Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/27/23)
A & B, round 5!
Will the Aerial Assassin dry up the Rainmaker?
Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay used to be mentor and student, but now they are bitter enemies! Will Okada find a way to hold onto the top spot in B Block?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Chase Owens; Shota wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Taichi; Taichi wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya VS Gabe Kidd; Double Count-Out Draw.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Lao VS Great-O-Khan; Loa wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: Hikuleo VS Yota Tsuji; Hikuleo wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: El Phantasmo VS KENTA; ELP wins.
- G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Ren Narita; Sanada wins.
- G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
Sanada: 4-0, 8 points
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-1-1, 5 points
Shota Umino: 1-1-2, 4 points
Chase Owens: 2-2, 4 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-2, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-2-1, 3 points
Hikuleo: 1-3, 2 points
Ren Narita: 0-2-2, 2 points
Here are the current B Block standings.
Kazuchika Okada: 4-0, 8 points
Will Ospreay: 3-1, 6 points
Kenta: 2-2, 4 points
Taichi: 2-2, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-2, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-3, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points
Tanga Loa: 1-3, 2 points
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Shota Umino VS Chase Owens!
The Roughneck has only one win, but he still has four points like the Crown Jewel! But will Shota have more points than Chase after this? Or will Chase deny Shota’s Paradigm Shift?
As Shota arrives at ringside, Chase rushes up to the ropes! Shota gets back, and goes around the way, but then Chase tries again! Shota avoids the wrecking ball dropkick, and the brawl is on! The ref reprimands, but Shota DECKS Chase! Fans fire up as Shota brings Chase up and CLUBS him! But Chase throat chops in return! Shota staggers back against the corner post, and Chase swings, only for Shota to duck! The chop hits the POST! Fans fire up while Chase slides into the ring. Shota takes off his entrance attire and gets in the ring. The bell finally sounds and Shota fires off forearms! Shota whips, Chase reverses but Shota holds ropes.
Chase runs in, Shota dodges to arm-drag then ELBOW Chase down! And then basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Shota while Chase bails out. Shota waits on Chase and Chase catches his breath. Chase SPITS at Shota, but then Shota storms out after him! Shota blocks Chase’s punch and DECKS Chase again! Chase crawls under the ring? Shota drags him back out, and Chase apologizes! Shota still stomps Chase! Shota stands Chase up to ROCK him, then whips, but Chase reverses! Shota hits railing, staggers forward, into Chase’s DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! The ref checks Shota while fans rally up.
Chase slides into the ring and lets the ring count climb. Shota is still down at 8 of 20, and Chase wants this to go faster! The count passes 10, Shota drags himself up at 13. Shota staggers over at 16, but flops over! Shota springs back up and in at 19! Chase sits Shota up to throw hands! He shows the ref these are palm strikes, and then he stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! Chase CHOPS Shota in the corner, then stalks him along the way. Chase CLUBS Shota on the back and then cravats Shota to CHOKE him against ropes! The ref counts, Chase lets off but Chase throws Shota down by his hair!
The ref reprimands again, but Chase knees Shota in the back. Chase clamps on a chinlock and then grabs the arms for a motorcycle stretch. Shota endures, fights up, and throws elbows! Chase whips Shota to CLOBBER him! Cover, TWO! Chase pushes Shota back to a cover, TWO! Chase says the ref is slow and he hates him! Chase clamps on a chinlock and grinds Shota down. Shota endures, Chase puts on more pressure, but Shota fights up. Shota throws body shots, Chase knees low! Chase storms up to whip Shota to ropes but Shota reverses and scoops, to DROP Chase, and BASEMENT UPPERCUT!
Fans fire up with Shota and rally as Chase goes to a corner. Shota runs in to UPPERCUT! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans and Shota stands Chase up in a dragon sleeper, but Chase arm-drags free! Shota runs back in but Chase catches him to a full nelson! Chase spins Shota around to a dragon sleeper, for a FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and Chase is again mad at the ref. Chase runs in to forearm smash in the corner, then short arm LARIAT! Chase runs to KNEE Shota down! Cover, TWO! Shota hangs tough but Chase drags him back up. Chase fireman’s carries but Shota slips free, shoves and DROPKICKS Chase down!
Fans rally up and Shota dragon sleepers Chase, fisherman’s a leg, TRIDENT! Cover, TWO! Shota aims from the corner, runs in, but Chase avoids Ignition! Chase runs in, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Shota tries again but Chase dodges to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up while both men are down! Chase shakes out a leg, drags himself up with the ropes, and he storms back over. Chase kicks Shota around, slaps him around, and then just slaps him! Shota stands up, Chase fires forearms, but Shota ROCKS Chase in return! Chase throws another forearm, but Shota ROCKS Chase! Chase BOOTS, but Shota just ROCKS Chase back!
Shota fires off forearms, elbows, more forearms, but Chase BOOTS! And SUPERKICKS! And hammerlocks, to JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Shota survives again! Chase runs in, C-TRIGGER! Chase then brings Shota in, tucks the arms, but Shota fights the package driver! Shota kicks low, underhooks, but Chase wrenches out to drag Shota down into a CRADLE! TWO as tips the cradle ever so slightly! TWO as Chase escapes! Chase runs in, Shota avoids the C-Trigger but Chase blocks the lariat to fire off fast hands! C-TRIGGER! And then Chase tucks Shota in, but Shota flips free?! Kick and DEATH RIDER! Cover, Shota wins!
Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)
The Roughneck has a bloody nose, but he also has the victory! Will Shota be able to make up ground and take the block?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Taichi!
The Head Hunter gave the Rainmaker one hell of a fight, and so did the Holy Emperor, but neither of them could come out with a win. Both men stand at 2-2, but who will #TurnItAllAround as we enter the home stretch?
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. They circle, tie up, and Hashi wrenches an arm. But Taichi reels Hashi in! Hashi fights the saido with elbows, then ROCKS Taichi! Taichi rebounds to BOOT Hashi! Hashi rebounds to ROCK Taichi! And repeat! The BOOT and the forearm keep going back and forth, but then Hashi blocks the boot to forearm! Taichi changes tactics, and he CHOPS! Fans fire up for that and Hashi CHOPS back! Taichi CHOPS again! Hashi CHOPS again! Taichi CHOPS, Hashi CHOPS, we now have a CHOP fight! They go CHOP for CHOP, and Taichi wobbles!
Hashi CHOPS again and Taichi grits his teeth! Hashi CHOPS, runs, and DOUBLE CHOPS Taichi down! Fans fire up and Hashi paces around. Taichi crawls to a corner, fans rally behind him, but Hashi CLUBS Taichi on the neck. Hashi whips corner to corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs in to BOOT at the corner! Taichi snapmares and KICKS Hashi, but Hashi stands right up! Hashi CHOPS again, but Taichi wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Fans fire up, and Taichi drags Hashi up. Taichi brings Hashi around to KICK him back down! Taichi drags Hashi up, whips him to ropes, and kitchen sink knees!
Taichi storms up on Hashi, drags him up, and reels him in for an abdominal stretch! Taichi pushes down on Hashi’s face and clubs his ribs, but Hashi endures! Hashi fights his way over, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer, Taichi lets off and Hashi slumps down. Taichi kicks Hashi around, drags him up, and fires Kawada Kicks! But Hashi stands right up! Hashi fires forearms, but Taichi SOBATS! Taichi runs, but Hashi dodges and comes back, BLOCKBUSTER! Both men are down at the five minute mark! Fans rally up, Taichi goes to a corner, and Hashi runs in to CHOP! Fans fire up and Hashi whips Taichi to CHOP him!
Hashi mule kicks, hangs Taichi out to dry, and then runs side to side to DROPKICK Taichi down! Fans fire up and he drags Hashi up to turn him, for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Hashi drags Taichi up, and Hashi CLUBS Taichi! And CLUBS him again! Taichi kicks but Hashi blocks! Hashi CLUBS the leg, CHOPS Taichi to a corner, and fans fire up! Hashi runs in but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Taichi stands up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi kicks but Hashi ducks to full nelson! Taichi breaks that but Hashi waistlocks. Taichi breaks that to PELE!
Taichi runs, but Hashi gets around to SNAP DRAGON! Fans fire up with Hashi and he runs, to LARIAT! Taichi stays up and comes back, AX BOMBER! But Hashi stays up! Hashi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And Taichi falls! Hashi powers up, runs, but Taichi BOOTS! Hashi roars and runs again, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Hashi still comes back, but into DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Taichi crawls to ropes and Hashi goes to the other end. Hashi runs in, into AX BOMBER! Taichi drags Hashi up, Alabama Lifts, but Hashi fights it to then hit CANADIAN DESTROYER!
Hashi runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Taichi survives and we hit 10 minutes! Taichi flounders, Hashi drags him up and reels him in. KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO!??! Taichi survives again and fans are thunderous! Hashi drags Taichi up, full nelsons, then pump handles. But Taichi slips free to trip Hashi! TAICHI GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Hashi escapes, Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Taichi storms around, drags Hashi up, but Hashi fights off the saido! Taichi CLUBS Hashi, CLUBS him again, and then drags Hashi back up. Hashi ROCKS Taichi first! And BACKSTABBERS!
Fans fire up again as both men rise back up! Hashi runs in, hops on, but Taichi fights the crucifix to hit BLACK MEPHISTO!! But he can’t make the cover! Taichi fires up and the fans fire up with him! Taichi drags Hashi up, Alabama Lifts, but Hashi slips free! SUPERKICK! And then TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Taichi drags Hashi back up, Alabama Lift, BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, Taichi wins!!
Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)
These two just gave each other one hell of a fight! But in the end, the KOPW Champion pins one half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Will Just5Guys truly change everything in NJPW?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya VS Gabe Kidd!
The Supernova of NOAH may have lost last round, but it was to THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Will he then have no problem beating one half of the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions? Or will this War Dog have some green feathers in his teeth?
Oh, well, of course Gabe attacks during Kaito’s entrance! He sucker punches Kaito and pushes him along. Fans boo but Gabe pulls railing apart so he can whip Kaito into the railing of the bleachers area. Gabe flips fans off and goes back for Kaito. Gabe ROCKS Kaito, but Kaito hits back! They brawl fast and furious, Kaito gets the edge and he UPPERCUTS Gabe! Fans fire up while Gabe sputters. Kaito CLUBS Gabe, follows him along the way, but Gabe hits back! Gabe has fans move aside, and he sits Kaito down. Gabe CHOPS Kaito, then makes more fans move in another section! Gabe runs back in, but Kaito dodges! Gabe bowls himself in to the chairs!
Fans fire up as Kaito drags Gabe up and brings him around with a headlock. They finally go to ringside and Kaito aims for the ring. Gabe blocks, and UPPERCUTS Kaito down! Gabe then brings out a chair from under the ring! Fans boo as Gabe JAMS Kaito, then SMACKS him! Fans boo but Gabe just flips them all off. Gabe eggs them on and the fans boo more. Gabe drags Kaito back up, then puts him in. The bell finally rings, Gabe covers, TWO! Kaito is still in this but Gabe talks trash. Gabe sits Kaito up to CHOP him down! Gabe eggs fans on and he looms over Kaito. Kaito gets away to a corner and Gabe stomps him down!
Gabe digs his boots in, the ref reprimands and counts, and Gabe lets off at 4. Kaito drags Gabe up, CHOPS him, and CHOPS him again! And again! Gabe fires CHOPS again and again and again, then UPPERCUTS Kaito down! Gabe soaks up more heat from the fans and then eggs Kaito on. Gabe mocks Noah as Kaito rises. Gabe slaps Kaito around, eggs him on some more, and Kaito clubs Gabe. It doesn’t have much behind it, so he CLUBS Gabe again! That one Gabe felt. Gabe BITES Kaito on the forehead! The ref counts, Gabe has Kaito in a corner but he only lets off as the ref forces himself between them!
Gabe taunts Kaito and stomps him, then flips off fans. Gabe drags Kaito up but Kaito fights the lift! Kaito wrenches out to ROCK Gabe with forearm after forearm! Kaito whips, Gabe reverses and ROCKS Kaito, to then SAIDO! Cover, but Gabe lets off? Gabe is toying with Kaito, he says he’s having too much fun. Gabe puts Kaito on ropes, then on the top rope, to SHOVE him to the floor! Fans boo as Gabe dusts himself off. The ref reprimands, but Gabe just does jumping jacks while the ring count climbs. Kaito is still down at 10 of 20, but he stirs. Kaito pushes up at 15, drags himself up at 17, and drags himself in at 19!
Gabe runs, Kaito dodges! Kaito returns to NECKBREAKER DROP! Fans rally up, Gabe sits up and clutches his neck, and he CLUBS Kaito down! Gabe whips Kaito, Kaito ELBOWS him away! Kaito FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up as Kaito goes up the corner! Kaito MISSILE DROPKICKS Gabe down! Fans rally and Kaito brings Gabe up. Kaito UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS! Gabe CHOPS, runs, but Kaito JUMP KNEES! Kaito drags Gabe up, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Kaito escapes and fans rally up. Kaito drags Gabe up again to waistlock, but Gabe reaches out!
Kaito grabs Gabe’s arms to chicken wing! But Gabe grabs at the ref! And LOW BLOW MULE KICKS! Fans boo while both men are down. Gabe storms over and drags Kaito up, to SLAP him! And SLAP, and SLAP, and SLAP! Kaito goes to a corner, Gabe fires more slapping strikes, then throws knees into Kaito over and over! The ref counts and Gabe lets off. Fans rally for Kaito but Gabe storms over. Gabe SPITS at Kaito, then stomps Kaito more! The ref reprimands and counts, but Kaito TACKLES Gabe! Kaito rains down furious forearms and fists, then SPITS on Gabe! Fans fire up for that! Gabe gets up, and the two start throwing SLAPS!
Gabe SLAPS, Kaito SLAPS, Gabe, Kaito, Gabe Kaito Gabe Kaito, then Kaito just SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS and SLAPS!! Gabe falls, Kaito kicks him out! Kaito stomps away on Gabe at the railing! The ref reprimands but Kaito drags Gabe up to whip him hard into railing! Kaito storms up to Gabe but Gabe DUMPS Kaito and himself into No Man’s Land! Gabe kicks while he’s down, then both men stand. The forearms fly back and forth, they end up tumbling back into the crowd! Gabe eggs Kaito on so Kaito DECKS him! Kaito has Gabe in a seat and just hammers away with forearms! Kaito then drags Gabe up, but Gabe RAMS Kaito into the bleachers!
Both men are down, the ref reprimands and wants them both in the ring. Gabe CLUBS Kaito, we pass 10 minutes, and Kaito CLUBS Gabe! Gabe CHOPS Kaito, Kaito CHOPS Gabe down! Gabe rises back up and he ROCKS Kaito, but Kaito ROCKS Gabe! Gabe ROCKS Kaito as the ring count finally starts, and Kaito fires up by headbutting a chair! Kaito HEADBUTTS Gabe down! Kaito drags Gabe along, they brawl some more, but we pass 10 of 20! Kaito DECKS Gabe but he won’t leave him behind! We pass 15 as Gabe CHOPS Kaito! The brawling continues, but the count hits 20! IT’S A DRAW!!
Double Count-Out Draw; both men earn 1 point
Kaito and Gabe still want after each other, but the match is over! Even so, Gabe SLAPS Kaito! Kaito SLAPS Gabe! Gabe throws a forearm, Kaito rams into Gabe, and they throw more shots! Young Lions separate them but Kaito fights free and CLOBBERS Gabe! They brawl by the bleachers but are pulled apart again! Kaito leaves it at that, but then Gabe storms after him! Fans fire up as Gabe says F this, F Kaito, F Noah, and F all the rest! And the brawl is back on!! Young Lions hurry in to break it up, and other refs show up, too! Gabe comes back for more, so Kaito RAMS him into the apron!
Young Lions drag Kaito away but Gabe fights free of his. Gabe gets in the ring and fans fire up again. The War Dog wants to keep fighting, and that much the fans respect. But Gabe doesn’t respect them, he flips them off. He tells Kaito he’s effing dead, and then he takes his anger out on Young Lions! Will there be consequences for this wild brawl after the bell?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Tanga Lao w/ Jado VS Great-O-Khan!
The Silverback and the Dominator are both near the back of the block, but there’s still time to build momentum! Will Loa go Ape Shit on the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion? Or will he be torn down by the Iron Claw?
The bell rings and the two stare down. Fans rally up and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Khan manages to push Loa back a step. But Loa pushes Khan back that step, and the two break. Fans cheer, the two circle again, and they tie up again. They’re in another deadlock, and Loa pushes Khan back a step. Khan pushes Loa back a step, and they break again. Fans continue to rally, Khan and Loa tie up a third time, and Loa headlocks. Khan pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but Khan powers out. They RAM shoulders and fans cheer as neither falls. Loa dares Khan to go, so Khan runs. They RAM shoulders again, but still neither falls!
They RAM shoulders again, and both men are amused. They RAM again, Loa runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING SHOULDER Khan down! Loa struts around and smiles as he brings Khan up. Loa suplexes and he holds Khan up! But Khan fights free, and he drags Loa down to have the KNEEBAR! Loa scrambles, reaches out, but Khan twists the foot in a HEEL HOOK! Khan thrashes around, but Loa still fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer, but Khan thrashes more! The ref reprimands and Khan lets go. Loa goes to the apron but Khan stands on his legs. Khan stomps the legs, and Loa falls to the floor.
Khan goes out to keep on Loa, and he STOMPS the leg into the floor! And again! Khan backs Jado off, and he looks under the ring. Khan brings out chairs! Jado protests, but Khan digs a chair into Loa’s leg! Then he puts the chair in place, grabs the other, CON-CHAIR-TO on the knee! Fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Khan puts the chair on Loa’s leg! Khan sits on the chair to sit on the leg! The ref reprimands, Khan moves around to dig the chair leg in, and he even pulls on Loa’s ear! The ref counts, Khan steps away and back into the ring. It’s already been five minutes as Khan calls for the ring count.
The count starts, Jado coaches Loa and fans rally up. Loa drags himself up at 10 of 20 and hobbles in at 11! Fans cheer but Khan grabs the leg! STANDING KNEEBAR! Khan pushes against the joint but Loa endures! Loa pulls Khan’s ponytail, but Khan shifts around to put the legs in a modified deathlock! Loa crawls, but Khan claws at his shoulders! Khan Mongolian Chops! And again! And then pushes on the legs! Loa endures, powers his way forward, and fans rally as he drags Khan along! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, but Khan needs help so the ref unties the leglock. Loa clutches his leg while Khan paces.
Khan has his hands behind his back as he eggs Loa on. Loa CHOPS, but Khan scuffs him. Loa CHOPS again, but Khan stomps Loa down! Fans rally behind Loa but Khan drags him up to grab the leg. SHIN BREAKER! Khan holds on to bring Loa back around, another SHIN BREAKER! Khan lifts again but Loa sunset flips! TWO!! Khan escapes and he stomps Loa down! Khan runs, but Loa drops, then hip tosses! Fans fire up as Loa goes to the corner. Loa runs back in, but into a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Loa is still in this, and Khan stands on Loa’s leg. Loa pushes Khan away but Khan eggs him on.
Loa rises, and Khan Mongolian Chops! But Loa just grows! So Khan kicks the bad leg! Fans rally with Loa, Khan Mongolian Chops again! Loa grows, so Khan kicks the leg again! Khan puts some stank on this one, Mongolian- BODY SHOT from Loa! And UPPERCUT! Body shot! Uppercut! Repeat! Loa backs Khan down, fires off faster and faster and faster, and then CHOPS! Fans fire up and Loa growls. Loa whips Khan corner to corner, only to send him back into the same corner! Clothesline, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up, and Khan rises! Khan runs in, shoots around, IRON CLAW SLEEPER SUPLEX!
But Loa’s right up!? We pass 10 minutes as Khan kicks low! BELLY2BELLY! But Loa’s right back up! Loa kicks low, clinches, T-BONE SUPLEX! But Khan’s right up!? Fans fire up and Khan LARIATS! Loa stays standing, and he LARIATS back! Khan comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Fans fire up as they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both men stay up so they fire up, but Khan SAYANAGIS! Cover, ONE?!? Loa runs up to SPEAR!! Cover, ONE?!?! Fans fire up again and Loa kicks low! Knee, ENZI- NO, Khan dodges! And he drops an elbow on the leg! Fans rally and Khan rises. Khan prepares the claw, and he clamps it onto Loa’s face!
Khan drags Loa up but Loa fights the lift! Loa pries the claw away!! But Khan UPPERCUTS! Khan runs, into a kick! KNEE! ENZIGURI! Khan wobbles and staggers, roars and comes back, but into a scoop! APE SHIT!! Cover, LOA WINS!
Winner: Tanga Loa, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)
A huge win for Loa, that mathematically eliminates the Eliminator! If Loa doesn’t win the G1, will he be aiming for the Rev-Pro title instead?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Yota Tsuji!
This is quite literally one of the biggest matches in the block, and is a pivotal one with time running out! Will the Young Guerrilla stay alive in the G1? Or will this truly become the GENE1?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YOTA! YOTA!” Tsuji smiles and encourages the cheers. But then Hikuleo raises a hand and fans cheer for him. The fans start dueling, the two start circling, and they tie up. Hiku’s height is his leverage and he pushes Tsuji to a corner. The ref counts, Hiku lets off, and he pats Tsuji on the shoulder. But then Tsuji pushes Hiku! Hiku swings, misses, and Tsuji fires off forearms! Tsuji eggs on the “big boy” so Hiku shoves him down! Tsuji grins, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Hiku blocks the tilt-o-whirl! Only for Tsuji to shift position! But Hiku fights the DDT and throws Tsuji away!
Tsuji kicks back, runs, but Hiku ELBOWS Tsuji down! Fans fire up and Hiku paces around Tsuji. Hiku stomps Tsuji, paces more, then stomps him again. Fans rally, Hiku eggs Tsuji on and Tsuji sits up with a smile. Hiku stands Tsuji up, but Tsuji pulls hair! So Hiku pulls hair! The ref reprimands and both men let off, but then Tsuji uses Hiku’s own hair to blind him! Hiku tosses his hair back, but Tsuji ROCKS him! Tsuji fires more shots, but Hiku ROCKS Tsuji in return! Hiku runs in, but stops from being dumped out! Hiku stomps Tsuji down! Hiku drags Tsuji up, but Tsuji HOTSHOTS and BOOTS Hiku!
Tsuji slingshots in, keeps moving, and he clotheslines Hiku up and out! Fans fire up as Hiku staggers around, and Tsuji builds speed! Tsuji DIVES, but Hiku catches him! Hiku BEARHUGS, runs, but Tsuji slips free and POSTS Hiku! Tsuji follows Hiku around the way and fans fire up. Tsuji aims from the apron, Hiku turns around, Tsuji FLYING RANAS! Hiku hits railing and fans fire up with Tsuji! Tsuji has Jado stay back, and then he drags Hiku up. Hiku pushes Tsuji away to Tsuji stomps him down! We pass five minutes, Tsuji drags Hiku up, and Tsuji puts Hiku in. Fans cheer and Tsuji smiles at Jado.
Tsuji steps into the ring, covers, ONE! Hiku is tougher than that but Tsuji keeps cool. Jado coaches Hiku but Tsuji brings him up. Hiku swings but Tsuji BODY SHOTS! Tsuji KNEES low, too! Tsuji whips but Hiku blocks and reverses! Hiku runs, but Tsuji RAMS into his stomach! Tsuji hops up to STOMP Hiku down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Tsuji smiles as Hiku stays in this. Tsuji eggs Hiku on, scuffs him, but Hiku eggs Tsuji on. Tsuji ROCKS Hiku! Fans rally, Tsuji brings Hiku back up and reels him in. Fans rally up more as Tsuji tries to suplex. Hiku blocks that, to suplex Tsuji! But Tsuji slips free!
Tsuji waistlocks, but he ducks Hiku’s back elbow! Tsuji ducks the haymaker and clinches, JAWBREAKER! Hiku staggers, and Tsuji kicks him! And kicks him again! Hiku gets mad, and he resists the stomp to buck Tsuji away! Tsuji comes back to CHOP! Hiku choke grips, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And UPPERCUTS! Hiku runs to SPLASH in the corner! And then SNAKE EYES! And LARIAT! Fans fire up with Hiku and he drags Tsuji up, but Tsuji suplexes first!! Fans fire up while both big men are down! Tsuji rises but Jado coaches Hiku. Hiku goes to a corner, Tsuji fires up and the fans are with him!
Tsuji runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! Tsuji keeps moving, to LARIAT! Hiku stays up! But Tsuji spins him around, only for Hiku to scoop and POWERSLAM! Tsuji rises?! Fans fire up and Tsuji runs in, into a BOOT! Fans rally up and Hiku storms back over to Tsuji. Tsuji rises, Hiku choke grips, but Tsuji fights free! BODY SHOT! Tsuji runs, and KNEES the powerslam down! Fans fire up as we pass 10 minutes! Tsuji goes up the ropes to JUMP STOMP Hiku down! Fans fire up as Tsuji drags Hiku back up! Tsuji suplexes but Hiku fights free! Tsuji V-TRIGGERS! Hiku ROCKS Tsuji!
Hiku choke grips, CHOKE- VICTORY ROLL!! TWO!! Hiku boots but Tsuji blocks to KNEE BREAKER! Tsuji kicks the leg and then HEADBUTTS! Hiku wobbles, Tsuji reels him in, FALCON ARROW!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Hiku survives! Tsuji rises, he runs, and CURB STOMPS!! Tsuji roars and he powers up! Fans fire up and Tsuji aims from the corner! Hiku slowly rises, turns around, and Tsuji runs in, into a BOOT!!! That spear collided with the boot and now Hiku looks to end this! Hiku choke grips, drags Tsuji up, CHOKE- NO, Tsuji flips through! And doges, but runs into the POWERSLAM!!
Hiku choke grips to GODSEND!!! Cover, HIKULEO WINS!
Winner: Hikuleo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tsuji earns 0)
The former roommates battled it out, and the winner was the bigger man! Literally! Will this mean big things in the future for the Young Guerrilla?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: El Phantasmo VS KENTA!
The Headbanga’s grudge against Bullet Club isn’t just with The Rebel, David Finlay! The Fang Revived was an accomplice in the hostile takeover that would expel ELP from the group, but will justice be served? Or will ELP just Go To Sleep?
The fans rally for ELP and he thanks them with heart hands. Kenta takes his time on the outside, but the ref tells him to get in the ring. Kenta paces, slides in, but then slides right out. Fans boo as Kenta stalls. Kenta taunts ELP with a stare down, and ELP rushes out! Kenta slides in and waits on ELP now. ELP slides in, but Kenta slides back out! ELP eggs Kenta on but Kenta says okay hold on. ELP gets the fans to chant for “KEN~TA! KEN~TA!” but that makes Kenta hop the railing into No Man’s Land. The ref tells Kenta to hurry up already and fans boo, but Kenta just takes his time shining his Defy Championship.
The ref demands Kenta already get in the ring so the match can start. Kenta wants to ring the bell himself but the ref tells him no. Fans boo as Kenta continues to stall, but then ELP goes up a corner! SUPER CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up! ELP rains down fists and fans cheer! The ref reprimands, ELP has him go to the ring, and then he closes the gate! ELP stomps away on Kenta as the fans cheer, but the ref returns. They end up going up the ramp, and ELP CHOPS! Fans cheer, and ELP CHOPS again! “WOO~!” echoes out, and ELP brings Kenta up. ELP whips, Kenta reverses, but ELP stops from hitting the railing!
ELP mule kicks, then goes up, QUEBRADA! Direct hit and both men go down! Fans are thunderous for “E L P! E L P!” as he rises up. ELP fetches Kenta, whips him an bowls him through the railing! Fans fire up as ELP stands on Kenta’s arm, and mocks him with the Too Sweet. Fans rally up and ELP brings Kenta to the bleachers! They go up and up, and ELP throws hands! Kenta wobbles as ELP hits him more! ELP DECKS Kenta, then drags him along the way. ELP tucks the arms, but Kenta fights the CR2 and back drops ELP onto the wood bleachers! ELP writhes while he ends up stuck between rows!
The ref reprimands but Kenta drags ELP up. Kenta drags ELP up with a facelock, to DDT to the wood bleacher! Fans rally and Kenta soaks up the cheers and jeers! Kenta tells the ref to hold on, he’ll get ELP up. Kenta stomps ELP, but he has to be careful on these narrow bleachers. Kenta ROCKS ELP and ELP falls back. ELP sits up and we see he’s busted open! Kenta brings ELP back down the bleachers, punches the bloody forehead, then stalks ELP back to ground level. ELP flops against the back of chairs, but Kenta brings him up and around. Fans cheer as Kenta brings ELP to the entryway. But ELP sends Kenta into the wall first!
Fans cheer LEP on as he rises back up. ELP sees the trusses, and he climbs!? But Kenta CLUBS him down first! Kenta ROCKS ELP, and DDTS to the floor! Kenta then goes backstage? ELP crawls to the rampway, but Kenta returns with a KENDO STICK! The ref says no but Kenta shoves him down, and SMACKS away on ELP! He even SMACKS ELP in the forehead! Fans boo but Kenta flips them off, and SMACKS ELP in the ribs! They go back to No Man’s Land, and Kenta SMACKS ELP while he’s down! Kenta mocks the fans cheering ELP but that makes them cheer even harder! But Kenta SMACKS and SMACKS and SMACKS ELP more!
ELP sits in an open chair, and Kenta SMACKS him! Fans move aside as Kenta drags ELP back to ringside. The ref grabs at the kendo stick but it’s breaking so the bamboo hurts the ref a bit. Kenta POSTS ELP, then SMACKS him down! Fans boo, the ref tells Kenta to let go of the stick but Kenta tells the ref to leave him alone. And then he SMACKS ELP again anyway! The ref insists this time but Kenta keeps hold of the stick. Kenta mocks the fans booing him, which makes them boo more. But then Kenta goes looking for something else, and ELP snatches the stick! Now Kenta wants ELP to listen to the ref!
ELP pushes past the ref and he SMACKS Kenta! And SMACKS him again! And HEADSHOTS him! Fans fire up as Kenta goes down! The stick is broken and ELP is all fired up! ELP drags Kenta up, and ROCKS him! And again! Kenta SLAPS back! ELP scowls, and he SLAPS Kenta! They SLAP and SLAP and SLAP! ELP fires off a flurry, and CHOPS! Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Then DECKS ELP! Then stands ELP up to DECK him again! Kenta fires off, and he DECKS ELP a third time! But Kenta won’t stop there, he stands ELP up, gets some space, but SUDDEN DEATH hits! Fans fire up for ELP as he staggers around and clears off the timekeeper’s desk!
ELP fetches Kenta and brings him over. ELP puts Kenta on the table, slaps some sense into himself, and fans rally up again. ELP gets up on the table with Kenta, and fans fire up as ELP says he’s gonna end this! But Kenta LOW BLOWS!! And DDTS to the table!! The table doesn’t break but ELP might just have! Fans rally behind ELP but Kenta drags ELP around and puts him in the ring! This match can finally begin!! The bell rings, Kenta BOOTS ELP down in the corner! Then runs to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Kenta drags ELP up, fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO, CRADLE!! ELP WINS!!!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta earns 0)
All that fighting on the outside, and the record will say this match only lasted NINETEEN SECONDS!! And Kenta is PISSED! Kenta fires off on ELP, fans boo, and Young Lions rush in! The Young Lions drag Kenta away from ELP, and Kenta now has to accept he lost the shortest match all tournament! But then Kenta goes back in to fire off more hands! Fans boo again, more Young Lions drag Kenta away, and that is the end of the brawl. Will ELP show Bullet Club that he will not be stopped?
G1 Climax 33, A Block: SANADA VS Ren Narita!
The Cold Skull is on a roll this G1, as expected of the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. But will the Son of Strong Style change all that? Or will Narita run into a Skull End?
The bell rings and fans duel, “SA-NA-DA!” “NA-RI-TA!” The two circle, feel things out, and Narita shoots in and around, but Sanada spins to fight off the waistlock. Sanada hammerlocks, Narita waistlocks and he drags Sanada down. Narita shifts to a facelock, but Sanada wrenches out to wristlock. Narita gets around to waistlock, and he holds on as Sanada moves around. Sanada pushes back to a headlock but Narita headscissors, and Sanada kips free! Fans cheer as the two stand off. Narita and Sanada reset, tie up, and Narita headlocks. Sanada throws body shots, powers out, but Narita BOOTS him down!
Fans fire up while Sanada bails out. Narita pursues, and he whips Sanada hard into railing! Sanada tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Narita hurries to fetch Sanada, bring him back, and whip him the other way! But Sanada reverses and sends Narita into railing! Narita comes back to BOOT Sanada down! Fans fire up and Narita storms over to Sanada. Narita drags him up, and puts him in the ring. Fans cheer, Narita drags Sanada up, and HALF HATCH suplexes! Cover, ONE!! Narita keeps on Sanada by getting a leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! Narita runs and NECKBREAKER DROPS! Cover, ONE!!
Narita keeps on the leg with a standing toehold! Sanada endures, Narita steps over and has a deeper toehold! Narita then sits down to have maximum toehold, and he ties up the legs for a BUTTERFLY DEATHLOCK! Narita learned this from Desperado! Sanada keeps his shoulders up, but Narita pushes the knees! Sanada falls back to a cover, TWO! Sanada CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Narita puts on the pressure! Sanada falls back but keeps a shoulder up! Sanada drags himself and Narita back, reaches out, but Narita keeps on the pressure! Sanada still fights his way over, ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Narita lets off of the hold.
Narita stomps the knee, we pass five minutes, and Narita kicks Sanada to a corner to fire off more stomps! Narita even stands on Sanada’s shoulders to dig his boots in! Red Shoes counts and Narita lets off. Narita runs corner to corner, but into a BOOT! Narita comes back, into another BOOT! Narita tries again but only gets buckles! Sanada reels Narita in and hits a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down. Sanada stands first and he brings Narita up. Sanada whips, Narita reverses but Sanada blows past the boot to dropkick the legs! And then he DROPKICKS Narita down!
Fans fire up while Narita bails out. Sanada hurries over, and he PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Narita! Fans rally up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans rally more and Sanada is pleased. Sanada does a lap around the ring before he fetches Narita, and he puts Narita in. Cover, TWO! Sanada brings Narita up, fireman’s carries, but Narita fights free! Narita waisltocks, Sanada elbows free, and Sanada runs, but into a WHEEL KICK! Fans fire up and both men go to corners. Narita runs in corner to corner, to BACK ELBOW! And then HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO, but Narita clamps on with a SLEEPER!
Sanada claws at the arms, fights up to his feet, but Narita hooks a leg! Sanada fights the Cobra Twist, and he HIP TOSSES free! But Narita grabs a leg! Takedown and KNEEBAR! Sanada endures again, but Narita drags him from ropes, SPINNING TOEHOLD into KNEEBAR! Sanada still endures, drags Narita along as he heads for ropes, but Narita pulls on the leg! Narita shifts his grip for different Heel Hooks, then he switches legs! Narita gator rolls Sanada but Sanada gets up! Sanada suplexes Narita, MAGIC SCREW! Fans rally up as Sanada turns things around. We hit 10 minutes as Sanada brings Narita up.
Sanada fireman’s carries, Narita slips off, and he waistlocks! Sanada switches, shoves Narita to a corner, and runs in. Narita dodges but Sanada tumbles up and out to springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Sanada hurries to bring Narita up. Fireman’s carry, T K O! Cover, TWO! Narita is still in this but Sanada has the fans fire up again. Sanada then goes up top, ROUNDING BODY- NO, he has to land out as Narita moves! Narita storms up, Sanada RANAS, but Narita blocks! Narita gator rolls Sanada into the DOUBLE ANKLE HOLD! Sanada endures this Half Crab/Cloverleaf hybrid as fans rally up!
Sanada powers up, crawls his way toward ropes, but Narita sits deep! Sanada grits his teeth, claws at the mat, and fans continue to rally! Sanada powers up again, for the ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go quickly, drags Sanada up, and clinches, only for Sanada to fight it! Sanada throws elbows, but Narita fires off forearms! Narita hammers Sanada and fans fire up! Narita brings Sanada up, Sanada goes to fight back but Narita DECKS him! Narita then drags Sanada back up, but Sanada UPPERCUTS! Narita ENZIGURIS! Sanada SHINING WIZARDS!! And then Sanada stands Narita up, clinches, but Narita slips around! COBRA TWIST!!
Fans fire up as Sanada endures again! Sanada does his best to step forward, but Narita pulls on the hold! Sanada keeps fighting, but Narita shifts, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Sanada is still in this but Narita roars! Fans fire up, Narita wristlocks to DOUBLE ARM SAULT! And then Narita drags Sanada up, but Sanada manages a POP-UP CUTTER! Sanada then drags Narita up and fireman’s carries, for a T K O!! Fans fire up as Sanada puts Narita int he drop zone and goes up! ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees!! Narita O’Conner Rolls and COBRA CRADLES! TWO!!! And we’re at 15 minutes!
Sanada O’Conner Rolls, dragon sleepers, and he smothers Narita with SKULL END! Narita fights up, clinches Sanada, and manages the SLEEPER! But Sanada fights up, so Narita squeezes tight! Sanada is turning red! Narita drags Sanada up but Sanada arm-drags free! Sanada swings, into another SLEEPER! But then he fights out, clinches, but Narita breaks free to ENZIGURI! Sanada ENZIGURIS back! Narita roars, but Sanada ROCKS him! And ROLLING- PALM STRIKE from Narita!! Narita BOOTS Sanada and Sanada rebounds, into a clinch! But Sanada turns that into DEAD FALL!! Cover, Sanada wins!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Narita earns 0)
The Son of Strong Style could not bring down the world champion, and is now mathematically eliminated! Will nothing stop the Cold Skull from adding the G1 Climax Championship to his collection?
G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay!
The Rainmaker, the leader of Chaos, used to have the Aerial Assassin by his side, but also in his shadow. Since striking out on his own, Ospreay has built a United Empire, and has held even the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. But now as the IWGP United States Champion, can Ospreay take over the block? Or will Okada continue to make it rain in the G1?
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Red Shoes assesses the cheering and it seems pretty equal. The two circle, tie up, and Ospreay wrenches. Ospreay wristlocks the arm, but Okada rolls, trips Ospreay, and has a toehold. Ospreay hooks Okada with a leg to go for an armbar but Okada stacks Ospreay. Ospreay lets go, Okada facelocks but then Ospreay switches that onto Okada. Okada powers through to wrench the arm, hammerlock it, then headlock for the takeover. Ospreay headscissors, Okada kips up, and roles reverses as Ospreay headlocks for the takeover! Fans cheer this opening exchange!
Okada fights up, powers Ospreay to ropes, and Red Shoes calls for the break. Ospreay lets go and Okada lets off slowly. Okada knows Ospreay knows the tricks, so he hesitates, but he still swings! Ospreay dodges and CHOPS! Ospreay headlocks, Okada powers out but Ospreay BOOTS Okada out! Then immediately PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up with Ospreay! Ospreay gets back in the ring, he builds speed, but Okada gets in to FLAPJACK! Ospreay writhes and Okada glares at him. Okada storms over, kicks Ospreay to the floor, then goes out after him. Okada CLUBS Ospreay, then brings him out to No Man’s Land! DDT to the floor!
Ospreay writhes right by the railing but Okada paces. Fans rally up, Okada drags Ospreay up and brings him back to ringside, to DDT him to the floor again! Red Shoes reprimands but Okada leaves Ospreay behind to go into the ring. Fans rally up while Ospreay clutches his arm. Red Shoes checks but Ospreay says he can continue, so the ring count starts. Ospreay stands as the count reaches 6, and he slides in at 8. Okada DDTS him again!! Cover, TWO! Ospreay hangs tough and Okada glares at Ospreay as he goes to a corner. Okada storms over, kicks at him, and then brings Ospreay up to ROCK with a forearm!
Ospreay staggers to another corner as fans rally. Okada throws a back elbow! Ospreay sits down, we pass five minutes, and Okada stands Ospreay up. Ospreay fires forearms! But Okada eggs him on! Ospreay fires more shots, Okada UPPERCUTS in return! And again! Okada whips, Ospreay reverses but Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges but then Ospreay dodges the elbow to handspring and NEURALIZER KICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada goes to a corner, Ospreay runs in, and Ospreay BOOTS! Ospreay pushes Okada down, goes out and springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up as Ospreay drags Okada up. Ospreay scoops and SLAMS him into the drop zone! Ospreay fires up and fans fire up with him, but Okada anchors Ospreay on the corner! Ospreay throws hands and Okada staggers away. Ospreay storms up but Okada UPPERCUTS back! Okada whips corner to corner and ELBOWS Ospreay! Then kick and- FALCON ARROW from Ospreay! Ospreay knows the standard formula, too! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool and stretches out his neck before he drags Okada up. But Okada fights the lift! Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! And then winds up to CHOP! Fans fire up while Okada drops to his knees!
Ospreay drags Okada back up, reels him in, but Okada slips out of the bomb to Alabama Lift! And REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada crawls over to Ospreay, brings him up, but Ospreay pushes him. Okada ROCKS Ospreay, so Ospreay ROCKS Okada back! Okada and Ospreay go back and forth with forearm after forearm! Ospreay ROCKS Okada, then eggs Okada on. Okada BOOTS Ospreay and Ospreay fires up! Ospreay boots but Okada blocks! So Ospreay ROCKS him! Okada SHOTGUNS! Ospreay ROLLING ELBOWS! And ROLLING- GERMAN SUPLEX from Okada! But Ospreay lands on his feet! HOOK KICK!!
Ospreay runs, springboards, OS- NO, Okada blocks the cutter to backslide! Ospreay rolls through, Okada short arm LARIATS! Fans fire up as Okada drags Ospreay up again. But then Ospreay dodges, springboards, into a DROPKICK! Okada drags Ospreay up to ripcord, but Ospreay POP-UP SITOUT POWERBOMBS!! Fans fire up again while both men are down! We pass 10 minutes and fans rally up again. Okada and Ospreay stir, and Ospreay stands first. Ospreay storms over to Okada, puts him up top, and Ospreay throws haymakers! Ospreay climbs up to the top rope, brings Okada up, but Okada CLUBS Ospreay down!
Ospreay lands on the apron, to SUPERKICK! Ospreay then cravats and drags Okada out, APRON CUTTER!!! Both men fall to the floor and fans are thunderous! Ospreay stirs while Red Shoes checks Okada. Okada reaches out so he’s still in this somehow. A ring count starts and fans rally up again. Ospreay stands at 9 and leaves Okada behind. The count is 13 as Okada sits up! Okada reaches for the apron, drags himself up at 17, and he rolls in at 19.5! But Ospreay springboards to COAST2COAST! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again and Ospreay calls his shot, but Okada ripcords! Ospreay dodges the Rainmaker to OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!!
Ospreay is surprised, but he just goes to plan B! Ospreay climbs up the corner, to LEAP OF FLOP!! Okada moves, and clamps on a MONEY CLIP!! Ospreay endures but Okada squeezes tight! Fans rally up and Ospreay reaches out, but he’s sputtering! Ospreay kicks and flails and gets his second wind! Ospreay stands, but Okada hits a BACK2BACKBREAKER! MONEY CLIP!! Okada drags Ospreay from ropes to lean on the hold! Ospreay flails, sputters, is foaming at the mouth, but he refuses to give up! Fans are thunderous as Ospreay fights back up! Okada DISCUS LARIATS!! And back to the MONEY CLIP!!
We hit 15 minutes but Ospreay is still conscious! Ospreay grabs at Red Shoes, fights up and he puts Okada in a corner! Ospreay is free, runs back in, but only gets buckles! Okada puts him up top to DROPKICK Ospreay to the floor! Okada then hurries to fetch Ospreay and put him in the ring. Okada runs up, into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Okada is still in this but Ospreay still has cards to play! Ospreay aims from the corner, powers up the arm, and Okada sits up. HIDDEN- Gut wrench! But Ospreay slips free, HIDDEN BLADE!!! But Ospreay isn’t done there! Underhooks, and- NO, Okada back drops, then sits on the cover! TWO!!!
Fans are thunderous as Ospreay escapes! Ospreay kicks but Okada ducks it, to DROPKICK back! Ospreay stays up so Okada gut wrenches, LANDSLIDE!! Fans are thunderous again as Okada drags Ospreay up and reels him in! Ripcord, RAIN- NO, Okada dodges, to ripcord, HIDDEN BLADE!!! We hit the three minute warning but Ospreay underhooks! Canadian rack and STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Okada earns 0)
And with those three minutes to spare, the Commonwealth Kingpin brings down the Rainmaker! Okada is no longer the top of the block, so is he no longer the best in NJPW? Or can he still recover in the last two rounds?
As for Ospreay, he takes a moment to refresh with water, and he kneels over Okada to silently communicate the change in the power dynamic. Then as Okada is helped away, Ospreay gets the mic. “Okada. Arigatogozaimasu. <Thank you very much.>” Fans cheer the show of respect, and Ospreay continues to say that usually, in such a big singles match, he’d have Cobb, Henare and/or Khan in his corner. Tonight, he chose to have no seconds. Ospreay wanted the fans to be his seconds, so he thanks them for that. The fans cheer in thanks back, and Ospreay then says, “I love G1 season.” Fans love it, too!
Ospreay says the “G1 means the best of the best. And we are in a new era of NJPW.” Fans cheer that in agreement. Ospreay says that everyone is relying on the NEW Three Musketeers! And he knows they don’t want that, they don’t want “Three Musketeers,” when it should be a badge of honor! He knows why those three in particular don’t want that responsibility of getting NJPW back to the Promised Land! Because they can’t live up to Shibata, Nakamura, Tanahashi, Hashimoto, Chono, Mutoh! “You don’t need Three Musketeers! You need ONE Assassin!!” Fans cheer for that, too!
Ospreay says this tournament is for the best of the BEST! And he has a question for everyone. Who IS the best wrestler in the world!? They cheer “OSPREAY! OSPREAY!” Ospreay says he will win the G1 Climax because he is on another level! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! Will Ospreay is all fired up, but will Ospreay lead the charge to the mountaintop?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Sanada: 5-0, 10 points [QUALIFIED, A1]
Kaito Kiyomiya: 2-1-2, 6 points
Shota Umino: 2-1-2, 6 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-2-1, 5 points
Chase Owens: 2-3, 4 points
Hikuleo: 2-3, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-3-1, 3 points
Ren Narita: 0-3-2, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Will Ospreay: 4-1, 8 points
Kazuchika Okada: 4-1, 8 points
Taichi: 3-2, 6 points
El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
Kenta: 2-3, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-3, 4 points
Tanga Loa: 2-3, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another awesome round, even with this being a three-day, midweek blitz of G1 from NJPW. And if my math is right, we are definitely chipping away at who can make a run at the semifinals. Khan had a great match with Loa, and just a bit surprisingly, Loa wins out. Loa keeps in this for at least one more round, but at 1-4 with 2 points, and having lost to Ospreay already, Khan is out in the fifth. Likewise, Narita has 2 points but no wins, and he just lost to Sanada tonight, he’s out. Tsuji losing to Hikuleo was a big surprise to me personally, but I suppose Hikuleo has had more screen time, he deserves to have this win. Tsuji can still finish strong in the last two rounds, and come out of this still primed for a story in the Fall.
I am loving how close they push the time limit, and that they gave us another draw, just on count-out, not the time limit. Gabe and Kaito wanted after each other, but it feels like backwards booking for the Young Lions to drag Kaito away and let Gabe get that Face pop from the fans when he’s supposed to be among the nastiest Heels in NJPW right now. And awesome matches in the penultimate and main event. Narita looked awesome even in losing to Sanada, but now he’s out of the running.
And Ospreay winning is a great surprise, as it changes the top of the block. Ospreay also had a great promo to close. For those wondering, NJPW itself designated Shota, Narita & Tsuji the “Reiwa Three Musketeers” but going by the records, it seems even then, NJPW is putting them through the wringer first. Ospreay does have a point that you don’t need to designate chosen ones, you shouldn’t designate chosen ones, you wait and see who steps up to be the proven ones, and Ospreay is definitely one of those.
My Score: 9/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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