Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed Results & Report! (10/28/23)
Viva Las Vegas!
Who comes away with the jackpot?
NJPW hits Sin City and puts up the gold! Will Tama Tonga still be NEVER Openweight Champion? Or will he fail to slay the LIJ Dragon, Shingo Takagi?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match – Strong Survivor Match: Matt Vandagriff VS Buck Skynyr; Vandagriff wins.
- Kickoff Match – Six Man Tag: Team Filthy VS Baliyan Akki, Titus Alexander & Jakob Austin Young; Team Filthy wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Satoshi Kojima VS Fred Rosser VS Jeff Cobb VS Alex Coughlin; Kojima wins and will challenge for the title.
- Johnnie Robbie & Lluvia VS Zeuxis & Stephanie Vaquer; Zeuxis & Vaquer win.
- Tom Lawlor VS Gabe Kidd; Kidd wins.
- Atlantis’ 40th USA Anniversary 8 Man Tag: Atlantis, Atlantis Jr, Mistico & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Tiger Mask, Soberano Jr, Rocky Romero & Adrian Quest; Atlantis, Atlantis Jr, Mistico & Tanahashi win.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Giulia VS HYAN; Giulia wins and retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne; ELP & Leo win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- SANADA & Yuya Uemura VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Time Limit Draw.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
A video plays.
A man in cowboy boots walks into a bar. Old Westerns play on the TV. He takes a few shots, plays some arcade shooters, then throws darts at a picture of Toru Yano…? It’s JOEY JANELA!? The Bad Bad Boy is coming to NJPW, for the Lonestar Shootout!
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Giulia VS HYAN!
The Beautiful Madness is just the second woman to hold this title, and she doesn’t plan on letting go of it just yet. Will Giulia have Lady Luck on her side? Or will The Renaissance Woman add being a champion to her skillset?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who really has the hot hand!
The bell rings and fans rally up already. They cheer Giulia and she soaks it up. Hyan shrugs it off as she and Giulia circle. They tie up, Hyan powers Giulia back but Giulia powers Hyan back. Giuliar throws Hyan down but they stay tied up. Hyan fights up to headlock, then she throws Giulia! Hyan eggs Giulia on and fans rally up. Giulia offers a handshake and fans applaud. Hyan is wary but fans chant to “SHAKE HER HAND!” Hyan accepts, and then Giulia kicks low! Giulia headlocks, but Hyan throws her away! Giulia runs up, Hyan sweeps and covers, ONE! Giulia sweeps and covers, ONE! Hyan headlocks but Giulia powers out, only to get run over!
Fans cheer Hyan as she aims and runs corner to corner. Giulia dodges, to then CHOP! Fans rally as Giulia wrenches Hyan’s hair, then TOSSES her across the way! Giulia storms up, stomps Hyan, then goes to the opposite corner. Fans fire up as Giulia runs in to ELBOW Hyan! Then she snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Hyan hangs tough but Giulia brings her up. Giulia whips, Hyan reverses but Giulia reverses back, IRON OCTOPUS! Fans cheer as Hyan endures, and Hyan steps her way to the ROPEBREAK! But Giulia shifts to a sunset flip! TWO, and Giulia whips. Hyan LARIATS Giulia down!
Fans rally, Hyan whips Giulia but Giulia reverses. Giulia runs in at the corner but into a BOOT! Hyan then runs to KNEE Giulia, and reel her in, for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Hyan stays focused. Hyan goes to a corner, she tunes up the band, and Giulia stands. Hyan runs in, but Giulia dodges to waistlock. Hyan elbows free, reels Giulia in, but Giulia back drops free! And SHOTGUNS Hyan down! Fans fire up as Giulia goes up top. Hyan stands, into Giulia’s MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Giulia stays cool and she hammerlocks. But Hyan CLUBS free! Giulia ROCKS Hyan, but Hyan ROCKS Giulia!
Giulia ROCKS Hyan again, but Hyan ROCKS Giulia again! They go back and forth, fans rally up, and Hyan- NO, Giulia blocks the knee! But Hyan HEADBUTTS! Hyan suplexes but Giulia fights it! Giulia suplexes but Hyan fights it! Hyan suplexes but Giulia DDT counters! Cover, TWO!! Hyan survives but Giulia drags her to an STF! Fans fire up and Hyan endures! Fans rally as Hyan crawls and reaches out, for the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Giulia lets go at 4. Giulia has Hyan on the apron but Hyan RAMS into Giulia! Hyan slingshots up and over, but Giulia holds ropes to stop the Sunset! Giulia sits on the cover, TWO and Giulia is sent out of the ring!
Hyan builds speed! She DIVES and direct hit into the railing! Fans fire up with Hyan and she drags Giulia into the ring. Hyan goes up the corner, but Giulia stands up! Giulia UPPERCUTS Hyan, climbs up to fire forearms, but Hyan hits back! They brawl up top, fans rally up and Hyan gets the edge! But Giulia HEADBUTTS in return! Fans fire up as Giulia brings Hyan into underhooks! SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! Roll back and Giulia drags Hyan up, but Hyan FALCON ARROWS!! Both women are down and fans are all fired up! “This is Awesome!” as the ref checks. Hyan and Giulia are both still in this so a standing count begins.
Giulia and Hyan stir at 4 of 10, crawl after each other, and go forehead to forehead. Hyan SLAPS Giulia! Giulia SLAPS Hyan! They SLAP back and forth as they stand, and fans fire up as the shots go faster and faster! Giulia ROCKS Hyan, Hyan shoves Giulia, they both run, and Hyan FLYING ELBOWS! Hyan drags Giulia up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Then she flips Giulia over, reels her in, and POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO!! Giulia survives that power combo and Hyan can’t believe it! Giulia sputters, Hyan storms up on her, and Hyan drags Giulia up in chicken wings! GLAM- NO, Giulia arm-drags free!
Hyan runs up to BOOT Giulia, but Giulia comes back! Hyan gets around the lariat to back suplex, but Giulia lands on her feet! And GERMAN SUPLEXES in return! Fans fire up, Giulia brings Hyan in, but Hyan shoves back. They DOUBLE FOREARM! And DOUBLE FOREARM! And again! Giulia ROCKS Hyan this time, then fires off more forearms! Wind up, ITALIAN RIGHT HOOK! Fans fire up again and Giulia runs, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Giulia survives but Hyan just drags her back up! But then Giulia SAIDOS!! Hyan sits up, into a G-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!! But Giulia doesn’t stop, she scoops and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!!! Cover, Giulia wins!
Winner: Giulia, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
Giulia aces this match and walks away with the jackpot! But she still shows her opponent respect and the fans cheer that. Will Hyan look to come back around some day? Who is next for the #DangerousQueen now?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Lance Archer & Alex Zayne!
The Headbanga & The Young Guerilla took these titles off those nasty Bullet Club War Dogs, and now have their first defense on their hands. Will ELP & Leo show they’re not just a fluke? Or will they get burned by the #MonsterSauce?
Well, as is Archer’s pre-match ritual, he DECKS a Young Lion! And then another! And then another! Zayne figures whatever helps him get in the groove, that’s fine. Wait, where are the belts? Oh, “Bert & Ernie” bring them out for ELP & Leo. Well, it is almost Halloween. OH NO~, Archer CLOBBERS Bert & Ernie! Zayne says this is too far! Leo & ELP retaliate, then ELP puts Zayne in the ring. The bell rings, Zayne headlocks but ELP powers out. Zayne runs ELP over, things speed up as ELP hurdles and Zayne handsprings. They keep going and Zayne RANAS, but ELP handsprings through! Fans fire up as they keep going, and ELP DROPKICKS!
ELP kips up, fans chant for him, and he ROCKS Zayne! And CHOPS Zayne! And CHOPS again! ELP CHOPS Zayne in the corner, then tags in Leo. Leo storms up to- NO, Zayne dodges the chop! Archer reaches out, fans fire up, and Zayne tags him in! Fans fire up seeing the big, big men in here! Archer fires up, too, he’s been waiting to pick on someone his own size! They RAM shoulders, and neither falls! They RAM shoulders again, and again! They throw forearms, go back and forth, and fans chant “HE’S GOT GENES!” for Leo! Leo ROCKS Archer, ROCKS him again, and has him in a corner. Leo whips corner to corner, but Archer dodges!
Leo bounces off buckles, Archer kick slow, and reels him in?! Fans fire up and Archer wants them to get louder. The fans get louder, but Leo suplexes! Archer fights that to suplex! Leo fights that, swings but misses, and Archer CLOBBERS Leo! Fans fire up and Leo goes to a corner. Archer tags Zayne and gives him a boost, HIP TOSS SENTON! Then Archer BACK ELBOWS! Leo staggers, Zayne reels him in, but Leo CHOPS first! Zayne sputters, Leo runs in but Zayne dodges. Leo scoops, Zayne slips free and ENZIGURIS! Leo drops to a knee, but he still gets a leg! Zayne fires boxing elbows, then a mule kick!
Zayne runs, but into a HUGE back drop! Tag to ELP and he runs in, dodges Zayne and BLASTS Archer! Zayne runs in, ELP goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges and CROSSBODIES! PLANCHA on Archer! Then SWANTON BOMB to LIONSAULT on Zayne! Cover, TWO! Zayne is still in this but fans rally for “E L P!” ELP reels Zayne in but Zayne Alabama Lifts! ELP fights that to get Zayne up, SITOUT BOMB! Cover, Archer breaks it! Leo kicks Archer and tosses him out. Leo then ROCKS Archer against railing! ELP knuckle locks and wrenches, but Archer sends Leo into railign! ELP goes up, up, kicks Zayne in the face, then tightrope walks!
ELP kicks Zayne again, keeps going around the corner, but then Archer has Leo to do the same!? They tightrope walk to the middle, ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! Archer doesn’t flinch! PURPLE NURPLE! Archer just CHOPS ELP down, onto Zayne! But then Leo shoves Archer down onto ELP! Zayne BLASTS Leo off the apron, and Monster Sauce regroups! Archer ROCKS ELP, Zayne scoop, BAJA BLAST! Cover, TWO! ELP is still in this and fans rally up. Zayne drags ELP up, tags Archer, and they set ELP up. Kick, ROLLING AX KICK and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans rally up. Archer tags Zayne and Monster Sauce coordinates.
Zayne suplexes but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Zayne into Archer! Then Leo runs in to clothesline Archer up and out! Zayne CHOPS Leo but ELP wrenches, straitjackets and torture racks! Leo runs to BOOT, and ELP spins around for the UFO NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Zayne survives and fans fire up again! ELP pounds the mat, fans rally with him, and ELP goes up the corner. Zayne scrambles up, Archer runs in and STEP-UP KNEES ELP! Zayne then runs corner to corner to NO HANDS RANA!! Archer drags ELP up to the CHOKE SLAM!! And then CHOKE SLAM SAULT!! Cover, LEO BREAKS IT!
Fans fire up as Archer grabs Leo! “This is Awesome!” as Leo now grabs Archer! The giants fight claw for claw, Archer breaks free to ROCK Leo! Archer runs, but into the POWER TRIP SLAM! And then GODSEND!! Fans are thunderous as Leo gets Zayne! GODSEND- NO, Zayne slips free to ENZIGURI! SUDDEN DEATH from ELP! ELP DIVES to take out Archer, and Leo hits another GODSEND!! Leo helps ELP get up, SUPER THUNDERKISS!!! Cover, ELP & Leo win!
Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
But wait, WEST COAST WRECKING CREW rushes out!? And they DOUBLE LOW BLOW the champs!! Fans boo as Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs beat down on ELP & Leo! Jorel then calls for a mic, and he is given one. The fans boo more as Jorel tells Vegas to listen. “In case you forgot who built this brand, let us remind you. In case y’all forgot who built this tag division, let us remind you! And in case you forgot who the best GADDAMN tag team is here, let us remind you, that that is the West Coast Wrecking Crew!”
Jorel gives Royce the mic, and Royce says he is sick and tired of random, thrown together, fly by night tag teams getting the opportunities he and Jorel deserve! They threw together two people, put them in World Tag League and give them these NJPW Strong Openweight Tag title matches, and now they’re the Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions right now. Well Jorel & Royce are not waiting, they’re taking! So GoD better learn to P R A Y. November 10th, Lonestar Shootout, you are looking at the NEW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions! That’s #WreckingCrewShid! But will the WCWC really run NJPW?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE!
The Mad King knows Jay Lethal is after his ROH World Championship, but his fight with the Face of Fury goes back to their instant classic in the G1 Climax! Will Eddie hold onto this title? Or will he be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally for Eddie as he stares down with Henare. They step up, feel things out, fans sing “F him up, Eddie, F him up!” Henare ignores that as he ties up with Eddie. They’re in a deadlock, then break. Henare flexes but Eddie just circles with him again. They tie up, Eddie puts Henare on ropes, but Henare turns that around. The ref counts, Henare lets off slowly, to CHOP! Eddie swings but Henare dodges and strikes a Maori stance. Eddie and Henare tie up but Henare kicks low! Henare headlocks, Eddie powers out but Henare blows through the chop to BOOT! Eddie gets up to CHOP Henare down!
Henare gets up, feints one kick to SPIN KICK! And SLIDING KNEE! Eddie tumbles out of the ring while fans fire up with Henare. The ref checks Eddie but he’s okay to continue so a ring count starts. Henare goes out after Eddie before 3 of 20, and he CLUBS away on Eddie! Henare throws body shots and HEADBUTTS, then insults the fans! Henare digs his boots into Eddie against railing, but the ref counts. Henare lets off, Eddie gets up and stumbles while Henare eggs on the fans. Henare SMACKS Eddie off the apron, RAMS him into the apron, but Eddie CHOPS in return! Henare eggs Eddie on, so Eddie CHOPS!
Henare shoves Eddie, storms after him, and then KICKS him in the leg! The ref starts the ring count again, Henare whips Eddie into railing! But Eddie comes back to LARIAT Henare down! The count is 8 of 20 but Eddie puts Henare in. Henare goes to a corner, Eddie storms up but Henare body shots first! And again! Eddie sputters, Henare runs, and he runs Eddie over! Eddie goes to ropes but Henare CHOKES him! The ref reprimands, Henare lets off at 4, and fans start to duel, “Let’s Go, Eddie!” “HE-NA-RE!” Henare drags Eddie up to KNEE him in the head! And again! Eddie eggs Henare on!? Henare KNEES Eddie down!
Eddie is dazed but still conscious, so Henare drags him up. Eddie CHOPS the legs, CHOPS the chest, then CHOPS again! Henare nods and eggs Eddie on. Eddie CHOPS, Henare ROCKS Eddie, then whips. Eddie reverses to kitchen sink knee! Eddie underhooks but Henare blocks the suplex, to Eddie gives some Kawada kicks. Henare still blocks the underhooks, wrenches out and HEADBUTTS Eddie down! Fans fire up and Henare slaps sense into himself. Henare sits Eddie up to KICK him in the back, and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Eddie grits his teeth as he stays in this, but Henare keeps cool and the fans duel again.
Henare paces around, Eddie sits up, and Henare KICKS him! Eddie just snarls! Henare likes that, and he KICKS Eddie again! Eddie growls and grits his teeth again as he stands back up. Henare KICKS Eddie down! Cover, ONE!! Henare glares at the ref but his cover was a bit lax. Eddie goes to the corner, Henare runs in, but Eddie dodges the knee! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, Eddie reloads to MACHINE GUN CHOP again! Eddie tops it off with one more CHOP, and then an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare sits up first as he clutches his neck, but he and Eddie head for each other.
Fans duel as Henare and Eddie rise to their feet. Eddie CHOPS! Henare staggers, but he comes back to CHOP! Eddie seethes, but he CHOPS again! Henare grits his teeth and CHOPS! Eddie brings down the straps, and CHOPS! They go CHOP for CHOP, but Eddie gets the edge! Eddie starts giving ridge hands! Eddie runs, into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie is dazed again, and Henare wants the full nelson! ULTIMA- NO, Eddie fights the lock! Henare tries, Eddie powers up, but Henare gets him for a FULL NELSON SLAM! The kneepad comes down and Henare fires himself up with a Haka! Eddie flounders to a corner, drags himself up, and Henare runs in to SHINING WIZARD!
Henare shoves Eddie out, runs back in, RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives but Henare doesn’t stop, he PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Henare is shocked but the fans fire up again! Eddie reaches out in a daze, but Henare has his Monster Rage boil up! Henare drags Eddie up and in, fisherman and- NO, Eddie fights out to URAKEN! Henare JUMP KNEES! URAKEN! HEADBUTT! URAKEN!! Eddie falls on the cover, TWO!!! Eddie almost had a repeat of their G1 match! Fans are thunderous as Eddie and Henare stir. Eddie and Henare rise up, the fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow.
Eddie CHOPS, but Henare CHOPS! Eddie CHOPS again, so Henare fires a forearm! Eddie checks his face, and then CHOPS! They stand, Henare forearms! Eddie CHOPS! Forearm! CHOP! Repeat! Henare gets the edge and then KICKS, but Eddie blocks to URAKEN!! Henare swings, but into a SAIDO!! Henare roars to his feet, swings again, but into a HALF ‘N’ HALF!! And then the BACKFIST TO THE FUTURE!! TWICE!! Cover, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Somehow, someway, Eddie survives another instant classic! The sequel was even better than the original, but will we get a trilogy out of the Mad King and Face of Fury?
But wait! Here comes Satoshi Kojima! He won that Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match earlier tonight, so he wants to look Eddie in the eyes. Kojima gets a mic so he can also say in person, “Congratulations, Mr. Eddie Kingston. You are very strong. But I love bread.” Fans chant for “BREAD! BREAD! BREAD!” Kojima says next time, NJPW is in Dallas, Texas. And one way or another, Kojima will kick Eddie’s ass! Fans fire up for that! Eddie steps to Kojima, but Kojima smiles and hands the mic over. Eddie tells Kojima, “I’ll see you in Texas, motha-” Fans cheer that! The Mad King or the King of Bread Style, who will truly be NJPW Strong?
NJPW has even more in store for Lonestar Shootout!
Friday, November 10th, Garland, Texas, NJPW brings along not just the NJPW Strong Openweight and Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, but they’re roping in David Finlay, Jon Moxley, Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, and Kenta! Tickets on sale now, and streaming on NJPW World, get ready to get wild in the Wild Wild West!
SANADA & Yuya Uemura VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!
The Cold Skull is set to face the Uncontrollable Charisma at WrestleKingdom 18, the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the line! So as both sides build momentum, can the Heat Storm help Sanada stay sharp? Or will the Ticking Timebomb help Naito have more, more, MORE fun in Las Vegas?
The fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” as he takes his time taking off his entrance attire. Then the fans chant for Sanada, for Hiromu, and for Yuya, until they decide to cheer on “All These Guys! All These Guys!” Naito finally puts the pants away, the teams sort out, and after LIJ fist bumps, Naito starts against Sanada in a preview of WrestleKingdom. Fans rally up with the bell, and the two circle. The chants duel, “SA-NA-DA!” “NA-I-TO!” The two mirror each other, Sanada knowing Naito’s tricks. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and fans cheer. Sanada powers Naito back a step at a time and has him on ropes, but Naito turns it around.
The ref counts, Naito lets off slowly and he pats his old teammate on the shoulders. Then SPITS at him! Sanada blocks the kick, CLUBS the leg, and tosses Naito out! Sanada cleans himself with the ref’s shirt, then builds speed, but Sanada tumbles up and out as Naito slides in! Naito BLAST Sanada off the apron, builds speed himself now, but Yuya trips him up! Sanada must’ve taught Yuya Naito’s tricks. Fans are torn but Sanada thanks his teammate for that. Sanada stomps Naito, tags Yuya, and now Yuya brings Naito up and around. Yuya CHOPS and Naito stumbles. Yuya CHOPS again, then CHOPS again!
Yuya headlocks and grinds the hold, but Naito powers up and fishhooks Yuya’s nose! Naito sends Yuya to a corner but Yuya goes up and over to arm-drag! And DOUBLE CHOP! Fans fire up with Yuya and he covers, TWO! Yuya BLASTS Hiromu for good measure before he brings Naito up. Yuya wrenches, YANKS, then whips. Naito reverses, atomic drops, and Hiromu is in to dropkick the legs out! Naito basement dropkicks while Hiromu BLASTS Sanada down! Naito turns Yuya over for a Camel Clutch, and Hiromu fires up to basement dropkick! Fans cheer LIJ and Hiromu gets them to get louder in a very Sanada move.
Naito brings Yuya up, tags in Hiromu, and Hiromu brings Yuya around to CLUB him! And CLUB him again! Yuya CHOPOS Hiromu, ROCKS Naito, then fires off CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS in return! Yuya sits down but Hiromu stands him up, to CHOP him down! Tag to Naito and Naito drags Yuya up. Fans rally, LIJ double whip, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Cover, TWO, but Naito clamps on the leg scissor nelson! Yuya endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Naito claims he needs help as always, so the ref has to pry the legs off Yuya. Naito tags Hiromu back in and Hiromu stomps Yuya at the ropes.
Yuya stands up but Hiromu CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! And then suplexes, but Yuya slips free! Yuya ducks an elbow to CHOP! And SAI- NO, Hiromu fights the suplex, runs, but Yuya gets around to hit a BIG back suplex after all! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Yuya and Hiromu crawl, but Hiromu hot tags Naito! Naito kicks and whips but Yuya reverses to SAYANAGI, and DRAGON ARM SCREW! Fans rally up and Yuya hot tags Sanada! Sanada storms up on Naito to YANK the bad arm! And YANK again! Sanada whips, Naito reverses but Sanada dropkicks the leg to then DROPKICK Naito down!
Sanada kips up and fans fire up! Naito is in the corner, Sanada runs in but he blocks a boot. Sanada trips Naito, and he has the legs! Fans fire up as Sanada ties Naito up, but Naito kicks free. Naito runs in but into a RANA! But Naito rolls through, only for Sanada to roll through! Sanada ties Naito up in PARADISE! Fans fire up and Sanada has them get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada likes that. Sanada then runs to DROPKICK Naito out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Naito is still in this, but Sanada still has the fans. Sanada drags Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Naito fights free! Naito then spins Sanada and hits a NECKBREAKER!
Fans rally up for Naito again and he tags Hiromu. Hiromu brings Sanada up, whips him to ropes, but Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Fans fire up and Sanada crawls for his corner, hot tag to Yuya! The Heat Storm fires up and he runs in at Hiromu, to SPLASH! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Hiromu stays in this, but Yuya drags him up to trap the arms. But Hiromu fights free and ROCKS Yuya! Hiromu then dodges Yuya but Yuya follows to UPPERCUT! Yuya runs, but Hiromu follows to UPPERCUT! Hiromu runs but knows Yuya follows so he fireman’s carries! But Yuya fights free and shove Hiromu!
Yuya runs in, but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but Yuya dodges to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Hiromu is still in this but Yuya pounds the mat. The fans rally behind him as Hiromu goes to a corner. Yuya runs in to ELBOW, then he fires up again. Yuya whips corner to corner, runs in, but Hiromu dodges the splash! Naito is there to hip toss! LIJ BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH! Naito BLASTS Sanada and Hiromu covers, TWO! Yuya is still in this for his team but Hiromu drags Yuya up. FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Sanada and Naito scrap on the outside, and Sanada RAMS Naito into railing!
Hiromu drags Yuya up, but Yuya fires a forearm! Hiromu forearms Yuya, Yuya forearms back! Fans rally as the shots keep going! Hiromu roars, Yuya roars, and the forearms pick up speed! Hiromu ROCKS Yuya, then ducks Yuya’s forearm to fireman’s carry! But Yuya slips free and shoves again! Hiromu comes back, but Yuya traps the arms! KAMU- NO, Hiromu fights the suplex! And HEADBUTTS! But Yuya ROCKS him first! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both men, they’re still in this, and “This is Awesome!” as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Naito and Sanada!
Naito runs up, Sanada dodges to CHOP! Naito fires a forearm, so Sanada CHOPS! Forearm, CHOP, repeat! Fans rally up, Naito smiles and Sanada eggs Naito on. Naito fires a forearm, Sanada CHOPS, repeat! They keep going back and forth, and Naito gets the edge! Naito grins, but Sanada CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Naito just gets in Sanada’s face, to then throw a heavy back elbow! And another! And then he SPITS at Sanada again! Sanada reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this match only has a 20 minute time limit!
Sanada calls Yuya in, they get Naito up to double whip and DOUBLE DROPKICK! Yuya then goes after Hiromu while Sanada sets Naito up for MAGIC SCREW! Cover, TWO! Sanada shakes his head and the fans rally up as he paces around. Sanada puts Naito in the dragon sleeper! And the SKULL SWING! Fans fire up for the SKULL END! Naito endures, flails, and Hiromu fights off Yuya! But Yuya anchors Hiromu on the apron! Naito fades but gets a second wind at the 15 minute mark! Hiromu reaches out for Naito, Naito kicks around for ropes, ROPEBREAK! The fans fire up and the ref counts, but Sanada lets off quickly and cleanly.
Sanada drags Naito up as the fans duel again. Sanada scoops to BACKBREAKER, and Naito is in the drop zone! Sanada goes up top, but Hiromu anchors Sanada now! The ref counts, Sanada and Hiromu pull each other’s hair, but Naito smiles as he CLUBS Sanada! And CLUBS him again and again! Naito turns Sanada around, fires forearms, and SPITS at Sanada! Fans want that “One More Time!” Naito SPITS again! Fans cheer, and then Naito goes up, but Sanada slips under! Sanada drags Naito off the corner with a waistlock but Naito fights. Naito RAMS Sanada into a corner, then reels him in for those heavy elbows!
Naito goes up the corner, reels Sanada in at the three minute warning, and hits ESPERANZA! Fans fire up and Naito aims from the corner. Sanada rises slowly as the fans rally up. Naito runs in, but Sanada DROPKICKS! Naito ENZIGURIS! Naito wrenches but Yuya DROPKICKS! Hiromu gets in, spins Yuya, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yuya dodges the haymaker, but runs into the HIROM-CHAN BOMBER! Sanada runs in, Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Two minute warning, but Hiromu helps with the SWING- NO, Sanada slips free to ENZIGURI Naito and DROPKICK Hiromu! SHINING WIZARD!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Naito and Sanada stir, slowly sit up and head for each other, and Naito throws a forearm! Sanada throws a forearm, and we’re at the literal last minute! Fans are thunderous as the forearms just keep flying! Naito roars, the forearms pick up even more speed, and Sanada roars now! Sanada gets the edge, fireman’s carries, T K O!! Thirty seconds at the cover, HIROMU BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES Hiromu and hurries to drag Naito into the dragon sleeper! SKULL END!! Ten seconds left as Naito endures! Naito flails, reaches out, is he tapping?! The bell rings first!!
Time Limit Draw
Sanada almost had Naito there, but Naito was essentially saved by the bell! If this is how intense it is in a tag match, how much more intense will it be when these two go 1v1 with no limits?
Wait, who is this rolling Hiromu up on stage? Danny Limelight! TWO, and Danny cradles Hiromu now, TWO!! Danny wants that DDT Pro Ironman Heavyweight Championship but Hiromu runs away into the night! Can Hiromu make it out of Sin City with that second belt of his? Or will someone get lucky before the night is over?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Tama Tonga VS Shingo Takagi!
The Good Bad Guy finally got this title back back Destruction in Ryogoku, and was the one who challenged the Rampaging Dragon to this fight! Will Tama be able to slay that dragon? Or will Takagi make things tranquilo here in Sin City?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Tama’s gamble pays off!
The bell rings and the two circle as fans rally. They approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Takagi pushes Tama back a step, but Tama pushes Takagi back a step. They go back and forth, but then Tama puts Takagi on ropes. The ref counts, Tama lets off slowly, and he pats Takagi on the chest. The fans applaud the sportsmanship and the two reset. Takagi and Tama feel things out, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. Takagi then knees one knuckle lock apart, wrenches the other arm, and hammerlocks. Tama moves around, switches the hammerlock onto Takagi then headlocks for a takeover.
Takagi headscissors, Tama kips free, and the fans cheer the exchange. Tama and Takagi reset as the fans duel. The two circle, feel things out again, and knuckle lock, but then Takagi drop toeholds. Takagi headlocks, Tama slips out the back to headlock in return. Tama grinds the hold but Takagi fights up and powers out. Tama RAMS shoulders with Takagi but neither falls! Takagi eggs Tama on, then he fires a forearm! Tama gives it back so Takag shouts, “OI!” The forearms go back and forth, fans rally up, and Takagi JABS! JABS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Tama ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Takagi, but Takagi rebounds, only for Tama to run him over!
Tama stalks Takagi, CLUBS him in the chest again and again, then brings him up. Tama scoops to SLAM Takagi, and he goes from the elbow to JUMPING ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE!! Takagi is tougher than that but Tama keeps cool. Tama brings Takagi up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then ROCKS him again! Takagi eggs Tama on, Tama throws a HEADBUTT! Tama scoops, Takagi slips free to waistlock, but Tama elbows free. Tama runs, into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up while Takagi steadies himself. Tama stands, Takagi clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up more as Takagi goes out to fetch Tama.
Takagi gives the fans a quick Jushin Thunder Liger pose, then he stands on Tama’s face at the railing. The ref counts, Takagi steps away, and he drags Tama up. Takagi fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES off the apron! Tama flounders about, Takagi kicks and DDTS him to the floor! The ref checks but Tama is still in this, so the fans rally up. The ring count starts but Takagi takes his time bringing Tama up. Tama is a bit of dead weight but Takagi still stands him and puts him in at 9 of 20. To then slingshot knee drop! Takagi digs that knee in at the ropes, the ref reprimands and counts, and Takagi lets go of the ropes with his hands. Not the problem!
Takagi stands on Tama, then DOUBLE STOMPS as he lets off! Fans cheer while Tama sputters. Takagi drags Tama up, snapmares and runs, to then drop an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tough but Takagi wraps on body scissors! Tama endures as Takagi squeezes, but Tama fires off elbows! Takagi BELL CLAPS Tama for that! Takagi drags Tama up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Tama writhes but Takagi pushes him to a cover, TWO! Takagi keeps cool while the fans fire back up. Takagi steps on Tama, then SENTONS! Fans rally and duel as Takagi stalks Tama. Takagi eggs Tama on and Tama throws body shots.
Tama fires a forearm, then another body shot, but Takagi HEADBUTTS him down! Tama goes to ropes, fans duel, and they boo the one drunk going “Shingo sucks!” Takagi KNEES Tama against ropes, KNEES him again, then whips Tama to ropes for another knee! Takagi runs, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Fans rally up as Takagi goes to a corner and Tama stands back up. Tama aims, runs in, and clotheslines! Tama fires body shots and forearms, the ref counts, but Tama fires off even more shots! Tama KNEES, HEADBUTTS, and CLUBS Takagi, but lets off as the ref counts.
Tama whips Takagi into the corner to then clothesline again! Fans continue to rally as Tama whips corner to corner, but Takagi reverses. Tama comes back to LARIAT! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama paces as he watches Takagi, and Takagi gets up in a corner. Tama STINGER SPLASHES, then POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Takagi sputters but he’s still in this. Tama keeps cool and he paces around. Tama throws down fists, and the fans duel as Tama brings Takagi up. Takagi holds ropes to stop the whip but Tama fires off forearms! Tama whips, Takagi reverses and fireman’s carries, but Tama sunset flips, to step through!
Fans fire up as Tama has the SHARPSHOOTER!! Takagi endures as Tama sits deep on the hold! Fans rally and duel, Takagi continues to endure and fight around! Takagi reaches out, but Tama drags him from ropes! Fans fire up as Takagi continues to endure! Takagi powers up, moves around, goes to the side, reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go quickly and the fans continue to rally. Tama paces around Takagi, then rains down forearms! Tama lets off to bring Takagi up but Takagi blocks the urenage! Fans duel as Takagi throws elbows! Then ELBOW! JAB! YUKON FEINT to DDT!
Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi rises, and he looks to a camera. Takagi lets us know, IT’S TIME! Takagi drags Tama up, reels him in, but Tama CLUBS the saido down! Takagi ROCKS and whips Tama, but Tama reverses to- NO, Takagi avoids the dropkick, to SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Fans fire up and hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” This is the main event, it might as well keep going! Takagi gives Tama toying kicks, then hauls him up in a pump handle. Tama fights the lift, then gets around, but Takagi snapmares free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls!
Takagi eggs Tama on, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Tama drops to a knee but Takagi stays up. Only for Tama to EXPLODER! We hit 15 minutes as Tama clinches, but Takagi hits an EXPLODER! But then Tama hits another EXPLODER! But then Takagi SAIDOS! Takagi runs, but Tama swats the lariat, jumps, for VENENO!! Wait, Takagi deadlifts out of the DDT?! To TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! The ref checks, Tama is still in this and so is Takagi. “This is Awesome!” as Tama and Takagi stir. Takagi and Tama crawl after each other, and Takagi junkyard dog headbutts.
Tama throws a SLAP! Takagi CHOPS! Tama HEADBUTTS! Takagi CHOPS! Tama JABS! Takagi RIDGE HANDS! They stand, Tama fires a forearm! Takagi ROCKS Tama back! Tama ROCKS Takagi back! Fans fire up as Takagi wobbles, and Takagi comes back to fire boxing elbows! Tama PELES, then fireman’s carries! S R C! Tama goes up fast, to SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!?! Takagi survives the splash and fans fire up again! Tama watches as Takagi stirs again, and he pounds the mat. The fans clap along, Takagi stands, GUN- NO, Gory Especial for NOSHIGAMI! Takagi turns that around and both men are down again!
Fans rally, Takagi goes to a corner, and he drags himself up. The fans fire up as Takagi headbutts the buckle, to then PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi isn’t done there, he pump handles, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO?!? Tama survives and shocks Takagi! The fans fire up again as “Both These Guys! Both These Guys!” are still fighting. Takagi drags Tama up again, pump handles and torture racks, but Tama CLUBS free! Takagi LARIATS point blank, then tries again. Tama fights free again, to TONGAN TWIST! Both men are down again and the fans continue to rally! Tama rises first but Takagi follows.
Tama brings Takagi up but Takagi fights the suplex. Takagi throws body shots, powers out and ELBOWS! JABS! But Tama BOOTS the Yukon and ducks the discus to reel Takagi in for BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives the shoutout to the Prince, but Tama vows to end this! Tama drags Takagi up, underhooks the arms, but Takagi fights the lift! Takagi wrenches out, but Tama dodges the lariat to GUN- NO! Takagi blocks to shove and GORY ESPECIAL BACKSLIDE! Tama rolls through but Takagi kicks low! Takagi reels Tama in, traps the arms, TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO?!?!
Tama survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi and Tama slowly rise, Takagi runs in to SLIDING D! And then HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Takagi then drags Tama up, SLEEPER! Then GROUND COBRA!! Takagi thrashes Tama around as he has him caught! Tama endures, fights around, reaches out with his free arm, scooting ever closer! Takagi thrashes Tama more and more, but Tama still fights over! ROPEBREAK!! Takagi lets go more in exhaustion than frustration, but he is a bit frustrated. Fans rally with Takagi as he drags Tama up. Tama is on the ropes, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, ONE?!?!? HOW?!?!
Takagi is shocked but now he’s mad! Takagi drags Tama up, reels him in, and he fires off boxing elbows! Takagi goes all the way to TEN, then he pump handles. Torture rack and LAST- GUN STUN!!!! Cover, TWO!??!? Now Takagi shocks Tama! At least, Tama would be shocked if he wasn’t so tired! Takagi stirs but Tama goes to ropes. Tama drags himself up, we pass 25 minutes and Tama storms up on Takagi. Tama reels Takagi in, underhooks, but Takagi blocks! Tama still tries, he CLUBS Takagi, then throws knees from all sides! Tama underhooks again, D- NO, Takagi BACK DROP BRIDGES! TWO!!!
Tama still has the arms! Tama drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the lift with all he has left! Fans fire up and Takagi wrenches out. Tama swats but Takagi JABS! HEADBUTT! Tama HEADBUTTS back! Tama hauls Takagi up to D S- RANA??! Tama stands to SUPERMAN PUNCH! And GUN- NO, Takagi blocks and steals GUN STUN!?!? Fans are thunderous as Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! As if the last time wasn’t shocking enough, Tama is still in this! Vegas is electric and Takagi roars! Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!!!! TAKAGI WINS!!!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Las Vegas can’t believe it, but they love it! Tama put the belt up for ante and Takagi went all in to get it! Will the Good Bad Guy ever live down losing his own bet?
As for Takagi, he gets the belt put on his shoulder by the ref, given he’s rather tired. Takagi then gets a mic so he can say a little something. “My time. MY TIME is coming. TAKETAKE TA! I am so happy. Tama Tonga is good, is strong, but! I won.” Fans cheer that! Takagi then says actually, this is his third time as NEVER Openweight Champion. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Takagi nods and thanks them. So next? What’s next? Who is next?! Takagi wants someone to come out! Takagi waits, points at the stage, and says c’mon, somebody! Please! Takagi even says in Japanese that someone’s gotta answer him. Well, no one does so Takagi moves on.
Takagi promises that he will come back to Vegas. So see you next time, see you again! And in Japanese, he promises that this rampaging dragon will fly to the top! But wait, the lights go down? Then there’s a video. Trent Beretta!? Trent tells Takagi, “You, me, NEVER Openweight Championship. November 10th, Dallas, Texas. What do you say?” Takagi nods and says, “You got it!” Fans fire up, but can #JustTrent slay this Rampaging Dragon?
My Thoughts:
A great NJPW event for being stateside, and it’s wild that they’re gonna go again with Lonestar Shootout in just two weeks. I know I skipped to the latter half but that’s really where the meat of this show was anyway. Joey Janela coming to NJPW is awesome stuff for him, he’ll get to have a lot of fun just going kinda wild. Plus, him calling out Yano, they’re going to have a hilarious time. Giulia VS Hyan was a great match for the NJPW Strong Women’s title, but I had a feeling Giulia was going to win. She’s the second champ ever, she should really have a good, strong reign before losing.
Great tag title match, and I figured ELP & Leo would retain since their reign hasn’t been that long, either. But also great bit with WCWC attacking. Those guys are great, Royce Isaacs himself is looking bigger than the last time I… watched one of his matches… But ELP & Leo VS WCWC is going to be great stuff, but I feel like ELP & Leo will retain again. Awesome match from Eddie VS Henare, we definitely need a rematch of those two to finish the trilogy. And Eddie VS Kojima is going to be a lot of fun, especially since they both use Machine Gun Chops. Maybe Kojima wins so Eddie can focus on his ROH World title but I’m still leaning towards Eddie retaining.
The world title tune-up tag match was really good and I like that they went to time limit draw. It doesn’t hurt Sanada or Naito, and Hiromu is IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, he can’t be taking losses. Yuya could’ve taken the loss but he’s also going hot since joining Just5Guys, this was a good move to keep his momentum up, too. And what an awesome main event from Tama and Takagi, and what a surprise that this is the belt that changes hands tonight! I did not see that coming, and I kinda feel bad for Tama, he only had that belt 20 days. But Takagi having the NEVER Openweight Championship back is still cool, and maybe Tama can springboard from here to the IWGP United Kingdom/States now.
And then Trent making that challenge? What a great surprise. He worded his video rather generically, so he was probably going to challenge whoever was NEVER Openweight Champion regardless. But Takagi VS Trent will be great stuff, and I would think Takagi retains before moving onto a really big defense for WrestleKingdom.
My Score: 9/10
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Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!
The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
- Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
- Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Schiavone is in the ring!
Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!
Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!
Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!
And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?
Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!
The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.
Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.
Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!
Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!
The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.
Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.
Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!
The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!
Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!
Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!
Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall
The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.
Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!
The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?
The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!
Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!
Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall
Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?
Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.
Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…
Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!
Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!
Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.
Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!
Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?
Team Triple J speaks backstage.
Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!
While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!
Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!
Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!
Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.
Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.
Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!
Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!
Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!
Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!
Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!
Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)
If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.
Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.
And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Feel the StrongEST, the FastEST, the RoughEST, the ToughEST, and the BEST Glow!
With Jade Cargill out of action, Naomi is stepping in to help Bianca Belair defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight on SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade; The Bloodline wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins.
- Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley; Gargano wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Solo Sikoa is here!
The fans boo as the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief leads the Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy to the ring. Roman Reigns put out the challenge for Tribal Combat, and on January 6th, in Los Angeles, for the first-ever Monday Night Raw on Netflix, it will happen! But first, Solo and his Bloodline go to the ring, and the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells them all, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans boo instead, as expected. Solo lets that slide, and he says, “Roman Reigns sat on his little boat with The Wise Man and decided to challenge me on January 6th to a Tribal Combat match for the ula fala on Monday Night Raw, the debut on Netflix.”
The fans “WHAT?” Solo says instead of saying that, the fans should ACKNOWLEDGE HIM. The fans boo more, but Solo says shut your mouths and listen to what THE Tribal Chief has to say! The fans continue to boo and they continue to chant, “O T C! O T C!” Solo tells Roman that if he wants Tribal Combat, if he wants to take THE Tribal Chief to war, then let’s do it! Solo will leave his Bloodline behind, “WHAT?” Roman will leave his behind, “WHAT?” They’ll leave the Wise Man behind. “WHAT?” Jimmy and Jey, too. So listen and listen carefully: On January 6th, Solo walks in and walks OUT as THE Tribal Chief!
The fans boo more but Solo says on January 6th, he will STILL be the Head of the Table! He will STILL be YOUR Tribal Chief! And he will STILL have the ula fala! So Roman, after Solo beats your ass in LA, Roman can go back out on his little boat, sail off to the Island of Irrelevancy, and Roman can finally ACKNOWLEDGE SOLO. But wait! Drew McIntyre is here!? The Scottish Terminator has already hit Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn, but let’s not forget Solo was chief among those who screwed McIntyre out of the world championship. Solo has Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga stand down as McIntyre goes to the ring.
McIntyre grabs a mic but Solo tells him, “I gotta admit, I was very happy when you kicked my brother, Jimmy, in the face last week. Yes, I was very, very happy. But you better have a damn good reason why you’re interrupting me.” McIntyre says he’ll make it quick because it causes McIntyre physical pain to be this close to Solo and not beating Solo within an inch of his life. You like what McIntyre did to Jimmy? What about Sami and Jey? McIntyre wants to know, when Solo lies in bed at night, is he asking when McIntyre is coming after him? Because Solo is the one that cost McIntyre the title at Clash at the Castle.
Solo is the one who caused McIntyre’s family the pain and misery that caused him more pain and misery! But Solo also stood up to Roman Reigns. The only one to have the balls to stand up to Roman! The rest of them acted tough, acted like they were going to do something, but Roman snapped his fingers, didn’t change one bit. McIntyre’s heart says jump Solo, but McIntyre’s head says he and Solo have the same goal. So here’s what McIntyre is thinking: McIntyre can start working through the hit list, taking out more and more OG Bloodline members, and Solo does one thing for him: Take out Roman for good.
The fans boo but McIntyre says once all that business is finished, then he and Solo can settle theirs. But then JIMMY yanks McIntyre out of the ring! And CRACKS him with the crutch! And again! And then he runs up to CLOBBER McIntyre! McIntyre goes running into the crowd, Jimmy does his best to pursue, but now here comes LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade! The Bloodline has a Six Man Tag on their hands, will Knight even let Solo make it to LA?
Six Man Tag: The Bloodline VS LA Knight, Apollo Creed & Andrade!
The brawl is on, Apollo after Tama, Andrade after Jacob, and Knight after Solo! Solo shoves back, but Knight LARIATS him up and out! Apollo DUMPS Tama and Andrade BOOTS Jacob! Apollo BOOTS Jacob, then Andrade BOOTS him again! Jacob tumbles out but Solo has him stand down! The Bloodline regroups while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and the match is already going as Apollo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tama to then slide under. Tama keeps moving, Apollo hurdles over, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Apollo fires up and the fans are with him, then Apollo gorilla presses Tama! The fans fire up and Apollo marches around. Apollo says this is for Solo, and he DROPS Tama! Tama flounders, Apollo brings him over, and he tags in Knight. Knight fires hands on Tama, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Tama around to whip but Tama reverses. Knight catches Tama for a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tougher than that but Knight stomps him.
Tag to Andrade and the unlikely partners mug Tama. Andrade CHOPS Tama, then has him in a corner. Andrade tags Apollo, they double whip Tama to DOUBLE ELBOW! Apollo covers, TWO! Tama stays in this but Apollo drags Tama up. Apollo ROCKS Tama, the fans rally, and Apollo ROCKS Tama again. Apollo tags Andrade back in, they mug Tama, but Tama fires body shots! Tama shoves Andrade but Andrade RANAS on the return! Tama tumbles out, Jacob runs in, but Andrade DUMPS him out! Tag to Apollo, and then Andrade climbs! Apollo builds speed, and Apollo FLIES while Andrade ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up as Knight then gets in to keep Solo back! Knight dares Solo to try something, but Solo stays back. Knight goes back to his corner while Apollo puts Tama in. The fans fire up as Apollo reels Tama in. Tama fires body shots and switches to a waistlock. Apollo elbows free, but Jacob sneaks a tag! Tama shoves Apollo and Jacob BODY CHECKS Apollo! The Werewolf is all geeked up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Solo whips Apollo to ELBOW him down! Solo throws up the one but the fans boo. Solo drags Apollo up, bumps him off buckles, and the fans rally. Solo UPPERCUTS Apollo down, then stalks him along the ropes. Solo drags Apollo up but Apollo fires hands! Solo keeps Apollo from his corner but Apollo throws more shots! Solo whips Apollo hard into the Bloodline corner! Tag to Jacob and he looms over Apollo. Jacob drags Apollo up to scoop and SLAM! The fans boo but Jacob runs to SENTON, onto knees! Apollo saves himeslf and both men are down! They crawl, hot tag to Andrade!
El Idolo dodges Jacob, BLASTS Tama then ROCKS Solo! Andrade fires hands on Jacob, runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Jacob tumbles to a corner while Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and chant “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs in, CIEN SHADOWES! Cover, TWO!! Jacob survives but Andrade keeps his cool. Andrade goes up a corner, MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Andrade is frustrated now as Jacob survives again! Andrade thinks on what to do, and he brings Jacob up. Andrade fires forearms but Jacob grabs Andrade’s neck! Andrade fights free and fires more shots, but Solo sneaks a tag!
Andrade whips, Jacob reverses, but Andrade KICKS Jacob away! Jacob just roars! Andrade runs up, Jacob FLAPJACKS him into Solo’s HOTSHOT! That combo sends Andrade tumbling out to the floor, and Solo brings him up to POST him! The fans boo as The Bloodline stands tall, and Solo shows off his ula fala. Solo goes back to Andrade and puts him in the ring. Tag to Jacob, and Jacob whips for a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Andrade sputters and coughs while Jacob is geeked up again, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob watches Andrade crawl to the apron, and waits for him to go to a corner. Andrade sits up but into the HIP ATTACK! Jacob snarls as he kicks Andrade around. Tag to Solo and he whips Jacob for Jacob to whip him! Another HIP ATTACK on Andrade! Solo scowls at the fans, then talks trash on Andrade. Solo drags Andrade by his foot and brings him over to tag Tama. Tama then slingshot ELBOW DROPS! Andrade sputters more but Tama covers, TWO! Andrade is still in this, but Tama rains down fists on Andrade to keep him down! Tama HAMMERS and CLUBS Andrade, then he talks smack on Apollo and Knight.
Tama kicks Andrade to the Bloodline corner, drags him back up, and then fires a BODY SHOT! Andrade sputters, Tama tags Jacob, and then Jacob whips Tama in for a STINGER SPLASH! Andrade falls over, Jacob clamps claws into the shoulders! Andrade endures, fights up, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down! Jacob clamps the claws on again and really digs into Andrade’s shoulders! Andrade kicks and flails in pain but Jacob just thrashes him around more! Jacob shouts at Andrade but Andrade fights up to his feet! Andrade fires body shots, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him down again! Jacob stalks Andrade to a corner as SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans boo but Jacob rains down fists in the corner! Jacob then sucker punches Apollo! Andrade sits up, Jacob runs in, but Andrade moves! Hip attack hits buckles and the fans fire up! Andrade and Jacob crawl, Solo shouts for Jacob to get up! Jacob grabs Andrade’s foot and brings him up! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tags to Tama and The Mega Star! The fans are thunderous as Knight dodges then CLOBBERS Tama! Tama flounders to a corner, Knight stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, but then he CLOBBERS Jacob! KNEE for Tama! Solo runs up to TOSS Knight!
Knight dodges Solo in the corner and hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up even more and Knight tags Apollo. Knight hits Tama with the BIG back suplex! Apollo goes up top for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Apollo clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Knight WRECKS Jacob with a dropkick, and the Samoan Werewolf tumbles up and over the desk! Knight goes out to say that’s what Jacob gets, BUT SHINSUKE IS HERE!? Nakamura CLOBBERS Knight into the desk! The King of Strong Style gets away with that while the ref was busy checking Tama! Solo CLOBBERS Apollo, but Andrade whips Solo!
Solo reverses and ELBOWS Andrade! Solo drags Tama to their corner and then tags in. Solo aims at Apollo, HIP ATTACK! Solo hauls Apollo up, URENAGE! And then SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!
Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall
It seems Drew McIntyre isn’t the only one who is surprisingly on Solo’s side. The sinister samurai made sure to strike from the shadows to screw over Knight, will Knight make sure Nakamura comes to regret it? As for Solo, he is rolling towards the Raw Netflix debut, will he not need his Bloodline to retain the ula fala?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron Saxton is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin ahead of the emotional grudge match. Shelley takes on his former friend, student, and the man who betrayed MCMG to take those WWE Tag Team Championships. That man is Johnny Gargano, so what thoughts are flowing through Shelley’s mind? Shelley says it is one thought: Payback. Sabin says they’ve known Gargano almost 20 YEARS, and only now does Gargano let the mask fall away to show us the truth. Shelley says it cuts a lot deeper when it’s someone you considered a little brother. Shelley tells Johnny that he makes sure Gargano knows he made the BIGGEST mistake of his life.
Sabin asks Shelley if he’s ready to do this. Shelley says this is something he has to do alone. He wants to see if Gargano is man enough to do the same. Sabin says okay, let’s get warmed up. Shelley wants a 1v1 shootout with Johnny Wrestling, but will Gargano do anything but do this himself?
SmackDown shares footage from after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Byron Saxton was with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven and said before anything else, congratulations. Chelsea pats herself on the back, Piper pats Chelsea a bit, too, and Byron takes her back through the closing moments. Unpretty-Her on Michin, the bell rings, and we hear Lilian Garcia say the words, “AND NEW Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green.” What went through her mind? Chelsea takes out her gum and puts it in “Bryan’s” hand, and then tells him that she always knew this would happen. He might be surprised, and that’s so cute, but she wasn’t. She’s been doing this for ten YEARS, and worked her entire life to be an overnight success.
This is Chelsea’s time! Red, white and Green! Say it with her, Bryan! #RedWhiteAndGreen. So then, let’s talk the historical significance. Chelsea will now go down in the history books as the FIRST-EVER Women’s US Champion, so how does she’s now synonymous with the likes of Harley Race, the first-ever Men’s US Champion? She would say, “Duh.” She’s in the books where she belongs. Probably should’ve been three years ago, but she was released. It should’ve been way back in 2015, but she wasn’t hired. So now is the time. NOW IS THE FREAKIN’ TIME!! Yes, it is her time. What does a Chelsea Green reign look like going forward?
Chelsea says it looks like she’s going to Disneyland, so she’s got a plane to catch. Can they wrap this up? Of course. Have fun in Disneyland. Yes, well-deserved. Piper calls for champagne. Will we never hear the end of this now that Chelsea has gold to go with the ego?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“What happened after Saturday Night’s Main Event was not my fault. There’s a lot of people to blame for it. Cody Rhodes, the referees, Nick Aldis, WWE Management, they’re all to blame. I was screwed out of winning that championship. What happened to me is a travesty, a tragedy! I should be standing here Undisputed WWE Champion, but I’m not. But I took this (the Winged Eagle belt) because I deserve it. And I’m not giving it back until I get what i want. Everyone needs to understand, you can only push a man so much until they snap. But the good news is, I haven’t snapped yet.
“It can all get so much worse, trust me. You don’t want me to snap. So Cody, Nick Aldis, WWE officials, what happens next is on all of you.” The Prizefighter has said his piece, will he hold the championship hostage until his demands are met?
DIY talks backstage.
Ciampa gets it, Gargano’s known MCMG a long time. So it surprises Ciampa that Shelley is so dumb! He wants this grudge match but he can’t win the tag titles back in a singles match. So what’s he doing? Gargano says Shelley wants his payback, that’s obvious. But Shelley wants to challenge Gargano’s manhood?! Gargano is all man! He made a kid! Yeah, Papa John, Daddy Ciampa, of course they made kids. But Shelley did specify that he wants to do this on his own, so Ciampa knows what that means, right? Ciampa has to stay backstage, too. Gargano will handle business by himself. He’s not some naive 18-year-old kid with a dream anymore! Dream came true!
Gargano will go remind Shelley that he’s Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling! So Ciampa can just relax right back here. Ciampa says go get him! Ciampa won’t even move a muscle from here, you can trust him. Can he? Or is this all another facade to lower everyone’s guard?
It’s an all new Grayson Waller Effect!
A-Town Down Under is already in the ring, and fans boo as Austin Theory & Grayson Waller show off the abs. Waller then welcomes us to the Grayson Waller- And Austin Theory…! Effect. The hottest show keeps getting hotter cuz Waller gets scoop after scoop, lads. And tonight is a big scoop! A big, BIG scoop! The first transfer from Raw to SmackDown, it’s the Monster of All Monsters, BRAUN STROWMAN! The fans cheer as Braun makes his way to the ring, and he’s coming out as Santa Braun! Or perhaps, Strowman Claus? Either way, Braun throws free merchandise to the fans, what a gift for Christmas!
Braun empties the bag and then goes to the ring. Turns out, nothing for Waller & Theory! Waller sits behind the desk and thanks Braun for coming. And how nice of Braun to help all the poor here in Hartford. The fans boo and Braun asks if Waller’s really starting this like that. Is he really trying to piss Braun off already? No no no! Braun is right, it really is nice. And this is big! The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history! On the biggest talk show in WWE history! Braun says it doesn’t get any bigger than this, baby! The fans cheer and Waller says before we start, he knows how this goes, sometimes.
Waller just wants us to know that he invested a lot of money into the new set. Maybe we continue to spread Christmas cheer and have a civil conversation. No damage. Well, if Waller runs his mouth, then Braun can promise he’ll wear Waller out using all the stuff in here. Waller says he’s a bit surprised Braun agreed to this. If no one has said before, but Braun is a little intimidating. But the more Waller thought about it, the more it made sense. Even Braun sees the sense in associating with ATDU! The fans boo and Braun says he threw up a little bit in his mouth, and that get a good laugh.
Waller says okay, but SmackDown’s a bit scary right now. Bloodline is going wild, people are getting attacked backstage, and you don’t wanna be alone in the car park. Sorry, parking lot. Braun asks if Waller knows who he’s talking to. No, he didn’t mean anything by it. Waller just figures, it’d be a good idea if Braun looked after Braun for once. And that means setting up the ultimate alliance. Braun Strowman & A-Town Down Under as the same team! They’d be untouchable! The cunning and intelligence of Waller & Theory, Braun’s strength. Get it? Brains & Braun. Braun says he already told Waller to watch his mouth! Does Waller want his set shoved up his-
Wait! Carmelo Hayes makes his way out here! Braun sighs and Melo says no, no, no, cut this out. Melo has a bone to pick with Braun. Aldis thought he was going to humble Melo by setting him up against Braun. Everybody here knows that that wasn’t fair. But newsflash, Nick Aldis, you can’t humble greatness! Melo might lose, but he’ll never quit. So Braun, “you big ugly dumb Santa Claus b*tch,” let’s run this thing back right here, right now! Cuz now, Melo’s ready! Braun says if Melo didn’t learn his lesson last week, Braun will remind him what the Braun Strowman Effect is! Waller & Theory run away as Braun grabs the fake palm trees!
Braun CHUCKS trees at Melo but Melo just laughs. Will Melo not miss the game winner in this rematch? Or will Braun be the one to humble H1M?
Braun Strowman VS Carmelo Hayes!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Braun chuckles at Melo wanting to tie up. They do tie up but then Melo slips around to KICK the leg! Braun just brushes that off as he and Melo circle. Melo uses the ropes and even the ref as a shield so Braun backs off. Melo comes back, taunts Braun, then drops back to ropes. The ref wants Braun to let off, and Braun does, but then Melo sucker punches him! Melo talks smack, then whips, but Braun blocks! B raun shakes his head, whips Melo, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides out. Melo says safe! Melo says he’s smart, but then gets spooked as Braun storms up to ropes!
The ref has Braun stay back, and Melo gets cocky again. Braun signals to the fans that he’s taking a lap and the fans fire up. Braun goes outside, builds speed, but Melo runs! Melo slides into the ring, Braun gets on the apron, but Melo KICKS him! The fans boo but Melo hits the FADE AWAY! Braun flounders, Melo CLUBS and KNEES and repeat! Braun SHOVES Melo out of the ring! Braun shakes it off then storms back up on Melo. Braun YANKS Melo up by his hair! And then he TOSSES Melo across the way! The fans fire up and Braun drags Melo up again. Braun whips, Melo dropkicks the legs out! Braun falls, Melo runs, FADE AWAY, but into Braun’s hands!
Braun pops Melo up, but Melo SPIKE-RANAS! Braun sputters and Melo soaks up heat. Braun rises up like the monster he is! Melo turns around, Braun runs up, but Melo DUMPS Braun out! Melo BOOTS Braun away, then gets cocky again. Melo goes out the side and he runs up a la Braun. But Braun BOOTS Melo right down! The fans fire up and Braun looms over Melo. Braun drags Melo up, whips him at steps, but Melo goes up! Melo leaps, but into Braun’s arms! We’re at 7 of 10 as Melo slips free! Melo SLAPS Braun! Braun grabs Melo by the neck and TOSSES him into the ring! We’re at 10!! MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by count out
Talk about rope-a-dope! Melo steals this win by getting the better of Braun’s anger! Braun scowls at smart-aleck Melo, and he storms in! Melo runs out to the crowd and into the night, but Braun pursues! Will Melo #GetTheseHands one way or another?
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae talk backstage.
They’re both excited for the tag title match tonight, because Nia can become a double champion. Tiffany Stratton walks in and Nia says there she is! Tiff wishes them luck tonight, and cannot wait to be there ringside when the ref raises their hands. Nia gets a guilty look on her face and Candice tells Tiff that they were talking… It’s best if Tiff stays in the back. But hey, she can take some notes if she wants. And if she wants to help, she can prepare champagne, balloons and maybe even streamers. They’re gonna need all that after the big win. So Tiff should get on that while Candice & Nia strategize.
Tiff looks to Nia but Nia just says, “Thanks, Tiff.” Tiff leaves, Nia shrugs off the guilt and says she and Candice are ready. Candice is sure Tiff will have the most beautiful party ready for them. Will the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie succeed in taking the tag titles for their own? Or will it be Bianca & Naomi having that champagne to celebrate?
Melo returns backstage.
And he’s on high alert knowing Braun is still hunting him down. Melo bumps into Legado Del Fantasma, and then Braun storms up! Braun asks where Melo went. Santos Escobar says screw that, he’s no snitch. Braun says not telling is gonna get Santos worse. Angel steps in and says Melo went that way. Braun thanks Angel and storms off after Melo. But then Pretty Deadly asks Braun to please read through their script. Braun slaps the script down and says he doesn’t care about their stupid musical! But then Melo SMACKS Braun with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Melo talks trash before heading out, but Braun gets back up.
Braun is angrier than ever, and he still hunts Melo down! Is there going to be nothing left of H1M after Braun #GetsTheseHands on him?
Johnny Gargano VS Alex Shelley!
Longtime friendships thrown away in order to get ahead is practically cliche in pro-wrestling, but to think Johnny Wrestling would be the kind to do that. Will Shelley make Gargano regret ever treating 20 YEARS like it was nothing?
The bell rings and Gargano runs up! Shelley dodges to fire hands, then he bumps Gargano off buckles. Shelley stomps a mudhole in, then stands Gargano up to dig his forearm in! The ref counts, Shelley lets off, then he climbs up to rain down fists! Gargano YANKS Shelley down! Shelley flounders, Gargano CHOPS Shelley to a corner, then he mocks the MCMG hand pointing. Gargano CHOPS Shelley, ROCKS him, then wrenches him to whip corner to corner. Gargano runs up but Shelley ELBOWS him away! Shelley goes up to FLYING KNEE! And then he CLOBBERS Gargano! The fans fire up as Shelley drags Gargano up.
Shelley wrenches, hammerlocks, but Gargano elbows free! Gargano brings Shelley around to schoolboy ROUNDHOUSE! Shelley sputters, Gargano brings him up, and Gargano says he’s no longer the student. Gargano ROCKS Shelley, stomps away, but stops as the ref counts. Gargano soaks up heat, then shakes out his left hand before he runs up. Shelley puts Gargano on the apron to HOTSHOT! Gargano falls, Shelley aims, and Shelley slingshots to stomp Gargano’s bad hand! Gargano staggers away, but runs back up on Shelley, only for Shelley to jump the sweep! SUPERKICK! Then FLYING KNEE!
The fans fire up while Gargano goes down, and Shelley says that’s what Gargano gets while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Gargano has Shelley in a clinch. Gargano fires body shots, then he hits a JAWBREAKER! Gargano goes to a corner, Shelley runs up, but Gargano BOOTS back! Gargano runs up and slips around Shelley to SLINGBLADE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gargano is frustrated but he stalks Shelley to the apron. Gargano brings Shelley up, talks more smack, and he fireman’s carries. Shelley slips out but Gargano ROCKS him! SLINGSHOT- SUPERKICK! Shelley takes Gargano out of the air and both men are down! The fans rally up, and Shelley stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again!
Shelley CHOPS, whips, then kitchen sink knees! And then PENALTY KICKS! Ghost pin, TWO! Gargano escapes, but Shelley wants the arm! Shelley uses the Garga- NO, Gargano turns chicken wing into roll up, TWO!! Shelley escapes, clinches, and spins Gargano, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Shelley wants the arm again! The fans rally as Shelley drags Gargano up, wrenches and wristlocks, but Gargano ROCKS Shelley with forearms! Shelley CHOPS back, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Shelley wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! But Gargano ENZIGIRIS! Shelley runs up, Gargano dodges and SUPERKICKS!
Gargano scoops Shelley, takes aim at a corner, LAWN DART! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives and the fans rally up! Gargano grows frustrated but he brings Shelley around. Gargano wants the arm now! GargaNO Escape, but Shelley says NO to that! They both fight up, end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Gargano lets off, to then ROCK Shelley with a cheap shot! Gargano runs up, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Shelley shakes out the stars and he goes to the corner. The fans fire up as Shelley climbs, but Ciampa shows up! Gargano GAMANGIRIS Shelley down! But wait, here comes Sabin! Ciampa violated the deal first so Sabin’s not letting him do worse!
Gargano climbs up while Sabin chases Ciampa off, but Shelley SHOVES Gargano! CROSSBODY! Gargano rolls through, and pulls tights! Gargano wins!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Distraction tactic and pulling the tights? Gargano has no shame! But he and Ciampa have the WWE Tag Team Championships, so is that all that matters?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Naomi.
Byron Saxton is at gorilla with The EST & The Glow, and before they head to the ring, he wants to recap the crazy couple of weeks. The mysterious attack on Jade Cargill, the big win at Survivor Series in WarGames, and now they can solidify themselves as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bianca says these past few weeks have been rough to say the least. And while you can trust Bianca will find out what happened to Jade, you best believe they won’t be stripped of the tag titles. That’s just what the culprit wants and Bianca isn’t going down without a fight. Thankfully, Bianca has a friend who always has her back.
Naomi says yeah, she’s got her back forever! And she can never turn down a good “snatch ‘n’ drag.” But she also knows how important these titles are to Bianca & Jade, and they’re just as important to her. Naomi will go out there and do everything she has to in order to keep the titles. Bianca holds out Jade’s belt to Naomi, but Naomi says no. Not until she’s earned it. Bianca says okay, and the music hits. Naomi is fired up, will this be the StrongEST Glow yet?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns as the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie make their entrance together. The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and we see who is truly the strongest duo!
The teams sort out and Bianca starts against Candice. They tie up as the fans rally, and Bianca powers Candice right to a corner. But Candice pulls the braid! The ref reprimands, Candice shoves Bianca, then pie faces her! But Bianca SHOVES Candice to the corner! Bianca runs up but into an elbow! Candice goes up but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca gorilla presses Candice but Candice scrambles free! Candice hurries away and she tags in Nia. Bianca says bring it and the fans rally for the “E S T! E S T!” Nia and Bianca tie up, Bianca headlocks, but Nia powers up and out. Tiff is watching backstage as Nia scoops Bianca, only for Bianca to slip free.
Bianca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Nia rebounds but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Bianca tags Naomi then sets Nia up! Naomi and Bianca both run the ropes, Bianca handsprings, SPLIT LEG DROP AND MOONSAULT COMBO! Naomi covers, TWO! Naomi hurries back after Nia but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat then mule kicks! Naomi runs but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Nia drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Naomi stays in this for Bianca’s sake but Nia storms back up as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Nia DRIBBLES Naomi off the mat, then stares Bianca down. Nia stalks Naomi to a corner, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Nia lets off, and then Nia drags Naomi over to the corner. Nia traps Naomi while she tags Candice. Nia fires some elbows before backing off, and Candice RAMS Naomi! Candice ROCKS Naomi, sits her down, then stomps a mudhole in. Candice taunts Bianca, drags Naomi to a cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Naomi down, then clamps on with a top wristlock. Naomi endures while Candice leans on the hold. Naomi fights up, arm-drags free, then hurries for her corner!
Candice scrambles after Naomi and THROWS her by her hair! Candice stomps Naomi to the corner, tags Nia, and Nia runs up to HIP ATTACK! Nia taunts Bianca, drags Naomi up, and clamps on with a cobra clutch! Nia leans on Naomi to grind her down. Naomi endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! Nia staggers around, but she scoops Naomi! Naomi slips free to the apron and HOTSHOTS Nia! Naomi BOOTS Candice. RAMS Nia, then reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Naomi is down, but she BOOTS Nia away before heading for her corner. Candice hurries and tags in, but Naomi hot tags Bianca!
Bianca rallies on Candice with shoulder tackles and DROPKICK! Bianca kips up, wrenches, and suplexes Candice! SmackDown returns to single picture as Candice slips free! Candice dodges Bianca, Nia sneaks a tag, and Bianca scoops Candice for a GUT BUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner to RAM Candice, then she climbs up! The ref tries to explain but Nia runs up! Bianca backflips up and over! Nia almost squashes Candice, but she turns around. Bianca dodges Nia, but Candice hits a CODE BREAKER! SAMOAN DROP from Nia! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Nia snarls as she drags Bianca into a motorcycle stretch!
Bianca endures and the fans rally up. Bianca fights up but Nia POSTS her first! Nia then mocks the fans with clapping, then she scuffs Bianca. Nia dares Bianca to tag, then she THROWS Bianca by the braid! Bianca goes to ropes, and Nia pulls the braid around them! The ref reprimands, Nia lets off, but Candice gets her shots in! The fans boo but Bianca gets away. Nia soaks up the heat and then brings Bianca around. Nia has the cobra clutch back on and she thrashes Bianca around. The fans rally as Bianca endures, and Bianca fights back up. Nia kicks Bianca but Bianca rebounds to reel Nia in!
Bianca tries to suplex but Nia’s too big! Nia shoves Bianca to the corner, but Bianca BOOTS back! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, runs up on Nia, but Nia picks her up! Nia RAMS Bianca into the corner! Tag to Candice and she climbs. Nia holds Bianca up, Candice MISSILE DROPKICKS Bianca into the SPINEBUSTER! Candice then BLASTS Bianca off the apron, then uses Nia as the step for the STEP-UP SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, she’s the toughEST for a reason! Candice is frustrated and she CLUBS away on Bianca! The fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Bianca throws a body shot but Candice CLUBS her down again.
Candice tags Nia and Nia pulls the braid to keep Bianca back. Nia whips Bianca to Candice but Bianca slips around. Candice standing switches, Nia runs up, but Bianca ducks and Nia clips Candice! Bianca scrambles while Nia checks Candice, hot tag to Naomi! Naomi LARIATS Nia but Nia stays up! So Naomi UPPERCUTS Nia! Nia still stays up! Naomi dodges, goes up the ropes, FLYING CHUCK! Nia wobbles and the fans fire up with Naomi! Naomi reels Nia in but Nia whips her away! Naomi BOOTS from the corner, then goes up! FLYING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia stays in this but Naomi pounds the mat.
The fans rally up, Naoim brings Nia up, but Nia HEADBUTTS her! Nia runs up at the corner, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Nia is down, Naomi goes up! SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS as Nia moves! Nia CLUBS Naomi, puts her in the drop zone, then goes up! But Naomi SMACKS Nia off the post! Tag to Bianca, and Naomi gets under Nia?! POWERBOMB!! Naomi drags Nia into the drop zone! Bianca aims for the 450!! Cover, CANDICE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Nia is busted open from hitting that post, but here comes TIFFANY! Is she doing what it looks like? Tiff cheers on Candice & Nia, no cash-in yet.
Candice tags in, goes after Bianca, but Bianca RAMS Candice into the corner! Bianca runs but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Naomi GAMANGIRIS Candice! Fans cheer “CASH IT IN!” at Tiff but Bianca tags in Naomi. Nia sneaks a tag, and as the Naomi goes after Candice, the ref has to explain. In that distraction, Nia asks for the briefcase! Tiff is conflicted, but she hands it over. But then the ref sees Nia with it! Bianca HANDSPRING KICKS Nia off the apron! Nia falls right at Tiff’s feet! Bianca tags Naomi, then PLANCHAS onto Nia! Naomi has Candice but Candice cradles! TWO!! Naomi KNEES Candice down!
Naomi hurries up, up and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, NAOMI & BIANCA WIN!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Tiff’s hesitation costs Nia, and that means Naomi has earned that title belt! Bianca personally hands it to her and the two celebrate together. Will they hold onto the titles all the way ’til Jade is back in action? Or will a team come along that outshines even the StrongEST Glow?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of SmackDown here, though I think it was also prerecorded. They were in Hartford last week, weren’t they? And I thought that was prerecorded given how Jimmy Uso’s promo was received… But speaking of, good stuff from Bloodline to open. McIntyre calling a true with Solo was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose we should’ve seen that coming with how McIntyre is a Heel and often a hypocrite. Jimmy going after McIntyre was also good stuff, he can clearly still be a factor even with a bad toe. Very good Six Man Tag, too, but I should’ve known Nakamura would interfere and cost Knight’s team. Good win for Solo, and we’ve still got a couple weeks before Raw on Netflix, so the go-home math will still sort out with the first SmackDown of 2025.
Very good promos from MCMG and DIY, and of course Ciampa still went out to ringside despite the “promise” he made. And of course Gargano cheated, but that adds heat to the coming tag title rematch. They might even put that on the first SmackDown of 2025 to hype it up. Especially as I think it’s going to be the first THREE HOUR SmackDown. NBC is willing to do that knowing Raw is going to Netflix, meaning SmackDown will get more time to do more great things, which works with all the belts we’ve got now.
Good stuff with Braun and the Grayson Waller Effect, but of course we set up more between Braun and Melo. Clever move for Melo to win by count out, and of course Melo gets cocky for it. Braun was almost classic Braun with how he shrugged the chair shots off backstage. We’ll of course get one more Braun VS Melo, and maybe someone from Legado or Pretty Deadly screws Braun over given how he treated them. Very good promo from Chelsea after her big win on Saturday, and I’m sure she’ll be celebrating this win in both kayfabe and real-life through the holidays, ready to start her first title feud on January 3rd.
Very good promo from Kevin Owens, but I feel like he had to contradict himself here from what he said during the Raw on Netflix “kickoff show” on Wednesday. Kevin said then that he’s going to act as the defending champion with the holiday house show tour, but he said here he isn’t the champion since he got screwed. Either way, he’ll really play up how he is somehow the victim in all this, making the return of Cody Rhodes all the better. We’ll surely get one last match of Cody VS Kevin, maybe with a big stipulation on it, and then we’ll have a moment of (more than likely) Cody holding up both Winged Eagle and corporate logo championships.
And of course, very good stuff in the two main Smackdown women’s stories. That promo from Nia, Candice and Tiff was really good because you kinda feel for Tiff being treated as the odd one out. And then very good promo right before the match with Bianca & Naomi. I like Naomi wanting to earn the belt, and we got a great tag match. Nia surely got busted open “hard way,” aka legitimately, that post surely has edges you gotta watch out for. But Tiff showing up was of course for the briefcase distraction, not cashing in. Tiff hasn’t been pushed that far yet, that might come with the Netflix debut. But Naomi & Bianca of course retained the titles, that’ll cue up Jade making a return to identify her attacker, and it might be Naomi after all…
My Score: 8.8/10
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