Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/18/23)
The G1 keeps it going!
Blocks A and B are back to work!
The G1 Climax had a great opening weekend, but they aren’t stopping there! Will Sanada keep his momentum going against Roughneck Shota Umino?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya VS Chase Owens; Kaito wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Great-O-Khan VS KENTA; Kenta wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Hikuleo VS Gabe Kidd; Kidd wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS Tanga Loa; Taichi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Ren Narita; Time Limit Draw.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Shota Umino; Sanada wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS El Phantasmo; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
Sanada: 1-0, 2 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 1-0, 2 points
Chase Owens: 1-0, 2 points
Ren Narita: 0-0-1, 1 point
Shota Umino: 0-0-1, 1 point
Yota Tsuji: 0-1, 0 points
Hikuleo: 0-1, 0 points
Gabe Kidd: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the current B Block standings.
Kazuchika Okada: 1-0, 2 points
Taichi: 1-0, 2 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-0, 2 points
Tanga Loa: 1-0, 2 points
Will Ospreay: 0-1, 0 points
Great-O-Khan: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta: 0-1, 0 points
El Phantasmo: 0-1, 0 points
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya VS Chase Owens!
Both these men won their opening round matches, but someone’s momentum is about to be stopped here and now! Will this still be the GREEN 1? Or will the Crown Jewel outshine the Supernova?
Chase offers a handshake and the fans cheer. Kaito is wary, but Chase says scout’s honor. Fans rally, wanting to see the handshake. The ref accepts, and so Chase waits on Kaito. Kaito steps forward, and he accepts. The fans cheer as the handshake is clean, but then Chase attacks from behind! The bell rings and Chase fires off in the corner. Chase CHOPS, stalks Kaito around the way, and CHOPS him again. Chase whips, Kaito dodges and arm-drags! And dropkicks! Cover, ONE! Kaito arm-drags again! Fans cheer and Chase fights up as Kaito keeps on the armlock. Chase throws a forearm, then scoops, but Kaito slips free!
Kaito scoops and SLAMS Chase, then runs to elbow drop! Cover, ONE! Kaito arm-drags Chase right back down and has another armlock. Chase fights up, pulls hair, but the ref reprimands. They’re on the ropes, the ref counts, and Chase lets off slowly, only to HOTSHOT Kaito! The ref reprimands and Kaito sputters while fans rally up. Chase sits Kaito up and punches him in the head! The ref reprimands but Chase claims he used the palm. Chase sits Kaito up again and headlocks, for “another” palm strike! Chase has Kaito on ropes now and CLAWS his back! The ref reprimands but Chase CHOKES Kaito! And makes him smile!
Chase lets off as the ref counts, and then he brings Kaito up to whip him corner to corner! Kaito hits buckles hard and falls over, and Chase mockingly applauds. Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Chase is annoyed. Chase CLUBS and stomps Kaito, then grabs his fingers to SNAP them! Very villainous of Chase, and then he digs his foot into Kaito’s face. The ref reprimands, Chase brings Kaito up and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Chase keeps Kaito down with a chinlock. Chase squeezes tight but Kaito endures. Chase KNEES Kaito in the back, then scuffs him with his boot.
Chase gives taunting kicks, and he even slaps Kaito around. Chase ROCKS Kaito with a forearm, but Kaito glares at Chase. Chase ROCKS him again, but Kaito shakes his head. Chase throws another forearm but Kaito roars as he ROCKS Chase in return! Chase throat chops! The ref reprimands but Chase runs, into an arm-drag! Kaito has the cording hold, Chase pulls hair, whips free, but Kaito CLOBBERS Chase! Kaito rallies with elbows and a whip, but Chase reverses. Chase runs in but into another elbow! Kaito goes up for a FLYING FOREARM! Fans rally up as Kaito rises and fires up!
Kaito goes up a corner, aims as Chase stands, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Chase stays in this and Kaito keeps his cool. Kaito brings Chase around, chicken wings, but Chase fights free. Chase runs, and he fakes out the dropkick! Chase SUPERKICKS Kaito down! Kaito crawls away to the far corner but Chase runs in to forearm smash! And then back suplex off buckles into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Kaito survives and fans fire up, but Chase locks ‘n’ loads. Chase says bang, and he reels Kaito in. Chase tucks the arms, but Kaito fights the lift! Chase CLUBS away on Kaito, then tries again. But Kaito back drops free!
Fans fire up as Kaito runs in, but Chase ducks the Shining Wizard! Kaito kicks and whips but Chase reverses. Kaito kicks again runs in, but into a rebound DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Chase can’t believe it but Kaito survives that innovative slam! Chase looms over Kaito as the fans rally, “KA-I-TO!” Chase sits Kaito up to C-TRIGGER! And then he tucks the arms, PACKAGE- RANA from Kaito! cover, TWO!! Chase escapes but even he has to check with the ref! Kaito runs in to JUMP KNEE! And then chicken wings, for TIGER DRIVER 23!! Cover, TWO!?! Chase survives but Kaito fires back up!
Kaito aims from a corner, runs back in, EVOLVED SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Kaito wins!
Winner: Kaito Kiyomiya, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)
Kaito stays in the green as he earns another victory! Will the Supernova keep shining all the way to the end?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Great-O-Khan VS KENTA!
Both these men lost their opening round matches, but now one of them will get on the board! Will the Rev-Pro Wrestling British Heavyweight Champion bring down the DEFY Wrestling Champion? Or will Fang Revived make The Dominator #GoToSleep?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Khan pushes forward but Kenta uses a leg guard. Khan still makes it to a press but Kenta keeps his shoulders up. Kenta kicks free but Khan moves around to go for another press, only for Kenta to bail out. Fans cheer this opening exchange, and Khan waits on Kenta. Kenta takes his time returning, and Khan sits back to dare him to try something. Kenta steps in, the two circle again, and they feel things out. But then Kenta just claws Khan’s face! Kenta runs, but Khan runs him over! Fans fire up but Kenta bails out again. Khan goes out after him!
The ref says to get this in the ring but Khan pushes him down! Kenta has his Defy belt and CLOBBERS Khan with it! Fans boo but Kenta drags Khan up to whip him into railing! Khan tumbles up and over, and Kenta goes out after him. Kenta brings Khan around by his ponytail, and he goes to the back second, to BOWL Khan into open chairs! The Young Lions rush over, as does the ref. The ref wants this back in the ring but Kenta kicks and stomps Khan around. The ref is more insistent, but Kenta still SMACKS Khan with a chair! Kenta pretends to be heading back, but then he taunts Khan with his arms-crossed pose.
Kenta stomps Khan, drags him up by his ponytail, and brings him back towards ringside. Kenta throws body shots, then POSTS him! The ref tells Kenta to get in the ring and Kenta hops up, only to DIVING STOMP Khan on the ground! Kenta kicks Khan against railing, then KICKS him in the chest! The ring count finally starts as Kenta KICKS Khan again! Kenta brings Khan up and in at 7 of 20, and fans applaud as Kenta steps in. Kenta stands on Khan for a cover, TWO! Fans applaud but Kenta gives Khan mocking kicks. Kenta brings Khan up but Khan ROCKS him with a forearm! Khan runs in at the corner, into a BOOT!
Kenta rushes Khan but Khan catches him into a Cobra Twist! Kenta fights it but Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! Khan then gut wrenches for a BIG suplex! Fans fire up and Kenta flops out of the ring. Khan goes back out after Kenta, drags him up, then whips him into railing! Now Kenta tumbles up and over! Khan goes out after Kenta and fans rally up as Khan brings Kenta around by his hair. Khan BOWLS Kenta into chairs! Fans fire up as Khan drags Kenta under a chair, and sits on him! The ref reprimands as the chair legs choke Kenta! Khan slaps Kenta around, but he still stands back up.
Khan then puts the chair around Kenta’s head! Khan brings Kenta to the very back, to RAM him into the wall! Kenta falls and sputters while fans rally behind Khan. The ref wants Khan to go to the ring, but Khan brings Kenta up and around with a headlock. Khan thrashes Kenta’s head, throws some knees, but Kenta hits back. Khan CLUBS Kenta, aims, but then RAMS Kenta into railing, not the post! Khan borrows a fan’s United Empire towel to CHOKE Kenta! The ring count climbs past 10 of 20, but Khan drags Kenta along with the towel! Khan sends Kenta in at 14 and returns the towel.
Khan steps in, drags Kenta up by his hair, and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Khan keeps on Kenta with the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Kenta grabs the ref! Khan is forced to let the hold go, and he’s furious now. But Kenta ducks the haymaker to shove Khan at the ref! Khan stops himself, elbows Kenta away, but Kenta dosidos with Khan to send him back in! Khan elbows Kenta away again, goes up top, FLYING MONGOLIAN- NO, Kenta blocks the chops to spin Khan for a DDT! Fans cheer that wild exchange, but Kenta gets mad at the ref for not taking the hit! Kenta then aims from the corner as Khan stirs.
Kenta runs in to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives and we pass 10 minutes! Kenta slashes his throat, Khan staggers up into the fireman’s carry! But Khan fights free, and he shoves Kenta into the ref! NOW the ref goes down and Kenta’s mad again! Kenta turns around, into the IRON FIST! Fans fire up and Khan drags Kenta up. Khan puts Kenta against ropes, to IRON FIST again! And again! Kenta falls over but Khan isn’t done with him! Khan drags Kenta up, scoops him, and hits the TTD! The Tenzan Tombstone Driver! Khan then fetches the ref, gets him up, and Khan goes to finish this!
Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW and drags Kenta up. ELIMIN- NO, Kenta blocks with a facelock! Khan still powers Kenta up! But Kenta hits a RANA out of it! Cover, with ropes!! KENTA WINS!
Winner: Kenta, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)
The Fang Revived snatches victory from the claw of defeat! Khan can’t believe it, either! Will Kenta have this golden ticket in his back pocket? Or will he still make this the GTS1?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Gabe Kidd!
Another example of two men who lost their opening round, though with impressive showings. Will the young Guerrilla of Destiny bring down the War Dog? Or will Kidd show his true strength?
Well Kidd continues to show his true colors as he CLOBBERS Hikuleo on the ramp! Just like he did to Chase last round! Kidd even kicks Jado down! Kidd rips railings apart, flips off fans, and he drags Hiku up to bring him around. Kidd HEADBUTTS Hiku and tells fans to get outta the way! Kidd tosses chairs around, brings Hiku deep into the seating area, and he makes Hiku take a seat so he can beat on him! Kidd then goes to the other section, grabs a chair, but Hiku BOOTS it into Kidd’s face! Fans fire up with Hiku and rally as he stalks Kidd. Hiku CHOPS Kidd and Kidd staggers into the crowd.
Hiku pursues, more fans have to move aside, and Hiku CHOPS Kidd! Kidd keeps staggering along, and we got to yet another section of the crowd. Hiku DECKS Kidd, and he makes sure fans know to move. Hiku scoops Kidd, aims, but Kidd slips free to CLAW Hiku’s eyes! The ref reprimands, but Kidd grabs someone’s seat and SMACKS Hiku with it! HEADSHOT! Fans boo but Kidd just taunts them. Kidd storms around, grabs more chairs and he starts to pile them on the floor. Kidd isn’t satisfied, he just keeps adding chair after chair! He’s got about ten chairs there! Kidd flips off everyone, they boo, but Hiku choke grips Kidd! CHOKE-
NO, Kidd fights free! Kidd brings Hiku up but Hiku back drops free, and Kidd falls on the chair pile! Fans fire up while Kidd writhes on the floor. Hiku stomps Kidd, drags him up, and brings him back to ringside. But Kidd fights with body shots, so Hiku CLUBS Kidd down! Kidd crawls away but Hiku pursues. They return to ringside after all, and Hiku brings Kidd up to put him in the ring. Fans cheer and Hiku steps in, the bell finally rings! Fans rally, Hiku runs in and SPLASHES! Hiku scoops to SNAKE EYES, but Kidd LARIATS! Hiku stays up to UPPERCUT! Kidd comes back to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Kidd and Hiku are down but the fans rally up. Kidd stands first, he drags Hiku up, and he reels Hiku in, but Hiku fights the lift. Kidd fights the back drop but Hiku gets free. Kidd SPITS at Hiku but fans boo. Kidd eggs Hiku on so Hiku DECKS Kidd! Hiku then waistlocks, but Kidd fights the lift! Fans rally, Hiku reels Kidd back in to GERMAN SUPELX! Kidd rises!? Kidd fires up and runs in, but into a scoop! SNAKE EYES again, for the LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Kidd survives and Hiku is surprised, but Jado says to end it! Hiku choke grips, and he drags Kidd up, but Kidd kicks low! Kidd is free, runs, but into a POWER- OW, more like a driver!
Kidd clutches his head, that wasn’t how that was supposed to go. But Hiku still drags him up with a choke grip, and then CHOKE- NO, Kidd fights it! Kidd CLAWS Hiku’s face, and CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Kidd wraps on a STANDING CROSSFACE! Makes sense, given how tall Hiku is! Fans rally as Hiku endures, claws at the arm, and reaches out, but Kidd pulls him and twists him around! Hiku powers through and still gets the ROPEBREAK! Kidd holds until the ref counts. Fans boo but Kidd shoves the ref down! And then drags Jado in! Kidd DECKS Jado with a forearm! Fans boo, but Hiku grabs Kidd! Kidd LOW BLOWS Hiku!!
The ref missed the low blow while he was attending to Jado! Kidd tucks Hiku in, PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, Kidd wins!!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hikuleo earns 0)
Kidd flips everyone off for doubting him against the giant Guerrilla! Will Kidd continue to show how NJPW Strong he is in this tournament?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado!
The KOPW Champion trumped the IWGP United States Champion last round, while the Silverback went Ape Shit on Kenta. Will Loa add another champion to the short list? Or will the Holy Emperor prove he is the alpha male?
The bell rings and fans rally up with “Let’s Go, Taichi!” Loa and Taichi circle, tie up, and Taichi powers Loa back. Loa powers Taichi back and shoves him down! Fans applaud the show of strength but Taichi stands back up. They approach and Loa eggs Taichi on. Taichi CHOPS, and Loa nods. Loa winds up to ROCK Taichi with a forearm! Fans cheer as Taichi stays up, and CHOPS in return! Loa nods, and ROCKS Taichi again! Taichi CHOPS, Loa grins and nods, and he ROCKS Taichi again! They CHOP and forearm on repeat, but Taichi kicks low and whips. Loa reverses, they RAM shoulders, and fans cheer as neither falls.
Taichi runs and RAMS Loa, but Loa doesn’t budge! Loa grins, runs, but Taichi BOOTS! Taichi runs and BOOTS again! Loa rebounds to BOOT Taichi down! Fans fire up and Taichi bails out. Loa shakes out the leg, it is still tricky, but he goes out to fetch Taichi. But Taichi hits low! And kicks low! Taichi whips but Loa reverses and sends Taichi into railing! Loa runs in but Taichi blocks the boot! Taichi SLAMS the bad leg into a post! Fans rally as Taichi pursues Loa around the way. Loa stands but Taichi kicks the bad leg out! Loa falls over but Taichi puts him back in the ring. The fans cheer as Taichi steps in.
Taichi stomps Loa’s leg, then pulls on the leg into a CALF KILLER! Loa endures, even as Taichi turns him at a deeper angle! Taichi even adds a chinlock to it! The fans rally, Loa fights, but Taichi lets him go. Taichi stomps Loa, eggs him on, and brings him up. Taichi stomps the bad leg, drags Loa around, and works to turn Loa over. Loa resists but Taichi stomps him in the head, and has the HALF CRAB! Taichi sits deep but Loa endures! Loa reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Taichi lets go while fans applaud. Jado rallies the fans while he coaches Loa up, but Taichi gives Loa toying kicks.
Taichi taunts Loa but Loa throws uppercuts! Loa stands to throw forearms, but Taichi wrenches an arm to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO! Taichi keeps his cool and watches Loa go to a corner. Loa drags himself up with the ropes, and Taichi runs in to clothesline! But Loa just growls! Taichi kicks low, gives Kawada Kicks, but Loa just growls! Loa blocks a punch, spins Taichi and kicks low, to scoop and SWINGING SLAM! Loa just manages it with one leg, and the fans rally up again. Loa rises, throws body shots and elbows and uppercuts on Taichi, and Taichi ends up in a corner.
Loa fires up, runs in, and clotheslines! Taichi falls down and fans rally up as Loa walks off the pain. Loa storms up on Taichi, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Taichi flounders, Loa is on him again, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps cool and he brings Taichi up for a forearm! And another! Loa whips corner to corner, runs in, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Loa falls and fans fire up! Jado coaches Loa and the fans rally up again. Taichi stands, storms up on Loa, and brings him around, but Loa fights the saido with elbows! Taichi kicks low but Loa throws a forearm! Taichi sobats, Loa uppercuts but Taichi ENZIGURIS!
Fans fire up while both men are down again! Taichi roars and fans rally behind him. OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims, Loa sits up, but Loa blocks the buzzsaw! To a KNEE BREAKER! But Taichi SWEEPS the bad leg! Both men are down as we pass 10 minutes! Fans rally, Loa goes to a corner and Taichi goes to the other. Both men stand, fire up, and they run in at each other! DOUBLE LARIATS collide but neither falls! So DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Still neither falls so Loa runs, DOUBLE LARIATS hit, and Taichi falls! Fans fire up as Loa pumps up. Loa runs, but Taichi gets around, DANGEROUS SAIDO!!
Fans rally up, Taichi rises and roars! Taichi vows to finish this, and he brings Loa up. Alabama Lift, but Loa fights that! Loa gets Taichi up but Taichi slips free, to ROUNDHOUSE! But Loa ENZIGURIS! Taichi comes back, but Loa LARIATS first! Loa drags Taichi up, scoops him, but Taichi slips free again! Taichi KICKS the bad leg out! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Loa escapes and fans fire up again! Taichi powers up the arm, Loa rises, and Taichi runs to AX- SPEAR!! Loa hits first and Jado says it’s time! Loa roars and he drags Taichi up! APE- NO, Taichi slips free, shoves, and O’Conner into the GEDO CLUTCH! TAICHI WINS!
Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Loa earns 0)
The KOPW Champion is on a roll! Will Taichi look to secure B Block for Just5Guys? And will he get more subscribers for his YouTube while he’s at it?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Ren Narita!
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s Gene Blast fell short against Kaito Kiyomiya, and the Son of Strong Style ended things in a draw with Shota Umino! Will this one end before time runs out?
The bell rings and fans duel already, “YO~TA!” “NA-RI-TA!” The two circle, feel things out, and circle a bit more. They feel out the grapple, Narita shoots in to waistlock but Tsuji switches. Narita switches, Tsuji drops and rolls and the two clinch. Narita goes for an arm but Tsuji waistlocks. Narita wrenches out, wristlocks, but Tsuji spins and wrenches back. Tsuji has the wristlock but Narita spins through to wrench and hammerlock. Tsuji reaches back but Narita cranks the hammerlock. Tsuji drop toeholds and floats to a headlock, but Narita fights up. Tsuji holds onto the hold, and hits a takeover. Narita headscissors, Tsuji kips free, and fans applaud the exchange.
Tsuji and Narita reset, circle, and they tie up. Narita powers Tsuji back, but then Tsuji powers Narita back. Tsuji puts Narita on the ropes, but the ref calls the break. Tsuji lets off slowly, then CHOPS! Fans cheer but Narita brushes that off. The two circle again, and Tsuji kicks low! And CLUBS away on Narita! Tsuji headlocks, but Narita powers up and out, only for Tsuji to run him over! Fans cheer as Tsuji stands on Narita’s face. Narita pushes the foot away but Tsuji scuffs him. Tsuji pushes Narita down, stands on him, but Narita pushes the foot away. So Tsuji sits cross-legged to taunt Narita and his mentor, Shibata!
Narita stands up in a huff but Tsuji is right up to knee Narita low! Tsuji CLUBS away on Narita then stomps him down! Fans rally and Tsuji brings Narita around. Tsuji taunts Narita with slaps, but Narita stands up to knee low and CLUB away on him! Narita TOSSES Tsuji out and fans cheer. Tsuji stands, Narita waits on him, and Tsuji just grins. Tsuji takes his time returning as the ring count climbs. Tsuji waits until 11 of 20, but Narita is right on him! Narita TOSSES Tsuji back out, but Tsuji hurries right back up! Narita BOOTS Tsuji down, and Tsuji almost takes out the timekeeper’s area!
Fans rally up while Narita waits on Tsuji. The ring count starts again, and Tsuji stands at 7 of 20. Tsuji checks his chin, has the ref keep Narita back, and he slides in at 13. Narita rushes in, but Tsuji dodges to then RANA! Narita flops out of the ring and fans fire up for Tsuji! Tsuji builds speed, but Narita slides in to kitchen sink knee! Tsuji is down and Narita stomps him around. Narita bumps Tsuji off buckles, stomps away on him, but the ref counts. Narita hops up to dig both boots into Tsuji’s face! The ref counts, Narita lets off, and he drags Tsuji up. Narita UPPERCUTS Tsuji, whips him, and NECKBREAKER DROPS him!
Tsuji rolls to the apron but Narita goes after him! Narita drags Tsuji up but Tsuji swings, only for Narita to catch him to a SLEEPER in the ropes! The ref counts, Narita lets off at 4 and Tsuji slumps to the floor. Fans rally up and Narita lets the ring count handle this. Tsuji stirs at 5 of 20, but we pass 10! And then 15! Narita goes out to put Tsuji in at 16! Fans cheer as Narita doesn’t want a count-out win! But then Tsuji BLASTS Narita off the apron! Fans fire up, Tsuji builds speed, and he DIVES! In fact, Tsuji hits so hard, he goes over the railing right by commentary! Fans fire up as Tsuji stands! Tsuji then goes around the way to return to ringside.
Tsuji drags Narita up, wrenches his arm, and whips him hard into railing! Narita falls over and Tsuji storms up to him. Tsuji drags Narita up, puts him in the ring, and fans fire up with Tsuji as he steps back in. Tsuji drags Narita up at the 10 minute mark, to scoop and SLAM! Tsuji then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Narita is still in this but Tsuji grins again. Tsuji drags Narita up but Narita CHOPS! Tsuji just smiles, and Narita CHOPS again! And again! Tsuji CHOPS Narita back! Narita sputters, Tsuji runs, but into a WHEEL KICK! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Narita goes to a corner and drags himself up, then runs in to ELBOW Tsuji in the corner!
Narita HALF HATCH BRIDGES! TWO, but Narita wraps on the SLEEPER! Narita leans on the hold but Tsuji fights up. Narita uses that to go for the Cobra Twist! But Tsuji hip tosses free! Narita stands and clinches, but Tsuji fights the lift and CLUBS Narita! Tsuji runs, into another kitchen sink knee! Narita brings Tsuji up but Tsuji fires forearms! Narita gives them back, and they go back and forth! Narita fires off a flurry, runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Tsuji grins again and fans fire up as he paces around. Tsuji gets Narita’s legs, and turns him over for a BOSTON CRAB! Fans rally as Narita endures!
Narita powers up, crawls forward, reaches out, but Tsuji drags him back! Tsuji sits deep on the hold, but Narita keeps fighting! Narita claws his way around but Tsuji makes it more like a LION TAMER! Narita powers up, but Tsuji sits deep again! And he grabs Narita’s arms?! Narita fights to move forward, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Tsuji lets go and Narita crawls to a corner. Narita stands, and Tsuji throws a forearm. Tsuji eggs Narita on, so Narita throws one back! Tsuji throws another forearm, but Narita throws it back! Tsuji ROCKS Narita, and Narita fires up, but the damage to his back holds him back!
Tsuji runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! And then he runs Narita over! Tsuji drags Narita up to scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Narita survives and fans fire up! We hit 15 minutes so time is running out. Fans rally and Tsuji feeds off the energy. Tsuji drags Narita up, calls his shot, and he suplexes, only for Narita to fight it! Tsuji powers through, Narita slips out, but Tsuji fights the German Suplex with elbows! Narita uses that to back suplex, but Tsuji lands out of it! Tsuji runs in, into a clinch! But he CLUBS free! But Narita avoids the knee to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!!
Tsuji escapes and Narita is stunned! Fans rally up again, and Narita rises to bring Tsuji up. But Tsuji swings, only for Narita to spin him around! But Tsuji turns that around into the ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!!! Narita survives but fans are thunderous as we reach the three minute warning! Tsuji waits on Narita as the fans rally up. Narita flounders up, Tsuji runs, and CURB STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Narita survives again but Tsuji won’t let that stop him! Tsuji roars and the fans stay fired up! Narita rises, Tsuji runs in, but Narita avoids the spear! To JUMP STOMP! Cover, TWO!! And we’re at two minutes!
Narita hurries to get Tsuji up, clinch and DOUBLE WRIST ARM SAULT! But he won’t stop there! Narita rolls through to drag Tsuji up with the wristlocks! But Tsuji V-TRIGGERS! And SUPERKICKS! Narita roars, so Tsuji HEADBUTTS him down! And he grins as he falls over?! Fans are thunderous again as Tsuji stirs and pushes himself back up. But we’re literally at the last minute! Tsuji drags Narita up, hoists him up top, and CHOPS him! Tsuji then climbs up after Narita, but Narita fires forearms! Tsuji throws them back! 30 SECONDS! Narita fires a flurry and he DECKS Tsuji! Narita adjusts as we hit 20 second!
Tsuji GAMANGIRIS! But Narita grabs Tsuji in a SLEEPER!! TEN SECONDS!! TOP ROPE COBRA TWIST!? Narita lets go, roars, and TIME IS UP!
Time Limit Draw, each man gains 1 point
Tsuji still dodges the diving knee, and he clotheslines Narita and himself outta the ring!! And Tsuji grins as he and Narita sputter and sit up. But check the history books, when was the last time someone’s first two matches in the G1 were both time limit draws? Is Narita going to create history in the strangest way possible? Will this draw be what keeps both men from the semifinals?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Will Ospreay!
Remember when Will Ospreay was in Chaos? The Head Hunter remembers. And he might be looking to humble the man who turned his back on them. Will Hashi add onto Ospreay’s loss from the first round? Or will the Aerial Assassin redeem himself in Yamagata?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Hashi as he circles with Ospreay. They tie up, and Ospreay wrenches to a wristlock. Hashi spins through, wrenches back and hammerlocks, but Ospreay headlocks to get free. Ospreay grinds Hashi down, but Hashi fights up and throws body shots. Hashi powers out, they RAM shoulders, and fans cheer as neither falls. Ospreay runs, they RAM shoulders again, but still neither falls. Hashi throws a forearm, Ospreay SOBATS, and Ospreay runs, but Hashi dodges to BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up with Hashi and he drags Ospreay up. Hashi CLUBS Ospreay and follows him to the corner.
Hashi ROCKS Ospreay with a forearm, Ospreay staggers to another corner, and Hashi CHOPS him! Ospreay drops to his knees, fans rally up, and Hashi brings Ospreay up. Hashi CHOPS again and Ospreay staggers to ropes. Ospreay stands but Hashi whips him to ropes. Ospreay holds ropes to stop himself, and then he dumps Hashi out! Ospreay PLANCHAS and down goes Hashi! Fans fire up and Ospreay storms around. Ospreay drags Hashi up, ROCKS him with a right, then follows him around the way, to POST him! Hashi falls over and Ospreay paces again. Ospreay puts Hashi in the ring and fans rally up.
Ospreay stomps Hashi, drags him up, and bumps him off buckles. Hashi falls back down and Ospreay paces. Ospreay is bleeding from where Hashi chopped him but he stands Hashi up to CHOP him in return! Hashi falls over and Ospreay “has a taste.” Ospreay then high stacks, TWO! Hashi is still in this but Ospreay drags him up. Hashi throws body shots, but Ospreay shoots around to a Cobra Twist! Hashi endures, but Ospreay digs his knuckles into Hashi’s hips! Ospreay throws down elbows then pulls on the Cobra Twist. Hashi endures, fights free, and hip tosses Ospreay down! Fans cheer as Hashi catches his breath.
Hashi brings Ospreay up but Ospreay CHOPS! Ospreay suplexes but Hashi knees free. Ospreay spins Hashi around to ROCK him with a forearm! Ospreay runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs! Hashi then hits a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down. Hashi and Ospreay rise, and Hashi runs Ospreay over! And UPPERCUTS! Hashi whips, Ospreay reverses, but Hashi comes back to CHOP! And mule kick! And then NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as Hashi climbs the corner. Ospreay stands, and Hashi leaps for a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Hashi keeps his cool.
Fans rally behind Hashi and he drags Ospreay up. Hashi fisherman’s but Ospreay slips free! Hashi mule kicks, whips, but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Ospreay feeds off that energy as he goes to the apron. Ospreay aims and springboards in, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Hashi is still in this but Ospreay keeps his cool. Ospreay calls his shot, but Hashi reels him in! Ospreay elbows back, and he CHOPS! Hashi staggers, but he comes back to CHOP! Ospreay grits his teeth and CHOPS again! Hashi stares Ospreay down and CHOPS him again!
Fans rally as Ospreay CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth! Ospreay is stinging, and Hashi fires a forearm! Ospreay gives Kawada Kicks in return! Hashi drops, Ospreay stands him up, and CHOPS him again! Hashi SPIN KICKS back! And full nelsons, pump handles, KARM- Ospreay flips out of it?!? Ospreay ROLLING ELBOWS, and ROLLING ELBOWS again! Hashi and Ospreay stagger, and Ospreay mule kicks! Ospreay springboards to OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives but Ospreay prepares the elbow pad! Ospreay aims from a corner, HIDDEN- NO, Hashi ducks it, to BLINDSIDE KNEE!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay and Hashi stir, and Ospreay sits up first. But Hashi stands first, and he fires up! Fans fire up, Hashi runs, but Ospreay swats the lariat to HOOK KICK! And then underhooks, to STORM- NO, Hashi slips free and SUPERKICKS! Hashi runs but Ospreay dodges, only for Hashi to still LARIAT him down!! Fans fire up with Hashi and he hauls Ospreay up, fisherman to the KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Hashi doesn’t lose focus! Hashi brings Ospreay up, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay is still in this and fans are thunderous!
Hashi roars, he brings Ospreay up, but Ospreay fights the pump handle. Ospreay ROCKS Hashi while holding onto the wristlock! And again! And again! But Hashi fires up to ROKC Ospreay again and again! But Ospreay HOOK KICKS! But Hashi ducks the roundhouse to UPPERCUT, half nelson, but Ospreay fights the lift! Hashi blocks the superkick to CHOP! Hashi runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives again and fans fire back up! Ospreay prepares his elbow, he aims from the corner, and runs in, into a LARIAT! Ospreay stays up, Hashi runs in, but into a BOOT! Ospreay goes up, Hashi SUPERKICKS!
Hashi fires up and the fans are with him! Hashi goes up, but Ospreay slips under to tuck him in! CHEEKY NANDOS! Into the Electric Chair, SPINNING POWERBOMB!! And then Ospreay goes up top, to CORKSCREW SENTON!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)
Crowns up for the Aerial Assassin! And he truly brought that nickname back with that wild flying finisher! Ospreay has some blood in his mouth but he doesn’t care as he tastes sweet victory. Will Ospreay continue until he conquers the G1 for the United Empire?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Shota Umino!
The Cold Skull got a big win in the opening round main event, and he doesn’t look to stop now. Will he bring the Roughneck to a Skull End? Or will Shota’s Paradigm Shift make big leaps in progress against THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?
The bell rings and fans rally up for “SHO~TA! SHO~TA!” Sanada shrugs that off as he and Shota circle, and the two tie up. Shota headlocks but Sanada wrenches, only for Shota to clamp on tighter. Sanada endures as Shota thrashes the hold, and he throws body shots. But Shota thrashes the headlock more! Sanada powers up, pulls hair, and Red Shoes reprimands as Sanada powers out. But Shota runs him over! Fans cheer and things speed up. Shota holds ropes to avoid the arm-drag, and then he dodges Sanada to arm-drag and ELBOW him down! Then basement dropkicks! Fans fire up with Shota while Sanada goes to the apron.
Sanada walks around the outside and steadies himself, but Shota eggs him on. Sanada stays outside and the ring count starts. Shota slides out but Sanada slides back in. Shata slides in but Sanada dropkicks him back out! Sanada then goes out after Shota and claws his face! Red Shoes reprimands and Sanada lets off. Sanada brings Shota up and CLUBS him on the back! Sanada then whips but Shota reverses, Sanada hits railing and tumbles over! Shota joins Sanada in No Man’s Land, and stomps him down! Then CLUBS him down! Shota drags Sanada up, but Sandaa throws body shots! And a CHOP!
Shota eggs Sanada on so Sanada throws more CHOPS! Shota ROCKS and CLUBS Sanada, then POSTS him! Sanada flops down while fans rally up behind Shota. Shota drags Sanada up, and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Sanada slumps to the floor and fans rally behind Shota again. Shota slides into the ring and lets the ring count start. Sanada stirs, sits up at 6 of 20, and stands at 11 of 20. Sanada slides in at 13 and Shota is on him for a cover, ONE! Shota keeps on Sanada with a bump off buckles. Shota ROCKS Sanada with a forearm, and another, then another! Shota keeps firing shots, and even UPPERCUTS over and over!
Shota lets off as Red Shoes counts, then he digs his boots in. Red Shoes counts again and Shota lets off. Shota drags Sanada up to a cravat and neck wrench. Sanada endures so Shota turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Sanada is hanging tough but Shota stomps him and taunts the champ. Sanada goes to a corner, Shota brings him up to whip corner to corner. Shota runs in but Sanada dodges! Shota hits buckles, then Sanada hits a BIG back suplex! Fans rally while both men are down. Sanada and Shota stir, and Sanada stands first. Sanada drags Shota up but Shota UPPERCUTS!
Shota whips, Sanada reverses and hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS Shota down! Fans fire up as Shota bails out, and Sanada PLANCHAS him down! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages him to get louder. The fans oblige but Sanada wants them even louder! The fans get louder for him and Sanada is satisfied. Sanada goes back to bring Shota up. Sanada puts Shota in, covers, TWO! Fans rally and Sanada brings Shota up t o a fireman’s carry. But Shota slips out to a dragon sleeper! Sanada fights free to kick and whip, but Shota reverses to scoop and DROP, then SLIDING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up with Shota!
Shota drags Sanada up, whips him corner to corner and runs in to UPPERCUT! And then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota hurries up top. Sanada stands, and Shota MISSILE- NO, Sanada gets under! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Shota follows to RANA! Sanada bails out and fans fire up with Shota again. Shota goes to the apron, aims, and runs in to FLYING CANNONBALL! Direct hit, and now Shota gets the fans to fire up more and more! They chant “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and he is satisfied. Shota stomps Sanada, paces around him, and Red Shoes goes out to check Sanada.
Sanada clutches his shoulder but he’s okay to continue. We pass 10 minutes and Shota drags Sanada up. Shota wrenches that bad arm, then wrenches it again! And again! Shota tortures that arm, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Fans rally, the ring count starts, and Shota brings Sanada up to put him in at 9 of 20. Shota then climbs, aims, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Direct hit this time! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this but Shota doesn’t lose his cool. Shota drags Sanada up, wrenches and clinches, but Sanada fights the lift! Shota UPPERCUTS! Shota eggs on the champ so Sanada CHOPS! Shota UPPERCUTS again!
Sanada staggers but he CHOPS again! Shota UPPERCUTS again! Sanada CHOPS again, Shota UPPERCUTS, and fans rally up as they pick up speed! Shota fires as flurry of UPPERCUTS, then runs, but Sanada dodges to tilt-o-whirl into the dragon sleeper! Fans fire up but Shota powers through, CROSS RHODES! Shota holds on and he drags Sanada up again, CROSS RHODES!! Shota isn’t done there, he brings Sanada up a third time, but Sanada turns it around to MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and fans rally up. Sanada kips up! Fans fire up and Sanada brings Shota around to scoop and BACKBREAKER!
Sanada then goes up the corner, and he ROUNDING BODY- NO, he has to land out of it as Shota moves! Sanada ROLLING ELBOWS, but Shota catches Sanada for an EXPLODER! Both men are down yet again and the fans rally up. Now Shota kips up! Sanada drags himself up with the ropes, and Shota runs in, and he blocks a boot! ROLLING ELBOW! Shota runs to UPPERCUT! Then Shota goes to the apron, SLINGSHOT DDT! But Shota isn’t done there, he aims and kicks low! It was a fake out to get the underhooks! But Sanada RAMS Shota into the corner! Sanada is free, and he runs back in, but into a BOOT!
Sanada comes back again but into more BOOTS! Shota runs in but Sanada dodges! Sanada QUEBRADA, and then SKULL- NO, Shota rolls through the Skull End to fisherman a leg, and SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and the fans rally back up! Shota keeps his focus on Sanada and hobbles over to the corner. We’re at 15 minutes, Shota TORNADO DDTS! And then he aims, shouting for Sanada to rise! Sanada stands and fans rally up again, IGNITION!! Cover, TWO!??! Sanada survives but Shota just fires up again! Shota brings Sanada up, but Sanada fireman’s carries! And throws Shota into the dragon sleeper!
Shota fights with fists from below, but he still fades! He sits down and Sanada keeps on the Skull End! Fans rally for Shota as Red Shoes checks, but then Sanada stands Shota up in the dragon sleeper! Shota is fading more, but he gets a second wind to lift Sanada up! ELEVATED DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down and the fans rally up again! Shota stands, roars and fans fire up with him! Shota brings Sanada up and we’re at the three minute warning! Sanada wrenches out but Shota ROCKS him! And ELBOWS and spins, into DEAD- NO, Shota slips free to ENZIGURI! But Sanada comes back!
Shota avoids the Shining Wizard to POP-UP UPPERCUT a la Claudio! Sanada drops to a knee so Shota gets the wrists! But Sanada dropkicks a leg out! Sanada runs but Shota DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up with Shota and he hurries to get Sanada back up! Underhooks, but Sanada wrenches out to O’Connor Roll but Shota rolls it back! TWO!!! Sanada escapes and runs in, to POP-UP CUTTER!! Two minute warning!! Fans rally as Sanada drags himself to the ropes. Sanada catches his breath in a corner, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! But he isn’t done there, he clinches to DEADFALL!!! Cover, Sanada wins!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Shota earns 0)
With a minute and a half to spare, the Cold Skull pulls off a hot finish! Will nothing stop the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion from making this his G1?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS El Phantasmo!
The Rainmaker brought down Great-O-Khan, while the Headbanga was brought down by the Head Hunter. Okada is looking to go back to back to back as G1 Climax Champion, but will he keep his momentum up? Or will ELP bring about Sudden Death?
Fans already duel between “O-KA-DA!” and “E L P! E L P!” ELP takes his shirt, and he personally hands it to a young fan in the front row. Fans cheer and chant for ELP more as he and the fan rocker finger high-five. ELP then returns to the ring, the bell rings and fans rally and duel again. ELP pretends to be surprised fans are cheering him on. ELP and Okada shake hands and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. The two tie up, go around, and ELP wrenches to a waistlock. Okada wrenches out to wristlock, but ELP rolls, trips Okada, and turns him over to tie up the legs. ELP then pulls Okada into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW!
Fans applaud while Okada endures, but Okada pops free to a cover. ONE, and the two stand off as fans applaud. ELP flexes and circles with Okada. ELP gets the fans to cheer for themselves, “YA-MA-GA-TA!” ELP then has them hush, and he starts an “O-KA-DA” chant? Okada doesn’t really react but then ELP turns it back into a chant for himself! “E L P! E L P!” ELP and Okada tie up, Okada puts ELP on ropes but ELP turns it around. ELP lets off, fakes a punch, but pats Okada on the shoulder. He’s copying Okada! But then his shoulder pats become a rhythm, and fans clap along, “E L P!” “O-KA-DA!” Okada is still not amused.
Okada pushes ELP back then ROCKS him! And again! And knees and CLUBS and fires off furious fists! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands as Okada has ELP on the ropes. Okada steps back but ELP throws a forearm! Okada eggs him on, the fans rally, and ELP throws more forearms! And CHOPS! Okada still eggs ELP on, so ELP hushes the fans. ELP fakes the chop to PURPLE NURPLE! Red Shoes reprimands and ELP lets off at 4. ELP ROCKS Okada, whips, but Okada reverses. ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! And then handsprings up! ELP clotheslines Okada outta the ring! Fans fire up and ELP takes aim! PLANCHA, but Okada moves.
ELP lands safe on the apron, but Okada trips him up! ELP hits apron on the way down and Okada watches him get up. Okada then kicks low and DDTS ELP to the floor! Okada leaves ELP behind to roll into the ring. Red Shoes checks ELP but he’s okay to continue, so the ring count starts. Okada waits, the count passes 10 of 20 before ELP stands. ELP staggers, falls over, staggers up again, and falls at 15! ELP staggers up again, and in at 18! Okada drags ELP up and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada stalks ELP to a corner, drags him up, and throws a heavy back elbow! ELP sits down and Okada paces.
Fans rally up but Okada brings ELP up again. Okada throws another heavy back elbow, then whips ELP corner to corner. Okada runs in to jumping back elbow! Kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as ELP hangs in there, but Okada grows annoyed. Okada sits ELP up to put on a straitjacket stretch! ELP endures, even as Okada smothers him with a chinlock attachment. ELP fights but Okada goes full chinlock to pull him back! ELP flails, reaches out, fights up to his feet, and he throws elbows. ELP is free, and he CHOPS Okada! Fans rally, ELP runs but into a BOOT! Okada whips ELP but ELP reverses, only for Okada to duck ‘n’ dodge!
But ELP goes the other direction and he CLOBBERS Okada! Fans rally while both men are down. ELP stirs and kips up! Fans cheer, and ELP hits an atomic drop! ELP CHOPS, scoops, and SLAMS Okada into a drop zone! Fans rally and ELP goes up the corner. ELP aims to DIVING ELBOW! Fans rally up and ELP tunes up the band. Fans clap along, Okada stands, SUDDEN- NO, Okada bails out! So ELP goes out after him! Okada kicks him low! Okada whips but ELP jumps over the railing! Okada runs up but ELP ROCKS him first! ELP hops up and TORNADO DDTS to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Red Shoes checks Okada, and he’s still okay to continue. ELP pounds the floor mats and fans rally up again. ELP stands, shakes the arm out, and he drags Okada up. ELP puts Okada in the ring, wraps him up, and torture racks, but Okada fights free! Okada wraps ELP up, MONEY CLIP! But ELP RAMS Okada into a corner before it locks in! ELP mule kicks, runs, but into a FLAPJACK! We’re past 10 minutes as both men are down again! Fans rally and duel between “O-KA-DA!” and “E L P!” and it sounds like the ELP fans are stronger! ELP rises first, goes to a corner, but Okada runs in to SHOTGUN ELP down!
Okada drags ELP up, Alabama Lifts him, but ELP clicks his heels to fight free! ELP ROCKS Okada, but Okada blocks the whip! Okada whips, runs in, but ELP goes up and over and rolls, to then duck ‘n’ dodges and springboard, into a DROPKICK from Okada! Fans rally and Okada grabs ELP’s wrist. Okada brings ELP around as fans duel again. Okada short arm LARIATS! And he holds onto the wrist to drag ELP up again. Short- NO, ELP BOOTS Okada! And again! And again! Okada still swings, but ELP dodges, only to run into another DROPKICK! Okada ripcords but ELP fights with elbows! So Okada GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Okada holds onto the waistlock, makes it a wristlock to ripcord, but ELP ducks the lariat! And avoids the dropkick, to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans rally up again. ELP drags Okada up, straitjackets and torture racks, for the BURNING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives but the fans still rally behind ELP! ELP brings Okada up, reels him in, and mocks the Rainmaker pose! But Okada back drops to sit on the cover! TWO!! ELP hits SUDDEN DEATH!! And then he gets Okada up, tucks the arms, C R 2!!! Cover, TWO?!? Okada survives and no one can believe it!
Fans are thunderous while both men are down! ELP drags himself with the ropes and sees Okada’s in the drop zone. ELP goes up the corner, but Okada rolls out of the ring. Fans boo but ELP just changes direction to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and down goes Okada! Fans fire up again and rally behind ELP! We hit 15 minutes as ELP stands up. ELP drags Okada up, puts him in the ring, and he goes up the ropes now! SPRINGBOARD THUNDERKISS onto knees!! Okada brings ELP up, MONEY- NO, ELP arm-drags! SUDDEN- NO, Okada dodges! RAIN- NO, ELP dodge! SUDDEN- NO, Okada scoops!
But ELP turns the scoop around on Okada! TOMBSTONE!! And then the arms are tucked in, C R- NO, Okada powers out to scoop and LANDSLIDE!! And then, RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)
The Headbanga twitched there at the end, but he did not have enough to survive Okada’s onslaught! However, ELP still shows respect to Okada with a bow before he leaves. ELP is stuck at the back of the Block, will he be able to have better luck in round 3?
As for Okada, he catches his breath and gets the mic to say, “MY SECOND WIN~!” Fans cheer, and Okada then asks Yamagata, “How was it? Are you fired up?” Fans cheer because they did like it! Are they fired up? He wants to hear it! The fans cheer louder, and Okada thanks them all for their “super hot support” today. Okada says “The G1 is all about matches like that, and the sound of all you guys, as well.” Okada knows that this was only his second win in the second round, so he’ll take every match as they come. He’ll make this the best summer ever! “And I’ll make sure you all know that Kazuchika Okada is the best ever, to boot!”
Fans cheer, and Okada says “This sweat, this is G1 sweat. Hey, if you don’t yell, I’ll cool off!” Fans cheer again because they wanna keep this hot! They chant for “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” and he says that’s more like it! “This is what wrestling needs! Let’s do it again!” Fans cheer that, too. Okada is looking for his third G1 Climax Championship in a row, because no one’s ever done it! “Who’s gonna be the first? It has to be Okada! I’ll make it three in a row and return to Yamagata as G1 Champion! And once again in Yamagata, I’LL MAKE IT RAIN!!” Fans are fired up for that, but can Okada keep up this momentum?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Sanada: 2-0, 4 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-0, 4 points
Chase Owens: 1-1, 2 points
Ren Narita: 0-0-2, 2 points
Shota Umino: 0-1-1, 1 point
Yota Tsuji: 0-1-1, 1 point
Gabe Kidd: 1-1, 2 points
Hikuleo: 0-2, 0 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 2-0, 4 points
Taichi: 2-0, 4 points
Will Ospreay: 1-1, 2 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-1, 2 points
Tanga Loa: 1-1, 2 points
Kenta: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 0-2, 0 points
El Phantasmo: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great third night for the G1, and a great second round for the A and B Blocks. Some fairly logical results this time around, like Gabe Kidd, Kenta and Ospreay rebounding, Kaito and Taichi winning again, and for that matter, of course Sanada and Okada win as essentially the top two guys in this part of the G1. However, I am really surprised Narita had another time limit draw and with Yota Tsuji this time. Narita neither winning nor losing two matches in a row is a wild move for his first G1 and I’m digging it. Now, I don’t know if I want this a third time, but it’d be wild if he did go three matches in a row with all 20 minute time limit draws.
And going back to Okada winning again, he and ELP had a great main event, that finishing sequence was one of the best tonight, maybe even so far in the G1. ELP continues to show promise, but his only singles achievements are Super J Cup tournament wins, a British J Cup win in Rev-Pro, and being the Rev-Pro Cruiserweight Champion. He has beef with Finlay, he deserves a good feud with Finlay as part of the world finally getting a proper Bullet Club Civil War blowoff match with ELP bringing in like the Guerrillas of Destiny and even Bullet Club Gold from AEW. ELP should be the one to take the NEVER Openweight Championship off Finlay to kickstart a singles push to make ELP a big name in this growing wave of the younger stars.
My Score: 8.8/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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