shot! Fans fire up and Bushi climbs the corner. Yoh rises, Bushi leaps, M- NO, Yoh gets around to waistlock! O’Conner, but Bushi slips out and backslides! Yoh rolls off, Bushi ducks a kick! Yoh blocks a kick, ducks the enziguri, but not the HEEL KICK! Bushi runs, but into Yoh’s SUPERKICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Yoh goes to a corner, he goes up the corner, and he mocks Bushi! MX!?! Yoh hits Bushi’s own move and fans are thunderous! Yoh gets Bushi up to underhook, DIRECT DRIVE! Cover, Yoh wins!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
Just when it looked like Yoh wasn’t going to do something wild, he surprises Bushi with his own finisher! Yoh snatches the mask cover as perhaps a trophy, but will Yoh soon have the trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Taiji Ishimori VS Mike Bailey!
The Bone Soldier got cheated by Sho, but he said there was no hard feelings. Meanwhile, Mike Bailey is the top of the block at 5-1! Will Speedball build even more momentum? Or will round seven be Too Sweet?
The bell rings and fans rally up. The two slowly circle, but Taiji rushes in to BOOT Mike down! BONELOCK, but Mike rolls free quickly! Taiji bails out to avoid the roundhouse! Fans applaud the stare down, but then Mike rushes out after Taiji. Taiji leads Mike on a cat ‘n’ mouse, and he stomps Mike as he slides in! Taiji wrenches but Mike rolls, handsprings, wrenches back and arm-drags! Taiji comes back but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Mike aims. Mike fires lightning kicks but Taiji bails out! Mike slingshots to the apron, MOONSAULTS but Taiji dodges! Only for Mike continue the lightning kicks! But Taiji ducks the enziguri!
Taiji drags Mike up, wrenches, hammerlocks and POSTS him! Mike writhes, and Taiji tells fans to make room. Taiji whips Mike to BOWL him through chairs! A strike for Taiji and the ref checks on Mike. Taiji then unties the blue buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special comes into play, but the fans rally for Mike. Mike hobbles up, gets in the ring at 4 of 20, but Taiji CLUBS him down. Taiji wrenches, hammerlocks, and RAMS Mike into the bare buckles! Mike shouts in pain while he writhes, and Taiji stalks him. Taiji drags Mike up, wrenches and whips, to WRING the arm! Taiji grabs the arm for a keylock then steps over!
Mike endures and fans rally up. Taiji pulls on the arm but Mike claws his way forward, to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets off at 4, and Mike drags himself up. Taiji whips but Mike blocks by holding ropes! Taiji keeps trying, Mike holds on, so Taiji CLUBS him! Taiji whips, Mike handsprings, but Taiji dropkicks the arms out! Taiji grins and he stalks Mike. Taiji taunts Mike, fans rally up, and Taiji brings Mike up. Mike throws forearms, but Taiji ELBOWS Mike in the shoulder! Taiji runs, but into a KICK! Fans fire up and Mike grits his teeth as he gets back up. Taiji rises, Mike SOBATS! AX KICKS! And BUZZSAWS!
Fans fire up with Mike and he SHOOTING STARS! But the bad arm keeps him from making the cover! Fans rally for Mike, he shakes that arm out, and he aims, but Taiji ducks the kick to spin Mike! And POSTS him! Taiji drags Mike out, hammerlocks and scoops, for the SHOULDER BUSTER! Fans rally, Taiji aims from the corner, and Mike slowly rises up. Taiji runs in, tilt-o-whirl, but Mike blocks to roll Taiji with a body scissors cradle! TWO!! Taiji escapes, but Mike ROCKS him! Taiji CLUBS the bad arm! Mike ROCKS Taiji again! Taiji CLUBS the bad arm again! Mike ROCKS Taiji, Taiji fires off on the arm!
Mike CHOPS! Taiji staggers, Mike CHOPS again! But Taiji whips Mike! Mike stops from hitting bare buckles, then he elbows Taiji away! Taiji rushes back in, but into BOOTS! Mike goes up, ULTIMA- NO, Taiji moves! Mike rolls through, comes back, but Taiji ducks the spin kick! But the lightning kicks return! And the ENZIGURI hits! Fans fire up and Taiji flops to the outside. Fans rally up, Mike goes to the corner, but Taiji rolls into the ring! Taiji gets Mike’s arm to wrench, wrap, and runs to the corner! Mike stops the posting, ROCKS Taiji then GAMANGIRIS! Taiji flops back out, and Mike goes up the corner, to TORNILLO!!
Fans are thunderous again and Mike gets Taiji back up. Mike puts Taiji in at 5 of 20, goes back up the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up again but Taiji comes back! Mike BOOTS, HEEL KICKS, then hoists Taiji up top! Mike ties Taiji up, brings him out, but Taiji sunset flips! Mike stays up, to then MOONSAULT KNEE DROP!! Mike then hurries back up top, ULTIMA WEAPON FLOPS as Taiji moves! BONELOCK!! But Mike rolls it to a cover, TWO!! Mike ROUNDHOUSES! And THRUST KICKS! And then TATSUMAKI, into the buckles!! Taiji SLAMS the arm against buckles, then drags Mike back with a dragon sleeper!
Taiji hoists Mike up, 1916!! Cover, TWO!?!? Mike survives, Taiji wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! And the BONELOCK!!!! Mike taps, Taiji wins!!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission (gains 2 points; Bailey earns 0)
The Bone Soldier is back up and is now the top of the block! Will this win be just what Taiji needed to make sure #ItsReborn?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Dan Moloney!
The Rogue Luchador beat the Wild Rhino and even survived the attack afterward. Meanwhile, #DaDrilla’s got nothing left to lose since he’s out of the running. Will Moloney conquer Desperado for the United Empire? Or will Strong Style prevail?
The bell rings and the two rush right in to RAM shoulders! Dan eggs Desperado on so Desperado runs. They RAM shoulders again, and then again! Dan says this is too easy, so Desperado dares him to go then. Dan runs, and he runs Desperado over! Fans cheer the show of strength and Dan throws up the crown. Dan drags Desperado up, whips him to ropes, but Desperado avoids the dropkick! Desperado wants a leg but Dan scrambles to the ropes. Desperado lets off, brings Dan up, but Dan suplexes Desperado! GOURD BUSTER, and then Dan gets back in. Desperado swings, but into a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally while Desperado bails out. Dan goes out after him, brings him up, and CHOPS Desperado! Desperado staggers away, Dan follows, and he says he’s the man now! And he CHOPS Desperado again! Desperado eggs Dan on so Dan CHOPS him again! Desperado stands to CHOP! Dan CHOPS! Eagles likes this! Dan tells him to shut up and he follows Desperado. Dan stomps Desperado down, digs his boot into Desperado, and Red Shoes reprimands. Dan apologizes, but then he POSTS Desperado! Red Shoes checks Desperado but Dan leaves him behind. The fans rally up and a ring count starts.
Desperado gets in at 3 of 20 but Dan’s right on him, with a CHOP! Desperado goes to a corner, Dan stomps Desperado down. Dan stomps him more, then stands on him! Red Shoes counts, Dan lets off and apologizes. Dan stomps and kicks Desperado around, but Desperado CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Dan CHOPS back and Desperado staggers away. Dan reels Desperado in, but Desperado fights the suplex with body shots! So Dan CHOPS again! Desperado CHOPS again! Dan CHOPS again! Desperado sputters and drops to a knee, and Dan eggs him on. Fans rally, Desperado swings, but Dan dodges!
Dan gets around, waistlocks, ripcords, and CHOPS! Desperado staggers, Dan reels him back in, but Desperado suplexes first! Fans fire up while both men are down again. Desperado snarls at Dan and stalks him to a corner. Desperado whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! And then a big lift, Dan fights back with punches, but Desperado still hits the BIG back suplex! Fans fire up and Desperado SPLASHES a leg! Desperado then puts on the STRETCH MUFFLER! Dan scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Red Shoes counts. Desperado lets off, and stomps the leg! Fans rally while Dan adjusts his kneepad.
Desperado drags Dan up, gut wrenches, but Dan fights off Guitarra! But Desperado kicks the bad leg! Desperado drags Dan up, GUITARRA- NO, Dan slips free, shoves and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Dan stands, hobbles over, and he brings Desperado up. Desperado blocks the suplex, but so does Dan. They fight for control, Dan’s leg bothers him, so Desperado kicks it out! Desperado drags Dan up, and suplexes, but Dan fights it! Dan fisherman’s, but Desperado fights that! Dan blocks the cradle counter, to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Desperado hangs tough and fans rally up.
Dan pounds the mat, slashes his throat and throws up the crown. Dan drags Desperado up, but Desperado wrenches out to EL ES CULERO! TWO!! Dan ROCKS Desperado, but Desperado CHOPS! And ROCKS him, and- ENZIGURI from Dan! Dan hurries to bring Desperado up and ripcords, but Desperado SPINEBUSTERS! Fans fire up as Desperado roars! Gut wrench, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Dan survives but Desperado fires up again! Fans are with him, and Desperado drags Dan up. Desperado underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Dan fights it! Dan back drops, Desperado sunset flips, but Dan stays up to DOUBLE STOMP and then SENTON!
Fans fire up while both men are down again. Dan shakes out the bad leg, goes to a corner, and he runs in at Desperado, to GORE!! Cover, TWO!!! Desperado survives and Dan is shocked! Dan says he’s gonna finish this, and he drags Desperado back up. Dan reels Desperado in, throws up the crown, but Desperado sunset flips to the STRETCH MUFFLER! Fans fire up as Dan endures! Dan scrambles around, reaches out, but Desperado drags him back! NUMERO DOS!! Dan taps, Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (gains 2 points; Moloney earns 0)
Da Drilla might’ve gotten a little cocky and he got caught! And with this, The Rogue Luchador is 5-2, staying alongside the top of the block! Will Strong Style take Desperado to the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS TJP!
The Ticking Timebomb overcame the Timesplitter but only by count-out. Meanwhile, Public Enemy Number One tapped out Taguchi in a seriously technical battle. Will the United Empire conquer even the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Or will Hiromu stay strong as the defending BOSJ winner?
Hiromu’s picture diary entry for TJP is TJP with a bloody face, the shot from after he lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Hiromu then sees Great-O-Khan on commentary, is a bit intimidated, but still gives the book to Milano Collection AT. The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU!” as he stares TJP down. They slowly circle, there are “T J P!” chants going, and TJP points them out in appreciation. The chants start dueling, but Hiromu’s are stronger. The two tie up, go to ropes, and TJP turns things around. TJP has a Nakamura lean on Hiromu, but he lets off.
Hiromu swings but TJP dodges! TJP swings but Hiromu dodges! The fans cheer as the two stand off. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Hiromu tries to get in deeper but TJP keeps him back. TJP then spins to wrench and wrangle Hiromu to a top wristlock. Fans applaud, Hiromu gets up, and Hiromu wrenches, loops it around TJP and wrenches again. Hiromu has the wristlock, but TJP rolls, spins and slips around to drag Hiromu into the twisting headscissors! Fans applaud while Hiromu kicks around. Hiromu reaches up to headscissor back, but TJP moves and headstands. Fans applaud, and then TJP pops free.
TJP has Hiromu’s legs trapped, but Hiromu clinches to drag TJP into a body scissor. TJP hooks the leg, turns Hiromu over, and the two bridge up to headstand! Hiromu slaps, TJP slaps, and fans fire up for this upside-down slap fight! TJP brings things back to right-side-up, but Hiromu avoids the kick to trip TJP! Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud as the two stand off again. Hiromu and TJP reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Hiromu kicks low, CLUBS TJP, then whips. TJP goes Spider-Man, but Hiromu stays back to avoid the trap. Fans rally up as Hiromu sits down and dares TJP to come back.
TJP sits down on the apron and dares Hiromu to come on out. Hiromu lies down to lounge, and fans applaud the bravado. TJP also lounges, but then both men spring to their feet! Hiromu rushes in but TJP blocks the forearm! Hiromu blocks the gamangiri! TJP sidesteps the shoulder to get Hiromu in the ropes! ROPE OCTOPUS! Red Shoes counts, TJP lets go at 4, and Hiromu flops to the floor. Fans rally and TJP fetches Hiromu into the ring. TJP scrapes Hiromu’s face, KNEES him in the back, and then traps an arm for the SNAP ARMBAR! Hiromu writhes and TJP smirks. Cover, ONE, but TJP keeps cool.
TJP drags Hiromu up, CHOPS him to a corner, and whips corner to corner. Hiromu comes back to DROPKICK TJP in the shoulder! TJP has the tape on it, so Hiromu has his target! Hiromu brings TJP around but TJP drags him into a cradle! TWO! TJP kicks low, and he shakes out the arm. TJP uses ropes to pull the arm, and then TJP goes to suplex. The bad arm makes that difficult, so TJP shifts to a HALF HATCH! TJP drags Hiromu back up, another HALF HATCH! And then another HALF HATCH! A variation on Three Amigos and TJP covers, TWO! Fans rally up again while TJP backs off.
TJP swings his arm to get it working, and he brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! TJP knees low! TJP runs, but Hiromu follows and RANAS! Fans fire up, TJP flounders to a corner, and Hiromu runs corner to corner, to clothesline! Snapmare and basement dropkick! But TJP bails out! Fans fire up and Hiromu goes to the apron, to JOHN WOO! TJP tumbles and fans fire up with Hiromu! Hiromu catches his breath while Red Shoes checks TJP. TJP is okay to continue so Hiromu brings TJP up. Hiromu puts TJP in, hurries after, and has TJP for a suplex. TJP slips out, swings, but Hiromu spins him around for FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally while both men are down. Hiromu drags TJP up, fireman’s carries, but TJP fights free! TJP avoids the backhand to HEADBUTT! Hiromu staggers, comes back, but into a SUPERKICK! Hiromu tries gain, but TJP BOOTS and JUMP SOBATS! Fans fire up while both men are down! TJP shakes out the bad arm, fans rally up as he stands, and TJP brings Hiromu up to whip. Hiromu reverses but TJP springboards to FLYING FOREARM! But because that was the bad arm, it slows TJP down. TJP goes to one corner, Hiromu goes to the other. TJP runs in to back elbow! TJP sits Hiromu down and fans fire up!
TJP gives Hiromu scrapes of the laces! TJP then goes side to side, to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up, and TJP drags Hiromu to center. TJP climbs up and fans rally. MAMBA- NO, he has to bail out as Hiromu move! Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Both men are down and fans fire back up. Hiromu goes to a corner, he runs in and SHOTGUNS TJP! But TJP comes right back to SHOTGUN Hiromu! TJP keeps moving, and he BUSAIKU KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and TJP is beside himself! Fans rally up, TJP stands and he brings Hiromu up. But Hiromu throws a forearm!
TJP wobbles but stays up. Hiromu ROCKS him with another forearm, and then another! TJP swings, Hiromu blocks and spins to TRIANGLE D!! TJP flails around, reaches out, and fans rally, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go but he staggers back up. Hiromu drags TJP up, fireman’s carries, but TJP slips free and shoves Hiromu away. TJP goes to a corner, Hiromu runs in but only gets buckles! TORNADO- NO, Hiromu throws TJP off! Hiromu runs in, TJP gets around, but Hiromu drops! TJP blocks the victory roll and covers, TWO!! Hiromu escapes, runs in again, but TJP BOOTS him! TJP runs, but into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu and TJP stir, and Hiromu stands first. Hiromu follows TJP out to the apron, brings him up, and fireman’s carries! TJP fights free, but Hiromu ROCKS him! TJP ROCKS Hiromu, Hiromu ROCKS TJP! TJP ROCKS Hiromu again, but hurts himself since that’s his bad arm! Hiromu fires off a flurry of forearms, then he brings TJP up! Red Shoes says don’t do this, and the fans are worried, too! But TJP fights the suplex! Hiromu keeps trying, but TJP slips out to SUPERKICK! Hiromu is stuck on the top rope, TJP goes up the corner, and TJP MAMBA GUILLOTINES!
Fans fire up and TJP watches Hiromu writhe. Hiromu sits up, into NOVA FIREBALL!! Cover, TWO!!! TJP shouting out his tag partner doesn’t finish this! But TJP puts Hiromu in a drop zone and goes up the corner. MAMBA- TRIANGLE D!!! TJP is caught, he reaches out, then stacks Hiromu to float over, PINOY STRETCH!! Hiromu endures, reaches out, drags TJP with him, but he starts fading! The fans rally up harder, and Hiromu gets a second wind to get the ROPEBREAK!! TJP lets go in frustration and the fans fire up. TJP drags Hiromu up, fireman’s carries, but Hiromu fights it!
Hiromu tries to get away, TJP has the wrist still, so Hiromu BOOTS TJP down! Hiromu drags TJP up, but TJP reels Hiromu in, STRAITJACKET DDT!! TJP runs, but Hiromu avoids the knee! Mule kick, front kick, but TJP ducks the superkick! Hiromu avoids the sobat to SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, TJP dodges the lariat, but he runs into a fireman’s carry! Hiromu throws TJP to the dragon sleeper, TJP spins around, but Hiromu uses that to suplex! But TJP throws knees! Hiromu stays up with TJP, shifts back tot he fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and the fans fire up again!
Hiromu roars as we pass 20 minutes out of 30! TJP rises, Hiromu runs, but TJP ducks the lariat to dragon sleeper! Hiromu drops but TJP has the ARMBAR! Hiromu stacks TJP, deadlifts and POWERBOMBS! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Hiromu then fireman’s carries, for TIMEBOMB!!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; TJP earns 0)
The United Empire could not conquer this ungovernable! TJP is on the bubble in the block, will he keep it from bursting next round?
As for Hiromu, after his hand is raised and he’s handed his title and an icepack, he gets the mic. Fans chant for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” and Hiromu says, “I’m tired. So tired. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t stand! Ugh, I hurt all over! It’s impossible! I’m sorry! I can’t do it anymore! I can’t! I can’t! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! BUT I’M FINE!” Fans cheer but which is it?! Hiromu then lies back down and asks, “Do you mind if I talk from down here? It’s understandable, right? Seven matches in eight days! Anyone would die!” Fans applaud that. Hiromu sits up to say that TJP, “I have to say… You’re too damned handsome!”
Fans laugh and applaud, apparently in agreement. Hiromu continues to tell TJP, “You look a little tool cool for this, don’t you?” A fan shouts, “Hiromu-chan’s cool, too!” Hiromu thanks them for that. “Thank you to the one fan who thinks Hiromu-chan looks handsome, too!” Hiromu sits up now and says the hashtags are #BOSJ30 and #TJPISSUPERHANDSOMEANDCOOL! Make sure to spell that right. Hiromu is sure they all remember what he said at the press conference. If not, remember: He doesn’t want just four in a row, he wants TEN IN A ROW! Fans cheer, but then Hiromu points out not all of them are cheering for him.
Does that mean they don’t want to see Hiromu even get four in a row? More fans cheer but Hiromu wants to take a survey. “Who wants to see me win Best of the Super Juniors four in a row? Clap.” The fans clap! Well in that case, Hiromu doesn’t wanna win four in a row. “It’s just a little too much for me, isn’t it? Who wants me not to win? Yell your favorite food right now!” What? Not everyone says something, and Hiromu goes, “That’s what I thought! Sounds good, except for that one guy who really likes sweet potatoes. Sorry to disappoint, but I will win four in a row!” Fans like the sound of that!
Hiromu says not only will he win four in a row, “and we’ll have more…” The fans echo “MORE!” MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE…! FUN TOGETHER~! The Ticking Timebomb has his goal in mind, will he accomplish it just to spite the haters?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Taiji Ishimori: 5-2, 10 points
Mike Bailey: 5-2, 10 points
Lio Rush: 5-2, 10 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-2, 10 points
Titán: 4-3, 8 points
TJP: 4-3, 8 points
DOUKI: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-7, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Master Wato: 5-2, 10 points
Robbie Eagles: 5-2, 10 points
YOH: 5-2, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-2, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-3, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-4, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-4, 6 points
Dan Moloney: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
BUSHI: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great round for the BOSJ here, these blocks are getting really interesting. As I have written there, four men are out of the running in A Block but only three are out in B Block. Taguchi VS Douki was a match of men already out of the running but that was still a great match because that is what Taguchi has been doing this whole tournament: He brings a great match out of his opponent, and then puts them over. Great stuff for Douki, he can be a strong part of the Junior Heavyweight Division on behalf of Just5Guys. J5G helped Sanada finally reach world title level, Taichi got the KOPW title, why can’t Douki and Kanemaru take over the Junior Heavyweight Division in the summer?
I also like that on the flipside, there are four men at 5-2 in both blocks. Taiji, Bailey, Lio, Hiromu, Wato, Eagles, Yoh and Desperado, that’s a top eight right there that could easily do a traditional tournament. Any two from A Block, and any two from B Block, will make for awesome semifinals, I can’t wait. Also, Hiromu got a great win off TJP in tonight’s main event and he had me laughing out loud for real with his closing promo. Hiromu is comedic genius, he is a wrestling genius, and who knows, he really could get his fourth in a row, fifth overall. At the same time, he could still fall just short since four is bad luck in Japan. Either way, this is really exciting for NJPW.
My Score: 8.9/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLASGOW KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Candice has Tiffy down with an armlock. Tiff fights up as the fans rally, but Candice wrenches to wristlock. Tiff spins through, goes to ropes, then up the corner to flip and arm-drag! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Candice! DROPKICK, and Tiff snarls! Tiff goes to the corner, and Charlotte makes her entrance? The Queen chooses to be fashionably late all so everyone looks at her, including Tiffy. Tiffy handsprings, but Candice dodges! Candice runs up to UPPERCUT, then she snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice clamps onto Tiffy with a top wristlock.
The fans “WOO~” as Charlotte now chooses to join commentary. Tiff fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Candice CLUBS away on her! Candice backs off, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tiff runs, HIP ATTACKS, and Candice flops back! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays on Candice with a whip, but Candice reverses. Candice CLOBBERS Tiff, covers, TWO! Charlotte corrects Tiffy’s words earlier: Charlotte isn’t the “top girl,” she is THE woman in WWE. Candice HIP DROPS Tiff but the fans rally up. Candice scuffs Tiff, then grinds an arm to drop a knee on the elbow! And another knee drop! Tiff endures and the fans rally up.
Candice keeps on that arm, thrashes it around, but Tiff fights up. Tiff fires body shots, then shoves Candice to Alabama Lift her! Candice sunset flips, Tiff rolls through, TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Tiff is frustrated and Candice bails out. Tiff goes to the apron, goes up the corner, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Candice and Nia, and Tiff almost stuck the landing! The fans fire up with Tiff and she goes into the ring. Tiff points to the WrestleMania sign, and then at Charlotte, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Tiff waits on Candice, Candice slides in, and Tiff stomps her down! Candice bails out, Nia is there to coach her, but Tiff lets the ring count start. Candice gets on the apron, Tiff kicks her, but Candice RAMS Tiff! Candice CLUBS Tiff, has her in the ropes, and hits a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Candice climbs, aims, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO!
Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW!
Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back! Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring!
The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring. Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, but with some interesting moves after the sudden change in plans with The Rock showing up. Naomi and Bianca had a good promo to hype up what was meant to be a full match of Naomi VS Liv, but word had already come out before the show that things were being cut for time. But at the very least, they did the right thing of making it a brawl that adds heat to the tag title match on Monday. Also, hilarious how Chelsea & Piper thought the beatdown on Bianca & Naomi was so bad that they would need to be pulled from the Chamber. I also can’t wait to see what happens on Toronto SmackDown.
As for The Rock, I do appreciate he used his authority to kayfabe change more things, all so he could have his promo with Cody. I also appreciate Rock blending his different roles and even different sides, both Heel and Face, to A) bring the news of WM42 being in NOLA, and B) recreate the Corporate Champion/People’s Champion story from the Attitude Era. That was some wild stuff he was saying to Cody. I’m sure quite a few people will try and talk with Cody next week in the go-home. Heels will say do it because they’d love to have what Rock can give, Faces will say not because Cody’s better than that. But naturally, Cody is not going to become The Rock’s Champion, causing Rock to turn on him and really up things going into WrestleMania 41 and perhaps even beyond.
Good stuff in the Elimination Chamber related stories. Jimmy VS McIntyre was great stuff to open, and how fitting that McIntyre loses to Jimmy after talking all that trash about Jimmy and Jey being the same. Jey got McIntyre with something quick, Jimmy got McIntyre with something quick, McIntyre’s ego is obviously his weakness. And at the same time, McIntyre of course destroys Jimmy after because that’s his other personality trait. Priest had good promos with Cody and Braun, and we got great stuff from Solo’s Bloodline. Naturally, we got a miscommunication spot to help finish, we’re really close to Solo VS Jacob, I can feel it. Priest & Braun get the win, mostly because Priest isn’t winning in the Chamber when you’ve got Punk and Cena in there.
Very good stuff with Tiffy Time, from the promos leading into the match to Charlotte being ringside just to watch. Nia & Candice of course get the better of Tiff & Trish, because Tiff & Trish are definitely winning the tag match in Toronto. Charlotte just seems to enjoy trolling Tiff with her presence, so Charlotte probably shows up in Toronto to then confront Tiff after the match. I expect the seven weeks after Elimination Chamber to really heat up, as will Charlotte’s involvement, where she’ll get more active verbally and physically. Also, hell, Rock should go full Corporation and have Charlotte be his Corporate Women’s Champion because of how established she is.
Hilarious stuff from Truth tonight, as always. Truth and Melo having their “who’s on first” again was good stuff, and of course Miz gets in on this story, too. Truth & Knight VS “Melo Don’t Miz” was really fun, but yeah, should’ve figured Nakamura would get involved, too. Melo & Miz making it work could also be really fun, and while Knight VS Nakamura is a rehash, I really hope they find a way to up things. It feels like we’re getting the same with the tag titles as Profits “ruined” that great tag match from DIY and Pretty Deadly, then brawled with MCMG to still come out on top. Last year had a ladder tag title match, so why not do one for these titles this year?
Speaking of escalating, Kevin filming a promo outside Sami’s house was some really well done stuff, as expected of someone as good as Kevin and in such a story as him and Sami. Their match should main event, it needs time to breathe, as it could be just as, if not more violent, than the Chamber matches. What a powerful closing moment we could have if it’s a bloody Kevin and Sami, and one of them is standing over the other, triumphant yet mournful because it was their best friend in the world that they just brutalized.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
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Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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