Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/23/23)
C & D, round 3!
Bullet Club: Civil War?
David Finlay has revitalized Bullet Club with his War Dogs, but what about the House of Torture? Will he test Evil in tonight’s main event?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Alex Coughlin; ZSJ wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tama Tonga VS Mikey Nicholls; Tama wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Shane Haste; Goto wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE; Eddie wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Tetsuya Naito; Naito wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Tomohiro Ishii; Takagi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay VS EVIL; Finlay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current C Block standings.
David Finlay: 2-0, 4 points
EVIL: 2-0, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-1, 2 points
Eddie Kingston: 1-1, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-1, 2 points
Tama Tonga: 1-1, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-2, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-2, 0 points
Here are the current D Block standings.
Jeff Cobb: 2-0, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 2-0, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 1-1, 2 points
Shane Haste: 1-1, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-2, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-2, 0 points
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Kosei Fujita VS Alex Coughlin!
The Front Man is at the top of the block, but he’s running into the Bullet Club’s Dreadnought! Will ZSJ make Coughlin #JustTapOut? Or will this War Dog take a bite out of the NJPW World Television Champion?
The bell rings and the two rush in! ZSJ BOOTS, runs, BOOTS, and then fires off UPPERCUTS! But Coughlin DECKS ZSJ! And DECKS him again! Coughlin soaks up the heat and brings ZSJ up to whip. ZSJ wrenches, traps the arm, and TWEAKS it! ZSJ goes for an arm, manages to bring Coughlin down, but Coughlin deadlifts ZSJ and TOSSES him! Fans do cheer the show of strength and Coughlin pursues ZSJ to the outside. Coughlin whips ZSJ into railing right in front of English commentary! Coughlin then grabs his NJPW Strong Openweight Tag title, but Kosei snatches it from him! So Coughlin DECKS Kosei!
Coughlin whips ZSJ at more railing, but ZSJ stops himself! ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES Coughlin away! ZSJ then pursues Coughlin and KICKS him again! And again! And again! ZSJ wrenches an arm, brings Coughlin around, and STOMPS the arm on the apron! Fans cheer and ZSJ stalks Coughlin. ZSJ brings Coughlin around, wrenches the arm again and again, but Coughlin whips ZSJ back into railing! And again! Coughlin puts ZSJ in the ring, gut wrenches, and suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud as ZSJ hangs tough. Coughlin stalks ZSJ, stomps him around, then drags ZSJ up. Coughlin CHOPS and ZSJ drops to his knees.
Coughlin stands ZSJ up to CHOP him again! Coughlin eggs on the fans as they rally, and Coughlin whips ZSJ to a corner. Coughlin runs in, blocks a boot, but ZSJ brings Coughlin down to a NECK TWIST! Fans rally while Coughlin writhes, and ZSJ cravats Coughlin for a neck wrench. Coughlin powers up to lift ZSJ with just his neck! And then hits a BACKBREAKER! ZSJ crawls away and Coughlin catches his breath. Coughlin puts ZSJ on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Coughlin lets off at 4. ZSJ sputters, but he hits back with a headbutt to the gut! Coughlin CLUBS ZSJ down, but ZSJ grabs an arm!
Coughlin powers out of the Triangle to CLUB ZSJ again! ZSJ stands to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! ZSJ runs but Coughlin drop toeholds! And floats to hook the arms, and deadlifts ZSJ into the Reverse Gory Especial! Coughlin stretches ZSJ, but he fights out and flips things around to a COBRA TWIST! Coughlin powers out of that to switch the hold onto ZSJ! Coughlin CLUBS ZSJ in the hip, then pump handles and lifts ZSJ! FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up while ZSJ flounders to the apron. Coughlin storms over and drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the suplex to spin Coughlin around, HANGING DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!
The ref reprimands, ZSJ lets go, and Coughlin falls over. ZSJ isolates an arm to STOMP it! Fans rally up with ZSJ, and he eggs Coughlin on. Coughlin sits up, and ZSJ KICKS him in the chest! Coughlin shakes his head, so ZSJ KICKS again! Coughlin grits his teeth, blocks a kick, and he powers ZSJ up to a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Coughlin stomps ZSJ, deadlift gut wrenches, and pops ZSJ up to his shoulder! But ZSJ DRAGON SLEEPERS! Coughlin fights but ZSJ drops back to body scissors and SLEEPER! But Coughlin rolls back, has ZSJ as a backpack, and pries free to the shoulder rack! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!
ZSJ is still in this and fans rally up. Coughlin stands but ZSJ sits up. Coughlin brings ZSJ up and around to suplex, but ZSJ wrenches free to PELE the arm! And then wrenches again, but Coughlin ROCKS him! ZSJ BOOTS, Coughlin CHOPS! ZSJ forearms, Coughlin forearms, they go back and forth and the fans fire up! Coughlin SLAPS ZSJ and he doubles over! Coughlin fires up, but ZSJ CHOPS! And SLAPS! And KICKS! And KICKS! And runs, but into a LARIAT! Coughlin roars and we pass 10 minutes. Coughlin brings ZSJ up but ZSJ drags him down! Coughlin fights the armbar but ZSJ slaps at the grip.
The two roll around, Coughlin pops out the back to deadlift waistlock lift! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! ZSJ is hanging tough but Coughlin keeps on him. Coughlin scoops to FALL AWAY BRIDGE! TWO, but Coughlin just holds on and lifts ZSJ again! But ZSJ fights free by wrenching an arm! ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Coughlin again clasps hands, moves around, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Coughlin taps, ZSJ wins!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (gains 2 points; Coughlin earns 0)
The Android has strength, but even he can’t fortify his joints! Will D Block belong to ZSJ? As for Coughlin, his rage boils over and he chases ZSJ to the back! The Dreadnought is 0-3, what will it take to get on the board?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Good Bad Guy won last round’s main event, and vowed to do his very best to win the G1! Will he continue on that mission? Or will Mad Mikey make Tama mad?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Mikey’s height becomes his leverage, and he puts Tama in the corner. The ref counts, Tama avoids Mikey’s swing, and fans applaud. The two reset and circle again, tie up, and go around. Mikey puts Tama in another corner and the ref counts, but Mikey whips Tama away! Tama stops himself, and the two reset again. They tie up, Tama waistlocks then headlocks but Mikey powers out. They RAM shoulders, and Tama runs again. They RAM shoulders, Mikey says not good enough, and Mikey runs. Tama drops down, hurdles, then runs to run Mikey over!
Fans cheer as Tama paces. Tama CLUBS Mikey, whips him to ropes, but Mikey reverses, only for Tama to reel him in! But Mikey suplexes first! Mikey holds Tama up for a count of TWELVE, then SLAMS! Cover, ONE!! Tama hangs tough but Mikey drops a knee on Tama’s head! Tama writhes, Mikey eggs him on, and Mikey throws Tama out. Mikey goes out after Tama, drags him up and whips him, but Tama reverses! Mikey crashes into railing in front of English commentary! Tama ROCKS Mikey, runs in, but Mikey dodges! Tama hits railing and tumbles right over! Mikey goes out to fetch Tama, and ROCKS him with a forearm!
Fans rally and duel as Mikey CLUBS Tama! They go past commentary, Mikey mockingly cheering Tama on. Tama hits back, they brawl and Mikey ROCKS Tama! Mikey brings Tama around to ringside and back in the ring. Fans cheer and Mikey wraps on a chinlock. Mikey traps an arm, too, as he leans on the hold. Tama endures but Mikey grinds him down to the mat. Tama endures, but Mikey leans all his weight on the hold! Tama fights up, throws body shots, and UPPERCUTS! Tama runs but Mikey lifts him up! Fireman’s carry, and DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Tama hangs tough and fans rally up.
Mikey gets the towel from Kosei to wipe his forehead, and he brings Tama up. Tama throws body shots, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Mikey catches Tama to a backslide but Tama rolls through to UPPERCUT! Both men go to corners, and Tama storms up to fire off fast hands and forearms! The ref counts, Tama whips Mikey back in to UPPERCUT! Fans rally, Tama whips Mikey out and around to put him back in the corner and UPPERCUTS again! Tama whips corner to corner, but Mikey reverses! But Tama comes back to CLOBBER Mikey! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Fans rally up with Tama as he watches Mikey.
Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then a clinch, for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Mikey hangs tough but fans rally with Tama. Tama paces around and stalks Mikey. Tama brings Mikey up but Mikey ROCKS Tama! And again! And again! Tama fires fast hands and ROCKS Mikey back! Mikey ROCKS Tama, Tama runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER this time! But Tama stands right up! Tama runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, so they throw CHOPS and forearms! Mikey gets the edge but Tama ENZIGURIS! Tama hurries to fireman’s carry, S R C! Fans fire up with Tama as he goes to the corner!
Tama climbs, but Mikey trips him up! Mikey fireman’s carries Tama again, but Tama fights free! GUN- NO, Mikey slips right out! But Tama ducks the sliding lariat! Tama runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this but Mikey keeps cool. Mikey vows to end this, and he drags Tama up. Mikey whips, scoops, but Tama slips free to shove, run and redirect! But Mikey lifts Tama again! BIG ENDING!! Mikey drags Tama to a drop zone and goes up the corner! MOONSAULT GUN STUN!! Tama counters and fans fire up! Then standing GUN STUN!! Cover, Tama wins!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mikey earns 0)
So what if The Mighty Don’t Kneel? They still fall! And with that, Tama passes Mikey in the current rankings! Will the Good Bad Guy be THE guy in the G1?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Shane Haste w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Fierce Warrior and Hysterical Shane are each 1-1, both having lost last round. But who gets back up to continue towards the top of the block, and who falls towards the bottom?
The bell rings and Shane DROPKICKS Goto right away! Then runs corner to corner to CALF KICK! Shane keeps moving and he CANNONBALLS! Fans fire up and Shane hurries to cover, TWO! Shane fires up and he brings Goto around but Goto gets away. The ref has Shane hold on, did he do more damage than even he expected? But then Shane shoves the ref aside to KICK Goto in the side! Goto sputters and fans rally, but Shane KICKS Goto around some more! Goto snarls and eggs Shane on so Shane KICKS him down! Shane then drags Goto up, brings him around, talks some trash, then runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT!
Both men are down and now Shane sputters from that shot to the face. Goto growls and stands, but Shane fireman’s carries! Goto slips free to a SLEEPER! Shane flails, claws at the hold, but he’s fading fast! Shane elbows Goto in the gut and Goto lets him go! Goto sputters again, goes to ropes, and Shane ROCKS him! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And body shots! Shane feints running, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! SLEEPER, and then roll into GOTO NI SHIKI! GOTO WINS!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Shane earns 0)
Shane is stunned that he got caught that fast! TMDK go 1-2 on the night, will the G1 slip through their fingers? As for Goto, can he still return to prominence?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE!
The Mad King got cheated by the King of Darkness while the Face of Fury slayed the Rampaging Dragon. But there is still a lot of ground to make up before the end, who will hit hardest and take the win?
Henare SUPERKICKS Eddie during the ref’s check! The ref asks if Eddie is still able to fight and Eddie says yes! The bell rings and Henare PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and Henare is furious! Henare rains down forearms, then storms around the ring. Fans rally, Henare puts Eddie through the ropes to bend him back, and CLUB away on his chest! Eddie flops over and to the apron, but Henare goes out after him. Henare pursues Eddie and HEADBUTTS him around the way! Eddie staggers, shakes it off, and CHOPS Henare! Henare snarls and keeps after Eddie with another HEADBUTT!
Eddie staggers, but he CHOPS back! Henare snarls again, the ref wants this in the ring, but Henare storms up on Eddie to throw body shots! Eddie gets in the ring but Henare is right on him. Henare ducks the Uraken to ROCK Eddie! Eddie roars, but Henare blocks the Uraken, to WRING the arm out! Fans rally up while Eddie writhes. Eddie goes to ropes, Henare storms up, and Henare pulls on the arm to then HOTSHOT it! Eddie flounders away, Henare storms up to him in the corner, and he throws heavy shots! And a HEADBUTT! Henare fires up and fans cheer, then Henare talks trash on Eddie.
Eddie slaps Henare! And again, and again! Henare ROCKS Eddie! Henare drags Eddie up but Eddie CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! And RIDGEHANDS! Henare snapmares to KICK Eddie in the back! Eddie pushes up but the bad arm gives up! Henare KICKS Eddie, then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Eddie hangs tough, but Henare sits him up. Henare pulls on the bad arm, almost has a Fujiwara Armbar, but Eddie claws his way around! Eddie reaches out, fights over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ref counts, but Henare lets go at 4. Henare paces around and waits on Eddie.
Eddie rises but he fights the full nelson! Eddie switches, Henare swings an elbow, but into an EXPLODER! Henare staggers up, into another EXPLODER! Henare roars and runs in, but into a LARIAT! Fans rally and both men stir. Eddie shakes out the bad arm while Henare shakes out the cobwebs. They crawl to each other, and Eddie headbutts! But Henare headbutts back! Eddie gives another, so Henare gives another! They stand and Eddie CHOPS! Even though that’s the bad hand! Henare forearms, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Eddie gets the edge but then Henare fires palm strikes from all sides! BODY BLOW! Eddie powers up but then falls!
Henare grins as he aims from a corner. Henare fires up and the fans rally. Eddie rises and Henare runs in, but Eddie blocks Rampage to a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Henare goes to a corner and Eddie shakes out the bad arm again. Eddie runs in to clothesline! Again, the bad arm! But Eddie swings, only for Henare to dodge! Henare BACK ELBOWS, but Eddie ducks the Flying Chuck! Eddie whips, Henare reverses and scoops, BERSERKER BOMB! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Henare growls and grits his teeth as he crawls over to Eddie. Eddie stands but flops over, still holding the bad arm.
Henare slaps his legs into working and fans rally up. Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Snapmare, and Henare runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and Henare roars! Henare paces around as fans rally and duel! Henare drags Eddie up, fisherman’s, but Eddie fights that to HAYMAKER! Henare staggers around, Eddie runs in to whip corner to corner! Henare comes back to RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Eddie survives but Henare fires up! Fans rally, Henare drags Eddie up again, fisherman, but Eddie fights free again! ENZIGURI! Henare wobbles, into another ENZIGURI!
Henare roars, swings, but into the HALF ‘N’ HALF! Eddie powers up, and he fires a forearm! But the bad elbow! Eddie just PAINT BRUSH SLAPS Henare with his left hand! Henare flops over and the ref checks him as we hit 10 minutes! Fans fire up and Henare stir, so Eddie brings Henare up. Henare SPINNING HEEL KICKS! But Eddie URAKENS! Henare HEADBUTTS! But Eddie URAKENS!! Henare falls, Eddie falls on the cover! EDDIE WINS!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare earns 0)
That might’ve ended up a double knockout if Eddie didn’t fall forward! But in the end, The Mad King refuses to be conquered by the United Empire! Will everyone see that Eddie is NJPW Strong?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Tetsuya Naito!
The Clown Prince could not pull one over on ZSJ, while the Uncontrollable Charisma was able to bring down Hirooki Goto. Will Yano be able to trick Naito into a loss? Or will Naito make things tranquilo in Nagano?
But the trolling begins as Naito makes his entrance, taking his time so as to exasperate Yano. Yano shouts for Naito to hurry, the ref keeps him back, but then even the ref tells Naito to please go to the ring already. Yano almost goes after Naito at the ramp! Wait, then Naito turns to run back up the ramp? Yano is furious that Naito wants to do the whole thing again! But fans still clap along with the song as they get the “encore.” It’s been about three MINUTES already, and Naito finally gets in the ring. Then there’s still the ref checking both men, and Naito putting away his elaborate entrance attire. All of this is driving Yano nuts!
Yano shouts for Naito to hurry it up but of course that only encourages Naito to take longer. Five minutes have already passed and Naito is finally ready. The bell rings and Yano is all fired up! Fans rally, Naito keeps toying with Yano, and Yano rushes in! Naito stays back so the two have to reset. They rush up again but then Naito backs away. Naito does last minute stretching and Yano is annoyed. The two circle, tie up, and Yano puts Naito on ropes! Yano says Naito wasn’t even trying! The fans cheer and Naito resets with Yano. They tie up, but again Naito doesn’t try! Yano is further annoyed but that amuses the fans.
Naito lazily rallies the fans with clapping, and the two tie up. Naito rolls Yano up! TWO!! Yano stands but into a cradle! TWO!! Atomic drop! Naito runs for ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!!! Yano escapes and that surprises Naito! Yano bails out, paces in frustration and then goes up the ramp. Yano doesn’t get what Naito’s playing at, but Naito just waits in the ring. Yano goes back, but he wants Naito to back away from the ropes! Naito now tells Yano he should hurry up. Yano says he doesn’t wanna hear that from Naito! Yano wants to go in but Naito is right there. Yano wants Naito to back off already.
Naito steps back, but they’re baby steps. Yano says further! Further! Naito is finally far enough away but Yano sees he’s ready to pounce. This is the first ever cat ‘n’ mouse game where there’s no running. Fans rally up and Yano feeds off the energy, and he steps in! But then Naito steps out. Naito turns the tables on Yano again, but Yano goes out after him! Naito kicks but Yano blocks! And rakes eyes! And whips Naito hard into railing! Naito slumps down and the ref checks on him. Yano unties a buckle pad from the outside! The ref wonders where that went but Yano tells him not to question it.
Yano brings Naito around, and whips, but Naito reverses to rake eyes, and then whips, only for Yano to reverse! Naito crashes into railing and closes the gap in No Man’s Land! Fans fire up as Naito almost ends up in their laps! Yano goes out after Naito, pulls his legs through the railing, and has tape! But then Naito YANKS Yano into the railing and has his arms in through the gaps! Naito uses the tape to tie up Yano!! Fans cheer and the ring count starts! Naito leaves it at that, stomps away on Yano, and at 7 of 20, he heads to the ring. Naito is safe but Yano is trapped on the outside!
The count passes 15 of 20 but Yano is still stuck! Yano pulls the tape against the railing and it starts to tear! Yano is free and he slides into the ring at 19.5!! Fans cheer and Naito is again surprised. Naito stomps Yano around, drags him to a corner, and then whips him corner to corner! Yano stops from hitting bare buckles and fans cheer. But Naito copies Yano by untying the other buckle pad! Yano stops him, whips him, but Naito rolls into tranquilo! Fans cheer and Yano is annoyed again. Yano stomps Naito around, brings him up, and whips him corner to corner. Yano then runs in, blocks boots, and puts Naito in the ropes to SLAP him!
Fans cheer as Yano talks some trash, but Naito easily gets out of the ropes. Naito runs in, but into an atomic drop! CATAPULT into the bare buckles!! Roll up, TWO!! Yano pushes Naito down, M U! TWO!! Naito ELBOWS Yano again and again, then ENZI- NO, Yano ducks! Yano runs, but Naito avoids the chop block! Wheelbarrow and victory roll, NAITO WINS!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yano earns 0)
But he’s not done with Yano! Naito whips him into those bare buckles! And then again! Yano suffers his own cleverness, and Naito pins him again! The ref says it’s done, they don’t need to keep going. Naito beats Yano, is he the new Clown Prince of NJPW?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Tomohiro Ishii!
Surprisingly, The Rampaging Dragon and Stone Pitbull are the bottom of the block! But whose fortunes will change through combat?
The bell rings and both men rush in! They RAM shoulders, go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Fans fire up and Ishii eggs Takagi on! The forearms keep flying, faster and faster, no guard! Takagi finally gets the edge, and runs, to RAM Ishii! Ishii rebounds, RAMS Takagi, then they RAM shoulders again and again! Fans fire up as the two stand tall! They talk some trash, both men run and they RAM shoulders! They run and RAM again, and again! Ishii RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds to run Ishii over! Fans fire up and Takagi stomps Ishii. Takagi drags Ishii up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS into him!
Takagi snapmares Ishii to run and drop a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO and Takagi SENTONS! Fans rally up and Takagi kicks Ishii around. Takagi drags Ishii back up, puts him against ropes, and throws knees into Ishii’s stomach! Takagi whips, KNEES him again, then runs, but Ishii runs Takagi over! Fans fire up as Ishii looms over Takagi. Ishii stands Takagi up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Takagi fires forearms in return! Ishii eggs him on so Takagi JABS and JABS and JABS! Ishii CHOPS again! Takagi staggers away and Ishii finally feels those jabs. Ishii CHOPS Takagi in a corner, but Takagi turns it around to throw forearms!
Ishii turns things back around to CHOP and forearm on repeat! Ishii lays in heavy forearms and Takagi sits down! Fans rally as the ref has Ishii back off. Ishii drags Takagi up but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Ishii stays up to Takagi HEADBUTTS again! Ishii HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Takagi falls and fans fire up again. Ishii sits Takagi up to KICK him in the back! Takagi huffs and puffs and gets in Ishii’s face. Takagi CHOPS and Ishii felt that one! Takagi CHOPS again, but Ishii grits his teeth! Takagi CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, so Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- Ishii ROCKS Takagi first!
Ishii goes to suplex but Takagi fights it! Takagi suplexes Ishii up and over!! And this is just the five minute mark! Fans rally up and duel, “TA-KA-GI!” “I-SHI-I!” Takagi storms up, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! Fans fire up with Takagi and he JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS! Ishii sputters but Takagi brings him up. Takagi runs, but Ishii dodges! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint to DDT! Takagi drags Ishii up, to SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ishii hangs tough but Takagi says… IT’S TIME! Fans fire up and Takagi brings Ishii up. Takagi reels Ishii in but Ishii fights the lift!
Ishii powers up to back drop Takagi! Fans fire up, but Ishii staggers while Takagi goes to ropes. Ishii runs in but Takagi BOOTS him! Takagi runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Both men rise, Ishii runs, into a POWERSLAM from Takagi! But Ishii is up again, gets around, and SAIDOS! But Takagi is right up to SAIDO! Ishii roars as he rises up and runs in, into a YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi rises, he kicks Ishii around then drags him up. Takagi hoists Ishii to the top rope, climbs up after him, but the ropes are a bit slippery. Takagi HEADBUTTS Ishii, then climbs!
Takagi brings Ishii up to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down while fans fire up! Takagi crawls to the cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Takagi rallies the fans with “OI! OI! OI!” and he rises again. Takagi roars and the fans fire up more, and Takagi brings Ishii up. Ishii fights the Gory Especial and throws elbows. But Takagi spins him, only for Ishii to suplex Takagi! Both men are down again as we pass 10 minutes! Fans rally up and Ishii runs in at the corner, to clothesline! Ishii hoists Takagi up top now, and Ishii climbs up. Fans rally as Ishii brings Takagi to the very top, stalling SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally and duel while both men are down. Ishii sits Takagi up, runs, but Takagi ducks the sliding lariat! Ishii ducks the haymakers, but so does Takagi! Takagi pops Ishii up to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down again but Takagi goes to ropes. To SLIDING LARIAT! Fans rally up again and Takagi rises. Takagi brings Ishii up, pump handles and half nelsons, but Ishii fights with elbows! Takagi throws knees, but Ishii slips around and spins Takagi to throw a forearm! Takagi just fires boxing elbows in return! And he DECKS Ishii with the last one! Fans fire up with Takagi as he runs, but Ishii DROPKICKS!!
Fans are thunderous as Ishii roars! Ishii drags Takagi up, lifts, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Takagi survives but Ishii keeps on him! Ishii sits Takagi up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Ishii roars and fans fire up again as he stands Takagi up. Ishii suplexes, Takagi fights it, DDT!! Fans rally and duel again, and Takagi rises. Takagi drags Ishii around, suplexes, but Ishii knees free! Takagi blocks the lariat to pump handle and half nelson! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous! Takagi goes to ropes as we hit 15 minutes. Takagi aims from the corner, runs in, PUMPING BOMBER!
But Ishii rises?!? Takagi says fine, and he POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, and then SLIDING PUMPING!! Cover, ONE?!?! Ishii roars and rises again, swats a lariat and HEADBUTTS! Takagi rebounds, into Ishii’s LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Fans are thunderous again as both men rise! Takagi runs in, but Ishii LARIATS him down!! Ishii aims, runs, to LARIAT again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fans are thunderous again as Ishii brings Takagi up! Suplex, but Takagi slips out! Takagi waistlocks, torture racks, but Ishii fights free to spin Takagi and ROCK him!
Ishii ROCKS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Those shots are up high! But Takagi JABS back! Ishii HEADBUTTS, but Takagi HEADBUTTS back! Takagi reels Ishii in, we hit the three minute warning, but Takagi tucks the arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous! Takagi powers up, runs, PUMPING- NO, Ishii dodges to LARIAT! But Takagi stays up so Ishii ENZIGURIS! Takagi returns, SLIDING ELBOW! Takagi hauls Ishii up, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! But he can’t make the cover!! Both men are down and fans rally up, and we hit the two minute warning!
Takagi stands, brings Ishii up, and runs for PUMPING BOMBER!!! Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishii earns 0)
The Rampaging Dragon breaks through the Stone Pitbull and finally gets on the board! Does this mean there’s still a chance for Takagi to take the block?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!
The Ace of the Universe has gone 1-1, and now he runs into the undefeated Imperial Unit! Will Tanahashi be able to avoid a Tour of the Islands? Or will he be conquered on behalf of the United Empire?
The bell rings and fans rally up for Tanahashi. Cobb mocks the air guitar with air bass and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Tanahashi manages to push Cobb back a step. Cobb pushes Tanahashi away, and Cobb flexes. The two reset, tie up again, and Cobb holds firm as Tanahashi gives it his all. Cobb powers Tanahashi back to the ropes, but Tanahashi turns things around. Red Shoes calls for the break, Tanahashi lets off slowly, and then he stomps Cobb’s foot! Tanahashi headlocks and grinds but Cobb fights up and lifts Tanahashi! Tanahashi thrashes the hold more, but Cobb pulls hair!
Cobb powers out and sends Tanahashi to a corner. Cobb runs in but into boots! Cobb returns, but Tanahashi drop toeholds him into the buckle pad! Tanahashi runs to dropkick the leg out! Tanahashi plays some real air guitar while Cobb bails out. Tanahashi pursues as Cobb hobbles around the way, but Cobb ROCKS him first! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, and suplexes to POST him! And then he suplexes again, to SLAM Tanahashi on the apron! Fans fire up for that show of strength while Cobb walks off the bad leg. Cobb leaves Tanahashi behind and the ring count starts. Tanahashi sits up at 3 of 20, and drags himself up with the railing.
Fans rally as Tanahashi stands. Tanahashi rolls in at 11 but Cobb stomps him at the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Cobb “apologizes,” then stands Tanahashi up to HEADBUTT him down! Cobb mockingly asks if he’s okay, then strums the air bass while kneeling on Tanahashi for a cover. TWO and fans cheer, but Cobb stomps Tanahashi down. Cobb stands Tanahashi up to ROCK him in the back! Cobb then uses Tanahashi’s abs as the guitar! But Tanahashi throws elbows! Cobb CLUBS Tanahashi, pushes him down and stomps him! Fans rally but Cobb drags Tanahashi up to BEARHUG! Fans rally and Tanahashi endures the squeeze!
Tanahashi grabs at Cobb, throws elbows to the forehead, and is free! Tanahashi fires more shots, but Cobb kicks low! And CLUBS Tanahashi down! Fans rally again while Cobb steadies himself. Cobb looms over Tanahashi, drags him up, and reels him in to short arm LARIAT! Cobb strums again, then throws the guitar away to play his air ukulele! GACHIMUCHI FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and Cobb begs for mercy. Tanahashi says bye-bye and DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Cobb hobbles more, Tanahashi fires off forearms, then whips to ropes. Cobb reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!
Fans fire up with Tanahashi, Cobb staggers around, and Tanahashi fires off fast hands! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Cobb!! Fans fire up for that feat of strength alone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Tanahashi powers up as Cobb rises, and Tanahashi runs, but Cobb DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cobb grows frustrated that Tanahashi stays in this! Cobb drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and carries him around with one arm! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi down, then he goes up the corner! Cobb mocks Tanahashi, SUNSET SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves!
Fans fire up as Tanahashi rises, dodges Cobb, and turns him around, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up again and Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi stays focused. Tanahashi goes up top but Cobb anchors him! Tanahashi fires forearms, and a DRAGON PALM! Cobb staggers away, Tanahashi stands, and HIGH FLY ATTACKS! But Cobb catches him!! Cobb pops Tanahashi around and runs, POWER- SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi turns things around, and he heads back up top! Tanahashi aims, to HIGH FLY FLOP as Cobb moves! Cobb then storms up, ripcords, TOUR OF- CRADLE! TWO!!
Cobb escapes, fans fire up, and Cobb runs in, but misses! DRAGON PALM! Cobb JABS! Tanahashi DRAGON PLAMS again! Tanahashi fires up, we hit 15 minutes but Cobb reels Tanahashi in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises! Cobb whips, Tanahashi reverses, but Cobb dodges to SLINGBLADE!? Cobb drags Tanahashi up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb wins!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)
The Imperial Unit is proving anything his opponents he can do, he can do stronger! And he is keeping pace with Zack Sabre Jr. at the front of the pack! Will it only be a matter of time before Cobb conquers the G1?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
Bullet Club clashes as the leader off the War Dogs takes on the leader of the House of Torture! Wait, is House of Torture even still Bullet Club? Will The Rebel and King of Darkness end up sparking a new civil war?
But speaking of the HOT Boys, Yujiro Takahashi and Sho are joining Evil and Dick out here tonight! And to match, Finlay also brings Gabe Kidd along since Gabe competed last night and is rested for today. Seems all cards are on the table here in Nagano. There’s a tense stare down but Red Shoes wants the seconds (and perhaps thirds and fourths) to get out of the ring. Each side tells the other to get out first since they don’t trust each other, and everyone brandishes their weapons, from Gedo having Finlay’s shillelagh to Dick having the Spoiler Choker and Sho his “Murder Tool” wrench.
Since this is an impasse between factions, Red Shoes calls in reinforcements! The rest of the referees step in and they insist Gedo, Gabe, Yujiro, Sho & Dick all get out of the ring. Evil and Finlay finally give the orders and their men back off. The bell finally rings and fans applaud. Evil and Finlay circle, approach, and Evil kicks low! Evil headlocks, Finlay pulls hair, and though Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay headlocks in return. Finlay grinds Evil down but Evil pulls hair in return! Evil powers out, Finlay RAMS shoulders with him, but neither falls. Evil runs, RAMS Finlay, but Finlay stays up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm!
The shots go faster and faster and fans rally up! Evil knees low, rakes the eyes, then TOSSES Finlay out! Evil distracts Red Shoes, but Gabe rushes over to keep Sho & Yujiro back! But while Finlay goes out to reinforce Gabe, they miss Dick untying the blue buckle pad! The extra refs keep this from breaking down, and Evil just watches from in the ring. The House and the War Dogs all stand down, and Finlay gets in to kick Evil! Finlay throws hands but Evil kicks low and then rakes eyes! Evil whips and Finlay hits bare buckles! Red Shoes finally realizes what happened, too, and he reprimands the House.
Evil stomps Finlay, but Finlay kicks back! Evil CHOKES Finlay with his shirt! Gedo protests and Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4. Evil then throws the shirt at Gabe! Red Shoes keeps Gabe back but then Evil just rakes Finlay’s eyes! Evil puts Finlay in the Cobra Twist, and links up with the boys! But they forget the other refs, and the refs reprimand! The House stops and Finlay throws hands on Evil! Evil pulls hair and throws Finlay down! Gedo protests but Evil covers, ONE! Evil kicks Finlay around, taunts him, but Finlay gets up to fire a forearm! Evil just rakes eyes again! Red Shoes counts, Evil stops at 4.
Evil scoops Finlay to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Evil then turns Finlay over for a HALF CRAB! Finlay fights but Evil shifts position to add pressure! Finlay fights up, but Evil uses the kneepad for leverage! Finlay slips through to kick from below, but Evil CRANKS the leg! Gedo coaches Finlay, Red Shoes sees Evil holding the kneepad so Evil lets go. Evil stands on Finlay, Finlay flips him off and ironically, that gets Finlay’s shoulder up. Evil lets off and Finlay grins, but Evil slaps him around. Evil tells Gedo to shut up, and he has Finlay against ropes. Evil whips, Finlay reverses but Evil BOOTS back! Finlay runs in to clothesline Evil and himself out of the ring!
Again, the factions rush over! The refs have to keep everyone back again, and Finlay gets up to RAMS Evil into railing! Finlay closes the gap in No Man’s Land and starts throwing haymakers! Finlay kicks and HEADBUTTS Evil, then SMACKS him off the apron! Finlay puts Evil in, covers, ONE!! Evil hangs tough and Finlay mocks him. Finlay bends fingers, and JAMS them into the mat! And then he bends the fingers again, to JAM them into the mat again! Gedo likes what he sees, and Finlay gives back all the eye rakes! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets go at 4, and he looms over Evil. Finlay knees at the ropes and Backhand Sweets with Gabe.
Finlay pulls on the arm, but Evil gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets go to drag Evil up and whip him into the bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special is truly ambivalent in this battle! Evil writhes, fans rally up, and Finlay talks trash. Finlay drags Evil up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud, but Finlay CLAWS Evil’s face then crossface forearms him down! Finlay sits Evil up and CLUBS him with another crossface forearm! Finlay sits Evil up again, for a third crossface forearm! Finlay says he’s the captain of the ship, and he gives Evil more shots across the bow! Gedo likes what he sees here, too!
Fans rally as Finlay drags Evil up again. Finlay runs, but Evil ducks the blindsider! And blocks the kick, rakes the eyes, then sends Finlay’s foot into Red Shoes! Red Shoes goes down, another ref gets on the apron, but Finlay shoves Evil into him! The third ref gets up but Finlay is sent into him! That’s three ref bumps in less than a minute! Is that a world record? And then the War Dogs and House of Torture get in the ring! They all brawl! Gedo is after Dick and Gabe fights off both Sho and Yujiro! But Gabe gets mugged, and Dick drags Gedo out of the ring! Gedo rakes Dick’s eyes, then whips Dick into railing!
Evil and Finlay take each other out, Yujiro KNEES Gabe and smothers him! Sho has the Murder Tool, but Gedo drags him out and rakes his eyes! Gable knocks Yujiro down and out of the ring! Gable stomps Yujiro and rakes his eyes! Then Gabe runs to CLOBBER Sho! Gabe brings Yujiro around, but Sho attacks back! Sho & Yujiro mug Gabe into the crowd! And we pass 10 minutes as Evil rises. Finlay goes to a corner, the brawling continues outside, and Evil hobbles around. Evil aims at Finlay, runs in, but gets BOOTS! Finlay runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And then again! Finlay fires off forearm after forearm and a ROLLING ELBOW!
Referee Saito gets in the ring so there’s an authority now. Finlay suplexes, but Evil lands out of Oblivion! EVERYTHING- NO, Finlay denies Evil to hit an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay runs, into a LARIAT! Both men are down and fans rally up! Evil rises, kicks away on Finlay’s face, then fireman’s carries. DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and fans rally up again. Oddly, fans cheer on Evil as he might be the lesser of two evils. But Finlay still denies the STO with a flurry of elbows! Finlay whips, Evil reverses, but Finlay stops hitting buckles! Evil runs in, but is sent into the bare buckles!
Finlay SMACKS Evil off the bare buckle! Then puts him up top for the Canadian Rack, RUNNING DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives, but Finlay pushes the ref aside so he can rain down fists! The ref reprimands, he sees closed fists! Finlay pushes him away, Evil crawls to the red corner. Evil clutches his eye, claiming closed fists. Finlay runs in, but the SPEAR hits the ref! And then Evil LOW BLOW UPPERCUTS Finlay! Dick and Gedo both get up but Dick DECKS Gedo first! And then uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Finlay!! Fans boo, the House might be the bigger evil after all! Dick feeds Finlay to a mule kick! And then Dick and Evil coordinate, MAGIC KILLER!!
Evil shouts for a referee but which ref will it be? They’re all down at ringside! A fourth ref appears, it’s Marty Asami! Cover, but GEDO yanks Marty out!! Evil is furious but we’re still without authority! Dick throws in some chairs, and Evil grabs one. Evil puts that chair around Finlay’s head, and he gets the other! HOMERUN!!! And we pass 15 minutes! Evil grabs the shillelagh and looks to add on. But Gedo has slipped Finlay his NEVER Openweight Championship! Evil takes a swing, but the belt becomes a shield! And then Finlay CLOBBERS Evil with the belt!! Fans fire up as Finlay grabs his shillelagh!
Finlay SHILLELAGH SHOTS Evil!! Finlay demands there be a ref, so Gedo puts Red Shoes in! Finlay gets Evil up, INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Evil earns 0)
Well, perhaps Evil was still the lesser of the two as the Rebel comes out on top! The King of Darkness falls from the top spot, will he have to go back to the drawing board on how to stack the deck?
As for Finlay, he holds up his NEVER Openweight title as Gedo gets the mic. Gedo makes the official announcement, “Your winner is… the BASTARD, David ‘The Rebel’ Finlay!” Finlay then takes the mic and says, “Evil, you pulled out all the stops, but you still couldn’t beat The Rebel! Now I said I am going to clean sweep this entire tournament, and thus far, I have done exactly that. So I stand in front of you still undefeated against every member of C Block. Still the baddest man in this company. And I am still the favorite to win this entire tournament.” There are fans that do applaud, and Finlay says there is no one badder or better than him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the future G1 Climax Champion.” Fans do cheer that, and then Gedo tells everyone in Japanese that “that idiot” Evil tried but failed to defeat The Rebel! “The Rebel take the effing over everything! I need The Rebel! Bullet Club needs The Rebel! And the world needs The Rebel!” Finlay stands atop C Block at 3-0, but will he make 2023 the Year of the Rebel?
Here are the NEW C Block standings!
David Finlay: 3-0, 6 points
EVIL: 2-1, 4 points
Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-1, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-2, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-3, 0 points
Here are the NEW D Block standings!
Jeff Cobb: 3-0, 6 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-1, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
Shane Haste: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-3, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-3, 0 points
My Thoughts:
Another great night for NJPW, and great stuff in these blocks. I like that TMDK get their matches all in a row so they can basically bug out after the last guy is done. ZSJ winning but Mikey & Shane losing seems to be the standard right now, as ZSJ is staying strong as NJPW World TV Champion. But that might change next round as he’s up against the other undefeated man in D Block, his new rival of Jeff Cobb. Cobb VS Tanahashi was the best match of the night just on virtue of their wrestling, and I am liking how Cobb is copying his opponents and still winning. Cobb VS ZSJ could go a long way to deciding who is the D Block semifinalist.
Takagi VS Ishii was also an awesome match, those two are always just incredibly physical. And great win for Takagi so that he is no longer winless. Takagi can still give the top of the block a run for their money, but it feels like because of story, Finlay is going to be “the favorite” for it. Finlay VS Evil was definitely a good match, but what made it main event worthy was the story of these Bullet Club subsections fighting each other. Finlay having taken the NJPW/prime branch of the faction from Jay White, he is of course the alpha and he wins the main event to establish himself. Still waiting on that proper civil war feud but this was a good teaser.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Can the Last Real Champion handle The Truth?
While the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments reach their semifinals, John Cena has his first match on SmackDown in years, against Ron Killings!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss; Asuka wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson; No Contest.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn; Orton wins and advances to Night of Champions.
- Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice; Charlotte wins.
- Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- John Cena VS Ron Killings; Killings wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
LA Knight is here!
Grand Rapids fires up as the Mega Star marches right to the ring. Knight grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The fans cheer, and Knight says, “Let’s just go ahead and rewind our mind a little bit. We go to back to Money in the Bank, Seth and his boys, they just happen to come down and screw this guy.” The fans boo that. Knight says usually, he lets things slide. But he just figured he couldn’t let it slide, so he made sure to screw on of Rollins’ boys in their title opportunity, King of the Ring. But then they came back, paid it back and screwed Knight outta KOTR, so he had to go and screw the other one over!
And it just has Knight thinking. Fans “YEAH!” and Knight says there is only one way this can go. He has gone back and forth between Raw and SmackDown, where it ends, nobody knows! Except Knight! He knows! He knows where this ends! The fans cheer that! And Knight says it ends with him and Rollins! And what better place than here? And what better time than now! Knight tells Rollins to come on out and talk to him! But “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans boo as Paul Heyman walks out and gives his introductions. He serves as the Wise Man to Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Heyman says you do not boo that name. And you screwed up your cue, so they’ll do this again. He serves as the Wise Man for Seth Freakin’ Rollins! The fans keep booing, Heyman wants to try again, but Knight says shut up and get to the point! Why is Heyman here?! Heyman walks to the ring and asks permission to step inside. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Knight steps back. Heyman steps into the ring, and he says yes, there has been a lot of bad blood between Knight and Mr. MITB, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. However, Heyman happens to be, with all due respect to everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan…
The fans chant “C M PUNK!” at Heyman now and he frowns. Knight says Heyman has a lot of enemies. Heyman says he is the biggest LA Knight fan in all of WWE! Heyman’s been waiting a long time to say this: YEAH! Now, because of that, Seth Freakin’ Rollins (the fans boo again) has allowed Heyman to say to Knight, as a favor to Heyman… It is time for Knight to get the hell outta Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because if he does not, something really bad is going to happen to him before the end of the night. Have a nice evening. Heyman turns to go but the fans cheer Knight on. Knight says he couldn’t help but notice, but did you~ (poking fun at Heyman’s voice cracking) threaten Knight?
Because Knight wants to wrap his head around this. He’s heard Heyman say stuff like this before, because Heyman is a liar, a swindler, a grifter, a scammer and a schemer! Heyman leeches on to any talent that has a bit of hype, sucks ’em dry, then moves on to the next! Rollins just happens to be the latest in this. But where next? Who cares! But the bottom line is, Knight asked for Rollins but he got Heyman. And while he got Heyman, he got a Heyman out here talking all tough. So it has Knight thinking, he has a great idea.
Talking about wise man, wisdom, there was a point in time if Heyman had said something like that, a man like Knight would look at a “thing” like Heyman and punched his wisdom teeth down his throat! Knight won’t do that, yet. But here’s the deal: Heyman’s talking all tough, but if he can’t bring Rollins out here, then the only thing to do out here in Grand Rapids is Knight fighting Heyman here and now! The fans fire up for that! Knight asks if the fans want that, and they cheer! “HUH?” “YEAH!” “HUH?” “YEAH!” “YEAH!!” Knight promises he’ll turn around, take his vest off, and Heyman gets the first shot. He better make it good, or Knight will molly whop his ass right outta Grand Rapids!
The fans fire up as Knight does as promised. He turns around, his vest is off, but Heyman bails? The fans boo as the Wise Man doesn’t play along. Heyman says, “Remember when I told you to get the hell out of Grand Rapids or else something really bad is gonna happen to you before the end of the night? That wasn’t a prediction. That… was a spoiler!” Heyman throws down his mic, and here comes Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker! Rollins’ behemoths head to the ring, but Knight fires off on them first! The fans rally as Knight throws hands and feet, but then Bron TACKLES Knight! Bronson joins in and they mug Knight right out of the ring!
Bronson drags Knight up to TOSS him over barriers! Bron clears the desk, he wants Bronson to put Knight through it! But Knight has a chair! He JAMS Bron, JAMS Bronson, then SMACKS Bron and SMACKS Bronson! Knight gets in the ring, ready to hit whoever gets in! The fans cheer Knight but Heyman has Bron & Bronson stand down. Will Heyman have the henchmen try again before the end of tonight?
SmackDown returns and…
Heyman has Bron & Bronson calm down, they have this under control. It is all in their favor, and it always will be in their favor. That is the whole point behind this. Byron Saxton steps in and wants to talk to them, but Heyman has to hold Bron back like the dog he is! Heyman says no need to bite Byron. Byron apologizes, he has word from SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, that Bronson Reed VS LA Knight is set for tonight. Heyman says okay, thank you, and goodbye. Byron leaves and Heyman smiles. He told them! Patience is not a virtue, it is strategy. Bronson smiles and nods. Will Auzsilla destroy LA here in Grand Rapids?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Asuka VS Alexa Bliss!
Two great returns to action through this tournament, and now they cross paths with each other. The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer while Lil’ Miss Bliss outsmarted Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae and Charlotte Flair. But whose comeback story overtakes the other’s here just one match away from Night of Champions?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Alexa headlocks, but Asuka powers up and out. Alexa RAMS Asuka, Asuka roars, and the fans fire up as Asuka fires hands! Alexa blocks a kick to THROW Asuka down, then basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Asuka and Alexa reset. Alexa kicks, Asuka blocks and slips through to waistlock. Alexa elbows free, runs, but Asuka runs past her to then RUN her over! The fans fire up and Asuka runs in again, HIP ATTACK! Alexa falls to the floor and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Asuka lets Alexa stay down while she soaks up the cheers. The ring count starts, Alexa rises, but Asuka goes out after her. Alexa slips inside and DROPKICKS Asuka’s leg! Asuka falls from the apron but she has to nod respect for that savvy move. Asuka steps back in at 6 of 10, and she resets with Alexa. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Asuka wrenches and wristlocks, but Alexa rolls and wrenches to hammerlock. Alexa waistlocks, rolls Asuka, TWO! The two stand off again and they both nod respect. They reset, the fans rally up, and the two feel things out. Asuka trips Alexa, clamps on with a headlock, and she grinds Alexa down.
Alexa endures, Asuka turns her over to go after the arm, then she stands on Alexa’s arm. Alexa endures, Asuka shifts arms, but Alexa wrenches out to wrangle Asuka. Alexa shifts to a cording hold, but Asuka fights up and fires body shots. Alexa whips Asuka to a corner, but Asuka elbows her away! And BOOTS! Asuka goes up, leaps, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Asuka stays focused. Asuka drags Alexa around and gives her Kawada Kicks! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Asuka wrenches for a chicken wing! Alexa fights the Asuka Lock and JAWBREAKERS free! Alexa runs up to RUN Asuka over!
The fans rally as Alexa rallies, then hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up as Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES Asuka down! Then SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Alexa grows frustrated. The fans rally while Alexa brings Asuka up. Asuka breaks free to URAKEN, SOBAT, FRONT KICK, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexa tumbles away, Asuka runs up, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Asuka stands and takes aim. But Alexa ducks the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Alexa clinches, TWISTED- NO, Asuka rolls Alexa up! TWO! Alexa sits up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Asuka just fires up!
The fans rally as Asuka goes to the corner. Asuka climbs from the outside, and MISSILE- NO, Alexa dodges this time! Alexa kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Alexa drags Asuka into the drop zone. Alexa goes up, up, and the fans fire up! TWISTED- NO, Asuka moves, so Alexa stops. Alexa won’t let Asuka sneak away, but then she gets caught in an ARMBAR!! Alexa flails, rolls, but ends up in an omoplata! RINGS OF SATURN!! Alexa fights around, pops her arm free for a cover, TWO!! Asuka reels Alexa in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Alexa stays in this! Asuka fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs up, only for Alexa to ROCK her with a right! Alexa puts Asuka in the Tree of Woe, and she DROPKICKS Asuka out of it! Alexa climbs back up, and TWISTED BLISS onto knees!! Asuka still counters the moonsault, and hits the EMPRESS IMPACT!! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
The Empress says no one is ready for Asuka, and that has certainly been the case! But on Raw, we find out, will it be Jade Cargill or Roxanne Perez that meets Asuka in Saudi Arabia?
Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab watch backstage.
And Fab says damn, Asuka just came back and she’s already making statements. Almost like she never left. Michin says maybe they need to make their own statements. They need to talk to Aldis about the tag titles. Fab agrees. Fab & Mia wish Jade luck before heading out. Byron walks in and asks if he can have a word. Jade says shoot. Byron says Asuka just advanced, but Jade has her match on Monday with Roxanne Perez. How does Jade feel about facing a talented competitor like Roxie? And how does she feel about the possibility of facing Asuka in the finals? Jade says “Rox” has potential. Roxie is quick and scrappy.
But she’s still trying to prove herself. And this isn’t a proving ground, this is a throne room, and Jade was built for royalty. As for Asuka, there’s a storm on the horizon. But news flash, Jade is that storm. This entire tournament wasn’t built for the future, but for a woman who can walk through fire, shatter glass ceilings, and take her crown on the way to the top. This Queen of the Ring, Jade isn’t just walking in to win. She’s here to reign. Will the Prodigy be washed away by the storm this Monday?
Alexa Bliss returns backstage.
And Chelsea Green finds her. Flanked by her Secret Her-vice, The Hot Mess asks, “Hey, little fu-fu, how’s your boo-boo?” Alexa asks back, “How’s yours?” Piper tells Chelsea not to get upset, Alexa is just jealous. Chelsea says this serves Alexa right. Chelsea should be Queen of the Ring, and she’d be building her parliament if not for Alexa! Oh, if she has that big of an issue, then try facing her in the ring. Chelsea says she will! But then Charlotte Flair walks in and says if anyone should’ve still been in this tournament, it’s her. But had Chelsea’s “replacement” tapped out sooner, maybe she would.
So here’s the deal: Charlotte will have a match made and tap Chelsea out instead. N-Not if Chelsea makes it a bank holiday! ROYAL DUTIES! NICHOLAS! Chelsea hurries away with the Secret Her-vice following, and Alexa tells Charlotte that she doesn’t need Charlotte’s help. Oh, that’s cute. Because Charlotte wasn’t helping Alexa. Charlotte leaves now, leaving Alexa to chew on that. Will The Queen chew up the Hot Mess and spit her out now that she has nothing better to do?
Aleister Black VS Kit Wilson!
The Dark Father is also directionless now that he is out of the King of the Ring tournament, but he never lets that bother him. Will he make himself the direction all roads lead when things #FadeToBlack? Or will Kit prove he can be Pretty Deadly all on his own?
Wait, who is attacking Kit? It’s R-TRUTH! But why’s Ron Killings going after Kit?! He POSTS Kit, drags him back out, and puts him in an STF!! The fans fire up and Kit taps, but it won’t matter when this isn’t a match! Killings lets Kit out of the hold and demands a mic. A mic is given, and Killings says, “Get John Cena out here now. I’m driving! On my terms! Cena, get out here!” The fans fire up and then Killings puts Kit back in the STF! Aleister is rather confused, but producers hurry out here to stop Truth. Truth lets Kit go, Jamie Noble asks Truth wait for the main event. Truth seethes, but he accepts the terms.
Killings leaves, walking right past Aleister. Will there be no denying The Truth when he finally gets his hands on the Last Real Champion?
Jamie Noble talks with Truth backstage.
Jamie says Truth has to calm down. Truth says he wants John Cena NOW! He’s driving! Yes, okay, but just wait. Truth promises that when he sees Cena, he is killing him tonight! Aleister steps in and asks Truth why he is getting involved in Aleister’s match. Truth says it wasn’t personal, it had nothing to do with Aleister. These two stare down, and then Damian Priest steps in. The Archer of Infamy has Aleister stand down. Truth is going through a lot, let Priest talk to him. Oh, of course. Aleister says, “Ron.” “Black.” Aleister leaves, Priest tells Truth that there’s no need for any of that. Priest gets Truth is frustrated, but he can’t just go beat up people for no reason.
Priest used to do that, and Truth was the guy there to make him smile. Truth made the world smile! All that anger and negativity, focus that on the match tonight. Focus that on John Cena. Go out there and handle business with Cena, then Priest and Truth can go downtown to celebrate. How’s that sound? Truth says sounds good, DP. They shake hands, and Priest heads out. Truth is still seething, but will he make sure it all explodes on Cena?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Grand Rapids sings along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans in the front row, then looks closely at the King of the Ring’s crown. Cody goes to the ring and grabs the mic. He hears the fans cheer him on, but then Jey Uso is here! The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way down through the crowd! A young fan joins in bouncing along, but so does all of Grand Rapids! Jey continues down the stands, finds another young fan, and they bounce along again. Jey then reaches ringside, high-fives the front row, and he joins Cody in the ring as we get the next wave of YEET!
Grand Rapids might want to YEET all night, but Jey hugs it out with Cody before he gets his own mic. The music dies down, the fans chant, “One More Time! One More Time!” and Cody says sure, one more is fine. Jey says okay, and yes, the fans get to YEET again! Jey says hey, Cody doesn’t even have to say nothing. They been in the trenches! “YEET!” Still in the trenches! “YEET!” From fighting The Bloodline… “YEET!” To winning tag titles… “YEET!” To finishing their stories at WrestleMania! “YEET!” They’ve both been to the mountaintop. “YEET!” But Cody, on Monday, there is only room for one of them.
The fans are intrigued, and Cody nods. Jey says there’s only one that can go. Cody VS Jey, Jey VS Cody, and Jey knows Cody will bring it. Jey has to get his, Uce. He has to, just like Cody has to get his. But that said, Uce, it ain’t personal. This all business. But that all said, too, Uce, on Monday, after they go to war, please believe that it will be four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! Cody smiles and the fans cheer. They shake hands again, and wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer as the Great Liberator makes his way to the ring. Sami grabs a mic to say, “This is nice, isn’t it? I get to share the ring with two great friends.”
The fans applaud, and Sami says he is in the ring with two of the very best that this business has to offer! The fans cheer that, too! Sami says he’d be lying if he denied there was a part of him that sees the three of them in this ring, and notices how only one of them has never been world champion. Jey, Sami wants him to know, man to man, this year, Sami missed Mania. Sami had no reason to be in Las Vegas, but he got his ass on a plane to Vegas for one reason: To congratulate Jey the moment he won the World Heavyweight Championship! Sami loves Jey, and he is proud of him. And Cody, for years, everyone watched as Cody finished his story.
And when Cody did, he did the unthinkable and pinned Roman Reigns in the middle of this ring, Sami was the first one out here to congratulate Cody. Sami is so proud that Cody finished his story. So he hopes both men understand that now, it is time for Sami to finish HIS story! The fans cheer, but then here comes Randy Orton! The Viper looks at the crown, then goes to the ring. The fans sing along with Voices and Orton grabs himself a mic. “So Cody, same deal as last week but I’m gonna say it again. There is no line I will not cross, even if it means going through you, so that I can get to John Cena at SummerSlam, beat him, and get my FIFTEENTH world championship!”
The fans cheer, and Orton tells Jey, “Man, I respect the… Hell outta you, dude. Our families go way, way, way back. Nothing but love, dude. But if you’re standing across the ring from me at SummerSlam, it’s not gonna be four letters, one word. It’s gonna be three letters, one move.” The fans say it, “R K O!” And Orton says he not only speaks for himself but for everyone here in this arena when he says, and from the bottom of his heart, one day and one day soon, Sami Zayn will be world champion. But not at SummerSlam. Because tonight, Sami is on the receiving end of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K O.
Orton drops the mic, and it is time to put those words into action. Will it be the Legend Killer or the Underdog from the Underground that heads for Saudi Arabia?
King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Sami Zayn!
SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and these two circle. They tie up, Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Orton endures, fights up, and the fans duel. Orton wrenches Sami in return to then headlock. Sami endures, powers up to wrench again, and he grinds the arm. Sami wrenches and CHOPS, and Orton goes to the corner. Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but the ref counts. Orton pushes past Sami, bails out of the ring, and he is pretty red already. Sami builds speed but he fakes Orton out with the Arabian Press! The fans fire up and Orton has to admit that was good.
Orton goes up the steps and steps back into the ring. The fans rally, Orton and Sami tie up, and Orton puts Sami in the corner. Orton lets off slowly, but he pokes Sami in the eyes! The fans boo but Orton UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Sami pokes Orton in the eyes! The ref caught that one and reprimands Sami. Sami TOSSES Orton out, goes to the apron, but Orton YANKS Sami down! Sami hits off the apron, and Orton reels him in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Sami writhes and Orton rolls into the ring, just to refresh the count. Fans want that “One More Time!” and Orton agrees! DESK BACK SUPLEX again!
Sami writhes more and whatever monitor wasn’t busted, they’re busted now! Orton leaves Sami behind for a moment while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Orton goes out to fetch Sami, but Sami fights off a third back suplex! Orton kicks low, brings Sami over, but Sami blocks the smack off the steel steps! Orton sputters, Sami stalks him, and Sami decides to give him some payback! But Orton ROCKS Sami first! Orton SMACKS Sami off the desk, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO! Sami stays in this but Orton looms over him. Sami rises, Orton puts him in a corner, and Orton fires body shots. Orton climbs up and rains down fists! Orton gets to eight before Sami fires back! Sami has Orton in another corner, climbs up, and Sami rains down a fast TEN!
Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs and CHOPS! Orton is stinging but Sami CHOPS him again! Sami wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and whips! Orton reverses, Sami hits buckles hard, and Sami falls in a heap. Orton dusts himself off and looms over Sami again. Orton stomps Sami’s hand! Sami writhes and clutches his finger. Orton stomps Sami’s foot, ten the other foot! And then the other hand! Sami sits up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Orton CLUBS away on Sami’s chest! Orton DECKS Sami, the fans cheer, and Orton brings Sami up. Orton whips, Sami goes up and over, and Sami LARIATS Orton down! The fans fire up again as Sami rises!
Sami goes to the corner, Orton runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, AX HANDLES, and the fans fire up more! Orton takes a swing, but Sami slips around! Orton fights the Blue Thunder, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Orton dodges Sami to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up while Sami goes to the apron. Orton drags Sami in through the ropes, and DRAPING DDTS! The fans fire up as Orton hears those voices! Orton watches Sami rise, but then Sami bails out! The fans are torn but Sami is smart to avoid what was coming. Orton goes out to fetch Sami, SMACKS him off the desk, and then back suplexes, only for Sami to lands out!
Sami CLUBS Orton, and hits a DESK BACK SUPLEX on Orton! Sami puts Orton in the ring, goes to a corner, and the fans fire up as Orton rises. Orton runs in, Sami dodges, and Orton POSTS himself! Sami runs corner to corner, HELLUVA- SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and Orton seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Sami goes back to a corner. Orton runs back in and he LARIATS! Orton runs but Sami follows! But Orton dodges the Helluva Kick! Sami gets stuck on the to rope, frees himself, and hobbles into an RK- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans fire up again!
“This is Awesome!” as Sami drags Orton to the drop zone. Sami goes up the corner, Orton stands and he gets under the leap! R K- NO, Sami SLAMS Orton down! And then HELLUVA- RKO!!! Orton crawls to the cover, Orton wins!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Sami fought his heart out, but the Viper still strikes! Orton is going back to back in KOTR finals, but will he win the crown this time?
Nia Jax is here!
Grand Rapids boos as The Irresistible Force goes to the ring. She grabs the mic dot say, “You know what’s crazy? Tiffany Stratton approached me to be under my wing, because she knew exactly what I could do for her. And look, she’s thriving! And what kind of thanks did I get for it? She betrayed me. She has MY title!” But wait, here comes Tiffy! Grand Rapids cheers as the WWE Women’s Champion has the mic to tell Nia, “You’re like that toxic ex I just can’t get away from. News flash: get over it! You make excuse after excuse, but when are you just gonna admit that maybe I’m just better than you?”
The fans cheer and Tiff heads to the ring. Nia says yeah, okay, if Tiff is so much better, then give Nia a rematch without kicking a chair into her face. Tiff says if Nia’s so desperate for a match, it is her lucky day! She made it official for next week: Tiff VS Nia! And Tiff will have more fun adding more scars to that “five head” of Nia’s. Because it won’t just be a regular match. It will be Last Woman Standing! Nia takes a swing but Tiff dodge! Tiff fires off, kicks low, and runs up, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! And then Nia drops a leg, brother! Nia holds up the belt and soaks up the heat. Nia thinks about leaving, but decides to add on! ANOTHER leg drop, brother!
The fans boo but Nia says that’s not enough! Nia tells Wade & Joe that she’s taking the title! But wait! NAOMI is here, with a ref! Is she doing it!? Is she doing it?! But Nia YANKS Naomi out! Naomi tells her back off! Nia doesn’t, Naomi shoves her, but Nia still grabs at her! Tiff DROPKICKS Naomi onto Nia! Tiff avoids a cash-in because Nia was in the way, but is she setting herself up for failure with that extreme title match?
Charlotte Flair VS Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice!
The Queen was denied her crown, but she’s not even angry at Alexa Bliss, the one who took that opportunity from her. She instead looks to humble the Hot Mess that claims she would be queen if her demands were met. Who vents their frustrations and comes away with the win?
SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans actually cheer on Chelsea. Alba distracts Charlotte and Chelsea sucker punches her! The ref reprimands but Chelsea SMACKS Charlotte off the mat again and again! Chelsea salutes, but Charlotte CHOPS! Chelsea KNEES low, whips, but Charlotte goes up and out at the corner. Charlotte BOOTS Chelsea away, avoids Alba and KICKS her! Chelsea runs up, Charlotte RAMS her, and then Charlotte climbs up. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Chelsea scrambles away and Charlotte runs up, but into an ELBOW! Charlotte GAMANGIRIS!
Charlotte snapmares, Chelsea distracts the ref, and Alba grabs Charlotte by the hair! Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte and Chelsea hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is furious but Charlotte stays in this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Chelsea hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER! The fans rally, but Charlotte hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Charlotte is free, Chelsea runs back up, but Charlotte gives her a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea falls back, Charlotte huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up to fire hands! The fans fire up as Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS again, then clinches for an EXPLODER! And a kip up! The fans fire up and Charlotte salutes to poke fun at Chelsea. Charlotte runs, dodges, and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives but Charlotte stays on her by going for a leg.
Alba gets on the apron, so Charlotte BOOTS her down! The fans cheer, but Charlotte turns around into a ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Chelsea is furious! Chelsea takes off her face protector and drags Charlotte up. Chelsea has the arms, turns Charlotte, but Charlotte shoves her away! Charlotte dodges and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives but Charlotte has the leg! FIGURE- CRADLE!! TWO!! Charlotte has the leg again, FIGURE FOUR! And the bridge for the FIGURE EIGHT!! Chelsea TAPS, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
But then Piper Niven SENTONS onto Charlotte!! Alba storms in, she and Piper mug Charlotte, but here comes Alexa! She RAMS into Piper, she ROCKS Alba, then she catches Chelsea! Charlotte LARIATS Alba out while Alexa hits a TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! And then Charlotte BOOTS Piper down! Charlotte and Alexa look at each other, and despite what either one thinks, maybe they both need the other after all. Alexa offers the handshake, but Charlotte walks right past Alexa. Alexa lets that slide, but will Charlotte come around soon enough?
Solo Sikoa talks with JC Mateo.
Why is JC taping up? Uh, duh, he’ll take out Jacob. No, Solo is going out there alone to talk with Jacob. Solo was the only one that Jacob would listen to. Jacob needs Solo. Solo will smooth things over. JC accepts that, but Solo does say that JC should stay ready. Solo is covering his bases, but will he need the Imperial Unit to put down the Samoan Werewolf? Or will it all be alright between them all?
Solo Sikoa heads to the ring.
SmackDown returns as the former Tribal Chief makes his way out, and Grand Rapids boos. Solo grabs the mic, takes a moment, and says, “Alright, Jacob. I’m out here in the middle of the ring, all alone, with open arms, willing to talk to you face to face. I feel terrible about what happened. So if you’re back there, come on out so we can clear the air.” Jacob Fatu makes his entrance and Grand Rapids cheers! Fatu holds up the United States Championship before he steps into the ring, and he has a mic of his own. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says he didn’t come out here to fight him, okay? He’s not here for that.
Solo wants to make it clear to Fatu that he loves him, always has loved him, no matter what. One thing Solo learned from being Tribal Chief is how to love family and how to take care of them. That’s all he’s trying to do. Families fight all the time. They fight, they argue, they forgive, and then they move forward. So they should move forward together, Jacob. Move forward as one. The fans boo that, but Solo says nobody saw the potential in Jacob except Solo. Nobody wanted Jacob here in the WWE, except Solo. That is why Solo brought Fatu here and gave him the chance to change his life and put food on his family’s table.
And why did Solo do that? Because Solo loves Jacob. He does. And to be honest, Solo doesn’t have anybody else. Fatu isn’t sure about that, but Solo says all he has is Fatu. And he’s all Solo needs. So come back to the family, and even if Jacob doesn’t say those four words, Solo will. Solo will say it for him, to him, loud enough so everybody can hear it! Solo tells Jacob, “I love you, Jacob.” The fans boo, they don’t trust this. Fatu paces as he thinks on that. “So you love me, huh?” Solo nods yes. So this is what it comes down to, huh? Solo loves Fatu? The way Fatu sees things, Solo has been using Fatu! Solo has been using Fatu to gain power, to fight his battles, and to stay Tribal Chief.
Hell, Solo brought Fatu in so Fatu could bring Solo fame! Solo brought Fatu in because he thought Fatu would bring him gold! Is that all this is about? Fame? Gold? Power? SOLO, LOOK AT HIM! Solo looks up from the floor while the fans cheer Fatu on. Fatu tells Solo that ever since he won the US Championship, Solo is the one that’s been acting different. And maybe Fatu isn’t the problem. Fatu just figured it out! The problem… is this. The problem is the US Championship. Fatu sets it down between him and Solo, and he says if this is what he thinks it is, then just fight him for it! Fight Fatu for the title! The fans fire up for that!
And Solo, Fatu will only warn you one time: If you ever think about coming this way, you know what Fatu is about! You know what’s poppin’ with Fatu, blood! And you know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA- SOLO TAKES A SWING! Fatu blocks the spike and he HEADBUTTS! JC Mateo rushes out here! Fatu HEADBUTTS him, too! But Solo CHOP BLOCKS the legs! The fans boo but JC & Solo mug Fatu! But then here comes JIMMY USO! The fans fire up as #BigJim slides in, dodges Solo, and SUPERKICKS JC! And then he SUPERKICKS Solo! But JC LARIATS Jimmy down! JC HAMMERS Jimmy and Solo has him put Jimmy in the corner.
The fans boo but Solo tells Jimmy that he should’ve chosen Solo’s side, not Jacob’s! But speaking of, Fatu is up! The fans fire up as Fatu BODY CHECKS JC! Then he SUPERKICKS Solo! Solo is in a corner, Fatu fires off on him, HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK for JC! HIP ATTACK for Solo! The fans are fired up for the Samoan Werewolf, and he locks eyes with Jimmy. Jimmy came to Fatu’s rescue, Fatu just saved him, so Fatu goes up, up, only for Solo to bail out! No Best Moonsaults here in Grand Rapids, but will Fatu cut Solo down soon enough?
Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker VS LA Knight!
The Wise Man warned, or rather threatened, the Mega Star that he should just cut and run, but that’s not how he does things. Knight is ready to fight, but will he survive a battle with Auszilla? Or is a Tsunami about wipe out LA?
Wait, Knight doesn’t enter from the stage! He enters from the crowd! And he POSTS Bron! The fans fire up as Knight evens things out! He TOSSES Bronson out, throws his vest at him, and Bronson snarls. Bronson has Bron stand down, and says, “Tonight, I kill him.” Bronson steps into the ring, the bell sounds, and Knight fires off! The fans fire up as Knight fires hands, but Bronson puts him in the corner. Knight ELBOWS back, Knight fires more hands, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Knight to a corner, runs up, but Knight dodges! Bronson POSTS himself, and Knight stomps a mudhole in!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and Knight goes corner to corner, but into a fireman’s carry! Knight slips down to sunset flip, but Bronson stays up! Bronson jumps but Knight avoids the hip drop! Then Knight basement BOOTS! The fans fire up and Knight storms up on Bronson. Bronson TOSSES Knight to the apron, but Knight slingshots back in! Bronson catches Knight to a fireman’s carry! Knight flails free and he RAMS Bronson into a corner! But Bronson holds ropes to deny the Jump Neckbreaker! Bronson runs but Knight avoids the senton! The fans fire up as Knight goes up, up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! That’s a Steiner move!
The fans fire up and spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” but Bronson bails out! Knight runs to WRECK Bronson with a dropkick! Knight goes back up, springboards, CROSSBODY to the ramp! The fans fire up with Knight and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Bronson has Knight up top. The fans rally as Knight fights back with body shots! Knight ROCKS Bronson, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Bronson finally falls and Knight adjusts position. “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson survives and Knight is rather stunned while Heyman is relieved. Knight aims, kicks, but Bronson denies the BFT! HEADBUTT, then a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives the “Jagged Edge” DVD but Bronson brings him right up. Bronson reels Knight in and says thumbs down.
Bronson lifts Knight up, but Knight flips the bomb into a DDT! The fans fire up but Bron barks at the apron! Knight DECKS the dog, tells Heyman to get the same, but Bronson runs up! Knight DUMPS Bronson out, builds speed, but BRON SPEARS!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The fans boo but Bron handed Knight the win with that one. Bronson stands Knight up so Bron can build speed and SUPER SPEAR!! Grand Rapids is torn but plenty of fans bark. And now Bronson goes up!? TSUNAMI!! Bronson goes up again, the refs hurry out here, but TSUNAMI AGAIN!! The fans want another, so Bron scares the refs off to let Bronson go back up! THIRD TSUNAMI!!! Have Rollins’ rooks just broken Knight into pieces? Is this a message to everyone that no one can stop the vision?
Jacob Fatu speaks.
“Yeah, c’mon on widdit! I just spoke to the man, and you know the man makes everything possible here on SmackDown! So next week, next week on Saturday, me ‘n’ you, Solo! Night of Champions, mano a mano, I’m about to dog walk yo’ ass for the US Championship! Solo, you better get in where you fit in. Cuz if you don’t, then baby, it’s ’bout to be all gas, no breaks with it. Yadadadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf will get to sink his teeth into Solo, but will he stay golden through it all?
John Cena VS Ron Killings!
The Undisputed WWE Champion was the exact opposite of grateful for R-Truth saving him from Randy Orton at Backlash, and he doubled down when Ron tried to show him the truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, if Cena doesn’t want the Truth, he’ll get someone who knows about ruthless aggression! Will Ron Killings bring an early end to the retirement tour? Or will Cena continue to ruin wrestling for everyone else?
SmackDown returns as Cena makes his entrance. The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” despite him wearing the Detroit Pistons colors. Cena makes Mark Nash give the “proper” introduction: “He is the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Grand Rapids with his presence one final time… He is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA~!” The fans boo, the bell rings, and Truth stares at Cena while Cena smirks hearing the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Truth TACKLES Cena! He fires off hands but Cena bails out! So Truth goes out to DECK Cena! “What’s up!?” “WHAT’S UP!” Truth has Cena at the desk and SMACKS him off it!
Truth ROCKS Cena again, and shakes his hand out from hitting so hard. Truth SMACKS Cena off the apron, storms in after him, and whips him to a corner. Cena hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! The fans continue to duel while Truth keeps his eyes on Cena. Truth storms up on Cena while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Truth stands Cena up, whips corner to corner again, and Cena hits buckles hard! Cena sputters, Truth looms over him, and Truth ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Truth! They go back and forth with haymakers, and then Truth dodges to SHOULDER TACKLE! Truth still uses Cena’s own moves against him, and that includes the SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth raises his hand and Grand Rapids joins in! “You Can’t See Me!” But then Cena bails out so Truth can’t hit him! Truth is annoyed, the fans give thumbs down, but here comes Truth. Cena ELBOWS him down! Cena drags Truth up, POSTS him, and he brings Truth back into the ring.
Cena HEADBUTTS Truth, CHOKES him on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Cena stomps away on Truth, then runs to KICK Truth in the back! Cena talks trash, then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! Cena takes his time, knowing it is what the fans want. Truth rises up, Cena runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again! Cena watches Truth rise again, gets around him, SPIN-OUT BOMB! And Cena raises his hand, reveling in the cheers and jeers. “You Can’t See Me!” SmackDown returns to single picture for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then Cena fireman’s carries, but Truth slips free! THESZ PRESS! And fast hands!
The fans fire up and Truth has Cena in a corner. Truth runs to STINGER SPLASH! Cena tumbles out and grabs the belt! Cena doesn’t care about this match anymore, he doesn’t need to take this! Truth says hold up! Truth runs Cena down and fires hands on the ramp! The fans fire up but Cena CLOBBERS Truth with the belt!!
Winner: Ron Killings, by disqualification
Cena wants to get another shot, but wait! PUNK IS HERE! Cena runs away into the ring, and he catches Punk as Punk slides in! The fans boo Cena but he huffs ‘n’ puffs. Cena drags Punk up, but Punk fires hands in return! Punk DECKS Cena, grabs the belt, and he holds it up! The fans cheer, and Punk aims, but Cena LOW BLOWS! Cena has a sinister smile as he grabs the belt. BELT SHOT for Punk!! The fans boo even more, but Cena decides to up the ante! Cena brings out a table! The fans cheer, everyone loves tables! Cena puts the table in the ring, then watches Punk sputter around. Cena sets the table up while the fans rally behind Punk.
Punk stands but Cena has the belt again! BELT SHOT!! Cena drags Punk up, fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT through the table!! Cena made Punk snap into a Slim Jim, and then he grabs a mic. Cena laughs at Punk, and then sits up on the corner. “Punk… As you lay there in your most uncomfortable…” Cena pretends the mic cut out, taps it, and then says, “Somebody’s afraid of what I’m gonna say.” Cena grins and the fans boo as Cena flips the iconic “Pipebomb” moment on it’s head. “As you lay there in your most uncomfortable, I hope you can listen. I hope you can digest.
“Because before I leave here in six months with that WWE Championship, I gotta get a whole lotta stuff off my chest. First thing’s first, I don’t hate you. I don’t even dislike you. I like you. I like you more than anyone you ever shared a locker room with, that’s for sure. I hate this idea of you. This idea that you’re the Best int he World. You’re not. I’M the Greatest of All Time.” Grand Rapids is a bit torn on that statement, but Cena says Punk is better than Cena at one thing: You’re the best BS artist in the world. Oh no, kiddos~! John Cena just dropped a curse word! That means the show is off the rails! Hey, Stu, shoot this. Hi~! “I’m breaking the forth wall! HAHA!”
Cena then says the truth is, Punk… Cena is jealous of you. Cena is jealous that Punk has conned the fans into believing the myth that Punk is the Best in the World. Oh how they chant for Punk! Which they literally do right now. Hell, the fans even sing for Punk now. But they don’t believe a damn word you say. Because Punk changes his values as much as Cena changes his shirts! Punk is just a loud mouthed opportunist who steps on the necks of those who actually work hard if it gets him ahead. Oh, hey, look, another cameraman! “Hi, Claudio Castagnoli! Hey, Nic Nemeth! Hey, Matt Cardona! How’re you guys doing?”
The fans can’t believe Cena is going this far but Cena is loving it! “He’s heating up! He’s on fire! And there’s nobody back there that’s gonna cut my mic to save your ass, cuz I’m your only friend! Remember who gave you the stage for your pipebomb, pal! And what’ve you done with it since then, huh? You just regurgitated the same five microphone moves of doom. You’re promo potato salad, pal. Hey, you’re no longer the Voice of the Voiceless, you’re a friggin’ millionaire despite yourself. You’re not a punk, you’re a capitalist! And you’re not against TKO, dude, you are Mr. TKO. Cuz they knocked your balls technically off your body.
“Your tweets are strong, but your actions are weak. And in Saudi Arabia, you’re gonna face some loud, loud music when I finally prove to the world that each and every day, day in, day out, no days off for 25 YEARS, I have been the Greatest of All Time!” The fans cheer that a bit more now, to Cena’s surprise. “See, they know. And they know that you were the Best in the World… for seven minutes, 14 years ago. And if after Night of Champions, you’re still delusional enough to believe that you’re the Best in the World, well… I guess it’s a small world after all. You’re welcome, Grand Rapids.” The fans cheer, and Cena lets the world hear it.
Cena tells Punk to bring his A Game to Night of Champions. If Grand Rapids is any indication, the mood is starting to change. Refs finally appear to check on Punk, Cena says no, that’s fine. Punk needs to rest up for his big title match. Get a good shot of this: Best in the World VS Greatest of All Time, for THE most coveted prize in sports entertainment, THE WWE Undisputed Championship! And Cena knows the fans will sing and chant, but he also knows even the idiots are smart enough to see the truth: The Champ is Here. And USA Network, keep the extra two and half minutes. He doesn’t need a bomb to blow the “mother fudging” building.
Oh, and thanks, Punk, for letting Cena rip off your best promo just to make you look even more foolish. Cena finally drops the mic and he raises the belt up again. If the proverbial tables have turned this drastically, is there no saving WWE from losing its north star championship?
My Thoughts:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 6.19.25
Are we going to start trending upwards with Slammiversary to build toward?
Last week’s episode was lacking in ring work but had decent story moments and segments. Starting the build to Slammiversary we can either launch nicely or things can always get worse. Jason Hotch and KC Navarro are the real shining stars of the last few months, so lets hope once they get over this Leon Slater idiot ship, they can push X Division wrestlers with actual talent for pro wrestling and not just flippy charisma vacuums.
Oh and let’s not forget, it is the episode they celebrate the 23rd anniversary of TNA! TWENTY – THREE!! Somewhere PCO hates this.
.@Kelly_WP is back in TNA Wrestling and has a message for TNA Knockouts World Champion @mashaslamovich!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZKKuL pic.twitter.com/tnm4TIuPUz
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Ratings:
- Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers: EY wins via Piledriver – ** 3/4
- Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge: Elegantos win via Rarefied Air – ***
- Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man: HTM wins via Cradle – *
- Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams: Elijah wins via Highwayman’s Farewell – ***
Results:
Sami Callihan vs Eric Young w/Losers
Sami knocks them all off the apron before the bell rings, he levels the loser children, finds a chair, attacks EY but EY counters and this is the excuse to use weapons since the bell didn’t ring yet. EY tries to break Sami’s hand on the steps with the chair, but Sami moves, throws EY back in the ring, bell rings and EY hits a Belly to Belly suplex for two. They slug it out, Sami goes for Headbutts, then Sami wants to run the ropes but a loser trips him, distracts long enough for EY to knock him out of the ring and loser children swarm as loser children do. EY does the classic, throw back out for losers to attack while EY grabs and distracts the ref. Sami is selling a few lame attacks from the losers like he got shot. It’s an excessive sell, so it’s honestly a dumb transitional moment.
EY levels Sami, Lariat into Scoop Slam, looks for the Macho Elbow but Sami hits the ropes to crotch EY. Sami Superplex time, but EY bites the face to make Sami drop, EY jumps at him but eats a straight right hand. Cactus Driver, but no, EY tries his Piledriver…they both gouge eyes at the same time, Sami catches an EY charge into a Flatliner as they’re both down…for…reasons? The selling in this match seems…poorly timed and kinda stupid. Hard Irish Whip, EY Flair Flips the corner, levels Sami, Macho Elbow for 2.9! EY threatens to hit the ref, but then goes to mad dog commentary. EY then wants to attack fans…he’s more unhinged than World Elite EY. Sami gives him the old Dick Twist into a Stunner but only for two! Losers try to distract, first one gets taken out, second one uses a chair, EY hits the Piledriver on Sami, EY wins.
I feel like this is gonna continue for a few weeks since it wasn’t a clean win.
Mustafa Ali’s group comes out, and I refuse to say the name because it’s dumb and they’re already fraying at the seams. Ali wants an apology session, Tasha and Hotch apologize to him but Skyler bites back and refuses, even shoved Ali. So Ali challenges him to a “Call to Arms” match. What in the hell is a Call to Arms match?
Lei Ying Lee & Masha Slamovich vs The Elegance Clique w/M & Personal Concierge
ASH does her borderline racist fake karate before Lei stares her down and tags in Heather. Heather avoids Lei, Lei throws a few Tornado Kicks to make a point and Heather tags out. Heather being 4’8″ helps her here. Concierge says “There’s no Karate in wrestling”. ASH, Lei and Masha are in the ring, ASH is trying to decide who she wants to face, but the Concierge google translated it and hands it to ASH, before the face team rocks ASH. Masha lifts up Lei and Lei does the Liu Kang Bicycle Kick, steering more into her Mortal Kombat aesthetic. Senton off the apron from Lei and Masha dives into the pile, the comedy heels are getting leveled. We go to commercial and come back with Lei getting Double Teamed but she spins it into a weird Neckbreaker..but can’t tag out just yet. Lei blocks Heather, Enzuigiri, simultaneous tag, Masha is Yakuza kicks for all and the 2 for 1 Lariat/DDT special. Near fall, but Masha goes for murder, but Heather breaks it, Rocket Launcher/Code Breaker from Elegance but Lei breaks up the pin. ASH tries to intimidate Lei with her fake Karate before throwing her out of the ring. Heather hits Lei with a handful of Glitter and then bounces her face off the post. Masha tries to stop ASH, Kelly’s music distracts Masha, Rarefied Air gives ASH the win.
Santino comes out and GOD DAMMIT no one wants to see Tommy Dreamer fight Mance Warner…that’s a useless thing. Pivot away…no one wants this. Oh no, now we have to listen to Steph talk too. Okay it seems to be a pivot, thankfully. Steph and Mance talk shit, Dreamer says something about Something is gonna happen…and Jake Something comes out. So…I guess we’re gonna build him up for 2 months and then job him out for 6 before he fucks off to his home galaxy or whatever?
.@indi_hartwell has a run in with Tessa Blanchard!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/cF0F1ZLikj pic.twitter.com/I6UCCk2fAG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 20, 2025
Really wish Indi just opened with the Billy Butcher classic of, “Oi Cunt!” – but this wasn’t bad.
Eddie Edwards & JDC w/Alisha & Brian Myers vs Matt Cardona & Home Town Man
I hate… Cardona so much more now. Heel reasons for Cardona…go away heat for Deaner.
JDC wants the Home Town Man to start…and Deaner does his stupid Flip Flop and Fly, Cardona tags in, JDC is eating some offense, Cardona wants the Reboot, JDC powders, Cardona Dives but then Lish and the general numbers catch up to Cardona. Eddie is legal, and now they isolate Cardona with some decent tandem work and isolation. This turns into kind of a schmoz, lots of silly spots, near falls and then Home Town doofus gets the cradle pinfall on Eddie.
Whenever Deaner is involved I can’t be asked to care. The System beats Cardona and Deaner down, but Eddie did eat a pin. Which is embarrassing not even for work reasons, like it’s just sad.
Champion’s Challenge: The Rascalz, Joe Hendry, Leon Slater & Elijah vs The Kaiba Boys, Moose, Steve Maclin & Trick Williams
Elijah and Nic start things off, slow push off, arm wring, top wristlock, simple chain wrestling start. Nic breaks the chain and hits a Dropkick, Elijah runs the ropes and hits a Diving Lariat and starts the Rope Walk. Nic seems far to awake and alert for that move then, I hate how people pull that off too early. Wentz gets tagged in, Nic tags in Maclin who wasn’t looking for a tag, but him and Wentz have a nice clash, Trey tags in, they try to double him, but they pause and look at each other. Maclin asks for a tag, no one tags him so he Chops Ryan to tag him in and throws him in.
The little nod to Maclin and Rascalz history and the fact the faces realize Maclin isn’t a piece of shit. A little MCMG homage tandem attacks on Ryan, Wentz punctuates with the Handspring Knee Lift, Ryan tags out to Trick. Trick and Wentz go back and forth, Rascalz have Trick eating offense, Moose tries to slow things down, both Trick and Moose powder, Rascalz Double Golden Triangle Moonsaults. Trey gets tripped by Nic, Moose hits Lights Out, but there’s no referee so it’s a little chaotic.
Out of the commercial things are controlled kinda and we see a simultaneous tag to Moose and Leon. Leon comes out hot, level Moose with a Leg Lariat, attacks Nic Nemeth, attacks Ryan, and then Moose hits Leon with the Stun Gun. Moose looks to tag in Maclin but Maclin jumps off the apron. Trick takes the tag, keeps control, Trick forcibly tags in Maclin but Ryan tags himself in and pulls Leon to the Champions’ corner, Nic tags in and isolates Leon, with the Kaibas quick tagging and keeping Leon down.
Moose tags in, tries to Suplex Leon about four times but Leon stops it then counters the Suplex. Moose tries to cut him off, but the Champions distract the ref so the ref can’t see Leon tag out. Nic and Moose doubling up and Leon is the bump guy of this last portion of the match. Big Uranage from Moose…Moose looks for Lights Out but Small Package almost ruined things, Body Scissors Cradle, GAME CHANGER! Moose looks to hit a Jacknife Powerbomb but Leon turns it into a DDT. Maclin and Ryan start fighting, Nic Superkicks Maclin, Hendry and Nic tag in, Hendry is a house of fire. Sack of Shits for everyone! Nic, Ryan, there’s a pause when Hendry is face to face with Trick and Trick gets Uppercuts first then Sack of Shit! Standing Ovation on Nic, but Ryan blocks, Kaibas try a tandem attack but Hendry Lariats them both. Elijah tags in and is the maestro of the crowd and chopping Ryan to some fun. Ryan goes for a Polish Hammer but eats the Knee Lift. Signature spam time…
Ryan tries to use the International title but Maclin grabs the title away from Ryan, clocks Nic, Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell. Champions lose!
Overall Score: 4/10
Well this was a rough one boys and girls. Sami and EY was just an overbooked shitshow, Lei Ying Lee is unfortunately in a spot where it’s obvious TNA has no clue how to use her, the Elegantos are the New Beautiful People, and I’m not mad at that. But you need to space out your goofball crap. You can’t have Elegance Clique, Home Town Moron and Santino in 3 consecutive segments. And if anyone goes “it was 3 out of 4” that’s doesn’t lessen my point, the beauty of Pro Wrestling being a variety show is…FOR VARIETY! When the lead match feels stupid because of bad pacing, poor selling and overbooking with two losers, it feels like a useless match with idiots, then comedy, followed by more comedy…you see how that’s literally NOT VARIETY.
Figure it out seriously. This was a disappointing episode. If you’re a casual viewer than it’s just chalk for TNA doing cringe and borderline goof crap since they’ve always steered a little more into the carny than other companies. But this show was…where’s Jisoo and Jenny? I feel like I need that gif:
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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