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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Rey Mysterio and Logan Paul meet again!
As if fighting for a spot in the Elimination Chamber wasn’t enough, Logan Paul screwed Rey Mysterio in last week’s tag match! Will Rey have his revenge?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Iyo & Dakota win.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bayley VS Lyra Valkyria; Bayley wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile; The War Raiders win, by disqualification, and retain the titles.
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Rey Mysterio VS Logan Paul; Logan wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
And as always, “Please, please, hit my music! Oh yeah, uh uh, YEET!” Nashville may be about country music, but they’re ready to rock with Jey tonight! Jey high-fives a young fan, blows a kiss to the rest, then has another young fan join in on the bounce! Jey then reaches ground level, goes to ringside to dap it up with Pat & Maggle, then he high-fives a few more fans before going to the ring. The bouncing continues, just as it has since Jey won the Men’s Royal Rumble! The fans want to keep going, so Jey says why not. The YEET continues, and Jey stands on the desk. Jey makes sure everyone’s ready, “UUUSO~!”
OH NO! Gunther trips Jey off the desk! The fans boo as Der Ring General ruins the good time, to hit Jey with a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Jey writhes and sputters, but Gunther stands him up. Jey fires haymakers! Gunther RAMS Jey into the apron, CHOPS him down, then shoves him into the ring. Gunther then waits on Jey to stand up, just to BOOT him back down! The fans boo more, but Gunther drags Jey up. Gunther RIPS the Tennessee Volunteers YEET shirt off, then CHOPS Jey again! Jey falls and clutches his stinging chest, but the fans chant, “YOU SUCK!” Gunther doesn’t care, he just GUNTHER BOMBS Jey down!
The fans boo as Gunther then gets in Jey’s face. Refs and producers rush out here to stop Gunther, but Gunther tells Jey not to choose him. Gunther backs off, but then he shoves through security to get Jey back up! GUNTHER BOMB!! The fans boo as hard as they can, but Gunther actually leaves this time. Gunther did warn Jey that life would become Hell until Jey chose anyone other than him. But wait, Jey grabs the mic! Jey sits up, and while fans chant YYEET! YEET! YEET!” and while Gunther says Jey is not worthy, Jey tells Gunther, “I shouldn’t say this. Maybe I shouldn’t say this. Me and you at WrestleMania!”
The fans fire up as the decision has been made! Gunther is furious and he storms back to the ring! Gunther slides in, but Jey fires off on him! The fans are thunderous as Gunther falls back, and Jey FLIES! Jey wipes out Gunther and security! Jey still wants after Gunther, but security keeps these men separated! Will Main Event Jey be the one to finally humble the World Heavyweight Champion?
Backstage interview with Rhea Ripley.
Cathy Kelley is with the Women’s World Champion, and she is remorseful for last week’s mistake in messing up Iyo’s match with Liv. How is she dealing with those feelings? Rhea says if Liv makes it to WrestleMania, Rhea deals with her then. But for now, we’re all waiting for “The Top Girl” to choose her WrestleMania opponent. And it feels like Charlotte is stalling, wasting our time and just trying to stay relevant. But then Damage CTRL walks over. Iyo tells Rhea that she may’ve cost her WrestleMania. But even so, she’s coming after Rhea. Rhea says she can’t wait. DMG CTRL looks to get even with Judgment Day, but will things continue to fall apart for the Genius of the Sky?
Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!
Another headline is that after a concussion concern, #CobraKai is back in action! Will she help Iyo with that revenge? Or will Liv & Raquel be rolling towards all their WrestleMania dreams?
Raw returns and DMG CTRL makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Iyo and Liv start and the fans are on Iyo’s side. But then Liv slips away to tag Raquel. The fans boo and Iyo calls out Liv, but Raquel steps to Iyo. Raquel pats Iyo on the head, but Iyo SLAPS her! Raquel hoists Iyo up with both hands! Raquel THROWS Iyo to a corner, runs up, but into a kick! Iyo kicks the legs out, then runs to hurdle over. Tag to Dakota, they fire off kick after kick, then they trip Raquel up! DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Dakota brings Raquel up, but Raquel shoves her to a corner. Dakota dodges then runs back in, only for Raquel to pick her up!
Dakota flying-mares free, then runs up again. Raquel THROWS Dakota away this time, then LARIATS her down! Tag to Liv and the fans boo. Liv laughs, but Dakota SCOPRION KICKS her! Liv sits down, Dakota tags Iyo, and Liv tries to retreat! Iyo drags Liv back, ducks the lariat, and fires forearms! The fans fire up and Iyo runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Liv avoids the handspring! Iyo SHOTGUNS Liv down! Raquel tags in, Liv runs up but Iyo dodges Liv. Iyo ROCKS Raquel, Liv waistlocks Iyo, but Iyo standing switches. Liv runs to ropes and Raquel BOOTS Iyo off her! The fans boo but Raquel hauls Iyo up for another two-handed THROW to the corner!
Raquel fires forearms, tags Liv, and then Liv stomps away on Iyo. The ref counts. Liv stops to tag Raquel, and Raquel stands Iyo up. Raquel fires forearms and elbows, then she tags Liv. Liv stomps Iyo more, then tells the ref to leave her alone! Tag to Raquel, Raquel sends Liv in, and Liv back body blocks! Liv sends Raquel in for a SPLASH! Scoop and SLAM, cover, TWO! Raquel throws Iyo down again, then stomps her. Raquel drags Iyo up to bump her off buckles. Raquel stomps Iyo, tags Liv, and Liv climbs. Raquel feeds Iyo to KNEES from Liv, and Liv FLYING BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Liv mocks the Iyo fans, then tags Raquel.
Liv stands Iyo up for Raquel to ROCK with a body shot! Raquel pie faces Iyo, Iyo hits back, but Raquel CLOBBERS her for it! Raquel scoops, but Iyo slips into a SLEEPER! The fans fire up as Raquel flails! Raquel goes to a corner, but Iyo sends her into buckles! Iyo crawls, Raquel hauls her up to back suplex! Iyo lands out, dodges Raquel, hot tag to Dakota! Dakota ROCKS Raquel, fires forearm after forearm, then UPPERCUTS! ROLLING ELBOWS! Dakota runs, and she LARIATS! Raquel stays up, Dakota kicks the legs out, then she KICKS Raquel to a corner. Dakota runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO!
Liv cheers and coaches Raquel. Raquel goes to the apron but Dakota puts her through ropes! JUMP STOMP! Liv runs in but Dakota TOSSES her out! The fans fire up as Dakota goes to the apron, PENALTY KCIK for Liv! Dakota runs at Raquel now, but Raquel dodges the boot! Raquel POSTS Dakota, Dakota falls back, and the fans boo while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Raquel has Dakota in a cobra clutch! Dakota fights up, but Raquel keeps her from Iyo. Dakota drops down to roll Raquel out of the ring! Raquel hurries back in, drags Dakota back by a leg, but Dakota ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up as Dakota crawls again! Hot tags to Liv and Iyo! The fans fire up as Iyo rallies with SHOTEI after SHOTEI, then a DROPKICK! Iyo whips, Liv reveres, but Iyo DUMPS Liv to the apron! Iyo DECKS Liv, HOTSHOTS Raquel, and the fans fire up! Iyo builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and down go Liv & Raquel! The fans fire up as Iyo puts Liv in then climbs up top!
Iyo aims, Liv stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! Liv flounders to the far corner, and Iyo kips up! The fans fire up again, and Iyo says all aboard! SHINKANSEN! Iyo pushes Liv to the cover, TWO! Liv survives that bullet train, but Iyo goes up, up, and OVER THE MOONSAULT, but she blocks Liv’s boots! Iyo drags Liv up and into underhooks! BUTTERFLY BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Liv survives again and she flounders away. Iyo is frustrated, but she runs in again, but Raquel drags Liv out of the way! Iyo hits buckles, Raquel tags in! Liv runs up to SHINING WIZARD! Feed to Raquel, and then Liv goes up! CODE BREAKER FLAPJACK COMBO! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up and Liv is beside herself! Liv tags back in, and Raquel hoists her up! POWERBOMB SENTON onto knees! Iyo saves herself and Raquel is furious! Iyo DUMPS Raquel out, hurries for her corner, hot tag to Dakota! “This is Awesome!” as Iyo GERMAN SUPLEXES Liv! Dakota lines up a shot, hops on, KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, Raquel breaks it! The fans boo but Raquel hoists Liv up again! Raquel SWINGS her into Iyo, SWINGS her into Dakota, then hoists her up again, POWERBOMB SENTON! Raquel gives Dakota the VADER- NO, Dakota avoids the elbow drop! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, IYO BREAKS IT!!
The fans are thunderous as all four women are down! “This is Awesome!” and Liv is busted open! Dakota crawls, hot tag to Iyo! Raquel grabs Dakota, BOOTS Iyo, then reels Dakota in! POWER- RANA! Dakota sends Raquel to a corner, goes Around the World, and BOOTS Raquel down! Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Iyo rolls Liv up! TWO!! Liv kicks low, KICKS again, then ENZIGIRIS! Liv roars, but Iyo dodges Oblivion to send her away! Iyo mule kicks, and BUZZ- NO, Liv ducks! Liv shoves Iyo, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls that to STOMP 182! And then BUZZSAW! Liv is down, Iyo goes up! OVER THE MOONSAULT!! DMG CTRL WINS!
Winners: Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai, by pinfall
Nashville is all fired up as Iyo & Dakota just beat the #1 contenders to the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Does that mean, should Liv & Raquel beat Bianca Belair & Naomi, they’ll owe DMG CTRL a shot?
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bayley VS Lyra Valkyria!
Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belair are already heading to Toronto, and more spots will be filled on SmackDown. This is their one chance to join in, so will it be the Role Model or the Morrigan heading north on this Road to WrestleMania?
Oh, wait, Roxanne Perez is watching ringside. The Prodigy wants to keep an eye on one of her opponents, as they both challenge Giulia for the NXT Women’s Championship this Saturday for Vengeance Day. Lyra makes her entrance, the fans “WOO! WOO!” and though she’s still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, she is aiming for even more. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and the two go around. Bayley wrenches, wristlocks, and pushes the hold, but Lyra arm-drags free. The two reset, the fans rally, and the two tie up again. Bayley again wristlocks, but Lyra spins and slips through to wrench again.
Lyra headlocks, hits the takeover, but Bayley headscissors. Lyra kips free, the two feel things out, and they knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder with a Test of Strength, and Bayley bends Lyra back! Lyra bridges, Bayley trips her to cover, ONE as an arm comes up! That arm goes down, ONE as the other arm comes up. Bayley pushes that arm down, Lyra bridges and then kips up. They’re back to the Test of Strength, and Lyra wrenches to wrangle Bayley with a top wristlock. Bayley fights up, Lyra hammerlocks, but Bayley headlocks. The fans duel, Lyra power sup and out, but Bayley runs her over! Lyra avoids the cover, and the fans continue to duel.
Bayley and Lyra reset, feel things out, and then Bayley trips Lyra by a leg! Bayley has a toehold, but Lyra gets up to trip Bayley. Lyra headlocks, Bayley fights up, and Bayley powers out. Lyra goes up but Bayley sends her out! Bayley ROCKS Lyra, then brings her in through ropes. Lyra stops the hotshot to then run up, but into an ELBOW! Bayley snapmares Lyra, runs, and SLIDNING- NO, Lyra catches the elbow to a backslide! TWO, and Bayley wrangles Lyra! Bayley steps over, but Lyra FLIPS Bayley! Lyra has the wristlocks, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Bayley runs to DECK Lyra! The fans fire up as Bayley puts the younger star in her place.
Bayley hoists Lyra up, Lyra fights the clutch, then spins to TOSS Bayley out! Bayley stands, Lyra builds speed, and Lyra WRECKS Bayley with a dropkick! Nashville fires up with Lyra while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bayley thrashes Lyra in a neck wrench. The fans rally as Lyra endures, and Lyra fights up. Lyra powers up to a JAWBREAKER! The fans duel more as Bayley brings Lyra around. Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, RAMS and KICKS again! Lyra then reels Bayley in for a suplex, but Bayley fights free! Lyra ENZIGIRIS first! The fans rally, Lyra pushes Bayley to a cover, TWO! Lyra brings Bayley up but Bayley fires hands. Lyra dodges a shot to KICK Bayley down! Cover, TWO! Bayley shows her toughness, but Lyra goes up. Lyra leaps, but Bayley moves, the missile dropkick turns into a back flop!
Bayley hurries to her feet, runs in at Lyra, SUNSET BUCKLE BOMB! Bayley goes up, up, and MACHO ELBOWS onto knees! Lyra hauls Bayley up to TORNADO DDT! Not the smoothest but Lyra rolls through, only for BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and both women are down! The fans rally up as they both rise, and Lyra fires a forearm! Bayley fires back, the forearms go back and forth! They’re fast and furious, then Lyra JUMP FOREARMS! Bayley ducks the enzigiri, and she KNEES Lyra down! Bayley hurries to haul Lyra back up, fireman’s carries, and swings for the SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Bayley is frustrated, but the fans rally up. Bayley brings Lyra around, but Lyra shoves her away! Lyra runs up, but Bayley puts her in ropes! HOTSHOT! Lyra flops back, Bayley goes out to fetch her. Bayley puts Lyra on the apron, drags her out, and she hits a DRAPING- NO, Lyra slips free, and spins around, TORNADO DDT! Roll through, and then FISHERMAN SUPLEX to the floor! The ring count climbs, Lyra puts Bayley in at 5 of 10! Lyra hurries to hook Bayley again, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Float over to the cover, TWO!! Bayley survives, it’s why she’s a Grand Slam Champion. Lyra hurries to put Bayley in a drop zone, and Lyra climbs.
Bayley hits Lyra first! Lyra DECKS Bayley, and Bayley goes outside. Bayley attacks from the apron but Lyra CLUBS her! Bayley climbs up after Lyra, they brawl some more, but Bayley clinches!? Lyra fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT to stop that! Bayley is now in the ropes, GUILLOTINE CHANGE OF FORTUNES!! And then the fireman’s carry! NIGHT- NO, Bayley fights free!! BAYLEY2- WHEELBARROW! Victory roll! TWO!! Bayley escapes by nanoseconds and the fans fire up! Lyra hurries, Bayley switches and schoolgirls her into ropes! Lyra clutches her head, Bayley hauls her up, ROS- NO! Lyra trips Bayley!
Lyra hooks Bayley up, LA MAGI- NO, Bayley smothers it to a cover, BAYLEY WINS!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
Bayley takes the fourth spot in the Elimination Chamber match, and could become the #1 contender to a top title! But could this result be a golden ticket in her back pocket? Bayley shows respect to Lyra, the fans cheer, will Lyra have her own WrestleMania moment soon enough?
Penta speaks.
“CERO MIEDO! Zero fear! No fear of any challenge. No fear of the unkonwn. No fear for coards taht attack you from behind! Pete Dunne, Ludwig Kaiser, I beat you in the ring both, that wasn’t enough for you.” But then don’t think he’s stopping. He will show you all what it is to be Penta, and what it is to feel vengeance! Penta is coming for you! Because he has #CEROMIEDO!
Backstage interview with Ludwig Kaiser.
Jackie Redmond says the issues between him and Penta aren’t over. We heard Penta’s side, what is Kaiser’s response? Kaiser says the WWE Universe already knows that if Kaiser sets his eyes on you, he will not stop until you’re done for good! But then in steps Pete Dunne. He wasn’t helping Kaiser. Dunne would never help Kaiser. Kaiser was just in his way. Oh, is Dunne implying Kaiser needed his help? Dunne says see what he does to Penta next week! He’ll break Penta to make him wish he’d never set foot on Raw. In that case, Penta’s all his. Okay, just stay out of his business. The Bruiserweight heads out, will the Impeccable German be satisfied with the results?
Now AJ Styles walks by, ready to compete! Will Raw once again be phenomenal?
Lyra talks with the Alpha Academy backstage.
They encourage her about that match with Bayley. But then American Made walks over with sarcastic applause. Ivy Nile says that was so, so hilarious seeing the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion fall flat on her face. And now she’s being coached by clowns who’ll never be champion? Maybe it’ll be easier to take this title from Lyra than Ivy thought. Lyra says Ivy needs to stay in her lane. Lyra doesn’t step to Ivy in the gym, so Ivy should stay away from her in the ring. Easy there, birdie. This is Ivy’s time. First, the Creeds leave Nashville the NEW World Tag Team Champions. Ivy will see Lyra soon.
American Made heads out, the Academy says not to sweat them, either. But will Julius & Brutus be able to bring down Erik & Ivar? Or will the War Raiders teach them all about hardship and pain?
AJ Styles heads to the ring!
The Phenomenal One made his return in the Royal Rumble, but he’s now here in Nashville for his return to Raw! Styles grabs a mic while the fans cheer him on. Styles soaks it in, then says his heart’s about to beat out of his chest! Styles has some major deja vu right now. Four months ago, Styles came into this building with the biggest smile on his face, because this was his stomping grounds. He wanted to get his career back on track, it was gonna be awesome, and then he got injured. The fans chant “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” Styles nods and says this was a career-ending injury he supposedly had. He thought this was all over.
But when he woke up that next morning, hobbled to the mirror, he saw he still had gas in the tank. He still had something to prove! It was hard getting back here, but anything worth doing is gonna be hard! And here he is, standing in this ring, in #Smashville, Tennessee, telling the WWE Universe that Styles is BACK! And Styles has a long to-do list. But first, he wants to remind the locker room that he is still the Phenomenal AJ STYLES! The fans like the sound of that! But then, Dominik Mysterio makes his way out here? Dirty Dom has Carlito with him, and the fans boo as hard as they can already.
Dom tells Styles, “I know it’s been a while.” Carlito tells the fans not to boo, but they don’t stop. Dom keeps going, saying it’s been a minute since Styles was on Raw, so things have changed. The fans chant for Styles, but Dom says one thing will always stay the same! The fans boo Dom and he tells them to shut up! Dom says the one thing is that Judgment Day runs Raw! The fans chant, “Dom, You Suck!” Styles grins while Dom covers his ears to block that out. Styles has everyone hold on. He knows exactly who they are, he’s got the battle scars. But yeah, Dom’s right. Things have changed. Styles doesn’t see Damian Priest with them.
Okay, he’ll ask us this. Do the fans see Rhea Ripley anywhere? Nope. What about Finn? Where is he? Is he doing something else? But yeah, things have changed. And this isn’t what Styles expected. All Styles sees is a guy in purple skinny jeans in Carlito, and then Dom, a guy no one likes. But Styles has to admit, he is inspired by Dom’s work ethic. It is hard for Styles to say, but Dom is here every night, busting his ass, Styles likes that. But just so Dom knows, Dom will always be Rey Mysterio’s punk ass kid. Dom throws hands but Styles blocks it! Styles then dodges Carlito to PELE! Dom stomps Styles!
The fans boo but Dom puts Styles on the ropes. Dom soaks up heat, dials it up, but Styles shows punch! Dom scrambles away, Carlito grabs Styles, and Carlito whips. Styles reverses, runs up, but Carlito puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Carlito! And then springboard, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! The fans fire up while Judgment Day is in retreat! Will Styles make sure everyone remembers just who he is?
Ringside interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond introduces The Visionary to be on the perch near the back of the arena, and the fans sing his song! Jackie thanks Rollins for taking this time, and brings up the Elimination Chamber filling up. It is looking stacked: John Cena; CM Punk; Drew McIntyre; and then either Rey Mysterio or Logan Paul. But more importantly, Rollins has his opportunity to qualify when he faces Finn Balor. Rollins looks good, but how does he feel? Rollins says he has to be honest, he feels GREAT! We are live in Nashville! And it is time for Monday Night Rollins! He feels good because the path to WrestleMania is getting clearer and clearer by the second.
Earlier tonight, Jey Uso decided he’ll take on Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship! That means all eyes are on Cody Rhodes, all eyes are on THE WWE Championship, all eyes are on the Elimination Chamber, and the man who will win it. Here’s a hint: He’s a Visionary; he’s a Revolutionary; he is SETH! FREAKIN! ROLLINS! HAHAHAHA! But wait, Finn Balor appears! The fans boo, but Finn says Rollins is right. All eyes are on Rollins. But the only thing people are seeing is the downfall of Seth Rollins! We saw the cracks. We saw him lose to Punk for the Netflix debut. We all saw Rollins lose his mind at the Royal Rumble.
But luckily for Finn, the only thing in his way between Elimination Chamber and the world title… is a man that’s falling apart. Rollins takes off his sunglasses and stares Finn down. Finn really believes that? Finn thinks Rollins is in his way, huh? They go back a long way, they’ve done this dance, from WrestleMania to SummerSlam and anywhere else. And everyone knows that when these two get in that ring, they know how it goes. But Rollins has unfinished business with Punk. There are some loose ends with Cody Rhodes, for that matter. So as Rollins sees it, it is Finn who is in Rollins’ way. And mate, after next week, Finn won’t be standing at all.
The Visionary and the Prince are both smiles, but could these be poker faces this close to the big showdown? Who will continue on their Road to WrestleMania with a ticket to Toronto?
Adam Pearce talks with AJ Styles.
Pearce says Styles should walk before he can run, he just came back. But Styles says Pearce doesn’t get it. Styles doesn’t want this, he needs this. Is that so? Then how about next week? That’s perfect. Then next week, AJ Styles VS Dirty Dom! They shake hands on that, and then Bron Breakker steps in. The Intercontinental Champion stares Styles down, and Bron says he’ll see Styles around. Will Styles put Dom in his place before going after much more badass competition?
WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile!
Erik & Ivar are ready to show how all their setbacks, their injuries, their pain, and the uncertainty has only forged them into true war machines! Will nothing stop the raid? Or can Julius & Brutus find a way to make these titles American Made?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who’s ready for war!
The teams sort out, Erik and Brutus start, and they tie up. Brutus waistlocks to SLAM Erik, then he laughs as he pushes Erik around. Erik CLOBBERS Brutus! Erik puts Brutus in a corner, tags Ivar, and Ivar fires elbows! The fans cheer, the ref counts, but Ivar stops at 4. The fans cheer as Ivar then brings Brutus out, but Brutus throat chops him! Tag to Julius, the Creeds mug Ivar in the corner, but the ref counts. Julius tags Brutus back in, Brutus RAMS into Ivar, then Julius runs to forearm SMASH! Brutus CLUBS Ivar down, tags Julius, and Julius slingshots to STOMP Ivar! Ivar gets up to SMACK Julius!
Ivar shoves Julius, dodges him, and Julius tumbles out! Tag to Erik and Erik wrenches Julius to clinch and EXPLODER! Erik then ROCKS Julius, HEADBUTTS him, and deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ivy is worried but Brutus runs in. Erik dodges Brutus to URENAGE! Tag to Ivar, then tag back to Erik. Ivar scoops Julius to SLAM him, then Erik says up! He scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto Julius! The fans fire up as Ivar has Brutus on the outside, SPLASH against the apron LED! But Julius rolls Erik up! TWO! Erik hits Ace Ten Mao! And then a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives but War Raiders are in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the Creeds have control, but Erik fights out of their corner. But Julius keeps Erik from his corner with a ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Brutus and the Creeds POST Erik! Erik slumps to the apron, Julius takes a cheap shot on Ivar, then Brutus fireman’s carries. Julius adds a JUMP KNEE before the WIDOWMAKER! Cover, TWO! Brutus clamps a headlock onto Erik but the fans rally up. Erik fights up, Brutus shifts to a top wristlock, then he puts Erik in the corner. Brutus HAMMERS away on Erik, then he tags Julius. The Creeds stomp away on Erik, but the ref counts. The fans boo, the Creeds stop, but Julius tags Brutus back in.
The fans rally as Julius drags Erik up. Snap suplex! Brutus then becomes a weapon for the GUT WRENCH SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Ivy says stay on ’em, and Brutus clamps onto Erik with an armlock. Erik fights up, Brutus grinds the arm, but the fans rally more. Erik powers up, reaches out, but Brutus keeps him from Ivar! Erik fires a haymaker on Brutus! Brutus still holds on, so Erik fires more shots! Brutus whips Erik away, Erik goes up and over, Brutus runs into Julius! Hot tag to Ivar! BACKDROP on Brutus! Then a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM, before a SPLASH! The fans fire up with Ivar, and he runs at Brutus, but Brutus dodges!
Brutus comes back, but Ivar hits the SEATED SENTON! Julius runs in, Ivar cartwheels and WHEEL KICKS! Ivar then hits a BRONCO BUSTER on Brutus! TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Brutus survives, but Julius runs up. Ivar knees low, then Erik KNEES him out! Ivar hauls Brutus up, feeds him to Erik, Erik pops Brutus up, THOR’S HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Ivy is relieved but Erik seethes. Tag to Ivar, and he brings Brutus up. But Julius YANKS Erik down! Brutus his an ANGLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Ivar survives but Brutus tags Julius. Ivar fires haymakers on them both! Ivar runs, handsprings, and DOUBLE BACK ELBOWS!
The fans fire up and Ivar fires up with them! Ivar climbs the corner, but Ivy gets on the apron! The fans boo, but Julius springs right up! Tag to Brutus! SUPERPLEX for the Power! Brutus MOONSAULTS for the Glory! Cover, ERIK BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as all four men are down! Erik drags Ivar to their corner, but Julius runs up. Erik DUMPS Julius out, then tags in. “This is Awesome!” as Erik fires off on Brutus! Brutus fires back, he and Erik trade shots! Erik fires up, and he ROCKS Brutus! Brutus BODY SHOTS Erik! Brutus laughs, but Erik ROCKS him again! Brutus falls, Ivar tags, and then pop up tot he waistlock!
Ivar runs, goes up, but Julius CLOBBERS Ivar with a title belt! The ref sees that, that’s a disqualification!
Winners: The War Raiders, by disqualification (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Erik DECKS Julius for that cheap shot, but then Brutus BELT SHOTS Erik! There are two belts, after all! But the Creeds don’t win those belts now! Will Chad Gable be upset about that? Or will he at least like how his boys manhandled the War Raiders?
Judgment Day regroups.
Carlito’s face hurts, Liv’s everything hurts, and Finn walks in. Finn says he’s glad Liv is okay and all, but maybe next time, listen to Finn. Dom says who cares about DMG CTRL. Liv’s already in Elimination Chamber, Raquel will qualify next week, and there’s the guaranteed tag title match. Things will turn around. Finn says that sounds like a lot of excuses coming from the guy who Styles made look like a fool. Uh, maybe Finn’s the fool for not helping. But Dom will handle Styles next week. Good. Dom started this, he can end this. Finn will stay out of it. Fine! But maybe they should consider adding a new member. They’re shorthanded without JD now.
Finn says he wonders why that is. Liv says they already went over that, that wasn’t Dom’s fault. But the idea of adding new members isn’t- NO! Finn says no new members! He’ll fix things around here. He’ll beat Seth Rollins, he’ll win the Elimination Chamber, and he’ll go on to WrestleMania to win the WWE Championship. Finn heads out, but is he trying to convince the group or himself?
DMG CTRL is on their way out.
They feel good about their win tonight, but then Rhea Ripley is there. Rhea tells Iyo that she doesn’t owe Iyo anything. So Iyo isn’t getting a match because Rhea thinks she has to. This is because Rhea wants to. So she talked with Pearce, and in three weeks’ time, on the Raw after Elimination Chamber, it’ll be Rhea VS Iyo for the Women’s World Championship! Iyo nods, and she says she can’t wait. See you then. Mami heads out, but will she be ready for the Evil Genius?
CM Punk is here!
Nashville fires up because “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” The Best in the World is headed for Toronto and the Elimination Chamber, but what will he have to say here tonight? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns, the fans chant for “C M PUNK!” and he has a mic in his hand. “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Nashville, Tennessee or what?” Punk knows it is obvious post-Royal-Rumble that we are on the Road to WrestleMania. Now, if you asked him a couple weeks ago, he’d have all the confidence in the world that he was gonna win the Royal Rumble. In fact, he did that. Sometimes, he talks too much. He didn’t win the Rumble. He’s disappointed in himself, but y’know what? He’s not mad at Jey Uso. “YEET!” Punk likes watching his peers accomplish their goals. And his goal is still there.
We saw Jey declare he is going after Gunther and the World Heavyweight Championship. So Cody is probably at home. Punk hopes he remembers Punk saying he won’t stab Cody in the back, he’ll just stab him in the front. Now he has to. Punk already qualified for the Elimination Chamber. Two people have qualified for this match. Now surely people are thinking, “Punker, there are three people in it so far.” Well one man didn’t qualify. One man just decided to tell the world that hey, he’s in the match. Punk hears the boos and says yeah, they’re probably upset by that. And maybe part of Punk was, too. That’s past-tense because it no longer upsets him.
“John Cena is a legend, John Cena deserves to call his shot. The bad news for John Cena is, I busted my ass to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. So at some point in there, you’re gonna see me. And you’re not just gonna see me like you saw me in the Rumble, no. I’m gonna beat the living crap outta you, and I’m gonna beat you, and I’m going to WrestleMania. And I’m going to cash in the only way I know how, and Cody, I’m coming for you.” The other man to qualify for the Chamber is “that piece of garbage, Drew McIntyre, who’s no longer on Raw, because boy, he ran in the other direction tot he other show because I beat him in Hell in a Cell!
“What do you think I’m gonna do to you in Elimination Chamber, Drew!?” The fans fire up for that. Punk doesn’t like doing namedrops, this guy doesn’t even deserve Punk saying his name, but Seth Rollins… Rollins is taking on Finn Balor next week. Either of those guys, former world champions, they could qualify. But at the end of the day, it will be Punk’s hand raised! Punk will win the Chamber! Doesn’t matter who else is in it, five other men are going down. Punk has never been more confident in his entire life! Punk points to the sign and says to look at it. Ladies and gentlemen of Nashville, those watching at home, WrestleMania 41 belongs to one man! Three syllables: C M PUNK!
But then Logan Paul has to come out here… The fans boo but the Maverick soaks it all up. Punk didn’t even realize this was his song. Logan joins Punk in the ring, mic in hand, fans booing again, and Logan says he sees why they call him “Punk.” Logan could come up with a lot of other names, but he can’t say them on TV. But what Logan can’t understand is this. This right here! The fans boo Logan but cheer Punk? Why? Punk is talking to Kevin Owens like it’s an insult. “I never lost to Logan Paul.” Cut to the Rumble, and Logan is tossing Punk out head over heels. That was the greatest 15 minutes of fame in Punk’s career.
Logan had Punk’s number at the Rumble, and he’ll have it in the Elimination Chamber. Fortunately for Punk, it is time for Rey Mysterio’s 15 minutes of fame when he loses to Logan Paul. Punk says the way they’re booing, you’d think this was Dom again. Punk says congrats, Logan, you threw Punk out of the Rumble. Punk would’ve mentioned Logan’s name earlier, but Punk honestly forgot he was having this match. Yeah, so Logan got him at the Rumble. But don’t worry about Punk, because tonight, the number Logan pulled is 619. Logan should worry about the living legend. And if he gets past Rey, then Punk will see him in Toronto, and Punk will put Logan to sleep.
The fans cheer that! Before Logan can think of a comeback, here comes Rey! Will the King of Lucha make sure things don’t get ImPAULsive?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Rey Mysterio VS Logan Paul!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Logan and Rey circle as the fans rally up. They step up, Logan shoves Rey, but Rey SLAPS Logan! The fans fire up as Rey stomps away in the corner! The ref counts, Logan bails out, and Logan protests! The fans still cheer Rey, Logan storms to the apron, but Rey snatches his headband! Logan tells the ref to control this guy! The ref has Rey hold on, but Rey runs up! Logan RAMS Rey, but Rey avoids the Buckshot! Rey waistlocks, Logan trips him, and then Logan runs side to side. Rey stays low, but Logan somersaults into Rey! Rey runs, he goes low, but then Logan stops him!
Rey wrenches Logan’s arm to a wristlock, but Logan powers up to whip. Logan hurdles, hurdles, but Rey stomps the monkey flip down! Logan backs off to a corner, Rey storms up, but Logan kicks low. Logan puts Rey in the corner, but Rey dodges to hit back! The fans cheer “Logan Sucks!” as Rey whips. Logan reverses, Rey goes up and over, but Logan scoops for a tilt-o-whirl GUTBUSTER! The fans boo but Logan mockingly asks, “Who sucks?” Logan stomps Rey, whips him to a corner, then he runs up to fire body shots! The ref counts, Logan stops to taunt Rey, and then Logan drags Rey up. Logan fires more body shots!
The ref counts, Logan backs off, but then he whips Rey to knee him low! Logan holds onto a wristlock, soaks up more heat, then he whips Rey again for another knee! Logan taunts Rey while the fans boo. Logan knees Rey log, scoops him, and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Logan watches Rey crawl. Logan clamps onto an arm, fires knees into Rey’s side, then he spells out “L P.” Logan winds up, and he JABS! Rey staggers, Logan JABS him again! And again! And again! Rey falls, Logan stands over him while soaking up more heat. Logan stands Rey up again, winds up, but Rey ROCKS him first!
The fans fire up as Rey fires shots in return! Rey runs, but Logan scoops again! Rey makes it a CROSSBODY! Both men are down, and they crawl to ropes. Both men stand, Logan runs up, but Rey DUMPS him out! Rey then aims and TORNILLO PLANCHAS! Down goes Logan and the fans fire up! Rey shakes out the cobwebs and the fans cheer more. Rey puts Logan in, bumps him off buckles, then ROCKS him with a right. Rey climbs, the fans fire up, and Rey ROCKS Logan with another shot! Logan body shots in return! Logan climbs up after Rey, clinches him, then scoops him! MOONSAULT POWERSLAM! Both men are down and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again, and Logan slaps Rey around. Logan soaks up heat, then whips Rey to a corner hard! Rey bounces back, Logan waistlocks to SLAM him down! Logan grinds Rey with a rear bearhug, but the fans rally up again. Rey endures, fights to his feet, and he fires elbows! The fans fire up as Rey stomps Logan’s foot! Rey runs, but Logan kitchen sink knees him! Logan SLIDES Rey out, but Rey pops right up to his feet? Logan is confused, Rey eggs him on! Logan storms out and the brawl is on! Rey fires hands, then whips Logan into barriers! Rey runs up, wheelbarrows, but Logan SMACKS him off the top!
Rey sputters, Logan refreshes the ring count, then he brings Rey up. Logan puts Rey in, taunts “old man” Rey, “You one tough sonova b*tch.” Logan pulls steel steps apart, then he drags Rey over! Rey grabs ropes while Logan wheelbarrows him! Logan CLUBS Rey again and again, but Rey turns this into a victory roll! Logan is sent into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Logan suffers at the hands of his own plan! Rey goes into the ring, he builds speed, and Rey SLIDING SPLASHES! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Rey brings Logan up, puts him in the ring, and then hurries to a corner.
The fans rally as Rey climbs, and Rey SEATED SENTONS! Then Rey runs to SEATED SENTON again! Logan sputters, but Rey LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Logan survives and Rey grows frustrated. Rey stalks Logan to a corner, and Rey fires forearms! Rey whips, Logan reverses, but then Rey ELBOWS back! Rey runs up, tilt-o-whirl RANA! Logan ends up in a corner, the fans cheer Rey on, and Rey brings Logan to his feet. Rey climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, and Rey gets nine, only for Logan to ROCK him first! Logan fireman’s carries, ROLLING SENTONS, and then he LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!
Rey survives and Logan is stunned! Logan and Rey rise, the fans rally up, and Logan drags Rey up. Logan whips, Rey tilt-o-whirls, and he DDTS! Cover, TWO! Rey grows frustrated, the fans cheer him on, and he dropkicks Logan onto ropes! Rey dials it up, but Logan BOOTS Rey first! The fans boo but Logan doesn’t even register it. Logan wipes his bloody nose and tells the “old man” to get up! Logan climbs up the corner but Rey slips free already! Rey CLUBS Logan, gets under him, and Rey manages a POWERBOMB on Logan! Cover, TWO!! Logan is still in this, but Rey dropkicks Logan onto ropes again! Rey runs to 619!!
The fans fire up as Rey hurries up the corner, and he FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Logan winds up, TITANIUM RIGHT! And then BACK SUPLEX DDT!?! Cover, Logan wins!
Winner: Logan Paul, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
Logan just #PAULverized Rey Mysterio! The Maverick says he can’t be this good and stay humble. But will he be the one winning Elimination Chamber? Or- OH NO, NEW DAY ATTACKS REY!! The fans boo as Kofi & Woods mug an already beat-up Rey Mysterio, and Raw has to cut away!?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, but this was the first time their 2.5 hour runtime has been a real problem. And not only that, but I think this has to be Netflix saying they have to keep it to that, or else we wouldn’t have cut away from New Day’s attack just now. And that’s not even mentioning how there was a New Day promo cut during an ad break, and how the USA is one of the “select markets” that doesn’t get to see it. Now obviously, the New Day’s feud with Rey and the LWO isn’t over, I’m just not sure how it’s supposed to end. Rey VS Logan was a very good match, a little janky to start, but given Logan eliminated Punk, Logan getting in on Elimination Chamber was of course the plan.
Punk had a very good promo calling out everybody else in the Chamber match, and I feel like that match is going to come down to him and Cena as old rivals both fighting for that big WrestleMania moment with Cody. Both stories will be great, so I can see either guy winning the Chamber. And given that, Jey VS Gunther was of course the path. The moment Jey got on the desk, I knew Gunther would attack. Good stuff there, with how Jey is choosing Gunther because how Gunther is trying to bully him and Jey isn’t backing down. I would think Pearce is going to use his authority to make sure Gunther and Jey don’t just brawl week after week since we’ve still got 68 days before WrestleMania.
Good promo from Penta to call out Dunne and Kaiser, and good promo from Dunne and Kaiser to set up Dunne VS Penta round 2. That’ll be a great match, but I feel like Kaiser will definitely go after Penta when it’s over. I was hoping there would be a Chad Gable lucha dark arts quest vignette, but I don’t even see anything on WWE’s social media. We need three of those to reflect the three acts of a play. We’ll get the introduction to who Dominik referred Gable to, then Gable being pushed to his limits in the training, and act three is Gable triumphantly mastering the “dark arts” and feeling he’s ready to face Penta. They could probably even pace it out so Gable VS Penta happens for either WrestleMania or the go-home to Mania.
Very good promo from Rhea to basically call out Charlotte. With the men’s top titles on a set path, it fits that they’ll keep us guessing a little longer with the women’s titles. And just as I predicted, Rhea is giving Iyo a title match to “make up” for Iyo not making Elimination Chamber. It’ll tease a change in plans, but I would think Rhea wins and retains one way or another. Iyo & Dakota VS Liv & Raquel was really good, and that was a great win for DMG CTRL. They really could give us Iyo & Dakota VS Liv & Raquel for the women’s tag titles when they spring the whodunnit reveal on us during Liv & Raquel VS Naomi & Bianca.
Bayley VS Lyra was awesome stuff, and with Lyra being Intercontinental Champion, it makes sense Bayley goes to Elimination Chamber. Lyra will have her feud with Ivy now, and that’ll be some good stuff. Creed Brothers VS War Raiders for the tag titles didn’t have a lot of hype making the match and therefore not really going into it tonight. It also lagged a little in the middle, but it was still a really good match. The Creeds do themselves a favor in terms of Heel Heat by throwing the match and beating the Raiders down. Surely, we’ll get a rematch from them at some point, and it’ll be much better.
Judgment Day had great stuff, even with Liv & Raquel losing. Great return promo from Styles, even with Dom interrupting, and I almost thought we could’ve gotten Dom VS Styles tonight. But no, that would’ve pushed things past 2.5 hours and Netflix can’t have that. Styles VS Dom next week will be fun, and Styles having that stare down with Bron was good stuff. That match is obviously going to be in the works, and it will be some really good stuff. The group promo where Finn is so against new members in the Judgment Day could be a fun new chapter in this faction’s story. On some level, it draws parallels to Bullet Club, and how Finn was “kicked out” by those new members. Actually, that’s a bit more literal, as I believe it was the Young Bucks and a double superkick…
Finn and Rollins had a good promo, and their match is going to be awesome, especially with it being for the final spot in the Chamber. Priest VS Braun VS Jacob Fatu determines the fifth spot, and while Finn and Priest still running into each other would be something, this has to be Rollins winning so he can interact with Punk and McIntyre again. And Finn losing will just add more fuel to the fire within Judgment Day to decide whether or not they still need Finn to win. Honestly, a more proper Judgment Day: Civil War could be something worthy of WrestleMania, where the new member(s) ironically join Finn against Dom, Carlito, Liv & Raquel.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Will Houston be Undisputed?
While The Son of Texas, Dustin Rhodes, is in action in Houston, the big attraction is a Trios Triple Threat: Undisputed Kingdom VS 2Point0 VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Trios Triple Threat: The Undisputed Kingdom VS Daniel Garcia & 2Point0 VS Shane Taylor Promotions; The Undisputed Kingdom wins.
- Bandido VS Bryan Keith; Bandido wins.
- Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS Ares Alexander, Jay Alexander & Brick Savage; LFI wins.
- Dustin Rhodes VS Izzy James; Dustin wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Penelope Ford; Rosa wins.
- Mariah May VS Shay Carmichael; Mariah wins.
- Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe; Kyle wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mark Briscoe speaks.
“Tonight, it’s Kyle Fletcher, Mark Briscoe. Kyle, I know your type! You can’t handle your own business! You run around with that pack of wolves, the Don Callis Family! Hey, bring the whole family, line ’em up, I’ll knock ’em down! Tonight, it’s your ass! RAH RAH RAAAH!”
Kyle Fletcher speaks.
“Tonight, I am on a mission. A mission to right a wrong. Now Mark, I want you to see the entire Family is her tonight, because they will not be getting involved. I’ll do this on my own, because even on your best day, you do not come close to the Protostar’s level.” Brian Cage & Lance Archer seem confident, but newest Family member, Mark Davis, seems conflicted. Will the Aussie Arrow really shoot down the Sussex County Chicken this close to Grand Slam: Australia?
Someone chucks security!?
It’s Marina Shafir! And that’s because she’s leading the way for Jon Moxley! The fans boo as The Maniac throws a fit, but then Marina snatches a mic for him. Moxley says this show starts when he says it starts! And he is getting a little sick of the Rated R Superstar! Adam Copeland wants a shot at the AEW World Champion? Mox bets he does. Cope thinks he can throw his weight around, but he can’t! He has no power here! Moxley has a list of 1000 reasons why he won’t give Cope a title shot. The fans boo, but Moxley says he has 1000 reasons, but we’ll stick to the simplest one: Moxley doesn’t like Cope.
Moxley doesn’t like anything about Cope! Cope doesn’t know a single thing about Moxley, or about AEW, or about being AEW World Champion. Cope can take his challenge and stick it up his ass! But if it’s a fight he wants, Moxley will do it any time, any place! Here at the Marriott, in Toronto, in Cincinnati, in Asheville, or even next week on Collision in Australia! Let’s do that! Bring Jay White and Mox will whoop his ass, too! Bring that half-broken neck, bring White, and Moxley will whip both their asses! They just better hope and pray that Moxley has the grace to let them walk out of Australia on their own two feet!
If Mox decides it’s time to break Cope’s neck, Cope ain’t coming back! Moxley then drops the mic and storms off, Marina following him out. Is that Moxley making a threat? Or is he just trying to avoid a title match he might lose?
Trios Triple Threat: The Undisputed Kingdom VS Daniel Garcia & 2Point0 VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong want to prove they’re the strongest trio in AEW, so they’ll be taking on some strong competition! They got the better of Red Death, Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ange, and they got the better of Shane Taylor and The Infantry, but can they beat both teams at once? Or will tonight be anything but undisputed?
The trios sort out, and in this kind of Triple Threat, only two teams are legal. Roddy and Shane start, they tie up, and Roddy slips around to a headlock. Shane blocks on size alone, and he THROWS Roddy away! Roddy comes back to CHOP! Roddy CHOPS again, bobs ‘n’ weaves, but Shane blocks a shot to JAB! Shane talks trash, whips Roddy to ropes, but Roddy ducks ‘n’ dodges. Roddy then stops to BOOT Shane, ENZIGIRI, and he tags Kyle. Roddy & Kyle CHOP and KICK on repeat! They double whip Shane, but Shane DOUBLE LARIATS back! The fans are torn but Shane taunts Cole with, “SHANE TAYLOR, B*TCH!”
The fans boo but Shane puts Kyle in the STP corner. Tag to Carlie Bravo, he tags Shawn Dean, then Dean sends Carlie in to forearm SMASH! Then the repeat, forearm smash! Dean adds an ELBOW, then a LARIAT! Dean covers, ONE, but Dean keeps Kyle with a facelock. Dean whips, Kyle grabs ropes, Daddy Magic tags in! Kyle kicks Carlie back, then Kyle and Menard DOUBLE SHOULDER Carlie! They argue now, but Dean SHOVES Menard into Kyle! Kyle tumbles out, Dean ROCKS Menard, then whips. Menard reverses and ELBOWS Dean down! The fans fire up for Daddy Magic and he fires up with them!
Menard CHOPS Dean, pushes him to the open corner, then he tags Parker. Parker whips Menard so Menard can send Parker in, forearm SMASH! Drop toehold! BOOYAH ELBOW! The fans fire up and Parker brings Dean around for a whip. Parker ROCKS Dean, whips again, and ROCKS Dean once more! Dean whips, Cole tags off Parker, Parker sends Dean into a BOOT! Cole and Parker fist bump in respect, Menard jumps on commentary real quick to say this is some 2-for-1 action tonight! Collision is live from coast to coast like butter on toast! Cole fireman’s carries Dean, Dean fires forearms, and Dean RAMS Cole into the STP corner!
STP mugs Cole, the fans boo, but Menard says this is what he’s talking about. Dean tags Carlie, the Infantry brings Cole out to scoop, but Cole slips free! Cole shoves Dean into Carlie, Garcia tags in! The fans fire up as the TNT Champion rallies on the Infantry! Menard is all fired up as Garcia rains down fists on Dean! But Carlie makes the save, only for Garcia to add Carlie to it! Garcia rains down fists on The Infantry, and he goes to nine, winds up, and hits TEN! The fans fire up again, but here comes Shane! Garcia says bring it! Shane swings, Garcia ducks to fire back! Garcia then gets around but Shane fights the saido!
Shane CLUBS Garcia, Dean trips him, and then Dean SLAMS Garcia on the apron! Carlie goes to the apron for a GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Menard hops off commentary to reinforce his team, but Shane still hits a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! STP stands tall and talks trash while Collision goes picture in picture.
Shane drags Garcia up, whips him hard into railing, and Garcia flounders to the commentary desk. The Infantry drags Garcia up, but Menard & Parker rush in! They all brawl, the ref reprimands, but Carlie puts Garcia in. Carlie JABS Garcia again and again in the corner, then pops, locks and CHOPS! Garcia sputters, Shane tags in, and they put Garcia in the open corner. Shane stomps Garcia, stands him up, then CHOPS! Garcia is stinging again but Shane stands over him. The ref reprimands, Shane backs off just to talk trash on the other teams. Shane stands Garcia up, but Garcia fires forearm after forearm! Shane’s BODY SHOT takes Garcia right down!
Tag to Dean, he and Shane mug Garcia, then Dean stands Garcia up. Menard rallies the fans but Dean CHOKES Garcia on ropes! Dean lets off, and Carlie gets a cheap shot in! Dean covers, TWO! Dean tags Shane, Shane stomps Garcia, then Shane stalks Garcia to ropes. Carlie talks trash on Garcia while Shane stands him up. Garcia fires forearms and CHOPS! Garcia runs, but Shane CLOBBERS him! Shane shakes his head, talks trash on 2Point0, then he drags Garcia up. Shane mockingly holds out Garcia’s hand to The Undisputed Kingdom, then he scuffs Garcia. Shane slaps Garcia around, and Collision returns to single picture.
The fans rally for Garcia as Shane stands him up. Garcia fires forearms! The fans fire up, but Shane ROCKS Garcia! Shane scoops, but Garcia slips free! SAIDO!! The fans are thunderous while Shane and Garcia are both down! Garcia crawls, but The Infantry YANK Menard & Parker down! The fans boo, but Carlie tags in to drag Garcia up. Garcia JAWBREAKERS free! Dean tags in, he snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! Garcia JAWBREAKERS again! Carlie tries, Garcia dodges, hot tag to Kyle! The Violent Artist BOOTS Carlie, then he tags Roddy! STRONG KNEE for Dean! Tag to Cole, SUPERKICK for Shane! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT Shane up and out!
The fans fire up as Cole rallies on Carlie! BOOT and Carlie falls again! Cole fireman’s carries Carlie for the USHIGOROSHI! The fans are fired up again, Strong KNEE for Dean! Kyle suplexes, CHASING THE DRAGON! Cole gives Carlie the GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, MENARD BREAKS IT! Roddy CLUBS Menard, Menard hits a CUTTER! Kyle hits AX & SMAHS on Menard, Parker has Kyle in a Gory Especial! GORY BOMB for Kyle! But Dean hits a TIGER BACKBREAKER on Parker! Garcia DROPKICKS Dean! Shane blocks Garcia’s kick to KNEE him down! Cole SUPERKICKS Shane down again!
The fans are thunderous with’ ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” But Carlie rolls him up! TWO!! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans are thunderous as all nine men are down around ringside! The trios regroup, “This is Awesome!” as they all rise up. Then it’s a brawl! The fans are thunderous as things spill out, but Parker blocks Cole’s kick! Menard joins in, they give Cole a DOUBLE DDT! Roddy runs up, 2Point0 gets him! But Kyle saves Roddy from the double DDT! They each knee low, then Roddy hoists Menard up! Kyle climbs, BACKBREAKER KNEE DROP COMBO! Garcia LARIATS Roddy!
Kyle fires off a strike fest on Garcia! Garcia avoids a sweep, clamps onto Kyle, but Kyle breaks free! Garcia CHOPS Kyle, then SAIDOS! The fans fire up again, but The Infantry runs up! They dodge Garcia’s double lariats, then fire off the Cap & Winter Soldier combo! Then TWO TO THE HEAD! But Parker BOOTS Dean, and baits Carlie into TOSSING him out hard! Shane is up to HEADBUTT Parker! Shane tucks Parker in, MARCUS GARVEY DRIVER!! But he gets a PENALTY KICK from Kyle! Then the Kingdom all aims at him! SUPERKICK, STRONG KNEE AND ROLLING ELBOW!! Shane falls and Roddy WRECKS him with a dropkick!
Kyle FLYING KNEES Shane on the outside, then they hit TOTAL ANNIHILATION to the floor! Carlie runs at Cole, Cole gets him with 52 Fake Out! Cole goes up, Carlie avoids the Panama Sunrise, only for a SUPERKICK to find him! Cole then brings down the kneepads, for THE BOOM!! Cover, Undisputed Kingdom wins!
Winners: The Undisputed Kingdom, by pinfall
It’s all about the Boom, and that makes this match undisputed! Garcia realizes he was too little, too late. Cole wants to show Garcia respect, but then THE DEATH RIDERS ATTACK! Namely, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli & Pac! The AEW World Trios Champions beat down everyone, but especially focus on The Kingdom! Cole, Kyle & Roddy want to be the best trio, but the titles belong to the Death Riders. Claudio has a mic to say, “I just came out here to personally congratulate you on your victory. But more importantly, to remind everyone who the real best trio is around here.”
Pac & Yuta sit Cole up and Claudio says sorry, Cole, he couldn’t hear that over the ass whopping they just gave his team. Cole says you picked the fight with the wrong trio! Oh, is that so? But then STRONG KNEE outta nowhere! The fans fire up as the tides have turned! Kyle has Yuta in an ANKLE LOCK, and Yuta TAPS! Cole sends Pac running, but Claudio drags Yuta to safety! The Death Riders regroup and retreat, but Cole grabs the mic. Cole says he is so damn sick and tired of the Death Riders thinking they can do whatever they want! Cole reminds us that he said in 2025, they’d prove themselves as THE BEST trio in AEW!
So next week, Cole looks to cash in on that promise! The fans like where this is going. Next week, Dynamite, FOR the Trios Championships, Undisputed Kingdom VS Death Riders! And Cole swears to God, he promises on everything he believes in, the Kingdom will whip some ass and become the champions! THAT is undisputed! TK calls in, that match is approved! Will Cole, Kyle & Roddy be the three that free these Trios Championships from the Death Riders?
FTR speaks.
Those three letters represent THE top guys in tag team wrestling. Whether AEW, ROH, NJPW, Mexico, and every major promotion across the world, these tow have been champions. For far too long, their greatness was forgotten, and they’ve taken a backseat to others. That ends now. The three letters, F T R, should represent the greatest team to ever do it. To make that a reality, they need to get the AEW World Tag Team Championships for a third time. Whoever are the champions, this message is for you. FTR is back. #TopGuysOut.
Backstage interview with Max Caster.
Alicia Atout is with Platinum Max and he makes sure to add, “Best Wrestler Alive.” Alicia brings up last Wednesday night, Caster provoking while his Open Challenge is ongoing. Caster says Hangman got angry at him when all he wanted to do was have his interview. The people wanna hear from the Best Wrestler Alive, and Hangman was taking forever. Caster simply asked Hangman to please hurry up, and Hangman got angry. That’s not how a man asks. Let’s not call him “Hangman,” this is “Hangperson.” And so if Hangperson wants to go a round with Caster, get in line, because his open challenge is going on. And thanks for mentioning that, Alicia.
So, who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive? We’re gonna see this week on Dynamite! Caster will show everyone that you can’t be better than the best, and that is a mic drop! He even drops Alicia’s mic to prove it. But will Caster regret leaving the door open to an angry Cowboy?
Bandido VS Bryan Keith!
Speaking of angry cowboys, The Most Wanted finally returns to in-ring action, and he’s up against The Bad Apple! Will Bandido clear a path back to the ROH World Championship? Or will the Bounty Hunter collect on that $200,000 Chris Jericho has promised?
The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Bandido and Keith stare down, and then they fire forearms! The fans cheer this shootout, Bandido knees low, but Keith throws his poncho at him! Keith BOOTS Bandido down and the fans are torn. Bandido gets up, throws the poncho back, and he headlocks. Keith powers up to throw Bandido down! Keith runs, Bandido stays low, but Keith then whips him. Bandido dodges the boot, Keith dodges the handspring, but Bandido aims his finger gun. Keith swats it, Bandido dodges the lariat, to then slip around and arm-drag! Keith goes to a corner, but he dodges Bandido.
Keith runs back up, but Bandido pops Keith up! Bandido then throws Keith back, Keith rolls to his feet, but Bandido DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up while Keith shakes out the stars. Bandido storms up, LA MAGISTROL, TWO! Keith escapes, but Bandido drags him up. Keith CHOPS, the fans rally, and Keith pie faces Bandido. Bandido CHOPS Keith, then eggs him on. Keith CHOPS, Bandido CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Keith kicks low, whips Bandido to a corner, but Bandido goes up and out! GAMANGIRI! Keith staggers, Bandido goes up, and CROSS- SOBAT!! Keith takes Bandido outta the sky!
The fans are torn but Keith has a wild look in his eyes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Keith soaks up cheers and jeers while Bandido bails out. Keith slides out the side, runs in around the way, and he BOOTS Bandido down! Bandido sputters while Keith seethes. Keith stalks Bandido, refreshes the ring count, then he drags Bandido up. Keith puts Bandido in the ring, stalks him some more, then stands Bandido up. Bandido fires body shots, then whips Keith. Keith reverses, then runs to BULLDOG! That’s a very Jericho looking move! Bandido flounders, Keith whips him again, SLIDING him out to the floor! Bandido writhes but Keith has another wild look in the eyes. Keith soaks up some more heat while Bandido crawls to the ring.
Bandido stands, rolls in at 7 of 10, but Keith is on him with a rain of fists! The ref counts, Keith whips Bandido to ropes, and he FLAPJACKS Bandido down! Keith pushes Bandido to a cover, TWO! Bandido is still in this while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and the two clinch. Keith power sup to EXPLODER, but Bandido makes it a sunset flip! TWO, and Keith runs up, into a KNEE! Bandido then UPPERCUTS, then goes up, up, and TORNILLO! The fans fi reup as Bandido then pops Keith up to a military press! ONE ARM! Then the SLAM!! Cover, TWO! Keith survives and Bandido is surprised, but the fans fire up again! Bandido feeds off that energy and aims at the ropes! Bandido runs, but Keith LARIATS Bandido first! Keith goes to a corner, aims at Bandido, and he runs in, only for Bandido to BOOT! Bandido goes up, Keith RISING HEADBUTTS!
Keith roars, the fans are torn, and Keith climbs! Keith and Bandido fight, but Keith ROCKS Bandido! Keith clinches on the top rope, for a SUPER EXPLODER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! The fans duel, and Keith rises! Keith storms up on Bandido to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! The fans “WOO~!” and Keith fires up, but Bandido CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Then SUPERKICK! Keith ENZIGIRIS! Both men stagger, the fans fire up more, and both men stand back to back. They both turn around to look at each other, and they nod! They take five paces and go to the corners! Then they run up, DOUBLE SHOTGUN DROPKICKS!!
The fans are thunderous again, it’s a standing ovation in Houston! Keith rises first, but he and Bandido go forehead to forehead. They stand, and Keith underhooks the arms! Bandido wrenches out, but Keith ROCKS him! Keith runs, but Bandido scoops him! Torture rack and FLIPPING KNEE! Keith staggers, he isn’t asleep yet! But Bandido aims his finger gun, and BANG! Keith rises, into the BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, BANDIDO WINS!
Winner: Bandido, by pinfall
No prize money for the Bounty Hunter, this bandit is just that good! But will the Most Wanted get what he wants in a title match with The Nueve?
Backstage interview with “Powerhouse” Hobbs.
Lexy Nair is with Will Hobbs and says he asked for this time. What’d he like to say? Hobbs says hey to Big Bill, rubbing in that Keith didn’t collect his bounty. And guess what? Hobbs will be in Texas all week long. He’ll be looking for a fight, and maybe in Austin, Bill actually gives Hobbs a fight. Or maybe the Big Redwood is just a big baby. Hobbs has called out the rest of The Learning Tree’s Branches, will he cut them all down?
Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS Ares Alexander, Jay Alexander & Brick Savage!
Rush y Dralistico made their return, and they want not just Beast Mortos but ALL of AEW to understand, that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns! Will LFI look to stampede through the Trios Division now that they’re reunited?
The trios sort out, and the fans cheer on “RUSH! RUSH! RUSH!” Instead, we get Dralistico and Ares Alexander. But then Dralistico tags out to Mortos, and Mortos CLOBBERS Ares! And SMACKS him! Mortos whips Ares to then POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Tag to Dralistico, springboard CODE BREAKER! Tag back to Mortos, they BLAST Jay and Brick! The fans fire up as Dralistico tags Rush! Rush storms around, the fans cheer him on, “If you mess with the bull, you get the horns!” BULL’S HORNS!! Ares is almost sent out of the ring! Mortos pushes him back in, Rush covers, LFI wins!!
Winners: La Faccion Ingobernable, by pinfall
The other guys didn’t even get to tag in! And now LFI mugs Ares! Jay is furious that they’re doing this to his brother, so he and Brick get in! Brick DOUBLE CHOPS Dralistico & Mortos, only to get a CHOP, HEADBUTT, and SPIN KICK! Jay runs up, Rush blocks his knee to HEADBUTT him down! LFI deals with Brick and the Alexander Brothers with ease, but they’re not down! They beat Jay down, but here comes Komander! Wait, what can one do against there? He still springboards to FLYING POISON-RANA Mortos!! Then he dodges Rush y Dralistico to jump off Dralistico and RANA Rush! Then Komander fires off on Dralistico!
The SOBAT knocks Dralistico down, then he builds speed. But Dralistico trips Komander, YANKS him out, and then sends him back in for Rush. Rush CLAWS at Komander’s mask! The fans boo, but then the lights go down! And when the lights come up, it’s HOLOGRAM! LFI took him down, but he has rebuilt himself, rebooted the system, and “upgrade complete!” Four months away but he looks better than ever! SUPERKICK for Dralistico! Then he jumps over Mortos to DROPKICK Rush out of the ring! Then he tilt-o-whirls and DEJA VU RANAS Mortos! Mortos gets back up, but runs into a CRASH COURSE from Hologram!
Hologram and Komander stand tall together, then build speed! They DOUBLE TOPE CONJILO!! The brawling continues, and Rush has a chair! Rush wants to smash someone but the refs stop him! Rush snarls, drops the chair, but then he DECKS a ref!! The fans are torn but Jake the Snake will have to handle that fine for Rush. But will Rush’s rampage continue until LFI are on top of AEW?
Backstage interview with Megan Bayne.
Well, Lexy tries to get Megasus to respond, but she just keeps walking. Thunder Rosa is there to welcome Megan to AEW. Megan ignores the high-five so Rosa says okay, she’s not about that. That’s fine. So much for Southern Hospitality. Rosa tells Lexy that Megan is superbad, too. Megan just got here, and she’s so mad! But whatever, we’re in Texas! And everyone knows about Texas hospitality! And tonight, Ford gets that “hospitality” because Rosa will make sure she has a memory that lasts. Let’s get ready to kick some butt! Rosa is all fired up, will she wrangle Penelope Ford like it’s a rodeo?
Harley Cameron is in the ring.
The wild Aussie has a couple guitars and a big puffy pink jacket as she welcomes Houston to the Harley Halftime Show! Ladies and gentlemen, she didn’t come alone. Oh, no no! Please say hello to PUPPET MERCEDES! Harley takes off her jacket and turns around to reveal her Muppet of Mercedes Mone is riding in her backpack! The fans cheer and Harley says Puppet Mone is a tiny lil’ baby. Now to kick things off, here’s a song you may know too well. It’s called the Money Train. Harley starts strumming the guitar, and she sings a long R&B note. The fans cheer, Harley sings she wants to RIIIDE~ the Money Train~!
The phone lights come out already as Harley repeats “The Money Train” again and again, but then the REAL Mercedes Mone interrupts! Mone is wearing the TBS and NJPW Strong titles while carrying the Rev-Pro and Queen of Southside belts. Mone has a mic to ask Harley, “Are you stupid? Or are you dumb? Nobody came out here to watch the Harley Halftime Show!” NO, they’re all to see #FourBeltsMone. So Houstooooooon~! Please say hello to your C E O! The fans boo instead. Mone tells Harley that she doesn’t know how many times she has to tell her, but she is nothing but a l- LEGEND!! Harley cuts Mone off there and the fans cheer.
And with that said, Harley would like to begin her second song! “Hello, it’s good to see you, Miss Mercedes Mone. You’ve got four belts? Well I’ve got one dream! So, what do you say~? You come out here tonight, cut me off, and if I’m being blunt. I think the way you’re acting, well, are a cuuunning woman~!” And Harley will say it now, Mone is just afraid to feel the WRATH! THE WRATH! THE WRATH! The fans join in, “FEEL THE WRATH!” and Mone sarcastically plays along, until she grabs the guitar! The fans boo but Mone tells Harley to shut up. Harley is so talented, super talented, but let’s get real. If there’s anything real about Harley!
Mone doesn’t know why Harley wants a match with Mone when that little puppet on her back can wrestle better. So Harley needs to get out of her ring, because Harley is NOT on Mone’s level. Harley has the fans on her side as she tells Mone, “You’ore right. You’re right.” Harley is new to this. She can only ever dream to achieve in her career what Mone already has in AEW. But Harley has fought so hard to be here where she is today, and she’s NOT stopping! The fans cheer that! Harley would love nothing more than to face Mone in Australia, in her home city in her home country! And for the TBS Championship!
Mone is a game changer, yes, but Harley has to admit. In Mone’s whole career, the most entertaining that she’s ever been… is when Harley had her hand up Mone’s puppet ass!! The fans fire up for that! But Mone SLAPS Harley! The fans boo, but Harley gets pissed now! Harley shouts FEEL THE WRATH, then she DECKS Mone with the mic!! Mone bails out, grabs a new mic, and with the fans chanting Harley’s name, Mone says if Harley wants her shot at Grand Slam, then she’s on! But one more thing: Mone can’t wait to embarrass Harley in front of her friends, her family, and show the world why she IS the CEO!
Mone leaves, but Harley is just fired up to have the match she wants! Will she also take that title off Mone to finally be the Face of TBS?
Lexy Nair moderates the Continental Championship face-to-face.
She has Buddy Matthews with her, but Kazuchika Okada is clearly absent. Lexy says this was meant to be the face-to-face, so if Buddy wishes, they can proceed. Buddy says go ahead. Lexy asks Buddy what it’d mean if- Oh, NOW Okada shows up. The Rainmaker takes his seat, gets mic’d up, and asks for a water. Lexy thanks Okada for taking the time to join them. She wants to ask about the title match, but Buddy says he’ll handle this. Buddy scoots up and says they’ll cut to the chase: “In Brisbane, Australia, you and I will face each other. Australia’s best versus Japan’s best. But I haven’t fallen for this BS comedy facade that you’re playing.
“See, I know what the real Okada’s all about, and I know what he’s capable of doing. But I’m not sure he knows what I’m capable of doing.” The people stand by Buddy. Australia stands by Buddy! So it is time for Buddy to beat Okada for that title. Okada needs to look Buddy in the eyes and say if he thinks Buddy believes this or this is just some fake facade that Buddy’s playing. Buddy and Okada both stand up, and then Okada laughs. “B*TCH!” Buddy fakes a punch and Okada flinches! Buddy pats Okada on the shoulder, and tells him, “I’ll see you in Brisbane.” Buddy leaves, the staffer shows up with the water, but Okada throws it down.
Okada is furious that Buddy got the better of him, but will Okada get serious once the bell rings?
Dustin Rhodes VS Izzy James!
The Natural is still fuming from everything MJF did and said just last Wednesday. Dustin looks to get his hands on that scumbag in Austin, but what will happen here in Houston? The bell rings, Dustin circles with Izzy and ties up. But then Izzy knees low, mocks the deep breath, then whips. Dustin slips around the lariat to then dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Dustin isn’t done, he hauls Izzy up to hit the FINAL RECKONING! Cover, Dustin wins!
Winner: Dustin Rhodes, by pinfall
And with that, Dustin grabs himself a mic! “Maxwell Jacob Friedman. You call yourself ‘The Devil.’ You’re not the devil. As I told you last week, I went to Hell, I looked at the Devil in his eyes, and I kicked his teeth in! And I ripped, teared, and crawled my way out! And the reason why is because I am a survivor! I AM the 56-year-old Last of My Kind! And Max, while you’re sitting at home in your recliner right now in Long Island, New York, I want you to know something. Every thing in your brain right now thinks that you’re gonna do to me, I’ve already done. Five DECADES. Blood, sweat, and tears, and passion, something you do not have!
“And guess what, Max? I am still here! Next week, in MY backyard of Austin, Texas, AEW Dynamite, I am going to drag you to hell, and you are gonna meet the actual devil! And I will give you a Texas sized ass whooping for the ages!” The fans like that! Dustin has a question for MJF: After MJF gets out of this business, will it remember him? Because it damn sure will remember Dustin! The fans are fired up, will MJF regret messing with this Son of Texas?
The Death Riders speak.
The Bastard says, “Finally, finally, finally! We have been the Trios Champions for what feels like an eternity, and there have been very, very few individuals who have had the guts, the bullocks, to stand up to the Death Riders. Well, gentlemen, we welcome your challenge. From true professionals, none the less. But understand this: We are the elite of the elite. And this week on Dynamite, we look forward to making an example out of you.” Claudio adds that the Kingdom has teeth, and he respects that. They have something worth the Death Riders’ time. Too bad the Death Riders will just have to pull those teeth out.
Claudio says they are the absolute BEST at this! Claudio leads the way out, and Yuta just adds a cocky grin. Will the Death Riders be unstoppable in their reign of terror?
Thunder Rosa VS Penelope Ford!
La Mera Mera is ready to rope ‘n’ ride, and she even has the Houston Texans’ Toro by her side! But will Rosa be running hot towards a title opportunity in the near future? Or will everything be superbad tonight?
The bell rings, Rosa and Ford circle, and the fans rally behind Rosa. They tie up, Rosa throws Ford down, and the fans rally up. Rosa wrenches, Ford wrenches back, and Ford hammerlocks. Rosa reaches back, headlocks, then spins through. Rosa hits a headlock takeover but Ford headscissors. Ford squeezes tight but Rosa kips free. The two stare down and the fans fire up. Rosa and Ford circle, tie up, and Rosa powers Ford to a corner. The ref counts, Rosa lets off, but then Ford ducks the chop to CHOP! Ford whips corner to corner, Rosa goes up and over, then she arm-drags Ford! And arm-drags again!
Rosa DROPKICKS Ford down, the fans fire up, and Rosa runs in, UPPERCUT! Rosa snapmares Ford, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rosa drags Ford up, but Ford RAMS her into a corner! Ford RAMS Rosa again and again, then backs up. Ford runs back in, but Rosa BOOTS her! Rosa then goes up, but Ford ROCKS her first! Rosa falls to the apron! The fans boo but Ford goes up, up, and APRON KNEE DROPS! Rosa sputters, Ford soaks up heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford drags Rosa off the apron to send into barriers! Ford taunts Toro and the fans, then she stands Rosa up. Ford CHOPS Rosa, but Rosa turns things around! Rosa CHOPS Ford! Rosa slips into the ring, slides back out, but Ford kicks low and CLUBS Rosa down! Ford drags Rosa up and puts her in the ring, then pushes her to a cover, TWO! Ford is annoyed, but she stalks Rosa. Ford puts Rosa through the ropes and pulls her back against them! Rosa endures, the ref counts, but Ford stops at 4. Rosa flops down but Ford brings her back up. Ford CLUBS Rosa, whips her to ropes, but Rossa reverses! Ford wrenches back and clinches, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP!
Ford ties Rosa up into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Rosa endures, rolls to a cover, TWO! Ford lets Rosa go, but Rosa then reels her into a SEATED SURFBOARD! Rosa pulls, pulls, and pulls Ford back! Then Rosa stands to have the MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Rosa swings Ford, then DROPS her down! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this and Collision goes to break.
Collision returns as Ford fireman’s carries Rosa, and she hits a GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Rosa stays in this and Ford grows frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Ford stands Rosa up to bump off buckles, and again, and again! Ford hits all three levels, then lets Rosa drop. Cover, TWO! Rosa goes back to the corner but Ford stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Ford steps off, and she handsprings, but Rosa moves! Ford POSTS herself and the fans rally with Rosa, Rosa runs up, ROCKS Ford, ROCKS her again, then winds up, to ROCK Ford yet again! Rosa runs to LARIAT Ford, then LARIAT again!
The fans fire up as Ford goes to ropes. Rosa runs side to side, for a DROPKICK! Ford sputters, Rosa hauls her up, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Ford survives and Rosa is frustrated. The ref checks Ford, she seems okay to continue, and she RAMS Rosa into a corner! And RAMS her again! And again! Ford roars, she runs back up, handspring and BACK ELBOW! Ford then LOCKS the face paint! Ford goes side to side, to BOOT! Rosa falls into the drop zone, then Ford goes up top. MOONSAULT FLOPS as Rosa moves! Ford flounders, Rosa drags her to a cover, TWO! Ford stays tough, but Rosa drags Ford up.
Ford JAWBREAKERS Rosa, then baits her into a drop toehold! Rosa is on the ropes, Ford runs and SHOTGUNS Rosa down! Ford then drags Rosa to the drop zone, only for Rosa to victory roll! TWO!! Rosa kicks Ford, ROUNDHOUSES her, then runs up to SHOTGUN her down! Cover, TWO! Ford survives and Toro can’t believe it! Rosa roars, hauls Ford up, but Ford fires body shots! Ford and Rosa trade forearms, and then Rosa CHOPS! Rosa swings, Ford goes Matrix! CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Rosa survives and Ford is beside herself! Ford drags Rosa up, fireman’s carries again, but Rosa fights free!
Rosa hits a BACKSTABBER, then she reels Ford in! Rosa tucks the arms, picks her up, TIJAUNA BOMB! Cover, Rosa wins!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Rosa says this one’s for Texas! But hold on, Megan Bayne is making her way out here? Rosa isn’t sure why The Megasus is stepping on her moment when all she wanted to do was welcome her to AEW. Megan goes right to the ring and Rosa says fine, bring it! Megan stares down Rosa, but then Ford CLOBBERS Rosa! Ford dribbles Rosa off the mat, CHOKES her, HAMMERS her, but Megan just lets her! The fans boo, and Ford leaves the scrapes for Megan. Megan takes her headdress off, picks Rosa up, and fireman’s carries! “BOW DOWN!” F5!! Megan stands tall over Rosa, will she soon stand atop the mountain in AEW?
AEW shares footage from last night’s DEFY Wrestling show.
Ricochet returned to DEFY as it held a show in Seattle, Washington, and he talked a lot of trash while wearing the robe he stole from Prince Nana & Swerve Strickland last Wednesday. But little did he know, SWERVE would show up! Swerve attacked, Ricochet ran away, but not for long as NANA put Ricochet back in the ring! Ricochet find another way to escape and kept the robe on his person! When and where will Swerve get his revenge on Ricochet?
Backstage interview with Bun B.
Lexy is with Houston’s living legend, the hit singer and entrepreneur, and welcomes him to the show. They have his burgers as part of catering, and it is fantastic. How does it feel to be back in AEW? Bun B says it’s always great to have AEW back in Texas. They’re all big fans here, they can’t wait for All In: Texas. But then Ricochet interrupts? He asks what this is. Oh, he knows now! This is Bun B, Trill Burgers, America’s best! And he’s a friend of Swerve’s, right? Well, if Bun B hasn’t been watching, but AEW is no longer Swerve’s House. It is now Ricochet’s! And Mr. B, but since you’re here, all these burgers now belong to Ricochet, too.
Ricochet says if they don’t mind, he wants to try one of America’s best. Ricochet says it looks aight. He takes a bite, and then SPITS IT OUT! This is what they’re serving? It’s trash! There are much better burgers out there. The server says everyone else likes them. Ricochet asks what that guy just said. W-Well, they like them… Oh, everyone else likes them? He DRAGS this guy onto the table and asks who he is to talk to Ricochet like that! Bun B tells Ricochet to stop that. Ricochet tells B to back off. B may be close to Swerve, but tell him and Nana, “Thanks for the jacket.” HAHA! Ricochet leaves, but is he only heaping fuel on the fire?
Mariah May VS Shay Carmichael!
The AEW Women’s World Champion is calling this her “Glamorous Exhibition Match,” because she clearly doesn’t think this will be that hard on her. Will Mariah be more than ready for Grand Slam: Australia and the threat Toni Storm poses?
Whoa, Mariah SHOTGUNS Shay the moment she’s in the ring! The fans boo but Mariah sits Shay up for a RUNNING KNEE! The fans boo more, but Mariah just smiles. Mariah stands Shay up, fireman’s carries, and she hits MAYDAY!! Cover, Mariah wins!
Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall
Toni Schiavone has a good point: Shay’s hair is a bit like Toni’s, could this be a case of Mariah taking her frustrations out on an innocent young wrestler? Wait, what’s in the fancy handbag? Mariah opens it up, and she brings out a black satin robe. Mariah dresses Shay up in it, so now she really looks like Timeless Toni! Mariah smears red lipstick all over Shay’s face, then SHOVES her down! The fans boo Mariah more, but wait! LUTHER THE BUTLER is here! The fans cheer as Luther goes right to the ring, a tray in hand. He pulls away the napkin, to present a SHOE~! Mariah is freaking out, but then she swings on Luther!
Luther gets away, but the warning is clear! Mariah huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back for Shay, but SURPRISE~! It’s the REAL Toni Storm! Mariah has seen a ghost, and Toni HEADBUTTS her down! Mariah runs away but Toni pursues! Toni catches her at the barriers, SMACKS her off the steps, then drags her up! Toni reels Mariah in, but Mariah scrambles free! Mariah runs away into the night, but Luther carries Toni away on his shoulders. With just one week left before their All In: London rematch, will it truly be Toni Time once again?
Something’s going on backstage!
The Don Callis Family is rampaging against random AEW prospects, and even security! The Murder Machines are having fun, but Mark Davis doesn’t seem to even try. Cage tells Davis that he’s Don Callis Family now! Get your hands dirty! That’s a fact of life. Davis snarls, and he uses a monitor to SMASH one of the randos! Cage TOSSES another over road cases, and Davis drags Jon Cruz up to TOSS him into trash! Archer says it’s DCF VS Everybody, and EVERYBODY DIES! Kyle Fletcher said he won’t need these guys to help him against Mark Briscoe, but will that be true? Or will Mark prove the Continental Classic win wasn’t a fluke?
Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe!
The Continental Classic’s round robin phase was almost perfect for The Protostar, if not for getting caught by #DemBoys. Kyle claims that was all a fluke and it’ll never happen again. But will the Aussie Arrow miss the Mark again? Or will he be able to #ManUp before Grand Slam: Australia?
The bell rings and Kyle BOOTS Mark right down! The fans boo but Kyle soaks it all up. Kyle goes to Mark, Mark fires a body shot but Kyle ROCKS Mark. Kyle stomps away in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts 4. The fans boo more while Kyle paces. Kyle storms up on Mark, CHOPS him, then reels him in for a scoop and SLAM! Mark writhes and crawls to the ropes while Kyle soaks up more heat. Kyle stalks Mark, drags him up, and wrenches to whip. Mark goes up, around, and ROCKS Kyle with a forearm! Mark CHOPS, fires more shots, then whips. Kyle reverses, but Mark grabs ropes! Mark ELBOWS Kyle, then TOSSES him!
The fans fire up and Mark builds speed, to DIVE! CANNONBALL TOPE and it’s a direct hit! Houston is all fired up with Mark, and then Mark grabs a chair. Mark tosses the chair in, then brings out a TABLE! Houston fires up even more, but the ref tells Mark this isn’t that kind of match! Mark doesn’t care, he still sets the table up. Kyle hobbles around, rolls into the ring, and the fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Mark finishes with the furniture to then run in at Kyle. Kyle ELBOWS back, goes up, but Mark UPPERCUTS! Kyle tumbles to the apron then staggers around on the floor. Mark builds speed to WRECK Kyle with a dropkick!
The fans fire up even more as Mark takes aim. BANG BANG, FOLEY ELBOW- NO, Kyle catches Mark! And he pops Mark around to LAWN DART him into the post! Mark falls in a heap, Kyle tells the ref to shut it, then he flexes while he soaks up more heat. The fans boo but Kyle refreshes the ring count. Kyle sits Mark up to show how he’s busted open. Kyle kisses the bloody wound, then he APRON POWERBOMBS Mark! Mark falls in a heap, Kyle soaks up more heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark crawls while the blood drips to the floor. Kyle flexes while he soaks up even more heat, and he wants on Mark. Mark slowly rises, but Kyle comes back around the outside. Mark makes it to the apron, only for Kyle to hit a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Mark flops back down, and Kyle tells the ref to hold on. Kyle whips Mark hard into railing! Kyle then sees Mark’s table, and he gets an idea. Kyle brings Mark up, puts him in the ring, and then he positions the table a bit closer to the ring. Kyle brings Mark up through the ropes, then to the apron. But Mark throws body shots! Mark has the fans fire dup, but Kyle stops the suplex!
Kyle tries but Mark fights the suplex! They both fight for control, but Mark then slips into the ring. Mark UPPERCUTS Kyle, and Kyle holds onto the ropes! Mark UPPERCUTS again, Kyle flails more! Mark UPPERCUTS and Kyle has to switch hands! Mark runs, but Kyle slips in and ELBOWS him down! Kyle has a sinister grin, then he rains down fists. The ref counts, but Kyle just hammers away on the bloody forehead! Kyle stops to admire the blood on his hands, and he paints his chest with it. Mark flounders to a corner, sputters through the crimson mask, and Kyle mocks the fans. Kyle goes back to Mark, but Mark CHOPS!
Mark CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Kyle scoops to SLAM! Mark writhes while Kyle mockingly encourages the fans to get louder. Kyle stalks Mark, stands on his neck in the corner, but steps off as the ref counts. Collision returns to single picture, and the fans rally for Mark while Kyle taunts him. Mark stands, but Kyle kick shim! And BOOTS him! Kyle fires forearms, but Mark fires back! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth, again and again! Mark gets the edge, he ROCKS Kyle, then roars! But Kyle BOOTS him again! Kyle runs, but Mark dodges! Kyle dodges, both men keep going, DOUBLE LARIATS turn both men inside-out!
The fans fire up as Mark and Kyle stand. Mark fires counter punches on Kyle, then REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Mark CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Mark CHOPS Kyle against the ropes, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Mark whips, Kyle reverses, but Mark DECKS Kyle with a forearm! Kyle goes to a corner, Mark blinks the blood out of his eyes. and then Mark runs up to LARIAT! Mark then clinches for an EXPLODER! The fans fire up, Mark covers, TWO! Kyle is tougher than that but Mark stays focused. The fans rally, Mark drags Kyle up, and Mark reels him in. Mark underhooks, but Kyle BACKDROPS free!
Mark runs back up, but Kyle DUMPS him to the apron! Kyle catches Mark in the ropes, DRAPING DDT! Kyle strikes like a Viper but the fans boo. Mark sits up, Kyle runs up, KNEE!! Kyle then underhooks Mark, package, TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and Kyle is arguing the count! Mark goes to a corner, Kyle runs in, GAMANGIRI! Then he reels Mark in, suplexes, but Mark cradle counters and rolls through! FISHERMAN BUSTER! And the fans fire up as Mark goes to the corner! Mark climbs, but Kyle stands! GAMANGIRI again! Kyle climbs up now, and he suplexes, but Mark lands out!
Mark CLUBS Kyle, then straitjacket and torture racks! But Kyle grabs the ref’s shirt! The ref slaps Kyle’s arm away, Kyle ands out, and he dodges Mark! Mark almost hits the ref, and then turns around into a LOW BLOW!! Kyle gets away with one, and then he hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Mark survives and Kyle can’t believe it! But Houston loves it! Kyle stalks Mark to ropes, hauls him up, SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Mark’s on his feet?!? Kyle just gets him for another SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Mark staggers up again, but then leans against ropes. Kyle grins, reels Mark back in, a third SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!
Kyle mocks Mark to get up, and Mark does rise! Kyle watches Mark stagger and tumble to the apron. The fans boo but Kyle goes out the side. Kyle positions the table and then goes up the corner! Kyle drags Mark up to the very top, but Mark fires body shots! RKF UPPERCUT! Kyle falls to the apron, then stumbles to the table! Mark is up, FROGGY-BOW down through the table!!!! The fans are going nuts, and Mark still stands back up!! Mark pushes Kyle into the ring, climbs back up the corner, FROGGY-BOW AGAIN!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives and Mark is shocked! But Mark hurries to get Kyle back up!
Mark puts Kyle on the top rope backwards, then straitjackets him into the torture rack! Kyle resists using legs, but Mark CHOPS him on the back! Mark then UPPERCUTS Kyle, Kyle falls off the corner, and Mark goes up again. Mark reels Kyle back in, underhooks him, but Kyle fights free! GAMANGIRI!! And then another GAMANGIRI!! Kyle hoists Mark up, TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER!!!! Cover, KYLE WINS!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall
Mark’s win in the C2 was not a fluke, but Kyle made sure this one wasn’t, either! It was bloody and brutal, but Kyle then grabs a mic to say, “I told you…! I told you…! I proved tonight that Mark Briscoe’s win over me was a fluke! And in one week, I do the same to Ospreay!” The fans boo but Kyle says not only Ospreay, but Kyle will prove that the Best Bout Machine & The Aerial Assassin are no longer the future, but that the future stands RIGHT HERE! And it is The Protostar, KYLE…! FLETCHER!! The Aussie Arrow is as dangerous and confident as ever, but will he and The Alpha really win the Grand Slam tag team dream match? Or will the be beat by the Best Bout Bruvs?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision, especially as a partial go-home to Grand Slam next Saturday. The cold open promos from Kyle and Mark were really good, but I’m still not a fan of cold open promos because they have to be quick and yet I can’t keep up with them that quickly. I do appreciate we got Mark Davis being a reluctant member of the Don Callis Family to help add to what we saw on Dynamite. Davis is clearly only in this to get back at Ospreay for Ospreay not being a better friend and all that, so he didn’t want to beat up on randos just because. And then Kyle VS Mark was an awesome and wild main event. Great win for Kyle, but that’s because Ospreay & Omega are gonna win at Grand Slam now.
Very good promo segment from Okada and Buddy to hype their match, and maybe Buddy wins, but I guess it really depends on how the Aussie win-loss record is gonna split. Harley Cameron and Mercedes Mone had a very good segment, though I thought we were going to get more songs from Harley before Mone interrupted. Harley getting the title match she wants is a great moment, but I’m thinking this means she loses her match. Mariah of course beat up her opponent tonight, but that was a great little surprise with Luther and Toni. The go-home math builds towards Mariah winning, but if anyone were to defy that expectation, it’s Toni Storm.
Moxley and Marina showing up to basically start the show was pretty wild, but what kind of promo was that from Moxley? Did he forget that just three days ago, Jay White made it clear it was going to be White & Cope VS Moxley & Claudio in a tag match? The way he worded it made it seem like he forgot, or like he was trying to make it his idea, not theirs. But we got better stuff from Claudio, Pac & Yuta after that great Trios Triple Threat. I figured the Undisputed Kingdom would win, and we’ll get an awesome Trios Championship match. I could see the Kingdom winning so as to put the Death Riders on the defensive with only the world title left.
Good stuff from the Ricochet VS Swerve story. Tying DEFY Wrestling into this is great, as well as having Bun B get in on that backstage promo. Revolution is definitely the goal for the Ricochet VS Swerve rematch, and I would think they up it with No Disqualifications and the robe being the unofficial prize. Good promo from Caster to call out “Hangperson,” but I would think Hangman does answer the Open Challenge for Dynamite. Dustin of course got a win tonight, and he called out MJF ahead of their match. That’ll be some great stuff, but I bet MJF cheats to win. Then maybe Jeff Jarrett goes after MJF to set up a match for Revolution. That or they give us Hangman VS MJF as they’ve been teasing.
Rosa VS Ford was a good match, but there was certainly a legit moment of concern for Ford in the middle. It might just be, but I feel like Ford hasn’t gotten the ring rust off even this long after her return. But Megan Bayne starting on a story with Rosa is great for Megan. Megan’s already strong, tall, with great presentation, so taking the fight to a former AEW Women’s World Champion is going to help establish Megan in the division. Megan can even be on the other side of a title feud after Revolution, depending on who holds what titles. Good promo from FTR, and I suppose they were being generic about who they were challenging as it might take time for FTR to get back to the tag titles.
LFI pulled off one of the gnarliest squashes I’ve seen, but that was a great way to get Hologram’s return. Hologram & Komander VS LFI is good stuff, and I feel like Hologram VS Rush should be the blowoff. Great match from Bandido VS Keith, and a great win for Bandido. Hobbs had a good promo to follow up while calling out Bill. As I said before, Bandido VS Jericho for the ROH World Championship is definitely happening. And then Hobbs VS Bill will be some great stuff, I’d love if they did some kind of ring breaking spot, same as we’ve seen many times in WWE.
My Score: 8.8/10
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