Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (1/23/24)

Desperado VS Kanemaru!

Published

1 year ago

January 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Former friends turned bitter enemies, that’s a tale as old as time!

NJPW is on the Road to Osaka’s New Beginning, but there are some old grudges that need to be handled. Will El Desperado get even with “Uncle Nobu?”

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Marushima VS YOH & Shoma Kato; Taguchi & Marushima win.
10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club War Dogs; The United Empire wins.
Six Man Tag: The Guerrillas of Destiny VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
Master Wato VS SHO; Cancelled.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Desperado wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Master Wato heads to the ring.

And he’s on crutches?! Well that’s a clear indication something is wrong. Fans are a bit solemn seeing the Way to the Grandmaster slide into the ring, but then they cheer him on for standing here in the ring. Wato gets the mic, and he starts by apologizing to the fans that he won’t be able to compete tonight. He injured his left knee during his match during New Beginning in Nagoya this past Saturday, and upon examination, it turned out to be a cruciate tear of his left knee’s ACL. He then faced the reality that this would require surgery, and will have to miss a lot of time in the ring.

However, Wato vows that he will not just come back from this, but he will come back better and stronger, at truly 100%. WAIT! SHO ATTACKS!! Sho CLOBBERS Wato’s leg with the “Torture Tool” wrench!! Fans boo as Sho keeps hitting the leg, even while Wato’s down! The fans tell him to go home but Sho laughs at Wato’s pain! Sho even holds the mic to Wato’s face so we can all hear Wato cry in pain! Sho then mockingly says, “Oh, that’s really too bad~!” Sho says this is a big thank you to Wato! He really thought they were gonna have a match tonight and have to wrestle with “dignity,” so he was in a bit of a spot.

Sho then boasts that maybe he’s just too tough for the 2023 Best of the Super Junior winner. He might be in trouble if he gets too strong even for the Junior Heavyweight Division. And he feels bad for all the dummies who thought they were gonna see him and Wato wrestle tonight. Especially when this is free on NJPW World this time! HAH! He then taunts Wato for just sitting there, drooling and crying all over the mat. Wato should stand up to show Desperado and all these good people he’s still got heart! Sho says Wato’s like a little maggot worm down there! Grandmaster? More like grandchild! Master Maggot!

Sho then mockingly asks which leg was injured. Tear? Total tear? Well, it will be after this! Sho grabs one of the crutches!! BUT WAIT! Here comes Desperado! The Murder Machine goes running when he sees The Rogue Luchador here! Young Lions help Wato out of the ring, and Desperado helps him to his feet. Wato gets the mic again just to say, “House of Torture, I’m definitely coming back for you!” Wato is doubly motivated to get back in the ring, when and where will we see him come for revenge?

After the 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Just5Guys…

J5G won, but Taichi got the mic to ask LIJ to stay. Taichi says he has a “proposal” for them. Takagi wants to storm in but Taichi tells him to “slow his roll.” Taichi says that the next time they’re in Korakuen Hall, February 5th, he wants a “Faction Gauntlet match.” Yeah, not elimination, but a gauntlet. “Win and stay in,” something you usually see in judo. They’ll enter by rank, “generals in last.” Takagi asks who determines ranks. Taichi says no one will know the match order until guys make their entrances. Fans like that idea! Taichi continues to explain that every “match” has a 10 minute time limit, which yeah, is pretty short.

And so yeah, it can end up 2v1, 3v1, 4v1, but once generals show up, there will be no more time limit! Fans also like the sound of that! Taichi says it’d be boring if it ended in a draw, so this will be “a winner-take-all match” so they can settle this once and for all. What does LIJ say to that? Takagi’s fired up but Naito doesn’t really react. Taichi says that’s fine, that’s all J5G has to say, “so please, head home safely. Thank you very much.” Now Taichi wants LIJ to leave, but they refuse. Okay did the idiots not understand him? If they’re confused by the match stipulations, he can explain again on his YouTube stream. Fans appreciate that.

But a unique match type has been created! Will the Holy Emperor and his guys win out? Or will LIJ beat them at their own game?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru w/ The House of Torture!

The Rogue Luchador and Heel Master used to be on the same side in Suzuki-Gun, and were even champions together. But after Minoru Suzuki himself dissolved the group, things seemed to sour. “Uncle Nobu” has joined the dark side in The House of Torture, will he help add more gold to their treasury? Or will this title stay with Strong Style?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we finally see who was the strongest part of the team all along!

Surprisingly, The House goes to the back? Desperado offers a handshake in hopes there’s still respect somewhere in this former friendship, but Kanemaru kicks the hand away. The bell rings and the fans rally for “DESPE! DESPE!” Desperado and Kanemaru circle, tie up, and then break. They circle more, tie up again, and Kanemaru puts Desperado on ropes. Red Shoes counts, Kanemaru lets off slowly, and then he kicks low! Kanemaru whips, but Desperado hurdles the dropkick to the legs! But then Kanemaru dodges Desperado’s dropkick to the legs! But then Desperado dodges another dropkick to the legs!

Desperado bails out and fans cheer this back and forth. Kanemaru waits as Desperado goes around the outside. Desperado steps back in, ties up with Kanemaru and headlocks. Kanemaru pulls hair to power out, but Desperado runs Kanemaru over! Desperado runs but fakes out the dropdown, only for Kanemaru to avoid the elbow drop. Kanemaru headlocks but Desperado powers up and out again. Kanemaru runs Desperado over now, then runs, but he fakes out the dropdown to scuff Desperado. Desperado storms up, Kanemaru SLAPS him! Desperado runs up, Kanemaru dodges to arm-drag, then he has the armlock.

Desperado fights up while fans rally, but Kanemaru wrenches and headlocks. Desperado pries at the hold, powers back up, but Kanemaru holds on tight! Desperado tries again but Kanemaru still holds on tight! Desperado rolls to a cover, TWO! Kanemaru still has the headlock, but Desperado fights back up. Desperado powers out to headlock, but Kanemaru powers out! They crisscross as they run the ropes, and then Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Desperado clutches that knee, but fans rally as he goes to a corner. Kanemaru drags Desperado up to toss him out, and then follows. Desperado UPEPRCUTS first!

Kanemaru CLAWS Desperado’s eyes but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Kanemaru brings Desperado around and POSTS him! Desperado writhes but Kanemaru stalks him. Fans rally but Kanemaru goes looking under the ring. Kanemaru finds a chair, but Red Shoes tells him no! Kanemaru drops the chair to drag Desperado up to fireman’s carry. SNAKE EYES off the railing! Kanemaru sits the chair up, then runs up to use it as a step! Kanemaru gets on the railing, to then GUILLOTINE LEG DROP Desperado down! Fans cheer, that admittedly was impressive. The fans rally as Kanemaru leaves Desperado behind for the ring count.

Desperado crawls at 5 of 20, makes it to the gate at 10, and hobbles around at 14 to slide in at 15! Kanemaru whips Desperado to back drop him! Kanemaru drags Desperado up to TOSS him back out, and Desperado tumbles into railing. Kanemaru then whips Desperado hard into more railing! Kanemaru scoops and SLAMS Desperado right on the floor! Desperado writhes, the fans rally for him, but Kanemaru leaves him behind again. Red Shoes starts the ring count again, and the fans rally more. Desperado sputters but he’s still down at 10 of 20! Desperado hauls himself up and over at 15, and drags himself in at 18!

Fans cheer as this continues, but Kanemaru stands on Desperado’s face and asks him what’s going on, champ? Kanemaru kicks Desperado around, scuffs him, but Desperado glares. Desperado stands to SMACK Kanemaru! And ROCK him! Kanemaru claws the eyes! Kanemaru whips, runs in, but Desperado ELBOWS him away! Desperado runs up but Kanemaru blocks to make him do the splits! Then a ROLLING CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again but Kanemaru drags Desperado around, into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Desperado endures as Kanemaru bends him back! Kanemaru has his forearms across Desperado’s nose, forcing him to mouth-breath!

Fans rally as Desperado endures but Kanemaru thrashes him in the traditional chinlock style! Desperado fights to get an arm free, and he claws forward to the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets off slowly, kneeling on Desperado. Every trick Desperado knows, Kanemaru taught him! Kanemaru lets off as Red Shoes counts, and he stomps Desperado down. Kanemaru throws hands, then avoids Desperado’s punches to claw at the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Kanemaru whips Desperado. Desperado holds ropes to KICK back! But Kanemaru claws eyes again! Kanemaru runs, but into a scoop and BIG back suplex!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Desperado drags Kanemaru up to hit another BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru hangs tough but the fans rally behind Desperado. Desperado goes to ropes, fires himself up, and he runs in at the corner. Desperado blocks a boot to put that leg in the ropes, then he DROPKICKS the other leg! Desperado grabs that left leg to DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up while Kanemaru writhes. Desperado drags Kanemaru out to YANK the leg, and hook it up in a STRETCH MUFFLER! Kanemaru scrambles to get the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets go slowly, to “Oops!” and drop a knee on the leg!

Red Shoes reprimands Desperado but Desperado fires himself back up again. Desperado drags Kanemaru up, scoops, but Kanemaru lands out of it! But the bad leg jams! Desperado grins and storms up on Kanemaru. Kanemaru holds ropes to fight the whip but Desperado kicks the bad leg! Desperado whips, but Kanemaru hobbles and falls over. Fans boo, they aren’t sure if he’s exaggerating or not. Desperado storms up, and yeah, Kanemaru was setting a trap! Victory roll, TWO!! Desperado swings, Kanemaru dodges and then tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Desperado but Kanemaru goes to a corner.

Kanemaru climbs up and he aims as Desperado stands. DEEP- NO, Desperado turns DDT into SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Into STRETCH MUFFLER! Kanemaru reaches out, but Desperado gets the arm, NUMERO DOS! Desperado thrashes Kanemaru around but Kanemaru endures! Wait, Sho returns! So much for playing fair here! Red shoes tells Sho to stay away but Sho shrugs, he hasn’t done anything yet! Desperado lets Sho go, and then NARITA runs in! Narita shoves Desperado into Red Shoes! Fans boo, Desperado flips Narita off, but Narita bends that finger! Then Narita wraps on the SLEEPER HOLD!

Yujiro undoes a buckle pad, but wait! SHOTA UMINO rushes out here! And so do Tanahashi and Taguchi! Fans fire up as Hontai makes the save, going after the House of Torture! Narita CLAWS Shota’s eyes, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans cheer as Shota, Taguchi and Ace-sachou chase the House to the back! Desperado applauds that, too, and gets back to his feet. Desperado storms up on Kanemaru and drags him up. But Kanemaru blocks the gut wrench! Desperado kicks the bad leg, whips but Kanemaru reverses! Desperado stops from hitting bare buckles, only for Kanemaru to shove him in!

Kanemaru whips and Desperado hits bare buckles hard! Desperado writhes but the fans rally up as hard as they can. Kanemaru crawls his way over, then hobbles up. Kanemaru scoops for BRITISH FALL! Then Kanemaru puts Desperado in the drop zone, goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! But then Kanemaru gets the legs, BOSTON CRAB! Desperado endures and fans rally up even harder! Kanemaru sits deep, but Desperado powers up! Desperado reaches out, but Kanemaru shifts to a LION TAMER! Desperado endures, claws his way around, Kanemaru shifts to just a HALF CRAB! Desperado flails and crawls, ROPEBREAK!

Fans cheer as Kanemaru lets go in frustration. Kanemaru drags Desperado up, brings him around and around and around, to POST him! Red Shoes reprimands but Kanemaru pushes Desperado into the drop zone. Kanemaru climbs up, Desperado stands, into DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and the fans fire up! Kanemaru shouts at Desperado, drags him up, and reels him in, but Desperado fights the suplex! Desperado hooks the leg, Kanemaru throws body shots, but the struggle for control is still on! Kanemaru suplexes, but Desperado fights it! Desperado suplexes up and over!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Kanemaru crawls, we pass 20 minutes of the one hour time limit. Desperado stands, Kanemaru runs in, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Then Desperado turns Kanemaru over, hauls him up, OLYMPIC SLAM! Desperado doesn’t stop there, he gut wrenches for GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru survives but Desperado is all fired up! The fans are with him, and he storms up on Kanemaru. Desperado underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Kanemaru fights it! Kanemaru wrenches free, but Desperado dodges to then lift and SHIN BREAKER! And then GROUND DRAGON SCREW!

The fans fire up as Desperado STRETCH- NO, Kanemaru cradles! TWO!! Desperado rolls Kanemaru up, shifts and has the leg, STRETCH- NO, Kanemaru again cradles! TWO!!! Another near escape, but Kanemaru kicks low! Desperado ducks the enzi! Then he rolls to get the STRETCH MUFFLER!! And then Desperado grabs the arm, NUMERO DOS!! Kanemaru endures, and now DICK AND EVIL are here! Dick YANKS Red Shoes out so Evil can stomp away on Desperado! Fans boo as Evil & Dick mug Desperado! The fans tell them to go home now, but Evil soaks it up. Evil drags Desperado up and coordinates with Dick.

Desperado fights Magic Killer! And Tama Tonga gets in! Tama TOSSES Dick, then blocks Evil’s low blow! Desperado LOW BLOWS Evil! Fans fire up as Tama & Desperado work together now, MAGIC KILLER!! The Good Bad Guy thwarts the King of Darkness and the fans are thunderous! Desperado aims at Kanemaru but Kanemaru aims in return! Desperado dodges the bottle shot, and LOCO MONOS! The whiskey mist goes flying into the air! Desperado calls to Red Shoes and then calls for the end! Underhooks and PINCHE- NO, Kanemaru fights it, trips to a jackknife bridge, TWO!! Kanemaru kicks low and SMACKS Desperado off buckles!!

Kanemaru suplexes, TOUCH- NO, Desperado fights free! STRETCH MUFFLER!! NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! Kanemaru quits, Desperado wins!!

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

The House of Torture tried all sorts of tricks, but it all got thrown back in their faces! Will the Heel Master come to regret his betrayal?

As for Desperado, after getting the belt and mic in hand, he rests in the middle of the ring. Desperado says that was pretty badass. He didn’t realize Kanemaru was such a dick, though. And while it feels like “a past life,” he remembers working hard side by side to be the best in the dojo. And there was this one time, he and Bad Luck Fale were drinking, and they went to Daikichi in Todoroki. Fale had maybe a bit too much, was gonna jump into the railroad crossing, so Desperado punched him to stop him. Fans applaud the great story, and then Desperado says that today, he got the bag back! Tama probably doesn’t even remember that story, but Desperado thanks him for the save tonight.

Desperado then talks on the unfortunate news that Wato got hurt. Desperado remembers having a similar injury, needing surgery, and then six to seven months of rehab. It was a long time before he came back here. And that’s nothing compared to what Wato’s gonna face, so there is no need to rush. Fans applaud that, and Desperado says this is the anniversary of the first time “main unit” acted like a team. He thanks Taguchi and Tanahashi for their part in the save. He may be Team Strong Style, but that doesn’t change that they’re basically in the same corner. And from now on, he will hold on tight to this belt.

Fans cheer and Desperado takes his leave. But then backstage, Sho attacks Desperado!! The Murder Machine says he’s got next! Will the House of Torture take this title no matter what it takes?

My Thoughts:

Okay, I skipped a lot of this one, but it didn’t really have much on paper. It was a bit of an unfortunate surprise that Wato came out to announce his injury, with Sho then attacking him to add to his own story in the Junior Heavyweight Division. Wato VS Sho was gonna be the other match I covered but that went out the window. And I ended up seeing the other results so that kinda foiled the fun of covering those. But Desperado making the save on Wato was good, and then Desperado needing the rest of Hontai making the save was also a good detail. Desperado of course retains in his first defense, but now Sho wants his shot, and that’ll be some good stuff in another of these New Beginning events.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (1/30/25)

GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

Published

9 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

Evil couldn’t end President Ace, but will The House of Torture still take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships from him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The United Empire; ELP, Jado, Shota & Makabe win.
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK; TMDK wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

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

Evil tried to make WrestleKingdom 19 the last time we saw President Ace in this ring but he failed! However, his minions will not stop in trying to ruin the rest of Tanahashi’s last year. Will Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho take these titles back to the House? Or will The Ace, Joker & Rook stand tall?

The House walks out here showing off the belts they literally stole back at New Year Dash, but now the tables have turned! Tanahashi and team attack The House from behind! The fans cheer as The House finally tastes their own medicine! Tanahashi snatches back the belts so that he, Yano & Oleg can stand with them in the ring. The House protests but they’re one to talk. The introductions are skipped, the bell rings, and the brawl is back on as Tanahashi’s team goes back out after The House! Yano whips Sho, but Sho reverses to send Yano into railing! Sho stomps away on Yano, then helps Ren mug Oleg!

Yujiro turns things around on Tanahashi, and then he brings Tanahashi out to No Man’s Land! Sho bends Oleg’s fingers, puts his hand through the railing and pulls! The fans rally for Tanahashi’s team while the ref reprimands The House. Yujiro puts Tanahashi in, then he, Sho & Ren all stomp away! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The House all put one out on Tanahashi. Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, then he and Sho double whip Tanahashi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi then dropkicks Sho’s leg, then he dropkicks Narita’s leg! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs at Yujiro.

Yujiro dodges, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi air guitars. Tag to Yano and he TOSSES Yujiro out! Yano then brings Yujiro out into No Man’s Land, then to the back of the crowd to THROW into some open chairs! The fans cheer as Yano brings out that Great Bash Heel side, but the ref reprimands Yano. Yano tells the ref to leave him alone, and he has a chair! The ref stops Yano from hitting Yujiro! Yano argues with the ref, but now Sho & Ren mug Yano! The ref reprimands them but the mugging continues. Ren leads the ref away so Sho & Yujiro can CHOKE Yano with a chair!

The fans boo while The House also beats up Oleg & Tanahashi. Yujiro drags Yano up and then brings him back to ringside to POST him! Ren brings Oleg around with a headlock and sends him into railing! Then more railing! Then into the crowd! Yujiro uses Yano’s red chair to CHOKE him! The ring count finally starts, but Ren JAMS Oleg up with a chair! The count reaches 10 of 20 and The House returns to the ring. Yano is still down at 15! The fans rally, Yano rises up at 17, and he lurches in at 19! The fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drops a leg, then an elbow, then a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yano stays in this, but Ren sends Tanahashi into railing! Yujiro tags Sho, Sho CHOKES Yano with a boot to the neck! The ref counts, Sho stops, then Sho TOSSES Yano out! Sho keeps the ref distracted while Ren JAMS Yano up with a chair! Ren pushes Yano in, Sho covers, TWO! Yano survives and Sho is frustrated. Tag to Ren, he drags Yano up, and Ren whips Yano to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Ren BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Ren grins as the ref now keeps Oleg back. Ren CHOKES Yano on the ropes, Sho joins in to CLAW Yano’s eyes, but then the ref counts. Ren lets off and Yano flops down.

Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Ren breaks free, knees low, then runs up. Yano dodges, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, Yano hot tags Oleg! Oleg jumps in and CLOBBERS Ren! Oleg then deadlifts Ren, but Sho attacks! The fans boo, Sho runs, SPEAR bounces off of Oleg! Oleg then deadlifts Sho! Shake, Shake, Shake! But Yujiro CLUBS Oleg! Yujiro & Ren double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg runs at the corner to SPLASH Ren! Then he scoops and TOSSES Ren! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Ren survives but Oleg deadlifts Ren right to the fireman’s carry! Ren fights free, CHOKES Oleg, but Oleg breaks free! Oleg winds up but Ren ducks the chop! Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref counts, but Oleg CHOKES Ren! The fans cheer, and then Oleg TOSSES Ren to the corner! Tag to Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Oleg and Tanahashi haul Ren up, double whip him corner to corner, then Tanahashi sends Oleg in! Oleg ELBOWS Ren, then Tanahashi SPLASHES! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ren into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up and VADER BOMBS! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Yujiro breaks it!

Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro for that, then goes out after him. The fans fire up as Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs, but Sho gets a cheap shot in! Ren BOOTS Tanahashi, tags Sho, and Sho BLASTS Yano! Yujiro turns things around on Oleg and now The House double whips President Ace! Sho runs in to forearm SMASH! Yuijro BOOTS! Ren ELBOWS Tanahashi! Ren & Sho snapmare Tanahashi, then hold the legs open! Yujiro shoves the ref aside, then FALLING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down low! The fans boo but now Sho covers, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Sho argues with the ref! The fans rally for Tanahashi, but Ren has his repaired pushup bar!

Ren takes aim, Tanahashi dodges, SHOTEI! Sho kicks, Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but gets caught into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, Yano whips, but Sho reverses! Yano stops from hitting the buckles, then he dodges Sho to send him into bare buckles! Yano rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yano hurries to get Sho’s legs! Oleg hops in, CATAPULT into Oleg’s BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Yano then stands Sho up, ONIGO- NO, Sho fights free! Sho dodges, but the ref stops him from hitting a low blow!

The ref and Sho argue, but Yujiro & Ren mug Yano! They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano then sends Ren into Yujiro to DOUBLE LOW BLOW them! Atomic drop for Sho! Tanahashi runs up, SLINGBLADE! Oleg deadlifts Sho right into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! The Heel Master gets on the apron, but Young Lions already apprehend him! Yano hauls Sho up, for ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, KANEMARU TOSSES THE YOUNG LION ONTO THE REF! The fans boo but Kanemaru attacks Yano! But then Yano hits him with an atomic drop!

Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!? Sho LOW BLOWS Yano!! Sho rolls Yano up, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What a travesty! A miscarriage of justice! Evil isn’t even here, but his army of darkness just won the gold! Yano is upset, Tanahashi is disappointed, but Oleg is mad! Oleg storms back in, only for Yujiro to BELT SHOT him down! Yujiro then kicks Oleg out, and shows he’s pretty sore from the low blow. Will these belts help the House feel much, much better?

Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK!

The Fierce Warrior won the New Japan Ranbo to earn his shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so that means he and Zack Sabre Jr. will do battle for the New Beginning! Will the Rogue Luchador & Direct Drive help Goto gain the upper hand? Or will Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles help The Mighty Front Man prepare for war?

The teams sort out while all of TMDK’s title belts are put aside. The Japanese Young Punk steps to Despy, so Despy accepts. The fans cheer and the bell rings. Despy and Fujita stare down while the fans rally. Despy has the majority, and the two circle. They feel things out, Despy facelocks but Fujita slips around to waistlock. Despy slips out, moves around, but Fujita stays on him. They go around, break, and the fans cheer. They tie up, Despy wrenches to hammerlock, but Fujita elbows free to hammerlock back. Despy switches, Fujita switches, repeat! They go hammerlock for hammerlock, but then Despy top wristlocks to wrangle FUjita!

The fans cheer, Fujita fights up, but Despy shifts to a cording hold. Fujtia whips but Despy reverses and arm-drags! Fujita comes back, he avoids the arm-drag, and then he CHOPS! Despy is stinging, but Fujita CHOPS him again! And CHOPS him again! The fans cheer, Fujita CHOPS again, but now Despy CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, Despy ends up in the Mighty corner, and Eagles tags in. Eagles CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Eagles shoves Despy and says he’s bored. He wants Yoh! The fans rally for Yoh, so Despy tags him in. The fans cheer as Yoh and Eagles circle. Wait, Yoh starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”

Eagles is rather amused, and says not bad. Eagles starts it up for himself, but Yoh sneaks up! Eagles stops the schoolboy and sits on the cover, TWO and Yoh has the sunset flip! TWO, both men stand and point at the other! The fans applaud, then Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles runs in, Yoh sidesteps but Eagles hurdles. Eagles RANAS then WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer. Eagles puts Yoh in a corner, and he says “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP!

The fans cheer while Yoh flounders around. Eagles whips, Goto sneaks a tag, then Goto & Yoh DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Eagles! They BLAST ZSJ and Fujita, then call to Despy! Despy says no thanks, they can go ahead. “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT on Eagles’ back! Goto asks if Despy is sure he doesn’t want in, and Despy says it’s fine. Goto CLUBS Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots! Eagles fires a forearm, but Goto knees low! Goto fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights free. Eagles waistlocks, Goto elbows free and runs, only for ZSJ to trip him up! Eagles BLASTS Yoh & Despy off the apron while Fujita basement dropkicks Goto!

ZSJ spins Goto around to be on the apron, then gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans cheer and ZSJ brings Goto out to UPPERCUT him down! ZSJ brings Goto up to UPPERCUT again, then UPPERCUTS him again! Goto stumbles and falls, Eagles CHOPS Yoh, and Fujita CHOPS Despy! ZSJ brings Goto up and wrenches his arm, then wrenches it again. But Goto fires forearms in return! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again, the CHOPS continue by the ramp side, and ZSJ puts Goto in. Eagles tags ZSJ in whiel Fujita and Despy CHOP each other back and forth. ZSJ clamps on a headscissors and he squeezes tight!

Goto endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go cleanly and brings Goto to the corner. Tag to Fujita and he stomps Goto. Fujita drags Goto up while fans rally, and Fujita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fujtia wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! And again, ELBOW BREAKER! Fujita wrenches, top wristlocks, and he wrangles Goto to the mat. Fujita STOMPS that arm, then he tags Eagles. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions get Goto’s arms while ZSJ steps in to have a leg! Goto endures as TMDK cycles through the armlocks and leglocks! Red Shoes counts but TMDK keeps rotating before he reaches 4!

Then TMDK returns where they started, and Goto endures the DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS and INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Red Shoes counts, all three men let go at 4! ZSJ stands, he still has the deathlock, and he bridges back! Goto endures, keeps his shoulders up, but ZSJ stands to tag in Eagles. Eagles drags Goto around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! Tag to Fujita, they drag Goto up, and they double whip him to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, ZSJ hops in for a NECK TWIST! Goto sits up into a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! Cover, Despy breaks it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands.

Despy stands down, but Fujita BLASTS him off the apron! Fujita drags Goto up, wrenches, and whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP, then he snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Fujita coordinates with TMDK. Fujita drags Goto up, and he wants to do the Chaos drum thing? ZSJ isn’t so sure but Eagles is for it. Eagles steps in, but Yoh runs up! Eagles kicks Yoh, and “Se~ no!” Eagles & Fujita DRUM on Yoh! The fans cheer and ZSJ acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The fans cheer for ZSJ to join in, but he puts up the X, that’s not for him. Eagles & Fujita DRUM away on Goto!

Goto stands up and grabs Fujita by the face! Eagles CLUBS Goto, he and Fujita double whip, but Goto DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while they’re all down! ZSJ storms in and grabs Goto’s leg! ANKLE LOCK! Goto endures, fights around, and rolls through to throw ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to RAM Goto, then he runs, only for Goto to RUN him over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Despy! Despy runs at the corner to ELBOW Fujita! Despy reels Fujita in for a suplex, high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despy fires up and the fans are with him! Fujita underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free!

Fujita swings but Despy blocks the chop! Despy knees low, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! The fans cheer while both men are down! Fujita roars while he rises up, and he storms back to Despy. Fujita waistlocks, deadlifts Despy, but Despy fights the suplex with elbows! Despy is free, but Fujita runs up to slip around and backslide! Despy rolls through, Fujita KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Fujita fires up again. Fujita drags Despy back up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Despy fights that. Despy wrenches, but Fujita ROCKS him! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return!

Fujita and Despy keep the wristlock while they fire forearm after forearm back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster, but then both men wobble! Fujita fires a forearm, then another! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return! Despy runs, Eagles slips in, SOBAT! Fujita UPPERCUTS! Eagles scoops Despy but Yoh makes the save! Eagles kicks Yoh, he and Fujita double whip, but Yoh reverses to crisscross them into each other! FALCON- NO, Eagles slips out, but Yoh switches! Yoh feeds Eagles to Despy’s ELBOW! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up but Fujita runs up!

Despy & Yoh double kick, double whip, but Fujita DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Fujita kips up, the fans fire up, and Fujita whips Despy, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Despy crawl for their corners, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! The fans fire up as both men run in, Goto LARIATS ZSJ! Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and Goto fires up again! Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ pulls on an arm! Goto powers out and ROCKS ZSJ!

Goto runs, ZSJ wrangles him to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eagles & Fujita BLAST Yoh & Despy off the arm! They have Yoh & Despy stuck on the outside with armlocks while ZSJ has the DISARMER! Yoh breaks free of Eagles and DROPKICKS ZSJ! Eagles returns to SUPERKICK Yoh! Despy is in, Eagles slips around and feeds him to Fujita’s MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TMDK drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms on Eagles & Fujita! They DOUBLE CHOP, then double wrench! MAX- NO, Goto fights free and kicks Fujita! Goto deflects Eagles’ kick to LARIAT! Fujita kicks Goto, runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT!

ZSJ RAMS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while ZSJ clutches his head. Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down! Goto drops onto ZSJ for a cover, TWO!! ZSJ is up, Goto sends him into a corner! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a GOTO SAN SHIKI!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, BOOTS Goto, then runs! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ KCIKS the lariat, PELES the other arm, then SWEEPS the legs! Goto falls, but then sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ hurries to drag Goto back up.

ZSJ scoops, ZACK- NO, Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Goto sits ZSJ and rolls him, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! ZSJ has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH, with bridge!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

It was a fast and furious finish of technical holds, but who else but the best technical wrestler in the world would pull it out? Goto is frustrated for getting caught like that, but will he avenge himself in just 12 days?

As for TMDK, Eagles starts off by saying, “G’day, Sendai!” Eagles then pretends to check his watch, and asks, “Rocky doki desu ka? <Where is Rocky?> Zabishii. <How lonely.>” The fans chuckle at Eagles’ fake crying, and Eagles then tells Yoh & Rocky that next month in Osaka, see you then! The fans applaud, and then Eagles offers the mic to Fujita. The fans cheer Fujita on, and Fujita accepts. “That lariat turned me inside out, so I’ll keep this short! I’m beating El Desperado!” The fans cheer that, ready to see Fujita challenge Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Tuesday, February 4th!

And lastly, that brings things to The Front Man. ZSJ takes the mic to say, “People of Sendai, thank you very much!” The fans cheer, but then ZSJ tells “Ko-kun” and “Robbie-chan” to “cut that drumming bit. It was lame.” The fans chuckle again, and ZSJ says 2025 isn’t the Year of the Snake. No, it’s all orange! ZSJ promises that TMDK won’t just paint NJPW orange, but the entire world! “Osaka will be here soon enough. Goto, this is your last chance. Let’s make the most of it.” The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ says they’ll end with this: This year revolves around TMDK! Arigato gozaimashita! The fans are ready, will the New Beginning in Osaka be Mighty?

My Thoughts:

A very good event for NJPW, though “Road to” always indicates more tune-up filler than thriller. Gabe Kidd going after Yota Tsuji and the Global Heavyweight Championship is an interesting development, but that is going to be a great match. The NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship match was really good stuff, and I was only a little surprised that The House of Torture won. Firstly, Tanahashi has to lose those titles at some time, so might as well pull off the Band-Aid now before The New Beginning events. Then this works with the story from Oleg and Josh Barnett where Barnett wants to help Oleg reach that singles title level.

And very good Six Man Tag main event to not only build Goto VS ZSJ but also Desperado VS Fujita. Great win for TMDK, but we have a lot of other Road to New Beginning events to build Goto VS ZSJ. A lot of filler 10 Man Tags are on the schedule, but I probably won’t be bothering with those. Despy VS Fujita will be great, but Fujita and Eagles are already the tag champions, so I don’t see Fujita winning. As for Goto VS ZSJ, ZSJ said it himself that this is very likely Goto’s last chance at ever being the top champion in NJPW, but I don’t see Goto winning. It’ll be an epic battle, but I feel like ZSJ is going to stay on top.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.30.25

Are we gonna get consecutive weeks of momentum or we gonna get the “LOL TNA” moment already?

Published

11 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Coming off the first Live iMPACT! in 8 years, it has been pretty universally agreed upon that it was not a bad show. Good favor, a larger audience then they’ve had in years and TNA actually did fairly well establishing themselves as not a third rate duelist.

Let’s see if the good tidings continue or if things start to well…TNA.

The official liaison between @WWENXT and TNA, @AriannaGraceWWE, was rudely interrupted by Tessa Blanchard while speaking with @MeanGiaMiller!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn pic.twitter.com/8ImgauBAiO

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

Cora Jade vs Hyan: Cora wins via Jaded – ** 1/2
Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via 450 – ** 3/4
Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint: No Contest? EY Turned Heel – N/A
Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek: Wes wins via Cardiac Kick – ***
Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$: Kaibas win via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

Nic Nemeth comes out to talk, doesn’t complain and says he’s just gonna dust himself off and start again. Ryan comes out to complain on behalf of “hiissss brrooother” and run down Hendry. Nic is playing babyface still and Ryan is instigating is typical little brother fashion. Nic tries to appease Ryan saying this could be a big year for both of them, so Fir$t Cla$$ music hits and KC Navarro cuts them off and hands off to AJ Francis. Ryan get mad at them interrupting, Nic tries to calm the situation but Ryan decides to agree to a tag match that Nic doesn’t seem like he wanted to go there. But Santino comes out and makes it official.

EXCLUSIVE: @XiaBrookside welcomed @WWENXT's @CoraJadeWWE to #TNAiMPACT, but things got HEATED fast!

Don't miss #TNAiMPACT TONIGHT at 8/7c on @AXSTV in the US, @Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and streaming worldwide on TNA+!

Get 1 month FREE of TNA+ with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/LP8ghA78Pv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

Hyan tries a Pump Kick, Cora catches it, lays her out and kicks her feet up in the corner getting cocky. Snapmare with the Hair, into a Springboard Single Stomp from Cora, Hyan is getting throttled along the ropes and putting up much of a fight to start. Hyan is usually just enhancement talent in TNA, even though she does have a solid pedigree in the indies and internationally. Hyan finally moves so Cora smashes herself into the corner, Wasteland from Hyan for a 1 count, Cora counters Hyan’s attempted offense and then hits Jaded for the win!

The match did what it needed to, Cora tried to lay in the boots further, Xia runs out to make a save but Cora baits her into a false sense of security and goes after Xia. So Masha comes out for the save on the person who made the save. Cora comes off looking pretty good and Masha scaring her off helps Masha’s aura.

.@MeanGiaMiller tries to get answers out of @WesLee_WWE, @TyriekIgwe_WWE and @_Tysonwwe_ for his attack on The Rascalz ahead of Lee's match with @The_Ace_Austin TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Watch #TNAiMPACT now on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn

Get one month FREE with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/UIU5GgiylE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

Myers grabs the quick Headlock into the Shoulder Tackle and welcome back to 1997 wrestling starts. Myers got cocky, shot Leon into the ropes and eats a Shoulder Tackle from Leon, so a little showboating from Leon gets under Myers skin and causes him to make a few missteps. Leon hits the Feint Mule Kick into the Handspring Back Elbow for 2, but when he tries to continue, Myers pulls him down into the buckles. Myers looks for a Spear, Leon Leap Frogs and Myers eats turnbuckle. He powders, the System shields him from a dive, and we’re starting to see the numbers game come into play.

A Thrust Kick from Myers rocks Leon as he’s coming back in, Strong Irish Whip into a Gator Roll and then Sleeper Hold. Again, offense brought to you by Bill Clinton. Leon gets away from the Sleeper, tries to hit the ropes and Myers does his Baseball Slide Trip. Slow heel moves from Myers, Sleeper, Facelocks, Back Elbows…just slow classic heel offense. Leon tries to fire, eats a Knee Lift. Irish Whip but Leon counters by hoping the ropes to the apron, quick pop shot and then Springboard Crossbody into a series of Lariats and a Shotgun Kick! Leon has the momentum, Blue Thunder Bomb for two! Leon goes to the top, Myers is up, Leon rolls to the other side to avoid Myers, Myers eats a Leg Lariat from Leon and Myers pushes off, Bicycle Kick, Thrust Kick into Implant DDT for only two! Myers looks to Spear, gets rolled up in a Small Package, Kick out, dumped outside, Leon flies over the corner onto Myers!

System surrounds Leon, tries to get a few shots, but Leon has some quick offense for everyone. In the chaos, Lish puts a Ring on Myers’ hand so a Loaded Punch into Roster Cut and Myers wins!

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

Slow start with Ali being arrogant into a Lucha stalemate section where there’s Satellite counters, Headscissors and a powder to break the nonsense. Corner counters, Overhand Chops from both, they tussle on the top rope, Ali backflips off the ropes, Laredo tries a Crossbody but Mustafa hits a Dropkick. Grounded Abdominal Stretch from Ali, Laredo tries to fight up and out, but Ali slams him back down, talks smack, slaps him and then eats a Michinoku Driver out of nowhere! But only a two count! Ali manages to pull Laredo into the corner pads, tries a dirty pin with feet on the ropes but the referee sees it, Laredo tries a Roll-Up in the disarray, Ali kicks out, they run back and forth, Ali just slides out thinking he’s outsmarted Laredo but Laredo hits the Suicida for a solid pop. Ali pokes the eye and grabs at the mask, Laredo is off kilter, Ali baits Laredo through the corner, hits the Draping DDT off the apron, slides Laredo back in and 450 for the win.

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

Jabroni duo comes out, and they look stupid, their music is generic Hot Topic trash and the one with hair walks like he’s pretending to be a Delirious fused with a Dinosaur. They look so insanely pathetic.

Dino-nerd tries a stand switch and suplex but Josh no sells and looks like the older sibling judging the little sibling’s stupidity. Bald jabroni tags in, does nothing, blind tag just for Josh to single handedly lay both out. Of course they’re trying to establish the loser squad, so the eventually have a good defensive moment that catches Josh and isolates him in their corner. He still mostly takes care of both of them. This is honestly pathetic.

Locomotion counter switches in the corner before a Shotgun Kick wipes out Josh, Dino-nerd tries a Lio Rush style splash but misses, Josh tags out, EY looks to tee off but he turns and lays out Josh. EY turns heel…that was not on my Bingo Card, but I’m not mad about it. EY has the maniacal look in his eyes again, so Sanity or Violence by Design could be back? Can he call the group SAnitY since they’re working with WWE now?

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

Things start slow then a few quick strike spots from Ace. A grounded Heel Kick and Enzuigiri rocks Wes, Wes slingshots back in, Sunset, Ace dodges tries to stay crouched to get cute but Up Kick from Wes kicks Ace in the face. Wes crotches Ace on the top rope, Enzuigiri, Suicida leaves Ace laying on the ramp. Wes hits the Street Fighter combo in with Ace shoved in the corner, the crowd chants “Boring” so Wes revels in the negativity and mockingly does the Rascalz taunt. A few quick shots and Ace kicks out at one and holds the ropes as Wes just lights him up with kicks. Ace asks for more, and goes full Strong Style. A few round kicks to the chest before Wes decides to do the hell thing and a Spinning Thrust Kick to the side of the face. Wes puts Ace in a Key Lock and Ace struggles to his feet before barely slipping the lock.

They trade strikes, Triangle Kick misses for Ace but he manages to connect after with a strike, a few more, Click Click Boom, Seated Miz Lariats in the corner, Wes falls out of the corner, Triangle Kick for the near fall, but the offense isn’t over and Ace hits the Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb! Ace looks for The Fold, Tyson and Tyriek make their presence felt, Ace does the apron dance and kicks them both in the face. Wes gets dumped out of the ring, Ace with a Fosbury Flop (not the best one he’s done), Tyriek picks the ankle long enough to slow down Ace as Ace walks into the Cardiac Kick!

Wes and crew attacks Ace after the match, so The Rascalz make the save. We’re obviously going to get a 6 man soon, and this is perfectly fine.

Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$

AJ starts with Ryan and just shoves him away and demands Nic, Nic gets the best of AJ but AJ tags in KC and KC gets in a few quick shots, some cute counters and showboating before eating a Dropkick from Nic. AJ comes in to try and take out Nic, the Kaibas take out AJ and then dump KC into AJ’s arms and hold the ring going to commercial.

During the commercial a little blind tag and Spiderman in the ropes taunt from KC caught Ryan off guard so First Class is in control. AJ is beating the hell out of Ryan in the ropes, then hits Tennessee Whiskey for the “Money Money Money” taunt. KC tags himself in and starts slapping Ryan around, Dropkick into 305 as KC cuts off Ryan from Nic, throws Ryan in the corner, Rolling Uppercuts, Snapmare, Roll through, Chest Stomp into a near fall. KC tags in AJ and a little tandem offense gives them another near fall but Mokuba refuses to lose…so far. AJ steps on Ryan’s chest and then lays in a few Overhand Chops. AJ slowing things down, looks for a power move but Ryan slips it into a Sleeper Attempt but AJ counters and slams Ryan down for another two count. Two Sidewalk Slams after getting bounced out of the corner, but Ryan keeps kicking out.

AJ takes Nic off the apron, looks for another Sidewalk Slam but Ryan turns it into a Satellite DDT. Simultaneous tag time, KC eats the fire from Nic, two Lariats, Stinger Splash, Rude Awakening, 10 Count Shots to the Heart for…AJ breaks it up! AJ looks for a Down Payment but Nic slips, Superkick, Ryan tries to rock AJ to no avail so they both Lariat AJ out and Avalanche Polish Hammer from Ryan lays out AJ. KC tries the Flash Pinfall but Nic rolls out, a few quick shouts, Spinning Heel Kick from KC for a 2 count. Nic hits a FAMEasser into Danger Zone after Ryan’s blind tag so Ryan gets the cover as Nic just laughs and takes it in.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

Nothing to really be offended by. Some of the stuff was a little low stakes or obvious filler, but stories moved forward with Cora, Wes and the Kaibas. Plus you know, Eric Young turning on Josh is a little unexpected. EY has been the fill in Dreamer/Scott with the “Ra-Ra” speeches and feel good crap for significant shows, so having him go back to Maniac is a nice twist.

Tessa also steering into this “Locker Room bully” persona is smart. It’s not a stretch from what people already think, so steering into the skid is very smart. I may not have been blown away by anything in this episode, but it was definitely decent and did a solid enough job showcasing the partnership and not making the TNA talent feel like an after thought.

All in all, very nice.