Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/21/23)
Round 8, FIGHT!
Bubbles are gonna pop!
As Best of the Super Juniors enters the homestretch, more and more entrants are going to drop out! Who survives another round and who falls down?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS Titán; Titán wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS SHO; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS BUSHI; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Dan Moloney; Moloney wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS TJP; Lio wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori; Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Francesco Akira; Desperado wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current 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 current 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]
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS Titán!
When it comes to the block, Japones Del Mal is out, but El Inmofrtal is still alive! Will Titan be great in round eight? Or will Douki be his spoiler?
Fans rally and duel already, “TITAN! TITAN!” “DOUKI! DOUKI!” The bell rings and Douki knocks Titan down! Douki stomps Titan at the ropes, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Douki lets off, drags Titan up, and whips him to a corner. Titan goes up and over and handsprings away. Fans fire up as Titan gets around Douki, ripcords and knuckle locks to CHOP! Titan goes up and up and tightrope walks to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up as Douki bails out, and Titan DIVES! Direct hit and the fans are fired up for “TITAN! TITAN!” Titan puts Douki back in, covers, ONE! Titan drags Douki and stomps the leg,
Titan hooks the legs up, turns Douki over, TRAILER HITCH! But Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally up as Titan lets Douki go. Douki stands, Tttan fires off kicks to the legs, then palm strikes, kicks and a SOBAT! Titan runs, into an ENZIGURI! Douki whips Titan, Titan reverses and TORNADO- NO! Douki denies the DDT and gets the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! But Titan scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Douki lets go at 4. Fans rally, Douki drags Titan up and scoops, SAHARAWI! Cover, TWO! Titan escapes and fans rally up but Douki keeps cool. Douki goes to the apron and watches Titan rise.
Fans rally up, Douki slingshots, DAY- NO, Titan denies that DDT to then suplex Douki and hang him out to dry! Titan swings but Douki blocks! Douki throws Titan down by the mask, but Titan kips up to PELE! Fans fire up and Titan builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit again and fans are thunderous for “TITAN! TITAN!” Titan roars and he drags Douki up. Titan puts Douki in, goes to a corner and climbs up. Fans rally, Titan DIVING- NO, Douki avoids the stomps, pops Titan up but Titan RANAS, only for Douki to sunset flip that! TWO and Douki gets the wrists, ITALIAN STRETCH! Titan scrambles around again but Douki pulls tight!
Fans rally as Titan endures and moves back. Titan reaches but Douki drags him away from ropes! Titan falls over, but then gets back up. Douki rolls Titan away, ITALIAN- NO, Titan pushes through for a jackknife, TWO! Titan swings, Douki spins him and drags Titan down, around, and DRAGON’S LAIR, but Titan slips free. Douki ghost pins, TWO!! Titan escapes, but then Douki drags him into the ITALIAN STRETCH!! Fans fire up, Titan scoots around, but Douki drags him down! Douki pulls and Titan is fading! Fans rally as hard as they can and Titan gets a second wind! Titan powers up, but Douki YANKS him back down!!
The ref checks with Titan as he kicks around, but Titan is fading again! Titan gets a third wind, and the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Douki lets go in frustration. Douki huffs and puffs and goes to the apron. Titan rises, Douki slingshots, DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and fans are thunderous again! Douki roars, his fans come through for him and he wheelbarrows Titan. Full nelson, but Titan victory rolls! Douki rolls it through to his own cover, TWO! Titan rolls it back, TWO! Titan hooks a leg, rolls, JAVE INMORTAL!! Douki flails, but he taps! Titan wins!
Winner: Titán, by submission (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)
El Inmortal survives, and he is now at 10 points! Will he make it to the semifinals after all? As for Douki, he’s running out of chances, can he outdo his personal best in the final round?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Clark Connors w/ Gedo!
The Heel Master is also out, but the Wild Rhino is holding onto a hope! Will the whiskey loving Kanemaru handle 100 Proof? Or will Connors drink him under the table with No Chaser?
The bell rings and Connors rushes in! Kanemaru gets around him to roll him up, TWO! Kanemaru cradles, TWO! Kanemaru kicks low, runs, but Connors runs him over! Fans fire up while Connors looms over Kanemaru. Connors then throws Connors out, goes out after him, and stomps him right in front of commentary. Connors CLUBS Kanemaru, mocks the fans cheering Kanemaru on, and then he SMACKS Kanemaru off the apron. Connors CLUBS Kanemaru, whips him and POSTS him! The ring count starts as Connors glares at Shingo Takagi on commentary. The count reaches 10 of 20 and Connors slides in.
Connors lets things climb, Kanemaru rises at 14. Kanemaru slides in at 16 and fans cheer, but Connors drags Kanemaru up for a snap suplex! Gedo likes what he sees as Kanemaru writhes. Connors kicks Kanemaru to a corner, stomps him, and fans rally up. Kanemaru throws elbows and body shots but Connors CLUBS him back down! Fans boo as Connors talks more trash, and he goes back to Kanemaru for a CHOP! Connors whips corner to corner hard, then runs in, but into a boot! Kanemaru runs in, but into an elbow! Connors runs, but Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up while both men are down.
Kanemaru gets a leg, and he SMASHES it on the mat! Kanemaru then whips Connors to ropes. Connors reverses, but Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls. Connors denies that, knees low, and runs, but into another low dropkick! Kanemaru grabs that leg, SHIN BREAKER! Takedown and FIGURE FOUR! Fans fire up and Kanemaru thrashes around! Connors endures, reaches out, and crawls to the ROPEBREAK! They go to the apron, and Kanemaru rolls it to the floor! Kanemaru keeps on the Figure Four! Gedo protests, the ring count starts, and Kanemaru keeps holding as we hit 10 of 20! Gedo complains, Connors endures, but the count keeps going!
Kanemaru lets go at 15 of 20 and jumps in at 16! Connors hobbles up, scrambles in at 19! Kanemaru covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Connors is still in this but Kanemaru is still on him! Kanemaru scoops for BRITISH FALL! Connors is in the drop zone, Kanemaru goes up, MOONSAULT, but Kanemaru has to land on his feet as Connors moves! Connors storms up, avoids the low dropkick, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Kanemaru away! Fans fire up while Connors snarls. Gedo says to finish this, and Connors whips. Kanemaru holds ropes to stop himself and avoid the powerslam!
Connors runs in, Kanemaru dodges, and Kanemaru rolls Connors for the “Samson Clutch!” TWO, and Kanemaru keeps the legs for the FIGURE- NO, Connors drags Kanemaru into a cradle, but then deadlifts for a suplex! Kanemaru slips free, gets a bit caught up in Connors’ tights, and runs, for Connors to POWERSLAM! Connors goes to a corner and fans rally up. Kanemaru rises, Connors runs in, SPEAR!! And then Connors takes a swig, NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru gave Connors shot after shot but 100 Proof stands tall! But will his 4-4 hold out as the rest take their shots?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS SHO!
In the real shocker of the tournament, the Timesplitter has been out of the running for some time now. As for the Murder Machine, he’s also out of the running. But he only got as far as he did thanks to cheating! Will Sho keep on cheating for the points? Or will he be trumped by the Ace of the Junior Heavyweight Division?
Evil accompanies Sho upfront again, what influence will he have on the match? But as Kushida makes his entrance, Sho gets the mic. “Yosh, yosh, yosh yosh yosh. <Alright alright alright.> I was looking forward to wrestling Kushida fairly in this match. But… Whatever happens, whoever wins, whoever loses, we’re both out of this tournament. So in that case, there’s really no point in us wrestling, right? Nobody wants to see it, right?” Fans are torn on that. Sho is pretty sure Korakuen deserves better, but fans chant, “We Want It! We Want It!” Sho says, “Well, if Kushida has the guts, then how about we go 1v1, fair and square?”
Fans like the sound of that, so Sho says, “Very well. Korakuen, I will wrestle honestly.” A fan shouts, “Thanks!” Sho says this one time, in Korakuen, against “Kushida-sensei,” for the people, he will wrestle fairly. Thank you very much! Sho has Evil be his legit corner man and he puts in his mouthguard. He takes a drink of water and has the ref check him. All’s good, he and Evil hug for luck, and fans fire up. The bell rings, fans rally for “KU-SHI-DA!” but Kushida bails out. Fans boo, Kushida is taking his time with this one. Sho says it’s all okay! Please come back. Kushida steps in and circles with Sho.
Fans rally up, the two feel things out, and they fight for control in the clinch. Sho gets on Kushida’s back but Kushida tries to throw him off. Sho keeps on with body scissors but Kushida moves around. Sho is on the mat but with a leg guard. Kushida gets over the guard to top mount but Sho moves around. Sho avoids the facelock, has the legs, and fans applaud this technical exchange. Sho shoots around to a rear mount but Kushida moves around. Kushida ties up legs but Sho is after an arm. Sho goes for a cover but Kushida shifts and rolls free. Fans applaud this opening back and forth and the two reset.
Sho and Kushida circle, Sho avoids the drop toehold and the takedown. Sho jumps on for a guillotine but Kushida powers out. Kushida waistlocks, lifts, and GERMAN SUPLEXES, to a bridge! ONE as Sho goes after an arm! Kushida shifts around, he wants the arm! Sho clasps hands but Kushida kicks at him. Kushida tries to power the hands apart but Sho moves around, and deadlifts Kushida up! Kushida shifts to sunset but Sho sits down! Sho has the top mount but Kushida bucks him to grapevine a leg! Kushida drags Sho down, HEEL HOOK! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets go and fans cheer.
Sho goes to the apron, complaining about his leg. The ref has Kushida back off and cornerman Evil checks Sho. Wait, he’s slipping Sho the metal panel! Sho is putting that panel in his kick pad! So much for fair! Evil is hiding this by using cold spray on Sho’s back. Sho” hobbles” before he slides into the ring. Sho runs in but Kushida kicks low! And KICKS the arm! And again! And again! But Sho avoids the Penalty Kick to KICK Kushida with the loaded boot! Kushida tries to say something’s up but he can barely breathe! Then Sho PENALTY KICKS the arm! Kushida writhes from another loaded shot!
Sho waits on Kushida as he writhes, and wait! Kevin Knight appears! Kushida’s tag partner is bringing up the cheating but Sho hurries to give the metal panel back to Evil! Sho grabs Kushida’s arm and wants the double wristlock! Sho is stealing the HOVERBOARD! Fans rally for “KU-SHI-DA!” as hard as they can! Kushida fights, reaches out, but Sho rolls him! Kushida rolls through to have the HOVERBOARD! But he can really only hold it with one arm! Wait, Evil throws Knight into the ring! The ref argues with Knight but Evil slides in to attack Kushida! Fans boo as Evil RAMS Kushida into the ref and Knight!
Fans boo and tell Evil to go away but Evil clotheslines Knight down! The House of Torture stomps away on Kushida, then they put one out. Evil gives Sho the “torture tool!” Sho takes hold of the wrench, Evil brings Kushida up, but Knight returns! Knight stops Sho and DECKS him! Knight fires off on Evil, and on Sho! But Evil kicks Knight low! The House double whip Knight, but he leaps the double clothesline to DOUBLE DROPKICK them out! Fans fire up as Knight gets Evil out! Knight puts Evil in the HOVERBOARD! Kushida scrambles up, Sho runs in, but into a BOOT! Somersault and HOVERBOARD!! The ref wakes up, and Sho taps! Kushida wins!!
Winner: Kushida, by submission (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Justice is served! The Intergalactic Jet Setters make sure Sho pays for his crimes, and then they put one out! Will Kushida be able to finish strong in this tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS BUSHI!
The Way of the Grandmaster is running strong at 5-2, and has certainly left The Black Mask in the dust. Will Wato lap Bushi as the leader of the pack? Or will Bushi make round eight tranquilo?
The bell rings and fans rally and duel, “WATO! WATO!” “BUSHI! BUSHI!” They tie up, Bushi powers Wato to ropes, and the ref counts. Wato turns it around, Bushi turns it back, and repeat. Bushi keeps Wato on the ropes, then CHOPS! Wato CHOPS back, but Bushi CHOPS again! They go CHOP for CHOP, again and again, then Bushi rakes the eyes. Bushi whips, Wato reverses and dropkicks Bushi down! Bushi bails out, Wato builds speed, but Bushi moves. Wato slides out, chases Bushi and Bushi gets back in the ring. Wato gets on the apron and Bushi DECKS him! Bushi builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit!
Fans fire up and Bushi fires up, too! Bushi drags Wato up, puts him in the ring, and stomps Wato around. Bushi drags Wato up and bumps him off buckles. Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Bushi snapmares, covers, TWO! Fans rally up and Bushi sits Wato up to KICK him in the back! Bushi gives Wato some toying kicks, and then drags Wato up. Wato throws forearms in return but Bushi knees low. Bushi whips, Wato holds ropes to stop, and then Wato BOOTS Bushi, and BULLDOGS! Fans fire up again and Wato goes to ropes. Bushi stands, Wato runs in to ELBOW! And BOOT!
Wato whips and CALF KICKS Bushi down! Bushi bails out and fans rally as Wato builds speed. Wato FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Bushi! Fans fire up more and Wato walks off the impact. Wato goes back to Bushi, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. Wato aims from the apron, springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “WATO! WATO!” and he fires up. Wato drags Bushi up, waistlocks, but Bushi throws elbows. Bushi blocks the haymaker to spin and DDT Wato down! Fans rally and Bushi stomps Wato. Bushi drags Wato up, but Wato fights the fisherman! Wato throws body shots and kicks!
Wato runs, but ducks the enziguri! Body scissors and roll, VENDAVAL! Bushi endures, fans rally, and Bushi teeter-totters the hold around. Wato pulls on the hold but Bushi reaches out with a foot. Fans rally and duel, and Bushi gets the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets off quickly and he brings Bushi up. Wato half nelsons but Bushi slips free of the suplex to BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up while both men are down. Bushi crawls over to Wato, sits him up, and throws a forearm. Wato throws a forearm, Bushi throws it back, and they stand. The forearms keep going, the fans rally up, and Bushi gets the edge with a flurry!
Bushi runs, but Wato UPPERCUTS! Wato runs, but Bushi DROPKICKS! Bushi then brings Wato around, FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this and the fans rally, but Bushi goes to a corner. Bushi watches Wato rise, and CODE BREAKER! Fans fire up with Bushi and he goes up another corner! Wato rises again, Bushi leaps, but Wato DROPKICKS! Wato hurries to SCREW HIGH KICK! And then waistlock, TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
The Way of the Grandmaster defeats Bushi, and crosses off both Kevin Knight and Clark Connors at the same time! Will Wato be all but guaranteed a semifinal spot?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Mike Bailey!
The Funky Weapon has been serious this entire tournament, yet he’s also been winless this entire tournament! Will he be unable to stop Speedball this close to the end? Or will his greatest win be Bailey’s hardest loss?
The bell rings and fans rally up for “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi and Mike circle, and the “BAILEY! BAILEY!” chants come in. Mike encourages those chants, but then Taguchi rushes in! Mike sees him coming has him stop, and Taguchi apologizes. Taguchi kneels and offers a handshake, and Mike accepts it. Fans applaud and the two circle. They tie up, Taguchi powers Mike to ropes and the ref calls break. Taguchi shows chop, but then he stops to offer another handshake. Mike accepts it again, and then Taguchi drags him to a cradle! TWO!! Mike and Taguchi speed things up. Mike hurdles, drops and KICKS Taguchi down!
Taguchi gets right back up! But Mike dodges him and fires off the lightning kicks! ENZIGURI! Taguchi goes to the corner and fans rally up. Mike runs in to CHOP! Mike wrenches, whips corner to corner, and then runs in to BOOT! Fans fire up and Mike SLAMS Taguchi down! Fans rally as Mike goes up and up and DOUBLE KNEE FLOP as Taguchi moves! Taguchi gets OH MY GAH ANKLE! Mike gets to the ROPEBREAK and Taguchi lets go. Mike bails out, Taguchi goes after Mike and stomps the leg. Then Taguchi SMASHES the knee on the floormats! Taguchi drags Mike around, to OH MY GAH ANKLE!
Mike endures but he’s on the outside. The ref reprimands, Taguchi lets off, and Taguchi checks his nose from that boot earlier. Taguchi says it’s fine, and he puts Mike in the ring. Taguchi drags Mike up, wrenches and reels him in, SHIN BREAKER! Mike writhes, stands, but Taguchi dropkicks the legs out! Taguchi then ties Mike’s legs up and adds a seated cobra twist! Mike endures and moves around. Mike gets his legs free and gets the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go and Mike goes to a corner. Taguchi stomp the legs but lets off as the ref counts. Taguchi stands on a foot but Mike kicks with the other. Taguchi stomps toes!
Taguchi whips, Mike reverses, but Taguchi ducks the kick! Mike ducks the lariat and goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Mike aims at Taguchi, to SOBAT! AX KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up again, and Mike SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Taguchi is still in this and the fans rally back up. Mike aims, but Taguchi ducks the buzzsaw! And then ducks the other buzzsaw! Mike feints Taguchi on the third, waits for Taguchi to sit back up, then BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and fans fire up again. Taguchi goes to a corner but Mike goes to the opposite.
Mike powers up, runs and spins, but Taguchi SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up again while Mike checks his teeth. He has a mouthguard so that probably helps. Taguchi brings Mike up but Mike throws a forearm. Taguchi throws one back! Mike throws another forearm! Taguchi throws another! Mike KICKS! And KICKS! And KICK, but Taguchi blocks it! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taguchi keeps Mike from ropes but Mike rolls! Taguchi is thrown out, and then Mike builds speed! Taguchi slides in, Mike stops himself but that jams up the leg! Taguchi slides, Mike goes up to TOP ROPE QUEBRADA! Direct hit!
Fans are thunderous for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” while Taguchi flounders. Mike hobbles after Taguchi, waits for him to stand, and then Taguchi turns around, into a KICK! And another KICK! And another, but Taguchi blocks it! Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE! But Mike rolls and sends Taguchi at the post! Taguchi stops himself, but then he smacks the post with his hands! Taguchi pretends he collided with steel to trick Mike! Mike aims, but Taguchi ducks! Mike kicks post!! Fans are thunderous for Taguchi’s wily ways and he puts Mike in. Taguchi goes up, to DIVING KNEE DROP the bad leg! OH MY GAH AKNLE!!
Mike endures, Taguchi leans on the hold, and fans rally as hard as they can! Mike moves around, ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he CLUBS Mike! Taguchi chicken wings, DODON- NO, Mike arm-drags free! Taguchi comes back, into a RANA! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! MOONSAULT KNEE DROP onto knees! Taguchi saves himself but it was rather double-edged! Fans are thunderous again as Taguchi goes to the corner! “ORYA~!” BUM-A-YE! Cover, but Mike turns it into a ghost pin! TWO!! Taguchi escapes, goes for a schoolboy, but Mike spins and sits down to cover! TWO!!!
Taguchi escapes again and he ENZIGURIS! Mike staggers around, Taguchi runs, but into a BOOT! Taguchi blocks the roundhouse! But Mike gets Taguchi with the CRANE KICK! And the THRUST KICK! Taguchi goes to a corner, fans fire up and Mike powers up. TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU! Then he pushes Taguchi down and goes up! ULTIMA- NO, Taguchi moves! More damage to the knees, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!!! Mike crawls, Taguchi drags him back, LA MAGISTROL, but Mike blocks it! TWO and Taguchi finishes Magistrol, TWO!! Mike has it, MIKE WINS!
Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
That was fast and furious for sure, but Taguchi could not pull out the spoiler! Can he get his first win this year in the bottom of the ninth? As for The Speedball, he’s hurting, but will he be able to solidify a spot in the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles w/ Kosei Fujita VS Dan Moloney!
The newest recruits of TMDK and The United Empire face off as The Sniper aims for the semifinals! Will Eagles fly high going into the ninth? Or will #DaDrilla bring him crashing down?
Dan attacks during Eagles’ introduction! And he hits “Ichiban Sweet Boy” Fujita, too! Fans boo as Dan throws up the crown, and Dan goes out after Eagles. The bell rings as Dan stomps Eagles, then brings him up to UPPERCUT! Eagles staggers, Dan HEADBUTTS Eagles, stomps Fujita, then stalks Eagles around the way. Eagles finally gets his jacket off but Dan CLAWS his back! Dan follows Eagles around another corner, scoops, but Eagles slips free! Eagles then hurdles over to RANA Dan to the floor! Fans rally for Eagles, Eagles puts Dan in, and fans rally up. Dan sits up into Eagles’ PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!
Eagles goes for legs but Dan brings Eagles in for a monkey flip! Dan bails to the apron, but Eagles storms up. Dan CHOPS Eagles, Eagles comes back but Dan jumps to Low 619! Dan shoulders into Eagles, drags him to the apron, but Eagles CHOPS! Dan CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Eagles kicks low, kicks the leg, but Dan CHOPS again! Eagles KICKS, Dan CHOPS! Eagles sputters, Dan eggs him on, and Eagles KICKS the leg! Eagles then blocks a chop, blocks a kick, and hooks Dan up! But Dan fights the backpack to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans fire up while Eagles writhes on the floor.
Fans rally for Eagles while Dan leaves him behind. Eagles sits up as the ring count starts, and he rolls his way to the ring. Fans start up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” on their own. Eagles stands at 13 and slides in at 14! Dan whips and DROPKICKS Eagles right down! Cover, TWO! Dan glares at Fujita and the fans get “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” going again. Dan flips them off for it then throws up the crown. Dan stalks Eagles to a corner, digs his boots in, and the ref counts. Dan lets off at 4, Eagles sputters, and Dan mocks Fujita before he CHOPS Eagles. Eagles flops against ropes and Dan stomps him down.
Dan stands on Eagles’ face at the ropes but the ref counts. Dan steps off at 4 and the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” starts again. Dan throws up the crown then flips everyone off to “OI OI OI!” But Eagles CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Dan snapmares, KICKS Eagles in the back, then covers, TWO! Fans rally up as Eagles goes to ropes. Dan whips but Eagles blocks, so Dan CHOPS him down! Eagles goes to a corner, Dan whips him corner to corner, but Eagles goes up and over. Dan fights the back suplex with elbows! Dan then gets around to back suplex, but Eagles lands on his feet to ROLLING CHOP BLOCK!
Eagles gets moving, to hit the BLINDSIDER! Both men are down, fans rally up again, and the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” starts yet again. Eagles feeds off that energy and he KICKS Dan! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, but Dan blocks the Penalty Kick! Dan lifts Eagles, for a LAST- NO, Eagles slips free! Dan kicks him low and whips, but Eagles reverses, kicks and WHEEL KICKS! Fans rally up as Eagles pounds the mat. Eagles goes to the opposite corner, he runs in, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Dan sits down, Eagles comes back, but only gets buckles! Dan CHOPS again! And KICKS the leg! And CHOPS again!
Dan KICKS Eagles, CHOPS him, but Eagles blocks the kick for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Turnover into the stepover, and the EAGLE LOCK! Dan endures the Ron Miller Special as Eagles thrashes! Dan claws at mat, crawls for the ropes, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go quickly and brings Dan around to a spinning toehold! Dan writhes, fans rally and Eagles goes up the corner. But Dan gets away from the 450! Eagles BOOTS him, runs, and Dan follows! Eagles BOOTS Dan again, fires off KICKS, but Dan shoves Eagles down! Eagles dropkicks the leg out! Eagles runs, but Dan still follows! Dan blasts through the kick to GORE!!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles sputters, but Dan also catches his breath. Dan rises, he brings Eagles up and fisherman’s, but Eagles fights the buster to a cradle! TWO! Dan SUPERKICKS! Eagles wobbles, Dan reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while both men are down again! Dan pounds the mat in frustration but vows to finish this. “ABUNAI GAIJIN DESU!” Dan drags Eagles up to the Canadian Rack, but Eagles fights free! Dan ripcords and CHOPS Eagles off his feet! Dan pounds the mat again and fans rally up. Dan brings Eagles back up, Canadian Rack, but Eagles arm-drags free!
Eagles runs in but into another SUPERKICK! But Eagles LOW 619s the legs, and METEORAS! Cover, TWO!! Dan survives but Eagles goes out. The fans rally and Eagles springboards in, MISSILE DRPOKICK to the leg! Fans fire up with Eagles and he takes aim again. But Dan blocks the Trigger to fireman’s carry! But Eagles fights free to CLUB the leg out! Eagles reloads and takes aim again. Fans rally, Dan stands, ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! PELE!! Eagles roars and he brings Dan up. Fans rally, for the ASAI- NO, Dan blocks, then pops Eagles around into DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover, Dan wins!!
Winner: Dan Moloney, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Sniper got taken down! He isn’t out of the running, though, but will the semifinals slip through Eagles’ fingers?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS TJP!
The Bad Child is another of A Block’s 10 point men, and there’s still time to get to 12. Will Lio make this the Public Enemy’s Final Hour? Or TJP dunk on Lio and take his spot?
The bell rings and fans rally for “LIO! LIO!” But then the “TJP! TJP!” chants come through as the two circle. The two feel things out, knuckle lock, and TJP drops back to break, roll and wrench. Lio tries to spin through but TJP wrenches again. Lio rolls, rolls, handsprings and wrenches TJP to a wristlock, but TJP feels out an escape. He slips around, drops down and twisting headscissors, but Lio handsprings through! Lio spins back but TJP narrowly avoids the heel kick! Fans cheer the standoff and the two reset. They circle, feel things out, and then Lio runs the ropes. Lio redirects, but so does TJP.
TJP Spider-Mans in the ropes, Lio runs in and TJP slides under, but Lio clings to the ropes now! TJP realizes where Lio went, drags him off but Lio slips under and rolls TJP up! TJP rolls through, blocks Lio’s spin to throw him down, but Lio avoids the stomp! Lio also avoids the buzzsaw, and the heel kick! But TJP DROPKICKS and that hits the mark! Fans fire up as Lio goes to a corner. TJP stomps Lio, wraps an arm around the ropes and pulls, but lets off as the ref counts. TJP goes after Lio’s arm but Lio whips him away. TJP comes back, turns dropdown into trapped hammerlock, and the SNAP ARMBAR!
Fans rally while Lio writhes and bails out of the ring. TJP goes out after Lio, brings him up, and he RAMS Lio into the apron! The ref wants this to get in the ring so TJP puts Lio in. Cover, ONE, but TJP steps on Lio’s face! Lio crawls to a corner, TJP is on him, but Lio kicks first. TJP snapmares, pushes Lio down, then drops knees on the bad shoulder! And then JAMS a knee into Lio’s back! TJP drags Lio up but Lio deadweights. TJP wrenches, hooks Lio up, and has the COBRA TWIST! Lio endures, fans rally up, and Lio fights free with elbows! Lio ROCKS TJP with a haymaker, then ROCKS him with a forearm!
Lio whips, TJP reverses but Lio goes up and around to whip again. Lio rolls TJP, and hits the SPIN KICK! TJP goes to the apron, Lio runs in and HANDSPRING KICKS! TJP falls, Lio builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and fans fire up! Lio roars as he gets back up. Lio puts TJP in the ring, shakes out the bad arm, and he hauls TJP up. RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Lio pounds the mat and the fans rally up. Lio climbs, FINAL- NO, Lio has to bail out! TJP ROLLING SOBATS Lio away! TJP then runs in to back body block! Lio sits down, and fans rally up as TJP scrapes laces off Lio’s face!
TJP hypes the fans up more, but Lio throws him into the corner! And now Lio scrapes his laces off TJP’s face! Fans fire up all the same and Lio goes side to side, but TJP BOOTS him! TJP makes Lio sit down in that corner, for more scrapes of the laces! TJP runs, but Lio dodges! Lio comes back but TJP dodges! DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES stagger both men! They then DOUBLE BOOT! Both fall down and fans fire up again! Lio crawls, TJP sits up, and TJP brings Lio around. TJP ROCKS Lio with a forearm, but Lio ROCKS TJP back! TJP ROCKS Lio with another forearm, but Lio ROCKS TJP again!
TJP gets the edge, but then Lio fires off a strike fest! TJP goes to a corner, Lio runs in, but TJP dodges! TORNADO DDT! Lio is down and TJP goes up a corner fast! Fans fire up but Lio trips TJP up! Lio ROCKS TJP with a haymaker, then a GAMANGIRI! TJP wobbles, Lio climbs up, and fans rally as Lio brings TJP into a clinch. TJP fights with elbows, then shoves Lio away! Lio is in the drop zone, TJP lines up the shot, MAMBA SPLASH onto knees! Lio runs, but TJP DROPKICKS Rush Hour down! TJP goes back up, Lio stands, MAMBA ATTACK! And then TJP goes to a corner, but takes aim instead of climbing!
NOVA- NO, Lio ducks the shoutout to Akira! Lio runs in but TJP dodges the tackle! TJP keeps moving and he BUSAIKU KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Lio survives and fans fire up again! TJP is frustrated, but he puts Lio back in a drop zone. Fans rally as TJP climbs up the corner. TJP aims again, MAMBA- NO, Lio dodges! Lio runs in, but TJP sends him into buckles! Dragon sleeper, but Lio drops to the SAMSON, TWO!! Lio runs, TJP follows, but Lio dodges and redirects, RUSH- NO, TJP stays back out of Lio’s range! ARMBAR! Lio scrambles, TJP shifts to get a leg! Stepover, into PINOY STRETCH!!
Lio endures, reaches out, and fans duel as TJP pulls on the hold! Lio crawls with one arm and one leg, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up and TJP lets go in frustration. TJP and Lio rise, Lio leaning against the ropes. TJP brings Lio around, wrenches to arm to an ELBOW BREAKER, and then brings Lio up again. Lio throws body shots, but TJP wrenches to another ELBOW BREAKER! TJP drags Lio up and Lio HEADBUTTS! But TJP fireman’s carries! But Lio slips out, FINAL CUT! Lio uses a move from TJP’s playbook, and then runs to SPEAR! Shoutout to the All Mighty!
TJP is down, Lio hurries up top! Fans rally, Lio aims, FINAL HOUR onto boots! TJP saves himself, and then SUPERKICKS Lio down! TJP roars, the fans are thunderous, and TJP runs to- NO, Lio avoids the double knees! Lio then fakes the spin kick, to then hit on delay! Lio runs, springboards, RUSH HOUR! Lio hurries up top again, for the FINAL HOUR!! Cover, Lio wins!!
Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall (gains 2 points; TJP earns 0)
Another fast and furious battle on the night, and that was truly TJP’s Final Hour in this block! Lio keeps rolling strong, will he truly be the Man of the Hour in the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight!
Direct Drive has been revving his engine and getting hot at the right time, and because of Wato’s win earlier, The Jet’s flight is done. But can Kevin still ground Yoh? Or will Yoh continue to #StunTheWorld?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Knight tries a Kushida style drop toehold but Yoh stays back. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Yoh powers his way to a waistlock. Knight pries free to wrench and wristlock, but Yoh rolls, kips and wrenches to then headlock. Knight powers out, but Yoh holds ropes to avoid the speed-up. Knight runs in, but Yoh dodges him and eggs him on. Knight runs in, things speed up now as Yoh bypasses and drop toeholds. Knight avoids the basement dropkick but Yoh avoids the splash! Yoh runs again, Knight dodges the dropkick to scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up as Knight SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally and Knight looms over Yoh. Knight drags Yoh up, UPPERCUTS him, and he says, “Tsuyoi! <I’m strong!>” Then Knight UPPERCUTS again! Knight puts Yoh up top but Yoh CLUBS him away. Knight comes back, springs right up, but Yoh slips under! Yoh drags Knight down but Knight ROCKS Yoh! Knight whips, Yoh reverses and dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally while both men are down. Yoh then dropkicks the leg while Knight is down! Yoh grabs that leg, SMASHES it on the mat, then SMASHES the other leg! Knight writhes, Yoh covers, ONE! Fans rally and Yoh keeps his cool.
Yoh stomps Knight to a corner, stomps away on the legs, but lets off as the ref counts. Knight throws body shots and a CHOP! Knight ROCKS Yoh but Yoh kicks the leg out! Yoh trips Knight, steps over for a toehold, and then spinning toeholds the other leg! Yoh eggs Knight on but Knight swings on him. Yoh avoids the shots and he pulls on the leg! Knight endures, Yoh steps through again, but Knight drags him to a cradle! TWO!! Yoh escapes, he knees low, then he whips Knight to a corner. Yoh runs in but Knight dodges! Knight comes back, but into a BOOT! Knight tries again but Yoh kicks the legs out!
Yoh goes up, but Knight roars to JUMPING STEINER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight roars again, and he sees Yoh in the other corner. Knight runs corner to corner, and STINGER SPLASHES! Yoh staggers about, Knight whips but Yoh reverses. Knight holds ropes, Yoh runs in but Knight dumps him out! Knight then PLANCHAS, but Yoh dodges! Yoh kicks Knight, and whips him at the stands! But Knight box jumps right up! Fans fire up for that agility, and then Knight CANNONBALLS onto Yoh! Fans are thunderous for Knight and he hobbles his way back to Yoh. Knight puts Yoh in the ring and climbs the corner.
Fans rally, Yoh rises, and Knight CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Knight is a little frustrated, but he refocuses as the fans rally up. Knight aims from the corner, Yoh stands, and Yoh blocks the boot! Yoh dropkicks the left leg out! Knight crawls to ropes, Yoh grabs the right leg to DRAGON SCREW! Yoh suplexes to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Knight survives but Yoh fires back up. Yoh drags Knight up, underhooks, but Knight fights the lift! Knight wrenches out, swings, but into a spin! Yoh suplexes, Knight fights it, but the legs jam! Yoh dropkicks the legs out! Yoh runs, but Knight DROPKICKS!!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight rolls his way to a corner and he waits on Yoh. Yoh stirs and Knight pounds the mat. Fans rally up, Yoh stands, and Knight runs in, SPIKE- NO, Yoh throws Knight away, but then Knight blocks the superkick! Knight spins Yoh to SUPERKICK first! Knight ripcords Yoh, to SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!!! Yoh survives and Knight is shocked! Fans fire up and Knight roars as he goes back to a corner. Yoh rises again and Knight runs back in, but Yoh SUPERKICKS! Knight wobbles on his feet, Yoh fires himself back up, and Yoh tunes up the band!
Knight staggers up, into another SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Yoh roars again. Fans rally, Yoh brings Knight up and underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, Yoh wins!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Knight falls, but Yoh shows him the respect he earned. As for Yoh, Knight tells him to go win this thing. Will Direct Drive be unstoppable going into the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori!
Rivals meet again at a very crucial point in the tournament! Both men are 5-2, but this is about more than just getting to 12 points! Will the Ticking Timebomb blow up the Bone Soldier’s chances? Or will Taiji guarantee #ItsReborn?
Hiromu’s picture dairy for Taiji is he’s a “Muscle Chihuahua.” Has he used that joke before? Hiromu considers handing the diary to Takagi, but still goes with Milano Collection AT. Takagi does get this on video via his camera phone, though. The bell rings and fans rally for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu and Taiji circle, feel things out, and then back away. They circle and then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Taiji puts Hiromu in the corner but Hiromu turns it around. Red Shoes calls the break, Hiromu lets off slowly, but Taiji avoids the chop! Taiji RAMS Hiromu, whips him corner to corner, but Hiromu slides out!
Taiji slides out in pursuit of Hiromu, but then Hiromu slides back in. Taiji keeps pursuing Hiromu but Hiromu comes back to SUNSET, only for Taiji flip free! Hiromu pops Taiji up, trips him up, then goes up the apron to JOHN WOO! Direct hit and fans fire up as the Young Lions keep Taiji from falling on the front row! Hiromu brings Taiji up, looks to the ring, but throws him into the railing at the stands! Fans fire up as Hiromu opens the gate and he brings Taiji up the bleachers! The fans cheer Hiromu on as they go to the second segment, and Hiromu suplexes. Taiji blocks, to suplex Hiromu to the floor!
Fans rally and Taiji roars as he gets space. And a lot of space. Taiji runs back at Hiromu, to JOHN WOO in return! Hiromu tumbles to the wall and Taiji leaves him behind. Fans rally for “ISHI-MORI!” as he returns to ringside. Taiji waits on Red Shoes to start the count, and then Taiji unties the blue buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in play as Hiromu starts crawling his way back. The count is 10 of 20 before Hiromu is even down the bleachers. Hiromu reaches ground level at 15 of 20, makes it through the gate, and then hurries to the ring to slide in at 19! Taiji smirks and he storms up to Hiromu.
Taiji drags Hiromu up, wrenches, and CLUBS the arm. Taiji then hammerlocks the arm, to RAM it into bare buckles! Fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Taiji grins as he brings Hiromu up. Taiji wrenches and whips to YANK and WRING the arm! Hiromu writhes but Taiji grabs the arm again. Taiji has Hiromu in a cobra clutch and leans on the hold. Hiromu endures, fights up, but Taiji ripcords to RAM the shoulder! Taiji brings Hiromu to a knee for a keylock! Hiromu endures as Taiji stands over him, and he claws his way forward. Taiji pulls on the arm, Hiromu still fights, and the fans rally. Hiromu gets the ROPEBREAK!
Taiji lets go in annoyance but Hiromu sits up to CHOP him! And CHOP! And CHOP! Taiji BOOTS Hiromu, whips him, but Hiromu reverses. Hiromu avoids the boot to run and RANA! Fans fire up for “HI-RO-MU!” while both men are down! Taiji crawls to a corner but Hiromu brings him up. Hiromu whips corner to corner but Taiji reverses! Hiromu reverses back, and Taiji is sent into the bare buckles! Hiromu then clotheslines him into them, snapmares and basement dropkicks! Hiromu keeps going, suplex for FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Taiji hangs tough and the fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” again.
Hiromu shakes out his arms, he drags Taiji up, and he fireman’s carries. Taiji fights free and shoves Hiromu to a corner. Hiromu comes back, Taiji scoops him and aims for the corner, but Hiromu slips off! Taiji avoids hitting buckles, he elbows Hiromu back, and then whips Hiromu into the bare buckles! Taiji runs in, blocks the boots, and puts Hiromu in the ropes. ENZIGURI, and SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up and Taiji goes back to the ring. Taiji climbs, but Hiromu avoids the 450! Hiromu elbows Taiji but Taiji blocks the lariat! Taiji ducks the superkick but Hiromu blocks the knee!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, Taiji fights free but Hiromu switches. GERMAN SUPLEX, but Taiji lands on his feet! DOUBLE LARIATS collide but both men stay up! Hiromu SUPERKICKS, Taiji JUMP KNEES! Taiji hops on but Hiromu shrugs him off! Taiji comes back to LA MYSTIC- NO, Hiromu blocks, pops Taiji around, but Taiji pops back up! POISON-RANA!! Hiromu staggers to ropes, and Taiji roars! Taiji runs, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Hiromu grits his teeth as he fights to sit up, but Taiji clutches a shoulder as he rolls away. Fans rally more while both men catch their breath.
Hiromu sits up again, and Taiji crawls over to him. They go forehead to forehead as they stand, and then Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS! Taiji staggers, and HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans fire up and Hiromu says that’s not all! Hiromu runs, but Taiji catches him! Hiromu and Taiji now fight for control in the clinch, and Hiromu pushes Taiji. DOUBLE LARIATS collide point-blank! Red Shoes checks both men while the fans rally back up. Red Shoes calls it, Taiji is DONE!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by referee stoppage (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
Taiji got knocked for a loop at some point in this match, and the medic comes in to check him. Hiromu survives what was becoming another classic war, will he get back to the semifinals after all? As for Taiji, between his arm and his head, will be able to come back for the last round?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Francesco Akira!
Round eight closes with another crucial battle! The Rogue Luchador stands at 5-2 while the Nova Fireball is on the bubble at 4-3. Will Strong Style see Desperado through to the next round? Or will Akira conquer him in the name of the United Empire?
Akira gets in Desperado’s face, shoves him, but Red Shoes has the two stay back. The bell rings and fans rally for “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” Desperado applauds Akira for having the fans, and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Desperado uses his height as leverage. They end up on the ropes, Akira tells Desperado to back off and Red Shoes counts, but Desperado lets off cleanly. Fans applaud and the two reset. Desperado talks a bit of smack, he and Akira tie up again, and Akira powers Desperado back to the ropes! Red Shoes calls the break, Akira lets off slowly, but he pats Desperado hard on the shoulders.
Akira eggs Desperado on, they tie up again and Desperado headlocks for the takeover. Akira kicks, reaches up but Desperado avoids the headscissors. Desperado traps an arm, uses that to turn Akira over, and then he shifts into a CROSSFACE! Akira scrambles but Desperado turns him around to a chinlock, and then a double chicken wing. Akira fights, Desperado wrenches him and headlocks, but Akira powers out. Desperado runs Akira over! Fans rally, things speed up, and Akira hurdles! Desperado waistlocks, Akira elbows free, and things speed up again. Akira ducks ‘n’ dodges and CALF KICKS Desperado down!
Fans fire up and Akira brings Desperado outside. Akira brings Desperado up and POSTS him! Akira storms back over, talks trash as he digs his knee into Desperado’s head, but he steps off as Red Shoes tells him to get this in the ring. Akira stands Desperado up to CHOP him! And then CLUB him! They’re at commentary, Great-O-Khan is there and apparently talks smack of his own. Desperado kicks the desk but then Akira DECKS him! Akira fist bumps with Khan and then borrows his chair. Akira makes Desperado take a seat, and CHOPS him! Akira goes to the far side and fans rally up. Akira runs in, to SHOTGUN Desperado out of the chair!
Fans fire up with “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” Also, a Young Lion gets Khan his chair back. Akira drags Desperado up, puts him in the ring, and covers, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE!! Akira grows annoyed with Desperado, but he drags Desperado up. Akira digs his foot into Desperado’s face, taunts him and dares him to talk trash now. Akira gives “Despy” toying kicks, egging him on the whole time. Desperado frowns but Akira kicks him back down. Akira throws down forearms and says “Show me something!” Desperado stands up and Akira throws forearms! Desperado doesn’t budge!
Akira keeps throwing shots, then he DOUBLE CHOPS! Akira runs, but Desperado ROCKS him in return! Akira falls right out of the ring, and Desperado builds speed. Desperado DIVES! Direct hit and Young Lions keep them from hitting bleachers! Fans rally for “DE-SU-PE!” as he stands tall. Desperado has fans move aside, and he fetches Akira. Desperado brings Akira around, to BOWL him into chairs! STRIKE right to the back! Fans cheer with Desperado and he fetches Akira. Desperado brings Akira around to CLUB him on the neck, and then tells him this is what he gets for acting tough. Desperado looks deep under the ring for something…
Desperado brings chairs out, brings them to Akira, and then scoops him to SLAM him on the floor! Desperado then places a chair on top of a leg, and CON-CHAIR-TOS it!! Akira writhes and Red Shoes reprimands, but Desperado says this is what happens when you play around. Desperado leaves Akira behind and the ring count starts. Akira crawls around at 5 of 20, hobbles up but falls at 10. Akira manages to hop back up, and he slides in at 12! Desperado looms over Akira, drags him up, but Akira throws a forearm! And another! Desperado doesn’t budge, and he kicks the bad leg. Then he knees Akira low!
Desperado has Akira in the corner, and wraps the bad leg around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Desperado lets go, and he kicks the ropes to jam the leg! Akira winces as he clutches the knee, and Desperado brings him out. Desperado snapmares, steps on the bad leg, then digs his heel in. Desperado stomps the bad leg, then has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Akira scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Desperado applauds, but then Desperado stomps the leg! Desperado dares Akira to talk trash, then drags him out to HIP DROP the knee! Desperado ties up the legs in a deathlock!
Akira sits up to CHOP! Desperado eggs him on and Akira CHOPS, and then DOUBLE CHOPS! Desperado “falls” back and that puts on the pressure! Akira flails and endures, and he reaches out for ropes. Desperado lounges while he keeps the hold on tight! Akira crawls forward, reaches out again, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado thrashes the hold, lets off, but “Oops!” Knee drop on the knee! Fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” and Desperado mockingly echoes it. Desperado brings Akira up, Akira throws a forearm but Desperado kicks the bad leg. Akira goes to a corner, Desperado runs in, but Akira elbows him away!
Desperado comes back, but Akira catches him to a TARANTULA! Desperado isn’t really bothered, though, and he easily gets free to have a KNEEBAR on Akira! Red Shoes counts, Desperado lets go and Akira falls to the mat. Desperado grins and he drags Akira up. Desperado has the leg, for a SHIN- NO, Akira fights with elbows! Desperado waistlocks, Akira victory rolls to STOMP 182! Fans fire up while both men are down! Akira and Desperado go to opposite corners, and Akira manages to run in to clothesline! Akira keeps moving, and he UPPERCUTS! Akira brings Desperado around and shouts, “Korakuen! IKU ZO!!”
Fans fire up and Akira runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS Desperado out! Fans fire up more and Akira builds speed! Akira slides but Desperado gets under, to then shove Akira into Young Lions and the front row! Fans fire up as Akira falls over, and Desperado stalks him. Desperado drags Akira back up, points to another segment of the stands, and he CLUBS Akira. Fans in the upper deck move, and Desperado brings Akira over. Desperado whips Akira at the upper deck, but Akira stops himself, only to jam his leg! Desperado whips again but Akira reverses and Desperado hits the deck! Akira then runs in, but Desperado pops him up!
Akira lands safe on the upper deck and he mule kicks Desperado away! And then QUEBRADAS! Direct hit but maybe a little double-edged given the damage to Akira’s legs. Fans rally, Akira gets in the ring, and he pounds the mat. “A! KI-RA!” builds speed, and DIVES! Direct hit and Desperado ends up sitting in the front row! Khan fans Akira off with the United Empire towel, and Akira drags Desperado back into the ring. Cover, TWO!! Desperado is still in this but the fans rally for Akira. Akira brings Desperado up, talking trash in Italian, and Desperado asks in Japanese, “What’re you saying?”
Akira tries to chicken wing, but Desperado reaches for ropes. They struggle, Akira brings Desperado back, but Desperado mule kicks the bad leg! Desperado storms up but into an ELBOW! And a CHOP! Akira brings Desperado around but Desperado ROCKS Akira! Desperado runs in, into a SNAP GERMAN! Fans fire up with Akira and he runs, SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Desperado survives but the fans still rally for “A! KI-RA!” Akira drags Desperado up, brings him in again, but Desperado blocks Speedfire! Desperado powers out, swings, but into another SNAP GERMAN! Akira roars and runs, into a SPINEBUSTER!
High stack, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Desperado thrashes Akira around, but Akira crawls and reaches out! Fans rally as hard as they can, and Akira gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado still thrashes the leg, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. TJP appears ringside and he coaches Akira on. Akira’s the only United Empire man still alive in the tournament, TJP wants him to keep going! Desperado stands up first, though, and he brings Akira in. Fans rally, Desperado goes to gut wrench, but Akira fights it! Desperado stomps the bad leg! Akira growls and stands up, but Desperado gets that leg. SHIN- NO, Akira KICKS free! Akira then ENZIGURIS Desperado!
Desperado wobbles, Akira fires up and brings him in, SPEED- NO, Desperado slips out to gut wrench! GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives and fans are thunderous! Desperado roars and fans fire up with him! Desperado brings Akira back up, underhooks, but Akira fights the Pinche! Akira wrenches to SPEEDFIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives but Akira steps over! PINOY STRETCH!!! Shoutout to TJP and fans fire up again! Desperado crawls, Akira pulls back on the hold, and TJP cheers Akira on! Desperado claws around, drags Akira along with him, and gets the ROPEBREAK!!
Fans are thunderous again though Akira is frustrated. The fans rally and duel, “A! KI-RA!” “DE! SU-PE!” Akira rises, watches Desperado at the ropes, and then brings him back! Akira waistlocks, but Desperado fights the lift! Desperado reaches for the ropes but Akira chicken wings! But Desperado kicks away on the legs! But Akira ROCKS Desperado! Chicken wings, to the FIRE PLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Akira can’t believe it but Desperado survives! The fans are thunderous again and Akira goes to a corner. Akira aims as Desperado rises, and he pounds the mat. Akira runs in, NOVA- NO, Desperado ducks!
STRETCH MUFFLER!!! And a lift even!! NUMERO DOS, right into NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! Akira endures, even as Desperado thrashes him all around! Akira fights to get an arm free, but Desperado claws at him! NUMERO DOS PLUS AGAIN!!! Akira is caught, TJP thinks about the towel, but Akira is refusing to give in! Desperado THRASHES all of Akira’s limbs, and he LIFTS Akira again! Akira is turning red, but then Desperado drops him? And SMASHES the bad leg! Desperado GROUND DRAGON SCREWS, into the STRETCH MUFFLER!!! Akira endures all over again, and Desperado leans all his weight into getting NUMERO DOS!!
TJP is conflicted, but the fans are rallying as hard as they can for Akira! Red Shoes checks again, Akira refuses, but then TJP shouts that that’s enough! Desperado lets Akira go, and he argues with TJP. TJP throws the towel, only for Desperado to catch it! Desperado says TJP can’t give up for Akira, Akira has to give up for Akira. Akira crawls over, grabs the towel, and throws it away! Akira isn’t giving up, and he rises up, to throw a forearm! But there wasn’t a lot behind that. Akira wants to keep going, but his forearms are just nothing. Desperado ROCKS Akira with one back! Akira still refuses to give up!
Akira throws more shots, and Desperado eggs him on. Desperado ROCKS Akira again, kicks the bad leg, but Akira SUPERKICKS! Roll up, TWO!!! Akira SUPERKICKS again! But LOCO MONO knocks him down! Desperado drags Akira around, STRETCH MUFFLER!!! NUMERO DOS PLUS ULTRA!!!! Akira finally quits, Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
At just past 25 minutes, the Nova Fireball was finally extinguished! TJP hurries to his tag partner’s side, hoping his friend wasn’t just completely removed from the BOSJ right here. If Akira can compete in the ninth round, will he be able to get those final two points?
As for Desperado, he doesn’t even mind The United Empire’s still present as he gets the mic. “The first time I mentioned you, it was two years ago, you were a champion in another company. And you were doing some pretty cool stuff. And when I was champion, I was seeing a lot of guys do cool stuff with you, like Chris Brooks. But that was two years ago. And this is Best of the Super Juniors, and only you and I remember talking about any of that. So you were thinking about this for the last two years. Now that you’ve had your shot, what do you think about it? Fans applaud, they certainly thought it was worth the wait.
Desperado is really surprised that Akira didn’t give up to a move Desperado’s used thousands of times to submit people. Desperado knows Akira was thinking he’d rather die than give up, but he didn’t. Akira’s friends wanted him to give up but he didn’t. In this match, Akira was pretty damn cool. Desperado also says that this BOSJ has been something, and Desperado is in a must-win situation in the end. Things are changing, the positions are changing, but what Desperado is driven by and what his goals are will never change. He will be the strongest. Desperado leaves it at that, but will he truly become the Best of the Super Juniors?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Mike Bailey: 6-2, 12 points
Lio Rush: 6-2, 12 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-2, 12 points
Titán: 5-3, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 5-3, 10 points [INJURED]
TJP: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-8, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
YOH: 6-2, 12 points
Master Wato: 6-2, 12 points
El Desperado: 6-2, 12 points
Robbie Eagles: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Dan Moloney: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
BUSHI: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
An awesome round here as BOSJ is almost at the end. Almost every match was important to the standings, but all matches were worth watching. Sho keeps cheating, but I appreciate how clever he and Evil are being in pretending to be honest, only to turn things back around and be underhanded again. But Kushida coming out with the win in the end was also great, he really needed that. A damn shame about Taiji getting legitimately hurt, now he really is out of the running. This changes things so that A Block has only four left when they could’ve had five, but it keeps them even with B Block.
Moloney bringing Eagles down was a touch of a surprise, and Eagles is the one in the worst spot of B Block’s final four. For one, he needs to beat Desperado. Then, he needs Yoh and Wato to lose. Yoh is against Kanemaru and Wato is against Knight, and either Kanemaru or Knight could get a spoiler in the end. But the way things are going, I feel like Yoh is the shoe-in. Wato needs to win and Eagles to beat Desperado since Desperado beat Wato. If Desperado wins, he’s the one joining Yoh in the semifinals.
Also I keep forgetting that it is actually a crisscross semifinals. A Block’s 1st place VS B Block’s 2nd Place, and then B Block’s 1st Place VS A Block’s 2nd. In A Block, Titan at 5-3 needs to win and for Mike Bailey to lose to get in. But he’s against LIJ teammate and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Hiromu, so I’m not sure that’s likely. As such, if Hiromu wins, he’s in no matter what, since he’ll have a better score than the loser of Mike VS Lio, while the winner of Mike VS Lio is of course in. This is big stuff befitting of the 30th anniversary, can’t wait to see it.
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?
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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