Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/9/23)
A new era begins!
The NXT Women’s Championship Tournament begins!
With Indi Hartwell moving on to Monday Night Raw, NXT needs a NEW Women’s Champion! Who makes it through the tournament to take the title?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Gigi Dolin VS Tiffany Stratton; Tiffany wins and advances.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine; Gallus wins and retains the titles.
- Duke Hudson w/ Thea Hail VS Javier Bernal; Duke wins.
- Eddy Thorpe VS Damon Kemp; Thorpe wins.
- Ilja Dragunov VS DIJAK; Dragunov wins, by disqualification.
- Tyler Bate w/ Wes Lee VS Charlie Dempsey w/ Drew Gulak; Dempsey wins.
- Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley VS Hank Walker & Tank Ledger; Briggs & Jensen win.
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Lyra Valkyria VS Kiana James; Lyra wins and advances.
- Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker; Bron wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Gigi Dolin VS Tiffany Stratton!
The Toxic Avenger takes on the Center of the Universe, but Tiffany thinks she should’ve been handed the belt. Will Gigi show Tiffany that you’re only worthy of a title by winning it? Or will Daddy’s Little Rich Girl get what she wants like always?
The bell rings and Tiff talks trash. She and Gigi tie up, Gigi puts Tiff in a corner, and Tiff wants the ropebreak. The ref counts, Gigi lets off and she blocks a kick to fire forearms! Gigi UPPERCUTS Tiff, whips and swings, but Tiff ducks and handsprings. Then goes Matrix! But Gigi kicks the arms out and brings Tiff around into a modified Magistrol! TWO, and Gigi PENALTY KICKS Tiffany down! Cover, TWO! Tiff scrambles to a corner but Gigi hits a BRONCO BUSTER! Fans fire up and Gigi goes corner to corner, but Tiff dodges! Gigi crashes ‘n’ burns, Tiff runs to DOUBLE STOMP her down! Cover, TWO!
Tiff drags Gigi around by the bad arm and wrenches to an armlock. Fans rally for Gigi and she fights up to arm-drag free. Gigi runs to forearm Tiff at the ropes! Gigi whips, Tiff reverses and steps over to JAM the arm! Tiff hammerlocks and RAMS Gigi into the corner! Gigi staggers into a snapmare and step-over, HIP DROP on the bad arm! Cover, TWO! Gigi is still in this but Tiff drops down on the arm again! Tiff covers but Gigi keeps her shoulders up. Tiff is frustrated, so she SLAMS the arm on the mat! Fans boo but Tiff talks trash on Gigi, before a springboard STOMP on the arm! Cover, TWO!
Tiff looms over Gigi, grabs the arm and drags Gigi up. Gigi reverses the whip to send Tiff into buckle! Roll-up, TWO! Gigi keeps on Tiff but Tiff wrenches and WRINGS the arm out! Cover, TWO! Tiff keeps on Gigi as fans rally for Gigi. Tiff YANKS the arm, wristlocks and wrangles Gigi down, but Gigi avoids the hip drop! Tiff still kicks Gigi back, wrings the arm but Gigi rolls through! Gigi counter punches and kicks, then fires off knee after knee! Tiff shoves free but Gigi comes back to CLOBBER her! And again! Gigi keeps moving, and BOOTS Tiff down! Gigi shouts for Tiff to get up! Gigi drags Tiff up, but Tiff wrenches the arm to a CODE BREAKER!
Gigi staggers away, Tiff runs and handsprings corner to corner, to back elbow! Snapmare and run, but Gigi dodges the stomps! Roll through and ROUNDHOUSE! Then an STO! Fans fire up and Gigi drags Tiff back up. Gigi gut wrenches, but Tiff wrenches out to an ELBOW BREAKER! Tiff fireman’s carries, ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up, up, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Cover, Tiffany wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Tiffany proved she can earn what she wants, and she’s through to the semifinals! Will Tiffany make it all the way to Battleground and the belt?
The Schism speaks.
Joe Gacy tells the Dyad, “Last week, I sacrificed myself for your opportunity, and I have no doubt that you will bring gold back to us. Four roots, one tree.” Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed head out, will they take the titles from Gallus? As for Gacy, he tells Ava Raine that he took her words to heart. He will not be joining them ringside, as his attention is directed elsewhere. But he wants Ava to guide them as he would. Ava follows after The Dyad, just who is it that has Gacy’s attention?
Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams return to the barbershop.
Trick says he needs to beat the brakes off of Bron Breakker. Change his name to Bron Er. But how’s Melo feeling? He’s aight. Medical wants him to be 100% before clearing him and letting him loose. But Melo appreciates Trick standing up for him and telling Bron he ain’t the one or the two. But does he really have to do this tonight? Yes. Trick knows Bron’s a bad boy, but Trick’s on a whole new level. Don’t he look good? Yep. Ain’t he been working? Yep! Ain’t he gonna whoop Bron’s ass tonight? YEP! Okay, bet. Pass on Melo, take care of Trick, they gotta get going. No, Trick’s gotta be the one to take care of this.
Trick is doing this for Melo, but he’s also doing this for himself. He’s gonna prove he’s everything he’s said he is. Melo’s biggest test is at Battleground. Trick’s biggest test is tonight. Well, Melo will be watching. Trick says that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gon’ be. High-fives all around and Trick heads out. But Melo is still a little worried. Will Trick’s gift of jab match his gift of gab? Or will Bron break Trick before breaking Melo?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine!
Mark Coffey & Wolfgang already dealt with Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed once, but The Schism found a way to jump the line. Will Rip & Jagger ssssoooon be recognized as the new tag team champions? Or will it always be Gallus Boys On Top?
The introductions are made, but the teams get at each other, and a brawl breaks out! The ref has Joe Coffey exit, Wolfgang throws Rip out of the ring while Mark keeps after Jagger. The bell rings and this is on record as Wolfgang sends Rip into barriers! Mark whips Jagger to ropes then CLOBBERS him! And then scoops to a SLAM! Mark stalks Jagger, headlocks, and he grinds Jagger down. Jagger fights around, fights up, and pulls hair! We see Tony D’Angelo & “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo up in the perch as Jagger powers out of the headlock. Mark runs Jagger over, then brings him up for another headlock.
Jagger fights around again, throws body shots, and he powers up, only for Mark to hold on tight. Mark knees low, rams Jagger to the Gallus corner, and he tags Wolfie. Gallus double whip and crisscross Jagger for a double NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wolfgang wraps Jagger up, clamps onto an arm, but fans rally up. Jagger fights to his feet, but Wolfgang short arm lever suplexes! Wolfgang keeps Jagger down, then wrenches the arm. Jagger throws forearms but Wolfgang keeps him from Rip! Jagger throws more forearms, gets free, and tags in Rip. Rip storms up to DROPKICK the arm!
Rip throws forearms, CLOBBERS Wolfgang, covers, ONE! Rip clamps on with a chinlock, then he fishhooks Wolfgang’s face. The ref counts, Rip CLUBS Wolfgang down. Fans duel between “FOUR ROOTS! ONE TREE!” and just booing, but Rip drags Wolfgang up. Wolfgang blocks the suplex, and then suplexes Rip back! Tag to Mark and he clamps onto Rip’s arm. Rip flails, reaches out, but Mark wrenches and RAMS him! Mark clamps onto the arm again, but Rip knees low! Rip sucker punches Wolfgang, then wrenches and headlocks Mark. Jagger sneaks a tag as Mark powers out, and Rip sends mark away.
Jagger trips Mark and Rip basement dropkicks! Then MAYHEM IN MOTION takes out Wolfgang! The Dyad clinch and ENZIGURI, COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! The Dyad is frustrated while NXT goes picture in picture.
Jagger drags Mark up, throws forearms, and Mark staggers around. Jagger whips, Mark reverses and arm-drags! Mark has the armlock and he wraps Jagger up into a cobra clutch! Jagger endures, fights up, but Wolfgang tags in. Ripcord and shoulder ram, then a forearm to the back! Wolfgang snapmares Jagger to a cover, TWO! Wolfgang wraps Jagger up in a cobra clutch and grinds him down. Jagger endures, fights up, but Wolfgang wrangles him back down. Wolfgang leans on the hold, but Jagger fights up and reaches out. Wolfgang ripcords and shoulders Jagger again! And back to the cobra clutch!
Jagger fights up, Wolfgang throws knees, and tags Mark. Ripcord, shoulder ram, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Mark keeps on Jagger with stomps, then runs in at the corner. Rip moves in to be the cushion but Mark stops. The ref reprimands Rip but Jagger sucker punches Mark! Jagger tags Rip, Rip storms up to short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rip clamps onto Mark with a chinlock and he puts on the pressure. Mark endures but Rip drops an elbow! And then reapplies the chinlock! Mark fights up, throws body shots, but Rip knees low. Tag to Jagger and The Dyad double whip to double LARIAT! Jagger covers, TWO!
Jagger looms over Mark, drags him up and ROCKS him with a haymaker. Jagger runs in to UPPERCUT! Tag to Rip and he runs in to clothesline! Feed to the WHEEL KICK! Rip hurries to push Mark to a cover, TWO! Rip clamps onto Mark and fishhooks his face. The ref reprimands, Rip drops an elbow on Mark’s head! NXT returns to single picture and fans rally up as Mark endures the chinlock again. Mark fights up, fans duel, but Rip knees low! Rip whips Mark to the cover, tags to Jagger, and Jagger whips Rip in, into a BOOT! Jagger runs in, Mark goes up and over but Rip do-si-dos to send him into Jagger’s SUPERKICK!
Rip throat chops, Jagger leaps onto the cover, TWO! The Dyad is again frustrated, and we see The Diamond Mine is watching backstage. Ivy Nile glares at the TV, but the Creed Brothers are goofing around, wearing blue masks that resemble the Schism’s yellow smiley face ones. Ivy gets annoyed and grabs their noses! She tells Julius & Brutus to stop making jokes! Ivy storms off and the brothers don’t understand. But back in the ring, Jagger keeps Mark down with a facelock. Mark fights up as fans rally, but Jagger CLUBS him down! Jagger keeps Mark back, but the fans continue to rally!
Mark fights back up, powers up to lift Jagger, and TOSS him away! Hot tag to Wolfgang! The Howler rallies on The Dyad! BIG haymakers for both of them, then he RAMS Jagger into the corner! Wolfgang fires off fists, Rip storms up on him, but Wolfgang ROCKS him! Wolfgang whips Jagger into the corner, SPLASHES, and goes to the apron. Wolfgang DECKS Rip, goes up the corner, and he AX HANDLES Jagger down! Fans fire up with Wolfgang and he scoops Jagger for a SLAM! And then SIDEWAYS SENTON! Tag to Mark, Gallus DOUBLE URENAGE Jagger! Mark covers, TWO!! Jagger survives for The Schism!
Mark tags back to Wolfgang and Wolfgang drags Jagger up. Fireman’s carry, Mark runs in, but Rip trips him up! Fans boo but Jagger rolls Wolfgang up! TWO!! Mark SMACKS Rip off the desk! Wolfgang CLOBBERS Jagger! Tag back to Mark, and Wolfgang drags Jagger around. Ava distracts on the apron! The ref reprimands, Ava hops down, and Wolfgang CATAPULTS Jagger at Mark! But Jagger uses that to hit a SATELLITE DDT! Wolfgang is shocked, and then Rip drags him out to throat chop! Jagger tags Rip! The Dyad take aim, ‘FOUR ROOTS! ONE TREE!” But Ivy SPEAERS Ava!!
The Creeds stop Ivy from attacking Ava, Jagger goes out to help, and Mark CLOBBERS Rip! Tag to Wolfgang! Gallus coordinates, BOOT O’ DOOM!! Cover, GALLUS WINS!
Winners: Gallus, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
Ava can’t believe what just happened! She shrieks in frustration, will The Schism make Diamond Mine pay for that? As for Gallus, they’re still on top, but Tony & Stacks are watching. Will The Don & The Underboss get themselves a 2v2 match for Battleground?
Thea Hail and other Chase U students talk.
She wonders when Andre Chase is going to return, but is also thankful that Duke Hudson stepped up so no one falls behind this semester. And the Draft! Imagine if you got drafted! Javier Bernal walks over to tell them all to keep on dreaming. He asks Thea a question: does Chase U offer classes on how to get into the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament? Because clearly, Thea isn’t in it so no. But then Duke walks over and apologizes for being late. Grading papers takes a lot more time than you’d think. But uh, is spellcheck just an Australian thing or…? Thea is anxious and asks how she did!
Oh, Thea, you… got an 88! AWESOME! She SLAPS Javi on the chest as part of celebrating! Javi gets upset and can’t believe how deep Duke is into this thing. Javi sees Duke is operating from the inside. But when Duke unveils that final plan. Chase won’t know what hit him. Uh, Javi, first off, you don’t even go here. Second, Chase will return sometime somewhere, Duke is simply filling in. Is that so? Yeah! Oh, is this… Okay, everyone thinks they can get away with whatever they want when the substitute teacher’s in, right? Well, this is not gonna go that way. So how dare Javi disrespect the good name of Duke U- Chase U!
Heh, bit of a Freudian Slip, huh? Javi, you dweeb, listen up! Duke’s gonna make a match between Javi and the MVP of Chase U. And tonight, Javi gets an ANDRE CHASE UNIVERSITY SIZED ASS WHOOPING! Big Body Javi hurries away, will he be ready for this #TeachableMoment?
NXT Anonymous watches their archive.
The Women’s Division’s various assaults all play together, side by side. Nikkita Lyons, Wendy Choo, Sol Ruca. Is there a commonality between these three? Will NXT Anonymous tell us when they find it?
Duke Hudson w/ Thea Hail VS Javier Bernal!
Is Duke playing a long con? Has he truly accepted the black ‘n’ red way? Will we ever find out? Or will all that matters is that Duke wins one for Chase U?
The bell rings and Duke circles with Javi. They tie up, and Duke powers Javi to a corner. Fans rally behind Duke but Javi gets around to slap him around. Duke shoves Javi down! Fans fire up and Javi scrambles away. Duke pursues, Javi plays a bit of cat ‘n’ mouse, and he stomps away on duke ashe slides in! Fans boo as Javi has Duke in a corner for haymakers and body shots. The ref counts, Javi stalks Duke to another corner to fire off more hands! Thea coaches Duke but Javi mocks the “U~!” Javi grins, but Duke runs in to run Javi over! Javi staggers up, Duke scoops and SLAMS him! Duke fires up and so do the fans!
Javi wants mercy, but Thea says no way! Duke storms up and Javi dropkicks the legs out! DDT! Javi keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans chant “JAVI SUCKS!” but he stomps away on Duke. Javi drags Duke into a chinlock and he grinds Duke down. Thea shouts and the fans rally, and Duke fights his way up. Duke pries at the hold as fans chant “M V P!” Duke powers the headlock open, then arm-drags Javi away! Javi flounders to a corner, but he comes right back to stomp Duke down! Duke sits up, Javi throws a haymaker! Duke is powering up! Javi throws more hands, and Duke says “U!”
Duke throws body shots, he CLUBS Javi down, then he whips Javi to ropes to CLOBBER him and CLOBBER him! Another whip, and Duke scoops Javi for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Fans fire up more as Duke aims at Javi. JAB! JAB! JAB! Flip, flop and “U~!” ELBOW! SENTON! Javi flounders but Duke runs to the apron and slingshots to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up again as Duke brings Javi up. Duke reels Javi in, for the Gory Especial, and the RIVER! Cover, Duke wins!
Winner: Duke Hudson, by pinfall
Duke continues to prove why he’s the Chase U MVP! But is Duke truly doing this for Chase U? Or is it all a poker face until the final hand’s been dealt?
Von Wagner talks with Robert Stone.
Von is feeling great. The weather is nice, and a positive attitude is a powerful thing. Stone never thought of it like that. But okay, rapid fire questions! Favorites, go! Hamburger? Bacon burgers! Fries? Oh, good one. Chili cheese. Ice cream? Mint chocolate chip! Wait! Cookies ‘n’ cream! Nice, nice! Stone’s a pistachio man himself. What’s Von see when he looks at this picture? Stone took the post surgery picture from Von’s photo album?! Von is upset, but then someone walks over to say he heard Von’s trying to get a head of the competition. Dude, c’mon. What? It’s just a joke. Von SLAMS the guy into road cases!
Von tells this guy to take his funny bone and shove it! Von lets the guy go, and Stone frowns. Von just scoffs at his answer of pistachio ice cream. If this issue bothers Von that much, what is it going to take to get to the bottom of it?
The Diamond Mine runs across Gallus.
Joe Coffey tells them to keep their noses out of Gallus business. Ivy gets riled up but Julius says it’s fine. He isn’t even sure what Joe said, but he still needs to watch his mouth. And Brutus tells Mark & Wolfgang to watch those tag titles. Oh, looking for a fight? Joe says not now. He has an idea: Pub party, champs only. So the Diamond Mine isn’t welcome. Gallus heads out but Julius says that’s fine, they don’t like Gallus anymore anyway. Ivy thanks the Creeds for earlier, and Julius says it’s fine. No one messes with Ivy, except for the Creeds. But will they find their way back to the tag titles one way or another?
Eddy Thorpe VS Damon Kemp!
The Alpha Wolf has been leveling up to get ready for this showdown! Will he take a bite out of the Golden Gopher? Or will Damon make him feel like he’s a Young Boy again?
NXT returns and Damon makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Damon headlocks. Fans rally for Eddy but Damon spins to a wrench and a wristlock. Eddy wrenches back, spins him around and arm-drags him away. Fans cheer but Damon says okay. They go again, tie up, and Damon waistlocks to SLAM Eddy! And SLAM him again! Damon facelocks, Eddy moves around but Damon floats to go for another facelock. Eddy reaches out for the ROPEBREAK, but Damon lets off slowly. They go again, Eddy headlocks and he holds on tight. Damon powers up and throws body shots.
Damon sends Eddy to a corner, Eddy goes up and over and ducks ‘n’ dodges to hit a headlock takeover! Damon keeps his shoulder up and pushes Eddy with forearms. Damon stands, pries the hold, and he spins it around to headlock and takeover! Eddy headscissors, Damon gets free, and things speed up as Eddy drops, hurdles, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up while Damon flounders away. Eddy is after Damon with a CHOP! Eddy facelocks, suplexes, but Damon blocks! Damon wrenches out, knees low, and UPPERCUTS! Damon then hangs Eddy out to dry before a slingshot JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO!
Damon taunts Eddy, then rains down forearms! Eddy keeps a guard up so Damon lets off. Damon talks trash to the fans but the fans boo back. Damon talks trash on Eddy, brings him up and turns him around into a chinlock. Fans rally but Damon shifts to a seated cobra twist! Damon digs his knuckles in but Eddy fights up. Eddy throws hands but Damon fireman’s carries to ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!! Damon is frustrated, but he clamps back on with the seated cobra twist. Eddy fights up, throws body shots, then dodges the lariat to CHOP! Eddy bobs ‘n’ weaves, throws more hands, then CHOPS again!
Eddy whips and CLOBBERS Damon, then starts to rally! Strike fest, PELE! Damon staggers to a corner, Eddy runs in to BOOT! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Damon flounders, Eddy covers, TWO! Eddy waistlocks Damon but Damon throws elbows. Damon whips, Eddy reverses but Damon sunset flips! Eddy rolls through to get the legs! Damon scrambles but Eddy gets the HALF CRAB! Damon gets the ROPEBREAK! Eddy lets off in frustration, Damon holds onto the apron skirt! The ref reprimands, Damon kicks Eddy away, then stands up, into a BOOT! GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Eddy stomps around!
Eddy runs to JUMPING ELBOW! Cover, Eddy wins!
Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall
That last sudden burst was enough for Eddy, and Damon complains about the apron skirt. But Damon was the one who brought it into play! Will Damon ever take responsibility for his own messes? Will The Alpha Wolf soon be hunting down some championship gold?
Backstage interview with Kiana James.
McKenzie Mitchell is with the Calculator to say she’s had an incredible rookie year in NXT. She was handpicked by HBK and the coaches as part of the top 8 to be in the Women’s Championship Tournament. Tonight, she faces Lyra Valkyria- Yeah, yeah, McKenzie, Kiana gets it. She’s got the most difficult first round opponent. Whoever put this bracket together did her no favors. But luckily, Kiana thrives under pressure. Her last 12 months speak volumes, especially the latter half. She has laid out everything she’s wanted to do here, and checked them off one by one, except for the NXT Women’s Championship.
As McKenzie said, Kiana’s rookie year here was incredible. But can you imagine how much bigger year two will be as the NXT Women’s Champion? Kiana can. But will it become reality here tonight? Or will the misfortune of facing the Morrigan be her downfall?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
McKenzie brings up that tonight, he faces Trick Williams in the main event, but is going to ask the question “on the minds of everyone in the WWE Universe. Why the change in attitude?” Bron says there was no change, he just stopped caring. For over a year, Bron carried the NXT Championship on one shoulder, the NXT banner on the other, and the weight of this brand on his back. What’d it get him? Nothing. And the fans made their choice, and they chose Carmelo. That’s fine. Because Melo is still picking splinters out of his ass after being Speared through the wall a couple weeks ago.
So if McKenzie or the fans or whoever doesn’t like the attitude, there’s the door. Bron didn’t ask for this interview, she did. But here, here’s something. Melo, tonight, I’m gonna put your buddy, your best friend, Trick Williams, in the same hospital that I put you in. See you at Battleground.”
Ilja Dragunov VS DIJAK!
The Czar doesn’t back down from a fight, but #HardJustice has been taking the fight to him. Will Dragunov prove what it is to be UNBESIEGBAR? Or will Dijak put his momentum on lockdown?
NXT returns as Dijak makes his entrance. The bell rings and Dijak runs in! But Dragunov blocks the boot, throws Dijak down, and KNEES him back! Fans fire up as Dragunov CHOPS Dijak! Then puts him in another corner, to CHOP again! Dragunov puts Dijak in a third corner to CHOP again! Fans are thunderous already, but Dijak turns things around to COHP in return! Dragunov shakes his head, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Dragunov backs Dijak down corner to corner with the chops, then fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! Fans are thunderous as Dragunov lets off, winds up and CHOPS again!
Dijak is down, Dragunov goes up, KING KONG KNEE DROP! Dijak sputters but Dragunov goes back up! Dijak gets Dragunov with both hands, and SHOVES him down! Dragunov hits the apron on the way down to the floor! Dijak goes out, pushes Dragunov into the ring, and covers, TWO! DIjak grits his teeth, rains down fists, then covers again, ONE!! Dragunov is showing that toughness but Dijak clamps on a BEARHUG! Dragunov endures, even as Dijak shouts in his ear to give up! Fans rally, Dragunov fights to his feet and pries the hold open. Dragunov turns to ROCK Dijak! Dijak ROCKS Dragunov!
The two go back and forth, Dijak gets the edge but Dragunov gives it all back! Dragunov throws boxing elbows and an UPPERCUT, but Dijak BOOTS him! Dragunov springs up to PELE! Fans are loving this as Dragunov waistlocks and deadlifts Dijak! But Dragunov’s ribs hold him back, the damage done weeks ago. Dijak choke grips, Dragunov fights free, and he comes back to FOREARM! And ROUNDHOUSE! But both men fall over! Fans fire up as Dragunov rises again. Dragunov waistlocks and deadlifts again! But Dijak holds ropes to stop the suplex! Dijak throws elbows and body shots, then he TOSSES Dragunov away!
Dragunov goes to the corner, comes back, but into the CYCLONE KICK! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives and Dijak is beside himself! Dijak goes out and he shoves the timekeeper aside to get a chair! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Dijak wants to hurt Dragunov, not beat him! The ref grabs the chair, but Dijak TOSSES the ref away! Fans boo more, Dijak JAMS Dragunov! The ref has the bell ring, Dijak loses!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by disqualification
But Dijak still SMACKS Dragunov on the back! And his rage erupts as he goes out and RAMS Dragunov into the apron! And into the POST! And then APRON CHOKE SLAMS Dragunov! Dragunov flops down but Dijak isn’t done with him! Dijak brings the steel steps around, turns them on their side, and goes back for Dragunov. Dijak KICKS Dragunov around, then tips the steps! Dragunov fights them off! Dijak STOMPS Dragunov, then buries him under the steps! “How’s that feel!? How’s that feel?!” Dijak STANDS ON THE STEPS to trap Dragunov! Dijak asks if Dragunov feels alive while he sputters and coughs!
Fans boo, the refs rush out and Dijak steps away, saying “I can break any man!” But then Dragunov shoves the steps away!! Dragunov isn’t done yet, but Dijak chuckles. Will these two go around again down the line?
Tyler Bate meditates.
Wes Lee walks in and says he hasn’t seen this much smoke since he was hanging out with Matt Riddle. But uh, Tyler, you in there? Wes knows Bate is getting his head right for his match with Charlie Dempsey, but Wes has to thank him for last week. Bate was like a “majestic leopard” as he took out Charlie, it was beautiful! And since Bate had Wes’s back, Wes will have Bate’s. Gulak & Dempsey are determined to sap all the joy outta NXT, and they’re not gonna let that happen, right? Right, yeah. Also, Bate’s up next, so let’s get going. Wes looks closer, and then Bate opens his eyes.
Bate says hey, sorry, he was “miles away” there. Did Wes say something? Uh, yeah- Bate says when he meditates, he goes into a deep, deep trance, like he’s on a higher plane of existence. Does Wes know what he means? Yeah, bro. Dope. Bate’s ready, Wes is by his side, will the Big Strong Boi humble the Son of the Gentleman Villain?
Dani Palmer tweets a video.
She was finishing training with Hank Walker & Tank Ledger when Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen walked in. She wanted them to say hey, and they congratulate her on her NXT debut win. But anyway, she watched it back, and asks what she could do to do better next time. Briggs says just keep busting your ass and doing the reps. Jensen says the more you get in there, the better you’ll be. Hank says he was telling Tank the very same thing. And if they wanna get good as a tag team, they just gotta practice. Tank says yeah, and maybe it could be against “the big boys.” What do they say? Briggs & Jensen say sure! They shake hands, will we get a real banger of a brawl from these heavy hitters?
Tyler Bate w/ Wes Lee VS Charlie Dempsey w/ Drew Gulak!
NXT returns as Dempsey makes his entrance with Gulak. The Big Strong Boi made sure Wes wasn’t cheated out of the North American Championship, will Wes make sure Bate isn’t cheated out of a win tonight? Or will the Philly Stretcher have the perfect plan to get even?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Dempsey UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS, but Bate gives those back! They go UPPERCUT for UPPERCUT! Bate runs to UPPERCUT, Dempsey rebounds to UPPERCUT! And repeat! Bate then UPPERCUTS and EXPLODERS! And then STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Bate keeps on Dempsey with a fireman’s carry, and he starts the spin! But Dempsey fights free to get the full nelson! Bate uses his leg to provide leverage and break free, then throws elbows! But Dempsey CLUBS Bate! And knees him, into the BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Dempsey drags Bate up to ROCK him with forearms, and UPPERCUTS, but Bate headlocks to BOP Dempsey with his foot! And BOP him again! Dempsey powers out, Bate goes up and comes back, but Dempsey steps through the roll up! But Bate sunset flips! But Dempsey rolls through to get the legs! But Bate rolls to bring Dempsey down! Now rolls reverse as Dempsey sunset flips, Bate rolls through, and Dempsey SPINNING HEADSCISSORS! But Bate cartwheels through it and fans fire up! Dempsey rushes in, Bate dodges and Dempsey stops in the corner. Dempsey turns around and heads collide!
Both men fall and fans rally up. Dempsey and Bate stand up, and Bate brings Dempsey around to UPPERCUT! Dempsey UPPERCUTS back! Bate UPPERCUTS, Dempsey knees low! Dempsey clamps on with an IRON OCTOPUS! Dempsey CHOPS Bate’s side to complete the stretch! Bate endures, powers up, and he fireman’s carries for the AIRPLANE SPIN! Fans fire up as Bate goes around and around and around, for more then TEN spins before the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But wait, Joe Gacy walks out? Was Gacy talking about Wes earlier? Gulak storms over to Gacy and Wes and asks what’s going on. Wes asks them both what’s going on!
Bate sees everyone is around Wes, and he FLIES out to take Gacy and Gulak down! Wes says that’s what they get. Bate hurries back in, ducks the haymaker to Bop up, and BANG! Gulak distracts the ref, Bate runs, but Gacy CLOBBERS Bate! Dempsey hurries to DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Dempsey wins!
Winner: Charlie Dempsey, by pinfall
Gacy may not have been part of Gulak’s plans, but it all worked out for Dempsey! Will Wes have to worry about more than one sneaky snake coming after his title?
Carmelo sees Bron’s message.
Melo says he can’t stay back now. He has to go and help Trick. But Trick said- Trick said what he said but he’s also family. Will the NXT Champion make sure Bron doesn’t destroy his best friend?
Backstage interview with Dragon Lee.
McKenzie knows he took a hard loss to JD McDonagh last week in what was an instant classic. But she wants to bring up what happened right after that match with Noam Dar. Dragon says Dar thinks Dragon is a threat, and he’s right! that’s why Dar wanted JD to injure Dragon. Dar only cares about two things: himself, and the- Oh, speaking of, Dar pops up on screen with a special edition of the Supernova Sessions. Dar says, “Hello, hello, hello. Dragon Lee, hear me now. It’s Mr. Supernova 11, Noam Dar, the longest reigning NXT Heritage Cup Champion. Now Mr. Dragon, I come bearing gifts.”
Dar knows the two of them got off on the wrong foot, but allow Dar to be the bigger and better man by offering him this prestigious opportunity. He’ll be the envy of the entire locker room after this, because Dar chooses Dragon Lee to be his first official guest on the relaunch of the Supernova Sessions show! Please, join Dar for the return of “the most loved and most revered talk show in the WWE Universe.” So cutting edge, so unique, that after this, Dragon’s career will skyrocket from the ground floor, where it currently is. So Mr. Dragon, Dar awaits a response. Thank you, buh-bye. Check please.
Dragon’s response: he’ll be there. Will Dar regret extending this invitation? Or will he make Dragon regret accepting it?
Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley VS Hank Walker & Tank Ledger!
The boys are reunited and it’s Country Strong! But will they get back on track tonight? Or will Hank ‘n’ Tank use their own brand of blue collar brawling to get going in the Men’s NXT Tag Division?
NXT returns as Hank ‘n’ Tank make their entrance. The teams sort out and Briggs starts, with a BOOT to Tank! Jensen and Hank start throwing hands on the outside! Hank knees low, SMACKS Jensen off the apron, and fans fire up. Briggs headlocks, Tank powers up and tags Hank. They keep Briggs guessing and Hank runs Briggs over! Tank drops a headbutt! Hank covers, TWO! Hank CLUBS Briggs, brings him up and CLUBS him again. Briggs SLAPS away on Hank, then hits a BIG back suplex! Tag to Jensen, he and Briggs double whip Hank to double shoulder him! They then double scoop SLAM!
Briggs ELBOW DROPS, Jensen ELBOW DROPS! Jensen covers, TWO! Jensen keeps on Hank in the corner and CHOPS! LARIATS! And CHOPS! And LARIATS! Hank fires back but Jensen ROCKS him! Jensen whips Hank but Hank CLOBBERS him! Fans fire up and Hank shoots in to RAM Jensen into the corner! Tag to Tank and he SPLASHES Jensen! Tank scoops and SLAMS Jensen, pushes him to a cover, TWO! Tank drags Jensen around, whips him to ropes, but Jensen KNEES back! Tag to Briggs and Jensen lifts Tank. Briggs runs, atomic drop and BOOT! Jensen BLASTS Hank, Briggs covers, TWO!
Tank snarls as he sits up and fans rally up. Tank spits out a tooth, picks it up, and nods as he puts it away for later. Briggs eggs him on, Tank fires off forearms and haymakers! Tank HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, but Jensen tags in! Tank whips, Briggs reverses and feeds to the lift! HART ATTACK! High stack, the country boys win!
Winners: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen, by pinfall
That was a barn burner! And in the end, Briggs & Jensen show respect to Hank ‘n’ Tank with handshakes. There seems to be a new edge to Briggs & Jensen, will they use that edge to carve a new path to the top?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“You can either evolve, or get left behind. This place, this skyline, doesn’t resemble the lands that made me. But I am evolving. Adapting. And sharpening my weapons. I’m not the same person who crossed the Atlantic last year. But I am still Valkyria, Shadow of the Morrigan. And as I preside over this concrete jungle, three women have been marked on my route to the NXT Women’s Championship. Kiana James, you are the first.” Will Lyra take flight towards the golden Battleground? Or is she underestimating the Calculator?
NXT presents an all new Hard Hitting Home Truths.
Nathan Frazer is back and he welcomes us to the latest edition of HHHT. Now the WWE Draft has come and gone, and a staggering 17 NXT superstars moved on to the Raw & SmackDown rosters. That’s right, SEVENTEEN! And that means spots have opened up. But for who? We don’t know, and that’s the fun of it. See, NXT is like a melting pot of incredible talents from around the world. Axiom from Spain, Dragon Lee from Mexico, Oba Femi from Nigeria. Ghana, Brazil, Poland, Columbia, Ireland, Chase U- Chase U isn’t a country. But Duke goes to Chase U, he’s Aussie, but the list goes on and one.
Frazer himself is from Jersey. Not New Jersey, OG Jersey. Tiny little island between England and France. But anyway, all this talent from all walks of life are battling it out. That gives new meaning to the term, “World domination.” But this era of “global localization” means a certain someone has created a spot for himself. The Heritage Cup Champion, the Scottish Supernova, Noam Dar, who has a fancy little talk show of his own, debuting next week. Interestingly enough, Frazer’s first WWE TV appearance was on Supernova Sessions. He can tell us with absolute certainty, that show serves no other purpose than for Dar to stroke his fragile little ego.
Meanwhile, HHHT is designed to bring things to light and expose the lies that frauds have been telling themselves so that they don’t have a leg to stand on. Speaking of, roll the clip. Dar swings on Dragon, Dragon SUPERKICKS Dar! Frazer has a good laugh. “You love to see it.” The Heritage Cup is Dar’s baby, metaphorically and literally, because roll the clip. Dar cradles the cup and coddles it. There’s being proud of being champion, but even by WWE standards, that’s just strange. But just know this, Dar. It is likely that in the very near future, you won’t have your baby. And your entire world will come crashing down.
But for now, Frazer will love ya and leave ya, this has been HHHT. Peace. Is Frazer not so subtly putting his hat in the ring for the Heritage Cup?
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Lyra Valkyria VS Kiana James!
We’ve heard from both superstars tonight, but now it is time to put up or shut up! Who joins Tiffany Stratton in the semifinals of this tournament?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Lyra shoots around to roll Kiana up, ONE! Kiana says it’s not that easy, and the two tie up. Kiana knees low, throws Lyra by her hair, and covers, ONE! Lyra gets up but Kiana headlocks. Fans rally behind Lyra and she powers out, only for Kiana to run her over. Kiana taunts Lyra, things speed up, and Lyra hurdles but Kiana blocks the hip toss. Lyra throws Kiana to the other side, Kiana hip tosses back but Lyra handsprings through! Lyra comes back to body scissor, flip and cover, TWO! Kiana sunsets, TWO! Lyra high stacks, TWO and Kiana pops her to a sunset! TWO and Lyra prawn holds, TWO!
Kiana sunset flips again, TWO! Lyra jackknife bridges, TWO as Kiana bridges up! They spin around, Kiana wants the backslide but Lyra holds it off. Kiana knees low, whips Lyra to a corner, but Lyra goes up and Electric Chair spins to a RANA! Ghost pin, TWO! Kiana goes to ropes, but she elbows Lyra away. Lyra comes back to body scissor again, but Kiana puts her in ropes! GUILLOTINE CATAPULT! Lyra flops out of the ring and Kiana goes after her. Kiana whips Lyra into the POST! Kiana talks trash and fans boo as NXT goes picture in picture.
Kiana says she’s smarter than Lyra, then she goes out to bend Lyra against the post! The ref counts, Kiana lets off at 4, and Lyra crawls away. Kiana slides back in, stalks Lyra, and KNEES her in the side! Cover, ONE!! Lyra is tougher than that and Kiana is frustrated. Kiana wraps Lyra up in a seated cobra twist but Lyra endures. Fans rally up, Lyra fights up, and Lyra throws body shots! Kiana throws body shots back! Kiana whips, knees low, then soaks up the heat. Kiana swaggers around, brings Lyra up and whips her again, for another knee, that Lyra uses to get a roll-up! TWO, Kiana wants a leg but Lyra backslides her! TWO!
Kiana RAMS Lyra into a corner! Kiana stomps, RAMS, and handsprings to RAM into Lyra again! Kiana pushes Lyra down, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Kiana is further frustrated but she clamps back on with the seated cobra twist. Lyra endures, even as Kiana adds a leg to the stretch! NXT returns to single picture, fans rally up, and Lyra fights to get her leg free. Kiana keeps on the upper body but Lyra fights up. Fans rally, Lyra clinches back and MONKEY FLIPS Kiana away! Kiana flounders up, into a cradle! A shoulder is still up so Lyra has to tip that way, TWO! Kiana gets up to fire body shots!
Kiana reels Lyra in for an atomic GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kiana scowls as Lyra hangs tough and goes to a corner. Fans rally, Kiana runs in and RAMS into her! Kiana backs up, handsprings, and runs in again, into a KNEE! Lyra goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans rally up while both women are down. Lyra sits up, Kiana follows, and Lyra throws haymakers! Lyra blocks a kick to CLOBBER Kiana! And ROUNDHOUSE! And SOBAT! Front kick! HEADBUTT! AX KICK! Kiana blocks the northern lights to knee low! Kiana runs in but is dumped out of the ring! Lyra builds speed to WRECK Kiana with a dropkick!
Fans fire up as Lyra goes out and brings Kiana around into the ring. Lyra climbs up, takes aim, and leaps, but Kiana gets under! Lyra comes back to ENZIGURI! Lyra reels Kiana in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Kiana escapes but Lyra fires back up. Fans rally behind Lyra as she hobbles to a corner. Lyra climbs up, takes aim, and dives, onto knees! Kiana drags Lyra up, gut wrench and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and shocks Kiana! Kiana drags Lyra up to KNEE her low! And again! Fans rally, Kiana knees Lyra more! Lyra goes to ropes but Kiana brings her up, back suplex, but Lyra lands on her feet!
Lyra BOOTS Kiana down! Lyra wins!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Kiana can at least say she was right, Lyra was an incredibly tough first round opponent. Will Lyra stay tough all the way to Battleground?
Gallus is having a good time at the bar.
Mark says, “How ’bout them Creeds, eh?” Joe says to forget about those guys. A toast to their successful title defense. But then Tony & Stacks walk over. Tony congratulates Gallus on the big win tonight. Stacks made some scratch betting on them, too. Gallus showed just why they’re champs. Yeah, what’s your business here? Oh, does Joe just wake up angry? Anyway, last time Tony & Stacks came in, they left with a spot at Stand & Deliver. Yeah, that was some scrap, huh? But if Joe wasn’t involved, Gallus wouldn’t even be champions right now! What was that? Tony & Stacks tell Joe to calm down.
Tony understands the whole crew is here, but he just wants to say that they’re next. Joe says things are done differently now, and he brings out the Billy club. Gallus does things differently now that he’s back, and that means they handle business differently. So Tony & Stacks should leave while they can still walk. Okay, okay, but just know, Joe doesn’t wanna go down that road. Gallus is stateside now, and you don’t wanna threaten The Don. But don’t worry, the Family will get their title match. Joe tells them to see themselves out, but then there are more guys ready to fight. Stacks says they should go, and Tony obliges. Will The Family get theirs come Battleground?
Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker!
As #TrickWilly said himself, he isn’t just doing this for Melo, he is doing this for himself. Will Trick pass the biggest test in his NXT career? Or will Bron prove Steiner Math was right all along?
NXT returns as Bron makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Bron puts Trick in a corner but Trick slips away. They go again, Bron fireman’s carry takeovers, then wrenches. Trick kips up but Bron wrangles him down. Trick fights up, breaks free and DROPKICKS Bron! And DROPKICKS again! And then RAMS Bron into the corner to fire off fast hands! Trick RAMS into Bron again and again but lets off as the ref counts. Trick jukes the ref, Bron ROCKS him, but Trick RAMS Bron back into the corner! Fans fire up as Trick fires off more fists! The ref counts, backs Trick off, but Trick storms up again.
Trick whips corner to corner, Bron reverses to get around and waistlock. Trick switches, Bron bucks him, and then Bron runs up, into a BOOT! Trick runs in to BOOT Bron out of the ring! Fans fire up and Trick is feeling it! Trick goes out the side, ROCKS Bron, then CLUBS him against the desk! Fans and even Booker is loving this! Trick brings Bron around, tells the timekeeper to move, but Bron hauls Trick up to OVERHEAD suplex him onto the desk! Fans duel between barks and “Bron Breakker Sucks~!” Bron puts Trick in at 8 of 10, rains down fists, then he hauls Trick up, for another OVERHEAD Suplex!
Fans mock Bron with “MEOW~” rather than barking, but Bron GERMAN SUPLEXES Trick! Bron stalks Trick, drags him up and talks trash, but Trick SLAPS Bron! Bron DECKS Trick! Bron hauls Trick up to snap suplex! Cover, but Bron lets off to do push-ups! Bron says he could do this all day! Fans boo and give thumbs down but Bron clamps onto Trick with a cobra twist! Fans chant “YOU STILL SUCK!” Bron fishhooks Trick, the ref reprimands, but Bron keeps on the twist. Trick fights up, stands up, and he throws body shots! Bron knees low, whips Trick, but Trick whips him away! Trick dodges the lariat to BODY BLOW! And UPPERCUT!
Bron staggers, Trick runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Trick is showing heart but Bron gets annoyed. Bron toys with Trick, Trick stands, and Bron runs in to LARIAT! Fans chant “Bron is Neutered!” while Bron looms over Trick. Bron runs, but into a BOOT! Trick hurries to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up for Trick, he counter punches Bron! And again! Then dodges to DROPKICK! Bron staggers, Trick keeps moving, for a LEAPING LARIAT! Trick roars and fans fire up behind him! Trick has an arm, he cartwheels to bring Bron right up into the URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Bron survives but Trick keeps focus.
Trick aims as Bron rises, and Trick spins, but Bron catches him! Trophy lift, BREAKKER SLAM!! But Bron isn’t done, he wants Trick to get back up! Fans boo as Trick crawls to ropes. Bron drags him around but Trick kicks away on Bron! Bron gets that foot but Trick EDDY GORDO KICKS! Trick fires up again and fans are with him! SCREW HIGH- SPEAR!! Bron takes Trick down, he brings the straps down, and he shouts “IT’S OVER!!” STEINER RECLINER!! Trick shakes his head, he refuses to give up, but Bron bends him back! Trick taps, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by submission
Trick put up one hell of a fight, but Bron is #MeanerThanEvil! Fans boo but Bron doesn’t care, he puts Trick back in the STEINER RECLINER!! But here comes Melo! Melo rushes in to fire off on Bron! Fans fire up but Bron shoves melo away! Melo dodges, springboards, into a SPEAR!! The champion gets intercepted! Fans are in disbelief as Born stands over Trick Melo Gang and picks up the title. Bron grins as he tells Melo, “You have something that belongs to me. NXT Battleground, this is gonna be mine.” Fans chant “You Still Suck!” but will Bron once again be champion? Or can Melo find a way to still be #HIM?
My Thoughts:
A great episode, and even commentary seemed surprised at how literally hard hitting it was. Most surprising was that Briggs & Jensen were being so aggressive against Hank ‘n’ Tank. The match was made out of a social media promo, but clearly Briggs & Jensen want to reestablish themselves in the division. They were wearing dark jeans, are they going to suddenly turn Heel? That seems a bit random, since Jensen rejoined Fallon & Briggs. But maybe they’re just trying to match the hard hitting, no nonsense teams like Gallus, The Dyad and even The D’Angelo Family.
Speaking of, great tag title match from Gallus VS The Dyad, but I figured Gallus would retain. Nice segue within that match to set up some Schism VS Diamond Mine, mostly with Ivy going after Ava. And of course, Tony & Stacks want after Gallus next for some of that mafia VS mafia stuff, which we got a touch of tonight with Tony & Stacks confronting Gallus at their favorite spot. I wonder if Gallus will return the favor and go to Tony’s favorite restaurant. But obviously, something happens to give us Gallus VS Tony & Stacks at Battleground, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Tony added new faction members to even out the numbers since Gallus has three.
Gacy’s part in the promo should have of course clued us in that he wants the North American Championship. Great promo with Wes and Bate, I just knew Bate was too deep in meditation to hear anything. Really good match with Bate and Dempsey, but of course overbooking costs Bate. Dempsey probably gets in the mix for the North American Championship, too, and we could get some good stuff in deciding a contender, like a Triple Threat of Gacy VS Bate VS Dempsey, winner goes on to Battleground. Though, personally, it’d be a shame if we don’t get individual matches, like Wes VS Gacy and Wes VS Bate, because those would all be great stuff.
Really good promo to get things moving in the Heritage Cup scene, too. Dar interrupting Dragon to announce the return of Supernova Sessions was a good move, as was Frazer responding through his own talk show. I love that Frazer threw those jabs at Dar, I love that he said “global localization” as a nod to HHH’s dream/plan of putting an NXT in every major market, and I am still hoping there’s something more than just saying Dragon is Dar’s challenger. We need to have the Heritage Cup Division grow, and do so by having Heritage Cup Rules matches, like Dragon VS Frazer, maybe bring in some other names, and have a #1 contender by Battleground.
Good promo from Duke and Javi to set up their match, and it was a pretty good match. Duke won, of course, and I like that there is still the mystery of Duke’s true allegiances. Things are of course leaning heavily towards Duke wanting to put himself over, but we’ll have to see how many more twists and turns there are before Duke and Chase fight it out. In that time, maybe Duke should try his hand at the Heritage Cup Division. Von Wagner and Robert Stone had a good promo, too, and I just knew Stone was going to bring up the surgery picture. And I think the route they’re going is that Von’s anger comes from being bullied for the scar, because he basically snapped on that rando who made the head joke.
Really good stuff out of the NXT Championship story, such as a return to barbershop promos. Trick VS Bron in the main event was also great stuff for getting less time than I expected. Bron of course wins to build momentum towards Battleground, but I didn’t think he’d also beat down Melo. But I suppose that is to establish Melo is the underdog even as champion, making it even better when he overcomes Bron in his hometown. Maybe then, Bron moves on to RawDown, or at least another title on NXT. Then Melo can have a true clean start for the Summer, facing just about whoever is still in NXT.
And really good stuff out of the NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, but uh, what is with that opening bracket? Gigi VS Tiff, Jacy VS Roxie, Lyra VS Kiana and Fallon VS Cora? This is the same WWE trope, or rather their bad habit, of making opening round matches that set up super obvious second round matches. If Face A wins their match, Heel B wins theirs. If Heel A wins, Face B wins. That is to say, now that Tiffany has beat Gigi (without Jacy’s input, surprisingly), Roxie will beat Jacy. Likewise, now that Lyra beat Kiana, Cora will beat Fallon. The silver-lining there is that we’re free to have Gigi VS Jacy in their tiebreaker grudge match at Battleground.
Another thing I would like to point out about the tournament is that four matches seems too small. I get that they’re kayfabing these eight as the “top eight” in the division, like there’s suddenly a ranking system. And I get there’s only three weeks until Battleground and they can’t use all six hours for just the tournament. But there should’ve been something to give us the feeling that all the women in NXT were being given an equal opportunity. A battle royal to name a wild card to the bracket, perhaps?
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; win(s).
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
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