Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/2/23)
What’s next for NXT?
It’s a golden curtain call for two teams!
The WWE Draft sent Fyre & Dawn to SmackDown, and Carter & Chance to Raw! Who will be the women’s tag team champions on their last night in NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee w/ Tyler Bate VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey; Wes wins and retains the title.
- Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne; Jacy wins.
- Axiom VS SCRYPTS; Axiom wins.
- Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
- High Stakes Showdown: Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism; Gacy wins and The Dyad will challenge Gallus for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
- Dani Palmer VS Tatum Paxley; Dani wins.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Katana Chance & Kayden Carter; Fyre & Dawn win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT superstars were taken in the 2023 WWE Draft!
Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, Apollo Crews, Zoey Stark, JD McDonagh, Pretty Deadly, Katana Chance & Kayden Carter, Odyssey Jones, Jinder Mahal & Indus Sher, Grayson Waller, then Von Wagner and Xyon Quinn as free agents, here’s to their futures on Raw and SmackDown!
NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee w/ Tyler Bate VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey!
The Cardiac Kid survived the technical savagery of Charlie Dempsey, but now he’s taking on the Philly Stretcher! The Big Strong Boi is watching his back, will this title stay on the #WesSide? Or will Gulak still find a way to grind Wes into dust?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just how styles make fights!
The bell rings and the two rush in! Wes SHOTGUNS Gulak, then fires off fast hands! Gulak bails out but Wes builds speed, only for Dempsey to get in the way! Fans boo, but Gulak sneaks in to roll Wes up! TWO, but Gulak throws body shots! Gulak gut wrenches Wes up but Wes RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Gulak escapes in time and headlocks. Wes powers out, drops and hurdles, but Gulak gets him for a sunset flip! TWO!! Incredibly close but Wes body shots, KICKS and KICKS! Then DOUBLE STOMPS! Fans fire up for Wes and he watches Gulak sit up. Wes drags Gulak up with a facelock and whips him to a corner.
Wes runs Around the World but blocks a boot! Wes ROCKS Gulak, then puts him up top. Fans chant “Which Side?” “WES SIDE!” Wes climbs up, throws hands, but Gulak blocks the superplex! Wes goes up even higher, but Gulak uses that to counter! Wes fights the Super Gourd Buster, but Gulak SHOVES him away! Wes backflips through, but Gulak FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Another close call and fans fire up! Gulak grows frustrated but he grits his teeth and glares at Wes. Gulak stomps Wes at the ropes as fans rally up. Gulak ties up the legs, Wes throws hands, but Gulak gets those wrists to STOMP! Cover, TWO!
Gulak glares at Bate, talks some trash, but fans boo. Gulak clamps onto Wes’s arms and gets the chinbar! Wes endures this stretch and fans rally up. Wes fights up, throws elbows into Gulak’s legs, but Gulak spins Wes around to ROCK him! Wes trades shots, ROCKS Gulak, but Gulak ROCKS Wes! They go back and forth, Gulak gets the edge, but Wes ROCKS him again! And again! Wes fires off body shots and palm strikes! And kicks, and then a snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up again as Wes watches from a corner. Gulak goes to the opposite corner, Wes runs in to UPPERCUT!
Wes ENZIGURIS, then he waistlocks. Gulak holds ropes to stop the German Suplex so Wes CLUBS him! Wes tries but Gulak bucks him! Gulak bails out and tells Dempsey it’s okay, he’s got this. But Wes DIVES and takes Gulak out at the ramp! Fans fire up, Wes puts Gulak back in, and then hurries in. But Dempsey drags Wes back out! Fans boo, but Bate runs in to CLOBBER Dempsey! Fans fire up, but Gulak gets Wes’s hair! Wes says SHORYUKEN! Wes then flips up and in and CARDIAC KICK! Cover, Wes wins!!
Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Bate slides in to celebrate with Wes! That title does stay on the Wes Side, but uh, is the Big Strong Boi looking at a golden goal?
Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn speak.
The Fire Keeper says, “The future is difficult to predict. That’s why we allow the spirits to navigate us. And now, our imminent direction is towards Friday Night SmackDown.” The Wicked Witch says tonight is their final night on NXT, but one last “unholy séance” to commence. Fyre tells Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, “you’ve been the staples of this tag team division, the torch bearers, for so long. But tonight, we extinguish your final flame.” And Dawn says, “We are taking our tag team titles with us to SmackDown, and in doing so, we will set the fate for not just SmackDown, but all three brands.”
Tonight, Fyre & Dawn leave the hallowed grounds were they first came together as one. They leave NXT not in the light, but in darkness. Will these enchantresses cast one last spell on the NXT Universe?
Trick Williams is in the ring.
Trick says let’s get right to business. Everyone saw what happened last week with Bron Breakker. Trick won’t lie, he put Melo int he hospital! Melo is still banged up tonight! But we all know that Melo is a fighter! And Trick’s known since day one. He doesn’t mean day one in NXT, he means day one in high school! That’s right! Trick Melo Gang went to the same school, WJ Kenan High! Trick transferred in, checked out the ladies, but also checked out for who he could hang with, who he could roll with, and who he could get buckets with!
And as the saying goes, game recognizes game. He was sitting at the lunch table, “them nasty ass sloppy joes weren’t the only things being created.” Trick Melo Gang was also being created! That’s why Melo is Trick’s brother, and no one is closer with each other! They always gonna be here! Fans cheer that. Trick says last week, he took the Spear for Melo as a knee jerk reaction. It just happened like that. And he’d do it again if he needs to. In other words, Trick & Melo is like Shaq & Kobe. Melo don’t miss, but when he does, Trick got the rebound. That’s why at Battleground-
Wait! Here comes Bron! Bron tells Trick, “I guess we know who the tough guy is in Trick Melo Gang.” Bron speared Trick and put him in the Recliner, but Trick’s still here. And Bron speared Melo through the wall and put him in the hospital. So guess Battleground will be a lot easier than he thought. Trick says Bron is accepted the challenge then? Bron says the last thing he wants to ever do is represent “these stupid ass people ever again!!” Fans boo because the feeling is mutual. They even start a “Bron Breakker Sucks~!” chant.
But Bron says two things: one, he doesn’t like the idea of Melo being champion; two, Bron has the unique opportunity of humiliating Melo in his hometown in front of his fans, friends and family. That is what gets Bron’s attention. So relay this message for him, would ya, Trick? Bron pats Trick’s shoulder, but Trick tells him not to leave just yet. Melo’s surely watching right now. Last week, Bron blindsided Melo, but he also blindsided Trick. Trick says to handle this like men. Bron smirks as Trick eggs him on. There’s only one man in this ring right now. Bron already put Melo in the hospital. He’d hate to do the same to the mouthpiece.
Oh, Bron ain’t about to fight no mouthpiece! Melo doesn’t need a mouthpiece. And Trick has both the gift o’ the gab AND the gift o’ the jab! Bron just mad the fans never loved him like they do Trick Melo Gang. Matter of fact, Bron can get on out of here, talk all the trash he wants, and Trick will smack that spray tan off him until he’s black ‘n’ blue. Bron smirks, and says if Trick wants to do this right now, guess what? It doesn’t matter what Trick wants! Nor does it matter waht the fans want! Bron is calling the shots. So here’s what happens: Bron VS Trick next week, as a “preview” of NXT Battleground. Bron will break Trick in half!
Will Melo return to a battered and broken best friend? Or will his best friend get even for him before Battleground?
Backstage interview with JD McDonagh.
McKenzie is with the Irish Ace and congratulates him on being drafted to Monday Night Raw. She says tonight is his last NXT match and it is against Dragon Lee. JD says he has waited 21 YEARS to become #MondayNightMcDonagh. That means that he has a two-decade sized chip on his shoulder that he’s bringing to Raw. So you better believe all those heavy hitters- Noam Dar walks in with his Heritage Cup to say that it is so great to see JD again. Congrats! But hey, Noam needs a favor. For old time’s sake, in his match with Dragon, could JD uh… pop a knee cap? Rip a ligament? Make sure Dragon doesn’t walk out so he can’t go after Noam’s Heritage Cup. Deal?
JD says that as slimy, sneaky and slithering as Noam is, JD knows all he cares about is that Heritage Cup. It’s why Noam never gave JD a shot at it. So JD has some advice: stay away from him. If you don’t, if you piss him off, JD will just take that cup with him to Raw. So much for the deal between old “friends.” But will JD still do damage to Dragon as his way of saying good-bye to NXT?
Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne!
After beating the Toxic Traitor 1v1, the Toxic Avenger thought her path to the top was clear. Jacy made Gigi regret that and screwed her over at Stand & Deliver. Jacy then doubled-down by dragging Gigi’s little brother into this, and now Gigi’s little brother is here to watch his sister in action! Will Gigi finally break this toxic cycle? Or will Jacy make sure there’s no happy ending?
NXT returns and Jacy makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two trash. Then Jacy kicks! Gigi blocks but Jacy dodges, only for Gigi to dodge and fire off forearms! Gigi whips, Jacy reverses and hits low! Jacy whips but Gigi reverses to send Jacy right out! Fans rally and Gigi goes to the apron, but Jacy blocks her kick! Jacy trips Gigi and she smacks off the apron! Jacy goes up then CANNONBALLS Gigi to the floor! Jacy talks trash right to Gigi’s brother, Miles, and then goes back to Gigi. Jacy puts Gigi in the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Jacy CLUBS Gigi, fans rally up, but Jacy CLUBS her again!
Jacy talks more trash to Miles, then wrenches to WRING Gigi’s arm! Then she SENTONS, and KICKS Gigi, then MULE KICKS! Cover, TWO! Jacy says this is what Gigi wanted, and she fireman’s carries. Gigi fights free, half nelsons, but Jacy fights free to SUPERKICK! Gigi staggers, but she SUPERKICKS right back! Gigi grits her teeth and fans fire up with her! Gigi runs, dodges, ROUNDHOUSES, then ROUNDHOUSES again! Gigi wrenches and ROUNDHOUSES, to then STO! Cover, TWO! Jacy stays in this and crawls to a corner. Gigi storms over, drags her up in a waistlock, but Jacy holds ropes!
The ref reprimands, Jacy throws elbows! Gigi staggers, but she dodges to CLOBBER Jacy from behind! Jacy bails out, Gigi pursues and she RAMS Jacy into the barriers! Miles cheers his sister on and Gigi SMACKS Jacy off the steel steps! And fires off Kawada Kicks! Gigi high-fives her brother, then drags Jacy up again. Gigi puts Jacy in the ring at 6 of 10, but Jacy goes to the apron. Jacy is busted open! Gigi drags her up, but Jacy YANKS her into the post! Gigi clutches her bad arm! Gigi stands, into the CYCLONE KICK!! Cover, Jacy wins!
Winner: Jacy Jayne, by pinfall
Jacy grins through her crimson mask, and then she PUNTS Gigi in the side! Fans boo as Jacy goes out after Gigi and RAMS her into steel steps! And then again! Jacy sits Gigi against the barriers, SLAPS her around, and shouts at Miles if this is what they wanted for their lives. Refs stop Jacy and she leaves, “It’s always been about me! I’m the star, not your loser sister!” Will nothing stop this Toxic Grudge?
Axiom VS SCRYPTS!
This is almost a superhero comic or movie come to life, but the Undeniable Truth sees the wicked wordsmith as anything but his “archnemesis.” Will Scrypts show Axiom they are like Batman and The Joker? Or will Axiom show Scrypts he’s just a joker?
As soon as Axiom is in the ring, Scrypts slides out from the shadows! Axiom dodges the leg sweep but not the DROPKICK! Axiom scrambles up, the bell rings, and Scrypts fires off on Axiom! Scrypts CHOPS, whips, but Axiom reverses and dodges to springboard and arm-drag and DROPKICK! Cover, ONE! Axiom waistlocks, Scrypts bucks him but Axiom comes back with a kip up! NORTHERN LIRHGTS, into the ARMBAR! Scrypts scrambles and gets the ROPEBREAK! Axiom lets go and Scrypts goes out, but Axiom BOOTS him from the apron! But Scrypts YANKS Axiom off the apron!
Axiom staggers away, Scrypts gets space, to run and leap off the desk for a PARKOUR ATTACK! Direct hit and down goes Axiom! Scrypts puts Axiom in the ring, then covers, TWO! Fans still lose their minds over that flipping attack, and Scrypts ROCKS Axiom with a forearm. And then CLUBS him! Scrypts whips but only gets a glancing blow on Axiom. Scrypts kicks Axiom around, whips him to ropes again, but Axiom slides around to get a SLEEPER! Scrypts flails, pries at an arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Scrypts then elbows Axiom, goes up a corner, but Axiom follows right after! SLEEPER!
Scrypts fires off elbows and Axiom falls back. Scrypts adjusts to QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!! Axiom survives and Scrypts grows frustrated. Scrypts looms over Axiom, kicks him around, and eggs him on. Scrypts says Axiom is weak and pathetic! Scrypts pie faces, but Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat! Axiom whips, DROPKICKS, and roars! Fans fire up and Axiom GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Then HALF HATCH SUPLEXES! Fans fire up again as Axiom goes up a corner. Scrypts stands, Axiom leaps, but Scrypts DROPKICKS first! Scrypts wants Axiom to get up, and he aims from a corner.
Scrypts runs in, but Axiom blocks his copycat dropkick! Axiom flips Scrypts for a V-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!! Scrypts survives but Axiom takes aim now! Scrypts crawls to a corner, Axiom runs in, but Scrypts gets under the ratio! CORKSCREW CROSSBODY! Scrypts then hurries up top, writes in the air and flips, into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up and Axiom takes aim again! Scrypts stands, into the GOLDEN RATIO!! Cover, Axiom wins!
Winner: Axiom, by pinfall
Scrypts tried to write Axiom off as a fraud, but he just felt the real deal! But then Axiom surprises everyone by offering Scrypts a hand up. Scrypts accepts it, but he sucker punches Axiom! So Axiom ROCKS Scrypts! And YANKS the mask off! It’s REGGIE! And Axiom SUPERKICKS him down!! Talk about being exposed! Is this the end of Scrypts’ story?
Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley talk at the bar.
Mostly about the weather, like the big tornadoes going on. Brooks Jensen walks in and Briggs asks how he’s holding up. Jensen’s fine. He just wants to apologize- Fallon says they already went over this. Jensen doesn’t need to apologize, they’re all good. Things were said, punches were thrown, but at the end of the day, they’re family! Well, if Jensen can’t say sorry, he’ll say thanks. Thanks for not dropping him like a hot brick. Well, Briggs thanks Jensen for taking his damn head off with that lariat! That reminded Briggs how hard Jensen can go. Heck, Briggs is the one with hands of stone! Fallon’s just glad to have things the way they were.
Jensen says that does feel good. But uh, seeing Fallon looking at the bills, Jensen did learn some things from Kiana. He can tell them all those stories later. The bar is PG. No, no, no! The business stuff! Oh, yeah, that “power dressing” stuff? Well, he looks much better right now. No, guys! The land this bar is on is worth a lot, so maybe the Henleys can get an investor to help, or just sell a piece they’re not using. All that profit can set them up for life, do whatever they want, and still have cash left over. Well, okay, smartie pants! But then a couple girls ask Jensen if he wants to get some drinks.
Jensen appreciates the offer, but he’s getting caught up with his friends. Maybe another time. Have a good night. Wow, little Jensen really has grown up. Cheers!
Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh!
The Wonder Boy is just getting started, and the Irish Ace is on his way out. Will Dragon have the honor of sending JD off to Raw? Or will JD be the one on top on his last night in NXT?
NXT returns and JD makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Dragon offers a handshake but JD kicks it away! Dragon shrugs that off to circle with JD. They tie up, Dragon headlocks but JD powers out, only for Dragon to run him over! Cover, ONE, but Dragon wrenches to a wristlock. JD spins, fireman’s carry takeovers, but Dragon wrangles JD with the wristlock! Dragon wrenches, JD spins and pulls on the mask. JD arm-drags but Dragon still has the wristlock! JD rolls, pulls the mask again, and MONKEY FLIPS! Dragon still has the wristlock! Fans rally, JD fights up, and JD pulls the mask again!
Fans boo but JD has Dragon in the mask. The ref counts, but JD throws a body shot, then a CHOP! JD brings Dragon out, headlocks and grinds, but Dragon powers up and out. JD runs Dragon over, things speed up, but Dragon hurdles to then MONKEY FLIP! JD staggers up, into a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! JD flounders but Dragon kicks him around. Dragon brings JD up to whip him to a corner. Dragon runs in to JUMP KICJK, leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up and Dragon rains down forearms on JD! Dragon lets off to go corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Fans fire up even more!
Dragon keeps going, he HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS again! Fans say “UNO MAS!” but wait, Dar has snuck out to ringside. Dragon is distracted for just a second, and JD SHOTGUNS Dragon down! Fans boo but JD drags Dragon up. JD puts Dragon in the Tree of Woe, then rains down fists. The ref reprimands but JD backs off. JD goes corner to corner but Dragon sits up! JD posts himself right on his necessary evil! Dragon gets free of the Tree, rallies on JD with big elbows, then whips him to a corner. JD bounces off buckles, into a back drop! And then into an atomic drop! Dragon runs to clothesline JD out of the ring!
JD falls at Dar’s feet, and the ref has Dar back up. The fans fire up with Dragon Lee as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragon stares at Dar but Dar stays back as he cheers JD on. Dragon fetches JD and whips him into the apron! Dragon puts JD in, storms up on him, and brings JD up to underhook. TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD hangs tough but Dragon drags him back up. Dragon whips JD hard into a corner, then storms up to rain down fists! Dragon goes all the way to TEN, but JD pushes him away! Dragon returns, JD dodges and then trips Dragon from the apron, for the TORNILLO SPLASH! Both men are down and fans rally up. JD sits up first, he brings Dragon up, and CHOPS him right back down!
JD stands Dragon up again, to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Dragon writhes while JD catches his breath. JD runs to drop AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! JD huffs and puffs but he drags Dragon up with a facelock. JD snap suplexes, covers, TWO! JD is annoyed by that, and Dar signals for him to break something. JD KNEES Dragon in the side, then wraps on a body scissor squeeze! Dragon endures, fans rally, but JD pulls on the mask! Dragon throws elbows but so does JD. JD keeps up the squeeze, rolls to a cover, TWO! JD still keeps Dragon down while NXT returns to single picture.
Dragon throws elbows, fans rally up again, but JD just puts on more pressure. Dar talks to the cup that they don’t have to worry, JD will put Dragon down. But Dragon throws elbows on JD! JD lets Dragon go and fans rally up. JD CLUBS Dragon right down! JD drags Dragon up to hoist to the top rope. JD CLUBS Dragon more, climbs up again, and he pulls at the mask strings! Fans boo and the ref reprimands! Dragon throws elbows but JD CLUBS away on him! JD pulls at the strings but Dragon elbows JD down! Dragon adjusts, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up for Dragon as he and JD flounder.
Dragon goes to the corner, JD storms up but Dragon counter punches him! And again, and again! Dragon whips, JD reverses but Dragon RANAS! JD bails out and Dragon builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit with the tope conjilo! Fans fire up again as Dragon puts JD in the ring. Dragon climbs up top, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! JD survives Dragon’s Coup De Grace and he crawls to the apron. Fans rally as Dragon follows JD out there. Dragon drags JD up, but JD CHOPS! Dragon CHOPS! JD CHOPS! Dragon CHOPS! JD shoves, Dragon V-TRIGGERS! JD flops and Dragon drags him back up!
But JD fireman’s carries! APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Both men fall to the floor and fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” A ring count starts and both men are down at 5 of 10. Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” and both men stand at 7. JD RAMS Dragon into the desk at 8! JD slides in the ring. but Dragon slides in at 9.99!! JD can’t believe it and the fans are loving it! JD drags Dragon up for Kawada Kicks! And then a CHOP! Dragon roars and BOOTS JD! Dragon eggs JD on, JD ROCKS Dragon! JD runs in, but into a SNAP GERMAN! V-TRIGGER! POISON-RANA!! Dragon keeps moving, but JD LARIATS him inside out!!
Fans are thunderous again but Dar says that was just so-so. JD drags Dragon for more Kawada Kicks and another CHOP! Dragon ROCKS JD! Fans say “This is Awesome!” as the forearms go back and forth. Dragon gets the edge, JD gives more Kawada Kicks! And a SLAP! And then a POWER- NO, Dragon slips out to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! JD survives and now Dar can’t believe it! Dragon goes to the apron, then the corner. Dragon climbs up, JD slowly rises, and JD hits ropes to trip Dragon up! Fans boo but JD goes up after Dragon. JD drags Dragon up top, but Dragon trips JD!
Dragon throws forearms on JD, JD is in the Tree of Woe now! Dragon stands up, but JD sits up! JD HEADBUTTS Dragon again and again! JD stands up, brings Dragon with him, SUPER SPANISH FLY!!! JD roars and fans are thunderous! Suplex, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Dragon survives and no one can believe it! JD gets Dragon’s arm, DEVLINS- DESTROYER!!! Dragon turns it around, but JD flops out of the ring! Dragon pursues, fans again hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” Dragon puts JD in, but Dar takes a swing! Dragon dodges it to SUPERKICK Dar! Dragon goes back to JD, but gets a HEADBUTT!!
Ripcord, DEVLINSIDE!!! Cover, JD WINS!
Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall
The Scottish Supernova helped the Irish Ace come away the victor in this instant classic farewell match! Will JD have the hot hand when he debuts on Raw next week? But then Dragon gets up and DIVES onto Dar! Fans fire up again as Dragon fires hands with Dar all the way to the back! Will the Wonder Boy get after Mr. Supernova 11’s cup anyway?
KC Squared talk backstage.
Katana Chance tells Kayden Carter that technically, a Raw tag team is facing a SmackDown tag team for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships! This has never happened before, and that is wild! Kayden agrees, and says that Fyre & Dawn can try to use their magic 8 ball to conjure up whatever ghosts they want, but we know what’s really gonna happen: Fyre & Dawn are NOT bringing those titles to SmackDown. And how long have those two even been a team? Four months? But how long have these two been a team? Four YEARS. Hell, it’s like Four-EVER! And they have the most successful title defenses, AND the longest reign in history! They’ve got this!
Kayden says, “At the end of the day, this is where it started, this is where we became best friends, and if this is our last night in NXT, we’re going out as tag team champions.” Katana says there’s no other way. And y’know what this feels like? A hug moment. No. No! Katana hugs Kayden anyway. Will these best friends be champions in the end? Or will their NXT run simply end?
The Schism watches Joe Coffey.
Specifically, they watch his workout routine video he posted. Joe Gacy says, “Mr. Coffey is impressive. Friends, tonight, I will give my own body for the Schism. I will endure pain and punishment for our collective good.” Jagger Reed says Gacy’s sacrifice will not be in vain. Rip Fowler says if Gacy does them this honor, The Dyad will dethrone Mark Coffey & Wolfgang to claim tag title gold for The Schism. #FourRootsOneTree. They head out, but Ava Raine says that Gacy can do this for The Dyad, and then do something for himself. Gacy smiles, but will he be the one to knock the Iron King off his throne?
NXT Anonymous reviews the string of ambush attacks.
First Nikkita Lyons, then Wendy Choo, and now Sol Ruca, and still no leads on who it is. Will we ever find out whodunnit?
High Stakes Showdown: Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism!
In a battle of Joes, only the strongest can stand tall! But will Coffey cross off Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed as tag title contenders for the rest of Gallus’ reign? Or will the Schism Boys be on top?
The bell rings and the Joes tie up. They go around, break, and tie up again. Coffey puts Gacy in a corner, fires off hands, but Gacy dodges to fire off clothesline after clothesline! Coffey turns it around for k nee after knee, then some mule kicks! Gacy grabs that foot, stands up, but Coffey breaks free and ROCKS Gacy! Coffey runs to CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE!! Gacy gets up, blocks a kick, trips Coffey and KNEES him down! Gacy then waistlocks, but Coffey fights with elbows. Gacy ripcord SLAMS Coffey, then SENTONS but onto knees! Coffey saves himself, then runs in, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!
Gacy clamps onto Coffey with a chinbar, and we see The Diamond Mine watching backstage. Coffey fights up, arm-drags free, but Gacy returns to whip. Coffey goes up and around in the corner to UPPERCUT! Gacy gets up, but Coffey fires boxing elbows! Coffey whips, Gacy reverses but Coffey dodges to CLOBBER Gacy! And then clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Gacy is hanging tough but Coffey keeps on him. Gacy blocks the whip, ROCKS Coffey, then back suplexes! Cover, TWO! Now Coffey is hanging tough and fans rally up. Gacy runs in at the corner but into a HAYMAKER!
Coffey goes out and climbs up, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders away, The Schism panics, but Gacy stands up into the GLASGOW SENDOFF! Gacy hits buckles, staggers, and into ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Cover, Rip helps Gacy get the ROPEBREAK! The ref didn’t see that but Gallus did! Markus & Wolfie chase The Dyad around the ring, then they start brawling! This distracts the ring, Jagger ends up in the ring, and he gets ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS! Ava jumps in as the ref reprimands Jagger, and she stares Coffey down. Ava then claims Coffey hit her!! The ref asks what happened, but Gacy hits the UPSIDE-DOWN!!! Cover, Gacy wins!!!
Winner: Joe Gacy, by pinfall (The Dyad have an NXT Tag Team Championship match)
The Diamond Mine shake their heads, they figured Ava would get involved. And Ivy’s sick of it! Will the Diamond Pitbull do something about that particular root? As for Rip & Jagger, will they bring those NXT Tag Team Championships to sit under The Schism’s tree?
Dani Palmer video chats with Sol Ruca.
The Sol Surfer says Dynamic Dani looks incredible! Dani thanks her for designing the new gear. And tonight, Dani dedicates this one to Sol. Also, she’s just casually doing the splits between boxes. Hank & Tank come in and pump Dani up! She’s so ready! Go get it, girl! Dani heads out, Tank & Hank say this is what she’s been training for. She’ll nail it. And then they look up to see “Big Oba.” They ask if he’s gonna watch Dani’s NXT debut. Obi doesn’t say a word, he just heads off. Will Dani be ready to finally level up?
NXT Media catches up with Eddy Thorpe.
He’s all done with training for the day, but he’d be in here all day if he could. What’s he been working on? A lot of side-to-side lateral movement. The title scene’s got a lot of fast moving athletes, but then Damon Kemp walks over. He has some trash, can Eddy throw it away for him? Um, sorry, he’s supposed to clean up after Damon? Yeah, Eddy’s the new guy, duh. Don’t get hot. Didn’t Eddy say he used to sleep on gym floors? Damon just thought he’d make him feel at home. Eddy says that’s not the funniest joke. Yeah, true, the funniest joke is Eddy thinking he can hang with Damon in the ring.
Well then let’s take that bet! Oh, “Young Boy,” Damon said he liked you, but don’t make him put an end to the hype train before it really takes off. Eddy frowns but will the Alpha Wolf get his chance to face the Golden Gopher soon enough?
Dani Palmer VS Tatum Paxley!
The dynamic collides with the dangerous as two young and hungry superstars meet in a first-time-ever showdown! Will Dani be just a hop, skip and a jump away from title contention? Or will Tatum take the spotlight away for herself?
The bell rings and Tatum rushes right in! They tie up, Tatum puts Dani in a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Tatum TOSSES Dani, but Dani handsprings through! Tatum rushes in, Dani dodges to a waistlock, but Tatum switches. Dani trips Tatum, has the leg, turns Tatum over, and ties those legs up in a deathlock toehold! But Tatum drags Dani off the hold to get a hammerlock. Dani rolls, kips up, and wrenches. Tatum wrenches and wristlocks but fans rally for Dani. Dani rolls, flips and wrenches to a headlock. Tatum powers out, throws a body shot, and whips Dani to a corner.
Dani goes up and over, handsprings, goes up and RANAS! Then she DROPKICKS Tatum down! Dani kips and jackknifes, TWO! But Dani headlocks right away! Tatum fights around, Dani avoids the headscissors, and the two move around. They stand, Tatum powers out and she avoids Dani’s up ‘n’ over to CLUB her! Dani ends up in the corner, Tatum storms up and stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Tatum lets off and she brings Dani up. Tatum gut wrench SUPLEXES, then laughs as she covers, TWO! Dani hangs tough but Tatum drags her up. Dani shoves Tatum, Tatum shoves Dani, and Tatum CHOPS!
Tatum throws Dani down by her hair to STANDING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tatum clamps onto Dani with a chinlock and thrashes her around! Fans rally up as Dani endures, and Dani reaches out. Tatum bends Dani back with the chinlock but Dani fights to her feet. Tatum reels her into a COBRA TWIST! Dani endures, pops free, switches and puts Tatum in the COBRA TWIST! Tatum switches, Dani drops and KANGAROO KICKS! Dani avoids the splash! Dani then runs in, ducks ‘n’ dodges, BIG ELBOW! And then another! Dani keeps moving, Tatum blocks a kick but Dani breaks free to DOUBLE KNEE! NECKBREAKER!
Dani runs in, Tatum dodges, O’Conner, but Dani slips out to shove Tatum! Tilt-o-whirl REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up with Dani and she goes up the corner! Tatum is down, for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Dani wins!
Winner: Dani Palmer, by pinfall
Dynamic indeed! She stuck the landing and has a big win, will Dani dive headlong into the title scene?
Class is in session at Chase University.
Well, it would be, but Thea Hail asks where Professor Andre Chase is! He’s never late! Never! Oh, wait, everyone is seeing something on social media. Duke Hudson asks what it is, and Thea says Mr. Chase cancelled class for today. He’s not feeling well after his match with “the man who shall not be named,” Bron Breakker. What should they do? Bake him cookies? Get him flowers? Book him a session with Dr. Tom? Thea is worried, but Duke knows exactly what to do! Duke gets up and calms everyone down. There is no reason they should fall behind in the curriculum over the “tragedy” of Mr. Chase losing to Bron.
So, even though Duke is not prepared, he brings out a HUGE binder with the words “Duke University Curriculum 2023-2024” and takes over for today. They will learn about… the WWE Draft! The first ever draft was 2002. But then someone has a question. Is there no pop quiz today? What did he just say? No pop quiz…? Duke looks this guy in the face, and tells him to hold up that test paper. In fact, everyone hold up your test papers! They all obey, and Duke says RIP IT UP! They rip it up! NO MORE POP QUIZZES~! YEAH!! They all cheer Duke on. Duke University. Has a nice ring to it. But will Chase like the sound of it when he gets back?
Robert Stone looks up the Beverly Brothers.
As Von Wagner said himself, Von Wagner’s father was part of this tag team. Von sits with Stone to look through the album. Yeah, that’s the Beverly Brothers at SummerSlam ’92, Wembley Stadium, against the Natural Disasters. Stone will say this, that crowd was great. Yeah, and it was for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Was Von upset when they lost? Stone, Von wasn’t even born yet. Fair enough. But sure, Von’s dad may never have been champion, but he had some injuries and stuff. Von vows he will be a champion. Wait, is this little on? No, no, that’s nothing. Von doesn’t wanna talk about that.
Stone wants Von to realize, he got drafted as a Free Agent! He can called to Raw or SmackDown at any time, so Von has to be more open with him. What IS that picture? Von says he doesn’t have to talk about anything. This is enough for tonight. But Stone opens the album back up and looks at the pick of Von with what appears to be a surgical scar on his head. What happened in Von’s past?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Katana Chance & Kayden Carter!
One way or another, both teams are moving on to the main roster. But this is about both who takes these belts with them to the big leagues, but also about pride as a team. Will the Unholy Alliance continue to shine all the way to Friday Night SmackDown? Or will KC Squared make these titles Raw?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who takes a bow for this curtain call!
The teams talk a little trash, sort out, but then Fyre & Dawn just attack! They CLUB KC Squared down, throw them out, and then go out after them! Dawn keeps after Carter while Fyre brawls with Katana. Carter ROCKS Down, dodges Fyre, and then gives Katana a boost for a DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans fire up with KC Squared and they get Fyre in the ring. The bell rings, but Fyre back drops! Katana sunset flips through, TWO! Fyre kicks low, brings Katana up and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Dawn and she stomps away! Dawn taunts Kayden but Katana ROCKS her! Katana slides under, ENZIGURIS, and tags Kayden!
Kayden kicks and throws Dawn out! Fyre runs in but Kayden kicks and throws her out, too! Kayden goes to the apron, SUPERKICKS Dawn then CROSSBODIES Fyre! Katana PLANCHAS Dawn and fans fire up! The party is rocking as NXT goes picture in picture.
Katana & Kayden fetch Dawn into the ring, then Katana SMACKS Fyre off the apron for good measure. Kayden covers Dawn, TWO! Dawn CLUBS Kayden, drags her over, and Fyre tags in. Kayden whips Dawn away but Dawn runs her over! Things keep moving, Fyre trips Kayden and Dawn taunts her. Fyre then spins Kayden into a BIG forearm! Fyre stalks Kayden, and drops a big knee! Cover, TWO! Fyre snarls, stomps Kayden, then bumps her off buckles. Tag to Dawn and they dig boots in. Dawn RAMS into Kayden, brings her out and snap suplexes! Float to a cover, TWO! Dawn throws Kayden down!
Tag to Fyre, she and Dawn handoff, then feed to the TARANTULA! The ref counts, Dawn lets go at 4 and Fyre covers, TWO! Fyre is frustrated but she clamps on a chinlock. Fyre squeezes Kayden, leans on the hold, but Kayden endures. Kayden fights to her feet, but Fyre wrangles her right back down! Fyre grinds Kayden into the mat, thrashes her around, but Kayden fights up again to arm-drag free! NXT returns to single picture as Kayden avoids the knee! Fyre hobbles, Kayden elbows her away! Fyre comes back, but only gets buckles! Hot tag to Katana and she sweeps Fyre, ROCKS Dawn and BULLDOGS Fyre!
Katana keeps moving, and she RANAS Fyre away! Fans fire up as Katana fires off forearms and CHOPS, shouting, “Those titles are OURS!” Fyre shoves Katana away, but Katana comes back to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana then pushes Fyre down to hit the SOMERSAULT AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Katana drags Fyre up, whips her to a corner, then runs in to tag Kayden. Fans rally, Katana snapmares Fyre and sets up with Kayden, they double springboard, STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Kayden covers, TWO!! Fyre hangs tough but Kayden drags her up. Fyre fires body shots then CLUBS Kayden!
Fyre whips, Kayden holds ropes and BOOTS back! Katana sneaks a tag, Fyre runs into a shoulder and table top! Kayden gives Katana the wheelbarrow boost, SPLASH onto knees! Fyre JAWBREAKERS Kayden and PUNTS Katana! Tag to Dawn, she drags Katana up while Fyre climbs! BACKSTABBER and SWANSTON!! Cover, Kayden barrels in to break it! Fans fire up while all four women are down! “This is Awesome!” as Kayden hooks Fyre up, hammerlock to BLADERUNNER! Dawn ROUNDHOUSES Kayden! Katana rolls Dawn! TWO!! Dawn rushes in, Katana dodges to CODE BREAKER!
Katana hurries to her corner while fans rally up. Kayden tags in, Katana goes up, HIGHLIGHT REEL!! Cover, but Fyre breaks it!! Fans fire up again while all four women are down! Katana wipes her bloody nose while she regroups with Kayden. Dawn and Fyre regroup on the other end and fans rally back up. Tags to Fyre and Katana! But all four women step up to BRAWL! Fans are thunderous, Kayden TOSSES Dawn but Fyre ROCKS Katana! Fyre SUPERKICKS Kayden! Katana runs up but Fyre whips her. Katana reverses, runs in but into a BOOT! Fyre goes out to the apron, BOOTS Kayden, then climbs!
Katana stands, Dawn runs in, but Katana ducks the kick to shove her at ropes! This trips Fyre up, for Katana to spring up and fire off! Fyre fights back, Kayden sneaks the tag! Kayden CLUBS Fyre, goes up after her, and Katana joins in. Fans fire up as KC Squared bring Fyre up, for a DOUBLE SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Fyre survives and shocks everyone! Kayden thinks of what to do, and she hurries to get Katana up. KC Squared reset, tag and turn, HIGHLIGHT- NO, Katana has to leap at Dawn first with a CROSSBODY! But Fyre RAMS Kayden into buckles! Fyre storms up, Katana dodges to RAN-
NO, Fyre SWINGS Katana into Kayden! And then she brings Katana back up, and Dawn tags in! Pop-up into the Gory Especial! WICKED FACEBUSTER!! Fyre DIVES onto Kayden! Dawn covers Katana, Dawn & Fyre win!!
Winners: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Fans aren’t sure what to make of this, but the titles are still in the clutches of this wicked duo! Will Fridays now be the home of the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships?
Dijak speaks.
“Ilja Dragunov. I gave you fair warning: don’t show up to the arena. And now look at you. Your ribcage? Smashed. You didn’t seem like much of a mad dragon when you were trapped under that garage door gasping for air. So helpless. But don’t worry, Ilja, I left a small piece of you to finish off next week, because I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE! I CAN BREAK ANY MAN!! And next week, Ilja, I’m finally going to break YOU.” Will Unbesiegbar not survive #HardJustice?
Apollo Crews finds Trick in the parking lot.
Trick congratulates Crews on being drafted back to Raw, and Crews says he appreciates that. And Crews saw Trick challenge Bron to a match. Trick says he’s gonna handle business, and Crews says that’s admirable. And while Crews has had his wars with Trick Melo Gang in the past, he just wants to say before he leaves, he sees a lot in Trick. Trick has the ability to take over NXT if he wanted. Melo has the spotlight now, as he deserves. But Trick is the definition of a superstar. Crews knows the others only wish they had the same gifts Trick does. Don’t let that talent go to waste. Keep grinding, keep busting your ass, and next year, it could be Trick’s name called in the Draft.
Trick says Crews doesn’t know how much that means to Trick. They shake hands and Crews tells Trick to give Bron hell. Will Trick be able to break through against Bron Breakker?
Indi Hartwell is here!
Thanks to the WWE Draft, the NXT Women’s Champion is going to Raw! But right now, she has the belt on her shoulder, a cast on her foot, and a mic in hand. Fans chant “You Deserve It!’ in regards to the title and the draft pick. Indi says, “One thousand, three hundred and 30 days ago, I stepped through the doors of the WWE Performance Center for the very first time. I was a freshly-turned 23-year-old, with a hope and a dream. Because I was a fan of the black ‘n’ gold era. Women like Bayley and Charlotte and Asuka, who carved their own way in this industry. Legends who helped build the division to what it is today. Women who helped make this championship one of the most important titles in WWE.
“No one ever thought that I was gonna achieve this goal. They counted me out, people doubted me, until I found… The Way.” Fans cheer that! Indi says it was a family, with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Austin Theory, and #SexyDexi. That is where she formed a bond with them, but also with the fans. Fans cheer that, too! Indi says she got married right here in this very ring! A WWE wedding with no interruptions? Indi couldn’t believe it! Just like she couldn’t believe she was atop that ladder with the NXT Women’s Championship at Stand & Deliver.
“A lot of people say they wanna be a fighting champion, but you don’t always get an opportunity to prove that. Last week, I was in the medical room with a high ankle sprain, about to be taken out of the match, and I thought, ‘Hell no!'” Fans cheer because Indi got her ass back out to the ring and showed everyone she IS the best in the division! Indi wasn’t gonna let her title run end on the medical table. Fans chant for “Indi Wrestling!” And then, came Friday, and Indi got drafted to Monday Night Raw. Fans cheer that even more! “You Deserve It!” Indi thanks them for that. It has been a few days, and she still can’t believe it.
Come Monday, May 8th, Indi’s new home will be Raw. But right now, just like when she was 23, the most important thing is NXT and this title. So starting next week, there will be a tournament to crown a NEW NXT Women’s Champion, culminating at Battleground in Lowell, Massachusetts. “Ladies, good luck.” And one more thing before she goes. These are words Indi lives by: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Fans cheer that as Indi gives one last long and sorrowful look at the title. She kisses it goodbye, then sets it down on the mat. And now, how to get out of the ring…
Fans cheer as DEXTER LUMIS slides out from under the ring! He gives a smile and thumbs up, and then helps his wife out of the ring. #InDex says goodbye to NXT one last time. Will nothing stop Indi from being Impressive on Raw? And who will be the next woman to pick up that title? Wait, Tiffany Stratton appears to grab the belt! But so does Cora Jade! They tug-o-war over it! Only for LYRA VALKYRIA to CLOBBER them both! Ivy and Tatum and just about EVERY woman in the locker room rushes out! They all brawl, refs hurry to stop this, but fans are loving it! Will it be nothing but chaos until NXT Battleground?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT to follow the WWE Draft, and at least some things were cleared up after what felt like miscues between NXT and main roster. Despite there being a tag title match tonight where both teams were moving on from NXT, it is heavily implied that the champions will pull a Kevin Owens style call-up. Fyre & Dawn had an awesome match with Kayden & Katana, and Fyre & Dawn retaining makes sense given the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Liv Morgan & Shayna Baszler, are on Raw. Fyre & Dawn bring the NXT titles to SmackDown, probably feuding with a team there but also teams on NXT. Maybe we’ll finally get some triple branded competition again with both WWE and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions going back and forth between Raw, SmackDown & NXT.
And as Indi said in her great promo to close the show, we are getting a tournament to crown a new champion at Battleground, as I was hoping for the moment Indi was drafted. We got a great bit of chaos to close the night, but of course Cora and Tiffany were the first two of the roster to go out and grab the belt, it fits both of their characters. But as such, it’d make for a much better finals if at least one of them wasn’t in the finals, and then someone else entirely wins the belt. Lyra did strike them both down, maybe Lyra finally gets a title after having multiple delays, both in NXT UK and here in NXT.
For that matter, where the hell has Blair Davenport been since Mandy Rose buried her and Meiko Satomura at World’s Collide? Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne should also be a big part of that tournament, they had a really good match tonight. I feel like Jacy got bloodied the hard way, that was quite the drip and since when has WWE had blood? At the same time, Gigi and Jacy can wrap up their feud without the belt, escalating to some kind of No Disqualification match for the winner to then challenge the new champion over the Summer. And at that point, it could be anyone, so we’d be getting a fresh match-up in time for the SummerSlam season.
I loved the Chase U segment, because I just felt for the longest time that a “Duke University” pun was in the works, and here it was! Chase will surely be upset, and this could be leading to Chase VS Duke after all. Dijak has a good promo calling out Dragunov, but I’m pretty sure Dragunov will win their match. And really good segment from Stone and Von, surprisingly. Using Von’s dad and his career in story made sense, but wow, are we getting some worked shoot of Von’s real life? Is Von no longer going to be big meaty meathead and actually have something we can sympathize with? I’m not sure how to feel about that.
Great opening title match from Wes VS Gulak, and of course Bate counters Dempsey as part of the finish. But Bate eyeing the title, I would definitely love seeing Wes VS Bate for the North American Championship at Battleground. That one could go either way, as Wes has been a great champion but Bate’s been deserving of something for some time. Trick had a great promo segment with Bron to set up a match which will of course be Bron’s tune-up before Battleground. Apollo also had a great promo with Trick that honestly felt like his genuine feelings. Trick really is great on the mic and in the ring, he’s bound to get some kind of title in his NXT run.
Good promo from Eddy Thorpe and Damon Kemp, especially since it was a subtle reference to the NJPW Young Boy to Young Lion system. Eddy has to win against Damon and then throw it in Damon’s face that he should clean up after him. And I do appreciate that NXT Anonymous posted that highlight reel of the attack segments, and putting a scroll of possibly real fan comments, not just a bunch of kayfabe comments. The real-life answer is that a coach at NXT is pushing the women’s roster too hard in strength training, because there is at least half a dozen other injuries we haven’t even seen played out as an attack, but could totally be put that way for kayfabe’s sake.
Great match out of Axiom and Scrypts, though it makes that random match they had on Level Up months ago all the more random. This should’ve been the first thing we’ve ever seen from these two so that we’d be even more surprised. But Axiom winning was of course the right move, and wow, I didn’t think he’d demask Scrypts here! Everyone already knew it was Reggie, but it’s great that we can finally say it’s Reggie and get from Reggie why he became Scrypts in the first place. And great debut match from Dani Palmer, but I feel like her ring gear could be better. Lots of little straps here and there, but all different colors, that makes it a bit of a mess. It’d be better if they were all the same bright color. Just my opinion.
Great match from Gacy VS Coffey, and I just knew The Schism was going to cheat to help Gacy win so that The Dyad can get their tag title match. Given that Zack Gibson & James Drake are still here as Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed rather than being released as they asked, I hope that means HHH & HBK are going to do big things with them. The Dyad winning the tag titles could be a good move, especially since it feels like Diamond Mine is going to feud with The Schism. Or, perhaps The Diamond Mine stops The Schism from cheating, furthering their feud, and then Gallus feuds with The D’Angelo Family for all that mafia stuff. Well, Gallus VS Tony & Stacks could still happen even without the titles, the winners challenging for the titles at Battleground.
And just an awesome match from Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh. Given JD is moving on to Raw, I did not see him winning. Wrestling is always about putting someone who is sticking around over, using someone who is on their way out. But since JD is simply moving to Raw and not leaving WWE, he goes over to have momentum for when he shows up on Raw and starts whatever story HHH has planned. As for Dragon and Dar, Dragon losing because of Dar is the perfect way to get their feud going, and they are definitely fighting for the Heritage Cup. Still hoping for a tournament there myself, as Dar’s attempt to keep Dragon away from him, but chances are, they’re going to be more direct in this feud.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Hockey Talk- Winter (Classic) Is Coming [121724]
Hockey Talk looks at Alex Ovechkin's recovery and when he might be back. Plus, the Winter Classic fast approaches. Is...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Are Those Chiefs Uprights Regulation Size Or What?!
Jump on board as Andrew and PC run down the entire slate of action for week 15 in the NFL!
Hockey Talk- Igor Gets Paid! [121024]
Hockey Talk looks at a coaching change in Chicago, the Four Nations Tournament, and Igor Shesterkin laughing all the way...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Famous Jameis
As we head into the last week of byes on the NFL schedule, the gents run down their picks for...
Hockey Talk- A Bruins Loss, A Blues Gain [120324]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, 16 years after his last game and...
Bandwagon Nerds #268: Seasons Geekings
Your favorite Nerds invite you to the greatest Holiday Party in the Nerdosphere! That plus a review of the first...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (12/18/24)
Majora speaks.
Bandwagon Nerds #267: I’ve Had 16 Holes Already!
The Nerds convene for an extended trip to the Trailer Park and discuss big casting decisions affecting the MCU and...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (12/12/24)
Dinner is served.
Bandwagon Nerds #266: Silver Age Supermen
The Nerds conclude their review of Game 7, plus the latest trailers and the official launch of the new DCU!
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome Results & Report! (12/22/24)
Empire VS Emperor!
#TheOddity 023: Just Use A Baby Sock
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (12/21/24)
Merry Collision!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: The Saturday Night Wrasslin Show!
With Saturday Night's Main Event in our rear view mirror, we talk about the MAIN event.
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Brody King is on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Who's dreaming of a gold Christmas?
Mitchell’s ROH Final Battle Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Is this the end of the Forever Reign?
DWI Podcast Classic: Scrooge McBitch
As the snow falls, enjoy this holiday classic from 4 years ago!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (12/19/24)
One last stop before Final Battle!
Classic POD is WAR: Banana Bamboo (112620)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
