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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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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