Time to see who are really the Top Guys around here!

The Grizzled Young Veterans went after FTR from the moment they arrived in AEW, and now both teams are on a Collision course to settle the score!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW TNT Championship: Jack Perry VS Christopher Daniels; Perry wins and retains the title.
• Six Man Tag: Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Holo.grm VS The Beast Mortos & The Premier Athletes; Mark, Kyle & Hologram win.
• Wheeler Yuta VS Anthony Henry w/ BEEF; Yuta wins.
• Six Man Tag: Komander & Private Party VS Jon Cruz, Lord Crewe & Ren Jones; Komander & Private Party win.
• Yuka Sakazaki VS Serena Deeb; Yuka wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Bang Bang Gang VS The Cage of Agony; The Bang Bang Gang wins.
• Queen Aminata VS Robyn Renegade; Aminata wins.
• FTR VS Grizzled Young Veterans; FTR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jack Perry arrives.

The Scapegoat bus pulls into the parking lot, the TNT Champion gets out, dumps what’s left of his coffee, and smiles as he walks into the arena. He is ready to defend his title, but will he still fall to the Fallen Angel?

AEW TNT Championship: Jack Perry VS Christopher Daniels!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who “sacrifices” the other to become The Face of TNT!

The bell rings and the fans rally up, but Jack stays back in a corner. Jack hears the fans cheering on Daniels, and the two tie up. They go around, and Jack puts Daniels in a corner. The ref counts, Jack lets off, but Daniels avoids the cheap shot! Daniels CHOPS and ROCKS Jack, then whips corner to corner. Daniels runs up to fire a forearm smash! Then he clinches, but Jack fires elbows! Jack CHOPS, shakes out his hand, and CHOPS again! Jack slaps Daniels around, whips him, but Daniels ducks ‘n’ shoves, only for the COMEBACKER LARIAT! Jack rains down forearms but the fans boo. Jack gets on the apron to soak up heat!

Jack goes back to Daniels, snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! Daniels is tougher than that, but Jack watches him go to a corner. Jack runs up and LARIATS, then he hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Daniels stays in this, but Jack CHOKES him at the ropes! The fans boo, Jack lets off at 4, and pretends he didn’t see Daniels there. Then Jack KICKS the ropes to jam Daniels up! Jack has a cocky cover, TWO! Jack is annoyed, but Daniels CHOPS him! Jack smirks, Daniels CHOPS again, so Jack CLAWS Daniels’ eyes! The ref counts, Jack lets off, but then Daniels ROCKS Jack! And ROCKS him again! Daniels whips Jack to a corner, but Jack BOOTS him down!

Jack goes up, takes aim, and he leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Daniels is still in this, but he has a bloody cut on his forehead. The fans rally for the Fallen Angel, but Jack kicks him around. Jack pie faces Daniels, runs, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! Jack staggers up, Daniels JABS! And JABS! And JABS! Daniels whips, Jack reverses but Daniels KICKS and S T O! The fans fire up and Daniels runs up to forearm smash in the corner! Clinch and EXPLODER! Jack writhes, Daniels brings him back up to a fireman’s carry! Jack slips free, CLUBS Daniels, then runs, but into the fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!

Daniels is frustrated, but he calls his shot! The fans fire up, Daniels kicks low, ANGEL- NO, Jack fights out to backdrop! Daniels sunset flips but Jack sits on it, TWO! Daniels has the sunset now, TWO! Daniels ducks a lariat, but Jack bucks the O’Conner and hard! Jack flips everyone off with his parody of the Yes Movement, then he SACRIFICING KNEES Daniels down! Cover, Jack wins!

Winner: Jack Perry, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Jack vows that NO ONE is taking this from him! “The people who don’t like me are the people who can’t handle the truth.” Jack goes right back to the parking lot and his bus, to drive off into the sunset. Will The Scapegoat Express never stop its world tour?

Backstage interview with Wheeler Yuta.

Lexy Nair catches The Decoder as he enters the building now, and she knows this goes without being said, but… We all witnessed the horrific events of All Out and what happened to Bryan Danielson. How is Bryan? Yuta says Bryan… Out of respect for him and his family, Yuta won’t share too much. But Bryan is doing the best he can, given the circumstances. Yuta realizes he forgot his boots, spaces out a bit, but starts again. He hasn’t really talked with any of the other guys… And what about Yuta’s match tonight? Yuta says Anthony Henry is one incredibly talented, incredibly tough competitor.

But one thing Bryan told Yuta, the reason Bryan loves professional wrestling is because in the ring, he feels he’s meant to be there and everything else can be put on pause. So Yuta will try and channel that tonight. Yuta heads on to the locker room, will he be able to clear his mind once he’s in the ring?

Six Man Tag: Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Holo.grm VS The Beast Mortos & The Premier Athletes!

The Conglomeration has had a great week so far, but it could be even bigger given who they’re teaming with tonight! Will the futuristic luchador continue to raise the bar in AEW? Or will he, The Chicken and the Violent Artist all be brought down to earth by Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese and the menacing minotaur?

Oh wait, Mark Sterling of course has to talk. He knows we know who they are, but he’s sure we’re all wondering why they’re teaming with The Beast Mortos. That is because The Conglomeration and Hologram have been thorns in their side for the past two months! They used some of Daivari’s substantial funds to enlist two horns they can stick into The Conglomeration’s side! But to make sure everyone is on the same page, they’re going to do a team building exercise that even the idiots here in Ohio can understand! When Sterling says, “Athletes!” you say, “Rule!” Nothing else, got it? Hands in… “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!”

The teams sort out, and Kyle steps up against Nese. They circle, the fans fire up, and the two tie up. Kyle waistlocks, Nese drop toeholds, and he floats to a facelock. Kyle wrenches out, facelocks, then wrenches to a wristlock. Nese endures, pulls at the tights, but Kyle wrenches again. Nese rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, and YANKS Kyle around. Kyle spins to drop toehold back, and now Kyle facelocks. Kyle wrenches an arm, tags Mark, and they mug Nese. The fans rally as Mark wrenches and YANKS the arm again and again. Nese powers up and puts Mark in the corner, tag to Daivari. The Premier Athletes mug Mark while fans boo.

The ref reprimands, Nese & Daivari let off, and Daivari drags Mark up. Daivari CHOPS Mark, whisp him, but Mark slides under and REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then he CHOPS! And ROCKS! And CHOPS again! Mark whips corner to corner, Daivari reverses, but Mark goes up and out to ROCK Daivari! RKF UPPERCUT! Then a BOOT! Mark fires up the fans, then he brings Daivari around. Mark whips, Daivari reverses, but Kyle tags in! Mark wrenches, kicks, and feeds the BOOT! Mark BLASTS Nese, fist-bumps Kyle, and Kyle drags Daivari up. Kyle wrenches to YANK the arm, then YANKS again.

Kyle wrenches but Nese runs up! Kyle BOOTS Nese, but Daivari CLUBS Kyle! Tag to Mortos but Kyle fires forearms! Mortos SMACKS Kyle back! The fans fire up, Mortos runs, but into a KNEE! Kyle fires a strike fest, then hurries to tag Hologram! The fans fire up, Mortos CLOBBERS Kyle! And CLBOBERS Mark! Hologram springboards, into a HEADBUTT! The fans are torn as Mortos stands tall. Mortos whips Hologram, but Hologram goes up and upside-down! Mortos runs in, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI! Hologram goes up and up and FLYING- NO, Mortos catches Hologram, but Hologram just rebounds off ropes to arm-drag free!

The fans are thunderous as Mortos tumbles! Nese tags in, Hologram whips Mortos, but Mortos reverses! Hologram stops himself, then feints to SUPERKICK! Nese runs up, Hologram dodges, Nese comes back into a COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO! Tag to Kyle and Kyle kicks! Nese blocks to ROCK Kyle! Nese runs, into a KNEE! Kyle snapmares, runs, but Nese distracts the ref and Daivari trips Kyle! Kyle avoids the sucker punch, then hurdles over Mortos! Kyle LARIATS Daivari, but Josh Woods stares him down! Nese PLANCHAS Kyle, the ref is busy with an angry Mark and Hologram, The Premier Athletes all mug Kyle!

Collision goes picture in picture as The Premier Athletes soak up the heat. Nese drags Kyle up and into the ring, then stalks him. Nese KICKS Kyle, then soaks up more heat. Nese fires body shots against the ropes, then lets off as the ref counts. Mortos tags in and he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle goes to a corner, Mortos whips corner to corner, but Kyle dodges! Mortos hits buckles, but he still BOOTS back! And SLING-DOGS! And SNAP POWERSLAMS! Cover, Mark breaks it! The ref reprimands and Mortos seethes, but he goes back for Kyle. Mortos drags Kyle up, brings him over, tag to Daivari, and they mug Kyle. Daivari turns Kyle to NECKBREAKER! Daivari covers, TWO!

Daivari drags Kyle up, whips him to the corner hard, then he tags Nese. Nese wants the fans to hush about Kyle, then he brings Kyle up. But Kyle clamps on a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Nese endures, fights up, and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Nese drags Kyle back, tag to Daivari. Daivari runs to ELBOW DROP! Daivari clamps onto Kyle as a chinlock. Daivari grinds Kyle down, Kyle endures, and the fans rally up. Kyle fights up, reaches out, and Collision returns to single picture. Daivari ROCKS Kyle, whips him to the corner, and LARIATS! Tag to Nese, and Daivari sends Nese in, only for Kyle to BOOT him!

Kyle ROCKS Mortos, ELBOWS Daivari, then runs up, but both Nese & Daivari catch him! They throw him back, but Kyle dodges, hot tag to Mark! Mark fires off Redneck Kung-Fu on the Premier Athletes! He DECKS Nese, but Daivari kicks low! Daivari whips but Mark BOOTS Mortos! Mark gets around Daivari, Daivari switches, but Mark BOOTS Nese away! PELE for Daivari! The fans fire up as Mark kicks Nese, suplexes, and FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nese is tougher than that but Mark calls his shot! Mark underhooks, JAY- NO, N ese fights out and Mortos HEADBUTTS! But Mark stays up! Mortos runs in, Mark DUMPS him out!

Tag to Hologram and Mark PLANCHAS Mortos! Hologram goes up but Nese SHORYUKENS! Nese THROWS Hologram down, runs up, but Hologram slips up and around, into a DESTROYER!! Cover, Daivari breaks it! Daivari TOSSES Hologram, but Kyle fires off a strike fest on Daivari! The KNEE sends Daivari out, and then Kyle goes out! FLYING KNEE! Down goes Daivari, but then Nese ROUNDHOUSES and LEG SWEEPS Kyle! Nese runs to FOSBURY FLOP! Down goes Kyle, but Hologram DIVES! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous! Hologram fires up, too, but Mortos TOPE TORNILLOS!! But then Mark has a chair!

The fans are thunderous again as Mark sets the chair up, builds speed, but Sterling snatches the chair away! The fans boo, Mark LOW BLWOS Sterling! And it’s all fine cuz Sterling’s not a competitor in the match! Sterling falls to his knees, so Mark uses him as the launching pad, to FLY out onto everyone else! The fans are thunderous again and Kyle puts Nese in! Hologram aims, springboards and FLYING TORNADO DDTS!! Nese flounders around, into the roll and crucifix! Hologlomeration wins!

Winners: Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Hologram, by pinfall

That was a battle to be sure, but- MORTOS SPEARS HOLOGRAM! The fans boo as Mortos beats up on all of them! Mark CLOBBERS Mortos with the ROH World Championship belt! Then Kyle & Mark DOUBLE LARIAT Mortos outta there! Kyle says he wants a 1v1 with Mortos! When and where will #CombatKyle look to slay the beast?

AEW shares footage from CMLL 91st Anniversario!

If you’re wondering where Orange Cassidy is, he was just down in Mexico to join in on CMLL’s big anniversary show. Freshly Squeezed was part of Team Internacional alongside Rocky Romero & Satoshi Kojima, losing out in a Best 2 Out of 3 Falls Six Man Tag against Team Mexico’s Atlantis Jr, Volador Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero. However, Cassidy’s night was not done. In the main event, Chris Jericho lost to Mistico and then became a sore loser, beating up Mistico with the help of “Big Bill” Morrissey! Cassidy made the save, he and Mistico ran off The Learning Tree, and stood tall as amigos.

Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.

Renee Paquette says Freshly Squeezed made his CMLL debut in front of a sold out Arena Mexico. How did it- OH NO! Bill BOOTS Cassidy, sending his sunglasses flying! Bill then THROWS Cassidy into the garage door! Bryan Keith puts the backpack over Cassidy’s head, and here comes Jericho. Jericho has the framed picture of The Best Friends, and says, “Here’s to friendship, Orange.” He SMASHES the picture on Cassidy’s head!! “You can have your knapsack back. See you Wednesday.” Renee steps back in to say they need help back here! She tells Jericho to leave, Jericho says, “Thanks, Renee.” Did Jericho just get his real payback for the jacket and Bentley?

Stokely Hathaway is in his private study.

And what he’s studying is game film of various top tag teams in some of their best matches here in AEW. But what could Stokely be formulating for the future?

Backstage interview with Mariah May.

Lexy Nair is with The Glamour, and says she has been AEW Women’s World Champion for a few weeks now, but has yet to hold her championship celebration. Yes, she has, and she isn’t doing it now in Dayton, Ohio. It’s just the Wish.com version of Cincinnati. Then in any case, Mariah invited Mina Shirakawa to return, and Mariah says her best times were with Mina. Stardom and Japan, here in AEW, but then somewhere along the way, bad things just happened. Mariah needs Mina. She can’t celebrate her win without Mina. Mariah wants Mina. Oh, sorry, can Mariah help you? We pan over to see Yuka Sakazaki!

Yuka says hi, and Mariah says how cute. Yuka says she wants to fight for the belt. Oh, that’s nice. But Yuka can get in line, and then Mariah will rip her head off! Yuka says okay. Bye-bye~! Yuka leaves, and Mariah is seething already. Will the Wrestling Magical Girl prove she is worthy when she returns to the ring tonight?

Wheeler Yuta VS Anthony Henry w/ BEEF!

We saw how disheveled The Decoder is, even one week after the incident at All Out. But he’ll try his best to do what Bryan would do and use wrestling to clear his head. Will he succeed in shaking off this funk? Or will the Saint of Augusta take advantage of Yuta’s unsettled mindset?

The bell rings and Yuta circles with Henry. They tie up, Henry arm-drags Yuta, and Yuta backs off to the corner. Yuta resets with Henry, they tie up, and Henry arm-drags again! Henry keeps the arm, but Yuta kips up. Yuta slips through, wrenches and wristlocks back, but Henry rolls, slips through, and spins Yuta to a snapmare. Henry KCIKS Yuta in the back, then eggs Yuta on. Henry KICKS Yuta again, but Yuta gets up to headlock. Henry powers up and out, drops down, but Yuta sunset flips! Henry stays up, to then DOUBLE STOMP! The fans boo but Yuta goes to a corner. Henry runs up, but Yuta goes up and over.

Yuta scoops Henry, SLAMS him, and then snarls as he SENTONS, only to miss! Henry ROCKS Yuta, but Yuta rewind- NO, Yuta’s focus is so bad, he falls to the floor! Henry WRECKS Yuta with a dropkick! Henry brings Yuta up to then snap suplex into barriers! Yuta is all folded up, and the fans boo Henry while Collision goes picture in picture.

The ref checks Yuta, but Yuta manages to turn over. Yuta sits up but Henry brings him into the ring. Henry eggs Yuta on more, stomps his hands, then KICKS him in the chest! Yuta falls back, crawls to a corner, but Henry drags him up again. Henry snapmares, and he clamps on with a straitjacket stretch! Yuta endures, even as Henry digs his knee into his back. The fans rally, Yuta fights up, and Yuta powers up to turn things around! Henry turns them back around and has the straitjacket back on! Yuta endures again, fights, but Henry thrashes him around! Yuta grits his teeth, rises up, and he JAWBREAKERS free as Collision goes to break!

Collision returns as Henry whips Yuta corner to corner. Yuta reverses, then runs up, but Henry pops Yuta up into an AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO! Yuta stays in this, even if his focus is divided. Henry stomps Yuta’s foot, stands on the ankle, and he eggs Yuta on. The fans rally, Henry drags Yuta up and dares him to show us something! Yuta fires body shots, then elbows low! Henry ROCKS Yuta, and Yuta rewinds! It is still rough, but he manages the GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Henry flounders. Yuta drags himself up, turns around, takes a swing, but Henry dodges! Henry feints then kicks the legs out, and KNEES Yuta down! Cover, TWO!

Yuta bails out, the ref checks him, but Yuta crawls to a corner. Henry storms out after Yuta, runs in, and CALF KICKS Yuta against railing! Henry then throws Yuta back in, goes up a corner, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives that coup de grace, and the fans fire up again! Henry storms around, Beef cheering him on, and he drags Yuta up. Henry mocks Yuta being all sad over Bryan not being here. Henry SLAPS Yuta, but the words are what pissed him off! Yuta snarls, and he DECKS Henry!! The fans fire up as Yuta fires off on Henry! The ref has to back Yuta off, but Yuta goes back for more!

Yuta gets the arms, and gives Henry some DRAGON STOMPS! The ref again backs Yuta off, but Yuta is roaring! Henry bails, Yuta runs, and Yuta DIVES! Direct hit into railing! Yuta then whips Henry hard into railing! And then whips him into more railing! Yuta fires hands, Beef is panicked, but Yuta puts Henry in the ring. Then Yuta BOOTS Beef for the hell of it! Yuta goes up the corner, aims at Henry, MISSILE DROPKICK! Down goes Henry and Yuta kips up! The fans fire up with Yuta, and he HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS away on Henry! All the best of what Bryan’s taught Yuta, and Henry is a ragdoll! Yuta shifts to CATTLE MUTILATION!

The ref checks, Henry is OUT! Yuta wins!!

Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by submission

Yuta is so furious, he almost goes after the ref now! But Yuta returns from the fugue state, and he takes his leave. But will Yuta focus this anger on those who deserve it? Or is he going to find himself stuck between both sides of the Blackpool Combat Club?

Backstage interview with Serena Deeb and Queen Aminata.

Lexy Nair notes The Professor has a match tonight against Yuka Sakazaki, and The One True African Woman also has a match tonight against Robyn Renegade. Serena asked for this time with Aminata, the floor is hers. Serena thanks Aminata for her time, it is very kind of her to hear Serena out. Now, Serena wants to continue their discussion from last time. Serena watched Aminata take on Mariah, and it was a great match, Aminata has a lot of potential. But Serena did say that Aminata isn’t ready. However, the offer still stands and Serena is very forgiving. So if Aminata wants to talk more, she knows where to find her.

Aminata tells Serena sorry, but she doesn’t freakin’ have time for this! She has her match to get ready for. Serena tells Queen Aminata to let the Professor show her how it’s done. Serena then turns to camera to address Yuka. The last time Yuka even had thoughts to step into the ring with Serena, her leg broke. Imagine what it’ll be like now that she’s actually taking Serena on tonight. See you later. Serena says that to Aminata as much as she does Yuka. Will there be no mercy in Deeb’s Dojo for the returning Wrestling Magical Girl? Will Deeb’s Dojo be adding a student after tonight? Or will nothing go quite how Serena expects?

Anna Jay speaks.

“I just got back from Japan, wrestling, learning, honing my skills and becoming the best that I can be. It was not easy. I was tired, I was sore, I was beat up. But let me tell you what I learned while I was there. I want more. So much more. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship. Mariah May is due for a very big receipt. And I’ve also never stepped into the ring with Mercedes Mone. So lemme make it easy for all of you. If you wanna see what an evolved Anna Jay has become, just try me.” The Queenslayer is back, will she become The Star of the Show once and for all?

Six Man Tag: Komander & Private Party w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Jon Cruz, Lord Crewe & Ren Jones!

This trio tried to have their first match together last Wednesday Night Dynamite, but they and their opponents got blindsided and brutalized by the new, more maniacal Blackpool Combat Club. Will they have better luck tonight? Or will being in Moxley’s backyard only put them at risk again?

The trios sort out, Brother Zay starts against Ren, and the two tie up. Ren headlocks, Zay powers up and out, and then he drops down. Zay hurdles, but Ren shoves him. Zay Quebradas, Ren gets under, but Zay RANAS! And then LARIATS! Zay rains down fists but Crewe CLUBS him! Crewe whips, Zay reverses and Quen DUMPS Crewe out! Quen then BOOTS Crewe, and Komander springboards to CROSSBODY Crewe down! Cruz runs up, he gets a BOOT! Quen tags in, CATAPULT GAMANGIRI COMBO! Komander goes up and he CIELITO LINDO! Zay runs up on Ren but Ren BOOTS him! Ren goes up, but Komander JUMP KNEES!

Ren wobbles, Komander coordinates with Private Party. Quen runs up, gets the boost from Komander, serving up GIN & JUICE!! Laid back! Cover, Private Party & Komander win!

Winners: Komander & Private Party, by pinfall

Should we start calling them #FiestaPrivada? A good first win now that they got their “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” But will they soon get their “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” at the BCC’s AEW World Trios Championships?

Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness talk about Bryan Danielson.

Given the change to Grand Slam, where Darby Allin now defends his #1 contender status against Jon Moxley, Nigel is of course calling out The American Dragon for that same night. How can Nigel be sure Bryan will even be able to compete? Nigel can’t be sure, but neither can Tony Khan. But when Moxley convinced Darby to put the title shot on the line, he did it out of pure speculation. That is why Nigel told TK that they can’t know Bryan won’t be able to compete. So Nigel figured, if Bryan can show up, and Darby no longer available to face him, Nigel would like to. Nigel will be there, so the question is, will Bryan?

Nigel now talks to Bryan: If Bryan doesn’t show up, it isn’t because of his condition. It is because he fears Nigel McGuinness. Nigel’s said it before, so he’ll just show us what he means. Footage courtesy of ROH, Nigel and Bryan battled for THE ROH World Championship. Nigel narrates that he and Bryan were bitter rivals on equal standing, clashing for the gold in matches that had the wrestling world abuzz. But there has been no one before or since that has beaten Bryan Danielson so convincingly, so brutally, and so thoroughly!

No matter how much success Bryan has had in his career after ROH, even winning the AEW World Championship, Bryan is STILL haunted by the memories of facing Nigel. Even more now 16 YEARS later, Nigel being in the best shape of his life, better than Bryan ever was, and Bryan is a physical wreck! Nigel says no worries, Bryan. Win, lose or draw, Bryan will still be world champion. But let’s not make any bones about it: If Bryan shows up, Nigel will look to end Bryan’s career! Ball’s in Bryan’s court. How will The American Dragon respond with 11 days left before Grand Slam?

Yuka Sakazaki VS Serena Deeb!

The Magical Girl called out The Glamour, but The Professor has called out The Magical Girl! Will Yuka pass Serena’s test and head for the AEW Women’s World Championship? Or will Serena earn herself that opportunity instead?

The bell rings but wait! Mariah makes her way out here! It seems Yuka got under her skin, but Mariah’s presence sure has Nigel in good spirits. The fans rally for Yuka as she and Deeb circle. They tie up, and Deeb wrenches an arm. Deeb wristlocks, Mariah says Deeb has taught her much so she wishes her luck. As for Yuka, break a leg. Deeb wrenches while Nigel laughs far too much at the joke. Yuka rolls, kips up, and wrenches to wristlock. Deeb rolls, rolls, and slips around to wrench and wristlock. Deeb wrangles Yuka, ties up the legs, and she has Yuka in Paradise! Deeb sits on Yuka, the fans are torn, but Mariah is amused.

Deeb flexes and Mariah jokes that this is child abuse. Yuka is a child as far as Mariah can tell. Schiavone says Yuka’s a ten year veteran, but Mariah says more like a 10-year-old. Deeb DROPKICKS Yuka out of Paradise! Yuka goes to ropes, Deeb eggs her on, but Yuka frowns. Yuka runs up to KNEE low! Yuka snapmares and rolls with Deeb to KICK her down! Then Yuka body scissors, and she ROLLING ROLLING ROLLING CLUTCH! Cover, TWO!! Deeb escapes, Mariah is annoyed by that already, and Deeb goes to a corner. Yuka runs up, blocks a boot, but Deeb reels Yuka in to KICK her! Yuka staggers, Deeb eggs her on again.

Yuka runs up, but Deeb catches her! Deeb turns Yuka, to HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Yuka flops to the apron, Mariah mocks her pain, and Deeb mocks the booing fans while Collision goes picture in picture.

Deeb stalks Yuka, drags her up, and then reels her in. But Yuka wrenches out, whips, only for Deeb to sunset flip, and HALF CRAB! Yuka endures as Deeb pulls on that recovered leg! Yuka fights, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Deeb lets go in frustration, and she storms around. Deeb stalks Yuka, drags her up, and TWIST ‘N’ SHOUTS! Cover, TWO!! Yuka survives but Deeb keeps her focus. Deeb stomps Yuka, then drags her around to step on her face! Yuka writhes, the ref reprimands, but Deeb just smirks. Deeb drags Yuka by a leg, and drops an elbow on the knee! And another elbow! And then a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Cover, TWO!!

Yuka is toughing it out and that just upsets Deeb more. Deeb grabs the leg again, but Yuka fights the Half Crab by grabbing Deeb’s leg! Yuka then kicks, and kicks, and kicks Deeb away! Deeb runs back up, blocks a kick, but Yuka ENZIGIRIS! Yuka hobbles to a corner, sits down to rest the bad leg, but she watches Deeb crawl. Deeb rises up, runs in at Yuka, but blocks another boot! Collision returns to single picture as Yuka goes up, reels Deeb in, HANGING HEADSCISSORS! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and Mariah says that’s against the rules! Yuka lets go at 4, fire sup, and the fans fire up more! Yuka climbs and takes aim!

Yuka MISSILE DROPKICKS Deeb! The fans fire up again and Yuka scoops Deeb into a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Deeb survives but clutches her neck. Yuka storms back over, drags Deeb up, and wrenches to hammerlock, lift, and SPIN~! But Deeb slips free to waistlock! Yuka switches, Deeb switches, but Yuka elbows free! But Deeb shoves Yuka to get a SNAP GERMAN! Then Deeb wrenches, hammerlocks, PEPSI TWIST! Cover, TWO?!?! Yuka barely gets that arm up and Deeb can’t believe it! Deeb huffs ‘n’ puffs but the fans rally for Yuka. Deeb reels Yuka in, tucks the arms, but Yuka fights the lift!

Yuka backdrops free and the fans fire up! Yuka SLIDING D! Cover, TWO!! Deeb survives and Yuka is a bit stunned now. Yuka refocuses, aims from a corner, and then runs up to ROCK Deeb! Yuka boxing elbows, then ROLLING- NO, Deeb ducks to wrench! Deeb drags Yuka down, around, reels her in, POWERBOMB! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Yuka endures, fights, and Mariah mockingly says Yuka might have to tap. The fans rally up, Yuka roars and crawls forward! ROPEBREAK! Deeb thrashes the leg, but she lets go at the ref’s count. Deeb drags Yuka back up, UPPERCUTS, but then Yuka ROCKS Deeb!

Deeb UPPERCUTS! Yuka ROCKS Deeb! UPPERCUT! Yuka wobbles, but she comes back to ROCK Deeb! Yuka fires shot after shot, then runs up, but Deeb ducks! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Deeb gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Even Mariah thought that one hurt. But Yuka ROCKS Deeb! Deeb LARIATS Yuka! Deeb drags Yuka up, tucks her in, but Yuka powers out! Scoop and MAGICAL GIRL DRIVER! Yuka drags Deeb into the drop zone, goes to the apron, and the fans fire up! Yuka climbs up the ropes, for the MAGICAL GIRL SPLASH!! Cover, Yuka wins!

Winner: Yuka Sakazaki, by pinfall

It was a hard fought match, but Yuka found the will to win! Mariah is not happy about it, but will she be even angrier when Yuka proves she’s a contender? WAIT, Mariah CLOBBERS Yuka on the stage!! The fans boo and Yuka sits up in a daze, having no idea what just hit her! Mariah reels Yuka in, but Yuka fights the lift! Yuka powers out to SUPERKICK! Mariah goes down in a heap! Yuka then picks up the title belt! The fans cheer, but will this be the scene that plays out in the very near future?

The Outrunners speak.

In another retro video, Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd are getting their pump on in the gym! They say what they want, when they want! How old do they have to be to have a gym membership? 18 years old. Well lucky for this guy, he’s lookin’ at the Youngest Men Alive! Now scram! They tell the tag division that they’re coming for your pride, your manhood, and your gold! Because if you haven’t seen The Outrunners, you ain’t seen nothing yet! These human throwbacks are ready for action, but what will it take for them to take down the best in AEW?

Top Flight Airlines talks backstage.

Leila Grey is so full, they just had a great dinner. But then Action Andretti speaks up. Why’re they going on about the food they just ate? Are they not pissed off like he’s pissed off? Look what they did just this week. Darius & Dante lost out on a chance to become AEW World Tag Team Champions. Lio Rush lost out on the TNT Championship. Action just lost on Rampage! He’s still hot! Lio asks why he’s still on it then. Chill out, it’s just a loss. No, man, it’s not “just” a loss! Look at them! They have so much potential together! They have something that very few have! This is Leila Grey, Top Flight, Lio Rush and Action Andretti, and all they’re talking about is food?!

Action snatches Dante’s burger and CHUCKS it at the production truck! Lio says calm down, Action! But Action looks at the truck and says look! Why aren’t they treated more like The House of Black? Does Top Flight not have wins over The House of Black? Why aren’t they going up against more teams like them and getting more wins? Lio says Action is just talking out his ass, and Leila says yeah, Action needs to calm down. The team needs to get it together, or they’re going nowhere. Action says yeah, they do. Action leaves, but where to? The others follow him, will The Sight to See make the others see his point of view?

Six Man Tag: The Bang Bang Gang VS The Cage of Agony!

Juice Robinson & The Gunns were minding their business, but Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona had to drudge up the past. Cage said they only lost the ROH World Six Man Tag titles, because they were up against six opponents! But it’s not like anyone has gold anymore, so who settles this score to then head back for the belts?

The trios sort out and Juice starts against Liona. The bell rings, the fans rally for “JUICE! JUICE!” Juice and Liona tie up, Liona powers Juice to a corner, then gets in Juice’s face. The ref counts, Liona lets off, but Juice SLAPS him! Liona storms up, blocks the arm-drag, then whips. Juice leaps, but into Liona’s arms! Liona SLAMS Juice, but Juice avoids the headbutt! Juice wrenches Liona, tags Colten, then hands off Liona. Colten wrenches, but Liona KNEES low! Liona tags Kaun and he stomps Colten. Then he CHOPS Colten! The fans fire up, Kaun whips corner to corner, but Colten goes up and over to arm-drag!

Colten has the arm, he tags Austin, and The Gunns whip Kaun to body shot, knee lift, and LARIAT! Austin runs, “Guns Up!” AX HANDLE! Cover, ONE!! Kaun is tougher than that, but Austin drags Kaun up. Austin whips then dodges Kaun to trip him up, and THROWBACK! The fans fire up and Austin aims from a corner. Liona takes a swing, Austin dodges! Austin ROCKS Liona, then dodges Kaun! Austin keeps moving, but Kaun LARIATS him down! The fans boo but Kaun goes out after Austin. Kaun whips Austin into railing, then apron, then back again! Kaun pinballs Austin all over, then leaves him behind so Liona can CLOBBER Austin!

The fans boo but Liona hurries to put Austin in. Cage goes up the ropes, “Who betta than Cage!?” DEADLIFT SUPERPLEX! Cage flexes, the fans boo, but Collision goes picture in picture.

Cage talks smack, then he drags Austin up. Cage bumps Austin off buckles, RAMS into him, then CHOPS him! Austin flops over, Cage drags him back up, and then Cage brings him over to the corner. Tag to Liona and they mug Austin. Liona brings Austin up to DECK him! Liona has a wild grin, then he stands on Austin’s face! The ref reprimands, Liona steps away, and Austin sputters and coughs from having a bare foot on his face! Liona drags Austin up, but Austin fires body shots! Liona KNEES low and Austin falls right out of the ring! Liona paces, Colten coaches his brother, but Liona snarls at Juice.

Austin crawls, drags himself up, but he flops right back over! The ring count is climbing, Colten coaches Austin more, and Austin stands again! Austin leaps in at 9! But Liona DIVING HEADBUTTS! Tag to Kaun, and the Gates of Agony CHOP and stomp away while Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and now both Austin and Kaun are down! They crawl for their corners, hot tag to Liona! Liona whips Austin away, but Austin BLASTS Cage! But Liona BLASTS Juice & Colten! Austin runs up, Liona catches him and keeps him from Colten! Liona shoves Austin to the Agony corner, then runs up, but Austin dodges! Hot tag to Colten! Colten fires hands on Liona, then dodges to DROPKICK! Cage returns, he gets a LARIAT! Kaun returns, he gets a LARIAT! Colten full nelson SLAMS Cage! Colten SPLASHES Liona, SPLASHES Kaun, then runs, jukes and NECKBREAKER! Liona runs up, Colten dodges, and LEAPING HAYMAKER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans rally, Colten goes up the corner, but Kaun CHOPS first! Kaun brings Colten down, but Colten snap suplexes first! Cage runs up, but Colten BOOTS the lariat to then snap suplex! Liona runs up, into a kick and- NO, Liona is too big for a suplex! Liona tires, Colten fights it! But then Cage and Kaun storm up, only for the ref to stop them! Liona suplexes, but Colten cradle counter! The ref is missing the cover!! The fans count, Bang Bang Gang would’ve won! Colten lets Liona go, gets Cage and Kaun to leave, then he dodges Liona, only for Liona to POUNCE him! Liona tags Cage, then Liona BLAST Juice! Cage tags Kaun and they get Colten up.

The Cage Of Agony hit the ROCK-A-BYE BOMB!! Cover, AUSTIN BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but then Liona TOSSES Austin! Kaun drags Colten up, he and Liona DOUBLE stalling suplex! Cage runs, but Austin DUMPS him out! Colten DOUBLE DDTS The Gates! But Liona just sits up with a grin!? Liona runs, but COlten ducks the body check! Colten hurries, hot tag to Juice! The fans fire up as Juice goes up and CROSSBODIES Cage! Cage staggers up, Juice goes wild, and he JABS, JABS, JABS! The fans fire up for “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!” LEFT HAND O’ GOD! And then facelock, but Cage wrenches out!

Juice swings, Cage dodges, and Cage DISCUS LARIATS!! Colten returns, Cage fireman’s carries, F5! Austin is back, but Cage dodges to POP-UP BOMB! The Machine is all fired up, and The Gates return! They get Austin up for Kaun, but Juice RAMS Liona into Kaun! Austin slips free of Cage, LEFT HAND O’ GOD into the 3:10 TO YUMA!! And then THE JUICE IS LOOSE!! Cover, Bang Bang Gang wins!!

Winners: The Bang Bang Gang, by pinfall

The fans fire up as the Collision Cowboys stand tall! Will this big win lead Rock Hard Robinson, Fully Cocked Colten, and… Austin… back to the trios championships?

Backstage interview with Serena Deeb.

Lexy knows tonight didn’t go as Serena had planned, what happened out there? But before The Professor can explain, Queen Aminata walks in. “So, is that how it’s done?” Aminata heads out now, will she be the one to lead by example? Or will Dayton’s own Renegade revolt against The Queen?

Queen Aminata VS Robyn Renegade!

The bell rings and Aminata circles with Robyn. They tie up, Aminata waistlocks, but Robyn drops. So Aminata drops to body scissor and roll into a cover. TWO, but Aminata CLUBS Robyn into a facelock. The fans duel, Robyn turns the facelock around, and she gator rolls with Aminata. Aminata wrenches out to SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! Aminata keeps Robyn down with a chinbar, covers again, TWO! CROSSFACE! Robyn endures, fights up, but Aminata shifts to a facelock. Aminata whips, Robyn reverses to ROCK Aminata! Aminata DECKS Robyn! Robyn goes to a corner, Aminata runs up to BOOT! Aminata then snapmares Robyn, ruins up again, FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Robyn toughs it out and staggers to the ropes. Aminata runs up, but Robyn HOTSHOTS her! Robyn comes back to throw Aminata by her hair! Robyn stomps Aminata around, then CHOPS! And CLUBS! And CLUBS her again! The ref backs Robyn off, but Robyn LARIATS against ropes! Robyn snapmares Aminata and SHOTGUNS her down! The fans fire up as Robyn drags Aminata up. Robyn facelocks to DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Aminata survives that hard fall, and the ref checks her. Robyn waits, Aminata is okay, so Robyn hauls her back up. Robyn suplexes, but Aminata fights it, to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Just like Deeb!

Robyn goes to a corner, Aminata runs up, but Robyn ROCKS her! Aminata DECKS Robyn again! HEADBUT!! Cover, Aminata wins!

Winner: Queen Aminata, by pinfall

The #BrainDrain gets it done, and Aminata shakes it off. But then Deeb CHOP BLOCKS Aminata! Deeb is a sore loser, but she’s going after Aminata for disrespecting her! HALF CRAB, and it is DEEP! The fans boo but Deeb is looking to teach Aminata a lesson: Do NOT mess with Deeb! Deeb finally lets Aminata go, will Deeb get ahead in the division by any means necessary?

The House of Black speaks.

Buddy Matthews chuckles and says, “Boys. It seems like everyone wants a piece of the House of Black.” Malakai Black says, “The seven of you (Lance Archer, The Righteous and all of Top Flight Airlines) want to challenge the three of us. I’d say that your odds are about, oh, I’d say 50-50.” Brody King sees it as 80-20. But Buddy says come one, come all! The House of Black slips into the shadows, will they just tear down anyone and everyone that knocks on their door?

BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!

Given all the tense interactions and physical confrontations, we’re getting a heated tag team match! Yuka Sakazaki & Queen Aminata VS Mariah May & Serene Deeb! Will the Magical Girl and One True African Woman each prove their worth? Or will the champion and The Professor teach their opponents about knowing their place?

FTR VS Grizzled Young Veterans!

Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler look at Zack Gibson & James Drake and see a British bootleg version of themselves, and that only pisses off Gibson & Drake. Liverpool’s Number One & Mr. Mayhem are not going to settle for being in the shadows of another team, will they ssssoooon be recognized as the real Top Guys of AEW? Or will we all see that FTR > GYV?

The teams sort out and Gibson starts against Dax. Dayton rallies for FTR as Dax and Gibson circle. They tie up, go around, and Gibson puts Dax on ropes. Gibson takes a swing but Dax ducks to headlock. Gibson powers Dax to the GYV corner, Drake tags in, but Dax gets away. Cash backs Dax up, and the teams have a standoff. The ref counts, Cash and Gibson back off. Drake and Dax tie up, Dax headlocks but Drake powers out. Drake drops, but Dax runs him over! Knuckle lock cover, TWO as Drake gets an arm up. Dax puts that arm down, TWO as the other arm comes up! Dax powers that arm down, Drake kips up!

Drake and Dax have a Test of Strength, then Drake HEADBUTTS! Dax HEADBUTTS in return! Each man kicks a knuckle lock, then Drake ROCKS Dax! Dax comes back to CHOP Drake! And CHOP! And CHOP! Dax tags Cash, whips Drake, then Cash slingshot SHOULDER TACKLES! Cover, ONE!! Drake is tough but Cash headlocks. Drake powers up and out, but Cash runs him over! Things keep moving, Cash slides under to arm-drag Drake! And then CHOPS! Tag to Dax, FTR hand off the wrench, but Drake pulls an ear! Drake puts Dax in the GYV corner, Gibson tags in, and GYV mugs Dax.

Gibson brings Dax out to ROCK him, then UPPERCUTS him! Dax falls, Gibson talks trash on the ‘rat,” then he UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Dax CHOPS! Gibson UPPERCUTS! Repeat! Dax fires forearms now, but Gibson headlocks. Drake tags in as Dax powers out, and Gibson drops down. Drake follows to dropkick the legs out! Gibson basement dropkicks! Gibson then sets up for MAYHEM IN MOTION! Down goes Cash and fans boo, but GYV talk trash on Dayton. Drake drags Dax up, but Dax bumps him off buckles first! Dax ROCKS Gibson, RAMS Drake, then slingshots, but Drake holds ropes!

Gibson helps Drake stay up but Cash CLOBBERS Gibson off the apron! Dax sunset flips Drake, TWO! Drake staggers up, runs up, but Dax gets around to put Drake up top! Dax CHOPS Drake on the back! Dax then climbs up, brings Drake to the very top, and the fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER BACK SUPLEX! The fans are thunderous while both men are down, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Dax and Drake crawl and the fans rally up. Drake bails out, Dax pursues, and he stalks Drake around the corner. Drake swings, Dax ROCKS him first! Dax ROCKS Gibson, too! But then Drake sends Dax into steel steps! Cash hurries over to stop GYV from doing more, and the ref reprimands everyone. Drake slides into the ring, the ref checks Dax, and Dax says he’s okay. The ring count starts, but Gibson tags in. Gibson drags Dax up to throw him into railing! The ref reprimands, but Gibson brings Dax around to put on the apron. Gibson then SMACKS Dax off the apron edge! Gibson storms in, stays between FTR, and taunts Cash.

Gibson drags Dax around, drops on him for a headlock, then knuckle locks an arm. Dax fights up but Gibson powers him to an open corner. Gibson wraps the arm around ropes and pulls! The ref reprimands but Gibson YANKS as he lets off. Gibson snapmares and covers, TWO! Gibson is annoyed but he drags Dax up to clamp on a cobra clutch! Dax endures, the fans rally, and Dax fights up. Gibson knees low, then has a double wristlock! Dax fights, reaches out, but Gibson keeps him from Cash. Dax scoops, but Gibson fights! Dax backdrops free! Collision returns to single picture as the fans fire up! Drake hurries to anchor Dax!

Gibson gets in now, GYV double whip! Gibson traps Dax in the corner so Drake can BACK ELBOW! Gibson LARIATS, feeds, Drake WHEEL KICKS! Drake stays between FTR, he taunts Dax, but the fans rally up again. Dax crawls, Drake ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again! Dax rises, Drake ROCKS him again! Dax goes to the corner, but he hits back on both GYV! The fans fire up but Drake picks Dax up! Gibson storms in, Drake shoves Dax away. Gibson runs up, Dax TOSSES him! Dax and Drake DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Dax crawls, reaches out, but Gibson hurries in! The ref misses the hot tag!!

The fans boo as the ref tells Cash to go back! GYV mugs Dax in the corner! Gibson traps Dax again, Drake back elbows! LARIAT! But Dax ducks the kick! Hot tag to Cash! Cash DOUBLE FLYING LARIATS! Cash DECKS Drake, DECKS Gibson, then fires off jabs on Drake! Cash DECKS Drake, UPPERCUTS Gibson and fires away! Drake CLUBS Cash, whips him, but Cash reverses to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Cash wrenches to UPPERCUT! Gibson runs up, Cash dodges, comes back, SNAP POWERSLAM! Cash headlocks Drake, Drake pwoers out, jumps, SNAP- NO, cradle counter! TWO!! Cash drags Drake into a Gedo Clutch! TWO!!

Drake trips Cash, jackknife bridge, TWO!! Cash manages to bridge up and spin thnigs around, but Drake reaches out! Tag to Gibson, Cash suplexes Drake, but Gibson makes the save. Gibson clinches Cash, ENZIGIRI from Drake! The fans boo but Gibson calls for the end! Drake tells Cash to get ready. But Dax drags Drake out! Gibson runs up, Cash slips around to hook the arms! Gibson fights the backslide, so Cash goes up the corner to go up and over! Cradle, TWO!! Gibson escapes, scoops, but Cash slips free! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Cash sees Drake and DECKS him first! But Gibson rolls Cash, TWO!

Gibson returns, wrenches, but then Cash wrenches to short arm LARIAT! The fans fire up and Cash tags Dax. FTR drags Gibson up, Dax reels him in. Cash goes up, but Drake runs up! Drake CLOBBERS Cash, Gibson wrenches out and spins Drake, KEYLOCK DRIVER! Then Gibson KNEES Dax into the POST! Drake calls to Gibson, Gibson tags him in. Gibson Electric Chair Lifts Dax, Drake climbs, but Cash makes the save! Cash shoves Gibson to POST him, Drake jumps over but Dax catches him! SHARPSHOOTER!! Dax sits deep on the hold, Drake taps! FTR wins!!

Winners: FTR, by submission

But Gibson CLOBBERS Dax! He doesn’t care if the match is over! Cash goes after Gibson, Drake goes after Cash! Cash DECKS Drake, but Gibson THROAT CHOPS Cash! GYV set Cash up, GRIT YOUR TEETH!! Then they grab Dax, but wait! THE OUTRUNNERS are here!? The fans fire up as Turbo & Truth throw hands with GYV! The Outrunners DECK GYV, DECK them again, then Turbo LARIATS Gibson out! Truth dodges Drake, Outrunners DOUBLE LARIAT Drake up and out! The Grizzled Young Veterans were so obsessed with the Top Guys, they forgot about these up-and-comers!

The Outrunners then look at FTR. The fans cheer on the Outrunners, and they offer handshakes to Cash & Dax! Cash & Dax look around, but they leave The Outrunners hanging! The fans boo, but then FTR says, “You sonova gun!” They SHAKE HANDS! The fans are thunderous as they all flex, too! It’s a flex party! Throwbacks love throwbacks, but will these four make sure GYV don’t make it to the top of the mountain?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision here, with lots of great story build. I even like this literal “Show up, win, leave” attitude Jack Perry is using. He and Daniels have a solid opening match, some real rough bumps taken but both guys were okay, and of course Jack won. But one of these times, someone has to either hijack the bus or surprise Jack from inside the bus. I mean, he just leaves it right there in the parking lot. Really good stuff with Yuta, too, though he kind of awkwardly played being distracted and disheveled. But in the match, he got it right as Henry insulted him and Bryan and then just went berserk. And good promo from Nigel to further call out Bryan, so you know Bryan’s gonna show up.

Great Six Man Tag from Conglomeration with Hologram against Mortos & Premier Athletes. I figured the Faces would win to keep Hologram going strong, but Mortos seems to just be going after anyone and everyone he wants. Ricochet from Dynamite, Hologram here, we’re going to get some great matches out of all of them as Ricochet builds up towards facing Ospreay for the International Championship. And we also got a very good showing from the new trio of Komander & Private Party, the alley-oop into the Gin & Juice is genius, and I feel like we’re definitely getting a Six Man Tag match, Fiesta Privada VS Moxley, Claudio & Pac. Non-title, but could be used as a plot point to compel a title match, and then Yuta has to decide whose side he is on.

Great Six Man Tag from Bang Bang Gang with Cage of Agony, and great win for Bang Bang Gang, they’ll be staying afloat as we wait on this World Trios Championship story to sort out. Very good promo segment from Top Flight Airlines, and while both sides of the argument are valid, I am leaning towards Action’s side. The whole faction could be doing so much more, they just need the opportunities. Though, calling out The House of Black might be a mistake. Good promo from The House of Black in response, calling out Top Flight and The Righteous, that sounds like a very good Trios Triple Threat in the making right there.

Very good stuff in the build of a new Women’s World Championship story here. Aminata and Deeb of course have their own issues brewing, but good revisit of Yuka and Deeb, which was the intended feud months ago before Yuka got hurt. Granted, there were parts of the match between Yuka and Deeb that were a bit rough, maybe it was a lot for Yuka’s return. But great win for Yuka, and then great stuff with her and Mariah, and that tag match made for Dynamite is going to be a lot of fun.

Very intriguing vignette from Stokely Hathaway. While he is still managing Statlander, he might be looking to expand into a full faction, which would be what the tag match videos are about. Good video showing Cassidy and Jericho in action at CMLL’s anniversary show, but Tony Schiavone misspoke, all the AEW guys lost that night. But then good follow-up of continuity both there in CMLL and here tonight with Jericho’s team beating Cassidy down. This adds some last minute heat to the Dynamite match, but I am very sure this all means Cassidy finds a way to win.

And awesome tag match main event from FTR VS GYV, and great win for FTR. I should’ve figured GYV would be sore losers about it, but I did not think The Outrunners would make the save. They are rapidly growing in popularity, even if it’s more for their hilarious gimmick. But between making amends with Infantry on ROH and coming out to help FTR, Outrunners look to be in a lot of 8 Man Tags in the near future. If things go right, they might even be tag team champions before the year is over. But probably ROH tag titles more than AEW tag titles.

My Score: 8.8/10

Will The King of Darkness trump President Ace?

NJPW’s Road to Destruction continues as The House of Torture goes after the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships! Will Darkness Fall on Hokkaido?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toru Yano & Kazushi Sakuraba VS Masatora Yasuda & Daiki Nagai; Yano & Sakuraba win.
• 20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo: Shota Umino wins the luxury pass to the Noboribetsu hot springs.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
• 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

20 Man Noboribetsu Ranbo!

NJPW being in Hokkaido is a special occasion, and while this may be a battle royal, this is a special treat! Noboribetsu is known for its luxurious hot spring resorts, so the winner of this match will get a special VIP pass! Who puts in a hard day’s work to have a relaxing weekend?

First out is a Young Lion, Katsuya Murashima! Could this be his moment to graduate? Second out is his fellow Young Lion, Shoma Kato! Could this be his moment to graduate? The bell rings and the ranbo begins! The two tie up, Shamo headlocks but Katsuya slips out the back. Katsuya has a leg, he brings Shoma down, then waistlocks. Shoma switches, Katsuya switches, repeat, and the two break. The fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up again, Shoma wrenches to wristlock, but Katsuya rolls, wrenches and hammerlocks. Katsuya headlocks but Shoma fires body shots. Shoma powers up but Katsuya grinds the hold!

Shoma fights up, but Katsuya grinds the headlock mover. Katsuya hits a takeover, but here comes entry number 3! As Shoma powers up and puts Katsuya on ropes, the music plays. Katsuya lets go of the headlock, but Shoma CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms, Shoma fires back, and repeat! The fans rally up because here comes Yuma 24! Hokkaido’s own storms into the ring and he ROCKS Katsuya! And he fires off hands on Shoma, but Shoma hits back! Shoma whips Yuma at the corner, then runs in, but Yuma dodges! Shoma hits buckles, and then Yuma tabletops him! BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer as Yuma stands tall.

Katsuya runs up to fire forearms with Yuma, and then Yuma CLAWS eyes! Yuma goes to throw Katsuya out but Shoma CLUBS Yuma! The countdown is back while the Young Lions stomp Yuma. Katsuya then goes after Shoma to fire forearms. Shoma turns it around to fire forearms back! Fourth out is… Tomoaki Honma! Everyone’s Kokeshi is here, and he steps in to fire hands on the Young Lions! Yuma runs up but Honma ROCKS him, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! And CHOPS again in the corner! Honma whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Yuma! Yuma staggers, into a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma calls for it!

Honma runs, but Yuma dodges the Kokeshi! Yuma stomps Honma, drags him up, and CLUBS him! The countdown’s back already, and Yuma stomps Honma to a corner. The Young Lions go after Yuma now, and work to throw him out! Yuma holds onto the ropes, but Honma works with them! Yuma fights them off, and fifth is Tiger Mask! The fans cheer the living legend Super Junior as he hurries into the ring. Tiger Mask is swarmed by the Young Lions! Tiger ROCKS Katsuya, but Shoma whips. Tiger grabs ropes to stop, and Shoma’s dropkick gets nothing! Katsuya covers Shoma! TWO! Tiger kicks Katsuya, then sets him up for Honma!

Honma runs in, but Katsuya slips away, and Honma CLOBBERS Tiger mask! Honma checks on his friend, apologizes, then he CLUBS Katsuya. The countdown is back already, and Honma sets Katsuya up for Yuma. Yuma runs up, Katsuya gets away, and Yuma CLOBBERS Honma! Shoma rolls up Yuma! TWO!! Yuma escapes and here comes number six, Kosei Fujita! Will the Japanese Young Punk prove that while The Might Don’t Kneel, they do like to relax in hot springs? Fujita runs in, dodges Katsuya and CHOPS! Katsuya fires forearms in return, then whips, but Fujita reverses. Katsuya ducks ‘n’ dodges, to run Fujita over!

The fans fire up, but then Fujita’s right up to run Katsuya over! The fans fire up more, and Fujita brings Katsuya up to TOSS him out! Katsuya lands on the apron, but Fujita GAMANGIRIS him down! Fujita ELIMINATES Katsuya! Fujita bails out before Honma gets at him, so Tiger Mask and Honma trade shots. Fujita steps on Katsuya on his way back in, and the countdown is back again. Tiger Mask ELBOWS Honma down, Fujita and Yuma work together against Shoma, but Shoma holds them off. Out seventh is… Jado! The Master Heater high fives fans and hurries in. Honma scopos Fujita and goes for ropes!

Fujita holds on, Yuma tries to help, but Fujita fights free! Fujita goes to lift Honma now! Yuma helps Fujita again while Jado and Tiger Mask are after Shoma. They whip, kick and KICK Shoma! Cover, TWO! Shoma stays in this, as does Honma. Fujita CLUBS Honma down while Tiger Mask KICKS Shoma! Jado brings Shoma up, the countdown is back again, and the old guys keep mugging Shoma. Oh that music is obvious, here comes Ryusuke Taguchi! Or as that cardboard belt says, the Hokkaido PR Champion. Taguchi climbs the corner, leaps in, but into a FLYING FOREARM from Shoma! Shoma TOSSES Taguchi out!

Taguchi is on the apron, Shoma ROCKS him then runs, but Taguchi slingshots in! Taguchi dropkicks a leg, then La Magistrol! Cover, THREE! Taguchi ELIMINATES Shoma! The Young Lions are done, and Honma stomps Yuma. Taguchi, Tiger Mask AND Jado go up to Fujita. Fujita fires forearms but he gets mugged 3v1! The countdown is done, here comes number nine, Francesco Akira! The Nova Fireball slides in, and he dodges Fujita to kick and whip,. Fujita reverses but Akira RANAS! Fujita bails out, Yuma kicks Akira and TOSSES him! Akira lands on the apron, Yuma runs up, but Akira DUMPS him out!

Yuma lands on the apron, he UPPERCUTS Akira, but Akira SUPERKICKS in return! Yuma wobbles, then falls to the floor! Akira ELIMINATES Yuma! Akira steps in, kicks Taguchi, and then scrapes Taguchi on ropes! But Honma and Tiger Mask join in! And Jado, and even Fujita! They all work to lift Akira but he holds on stubbornly! Taguchi climbs up, but he ends up tipping over the top rope! Fujita runs back up to try and push the pile! Fujita then slides out so he can pull Taguchi from the outside! Taguchi is still holding on tight! The countdown is back, and number ten is… Taka Michinoku! Will the Blue Playmaker grab those luxury tickets?

Taguch is still fighting off Honma! He drops to the apron, and now Honma tries to scrape him off! Akira and Fujita fight in another corner, and Fujita throws elbows to back Akira off. Taka fires hands on Tiger, then DECKS him! Fujita turns things around on Akira, Akira hits back, but Jado joins in. Honma kicks Taguchi’s legs out, then KOKESHI FLOPS! Taguchi fires up, wiggles, KOKESHI FLOPS! Honma drags Taguchi up while the countdown is back. Honma scoops and SLAMS Taguchi! KOKESHI FLOPS again! Number 11 is… TOMOYA! The fans fire up as another Hokkaido hero joins the match!

Tomoya fires hands on Honma, suplexes, and he holds Honma up for TEN before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Honma stays in this, but also bails out, so Tomoya digs his boot into Akira. Tiger KICKS Taka, Fujita CHOPS Tomoya. Tomoya CHOPS Fujita, Fujita CHOPS back! They CHOP back and forth and Tomoya eggs Fujita on! They CHOP and CHOP, and the countdown is back. Akira hoists Fujita up, Tiger Mask has Taka, and number 12 is… Hiroyoshi Tenzan! The fans fire up as another living legend is here! Tenzan storms in, and he locks eyes with Tomoya. Tomoya fires forearms, but the fans hiss with steam for Tenzan.

Tenzan kicks Tomoya, HEADBUTTS him, then Mongolian Chops! Tomoya falls and the fans fire up! Tenzan kicks Tomoya, bumps him off buckles, then goes to push him out! Tomoya holds on so Tenzan CLUBS him! Tomoya hits back, the countdown is back, and number 13 is… TAKASHI IIZUKA! And he doesn’t come from the stage, he comes in from behind the crowd! The fans fire up as this madman storms his way up the aisle! Fans watch out as he goes through the rows, and pushes his way to the stage! Iizuka’s madness keeps him storming through the rest of the crowd! No one in the ring is sure what to make of this!

Iizuka just keeps going, does he even know he’s supposed to go to the ring!? Iizuka completes a full lap, and NOW he’s ringside! The fans fire up as Iizuka storms into the ring, armed with the iron fingers! Everyone stays clear of this insanity! Iizuka eyes Taka but Taka says they’re friends! Suzuki-Gun, remember? Akira waistlocks but Taka switches and shoves Akira at Iizuka! IRON FINGER STRIKE!! Taka TOSSES Akira and ELIMINATES him! Iizuka now eyes Tenzan! The fans fire up and Tenzan tells Iizuka to put the fingers down. Iizuka takes a swing! Tenzan dodges to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! But Iizuka kicks low, and IRON FINGER STRIKES!!

Taka covers Tenzan! Taka ELIMINATES Tenzan!! “Taka” means “hawk” but he’s being a real vulture, picking at those Iizuka takes out! But then Iizuka BITES Taka on the forehead! The countdown’s back, and number 14 is… Taichi! The Holy Emperor rushes in to stop Iizuka from eating Taka! Taichi CLUBS Iizuka, TOSSES him, but that was the second rope! Taichi goes out to stomp away on Iizuka, and then drags him up. He tells Shinpei Nagomi on commentary, and Nagomi asks why Iizuka is doing this! The fans cheer as it seems Iizuka’s senses have returned, but then Iizuka LEAPS over the desk to get at Nagomi!!

The fans go wild as Iizuka rips Nagomi’s shirt away, to reveal he’s wearing “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata merchandise! Iizuka still hasn’t forgiven Nagomi for being a Blue Justice fanboy back in the day! He’s ripping THAT shirt away, too! Then he THROWS Nagomi into the crowd! Taichi then throws Iizuka back into the ring, Nagomi returns to commentary, and everyone else gangs up on Iizuka and Taichi! Everyone TOSSES and ELIMINATES Taichi and Iizuka! The countdown is back, but Taguchi rolls up Taka! TWO! Taichi gets Iizuka away from ringside, and now number 15 is… Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Heel Master jumps in, but Taka and Fujita are right on him! They and Tiger Mask beat Kanemaru down. Kanemaru fights back, CLAWS Fujita’s eyes, and then CHOKES Fujita on ropes. Taguchi sneaks a swig of Kanemaru’s whiskey! The effects are immediate! The countdown returns, and number 16 is… SHO! The House of Torture is building up in this match, but The Murder Machine clearly hides his Torture Tool in his towel. Fujita ends up on the apron, Tiger Mask whips Kanemaru at Fujita, and Fujita RAMS Kanemaru! Kanemaru ROCKS Fujita back, but Fujita stays up to ROCK Kanemaru!

Kanemaru staggers, Fujita slingshots, but Kanemaru shoves the ref at him! Fujita falls to the floor, Kanemaru ELIMINATES Fujita! The fans boo but Sho whips Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask reverses, wrenches, waistlocks, but Sho switches. Tiger Mask fires elbows but Sho CLUBS Tiger Mask. Sho has the arms, but Tiger Mask FLIP KICKS! The countdown is back! Tiger Mask kicks Kanemaru, whips him, but Kanemaru reverses to TOSS Tiger Mask right to the floor! Kanemaru ELIMINATES Tiger Mask! Taguchi runs up at Sho but into an atomic drop! Sho sits Taguchi on the ropes and pulls! The Funky Weapon suffers pain!

Kanemaru runs up to DROPKICK Taguchi! Taguchi tumbles to the floor, The House of Torture ELIMINATES Taguchi! Number 17 is… DOUKI! Japones Del Mal storms in to fire hands on Kanemaru, but Kanemaru and Sho mug him! They double whip Douki to a corner, Sho runs in, but Douki dodges. Kanemaru mule kicks Douki, then holds him up. Sho runs up but into BOOTS! Douki headlocks Kanemaru, jumps up again, and he RANA SNAPMARE COMBOS! Douki then dodges The House, and springboards to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up with Douki, Honma hurries to cover Kanemaru, ONE!

Douki stomps Honma, drags Kanemaru up, and whips him to ropes. Kanemaru reverses to then dropkick the legs out! Douki goes to ropes, Kanemaru runs in, but Douki BOOTS him! But he also goes up and out to the apron! Kanemaru kicks Douki, runs up, but Douki DUMPS Kanemaru out! Kanemaru kicks Douki, Douki UPPERCUTS Kanemaru! Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru grabs Douki’s leg, and KNEE SMASHES to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! A sacrifice play from Kanemaru but we know he wants that IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship over the Noboribetsu onsens!

The countdown is back, and number 18 is… Sanada! The Cold Skull makes his way out here, right as Sho rolls up and ELIMINATES Taka!! Well now Sanada’s the last of Just5Guys! Sanada storms in, Sho gets his wrench! The refs reprimand Sho but Sho keeps trying to hide it! Sanada runs up to TOSS and ELIMINATE Sho! That’s what he gets for breaking rules! But now Sanada finds himself alone with Jado, Honma and Tomoya. The fans rally for Sanada, and the four men feel things out. The countdown is back already? Sanada and Honma tie up, Honma waistlocks but Sanada switches, and number 19 is… Shota Umino!

Honma throws elbows, Jado CLUBS Sanada, and The Roughneck comes in from the crowd! Jado knocks Sanada down, ties him up, but Sanada kicks him away! Shota storms in but Tomoya is right on him! Tomoya and Shota fire forearms back and forth, and Sanada puts Jado in Paradise! Honma is the odd man out watching as Tomoya knuckle locks then CHOPS Shota. Sanada pushes Jado down, Jado verbally quits! Sanada ELIMINATES Jado! Who knew Paradise could hurt? Honma rolls Sanada, TWO! Tomoya goes up the ropes, but Shota trips him up! Shota stomps Tomya, brings him up and TOSSES him out, Shota ELIMINATES Tomoya!

Shota, Honma and Sanada are the only ones in the ring, and Sanada says hold on, that’s 2v1. Shota and Honma still stomp and CLUB him down! But here comes the final countdown! Number 20 is… Zack Sabre Jr?! The G1 Climax Champion brings his trophy to the ring, is he looking to add even more prizes to the collection? ZSJ even throws his TMDK G1 baseball jersey to the crowd! Free souvenir for someone, and ZSJ slides into the ring. Shota digs his boots into Sanada, but the fans fire up as “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and Honma feel things out. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Honma CHOPS, repeat! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Honma clinches!

Honma feeds ZSJ to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma ROCKS ZSJ, Shota scoops and SLAMS! Shota points to a corner, and Honma goes up! Shota holds ZSJ down, but then ZSJ kicks free and avoids the FALLING KOKESHI! Honma FLOPS, ZSJ clamps on with a headscissors squeeze! ZSJ rolls Honma to getting an arm! Honma TAPS, ZSJ ELIMINATES Honma! Now the final three are ZSJ, Shota and Sanada! The fans rally up as the three stare down. There are equal parts “SA-NA-DA!” “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and “SHOTA! SHOTA!” as they circle. They feel things out, they all knuckle lock, but then Shota kicks Sanada!

Shota UPPERCUTS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS Sanada, Sanada UPPERCUTS Shota! The UPPERCUTS keep going around like that, from Shota to ZSJ to Sanada, but then Shota hooks Sanada! Sanada fights the backslide but ZSJ shoves them both over! Double cover, TWO!! Shota and Sanada escape, and then Shota cradles ZSJ! TWO!! Sanada rolls Shota to a cradle, TWO!! ZSJ runs up on Sanada, and cradles! TWO!! The fans fire up, ZSJ BOOTS Shota then BOOTS Sanada! ZSJ runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans are thunderous, and even Shota and Sanada applaud respect. Shota offers a hand, Sanada takes it, to reel Shota into a cradle! TWO!!

Shota escapes, runs up, but Sanada gets around. Shota bucks the O’Conner, TOSSES Sanada, but Sanada lands on the apron! Shota ROCKS Sanada, but ZSJ runs up! Shota dodges, Sanada ROCKS ZSJ, but then ZSJ dodges Shota! ZSJ waistlocks Shota, RAMS him into Sanada, and Sanada falls! ZSJ & Shota ELIMINATE Sanada, but then ZSJ O’Conner Rolls Shota to a BRIDGE! TWO!! Shota escapes, runs up, but ZSJ TOSSES him! ZSJ runs up, Shota RAMS him then slingshots to sunset flip! ZSJ rolls through but Shota underhooks! ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ scoops, Shota slips free, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down!

Shota sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! Shota rolls back to his feet! UPPERCUT! ZSJ falls and the fans fire up! Shota rises, the fans duel, and Shota takes aim. ZSJ rises, Shota runs up, BLAZE BLADE! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Shota roars! The fans fire up again and Shota drags ZSJ up. ZSJ slips around, COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, the fans rally, and Shota powers up to head for ropes. ZSJ puts on the pressure but Shota still has the ROPEBREAK, and he hip tosses ZSJ out! ZSJ lands on the apron, ROCKS Shota, then has a SLEEPER! ZSJ drags Shota up, bends him back against ropes, but Shota JAWBREAKERS!

Shota DROPKICKS, but ZSJ holds on! Shota runs, UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ falls! Shota wins!!

Winner: Shota Umino (wins the Noboribetsu hot springs pass)

The G1 Climax Champion tried to take another prize for his own, but in the end, it is The Roughneck who will be relaxing this weekend! Will Shota be refreshed and ready for the coming Autumn season?

After Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Bullet Club War Dogs…

While Gabe Kidd gets the win off a brainbuster, The War Dogs aren’t done with Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi or Tomohiro Ishii! The beatdown begins, Young Lions run in, but they get beat up, too! David Finlay even gives on a FALCON ARROW to the floor! Gabe gets a mic to have them cut the music, and he says, “Hey, Goto! My tag team partner is in a effin’ hospital bed because o’ you three p*icks! Oi! Kobe, Gabe Kidd VS Hirooki Goto, let’s go, b*tch!” The NJPW Strong Openweight Champion has called out the Fierce Warrior! Will Gabe avenge Jake Lee by taking Goto apart?

Hashi and Finlay will also still fight for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, will The Rebel tear the Headhunter’s head off to stay golden? Or could Chaos take those titles away from the War Dogs and put them in the pound?

10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire!

While we just saw this showdown, with Tetsuya Naito and team standing tall, that will not intimidate Great-O-Khan and his forces. Will Khan, Cobb, Henare, Callum & Jakob turn the tide on this Road to Destruction? Or will Bushi, Hiromu, Shingo, Yota y Naito keep things tranquilo?

The entrance attire is put aside, though Naito still takes his time. The teams stare down, Takagi with Henare given their coming NEVER Openweight Championship, and Cobb is dismissive of Yota since he already beat him in their NJPW World TV Championship match. LIJ makes everyone wait on the fist bump, but then The Empire attacks! The bell rings, and Khan stomps Naito down while the rest of The Empire throws LIJ out of the ring! Things even spill out into the crowd! Khan taunts Naito with hands behind his back, then he drags Naito up. Khan whips to then SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, and the teams stop fighting on the outside.

Khan clamps onto Naito with the IRON CLAW SLEEPER, but Naito flails! Khan spins him, for the ELIMIN- NO, Naito slips free, tilt-o-whirls, but Khan denies Destino! Khan slips free, then picks Naito up, to RAM him into a corner! Khan puts stank on the Mongolian Chops! And then more Mongolian Chops! Khan then fakes Naito out to UPPERCUT! The fans rally as Khan has Naito in the corner, and sits on his throne! The Empire sit on the apron just like Khan, and the fans rally as Khan pulls the arms. Khan hops down, brings Naito around, and he tags in Callum. The Empire mugs Naito, then Callum CLUBS him.

The fans applaud and Callum whips. Naito reverses but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed! Naito avoids the boot and Hiromu gets a shot in! Bushi sunset flips and rewinds into Naito’s basement dropkick! Khan protests but then Hiromu tags in. Hiromu & Naito double whip Callum, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Hiromu covers, TWO! The fans rally, Hiromu CHOPS Callum to a corner. Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS again, whips, and runs in to LARIAT! Snapmare, but Callum is up to hip toss and QUICK DRAW! The Empire goes after LIJ from the outside now! The brawling again spills into the crowd!

Fans fire up as Takagi and Henare trade shots and even HEADBUTTS! Takagi and Henare fire fast hands, and then somewhere else, Khan BOWLS Naito into chairs! Strike! The fans cheer as Khan stands tall over Naito! Khan then CHOKES Naito with a chair! The ref reprimands everyone everywhere, but Cobb then RAMS Yota into railing! A ring count starts, Callum brings Hiromu back into the ring at 7 of 20. Then he KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Callum brings Hiromu up into a chinlock, and he squeezes tight while the fans rally. And we’re just at five minutes! Callum shifts around, stomps Hiromu, then brings him up.

Callum UPPERCUTS Hiromu to the corner, then tags in Jakob. Jakob bumps Hiromu off buckles, UPPERCUTS him, then whips corner to corner. Jakob runs up to forearm SMASH! Then he whips the other way, to CHOP! Jakob brings Hiromu out for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel, “HI-RO-MU!” “JA~KOB!” Jakob wrenches and whips Hiromu into the corner, tags Cobb, and then ELBOWS Hiromu on his way out. Cobb brings Hiromu around, taunts Takagi, then HEADBUTTS Hiromu down! Cobb deadlifts Hiromu into a suplex! Cobb taunts LIJ as he carries Hiromu, and Hiromu shouts for help! Cobb SLAMS him down first!

Cobb stays between Hiromu and the corner, taunting the team to help Hiromu. But Hiromu gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! Cobb just frowns. Hiromu CHOPS again, but Cobb KNEES low! Cobb whips, Hiromu RAN- NO, Cobb stops that, lifts Hiromu up, but Hiromu slips free! Hiromu runs and CROSSBODIES, but he bounces right off Cobb! The fans cheer and Cobb taunts Yota. Cobb drags Hiromu back, but Hiromu slips under! SUPERKICK! Cobb stays up, but Hiromu slips under again, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota dodges, then kicks and whips Cobb. Cobb reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up and Cobb goes to a corner.

Yota runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, but Jakob gets a shot in! Jakob & Callum storm in, double whip, but Yota ducks the line to shove Jakob into Callum! Yota then fireman’s carries Jakob and THROWS him at Callum! Those two bail out, Cobb storms up and kicks low. Cobb suplexes, but Yota slips free! Yota hits a COMPLETE SHOT, then covers, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Yota drags Cobb up, fireman’s carries, but Cobb blocks the lift! Cobb CLUBS Yota, but Yota kicks low. Yota runs, into an URENAGE! And FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Yota stays in this, but Cobb storms over. Cobb drags Yota up, fireman’s carries, but Yota slips free. Yota goes to a corner, Cobb runs in, and Cobb blocks the boot! Cobb throws Yota up and over to then get under! Gory Especial, but Yota fights free! Cobb SUPERKICKS! Yota stays up, Cobb runs up, but Yota blocks the lariat! BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! Both men are down after the Gene Combination and the fans fire up! Cobb and Yota crawl, hot tags to Henare and Takagi! The fans fire up as Rampaging Dragon RAMS Face of Fury! They RAM shoulders again, and again!

Takagi ROCKS Henare with a forearm, whips him to a corner, but then blocks a boto! Takagi LARAITS, but Henare puts him in the corner to fire fast hands! Henare HEADBUTTS, whips corner to corner, and LARIATS! Henare roars, but now Takagi turns things around to JAB and CHOP on repeat! The fans fire up, Takagi lets off to run, but Henare SWATS the lariat! Takagi spins to YUKON LARIAT, but Henare stays up! They go forehead to forehead and the fans fire up! Takagi and Henare HEADBUTT again and again! Then Takagi CHOPS! Henare KICKS! The fans fire up as Takagi grits his teeth, and he comes back to CHOP!

Henare growls and the fans fire up more. Henare storms up to KICK! Takagi fires ridge hand chops, then an open hand CHOP! Henare KICKS, Takagi blocks, but Henare ELBOWS free, then KICKS Takagi down! Takagi’s right up and he CLOBBERS Henare! The fans fire up with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs up but Henare ELBOWS him, goes up and FLYING CHUCK! But Takagi stays up, runs, but Henare LARIATS! But Takagi’s up again! PUMPING BOMBER! Henare’s right up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Henare stir, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi kicks and whips, then he dropkicks legs out!

Jakob gets in to kick, but he runs into an ENZIGIRI! Hiromu BLASTS Khan, BOOTS Cobb, and LIJ focus on Henare. They double whip Henare to a corner, then Bushi ELBOWS! Hiromu LARIATS! Yota SPLASHES! Snapmare, Naito joins in, QUADRUPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Bushi covers, but the entire Empire breaks it! The fans fire up, LIJ throws The Empire out! Bushi goes back to Henare, the fans rally, but Callum runs in to BOOT Bushi! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Callum! Cobb CLOBBERS Hiromu! Yota V-TRIGGERS Cobb! Khan BOOTS Yota! Naito ELBOWS Khan, ENZIGIRIS him down, but Henare CLOBBERS Naito!

Takagi storms in but Henare backs him down, and then NATIVE KNEE in the corner! Henare roars, but Bushi storms up! Henare blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri but not the REWIND HEEL! Henare still BODY BLOWS then KICKS Bushi down! Henare roars, and he clamps on the ULTIMA NELSON!! Bushi endures, but Henare grinds him down! Bushi reaches out, fans rally, but Bushi TAPS! The Empire wins!

Winner: The United Empire, by submission

The Face of Fury breaks the Black Mask, and he stares down The Rampaging Dragon. Henare holds up the NEVER Openweight Championship, but will that be the case after Kobe? Wait, Henare gets a mic to talk to Takagi! “You want this NEVER belt? You want this?! You’ll get it in KOBE!” Henare now makes it official, and there’s no going back! Will Henare prove he’s the strongest NEVER Champion there’s ever been? Similarly, Khan stares Naito down, their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match also set. Will The United Empire completely dominate? Or will it be LIJ that brings the Destruction in Kobe?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

It was quite the surprise when the Ace of the Universe became the President of NJPW. However, that didn’t change who Tanahashi was as a person or as a wrestler. He still fought his way to these titles alongside his good pal, The Producer, and the young yet talented #BARS! However, The King of Darkness doesn’t care about earning anything, just taking everything! Will he, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo show Everything is Evil’s? Or will they fail to stop The Ace, The Joker & The Rook?

Well, seeing as how Yano is pretty much Mr. Hokkaido PR, he not only brings Tomu-kun back to NJPW, he is honored by literally being given his flowers from two young kids dressed up as the Red Oni & Blue Oni from the Japanese folktale, The Red Oni Who Cried. Yano thanks them, and the champions pose with the kids for a great photo op. With that, the introductions are made, but The House attacks from behind! The fans boo but there’s nothing that can be done! Red Shoes rings the bell while Yujiro TOSSES Oleg and Dick TOSSES Yano! Evil stomps Tanahashi, then he and Dick SMACK Tanahashi with the bouquets!

The fans boo more but Evil then CHUCKS the bouquet to the crowd! Dick sprinkles petals on Tanahashi, then Evil stomps Tanahashi. Dick & Yujiro stand Tanahashi up and hold his arms back. Evil CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Evil just taunts them. Dick & Yujiro whip Tanahashi corner to corner, then run in. Tanahashi ELBOWS Dick then goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans rally but Evil grabs Tanahashi’s arms. Yujiro runs up, Tanahashi BOOTS him then ELBOWS Evil! Tanahashi dropkicks Yujiro’s leg out, the blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW Evil!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi tags Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg ROCKS Dick, whips him to a corner, then he sends Yujiro in! Yujiro runs into Dick, then Oleg CHOPS Evil! Oleg whips Evil in and The House is three deep in the corner! Boltin runs in, Evil & Yujiro get outta there, so Dick takes the SPLASH! Yujiro & Evil go after Oleg, double whip, but Oleg comes back to CLOBBER them both! The fans fire up and Oleg tags Yano. Yano fires up, and he unties a buckle pad! Yano turns around, Evil kicks low, but the pad protects Yano! Yujiro kicks but again, the pad protects Yano! Red Shoes reprimands, so Yano throws the pad to Evil.

Evil drops the pad and he stomps on it! Yujiro joins in, and Yano dives on the pad to protect it! But that just gets Yano stomped by Evil, Yujiro & Dick! The fans boo, but then The House BLASTS Oleg & Tanahashi off the corner! They mug Yano more, and get the pad out of the ring. Evil brings Yano up, wrenches his arm, and tags in Dick. Dick CLUBS Yano’s arm, then clamps onto the arm with a cording hold. Dick arm-drags Yano down, then has a top wristlock. Yano endures, the fans rally, but Dick drops knees on the arm! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up, but Dick stomps Yano around.

Dick sits Yano up to KNEE him in the back! And again! Cover, TWO! Dick is annoyed but he tags out to Yujiro. Yujiro drags Yano up, and RAMS him into the bare buckles! The fans boo as Yano drops to his knees, but Yujiro snapmares him. Yujiro drops a leg, and elbow, and then a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this but Yujiro tags Evil. Evil drags Yano up, taunts Tanahashi, and he fishhooks Yano’s nose! Red Shoes reprimands, so Evil whips Yano into the blue corner, but surprise! The blue buckle pad is gone! Yano suffers the Bullet Club Special, and Evil laughs as he kicks Yano out. Dick drags Yano up, and Yujiro has his pimp cane!

Evil distracts Red Shoes, and Yujiro CANE SHOTS Yano low! Dick puts Yano in, Evil covers, but Red Shoes is busy with Tanahashi & Oleg. Evil shouts at Red Shoes but Red Shoes covers his ears. Evil tags Yujiro, Yujiro sits Yano up and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro covers again, TWO! Wait, who rings the bell? Oh, of course it was Evil! Red Shoes says no, that doesn’t count. Yujiro drags Yano up and the fans rally. Yujiro CLUBS Yano, but Yano pulls hair! Yujiro breaks free, kicks low, then whips, but Yano reverses for the hair pull takedown! Both men crawl, hot tag to Oleg!

The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro! Evil & Dick attack, reel Oleg in, but Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES! Yujiro runs up, Oleg blocks the boot to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Oleg then gut wrenches for the Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up! The fans fire up with Oleg, and he storms up to whip Yujiro corner to corner. Oleg runs in to SPLASH! And then Oleg scoops, SLAMS, and goes up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but the fans fire up behind Oleg. Oleg drags Yujiro up, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Yujiro BITES a hand! Red shoes reprimands, Yujiro stops, and dragon sleepers!

But Oleg powers through to suplex! Yujiro slips free and REVERSE DDTS! Hot tag to Evil! Evil runs up to BLAST Tanahashi first! Evil stands on Oleg’s arm, then drags him up. Dick goes up to to AX HANDLE Oleg’s arm! Evil wrenches and has a motorcycle stretch! Oleg endures as Evil digs his forehead into the shoulder blades! The fans rally, Oleg powers up, and he works on turning the hold! Evil holds on, keeps the hold on Oleg, but Oleg still fights! Oleg tries the other direction now, and he turns things, only for Evil to turn right through! Evil pulls the arms, but Oleg powers up and out! Evil staggers, comes back, and mule kicks!

Evil runs, into a SHOTGUN! Oleg and Evil are down and the fans fire up! Oleg crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as President Ace runs, to CLOBBER Evil! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi scoops Evil to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in, the fans rally for Tanahashi, and he runs, but Evil gets in Red Shoes’ face while Dick SMACKS Tanahashi with the blue buckle pad! Tanahashi staggers, Evil trips him and steps through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Dick & Yujiro keep Oleg & Yano on the outside while Tanahashi endures! The fans rally, and Tanahashi powers back up!

Tanahashi fights his way forward, reaches out, and finds the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Evil taunts Tanahashi. Evil slaps Tanahashi around, brings him up, and fireman’s carries. But Tanahashi fights free to waistlock! Evil switches, Yujiro is there, but Tanahashi switches! Tanahashi sends Evil into Yujiro, then spins Evil around to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Evil crawl, hot tags to Dick and Yano! The fans fire up as Yano dodges Dick, and SLAPS him on the head! But then Dick kicks low! Dick hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches!

Yujiro BOOTS Oleg off the apron, then Dick & Evil mug Yano! They double whip Yano to a corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Yujiro runs in to BOOT! Evil runs in to LARIAT! Evil snapmares Yano, and both he and Yujiro get a leg. But wait, there’s no one to distract Red Shoes from what they’re attempting! So Evil just shoves Red Shoes down! Dick is up top, and he hits the DICK CHOP!! Evil calls for Red Shoes while Dick covers, TWO!! Yano survives and the fans fire up! Evil is mad at Red Shoes, and gets in his face while Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! The fans boo as Yano suffers, but then Yano fights up!

Yano THROWS Dick away, and then atomic drops Evil! The fans fire up, and Dick begs for mercy! Tanahashi & Oleg get in, they and Yano mug Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Yano ELBOWS! Tanahashi SPLASHES! And Oleg SPLASHES!! Snapmare, and wait, now Oleg & Tanahashi set Dick up! Red Shoes says don’t do it, but Yano’s up top! The fans fire up, but Red Shoes stands in the way! Yujiro SHOVES Yano down onto Red Shoes, and they fall onto Tanahashi! And here come Kanemaru & Sho! We knew the whole House was here, and now they’re beating up on Tanahashi and team!

The fans boo as Yano gets stomped 4v1! The fans tell them to go home, but that’s not happening. But Yano hulks out of Kanemaru’s grip and sends him into Yujiro! Then he dodges Sho to throw him down! Dikc kicks, he and Evil whip, but Yano holds ropes to taunt Dick! Yano sends Dick into Evil, but they block his low blows! WHISKEY MIST from Kanemaru! MAGIC KILLER from Evil & Dick! Cover, TANAHASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Evil TOSSES Tanahashi! Yujiro stomps Oleg, but Dick kicks Yano! Dick underhooks, PEDIGREE!! Dick goes up top, but Oleg returns! Oleg UPPERCUTS Dick, but Dick SMACKS Oleg off bare buckles!

But Oleg stays up! He fireman’s carries Dick off the top! KAMIKAZE!! Tanahashi is up top, to HIGH FLY FLOW!! The fans are thunderous as Oleg CLOBBERS the WHOLE House of Torture!! Yano hurries to drag Dick up, for the ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, Yano’s team wins!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

The forces of Evil failed because justice always prevails! Will the House of Torture ever learn their lesson? But before Tanahashi’s team can get the mic, Sho grabs it to say, “Oi! Oi! You’re doing this all wrong! OI! Don’t get it twisted, this doesn’t make you strong! You’re only as good as these bums in Noboribetsu! Why a title match in a crappy hick town like this?” The fans boo Sho blaming them for the loss. But Sho says they should do this again, in a much better town! Then we’ll see who is the best! With that, Sho rushes back into the ring, takes a swing, but Tanahashi dodges to SHOTEI! Sho goes down in a heap and the fans cheer!

Tanahashi picks up the mic, and he tells Sho that if that’s an official challenge, then consider it accepted! Tanahashi will just have to beat Sho, too. The fans cheer as the match is set, and The House of Torture retreats. Will going back to the drawing board be what The House of Torture needs to win?

After that, Yano takes the mic to say that he’d like to hear what everyone has to say. So then, here you go, Boltin! Oleg takes the mic and he says, “Thank you everyone! I’m so happy to win here tonight, and I’ll keep fighting hard!” The mic is then handed to Tanahashi, and the fans cheer for him. Tanahashi takes a deep breath before shouting, “NJPW is back in Noboribetsu!” The fans cheer that! Tanahashi also thanks them for selling out the show tonight. With their support, our Toru Yano became sightseeing ambassador, and Tanahashi is grateful for Yano’s support. If this continues, Yano might even get a promotion. The fans like the sound of that!

Tanahashi finishes by thanking everyone again, and the mic goes back to Yano. “Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. I’ve been working to promote Noboribetsu for the last five years. So this is all thanks to me!” Yano says no, in all seriousness, it is thanks to all of you, even the mayor and city hall, that they packed this place out. So he is thankful to them, the Noboribetsu International Tourism Convention, and President Ace! “It’s been 39 YEARS since we last came here, but until the next one? I think just one year! And if you keep coming here, we’ll keep coming to you! I’m feeling good, so when I ask who the ambassador is, you answer, ‘Yano Toru!'”

The fans applaud, they’re ready to join in. Okay, so who is the ambassador of Noboribetsu? “YA-NO TO-RU!” Yano shrugs and the fans cheer. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg still be champions when NJPW returns to Hokkaido? How much will change in the next year for NJPW?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for NJPW, especially with this being their return to Noboribetsu in almost 40 YEARS. But it was also kind of the finale for Road to Destruction, as the remaining dates are in Hokkaido, and none of it will be televised. Might have to do with Hokkaido being mountainous and rural, this tends to happen every so often with NJPW’s touring. But that aside, this was all good stuff. Yano did double duty, though he did let Sakuraba do a lot of the heavy lifting in that opening tag match. Very fun Ranbo match, even with just a silly prize on the line. I found it rather hilarious that ZSJ wanted in on this match, and I kinda wanted him to win the prize, but I suppose the G1 was enough, let someone else have this onsen weekend getaway.

A shame about Jake Lee getting legit hurt the other night in that Six Man Tag, but it made sense for War Dogs to avenge that loss with a win tonight. Hashi VS Finlay is already on the Kobe card, but adding Goto VS Gabe is good stuff. It doesn’t even have to be for the NJPW Strong Championship, it’ll be gritty all the same. And with it being non-title, that actually allows it to be 50-50 odds. Another really good 10 Man Tag from LIJ VS Empire, and very good win for The Empire.

While I don’t see Khan taking the top title off Naito, it feels like anything could happen with the NEVER title since Henare has the momentum going into the match. And while the plan for the TV title was Ren Narita, seems his arm is rather beat up so he’s taking time to recover. Maybe Yota gets his rematch with Cobb already. We could get quite the night just out of these LIJ VS Empire singles matches.

And of course, a lot of fun in the NEVER Openweight Six Man main event, though the House of course tried to cheat. I almost thought Yoshi-Hashi was gonna hop off commentary to help Yano, but no, he stayed put to watch. Great win for Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg so that they could send Noboribetsu home happy, and promise that they’ll return again next year. It is good that they’re getting sellout crowds in NJPW again, perhaps worries over COVID and such are lessening over there so that people can feel more confident about being out in public. NJPW is rebuilding, even with their bigger names having left for AEW, here’s hoping they get hot again.

My Score: 8.8/10