Get wild and lose your mind! Take that thing into overtime!

The NBA Playoffs are going, but AEW is ready to ball with a Playoff Palooza! But will FTR be humbled after another Collision with Roddy & Kyle?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Blake Christian w/ Lee Johnson; Swerve wins.
• AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Queen Aminata; Toni wins and denies Aminata a title match.
• Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS Holo.grm; Hologram wins.
• Tornado Tag: Top Flight VS CRU; CRU wins.
• Anna Jay VS Taylor Gainey; Anna wins.
• ROH World Championship: Bandido VS Dralistico; Bandido wins and retains the title.
• Rush VS AR Fox; Rush wins.
• FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly; FTR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Swerve Strickland is here!

UNO Lakefront Arena is whose house? SWERVE’S HOUSE! And while he helped Kenny Omega & The Opps run off The Death Riders on Wednesday, The Realest is here to keep that edge of his sharp. Swerve grabs a mic, but before he can say anything, The Young Bucks make their way out here! Nicholas Jackson has the mic, and he says, “First of all, shut the F up! And show some respect for your EVPs, your Founding Fathers!” Matthew apologizes for Nick being a hothead, but he also “apologizes” to Swerve for interrupting “whatever the hell this was going to be. But I don’t think these people here wanted to listen to what you have to say anyway.”

The fans boo because that’s not true. But Matt says he knows Swerve is scheduled for a match later tonight, and well, The Bucks were in the back, and they’ve pulled a few strings. In fact, they bumped him up a bit! In fact, Swerve’s match is going to happen right here and now! Let’s get the ref out here, hopefully Swerve can move around in those sweet leather pants! Nana is upset but Swerve figured this would happen. Nick introduces Swerve’s opponent, Blake Christian! The Vanilla Babyface thanks The EVPs for this, and then he and “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson go to the ring. Will Swerve be able to win even without time to prepare?

Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Blake Christian w/ Lee Johnson!

The bell rings and The Bucks decide to watch from the stage in their directors’ chairs. Swerve and Blake approach, Blake dodges and comes back, Swerve scoops for a tilt-o-whirl but Blake lands out! Swerve ROCKS Blake, runs, but Blake grabs at the ref. This distraction lets Lee trip Swerve up! The fans boo but Blake HAMMERS away on Swerve! Blake bumps Swerve off buckles, stomps away, then digs his boot in. The ref counts, Blake lets off and gives a thumbs up to The Bucks. Blake whips, Swerve reverses, but Blake goes up and around to DROPKICK! The Bucks like this as Blake SLAPS Swerve. Blake soaks up the heat before he “licks the ice cream cone.”

But then Swerve grabs Blake in a half nelson! Blake fights and RAMS Swerve into the corner! Blake ELBOWS free, runs, but Swerve follows! Swerve handsprings over Blake’s dropdown, then dodges Blake. Swerve jumps the dropdown but Blake DROPKICKS! Swerve bails out, but Blake FOSBURY TOPES! The Bucks applaud but the fans boo. Blake brings Swerve up, bumps him off the barriers, then soaks up the heat from New Orleans. Blake whips Swerve hard into railing, refreshes the ring count, then storms back up. Blake fires forearms but the fans rally for “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Blake wrenches, but Swerve CLAWS Blake’s face!

Swerve THROWS Blake into the railing and the fans fire up! Swerve drags Blake up, fireman’s carries, but Blake slips free to POST Swerve! The ring count climbs, Blake bumps Swerve off steel steps, then puts him in the ring. Blake then has Swerve on the apron, but Swerve shoves him back! Blake ENZIGIRS, then SPEAR- NO! Swerve blocks the spear to HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Blake sputters, Swerve goes up the corner, FALLING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Swerve hits the Griddy! Swerve then KICKS Blake! Swerve tells Lee to watch himself, then he goes back to Blake. Blake BOOTS Swerve, runs up, but Swerve hip tosses!

Swerve gator rolls and deadlifts, but Blake fights free of the suplex! Blake whips, Swerve reverses, but Blake rewinds in the ropes for a STUNNER! Swerve is down, Blake goes up, and the fans boo. Blake takes another taste, then he 450- NO, he has to bail out! HOUSE CALL outta nowhere! The fans fire up and Swerve hooks Blake up, BIG PRESSURE!! Cover, Swerve wins!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall

The Bucks try to mess with Swerve but The Most Dangerous Man isn’t caught off guard so easily. Swerve dares The Bucks to come get some, but then Lee attacks! Lee stomps away, whips, but Swerve reverses! SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! The fans fire up again, but now The Bucks go after Swerve! They knock Swerve down, stomp him around, and the fans boo again. The Bucks sit Swerve up, for an E V P TRIGGER!! Matt mocks the chant and Nick does a horrible Griddy. But they get Swerve up, only for Nana to grab at Nick! Nick kicks Nana away, but here comes Kenny Omega! The fans fire up as the good EVP rushes the ring!

But The Bucks mug Omega 2v1! The fans boo but The Bucks soak that heat up. They kick Omega low, double whip, but Omega ducks the double lariat to send Nick into Matt! Then SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX for Nick! Nick staggers back up, into another SNAP DRAGON! Omega fires up and the fans are with him! Omega aims at Nick, BANG! But Matt drags Nick to safety! The Bucks retreat, but BREAKING NEWS from Tony Khan! Given this and previous confrontations, Dynamite will have a truly all star 8 Man Tag! Kenny Omega will be joined by Mark Briscoe, Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey to face The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada & Ricochet!

As for the present, Omega and Swerve stand tall as they have common enemies with The Bucks. They fist bump to show respect, so will the Best Bout Machine be able to count The Most Dangerous Man his most valuable ally in this fight?

Samoa Joe speaks.

“Jon Moxley. Men like you, they seem so very complicated. But the truth, Jon? The truth is, men like you have very simple motivations. See, men like you, Jon, you’re agents of chaos, you create chaos wherever you go, and you benefit from the distress that you have reaped. Jon, you’re a man who seeks to go out and not face your problems, no. You distract your problems so that they can’t find you. Jon, I am not a problem that will be distracted. Jon, I am not an issue that will go away when you create chaos. Standing before you, Jon, is an inevitability. I am coming for you, I am coming for my AEW Championship, and Jon? There is nothing you or any of your Riders will be able to do about it.”

The Samoan Submission Specialist has spoken, will The Maniac heed his warning? Or will Moxley find a way to keep his reign of terror going?

AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Queen Aminata!

The Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion had a lovely time in Hollywood to celebrate the “little sci-fi film” that is Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. But she is looking for something more of a thriller, which is why she put this open challenge out. The One True African Queen stepped up to the plate, will she hit it out of the park? Or will Toni not let this underdog story have a happy ending?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Toni and Aminata circle, tie up, and Toni arm-drags. Toni poses, the fans sing for her, but Aminata shrugs that off. The two reset, tie up, and Toni arm-drags again. Aminata brushes that off, ties up with Toni again, and now Aminata arm-drags! Aminata poses, the fans are torn, but Toni offers a handshake. Aminata accepts, but Toni headlocks! Aminata powers out, steps over, and hits the twerk attack! Then Aminata wrangles Toni down to an ARMBAR, but Toni quickly makes it a high stack cover! TWO, and Aminata headlocks. Toni powers up and out, but Aminata runs Toni over!

The fans rally, Aminata runs but then drops down on the dropdown! Aminata gator rolls with Toni, the fans rally as Toni wrenches out, and Toni armlocks. Aminata fights up, wrenches and hits a nasty hip toss! Cover, TWO! Another cover, ONE! Toni gets away to a corner, but Aminata ROCKS her! Aminata climbs up, rains down fists, and the fans count along. Aminata goes to nine, then she BITES Toni’s forehead! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Aminata smiles. Aminata whips corner to corner, runs in, but Toni goes up and over! Toni gets moving, and she runs Aminata over! Toni keeps going, redirects Aminata and SHOTGUNS her down!

The fans fire up and Toni brings Aminata up. Aminata fights the suplex, then she snap suplexes! Toni flounders, Aminata runs, but Toni dodges the boot wash! Toni has Aminata on the apron, but Aminata HEADBUTTS! The fans rally as Aminata gives Toni BOOTY ATTACKS! Aminata then lets go to PENALTY KICK! Aminata says she is the one of one, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Toni checks if her head is still attached, but Aminata brings her up to THROW her into barriers! Toni crawls, Aminata stalks her, and Aminata drags Toni up for a close-up! Aminata then helps Toni take a seat, to DOUBLE CHOP her! Aminata then brings Toni to the steel steps and SMACKS her off the side. Aminata refreshes the ring count, puts Toni back in the ring, then steps in. Aminata cravats for a running snapmare, and a HIP ATTACK! Toni fires up from that! She snapmares and HIP ATTACKS! Aminata fires up, and she snapmares for a HIP ATTACK! Toni is back up, and we get another snapmare to HIP ATTACK!

Aminata snapmares and winds it up, but Toni rolls her up! TWO, and Aminata kicks low! Aminata snapmares, then clamps on with LEG FULL NELSON! Toni endures as Aminata pulls on the arms and pushes with her legs! Aminata shifts to KICK Toni in the back again and again, then drags Toni into a ghost pin! TWO, but now Aminata has a dragon sleeper! Playoff Palooza returns to single picture and Toni pushes back for a cover! TWO, and Toni ROCKS Aminata! Aminata ROCKS Toni! Toni storms up, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS collide! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Aminata and Toni go to opposite corners, and they both run in!

THESZ PRESS from Toni! Toni fires fast hands and the fans fire up! Toni keeps after Aminata in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Toni comes back to SPLASH, then she reels Aminata in for a DDT! Aminata sits up in a daze, but Toni turns her over and hooks up the legs! Toni drops into the STF! Aminata endures and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Toni lets go in frustration, but the fans continue to rally and sing. Toni storms back up on Aminata, stands her up, and pops her up, but Aminata victory rolls through! TWO!! Toni escapes, runs up, but Aminata drop toeholds her into buckles! Aminata roars, runs, and BOOT WASH!

Toni flops out of the ring and Aminata is beside herself! Luther fans Toni off but Aminata storms up. Aminata THROWS Toni into a seat! Aminata then runs in, but Toni trips her into the chair! Toni gets space, runs back in, HIP ATTACK against the railing! Toni hurries to get Aminata in the ring, goes up the corner, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Aminata survives but Toni keeps on her! But Aminata Alabama Lifts! AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Toni survives and Aminata is furious! Aminata drags Toni up, throws a forearm, but Toni fires back! The fans rally as the forearms keep going! Aminata ROCKS Toni!

Toni rebounds to SLAP Aminata! Toni then runs up to ROCK Aminata, runs again, but Aminata follows to ROCK Toni! Aminata whips, Toni reveres, SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO! Aminata is still in this but Toni stays on her. But Aminata trips Toni to a jackknife bridge, TWO! Aminata wrenches Toni, hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SCREW! The fans fire up and Aminata rises! Aminata goes to a corner and climbs up! Rare tactic, but Toni avoids the double stomp! GERMAN SUPLEX! Aminata tumbles away, Toni has her close-up! SWEET HIP MUSIC!! Toni drags Aminata up and in, STORM ZERO!! Cover, Toni wins!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall (denies Aminata a title opportunity)

A picture perfect battle, and Toni shows her costar the respect she deserves. But now we all wait on Double or Nothing to give us Mercedes Mone VS Jamie Hayter. Who will we see win and go All In with Toni?

PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week’s Collision!

While Collision will be back at it’s regularly scheduled time of 8 PM Eastern with no delays, it will instead be on TBS! Make sure you have your DVR set accordingly so you don’t miss any of the action!

Backstage interview with Team Triple Jay.

Lexy Nair is with Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, as well as Jeff & Karen Jarrett. We haven’t seen the team in quite some time, so what is next for them? Lethal says that is exactly the question. Perhaps they should ask that to Sonjay Dutt, if he ever decides to show up. Where is he? Sonjay finally arrives, Karen says, “Look who decided to grace us with his presence!” Wow, okay… Sonjay says clearly, the team needs a minute. Lexy steps aside, and Lethal says as the man who’s known Sonjay the longest, as Sonjay’s best friend, Lethal needs to be the one to ask: What the hell is Sonjay’s problem?! Where has he been?

Sonjay has been showing up late for weeks while the others are putting in the work. What has Sonjay gotten them? Nothing! If he’s supposed to be the brains of this operation, he should know that the team is tired of sitting on the sidelines! Jeff double checks: Sonjay’s the brains? Since when? Sonjay knows what Jeff said on January 1st of this year, and it’s that he wants AEW gold. They’ve gone over it over and over. But maybe he’s listening to the wrong people. Lethal says damn right. This time, Lethal’s got the ideas. The team leaves Sonjay behind and Sonjay asks Satnam if he’s going along with this.

Satnam says he can’t really disagree with the others. The One in a Billion leaves to follow the others, is Sonjay no longer part of the team?

Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???

Wait, seriously? Platinum Max is 0-7 at his own challenge and he’s still out here with that document in hand. Caster says, “New Orleans! You are lookin’ live at the Best Wrestler Alive!” The fans are torn, but Caster says, “Platinum Max has been taking on all comers week in and week out, and tonight is no different. Platinum Max brings the excitement. Platinum Max brings the drama! And Platinum Max is gonna bring something very, very rare in this city, and that is a playoff-like atmosphere.” The fans boo, but Caster says c’mon, this is Playoff Palooza. Relax. But Caster knows that all the Maximaniacs in the Big Easy wanna do one thing an done thing one: Chant his name!

Here goes! “Let’s Go, Max! You’re the Best Wrestler Alive!” Fans make it “You’re the Worst Wrestler Alive!” but he doesn’t hear it. Caster says alright, he has heard better chanting in his day, but what does he expect from a city whose streets smell like horse urine? Anyway, let’s get to business! Let’s see who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive! And it’s HOLOGRAM! The fans fire up and Caster is furious. But will Caster’s losing streak coincide with Hologram’s continued win streak?

The bell rings and Caster takes a swing. Hologram dodges, SOBATS, and he whips Caster. Caster reverses, Hologram slides under the hurdle then comes back. Caster bypasses but Hologram handsprings and rolls under. Hologram then dodges again to RANA and handspring back up! The fans fire up with Hologram, and he storms up on Caster. Caster kicks low, bumps Hologram off buckles, then hushes the fans. Caster winds up, but Hologram dodges! And he jumps the kick! And then goes to the apron, slips through the corner, goes up and over, then ducks ‘n’ dodges! SPANISH FLY! The fans fire up as Caster flounders.

Caster bails out, Hologram builds speed, and Hologram DIVES! Both men hit the barriers but the fans fire up as Hologram pops right up! Hologram pushes Caster into the ring, goes up the corner, and aims for a 450- NO, Caster dodges! Caster runs in, but only gets buckles! Hologram torture racks and spins, for the PORTAL BOMB! Cover, Hologram wins!

Winner: Hologram, by pinfall

Hologram’s 23-0 certainly outdoes Caster’s 0-8. Will Caster realize you can’t be the best if you keep losing?

Tornado Tag: Top Flight VS CRU!

As if Hologram wasn’t an exciting high-flyer, we’ve got four of them right here, ready to settle a score. This has been a long time coming, but will Darius & Dante Martin show that they never needed Lio Rush & Action Andretti? Or will it be the other way around?

Things are tense right as both teams step into the ring, and they start shoving! The bell rings and it is a brawl! No need to tag, no need to hold back, and Dante DECKS Lio while Darius ROCKS Action! Then they trade, Darius CHOPS Lio and Dante ROCKS Action! Action hits back, but Dante TOSSES him out while Darius bumps Lio off buckles. Dante SMACKS Action off the apron, Darius CHOPS Lio, and Dante whips Action. Action leaps over steel steps, Lio bails out, and CRU has regrouped by the ramp. Both teams talk some trash, but then Lio & Action go looking under the ring! They bring out kendo sticks!

The fans rally up as Lio says Top Flight wanted No Disqualifications! CRU slides in, but Top Flight step on the sticks! Top Flight take the sticks and swing on CRU! Lio & Action stay back and say fine, that doesn’t change anything! New Orleans wants tables but Lio & Action use their chains as knuckle dusters! They get in, but Dante & Darius drop the sticks to block the punches! They DECK Lio, ROCK Action, then double whip. They DOUBLE ELBOW Action, then redirect Lio for an UPPERCUT, JUMP KNEE, and LARIAT! The fans fire up, Dante covers Lio, TWO! Lio bails out, but Top Flight DOUBLE CHOP then DOUBLE MONKEY FLIP!

Then Top Flight double whip to DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Darius covers, TWO! Action bails out and CRU regroups again. Lio tells fans to shut up, but Top Flight controls the high ground. Lio & Action go around and they chase Leila! The fans boo, Leila says back off, and Top Flight goes out to stop CRU. This is just so Lio can slide in and DIVE onto Dante! Darius BOOTS Lio, but Action BOOTS Darius! Action goes up, and he ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS Darius down! The fans cheer, CRU drags Top Flight up, and while Lio puts Darius in, Action THROWS Dante into barriers! Lio runs up to LARIAT Darius down! Cover, TWO!

Lio calls to Action, Action goes looking under the ring. Action brings out a trash can! He tosses that in for Lio, lid included. Lio grabs the kendo sticks, then he puts the trash can over Darius! CRU treat Darius like a pinata with the SMACK, SMACK, SMACK! Darius falls over, the fans boo, but CRU soaks up the heat while Collision goes picture in picture.

Leila makes sure Dante is okay, then coaches Darius, but Lio CHOKES Darius with a kendo stick! Action rains down fists at the same time, then CRU soaks up the heat. Lio CLOBBERS Darius, snap suplexes him, and Action WRECKS Dante with a dropkick! Cover, TWO! Darius toughs it out, fights back against CRU, but they mug him. CRU then double whips Darius hard into the corner! Dante is back but he gets mugged, too! Lio stomps Darius, Action steps on Dante’s neck, and Lio SMACKS Darius with a kendo stick! Action SMACKS Dante with the trash can, and Collision goes to break.

Playoff Palooza returns and Lio is up top, with Action pushing the trashcan down on Dante. But Dante kicks free of it all! Then he CHUCKS the can at Lio! Lio wobbles then flops to the mat! Dante fire sup, and he SMACKS Action with the lid! The fans fire up with Dante, and he aims at Lio. Darius grabs Lio’s leg, and Dante SMACKS Lio in the head! The fans fire up more and Leila is loving this! Dante then goes out and brings out… a black bag! He lets Darius hold that up, but Lio rolls Darius up! TWO, and Darius takes a swing! Lio blocks the shot, spins Darius around, and Action is there to kick, KICK, and ROLLING ELBOW!

Lio SUPERMAN FOREARMS and Darius falls! Dante returns, Lio snatches a leg, and Action NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Lio talks trash on the fans, then he and Action coordinate. They drag Dante up, taunt Darius, and STUNNER! Lio holds Dante down so that Action can pick up the bag. Action pours out… Mardi Gras beads? What? The fans cheer for “BEADS! BEADS! BEADS!” cuz this is New Orleans, after all. Dante BOOTS Action, slips around Lio, HALF NELSON SLAM on the beads! Cover, TWO?!? Lio survives and Dante can’t believe it! But Darius is back and he has a chair. Darius makes Lio take a seat while Dante climbs.

Darius ROCKS and CHOPS Lio, but Action SHOVES Dante down to the floor! Darius BLASTS Action, but Lio fires hands! They brawl, Darius waistlocks, but Lio fights the back suplex. Lio bumps Darius off buckles, then drop toeholds him into the chair! Action returns to DROPKICK Darius! Then CRU hauls Darius up, DOUBLE FALCON ARROW on the chair!! Cover, TWO?!?! Darius survives and CRU is furious! Lio decides to go back to the chain necklace as a knuckle duster, but then Leila snatches it from him! The fans cheer as they tug-o-war, and Darius CHUCKS the trash can into Lio’s back!

Action RAMS Darius into Leila! Leila falls, Action doesn’t even show remorse! RUSH HOUR into the RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Lio goes up for the FINAL HOUR!! But Action adds on the 450 SPLASH!! Cover, CRU WINS!

Winners: CRU, by pinfall

Dante is stunned as all of Top Flight ended up wrecked by this Collision. But will CRU not stop until they’re on top of the world?

Anna Jay VS Taylor Gainey!

The Queenslayer is back in action here on Collision and New Orleans is happy to see her. But will Anna finally and for truly become The Star of the Show? Or does she still have a ways to go?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two circle, tie up, and Anna wrenches to a wristlock. Taylor endures, rolls, and wrenches, but Anna wrenches to HOOK KICK! Anna whips Taylor to a corner, runs in, but Taylor BOOTS her! Anna comes back to ELBOW Taylor, ROCK her, then whips corner to corner. Anna runs up to LEG LARIAT! Then Anna wrenches Taylor into the Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, Anna wins!

Winner: Anna Jay, by pinfall

A shoutout to her bestie, Tay Melo, and that’s all Anna needed to get back on track. But wait! Penelope Ford is here? The Superbad Girl smiles as she goes to the ring and steps to her longtime rival. They circle, talk a bit of smack, but wherever Ford goes, Megan Bayne follows! Anna sees the tron, but Ford DECKS Anna! Ford rains down fists on Anna while The Megasus takes her time walking down the ramp. Ford CHOKES Anna, then drags her over to the ropes! Ford CHOKES Anna more, and Megan takes her time stepping into the ring. Ford opens the ropes for Megan, and she presents her “tribute” to the female titan.

Megan puts her headdress and cape aside to then bring Anna up for a fireman’s carry! “BOW! DOWN!” FATE’S DESCENT!! Megan stands over Anna and Ford stays by Megan’s side. Will nothing stop these two from conquering the AEW Women’s Division?

AEW hears from Mercedes Mone and Jamie Hayter.

The CEO says Double or Nothing will always hold a special place in her heart, because it is where she won the TBS Championship, and became the greatest TBS Champion of all time. But Jamie Hayter brings up how Mone likes to claim, “Money Changes Everything.” No, money breeds ignorance. Money makes you weak! Mercedes points out she is #FourBeltsMone, and she’s a global wrestling star, but she wants ALL the gold! And the only woman in her way to All In is Jamie Hayter. Jamie says Mone will learn that Hayter Hits Hard. But can Hayter hit hard enough to derail The Money Train?

ROH World Championship: Bandido VS Dralistico!

From talk of one title to another, The Most Wanted finally dethroned Chris Jericho back at AEW Dynasty. And now, he will be a fighting champion, willing to take on anyone who wants to take a shot! But will this title soon belong to La Faccion Ingobernable? Or will Bandido still have the hot hand?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who outdraws their opponent in this lucha libre shootout!

The bell rings and the fans rally for Bandido. Dralistico says okay, okay, hold on. He holds up his hand, but the fans boo. Bandido holds up his hand, and the fans cheer! Dralistico tries, eh gets booed. Bandido tries, he gets cheered. Dralistico says up theirs, then! Dralistico goes to the ramp? The fans boo more, Dralistico goes back to the ring, and the two circle. Bandido offers the Code of Honor, but Dralistico kicks it away. The fans boo, but the two tie up. Bandido puts Dralistico on the ropes, the ref counts, and Bandido fakes the chop to egg Dralistico on. They tie up again, Dralistico puts Bandido on ropes, and he CHOPS!

Bandido headlocks, Dralistico powers up and out, things speed up, and Dralistico bypasses the handspring to then run up. Bandido bypasses, pops Dralistico up, but Dralistico backflips off of Bandido to then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bandido tumbles out, Dralistico storms up, but Bandido trips him! Bandido slingshots but Dralistico avoids the splash! Dralistico is on the apron, he RAMS into Bandido, then springboards to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Bandido bails out, and Dralistico builds speed! Dralistico FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Bandido! Dralistico says tranquilo and the fans fire up for “LUCHA! LUCHA!”

Dralistico drags Bandido up, RAMS him into the steel steps, and then whips, only for Bandido to reverse! Dralistico hits railing, but then he kicks Bandido. Bandido KNEES him in return, pushes him along the way, and both men go to the apron. Bandido and Dralistico trade shots, and then they go CHOP for CHOP! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going, and then Bandido CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Bandido KNEES Dralistico, but Dralistico JUMP RANAS to the floor! A rough landing for both men and the ref checks them both. The ref has the medic also check, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Bandido sits up, he seems fine, but Dralistico is still lying down. Dralistico starts to sit up, and then uses the apron to stand. Dralistico eggs Bandido on, so this match is going to continue! Bandido says okay, uno momento. Then he CHOPS! Dralistico CHOPS! The CHOPS continue again, then they both go into the ring! They fire up, the fans are with them, and Bandido KICKS a leg! Dralistico puts Bandido on the ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Dralistico steps off at 4, but then he stomps Bandido into the corner! Dralistico runs side to side to SUPERKICK! Dralistico lounges on the corner as he says tranquilo!

Dralistico drags Bandido from the corner, has a cocky cover, TWO! Dralistico says tranquilo, and then he SLAPS Bandido! Dralistico drags Bandido up, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Bandido drops to the mat from that one! Dralistico soaks up the cheers and jeers, then goes back to Bandido to fire forearm after forearm. Dralistico runs, Bandido BOOTS! Bandido runs, Dralistico ROCKS him! Dralistico ROLLING ELBOWS, then he ROCKS Bandido again! Playoff Palooza returns to single picture as Dralistico fires a flurry! Dralistico runs, but Bandido DROPKICKS him! Dralistico bails out, Bandido builds speed and DIVES!

The fans fire up as Bandido takes Dralistico down at the ramp! But Bandido reloads, builds speed, and FLIES! Direct hit again and the fans fire up with Bandido again! Bandido goes back to put Dralistico in the ring, and he climbs the corner for a FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Dralistico survives and Bandido is stunned! The fans rally, Bandido stands Dralistico up, but Dralistico SOBATS, KICKS, and then dodges to ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Dralistico grows frustrated but the fans rally again. Dralistico and Bandido go forehead to forehead, and they rise up, only for Dralistico to KNEE low! Dralistico runs, slips around, but Bandido whips him away,

Dralistico comes back to tilt-o-whirl, DEJA VU LA MYSTICA! But Bandido rolls Dralistico, TWO!! Bandido knees low, runs ,but Dralistico SUPERKICKS! Dralistico runs, but into a TIGER WALL KCIK! But then Dralistico hops on to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! But Bandido rebounds to PENALTY KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Dralistico rolls to a corner but Bandido goes to the other end. The fans rally as both men rise. Bandido runs up, Dralistico puts him up top, and Dralistico CHOPS! Dralistico climbs, he and Bandido brawl with CHOP after CHOP! Dralistico fires forearms, then goes up, SUPER STEIN- NO! Bandido blocks it!

Bandido drags Dralistico back up, to SUPER- RANA!! Dralistico hurries to the corner, springboards in, FLYING CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Bandido survives again and Dralistico is stunned! Dralistico argues with the ref, but dos es dos! Dralistico runs at Bandido, rolls, but Bandido throws him into the buckles! Bandido then has Dralistico on the ropes, BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, Bandido wins!

Winner: Bandido, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)

It was fast ‘n’ furious between these lucha libre gun slingers, but no one outdraws Bandido! Will Bandido keep growing his legacy now that he’s back on top?

“Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith talk backstage.

The Bad Apple tells The Redwood that Chris Jericho ain’t coming back until he’s no longer disappointed in them. Bill says they need to look out for themselves by crackin’ skulls and stackin’ wins. Keith says that it’s two sides of the same coin. They stop disappointing Jericho when by crackin’ skulls and stackin’ wins! Bill says regardless of what Jericho wants, that is still what they need to do for themselves. So the question must be asked: Who are they gonna crack? It could be anybody! It could be just some dude in the front seat of his car and they crack his skull! It could be that stupid boom mic operator!

Or, it could be at a local wrestling school, where they find two rookies with stars in their eyes looking for the break of a lifetime. Bill & Keith could put those two in that ring and crack their skulls and end their careers before they even start! But that is not what Bill & Keith need. They need a true challenge. They’ve looked around this locker room, and they found two guys who went toe-to-toe with the world tag team champions last week. They found two guys who are highly motivated to make a name for themselves. Bill calls out The Gates of Agony to try and make a name at the Learning Tree’s expense. Will Bill & Keith slam the Gates shut? Or is the Learning Tree about to be cut down?

Rush VS AR Fox!

El Toro Blanco’s brother may have failed to take the ROH World Championship, but now we see Rush take on the Whole Fox’n Show! Will Fox stay fly after winning some big matches lately? Or will he mess with the bull and get the horns?

The bell rings and Rush DECKS Fox! Rush pushes Fox out of the ring, then THROWS him into barriers! And then into railing! And then more railing! Fox writhes but Rush drags him back up to THROW him into more railing! Rush fires hands, then KNEE after KNEE! The ref reprimands, he backs Rush off, but Rush snarls. Rush then grins as he soaks up cheers and jeers. Rush puts Fox in the ring, snarls as he storms in and brings Fox around. Rush BODY BLOWS Fox, CHOPS him, then whips corner to corner and SPLASHES! Rush sits Fox down to stomp away! The ref reprimands, Rush backs off and he goes corner to corner, for the feint!

“No pasa nada, perro!” BOOT and roll back, tranquilo! Rush points to the fans, they chant for “RUSH! RUSH! RUSH!” But Fox rolls Rush up, TWO! Fox goes Matrix to dodge, then he PELES! Rush tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Fox builds speed! Fox FLIES and down goes Rush, right in front of commentary! Fox puts Rush in, then hurries up the corner! SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Rush survives and the fans fire up! Fox thinks on what he must do, but Rush whips him into a corner. Rush runs up to ROCK Fox, then sits him down. Rush huffs ‘n’ puffs, “If you mess with the bull…!” You get the BULL’S HORNS!! Cover, Rush wins!

Winner: Rush, by pinfall

It was a stampede from start to finish, and El Toro Blanco stands tall! Will Rush be unstoppable until he is finally a champion in AEW?

Roppongi Vice speak.

Trent Beretta says that for their entire careers, he and Rocky Romero have been called, “Underrated.” When you start out, that might be nice. But when you’re 20 YEARS IN… Being “underrated” is an insult! Rocky Romero says, “You know what else is an insult, Trent? When your so-called friends invite you to join The Conglomeration, and they don’t even put you on the shirt! That is an insult! It’s disrespect.” Trent says they are done with that. Rocky shouts at The Outrunners for walking through their shot! But the Outrunners say not to be disrespectful to them! Trent CLOBBERS Turbo! RPG Vice beat up on Turbo & Truth!

Trent says LISTEN! From here on out, you will appreciate everything they have done for you. Rocky & Trent storm off, will this new dangerous Roppongi Vice help the Don Callis Family own AEW?

AEW hears from Kyle Fletcher and “Hangman” Adam Page.

The Aussie Arrow says, “I’m not sure if winning this Owen Hart Cup is the most important part, of if it’s stopping Ospreay. But what I do know is, if I can do both at the exact same time, it will be the most satisfying moment of my life. And Hangman? You might be a cornerstone of this company, but the company that you pioneered is dead!” The Cowboy says, “In the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is The Protostar VS The Hangman. And usually they say ‘Virginia is for Lovers,’ but Kyle, I am going to be rough with you. I am going to smack you, I am going to bite you, and I’m going to Aussie Open your ass and put these ostrich leathers heel deep!”

Kyle says after he wins the Cup, he wins the AEW World Championship, and then you WILL say his full name. But Hangman says at the end of The Owen is a shot at the world title at All In, and Hangman needs that. Both men are locked and loaded for this Wednesday, but who will win and go Double or Nothing with Will Ospreay?

FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly!

New attitude, new manager, but same goal: make themselves the top tag team of AEW. However, this new attitude is all wrong and now a couple Paragons have stepped up to correct it. Will Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler truly regret their actions now? Or will this only be the End of Heartache?

The teams sort out, Dax starts against Roddy and the fans rally behind The Paragon. Stokely talks some game tips with Roddy, and the two circle. They tie up, and Dax pushes Roddy away, claiming he was being rough with Dax’s ear. The fans rally behind Roddy and Dax gets annoyed. The two tie up, break again, and Dax again clamps his ear is being treated roughly. The two go again, Dax headlocks, but Roddy powers up and out. Dax runs Roddy over, Cash cheers, but the fans boo. Dax bumps Roddy off buckles, CHOPS him, then CHOPS! Roddy fires a forearm, Dax fires back, and then Dax headlocks.

Roddy powers up and out, Dax runs him over, and things keep moving. Roddy drops down then DROPKICKS! Cash runs up but Roddy dodges to DROPKICK! Kyle fires off on Cash, Roddy fires off on Dax, and they send FTR at each other! FTR dosido but Paragon trips them up! Kyle has an ANKLE LOCK and Roddy is after his Strong Hold! FTR flail to the ropes, ROPEBREAK! Paragon lets FTR go and the fans cheer. FTR regroups with Stokely, Dax talks some smack on Schiavone, but Kyle tags in. Cash tells the fans to shut up and Dax goes to the ring. But Cash swipes at Kyle! That lets Dax CLOBBER Kyle! Cash tags in and Kyle is fed to the knees!

Cash UPPERCUTS Kyle, CHOPS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Cash whips, but Kyle reverses to KICK, KICK, and KICK! Tag to Roddy, and Kyle feeds Cash to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Kyle PENALTY KICKS, Roddy covers, TWO! Roddy drags Cash up, tags Kyle, and they KICK and CHOP away! The ref counts, the fans cheer, but Dax storms in! The Paragon KICKS and CHOPS him, too! Then KICK CHOP COMBO for Cash! They DOUBLE SUPLEX Dax onto Cash! The fans cheer, Roddy LARIATS Dax up and out! Kyle goes up, Roddy scoops Cash and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kyle adds the KING KONG KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Kyle has the ANKLE LOCK! Cash endures, Dax reaches in and drags Cash to safety! But Roddy WRECKS FTR with a dropkick! The fans fire up for Paragon while Collision goes picture in picture.

Stokely hurries over to coach FTR up. Dax & Cash stand, talk it out, and double check each other. They’re both alright, and they take their time going to their corner. Dax tags in but that was from the outside! That doesn’t count! The ref argues with Dax, Kyle goes after Cash! Kyle drags Cash in, wrenches and YANKS the arm, then WRINGS Cash out! Kyle digs his knee into the arm but Cash endures. Cash fights up, but Kyle wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle hammerlocks Cash and puts him in the corner, tag to Roddy> Paragon mugs Cash, then Roddy wrenches for an ELBOW BREAKER!

Roddy wrenches and wrangles Cash to stomp the arm! Cash writhes, but Roddy drags Cash up and whips him to the corner. Tag to Kyle, they fire knees, then Kyle hammerlocks to wrangle Cash. Kyle drops elbows and knees into Cash, and Collision goes to break.

Playoff Palooza returns again and Roddy hot tags Kyle! But Dax CLOBBERS Roddy! Kyle ROCKS Dax, KICKS Cash on the apron, then KICKS, KICKS, KICKS! Dax runs up but Kyle DECKS him! But Cash LARIATS Kyle on the apron! Cash drags Roddy to the steel steps, Dax helps out the foot in the gap! DROPKICK to the steps to crush Roddy’s foot! The fans boo, but now the bad foot is put inside the ring frame! Dax stomps away on Roddy while Cash wraps the canvas strings around Roddy’s leg! Kyle FLYING KNEE STRIKES! Down goes Dax, but Cash FLAPJACKS Kyle off the railing! Cash THROWS Kyle into the steel steps!

The fans boo but Stokely says shut your mouths! This is the greatest tag team of all time! Cash SMACKS Kyle off the steel steps, pushes him into the ring, then covers, TWO! The fans boo but Cash soaks up that heat. Cash drags Kyle up, bumps him off buckles, and he CHOPS! Tag to Dax, Dax brings Kyle around to put through ropes, and then Dax ROCKS and KICKS Kyle on repeat! The fans boo, Dax backs off and argues with the ref, letting Cash get his shots in! Cash LARIATS Kyle into the ring, then tells fans to hush. Dax drags Kyle up to SLINGSHOT SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Kyle toughs it out and FTR frowns.

The fans taunt FTR, apparently for Dax and Stokely being bald like Ricochet. Kyle fires body shots, then forearms! Dax CHOPS and Kyle staggers. Dax whips Kyle to a corner, runs up, but Kyle dodges! Dax hits the post on the leap! But Roddy is still down with the bad foot! Cash tags in, he runs up and ELBOWS Kyle! Then Cash headlocks, just to short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives on instinct alone, but Cash looms over him. Roddy is free of the ring frame, but then Cash BLASTS him! Cash goes back to JAB Kyle, but Kyle KICSK! And KICKS! And ROCKS Cash, but Cash headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, but Cash goes up and over!

Cash keeps moving, but Kyle hits the kitchen sink knee! Both men are down, Kyle crawls, but still no Roddy! Cash tags Dax, Dax runs up, but Kyle BOOTS Dax down! Kyle kicks at Cash, Cash blocks, but Kyle blocks Cash’s haymaker! Kyle wrenches the arm, hammerlocks it, then SWEEPS the leg! Kyle looks to his corner, still no Roddy! Kyle KICKS Dax! And KICKS Cash! And repeat! The fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” in the spirit of the American Dragon, and Kyle fires up! Kyle runs to FOREARM SMASH Dax in a corner! Cash ROCKS Kyle, runs, but into another KNEE! Dax and Kyle DOUBLE LARIAT! They’re down but the fans fire up!

Cash creeps up on Roddy to get that bad leg! SHIN BREAKER on the steel steps! Roddy writhes, but then Kyle BLASTS Cash off the apron! Dax kicks Kyle, reels him in, but Kyle fights free of the driver! GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Stokely panics but Cash FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and FTR is beside themselves while Collision again goes picture in picture!

Cash returns to the FTR corner while Dax paces around Kyle. Dax kicks Kyle, stomps him, then paces a bit more. Kyle goes to the ropes, Dax brings him up, and Dax KICKS at Kyle’s leg! Dax snapmares Kyle, clamps on a chinlock, and he grinds Kyle down. Kyle endures, fights up, and he JAW- NO, Dax lets go before the jawbreaker, and then he clamps back on with the chinlock! Dax grinds Kyle down again, Kyle endures again, and the fans rally. Kyle fights up, fires body shots, but Dax CHOPS! Dax whips, Kyle stops himself, but then both men COLLIDE! They fall and the ref starts a standing count! Kyle and Dax crawl, Cash tags in!

Cash rushes up, and he DROPKICKS Kyle away from the Paragon corner! Dax goes out to whip Roddy hard into railing! Cash puts Kyle under the ropes and he GUILLOTINE CATAPULTS him! Kyle sputters, Cash tags Dax, and Dax drags Kyle up to CHOP! Kyle wobbles, but he ROCKS Dax! Playoff Palooza is once again single picture as Dax CHOPS Kyle! Kyle ROCKS Dax, Dax fires back, and the fans rally up! The forearms go faster and faster, but Dax ROCKS Kyle again! Dax fires a flurry, then headlocks, only for Kyle to hit a BIG back suplex! Both men are down, hot tag to Cash! Cash TOSSES Kyle out of the ring!

Cash waits on the apron, then leaps, but only hits barriers as Kyle dodges! The fans fire up as Kyle and Roddy are both crawling on the outside! Roddy reaches his corner, Dax pushes Cash back in, and then Dax tags in. Dax anchors Kyle’s leg, Kyle fights and rolls and BOOTS Dax away! Hot tag to Roddy! The fans fire up as Roddy BOOTS and ENZIGIRIS Dax, then he BOOTS and CHOPS Cash! Roddy CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then he dodges! Dax RAMS Cash, then Roddy LEAPING LARIATS Dax! Cash reels Roddy in, but Roddy BACKDROPS free! Roddy fires haymakers on Dax and the fans fire up!

Roddy stops for just a moment before he comes back with more shots! But then Dax trips Roddy, high stacks, feet on the ropes! TWO!! Roddy escapes, fireman’s carries, and GUT BUSTER DROPS! Roddy crawls to the cover, TWO!! Dax survives, Stokely coaches him up, but the fans cheer Roddy. Roddy suplexes, but his bad leg won’t let him finish that! Cash runs up, but into a clinch and IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But it’s double-edged given the bad leg!! Roddy hurries to get Dax, but Dax grabs the bad leg! Dax drags Roddy to the corner and SLINGS the leg into the corner! Then shoutout to Bret Hart, HANGING FIGURE FOUR!!

The ref counts, Stokely taunts Roddy, but Dax lets go at 4. Dax puts Roddy in, grabs a leg, and then steps through, for a FIGURE FOUR!! Roddy endures, reaches out, but Dax puts as much pressure as he can on the hold! Roddy claws at the mat, but Kyle is up top! KING KONG KNEE DROP on Dax!! Roddy is free, Cash runs up, but Kyle TOSSES Cash out! And then PLANCHAS Cash down! Roddy covers Dax, TWO! Dax stays in this and Stokely coaches his guys. Roddy crawls, hot tag to Kyle! Kyle storms up to KICK Dax! And KICK! And KICK! Dax ROCKS Kyle, Kyle KICKS Dax! Dax swings, Kyle ducks! Kyle kicks, Dax ducks!

Dax shows punch to make Kyle duck, for a DD- NO, Kyle wrenches out and trips Dax up! Roll and ANKLE LOCK!! GRAPEVINE!! Dax endures, reaches out, and Stokely panics! But Cash is up top to DIVING SPLASH on Kyle!! Dax crawls, fans hope these teams “FIGHT FOREVER!” and Dax hot tags Cash! Dax reels Kyle in, Cash goes up, MIND BREAKER!!! Cover, FTR WINS!!

Winners: FTR, by pinfall

It was the hardest fought match between these two teams yet, but FTR take the win! Adam Cole hurries out here to make sure his guys are okay, but now FTR creeps up. Stokely anchors Cole, and Roddy gets a SHATTER MACHINE!! Cole sees he’s all alone now, but he dares them to bring it then! But wait! Daniel Garcia is here! And he has a crowbar! Red Death chases FTR off, so his avenging 2Point0 will have to wait. Garcia grabs a mic to tell FTR, “Two of the biggest, fakest pieces of trash I have ever met in my entire life! You guys wanna go around, you guys wanna stab people in the back? You wanna stab ME in the back?!

“The only problem is, you guys didn’t dig the knife deep enough to finish the job! So now, lemme tell you this. Now it’s your problem. Because week after week after week after week after week, I will be after you until I get my hands on you and make you pay!” The fans fire up for that! When and where will Garcia finally take the Top Guys out?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of Collision, even for this being a pre-taped and even then slightly delayed episode because of the NBA Playoffs getting in the way. Great opening with The Young Bucks “changing” the match order to try and swerve Swerve. But of course Swerve was winning, good stuff with Blake Christian. Good stuff also with Omega going out there to help Swerve against The Bucks, keeping the link of them in Team AEW going. And we’re getting quite the 8 Man Tag next week, a good tease for the possible Anarchy in the Arena match.

Very good promo from Samoa Joe to call out Moxley, and very good hype promos for Mone VS Hayter and Fletcher VS Hangman. Very good match from Toni VS Aminata, Aminata continues to look strong even in defeat. Still unsure how Aminata VS Deeb is going to go in the ROH Women’s Pure Championship tournament. Anna of course won her return match, but I’m a little surprised she ended up a target for Ford & Bayne. Anna will be a good opponent for Megan to bide her time, though, and maybe Anna gets an ally for a tag match or two.

Caster having another Open Challenge is ridiculous but I guess even he is moving past The Acclaimed, aka not going back for revenge on Bowens. Hologram gets a great win for it, and maybe Hologram will get a title story soon. Though, all the midcard titles are wrapped up in stories… Meanwhile, great Tornado Tag of Top Flight VS CRU, and there wasn’t really cheating for CRU to win since it was No Disqualification, though not caring about Leila was a pretty harsh spot. A string of signatures taking out Darius is good enough, and maybe CRU could get a title shot, if not for Hurt Syndicate being the AEW tag champions and the Sons of Texas probably going until All In: Texas.

Awesome match from Bandido VS Dralistico, but it was clear that being on just this pre-taped and even then slightly delayed episode, Bandido would retain. Rush VS Fox definitely felt like Rush taking out his frustrations over Dralistico’s loss, though. And I feel like they should definitely build to Bandido VS Rush, but that’s only if ROH gets a replacement event for Supercard of Honor now being in July. Very good promo from Heel Roppongi Vice, and I like that Rocky brought up the Conglomeration shirt as a point of disrespect. They are also clearly going to have a match with The Outrunners after that confrontation backstage, that’ll be good stuff to show what Heel RPG Vice does in the ring.

And then just an awesome main event tag match from FTR VS Roddy & Kyle. It wasn’t even really blatant cheating that won it for FTR, such as Stokely distracting and someone doing a low blow. It was just some Heel sneakiness, but mostly just the usual gritty style from both teams. And of course, good stuff with Adam Cole and Daniel Garcia showing up. Cole & Garcia VS FTR is certainly happening soon, though I can’t be sure where that goes, because it would make no sense for Garcia to turn. Unless this is also to help give Cope his return moment so that Cope & Garcia are the ones that take down Heel FTR. Even then, not sure where that goes…

My Score: 8.9/10

Is there about to be a shocker in Hiroshima?

Jeff Cobb’s departure leaves a huge void, namely with the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Will the United Empire take those back and carry on in his stead? Or is Hirooki Goto about to become a DOUBLE Heavyweight Champion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
• 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, YOH & Master Wato VS TMDK; Hontai wins.
• Clark Connors & Taiji Ishimori VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Kanemaru win.
• Six Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Jado VS The United Empire; Hontai wins.
• Yuya Uemura & Shota Umino VS Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi; Tsuji & Takagi win.
• Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
• Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Taichi & Ishii win.
• Vacant IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan; Callum & Khan win and are the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!

While the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships are on the line in the main event, the line of contenders is already forming! Will the unlikely duo of Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull be one to watch out for? Or can the former champions make things tranquilo once again?

The fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” already while he puts his entrance attire aside. With the pants put aside, Naito and Hiromu LIJ fist bump. Naito then steps up to Taichi! The fans cheer and rally even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Naito and Taichi circle slowly, then they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. The fans rally while the two are in a deadlock. Naito manages to put Taichi on the ropes, but Taichi turns it around. Naito turns it back around but then so does Taichi. The ref counts, the two slowly let go, and Taichi pats Naito on the shoulders. But then Naito SPITS at Taichi! Taichi runs up, Naito dodges, and tranquilo!

The fans cheer while Taichi is annoyed. Taichi grabs Naito’s hand, KICKS him in the back again and again, then stomps him down. Tag to Ishii and they get Naito up. They double whip Naito but Naito grabs the ropes! Ishii runs up, Naito BOOTS him, then Naito dodges Taichi! Hiromu joins in, TENDEDERO! Ishii runs up, Hiromu & Naito let him go past, and then Hiromu whips Naito to RAM Ishii! Hiromu then gives Naito a boost to RANA! Ishii tumbles, but comes back, into TENDEDERO! The fans cheer and Hiromu thanks them. Hiromu then CHOPS Ishii to a corner, and Naito helps double whip corner to corner.

Hiromu runs in, Ishii dodges, and Ishii CLOBBERS Naito! Hiromu runs up again, but Ishii sends him into Taichi’s RIDGE HAND! Ishii runs and CLOBBERS Hiromu! The fans cheer and Taichi gives Naito a stomp before he exits. Ishii waits on Naito, kicks him around, eggs him on, and the fans rally again. Naito rises up, Ishii slaps him around, but Naito fires forearms. Ishii just leans into them! Ishii corners Naito like that, even as Naito fires more and more forearms. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Naito SPITS, so Ishii CHOPS and ROCKS him over and over! Naito still SPITS, so Ishii CHOPS again!

Taichi tags in, he stomps Naito, then snapmares Naito for a KICK! Naito writhes but Taichi paces. The fans rally and Naito rises up, but Taichi gives him some mocking kicks. Taichi taunts the fans while they rally up more. Naito stands to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK Naito down! Cover, TWO! Tag to Ishii and the fans continue to rally, “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Ishii drags Naito up, taunts Hiromu, then reels Naito in. Naito fights the suplex, so Ishii ROCKS him and tries again. Naito knees free of the suplex, but Ishii ROCKS him! Naito ELBOWS, Ishii runs, but Naito dropkicks the legs out!

The fans cheer while both men are down. Ishii and Naito crawl, hot tag to Hiromu! Hiromu fires forearms, whips, but Ishii reverses, only for Hiromu to RANA! Taichi runs in, Hiromu dodges and kicks him to then whip him at Ishii! Taichi stops short, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS Taichi into Ishii! Hiromu runs to LARIAT, snapmare, and basement DROPKICK Ishii! The fans fire up behind “HI-RO-MU!” and Hiromu cocky covers, TWO! Ishii is annoyed already but Hiromu eggs him on. Ishii CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, echoing out every time! CHOP after CHOP after CHOP, they’re almost thudding more than popping!

The fans fire up as Ishii eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS in return! Hiromu eggs Ishii on and the CHOPS keep going! Hiromu mockingly asks if this is what a heavyweight has! Ishii and Hiromu CHOP and CHOP and CHOP again, but Hiromu wobbles! The fans fire up as he grins and comes back. Ishii CHOPS, Hiromu roars to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Ishii roars, Hiromu CHOPS, and now Ishii wobbles! Ishii grits his teeth to stay standing, but Hiromu CHOPS again! Ishii drops to a knee!! The fans are thunderous for this feat, and Hiromu says here we go!

Hiromu reels Ishii in, but Ishii fights the suplex! Ishii wrenches, Hiromu breaks free, but Ishii blocks the superkick! Hiromu SWATS Ishii’s lariat away but Ishii ducks Hiromu’s SAIDO! But Hiromu’s right up!? Hiromu dodges and suplexes high and hard! But Ishii’s right up! Ishii dodges a kick, Hiromu dodges a lariat, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! But Ishii comes back to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii and Hiromu stir, Ishii crawls, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi storms up on Hiromu but Hiromu is deadweight! The ref checks with Hiromu and the fans rally up. Taichi sits Hiromu up to KICK! The fans fire up, and Hiromu sits up again.

Taichi KICKS Hiromu, and he eggs Hiromu on. The fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” but Taichi KICKS again! Taichi eggs Hiromu on, he eggs the fans on, and he tells Hiromu to fight. Hiromu rises up and CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up as Taichi backs away to a corner! Hiromu runs up, Taichi dodges, GAMANGIRI! Ishii BLASTS Naito off the apron then goes out after him. Ishii whips, but Naito reverses, and Ishii hits the railing! But Taichi says OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up and Taichi takes aim. Hiromu rises, Taichi powers up, but Hiromu LARIATS first! Hiromu reels Taichi in, Taichi fights free to fire RIDGE HAND CHOPS!

Taichi spins, Hiromu ducks the backhand, and Hiromu reels Taichi in! FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu crawls, hot tag to Naito! Hiroshima fires up again as Naito CLUBS and KICKS Taichi! Naito whips, ELBOWS, then basement DROPKICKS! Naito hurries to get Taichi back up, turn him, and NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer him on. Cover, TWO! Naito stays cool while the fans continue to rally. Naito stands Taichi up for those heavy elbows! Taichi just URAKENS! Naito wobbles, but he comes back with the heavy elbows! Taichi staggers back into a corner but Naito storms over to him.

Naito goes up the corner, brings Taichi up, and reels him in for ESPERANZA! The fans rally up as Naito goes back to the corner. Naito waits on Taichi, but Ishii CLOBBERS him! Hiromu SHOTGUNS Ishii! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Taichi, Naito runs up, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, ISHII BREAKS IT! Just barely in time! But Hiromu hoists Ishii up, TIMEBOMB 1.5! Naito & Hiromu coordinate and they get Taichi up! Hiromu helps out with the TORNADO DDT!! Taichi tumbles, Naito hurries to bring him back up, and he wrenches to tilt-o-whirl, but Taichi blocks Destino! Hiromu SHOTGUNS Taichi into the REVERSE DDT!! Cover, TWO!!

Taichi survives as it wasn’t quite Destino, but Naito says he’ll finish it now! Hiromu has Ishii on the outside, but Taichi takes a swing! Naito dodges, Naito takes a swing, but the DANGEROUS SAIDO finds him! Hiromu is after Taichi, fireman’s carries, but Ishii runs in! Hiromu ROCKS Ishii, Ishii ROCKS Hiromu! Hiromu gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ishii rises, but Hiromu dodges, SNAP GERMAN! Ishii rises again?! And then he dodges Hiromu to SNAP GERMAN! But Hiromu rises!! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, Ishii stays up! Ishii runs, but HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER hits! But Ishii’s back up, and he LARIATS!

Hiromu staggers into Ishii’s suplex, but Hiromu COUNTER DDTS!! Everyone is down and the fans are thunderous as we hit 15 minutes! The fans rally as Hiromu looks to Naito. Hiromu and Ishii roll out of the ring, and Naito rises. Taichi roars, and he aims, but Naito dodges the superkick! ROLLING KICK! Suplex for VALENTIA!! Naito then drags Taichi up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirl, DEST- EMERALD FLOWSION?!? Ishii then adds a SLIDING LARIAT!! Ishii goes out to get Hiromu, Taichi hits the BUZZSAW!! Cover, HIROMU BREAKS IT!! Ishii chases after Hiromu, TOSSES him back out, and Taichi drags Naito up!

Taichi fires up, the fans fire up, DANGEROUS SAIDO BRIDGE!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Naito survives and Hiroshima is erupting! Taichi snarls and vows to end this! Taichi reels Naito in for the Alabama Lift but Naito fights it! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Taichi! And SUPERKICKS Ishii! And HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER for Taichi!! The fans are thunderous again as Naito & Hiromu coordinate. Hiromu fireman’s carries, Taichi slips free, but Hiromu standing switches. Naito runs up but Taichi BOOTS him! Taichi ELBOWS Hiromu, then runs up on Naito! Naito dodges to use the ropes, TORNADO CRADLE!! TWO!!!

Taichi escapes, Hiromu is back, AX BOMBER!! TENSHO JUJIHOU for Naito!!! Taichi crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!! Naito barely gets that arm up, but Taichi Alabama Lifts him! Ishii UPPERCUTS Naito before helping adding on, BLACK MEPHISTO BRAINBUSTER COMBO!! Ishii then holds Hiromu down while Taichi gets Naito back up, BLACK MEPHISTO PROPER!!! Cover, Taichi & Ishii win!!

Winners: Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall

Hiromu is devastated, but Naito’s last NJPW match in Hiroshima is a defeat! It was an epic battle, and Taichi shows Naito the proper respect. The fans cheer, and the emotion is clear on Naito’s face. Hiromu helps Naito up, and the fans cheer Naito on. Hiromu adorns Naito with his LIJ baseball cap, and offers the fist bump. The fans cheer Naito on, and also Bushi as he joins the others in the ring. Bushi joins in with the fist bump, and though he struggles to stand, Naito also joins in. The fans cheer as the ungovernable spirit is still strong. Will those burning tears of frustration give way to tears of joy knowing they’re going all out until the very end?

Vacant IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan!

Hirooki Goto knows he will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against the Prince of Pace at Wrestling Dontaku. But this detour into Wrestling Redzone sees Callum fighting to reclaim the tag titles now that Jeff Cobb is leaving NJPW. Will the Dominator help Callum while also making himself a double champion? Or will the only double champion be the man who puts the G in IWGP?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one way or another, we will have new champions!

The teams sort out and both Goto and Callum step up. The fans cheer this appetizer for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and rally behind “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum and Goto circle, feel things out, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Goto powers Callum to the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Goto lets off with a pat on the shoulders. The fans applaud, Callum brushes himself off, and the two reset. They tie up again, are in a deadlock, but Callum fights a point of leverage to put Goto on the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, and Callum lets off to pat Goto on the shoulder. Then he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

Callum whips, Goto reverses, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT! The fans cheer, and Callum sits Goto up to KICK him in the back! Callum drags Goto up, bumps him off buckles, and he tags in Khan. Khan runs to BLAST Yoshi-Hashi, then he fires forearms on Goto. Khan CHOPS Goto at the ropes, then runs, but Hashi slides in! Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZANMAI! Callum steps in but Goto kicks low! Goto snap suplexes Callum onto Khan, then Goto kicks Callum out of the ring. Hashi brings Khan up, Goto joins in, “SE~ NO!” They beat the WAR DRUM! The fans cheer, and Goto stomps Khan.

Goto eggs Callum on, stomps Khan more, then whips. Khan reverses, he grabs Goto’s leg, and Callum runs in! Callum SWEEPS Goto’s leg, Khan BLASTS Hashi, and the fans cheer! Callum steps on Goto as he exits, and Khan drags Goto up. Khan hits the fireman’s carry takeover, then he drags Goto up for a MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags Goto up again to SAYANAGI! Khan then has a cocky cover, but Red Shoes isn’t about those. Khan shifts right into a KATAGATAME! Goto endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle as Khan puts all his weight on the hold! Goto reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go, but he drags Goto by an arm to tag in Callum.

Callum stomps Goto down, then paces. Callum drags Goto up, but Goto CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, but Callum KNEES low! Callum CLUBS Goto, then has him on the ropes. Callum UPPERCUTS Goto, then brings him out to KICK him down! Cover, ONE! Goto is tougher than that and the fans applaud. Callum drags Goto back up, whips him into the Empire’s corner hard, and Goto falls to the mat! Tag to Khan, he drags Goto up, and gives him Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! Then he feints so he can UPPERCUT! The fans applaud, and Khan has Goto in the corner so he can sit on his throne!

The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Khan pulls Goto’s arms back! Red Shoes counts, Khan hops down, and Khan brings Goto around to Mongolian Chops! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this but Khan BLASTS Hashi off the apron! Red Shoes reprimands but Khan scuffs Goto. Khan eggs Goto on, then kicks him! Goto eggs Khan on, so Khan kicks again! And again! Goto CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Khan Mongolian Chops! Khan whips, Goto reverses, and Goto runs up, but into a BOOT! Khan runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto and Khan crawl, hot tag to Hashi!

Hashi runs to CLOBBER Khan, then BLAST Callum! Khan kicks and whips, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Hashi turns Khan for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi runs to LARIAT Khan in the corner! Hashi goes up and leaps for the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Khan survives but the fans rally for Hashi. Hashi drags Khan up, but Khan CHOPS! Khan ROCKS Hashi, ROCKS him again, then Mongolian Chops! But Hashi spins to CHOP! Khan sputters, but Hashi CHOPS again! Khan wobbles and flails, but Hashi winds up and CHOPS, but Khan blocks! Mongolian Chop! But Hashi mule kicks!

Hasih runs, but into a SAYANAGI! Khan drags Hashi up, Hashi breaks free, but Khan blocks the lariat to wrench and HITSUJIGOROSHI! Hashi endures, but Khan hooks him up for the FLATLINER! And then the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Hashi up for the ELIMIN- NO, Hashi counters with a DDT!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally as both men crawl, hot tags to Callum and Goto! They RAM shoulders, then they fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Then harder and harder! Callum roars, fires a flurry, and he winds up, but Goto catches him! Spin and URA GTR!

Goto runs to run Callum over! Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum whips, Goto reverses to fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans rally for Goto while he stalks Callum. Goto roars and powers up, and Callum sits up into the BUZZSAW! Goto drags Callum up to fireman’s carry again, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives, the fans fire up, and Goto is right on Callum again! Goto dragon sleepers, but Callum drops down to victory roll, TWO! Goto ducks a kick, Callum elbows the waistlock away, then runs. DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and Callum staggers, but he and Goto both growl! They DOUBLE LARIAT again, and Callum slumps against Goto!

The fans fire up as Goto brings Callum up. Goto runs, but Callum ROUNDHOUSES!! Both men are down and the fans fire up more! Goto and Callum crawl now, though a bit dazed. Hot tag to Hashi and he runs past Callum to BLAST Khan! Hashi suplexes, for the HEAD BUSTER! And then the METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives but Hashi fires up again! Hashi drags Callum up, half nelsons then pump handles, but Callum fights free! Hashi ducks a roundhouse to LARIAT! Cover, Khan breaks it! Goto kicks Khan, fires forearms, but Khan swings! Goto ducks, Hashi mule kicks, and they hook Khan up, GOTO GO TO HUNTER!

The fans fire up, Bishamon storms up on Callum, but Callum fires CHOP after CHOP on them! Callum runs, but into a clinch! Goto fireman’s carries, FIERCE FLASH!! Hashi calls for the end, Bishamon hooks Callum up, but Callum fights free! Callum ELBOWS Goto, dodges Hashi, then springboards, DOUBLE OS- NO, Goto catches Callum! Hashi is back in, but Khan SUPERMAN PUNCHES him! Khan fireman’s carries Goto, Callum runs up, IMPERIAL DROP!! Big shoutout to Henare and Cobb, and the fans fire up again! Callum drags Hashi up and he feeds him to Khan. Callum runs, but Hashi fights free!

Hashi shoves Khan at Callum, Callum gets Khan out of the way, but the HIDDEN GAP finds him! Hashi sends Callum at Khan now, knocking Khan down! Hashi then rolls Callum up, TWO! Hashi has the full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! But Khan LARIATS Hashi!! Khan shouts to Callum that they have this now, and the fans fire up! Khan drags Hashi into the fireman’s carry, but gets EASY PICKINGS! But Callum V-TRIGGERS Hashi! Hashi is up, Callum dodges him to OSCUTTER!! And then BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, THE EMPIRE WINS!!

Winners: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

“The Prince’s Curse” seals the deal, and now Callum brings all that gold into the ring, even Goto’s world title! Will Goto have to be much more careful when it’s 1v1 at Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he #GetBackUp and #TurnItAllAround?

As for the Empire, Callum puts the world title on Goto’s shoulder, knowing they fight for it in just 8 days’ time. But before Callum & Khan can say anything on the mic, Taichi & Ishii make their way back out here! Taichi grabs the mic and he tells Callum, “Hey young ‘un. Don’t think just because you beat Goto & Hashi, this is a changing of the guard, ya bastard. Who’s quitting? Who’s leaving? With me and Ishii still here, NJPW hasn’t changed a bit. We will be at the center of New Japan, we will be here for the fans, and we will take those belts!” The fans like the sound of that!

Taichi also points out he and Ishii just beat the 2024 World Tag League winners, the former champions, Naito & Hiromu, so they’re deserving of the next shot. He dares Callum to accept the challenge! The fans really like the sound of that! Khan takes the mic and he says, “Two old farts with no future. Such a shame. Well, we will give our senpai a chance. Any time you want, we’ll take you on.” The fans cheer as this showdown is now on the books! When and where will Taichi & Ishii look to reestablish themselves in NJPW?

After Taichi & Ishii head back out, Callum takes the mic to say, “Hold on a moment, please. It’s very hot.” Callum also apologizes, Japanese is very hard for him, so is English okay? The fans applaud and Callum says arigato. Now in English, Callum says, “I’ve seen everything. Anything anyone has got to say about me against Goto. And if you think for one second, I’m gonna listen to anyone that thinks I don’t have a fighting chance at being the next IWGP Champion, then in Fukuoka, none of you are gonna believer your eyes of what The Prince of Pace, Callum Newman, is gonna do!” The fans cheer that!

Callum tells Goto that he has looked up to Goto for years, Goto is one of the best in NJPW. But guess what? In Fukuoka, Callum is not only going to be IWGP Tag Champion, he will be the NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! The fans cheer, and Khan is given the mic back. “We (the royal ‘we’) are the first ever TV and IWGP Tag Champion, and Callum will be the first IWGP World heavyweight and Tag Champion. Bow down, peasants of Hiroshima!” The fans cheer, and Khan continues, “What happened in this Goto Revolution? Nothing! While these old farts are trying to hang on to the spotlight, the revolutionaries are putting in the work, isn’t that right?”

The fans applaud more, and Khan says, “It’s the new that will lead the way for NJPW. It’s Francesco Akira, Templario, Callum Newman, and Great-O-Khan. It’s the power of the United Empire. BOW DOWN!” Akira & Templario join Callum & Khan in throwing up the crowns. Will no one be able to stop them from completely conquering NJPW?

My Thoughts:

A great event for NJPW as they take a detour on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, especially as Dontaku marks the last date for Naito & Bushi. That tag match of Naito & Hiromu VS Taichi & Ishii was great, and the energy from the crowd was awesome. But given Naito is on his way out, it makes sense he puts Taichi & Ishii over. Seeing Naito get emotional there was a great shot, and we know just how much this all means to him. Great main event for the tag titles, and great win for Callum & Khan. Taichi & Ishii already calling their shot was good, and it made for good stuff in the closing promo.

Goto VS Callum is going to be great, but sorry, maybe I’m one of the naysayers right now. It would be pretty awesome if Callum & Khan became a Two Man Power Trip, but I’m not sure NJPW likes funneling a lot of titles through not just one faction, but through just two guys. One way or another, Khan is a Double Champion and they can play the double header aspect up with him plenty, I don’t think there needs to be a double double header where Callum has to worry about both the tag titles and the world title.

My Score: 8.9/10