Is The Roughneck mightier than The Frontman?

NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome for WrestleKingdom 19! Shota Umino wants the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but will he #JustTapOut instead?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – New Japan Rambo: Hirooki Goto wins and is the #1 contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles & Fujita win, and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM; Mayu wins and retains the title.
• NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins and becomes the new NJPW World TV Champion.
• The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL; Tanahashi wins and will NOT retire.
• NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita; Konosuke wins and is the new double champion.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado; Desperado wins by referee stoppage, and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji; Yota wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
• Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi; Naito wins.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff – New Japan Rambo!

In quite the shocking move to close 2024, the definitive KOPW Champion, Great-O-Khan, decided to DISCONTINUE the KOPW Championship! As great as his victory was, he wants there to be more, so now this battle royal will instead crown a NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Who survives to then aim at the very top of NJPW?

Well speaking of, Great-O-Khan starts us off, determined to be the one and only #1 contender! And entry number two is… JOSH BARNETT! The War Master returns to NJPW! The bell rings and these two circle. They feel things out, the fans rally and duel between Khan and Barnett. They tie up, Khan gets a leg and he drags Barnett down. Barnett moves around, slips free and goes for a facelock, but Khan slips out to use a leg guard. The fans cheer as these two reset. They circle again, feel things out, then clinch. They go around, Barnett hits an arm-drag and goes for a lateral press. Khan stays up, and entry number three is here!

The fans fire up as BOLTIN OLEG makes his way out here! Khan and Barnett focus on each other, but BARS is ready to be more than just NEVER Openweight Six Man Champion! Khan gets a ROPEBREAK, Barnett lets off to circle with his former student. They go around, clinch, and Oleg hits that arm-drag! The fans cheer, the two go again, and they clinch. Barnett hits a headlock takeover, but Oleg headscissors! Oleg wants an arm but Barnett turns and slips out the back. Barnett has legs, but Khan CLUBS him! Entry number four is already on their way while Khan CLUBS Oleg. Khan blocks a kick but Oleg knocks him down!

Number 4 is Hirooki Goto! The Fierce Warrior is determined to get back to the top of NJPW, could this be his moment? Oleg scoops Khan but Khan fights free to go after an arm. Oleg fights Khan off and clamps on a facelock! Goto storms in to run and LARIAT Oleg down! Goto then snap suplexes Khan onto Oleg! But Barnett WHEEL KICKS Goto down! The fans fire up as Barnett stomps Oleg to a corner. Barnett drops a knee, then he rains down forearms and elbows! Oleg fights around and rolls with Barnett into a double wristlock. Khan wants Goto’s arm but Goto fights free. Number five is now on their way!

Khan lifts Goto to RAM him into a corner, and here comes Yuji Nagata! The fans fire up for Blue Justice while Barnett has Oleg stuck on the mat and Khan digs his boots into Goto at the corner. Barnett lets off of Oleg so he and Nagata can go KICK for KICK! Khan fires Mongolian Chops on Goto, Barnett has a facelock on Nagata but Nagata fights out to go for an arm! Nagata and Barnett fire shots while Khan sits on his throne, aka Goto’s head! Oleg fires shots on Barnett but Barnett fires back! Oleg hits a BODY BLOW, then goes to scoop. Number six is on the way as Barnett fights off a fireman’s carry!

Barnett and Oleg are suck on the ropes, but Barnett is using an armbar takedown to drag Oleg over! They both go up, out and to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! By the way, number six is Togi Makabe! Oleg and Barnett shove each other as they finally separate, and Goto trades shots with Nagata. Nagata ROCKS Goto, fires off in a corner, and now the Uncaged Gorilla gets in to CHOKE Khan with that chain! The ref reprimands but Makabe lets off. Makabe then digs his boots into Khan, while Goto snapmares and KICKS Nagata! Cover, TWO! Nagata stays in this but Goto brings him up. Nagata ROCKS and stomps Goto again!

Khan CHOPS Makabe, Makabe ROCKS Khan, repeat! Makabe DECKS Khan, covers, TWO! Makabe keeps Khan down with a chinlock! Number seven is on the way, and it’s… KENTA! The DEFY Champion overcame Kenoh in Pro-Wrestling Noah, and he has an Absolute challenger eyeing him stateside, but he’ll still powerwalk his way to the ring if he can become #1 contender to the IWGP World title. Nagata stomps Goto around, Makabe has Khan down, so Kenta steps to Nagata. They fire forearms back and forth, then Kenta CLAWS Nagata’s eyes! Kenta BOOTS, Nagata BOOTS, and Nagata runs, only for Kenta to dodge!

Kenta fireman’s carries, Nagata fights against it, only to end up on the apron! Kenta fires hands but Nagata holds onto ropes! Nagata roars, Kenta ROCKS him, repeat! Kenta just wants Nagata to fall already, but Nagata ROCKS Kenta! Kenta fights the suplex, HOTSHOTS Nagata, then BOOTS him down! Kenta ELIMINATES Nagata! But now number eight is here, and it’s YOSHI-HASHI! Speaking of, Kenta goes after Goto, Hashi’s teammate! The Headhunter storms down the ring while Kenta rains down fists, then he hurries to help Goto! The forearms fly between Hashi and Kenta and the fans fire up!

Hashi CHOPS and Kenta sputters. Kenta goes to ropes, but he mule kicks! Hashi eggs Kenta on so Kenta CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS again and Kenta tries to ask the ref for help. The ref can’t do anything so Kenta just trades CHOPS! Then he CLAWS Hashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Kenta argues with him, and then Kenta stomps away on Hashi. Makabe has Khan in a SLEEPER, but Khan RAMS Makabe into buckles. Khan is free, but here comes number nine! It’s Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi! Hashi goes after Kenta but here comes Takahashi. Makabe has Khan in a facelock while Hashi throws Kenta at ropes.

Kenta holds on, then whips Hashi, and Yujiro trips Hashi up! Bullet Club works together to whip Hashi to a corner. Kenta runs up to forearm SMASH! Yujiro BOOTS! Yujiro feeds Hashi to Kenta’s fireman’s carry! But Hashi slips free and shoves Kenta at Yujiro! Bullet Club avoids a collision, but Hashi SUPERKICKS Yujiro! Hashi then sends Kenta into Yujiro for real! Hashi THROWS Kenta at the ropes, but Kenta holds on! Hashi pushes Kenta, but Yujiro is after Hashi! Yujiro fires hands but Hashi fires back! Hashi whips, but Yujiro reverses, and Kenta holds down ropes! Hashi tumbles up and out, Bullet Club ELIMINATES Hashi!

Number ten is here, and it’s TORU YANO! Good thing the ramp is a long walk, Yano needs all his sponsors and endorsements read off in his intro first. Yano then hurries in, only to get mugged by Bullet Club! They double whip Yano, but he grabs ropes. Yano taunts Kenta, sends him into Yujiro, then SLAPS them both! Kenta runs up but Yano DUMPS him to the apron! Kenta stays up but then Yano sends Yujiro into him! Kenta falls, Yano rolls Yujiro up, THREE! Yano ELIMINATES Kenta and Yujiro!! The fans fire up and Yano smiles. Khan has Makabe in a Heel Hook, but Makabe has the ROPEBREAK!

The ref reprimands, Khan lets go, and here comes number 11! Everyone watches and waits, and it’s Hiroyoshi Tenzan! Another fan favorite makes his way out here, but Khan sits on Makabe as his new throne! Khan hops down to then HIP TOSS and cover, TWO! Makabe survives, Tenzan finally arrives, and he goes right after Khan! Tenzan CLUBS and stomps Khan, then HEADBUTTS! Tenzan eggs Khan on, and gives him Mongolian Chops! Or, uh, “Sweet Amashi Slammers,” since Khan won the rights to THE Mongolian Chops. Tenzan CHOKES Khan, the ref reprimands, and Tenzan lets off.

Tenzan stomps Khan to ropes, then drags him up. Tenzan HEADBUTTS Khan, stomps him in a corner, but Yano goes after Tenzan! Number 12 is here, and it’s Satoshi Kojima! The MLW World Champion is here, just in time to help his #TenKozy teammate! Yano brings Tenzan up to use the Mongolian Chops! Goto has Khan in a corner, Makabe watches and waits, but Kojima gets in to kick Yano! Kojima ROCKS Yano, Tenzan Mongolian Chops, repeat! Then Kojima uses the Mongolian Chops! The fans fire up as TenKozy mugs Yano, whips him corner to corner, but Yano dodges Tenzan to roll him up!

Kojima makes the save and fires off! Kojima sets Yano up, but then Yano ducks, Tenzan’s LARIAT takes out Kojima! Yano rolls Tenzan, Yano ELIMINATES Tenzan! Kojima fires off on Yano for it! Makabe goes after Khan while Kojima fires off on Yano, and here comes number 13, Tomoaki Honma! Everybody’s Kokeshi storms down the ramp while Goto and Makabe have DOUBLE ARMBARS on Khan! Khan manages to scoot into the ROPEBREAK, so Goto and Makabe let go. Yano turns things around on Kojima while Goto covers Khan, TWO!! Khan stays in this but Makabe covers, TWO!! Goto covers again, TWO!! Makabe tries, TWO!!

Honma CLOBBERS Yano! Then he fires up, runs the ropes, and KOKESHI FLOPS as Yano dodges! Yano flops out of the ring, Kojima brings Honma up, but Honma CHOPS Kojima! Kojima goes to a corner, Honma CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Honma CLUBS Kojima, then CLUBS him again. Cover, TWO! Makabe goes after Kojima, then he and Honma double whip Kojima corner to corner. Makabe LARIATS, Honma ELBOWS, then they double whip Kojima again. Makabe LARIATS, then feed to an ELBOW! Number 14 is here, and it’s SANADA! The Ranbo just got Cold Blooded!

Honma CLUBS Khan, he and Goto mug Khan, and Kojima keeps Makabe down. Sanada slides in but Kojima kicks him first! Koijma puts Sanada in a corner for MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up and Kojima CHOPS again! Makabe says hold on, and he climbs up! Makabe rains down fists, and fans count all the way to TEN! Makabe laughs, then he and Kojima argue. Sanada runs up but they double kick him! They double whip, but Sanada gets under the lariats to send Makabe into Koijma! Then Sanada waistlocks Makabe, but Makabe switches. Sanada shoves the ref aside so he can LOW BLOW MULE KICK Makabe!

The fans boo but Sanada TOSSES Makabe! Makabe ends up going through the middle rope so he’s safe. Kojima goes after Sanada, Sanada gets around to waistlock, but Kojima switches back. Sanada MULE KICK LOW BLOWS Kojima, too! Number 15 is here, and it’s TAICHI! Sanada TOSSES and ELIMINATES Kojima, but one of the Just4Guys Sanada betrayed is on his way! Sanada waits on Taichi, and everyone else gives them room. The fans rally for Taichi while he takes off his entrance attire. Taichi storms in, but then Sanada slithers out! The fans boo but Taichi storms out after him! They brawl on the outside, all legal since they went under the top rope.

Taichi whips, Sanada reverses, and Taichi hits railing! Makabe and Khan copy them a bit as they slide out and brawl on the outside! Goto and Honma brawl in the ring, but the extra refs reprimand Sanada and Taichi. Goto snapmares and KICKS Honma, covers, TWO! Number 16 is here, and it’s Tomohiro Ishii! The Stone Pitbull already gets his shot at whoever is NEVER Openweight AND AEW International Champion tomorrow, but is Ishii working to become a belt collector? Khan slides into the ring but Goto goes right after him! Khan gets free, he stomps Goto, then he goes after Ishii! Ishii roars and ROCKS Khan!

Honma fires forearms but Ishii ROCKS Honma! Ishii runs, RAMS Honma, but Honma roars! Honma ROCKS and RAMS Ishii, Ishii rebounds, but Honma LARIATS! Honma runs, KOKESHI! The fans fire up and Honma suplexes, but Ishii fights it! Ishii suplexes, but Honma fights it! Honma wrenches, the forearms fly, but Honma roars! Ishii runs, Honma blocks a lariat to HEADBUTT! Then RUNNING KOKESHI gets ROCKED! And then Ishii suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Ishii ELIMINATES Honma! And now the last entry, number 17, is Alex Zayne! The fans fire up for The Sauce, could he really spice things up?

Sanada has Taichi in the ring, just to try and throw him out! Taichi lands safe on the apron, then slides back in! Ishii stomps Khan, Sanada fires shots on Taichi, Goto stays safe under the bottom rope. Zayne slides in, watches as Taichi DANGEROUS- NO, Sanada fights free! Sanada whips, Taichi reverses to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! The fans fire up with Taichi as he runs, AX- NO, Sanada gets under to waistlock. Taichi switches, Sanada shoves the ref again, but Taichi avoids the low blow! Sanada FAKES a low blow from Taichi!! The ref gets fooled and he ELIMINATES Taichi by disqualification!! The fans boo and Taichi is furious!

Taichi glares at Sanada, Sanada jumps over the top rope just to taunt him, but then Taichi BOOTS Sanada down! Taich ELIMINATES Sanada after all! The fans cheer and Taichi goes after Sanada by sending him into railing! Meanwhile, Yano rolls Zayne up, TWO! Zayne ENZIGIRIS Yano! Khan ROCKS Ishii, Goto waistlocks Zayne. Zayne switches, Goto wrenches out, and he whips Zayne. Zayne ducks ‘n’ dodges, IMPLODER KNEES! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! Zayne stands Goto up to whip, but Goto reverses. Zayne grabs ropes, Yano RAMS Goto with a buckle pad! Yano then runs up on Zayne, but Zayne DUMPS Yano and ELIMINATES him!

The final four brawl now, but we have to go to just one! Khan has Ishii in the IRON CLAW! ELIMI- NO, Ishii slips free to suplex! Khan fights that to scoop Ishii! Khan goes for ropes, he puts Ishii on the apron! Khan fires forearms, but Ishii ROCKS Khan in return! Ishii calls to Zayne, Zayne runs up, but Khan puts Zayne on the apron! So Ishii ROCKS Zayne! Zayne holds onto ropes, and he ROCKS Ishii! Ishii holds on, they brawl, Khan BLASTS Ishii down to ELIMINATE him! Zayne RAMS into Khan, slips into the ring, but Goto knees and hammerlocks him! Khan runs up, Zayne catches Khan, RANA SNAPMARE COMBO!

Zayne fires up with the fans, and he kicks Goto! Mule kick for Khan! Zayne runs to DOUBLE ROLLING AX KICK! Zayne drags Goto up, whips him to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but he blocks boots! Goto puts Zayne on the apron, but Zayne catches Goto! Khan runs up, Goto gets free, Khan CLOBBERS Zayne! Zayne falls to the floor, Khan ELIMINATES him! Goto and Khan are the final two! The fans fire up and duel between “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” and “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” They circle, tie up, and Khan ripcords to SAYANAGI! Goto flounders to a corner, Khan runs up and LARIATS!

Khan snapmares Goto, stalks him, and as Goto rises, Khan runs in! BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Khan drags Goto up to Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! Khan roars and runs, but Goto catches him! URA G T R! And then a TOSS! Khan holds onto ropes! The fans fire up as Goto snarls, and Goto runs up! Khan RAMS into Goto first! Khan drags Goto up and suplexes! Goto fights that, and he suplexes! Khan fights that, suplexes Goto again, but Goto fights free! Goto HEADBUTTS, runs, and LARITS Khan down! GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by ring-out (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)

The Fierce Warrior has done it! He starts his 2025 by winning a guaranteed title shot! Zack Sabre Jr. and Shota Umino battle it out tonight, and then one of them is bringing that title to WrestleDynasty! Who will it be that Hirooki Goto battles for the top prize in NJPW?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

As if Kushida & Kevin Knight weren’t already raising the stakes by taking on the Super Junior Tag League winners, and the team that beat them during the round robin phase, and the former champions they beat to get these titles, they’re truly escalating things with these ladders! Who literally rises above to reign supreme in the Junior Tag Division?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised high over head, and for the first time in NJPW, a team must rise up to take them!

The bell rings and the brawl is on! It is chaos but the War Dogs stand tall being the biggest and meanest team! But then Knight springboards to CROSSBODY the War Dogs and Catch 2/2! The fans fire up, TMDK brings in a ladder! Knight hurdles the ladder, Kushida DROPKICKS TMDK down, and then Knight SPLASHES the ladder down on them! The fans fire up for that double-edged play, and the Jet Setters take the ladder. TJP runs in and kicks Knight, CHOPS Kushida, then takes the ladder for his own. He and Knight fight over the ladder, so TJP RAMS Knight into the corner. Kushida runs up but TJP sends him into the ladder!

Francesco Akira runs up and TJP gives him a boost to DROPKICK Kushida, ladder and Knight! The fans fire up while the Jet Setters fall out of the ring, but here come the War Dogs, with chairs! Drilla JAMS Akira, Connors knocks TJP over, and TJP’s hand is trapped under the ladder! Drilla SMACKS TJP on the back! Connors takes the ladder, but Akira uses it to RAM him into a corner! Drilla runs up, Akira sends him at the ladder, but Drilla stops shirt. Drilla blocks a kick, gives it to TJP then SUPERKICKS TJP! Drilla ROUNDHOUSES Akira, then Connors CLOBBERS Catch 2/2 with the ladder!

The War Dogs get the ladder up, Fujita returns but Connors JAMS him up! The War Dogs then HIGH LOW with the chairs!! Fujita flounders away, Connors goes out to CLOBBBER him and Eagles! Then Connors goes for a tall ladder! Connors slides that in, Drilla stands it up, and they both climb. But Kushida is back and he handsprings to TOPPLE the ladder over, the War Dogs going with it! Eagles and TJP climb the same corner, they brawl, so Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS them both down! And he WRECKS Akira with a dropkick! The Jet Setters regroup and bring a table around. Kushida then brings Drilla over and SMACKS him off the table!

The fans fire up as Kushida stands Drilla up while Knight goes up the corner. But Connors SHOVES Knight down! Drilla powers out of Kushida’s hold and THROWS him over railing! Knight returns, goes up the apron, but Connors CHUCKS a chair at him! Kevin crashes ‘n’ burns while the War Dogs take that table. They prop it up against railing, then drag Kushida up. Drilla reels Kushida in, gets him up, DRILLA KILLA on the edge of the table! The table doesn’t break but Connors barks at Kushida. Connors beats down Akira, too, and Drilla gets another table. Drilla drags Akira up and Connors climbs a corner!

The fans freak out as Drilla suplexes, but TJP SHOVES Connors down! TJP KICKS Drilla onto the table! Akira goes up, then goes up onto TJP! Take pictures for this one! SUPER SENTON down through the table!! Akira and Drilla are down in the wreckage while the fans go wild! Connors BLASTS TJP off the apron! Eagles gets Connors with an ASAI DDT! Knight FLYING LARIATS Eagles! The fans fire up as Knight stands that tall ladder up again. Knight adds a shorter ladder as a bridge, but then Connors CLUBS Knight! And SMACKS him off the ladder! Connors whips, but Knight hurdles the ladder!

Knight dropkicks under the ladder, taking Connors’ legs out! Connors SMACKS off the ladder bridge! Knight puts Connors on the ladder bridge, making sure it is in position. Knight CLUBS away on Connors, then gives Eagles the green light! Eagles SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASHES Connors and the ladder!! Both Connors and Eagles bounce off and go tumbling away! The fans fire up and Knight hurries to climb. Fujita adds another tall ladder to the mix! Fujita YANKS Knight down, stands his ladder up, and now he climbs up! But Akira joins him! They both reach the top, reach for the belts, then fire foerarms!

TJP has Fujita in an Electric Chair! The fans fire up as TJP brings Fujita around, for the LEANING TOWER!! But Eagles is back, and he uses the ladder bridge to take a shortcut! TJP springboards to meet him there! Eagles fires hands, then grabs at the belts! But TJP BLOOD MISTS! Eagles flails blindly, and TJP slips around using Fujita’s latter! SUPER FINAL CUT down through the ladder bridge!! The fans go wild as Eagles writhes, but Akira climbs! Kushida hurries to stop Akira, and has him in an Electric Chair! Knight joins in, TIME 2 FLY! Knight hurries to get the ladders positioned just right before he climbs.

The fans rally, but Drilla grabs Knight! Kushida runs up but Drilla ROCKS him! Kushida gets him back with a BUCKLE SHOT! Knight grabs for belts, but maybe he miscalculated position. Connors runs up, Knight KICKS him away! So Connors goes for the ladder! But Kushida SHOTEIS Connors down! Knight changes position, and he says METCHA TSUYOI~! SUPER DUPER PERFECT TIMING!!! The Jet Setters risk it all just to take Drilla down! But they then use a ladder to keep Drilla down! Kushida climbs with Drilla stuck, but Fujita is back to drag Kushida down! Fujita climbs now, but Kushida goes after him!

Kushida has an ANKLE LOCK! Fujita tries to reach for the belts, but then Kushida THROWS him off the ladder! But Eagles traps Kushida in the rungs! Kushida fights free, and Knight takes Eagles to the UPPER ROOM! Knight hurries up, but Drilla powers up to bench press the ladder!! Knight falls onto the ropes!! Knight flops out to the floor and Drilla stands! Drilla repositions the ladder, climbs up, but TJP returns. Drilla kicks him away, so TJP just climbs up the other side! Drilla fires hands, but both men slip down a few rungs. TJP YANKS Drilla into the ladder again and again! Drilla falls hard, but Eagles is back!

Eagles SMACKS TJP! TJP hits back! They brawl up top, then wobble. Their tag partners get the other ladder and they climb up! Fujita is next to TJP, Akira is next to Eagles, and all four men meet at the very top! The fans fire up as TMDK and Catch 2/2 brawl left and right and across the way! Eagles gest the edge on TJP, then ROUNDHOUSES! TJP falls, but Akira BOOTS Eagles! Akira SMACKS Fujita off the top, then reaches for belts! But Fujita BODY SHOTS! Fujita reaches out, Akira BODY SHOTS! Akira tries again, but Fujita grabs a leg! Akira is stuck in a DRAGON SLEEPER on the very top! Fujita CLUBS Akira, grabs the belts, and TMDK WINS!!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and tonight, they stand tall above the rest! Eagles & Fujita won the Super Junior Tag League, so it is only fitting that they win the titles! Will 2025 be the Year of the Mighty?

IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM!

The Sky Blue Hyper Technician and the High Speed Bomb Girl have a storied rivalry, and have even teamed with each other on occasion. But for the first time ever, they battle over this title, the bridge between NJPW and Stardom! Will Mayu continue to be the Icon of Stardom? Or will AZM turn the corner on a new chapter in her career?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, with a quick photo op, and we see whose star shines brightest!

The bell rings and the two run up to fire forearms! The fans rally as the shots go faster and faster! AZM gets the edge, but Mayu SOBATS! The fans fire up as Mayu whips AZM to ropes, but AZM trips her up! AZM runs to PENALTY KICK, then BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up as AZM kips up, and Mayu bails out. AZM goes corner to corner, then up and up and ESCALARA CROSSBODY! Direct hit on Mayu! The fans fire up with AZM and she throws off the gloves. AZM puts Mayu in the ring, then hurries to bring her up. AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!

Mayu endures, fights around, rolls, but AZM whips her to a corner. AZM Runs up, Mayu slips out to then roll her, and BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Mayu now while AZM flounders to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS AZM against ropes! Mayu drags AZM to a drop zone and fires up! Mayu climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this and the fans fire up again. Mayu drags AZM up, brings her around to waistlock, but AZM fires elbows. AZM whips Mayu to a corner, runs up, but Mayu SUPERKICKS! Mayu goes up and up, but AZM KICKS the legs out!

AZM goes up the corner, and she WOE STOMPS Mayu down! AZM kicks Mayu to center, then goes up the corner for a DIVING DOUBLE STOMP! Mayu writhes, AZM pushes her to a cover, TWO! AZM is frustrated already but the fans rally up. AZM drags Mayu up, but Mayu kicks! AZM blocks, Mayu ducks a kick, and they DOUBLE FOREARM! And DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! AZM ROUNDHOUSES again, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Both women are down and the fans fire up! AZM flounders away while the fans rally. AZM goes to ropes, Mayu pushes herself up, and they end up in opposite corners. Mayu runs up to DROPKICK AZM in the corner!

The fans fire up as Mayu goes out to the apron. Mayu climbs the corner again, and she leaps for a MISSILE DROPKICK! AZM flounders away but Mayu hurries to put her in the drop zone. Mayu calls for the end! Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT FLOPS as AZM moves! AZM runs up, Mayu ducks the buzzsaw but not the RETURN! Mayu flops over and AZM hurries to get her back up. AZM’s teammates rally at ringside as she reels Mayu in. But Mayu powers out of the Destroyer! Mayu full nelsons, but AZM fights that off to DESTROYER!! AZM brings Mayu around, underhooks the arms, and ROLLING TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?

Mayu survives and shocks AZM! The fans fire up as AZM drags Mayu into a drop zone. AZM goes up the corner, takes aim, and DIVING- BOOTS from Mayu!! Mayu turns things around and the fans fire up again! AZM and Mayu slowly sit up, and they grab at each other. They both stand, AZM breaks fere to dodge and LA MYSTICA, then AZM SUSHI! TWO!! Mayu escapes, BUZZ- NO, AZM blocks that, slips around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE?!? Both women stand, run up, and Mayu gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE!!! But Mayu holds on, tries again, and then shifts to a full nelson!

But AZM victory rolls! TWO!!! Mayu escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Both women stand, AZM runs up to LA- NO, Mayu stops the tilt-o-whirl, and brings AZM into a TOMBSTONE!! Mayu vows to end this, and she goes to a corner. The fans fire up more as Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! AZM survives and shocks Mayu! Mayu roars as she rises up, and she hauls AZM into a waistlock. Then full nelson! HIGH DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, MAYU WINS!

Winner: Mayu Iwatani, by pinfall (still IWGP Women’s Champion)

A truly fast ‘n’ furious showdown, and it is the Icon that stands tall! Will Mayu continue to shine as her reign continues past 622 DAYS?

NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo!

The Souled Out Son of Strong Style was already in a sticky situation when it was just The Imperial Unit and The Mullet coming for him. But The Headbanga made an incredible return having overcome cancer, and is ready to make an even greater comeback! Will this title have a new “season” with the New Year? Or will this still be the Ren Narita Show?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real star of the show!

The challengers surround Narita, so Narita quickly bails out. But then Cobb goes out one side, Oiwa out the other, and Narita is again trapped! ELP DIVES onto Narita to take him out at the ramp! The fans fire up, the bell rings, and we’re still on the clock. Oiwa and Cobb hurry into the ring and they RAM shoulders! And RAM, and RAM! Oiwa kicks low, headlocks, but Cobb powers out. Oiwa RAMS Cobb, Cobb rebounds to RAM Oiwa! Oiwa RAMS Cobb again, the two talk trash, and ELP storms in, only for Cobb and Oiwa to run him over! Cobb and Oiwa then fire forearms back and forth!

The fans rally up, Oiwa dodges but DOUBLE FOREARMS hit! ELP runs up but Oiwa dodges in the corner! Oiwa HIP TOSSESS ELP high and hard! Cobb deadlifts ELP for a suplex TOSS! Oiwa TOSSES ELP, then he and Cobb RAM into each other. Oiwa runs, and he RUNS Cobb over! The fans fire up, Oiwa whips to YANK Cobb’s arm, and then he isolates that arm to STOMP it! Cobb writhes, but Oiwa clamps onto the arm, SHANKLY GATES! Cobb endures, and Narita storms in to CHOKE Oiwa! The ref reprimands then counts, and Narita lets go at 4. ELP gets in but Narita CHOKES ELP! The ref counts again and Narita lets go at 4.

Narita CHOKES ELP some more, but he lets off at 4. The ref reprimands, but here comes Cobb! Cobb fireman’s carries but Narita slips out to CHOKE Cobb! The ref counts, but Cobb powers out! Cobb sits Narita down, but Narita rolls to get a takedown! KNEEBAR! Oiwa SPLASHES onto Narita! Cover, TWO, but Oiwa hauls Narita up. Narita fights the Gotch hold suplex, and he CLAWS Oiwa’s eyes! The ref reprimands again but Narita whips. Oiwa reverses, Narita slips around, but Oiwa slips around! SLEEPER! They end up on ropes, the ref counts the break, so Oiwa GOTCH SUPLEXES Narita up and out!

ELP runs up to RANA Oiwa out! The fans fire up as ELP kips up, but then Cobb is in ELP’s way! Scoop and TOUR- NO, ELP slips free, rolls Cobb up, TWO! ELP STMOPS Cobb’s hands! ELP puts Cobb in a corner, knuckle locks, and CHOPS! ELP goes up, up, and tightrope walks to ARI- NO, Cobb keeps ELP from jumping away! Cobb ROCKS ELP, and ELP falls onto Oiwa and Narita! The fans fire up as all three men are down on the outside! But the clock is ticking, Cobb has to get someone in. Cobb thinks instead to build speed! The fans go nuts as Cobb FLIES! A massive tope conjilo wipes out ELP, Oiwa & Narita!

Cobb hurries to get Narita up and into the ring, then hits an URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER! Cover, ONE!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Narita survives and we pass five minutes. Cobb hauls Narita up to fireman’s carry, but Narita slips free! Oiwa DROPKICKS Cobb into Narita! Oiwa whips, Cobb reverses, but Oiwa reverses again to GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, ELP DROPKICKS it apart! ELP ENZIGIRIS Narita off a corner, then he goes up! But Oiwa CLUBS ELP! Oiwa climbs up, he brings ELP around, but then Cobb CLUBS Oiwa! Cobb brings Oiwa off the corner but Oiwa throws hands!

Oiwa grabs ELP, brings him up, and we get a TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans fire up for the Powerbomb Superplex combo, but Narita climbs up! Cobb turns around into HELL’S GUILLOTINE!! Cover, TWO!!! Narita hurries to cover Oiwa, TWO! Narita hurries to cover ELP, TWO!! And the ref is taken out at the same time! Narita grins because now he grabs his pushup bar! The fans boo as Narita storms in, but then Jado snatches the bar! The fans fire up for the Master Heater! Narita sees all his challengers are there! Oiwa CHOPS, Cobb ROCKS and ELP SUPERKICKS Narita down! The fans fire up as Narita flounders away.

Oiwa, Cobb and ELP fire up, and Oiwa fires forearms and CHOPS! ELP BOOTS Oiwa, Cobb HEADBUTTS him! Oiwa comes back, Cobb & ELP dodge! Cobb DROPKICKS, then SUDDEN DEATH from ELP! The fans fire up again as Oiwa is down! Cobb runs up, ELP goes up and over! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboards, but into Cobb’s arms! Cobb pops ELP around for an F5 THOUSAND!! ELP flounders, Cobb covers, but Oiwa breaks it! Oiwa deadlifts Cobb up with a gut wrench! Cobb fights free, Oiwa fires shots! Cobb dodges but Oiwa LARIATS Cobb down! Oiwa brings Cobb back up for a GUT WRENCH- NO, Cobb’s still too big!

Wait, Oiwa double clutches, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, but Narita YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but Narita gets his pushup bar back! But Oiwa dodges! Oiwa has the SLEEPER, then THE- PUSHUP BAR!! Narita takes out Oiwa, and now he aims at Cobb! But Cobb blocks the bar, TOSSES Narita, and he BREAKS the pushup bar!! The fans are thunderous, but then Narita LOW BLOWS Cobb! Narita shouts to the ref, and he DOUBLE- NO! Cobb stops the double crosser to take Narita on a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, ELP SWANTONS IN!! Then PLANCHAS Oiwa! Then he THUNDERKISS 86 on Narita!! Cover, ELP WINS!!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World TV Champion)

Right at the ten minute mark, The Headbanga seals the deal! ELP defeats cancer, and he defeats “the cancer” in NJPW that is the House of Torture! Will ELP make 2025 the best year he’s ever had?

The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!

President Ace told the world that his plan would be ONE MORE YEAR as an in-ring talent, ending things with WrestleKingdom 20 in 2026. But the King of Darkness made it his mission to end Tanahashi’s career prematurely! Will tonight be the last night we can cheer “GO ACE?” Or will Tanahashi finally tear down The House of Torture?

Naturally, Evil’s lumberjacks are the House of Torture: Yujiro Takahashi, Dick Togo, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho. As for Tanahashi, he is bringing his NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship teammates, Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano, but he also brings Tiger Mask and Master Wato! The bell rings and the fans all rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Evil circle, feel things out, but Sho grabs at Tanahashi! Evil attacks, then headlocks. Tanahashi endures, fights up and pries at the hold. Evil tries to power it back on, but Tanahashi still manages to put the headlock on Evil! The fans cheer while Evil endures.

Evil pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but now Tanahashi pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, counts, but only Tanahashi lets go at 4! The ref reprimands Evil more, but Evil kicks Tanahashi. Evil whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs up, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans cheer while Tanahashi air guitars. Evil staggers up, Tanahashi kicks him low, then Tanahashi whips Evil to ropes. Evil grabs ropes, bails out, and the House of Torture brings out a chair for Evil to take a seat. The fans boo as Dick fans Evil off, and Tanahashi tells Evil to get back in. Kanemaru gets on the apron as a distraction for Evil to slither in!

Evil CLUBS Tanahashi, then TOSSES him to ropes! Tanahashi holds on, but Dick grabs Tanahashi. Tanahashi BOOTS Dick away, then skins the cat, only for Evil to grab his leg! Evil BITES Tanahashi’s thigh! The ref reprimands, Evil stops at 4, and Evil DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi falls to the floor, and the House goes after him! Tanahashi’s team rushes over, the lumberjacks brawl, but The House sends Wato and Tiger Mask into railing! Evil goes out to fetch Tanahashi while Yano is also sent into railing. The House mugs Oleg while Evil POSTS Tanahashi! Evil brings out chairs, and he puts one around Tanahashi’s head!

The ref is too busy telling The House to stand down, and Evil hits the HOMERUN! The fans boo while Tanahashi falls, and Evil laughs. The House brings Wato over, and they give Evil a can of spray paint! Evil graffities Wato’s chest with a rather sloppy “H O T” for House of Torture! Sho & Kanemaru then throw Wato down while Evil goes into the ring. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Sho fetches him into the ring for Evil. Evil has a House of Torture merch shirt, but the ref confiscates it! Evil says fine, put the shirt away. He has the tag rope! Evil CHOKES Tanahashi with the rope, but lets off before the ref can see!

Evil hides the evidence, then drags Tanahashi up. Evil whips Tanahashi into the bare buckles of the blue corner! And then LARIATS him! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but none of the tricks have finished off Tanahashi yet. Evil paces, scuffs Tanahashi, and taunts him. Evil drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fires forearms! Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets go, but then Evil blocks a kick! Evil hands that to the ref, but then Tanahashi blocks Evil’s kick! The ref lets go of Tanahashi’s foot, and Tanahashi DRAGON SCREWS Evil!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Tanahashi rises up and the fans rally behind him again. Evil goes to ropes but Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms. Tanahashi whips, Evil reverses, but Tanahashi WRECKS Dick first! Tanahashi then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Evil! The rest of the House gets on the apron, but Tanahashi BLASTS them back down! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and goes back for Evil. Tanahashi brings Evil up to scoop and SLAM! Tanahashi then goes up the corner to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this, but Tanahashi waits for him to rise. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil bails out!

Evil hurries away to the ramp, but Tanahashi has his lumberjacks go get him! Oleg stomps Evil, then fireman’s carries him back to ringside! The fans cheer as Oleg puts Evil in for Tanahashi! Evil wants mercy, but Tanahashi kicks him low! Tanahashi stands Evil up but Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s face! Evil fireman’s carries, Tanahashi slips free, but Evil grabs the ref! That stops the suplex, so the ref SLAPS Evil! Tanahashi then turns Evil around for TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up and Tanahashi gives a thumbs up to the ref. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil uses the ref as a shield! The ref goes down and the House rushes in!

The fans boo but The House and Team Tanahashi brawl! Team Tanahashi is sent out and The House stomps away on Tanahashi! They set Tanahashi up for the NEW YEAR’S DICK CHOP! The fans boo but now Dick uses the SPOILER’S CHOKER on Dick! Yano CLUBS Dick! Yujiro BOOTS Yano! Tiger Mask runs in, Yujiro blocks the kicks to get the arms! But Tiger Mask ROLLING KICKS free! Sho & Kanemaru mug Tiger Mask! They double whip, but Tiger DIVES out onto Yujiro! Wato gets in but Sho & Kanemaru mug him now! Oleg runs up but they mug him, too! They double whip Oleg into the bare buckles!

Kanemaru & Sho then reel Oleg in, but Oleg fights the double suplex! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES Sho & Kanemaru! The fans are thunderous, and now Wato rises! Wato builds speed to FLY out onto Sho & Kanemaru! The fans fire up again, and now it’s just Evil and Tanahashi! Tanahashi rises, a back-up ref gets in, and the fans rally up! Tanahashi roars and runs up, but Evil sends him into bare buckles! Evil LARIATS, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil LARIATS again, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil tries again, but Tanahashi dodges! Only for Evil to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up while Evil seethes, and Evil vows to end this!

Evil drags Tanahashi up and spins him around, EVERYTHING- NO, Tanahashi fights to steal EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi hits a DRAGON SUPLEX!! Evil sits up in a daze and Tanahashi runs! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Evil survives, but Tanahashi hurries up top! Evil stands, into the HIGH FLY ATTACK! Then Tanahashi hurries right back up! HIGH FLY- NO, Evil shoves the ref into the ropes! And Dick uses POCKET SAND! Wato goes after Dick but is sent into railing! Evil rises up to get Tanahashi! The fans boo but Evil goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!!

Evil hurries to stand Tanahashi up! Fireman’s carry, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives again, but Evil steps through! SCORPION DEATH LOCK!! Tanahashi endures, reaches out, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Evil even hooks the legs to pull on the hold even harder! Tanahashi endures, the fans are thunderous, but Evil lets off in frustration. Evil argues with the ref, surely Tanahashi was done for! The ref defends that Tanahashi is still in this, and Evil drags him up. Evil winds up to LARIAT, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Evil LARIATS again! Evil stands Tanahashi up, for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! CRADLE COUNTER, TANAHASHI WINS!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (does NOT retire yet)

The fans are as shocked as anyone, but while Evil gets after the ref, the House attacks! The fans boo these sore losers, but wait! IS THAT SHIBATA?! The Wrestler has returned to NJPW and he scares off the entire House of Torture!! The fans are thunderous as Shibata, though signed with AEW, returns home to help President Ace! Shibata helps Tanahashi to his feet, and then asks for a mic. The fans fire up getting to hear from Shibata now! Shibata tells “Tanahashi-kun,” that if he’s not tired yet, how about they have a match for WrestleDynasty? The fans are losing their minds, and Shibata hands the mic over.

Tanahashi tells Shibata that he’s never tired! CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! The fans are going nuts as the inaugural WrestleDynasty gets even bigger! The Ace, the Wrestler, one more time, and perhaps the last time! Will Shibata give Tanahashi the fight of his life as only the Neo Three Musketeers can?

NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita!

The Rampaging Dragon didn’t get to meet The Alpha of the Don Callis Family in the G1 Climax, so he wanted this match as much as anyone. He also wanted Konosuke to pull his weight and bring that International Championship with him. Konosuke kept up his part of the bargain by getting past “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs at Worlds End, and now both titles are on the line! Who comes away as a true alpha of wrestling?

The introductions are made, both belts are raised, and we see who brings them both to WrestleDynasty!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Takagi seems to have the stronger support, and then both men run up! They RAM shoulders, RAM shoulders again, and again! They stare down for just a moment before Takagi fires a forearm! Takagi runs, RAMS Konosuke, but Konosuke RAMS him and BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Takagi reverses, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges to TAKESHITA LINE! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Konosuke runs up, Takagi dodges and HIP TOSSES! Konosuke gets up but Takagi RUNS him over! The fans fire up again while Takagi waits on Konosuke.

Takagi kicks Konosuke around, but Konosuke stands right up. Konosuke is taller so he literally looks down on Takagi. Takagi still fires forearms! Konosuke eggs Takagi on, so Takagi winds up to ROCK Konosuke! Konosuke shakes that off, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS Takagi down! The fans fire up as Konosuke looms over Takagi. Takagi is dazed so Konosuke goes up, to SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans rally up. Don Callis is stone faced at ringside as Konosuke clamps on a chinlock. Konosuke squeezes tight and grinds Takagi down. Takagi endures, fights up, and he fires body shots.

Takagi is free but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke runs, but Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi runs, but into a RANA! Takagi tumbles out and fans rally up as Konosuke builds speed! Takagi moves, but Konosuke changes to a PLANCHA! Takagi moves again, YANKS Konosuke off the apron, and then pop-up DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks both men. Somehow, Konosuke is okay to continue, and Takagi rises up. Takagi staggers a bit but he fires back up. Takagi brings Konosuke into the ring, then watches Konosuke go to a corner. Takagi runs up but blocks a boot, to then LARIAT through!

The fans fire up with Takagi, and Takagi puts Konosuke up top. Takagi climbs up and has Konosuke on the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Then Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke stays in this but Takagi shouts to the fans, “TOKI GA KI-” NO, Konosuke waistlocks and lifts! Takagi fights free, ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up again, and now “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer, and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Callis is worried while Takagi winds up. Takagi stands Konosuke up to pump handle, but Konosuke fights the lift! Konosuke fires elbows, but Takagi EXPLODERS!

Takagi runs up, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke runs up, into a clinch and SAIDO! But Konosuke’s back up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men rise, but then they flop over! The fans fire up for this fighting spirit, and then we see Tomohiro Ishii sitting by both belts! We all know Ishii gets the winner, so he wants to see it happen with his own eyes. Takagi and Konosuke both rise, and the fans rally up. Callis coaches Konosuke as he and Takagi go to corner. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up! He and Konosuke run in, DOUBLE LARIATS! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, then he eggs Takagi on! So Takagi gives back boxing elbows!

The fans rally, Takagi winds up, but another ALPHA ELBOW floors him! Konosuke runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, but Konosuke LARIATS first! And then scoops Takagi right into the BASTARD DRIVER! And a deadlift WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! And then Konosuke aims from a corner! POWER DRIVE- PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Takagi roars as he rises, and he brings Konosuke up. Konosuke pushes Takagi but Takagi comes back with a SLIDING FOREARM! Then a pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and Callis is relieved.

The fans rally, Takagi starts up another “OI! OI! OI!” and then rises. Konosuke slowly stands, Takagi runs, but Konosuke dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! Takagi runs, into a JUMP KNEE! A glancing blow that sends Takagi to a corner but the fans rally up. Konosuke storms up on Takagi, puts him up top now, and then Konosuke climbs. Konosuke has Takagi on the top rope, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER!! Takagi tumbles, Konosuke rises, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, ONE?!?! HOW?!?! Konosuke doesn’t question it, he just attacks with BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous again but Konosuke vows to end this! Konosuke suplexes, but Takagi scoops! Fireman’s carry, and LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! A rough landing for Konosuke, but Takagi can’t make the cover!! Callis is again worried but both men are stirring. Takagi sits up first, and he grabs at Konosuke. The fans rally, and that energy wills Takagi on! Takagi has Konosuke for a POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Konosuke stays up so Takagi LARIATS again! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Takagi runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke goes up to POISON-RANA! And then TAKAGI POISON-RANAS??! But Konosuke hits a BLINDSIDE ALPHA ELBOW!!

The fans are thunderous and Callis is proud of his man for fighting this hard! Konosuke rises, takes off the elbow pad, but Takagi runs up! Konosuke ROCKS him, and ROCKS him again! Konosuke fires more forearms, then winds up, but Takagi fires a flurry! HEADBUTT! JAB! HEADBUTT again! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! PUMPING BOMBER??! Both men stagger around, ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke hurries to suplex! RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (DUAL NEVER Openweight & AEW International Champion)

The Alpha slays the Rampaging Dragon, and now he brings more gold home to the Don Callis Family! But the Stone Pitbull is still stone faced. Will Ishii just take both those belts away from Konosuke at WrestleDynasty? Or will Konosuke continue to prove why he is All Elite?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado!

Japones Del Mal has proved haters and doubters wrong again and again as he has overcome the best the Junior Heavyweight Division has to offer. But now, The Rogue Luchador is back and he wants to see if he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. Will these amigos still be on good terms after fighting on the biggest stage in NJPW?

As part of Douki’s entrance, he has a special guest in the famed kabuki actor, Shido Nakamura! Nakamura whips his wild white hair around, and then there’s pyro before Douki rises from under the stage! Douki fist bumps with Nakamura before continuing down to the ramp. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who best represents the fusion of lucha and puro-resu!

The bell rings and fans rally up already. Douki and Desperado hear the dueling as they circle. They step up, then speed up! Douki ducks ‘n’ dodges, Despy hurdles then does the splits! Douki leaps over, sidesteps, then he does the splits! Despy leaps over, things keep moving, and Douki tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Despy tumbles out, but he also hurries away before Douki can build speed. The fans cheer this opening exchange and Despy goes to the apron. Douki BLASTS Despy down, then he DIVES! Direct hit into railing and the fans fire up! Douki puts Despy in the ring, but Despy yoyos back out to RAM Douki into railing!

Despy hurries inside and he builds speed to DIVE!! Direct hit right into railing! The fans fire up and Despy goes out to get them even hotter! Despy then fetches Douki, and he whips Douki hard into railing. Despy tells media to move, then whips again, but Douki sends Despy into railing! Despy staggers away, the ring count is climbing, but Douki fetches Despy. They brawl at the ramp, but the count is 10 of 20! Then 13! The brawling keeps going, we hit 15, and Despy puts Douki in. The fans cheer as Douki takes a swing, but into Despy’s BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Douki shakes his head, he’s tougher than that.

Despy shakes it off and he storms up on Douki. Douki CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Despy ROCKS Douki, Douki tries some misdirection, but Despy still blocks the uppercut! Despy ROCKS Douki, but Douki ENZIGIRIS Despy! The fans rally up and Douki brings Despy around. Douki whips, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Despy talks some trash, but Douki catches him into the ITALIAN STRETCH 32! But Despy powers out to have the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Douki endures, crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Despy lets go, and the fans cheer.

Despy catches his breath and nods as he stalks over to Douki. Douki BOOTS Despy, goes up and out to the apron, then slingshots for DAY- NO, Despy stops Daybreak to then pop Douki around for a suplex! Douki slips out, goes up, MYSTERIO RANA! Despy tumbles out, Douki builds speed, but Despy hurries away. Only for Douki to go up, up and SUPER SENTON into the railing!! Did Despy counter bomb at the last second?! The fans are going nuts, did Douki also bust his elbow? The ref checks while Despy gets himself to the ring. The ref talks with Douki, Douki points to his left elbow, and the ref calls it!! Referee stoppage, and Desperado wins?!?

Winner: El Desperado, by referee stoppage (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

The Rogue Luchador is frustrated, because while he wanted to win, he wanted to beat Douki himself. Both men were going so hard, so fast, someone was bound to crash ‘n’ burn. Desperado checks on his amigo while also picking up the title belt. Desperado grabs the mic on his way back into the ring, and he tells Douki that when they go this hard, put everything you have, things like this tend to happen. Desperado apologizes to the fans that he won’t apologize for how this went down. “This is the inevitable result when you put your all into something. We will do this again, and I hope you’ll be there to see it. This is by no means over!”

Desperado does his best to keep the fighting spirits hot, with more WrestleKingdom and more NJPW to go! Will Douki rise up better than before to prove to himself that he IS the best in the world?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji!

The Rebel may do a lot of underhanded things just to win, but he crossed the line calling the injured Yuya Uemura a coward for not answering the challenge. The Gene Blast stepped up for his friend and rival, and now he’s the one aiming for Finlay’s gold. Will Yota make Finlay regret having such a big ego? Or will no one take this title from Finlay ever again?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has that dog in them!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YOTA! YOTA!” as he stares down with Finlay. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but then Finlay pulls hair! The ref reprimands but they end up on ropes, then a corner. Finlay scuffs Yota with his forearm, even as the ref reprimands. Finlay thrashes Yota around, lets off slowly, but then Yota ROCKS him! Finlay fires back but Yota ROCKS him again! They go forearm for forearm, but Yota ROCKS Finlay again! Yota whips corner to corner, Finlay reverses, but Yota boots. Finlay blocks, but Yota reels him in for a DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer but Gedo is upset.

Yota brings Finlay up but Finlay CLAWS Yota’s face! The ref reprimands, Finlay runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Finlay flounders out of the ring but Yota takes aim. Yota builds speed, but Finlay hurries away! The fans boo but Yota just adjusts course! Yota DIVES, but Finlay manages to catch him! And RAM him into the apron! Finlay then fireman’s carries to run and LAWN DART! Yota manages to deflect off the post, but then Finlay CLOBBERS him into railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay grins and Gedo applauds while Yota writhes. The ref checks and Yota is able to continue.

Finlay drags Yota up, puts him in the ring, and Finlay stands on Yota for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay brings Yota up. Finlay scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Finlay grins. Finlay rains down fists on Yota, the ref reprimands, but Finlay stops at 4. Finlay paces, then flips off fans. The fans boo but Finlay just spits at them! Finlay goes back to Yota, clinches, but Yota fights with elbows! Finlay knees low, clinches again, but Yota arm-drags free! Yota gets Finlay for a BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination while Finlay sputters.

Yota brings Finlay up and he fires forearms! Yota whips, Finlay reverses, but Yota CLOBBERS him! Yota keeps moving, BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Yota stays focused. Finlay goes to a corner, Yota runs up to SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, and he RANAS Finlay out of the ring! The fans cheer while Finlay flounders, and Yota builds speed again! Yota FOSBURY FLOPS! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous! Yota paces around the outside while Finlay sputters. Yota brings Finlay back up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Yota drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the suplex!

Finlay tries to suplex but Yota fights him! Finlay wrenches out to ROCK Yota, but Yota ROCKS Finlay! Forearms go back and forth again, and Yota grins as he fires off a flurry! Yota ROCKS Finlay, then runs up, but Finlay dodges! Finlay returns to LARIAT Yota up and over, and ends up going with him! They both tumble to the floor while the fans fire up again. Finlay grins as he rises, and he staggers over to Yota. Finlay brings Yota up to fireman’s carry, and he gives him a LAWN DART into the post! Yota goes down in a heap and Gedo cheers, but the fans boo as Finlay opens the gate. Finlay goes to the timekeeper’s table and clears it off!

Finlay drags Yota up and over to the table, for an IRISH CURSE through the table! The fans boo but Finlay is all smiles as he stands over the wreckage. Finlay leaves Yota behind and the ring count begins. Finlay soaks up all the heat from the Tokyo Dome while flipping them off. The count reaches 5 of 20, then 10. Yota crawls from the wreckage but he has to get around the railing. The count is 15, Yota hobbles and falls, tripping over wires! Yota gets free at 18, and he slides in at 19! The fans cheer but Finlay is right on Yota with a suplex TOSS! Finlay grins and flexes while he aims from th ecorner.

Yota rises, Finlay runs up and UPPERCUTS! Finlay then reels Yota in, but Yota suplexes Finlay into the corner! The fans fire up while Finlay writhes. Yota stands, storms over to Finlay, and he drags Finlay up. Yota hoists Finlay to the top rope, then he climbs up. The fans rally as Yota goes to the very top, but then Finlay shoves him down! Yota tumbles, rises back up, and he GAMANGIRIS Finlay! Yota climbs back up, but Finlay fires body shots! Finlay gets under Yota for a SUPER POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Finlay is frustrated and he reels Yota in to Canadian Rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!

And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that vicious hattrick, and Finlay is frustrated all over again. Finlay drags Yota up but Yota’s deadweight! The ref checks Yota while Finlay grins again. The fans rally for Yota while Finlay paces. Finlay drags Yota up, but Yota pushes him away, only for Yota to fall back over! Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota cradle counters! TWO!! Finlay escapes, ROCKS Yota, then LARIATS! Yota manages to stay up but Finlay LARIATS again! And LARIATS again! Yota fires a forearm but Finlay LARIATS! Yota rebounds, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then GENE TRIGGER!

Finlay rebounds, SPEAR but into a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up for Yota as he roars and rises up! Yota drags Finlay to a drop zone, then goes to the corner. Yota goes up, up, and MAROON- NO, Finlay gets under the crush! And he gets Yota up for a POWERBOMB! Finlay brings Yota back up, to BUCKLE BOMB! And then another POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota barely survives and Finlay is beside himself! Gedo coaches Finlay while the fans rally behind Yota. Finlay grins again as he stands back up, and he drags Yota by the hair. Finlay reels Yota in, gets him up, but Yota RANAS Finlay into buckles!

Yota runs up and he GENE TRIGGERS in the corner! The fans fire up as Yota roars! Yota goes up, up and MAROON CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Gedo fires up! The fans rally again and Yota goes to a corner. Yota powers up and Finlay rises, GENE- CUTTER!! Finlay catches Yota and suplexes, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Finlay is pulling at his own hair! Finlay storms around, slashes his throat, and he drags Yota up. Finlay suplexes, but Yota slips out! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Finlay SPEARS! And then he suplexes for OVER- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Finlay ends up staggering around, into GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!

Finlay survives by a literal foot and Yota can’t believe it! The fans still rally behind Yota and he grins as he stands back up. Finlay sputters but still grabs at Yota. Yota drags Finlay up, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Finlay staggers to the ropes, comes back, and Yota ROCKS him again! Finlay staggers around more, Gedo coaches him, but Yota ROCKS him again! And again! And then HEADBUTTS! Finlay drops to his knees but Yota roars! Yota runs, CURB STOMP! Yota roars again and the fans are thunderous! Yota goes to a corner, takes aim as Finlay rises, and GENE- NO, Finlay gator rolls, OVERKILL!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?

Finlay cannot believe it but Yota survives! Finlay hurries to try again! But Yota suplexes! Finlay slips free, backslides, but Yota rolls through! But into OVER- NO, Yota powers out and KNEES Finlay! Then Yota hits a POWERBOMB!! Finlay flounders, staggers up, into GENE BLASTER!!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Tokyo Dome erupts as Yota proves NJPW doesn’t need The Rebel! Yota grabs the Global Heavyweight Championship for his own, but will this be just the beginning of Yota’s legend? As for Finlay, he has to fight again tomorrow night against AEW’s Brody King! Is the King of Death going to show Finlay who’s the real Boss Dog in wrestling?

Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi!

While it is unfortunate that Henare was injured during World Tag League, denying Los Ingobernables de Japon their shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, it did open things to a unique opportunity. The Uncontrollable Charisma and Ticking Timebomb were meant to battle as IWGP World and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions four years ago, if not for the pandemic. Now Naito and Hiromu can have their 1v1 on NJPW’s biggest stage, who proves to be the strongest in LIJ?

The fans rally already as Naito takes off his newest entrance attire. It’s still as elaborate and stylish as the other ones, but he actually starts with the pants first. Hiromu still knows to be patient, as he is familiar with Naito’s tricks. Naito puts the shirt aside, then offers the LIJ fist bump. Hiromu smiles, but leaves Naito hanging! The fans are surprised, but perhaps this is Hiromu playing mind games in return. The bell rings, the fans duel, and Naito takes his time stepping forward. Hiromu meets him, they tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Naito slips around to waistlock, but Hiromu switches. Hiromu nelsons but Naito arm-drags free.

Things speed up, Naito drops down then dodges, to roll and tranquilo! But he avoids Hiromu’s basement dropkick to return the favor! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring but Naito rolls out the side. Naito storms up and kicks low! Then he CLUBS Hiromu, whips, but Hiromu blocks. Naito puts Hiromu in the ring and the fans applaud. Naito takes his time rolling back in, then he storms up again. Naito clamps on a cravat to wrench the neck, but Hiromu fires body shots. Hiromu is free, then runs, but into an atomic drop! Naito turns Hiromu for the NECKBREAKER, then clamps on the LEG LOCK NELSON! The fans rally while Hiromu endures.

Naito thrashes Hiromu around, but Hiromu still kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Naito claims he needs help. Red Shoes undoes the leg lock and Naito stands over Hiromu. Naito stomps Hiromu around, then brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Naito SPITS at Hiromu, then kicks low. Naito whips, Hiromu reverses and LARIATS in the corner! Then Hiromu snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, but Hiromu steps on his face. The fans applaud as Hiromu gives back the taunting, then Hiromu drags Naito up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries, Naito slips free and he shoves Hiromu to a corner. Naito runs up but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs, but Naito ducks to run, only for Hiromu to catch him and spin him! Hiromu suplexes, Naito knees free, but Hiromu takes a swing. Naito dodges, then Hiromu dodges back! Naito sidesteps to arm-drag, ELBOW, and basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Hiromu writhes. Naito catches his breath, drags Hiromu up, and whips him to a corner. Naito runs up to ELBOW Hiromu, then turn him, and hold him, and hold… for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer.

Naito crawls to the cover, TWO! Hiromu is tougher than that but Naito stays calm. Naito drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Naito fights free, but Hiromu avoids the elbow to fireman’s carry again! Hiromu throws Naito over the ropes, then SUPERKICKS him! Then Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB to the floor! The fans fire up and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, puts him in the ring, then hurries to wrench and fireman’s carry again. TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Naito’s tougher than that but Hiromu stays calm. Hiromu drags Naito back up, fireman’s carries again, but Naito sunset flips! TWO!

Hiromu and Naito hurry up, Naito runs up but Hiromu sidesteps to then GERMAN SUPLEX! Naito is down, the fans rally up, and Hiromu encourages them to get louder. Hiromu drags Naito back up, runs, but Naito ducks! Naito runs, but the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER finds him anyway! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, TIMEBOMB 1.0!! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans rally up again. Hiromu drags Naito back up, dragon sleepers, but Naito turns around! Hiromu still suplexes but Naito fights it! Naito dodges, TORNADO- NO, Hiromu fights the DDT! Naito tries again, but Hiromu rolls through the DDT to have a cover, TWO!

Both men are down and catching their breath, but the fans rally up again. Hiromu waits on Naito, then SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Naito flounders but Hiromu brings him back up. Hiromu dragon sleepers, but Naito fights Timebomb 2 into DESTINO! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Naito slowly sits up and he stands over Hiromu. Naito brings Hiromu up, and he fires the heavy back elbows! Hiromu stays up so Naito adds on a few more! Hiromu goes to a corner, Naito hops up and reels him in. ESPERANZA! Hiromu flounders, Naito goes back to the corner, and he takes aim.

Naito runs up, CORRIEN- NO, Naito has to duck a Heel Kick first! Then CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but Hiromu powers that into a TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. Hiromu sits up first and he pounds the mat in frustration. The fans fire up as Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, facelocks, then dragon sleepers! But Naito fights free again, to ripcord and ELBOW! Naito fires more heavy elbows, but Hiromu leans on Naito. Naito throws more elbows, but Hiromu just fires up!

Naito fires even more heavy elbows! Hiromu eggs Naito on so the elbows keep coming! Hiromu drops to his knees, but he leans on Naito all the same. Naito stands Hiromu up for even more elbows! Hiromu gets fed up, but Naito ENZIGIRIS! And a wrench, but Hiromu wrenches back! HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE! TWO!!! Naito narrowly escapes, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS him into buckles! Wait, Hiromu wrenches and tilt-o-whirls? HIROMU DESTINO!! The fans are fired up as Hiromu hurries to get Naito up, for the dragon sleeper and TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!??! Naito survives and the fans are thunderous!

Hiromu grits his teeth, and he roars again! The fans fire up as Hiromu has Naito’s arm, straitjacket and dragon sleeper, for TIMEBOMB- NO, Naito fights off MK 2.5! Naito KNEES free, then blocks a superkick! Naito SLAPS Hiromu, and Hiromu goes to ropes. The fans fire up as Hiromu’s rage boils over! Hiromu runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches, and DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Hiromu survives, Naito’s plan to take advantage of his rage didn’t work! Naito drags Hiromu up, scoops and SLAMS him, then he goes to the corner! Fans fire up, but Hiromu anchors Naito’s legs!

The fans rally as Hiromu grabs hold of the leg. Naito drags Hiromu up, SLAPS him again, then reels him in to scoop and VALENTIA!! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion beats the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, proving that even now, Hiromu has a long way to go before he can get one over on him! Hiromu’s fighting spirit and passion were powerful, but Naito wins out for being tranquilo through and through. Naito puts his baseball cap back on, and he raises the LIJ fist. Hiromu slowly sits up, then stumbles around as he tries to stand. Hiromu leans on Naito in order to get to his feet, and though frustrated with himself, he bows to “Shishou,” and raises the fist! Will the 2024 World Tag League winners still look to go after the IWGP Tag Team Championships together in the future?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino!

The Front Man won the G1 Climax, then dared to shake things up and have his title match in Ryogoku. ZSJ won the title and put the target on his back, will the Roughneck hit the mark? Or will ZSJ prove it’s still too soon for Shota’s Paradigm Shift?

ZSJ has TMDK with him as he makes his entrance, but Shota is a lone wolf tonight. But Shota’s hair has returned to the hot pink he had before, perhaps a symbol of his renewed determination. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who reigns supreme in this WrestleKingdom!

New Year, new champs?

AEW also takes Collision to the MAX, as Private Party defend their World Tag Team Championships while Daniel Garcia defend his TNT Championship! Will the landscape of AEW change already?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Mark Briscoe; Garcia wins and retains the title.
• Jeff Jarrett VS Aaron Solo; Jarrett wins.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: Private Party VS Lio Rush & Action Andretti; Private Party wins and retains the titles.
• Toni Storm VS Deonna Purrazzo w/ Taya Valkyrie; Toni wins.
• $100K Fatal 4 Way: Komander VS Dante Martin VS Brian Cage VS The Beast Mortos; Cage wins and earns the $100,000 prize.
• Six Man Tag: #RatedFTR VS The Learning Tree; Rated FTR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“It’s the New Year, but the only thing I’m bringing new is the fact that I’m cranking it up, baby! The violence! The intensity! All that! Tonight, Daniel Garcia, I’m coming for that TNT title! Danny G, you’re my boi, but I must whoop dat ass tonight, cuz I need that TNT title! Let’s go, baby! ARF ARF AAAH!”

Daniel Garcia speaks.

“Tonight, we make history. The first ever simulcast, TNT, MAX, Mark Briscoe, Daniel Garcia. Mark, I like you, but everybody in Charlotte, North Carolina wants to see a fight tonight, and I do, too. Let’s get it!”

The Learning Tree speaks.

Big Bill starts by telling Rated FTR that tonight, you get taken to school. They won’t give you a rating, they’re giving you a grade. Bryan Keith says they’re gonna flunk, dumbass! Chris Jericho says, “See you soon, guys.” Then his smile slowly sours to a frown.

Rated FTR speaks.

Dax Harwood says that for the first time ever, Collision is on both MAX and TNT. And three days after an absolute war on Dynamite, Rated FTR makes their Collision debut. And it is against Jericho & The Learning Tree. Cash Wheeler says more like The Ugly Trees. Or maybe they fell out of an ugly tree, hit every ugly branch, then got run over by an ugly bus driven by an ugly bus driver, full of ugly kids. Well, that said, #TopGuysOut. But will things get ugly here on the first Saturday night of 2025?

AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Mark Briscoe!

A rematch from the 2024 Continental Classic, Red Death wants to redeem himself against the Sussex County Chicken. Will Garcia make sure he’s still the Face of TNT in the New Year? Or will Briscoe take the intensity to the MAX?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Collision kicks off with gold!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Garcia and Briscoe circle, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but then Briscoe finds a point of leverage. Briscoe puts Garcia in a corner, the ref counts, and Briscoe lets off cleanly. The fans cheer and  Briscoe resets with Garcia. They tie up again, are in another deadlock, and Garcia waistlocks. Garcia spins Briscoe to snapmare, but then he lets off. Briscoe stands, the two circle again. The fans duel and the two feel things out. They tie up again, and Briscoe headlocks. Garcia powers up, powers out, but Briscoe grabs ropes. Briscoe ELBOWS Garcia, then TOSSES him out!

The fans fire up and Briscoe builds speed, but Garcia slides in while Briscoe slides out! The fans are torn but Garcia waits on Briscoe to return. Briscoe dares Garcia to bring the fight to him on the outside instead. The fans fire up but the ring count climbs, so Briscoe goes back into the ring. Briscoe and Garcia reset, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Briscoe wrenches, Garcia rolls and wrenches back. Briscoe rolls, trips Garcia, then drops into a headlock. Garcia headscissors, Briscoe kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Briscoe and Garcia circle again, the dueling continues, and the two tie up again.

Garcia waistlocks, rolls Briscoe, then ties up the legs. The fans rally as Garcia then hooks the legs, and he hears the fans get louder. Garcia STOMPS the legs, and Briscoe gets frustrated. The two reset, tie up, and Briscoe headlocks for the takeover. Garcia headscissors, Briscoe kips free, and now roles reverse as Garcia headlocks for the takeover but Briscoe headscissors. Garcia kips free, Briscoe kicks low! Briscoe underhooks but Garcia trips him! Garcia has the legs but Briscoe kicks him away! Another standoff and the fans cheer again. Garcia puts up his dukes, and he does his dance! Briscoe runs up but Garcia TOSSES him!

Garcia waits on Briscoe again, but Briscoe again dares Garcia to come get him. Garcia holds the ropes open, the ring count climbs, but Briscoe goes around the side to slide step in on his own. Briscoe won’t let Garcia do him like that, and the two go again. They tie up, break, then Briscoe dodges to CHOP! And ROCK! And CHOP again! Briscoe brings Garcia in to suplex high and hard! Cover, ONE!! Garcia is tougher than that, but Briscoe brings him up. Briscoe swings, Garcia gets around and spins Briscoe for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! And then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! Cover off the hattrick, TWO!

Briscoe goes to the corner, Garcia runs up, and Garcia LARIATS! Garcia climbs up, the fans count along as he rains down fists, buy Briscoe stops him at 5! Briscoe then UPPERCUTS Garcia off the corner! Garcia falls, Briscoe runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Briscoe goes to the apron! BLOCKBUSTER to the floor! The fans fire up more and Mark hops up onto the railing. The fans cheer as Collision goes picture in picture.

Briscoe drags Garcia up, CHOPS him, then follows him to the barriers. Briscoe ROCKS Garcia, CHOPS him, then refreshes the ring count. Briscoe then kicks Garcia, then snap suplexes him to the floor! The fans cheer while Briscoe goes up to the apron. BANG BANG, FOLEY ELBOW DROP! Briscoe has the fans all fired up, then he ROCKS Garcia. Briscoe again refreshes the ring count, and he BOOTS Garcia against railing! Briscoe CHOPS Garcia, the fans cheer, and then Briscoe CHOPS Garcia again! Briscoe brings Garcia around, but Garcia fights the suplex! Garcia slips free, slips into the ring, but Briscoe follows him.

Briscoe aims from the apron, RAMS into Garcia, then slingshots to sunset flip! Garcia rolls through and he gets a leg! Briscoe fights but Garcia still turns him over for a HALF CRAB! Briscoe endures, even as Garcia sits on the hold! Briscoe turns over and he kicks at Garcia! Garcia just steps through, only for Briscoe to BOOT him to the apron! Collision returns to single picture as Briscoe ROCKS Garcia! Garcia holds onto the ropes, Briscoe fires more shots! Garcia hits back! The fans rally as the haymakers go back and forth! Garcia then fires a flurry! Garcia storms in, storms up, but Briscoe body shots!

Briscoe suplexes but Garcia fights it! Garcia tries to suplex but Briscoe fights it! They fight for control, and Briscoe suplexes Garcia and himself up and out of the ring! The fans fire up while both men are down on the floor! The ring count climbs, both men stir at 4 of 10, but Briscoe grabs a foot. Garcia kicks free, goes to the apron, but Briscoe drags him back out! Garcia BOOTS Briscoe away, rolls into the ring, but Briscoe follows! Garcia catches Briscoe, but Briscoe goes to backdrop! Garcia fights that off, but Briscoe REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Briscoe runs, but into a BOOT! Briscoe BOOTS in return!

Garcia rebounds, gets under, SAIDO! But Briscoe is right up! Both men run, Briscoe LARIATS first!! The fans fire up for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” making this the first match. Briscoe and Garcia rise up, and Briscoe runs up. Garcia BOOTS back, but Briscoe LARIATS again! Briscoe suplexes for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Garcia survives and the fans fire up! Briscoe calls his shot, hauls Garcia up and reels him in. Underhook and- NO, Garcia fights the driller! Briscoe adjusts to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Garcia survives, then he clings to the ref, he must really be in a daze if he doesn’t know who is who!

Briscoe drags Garcia up, fireman’s carries, but Garcia fights with elbows! Garcia is free, and he JABS! Briscoe shakes his head, but Garcia JABS again! Briscoe fires up, but Garcia JABS, JABS, and JABS! Briscoe roars, the fans fire up, but Garcia fires a haymaker! Briscoe fires back, the fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Briscoe fires a flurry, but Garcia CHOPS! And ROCKS! And repeat! Garcia whips, Briscoe reverses and CHOPS! Then Briscoe fires forearms to put Garcia in a corner! Briscoe lets off, takes a swing, but Garcia dodges! Garcia CHOPS again! Garcia climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to 6 before Briscoe shoves him down!

Garcia comes back with a SHOTGUN! The fans fire up as Garcia goes for more shots! Garcia goes right to nine, then winds up for TEN! Garcia snarls, he reels Briscoe in, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Briscoe survives and the fans fire up! Garcia snarls and he reels Briscoe in, but Briscoe BACKDROPS free! Briscoe underhooks but Garcia wrenches and body scissors for a takedown! Garcia has the legs, and he steps over for the DRAGON TAMER!! Briscoe endures, the fans rally, and Briscoe reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Garcia lets go in frustration, but he drags Briscoe up in a corner. Garcia CHOPS Briscoe, puts him up top, then climbs.

The fans rally as Garcia brings Briscoe up to the very top, but Briscoe fires body shots! Briscoe then UPPERCUTS, and Garcia falls! The three minute warning is given, and Briscoe vows to end this! FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO!! Garcia survives and Briscoe fires up! Briscoe calls his shot, underhooks Garcia, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Garcia survives by a literal foot and Briscoe is stunned! Briscoe slashes his throat, he drags Garcia up again! Straitjacket, but Garcia grabs the ropes! Briscoe CLUBS away on Garcia, torture racks, but Garcia slips free! Tackle and jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

With two minutes to spare, Garcia finds a way to win! Briscoe shows Garcia respect, that was definitely a fight! But will Garcia be able to keep up the pace through 2025?

The Death Riders speak.

Specifically, Wheeler Yuta tells Jay White that he had no business interfering with the main event match on Dynamite! But now, he is a marked man! White is Yuta’s target, because nobody, and he means NOBODY- Moxley has Yuta calm down, and he brings up FTR. Moxley has always had respect men who are a defining tag team in their generation. In Moxley’s generation. Taking old school to the next level, like their generation does. They are representative of an artform that is tag team competition. Two of the toughest SOBs East of the Mississippi. But FTR crossed a line interfering in Moxley’s business.

FTR paid a price, but as far as Moxley’s concerned, that was the end of it. Then what’d FTR do? They created a whole new mess! And they didn’t come alone, they brought a “friend,” if that’s what we’re calling it. What do we know about “Cope,” Adam Copeland? A legend, an innovator, perennial champion, and he has the gold to prove it. Reigns, belts, trophies, whatever you want. Spent nearly a decade on the shelf with a broken neck, almost extinct. But he defied the laws of nature to come to a new, more unforgiving world, in the most unforgiving sport in the world. Cope came up the hard way. Been through everything, seen everything.

But he’s always been a frontrunner. This new world, this AEW of the future… In Moxley’s world, survival comes at a cost, so Cope will have to become something new. If Rated FTR wants to keep going down this road, Moxley won’t stop them. But he promises them that they will find nothing good down this road. Hell on Earth, if you will. Moxley leads The Death Riders away, but will the New Year be the end for their enemies?

Jeff Jarrett VS Aaron Solo!

The Last Outlaw declared on Wednesday that his last wrestling contract is right here in AEW, and he wants to be AEW World Champion before the ride’s over! Double J got the better of QT Marshall, will he do the same to QT’s sidekick? Or will Solo remind us all that he’s Extra Talented?

Solo goes after Jarrett before the bell! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Solo keeps after Jarrett as the bell rings. Solo ROCKS Jarrett, whips him, then ELBOWS him down! Solo soaks up the heat while he mocks the Fargo Strut. Solo CLUBS Jarrett, ROCKS him again, but the fans rally for Double J. Solo laughs, whips Jarrett again, but Jarrett reverses and CLOBBERS Solo! And CLOBBERS him again! Solo blocks a kick but not the ENZIGIRI! Jarrett then runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! The fans fire up as we get the real Fargo Strut! Solo runs up, Jarrett dodges, and then Jarrett BACKDROPS him! Solo writhes but Jarrett brings him up.

Jarrett whips, Solo reverses, but Jarrett reverses back to KNEE low, and THE STROKE! But that’s not all, THE STROKE ENCORE! Cover, Jarrett wins!

Winner: Jeff Jarrett, by pinfall

The Last Outlaw puts this one to bed fast, he is all tuned up and ready to go for next week’s Casino Gauntlet! Will Jarrett earn himself that golden ticket to Maximum Carnage in Cincinnati? Will Moxley make Jarrett regret sticking around another year?

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Private Party VS Lio Rush & Action Andretti!

Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy brokered the #1 contenders match between both sides of Top Flight Airlines, and little did anyone know that The Bad Child & Sight to See would resort to new lows just to win. But now it is time for their “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” at these titles, will Lio & Action make sure they’re the Men of the Hour? Or will there be no end to this party?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see whose time it is!

The teams sort out but there’s already some trash talk and even some shoving. The ref reprimands, gets the teams to sort out already, and Lio starts against Brother Zay. The fans rally as Zay and Lio circle. They talk more smack, the fans rally behind Private Party, and then Lio steps to Quen! Lio grins, Zay runs up, but Lio slips around. Zay elbows Lio, whips, but Lio reverses. Zay dodges Lio to BLAST Action! Lio BLASTS Zay, Quen BLASTS Lio! Then things start going off on the outside! The fans fire up as Private Party gets the edge, and they put the challengers back in the ring. The fans cheer, but then Lio & Action regroup.

Private Party returns, Zay blocks Action’s boot to give it to Lio. Quen kicks but Lio ducks! Zay ENZIGIRIS Action! Quen blocks Lio’s kick, flips him, then Zay pops Lio up for an atomic drop! ENZIGIRI! Action returns but into a DOUBLE BACKDROP! The fans fire up with Private Party, then they set up with Lio in the corner. PARTY IN- NO, Action drags Quen out and Lio CLOBBERS Zay! Quen is sent into barriers, then a DOUBLE SUPLEX onto the apron! The fans boo but Action & Lio mug Zay with their strike fest combos! They kick legs out then double FALCON ARROW! Cover by Lio, TWO!

Zay stays in this but Lio grins as he looms over him. The fans boo but Lio mocks the shots. Lio drags Zay up, the fans chant “LIO SUCKS!” Lio ROCKS Zay to the corner, tags Action, and they double snapmare. Zay sits up into a KICK after KICK! Then Action & Lio both run, DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH! Zay writhes, Quen crawls to the corner, but Action stomps a mudhole into Zay. Action stands Zay up to CHOP, but Zay CHOPS! Action RAMS into Zay again and again, then sits him down. Action goes corner to corner and back again, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

The fans continue to rally but Action BOOTS Quen back down! Action stalks Zay, drags him up, and brings him to Lio. Lio tags in, he and Action DOUBLE SUPLEX! Zay writhes and Lio soaks up the heat. Lio talks smack, stomps away on Zay, then throws hands. Zay flounders, Quen drags himself up to the corner, but Lio stays between them while Collision goes picture in picture.

Lio wrenches Zay for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Lio taunts Quen, facelocks Zay and gator rolls him away. The ref won’t honor the tag via Lio’s foot, which Lio argues about, but Zay rolls Lio up! TWO!! Lio CLOBBERS Zay! Lio keeps Zay down with a headlock and Action talks smack to fans. The fans talk smack back while Lio rains down fists. Lio drags Zay up, brings him over to bump off buckles, and he tags Action. They mug Zay, stomp a mudhole in, but they stop as the ref counts 4. Action drags Zay to a cocky cover, TWO! Action scuffs Zay, taunts him, then stands him up. Zay CHOPS back and fires off hands, and Collision goes to break!

Collision returns and Action has Zay down again. Action may have also knocked Quen back down, he isn’t on the apron. Lio steps in so that he and Action can double whip Zay to the corner. Action runs up, but Zay TOSSES Action out! Lio runs up but Zay pops him up for a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while Zay crawls, and Quen returns to the apron! Zay crawls, Lio grabs at feet, but Zay kicks free! Hot tag to Quen! The fans fire up as Quen rallies on Action! Forearm, forearm, BOOT, ROUNDHOUSE! Lio runs up, Quen fireman’s carries, but the back stops him! Lio goes to a corner, Quen runs up, but Lio BOOTS him!

Lio goes up, but Quen GAMANGIRIS! Quen fireman’s carries now, and he DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Lio onto Action! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Quen brings Action over. Tag to Zay, and Zay puts Action up top! GAMANGIRI, and then Zay whips Quen, but Quen collapses! Zay helps Quen to his feet, then he ROCKS Action. Zay brings Action in, but Action denies the Twist of Fate! Action sends Zay into Lio’s CUTTER! Quen is stuck up top for Action’s SUPER SPANISH FLY! Lio DIVES onto Zay, then puts him back in! Lio hoists Zay up top, calls to Action, then climbs. Lio SUPER STEEINERS Zay into a CUTTER! GIN & JUICE?!? Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Lio & Action could not score using Private Party’s own move! Lio & Action talk out what to do next, and wait! Top Flight is in the crowd taunting them! Lio & Action ignore Dante & Darius to climb up, but Quen gets in to help Zay. Zay & Quen dare Lio & Action to bring the fight, so Action & Lio run up! The hands fly and the fans fire up! Private Party gets the edge, then run, but Lio & Action both dodge! They send Private Party at each other, but Quen & Zay dosido! QUADRUPLE LARIATS take everyone down! The fans fire up and Top Flight pretend to be worried for Lio & Action.

Hot tags to Lio and Quen, and Lio gets around to ROCK Quen’s back! Lio runs, RUSH- NO! Quen stops the stunner to TOSS Lio! Zay CANNONBALLS Lio down! But Action ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS Zay! The fans boo but Quen is going up top! SUPER SWANTON! Down go Lio & Action! The fans fire up while Quen puts Lio in. Tag to Zay and he kicks Lio! TWIST OF FATE! Quen goes up, SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Cover, but Action 450 SPLASHES onto it all! Top Flight admits, that was good. Action drags Lio to their corner and then tags himself in. Action & Lio go after Zay but Zay fires off shots! But Action blocks his kick!

Zay still fights, and he manages a STUNNER on Lio! But action fireman’s carries! Zay fights with elbows, then goes to the apron. Zay GAMANGIRIS, sunset flips, but Action stays up! Lio grabs Action’s hand! DANTE BREAKS THAT UP! Zay rolls Action, PRIVATE PARTY WINS!!

Winners: Private Party, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Lio is furious, but Top Flight made sure justice was served! Will Darius & Dante make sure Lio & Action are humbled for the New Year?

Backstage interview with “Cope,” Adam Copeland.

Lexy Nair is with the Rated R Superstar and says Rated FTR takes on The Learning Tree, Chris Jericho and his group. But she wants to take us back to Worlds End, seeing him and FTR target The Death Riders. Why? Cope says it is real simple: You attack his friends, now they have a problem. Moxley and his Death Riders, they threw Darby Allin down a flight of stairs in the Hammerstein Ballroom, we haven’t seen Darby in the week since, no telling when he will be back. The Death Riders also attacked FTR, very dear friends of Cope’s. Therefore, we have a problem. And there’s also the fact that Jon Moxley is the AEW World Champion.

And while Cope was gone, he heard Moxley say that no one here wants to be AEW World Champion. Well, Cope wasn’t here, but he’s an ELEVEN-TIME World Champion! And it’s time to make that a dirty dozen! Cope won’t hide that title in a bag or a briefcase, hide it in a pouch, he will wear it around his waist proudly, like a world champion should! So Moxley, it is- Wait, Chris Jericho walks over. The ROH World Champion hears Cope talking about Moxley, but don’t forget what he has in front of him tonight, here on Collision. Because while Cope was gone, Jericho became a world champion for a NINTH time!

Jericho is El Nueve, the King of New York, and The Learning Tree! Cope has Jericho stop there. Jericho doesn’t need to be all fired up, because Cope gets it. Cope respects Jericho. Hell, Cope kinda likes Jericho. They have a long history. In fact, this is the fourth decade that they’ll compete against each other in, and it’s been about 15 years since they faced off. Jericho says wow, four decades, 15 years. He doesn’t remember any of that. Seems their “relationship” meant more to Cope than it did to Jericho. Because all Jericho remembers was Cope getting hurt all the time. Okay, Cope will take that “liking” thing back.

Because now Cope can only remember that Jericho’s an A-hole, and still is. See you out there. Cope heads out, and Jericho says as far as he’s concerned. Cope’s a Dope! Sick burn. Jericho leaves, having complimented himself, but will Cope add insult to injury when Rated FTR chops down The Learning Tree?

Toni Storm VS Deonna Purrazzo w/ Taya Valkyrie!

The Rockstar didn’t quite get The Virtuosa’s insult when Deonna mocked Toni’s apparent memory loss. However, Deonna also vowed to make this a night no one will forget. Will Deonna make sure to end “rookie” Toni’s time before it even begins? Or will no Vendetta take down the former AEW Women’s World Champion?

The bell rings and Toni offers a handshake. Deonna accepts it, the fans cheer, and the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength. The fans rally as Toni pushes Deonna, but Deonna trips Toni! Double knuckle lock cover, ONE as Toni gets an arm up! Deonna pushes it down, ONE as the other arm comes up! That arm goes down, ONE as Toni bridges. Deonna hops on, Toni drops, but then kips up to MONKEY FLIP! They have a double cover, ONE as arms come up! ONE as the other arms come up! ONE as both women bridge! They shake hands again, and the fans cheer.

But then Deonna SLAPS Toni! No more sportsmanship, and Taya taunts Toni. Deonna stomps Toni in the corner, then digs her boots in. The ref counts, Deonna steps off, but Taya pulls Toni’s hair! The fans boo but Taya gets away with that. Deonna brings Toni up to bump her off buckles, then she CHOPS! Toni goes to another corner, but Deonna CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~!” and Deonna RAMS into Toni. Deonna smiles as she digs her shoulder in, but the fans rally up. Deonna whips, Toni comes back and she CLOBBERS Deonna! Deonna bails out and Taya is there to cool her down. Taya coaches Deonna up but Toni storms out.

Taya stands in the way, Toni says look, what’s that? Taya falls for it and Toni goes after Deonna! Deonna clinches, Toni fires forearms! Toni RAMS Deonna into the barriers, CHOPS her, then SMACKS her off the apron! Toni puts Deonna in but Taya storms up! Taya drags Toni off the apron! The fans boo but Deonna WRECKS Toni with a dropkick! Deonna goes up the apron, and she CANNONBALLS! Not the cleanest tumble but Toni still falls, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Toni writhes while The Vendetta soak up the heat. Deonna brings Toni around to RAM into the barriers, then SLAPS her! Taya cheers while Toni staggers around. Deonna puts Toni in the ring, Toni goes to a corner, and Deonna storms up. Deonna stands Toni up to LARIAT, then LARIAT again! Then short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Deonna is annoyed but she drags Toni up to TOSS her out of the ring! The ref argues with Deonna but Taya gets a bunch of stomps in! Taya soaks up the heat, Toni crawls to the ring, but Deonna is there to stomp her! Deonna drags Toni up to throat chop! The ref reprimands but Deonna stomps Toni more.

Deonna whips corner to corner, runs up, and she blocks boots to put Toni in the ropes! DRAPING DDT! Deonna smiles as she strikes like a Viper, then covers, TWO! Taya is frustrated for Deonna but Deonna drags Toni up. Deonna whips, Toni reverses and Deonna is sent out of the ring! Taya coaches Deonna and Deonna hurries back in, but Toni CLUBS away on her! Toni whips, Deonna reverses and ELBOWS her down! Deonna soaks up heat while Toni sits up slowly. Deonna digs her knee into Toni’s back with the chinlock, but Toni endures. Toni fights up, Collision returns to single picture, and Toni fires body shots!

Toni is free but Deonna runs, only for Toni to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Toni and Deonna stand, and Toni hits a THESZ PRESS! Toni rains down fists, the fans fire up, and Toni brings Deonna up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Toni hooks up the legs! DEATHLOCK STF! Deonna endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Toni lets go, Deonna goes to a corner, and the fans fire up for the rock ‘n’ roll! HIP ATTACK! And then STORM- NO, Deonna trips Toni to jackknife, TWO! Toni reels Deonna back in but Taya gets on the apron! Toni storms up on Taya, Taya avoids the shot, and Deonna GERMAN SUPLEXES!

Deonna BOOTS Toni down, covers, TWO!! Toni survives but Deonna goes for an arm! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Toni endures, fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Toni survives by a foot and Taya scowls. Deonna lets go in frustration, then reels Toni. But Toni wrenches out and fires forearms! The fans rally up, Deonna fires back! The forearms go faster and faster, meaner and meaner! Toni gets the edge but Deonna shoves her! Toni HEADBUTTS! Deonna BOOTS! Toni kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Deonna survives but Toni has her up and in! Deonna RAMS Toni into a corner! And RAMS her again!

Deonna lets off to run up, but Toni ELBOWS her away! Taya storms up but Toni DEKCS her for it! But Deonna rolls Toni! TWO!! Toni escapes, Deonna wrenches, but Toni wrenches back! Cradle, TONI WINS!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall

Toni hurries away before Taya can get at her! The Vendetta got bested by the “rookie,” and even Toni is surprised! Will this win streak of hers bring Toni back to the top of AEW?

AEW shares footage from after Dynamite.

Alex Marvez was on standby as Christopher Daniels argued with Hangman Page given how Dynamite went down. Daniels says he keeps telling Hangman he is on Hangman’s side! All this anger is useless! Hangman could be world champion, and Daniels believes in him! Oh, Daniels bElIeVeS~ in him? What’s that even supposed to do for Hangman? It doesn’t mean s*it to Hangman! Y’know what Hangman needs? Daniels should’ve been at Worlds End, where was he? And what was Daniels supposed to do for Hangman? That was a Fatal 4 Way! Hangman says Daniels could’ve done something! Anything! But he got NOTHING.

In fact, what has Daniels given anyone? What has he given AEW? What has he given wrestling? When Hangman looks at Daniels, he sees an old man clinging on to a sport that left him behind a long time ago. Understand? And if Daniels hasn’t already lost his mind to old age, he would’ve hung it up five years ago when he still had an ounce of dignity! Hangman then SLAPS Daniels! The Fallen Angel seethes, but Hangman says, “That’s what I thought.” Daniels shouts at Hangman and TACKLES him! Daniels fires fists, HEADBUTTS away on Hangman, and even busts himself open with those! But he shouted at Hangman that he isn’t done!

Daniels fires off kicks and stomps, and he has Hangman reeling! Daniels says he is the Fallen Angel, and Hangman better respect him or go to Hell! Daniels storms off, and Hangman says if that’s how Daniels wants it, then he’ll get it. Is the Blackhat Cowboy about to go to war with one of the all-time greats?

AEW shares more footage from after Dynamite.

AEW Media caught up with Anthony Bowens to ask him about losing to Hurt Syndicate. Bowens says don’t ask him, ask Max Caster. Caster hobbles along and the reporter asks him what happened. Caster says what we witnessed was The Best Wrestler Alive in action, but a 2v1 attack by the Hurt Syndicate, a cowardly move by a couple of cowards. Caster said it before and will say it again, they don’t want The Syndicate here. Caster may have lost that battle but- Bowens returns to shout at Caster, “Are you kidding me?!” The Best Wrestler Alive BS got him exactly what he deserved out there!

And Caster has been annoying the hell out of Bowens, pissing him off, for MONTHS! By the way, that’s why Billy doesn’t even show up because he doesn’t wanna deal with Caster. Caster says F Billy! CASTER is the leader of The Acclaimed! He has to deal with Billy! Bowens gets mad and says the only reason he hasn’t punched Caster in the face is because Billy asked him not to. Oh? Then keep listening to Billy. Bowens storms off, is The Acclaimed going to fall apart before the year’s even begun?

$100K Fatal 4 Way: Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Dante Martin w/ Leila Grey VS Brian Cage VS The Beast Mortos!

That’s right, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS is on the line in this match! The Commander of the Skies is already ROH World Television Champion, but could he be rolling in the green? Will Angel Dorado win another big money match for Top Flight? Will The Machine win the money for The Don Callis Family? Or will the menacing minotaur make La Faccion Ingobernable proud by raking in the dinero?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the four men watch each other. Charlotte rallies behind “BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!” Mortos roars and runs up, but Dante & Komander dodge! Cage UPPERCUTS, Mortos stays up, but then Dante and Komander BOOT! Cage CLOBBERS Mortos, the fans boo, but then Komander & Dante kick. They double whip but Cage blocks! Cage kicks Dante, CLOBBERS Komander, then whips Komander to ropes. Komander slips out of the pop-up to MONKEY FLIP Dante, but Dante uses that to RANA Cage! The fans fire up as the Cruiserweights now circle, and then they DOUBLE DIVE to take out the big men!

The fans fire up and Leila Grey cheers Dante on. Dante gets in with Komander, arm-drag into a lateral press, TWO! Komander has the ghost pin, TWO! Dante has the cover back, TWO! Komander has it back, TWO! Dante has a cover, TWO! Mortos HEADBUTTS Dante down! The fans fire up as Mortos runs up on Komander, DISCUS- NO, Komander gets under. Mortos switches, back suplexes, but Komander lands out! Komander dodges again, then tilt-o-whirls for a DEJA VU RANA! The fans fire up while Mortos tumbles out! Komander then runs to go up, up and ARIHARA SKY TWISTER! The fans fire up as Komander takes down the big men!

Komander fires hands on Mortos, but now Dante goes up, up and ESCALARA SWANTON! The fans fire up again, and Dante puts Komander in, only for Lio to CLOBBER Dante! Lio whips Dante hard into railing! There’s nothing that can stop Lio, or Action for that matter as he comes back out here, but the damage was done. Cage tells them to get outta here, and then he goes to fetch Dante. Cage whips Dante back into railing, but Komander leaps over Mortos! Mortos runs up to slingshot whip, then POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, but Cage is right in! Cage CLUBS Mortos, hauls him up, PUMP HANDLE FACEBUSTER!

Cage shouts, “Who Betta Than Cage?” while fans boo, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Darius returns to ringside to check on his brother, but Cage bumps Mortos off buckles. Cage RAMS into MOrtos again and again, then he ROCKS Mortos! mortos flounders against ropes, but Cage CHOPS him! And ROCKS him! And CHOPS again! Cage fires off more forearms and CHOPS, then a flurry of forearms! Cage fires up while Mortos flops over! Cage goes out to fetch Komander, and he RAMS Komander into the apron! And then he hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Komander writhes, Cage storms in, and Cage drags Komander up to bump off buckles. Cage whips corner to corner hard, and Komander bounces off buckles!

Cage goes to the apron and he drags Dante up. Cage DECKS Dante, then aims from the apron. Cage BOOTS Dante down, then goes back to the ring. Mortos attacks but Cage ROCKS him first! Cage and Mrtos fire forearms, then haymakers! Mortos SMACKS Cage, Cage ROCKS Mortos, repeat! Cage JUMP KNEES, Mortos falls, and Collision goes to break!

Collision returns and Cage hoists Mortos up for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally but Cage runs up on Dante. Dante goes up, around, and GAMANGIRIS! Dante then dodges a shoulder to KICK Cage in the ropes! But Cage SUPERKICKS back! Mortos HEADBUTTS Cage! Cage goes to a corner, Mortos UPPERCUTS, LARIATS and GAMANGIRIS! Mortos snapmares to then NECK TWIST! Cage flounders away, Komander is back, but Mortos SOBATS, KNEES, and ELBOWS Komander! Snapmare, but Komander handsprings through! Things keepm oving, Komander rolls to then FACEBUSTER!

The fans fire up as Komander runs, goes up and up, FLYING DESTROYER!! The fans are thunderous and Komander is all fire dup! But then Cage FLAPJACKS Komander, reels him in, and puts one out! POWER- NO, Komander slips free to ENZIGIRI! Dante springboards to CANNONBALL! Cage is down, Dante fires forearms on Komander. Dante runs up, forearm SMASHEs, then wrenches to reel Komander in. Dante goes up the corner for a headstand, then uses the momentum to suplex Komander far away! Mortos returns to shove Dante and scoop! CIPHER UTAKI! Cage rises, Mortos runs up, but Cage puts Mortos outside!

Mortos and Cage fire forearms, then Cage ROUNDHOUSES Mortos! Cage goes up the ropes and he deadlift SUPERPLEXES Mortos!! The fans fire up and Cage rises, but Komander QUEBRADAS! Cage catches him, swings him, btu Komander still DDTS through! And then POISON-RANA for Mortos! The fans fire up as Komander runs and aims at Cage! Springboard, but NO Destroyer this time! SPINEBUSTER and deadlift, into a fireman’s carry and F5!! Cover, but Dante runs up to sunset flip! Cage stays up, he YANKS Dante up, and then whips for the DISCUS LARIAT! Ripcord into the Gory Especial, for WEAPON X!! Cover, CAGE WINS!

Winner: Brian Cage, by pinfall (earns the $100,000 prize)

Don Callis is in Japan with Konosuke Takeshita right now, but clearly he’ll be happy to learn the family just made some serious bank! Will there be plenty to go around as the Don Callis Family looks to take over the wrestling world?

FTR talks with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express.

Dax & Cash are honored to be standing in front of tag team greatness! The greatest tag team of all time, and for once, he doesn’t mean FTR. Well, don’t think they forgot about FTR dropping Ricky Morton on his head. Dax promises Ricky, that was a dark place in their lives. They apologize for that spike piledriver and almost breaking Ricky’s neck. From the bottom of Dax’s heart, he wants them to forgive him and Cash. Nah, just another day at the office. But then in step The Outrunners! Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum look at the 80s legends, and Turbo says Memphis, Tennessee, Colt Convention Center, 1982, Rock ‘n’ Roll Express still owe them a dance!

FTR has The Outrunners calm down, and Ricky’s pretty sure these guys weren’t even born in 1982. Aw c’mon, they were just really young then. Yeah, Youngest Men Alive! And they’re here to collect! Well, Ricky isn’t sure what to say, but how about, “We’re sorry.” FTR says just bury the hatchet, guys. The 80s were a long time ago. Turbo tells Ricky & Robbie, “You son of a b*tch!” They all shake hands, and FTR says #TopGuysOut!

BREAKING NEWS for AEW Homecoming 2025!

It will big a big night in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, January 25th, as AEW Collision will play host to the homecoming special! Tickets on sale now, make sure you don’t miss out!

Six Man Tag: #RatedFTR VS The Learning Tree!

Adam Copeland is making sure his return is a strong one, going after not just The Death Riders for all their crimes, but also accepting the challenge from Bryan Keith, Big Bill & Chris Jericho. Will the Learning Tree find a way to take the Top Guys out? Or will Jericho have to cope with a loss to Rated FTR?

The trios sort out and the fans rally for FTR while Cope starts against Jericho. The two circle, approach, but then Jericho backs off to tag in The Bad Apple. The fans boo but Keith and Cope circle now. Cope and Keith tie up, Keith waistlocks then headlocks. Cope powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles, to then DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Cope tags Dax, then Dax tags Cash. Cash hangs back while Dax & Cope double whip Keith, then Cash slingshot SHOULDER TACKLES Keith! The fans fire up as Cash covers, TWO! Cash UPPERCUTS Keith to the corner, wrenches Keith then tags Dax. But Keith gets away!

FTR stands down while Keith tags Bill. The fans are torn as Bill circles with Dax. Bill and Dax tie up, but Dax goes for a leg! Bill hops to a corner but Dax RAMS him again and again! Dax puts the leg on ropes, KICKS away on it, then pulls! The erf counts, Dax lets off, and Bill TOSSES Dax to the corner! Bill CHOPS Dax, and Dax dangles out of the ring! Bill then stands Dax up to CLUB him in the chest! Bill BODY SHOTS Dax, then whips corner to corner. Dax hits buckles hard, Bill storms up, but Dax drops down! Dax trips Bill, drags him to the corner, and he SWINGS the big leg into the post! And then SWINGS it again!

Keith runs up but Dax DECKS him! Jericho steps up, the ref stops him, and Dax slides into the ring. Dax brings Bill over, tags Cash, and FTR double whips. Bill RAMS both men, DECKS Cash then DECKS Dax! Then Bill CHOKE SLAMS Cash onto Dax! Both FTR writhes and Bill soaks up cheers and jeers while Collision goes picture in picture.

Bill stands over Cash, then steps on him at the ropes! The ref counts, Bill counts along, and steps off at 4. Bill “apologizes” to the ref, but Jericho gets cheap shots in! Cope protests but Bill CHOKES Cash on ropes! The ref counts, Bill lets off at 4 again, and now Keith gets a cheap shot in! Bill drags Cash up, but Dax CHOPS Keith! Bill tags Jericho and Jericho bumps Cash off buckles. Jericho fires lariat after lariat into the corner, then puts him up top. Jericho CHOPS Cash, climbs up, and Jericho waves hi to the fans. Then Jericho rains down fists on Cash, going all the way to NUEVE before the SUPER STEINER!

Jericho taunts Cope, stomps Cash, then taunts the fans. Jericho drags Cash up, CLUBS him down, stomps him around, then tags Keith. Keith & Jericho mug Cash, and Keith stalks Cash. Keith CLAWS Cash’s back, then pushes him down to drop a KNEE on the chest! Cover, TWO! Cash stays in this but the ref has to keep Dax back. Keith taunts Dax before he clamps onto Cash with a chinlock. Cash endures, the fans rally up, and Cash fights to his feet. Cash powers up and out, but Keith reverses to whip. Cash ducks ‘n’ dodges then catches Keith to a POWERSLAM! Both men are down and Collision returns to single picture.

The fans rally up as Cash and Keith both crawl, hot tags to Jericho and COPE! The fans fire up as Jericho sees he’s stuck now. Cope and Jericho circle, the fans are losing their minds already, and Jericho sighs. Jericho offers a handshake? Cope takes it, and then Jericho CHOPS! Cope CHOSP! The fans “WOO~!” as the CHOPS keep going here in Flair Country! The CHOPS keep going, but then Jericho pokes Cope’s eyes! Jericho whips but Cope CLOBBERS him! And FLAPJACKS! Then clinch and half nelson SIDE SLAM! Cope brings Jericho in, Keith runs up and attacks! The fans boo but Cash storms in!

Cash CLOBBERS Keith, but Bill CLOBBERS Cash! Dax runs in but Bill ROCKS him first! Bill reels Dax in, for a POWERBOMB! Bill SHOVES Cash up and out, but then Cope DUMPS Bill out! Jericho rolls Cope, with feet on the ropes! TWO!! Jericho swings, misses, and Cope kicks for the IMPALER DDT! Jericho flounders away and the fans fire up! Cope goes to a corner and he loads up! Jericho rises, Cope runs in, but Jericho hits a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Cope survives but Jericho just soaks up the heat. Jericho stomps Cope around, drags him over, and Jericho puts Cope in the corner. Tag to Bill but the fans boo.

Bill & Keith mug Cope, then Bill digs his boots in. The ref counts, Bill stops, and The Learning Tree soaks up the heat. Bill stands on Cope’s neck, but he steps off at 4. Jericho CHOKES Cope behind the ref’s back! FTR protests but Jericho gets away with it. Bill mocks Cope’s rock ‘n’ roll hands, then tags Keith. They mug Cope, then Keith hits a ROPE GUILLOTINE! The ref reprimands and Cope sputters, but Keith tells the ref to shut up. Keith brings the straps down, then he fires forearms on Cope. Cope goes to a corner, Keith CHOKES Cope on ropes! The ref counts, Keith lets off, and then Keith wrenches to fireman’s carry.

Cope fights free and then EDGE-O-MATIC! Or perhaps the Cope-o-setic? The fans fire up while both men are down! Hot tags to Bill and Cash! Cash fires forearms on Bill, runs, then ROCKS Bill again! Keith returns, Cash DECKS him! Cash DROPKICKS Jericho, DROPKICKS Bill, then LARIATS! Bill stays up so Cash keeps moving! Cash ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT! Bill staggers to a corner, fans fire up, and Cash runs up! But Bill TOSSES Cash up and out! Cash bumps crossbar but stays on his feet to HOTSHOT Bill! Cash goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Bill stays in this so Cash uses ropes for a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!

Bill is still tougher than all that, so Cash drags him over. Tag to Dax and FTR puts Bill in a corner. They hoist Bill up top, then they both go up after him. But Bill fires off big hands! Bill DECKS Cash, DECKS Dax, then adjusts, only for Dax to ROCK him! Dax fires more hands, then climbs up. Cash goes to another corner, as does Cope! Dax brings Bill up to SUPERPLEX! That’s the Power, here’s The GLORY from Cash! MACHO ELBOW from Cope! Cover, TWO?!? Bill survives and Rated FTR cannot believe it! But then they get Bill up to whip and- NO, Bill fights off Shatter Machine! Bill LARIATS Cash, LARIATS Cope, but Dax dodges!

Dax comes back, but into a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Dax survives Big Bill’s Big Boss Man Slam, but then Bill puts him in a corner. Bill aims from a corner, mocking Cope’s mannerisms, then runs in, but Dax dodges! Bill collides with buckles and post! Jericho hurries to tag in! Jericho runs up but Dax wrenches and suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jericho survives, Keith returns, but Dax tackles Keith! Dax has the legs, SHARPSHOOTER! Cash runs up but Jericho trips him, WALLS OF JERICHO! Jericho and Dax shout at each other while the ref reprimands, none of this will matter since Cash and Keith aren’t legal!

Jericho and Dax let Cash and Keith go, to start throwing SLAPS at each other! The fans fire up as the SLAPS go back and forth, but then Cope and Bill BOOT Jericho and Dax! Bill BOOTS Cope! Bill runs but Cope DUMPS Bill out! Bill manages to stay on the apron, but Cope SPEARS him off! The fans fire up as Cope then climbs, for a SUPER CROSSBODY! Down goes Bill and the fans fire up! Keith runs at Cash, Cash DUMPS Keith out! Cash then builds speed, and Cash DIVES onto Bill! The fans fire up as Jericho and Dax are alone in the ring, and they start firing forearms! The fans rally as Dax CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!

Dax runs, but Jericho BOOTS him! Both men run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Dax DECKS Jericho, then hurries to a corner! Dax climbs up, takes aim, but Keith has the ROH World title! Jericho grabs at the ref so he won’t see the BELT SHOT on Dax! Dax falls, the fans boo, and Jericho crawls to a cover! TWO?!?! Dax survives and the fans are thunderous! Jericho is stunned but Keith calls to him. And then Cash CLOBBERS Keith! Dax rolls Jericho up, TWO! Jericho runs up to LARIAT, then LIONSAULT FLOP as Dax moves in time! Dax tags Cash, Cash tags Cope! Jericho staggers up into SHATTER MACHINE! Then they give Jericho to Cope for the SPEAR!! Cover, Rated FTR wins!

Winners: Rated FTR, by pinfall

From Dynamite to Collision, from TBS to TNT to MAX, Rated FTR is undefeated! And Cope gets a mic to tell Charlotte, NC that it is so damn good to see them. But wait, The Death Riders are on the tron! Moxley says, “Guys, it’s a jungle out there. You gotta be careful. Accidents can happen.” Wait, the Death Riders have taken Rock ‘n’ Roll Express hostage?! Ricky tells Moxley he doesn’t have the balls. Is that so? Moxley tapes Ricky’s mouth, but the Outrunners rush over! Only for Yuta and Marina to CLOBBER them from behind! Rock ‘n’ Roll Express are just the bait so The Death Riders could get at FTR’s friends!

FTR & Cope hurry backstage, but The Death Riders slip away into the night! Rocky & Robby motion that they went out the door, so Rated FTR continues pursuit! Rocky & Robby get free and help Turbo & Truth, but will The Death Riders show no mercy to anyone, not even legends?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision to continue things from Dynamite as well as the MAX simulcast. Though, AEW continues to be redundant with promos. Why have the cold open promos from Rated FTR and Learning Tree and then the promos later? Just stick to the promos from Briscoe and Garcia, then maybe give us promos from Private Party and Lio & Action to hype up the tag title match. Cope and Jericho had a good promo together, and then we got a real fun promo from FTR, Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and The Outrunners, all leading into a great Six Man Tag main event. The only real flub was I think Cope’s half nelson slam was supposed to be his half nelson facebuster but Jericho thought it was Russian Leg Sweep.

Great win for Rated FTR, but much to my surprise, Death Riders went after Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and then Outrunners. I suppose if Cope is aiming for them, they of course have to go after him. Though, I dunno, maybe go after him, not the old guys who can’t even wrestle. Maybe Cope gets in on the Casino Gauntlet in hopes of getting a title shot at Maximum Carnage, but I feel like someone else wins to then lose to Moxley in Cincinnati. Cope can instead battle Moxley for either Homecoming (to counter program WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event), or even stretch this out to Revolution in March.

Jarrett of course beats Solo in their match, that helps Jarrett have some momentum going into the Casino Gauntlet, and maybe Jarrett wins so that he then takes the loss at Maximum Carnage. And great match from Toni VS Deonna, great win for Toni, that makes her 2-0 over The Vendetta. It might still be too soon for “Rockstar” Toni to face Mariah May for the championship, but maybe with big things happening at WrestleDynasty tomorrow, there will be big opportunities for Toni to go after one of Mercedes Mone’s multiple belts. I could see Toni winning the TBS Championship, acting like it’s her first major title, but then she actually makes history by being the first Women’s World and TBS Champion in AEW history, making her question her own reality.

Going back to the various title matches tonight, great promos from Briscoe and Garcia and a great match to kick the night off. Garcia of course won but that was a good showing from Briscoe. I was a little surprised no one came out to call Garcia out for the next shot, but they’ve got time since there’s Homecoming and Revolution to build towards. Great tag team title match, but I figured Private Party would win. It was a great detail that Lio & Action were going to cheat but Dante & Darius were there to prevent that. And of course Lio & Action came back for revenge during the Fatal 4 Way, because they could do it and not give Dante the win.

Now, that Fatal 4 Way was awesome, but does Tony Khan really have to put a kayfabe big money prize on it? If there has to be kayfabe incentive, make it a #1 contender’s match to a title. Komander was even in it, as ROH World TV Champion, so why not make this Fatal 4 Way a big Title Eliminator something or other? And have we ever really seen anything coming from the other big money matches? Did Top Flight really do something in kayfabe with that $3,000 prize or whatever that was? Alright, enough venting, Cage winning was good for Cage because he just lost the ROH World TV Championship and needed a rebound. Though, why not just make Cage & Archer next up for the tag titles?

My Score: 8.9/10