Cobra Kai or the Morrigan, who makes history?

Raw on Netflix continues to raise the bar! Dakota Kai and Lyra Valkyria battle to be THE INAUGURAL WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS ???; Penta wins.
• Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser; Sheamus wins.
• WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai VS Lyra Valkyria; Lyra wins and is the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
• The Miz VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins.
• Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Finn Balor; Priest wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Someone arrives backstage.

The fans in San Jose are chanting, and they’re right! It’s C M PUNK! The Voice of the Voiceless is wearing a brand new shirt to celebrate his big win last week, and the fans fire up as he heads right to the stage! Punk high-fives fans on his way down the ramp, borrows some YEET glasses for a moment, then hops up onto the desk to get the fans even more pumped up! Punk waits for a staffer to bring him a mic, then he carefully goes from desk to barrier to ring! The fans continue to chant for Punk, and he says that does his heart good, he loves San Jose for it.

But real quick, before they get to business, he wants to say something real fast. He acknowledges all the firefighters and first-responders here in California and from everywhere else to fight this natural disaster. Mexico, Canada, the PEOPLE, Punk hears you and respects you! And now, tot he entertainment portion of the evening: Is it good to be alive on a Monday night in San Jose or what? The fans fire up for that! Punk says Netflix’s soul crushing pressure. Did you watch last week? “YES!” Did you watch Punk beat the Monday Night Messiah? “YES!” And Punk knows everyone has a lot on their minds, but Punk has a lot on his plate.

One thing OFF his plate is Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Last year, at the Royal Rumble, Punk’s first televised match back in WWE over a decade, it didn’t go his way. Not only did he lose, his triceps took a vacation. Separated from the bone, and he didn’t know what the future held. Winning the Rumble is one of his dreams, but that loss caused him to see his career fading away. There were a lot of things he couldn’t see. Like for one, a big neon sign almost blinding Punk as it says WrestleMania, but Punk sees it! Punk’s biggest setback makes for his biggest comeback. And speaking of comebacks, the man who you can’t see…

Punk sees John Cena, and always has. And Cena has declared for the Rumble, but live and in living color, so has Punk! Punk 2025 edition is gonna throw 29 other people out of the ring, whether you can see them or not! And Punk will raise his hand to point at the music, and you will hear his song! But instead, “BURN IT DOWN~!” Rollins is back and Punk is in disbelief! The Visionary doesn’t strut his way out here in his sequin suit, but he does go to the ring. Punk wishes it was someone like Rhea Ripley interrupting. Rollins still has fans singing for him, and Punk says this was his time, not Rollins’.

Rollins grabs himself a mic, the singing continues, “WHOA~ OH~! OHH~!” Rollins takes off his sunglasses, the fans cheer as they see that black eye, and Punk also likes how it looks. Rollins says he knows Punk isn’t happy to see him, but he can’t be surprised. Rollins told Punk last week that win, lose or draw, Rollins would be standing here in the middle of this ring on Monday Night Raw. Rollins is a man of his word. If he wasn’t, if he didn’t show when times got hard, that wouldn’t be Rollins. That’d be Punk. But Punk did win still, right? Rollins says he would rather be the worst version of himself than be any version of Punk.

Rollins has lost a lot of matches. He’s lost “big matches,” main events, title matches, and even at WrestleMania. But last week, that was the worst loss of his career. Rollins has never been more confident in himself, that he underestimated Punk, and he couldn’t get the job done! The only way Rollins can seek redemption is to take Punk’s WrestleMania dreams and flush ’em down the toilet! Punk will not win the Royal Rumble because Rollins will! The fans boo and Punk sighs. Punk figured, it’s every man for himself. Rollins says yes, and he will take great pride in not only winning, but dumping Punk’s ass out on ROLLINS’ way to the WrestleMania main event!

Punk isn’t so sure. Where Rollins eses opportunity is just a guy who couldn’t pin Punk and is now taking the easy road. But now DREW MCINTYRE is here! Punk is again beside himself as now The Scottish Terminator makes his way out. McIntyre says, “Just when I think you can’t get any more disgusting, selfish, self-serving, you go and top yourself, don’t you?” Punk tells Drew that last time they saw each other, Drew was on his knees, tears in his eyes, bleeding on this mat, begging for his life! Punk says if Drew takes another step closer, it’ll take more than just 15 staples to close Drew’s head!

Drew smirks and says this might come as a shock, “Phil,” but not everything revolves around you. Drew was talking to Seth. Oh, well, Punk’s invitation is Rollins’ invitation, he’ll stomp Drew’s head into the mat! Drew says maybe they should take a look at each other. It’ll be like a mirror. The only difference is, Punk admits what a piece of crap he is! Punk says he’s a winner, and McIntyre should remember from getting dragged around Hell in a Cell! Drew tells Seth that he acts like a leader, but it’s just an act. Rollins is all talk, the actions don’t line up. Tribal Combat, “We can’t let Roman get power!”

But when everyone else gets involved, Rollins was nowhere to be seen! Rollins is only worried about his own selfish agenda, and then he goes and loses! Now Rollins is going, “I told you so!” PATHETIC! Rollins tells Drew that he has no patience for any of this. OH, Rollins has no patience?! Punk has none for Rollins, none for Drew, he’s done talking. If you wanna swing, he’s right here! Rollins says okay then! Punk watches Seth and Drew closely, and Drew says a Triple Threat of these three… He heads for the ring! But then Drew says NO! Why would he ever do that?! The fans boo, but Drew says they have not listened!

There is a bigger problem here! Roman is playing chess while all you idiots are playing checkers! Drew is always the reluctant hero, so he’ll step up for all of this locker room. If only he could get his hands on the title before Roman does. Roman has the “falafel” back, if only there was a match where it was every man for themselves. Oh wait! See you both in The Royal Rumble. The fans are a bit torn, but the field is only growing more and more stacked! Roman, Cena, Punk, Rollins, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and more! Just how big is this Road of WrestleMania going to get?

Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS ???

“Master” Gable’s New Year’s Resolutions were to A) finally win a singles title and B) prove he is NOT afraid to face the lucha libre style. He dared Adam Pearce to give him a new challenge, but will he learn what having no fear is really all about?

Raw returns and the lights go down. Gable’s had experience with that a lot last year, but it isn’t for the Wyatts. The fans fire up as the music plays, and reveal! “CERO! MIEDO!” PENTAGON has come to WWE! The Man with No Fear steps into the ring, some fans are in tears finally getting to see him for themselves, and the bell rings. Penta and Gable circle, and the chant of “CERO! MIEDO!” echoes out. Penta then steps to Gable and says if he wanted a real luchador, then listen! CERO- Gable grabs the arm! Gable wrenches it, the fans boo, but Penta wrenches back. Penta headlocks, Gable powers up and out, but Penta steps over the dropdown!

Penta stands Gable up to headlock again, then he wrenches again and again. Gable rolls, spins, slips free and spins around to drop toehold! Gabe headlocks and taunts the fans, but Penta powers up and slips out the back. Penta ties up the legs, SLAPS Gable on the back, and he has the arms! BRIDGING surfboard, then LA MAGISTROL! ONE, Gable LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Gable dodges to arm-drag! Penta arm-drags back! Gable trips Penta, covers, ONE! Penta trips and covers, ONE! The two reset and the fans fire up again! Gable and Penta circle, the fans rally again, and they’re all behind “PENTA! PENTA!”

Gable SLAPS Penta! The fans boo but Gable fires hands. Gable CHOPS Penta in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Penta dodges and rolls to RANA Gable to the ropes! Penta hurries to IMPLODER LEG DROP! Not the cleanest but Gable bails out. Penta builds speed, but Gable slide sin. Gable clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gable is frustrated but he drags Penta up to bump him off buckles. Gable climbs, fans chant “YOU SUCK!” but Gable rains down fists! Penta stops Gable at 5 with body shots! Penta tucks Gable in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then a headstand into the DROPKICK!

The fans fire up as Gable bails out again. Penta runs up, blocks a punch, and SOBATS! Penta says time to go around, and he goes up, up, and- NO, Gable ROCKS Penta first! Penta swings, but into an APRON GERMAN! Penta flops to the floor, the ref checks him, but Gable hurries to KICK Penta’s leg! Gable drags Penta up and into the ring but the fans boo. Gable drags Penta to the corner and he SLAMS the leg against the post! Penta screams in pain, but Gable storms in and drags Penta back. Gable has the leg for a spinning toehold! And another! And then a YANK! Penta writhes, the fans boo, but Gable looms over Penta.

Gable drags Penta up, Penta pushes him away, and the fans again chant “YOU SUCK!” Gable YANKS the leg again, then drags Penta up. Gable has the leg, and he lifts for a SHIN BREAKER to BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this but Gable grows frustrated. Gable goes to a corner, climbs up, and DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! Penta moves in time and the fans fire up! Penta hurries to SUPERKICK! Gable falls but Penta has to hobble around. Penta runs in, but Gable OVERHEAD SUPLEXES him into buckles! Penta and Gable are both down but the fans rally up. Gable and Penta stir, and they head for each other.

Gable CHOPS, but Penta hushes the fans. Penta CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Gable CHOPS, Penta CHOPS, repeat! The CHOPS keep going, and Gable fires off a flurry! Gable whips, but Penta KICKS back! Penta hits a SLING-DOG! The fans fire up, Gable runs up but Penta TOSSES him up and out! Penta builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans are going nuts while both men are down again! Penta puts Gable in, “This is Awesome!” but Gable swings! Penta blocks to GAMANGIRI! Penta fires up, the fans are with him, and Penta climbs. Penta leaps to CROSSBODY! The fans rally as Gable goes to a corner, but Penta KICKS him in the leg!

Penta whips corner to corner, Gable reverses, but Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Penta then drags Gable to a cover, TWO! Gable survives and Penta grows frustrated. The fans rally up again, and Penta brings Gable around. Penta pushes Gable, eggs him on, and then BUZZSAWS! Gable sputters, but Penta brings him up. Gable shoots around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Penta escapes in time, and both men go to corners. Gable runs in, but Penta puts him up top! Penta CHOPS and the fans fire up! Penta shakes out the bad leg, winds up, but Gable blocks the chop to DRAPING ARMBAR!

The ref counts, the fans boo, and Gable lets go at 4. Penta flops to the apron, Gable goes along the ropes, and Gable brings Penta up! Penta CHOPS back! Gable sputters, Penta jumps to RANA Gable into the ring! Then a DESTROYER!! The fans are thunderous as Penta covers, TWO!! Gable survives and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” as both men stir. Penta rises, he feeds off the energy, and he waits on Gable. Gable sits up, Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” BUZZSAW! The fans fire up again and Penta roars! Penta has a wild look in his eyes, but Gable blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW!

Penta writhes, Gable grabs the leg, ANKLE LOCK!! Penta endures, reaches out, and he fights forward! Gable drags Penta back! The fans rally for Penta as he turns, and he drags Gable down! DISARMER! But then hammerlock, and he CLUBS away on Gable! Penta grabs the other arm, THE SACRIFICE!! Gable writhes now, but Penta isn’t done! Tuck and PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!

Winner: Pentagon, by pinfall

Jackie Redmond appears and interviews Penta in the ring. She congratulates him and welcomes him to Monday Night Raw. The fans cheer that, and this was a huge debut victory. He’s one of the biggest signings in recent memory, and San Jose was behind him. What does this moment mean to him? Penta thanks Jackie for that, and he wants to say something first. “Thank you, San Jose!! This is my new home. This is my new home, guys! But I know everyone, you, you, you, and you! And you! And you! Waited for this moment. But I wanna say something. The real truth is… I’ve been waiting for this moment!” The fans cheer that.

Penta says for all of Mexico, for Latinos, gracias for being with him on this journey. And you know this is only the beginning. Come closer, cameraman. This is for all the Mexicanos! Gracias to his familia, and he knows that this is a new era. This is the WWE’s new era. This isn’t just the Netflix Era. Now it is the PENTA ERA!! And you know why? Because he is Penta, and he has CERO! MIEDO!! Penta again thanks the fans, embraces his family at ringside, will all of Raw learn to fear the man with no fear?

Judgment Day talks backstage.

Finn Balor has his Street Fight with Damian Priest, but Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez walk in. What’s going on, boys? Oh, Finn was just saying how Liv will be Women’s World Champion again real soon. Like, real soon. Oh, Liv knows she will. The revenge tour wasn’t just about being champion but about taking a piece of Rhea she’ll never get back. And that is what she did. Oh, is that so? Well, speaking of revenge, Finn will let the lovers sort through their issues. Dominik walks in with a bouquet of roses to apologize. Liv says she’s not mad. Oh, really? At all? Nope. She said she’s not, so she’s not. But could Dom get her bags? And Raquel’s?

Oh, and Dom should have the valet ready to go for them at the end of the night. Okay, honey~? Carli, put these somewhere nice. Liv leaves, Dom is in denial, but Finn says more importantly, he ends Priest once and for all! Then he and JD take the titles back! They only lost to The War Raiders because of Priest anyway! JD says that’s right! In fact, he’ll go to Adam Pearce right now, get in his face, and say that if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll give Judgment Day their rematch for those tag titles! C’mon, Carlito, let’s go. JD leads the way, Carlito gives Dom the flowers back, and Dom asks if Finn is sure he doesn’t need them out there against Priest.

Finn says no, Dom should hang back. He’s gotta sort things out with Liv. Start by getting her bags. Dom heads out, Finn finishes his preparations, but will the Prince face his punishment?

Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser!

The Celtic Warrior and the European Elegance have had about enough of each other, so they both want this to be the end of it! But will it be Sheamus or Kaiser that finally stands tall over the other?

Raw returns as Kaiser makes his entrance, and we spot Bron Breakker watching from the crowd. Could the winner be in line for another shot at his Intercontinental Championship? The bell rings and the two circle. Kaiser SLAPS Sheamus, the fans boo, but then the two tie up. Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser to a corner and fires off hands! The ref counts, Sheamus whips Kaiser, but Kaiser reverses. Sheamus blocks the hip toss to LARIAT Kaiser down! Kaiser goes to the apron, b ug Sheamus fishhooks him! The fans cheer but the ref counts. Kaiser KICKS Sheamus away, and Sheamus tumbles out. Sheamus fires body shots but Kaiser CHOPS!

Sheamus DECKS Kaiser, then puts him in the ring! Sheamus storms up, ROCKS Kaiser, and has him against ropes! But Kaiser HOTSHOTS free! The fans boo but Kaiser runs, and he BLASTS Sheamus off the apron and into the desk! The fans boo but Kaiser slides out the side. Kaiser builds speed going around the way, and he SHOTGUNS Sheamus down! The fans boo but Kaiser soaks up that heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Kaiser PENALTY KICKS Sheamus! Cover, TWO! Kaiser KICKS Sheamus again, but Sheamus rises up! Sheamus is all red but he grits his teeth. Kaiser runs to KICK Sheamus again! Sheamus eggs Kaiser on! The fans fire up but Kaiser KICKS, KICKS, and then KICKS! But Sheamus blocks, and he CHOPS, CHPOS, CHOPS! Sheamus LARIATS Kaiser down and the fans fire up! Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser up and out, and has him on ropes! The fans fire up as Sheamus gives Kaiser BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count, and Sheamus goes to TEN! Then he TOSSES Kaiser into the ring!

Sheamus has Kaiser for a fireman’s carry, and he climbs up the corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Kaiser survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! The fans rally up, Sheamus nods, and he stalks Kaiser to a corner. But Kaiser grabs the shillelagh! He pokes Sheamus int he eyes, then takes aim! But Sheamus gives him a KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO!! Kaiser survives again and Sheamus grows frustrated. The fans rally as Sheamus pounds the mat. Sheamus goes to a corner, takes aim, and beats his chest! The fans fire up for the- Kaiser CHOP! ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Kaiser fires up but fans boo!

Kaiser clinches, but Sheamus slips free! Shove and scop, but Kaiser slips free! Kaiser CHOPS, but Sheamus KNEE CAPPERS! Sheamus runs, into the KAISER ROLL! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and Kaiser is beside himself! “This is Awesome!” and the fans rally up. Kaiser goes to a corner, he shakes his head, and he mocks Sheamus’ chest beating. The fans boo but Kaiser dares Sheamus to stand. Sheamus ducks the gamangiri! BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Fella finally finishes things with Kaiser, and he pounds the desk in celebration! Sheamus and high-fives Pat, but then Bron stands up. Sheamus stares down with Bron and the fans bark it up. Bron says if Sheamus thinks he can win, then how’s this? SLAP!! The ref hurries to stop this from getting any wilder, but will

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Cathy Kelley says Rollins just met with Adam Pearce, and it is official: Rollins VS McIntyre next week. Rollins says McIntyre has been needling and needling, and Rollins is over it. Rollins wanted a fight tonight, McIntyre didn’t, but next week is on. Rollins owes McIntyre for WrestleMania, so it’s on. The Visionary then continues on his way out, only to come across Sami Zayn. Sami heard what Rollins was saying, how tough that loss to Punk was, so he just figured if Rollins wants to talk, Sami’s here for him. Rollins says yes, it was rough. But great week for Sami, right? What’s that supposed to mean?

Aw c’mon, Sami. Sami’s boy has the ula fala back, he’s Tribal Chief! Sami helped Roman, just like he did at WarGames. But what’s next? Help him win the Royal Rumble? Help him beat Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania? Help him STAY the Tribal Chief? Or is Sami going to finally help himself? Rollins leaves and now Sami has something to think on. What will the Honorary Uce do now that we’re in Roman Reigns’ second era?

The Miz meets with Karrion Kross backstage.

Kross exits Pearce’s office, and Miz asks, “Well?” Apparently the Wyatt Sick6 have been moved to SmackDown. If Miz had anything to do with this…! Sami walks in and asks if Pearce is in there. Kross says yes, he is. But he also heard that conversation Sami had with Rollins. Kross found it interesting. He thought The Bloodline unifying them for a common goal. And then Sami’s aspirations for the world title, oh how Kross would love to see that tear them apart. Well, not that they’d have to worry about Sami. Sami says Miz has been Kross’ lacky for so long, no one’s gonna worry about Miz again, ever.

Miz says he’s already been world champion twice in his career. Two more times than Sami ever will! Sami says he was going talk with Pearce about some other business, but maybe he’ll put that on hold. Sami will now ask for a match with The Miz, for tonight! Sami steps inside and Kross smirks. Miz says great, now they have Sami to deal with. Uh, they? Kross leaves, and it seems Sami is just Miz’s problem. Will the Hollywood A-Lister be able to handle things on his own? Or will the Underdog from the Underground be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?

GUNTHER is here!

The fans are torn seeing Der Ring General head to the ring, World Heavyweight Championship on his shoulder. Gunther says last week, he watched the Raw Netflix debut, a monumental moment in the history of this company. it was a visual attraction and he was very impressed. But not so much with the performances in the ring. Because to be honest, aside from Gunther, Raw doesn’t have a roster to fulfill such high expectations. Everyone is fighting over personal drama, “Who’s the Head of the Table? Who’s the Best int he World?” WHO CARES?! The only prize worth fighting for his THE World Heavyweight Championship!

And Gunther is the man who- WAIT! Here comes Jey Uso! Jey comes in from the ramp side this time, but he still gets fans to YEET with him! Jey then steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and Pat hops off the desk. The fans still “YEET!” Jey asks if he heard Gunther right. He needs someone to carry the World Heavyweight Championship? You’re looking at him! Main Event “YEET!” Jey “YEET!” USO. “YEET!” Jey says Drew is behind him now. Bloodline family drama is behind him now. So it’s Jey now! “YEET!” 1v1! “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event! “YEET!” For Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship! “YEET!”

The fans fire up, but Gunther laughs. Just to make sure, is Jey serious about this? “YEET!” Then he admires Jey’s courage for coming out here. And he would be naive to say he can hold onto the title forever. But it’s more naive for Jey to think that he is the one to take this from Gunther. No, Jey, really think about it. If you remember, they faced off for the Intercontinental Championship twice, and Gunther won twice. Gunther knows what Jey is capable of, and it is a whole lot less than what Gunther’s capable of. Now, Jey is funny, Jey is entertaining, but when that bell rings, Gunther will expose Jey for what he is: A really talented tag team wrestler.

The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to face it, he is just not on Gunther’s level. “Main event” is Jey’s nickname, but “main event” is where Gunther belongs! So Gunther suggests something: stay out of championship business. Saturday Night’s Main Event? That’s fine by Gunther. But the choice is up to Jey. Gunther turns to leave, the fans “YEET!” for Jey, and Jey paces. Jey says hold on, Gunther. Jey does respect Gunther. No, really. Everything Gunther said, that’s all true. Jey’s not supposed to be here, not in this spot, sell all this merch, is just a tag team guy. Hell yeah he was scared to do this alone, but look, Uce.

Jey wakes up every day betting on himself, because he is still working to earn that respect! SO Gunther will respect Jey when he beats dat ass for the World Heavyweight Championship! It isn’t just a nickname for Jey, it is where he belongs! So if you wanna see Jey win the world title, let this fool know! One, two, three! “YEET!!” The fans fire up, and now San Antonio is going to be Gunther VS Jey Round 3! Will Main Event Jey finally reach the mountaintop? Or will Gunther chop him down to size?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai VS Lyra Valkyria!

Both women have held gold in WWE before, but while #CobraKai has only been a tag team champion, The Morrigan knows she is capable of standing alone from her days as NXT Women’s Champion. But now, there’s more on the line than just the title. This is about making history as THE FIRST Women’s Intercontinental Champion! Both women have had their setbacks and their comebacks, but who defines the future of the WWE Women’s Division here tonight?

The introductions are made, Adam Pearce brings the belt to the ring, and it is time to carve someone’s name down in history!

The bell rings and the two tie up. Kai headlocks, Lyra powers up and out, then drops down to hurdle. Kai leaps over, then she ducks a kick! Kai fireman’s carries, Lyra slips free to waistlock. Kai switches, shoves, but Lyra fireman’s carries! Kai fights free, the two reset, and the fans cheer. The two tie up, Lyra wrenches and wristlocks but Kai breaks free to snapmare. Lyra handsprings through, but Kai hits a flying-mare! Kai kicks and puts Lyra in the ropes, to then springboard, but Lyra avoids the stomp! Lyra trips Kai, drags her out, and RAMS her into the apron! Lyra hurries in, builds speed, but Kai blocks the dropkicks!

Kai drags Lyra out in a wheelbarrow, to SMACK her off the apron! Kai then goes up, takes aim, but Lyra blocks a kick! Lyra trips Kai and Kai smacks off the apron! Lyra goes up to get Kai up, and then suplexes her to the floor! The fans go wild while both women writhe, and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Lyra has Kai in the ring, and has her in a deep motorcycle stretch! Kai endures so Lyra sits back to push both her boots into Kai’s back! Kai still endures, and she pushes back to stack Lyra! TWO as Lyra kicks Kai back down! The fans rally, Kai fights up again, but Lyra LIFTS Kai to BOOT her away! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Lyra drags Kai up. Lyra hooks a leg, FISHER- NO, Kai cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, and Kai SUPERKICKS! Lyra wobbles, but then she dodges a boot to SOBOAT! KICK! RAM! KICK! Kai ducks a heel kick, but Lyra stops the Scorpion Kick! Kai fires more kicks with the free leg!

Lyra still holds onto Kai, hauls her up, and hits a POWER- RANA! Kai turns things around, then runs Around the World to BOOT Lyra again! Snapmare, and then a KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Kai is beside herself! Kai hurries to get Lyra up, wrenches and fireman’s carries, but Lyra blocks the Detonation Kick! Then she stands Kai up to RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives but Lyra stands her up  again! HEEL KICK! Kai goes down in a heap, and Lyra hurries up top! Lyra aims, TURN OF FORTUNES! Cover, TWO!! Kai survives and now Lyra is beside herself! But “This is Awesome!” as both women rise.

Lyra stands Kai up, fireman’s carries, but Kai fights the swing! SCORPION KICK! Kai puts Lyra in the ropes, to SPINRGBOARD STOMP! Kai roars and fireman’s carries! G T K!! But Lyra flops out of the ring!! Kai cannot believe she was that close to victory! Kai drags Lyra back up and puts her in the ring. Lyra flounders to a corner and Kai goes Around the World again! But Lyra ducks the boot, then hits a ZIGZAG!! And now, fireman’s carry, NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! Cover, LYRA WINS!!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

The fans are torn, but it was a hard fought match between two deserving women! Pearce puts the belt around Lyra’s waist then raises her hand in victory. Is this just the beginning of even greater things for Lyra? Kai shows respect by shaking Lyra’s hand, and the two hug it out. Will Kai just have to fight that much harder to finally have gold all her own?

The Miz VS Sami Zayn!

The Hollywood A-Lister has stuck his foot in his mouth quite a few times over the years, but he might’ve stepped in it this time. He got on the bad side of an Honorary Uce that’s in a bad mood. Will Sami take some of his frustrations out on Miz? Or will Miz remind us of those days when he was a world champion?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Miz puts Sami in a corner, the ref counts, but Miz lets off with a kick! Miz fires hands, then he mocks Sami’s song while he headlocks. Sami powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over. Sami DECKS Miz and the fans fire up! Sami bumps Miz off buckles, climbs up, and he leaps to AX HANDLE! Miz flounders, the fans rally, and Sami has Miz again. But Miz pulls Sami’s beard! Miz KNEES low, whips, then kitchen sink knees! Miz runs to basement BOOT! Miz tells fans to shut up about “Sami Uso,” but the fans boo instead. Miz runs to basement BOOT again!

Miz paces around Sami, talks some smack, then stands Sami up just to DECK him! Miz KNEES Sami in the back, KNEES him again, then ELBOWS him over and over! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Sami while Miz scowls. Miz soaks up the heat, then points to Sami. The fans boo Miz and cheer Sami back and forth, Then Sami fires hands on Miz! Sami whips, Miz reverses, but Sami goes up and over! Then LARIAT! Miz flounders, Sami storms up on him and bumps him off buckles. Sami climbs up to rain down fists, and he goes way past TEN! The fans cheer as Sami gets to TWENTY, then fires up again!

Miz staggers away, runs back in but Sami gets him for a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami goes corner to corner, but Miz BOOTS first! Miz sits Sami up to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Sami stays in this and Miz grows frustrated. Miz KICKS Sami, and KICKS again! The fans boo the “It Kicks” as Miz fires more and more! Miz then runs up, but Sami ducks the buzzsaw! BLUE THUNDER- NO, Miz slips free! Full nelson, but Sami victory rolls it! TWO! Miz escapes, but Sami full nelsons! Miz RAMS Sami into buckles, fires elbows, then he runs corner to corner. Sami follows for a HELLUVA KICK!! And then BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, Sami wins!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall

San Jose cheers on Sami’s big win, and this could be the spark Sami needs going towards the Royal Rumble! Will the Underdog from the Underground defy the odds and surpass all the stars on this Road to WrestleMania?

Rhea Ripley heads to gorilla.

She passes by Natalya and the Alpha Academy, and she waves hi. What will Mami have to tell everyone here on a Monday night?

Rhea heads to the ring!

Raw returns as the NEW WWE Women’s World Champion makes her entrance and San Jose fires up! Rhea grabs a mic, gives her title belt a kiss, and revels in the chants for “MAMI! MAMI!” Rhea says, “Mami is back on top!” The fans cheer that! Rhea adds that she might seem a little like a broken record, but she just wanted to remind those who forgot that she is Rhea Bloody Ripley! And she is one of the most dominant women in the WWE, and now she is once again your Women’s World Champion! The fans cheer that! But wait, is that Nia Jax?! The former WWE Women’s Champion is usually on SmackDown, but could this be the Transfer Window?

Nia says no, she cannot take this anymore. The fans boo as she walks to the ring, but she brings up how she was talking with Adam Pearce, and she just couldn’t help herself. She had to bring herself out here to talk to “Mami~.” Nia steps into the ring with Rhea, and Nia wants Rhea and everyone else to know that Nia WILL be winning the Royal Rumble! And then she’ll take whatever title she wants. And Tiffy~ might think she’s at the Tiffy Top, and Mami might think she’s “on top,” and then Bayley in the crowd here, why is she even here? Bayley says she’s from here! Oh, yeah, she would be from this poor, nasty town!

The fans boo but Nia tells Rhea and everyone needs to know there is only ONE woman at the very top of the WWE, and that is Nia Jax! No, it’s not Rhea, it’s not Tiffy, and it sure ain’t Bayley! But then Bayley hops the barriers! Nia pretends to be so scared! Bayley gets a mic and tells Nia to come up with n ew stuff. All due respect, Mami, may she? Rhea says sure. Bayley says yeah, this may not be her show, but San Jose is HER city! The fans cheer that! If Nia has something to say, just say it to her face, “you big ol’ dumb idiot!” Nia SHOVES Bayley down! Then she gets in Rhea’s face! Nia shoves Rhea, but rhea HEADBUTTS Nia!

The fans fire up, but Nia HEADBUTTS Rhea down! Nia talks smack, but Bayley CHOP BLOCKS, then KNEES Nia! Rhea comes back to BOOT Nia! Nia tumbles out, and both Rhea and Bayley smile. Mami has the gold, The Role Model will battle Tiffany for hers, will we see them both on top on this Road to WrestleMania?

Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Finn Balor!

Oh how greed and ambition can drive friends apart. These two took over the Judgment Day from the Rated R Superstar, and while they were once Undisputed Tag Team Champions, only one of them could be THE World Heavyweight Champion. The Prince was jealous of the Punisher and betrayed him, not thinking of the consequences that would follow. Will Priest use everything at his disposal to make Finn regret that betrayal? Or will Finn finally lave Priest in the past?

Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance. Priest is already armed with a kendo stick and quite a few chairs, but Finn sneaks in from behind! Finn SMACKS Priest with his own kendo stick! The bell rings, Finn SMACKS away on Priest, but the fans boo as he “kicks dirt” at Priest. Finn winds up, and he SMACKS Priest in the legs! Then SMACKS him again! Finn talks smack, but then Priest blocks the swing! Finn apologies, but Priest TOSSES him! Priest SMACKS Finn now, and SMACKS again, and again, and again! Priest is a big fan of Aaron Judge, this is pretty Judge like! Priest whips and FLAPJACKS Finn!

Finn bails out but Priest pursues! Finn kicks low and he SMACKS Priest off the desk! Finn DRIBBLES Priest, the fans want tables, but Finn goes up. AX HANDLE into a clinch! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up as Priest TOSSES Finn over the desk! Priest then goes looking under the ring, and yes, he finds a table! The fans cheer as Priest sets that up nearby, then he climbs the desk to get Finn. Finn CHOP BLOCKS Priest and Priest falls! Priest slips off the desk, but Finn goes up to FLYING FOREARM! Priest staggers away, Finn runs up, and he CLOBBERS Priest over the barriers!

The fans fire up as Finn pursues, but Priest mule kicks back! Priest then sends Finn over the hockey boards! This is where the Sharks play, after all. Priest drags Finn up but Finn SMACKS him with a trash can! Finn stalks Priest, can still in hand. Finn SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! But Priest ROCKS Finn in return! Priest knees low, CLUBS Finn, then uses the trash can on Finn! Finn takes a seat but Priest stands him back up to scoop him. The fans cheer as Priest gives Finn SNAKE EYES off the barriers! Priest dumps Finn over to ringside, and Finn again wants mercy. But then he kicks low!

Finn TOSSES Priest into the crowd! The fans fire up as Priest staggers, and Finn uses a fan’s chair to JAM Priest up! Finn pursues, CHOPS Priest, then brings him around to whip. Priest reverses and Finn is sent into railing! Finn tumbles, and Priest pursues, this is moving up into the bleachers! The fans fire up as Priest pursues and CLUBS Finn! Priest CHOPS Finn, they continue going up higher, but Finn CLAWS Priest’s eyes! Finn CHOPS Priest, then CLUBS him! Priest is dangling over the railing, steps onto some random road cases, and Finn keeps throwing hands! Priest ROCKS Finn right back!

Priest reels Finn in and the fans are already fired up! Priest aims for down below! SUPER BROKEN ARROW down through tables!!! The fans are losing their minds as both men are down in the wreckage! Refs and producers hurry out here, they call for medics, but the fans know “This is Awesome!” Priest slowly rises, Finn starts to stir, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn is being stretchered from ringside!? Carlito and JD McDonagh are with him while Priest is in the ring. But Priest still wants to win! Priest storms out to THROW Carlito, DECK JD, and then he TOSSES JD! The fans fire up as Priest stares Finn in the eyes. Priest then CLUBS away on Finn! Priest wheels Finn back to ringside! And then lets the stretcher hit the apron! Finn tumbles into the ring and Priest storms in after him! The fans fire up as Priest powers up his arm! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Finn down! Priest calls for it, the fans fire up for it, and Finn stands up, into the choke grip!

But Carlito attacks! BACKSTABBER! JD returns, he and Carlito mug Priest on Finn’s behalf! The fans boo but there’s nothing to be done in a match like this! They put Priest int he drop zone, and JD hits a MOONSAULT! JD helps Finn stand, and he and Carlito get Finn up top! Finn rips off the neck brace, and no matter what, he’s gonna hit this! COUP DE GRACE!! JD helps Finn cover, TWO!!! Priest survives and the fans are thunderous! JD coaches Finn up and then goes out to look under the ring. JD brings out a table now! JD and Carlito set that up near a corner, but here come the WAR RAIDERS!

The fans fire up as Erick CLOBBERS Carlito, then Ivar dodges JD to hit a LEG LARIAT! Then JD gets sent into the WAR MACHINE!! The Raiders take JD & Carlito away from ringside, and now it’s just Finn and Priest. Finn hits a SLINGBLADE! Finn hobbles, grabs a chair, and he SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! And again! Again! Again! Priest writhes but Finn just SMACKS him some more! The fans boo but Finn gets a fresh chair to sit up in a corner. The fans tell Finn off but he ROCKS Priest! Priest sits in the chair, and Finn JAMS him with another chair! Finn puts that second chair around Priest’s neck!

Finn goes corner to corner and- SWINGING SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Priest takes Finn down first, then covers, TWO!?!? Finn survives and Priest seethes. “This is Awesome!” as Finn flounders out one side and Priest rolls out the other. Priest is there to meet Finn, and he sees the pair of tables waiting. Priest hauls Finn up, RAZOR- NO, Finn slips free, SLINGBLADE to the floor! Finn hurries to get Priest up onto one of the tables! Finn CLUBS away on Priest, then goes up to the apron. Finn snarls and says this is for everything Priest has done! COUP DE GRACE through the table!! The fans go wild again!

Finn hobbles back up, and he brings Priest around. But Priest hoists him up! Priest RAMS Finn through barriers! They’re in the timekeeper’s area, the fans lose their minds, and the ref checks both men. Priest stands, and he brings Finn out of the wreckage. Priest brings Finn over to the ring, but sees there’s still the other table to go! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE through the table!! The fans are thunderous and Priest roars! Priest drags Finn back into the ring, brings down the straps, and he clamps onto Finn’s neck once more! “I am NOT my brother’s keeper!” SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, Priest wins!!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

Finally, and in brutal fashion, this beef is put to bed! Priest slowly stands back up, triumphant over “Backstabber Balor!” Will Priest finally have a clear path to a brighter future?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here, and wow, I knew HHH said Raw on Netflix could have an “unknown” runtime, but I didn’t think we’d get our first 2.5 hour Raw so soon. Not too shabby, really, as we still got a lot of great stuff and could’ve had a little more. For example, New Day was advertised for next week, when we’ve already been waiting on their match with Rey Mysterio and “mystery partner.” Originally it was meant to be Penta, but then apparent time restraints kept Penta from being part of last week’s debut since they had The Rock and Cena and even Taker, who knows what to make of that.

Great opening promo from Punk, Rollins and McIntyre to keep the heat going in all the different feuds, but to also add to the Royal Rumble match itself. It is going to be some wild stuff with the star power and storylines all converging on that match. And it feels like Sami wants to declare for the Rumble, too, but Kross & Miz got on his nerves. Great match from Sami VS Miz and a great win for Sami. Also, what a way to subtly announce Wyatt Sick6 are now SmackDown via the Transfer Window. I suppose that’s fine for them, they can still have good feuds over there. And it seems Nia is at least teasing a move to Raw, as she, Rhea and Bayley have a great promo together.

Bayley getting back some of that “Ding Dong, Hello~” stuff from when she was a Heel is great, she was too tame when she was a Face and champion. Tiff VS Bayley on Friday will be great but I would think Tiff retains, and then we can have Bayley move to Raw in time for the Rumble. Nia and Bayley moving over to Raw can certainly freshen things up now that Rhea’s past Liv. At the same time, there’s the Women’s Intercontinental Championship here, and we got an awesome match out of Dakota and Lyra. Lyra winning is only a touch surprising, but this was probably a tough decision given how great both women are.

Awesome stuff from Gable VS Penta, and I was actually a little worried Penta was rattled from that Exploder suplex. Penta of course wins, and he had a great promo tonight to let everyone know he’s ready to do big things. For AEW fans, it is a shame things couldn’t work out for AEW and the Lucha Brothers, but the Lucha Brothers will do great things here in WWE, both as a tag team and as singles wrestlers. I honestly hope we get Penta & Fenix as a new Two Man Power Trip, or maybe more Brothers of Destruction. My point being, those two could believably be tag champs while also singles champs.

Very good promo from Gunther and Jey, and their Saturday Night’s Main Event match will be awesome. I just fear it’s a holdover so Gunther can get a defense in before the Royal Rumble and wait on a challenger for WrestleMania. Sheamus VS Kaiser (hopefully) one last time was great, and great choice for Sheamus to win. Bron starting beef with Sheamus is good stuff, and they’ll certainly have one more banger. But it feels a shame if Sheamus is just going to lose another Intercontinental Championship match. At the same time, with how long Sheamus and Sheamus’ fans have waited on the IC title, is SNME really a big enough stage for that moment?

Great stuff from Judgment Day again tonight. Liv being passive aggressive to Dom and Dom not realizing it is great. The Liv-Dom break-up is definitely the next phase of the story, can’t wait to see it. Finn VS Priest was indeed awesome, especially that very daring Broken Arrow off the ledge and down through tables. Incredibly clever move of kayfabing Finn needing the stretcher and then Priest not letting it end that way. And of course this ended up overbooked given the No Disqualification rules. War Raiders helping Priest is good stuff, that helps set up the final rematch of Raiders VS Finn & JD. Priest winning was the right choice, too, as this lets both men move on.

Priest could stay on Raw, he could go to SmackDown, really depends on where they feel he fits in. Judgment Day probably stays on Raw, as Wyatt Sick6 are going to SmackDown and moving two factions over might be a bit much. Though, Judgment Day interacting with LA Knight is a tempting opportunity. If nothing else, Finn goes into the Royal Rumble in hopes of jumping back up to the top, only to fail and blame everyone else in Judgment Day.

My Score: 8.9/10

Who is truly the Best of the Super Juniors?

NJPW returns to San Jose, and they’re bringing gold! But will El Desperado keep his newly won IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? Or will Taiji Ishimori make sure #ItsReborn?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Strong Survivor: Zane Jay VS Viento; Zane wins.
• Kickoff – Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito VS Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff; Shane & Tito win.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii; Time Limit Draw, Gabe retains the title.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH; WCWC wins and retains the titles.
• 8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM; Viva, Hanako, Maika & Mina win.
• NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb; Double Count-Out Draw, ELP retains the title.
• Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki; Hiromu, Mayu & Yuka win.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
• Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero; ZSJ wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Desperado wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii!

WrestleDynasty did not go the way either man wanted. The Mad Man could not best the Best Bout Machine, and the Stone Pitbull could not grab up Konosuke Takeshita’s gold. But will Ishii be able to take a bite out of Gabe? Or will Gabe prove he’s got that dog in him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really #WarReady!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Gabe and Ishii stare down, the fans rally a bit more, then both men back up. Ishii and Gabe run up to lock up! The fans cheer as they’re in a deadlock! Gabe pushes Ishii back, but Ishii pushes Gabe back. They end up on ropes, the ref calls the break, but Gabe lets off slowly. Gabe CHOPS! Ishii doesn’t even flinch! Gabe fires a forearm, then clamps on a headlock. Ishii powers up to pry at the hold, but Gabe squeezes tight. Ishii fires body shots, powers up and out, but Gbe RAMS him! And RAMS him! And RAMS him! The fans fire up, Ishii runs, and he RAMS Gabe!

Gabe runs and he RAMS Ishii! Both men run, and they RAM in again! And again! And again! The fans fire up as the shoulders continue to RAM! Gabe pushes Ishii, the two reset, and they RAM! Ishii ducks the lariat, but the SOUTHPAW lands! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes out the arm, stands over Ishii, and the fans rally up. Gabe scuffs Ishii, the fans boo, but Gabe soaks up the heat. Gabe pretends not to understand why they boo, then he tells Ishii to get up. Ishii stands, Gabe tells off the fans, then runs corner to corner to LARIAT Ishii down! Gabe scuffs Ishii again while the fans boo more.

Ishii stirs, but Gabe does jumping jacks to show off. Gabe puts Ishii on ropes to CHOP, CHOP, and LARIAT! Gabe runs, and he RUNS Ishii over! Cover, TWO! Ishii’s tougher than that but Gabe mockingly applauds. Gabe steps on Ishii’s face, kicks him around, but Ishii stands. Ishii CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS and Ishii staggers back! Ishii flops against the ropes, Gabe flexes, but the fans boo. Gabe tells the fans off again while he flexes more. Gabe goes back to Ishii, and he plays along as fans chant “Gabe Kidd Sucks!” Ishii stands to fire forearm after forearm, but Gabe eggs him on.

Ishii fires more shots, but then Gabe ROCKS him and UPPERCUTS him! Ishii falls to the mat, Gabe talks trash, and Gabe drags Ishii up. Gabe ROCKS Ishii, ROCKS him again, and again! But now Ishii wakes up! The fans fire up as Ishii just takes the forearm shots! Ishii leans into the shots! Then he DECKS Gabe! The fans fire up as Gabe sputters around. Ishii whips Gabe, Gabe reverses, but Ishii bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Gabe! The fans fire up again and rally behind “I-SHI-I!” as he stalks Gabe to a corner. Ishii CHOPS, ROCKS, and repeat! Ishii stands Gabe back up for more CHOPS and forearms!

The ref counts, Ishii lets off, and the fans cheer again. Ishii storms back over to Gabe, kicks him around, but now Gabe gets mad. Ishii slaps Gabe around! Gabe stands and fires a forearm, but Ishii CHOPS! Ishii whips corner to corner, but Gabe comes back, only for Ishii to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Ishii stands on him. Ishii sits Gabe up to KICK him in the back! Gabe stands right up, and he gets in Ishii’s face. Gabe UPPERCUTS and Ishii staggers back! Gabe CHOPS Ishii in the corner, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Ishii gets in Gabe’s face, then puts him in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP!

Ishii eggs Gabe on, so Gabe turns things around and CHOPS! Gabe talks trash on Ishii, daring him to bring the NJPW fighting spirit! Gabe waits at center, and Ishii storms up to CHOP! Gabe flips Ishii off and CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going back and forth, the fans cheering Ishii and booing Gabe. “YAY! BOO! YAY! BOO!” Ishii wobbles but he CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS again, and Ishii grits his teeth to stay standing! The CHOPS continue! The fans fire up as these CHOPS just keep going! Ishii gets the edge, but then Gabe bails out! Gabe dares Ishii to fight him on the outside now!

The fans boo but Ishii says get in the ring! Gabe gets in the ring, and he CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS! The CHOPS continue! Both men huff ‘n’ puff but they stay standing! The fans fire up as Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS just keep going! They might never stop, and the fans are loving it! Gabe finally staggers, and Ishii winds up to CHOP again! Gabe CHOPS, but Ishii CHOPS again! The fans hope they “CHOP FOREVER!” The CHOPS do continue, and Ishii gets the edge! Gabe snarls and CHOPS high! The fans boo but Gabe runs, but into a CHOP! Ishii reels Gabe in, but suplexes first!

But Ishii’s right up! He catches Gabe, spins him, and suplexes back! The fans fire up but Gabe GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men stagger, stagger around, and fall! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Gabe and Ishii stir, and Gabe crawls to a corner. Ishii staggers and falls again, but Gabe struggles to stand. Ishii shouts at Gabe from afar, the fans rally up, and Ishii rolls his way back to center. Gabe manages to stand in the corner, so Ishii runs in and LARIATS! Ishii fires up and puts Gabe on the top rope. The fans rally again as Ishii climbs. Ishii tries but Gabe fights the superplex!

Gabe fires body shots, then he BITES Ishii’s ear! The fans boo, but Gabe brings Ishii up for a HANGING NECKLOCK! Gabe drops Ishii, soaks up the heat, then flips everyone off. Gabe dares Ishii to stand, talks trash, then reels Ishii in. But Ishii RISING HEADBUTTS! Gabe is stunned on the top rope, and Ishii climbs up after him! The fans rally up but Gabe again resists! Gabe fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, but Ishii HEADBUTTS in return! Ishii then stalling SUPERPLEXES! The fans are thunderous and Ishii storms over to Gabe. Ishii sits Gabe up, runs, and SLIDING- NO, Gabe ducks the lariat!

Gabe swings but Ishii blocks! Ishii swings but Gabe blocks! Ishii SOUTHPAW DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, the fans rally up again, and Ishii drags Gabe up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives again but the fans rally behind Ishii. Ishii powers up, runs, but Gabe ducks the lariat! Ishii fights the German Suplex, ROCKS Gabe, but Gabe UPPERCUTS and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives but now Gabe hauls him up, SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives again and both men are down. The fans rally up, and Gabe sits up first. Gabe shakes out the stars and storms over to Ishii.

Gabe flips off the fans again, then drags Ishii up. Gabe reels Ishii in, but Ishii backdrops free! The fans fire up but Gabe stands. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Ishii falls to his knees, but rises again. Gabe LARIATS, but Ishii stays up! Ishii LARIATS, Gabe rebounds off ropes, and he LARIATS! The fans rally as Ishii rebounds to LARIAT! Gabe LARIATS from all sides! Gabe runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Gabe’s right up to LARIAT Ishii! Ishii’s right up, but Gabe LARIATS again! Gabe brings down the kneepad, and he runs up, but Ishii blocks the knee! Gabe ROCKS Ishii, and O-KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!?!

The fans go nuts and Gabe is shocked! Gabe gets mad, he runs up again, but Ishii dodges to DRAGON SUPLEX! Gabe rises, Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe rebounds, into Ishii’s LARIAT! Cover, ONE!?!? Gabe rises, the fans boo, but he UPPERCUTS! Ishii HEADBUTTS, then LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as Ishii brings Gabe up, but Gabe suplexes! BRAINBUSTER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The ref checks both men, they’re both okay to continue, and the fans rally up. A down count begins, but both Gabe and Ishii stir at 4 of 10. The fans rally up again, Ishii goes to ropes at 6, but Gabe is the one that stands at 8!

Gabe has the ref stop the count, he wants to finish this with Ishii. The fans fire up and Ishii storms up to Gabe at center. Ishii SLAPS Gabe, but Gabe CHOPS back! Ishii CHOPS again, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOP fight returns, but then Gabe winds up to ROCK Ishii! Or not, as Ishii comes back to ROCK Gabe! Gabe eggs Ishii up and he fires another forearm! Ishii ROCKS Gabe back! Gabe snarls and CHOPS! Ishii staggers back to ropes, the fans rally, and Ishii CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS! Ishii staggers, leans on Gabe, but then Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe fires CHOP after CHOP and Ishii staggers around!

Gabe CHOPS again! And again! Ishii HEADBUTTS, Gabe HEADBUTTS, they HEADBUTT again and again! Then they both fall back! Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but the show’s only just started! Both men sit up, and they junkyard dog headbutt! The five minute warning hits, but Gabe HEADBUTTS Ishii. Ishii HEADBUTTS Gabe! Gabe SLAPS Ishii, so Ishii SLAPS Gabe! Now it’s a SLAP fight! Both men bob ‘n’ weave, then SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! They both roar, and the SLAPS fire off! Ishii ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire up! San Jose shows respect for “Both These Guys!”

Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii roars and powers up! The fans fire up as Ishii brings Gabe in, but Gabe wrenches to LARIAT! Ishii stays up to RUNNING HEADBUTT! Ishii then gets moving, to LARIAT Gabe inside-out! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans fire up! Ishii rises again, vows to end this, and he drags Gabe up. The fans rally as hard as they can, and Ishii suplexes. Gabe slips free, and has the COBRA TWIST! GROUND COBRA CRADLE! Ishii is stuck, but Gabe pushes him to the cover, TWO!! SLAP! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!? The fans fire up and Gabe can’t believe it!

Gabe rises, he runs, and COMEBACKER LARIATS! Cover, TWO!??! Ishii survives again and we hit the two minute warning! Gabe drags Ishii around, stomps him, and the fans boo again. Gabe mockingly asks what’s wrong, but Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe ROCKS Ishii back! But Ishii fights the driver to spin and suplex! Gabe fights free, has Ishii again, PILEDRIVER!!! But Gabe clutches his knee, he can’t make the cover! Gabe crawls, but Ishii crawls away, and we’re literally at the last minute! Ishii goes to ropes, but he kicks at Gabe! Gabe rains down fists, then he hauls Ishii up! But Ishii fights the driver! THIRTY SECONDS!

Gabe CLUBS Ishii, DOUBLE CHOPS him, then fires PALM STRIKES! Ishii DECKS Gabe!! TWENTY SECONDS! Ishii hauls Gabe up but Gabe’s a ragdoll! TEN SECONDS!! Ishii suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER!!! But Gabe flounders away! TIME’S UP!!!

Time Limit Draw; Gabe retains the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship

The fans give a standing ovation for these two pushing the opener to its 30 minute limit! Gabe survives, and he grabs a mic to ask Ishii, “What happened?” Gabe wants to keep fighting! If Ishii wants to take Gabe to the limit, then in Chicago, April whenever the F (April 11th), 30 MINUTE IRONMAN MATCH!! BRING IT! They give junkyard dog headbutts and SLAPS even now! Young Lions separate them, and now both men have three months to prepare. Will it truly be a Windy City Riot when these two have one more dogfight?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH!

Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson took these titles off the Grizzled Young Veterans at Strong Style Evolved, but now they battle Azucar & Direct Drive! Will the WCWC stay NJPW Strong? Or will Roppongi Revise rewrite this story?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and let’s see who gets wrecked!

The teams sort out and the fans rally behind Rocky. Yoh starts against Jorel and the fans rally behind Yoh now. The two circle, tie up, and Jorel waistlocks, SLAMS, and floats all over Yoh! Jorel slaps Yoh around, drags him up and wrenches, but Yoh drop toeholds. Yoh straddles Jorel to slap him around! Jorel gets away, Yoh says kiss this. Jorel storms up and he puts Yoh on ropes. The ref counts, Jorel lets off, but then he wrenches Yoh’s arm! Jorel hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then a wristlock. Yoh rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Rocky tags in, Yoh hands Jorel off to a wrench! Rocky wrenches, then tags Yoh for another handoff!

Yoh wrenches and wrenches and wrenches, then he tags Rocky. Rocky climbs and drops AX HANDLES on the arm! Jorel clutches the elbow but Rocky & Yoh double whip. They bypass then drop toehold to basement DROPKICK! Royce runs in but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as WCWC bails out, and Yoh aims. Rocky builds speed, DIVE onto Jorel and PLANCHA onto Royce! But WCWC catch them both! Stereo stalling suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Jorel puts Rocky in the ring. Jorel runs and dropkicks the legs out, Royce follows up with a knee to the side! Jorel comes back to cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Rocky but Jorel tags Royce. WCWC stomp Rocky in the corner, then Royce digs his boots in. The ref counts but Royce tags Jorel. Jorel steps in to stand on Rocky! The fans boo and the ref counts, but Jorel steps off at 4. Jorel brings Rocky up but Rocky CHOPS! Jorel UPPERCUTS Rocky, tags Royce, and then runs in, only for Rocky to BOOT him! Rocky BOOTS Royce, cravats, and he kicks off Jorel, only for Royce to block Sliced Bread! Royce flips Rocky around, Jorel runs in, CANADIAN HAMMER CUTTER COMBO! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans fire up but Royce TOSSES Yoh!

Royce stalks Rocky, drags him up, but Rocky CHOPS! Royce ROCKS Rocky, then CHOPS! Rocky ends up in a corner, Royce tags Jorel, and then Royce stands Rocky up. Royce feeds Rocky to Jorel’s POP-UP- NO, Rocky DDTS out of the bomb! Rocky dodges Royce, tilt-o-whirls, and DDTS! The fans fire up while WCWC is down! Rocky crawls, Yoh reaches out, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh climbs up to DOUBLE CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Yoh fires forearms on WCWC! But Royce kicks low! Jorel runs in, Yoh BOOTS him! Yoh sends Royce into Jorel, then he DUMPS Royce! Royce stays on the apron, but Yoh pokes him in the eyes!

Jorel runs up, but Yoh RAMS into Jorel low! Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM, and then he scoops SLAMS Jorel! The fans fire up for Yoh’s ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yoh wants a faster count but the ref says those were all fair. Jorel sputters but Yoh drags him up. Yoh reels Jorel in, suplexes, but Jorel fights it! Jorel suplexes but Yoh fights it! Yoh suplexes, Jorel slips free! Yoh RAMS Jorel into a corner, tags Rocky, and Rocky BLASTS Royce! Rocky comes back to ELBOW Jorel, then Rocky sets up for Yoh. POETRY IN MOTION! Yoh then suplexes Jorel to drape him on the ropes!

Rocky climbs a corner, and hits DRAPING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yoh runs to basement DROPKICK! Rocky covers, TWO! Royce returns to TOSS Yoh! Royce kicks Rocky, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but Rocky dodges! LARIT for Jorel in a corner! LARIAT for Royce in a corner! Rocky keeps going, that’s TWO-EVER! But then Jorel hits a FLYING CUTTER! #PopTheTank! And then CROSSFACE! Royce intercepts Yoh for a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! RPG Revise endures submissions while the fans rally! Rocky crawls his way over with one arm, but Jorel switches to legs! ANKLE LOCK! But Rocky rolls to send Jorel into Royce!

Royce runs up but Rocky BOOTS him! SLICED ROCKY! Jorel runs up, Rocky catches him, and Rocky sends Jorel to ropes. Jorel rebounds, Yoh is there for 3- NO! Jorel ELBOWS Yoh away! Then he BOOTS Rocky! Jorel CHOPS Yoh, CHOPS Rocky, then says WCWC mother effers! Jorel runs, but into DOUBLE JUMP KNEES! Rocky hits a BACKSTABBER, Yoh reels Jorel in for a FALCON ARROW BOMB! Rocky high stack covers, but Royce breaks it! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Royce and Yoh stand first, and they fire forearms back and forth! Royce fires a flurry, then a ROLLING ELBOW!

Royce runs, but Yoh DROPKICKS him! Rocky gets Royce, whips him, but Royce reverses! Yoh’s SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh panics, but then Royce sends Yoh into Jorel’s BOOT! Royce GERMAN SUPLEXES! Jorel goes to the corner while Royce stands Yoh up. Jorel goes up, and up, and Yoh moves, POP THE TANK hits Royce! Yoh SUPERKICKS Jorel! Rocky shoves Jorel, rebound and 3K!! Cover, TWO!! Jorel survives and RPG Revise can’t believe it! The fans fire up with Yoh & Rocky, and Rocky goes to a corner. Yoh drags Jorel up, Alabama Lifts him, but Royce slips a belt in! The ref grabs the belt from Jorel!

Jorel and the ref fight over the belt, as does Yoh, but then Royce full nelsons and pops Yoh up! HUSH MONEY PLEX! Rocky leaps, but into more HUSH- NO Rocky pops free and DROPKICKS Royce out! Jorel waistlocks, Rocky switches, repeat! Rocky O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Royce BELT SHOTS Rocky with the other belt! Jorel whips and POP-UP POWERBOMBS Rocky, to then CATAPULT him into Royce’s fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BACKBREAKER COMBO! Double cover, WCWC wins!!

Winners: West Coast Wrecking Crew, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

It took some trickery, but Royce & Jorel keep these belts around their waists!

8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM!

As WrestleDynasty’s International Women’s Cup proved, women’s wrestling is strong all around the world! And so, eight rising stars from Stardom and AEW align in San Jose! The Hellbent Vixen, the 181cm Wonder Tower, the Crimson Cannon Empress and the Fighting Gravure Idol face Robbie Rocket, The AfroPunk, The Star of the Show & The High Speed Superstar, will it come down to the last woman standing?

The teams sort out and the fans all love Mina. But in the end, Hanako steps to Adora. The fans fire up and the bell rings. The tallest RAM each other again and again, and again, and again! They both roar, both run, and then RAM in again! The fans fire up as Adora runs, but Hanako follows! But all according to plan as Adora LARIATS her at the ropes! Adora then calls in the team and they go to lift Hanako! NJPW Elimination Tag Matches do allow for over-the-top-rope eliminations! But Mina and team hurry to save Hanako! The fans fire up as Mina’s team throw Anna, Robbie and AZM out! Viva & Maika then double whip to DOUBLE TACKLE Adora!

Hanako scoops Mina and stands over Adora for a FLIPPING SPLASH COMBO! Viva joins in, she and Mina run to slide and shimmy! Maika joins in on that last part, and Hanako kinda does, but she feels a bit awkward about it. The fans cheer all the same, and Hanako stands Adora up. Hanako suplexes but Adora resists it! Adora suplexes but Hanako resists! They fight for suplex control, then Adora kicks low. Adora runs but Hanako follows again, and she BOOTS Adora! Hanako runs, Adora tries to get away but she slumps against ropes. Hanako stomps Adora but the ref checks on Adora. The ref calls for a medic to check.

Robbie also checks on Adora, and helps her to the corner. Robbie tags in, but then sees Hanako so she tags Anna. Anna calls out Viva, and Hanako tags Viva in. The fans fire up as these AEW rivals meet again, and they run up! Anna dodges, takes a bow, and fans cheer. Anna dodges, Viva dodges, then Viva rolls and shimmies! But Anna SHOTGUNS Viva down! Anna whips Viva, Viva redirects and redirects, WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer and Viva takes a bow. Viva tags Hanako back in, and Hanako scoops Anna to SLAM! The fans rally as Hanako scoops again, but Anna fights free! Anna shoves Hanako away, tag to Robbie!

Robbie runs in, tilt-o-whirl crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO! Hanako whips Robbie to ropes, but Robbie victory rolls through! TWO! Robbie ducks Hanako’s boot, blocks the heel kick, and she trips Hanako up! Robbie runs and BOOTS Hanako down! The fans fire up and Robbie brings Hanako around. Hanako breaks free to ROCK Robbie! Robbie ROCKS Hanako! Then she backslides Hanako, TWO! Hanako escapes but Robbie KNEES her down! Cover, TWO! Hanako stays in this but the fans rally up. Robbie runs, but Hanako fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Robbie goes to a corner, Hanako runs up to SPLASH!

Hanako whips corner to corner, Robbie goes up and up, but Hanako catches her Code Breaker! And she turns it into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up and Hanako brings Robbie around. Torture rack and JP COASTER! Cover, Hanako ELIMINATES Robbie! And with Adora getting checked by medics, could Team AZM already be down 4v2? Speaking of AZM, she goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Hanako! The fans fire up as AZM kips up! AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Hanako throws her away! AZM kicks low, but Maika steps in and snapmares AZM! Hanako drops a KNEE, then she and Maika run to DOUBLE BOOT! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as AZM survives, and Adora’s back! The team still has three! Hanako torture racks, AZM slips free and comes back, LA MYSTICA into AZM SUSHI! AZM ELIMINATES HANAKO! The numbers are even but Viva Van CROSSBODIES from the top! Cover, TWO! AZM goes to a corner, Viva runs in, but AZM slips out! Anna joins in, DOUBLE LEG LARIAT int he corner! Then they run to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Viva flounders, AZM tags Anna, and Anna runs up, but Viva goes up and over! UP KICK! Viva then hoists Anna up to an Electric Chair Lift! But Anna victory rolls it! ONE!! Anna has the QUEENSLAYER!!

Viva flails but she is caught! Viva TAPS, Anna ELIMINATES her! Team AZM has the lead, and AZM joins Anna. They intercept Mina with kicks, then double whip. Mina reverses to send Anna away, then she kicks AZM! Mina ELBOWS Anna, victory rolls AZM, and has the legs tied up! Anna runs up, but Mina catches her, DDT SNAP LOCK COMBO! The fans are thunderous for Mina, and Mina dares someone to bring it. Adora tags in, Mina kicks her and puts her on the apron. Adora went through the middle rope so she’s safe. Mina fires shots, drags Adora back in, but Adora fires more shots! They go back and forth and the fans fire up!

The shots go fast and furious, Mina ROCKS her! Maika joins in, they work to TOSS Adora! Adora goes up, over, lands on the apron, but DOUBLE SHOTGUNS knock her to the floor! Mina & Maika ELIMINATE Adora! Things are tied again at 2v2, but AZM runs up to ROCK Mina! Mina fights the suplex, so AZM shifts to roll Mina up! TWO, but AZM tries AZM SUSHI! Maika breaks it! Anna CLUBS Maika, whips her, and AZM whips Mina. AZM slides to trip both Mina & Maika, and then Anna DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover on Mina, TWO! AZM drags Mina up, whips her corner to corner, but Mina goes up, only for AZM to SHOVE her over!

Mina lands safe on the apron, fights AZM off, and hurries in to FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up while Mina has AZM down! Mina goes up the corner, Anna and Maika scrap on the outside, and AZM stands. FLYING SLINGBLADE! Cover, Anna breaks it! Maika TOSSES Anna, and the fans fire up as Mina has AZM. GLAMOROUS- NO, AZM slips free, shoves Mina, but Mina DUMPS AZM to the apron! Mina sweeps the legs, but Anna SHOVES Mina! Mina and AZM fight on the apron edge while Maika goes after Anna! AZM BUZZSAWS Mina, but Mina ducks the Penalty Kick! AZM fights the roll-up!

AZM goes up the ropes but Mina avoids the double stomps! Mina uses a victory roll, but they BOTH fall to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Now it comes down to Anna and Maika! The fans fire up as Anna kicks and whips Maika! Anna LEG LARIATS, then runs side to side for another LEG LARIAT! Anna goes the other way, LEG LARIAT! Anna finishes the hattrick and she puts Maika up top. Maika fights back, BOOTS Anna away, then hops in. Maika dodges Anna, runs back in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Maika survives, Anna grows frustrated, but she runs, into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Anna stays in this. Maika fires up and the fans rally. Maika brings Anna up, suplexes, but Anna fights free! Anna wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK, then BACKSTABBER! Anna goes up and the fans fire up! But Maika hurries to ROCK Anna first! Maika climbs up, fires more shots, then brings Anna up! Stalling SUPERPLEX! The fans are thunderous, Maika covers, TWO!! Anna survives and the fans fire up! Maika vows to end this, and she scoops Anna. Anna slips free, for the QUEENSLAYER!! Maika reaches out, but Anna becomes a backpack! Maika still makes it to ropes, and works ot throw Anna over!

Anna is on the apron, and Maika runs up to LARIAT! Anna holds on so Maika tries again! ROLLING ELBOW! Anna FALLS, Team Mina wins!

Winners: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa, by ring-out

Empress Nexus Venus stands tall, along with their honorary member in Viva. Will Stardom, NJPW and maybe even AEW soon belong to #ENexusV?

NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb!

The Headbanga’s 2024 was quite the roller coaster: exiled from Bullet Club; teaming with the Guerrillas of Destiny; being left behind by the Guerrillas of Destiny; and being diagnosed with cancer. But ELP overcame that dreaded disease, and he overcame three opponents at once at WrestleKingdom 19! Will ELP continue to be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Imperial Unit take this title back?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for the “season premiere” of the ELP Show!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. ELP and Cobb circle, tie up, and ELP headlocks. Cobb powers up and out, then he RAMS ELP! ELP stays up, sighs, then runs. ELP RAMS Cobb, but Cobb stays put. The fans fire up and ELP goes again, to RAM Cobb! Cobb isn’t impressed so ELP offers him a go. Cobb runs and he CLOBBERS ELP! But ELP kips up! ELP mule kicks, runs, and he RUSN Cobb over! But then Cobb kips up!? The fans fire up, Cobb dodges a superkick to scoop! ELP slips free, kicks and reels Cob in! Cobb fights free, ELP avoids the lariat, and then handsprings up! The fans cheer this opening exchange.

ELP and Cobb reset, then step up to each other. They bump shoulders, then ELP fires a forearm. Cobb doesn’t budge so ELP fires another. And then another! Cobb winds up to DECK ELP! The fans fire up as Cobb drags ELP back up, and TOSSES him across the way! The fans fire up and Cobb says touchdown! Cobb then deadlifts ELP into a suplex! ELP fires knees, drops down, but Cobb holds onto him! Cobb brings ELP back up, and then THROWS him away! The fans fire up and ELP almost cries in pain. Cobb stalks ELP, and drags him back to center. Cobb stomps on ELP, then stands on him! Cobb hangs ten on ELP!

Cobb mocks the ELP rocker fingers, but makes ’em hang loose. Cobb then steps off, and he “apologizes.” Cobb sits ELP up, but ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! ELP fires forearm after forearm, and he brings Cobb to his knees! ELP winds up to ROCK Cobb again! ELP runs, but Cobb LARIATS ELP inside-out! Cobb drags ELP up, whips him to ropes, then scoops for a TOUR- DDT!! ELP turns things around on Cobb and the fans fire up! ELP and Cobb are both down, but ELP works his way up into a kip up! Cobb goes to a corner, ELP runs up to spin and CHOP! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS, then goes up, up, jumps around, and around, then FLYING RANAS!

The fans fire up and ELP handsprings again. Then he LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Cobb has power to spare but ELP stays cool. ELP brings Cobb up, straitjackets and torture racks, but that’s a lot to lift! We’re past five minutes, and ELP’s back gives up! Cobb RIPCORDS ELP into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans rally up. Cobb tells ELP to get up, then brings him around. Cobb whips, ELP grabs ropes! Cobb runs up, but into a BOOT! ELP runs up, but Cobb URENAGES, and FALLING HAMMERS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI onto KNEES! Inside cradle, TWO! ELP runs to PUNT, and BUZZSAW!

ELP STOMPS Cobb’s hands! ELP stands Cobb up, straitjackets, and then he fires forearms to the back! ELP torture racks, but Cobb’s still a lot to lift! ELP still gets Cobb up! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE?!?! Cobb rises, into SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP goes to the apron, springboards, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO!??! ELP hurries to haul Cobb up, but then Cobb jumps up to DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while a standing count starts. Cobb is in one corner, ELP is in the other. Cobb snarls, runs corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over! ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY!

ELP rolls, LIONS- NO, Cobb bails out, but ELP lands on his feet! ELP DIVES onto Cobb, and Cobb goes over the railing! The fans lose their minds and a ring count begins. ELP hurries into the ring at 6 of 20, but then he aims from the ropes! Cobb stands, but he hurries away! The fans boo, but ELP just changes to the corner! ELP uses the post to SUPER THUNDERKISS out into the crowd! The fans lose their minds as ELP wipes out Cobb and Young Lions! A new ring count begins, and both ELP and Cobb slowly stir. ELP borrows a fan’s water to take a drink. Cobb CLUBS ELP at the railing! The count is 10 of 20 as both men try to get over the railing while fighting.

ELP hops the railing, but Cobb reaches under to trip him! ELP SUPERKICKS Cobb away! ELP hurries but then Cobb TOSSSES Zane Jay at ELP!! The count hits TWENTY, it’s a DRAW!!

Double Count Out Draw; ELP retains the title

The fans are going wild, but “episode one” ends on controversy! The fans want overtime, and ELP and Cobb both get in the ring. They clearly want to keep going! The ref says the rules are the rules, 15 minutes is 15 minutes. The fans say “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but this will just have to be a cliffhanger. ELP tosses the belt aside and shoves Cobb! Cobb shoves him back, but the two stand down. Will they just have to wait for somewhere down the line to settle this plotline?

Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki!

The living legend, the Ray of Sunshine, now reaches her sunset. And to honor the woman who helped build the Women of Honor Division in ROH, and who has held 13 different titles across the world, NJPW has built this star-studded crossover match! Though, why would Sumie Sakai team with the House of Torture? Sumie has known Evil & Sho since they were just Young Lions on excursion, and is hoping to show them the light! Will Sumie’s last match redeem The King of Darkness & Murder Machine? Or will the Ticking Timebomb, the Roaring Icon of Stardom & the Wrestling Magical Girl not even give them that chance?

Wait, who is this supposed Kamaitachi? That was Hiromu’s old persona while on excursion, is this House of Torture poking fun at him? And wait, where’s Evil? This is a Six Person Tag, but Sumie’s team is missing the third person! Hiromu’s entire team makes their entrances first, and still no King of Darkness. Hiromu poses with Mayu & Yuka for a photo op, and NOW Evil runs out here! Even Sumie is shocked as Evil attacks Hiromu from behind! And Sho even kicks the IWGP Women’s Champion! Then they mug Yuka! The fans boo but Evil & Sho soak it up. Sumie tries to reason with them, but Evil grabs a mic.

Evil tells Hiromu that he’s gonna pay for that stunt he pulled in Karatsu, and for thinking he could avoid The House of Torture by taking this tag match! They stand Hiromu up, Sho runs and BOOTS Hiromu down! Evil stands Hiromu up and wants Sumie to join in? Sumie didn’t sign up for this kind of match! Hiromu fights free, but Evil & Sho mug him. They double whip, the bell rings, and Hiromu ducks the double lariats to CROSSBODY Evil & Sho! The fans fire up, Sumie and Mayu run in to brawl, but Yuka joins in! Yuka waistlocks Sumie but Sumie kicks Mayu away. Mayu rebounds, both Sumie and Yuka duck the lariat, so Mayu keeps going to DIVE out onto Sho!

The fans fire up as Yuka goes up and up and CROSSBODIES Evil! The fans fire up as #MaYuKa high-ten. And now Sumie and Hiromu are in the ring! The fans rally up, Sumie is conflicted, but Hiromu gets the fans to cheer even louder. Sumie offers a handshake, Hiromu accepts, and they even hug! But then Sumie stomps Hiromu’s foot! Sumie is still willing to play dirty! Sumie wrenches, Hiromu wrenches, but Sumie rolls, kips up, and wrenches back. Hiromu asks if it’s okay, and Sumie says yes. He rolls, but then she covers! TWO! Hiromu is upset but Sumie rolls him up! TWO! Sumie runs, victory rolls, TWO!!

Hiromu swings, but into a SAYANAGI! ARMBAR! Hiromu flails, hurries to high stack, TWO but Hiromu deadlifts! Sumie slips free, but Hiromu CHOPS! The fans boo but Hiromu is confused. Hiromu CHOPS Sumie again, then whisp. Sumie blocks but Hiromu ROCKS her, puts her on ropes and KICKS the ropes! Hiromu runs but Evil trips him! The fans are torn, but then Sho distracts the ref so that Evil can JAM Hiromu up with a chair! Okay, now the fans boo because this is still not right. Evil puts Hiromu in, and he slides the chair to Sumie! Sho says do it, but the fans say “NO! NO! NO!” Sumie grabs the chair, to throw it away!

Sumie says neener neener to Evil, then stomps away on Hiromu in the corner! The ref counts, Sumie hops up, but Sho brings her down? Sho says this is how you do it! He digs his boots into Hiromu, then scoops to SLAM! Sho then picks Sumie up to SLAM her onto Hiromu! The fans boo but Sho & Evil soak up the heat. They also split the wishbone on Hiromu! The ref reprimands, but Evil throws his shirt at Yuka! Evil insults Yuka, but she throws the shirt back. So Evil KICKS Yuka down! Mayu storms in and throws hands, but Evil kicks her down, too! The ref reprimands Evil, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Evil CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Evil whips Hiromu to the corner, and surprise! Sho takes the blue buckle pad away! The House Special has been served! The fans boo more but Evil hauls Hiromu up for a COBRA TWIST! Sho reaches out, but Hiromu switches with Evil! Sho steps back as Hiromu now uses the rope for leverage! The ref argues with Sho now, as he still has the buckle pad in his possession, and this allows MaYuKa to reach out and link with Hiromu! The fans cheer as Evil tastes his own medicine! Wait, Kamaitachi and Sumie help out! And the fans, too! Evil gets an extra large helping of his medicine!

The fans cheer as Hiromu and everyone else get away with this, “This is Wrestling!” But then Sho kicks Hiromu down! The fans boo but Sho drags Hiromu up and whips him into the bare buckles! Hiromu flounders, Yuka runs in, but Sho kicks her! Sho whips Yuka into the bare buckles! Mayu runs in, Sho kicks her and whips her into the bare buckles! The fans boo more but Sho & Evil regroup. They bully Hiromu in a corner, then whip him corner to corner. They want Sumie to join in, and she tentatively walks over, but then they just kick her! They double whip Sumie at Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!

Hiromu CROSSBODIES, but is caught! The House throws him back but Hiromu rebounds to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Evil & Sho stagger, into DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS from MaYuKa! Sumie still attacks Yuka, reels her in, but Yuka fights the suplex to cradle! ROLLING CRADLE! ONE! ONE! ONE! ONE! Yuka finally stops, deadlifts, and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives but Yuka sits her up. Yuka runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives again and the fans rally up. Yuka drags Sumie up, cravats, snapmare roll, but Sumie ducks the basement kick! CROSSFACE! Yuka rolls free, but into TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Sumie fires up but Mayu kicks her! Sumie hits back, but Mayu ROCKS her! Mayu goes to run, but Sumie snatches Mayu’s lucky fox tail! The fans fire up, Sumie taunts Mayu with the tail, but Mayu SOBATS! Mayu whips, Sumie reverses, but Mayu slips out, in, and rolls Sumie for a SHOTGUN! The fans fire up with Mayu while Sumie goes to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS Sumie against ropes! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives yet again, but Mayu drags her up. The fans rally, Sumie breaks free and dragon sleepers. Yuka CLUBS Sumie into Mayu’s victory roll, TWO! MaYuKa DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

Sumie tumbles out, Sho runs in, but he gets pinballed around by MaYuKa! Sho gets fed up with it and he DOUBLE BODY BLOWS! Sho runs, into DOUBLE ELBOWS! Double snapmare, DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Sho tumbles out, Evil is in, but he gets a DOUBLE SUPERKICK! He stays up, but gets double kicks down low! The fans fire up as MaYuKa DOUBLE- NO, Evil pulls hair to stop the suplex! So Hiromu SUPERKICKS! And now DOUBLE SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Hiromu’s team, and he helps Sumie up. “This is Awesome!” Hiromu says it’s time, and he fireman’s carries! But Sumie slips out to SMASH MOUSE!! Cover, SHO YANKS THE REF OUT!

The fans boo but Sho “apologizes,” since that ruined Sumie’s win. Then why do it? Evil CHOKES Sumie with a shirt!! The fans boo as The House of Torture turns on Sumie! They also beat down Hiromu, the fans tell Evil off, but Evil & Sho put one out on Hiromu. But then Yuka snatches Sho’s “Torture Tool,” and SMACKS him with it! Mayu CLAWS Evil’s eyes! Yuka scoops and hits the TEA TIME DRIVER! Evil pushes Mayu, then whips her at the corner. Mayu avoids the bare buckles, then dodges Evil! Evil hits bare buckles, and Mayu GERMAN SUPLEXES! Hiromu steals EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans fire up as Team Hiromu stands tall again!

Hiromu sees Sumie and tells her to rise. The fans rally up for “SU-MI! SU-MI!” but Hiromu helps her. Sumie ROCKS Hiromu! And ROCKS Mayu! And ROCKS Yuka! Repeat! Sumie keeps throwing shots so the new generation eggs her on! Sumie fires more and more shots, but she’s slowing down! The fans fire up as Sumie finds the strength to keep going! Even Kamaitachi is cheering her on! Sumie fires shot after shot after shot, and even some CHOPS, but she finally tires out! The fans cheer the legend on, but now Hiromu brings her around. Yuka hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Mayu hits a SUPERKICK! And Hiromu thanks Sumie, before hitting a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!

Hiromu brings Sumie around, TRIPLE cover, TWO?!?! Sumie still lives!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu is all smiles. Nothing less from this absolute legend! Even the ref pounds the mat to rally behind Sumie! Yuka drags Sumie up, wrenches and hammerlocks to then lift her. Yuka spins for the MAGICAL MERRY-GO-ROUND! Sumie is in the drop zone and Mayu goes up! MOONSAULT! Hiromu drags Sumie back up, fireman’s carries, and swings Sumie for the TIMEBOMB 1.0!!! TRIPLE cover, Team Hiromu wins!

Winners: Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki, by pinfall

It’s a standing ovation as everyone shows their love, respect, and gratitude to Sumie Sakai! Sumie stirs, and she takes a moment to let the moment soak in. The fans chant, “Thank You, Sumi!” Sumie sits up in the corner, and she wants to thank her opponents for this match. Hiromu helps Sumie stand, as does Mayu, and the fans cheer some more. Sumie sits back down, but the others say she can’t go just yet. The ring announcer returns to say that Sumie has finished her last match. The fans cheer and give another standing ovation as Rocky Romero, Yoh, and more come out. The mic is then handed to Yuka.

Yuka tells Sumie, “Our history together may have been short, but it’s thanks to your presence that I can see these wonders. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much! I look forward to learning from you from here on.” Yuka bows in deep respect and Sumie returns that bow. The mic is handed to Mayu, and she loudly says, “KONBONWA~! <GOOD EVENING~!>” Is this why she’s the Roaring Icon? Mayu admits, “I didn’t think I’d be here with a mic in hand, so I didn’t have anything prepared. Sumie-san, you’ve always put everyone else’s happiness ahead of your own. From now on, put your own happiness first and foremost.”

Mayu continues to say, “Sumie-san’s smile makes me so happy! Seeing your smile is number one!” Mayu says in both English and Japanese, “Thank you so much!” The fans cheer as Mayu bows and Sumie returns it, and then Mayu hugs her. Hiromu has the mic now, and he says he doesn’t have much to add to what Mayu & Yuka “expressed so beautifully.” Hiromu simply thanks her and says he looks forward to working with her in the future. Also, does she remember this jacket of his? “Meeting you, Devitt, Yuki & Princess have been the treasures of my life.” The fans cheer while Sumie tears up a bit.

Hiromu says the memory of those four people is in this jacket, and now he wants her to have it. The fans cheer as Hiromu adorns Sumie with the denim jacket covered in art, and they again chant, “Thank You, Sumie!” Sumie is then given a bouquet of flowers, and she stands so that she may speak. Sumie says that life can be hard, but it can also be good, and bad. She was crying so much, but today, she is the happiest wrestler in the world! The fans cheer that! Sumie says that is because everyone made her that happy. She thanks them all, and she loves them all! And with that, she drops the mic, and she welcomes the others back into the ring!

The fans again chant “Thank You, Sumi!” as she, Hiromu, Mayu, Yuka, Kamaitachi-chan, Rocky, ELP, Fred Rosser, Jeff Cobb, Yoh, TMDK, Team Mina and Team AZM, former ROH timekeeper Amy Rose, and even the Young Lions and the ref, all join in for a grand photo-op! Then they say hip, hip, HOORAY as they throw Sumie up in the air! Sumie then bows to all of them in thanks. And to wrap the retirement ceremony, the ring bell sounds ten times. Truly, #ThankYouSumie for everything!

Sho and Evil complain backstage.

The Murder Machine grumbles, “Why did they team us with that country bumpkin? I only did this because I wanted a shot at Hiromu! The ring was rampant with no-good country losers! Why’d you bring me to such a place?” Sho crawls away, and the King of Darkness says, “That punk (Hiromu) is on a roll now. Whatever. Either way, I’m not going back to Japan. Goodbye, New Japan! Got it? Remember it!” Wait, is Evil telling the truth? Is he effectively quitting NJPW? To do what?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA!

The Don Callis Family’s Alpha became a double champion and stayed a double champion through the big Tokyo Dome weekend, but now he’s being called out by the Time Splitter. Kushida has done all he can as a Junior Heavyweight, can he prove he’s ready for more? Or is Don Callis right in saying Konosuke is the best bell-to-bell wrestler today?

The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who never gives up!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Konosuke and Kushida circle slowly, feel things out, then tie up. Kushida waistlocks, Konosuke turns around for a facelock, and they end up in a corner. The ref counts the break, Kushida lets off with a pat on the side, and the fans applaud. The two reset, circle again, and Kushida rolls. Konosuke keeps his distance, Kushida has a leg guard, but Konosuke still grabs a foot. Konosuke steps over as Kushida turns over, but Kushida slips out the back. They clinch, Kushida slips around to a waisltock, but Konosuke’s height helps him fight the drop toehold. Kushida still grapevines the leg to bring Konosuke down.

Kushida floats to a headlock, Konosuke fights up, but Kushida hits a takeover. Konosuke headscissors, Kushida kips free, and roles reverse as Konosuke hits the headlock takeover but Kushida headscissors. Konosuke kips free, the two stand off, and the fans cheer the exchange. Kushida and Konosuke reset and the fans duel. Konosuke offers a handshake, but Kushida isn’t so sure. How much has Callis influenced Konosuke? Kushida steps up and takes the handshake. But then Konosuke kicks low! Very much, it seems. Kushida fights the waistlock with elbows, then headlocks, only for Konosuke to power him to ropes.

Konosuke powers up and out, Kushida RAMS him, but Konosuke RUNS Kushida over! The fans fire up and Konosuke runs, but Kushida KICKS the leg! And KICKS it again! Kushida runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Kushida reverses, but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up while Kushida bails out, and Konosuke pursues. Konosuke wrenches Kushida and whips him into the railing! The ring count starts but Konosuke CLUBS Kushida on the back. Konosuke then CHOKES Kushida on the railing! The ref reprimands, Konosuke stops, and the ring count is 10 of 20. Konosuke says be patient, but Kushida RAMS him into the apron!

Kushida hops up to MOUNTED ARMBAR, and he falls back to YANK Konosuke into a standard ARMBAR! The ref reprimands all the same, then counts, but Kushida lets go at 4. Konosuke hobbles away, the fans fire up with Kushida, and Kushida pushes Konosuke into the ring. Kushida then grabs the arm and wrenches it. Kushida puts Konosuke in a corner, and he grinds the hand against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Kushida lets go and Konosuke falls over. Kushida stands on the bad hand, then stomps it! The fans are torn while Konosuke goes to ropes. Kushida grabs Konosuke’s arm to wrangle him again!

Kushida traps the bad arm, then has the good arm, and he pushes down on them both. The fans rally as Konosuke endures, and Kushida falls back to DOUBLE SNAP LOCK! Konosuke hobbles to a corner, but Kushida goes up and has the arm! TORNADO ARMBAR DDT! Then a BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures but Kushida moves around and around. Kushida drags Konosuke by that bad arm, for another BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures, Kushida turns him, but Konosuke CLAWS Kushida’s eyes! Kushida lets Konosuke go and Konosuke goes back to the corner.

Kushida runs up, Konosuke puts him on the apron, and Konosuke bumps Kushida off the buckles! The fans rally, but Kushida climbs the corner! Kushida aims, and he FLYING KNEES the bad arm! Konosuke clutches the elbow and triceps, but the fans fire up as Kushida has the arm again. Kushida RAMS the shoulder, wrenches the arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida wants the Kimura but Konosuke scoops him! And SLAMS him! The fans fire up, but Kushida KICKS away on Konosuke’s leg! That just pisses Konosuke off! He STOMPS Kushida right down! The fans fire up and Konosuke shakes the bad arm.

Konosuke aims from a corner, Kushida sits up, and Konosuke runs in, but Kushida blocks the knee! ANKLE LOCK! Konosuke endures, crawls, and he reels Kushida in, to LARIAT from below! Both men stand, Konosuke LARIATS Kushida from above! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises, he drags Kushida up and reels him in, but Kushida fights the Blue Thunder! Kushida KICKS away on the bad arm! Konosuke CHOPS in return! Kushida fire sup to KICK the leg! And then KICK the leg! And then another KICK to the leg! Konosuke sits down, Kushida runs, but Konosuke avoids the Penalty Kick!

Konosuke rolls Kushida, Kushida rolls through, TANAKA FASTBALL! Konosuke swings back, but Kushida ducks to PELE! The fans fire up while Konosuke leans on ropes. Kushida whips, Konosuke reverses, but Kushida handsprings! But into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives as Konosuke couldn’t use his bad arm to push Kushida down! The fans rally up, Konosuke goes to the corner, and he climbs! SUPER SENTON FLOPS and Kushida has the ARMBAR! Konosuke clasps hands, Kushida CLUBS away at those hands, and Kushida breaks the grip! Konosuke hurries to stack Kushida! TWO, and Konosuke deadlifts Kushida!

The fans fire up and Konosuke powers through to a fireman’s carry! And he pops Kushida into the tuck, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while Kushida flounders to the apron. Konosuke slashes his throat, vowing to END Kushida! Konosuke drags Kushida up, scoops him, but Kushida fights with elbows! Kushida is free, but Konosuke runs up! Kushida hops down, Konosuke hits POST! Kushida then SWEEPS the legs and Konosuke lands on the apron! Kushida hops up, APRON KNEE SMASH! Then KNEE SMASH from apron to the floor!

The fans lose their minds and the ring count starts. Kushida refreshes the count so he can step through, and he has a FIGURE FOUR! Konosuke endures, the ref reprimands, but Kushida is letting the ring count climb! Konosuke grabs at the apron skirt but he can’t get a good grip. The count is 10 of 20, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Kushida puts on as much pressure as he can! We’re at 15! 16! 17! Kushida lets go at 18! Konosuke scrambles, he slides in at 19.999!!! PENALTY KICK!! PENALTY KICK to the arm! Kushida then goes up a corner and leaps, FLYING SPIKE-RANA!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up and Kushida brings Konosuke up!

Kushida hooks a leg, BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke survives and the fans are thunderous! Kushida grows frustrated but “This is Awesome!” The fans duel while Konosuke shakes out his bad arm. Kushida rises, waits on Konosuke, and then runs up to jump on! HOVERBOARD KIMURA!! But Konosuke powers through!? RAGING- NO, Kushida slips free, TANAKA- ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke’s fastball hits first, and he reels Kushida in! POWER- NO, Kushida sunset flips, just to get the ANKLE LOCK!! Konosuke gets the ROPEBREAK, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS th earm! And then SHOTEI!

Konosuke roars, so Kushida runs again! Konosuke blocks the Shotei, but Kushida SOUTHPAW SHOTEIS!! And then RIGHT-HAND SHOTEIS!! Konosuke is right up?! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Kushida shakes his head and Konosuke is shocked! The fans are thunderous as Konosuke rises! Konosuke drags Kushida up, powers up, and- SHOTEI from Kushida! Konosuke winds up again to ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke drags Kushida up, reels him in, and RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

Kushida never gave up, but Konosuke never let up! Konosuke hits the homerun and keeps the Openweight Championship! Konosuke still shows Kushida respect, then takes the mic. “Hey, to those watching back in Japan, listen up. Now that I’m part of NJPW, there’s someone I have to face!” In English, Konosuke tells everyone to listen up. “Chicago! April 11th! HIROSHI TANAHASHI!” The fans like where this is going! “OI, Tanahashi… Your last US match… I challenge you! That date marks the end of The Ace. I will show you who is The Alpha.” The fans fire up for that one! Will Konosuke ruin Tanahashi’s final time in the United States? Or will the Final Road not end so soon?

Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero!

The Front Man is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he looks to clear up some blemishes on his record. The Alchemist of Lucha snatched a win in CMLL’s Arena Mexico last June, but ZSJ got his payback last August under Rev-Pro’s roof. These two incredible technical geniuses finally have their tiebreaker, will Hechicero #JustTapOut? Or will he be owed a golden ticket instead?

The bell rings and the fans rally up with “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” ZSJ and Hechi feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ rolls to wrench the hold, but Hechi manages double cording holds and a leg trip! But ZSJ headscissors in return! Hechi rolls that to have a take on Napalm Death, but ZSJ scoots back and slips free of that. The fans cheer this opening exchange and the two go again. They feel things out, Hechi steps on ZSJ’s foot, then grabs the other leg for spinning toehold! ZSJ waistlocks but Hechi fires elbows. Hechi has a double wristlock, then shifts to an ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ fights so Hechi spinning toeholds again!

ZSJ cravats, even with his leg trapped, but Hechi pushes him down. ZSJ manages to slips his long leg up and around, and now he has Hechi’s leg for a step-over toehold! ZSJ grabs the other leg for a STRETCH MUFFLER, going for his Napalm Death! Hechi fights back by bending ZSJ’s fingers, and the fans duel between them. ZSJ rolls back, keeps on one leg, and he hits his own spinning toehold! ZSJ ties up both legs but Hechi goes for one of ZSJ’s! ZSJ resists, Hechi reaches up to get an arm! Hechi has a spladle, TWO! ZSJ rolls Hechi into an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Hechi scoops back, to get ZSJ in an INVERTED BOW ‘N’ ARROW!

ZSJ fights to scoot back, they knuckle lock and stand, then ZSJ trips Hechi! ARMBAR! Hechi uses his legs to get at ZSJ’s legs, but ZSJ pulls on Hechi’s leg for a toehold! They both crank on the leg locks, but ZSJ slips up and around to then trap an arm! Hechi rolls, tries to stack ZSJ, but they end up in the ropes! The ref calls the break, Hechi lets off slowly, and the fans cheer. But then Hechi stands on ZSJ’s neck! The fans boo, but Hechi steps away, letting know he could’ve if he wanted to. The two reset, the fans fire up, and they tie up again. Hechi trips ZSJ, jackknife bridges, but then rolls to headscissor and squeeze!

The fans rally while ZSJ endures. ZSJ bridges back, moves around, pops free, and has the NECK TWIST! Hechi writhes but ZSJ reels him back into a headscissors. Hechi endures, ZSJ puts on the pressure, but Hechi rolls over. Hechi pushes ZSJ down so he can pop out the back, and then Hechi ties up the legs in an INVERTED DEATHLOCK! Hechi then grabs an arm, to SNAP ZSJ into a sideways surfboard! ZSJ reaches back, and he bends Hechi’s fingers! ZSJ gets up to SNAP the fingers! ZSJ playing this like a Villain and the fans rally up. Both men back away and reset. They feel things out, but Hechi KICKS low!

Hechi wrenches, pump handles, and rolls ZSJ! Hechi ties ZSJ up in his own version of Paradise, and then rolls ZSJ into a pretzel knot! ZSJ endures, slips free, and grabs Hechi’s arm! Hechi goes for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as the two reset again. The fans duel again as ZSJ and Hechi circle. ZSJ rolls but Hechi avoids the leg pick. Hechi facelocks, ZSJ spins around, but Hechi goes for an arm. Hechi steps over, loops around and drags ZSJ into an INVERTED MOTORCYCLE STRETCH! Hechi bridges to put on the pressure, but ZSJ shifts around to high stack! Hechi lets go of the arms but ZSJ gets the legs, MODIFIED FIGURE FOUR!

The fans cheer while Hechi endures, and he TWISTS one of ZSJ’s feet! A simple yet effective counter, and now Hechi ties ZSJ’s legs up in a FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ SLAPS Hechi, Hechi SLAPS ZSJ, repeat! The fans fire up as these two SLAP fight while still locked up! Hechi bails on the leg lock to get in ZSJ’s face. The ref has them back up as ZSJ is in ropes, but Hechi CHOPS! The fans fire up and want “OTRA! OTRA!” Hechi kicks ZSJ, then CHOPS! ZSJ nods, and says, “Mada mada.” Hechi CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and then ZSJ fires more UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, Hechi follows, SLEEPER at the ropes!

ZSJ pries free, wrenches, but Hechi blocks the Pele! Hechi has ZSJ in the ropes, but ZSJ uses that for a DRAPING LEG LOCK NELSON! Hechi fights free, and he puts ZSJ’s leg in the rope to STOMP it! The fans fire up as both men continue to show vicious innovation! Hechi and ZSJ shake out their sore limbs while catching their breath. They then runs in, Hechi scoops to BACKBREAKER! ZSJ goes to ropes, but runs back in, only for another scoop! ZSJ slips free, and has the IRON OCTOPUS! Hechi endures and pulls on a leg! Hechi shifts ZSJ into an Alabama Lift, and swings him for BANGARANG! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Hechi drags ZSJ back by his legs, but ZSJ slips out the back to trip Hechi! ZSJ hooks the legs, grabs the arms, and goes up, up and ROMERO SPECIAL! The fans fire up, but Hechi fights free! Hechi has ZSJ’s legs for a TWIST and FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ grabs at the legs but Hechi kicks him! The fans rally as ZSJ endures, moves around, and pulls on his own leg in hopes of getting free. Hechi KICKS ZSJ down, then pulls on the leg! ZSJ sits up, Hechi KICKS him again! ZSJ fights around, grabs Hechi’s hand, but Hechi kicks him! ZSJ falls back, but he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans duel again while Hechi lets go.

Hechi sits ZSJ up against the ropes, CLUBS away on him, then runs to SPLASH against the ropes! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi clamps on a SLEEPER, and he drags ZSJ up. Hechi hooks a leg to FLIP-OVER SHIN BREAKER! ZSJ flounders to the ropes, Hechi storms over, and he wraps ZSJ’s arm around the ropes! The ref counts, Hechi lets go at 4, and then Hechi drags ZSJ up. Hechi dragon sleepers and he inverted suplexes ZSJ to the top rope! But then ZSJ has a SLEEPER on Hechi! Hechi throws hands from below, then pulls on the arm to ELBOW BREAKER!

Hechi UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then climbs up, but ZSJ has him in a TOP ROPE OCTOPUS! The fans fire up but the ref counts. ZSJ lets go at 4, but Hechi throws hands! ZSJ hits back, the fans duel again, but ZSJ ROCKS Hechi! Hechi hops down, but comes back for a SUPER STEINER!! The fans fire up while ZSJ tumbles away! Hechi runs up, sunset flips, but ZSJ rolls through to PENALTY KICK! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. ZSJ drags Hechi up, UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again! Hechi gets around to waistlock, then he wrenches to CHOP! ZSJ wobbles, Hechi wrenches and whips.

ZSJ reverses, Hechi grabs ropes and avoids the dropdown! Then he gator rolls ZSJ by a leg, for a POINT-BLANK KNEE! The fans fire up while both men crawl away. ZSJ is in the corner, Hechi roars, and the fans fire up. Hechi runs in, ZSJ dodges, but Hechi goes up and out! Hechi HOTSHOTS ZSJ, goes up and SPRINGBOARD FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi and ZSJ both rise, and Hechi kicks ZSJ. Hechi eggs ZSJ on, kicks him, then runs. ZSJ BOOTS the lariat, wrenches an arm, and PELES! ZSJ then scoops Hechi, ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO! But into an ARMBAR!!

Hechi clasps hands, fights around, but ZSJ shifts to hammerlock that arm, and he goes for the other! CLARKY CAT!! Hechi endures, reaches out, but ZSJ grabs a leg! ZSJ moves around to then shift right for a STF!! Hechi has the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go but the fans are thunderous! “This is Wrestling!” ZSJ storms up on Hechi, grabs an arm, but the ref reprimands as Hechi is still in the ropes. ZSJ STOMPS the arm! Hechi writhes but ZSJ comes back to grab that arm again. ZSJ drags Hechi up, wrenches, wrenches, but Hechi slips under to HEADBUTT! Hechi runs, goes up the ropes, and MISSILE DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up as ZSJ ends up in a corner. Hechi runs in, and he STEP-UP KNEES! High stack, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up more! Hechi drags ZSJ around, hammerlock sone arm and stands ZSJ up! CONJURO BACKBREAKER!!! The fans fire up again as Hechi crawls to the cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Hechi is too tired to be upset! The fans rally as hard as they can as Hechi and ZSJ slowly rise. Hechi brings ZSJ up, tucks him in, and he wants the reverse Gory Especial! The fans freak out as Hechi marches around with ZSJ on his back! VERTA- NO, ZSJ sits up with core strength!

Hechi fights the victory roll, and he ELBOW DROPS ZSJ’s lower back! Hechi hurries to hook ZSJ up, but ZSJ switches the Cobra Twist onto Hechi! Hechi fights free, hits a HIP TOSS, and then gets space. But ZSJ UP KICKS him! Hechi returns to basement DROPKICK! ZSJ basement DROPKICKS! Hechi basement DROPKICKS again! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! “This is Awesome!” as both men run in! Hechi kicks, ZSJ kicks, then both men BOOT! The two go to ropes, the fans rally up, and ZSJ runs in! ZSJ slips free of the scoop but Hechi victory rolls, to DOUBLE STOMP INVERTED MONKEY FLIP ZSJ!!

REAR NAKED CHOKE, but ZSJ slips free! EURO CLUTCH!!! TWO!!! Hechi has the ARMBAR!! ZSJ shifts, Hechi powers him down, they roll, and Hechi yanks ZSJ into an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, ZSJ steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, Hechi has the arms again! ROLLING CRADLE, but ZSJ slips free to jackknife, PRAWN HOLD! ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall

Truly, this is what they mean by “blink and you miss it!” Thankfully this is the age of streaming and being able to rewind! But in the end, ZSJ snatches away the tiebreaker win, truly establishing himself as perhaps the best today! But both ZSJ and Hechi still want more from the other, when and where will we see these two take it to a fourth round?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!

WrestleKingdom 19 was The Rogue Luchador’s win, but not the way he wanted it. And then he enters the Lucha Gauntlet for WrestleDynasty, and loses because of the golden bull’s eye on him! Will Desperado prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors? Or will the Bone Soldier be victorious by God’s Grace?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to end this Battle in the Valley!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Despy and Taiji stare down, circle, then feel things out. Taiji waistlocks, Despy spins around but they end up on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji lets off slowly, and he promises a clean break. Taiji pats Despy on the shoulders, then backs off. The fans cheer, and Despy says okay then. They tie up, Taiji waistlocks, but Despy wrenches free. Taiji uses ropes to flip through and he hammerlocks in return. Despy goes to ropes, steps through, then steps back in to wrap Taiji’s arm around the ropes! The fans cheer, the ref counts, but Despy shifts to a headlock.

Taiji powers up but can’t power out as Despy holds on tight! Despy hits a headlock takeover, Taiji headscissors, Despy kips free, and Taiji jumps over the sweep! Taiji headlocks, Despy powers out to headlock back. Taiji powers out, then he arm-drags Despy! Things speed up, but Taiji avoids the arm-drag! Taiji headlocks and grinds Despy down. Despy fights up but Taiji cravats for the neck wrench. Despy breaks free, but the cravat is back! Despy breaks free again, but again Taiji cravats. Despy snapmares free, then he RUNS Taiji over! The fans cheer while Despy “fixes” his neck. Despy stands Taiji up and whips corner to corner.

Taiji reverses, runs up, but Despy put shim on the apron. Taiji blocks a shot, RAMS Despy, then slingshots, into an UPPERCUT! Despy builds speed and DIVES, into a GAMANGIRI! Taiji takes Despy down and the fans are torn. Taiji drags Despy up, wrenches him to a hammerlock, then he POSTS Despy’s shoulder! The fans boo but Taiji acts like he doesn’t know why. The ref checks Despy, and Taiji removes the blue buckle pad! Taiji hides that fact while Despy rises up. The fans rally, Despy rolls into the ring, and Taiji storms up on Despy. Taiji CLUBS Despy, Despy fires forearms, but Taiji CLUBS him again.

Taiji whips Despy into the bare buckles! Now the ref sees and he reprimands Taiji! The fans boo but Taiji grins while he acts like he can’t hear them. Taiji stalks Despy, drags him up, and wrenches an arm. Taiji whips Despy just to WRING him out! Despy writhes, then he rolls away to ropes. Taiji storms over, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, then he has the arm again! The ref counts again, Taiji lets go at 4 again, and he backs off this time. The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up by the bad arm. Taiji snapmares Despy, then PULLS on the arm! Despy writhes but he fights up.

Taiji stops the stack by powering Despy back down! Despy fights back up, but Taiji wrangles him again! Despy fights, rolls, but Taiji slips under to hammerlock the bad arm. Taiji half nelsons the other arm but Despy fights around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, and the fans rally up again. Taiji steps on Despy’s hand, then CLUBS Despy down. Taiji stands Despy up, hammerlocks the arm, but Despy fights the scoop! Despy fires body shots, the fans cheer him on, and he scoops, only for Taiji to hit a double wristlock takedown! Taiji has the double wristlock but Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Taiji lets go, and Despy bails out. Despy leans on railing and the fans cheer him on, but Taiji fetches Despy into the ring. Despy fires forearms but Taiji KICKS the bad arm! Despy falls back, but he stands up, only for Taiji to hammerlock and POST him! The fans boo more, but Taiji just soaks it up. Taiji brings Despy around again, hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Despy writhes but Taiji aims from the corner. Taiji runs up, but into an ELBOW! Taiji BOOTS the bad arm, whips, but Despy reverses. Taiji handsprings, but into a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up for Despy while he goes to a corner.

Despy waits on Taiji, Taiji rises, and Despy runs in. Despy ELBOWS Taiji in a corner, then suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this but the fans rally behind Despy more. Despy drags Taiji up, whips him to ropes, but Taiji reverses to RAM the arm! Taiji WRINGS Despy out, then he soaks up the heat. Despy goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, but Despy dodges! Despy blocks a kick, puts the leg in the ropes, then he dropkicks the other leg! And he DRAGON SCREWS it, too! Taiji writhes now but Despy hauls him up, SHIN BREAKER and DRAGON SCREW! Then a LEG DROP on the knee!

Despy has Taiji in the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Taiji endures, but he also has to keep his shoulders up. Taiji CHOPS away on Despy, and Despy “falls,” putting pressure on the hold! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he drags himself closer to ropes. But Despy makes the hold part CALF KILLER! Taiji still gets the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go, the fans fire up, and Despy brings Taiji around. Taiji throws hands but there isn’t much to them. Despy taunts Taiji, then stomps the bad leg! Despy gut wrenches, but Taiji slips free! Taiji sends Despy to a corner, then he blocks boots! Taiji puts Despy in the ropes, ENZIGIRIS, then runs side to side, SLIDING GERMAN!

The fans are torn while Despy writhe. Taiji goes to the apron and he has Despy out there with him. The fans boo but Taiji wrenches the arm, and WRINGS it onto the apron! The ref reprimands but Taiji just soaks up the heat from San Jose. Taiji walks off the pain in his legs and lets the ring count climb. Despy sits up, but his left arm just hangs there. Despy stands at 6 of 20, and uses the railing to YANK the arm back into place. Despy slides in at 12 of 20, but Taiji goes COAST2COAST! Taiji is fired up but the fans are torn as he brings Despy up. Taiji wrenches the arm but Despy fires body shots. Despy is free, but Taiji scoops him! CIPHER UTAKI!

Despy sputters, Taiji clutches his knee, but Taiji crawls to the cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Taiji slaps his leg into working. Taiji goes to the apron, then climbs a corner. Taiji aims for a 450- NO, he has to roll through as Despy moves! Then Despy CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji endures, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! Taiji uses that roll to get the chicken wing! BONE LOCK!! Despy endures, fights around, and the fans fire up! ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go in frustration but the fans cheer. Taiji rises, takes aim, and BANG! The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up. But Despy fights the underhooks!

Despy fires a forearm, Taiji fires a flurry! Despy DECKS Taiji with an elbow! The fans fire up and Despy drags Taiji back up. Underhooks and- NO, Taiji wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Despy goes down in a heap but Taiji roars! The fans boo but Taiji brings Despy back around. But Despy wrenches out, spins Taiji, and underhooks! PINCH- NO, Taiji BACKDROPS and BRIDGES! TWO as Despy bridges up! Underhooks are still in, but Taiji fights the lift! Despy just hits a FACEBUSTER! And then he rolls through to haul Taiji up, for PINCH- NO, Taiji sunset flips! TWO!! Despy escapes, but now is in the BONE LOCK!!

Despy fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away from ropes! BONE LOCK!!! Despy endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Despy fights around! Despy reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away again! Then underhooks, BLOODY CROSS!!! But the bad knee holds Taiji back! Taiji crawls to the cover, ROPEBREAK!! Despy survives by a literal foot and Taiji is beside himself! Taiji again says BANG, and he drags Despy back up. The fans rally, even start to duel, but Despy RAMS Taiji into the bad buckles! Taiji writhes from tasing his own medicine, and the fans rally up again! Despy and Taiji go to opposite corners, then stand.

Taiji runs up to tilt-o-whirl, but no Mystica! GUITARA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives but Despy fires up! The fans are with Despy as he drags Taiji back up. Despy underhooks to PINCH- LA MYSTICA!? BONE LOCK!!! Despy scrambles, Taiji rolls him away! But Despy slips through to STRETCH MUFFLER!! NUMERO DOS!! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he uses core strength to sit up! But Despy fights the Destroyer! He tucks Taiji in, for a DUDE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Taiji survives and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Despy drags Taiji up. Taiji pushes free, and he throws a punch, but there’s nothing to it!

Despy drags Taiji up, underhooks him, JAY DRILLER!! Despy holds on, and he drags Taiji up for the PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, DESPY WINS!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

It was quite the Battle in the Valley, but it seems Taiji could not use grace as a cheat code to win. Will he just have to fight even harder if he wants to be champion again?

As for Desperado, he has the belt on his shoulder as he gets the mic. In English, he thanks everyone for coming to the show. But he also admits his English is not so good, sorry. Despy does not some fans were cheering Suzuki-Gun, but uh, Suzuki-Gun is over. But Despy still respects Minoru Suzuki, and no matter what, Suzuki-Gun is still number one. Okay, you guys? The fans cheer that! But again, Suzuki-Gun is done, so this time, cheer NJPW, okay? The fans also cheer that. Despy thanks them, and says NJPW is ICHIBAN!! The fans cheer again, and Despy leaves it at that. The first defense is done, who will be next for the Rogue Luchador?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Battle in the Valley, and it partly makes me feel bad I missed Strong Style Evolved, I would’ve liked to see WCWC VS GYV for those tag titles. Now, obviously these titles were all retained, but as I’ve said in the past, keeping the status quo is fine so long as it’s done in great matches. Gabe VS Ishii opening was a surprise, but seeing them go the full 30 minutes was an awesome way for Gabe to retain the title. And now Windy City Riot having a 30 minute Ironman match is going to be awesome stuff. Though something about that is interesting, because if they didn’t lose a fall in 30, there’s a chance we get like one fall with just minutes to spare and then time runs out before the other guy can tie the score.

Great openweight tag title match, getting a win over Yoh & Rocky is great for WCWC as they’re still a younger team. But at the same time, it was with a great Heel cheat spot, that’s totally fine. The 8 Woman Tag was a lot of fun, but a little scary there with Adora needing a moment. She perhaps just got the air knocked out of her from all those combo moves. But Team Mina, which was basically her faction of Empress Nexus Venus from Stardom, was a good choice for winning. Mina only just lost the Rev-Pro Women’s title, she needed a rebound. But Anna Jay got to look strong as her team’s final woman, maybe Anna can get herself to a NJPW women’s title.

ELP VS Cobb being a draw of its own kind was great stuff, mostly because Cobb threw another man to take out ELP. I’m sure they’ll have a rematch, maybe part of prime NJPW programming, and maybe ELP gets a win. The Sumie Sakai Mixed Six was such a fun match, a very unique way of doing a retirement match but also a unique Mixed Six. The House of Torture got some comeuppance while Sumie got to look superhuman, and Sumie taking all those big moves before losing is a great way in-ring to show her respect. Then we got a great retirement ceremony, this all honestly could’ve closed the show, but this is still a NJPW event so NJPW things need to main event.

Konosuke VS Kushida was great, great win for Konosuke and certainly a great first match for Kushida in an openweight division. Konosuke calling out Tanahashi for Windy City Riot is wild, and that is going to be a stellar match. ZSJ VS Hechicero was world title worthy, maybe even main event worthy, but it makes sense this was second-to-last since it wasn’t for the title. Great win for ZSJ, making him 2-1 with Hechi, and it’d be great if they could arrange the next match for Forbidden Door: London. And then a great main event from Desperado and Taiji. Great storytelling of how both men know each other given their rivalry, but then great win from Desperado. Despy making his closing promo a shoutout back to Suzuki-Gun was great, and I’m sure a prime NJPW event will be where Despy finds a new challenger.

My Score: 9/10