Coverage
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (10/12/23)
Step onto the Proving Ground!
GooMerasKipThe champions of ROH look to test themselves!
Eddie Kingston and Athena both still reign over ROH as the world champions, but who will face them in tonight’s Proving Ground matches?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Eddie Kingston VS Serpentico w/ Angelico; Eddie wins and denies Serpentico a title opportunity.
- The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS Fresco & Watson; The Gates win.
- ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena w/ Billie Starkz VS Mazzerati; Athena wins and denies Mazzerati a title opportunity.
- AAA Latin American Championship Match: QT Marshall VS Daga; QT wins and retains the title.
- The Infantry VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shane Taylor Promotions wins.
- Angelico VS Martin Casaus; Angelico wins.
- Mercedes Martinez w/ Diamante VS Lady Frost; Mercedes wins.
- Leyla Hirsh VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins.
- Gringo Loco VS Action Andretti; Action wins.
- Billie Starkz w/ Athena VS Rachel Riveter; Billie wins.
- Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford VS Anthony Henry w/ JD Drake; Kip wins.
- Ethan Page VS Christopher Daniels; Ethan wins.
- Darius Martin VS Scorpio Sky; Scorpio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Serpentico.
Dasha is with #SNAKEMAN and says he has a lot to prove in the Proving Ground match against Eddie Kingston. Serpentico says Eddie is a grand campeon in ROH, but Serpentico isn’t the same as he was two years ago when they first faced off. Dasha, what are the parameters of a Proving Ground match? Well, there’s a ten minute time limit- Exactly! All Serpentico has to do is last ten minutes and he earns his title shot. And Serpentico has made it his mission ever since ROH came back that he’d put it all on his back, rebuild it brick by brick and minute by minute. “Eddie, ten minutes, that’s all it takes. Your life changes, and so does mine. See you out there, bud.”
Dasha wishes Serpentico luck tonight, but will all Serpentico need is the will to survive? We find out, next!
ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Eddie Kingston VS Serpentico w/ Angelico!
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and we’re on the clock. Fans rally, Eddie even shakes Angelico’s hand, and he circles with Serpentico. They tie up, are in a deadlock, so they let off. Serpentico CHOPS, dodges, then CHOPS again! Then dodges and CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Serpentico uses MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up as Serpentico whips but Eddie reverses. Eddie runs in but into BOOTS! Serpentico then RANAS, and COMPLETE SHOTS! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this but Serpentico hurries to a corner. Fans rally up as Eddie rises, and Serpentico leaps, into a clinch! EXPLODER!
Fans fire up as Eddie rises, and he reels Serpentico in, SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Serpentico survives but Eddie puts on the STRETCH PLUM!! Serpentico taps, Eddie wins!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (denies Serpentico a title match)
SNAKEMAN talked about surviving ten minutes but that was only five! Angelico gets in to check on his teammate, but Eddie gets a mic. “Hey. Hey. Move, let me shake his hand. Dawg, so what I hurt him? It’s part of the deal!” Eddie and Angelico stare down, but Serpentico accepts the Code of Honor. Eddie asks if Angelico wants a shot, or if he’s going to stab Eddie in the back first. They’re supposed to be friends, aren’t they? Angelico asks if Eddie’s talking to him, and Eddie says yeah, who else would he be talking to? “Ya stupid mofo!” Eddie asks if he wants that shot, yes or no!
Angelico snatches the mic and says Eddie’s messed up now. Next time, we find out that when it comes to hold for hold wrestling, Angelico’s afraid of no man. Then Eddie wants Angelico to show it! Next time, Eddie VS Angelico for the ROH World Championship! They shake on it, but is the Mad King getting himself into trouble taking on the South African Stud?
The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS Fresco & Watson!
Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun have a battle with Blackpool Combat Club tomorrow on Rampage, so that means they need a warm-up. Will they Open the Gates here in Salt Lake City? Or will it be #LightsCameraFaction on ROH TV?
The Code of Honor is upheld, then the teams sort out. Liona starts against Fresco, but the whole team chants “CUUUT~! CUUUT~!” Fresco says “CUUUT~!” right to Liona, making a cutting hand motion. Liona grabs the hand to BITE it! The ref reprimands, Liona CLOBBERS Fresco, then roars at the team. Tag to Kaun, the Gates mug Fresco then double scoop to SLAM! Fresco scrambles to tag in Watson but the Gates TOSS him in! The Gates double whip, Watson holds ropes to then KICK Kaun and KNEE Liona! The Gates don’t budge, and they DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Watson flounders to a corner while fans fire up.
Kaun SLAPS Liona, whips him in, but Watson BOOTS Liona! Kaun runs in but only gets buckles! Fresco returns but Kaun dodges him and Fresco hits buckles. Kaun LARIATS Fresco down! Watson fires off, UPPERCUTS, and roars, only to run into Liona’s POUNCE! The rest of LCF check Watson as he flops out of the ring, but the Gates go out to flank them. The Gates TOSS Ice Williams & Joe Braxton in, and then block double kicks to double ATOMIC SLAM! Watson flounders up but Liona is right on him! They OPEN THE GATES! Cover, The Gates win!
Winners: The Gates of Agony, by pinfall
Liona & Kaun are dominant once again, but will they be able to do this to the BCC? Or will Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta make these giants bleed?
Backstage interview with Daga.
Dasha says tonight, he has a huge opportunity. This is his ROH debut, and he’s facing QT Marshall for the AAA Latin America Championship. Daga thanks Dasha and says he is super happy to show everyone what he is capable of. Tonight, as a former AAA Latin American Champion, he wants QT to understand that he is here and he is coming for that gold! Will El Jefe take back this title at the expense of God’s Gift to Wrestling?
ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena w/ Billie Starkz VS Mazzerati!
The Fallen Goddess is again leading by example in teaching her Minion, while still giving a Future Star of Wrestling an opportunity. But will nothing stop Athena’s ROH undefeated streak? Or will she be taken for a 10 minute ride by Mazzerati?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and we’re on the clock. Mazzerati gets around to roll Athena up, TWO! Mazzerati hooks legs, rolls and ghost pins, TWO! Mazzerati wrenches, wristlocks, but Athena slips around to wrench back. Athena wrenches again, wristlocks, but Mazzerati rolls, spins and slips under. Fans cheer and Mazzerati cheers herself, but Athena SHOTGUNS her down! “This is MY show!” Athena runs in at the ropes but Mazzerati drops down. Athena stops from tumbling out and she drags Mazzerati up for a GOURD BUSTER! Fans fire up as Athena looms over Mazzerati.
Athena drags Mazzerati up to CLUB her back down! Billie cheers the champ as Athena puts Mazzerati in ropes. Athena CLUBS away but Mazzerati shoves Athena down! Mazzerati leaps from the apron, but the rana is blocked! Athena POWERBOMBS Mazzerati to the floor! The fans lose their minds and Billie is stunned! Athena drags Mazzerati up to SLING into the railing! Athena taunts Mazzerati to get up, then puts her in the ring. Mazzerati flounders, Athena stalks her, and Athena kicks her down. Athena drags Mazzerati up to SLAM her, then DOUBLE KNEE DROP! Athena then rains down fists!
Athena drags Mazzerati into the motorcycle stretch, her knee digging into Mazzerati’s back. Fans rally, Mazzerati reaches out, but Athena turns her from ropes. Mazzerati fights up, throws elbows, but Athena KNEES low! Athena whips Mazzerati to ropes, but Mazzerati holds ropes to then HEEL KICK! Athena wobbles, Mazzerati tilt-o-whirls and RANAS, but Athena handsprings through! Athena DECKS Mazzerati!! Cover, TWO!! Mazzerati survives but Athena just scowls at her. Athena tells the ref to stop telling her what to do, then she scoops Mazzerati to put her in the Tree of Woe. For some KICKS to the back!
Athena lets off to cheer herself as Mazzerati flops out of the Tree. Athena then runs in, but Mazzerati dodges! Mazzerati returns to KNEE, roll, and SPLASH! Mazzerati snapmares Athena, fires off forearms, then an ELBOW! Mazzerati’s made it five minutes, she springboards, but into a BOOT! Athena clamps on a HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE, then rolls it into a top wristlock triangle combo!! Mazzerati taps, Athena wins!
Winner: Athena, by submission (denies Mazzerati a title match)
The ref says stop, and Athena says okay, but then she goes into a CROSSFACE! The ref reprimands, Athena lets go, and she parades around with the belt, but Billie drags Mazzerati out! Billie gets Mazzerati under the ring to hide her from Athena! Athena asks where Mazzerati went and Billie says she ran away. Who knows where to! Athena says Billie better not be lying. Billie finds a way to spare another victim, but will Athena only do worse to the next opponent to make up for it?
Backstage interview with Lee Johnson.
Lexi Nair is with Big Shotty and says he had a competitive showing against Darius Martin, but came up short. What’s next for him? But before Johnson can say anything, in steps Shane Taylor Promotions. Shane Taylor says, “Competitive, close, but you lost. Aren’t you tired of hearing that?” Moriarty says they don’t have this problem. Six on two is like three on one, but you saw how easy it was for them to win last week’s Fatal 4, right? So why doesn’t Johnson get with the baddest fight team in ROH, and show your true potential just like Moriarty did. Or Johnson can keep losing and hold onto these moral victories. It’s up to him.
Shane & Moriarty leave, but what will Big Shotty’s decision be?
AAA Latin American Championship Match: QT Marshall VS Daga!
Though he’s been away from AEW and QTV, God’s Gift to Wrestling has made a name for himself in Mexico. But now, returning to the USA with this belt, will QT still be a star? Or will El Jefe be El Campeon once again?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the face of Latin America!
But wait, QT gets the mic. He has the music cut, and he says, “Don’t listen to these idiots. QT Marshall, Latin American Champ, good to meet you. Mucho gusto.” Daga is amused, and QT says “Daga” is dagger. But here’s what it doesn’t mean: champion. And it sure doesn’t mean “the greatest luchador of all time.” And QT knows he isn’t the best at Spanish, but when he goes to AAA shows in arenas all over Mexico, they chant “CULERO! CULERO!” Yeah, that’s good, right? He just doesn’t know what it means, so maybe Daga can help him. Please translate so he knows what his fans are trying to tell him.
Daga takes the mic and fans chant it now, “CULERO!” Well, see, what everyone is saying, and Daga agrees with it, QT is an a-hole. Then Daga ROCKS QT with a right! The bell rings and the match is on! Daga fires off on QT, then whips him to ropes. QT stops to KICK Daga, then runs in, but Daga spins him and ROLLING LARIATS! Fans fire up as QT sits up in a daze. Daga drags QT up, underhooks, and Canadian Racks but QT slips free! QT goes to a corner, Daga runs in but is put on the apron. Daga counter punches then GAMANGIRIS! Daga slingshots but QT DECKS him! Fans chant “CULERO! CULERO!” but QT scowls.
QT goes out to fetch Daga, and SMACKS him off railing! Fans boo, the ring count climbs, but QT CHOPS Daga against railing! QT puts Daga in, then slingshots to SENTON! QT does a pretty bad Latino Heat and that just gets fans to boo more. Cover, TWO! QT says to count “Uno Dos Tres!” but the ref says it was just dos. The fans keep chanting at QT as he drags Daga up. But Daga fires off hands! Daga runs, but into a DROPKICK! QT goes up a corner to smile and soak up all the heat. QT goes back for Daga, says he’s nothing but a loser. QT pie faces, says the fans don’t care about Daga, they only care about QT.
But Daga fires up and fans rally behind him. QT keeps pie facing Daga, so Daga ROCKS QT! And again! And again! Daga whips, QT reverses but Daga CLOBBERS him! And again! Daga keeps going, he shoots around, full nelson and pop-up to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Daga runs in to SPLASH QT! Then another whip for a DROPKICK! QT wobbles into the suplex, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! QT survives but fans rally harder for Daga. QT crawls away but Daga storms over. Daga drags QT up but QT HOTSHOTS Daga! QT springboards, but Daga dropkicks the legs! QT is stuck, Daga runs to DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!!
QT survives the dagger to the back, and now Daga argues tres but it was dos! Fans fire up for Daga as he goes to the corner but QT anchors the legs. Daga drags QT up to CLUB him, but QT blocks the suplex! They fight, QT gets Daga up but Daga slips out. QT ELBOWS Daga, goes up and TORNADO DDTS!! Cover, feet on the ropes, TWO!!! Then the ref sees the feet! QT says no, that was tres! The ref says no, dos, and that this is QT’s warning. QT frowns, brings Daga up, and says this is the end! But Daga turns suplex to cradle! TWO!! QT escapes, swings, but Daga gets around to backslide! TWO!!! QT gets Daga, rolls him, but Daga kicks and sweeps to SUPERKICK!
Fans fire up with Daga and he gut wrenches! Deadlift to the DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! QT survives and fans can’t believe it! But the fans rally for Daga as hard as they can as he goes to the corner. Daga climbs, QT stands, and Daga CROSS- DIAMOND CUTTER!! QT gets Daga, then suplexes for the DIRT SHEET DRIVER!! QT grins and brings Daga around, La Casita Magistrol! QT wins!
Winner: QT Marshall, by pinfall (still AAA Latin American Champion)
That last wasn’t even needed, but it was a message sent to lucha legend, Negro Casas! Negro Casas is now AAA, will he have something to say about QT’s reign?
Dalton Castle speaks.
“It demands so much of me. It says, ‘Give me more,’ and I give and I give until I give so much that I’m empty inside. But then I dig deeper and I give ’em more! I give the people exactly what they want because they believe in me. They believe. Nobody else here believes. I’m not on the posters, I’m not on the trucks, I don’t have any new merchandise! But the people, you believe in me. You chant my name when I walk out there, which is why I dig deep and I give you exactly what you demand, and that is a television program that you can sink your teeth into.” Castle finally runs out of breath, but will he never run out of fuel?
The Infantry VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
Two teams hungry for that top spot, hungry for the ROH World Tag Team Championships and everything after that, but still with a way’s to go now collide here in Salt Lake City! Will Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo march up the ranks? Or will #TAIGASTYLE & Big Bad Shaney T run things?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Moriarty starts with Bravo. Bravo shouts, “HOORAH!” and the fans reply, “HOORAH!” Bravo and Moriarty tie up, Moriarty headlocks and hits a takeover. Moriarty mocks “HOORAH!” but Bravo headscissors. Moriarty kips free and the two tie up again. Moriarty trips Bravo, steps over the legs to cover, ONE! But Moriarty has a KIMURA! Bravo scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Moriarty lets off slowly, to cheap shot with an elbow! Moriarty rope-a-dopes on turbo speed, then circles with Bravo. Bravo gets around and spins Moriarty to ROCK him!
Bravo mocks Moriarty, wrenches an arm, then tags Dean. The Infantry double whip then double atomic drop! They then double hip toss, and DOUBLE FIST DROP! Fans rally, Shane runs in but the Infantry dodge! They block a kick, ENZIGURI then NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up again and Bravo salutes. Dean drags Moriarty up, but Moriarty wrenches, traps the arm, and TWEAKS it! Moriarty swings, but Dean dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! Dean brings Moriarty around to ROCK him with a forearm! Fans rally, Dean whips but Moriarty reverses to wrench and wristlock to whip. Dean uses that to ROCK Shane!
But Moriarty BOOTS Dean down! Fans boo but Moriarty tags Shane and Shane drags Dean up to short arm LARIAT! And then another short arm LARIAT! Shane short arm LARIATS again! Shane whips and runs in to clothesline in the corner! Dean wobbles, Shane reels him in to scoop and SLAM! Tag to Moriarty and he covers, TWO! Dean survives but Moriarty wrenches the arm, isolates it, and STOMPS the elbow! Tag back to Shane and he drags Dean up. Fans rally, Dean throws body shots, forearms and fans fire up! Dean kicks, Shane blocks to HEADBUTT! Dean wobbles, Shane reels him in, URENAGE!
Shane runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Dean survives but Shane tags Moriarty. Cover, ONE!! Moriarty clamps onto the KIMURA! Dean fights up, RAMS Moriarty into a corner, but Moriarty holds the arm! Dean RAMS Moriarty in again, then arm-drags free! Fans fire up, but Moriarty keeps Dean from Bravo! Moriarty RAMS him into a corner, runs in again, but Dean goes up and over! Hot tag to Bravo! Bad News & Tattoos dodges Moriarty to BLAST Shane! Then he DECKS Moriarty! And again! Bravo whips, Moriarty reverses but Bravo turns hip toss into BNT!! Moriarty flounders from the sidewinder DDT and fans fire up with Bravo!
Bravo has the fans shout “HOORAH!” Bravo runs in, Moriarty puts him on the apron, but Bravo HOTSHOTS! Bravo SUPERKICKS Shane, then slingshots in to COMPLETE SHOT!! Cover, TWO!! Moriarty survives but Bravo tags Dean. The Infantry get Moriarty up, time for BOOT- NO, Shane trips Bravo and SMACKS him off the apron! Moriarty wrenches an arm to ELBOW BREAKER! But Dean spins Moriarty to BUTTERFLY BACKBREAKER! Cover, SHANE BREAKS IT! Shane drags Moriarty over, tags himself in, but so does Bravo. Shane blocks Bravo’s kick, shoves him down, but Bravo rolls back.
Bravo dodges in the corner, Shane hits buckles! Bravo runs in, jukes and ROCKS Shane! The Carlie Crush hits once, Bravo wants to knock Shane out! But Shane URENAGES Bravo down, then DECKS Bravo!!! Cover, Shane Taylor Promotions wins!
Winners: Shane Taylor Promotions, by pinfall
Bravo called his shot, but THAT was a knockout! Will that right hand be exactly what brings Shane back to the top of the mountain?
Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.
Lexi is excited for her “Minion In Training Bestie” having a match tonight, and Billie is, too. But… Billie wants to talk about their previous training session. Lexi said Billie sucks?! Lexi defends that she just felt Billie could work on some things. Mercedes Martinez & Diamante walk in and they both confirm, Lexi said Billie sucks. Her cardio was horrible, that she’s not a good wrestler, that Lexi is the bestie, and that Billie isn’t even a real minion. Billie IS a real minion! So she’s proud of being called that? How long as she even been hanging with Athena? Because any second now, she’s gonna turn on you.
Mercedes says Athena is no good, because she’s known her for a long time. Athena’s turned her back on Mercedes lots of times. Billie says that’s her family Mercedes is talking about! Oh, really? Well who here has the “bestie” shirt? Lexi says they’re making one for her. Diamante then snatches Billie’s fanny pack! They steal the fanny pack! Lexi says to not let them get in her head, and good luck tonight. Billie thanks Lexi, and grumbles at the bullies. Will Billie prove that even a minion can be too much for an OG Badass?
Angelico VS Martin Casaus!
This match-up may look familiar from a certain underground wrestling promotion, but no, this is still ROH. That said, will the South African Stud be rolling into his title match with The Mad King? Or will this crazy moth get in the way?
The Code of Honor is upheld and the fans rally for Marty. Seems Salt Lake likes moths. Marty does Angelico’s dance, but Angelico shows him how to really Bernie Lean. Marty does his own dance moves, but Angelico shows off the string move! Marty no like! Marty kicks but Angelico blocks to JAB! Marty does like that. Angelico JABS, and JABS and JABS and JABS! Angelico whips, Marty reverses but jumps into an atomic drop! Marty seems to really like that… But then Angelico DECKS Marty! Marty wobbles around, Angelico whips him to ropes, but Marty reverses, only for Angelico to reverse.
Angelico drops but Marty STOMPS him! Marty laughs, brings Angelico up but Angelico stops the buckle bump to backhand, JAB and buckle bump! Marty says he loves it, let’s do that again. So Angelico JABS and bumps, JABS and bumps! Marty fires up, shoves Angelico, and says “This is how it’s done!” Marty rams his own head into the buckle again and again! Fans count all the way to nine, Marty really winds up, but Angelico rolls him up! TWO, and Marty shoves Angelico to then CLOBBER Angelico with a headbutt to the chest! Cover, TWO! Marty drags Angelico, Angelico swings, but into a full nelson SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Angelico survives but Marty has a wild look on his face. Marty stalks Angelico, hoists him up, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Marty gets frustrated and he storms up in the corner. Angelico BOOTS Marty, but Marty comes back. Angelico BOOTS again, then runs to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! And again! Angelico dodges Marty to LEAPING LARIAT! Salt Lake is salty but Angelico sweeps to EDDY GORDO KICK! Angelico pushes Marty to a cover, TWO! The moth lives and fans rally up. Marty crawls, rises up, but Angelico slips under to grapevine and trip, to then hook the legs! NAVARRO DEATH ROLL!! Marty endures, but taps, Angelico wins!
Winner: Angelico, by submission
Angelico showed Eddie Kingston what he meant about being the best in technical style, but will he show Eddie in person next week?
Mercedes Martinez w/ Diamante VS Lady Frost!
The OG Badass and Cuban Diamond just got done talking down to Lexi & Billie backstage, but will Mercedes bully the Coolest Wrestler You Know? Or will she end up frostbitten instead?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Fans rally, the two tie up, and Mercedes trips Frost to stomp her on the back! And she stomps her again! Mercedes stands Frost up just to UPPERCUT! Frost drops to her knees, but Mercedes stands her up to UPPERCUT again! Mercedes whips, Frost reverses but Mercedes ROCKS her! Mercedes scoops and back suplexes but Frost lands on her feet to roll Mercedes up! TWO, and Frost KNEES Mercedes! Frost throws knees, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges then handsprings back, but Mercedes blocks to KICK Frost in the chest! Fans fire up and Mercedes CLUBS away on Frost’s chest!
Mercedes pushes Frost down, covers with a smile, ONE! Mercedes frowns now and drags Frost up to bump off buckles. Mercedes stomps Frost, the ref counts but Mercedes digs her boot in. The ref counts, Mercedes lets off, and then she just stomps and rains down forearms! The ref counts again, Mercedes lets off, and Diamante gets as cheap shot! Fans boo but Mercedes storms up. Frost pushes Mercedes, throws body shots, then fires forearms! Fans rally but Mercedes pokes Frost in the eyes! Mercedes scrapes Frost’s face off ropes! Mercedes throws forearms, goes corner to corner, but Frost BOOTS her down!
Frost runs, handsprings and SHOTGUNS Mercedes in the back! Mercedes ends up in a corner, Frost runs in but Mercedes sends her hard into buckles! Mercedes hauls Frost up to BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Mercedes covers again, TWO! Mercedes argues with the ref then drags Frost up again. Mercedes scoops but Frost slips free to kick! Mercedes ducks one but not the HEEL KICK! Frost runs, but Mercedes ROCKS her! And again! Frost UPPERCUTS back! Frost puts Mercedes in the corner to RAM into her, handspring back and RAM in again! Fans fire up for Frost and she runs in again, to GAMANGIRI!
Frost pushes Mercedes down, climbs up and fans fire up again. TORNILLO VADER! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Mercedes survives by a literal foot but Frost drags her around to the drop zone. Frost goes back up, and to the very top this time! But Mercedes crawls away and Diamante distracts! The ref reprimands, Diamante hops down, but Mercedes CLUBS Frost! And again, and again! Mercedes drags Frost into the crucifix, for a RAZOR’S EDGE DOMINATOR FUSION!! Cover, Mercedes wins!
Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by pinfall
The bullies break the ice queen, these two might be the coldest wrestlers in ROH. But will Mercedes get the AEW Women’s World Championship back?
Mark Sterling and Josh Woods speak.
Smart Mark says he wanted to talk with The Technical Best in front of cameras because he’s excited. Woods has been running through opponents week after week, he’s on a roll. Next week, we have a great list of opponents, nothing’s been finalized yet but it’s looking good. So what Mark thought they’d do is raise it up a notch, and now Woods has a coach! This man has coached champions and the best in the business. It’s Pat Buck! Mark is sure this will be great stuff. Pat walks in, thanks Mark for this chance, and says it’ll be great working with them. Woods asks why he needs a coach. He’s forgotten more things than this man knows!
Woods is a national champion! A four-time All American! What is Pat gonna teach him? That’s the problem. Woods thinks he knows everything. If he did, he’d be champion already. Pat is insulted, he no longer wants to be Woods’ coach. So instead, Woods is going to face Pat! In Pure Rules! Woods wrestlers great but Pat’s a great wrestler. See you next week. Woods says that’s cute. Is this really what Woods needs, Mark? Mark’s plan fell apart faster than a house of cards, will Pat make Woods fold?
Leyla Hirsh VS Willow Nightingale!
After a great showing against Athena last week that resulted in her first loss in ROH, Leyla might be wondering if she’s still LEGIT. Will she redeem herself here tonight? Or will the Babe with the Power have too much power for even Leyla to bring down?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though reluctantly by Leyla. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up and Leyla drop toeholds, but Willow stays up. Willow gets away and fans cheer as the two reset. They go again, Leyla waistlocks but Willow switches. Leyla switches, ankle picks then waistlocks but Willow fights around. Leyla wrenches an arm, wristlocks, but Willow scoops to SLAM! Fans fire up and Willow runs Leyla over! Willow runs, Leyla drops but Willow rolls. Things speed up and Willow hip tosses Leyla! Fans fire up and Willow puts Leyla in a corner to bump her off buckles. Willow ROCKS Leyla, then fires point-blank lariats!
Fans fire up and Willow brings Leyla around to suplex. Leyla slips out to have a SLEEPER! But Willow RAMS her into buckles! Willow snapmares Leyla, goes up the corner, but Leyla ROCKS Willow, then YANKS her down! Willow hits buckles on the way down and then the mat! Leyla pushes to a cover, TWO! Willow goes to ropes but Leyla kicks her! Leyla CHOKES Willow on the ropes, lets off, and then mocks Willow’s smile before she CLUBS Willow down. Leyla SLAMS Willow’s arm off the mat, then drops knees on it! Leyla pulls on the arm, and she makes Willow clap with her, before she drops another knee!
Fans rally but Leyla soaks up the heat. Leyla storms up but Willow throws body shots! Leyla ROCKS Willow back! Leyla runs, but Willow clinches to URE- NO, arm-drag! And SHOTGUN! Leyla covers, TWO! Leyla clamps onto the KIMURA! Willow endures, fights around, and fans rally up as Willow stands. Willow lifts Leyla but Leyla gets body scissors! Willow reaches out for ropes, but then powers out to SUPLEX Leyla away! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Leyla and Willow rise, Willow goes to a corner, and Leyla runs in. Willow dodges and Leyla hits buckles! Willow runs in to back body block, then clothesline!
Willow snapmares Leyla to then BOOT her down! Willow whips and SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO! Leyla survives but Willow throws down headbutt after headbutt! Fans rally and Willow lets off to smile again. Willow drags Leyla up, fireman’s carries, but Leyla fights free to waistlock. Willow fights the lift, bucks the O’Conner, but Leyla gets around to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Willow stands, into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Leyla is frustrated, but then Leyla steps on Willow. Leyla goes up a corner, but Willow CLUBS her first! Willow brings Leyla off the corner, but Leyla slips free!
Leyla CLUBS Willow, runs, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally while Leyla flounders to a corner. Willow runs in to CANNONBALL but only into buckles! Leyla gets up to jump, only for Willow to BOOT! And then POUUUNCE~! PERIOD! The fans fire up as the straps come down and Willow roars! Willow hauls Leyla up, reels her in, gut wrench and BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
And that’s Leyla’s second lose in ROH! So she CLOBBERS Willow! Leyla’s a LEGIT sore loser! She throws down shots on Willow, stomps her, but here comes Skye Blue! Skye is Willow’s friend, she won’t let this bullying happen! But then Leyla just TACKLES Skye! But Skye turns it around to rain down furious fists! Fans fire up as Skye then SUPERKICKS Leyla! Leyla bails out, will she have to find some back-up to get back up? Will that back-up be Maria Kanellis?
Gringo Loco VS Action Andretti!
The Crazy White Boy and the Sight to See are certainly among the top young fliers today, but this could truly be a fast and furious match-up. Who flies highest here in Salt Lake?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans rally up. Action and Gringo tie up, Gringo wrenches and wristlocks, but Action spins and flips and wrenches back. Action hammerlocks, Gringo switches it, but Action puts Gringo on ropes. Action then jumps to flying-mare, and things speed up. Action handsprings over the dropdown to then arm-drag! Action has an armlock, Gringo fights up, but Action wrenches and whips. Gringo goes up and over and handsprings away! Fans cheer and Gringo grins. Action and Gringo speed up, Gringo handsprings again, but then Action handsprings, too!
The two rush in, Action trips Gringo to cover, ONE! Gringo covers, ONE as Action goes Matrix! Action then floats all around, hooks an arm and pushes to a ghost pin, TWO! Gringo runs up but into an arm-drag! Fans rally, Gringo fights up, but Action whips. Gringo reverses, Action elbows back, then goes up and jumps onto Gringo’s shoulders, SPINNING RANA! But Gringo handsprings through! Fans fire up, Gringo dodges, Action dodges, and both men stop as they show haymaker. Fans fire up for the exchange while the two reset. Action offers another handshake, and Gringo takes it, to then CHOP Action down!
Fans are torn but Gringo soaks up the cheers and jeers. Gringo stomps Action to a corner, soaks up more cheering, then he brings Action up. Gringo whips but Action kicks him back! Action runs but Gringo pops him up to a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Action survives but Gringo keeps his cool. Gringo gets Action’s legs, ties them up, and he hooks an arm to photo op. Then Gringo CLAWS Action’s ribs! The ref reprimands but Gringo lets off. Action CHOPS! And throws body shots! And forearms! Gringo knees low, whips, but Action reverses. Action then spins Gringo but Gringo pokes eyes!
The ref reprimands but Gringo hits a GABLE GRIP SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Action survives being flipped by Gringo, and Gringo brings Action up. Gringo says he’s gonna end this but Action fires off forearms! Action runs, to CLOBBER Gringo! And again! Action whips, Gringo reverses but Action turns pop-up into DROPKICK! Action kips up and fans fire up! Action dodges Gringo, gives back the eye poke, and then runs in to clothesline Gringo up and out! Action slingshots and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Gringo! Action hauls Gringo up and into the ring, then aims to springboard and 450!
Gringo moves, Action bails out, Gringo runs in but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Gringo survives and Action grows frustrated. Fans rally as Action stalks Gringo to a corner. Action climbs up and rains down fists! The fans count to four but Gringo shoves Action down! Gringo goes up, springboards and FLYING CUTTERS! Direct hit and cover, TWO!! Fans lose their minds and fire up again as Gringo rises. Gringo drags Action to a drop zone, says he’s gonna kill Action, and then goes up. Fans fire up but Action kips up! PELE! Action then runs to leap right up, and SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up for the SHOTGUN!
Gringo is down, Action goes up, SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Action wins!!
Winner: Action Andretti, by pinfall
That finishing sequence was definitely a sight to see! And best of all, Action and Gringo keep the Code of Honor. Action is flying at top speed, will he soon find himself heading for gold?
Backstage interview with Ethan Page.
Dasha is with All Ego and says he’s had a lot of success in ROH as of late. But now he faces ROH icon, Christopher Daniels. Ethan says he is very happy. Last week, he spoke to everyone and “demanded” competition. That is now given to him in the former ROH World Champion, the fallen Angel, Christopher Daniels. Ethan respects Daniels, he is one of the greatest to ever step foot in the ring. Ethan will give Daniels every ounce of respect he has earned by shaking his hand both before and after their match.
But last week, Ethan also told the locker room to pay close attention to Ethan, especially ROH World Champion, Eddie Kingston. If Eddie’s planning on watching the match tonight, Ethan plans on ending it with his hand raised and finally getting five wins in a row. Ethan will give Daniels the utmost respect, but will be damned if he loses. So good luck, and may the best man win.
Billie Starkz w/ Athena VS Rachelle Riveter!
The Minion is again having Coach Athena all on her case with the whistle and the orders, but Billie is still her upbeat and energetic self. Will Billie be able to use the best of both worlds to get this win? Or will the Fallen Goddess have to step in again?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and they go around. Billie puts Rachelle in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and cheers her self a la Athena. Fans cheer but Rachelle BOOTS Billie down! Rachelle runs in, Billie goes up and over and ELBOWS, KNEES and LARIATS! Fans fire up as Billie flexes again. Athena says that’s good but stay on Rachelle. Billie reels Rachelle in but Rachelle fights out. Billie blocks the kick to KNEE! And then the underhooks, lift, and STAR 10!! CROSSFACE! Rachelle taps, Billie wins!
Winner: Billie Starkz, by submission
Athena is proud as her Minion is learning to do it her way! She still does it all better, but it’s a start. Billie wants a high five but only gets blows of the whistle. Wait, Mercedes & Diamante attack at the ramp! They beat down Billie, and then Diamante hits a DDT to the stage!! Mercedes says, “This is your friend?! This is your trainer?!” Diamante DECKS Billie! Fans boo as these bullies leave the champion and her sidekick down and out! Is it only a matter of time before Mercedes comes for that Women’s World title?
Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford VS Anthony Henry w/ JD Drake!
This episode just got Superbad! Kip is back after five years away, will he start a journey towards the top of ROH? Or will the Saint of Augusta prove he can even put in the work as a singles guy?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Henry stays low, using his leg guard, but Kip stays away. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder. Kip kicks an arm, wrangles Henry with the other and has a top wristlock cover, TWO! So Kip isolates the arm to STOMP it! But Henry comes back to tie up, and then monkey flips! Henry rolls back, Kip jumps up to monkey flip! Double cover, ONE as each man gets an arm up! Another double cover, ONE as they get the other arms up! Double cover, DOUBLE BRIDGE! Fans fire up as Kip and Henry talk trash while upside-down!
The two stand, fight for control, and Henry pops Kip down into an ARMBAR! Kip scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Penelope cheers, as do the fans, and Henry lets off slowly. Kip stays by ropes, Henry rushes in, but Kip puts him on the apron. Kip ROCKS Henry, then goes out to PENALTY KICK from the apron! Fans fire up for the ARABIAN PRESS but JD takes the hit! Kip hurries to ROCK Henry, whip, but Henry reverses! Kip hits railing hard! Fans fire up and Henry runs around the way, full lap before the SHOTGUN BOOT! Fans fire up and Henry puts Kip in the ring. Henry goes up top, to DOUBLE-
NO, Kip moves, and he SHOTGUNS Henry down! Fans fire up again and Kip runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL! Direct hit and fans fire up! Cover, TWO! Henry hangs tough but Kip drags him up. Kip cravats for a neck wrench and he snapmares to then step over an arm. Kip pulls the arm, bends the fingers and twists the wrist, but Henry shifts around. Henry kicks at legs but Kip kicks low. Kip snapmares to KICK Henry in the back! JD says that’s the biggest mistake Kip could make, and Henry CHOPS back! And CHOPS! Kip CHOPS, Henry CHOPS, repeat! Kip shoves, victory rolls, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO!
Penelope argues the count but it was a fair one. Kip frowns and he brings Henry up. Kip clamps onto an arm again, then hooks Henry’s head with a leg, not quite Koji Klutch. Henry fights around, reaches out, and ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kip lets go at 4, and fans rally up. Penelope says Kip’s got this but Henry fires off fast hands! Henry whips, Kip reveres but Henry ducks ‘n’ dodges and GAMANGIRIS! Henry hurries to waistlock, but Kip grabs a rope! Henry KICKS that arm, then dropkicks the legs out! PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up with Henry and he drags Kip back up. Fisherman and suplex, but Kip slips free!
Kip half nelsons, Henry spins around to try again, AOI SHOUDO!! Cover, TWO!! Kip survives, JD and Henry each fire up, and Henry goes up the corner! Penelope distracts! Fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Henry hops down. Henry runs in, Kip trips him into buckles! Kip drags Henry into the torture rack, for DEATHLY HOLLOWS!! Cover, Kip wins!
Winner: Kip Sabian, by pinfall
A huge win for Superbad, and a hard fought one. How much harder will Kip have to fight if he wants to finally be a champion?
Backstage interview with Griff Garrison.
Dasha is with the Ivy League MVP and says he’s had some “unfortunate” losses, and a rough couple of weeks. How is he planning on moving forward? Griff admits, it has been rough. He and Cole Karter aren’t on the same page, and if you saw Dynamite against Wardlow, well… Maybe he’s just not ready for singles competition yet. Maria and Karter walk in and they both saw that match with Wardlow. Karter, who is now wearing a “Hot Moms <3 Professional Wrestlers” shirt, says Griff should’ve just followed their lead. Griff says yeah, he can accept that, because he hasn’t been doing his best.
But uh, Karter was the one who lost the match. He was too busy looking at the hot mom over here. Maria appreciates the compliment, and to be honest, Griff should be worried. They both need to get on the same page, Griff & Karter both need to work together. She sees so much potential here, and they both have the same goal: winning championships. Isn’t that why we’re here? But she doesn’t have time for this, and they need to figure this out. Maria leaves and Karter tells Griff, “What do you not get, man?” Everywhere Maria has been, she has led people to success. They can do that! Maria is the greatest manager of all time!
Plus, on top of all that… Karter looks around before saying, “She is the hottest mom ever, and we get to look at her every-” Griff stops him there. Karter’s made that point abundantly clear. But Maria is right: Griff & Karter may not be alike, but they both want to be ROH World Tag Team Champions. And they can do that. So if Karter has Griff’s back, Griff has Karter’s. They shake and then head out, will they finally be top team Maria’s been looking for?
Ethan Page VS Christopher Daniels!
All Ego said his piece earlier on, and now the Fallen Angel will respond with actions! Will Ethan make it to 5-0 in ROH and get Eddie Kingston’s attention? Or will the former ROH World Champion turn that 5-15 record around?
The Code of Honor is upheld, as Ethan promised, and the bell rings. The two circle as the fans rally up. They tie up, Ethan puts Daniels in a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Ethan shows that sportsmanship and respect he mentioned, and Daniels nods. The two go again, tie up, and Ethan headlocks. Daniels fights the hold but Ethan clamps it on tighter. Daniels keeps fighting, but Ethan holds on. Daniels chinbars, powers up, but can’t power out as Ethan holds on even tighter. Fans rally, Daniels brings Ethan to a knee and pops out the back to get a headlock of his own. Fans rally as Daniels grinds and grinds and grinds with his biceps.
But then Ethan powers up! Daniels fights to stay grounded, but Ethan powers out. Things speed up and Ethan CLOBBERS Daniels! Fans fire up and Ethan stalks Daniels to ropes. Ethan scoops to TOSS! Ethan drags Daniels up, suplexes high and lands hard! Daniels writhes and fans fire up while Ethan paces around. Ethan drags Daniels up, wrenches, and whips, but Daniels reverses. Ethan KICKS Daniels, runs, but Daniels ducks to RAM into Ethan! Daniels whips and RAMS Ethan again! Fans rally while Ethan sputters, and Daniels snapmares to then drop a BIG elbow! And another! And then he steps on Ethan!
Daniels mocks Ethan’s cheeky smile, then he brings Ethan up. Daniels puts Ethan in a corner, whips corner to corner hard, and Ethan hits buckles chest first! Daniels then runs in to KNEE Ethan down! Cover, TWO! Daniels is frustrated but he may’ve been a bit lax. Daniels clamps on a rear bearhug and he squeezes tight! Fans rally and Ethan endures. Daniels leans on Ethan, fans rally up, and Ethan throws body shots and elbows! Ethan is free and he ROCKS Daniels with a right! And another! Ethan whips, but Daniels catches Ethan to a COBRA TWIST! Daniels shouts “WRESTLING~!” and fans cheer.
Ethan throws elbows into Daniels’ leg, is free and he hip tosses Daniels away! Daniels is in the corner, Ethan runs in but only gets buckles again! Roll up, TWO! STO! Fans fire up as Daniels snarls and rises again. Daniels vows to end this, and he points to a corner! Fans fire up as Daniels brings Ethan up, but Ethan fights the urenage. So Daniels arm-drags, only for Ethan to come back with a BOOT! Fans fire up again as Ethan stands back up. Daniels drags himself up and Ethan throws hands! Haymaker after haymaker, then a whip. Daniels reverses but Ethan LEAPING LARIATS! And then a forearm in the corner!
Ethan keeps moving, Daniels dodges but Ethan scoops to a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Ethan says he’s gonna end it, and he drags Daniels up. Daniels fights, trips, and jackknife bridges, TWO! Ethan sunset flips, TWO! Daniels cradles, TWO! Ethan ghost pins, TWO! Both men stand, Ethan run sin but Daniels dumps him out! Daniels says he’s smarter than that, but Ethan RAMS into him! And step in, but Daniels catches Ethan toa backslide! TWO, but Daniels knees low! Daniels underhooks but Ethan back drops free! Ethan runs in to SPLASH at the corner! And then Canadian Rack, EGO’S EDGE!! Cover, Ethan wins!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall
And that’s five! But then Mark Sterling has to ruin the celebration! Sterling has Tony Nese with him as he tells Ethan that he’s impressed. Ethan’s strung together a nice little win streak here in ROH, looks pretty good, so here’s Mark’s idea. Ethan is the perfect person to join the Premier Athlete Brand. It will be difficult, and Ethan cannot quit like he has everything else, from his vlog, to his various tag team partners, to his part in American Top Team. But if Ethan sticks with them, they can take him to the next level.
Ethan gets a mic to say hold on. What they’re offering is to get ahead? Guaranteed? Yes! Ethan asks Salt Lake what they’d think and they say “NO!” Wait, hold on, do they think he should join that Premier Athlete Brand? “NOOO~!” Well, alright. Ethan hasn’t been a man of the people very long, but he understands them. That is a hard FREAKIN’ NO, ya d-bags! Nese tells Ethan no, his answer is irrelevant! Because what makes Mark think Nese wants to partner with “this soft, disgusting body,” huh? What makes Mark think Ethan deserves to stand next to Nese? Hell, Ethan doesn’t deserve to stand in that ring!
Ethan should be in the crowd with the fat disgusting trash of Salt Lake City! In fact, Ethan should be out there every single week participating in Nese’s Group Training! Ohhh~ the offer’s changed! They’ve upped the ante. Now Ethan doesn’t have a manager, he has a personal trainer! And hold on, to address something real quick, sitting in this crowd with these fans sounds like a better way to spend his time than talking to a-holes like Nese! Fans cheer that! But listen, Ethan and the fans know that personal training costs a lot of money. So let’s have a “one on one session” in this ring!
And since Nese is just a meathead, Ethan will spell it out for him so he can understand 1+1=2. Ethan VS Nese, in a match, on ROH TV next week! Nese says deal! Sterling’s second idea blows up in his face, will the All Ego streak continue to six? But then Ethan has everyone hold on. He may be new to ROH, but he knows this tradition goes back to before he ever laced up a pair of boots. They shake hands for the Code of Honor, but Ethan says no, he still has the mic, he dictates how this goes. Give it up for one of the greatest to ever do it, Christopher FREAKIN’ Daniels! The fans cheer Christopher Daniels and Ethan raises Daniels’ hand.
Darius Martin VS Scorpio Sky!
Air Wolf is in singles action again, ready to keep pace with his teammate, Action Andretti. But The Closer has just gotten some momentum going and he isn’t going to let it stop now! These two are high fliers of the highest caliber, but who will get highest of all in the main event?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Darius wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Scorpio rolls, rolls and spins to then wrangle Darius with a top wristlock. Darius rolls back, slips around, waistlocks, headlocks and hits the takeover. Scorpio headscissors but Darius kips free. Roles reverse as Scorpio hits a headlock takeover, but then he denies the headscissors. Darius rolls to a cover, TWO! Darius pops out of the headlock to hook Scorpio and turn him over, lateral press, ONE! Scorpio runs in but escapes a takedown, only for Darius to arm-drag!
Fans cheer the exchange, and Scorpio fights up. Scorpio whips Darius away, hurdles, then drops to trip and has a toehold! Darius fights free but Scorpio KICKS Darius down! Scorpio scrapes his soles off Darius’ face, and fans are a bit torn. Scorpio storms up on Darius, ROCKS him in the corner with forearms and knees, then he hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Darius shakes out his arms and the fans rally up. Scorpio drags Darius up, scoops him, and storms around for a BACKBREAKER! Darius writhes and Scorpio glares at him. Fans want more of that but Scorpio stomps Darius to the corner.
Scorpio digs a knee in, lets off as the ref counts, and he then drags Darius up. Scorpio RAMS Darius into buckles, then snapmares to a neck wrench. Darius endures, fights up, and he throws elbows and body shots! But Scorpio kick slow, runs, and KNEE LIFTS! But Darius comes back to DROPKICK! Both men are down and fans rally up. Scorpio hobbles up but Darius fires off haymaker after haymaker! Darius whips, Scorpio reverses, but leaps into an atomic drop! Darius runs to HOTSHOT BULLDOG, then GAMANGIRI! Then step in COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Scorpio hangs tough but Darius drags him up.
Darius suplexes but Scorpio blocks. Scorpio fights that, waistlocks, but Darius switches. Scorpio elbows free, runs, but Darius dodges to SNAP GERMAN! Darius runs, but into a SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Darius survives but Scorpio doesn’t lose focus. Scorpio drags Darius up, whips him to a corner, but Darius reverses. Darius runs in but Scorpio BOOTS! Scorpio fireman’s carries but Darius holds ropes. Scorpoi upts Darius on the apron but Darius GAMANGIRIS! Scorpio is down, Darius goes up, FROG SPLASH onto knees! Fireman’s carry and T K O!! Cover, Scorpio wins!
Winner: Scorpio Sky, by pinfall
A strong match to finish the night, and leave it to The Closer to come out on top! Scorpio shows Darius respect with the Code of Honor, will both men look to Reach for the Sky?
My Thoughts:
Another good ROH, but it was another two hours when it didn’t have to be, and I’m starting to think I need to treat ROH like I do most NJPW events: only covering title matches and the most obvious of important story matches. Especially when ROH itself doesn’t know how to organize their own card. No offense to Scorpio and Darius, but while their match was good, it wasn’t main event material. For me, it should’ve been the match right before it where Ethan and Daniels give a great match, and it has Ethan and Nese set up a match for next week while also Ethan praising Daniels. I would’ve at least swapped those two.
Kip VS Henry was outta nowhere and filler, as was Gringo VS Henry, but still good stuff. Mercedes beating Lady Frost was also kinda filler, but given the story building between her, Diamante, Billie and Athena, the match should’ve happened before the promo that then foreshadowed the Heels attacking Athena & Billie after Billie’s match. At least Billie won her match on her own this week. And I liked that Billie confronted Lexi on what she said during the “training.” At the same time, this implies that Athena might watch back this episode and be upset Billie saved Mazzerati from Athena’s wrath.
Honestly, all the important, story based matches were the first half. Good Proving Ground matches, and I was a little disappointed Serpentico didn’t get to the time limit. But I like that they set up Angelico VS Eddie for the title next week. And I really like that we got Lucha Underground in ROH with Angelico VS Marty. Eddie will of course retain against Angelico but it will be a great match that I of course will cover regardless of the rest of the show. Good win for Shane Taylor Promotions, good win for Gates of Agony, and great stuff for the AAA Latin American Championship. I kinda wish QT VS Daga was saved for something on TV but oh well.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Hockey Talk- 2024 NHL Playoff Preview [042224]
Hockey Talk previews the 2024 NHL Playoffs and discuss the stunning news that the Arizona Coyotes are moving to Salt...
Hockey Talk- Metro Mayhem [040924]
Hockey Talk looks at an absolutely wild playoff situation taking shape in the Eastern Conference while, out West, the battle...
The Pick N Roll: Sweet Sixteen
Join Patrick O'Dowd and PC Tunney as they breakdown the sweet sixteen of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Hockey Talk- Reverse Psychology [032624]
Hockey Talk looks at the resurgent St. Louis Blues & Washington Capitals. Plus, the Rangers stay hot, and can anyone...
Down the Wire: Filling Out Our Brackets and Drafting Draft Busts
Join the Brothers Wortz as they cover professional sports in unprofessional ways!
Bandwagon Nerds #232: Superhero Madness- A Top Seed Falls
Superhero Madness continues and sees the first #1 seed fall!. Plus, a trailer for a new Transformers movie, and a...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/20/24)
HPW looks to the horizon.
Bandwagon Nerds #231: Disney News & Superhero Madness
Round two of Superhero Madness begins this week. Cinema Con gives us plenty of Disney news and a trip to...
Bandwagon Nerds #230: Superhero Madness- Resident Aliens
Superhero Madness continues with first round battles in the Aliens bracket, plus Invincible Season 2 comes to an excellent conclusion.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/24)
We got five on it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Trent Beretta's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)
It's a slam dunk!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: What Happened Last Week?
After a two-week hiatus, DJ gets to the bottom of why there was no podcast last week. Then, we skewer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
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