Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/21/23)
Long Beach is NJPW Strong!
The Golden State is truly golden tonight!
NJPW is in Long Beach, California, and there’s treasure inside the Walter Pyramid! A one-night tournament crowns an inaugural Strong Women’s Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match: BATEMAN VS The DKC; DKC wins.
- Kickoff Match: Alex Coughlin VS Christopher Daniels; Coughlin wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito VS Bárbaro Cavernario & Virus; Barbaro & Virus win.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer; Moné wins and advances to the main event.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo; wins and advances to the main event.
- Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson; Juice wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA; Kenta wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club; The BCC wins.
- IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins and faces Lance Archer at NJPW Dominion.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins and is the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Fred Rosser heads to the ring!
Mr. No Days Off has a grudge match later tonight, but here’s on the kickoff show to address the fans! “Long Beach, you know what time it is! NJPW is celebrating its 5th anniversary at the LA Dojo, and NJPW Academy has been working hard. Let’s take a closer look at what NJPW Academy is all about.” Video rolls to advertise the 2023 season of the academy, starting July 24th. And Rosser says you know what time it is: It’s time to go to work! Will you get yourself going in pro-wrestling and the NJPW system this summer?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Mercedes Moné VS Stephanie Vaquer!
The CEO of Wrestling has quite the historic resumé, being a WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion, as well as being the second-ever IWGP Women’s Champion. But now, she looks to add even more history to her name! Will Moné make it through the Dark Angel to go for the gold?
Fans are thunderous already just to see Mone in person, especially in her Cleopatra cosplay. The bell rings and fans rally as Mone stares down with Vaquer. They approach, tie up, and go around. Mone puts Vaquer in a corner, the ref counts, but Mone lets off. But then Vaquer kicks low and rolls Mone to a bridging cradle, TWO! Vaquer gets around Mone, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats to a facelock. Mone spins free to wrangle Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Mone keeps on the arm but Vaquer arm-drags her. Vaquer trips Mone, rolls her, but Mone arm-drags back! Mone sweeps the legs, rolls Vaquer up, but Vaquer trips Mone to a cover, ONE!
Vaquer kicks Mone, headlocks for the takeover, but Mone keeps her shoulders up. Mone headscissors but Vaquer kips free. They go again, Mone hits another headlock takeover. Vaquer headscissors again, holds tighter, but Mone still kips free. Then double dropkicks cancel out! Fans fire up as the two stare down again. Mone and Vaquer reset, circle again, and fans rally up. Vaquer calls for the knuckle locks, Mone obliges, but then Vaquer throws Mone by her hair! Fans boo, things speed up, and Mone hurdles. Vaquer drops on the dropdown, TWO! Mone gets the Samson Clutch, TWO! Mone whips Vaquer but Vaquer reverses. Mone goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG!
Vaquer comes back but Mone tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer flails, drags Mone along as she crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mone lets go to stomp fingers! Fans fire up as Mone ROCKS Vaquer, then knuckle locks. Money goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS again! Fans fire up as Mone goes corner to corner to elbow Vaquer! Mone keeps moving, but Vaquer follows to clothesline in the corner! Vaquer runs corner to corner but Mone clotheslines her! Mone puts Vaquer up top, but Vaquer blocks the haymaker for a HANGING ARMBAR! Mone almost goes up and over the ropes!
The ref counts, Vaquer lets Mone go and Mone scrambles away. Mone clutches the arm, Vaquer SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer mule kicks! Mone sputters while fans rally up, but Vaquer snapmares and wraps on the headscissors. Vaquer dribbles Mone’s head into the mat! That move looks familiar. Vaquer lets off to cover, TWO! Vaquer is frustrated but she drags Mone up. Vaquer wrenches, whips Mone to ropes, but Mone sunset flips! Vaquer stays up to STOMP Mone, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Fans rally up and Vaquer kicks Mone to a cover, TWO!
Mone goes to a corner, Vaquer storms up to bump her off buckles. Vaquer whips corner to corner, runs corner to corner, but Mone BOOTS her! Vaquer grabs the legs, puts them in the ropes, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Fans fire up while Mone writhes and clutches a knee. Vaquer drags Mone from the ropes, gets her legs and has a stump puller cover, TWO! Mone is still in this but Vaquer is after her. Mone YANKS her into ropes! Then she shoulders in from the apron, steps up to KNEE, but Vaquer comes back. Mone moves and Vaquer tumbles out to the floor. Mone aims to METEORA to the floor!
Fans are thunderous again and Mone nods. Mone fires up and fetches Vaquer to then TORNADO DDT to the floor! Another heavy impact and Mone puts Vaquer back in the ring. Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives but the fans still rally behind Mone. Mone brings Vaquer up, whips her but Vaquer reverses. Vaquer runs in, but into DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and shocks Mone! Mone refocuses and the fans rally up. Mone says it’s over, and she drags Vaquer up. But Vaquer fights the backstabber to RAM her into a corner! Vaquer fires off headbutt after headbutt after headbutt!
Fans boo but Vaquer lets off to go corner to corner, but Mone dodges! Vaquer’s knees hit buckles, and Mone comes in, BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and Mone fires up again! Vaquer staggers, Mone climbs, and Mone CROSSBODIES! But Vaquer rolls it through! TWO!! But into the CROSSFACE!! Vaquer is using the same hold Mone loves to use!! Mone flails, the fans rally up and she crawls forward! Mone turns, ROPEBREAK, then jackknife! TWO!! Mone has the BANK STATEMENT!! Vaquer endures the crossface now, scoots as best as she can, reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Vaquer survives by a foot!
Mone lets off in frustration, but Vaquer runs in! Mone gets around her, Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights free! Spin, DDT, and victory roll, TWO!! Mone survives but Vaquer keeps on her! Tuck and PACKAGE BACKBREAKER! Vaquer drags Mone to have the cross-leg clutch, TWO!! Vaquer grows frustrated as Mone is still in this! Vaquer drags Mone, suplexes, but Mone cradle counters, TWO!!! Vaquer escapes, blocks a right and DECKS Mone! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer runs to drop the leg but misses! Mone hooks the arms, rolls sideways to Gory Especial, but Vaquer fights it. So Mone RAMS her into the corner! And RAMS her again!
Mone turns around, BACKSTABBER! And then the Gory Especial, for the MONEY MAKER!! Cover, Mone wins!
Winner: Mercedes Moné, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
Mercedes is on the money! She is going to the title match in the main event, will she be THE NJPW Strong Women’s Champion?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Willow Nightingale VS Momo Kohgo!
We know one half of tonight’s historic main event, now to learn the other half! The Babe with Power has been going strong in both AEW and ROH, but has yet to taste gold. Will she get her hands on the prize tonight? Or will she taste bitter defeat against the bright young Stardom star?
The bell rings and fans rally for Willow. She and Momo tie up, Willow powers Momo to a corner, but lets off. Willow flexes and fans fire up. Momo comes back, ties up with Willow, then shoots around to a waistlock. Willow pries free, switches, lifts, but Momo fights it. Momo pries free, wrenches and wristlocks, but Willow spins through and breaks free to then run Momo over! Fans fire up as Willow flexes again. Willow runs, things speed up, Momo hurdles and then dodges. Momo ducks the lariat, leaps the dropdown, and fans fire up as the two stand off. Willow and Momo rush in, Momo ducks the elbow but Willow blocks the whip!
Willow whips Momo to a corner, Momo goes up and over but Willow blocks the arm-drag! Willow drags Momo up to them SLAM her! Momo writhes and fans fire up. Willow stalks Momo to a corner, brings her up and CHOPS her! Momo is stinging, Willow runs, and Willow BASEMENT CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Momo is tough but Willow keeps on her. Mom dodges the clothesline, tilt-o-whirls, but Momo blocks again! SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Momo survives again but Willow ties up Momo in a GROUND OCTOPUS! Willow even kicks away on Momo! Momo endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO!
Willow lets Momo free, storms up and ROCKS her with a forearm! Willow runs in to back body block, then clothesline! Willow whips, scoops, and carries Momo for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up, Willow fires up, and Momo flounders in a corner. Willow runs in, but into a DROPKICK! Momo runs corner to corner but Willow puts her outside. Momo avoids the haymaker, goes up top and leaps, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Momo keeps on Willow, brings her around, but Willow swings. Momo dodges, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Willow is on the ropes, Momo dials it up! 619!!
Fans fire up, Willow staggers around and Momo goes up the ropes, springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and shocks Momo! Momo hurries to bring Willow up and reel her in. But Willow fights the fisherman to scoop! Momo slips free, waistlocks, but Willow throws elbows free! Willow runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo tries to scoop Willow, but Willow scoops Momo! Momo slips free, to FISHERMAN SUPLEX!? Bridging cover, TWO!! That wasn’t perfect but it sure was awesome! Fans fire up, Momo goes to a corner and runs in, CRUCIFIX- NO, Willow blocks!
Willow pops Momo around, to a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both women are down! Willow crawls over to Momo, brings her up, and Willow ROCKS her with a forearm! Momo shakes it off to ROCK Willow! The two stand, and Willow ROCKS Momo again! Momo ROCKS Willow! Willow ROCKS Momo, Momo ROCKS Willow, and then Momo gets the edge! Fans fire up as Momo keeps throwing shots! Willow reels Momo in for a short arm LARIAT! And then another short arm LARIAT! And then a third- NO, Momo gets around to waistlock! Willow elbows free, reels Momo back in, snap suplex!
Fans fire up and Willow aims from a corner. Momo goes to the other, Willow runs in to CANNONBALL! Willow drags Momo to a cover, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow can’t believe it! Willow drags Momo up and reels her in, for a gut wrench and- RANA!!! Momo covers, TWO!!! Willow barely gets outta that and fans are thunderous! Willow goes to ropes, Momo gets to her feet, and Willow runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Momo hurries to TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! Willow survives again and Momo is beside herself! Momo goes to a corner, roars and runs in, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! ROPEBREAK!?!
Fans can’t believe it! One little miscalculation and Momo can’t believe it, either! Momo drags Willow up, runs in, but into a SPINEBUSTER!! High stack, TWO!?!? Momo survives and Willow is losing her mind! The fans are loving this, though, and Willow brings Momo back up. Willow winds up to LARIAT! But Momo fires up?!? Willow doesn’t believe it! Willow dodges Momo, fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO?!?!? What is Momo made off!? Willow says that’s it, and she brings down the straps! Willow roars, the fans fire up, and Willow hauls Momo right up, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)
Momo fought her heart out, but Willow had heart, body and spirit! Will Willow use all those to take that title?
Street Fight: Fred Rosser VS Juice Robinson!
Mr. No Days Off may be a teacher at the NJPW Academy, but he apparently didn’t learn his lesson to keep Toni Storm’s name out of his mouth. He called out Rock Hard and his wife again, and this time ups the ante with this No Disqualification style match! Will Rosser get revenge everything Juice’s done? Or will The Booster finally make Rosser take time off?
It seems this is a step up from the normal Street Fight, as the ring is already without buckle pads! And in their place, a door in each neutral corner, and a chair in each man’s corner. Juice makes his entrance, and he’s already got a kendo stick for himself. Juice gets impatient waiting on Rosser, but wait, here come some NJPW Academy students! They’re surrounding the ring like lumberjacks, raising the ante again. Rosser makes his entrance now, the arena bathed in red light! Rosser’s got a chain around his neck! Is Rosser about to unleash the junkyard dog inside him? He has the students stand down, but he knows he has their support.
The bell rings and Juice swings, but Rosser TACKLES him! Rosser rains down fists, but Juice turns it over to rain down fists of his own! Rosser turns it back on Juice to hammer away! Juice kicks Rosser away but Rosser uses the NUT CLAW!! Even The Nature Boy would be blushing! Rosser CHOPS Juice, then HEADBUTTS him! Rosser whips Juice to a corner, Juice reverses, and Rosser hits against a chair! But he comes right back to CLOBBER Juice! Fans fire up, Juice staggers up, and Rosser runs to clothesline Juice and himself out of the ring! Fans fire up with Rosser and he shows off the claw.
Rosser storms back after Juice, he talks trash on Juice, but Juice claws Rosser’s eyes! Juice brings Rosser up to whip him, but Rosser reverses! Juice hits railing hard, and right next to commentary! Juice staggers forward, into a LARIAT! Rosser is all fired up and he’s high fiving the crowd in the back section. Rosser TOSSES a chair, but Juice narrowly avoids it! Rosser throws more chairs, Juice narrowly dodges those! Juice crawls up the ramp and for the entrance, but Rosser catches up to him. Rosser CLUBS Juice, CLUBS him again, and again! Rosser talks trash and fans fire up again.
Rosser brings Juice up, reels him in, but Juice fights the piledriver! Juice backdrops Rosser on the floor! Fans fire up and Juice grits his teeth. Juice drags Rosser up, scoops him, and then SLAMS him on the floor! Juice roars, the fans fire up more, and Juice goes back for Rosser. Juice stomps Rosser around, then drops a SENTON! Rosser sputters and flounders but Juice brings him up. Juice scoops again, to SNAKE EYES off railing! Rosser clutches his chin and throat and the ref checks him. Rosser seems okay to continue, but Juice takes off his belt. Juice drags Rosser up and whips him into the POST!
Rosser clutches his face now, but Juice shows no mercy. Juice wraps the belt around Rosser’s neck! Juice CHOKES Rosser, while raining down headbutts! Juice pulls on the strap to CHOKE Rosser more! Rosser can only endure as this is all allowed! Juice uses the belt to drag Rosser into the ring! Juice pulls back to CHOKE Rosser more! Fans boo but Juice lets go. Rosser sputters, but Juice takes the belt off. Juice then rips Rosser’s shirt off, blows his nose in it, and even wipes his butt! Then he throws that shirt to the fans! Free souvenir…? Juice gets his belt again, and he tells Rosser, “Keep my wife’s name outta your EFFING mouth!”
Juice LASHES Rosser! And LASHES him! And LASHES him again! Again, and again, and again! Fans count along, Juice gets TEN lashes in before he stops! Rosser writhes and sputters, fans are torn, but Juice blows a kiss to his wife via the camera. Juice whips Rosser, and then DECKS him with a leather fist! Fans fire up as Juice positions a door. They chant “DOOR DOOR DOOR DOOR!” And Juice makes sure the other door is positioned just right, too. Juice then brings out a fistful of silver dollars! Juice is looking to revisit Rumble on 44th Street and how he cost Rosser the Openweight title! But Rosser dodges!
Rosser fireman’s carries, to CORNER DEATH VALLEY through a door!! Fans fire up and Juice writhes! Rosser then sees Juice’s belt…! Rosser grabs the strap, storms over to Juice, and rips Juice’s shirt off! Rosser then holds up the strap and fans are loving this! Rosser LASHES Juice! And again! And again! And again! Rosser LASHES Juice from the other side now! And then Rosser CHOKES Juice with the belt!! And fishhooks his face! And then Rosser drags Juice around by the strap! Juice fights up but Rosser tosses him over the ropes! Rosser is trying to HANG Juice!! Juice sits on the apron just a bit, but Rosser shoves him down.
Fans are thunderous and Rosser goes out to fetch Juice. Rosser sees a trash can, and figures why not! Rosser brings the can to ringside, and dumps the trash all over Juice! And then SMACKS Juice with the can! Insult to injury! Rosser puts the can in the ring, the fans are thunderous again, and Rosser grabs a chair. Rosser smacks the chair off the floor and fans are thunderous. A bloodied Juice wants mercy but Rosser JAMS him in the back! And SMACKS him on the back! Juice staggers around, but then Rosser CLOBBERS him, chair to head!! The crimson mask is pouring down onto Juice’s chest!
Rosser wants more plunder, and he finds a stop sign under the ring!? STOP SIGN TO THE FACE!! Did that stop sign just stop Juice? Rosser drags Juice up by his pants, brings him around, and crotches him on the railing! Juice’s fruit is getting crushed! Rosser gets Juice’s kendo stick, talks some smack on Juice and Toni, and then SMACKS Juice in the face! And on the BACK! And in the CHEST! Juice falls to the floor and Rosser throws the stick down. Juice goes looking for more things under the ring! Juice is sprinkling blood on the floor as he stands up and leans against railing. But Rosser bends him back against the railing! And ELBOWS him in the face!
Juice clutches his nose, but Rosser throws hands right to that bloody forehead! Rosser HEADBUTTS Juice, then drums his chest, letting the blood paint him. Rosser keeps looking for a certain something while Juice drags himself back to ringside. Juice finds a LADDER! Fans fire up as Rosser wears it around his neck, and walks with it to where Juice is. Rosser leans the ladder against the ring, kicks Juice and brings him over. Rosser trips Juice, to CATAPULT him into the ladder and post!! Juice falls back and Rosser dusts his hands off. Fans are thunderous as Rosser drags Juice up again. Rosser makes Juice eat the garbage!!
Rosser puts Juice in the ring while fans almost lose their lunch. Rosser drags Juice up, and digs his forehead against bare buckle!! Juice can only suffer the steel, but Rosser lets off to HEADBUTT him again! Juice goes back to a trash can, puts it around Juice, and Rosser gets his chain! Fans fire up as Rosser wraps his fist with it! Rosser PUNCHES the can! And again! And again! And again!! Rosser then gets a chair, raises it up, and fans fire up. Rosser SMACKS the can with the chair! Then SMACKS the very top!! Juice crawls while inside the can, and Rosser smacks the mat with the chair. The fans are thunderous as they join in, before another SMACK to the can!!
Juice falls out of the can, completely dazed. Rosser drags Juice up, hoists him onto the top rope, and then has him in a Tree of Woe. Rosser stomps away on Juice again and again, then CHOKES him in the Tree! Rosser rains down fists over and over, then lets off to grab the chain. Rosser uses the chain to bend Juice back towards the corner post!! Fans boo, but Rosser wants to hurt Juice! Rosser lets off and Juice flops out of the Tree. Juice crawls away, begs for mercy, but Rosser says that’s not happening. Rosser wraps the chain around his hand again. Rosser storms up on Juice but Juice wants him to stop!
But wait! TONI STORM is here!! She’s actually here and she’s getting in the ring! Toni LOW BLOWS Rosser!! But it doesn’t work? Rosser pulls out a SPORTS CUP!! He was prepared! So Toni SLAPS him instead! Fans cheer Toni on as he tells him off while fans are losing their minds! Rosser dares her to come closer then. Rosser starts stepping closer, Toni starts stepping back, but then Rosser takes her head in his hands and KISSES HER?! Fans can’t believe Rosser is using the lip lock on Toni! Rosser stops, says her kiss tastes gross, so Toni winds back! Rosser ducks her punch, and fireman’s carries her!
Rosser spins and spins and spins Toni, but Juice LOW BLOWS Rosser! No more cup, so now it hurts! And then STORM ZERO!! Juice covers, TWO!?!? Rosser survives and Toni is pissed at the ref! The ref says the count was fair, so Juice and Toni work together. Toni gets a chair, Juice drags Rosser up, and Juice chicken wings Rosser. Toni puts the chair underneath, but Rosser kicks it away! SLEEPER! Storm CLUBS away on Rosser! And kicks him! Rosser keeps holding on, shifts his grip, CROSSFACE CHICKENWING! But then Storm gets the kendo stick! Rosser shoves Juice into Toni! And then fireman’s carries Juice, GUTBUSTER DROP!!
Rosser steps over, STF CHICKENWING!! Juice endures, reaches around, flails, but Storm is back! She has a BOTTLE!? She SMASHES the bottle on Rosser’s head!!! Storm then positions a door in a corner, and she shouts to Juice to finish this. Fans rally for “DOOR! DOOR! DOOR!” Juice runs in, CANNONBALL through the door!! Juice gets right out of the wreckage, and he has the stop sign in place! He calls to Storm, she says “KISS THIS!” Storm runs in, SWEET HIP MUSIC into the stop sign and into Rosser’s face!! Juice drags Rosser up, reels him in, Toni places a chair in the right spot, FULL METAL JUICE IS LOOSE!! Double cover, Juice wins!
Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall
Juice may’ve started it, but Rosser pushed it too far and he’s the one who pays for it. Storm hugs her hubby, his blood getting on her nice white shirt. Juice & Storm stand tall over Rosser, will they both be all the stronger for this?
Kyle Fletcher is here!
Fans cheer the Aussie Arrow, who is looking sharp for not just having two tag titles, but for being in a great looking suit. Kyle gets a mic as fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” Kyle says, “Could not have a NJPW event in the United States, let along Long Beach, without at least one half of your first-ever dual NJPW Tag Team Champions. Ahem, and also, the best tag team in the woooorld~!” Fans cheer that! Kyle says he is of course here alone, and he is here not dressed to wrestle. So then why is he here? It’s not about Orange Cassidy, the longest reigning International Champion in the world.
The reason Kyle is here is… not so happy. “As you all know, Aussie Open has been on the tear of a lifetime this year. We have literally the hardest schedule in the entire world, and we have done that because we have proven we wanna be the best of all time, mate. However, with a schedule that hectic, you pick up a couple bumps, a couple bruises here and there. Both myself and Mark Davis have.” But it would seem Davis picked up a bigger bump… Davis came back, got checked out, and he cannot wrestle right now. Fans boo but Kyle says we don’t know how long it’s gonna be for. One thing we know for sure is that Aussie Open can no longer defend their tag titles at Dominion on June 4th.
Fans boo out of disappointment but Kyle says that after they’ve spoken so much about how the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles are the most prestigious titles in the entire world, it would be pretty disingenuous to hold onto belts they aren’t able to defend. So today, Kyle is here to announce that Aussie Open must vacate both the IWGP Heavyweight and NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships. Fans boo out of further disappointment, but then chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle continues to say that those close to him know how much both belts mean to him.
“The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships were literally the picture on my lock screen for four years straight, that’s how much they mean to me, so holding them are a dream come true. And we wanted this title reign to put us with the best to ever hold them, because they are the most prestigious tag belts in the entire world.” Fans cheer that, and Kyle says from the bottom of his heart, he is sorry that he cannot give the world the reign we all deserve. The fans again chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” in support. Kyle says next, Dominion will see a match to between “House of Bore-ture,” and Bishamon, in a DOUBLE TITLE MATCH!
But Kyle makes one thing clear to whoever wins that match and thinks they’re gonna keep those belts. “Aussie Open will be back in a NJPW ring sooner than you think.” Fans cheer that! And Kyle says by God, they will stop at absolutely NOTHING to get these back!! Even if it means practically killing the rest of the roster. And when Aussie Open get the belts back, they will continue the legendary run, “and Aussie Open will continue to run, the, world.” A hard moment for Kyle, but a golden opportunity for the House of Torture’s Evil & Yujiro Takahashi and Bishamon, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi. Who will take the place of the best tag team today?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Hikuleo VS KENTA!
In quite the shocker at Wrestling Dontaku, the Young Guerilla shot down Fang Revived and took his title! Kenta wants a rematch, but will he be able to make Hikuleo #GoToSleep? Or will Hikuleo ruin Kenta’s resurgence?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
Wait, Kenta grabs the belt! He rushes Hikuleo, but Hiku BOOTS him down! Deja vu, anyone? The bell rings and Hiku goes to Kenta. Kenta might be playing possum like he was last time, so Hiku just drags him up to put in a BEARHUG! Kenta BELL CLAPS free, but Hiku UPPERCUTS him! Hiku whips Kenta to ropes, but Kenta holds ropes to bail out. Fans cheer the savvy but Hiku watches Kenta stagger around the outside. Kenta fires up the fans, but then Hiku reaches down to grab him with both hands! Hiku drags Kenta up, but Kenta HOTSHOTS him away! Hiku staggers, Kenta runs in, but into a CHOP!
Kenta drops to his knees! Kenta sputters, fans “WOO~!” and Hiku CHOPS Kenta on the back! And CHOPS him in the chest again! Kenta staggers up, Hiku DOUBLE CHOPS! Kenta falls from Hiku’s Grizzly Magnum, and Hiku waits for him. Kenta crawls to his corner, he grabs something, but Hiku drags him up. Kenta has his own shirt, and then chokes himself with it?! He’s framing Hiku!! The ref falls for it, Hiku argues it was all Kenta, but then Kenta knocks Hiku into the ref! And LOW BLOWS- NO, Hiku blocks it! Hiku is pissed, but Kenta claws the eyes! Kenta runs, but Hiku UPPERCUTS! And then clotheslines Kenta out!
Kenta crawls around the outside, Hiku picks up the shirt! Fans fire up, but then Hiku drops the shirt and fans boo. They wanted to see him actually choke Kenta! Hiku stalks Kenta, CHOPS him, and follows him to the ramp. Kenta crawls but Hiku drags Kenta up. Kenta throws body shots but Hiku DECKS him! They go closer to the entrance, but Hiku CLUBS Kenta on the back! Kenta staggers around, Hiku says this is HIS title. Hiku ROCKS Kenta and Kenta goes through the curtain. Hiku goes back there after him, and something’s going on. There’s someone hitting someone, but who is winning the brawl?
Kenta returns first! Fans cheer but what’d he do to Hiku? Kenta puts the ref in the ring, tells him to start counting, and Hiku is back. Kenta shoves the ref down again! Hiku hobbles, Kenta rushes him and ROCKS him with a forearm! Kenta KICKS the legs, throws haymakers, but Hiku gets mad. Hiku hobbles, but he blocks the kick to the leg! Hiku spins Kenta to CHOP him again! Hiku stalks Kenta around the way, but Kenta throws body shots. Hiku ROCKS Kenta, then scoops him, and SNAKE EYES off the railings! Fans fire up and want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Hiku drags Kenta up, scoops him again, and SNAKE EYES off more railing!
The ref is back, he wants this back in the ring, but Hiku pats him on the head. Hiku drags Kenta up, they go further to the back, and fans want it “ONE MORE TIME!” But Kenta JAWBREAKERS! Kenta throws hands and kicks! Hiku sputters, Kenta drags him even further back. Kenta kicks the bad leg, then reels Hiku in. Hiku RAMS Kenta into railing!! The railing pops off where they’re secured! Hiku drags Kenta up, to RAM him into the railing again! Fans fire up, the ref tells them to get back to the ring, but Hiku instead opens railing up to look under the bleachers. Fans fire up, and Hiku brings out a TABLE!!
Fans are loving this but the ref tells Hiku not to do this. Hiku sets the table up and he drags Kenta up. Hiku choke grips, the ref says no but the fans say yes! But then Hiku DECKS Kenta, technically doing what the ref wants. But then wait, Hiku is bringing Kenta into the stands!? Hiku ROCKS Kenta, they go up the steps and fans move aside for them. Hiku drags Kenta up at the railing! The ref tells Hiku to definitely not do this! Hiku shoves the ref away, and he goes tumbling into Young Lions! Hiku lifts Kenta, but Kenta fights for his life!! Kenta gets back down, but Hiku choke grips him again! So Kenta LOW BLOWS him!!
Hiku leans against the railing, and Kenta sees the table is down below. Kenta hoists Hiku up?! Fans freak out, Hiku goes up and over and falls through the table!!! Fans lose their minds even more than during the Street Fight! The ref checks Hiku while Kenta crawls his way back down the steps. A ring count finally starts, but can either man even make it? We’re at 7 of 20 as Kenta crawls on the floor! Hiku drags himself from the wreckage at 11! Kenta has a head start but he’s still a long way’s away! Kenta slides in at 17! What about Hiku!? Hiku is still out, Kenta wins!!!
Winner: Kenta, by count-out (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
There’s no Champion’s Advantage in this scenario, so Kenta takes the title BACK!! But if this is what it took just to survive Hikuleo, will Kenta have to make sure Hikuleo never, ever, EVER challenges him again?
Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Blackpool Combat Club!
From Dream Team to Dream Trio, Kazuchika Okada and his friends took the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships from Team Strong Style! But #SHOOTER immediately called The Rainmaker out and said he was bringing some friends. With The Ace busy later tonight, Rocky Romero steps in alongside Okada and Tomohiro Ishii, will they be able to stop the Paradigm Shift? Or will they be beaten down by Shota Umino, Wheeler Yuta & JEEEEEON~ MOXLEY?
Just as they do in AEW, the BCC make their entrance through the crowd, and Long Beach loves it! But of course, Rocky, Ishii and Okada make traditional entrances from the ramp. Fans are fired up for everyone in this match already as the trios sort out. Shota steps up and wants Okada! Fans fire up for that, but Okada says no thanks. Ishii starts and the bell rings. Fans rally as the Roughneck ties up with the Stone Pitbull. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Shota uses height as leverage to put Ishii on ropes. The ref counts, Shota lets off, and then feints a chop to pat Ishii’s shoulder instead. The Okada move!
The fans fire up as Shota stares Okada down but Ishii steps in the way. Shota throws forearms but Ishii doesn’t back down. Ishii then throws a forearm, and the forearms start going back and forth! Fans rally up as they go faster and faster! Shota shows no signs of slowing, but then Ishii ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And whips, but Shota uses that to DECK Okada! Ishii rushes in, Shota dodges and DECKS Ishii! Okada gets up but Shota hits him again! Shota eggs Okada on, so Okada tags in! Fans fire up as Okada grabs Shota by the neck! Shota breaks free to fire off on Okada! Shota whips, Okada reverses and BOOTS Shota!
Okada drags Shota up while fans fire up, and Okada throws Shota out. Okada fires off on Shota, then whips him hard into railing! Shota staggers, Okada borrows a fan’s drink to throw it at Shota! Okada then puts Shota back in the ring, kicks him around, but mostly toys with Shota. Shota gets up so Okada slaps him around. Shota stands to fire forearms! And an UPPERCUT! Shota runs, but Okada gets him for a FLAPJACK! Fans fire up and Okada tags in Rocky. Fans fire up for Azucar as he CHOPS and ROCKS Shota! Rocky whips, Shota reverses and clinches to scoop and DROP! Then BASEMENT UPPERCUT!
Fans rally and Shota stomps Rocky down. Shota bumps Rocky off buckles, tags in Yuta, and fans boo as Yuta CHOPS Rocky! Yuta snapmares Rocky to drop a big knee! Cover, TWO! Yuta pushes Rocky around, ties the legs up, and he brings Rocky into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Rocky endures, fans rally, and Rocky pops free to a cover! ONE, into the ARMBAR! Yuta flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Rocky lets off to KICK Yuta! And CHOP! And ROCK! Rocky whips, Yuta reverses but Rocky slides under, keeps moving, and pop-up RANAS! Fans fire up and Rocky feeds off the energy. Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky!
Rocky ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta ROCKS Rocky! Yuta eggs Rocky on, Rocky roars, and he fires off a flurry of forearms! Rocky then dodges Yuta to UPPERCUT! Yuta goes to a corner, Rocky runs in, and he starts up the Forever Clotheslines! Rocky gets two, then three, but Yuta rushes in! Rocky dodges Yuta, but then Yuta gets around Rocky to wrench and OLYMPIC SLAM! Fans fire up, Yuta drags Rocky up and lifts, to then put him on the top rope. Yuta climbs up, fishhooks Rocky’s face and BITES his forehead! Then he CLAWS Rocky’s back! Ishii and Okada protest, but the ref keeps them back. This allows Moxley to rush over and BITE Rocky’s forehead!
Rocky falls back into a Tree of Woe, and Yuta CLUBS away on the knees! Fans boo but Yuta tags Moxley. Fans fire up as Moxley slithers and watches Rocky. Moxley BOOTS Rocky to the corner, and throws point-blank clotheslines! Then he drags Rocky out to X PLEX! Cover, TWO! Rocky hangs tough but Moxley has a leg for a CALF KILLER! Rocky endures, moves around, but Moxley steps over into the STF! Rocky endures but Okada storms in! Okada stomps Moxley into letting go, but then Shota goes after Okada! Shota kicks Okada out of the ring, literally! But Okada comes back! Shota hits Ishii, Okada fires off on Shota!
Yuta rushes in to get his shots in on Ishii while Shota throws Okada back out! Things are getting rough, and Moxley KICKS Rocky in the chest! And again! And again! Moxley drags Rocky up, runs, but Rocky blocks a kick to trip Moxley and step through! SHARPSHOOTER, but Yuta DECKS Rocky! Fans are torn but Moxley throws Rocky out hard. The ref stops Okada from rushing in again, but that allows Yuta to get shots off on Rocky! Yuta whips Rocky into railing! Moxley goes out to fetch Rocky, and Moxley CROTCHES Rocky on the railing! Moxley then goes back into the ring and he tags Shota in.
Yuta fetches Rocky for Shota and Shota covers, TWO! Shota drags Rocky up, CLUBS him, then he DECKS Okada! Shota goes out after Okada and whips him into railing! And Yuta gets a shot in on Rocky! Shota then drags Rocky up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Shota tags Moxley back in, and Shota drags Rocky to trip him. Then Shota drags Rocky back up, for a HART ATTACK with Moxley! Cover, TWO! Moxley has the legs, TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! A shot at Tanahashi with this! Rocky endures and fans rally up. Rocky pushes up, crawls his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK!
Moxley holds on until the ref counts 4. Moxley drags Rocky up, CHOPS him against ropes, then talks some trash right in Rocky’s face. Moxley flips off Ishii, but Rocky UPPERCUTS! Rocky springboards to TORNADO DDT! Moxley staggers around, hot tags to Yuta and Ishii! Ishii runs Yuta over, but Shota runs in! Ishii dodges Shota, waistlocks, but avoids the elbow. Shota dodges Ishii now, but comes back to get run over! Moxley kicks Ishii, whips him to a corner, but Ishii comes back to run Moxley over! Fans fire up and Ishii goes back to Yuta. Ishii drags Yuta up but Yuta throws forearms! Ishii just glares at him!
Yuta throws more forearms but Ishii leans into them! Yuta eggs Ishii on so Ishii ROCKS Yuta, and SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yuta is still in this but Ishii waits on him to sit up. Ishii then runs, but Moxley trips him up! Yuta hoists Ishii for an atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Tag to Moxley and he hits a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Moxley rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Ishii falls over, Moxley wraps on a BULLY CHOKE! Yuta and Shota BLAST Rocky and Okada! Shota stomps away on Okada as Moxley pushes up on the hold! Ishii is fading! Fans rally as the ref checks, the hand drops once!
Ishii gets a second wind and the fans are thunderous! Ishii crawls around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Moxley lets go at 4. Tag to Shota, but Yuta also steps in. Moxley says they’re gonna finish this. Moxley drags Ishii up with Yuta’s help, and they set him up for Shota. But Ishii fights free! Ishii sends Yuta into Moxley then Moxley into Yuta! And then Shota into Moxley! GERMAN SUPLEX for Shota! BRAINBUSTER for Moxley!! They’re all down and the fans are thunderous! And Okada is back on his corner! Ishii crawls over, reaches out, hot tag to the Rainmaker! Okada storms right up on Okada to fire off forearms!
Okada whips, Shota reverses but Okada ELBOWS him down! Fans fire up again, Okada whips Shota corner to corner, then Okada runs in to ELBOW again! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! But Okada’s standard formula is working, so he drags Shota back up. Fans rally, Okada scoops, but Shota fights free! Shota clinches to OVERHEAD suplex! Fans fire up again and Shota goes to a corner. Shota runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Okada! Then Shota goes out, slingshots in, DDT!! Okada staggers up, Shota kicks low and hooks the arms, but Okada back drops free! Shota runs back in, Okada pops him up to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER!
Rocky and Ishii go after Moxley and Yuta while Okada hauls Shota up. Scoop and SLAM, and then Okada goes to a corner. Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW! And of course, that leads to the Rainmaker Pose~! Fans are thunderous, but Moxley is in to flip Okada off! Okada and Moxley glare, no one interrupts the money shot! Okada and Moxley start throwing forearms! The fans are thunderous as the shots go back and forth! Okada wobbles, but he winds up to ROCK Moxley! Moxley throws body shots and a forearm! Moxley runs, Okada gets around, DISCUS- FOREARM from Moxley! Moxley runs, into the DROPKICK!
Moxley falls out of the ring, and Okada flips him off! But Shota sneaks up to POP-UP UPPERCUT Okada! And SWINGING NECKBREAKER! And then the underhooks, but Ishii LARIATS Shota! Okada hurries to tag in Rocky, and Rocky runs in to JUMP KNEE! Ishii LARIATS! Okada BOOTS! Ishii suplexes to hang Shota out to dry, Rocky FLYING KNEES Shota down! Cover, TWO!! Ishii keeps Moxley out and Chaos fires up! They whip Shota to a corner, Rocky runs in to clothesline! Ishii adds a clothesline! Okada adds an elbow! Okada puts Shota up top for Rocky and Rocky is right after him, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Shota endures, fights, but Rocky has the DIABLO ARMBAR! But Yuta breaks it! Fans boo but Yuta whips. Rocky reverses, runs in, but Yuta catches the body block to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta roars, runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Yuta rewinds, and he blocks Rocky’s kick! Yuta ducks the enziguri but Rocky’s REWIND HEEL hits! Moxley’s back and he CLOBBERS Rocky! Ishii’s back and he blocks Moxley’s lariat! Moxley blocks Ishii’s lariat, but then Ishii dodges Moxley’s lariat, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, Ishii blocks a boot but Moxley ROCKS Ishii with a forearm! Ishii ROCKS Moxley with a forearm!
Both men roar, and Moxley KING KONG LARIATS Ishii! But Okada gets Moxley in a waistlock! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Fans go wild, but then Shota gets in and kicks Okada low! DEATH RIDER!! Rocky UPPERCUTS Shota, runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him a la Okada! And then DEATH RIDER for Rocky!! Cover, BCC WINS!!!
Winners: Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall
The Roughneck sends a message right to the head of Chaos! Is the Dream Trio’s reign as NEVER Six Man Tag Team Champions already in danger? Is the Paradigm Shift coming for NJPW?
Backstage interview with Mercedes Moné.
Emily May is with The CEO ahead of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament finals. How does that all feel? Mone says one down, one to go. And who is it but none other than Willow Nightingale! Mone already told her once so she’ll say it again, Mone will get a pillow for Willow because she’s going to sleep! Willow will learn real quick who the CEO of NJPW really is. Because she’s ready to be the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion! #BankOnThat!
IWGP United States Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, Opening Round: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Will Ospreay!
Two former IWGP United States Champions battle as part of the tournament to name Kenny Omega’s next challenge. On top of that, The Ace and the Kingpin have both faced The Best Bout Machine in the past. But waiting on the other side of the bracket is another former champion in Lance Archer. Who wins here to face the Murderhawk Monster in the finals?
The bell rings and the fans are thunderous already. Ospreay and Tanahashi encourage them to get louder so the fans oblige, and it is electric! Tanahashi and Ospreay tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock. Tanahashi manages to power Ospreay back, puts him on ropes, and the ref counts. Tanahashi lets off slowly but cleanly, and even Ospreay applauds. The two reset, fans duel, “TANAHASHI!” “WIL OSPREAY!” Tanahashi air guitars with the rhythm, but Ospreay air drums a wild solo! Tanahashi jams on the guitar, it’s a damn air rock concert! Ospreay then asks for a timeout, he’s running out of air.
The two go again, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Ospreay switches, Tanahashi switches, but Ospreay wrenches. Tanahashi wrenches back, wristlocks, but Ospreay rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Fans cheer the technical ability, but then Tanahashi slips out to headlock Ospreay. Ospreay powers out, Tanahashi runs Ospreay over, and Ospreay bails out. Fans fire up while Ospreay catches his breath again. The ring count starts, Ospreay returns, and the two circle. They apporach, Ospreay kicks and CLUBS and ROCKS Tanahashi to a corner. Ospreay throws more shots, and an UPPERCUT!
Ospreay whips corner to corner, runs in but Tanahashi elbows him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! And more air guitars! Tanahashi throws the guitar away, and then he goes back for Ospreay. Tanahashi throws body shots and follows Ospreay to ropes. Tanahashi whips, Ospreay holds ropes to stop himself, and then Ospreay FLAPJACKS Tanahashi onto the ropes! And then Ospreay DROPKICKS Tanahashi off the ropes! Fans fire up, Ospreay aims, PLANCHA! Direct hit and Ospreay air drums again! A ring count starts, Ospreay goes back to Tanahashi and brings him up at 5 of 20. Ospreay SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron!
Ospreay puts Tanahashi into the ring after 7, and then looms over him. Ospreay scrapes the soles off Tanahashi’s face! The ref reprimands, Ospreay “apologizes,” and he brings Tanahashi up. Ospreay HEADBUTTS Tanahashi, bumps him off buckles, and then CHOPS him! Fans “WOO~!” and Ospreay takes a bite of that juicy fruit. Ospreay CHOPS Tanahashi again! Ospreay whips corner to corner hard and Tanahashi bounces off buckles. Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool and fans rally up. Ospreay scuffs Tanahashi with his boot, gives him more toying kicks, then ELBOWS Tanahashi on the top of his head!
Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and gives him a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed by the count but the ref says it was fair. Ospreay slaps Tanahashi around while fans rally up. Ospreay eggs Tanahashi on, then drags him up. Tanahashi fires forearms! And forearms! But Ospreay knees low! Ospreay whips Tanahashi to ropes, but Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with The Ace and he fires off shots on Ospreay! Ospreay staggers, Tanahashi gives him more body shots. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ospreay into the drop zone, then he goes up the corner!
Fans fire up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi keeps moving, and Ospreay CHOPS again! Tanahashi shrugs it off, and then he fires off forearm after forearm! Tanahashi whips, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Ospreay goes to the apron and he gets the fans to be even louder. The fans return to thunderous levels and Ospreay takes aim. Tanahashi rises, Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!! That forearm was good but not quite phenomenal.
But Ospreay says he’ll finish this, and he adjusts his elbow pad. Ospreay drags Tanahashi up, turns him, and CHELSEA GRIN ELBOWS! But Ospreay isn’t done, he goes to the corner. Ospreay aims, runs in, but Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi dropkicks Ospreay’s leg! Fans are still rallying, Tanahashi runs in, but he blocks Ospreay’s boot! KNEE JAMMER! Tanahashi puts the leg in the ropes, to DROPKICK it! And then DRAGON SCREW it! Fans fire up while Ospreay clutches that knee, but Tanahashi gets both legs! Ospreay throws hands but Tanahashi still drags him around! Ospreay resists, but still ends up in the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!
Fans rally as Ospreay still tries to fight this! Ospreay crawls, reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him back and sits deep on it! Ospreay still endures and fans rally harder! Ospreay crawls again, ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go in frustration and perhaps some exhaustion. Tanahashi stomps Ospreay’s leg, then waits on him to rise. Fans fire up, Tanahashi runs, but Ospreay gets around to waistlock. Tanahashi elbows free, but Ospreay CHOPS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi powers up, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men go down and fans are thunderous! A standing count starts as both men stir.
Ospreay shakes his bad leg and we hit 5 of 10. Fans rally up more, Ospreay rises and the count stops. Ospreay sits Tanahashi up, and he throws a forearm. Tanahashi fires up to throw a forearm! Ospreay fires up and he throws another forearm! Tanahashi fires up again and throws another forearm! Ospreay stands up in a rage and fans go wild as he shakes the ropes! Tanahashi also stands, and the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, again and again, and Ospreay wobbles! Tanahashi ROCKS him again, and again, and again! But Ospreay fires off Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP!
Tanahashi staggers to a corner, Ospreay runs in to BOOT! That was one hell of a kick and Ospreay pushes Tanahashi down. Ospreay goes up the corner and fans fire up. The bad leg makes it tricky but Ospreay still reaches the top. Tanahashi stands, Ospreay BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Ospreay then drags Tanahashi up, underhooks, lifts, STORM- SLINGBLADE?! Tanahashi turns things around and fans are thunderous! Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE again! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Tanahashi goes to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, Ospreay stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Ospreay rolls it through, TWO!
Tanahashi ghost pins, TWO!!! Ospreay swings but Tanahashi catches him to a full nelson! Ospreay elbows free but Tanahashi dropkicks the leg from behind! Tanahashi gets that leg, DRAGON- NO, Ospreay spins through to STOMP 182! Fans are thunderous again as Ospreay calls his shot! Springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Tanahashi survives but Ospreay goes right to a corner! Elbow pad ready, Ospreay takes aim, HIDDEN BLADE!!! But that’s still not enough!? STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to the tournament finals)
The Commonwealth Kingpin trumps the Ace of the Universe and wins big here tonight! But will Ospreay be 100% in time to face the Murderhawk Monster in Dominion?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Emily is with the Babe with the Power now, and we’re just moments away from the finals for the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship! Willow says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little nervous. Actually, even that’s a lie. She’s a lot nervous, but here we are. Willow trusts herself, trusts her training, trusts her heart, and honestly, the only thing she can do is be the best Willow she can be, and that is what she’s gonna do. Willow takes a deep breath, Emily wishes her luck, and Willow fires herself up before going to gorilla!
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Mercedes Moné VS Willow Nightingale!
Finally, the moment of truth is here! Both women competed just earlier tonight, but one of them will close the night as a brand new champion! Who proves they are truly NJPW Strong?
Willow changes from purple to gold to show how optimistic she is about getting the gold. Earlier, Mone was Cleopatra. Now, because Long Beach is near Los Angeles and Disneyland, Mone is Snow White! The introductions are made, the shiny new belt is raised, and we see who is truly the strongest of them all!
The bell rings and fans are thunderous already for this historic moment. They then go past thunderous right into volcanic! Mone and Willow circle, both feeling the energy of this moment. “This is Awesome!” and both women appreciate that sentiment. Mone and Willow are just as fired up now, and they feel out the grapple. Willow then settles down, and offers a handshake. Mone smiles, considers it, and fans say “YES! YES! YES!” Mone says okay, and they shake hands! Fans cheer the respect, but then Willow uses her power to bring Mone to her knees! Mone SLAPS Willow back! And then headlocks!
Willow powers out, Mone slides under to sunset flip, ONE! Mone headlocks again, Willow powers up to back suplex but Mone lands on her feet! Mone rolls Willow, high stacks, TWO! Mone hurries to bring Willow up but Willow CHOPS! Mone goes to ropes, Willow whips her, Mone RANAS, but Willow blocks! Willow brings Mone up but Mone sunset flips, TWO! Willow hurries to sit on Mone, TWO! Willow looms over Mone, fans fire up, HIP DROP FLOPS as Mone moves! Mone hooks arms, rolls Willow like she did Vaquer, but Willow booty bumps free! Mone swings, Willow blocks, spins and ROCKS Mone!
Willow runs to POUNCE Mone into the ropes!! Fans are thunderous again as Mone flops out of the ring!! Willow is soaking it all up and she goes out after Mone. Willow runs in to LARIAT Mone back down! Fans fire up again, Willow rolls in and wants the count. After all, there’s no Champion’s Advantage when there’s no champion. The count reaches 9 of 20 but Mone slides in at 11. But Willow SPLASHES her in the corner! Willow brings Mone out, short arm LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up for another short arm LARIAT! Willow reels Mone in again, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!
Willow has a frustrated smirk but she looms over Mone. Willow drags Mone up, scoops, and she SLAMS Mone down. Willow flexes, fans fire up, and Willow drags Mone up again. Another scoop and SLAM, and then Willow brings Mone up. Mone slips free to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Willow stays up and she ELBOWS Mone down! Willow is feeling it now and she covers, TWO! Willow nods, she knows Mone’s tougher than that. Willow drags Mone up, bumps her off buckles, and CHOPS! Mone scrambles away, stinging in her chest. Willow shouts at Mone, CHOPS her again, and Mone staggers away to another corner.
Willow storms up but Mone turns things around to CHOP, CHOP and WINDMILL CHOP! But Willow turns things around to ROCK Mone! Willow whips corner to corner, Mone reverses, but Willow handsprings and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up again and Willow is having fun now. Willow drags Mone up in a facelock but Mone flails. Willow leans on Mone to keep her down and the fans duel. “LET’S GO, WILLOW!” “C E O!” Mone fights up, JAWBREAKERS, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Willow drags Mone up, short arm- NO, roll up! ONE, but Mone blocks a kick to KNEE back! Mone runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER!
Willow has the legs, and she turns Mone over, BOSTON CRAB!! And it’s deep!! Mone endures being bent back so far, but she reaches out for ropes! Willow adjusts, keeps on it, but Mone fights around! Mone flips Willow off, before the ROPEBREAK! Willow lets go, Mone goes to a corner, and Willow RAMS into her! Willow puts Mone up top and ROCKS her with a forearm. Willow climbs up but Mone fires off forearms! Willow hits back, CLUBS Mone, then hoists her up to the very top. STALLING SUPERPLEX!!! Cover, TWO!!! Mone survives and no one can believe it! The fans continue to rally while Mone crawls to a corner.
Willow refocuses, brings off the wrist tape, and she runs in, but Mone dodges! Mone comes back, Willow puts her on the apron but Mone bumps her, ROCKS her, and repeat! Mone fires off again and again and fans fire up! Willow staggers back and Mone goes up the corner. Willow SLAPS her first! Willow ROCKS Mone again, climbs back up, but Mone rains down elbows! Mone adjusts to HOTSHOT Willow! Mone hurries back in, he covers, TWO!! Willow stands first, she brings Mone up, and scoops to RAM her into a corner! And then corner to corner, but Mone slips free! Willow staggers back, into the BACKSTABBER!
Mone drags Willow up and over, into the BANK STATEMENT!!! Willow flails, crawls, drags Mone along, but then turns and rolls! Willow hauls Mone up and moves her around, gut wrench into the BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB!!! Cover, TWO!??!? Mone barely gets an arm up, and no one believes it!! Willow snarls, brings the straps down, and she hauls Mone up again. Willow brings Mone in, gut wrenches again, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB AGAIN!!! Cover, WILLOW WINS!!!!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (INAUGURAL NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
The Walter Pyramid erupts in celebration! Even Willow seems in shock that she won! Willow may not have won the AEW Women’s World Championship, she may not have won the ROH Women’s World Championship, but she IS the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion!!! And of course, as is NJPW tradition, she won the main event so she closes out the show! Willow gets the mic and takes a moment as fans chant “You Deserve It!” Willow says “OHHHH~ my goodness!” She thanks the fans for all of this love and support. “I have so much gratitude. Thank you. I have so much gratitude for all of you.
“I have so much gratitude and respect for everyone who was in the tournament, who performed tonight, who helped pave the way for a championship like this to be here. To have one award that is from four different companies. I’m just… I think an opponent like Mercedes…” Fans cheer and Willow encourages it as she gets emotional. “… is like the most prolific women’s wrestler of our generation. And to be able to share the ring with her is an honor. To be able to be in front of you guys is an honor. This is the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship!” Fans cheer that, and Willow says she fought for YEARS and YEARS to be on a stage like this, and to have a moment like this!
So it’s not lost on her what it took to get here, and what is ahead of her. Fans chant for Willow again, and she says, “This is amazing! GAH! But really, really, thank you to everyone. Momo, Stephanie, Mercedes, all frickin’ put it all out here tonight! So, honestly, thank you for believing in me, thank you for helping me get this far. And it’s only the beginning, folks.” Willow winks, drops the mic, and returns to celebrating! Willow makes history and shocks the world, will the world soon belong to her?
My Thoughts:
What an amazing night for NJPW, especially stateside. Technical difficulties aside, and some production quality stuff aside (too many cuts between the ringside cams, some audio quality issues given the acoustics of the arena), this was probably NJPW’s best night in the US so far. Now, there was a bummer moment where Kyle Fletcher revealed Mark Davis’ injury and how Aussie Open is out of action for the time being. As he said, they were on the cusp of ramping things up in the entire (non-WWE) world of tag team wrestling, but now that won’t happen. Bishamon VS House of Torture is happening because it was going to be a Triple Threat last I recall, so that’s fine. I would hope Bishamon wins, though, if only because House of Torture means more typical Heel cheating to retain titles.
I did skip the kickoff show matches because they were kickoff show matches, free on YouTube even, but of course Coughlin wins to have momentum going into facing Shibata. DKC winning was a great surprise, though. And I skipped ZSJ & Bad Dude Tito losing to Barbaro & Virus cuz I knew Tito was taking that finish. Insane Street Fight from Rosser and Juice, and great to see Toni show up here to be part of it. This almost felt like a Double Turn, where Rosser is Heel and Juice is now Face (at least in the NJPW scope of things, AEW is a different story). I mean, you don’t bring up someone’s spouse, then basically sexually harass them and stay the Face.
Really good NJPW Strong Openweight Championship match but I did not think they’d go so hardcore. But a count-out win is a great way to keep Hikuleo strong while putting the belt back on Kenta, though I feel like the title change itself is a letdown. Yes, Kenta is now a historic two-time Strong Openweight Champion, but I guess that just means when we eventually get Bullet Club VS Guerrillas of Destiny (and El Phantasmo, too?), the Faces will be underdogs who then earn title matches with their win. Feels almost like NJPW booked themselves into a corner again when it came to writing a Bullet Club Civil War style story.
The Six Man Tag was really wild and hectic but that seemed fitting since we’re talking Blackpool Combat Club. Also, the faction is called Chaos, there really should be more actual chaos with them. But Shota getting the pin here was also really great stuff. Okada VS Moxley is definitely a match a lot of people want to see, but obviously there’s a lot to get out of a Okada VS Shota match, too. Tanahashi VS Ospreay was also awesome, neither man can put on a bad match. Tanahashi being a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion with Okada and Ishii, it makes sense Ospreay goes over. Ospreay VS Archer is going to be wild, I just hope Ospreay’s body holds together because he goes so hard in there.
And of course, what a great one-night tournament for the brand new Strong Women’s Championship. Mone beating Vaquer was rather obvious, she’s Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks. Willow beating Momo wasn’t quite a given but it definitely felt mostly in Willow’s favor. Mone VS Willow was an awesome main event, and with Willow dominating so hard, I thought Mone was going to pull off the comeback win. Case in point, that supposed kickout after the first powerbomb. But then to everyone’s surprise, Willow still wins out! Kudos to Mone putting over Willow, and great promo from Willow to show respect back.
I don’t watch NJPW Strong, no real time in the schedule, but Willow will surely show that belt off in AEW and ROH, maybe make some cross-promotional matches to help get eyes on NJPW Strong and ROH.
My Score: 9.1/10
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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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