Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Road Results & Report! (11/17/23)

On the road again!

Published

1 year ago

November 17, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Talk about the odds stacked against someone!

We’re on New Japan Road again, and Taichi wants his KOPW Championship back! But can he get it back when Yoshinobu Kanemaru is the guest referee?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Boltin Oleg, Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima; Makabe, Kojima & Tenzan win.
Master Wato & Toru Yano VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Wato & Yano win.
Six Man Tag: Chaos VS The United Empire; Chaos wins.
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Tiger Mask, Shota Umino, Minoru Suzuki & Yuji Nagata; Tiger Mask, Shota, Suzuki & Nagata win.
8 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi & Ren Narita; Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii win and retain the titles.
KOPW Championship, Special Guest Referee Yoshinobu Kanemaru: SHO VS Taichi; Taichi wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi & Ren Narita!

The Rainmaker, The Ace of the Universe and The Stone Pitbull may be the Dream Trio, but Yamagata is the home of Everyone’s Kokeshi! Will #Honmamania run wild alongside The Funky Weapon & Son of Strong Style? Or will they fail to take down the champs?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see how happy this homecoming can get!

The trios sort out and Okada starts against Honma. The fans rally up for the hometown hero as he circles with Okada. They stare down, approach, then tie up. Okada powers Honma to ropes, Red Shoes counts the break, and Okada lets off to then fire forearms! Fans boo as Okada TOSSES Honma out, but Honma is back in fast! Okada eggs him on, Honma RAMS shoulders! Okada stays up so Honma RAMS him again! Still Okada doesn’t budge, and he eggs Honma on again. Honma fires forearms, but Okada UPPERCUTS! Okada kicks low, CLUBS Honma then ROCKS him! Fans rally for Honma but Okada CLUBS him again.

Okada storms around, Honma CHOPS! And CHOP! And CHOPS! Okada ROCKS Honma back! Okada whips Honma to ropes but Honma holds on! Okada bails out of the dropkick but Honma runs him over! Okada bails out in frustration and walks it off. Honma waits for Okada to return, and the two reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength! The fans cheer, the teammates coach, and the two are in a deadlock. Honma powers up but Okada kicks low! Okada wrenches to CLUB the arm, then he tags to Tanahashi. Honma backs away to tag in Narita.

Fans rally as the generational clash circles. They tie up, Narita wrenches an arm to a wristlock but Tanahashi wrenches again. Narita rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks. Tanahashi pries at the hold but Narita holds tight. Tanahashi fights up to try again, and he wrenches out to a top wristlock! And then powers his way to a headlock! Narita puts Tanahashi on ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, but Tanahashi turns things around. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, and Tanahashi lets off, to throw a body shot! Fans boo as the champs are playing a little dirty, but Tanahashi whips. Narita NECKBREAKER DROPS!

Narita brings Tanahashi up, and intercepts the shotei with a low knee! Narita then whips Tanahashi to the corner, but Tanahashi BLASTS Honma & Taguchi! Narita runs in, but Tanahashi elbows him away! Tanahashi then goes up to CROSSBODY Narita down! Fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Ishii. Ishii and Tanahashi double whip Narita to ropes to then run him over with double shoulders! Fans rally as Ishii kicks Narita around. Narita rises up, Ishii throws forearms, but Narita grits his teeth. Narita throws forearms but Ishii leans into them! Ishii then DECKS Narita into the champs’ corner! Tag to Okada while fans rally up again.

Okada drags Narita up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the apron to slingshot SENTON! Fans applaud while Okada paces. Okada pushes Narita to a cover, TWO! Okada taunts Honma while staying between him and Narita. Red Shoes has Honma and Taguchi stay put, but then he has to keep Ishii back. Honma storms in but Okada kicks low and throws him out! Okada then goes back to Narita to drag him up and bring him over. Tag to Tanahashi and they mug Narita. Tanahashi whips Narita to elbow him down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, Taguchi breaks it with a hip attack! Fans cheer while Tanahashi tags Ishii.

Ishii drags Narita up to SAIDO! Okada runs in to BLAST Taguchi and block Honma! Ishii covers, TWO! Fans fire up while Ishii eggs Narita on. Ishii kicks Narita around but the fans rally behind the Son of Strong Style. Ishii CHOPS Narita to a corner, CHOPS him again, and CHOPS him again! Narita eggs Ishii on so Ishii CHOPS again! Ishii whips corner to corner, runs in but Narita BOOTS back! Narita runs, into a forearm! Ishii whips, Narita reverses but Ishii comes back, into a WHEEL KICK! Fans rally up while both men are down! Hot tag to Taguchi! HIP ATTACK for Ishii! HIP ATTACK for Tanahashi! Okada runs in but Taguchi dodges!

Taguchi rebounds but Okada dodges the hip attack! Only for the HIP ATTACK to hit on the return! Fans fire up and Taguchi aims from a corner. Ishii stands, Taguchi runs in, HIP ATTACK! Taguchi keeps moving but Ishii follows to clothesline in the corner! Ishii keeps moving, btu Taguchi follows, HIP ATTACK! Taguchi keeps moving, but Ishii dodges. But then Taguchi dodges! HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up and so does Taguchi! Taguchi drags Ishii up, fans rally behind him, and Taguchi snap suplexes! Uno Amigo! And then another snap suplex, Dos Amigos! And then Ishii suplexes! Taguchi slips out but Ishii throws an elbow!

Ishii reels Taguchi in, but Taguchi hits THREE AMIGOS! Fans fire up, Taguchi covers, TWO! Ishii is still in this but Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” Taguchi takes aim, but then Tanahashi dropkicks the butt! Okada BLASTS Honma, too! Okada drags Taguchi up, and feeds him to Tanahashi’s dropkick to the leg! Ishii adds a dropkick of his own, then Okada BOOTS Taguchi down! Ishii waits on Taguchi to stand back up, then he runs, into a HIP- NO, Ishii catches him in a waistlock! But Taguchi victory rolls free! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Honma SMACKS Okada off the apron while Ishii endures!

Fans fire up and Honma keeps Okada from getting in! Narita has Tanahashi, but Ishii crawls to ropes! Taguchi drags him back, so Ishii rolls! To steal OH MY GAH ANKLE! But Taguchi rolls to get it back!! Ishii flails, Narita and Honma keep Okada and Tanahashi out, but Ishii fights up. Taguchi chicken wings! Ishii fights the lift, standing switches, but Taguchi wrenches out, only for Ishii to ROCK him with a forearm! And HIP ATTACK! Ishii rebounds to run Taguchi over! Fans fire up again with both men down! Taguchi and Ishii stir, crawl for their corners, hot tag to Okada and he intercepts Taguchi!

Tanahashi joins in, Okada DECKS Honma for good measure, then RAMS him into railing! Okada scoop SLAMS Honma, then talks trash. Fans boo but Okada rejoins Tanahashi. They double whip Taguchi, then Okada runs in to ELBOW! Tanahashi runs in to forearm! Feed to the FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and fans fire up. Okada eggs the fans on, he wants the heat! Okada drags Taguchi up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Taguchi is up, Okada leaps over him! Taguchi runs in, but Okada catches the hip attack to a waistlock! But Taguchi fights the suplex! Okada UPPERCUTS, runs, but into the SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi crawls for his corner but so does Okada. Hot tag to Honma! Honma rallies on Okada, Okada fights the scoop to whip, but Honma reverses. Honma dodges the back elbow to scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up as Honma brings Okada up again, to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Honma whips corner to corner, runs in and ELBOWS! Then he BULLDOGS Okada down! Fans fire up as Honma grins. Honma fires up and runs, but Okada BOOTS him down! Narita runs in, Okada blocks the boot to give to Tanahashi! DRAGON SCREW! Taguchi runs in, Okada feeds him to Tanahashi’s body shot!

Ishii gets in, GERMAN SUPLEX for Taguchi! The Dream Trio fires up now and Honma is all alone! Honma rises, Okada BOOTS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Ishii LARIATS! Then they get Honma up, TRIO DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? Honma survives and the fans fire up! Okada is annoyed but he drags Honma up. Ishii keeps Narita out, Tanahashi has Taguchi, and Okada gut wrenches. Honma fights free and he waistlocks. Okada throws elbows but Honma throws forearms! Fans rally, Okada UPPERCUTS and whips. Honma avoids the dropkick and Okada crashes down! SLIDING KOKESHI!! Fans are thunderous for that big hit!

Honma rises, Taguchi gets back in, as does Narita. Now Taguchi ENZIGURIS, Narita BOOTS, and Honma runs! FALLING KOKESHI!! Cover, TWO?!?! Okada survives but Honma fires up! Ishii and Narita brawl outside, Honma hauls Okada up. Okada fights the scoop, CLUBS free, then catches Honma to the MONEY CLIP!! Honma RAMS Okada into buckles! Honma runs back in, but into a BOOT! Okada runs, but into a LARIAT! Honma fires up again and he goes up top! Fans are thunderous but Okada’s up first! Okada ROCKS Honma, to then ROCKET LAUNCH him off the top! But Honma rises! And he fires forearms on Okada!

Honma runs, but into that DROPKICK! Okada hauls Honma up, ripcords, RAIN- KOKESHI!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Honma and Okada stir, their teammates coach them up, and the two crawl. Hot tags to Tanahashi and Narita! Narita BOOTS Tanahashi down! Then Narita whips Tanahashi to a corner, to BACK ELBOW! And HALF HATCH BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi escapes, but Narita DECKS Ishii for good measure! Narita stands Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fights the clinch. Narita trips Tanahashi, has the legs, then rolls Tanahashi into the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!!

Fans fire up as Narita uses one of Tanahashi’s favorites against him! Tanahashi fights up, moves around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Narita lets off, drags Tanahashi up again, and he wraps Tanahashi in a COBRA TWIST! But Tanahashi fights free, they dosido and Tanahashi trips Narita, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up as Tanahashi brings Narita up for fast hands! UPPERCUT, then a scoop and SLAM! Narita’s in the drop zone and Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Narita is still in this but Tanahashi fires back up. Tanahashi runs, SLING- NO, Narita slips around to COBRA TWIST!

Fans fire up again as Tanahashi is caught! Tanahashi endures the stretch, fights his way over, and Taguchi has Ishii in OH MY GAH ANKLE! Narita shifts to a SLEEPER! Then back to COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi still fights his way around, but Narita thrashes him around! Tanahashi reaches out, but Narita shifts to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! But Narita keeps on Tanahashi with the SLEEPER! Tanahashi fights up, but ends up in the COBRA TWIST again!! Someone is sent into railing! Okada gets in to CLUB Narita down! Narita gets up but Okada UPPERCUTS! Okada scoops, Narita slips out but Ishii has him!

Narita elbows free of the waistlock but Ishii ROCKS Narita into Okada’s scoop, LANDSLIDE! SLIDING LARIAT from Ishii! Tanahashi roars and rises up! Fans fire up as Narita slowly rises. Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, Taguchi breaks it! Fans fire up again, Ishii CLUBS Taguchi to TOSS him out! Tanahashi brings Narita up to full nelson but Narita fights that! So Tanahashi STRAITJACKET GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Narita escapes but Tanahashi fires back up! Tanahashi climbs a corner, to HIGH FLY FLOP!!! SLIDING HIP ATTACK!! Ishii runs in, Taguchi LARIATS him down!!

Okada runs in, Taguchi sends him into the KOKESHI!! The fans are thunderous for Taguchi and Honma, and they shout to Narita. Tanahashi SHOTEIS Taguchi, SHOTEIS Honma, but Narita BOOTS him! Tanahashi SHOTEIS in return! Narita ENZIGURIS in return! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Tanahashi is down, Honma hurries to the top rope!! Taguchi & Narita hold Tanahashi down for the DIVING KOKESHI!!! Narita hauls Tanahashi up to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO?!?!? Tanahashi escapes and Narita is furious! Narita roars, the fans are with him, and he drags Tanahashi back up to try again! DOUBLE WRIST ARM-SAULT!

But that’s not all! Narita reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi CRADLE COUNTERS!! Cover, THE DREAM TRIO WINS!!

Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

Narita can’t believe he got caught like that! He argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes says that count was fair. The homecoming doesn’t have a happy ending, but will Honma, Taguchi & Narita consider trying again some day? And as close as this one came, will Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii have to be more careful not to take their opponents easy?

KOPW Championship, Special Guest Referee Yoshinobu Kanemaru: SHO VS Taichi w/ Just5Guys!

The House of Torture stole this title from the Holy Emperor, and somehow rigged the fan poll to get their way in this match! But even with the Heel Master as the referee, will Taichi serve up justice? Or will the Murder Machine win with another stacked deck?

Referee Kanemaru makes his way out first, and the “special” stipulations are then listed. Firstly, no one can use signature moves, meaning for Taichi can’t use the Black Mephisto, Tensho Jujiho, Dangerous Backdrop saido, or anything sumo related, while Sho can’t use the Shooting Star Press, the Phoenix Splash, the Double Moonsault Press, or anything Russian Sambo related, though no one remembers when he used those. Secondly, the loser can NEVER wrestler in Yamagata again! And in the end, if Sho still loses with all this in his favor, the fans must still show him praise for even being here! Will Sho even be able to stand up with that massive ego of his weighing him down?

Sho gets the mic to talk a lot of trash on Yamagata, and to remind them that one way or another, they will thank him for being their champ, and that they should say goodbye to Taichi in his last Yamagata match ever. Kanemaru does his checks, barely trying with Sho but being extra suspicious of Taichi and J5G. The farce aside, the introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Murder Machine plays fair!

The bell rings and fans rally up for Taichi. Taichi and Sho circle, Sho egging Taichi on. Taichi and Sho circle some more, Taichi rightfully wary of the House of Torture. The two tie up, they go to ropes and Kanemaru quickly calls for the break. The count is fast, too! Taichi lets off in time, Kanemaru tells J5G to back down but they’re not doing anything, and this lets Sho have Taichi on the ropes for far too long! Taichi turns things around and now Kanemaru sees! Kanemaru counts, pulls Taichi away by his hair, and Taichi gets mad! Taichi glares at his former friend, and Sho CHOKES Taichi to the ropes! Kanemaru is more concerned with Taka!

Sho TOSSES Taichi out, the House stomps away, but of course Kanemaru doesn’t care. Sho goes out to whip Taichi into railing, then he slides inside. Kanemaru starts a fast ring count! Fans boo and J5G complain, because we’re already at 10 of 20 at about double time! Taichi gets in at what Kanemaru calls 15, Sho covers, and yes this count is fast! TWO!! Taichi barely makes it and fans boo again. Kanemaru argues with J5G like there’s nothing wrong, and Sho CHOKES Taichi! Sho drags Taichi up, CLUBS Taichi, and has him on ropes again. Sho whips, Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! Cover, but Kanemaru takes his time checking!

Kanemaru finally counts, but that’s slow! “TWO,” and Sho is out! Fans boo but what did anyone expect with this? Taichi is annoyed, but he snapmares Sho to KICK him in the back! Taichi stands Sho up, TOSSES him out, then goes out after Sho. Taichi kicks Sho, whips him, and Sho hits railing hard! Fans cheer while Taichi drags Sho up to whip him hard into more railing! Sho falls in a heap then writhes, and then Sho crawls away into the crowd! Taichi waits as Kanemaru brings the ring count back, but it’s so slow! “Two” could’ve been more like five! Taichi is furious but Sho is taking his sweet time walking off the pain.

Kanemaru finally gets to 5 of 20 as Sho makes his way back around to the stage. Taichi gets frustrated so he storms out after Sho! Taichi kicks and CLUBS Sho, KICKS him, but Kanemaru is forced to keep the same pace so as not to cost Sho. Taichi brings Sho back at “ten” and puts him in. Fans cheer and Taichi covers, but yeah, the count’s slow! Taichi just gives up at “one” and he stalks Sho to a corner. Taichi stomps away on Sho, kicks him around, then stands him up. Sho claws the eyes! Kanemaru stays quiet, and then moves as Sho whips Taichi to a corner! Surprise, the buckle pad goes with Kanemaru so Taichi hits bare steel!

Fans boo while Sho stomps Taichi and kicks him out. And that means the House attacks! Dick stomps, and Evil has a leather strap to LASH Taichi! Oh, right, Evil wanted this to be a leather strap lumberjack match. Evil LASHES Taichi more, then Sho goes out to fetch Taichi. Sho brings Taichi into the crowd and all the way to the back rows, to BOWL him into chairs! The slow ring count returns as Sho CHOKES Taichi with a chair! Sho lets off, leaves Taichi behind, and guess what? The count speeds up! Taichi hurries up at “ten” and runs his way back to ringside! The gates get in the way, but he still gets in at “17!”

Fans cheer and Kanemaru is confused how that didn’t work! Sho stomps Taichi, drags him up, and the fans rally. Taichi is dead weight so Sho drops him. Sho tries again, cravats, and snapmares to then say he’s gonna go up top! He’s calling for his Phoenix Splash? Kanemaru reminds him he “banned” that move. Oh, right, so instead, Sho twists the wrist and whips Taichi into the bare buckles! Taichi writhes, Sho clamps on a chinlock and he digs the knee in. Taichi endures, Kanemaru keeps asking him if he’s quitting but Taichi says no! ROPEBREAK, but Kanemaru kicks his foot away!? J5G protests but Kanemaru says he’s the ref, he says what’s what!

Taichi gets a ROPEBREAK with both feet this time, and Kanemaru again slow counts for Sho. Sho “panics” and lets off at 4.5. Taichi sputters but Sho gives him toying kicks. Fans boo but Sho taunts Taichi. Taichi gets mad as Sho gives him more mocking kicks. Taichi CHOPS! Fans fire up for that one! Sho eggs Taichi on, so Taichi CHOPS him again! Sho comes back for more, so Taichi CHOPS! Sho claws Taichi’s eyes! Taichi CHOKES Sho! Kanemaru counts fast, and Sho kicks low! Sho whips Taichi to a padded corner, runs in but gets the GAMANGIRI! Fans fire up as both men fall! Kanemaru checks Sho while J5G coaches Taichi.

Taichi rises first, then he gives Sho some Kawada Kicks! Sho goes to a corner, Taichi runs in to BOOT! Fans cheer and Taichi brings Sho around to AX- NO, Sho gets around to waistlock! Taichi fights the German Suplex to PELE! Fans fire up and Taichi drags Sho up. Taichi reels Sho in, but Sho fights the lift! Sho bends fingers, Kanemaru ignores that, but Taichi kicks low! And SOBATS! And BUZZSAWS! Fans fire up as the PANTS COME OFF! Taichi aims from the corner, but Kanemaru tells him to stop! Tensho is on the banned list! But then Sho SPEARS Taichi down! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives the fast count more than the tackle!

Sho stands back up, he drags Taichi around with a knuckle lock then he wrenches. Sho brings Taichi down to kick, KIJCK and SUPER- NO, Taichi blocks that! But then Sho claws Taichi’s face! Sho runs, LARIATS, but Taichi stays up! Fans fire up while Sho panics. Sho runs again, to LARIAT! Taichi GAMANGIRIS again! Fans fire up as Taichi rises and he reels Sho in! SEITEI JUJIHO! Kanemaru panics, and tries to get Sho out of the hold! Taichi holds on, Sho taps, but Kanemaru ignores it!! Sho isn’t losing the title but he is still suffering! This is kinda double-edged here! J5G protests, and Taichi throws Sho down since it’s no use!

Taichi argues with Kanemaru, grabs him by the collar, but has to let go. Kanemaru is still the ref, after all. But then Kanemaru waves the House in and they CLOBBER Taichi and J5G! Fans boo but there’s nothing they can do! The House whips Taichi into the corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! Snapmare and then the House sets Taichi up! DICK CHOP! Fans rally for Taichi while Sho grins and looms over him. Sho aims his bow, drags Taichi up, and reels him in! Sho tucks the arms, this move wasn’t banned! But Taichi fights Shock Arrow to Alabama Lift! But Kanemaru stops Black Mephisto, that was banned!

Sho has the arms again, but Taichi fights free with a back drop! Fans fire up and Taichi goes to a corner. Sho goes to a corner, runs in, but Taichi sends him into bare buckles! GEDO CLUTCH! Kanemaru stops himself after two!! Fans boo, this is one trick too far! Taichi is furious, but Kanemaru dares him to throw a punch! Sho has the Murder Tool! Sho runs in, but Taichi dodges! DANGER- NO, Taichi stops himself because the saido was banned! Sho throws a body shot, then stand Taichi up. Dick aims, POCKET SAND HITS SHO as Taichi ducks!! Taichi BOOTS Dick, so Kanemaru kicks Taichi! Kanemaru sets Taichi up, but Taichi turns it around, Sho hits Kanemaru!!

Sho celebrates but he’s so blinded by the powder, he doesn’t realize what happened! When he does, he panics! And he turns around into AX BOMBER! But then the House attacks again! They CLOBBER Taichi, knock J5G down, and then hurry to get their goodies! Yujiro has his cane! Fans boo as Evil stands Taichi up, PIMP CANE SHOT!! Evil grins as he and Dick coordinate now, and they haul Taichi up for MAGIC KILLER!! Fans boo as Dick helps Sho cover Taichi, and Evil is the ref!? TWO!!! Taichi still survives and that shocks the House! Evil gets Taichi up, but Sanada DROPKICKS Evil down! Yuya DROPKICKS Dick down!

Douki gets in, he builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on Dick and Evil! Fans fire up and Taka runs in. Yujiro CLOBBERS Taka, but Taichi hits TENSHO JUJIHO!! The ref is down, so the ban list is ineffective! The fans fire up for Taichi as he eggs Sho on. Sho panics as he has no back-up and no Murder Tool! So he goes for Kanemaru’s whiskey bottle! Taichi drags him back, but Sho claws the eyes! Sho runs, but into a BOOT! Sho tries again, Taichi ROCKS him, and BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS, into the GAMANGIRI! Fans are thunderous and Taichi roars! RED SHOES is here! Taichi gets Sho up, for the LAST RIDE!! Cover, TAICHI WINS!!

Winner: Taichi, by pinfall (NEW KOPW Champion)

The House’s rules weren’t enough to screw over the Holy Emperor, he is once again holder of that sky blue belt! Will the House have to accept cheaters never truly prosper?

As for Taichi, fans cheer him on as he gets the mic. After catching his breath, Taichi says that no matter how you look at it, there wasn’t much of a chance for him to win today with such unfair rules. But still, it was on Sho for making those rules, and he still lost! The fans cheer that! Taichi apologizes if he worried anyone, but thanks to the people’s support, he has the KOPW Championship back! The fans also cheer that! Taichi thanks his team, and says that while he has this title know, he isn’t sure of his chances ending the year with it. There’s still time left, and so… Taichi calls out Kanemaru! They’re going to settle this between them! Fans like that, too!

Taichi says whatever the rules end up being, he’s going to give Kanemaru a proper beating before the year is over. Taichi then brings up that rule about the loser having to bow his head and see the fans out properly. Sho ran away, of course, so there goes that. The House can’t even fulfill their own promises. But Taichi says that what the House refused to do, J5G will do! They’ll even go to people’s houses to deliver things! One by one, they’ll take care of their fans. And as for Taichi, he’ll let “Sanayan” and Taka wrap this up. Sanada says he has an “important announcement” for Yamagata. Please welcome their new member, Yuya Uemura.

The fans cheer the Heat Storm and Sanada says that is all. He then hands the mic to Taka to properly close this. Taka says that the KOPW Championship is back where it should be, and from now on, and even next year, too, the ones who run NJPW, the ones who will change the landscape of pro-wrestling, will be them! JUST! FIVE! GUYS! Yamagata cheers as all is right with the world, but will the Holy Emperor still be the King of Pro-Wrestling for the rest of 2023? Or will leaving the door open to the Heel Master come back to haunt him?

My Thoughts:

Good stuff for New Japan Road, though I did skip most of this. LIJ losing was a bit of a surprise, but maybe they’re setting up something between Shota Umino and Yota Tsuji as two of the Reiwa Three Musketeers. The NEVER Openweight Six Man title match was awesome stuff, probably the best showing from the challengers to this point. A little surprised Okada is still holding onto these titles, and he’s not going to be defending them at WrestleKingdom with his match against Bryan Danielson. Maybe they’ll come up with a team that can take these titles off the Dream Trio in the New Year.

And great KOPW Championship match and it was hilarious how biased things were from Kanemaru. I was pleasantly surprised that Taichi won, but it was clever to have it happen because Kanemaru went down and a fair ref replaced him. Taichi VS Kanemaru for something in December is going to be great stuff, who knows how that goes, but then the title is reset for 2024 so it’d be a shame if Taichi doesn’t get to finish the year out with his name as “the official” 2023 KOPW Champion.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (12/21/24)

Merry Collision!

Published

15 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!

The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; wins.
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!

Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!

Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.

He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him, and yes, they’re ready to brin gthe BOOM~! THeyr’e ready to watch the action toinght, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!

In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (12/20/24)

Brody King is on a Rampage!

Published

22 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Have a Holly Jolly Rampage!

The Continental Classic rolls on, and Brody King takes on Komander in hopes of grabbing three more points towards the top of Gold League!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis; Konosuke & Cage win.
Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy; Lio & Action win.
Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron; Willow wins.
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander; Brody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tony Schiavone is in the ring!

Schiavone welcomes out the Blue League’s current points leader, Kyle Fletcher, and of course… Don Callis. But they’re not alone as the rest of the Don Callis Family makes their way out to the ring. Wait, shouldn’t Brian Cage be in New York for Final Battle…? Well anyway, Schiavone says there’s a lot of gold and- Callis takes the mic, and he says, “I have something important to say.” The fans boo and Schiavone excuses himself as Callis says the Don Callis Family are the TRUE One Percenters of professional wrestling! They prove it each and every day!

Murder Machines: The most feared tag team in the world! “Don Callis’ favorite wrestler,” Kyle Fletcher, shows every day why he is THE One Percent! He beat Will Ospreay! He beat Kazuchika Okada! And now, he’s gonna beat Daniel Garcia and win the Continental Classic! Callis hands the mic over to Kyle and Kyle says it might be true that last Saturday wasn’t the best day for Kyle, but anyone watching that match saw the clear bias from the officials in this company! The fans boo as Kyle claims there is an agenda in AEW to see the Don Callis Family NOT succeed. But it doesn’t matter, it changes nothing!

Kyle WILL be the winner of the 2024 Continental Classic. That brings Kyle to Daniel Garcia. “You wanna talk about restoring the feeling, Daniel? I couldn’t care less about your feelings! All I speak are facts! And the fact is, I am the hottest young prospect in this industry, and I will be the future of this whole place!” The fans boo more but Callis says one last thing he wants to say, is when you’re the One Percent, you’re not like the other 99! They are not like all of these fans! They are not like “the boys in the back,” like Mark Davis & Will Hobbs, “a couple of scab workers!” They’re not even in the same business, Hobbs!

And Callis has waited to get Hobbs on a PPV so that the world could watch why they call Konosuke Takeshita “The Alpha.” And Hobbs, YOU are not in the same business as Konosuke, and you find that out at Worlds End! But speaking of, here comes the Powerhouse! Will he and Dunkzilla finish things with the Don Callis Family? Or will the AEW International and ROH World TV Champions get even for last week?

Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Mark Davis!

The teams sort out and Konosuke starts against Hobbs to give the DC fans a preview of Worlds End. Hobbs and Konosuke step up, talk trash, and then the forearms go back and forth! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke! Hobbs even shouts “MEAT!” before he whips Konosuke. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges but then so does Hobbs! Hobbs SPINE- NO, Konosuke flails free and Hobbs says it was that close. Konosuke says to cool off while he paces on the outside. Konosuke steps back into the ring, but he tags to Cage. The fans stay fired up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as Cage and Hobbs circle.

Hobbs and Cage DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And again! And again! Cage kicks low, shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” But then Hobbs CLOBBERS him! Hobbs even gets Konosuke to back down with a glare. Hobbs brings Cage up to fire forearms, then he tags Davis. Davis & Hobbs double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Davis stalks Cage to a corner. Davis CHOPS Cage, and CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cage sputters but Davis scoops to SLAM Cage down! Then ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE! Cage stays in this but Davis bumps him off buckles.

Tag to Hobbs and he brings Cage out. Hobbs and Davis reel Cage in, fans chant “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! MEAT MEAT MEAT!” but Konosuke makes the save! Konosuke swings, Hobbs dodges, so the elbow DECKS Davis! Hobbs ROCKS Konosuke, Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage clinches, Konosuke returns, KNEE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cage covers, TWO! Cage rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Cage steps off. Cage drags Hobbs up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Konosuke. The Callis Family stomps a mudhole into Hobbs, but then Hobbs CHOPS Konosuke! Konosuke snarls, and he CHOPS in return!

Konosuke ROCKS Hobbs, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count but then Konosuke BITES Hobbs on the forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke lets off, and Hobbs sputters on the ropes. Konosuke tags to Cage and the Family gets Hobbs up. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Hobbs! Cage covers, TWO! Cage drags Hobbs up but Hobbs fires body shots. Hobbs UPPERCUTS but Cage ROCKS Hobbs! Cage ROCKS Hobbs again, Hobbs fires back, repeat! The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage gets the edge, then whips, but Hobbs KICKS him away! Cage swings, Hobbs bobs ‘n’ weaves, to then hit an EXPLODER!

The fans fire up while Hobbs crawls, hot tag to Davis! Davis fires hands on Cage, “MEAT! MEAT!” Davis DECKS Cage, then whips him to ropes. Cage reveres but Davis picks him up, BACKDROP! Davis SENTONS but onto knees! Davis writhes, Cage tags Konosuke! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee! Davis takes a swing but Konosuke ducks that, to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Davis survives and Konosuke snarls, but Rampage goes picture in picture.

Konosuke rains down fists on Davis, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Konosuke tags Cage and Cage drags Davis up. Cage ROCKS Davis, whips him into a corner, and Davis hits buckles chest first! Cage RAMS into Davis, and RAMS in again, then CHOPS! Davis staggers but Cage whips him to ropes. Davis reverses, to dosido with Cage, only for Cage to CLOBBER Davis! Cage BOOTS Davis down, covers, but Hobbs breaks it! Cage gets mad and the ref reprimands Hobbs, then Cage soaks up heat from DC. Cage stalks Davis to a corner and fires haymakers! The ref reprimands but Cage DECKS Davis! Cage soaks up more heat while he flexes.

Holiday Bash returns to single picture while Davis crawls. Cage storms over but Davis fires hands! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, but Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage whips Davis, Davis cartwheels and swings on Cage! Cage blocks, waistlocks, but Davis switches! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Davis rises and reaches out! Davis crawls, as does Cage, hot tags to Hobbs and Konosuke! Hobbs LARIATS Konosuke, LARIATS again, then runs up to LARIAT in a corner! Cage runs up but he’s send into Konosuke! Hobbs SANDWEICHES the Family! Hobbs whips, Cage reverses, but Hobbs comes back to CLOBBER him! Hobbs scoops Cage for a POWERSLAM!

The fans fire up but Konosuke runs up! Hobbs scoops him, too! POWERSLAM! Hobbs pumps up and the fans are with him! Hobbs stomps and shakes the ropes, then he goes back for Konosuke. Konosuke rises, Hobbs pops him up, but Konosuke ELBOWS him! Konosuke fires hands, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Hobbs staggers, Konosuke whips him, but Hobbs reverses! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Davis blocks Cage, but Cage SHOVES Davis onto the cover! Cage then TOSSES Davis out, and he goes back for Hobbs. Hobbs TOSSES Cage! Hobbs grins as he has Konosuke alone. The straps come down, and Hobbs runs up, only for Konosuke to dodge!

Konosuke runs, Cage tags in, and Konosuke BOOTS Hobbs in the corner! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! Hobbs flounders, Cage hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Hobbs survives and Cage is furious! Cage tags Konosuke, the Family gets Hobbs up, and they double wrench to double whip. But Hobbs breaks the double lariat and Davis tags in! Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS Cage & Konosuke! Davis runs up, they STEREO LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Davis and Cage waistlocks Hobbs. Konosuke runs but Davis GAMANGIRIS! Cage SUPERKICKS Davis!

Hobbs SNAP POWERSLAMS Cage! ALPHA ELBOW from Konosuke! Davis GERMAN SUPLEXES Konosuke! Cage fireman’s carries Davis, F5!! Cage runs up on Hobbs but Hobbs dodges! Hobbs LARIATS Cage and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up while Davis rises again! Konosuke also stands, and they run up! DOUBLE LARIATS! Davis GAMANGIRIS, Konosuke ends up in the corner! Davis goes side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans roar as Davis hauls Konosuke up! Konosuke fights the lift, dodges Davis, and comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS finally take both men down! But not for long as they both roar to their feet!

Konosuke swings, and he SWATS Davis’ enzigiri! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES!! And then, RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Callis Family wins!

Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Brian Cage, by pinfall

The Alpha slam dunks on Dunkzilla, and now he has 8 days to prepare for the Powerhouse! Will Konosuke hold onto his International Championship against Hobbs? Or will taking that title be the perfect payback?

Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.

Renee Paquette is with the Babe with the Power who is in action later tonight. But first, Renee wants to congratulate Willow to making it to the finals of the inaugural International Women’s Cup. She heads off to Tokyo very soon, how is she feeling about it? Willow is very excited. Inaugural WrestleDynasty, one step closer to the inaugural International Women’s Cup winner, and so it is mind boggling after how- Kris Statlander steps in. Kris tells Willow that there is a lot she should say, but for now, she’ll say good luck at the Tokyo Dome. #BornAgainKristen takes Willow by surprise, will Willow win tonight and have momentum going to the New Year?

Lio Rush & Action Andretti VS Myles Hawkins & Goldy!

The dysfunction in Top Flight Airlines led to The Bad Child & The Sight to See winning over Darius & Dante Martin, meaning they’re next up to face Private Party. Will this be little more than a tune-up for Lio & Action?

The teams sort out, Lio starts against Myles, but then Lio handspring kicks Goldy off the apron! Myles back suplexes but Lio lands out and then dodges! Myles falls out of the ring, Action handspring kicks him down! Lio DIVES onto Goldy! Action DIVES onto Myles! The fans fire up as Action puts Myles in fast. Lio joins Action and they mug Myles. Myles fights back with forearms and CHOPS! Myle runs, but Lio & Action split the difference. Lio spins Myles for Action to mule kick, knee lift and ROLLING ELBOW! Lio fires fast hands, then DECKS Myles! Goldy springboards but Lio & Action dodge! Lio eggs Goldy on, then he and Action split the difference again!

Action runs up, Goldy dodges, but Lio LARIATS Goldy on the other side! Myles whips Lio but Lio hits RUSH HOUR! Action torture racks Myles for a NECKBREAKER! Lio covers, Lio & Action win!

Winners: Lio Rush & Action Andretti, by pinfall

Fast win for this furious duo, but “Oh my gosh, is that Private Party?” Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy make their way out here and DC fires up! The AEW World Tag Team Champions call for “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Lio & Action get their shot in the near future, but wait! Dante & Darius make their way out here? Private Party looks to the tunnels, but Lio & Action CLOBBER them from behind! Dante, Darius & Leila don’t worry about the champs, they stare Lio & Action down. Lio & Action hold up the belts, then throw them at the Martins. The refs keep this from getting any more physical, but will Lio & Action take those belts from Quen & Zay soon enough?

Backstage interview with Harley Cameron.

Renee is now with the “multifaceted” Harley and notes she’s in action against Willow Nightingale tonight. Harley says yes, she IS multifaceted. She wants us to appreciate ALL her facets! Renee says yes, but she has yet to earn a singles win in AEW. Fine, ruin her fun. But then Harley asks if some person off camera is gonna say anything or just stand there. In steps Penelope Ford, and Mrs. Superbad says yes, she was simply observing. But Ford couldn’t help but notice that she and Harley share a lot of similar… facets. Harley asks how much Ford’s cost. Uh, no, not those…

Ford meant that she hasn’t had such a good 2024, either. So from The Bad Girl to the… Harley doesn’t have a good nickname yet. Well, don’t worry about it. Ford will watch Harley’s back and Harley will watch Ford’s. Wait, is something on Harley’s back? No, Harley… Just good luck. FEEL THE WRATH OF HARLEY CAMERON! No, she was being nice to you, Harley. Right, don’t feel the wrath of Harley Cameron. There is nothing on your back, Harley, stop scratching. Wait! W-What? Nothing, sorry. But will Harley be feeling Willow’s wrath instead?

Willow Nightingale VS Harley Cameron!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Harley pushes but Willow digs in her heels to SHOVE Harley down. Harley comes back, she and Willow reset and tie up again. Willow puts Harley in a corner, the ref counts, and Willow lets off. DC duels between Willow and Harley, and Harley wants a Test of Strength. Willow accepts the knuckle locks, but then Harley kicks low! Harley runs, wheelbarrows, but Willow turns that into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer as Willow runs, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Willow bumps Harley off buckles, then fires LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans count al the way to TEN!

Willow brings Harley out with a smile, and scoop SLAMS her! Harley flounders, Willow storms up on her for another scoop and SLAM, right as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Willow storms around while Harley staggers up. Willow scoops Harley again, then carries her around to put her in the Tree of Woe! Willow stomps a mudhole in, then lets off to run up! But Harley BOOTS her while upside-down! Harley gets free, ELBOWS Willow, then runs to knee her low! Harley runs with Willow to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Willow is stuck in ropes, and Harley AX KICKS her! Harley then headscissors Willow to CHOKE her in the ropes! The ref counts, Harley lets go at 4, and Harley soaks up cheers and jeers from DC. Harley stomps Willow, then drags her to the outside. Harley SMACKS Willow off the apron!

Harley paces while Willow flounders, and Harley has her against railing. Harley CHOPS Willow, then brings her around. Willow blocks the bump to SMACK Harley off the apron! Harley turns things around to SMACK Willow off the apron! Harley shoves Willow in, storms up on her, and stands her up for buckle bumps. Harley stomps Willow, digs her boots in, and she thrashes around! The ref counts, Harley lets off at 4, but Willow elbows her in return! Harley RAMS into Willow again and again, but Willow CLUBS Harley! Harley ROCKS Willow, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS Willow down! Harley soaks up more cheers and jeers while Rampage goes to break.

Holiday Bash returns and Willow CANNONBALLS, but Harley dodges! Willow hits only buckles and she hobbles after Harley. Harley kicks, KNEES, and ENZIGIRIS! Harley roars, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Harley grows frustrated. The fans rally while Harley waistlocks, but Willow switches! Harley kicks free to switch back, but Willow ELBOWS Harley back! Willow fireman’s carries, storms around, but Harley pops up! Harley fires down elbows, then victory rolls, TWO! Willow escapes and ROCKS Harley! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

Harley survives but Willow roars! The fans fire up as the straps come down! Willow gut wrenches for the BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall

Willow faced the wrath of Harley Cameron and she prevailed! But then PENELOPE FORD goes after Willow! The fans boo but Ford did say she’d back Harley up. They both beat up on Willow, but here comes Kris! Kris Statlander storms the ring, Harley & Ford run away! Willow is again surprised, but the fans want these two to “Hug It Out! Hug It Out!” Kris says no, she doesn’t feel like it’s the right time. Kris lets Willow have the ring, is this proof that the #BornAgainKristen isn’t just a nickname?

Team Triple J speaks backstage.

Standing alongside Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt says, “They’ve asked us to look back and reflect on 2024, and Jeff, guys, what an incredible series of moments we’ve had in 2024.” The group agrees. From Wembley Stadium to Double J being in the Owen Hart Cup, some true career highlights that he will cherish forever. But Jarrett doesn’t like looking in the rearview mirror, he likes to look ahead. Next week, he’s not bringing resolutions, he’s bringing a game plan for 2025! What does the Last Outlaw have in store for himself and the team in the New Year?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Komander!

While the rest of Gold League stands at 6 points, these two men are struggling to keep up. Will the King of Death join that traffic jam at the front of the block? Or will the Commander of the Skies be a spoiler for Christmas?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Komander circle while the fans bark it up. There are fans who sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Komander as the two tie up. But then Brody picks Komande up with both hands, and puts him on the to rope. Brody pats Komander on the shoulder, and the fans bark more. Komander hops down, not intimidated by Brody’s size. Komander then dodges Brody, DROPKICKS him, but Brody CLOBBERS Komander on the return! Brody eggs Komander on and then scuffs him. Komander gets mad and CHOPS! Brody grins and eggs Komander on. Komander CHOPS, but Brody wants more!

Komander fires up to CHOP, but Brody CHOPS Komander down! The fans fire up and Brody grins. Komander sputters, Brody paces, and Brody drags Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS again, and Komander flounders away! Brody stalks Komander to the corner, CHOPS him again, and Komander falls over! Brody hauls Komander up, whips him, but Komander goes up and over! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Brody BACKDROPS Komander! The fans bark while Komander writhes, and Brody drags Komander up. But Komander fires body shots and a CHOP!

Brody KNEES low and Komander drops. Brody CHOPS Komander again! Brody asks, “Are you done?!” Brody whips Komander, but Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to then springboard, but Brody catches Komander with ease! Brody pops Komander up, but Komander pops free, sunset flip, ONE!! Brody drags Komander up and CLUBS him! Komander wobbles, Brody ROCKS him again! Brody drags Komander off the ropes, suplexes, but Komander slips around! SLEEPER! Big men still have to breathe, but Brody RAMS Komander into the buckles! Brody swings, misses, and that bad hand hits post! Komander fires KICKS on the legs!

Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves, kicks, mule kicks and ENZIGIRIS! Brody wobbles and the fans rally up! Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, and he goes up and up and jumps around! But Brody breaks the grip and DOUBLE CHOPS Komander to the floor! The fans bark it up and the ref checks Komander while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Brody storms out after Komander, who is somehow still in this. Brody drags Komander up, and he whips Komander hard into railing! Brody revels in the DC dogs barking, and Brody stands Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander off his feet, then refreshes the ring count. Brody drags Komander up, and whips him hard into railing! So hard, in fact, that Komander goes up and over! Brody hurries to haul Komander back up, and he suplexes Komander to the floor! Komander writhes more while Brody refreshes the count again. Brody goes back to Komander, scuffs him, and brings him back up.

Komander KICKS Brody, CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS him down! Brody revels in the noise from DC while he stands on Komander’s neck! The ref reprimands, Brody steps off and rolls into the ring. Brody again refreshes the count so he can fetch Komander. Brody puts Komander in the ring, covers, TWO! Komander is still in this but Brody is more amused than anything. Brody paces then brings Komander up. Brody CHOPS Komander to a corner, then revels in the noise a bit more. Brody then digs his boot into Komander, but lets off as the ref counts. Brody drags Komander up to CHOP, but Komander CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Komander down!

Brody digs his boots in again, but the ref counts. Brody steps away, then drags Komander to his feet. Brody ROCKS Komander as the Holiday Bash returns to single picture. Brody eggs Komander on, stands him up, and ROCKS him again! Komander flops against ropes but Brody dares him to keep fighting. Komander staggers up, but Brody CHOPS him! Komander is stinging but Brody ROCKS him! Brody whips, Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to QUEBRADA, but Brody catches him! But Komander slips down into the STANDING BONE LOCK! The fans fire up but Brody powers up! Brody THROWS Komander right off! SENTON FLOPS as Komander moves!

Komander hurries to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Brody and Komander both crawl to ropes! They both stand, Brody runs up, but Komander swings around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Brody flops out to the floor! Komander sees that and the fans fire up! Komander builds going side to side, and he goes up and up and CROSSBODIES, but Brody catches him! Brody RAMS Komander into the railing! And then whips him hard into more railing! Brody makes Komander take a seat, then CHOPS him! The fans bark with Brody as he gets space, and Brody runs back in, but Komander ducks! Brody CRASHES into railing!!

Komander has the fans all fired up as he rises! Komander rolls into the ring, the count is climbing, but Brody is rising! So Komander runs corner to corner to go up, up and AWAY!! Direct hit with that escalara cannonball! The fans fire up as Komander rises again! Komander and Brody both head for the ring while fans sing again, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Komander has Brody in the drop zone! Komander goes up the corner, but Brody CLUBS him first! Brody has Komander in the Electric Chair Lift, then goes up the corner!? But Komander fights, shifts, and SUPER SUSNET FLIP POWERBOMBS!!

Brody is in the drop zone again and Komander rises! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Komander cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Komander rises and goes to another corner. Komander tunes up the band, runs corner to corner, but Brody SLAPS him first! Brody runs but Komander dodges, Brody POSTS himself! Komander is on the apron and he runs up, to SHOTGUN Brody to the floor! Brody sputters, Komander climbs the corner, and the fans are thunderous! Komander springboards to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Another direct hit and Komander feels so close to his first points in the C2!

Komander hurries to get in the ring, but then slides out to start a new ring count. Komander climbs again while Brody rises. Komander watches Brody slide in, then tightrope walks to CIELITO LINDO!! But that was on Brody’s back! Komander pushes Brody but that’s a lot of dead weight to push! Brody sits up but Komander KICKS him! Komander roars, the fans fire up, handspring- TORTURE RACK! Brody flips Komander around, GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!!

Winner: Brody King, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Komander earns 0)

If it wasn’t clear before, this was a painful punctuation mark, Komander is mathematically ELIMINATED from the semifinals. However, Komander’s final C2 match is Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street against Claudio Castagnoli! Can Komander be the biggest spoiler of this entire tournament? Can Brody prove to everyone in the Gold League that the House Always Wins?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage here for Holiday Bash, though some clear redundancies from last week’s Winter is Coming edition. We got another group Don Callis Promo, and we barely got anything different from Callis and Kyle. The tag match’s only changes were Cage switching in for Archer, even though Cage is in reality defending his ROH World TV Championship in the Hammerstein Ballroom for Final Battle, and then the Callis Family wins this time so Hobbs and Konosuke can be even going towards Worlds End. Now, Konosuke could very well retain the International Championship at Worlds End because NJPW is totally open to Konosuke Takeshita VS Shingo Takagi being Winner Takes All, AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles on the line together.

Lio & Action of course won their match, but the real purpose was to get a confrontation out of them, Private Party and OG Top Flight, Darius & Dante. Good stuff, and it teases anywhere between a Triple Threat to Lio & Action VS Darius & Dante Round 2. Very good promo from Triple J to set up for something, anything really, for 2025. Fight for the Fallen can even be the start of whatever that plan is as part of the “mother of all streams.” And good stuff with the women’s division tonight. Ford & Harley makes a natural duo now given their names, and Willow and Kris could possibly reunite now that Kris is a Face again. That wouldn’t really make up for the weird fumble in the middle where Tony Khan just wanted Kris to get away from Stokely, but hey, this story itself could be really well done.

And great stuff out of Brody VS Komander, really got the drama going before the end. I mean, we all knew Komander was out of the running before tonight, and was most certainly taking the loss here, but Komander got to really show some grit. And now, five people at 6 points going into the final round, they’re really adding great drama to Gold League. Collision tomorrow and then Dynamite Miracle on 34th Street will be some great stuff, but I still think Ospreay should be one of the semifinalists, the second spot can be whoever they want.