Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Independence Day Results & Report! (7/4/23)

NJPW celebrates America!

Published

2 years ago

July 4, 2023

Steven Mitchell

The red, white & blue in the Land of the Rising Sun!

NJPW Strong brings a bit of Americana to Japan, and on top of title matches, there will be DOOMSDAY NO DISQUALIFICATION TAG MATCH! Are we about to see fireworks for the Fourth in Japan?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff Show – Six Man Tag: YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi & Oskar Leube VS Takahiro Katori, Dragon Libre & Kengo; Yoh, Taguchi & Leube win.
The DKC VS Bad Dude Tito; Tito wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer, Alex Zayne & Ryohei Oiwa VS Team Filthy; Team Filthy wins.
Tom Lawlor VS Kosei Fujita; Lawlor wins.
Rocky Romero & Eddie Kingston VS KENTA & Gedo; Rocky & Kingston win.
Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo VS Giulia & Thekla; Willow & Momo win.
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd; Coughlin & Kidd win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & Dan Moloney; Connors & Moloney win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
Exciting Encounter Doomsday No Disqualifications Tag: El Desperado & Jun Kasai VS Jon Moxley & Homicide; Desperado & Kasai win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo VS Giulia & Thekla!

Just 24 hours ahead of them facing off over the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, the Babe with the Power and The Beautiful Madness call upon allies to battle! Will Willow and the Peach Star or Giulia and The Toxic Spider stand tall on Independence Day?

The teams sort out and fans rally up for Giulia as she starts against Willow. But she doesn’t respect the handshake offered! The two get in each other’s face but the ref has them back down. The fans rally up and the bell rings. Giulia and Willow circle, tie up, and Willow powers Giulia to ropes. The ref counts, Willow lets off quickly, and fans cheer. They go again, feel things out, and tie up again. Willow again powers Giulia back but Giulia turns things around. Giulia has Willow on ropes, but lets off slowly. Then she CHOPS! Fans cheer but Willow just brushes it off. Willow CHOPS back and eggs Giulia on.

Giulia CHOPS Willow, then eggs her on! Willow swings, but into an STO! Giulia keeps on the arm but Willow gets to a waistlock. Giulia wrenches out to a wristlock, but Willow scoops and SLAMS her! Giulia wants a second, and fans rally up. Willow and Giulia back off, tags to Momo and Thekla. Momo runs right in but Thekla avoids the dropkick to stomp away! Thekla whips, Momo reverses and hurdles, but Thekla stomps herself. Momo avoids the stomps, whips, but Thekla reverses but then Momo reverses only for Thekla to reverse again. Thekla runs in at the corner but Momo goes up and over!

Momo eggs Thekla on, things speed up, and Momo tilt-o-whirl arm-drags! Thekla ends up on ropes and Momo dials it up, but Thekla avoids the 619! Fans cheer the standoff and Thekla goes Spider-Woman to KICK Momo! Thekla whips, Momo ducks ‘n’ dodges, but double dropkicks cancel out! Momo kips up, but Thekla spider walks! Momo isn’t intimidated so Thekla stands. Thekla mule kicks, reels Momo in to scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Thekla drags Momo up and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Giulia and fans cheer as Giulia wrenches Momo’s hair! Giulia bumps Momo off buckles, then TOSSES her by her hair!

Giulia sucker punches Willow! Giulia goes corner to corner to ELBOW Momo, then sit her down to dig her boots in! The ref counts, Giulia lets off with her hands, but he doesn’t fall for that. Giulia lets off to drag Momo up, turn and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Momo fights back with forearms but Giulia doesn’t flinch. Momo keeps throwing shots but Giulia DECKS her in return! Giulia runs, but Momo DROPKICKS her down! Fans fire up and Momo runs, 619! Direct hit! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives but Momo hot tags Willow! Willow rallies on Giulia with big clotheslines! Fans fire up and Willow back body blocks, then clotheslines!

Willow snapmares then BOOTS Giulia down! Willow drags Giulia up, whips, and SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Giulia survives and Willow brings her up. Giulia fires forearms on Willow over and over, and has her on her knees! Giulia runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Giulia shifts her way to get an IRON OCTOPUS! Thekla takes out Momo, but Willow powers Giulia to an AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO and into RINGS OF SATURN! Thekla keeps Momo out but Willow shifts to a cover! TWO and Willow is free! Willow runs in but Giulia dodges! Giulia returns but Willow dodges to CLOBBER Giulia!

Giulia gets right up and she DROPKICKS Willow! Fans fire up as both women are down, and Giulia crawls to hot tag Thekla! Thekla runs, to BOOT WASH Willow in the ropes! Thekla brings Willow up, Willow swings but Thekla dodges! Tilt-o-whirl into the OCTOPUS! Momo goes after Thekla but Giulia goes after Momo. Giulia and Thekla coordinate, INVERTED HART ATTACK! Thekla brings Willow up but she clinches to URENAGE! Fans fire up again and Willow goes up the corner! But Thekla goes up to get her! But Willow sits Thekla down with forearms, and then puts her in a Tree of Woe!

But Thekla sits up! Thekla grins, ROCKS Willow, then ROCKS her again! SPIDER SUPERPLEX! Willow staggers up, Giulia is up top, MISSILE DROPKICK! Willow bails out, Thekla adjusts and Giulia sets Willow up, SUPER CROSSBODY! Fans fire up again as Giulia & Thekla get Willow in. Thekla aims, BUZZSAW! Cover, Momo breaks it! Giulia goes after Momo but Momo tosses her out! Thekla puts Willow in the SPIDER WEB! But Momo kicks it apart! Momo runs in but Thekla dodges in the corner! Thekla CHOPS, ROCKS, and Giulia join in. They double whip, Momo dodges and Willow DOUBLE LARIATS them!

Willow goes up, then Momo goes up onto Willow! SUPER ROCKET LAUNCHER! Down go Giulia & Thekla and fans are thunderous! Momo gets Giulia out to DROPKICK Thekla! Thekla sits, Willow runs in, CANNONBALL! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Thekla survives but Willow brings down the straps! Willow drags Thekla up, gut wrench, BABE WITH THE POWERBOMB! Cover, Willow & Momo win!

Winners: Willow Nightingale & Momo Kohgo, by pinfall

The NJPW Strong Women’s Champion and the Peach Star stand tall against the Artist of Stardom Champions! Giulia and Willow stare down at the end here, Willow holding up the belt. Giulia CHOPS Willow! So Willow DECKS Giulia! Willow tells Giulia you don’t mess with her! They settle this tomorrow! Will Willow hold onto her gold and win Giulia’s respect? Or will she lose it all against the Beautiful Madness?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd!

Just as Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won these and the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles, out came Bullet Club’s newest recruits! The Android and Young Bull have now transformed into War Dogs, will they take a bite out of Chaos? Or will it be Lights Out for them instead?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and then Coughlin & Kidd snatch ’em to CLOBBER Goto & Hashi with them! Fans boo and Coughlin wants the bell! The ref says no but he’s bullied into it by the War Dogs! The bell rings, Kidd covers Hashi, TWO!! Fans cheer but Coughlin drags Goto out to throw him into railing! Kidd throws Hashi out and then throws him into railing! Coughlin throws Goto into more railing while Kidd claws Hashi’s face, right in front of the little children in the front row! Fans boo while Coughlin SMACKS Goto off the apron. Kidd lets off Hashi but Coughlin stands on Goto’s face.

Coughlin fireman’s carries Goto to SNAKE EYES him off the apron! Kidd digs his boots into Hashi! The ref counts, Kidd lets off, and the ref reprimands. Kidd soaks up the heat and then snatches a spare chair! But then Kidd drops the chair to flip everyone off. Fans boo more but Kidd drags Hashi up to CHOP him against the apron! Hashi flops right down, but Goto fights back on Coughlin! CHOP after CHOP, but Coughlin kicks low! Coughlin whips Goto into railing! Goto slumps down, then Kidd whips Hashi hard into railing! Hashi flops over, the ring count starts, but Kidd refreshes it. Kidd drags Hashi up, puts him in, and tags Coughlin.

The War Dogs drag Hashi up, and Kidd holds Hashi’s arms back so Coughlin can CHOP! Fans “WOO~!” for that but then boo as Coughlin & Kidd throw up the Too Sweets. Coughlin stands on Hashi’s neck but the ref counts. Coughlin lets off, tags Kidd, and BLASTS Goto off the apron! Kidd CHOPS Hashi off his feet! Coughlin sends Goto back into railing! Kidd digs his heels into Hashi’s head, but then tells the ref to back the F off! The ref reprimands, fans boo, and Coughlin tags back in. Coughlin swaggers around, eggs Hashi on, and gives him toying kicks. Kidd tosses chairs to ringside while Coughlin SLAMS Hashi!

Coughlin BOOTS Goto off the apron! Then Kidd whips Goto into railing! The War Dogs are isolating Hashi as Coughlin stands him up and SLAPS him! Coughlin talks trash on Hashi, brings him up, but Hashi fires forearms! Fans rally, but Coughlin kicks low! Hashi still throws forearms but Coughlin DECKS him! Coughlin looms over Hashi, but fans rally up. Coughlin suplexes but Hashi slips free to waistlock. Coughlin elbows free but Hashi SUPER- NO, Coughlin blocks to DECK him again! Coughlin eggs Hashi on, whips him to ropes, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Hashi turns Coughlin for a NECKBREAKER!

Fans rally up with Hashi and Coughlin down. Goto returns and Hashi hurries over! Hot tags to Goto and Kidd! The Fierce Warrior rallies on Kidd! Fans fire up but Kidd fires shots! Kidd runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! Fans fire up more and Goto storms up to whip Kidd to a corner. Goto then runs in to clothesline and snapmare! Fans fire up, Goto climbs, and he ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Kidd sputters but Goto drags him up. Goto fireman’s carries, but Kidd fights free! Kidd ROCKS Goto, but Goto ROCKS him back! They go forearm for forearm, fans rally up, and the shots just keep going! Both men wobble, but Goto gets the edge!

But Kidd CHOPS on return! They both run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls so Goto runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! They’re both still up so they DOUBLE LARIAT a third time! Goto roars but Kidd SLAPS! And SLAPS! Kidd eggs Goto on but Goto SLAPS! Kidd rebounds, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Hashi returns to the corner! Kidd and Goto crawl, Goto tags in the Headhunter! Hashi runs in to CHOP Kidd in the corner! And ROCK and CHOP and repeat! The ref counts, Hashi keeps going and he CHOPS Kidd into sitting down!

Fans fire up behind Hashi and he drags Kidd up. Hashi turns Kidd but Kidd slips free to CLUB Hashi! Hashi DOUBLE CHOPS! Hashi runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kidd survives but Hashi roars! Hashi drags Kidd back up, reels him in, fisherman and- NO, Kidd fights it! Kidd rakes eyes to get away! But Coughlin’s not there! Kidd runs back in but Goto CLOBBERS him! Goto fireman’s carries, Hashi helps out, FIERCE FLASH!! And they’re not done there! They drag Kidd back up, dragon sleeper and the legs lifted, but now Coughlin returns! Coughlin waistlocks but Hashi fights it!

Goto runs in, Hashi ducks, Hidden Gap Remix! Hashi gets Kidd up, feeds him to Goto, they give another FIERCE FLASH into SHOU- NO! Kidd kicks Hashi away to BRAINBUSTER Goto! Hashi runs back in but into a BOOT! HELL STAB UPPERCUT! Kidd CLUBS Hashi, runs, but into the SUPERKICK! Fans fire up for Hashi and he stalks Kidd. Hashi powers up, runs, but Coughlin gets a cheap shot in! Coughlin traps Hashi, Kidd runs in, but Hashi sends Kidd into Coughlin! Hashi rolls Kidd up, TWO! Kidd gets in the ref’s face, Coughlin SMACKS Hashi with a chair! Kidd rolls Hashi, Goto breaks it!

Goto ROCKS Coughlin, ROCKS Kidd, repeat! The War Dogs wobble, Goto blocks a boot but Coughlin catches him! Kidd joins in, DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Fans fire up and the War Dogs vow to finish this! Kidd drags Hashi up, Coughlin joins in, they DOUBLE MUSCLE BUSTER! But that’s not all!? Kidd flips everyone off, and Coughlin slashes his throat! This will end it! Coughlin goes up, Kidd gut wrenches Hashi, HIGH JACK TOMBSTONE!!! Cover, War Dogs win!!!

Winners: Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

Bullet Club takes the blue straps off Bishamon! And then Kidd adds insult to injury with a HALF CRAB on Hashi! The War Dogs fight off Young Lions, and then CLOBBER Hashi with a belt! And then they do the same to Goto! David Finlay made the right choice in bringing these two into his Savages Only Bullet Club. But then Kidd gets the mic to say, “Hey! What you’re looking at here is the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions. And tomorrow, we become NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Say less. That’s my dog for real.”

Coughlin gets the mic to tell Hashi and Goto, “FUUUUUG YOU!” They flip everyone off again and finally take their leave. Will the War Dogs clean sweep by taking the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships from Bishamon tomorrow? Or can Goto & Hashi still turn the lights out on Goto & Kidd?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & Dan Moloney!

Just as TJP & Francesco Akira won these titles back off of the Intergalactic Jet Setters at Dominion, a sudden betrayal by #DaDrilla took them down! Will the United Empire make Moloney regret betraying them? Or will this pair of #AbunaiGaijin (Dangerous Foreigners) bring even more gold to Bullet Club?

The introductions are made, Red Shoes tries to keep the peace as TJP gets in Moloney’s face. TJP shoves Moloney but Moloney spits in TJP’s face! So TJP DROPKICKS Moloney! Connors DECKS TJP! Akira DROPKICKS Connors! The bell rings and another fight is on! TJP brawls with Moloney in the ring while Akira goes after Connors on the outside! Moloney knees low and tosses TJP out! Fans rally for TJP but Moloney TOSSES TJP over railing and at Japanese commentary! Fans boo but Moloney hops the railing to get TJP up. The brawling continues in the crowd! Connors beats up on Akira in the bleachers!

Fans boo as Moloney sits TJP in a chair and punches away on him! Connors soaks up the heat, drags Akira up, and RAMs him into the barriers! Moloney brings TJP over to RAM into railing, and reminds everyone that he is abunai! Connors has fans get outta the way, and he BOWLS Akira through their chairs! Connors gets in the faces of the fans, drags Akira up, and Moloney rips off the gate that leads up the back segment to beat on TJP up the stairs! Young Lions do their best to keep the fans safe but Moloney brings TJP around one side, Connors and Akira on the other. Bullet Club beats down Catch 2/2 as the house lights come up.

Connors ROCKS Akira, and goes all the way to the very back row! And he sends Akira into a door! Connors throws up the Too Sweet, the fans are torn, but Moloney ROCKS TJP! Red Shoes reprimands and wants this back in the ring. Connors & Moloney beat TJP down, then talk about where to bring him. They decide on down the stairs that lead to the backstage area! They double trophy lift, fans freak out, but TJP fights free! Akira LEAPS from the ledge to DOUBLE CROSSBODY them down!! Fans are thunderous for the Nova Fireball and Public Enemy! TJP CHOKES Connors with his shirt, and uses that to bring him back to ringside!

Akira has Moloney in a headlock, Connors is sent over railing! Moloney is sent into railing! TJP throws his shirt away, free souvenir! This finally gets back in the ring as TJP SMACKS Connors and puts him in. Fans rally for “CATCH! TWO TWO!” Boosted tilt-o-whirl RANA sends Connors out! Moloney returns but into an atomic drop, and then kick, kick, KICK and SHOTGUN! Fans fire up with Catch 2/2 and TJP tags Akira in. The champs coordinate again, “Take pictures! Take pictures!” Electric Chair- CHOP BLOCK by Connors! Moloney SPINEBUSTERS Akira, to then DOUBLE STOMP! Akira sputters and TJP goes to ropes.

Connors CHOKES TJP on ropes, Moloney joins in and they mug TJP against ropes. Moloney scrapes his forearm on TJP’s face to mock TJP’s boot scrubs. Moloney runs to CLOBBER TJP! Fans boo but the Abunai Gaijin just soak in it. Connors kicks Akira to the corner, but fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” Moloney CHOPS Akira, Connors holds him and Moloney CHOPS! Tag to Connors and he gets to CHOP Akira! Akira fights back but Connors knees low then sends Akira into buckles. Connors RAMS Akira again and again, then back drops him! Akira writhes but Connors mocks the fans cheering. The fans boo and Connors grins.

Moloney asks what these “pieces of sh*t” are saying. Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Connors grins and paces around while fans boo. The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” again but Connors smacks Akira off buckles. Tag to Moloney and they mug Akira. Moloney mocks the fans cheering for “this little bastard,” and then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Moloney stays between Akira and TJP. Tag to Connors, and Connors runs, to sucker punch TJP! And then he RAMS into Akira! Tag back to Moloney, Bullet Club mugs Akira and double whip. Moloney whips Connors in but Akira BOOTS him! Moloney tripes but Akira dropkicks the legs!

Akira jumps off Moloney to SHOTGUN Connors! Akira reaches for TJP but Moloney hurries to bring Akira way. Moloney wheelbarrows but Akira uses that to victory roll, STOMP 182! Fans fire up while both men crawl! Hot tag to TJP! TJP runs to BOOT Connors! TJP then dodges Moloney, Moloney hits buckles, and TJP goes up to FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up and TJP stands Moloney up to whip him to a corner. TJP runs in to back elbow! Moloney sits, and now TJP gives Moloney the real deal! Scrape the laces off the face, then the BOOT WASH! Fans want “MOIKAI! MOIKAI!” but Connors runs in, only for TJP to drop toehold him into Moloney’s driller!

TJP then scrubs Connors’ face! TJP runs to DOUBLE BOOT WASH! Fans fire up for that two-for-one special and TJP coordinates with Akira! “Take pictures! Take pictures!” Electric Chair CANNONBALL from the apron! Down go the dangerous gaijin! Fans chant “This is Awesome!” and TJP puts Moloney in the ring. Moloney staggers up, TJP springboards to DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!! But into a stepover, PINOY STRETCH!! Moloney endures, reaches out, Akira intercepts Connors with a FLYING GUILLOTINE! Moloney claws, reaches, but he’s caught! Connors gets a last gasp to SLAM Akira on TJP! Fans fire up as all four men are down!

The fans rally up, Akira grabs Connors and brings him up. But Connors ROCKS Akira! And ROCKS him again! But Akira catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT! Moloney grabs at Akira but Akira SUPERKICKS! But Moloney SUPERKICKS Akira back! Moloney runs, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Catch 2/2 run, but into a TOSS and a POWERSLAM! TJP is stuck in the middle as Connors and Moloney take opposite corners! SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, Akira breaks it!! Fans fire up again as Connors & Moloney drag Akira up. They TOSS Akira out, then Moloney tags Connors back in.

Moloney drags TJP up, fans rally behind TJP, and Connors climbs. Moloney suplexes TJP, but Akira anchors Connors’ leg! TJP slips free to shove Moloney into Connors! Catch 2/2 coordinate, TJP is the step stool for Akira’s ITALIAN DESTROYER!! Connors runs in but TJP shoves him, ALLEY OOP FACEBUSTER! SPEEDFIRE!! Akira DIVES to take out Moloney!! TJP covers Connors, TWO?!? Fans are thunderous for TJP, and he gets the beat going. “CATCH! TWO TWO!” Akira returns, he and TJP coordinate, 2 BY 2!!! Cover, Moloney breaks it!! All four men are down again but Akira throws TJP out.

Akira builds speed to slide, but Moloney RAMS him into railing! TJP hurries to put Connors in a drop zone and he climbs a corner. MAMBA- NO, Connors moves, TJP rolls through. Connors runs in, TJP goes up and over! TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out, Moloney ENZIGURIS! Bullet Club resets, but Akira runs in! He saves TJP and the GORE hits Connors!!! Akira gets Moloney up, SPEED- NO, Moloney wrenches out to the DRILLA KILLA!!! Fans are thunderous for “TJP! TJP!” as he and Connors stir. Moloney tags in, dodges TJP and SUPERKICKS! TJP wobbles, Moloney reels him in!

Moloney gets TJP up, DRILLA- NO, TJP slips free to O’Conner Roll! TWO and Connors gets him for NO CHASER!! Moloney drags TJP up, Connors climbs, suplex to FLYING SPEAR!! The Full Clip! Cover, BULLET CLUB WINS!

Winners: Clark Connors & Dan Moloney, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The United Empire falls! Bullet Club has more gold! From Coughlin & Kidd to Moloney & Connors, to David Finlay’s NEVER Openweight title and Kenta with the NJPW Strong Openweight title, will all of NJPW belong to them?

Exciting Encounter Doomsday No Disqualifications Tag: El Desperado & Jun Kasai VS Jon Moxley & Homicide!

The Rogue Luchador and The Maniac have had a back and forth battle for a couple years now, and are looking to finally settle this! Tomorrow night is “Final Death,” so this is just an appetizer. Will the “Crazy Monkey” help Desperado get a leg up? Or will Moxley and the Notorious 187 win one for the USA?

There are already chairs waiting both teams in their corners, but Homicide brings a steel chain! Meanwhile, El Desperado, already wearing a torn-up mask, has a trash can full of kendo sticks! Moxley makes his way in from the crowd, bringing nothing but taped up fists. And last but not least, Jun Kasai’s entrance gets the fans off their feet to sing along as he brings out a board covered in metal forks! Is Jun’s bloodthirst about to be quenched tonight?

The fans are already thunderous for this as Desperado gets in Moxley’s face, and Kasai says long time no see to Homicide. And then the brawl is on! The bell rings, fans fire up, and Desperado tosses Moxley out. Kasai tosses Homicide out, and Desperado gets a kendo stick to SMACK Moxley! Kasai headlocks Homicide to bring him around the way and Desperado SMACKS Homicide with a trash can lid! Moxley sends Desperado into railing and then fights him towards the exit while Kasai SMACKS Homicide with that trash can lid! Fans fire up as Moxley punches Desperado up the bleachers!

Kasai brings Homicide up the other side! This is like what we just saw from Catch 2/2 and Bullet Club! Moxley and Desperado brawl, and even CHOKE each other! Homicide and Kasai brawl, Moxley reels Desperado in but Desperado back drops Moxley! Desperado CLAWS Moxley’s back! Homicide has the trash can lid to SMACK Kasai! Desperado claws Moxley’s face, Homicide SMACKS Kasai again! Kasai fires up, snatches the lid, and SMACKS Homicide with it! Moxley digs a FORK into Desperado’s forehead! Kasai SMACKS Moxley with the trash can lid! And then runs him into the wall!

Fans fire up as Desperado CLAWS Homicide’s eyes, and knees him low! But Homicide HELL STABS! And HELL STABS! Desperado CHOPS! Homicide CHOPS! Kasai and Moxley have returned to the floor level, but are fighting through the crowd! Moxley throws chairs at Kasai! Fans get away as Moxley throws more things at Kasai! Moxley suplexes Kasai but Kasai fights out. Homicide CHOKES Desperado with a camera cable! Kasai grabs a bottle of water, chugs, and then SPITS it all in Moxley’s face! And then SMACKS Moxley with the bottle! Moxley tumbles across the English commentary desk!

Fans rally for “KA-SA-I!” while Desperado SMACKS Homicide with a kendo stick! Moxley fires off on Kasai with haymakers, then CLAWS at his face. Then Moxley brings out another FORK!! FORK TO THE EAR!!! Homicide knocks Desperado down, Moxley is trying to remove ear from head! Desperado SMACKS Homicide’s legs with trash can lids! Desperado puts Homicide in the ring, and SMACKS him again! Desperado drags Homicide up, Moxley RAMS Kasai into railing. Homicide resists the lift to LOW BLOW MULE KICK! Moxley gets in the ring, he and Homicide get Desperado up to double whip, but Desperado holds ropes.

Moxley storms up, but into a BOOT! Kasai returns and CLOBBERS Homicide! Desperado TACKLES Moxley and rains down fists, while Kasai holds up a STRAIGHT RAZOR!!! Kasai goes after Homicide’s bald head with it!! Fans are freaking out as Kasai takes a taste! Desperado stretches Moxley, and claws at a bloody wound on the forehead. Kasai gets his fork board while Desperado puts Moxley in a corner. Kasai underhooks and lifts but Homicide resists! Homicide back drops Kasai onto his own forks!! And he gets one for himself! Homicide has a crimson mask and he digs into Kasai’s forehead!

Desperado ROCKS Homicide but Moxley kicks low! Moxley scoop SLAMS Desperado on the fork board! Fans lose their minds while Desperado writhes. Everyone’s ending up bloody, and Moxley says let’s see who has guts. He and Homicide JAM Kasai and Desperado with forks!! And again and again and again! Even into the eyebrows! Moxley then crossface forearms Desperado down while Homicide fishhooks Kasai with the fork! And then into the armpit?! Fans rally for Kasai but Moxley gets Desperado up, back suplex to the fork board! Homicide wipes the blood from his eyes and then gets his chain!

Homicide goes back to Kasai to LASH him with the chain! Moxley gets Desperado up again while Homicide CHOKES Kasai! PILEDRIVER on Desperado! Cover, ONE?!?!? How?!? Moxley doesn’t question it, he just grabs an arm and hammerlocks it. Then he gets the other arm, and Homicide fishhooks Desperado with the fork! And then into the armpit! Moxley lets off to KNEE Kasai out of the ring! Moxley keeps moving and he DIVES to take out Kasai! Desperado and Homicide fire CHOPS, then Desperado CLAWS Homicide’s face! Desperado throws hands, UPPERCUTS, but then Moxley CHOPS him!

Moxley runs Desperado right into a chair wedged in the corner! Homicide gets a fork, to JAM into Desperado’s groin!! Moxley puts on a FIGURE FOUR! Desperado endures, flips Moxley off, but Kasai and Homicide brawl outside! Desperado turns things over, the pressure is on Moxley now! Fans fire up but Moxley gets the ropes to pull himself free. Moxley whips Desperado corner to corner hard! Desperado sits down, Moxley grins and eggs Desperado on. Desperado gets up, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Moxley ROCKS him! Desperado ROCKS Moxley again and again, but Moxley knees low!

Moxley whips Desperado to the corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Desperado DECKS Homicide off the apron! But Moxley kicks low! Moxley whips, Desperado reverses and dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up and Desperado crawls, hot tag to Kasai! Wait, there’re tags in this?! Kasai fires off forearms on Moxley but Homicide CLOBBERS him! Moxley & Homicide double whip corner to corner, Homicide runs in, but Kasai dumps him out onto trash can lids! Moxley runs in to clothesline! Moxley runs, but Kasai follows to clothesline! Kasai snap suplexes! Fans fire up as Kasai flexes, then covers, TWO!

Kasai gets his straight razor! And he DIGS It into Moxley’s forehead! Kasai lets off to go out after Homicide and puts him in. Kasai then looks under the ring, and brings out a plywood cross! It’s covered in razor blades! Kasai puts that in a corner, Desperado whips Homicide into railing, but Moxley BITES Kasai’s face! Moxley GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Kasai roars! GERMAN SUPLEX in return! Moxley goes to a corner and Kasai grins through his crimson mask. Kasai whips, Moxley stops himself, and Kasai runs in, but Kasai is set face first into the cross!! And then Moxley SHOTGUNS him back into it!

Kasai staggers, into the CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!??! Fans are thunderous and Moxley can’t believe it! Kasai sputters, Moxley drags him into HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Moxley eggs Kasai on so Kasai says F YOU! Moxley drags Kasai up, DEATH- NO, Kasai wrenches out to ROCK Moxley! Moxley ROCKS Kasai! They go back and forth, but then Kasai HEADBUTTS! CUTTER from Moxley! Tag to Homicide and Moxley climbs. Homicide brings Kasai in, but Kasai fights off the inverted Gory Especial! And sends Homicide into Moxley! Kasai then LARIATS Homicide down! Fans are thunderous as Kasai crawls to his corner! Hot tag to Desperado!

Desperado rallies on Homicide with forearms and elbows! Homicide kicks and whips but Desperado reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Desperado runs in, but Homicide dumps him out onto a trash can! Homicide builds speed to DIVE into the trash can! Desperado turns it around and gets Homicide up. Gut wrench, but Kasai BLASTS Moxley first! GUITARRA DEL ANGEL!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Kasai & Desperado double whip Homicide to a corner. Desperado clotheslines, Kasai clotheslines, then feed to another SPINEBUSTER! Kasai goes up, fans are thunderous as the goggles go on! Salute and MAD SPLASH!

Desperado adds on with PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, Moxley breaks it!! Kasai fires off on Moxley but Moxley CHOPS him and CHOPS Desperado! And kicks, and elbows, and runs, but into a sobat! ENZIGURI! Desperado hits a BIG back suplex! Desperado holds Moxley up as Kasai brings out the BAMBOO SKEWERS!!! Right into Moxley’s head!!! Moxley is freaking out as he looks like a sadistic pineapple! Desperado puts a trash can down and he grabs Homicide. Underhooks and PINCH- NO, Homicide fights it! Homicide gets out, claws at Desperado’s face, then LOW BLOWS! Homicide calls for the end and fans duel!

Homicide fires up, says “SUCK IT!” then gets Desperado up. But now Desperado fights free, and LOW BLOWS! Desperado says “F YOU!” PINCHE LOCO!! Roll through and Desperado goes again, PINCHE LOCO onto the trash can!!! Cover, Desperado & Kasai win!

Winners: El Desperado & Jun Kasai, by pinfall

Words like “brutal” and “violent” don’t even fit how far these four went! Moxley is seething, a few skewers still stuck in his head. Will he end up in even worse shape in just 24 hours? Or can he bring out the true power of Death Jitsu?

As for Desperado, he gets the mic and puts his mask back together. “There are definitely some nerves associated with wrestling with the legends here tonight. Thank you, Homicide! I still remember when you threw Kasai off that balcony!” Fans cheer and Desperado catches his breath. Desperado says, “Whether you call this a deathmatch, No Disqualifications, ‘Hardcore,’ no matter what, it was an honor and privilege to team with Jun Kasai.” Kasai wants to take his leave but Desperado has him hold on. Desperado tells Kasai that since they have this “incredible situation,” why not let him send the people home?

Desperado gets the fans to chant “KA-SA-I!” so Kasai comes back. Kasai takes the mic, and he tells Desperado, “Were we even allowed to do this in the ring of the King of Sports, NJPW?” Fans love that! Kasai then says that hearing these people accept and love what they did, then hell yeah they can do this in NJPW! This was the best night he could’ve hoped for. And when you are chasing a high like this, Kasai sure hopes they can do this again. Kasai also wants Desperado to know that he’ll happily tag with him again. Desperado grins and the fans also hope for another go! Desperado says, “One more time, huh? Onegaishimazu! <Yes, please!>”

Fans chant “This is Awesome!” and Desperado says that if Kasai calls, he’ll answer. But for right now, Desperado’s hands are tied with Final Death tomorrow. He will take advantage of this energy, this motivation, and wipe the floor with Moxley! And then, Desperado will gladly be by Kasai’s side. They shake hands, and flip each other off out of respect. Will the Rogue Luchador and the Maniac go so hard in Final Death that it makes this all look like a picnic? When and where will we see the Crazy Monkey again?

My Thoughts:

A really good event for NJPW that was also part NJPW Strong. Yes, I skipped covering stuff but I skimmed through, and we got really good stuff in those other matches. Lance Archer interacting with JR Kratos was a great part of their Six Man Tag, and Team Filthy sweeping in the Six Man and in Lawlor VS Fujita was good stuff. Team Filthy VS TMDK feels like a great feud that NJPW should commit to. And good win for Rocky & Kingston so that Kingston has momentum going into the G1 Climax in 10 days. He probably won’t even be a semifinalist, aka a Block Winner, but Kingston will give every opponent great matches and he might end up with a winning record.

Great women’s tag to give us a preview of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship match. Willow & Momo win but Thekla takes the loss so it keeps Giulia strong. Willow VS Giulia could go either way, but Giulia is already a champion in Stardom, she doesn’t need to be NJPW’s champion. Willow will look great winning off Giulia, and can use that momentum going into other things for her, like the Owen Hart Cup in AEW. Great tag matches out of both title matches, and I am really surprised both Bullet Club teams won. I had a feeling that Coughlin & Kidd would get those NJPW Strong titles, but this probably means they lose the IWGP Heavyweight title match. Connors & Moloney winning was the real surprise, and this really powers up this newest Bullet Club roster.

And we got some wild stuff in that No DQ tag match. A little disappointed NJPW didn’t make this a Tornado Tag, but they just love the hot tag trope. I was a little uneasy over how hard these guys went, I guess I’m not really a deathmatch type guy. I mean, chairs, tables, ladders, the stuff you’d see in AEW or even in WWE, is all well and good but this is GCW type stuff. The majority of the live crowd still loved it, but this is the stuff fans argue over about “When is it too far?” And yet, we’re only getting more in tomorrow’s main event. Desperado winning here with Kasai, I feel like that means Moxley wins the 1v1 to have momentum going into AEW’s Blood & Guts match in a couple weeks.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/17/25)

Will Tiffy Time be cut short?

Published

1 hour ago

January 17, 2025

Steven Mitchell

DING DONG, Hello, Tiffany!

Tiffanny Stratton just won the WWE Women’s Championship but she’s already defending it against Bayley! Will the Role Model be back on top?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win.
Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes; wins.
Motor City Machine Guns VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma; win.
Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green VS B-Fab w/ Mia Yim; wins.
Rey Mysterio VS Kevin Owens; wins.
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Rey Mysterio is here!

San Diego fires up for the hometown hero as he makes his entrance! The King of Lucha high-fives fans along the ramp, and hugs his wife and daughter, before stepping in the ring. Rey grabs himself a mic, the fans chant “619! 619!” and he smiles. Rey tells San Diego, “Bien venidos, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! This is the home of the 6! 1! 9!” The fans cheer, and Rey says no cap, it feels great to be back home in front of his people, his Raza, his city, and his familia. Rey requested to be here tonight because he couldn’t think of a better place to reminisce as he gets ready to do the impossible once again.

Rey officially declares for the 2025 Royal Rumble! The arena is shaking hearing that! Rey wants to look back: 2006, he entered the Rumble at #2, outlasted 28 other superstars, and became the Royal Rumble winner! And it didn’t end there. he went on to main event WrestleMania, and he became the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Now, Rey won’t lie, he will be realistic. The competition is heavy this year: Drew McIntyre, who fans boo. CM Punk, who fans cheer; Seth Rollins, who fans are torn on; Roman Reigns, who fans cheer; John Cena, who fans also cheer. It will be tough, but let’s remember back to when he won.

It was 2006, and Rey did it for a friend we all know very well. The fans chant for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” But wait! Kevin Owens makes his way out here! The Prizefighter, still holding onto the winged eagle title belt, showing off his new shirt: The Canadian Dream, Son of a Security System Technician. Kevin has a mic, too, and while fans boo, he tells Rey, “Lemme start off by saying I’m very sorry for coming out here and interrupting you> I mean it, okay? But I had to come out here. Because I heard you just now talking about how you were gonna win the Royal Rumble.

“And Rey, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. It’s never been a secret. There’s a lot of people in this industry that I respect quite a bit, but very few I respect as much as I respect you. In fact, I’ll even go so far as saying there’s nobody in this industry that I respect as much as I respect you.” The fans do cheer that, and Kevin says he has had an incredible career, he’s accomplished things he’s dreamed of since he was a kid. He has main evented WrestleMania with Steve Austin. He won the tag team titles with his then best friend, Sami Zayn. He won countless other tiles, and now he gets to stand here with THIS title!

The fans boo but Kevin says this is the title that as a kid, he saw all his idols win. This is the title he dreamed of winning, and now he stands here as the TRUE, RIGHTFUL WWE Champion! The fans boo again but Kevin says there is one thing left for him to accomplish so that he can truly feel his career is complete. And that is to step into the ring and have a 1v1 match with the legendary Rey Mysterio. The fans like that idea, and Kevin says face to face, man to man, he hopes Rey wins the Rumble! Kevin will root for Rey with everything he has! Rey can and will beat “all those other idiots.”

But just promise Kevin one thing. After Rey wins the Rumble, promise that Kevin is the champion he picks for WrestleMania so that Kevin can have his dream match. Rey takes a moment, and he tells Kevin that we all know Rey loves competition. But… Kevin’s not the champion. The fans cheer that! Rey means that with all due respect, but Cody Rhodes is the champion. But, but, here’s this. If Rey wins the Rumble, and if Kevin wins the title, then yes, Rey will gladly face him for the title. Kevin takes a moment, and repeats, “I’m not the champion? I AM THE CHAMPION! This is my title! I earned it! I deserve it!”

The fans boo but Kevin says Cody has Rey brainwashed, too! Does Rey have bleached blonde hair under that mask? Is it seeping into his brain? Rey wants Kevin to calm down. What’s going on? Drew McIntyre, now Kevin, he’s acting so delusional! It’s reminding him of Dominik. Oh…! Kevin swings on Rey! Rey dodges to fire hands in return! They brawl, Kevin shoves Rey but Rey dropkicks the legs! Kevin is on the ropes, but he bails out before the 619! The fans boo but Kevin is the one offended. Will Kevin be able to let this go so he can focus on Cody?

Bianca Belair meets up with Naomi backstage.

Bianca asks if Naomi finished with Nick Aldis. She did. Any updates? No! No lead on Jade’s attacker. Nothing? Wow. But that’s okay, they’ll keep pushing forward. They will handle Nia & Candice, but Bianca just wants to make sure they’re good after the mishap last week. It wasn’t on Bianca, that was Candice. Naomi knows that. Plus, they have to focus. It may not be Tiffany, but they can at least get some lick back on Candice & Nia. And they still have their gold! Bianca says that’s true. Ready to go? Naomi says maybe Bianca should wrap her up. That way, last week won’t happen again. Bianca agrees, and she hurries to wrap the braid into a bun.

Now they’re good. The StrongEST Glow heads out, will they be able to get past the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie? Or will they soon be owing some golden tickets to the Queen of the Ring and her new sidekick?

Nick Aldis talks with Rey Mysterio.

After what we saw with Kevin, and since they are in San Diego, we have to have Rey on the card. Rey VS KO happens 1v1! Rey thanks Aldis and promises to handle business. And then Cody Rhodes walks in! The American Nightmare tells Rey he saw what happened while he was going through his physical. Cody says he would’ve been out there to help, but Rey says it’s nota big deal. It is handled, Rey VS Kevin is happening. Cody just needs to heal up. Rey can handle his problems, and will leave something for Cody at the Royal Rumble. Rey fist bumps and heads out. Aldis tells Cody that Rey has a point, Cody needs to be careful.

That said, what’d the doctors have to say? Cody says he has a clean bill of health, fully cleared, and Aldis can read the report himself. Aldis says he trusts Cody, he just doesn’t know if that’s good news. There is a lot of time between now and the Rumble, and even more so to WrestleMania. But with that in mind, Aldis has an addendum to the ladder match. Cody needs to sign it, as does Kevin, because they cannot have what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event happen ever again. Cody asks if Kevin’s signed it yet. Kevin was Aldis’ next stop. Then Cody will sign it once Kevin has. Cody heads out, will Aldis be able to get what he wants out of this?

Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!

SmackDown returns as Bianca & Naomi make their entrances. The teams sort out and Nia steps to Bianca, only to CLOBBER Naomi! Candice joins in to mug Bianca, but the fans boo. The ref reprimands, Candice backs off, and Nia soaks up the heat. Naomi throws Bianca down, talks more trash, then HEADBUTTS Bianca down. Nia drags Bianca up, tags Candice, but Bianca fights back. Nia CLUBS Bianca, Candice wrenches, but Bianca runs Candice over! And runs her over again! Bianca suplexes, holds Candice up, then SLAMS her down! The fans fire up as Bianca kips up, and she runs up to RAM Candice!

Bianca then climbs to rain down fists! The fans count along, Bianca goes all the way to TEN! Nia storms in, but Bianca flips up and over! Nia runs into Candice, then turns around into Bianca’s DROPKICK! Bianca runs up but Candice BOOTS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca military presses Candice, and she THRWOS her out onto Nia! Nia & Candice fall, the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Bianca flexes, then waits on Nia & Candice. Bianca’s braid has unrolled so Bianca swings it to rally the fans. Bianca then goes out to fetch Candice, shoves her into the ring, but Nia anchors Bianca’s feet! Candice DROPKICKS Candice down! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS away on Bianca, then scuffs her. Candice stalks Bianca to a corner, KNEES her down, then steps on her to DOUBLE STOMP! Tag to Nia, and Nia stalks Bianca. Nia makes Bianca smile with fishhooks, then HIP DROPS her down! Nia swings the braid around to mock Bianca, and even intimidate the ref. Bianca gets her braid free to SMACK away on Nia!

Bianca LASHES Nia more, backing her down, then she runs. Bianca SHOTGUNS Nia, Nia rebounds, but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Cover, ONE!! Nia CLOBBERS Bianca at the ropes! Nia argues with the ref, taunts Naomi, then soaks up the heat. Tag to Candice and Candice kicks Bianca around. Candice SMACKS Bianca off the apron, pushes her in, then CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Candice CLOBBERS Bianca again, then digs her knee in for a half Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Bianca endures, fights around, reaches back, and she pulls Candice’s hair! Bianca and Candice fire forearms, but Candice DECKS Bianca! Cover, TWO!

Candice is frustrated but she KNEES Bianca in the side. Candice stomps Bianca more, KNEES her down, then has her on the ropes. The ref counts but Candice bends Bianca back! Candice lets go at 4, SmackDown returns to single picture,. and Candice brings Bianca up. Bianca rolls Candice up, TWO! Candice ENZIGIRIS Bianca down! Candice hurries to a corner and goes up, to then CROSSBODY! But Bianca rolls through! The fans fire up as Bianca lifts, but Candice slips free! Candice pulls the braid! Bianca uses that to reel Candice in for an ELBOW! But Candice grabs the braid to throw Bianca down! Both women are down and the fans fire up!

Bianca and Candice crawl, Candice goes to Bianca! STEP-UP- NO! Bianca avoids the senton! But Nia YANKS Naomi down from the outside! The fans boo but Nia sends Naomi into barriers! Candice stands Bianca up, but Bianca rolls her again! TWO, and Candice SUPERKICKS Bianca down! Candice hurries to the corner, tag to Nia. Nia storms up on Bianca, mockingly reaching out to Naomi, and then CLUBS Bianca! Nia whips, LARIATS, and SAMOAN DROPS! Bianca sputters and goes to the corner, but Nia runs up! Bianca BOOTS Nia first! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, dodges Nia, then RAMS into her! Candice grabs the braid!

Bianca whips Candice into the POST! Bianca climbs, but Nia ROCKS her! Nia climbs up after Bianca, fireman’s carries, but Bianca CLUBS away! Bianca is safe, she shoves Nia away, then CROSSBODIES! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Naomi returns! Bianca crawls, hot tag to Naomi! The fans fire up as Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Nia away, then slingshots for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia still has a lot left in the tank but Naomi HAMMERS away on her! Nia shoves Naomi away, runs up, but Naomi dodges! Nia POSTS herself, falls back, and Naomi goes up! SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Candice breaks it!

Naomi ENZIGIRIS Candice for it! Tag to Bianca and the tag champs go after Nia. Nia fights back, SAMOAN DROP for Naomi! The fans boo but Nia looms over Bianca. Nia runs, Candice sneaks a tag, and Bianca dodges! Bianca SPEARS Nia! Bianca runs, handsprings, but Candice DROPKICKS her down! STEP-UP SENTON! Nia rises, she adds a SENTON of her own! Candice covers, TWO!! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Candice can’t believe it, but San Diego declares, “This is Awesome!” Candice storms around, snarls, then runs up at Bianca. Bianca ALLEY-OOPS her onto buckles! Then SPINEBUSTERS her down!

Bianca runs, handsprings, and MOONSAULTS! But Nia runs up! Bianca dodges, LEG DROP hits Candice!! Nia panics, runs up on Bianca, but Bianca tosses her out! LARIAT and down goes Bianca! Naomi tags for the BUBBA BOMB! Gedo clutch, Naomi & Bianca win!

Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall

The tag champs find a way to survive, but now they’ll have to meet NXT’s Meta Four on January 28th! NXT goes on the road to Atlanta, Georgia, will Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson be bringing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships home as souvenirs? Or will they only feel the StrongEST Glow?

Pregame interview with Bayley.

Byron Saxton walked through an empty Pechanga Arena with The Role Model before the show, and noted how last week, Bayley won the Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match. Now, we’re in San Diego, with a sold out crowd as Bayley challenges Tiffany Stratton for the title. What does this match mean to her? Well, sold out here in her home state, that is what dreams are made of. We all dream about being in the main event and fighting for a championship. This is a huge night for her. Thinking on her career, this time last year, she won the 2024 Royal Rumble and earned a guaranteed championship opportunity.

Bayley would challenge former friend, Iyo Sky, someone she respects so much in this business. That felt like the peak of Bayley’s career, where she was going to do something different and change the world. To be honest, she isn’t sure she fulfilled her potential during that reign. Yes, she defended the title, took it all over the world, but she always felt she was just winning by the skin of her teeth. She’s a perfectionist, she loves wrestling so much. And so, that reign was certainly cut short when Tiffany helped Nia take that title from Bayley. Tonight is a big night for her.

Then how does tonight feel different from past opportunities in regaining the title? Well, we’ve seen what Tiffany has done this past year, and she just showed she’s willing to turn on her friends to get to the “Tiffy Top,” as she puts it. Part of Bayley respects her, but the other part wants to beat Tiffy that much more. Tonight, it’s personal. Byron wishes Bayley luck and they shake hands. Will this be a big first defense for Tiffy? Or will it be a big comeback for the former Grand Slam Champion?

Mia Yim talks with B-Fab backstage.

Michin just knows she would’ve had Chelsea Green if not for Piper Niven. They always gotta use numbers! B-Fab knows how they do. That US Championship should’ve been Mia’s! B-Fab tells Mia to keep her head up, because she’ll get another shot to take down sleazy- Piper Niven walks in being all Secret Service. Piper says the room is clear, no threats to the champion. Chelsea walks in, thanks “Spicy Service,” and says B-Fab and “Mimi” should stand up and properly congratulate her as the only woman to successfully defend this title. B-Fab says Chelsea please. We all know that if it wasn’t for Piper the Mall Cop, Chelsea would not be champion.

Piper steps up and tells B-Fab that if she takes another step closer, it’ll be her last. If that’s how Piper wants to play it, then how about this? B-Fab will talk with Aldis, then she and Piper can handle their problem tonight. Then after Piper, Chelsea better watch her back. Mia says that is a threat. Mia follows B-Fab, Chelsea tells Piper to neutralize B-Fab. Piper agrees. But just how will this shake out when Piper’s the one in action?

Jimmy Uso heads to gorilla.

“San Diego! The goal tonight is to make sure Carmelo stays missing. Hey, ya boi got something to prove! Hey, I’m proud of The Yeet Man. My brother got his own title match coming up, and it’s time to go get mine. But it starts tonight with Carmelo. Hey yo, Uce, between me and you, Big Jim is Him!” Jimmy heads out to the ring, will he prove he’s just as worthy of golden opportunities?

Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25

The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let’s see what happens!

Published

23 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Andrew Balaz

So Genesis is Sunday, followed by next week’s Live Episode of iMPACT! Let’s see exactly how we get to Genesis and not to bury the lead, the fact the WWE/TNA partnership was extended for a few years is very big news for TNA. More visibility for a nostalgic brand and the younger NXT wrestlers get more opportunities with potential sprinkles of a big name here or there (yes I only really mean AJ Styles, but that’s what we all want to see one more time).

Let’s get to the show and see if it’s a Go Home worth anything.

After her shocking appearance on @WWENXT, @mashaslamovich steps into the confessional with @WeAreRosemary…

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/YSTXfJZw6X

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Ratings:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – *
Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin): EY wins via Macho Elbow – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Jake Something: Jakes wins via Avalanche Something Bomb – **
The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO): Hardys win via Crouton Bomb – ***

Results:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater

British on British violence! I just appreciate that Trent’s theme is a down tuned remix of Seven Nation Army.

A little back and forth until Slater hits a Reverse Gamengiri, Trent tries to climb back to the apron after the powder, eats a Shotgun Kick. Trent dodges the dive, and Suplexes Leon down the steps at Center Stage. I feel like Slater over sold the spot, but I suppose using your surroundings is always interesting. Leon slides in at 9.5, Trent gets a little cocky and Leon hits two Flash Cradles for near falls, as Trent is reeling from the quick pinfall attempts he eats another Shotgun Kick for a near fall. Trent sells to the corner, eats a Jumping Bootwash, Leon perches Trent, goes for possibly a Spanish Fly but Trent turns it into an Avalanche Flowsion for two!

Bop and Bang, 7 Star Lariat, Piledriver with flourish and…still a two. Birminghammer attempt but Slater flips out of it, Crucifix pinfall for two, Uppercut by Trent and Birminghammer is hit! But Slater…kicks…out? He sells a Suplex where he slides down steps like death, but eats huge signature and finishing moves and kicks out. The psychology in this match is non-existent. Trent does the Finger Break, Leon sells away, hits another Shotgun Kick and Trent powders. X Plex gets reversed into a DDT from Slater. Trent powders off the Ramp, Leon goes to the entrance way runs and jumps off the ramp, then hits the Swanton 450.

Completely stupid match with spots that make no sense. All sizzle no steak, so dumb my IQ dropped 5 points.

The Elegance Clique have a “Pre-Launch Championship Celebration”. Tom Hannifan hates it, the crowd hates it, and the Personal Concierge uncovers a cardboard cut out with a Knockouts Title around their waists…and they are size accurate. Heather is like a My Size Barbie. Ash gives a very cringey speech where she thanks everyone except Heather, the Concierge passes the mic to Heather, Spitfire interrupts of course, and at least Dani cuts the promo to start so it’s tolerable. Yeah this is painfully bad cringe, as much as I didn’t mind the Ash gimmick to start with, this is lame. The only thing saving the segment is the crowd is hot for the the Elegance Clique getting their stuff ruined. So it was lame, but the crowd was into it and Ash sold the destruction of cardboard cut outs like Spitfire just murdered her puppy.

.@PCOisNotHuman and @TheSamiCallihan take on The Hardys! If they win, they’ll secure their spot in the TNA World Tag Team Title match at #TNAGenesis!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswQRG pic.twitter.com/fO9P2F5d9d

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Well the first 40 minutes of this show are making me wish for a stroke instead of watching this. So hopefully it picks up somewhere.

Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin)

KC flips out of two of EY’s Back Body Drops and does his “First Class” taunt, so EY just slaps him upside the head and tags in Maclin to start beating on Navarro. I do really like KC’s work. He’s like WWE Lio Rush, but likable and talented. Maclin is beating the hell out of KC though, Lariats him out, goes for the SCUD, but AJ low bridges so Maclin crashes to the outside, KC hits the Tope con Hilo with blind tag so AJ is now legal and they start working over Maclin in the corner. Tennessee Whiskey, and there does seem to be a few First Class fans in the crowd.

Navarro is back in for the 305, quick tags though to keep Maclin eating offense. Splash into Big Boot into Assisted Splash while AJ leans on Maclin literally. KC starts picking on kids in the crowd near Judd Normand, he shoves the actor, the actor shoves him back and AJ comes over to mad dog the actor. Maclin takes advantage of the distraction and drops AJ on the way back in with an Olympic Slam, tags in EY and EY comes out hot. KC tags in, EY levels KC and they start messing around in the corner, AJ tries to break it up but eats a Busaiku Knee from Maclin and then a SCUD. EY manages to throw KC off the turnbuckle and then hit the Macho Elbow for the win.

After the match Eddie, Lish and Brian Myers stand at the entrance way to send a message but not cause any real chaos.

Josh Alexander and his two bitch boys come out to cut a promo on Santana or something. I am about as interested in this as I am in Norwegian Dog Sledding. Josh trying to say Santana is too hurt to go at Genesis when we all know this was filmed the same time like a month ago. You really can’t do doofus attempts a story when you’re promoting the first live episode in nearly a decade or something for next week. At least the match should be good because this build is lame, the jabronis are useless, “Bald Ass Head” is the big insult…sheeeesh.

Laredo Kid vs Jake Something

Well…someone has to win this match, so there’s that.

Nothing special start until Jake comes off the ropes and runs over Laredo sending him flying over the ropes onto the ramp. Jake panders to the crowd, Laredo tries to get something going but Jake steps on his foot to stop any Lucha things, and mollywops him. Jake runs him corner to corner until Laredo moves, strings a few moves together, tries to fly and then gets knocked out of the sky with a Forearm. Only a two count for Jake, but Laredo is definitely doing his best impression of a pinata so far in the match. Laredo gets a desperation Satellite DDT, misses his big attempt, but Jake misses the Spear in the corner, La Magistral gets a 2, a few bad spots from Laredo where it looks like he missed a Satellite Facebuster and sloppy Essex or Canadian Destroyer. Laredo goes to the top, Jake bear paw slap, goes up top and Avalanche Something Bomb for the win.

The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO)

Before the Hardys intro, the 23 thing flashes a few times again. So at least they didn’t forget that.

Sami starts with Jeff and gets in a few early shots and goads Jeff with Hardys taunts, then all four get in, throw hands and we go to commercial. We come back from commercial to Matt Delete Turnbuckling Sami, and then Poetry In Motion the classic way! A few quick tags, but Sami eventually knocks down Matt, tags in PCO, Matt’s moves aren’t very effective, Jeff throws himself in too and they get their asses beat by PCO. PCO tags in Sami, Sami slaps around Matt, drags his face across the ropes, tags PCO back in and uses PCO as a battering ram into Matt’s chest. PCO keeps Matt in their corner, tags back in Sami, some simple tandem work and a short 2 count for Sami. Sami calls PCO back in and they’re formulating a tag move, they try the Double Back Drop, but Matt turns it into a Double DDT instead.

Jeff tries to fight them both off, Sami grabs Jeff, PCO goes for the Lariat, malfunction at the junction, Whisper in the Wind mostly hits PCO so Jeff Splashes Sami. Twist of Hate, Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb from Jeff and the Hardy Boys win!

Before the obligatory contract signing on the Go Home before a PPV, Jordynne walks over to the announce table with the contract for her match with Tessa. Says she’ll leave it with them so she can’t miss it, but hey, “if she doesn’t show up at Genesis it wouldn’t be the first time”. That’s funny.

Joe starts the promo saying he has to win, but its on him to take the title from Nic. There’s an intensity, so it’s not all cornball jokes and shenanigans. That’s kinda nice to start with. Nic takes the babyface angle of “you’re not wrong but I don’t think you’re ready yet kid”. Then he plays the JBL clip from Bound for Glory. Nic tries to use the video to clear his name because Ryan got attacked too. Joe is about to poke a hole in the defense but then Hollywood Abyss Mokuba shows up. “MY BROTHER SETO” Ryan interferes, Nic tries to stop the stupidity but Ryan plows through is about to eat a Standing Ovation but Nic Superkicks Joe to save Mokuba. Nic does stand there as the crowd chants “kick your brother”, but Nic doesn’t pull the trigger but you can tell he’s contemplating.

OH! Sexy Tessy shows up, signs the contract but Jordynne was waiting for her and leaves Tessa laying with a Grace Driver and solid intensity. Okay most of the show was kinda mid but the ending was pretty solid.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

As I said at the very end, most of this show was mid…or mediocre for the older crowd. Indie Spotfest Dumbassery to kick off the show, a few segments that made me question if I was tasting pennies, a decent match with First Class, the stalled push never relevant squad match between Jake and Laredo, and at least the main event match was fun.

The video packages always feel lackluster because the only people really watching TNA currently are hardcore fans. I never really see too many people pull the whole “whoa first TNA episode in 11 years and I decided on the random Go Home instead of the first live episode since 2015”. See, this is why logic matters in booking. WWE gets to have the mentality of “it could be someone’s first time watching it” every week because they the biggest show in town. The name alone will garner random views or transient lapsed fans if they get a whiff of something. However when it comes down to TNA, people are only surprised its still alive.

Even with many questionable hours it wasn’t terrible. It did fine…plus like I just said, there’s opportunity for more random eyes thanks to the WWE merger AND a live episode next week. So the Go Home format won’t change, but hopefully the exposure gives us more congruent storylines.