Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/21/23)
A & B, round 3!

Cold Skull VS Gene Blast, THE REMATCH!
The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is on a roll going into round three, will Sanada go 3-0? Or will Yota Tsuji avenge his loss at Dominion?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Tanga Loa; Hashi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Ren Narita VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Great-O-Khan VS El Phantasmo; Khan wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Hikuleo VS Chase Owens; Chase wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS KENTA; Ospreay wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Kaito Kiyomiya; Time Limit Draw.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Taichi; Okada wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Yota Tsuji; Sanada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current 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 current 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
G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado!
The Head Hunter and Silverback have each broken even so far, but someone’s going to #TurnItAllAround! So will it be Hashi or Loa who manages to #GetBackUp?
The bell rings and Hashi SUPERKICKS! And rolls Loa up! Bridging schoolboy, TWO!! But Hashi cradles, TWO! Loa gets up, scoops Hashi, but Hashi slips free! Hashi shoves and dropkicks a leg out! Fans fire up as Hashi takes a moment to catch his breath. Hashi stomps Loa, fans rally up, and Hashi brings Loa up. Loa shoves Hashi away but Hashi CLUBS Loa at the ropes. Hashi CHOPS Loa to a corner, stomps him, then pulls his shirt off! Fans cheer but Loa ROCKS Hashi! Hashi ROCKS Loa, but Loa ROCKS Hashi! Loa fires another forearm, and another, but Hashi CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Loa snarls and Hashi CHOPS again! Hashi fires a forearm, CHOPS Loa to the corner, and fans fire up while Loa grits his teeth. Hashi forearms, whips corner to corner, but Loa comes back to run Hashi over! Fans fire up again as Loa paces. Loa drops a leg on Hashi, covers, TWO! Hashi hangs tough but Loa looms over him. Loa CLUBS Hashi down, then stalks him to ropes. Loa stands Hashi up, CLUBS him again, and Hashi goes to the apron. Loa drags him back in to stomp him at the ropes! The ref counts, Loa lets off, and Loa drags Hashi back up. Hashi throws body shots! And a CHOP! But Loa throws a forearm!
Hashi throws a forearm and a chop, but Loa back hands, UPPERCUTS, and repeat! Fans fire up as Loa backs Hashi to a corner, then CHOPS him down! Loa paces to walk off the stinging in his chest, and then he brings Hashi back up. Loa whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Hashi sends him into buckles! Mule kick! Turn and NECKBREAKER! Fans rally while both men are down! Loa goes to a corner, Hashi goes to the opposite. Hashi runs in corner to corner to clothesline! And whips, to CHOP Loa, then mule kick! Buckle bump and DOUBLE CHOP! Fans fire up as Loa falls over!
Hashi goes up the corner and climbs to the top! Fans rally as Loa rises, and Hashi FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Loa is still in this but fans rally behind Hashi. Loa rises, Hashi runs, but Loa swats the lariat! Hashi CHOPS! Hashi reels Loa in, but Loa fights the fisherman! Loa throws body shots, and he suplexes Hashi! Loa holds Hashi up as marches around, and fans fire up for the JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and fans are even more fired up! Jado coaches Loa and the fans rally again. The two crawl for each other, and Loa throws a forearm! Hashi throws one back! So Loa throws another!
Hashi roars and throws another forearm! They stand, and the forearms keep going back and forth! Hashi gets the edge, but Loa roars! Hashi mule kicks! Loa roars again, swings, but misses, and Hashi hits the RUNNING BLOCKBUSTER! Fans rally again as Loa crawls to ropes. Loa goes to the apron, Hashi runs in, but Loa RAMS into Hashi! And slingshots to sunset flip! Hashi rolls through to SUPERKICK! Fans fire up with Hashi, and he drags Loa up. Hashi reels him in, full nelsons, but Loa fights it! Hashi pump handles, but Loa CLUBS Hashi! Hashi CHOPS back! Loa ROCKS Hashi!
The two go back and forth, forearm for forearm, then Hashi fiers off a flurry of shots! Loa just growls and throws forearms of his own! Loa runs, but Hashi gets around to full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX! Loa staggers up, Hashi runs and LARIATS! Fans fire up as Loa stands right back up! They DOUBLE LARIAT, but neither falls! DOUBLE LARIAT again, yet neither falls! Both men roar, DOUBLE LARIAT and Hashi falls! Loa runs, but into an ELBOW! Hashi runs, but into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and fans are thunderous! Jado rallies for Loa and the fans rally up again as Loa stands.
Loa brings Hashi up, scoops him, but Hashi shifts to a SLEEPER! Loa reaches out, moves around, throws elbows, and is free! But Hashi dodges the lariat, only for the SOUTHPAW to hit! Fans fire up and Loa rises again. Loa fires himself up, and he goes to the corner! Loa climbs up to the top rope?! For a DIVING HEADBUTT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hashi survives and fans are thunderous again! Loa looks to Jado and Jado says to go Ape Shit! Loa drags Hashi up, scoops him, but Hashi fights around! CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! AKA, Itadakikari (Easy Pickings)! Cover, HASHI WINS!
Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Loa earns 0)
This new powerful finisher of Hashi’s does it again! Will it help him make the rest of the G1 easy pickings?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Ren Narita VS Gabe Kidd!
It has been two matches and two time limit draws for the Son of Strong Style, and that still has him even with the 1-1 War Dog Kidd. Will he finally get a solid win or take a hard loss in the third?
Wait, Narita’s Strong Style Senses are tingling. He turns around and sees Gabe sneaking up on him! Gabe knows he’s in trouble now, but he still rushes in! Narita dodges the chair shot to fire off forearms and UPPERCUTS Gabe down! Fans fire up as Narita leaves Gabe behind to then grab a mic! “OI, GABE! Beat me in the ring!” Fans cheer that and Gabe gets mad. Gabe rushes in, the two RAM shoulders and fire forearms, and now the bell rings! Fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Then Gabe BITES Narita’s forehead! Fans boo, Gabe flips them off, and then he whips Narita corner to corner to clothesline!
Gabe flips fans off again, runs, but Narita follows to BOOT him in the corner! Narita whips corner to corner, Gabe reverses, but Narita comes back to BOOT him down! Gabe gets up to CHOP! Gabe headlocks, but Narita powers out to headlock back. But Gabe uses that to SAIDO! But Narita’s right up!? To GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as both men flounder to opposite sides. Fans fire up as Narita storms up on Gabe. But Gabe powers Narita to ropes! Narita turns it around, the ref counts, and Gabe suplexes Narita and himself out of the ring!! Fans fire up and the ref checks both men. They’re somehow okay to continue, and Narita drags himself up.
Fans fire up as Narita roars! But Gabe throws body shots and forearms! Gabe whips, Narita reverses and Gabe hits railing! Then Narita BOOTS him over the railing! The ref checks Gabe again but he’s okay to continue. Narita shakes out the stars while the ring count starts. Narita fetches Gabe from No Man’s Land, and brings him back to ringside at 9 of 20. Narita puts Gabe in at 10 and fans cheer. Narita fires himself back up, but Gabe unties a buckle pad! Narita storms over but Gabe SMACKS him off bare steel! The ref checks Narita now and Gabe flips off booing fans. The ref tries to fix the buckle pad but Gabe stops him!
Gabe laughs as he SMACKS Narita off the buckle again and again! Gabe shoves Narita down but the ref refuses to count! Gabe gets mad and gets in the ref’s face! Fans boo, Gabe just flips them off again. Fans rally for “NA-RI-TA!” but Gabe drags him up. Gabe talks trash, and he CHOPS Narita! Narita sputters and Gabe gives him scuffing kicks. Gabe then CHOPS Narita again! Narita shakes his head, so Gabe CHOPS again! Gabe eggs Narita on, CHOPS him, but Narita CHOPS back! And again! And again! Narita fires up to CHOP again! Gable CHOPS back, Narita CHOPS, it’s a CHOP fight! Fans cheer with every CHOP!
Narita gets the edge as he CHOPS Gabe to a corner! And then he gives more CHOPS until Gabe falls! Narita stands on Gabe but the ref counts. Narita steps off, brings Gabe up, but Gabe BITES Narita again! And ROCKS him with a right! Narita gets around, shoves and WHEEL KICKS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Narita and Gabe go to opposite corners, and Narita runs in to BACK ELBOW! Then he HALF HATCH BRIDGES! Cover, TWO!! Gabe escapes but Narita puts on the SLEEPER! Gabe fights up and around, but Narita puts on a COBRA TWIST! Gabe hip tosses free, but Narita drags him down into a KNEEBAR!!
Gabe endures, CHOPS at Narita, but Narita pulls on the leg harder! Narita then shifts to tie up both legs, and he rolls Gabe into a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!! Gabe endures, fights his way forward, reaches out, but Narita sits deep! Gabe still powers his way to the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go in frustration, and he drags Gabe up. Narita clinches but Gabe fights it! Narita shoots around to the COBRA TWIST! But Gabe switches, and shoves Narita at the ref! Narita stops himself in time, but Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS Narita on the back! Then ripcord and SLAP!! Narita flops right over! The ref checks as Narita is in a daze!
Gabe stands on Narita and flips off the fans and they boo. Gabe kicks at Narita, taunts the fans and even calls out Shibata! Guess Gabe doesn’t know Shibata is in Trenton, New Jersey for Death Before Dishonor. That aside, Gabe drags Narita up, and he talks trash, but Narita gets around! GERMAN SUPLEX BRIDGE! ONE!! Gabe LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Gabe BOOTS Narita, but Narita BOOTS back! And CHOPS! Gabe rebounds, Narita dodges, JUMP STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives but Narita fires back up! Fans are with him as he drags Gabe up. Narita clinches to NORTHERN LIGHTS, and roll through!
Narita has the wrists, drags Gabe up and COBRA TWISTS! Gabe endures, pries free, grabs the ref, and he LOW BLOWS Narita! Then LEG TRAP PILEDRIVERS!! Cover, GABE WINS!!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Narita earns 0)
The Son of Strong Style wasn’t strong enough to avoid Gabe going to such lows! And he continues to call out Shibata! Will this War Dog take the block by any means necessary? Will the Wrestler return to humble him after the G1?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Great-O-Khan VS El Phantasmo!
As surprising as it may seem, the Dominator and the Headbanga are at the bottom of the block! But that means someone is about to be the very bottom! Who avoids going 0-3 in the G1?
The bell rings and Khan rushes in! ELP goes up and over, rolls Khan up, TWO! ELP steps over, La Magistrol! TWO, and ELP reels Khan in, but Khan fights the backslide! Khan spins ELP around to suplex but ELP slips free. Khan kicks low, whips, but ELP sunset flips! TWO and Khan sits on ELP! TWO, and ELP has a ghost pin! TWO and the two separate! Fans fire up as things speed up, and ELP RANAS Khan away! ELP handsprings while Khan bails out and fans fire up again! ELP builds speed, but he has to tumble out as Khan moves. Khan kicks low, and whips ELP! ELP goes up and over the railing!
Khan runs up, ELP ROCKS Khan, then hops up to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down on the outside! ELP rises, hurries over to Khan, and stands him up to CHOP! And CHOP! ELP then puts Khan in and fans cheer. ELP climbs the ropes as fans rally, and ELP springboards, but FLOPS as Khan moves! Khan hurries up to go after ELP’s shoulder tape! Khan tears that away to clamp on the IRON CLAW! ELP endures, Khan grabs a leg and has a HAFL CRAB HEADSCISSOR! ELP scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Khan drags ELP to a chinlock! Khan digs his elbow in!
Fans rally but Khan hammers ELP’s shoulder! ELP endures as Khan digs his knee in. ELP moves around, Khan facelocks! Khan leans his weight on the hold, but ELP reaches out to a ROPEBREAK! Khan lets off, but kneels on ELP’s neck. The ref counts and Khan steps away. Khan kicks ELP around, fans rally up, and ELP shoves Khan. Khan storms up to ROCK ELP! ELP goes to a corner, Khan drags him up to a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! But Khan clamps on a CROSSFACE! ELP scrambles around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Khan keeps on the hold until 4, and pounds the mat in frustration.
Fans rally, Khan and ELP rise, and ELP storms up on Khan. ELP throws a forearm, but Khan shakes that off. Khan Mongolian Chops ELP down! Fans fire up while ELP stands back up. ELP storms up to throw another forearm! Khan feels that one, but he still Mongolian Chops back! ELP falls back down, but he stands back up and shakes his head. Khan eggs him on as he staggers around, and ELP comes back to fire forearm after forearm. Only for Khan to Mongolian Chop again! ELP shakes his head, storms around the ring, and fans rally as he winds up. Khan waits with arms behind his back, and ELP… PURPLE NURPLES!
Fans fire up but the ref reprimands! Wait, is Khan getting stronger from the purple nurples?! And he pries ELP’s hands away, to BITE ELP’s nipple?!?! The ref reprimands and fans go wild as Khan backs ELP into a corner like that! So ELP BITES Khan’s ear! The ref reprimands and counts and both men stop biting. Khan drags ELP up to bump him off buckles, and fans fire up as Khan hops up, to sit on his throne! But ELP slips free to GAMANGIRI! Khan tumbles to the floor! ELP then DIVES to send Khan into railing! Khan hits so hard, he tumbles over the railing! Fans fire up again and ELP goes back into the ring.
Khan rises in No Man’s Land, and fans rally as ELP climbs the ropes! SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY into the front row!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down, and they rally behind “E L P! E L P!” ELP stirs while the ref checks Khan. ELP drags himself up and roars, and the fans fire up again! ELP brings Khan up off the chairs, dumps him over the railing and then puts him back in the ring. ELP climbs the ropes again, to SPRINGBOARD SWANTON, to then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!! Khan survives and fans fire up again! ELP rallies the fans, and he brings Khan up with the straitjacket!
Khan fights the lift into the torture rack, and ELP’s bad arm gives up! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! ELP swings, but into the STO! Cover, TWO! ELP hangs tough and fans rally up. Khan drags ELP into the COBRA CLUTCH! ELP endures, reaches out, and he scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Khan thrashes ELP but still lets off at 4. Khan drags ELP up, whips him corner to corner and clotheslines him in the back! Khan then hoists ELP up to SLAM DUNK off the buckles! Khan runs, into SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP crawls to the cover, TWO!! Khan survives and ELP grits his teeth as he clutches his shoulders while fans fire up again!
ELP drags Khan up to throw a forearm! Khan throws one back! ELP throws another, so Khan throws it back! ELP stands and BUZZSAWS! Then he reels Khan in, tucks the arms, but Khan fights free! IRON CLAW! ELIMIN- NO, ELP slips free but Khan ducks Sudden Death! LARIAT, but ELP stays up! ELP swings, into the IRON CLAW SLEEPER SUPLEX! But he rises again!? ELP LARIATS, but Khan stays up! Khan LARIATS ELP inside-out! Fans fire up and Khan goes back for ELP, but ELP flops out of the ring! ELP saves himself but Khan goes to the apron. Khan aims, runs in, and FLYING BOOTS ELP down!
Khan drags ELP up to scoop and TTD to the floor!! Fans fire up as Khan drags ELP around and into the ring! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW and drags ELP up! ELIMINATOR BACKBREAKER!! Into HITSUJIGOROSHI!! ELP TAPS, Khan wins!!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by submission (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)
The Dominator avoids 0-3, and subjects the Headbanga to that fate! Will ELP be stuck in last place the rest of the G1? Will Khan look to conquer the block for the United Empire?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Chase Owens!
The Guerrillas of Destiny have a grudge against the Bullet Club, and perhaps rightfully so. But it wasn’t like The Crown Jewel pulled the trigger. Will Hikuleo bring himself to break Chase for what someone else did? Or will he hesitate when he has Chase in his sights?
Chase wants Oskar Leube to take his place since he’s bigger, but Oskar says no thanks. Chase reluctantly gets in the ring, the bell rings and fans rally up. Chase wants everyone to hold on, and he throws up the Too Sweet. Hiku says like hell he’s doing that, so Chase pokes him in the forehead with it. Hiku swings on Chase! Chase gets around, waistlocks, but Hiku backs him down into the corner! The ref counts, Hiku taunts Chase with the Too Sweet, then lets off. Chase shoves Hiku and calls him a giant SOB, but then he cowers when Hiku shows haymaker! The ref counts as Hiku smothers Chase in the corner.
Hiku lets off and eggs Chase on. Chase comes back, but Hiku keep shim o the ropes. Chase gets away, shows punch, but reconsiders as Hiku stares him down. Chase kick slow, and tries to scoop! But Hiku’s too big, and he CLUBS Chase! Hiku scoops, Chase slips off and CHOPS! Hiku doesn’t budge so Chase apologizes. Chase dodges a chop, kicks low, but Hiku blocks the whip! Hiku whips Chase to a corner but Chase avoids the elbow to CHOP! Hiku again just scowls and Chase sighs. Hiku TOSSES Chase to a corner but Chase BOOTS back! Only for Hiku to CHOP him off his feet! Fans fire up while Chase is stinging.
Hiku drags Chase up, and RAMS him into buckles! Hiku runs in but Chase dodges! Only for Hiku to BOOT him down! Chase bails out, and he blows snot at Jado! Hiku storms out after Chase, but Chase hurries under the ring! Hiku grabs for him but Chase has gotten away. So Hiku pursues! But Chase SMACKS Hiku with something! The ref was busy with Jado, and couldn’t see it anyway so what’s he call? Chase emerges and he has a wrench in hand! Borrowing an idea from Sho, is he? Chase goes back to stomp Hiku’s arms, then he goes into the ring. The ring count starts while Hiku leans against railing.
Hiku stands at 5 of 20, clutches that arm, and goes up the apron at 13. But Chase WRECKS him with a dropkick! Hiku comes back to choke grip Chase! But Chase SNAPS the fingers! Now Chase is acting like a Villain! Chase goes out after Hiku, and SLAMS the bad hand against the post! Chase stalks Hiku around, asks Yoshinobu for a Too Sweet but he says no thanks. Chase wraps Hiku’s arm around railing! Chase bends the fingers, and makes Hiku Too Sweet him! Then Chase lets go, and he stalks Hiku along the way. Chase wraps Hiku’s arm around post, and YANKS Hiku into the steel! Chase then talks Hiku, and stomps a leg!
Hiku pushes Chase away but Chase puts him in the ring. Chase grabs the bad arm, hammerlocks it with his legs, and SNAP LOCKS it! Hiku writhes but Chase mocks Jado with a flex and pose. Fans rally as Hiku pie faces Chase. But Chase blocks a boot and puts the leg in ropes, to dropkick the leg! Chase wrenches Hiku’s arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! And then he stands on the arm to SHOULDER SNAP it! Chase mocks Hiku calling for the choke slam, then scuffs him. Hiku CHOPS from below! Chase is still stinging, but he kicks Hiku again. Hiku chops but with the bad hand! Chase BOOTS Hiku!
Hiku shakes his head and fans rally up. Hiku chops with the bad hand but Chase BOOTS him again! Chase runs, but Hiku dodges the boot to waistlock! Chase throws elbows, frees himself, but Hiku still runs him over! And ELBOWS him! Chase staggers up, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Fans fire up and Chase goes to a corner. Hiku runs in to SPLASH! And then scoop for SNAKE EYES! Hiku runs to LARIAT Chase down! Fans fire up and Hiku drags Chase back up. Hiku suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Chase writhes, Hiku covers, TWO!! Fans rally and Hiku shakes out the bad arm. Jado coaches Hiku up and Hiku brings Chase around.
Hiku fireman’s carries, but Chase fights free! Hiku swings, Chase dodges and SUPERKICKS! Chase LARIATS Hiku up and out! But Hiku lands on his feet and fires up! But then Chase WRECKS Hiku with a dropkick! Chase puts Hiku in, climbs a corner, but Hiku choke grips! Chase drops down to HOTSHOT the bad arm! Chase hurries in, CROSSFACE!! Chase traps the bad arm but Hiku endures! Fans rally, Hiku moves around, and Jado coaches him to keep fighting. Hiku reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Chase lets off quickly. Chase runs in to C-TRIGGER!! Hiku flops over but Chase brings him up!
Chase traps the arms, but Hiku is so big! Hiku powers up but Chase HAMMERS away on him! Hiku ROCKS Chase with a forearm! Chase LARIATS, Hiku roars but Chase SUPERKICKS! Hiku stays up to UPPERCUT! Chase wobbles, we hit 10 minutes, and Hiku snarls. Chase fires up, but runs into the POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Hiku clamps on the choke grip! Hiku drags Chase up, but Chase grabs ropes! Hiku drags Chase away anyway, but Chase slips out of the slam! But his leg gives out! Chase gets the kneepad of his bad leg, and he even checks the knee brace. Wait, Chase is taking it off?
Chase SPITS at Hiku!! Hiku storms up, into a KNEE BRACE SHOT!! Schoolboy cover, TWO!!! C-TRIGGER!! High stack cover, CHASE WINS!
Winner: Chase Owens, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hikuleo earns 0)
Well now Hikuleo has a reason to hate Chase! Chase snatches victory away and Hikuleo is still at the bottom of the block! Will winning the G1 be Chase’s biggest heist yet?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS KENTA!
The IWGP United States Champion and the DEFY Wrestling Champion are each just outside the top of the block at 1-1. Will the Aerial Assassin be able to break the Fang Revived? Or will Kenta make Ospreay #GoToSleep?
As Ospreay goes to the corner for his entrance, Kenta attacks him! Fans boo as Kenta beats Ospreay down, but the bell rings to get this on record. Kenta mocks the fans, then stomps Ospreay. Kenta takes Ospreay’s jacket to put it on like he’s the Commonwealth Kingpin! Kenta stomps Ospreay even more, then climbs the corner to mock the rest of Ospreay’s entrance. Kenta hops down, takes off the jacket, and pretends it smells. But Ospreay BOOTS Kenta! And fires off forearms! Ospreay ROCKS Kenta, Kenta ROCKS Ospreay, they fire forearms back and forth! Kenta whips, but Ospreay holds ropes to then dump Kenta out!
Ospreay then PLANCHAS, but Kenta gets clear! Kenta kicks and whips and Ospreay tumbles up and over railing! Kenta goes out after Ospreay in No Man’s Land, then drags Ospreay up. The ref wants this in the ring so Kenta brings Ospreay down the aisle, to whip hard into the railing! Of course, that railing is plastic so it breaks right apart! The ref reprimands, Kenta stomps Ospreay right in front of fans, and then Kenta takes a fan’s phone to take a selfie of himself standing on Ospreay’s head. Kenta then KICKS Ospreay around, and argues with the ref about getting this in the ring. Kenta drags Ospreay along, but still KICKS Ospreay down!
Kenta soaks up the cheers and jeers from the fans, then he brings Ospreay back up. To DDT to the hardwood floor! Ospreay writhes as the ring count starts. Kenta drags Ospreay up at 7 of 20, brings Ospreay over and POSTS him at 10! Kenta puts Ospreay in at 13, argues with the ref again, and he KICKS Ospreay in the back! And KICKS him again! Ospreay grits his teeth and eggs Kenta on, but Kenta gives him another KICK! Kenta stomps Ospreay, drags him up and turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Kenta covers again, ONE!! The two go forehead to forehead, and Kenta BOOTS Ospreay! Ospreay still grits his teeth.
Kenta BOOTS Ospreay again and Ospreay goes to a corner. Kenta KICKS Ospreay, and KICKS, and KICKS! Ospreay sits up in a daze and Kenta stomps him around. Fans rally up, Ospreay staggers up, and Kenta pushes him around. Ospreay fires a forearm but Kenta knees low! Kenta whips, Ospreay handsprings and NEURALIZERS! Fans fire up as Ospreay starts to shake out the stars. Ospreay goes to the apron and fans rally as he takes aim. PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Kenta is still in this but fans rally behind Ospreay. Ospreay calls his shot but Kenta reels him in! Ospreay elbows free, then CHOPS!
Ospreay runs, but Kenta hits a POWERSLAM! Fans rally while both men are down. Kenta rises, drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay shoves Kenta away. Ospreay runs in but Kenta boots him! Kenta reels Ospreay in, to TORNADO HOTSHOT! Kenta then climbs up, and FLYING LARIATS! Direct hit! Kenta covers, TWO! Fans rally up for Ospreay but Kenta kicks him and puts him on the apron. Kenta stomps Ospreay but the ref backs him off. Kenta drags Ospreay up and through the ropes, but Ospreay slips through to suplex! Kenta lands safe on the apron, and he rakes eyes! Then HOTSHOTS again!
Kenta drags Ospreay out, to DRAPING DDT to the floor! Fans fire up while the ref checks both men. Kenta rises up and into the ring, leaving Ospreay to the ring count. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Ospreay sits up. Kenta wants the count to be faster as Ospreay rises at 15. Ospreay slides in at 19!! But Kenta runs in to JUMPING BOOT in the corner! And then corner to corner again to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Ospreay is down in the drop zone as Kenta climbs! DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!!! Ospreay sputters and flounders but Kenta covers, TWO!!! Ospreay survives but Kenta slashes his throat, determined to end this!
Kenta fireman’s carries, but Ospreay fights free! Kenta boots the haymaker away, but Ospreay swats the discus lariat! Ospreay ROLLING ELBOWS! And ROLLING ELBOWS! Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Kenta fires off shot after shot after shot! But Ospreay ROCKS and SUPERKICKS and underhooks! But Kenta RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The ref goes down, Kenta DDTS Ospreay down! Kenta sees the ref is down and goes outside. Kenta brings out a kendo stick! Kenta slides in, and he SMACKS Ospreay on the back! And SMACKS him again! And then to the RIBS! And then the NECK! And then the CHEST!
Ospreay writhes and fans boo but Kenta soaks it up. Kenta swings again, but Ospreay blocks! And DECKS Kenta! Ospreay shows his skills with a kendo stick, and fans fire up as Ospreay takes aim. But Kenta LOW BLOWS!! Kenta goes out to grab his Defy Championship, and he aims at Ospreay! BELT SHOT!!! Kenta hides the evidence then goes to get the ref. Kenta covers Ospreay, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives and Kenta is shocked! Kenta waits on Ospreay to rise, drags him up and fireman’s carries, but Ospreay pops free! HOOK KICK! Springboard, but Kenta SLAMS him down! And omoplatas, into GAME OVER!!
Ospreay endures, crawls, reaches out, but Kenta rolls him away from ropes! Ospreay reaches for the other side of the ring, and he BITES Kenta’s wrist! Kenta lets go, Ospreay deadlifts him into a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Fans are thunderous as Ospreay points to the corner! Ospreay climbs up, to CORKSCREW- NO, Kenta avoids the senton to BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! But Kenta runs to BUSAIKU KNEE against ropes! And then he builds more speed, but Ospreay SUPERKICKS! And HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay isn’t done there, he underhooks and Canadian Racks, STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta earns 0)
The IWGP US Champion trumps the Defy Champion! The United Empire is strong in the B Block, will they conquer the G1 no matter what?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Kaito Kiyomiya!
The Roughneck has had a rough first couple of rounds. His time limit draw with Narita and his loss to the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion were hard fought matches, will he be able to fight his way to a win? Or will the Supernova continue to turn this into the GREEN 1?
Fans already rally up for “SHO~TA!” but Kaito shrugs that off. The bell rings and fans rally more as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Shota finds a point of leverage to push Kaito back. They end up on ropes, Shota lets off quickly and cleanly, and fans cheer. The two reset, circle, and tie up again. Kaito uses height as his leverage but Shota just powers him back to ropes. Kaito turns things around and he lets off. But Shota fires off forearms! Shota headlocks, Kaito powers up but Shota holds on tight! Kaito pulls hair, Shota thrashes the hold, but Kaito throws forearms. Kaito powers out this time, but Shota runs him over!
Fans cheer and Shota keeps things moving. Kaito hurdles, Shota shoves him, and then follows to RANA! Kaito is right up to headlock and takeover! Shota headscissors, Kaito kips free, and fans cheer as the two stare down. Kaito smirks as he and Shota go forehead to forehead. Shota throws a forearm! And he eggs Kaito on! Fans fire up for that, and Kaito ROCKS Shota in return! Shota walks it off and comes back to ROCK Kaito! Kaito walks that off, to fire another forearm! The forearms go back and forth, fans rally up, and the two just speed up! The shots keep going and going and going and the fans are loving it!
Kaito ROCKS Shota, throws more shots, and Shota goes to ropes! Kaito shakes out the stars, and he whips Shota, but Shota holds ropes! Kaito runs in, Shota dodges then arm-drags! And ELBOWS! Shota runs but Kaito dropkicks the legs out! Fans cheer while Shota bails out. Kaito checks his jaw, then goes out after Shota. Kaito drags Shota up, puts him in the ring, and fans cheer. Shota sits up but Kaito grabs a leg to stomp it, then stomp it again! And then step over to YANK it! Kaito drags Shota up but Shota fires a forearm! Kaito CHOPS, Shota forearms, repeat! Kaito ROCKS Shota again and he wobbles!
Kaito ROCKS Shota more and more with his palm strikes, then whips. Shota reverses to reel Kaito in and wrench, scoop and DROP! Shota then SLIDING UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up with Shota and rally as he stalks Kaito to ropes. Shota whips corner to corner and runs in, to UPPERCUT! Shota then FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota keeps his cool. Shota walks around Kaito, drags him up, and clinches, but Kaito fights the lift! Shota KNEES low, UPPERCUTS, then whips Kaito to ropes. But Kaito CLOBBERS Shota! Fans rally while both men are down!
Kaito stands and he stalks Shota. Kaito runs in to forearm and elbow! Then he whips, but Shota reverses. Shota runs into an elbow, and Kaito goes up to FLYING FOREARM! Fans rally again and Kaito goes up the corner. Shota stands, into Kaito’s MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kaito gets Shota back up, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota survives and Kaito grows frustrated. Kaito stalks Shota, drags him up with chicken wings, but Shota powers him back into buckles! Shota is free, he ROCKS and ELBOWS and boxing elbows, but Kaito ROCKS him back! Kaito runs, into a DROPKICK!
Both men are down and fans fire up again! Shota grits his teeth, goes to the corner and climbs up top. Shota aims as Kaito stands, BLINDSIDE MISSILE DROPKICK! And then dragon sleeper, fisherman, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Kaito survives but Shota isn’t done yet! Shota aims from the corner now, we pass 10 minutes, and Shota runs in, but Kaito dodges Ignition! Shota returns, Kaito gets around to chicken wing, but Shota arm-drags free! And POP-UP UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up and Shota resets, IGNITION!! Cover, TWO!?! Shota roars as Kaito survives and the fans fire back up!
Shota snarls and he drags Kaito up. Shota reels Kaito in but Kaito KNEES Shota first! Kaito aims from a corner now, and he runs in, but Shota ducks the Shining Wizard!! Shota steps over, STF!! Kaito endures, reaches out, claws at the crossface, but he’s starting to fade! Shota pulls back on the hold, but Kaito gets a second wind! And he crawls forward, only for Shota to pull back even harder! Kaito is fading, but with a third wind, he gets the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go to go outside! Kaito rises, into the SLINGSHOT DDT!! Fans fire up with Shota and he takes aim again! Kaito rises, Shota runs in, kick and underhooks!
But Kaito powers out to get a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Shota stirs, crawls to a corner, and Kaito sits up, checking his nose. Shota drags himself up with ropes, Kaito stands on his own. Kaito runs in but he blocks the boots! DRAGON SCREW! Shota hobbles, Kaito drags himself up with ropes now, and Kaito goes up the corner to missile basement dropkick! Shota falls, Kaito stands and basement dropkicks the leg again! And then again! Shota clutches his knee while Kaito stands again. Kaito goes to the corner, climbs back up, and SUPER BASEMENT DROPKICKS the leg!
Fans fire up while Shota writhes away! But Shota’s anger helps him stand up through the pain! Kaito still gets his leg, to DRAGON SCREW again! And step through, to the FIGURE FOUR!! Shota endures the legendary leglock and fans are thunderous as we pass 15 minutes! Shota moves around, tries to turn the hold over, and fans are behind him! Kaito keeps Shota stuck so Shota eggs him on! Kaito puts as much pressure on the hold as he can and Shota grips his own hair. Shota sits up to back stroke his way towards ropes! Shota reaches out, but Kaito drags him back! Kaito thrashes about to put on the pressure!
Shota grips his hair, thrashes about, flails for the ropes, and even grabs at the ref! Kaito puts on pressure by slapping his own knee! But Shota still fights around! The fans keep it up for Shota and he powers his way over! But Kaito drags him away again!! The ref checks on Shota but we’re at the three minute warning! Shota tells the ref he’s not giving in, but how much longer can he suffer?! Kaito pulls way back on the main leg! But then Kaito lets go, knowing Shota won’t ever say die. So Kaito drags Shota up, chicken wings him, and TIGER SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Shota escapes and no one can believe it!
Kaito huffs and puffs as we hit the two minute warning! Kaito drags Shota up, chicken wings again, but Shota fights the lift with clubbing hands! Shota gets free, but Kaito UPPERCUTS! And then chicken wings, TIGER DRIVER- NO, Shota fights it again! Kaito shoves, and JUMP KNEES Shota down!! Kaito fires up, the fans are thunderous, and Kaito tires one more time! TIGER DRIVER 23!!! Cover, TWO!?!? HOW?!?! Fans are thunderous all the same as we hit the LAST minute!! Kaito grits his teeth as he stands back up, and he is determined to end this! Kaito drags Shota up by his hair, runs, EVOLVED- POP-UP DEATH RIDER?!?!
But we’re at 30 SECONDS!! Shota is dazed, he crawls his way over to Kaito, but we’re at TEN SECONDS! Cover, TWO!?!? AND TIME’S UP!!!
Time Limit Draw, both men gain 1 point
For the second time in Shota’s run, the fourth time overall, we have had a DRAW by time limit in this year’s G1 Climax! Just what is in the DNA of these young stars that they can push this hard? And now the way is open, will Sanada stand alone at the top of the block?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Taichi!
The Rainmaker and the Holy Emperor are both champions, and are both at the top of the B Block! But only one can be THE 3-0 leader, who proves themselves the superior?
Fans already really and duel between “Let’s Go, Taichi!” and “O-KA-DA!” The bell rings and fans rally up again. Red Shoes takes a measure of the cheering as the two stare down. Seems pretty even. The two circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Okada pushes Taichi back to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Okada lets off slowly, and he feints chop to pat Taichi’s shoulders. Fans cheer standard Okada formula, and he blocks Taichi’s kick! Gut wrench and SPINNING TOMBSTONE!? Ripcord, DISCUS LARIAT?! Okada then drags Taichi right up, RAIN- NO, Taichi dodges to BOOT! And ROCK! And ENZIGURI!!
Fans fire up after this truly fast and furious opening exchange! Both men are dazed and the fans rally up! Taichi rolls to the apron on one side, Okada goes to the adjacent side. Both men go to the floor, and Taichi stands up first. Taichi heads towards Okada, drags Okada up, but Okada kicks low! To DDT to the floor! Okada hobbles up and leaves Taichi behind to go into the ring. The ring count starts, Taichi stirs at 7 of 20, and Okada just waits in a corner. Taichi crawls around at 11, drags himself up at 14 and slides in at 16! Fans cheer and Okada storms over to bring Taichi up. Okada wrenches, to wrap on the MONEY CLIP!
Taichi endures but Okada has him at the center of the ring! Fans rally as Okada squeezes tight, but Taichi reaches out! Okada drags Taichi down! Taichi keeps fighting forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Okada holds on, Red Shoes counts, but Okada lets go at 4. Okada paces around, he kicks Taichi around, but Taichi stands to CHOP! Okada eggs Taichi on but Taichi CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Okada UPPERCUTS Taichi back! Okada whips, Taichi reverses to wrench, but Okada blocks the hook kick to throw Taichi down! Fans fire up as Okada paces around. Okada kicks Taichi around, has him in a corner, but Taichi kicks back.
Okada eggs Taichi on as he kicks more and more, then Okada ROCKS Taichi! Okada whips corner to corner, runs in but misses the elbow! GAMANGIRI! Okada falls but so does Taichi, and fans rally up! The “TA-I-CHI!” starts to outweigh the “O-KA-DA!” and Taichi rises. Taichi gives Okada toying kicks, then some Kawada Kicks! Okada goes to a corner, Taichi runs in, and he BOOTS Okada! Fans fire up as Taichi brings Okada up, but Okada fights the saido! So Taichi wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Fans fire up because OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi waits as Okada sits up, but Okada ducks the buzzsaw!
Okada waistlocks but Taichi fights the lift to PELE an arm! And then stiff Kawada Kick to the face! Okada falls, fans fire up, and Taichi brings Okada up and in. Taichi lifts, but Okada fights! Fans rally as Taichi keeps trying, but Okada back drops him away! Taichi gets up, runs in, but Okada pops him up to an Alabama! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Both men stir, and Okada crawls to a corner. Taichi rises, Okada runs in, and SHOTGUNS Taichi into the other corner! Okada then drags Taichi back up, hoists him up top and DROPKICKS him down! Taichi tumbles to apron and then floor!
Fans rally as Red Shoes checks on Taichi. Taichi stirs so he’s okay to continue. Okada goes out after Taichi, drags Taichi up, and fakes putting him in to DDT to the ramp!! Taichi writhes and Red Shoes checks him again. Okada waits on Taichi, we pass 10 minutes, Red Shoes returns to the ring but Okada dribbles Taichi off the ramp! Okada then drags Taichi up and puts him back in. Fans cheer, and Okada stalks Taichi. Okada drags Taichi up, wrenches, and puts on the MONEY CLIP! Taichi endures again and fans rally up! Taichi reaches out, but Okada puts on the pressure! Fans rally and Taichi RAMS Okada into buckles!
Taichi fires off elbows, then gets space, but Okada storms up to DECK Taichi with a forearm! Okada shakes out the cobwebs and he drags Taichi back up. Okada scoops to SLAM Taichi down, then he goes to the corner. Okada climbs up, but Taichi’s right after him! Fans fire up as Okada fights Taichi with clubbing shots! Taichi keeps trying but Okada CLUBS then HEADBUTTS! But Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Fans fire up and Taichi climbs after Okada! Taichi brings Okada around. Okada resists so Taichi RIDGEHAND CHOPS him again and again! Then they stand on the very top, but Okada throws headlock punches!
Okada HEADBUTTS Taichi down, Taichi staggers around, and Okada MISSILE- POWERBOMB!! Taichi turns it around on Okada but both men are down! Taichi roars as he rises and fans fire up! Taichi aims as Okada rises, and Taichi BUZZSAWS!! Taichi fires up more and the fans are with him! Taichi aims from the corner, JUTEN- DROPKICK!! Okada turns things around, and now he ripcords! RAIN- DANGEROUS SAIDO!!! Okada staggers up in a daze and goes to the ropes! Fans are thunderous for Taichi as he watches Okada stand again. Taichi reels him in, another DANGEROUS SAIDO!!!
Taichi isn’t done there, either! He calls his shot and fans fire up again! Taichi reels Okada in, but Okada blocks! Okada CLUBS away on Taichi, short arm LARIATS, but Taichi stays up!! And he RIDGEHANDS over and over! Okada drops to his knees, Taichi aims, but Okada gets around, DISCUS- AX BOMBER!! Fans are thunderous for Taichi as he GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!!! We hit the 15 minute mark and Taichi is thunderous! Taichi brings Okada up, Alabama Lifts, but Okada slips free to back drop! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi escapes at the last moment! But Okada scoops!
Taichi slips off, O’Conner, but Okada bucks that to DROP- NO, Taichi dodges! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH!!! TWO?!?!? Okada, one of Gedo’s former proteges, survives Taichi’s take on Gedo’s hold! Taichi hurries up to his feet to ROUNDHOUSE!! Fans are thunderous again and Taichi aims! JUTEN- NO, Okada blocks, spins Taichi and ENZIGURIS! But Taichi GAMANGIRIS!! Taichi hurries to get Okada up, but Okada back drops! Cover, OKADA WINS!!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)
With just minutes to spare, Okada snatches victory away from Taichi! Taichi is in disbelief, but there’s nothing he can do about it now! Will Taichi be able to take the top spot in the block away from Okada? Or will Okada continue to make it rain in the G1?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Yota Tsuji!
NJPW Dominion was just a month and 17 days ago, so everyone remembers the battle between Cold Skull and Gene Blast for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. It was Sanada’s win that night, but will Tsuji win his redemption? Or will it be another hard fought loss for “Sanada’s replacement” in LIJ?
Fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” and “YO~TA!” The bell rings and Red Shoes measures the balance. It feels like Yota’s got the edge on Sanada! The two circle, feel things out, and clinch. Sanada fireman’s carries for a takeover, then headlocks. Tsuji fights up, Sanada keeps on him with a facelock then an armlock. They clinch again, Tsuji powers through to waistlock and half nelson. Tsuji pushes Sanada to a lateral press but Sanada keeps a shoulder up. Tsuji tries again, Sanada slips around but Tsuji facelocks. Sanada wrenches out to hammerlock and they go around. Tsuji reaches back to facelock and then he wrenches to a wristlock.
Sanada moves around, rolls, and wrenches to hammerlock again. Tsuji reaches back and drops down to bring Sanada with him. Tsuji then rolls and waistlocks, half nelsons and cravats. Fans rally as the technical exchange continues. Tsuji snapmares, Sanada slips around to hammerlock. Sanada has Tsuji on the mat, but Tsuji moves around. Tsuji rolls, headscissors, Sanada kips free, and fans cheer as the two stand off. The two reset and fans rally again. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Tsuji powers Sanada back but then Sanada powers Tsuji back. Tsuji headlocks, grinds the hold, but Sanada pulls hair!
Sanada powers out but Tsuji runs him over! Fans cheer and Tsuji grins. Things speed up, Sanada hurdles and runs, but then Tsuji drops down and hurdles! Sanada avoids the powerslam, but Tsuji blocks the Shining Wizard! Tsuji runs, but Sanada drops under the spear! Tsuji rolls through and grins as Sanada says it was that close. Fans rally up again as the two reset. The two circle, tie up again, and Tsuji powers Sanada to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break and Tsuji lets off, to then CHOP! Tsuji fires off on Sanada, whips him to ropes, but Sanada reverses. Tsuji RANAS Sanada out of the ring! Fans fire up and Tsuji grins again.
Tsuji builds speed but Sanada walks away. Tsuji asks what’s up with that and goes out to follow Sanada. They go up the ramp, and Tsuji ROCKS Sanada! Tsuji CLUBS Sanada, but Sanada throws body shots! Sanada runs Tsuji up the ramp, to fireman’s carry, but Tsuji slips off! Sanada kicks low, runs in, but into a BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Tsuji grins as he catches his breath. Tsuji drags Sanada up, headlocks, and brings him back to ringside. Fans rally, Sanada throws body shots, but Tsuji clubs then DECKS Sanada! Tsuji brings Sanada up, scoops him, and carries him to ringside! Fans fire up and Tsuji gives Sanada SNAKE EYES off the apron! Then BOOTS him down!
Fans fire up and Tsuji brings Sanada up. Tsuji puts Sanada in, fans rally, and Tsuji covers, ONE! Sanada hangs tough, but Tsuji stands on his head! Red Shoes reprimands but Tsuji scuffs Sanada as he lets off. Tsuji drags Sanada up, scoops, and SLAMS! Then Tsuji runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! But Tsuji clamps on with a chinlock! Fans rally, Sanada fights up, and Sanada throws elbows! Tsuji lets go but he throws a hard body shot in return! Sanada goes to a corner, Tsuji whips him corner to corner, and Tsuji runs in, but Sanada dodges the splash! To hit a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Sanada sits up as we hit 10 minutes. Sanada stands, fans rally and duel, and Sanada brings Tsuji up. Sanada whips, Tsuji reverses but Sanada ducks ‘n’ dodges to dropkick a leg out! And then he DROPKICKS Tsuji down! Tsuji bails out, Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Sanada encourages them to get louder and the fans oblige! Sanada wants them louder, so they get louder still! Sanada goes back for Tsuji, and he drags Tsuji up to put him back in. Fans cheer, and Sanada covers, TWO! Fans rally and duel again as Sanada drags Tsuji back up. Sanada fireman’s carries, but Tsuji fights free!
Tsuji waistlocks, Sanada elbows free and runs, but Tsuji follows to FLIP RANA! Sanada flops out of the ring, and Tsuji builds speed again! Tsuji DIVES! Direct hit into railing! Fans fire up with Tsuji while Sanada sputters and slumps over! Tsuji drags Sanada up and in, and fans fire up with Tsuji as he steps back in. Sanada is in a corner, Tsuji runs in corner to corner, and STINGER SPLASHES! Then Tsuji hoists Sanada up top, CHOPS him, and he climbs up after Sanada. Tsuji goes to the very top, CLUBS Sanada, but Sanada shoves him away! Tsuji flips through!? And comes back, gets under Sanada’s leap, but Sanada fireman’s carries!
Tsuji slips free to suplex! Sanada fights that to suplex and MAGIC SCREW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Sanada kips up and fans fire up with him now! Sanada drags Tsuji up, fireman’s carries, and T K O!! Cover, TWO! Tsuji is still in this but Sanada goes up top! ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada lands on his feet as Tsuji moves! Sanada blocks the superkick! Sanada ROCKS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and then runs, but into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, COMPLETE SHOT, and STOMP!! Fans fire up, Tsuji runs, but Sanada avoids the Curb Stomp to O’Conner- NO, Tsuji blocks the bridge! To steal SKULL END?!?!
Sanada moves around but he’s in the body scissors! Tsuji squeezes as tight as he can, and we hit 15 minutes! Sanada endures, but he’s fading! Tsuji lets him go to go up top?! ROUNDING BODY PRESS?!?! Cover, TWO!!! Tsuji roars and fans fire up! Tsuji feeds off the energy to stand up again. Fans rally and duel, but the “YO~TA!” chants are overpowering the “SA-NA-DA!” Tsuji suplexes, but Sanada slips free! Sanada goes to a corner, Tsuji runs in, but into an ELBOW! Sanada goes up the corner to QUEBRADA! Tsuji can’t get under, Sanada catches him to the dragon sleeper! But Tsuji powers through! ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!??!
Tsuji drags Sanada up, reels him back in with the Inverted Gory Especial as we hit the three minute warning! But Sanada powers up to a POISON-RANA!! Tsuji flounders, Sanada runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! And then, DEADFALL- Tsuji cartwheels through!? And comes back with a JUMP KNEE! SUPERKICK! HEADBUTT!! Fans are thunderous again and Tsuji grins! Tsuji runs, to CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!!! Sanada survives but Tsuji is even more fired up! And fans are thunderous as he calls his shot! Sanada rises as hit two minute warning! SPEAR into a CUTTER!! And Sanada hurries up top!!
Sanada steadies himself, to ROUNDING BODY PRESS!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Fans are electric, Sanada clinches, DEADFALL!!! And it hits this time!! Cover, Sanada wins!!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tsuji earns 0)
With just minutes to spare, the Cold Skull makes it 2-0 against Tsuji! Gene Blast falls again, what will it take for him to break through and get a win?
As for Sanada, he gets the belt back to put on his shoulder, and he also gets the mic. Sanada wants Tsuji to know, “I hate to say ‘I knew it,’ and I hate to say ‘But…’ But… I knew it, you are great.” Fans cheer the show of respect to Tsuji, and then Sanada adds, “But… I won. So if you’d be so kind, please leave.” Fans then cheer that show of disrespect. Sanada then stands to say, “I came back to my hometown, Nagaoka, Niigata, as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.” Fans cheer that! And Sanada points out that he has teammates on commentary, so he asks Douki to join him in the ring. Fans joins in as Sanada starts a “DOUKI! DOUKI!” chant.
Douki obliges, and he leaves commentary to join Sanada. They high-five and thumbs-up fist bump, and fans cheer again. Sanada starts again but then remembers Yoshinobu Kanemaru is on the other commentary table! Sanada gets an “Uncle Nobu!” chant going! Kanemaru accepts and joins Sanada in the ring, too. Sanada then figures “Taichi-nii-yan” might be too hurt to join them. “Shall we chant anyway?” Fans join in on “TAI-CHI-YAN! TAI-CHI-YAN!” But Taichi doesn’t come out so Sanada says he knew this wouldn’t work. Sanada then says maybe fans saw this, but if not, Just5Guys did a shampoo commercial! Fans cheer, perhaps they have!
The fans start to chant but Sanada says they should probably leave the brand name off the broadcast. But Sanada promises that J5G will continue to lead the wrestling world, “so keep cheering us on.” And of course, Sanada wants to end with “the gift.” Fans cheer for that, and the stars come out as the lights go down. Even a “GI-FU-TO!” chant begins. Sanada admits, “I always say the same thing to end up, but I’ll say this. I’m from here in Niigata, so one day, I want to defend this title here!” Fans love that idea! He asks they keep supporting him to make that happen. Fans cheer, and he says, “That’s why I love you the most, Nagaoka. OI, NAGAOKA! See you next time!”
Taichi’s loss aside, Just5Guys continues to take over NJPW! Will dreams come true when Sanada takes the G1?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Sanada: 3-0, 6 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-0-1, 5 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-1, 4 points
Chase Owens: 2-1, 4 points
Ren Narita: 0-1-2, 2 points
Shota Umino: 0-1-2, 2 point
Yota Tsuji: 0-2-1, 1 point
Hikuleo: 0-3, 0 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-1, 4 points
Tanga Loa: 1-2, 2 points
Kenta: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 0-3, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great round for the G1 Climax on what turned out to be a very wrestling heavy day. The blocks are shaping up to be really interesting, with the most interesting thing being the number of wrestlers without wins, and yet still with points. Just when I thought Narita was going to have another time limit draw, surprise! It was Shota’s turn! That draw with him and Kaito is what brings Kaito down a half step so that Sanada is alone at the top of A Block. Sanada VS Tsuji was a great rematch from Dominion, but I had a feeling Sanada would win again so that he wouldn’t owe Tsuji a tiebreaker for the title at some point.
ELP and Hikuleo being the two with no wins and no points in these blocks is only a little surprising. Both men have given great matches these first three rounds, but it was more surprising Hikuleo fell to Chase than ELP losing to Khan. And though Sanada was the main event, since he was the hometown hero, I feel Okada VS Taichi was the best match overall. Those two really pushed the pace and the time limit, the fans loved it, and the finish being a quick pin and not a finisher was great stuff to keep Taichi strong. Something about that is fitting as Taichi is the current KOPW Champion, aka currently holding the belt that represents the concept Okada helped introduce. Okada still goes over to prove he is better than the concept he “created,” but he didn’t want to make the KOPW Champ look week, for the sake of the concept he created.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The storied rival has its final chapter!
For the last time, John Cena and Randy Orton battle over the WWE Championship! This time, it is on Backlash, in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest; Fatu wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch; Lyra wins and retains the title.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA; Dominik wins and retains the title.
- GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee; Gunther wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton; Cena wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WWE Backlash Countdown Show!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action on this highly anticipated night!
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
Byron Saxton is with The Morrigan and asks how she is feeling tonight. She looked up to Becky Lynch for so long, only for her to stab her in the back. And at the same time, Lyra has dedicated this match to Bayley. How is Lyra going to manage all her emotions? Lyra says there is so much going on in her head, but the way to deal with it is focusing on the main emotion: embarrassment. She gave herself “the ick” looking back and seeing how she ate everything Becky fed her. Becky would’ve had a friend for life in Lyra, but then Becky turned on her. And what did The Man expect? For Lyra to run home to Dublin and cry?
No! That shows Lyra that Becky underestimated her. Lyra meant it when she said she is the better wrestler now. Becky may still be the bigger star, but when that bell rings, Lyra will show that she was never a stepping stone. Becky becomes Lyra’s stepping stone, as well as the crowning name on the long list of opponents when Lyra retains the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lyra is locked in, but will the Luck of the Irish favor her in the end?
Vic Joseph joins the panel!
The Voice of NXT helps plug Battleground, but he also gives Lyra her props. From NXT UK to NXT USA, Vic has seen Lyra achieve her potential every step of the way. The NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra and Becky was all about someone from the NXT roster stepping up and proving herself, and Lyra did just that. Lyra took the NXT Women’s title off Becky, but will Lyra keep the Women’s Intercontinental title from Becky? Or is #BeckyHogan going to step on Lyra to get ahead?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
Cole & Barrett have to go prepare for calling Backlash, so Jackie and Peter join Big E in looking back on memory lane. John Cena VS Randy Orton as a rivalry predates the iPod, Wikipedia, and even the original Xbox! 25 years later, will this truly be the end of an era for WWE?
Pershard Owens sings the Star Spangled Banner.
Talkin’ ’bout a detonator…
The fuse is let, and tonight is about to be explosive. Egos, attitudes, grudges, ambitions, motivations, and glory, it’s overflowing! WrestleMania was historic, but now everyone will face the Backlash!
WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest!
The Samoan Werewolf only just took this title “for the family” at WrestleMania, and yet now the stakes are raised! The Scottish Warrior wants to fight a real fighter, the Mega Star wants to redeem himself from his loss, and the Archer of Infamy wants to kill two birds with one stone by avenging his own loss while putting gold back around his waist. Will one of these challengers get what they want? Or will Fatu dog walk all of ’em, YADADA MEAN!?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really all gas and no brakes with it!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as all four men look at each other. Knight talks some smack but St. Louis is loud for “FATU! FATU!” Knight runs up to throw hands on Fatu, Priest and Drew go after each other! Fatu fires back and they trade shots. Priest and Drew are on the outside while Knight throws hands “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Priest CLUBS Drew, Fatu TOSSES Knight, and then Fatu runs corner to corner. Knight dodges, Fatu hits buckles, and Knight hits a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Priest is back in the ring, but Knight gives him a BIG back suplex! Knight WRECKS Drew with a dropkick, then RAMS into Fatu!
Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TACKLE Fatu! Knight sunset flip BACKBREAKERS, then he dodges Drew to pop-up and POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as The Mega Star is unlocking that kavorka! Spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW- NO, Priest catches Knight, but Knight kicks free! DDT! Knight runs and DOUBLE ELBOW DROPS! Fatu shoves Knight, scoops, but Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Cover on Fatu, ONE!! Fatu is tougher than that, but Knight drags Fatu up. Fatu RAMS Knight into a corner, fires hands, then he ROCKS Priest! Knight ROCKS Fatu, Priest ROCKS Fatu, and Knight runs, they HIGH-LOW COMBO!
The fans fire up for that teamwork, and then Priest & Knight POST Fatu! Fatu flops out of the ring, but Priest avoids Knight’s cheap shot! BELL CLAP! Drew RAMS Knight into Priest, then OVERHEAD SUPELXES Knight! Priest runs up, but into a SPIENBUSTER! Drew has Knight again, NECKBREAKER! Then a NECKBREAKER for Priest! Fatu is back, but Drew gives him a NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew aims at Fatu. Drew runs up, but Knight LARIATS! Fatu SUPERKICKS Knight! Fatu kicks Knight out, ELBOWS Priest away, then goes up. Priest JUMP KICKS! Priest climbs up to the very top, SUPER STEINER!
Fatu flounders, Priest rises, and Priest clinches Knight for a FLATLINER! Priest goes out to run around the ring, and he FLYING AX HANDLES Fatu! Priest puts Fatu back in, then dodges a shot to ROUNDHOUSE Fatu! Priest knuckle locks Fatu, St. Louis wants tables, but Priest goes Old School to CROSSBODY Drew! Fatu runs up, Priest dodges, COMEBACKER LARIAT! Fatu flounders out, Priest runs to ELBOW Drew! And ELBOW Knight! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight swings, misses, and Priest DREAMCAST KICKS! The fans fire up and Priest goes back out. Priest runs in but Fatu POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Priest onto the barriers!
The fans fire up with Fatu, and then Fatu stares down with Drew. The fans fire up even more as these alpha males step into the ring. This is the match-up Drew wanted all along, and the two men step up. The hands start flying and the fans fire up! The fans are strongly on Fatu’s side, but the hands keep going faster and faster! Fatu gets the edge, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew runs, but Fatu BODY CHECKS him! Drew is right up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans are thunderous, and Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK on Drew! The fans fire up again, and Fatu drags Drew to the drop zone.
Fatu climbs the corner as St. Louis declares, “This is Awesome!” Fatu nods, reaches the top, but Drew is up to CLAW Fatu’s face! The ref reprimands but that’s all he can do! Drew goes up to the top, but Knight trips Drew up! Knight puts Drew in the Tree of Woe to stomp away, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner and back again, KNEE for Drew! Knight then climbs up, has Fatu on the very top, but Fatu HEADBUTTS Knight down! Fatu adjusts, but Drew sits up! SPIDER SUPLEX throws Fatu onto Knight! But Fatu’s right up to HIP ATTACK Drew!! And then he DIVES onto Priest!! Fatu is all fired up and the fans are thunderous!
Fatu goes up again, SEWANTON BOMB on Drew! Fatu geeks out, but gets B F T!! Priest has Knight, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Drew hits a CLAYMORE on Priest!!! Priest falls on Knight for a cover! DREW BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement now! Priest flops out of the ring, Fatu and Drew go to corners, and Knight finds his way to another. The fans rally, Fatu geeks out, and Fatu runs, into a FLYING HEADBUTT! And then a kick and FUTURE SHOCK!! Then Drew has Knight, but Knight wrenches out! B F- NO, Drew powers out, reels Knight in, FUTURE SHOCK!!
Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew calls his shot! Drew gives the countdown, “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAYMORE for Knight!! Cover, PRIEST yanks the ref!! Priest really does screw Drew this time! Drew is furious but Priest drags him out now! Priest and Drew throw hands and the fans fire up! Drew THROWS Priest and himself over the barriers! Fatu is up, he brings Knight around for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fatu has Knight down, goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT FLOPS!! Knight rises up, goes to the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP FLYING AX HANDLE! And then the BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP!! Cover, TWO!?!
Fatu survives and Knight is beside himself! Priest and Drew are brawling in the crowd! Priest SMACKS Drew off a road case! Priest makes Drew look into the camera, “He’s bored at work!” Priest ROCKS Drew, but Drew ROCKS Priest! They go up to some upper deck, and Priest ROCKS Drew again! They stand on road cases, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew reels Priest in, takes aim, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s face! Priest decides to do what Drew was planning, and with the straps down, SOUTH OF HEAVEN DOWN THROUGH THE TABLES!!! The fans go nuts with Priest and Drew down in the wreckage!!
Producers and medical hurry to check Drew and Priest, but that just means Knight and Fatu are the only two left! Knight RAMS Fatu into the apron, then POSTS him! Knight hobbles but he brings Fatu back up to SMACK him off the desk! Fatu is on the desk, and Knight uses a piece that fell off to SMACK Fatu! Knight keeps Fatu on the desk, and he looks for a perch. The fans fire up as Knight climbs the corner! “L! A! KNGIHT!” NO, Solo Sikoa gets Fatu clear! Knight is furious but Solo tells him it’s not going down like that. Knight storms up on Solo, but a LARIAT hits outta nowhere!! IS THAT JEFF COBB?!?
The fans go nuts as now the Imperial Unit is Solo’s new enforcer! Cobb THROWS Knight around, POSTS him, and then runs to SPLASH Knight against the post!! Cobb drags Knight up, puts him in the ring, and Fatu sees what’s going on. Fatu is not happy with Solo bringing in reinforcements when he didn’t want it, but Solo still serves Knight up on a silver platter. Fatu doesn’t look the gift horse in the mouth, and he gives Knight a HIP ATTACK!! Fatu puts Knight in the drop zone, goes up and up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Fatu wins!
Winner: Jacob Fatu, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The Samoan Werewolf may not like Solo bringing in a ringer, but he still keeps his gold. Will nothing stop “the family” now that they’ve reloaded the arsenal?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch!
When they say, “Never meet your heroes,” perhaps those people were talking about this scenario right here. The Morrigan & The Man were bonded by their Irish blood, and by how the younger followed in the footsteps of the elder. They’ve battled over the NXT Women’s Championship and even won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. But the moment they lost those titles, Becky showed her true colors and betrayed Lyra! Becky called Lyra “recycling,” or rather, “less offensive trash,” but will Becky be the one thrown out this time? Or will Becky take away a title just as Lyra did to her back in the day?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who the real Lass Kicker is around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Lyra and Becky circle, tie up, and they go around. Becky puts Lyra in the corner, the ref counts, and Becky lets off to talk trash. Becky shoves, Lyra shoves, and the two reset. They tie up, Lyra waistlocks, Becky switches, and Becky SLAMS Lyra down. Becky smothers Lyra into the mat, then waistlocks again. Lyra fights up, ELBOWS free, then runs. Becky dodges and RUNS Lyra over! Becky flexes, talks trash, then soaks up the heat. Things speed up, Lyra drops down then hurdles, but Becky hits an arm-drag, only for Lyra to ghost pin! TWO, and Becky arm-drags again!
The fans boo but Becky soaks it up. The two reset, tie up, and Lyra waistlocks. Becky elbows Lyra, whips her to ropes, but Lyra slides under! Lyra blocks a kick, trips Becky, and then turns Becky over with the REVERSE CRAB, to then go for the arms! MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Becky endures as Lyra swings her around! Lyra drops Becky, stands on the legs, and then hooks the legs up! Becky resists but Lyra still gets the arms to pull her back, into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky endures, Lyra rolls and pulls Becky back into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky still endures, but Lyra rolls her and pulls her back again! A third ROMERO SPECIAL! Then a cover, TWO!
Becky escapes, but Lyra waistlocks. Becky switches, Lyra spins through and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Becky scrambles and Lyra says she told her she’s the better wrestler! Lyra then dodges to ENZIGIRI! Becky bails out, the fans “WHEW~” with Lyra, and she WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Lyra puts Becky in the ring. Lyra climbs, but Becky trips her up! Becky THROWS Lyra down, then snarls as she rains down fists! The fans boo but Becky seethes as she paces around. Becky signals that she will be champion! She CLOBBERS Lyra, smothers her into the mat again, then HAMMERS away on Lyra! Cover, ONE!!
Lyra is tougher than that, but so is Becky given she has a bloody cut on her elbow. Lyra ELBOWS Becky but Becky CLUBS Lyra! Becky stands Lyra up to SLAP her! And CHOP her! And CHOP again! Lyra falls into a corner but Becky soaks up the heat. Becky stands Lyra up, runs corner to corner, but Lyra dodges! Becky hits buckles, but then she dodges to JUMP KICK! And BECKSPLODER! Lyra writhes, Becky covers, ONE!! Becky argues the count with the ref, then goes back to Lyra. Becky talks trash on Lyra, CHOKES her on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Lyra goes to the corner but Becky brings her around to TOSS her out!
Lyra is on the floor, Becky builds speed, and Becky WRECKS Lyra with a dropkick! Becky THROWS Lyra into barriers, then SMACKS her off more barriers! “Is this your girl?” Becky tells Lyra’s fiancé to thank her! Lyra fires forearms off on Becky! Becky POSTS Lyra in return! Becky puts Lyra in the ring, covers, TWO! The fans rally for Lyra but Becky talks more trash. Becky SLAPS Lyra, pie faces her, but Lyra just stares defiantly! Then Lyra SLAPS Becky back! The SLAPS fly, Becky clinches, but Lyra cradle counters! Roll through, into a RUNNING FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Both women are down and the fans fire up!
Lyra feeds off that energy and she rises up! Lyra runs and LARIATS! And LARIATS! And SOBATS! KICKS! HEADBUTTS, KICKS again, then runs, cartwheel and ENZIGIRI! Becky staggers around, Lyra GUT WRENCH BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! Becky goes to the apron but Lyra drags her up. The fans rally m ore, but Becky ROCKS and ROUNDHOUSES Lyra! Becky climbs, but Lyra ROCKS her first! Lyra reaches the top, and fans actually duel as Lyra stalling SUPERPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives, reminding us why she’s a Grand Slam Champion!
The fans rally up and Lyra has Becky for a fireman’s carry! Becky fights free, waistlocks, but Lyra switches! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Becky has the O’Conner, but wants the rope! The ref stops that! The fans boo and Becky “apologizes,” but then she runs up on Lyra! Lyra scoops, Becky slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Becky is growing frustrated. The fans rally for Lyra more and Becky dares Lyra to get up. Lyra rises, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to shove Becky into buckles! Lyra runs up, Becky dodges, but Lyra stops the jump kick! Lyra DUMPS Becky out, takes aim, and PLANCHAS! Down goes Becky!
The fans fire up as Lyra hurries to put Becky back in. Lyra climbs the corner, takes aim, TURN OF FORTUNE!! Cover, TWO!!! Lyra is frustrated, but she hurries back up! MOONSAULT onto knees! Becky turns that around on Lyra while the fans fire up! Becky crawls her way over to Lyra, both women stand, and the forearms fly! Becky ROCKS Lyra but Lyra ROCKS Becky right back! The shots pick up speed, Lyra gets the edge, but Becky KNEES low! UPPERCUT into a hook! Becky fights the backslide, SLAMS Lyra down, ARMBAR!! Lyra clasps hands, rolls through, and she has the ARMBAR!!
Becky fights, rolls, high stacks, TWO! Becky steps over, DISARM-HER!! Lyra rolls Becky to a cover, TWO!! Becky clinches, MANHAND- ARM-DRAG! Cover, TWO!! MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives and Becky cannot believe it! St. Louis is thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Becky is freaking out trying to figure out what to do. Becky just HAMMERS away on Lyra! The fans boo but Becky goes to the outside. Becky grabs a chair! The fans boo but The Man is getting desperate! Becky brings the chair in, the ref stops her, and they tug-o-war over the chair! Becky give sit up to the ref, but that lets her untie a buckle pad!
Becky drags Lyra up, brings her around and whips, but Lyra reverses! Becky stops from hitting steel but Lyra GERMAN SUPLEXES! And HEEL KICKS! MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! The fans rally while Lyra now thinks on what she must do. Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky fights free! Becky shoves Lyra into a buckle! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives one thing after another and Becky is going berserk! Becky HAMMERS away on Lyra again, and even DRIBBLES Lyra head off the mat! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Becky stands Lyra up.
Becky aims but the ref sees the bare buckle! The ref stops that, goes to fix things, but Lyra fireman’s carries! NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! The ref is too busy with the buckle! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Becky survives thanks to her shenanigans and Lyra is completely frazzled! Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky still fights! Clinch and MAN- NO, wheelbarrow for the victory roll! TWO, and Becky SLAPS Lyra! Roll-up, high stack, TWO! Lyra has a victory roll, LYRA WINS!!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
Becky attacks Lyra! The Man is a sore loser! DISARM-HER!! The ref reprimands, pries at Becky’s grip, but Becky refuses to let go! More refs rush in, Becky still doesn’t stop, so producers are needed! Adam Pearce shouts right at Becky, and only now does Becky let go!! Lyra is down, potentially her arm and even her nose broken by the woman she once looked up to! Becky scowls, wants to go back for more, but the producers stand in her way. Did Becky still coset Lyra her title with all the damage she did? Or can The Morrigan rise up and keep her #ShinyShiny?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA!
Though it took a Fatal 4 Way to win it, and an Irish Ace in the hole to keep it, “Dirty Dom” thinks he is already the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, as well as the greatest Mysterio and the greatest luchador ever. But now, the Man with Zero Fear gets another shot, and hopefully it’ll be a fair one. Will Penta prove he is the greatest? Or will Dom have another dirty trick up his sleeve?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly El Campeon!
The bell rings and Dom circles with Penta. Dom talks trash but the fans rally behind Penta. Dom shoves Penta, so Penta DROPKCISK Dom! Penta runs up, Dom dodges and fires hands! Dom whips, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Dom tumbles, the fans fire up, and Penta runs in. Dom dodge the kick, comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans cheer because that was impressive, and Dom runs up again. Penta pops him up to SUPERKICK him upside-down! Then BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Dom stays in this and Penta nods respect. The fans rally for Penta while Dom goes to a corner.
Penta runs in, Dom pops him up to crotch him on the ropes! Dom then DROPKICKS Penta down to the floor! The fans cheer, Dom builds speed, and Dom DIVES to TORNADO DDT! Dom flexes and fans cheer because that was impressive, too! Dom refreshes the ring count then mocks Penta’s swagger. Dom stomps Penta, fans actually sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” Dom stands Penta up to CHOP, but Penta CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Dom dodges to SHOVE Penta into steel steps! Dom rolls into the ring and flexes. The fans cheer, Dom goes out to drag Penta up, and Dom puts Penta in.
Dom hears the fans dueling, tunes out the taunts, and he slingshots to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Dom argues the count. The ref defends it, so Dom just stomps away on Penta! Dom uses the Finn style jump stomps, then he rains down fists! Dom lets off to soak up cheers and jeers, then covers, ROPEBREAK! Dom is annoyed and he CLUBS Penta into the chinlock. Penta endures, claws at the hold, and fights up. Penta fires body shots, but Dom fires knees! Dom whips, Penta KICKS him, then Penta dodges to come back, SLING-DOG! The fans fire up and Dom bails out. Penta goes up, up, and from the post, SUPER CROSSBODIES!
The fans fire up as Dom and Penta crash down! The ring count starts, both men stir at 3 of 10, and Penta rises up. Penta pushes Dom into the ring, huffs ‘n’ puffs, and he climbs up the corner. Penta leaps, but into Dom’s kick! Dom snap suplexes, that’s Uno Amigo! Then another suplex, but Penta slips free! Penta shoves Dom, but Dom drop toeholds him onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Penta ducks the 619! Penta GAMANGIRIS, then slingshots to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and both men are down! The fans rally up and Dom DROPKICKS Penta! Dom runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!
Penta survives Liv’s move and Dom is furious! Dom runs up, Penta puts him on the corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta climbs, but Dom shoves him down! Penta CHOPS from the apron, then runs up, but Dom BOOTS him! Dom hops down, reels Penta in, but Penta fights the suplex! Penta ENZIGIRIS, then runs up, APRON DESTROYER!!! Both men are down and the fans go nuts! But wait, here comes Carlito! Judgment Day let Dom come out here alone, but Caribbean Cool isn’t gonna let this go down! But this is all so Finn & JD can get Penta up! Finn gets an idea and grabs a chair!
But the ref sees Finn! Finn’s improvising just cost him his chance! The ref EJECTS Judgment Day!! The fans fire up as now things are 1v1 again! Carlito can’t believe Finn messed this up! Penta FLIES onto Judgment Day! The fans fire up but wait, Finn avoided disaster! Where’d he go? Penta hobbles, rolls into the ring, and SUPERKICKS Dom down! Penta vows to finish this, but Finn returns! Finn distracts the ref now, and EL GRANDE AMERICANO is here! Grande HEADBUTTS Penta with that loaded mask!!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!!! Cover, DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
The Prince almost screwed things up, but then he managed to turn things around with help from the supposed other greatest luchador in history! Will Judgment Day owe Chad Gable- Er, uh, El Grande Americano big time for this?
GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee!
Once again, Der Ring General lost a championship, at WrestleMania, against someone he surely felt was beneath him. And while his ego was still hurting, he lashed out against Michael Cole in an attempt to intimidate and silence commentary. Pat stepped up for his friend, got beat up for it, but he isn’t going to back down just because Gunther is a bully. In fact, Pat has always believed in standing up to bullies, which is why he’s getting back in the ring! Will Pat win one for all the underdogs out there? Or will Gunther unleash all of his anger and silence Pat for good?
The bell rings and Pat throws his shirt to the crowd! The fans fire up as Pat and Gunther circle. They feel things out, Gunther smirks but Pat is stone cold serious. The fans taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther ignores that. He and Pat tie up, and Gunther shoves Pat to a corner. Pat sees what he’s dealing with now, but he still comes back to circle with Gunther again. They tie up, Gunther headlocks and THROWS Pat! The ref checks Pat but Pat stands back up. Pat and Gunther circle again, tie up, and Gunther grabs an arm! Gunther wrenches Pat, wrangles him down and steps over. Gunther pie faces Pat around and the fans boo.
Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, but Pat rolls, rolls, handsprings, and wrenches! But Gunther breaks free! Pat avoids the chop and the fans fire up! Pat and Gunther circle again, and Gunther is oddly amused. Pat and Gunther tie up, and Pat headlocks! Gunther powers Pat to ropes, Pat shifts to a facelock, but Gunther puts Pat on the apron! Pat holds on, the ref counts, and Pat lets go slowly. Gunther pats Pat on the head, and Pat says okay. Pat ROCKS Gunther! Pat slingshots, runs, and fires forearms! Pat runs, into a CHOP! Pat is right down and coughing for air! Gunther drags Pat up, just to CLUB him back down!
Gunther stomps and kicks Pat around, pushes Pat, but Pat comes back to JAB! JAB! HAYMAKER! Pat fires hands, and even CHOPS! Gunther eggs Pat on! Pat CHOPS, the fans fire up, but Gunther wants more! Pat CHOPS, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down again! The fans boo as Gunther glares at Michael Cole. Gunther stalks Pat to a corner, talks trash, “You wanna play with the big boys, huh?” Gunther CHOPS Pat in a corner, CHOPS again, then stomps a mudhole! Gunther stops and Pat puts up his dukes! The fans rally, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down! The fans boo and Cole tells Gunther fine, just pin and finish it!
Gunther decides not to do that, he wrenches and whips Pat instead. Gunther CLOBBERS Pat, but Pat avoids the elbow drop! Pat KICKS Gunther! That NFL punt wasn’t quite enough, and Gunther snapmares Pat! Gunther KICKS Pat now! Pat writhes, but he still rises up! The fans rally behind Pat and he stands again. Pat roars, Gunther eggs him on, and Pat spins to CHOP! Gunther CHOPS, but Pat stays up to CHOP! Gunther BOOTS Pat down now! Gunther glares at Cole, dares Cole to help Pat, but Wade Barrett tells Cole to just sit down. The fans still taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” as Gunther goes back to Pat.
Gunther talks trash on the fans, then he brings Pat up. Gunther dares Cole to keep cheering his guy on. Cole says stop toying with Pat then! Pat SLAPS Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Pat, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat sputters, Cole says just end it then! Gunther looms over Pat, eggs him on, and Pat still rises up! Gunther clamps onto Pat’s head, and then has the SLEEPER!! Pat is already red from everything else, but wait! Pat pries at the grip! Gunther is amused as Pat manages the ROPEBREAK, but then Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat flounders and Gunther paces. Gunther laughs as the fans boo, because Gunther knows only he can end this.
Gunther soaks up the boos and he stalks Pat to ropes. Pat sits up, Gunther clamps onto him again, and Gunther uses a facelock to put Pat in a corner. Gunther CLUBS Pat, reels him in, and hoists Pat up top! Gunther CLUBS Pat, then climbs up. The fans rally for Pat, and he holds on for dear life! Pat fires elbows and he knocks Gunther down! Pat adjusts, and manages to MOONSAULT! Gunther moves, Pat lands out, GERMAN SUPLEX! Pat lands out?! PUNT!! PUNT!! And then a PUNT!!! Cover, ONE?!?! Gunther takes all those shots and is just pissed!! Gunther eggs Pat on, so Pat SLAPS him! Gunther eggs Pat on more, so Pat SLAPS again!
Pat SLAPS, Gunther CHOPS, but Pat just feeds off that now! The CHOPS keep going, and then Pat ELBOWS Gunther! The forearms go back and forth, Pat fires fast hands, Gunther guards! Pat runs, and he BOOTS Gunther! Pat keeps moving, to SUPERKICK! Shoutout to the Panama City Playboy, but Gunther reels Pat in for a POWERBOMB!! Cole says fine, just end this match already! Gunther clamps on the BOSTON CRAB!! But Pat endures! Cole goes to the apron to tell Pat to keep fighting! But Gunther drags Pat back to rain down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans cheer on Cole, but Gunther grabs him through the ropes!!
The fans boo as Gunther drags Cole into the ring! The ref reprimands and Cole says Gunther should just pin Pat already! Gunther pushes Cole around, has him by his tie, then reels Cole in! But Pat BOOTS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Pat!! Gunther glares at Cole as Cole is on the outside again. Pat O’Conner Rolls! TWO!! Pat bails out, Cole coaches him, but Gunther is on Pat again! Gunther suplexes, but Cole trips Gunther!! Cole holds Gunther’s foot down as Pat covers, TWO!!! Gunther is pissed, but Pat puts on the SLEEPER!!! Gunther flails, powers out, and short arm LARIATS!! Gunther drags Pat back up, and he stares Cole down before putting on the SLEEPER!!!
Pat is down in the body scissors and he’s turning purple! The fans rally as Pat still fights, but Gunther traps his arms, too!! Pat is still fighting even now!! Pat rises up, throws elbows, and the fans are thunderous! Pat fires shot after shot but Gunther wrangles him back down!! Pat is caught again, and NOW he’s out! Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
Gunther pushes Pat away and Cole is distraught. Cole goes to Pat’s side, feeling just a bit responsible for letting it go this far. Der Ring General grins as he still returns to his winning ways. Pat manages to sit up again now that he can breathe, and Cole helps him stand. Gunther and Pat stare each other down, and Gunther shows Pat a nod of respect! Gunther leaves, but will he be just as ruthless as he heads back for the mountaintop?
Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton!
Both men have been here in the WWE for 25 years, never wrestling anywhere else, and never wanting to go anywhere else. And while he’s “gone Hollywood,” Cena still became the #NeverSeenSeventeen. The Viper is still only at 14, but he hopes to change that tonight as he now has the homefield advantage. Will the Legend Killer add one more name to that hit list? Or will Cena still be the Last Real Champion?
The fans obviously sing along with Voices as their hometown hero makes his entrance. Orton already seems to be getting chills hearing his hometown sing that for him. Then things turn to “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” even before the music plays. Then things turn to “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” with the music, even as Cena wears his St. Louis Blues inspired merchandise. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the greatest of their generation!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Cena and Orton circle. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. The two break, the fans applaud, and the two reset. Orton and Cena circle again, tie up again, and are in another deadlock. They break again and the fans again applaud. St. Louis rallies behind “RANDY! RANDY!” which annoys Cena, but then he offers a handshake. The fans boo and Orton smirks. Orton steps up, Cena still offers, and Orton accepts. But then Cena pokes Orton in the eyes! Cena fires hands, headlocks, but Orton powers up and out. Orton runs Cena over, then he pokes Cena in the eyes!
The fans cheer, Cena bails out, and Orton goes to the corner so he can look down at Cena. The fans cheer more and Cena slides in. The two tie up, go around, and Orton puts Cena in a corner. The ref counts, Orton lets off at 4, but he counters Cena’s punch! Orton ROCKS Cena, headlocks, and the fans duel, “You Can’t Wrestle!” “YES, HE CAN!” Cena powers up and out, ducks down, and hurdles over! Orton still runs Cena over again! The fans fire up as Orton headlocks, hits a takeover, but Cena keeps his shoulders up. Cena endures, fights up, and powers out. Orton runs Cena over yet again! Cena bails out and the fans boo.
Cena wants to walk!? The fans boo more but Cena doesn’t care. But Orton rushes out to CLUB Cena from behind! Orton ROCKS Cena, ROCKS him again, and they return to ringside. Orton ROCKS Cena, Cena rolls into the ring, and Cena comes back to LARIAT! Cena rains down fists, the fans boo, but Cena stops to catch his breath. Cena brings Orton up to bump him off buckles. Cena climbs up and fans boo more as Cena rains down fists! The fans still count along, and Cena goes to 7 before he hops down. But Orton kicks low! Orton bumps Cena off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count and Orton goes past TEN, to hit TWENTY!!
The fans fire up and Orton backs off. Cena staggers around, Orton reels him in, and UPPERCUTS Cena down! Cover, TWO! Orton drags Cena to center to stomp a leg! The fans cheer and Orton stomps Cena’s other leg! Cena clutches his ankle, but Orton stomps Cena’s hand! The fans cheer as Orton picks Cena apart, with a stomp to the other hand! Orton pushes Cena down and runs up, to KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cena stays in this but Orton stays focused. Cena goes to ropes, rises up, but Orton is on him with a kick down low! The fans cheer Orton and he whips, but Cena reverses. Cena clamps on a SLEEPER! And becomes a backpack!
Orton stays on his feet and Cena slips down. Orton powers up and out, and he catches Cena for a SLEEPER! Cena endures, but he drops to a knee. Cena fights up, powers out, and he grabs the SLEEPER again! The fans boo but Orton powers up and out. Orton has the SLEEPER! Cena powers out, to have the SLEEPER! Orton slips around to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally while both men are down. Orton and Cena stir, Cena goes to the ropes, and Orton is up. Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start up those SHOULDER TACKLES! And then the SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans boo but Cena smooths his hair. Cena smirks, raises his hand, and says the fans can’t see him!
Cena runs, and FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLES! Orton staggers, Cena fireman’s carries, but Orton slips free! Orton shoves Cena and LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Orton dodges then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up while Cena flounders to the apron! Orton storms over there, drags Cena through the ropes, but Cena slips through to roll Orton up! TWO, and Cena has a leg! Orton fights off the crossface, but Cena powers through! STFU!! Orton endures, reaches out, but Cena drags him from the ropes! Orton BOOTS Cena away and Cena goes back to the apron! Orton runs up, has Cena in the ropes, DRAPING DDT!
The fans fire up while Cena sputters, and Orton starts to hear those voices! Orton watches Cena rise up, R K- NO, Cena powers out, fireman’s carries, and ATTITUDE- RKO?!?! Orton turns that around at the last second and the fans are losing their minds! “This is Awesome!” while both men are down again! Both men slowly rise up, Cena has Orton, but Orton ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Orton! Orton kicks Cena low, but then Cena fires a body shot! Orton HEADBUTTS Cena, but Cena HEADBUTTS back! Orton ROCKS Cena again, but Cena ROCKS Orton again! Orton UPPERCUTS! Cena HAYMAKERS! Cena fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!
The fans fire up as Orton survives while Cena grows frustrated. Cena waits on Orton to rise up, the fans duel again, and Cena fireman’s carries! Orton grabs ropes, Cena pries him free, but Orton slips off the carry! Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start more shoulder tackles, but into an RKO!!! The fans fire up but Cena flounders away to a corner! Orton clutches his shoulder, the RKO continues to be a double-edged move when you get right down to it. But wait! Orton wants to go yard! But Cena avoids the Orton Punt! Fireman’s carry and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Orton survives again and Cena is beside himself!
The fans rally as hard as they can for Orton but Cena stalks Orton to a corner. Cena talks trash, and he mocks hearing those voices! Cena smirks as the fans boo, and then Cena decides to further copy Orton! Cena aims from a corner, runs up, but Orton dodges Cena’s kick! RK- NO, Cena shoves Orton into the ref!! The ref goes down, Cena has Orton again, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! But no ref means no pins! Cena smirks again, and he tells the fans, “Shh.” Cena goes outside, grabs the title belt, and Cole asks why he’s resorting to this. Cena says, “History.” Cena slips back into the ring with the belt, but Orton hits an RKO!!!
The ref stirs, Orton covers, and the ref counts! TWO!!!! The delay saves Cena and Orton is beside himself! Cena flops out of the ring, crawls off towards barriers, but Orton pursues. Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms up on Cena. The fans call BS, but Orton thinks this is a good a place as any. Orton clears the desk! The ref reprimands but then Cena RAMS Orton into the ref!! The ref hits steel steps! Cena POSTS Orton, and the fans are dueling again! Cena sees the desk, and then smirks again. Cena decides to use another of Orton’s ideas, and he fireman’s carries Orton. But Orton slips free and fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT onto the desk!!
Cena tumbles off the desk and to the floor! Then the desk breaks! They really made those sturdier than before. Orton mutters something while he clears space. Orton drags Cena up, SMACKS him off the pieces of the desk, then goes back to the ring. The fans fire up as Orton starts looking underneath the ring! Orton goes around the way, and tada! Orton brings out a TABLE! St. Louis fires up again as Orton sets the table up right where he found it, then he drags Cena over that way. Cena fires hands and SMACKS Orton off barriers! And off the steps! Cena fireman’s carries Orton, but Orton fights free! Orton fireman’s carries again!
Orton hits another ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, through the table!!! Once again, Orton gives Cena his move! Orton drinks some Prime Hydration, then goes back to Cena. Orton steps over Cena to drag him back up, and he puts Cena in the ring. “This is Awesome!” but the ref is still down! Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and he hears those voices again! Cena stirs, rises to his feet, and RKO!!! Cover, here comes a spare ref!! The count, TWO!??!?!? Another delay saves Cena and Orton is at a loss for words! The ref defends the count was fair, but Cena has the belt again! Cena aims, runs up, but Orton dodge! BELT SHOT on Eddie Durango! RKO AGAIN!!!!
Orton covers, he would’ve won ten times over! Nick Aldis and his producers hurry to ringside to finally check on both refs. Orton argues with Aldis, they need another official! Aldis says okay but there aren’t many left to work tonight! Orton is furious, so he just RKOS Aldis! And RKO for each and every producer! Even Jamie Noble!! The fans are thunderous as Orton unleashes that 2009 Viper! Orton looms over Cena, seethes, and goes with the last thing he has in his arsenal. Orton lines up a shot, Cena rises up, BUT R-TRUTH gets in the way! Truth pleads with Orton to spare his “childhood hero!” Orton just RKOS Truth!!
Cena is up, and he LOW BLOWS Orton!!! The fans boo, but Cena isn’t done there! He has the belt, and he CLOBBERS Orton with it!!! Cena puts the belt outside, the first ref returns, and he counts the cover! CENA WINS!!!
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Cena’s first defense of his 17th world title is certainly one for the history books! It took multiple referees, tables, distractions, and even a friend/fan biting the bullet for him, and Cena comes out the other side still the champion. Cena takes the mic, and he shouts to cut the damn music! Cena says he doesn’t need the music, he needs competition. And he sure as hell doesn’t need the fans. “Drink it in, St. Louis. Because this is what the Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title at the corner, but if this is what the Last Real Champion needs to survive the Viper, what more will it take for him to finish his Farewell Tour?
My Thoughts:
Despite the concerns from right after WrestleMania, this Backlash turned out amazing! It didn’t need a two hour preshow when there wasn’t gonna be a preshow match, but I get that they did so because this was the final Backlash for Cena, they needed time to talk about Cena becoming the 17 time world champion, and what facing Orton one more time meant to everyone. Cena VS Orton: The Final Time was definitely better than Cody VS Cena at Mania. There was a lot of talk of Cena “purposefully” giving a bad match at Mania and whether that saved it from actually being a bad match because of the meta, but I think they realized that this time, it had to be a legitimately good match.
And it was! It was great stuff from two icons of wrestling, no matter what anyone says. It’s that saying of “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” It didn’t flip the classic moment of Orton slapping the ref to get disqualified, but Cena did still took out two refs through the course of this. Great stuff with Aldis and all those producers, aka former/retired wrestlers, taking RKOs so Orton could unleash his anger. And while I figured R-Truth would play a part, I didn’t think we’d get him taking an RKO. Cena of course resorts to all the cheating ways to win, but this is Heel Cena after all, what else would he do? And now there is some real intrigue as to who is next for Cena as he continues his farewell tour.
To go back to the top, awesome move with the Fatal 4 Way opening tonight. All four guys got their stuff in, it was wild, and yet, Solo Sikoa still gets involved, just as they implied last night. Additionally, Solo brought in a new member to the team, also as they implied. Personally, I still wanted Hikuleo, just so that Solo would be leading the entire Guerrillas of Destiny, but maybe they want to wait until Tama and Loa are health. At the same time, I can’t fault them for going with Jeff Cobb because he’s Jeff Cobb. Cobb is sturdy, strong, athletic, and anyone who has watched NJPW, ROH and/AEW already knows what he’s capable of. You can tell already that this only ups the tension within the faction, and we might get Cobb VS Fatu very quickly.
Lyra VS Becky was great, with Becky really doing her best to Heel her way through this. I really thought she was going to pull off a cheap win thanks to the buckle or some other trick, but Lyra does prove herself the better wrestler tonight. Now, with Lyra holding her nose and then playing up the damage to the rest of her body, they could be setting up some injury angle where she has to take time off, maybe even vacate the title. Lyra’s fiancé was right there, this could be Lyra’s out so the two of them can have their wedding and honeymoon and all that while Becky goes for the vacated title. Bayley could even return to be a major roadblock to that title, and we get a great match from Bayley VS Becky to crown a new champion.
Dom VS Penta was great, and St. Louis seems to be a Dom friendly crowd. Naturally, Judgment Day had to help, but also a logical move for El Grande Americano to get involved because of how Penta superkick’d Gable. Penta will surely confront Gable and get a match with El Grande, this can lead us into something for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in June. As for Dom, things seem patched up in Judgment Day for now, but that could easily change at a drop of a hat. Honestly, Worlds Collide needs to be built starting this Monday, and maybe some AAA stars show up to call out “the greatest Intercontinental Champion/greatest Mysterio ever.”
And of course, for being a bit sudden, Gunther VS Pat was great stuff. It went about how I expected, with Pat just taking damage and getting back up. A little surprised Cole tried to help Pat cheat Gunther out of this, but it didn’t change the outcome. Gunther make Pat take a nap to get the win, but I did like the modicum of respect Gunther showed on his way out. Logan VS Jey is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event in a couple weeks, but much like Rollins, perhaps Gunther tries to change plans? Or maybe Gunther wants the Intercontinental Championship? Gunther should go for something, I’m just not sure what with all these other stories going on right now.
My Score: 9/10
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Will the Front Man have his Resurgence?
Hirooki Goto and Zack Sabre Jr. battle over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, knowing that Shingo Takagi waits at NJPW Dominion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Strong Survivor: Allan Breeze VS CJ Tino; Tino wins.
- Bea Priestly VS Viva Van; Priestly wins.
- Fred Rosser VS Matt Vandagriff; Rosser wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario; TJP & Templario win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers; The Bucks & Good Brothers win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Ishii wins and retains the title.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS El Phantasmo; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr; Double Pinfall Draw, Goto retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa; AZM wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario!
No longer just for the West Coast, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson are World Class! But will they start to take over the world from the West Coast? Or will the Aswang & Lion Warrior conquer them for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly world class!
The teams sort out and then WCWC just attack! The bell rings, the fans boo, but Nelson stomps away on TJP! Isaacs TOSSES Templario, then WCWC double whip TJP. TJP leaps over the double lariat and Templario springboards to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as now TJP & Temp have Isaacs. They double whip him to DOUBLE ELBOW, then roll him into a wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Temp SPLASHES the leg! And SPLASHES it again! Then stomps it! Temp wrenches Isaacs, tags TJP, and they double whip to HIP TOSS, then TJP becomes Templario’s weapon for a GOURD BUSTER SPLASH!
The fans cheer and TJP covers, TWO! TJP stays on Isaacs with an UPPERCUT! Isaacs goes to ropes, Nelson talks trash, but TJP tells Nelson to “SUCK IT!” TJP UPPERCUTS Isaacs, whips, but Isaacs catches TJP to a suplex! TJP slips free and wraps on the IRON OCTOPUS! Nelson runs in, CLUBS TJP and BLASTS Templario! Then BOOT and BACKBREAKER, into a BODY CHECK! The fans boo but Isaacs rains down fists! Tag to Nelson and WCWC wrench TJP for a DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! TJP staggers, Nelson dropkicks the legs out, then Isaacs deadlift suplexes TJP! Nelson covers, TWO! Nelson rains down forearms while the fans boo!
Nelson rains down fists, the ref reprimands, and Nelson “apologizes.” Nelson taunts Templario, bumps TJP off buckles, then tags Isaacs. Isaacs digs his boot into TJP while Nelson messes with TJP’s hair. Isaacs then BLASTS Templario while Nelson rains down fists! The ref reprimands WCWC but he also has to keep Temp from storming in. Isaacs & Nelson stomp away on TJP in the distraction and the fans boo. Isaacs taunts TJP to go tag Templario, then stomps him down! Isaacs clamps onto TJP’s arms for a motorcycle stretch! TJP endures, the fans rally, but Isaacs pulls on the arms! The fans boo WCWC while TJP still endures.
The fans rally harder for “T J P! T J P!” Nelson hijacks English commentary to talk trash, but TJP fights up to FLIP KICK Isaacs away! Isaacs hurries to whip TJP, but TJP goes Spider-Man to then slip under and RANA! The fans fire up while TJP and Isaacs crawl, hot tags to Templario and Nelson! Templario handsprings, then he fires forearms with Nelson! Templario gets the edge, trips Nelson, and things speed up. Nelson hurdles but Temp shoves. Nelson sunset flips, Temp rolls through but Nelson avoids the basement dropkick! Temp avoids a kick, rolls Nelson, but Nelson rolls through to RAM Temp! Temp comes back to SHOTGUN!
The fans fire up as Nelson tumbles out! Isaacs is in, Temp kicks but Isaacs blocks! Isaacs FLIPS Temp but Temp lands out! Isaacs whips but TJP tags in! Temp slips around Isaacs, shoves him to TJP for BOOTS, then TJP goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! WCWC regroups outside and the fans fire up. Temp holds the way open for TJP to Triangle Jump DROPKICK! Then TJP returns the favor so Temp can DIVE onto WCWC! The fans fire up with the Empire as they put Nelson back in. TJP goes up, up, and MAMBA- NO, Nelson dodges! TJP blocks a shot, SOBATS, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Nelson dodges Temp but Temp goes up to DROPKICK back!
Isaacs is in, Temp dodges and V-TRIGGERS! Temp runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! All four men are down and the fans fire up! Isaacs and Temp bail out and the fans rally as TJP and Nelson go to corners. Nelson throws off the elbow pads and runs up, but into TJP’s TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again as Nelson flounders to the apron. TJP goes up, but Isaacs ROCKS him! Isaacs goes up, and stalling SUPERPLEXES! TJP flounders back up and Isaacs LARIATS him back down! Nelson hits a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and the fans fire up! WCWC is furious, they whip to SPINEBUSTER and CATAPULT, for NO VASELINE!! Cover, Temp breaks it!!
Temp fires off on WCWC then runs, but into DOUBLE ELBOWS! WCWC soak up the heat, but they miss the Templarooni! The fans fire up as Temp dodges and uses Nelson to get up and RANA Isaacs! Temp then whips, Nelson reverses, but Temp drop toeholds Nelson into buckles! Wheelbarrow and GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up, but Isaacs is back! He POP-UP UPPERCUTS Temp down! The fans boo but Isaacs drags Temp back up. Isaacs whips, Temp reverses, and TJP goes up and over to TORNADO- NO, Isaacs stops that! TJP waistlocks, Isaacs switches, but TJP ducks so Temp’s SUPERKICK hits Isaacs!
Temp runs up on Nelson, Nelson slips around to waistlock Temp, but TJP waistlocks Nelson! Nelson steps through the O’Conner but TJP reaches up to headscissor Nelson forward for Temp to reel in and pick up! EL TEMPLO!! TJP goes up to MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, ISAACS BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! TJP rises and THROWS Isaacs out! TJP aims to PLANCHA! Down goes Isaacs! Temp kicks away on Nelson, ENZIGIRIS, and TJP joins in. TJP Electric Chair Lifts and Temp goes up! Temp tightrope walks, FLYING FOREARM DOOMSDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Nelson survives and TJP is beside himself!
The fans rally up as TJP rises. Isaacs rolls back in, TJP holds him down with a facelock. Temp steps in, they double suplex, but Isaacs fights that to DOUBLE SUPLEX! TJP & Temp fight that, but Nelson anchors Temp! Isaacs shoves TJP into Temp, but TJP fireman’s carries Isaacs! Isaacs fights free, gut wrenches, but TJP turns that around!? Isaacs turns it back around, SPINNING TOMBSTONE!! Nelson whips Temp and pops him up, POWERBOMB! Another catapult, another fireman’s carry, and again, NO VASELINE!! Temp writhes and the fans boo, but WCWC kips up! They keep after Temp with another fireman’s carry.
Nelson and Isaacs take Temp to a corner, and Nelson steps on Temp’s back to- NO, TJP avoids the splash! Temp slips free to ENZIGIRI Isaacs! Nelson CLAWS TJP’s eyes and goes up another corner, to POP THE- NO, TJP catches Nelson to a backslide, but Nelson rolls through to cradle! Temp tips it over, THE UNITED EMPIRE WINS?!?
Winners: TJP & Templario, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Nelson is stunned! He thought he had it, but the Lion Warrior gave Captain TJP the much needed assist! Nelson throws a fit before he and Isaacs storm off. Will all of NJPW, all over the world, soon belong to the United Empire?
8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers!
The War Dogs are still coming fresh off their win against The House of Torture, and now claim the right to be called THE Bullet Club! However, the Founding Fathers of Bullet Club seem to take offense. Matthew & Nicholas Jackson reunite with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, will they #ShowUsTheLight? Or will we see that David Finlay, Gedo, Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors are the ones that’re #JustTooSweet?
The fans bark for the War Dogs, and then they throw up their Too Sweet. The fans chant, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” and the Founding Fathers raise theirs, but the War Dogs attack! The bell rings, the fans are torn, but the brawl is on! Things spill out to the outside, Karl fires hands on Gedo, Finlay THROWS Matt over barriers, and then goes after Matt in the crowd! The fans fire up as Karl CLAWS Gedo’s face! Gabe sends Gallows into railing, but Nick TOSSES Finlay to ringside! Connors has Matt now and they brawl. Gedo CLAWS Karl’s face in return! Gabe and Gallows return to ringside, then go up the ramp.
Gabe and Gallows brawl, shout at each other, and then Gabe CHOPS! Gallows UPPERCUITS! Matt ROCKS Connors, and Finlay has Nick on the stage! Nick fights the suplex, then SUPERKICKS Finlay down the stairs! Finlay tumbles, Gallows CLUBS him, and they all set up for Nick to run and FLY! Nick bowls them all over and the fans fire up! Matt puts Connors in and Nick puts him in a corner. The Bucks whip Connors to a corner, then Matt LARIATS! Nick LARIATS! Karl JUMP KICKS! Gallows SPLASHES! Gallows scoops Connors and SLAMS him down! The fans rally up as Matt goes to a corner. He FLIES out onto Gabe & Finlay!
Anderson SENTONS Connors, Gallows SPLASHES, and then the Bucks coordinate! RISKY BUSINESS! The fans fire up for the Founding Fathers, and they call for the Too Sweet! The fans cheer as they wind up, but the War Dogs attack again! Finlay fires off on Matt, Gabe HEADBUTTS Gallows, Gedo has Karl and Connors has Nick! The War Dogs climb up in the corners, and they rain down fists! The fans count along, and we go all the way up to TEN! That’s forty total and the fans cheer! The War Dogs toss everyone out but Karl, and Gedo stomps him. Gabe SMACKS Gallows off railing, and Connors drags Karl up.
Connors whips Karl to the corner hard and Karl falls to the mat! Connors puts Karl in place, runs, and hits an ELBOW DROP! Connors drags Karl up, brings him around, and whips him into Finlay’s boot! Connors tags Gedo but Finlay digs his boots in. The ref counts, Gedo argues with him, but that lets Finlay & Gabe CHOKE Karl! Gedo storms up but Karl CHOPS him first! And CHOPS, but Gedo blocks to poke Karl in the eyes! The fans are torn, but Gedo CLAWS at Karl’s eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, and Gedo stops at 4. Gedo looms over Karl, pulls him back, and CLAWS at his face again!
The fans boo, the ref counts, and Gedo stops at 4. The fans are torn as Gedo throws up the Too Sweet, then he tags Finlay. Finlay stomps Karl to a corner, stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally and duel as Finlay stands Karl up. Finlay UPPERCUTS, runs corner to corner, and UPPERCUTS again! Finlay suplexes and THROWS Karl, then pushes him down for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay drags Karl away from his corner. Finlay bends Karl’s fingers while Gabe & Connors BLAST the OGs! Gabe grabs a mic to talk trash during the match! Gabe stomps Karl, and mockingly asks if this is 2013 again, when those “14-year-olds were still cool?”
Gabe mocks the Bucks and say they’re the Young CUCKS, because they’re bigger virgin nerds than anyone in this building! And F YOU, too!! Gabe tells Karl and Gallows that HE’s the resident bald white guy in NJPW now! But then Karl CHOPS Gabe! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Gabe DECKS Karl, the War Dogs BLAST the OGs, then Connors feeds Karl to Finlay. Karl dodges, sends Finlay into Connors, but Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Karl reverses, SPINEBUSTER! Hot tag to Gallows! The fans fire up as Doc BOOTS Connors, ROUNDHOUSES Finlay, and YAKUZA KICKS Gedo! Gallows whips Connors into Finlay!
Gallows runs to SPLASH them both, then runs to CROSSBODY Finlay & Connors! The fans fire up but Gabe attacks! Gab e BITES Gallows’ head, talks trash, but Gallows UPPERCUTS! Gabe COMEBACK- NO, he runs into the 12 STEP PROGRAM! Both men are down from that modified Sky High and the fans fire up! Hot tags to Finlay and Nick! Connors still jumps in with Finlay but Nick rallies on them with his strike fest combo! SHINING WIZARD for Finlay, then a BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up again and Nick tags Matt. The Bucks mug Gabe, double whip, but Gabe reverses. Nick goes up and Matt SUPERKICKS!
Matt cravats, Nick helps, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! SHINING WIZARD! Finlay is up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS hit him first! Matt puts Finlay in the ropes, Nick goes up, DRAPING SWANTON! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives but Matt tags Karl. Gallows joins in and the fans rally up. Gallows reels Finlay in, but Connors SPEARS him! Finlay hits Karl with an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But he gets DSOUBLE SUPERKICKS again! The Bucks fake Connors out to DOUBLE DDT! Gabe blocks a kick, sends it into Matt, then UPPERCUTS! But Nick SUPERKICKS in return! Gabe rebounds, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!
Gabe rebounds again, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Gallows is back, he and Gabe DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Gabe CHOPs, CHOPS, and UPPERCUTS! Gabe runs, into a GUN STUN!! We never thought that move would return to NJPW but here we are! Finlay flounders, hot tag to Gedo! Gedo JAWBREAKERS Karl, SUPERKICKS, and the rest of the Dogs hold down the OGs! Gedo mule kicks Karl now to GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Karl escapes and the fans fire up! GUN STUN for Gedo!! Gabe runs up, dodges, COMEBACKER!! Gallows ROUNDHOUSES Gabe!
Connors & Finlay mug Gallows, double whip him, then Connors runs in, only for Gallows to DUMP him! Gallows DUMPS Finlay, too! YAKUZA KICK for Gedo, and into the E V P TRIGGER!! Matt says that’s not enough! Nick climbs up to be on Gallows’ shoulders! SUPER T K DRIVER!! The Bucks PLANCHA out to wipe out the Dogs! The Good Brothers top it off with a MAGIC KILLER on Gedo!! Cover, the Founding Fathers win!
Winners: The Young Bucks & Good Brothers, by pinfall
The War Dogs are beside themselves, but the OGs of Bullet Club still got it! The War Dogs step back into the ring, they look at their “senpai” while Gedo is helped to the back. The Bucks say no hard feelings, and offer the Too Sweet. War Dogs throw it up, just to Too Sweet with each other. It seems some things aren’t “4 life” like we thought. But with the Good Brothers back in town, will things be #JustTooSweet no matter where you look?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Stone Pitbull took this title off Gabe in the Windy City Riot, and now he defends it against another of the War Dogs! Will Ishii survive the 44 Caliber? Or will his reign not even last a full month?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really got that dog in ’em!
The bell rings and the fans rally as Drilla and Ishii get face to face. Then Drilla fires forearm after forearm! Drilla whips, Ishii reverses, but Drilla RAMS Ishii! Ishii roars so Drilla fires more forearms! Ishii eggs Drilla on and leans into the shots! Drilla keeps throwing shots but Ishii backs him down! The fans rally behind Ishii, and he DECKS Drilla into a corner! The fans fire up and Ishii shakes off those forearms. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, but now Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearms but now Drilla leans into the shots! The fans fire up as Drilla ROCKS Ishii. Drilla runs but Ishii CLOBBERS Drilla!
The fans fire up and Ishii suplexes, but Drilla slips free! Drilla waistlocks, Ishii fires elbows, and things speed up. Drilla hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans are torn but Drilla shakes out his arms. Drilla looms over Ishii, kicks him, and CHOPS him! The fans “WOO~” while Ishii wobbles, and Drilla CHOPS again! Drilla CHOPS Ishii to the corner, then CHOPS again! Ishii eggs Drilla on so Drilla winds up and CHOPS! Drilla stomps away on Ishii, the ref counts, but Drilla digs his boot in. The ref counts, Drilla steps off, and the fans rally. Drilla grins and brings Ishii up, but Ishii fires body shots!
Ishii backs Drilla down but Drilla snapmares and KICKS Ishii in the back! Ishii writhes, Drilla covers, TWO! Drilla is annoyed but Ishii is tougher than that. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex! Ishii sputters and rolls to the apron. The fans rally as Drilla storms over to join Ishii. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla pushes Ishii and ELBOWS him down! Ishii LARIATS the legs out from under Drilla! Drilla hobbles up, runs in, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM on the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks Drilla. Drilla is okay to continue, so Ishii drags him into the ring.
Drilla goes to a corner, Ishii runs in, and LARIATS! Ishii whips, Drilla reverses, but Ishii comes back to CLOBBER Drilla! The fans fire up more as Ishii shakes off that damage. Ishii drags Drilla up, but Drilla fights the lift with elbows! Only for Ishii to shift and SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but he’s frustrated with himself. Ishii kicks at Drilla rather mockingly, and Drilla stands in a huff! Drilla ducks the haymaker to ripcord and CHOP! Then he brings Ishii in for a PILE- NO, Ishii fights that, so Drilla grabs tights for a STUFF PILEDRIVER! Ishii writhes but Drilla also grits his teeth from pain, and the fans rally up.
Drilla and Ishii stir, and Drilla rises first. Drilla drags Ishii up, CHOPS and ROCKS him on repeat, and the fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! Ishii just stares Drilla down! Drilla CHOPS, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Ishii DECKS him! The fans fire up and Ishii finally feels that damage. Ishii clutches a shoulder but he storms up on Drilla. Ishii kicks Drilla, hoists him up top, and then climbs up after him. Ishii stalling SUPERPLEXES! But Drilla’s right up!? The fans fire up and Drilla returns, but Ishii LARIATS! Drilla HAYMAKERS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Drilla ROLLING ELBOWS, then ducks the enzigiri! Drilla runs, but Ishii stuffs the Gore!
Drilla wrenches free of the facelock, but Ishii HEADBUTTS Drilla down! The fans fire up while Ishii staggers around. Ishii roars to fire back up and the fans are with him! Drilla slowly rises, Ishii runs, but Drilla catches Ishii to a MADE IN JAPAN!??! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives Drilla using Shingo Takagi’s move and the fans fire up! Drilla goes to a corner while the fans rally up. The fans are on Ishii’s side and that pisses Drilla off. Drilla aims and runs in, but Ishii KNEES him low! Ishii stands Drilla up, but Drilla SUPERKICKS! Ishii rebounds, but into the SPINEBUSTER! Drilla gets moving again, and he GORES Ishii down!! Cover, TWO?!?
Ishii survives and Drilla is beside himself! The fans rally while Drilla and Ishii are down again. Drilla sits up and slashes his throat, vowing to end this. Drilla stands and he brings Ishii up. Drilla reels Ishii in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla swats a lariat, ducks the other, but Ishii ducks the enzigiri to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Drilla and Ishii stir as the fans rally up more. They go to ropes, rise up, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS! Ishii fires boxing elbows, but Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearm after forearm, but Drilla DROPKICKS! Drilla runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!
Drilla survives and the fans rally up! Ishii sits Drilla up, runs, and SLIDING- NO! Drilla catches Ishii into a clinch! URE- NO, Ishii slips free to waistlock! Drilla switches, ripcords and DROPKICKS! Drilla reels Ishii in and suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER!! But Ishii rises?!? His fighting spirit keeps him moving, but Drilla runs to LARIAT! Ishii stays up, UPPERCUTS, and ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire back up! Ishii headbutts the buckles to fire up, and the fans are with him! Ishii runs again, to LARIAT!! Drilla tumbles, Ishii pushes him to a cover, TWO!! Drilla survives but Ishii powers back up!
Ishii hauls Drilla up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Drilla slips fere! Drilla shoves, then catches Ishii to wrench and Canadian Rack! DRILLA- NO, Ishii lands out! Drilla avoids a lariat, then another, and GORES!! Cover, ONE!?!? Drilla is shocked and the fans are thunderous! Drilla goes to a corner and he aims again! Drilla runs up, but Ishii turns leg lariat into POWERBOMB! And SLIDING LARIAT!! Ishii roars, suplexes, and BRAINBUSTERS!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
The Stone Pitbull showed the young pup how it’s done! Will Ishii continue to prove no one is as NJPW Strong as him?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero VS El Phantasmo!
It was just last week at Wrestling Dontaku that The Alpha and Headbanga battled over the NJPW World Television Championship. They went 15 minutes for a time limit draw and both men want more! Will ELP get all he can when he takes this title from Takeshita? Or will Konosuke NEVER lose again?
The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The bell rings and the one hour time limit is on. ELP and Konosuke circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Konosuke headlocks, ELP powers up and out, but Konosuke runs him over! Things keep moving, ELP stays low then hurdles over, but Konosuke leaps over. Konosuke sidesteps, ELP rolls off Konosuke’s back, but Konosuke reels him in! BLUE THUNDER- NO, ELP sunset flips! But Konosuke rolls through! ELP still reels Konosuke in and tucks the arms, but then Konosuke wrenches free! ELP dodges the lariat, but Konosuke goes Matrix to avoid Sudden Death! The fans fire up as the two are in a standoff!
Konosuke and ELP reset, circle again, and the fans are dueling. Konosuke and ELP step up, and ELP CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and ELP eggs Konosuke on. Konosuke winds up, but then ROLLING ELBOWS! ELP falls, the fans are torn, but Konosuke stands ELP up. Konosuke whips, ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then he somersaults to LIONSAULT! ELP bounces off the cover, and Konosuke is up to LARIAT ELP up and out! The fans are torn but Konosuke builds speed to FLY! Down goes ELP and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up, puts him in the ring, and then clamps on with a chinlock.
ELP endures, pries at the hold, but Konosuke shifts to go for an arm. The fans rally as ELP throws body shots, but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke whips, ELP reverses, but Konosuke FLYING UPPERCUTS ELP down! Konosuke clamps onto ELP with a double wristlock! ELP endures so Konosuke changes it to a COBRA CLUTCH! ELP fights around all the same, reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Konosuke lets go, ELP goes to a corner, and Konosuke storms up. Konosuke whips corner to corner hard and ELP bounces off buckles! The fans rally while ELP writhes on the mat. Konosuke watches ELP as he rolls away to ropes.
Konosuke stalks ELP, drags him up, and wrenches to put him in a corner. Konosuke whips ELP corner to corner, but ELP stops short! Konosuke runs in but ELP goes up and over! ELP runs in, but into a BOOT! Konosuke hops up, but ELP GAMANGIRIS him to the floor! The fans fire up and ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Konosuke goes over railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises as the ring count starts. ELP aims from the ropes! ELP did this in Japan, he’s gonna do it in California! SUPER DUPER THUNDERKISS!! Direct hit and the front row almost gets wiped out!
A Takeshita fan talks trash while showing off her Konosuke art, but Rocky is mad and throws off his jacket. ELP drags Konosuke up, CHOPS him back over the railing, and the ELP fans all “WOO~!” ELP storms after Konosuke, CHOPS him again, then puts him in the ring. Rocky gets up on the apron! The fans boo and ELP jumps, but Konosuke dodges! Konosuke then sidesteps to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! ELP survives but Konosuke reels him in. ELP fights the suplex, but Konosuke powers through to suplex! ELP slips free, straitjackets and torture racks! BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!!
Konosuke survives, but ELP kips up and the fans fire up! ELP tunes up the band and the fans cheer him on. ELP aims at Konosuke, for SUDDEN- NO, Konosuke blocks it to fire off boxing elbows! Then a ROLLING- NO, ELP mule kicks, front kicks, but then Konosuke BOOTS! ELP BOOTS! Konosuke rebounds but ELP ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Rocky coaches Konosuke, the fans rally for ELP, and both men rise. ELP and Konosuke go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! ELP grins as the shots keep going back and forth! Both men stand, and the forearms keep going! Konosuke ROCKS ELP and eggs him on!
ELP returns to ROCK Konosuke, and the forearms fly again! The fans fire up as the shots go faster and faster! Then DOUBLE FOREARMS send both men staggering back! ELP and Konosuke go to the apron now, and the forearms fly again! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and ELP ROCKS Konosuke! And ROCKS him again! Konosuke just ROCKS ELP in return! And again, and again, and again! Konosuke has ELP up against the corner, and hoists him up! Konosuke drags ELP onto his shoulder, but ELP fights free!
ELP mule kicks, then he reels Konosuke in! Konosuke fights the tuck, so ELP kicks him low! APRON PILEDRIVER!! Konosuke falls to the floor and Rocky is stunned! We pass 10 minutes while ELP rises up. ELP hears the ring count so he refreshes it, then he goes looking under the ring! ELP brings out a table! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands. ELP ignores that to set the table up at ringside. ELP then fetches Konosuke, drags him to the apron, and tucks the arms! Konosuke fights the lift, and ROCKS ELP! Then POWER DRIVE KNEES! Konosuke reels ELP in, but ELP fights the Blue Thunder with elbows! ELP rolls into the ring, but Konosuke avoids the shoulder!
Konosuke KNEES ELP back down and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up the corner, and the fans are already worried about what he’s planning. ELP fights with body shots, and then adjusts his position on the top rope! Konosuke fires body shots, then SUPER LARIATS ELP down!! Konosuke hurries to cover, TWO!! ELP survives and Konosuke is furious! Konosuke drags ELP up, scoops him, but ELP slips free to gut wrench! But Konosuke turns that back around! TOMBSTONE!! But Konosuke holds on! Konosuke stands up, tucks ELP in, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up!
ELP shakes his head, defiant against the damage done to him. The fans rally more but Konosuke brings ELP up. But ELP wrenches out, only for the ALPHA ELBOW to knock him down! POWER DRIVE- SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP hits first and the fans fire up! ELP hurries to reel Konosuke in, but Konosuke Alabama Lifts! And he spins ELP around for another BASTARD DRIVER!! And then a WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous, and ELP is right up!! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!!? WHAT?!?
ELP just runs again, goes up and up, and FLYING- ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, ONE!??! The fans are thunderous as both men defy expectations! ELP dodges a lariat to POISON-RANA!! Konosuke stands up but wobbles, and ELP ROLLING ELBOWS!! Cover, ONE?!?!?! HOW?!?! ELP shrugs it off to tune up! SUDDEN DEATH!! SUDDEN DEATH AGAIN!! And then C R 2!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke survives all of that and the fans are electric! Rocky is freaking out but “This is Awesome!” ELP is up, THUNDERKISS ATTACK! And then a somersault back to the apron, THUNDERKISS 86 SPLASH!!! Cover, ROCKY DRAGS THE REF OUT!!!
The fans boo as Azucar sours the taste of this one! The ref and Rocky argue, but ELP storms out to get Rocky! Rocky runs for it, but ELP SUPERKICKS him! ELP reels Rocky in and POWERBOMBS him through the table!! ELP goes into the ring, but the POWER DRIVE KNEE finds him! And then RAGING- CRADLE!!! TWO!!! Konosuke escapes, dodges, and ROLLING ELBOWS!! And then POWER DRIVE KNEES!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!? Konosuke throws off his elbow pad, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS!!! Then the RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
ELP kept his NJPW World TV Championship, but now Konosuke has kept his NEVER Openweight Championship! Is Konosuke going to prove he isn’t just The Alpha of AEW, but the Alpha of the World?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr w/ Shane Haste!
The Fierce Warrior took this title from The Front Man at the New Beginning in Osaka, and the Goto Revolution has been on a roll these last few months. ZSJ wants the spotlight back, but there’s also a catch: The winner here must defend against Shingo Takagi at NJPW Dominion in June! Will it be out of the frying pan and into the fire for Goto? Or will this be ZSJ’s resurgence?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the G in IWGP is still for Goto!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Goto and ZSJ stare down. Goto and ZSJ then circle, feel things out, and go around. They knuckle lock, then clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. ZSJ shifts to a headlock but Goto wrenches out to wristlock. ZSJ rolls, bridges, spins and wrenches, but Goto headlocks! ZSJ hammerlocks, Goto goes to the ROPEBREAK, and the fans cheer this opening exchange. Goto and ZSJ reset, circle again, and the two tie up. ZSJ headlocks, grinds the hold, but Goto powers up and out. Fans sing for “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” as he RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds to RUN ZSJ over!
ZSJ avoids the elbow drop, Goto avoids the Penalty Kick, and Goto hits a headlock takeover! ZSJ headscissors, Goto kips free and Goto deflects a boot, only for ZSJ to avoid the lariat! The fans cheer and the two reset again. ZSJ and Goto circle, feel things out, and ZSJ RAMS low! ZSJ whips, but Goto blocks a hip toss, only for ZSJ to do the same! ZSJ THROWS Goto down, then clamps on for the NECK TWIST! The fans fire up, and Goto goes to the apron. ZSJ steps outside and NECK TWISTS Goto again! The fans rally while ZSJ sits Goto up on the floor, and KICKS him in the back! ZSJ then UPPERCUTS, but Goto CHOPS!
ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Goto CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally while Goto falls back! ZSJ swaggers around a bit, rolls into the ring, and lets the ring count climb. Goto sits up at 7 of 20, stands at 10, and takes a moment before rolling in at 12. ZSJ kneels on Goto, the ref reprimands as they’re in the ropes, but ZSJ SNAPS the fingers! Goto bails out while clutching his hand, but the ring count starts again. ZSJ eggs Goto on, Goto shakes out the bad hand and rolls back in. ZSJ is after the hand again and SNAPS the fingers! ZSJ then wrenches the arm, steps over, and he reaches out to have the other arm! Goto endures this modified motorcycle stretch, but ZSJ wrangles him down!
ZSJ has a DOUBLE MOUNTED ARMBAR! Goto endures, the fans duel, and ZSJ pulls on the arms! Goto kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and kicks at Goto. ZSJ scuffs Goto, taunts him with more kicks, but Goto sits up. ZSJ kicks at Goto while taunting him more and more. Goto scowls and stands up. They shoulder bump each other, but then Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS back, then storms up on Goto in a corner. ZSJ pushes Goto, slaps him around, but Goto SLAPS! Goto CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ uppercuts. Goto reverses, runs in, but into a BOOT!
ZSJ runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto rises, he drags ZSJ up, and he ROCKS ZSJ with forearm after forearm! Goto whips, runs in, and MURAMASA! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Goto stays focused and he brings ZSJ up. ZSJ fights the lift, pulls on an arm, and ZSJ wrenches. Goto fires forearms but ZSJ PELES the arm! Goto staggers, ZSJ runs, but then Goto follows again! Only for ZSJ to wrangle Goto to a FUJIWARA! Goto fights, ZSJ traps that arm, and then gets the other arm again! Goto endures the DOUBLE FUJIWARA! The fans rally, Goto fights around, but ZSJ steps over! Goto still gets the ROPEBREAK!
ZSJ lets go in frustration but the fans rally back up. Goto sputters but ZSJ stands him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto, has him on the ropes, then UPPERCUTS again! And again! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Goto and ZSJ stir, rise up, and Goto brings ZSJ up to ROCK him with a forearm! Goto eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ ROCKS him back! Goto ROCKS ZSJ again, and again, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and repeat! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, and the fans fire up more! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Goto spins him! URA GTR!
Goto runs and LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and we’re only at ten minutes! The fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” and considering there’s a one hour limit on this, they can definitely keep going! Goto rises and fires up again. Goto stands ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops back! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ can’t make the cover and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ and the fans rally again. ZSJ makes it to ropes, stands back up, and he goes to a corner. Goto sits up, ZSJ runs in, PENALTY KICK! Deep stack cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans cheer again. Goto goes to a corner, ZSJ goes back to his, and ZSJ aims again.
ZSJ runs in but Goto puts him in the ropes! Then DRAPING SHOTO!! Both men are down again and the fans still rally! Goto rises and powers up! ZSJ sits up, into the BUZZSAW! Goto then drags ZSJ up, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI again! Goto roars, the fans fire up, and Goto dragon sleepers, for G T- NO, ZSJ catches the arm, backslides, TWO!! ZSJ steps over, hammerlock and then CLARKY CAT!! ZSJ has the arms trapped again but Goto fights around! ZSJ pushes on the arms for an almost standing Clarky Cat! Goto endures, even as ZSJ pushes down hard on the arms! And has a leg! CLARKY CAT: BAD BALLOON REMIX!!
Goto fights with his free leg, so ZSJ shifts to focus on just an arm, URESHI ARMBAR!! Goto endures, fights with his legs, and still manages the ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go in frustration and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ to keep on Goto and the fans duel. ZSJ waits on Goto to sit up, and then he KICKS! Goto falls over, ZSJ paces, and Goto sits back up. ZSJ KICKS again! Goto falls back over, the fans rally, and ZSJ paces again. Goto sits back up, ZSJ eggs him on, and then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto falls in another heap and the fans continue to rally and duel. ZSJ lines up another shot to KICK, KICK, KICK! Goto blocks!
ZSJ SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires off fast SLAPS! Goto HEADBUTTS him in return! Shane is worried now as Goto HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Goto SLAMS ZSJ down, runs, and LARIATS ZSJ inside-out! The fans fire up as Goto drags ZSJ back up, fireman’s carries, and G T W!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Goto shrugs that off to drag ZSJ up and dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down to victory roll, then EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Goto escapes in time, and he clinches to a SLEEPER! Then roll, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! Goto fireman’s carries, ZSJ sunset flips, but Goto rocks it back, TWO!
ZSJ has the sunset flip, TWO!!! Goto narrowly escapes and the fans boo! Goto and ZSJ run back in, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! The fans rally up while both men wobble. Goto eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! Throw and G T- NO, ZSJ slips through, waistlocks, O’Conner BRIDGE, but Goto has a waistlock!! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!?!? The ref has to explain to the timekeeper to ring the bell, and then call it a DOUBLE PINFALL DRAW!!!
Double Pinfall Draw; Goto retains the title
ZSJ is pissed with the ref, and uses a GUILLOTINE CHOKE to take him down!! ZSJ grabs the world title, tosses it down at Goto’s feet, and the fans all call BS! ZSJ undoes his wrist tape, the fans tell the ref he sucks for this one, and Goto stands up to stare ZSJ down. This draw does not sit well with either man, but ZSJ pie faces Goto! ZSJ and Shane storm off while the fans boo, but there’s nothing that can be done about this decision now. Goto survived the rematch with The Front Man, will he be so lucky against the Rampaging Dragon?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa!
The CEO thought she was just getting one or the other for Resurgence, but that Double Count Out Draw in Chicago really upped the ante. Now both High Speed Bomb Girl and Fighting Gravure Idol get their shot, will one of them leave the Golden State wearing gold? Or will she still be #FourBeltsMone?
The introductions are made, the lavender belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Mone mocks Mina and AZM for being shorter than her, but it’s not like Mone is a towering titan herself… The fans boo Mone’s attitude as she calls for a Test of Strength. Mina and AZM tie up with Mone, then with each other. The three way Test of Strength is on, and Mina shimmies and shakes! The fans cheer but Mone is annoyed so she kicks Mina low! Mone then wrenches AZM, Gory Especials, but AZM arm-drags free! Mina arm-drags AZM, then dodges Mone. Mone ROCKS Mina, dodges AZM to arm-drag and lateral press, then rolls into the STATEMENT MAKER! AZM fights the crossface, Mina storms up and rolls things over!
Mina runs, and then slides, to hold hands with Mone and AZM as she does her dance! The fans cheer but both Mone and AZM are annoyed. They roll Mina to a DOUBLE COVER! TWO, Mina double covers them! TWO and everyone stands! AZM runs, trips Mone, and then Mina joins in for a DOUBLE DROPKICK! Mone tumbles out and the fans cheer. Mina has the fans fired up, but things speed up! AZM whips Mina to a corner, runs in, but Mina puts her on the apron! AZM slides in, sunset flips, TWO! AZM keeps moving but Mina catches her to a victory roll! TWO, AZM ducks a kick to roll Mina, but Mina rolls through!
AZM trips Mina, runs, but avoids Mone’s trip to DROPKICK Mina down! AZM kips up, the fans fire up, and then AZM runs again. But Mone trips her up right this time! The fans boo as Mone drags AZM out, SMACKS her off the apron, and throws forearms! AZM fires back, but Mina climbs up! Mina SUPER CROSSBODIES Mone & AZM both down! The fans fire up with Mina as she stands back up! Mina drags Mone up, puts her in the ring, and the fans chant, “We Want Mina!” Mina covers Mone, TWO! Mone is tougher than that and she CHOPS! Mone knuckle locks, goes up, and up, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS!
Mone does her CEO dance, the fans are torn, but Mone runs in at the corner. DOUBLE KNEES, then she brings Mina out for a facelock. Mina wrenches free to CHOP! Mina fires up, the fans are with her, and Mina knuckle locks to go up, up, shimmy and shake, then CROSSBODY onto AZM! AZM bails back out, Mina and Mone run up, and Mone wrenches to suplex! Una Amiga! Mone hits another suplex, Dos Amigas! And then THREE AMIGAS! The fans are torn as Mone gives some Latina Heat. Mone runs in at Mina, blocks her boots and puts her in the ropes! AZM runs up, but Mone gives her DEADLY NIGHTSHADE!
Mone puts AZM under Mina, and then hits a DOUBLE STOCK DROP! Cover on Mina, TWO! Cover on AZM, TWO! Back to Mina, TWO! Back to AZM, TWO! Mone grows frustrated but her opponents are just that tough. Mina and AZM bail out and the fans rally. Mone goes to the apron, runs up, and DOUBLE METEORAS to the floor! The fans fire up and Mone smirks. Mone SMACKS Mina off the apron, puts her in, and covers, TWO! Mina is still in this but Mone looms over her. Mone soaks up cheers and jeers, stomps Mina, then drags her up. Mone Gory Especials, but Mina fights to kick at the legs! Mina Gory Especials, for a GORY BOMB!!
Mina SMASHES away on Mone’s knee! Then one BIG SMASH! The fans fire up for Mina and she reels Mone in. Mina hooks up the legs, does her dance, then DOUBLE STOMPS the knees! Mone writhes but Mina steps through, KNEE JAMMER on the left leg! Mina then SLAPS Mone’s leg, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! Mone endures, Mina thrashes around, but AZM DIVING STOMPS Mina! The fans fire up and AZM brings Mina in, only for Mina to power out! AZM kicks low, runs, and uses Mina to get Mone in LA MYSTICA! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Mone endures, but Mina runs up, only for AZM to drop toehold her onto Mone!
AZM has a DOUBLE FUJIWARA, then shifts to have a DOUBLE RINGS OF SATURN!! The fans fire up as AZM makes them both suffer, but they both push over to a cover! TWO!! AZM BOOTS Mone, BOOTS Mina, and fires up! The fans cheer AZM on as she climbs, but Mone trips her up! Mone calls to Mina and Mina ROUNDHOUSES AZM! Mone & Mina talk it out, and they both climb up! They bring AZM up, but AZM resists their suplex! AZM trips them into a Double Tree of Woe, for DOUBLE WOE STOMPS!! AZM drags Mone away to a drop zone, and then she goes back up! The fans fire up as AZM aims, to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!!!
Mone writhes, AZM covers, Mina breaks it! Mina has AZM but AZM blocks the kick! The HEEL KICK still lands, and Mina runs, tilt-o-whirls, but AZM stays up! Mone runs up to DOUBLE BACKSTABBER!! All three women are down and the fans fire up! The dueling is all over the place, and Mone grabs each opponent by their hair. AZM and Mina both break free, and AZM ROCKS Mina! Mina ROCKS Mone! Mone ROCKS Mina! AZM ROCKS Mone! The forearms go around and around, then Mina and AZM mug Mone! The fans fire up as Mina just fires off furious hands! Mina and AZM drag Mone up, double whip, but then AZM ROUNDHOUSES Mina!
AZM tilt-o-whirls at Mone, but Mone fights that to CIPHER UTAKI! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as AZM stays in this, but Mone snarls. The chants of “C E O!” and “C E NO!” echo out, but Mone bumps AZM off buckles. Mone fires off forearms, then runs corner to corner! DOUBLE KNEES, and AZM sits down! Mone runs back in and METEORAS! Cover, TWO! AZM is still in this and Mone is frustrated. Mone drags AZM up, vows to end this, and she lifts AZM, only for AZM to RANA! Mina is up top, and she FLYING SLINGBLADES AZM! Cover, but Mone breaks it! Mone covers AZM now, TWO!! Mone grows further frustrated and she hauls AZM up!
AZM fights the Gory Especial, Mina victory rolls Mone! Mina then steps through and has the legs tied up! AZM runs up but Mina spins her, DDT SNAP LOCK COMBO! The fans fire up for Mina as she Electric Chair Lifts AZM! Mina spins Azm to hit a FALLING DRAGON SCREW!! Then Mina has the leg, FIGURE FOUR! AZM endures, the fans “WOO~” and Mina puts on the pressure! Mone is back and she METEORAS Mina! The fans are torn but Mone seethes. Mone says this is HER title! She SLAPS Mina, but Mina blocks a kick! DRAGON SCREW! Mina drags AZM over to join Mone, and she has both their legs!
The fans fire up as Mina steps through for a DOUBLE FIGURE FOUR!! That’s rather tricky but she keeps it on! The fans “WOO~” more as Mina thrashes! AZM and Mone endure, keeping each other from tapping! They SLAP Mina, Mina SLAPS them! Mina puts on as much pressure as she possibly can, but Mone and AZM work together to backstroke and ROPEBREAK! Mina lets them both go and the fans fire up again. “This is Awesome!” as Mina goes for Mone, only for Mone to bail out. Mina settles for AZM as we pass 15 minutes. Mina steps through, AZM throws her off! Mina ROLLING ELBOWS, then URAKENS!
Mina runs and SHOTGUN KNEES! Cover, TWO!! AZM survives but Mina is right on her with the IMPALER DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! AZM survives yet again and Mina is frustrated. Mina calls her shot and the fans rally up again. Mina drags AZM up, brings her around, dragon sleeper and GLAMOUR- NO, Mone rolls Mina up! TWO! Mina shoves Mone, jackknife bridges, TWO! Mone sunset flips, TWO! Mone Gory Especials but MZM shoves them both over! DOUBLE STACK, TWO!! Mone Gory Especials but AZM BOOTS Mina! AZM wrangles Mone to the AZM SUSHI ROLL!! TWO!!! Mone escapes, blocks a kick, and KNEES AZM down!
Mone runs up and SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMBS AZM! A shoutout to her Role Model, then she runs back in for DOUBLE KNEES! Mone has the Gory Especial, but AZM kicks off buckles to flip up and over! DESTROYER!!! Mina grabs AZM but AZM rolls through to the SUSHI ROLL! TWO!! ROLLING ELBOW from Mina! Mina fires up, aims, but AZM dodges the uraken to LA MYSTICA!! But Mina wrangles AZM for the GLAMOROUS COLLECTION CRADLE!! But Mone breaks it! Mina TOSSES Mone, ROUNDHOUSES her, then she blocks AZM’s kick! Mone trips AZM, steps through, but AZM drags her down to a cradle! TWO!!!
Mine escapes, AZM has her again, AZM SUSHI ROLL! TWO, but AZM gives it another try!! AZM WINS!!!
Winner: AZM, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
Mone is stunned! She slid in one second too late, and the High Speed Bomb Girl just blew up her reign! The Money Train just got derailed and Mone is furious! She lost a corner piece of her treasure, how will she ever recover? She also argues with Mina, shoves her, and then runs away from her! These two go all the way to the back, will Mina get after Mone for her attitude?
As for AZM, she is now a double champion in her own right! This title can now sit alongside her Artists of Stardom Trios Championship, and then gets the mic to say, “I’m a new champion!” The fans cheer that! AZM says she’s so, so happy! She got her revenge on Mone from last year, and got to be a champion for it! She thanks everyone here tonight and the fans cheer her on. “You Deserve It!” AZM says, “It’s AZM time!” The fans cheer that! AZM is ready ready to make this her NJPW Strong! It won’t be a matter of who will step, but more a matter of who can keep up with the High Speed Bomb Girl!
My Thoughts:
An awesome Resurgence here, NJPW is really doing all they can to make NJPW Strong, well, strong again. Good stuff seeing Bea Priestly back in NJPW/Stardom after her release from WWE. Vince McMahon fumbled her but she’ll be back to what she was doing before moving to NXT UK. And between the IWGP Women’s Championship almost exclusively in Stardom, and a new NJPW Strong Women’s Champion being from Stardom, Bea has her choice of title stories. Speaking of, awesome move making the women the main event given how AZM is the new champion. That was a great Triple Threat, and it worked out for the best. Mone finally loses the belt but wasn’t in the finish, and now she and Mina can bring their animosity to AEW.
Great tag title match, and a rather surprising result with TJP & Templario winning. World Class Wrecking Crew just upgraded themselves to that name, and now they’re no longer champions, that’s kinda wild. But it does feel like the United Empire is making a play to have as much gold as they can, with Khan & Callum also holding the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Great stuff with the War Dogs tonight. That 8 Man Tag was a fun time, but Gedo was in the match so duh, War Dogs were gonna lose. Plus, it gives Good Brothers a strong win with their return to NJPW. Who knows where this goes, especially with their #ShowUsTheLight gimmick. Ishii VS Drilla was also great stuff, but I figured Ishii would win. Ishii seems to be going through the War Dogs, I wonder if Connors is next.
Konosuke VS ELP was great stuff, especially after we just got great stuff from them last week. ELP retained his title so it made sense Konosuke would retain his. I am not sure who takes this title off Konosuke, but it’ll have to be an insane match to do it. And then a great match of Goto VS ZSJ, but wow I did not think they’d pull that kind of draw. The fans weren’t happy, but I can see that they wanted to keep ZSJ strong but keep the title on Goto. Goto VS Takagi better be a slugfest to make up for it, though.
My Score: 8.9/10
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