Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Battle in the Valley Results & Report! (1/13/23)
NJPW returns to California!
There’s California Love for NJPW!
It’s been eleven months since last time, but NJPW is back to Battle in the Valley! Will Will Ospreay win one last match against Kazuchika Okada? Or will the Rainmaker rain on Ospreay’s parade?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match – Matt Vandagriff VS Goldy; Vandagriff wins.
- Kickoff Match – Viva Van VS Stephanie Vaquer; Vaquer wins.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Fred Rosser & Jacob Fatu VS Team Filthy; Shota, Rosser & Fatu win.
- Mascara Dorada & Volador Jr. VS Rocky Romero & Soberano Jr; Dorada & Volador win.
- TJP VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors; ELP & Leo win and retain the titles.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Giulia VS Trish Adora; Giulia wins and retains the title.
- Matt Riddle & ??? VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito; Riddle & Jeff Cobb win.
- AEW Continental Crown Championships: Eddie Kingston VS Gabe Kidd; Double Count-Out Draw, Eddie retains the titles.
- No Disqualifications: Shingo Takagi VS Jon Moxley; Moxley wins.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay; Okada wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the opening Six Man Tag…
The Roughneck, Shota Umino, wins alongside “No Days Off” Fred Rosser & “The Samoan Werewolf,” Jacob Fatu, and fans cheer as he gives a young fan his wristband and a hug, while also giving another young fan a wristband and a selfie. But then a fan in a Bushi mask attacks!?! Is it really Bushi or an imposter? That’s happened before, y’know. Security steps in, but then the mask is taken off, and it’s JACK PERRY!? Fans go nuts seeing the former Jungle Boy here at a NJPW event! He’s still on suspension in AEW, so what business does he have here?! He puts Shota on the railing, to DRAPING DDT to the floor!!
Fans boo but Jack drags Shota into the ring! Jack takes aim from the corner, and he runs in to JUMP KNEE! Shota falls and fans boo even harder! Jack then takes something out of his jacket. It’s his AEW CONTRACT!? And he RIPS IT UP!?! Is Jack quitting AEW to be here in NJPW?! Jack takes out an armband and it has the word “Scapegoat” on it. Jack puts that on, making a statement to Tony Khan and AEW. Fans still boo, but he soaks it all up. Jack then leaves without a word. What is Hollywood Jack Perry planning for his 2024?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Alex Coughlin & Clark Connors!
With “Madman” Gabe Kidd fighting for the Continental Triple Crown later on, the Headbanga & Young Guerrilla are facing a unique combination from the Bullet Club War Dogs tonight. Will Dreadnought & 100 Proof prove to be a winning combination? Or will they fail to take these straps from the DUAL NJPW Tag Team Champions?
The introductions are made, the blue belts are raised, and we see if Bullet Club adds more gold to the collection!
Fans wind up with ELP, but Coughlin & Connors attack to stop the champs from high-fiving! Fans boo, the bell rings, and Coughlin CHOKES Leo in a corner. Connors whips, ELP reverses then hurdles, drops then DROPKICKS! Connors flops around while Leo turns things around on Coughlin, and CHOPS! Leo then SPLASHES Connors in a corner! ELP ELBOWS Connors, whips him into the scoop, and then SIDEWALK SLAM! ELP throws off the shirt as he goes up, to FALLING AX HANDLE! Coughlin knees low, ROCKS Leo, CLUBS ELP, repeat! Coughlin pie faces them both, runs, but ELP hurdles for Leo to DDT Coughlin down!
Fans fire up, and ELP finally high-fives Leo! ELP then tunes up and Leo aims from the other corner. Coughlin rises, but Connors CHOP BLOCKS Leo! Coughlin DECKS ELP, and fans boo as Connors drags Leo to the corner. Connors SLAMS the leg into the post! Then Coughlin SLAMS Leo’s leg into the post! Fans boo as Leo flops to the floor, but Connors stomps ELP and eggs on the fans. Connors CHOKES ELP against railing! The ref reprimands, Coughlin bends Leo’s leg then stomps him. The fans chant “You Suck!” at the War Dogs but Coughlin puts Leo in. Connors covers, ONE! Fans rally but Connors sits Leo up.
Connors DECKS Leo with a forearm! Connors drops an elbow on the bad leg, and he has the toehold now. The fans rally as Leo endures. His shoulders are down, the ref counts, ONE! Leo grabs at Connors but Connors drops another elbow on the knee. Fans boo but Connors stalks Leo to a corner. Connors throws body shots, UPPERCUTS Leo, then he BLASTS ELP off the apron! Coughlin CHOKES Leo in the blue corner, the fans boo, but Connors RAMS in! Tag to Coughlin and he stands on Leo’s head. The ref counts, Coughlin lets off, then drags Leo up. Coughlin ROCKS Leo, CHOPS him, then runs up on ELP! ELP gets away but Connors CHOKES Leo!
Coughlin runs in to SPLASH Leo, then UPPERCUT! Coughlin taunts ELP while Connors stands Leo back up. Coughlin sucker punches ELP, but Leo fights free to BOOT Coughlin down! Fans fire up as Leo hurries over, but Connors YANKS ELP down! Fans boo as Coughlin then gets Leo’s leg, SHIN BREAKER! Connors and Coughlin drag Leo up and double whip him to the corner. But he comes back to DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up as Leo crawls over! Hot tag to ELP! ELP CROSSBODIES both dogs down! ELP rains fists on Connors, whips him and DROPKICKS him, then dodges Coughlin to RANA!
Fans fire up, ELP kips up, and he atomic drops Connors! Connors swings, ELP gets under to atomic drop again! Connors staggers around but Coughlin back suplexes! ELP lands out, and he gives Coughlin an atomic drop! Russian Leg Sweep for Coughlin, and then a clothesline for Connors! Fans fire up and ELP builds speed, but Coughlin UPPERCUTS him! Fans boo, Coughlin storms up on ELP and whips corner to corner. ELP reverses but Coughlin blocks! Coughlin whips again, ELP goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and springboards to CROSSBODY! Somersault and LIONSAULT! Then somersault and TORNADO DDT to the floor for Connors!!
The fans are all fired up as ELP rises! ELP climbs a corner, slingshots and TORNADO DDTS Coughlin! Then he kips up! ELP tags in Leo and they get Coughlin up. Straitjacket torture rack and Leo runs, BOOT into the BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!! Coughlin survives being scrambled but ELP & Leo aim from the corners. The fans rally up as ELP tunes up. Coughlin rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Coughlin blocks! Leo choke grips but Coughlin sends him at ELP! ELP stops Leo, but Coughlin GERMAN SUPLEXES Leo away! ELP runs up, but Coughlin ducks the kick to pump handle and scoop! Fireman’s carry, DREADNOUGHT DRIVER!!
Fans fire up and Coughlin roars! Coughlin tags Connors, and Connors aims as Leo stands! SPEAR!! Fans boo but Connors coordinates with Coughlin, and they both take aim at Leo. HIT AND RUN!! Cover, TWO!?! Leo survives the high-low and Bullet Club is shocked! The fans fire up, Connors & Coughlin haul Leo up, suplex for the- NO, Leo fights out, ROCKS Connors, then on one good leg, GOD- NO! Connors slips free and Coughlin CHOP BLOCKS Leo! DOUBLE FOREARM SANDWICH! Then the lift and ASSISTED BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Coughlin DECKS ELP off the apron and then Connors goes up!
Fans rally as Connors & Coughlin hit the the FULL CLIP!!! Cover, ELP BREAKS IT!! Coughlin stomps ELP and kicks him out, then goes back to the corner. Connors tags Coughlin in, the fans rally for “G O D! G O D!” Coughlin hauls Leo, Connors climbs back up, and Coughlin gut wrenches as they load up the usually heavyweight combo. But ELP returns to GAMANGIRI Connors! Leo slips free of Coughlin, to SNAP POWERSLAM! Fans fire up as Leo drags Coughlin back up! Coughlin pries the grip away! But ELP hits SUDDEN DEATH! Leo grips again, for the GODSEND!! ELP hurries up onto Leo’s shoulders! SUPER THUNDERKISS!!! Cover, the Guerrillas win!
Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champions)
Coughlin & Connors threw a lot at them, but the Guerrillas make it through! But the dance card still has Chase Owens & Kenta coming for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles, will ELP & Leo keep it 100?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Giulia VS Trish Adora w/ The Infantry!
The Beautiful Madness has truly been a Strong Women’s Champion, but now she’s facing a truly strong contender in the AfroPunk! Will Adora bring this belt with her to AEW & ROH? Or will Giulia still be a golden gladiator?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up behind Giulia. Giulia grins as she and Adora circle. The fans do cheer Adora, too, and she offers a handshake. Giulia isn’t familiar with the ROH Code of Honor, but she still accepts. Fans cheer the sportsmanship, but then Giulia reels Adora in! Adora fights off the Saido and gets free, and Giulia grins as she wags her finger. She wants everyone to calm down, and she offers the handshake back. Adora is wary now, but she accepts anyway. Giulia then brings Adora in to stare her down. The two reset and circle and the fans rally up. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Adora headlocks.
Giulia pops out the back to hammerlock then headlock, but Adora pries the hold open. Adora wrenches to wristlock, but Giulia rolls, slips around, full nelsons and cravats to crank on a neck wrench. Adora endures, Giulia snapmares and chinlocks. Adora fights up, fans rally, and Adora pries the hold open to double wristlock! Adora drags Giulia down, Giulia fights up, and she powers Adora into a corner. The ref counts, Giulia lets off slowly, and fans cheer the sportsmanship. But then Giulia CHOPS! Adora storms up on Giulia but Giulia slips around, waistlocks, and whips. Adora reverses, Giulia swings around to IRON OCTOPUS!
Adora stays up while the fans fire up! Adora powers back up and she turns this around into an Air Raid Stretch! Giulia endures, fans rally up, and Adora pushes on the arm! Giulia flails, gets free, but Adora wristlocks to wrangle her back down. Adora drops a leg on the arm, and has a short arm scissor! Giulia kicks around, moves around, rolls back but Adora sends her into a corner! Adora CHOPS and fans “WOO~!” Giulia gets in Adora’s face, so Adora CHOPS again! Giulia storms up again, but into another CHOP! Giulia runs in but into a scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up and Adora drags Giulia back to her feet.
Giulia fires forearms on Adora, then runs, but Adora scoops for a BLACK HOLE BACKBREAKER! Then Adora makes it a backbreaker stretch! Adora SLAPS Giulia’s stomach over an dover, but Giulia powers up and out! Only for Adora to reel her back in, and PANCAKE PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Adora drags Giulia back up, suplexes again, but Giulia fights it to snap suplex back! Fans rally up, Giulia storms up on Adora and fires forearms. Adora fires back! They go back and forth and the fans rally up. Giulia ROCKS Adora, but Adora ROCKS Giulia! And again and again and again! Adora ROCKS Giulia then powers up the arm!
Giulia gets around, uses leg scissors to get the drop toehold, and STF!! The fans fire up, Adora endures, and Adora fights around to find the ROPEBREAK! Giulia lets off and the fans rally up again. Giulia aims, runs corner to corner and ELBOWS! Giulia whips, Adora reverses and runs in, but into a BOOT! Giulia goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Giulia drags Adora back up and reels her in, but Adora fights the scoop! Adora wrenches and waistlocks but now Giulia fights the lift. Giulia switches, Adora switches, Giulia fights but Adora still GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Giulia’s back on her feet?! And she GERMAN SUPLEXES Adora!!
Adora flounders up to her feet, but ducks the lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX! Giulia stands, ducks the lariat, to SAIDO! Giulia isn’t done, she scoops, but Adora fights free! Adora WRINGS the arm, and SENTONS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Giulia flounders to ropes, “This is Awesome!” as Adora goes to the other side. They both run in, and Giulia SHOTGUN BOOTS! Giulia whips, Adora reverses and avoids a boot to JAB! Giulia rises, ducks the haymaker, but Adora gets away to BUBBA BOMB! And CATTLE MUTILATION!! Giulia fights, one arm gets free but Adora keeps the other! They move around, Giulia reaches out, ROPEBREAK!
Fans fire up as Giulia flops to the floor. Adora pursues, drags Giulia up, and CLUBS away on her! Adora then scoops Giulia while the fans duel, and Adora POWERSLAMS Giulia to the floor! The ring count starts but Adora drags Giulia up. Adora suplexes but Giulia fights free to whip Adora into railing! And then snap suplex to the floor! Giulia goes up the apron at 10 of 20, but then climbs the corner! The count stops all the same, and Adora hurries up after Giulia! Adora throws hands, climbs up after Giulia, and fans fire up as Adora aims for the floor! But Giulia fights with body shots! Giulia ROCKS Adora, then steps inside!
Giulia drags Adora to the very top, underhooks the arms, SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans were already thunderous and now they’re electric! Adora sits up but Giulia KNEES her down!! Cover, TWO!! Adora is still in this but Giulia keeps moving! Adora BOOTS Giulia, but Giulia stands! Giulia ducks the haymaker to ITALIAN HOOK!! And then scoop, NORTHERN BOMB!!! Cover, Giulia wins!
Winner: Giulia, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
The AfroPunk put up one hell of a fight, but she couldn’t stop the Beautiful Madness! Giulia still shows Adora respect by helping her up and shaking her hand. With the second-ever Strong Women’s Champion being this strong, will there ever be a third-ever?
Mustafa Ali has a video!
“Good evening, esteemed citizens of the world! I am here to announce that I am bringing my campaign to NJPW. Y’see, in recent times, certain individuals have, regrettably, not represented NJPW in the matter in which it deserves! I speak of such individuals as Hiromu Takahashi. A man who is mentally unstable! A man who literally goes into battle with a stuffed animal in his arms. A stuffed animal! Ladies and gentlemen, no! NJPW deserves better than this. And I will see to it that it is rebuilt, reignited, and reclaims its former glory.
“So Mr. Takahashi, I am here to inform you that you are unfit to be a leader. You will be replaced, you will be removed. And as the great ambassador to this great sport, I am here to issue an executive order that you and I will have a match, April 12th, at the Windy City Riot.” Ali then tells Hiromu in Japanese that he will lose that night. Thank you, good night, and remember: In Ali We Trust! The Beacon has come to NJPW, will he be the guiding light of NJPW whether Hiromu likes it or not?
Matt Riddle & ??? VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito!
The King of Bros is in NJPW, and though he’s aiming for Hiroshi Tanahashi and the NJPW World TV Championship, he’ll gladly take on the OG NJPW World TV Champion to get started. But just who is his tag partner? It’s JEFF COBB!! The Chosen Bros are reunited, will they turn this into the San Bro-se Valley?
The teams sort out and ZSJ starts against Riddle. They circle, feel things out, and ZSJ facelocks, floats around, waistlocks, but Riddle gets up. They reset, go again, and Riddle grabs a leg to then trip ZSJ up. ZSJ uses a leg guard, Riddle takes a shot but ZSJ goes for an arm. Riddle moves around, ZSJ wants a leg but Riddle keeps moving. ZSJ facelocks, Riddle rolls free and the fans cheer this technical masterclass. Riddle and ZSJ push each other, the fans rally up, and the two knuckle lock. Riddle shoots in, waistlocks, and SLAMS ZSJ! Then Riddle gut wrenches to throw ZSJ around and around, very Jeff Cobb of him!
But ZSJ turns that into a TRIANGLE HOLD! ZSJ throws elbows but Riddle pops free! ZSJ avoids the buzzsaw and the fans fire up again! Riddle and ZSJ reset, egg each other on, and ZSJ tags in Tito. Riddle points to Cobb, fans cheer, and Riddle tags Cobb in. Cobb steps to Tito, Tito shoves him, so Cobb shoves back. Fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as the shoves turn to forearms! Cobb fires a flurry, whips, but Tito reverses. Cobb RAMS Tito, Tito RAMS Cobb, repeat! Then the forearms return! The fans fire up, Tito kicks low and runs, but Cobb drops, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Cobb poses a la Riddle!
Cobb drags Tito up, tags in Riddle, and the Chosen Bros mug Tito with a KICK to the chest! Cobb scoops Tito, SLAMS him, then he gives Riddle the boost, ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! Riddle pushes Tito to a cover, ONE! Tito hangs tough but Riddle clamps on a facelock. Tito lifts Riddle and RAMS him into the corner! Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ DROPKICKS Cobb down! ZSJ returns to UPPERCUT Riddle! Fans fire up as ZSJ flexes, then ZSJ strikes a crane stance to mock Riddle. ZSJ cravats to snapmare Riddle, tag to Tito. NECK TWIST and SENTON! Tito paces while Riddle writhes. Tito CHOPS Riddle, but Riddle CHOPS back!
Tito SLAPS Riddle, stomps away, then tags in ZSJ. ZSJ drags Riddle to have a standing toehold, emphasis on toe! ZSJ SNAPS toe after toe, then STOMPS the foot! Tag to Tito and Tito drops a knee on the leg! The fans tell ZSJ he’s sick, but Tito ROCKS Riddle with a forearm. Tito fires off forearms and CHOPS in the open corner, then wrenches and short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Tito drags Riddle up and brings him over, tag to ZSJ. TMDK mugs Riddle, ZSJ UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ snapmares Riddle, for the NECK- KICK from Riddle! PENALTY KICK! Fans rally up as Riddle and ZSJ crawl, hot tag to Cobb!
Cobb catches ZSJ, RAMS him into Tito, then whips ZSJ into the corner! Cobb UPPERCUTS, scoops, and RUNNING BACK SUPLEXES! Cover, Tito breaks it! Tito fires off on Cobb, but Cobb suplexes Tito! Tito tumbles out and fans fire up for Cobb. Cobb hauls ZSJ up to scoop and SLAM, then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT FLOPS as ZSJ moves! NECK TWIST! Cobb writhes, ZSJ flexes, and ZSJ brings Cobb up. Fans sing for “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” but Cobb blocks the scoop! Cobb powers out, ZSJ BOOTS and whips. Cobb reverses, ZSJ avoids the dropkick to body scissor and clutch, ONE?!? ZSJ runs back up to LARIAT, but Cobb stays up!
ZSJ SLAPS Cobb, runs, but Cobb LARIATS ZSJ! Cobb whips ZSJ to scoop and TOUR OF- CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN! TWO!! Cobb fireman’s carries right out of it! ZSJ slips down, Cobb throws elbows, but ZSJ ducks the lariat to waistlock. Cobb throws ZSJ away, then JABS! Cobb whips ZSJ into a corner but ZSJ goes up and TORNADO DDTS! Fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ and Cobb crawl, hot tags to Tito and Riddle! Riddle fires off palm strikes, KICKS and BOOTS, then spins Tito around to PELE! Riddle handsprings, runs up to forearm smash, then runs side to side to forearm smash again!
Tito fights the Brosploder, ducks the haymaker, mule kick and ENZIGURI! Deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, Cobb breaks it! ZSJ storms in to UPPERCUT Cobb! Tito ROCKS Cobb, repeat! Cobb CHOPS Tito, ROCKS ZSJ, repeat! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Tito ROCKS, Cobb CHOPS! ZSJ baits Cobb in to dump him out! ZSJ goes out to PNEALTY- NO, Cobb blocks to YANK ZSJ down, ATHLETIC- SLEEPER!! ZSJ has Cobb, but Riddle fires off on Tito! Tito ROCKS Riddle, Riddle KICKS! KICKS! Tito ducks to DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Tito back suplexes, Riddle lands out, but Tito gets around! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!!
Fans fire up and Tito drags Riddle up. Tito fireman’s carries to F- NO, Riddle lands out! Riddle BOOTS Tito, goes up and up and WHISPER IN THE WIND! ZSJ is back to CHOP! Riddle CHOPS! ZSJ CHOPS! They CHOP and CHOP back and forth, but then Riddle KICKS! Riddle blocks a kick to PELE- NO! ZSJ catches that to an ANKLE LOCK! Riddle endures, rolls, and that feeds ZSJ to Cobb’s reverse crucifix lift! LAWN DART FLASH KNEE COMBO!! Tito stands up to CHOP Cobb, CHOP Riddle, repeat! Riddle KNEES Tito into Cobb’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Tito rises up?! And he EXPLODERS Cobb!! Riddle ROUNDHOUSES Tito!
Tito roars, runs in, but Riddle gets around! Ripcord, FINAL FLASH! And then gut wrench, tuck, BRO DEREK!! Cover, Chosen Bros win!!
Winners: Matt Riddle & Jeff Cobb, by pinfall
The fans chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!” as Riddle and Cobb celebrate! Was this reunion a one time deal? Or could there be a future for the Chosen Bros in NJPW?
AEW Continental Crown Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Gabe Kidd!
The Mad King has been on a roll, and is even coming off a win against Wheeler Yuta on AEW Rampage! Will Eddie be able to go coast to coast with title defenses? Or will this War Dog grab three belts in one go?
The introductions are made, but of course Kidd attacks Eddie the moment he’s in the ring! The fans boo as Kidd fires off up the ramp. Kidd flips off the fans, but Eddie hits back with haymakers! Eddie DECKS Kidd and sends him back to ringside. Eddie ROCKS Kidd, the ref wants this in the ring, so Eddie brings Kidd up. Kidd hits low, CLUBS Eddie, and reels him in! Kidd lifts but Eddie back drops free! Fans fire up while Kidd writhes, and Eddie takes off his merch shirt to CHOKE Kidd with it! The ref reprimands, even though this isn’t officially a match yet. Eddie lets off on Kidd, stalks him to railing, and ROCKS him with a right!
Eddie DECKS Kidd again, stomps him around, then JABS! JABS! And CHOPS! Kidd leans against railing, Eddie CHOKES him! The ref reprimands, Eddie lets go, and Kidd staggers around. Eddie brings Kidd around but Kidd blocks the suplex! Kidd gets around, to GERMAN SUPLEX Eddie to the floor! Fans boo, the ref reprimands and tells Kidd to get this in the ring, but Kidd drags Eddie up to POST him! Eddie wobbles, Kidd grabs his arms and YANKS him into the post! And YANKS him in again! Kidd tells Eddie off, YANKS him into the post again, then flips the fans off. Fans boo but Kidd CLAWS Eddie’s face!
The ref reprimands, Kidd lets off, and Eddie swings wild. Kidd DECKS Eddie in return! Kidd stands on Eddie, the fans boo, so Kidd just spits at them. Kidd finally puts Eddie in the ring, slides in, and now it’s a match! Kidd kicks Eddie around, taunts him and the fans, but Eddie scowls and rises up. Eddie CHOPS and Kidd drops to a knee! Fans fire up as Eddie eggs Kidd on. Kidd CHOPS, Eddie staggers, but he comes back to CHOP again! Kidd dusts himself off, and CHOPS! Eddie CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” as the two go back and forth, CHOP for CHOP! Eddie catches his breath, then CHOPS again!
Down come the straps! The fans fire up as Kidd CHOPS, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! They go CHOP for CHOP again and again, and the fans are loving it! Eddie CHOPS, Kidd shakes the ropes! Kidd says he’s a madman, and he CHOPS Eddie! Kidd flips off the fans as they rally for Eddie, but Eddie CHOPS again! Kidd headbutts the buckle, then comes back to CHOP! Kidd talks trash, gets in Eddie’s face, so Eddie CHOPS! Kidd stays up as he grits his teeth! Eddie points to the logo, this is NJPW dammit! Kidd CHOPS! Kidd eggs Eddie on, the fans rally, and Eddie CHOPS again! Kidd CHOPS but Eddie roars! Eddie CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!
Kidd BITES Eddie’s face! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Kidd lets off to shout at everyone! Kidd whips, Eddie reverses to SAIDO! Eddie sends Kidd flying and the fans fire up! Kidd flounders to a corner and the fans rally behind Eddie. Kidd stands in the corner, “Let’s Go Eddie!” “F U GABE!” Eddie clotheslines Kidd in the corner, then MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up and Eddie tops it off with one more CHOP! Kidd sits down and sputters, Eddie runs side to side, but Kidd gets up to ROCK Eddie with forearms! Eddie staggers around as Kidd ROCKS him again. Kidd fires more shots, then ROCKS Eddie again!
Kidd suplexes, to BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and Kidd scowls. But then Kidd grins and laughs as the fans tell him off. Kidd scuffs Eddie, does squats to show off his stamina, and then drags Eddie around. Eddie pushes Kidd away so Kidd stomps him down. Kidd drags Eddie up and reels him in. The fans rally, Eddie wrenches free, and he ducks a haymaker to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Kidd rises, but into the URAKEN!! Cover, TWO!! Kidd survives the Backfist to the Future but Eddie is too sore to be upset. The fans rally up as Kidd and Eddie stir. Eddie shakes out the arms and rises up.
Eddie storms over to Kidd and the fans are all fired up. Eddie drags Kidd up, reels him in and scoops, but Kidd slips free to SAIDO! But Eddie rises up?! Eddie staggers around, Kidd ROCKS him then gut wrenches, to the TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!!! Eddie survives and fans fire up again! Kidd huffs and puffs and bites the rope in frustration. Kidd snarls and sits cross-legged, a message to Shibata. Kidd eggs Eddie on, they both crawl to each other, and they junkyard dog headbutt! And again! And again! Kidd SLAPS Eddie, Eddie SLAPS Kidd, repeat! Eddie then SLAPS Kidd down! Kidd comes back to HEADBUTT!
Eddie HEADBUTTS again, but Eddie HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up while both men are dizzy from all those impacts! Kidd and Eddie rise, go forehead to forehead, then Kidd CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Fans boo, but then Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kidd SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS! Eddie drops to his knees, Kidd SPITS at him, but that just pisses Eddie off!! The fans tell Kidd he just messed up, and Eddie fires off fast hands! Kidd fires them back, the fans are thunderous! Eddie roars and SLAPS!! And URAKENS!!! Eddie falls over, Kidd falls out!! The fans are thunderous for Eddie while both men are down!
Eddie sits up, clears out an ear for the sake of equilibrium, and the fans sing, “F HIM UP, EDDIE, F HIM UP!” But Kidd drags Eddie out! Eddie still CHOPS! Kidd CHOPS! Eddie CHOPS! Kidd shakes the railing, CHOPS again, but Eddie returns it! The ref reprimands, they both tell him to shut up already! The ring count starts as the CHOPS keep going, then the HEADBUTTS return! Eddie CHOPS Kidd, we’re at 8 of 20 as Kidd fires forearms! Kidd swings into an EXPLODER to the floor!! Both men are down at 15 of 20! Kidd grabs the timekeeper’s mic not just to stop the count, but to tell Eddie, “Is that all you got, you fat b*tch!?”
Fans go nuts hearing that, and Eddie CHOKES Kidd! The count returns, we hit TWENTY!!! THE MATCH IS OVER!
Double Count-Out Draw
The fans boo but Eddie is just as pissed! He grabs the timekeeper’s table but Kidd fires off on Eddie! Young Lions hurry to stop this, fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Kidd gets loose and he LEAPS at Eddie! Eddie and Kidd scrap, referees rush out here to stop this, but Kidd gets loose again! Kidd CLOBBERS Young Lions to get at Eddie! Fans fire up as the two are pulled apart again! Kidd cost himself the belt but he still grabs it, to SLAM it down! Eddie storms in to TACKLE Kidd! Eddie BITES Kidd, rains down fists, and the fans are thunderous! Eddie snarls as he grabs the rest of his belts, and takes aim! Kidd flounders up, but Connors & Coughlin attack!
Fans boo as Bullet Club beats down on Eddie like the pack of feral dogs they are! Kidd holds up the Continental Championship, sets it down by Eddie, and then Connors & Coughlin haul Eddie up! They work together to PILEDRIVER onto the belt!! Kidd holds up the belt like he won it, but fans boo because he’s just a madman! Kidd throws the AEW belt down, kicks the other belts aside, then stands on Eddie. The War Dogs are about bringing belts and bodies, but will the Mad King put them all down one by one?
No Disqualifications: Shingo Takagi VS Jon Moxley!
The Rampaging Dragon called out The Maniac back when he was still NEVER Openweight Champion, but losing the title doesn’t mean he’s backing down from his own challenge. Will Takagi rebound from WrestleKingdom? Or will Moxley slay the dragon in the valley?
Takagi takes off the robe to reveal he’s in his Street Fight gear! Fans fire up, the bell rings and the two get face to face. They chest bump each other, then go forehead to forehead. Takagi scuffs Moxley, the forearms start flying, and the fans fire up as they go back and forth! Takagi responds as fast as Moxley, they go fast and furious, then Moxley HEADBUTTS! Moxley runs to RAM Takagi, but Takagi runs to RAM Moxley! Moxley flips Takagi off, they both run, and they both RAM! And RAM! They grapple, tumble out of the ring, and Moxley SMACKS Takagi off the apron! Takagi body shots, SMACKS Moxley off the apron, and then goes looking.
Fans fire up as Takagi brings out kendo sticks! Takagi passes one to Moxley and the fans fire up even more! Both men show off their skills, then they CLASH! Moxley disarms Takagi?! And then JAMS him low, to kendo Russian Leg Sweep into railing! Moxley JAMS Takagi, then digs the stick into Takagi’s shoulder! And then into Takagi’s mouth! Moxley smothers Takagi, then lets off to go looking for more. Moxley brings out a steel chain, and a trash can lid! Moxley SMACKS Takagi with the lid! Red Shoes reprimands about the head shot, Moxley apologizes and shakes his hand, then has the chain. Moxley wraps his fist to throw steel punches!
Moxley CHOPS Takagi against the post, then puts him in the ring. Takagi keeps moving and he runs Moxley over! Moxley sits up in a daze, and Takagi snap suplexes! Then ELBOW DROPS! Takagi pushes Moxley back down to run and ELBOW DROP! The fans rally and duel, and Takagi takes off his belt! Moxley shakes his head, Takagi DECKS him! Takagi drops knees on Moxley, then clamps on a chinlock. Moxley endures, but Takagi BELL CLAPS him! Then SENTONS! Fans fire up while Moxley bails out. Takagi is annoyed, so he storms over, but into a TRASH CAN LID SMACK! Fans cheer while Takagi flops over!
Moxley still has the lid, Red Shoes is wary of him as he storms around, but then Moxley goes out. Moxley SMACKS Takagi again! Moxley puts the lid aside to bring Takagi up again. Takagi’s busted open, but Moxley crotches him on the railing! Moxley LARIATS Takagi down! Fans cheer Moxley as he flexes, and he puts the kendo sticks in the ring. Moxley also puts the chain in the ring, then drags Moxley up to punch away on the bloody forehead! Fans fire up as Moxley shows them up close and personal as he punches and HEADBUTTS Takagi down. Moxley goes looking for more things, and he finds a trash can!
Moxley tosses the can in, the lid in, and then goes after Takagi again. Moxley puts Takagi in, fans want tables, but Moxley has the trash can first. Moxley kicks and fires off forearms! Takagi flops against ropes, Moxley puts the can around him! Moxley grabs a kendo stick to SMACK the can! And again! And then again! Takagi falls over and fans fire up for Moxley. Moxley pulls the kendo stick apart, to JAB at Takagi’s bloody forehead! It’s like using giant bamboo skewers! The fans tell Moxley he’s sick, but Moxley lets off to reel Takagi in, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this, but Moxley ties up the legs!
Moxley claws at Takagi’s head but Takagi has pieces of bamboo! Takagi tries to jab at Moxley down low, but Moxley grabs the bamboo to put it in Takagi’s mouth! Moxley pulls Takagi back, but Takagi gets another of the pieces! Takagi jabs at Moxley again, but Moxley takes that piece, to dig at Takagi’s cheek! Moxley uses the pieces to torture Takagi’s mouth, then he lets off. Takagi swings wild, but Moxley BOOTS him! And BOOTS him! Takagi throws forearms, Moxley hits back, then BOOTS! Moxley DECKS Takagi, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Takagi sits right up!? Fans fire up and even Moxley smirks.
Moxley and Takagi stand, and Moxley throws a forearm! Takagi comes back, so Moxley throws another! And another! Takagi headbutts a buckle to fire back up! Takagi hobbles over, Moxley ROCKS him, then runs, into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans join in with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi rises up. Takagi runs but Moxley boots! Takagi blocks to clothesline through! Takagi fires off forearm after forearm, then whips corner to corner. Takagi clotheslines, then he reels Moxley in, suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks for a camera, and says “TOKI GA KITA! <IT’S TIME!>”
Fans fire up, Moxley rises, and Takagi storms up. Moxley BITES Takagi’s bloody forehead! Then he clotheslines Takagi up and out! Moxley builds speed, and DIVES into a TRASH CAN LID SMASH!! Moxley flops to the floor while the fans are thunderous! Takagi storms over to Moxley, brings him around, and sets Moxley against railing. Fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” as Takagi aims. Takagi runs up, to JUMP SMASH!! Moxley has a bloody forehead of his own now! And now Takagi brings out chairs! Takagi BOOTS Moxley, goes up a corner and he unties the buckle pad. Takagi drags Moxley in, to bump Moxley off the bare steel!
Takagi fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES Moxley, and then says one more time! Takagi hoists Moxley up top, climbs up after him, and then brings him to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Fans fire up while Takagi crawls over and sits Moxley up. “This is Awesome!” as Takagi throws HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Takagi uses the Blackpool Combat Club signature, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Moxley sits up!? Fans fire up as both men sport crimson masks. Takagi HEADBUTTS< forearms, and JABS! Moxley stays up, to HEADBUTT back! Takagi HEADBUTTS! They HEADBUTT again and again, and again!
Takagi runs, but Moxley LARIATS with him! Moxley eggs Takagi on, they LARIAT! Then Moxley gets around to SNAP GERMAN! Takagi’s right up to SNAP SAIDO! Moxley’s right up, LARIATS collide again! Takagi SWATS one, to PUMPING- NO, PARADIGM SHIFT! SLIDING FOREARM?!? Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Takagi and Moxley slowly rise, and they both roar, before they both flop out of the ring! Takagi and Moxley find their ways around the corner, and they both go looking under the ring. They’re both looking for something, Takagi throws chair after chair in! So does Moxley!
Fans want a table but there are plenty of chairs first. They CLASH with the chairs like they’re swords! Moxley blocks a shot, but Takagi claps the chair closed right on Moxley’s fingers!! Then he DECKS Moxley! Takagi wraps the chain around his fist and fans fire up! Takagi runs up, IRON PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives but Takagi has a kendo stick! HEADSHOT! Takagi puts Moxley on the apron, then goes looking under the ring. Finally, a TABLE! The fans are thunderous as Takagi sets that up nearby. These American tables are bigger and trickier than the Japanese tables but Takagi still stands it up.
Takagi then goes to the apron, fireman’s carries Moxley, but Moxley slips free! Moxley CHOKES Takagi with the chain!! Takagi sputters as Moxley pulls it tight! Red Shoes checks, Takagi stays in this, but Moxley shoves Takagi away. Moxley puts Takagi on the table, CHOKES him some more, then goes up the corner! Moxley aims while fans freak out, and Moxley MACHO ELBOWS through the table!! The fans lose their minds while Moxley drags himself up from the wreckage! Moxley staggers back over to Takagi, puts him in the ring, and covers, TWO!!! Takagi still lives and Moxley is furious!
Moxley argues with Red Shoes but Red Shoes defends his count. Moxley goes back out, goes looking again, and he brings out another TABLE! Fans fire up as Moxley puts this table in the ring! Moxley CHOKES Takagi again, then he sets the table up near a corner. Moxley lines up the shot, licks the table, then brings Takagi over. The fans tell Moxley he’s sick but he drags Takagi up to the top rope. Moxley underhooks the arms! Takagi fights back with body shots! Moxley HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS! Takagi GREEN MISTS?!? When did he get that?! Moxley flails blindly, Takagi adjusts the table’s position, then goes back up!
Fans are thunderous as Takagi fireman’s carries Moxley! STAY DREAM through the table!!! The fans are thunderous again, and Takagi has a piece of the table! Takagi SMACKS Moxley with it! Then SMACKS him with another piece! Then runs to PUMPING BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi tucks the arms, to TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO?!?! Moxley survives but Takagi grabs some chairs! Takagi CHUCKS one into Moxley’s face, then pump handles! MADE IN JAPAN onto the other chair!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? No one can believe it but Moxley survives!! Moxley shakes his head but Takagi roars!
Takagi reels Moxley up and pump handles. Moxley fights, throws down elbows, but Takagi LARIATS! Moxley stays up so Moxley LARIATS again! Moxley roars, fires boxing elbows like Takagi would, but Takagi just grits his teeth! Takagi fires boxing elbows in return! Moxley roars, Takagi JABS! Ands HEADBUTTS! And spins, but into a CUTTER!!! Moxley staggers to his feet, gets moving, CURB STOMP!!! And then DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Takagi survives and no one can believe it! The fans are electric and Moxley drags Takagi up. Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this isn’t the main event!
Moxley rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Moxley clamps on a SLEEPER and he squeezes tight! Takagi endures, the fans rally up, and Takagi fights up! Takagi turns, torture racks, but Moxley slips free! SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! And REGAL KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!?!?! WHAT?!?! Moxley is pissed and he runs up to KING KONG LARIAT!! Moxley gets a chair, sits it up, and brings Takagi over! FULL METAL DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, Moxley wins!!!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall
The Rampaging Dragon proved he can hang with The Maniac, but the Maniac proved he is still that damn nuts! Will Moxley use this momentum to go after a championship, whether that’s in NJPW or AEW? Moxley then knees and Takagi crawls over. They show each other respect with a fist bump, will Takagi just have to fight even harder to prove he’s worthy of another title opportunity?
The fans cheer for Moxley as Moxley gets a mic to speak. Wait, the mic doesn’t work. “That was my fault, I didn’t press the button.” Moxley says the smell of the air in the valley, the taste of blood and sweat on his lips, he knows it is time. “In the year of 2024, I only got one name in all of professional wrestling on my mind. NAITO!!” Fans fire up as Moxley calls out the NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!! Moxley says, “The time has come.” The Maniac leaves it at that, is this a sign Moxley is aiming to take the top spot in NJPW for his own?
Kazuchika Okada VS Will Ospreay!
The Rainmaker and Aerial Assassin have been through a lot together since 2015: mentor and protege; allies and teammates; bitter enemies and rivals. But as Ospreay is moving on from NJPW to AEW, this could potentially be the last time we see these two in the same ring. Who wins what could be the final chapter in this incredible story?
The bell rings and the fans are already losing their minds just witnessing this match. Ospreay and Okada take a moment to appreciate the moment, then they circle. They then stare down, “This is Awesome!” and then the two tie up. Ospreay gets around to waistlock but Okada wrenches out to wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Okada rolls, trips Ospreay and has a toehold. Okada pulls on the hold but Ospreay uses his free leg to hook Okada. Okada fights off the armbar, rolls Ospreay to a stack cover, ONE! The fans fire up as the two reset. The fans duel as Ospreay and Okada stare down again.
Okada and Ospreay circle, feel things out, and tie up again. They’re in a deadlock, but Okada powers Ospreay back. Ospreay turns things around to put Okada on ropes, and he lets off slowly. Okada dares Ospreay to do something by sticking his neck out, but Ospreay doesn’t go for it. Okada then turns things around on Ospreay, Red Shoes counts, and Okada lets off slowly. Okada grabs Ospreay by the neck, but then lets off with pats on the shoulders. Fans cheer Okada changing up his usual tactics. Ospreay rushes up but Okada kicks him low. Okada headlocks, Ospreay powers up and out. Okada runs him over, only for Ospreay to kip up!
Ospreay headlocks now, Okada powers up and out, things speed up as Okada drops then hurdles, then hip- NO, Ospreay arm-drag counters! Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Fans fire up as Ospreay paces around. Ospreay storms up on Okada, drags him up, and UPPERCUTS! Ospreay CLUBS Okada’s neck, fans duel, and Ospreay KICKS Okada in the face! The fans rally with “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!” but Ospreay says no, he’s British! British! Ospreay drags Okada up to whip and run in, but Okada dodges. Okada runs back in, Ospreay ELBOWS him then runs, but he fakes Okada’s back drop out to KICK him!
Ospreay then runs up to clothesline Okada up and out! Fans fire up with Ospreay and they stick to just “OI! OI! OI!” as he aims. PLANCHA, but Okada dodges! Okada kicks low, DDT to the floor! Ospreay writhes and Red Shoes hurries out to check on him, but Okada keeps his cool. Fans duel again as Okada rises up. Ospreay is okay to continue, so Okada drags him up and CLUBS him on the neck. The fans sing for “Ospreay~ Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~! Ospreay~, Ospreay~!” Okada CLUBS Ospreay but Ospreay fires back! They go forearm for forearm, then Okada UPPERCUTS! Ospreay staggers and the ring count starts.
Okada puts Ospreay in to stop the count, then drags Ospreay out along the apron, to DRAPING DDT to the floor! Fans are torn while Red Shoes reprimands, but Okada leaves Ospreay behind. Ospreay is still in this so Red Shoes restarts the ring count. Ospreay sits up at 6 of 20, hobbles over and rolls in at 10 of 20. Okada sits Ospreay up so he can run and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Okada cocky covers, ONE! Fans boo this rude side of Okada but he brings Ospreay up to CLUB him. Ospreay goes to a corner, Okada is after him, and the fans continue to duel. Okada ELBOWS Ospreay, then taunts the fans chanting for Ospreay.
Okada ELBOWS Ospreay again, lets off as Red Shoes counts, and Okada comes back around to bring Ospreay up. Ospreay CHOPS! Fans fire up, Ospreay fires forearms, but Okada knees low. Okada whips, Ospreay reverses but Okada ELBOWS Ospreay down! Fans fire up as Ospreay goes to a corner, they much prefer hard-hitting Okada. Okada whips corner to corner to then run in and back elbow Ospreay! Okada then kicks low, but Ospreay suplexes first! Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada sits up while clutching his back and Ospreay rises. The fans rally, Ospreay fires forearms and he ROCKS Okada.
Ospreay whips, Okada reverses but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Okada bails out, Ospreay aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit this time and the fans fire back up! Ospreay drags Okada up and into the ring, then aims from the apron. Springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps cool and the fans rally back up. Ospreay hobbles but he still brings Okada up. Okada resists the lift so Ospreay gives him Kawada Kicks. And then a CHOP! Okada goes to a corner, Ospreay runs in but Okada dodges to put Ospreay up. Ospreay BOOTS back, Okada returns but Ospreay puts him up top!
Okada BOOTS Ospreay, Ospreay CHOPS Okada, but Ospreay runs into the FLAPJACK! Fans fire up while both men are down again! The fans rally and duel harder now while both men stir. Okada rises first, drags Ospreay up and Alabama Lifts! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada grabs Ospreay’s arm to wrap on the MONEY CLIP! Ospreay endures, the fans rally up, and Okada thrashes Ospreay around! Okada pulls on the hold but Ospreay fights to his feet! Ospreay RAMS Okada into a corner and gets free, but Okada ROCKS him with a forearm! Okada runs, into the Tiger Wall Kick and ENZIGURI!
Fans fire up, Ospreay reels Okada in and lifts, but Okada slips free! UPPERCUT, GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands on his feet to ROUNDHOUSE! Ospreay whips, Okada reverses but Ospreay avoids the dropkick! STANDING SHOOTING STAR gets knees! Both men know each other so well! Okada whips, and he DROPKICKS Ospreay down! Okada drags Ospreay back up, gut wrenches, but Ospreay fights free to HOOK KICK! Okada swings, but Ospreay SWATS the lariat to HOOK KICK again! Ospreay then runs, springboards, OSCUTTER!! Fans fire up as Ospreay covers, TWO!! Okada stays in this, but Ospreay stays on him!
Fans chant “This is Awesome!” again as Ospreay scoops and SLAMS Okada into a drop zone. Ospreay then goes up the corner, and he LEAP OF- NO, Ospreay has to land out of the Leap of Faith as Okada moves! And then Okada SHOTGUNS Ospreay down! Ospreay ends up in the corner while fans fire up again. Okada stirs, goes out to the apron after Ospreay, and brings him around to gut wrench, and TOMBSTONE to the floor!! Ospreay sputters and Okada flops over while fans fire up! Red Shoes checks on both men and the fans cheer Red Shoes on. Okada stands up, he brings Ospreay up and puts him back in.
Okada drags Ospreay up, scoops and SLAMS him, then per the formula, goes up the corner. MACHO ELBOW! And that of course brings out the Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up again and Okada drags Ospreay up. Okada waistlocks but Ospreay throws elbows! Okada ROCKS Ospreay with a forearm! And another! Ospreay goes to a corner, Okada fires more forearms! Red Shoes counts, Ospreay pushes Okada, but Okada gives Ospreay scuffing kicks to the face. Red Shoes backs Okada off, but Okada comes back to scuff Ospreay more. Okada eggs Ospreay on as he digs his boots in, but Ospreay stands up! Fans fire up as Ospreay backs Okada down!
Okada ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Ospreay springboards, but Okada blocks the cutter! Ripcord, RAIN- SPANISH FLY?!? Ospreay turns things around, covers, TWO!! Okada hangs in there but Ospreay drags him back up. But Okada scoops to LANDSLIDE! Okada roars, he drags Ospreay back up and ripcords, but Ospreay ducks under and swings around to sunset flip! ONE, but Ospreay drags Okada right up, into a STYLES CLASH!!! Roll over to the cover, TWO!!! Okada survives, Ospreay isn’t quite phenomenal just yet! The fans rally up again as Ospreay and Okada stir. Okada goes to ropes and Ospreay considers his options.
Ospreay already copied one Bullet Club member, so he loads up a finger gun to copy another! BANG and- DROPKICK from Okada! Okada drags Ospreay up, ripcords, but Ospreay gets under to ripcord! Okada ducks, backslides, Ospreay rolls through so Okada underhooks to steal STORMBREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Okada hurries to ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Okada is shocked and the fans are electric! “This is Awesome!” while both men are down. Okada rises first, and he flips off the Ospreay fans. Fans boo this extra rude Okada, but he just drags Ospreay up. Okada waistlocks but Ospreay throws elbows!
Okada BLINDSIDE DROPKICKS! Then he whips, to DROP- SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Ospreay turns things around on Okada and both men are down again! The fans are thunderous as Ospreay reaches out. Ospreay finds his way to Okada as Okada rises, and the two go forehead to forehead. Okada throws a forearm, but Ospreay gives it back! Okada throws another, but Ospreay shakes his head. Ospreay throws a forearm back! Okada grits his teeth, shakes his head, and fires another forearm! Ospreay shouts, shakes the ropes, and Okada puts his hands back. Ospreay ROCKS Okada with a forearm! Okada smiles?!
The fans fire up as Okada goes back to ROCK Ospreay! The forearms go back and forth, Okada eggs Ospreay on, Ospreay throws more shots, so Okada ROCKS him again! And again! Ospreay shakes he’s all fired up! Okada fires a forearm, Ospreay gives Kawada Kicks! Okada fires off forearms, then an UPPERCUT! Ospreay drops to his knees, Okada leans on ropes, and the fans fire up! Okada brings Ospreay around, but Ospreay dodges the lariat to ELBOW! Ospreay copies the Rainmaker Pose! Ripcord, but Okada ducks the lariat, only for Ospreay to DROPKICK! And then Ospreay steals RAINMAKER!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous again and Ospreay drags Okada up. Ospreay underhooks, Okada back drops and sits down, TWO!! Okada ducks the Buzzsaw, ROLLING- NO, Ospreay rolls through that to underhook and STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Now Okada shocks Ospreay for surviving! The fans are electric again while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” and Ospreay makes his way to a corner. Ospreay pulls off the elbow pad and the fans are fired up! Ospreay takes aim as Okada sits up. HIDDEN- DROPKICK! But Ospreay’s right back up! HIDDEN- Scoop and POWERSLAM! Okada drags Ospreay back up to ripcord! RAIN- BOOT!!
Ospreay BOOTS again, and again, but Okada LARIATS! Okada holds onto the wristlock but Ospreay roars! Okada LARIATS again, but Ospreay stays on his feet! Okada LARIATS and Ospreay drops to his knees! Okada keeps Ospreay up, fans boo his menacing glare at Ospreay, fireman’s carry to HEAVY RAIN! And then ripcord to RAINMAKER!!! Stack cover, OKADA WINS!!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall
7-2 now becomes 8-2 as Okada once again brings down Ospreay! The tenth chapter, possibly the last, and it is The Rainmaker that writes the ending. But Okada shows Ospreay respect by helping him to his feet. And they even hug it out! Fans cheer that these two rivals can find friendship even after all of this. Wait, what’re the Bullet Club War Dogs doing storming out here? They may have that coming 10 Man Cage match against the United Empire, but now they wanna piss all over this moment! DAVID FINLAY appears from the crowd side!? SHILLELAGH SMASH on Okada!! The War Dogs mug Ospreay while fans boo!
Finlay rains down fists on Ospreay with fury! As if winning the Global Championship at WrestleKingdom wasn’t enough, Finlay wants his Dogs to stand Ospreay up. But here comes TJP and Jeff Cobb! TJP SUPERKICKS Finlay, Cobb fires off on the Dogs, and then EDDIE KINGSTON is here! He still wants after Kidd! The fans fire up as Eddie clotheslines Kidd up and out! RED MIST from TJP to Connors! Eddie grabs the ring bell! He wants to hit someone with it, so he runs up on Coughlin! Coughlin dodges, ring bell hits post! The Dogs regroup at the ramp, tails tucked between their legs but still barking mad!
Ospreay, Cobb & TJP stand together, Eddie out in front still holding the bell! The fans cheer, “Thank You, Ospreay!” knowing this is the last time he’ll be here under NJPW. Ospreay is given the mic and he says, “Oi! Oi! You can thank me after I wipe the floor with Bullet Club in a effing steel cage, bruv.” Fans like the sound of that! Ospreay tells Finlay that he and his “sex slaves” can run around all they want, they’ll see them in Osaka. As for Eddie, Ospreay owes him one, thanks for that. Ospreay then takes a moment to sit down. He gets an icepack, thanks the Empire for having his back, he loves ’em for it.
The fans chant “Thank You, Ospreay!” again, and Ospreay continues to say, “On a serious note, thank you, guys. It’s been a real fun eight years. This is weird. I came into NJPW when I was 22 years old. Didn’t know much about myself, I found out a lot about myself on the way around. NJPW gave me the opportunity of being a young, immature man, and allowing me to make mistakes and face every single one of you guys eye to eye and grow from it.” Fans applaud that. Ospreay takes a moment to catch his breath and compose himself before saying, “There’s so many things that I could say about Okada, man. I mean, Okada is literally the best wrestler ever.” Fans cheer that!
Ospreay has so many words he wants to say but he’ll save it for backstage. He cannot express the gratitude he has to perform out here for everyone who watches NJPW. Fans continue to chant for Ospreay, and Ospreay says, “Not bad for some little autistic kid from Essex, mate. I can’t believe the journey that I have had. I am so thankful, I am so blessed to have been able to grow up and been able to perform under this lion mark. I am so grateful that I have people looking out for like the United Empire, who have been my boys since day one when we formed.
“And listen, this is gonna be my new home from now on, for the next couple of years. You and me are gonna get to know each other very well.” Fans cheer that, and say “You Deserve It!” He appreciates that, and says this chapter is closing, but a new one is beginning. Before we close the book, there’s one more match, in Osaka, and finally in front of a live crowd. They’re bringing a friggin’ steel cage to NJPW! And listen, Ospreay’s done the 30 minute singles matches, the 45 minute singles matches, but believe it or not, he was a “backyard wrestler” when he got started! He’s bringing that to NJPW!
And fair warning, if you don’t like violence, if you don’t like blood, if you don’t like the sound of breaking bones and tearing tendons, don’t watch it. “But if you’re a sick little effer like I am… Let’s take that pissant Bullet Club and effin’ bury it!!” The fans cheer that! Will Will Ospreay’s last ride with the United Empire and NJPW be the most epic sendoff ever?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW, technically under NJPW Strong, but when you get Okada and Ospreay in the main event, this might as well be considered a mainline NJPW event. This was a full weekend of wrestling, too, with AEW having usual programming but also Impact returning to being TNA with Hard to Kill, and that’s great in itself. I did skip stuff but duh, with the other stuff to cover, had to trim down something. To think Jack Perry would show up here, blending his AEW story into a NJPW debut. I suppose by “Scapegoat,” he feels he was punished unjustly for the #BrawlIn incident with CM Punk and isn’t going to let AEW control him anymore.
Great promo from Mustafa Ali to target Hiromu Takahashi for a great Junior Heavyweight/Cruiserweight showdown. Ali getting a match in his hometown of Chicago is great stuff but I can’t be sure that helps him win. Great match from Giulia VS Adora, Adora is definitely coming into her own with all the reps between NJPW Strong and ROH, but logically Giulia retained because Adora still isn’t title ready just yet. Great move to have Chosen Bros reunite here, and of course they win for that with Bad Dude Tito taking the pin.
Just an awesome, wild No Disqualification match from Takagi and Moxley. I really thought Takagi was gonna win with him busting out Great Muta green mist, but given Moxley is now calling out Naito, I guess the win makes sense. Moxley will make a solid first defense for Naito, because I’m pretty sure Moxley, who is an AEW guy, isn’t winning NJPW’s top title. And great stuff in everything related to Bullet Club War Dogs. Great NJPW Strong tag title match, but of course ELP & Leo win to notch their first defense since that historic WrestleKingdom match.
Great stuff from Eddie and Kidd, and while fans were upset, there’s something to the Count-Out Draw that I really liked. Kidd is doing great as a character and as a singles competitor, he could be who Bullet Club War Dogs uses to go after a singles title like the NJPW World TV Championship or the NEVER Openweight Championship, assuming Tama Tonga doesn’t lose it to Evil next Saturday.
Just amazing stuff in the main event, and as I said, that was enough to make this go from NJPW Strong level event to NJPW prime level event. I didn’t realize Okada and Ospreay had faced off ten times, and that the record was so one-sided. Well, I suppose that part makes sense, actually. But at the same time, with Ospreay basically on his way out, Okada winning also made sense because that’s tradition. But Bullet Club going after them both, then the Empire and Eddie showing up, that was some great stuff. And Ospreay got to close us out tonight, technically not the tradition, but that is because of how Ospreay is on his way out. Great promo, Ospreay’s really fired up and so am I, I kinda hope NJPW breaks tradition to let Ospreay leave on top inside that cage.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Is La Mera Mera still the best luchadora?
Thunder Rosa already whooped “Thunder Harley” on Dia de Los Muertos, but will she feel the wrath of “Harley-gram?”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS Katsuyori Shibata, Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada 2.0; win(s).
- The Beast Mortos VS Serpentico; wins.
- Hechicero VS Komander; wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Harley Cameron; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The battlelines have been drawn!
To defy Solo Sikoa’s tyranny, Paul Heyman returned to bring Roman Reigns a wild card: C M PUNK! Will WarGames end the Bloodline Civil War?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae; Rhea, Bianca, Naomi, Iyo & Bayley win.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser; Bron wins and retains the title.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest; Gunther wins and retains the title.
- Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed; Roman, Jey, Jimmy, Sami & Punk win.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Countdown to Survivor Series!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action that’s about to heat up chilly Vancouver, British Columbia!
Backstage interview with Imperium.
Cathy Kelley is with both Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser ahead of their title matches tonight. Many are wondering where Der Ring General’s confidence is at going into this match with Damian Priest. Gunther says, “Confidence. Well, it’s up to me to deal with him.” As for Kaiser, he’s in the Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship! That is just what Gunther was talking about in having to do better. Yes, well, Cathy says Gunther has given Kaiser quite a few pep talks. How will that help him tonight? Kaiser says tonight is a special night for them both, but especially for the Intercontinental Championship.
Ever since Gunther lost the title, that title lost all its prestige they worked hard for! And there is only one man who can restore the honor and the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship, and that is Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther says enough said. Imperium heads out, will they both soon reign over Monday Night Raw?
Sheamus arrives backstage.
“Vancouver, are you ready for a banger?!”
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Jackie Redmond is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew as he sports a Scott Steiner shirt, and brings up the Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat. He could lose the title without losing the match. Yes, an interesting match to be sure. Bron has had a whole week to reflect the job in front of him. He has to respect Kaiser for going out and making a name on his own. And he respects Sheamus, who doesn’t? A former world champion, a future Hall of Famer to be sure. But Bron is not the champion that we should be trying to have an experimental thing like seeing if you can do this on your own or without a tag team.
Anyone else would be a better choice. Kaiser’s game plan is obvious: he’ll sewer rat around to steal the title. And Sheamus, wow… He’s feeding into some false hope because he reads the internet like a nerd! Sheamus hasn’t won the IC title so that’s just a given? Bron played for the Ravens, they didn’t win a Super Bowl while he was there, but after he left, should he get one for participation? NO! Take it back to retirement home, old man! This isn’t Saturday Night Bingo, this is Bron at Survivor Series! The dogs are barking in Vancouver! Bron is fired up, will he need to be even more badass than usual when facing two opponents?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
The second longest-running premium event for WWE behind only WrestleMania, and Jackie is so glad to finally have this one in Vancouver. And now, we flashback to 1987, when WWE told cable operators that if they wanted WrestleMania back, they needed to air the first-ever Survivor Series, and NOT Starrcade. Such a cutthroat business is only matched by cutthroat wrestling families. Be ready for Bloodline: Civil War here in British Columbia!
Backstage interview with William Regal.
Cathy is with the Gentleman Villain, and says there is a lot of history of them talking about WarGames. Can he say what is so special about tonight? Regal says he was in WarGames 1993, but he never really got in the match. He always wanted to be because it is the ultimate form of combat. The victors leave and look back knowing they accomplished the greatest thing they could, and that is completely tear apart another team that stood in front of them. And yes, there is history of them in NXT with WarGames, great to see her again. Cathy agrees, it is a brutal match, and we’re just minutes away. Could Regal do the honors?
Regal works up the energy for it, it has been a minute. Cue him up. We’re here for Survivor Series… “WARGAMES!!” Cathy loves to hear it. But who will be the victors that dominate their enemies inside the double cage?
Singing the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada is Vancouver’s own, Elizabeth Irving!
Tonight, step into a world where nothing is as it seems.
A funkadelic cover of War Pigs plays as armies gather in death’s construction. Because “ladies and gentlemen…! There’s no way to do WarGames 4 versus 5.” No holds barred, no telling what will happen. Tonight, surviving is just the beginning. This is Survivor Series WARGAMES!
Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae!
Common enemies make for unlikely allies, and now its time for WAR! Will Mami, The EST, The Glow, The Evil Genius and late addition Role Model eradicate the opposition? Or will the team stacked with gold be stacking bodies for the holidays?
After everyone on “Team Rhea” makes their entrance, the team sorts out. Bayley says she’s got this, and she heads to the ring while the others stay in the shark cage. Then everyone for “Team Liv” makes their entrance, and Nia steps up, perhaps wanting payback for Bayley helping Bianca on Monday. The bell rings and Nia DECKS Bayley! We’re on the clock with five minutes before reinforcements can be sent. Nia soaks up heat, shoves Bayley, but Bayley dodges! Bayley bobs ‘n’ weaves, RAMS Nia, then fires off hands! Bayley whips, Nia blocks, and Nia whips Bayley. Bayley ducks ‘n’ dodges to ROCK Nia!
Bayley keeps moving and hse ROCKS Nia again! Bayley runs but Nia scoops! Bayley slips free, BOOTS Nia from a corner, then storms back up. But Nia grabs Bayley with both hands! Bayley breaks free, headlocks, but Nia powers out. Bayley stops from hitting cage, but Nia backdrops! Bayley sunset flips, avoids stomps, but Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley to a corner. Nia runs up but Bayley dodges! Bayley is in the gap, and she eggs Nia on! Nia steps in but Bayley catches her for a HOTSHOT STUNNER! The fans fire up and Bayley storms up on Nia. Bayley fires hands, then gets space. But Nia DUMPS her to the second ring!
Bayley hops back in and she RAMS Nia into the post! Nia pushes back, ELBOWS Bayley, and Bayley falls into the second ring. Nia storms in, her team cheering her on but Vancouver solidly behind Bayley. Nia is annoyed, and she whips Bayley to a corner. Bayley goes up and up, but Nia yanks her back down! Bayley fights the fireman’s carry and HAMMERs away! The fans fire up, and Bayley ROCKS Nia! Bayley knuckle locks, then goes up and up again! Bayley uses the cage to balance, and she FLYING RANAS Nia away! The fans fire up and Bayley undoes her arm, well, armor. Bayley uses it to LASH Nia! And again! And again!
Nia blocks the next shot and she SLINGS Bayley away! Nia LASHES Bayley with her own attire! The fans boo but Nia LASHES Bayley again! Bayley hauls Nia up, TOSSES her to the gap, an then she rubs the armband on her booty! Nia then runs up to HIP ATTACK Bayley! Bayley flounders but she still has to wait one more minute before help arrives. Nia storms in, and she whips Bayley, only for Bayley to reverse! Nia hits steel, and then Bayley KNEES her down! Bayley keeps moving, but Nia BODY CHECKS her! The fans boo but Nia soaks it up. Thirty seconds left and Nia stands Bayley up. Nia TOSSES Bayley into the wall!
Bayley sputters but Nia runs in, HIP ATTACK against the steel!! Ten seconds and the fans count down! Team Rhea sends Naomi! Naomi has a party hat but she’s ready to fight! And she brings out goodies from under the ring! Is that a toilet seat? And also a brightly colored kendo stick! Naomi SMACKS away on Nia, treating her like a pinata! But this pinata can hit back! But Naomi hops around for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Naomi into buckles! Nia runs back in, Naomi goes up and she stomps away on Nia’s back! Naomi leaps, then kicks low! Naomi whips but Nia reverses. Naomi slides under, then mule kicks!
The fans fire up as Naomi runs, FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Naomi calls to Bayley. Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Fans cheer “Happy Birthday!” for Naomi but we have 90 seconds until Nia gets reinforcements. Bayley & Naomi DROPKICK SANDWICH Nia! And then Naomi has the kendo stick! But Nia blocks! Nia has the stick and she SMACKS away on Naomi and Bayley both! The fans boo, but Nia finds that toilet seat! Nia grins and puts the seat around Naomi’s neck! Nia gets space, but Bayley SMACKS her with the stick! The fans fire up as Naomi JAMS Nia with the seat! And whips her into the corner!
Bayley hands the seat over, Naomi puts that around Nia, and she gives Nia a STINK FACE! Then a mule kick! Bayley & Naomi drag Nia up, but Nia DOUBLE HEADBUTTS them! Nia runs, ten seconds left, and Nia breaks the double lariat, only to run into a DOUBLE BACKDROP! Here comes- Candice?! She shoves Tiff aside to hurry down to the ring! The Poison Pixie grabs chairs and slides them in for Nia. This is Candice kissing up to the Queen of the Ring, and Nia appreciates it. Nia SMACKS Bayley, SMACKS Naomi, repeat! Candice steps in, picks up a chair for herself, and they swing! Naomi & Bayley dodge!
Naomi & Bayley fire forearms on Nia and Candice, then they wedge Nia into a corner with one! Candice runs up to CLOBBER Bayley! And she ROCKS Naomi! Nia RAMS Naomi with the chair! The fans boo as Candice sits a chair up. Another 90 seconds left on the clock as Candice uses the chair to go up, CODE BREAKER SENTON COMBO! Candice tosses the chairs aside into the second ring, and Nia TOSSES Naomi over to join her. Candice sets the chairs up together while Nia thrashes Bayley around. Candice CLUBS Naomi, then brings her to the chair bridge. Naomi SMACKS Candice off her own contraption!
Bayley RAMS Nia into a corner, then makes sure the chairs are in place. Naomi brings Candice over, but Nia CLOBBERS Bayley! Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner, and now Nia scoops Bayley! Nia sets Bayley in the chair structure, and Candice LIONSAULTS! The countdown is back, and Rhea’s team sends Bianca! The fans fire up as The EST runs down and looks for something to bring to the party. She finds a trash can! And she CHUCKS it at Nia! Nia falls, Candice runs up, but Bianca SLAMS the door on her! Bianca then brings up a fire extinguisher! Bianca puts that in, but she wants more!
Vancouver wants it and Bianca finds it, it’s a TABLE! Bianca powers that table into the cage, Naomi helping her, and Bianca goes for more. Wait, Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner using the table! Bianca has a chair to SMACK Candice! Bianca whips Candice into a corner, runs up, but Candice ELBOWS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca catches her! And fights the poison-rana! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM! Candice hits buckles and falls back! Nia grabs Bianca’s Cahir, puts Bianca in a corner, but Bianca elbows free! Bianca goes up, and BACKFLIPS with the chair! Pass to Nia, DROPKICK into the chair!
Nia staggers back, Bianca kips up, and the fans fire up! Bianca and Naomi hurry to have Nia in a corner, and they mug Nia with fists! The fans count along, Naomi adds kicks, and they go to 12! Nia sits down, Bayley keeps on Candice, and Bayley has Candice in the second ring. Bianca has a chair and wedges it into Nia. The countdown is back, Naomi DROPKICKS the chair into Nia! Bayley drops elbows on Candice, but here comes Tiffany! It’s her time, and she makes sure to get her own trash can, and its lid! Tiffy puts those in the ring, Bianca notices, and she backflips over Tiff! Tiff still SMACKS Bianca with the lid!
LID SHOT for Naomi, and then a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Tiff says it’s her time, and she handsprings to ELBOW Bianca in the corner! Bayley runs up but Tiff trips her! CATAPULT into Nia’s LARIAT! Nia & Tiff high-five, and the fans are torn about Tiff turning the tide. They send Bianca and Naomi into each other while Candice beats up on Bayley. Tiff hooks Naomi, backslides, and Nia adds a LEG DROP!! Nia hauls Bianca up, fireman’s carries, and Tiff goes up. ROLLING NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP! Naomi crawls to the gap but Nia puts her in the second ring. Bayley swings, Tiff blocks, and Tiff takes the chair to SMACK Bayley!
Nia runs up on Naomi but Naomi dodges! Naomi takes the chair to SMACK Nia! And SMACK her again! Tiff hits Bayley’s leg, Candice and Bianca brawl, but Bianca scoops! Candice slips free to THROW Bianca down! There’s 20 seconds left as Naomi keeps on Nia. Bayley puts Tiff in ropes to HOTSHOT STUNNER! The countdown is back, Rhea’s team sends Iyo Sky! The most experienced woman when it comes to WarGames, the Evil Genius looks around for something particular. Yes, she finds a trash can! It’s even color coded to match! Wait, it also has strings? Oh, so she can properly carry it on her shoulder as she climbs!
The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, looking to do this same tactic a third time! But Candice hurries to intercept! The fans boo but Iyo SMACKS Candice! Candice hits back, and she drags Iyo over! The fans freak out a bit as Iyo has to fight off a superplex! Candice goes to the top rope, Iyo SUNSET FLIPS! Candice holds on, so Iyo SHOTEIS Candice’s hips! Iyo ELBOWS Candice off the top rope! Iyo adjusts, and she MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo kips up and the fans fire up! But Tiff whips Iyo! Iyo stops from hitting steel and ELBOWS Tiff! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tiff, then handsprings! Tiff dodges but Iyo wags her finger now! Tiff runs up, Iyo drops, but Tiff handsprings!
The fans cheer and Tiff shrugs. She can do it, too! Iyo waistlocks, O’Conner, but Tiff bucks that! Iyo avoids the Tiffy Stomps to SMACK Tiff with a chair! Iyo stomps Candice, SMACKS her, then fires up again! Iyo runs up, SHINKANSEN for Tiff! SHINKANSEN for Candice! Nia CLOBBERS Iyo! The countdown is back, Bayley SMACKS Nia! Team Liv sends Raquel Rodriguez, and Ricky Desperado is ready to rumble! She looks under the ring, and she thinks about it. She says why not. TABLE! The fans fire up as Raquel sets that aside and goes into the ring. Raquel scoops Iyo to FALL AWAY SLAM her into steel!
Then Raquel scoops Naomi to LAWN DART her into steel! Bayley saves Bianca and they mug Raquel! The fans cheer but Nia makes the save. Nia and Raquel, the biggest in this match, beat down Bianca and Bayley. They haul the two up, and TOSS them into the steel! And then they do it again the other direction! Nia and Raquel high-five, and they soak up the heat. Naomi kicks Raquel, Raquel ROCKS Naomi! Nia hauls Iyo up, as does Raquel with Naomi! They BOMB them into the steel, then they copy AOP’s SUPER COLLIDER, BOMBING Iyo & Naomi onto Bayley & Bianca! The fans boo but Nia and Raquel alone are dominating!
Tiff & Candice regroup with Nia & Raquel, but the countdown is back! The fans cheer as here comes Mami! And Mami’s a monster in her spooky custom face mask! Rhea sees the giants waiting for her, so she grabs that table Raquel left behind! She and Raquel tug-o-war, and then Rhea SEESWAS the table into Raquel! Rhea runs up to DROPKICK Nia !Raquel ROCKS Rhea, kicks her low, and the two scrap! Rhea waistlocks but Tiff SMACKS Rhea down with the lid! The rest of the team rushes back in and Bayley beats down Tiff! Iyo and Candice scrap, Nia & Raquel TOSS Naomi, but she rebounds to DOUBLE REAR VIEW!!
The fans fire up as Liv realizes this is her last 90 seconds of safety. Rhea helps Bianca up, “This is Awesome!” as Rhea’s team regroups! Rhea has the toilet seat, and she SMAKCS Raquel with it! IT BREAKS! The fans fire up as Bianca’s hair becomes a weapon! Tiff tries but Iyo SMACKS Tiff down! Candice SMACKS Iyo! Bianca WHIPLASHES Candice!! Raquel LARITS Bianca! Naomi BULLDOGS Raquel onto the toilet seat! Nia CLOBBERS Naomi! Rhea is up to HEADBUTT Nia! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT again! The fans are loving this as we have our final countdown! And Liv realizes what this means a little too late.
Liv sees the door open, and she doesn’t wanna go. The fans cheer Rhea on, the refs say Liv has to go, and Liv says okay! But then Liv runs away to the back!? The fans boo, but the match won’t end until Liv gets in the ring. Oh wait, Liv has a BASEBALL BAT! She just needed her equalizer. Rhea says she ain’t afraid of that bat or of Liv! Liv steps into the ring, the bell rings, “And now, let the WARGAMES BEGIN!!” Liv laughs, but so does Rhea. Bianca POSTS Raquel, ruining Liv’s back-up plan. And then Rhea takes off the mask to reveal she’s all Furiosa! Rhea KICKS Liv, CLUBS away, and the fans are thunderous!
Rhea pump handles Liv, but Nia CLOBBERS Rhea! The fans boo as Rhea gets mugged by Liv’s team! They sit Rhea up, Liv has the bat, BAT TO THE RIBS! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN! Then to the BACK! And again! The fans boo but Candice drags Rhea to a corner. Liv shows she has handcuffs! Nia keeps Rhea trapped, and Liv goes for Rhea’s hands! But Rhea’s team fights off Liv’s team! Bayley fires forearms on Nia, Rhea stomps Tiff, and Iyo SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICKS NIA! The fans fire up but TIFFY STOMPS for Iyo! BOOT for Tiff! FLYING DDT for Rhea! Bianca TOSSES Candice into steel!
Raquel picks Bianca up to SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Naomi KICKS and FACEBUSTERS Raquel! Liv is up top, FLYING CODE BREAKER on Naomi! But Bayley SUNSET BUCKLE BOMBS Liv! Nia fireman’s carries Bayley, SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!!! Bayley survives and the fans fire up! Nia is shocked but wait. Iyo and Tiff have climbed up the cage on opposite ends! Iyo is going back for her trash can! Tiff is looking to copy the Evil Genius, but Iyo still has that trash can armor! SWANTON BOMB from Tiff, TRASH CAN MOONSAULT from Iyo!!! Vancouver is absolutely erupting over that!
Iyo grins and Tiff manages to stand. Tiff brings out goodies from within her trash can, but she doesn’t want any of it. She wants her BRIEFCASE!! The fans fire up, is Liv cashing in on Nia or on Liv? The ref asks if that’s true, but Raquel says Tiff better not go for Liv! Iyo FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLASTS everyone!!! Iyo puts out the fire, and Rhea cuffs Raquel!! Rhea BEATS on Raquel! Nia BODIES Rhea! And DECKS Iyo! Nia looks for tables and she has her minions set those up. Naomi tries to stop them but Candice beats her down! Tiff & Candice bring a table to the second ring to set it up, and Vancouver likes where this is going!
Nia sets up a table in the first ring, and Candice has Bianca up top. Candice rains down fists, but Bianca hoists her up! ALLEY-OOP off buckle! Naomi KNEES Tiff down! Nia BODIES Naomi, hoists Bianca up, SAMOAN DROP! LEG DROP, brother! Cover, Iyo AND Bayley break it! Which surprises each of them given their Damage CTRL history. The two stare down, argue a little, but Nina DOUBLE LARIATS them both! The fans boo but Nia soaks it all up. Nia LASHES Bianca with her own braid! And then she puts Bianca on the table! Nia climbs, grins, but Bianca CLUBS her first! Naomi KICKS Nai from below!
Bianca & Naomi hoist Nia up to DOUBLE POWERBOMB her through the table!!! Naomi covers, LIV BREAKS IT WITH THE BAT!! Liv SMACKS Iyo, but Bianca blocks! Bianca takes the bat, Liv panics, but Bianca grabs a chair! They go to the other run, and Raquel manages to BOOT Bianca! Bayley fires off, but Liv gives Raquel a chair! SMACK to Bayley, then FULL METAL OBLIVION!! Cover, Rhea YANKS Liv up! HEADBUTT! Pump handle! Raquel reaches out to save Liv! Rhea BOOTS Raquel! Liv FULL METAL CODE BREAKERS!! Liv puts Rhea on the table, goes up the corner, but Rhea CHOPS!
Rhea climbs up, she and Liv brawl up top! Liv stomps away on Rhea, but Rhea blocks the Oblivion! Rhea fires more elbows, then she HEADBUTTS Liv! Pump handle! SUPER RIPTIDE down through the TABLE!!! Cover, TEAM RHEA WINS!!!
Winners: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley, by pinfall
Eclectic as this unit was, it was their combined experience that won the day! And with Rhea pinning the Women’s World Champion, will she and Iyo both be after Liv for the gold?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
The Mega Star shines bright and talks loud, and that was apparently all the reason this darker side of Nakamura targeted him. Will the darkness grow stronger with the luster of championship gold? Or will this Knight deny the King of Strong Style his throne?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if bravado can best bushido!
The bell rings and the fans rally up while Knight stares Nakamura down. They circle slowly, then Knight avoids a kick. Knight mocks Nakamura with a quick crane stance, and then the two tie up. They go around, Nakamura puts Knight in the corner, but the ref counts. Nakamura lets off, to then uppercutr! Nakamura fires knees and elbows, then he snapmares Knight for a KICK! Knight staggers to a corner but Nakamura fires hands! Nakamura whips corner ot corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight rains down fists on Nakamura and the fans fire up! Knight hauls Nakamura up to suplex high and hard!
Knight drops an ELBOW, then covers, ONE!! Knight keeps after Nakamura in the corner, stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner but Nakamura bails out. Knight runs to WRECK Nakamura with a dropkick! Knight goes out to smack Nakamura off barriers, but Nakamura fires knees! Nakamura sends Knight into barriers, then into more barriers! Knight blocks a third and he SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up and SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again! Knight puts Nakamura in but Nakamura ROCKS Knight! Nakamura whips, Knight grabs ropes and BOOTS back!
Knight suplexes Nakamura, hoists him out to dry, and then goes up, ELBOW DROP! Nakamura flops down and the fans fire up! Knight waits on Nakamura, then scoops, but Nakamura slips free. Nakamura waistlocks, Knight switches, but Nakamura runs to HOTSHOT Knight! Knight kicks back but Nakamura OVERHEAD ELBOW! AX KICK! Basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Nakamura drags Knight up, fires forearms on Knight in the corner, then hoists him up onto the top rope. Nakamura goes corner to corner and back again, TOP SHELF KNEE! Knight flops to the apron then the floor while fans rally up.
Knight drags himself up, rolls into the ring, but Nakamura kicks him around! Nakamura kicks and scuffs Knight at the ropes, but the ref has him back off. Nakamura waits, then runs up, but into a HOTSHOT off the ropes! Nakamura falls, Knight flounders, and the fans rally. Nakamura grabs at Knight but Knight kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Knight whips Nakamura, sets up, but Nakamura KICKS him! But Knight ducks a roundhouse! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Knight brings him up. The fans rally but Nakamura RAMS Knight into the corner! Nakamura runs up but into an ELBOW!
Knight puts Nakamura up top, climbs up after him, but Nakamura fires forearms! Nakamura CLUBS Knight down, but Knight springs right up! But Nakamura slips under and trips Knight up! Nakamura climbs up behind Knight now as fans rally. Knight fires elbows and Nakamura falls back! Only for Nakamura to ENZIGIRI! Knight sits down, Nakamura goes right up! Nakamura hauls Knight up, for a SUPER INVERTED EXPLODER!! The fans fire up and Nakamura covers, TWO!! Knight survives but only just so! Nakamura aims from a corner, Knight sits up, KIN-NO, Knight silps aroudn to SIDE EFFECT!
Knight hurries to the corner, climbs up, and he spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Knight fires back up and the fans are with him! Knight waits on Nakamura, Nakamura rises slowly, but then he flops to the gap between rings. The ref checks Nakamura, Knight goes after him, but Nakamura fires a body shot! Knight fights the suplex, but so does Nakamura! Nakamura CLAWS the eyes! REVERSE DDT on the steel!! The ref reprimands but Nakamura crawls into the ring. Nakamura watches Knight rise, and BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!!! Cover, NAKAMURA WINS!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
On day 120 of Knight’s reign, it comes to an end! Nakamura is now a THREE-TIME United States Champion, will nothing stop his darkness from shining?
The Alpha Academy is getting dressed backstage.
Akira Tozawa checks on Otis. Otis doesn’t wanna come out, and it doesn’t sound good. Maxxine says there is a lot of pressure and drama during the holidays. But see, these True Classic shirts are just the right fit. Loose on the stomach, tight on the arms, and incredibly comfortable. Tozawa hands this shirt to Otis and Otis tries it on. Maxxine is sure this will work. “Ohhh~ yeeeah~!” Otis walks out, and Maxxine was right. When he looks good, he feels good. But uh, now we need some pants… Will you be a True Classic this holiday, just like Otis?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew knows all about the 33-and-a-one-third chance of winning in a Triple Threat, and it might take those odds to stop him from winning this time. Will the Fella make this the banger to end all bangers? Will the Impeccable German make Der Ring General proud? Or will Bron defy the odds and keep the dogs barking here in Vancouver?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how the math plays out!
The bell rings and the three watch each other. Then Kaiser finds he’s the common denominator. Kaiser bails out and the fans boo, but Bron ROCKS Sheamus! Bron RAMS into Sheamus again and again, but Sheamus fights back with haymakers! Sheamus whips, Bron reverses but Sheamus KCIKS Bron back! Sheamus runs, but into a clinch and EXPLODER! Sheamus bails out but Kaiser brings out a chair! Kaiser storms in but Bron blows past him to then CLOBBER him! The fans fire up but Sheamus is back. Sheamus and Bron circle again, tie up, and Bron powers Sheamus to a corner. Sheamus CLUBS and KNEES Bron in return!
Sheamus lifts Bron for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus hits another IRISH CURSE! And then he tries to lift Bron again, but Kaiser KICKS Sheamus’ legs out! Kaiser puts Bron in the corner and then upside-down in the ropes to run and DROPKICK! The fans boo but Kaiser goes out and fetches his chair. Kaiser storms back in, wedges that chair in a corner, but Bron AND Sheamus storm up on him! Kaiser finds he’s cornered, so he fires hands! Bron & Sheamus hit him first! They pinball Kaiser around, then whip him corner to corner, Sheamus runs up to LARIAT! Then he and Bron whip Kaiser back!
Kaiser stops from hitting the chair, so Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser! Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser to the apron, and the fans fire up! But Bron says no Bodhrain, he CLOBBERS Sheamus! The fans boo but Bron just steps out to then line up a shot. Bron runs in around the way, but Kaiser WRECKS Bron with a dropkick! Then Kaiser runs to DROPKICK Sheamus into the steps! Kaiser RAMS Sheamus into the desk! But then Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser!! The fans bark it up as Bron then hauls Kaiser up, for an EXPLODER to the floor! All three men are on the outside and the fans rally up. Bron stands, and he stalks Sheamus.
Bron stands Sheamus up to SMACK him off the desk! Bron SMOTHERS Sheamus, CLUBS him, but the fans rally behind the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus fires hands on Bron, but Bron CLOBBERS Sheamus! Bron rains down fists and talks trash. Kaiser crawls away so Bron focuses on Sheamus. Born pushes Sheamus into the ring, then he stomps Sheamus in the corner. And stomps him again! The fans bark for Bron while he stalks Sheamus to another corner. Sheamus fires an elbow! And a boot! Sheamus fires haymakers again, but Bron KNEES Sheamus low! Bron whips, then kitchen sink knees Sheamus down!
Bron pushes Sheamus to a cover, TWO! But Bron does pushups to show off! Bron stalks Sheamus, slaps him around, and talks trash. Bron shows little respect, but Sheamus fires body shots in return! The fans fire up but Bron knee slow! Bron runs, but Sheamus scoops! POWERSLAM! The fans fire up, Sheamus covers, but Kaiser breaks it! The fans boo but Kaiser SLAPS Sheamus! Sheamus and Kaiser brawl and then they fall outta the ring! The shots keep going, Sheamus SMACKS Kaiser off teh desk, then hoists Kaiser up! Kaiser fights free of the bomb, but Bron LEAPS from the apron!! DOUBLE LARAIT over the desk!!
If fans aren’t losing their minds, they’re barking for Bron! Bron drags Sheamus up and leaves Kaiser behind, just to DUMP Sheamus into the crowd! Bron stands Kaiser up, military presses him, but Kaiser CLAWS eyes! Kaiser slips down and he RAMS Bron into steps! Kaiser grins, but Sheamus rises up! Sheamus has Kaiser for the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans fire up and count along, Sheamus goes all the way to TEN! Then to ELEVEN! Bron runs up, but Sheamus catches him! Another round of TEN! The fans fire up with Sheamus and he goes up the barriers to FLYING DOUBLE LARIAT! Sheamus roars and Vancouver is with him!
Sheamus puts Kaiser in the ring, then storms up on him. Kaiser bails out the side, but “This is Awesome!” Wait, Kaiser grabs Sheamus’ shillelagh! He dares Sheamus to come get him! Sheamus does, and he blocks the shillelagh to SMACK Kaiser! SHILLELAGH LARIAT!! The fans fire up again and now Sheamus eyes Bron in the ring. Bron dares “Old Man” Sheamus to bring it! Sheamus puts the shillelagh down and steps in. They throw hands! The fans fire up for this brawl, and Sheamus gets the edge! Bron JUMP KNEES Sheamus! Bron climbs up, but Sheamus trips him up! Bron is stuck on the top rope, and now Sheamus brings him out with the crucifix!
CELTIC CROSS!! The fans fire up as Sheamus covers, TWO?!? Bron survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus drags Bron up, fireman’s carries, and then he goes up a corner! But Bron slips free and CLUBS Sheamus! Sheamus BOOTS Bron, but Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans bark it up again and the straps are down! Bron runs up, but Sheamus sends Spear into chair!! Then BROGUE!!! Cover, KAISER DRAGS THE REF OUT! The fans are thunderously BOOING but Kaiser grins, knowing he screwed Sheamus from that guaranteed win! Sheamus goes out after Kaiser, but Kaiser SHILLELAGH SMACKS him!!
Kaiser fires off on Sheamus with the wooden club, and he BEATS Sheamus to the floor!! The fans boo but Kaiser isn’t done as he puts Sheamus back in. Kaiser storms in, shillelagh in hand. KNEECAPPER from Sheamus!!! Cover, TWO!?! Kaiser survives and Sheamus is beside himself!! “This is Awesome!” as all three men are down! Sheamus rises while Bron is in a corner and Kaiser flounders at center. Sheamus goes to a corner, he takes aim, and runs up, but the body won’t let him! KAISER ROLL!! Kaiser roars and the fans boo, but Kaiser just brings Sheamus back up. Clinch and- NO, Sheamus fireman’s carries!
Kaiser CLUBS the ribs! Clinch and SIDEWINDER!! Kaiser roars, but Bron SPEARS!!! The fans bark it up as Bron takes out Kaiser, and now he aims at Sheamus! Sheamus rises, Bron runs up, SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
This was perhaps the closest Sheamus has ever come to being Intercontinental Champion, but it was because of Triple Threat rules that he fell short. But that’s not to say that Bron survived as he was the one who put both men down in the end. Will it take far steeper odds to bring down this second generation superstar?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest!
Der Ring General took this title from The Punisher at SummerSlam, but that was because The Prince’s jealousy made him betray his brother in the Judgment Day. However, since that moment, Priest’s confidence has grown while it seems Gunther’s has waned. Will the King of the Ring lose to the King of the Streets? Or will Gunther find a way to reignite that “killer aura” Priest says has gone away?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the rightful World Heavyweight Champion!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Priest smirks as he and Gunther circle. Gunther keeps his distance but Priest dares him to bring it. They tie up, Gunther goes for a head ‘n’ arm, but Priest pries free. Gunther headlocks for a takeover but Priest headscissors. Gunther kips free, roles reverse, Priest arm-drags but Gunther headscissors. Priest kips free and arm-drags again, and Priest keeps on the armlock. Gunther endures, fights up, and arm-drags, but Priest arm-drags Gunther right back down! Gunther goes to the ropebreak, Priest lets go, and Priest avoids the lariat! Gunther avoids the roundhouse and bails out!
The fans boo Gunther but Priest dares Gunther to come back. The ref starts the ring count and Gunther paces. Gunther works to fire himself back up, and he storms into the ring. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther backs away to a corner. The fans boo and Priest is annoyed, but Gunther seems to still have some hesitation. They go again and Gunther kicks low! Gunther CLUBS Priest on the back, CLUBS him in the chest, then whips corner to corner. Priest comes back and he CLOBBERS Gunther! The fans fire up while Priest shakes out his arm. Priest may have hit Gunther so hard, he hurt himself.
Gunther is back on the outside, and now he grins because he sees a target. Priest says whatever, just get in. Gunther storms back in and the fans rally up. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther wants that left arm. Priest KICKS Gunther, KICKS, and KICKS! Gunther blocks a kick but Priest avoids the chop to BELL CLAP! Gunther goes to a corner and Priest whips him corner to corner. Priest runs up but into a BOOT! Gunther runs but Priest FLAPJACKS him! Priest still falls back because of the bad arm. The ref checks but Priest says no, he won’t stop because of this. Gunther storms up but the ref has him stay back.
The ref goes back to Priest, but Gunther slips around to KICK the bad arm! Priest bails out but Gunther goes after him! Gunther POSTS Priest, then whips him hard into barriers! The fans are torn but Priest stands back up. Gunther storms up on Priest to wrench and SLAM the arm into the post! Priest shouts in pain but Gunther leaves Priest behind. Gunther refreshes the ring count, returns to Priest, but Priest ROCKS him! Priest stalks Gunther now, but Gunther wrenches the arm to UPPERCUT it! Priest rolls into the ring but Gunther is after him again. Gunther HIP DROPS the bad arm! Priest writhes, fans boo, but Gunther soaks up the heat.
Gunther gets cocky, this is that Gunther that beat so many before. Gunther KICKS Priest down, drags him by the bad arm, and stomps him! Priest gets mad but Gunther stands Priest up. Priest fires body shots! Priest ROCKS Gunther in the corner! The fans fire up but Gunther wrenches and hammerlocks! Gunther wrangles Priest to the mat to KNEE the arm! Gunther pushes down on the arm, KNEES the shoulder again, but the ref has Gunther back off. Priest refuses to let the ref call this, but Gunther stands him up. Gunther wrenches Priest, RAMS him, and then drops a KNEE on the elbow! Gunther looms over Priest while fans rally.
Gunther stands Priest up, wrenches the arm, and he CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” and Gunther kneels on Priest’s arm! Gunther pulls the arm back, and even has the other! DOUBLE ARMBAR!! Priest endures as he’s being bent back! The fans rally, and Priest powers up! Priest rises to his feet! Priest ROCKS Gunther! And ROCKS him again! But Gunther CHOPS! Gunther wrenches but Priest ROCKS Gunther! Gunther still wants the arm! Priest CLUBS Gunther, Gunther wrenches the arm! Gunther RAMS the shoulder, then CHOPS! Priest ROCKS Gunther again and again! Priest breaks free, CHOP KICK AT THE SAME TIME!!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Priest rises and the fans fire up! Priest ROCKS Gunther again, and again, but Gunther grabs the bad arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Priest roars to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Priest winds up, and he DECKS Gunther! The fans fire up and Priest grits his teeth. Priest runs to ELBOW in the corner! Then a clinch and FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he pumps up the good arm. The fans rally as Gunther rises, and Priest runs to COME- NO, Gunther ducks under! CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE! Priest fights it so Gunther CLUBS him! Gunther lifts Priest, Priest fights the bomb!
Priest kicks Gunther low, hoists Gunther up, but the bad arm wont’ let him! Gunther grinds the arm, but Priest reels Gunther down into SNAKE BITE!! Gunther endures, fights around, looks to stack, TWO! Priest lets Gunther go and he SUPERKICKS! Gunther wobbles, Priest kicks low! Priest reels Gunther in, roars, and he lifts! Crucifix, but Gunther fights off Razor’s Edge! CHOP to Priest’s back, and then a SLEEPER! Gunther spins Priest around, GENERAL BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Gunther is beside himself! The fans rally up, but Gunther goes to a corner! Gunther climbs, but Priest hurries to ROCK Gunther first!
Priest ROCKS Gunther again, but Gunther has the SLEEPER! Priest CLUBS Gunther, climbs up after him, and goes to the very top! SUPER STEINER!! Priest hurries to bring Gunther up! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest crawls to the cover, TWO!! Gunther survives because of the delay! The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Priest rises. Priest brings down the straps and waits on Gunther. Choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO, Gunther fights and the bad arm hurts! Gunther CHOPS! Priest CHOPS! Choke grip, SOUTH- NO, Gunther is free again! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK TAKEDOWN!! KIMURA!!! Priest endures but he’s caught!
Gunther has the headscissors, he STOMPS away on Priest’s head! Priest refuses to give up but he’s turning red! He’s fading! Priest gets a second wind and fights free of the headscissors! The fans are thunderous as Priest crawls over, ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go but he isn’t sure what more to do. The fans rally and duel, Gunther starts shouting trash talk. Priest sits up, Gunther drags him up by the bad arm, and then short arm LARIATS! Gunther says he IS the best, and the fans continue to duel. Gunther short arm LARIATS again! Gunther paces while Priest reaches out. Gunther stands Priest up, but Priest ducks! LARIAT!!
The fans fire up as Priest grits his teeth. Priest waits on Gunther, then runs, COMEBACKER LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Priest grows frustrated. Priest storms around and the fans fire up again. Priest goes up a corner! Gunther hits ropes to trip Priest up! The ref reprimands but Gunther CHOPS Priest! Gunther climbs up, but Priest choke grips! Gunther SLAPS Priest, brings him up to the very top, but Priest holds it off with his one good hand! Priest SHOVES Gunther, but both men fall! Gunther hits the mat, Priest hits the floor! The ref checks, Priest needs a second to know if his arm is really bad
OH NO, FINN BALOR IS HERE!! DIVING DOUBLE STOMP OFF THE STEPS!! The Prince just made sure Priest is screwed over again! But then Gunther BOOTS Finn down!! Gunther doesn’t want controversy, and he hurries to haul Priest up! GENERAL BOMB! Flop over, HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! SLEEPER!!! Priest is furious but he’s also fading out!! PRIEST IS OUT, GUNTHER WINS!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Finn repeats himself by screwing Priest over! Will the Prince never let The Punisher possess this title before him? Will anyone ever stop Gunther now that he’s made it past one of his toughest challengers?
Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed!
The OTC has reunited with his OG Bloodline, even the Honorary Uce, but when they couldn’t find a fifth man, their Wise Man came through with quite the wild card! Will the Second City Saint make good on the deal he struck and help Roman humble Solo? Or is there no stopping the “Undisputed’ Tribal Chief and his Bloodline from taking over the WWE?
Solo’s Bloodline makes their entrance first, and all together. And it seems it is already decided that Solo’s Right Hand Man, the Good Bad Guy, makes his way to the ring. Tama climbs the cage like a spider, both creeping Michael Cole out but also making him chuckle. Then the OG Bloodline makes their way out, and Vancouver of course loves Sami. Punk decides to poke the bears, and that has Fatu all up on the bars! Surprisingly, Roman Reigns does not come out last, he is fourth. He still gets his pyro, though. That means with Main Event Jey make his entrance last, coming in from the crowd! The fans fire up and bounce along, “YEET! YEET! YEET!”
Jey being last out, that also means he’s first in. Jey even climbs up onto the cage so everyone can see him to bounce along. The bell rings and we have five minutes until Solo’s Bloodline sends their first man. Tama is perched on a corner and he watches Jey as Jey steps closer. Jey joins Tama in the second ring, and Tama has a wild grin. Tama hops down, stares Jey down and the two circle. The fans cheer for “O T C! O T C!” Jey dares Tama to bring it, but Tama just stays back as a stall tactic. The fans now chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Tama and Jey circle more, the fans sing for Sami, and now the hands fly!
The fans fire up as Jey and Tama go back and forth! “BOO! YEET! BOO! YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips Tama, Tama reverses, but Jey goes up and over! UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Jey gets everyone to “YEET!” Jey runs up, LARIAT and GAMANGIRI! Tama staggers, but he blocks another kick. Tama also avoids the Dragon Whip to SLIDING LARIAT! The fans boo but Tama just says, “Yeh yeh yeh yeh!” Tama CLUBS away on Jey, gator rolls, and FALCON ARROW! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline & CM Punk but Tama rains down fists on Jey! Tama paces, then he slides to NO Man’s Land for a SLINGSHOT SENTON!
The fans fire up with “YEH YEH YEH!” and Tama HEADBUTTS Jey. Tama fires hands, but Jey ROCKS Tama back! “YEET! YEET!” YEET!” Tama staggers but Jey runs up to whip. Tama reverses again and Jey hits buckles hard! Tama mocks the “YEET!” then he SPLASHES! Tama covers out of instinct and then remembers this match can’t end until all ten men are in. Tama throws down hands but the fans taunt him for messing up. Tama ignores that, and he slithers around Jey. Tama runs to SLIDING- NO, Jey dodges! Tama blocks the kick again but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey then powers up with “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK in the corner!
The countdown is here and Solo’s Bloodline sends out… BRONSON REED! Talk about escalating things! The Colossal Aussie storms down to the ring, looks under, and he brings out chair after chair! Bronson puts those in, that’s about half a dozen! Bronson storms in but Jey CHUCKS a chair at him! And another! And another! Bronson SWATS that one!? Jey dodges, fires hands, and Bronson wobbles. Jey runs but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson says this is HIS ring now! Bronson shakes the cage and grabs a chair. Bronson JAMS Jey up, and he calls Tama over. Tama makes his way to the first ring while Bronson JAMS Jey up again!
Bronson SAMCKS Jey with a chair! Tama gets a boost, BIG SENTON! Then BIGGER SENTON from Bronson! The fans boo but Bronson soaks up the heat while Tama hushes the fans. Bronson stalks Jey to the second ring, HEADBUTTS him, and Tama adds stomps. Jey still has to suffer another minute of this, but Tama CHOKES Jey with boots in the corner! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline but Bronson stands on Jey’s chest! Bronson steps off, then he whips Tama in, STINGER SPLASH! Tama sets Jey up for Bronson’s SPLASH! The countdown returns and Bronson is waiting. The OG Bloodline sends out #BigJim!
Jimmy runs up to the ring, and he just goes right in! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Tama, GAMANGIRIS Bronson, then runs up. Jimmy dodges to CHOP Bronson again and again! The Usos set up, double mule kick! Then double pop ‘n’ lock, DOUBLE UPPERCUT! The Usos CHOP Bronson but Tama UPPERCUTS Jey! Bronson whips Jimmy but Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Tama, then goes up to WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up, no one knew he could do that! The Usos stand together again, and they aim at Bronson. Jimmy RAMS Bronson, Jey forearm SMASHES! They aim at Tama now, and JimmY CHOPS!
Jimmy RAMS Tama, Jey forearm SMASHES! The fans rally but 90 seconds left until Solo’s side can send another. The Usos send Tama into the wall, then they have a man each in the corners. The Usos rain down fists in stereo, and the fans count all the way to TEN! Jimmy & Jey then aim, DOUBLE UPPERCUTS for Bronson! The fans fire up as The Usos coordinate. The Usos whip Bronson into the wall! The fans declare, “This is Ucey!” but here comes the countdown! Solo’s side sends out… Wait, no, Solo tells Loa to stand down. Jacob Fatu is sent instead! The Samoan Werewolf storms down to the ring, but The Usos are ready!
Jacob steps up and in, and the fight is on! Jacob knocks Jey over, then TOSSES Jimmy into steel! Jacob stomps away, but Jey SAMOAN DROPS Jacob! Jacob kips up!? Jacob swings, Jey dodges, but Jacob BODY CHECKS Jey! HIP ATTACK on Jimmy against the steel! Jacob THROWS Jimmy into the steel! “I love you, Solo!” Jacob CLOBBERS Jey, then THROWS Jimmy again! Jacob stomps Jey, the fans tell off Solo but Solo soaks it up. Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy, then runs, HANDSPRING KICK into a HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Tama and Bronson join in and keep the Usos down.
Jacob and Bronson hoist Jey up for Tama to run, PENDULUM BOMB! Bronson HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel! Jacob HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel!” I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” The countdown is back, The OG Bloodline send CM- No, Roman stops Punk, and tells The Honorary Uce to go. Sami heads out, leaving Punk and Roman alone together. Sami storms his way down as the fans fire up! Sami runs up to fire hands on Tama! Sami whips, Tama reverses but Sami goes up and over to then LARIAT! Sami kicks Bronson, fires hands, but Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips Sami to a corner but Sami dodges!
Sami climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans sing and count all the way to TEN then Sami goes way past it! Bronson falls and Sami is all fired up! The fans are with Sami as he then stomps away on Bronson in the gap! Sami goes up to CROSSBODY, but Jacob catches him! But Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jacob down! Sami and Jimmy do the secret handshake! The fans cheer as they’re dawgs again! They stomp away on Jacob, then Jey joins in so they can mug Bronson. The fans cheer “UCEY! UCEY!” Sami goes back to the other ring to bring Tama up, and he THROWS Tama into the steel! But Bronson HEADBUTTS Jimmy!
Bronson rains down fists on Jimmy but Sami CLUBS Bronson. Jacob CLOBBERS Sami! Bronson HEADBUTTS Jey! Jacob has Jimmy for the IMPALER DDT! The countdown is back, and now Loa is sent out. The Silverback storms to the ring, and he goes looking underneath. He brings out a TABLE! The fans don’t mind that, but that door won’t stay open. Loa holds it open, Jacob helps bring the table in, and Loa goes for more! Tama fires hands on Sami while Loa brings out another table! Jacob says time to do some damage, and that table is put in the second ring. The Guerillas ATOMIC DROP and LARIAT Jey!
Jacob starts putting chairs here and there while The Guerillas hit Sami with a POWERSLAM! The fans rally for Punk while Bronson BOOTS Jey out of a chair! Jimmy ROCKS Jacob! But Jacob THROWS Jimmy into steel! Loa rains down fists on Sami, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Sami flounders on the ropes, Loa runs up to SPLASH Sami against steel! Jacob tells the cameraman to move, and he MOONSAULTS onto Jey! Tama lines up a shot, and he tells Jey to watch this. Basement DROPKICK with a chair into Jimmy! Loa THROWS Jey against steel! But the countdown is back! Roman steps forward, but Punk pushes right past him!!
The fans are torn as Punk punks out The OTC and goes right to the ring! Punk stares down Jacob, Bronson and the Guerrillas. Punk then looks to Roman and Roman shakes his head. Punk turns around to step down!? The fans boo, but then Punk brings out a TOOLBOX!! Punk wasn’t backing off, he was just grabbing what he needs! TOOLBOX SMASH for Jacob, for Tama, for Bronson and for Loa! Punk SLAMS the toolbox onto Loa again and again! Punk does not stop, he makes sure Loa is down! Punk then sets the box down, and he SHINING WIZARDS Bronson! And SHINING WIZARD for both Tama & Jacob in the same corner!
Punk runs back in to SHINING WIZARD Jacob, and BULLDOG onto the box!! Wait, Jacob is back up?!? Punk doesn’t see it until he turns around! UPPERCUT! POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! The fans are torn as Jacob stands tall! Maybe he really is a werewolf! Jimmy ROCKS Bronson, Sami and Jey storm up, but Solo’s Bloodline takes the fight to them! It is a brawl all over, and Bronson ELBOWS Sami against steel! Then THROWS him into the steel! The countdown is back while Loa CHOPS Jey! Bronson adds on, and here comes Solo! The fans boo the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief, especially as he stares Roman down.
Solo tells Roman he’s gonna see what a real Tribal Chief is like. Solo goes to the ring, and he SLAMS the door shut on Sami! Solo tells his guys to bring someone else over, and now he SLAMS the door on Jey! And now SLAMS the door on Jimmy! Solo grabs the chain that locks the cage?! Solo closes the door behind him, and he URENAGES Sami right down! Then Jimmy is brought up, Guerillas of Destiny give him the TONGAN TWIST! Solo says hurry up and get Jey up! Jey is set up into the TONGAN TWIST! Solo tells Jacob to bulldoze them now! They gotta hurry, the countdown is still going! The Usos are stacked, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!!
Bronson goes up and Sami is in the drop zone! TSUNAMI!! The fans boo but Solo grins as his Bloodline is dominating! Punk fights back, but he gets mugged and beat down! The fans boo more but Solo soaks it all up. And Solo still has that chain, because he’s locking the door! Solo says Roman’s not getting in here! Solo laughs as the countdown is back, but the beating on the OG Bloodline continues! The OTC is unleashed, but how is he to get in this match? Roman pulls at the lock and chain but it isn’t giving way. Roman looks at the cage, tries to find a weak spot, but there isn’t one. So Roman will just have to do what Iyo Sky does, and climb!
The fans fire up as yes, roman climbs the cage! The Guerrillas hurry after him, but he DECKS Tama! And DECKS Loa! Roman is on the top, but Bronson is after him! Roman SMACKS Bronson off the steel, and Bronson falls onto his Auszilla! Jacob tries, Roman kicks him away. Solo tries but Roman SMACKS him off the steel! And again! Solo falls, and Roman is in! The match has officially started with the SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans are thunderous as Roman UPPERCUTS again and again and again! But Solo TOSSES Roman! Roman comes back to UPPERCUT! Roman rejoins his side in the first ring and helps them to their feet.
The fans cheer, Roman tells Punk he can get himself up. Punk does stand up, and he stares down with Roman. Wait, someone else is coming out here? Paul Heyman is here! The Wise Man tells his Tribal Chief and the Best in the World that they just have to bring the best out in each other, because this is WARGAMES!! The announcement is official, and both Roman and Punk put their differences aside. The fans fire up as the two sides stare down. They step up to the center, and THE BRAWL IS ON!! The fans fire up as Roman ROCKS Solo, Punk ROCKS Jacob, and then Sami & The Usos have Bronson and the Guerrillas!
The fists fly, Sami goes up and up to TORNADO DDT Bronson! Loa CLUBS Sami, ROCKS him, then HEADBUTTS him! Loa & Tama haul Sami up, but The Usos DOUBLE SUPERKICK The Guerrillas! Then the Usos go up corners! STEREO USO SPLASHES!! But Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy and Solo stomps Jey! Those two already knocked Roman and Punk down, and now Solo TOSSES Jey into steel! Jacob CHOKES Jimmy, and now Solo and Jacob go back to Roman and Punk. Roman and Punk fight back with haymakers! Roman has Jacob this time, Solo UPPERCUTS Punk! And UPPERCUTS Roman!
Jacob RAMS into Punk, then brings him around. Solo & Jacob prepare their best moves, but Roman ducks the Samoan Spike! Punk fireman’s carries Jacob, but Solo dodges Roman! SPEAR HITS PUNK!! SAMOAN SPIKE on Roman!! Cover, TWO?!?! The miscommunication almost costs the team! Solo says whatever, just get Punk up! Bronson fireman’s carries Punk, for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Jacob puts Punk in a corner, BEST MOONSAULT- NO, his leg gives out! Bronson SENTONS Punk! Cover, Sami breaks it! Tama goes after Sami, but Sami THROWS Tama into steel! Loa attacks Sami, Bronson checks Jacob.
Jimmy UPPERCUTS and CHOPS Loa, whips, but Loa THROWS Jimmy into steel! Solo & Bronson set the table up, and Jacob somehow hobbles back up. But Roman LOW BLOWS Jacob!! And SPEARS Solo!! The OTC doesn’t care about honor right now, but Bronson SUPERKIKCS him down! Bronson puts Roman on the table! Bronson goes up, and up, and UP!? The fans freak out that Bronson is on the very top of the cage! SUPER DUPER TSUNAMI but Punk saves Roman!!! The fans are thunderous as Bronson obliterates the table!! Roman is just as shocked that Punk got him to safety, and the fans cheer Punk for it!
Roman is maybe not humbled, but he is grateful, and he offers Punk a hand. Punk takes it and the two stand together! Only for Jacob to CLOBBER them both!! Jacob SUPERKICKS Punk, hauls him up, IMPALE- SUPERMAN PUNCH! SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo isn’t done with Roman, and he SAMOAN SPIKES again!! Cover, DOUBLE SUPERKICK from the Usos! The fans fire up but Jacob TOSSES Jimmy! Jacob hobbles after the Usos, but Jey SUPERKICKS! Jimmy SUPERKICKS! Jacob staggers, swings, but they DOUBLE LARIAT! And then they whip Jacob into a ONE D!!! The fans are thunderous, and now the Usos hurry to set up a table!
The fans love it as Jimmy climbs and Jey positions things just right. Jey hauls Jacob up and onto the table, abut Loa runs up! Jey dodges Loa to SPEAR Loa! Tama fires off on Jey, and he sends Jey into steel! Sami gets Tama for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Jimmy is finally clear, and he says hold on. If Big Bronson can do it, then #BigJim can do it! Jimmy goes up for a SUPER DUPER USO SPLASH!! But Jimmy bounces off, he can’t cover!! The fans are losing their minds but Heyman sure loves what he sees! Sami staggers over, helps Jimmy to his feet, and then he helps Jey. “This is Awesome!” as they go to the second ring.
Sami helps Punk, The Usos help Roman. Together, they all surround Solo! Solo sees he is in trouble, the fans tell him how screwed he is, and Roman makes sure Solo understands that. Roman says Solo wanted peace, so Solo needs to acknowledge Roman. Solo says HE is still chief! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! DOUBLE SUPERKICK!! Sami gives Solo a HELLUVA KICK!! And then feed to Punk! GO TO SLEEP!! And then “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!!! Cover, OG BLOODLINE WINS!
Winners: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk, by pinfall
The OTC hugs it out with the OG Bloodline, but the OG Bloodline does accept Punk with handshakes and hugs. Punk and Roman stare down, but Sami reminds Roman, they won thanks to Punk. Roman offers a handshake, and Punk takes it! The fans cheer as these two Paul Heyman guys find respect on the battlefield. The OG Bloodline hold up their ones, Punk does his night-night pose, and the pyro goes off. But while WarGames is over, this may have simply been one battle in the real Bloodline Civil War. Will Roman be able to take back the ula fala and title of TRUE Tribal Chief from Solo? And just what is the promised favor Heyman owes Punk?
My Thoughts:
A great, almost awesome WarGames, but no countdown/kickoff show ever needs to be two hours when there aren’t matches of any kind. And there weren’t even those super exclusive sit-down interviews. Well, I’m actually okay with that, but still, there was nothing really that big going on. Though, I did appreciate there were some New Day centric UpUpDownDown segments sprinkled throughout. Perhaps they were trying to give us some last tastes of New Day before it all falls apart on Monday night.
Opening with Women’s WarGames is basically tradition by now, and they did really well, but with maybe some wrinkles that needed ironing out. I like that Rhea actually customized her mask. Busted faces as angles are rare, but aside from maybe Cody Rhodes running with the “Dashing Dashed” Cody story from years ago, no one has ever really tried to use the mask to their advantage. And I like that Iyo went so far as to have a prepared trash can because she knew she’d do another drop-in spot. At the same time, smart of them to not just use that up, and instead coordinate a double high spot with Iyo and Tiff.
Tiff almost cashing in was good, but of course she is again intimidated into not doing it because Raquel was there to protect Liv. I kinda wish Tiff still got to cash in on Liv, because that little bit we got of Tiff and Iyo going handspring for handspring shows we could get an exciting title match from them. After all, Iyo is still owed her shot on Liv that she won in the battle royal weeks ago. Rhea’s team winning out despite the go-home math from last night was quite the surprise, as was Rhea pinning Liv. Maybe we get a Triple Threat of Liv, Rhea and Iyo, making it that much easier for Tiff to cash in and take the title from them all.
Another defiance of go-home math was Nakamura winning, even though he stood tall last night. At the same time, Nakamura’s return push meant he needed to win, and I’m glad they went through with that. Nakamura at least bends rules and takes advantage of the environment with the DDT to the metal plate covering the gap between rings. Maybe this helps give Knight a bit more dimension. Not that fans don’t love Knight for just being “Kavorka! With everybody saying L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BUT if Knight has to think things through, understand that Nakamura is that sinister and crafty, maybe Knight can find something beyond that.
The Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship was most definitely a banger, even though they really got us with how Kaiser kept Sheamus from winning. While there can still be a way for Sheamus to get back to the IC title, like maybe by WrestleMania, it felt like this could’ve been such a great chance for Sheamus. But for now, Bron can move on to just about anyone. Gunther VS Priest was really good, though I’m not sure Gunther’s crisis of confidence was as well-executed as it could have been. I do appreciate the spark was that he saw Priest’s arm was hurting, and they made that the story of the match.
I just don’t know why Finn had to interfere again. Is Finn suddenly going to be back in the world title hunt? Well, I suppose why not? He can’t keep complaining about Priest if he’s not also going to try for that title himself, but there’s also the world tag titles to consider. This already feels like a Heel version of the Fraxiom story in NXT, where a tag champ wants more, even if it means potentially losing what he already has. Perhaps if not for Crown Jewel needing Champion VS Champion, we would’ve gotten past this by now. Maybe we get one final match of Finn and Priest, Loser Leaves Raw so that there will never be a revisit of this until some WWE Draft down the line.
Though as I say that, Priest would have to lose and be moved to SmackDown. Which isn’t so bad, could be a fresh start for Priest. He could challenge for the US Championship, and maybe eventually build up to be a WWE Championship contender. And another great WarGames match with the Bloodline Civil War, though there were also some oddities like in the women’s. The OG Bloodline all having independent intros was fine, but that then created some interesting choices in order. I would’ve thought Roman would make himself last out, because duh, he’s Roman. But Jey being the one sent in, he wanted to do his crowd entrance and then go right to the ring, so that’s fine.
The Men’s WarGames still followed the math, though. Solo’s side had advantage and stood tall on the go-home, so of course The OG Bloodline won. Really good stuff, with Roman being passive aggressive to Punk and Solo calling audibles to send his meanest guys first. Punk teasing a betrayal only to bring out a toolbox for a weapon was also clever, but Roman’s entrance into the cage was a bit overpowered. He fought everyone off to start and he helps his side up, but I suppose it was needed so that Heyman came out to smooth things over between Punk and Roman. There was that scary part with Jacob’s failed moonsault, but he kept going so I guess his leg wasn’t broken or anything.
Great bit to finish with Solo taking everything from everyone, and I liked the GTS into the Spear. Now with OG Bloodline winning, you can bet we get Roman VS Solo for the ula fala, and Punk will have Heyman do something for him. As I said last night for SmackDown, this could be a case where Heyman advocates for Punk in a World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther for Royal Rumble, and Roman has to figure things out all on his own if he wants a title shot. Another thing I said last night was that Roman is still too cocky. He may be treating Sami & The Usos nicer, but he was still expecting Punk to play along, and still acting like he deserves Tribal Chief treatment. Roman needs to be humbled before he can really be Tribal Chief again, and Heyman choosing Punk over him might be the thing that gets through to Roman.
My Score: 9/10
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