Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/3/23)
Who is truly the top of NJPW?
This event’s 30th anniversary is golden!
Wrestling Dontaku has been a NJPW tradition since 1993, but this could be the biggest one yet! Will Hiromu Takahashi become THE top champion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match – Young Lion Challenge: Ryohei Oiwa VS Oskar Leube, Boltin Oleg & Yuto Nakashima; Leube wins, Oiwa gets nothing.
- 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS The House of Torture; Chaos wins.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino & The Intergalactic Jet Setters VS The United Empire; Shota & The Jet Setters win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI; Taichi, Kanemaru & Douki win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Hikuleo; Hikuleo wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Jeff Cobb; Time Limit Draw, ZSJ is still the NJPW World Television Champion.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Team Strong Style VS Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi; Okada, Ishii & Tanahashi win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Hiromu Takahashi; Sanada wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: KENTA VS Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Fang Revived has certainly been a strong champion, but he’s up against a big challenge! Will Kenta keep this gold in Bullet Club? Or will the Young Gun make Kenta go to sleep?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
Kenta rushes in before the bell! But Hiku BOOTS him right down! Hiku grabs at Kenta but the ref wants him to stop! Kenta may’ve been knocked the heck out! But Hiku doesn’t care, he’s still after Kenta! The ref has Hiku back off for real now, and he checks Kenta. Kenta is definitely dazed but is he okay to continue? Seems he is, so Hiku wants the match to start already. The ref obliges and the bell rings, but Kenta lures Hiku into a cradle! TWO!! Kenta almost got Hiku with that act! Kenta tries another cradle, but Hiku blocks! Hiku powers Kenta up to a suplex! Kenta slips free, runs, but into a CHOP!
Hiku runs in but Kenta blocks the boot to a KNEE JAMMER! And then he CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Fans rally up as Hiku crawls. Kenta stomps the leg, KICKS it, and has Hiku on the apron. Kenta brings the big leg in to stomp it some more. The ref reprimands as Kenta puts the leg on the ropes, and Kenta HIP DROPS it! Hiku writhes but Kenta stalks him. The fans duel as Kenta stomps Hiku. Hiku sits up to CHOP! Kenta grits his teeth to stomp Hiku more! Kenta drags Hiku from the ropes for a HEEL HOOK! Kenta even grapevines the leg! Hiku CHOPS Kenta, but Kenta pulls on the leg! Hiku reaches out to the ROPEBREAK!
Fans cheer and Kenta lets off, but then he stomps the leg again! Hiku sits up, into a KICK! Kenta keeps stomping the bad leg, then even stomps the other leg. Kenta drops an elbow on the knee, then a knee on the knee! Kenta pulls on the toehold, then drops more knees! Fans rally up for Hiku while Kenta toys with him. Hiku gets mad now, but Kenta keeps kicking his leg out. Hiku shoves Kenta away to a corner, then runs in, but into a BOOT! Kenta goes up, leaps, but into Hiku’s arms! Hiku throws Kenta to the corner, but Kenta dodges the splash! Kenta tries to roll Hiku up, but even on one leg, he’s too big and sturdy!
Hiku SLAPS Kenta, and clamps on a choke grip! Hiku drags Kenta right up, has both hands, and he picks Kenta up for a BEARHUG! But Kenta BELL CLAPS free! Kenta runs, into another BOOT! Fans fire up and Hiku storms around. Hiku waits on Kenta to rise, then scoops for a SNAKE EYES! Hiku runs to LARIAT Kenta down! Fans fire up again as Hiku drags Kenta back up. STALLING SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up behind Hiku and Jado tells him to keep going. Hiku drags Kenta up, reels him in, but Kenta CLUBS the bad leg! Then he rakes Hiku’s eyes! Hiku staggers but comes back, Kenta makes the ref take the BOOT!!
Everyone is stunned as the ref goes down! Hiku hurries to get after Kenta, but Kenta LOW BLOWS! Fans boo but Kenta just goes out to look under the ring. Kenta brings out a kendo stick! Kenta slides in as fans boo, and he SMACKS Hiku! Kenta pretends he can’t hear the fans, and then he SMACKS away on Hiku! Jado gets on the apron, Kenta SMACKS him, too! And then Kenta SMACKS Hiku again! And again! Hiku shakes his head, Kenta SMACKS him right in the gut! Kenta mocks the fans, but they rally up for Hiku. Hiku blocks the kendo stick, and it shatters! Hiku breaks what’s left!
Hiku throws the stick away, almost hitting the Young Lions. Kenta tries another low blow but Hiku blocks that! Hiku spins Kenta around, for the T-BOMB! But the ref is still down!! Hiku realizes that, goes to the ref, and he is out COLD! Is there another ref that can take his place? Marty Asami hurries out! Hiku takes aim at Kenta, choke grip, and CHOKE- ARMBAR!! TRIANGLE HOLD!! Kenta turns things around on Hiku! Hiku scrambles, reaches out, but Kenta shifts into GAME OVER!! Hiku still reaches out, and fans rally as hard as they can as Hiku crawls over! But Kenta pulls way back on the hold! Hiku fights and fights, to the ROPEBREAK!
Fans cheer as Kenta lets Hiku go in frustration. Kenta goes side to side, to KNEE Hiku in the back! And then again! Kenta then aims from the corner as Hiku slowly sits up. Kenta runs in, into the choke grip! But Kenta shoves Marty aside to LOW BLOW!! Fans boo but Kenta hits the BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!?! Kenta can’t believe Hiku survives! Fans fire up, Kenta sits Hiku up and brings the kneepads down! Kenta runs, but Hiku dodges and scoops, POWERSLAM!! And then choke grip! For the CHOKE SLAM!!! Cover, Hiku wins!!
Winner: Hikuleo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
The Young Gun did it! He avenges the Guerrillas of Destiny while also claiming his first title ever! You never forget your first, so will Hikuleo make this one to remember?
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ TMDK VS Jeff Cobb w/ The United Empire!
The Front Man of TMDK continues to be the star of this title’s first season, but the Imperial Unit is coming to flip the script. Will ZSJ take a Tour of the Island? Or will Cobb’s 15 minutes of fame be used up already?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly mighty!
The United Empire throw up the crowns, and TMDK does some kind of thing with their fingers…? The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Fans rally up as ZSJ talks some trash. Cobb and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and Cobb dares ZSJ to go for a leg. ZSJ returns the favor, but neither goes for a leg. They feel out a grapple, Cobb gets a leg but ZSJ hops around to the ropes. The ref counts the break and Cobb lets off. Fans applaud this opening exchange and the two feel out another grapple. ZSJ shoots in but Cobb blocks then floats around. ZSJ slips away and fans cheer again. Cobb and ZSJ reset, feel things out, and end up in a corner.
Cobb reels ZSJ into a lift! But ZSJ uses it to get an INVERTED OCTOPUS! But Cobb powers free, so ZSJ slips away again. Fans cheer again as the two reset. ZSJ says Cobb’s a heccin big gaijin. They feel things out again, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder. Cobb doesn’t budge, and then he pushes ZSJ down to a cover! ONE as ZSJ bridges up! Cobb sweeps the legs, ONE as ZSJ bridges back up! Cobb hops onto ZSJ to flatten him! TWO as ZSJ bridges up again!! Even Cobb is surprised! Cobb lets off, ZSJ kips up and rolls through to reverse the knuckle lock pressure! But Cobb turns ZSJ around to throw him over!
ZSJ reels Cobb in but Cobb’s too big for a Northern Lights! Cobb flips things around to back drop ZSJ! Fans applaud as ZSJ backs away to a corner. ZSJ hobbles up, Cobb shakes out his hands, and the two go again. ZSJ shoots in, gets the leg, waistlocks and lifts him up! But Cobb throws ZSJ away! Fans applaud again while ZSJ catches his breath. Cobb eggs ZSJ on and ZSJ comes back. Fans rally as the two go again. ZSJ headbutts low then headlocks! Cobb powers out, they RAM shoulders, and ZSJ staggers away! They RAM again and again but again ZSJ wobbles! Cobb runs, but ZSJ drop- NO, Cobb is too sturdy for the toehold!
Cobb picks ZSJ right up, but ZSJ body scissors, only for Cobb to still stay up! Cobb throws ZSJ off and ZSJ runs the ropes, but Cobb runs him right over! Fans fire up while Cobb looms over ZSJ. Cobb drags ZSJ up, RAMS him into a corner, and then RAMS into him again! Cobb whips corner to corner hard and ZSJ bounces off the buckles! Cobb taunts ZSJ and he drags him up again. Cobb HEADBUTTS ZSJ right down! The Empire cheers while TMDK coaches ZSJ up. Cobb stands ZSJ up to RAM him back into the corner! The ref counts as Cobb digs his shoulder in, and Cobb lets off as we reach the five minute mark.
Cobb whips ZSJ the other way, ZSJ goes up and around and jumps on for body scissors and armlock! But Cobb scoop SLAMS ZSJ down! Cobb sets up, but ZSJ trips him up and into the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Cobb is caught in the sleeper and body scissors! Cobb moves around, slips free, and he waistlocks to deadlift ZSJ! ZSJ shifts to drop toehold! HEEL HOOK! ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud the exchange as ZSJ lets go. ZSJ gets Cobb’s leg to KICK it! ZSJ taunts “big boy” Cobb, gets the leg and KICKS it again. ZSJ echoes a fan’s shout and the fans all cheer! ZSJ gets the leg again and he twists the ankle!
Cobb endures the standing toehold, then powers right out! Cobb hobbles, but ZSJ gets the body scissor takedown, into the KNEEBAR! ZSJ even grapevines Cobb’s body! Cobb endures, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as ZSJ lets off again. The fans rally and duel while ZSJ eggs Cobb on. Cobb stands into ZSJ’s KICK! And KICK! Cobb eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ KICKS, then runs, into a CROSSBODY!? Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and fans fire up again. Cobb shakes out the bad leg and the fans rally up. Cobb stands, he hobbles over to ZSJ and drags him up. Cobb ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm!
ZSJ sits down, but he eggs Cobb on. Cobb brings ZSJ up again, to ROCK him with another forearm! ZSJ sits back down, checks his jaw, and stands up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but there wasn’t much behind it. ZSJ keeps throwing uppercuts but Cobb just eggs him on. ZSJ fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, but Cobb just DROPKICKS him right down! Fans fire up as ZSJ flounders away! Cobb storms up on ZSJ, puts him in the corner and then hoists him up top. Cobb climbs up to join ZSJ and fans rally. Cobb suplexes but ZSJ flails! ZSJ shifts around, TOP ROPE OCTOPUS!! The ref reprimands, this has the ropebreak!
ZSJ lets go at 4, shouts “OI!!” and then shifts around again. ZSJ throws forearms on Cobb, but Cobb body shots hard! Cobb then brings ZSJ up for a SUPER GUT WRENCH SUPLEX!! Fans are thunderous and we’re at the TEN minute mark! Cobb covers, TWO!! ZSJ is still in this and time is on his side, but Cobb hasn’t given up yet. Fans rally and Cobb drags ZSJ up. Cobb suplexes but ZSJ fights it, to wrench and PELE the arm! Cobb comes back, ZSJ KICKS the other arm! ZSJ ROLLING ELBOWS, then waistlocks! Cobb fights the lift, ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Cobb HEADBUTTS right through ZSJ!! Fans fire up as both men are down!
The ref checks both men and they’re okay to continue. Fans rally back up as Cobb and ZSJ stir. Cobb drags ZSJ up in a facelock but ZSJ resists. Cobb ROCKS ZSJ with a right hand! ZSJ goes to ropes, stands up, and he throws a forearm! And another! And another! Cobb eggs him on, ZSJ throws another, so Cobb DECKS ZSJ! Cobb looms over ZSJ as we hit the three minute warning. Cobb whips ZSJ to a corner, ZSJ goes up and comes back, but into the ATHLETIC- SLEEPER! ZSJ is now a backpack! But Cobb powers up and heads for ropes! ZSJ hooks Cobb’s arms! But Cobb powers ZSJ to an Electric Chair!
Cobb then puts ZSJ into a wheelbarrow, for a WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX!! Fans are thunderous as Cobb drags ZSJ back up! Whip and scoop, TOUR OF THE- GUILLOTINE! ROLL-UP! TWO!!! Cobb escapes, we’re at the two minute warning! Cobb runs in, into a BOOT! Cobb comes back, into another BOOT! ZSJ runs, avoids the dropkick, and body scissors into the EURO CLUTCH! ONE!?!? Cobb is out fast but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS!! Cover, TWO!!! And with some force! But again, time is on ZSJ’s side as he gets back up! ZSJ throws forearm after forearm, Cobb eggs him on, so ZSJ SLAPS! AND SLAPS! AND SLAPS!
ZSJ fires off slaps from all sides as we hit the final 60 seconds! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, runs, but Cobb scoops him! ATHLETIC PLEX!! But ZSJ flops outta the ring!! Cobb has no time to waste, he hurries out to fetch ZSJ back into the ring! The Empire rallies, Cobb covers, TWO!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and we’re at THIRTY seconds! Cobb hauls ZSJ up, ZSJ gets the ARMBAR! But Cobb stays up, he DEADLIFT POWERBOMBS! FALLING AX HANDLE into a TRIANGLE HOLD!! FIFTEEN SECONDS LEFT!! Cobb deadlifts again!! And powers ZSJ to a SUPLEX! Both men flounder!
Cobb hobbles over, he hauls ZSJ up, but TIME IS UP!!! ZSJ survives!!
Time Limit Draw; ZSJ retains the NJPW World Television Championship
Cobb was so close and yet so far away from the gold! But that was also the closest ZSJ was to losing his title! What will it take for someone to finally end season one of the NJPW World TV Championship?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Team Strong Style VS Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi!
Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita have become a powerful team, defeating the House of Torture twice to capture and then defend these titles. But the Rainmaker has added to his dream team by making a dream trio! Will the Stone Pitbull and The Ace of the Universe help Okada capture gold he’s never held before? Or will Team Strong Style never give up?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see a battle of multiple generations unfold!
The trios sort out, and after Tanahashi shows off the abs, we start with Tanahashi and Suzuki. Fans rally as this great rivalry kicks us off. They circle and fans duel as the two feel things out. They knuckle lock, Suzuki wrenches but Tanahashi wrenches back. Tanahashi hammerlocks but Suzuki switches that onto Tanahashi, to then headlock for the takeover. Tanahashi headscissors and Suzuki kips free, and fans cheer as the two stand off. They go again, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Suzuki breaks one, wrenches the other, then tags Desperado. Desperado takes the handoff, then Suzuki BOOTS the arm!
Desperado wrenches and CLUBS the arm, then CLUBS it again. Desperado YANKS the arm, wrenches again, and tags Narita. Narita takes the handoff and now Desperado BOOTS the arm! Narita BLASTS Okada and Ishii off the apron! Narita stomps Tanahashi to a corner, then whips corner to corner. Narita runs in, but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Tag to Okada! Okada brings Narita up to TOSS him out! Okada then goes out to whip Narita hard into railing! Narita stumbles and Okada brings him up to scoop and SLAM on the floor! Narita writhes but Okada is stone cold as he looms over him.
Okada drags Narita up and puts him in the ring. Fans applaud and Okada gives Narita toying kicks. Narita grits his teeth and swings, but into the MONEY CLIP! Narita flails and reaches out, but Okada keeps him from ropes. Okada sits Narita down, but Desperado and Suzuki get in to CLOBBER Okada! Narita is free, Suzuki DECKS Tanahashi and Desperado hits Ishii! Ishii stays up and storms in! Fans fire up as Desperado panics! Ishii ROCKS Desperado, ROCKS Suzuki, but they both kick him. Suzuki keeps after Ishii while Desperado kicks and CLUBS Okada before throwing Okada out.
Suzuki and Desperado mug Ishii, wraps his arms around the ropes, and then CHOP! And CHOP! Desperado runs to ROCK Ishii! Suzuki SLAPS Ishii, runs, but Tanahashi runs in! Suzuki BOOTS Tanahashi, but Ishii runs Desperado and Suzuki over! Ishii BOOTS Narita to a corner, and Okada returns. Ishii stomps Suzuki down on the outside, then just keeps moving to whip Desperado. Desperado reverses to send Ishii into railing! Okada wrenches whips Narita corner to corner, then runs in to back elbow! Okada then kicks low and DDTs! Cover, TWO! Narita makes it through Okada’s standard formula, but Okada tags in Tanahashi.
Fans rally up and Tanahashi stands Narita up. Narita CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Tanahashi fires off his strike fest! Tanahashi whips Narita to ropes, but Narita hits the SLAM DUNK! Fans rally up while both men are down, and Narita crawls to tag in Suzuki! Suzuki fires forearms on Tanahashi, has him in the corner, and then just fires off more forearms! The ref reprimands, Suzuki lets off, and he stands Tanahashi up. For more forearms! Tanahashi fires up and turns things around. Tanahashi throws a forearm, Suzuki turns things around to throw even more forearms! Okada storms in, but Suzuki ROCKS him!
Tanahashi stands, Suzuki runs in and BOOTS! Suzuki whips corner to corner, to BOOT again! Suzuki snapmares, runs, PENALTY- NO! Tanahashi blocks the kick, CLUBS the leg, fires forearms and whips, but Suzuki reverses. But Tanahashi hits a FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up with The Ace and he stands Suzuki up. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Suzuki to the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up but Suzuki scrambles away. Suzuki stands and fans cheer as he eggs Tanahashi on. Tanahashi hops down and he fires a forearm! Suzuki laughs and forearms back! The forearms keep going and fans rally up!
Suzuki ROCKS Tanahashi, Tanahashi throws another forearm, but Suzuki ROCKS him again! Tanahashi wobbles but stays up, and fans fire up as he comes back for more! The forearms keep going, Tanahashi gets the edge! Suzuki winds up, but it’s a feint for the BODY SHOT! Tanahashi drops to his knees! Suzuki stands him up, for another BODY SHOT! Desperado runs in to BLAST Ishii and Okada! Narita joins in stomping them on the outside! Suzuki stands Tanahashi up, brings him around, and he wraps Tanahashi into an IRON OCTOPUS! Tanahashi endures, but he drops to a knee!
Suzuki stands Tanahashi back up, and he puts the IRON OCTOPUS back on! Ishii sends Desperado into railing and storms in to CLUB Suzuki! Ishii stomps Suzuki and Tanahashi is free. Ishii shouts at Tanahashi to fight, but Suzuki DECKS Ishii! Suzuki drags Tanahashi by his arm but Tanahashi breaks free. Tanahashi clutches that arm but Suzuki goes right for it! Fans rally for Tanahashi but the ref checks him. Suzuki tags Desperado, and Desperado storms over, but the ref still checks Tanahashi. Desperado stomps Tanahashi’s bad arm! Tanahashi writhes, Desperado brings him up, but Tanahashi gets a leg for a DRAGON SCREW!
Suzuki rushes back in, but Tanahashi blocks the kick for a DRAGON SCREW! Ishii is on the corner and he reaches out! Tanahashi crawls over, hot tag to Ishii! Desperado ROCKS him with a forearm, but Ishii roars! Desperado throws more forearms, but Ishii just ROCKS Desperado right back! Ishii whips, Desperado reverses, but Ishii reverses back for a BIG back suplex! Ishii drags Desperado up, eggs him on and whips, but Desperado reverses. Ishii comes back, into a mule kick! Ishii still swings, but Desperado dodges to reel Ishii in. Ishii fights the lift, but Desperado reels him back in, for a BIG back suplex!
Desperado slaps himself, then slaps feeling into his leg. Desperado storms up on Ishii and kicks him around. Fans rally, Desperado eggs Ishii on, and then Desperado SLAPS Ishii! Ishii stands right up! Ishii swings, but Desperado UPPERCUTS! Desperado reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes! Desperado fights that to then suplex Ishii up and over! Fans fire up with Desperado and he drags Ishii up to reel him in, but Okada BOOTS Desperado! Narita kicks and whips but Okada reverses, only for Narita to avoid the dropkick! Narita runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Suzuki runs in, dodges Okada to fire off fast hands!
Suzuki DECKS Okada, then catches Ishii! Ishii slips out to back suplex, but Suzuki fights that off to GUILLOTINE! But Ishii uses that to suplex Suzuki! Desperado runs in, Ishii blocks the Spear! But Desperado wrenches out to a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up with Desperado again and he drags Ishii back up. GUITARRA DEL- NO, Ishii slips out to waistlock! Tanahashi runs in, but Desperado switches and Tanahashi SHOTEIS Ishii!! Desperado shoves Ishii into Tanahashi! And then rolls Ishii up! TWO!!! Ishii escapes but Desperado runs in, Ishii gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down but Ishii roars as he rises!
Suzuki has Tanahashi down on the outside but Ishii aims at Desperado. Ishii runs, but Desperado dodges to SPEAR! And then GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, Okada breaks it! Narita throws Okada back out! Desperado fires up again and fans are thunderous! Desperado underhooks and lifts, but Ishii fights free! Ishii swings, into a spin! Ishii spins, Desperado still underhooks! But Ishii back drops free! Desperado rolls and stacks Ishii! TWO!! Desperado ROCKS Ishii! Ishii ROCKS Desperado! LOCO MONO!!! Ishii falls and fans are thunderous again! Desperado brings Ishii up, but Ishii HEADBUTTS!!
Both men fall and fans are electric! Fans rally as Ishii and Desperado crawl. Hot tags to Okada and Narita! Narita BOOTS Okada! Narita fires off forearms, he puts Okada in a corner for more, then he shoves the ref away. Okada bails out but Narita pursues! Narita whips, Okada reverses and Narita hits railing again! But Narita returns to BOOT Okada! Narita whips Okada hard into railing in return! Narita puts Okada in the ring, fires up, and he puts Okada in the GUILLOTINE! But Okada powers out with a back drop! Narita staggers up but he ducks the lariat to fire off a strike fest! HALF HATCH and BRIDGE! TWO!!!
SLEEPER! Narita has Okada now and fans rally up! Okada endures but he’s pretty red already. Okada fights up, pries at the hold, but Narita shifts right into a COBRA TWIST! Okada powers up and hip tosses free! Okada UPPERCUTS, runs, but into a WHEEL KICK! Fans fire up while Suzuki storms in. Desperado CLUBS Tanahashi down then joins in. Suzuki & Narita double whip Okada to a corner, Narita runs in to elbow! Suzuki runs in to BOOT! Then they feed Okada to Desperado’s SPINEBUSTER! Desperado sits Okada up for Suzuki’s PENALTY KICK, and then they feed Okada to Narita’s EXPLODER! With bridge! TWO!!
Okada survives and Narita is frustrated, but Suzuki and Desperado keep Tanahashi and Ishii out. Fans rally, Narita stands Okada up to reel him in, DOUBLE WRISTLOCK ARMSAULT! Bridging cover, TWO! Narita keeps the wrists and uses them to reel Okada into the COBRA TWIST! Okada endures, Ishii sends Desperado into railing again and he CLOBBERS Narita! Narita throws Ishii out and fires back up! Narita brings Okada up, whips, but Okada holds ropes. Okada BOOTS Narita, spins him for the ROLLING- BELLY2BELLY outta nowhere!! Narita roars, he hauls Okada back up, and reels him in.
Okada fights the lift so Narita knees low. Narita runs, but Tanahashi intercepts with a SLINGBLADE! Ishii BLASTS Suzuki! Okada DECKS Desperado! The Dream Trio roars! Narita rises up, into a BOOT! LARIAT! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! SLIDING LARIAT! Jackknife roll into the Alabama Lift, REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, Suzuki breaks it in time! Fans are thunderous as the others brawl to the outside, but Okada keeps Narita in. Okada whips, and DROPKICKS! Okada then brings Narita up and scoops to the- NO, Narita slips free, into the COBRA TWIST! But Okada switches it, scoops, LANDSLIDE!
Okada hauls Narita up, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Cover, THE DREAM TRIO WINS!!
Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
Never say never! The Son of Strong Style fought so hard but could not withstand the onslaught forever! And now, the Rainmaker, Stone Pitbull and Once in a Century Talent hold the trios titles together! Team Strong Style isn’t happy about it, will they come back for more soon enough?
But wait! Shota Umino makes his way out here? What business does the Roughneck have with Okada, Ishii and Tanahashi? Shota gets the mic and says he still wants to create a Paradigm Shift, and if he’s going to create a new era in NJPW, he has to take Okada down. For that, Shota is bringing a partner back to Japan! A video plays, and it’s JON MOXLEY! Moxley tells NJPW that he wants to make it his business. “A storm is coming to Japan, and the Death Rider…” He’s got his Young Boy’s back at DOMINION! “The Bogeyman of NJPW returns.” A massive return is in the works! Shota continues by telling Okada, “Thank you for your hard work.”
#SHOOTER heads out, the challenge issued, but Okada gets the mic to tell Shota that he’s talking big for someone calling on his babysitter. But he will say this to the Young Buck, F YOU! Okada even flips Shota off! The Rainmaker is ready for whatever and whoever is coming for these titles! Tanahashi and Ishii even shake hands! Will the Dream Trio stay golden for the Summer?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!
The Good Bad Guy’s war with Bullet Club, the club he helped found, all started because of Jay White kicking him out. But now he faces the man who kicked Jay White out to take over the club! Hikuleo took one openweight title, will Tama hold onto the other? Or will the Rebel get what he wants?
The introductions are made, but Finlay goes after Tama while he’s standing on a corner! But Tama throws hands first! Tama fires up and DECKS Finlay! Fans fire up as Tama rallies on Finlay and Red Shoes rings the bell. Finlay rushes in but Tama dodges to back drop! Fans fire up and Finlay stands, and Tama clotheslines him out of the ring! Tama hands Red Shoes the belt then pursues Finlay. Tama SMACKS Finlay off the apron, then brings him around to SMACK him off more apron! Tama ROCKS Finlay, POSTS him, then brings him around. Finlay knees low, whips Tama but Tama stops from hitting railing.
But Finlay fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES Tama off railing! And then RAMS him through the gate into No Man’s Land! Gedo is all fired up while Tama writhes on the floor. Finlay stomps Tama against the railing, ROCKS him, and they go deeper into the crowd. Red Shoes reprimands and the two brawl! Tama ROCKS Finlay, Finlay ROCKS Tama, but Tama SUPER FOREARMS Finlay! Tama CLUBS Finlay and keeps him moving along. Finlay kicks low, HEADBUTTS again and again, and then RAMS Tama into some empty seats! Young Lions help to make sure the fans aren’t in the way as Finlay rains down fists!
Red Shoes reprimands Finlay, tells Gedo to stop encouraging this, and then Finlay drags Tama up. Finlay UPPERCUTS Tama and stalks him through the crowd. Finlay rains down fists, then brings Tama back up. Red shoes starts the ring count and Finlay powers Tama along the way. Finlay CLUBS and kicks Tama along, we’re at 8 of 20 and Finlay CLUBS Tama down. Finlay leaves Tama behind and slides in at 14. Tama staggers up at 15, hurries, and he pushes railing over as he returns to ringside at 16. Tama slides in, but Finlay stomps away! Finlay paces around Tama, rains down fists, then CHOKES Tama!
Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets go, and he brings Tama up. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Tama but Finlay BITES Tama’s ear! Red Shoes reprimands, counts, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay spits the taste out of his mouth, then goes back to Tama. Finlay claws and fishhooks Tama’s face, but stops as Red Shoes counts. Finlay dares Red Shoes to do something and Red Shoes warns him. The fans rally, Finlay brings Tama up but Tama throws body shots. Finlay CLUBS Tama, whips him hard into the corner, and Gedo laughs as Tama bounces off buckles. Finlay taunts Tama but fans rally up.
Finlay drags Tama up and whips him back the other way hard! Tama again bounces off buckles, Finlay pushes him to a cover, but Red Shoes says they’re in the ropes. Finlay is annoyed but the fans rally up. Finlay kicks Tama around, taunting him, then he throws a forearm. Tama pounds the mat and stands up, but FInlay throws another forearm. Tama growls, Finlay throws more shots, but Tama is just powering up! Tama eggs Finlay on, Finlay kicks low and whips again. Tama comes back, but Finlay ROCKS him! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! Tama stays up! Finlay swings, but into the EXPLODER!
Fans fire up while Finlay flops to the corner. Finlay drags himself up with the ropes, Tama runs in, and Tama clotheslines Finlay and himself out of the ring! Tama roars as he rises up and fans cheer again. Tama whips Finlay hard into railing! And then storms up to whip him the other way, even harder! Finlay crawls along the way and Tama whips him even harder! And then again for all four corners! Fans fire up and Tama looms over Finlay. Finlay wants mercy but Tama whips him into railing again! And again! And again! And again! Four times in one corner! Fans fire up as Tama lets off.
The ring count starts again and Tama brings Finlay back up. Tama puts Finlay in and fans cheer. Finlay again wants mercy as he crawls away. Tama says no, and he storms up again. Tama throws haymaker after haymaker! Fans rally, Tama whips, but Finlay reverses. Tama comes back to CLOBBER Finlay! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama roars, the fans fire up and Tama runs corner to corner, STINGER SPLASH! And then fireman’s carry, S R C! Tama hurries up top and fans fire up again! SUPREME FLOW onto knees!! Double-edged for Finlay but it was his only way! Fans rally up again while both men are down.
Finlay rises but Tama heads for him. They go forehead to forehead, then Finlay throws a forearm. Tama throws one back! Finlay wobbles, but he throws another forearm. Tama throws it back! Finlay throws another, Tama returns it, repeat! They stand as they throw forearms and the fans fire up! Tama gets the edge, but Finlay catches him for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Tama writhes but Finlay drags him up for another IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gedo protests the count but fans cheer. Finlay says Tama’s dead, and he drags Tama up for a crossface forearm! And another! And then another!
Finlay throws crossface forearm after crossface forearm! Fans rally for Tama but Finlay throws up the Too Sweet. Finlay drags Tama up again, runs, BLINDSIDER LARIAT! “Just that easy!” Finlay talks trash to Jado but the fans rally up. Finlay drags Tama back up, reels him in, gut wrench to Canadian Rack, but Tama slips out! TONGAN TWIST! Fans rally up, Tama drag Finlay up but Finlay fights the suplex! Finlay RAMS Tama into a corner! And RAMS him again! And again! And again! Red Shoes counts as Finlay digs his shoulder in, but Tama powers him back! And then he lets Finlay go right into the buckles!
Finlay flounders, Tama brings him up, BLOODY SUNDAY! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Tama keeps his focus. Tama pounds the mat and fans clap along. Gedo doesn’t like where this is going, but Finlay staggers up. Tama runs in, GUN- BACKSLIDE! Roll through, suplex, TRASH- NO! Tama blocks and underhooks, but Finlay slips free! Finlay waistlocks, Tama bucks, GUN- NO!! Finlay stands Tama up for a ROLLING ELBOW and TRASH- NO, Tama slips free and rolls Finlay, and he crosses the legs! Finlay fights the turnover, so Tama stomps away on his face! Tama finishes the turn, into the SHARPSHOOTER!!
Fans fire up as Finlay endures and Tama sits deep! Finlay powers up, only for Tama to sit back down! Finlay pushes up again, reaches out, claws his way forward, but Tama drags him away! Tama sits even deeper! Finlay flails, yells, crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Tama lets go and also catches his breath. Fans cheer as Tama says he’s going up. Tama puts Finlay in a drop zone, but Finlay anchors his foot. Tama throws down hands and Finlay lets him go. Tama stomps Finlay, then goes up the corner. Fans rally, but Finlay anchors Tama on the corner! Finlay climbs up to throw shoulders into Tama!
Tama ROCKS Finlay with haymakers! Finlay wobbles, so Tama HEADBUTTS him down! But Finlay hurries up to SHOVE Tama off! Tama hits railing on the way down! Red Shoes goes out to check Tama, but somehow he’s okay to continue. Finlay drags Tama up, reels him in, and APRON POWERBOMBS! Tama flops back down while Finlay slides back in. Fans rally up but the ring count starts. Tama is still down at 10 of 20, but stirring. Finlay goes out to fetch Tama, and fireman’s carries, to POST Tama!! Tama falls again and Finlay talks trash. Finlay slides into the ring, and the count starts again.
Tama is still down at 10 of 20, but he stirs again. Jado coaches Tama up but he’s still down at 15! Tama pushes himself up at 17, and springs in at 19.5! Finlay is right on him, gut wrench and Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and Finlay is furious! Finlay pulls down the kneepad, X marks the spot! Finlay slashes his throat, he vows to end this! Finlay drags Tama up but Tama is deadweight! Red Shoes checks Tama, but Tama is somehow still in this. Finlay drags him up, Tama shoves him away! GUN- NO, Finlay slams him down! And then hauls him up, to POWERBOMB!
Finlay drags Tama up again, for another POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!! Tama survives again and fans fire back up! Fans rally, Finlay talks a lot of trash on Tama, and Finlay even slaps Tama around. Finlay wants Tama to beg him for mercy, but Tama SLAPS him instead! So Finlay rains down fists and even HEADBUTTS! Red Shoes reprimands but Finlay shoves him away! Finlay fires off more fists, and then mocks Tama’s never give up attitude. Red Shoes reprimands Finlay but Finlay tells Tama to give up. Fans rally and Jado coaches Tama as Finlay drags Tama up. FOR A THIRD POWERBOMB!
Finlay paces around Tama, but Tama refuses to quit. Fans rally but Finlay tells Jado he should throw in the towel. Finlay drags Tama up for a FOURTH POWERBOMB! Jado has the towel, he thinks about it, but says no, he has faith Tama can win this. Finlay suplexes, for TRASH PANDA!! Or as he calls it now, Into Oblivion! Cover, but Finlay lets off at two?! Finlay says he told Tama to give up, and so he suplexes, INTO OBLIVION again!! Cover, but AGAIN Finlay lets off! Fans boo but Gedo likes Finlay toying with Tama. Finlay says he told us all he was a cold-blooded killer, and now he’ll prove it! INTO OBLIVION again!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Wrestling bloodlines clashed, and the Rebel comes out on top! With Finlay at the helm, will it only be a matter of time before Bullet Club takes over all of NJPW? Gedo makes the official announcement of Finlay’s victory, but then someone in a hoodie and medical mask walks out. They creep up on them, and he TOSSES Gedo out! SURPRISE! It’s EL PHANTASMO! He SUPERKICKS Finlay down! Fans fire up as ELP then drags Finlay up, tucks him in, but Finlay fights free of CR2! Finlay runs away and ELP throws his hoodie at him! Fans rally for ELP and he SWANTONS to the outside! Direct hit on Finlay AND Gedo!
ELP rains down fists on Finlay! Young Lions pull him back but ELP DECKS one, then goes after Finlay again! More Young Lions pull ELP back and Finlay scurries away! Finlay got out of the frying pan and into the fire, will the Headbanga make him pay for kicking him out of the Club? Or will Finlay just do the same thing to ELP he just did to Tama?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA w/ Just5Guys VS Hiromu Takahashi w/ Los Ingobernables de Japon!
The Cold Skull left Los Ingobernables de Japon and became world champion. The Ticking Timebomb is still in LIJ, and he is still a champion. There was no animosity in Sanada leaving, but will there be animosity in what could be a defining moment in NJPW history?
The introductions are made, the world title is raised, and we see who is truly the top champion in all of NJPW!
LIJ fist bump, J5G thumbs up, and the bell rings. Fans rally and duel already, “HI-RO-MU!” outdoing the “SA-NA-DA!” Sanada shrugs that off and the two circle. They approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Sanada uses his height for leverage to push Hiromu to ropes, but Hiromu turns it around. Red Shoes calls the break and Hiromu lets off. But Sanada avoids his chop! Fans applaud and the two reset. They circle, the “HI-RO-MU!” continuing to drown out the “SA-NA-DA!” The two feel things out, each trying to find an opening. Hiromu gets around to a waistlock but Sanada switches. Hiromu wrenches out to a wristlock.
Sanada rolls, wrenches back, then drop toeholds to get a headlock. Hiromu rolls Sanada to a cover, ONE! Sanada holds onto the headlock, and Hiromu pushes Sanada into the headscissor. Hiromu squeezes tight as he pushes up but Sanada endures. Sanada kicks around, Hiromu keeps on the pressure, but Sanada scoots over to the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go and the two reset again. Sanada and Hiromu circle, tie up, and Sanada headlocks. Hiromu pries at the hold, but Sanada clamps it right back down. Hiromu throws body shots, powers out, but Sanada runs him over!
Things speed up, Hiromu hurdles and runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Hiromu fights free and waistlocks but Sanada elbows free. Sanada runs but Hiromu ELBOWS him at the ropes! Hiromu runs, but Sanada follows, only for Hiromu to dump him out! Hiromu keeps moving to SHOTGUN Sanada down! Sanada hits railing and fans fire up! Hiromu watches from the corner as fans rally up, then he goes to the apron. Hiromu runs to FLYING SHOTGUN! Sanada hits railing and then tumbles up and over! Sanada is in No Man’s Land, but Hiromu wants everyone to get back. Hiromu goes to the far side, runs in, and FLYING SHOTGUNS into No Man’s Land!!
Fans fire up while Hiromu crawls away from that hard landing! Sanada is down against the second railing and Hiromu fires up! Fans fire up with Hiromu while J5G check Sanada. Hiromu fetches Sanada into the ring, suplexes, but Sanada blocks! Hiromu keeps trying but Sanada fights to lift Hiromu onto the ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Fans rally while Hiromu flops out of the ring. LIJ is there to check on him, and Sanada goes out to fetch Hiromu. Sanada puts Hiromu in the ring, then drags him to the apron! MAGIC SCREW to the floor! Hiromu writhes while fans fire up again. Red Shoes goes out to check Hiromu while Sanada slides into the ring.
Fans rally up for Hiromu and the ring count starts. Hiromu clutches his neck but he sits up at 8 of 20. Hiromu shakes out the cobwebs, hobbles over at 15 and slides in at 16. Fans cheer but Sanada covers, ONE! Sanada drags Hiromu up to CLUB him on the neck! Sanada drags Hiromu up, and CLUBS him down! Sanada cravats Hiromu for a neck wrench, but Hiromu endures. Hiromu backs up into the ropes and Red Shoes counts the break. Sanada lets go at 4, comes back, but Hiromu CHOPS! Fans rally up as Hiromu CHOPS again, but Sanada knees low. Sanada then reels Hiromu in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!
Sanada keeps on Hiromu with a chinlock. Fans rally as Hiromu endures, and Sanada leans on the hold. Hiromu kicks and flails but Sanada grinds him down. Hiromu kicks his way forward, reaches out with his foot, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go quickly, and the fans rally up for Hiromu. Sanada stands Hiromu up but Hiromu fires off forearms! Sanada CHOPS him back! Hiromu fires up to fire off more forearms! Sanada CHOPS him again! Hiromu sputters, but he stands up and CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Sanada CHOPS again! And then a back suplex! Hiromu lands on his feet!
Sanada elbows, runs, but Hiromu follows to RANA! Fans rally even harder for Hiromu while he and Sanada are both down. Hiromu hurries over to Sanada, whips him to ROCK with a forearm, then puts him on ropes to kick the rope! Sanada staggers, Hiromu runs but Sanada dodges! Hiromu ELBOWS, runs, and SHOTGUNS from the corner! Hiromu runs in to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu grows frustrated but the fans continue to rally up. Hiromu drags Sanada up, reels him in, but Sanada suplexes! Hiromu lands on his feet, spins Sanada around, and FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO!
Both men are down as the fans rally up again. Hiromu fires himself up, and he brings Sanada up to fireman’s carry. Sanada fights free to shove Hiromu to a corner. But Hiromu BOOTS back! Hiromu runs, but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up while Hiromu bails out. Sanada PLANCHAS to take Hiromu down! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada encourages them more. The fans get loud enough and Sanada goes back to Hiromu. Sanada brings Hiromu up and into the ring, then covers, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and he looms over Hiromu.
Hiromu sits up, grits his teeth, but Sanada brings him up. Sanada fireman’s carries but Hiromu fights it! Hiromu CLUBS Sanada’s back, but Sanada still lifts Hiromu! But Hiromu fights to a dragon sleeper! But Sanada spins that around onto Hiromu! But Hiromu pops free to arm-drag! Only to run into the fireman’s carry! Sanada throws Hiromu into the dragon sleeper, but Hiromu cradle counters! TWO!! Hiromu leaps for the wheelbarrow, and DDTS Sanada down! Fans fire up while both men are down again. LIJ and J5G coach them up, and Hiromu is first to rise. Sanada stirs, and Hiromu storms over.
Hiromu drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, and CORNER DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Fans fire up with Hiromu as he drags Sanada back up! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Sanada slips free! Sanada ROCKS Hiromu, spins, but gets caught into TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu squeezes tight but Sanada endures! Sanada fights up again, but Hiromu lets him go to then reel him in! But Sanada wrenches out, fireman’s carries, only for Hiromu to slip free. Hiromu dodges the punch to run, into the fireman’s carry! TKO!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu just gets that shoulder up! Fans fire up as Sanada says it’s time to end this!
Sanada drags Hiromu back up, into the dragon sleeper! SKULL END!! Hiromu is caught in the body scissors and he endures the squeeze on his head! Fans rally up, Hiromu reaches out, but he’s fading! Hiromu claws at the hold, pops free, but Sanada keeps one of his arms! Sanada drags Hiromu up into the dragon sleeper, for the SKULL SWING!! Sanada then drops Hiromu! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto Hiromu’s back! But he’s not done there! Sanada goes up again, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees!! Fireman’s carry roll, and Hiromu lifts Sanada for the TIMEBOMB!!! Cover, TWO!!!
Sanada survives and fans are thunderous! Both men are down, but the fans are chanting for “HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu rises up, and he shouts that he’s not done yet! Hiromu drags Sanada up, runs, but Sanada ROCKS him first! ROLLING ELBOW! Sanada roars, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! ROLLING ELBOW! HIROMU- NO, Sanada dodges the bomber to run! But he runs into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Fans are thunderous, Hiromu drags Sanada back up, and he dragon sleepers for the inverted suplex. But Sanada snapmares free to SHINING WIZARD!! Fans fire up again as Sanada says he’ll finish this!
Sanada drags Hiromu up, clinches, but Hiromu slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans rally as hard as they can and Hiromu rises again! Hiromu roars and he watches Sanada rise. Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! But Sanada stays up!?! Sanada shakes his head, then he SWATS the lariat! And UPPERCUTS! Hiromu staggers but he stays up. Sanada UPPERCUTS him again! Hiromu wobbles but shakes his head. So Sanada UPPERCUTS again! Sanada dares Hiromu to come back, so Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! Hiromu swings but Sanada blocks, to UPPERCUT!
Sanada shakes his head now, and Hiromu swings on him. The forearm is feeble and Hiromu leans on Sanada. Sanada stands him up to UPPERCUT! Hiromu staggers about, swings another weak forearm, so Sanada UPPERCUTS him right down! Hiromu shakes his head as he grits his teeth and sits back up. Fans rally as hard as they can for “HI-RO-MU!” but Sanada looms over him. Hiromu stands up, stares him down, and Sanada UPPERCUTS again! Hiromu staggers to a corner, roars, comes back, but into a pop-up! HIROMU-CHAN CUTTER!! And then fireman’s carry, TIMEBOMB 1.5!!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Sanada survives Hiromu’s modified Death Valley Driver, but Hiromu powers up! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! Dragon sleeper! Inverted suplex! TIMEBOMB 2!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Sanada survives multiple Timebombs and no one can believe it! Fans rally up as hard as they can, this is truly a battle worthy of the world title! Hiromu stands, he brings Sanada back up and wraps him up! Straitjacket and dragon sleeper, but Sanada fights with knees! Hiromu keeps trying to lift but Sanada KNEES right out! And then SAIDOS! And then SHINING- NO, Hiromu blocks the wizard!! Fans fire up as Hiromu powers up again!
Hiromu runs, but Sanada dodges! O’Conner Roll, dragon sleeper! SKULL END!!!! Hiromu is caught in the body scissors, and Sanada squeezes tight!! Hiromu reaches out, fans rally even harder, and he grabs at Red Shoes desperately! LIJ coach Hiromu on but he’s so red right now! He’s fading! Red Shoes checks, but Hiromu still fights! But then he fades again! Sanada lets Hiromu go, to then go back up the corner! ROUNDING BODY PRESS!!! Cover, TWO!?!??! HOW?!?! Even Sanada doesn’t believe it! Sanada snarls, he drags Hiromu back up and gives the thumbs up, because he’s gonna end this!
Sanada clinches, but Hiromu slips out and HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!!! TWO!!!! Sanada escapes, and SHINING WIZARDS!! Hiromu sits up in a daze, Sanada gives him DEAD FALL!!!! Cover, Sanada wins!!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
A historic moment becomes an instant classic! But in the end, the Cold Skull retains the title he fought so hard to get in the first place! Hiromu gave so much in this match but still suffered defeat, will he be able to recover in the Best of the Super Juniors?
As for Sanada, he has the belt put around his waist, and he catches his breath before getting the mic. “Everyone, it was 11 years ago that I first wrestled Hiromu in a singles match. And now, in NJPW, in the main event, for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, I was able to do it again. And that makes me happy. So, Hiromu, I’m sure you and I will have more growth ahead of us, and we can do this again. But one more thing, and it is something I want from everyone here, if you’d please. I’d love for some ‘Sanayan’ chants.” Fans oblige with “SA-NA-YAN!” AKA a sort of “Sana-bro” or “Sana-dude” nickname.
Sanada likes that, thanks the fans, and asks if they’re ready for his “gift.” The lights turn down low and the fans get their phones out for the “stars” to come out. Sanada says that the next time Just5Guys are in Fukuoka, they’ll be even better. Sanada takes a moment to catch his breath, and he says, “Let’s say one more thing. Out of everywhere in Japan, I love Fukuoka the most.” He even said it in the local dialect! “OI, FUKUOKA! See you next time!” Japan’s Golden Week has the Gold Skull stand tall as the streamers fly, will there be no stopping J5G now?
Wait! The lights go down? And a video plays. The same video that’s been playing for weeks on NJPW social media and Road to Dontaku events. War and destruction, “Coming Soon,” is NOW! And emerging from the smoke and darkness, it’s none other than YOTA TSUJI!! He’s back from excursion! The fans are going nuts and Sanada is just stunned! Tsuji steps into the ring, takes off the jacket, and he BOOTS Sanada! And SUPERKICKS Taichi! And DECKS Taka! And DOUBLE LARIATS Douki & Kanemaru! One man takes out all five guys! But he isn’t done there, as he raises his arm and aims at Sanada!
Sanada rises, and Yota runs in to SPEAR! Hell, that was a Gore a la Rhyno!! Yota picks up the world title, and holds it over Sanada! What a bold first move for the returning graduate! And wait, that fist raise. Is Yota in LIJ!? Will Sanada’s reign run into its extinction already?!
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW, but that is fitting because this was a big moment because of the 30th Wrestling Dontaku anniversary. A bit of a shame that the kickoff match had such a big stipulation, where the more wins Ryohei got, the more prizes he won, and yet he gets squashed by Oskar. Was it all just one big punchline NJPW was setting up? Anyway, all five title matches tonight were awesome. I almost thought they were going to give Hikuleo a win by knockout right from the start, but that was a clever way for Kenta to play possum. Hiku still wins in the end and that is great for him, NJPW Strong is definitely a great starting point for his title collection.
On the flipside, I was rather shocked Finlay won in the way he won. He brutalized Tama, didn’t let it stop until he was satisfied, and it just kinda crushed the fans in that moment. But then great return from ELP to go after Finlay, but it isn’t clear if he’s solo or joining Tama and Hikuleo as an extension of Guerrillas of Destiny. For that matter, why is Jay White insisting he is Bullet Club Gold when he was kicked out by Finlay? Either way, ELP VS Finlay for the NEVER Openweight title on top of their grudge is great stuff, can’t wait to see it, probably at Dominion.
The time limit draw wasn’t a shame in ZSJ VS Cobb, ZSJ VS Cobb was amazing because of the time limit draw! That was the first one for this title, and it was a great detail that ZSJ was upset it came to the time limit. ZSJ doesn’t wanna retain by default, he wants to prove he’s the better wrestler. I hope this means we get a rematch between ZSJ and Cobb that gives us a definitive winner.
An awesome NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag title match, which I oddly did NOT see the Dream Trio winning. I thought Ishii or Tanahashi was taking the loss and the two would get at each other for their own feud. Instead, Okada finally adds gold that isn’t the top title, and now we’re getting a huge return in Moxley! And honestly, I would love if Bryan Danielson was the third man. Imagine Bryan taking on Okada, Ishii & Tanahashi throughout that match.
And of course, just awesome stuff in Sanada VS Hiromu. I figured Hiromu wasn’t winning, even though he is certainly the best Junior Heavyweight in NJPW today. Instead, Sanada retains, only for Tsuji to make an insanely powerful return. He is going right for the top, and it would seem backstage video confirms Tsuji is LIJ. LIJ is back up to six, but Titan is away a lot since he’s also in CMLL, so now LIJ will have five wrestlers always in Japan for stuff. I don’t see Tsuji winning the world title, even if his shot is at Dominion, but he is gonna look incredible in that match.
My Score: 9/10
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Will it be lights out on Los Ingobernables de Japon?
Bishamon won last round, but so did Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji. Now they clash in the main event of A Block’s second round! Who keeps winning in this World Tag League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Daiki Nagai; Shoma wins.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI VS The House of Torture; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Gabe & Sanada win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; Shota & Honma win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Bishamon wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Funky Sauce had a less than hot debut losing to Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji. And now, they’re running into the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace, who are already setting a good pace with their win. Can Zayne & Taguchi heat things up? Or will they be conquered by The United Empire?
The teams sort out and Cobb calls out Taguchi’s hips. Zayne says oishi (tasty) but Cobb is pretty sure that’s not true. The debate on oishi or oishi janai continues, but we finally get Zayne and Callum starting. The fans rally up at the bell, and Callum circles with Zayne. They tie up, go around, and Zayne puts Callum on ropes. Zayne lets off cleanly and quickly and the two reset. They tie up, Callum puts Zayne on ropes now, and the ref counts. Callum lets off slowly, but still cleanly. The fans applaud and the two reset. Zayne and Callum tie up again, Zayne headlocks, but Callum powers up and out. Zayne runs Callum over!
The fans applaud and Zayne smirks. Things speed up, Callum hurdles but Zayne cartwheels over. The fans cheer as Zayne plays with his hair. Callum runs up but Zayne wrenches and whips him. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS Zayne down! The fans cheer and Callum mocks the hair twisting. Zayne goes to a corner, the fans rally up, and Callum runs in. Zayne dodges, runs back in, but Callum puts him on the apron. Zayne slingshots back in to RANA! A rough tumble but Callum is up. Zayne waistlocks, Callum switches, but Zayne bucks the O’Conner. Zayne DUMPS Callum to the apron, avoids the shoulder tackle and KICKS!
Zayne runs side to side to ROLLING AX KICK! The fans fire up while Callum flops down. Zayne drags Callum up, tags in Taguchi, and Funky Sauce SPANKS Callum! Taguchi BLASTS Cobb for good measure before he and Zayne double whip Callum to a corner. Taguchi HIP ATTACKS, then sets up for Zayne to LEAP FROG SHOTGUN! Callum sits down, Zayne rolls back and he headscissors Taguchi to CANNONBALL Callum! Zayne then CANNONBALLS Callum himself! Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans fire up and Taguchi brings Callum into a chinlock. Callum endures the knee in his back as Taguchi pulls on him.
Taguchi puts on a headscissors and he squeezes tight! Callum endures, fights around, and kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go as the fans cheer, and Taguchi taunts Cobb with his cheeks. Taguchi goes back but Callum UP KICKS him! Callum skins the cat to the apron, slingshots to somersault, and then SOBATS! Both men fall and the fans rally up. Callum grits his teeth, rolls to the corner and tags in Cobb. Cobb storms up to stomp Taguchi, then he steps on Taguchi to step to Zayne. Cobb stands on Taguchi to use him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Zayne’s hair twisting, then “apologizes” as he steps off Taguchi.
Cobb stands Taguchi up to HEADBUTT him down! Cobb drags Taguchi up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Callum in. Callum stomps Taguchi, but Taguchi kicks back. Callum stomps Taguchi’s leg! Callum clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Taguchi down. Taguchi fights around to the ROPEBREAK! Callum lets go and paces around. Taguchi rises, Callum kicks him, and Callum eggs Taguchi on. Taguchi CHOPS! Callum knees low in return! Callum whips Taguchi to a corner, runs corner to corner, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up to headscissor for the DEADLY OSHIRI! Taguchi then runs up, but into an atomic drop!
Taguchi hobbles, Callum runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taguchi crawls, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne runs past Callum to BLAST Cobb! Zayne fires forearms and elbows on Callum, then mule kicks! Zayne runs, but blocks a boot first! Zayne KNEES Callum to a corner, runs up and UPPERCUTS! Zayne puts Callum up top, climbs up after him, but Callum fires body shots! Callum shoves Zayne but Zayne flips back and rolls through! Zayne runs back up to JUMP RANA! The fans fire up and Zayne scoops Callum, for the BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this but the fans rally with Zayne.
Zayne pounds the mat and the fans clap along. Cobb runs up, dodges Zayne and ROCKS him! Cobb runs in, Zayne dodges at the corner, then Zayne comes back. Cobb dodges, Zayne QUEBRADAS, but Cobb catches Zayne! Cobb wobbles and staggers, Zayne slips down to FINAL CUT! Cobb bails out, Callum runs up, but Zayne avoid the Penalty Kick! Callum avoids the Eddy Gordo kick to shove, but Zayne runs him over! Callum kips up, but Zayne avoids the enzigiri! Zayne runs, MARIPOSA, but Callum makes it a ghost pin! TWO!! Zayne stands, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Taguchi tags in and hurries after Callum!
Callum swings, Taguchi dodges but Callum elbows. Callum runs, Taguchi runs, but Callum catches him! Torture rack, GO TO HOSPITAL!! The fans fire up and Cobb tags in. Cobb RAMS Taguchi into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH, then he sets up under Cobb’s UPPERCUT! Callum BLASTS Zayne, goes to the apron, and he ENZIGIRIS Taguchi into a fireman’s carry! Callum is up top, DOUBLE STOMP and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cobb sits Taguchi up to HIP ATTACK! And then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT FLOPS as Taguchi moves! Taguchi comes back, KETSUYE!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Cobb survives, and Taguchi pounds the mat. Taguchi runs, but Cobb catches the hip attack! Zayne CLUBS Cobb, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Zayne DROPKICKS, Taguchi FLYING HIP ATTACKS! MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives, but Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Cobb endures, rolls, and he BOOTS Taguchi away! Taguchi KETSUYES!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb still has power to spare but Taguchi has some of his own! Taguchi powers up in the corner, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Cobb rolls it to a waistlock! Callum wipes Zayne out, then he BOOTS Taguchi into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Zayne breaks it!
The fans fire up while Callum TOSSES Zayne back out. Cobb hauls Taguchi up, ripcord and TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb & Callum win!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
Another round and another win for The United Empire, but also another loss for Funky Sauce. Will these trends continue through the rest of the league? Or can Zayne & Taguchi turn things around before the end?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
No NJPW round robin tournament would be complete without Bullet Club VS Bullet Club! The Mad Man & Cold Skull lost to Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, Fang Revived & Crown Jewel lost to Bishamon, so both teams are in a fighting mood. Which faction within the club comes out feeling Just Too Sweet?
Aw hell, Gabe & Sanada attack Kenta & Chase during their entrance! No mercy just because they’re all Bullet Club! Sanada brings Chase into the crowd while Gabe and Kenta brawl down the aisle! Gabe then brings Kenta around to another area. Chase whips but Sanada reverses and he BOWLS Chase into chairs! A strike for Sanada, but Kenta does the same to Gabe! Sanada JAMS Chase with a chair, then CLAWS his face! Gabe and Kenta brawl up into the bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Kenta, brings him to the railing at the back, and Sanada SMACKS Chase off more chairs. Gabe mockingly asks for Too Sweet but Kenta ROCKS him!
Gabe goes to another stairway and walks down but Kenta storms up behind him, Kenta CLUBS Gabe, and now Chase has Sanada way over in the back row of the opposite end! Chase can tell where Kenta and Gabe are because of the spotlights following them! Chase CLUBS Sanada, then leaves him behind to go help Kenta. Gabe CHOKES Kenta with a shirt! Gabe mockingly offers the Too Sweet, then cusses Kenta out. Gabe says, “We run this!” in reference to War Dogs over OG Bullet Club. But then Chase goes after Gabe! Sanada hurries to help Gabe and now the brawling is all in the same area! Kenta has Sanada now while Chase keeps after Gabe.
Things finally go back to the ground level and to ringside. Kenta ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada ROCKS Kenta! Gabe CHOKES Chase with a chair! Gabe storms around but Sanada does the same to Kenta on the other side. Chase CHOPS and fires forearms, but Gabe doesn’t flinch. So Chase CLAWS Gabe’s face! Sanada ROCKS Kenta, stalks him, and then Gabe SMACKS Chase with a chair! The Young Lions make sure fans are safely out of the way while Kenta CLAWS Sanada’s face. Gabe brings Chase to ringside and SMACKS him off the apron. Gabe then hurries to help Sanada as he BLINDSIDES Kenta!
Gabe and Kenta brawl now, and Gabe DECKS Kenta! Gabe & Sanada agree to go get Chase, but wait, where is he? Chase runs up from behind to CLOBBER them both! Chase CLUBS Sanada, but Gabe CLAWS Chase’s face! Gabe POSTS Chase, and finally, Sanada puts Chase in the ring. Gabe & Sanada Too Sweet, and Gabe mean mugs Tenzan on commentary. Sanada steps in, and this is finally a match! Sanada CLUBS Chase, whips him, but Chase ducks ‘n’ WRECKS Gabe with a dropkick! Chase RAMS Sanada, HOTSHOTS him, then calls to Kenta. Kenta finds his way in and Chase stomps Sanada in a corner.
Kenta storms up, he and Chase double whip Sanada to the corner. Chase runs in, forearm SMASH, and then he sits Sanada down. Kenta runs up to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Chase goes up while Sanada is in the drop zone, for a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Chase snarls, Kenta DOUBLE STOMPS Gabe on the outside! Chase keeps on Sanada, reels him in, but Sanada fights the tuck! Chase ROCKS Sanada, whips him to a corner, but Sanada goes up and out then to the floor. Chase chases Sanada around, but Gabe sends Kenta into railing! Sanada KICKS ropes to jam Chase up! Sanada tags in Gabe and the War Dogs bring Chase up.
Gabe & Sanada double suplex, but Chase fights it! Kenta’s back and he BOOTS Gabe! Sanada DROPKICKS Kenta! Chase runs up on Sanada. Sanada wrenches him, but Chase spins through. Sanada fights the suplex to MAGIC SCREW! Gabe is back and he brings Chase up. “I’m a Mad Man-” Chase wrenches out, ducks a lariat, and then spins Gabe, FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this while Kenta and Sanada fight on the outside. Chase locks ‘n’ loads, runs up on Gabe, but Gabe blocks the C-Trigger! Chase fires forearms to get free, but Gabe ROCKS Chase! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Chase rebounds!
Gabe dodges Chase and hits the COMEBACKER LARIAT! And then a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Kenta breaks it! Kenta CLUBS Gabe, but Sanada CLAWS Kenta’s face! Sanada TOSSES Kenta out and Gabe brings Chase up. Gabe then pushes Chase over, because he says this is for Kenny Omega! Gabe aims a finger gun at Chase! “Good bye, and F YOU, Kenny!!” Gabe runs up to V-TRIGGER!! Then a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, War Dogs win!!
Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
The War Dogs struck first and never let up, and now they win to break even. Wait, as Kenta & Chase are helped away, and even as Sanada heads out, Gabe sits cross-legged while he has the mic. “Let me be very effin’ clear. You crossed the line as soon as you ran to Tokyo Sports and started calling me all this s*it. Unprofessional, all this s*it. Let me make this very effin’ clear! You said you wanted, you said the fans wanted, I said it before: I don’t give a F what anyone wants but me! And I wanna end your career! So iitengo (January 5th), Gabe Kidd, Kenny Omega, LET’S EFFIN’ GO!!”
The fans are fired up to hear WrestleDynasty now has a massive crossover match added! But will Gabe keep making this about The Best Bout Machine until it comes back to bite him? Or is that just the motivation he needs so he and Sanada can take the trophies?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa!
The Roughneck & Everyone’s Kokeshi had a rough opening round with their loss, but The Front Man & The Mullet had a mighty main event win. But the tournament might be taking a backseat when Shota wants after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Will Shota earn a title match while heading for the trophies? Or will ZSJ prove Shota’s just not ready?
As ZSJ & “Roy” step into the ring, Shota gets in ZSJ’s face so ZSJ taunts him with the world title. The ref has them stand down, and the teams sort out. Shota and ZSJ start and they tie right up at the bell. Shota headlocks, ZSJ powers up and out, then he BOOTS Shota! Shota roars, ROCKS ZSJ and runs to RAM him! ZSJ rebounds to BOOT SHota again! ZSJ headlocks, Shota powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Shota rebounds to RUN ZSJ over, but ZSJ is up to UPPERCUT Shota! ZSJ runs, but Shota DROPKICKS ZSJ down! The fans fire up with Shota while ZSJ bails out. Shota pursues and CLUBS ZSJ down!
Shota whips ZSJ hard into railing, then storms up on ZSJ to whip him into more railing! ZSJ comes back to BOOT Shota! Shota is right up to SHOTGUN ZSJ! The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma BLASTS Oiwa for good measure but the ref reprimands him. Shota stands and brings ZSJ up. Shota puts ZSJ in, which the fans applaud, and Shota covers. ONE, but Shota stays on ZSJ. Shota CLUBS ZSJ, tags Honma, and Honma stomps ZSJ in the corner. The ref counts but Honma digs his boot in. The ref counts, Honma steps off, and Honma drags ZSJ up. Honma CLUBS ZSJ, CLUBS him again, then follows him to ropes.
Honma CHOPS ZSJ and ZSJ sputters. Honma CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! ZSJ hobbles away but Honma is on him with a whip. Honma ELBOWS ZSJ down, pats his head and runs, but he stops short of the kokeshi as ZSJ moves! ZSJ grabs an arm and wrangles Honma into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Oiwa BLASTS Shota while Honma scrambles around! The fans fire up as Honma fights and drags ZSJ with him. ZSJ shifts to have just the arm, or no, not just the arm! It’s like a one-armed Italian Stretch! Honma still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud, and ZSJ lets go to tag Oiwa. Oiwa drags Honma up to scoop and SLAM!
Oiwa pushes Honma down to then drop an elbow! Cover, ONE! Oiwa clamps onto Honma with an armlock, but Honma fights up. Oiwa wrenches and RAMS Honma into a corner. Oiwa CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Honma kicks and kicks but Oiwa CHOPS him down! Oiwa wraps Honma’s arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Oiwa lets go, and Oiwa headlocks. Oiwa brings Honma over and tags ZSJ. ZSJ cravats Honma for the neck wrench, then he wrangles Honma to the mat. ZSJ bridges with the neck wrench! Honma endures so ZSJ shifts and bridges! Then shifts and bridges!
ZSJ stands to NECK TWIST! Honma writhes but ZSJ covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Honma toughs it out. Shota gets the fans to chant for “HONMA! HONMA!” ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Honma blocks the kick! ZSJ fires SLAP after SLAP but Honma holds on! ZSJ eggs Honma on, so Honma SLAPS ZSJ down! The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma crawls over, hot tag to Shota! Shota runs up to fire forearms on ZSJ! Shota whips, ZSJ reverses but Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ! Shota BLASTS Oiwa for good measure! The fans fire up with Shota as he whips ZSJ corner to corner. Shota runs up, to UPPERCUT!
Shota reels ZSJ in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota shrugs that off. Shota drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the clinch to go for the arm. ZSJ elbows Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to trip ZSJ, turn him over, and STF! ZSJ fights the crossface portion, slips out and wrangles Shota into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota fights up, but ZSJ pushes on the arm! Shota still fights, slips around, and arm-drags free! ZSJ avoids the dropkick to the leg to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa drags Shota up. Oiwa headlocks, Shota powers out, but Oiwa runs Shota over!
Things keep moving, Oiwa counters Shota’s hip toss with a hip toss! Shota gets up, Oiwa DROPKICKS! Oiwa kips up and the fans fire up! Shota stands Oiwa up, scoops and POWERSLAMS, to then run and SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Oiwa keeps on Shota but Shota fights the anaconda plex! Shota CLUBS away on Oiwa, then catches him to a clinch. Oiwa slips free, shoves, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota crawls away, hot tag to Honma! Honma storms up to CHOP Oiwa! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Oiwa is in a corner, Honma whips him corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! And BULLDOG!
The fans fire up with Honma and he runs, KOKESHI FLOPS as Oiwa moves! Oiwa brings Honma up, but Honma fires hands! Oiwa ROCKS Honma back! Honma fires another flurry, but Oiwa ROCKS him again! Oiwa runs to ROLLING ELBOW! Honma falls and the fans fire up! Oiwa watches Honma go to a corner, and then he runs in, DROPKICK! And BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in his and the fans fire up! Oiwa drags Honma up, gut wrenches, but Honma fights it! Honma wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! Oiwa stays up to short arm LARIAT in return! Honma short arm LARIATS, but then Oiwa short arm LARIATS!
Oiwa fires short arm LARIATS again and again, then finally LARIATS Honma down! Cover, but Shota breaks it! ZSJ grabs Shota and drags him out by a leg! ANKLE LOCK! Shota BOOTS ZSJ into railing! Oiwa has the SLEEPER on Honma! Honma reaches out, but Oiwa keeps him from ropes! But Honma slips around to the back, BIG back suplex! But Oiwa holds onto the SLEEPER! Oiwa drags Honma up to his feet, spins him, and THE- NO, Honma blocks the lariat! Oiwa dodges a haymaker to ROCK Honma! Honma ROCKS Oiwa! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! Honma HEADBUTTS, and then JUMPING KOKESHIS!!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Honma and Oiwa crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Shota! The fans fire up as ZSJ BOOTS! Shota fires a forearm! ZSJ nods and steps back to Shota. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Shota UPPERCUTS in return! ZSJ shakes that off to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers, scowls, and comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ wobbles but he nods, before he UPPERCUTS again! Both men steady themselves, and Shota comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ staggers and sways, but he stays on his feet. ZSJ leans on the ropes, then stands up tall. The fans fire up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS! The UPPERCUTS go back and forth, faster and faster!
Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ drops to his knees! The ref has Shota hold on, maybe ZSJ is rattled. ZSJ stands but Shota UPPERCUTS again and again! ZSJ fires up but runs into an UPPERCUT! Shota roars and the fans fire up again! ZSJ stands to SLAP Shota!! Shota wobbles but even ZSJ has to steady himself. Shota drops to his knees to stabilize, and the fans rally up again. Shota rises, so ZSJ KICKS him! And KICKS! Shota shakes his head so ZSJ KICKS! ZSJ paces but Shota nods. Shota rises and eggs ZSJ! ZSJ says fine, and he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Shota growls, then he blocks the kick!
Shota stands to ROCK ZSJ! ZSJ roars, but Shota catches the kick, trips ZSJ, and then steps into the STF!! ZSJ reaches out but Shota drags him from ropes! S T F! Oiwa stomps away on Shota until he lets go! Honma CLUBS Oiwa then throws him out. Honma helps Shota stand and then brings ZSJ around. Honma whips ZSJ to a corner, runs up, and he LARIATS! Feed to Shota’s POP-UP KNEE! Shota then feeds ZSJ to a LARIAT! Clinch and EXPLODER! Honma gets moving, BASEMENT KOKESHI! IGNITION!! Cover, Oiwa breaks it! Honma CLUBS Oiwa and tosses him again, then tells Shota to finish it!
Shota goes to the corner and he takes aim. BLAZE- ARMBAR!! ZSJ catches the Blaze Blade, but then Shota shifts around! ZSJ still wants the arm, Shota has the stack! TWO! ARMBAR!! Honma hits the FALLING KOKESHI!! The fans are thunderous but here comes Oiwa! Honma runs at him, JUMPING KOKESHI FLOPS as Oiwa moves! Oiwa calls to ZSJ as he brings up Shota. Shota fires a forearm but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa eggs Shota on so Shota fires up! Shota ROLLING- NO, Oiwa ducks to SLEEPER! And THE- NO, Shota ducks The Grip and a JUMPING KOKESHI takes Oiwa down!
The fans fire up as Shota aims at ZSJ again. BLINDSIDE KNEE in the corner! And then a TORNADO DDT! Shota drags ZSJ up to elevate, but ZSJ wrenches out! ZSJ PELES the arm! Then BOOTS the lariat! ZSJ ducks the enzigiri to PENALTY KICK! Shota is right up, but ZSJ has him in a full nelson! Shota breaks it, only for ZSJ to GERMAN SUPLEX! ZSJ runs up, but into a POP-UP DEATH RIDER!! The fans are thunderous as Shota hauls ZSJ up. But ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous again while Shota and ZSJ stir! ZSJ and Shota crawl, but then Oiwa BLASTS Honma down!
Oiwa helps ZSJ up while Shota finds he has no partner! Shota turns around, into an ELBOW from Oiwa! ZSJ BOOTS Shota, then feeds him to Oiwa’s ANACONDA SUPLEX! Oiwa sets Shota up for ZSJ’S LARIAT! Cover, HONMA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again but now Oiwa has the SLEEPER on Honma! ROUNDHOUSE and THE GRIP!! The fans fire up with TMDK as they drag Shota up. They double whip but Shota reverses! Shota kicks off ZSJ to TORNADO DDT Oiwa! Shota then runs up, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota and ZSJ stay up, so they go again. ZSJ KICKS Shota’s lariat, but Shota SWATS ZSJ’s!
Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROLLING- SLAP from ZSJ! ZSJ scoops, Shota slips free! Shota backslides, ZSJ rolls through, then fights the underhooks! O’Conner Roll, but Shota trips ZSJ to go for an arm! Another backslide, but another roll through, BLAZE BLADE POINT BLANK!! The fans are thunderous again as Shota rises! Shota aims from a corner, and hits a BLAZE- NO, ZSJ backslides! But Shota rolls through so he can DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, SHOTA & HONMA WIN!!!
Winners: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion just fell to this Reiwa Musketeer! World Tag League aside, will Shota now bring that Paradigm Shift to the Tokyo Dome? Or will ZSJ make sure this is still TMDK’s WrestleKingdom?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi made it Lights Out last round against Kenta & Chase Owens while The Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast were tranquilo against Funky Sauce. Only one team can stay spotless, can the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter slay these twin dragons? Or will Los Ingobernables de Japon be that much closer to the trophies?
The teams sort out and after LIJ fist bumps, Yota calls out Goto. Goto accepts and the fans rally as the bell rings. Goto and Yota circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto finds a point of leverage, he puts Yota on ropes, but then lets off cleanly. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up but Yota kicks low. Yota headlocks, Goto powers up and out, but Yota RAMS him! Goto stays up, he runs, and he RAMS Yota! Yota rebounds to CLOBBER Goto! Yota brings Goto up, CHOPS him, but Goto CHOPS back! Yota CHOPS again! Goto backs away to ropes but Yota is on him. Yota whips but Goto grabs ropes!
Hashi tags in, Goto BOOTS Yota, then Bishamon runs Yota over! Then ZANMAI! Takagi storms in but Hashi mule kicks! Bishamon sets up, “Se no!” And they DRUM away on Takagi! The fans cheer while Hashi flexes. Hashi brings Yota up, ROCKS him, and Yota goes to a corner. Hashi CHOPS, but Yota eggs him on. Hashi CHOPS again, and again! Yota sits down and the fans rally up. Hashi looms over Yota, brings him up, and whips him corner to corner. Hashi runs up but Yota BOOTS him! Hashi comes back, blocks the boot, btu Yota brings Hashi down for the STOMP! Takagi runs to BLAST Goto, then goes out after him!
Takagi sends Goto into railing! The fans cheer, and Yota snapmares Hashi for a chinlock. Hashi endures so Yota ELBOWS him in the head! Yota then drags Hashi up, ROCKS him in the back, and Hashi falls against ropes. Yota tags Takagi and Takagi chinlocks Hashi in the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands then counts, so Takagi lets go quickly. Takagi hauls Hashi up to RAM him into the corner again and again. Takagi stomps Hashi, whips him to ropes, then KNEES him! Takagi suplexes high and hard! The fans applaud while Takagi keeps his eyes on Goto. Takagi goes to Hashi, sits him up, and rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!
Takagi stands for the ELBOW DROP! Tag to Yota and Yota brings Hashi up. Goto protests as LIJ double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Takagi then SENTONS, and Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Goto coaches Hashi but Yota drags Hashi up. Yota CLUBS Hashi but Hashi fires forearms! Yota hits a BODY BLOW in return! Yota whips, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi and Yota crawl, Hashi hot tags Goto! Goto CLOBBERS Yota, BLASTS Takagi, then goes back to Yota. Yota kicks and runs but Goto follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs in, but Goto kicks him!
Takagi fights the suplex, suplexes in return, but Goto slips free! Goto waistlocks but Takagi elbows him! LIJ regroups to double whip Goto to a corner. Takagi runs in but Goto dodges! LARIAT for Yota! Goto kicks Takagi, and suplexes him onto Yota! Cover on Yota, TWO! The fans rally and Goto hauls Yota up. Yota fights the fireman’s carry with elbows. Goto ROCKS Yota, Yota ROCKS Goto, repeat! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, but Goto gets the edge! Goto roars, runs, but Yota clinches for the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! STOMP! Takagi BLASTS Hashi! The fans fire up with LIJ as they regroup.
LIJ whips Goto to the corner again, and Yota ELBOWS! Takagi sends Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi LARIATS, Yota BOOTS, Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this but Yota brings him back up. Yota has Goto in the drop zone, for the MAROON- NO, Goto avoids the crush! Goto fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto and Yota crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Hashi! The fans fire up as Hashi and Takagi RAM shoulders! Hashi dodges to RAM Takagi, Takagi RAMS back! They RAM again, and roar!
Hashi ROCKS Takagi, CHOPS him, then turns him for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Hashi and he aims from a corner. Takagi goes to a corner, Hashi runs in, but Takagi dodges! Takagi runs up, but into a BOOT! Hashi runs up, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Hashi is down and Takagi says “TOKI GA KITA!” The time has come, and the fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi winds up, runs up, but blocks a boot to LARIAT! Takagi keeps moving, but Hashi gets around to waistlock! Takagi switches, Hashi RAMS Takagi to a corner! Goto runs up to LARIAT Takagi! Feed to the mule kick!
Bishamon sets up, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up and Goto calls for it! Hashi gets the legs, but Takgi kicks free! Takagi wrenches, dodges, SLEEPER on Goto! Yota RANAS Hashi! Then Yota runs up on Goto but Goto BOOTS him! Goto elbows Takagi, Hashi SUPERKICKIS Yota! Goto has Yota up, he and Hashi hits G Y R!! Yota flounders but Takgi sends Goto into Hashi! PUMPING- NO, Bishamon dodges the lariats and they trap Takagi at the ropes! BLINDISDE LARIAT to SNAP DRAGON! Takagi is up, DOUBLE LARIATS with Goto! Takagi SWATS a lariat, ELBOWS Hashi, JABS him, then runs! But into Goto’s LARIAT!!
The fans fire up and Bishamon regroups. They whip Takagi into the fireman’s carry! FIERCE FLASH! And now Hashi calls the end! They have Takagi up, SHO- NO, SUPERKICK to Hashi from Yota! SUPERKICK to Goto from Yota! Goto tumbles out, Hashi is in a corner, and Yota runs to SPLASH Hashi! Then Yota hoists Hashi up top, CHOPS him, and climbs! The fans fire up with Yota as he brings Hashi up, for a SUPERPLEX! Takagi SLIDING PUMPING BOMBERS! Takagi starts up another “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans are with him! LIJ drags Hashi up, they BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Cover, GOTO BREAKS IT!
Yota stomps Goto and CLUBS him! LIJ drags Goto up, but Goto fires forearms on them both! Goto is a fierce warrior to be sure! But he runs into a LARIAT! And GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up as LIJ aims at Hashi! Takagi runs up to LARIAT! Snapmare and Yota aims! Takagi makes sure Hashi is lined up, but Goto anchors Yota! Takagi rushes over but Hashi shoves him into Yota! Roll-up with bridge! TWO!!! Takagi escapes, Hashi ROCKS him! The fans are thunderous as both men wobble. Takagi fires a forearm! Hashi fires back! Takagi fires another! Hashi wobbles, drops to a knee, but he comes back to fire another forearm!
Takagi and Hashi go back and forth, faster and faster! They both wobble again, but then Hashi fires a strike fest! The CHOP tops it off, but Takagi just snarls! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Hashi roars, but Takagi JABS! HEADBUTTS! SUPERKICK from Hashi! DISCUS PUJMPING from Takagi! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up and Takagi powers up! Takagi runs, to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but ITADAKIGARI!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi & Yota earn 0)
A sudden turnaround, but it can’t be called an upset with how Goto & Hashi have been World Tag League winners and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions besides! But if this is how hard Takagi & Tsuji fought, yet they still fell short, how much harder must they fight to be on top of the block?
As for Bishamon, Hashi has the mic first. “Last year, Bishamon made history be becoming the first-ever IWGP Tag Team Champions to win this league. We also achieved the first-ever threepeat. This year, we’re looking to go undefeated!” The fans cheer that lofty goal, and even chant for “BI-SHA-MON! BI-SHA-MON!” Hashi says then, in Kumamoto, when they win their FOURTH STRAIGHT tournament, “We’ll show you our happiest Zanmai celebration ever.” The fans are certainly intrigued by that. Hashi says Bishamon’s four-peat will come in the blink of an eye!
With that mic drop, the mission is clear! No need to #GetBackUp when you’re still riding high, but will Goto & Hashi continue to add to their historic achievements? Or will a team come along to ruin it all?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 2-0, 4 points
Bishamon: 2-0, 4 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-1, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-1, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 1-1, 2 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 1-1, 2 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-2, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great event for WTL A Block, but I hope there won’t be any more delays in the On Demand upload, there’s too much to do on a Friday to wait on this. Anyway, I had a bad feeling Funky Sauce would lose again, but they had a strong showing against Callum & Cobb. Great brawl between Gabe & Sanada with Kenta & Chase. But considering Gabe is building towards that match with Kenny Omega, good win for him and Sanada, and then good promo from Gabe to call Omega out. This all probably takes Gabe & Sanada out of the running for the finals, because they can play up how Gabe is too distracted by wanting after Omega.
Great match from Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa, but this match also proved me right from earlier. This was just a formality to make ZSJ VS Shota for the world title official. Shota gets the upset win on ZSJ and now that is Shota’s path to WrestleKingdom. But Bishamon VS LIJ was awesome stuff, and what a great win for Goto & Hashi. Goto & Hashi are definitely set up to make another run at the trophies, but I’m still not sure of their chances of winning. The threepeat was pretty surprising as it was, but a four-peat would be wild.
My Score: 9/10
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Everybody wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah!
Before they celebrate with champagne on Full Gear, Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa team up for a tag match! Will Rampage truly become “Glampage?”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa VS Harley Cameron & Nyla Rose; Mariah & Mina win.
- Juice Robinson VS The Butcher; Juice wins.
- Six Man Tag: The Conglomeration VS The Dark Order; The Conglomeration wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa VS Harley Cameron & Nyla Rose!
While the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend will have their Championship Champagne Celebration tomorrow night, tonight is about celebrating a victory together. But will The Glamour & The Fighting Gravure Idol get that win? Or can the wild Aussie and Native Beast put a damper on the fun?
The teams sort out and Mina starts against Nyla. The fans rally, “We Want Mina!” and Nyla says so does she! They step up and Nyla taunts Mina’s height by calling for the knuckle lock. Mina reaches up but Nyla switches hands. And then switches, switches, switches, but Mina almost makes it a dance. The fans cheer as it indeed becomes a dance off between Mina and Nyla. But then Mina kicks low! Mina runs, but Nyla catches her! Nyla pops Mina up and around, but Mina slips free. Mina dodges, and she slides to pose. The fans cheer, Nyla shows she can shimmy, and she SUPERKICKS Mina down!
Nyla scoops Mina to SLAM her! Nyla swaggers, drags Mina up, and then scoops. Harley wants in but Nyla says not now. She is holding a grown human woman! Nyla SLAMS Mina down, runs, but Harley tags in! Nyla asks what is wrong with Harley, they argue, but Harley runs up on Mina. Mina fires hands, then facelocks and SOBATS! Mina runs, but Harley drops under. Mina rolls, then bypasses, runs, and tilt-o-whirls to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, ONE!! Harley stays in this but Mina stays on her. Mina bumps Harley off buckles, then tags in Mariah. Mariah CHOPS Harley, then puts some stank on the DOUBLE CHOP!
Mariah brings Harley around, scoops, and SPIN-OUT SIDEWALK SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Harley toughs it out but Mariah sucker punches Nyla! The fans boo but Mariah is coy as she tags in Mina. Mariah & Mina double whip Harley, then trip her up, and “Woo~!” DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Mina & Mariah both shake it up, but Nyla joins in. Nyla then drags them up by their hair, for a meeting- NO, Mariah & Mina stop from colliding. They smile, then double kick Nyla. They TOSS Nyla out at the ramp and Harley is upset with Nyla. But then Mariah & Mina run to WRECK their opponents with dropkicks!
Mariah & Mina pose cutely on the apron and blow kisses to each other. Then they fetch Harley into the ring as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Mina stalks Harley, then winds up to KICK her in the back! Harley writhes, Mina pushes her to a cover, TWO! Mina drags Harley up and brings her around to bump off buckles. Tag to Mariah, and Mariah brings Harley out for a HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Harley stays in this but Mariah stays on her. Mariah fireman’s carries but Harley fights free. Harley throws Mariah down by her hair! Harley waistlocks, Mariah fights the lift and wrenches out. Harley ducks a kick to pump handle and BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Mariah stays in this but Harley stays on her. Harley drags Mariah up to whip to the corner, then she tags Nyla.
Nyla stomps away on Mariah, then stands her up to CHOP! Nyla stalks Mariah to a corner, Rampage returns to single picture, and Nyla snapmares for a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, TWO! Nyla drags Mariah around, ties up the legs, and clamps on the chinlock! Mariah endures but Nyla brings her up to whip her to ropes. Nyla scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM! Nyla keeps moving, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Harley shouts for the tag, Nyla tags her in. Harley RAMS into Mariah again and again, then snapmares. Mariah staggers up, Harley runs and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO Mariah survives and Harley argues the count.
Harley taunts Mina, drags Mariah up, but Mariah swings. Harley dodges the lariat but Mariah blocks Sole Food, to HEADBUTT! Mariah and Harley both fall back! Both women crawl, the fans rally up, but Harley anchors Mariah’s legs! Mariah KICKS Harley away, hot tag to Mina! Mina rallies on Harley, whips, but Harley reverses. Mina comes back to NECKBREAKER DROP! The fans fire up with Mina and she runs corner to corner, but Harley dodges! But then Mina dodges! Mina ROCKS Harley, goes up and FLYING CHUCKS! Harley falls, Mina covers, but Nyla stomps it apart! Nyla helps Harley up and they double whip Mina.
Mina reverses to send Harley away. Mina mule kicks Nyla, ELBOWS Harley, victory rolls Nyla and has the legs! Harley staggers but runs up, only for Mina to catch her! Mina spins Harley, DDT SNAP LOCK COMBO! The fans fire up with Mina and she hot tags Mariah! Nyla hobbles up, into Mariah’s SHOTGUN! But Harley rolls Mariah! TWO!! Mariah is up and she KNEES Harley down! Harley staggers to a corner but Mariah hoists her up! Electric Chair Lift, and Mina tags in! Mina climbs, for a BULLDOG DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Mariah & Mina win!
Winners: Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
The AEW Women’s World Champion and the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion are victorious together, just like they wanted! Will they toast this victory and all others tomorrow night? Or will someone look to ruin their Full Gear fun?
Rampage returns and…
Lexy Nair welcomes us back, while also welcoming us to the official Full Gear Zero Hour weigh-in. Please welcome first, QT Marshall! The fans boo as QT makes his return to AEW TV, and he shows off the “DOOM” logo on his track jacket. QT steps into the ring and now Lexy welcomes out Big Justice and Big Boom AJ! The fans cheer as the Costco Guys are here, giving out high-fives and fist bumps! QT is already annoyed but Lexy says before we get started, do either of them have something to say? QT steps up to say yes, he does! Enough with the “Boom,” first off! Tomorrow night, QT brings the doom!
QT told AJ 20 years ago that he didn’t have it. 20 years later, AJ still doesn’t have it! The fans boo but AJ just shrugs that off. AJ tells QT that QT’s been waiting those 20 years to get AJ in the ring. But AJ’s been waiting ever since QT tossed those double chunk chocolate cookies! The fans cheer that! But AJ says hold on, hold on. He’s got a special surprise for us. He wants someone real special to be at Full Gear to ring the bell when AJ rings QT’s bell and he Power-Booms QT through this ring. QT asks who. AJ says there’s only one guy that can be. They scratch their chins, and yes, it’ll be THE RIZZLER!!
QT is seething but the fans love it! QT gets to business by taking off the jacket and the sweatpants. QT steps on the scale, flexes, and we get the numbers on the tron: 229 pounds flat for QT! QT is all fired up, he’s bringing that heavyweight build. The fans fire up for AJ, “Bring the Boom! Bring the Boom!” Wait, what? 550?! AJ’s big but not THAT big. QT says this must be why he’s Big Boom AJ. Maybe he should laugh off the double chunk chocolate cookies. Big Justice steps up! And he says we all know QT rigged the scale! Right? Right? But see, that won’t matter when his dad brings that BOOM on Saturday night! Is QT ready?
QT steps up but AJ gets in QT’s way. QT takes a swing! AJ ROCKS QT first! AJ makes sure Big Justice is okay, but then QT hits the DIAMOND CUTTER! The fans boo but QT says that’s gonna be the DOOM! Will QT not care who or what Big Boom AJ brings to Full Gear? Or will he slammed on the mat for The Rizzler?
AEW takes a closer look at the AEW World Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way.
Malakai Black says, “Eight men, four destinies intertwined.” Anthony Bowens recaps: The Acclaimed, Kings of the Black Throne, Outrunners, and Private Party, fighting for the titles. Marq Quen says he and Zay worked SO damn hard for these titles. But The Outrunners are hard as a rock! Malakai says The House has a “trigger full of promises to deliver.” Bowens says they have everyone’s number, but The Outrunners feel they have nothing to lose! Malakai & Brody say come one, come all, for all shall perish! Zay promises he & Quen will do whatever it takes to leave Full Gear still your AEW World Tag Team Champions, and that’s a flex.
Juice Robinson VS The Butcher!
While everyone else, such as the Bang Bang Gang’s fearless leader, Jay White, gears up for Full Gear, Rock Hard Robinson is just looking to get a win. Butcher almost shoves him off the apron, will Butcher cause this Collision Cowboy to go off the rails? Or will it be Guns Up for the Reading, Pennsylvania Gold Members?
The bell rings and Juice ties up with Butcher. They’re in a deadlock and quickly go to the mat. They also quickly get back up, and Juice powers Butcher to a corner. The ref counts, they go along ropes, in a corner, then along more ropes. Butcher has Juice on the ropes but he lets off with a scuffing forearm. Juice has wild eyes to go with his wild hair, and he shoots in to headlock. Butcher powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and Butcher doesn’t budge. Butcher eggs Juice on, but Juice grins. Juice stomps Butcher’s foot! Juice headlocks but Butcher fires body shots. Butcher powers up and out but Juice RAMS him!
Butcher rebounds to CLOBBER Juice! Things keep moving, Juice drops then hurdles, then he goes to hip toss. Butcher blocks to body shot and LARIAT! The fans fire up while Butcher stalks Juice to a corner. Butcher stands Juice up to CHOP! The fans “WOO~” and then Butcher climbs up. Butcher says count along, but then Juice sips out before he even starts! Juice trips Butcher up, then climbs, and now fans get to count! Juice rains down fists all the way to nine, then winds up, to BITE Butcher for ten! But then Butcher DUMPS Juice to the floor! Butcher storms out after Juice to RAILING BACK SUPLEX!
Juice writhes more but Butcher drags him back up. Butcher throws Juice into the apron while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Butcher LARIATS Juice against the apron, pushes him into the ring, then stalks him to another corner. Butcher runs up to LARIAT! Juice staggers and Butcher scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Juice writhes, Butcher runs, and he drops a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Juice stays in this but Butcher drags him up. Butcher ROCKS Juice in the back! Butcher then stands Juice up, shoves him to ropes, and ROCKS him again! Juice drops to his knees but Butcher drags him around into a chinlock. Juice endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Butcher lets go to stomp away on Juice! Butcher then clamps onto Juice with a dragon sleeper!
Juice endures as Butcher bends him. Juice fights up, powers up, and ROCKS Butcher! And ROCKS him! And hits a JAWBREAKER! Juice whips, Butcher reverses and ELBOWS him down! Butcher stalks Juice to ropes, stands on Juice’s face, but the ref counts. Butcher steps away, then drags Juice up. Butcher ROCKS Juice, but Juice shakes his head. Butcher ROCKS Juice in the back again, and Juice drops to his knees as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns as Butcher runs up, only for Juice to BOOT him! Juice then dodges Butcher, atomic drops and roars! Juice HEADBUTTS Butcher to the corner, but Butcher snarls! Butcher runs up, into a LEG LARIAT! Juice grits his teeth and the fans fire up. Juice pumps up, takes aim, and he JABS! JABS! JABS! Juice roars, and Butcher falls for the left hand feint! DDT! Juice adds a SENTON, then covers, TWO! Butcher is tough but Juice grins. The fans rally up and Juice watches Butcher go to a corner. Juice runs up to LARIAT! Juice calls his shot, goes corner to corner, and back again, but Butcher throws him back! LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up but Butcher is furious! Butcher drags Juice up, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex, only for Juice to land out! Roll up, with a bridge! TWO, and Juice hurries away. Butcher rises, runs up, but Juice drop toeholds him into buckles! Juice gets moving, CANNONBALL! The fans fire up with Juice and Juice pumps up. Butcher rises, into the JAB! JAB! JAB! LEFT HAND O’- NO, Butcher slips around, half nelson, BACKBREAKER! And then JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives and Butcher is furious! Butcher drags Juice up, calls his shot, and suplexes, but Juice fights that off!
Juice slips free to LEFT HAND O’ GOD! Juice powers up, another LEFT HAND O’ GOD!! The fans fire up again as Juice brings Butcher up. JUICE IS LOOSE!! Cover, Juice wins!
Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall
And that’s one for Bullet Club Gold! Will Jay White look to do just as much damage to Hangman Page? Or will the Blackhat Cowboy still be number one with a bullet?
PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week!
There will be no Friday Night Rampage next week, because it will be a BACK-TO-BACK Rampage & Collision Saturday night! Make sure your DVR is ready for three hours of AEW action!
Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.
Lexy is with La Mera Mera and brings up how next week will be an ALL LUCHA Rampage. That must be exciting. Rosa is beyond excitement! It is about time they get some lucha libre to spice up Rampage. Atlantis Jr, Hechicero, and the return of Mystico! C’mon, now! Well what about Rosa? Yes, what about Rosa? Rosa hasn’t had a true lucha match in awhile, but why not? An open challenge for any luchadora or female wrestler that wants after La Mera Mera! In steps Harley Cameron, wearing a Hologram mask, and putting on a robot voice. “Greetings. I am famed luchadora, Harley-gram, the female counterpart to Hologram.”
Rosa is trying not to laugh as “Harley-gram” officially accepts the open challenge. Rosa tells Harley-gram that she looks familiar. Like a certain someone she beat two weeks ago. Does not compute with Harley-gram. Okay, fine. Compute this: Next week, Rosa will yank her cord and shut her down! OH SHUT UP! What? Uh… Danger! Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! “Harley-gram” runs off and Rosa asks if this is really happening. Rosa sighs, but will she just have to reboot Harley back to factory settings?
Ricochet speaks.
“I have had my eyes on the International title since I debuted in AEW. And Takeshita has cost me my chance at becoming International Champion on more than one occasion. I was the last person to pin the International Champion, and I plan on doing it one more time, at Full Gear. At Full Gear, Takeshita finds out what the world already knows: That Ricochet is not from here. Ricochet is outta this world!” The King of Flight is determined to dethrone The Alpha. Will Ricochet become The One & Only International Champion?
BREAKING NEWS for the Full Gear Zero Hour!
Anna Jay lost last week in her last chance championship match, but she also rejected the offer of The Vendetta. Now Deonna Purrazzo is looking to teach Anna why that was a mistake. Will The Virtuosa make sure Anna’s never The Star of the Show? Or will she learn why Anna’s still The Queenslayer? Then, we see Dante Martin, The Beast Mortos, Komander and Buddy Matthews compete in what will surely be a fast and furious Fatal 4 Way! Who wins some big momentum, and possibly a spot in the Continental Classic?
Six Man Tag: The Conglomeration VS The Dark Order!
While Tomohiro Ishii is aiming for the ROH World Championship next Wednesday on Thanksgiving Eve, he, Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero don’t mind building up momentum in the Trios Division. Will the Stone Pitbull, Sussex County Chicken & Azucar be rolling towards titles? Or can Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver remind everyone that The Dark Order is good enough?
The trios sort out and Mark starts against Silver. The two shake hands, and the fans cheer on “Johnny Hungy!” Silver and Mark tie up, go around, and Silver headlocks. Mark powers up and out, but Silver runs him over! Silver flexes, runs, but Mark drops down to then arm-drag! Silver arm-drags back! Mark sweeps to cover, ONE! Silver sweeps to cover, ONE! Both men stand and the fans fire up. Silver and Mark reset, tie up, and Mark headlocks. Silver powers up and out, hurdles, but then Mark hits the crane stance! Silver stays back, and then shows off his Dark Order Karate! The fans fire up and the two circle again.
Mark shows off more of his Redneck Kung-Fu, but then Uno CLOBBERS him! Even Silver’s disappointed but Uno backs off. Silver brings Mark up, Uno tags in, and then he tags Reynolds. Uno CLAWS Mark’s back. then Dark Order DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICHES! Uno hits a JAWBREAKER, Reynolds adds a BACKBREAKER, and then Uno hits the DDT! Reynolds covers, TWO! Reynolds drags Mark back, tags Uno, and they stomp Mark down. Uno puts Mark in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Mark goes up to FLYING FOREARM! Mark powers Uno to the Conglomeration corner then tags in Ishii.
Ishii CHOPS Uno, and CHPOS, and CHOSP! Uno feels those even through his business shirt! Tag to Rocky but Uno hits low. Uno whips, Rocky reverses and UPPERCUTS! Rocky winds up as Uno goes to a corner, and he runs in to LARIAT! That’s one-ever! Then two-ever! Then three-ever! Rocky gives some Latino Heat, but Reynolds runs up! Rocky gives Reynolds four-ever! More Latino Heat and the fans fire up! Uno runs up, to catch Rocky for SOMETHING EVIL! Rocky flops out of the ring and Uno flexes, but Rampage goes picture in picture.
The ring count starts but Reynolds throws Rocky in. Reynolds drops an elbow, then stands on Rocky’s face. Reynolds scuffs Rocky with his sole, then bumps Rocky off buckles. Uno traps Rocky while Silver tags in. The Dark Order mugs Rocky, then Silver scoops and SLASMS! “I’m freakin’ jacked, baby!” Silver drags Rocky up, ROCKS him with forearms, then puts him in a corner. Silver ROCKS Rocky again, then puts him in the Dark Order corner for a LARIAT! Silver tags Uno then flexes on The Conglomeration. Uno taunts Ishii, then brings Rocky up. Rocky fires forearms! Rocky backs Uno down, then runs, but into a BOOT!
Uno hauls Rocky up to hit a BACKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Uno is upset that he only got one, but the fans rally for Rocky. Uno stomps Rocky’s hand! Rocky goes to a corner and Uno CHOPS him down! Uno does Scott Hall fingers to taunt Rocky, then he bumps Rocky off Silver’s boots! Reynolds tags in, pushes Rocky down, and then he stands on Rocky before an IMPLODER SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Rocky flounders but Reynolds stalks him. Reynolds taunts Rocky, then brings him up. Rocky fires forearms! And forearms! And then he powers Reynolds back! Reynolds digs his heels in to keep Rocky from his corner!
Reynolds knees Rocky, whips him, but Rocky sunset flips! TWO! Reynolds CLOBBERS Rocky! Cover, TWO! Reynolds is frustrated but he tags in Uno. Uno rolls up his sleeves while soaking up the heat from Reading. Uno clamps onto Rocky with a chinlock and he grinds Rocky down. Rocky endures and fights around while the fans rally up. Rocky fires body shots as Rampage returns to single picture, but Uno clamps on tighter! Rocky is fading! Uno sits Rocky down, then BLASTS Ishii! The ref keeps Mark from getting at Uno, and Uno stomps Rocky. Uno again taunts Mark, then runs up, but into a BOOT!
Rocky fires off hands on Reynolds & Silver! Rocky rolls past Uno to hot tag Mark! The fans fire up as Mark dodges Uno to then fire hands on him and Reynolds! Mark CHOPS and ROCKS and repeat! Mark fires a flurry and ROCKS Uno! Reynolds swings into a wrench, KICK, and then a CHOP for Silver before the ROLLING ELBOW on Reynolds! Uno runs up but Mark just keeps throwing shots! Forearms and CHOPS on Uno and Silver! Silver waistlocks but Mark BOOTS Uno away! Mark breaks free to PELE Silver! Uno runs up, into an EXPLODER! The fans fire up and Mark covers, TWO! Mark stays fired up and the fans are with him!
Mark fires hands on Uno, then fireman’s carries. Uno fights free and throws Mark into ropes! Reynolds BOOTS Mark, Uno reels Mark in! Silver SUPERKICKS before the PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and The Dark Order can’t believe it! Uno tags Silver, Silver tags Reynolds, and they haul Mark up. PENDULUM- NO, Mark fights free to BOOT Silver! Mark dodges Uno & Reynolds, hot tag to Ishii! Ishii CLOBBERS Reynolds and RAMS Uno, but Uno stays up! Uno dodges Ishii’s haymaker to waistlock, but Ishii ducks as Reynolds runs up! Reynolds ROCKS Uno by accident! Ishii CLOBBERS Uno! And GERMAN SUPLEXES Reynolds!
The fans fire up with Ishii as he brings Reynolds up. Ishii suplexes, but Silver makes the save! Silver KICKS Ishii, but Ishii CHOPS Silver! KICK! CHOP! Repeat! The fans fire up and Ishii CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Ishii runs, breaks through the kick, but not the SUPERKICK! Silver GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Ishii’s right back up! LARIAT for Silver! Reynolds BOOTS Ishii down! Mark LARIATS Reynolds up and out! Rocky hurries to fetch a chair for Mark! Mark sets that up and the fans cheer him on! Mark builds speed , but Reynolds trips him up! Rocky FLYING RANAS Reynolds! Uno BOOTS Rocky!
Uno helps Reynolds up, but Mark FLIES! The fans fire up with Mark and he high-fives the front row. Mark goes back for Reynolds, puts him in, and Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Ishii roars and he hauls Reynolds up! Suplex for the BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Conglomeration wins!
Winners: The Conglomeration, by pinfall
A great battle from these factions, but it is Strong Style that wins out! Will this happen again when Ishii goes 1v1 with The Learning Tree? Or will Chris Jericho make sure the Age of Nueve lasts forever and ever?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here for the go-home to Full Gear, but it was definitely just a go-home. They’re even ending with the November Rain music video from last Saturday as I type this. Good promo from Ricochet to hype up his match with Takeshita, but that’s still a toss-up to me. A part of me does want Ricochet to have the International Champion so Takeshita can enter the Continental Classic and go after Okada like he was supposed to do just a month ago. It really depends on what the Don Callis Family story is going to be with Ospreay and Fletcher, as The Don Callis Family isn’t losing everything at Full Gear.
Great opening tag of Mariah & Mina VS Nyla & Harley, though I really thought that was going to be the main event. But at the same time, of course Mariah & Mina won. No tease for anything at Full Gear so maybe they’ll wait to surprise us with Toni Storm or something tomorrow. Harley becoming “Harley-gram” just to get a rematch with Rosa was hilarious stuff, as does that “All Lucha Rampage” episode they’re hyping up. But oh look, next week is back-to-back Rampage and Collision on a Saturday just to try and undercut Survivor Series. It won’t matter, I’m still watching WarGames and leaving AEW for after, but it’s nice of them to do everything on one night.
Very good filler match of Juice VS Butcher, that was a strong return to singles action for Juice. Very nice Zero Hour matches but I kinda wish they’d given us a segment on TV to set up Deonna VS Anna rather than just announcing it. Maybe there was something social media had but I’m still not someone who follows all the socials. And that Fatal 4 Way is awesome, can’t wait to see who comes out of that a winner. Good promo overall from Big Boom AJ and QT Marshall, but I’m not sure it needed to be a weigh-in. A press conference style segment would’ve been fine, or even a contract signing, but I guess they just wanted to set up QT’s “lay off the cookies” joke. QT stands tall with his cutter taking down AJ, so you can bet AJ dooms QT in the Zero Hour.
Also great Six Man Tag main event, though I don’t think I’ve ever seen a main event without entrances. Great win for Conglomeration, though, but yeah, Ishii sure ain’t winning the ROH World Championship.
My Score: 8.8/10
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