Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleKingdom 18 Results & Report! (1/4/24)
Will WrestleKingdom be tranquilo?
The Cold Skull and the Stardust Genius battle for NJPW’s top prize!
NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome for WrestleKingdom 18, and perhaps one of the biggest nights in their history! And in the main event, it will be Sanada VS Tetsuya Naito for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- KOPW 2024 Ranbo: Taiji Ishimori, Great-O-Khan, Toru Yano & Yoh advance to New Year Dash.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & Dan Moloney VS Catch 2/2; Catch 2/2 wins and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and becomes the new NJPW World Television Champion.
- Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Uemura wins.
- Shota Umino & Kaito Kiyomiya VS Ren Narita & EVIL; Narita & Evil win.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, Winners Take All: Bishamon VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; ELP & Leo win and are the dual IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS El Desperado; Desperado wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat: Will Ospreay VS Jon Moxley VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and is the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Bryan Danielson; Okada wins.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Tetsuya Naito; Naito wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
KOPW 2024 Ranbo!
No better way to kick off WrestleKingdom than with a New Japan Ranbo! Eliminations are via pinfall, submission or going over the top rope and to the floor, and we go until we have our final four! Who moves on to New Year Dash tomorrow night to battle for the KOPW Championship?
The first ones out are Chase Owens, bringing back his Texas Heavyweight Championship that he’s never defended, and The Dominator, Great-O-Khan! And Tiger Hattori is back to call the event? Fans fire up already for this great moment as the bell rings. Khan and Chase circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Khan waistlocks, Chase elbows free then throws hands. Chase whips, CLOBBERS Khan, then blows snot on him! Khan brushes himself off but Chase throws down fists. Chase stomps Khan, drags him up, but Khan throws body shots. Chase bumps Khan off buckles, but the countdown is already here!
Chase steals the Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS, and here comes Bullet Club’s Gabe Kidd! Chase has back-up already in the #WarReady War Dog! And he better hurry up, Khan is throwing Chase at the ropes! Chase holds on, Kidd rushes in and UPPERCUTS Khan! Kidd talks trash, CHOPS and clotheslines and suplexes! Fans fire up with Kidd, and then he flips off Chase?! Kidd DECKS Chase, and shouts “I’m a madman, y’know!!” Kidd stomps Chase, rains down fists on Khan, but then argues with Tiger Hattori over that. Kidd UPPERCUTS Khan, BITES his forehead, and the countdown is back!
Kidd CHOPS Khan, but here comes another War Dog! Kidd grins as he now has Alex Coughlin on the way. Kidd CHOKES Chase in a corner, lets off, and Coughlin slides in. Kidd stands on Khan while Coughlin gut wrenches to SLAM Chase down! Fans cheer the War Dogs as they stand tall, but Khan fights back with forearms! Kidd wants help but he gets Mongolian Chops! Coughlin CLUBS and DECKS Khan, then the War Dogs mug Khan together. They mug Chase but Chase fights back. The countdown is back already as the mugging continues. Here comes Jeff Cobb! The Imperial Unit is here, but the War Dogs are right on him!
The War Dogs double whip but Cobb DOUBLE LARIATS! Fans fire up as Cobb OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Kidd! Then he OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Coughlin! The United Empire stands together, Khan blocks Chase’s kick and Cobb whips. Kidd reverses to BITE Cobb! Tiger reprimands, Coughlin scoops Cobb for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans cheer the showing of strength, and here comes another countdown! HENARE is here! The Empire has three in at once and the Face of Fury rallies on the War Dogs! He also blocks Chase’s kick to WINDMILL KICK! Henare whips, Coughlin reverses but Henare ELBOWS back, then FLYING CHUCKS!
Fans fire up with Henare and he powers up! But Kidd CLUBS him first! Kidd throws hands, Coughlin CLUBS Cobb, then Kidd CHOPS Henare. The War Dogs have the Empire on the ropes, but the Empire reverses the whips to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Fans fire up as Henare and Cobb run to clothesline the War Dogs up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!! Fans fire up, and we have another countdown! Wait, here comes the Stone Pitbull, Tomohiro Ishii! The Empire mugs Chase while Henare waits on his rival. Ishii storms up, seeing all three Empire members standing at the ready.
Ishii gets in the ring and the Empire mugs him! But he fires back with forearms! Ishii roars, but gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS and a BOOT! Khan keeps Chase down while Henare fires hands on Ishii. Henare headbutts but Ishii stands firm! Ishii HEADBUTTS and CHOPS Henare in return! Henare shoves Ishii, fires forearms, but Ishii leans into them! Ishii ROCKS Henare, and the countdown is back. Here comes Mikey Nicholls! Mad Mikey is back in action, and Chase fights back against Khan. Chase CHOKES Khan on ropes, Mikey CLUBS Henare and Cobb! Mikey ROCKS Henare, ROKCS him again, but Henare ROCKS Mikey back!
Fans rally and Mikey CHOPS! Cobb goes to dump Ishii out! Ishii holds on for dear life! Khan stomps Chase down, Ishii powers his way back in and elbows Cobb away! Khan has an IRON CLAW SLEEPER on Mikey! Ishii hoists Cobb up now, and the countdown is back. Cobb suplexes Ishii, but Ishii fights it off! Ishii throws body shots but Chase stomps Ishii down. Shane Haste is here! TMDK now has both OG in the mix, and Hysterical Haste fires forearms with Henare! Shane UPPERCUTS, but Henare ROCKS him! Henare runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up but Cobb CLOBBERS Shane! Mikey DECKS Chase!
Mikey stomps Ishii, then helps Shane with Cobb. They go to hoist Cobb up and out but Cobb holds onto the ropes. Khan makes the save, but then Ishii goes after Khan. Khan Mongolian Chops Ishii! But Mikey hits Khan with a BIG back suplex! The countdown returns, and next up is… Yujiro Takahashi! The Tokyo Pimp is here, but is he Bullet Club or House of Torture tonight? He takes his time getting to the ring while Chase is in trouble. Shane fires forearms on Ishii, Chase claws Mikey’s eyes! Chase claws Shane, too! Yujiro is in, but Cobb blocks the pimp cane! Cobb kicks Yujiro, has the cane, but Yujiro slides out the bottom!
TMDK attacks Cobb, get rid of the cane, and hoist Cobb up! Khan saves him from Thunder Valley! But he runs into the BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cobb fires forearms on TMDK, but they fire back! Cobb JABS Mikey, but Shane jumps on! Cobb catches Shane with one arm! But Shane slips free, feed to an elbow! DROPKICK and low bridge, TMDK ELIMINATE Cobb! The countdown is back, and here comes Master Wato! The Way to the Grandmaster makes his way to the ring, right as Ishii TOSSES and ELIMINATES Henare! The Face of Fury is furious, but Khan goes after Wato the moment he’s in!
Khan UPPERCUTS Wato, runs, but into the CALF KICK! Chase runs up, but Wato KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Chase in return! Shane kicks but Wato blocks to trip Shane and turn him! Mikey CLOBBERS Wato to stop the Boston Crab! Ishii storms over to CLUB Shane, then he focuses on Chase. But Shane hoists Ishii up the corner! The countdown is back already! Khan tries to help Shane with Ishii, but Ishii holds on for dear life! Yoshinobu Kanemaru is here! The Heel Master takes a swig of liquid courage before he hurries into the ring. Khan drags Mikey into an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Kanemaru stomps everyone he can!
Kanemaru whips Wato and dropkicks the legs out! Yujiro is hiding on the outside, safe from being eliminated. Wato fires back on Kanemaru, elbows Chase for good measure, but Kanemaru chokes Wato against ropes. Mikey digs his boots into Ishii, Kanemaru stomps a mudhole into Wato. Shane helps Kanemaru with Wato while Chase sneaks some whiskey. The countdown is back, and here comes YOH! Mr. Direct Drive is coming in at high speed! He slides in, and fires off on Kanemaru! Wait, he has no shoes? Why does he have no shoes? Because they’re his weapons! But then TMDK slap him around with his own shoes!
TMDK double whip, Yoh holds onto ropes and then uses them as defense. But TMDK still slap him with his own shoes! Yoh falls over, Ishii CLUBS Mikey then ROCKS Shane! Ishii keeps on Mikey, but Shane comes back to make the save. TMDK tries to double suplex, but Ishii makes it a DOUBLE DDT! The countdown is back and now we have SHO! Yoh’s most hated rival is here, ready to help the other House of Torture members. But Yoh slips out the bottom to go after Sho! Sho panics and gets the wrench! Yoh and Sho fight over the Murder Tool! Yoh takes it, and holds it between his legs! So Sho kicks him low!
Sho takes the wrench back, but Yoh kicks low! They fight over the wrench, but Sho knocks Yoh down and CHOKES him with the wrench! Fans boo but Kanemaru keeps after Ishii. The countdown is back again and next out is… Hayato Fujita Jr?! Of Michinoku Pro?! Fujita is a three-time and current Tohoku Junior Heavyweight Champion while also being GLEAT’s Lidet UWF Champion, and now he is here to add the KOPW to his collection! He CLOBBERS Sho & Yoh on the ramp! He even KICKS Yoh in the butt, then brings both men along with headlocks! The fans fire up as Fujita puts them both in the ring.
Kanemaru stomps Fujita, CLUBS him and whips him, but Fujita reverses. Kanemaru BOOTS back, but runs up into a COMPLETE SHOT! Sho kicks and whips, Fujtia reverses to SOBAT, KICK and SHOTGUN Sho down! The countdown is back as the fans fire up with Fujita! Wato goes after Fujita, but here comes Taiji Ishimori! Bone Soldier may have missed out on the Junior Heavyweight Championship but he’ll seek more gold here. Meanwhile, Ishii slips free of Tank Buster to send Mikey into Shane! Shane BOOTS Ishii, but Ishii puts Shane on the apron! Mikey runs up but is sent into Shane and Shane falls! Mikey ELIMINATES Shane!!
Then Ishii suplexes Mikey but Mikey suplexes Ishii! They both end up on the apron, they brawl with forearms, and Kanemaru runs up! He and Sho ROCK Mikey & Ishii, but they roar and ROCK those two back! Yujiro runs up, Mikey moves Ishii aside and takes the hit! Yujiro ELIMINATES Mikey! No more TMDK, but Ishii DECKS Yujiro for that! Kanemaru BOOTS Ishii, and Sho is underneath anchoring Ishii’s feet! Yujiro BOOTS Ishii down, the House ELIMINATES Ishii! Fans boo but things move on. Wato and Fujita trade KICKS, but Wato ducks the buzzsaw! Fujita fights the German Suplex, but Wato shoves him to a corner.
Wato runs in, Fujita puts him on the apron but Wato GAMANGIRIS! Kanemaru shoves Fujita into Wato and sends Wato down, Fujita technically ELIMINATES Wato! But then Kanemaru tosses Fujita up and out! Fujita holds on to stay safe on the apron, Yoh goes after Kanemaru, and the countdown is back. Yoh goes up and up, where’d his socks go? Ishimori jumps in, Yoh goes Old School, and here comes Douki! Japones Del Mal takes his time while Fujita and Ishimori speed things up. Sho trips Yoh up! Ishimori CHOPS Fujita but Fujita KICKS back! Douki runs up to fire forearms on them both! Then he shoves Ishimori into Fujtia!
Douki RAMS Ishimori, then springboards to COFFIN SPLASH! Fans fire up with Douki as he hauls Ishimori up. But Chase helps Bone Soldier. Douki throws elbows on Fujita, kicks and ENZIGURIS, then runs, but into Fujita’s SLEEPER! Fujita then shifts that around, GUILLOTINE! Douki grabs the ropes, but Ishimori and Sho work together to DUMP and ELIMINATE both Douki and Fujita!! But the countdown is back, here comes Toru Yano! Fans fire up as the inaugural and most dominant KOPW Champion is here! Yano’s introduction is just long enough to take up the entire walk down the ramp!
Yoh is stuck on the top rope, but everyone else waits on Yano. Yano tells them to get away then! This is too much even for him! Yujiro & Sho stomp Khan but Chase holds the ropes open for Yano. Yano is hesitant but the fans rally for him. Yano wants them to be reasonable, but the countdown is back again. Next up is… TAKASHI IIZUKA?!? Didn’t he retire?!? No one can believe this, but it’s really him!! The absolute madman is storming down the ramp and everyone else just stops to watch! Yano wants to welcome Iizuka back, but Iizuka attacks! Iizuka BITES Yano! Ishimori rushes out, but he gets attacked, and a BITE on the forehead!
Chase rushes out, but he also gets a BITE from Iizuka! Iizuka storms into the ring and the House freaks out! Iizuka stares them down, and the House offers him a spot on the team? Fans rally for Iizuka but he’s curious about the shirt. Iizuka takes the shirt, tries it on, and then RIPS It up!! He kicks Sho, BITES him, kicks Yujiro, and BITES him! Kanemaru kicks, runs, but into a SLEEPER!! Iizuka has Kanemaru sitting down right away! Sho & Yujiro attack, fans boo, but here comes the countdown. The House stomps Iizuka but here comes TAICHI! Not only is the Holy Emperor the previous KOPW Champion, but he was a protege to Iizuka!
Fans cheer as Taichi makes his way to the ring, lip synching the entire way. Taichi has the POUCH! He gives it to Iizuka while the House is after him! Sho & Yujiro double whip, but get DOUBLE AX BOMBERS! Iizuka has the IRON FINGERS!! He JAMS Sho, and he JAMS Yujiro! The fans fire up as Taichi whips Kanemaru. Kanemaru reverses, Taichi dodges and GAMANGIRIS! Taichi calls to Iizuka, and he feeds Kanemaru to the IRON FINGERS! Yoh finally gets off the ropes to cover Sho! Yoh ELIMINATES Sho by pinfall! Khan also covers Yujiro, to ELIMINATE him by pinfall! And Taichi covers Kanemaru, to ELIMINATE him by pinfall! No more House of Torture!
But then Taichi offers Iizuka a handshake. Iizuka drops the iron fingers, but he just stares at Taichi. Taichi still holds out his hand, and the fans rally up. Iizuka steps forward, to shake Taichi’s hand! But then he BITES Taichi on the head! The madness is strong in Iizuka, so everyone else takes advantage! They push and DUMP Taichi and Iizuka out to DOUBLE ELIMINATE them! No back-to-back for Taichi just yet! But now we have Chase, Ishimori, Khan, Yano and Yoh as our final five, so we just need one more elimination! And it seems the group chooses Khan! The other four attack together!
Fans fire up but then Ishimori goes after Yano and Chase goes after Yoh! Bullet Club sticks together and they haul Khan up. Chase TOSSES Khan out but Khan holds onto ropes! So Chase HOTSHOTS! Ishimiori runs up, into an IRON RIGHT! Yoh DUMPS Ishimori out, but Ishimori holds on! Chase runs up, but Khan avoids the boot and then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Chase out! Ishimori holds on, even as Yoh & Yano shake the ropes! Chase runs up, but Khan blocks the C-Trigger to APRON ELIMINATOR!! And just like that, Chase falls, and we have our four!!
Winners: Taiji Ishimori, Great-O-Khan, Toru Yano & Yoh (advance to New Year Dash)
Yoh is surprised, and Yano asks what is up with him having no shoes. Whoa, Taichi goes after Iizuka now for screwing up everything! Iizuka is raving mad, going after Akira Nogami! Taichi drags Iizuka away, but Iizuka has a hold of Nogami’s tie! Nogami gets stripped down just to escape! Well, Iizuka’s madness aside, our final four will battle it out tomorrow night, who will start 2024 as provisional KOPW Champion?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & Dan Moloney VS Catch 2/2!
This is one has been brewing all year. The Abunai Gaijin took these titles from the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball and have found any number of ways to keep them. But now, after taking those Super Junior Tag League trophies, Catch 2/2 is feeling like they’re back from the dead! TJP makes his entrance as the Aswang, the Filipino Vampire, will he and Francesco Akira drain the life from 100 Proof & 44 Caliber? Or will Bullet Club use the Full Clip to take them down?
The introductions are made, the newly white-strapped belts are raised, and we see who starts the New Year on top of the division!
The teams sort out and TJP finally takes off the hat to reveal the rest of that scary mask! Then he DOUBLE SHOTGUNS Clark & Dan down! The bell rings while the champs bail out, but Akira DIVES onto Connors and TJP LEAPS off the apron onto Dan! Fans fire up and TJP puts Dan in. TJP Electric Chair Lifts and Akira goes up, LEANING TOWER CUTTER!! Dan flops out of the ring, Connors returns but Catch 2/2 get him first. They double whip, and ALLEY-OOP FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Catch 2/2 already sets up in the corners! They run in, but Connors gets away! Akira runs up but Connors TOSSES him!
But TJP SOBATS Connors, whips, but Connors reverses. TJP slips out, bites the ropes, then GAMANGIRIS Connors! But Dan YANKS TJP down, sends him into railing, and coordinates with Connors! Connors aims from the apron, FULL CLIP to the floor!! Connors says this is THEIR ring! Connors then gets his dog collar! The ref reprimands but Connors rains down fists first. The ref tries to stop Connors but Connors sends TJP into railing firs.t Connors then has the dog collar, but Dan is after Akira on the other side. Connors puts the collar on TJP and uses the chain to pull TJP against railing! Fans boo as Connors CHOKES TJP!
Dan beats up Akira, even using chairs, and then drags Akira back to ringside. The ref reprimands Connors and Connors lets go, but Dan POSTS Akira! Dan puts Akira in, storms up on him, and he scowls through a bloody nose. Dan kicks and stomps Akira around, then brings him up. Dan whips, ELBOWS Akira down, and then grins as he looms over Akira. Fans rally for Catch 2/2 and Akira rises. Dan CHOPS him to the corner. Bullet Club mugs Akira, then Connors tags in. The mugging continues, and Connors reels Akira in. Akira fights but Connors still snap suplexes! Connors paces around, taunts Akira, then runs to drop the BIG elbow! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally but Connors slaps Akira around. Akira stands to fire a forearm! And a CHOP! Connors shakes his head, then RAMS Akira into the corner! Tag to Dan and he CHOPS Akira. Bullet Club double whips, but Akira ducks to shove Connors into Dan! Then wheelbarrow, STOMP 182 for Connors! Fans fire up and Akira uses Connors as a step, for a DESTROYER on Dan! Akira crawls, hot tag to TJP! TJP climbs up and he CROSSBODIES Connors! TJP whips, Connors reverses but TJP blocks the kick to slip around and hit a BIG back suplex! TJP then crawls right up to Dan, and scrubs his boot into Dan’s face!
The fans fire up and TJP runs side to side, to BOOT WASH! TJP drags Dan up, hoists him up top, and has him in a Tree of Woe! TJP climbs up, Akira runs in, SLIDING DROPKICK to WOE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Dan is still in this but fans rally behind Catch 2/2. TJP drags Dan to center and Akira aims from a corner. TJP goes to the other end, they aim at Dan, but Connors gets in! SPIN POWERSLAM for Akira, SPINEBUSTER and DOUBLE STOMP for TJP! Bullet Club coordinates, Dan runs up at TJP, but TJP goes up and over to TORNADO- NO, Dan feeds TJP to Connors! BRAINBUSTER, then Dan gets TJP up! DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover, TWO?!?!
TJP sits up like a Deadman to grab Dan by the neck! Dan breaks free but then says BANG! Connors runs in, DOUBLE SPEAR! Then Connors BLASTS Akira off the apron! Dan covers, TWO!!! Connors is shocked but Dan slashes his throat. Connors climbs, Dan hoists TJP up. Fans rally for TJP but Akira makes the save! TJP BITES Dan’s shoulder! Akira ROCKS Connors and climbs up after him! The ref reprimands TJP, Akira has Connors for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! TJP lets Dan go, and SPITS RED MIST!! Akira DIVES onto Connors! TJP then drags Dan up, crosses the arms, and STRAITJACKET DDTS!
Fans fire up as TJP then aims from a corner. Akira is back, Dan is in their crosshairs! 2 BY 2!!! Cover, Catch 2/2 wins!!!
Winners: Catch 2/2, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Revenge is sweet, especially now that those nice new titles belong to the United Empire! Even Akira is a bit wary of Aswang TJP, but they still shake hands and salute. Will this new chapter for Catch 2/2 be the strongest one yet?
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ TMDK VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!
TMDK’s Front Man has made it a full YEAR with this title, having won it at the end of the tournament, right here in the Tokyo Dome. But will The ZSJ Show be renewed for a second season? Or will one of his greatest rivals soon take over as the star of NJPW World?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this might be the most intense 15 minutes ever!
IWGP Women’s Champion, Mayu Iwatani, joins commentary for this one. Fans cheer Tanahashi’s abs as he takes off the jacket. The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans are already fired up and dueling as the two circle. The two feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls back to wrench the hands. ZSJ turns Tanahashi around, wraps him up in a straitjacket, but Tanahashi endures. Tanahashi turns things around onto ZSJ, but ZSJ bridges to slip under and away! Fans cheer that and the two reset. ZSJ and Tanahashi feel things out again, knuckle lock, and Tanahashi wrenches an arm to a wristlock.
ZSJ works on the escape, rolls, bridges and then uses a leg to hook free. ZSJ wrenches and wristlocks, then hammerlocks. Fans cheer the exchange, and ZSJ taunts Tanahashi. Tanahashi doesn’t fall for the bait, he just reaches back, facelocks, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ scoops him! Tanahashi fights free, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up and Tanahashi covers, TWO! Tanahashi keeps moving, knowing time is of the essence! Tanahashi is up top, ZSJ stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he goes right back up!
TMDK panics as ZSJ is down. HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! ZSJ gets a body scissor, turn over, JAPANESE LEG BRIDGE! TWO!! Everyone is shocked and ZSJ argues with the ref! ZSJ hobbles a bit but he aims from a corner. ZSJ eggs Tanahashi on, then runs in, PENALTY- NO, Tanahashi blocks the kick! Tanahashi stands, to DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ writhes but Tanahashi grabs the legs and ties them up! Tanahashi fights to turn ZSJ over but ZSJ grabs at Tanahashi’s hands! ZSJ opens the grip and gets Tanahashi in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi fights up to his feet, tries to stack but ZSJ keeps his arms up!
Tanahashi fights, powers his way through, and has the BOSTON CRAB, then ties up the legs, to the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! ZSJ endures now and the fans fire up! ZSJ rolls through, trips Tanahashi to get the ARMBAR! Fans fire up more as now Tanahashi endures. ZSJ shifts sides, then rolls to the TRIANGLE HOLD, then the omoplata! ZSJ gets the leg, he’s going for CLARKY CAT! Tanahashi endures, ZSJ shifts to the DISARMER! Tanahashi scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go but the fans are thunderous for this master class of technical wrestling! Tanahashi goes to ropes while ZSJ eggs him on.
Tanahashi sits up, ZSJ KCIKS him! ZSJ runs, but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Tanahashi fires up, but ZSJ catches him for a COBRA TWIST! But Tanahashi switches it onto ZSJ! ZSJ fights the hold, so Tanahashi makes it a GROUND COBRA! TWO, and ZSJ has the ARMBAR! Tanahashi fights up fast and clasps hands! ZSJ breaks the grip but Tanahashi rolls him up, TWO!! ZSJ escapes and fans fire up again! Both men stand, egg each other on, and they step up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi shakes his head so ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! And again! Tanahashi wobbles but he comes back to fire a strike fest!
ZSJ shakes his head, and comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ eggs Tanahashi on, and gets a SHOTEI! Tanahashi full nelsons but ZSJ drops down to victory roll! And then he hooks the legs, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Tanahashi escapes just in time and the fans fire up again! Both men stand, ZSJ runs up but Tanahashi gets around! O’Conner Roll and BRIDGE! TWO!! ZSJ has the REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Tanahashi powers through to roll back and cover, TWO!! ZSJ still has the SLEEPER! Tanahashi fights up, ZSJ hooks him up in the IRON OCTOPUS! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally! Tanahashi powers his way out to get the DRAGON-
NO, ZSJ steps through to then get the NECK TWIST!! ZSJ then has Tanahashi for another NECK TWIST!! ZSJ goes to a corner and takes aim. PENALTY KICK!! Back of the net but ZSJ says that’s not enough yet. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up, reels him in, scoop and ZACK DRIVE- VICTORY ROLL!? TWO!! ZSJ sits on it, TWO!! Tanahashi has it again, TWO! ZSJ has it again, ONE!! Tanahashi has it, ONE!! ZSJ has it back, ONE!! Tanahashi has it again, crossed leg! TANAHASHI WINS?!?!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World Television Champion)
In just under TEN MINUTES, The Ace of the Universe pulls of what no one could for an entire year!! Season two of this title now belongs to Hiroshi Tanahashi!! But in the greatest showing of respect, ZSJ personally hands the title over to Tanahashi and bows! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but how will they move on from this shocking plot twist?
As for Tanahashi, he proves he can still hang with this generation, and gets the mic to say a few words. He says it’s been awhile, but he is a singles champion again. He wishes everyone a Happy New Year! And he knows that we’ve all heard the news, but yes, he IS President of NJPW now. He hopes that everyone offers the same support to both him but all of NJPW going forward in 2024. Will the Ace bring new fortune to all of NJPW from here on out?
Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The newest member of Los Ingobernables de Japon faces the newest member of the still Just5Guys, hoping to prove their side the stronger faction in NJPW today. Then will Gene Blast or Heat Storm hit a homerun for their team before the team captains face off in tonight’s main event?
The bell rings and the two young studs step to each other. The fans rally and duel, and Yota just grins at Yuya. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yuya wrenches to a wristlock but Yota slips around to full nelson. Yuya fights that, but Yota snapmares him to a chinlock. Yuya slips right out to wristlock. Yota fights up, rolls, wrenches, and wrenches, and facelocks. Yuya spins free but Yota headlocks him back. Yuya powers up but Yota powers him back down. The fans rally up, Yuya lifts Yota but Yota thrashes the hold. Yuya powers up and out, things speed up, and Yota SPEARS Yuya mid-hurdle!
Fans fire up and Yuya bails out. Yota takes aim, builds speed, and the fans fire up as Yota DIVES! Direct hit into railing! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Yota then fetches Yuya to the ring, and smiles again as he steps back inside. Yota drags Yuya up, wrenches and Inverted Gory Especials! Yuya sits up so it’s an Electric Chair, but Yota uses that to Electric Chair SLAM him down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer while Yuya rolls away to ropes. Yota stays cool and he storms up on Yuya. Yota drags Yuya up but Yuya is dead weight. Yota stomps Yuya, stands on him, then scuffs him. Fans rally and Yuya sits up.
Yota brings Yuya in but Yua wrenches out to hit a FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Yota stacks to a cover, TWO, and the ARMBAR is back! Yota gets the ROPEBREAK and Yuya lets go fast. Yota stomps away on Yuya for that! Yota shakes out the arm, then waits on Yuya to stand. Yuya CHOPS! Yota shrugs that off, so Yuya CHOPS again! Yota CHOPS and fans fire up! Yota runs, to run Yuya over! Cover, TWO! Yuya is hanging in there but the fans rally behind Yota. Yota drags Yuya up, whips him to ropes, and arm-drags! Then he BOOTS Yuya in the back of the head! Yuya flounders but Yota stands on him.
Yota eggs Yuya on, the fans rally up, but Yuya pushes Yota’s leg away. Yota eggs Yuya on more, and Yuya stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! But Yota knees low! Yota whips, Yuya reverses and hip tosses! Then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! Fans fire up while both Yuya and Yota are down! Yuya and Yota go to corners, and Yuya fires up. Yuya runs corner to corner, to DOUBLE CHOP! And then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Yuya fires up more and he hauls Yota up. Yuya wrenches, reels Yota in, but Yota fights the lift! Yuya keeps trying but Yota throws elbows. Yota scoops but Yuya slips free. Yota elbows, runs, but Yuya reels him in for a BIG back suplex!
Fans fire up again and Yuya hurries to a corner. Yuya climbs, Yota rises, and Yota gets under the leap! Yuya comes back, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. The fans rally as both men stir and go back to corners. Yota runs in now, and he SPLASHES! Then Yota hoists Yuya to the top rope, and CHOPS! Yota climbs up, brings Yuya up to join him, but Yuya shoves Yota! Yota backflips through, Yuya leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Yota then hauls Yuya up to suplex, FACLON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yuya survives but Yota powers up again. Yota aims from a corner and Yuya rises.
Yota runs in, to GENE- ARM-DRAG! And then ghost pin, but Yota smothers it to his own cover! TWO!! Yuya is up, swings, but into the BACKBREAKER, COMPLETE SHOT and STOMP!! Yota roars, runs, but Yuya avoids the Curb Stomp! SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX! But Yota’s right up!! Only for Yuya to get him for an URENAGE! Yuya shakes his head, he’s not done yet! Yuya drags Yota up, full nelsons, and DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives but Yuya is red hot! Yuya hauls Yota up, wrenches, clinches, swings and KAMUKI SUPLEX! BRIDING COVER, YUYA WINS!!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall
The Heat Storm was too hot for The Gene Blast, and Just5Guys scores a huge win! Will this be a foreshadowing of tonight’s main event? Or will tonight still have a tranquilo ending?
Shota Umino & Kaito Kiyomiya w/ Ryohei Oiwa VS Ren Narita & EVIL w/ The House of Torture!
The Roughneck thought he and his rival had an understanding through combat, but it turns out the Son of Strong Style is an SOB instead! Will Narita and the King of Darkness stack the deck and steal the win? Or will the unlikely duo of #SHOOTER and Galaxy View bring down the House?
Instead of coming through the crowd, Shota makes an entrance from the parking lot on his bright orange motorcycle! But of course, the entire House of Torture is going to be out here for this match. Sho is showing off a Pro-Wrestling Noah shirt, that Evil CUTS with scissors! As if Kaito didn’t already hate all their guts. And no more waiting, Shota and Kaito rush the House at the apron! Kaito gets Evil in the ring while Shota CLUBS Narita and Sho, then sends Narita into railing! Kaito dodges Evil to DROPKICK him down! Fans fire up, Kaito fires forearms, and he climbs up in a corner to rain down fists!
The fans fire up, the ref rings the bell to get this on record, but Evil drags the ref down! Sho rushes in but Kaito blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro gets in, he kicks, but Kaito blocks and DRAGON SCREWS! And then DRAGON SCREW for Kanemaru! Dick stays safe on commentary while Kaito dropkicks Evil’s leg, and hits a DRAGON SCREW! Then he steps through to FIGURE FOUR! Shota catches Narita, drags him down and has an STF! Someone rings the bell?! Shota & Kaito let off, each thinking the other got the win. But no, it was just Kanemaru tricking them both!
Shota & Kaito are furious, but then Evil shoves them both into the ref! The House then rushes in, Yujiro BLASTS Oiwa and the others stomp away on Shota and Kaito. Shota falls out of the ring, Narita CLAWS Shota’s eyes! Kaito is sent into a corner, Sho runs up to forearm smash! Yujiro BOOTS, Kanemaru elbows, and Evil clotheslines! They then set Kaito up and Dick leaves commentary to climb! Fans boo the New Year’s DICK CHOP! Evil calls to the ref, covers, TWO!! Kaito is still in this and the fans fire up! Evil tags Narita and they stomp away on Kaito together. Fans boo but Narita drags Kaito up to kick low.
Narita wants the facebuster but Kaito shoves Narita back to JUMP KNEE! Fans fire up, Kaito crawls, hot tag to Shota! Shota runs up to rally on Narita! And he catches Evil to scoop and SLAM! Shota BLASTS Yujiro off the apron, then stalks Narita. SLINGSHOT APRON DDT!! The fans are thunderous, but Kanemaru & Sho attack while the ref is busy with Narita! They double whip Shota into railing, but he comes back to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans are thunderous again and Shota storms back to Narita. Shota puts Narita in, climbs a corner, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS Narita down!
Shota hauls Narita up, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Narita is still in this but Shota calls to Kaito. Kaito storms in and they both get Narita to his feet. Shota & Kaito double whip corner to corner, then Shota sends Kaito in. Kaito foreamr smashes! Shota runs up to UPPERCUT! Feed to Kaito’s forearm! They pinball Narita and then ROLLING ELBOW to ROLLING ELBOW! Then they JUMP KNEE ENZIGURI COMBO! Evil BLASTS Kaito and CHOKES Shota with a shirt! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Kaito CLUBS Evil! Kaito steals EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! The fans fire up again, but Sho gets on the apron. Kaito SHINING WIZARDS Sho down!
Kaito then runs up, but into EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! The King of Darkness strikes back, and Narita staggers his way over to his rival. Narita grins as he wraps on the SLEEPER! Narita then spins Shota around, kicks low, and FACE- NO, Shota blocks, kicks, underhooks, but Narita slips free! SLEEPER! But Shota wrenches out, clinches, but Narita slips around again! Shota switches one more time, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Narita staggers around, into a HALF ‘N’ HALF BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! Shota fires up and the fans are with him! Shota aims from a corner, but Yujiro distracts the ref! Kanemaru slides the push-up bar to Narita!
Shota runs in, Narita dodges Blaze Blade to CLOBBER him with the push-up bar!! Fans boo as there are even chrome panels on it now! Narita reels Shota in, DOUBLECROSS FACEBUSTER!! Cover, The House wins!!
Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall
Narita grins as he and his new friends once again cheat Shota out of his revenge! Will nothing stop the House from making 2024 the absolute worst?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Tama Tonga!
The Rampaging Dragon managed to get this title back after defeating The Good Bad Guy in Las Vegas, but then Tama came knocking the moment Takagi beat Trent Beretta in Texas. Is Tama feeling luckier here in the Tokyo Dome? Or will nothing stop Takagi now that it’s the Year of the Dragon?
Tama shows he’s serious already by taking off the vest! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives in!
The bell rings and the two RAM shoulders! Then they fire forearms back and forth! The fans fire up, Takagi shifts to JAB, JAB and CHOP! Takagi whips, Tama ducks ‘n’ dodges then RAMS Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM back! They RAM again, and Takagi flexes! Tama kicks low, runs, but Takagi clotheslines! Takagi runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Tama storms up on Takagi in a corner. Tama fires haymakers, whips corner to corner, then runs in to clothesline. Tama clinches, but Takagi fights the exploder with elbows. Tama UPPERCUTS, whips, but Takagi reverses to SAIDO! But Tama is right up!? And clinches to EXPLODER!
Takagi stands, they DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, Tama takes a swing but Takagi swats the haymaker! Takagi runs, only for Tama to catch him into an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Tama drags Takagi up. Tama HEADBUTTS Takagi to the corner, then goes corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! Tama keeps moving, but Takaig ELBOWS! JABS! And YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi hears the fans rallying and he headbutts the buckles! Takagi then runs up to run Tama over! Then he scoops, SLAMS and SENTON FLOPS as Tama moves! Tama runs, but Takagi puts him on the apron.
Tama ROCKS Takagi, slingshots, but Takagi BLASTS him down! Then Takagi FLIES?! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans are thunderous! Takagi says he’ll fly like a dragon but to think he’d actually do it! Takagi and Tama stir at ringside, and Takagi rises up. The fans rally as Takagi brings Tama up and into the ring. Takagi then drags Tama up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! Takagi looks around, finds the right camera, and says “MY TIME’S COMING! TOKI GA KITA!!” Fans fire up for both the English and Japanese version! Takagi runs up to clothesline in the corner! Fans fire up more as Takagi hoists Tama up top.
Takagi climbs up but Tama fires forearms in return! Tama headbutts Takagi down, BOOTS him away, and FLYING NECKBREAKERS! The fans fire up and Tama rises again. Tama brings Takagi up to throw forearms but Takagi gives them back. Tama gets the edge, ROCKS Takagi, but Takagi runs up! But into a fireman’s carry! S R C! Then Tama to the apron, and fans fire up as he goes up! But Takagi is there to anchor his feet! Tama throws hands, but Takagi ROCKS him! And RIDGEHAND CHOPS! Takagi climbs up, brings Tama to the very top, and fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Takagi sits Tama up then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi then fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in! Takagi brings Tama up, but Tama fights the pump handle! Tama throws elbows to get free, but Takagi pops him up! But Tama slips free to TONGAN TWIST! Tama hurries to a corner and to the top rope! SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again. Tama pounds the mat and the fans join in. Takagi rises, Tama runs up, but Takagi stops the Gun Stun! Tama avoids Pumping Bomber, but Takagi catches him into a Gory Especial! But Tama slips off the back! But then Takagi catches the superman punch!
Takagi flips Tama around, reels him in, and hoists him up, to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Tama survives and the fans fire up again! Takagi grits his teeth, has a wild look in his eyes, and he shouts as he brings Tama back up. Takagi runs to SLIDING FOREARM!! Takagi then runs as Tama rises, PUMPING BOMBER!! Tama gets turned inside out! Takagi starts up the “OI! OI! OI!” again because he’s not done yet! Takagi hauls Tama up, pump handles, and MADE IN- GUN STUN!?!? Fans are thunderous while both men are down again! Tama rises first and the fans rally as he brings Takagi around.
Tama facelocks but Takagi fights the suplex. The fans rally and duel, Takagi wrenches out, Tama breaks free but Takagi JABS! Takagi runs, but Tama spins him around, BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, ONE?!?!? WHAT?!? Tama doesn’t stop, though, he runs to LARIAT! Tama vows to finish this now, and he brings Takagi up and in. Underhooks, but Takagi fights the lift! Takagi powers up to trip and jackknife bridge! TWO!! Tama escapes, but Takagi ELBOWS! Tama HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Tama ENZIGURIS! Tama roars, tries again, DIVE SHACK- RANA!? Takagi stops the driver but Tama SUPERMAN PUNCHES!
Takagi staggers around, Tama aims, and Takagi steals GUN STUN!?!? And then PUMPING BOMBER!!! And then Takagi hoists Tama up, MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Tama survives but how?!? The fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Takagi grits his teeth and roars! Takagi rises up and brings Tama around. “OI! OI! OI!” echoes out as Takagi pump handles again. But Tama fights the lift! Takagi fires boxing elbows, then LARIATS! Tama stays up so Tama LARIATS again! Tama drops to his knees but Takagi won’t let him down! Pump handle, torture rack, but Tama sunset flips! And deadlifts into the STYLES CLASH!!!
The fans are thunderous again and Tama reloads, GUN STUN!!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Takagi must be a dragon because he ain’t human! Tama calls for the end and he reels Takagi back in! DIVE SHACK DRIVER!!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Once more, The Good Bad Guy gets this title back! He is now a FOUR-TIME NEVER Openweight Champion, but how long will this one last?
Wait, is that Nick & Ryan Nemeth?
They’re being accompanied to their ringside seats by staff! What business do the Showoff and the Hollywood Hunk have in NJPW?
IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, Winners Take All: Bishamon VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
These two teams faced off twice in the 2023 World Tag League. First, The Headbanga & Young Guerrilla won on opening night. Then, Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi defied the odds and won the tournament finals for a third year in a row. History is about to be made once again, who stands tall as THE BEST team in NJPW today?
The introductions are made, all the belts are raised, and we see who brings them all home for the New Year!
The teams fist bump to show there is respect, and the fans applaud. The teams then sort out, and ELP starts against Hashi. ELP hears the fans rallying for him, and he circles with Hashi. They tie up, are in a deadlock, then break. They start throwing forearms back and forth, then Hashi body shots and CHOPS! Fans cheer, Hashi whips, but ELP reverses. Things speed up as ELP drops then DROPKICKS! ELP then handsprings up, and spins to CHOP Hashi! Goto tags in and Bishamon runs ELP over! Then they combine for ZANMAI! Leo runs in but into kicks! Bishamon reels Leo in but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES Bishamon!
Fans fire up as the shirt comes off! Leo drags Hashi up to whip him to a corner. Leo sends ELP in and he back elbows Hashi! ELP feeds Hashi to Leo’s scoop, and ELP goes up! SIDEWALK SLAM to ELBOW DROP! Goto fires off forearms on ELP & Leo, runs, but ELP hurdles and Leo hits a DDT! Fans fire up, and ELP high-fives Leo. Leo & ELP then aim at Goto from opposite corners. ELP tunes up but Hashi anchors his foot! Goto sends Leo into ELP, then MURAMASAS Leo down! Then SAIDO for ELP! Fans fire up while Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi. Hashi runs up to CHOP ELP in a corner.
Hashi whips to CHOP ELP again, then he mule kicks. Hashi turns ELP around, but ELP fights free and shoves Hashi away. ELP runs up but Hashi BOOTS him! Hashi BLASTS Leo, Goto has ELP, and Hashi runs in, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! Cover, but Leo breaks it! Goto stomps Leo, brings him up, but Leo fights the suplex. Leo suplexes but Hashi saves Goto. Hashi joins in now, Bishamon DOUBLE SUPLEXES Leo after all! The fans fire up with Hashi, and Goto runs in at ELP. Goto clotheslines, then Hashi runs in to clothesline! Hashi brings ELP up and Goto climbs. The fans fire up, but ELP fights free to send Hashi into Goto!
ELP then uses Hashi as a step to get up top! SUPER STEINER sends Goto into Hashi! Fans fire up and ELP crawls his way over to the Guerrilla corner. Hot tag to Leo! Leo storms up to UPPERCUT Goto, but Hashi dodges the boot. Hashi ducks ‘n ‘dodges but still gets run over! Leo scoops Goto, to SNAKE EYES! Leo keeps moving and he runs Goto over! The fans fire up as Leo choke grips Hashi, then he grabs Goto. But Bishamon fights free, kicks low and double whips. Leo blasts through the line to DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up and Leo tags ELP back in. ELP & Leo coordinate again, and they tune up the band.
Hashi stands, ELP SUDDEN- NO, Hashi blocks that and CHOPS! Leo choke grips! But Hashi sends Leo into the SUDDEN DEATH! And then DRAGON SUPLEX on ELP! Hashi hurries and hot tags Goto! Goto calls to Hashi as he drags ELP up. Dragon sleeper, but ELP spins that around! Goto fights the suplex, and he hoists ELP up! Hashi has ELP’s legs, for G Y R!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up again. Bishamon coordinates and they drag ELP back up. Hashi calls for lights out, and they have the dragon sleeper and legs. But ELP BOOTS Hashi away, goes up and over Goto, but Goto switches. ELP ends up in the HIDDEN GAP!
Goto fireman’s carries ELP, Hashi aims, FIERCE FLASH into SHOUTO!! Cover, LEO BREAKS IT!! Fans fire up as all four men are down! Jado coaches his team and the fans rally up again. Leo drags Hashi up, reels him in for the choke grip, then he adds Goto! But Bishamon breaks free again! They dodge the double lariat to DOUBLE LARIAT Leo up and out! Fans fire up with Bishamon and Hashi brings ELP around. Full nelson and lift, NARA- RANA!! ELP sends Goto into Hashi, crawls for his corner, hot tag to Leo again! Leo runs up to clothesline Hashi up and out! Goto CHOPS but Leo just scowls.
Leo choke grips, then CHOPS Goto! Leo calls to ELP, and ELP DIVES to take out Hashi! ELP then goes to the apron, but Goto sends Leo into him! Goto fireman’s carries Leo, for USHIGOROSHI! And then GOTO ISHIKI! TWO!! Leo escapes the cradle but Goto brings him back around. Goto dragon sleepers, but Leo powers through! Leo and Goto fight for suplex control, but then Goto slips free! HIDDEN GAP, ELP EDITION! ELP then ARIHARA MOONSAULTS Hashi down!! Leo hauls Goto up, to GODSEND!!! And then he gives ELP the boost, SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives and shocks everyone!
ELP pounds the mat, the fans rally up with him, and the Guerrillas coordinate again. ELP reels Goto in while Leo climbs! C R THREE!!!! And then ELP gives Leo the boost?!? NOT! LEO SPLASH!!! Cover, THE GUERILLAS WIN!!!
Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (DUAL IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
History has TRULY been made! Yes, ELP & Leo hold all these belts together, but this also makes them the ONE HUNDRETH IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions!! And even better, they show respect to Bishamon by helping them to their feet. Bishamon shows respect in return, is this the torch being passed? How much bigger will get after this incredible moment?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS El Desperado!
The Ticking Timebomb may not be pulling off his dream of 10 YEARS as the Best of the Super Juniors, given he lost out on the 2023 tournament, but Hiromu still has the title. Will even that change after one more round with his greatest rival? Or will he find a way to make it past the Rogue Luchador in 2024?
The moment Hiromu is ringside, Desperado DIVES out onto him! Direct hit into railing and the fans are thunderous! The bell rings and Desperado drags Hiromu up out of his wild looking jacket. Desperado puts Hiromu in the ring and the fans fire up. Desperado drags Hiromu up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Hiromu isn’t going down that easy but Desperado keeps on him. Desperado CLUBS Hiromu on the neck, taunts him, but Hiromu taunts Desperado back. Desperado CLUBS Hiromu again, then CHOPS him! Hiromu goes to a corner, Desperado storms up and whips corner to corner.
Desperado runs in to clothesline, then he fireman’s carries. WASTELAND SLAM, then Desperado hurries up the corner. Desperado jumps but has to bail out as Hiromu moves. Desperado returns, Hiromu dodges to SPLASH in the corner! Hiromu then snapmares, runs and basement dropkicks! Desperado bails out, Hiromu goes to the apron and he FLYING SHOTGUNS Desperado into railing! Desperado hits so hard, he tumbles over the railing! Hiromu goes out to fetch Desperado, then whips him into more railing! Desperado tumbles up and over again, clipping the timekeeper’s table! Hiromu storms out to fetch Desperado again.
The ref wants this back in the ring so Hiromu says okay. Hiromu puts Desperado in and he drags Desperado up. FALCON ARROW, then cover, ONE!! Desperado is also not that easy, but Hiromu grins. Hiromu drags Desperado up, fireman’s carries, and CORNER DEATH VALLEYS! The fans rally up as Hiromu drags Desperado back up, fireman’s carries again, but Desperado slips free. Desperado shoves, but Hiromu fights the spinebuster. Hiromu kicks low, whips, but Desperado reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO, but into the STRETCH MUFFLER! Hiromu flails, reaches out, but Desperado drags him so far away from ropes!
Hiromu scrambles around, goes to the side, and has the ROPEBREAK after all! Desperado lets go in frustration while the fans cheer. Hiromu clutches his leg while Desperado catches his breath. Desperado rises, he stomps Hiromu’s leg, but Hiromu eggs him on. Desperado kneels on the leg, Hiromu pulls at the mask, but the ref reprimands. Hiromu lets go to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Desperado SPLASHES the bad leg! Desperado eggs Hiromu on, Hiromu CHOPS again! And CHOPS! Desperado kicks the leg out, gut wrench, but Hiromu slips free. But the bad leg buckles! Hiromu still tries, but Desperado blocks the superkick!
Desperado spins Hiromu around, grabs the leg again, SHIN BREAKER! And then GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while both men are down. Desperado coughs and sputters but he catches his breath again. Desperado storms up but Hiromu kicks and kicks. Desperado stomps Hiromu, drags him up and reels him in to underhook. But Hiromu fights Pinche Loco! Hiromu lifts Desperado up to back drop him away! But Desperado is right up and aiming from a corner! Hiromu stands, but he avoids the dropkick! Desperado comes back but Hiromu spins him. Desperado fights the suplex, wrenches out, but Hiromu victory rolls for the COMPLETE SHOT!
Both men are down again and the fans rally up. Hiromu shakes out the bad leg and he rises to his feet. Hiromu hobbles over and he brings Desperado up. Hiromu goes to fireman’s carry but Desperado fights it. Hiromu powers through, Desperado slips free but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Desperado runs back in but Hiromu sidesteps to SNAP GERMAN! Desperado sits up in a daze and Hiromu roars! Hiromu hurries to fireman’s carry again, swing and- NO, Desperado sunset flips, to get the STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado thrashes the leg, has the arm for NUMERO DOS, and he rolls Hiromu away from ropes!
Hiromu endures as Desperado thrashes leg and arm around! Hiromu powers up to sit up, and he reels Desperado in for a DESTROYER! Desperado staggers around, into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans fire up with Hiromu and he drags Desperado back up. Desperado is dead weight but he still throws some hands. Hiromu fireman’s carries, swings and TIMEBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and the fans fire up again! Hiromu slaps his bad leg into working, then he hobbles after Desperado. Hiromu dragon sleepers but Desperado throws hands! Hiromu CLUBS Desperado, inverted suplexes and tucks, but Desperado kicks and flails!
Hiromu ends up in a corner, and Desperado gets to the top rope that way. But Hiromu SUPERKICKS first! Hiromu hurries up after Desperado, to jump and- NO, Desperado stops the Super Victory Roll, to hit a SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Desperado snarls as he watches Hiromu rise. They shout at each other, then crawl over to each other. Desperado pulls Hiromu’s hair but Hiromu pulls Desperado’s mask. Hiromu then shoves Desperado, but Desperado ducks the superkick! Desperado ROCKS Hiromu, ROCKS him again, and ROCKS him again! And again! And again! And AGAIN!!
Hiromu wobbles but Desperado DECKS him!! The fans are thunderous as Desperado roars, and he LOCO MO- NO! Hiromu ducks to SUPERKICK! And then SUPERKICKS again! Hiromu runs, to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Hiromu roars and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu reels Desperado in to the dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, but Desperado slips free! OLYMPIC SLAM! And then Desperado underhooks, PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Hiromu survives and Desperado is stunned! The fans are electric as Desperado pounds the mat and roars! Desperado drags Hiromu up and underhooks again.
PINCHE- NO, Hiromu fights it, wrenches, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! TWO!!! Desperado ROCKS Hiromu again, then underhooks, for a JAY DRILLER!!! And then roll through to the PINCHE LOCO!!!! Cover, DESPERADO WINS!!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Desperado was wearing red for the occasion, and now he will get to wear gold once again! He defeats Hiromu on NJPW’s biggest stage, does this make Desperado the Best of the Super Juniors?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat: Will Ospreay VS Jon Moxley VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!
What was the United States Heavyweight Championship became the United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship under the Aerial Assassin’s reign. But just as The Maniac made his return to NJPW aiming for the gold, The Rebel stormed in and took the fight to them both! Finlay says he is a man without a country, so will he be the first to hold a title that represents all countries? Or will he see that NJPW doesn’t need the Rebel?
Finlay has a bigger jacket than usual, Moxley mixes Nightwing with Red Hood while Ospreay has a Jack the Ripper meets Assassin’s Creed style going. The introductions are made, the brand new belt is presented, and we see who gets to be the very first!
The bell rings and Finlay asks how the others are gonna play this. Ospreay & Moxley go after Finlay together, that’s how! They mug Finlay, but then Ospreay pushes Moxley aside so he can stomp and punch away. Moxley moves Ospreay aside so he can stand on Finlay’s face! Ospreay then CHOPS Finlay, and then Moxley CHOPS Finlay! Ospreay CHOPS Finlay, and Moxley CHOPS Finlay! They’re trying to outdo each other as they CHOP Finlay again and again! Fans cheer, but then Finlay rushes up on Ospreay. Moxley stops that to CHOP Finlay down. Moxley claws Finlay’s face, the ref counts and Moxley lets off.
Moxley & Ospreay double whip but Finlay bails out. Fans boo, but Ospreay goes out to BOOT Finlay down! The fans cheer, and Moxley adds on by sitting Finlay right on the railing! Moxley then goes to No Man’s Land to CLOBBER Finlay off the railing! Ospreay is there to drag Finlay up and throw forearms. They end up by commentary, go around the back, and Ospreay throws more forearms. They end up among the fans, Ospreay throws more forearms, but Moxley returns. Finlay fights back but Moxley kicks him low. Ospreay CHOPS Finlay down! Finlay sputters, but Ospreay & Moxley haul him up, to whip him into railing!
Finlay falls over, but Ospreay hauls him up, for a RAILING BACK SUPLEX! Finlay writhes, the ref wants this back in the ring, but Moxley and Ospreay drag Finlay up again. Moxley ROCKS Finlay, whips him, but Finlay reverses and sends Moxley into a power generator! Finlay then FLAPJACKS Ospreay off railing! Ospreay sputters, Moxley stands up, but Finlay CLUBS Moxley back to ringside. Moxley kicks back, and he snap suplexes Finlay to the floor! Finlay writhes, and Moxley gets a TABLE! The fans fire up for that but Gedo freaks out! Moxley dares Finlay to get up while he finishes setting the table.
Ospreay brings Finlay over, he and Moxley haul him up to DOUBLE POWERBOMB him through the table!! The fans fire up as Moxley and Ospreay loom over Finlay. Finlay sputters in the wreckage, Ospreay and Moxley take this into the ring. Fans fire up for the 1v1 and the two fire forearms! They go back and forth, Ospreay runs and BOOTS! Then SNAP SAIDOS! But Moxley’s right up to SNAP SAIDO in return! Ospreay is up, both men LARIAT! Ospreay CHOPS, whips, but Moxley reverses. Ospreay handsprings but Moxley catches him for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Moxley sits Ospreay up to run and PENALTY KICK!
Moxley puts Ospreay in a corner, climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans rally as Moxley goes to TEN! Then he whips corner to corner, runs in, but Ospreay BOOTS! Ospreay goes up but Moxley ROCKS him! Moxley climbs up to CLAW Ospreay’s back! The ref reprimands, but Ospreay slips under, tucks Moxley in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Moxley staggers off the corner, Ospreay springboards, but Moxley catches him! SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Moxley runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! But Moxley turns it around?! ARMBAR!! Ospreay fights around, clasps hands, but Moxley pries at the grip! But Ospreay shifts, only to end up in a TRIANGLE HOLD!
Ospreay endures, deadlifts and BUCKLE BOMBS Moxley! But Moxley’s right up!? KING KONG LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous again while Ospreay crawls to the apron. Moxley goes out after him, and we’re near the table wreckage. Moxley hauls Ospreay up but Ospreay fights the lift. Ospreay kicks low, reels Moxley in, but Moxley fights the lift. Moxley back drops Ospreay to the apron! Finlay is back up to POST Moxley! Fans boo but Finlay goes after Ospreay and puts him on the apron. Finlay hauls Ospreay up, Canadian Rack, but Ospreay slips free to SILENT WHISPER HOOK KICK!
But Gedo slips Finlay his shillelagh! Ospreay goes up the corner, but Finlay catches the Oscutter for a SHILLELAGH NECKBREAKER to the apron!! Ospreay falls to the floor and fans boo again. But Finlay leaves Ospreay behind to go after Moxley, who is busted open! But Moxley still hits a CUTTER!! Moxley staggers around, finds Finlay again, but Finlay sends him into buckles! Finlay stomps away, rains down fists, and he BITES Moxley’s bloody forehead! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off to spit out Moxley’s blood, then he fires hands on Moxley’s bloody face. Finlay has Moxley on ropes, digs his forearm into the wound, and fires crossface forearms!
The ref counts, Finlay lets off, and Moxley sputters. Finlay hauls Moxley up to suplex, but Moxley turns that around to X-PLEX! Ospreay is back to BOOT Moxley! Moxley ROCKS Ospreay! Moxley runs, into the TIGER WALL KICK and ENZIGURI! Finlay returns, Ospreay dodges, to HANDSPRING PELE both Finlay and Moxley! The fans fire up with Ospreay as he has targets in the corners. ELBOW for Finlay, but Moxley dodges. Ospreay BOOTS Moxley, goes up and steps off him to FLYING ELBOW Finlay! Ospreay chops and whips Moxley but Moxley ducks ‘n’ dodges to DIVE onto Finlay at the ramp!
The fans fire up but Ospreay won’t be outdone in aerial combat! Ospreay goes up the corner to ARIHARA MOONSAULT both Moxley and Finlay! The fans are thunderous, Finlay checks his nose and there is some blood. Ospreay fires up, he puts Moxley in, and the fans join him in “OI! OI! OI!” Ospreay PIP PIP- FOREARM from Moxley!! Moxley flips off the Ospreay fans to get Ospreay up. DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO!!! But Moxley has the BULLY CHOKE!! Ospreay endures as Moxley pulls way back on the hold! Ospreay fights around, Moxley rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! And back to the BULLY CHOKE!
Ospreay fights up, so Moxley BITES Ospreay’s forehead! But Ospreay kicks, underhooks, but Moxley back drops free! Ospreay sunset flips but Moxley stays up! Finlay returns but Moxley kicks him low and reels him in, PILEDRIVER onto Ospreay! Fans fire up as Moxley uses one enemy against the other! Cover on Ospreay, TWO!! All three men are down and the fans fire up again. Moxley bails out, goes looking under the ring, and he brings out chair after chair after chair! Moxley throws those into the ring, not caring who gets hit! Ospreay gets hit! Moxley has about five chairs now, and he CHUCKS one at Finlay!
Finlay flounders, Moxley grins as he sets up the chairs face to face. But then he decides, back to back! Moxley hauls Finlay up, Gedo freaks out, but Finlay CLAWS the bloody forehead! Finlay then reels Moxley in, URENAGE on the chairs!! Moxley writhes, Finlay brings Ospreay around and Canadian Racks. DOMINATOR onto Moxley! Cover on Moxley, TWO!! The fans fire up while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay grabs a chair to SMACK Ospreay down with it! The fans boo more but Finlay taunts Ospreay. Ospreay fires a forearm! And another! And another! Finlay UPPERCUTS but Ospreay SUPER- NO, Finlay blocks to ROLLING ELBOW!
Finlay suplexes, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Fans fire up as Ospreay aims, but Finlay reels him in, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! REGAL KNEE from Moxley!! Moxley runs, but Ospreay slips through the lariat! Ospreay lifts Moxley up but Moxley slips free of the bomb to PARADIGM SHIFT!! Ospreay springs up to HIDDEN BLADE!!! Finlay TOSSES Ospreay, covers Moxley, TWO!!! Finlay tried to be opportunistic but it wasn’t enough. Finlay kicks Ospreay aside, then he hauls Moxley up. INTO OBLIVION! HIDDEN BLADE!!! But Finlay is still on the cover!!! TWO!!!! Moxley has the cover now, but Ospreay breaks it!!
All three men are down and the fans fire up again. Moxley seethes while Finlay flounders to a corner. Ospreay and Moxley go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Fans rally as they keep going back and forth, even as they stand back up. Moxley keeps one eye on Finlay, because Finlay comes in to throw forearms on him and Ospreay! Neither of them back down, though! Finlay finds himself stuck in the middle quite literally, so he SPITS at Ospreay and flips them both off. But they pinball Finlay with forearm after forearm! Ospreay fires a flurry, Moxley PALM STRIKES Finlay, then Ospreay SILENT WHISPERS!
Finlay drops to his knees, then falls over. Moxley drags Finlay back up, he and Ospreay agree to work together. They each take aim, but THE WAR DOGS ATTACK!!! Fans boo as Kidd attacks Ospreay and Coughlin is after Moxley! Kidd claws Ospreay’s eyes, more revenge for his own failures against Ospreay than anything. Gedo argues with the ref, there’s no problem since this is No Disqualifications. Except there still kinda IS a problem! Kidd gets table after table out, Coughlin CHOKES Moxley with a shirt! Kidd sets those tables up while fans tell the Dogs to go home. Moxley CHOKES Coughlin, but then Kidd CHOKES Moxley!
The Dogs mug Moxley, and then Finlay tells them to finish this! Kidd scoops, Coughlin goes up, but Moxley slips free to send Kidd into Finlay! Ospreay is back, SUPER OSCUTTER for Coughlin!! The fans fire up again as Moxley brings Coughlin out to the tables. Moxley puts Coughlin on the tables, rains down fists, then he brings Kidd around. Moxley throws hands, puts Kidd next to Coughlin, and he holds them down while Ospreay climbs! Ospreay SUPER SWANTON BOMBS, but the tables don’t break!!! At least, not all the way! Coughlin’s ass is stuck down through his table while Kidd and his table just flop over!
But Finlay LOW BLOWS Moxley!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay is furious but he still has his shillelagh! Finlay aims at Moxley, but Moxley kicks him first! PARADIGM SHIFT!! And then another underhook, DEATH RIDER!!!! But Ospreay HIDDEN BLADES!!!! Cover, ONE?!?!? HOW?!?! Ospreay JUMPING HIDDEN BLADES!!! And then underhooks, into STORMBREAKER!!!!! But Finlay BLOCKBUSTERS, to INTO OBLIVION!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Ospreay survives and Finlay is furious! Finlay ties up the legs, he has Ospreay’s arms, SURFBOARD STOMP!!! Finlay roars, fans boo, but Finlay suplexes again, INTO OBLIVION MK II!!! High stack, Finlay wins!!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (INAUGURAL IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
Finlay holds the brand new belt, gives it a big kiss, and manages to stand so he can celebrate! But fans boo as he wouldn’t have this without his pawns helping him. Will The Rebel do whatever he has to in order to take over NJPW?
But wait, Finlay spots the Nemeth Brothers at ringside, and he starts talking trash to Nick. The WWE Grand Slam Champion tells Finlay yeah, he had a hell of a match, but that somehow makes him think he gets to talk to Nick? Finlay tells Nick being in WWE doesn’t mean he deserves to be in Finlay’s ring. Finlay shoves Nick, so Nick fires back!! Young Lions rush in, Ryan gets his brother back, and Finlay starts spitting at Nick! Nick says he will END Finlay! Will the Rebel regret punking out the Showoff?
Kazuchika Okada VS Bryan Danielson!
The Rainmaker and the American Dragon have met before, both in a 1v1 and in a tag team match. And though Bryan has won both of those matches, it came at the cost of his own physical health. Bryan’s got a bad arm and a bad eye, what will he sacrifice in order to win again? Will he win again?
Okada shows off the amazing science of his new jacket. It’s all white with outlines of a dragon pattern, but the power of UV light brings out the color! Fans cheer the amazing transformation happening before their eyes! Bryan’s entrance meanwhile gets pillars of fire, and he tears up the Okada Dollars on the ground. The fans rally with “YES! YES! YES!” and the bell rings. Bryan and Okada stare down and the fans duel. The two circle, feel things out, and they knuckle lock. They go to a corner, Bryan slaps at Okada but Okada backs up. Okada even baits Bryan in, so Bryan kicks him. Okada still dares Bryan to try.
Bryan throws another kick but Okada doesn’t back down. They tie up again, go around, and Bryan wrangles Okada down. Bryan powers Okada into the chinlock but Okada slips around. Bryan facelocks, floats around, tries for the chinlock again but Okada slips out. Okada has an arm, wrenches, and wristlocks. Bryan moves around, rolls, and hooks a leg. Bryan also chinbars, then he wrangles Okada to the mat. Okada gets the ROPEBREAK, and Bryan lets off fast. The fans cheer as the two reset. Okada and Bryan knuckle lock, go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength, or “test of wills” as Bryan would call it.
The fans rally as the two are forehead to forehead, and then they throw elbows! Fans rally as the elbows go back and forth but Okada gets the edge. Bryan drops back, rolls, but Okada ROCKS him again! Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges to ELBOW Bryan down! Fans fire up and Okada has Bryan in a corner. Okada whips corner to corner, runs in, and back elbows! Okada then kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Okada brings Bryan up to top wristlock, then MONEY CLIP! Bryan goes to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Okada lets off slowly. Okada knees low! Okada snapmares Bryan, runs side to side and DROPKICKS!
Bryan bails out, clutching the bad eye! Bryan checks around the eyepatch but Okada storms out after him. Okada brings Bryan to the ramp, then to No Man’s Land, for a DDT to the floor! Okada leaves Bryan behind, to get up on the girder’s support platform? And he uses it to get a boost as he runs across the way, into Bryan’s BUSAIKU KNEE!! The fans fire up while Bryan snarls and looms over Okada. Bryan SLAPS Okada, talks trash and SLAPS him again! Bryan drags Okada up and says he’s gonna break Okada’s arm! Bryan wrenches to hit an ELBOW BREAKER! Then Bryan brings Okada to railing and puts the arm through.
Bryan SLAMS the gate shut on Okada’s arm!! And then again!! “Who’s the best?!” The fans cheer while Red Shoes reprimands Bryan. Bryan drags Okada up, and wrenches the bad arm, for another ELBOW BREAKER! Bryan puts Okada in, the fans rally and duel, and Bryan looms over Okada. Okada clutches his arm, but Bryan drags him up to wrench the arm again. Bryan digs his knuckles into the elbow, then wrenches for an ELBOW BREAKER! Bryan hammerlocks Okada to fire forearms into Okada’s chest! Bryan then reels Okada in, NORTHERN LIGHTS on the hammerlock! Bridging cover, TWO!
Okada hangs in there and Bryan snarls. Bryan looms over Okada, drags him around and twists the wrist! Bryan bends Okada’s arm, isolates it, and STOMPS it!! Bryan vows to break Okada’s arm, and he wants everyone to know it! Bryan wrangles Okada to another hammerlock, and he KNEES the arm! And KNEES it again! And again! Bryan then sits on Okada for the DISARMER! Okada endures that arm being bent way back! And even the fingers are being bent way back! Bryan pulls on the entire arm!! Okada endures, even as Bryan bends the arm in a deep hammerlock! Okada fights around, to the ROPEBREAK!
Fans cheer while Bryan lets go in frustration. Bryan kicks Okada around, kicks him to a corner, then wraps the arm around ropes. Bryan pulls on the arm, then runs side to side to DROPKICK Okada! Bryan keeps going, and he DROPKICKS Okada again! Fans fire up as Bryan goes again, but Okada BOOTS Bryan down! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Okada brings Bryan up in an Alabama Lift, but Bryan fights free. Bryan KICKS, runs, but Okada pops him up to the Alabama Lift! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Both men are down again but both sit up as they grit their teeth.
Okada hauls Bryan up to scoop and SLAM! The bad arm slows Okada down but he still follows the formula. Okada climbs a corner, but Bryan ROCKS him first! Bryan UPPERCUTS Okada, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS again! Okada wobbles up top but Bryan UPPERCUTS again! Bryan climbs up after Okada now, underhooks the arms, and SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES!! And then the omoplata, for the LEBELL LOCK!!! Okada endures, flails around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Bryan lets off in frustration. Bryan goes out to the apron, eggs Okada on and brings him up to KICK! And SLAP!
Bryan KICKS and SLAPS Okada on repeat, but Okada blocks a kick! Okada CLUBS the leg, then gut wrenches Bryan! Bryan tries to fight, but Okada still APRON TOMBSTONES!!! The fans are thunderous while Okada stumbles away! Bryan sputters on the apron’s edge and a ring count begins. Okada sits up at 5 of 20, but he stands at 8. Okada makes his way over to Bryan and pushes him in at 11. The fans cheer as this match continues, and Okada steps in to kick Bryan to a corner. Okada kicks and stomps Bryan, focusing on that bad eye. Okada sits Bryan up to give him more stomps, but Red Shoes tells him to stop.
Okada lets off, then storms up again to take the eyepatch away! Okada kicks Bryan right on his face! He even digs his boot in! Red Shoes makes Okada stop, but then Okada brings Bryan up. Okada whips and DROPKICKS Bryan down! Fans fire up and Okada drags Bryan to his feet. Okada scoops to SLAM, and back to the formula! Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW!! But that was also the bad arm! Okada grits his teeth to endure the pain, and he hits the Rainmaker Pose~! The fans are thunderous as Okada drags Bryan up, ripcords, but Bryan slips through to crucifix takedown! TWO, and Bryan BUZZSAWS the bad arm! Then Bryan BUZZSAWS Okada!
Fans fire up as Bryan huffs and puffs and gets back to his feet. But then Bryan staggers, but steadies himself. Bryan hooks Okada up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Fans rally up with every shot, but Okada just roars! Bryan throws more elbows but Okada shakes his head! Okada is feeding off them even! Okada powers up to scoop Bryan! Bryan slips free, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! Okada survives, but he ends up in the LEBELL LOCK!! Okada endures as Bryan bends him back! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Okada moves around. Okada fights his way over, reaches out, but Bryan grabs that arm!
Bryan rolls Okada away to a modified ghost pin! TWO, but it’s back to the omoplata! Bryan hooks the free arm with a leg, this is a modified RINGS OF SATURN!!! Okada endures and refuses to give up! The fans are thunderous as Okada fights his way around with just his legs! Bryan puts as much pressure as he can on the arms, and even adds a CROSSFACE!!! Okada endures, but he’s so red in the face! Okada’s fading!! Red Shoes checks on Okada, and he gets a second wind! Okada kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous as Bryan lets off in frustration! Bryan looms over Okada, and grabs the wrists!
Bryan fires off DRAGON STOMPS! And hard ones! Again and again and again and again, he stomps Okada! Then he reels Okada in to an ARMBAR! But Okada rolls through, ripcords and RAINMAKER!!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Okada clutches the bad arm while Bryan rolls away. Bryan sits up, shakes out the cobwebs, and he KICKS Okada in the arm! Okada BOOTS back! Bryan KICKS the arm! Okada BOOTS again! Bryan KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Okada scowls and ROCKS Bryan with a forearm! Bryan sits down and the fans fire up for Okada! But then Bryan drags Okada down into the omoplata!
Okada tucks his head to fight the crossface, and powers his way through Bryan’s legs to fire off forearms! Okada then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Okada holds on, to ripcord and- Bryan BOOTS the lariat! And ROUNDHOUSES! Bryan runs, but Okada avoids the knee to ripcord! Bryan ROLLING ELBOWS! And BUSAIKU KNEES!! Okada is down, Bryan is huffing and puffing again and the fans fire back up. The fans join in with the “YES! YES! YES!” as Bryan aims from a corner. Bryan runs in, but Okada ducks the knee! And scoops to POWERSLAM! And then RAIN- NO, Bryan ducks and has the arm! But Okada powers out, DISCUS-
NO, Bryan dodges, runs, but into the DROPKICK! Bryan roars to his feet!! But Okada fireman’s carries! LANDSLIDE, and then the ripcord! RAINMAKER!!!! Cover, OKADA WINS!!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall
The third time IS the charm, and that is what it took for the Rainmaker to slay the American Dragon! Will this prove once and for all that Okada is the best in the world? But rather surprisingly, Okada shows respect to Bryan by kneeling and bowing! Bryan returns the favor! Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and in singles competition, that makes them 1-1. When and where, if ever, will we get another round?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Tetsuya Naito!
Once upon a time, both men were in the same NJPW tryout, but only the Stardust Genius was accepted. Sanada then proved himself worthy as he competed in Pro-Wrestling NOAH and made the jump over. Now it is Sanada who stands at the summit as Naito makes the hard climb. Will Naito replace Sanada on the mountaintop? Or will nothing take this gold from the Cold Skull?
Naito wears a mask that’s part dragon, part fox, while Sanada wears a brand new red jacket with gold and silver feathers on the back. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if NJPW was right or wrong all those years ago!
Naito of course takes his time with his entrance attire, but Sanada is used to that. Naito is finally ready, and the bell rings. The fans are thunderously dueling already! Red Shoes assesses Naito has the edge, but Sanada isn’t bothered by that. Sanada and Naito circle, feel things out, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Naito goes for an arm. Naito wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada rolls, trips Naito, and has a toehold. Naito chinlocks to fight back but Sanada pulls on the leg. Naito uses his free leg to bring Sanada down, but Sanada fights off the armbar. Sanada moves around, Naito shifts to a short arm scissor.
Sanada endures, moves around, rolls back, but Naito stays hooked on. Sanada powers through, headlocks, Naito rolls and then gets his own headlock, but Sanada headscissors. Naito kips free, the two stand off, and the fans rally up. Naito and Sanada reset, approach, and tie up again. Naito puts Sanada on ropes, Sanada turns that around but Naito turns it back around. Sanada turns it back around, Naito turns it back around, and Red Shoes counts. Sanada turns it around, Naito turns it around, but then Naito slowly lets off. Naito pats Sanada on shoulders, and then SPITS at him! Sanada runs up, Naito kicks low and throws him out!
Naito builds speed but Sanada rushes back in! Sanada kicks Naito low, not letting him do either the dive or the tranquilo! Sanada then TOSSES Naito out, then Sanada builds speed! Sanada tumbles up and out as Naito moves, then Sanada slingshots back in. Not the smoothest but fans still cheer Sanada showing off there. Sanada then holds the ropes open for Naito. Naito goes under the ropes instead, and fans applaud this back and forth of mind games. Naito and Sanada reset again, feel things out, and knuckle lock. But Naito kicks low! And CLUBS Sanada on the back! And again, and again!
Sanada CHOPS, but Naito forearms! Naito pie faces, so Sanada CHOPS! Naito forearms, Sanada CHOPS, repeat. Naito then throws those heavy back elbows of his! Sanada drops to his knees but Naito brings him back up. Naito whips corner to corner, Sanada goes up and out then springboards back in. Naito gets clear, things keep moving, and Naito hip toss BACKBREAKERS! Sanada writhes while fans fire up. Naito casually walks over, brings Sanada up, and he cravats for a neck wrench. Sanada endures, but Naito puts him in a corner. Red shoes reprimands, but Naito throws those heavy back elbows!
Naito goes back to the cravat and neck wrench but Sanada endures. Naito whips, arm-drags, but Sanada’s right up! So Naito ELBOWS him down and basement dropkicks! Naito then brings Sanada around, dragon sleepers, and BACKBREAKERS, into the PLUMA BLANCA! Sanada endures, the fans rally, and Sanada kicks around. Naito puts on the pressure but Sanada still fights. Sanada kicks and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, but Naito claims he needs help. This is par for the course, and Red Shoes gets Naito to let off. Naito then stomps Sanada around.
Naito brings Sanada up but Sanada throws body shots. Sanada CHOPS and CHOPS, but Naito throws those heavy elbows! Naito puts Sanada in the corner, grinds his forearm into Sanada’s face, then whips corner to corner. Naito runs in but Sanada avoids the kick to dropkick the legs out! And then he gets around to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Sanada rises first, and he storms up on Naito. But Naito claws the eyes! Naito whips, Sanada reverses, and Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up, Naito bails out, and Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Naito!
The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada likes the volume. Sanada drags Naito up, puts him in, and fans cheer. Sanada aims from the apron, springboards in, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Sanada drags Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Naito fights free! Naito swings, but into another fireman’s carry! T K O! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Sanada drags Naito into the dragon sleeper! But Naito fights free to arm-drag! And then runs up, but into an O’Conner Roll, and DRAGON SLEEPER! SKULL END!! Naito is in the body scissors while fans rally up!
Naito endures the squeeze on his head, fights around with his legs, and reaches out with his feet. Sanada squeezes and Naito starts fading! Red Shoes checks, but Naito gets a second wind! Naito pops free of the sleeper to have the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go in frustration while the fans cheer. Sanada storms up, drags Naito to his feet, and scoops to SLAM him into a drop zone. Sanada then goes up, to ROUNDING BODY- NO, he has to bail out as Naito dodges! Naito then puts Sanada on the apron and he sweeps the legs! Then MODIFIED COMBINACION CABRON!! A rough landing for both men but the fans fire back up!
Naito crawls his way over to Sanada, brings him up, and sits him on the railing, for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor!! Red Shoes checks Sanada while Naito leaves him behind. Sanada is somehow still in this, so a ring count begins. The fans rally up while Sanada is still down at 5 of 20. Sanada is still down at 10, at 13, and sits up at 15! Sanada pushes up at 17, and he slides in at 18! Naito has Sanada to whip, and hip toss BACKBREAKER! Sanada writhes again but Naito drags him back up. Naito hoists Sanada to the top rope, climbs up after him, and SUPER STEINERS! Fans fire up again as Naito stands back up.
Naito aims from the corner as Sanada slowly rises. The fans rally up behind Naito as he runs up, but Sanada DROPKICKS him! Sanada whips, Naito reverses and TORNADO- NO, Sanada stops that to suplex and use the ropes, MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans rally up again. Sanada fires up as he storms over to Naito. Naito swings, but Sanada gets around and jumps up, POISON-RANA! SHINING WIZARD!! Then Sanada hauls Naito up, scoop and SLAM! Then Sanada goes up to ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees!! Naito saves himself but both men are down again!
The fans rally as hard as they can and Naito sits up. Naito stands, hobbles over to Sanada, and he drags Sanada up. Naito kicks low, throws heavy elbows, and repeat! Naito ELBOWS Sanada down, and the fans fire back up! Naito storms over to Sanada, drags him up again and then hops up the corner. Naito reels Sanada in as the fans all rally behind him, ESPERANZA!! Sanada flounders back up, into CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO~!! But Naito isn’t done there, he wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, and DESTI- NO!! Sanada blocks to T K O with authority!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down again!
Naito stirs and Sanada pushes himself back up. Sanada climbs, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto Naito’s back! But he’s not done there, he goes right back up! ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto Naito’s front!! Cover, TWO!!! Naito survives and the fans are thunderous again! Sanada drags Naito up, but Naito gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Sanada manages to land on his feet, but Naito hits a SPINEBUSTER! Naito wrenches, but Sanada fights the tilt-o-whirl. Naito throws more heavy elbows! Sanada throws one, but Naito ducks it to tilt-o-whirl, only for Sanada to block the Destino! Fans fire up as they’re in a deadlock!
Naito CLUBS Sanada, and CLUBS him, and CLUBS him! Sanada fires a forearm in return! Naito dodges the next, to tilt-o-whirl DESTINO!!! And then Naito drags Sanada up again! Wrench, tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!! Not the cleanest but Naito still covers, TWO?!?! Sanada is still in this after 2.5 Destinos, and the fans are thunderous! Naito drags Sanada up, he wants another! But Sanada clinches! DEADFALL!!!! Both men are down and the fans are electric!! Red Shoes goes for a down count! The two men stir at 3 of 10 and the fans get even louder! Sanada sits up at 5, Naito goes to a corner at 7, and both men stand!
The fans fire up again as Sanada runs in. Naito BOOTS him! Naito runs up, but Sanada ROCKS him! ROLLING- SLAP! ENZIGURI! Sanada rebounds to ROLLING ELBOW! And then cravat, ASAI DDT!! Sanada drags Naito right up, wrenches and clinches, but Naito slips free! ROLLING KICK! TORNADO DDT!! The fans are volcanic and Naito brings Sanada back up! Naito scoops, but Sanada slips free! O’Conner Roll, BRIDGE!! TWO?!?!? Naito escapes by nanoseconds!! But Sanada SHINING WIZARDS!! Shoutout to Keiji Mutoh but Sanada ain’t done yet! Sanada drags Naito up, clinches again, DEADFA- NO, Naito ripcords to ELBOW! And steals DEADFALL!!!!
The fans are bound to lose their voices at this rate, but they don’t care! They’re going to cheer Naito as he hauls Sanada up! Scoop and VALENTIA!!! Naito fires up, drags Sanada to his feet, tilt-o-whirl DESTINOOOOOO~!!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!!!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
From winning the G1 to being THE ONE here at the end of WrestleKingdom, Naito has truly reached the top of NJPW!! The Cold Skull no longer has the gold, what will become of his 2024?
As for Naito, he is presented the title belt, and actually accepts it! Fans cheer the photo op, then Naito gets the mic. But before he gets a chance to speak, EVIL ATTACKS!! The King of Darkness and even Dick Togo beat the new world champion down, ruining the moment for everyone! Dick holds Naito down while Evil picks up the title and the mic! Fans boo and tell him and Dick to go away, but Evil says, “OI, Naito! I won’t let you do the LIJ roll call, ya bastard! And hey, I’ve just become the EIGHTH IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Understand, ya bastard?” Oh no, not this BS again! But wait! Sanada gets up to SHINING WIZARD Evil!!
Dick freaks out, rushes Sanada, but Sanada kicks him low! And Sanada sets Dick up for Naito’s dropkick to the legs! These two may not be on the same team anymore but they still know how to work together! The fans are thunderous and The House retreats! Sanada and Naito get back up, and Naito gets the belt again. Sanada promises, he and Naito will do this again. Sanada then takes his leave, the fans cheering him on. Naito gets his hat, finds the mic, and finally gets to speak. “The faction has changed… but once again, I’m holding the mic in the end, all thanks to you. Gracias, Sanada.” The fans cheer that! And Sanada’s even emotional!
Naito continues with finally saying, “Buenas noches, Tokyo Dooome~!” To everyone watching this on TV, online, and to everyone who came to the Tokyo Dome, “thank you for creating this wonderful moment. Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer in thanks back. Naito says that “LIJ will surely take you all to new heights in 2024. Please keep your eyes on LIJ.” The fans cheer, looking forward to that. But speaking of, Naito was most looking forward to the huge roll call we never got four years ago. The fans cheer again, and Naito is sure they all came here just for that, right? Then are they ready for the BIGGEST roll call in history? The fans cheer in confirmation!
Then the only way to close out NJPW WrestleKingdom 18 is naturally… “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! Nosotros…! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRRNABLEEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!!” Mic drop and confetti, the New Year has a new champion! Will Naito be nigh unstoppable now that he’s on top of the world?
My Thoughts:
An awesome WrestleKingdom, certainly one of if not the best that I’ve seen. The New Japan Ranbo was a lot of fun, especially with Iizuka showing up. But I like the four they went with. Khan tried for the KOPW but lost to Takagi a couple times, Yoh and Ishimori are kinda branching out from the Junior Heavyweight Division right now, and Yano is too good at comedy and creativity to leave out of the mix. Of those four, it’d be too obvious if Yano won. Yoh is really going full goofy so I feel like he’s a strong candidate for leading this year off as KOPW Champion.
Great match from Catch 2/2 and Bullet Club, and being half-Filipino, I appreciated TJP referencing the Aswang in this spooky persona of his. Great win for Catch 2/2, and I even like these belts being redesigned to have white straps. Awesome NJPW World TV Championship match, but what’re the odds that the new President of NJPW is now a double champion? I’m mostly kidding. But Tanahashi has this title and is a NEVER Openweight Six Man Champion, though I feel like the plan was still for ZSJ to drop the NJPW World TV title to whoever he faced tonight so that things freshen up just a little going into the “second season.”
Great match from Yota and Yuya, and Yuya winning was actually a bit of a surprise to me. Meanwhile, the House of Torture cheating to win was not a surprise. I will say, a wood push-up bar that now has metal plates on it is a unique weapon so I like that part. Great match from Tama VS Takagi, but I’m really surprised Tama won the belt again. A fourth reign puts Tama right behind the top “most reigns” with the NEVER Openweight title, with Goto at five and Ishii at six. Maybe some new names move up into the NEVER Openweight scene for Tama to face, such as Yuya after his win tonight.
Awesome IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight tag title match, and I was genuinely surprised ELP & Leo won that. That is huge in many ways, but especially as I said, this marks the 100th change in reign, aka the 100th team to hold the titles. It’s hard to say where things go from here, then, but much like the NJPW World TV title changing hands, this moment had to happen at some point so why not WrestleKingdom? And on the same level, same for Hiromu giving up the Junior Heavyweight title. Great new gear for Desperado, great win for him, and apparently he got jumped backstage by Kanemaru & Sho the same as we saw Evil jump Naito in the main event. And that’s a good feud for Desperado, he has beef with Narita and Kanemaru, he might as well fight those guys, too.
Awesome Triple Threat for the new Global Championship, but the outcome was sadly a bit obvious. With Moxley being in AEW, Ospreay heading to AEW, and Finlay having Bullet Club War Dogs backing him, of course Finlay wins to be the first Global Champion. But I do really like that we saw Ryan & Nick Nemeth here, even before Nick ever shows up in AEW. And whatever anyone thought of Dolph Ziggler’s last days in WWE, I personally feel he is still better in all the aspects of pro-wrestling than Finlay is right now, even after Finlay’s Heel turn and makeover. But Finlay is definitely not losing this title in his first feud, so this is really just a solid first move for both guys right now.
Awesome match from Okada and Bryan, and of course Okada wins this one. As such, Okada must be sticking around in NJPW rather than leaving for WWE or even moving over to AEW like Ospreay. Really hope we get Bryan VS Okada 1v1 a third time sooner rather than later, what with this being Bryan’s last year and all. Maybe Revolution in March is enough time for both guys to kinda take things easy and then go again? And of course, what an awesome main event. Another genuine surprise, I oddly didn’t think Naito would take this, but again, they had to seize the moment of the roll call. Evil wants the title, of course, so he’ll probably get a shot at like New Beginning. Great moment for Sanada, too, even in losing, because he really did come up with these guys. I hope Sanada does get his rematch, and even if it isn’t right away, he can have some good feuds along the way.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Bostooon~! Please say hello to your C E O!
AEW returns to Boston for a Spring Breakthru! But will Bean Town’s own Mercedes Mone move on in the Women’s Owen Hart Cup? Or will the Fallen Goddess derail the Money Train?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 2025 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Mercedes Mone VS Athena; Mone wins and advances to Double or Nothing.
- 2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Hangman Page VS Josh Alexander; Hangman wins and advances to the semifinals.
- AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin VS The Gates of Agony; Lashley & Shelton win and retain the titles.
- 2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Will Ospreay VS Konosuke Takeshita; Ospreay wins and advances to Double or Nothing.
- AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS The Opps & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; The Opps & Hobbs win and become the new AEW World Trios Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
BREAKING NEWS for tonight!
Before cameras were rolling, the Death Riders attacked the already hurting Hook, so now he is ruled out of action for tonight! Even so, Samoa Joe & Katsuyori Shibata will still battle Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta for the AEW World Trios Championships. Will it end up a 3v2 Handicap? Or can the Opps find another partner in time for the main event?
2025 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Mercedes Mone VS Athena!
Boston fires up as their C E O is here, one match away from going Double or Nothing for the Owen Hart Cup. But will #FourBeltsMone get a win over the Forever ROH Women’s Champion? Or will Athena prove she is every bit the Fallon Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the American Joshi, and THE most dominant women’s champion in all of wrestling today?
The bell rings and the fans are strongly behind “C E O! C E O!” Mone. Mone and Athena stare down, slowly circle, and hear the fans are already losing their minds for this veritable dream match. Athena and Mone tie up, go around, and Mone arm-drags Athena. They tie up again, Athena arm-drags Mone now. They tie up a third time, end up on the ropes, then tumble out to the apron and ramp! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but Mone and Athena stand up to go up the ramp and to the stage! They finally break, and both women tell the other that the cup is theirs. The fans fire up as Athena and Mone reset to tie up on stage!
Mone waistlocks, Athena fights it, and they go all the way back down the ramp, to tumble into the ring this time! The fans fire up as the two fight up, and Athena reaches back to headlock. Mone powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and the fans fire up more. Mone and Athena stare down, tie up, and then Athena arm-drags! Athena trips Mone to a cover, ONE! Mone trips Athena to a cover, ONE! Athena hits an Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Mone reels Athena in, hooks the arms and turns her for a backslide, TWO! Athena mule kicks, her fans getting louder for her, and Athena reels Mone in for a cradle! TWO, and the two roll and roll and roll!
The fans fire up as the two keep rolling, rolling, rolling, and then finally stops for Mone, TWO! Both women stand up, a bit dizzy, and the fans fire up again. Athena eggs Mone on, Mone storms up on her, and the two tie up again. They’re in another deadlock, but Athena powers Mone back. They’re on the ropes, the ref counts, and Athena slowly lets go. Athena whips, Mone tilt-oi-whirls and rolls Athena up, TWO! Athena kicks, Mone blocks, and Mone KNEES Athena! The fans duel and Mone runs, sunset flip BUCKLE BOMB! Shoutout to an old friend and Mone runs corner to corner. METEORA! Cover, ONE!!
Mone is shocked, but Athena is a champion of over 857 days for a reason. Mone drags Athena up, brings her in, turns her again, Gory especial! But Athena flips through, reels Mone into a reverse sunset! TWO, and Athena wrenches Mone to SOBAT! And ENZIGIRI! Mone goes to a corner while the fans fire up. Athena runs, handspring and LARIAT! The fans fire up as Athena cradles again, TWO! Mone stays in this, Athena is annoyed, but the fans fire up more. Athena ROCKS Mone, reels her in, and UPPERCUTS! The fans decide to cheer on the Celtics since they can all agree on that, and Athena whips Mone to ropes.
Mone ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and LA MYSTICA into the STATEMENT MAKER CROSSFACE! Athena endures, reaches out, and fights around. Mone flips over to block the ropebreak, but Athena uses that to roll Mone for a cover! ROPEBREAK, but then they both tumble to the apron then the floor! Mone still has the crossface on! The ref reprimands, but Mone just wants Athena to pass out at this point! The ring count starts, Mone lets go of Athena, then drags her up. Mone whips, but Athena reverses and she puts Mone int he ring! But Mone METEORAS at the apron! Athena’s stuck in the ropes, dangling over the floor!
The fans fire up as Mone goes back to the apron, stands over Athena, and does her dance! Athena tries to sit up, but Mone waves bye-bye. WOE STOMPS miss as Athena reclines back! Mone hobbles as a leg jams, and Athena grabs her! STUNNER to the floor! The fans fire up again while both women are down, and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
The ref seems to let off on the ring count with both women stirring slowly. Aubrey Edwards checks, Athena and Mone are okay to continue, so Aubrey ushers them into the ring. Athena rises up, brings Mone around to SMACK her off the apron, and then stalks after her as she goes to railing. Athena CHOPS Mone, the fans fire up, and Mone is sputtering as she staggers away. Athena storms up but Mone pushes her to railing, then CHOPS her in return! Mone puts Athena in the ring, storms up and HIP DROPS! Mone then clamps on for a chinlock and stretches Athena back. Athena endures, fights up, and Mone is a backpack!
Athena hits a BACKPACK STUNNER! Cover, TWO! Mone stays in this, then crawls to a corner, but Athena seethes as she storms over to her. Athena fires forearms, whips corner to corner, then runs up, only for Mone to slip out to the apron! Athena hits buckles, Mone pulls her into the ropes, then climbs up for the STOCK DROP! Cover, TWO! Athena survives and Mone is growing frustrated. It doesn’t help that fans are now torn down the middle. Mone drags Athena up, whips, but Athena reverses to TOSS Mone out! Athena builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and they hit the desk! Both women are down again and the ref has to check them again.
Mone and Athena are still in this, and Athena slowly crawls her way over to Mone. Mone tries to get away while Spring Breakthru returns to single picture. The fans duel, “Fallen Goddess!” “C E O!” as Athena and Mone hear the ring count. They both spring in at 9.5! Mone and Athena go forehead to forehead, then go forearm for forearm! Athena ROCKS Mone, but then Mone ROCKS Athena! The forearms keep going, then Mone changes toa CHOP! Athena CHOPS, Mone CHOPS again! Athena fires a flurry of strikes, but Mone blocks the mule kick to spin and DECK Athena! But Athena kips up to SUPERKICK Mone!
The fans fire up as Athena gut wrenches Mone, tucks her in, but Mone kicks and flails! Mone turns this around on Athena, powers up to keep Athena up, but then Athena fights to turn this back around! The fans are thunderous as Mone turns it around again! CIPHER UTAKI! The fans give a standing ovation while both women are down! Mone crawls to cover, TWO!! Athena is still in this and Mone is beside herself. Mone looks to the cup, hears the fans dueling, and she drags Athena to the corner. Mone goes up, reels Athena in, and TORNADO DDTS! Then a tilt-o-whirl, DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Athena survives and Mone is in shock!
“This is Awesome!” as Mone thinks on what more she must do to end this. Mone drags Athena up, fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this is just the start of the show! Mone SLAPS Athena, reels her in, and snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga, and Mone brings Athena up again. Dos Amigas, and Mone brings Athena up again! Mone gives Athena THREE AMIGAS, but she’s not done! Mone gives some Latina Heat, but Athena wrenches out! Athena shoves, pops Mone up, POWERBOMB! High stack, deadlift, and POWERBOMB again! And POWERBOMB AGAIN! Athena flips Mone over, reels her back in, and Canadian Racks!
But Mone slips around to hit a BACKBREAKER! Both women are down again and the fans are thunderous! Mone drags Athena back up, ROCKS her, but Athena fires back! Athena UPPERCUTS, but Mone fires a flurry of forearms! The fans are torn as Mone just HAMMERS away! Mone soaks up the cheers and jeers, but Athena fireman’s carries! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a cover, TWO! Mone scrambles away to a corner while Athena snarls. Athena storms up on Mone, but Mone ROCKS Athena first! Mone fires another forearm, and another, the fans continue to duel, and Mone whips. Athena reverses and UPPERCUTS to the back!
Athena goes side to side, Mone dodges and runs back in, METEORA! Athena tumbles out of the ring while Mone scowls. Mone goes out to the apron, brings Athena up, and reels her in for a waistlock. She’s aiming for the floor! Athena holds onto the ropes for dear life! Mone shifts to get back up, then CLUBS the arms! Athena grabs the middle rope to stop the suplex! Athena powers up to stand on the apron, only for Mone to now shift and SUNSET FLIP! Athena still holds onto the ropes! Mone reaches up like a spider to get her legs involved, but Athena just stomps away on Mone! The fans fire up as Athena roars!
Athena scowls, drags Mone up with a waistlock, but now Mone holds onto the ropes! Mone elbows free, then slips around to Gory Especial! Athena fights free, pushes Mone, and BOOTS her down! Mone sputters but Athena is in the ropes, to SNAP POWERSLAM Mone on the apron! Athena drags Mone in for a cover, TWO!! Mone survives and now Athena is growing frustrated. The fans are thunderous again as Athena clamps on with a CROSSFACE! Athena wants to make a statement of her own with this! Mone endures, reaches out, and Mone kicks off the ropes! They roll around, and now Mone has the CROSSFACE!!
Athena endures, fights up, rolls to a cover, TWO! Mone lets go in time, but then Athena reels her in! Athena hauls Mone up for a Canadian Rack! But Mone fights free again! Mone shoves Athena into a corner, BLINDSIDE LARIATS, then Mone brings Athena around. Athena dodges the haymaker to CHOP! Athena and Mone are both running on fumes but Athena hauls Mone up to the Canadian Rack, SIDEWINDER! But Mone flops out of the ring! The fans are torn while Athena is pulling at her hair in frustration! Athena sees Mone floundering on the floor, goes out and lines up a shot, then runs in, only to be THROWN into railing!
Athena writhes from that crash and Mone has a sinister grin. Mone drags Athena up, puts her on the barriers, but Athena drags Mone up to join her! The fans rally as both women sit up, then stand up! The SLAPS start going off! Athena ROCKS Mone, reels her in, and hits a GOURD- NO, Mone lands out! Athena leaps, Mone dodges, but Athena comes back to SHOTGUN Mone into the LED barriers! Athena puts Mone in, goes up a corner, O- NO!! Mone blocks the stunner to rolling body scissor clutch! Cover, MONE WINS!!
Winner: Mercedes Mone, by pinfall (advances to Double or Nothing)
It was a true epic between these two, but Mone wins in her hometown! And now- TONI STORM IS HERE! The Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion is here among her people in the upper deck to applaud the first finalist in the 2025 Women’s Owen Hart Tournament. Will Mone not just go Double or Nothing but hit the jackpot and go All In with Toni in Texas?
Backstage interview with Hangman Page.
Renee Paquette is with the Cowboy, and says she will try this question again from last week. Coming up in mere moments, he faces the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Cup. How has he prepared for this match? Hangman says it is the Wild Card, how can he- The Elite interrupts. The Young Bucks step in and say hey, been a minute. In fact, it was last year’s Blood & Guts when Hangman walked out on them and cost them the entire match. But hey, Matt knows Hangman’s about to apologize, but they’ve already forgiven him, it’s all good. Nick says my God in Heaven, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, does Hangman look good!
And Nick knows that Hangman is happy now, because the Bucks cost Swerve the world title like Hangman wanted. It’s like they’re best friends again. This is great. Now, one more thing. This whole issue Hangman has with Moxley and the Death Riders? Yeah, they can fix that. They’ll patch things up. Because between you and them, the Death Riders are crazy. But The Elite are sure they can get the Death Riders on their side. So here’s what Hangman is gonna do. Hangman is gonna win The Owen, he’ll bring the world title back to The Elite, let The Bucks handle the rest. You got this, Hanger! Go get ’em, champ!
Nick & Matt walk out, but Okada hangs back long enough to ask Hangman, “Why you always angry? Smile! Like this!” Okada has a big goofy grin, Hangman just heads out. Okada says, “B*tch!” Hangman storms back in and Okada apologizes. Just smile. Hangman leaves again, and Okada rolls his eyes. Will the Rainmaker learn not to push Hangman’s buttons if he knows what’s good for him?
2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Opening Round: Hangman Page VS ???
Spring Breakthru returns as The Cowboy makes his entrance. The Elite is backing his play for the Cup and the AEW World Championship, but who is Hangman even facing? We’ve been waiting since the brackets were announced, and the answer is… JOSH ALEXANDER! The fans go nuts as the Walking Weapon is in Boston! Will Alexander make an impact on this year’s Owen Hart Cup?
The bell rings, the fans fire up already, and Hangman stares down Alexander. The two circle, the fans duel, and the two tie up. They break, reset, and tie up again. They break again, circle some more, and they tie up. Hangman goes for an arm, wrenches to a wristlock, but Alexander rolls, wrenches, and BACKDROPS Hangman to then have a wristlock. Hangman fights around, rolls and handsprings up to wrench and headlock. Alexander powers up and out, Hangman RAMS him, but Alexander stays up! The fans cheer, and Hangman fires a forearm! Alexander fires a forearm, Hangman fires back, repeat!
Hangman fires a flurry, puts Alexander in a corner, but Alexander ELBOWS him! Alexander runs through Hangman to then come back and BOOT him down! The fans fire up and Alexander paces around Hangman. Alexander stands Hangman up to CHOP! The fans “WOO~!” and Alexander CHOPS Hangman in the corner! Alexander wrenches, whips, but Hangman reverses to scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM! Hangman kips up, the fans fire up, and Hangman runs corner to corner, LARIAT for Alexander! Hangman snapmares, runs, but Alexander avoids the sliding lariat! Alexander blocks a boot, spins Hangman, but Hangman ROLLING ELBOWS!
Hangman whips Alexander, Alexander reverses, then Alexander runs up. Hangman puts him on the apron and Alexander hobbles. Hangman runs to triangle jump LARIAT! Alexander falls to the apron then the floor while the fans fire up. Hangman storms up, takes aim, but Alexander avoids the plancha! FLAPJACK off the apron! Alexander huffs ‘n’ puffs while Hangman staggers away. Alexander runs up, but Hangman avoids a boot! Alexander gets stuck on the railing and Hangman BOOTS him in return! Hangman refreshes the ring count, then goes up along the ramp. Hangman aims from the stage…!?
Hangman FLYING LARIATS Alexander off the railing! The fans lose their minds while Hangman scowls and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Hangman refreshes the ring count again, then fetches Alexander. Hangman puts Alexander in the ring, covers, TWO! Hangman keeps his cool as he brings Alexander up. Hangman ROCKS Alexander, ROCKS him again, and has him in the corner. Hangman fires more forearms, but Alexander turns things around to fire forearms in return! Alexander CHOPS Hangman, then signals one more time. Alexander runs, but Hangman BOOTS him! Hangman goes up, but Alexander hurries to fireman’s carry! ROLLING SENTON! Alexander goes up the corner, FLYING KNEE! cover, TWO! Hangman stays in this but Alexander stays focused.
Alexander drags Hangman around by a leg, then pulls on that leg. Hangman fights the toehold, throws hands, but Alexander stomps away on the leg! Alexander then hits as GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Hangman crawls to ropes but Alexander is right on him. Alexander brings Hangman up for a BIG back suplex! Alexander paces around Hangman, brings him around, and drops a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Hangman is frustrated with himself, but Alexander KNEES him in the back! Alexander clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Hangman down. Hangman endures, fights up, and Spring Breakthru returns to single picture.
The fans rally, Hangman fights up, and Hangman JAWBREAKERS free! Hangman stands, but Alexander BELL CLAPS him! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Hangman stays in this but Alexander stays cool. Alexander looms over Hangman, drags him back up and reels him in. Hangman fights the lift, but Alexander CLUBS away on Hangman’s back! Alexander runs, LARIATS, but Hangman stays up! In fact, Hangman looks pissed! Alexander eggs Hangman on, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Alexander BOOTS the next lariat away, then ducks the southpaw to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hangman lands out!
Hangman runs up to DISCUS LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! A standing count starts, and both men are still down at 5 of 10. They rise up at 6, and Alexander goes to the apron. Hangman storms out to join him, and the fans fire up already. Hangman stands Alexander up to Alabama Lift, but Alexander CLUBS Hangman down! Alexander reels Hangman in, but Hangman BACKDROPS Alexander on the apron! Alexander slumps down while Hangman steadies himself. The fans fire up for Hangman as he climbs a corner! Hangman goes up to the top, ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Alexander!
Hangman puts Alexander in, dodges a lariat to POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Alexander survives and Hangman is a bit surprised, but the fans continue to rally and duel. Hangman brings Alexander up to scoop, but Alexander fights that to gut wrench! But Hangman drops, only for Alexander to stuff the victory roll! Cover, TWO! Hangman runs up, Alexander dodges, BLINDSIDE FOREARM! Then a torture rack, TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Hangman survives, but Alexander has the ANKLE LOCK!! Hangman endures, reaches out, crawls forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Hangman uses that to stand and ENZIGIRI!
Alexander wobbles, Hangman goes up the corner again, QUEBRADA into a reverse suplex, for a TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Alexander survives, this is why he’s a former two-time Impact World Champion! The fans rally up, both men rise, and Hangman is on the apron! But Alexander scrambles away to deny the Buckshot! The fans are torn, but Hangman storms back in. Hangman runs up, but Alexander avoids the boot to ROCK Hangman, and then scoop him, APRON POWERSLAM!! Alexander sits Hangman up on the apron to then run and BODY CHECK him to the floor! The fans fire up as Alexander puts Hangman back in!
Alexander pounds the mat, the fans fire up, and Alexander reels Hangman in. Alexander lifts but Hangman skips free! Alexander ducks the enzigiri and has the ANKLE LOCK! But Hangman turns over to BOOT Alexander away! Alexander rebounds, Hangman cradles, HANGMAN WINS!!
Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Alexander is shocked! Hangman just got him with a technical move! Hangman will be facing Kyle Fletcher in the semifinals, and speaking of, “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” The Protostar makes his presence known, Don Callis by his side. The Don Callis Family wants to dominate Double or Nothing, but Hangman dares Kyle to do something about it now. Callis moves aside, he still has to be here for Konosuke Takeshita’s match later. Hangman storms up to the ramp, Kyle takes a swing, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Hangman runs up, but Kyle TOSSES him back into the ring! Kyle runs corner to corner, but into a LARIAT!
The fans fire up as Hangman takes aim, but Callis whispers something to Alexander? Kyle scrambles out of the ring, and Alexander CLOBBERS Hangman from behind?! Why would he do that?! The straps come down, and Alexander drags Hangman up, POWERBOMB!! What did Callis say to convince Alexander to do this? Is Alexander the newest member of the Don Callis Family?! The fans tell Callis off, but this all lets Kyle drag Hangman up. Suplex and BRAINBUSTER!! Will this be how it goes in the eventual Owen Hart Cup semifinal match? Or will the Aussie Arrow be shot down by a Buckshot?
The Patriarchy speaks.
Specifically, Nick Wayne says, “The Patriarchy is a hierarchy. And who’s at the top? The father. So when the father disappears, either the whole structure collapses on itself, or someone needs to-” Kip Sabian notices someone off screen, and he taps Nick on the shoulder. Nick asks what’s going on, then looks over. It’s CHRISTIAN CAGE! Christian walks over and says, “Daddy’s home, Nick. It’s been quite a month for you, hasn’t it? And I’ve been watching from afar, and I couldn’t happen to notice one of those weeks, you said you knew the reason why I executed the contract at Revolution and didn’t stick to the plan. But you wanted to say it to my face. Well, say it.”
Nick says the reason Christian didn’t stick to the plan is because he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if Cope became AEW World Champion before Christian did. Oh, is that what Nick thinks? Well, that’s what Nick thinks, so it isn’t a fact, it’s just an assumption. And to assume makes an ass out of you and me. But what is fact is, the last time they saw each other face to face, Nick had a fire lit under him. Christian liked that. Make no mistake, Christian gave Nick this month to find himself. To find the confidence to keep that flame growing. Christian was impressed with what Nick did while Christian was away.
So impressed, in fact, that Christian got Nick something. It has been a lifelong dream for Nick to wrestle for NJPW, in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. So Christian took it upon himself to procure a spot for Nick in that tournament. Now, the best way to get ready for a tournament like BOSJ, Nick, is to keep your momentum going. That is what they will do. Christian will keep Nick very busy until it is time to head for Japan. That starts tomorrow night, Collision: Spring Breakthru, here in Boston. Nick will face one of the best super juniors in the world, Komander, for his ROH World Television Championship.
Christian knows Nick will go out there, win that match, and do it by himself. Nick’s gonna that title home to The Patriarchy, isn’t he? Because Christian knows his baby boy wouldn’t intentionally let his father down, now would he? Christian pats Nick on the cheek, to then basically SLAP him! Nick is fuming, Mother Shayna calms him down, but Christian has her and Kip follow him out. The Patriarchy’s Prodigy has that fire inside, but will that flame blaze a trail to the top of the wrestling world? Or is it going to burn him up inside?
FTR has been suspended!
Given their actions last week, both threatening Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness, as well as going too far with Matthew Menard, Angelo Parker and Daniel Garcia, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler have been suspended for one week, and their paychecks for this week have also been docked as a fine. Will this time off help FTR realize where they’ve gone wrong?
AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin VS The Gates of Agony!
While the All Mighty & Standard of Excellence neither want nor need Maxwell Jacob Friedman, they do need to defend the titles. And while the Hurt Syndicate hurts people, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona are pretty sure they break people. Will the Gates of Agony once again be golden? Or will the Gates be ripped right off the hinges?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really brings the pain!
The teams sort out and Liona just CLOBBERS Lashley & Shelton! Liona fires off on Shelton, the fans boo, but Liona CHOPS! Liona whips, Shelton turns the backdrop into a DDT, but Liona is right up! Liona HEADBUTTS Shelton in the chest! MVP is on commentary now as Liona calls to Kaun. The Gates coordinate, and Liona runs to HIP ATTACK Shelton in the corner! Kaun runs in and METEORAS! Then Kaun PLANCHAS onto Lashley! Liona covers Shelton, TWO! The fans rally, Liona tags Kaun, and now they get Shelton up. They mug Shelton in an open corner, the ref counts and reprimands, and the fans are torn.
Kaun CHOKES Shelton, lets off as the ref counts, and Kaun mockingly applauds. Kaun CLUBS Shelton, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again. Kaun whips, Shelton reverses, but Kaun blocks a kick! The DRAGON WHIP still finds him! The fans fire up as Shelton drags Kaun up and brings him over. Tag to Lashley and he runs to RAM Kaun in the corner! The fans fire up as Lashley RAMS Kaun again and again! Lashley turns Kaun, Kaun slips free and CHOPS! Kaun runs, but Lashley blows past him, then clinches for a FLATLINER! The fans sing, “We Hurt~ People!” as Lashley suplexes high and hard!
The fans fire up for Lashley as he goes corner to corner, but Kaun ELBOWS him away! Lashley LARIATS Kaun up and out! Lashley goes out to then RAM Kaun into railing! Lashley leaves Kaun behind while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Lashley tags Shelton, Shelton drags Kaun up to RAM him into the apron! And then the railing! Then back to the apron! Then back to the railing! Shelton throws Kaun into the ring, storms up and brings Kaun around, scop and TOSS! Shelton paces around Kaun, drags him up, and then TOSSES him back out! Tag to Lashley and Lashley storms over to Kaun. The fans fire up as Lashley THROWS Kaun over the desk! Kaun takes the desk hood with him, and MVP talks trash while Kaun’s on the floor. Lashley returns to drag Kaun up and around, just to THRWO him into railing! Kaun slumps down and Lashley revels in the cheers.
Lashley drags Kaun back up, puts him back in the ring, and Lashley stalks Kaun. Lashley drags Kaun up, but Kaun fires forearms! Kaun CHOPS, but Lashley KNEES low! Lashley whips Kaun to a corner, but Kaun goes up, only to get caught! OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, ONE!! Kaun stays in this, proof of how the Gates were once ROH World and ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions. Lashley tags Shelton, they mug Kaun, then Shelton stands Kaun up. Kaun fires a forearm, Shelton fires back, and repeat! Spring Breakthru returns to single picture as Kaun fires a flurry! Shelton ROCKS him with just one!
Shelton drags Kaun up, fires a flurry of his own, and then whips Kaun to ropes. Kaun ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Shelton dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shelton and Kaun crawl, hot tag to Liona! Liona runs in, fires forearms, then whips. Shelton ducks ‘n’ waistlocks, but Liona fires elbows. Liona shoves Shelton, then SAMOAN DROPS on the return! Liona basement SUPERKICKS, then he runs to SENTON! Cover, Lashley breaks it! Lashley bumps Liona off buckles again and again, then shouts to Shelton to get up. But Liona grabs Lashley by the neck! Liona puts Lashley in the corner, and he fires an UPPERCUT!
Liona roars, then fires POINT-BLANK LARIAT again and again! The fans count along, Liona goes to nine, then reels Lashley in, only for Lashley to slip around! HURT LOCK!! Liona is caught, but Kaun BOOTS Lashley down! Liona then LARIATS Lashley up and out! Tag to Kaun, Liona goes out to go after Lashley! Liona whips Lashley hard into railing! Kaun SHOTGUNS Shelton! Kaun hauls Shelton back up, fireman’s carries, but Shelton slips free! Shelton waistlocks, Kaun fires elbows, and Kaun runs, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Shelton now waits on Kaun to get up. GERMAN SUPLEX!
Shelton stays fired up, he hits another GERMAN SUPLEX! Liona runs in, Shelton DUMPS him out! Liona lands on his feet, talks trash, but Lashley SPEARS Liona down! MVP is fired up, Boston is loving it, and the Hurt Syndicate has Kaun isolated. Shelton runs up to KNEE, then tag to Lashley! SPEAR!! Cover, Hurt Syndicate wins!
Winners: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)
The Gates of Agony may dominate ROH, but The Hurt Syndicate still runs AEW! And wait, here comes MJF. Lashley is annoyed by this scumbag’s persistence, but the fans cheer as MJF makes his way to the ring. MJF has the mic to tell them to cut his music, and the fans cheer him on. MJF says, “Ladies and gentlemen, enough about how great I am. Although, I am enjoying it, don’t get me wrong. But give it up for the Hurt Syndicate, baby!” The fans cheer, and MVP says see? MJF’s not all bad. The fans sing, “We Hurt~ People!” but MJF says no, Boston is way too white, and they’re not even on the same beat, so just stop.
But here’s the deal: As they know, MJF brings a lot to the table. Montel knows this, Shelton knows this–and he looks great by the way–and well, not to name names, but some of us are slow learners. Lashley gets mad because we know who he means, and MVP asks MJF why he has to do that. MVP gets Lashley to calm down, and MJF apologizes. Did he say a name, though? Boston says no, he didn’t. MJF thanks them for having his back. Now, when MJF talks about the talent he brings to the table, he’s not talking about his own. No, no, because MJF has some talent in the back that is just dying- MVP says MJF just needs to put the cards on the table, he already pissed Lashley off as it is.
MVP says he loves Max and, but get to the point. MJF says he loves Montel, too. But they’re gonna really like this. Bring ’em out! The Hurt Syndicate music plays as some of Boston’s finest ladies make their way out on stage. MJF seems to have piqued the Hurt Syndicate’s interest as these eight ladies make their way to the ring. MJF has the music cut, the ladies have towels to dry the guys down, and MJF says the Hurt Syndicate can have a night on the town with all these lovely ladies. All MJF requests are the three thumbs up for him to join up. The floor is theirs. MVP asks Shelton and Lashley to do this one more time.
MVP still gives his thumbs up. Shelton? Shelton, pay attention! Shelton stops staring at the ladies long enough to say this is all very nice. But uh, he might need a little more time. Boston boos, MJF tells them it’s cool, it’s fine, everybody shut up! But what does Shelton mean more time? They’ve been talking about this for weeks! Shelton says he’s gonna need some time. Shelton… Are you saying you want the watch on MJF’s wrist? Yes, exactly. MJF knew he liked Shelton! Okay, okay, hear him out. MJF will give him this watch. All Shelton needs to do is give the thumbs up. The fans cheer, and Shelton looks between watch and ladies, then holds out his hand.
Shelton smiles, and gives a thumbs u- Uhhh… Lashley is staring Shelton down… So Shelton gives a thumbs down!? Lashley intimidated Shelton into saying no! MJF says c’mon! They must be out their da- mocracy! MJF loves him some democracy! And he respects the power of the vote! Hell, MJF even respects the power of the people! Maybe not these people, but you get his point. Shelton, what MJF thinks is that he’s growing on Shelton. And tell you what. As a token of his appreciation, MJF will still give him the watch. In fact, if Shelton still wants the ladies, he can still have the ladies. The fans cheer that!
And just know that when MJF joins the Hurt Syndicate, there will be plenty more watches ‘n’ women where that came from. MJF steps out, and he says one more thing, “Bob.” MJF respects him, he is the All Mighty, he’s known for being strong. But y’know what MJF’s known for? Getting what he wants. MVP keeps Lashley calm, the fans chant “He’s Our Scumbag!” MJF asks Lashley if he knows why MJF gets what he wants. He’ll tell you why. It’s because he is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and he’s better than you, and you know it. MJF drops the mic then takes his leave. But if possessions and pleasures won’t tempt Lashley, what must MJF offer to change his mind?
AEW returns and…
Alicia Atout catches The Hurt Syndicate and MJF’s ladies heading out. She congratulates them on the impressive win, but brings up that MJF is very persistent. MVP stops her there, wanting to talk with the guys first. MJF asks MJF’s ladies to give them a second, but not to wander off too far now. Lashley again says he still doesn’t trust MJF. MVP knows, but he says Lashley is having a personal reaction to MJF. This is business. Look at it from the business standpoint. MVP knows MJF can be… Annoying? Yes, annoying, but think businesswise. They can still use MJF to get what they want. So all MVP is asking is for Lashley to ease up.
MVP will give Lashley his word: The moment MJF steps outta line… Well, they’ll save that for later. Right now, can we just have a good night? Shelton asks, “Please?” Lashley says sure thing. Ladies, shall we? Yass~! Lashley, Shelton, MVP and the ladies head out to enjoy the Boston nightlife, but will the All Mighty actually give in to the Devil of AEW?
2025 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal Round: Will Ospreay VS Konosuke Takeshita!
Stemming from the Don Callis Family dysfunction and fallout, these two are 1-1 from their instant classics last year. Aerial Assassin once again battles The Alpha, who takes the tiebreaker to go Double or Nothing?
Callis of course joins commentary for this one, but is annoyed that there’s another Callis cosplayer. The bell rings and the fans fire up behind Ospreay. The fans lose their minds already as Ospreay and Konosuke stare down. The two slowly circle, the fans fire up more, and the two tie up. Konosuke waistlocks, Ospreay switches, but Konosuke wrenches out. Ospreay rolls and gets free, and Konosuke applauds. The two reset, feel things out, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder. Ospreay rolls back, spins, and wrangles Konosuke with a top wristlock. Konosuke fights up, trips Ospreay and has a toehold.
Ospreay uses his free leg to drag Konosuke down. Konosuke clasps hands to fight the armbar, but his shoulders are down so it’s a cover. TWO as Konosuke sits up, and he works to stack Ospreay. ONE as Ospreay pushes Konosuke back down. Konosuke rolls, traps Ospreay’s legs with his own, then waistlocks. Konosuke shifts to get a half nelson, and he turns Ospreay over to a lateral press, ONE! The two stand off and the fans tell off Callis. Callis looks over his shoulder at the fans flipping him off while Konosuke and Ospreay go to corners. Callis says he does not appreciate this treatment, he is simply helping “elevate” commentary.
Ospreay and Konosuke tie up, Konosuke powers Ospreay to a corner, but the ref counts. Konosuke lets off, but then winds up! Ospreay avoids the elbow and wags his finger. The fans cheer and Konosuke nods. Ospreay and Konosuke reset, tie up, and Konosuke pulls hair to put Ospreay on the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke lets go at 4, but then he tries to sneak a headlock, only for Ospreay to turn things around. Ospreay lets off, to CHOP! The fans fire up while Konosuke goes to the corner. The ref has Ospreay hold on, and the fans fire up as Ospreay backs off. Boston sings for “Ospreay~! Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~!” as Konosuke storms up.
Ospreay and Konosuke tie up again, and Konosuke headlocks, Ospreay powers up but Konosuke holds on tight. Ospreay fights up, fires body shots, then powers out, only for Konosuke to run him over! But Ospreay kips up! Only for Konosuke to throw him down by his hair! The fans boo but Konosuke smirks and runs. Ospreay stays low, hurdles over, but Konosuke leaps! Things keep moving, Ospreay arm-drags to have the armlock! The fans fire up for Ospreay while Konosuke fights up. Konosuke pulls hair again, the ref counts, so Konosuke whips Ospreay to ropes. Ospreay KICKS the backdrop away, then runs, but into a POP-UP- RANA!!
The fans fire up again and Ospreay feeds off that energy! Ospreay runs up and CHOPS in the corner! Then he snapmares Konosuke along the ropes, goes to the apron, and slingshot SENTONS! The fans fire up and Ospreay paces. Ospreay drags Konosuke up while the fans chant “BRUV! BRUV! BRUV!” Ospreay stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke fires a forearm. Ospreay SOBATS, whips, but Konosuke reverses. Ospreay handsprings, Konosuke lets him go up and over! Konosuke runs now, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then TAKESHITA LINES! Callis fires up, as does Boston, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Konosuke runs in, but Ospreay BOOTS first!
Ospreay goes to the apron, ROCKS Konosuke, then goes up, only for Konosuke to catch him! Fireman’s carry and FACEBUSTER! Basement BOOT! Ospreay tumbles out of the ring, and Konosuke builds speed! Konosuke FLIES, and down goes Ospreay! The fans fire up again while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Konosuke checks his legs then crawls over to Ospreay. Konosuke drags Ospreay up, whips him hard into railing, then soaks up the cheers and jeers from Boston. The Callis cosplayer cheers Konosuke on while he puts Ospreay in the ring. Cover, TWO! Ospreay’s still in this but Konosuke clamps onto Ospreay with a chinlock. Ospreay endures, fights up, but Konosuke clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Konosuke then clamps right back on with the chinlock! Ospreay endures again while Konosuke leans on the hold. Ospreay fights up, Spring Breakthru returns to single picture, and the fans rally for Ospreay again.
Ospreay fires body shots, but Konosuke shoves him to ROCK him in the back! Ospreay drops to his knees, but Konosuke brings him back up. Konosuke reels Ospreay in, but Ospreay fights the lift with elbows. Konosuke shoves Ospreay again to again ROCK him in the back! Ospreay grits his teeth as he drops to his knees, but Konosuke winds up the arm. Konosuke whips, but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Ospreay goes to the corner, Konosuke goes to the other. Ospreay runs up, but Konosuke puts him on the apron! Ospreay ROCKS Konosuke, goes up, but Konosuke catches him again!
Ospreay fights back this time to ROCK Konosuke, then PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is still in this, but Ospreay fires up again! Boston is with Ospreay as he drags Konosuke up. Ospreay has a wristlock, and he CHOPS Konosuke! The fans “WOO~!” and Ospreay stands Konosuke back up. Ospreay CHOPS again! Ospreay whips, Konosuke reverses, but Ospreay blocks a shot to CHOP! Ospreay runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke runs to LARIAT Ospreay down! The fans fire up again, they are loving “Both These Guys!” Konosuke drags Ospreay up, clinches, but Ospreay fights the lift with more elbows!
Ospreay fires a forearm, but Konosuke ROCKS Ospreay in return. Konosuke runs, into a TIGER WALL KICK! ENZIGIRI! Konosuke wobbles, but he still clinches Ospreay for an EXPLODER! But Ospreay’s right back up! Only to take another EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay stays in this but Konosuke stays calm. The fans rally up, and they hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” But there’s still a main event to go! Konosuke puts Ospreay in the drop zone, then climbs up the corner. But Ospreay rises to CHOP! Ospreay ROCKS Konosuke, climbs up, but Konosuke trips Ospreay up! Ospreay HOTSHOTS off the top rope, then Konosuke reels him back in!
Konosuke vows to end it here! Konosuke drags Ospreay up to SUPER- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE!! Ospreay turns things around on Konosuke and they both go to the ramp! Springboard, OSCUTTER to the ramp!! Both men writhe while the fans lose their minds again! Callis is worried for Konosuke while Ospreay rolls back inside. The ring count is climbing, Konosuke is still down at 7 of 10! He rises at 8, crawls for the ring, and manages to roll in at 9.5! But Ospreay goes COAST2COAST! Then he goes up top, for a LEAP OF FAITH!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Ospreay just reloads! The fans fire up as Ospreay waits on Konosuke.
Ospreay springboards, OSC- BLUE THUND- RANA!! A counter for a counter! Ospreay runs, Konosuke staggers to his feet, and into the OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives and Boston is stunned! The fans again hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” while both men stir. Ospreay brings Konosuke up, underhooks, but Konosuke fights free of Storm Breaker! Konosuke ducks a roundhouse, double pump handles to FLIP Ospreay, but Ospreay arm-drags! Cover, TWO! Konosuke has the victory roll, TWO! Ospreay O’Conner Rolls but Konosuke rolls through to wheelbarrow GERMAN SUPLEX! And then O’Conner Bridge! TWO!!!!
The fans cannot believe it and Callis is furious, but Ospreay escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Ospreay stirs and Konosuke crawls over to him. Konosuke and Ospreay go forehead to forehead, then stand to go forearm for forearm! The fans rally and duel, they sing for “OSPREAY~, OSPREAY OSPREAY OSPREAY!” Konosuke ROCKS Ospreay, but he wobbles as he stays on his feet! Ospreay comes back to fire another forearm, but Konosuke ROCKS him again! Ospreay staggers around this time, but he grits his teeth as he fires back up! Ospreay fires a flurry of forearms, but the ALPHA ELBOW staggers Ospreay again!
Konosuke fires shots in the corner, the ref counts, and the ref has to back Konosuke down! Konosuke has the ref step aside so he can tell Ospreay to get up. Ospreay fires up to BOOT Konosuke! And BOOT! And BOOT, but Konosuke blocks! ALPHA ELBOW!! Ospreay falls in a heap and Boston is thunderous! The ref checks on Ospreay, and somehow, he isn’t out of this yet. Callis tells Konosuke to kurose, aka kill him! Konosuke drags Ospreay up, calls his shot, and RAGING- NO, Ospreay fights the suplex, wrenches free and then ducks a shot to full nelson! Konosuke elbows free but Ospreay HOOK KICKS him!
Ospreay winds up to SUPERKICK! Konosuke winds up, Ospreay SWATS the elbow to then HOOK KICK again! Konosuke drops to his knees, Ospreay prepares the arm! HIDDEN- NO, Konosuke flops right over! The fans boo but the ref checks Konosuke. Ospreay has the ref step aside like Konosuke did, but then Konosuke springs up to ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke was playing possum, and now he hits a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives and shocks Konosuke! The fans rally as hard as they can while Konosuke rises up. Ospreay rises, Konosuke runs, but Ospreay dodges! They come back, Konosuke LARIATS, but Ospreay flips and lands on his feet!!
Ospreay springboards, OSC- ALPHA ELBOW!!! Antiair hits the target! Konosuke covers, ONE?!?! HIDDEN BLADE!!!! Cover, ONE?!?!?!? Boston is erupting, Schiavone shouts, “What’re we watching?!” Both men run up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Ospreay slumps down and Konosuke grins. Konosuke drags Ospreay up and reels him in, and then he underhooks the arms?! STORM- NO, Ospreay slips free, double pump handles, and he FLIPS Konosuke into position, BASTARD DRIVER!! Ospreay turns a steal into a steal! And then he deadlifts for the WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! But Konosuke HIDDEN BLADES?!?!?
Konosuke flounders, but so does Ospreay, and Ospreay avoids the cover! The fans are electric while both men are down! Callis takes a deep breath while the standing count begins. Both men stir at 4 of 10, then Ospreay reaches up at 5. Both men are still down at 7, but they’re rising at 8! We hit 9, and both men stand! The fans fire up, HELLUVA KICK in the corner!! Ospreay falls, Konosuke climbs, but Ospreay rises up again! Ospreay ROCKS Konosuke, ROCKS him again, then climbs up, only to slip! Ospreay slaps himself to focus again, and the fans fire back up. Ospreay climbs, but Konosuke fires forearms!
Konosuke throws shots, but Ospreay RISING HEADBUTTS! Boston cheers as hard as they can, and Ospreay brings Konosuke to the very top! Konosuke fires shots, and then he winds up, SUPER TAKESHITA LINE!! But Ospreay lands on his feet!! Konosuke is stunned, and then HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?!? HOW?!?! Ospreay goes back to the corner, throws off the elbow pad, but a POWER DRIVE KNEE finds him! RAGING- RANA!! Cover, TWO, but Ospreay just gets Konosuke’s legs! Ospreay drags Konosuke up, STYLES CLASH!!! Cover, TWO!?!??!!? What is Konosuke even made of?!? Boston is thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!”
Ospreay runs, HIDDEN- BACKSLIDE! TWO!! POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Konosuke runs, but Ospreay slips through the lariat to underhook, lift, STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to Double or Nothing)
Callis is furious, no more “Proto-shita” finals for him! Ospreay and Konosuke pushed the limits of what is even possible, but will Ospreay win the whole damn thing at Double or Nothing?
BREAKING NEWS for Spring Breakthru Collision!
On top of the ROH World TV Championship match Christian Cage arranged for Nick Wayne, we will get a tag match of Mercedes Mone & Harley Cameron VS Kris Statlander & Julia Hart! Could this be a sampling of what’s to come in the Owen Hart Cup? Plus, Adam Cole puts up the TNT Championship in an Open Challenge! Who will step to the champion in this city of champions? This and more as Collision’s live on a Thursday night!
AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS The Opps & ???
As mentioned at the start of the night, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta made sure The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil was in no shape to compete tonight. But even so, the Samoan Submission Specialist and The Wrestler will not let this opportunity at both gold and vengeance pass them by. The question is, will there be a new third man? Or will The Opps be caught lacking?
The Death Riders make their entrance in from the crowd as usual, which is pretty daring given how packed the venue is tonight. As for The Opps, we see Joe & Shibata step on stage, but they’re not alone! POWERHOUSE HOBBS IS HERE!! Will the Book of Hobbs have a chapter about ending the reign of terror? The introductions are made, but then the brawl is on! The fans fire up and the bell rings, Hobbs has Yuta, Shibata has Claudio, and Joe has Moxley! The fans fire up as Moxley spills out of the ring with Joe while Claudio drags Shibata outside. Yuta ducks ‘n’ dodges Hobbs, but then Hobbs CLOBBERS Yuta!
Claudio and Shibata trade heavy forearms, Joe SMACKS Moxley off the apron, and Hobbs whips Yuta to a corner. Yuta staggers, Hobbs CLOBBERS him again! Yuta flounders into the corner, the fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs whips Yuta corner to corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Hobbs shouts, “MEAT!” and the fans chant “MEAT!” with every big lariat! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs then grins as he winds up to “MEAT!” Moxley storms in and he CLUBS Hobbs! That just pisses Hobbs off! The fans tell Moxley he messed up! Moxley bails out, but then Yuta CLUBS Hobbs! Same result as with Moxley!
Hobbs scoops Yuta, carries him around, then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Hobbs tags Joe and the fans cheer. Hobbs stands Yuta up for Joe to JAB! JAB! JAB! Joe fires hands high and low, backs Yuta into a corner, then fires up! RIDGE HAND CHOP! Joe whips corner to corner, runs up, and back ELBOWS, to then PELE! Yuta flops down, Joe stares Moxley down, and fans sing, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Joe drags Yuta up, CHOPS him in the corner, then tags Shibata. The fans fire up again as Shibata UPPERCUTS Yuta! And again! And then CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Shibata snapmares Yuta, runs, and he BOOTS Moxley!
Shibata then clamps onto Yuta and grinds him down. Yuta endures, pries at the hold, and fans taunt Yuta. Yuta fights up, powers up and out, but Shibata BOOTS Moxley again! Yuta CLUBS Shibata, then TOSSES Shibata out. Yuta distracts the ref so Claudio can run and THROW Shibata into railing! The fans boo but Hobbs backs Claudio off. The ref has Hobbs stay back, and Yuta goes out to fetch Shibata. Yuta drags Shibata into the ring, tags Moxley, and the fans boo as Moxley flips off Joe. Joe storms in, the ref stops him, and Moxley KICKS Shibata down! Tag to Claudio, the Death Riders mug Shibata. Claudio drags Shibata up but Shibata CHOPS!
Shibata CHOPS, Claudio eggs him on, repeat! Claudio blocks a chop to short arm LARIAT! Claudio soaks up the heat, then he stomps Shibata. The fans rally, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio drags Shibata up, pushes him to a corner, and UPPERCUTS! Claudio stomps Shibata, tags Moxley, and Moxley runs corner to corner to LARIAT! And then LARIAT! And LARIAT! Tag back to Claudio, the mugging continues, then Claudio tags Yuta. Yuta taunts Hobbs & Joe, Claudio stands Shibata up, and Yuta stomps Shibata down. The ref reprimands but Yuta hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Y uta clamps onto the leg for a toehold. Shibata endures, even as Yuta twists the ankle. Yuta drops an elbow on the knee, then tags Moxley. But then Joe & Hobbs storm in!
The ref stops Joe & Hobbs, Moxley taunts them, and then Moxley drags Shibata around. Moxley stomps Shibata, turns him over, and CLAWS Shibata’s back! The ref reprimands and counts as Moxley CLAWS Shibata more! Moxley fishhooks, the ref counts again, and Moxley pushes Shibata down at 4. Moxley drags Shibata up, has a facelock, and he drags Shibata over to the corner. Tag to Claudio, the mugging continues, and Claudio brings Shibata around for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO! Shibata stays in this but Claudio stays on him with a top wristlock. Shibata endures, fights around, but Claudio knees him low!
Claudio pushes on the wristlock and grinds Shibata back down. Spring Breakthru returns to single picture while the fans rally behind Shibata. Shibata fights up, but Claudio TOSSES him out! Moxley storms up on Shibata, but Hobbs hurries over to stop that. The ref is busy with Claudio and Moxley, which lets Marina CHOP BLOCK Hobbs! The fans boo but Marina flips them all off. Yuta drags Shibata up and into the ring for Claudio, and Claudio eggs Shibata on. Claudio SLAPS Shibata, kicks him around, but Shibata CHOPS! Claudio ROCKS Shibata! Shibata CHOPS Claudio! Repeat! Claudio shoves Shibata, catches him to a SLEEPER, but Shibata slips around to get a SLEEPER!
The fans fire up as Claudio flails! Claudio JAWBREAKERS free, Shibata staggers into the Death Rider corner, but then Shibata BOOTS Claudio! Shibata crawls away from the corner, the fans rally up, but Claudio whips Shibata back in! BOOT for Moxley! Claudio and Shibata trade forearms again, and Shibata backs Claudio down! Shibata fires a flurry, then an UPPERCUT! Shibata DECKS Yuta, but Claudio UPPERCUTS Shibata! Claudio BOOTS Shibata, but Shibata stays on his feet! Shibata clinches Claudio, BACK HEEL TRIP! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shibata and Claudio crawl, hot tags to Yuta and Joe!
Joe DECKS Yuta again and again, then atomic drops! Joe runs to BOOT Yuta down! And adds a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuta stays in this but Joe stays on him, only for Yuta to CLAW Joe’s eyes! Yuta runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, Moxley breaks it! Moxley tags in, then he goes looking under the ring! Moxley grabs a chair! The Maniac no longer cares about winning but about using Champion’s Advantage! The ref tells Moxley to stop right there, but then WILLOW NIGHTINGALE is here! She snatches the chair from Moxley! And she flips him off! Joe BOOTS Moxley down! Yuta goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK Joe!
Shibata BOOTS Yuta! Claudio POP-UP UPPERCUTS Shibata! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Claudio! Moxley SHOTGUNS Hobbs! Joe is back as Moxley runs, and Moxley BOOTS Joe! Joe LARIATS Moxley! All six men are down around ringside and Boston is thunderous! Willow coaches The Opps, but now The Young Bucks walk out here? The EVPs are surely going to sway things in the Death Riders’ favor now, given they grab some chairs. But wait! Someone in the crowd snatches Matt’s chair?! IT’S SWERVE STRICKLAND! And he DECKS Matt! Nick runs up, but Swerve BOOTS him! Swerve goes up, DOUBLE KILL STOMPS for The Bucks!!
The fans are thunderous as Boston is now “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve then TOSSES Matt over railing! And he TOSSES Nick onto Matt! The Bucks go tumbling away! Joe is in the corner, Moxley runs up, but Joe URENAGES him down! But Claudio UPERCUTS Joe! Shibata BOOTS Claudio! Shibata pushes Claudio out, they brawl on the ramp! SLEEPER!! Claudio is caught, Shibata sits him down, then runs to PENALTY KICK! Then back to the SLEEPER! Joe puts Moxley up top, tucks him in, but Yuta CLUBS Joe! The fans boo as Yuta fires hands, then runs, but Joe swings! Yuta ducks that to DIVE onto Hobbs, but Hobbs catches him!
Hobbs URENAGES Yuta on the desk! The desk does not break but Hobbs snarls. Marina SMACKS Hobbs with a chair!! The ref missed that but Willow didn’t! Willow runs up to LARIAT Marina!! The fans are thunderous, but Moxley drags Joe up! Underhooks and- NO, Joe wrenches out, COQUINA CLUTCH!!! Moxley is caught, and he’s RIGHT OUT! OPPS WIN!!
Winners: The Opps, by submission (NEW AEW World Trios Champions)
No more reign of terror in the trios division, this one was for Hook! Joe personally gives Hobbs the belt, the pyro goes off, and Boston is all fired up! The Death Riders retreat, and Will Ospreay leads the way as the AEW locker room comes out here to celebrate! The champagne bottles pop off and it’s a toast to The Opps, but perhaps we’re burying the lead as Joe took out THE AEW World Champion! Will Joe look to also dethrone “The One True King” and truly restore the feeling here in AEW?
My Thoughts:
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Time to defy the odds!
A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice; Lola wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: Hank ‘n’ Tank win and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Thea Hail; Thea wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page!
The Absolute holds what many want, but only one gets their shot. Will the Alpha Wolf be one step closer to his “birthright?” Will the Drama King look to go for another crown? Will the Wes Side return to former glory? Or will it be All Ego that meets Saints in Sin City?
But speaking of Saints, Ricky makes his entrance after everyone else is already in the ring! The fans fire up as the champion decides to join commentary. The bell rings and Eddy kicks at Ethan but Ethan blocks, only for Lexis to DECK Ethan! Wes then rolls Eddy up, but Lexis shoves Wes away! Lexis basement SUPERKICKS Eddy! Wes and Lexis stare down, things speed up, and Lexis hurdles, but Wes leaps over. Wes dodges Lexis, but Lexis steps on Wes’s dropdown! The fans are torn, but Eddy is up. Lexis wants Eddy to calm down, but then Ethan is also up. Lexis tells them both to calm down, but now Wes is up.
Lexis finds himself surrounded, and Wes feeds Lexis to Eddy’s KICK, and Ethan’s HAYMAKER! Wes adds a HAYMAKER, then Eddy KIKS again! Ethan HAYMAKERS, Wes ENZIGIRIS, and Lexis wobbles. Eddy TOSSES Lexis, the fans fire up, but then Ethan DECKS Wes! Eddy ROCKS and KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS on Ethan! Wes runs up, Eddy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Wes tumbles to a corner, Eddy BOOTS Ethan! Eddy runs and BOOTS Wes! Lexis is back, but Eddy dodges to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Ethan breaks it! Ethan ROCKS Eddy, but Wes ROCKS Ethan! Eddy spins Wes, but Wes BODY BLOWS!
Wes KICKS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS Eddy, to then DOUBLE STOMP him down! Wes runs to ELBOW Ethan in a corner, mule kick, and AX KICKS! Wes then runs at Lexis, but Lexis dodges! Lexis dodges Eddy so Eddy runs into Wes! Lexis dodges Ethan, Ethan runs into Wes & Eddy! Lexis then SUPERKICKS Ethan into them both! Lexis runs corner to corner, but everyone clears out! Lexis POSTS himself! Wes BOOTS Ethan, Eddy kicks Wes, then Eddy reels Wes in. Wes wrenches out, slips around, but Eddy elbows free. Eddy runs, Wes dodges, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Eddy tumbles up and out and to the floor!
Wes runs up, Ethan puts him on the apron, but Wes RAMS into Ethan! Eddy grabs at Wes, Wes kicks him away, but Ethan ROCKS Wes! Wes is stuck in the ropes, so Ethan hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives, Ethan drags Wes up, but then he sees Lexis climbing a corner. Ethan pushes Wes aside to ROCK Lexis! Ethan then climbs up to join Lexis, reels him in, but they both fire body shots! Lexis CLUBS Ethan, Eddy UPPERCUTS Lexis! Eddy climbs up to work with Ethan, but then Wes throws hands on the legs! Wes gets under all of this, and the fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!!
All four men are down while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener! Lexis flops out of the ring, Ethan and Eddy flounder, but Wes runs, SHOOTING STAR on Ethan! Cover, Eddy breaks it! The fans fire up as Wes and Eddy stand to trade forearms! Wes fires a body shot then a forearm, but Eddy fires a forearm, an UPPERCUT, and a KICK! Eddy snarls, but Ethan waistlocks! Eddy fires elbows to get free, but Wes BOOTS Eddy! Ethan DUMPS Eddy out, Wes DECKS Ethan! Wes builds speed and he DIVES into Lexis! Ethan let Lexis take that shot while he grabs Eddy. Eddy blocks the apron bump to elbow Ethan!
Eddy runs up, Ethan dodges, and Eddy almost hits Ricky! Ricky says watch it, but then Ethan SHOVES Eddy into Ricky! The fans go nuts, Ricky is pissed, and he THROWS Eddy aside to get at Ethan! The ref tries to stop this, but Ricky is too heated, so the ref EJECTS Ricky from ringside! The fans boo but Ethan just mockingly waves bye-bye. Ricky warns Ethan, the fans chant, “Ref, You Suck!” but NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Lexis ROCKS Wes. Lexis reels Wes in, but Ethan BOOTS Lexis down! Ethan then scoops Wes to SLAM him onto Lexis! Ethan then THROWS Lexis into Eddy! Ethan drags Lexis up, but Lexis slips free of the Canadian Rack! Lexis grabs the arms, crosses them, then reels Ethan in, but Ethan trips Lexis up! Ethan turns Lexis over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans are torn as Lexis endures, and Lexis claws at the mat! Lexis crawls forward, but Ethan drags him back from the ropes! Wes runs up, Ethan ducks the lariat, but then Eddy YANKS Wes outta the ring! Eddy clamps onto Lexis with a CROSSFACE!!
Lexis endures double submissions, but then Wes STOPS Lexis from tapping!! The fans are thunderous, but Eddy is furious! Eddy lets go of Lexis to STOMP Wes down! Eddy then BOOTS Ethan down! Eddy goes up a corner as the fans duel, and Lexis UPPERCUTS Eddy! Lexis climbs, fires forearms on Eddy, and Eddy falls to the apron! Ethan CLUBS Lexis! Ethan has an Electric Chair, then he has Eddy in a facelock! But Wes goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS onto a DOOMSDAY DDT COMBO!! The fans are going nuts all over again while all four men are down! But then Ethan crawls to cover Eddy while Wes crawls to cover Lexis! Double covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up while Wes and Ethan grow frustrated. They stare down, then they throw hands! Wes fires a flurry, but Ethan ROCKS Wes with one! Wes PELES in return! Wes hurries to go up a corner! But Lexis SHOVES him down! Wes hits apron, Lexis climbs, SWANTON BOMB on Ethan! But Eddy is up top! He MACHO ELBOWS the cover apart! Eddy then drags Lexis up, but Wes rises! METEORA for Eddy!! Cover, Lexis YANKS Wes up! CORONATION!! But Ethan has Lexis! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
Ethan smirks as he takes advantage of this golden opportunity. Ethan grabs a mic to say, “Well, I guess that makes me the man then, huh?” The fans are torn but Ethan says he is the #1 contender. Ethan knows he isn’t the guy Ricky wanted to win, and he has every right to believe that. Because everyone remembers their first. And the first championship in WWE for Ricky was ruined by Ethan Page! At Stand & Deliver, Ricky’s first title defense will also be ruined by- RICKY SPEARS ETHAN!! No more ringside ban, and the champ gets some payback! But will Las Vegas be absolute? Or will All Ego’s ego only expand exponentially this Saturday?
Jordynne Grace speaks.
“What you see today as The Juggernaut, multiple time TNA Knockouts Champion, this wasn’t how I started. I wasn’t scouted, I never had ‘star power,’ never really been a beauty queen. If it were possible to have negative aura, that is who I was. I was just a little girl wrestling in half-empty gyms, trying to find a place to fit in a world that didn’t seem built for me. I knew what people saw, or really rather what they didn’t see. But something I did have that not a lot of people in wrestling do, is self-awareness. So I finally stopped wishing that I had what I was supposed to have, and started building what I could become.
“I turned insecurity into intensity, doubt into discipline, and that was the day The Juggernaut was born. I fell in love with getting stronger. I became laser focused into building my body into an atomic bomb. Waking up at 3AM to train, jumping into a car to drive 8 hours to wrestle, hit another gym session after that, then sleep two hours and do it all over again the next day. And as hard as that was, I was obsessed with it. It was a way that I could stand out against all the other women. And to me, it was the only way. I wanted the WWE Universe to say, ‘Yeah, the WWE women are killing it, but have you seen Jordynne Grace over in TNA? That’s Jordynne Grace!?’
“I’ve put in the work so that no one could ignore me. I forced my way into the conversation and made people believe in The Juggernaut the way I believed in myself. Now, the biggest hurdle of my career is right in front of me this Saturday, when I have the opportunity to become NXT Women’s Champion. And just like I’ve been my entire career, I’m aware of exactly what I’m gonna have to do to leave Vegas with my first WWE championship.” Jordynne is ready, but will Grace survive in Sin City?
The NXT Women’s Division holds another watch party.
Sol Ruca asks Zaria who she thinks will take the last two spots in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match. Zaria isn’t sure, but it won’t matter when the outcome will be the same. Sol agrees there, because it’ll be one of them as the champ. Oh, really? Doesn’t Sol mean Zaria? Kelani Jordan hears this and takes offense. She thought #ZaRuca was fine. Uh, they are. New shirts and everything, thanks for asking. Well, it won’t be either of them, because Kelani’s going to be a TWO-TIME Women’s North American Champion. And she’ll show everyone why no one can do it like Lan- Izzi Dame interjects.
Izzi says good one, idiots. But y’know who Izzi misses these days? The old Kelani. She was way more likeable. Old Kelani, new Kelani, it won’t matter when Izzi’s the one on top of the ladder, holding the title, and bringing it home to The Culling. Keep dreaming, Izzi, it’ll never happen. Those two both head out, and Sol says it’s just like she said, either her or Zaria will walk out as champion. Zaria says sure, something like that. But to the point, who will get the remaining spots and fill out the six pack?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice!
The weird girls are hungry for some gold, but so is the MMA Mamacita! Will Tatum take over? Or will there be a Vice in Sin City?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Tatum rolls Lola, TWO, and Tatum narrowly avoids the roundhouse! The fans rally as the two reset and tie up. Tatum waistlocks, Lola switches, and Lola SLAMS Tatum down. Lola holds on as Tatum fights around, and Gigi coaches Tatum up. Tatum pries free, backflips up and over to then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Lola has Tatum in a modified CROSSFACE! Tatum endures, fights to stack Lola, TWO! Lola runs up but Tatum kicks her away. Tatum wrenches, UPPERCUTS, then CLUBS the arm. Tatum grinds Lola down, the fans duel, and Lola endures. Tatum hits a BRIDGING FUJIWARA!
The fans rally, Lola fights around and reels Tatum into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tatum high stacks, TWO! Lola lets Tatum go, but then BODY BLOWS! Tatum drops to her knees, Lola clamps on with a headlock, and Lola hits a takeover. Tatum fights around, but Lola puts on the pressure. Tatum fights up, Lola thrashes, but Tatum powers up and out. Lola ducks ‘n’ dodges to then whip Tatum, and Lola catches Tatum to a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Tatum powers out fast, but then Lola hits a SPINEBUSTER! Tatum bails out, Lola rushes after her! Tatum crawls under the ring? Lola grabs at Tatum but Tatum kicks her away!
Tatum scurries under the ring, Gigi taunts Lola, but Lola tells Gigi she’s estupida. Lola goes looking for Tatum, but Tatum YANKS her into the ring frame! Tatum laughs, Gigi says that’s what Lola gets, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tatum taunts Lola, brings her up and into the ring, then drags Lola up to KNEE the arm again and again! Tatum wrenches and WRINGS the arm, then JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum grabs Lola’s arm, stomps it, then twists the wrist! Lola endures, but Tatum SLAMS the arm off the mat! Tatum bends the fingers, mockingly high-fives the hand, but Lola kicks her away! Tatum comes back and wrenches again, but Lola wrenches and WRINGS it in return! Lola SOBATS Tatum, whips and KNEES her low, and Tatum is in the ropes. Lola goes to the apron to AX KICK Tatum down! Tatum flounders into the ring but Lola pursues.
Lola whips and KICKS Tatum, then drags her up to reel her in. Lola snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Lola gets up, for Dos Amigas! Lola drags Tatum up again, gives some Latina Heat, and hits THREE AMIGAS! Cover, TWO! Tatum stays in this and Lola grows frustrated. Lola stalks Tatum to the ropes, stands her up, and whips her to KNEE- NO, Tatum rolls Lola up! TWO, and Lola KICKS Tatum back down! Lola drags Tatum around, then clamps on with a chinlock. Tatum endures, even as Lola thrashes her around. Tatum fights up, RAMS Lola into a corner, but Lola holds on! Tatum RAMS Lola into another corner, but Lola clamps on again!
Tatum pries at the hold, RAMS Lola into the corner again, and now she’s free. Only to run up into headscissors! Tatum brings Lola off the corner to POWERBOMB! NXT returns to single picture as both women rise. Tatum dodges a kick, and she CLOBBERS Lola! And CLOBBERS her again! And ENZIGIRIS! Tatum wrenches Lola for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Tatum runs corner to corner and CROSSBODIES Lola in the corner! Tatum whips corner to corner to CROSSBODY again! Tatum goes for a third, but Lola KNEES the crossbody down! The fans rally, Gigi coaches Tatum, but Lola AX KICKS again!
Lola fires LIGHTNING KICKS and she backs Tatum up into the corner! The fans fire up for Lola as she reminds us, “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Tatum out of the corner, covers, TWO!! Tatum survives and the fans fire up! Lola drags Tatum up, lifts her up, but Tatum sunset flips! TWO, and Tatum hurries to a corner. Lola runs in, but Tatum dodges! Lola gets stuck in ropes, Tatum CROSSBODIES again! Tatum brings Lola around to hoist her up top, and the fans duel even harder! Tatum climbs, Lola fires body shots, and Lola shoves Tatum down! Tatum comes back to GAMANGIRI! Tatum then climbs up, brings Lola up, and SUPERPLEXES!
The fans fire up, Tatum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Lola survives, but Tatum doesn’t stop! She hooks Lola up, but Lola pops free! SLEEPER!! Lola drags Tatum down, but Tatum rolls back to a cover! TWO!! Lola lets go in time, but Tatum throat chops! Tatum goes up the ropes, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! And then the BUENAS NOCHES BACKHAND!! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Lola got the knockout, and now she’s punched her ticket to Las Vegas! Will everything come up LV this Saturday?
Giulia speaks.
“For the past few weeks, I watched Stephanie bask in the glory of being a double champion. I waited and waited for her to give me a rematch, but it never happened. Friendships only go so far when it comes to the NXT Women’s Championship. Last week, I reminded Stephanie of what Beautiful Madness is. Jaida Parker? I don’t know her, but I can tell she is very confident. She likes to dish out punishment, but she doesn’t like to take it. Jordynne Grace is strong, but on Saturday, I will introduce her to Strong Style. Jordynne and Jaida are obstacles in my way to Stephanie. My goal was to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Losing it only made me more dangerous.
“Last year at Stand & Deliver, I introduced myself. This year, I leave as the NXT Women’s Champion.” Giulia is ready, will all succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
A car pulls up real fast.
And out steps Trick Williams! #CrashOutTrick looks ready for a fight, will he find one this close to his NXT Championship Triple Threat?
Ava Raine is arguing with The Fatal Influence and Meta Four!
The NXT General Manager is trying to get Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all listen to her, but then Gigi & Tatum stumble in. Gigi brings up this other opportunity Ava talked about last week, and Ava says yes, that’s what this is about. But Jacy says it won’t be an opportunity for Gigi & Tatum. Ava says hold on, hold on. Everyone will get their opportunity at Stand & Deliver. There will be a Triple Threat Tag Team match, and after talking it over with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, the winners will get a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match for the NXT after WrestleMania.
Tatum & Gigi are fired up, as are the Meta Girls and Fatal Influence, but then Roxie storms in and says she just knew Ava would do this. Every single woman is going to be on Stand & Deliver except for Roxie, the woman who made this division the best Women’s Division in the WORLD! Ava says yes, hi, how are you, Roxie? Good job losing to Tiffany on SmackDown last Friday. But clearly she didn’t get enough because she’s back here bothering Ava. But hey, if Roxie can charm herself a tag partner, then Ava will happily make this a Fatal 4 Way. The others chuckle and Roxie says Ava has always had it out for her,
Roxie storms off and the others sarcastically wish her luck. Will Roxie be able to salvage one of the many bridges she’s burned around here? Or will the Prodigy be out of luck this close to Stand & Deliver?
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet!
Speaking of luck, the luck of the draw is going to be tested, and the team that survives the odds will battle Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the titles! But who do we have first? It’s Hank ‘n’ Tank! The Street Profits told them to just be themselves and it’ll be alright, but will Hank ‘n’ Tank be able to run the table?
Starting with them are Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont! Will Ty & Ty represent for the Wes Side?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont!
The teams sort out and Tank starts against Tyson. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. They break, circle again, then tie back up. Tyson waistlocks, full nelsons, but Tank powers up. Tyson spins Tank to KNEE him in the face! Tyson runs and UPPERCUTS Tank down! Cover, TWO! Tyson storms up but Tank fires a body shot. Tyson ROCKS Tank, SPLASHES in the corner, then tags Tyriek. Tyson feeds Tank to Tyriek for a kitchen sink knee! Tyriek UPPERCUTS, then KICKS a leg out, to then BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tank is toughing it out, but Tyriek bumps him off buckles. Tyriek runs, but Tank BOOTS him back!
Tank storms up, Tyriek headlocks, but Hank tags in as Tank powers up and out! Tank blows past Tyriek, Tyriek gets distracted, and Hank CLOBBERS him! Tank dodges Tyson’s sucker punch to triangle jump LARIAT! Hank ‘n’ Tank take the corners, and as Tyriek stands up, “HONK! HONK!” BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Hank scoops, Tank runs up, GRIDIRON! Cover, Hank ‘n’ Tank ELIMINATE Ty & Ty! The fans fire up while Wes is freaking out! But no time to rest, here comes Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank be victims of The Culling?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen!
Jensen keeps Vance back, they have to do this the right way. Vance does start against Hank, and the two tie up. Niko RAMS Hank into the corner, then Jensen throws hands! Jensen tags in, and he ROCKS Hank! Jensen whips corner to corner but Hank reverses. Hank runs up and SPLASHES, then he runs side to side! Tank tags in, Hank LARIATS again! Tank adds a LARIAT! Niko runs up, Hank hits him with an atomic drop! Niko hobbles to a corner, Tank runs up to LARIAT! Hank LARIATS Jensen, then Hank ‘n’ Tank switch, more LARIATS for Jensen & Niko! And then more LARIATS! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Niko!!
Jensen staggers up, Tank gives Hank the boost into the SEATED SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jensen survives but Tank clamps on, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Jensen endures, fights up, and he bumps Tank off buckles. Jensen gives Tank more buckle bumps, but then Tank stops that! Tank keeps Jensen from running away to give him buckle bumps of his own! Shoutout to Matt Hardy with these “DELETE!” bumps, and then he SLAM DUNKS Jensen off the corner! Tag to Hank, and Tank puts Jensen up top. Hank ‘n’ Tank coordinate, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT Jensen in the ribs! Hank pushes Jensen down, covers, TWO! Jensen stays in this but Hank stays on him. Hank whips Jensen to a corner, runs up, but Jensen BOOTS him! Jensen brings Hank over, tags Niko, but Hank gets loose!
Hank ROCKS Jensen, DECKS Niko, then dodges Jensen, only for Jensen to DUMP Hank to the apron! Jensen ROCKS Hank, and Niko Electric Chair Lifts Hank! Jensen lines up the shot, DOOMSDAY BULLDOG to the desk!! Hank goes down in a heap while The Culling stands tall! Niko then drags Hank up, bumps him off the apron, and Hank sputters around the way. Niko puts Hank in the ring, stomps him around, then drags him from his corner. Niko bumps Hank off buckles, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Niko lets off, and he stalks Hank to a corner. Niko whips Hank corner to corner hard!
Niko tags Jensen, Jensen throws hands on Hank, then JABS, JABS, JABS! Jensen DECKS Hank, covers, TWO! Hank stays in this, even with blood in his mouth, but Jensen ELBOWS him in the head. NXT returns to single picture as Jensen whips and CLOBBERS Hank! Cover, TWO! Tank coaches Hank, the fans rally up, but Jensen clamps onto Hank with a chinlock. The fans rally harder, Hank fights up to his feet, and Hank fires body shots! The fans cheer, but Jensen turns Hank! Hank turns that to a backslide! TWO, and we see Fraxiom watching backstage as Jensen grabs Hank’s leg! Jensen drags Hank back, tag to Niko.
Niko stomps Hank again and again, then talks trash. Hank fires body shots in return, but Niko CLUBS him down! Niko taunts Tank, Tank warns Niko, and Hank LARIATS Niko down! The fans fire up, but Niko grabs Hank’s leg! Hank still crawls, but Jensen distracts the ref! The ref misses Hank’s hot tag! The fans boo as Tank has to go back! Niko scoops Hank, Jensen goes up, ASSISTED POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Hank survives and the fans are thunderous! Jensen & Niko have no idea how this is possibly, but Niko facelocks Hank. Hank fights up, fights forward, but Niko CLUBS him down!
Niko tries to suplex but Hank blocks it! Hank suplexes Niko, but Jensen reaches out to push it down! The ref reprimands, but Niko suplexes! Hank slips free, shoves Niko away, Jensen tags in, but Hank hot tags Tank! The fans fire up as Tank rallies on The Culling! Tank LARIATS Niko up and out! Then he dodges Jensen to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Tank dodges Niko to ROCK him! Tank runs to BLAST Niko off the apron! Jensen runs up, Tank cartwheels and LARIATS! A shoutout to the War Raiders, perhaps? Tank covers, Niko breaks it! The fans boo, but Hank is back! Hank and Niko grapple, Niko TOSSES Hank, but Tank TOSSES Niko!
But Jensen rolls Tank up! TWO, and Jensen runs! Tank ducks under the leg lariat, goes up, up, but leaps into a WHEEL KICK! Niko tags in, then he tags Jensen back! They hoist Tank up to the Electric Chair, and Jensen goes up, DOOMSDAY BELLY2BELLY!? Tank turns things around on Jensen, and Hank trips Niko! Tank covers, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE THE CULLING!! Blink and you might’ve missed it! But Hank ‘n’ Tank have to regroup quickly, because here comes the No Quarter Catch Crew! Will Myles Borne & Tavion Heights be the ones to go the distance?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Myles Borne & Tavion Heights!
Myles & Heights rush in, they dodge Hank ‘n’ Tank, and Myles DROPKICKS Hank! Tavion fireman’s carries Tank for the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Tank survives but Tavion knows he has Tank where he wants him! Tavion ROCKS Tank, whips Tank, and LARIATS Tank! Tag to Myles, the NQCC double whip to then DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Tank is still in this, but Myles drags him up. Myles ROCKS Tank, ROCKS him again, and then tags Tavion. Feed to the fireman’s carry throw! Cover, TWO! The fans duel while Tavion rains down forearms! Tavion clamps on a chinlock but Tank endures the squeeze.
Tank fights up, the fans rally harder, and Tank fights up to his feet. Tank fights around, and JAWBREAKERS free! Myles tags in, but Tank tags Hank! Hank DUMPS Tavion, then fires haymakers on Myles! The fans fire up as Hank swings away, then fires fast hands from all sides! Hank whips, ELBOWS and then DECKS Myles! Myles staggers to a corner, Hank runs corner to corner, SPLASH and BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Hank goes to the outside, and he gets on the tracks! He uses the steps to FLYING BODY ATTACK on Tavion! The fans are thunderous as Tank is up, too! HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH for Tavion!!
Wait, Myles FLIES?! Down goes Hank ‘n’ Tank and the fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture!
Myles drags Hank up, puts him in the ring, and pushes him to a cover, TWO! Hank is still in this, but Myles KNEES him in the back. Myles drags Hank up, ROCKS him, then UPPERCUTS him! Hank flops against the ropes, Myles stomps away, but then stops as the ref counts. Tag to Tavion, and Tavion stomps away on Hank on the apron! Tavion steps in, kicks Hank to the floor, then takes a bow. Tavion goes out to fetch Hank for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Hank writhes, Tavion pushes him in and covers, TWO! Hank is showing true grit, but Tavion fires forearms! Tavion whisp Hank to ropes, then LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!
Tavion drags Hank up, whips him into a corner, then tags Myles. Tavion stands Hank up to feed him to the SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Myles is frustrated, but he sits Hank up to KNEE him int he back! Myles CLUBS Hank, ROCKS him, then fires body shots! Hank fires hands in return but Myles kicks low. Myles reels Hank in but Hank blocks the suplex! Hank cradles Myles, TWO! Myles stomps Hank down, then drags him up to ROCK him with a right! Hank flops over, Myles stomps him and taunts him, then ROCKS him again! Hank fires a body shot in return! Myles fires another haymaker! Myles stalks Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles!
Myles comes back to ROCK Hank, but Hank ROCKS Myles! NXT returns to single picture as the hands keep going! Hank ROCKS Myles, both men flounder to their corners, hot tags to Tavion and Tank! Tank and Tavion fire fast ‘n’ furious fists and the fans fire up! Tavion RIPOS Tank’s shirt off! Tank ROCKS Tavion again and again! Tank whips, Tavion reverses to LARIAT! Tavion runs, but Tank ELBOWS him! Then Tank hits a BIG back suplex! Tavion is up!? Tavion hits a BIG back suplex! But Tank is up!? The fans are thunderous as these two run up, LARIAT from Tavion again! Cover, Hank just breaks it in time!
Myles storms in and TOSSES Hank! NQCC get Tank up, fireman’s carry, but then Hank drags Myles out! Tank shoves Tavion, rolls him up, HANK ‘N’ TANK ELIMINATE NQCC!! What a hot streak! But now, the final team is none other than Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank get past the Bullhead Brawler & Great Rush? Or will being themselves only get them this far?
Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura!
Tank steps outside, but Briggs just goes after him! Briggs THROWS Tank into the steel steps while Inamura runs up on Hank! Inamura wrenches Hank to fire those fast hands! Then Inamura hits a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something but Briggs tags in. Briggs CLUBS Hank, talks trash, but Hank fires a haymaker! Briggs likes the fighting spirit and eggs Hank on. Hank fires more hands, but there’s not a lot of mustard. Briggs BOOTS Hank, whips him, then scoops him, SIDEWALK SLAM and a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Hank still has something left, and Fraxiom likes where this is going. Briggs tags Inamura and Inamura CHOPS Hank!
Inamura CHOPS and JABS on hyper speed! Tag to Briggs, he runs side to side and BOOTS Hank! Briggs brings Hank around, tags Inamura, CHOP into the CHOKE SLAM BACKBREKER COMBO!! Cover, TANK BREAKS IT! The fans cheer and Tank coaches Hank. The fans rally as hard as they can, but then Inamura runs up! Tank takes the CHOP for Hank! Briggs BOOTS Tank down, then he and Inamura double whip Hank! Hank ducks Briggs, shoves him into Inamura, then cradle for Briggs!! Inamura leaps but Tank anchors him! HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!?!?
Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)
Incredible! Hank ‘n’ Tank start and finish this gauntlet, and now they’re headed to Las Vegas! Fraxiom may #NeverSlowDown, but Hank ‘n’ Tank never give up. What happens when irresistible forces meet immovable objects at Stand & Deliver?
Stevie Turner talks with Kali Armstrong.
The Evolve General Manager, and Ava’s assistant NXT GM, is very impressed with Kali, which is why she’s in the Fatal 4 Way main event of tomorrow night’s Evolve! Kali will take on Brinley Reece, Kendal Grey, and Chantel Monroe. Kali likes that, and says thanks for the opportunity, Stevie. Kali heads out, and Ava is there to say Kali’s gonna be a big star one day. Robert Stone agrees. But how stoked are we that Hank ‘n’ Tank just won the tag team gauntlet? He is so happy for those guys. Stevie agrees, the tag title match is set. But alas, there’s one last spot in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match to fill.
Ava says yes, but she found a last minute entry for that match. Oh? Who? Ava says don’t worry, you’ll know when the music hits. Ava teases something big, who will make a surprise entry? And will that certain someone soon Stand & Deliver?
A truck pulls into the parking lot.
And it’s Oba Femi! The Ruler brings his NXT Championship with him, but wait! Is that Dark State sneaking up behind him!? Are they going to go after the champ and ruin Stand & Deliver?
Jaida Parker speaks.
“When you see Jaida Parker, you’ve already made your mind up. Because of my old life, people have already made assumptions about me. And to be honest, I don’t care, because I never fit in anywhere anyways. People think just because you look the part that it’s easy. But just because I carry something with ease don’t mean that it ain’t heavy. See, this path to Stand & Deliver started right here, in Port St. Lucie. I laughed in these streets, I cried in these streets, and I started making a damn name for myself in these streets. And Stephanie, Jordynne, and Giulia, they all come from somewhere. I’m the only homegrown talent in this match.
“And yeah, other women might be intimidated by that. Hell, the entire world IS intimidated by that. But I learned right here in Port St. Lucie that if I can hang with the boys, then I can hang with anybody. Because baby, I am pressure. And I ain’t talking about the pressure that burst pipes. I’m talking about the pressure that creates diamonds! Because growing up, if you didn’t apply it, it was damn sure applied to you. See, my dad’s a coach, and he would never let me play football like my brother did. So I decided to go for the next best thing: Soccer. And that physicality, what? Man, I loved it.
“But with my dad also being my coach, people already made the assumption about me. I’ve been in a women’s locker room my whole life, so I know exactly how vicious it can be. All women wanna do is try and cut you down. And out here in NXT, we have the best division in the world. But I know deep down, none of them want me to succeed before they do. And that’s not my problem. My best friend is actually my uncle. Man, you talk about a support system, You wanna talk about keeping a smile on my face. That’s exactly what he did to me. And when I lost him, I learned real early on that I couldn’t trust nobody. Because if I could lose my best friend, who else can I trust?
“See, people assume I have an attitude. Nah, I’m just the way that I am because that’s what happens when you don’t fit other people’s agendas. That’s what happens when you lose the purpose of this all. Life made me hard. So nah, I don’t need no damn friends in no damn locker room. All I need is that big game situation. The moments that make or break you. And ain’t nobody been able to break me. And come this Saturday in Las Vegas, I’m gonna show the entire world that Jaida Parker don’t play. And I’m taking that NXT championship with me.” Miss Parker got #OutTheMud, but will she get that gold?
The D’Angelo Family arrives!
Stacks, Rizzo, Luca, and a few other cousins are here, but where’s Tony? Where’s The Don? Stacks says T ain’t coming. This was Stacks’ call. Wait, Stacks didn’t run this by Tony? Stacks tells Luca that he doesn’t need to justify his decisions, he’s the Underboss, this is his call. Are they with him or not? Luca says they’ve never backed down from a fight before, they sure won’t do that tonight. Dark State is already waiting, so it’s go time! Stacks has Rizzo move aside, and the boys get the crowbars out! Rizzo hurries to call Tony, but the fight is on! The crowbars hit first and they hit hard! The random cousins get taken out, but Stacks & Luca stand their ground!
Luca’s got Dion, Stacks has Saquon, they drag those two inside, but then Dion & Saquon fight free! They brawl around backstage, knocking into ladders and walls. Luca CHUCKS a trash can at Dion! Saquon SMACKS Luca with the trash can’s lid, then throws it into Stacks! Saquon grabs a chair, but Stacks grabs it from him! Luca SMACKS Saquon with another chair! But now Cutler & Osiris have caught up! They’re throwing off the other cousins, as well as security, and Cutler CLOBBERS Luca! Security still tries, but Cutler ELBOWS one, and CHOKE SLAMS another through a table! But then Stacks & Luca get Cutler with a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX through a table!
Osiris shakes free of security to run up on Luca with a crowbar! Stacks gets Luca outta the way, and that crowbar goes into the wall! Then Luca & Stacks DOUBLE SPEAR Osiris through that wall!! Security drags Luca & Stacks up, Saquon and Dion are back, this brawl moves down some other hallway! They’re in the storage area, they crash into spare pipes, and Dion THROWS Stacks up against some spare lockers! And then Dion SLAMS the lockers down! Stacks avoids disaster, Luca SMACKS Dion off the lockers! Saquon comes back, armed with a fire extinguisher! Cutler & Osiris are back up, they brawl with the D’Angelos, but Saquon just BLASTS everybody!
Saquon is going wild, but then he JAMS Luca up with the extinguisher itself! Cutler THROWS Stacks against someone’s car! Security steps in, but one of them is sent into the car! Stacks CHUCKS a cinderblock! Cutler dodges, the block shatters on the ground, and Cutler scoops Stacks to LAWN DART him into the garage door! Saquon SMACKS Luca off the side of the car, then Dark State gets him up. DOUBLE URENAGE onto the hood! Another car pulls up, and it’s TON! CROWBAR SHOTS FOR EVERYBODY! Dark State is going into retreat as the cops get involved! Tony helps Stacks up, and he says HE called the police.
Tony now asks what the hell Stacks is doing! Going over his head?! Risking the family for something Tony didn’t sign off on?! Stacks says Dark State disrespected the family! Tony says yeah, but Tony had a plan. Stacks says he got caught up, and Tony says yeah, and Stacks should’ve listened instead. Because while Stacks got caught up in whatever the hell this was, Tony was handling business the way it’s supposed to be handled. They all want Dark State, okay? But not in some street, in some parking lot. They’ll do it in front of the entire world, on the biggest stage: Stand & Deliver! Because that’s what they do.
Tony knows what is best for the family. Stacks, do NOT question him again. Understood? Understood. Tony hugs it out with Stacks, but will the D’Angelos be able to end Dark State the right way?
Stephanie Vaquer speaks.
La Primera went home to Chile, and not only does she get to see family and friends again, but she’s also part of Chilean TV specials on this Road to WrestleMania. She is very happy to represent Chile at Stand & Deliver as well as all of WrestleMania Week, the most important week of the year. She reviews how she is not only the first woman to hold both the NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Championships at the same time, but she’s the first Chilean women’s champion.
She then goes to her hometown of San Fernando to have a media moment with the mayor, Pablo Silva Perez, who is very proud that one of their own is now a world class professional wrestler. Vaquer tells the story of when, years ago, she told her father she wanted to be a wrestler. He was of course worried, but she told him she would one day be a champion in the WWE. During her career, she was winning titles all over the world, but he never got to see that because she couldn’t come home. But now, she gets to give him a big surprise, because she brought home replicas of the titles she won in NXT.
Vaquer feels so blessed to be home to have all the love and support of her people in Chile. And at Stand & Deliver, she promises to continue representing them with pride, passion and courage, always keeping Chile’s name high. Vaquer is ready, but will La Primera still be THE champion here in NXT?
Backstage interview with Hank ‘n’ Tank.
Kelly Kincaid is with tonight’s big gauntlet winners, and says they’re going to Stand & Deliver! Yeah, baby! Here we come! These past few weeks, they’ve gotten tons of advice from teams on Raw, SmackDown, and beyond. Some was good, some not so good. But tonight, Hank ‘n’ Tank stayed true to who they are, and they pulled it off! They learned who they are! But they also learned who they’re not. They didn’t change who they are, and they left it all in the ring! They took the gauntlet and gave it a bodacious belly boy booming twice! And now… They’ve got a chance at the titles at Stand & Deliver!
But in steps Frazer & Axiom. Axiom loves it! Hank ‘n’ Tank found themselves and they did it! Now they’re ready to put themselves to the test on the biggest stage, against the best tag team in NXT. Axiom looks forward to it. Frazer says he knew they could do it! He knew the entire time. Uh, no, Frazer gave them the worst advice possible. Oh, did he? They ran the entire gauntlet, but it’s just a shame they did it for nothing. Axiom is annoyed by Frazer, but Tank says agree to disagree. See you at Stand & Deliver. Hank ‘n’ Tank offer handshakes, Frazer says, “We most certainly will,” and then heads out? Axiom shakes hands, so at least one champion is respectful.
But will Frazer also learn to respect the bodacious belly boys? Or will Fraxiom, dysfunctional once again, still pull off the win?
Roxie meets with Ava again.
Roxie is so upset! Even Hank ‘n’ Tank get to go to Stand & Deliver and she doesn’t? Stone says those two beat four other teams, they deserve it. Well so does Roxie! Ava asks if Roxie found a tag partner. Actually, yes. Roxie thought about it, and she realized she’s a Prodigy for a reason. She’ll just be her own tag partner. That’s not how that works… And one Roxie is plenty anyway. Ava asks how bad she wants this. Really badly! Oh, is that so? Cora Jade steps in! Does Roxie want it so bad that she’s willing to apologize? Roxie is speechless, but she’s only got 4 days left. Will Roxie swallow her pride to go for glory with an old friend?
BREAKING NEWS for Stand & Deliver!
It seems during commercial, Roxanne did apologize to Cora, and now the mean girls are back in action! The Fatal 4 Way Tag match is now an ELIMINATION MATCH, and set for the Stand & Deliver Countdown Show! Who will start off their WrestleMania Weekend with a big win and head right for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS ???
It’s the main event and there’s one spot left in that six pack challenge! Karmen is ready to represent for Team SHING SHING, but who’s she up against? We find out, after the break.
NXT returns and wait, Andre Chase is talking with Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon. The boys want Mr. Chase to reconsider reopening Chase U, but he tells them that while he’s thankful for everything they’ve done for him, he’s… He’s just scared. What if he ruins their lives like he has everyone else’s? “You didn’t ruin mine.” THEA HAIL!? She’s back! And Thea says Mr. Chase has her blessings. He can reopen Chase U. Does that mean she’s back in? No, but she’ll always be a proud alumni. For now, she’s qualifying for the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match! Then go get ’em, champ! Thea fist bumps Mr. Chase and fires up!
The music starts, “I’m a grown ass woman!” Thea runs out there, the fans go nuts already, Thea almost licks the title! Will everyone be shouting #HailYeah this Saturday in Las Vegas?
The bell rings, the fans chant “Welcome Back!” and even Karmen is happy to have Thea back. But then Karmen kicks, only for Thea to block! Thea spins Karmen, rolls her up, ONE! Karmen trips and covers, ONE! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Karmen and Thea reset, then things speed up. Thea rolls over the dropdown, then arm-drags! And arm-drags again! The fans fire up with Thea, she runs in and ELBOWS Karmen! Thea clinches for an EXPLODER! Karmen bails out, Adonis coaches her, but Thea builds speed! Thea DIVES, but into a GAMANGIRI! Karmen storms in, runs up, and she SLINGBLADES!
Karmen dares Thea to get up, then whips her, only for Thea to reverse. Karmen goes up to JUMP SOBAT! Thea flounders, Karmen DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Karmen is annoyed but she rains down fists! Thea kicks free, but Karmen brings her up for a KICK! And KICK! And KICK, but Thea blocks it! Thea HEADBUTTS Karmen, then dodges a lariat to ELBOW Karmen down! And ELBOW her again! And then wrench and kick to the leg! BASEMENT CLOTHESLINE! The fans fire up and Thea runs, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Thea hauls Karmen up, scoops and POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up with Thea as she shakes the ropes!
Thea SEANTONS, then TRUST FALLS! The fans fire up and Karmen flounders. Thea runs in, floats over, and underhooks for the BUTTERFLY TWIST! Then KIMURA!! Karmen TAPS, Thea wins!
Winner: Thea Hail, by submission (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Thea makes a return in a big way, and she’s on to perhaps the biggest match in her career! Thea looks around at ringside, we see #ZaRuca up in the perch, while Izzi Dame, Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice have appeared in different parts of the crowd. The six pack is complete, but who will be toasting their victory at Stand & Deliver?
Trick Williams heads to the ring!
The fans fire up and chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” as he makes his way out for what is to be one final faceoff between the NXT Championship Triple Threat competitors. Trick grabs a mic to keep that Booker T energy going, “Huh? I like it!” Trick says he’s been doing a whole lot of thinking lately about who he is. A couple weeks ago, Young OG came out here and said Trick… is the new Carmelo Hayes… But Trick gets it now. Because you either die the hero, or live long enough to become the villain. But Trick Willy still alive! And heavy is the head that wears the crown. Oba, your head may be heavy, but on Saturday, Trick’s coming for that crown, dawg!
And Je’Von, that means better luck next year for you! The fans cheer, but here comes Oba Femi! The Ruler changes the mood as he has belt around his waist and mic in his hand. Oba tells “Mr. Williams, it’s funny how you still talk like you’re the man around here. Well guess what? You’re not the man. What you are is a broken record playing the same hits over and over, and over and over again. And nobody is singing along, because you are the only one who is still whooping dat trick!” The fans disagree as they chant, “Whoop Dat Trick!” Oba says he’ll give Trick a word of advice: The spotlight is moving on, so Trick should do the same.
Trick gets one last chance to stand in the spotlight alongside Oba at Stand & Deliver on Saturday, and that will be Trick’s last time. Because when Oba is done with him, Oba is moving on, as well. Trick wants to ask, do Oba’s ears not work that good? Are those braids too tight? The fans are still chanting Whoop Dat Trick around the world, let’s talk about it! The fans cheer, and they again chant for Trick. But hey, what’s Oba got? He’s still The Ruler? It takes more than a few Black Panther chants to be the man around here, dawg! Trick says he’ll help Oba out, because it looks like Oba is struggling to hold that title up ever since Trick let him have it.
Trick will take that from Oba, that’ll help Oba out, and- Here comes Je’Von Evans! The Young OG has them cut his music, and he tells Trick, “Please, please, PLEASE shut yo’ ass up! Oh, I mean, I dunno, I could be trippin’, gang. But like, I guess the Young OG was right about Trick a few weeks ago. I mean, bruh, you come here week, after week, after week, after week, after week, after week… talking about a match that you deserve. And honestly, I’m gonna speak for some people here, at least for some. We tired of that! Like, if you gon’ talk, talk about something else. But you already know how I feel about you, so Trick Williams, you’re dismissed.
“Let’s talk about the Ruler now! HOO!” Je’Von steps in, fans chant “O~BA! O~BA!” Je’Von says, “I ain’t gonna lie, that’s cool. I ain’t gonna lie. Real recognizes real, OG. You’ve been glued to a championship ever since you got to NXT. Y’know what I mean? It’s like you’re on track to success. You walk into a room, and everybody knows who you are. And honestly, I’m not trying to be a smart ass fool, but those two times I dropped you, I was hype about it. Cuz I didn’t drop a regular wrestler, Oba. I dropped the NXT Champion! You feel me? That’s real talk.” The fans do cheer that. Je’Von asks how many times are we gonna hear, “Oba Femi will main event WrestleMania in a couple of years.”
And that’s not an “if,” it’s a “when” Oba gets drafted. And c’mon, Big O. C’mon, champ. Je’Von pats him on the shoulder and says yeah, he did that. But c’mon! Oba from the University of Alabama! Roll Tide! Roll Tide! The fans here being from Orlando, Florida, they’re not as into that. But Je’Von says bruh, Oba was supposed to get to Raw, SmackDown, and be great! But he walks around this arena, around the Performance Center, and around NXT like all this revolves around here. Deadass right now, bro bro… This kid from North Carolina wasn’t supposed to make it to WWE. But what’d he do? He did that!
And you think Oba is the favorite? But little do you know, that’s how Je’Von likes it. YERRR! Oba chuckles, and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Je’Von Evans!” The fans cheer, and Oba says, “The Young OG! This is what 20 years looks like. Look at him. 20 years old. You’ve had a phenomenal rookie year. If anybody knows anything about having a phenomenal rookie year, it’s The Ruler, isn’t that right? And you’re the future of this place. But like I said, I’m the present. The future is not here yet. And you’re right about one thing: This place does revolve around me, because I have this!” Oba holds up the NXT Championship.
“Because I have this, that makes me the man! Because I have this, I’m the top dog! And you cannot handle this, because you are a CHILD!” The fans boo that, and Je’Von brushes that off. Trick says he’ll hope both of them out. After they’re done hugging and giving compliments, they’ll talk about what matters, and that’s Trick getting that title back. Belee dat! Je’Von says if they’re gonna talk about Saturday, it’ll be how neither Trick nor Oba can touch Je’Von in this ring. Because we all know Je’Von can wrestle circles around both of them, and that’s facts. The mics drop, but then Trick & Oba SHOVE Je’Von out of the ring!
And now Trick and Oba start throwing hands! The fans fire up, Je’Von returns, but he gets TOSSED out this time! Trick and Oba throw more hands, but Je’Von springboards in! DOUBLE O G CUTTER!! Je’Von stands tall over Trick and Oba, then holds up the title! Is this what we’ll see at the end of Stand & Deliver?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home NXT here, especially with the “last minute” builds to some big matches. I was a little surprised the Fatal 4 Way went first, but I suppose it was the match that needed time to breathe, while also one of the matches they couldn’t adjust on the fly if they needed to cut something for time. That technical stuff aside, it was an awesome opener with all four guys looking strong. Ethan did a great job sniping the finish there, but great stuff with Ricky being ejected just to come back and spear Ethan down. I hope Ricky doesn’t lose given he stood tall, but he and Ethan will have a great match for this title.
Very good stuff in the Women’s North American Championship build. Good promo from Sol, Zaria, Kelani and Izzi, and good stuff in connection. Thea Hail making her TV return was a great move, and a great win over Karmen here. Also, I do appreciate she gave Mr. Chase the encouragement to restart Chase U. Lola VS Tatum was also a very good match, and very good win for Lola. I can’t really be sure who wins the ladder match, but I feel like it’d be boring for Kelani to win again, she has to have a proper feud with someone before she becomes a two-time Women’s North American Champion. It’d be the most fun if Thea finally got a title reign with this match.
Branching off from that, good stuff with building a Fatal 4 Way tag. Roxie having to make amends with Cora is an interesting twist but I figured that would happen. I don’t know their chances when we’re talking an Elimination Fatal 4, but I suppose Roxie & Cora wouldn’t reunite if they weren’t going to have a strong showing. At the same time, it really depends on if Liv & Raquel are meant to win against Lyra & Bayley. Speaking of Lyra & Bayley, I’m surprised Hank ‘n’ Tank ran the table just like they did, but it was done in an awesome way. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Fraxiom will be awesome, and this really will come down to how Hank ‘n’ Tank are of like minds while Frazer & Axiom keep disagreeing.
The backstage brawl of Stacks & Luca VS Dark State was both a bit cheesy but also really good. Tony making the save was great, and now we’re getting a big Six Man Tag out of it. It feels like this will be the make or break for the D’Angelo Family, as Stacks keeps pushing the boundaries of his authority within the family. Great cameo from Kali Armstrong to help plug Evolve, that’ll be a great Fatal 4 Way over there. Great promos from the women in the NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way. Jaida’s promo felt like the longest and most in-depth, but Vaquer’s was pretty close. I feel like it’ll be between the two of them for who wins the title. I’m leaning towards Vaquer retaining, but Jaida really does deserve some kind of title reign before her NXT run is over.
And a great promo segment from Trick, Oba & Je’Von to close the show. All three made strong points, but then Je’Von standing tall was quite the surprise but also a great image. The math would now say he doesn’t win, but it’s a Triple Threat so maybe there’s a way for him to still win out. It could even have to do with all these theories of someone leading Dark State, but that’s only if there is someone else leading Dark State. It’d be a great way to kick off a new chapter for NXT if Dark State had the NXT Champion leading them, and their feud with the D’Angelos continued as Tony tried to go after that title to complete his Grand Slam.
My Score: 8.9/10
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