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 the Mad King regret this gamble?
Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
- AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.
PLAY BY PLAY
AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!
The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?
But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!
The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.
Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!
Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!
Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.
Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!
Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.
Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!
Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)
A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!
And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?
AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.
Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!
The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.
Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.
Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!
Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?
Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?
Aussie Open speaks.
Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!
The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?
The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!
Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?
The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!
Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall
A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?
Ortiz sits alone in a room.
He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?
Darby Allin speaks.
After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?
Nick Wayne speaks.
He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.
And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?
Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.
Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.
And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?
AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!
While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!
Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.
Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!
The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!
Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!
They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!
Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!
Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!
Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)
The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.
Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.
Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.
Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.
And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (9/29/23)
King VS Emperor to determine a champion!

One way or another, the US title belongs to the LWO!
Rey Mysterio defends his WWE United States Championship against friend and protege, Santos Escobar! But will things stay friendly between them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson; Jimmy wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes; Theory wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar; Rey wins and retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Charlotte wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Fans boo as Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & Paul Heyman head to the ring. And Jimmy is definitely hyped over how he and Solo took down AJ Styles and John Cena, putting the tag team match at Fastlane into question. Heyman has the mic to introduce himself, but the fans keep on booing. His name isn’t “Boo,” he’s Paul! Heyman! And tonight, a rare opportunity that he doesn’t have to do this into the phone but live to the world here from SmackDown, in the hell hole of Sacramento, California. “We ACKNOWLEDGE our Tribal Chief!” The Bloodline throws up the ones, and Heyman says, “And so do each and every single one of you!”
The fans boo, though some do raise the fingers. Heyman asks us why do they acknowledge Roman… Reigns? Because it is in Roman’s name that last week, the second greatest of all time, John Cena, took a beating at the hands of the Bloodline in a way Cena hasn’t taken in at least a decade. And to wit, Heyman calls our attention to the Bloodline version of the Zapruder Film. Heyman plays footage from just last week, where Cena was the only one who signed the contract to have a match for Fastlane. Cena hoped AJ Styles was going to be his partner, but then the Bloodline struck first and hospitalized AJ Styles.
And back to present, fans are booing but Jimmy’s almost cracking up. Heyman says not to get involved in Cena’s business, but a little birdie told Heyman that there are some transportation issues this evening. And while Cena is expected to make it here, you can’t see him because Cena is NOT here. But y’know who else ain’t here? AJ Styles! And why is that? Because he’s lying in a hospital bed, watching them on SmackDown and- Jimmy holds his hand out for the mic? Heyman says he wasn’t done but Jimmy snatches the mic. “Sacramento! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Heyman sighs while Jimmy raises the one.
Jimmy tells the Wise Man, you are too kind. The real reason Cena isn’t here tonight is because he’s scared! Scared of one JIM USO! Jimmy says if Cena is smart, he’ll stay far, far away. If not, they’ll take care of him like they did the Phenomenal One! The one who built the house, place, face- KARL ANDERSON CLOBBERS SOLO! Then he TACKLES Jimmy! Jimmy gets up but Karl clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Karl as he represents for The OC! Karl says he told Styles not to get in Bloodline business and now Styles is in the hospital. So now, this is OC business! Any one of them, get in the ring with him!
Fans fire up but Heyman has Solo stand down. Heyman whispers things to The Enforcer, and then Solo tells Jimmy to handle this or he’ll do it for him. Jimmy says he’s got this. Solo doesn’t return the high-five, but will Jimmy return fire on the Machine Gun?
Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline VS Karl Anderson!
SmackDown returns and the match is going as Karl bumps Jimmy off buckles! Then CHOPS! And fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Karl lets off but then stomps a mudhole! Karl lets off to tell Heyman & Solo they made this personal. Karl stands Jimmy up but Jimmy swings. Karl dodges to JUMP KICK! Karl says he told Styles not to get involved but too late now. Karl whips, Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy runs, but Karl gives him a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Heyman is worried but Solo is stoic as Jimmy survives. Karl storms up on Jimmy, UPPERCUTS him to the corner, then UPPERCUTS again!
Karl brings Jimmy up to the top rope, ROCKS him with rights, then climbs. Solo steps forward and that distracts Karl, as well as the ref. Jimmy CLAWS Karl’s eyes! The ref misses it but fans boo as Jimmy rains down fists on Karl. Jimmy snarls, goes to a corner, and he SUPERKICKS Karl down! Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and scowls at the booing fans before the USO SPLASH! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Heyman is relieved and he whispers something more to Solo. Jimmy may be getting himself into trouble, but he’s also getting himself out, will this get Jimmy back in the Bloodline?
Wait, Karl isn’t done! He gets up to throw more hands with Jimmy! Solo storms in to hit the SAMOAN SPIKE! Solo roars as Karl is down, no back-up even possible with both Styles and Gallows hurt. Is the OC no longer a problem for The Bloodline? Wait, Michin is here! She SLAPS Jimmy right down! Fans are thunderous as she storms to the ring. Jimmy asks what the heck! Mia Yim packs a punch, will that knock some sense into Jimmy?
Backstage interview with Santos Escobar.
Cathy Kelley is with The Emperor of Lucha, and says that he faces his mentor and LWO teammate, Rey Mysterio. Where is his mind at tonight? Santos says his mind is focused, but his stomach has butterflies. But this match is about heart. And Santos has already said this is a dream match for him, and he has been working his entire life for it. Now, with the whole world watching, he has a chance to make the dream come true. He never gives up on his dreams, and he will fight for them, so Rey is in for the fight of his life. May the best man win. Will it be Emperor or King of Lucha that reigns as the United States Champion?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jimmy is fuming and he yells at a production staff member just for looking at him. He asks another if they saw what happened, then just shoves the guy down! Jimmy storms off, Solo follows and Heyman has the staff relax. Then he puts in a call to Roman Reigns. What will The Tribal Chief have to say about Jimmy’s attitude?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect.
The Aussie Icon, the Moment Maker, the Dynamite From Down Under is already in the ring on his set, and he says what a wild night already. Cena may be the greatest of all time, but he ain’t the greatest at being on time! Hah! But don’t worry, because Waller is here to save the show. Fans boo but Waller thanks them. Waller’s guests just keep getting bigger, and this is literal given the physical specimen. He has done everything in the WWE as a performer, but not as a talent scout. But that’s alright, he gets what he’s always been missing: the Waller rub! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the All Mighty Bobby Lashley!
Fans cheer as Lashley makes his way out and Waller does some push-ups so he looks at least a little bigger standing next to him. They shake hands and then sit at the desk. Waller says he wasn’t lying when the guests keep getting bigger, right? How does he fit into the suit? But Waller appreciates Lashley being on the show, especially after the week he’s had. His boys, the Street Profits had a devastating loss last week. Lashley says he made a mistake. He was looking for the next big thing, he thought the Profits had what it takes to do whatever they want, but seems not. Back to the drawing board, huh?
Wow, that must be hard for the Profits to hear. But yeah, if you’re looking for a tag team, they need to be willing to do whatever it takes. A team with unbridled charisma! A team that is undefeated! Maybe a team like Austin Theory & Grayson Waller! Lashley’s stare makes Waller slow his roll. Lashley knows all about Theory, that’s a pass. Yeah, but Theory’s changed! If you get to know him, he’s a good bloke! And- Wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came dressed to match Lashley, and Lashley seems rather upset and confused. The Profits step into the ring, mics in their hands.
Lashley steps to them, and he stops Dawkins before he gets started. No excuses, no reasons. If they want something out of Lashley, they need to prove it. Lashley goes to leave, and then the Profits look to each other. They storm out after Lashley and get up in his face! Lashley says he told them what to do. Now go do it. He keeps on moving, and Waller says how awkward. Hey, light the beam for the 153 million hit man, Austin Theory! Theory makes his entrance, walking past Lashley on the stage, and then continues down the ramp. He smirks at the Profits and goes to the steps, with Waller being the only one cheering.
But will it be A-Town Down as Theory faces Cameron Grimes? Or will SmackDown go TO~ THE~ MOON~?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Cameron Grimes!
SmackDown returns, Theory is busy looking at NXT’s Dragon Lee watching from the front row, and the bell rings. Theory turns around into a BOOT from Grimes! Grimes fires off KICKS, UPPERCUTS, and then CHOPS! Grimes whips, Theory reverses but Grimes CLOBBERS Theory! Grimes keeps moving and he CLOBBERS Theory again! Atomic drop, then KICK! Then a KICK, run, and SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Theory scrambles, Grimes has the leg, and Grimes drags Theory back. Theory kicks free, Waller coaches Theory up and Theory ELBOWS Grimes! And throat chops!
Theory throws down clubbing hands while fans boo, but Theory shouts at everyone. Theory brings Grimes up, talks trash, but Grimes eggs him on! Grimes fires off fists, body shots, then backs Theory to a corner. Grimes whips, Theory reverses, then Theory runs in. Theory blocks a boot but Grimes ENZIGURIS! Grimes goes up, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory hangs tough and Waller relaxes. Grimes aims, and he BUZZ- NO, Theory ducks! So Grimes backflips to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Theory survives but Grimes storms up on him in the corner. Grimes KICKS Theory against ropes!
Grimes runs, then he clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Grimes goes to the apron, and he PENALTY KICKS Theory down! Fans fire up with the Carolina Caveman as he takes it to Mr. ATL. Waller talks trash, though, and Grimes stares him down. Theory POSTS Grimes in the distraction! Waller laughs, Theory drags Grimes up and in, and then Theory slingshots. Somersault SHOTGUN! Grimes staggers into the fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Waller’s a baller with that assist to his boy, and The Now comes out on top! Will these two look to take over SmackDown one win at a time? Theory also talks some trash on Dragon, then pie faces him! So Dragon hits back! Fans fire up but the ref keeps Theory back. Dragon is here as a guest, but Waller says Dragon can’t do nothing anyway. Will this duo hope Boy Wonder stays away from this brand?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Kayla Braxton is with the US Champion and says earlier tonight, Santos said this wasn’t just a dream match, but the fight of their lives. What is Rey’s response? Rey says LWO is familia and will always be that. But he knows how hard Santos has worked to get here. Heck, Rey grew up watching Santos’ father, El Fantasma. So Rey has nothing but love and respect for Santos. But be careful what you wish for. Every time Rey steps in the ring, he expects the best of his opponent and brings the best in return. So Santos, like they say, this IS the fight of their lives! May the best man win. Rey seems to feel the same way as Santos, but will either man still feel good after taking a loss?
The Bloodline is beating up Ashante THEE Adonis?!
B-Fab shouts for Jimmy to stop but Jimmy stops when he says he’s stopping! Refs and producers rush in and Jimmy says okay, his bad, he’s done now. Adonis crawls away, but Solo is there! Jimmy says finish this, Solo! UREANGE through the table!! Hit Row suffers the wrath of The Bloodline, but when and where will it stop?
WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Santos Escobar!
SmackDown returns as Zelina is ringside for both men, and Santos makes his entrance. Santos says hola to Dragon before getting in the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds gold for the L W O!
The bell rings and fans fire up as the two tie up. They go around, Santos waistlocks but Rey works on an escape. Santos holds tight, they sit down, and Rey moves around. Rey fights up, jumps, but Santos holds on during the flying mare! Santos shifts to go for an abdominal stretch but Rey fights it to have a toehold. Fans rally and duel, Santos chinlocks but Rey pulls on the leg. Santos uses that to body scissor, and he rolls Rey to a cover, ONE! Rey is still stuck in the scissors but he moves around. Rey claws at the hold, Santos shifts and has the back mount to then roll Rey again. Rey slips free and the two stand off.
Fans cheer as Rey and Santos reset. Santos trips Rey, blocks the headscissor, but Rey gets up. Santos wrenches, wristlocks, but Rey flips through! Santos whips, Rey reverses but Santos reverses again. Rey is on the apron but he RAMS into Santos! Rey slingshots but Santos stops the rana to GAMANGIRI! Rey falls, Santos PLANCHAS! Down goes Rey at the ramp and Zelina is worried for both men as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Santos has Rey in a modified stretch. Rey endures, Santos shifts his grip, but Rey fights free. Santos has a hammerlock to keep Rey close, and Santos wrangles Rey down. Rey fights up, fans rally, and Rey jumps to hit that flying-mare! Fans fire up as Santos speeds things up and runs Rey over! Things keep moving, Rey dodges but Santos DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Rey hangs tough, and Zelina is again torn. She rallies the fans more for the LWO than for either man. Santos waistlocks, Rey switches, but Santos switches back. They go to ropes and Rey bucks the O’Conner.
Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Santos outta the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed, goes up the corner to PLANCHA! Down goes Santos! Fans fire up with Rey and he hears the ring count. Rey drags Santos up, puts him in at 6 of 10, and then climbs the corner. Santos stands, Rey SEATED SENTONS! Rey keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Santos! Both men are down and fans rally up more. But wait, Jimmy and Solo are still wreaking havoc backstage? SAMOAN SPIKE for security! Jimmy says that guy won’t be Cena’s partner, either! Back to the ring, fans rally for “619! 619!” as Rey goes to ropes.
Santos stands, he rushes in to sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to BUZZSAW! Santos is dazed, Rey calls his shot and he drop toeholds Santos onto ropes! Rey dials it up as fans go wild, but Santos SUPERKICKS Rey outta the ring! Santos takes aim, builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Rey! Santos catches his breath while he stands back up, and then he goes up the barriers? To MOONSAULT Rey on the ramp! Zelina is worried again but Santos puts Rey back in the ring. Rey staggers and goes to the far side but Santos takes aim. “This is Awesome!” as Santos spells it out, “L! W! O!”
Santos goes corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Rey wobbles, but Santos puts him back in the corner. Santos goes again, DOUBLE KNEES! Santos hoists Rey up top, climbs up after him, but Rey HEADBUTTS! Rey fires forearms and he knocks Santos down! Santos stands up while Rey steadies himself, but Santos GAMANGIRIS first! Santos climbs up again, goes to the very top, and he whistles for the SUPER STEINER! Zelina couldn’t even watch that, worried for both men. Santos goes to the apron, to SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Santos is a bit surprised as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns yet again and Santos has Rey against ropes. Santos CHOPS, and fans “WOO~!” as Rey staggers. Santos whips, BOOTS, and then brings Rey around. Santos picks Rey up into a GORY ESPECIAL! Rey endures being bent back, and Santos even pulls on the arms! Fans rally, Rey fights against the hold, and pops free to arm-drag! Fans fire up as REy goes to a corner, and Santos runs in, only to be put on the apron! Santos GAMANGIRIS, Rey staggers, and then Santos fires up! Santos climbs, leaps, but Rey dodges and the crossbody flops! Rey lines up a shot, runs and springboards but then Santos dodges!
Rey and Santos are both down after those belly flops, and fans rally as both men rise up. Santos runs in, scoops Rey and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally as Rey staggers up, but into a tilt-o-whirl torture rack! Santos runs around with Rey, then hits a RACK DROP! Cover, TWO!! Zelina is relieved again but Santos is surprised. Rey tells Santos to bring it on, there needs to be a winner. Santos storms up to CHOP! And whip, but Rey KICKS back! Rey runs to RAN- NO, Santos blocks that! Santos swings Rey up but Rey sunset flips! TWO!! Santos escapes and even Zelina is stunned! Fans fire up again, “This is Awesome!”
Rey runs in, Santos puts him on the apron but Rey ROCKS Santos first! Then Rey goes up a corner, brings Santos up to join him, and then adjusts position to fire off hands! Fans fire up as Rey calls the shot, but Santos drags Rey into a fireman’s carry! Rey fights with elbows, then pops up to SUPER RANA!! Fans are thunderous while Santos sits up in a daze! Rey DROPKICKS Santos onto ropes! Dial it up! 6 1 9 BLOCKED! Santos drags Rey into an Alabama Lift! But Rey holds the ropes for dear life! Rey then RANAS Santos back onto ropes, redials, and 619 HITS!!! Rey hurries up top, says hey to Eddie, and hit a FROG- NO!
Santos avoids the splash, CLUBS Rey, covers, TWO into the ghost pin! TWO!!! Both men escape by nanoseconds but Santos fireman’s carries! PHANTOM- TAKEDOWN! Rey has a spladle! REY WINS!!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
And the greatest luchador of all time comes out the champion! Santos is stunned, but Rey offers him a handshake of respect. They are still familiar, aren’t they? WAIT! The Profits attack!! Dawkins & Ford mug Rey & Santos, this must be how they’re proving Lashley wrong! They hit Escobar with a BIG LARIAT! Fans boo but here comes Lashley! The All Mighty says that’s it! That’s what he wanted! But then here comes the rest of the LWO! Lashley CLOBBERS Wilde while Ford & Dawkins mug Cruz! But Dragon Lee wants to get in! Security keeps him back, he’s just here as a guest! So Wilde is fed to the REVELATION!
The fans boo but The All Mighty has his Profits! Will they soon run SmackDown with iron fists?
The LWO regroups.
They’ve all got icepacks in the medical trainer’s room, and Kayla walks in to congratulate Rey on the win. But before the team could celebrate the moment, they got jumped by The Profits. Santos says sorry, excuse him, but the Profits ruined the moment! Rey says they beat the Profits last week, and now Lashley and them act like they run SmackDown! LWO challenges Lashley & The Profits to a match at Fastlane! Let’s see how tough they are when it’s fair and square! What will happen when these factions go to war in Indianapolis?
WWE announces a huge signing!
Former AEW TBS Champion and rising star, JADE CARGILL, is now with WWE! She got 20 MILLION views on a video just for showing up at the Performance Center! Will a storm be coming for the WWE Women’s Division?
John Cena arrives backstage!
He pulls in rather fast and furious, and he storms right into the arena, that tag match contract in his hands! Will Cena find someone Jimmy & Solo haven’t destroyed to sign on the dotted line? Is there even anyone left?
Pretty Deadly has a video message.
“On July 14th, 2023, Elton prince suffered a devastating shoulder injury. Despite all odds, he is on the road to recovery.” It’s another rehab workout montage, but Elton is still in the wheelchair… Elton works on reaching out for hot tags, swinging chairs, ends up rolling downhill during a celebration, and can’t even poke eyes properly. But as he continues to work at it, he has the courage to stand up and tag in Kit! #YESBOY! #EltonStrong.
The Brawling Brutes are watching this.
Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne look at each other, and neither of them can even process this. Dunne feels maybe they should’ve broken Elton’s leg. The idiots. Will Elton & Kit hope they can stay far, far, far away from Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight?
Charlotte Flair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The Queen did what she could to help The Empress of Tomorrow hold off the Evil Genius and her cohorts, but all that got them was a win for Iyo Sky and this rivalry rematch with the Role Model! Will Bayley make an example out of her fellow Horsewoman? Or will Charlotte make Bayley bow down?
SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance, Iyo and Dakota right behind her. But then Charlotte has Bayley hold on so she can get a mic. Charlotte has a question for Bayley: What’s happened to you? Bayley is one of the Four Horsewomen, but now she’s just happy carrying Iyo’s bags. Bayley has become a stepping stone while Charlotte is still the measuring stick. And in the end, it doesn’t matter. Bayley is just in Charlotte’s way. She’ll beat Bayley tonight, and then challenge Iyo for the WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane! Fans fire up for that, and the bell rings. Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte!
Bayley fires off, all riled up after what Charlotte said. DMG CTRL cheers and high-fives Bayley. Bayley CHOPS Charlotte, bumps her off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! Bayley ROCKS Charlotte, lets off, and brings Charlotte around to whip. But Charlotte reverses to send Bayley into the corner, and she CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” and Charlotte CHOPS again! Charlotte whips, Bayley reverses but Charlotte goes up and out to BOOT Bayley down! Iyo swipes at Charlotte, then Bayley BLASTS Charlotte down! Bayley goes out to the apron, to then FLYING ELBOW Charlotte down! DMG CTRL is fired up as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Charlotte is up top, to CROSSBODY Bayley down! Fans fire up with Charlotte as she storms around. Bayley flounders to ropes, stands up, and Charlotte CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And CHOPS her! And then CHOPS again! Fans fire up as Charlotte says one more, then CHOPS Bayley again! Charlotte swings, Bayley dodges but Charlotte scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up and fans fire up again! Charlotte handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Charlotte knows she’s tough. Bayley bails out to the apron, Charlotte storms over, but Bayley HOTSHOTS!
Bayley slides in, waistlocks, but Charlotte bucks the O’Conner, to then trip Bayley! Bayley scrambles, Charlotte steps over to drop a knee on Bayley’s knee! Bayley goes to a corner and Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Bayley staggers, but she BOOTS back! But then Charlotte BOOTS back! Cover, TWO! Charlotte keeps her cool while the fans rally up. Charlotte steps on Bayley and goes to the corner, then goes up the corner, only for Bayley to YANK her down! Bayley puts Charlotte in the ropes, throw hands, then hits a STOCK DROP! Shoutout to another of the Horsewomen! Bayley then SUNSET BOMBS Charlotte into buckles! Bayley drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO!
Bayley tells fans to shut up, don’t cheer for her! Dakota and Iyo cheer her on, though, and Bayley fires forearms on Charlotte! Bayley mocks the “WOO~!” then CHOPS! Bayley CHOPS Charlotte again and again, runs, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, Charlotte wins!!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall
DMG CTRL can’t believe it, but their Role Model lost! The Queen is already wearing yellow ‘n’ block to match Fastlane’s logo, will she take that gold off Iyo? Bayley gets a mic to shout, “Cut the music, you idiots!” Bayley won’t let Charlotte just cut the line! Bayley vowed to end Charlotte, and that’s what DMG CTRL is gonna do! The three surround the ring, but here comes ASUKA! The Empress joins the Queen to run off their common enemies! Asuka gets a mic to shout “OI OI OI OI!” What do you idiots think you’re doing?! She won’t let them do whatever they want! Bayley says okay, they want a Triple Threat for the women’s title?! Then they’ve got it!!
Wait, what? Iyo is confused, but Bayley says this is totally what Asuka said. No, Iyo knows what Asuka said and it wasn’t that! But Bayley says this is so they can teach both Asuka and Charlotte a lesson! Bayley sticks her foot in Iyo’s mouth again, will the Evil Genius have to really work hard on a plan to survive Fastlane?
John Cena heads to the ring!
Sacramento fires up as Cena storms out, saying we’re getting serious tonight! Cena slides into the ring, contract still in hand. Cena also gets a mic, and he tells Sacramento, “I hear ya out there!” Sacramento chants for Cena and so he knows they hear him. And he knows that because last week, he said he was back to compete and that he wanted a match. The Bloodline didn’t take too kindly to that, though. They left Cena knocked out, but they also left him with the contract. This is the contract for a match with them at Fastlane. Yeah, a little lukewarm, because there’s a problem: Cena doesn’t have a partner.
Cena says tonight is very important, because now he has a choice to make. He could rip up the contract and act like this didn’t happen. Fans boo that idea. Or he could stand and fight. The fans like that! So what do you think the man who wears the words “Never Give Up” is gonna make? They cheer the second so he says that’s damn right! He will honor this contract! And if he doesn’t find a partner by Fastlane, then he will fight The Bloodline by himself in a 2v1 Handicap! But speaking of, here comes The Bloodline! Jimmy grins as he has the mic again. “Well, look who finally showed up.”
Cena’s out here talking about Fastlane? Did he not just see what The Bloodline’s been doing all night? They were sending messages! If you team with Cena, you get got by The Bloodline! Fans boo, but Jimmy goes to the apron to tell Cena, “You’re not making it to Fastlane!” But then Cena DECKS Jimmy! Solo stares Cena down, fans fire up, and Solo gets in the ring! Cena throws off the shirt because it is go time! Solo swings, misses, and Cena fireman’s carries, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS him! Flashbacks to last week, HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Solo adds a HIP ATTACK in the corner! Then Jimmy whips Solo in for another HIP ATTACK!
Fans boo as Cena flops out of the ring. The Bloodline clears off the announce desk! They put Cena on it, and Jimmy raises the one. Jimmy goes up the steps but Solo stops him. Solo wants this one! Jimmy grins and nods and lets Solo climb. But L A KNIGHT is here!! Fans are thunderous as the Mega Star storms down, slides in, and he dodges Jimmy to BLAST Solo! And then he BLASTS Jimmy! Knight stomps a mudhole into Jimmy but Solo stops him! So Knight fires off haymakers! Solo TOSSES Knight, but misses the splash! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Jimmy is up, Knight scoops to POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up, and they spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BIG elbow drop for Jimmy! Cena is back and he TOSSES Solo! Knight TOSSES Jimmy! Mega Star and Greatest of All Time look to each other, and Knight picks up the contract! Fans are electric as Knight signs his name! Cena can’t believe it, either! He has a tag partner for Fastlane? YEAH!! Will Cena and Knight show The Bloodline whose game is it? With EVERYBODY saying… L A KNIGHT, YEAH!!
My Thoughts:
An awesome episode of SmackDown, especially with how fired up the Sacramento crowd was for everything. Great stuff with Bloodline and such, taking logical yet still exciting turns. Karl Anderson going after The Bloodline was good, because as much as Karl didn’t want Styles getting involved, but he also wasn’t going to let The Bloodline get away with this. Though, Karl didn’t really accomplish much as he got cheated in that match. That slap from Mia was great, though. Then Jimmy & Solo going on a rampage backstage was a great way to show how Jimmy is drunk with power all because he thinks Roman will have his back. Roman most certainly won’t now that Jimmy’s actions have brought LA Knight into the story. Great save from Knight, and he will make a great team with Cena.
Great “main event” match from Charlotte VS Bayley, and that black ‘n’ yellow gear is pretty cool stuff from Charlotte. DMG CTRL of course tries to help Bayley but that backfires. And then I actually like that we’re going back to Bayley talking big and putting Iyo on the spot. The Triple Threat title match is going to be great, and is actually some mad genius thinking from Bayley. DMG CTRL can now legally interfere to make sure Iyo wins against Charlotte and Asuka, but I feel like this can also bring in Shotzi or even Bianca to counteract DMG CTRL. Either way, it’ll be some great stuff to really up things in the SmackDown Women’s Division.
Hilarious vignette from Pretty Deadly, and good response from Brawling Brutes. That feud will definitely start up again after Fastlane and give us a SmackDown contender for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Really good stuff out of the Grayson Waller Effect with Lashley putting the pressure on the Profits. Almost thought they were gonna jump Theory since Lashley doesn’t like Theory, but I guess that would make this faction Faces since Theory is Heel. It was nice to see Grimes back, though he does lose to Theory. Dragon Lee being here tonight makes me think he is called up to SmackDown after he screws Dominik Mysterio out of the North American title tomorrow night.
And after just an awesome US Championship match, the Profits instead go after the LWO, a logical move given the back and forth between the factions. LWO wants a Six Man Tag, but does that mean it’ll be Santos, Cruz & Wilde? Or is Rey going to take one of the spots? Either way it’ll be a good time but it feels like the All Mighty Profits are going to take that one to build their momentum towards their own title goals. Lashley VS Rey for the US Championship with Santos helping feels like the move. Maybe there’s tension created as Santos costs Rey, or as Rey says Santos can’t be bending rules just to win. It just feels like something’s going to/has to change in the group dynamic.
My Score: 8.9/10
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