Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/9/24)
Get a dream, hold onto it, and shoot for the sky!
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic returns!
On the same night Tony D & Stacks defend the NXT Tag Team Championships, other teams enter the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic! Who will head towards the cup and their own place in history?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Nikkita Lyons VS Blair Davenport; Blair wins.
- 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Opening Round: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Gallus; Bron & Corbin win and advance to the next round.
- Josh Briggs VS Oro Mensah w/ Meta Four; Briggs wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo VS Out The Mud w/ SCRYPTS; win(s) and
- Gigi Dolin VS Cora Jade; Cora wins.
- 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Opening Round: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Hank Walker & Tank Ledger; Frazer & Axiom win and advance to the next round.
- NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee VS Lexis King; Dragon wins and retains the title.
- NXT Men’s Breakout Contract Cash-in, North American Championship: Dragon Lee VS Oba Femi; Oba wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Blair Davenport attacks Nikkita Lyons in the parking lot! AGAIN!
They brawl it out and refs rush up! And now they’re brawling their way to ringside! Lyons sends Blair into the barriers! Blair hits back but so does Lyons! Lyons SMACKS Blair off the apron, puts her in the ring, and the match begins!
Nikkita Lyons VS Blair Davenport!
Lyons dodges a lariat to ROUNDHOUSE! Then she scoops to SLAM Blair! Lyons suplexes Blair high and hard! Lyons runs at a corner to forearm SMASH! Then she spins Blair around but Blair throws elbows. Blair goes up, jumps, but Lyons gets under to HEEL KICK Blair down! Cover, TWO! Blair is still in this but Lyons drags her up. Lyons whips Blair to a corner, storms up again and suplexes. Blair slips free, throws hands and then POSTS Lyons! Lyons tumbles to the floor, and then Blair goes out to the apron. Blair runs up to DIVING STOMP Lyons down! Fans boo but Blair puts Lyons in fast.
Blair climbs up a corner, and she DIVING STOMPS again! Lyons clutches her bad leg, and Blair hurries to get her back up! Blair CLUBS away, Lyons throws body shots, but Blair CLUBS Lyons again. Blair pushes Lyons around, facelocks, but Lyons fights up. Blair turns things to a DDT, then a GUILLOTINE! Lyons endures, fights around, and up to her feet. The fans rally, Lyons lifts, but Blair fights it! Blair has body scissors now! But Lyons powers out to a BIG suplex! Fans fire up again as Lyons grits her teeth. Lyons crawls towards Blair, fires a forearm, but Blair hits back! Lyons ROCKS Blair, Blair kicks low!
Blair runs, but Lyons KICKS Blair down! And KICKS her again! Lyons fires body shots, haymakers, and then shoves Blair to a corner. Blair fights the suplex but Lyons powers through! A rough landing for Blair, but Lyons gets her back up. GERMAN SUPLEX! Blair goes to a corner, but Lyons runs in to jump and HIP DROP! Then she hits a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Blair survives being thrown around but Lyons won’t let her get away. Lyons kicks, Blair ducks, and Blair SHOTGUNS in return! Blair sits Lyons up, but Lyons fights the Kami-Goye to kick and BOOT Blair down! Lyons hurries to scoop, but Blair slips free!
Blair shoves, Lyons ducks and clotheslines Blair up and out! Fans fire up as Lyons pursues Blair. Lyons BOOTS Blair again, runs up, but Blair dodges! The heel kick hits post! Blair grabs at Lyons, Lyons still shoves her away and hobbles over. Lyons puts Blair in the ring, steps back in, but Blair CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! Fans boo but Blair sits Lyons up, KAMI-GOYE!! Cover, BLAIR WINS!
Winner: Blair Davenport, by pinfall
Blair started the fight, and she finished it! Is Davenport just too dangerous for the women’s roster?
Cody Rhodes speaks.
“NXT: the Ellis Island of sports entertainment. Where fresh new talent grows into superstars. Where familiar faces go for a shot in the arm. Tonight, this cutting-edge brand turns the page to a familiar chapter. A tag team tournament rich in tradition, prestige and honor: The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The art of tag team wrestling is about to take center stage, culminating in Clarksville, Tennessee at Vengeance Day. Eight teams are about to embark on a journey, but only one will survive, earn a future tag team title match, and the privilege of having their names engraved on the Dusty Cup forever.
“This tournament represents the man it’s named after. The hunger, the drive, the dream, to be remembered forever in the annals of time. For these eight teams, it’s not about finishing the story, it’s about creating their own.” The American Nightmare has set the tone, but who will set the pace? The opening round begins tonight, after the break!
Trick Melo Gang meets up backstage.
Melo finishes up a phone call and says he has good news. Trick isn’t sure he wants to hear it. Because Melo might tell him one thing and do something totally different, just like he did last week. Melo knows he said he’d stay in the back, but when HBK put out that tweet about a former NXT Champion coming here, he just worried who it was gonna be. Melo takes titles, not chances. So thankfully, Trick beat Waller all by himself like he said. But Melo wants Trick to understand, that since Trick asked for his help, it is Melo’s responsibility to make sure Trick succeeds. So Melo wants to holler at Trick about something real quick.
Trick says he understands where Melo’s coming from, and Trick did get the W. What’s Melo got? Well, we don’t know how long Ilja Dragunov’s gonna be out recovering, right? Right, no idea. But Trick will be ready. Of course! But Melo figured that while they wait, he’d pull some strings, and uh… They got the eighth spot in the Dusty Cup, baby! Let’s talk about it! Trick isn’t sure, though. He wants to stay locked in for his match with Dragunov. Okay, okay, but Melo feels this will keep him locked in and focused. Trick still isn’t sure. But Melo says good news: he DOES know! They’ll take this whole thing, win the cup AND the tag titles, and then we get Triple Crown Melo and Two Title Trick!
Cuz that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be! They shake hands and Trick Melo Gang is ready! Will this detour on the road to the top be good for these two? Or just for… HIM?
The bracket is set!
With Trick Melo Gang getting that eighth and final spot in the opening round, we have: Trick Melo Gang VS Edris Enofe & Malik Blade; Chase U VS The LWO; Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Hank ‘n’ Tank Ledger; and this match up next…
2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Opening Round: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin VS Gallus!
There’ve been many an “odd couple” in tag team wrestling history, but the Big Bad Booty Nephew and Mr. No More BS is definitely one that sounds good on paper, but might not work in practice. Will Corbin regret not staying a Lone Wolf? Or will he prove to be #MeanerThanEvil running with a pack?
The teams sort out and Bron starts against Mark Coffey. They tie up, Mark arm-drags, but Bron stands right up. They tie up again, Mark headlocks but Bron powers out. Bron runs Mark over, fans bark with him, and Bron headlocks. Mark powers up but Bron holds on. Mark headlocks, Wolfgang tags in before Bron powers out, and now Wolfgang headlocks. Bron powers out, bypasses Wolfgang, then catches Wolfgang for a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up, Bron goes after Wolfgang but Wolfgang shoves him away. Tag to Corbin, and Bron sets Wolfgang up for Corbin’s SPLASH! Corbin throws hands, whips, but Wolfgang reverses to HEADBUTT!
Wolfgang wrenches Corbin’s arm, tags in Mark, and then Wolfgang RAMS Corbin before Mark FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Cover, ONE!! Mark fires off on Corbin with forearm sand uppercuts but Corbin swings. Mark ducks, waistlocks, but Corbin bucks the O’Conner, only for Mark to EURO UPPERCUT him down! Mark drags Corbin up, Corbin ROCKS Mark, and he headlocks. Wolfgang tags in as Mark powers out, and then Mark drops down so Wolfgang can FLAPJACK HOTSHOT Corbin! Corbin flops out of the ring, Bron runs in but Wolfgang dodges! Kitchen sink knee and a SENTON takes Bron down!
Fans are torn as it’s Gallus Boys On Top going into picture in picture.
Corbin and Bron argue as they regroup, but they keep it cool. The fans rally, Bron & Corbin go back to their corner and Corbin storms in. Wolfgang knees low, CLUBS Corbin down, and clamps on a chinlock. Corbin stands up, Wolfgang UPPERCUTS him! Corbin goes to a corner, Wolfgang storms over, but Corbin ELBOWS him first! Corbin ROCKS Wolfgang with a haymaker, but Wolfgang hits back! And CHOPS back! Wolfgang CLUBS Corbin, UPPERCUTS him, then HEADBUTTS him! But Corbin gets around to hit a BIG back suplex! Bron tags in and he storms up on Wolfgang. But Wolfgang wrenches out and ROCKS Bron!
Tag to Mark and Mark CLUBS Bron. Mark stays between Bron and Corbin, DECKS Bron, then storms up on him at the ropes. Mark wrenches Bron, tags Wolfgang back in, and Gallus mugs Bron with body shots. Wolfgang stands between Bron and Corbin, then knocks Bron down. Wolfgang clamps onto a neck wrench, then brings Bron around to scoop and SLAM! Wolfgang poses with arms crossed, then tags in Mark. Gallus mugs Bron some more, the ref counts, and Wolfgang lets off. Mark snapmares and covers, TWO! Mark KNEES Bron in the back, stomps Bron around, then throws haymakers.
Bron sits up to throw body shots in return, and he backs Mark down. But Mark KNEES Bron down! Mark fires forearms, but Bron JUMP KNEES in return! Hot tag to Corbin! Corbin CLOBBERS Mark, puts him in a corner and stomps a mudhole in. The ref counts, Corbin lets off, and he taunts the fans. Corbin stands Mark up for more forearm sand body shots, but Mark hits back! They brawl as NXT returns to single picture. The fans rally as Corbin gets the edge! Corbin whips, Mark dodges and returns, but into a BOOT! Corbin goes up to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Wolfgang breaks it! But Bron runs in, only for Wolfgang to fireman’s carry!
Wolfgang WASTELAND SLAMS, but Corbin SPINEBUSTERS Wolfgang! Mark ROCKS Corbin, runs, and LARIATS! Mark keeps moving, but he runs into DEEP SIX! Fans fire up as all four men are down! Joe Coffey coaches his brother, helps Wolfgang back into the ring, and the fans rally. The teams regroup, Corbin and Bron egg each other on to fire up! They fire off forearms with Gallus and the fans love it! Bron clotheslines Wolfgang up and out! Corbin ROCKS and ELBOWS Mark into a corner! Corbin digs his boots in, the ref counts and Corbin lets off. Corbin drags Mark up, fireman’s carries and DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS!
Corbin aims, mocks the Bron “break it” pose, but Wolfgang drags Mark out to safety. Fans boo, but then Corbin storms up on the outside. Corbin choke grips Wolfgang, pushes him, but then Wolfgang dodges! Corbin punches post! Mark WRECKS Corbin with a dropkick! Gallus mugs Corbin against the desk, and SMACKS Corbin’s bad hand off the hood! And then off the apron! The ring count is climbing, Gallus gets in the ring and Mark drags Corbin in after them. Mark stomps Corbin, takes the bad hand and uses it in a straitjacket stretch! Fans chant “SHUT UP JOE!” at the Iron King as Corbin fights up.
Mark ROCKS Corbin, tags Wolfgang, and Wolfgang whips Corbin to a corner hard! Corbin stays up but Wolfgang SPLASHES him, snapmares, and tags back to Mark. Wolfgang stands Corbin up in the Gallus corner, then sends Mark in. Corbin dodges Mark, but Wolfgang whips! Corbin KICKS Wolfgang away, hot tag to Bron! Bron rallies on Gallus, fireman’s carries Wolfgang and hits a GUTBUSTER DROP! Then a BACK SUPELX CUTTER?! Bron keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Wolfgang! The fans are thunderous and Joe Coffey is freaking out! Bron makes Wolfgang hold Mark up, then gets around, GERMAN SUPELX FALL AWAY COMBO!!!
Bron kips up, the straps come down, and even Corbin is into this! Bron says it’s over now! And then Corbin tags in? Corbin is a glory hound, he and Bron argue, and fans want “Spear of Days!” But Wolfgang storms in! SPEAR for Wolfgang!! END OF DAYS for Mark!! Cover, Bron & Corbin win!
Winners: Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin, by pinfall (advance to the next round)
Somehow, someway, these two alpha males made it work as a duo! Will they keep this going until they’re added to the history books?
Tiffany Stratton goes to work on the Henley farm.
Per the deal made in last week’s match, Fallon Henley won and now Daddy’s Little Rich Girl has to work. No sign of her yet, though. As expected. That’s why Fallon got here early. Little Tiff Tiff is finally getting dirty under those pretty fingernails. Oh, here she is now. Tiffany arrives like cowgirl Barbie, and almost trips in her little high heel boots. She also almost throws up from the smells. Fallon tells Tiff she’s late. Tiff knows. She had to make sure she had the perfect outfit. She’s not seriously wearing that to work on a farm, is she? Fallon had stuff ready for her. EW, she’s not wearing flannel!
Just because Tiff got stuck in this “disgusting situation,” does NOT mean she can’t look good doing it. She’s good. Well, fine by Fallon. Let’s get to work. Tiff breathes through her mouth but that doesn’t do any better. And her heels are still having a hard time on the barn floor. How is she struggling already? The real work hasn’t even begun. Oh, Tiff? No, she’s perfectly fine. Right… Anyway, they’re gonna muck the stalls, feed the horses, and- Uh, sorry, she doesn’t speak “ranch.” What does “mucking the stalls” even mean? It means cleaning them. Then they’ll clean the saddles, the bridles, wash the horses, and if Tiff sees any dumpings-
Dumpings?! Yes. As in droppings. Poopy. Yeah, horse s*it. If you see it, pick it up and throw it away, okay? Tiff is freaking out already. We’ll check in on them later to see if Tiff survives even the first hour.
Lyra Valkyria is here!
The fans cheer the NXT Women’s Champion as she stands in the ring, and she says we all saw the start of the show, right? The opening recap package showed that she and Blair kicked the crap outta each other at New Year’s Evil. But despite being in the deepest Women’s Division the WWE has to offer, Lyra is confident she’ll finish 2024 as she started it: as your NXT Women’s Champion! Fans cheer that. Lyra continues to say that the thing about Blair is, she’s not going anywhere. Wherever this title goes, Blair will follow. So the question really is, “Who am I gonna face in four week’s time at Vengeance Day?”
Well, we’ll all find out next week, because Lyra spoke with Ava Raine. Ava said they’ll hold a 20 WOMAN BATTLE ROYAL! Fans like the sound of that! Lyra says there’s a twist, though. Because when it gets down to the final four, the match turns into a Fatal 4 Way! The winner of that Fatal 4 will face Lyra at- Lola Vice interrupts. She tells Lyra, “You’re only standing in this ring because your weird little friend, Tatum Paxley, saved your ass last week. Unfortunately for you, I still have my contract. Which means I could cash this baby in whenever I want.” Lyra says yeah, yeah, anytime, anywhere. Lyra gets it.
But what happened? Lyra thought when Lola came in here with her MMA background and all the hype, that Lola would be the one to turn this place upside-down. All we ever see Lola do is talk and talk and talk and talk about what she’s going to do. So what is it, Lola? Maybe she’s confused. Maybe Lola doesn’t know what Lyra’s here to do, but it sure ain’t watching Lola shake her arse on Instagram! Lyra is here to FIGHT Lola, the cage fighter! And see these people? Some of them don’t like Lola. A lot of them do, though. But one thing we can all agree on is that everyone wants to see the match happen!
The fans cheer that, but Lola says, “Callete, la boca.” Everyone LOVES Lola, she can’t help it! They’re like sheep! They follow Lola’s every move. Pero, she can’t blame them, they love the Latina Heat. Oh, really? Where’s the Latina Heat? Cuz the only place Lyra sees it coming from is Elektra Lopez. La Madrina, the one who held Legado Del Fantasma together. Lyra is wondering, when is Lola gonna break it to Lopez that she has no interest in using that contract to get a Women’s Tag Title match? Lyra says she’ll make it easy! Just have the match here and now! Get a ref out here! A ref hurries, Lola squares up, but Lopez SUCKER PUNCHES Lyra!
Fans boo as the lethal Latinas beat down Lyra! Lyra gets up, fights back, and she TACKLES Lopez! Lola CLUBS Lyra, drags her by her hair, but TATUM appears! Tatum ROCKS Lola, Lyra fires off on Lopez, and it’s a lot like last week! Lola & Lopez retreat, Lopez says it will be the two of them against Lyra and Tatum, anytime, anywhere! Tatum says she’s up for it! She and Lyra will never be separated! They belong together! Uh, since when did Lyra agree to that? But will a tag match be what it takes to settle this?
Meta Four watches the Country Strong break-up.
They sarcastically act like it’s so sad. Jakara Jackson says, “They break up, we get stronger!” They all cheer that, but Josh Briggs walks in. Real cute that Meta Four’s adopted the bear claw fist bump. Noam Dar says hey, Josh. Lash Legend “apologizes” that Briggs had to see that, seeing as how Meta Four is the group that caused the break-up. Briggs says, “You think we broke up cuz of you guys?” Well, duh! This is a safe space, let it out! Briggs tells Dar to get his head out of his ass. The trio all had different goals, it was mutual. And if not for Captain Sidekick, Oro Mensah, we all know Briggs had Dar’s number.
In fact, Briggs wants a rematch. Dar laughs at that, because Briggs lost by disqualification! And Oro is upset that he’s being called a sidekick. Well if Oro has a problem, then they can handle it in the ring! Briggs storms off, is he going to show he’s Country Strong all by himself? Or will the numbers still win things for Meta Four?
Ava Raine meets with Luca Crusifino.
The Legal Eagle is using photo evidence that he had a ropebreak, and he should not have lost. Ava says she’s not a ref, she can’t do anything about a bad call. And she’s waiting for another meeting, but promises to pass the concerns along. Luca says fair enough, and he heads out. Dragon Lee arrives and apologizes for not making it last week. Ava says that’s okay. But Dragon likes that the LWO handled things, and assures Ava that his work visa issues are out of the way. He’s back, ready to go. That’s great! Because in steps Lexis King. And the Drama King of NXT says that’s great. If there’s no mas visa issues, then the open challenges are back on the table. Or is he wrong?
Dragon says he was gonna issue one, but yeah, he’s always ready. And so is King, amigo. So much so, he had a contract drafted up so they don’t have to waste time waiting. Just sign on the dotted line. Dragon says bet, and he signs. Dragon promises his reign will continue to set records, starting tonight. Then it’s official. See you later, cabron. What did he call King? Don’t worry about it. But now that there’s more gold on the line, will King get his crown one way or another? Or will this truly be the Year of the Dragon?
Josh Briggs VS Oro Mensah w/ Meta Four!
A battle of former NXT UK Tag Team Champions comes to the forefront as both men want to prove they’re their own man. Well, at least one of them is. But will Oro being a sidekick actually come in handy for him? Or will not even having backup stop a Clothesline From Hell?
The bell rings and Oro fires off, but Briggs fires in return! Oro kicks a leg, ROCKS and CHPOS, but Briggs scoops and SLAMS! Then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, ONE!! Oro gets loose but Briggs brings him up. Briggs CLUBS Oro, scoops him again, but Oro fights free with elbows. Oro shoves but Briggs runs Oro over! Fans fire up, Briggs whips Oro corner to corner, then runs in to SPLASH! Briggs whips, wrenches, but Oro fishhooks! Then JUMP KNEES! Oro runs, but Briggs scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Oro bails out, Briggs pursues, and Lash distracts the ref so Dar can get in the way. Briggs storms in after Oro, but Dar anchors a leg! Oro SUPERKICKS Briggs!
Fans boo as Meta Four gest away with that one. Oro CLUBS away on Briggs, puts him in a corner, but Briggs fights the snapmare. Oro CHOPS, CLUBS and BLINDSIDE FOREARMS! Cover, TWO! Oro storms up but Briggs throws body shots. Oro UPPERCUTS, clinches, but Briggs powers out. Oro dodges a boot, sweeps the legs, then BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Briggs is still in this but Oro throw down fists, then CHOKES Briggs! Briggs pushes Oro away but Oro drives in a knee! Cover, TWO! Briggs sits up but Oro CHOPS him! Briggs CHOPS back! Oro fires a forearm, but so does Briggs!
Briggs whips, Oro dodges and Briggs hits buckles! Oro clotheslines, clotheslines, and stomps a mudhole! Briggs puts Oro on the apron, only for Oro to claw the eyes! Oro dribbles Briggs off buckles, the ref counts, and Oro lets go at 4. Oro springboards, and RIDER KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Briggs is still in this and Oro argues the count. Fans rally for Briggs as Oro drags him up. Oro KICKS Briggs, KICKS and KICKS, but Briggs just scowls. Oro runs up, but Briggs blocks, to CHOKE SLAM!! Briggs aims from a corner, roars, but Jakara distracts the ref! Dar grabs at Briggs, but Briggs gets free as Oro runs in! Oro hits buckles, Briggs hits the CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL!!! Cover, Briggs win!!
Winner: Josh Briggs, by pinfall
For once, one is greater than four! Briggs glares Dar down, Dar says okay then. Will Supernova 11 end up giving Briggs that rematch one way or another?
NXT checks back in at the Henley farm.
Tiff pushes a wheelbarrow of hay, struggles to unload it, struggles to walk in those heels with a bucket of water, struggles to hose down a stable, and, well, just struggles in general. And Fallon smiles. Tiff says she’s done. Can they sit down? Her feet are killing her! Nope, that was just the start. But then a horse did “the thing” again, time to wash her. Fallon says that’s all you, Buttercup. Don’t call Tiff “Buttercup.” She didn’t. She was saying the horse’s name. Tiff does not wanna, but she is gonna. Tiff, meet Buttercup. And here’s a bucket and sponge. Have fun. Tiff asks Buttercup be nice to her.
Tiff puts her hat on a hook, and gets her hands in the water. She carefully dabs and wipes Buttercup, and is almost in tears by the end. She pouts her way back to Fallon and says no she’s done. She needs a shower, new clothes, and to be disinfected. She hopes Fallon enjoyed the show. Yeah, it has been a long day, hasn’t it? But Tiff can’t put a clean horse in a dirty stall. Why not? They’re filthy animals to begin with, and sleep on the hay, right? Yeah, no. Time to muck some stalls. Tiff says muck this. But here, look! A pink rake, just for her. Get to mucking. Tiff sees the absolute mess. To be continued!
NXT Tag Team Championships: Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Adriana Rizzo VS Out The Mud w/ SCRYPTS!
The Don & Underboss ended up owing Lucien Price & Bronco Nima this match because Andre Chase put their money where his mouth was, and then lost. Will Tony & Stacks be able to make it through all the same? Or are Price & Nima about to take these titles home to their streets?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really runs the tag division!
The teams sort out, Nima and Stacks start. They tie up, Nima shoves Stacks, so Stacks shoves Nima. They go again, Stacks wants a leg but Nima shoves him away. Nima eggs Stacks on, so Stacks comes back to headlock. Nima powers out, runs Stacks over, and talks trash. Nima storms up but Stacks fires haymakers in return! Nima kicks, Stacks dodges, but Stacks runs right into a scoop! Stacks slips free, baits Nima into the D’Angelo corner, and Tony tags in as Stacks dodges again. DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Tony fires off, whips, but Nima reverses. Tony rams shoulders but he’s the one who staggers back!
Fans fire up, Tony runs and Stacks tags in. Tony body shots, Stacks knee lifts, and Tony SHOUDLER TACKLES! Stacks & Tony egg Nima on but Price tags in. OTM stands against the D’Angelos, and then Price RAMS Stacks! Price RAMS Stacks again, carries him, but Stacks sunset flips! Price stays up, drags Stacks up, but Stacks DROPKICKS! Then a SPLASH in the corner! Tag to Tony, they mug Price but Price fights free. Tony clotheslines Price in the corner, then uses Stacks for the HIP TOSS CANNONBALL! Tony drags Price to a cover, TWO! Tony throws hands down on Price, tags in Stacks, and then Stacks climbs.
Tony slingshot ELBOW DROPS, then he lifts Stacks off the corner, GORILLA PRESS ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Price stays in this but Stacks stays on him. Price throws body shots, Stacks JABS, fires hands, and headlocks. Price powers out, Nima tags in. Stacks ducks a clothesline but Nima gets a cheap shot in! Stacks DECKS Nima, but Price runs in! Stacks dumps Price out, then goes up and out. Stacks blocks a kick, but Nima Electric Chair Lifts! Price runs up from behind, BLINDSIDE KNEE ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM COMBO, to the floor! Tony protests, fans boo, and OTM talks trash on Stacks as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Nima CLUBS Stacks, DECKS him, then sucker punches Tony! Fans boo but Nima storms up on Stacks. Nima drags Stacks up, and clamps on a mounted crossface hold. Tony storms in and goes after Nima! The ref backs Tony down but that still helps Stacks fight up and throw body shots. Stacks reaches out but Nima keeps him from Tony. Nima kicks and whips, Stacks uses that to BLAST Price! Stacks BOOTS Nima, ELBOWS Price, then fires off hands on Nima! Nima still keeps Stacks back, tag to Price. Whip into the SLEEPER, then a BODY SHOT from Nima! Fans boo as Price brings Stacks around.
Price slides Stacks to Nima’s fireman’s carry! They did this during the break, so Stacks slips free this time! Stacks POSTS Nima, ROCKS Price, and hurries for the corner! Price grabs a leg, Stacks BOOTS him away! Tag to Tony and he rallies on Nima! Fans fire up and Tony BELLy2BELLY SUPLEXES! Then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! Price flounders, Nima runs in but Tony ducks ‘n’ dodges, slip up and over to hockey scrum and JACKHAMER! Fans fire up, Tony SPINEBUSTERS Price! Cover, TWO!! Tony keeps his cool, and he hauls Price back up. Tony reels Price in, says it’s time, and fans fire up.
Tony hooks a leg but Price wrenches free. Stacks tags in before the O’Conner, and then Tony switches, UPPERCUT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Then Stacks feeds Price to Tony. But Nima runs up to STMOP Stacks down! Price fights free to SUPERKICK Tony down! Tag to Nima, OTM mugs Tony and hauls him up. Double Torture Rack, DOUBLE RACK BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Tony survives and the fans fire up! Nima is furious, he kicks Stacks and TOSSES him back out. Tag to Price, they whip Tony and lift, FLAPJACK POWERSLAM COMBO! Cover, TWO!! The Don is showing real tenacity in this match!
Price tags Nima, and OTM gets Tony up again. But Tony fights free, throws hands, and Stacks returns! Stacks clotheslines Nima and himself out of the ring! Tony rolls Price up, TWO! Price stands, but Tony TOSSES him out! Tony calls to Stacks, then Stacks builds speed. Tony give shim the boost, FLYING HIP TOSS CANNONBALL!! Direct hit on OTM and Stacks puts Price in. Tony hauls Price up, whips, Bada Bing, BADA BOOM!! Cover, NIMA BREAKS IT!! Fans fire up again as all four men are down! Scrypts and Rizzo are each freaking out over this one but the fans are loving it! The four brawl, Nima DECKS Stacks!
Price ROCKS Tony, the ref backs Nima down. Price drags Tony & Stacks up as Scrypts climbs the corner! But Rizzo runs up and she SHOVES Scrypts onto Price! Fans fire up as Stacks then runs to TRIANGLE PLANCHA Nima!! Tony gets Price up, FOGEDABOUTIT!! Bridging cover, The D’Angelos win!
Winners: Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The glue of the family keeps the titles with the family! Rizzo celebrates with her guys, will the D’Angelos be unstoppable in 2024?
NXT Anonymous is watching.
The students of Chase U are talking, all very worried about the status of the school. Jacy Jayne & Thea Hail are there to explain Jacy’s plan. “We all know Chase U is in crisis mode right now. Attendance is down and this place is going under fast. And I get you guys and the entire student body have been trying to come up with the money, but it’s just not good enough. But I have an idea that is going to save the university from debt. I just need you guys to do exactly what I say, and we’ll be up and running and back on our feet in no time, okay?” Jacy shows the rest of her plan from her phone, instructing everyone on their part, but just what is this plan?
Backstage interview with Oba Femi.
Kelly Kincaid is with the NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament winner, and congratulates him on the win. It has only been a week, but does he have an idea when he wants to use his title match contract? Oba says this contract means that he can become NXT Champion whenever he wants. And just like the tournament, every superstar will crumble under his feet. And because he is “backed by destiny,” he could wait to cash-in at Stand & Deliver, or he could- be interrupted by Lexis King. King sarcastically congratulates Oba on the win, and says we all know if it wasn’t for Trey Bearhill, it would’ve been King VS Oba in the finals. And well, who knows what would’ve happened then.
But in the end, Oba earned his title contract from the tournament, while King earned his title shot with Dragon Lee with his own contract, and he’s getting that title tonight! So just keep plugging away, Oba. Because King is looking at the future NXT Champion in Oba Femi, while we see the next North American Champion in Lexis King, “The Face of Tuesday Nights.” After King wins, drinks on him, Kelly. King heads out, and Oba says if that match is in tonight’s main event, he might just have to watch. Is Oba going to change plans upon seeing King take on the Lucha Dragon?
Gallus throws a fit backstage.
Wolfgang is shoving stuff and Joe says to dust off. The game is done, they couldn’t have prepared for Bron & Corbin actually working together as a team. Joe then spots “family man” Ridge Holland walking by. Joe says that interview last week was “very touching.” Ridge really poured his heart out. Ridge says not to worry about him, worry more about Gallus. Oh, sorry, does Ridge not know how to act when someone isn’t scared of him? Joe has no fear. In fact, Ridge should be afraid of what Joe is capable of doing to him. Ridge knows how tough Joe is, okay? But look at him. There’s no fear in his eyes, either.
Joe says Ridge should’ve just stuck to being a Brawling Brute. Because now that Ridge is back in NXT, who knows how long Ridge will last! In fact, Gallus can take care of that. Gallus heads out, will Ridge show them a thing or two about Northern Grit?
Gigi Dolin VS Cora Jade!
The Toxic Avenger and the #GenerationOfJade have battled before, but the tables have turned since then! Now Cora is the obnoxious, self-centered, and toxic entity in the locker room, will she make NXT all about her? Or will Gigi put Cora in her place once and for all?
NXT returns as Gigi makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Cora wrenches to wring Gig, but Gigi rolls through. They tie up again, Gigi wrenches and WRINGS Cora! Cora staggers up, Gigi storms up and clinches. Cora powers out to ROCK Gigi, then facelock. Gigi fights the underhooks, snapmares and CHOPS Cora on the back! Then KICKS Cora in the chest! Cover, TWO! Gigi gives Kawada Kicks to Cora and fast! Cora scrambles to ropes, Gigi runs up, but Cora avoids the basement dropkick! Cora springboards to IMPLODER STOMP! Then Cora RAMS Gigi into a corner!
The ref counts, Cora lets off at 4, and then stalks Gigi to another corner. Cora stomps a mudhole in, digs her boots in, but lets off as the ref counts. Cora dusts herself off, storms back up on Gigi, and she stands Gigi up. Gigi throws body shots but Cora CLUBS Gigi down. Cora brings Gigi up, whips, and LARIATS! Fans boo as Cora looms over Gigi. Cora pushes Gigi around, talks trash, and says she runs NXT. But Gigi ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! And again! But Cora YANKS Gigi into ropes! Fans boo again as Cora runs, and she ELBOWS Gigi in the back! Gigi goes to a corner, Cora runs in to SHINING WIZARD!
Cora snapmares Gigi down, covers, TWO! Cora clamps onto Gigi with a chinlock and she thrashes her around. Gigi endures, fans rally up, and Gigi fights to her feet. But Cora wrangles her back down and throws elbows! Cora squeezes tight, Gigi still fights up, but Cora knees low! Fans duel, Cora whips, but Gigi dodge! Cora hits buckles, hurries after Gigi, but Gigi ROCKS her, UPPERCUTS her, and fires off a strike fest! Fans fire up as Gigi roars and CLOBBERS Cora! And CLOBBERS her again! And then wrenches to an STO! Fans fire up as Cora goes to ropes, and Gigi runs to basement dropkick!
Gigi stalks Cora, drags her up, but Cora holds onto the ref to slip free of the move! Then she underhooks, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora wins!
Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall
Cora sneers and fans boo, but Gigi ends up jaded. Will Cora make all of NXT feel the same way as the year rolls on?
OTM regroups in the parking lot.
Nima says they got played! They shouldn’t be leaving without the tag titles. Price says they really need to do something about that. But then they spot Jaida Parker. She says OTM needs to realize, this is The D’Angelo’s environment, open your minds up. So what’s she getting at? Jaida says where she’s from, they see that stuff coming a mile away, and yet OTM fell for it? They’re better than that. She’s right. She knows she’s right! So first thing’s first, who got that rizz? No one speaks up, and that’s what she thought. She’s just saying, she’s the missing piece. So what’s up? OTM is in agreement, let’s talk business.
2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Opening Round: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Hank Walker & Tank Ledger!
The Jersey Island Rocket keeps putting his foot in his mouth backstage, riling up pretty much anyone and everyone he talks about. But the Undeniable Truth is still willing to be Frazer’s friend, and they’re looking to take the Dusty Cup in a flash! Will these two prove to be a truly dynamic duo? Or will Hank ‘n’ Tank have that breakout moment they’ve been waiting for?
The teams sort out and Hank starts against Axiom. They tie up, Hank throws Axiom down, but axiom gets up to throw hands. Hank whips Axiom away to a corner, runs up, but Axiom goes up and over. Axiom keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Hank throws him away to then BOOT him down! Fans fire up, Hank hauls Axiom up, and back suplexes. Axiom lands out on his feet, dodges Hank again and DROPKICKS him! Hank staggers, Axiom runs up but Hank whips him away. Frazer tags in, Axiom dodges Hank to dropkick legs out, then Frazer headlocks. Hank powers out, and he SPLASHES Frazer in the corner!
Tank tags in, he and Hank SANDWICH Frazer! Fans fire up for the working men as Tank goes for Frazer’s legs. Frazer kicks Tank away, goes to ropes, but Tank YANKS him up! Frazer lands on his feet to PELE! Hot tag to Axiom, he runs to ROCK Tank! Frazer ROCKS Tank! Axiom LARIATS and Frazer DDTS! Axiom covers, TWO! Axiom keeps an eye on Hank but goes back for Tank. Axiom KICKS Tank in the ribs! Tank sputters, Hank coaches him up, and Axiom aims again. Tank blocks the kick! Axiom SLAPS free! Tank runs up, blocks the roundhouse, and then runs. Hank tags in., gets Axiom up, and TOSSES him into buckles!
Hank scoops to SLAM Axiom down! Fans fire up with Hank again, he hauls Axiom up to CHOP, then he tags Tank. Hank swings, Axiom counter punches, but Hank still scoops and SLAMS! Tank slingshots to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Axiom hangs in there but Tank drags Axiom up. Axiom CHOPS, Tank gut wrenches to the Canadian Rack! Axiom fights free, dodges Tank and he GAMANGIRIS Hank! Axiom goes up and over Tank, tags in Frazer! Frazer fires off on Tank with forearms, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then CLOBBERS Tank! Fans fire up and Frazer CHOPS Tank in a corner! Frazer whips, Tank reverses but Frazer dodges again!
Tank hits buckles, Frazer springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, Hank breaks it! Axiom runs in but Hank DECKS him! Frazer SUPERKICKS Hank! Tank catches Frazer to a BUBBA BOMB! Tag to Hank and the shirts come off! Feed to the POP-UP BACK SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives but Hank hauls Frazer up. Frazer fights free of the scoop, then dumps Hank out. Axiom tags in and builds speed, GAMANGIRI for Tank! Then Axiom DIVES to hit Hank at the ramp! Hank stays up, Axiom slides in while Frazer DIVES to hit Tank into the desk! Axiom DIVES again but Hank still stands! So Frazer DIVES to hit Tank again for good measure!
Axiom puts Hank in, goes up, but Hank gets under the jump, to KING KONG LARIAT! Hank hauls Axiom up, but Axiom cradle counters! TWO!! Axiom KNEES Hank, tags Frazer, then DROPKICKS Hank! Axiom WRECKS Tank, too, then Frazer PHOENIX SPLASHES Hank!! Cover, Frazer & Axiom win!
Winners: Nathan Frazer & Axiom, by pinfall (advance to the next round)
It was fast and furious, but the high-flyers make it through to the next round! They’re going to face Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin in the next round, will the super friends make it through the two alpha males?
NXT returns to the Henley farm.
Tiff pep talks herself, and promises she will erase every smell from this horrible day from memory. Fallon and her family all have a laugh. Does Tiff not realize she will now have to move that wheelbarrow with it that full? It’s what she gets for talking bad on Fallon. And look how dirty she got. Though, she is lasting longer than Fallon expected. She wouldn’t be a bad addition. Tiff encourages herself, but the more she talks, the more she smells and she almost throws up. And then she gets a bunch of it flung onto her. Fallon says Tiff is all done. How did it feel to do real work and eat her words?
Tiff says this is NOT real work. This was hell! The worst day of her life! Because for one day, she felt what it was like to be Fallon, smelling like disgusting horses and living her repulsive life. Tiff pities Fallon because Fallon enjoys this literal crap. Something is seriously wrong with Fallon if she thinks this is any way to live. But Tiff finished, did everything Fallon asked of her, and did it despite every fiber of her being. Fallon speaks up but Tiff says no, she is leaving! Then she steps into a big pile of poop, falls over and lands right in a water trough. Fallon says she was just gonna say Tiff missed a spot. But yeah, Tiff’s free to go.
Fallon and the family leave Tiff to throw a tantrum in the water. Will Tiff ever live this down?
Malik Blade & Edris Enofe talk backstage.
They’re feeling like it’s Christmas all over again, because next week can’t get here fast enough. Their roll in the Dusty Classic is just getting started! They’ll get their names on that Cup! They’ve had their starts and stops, but this year, there ain’t no stopping them now! What’s crazy is, everyone talks about their opponents, Trick Melo Gang. That’s cool and all, because those two have been the talk of NXT all 2023. But Malik & Edris will put an end to that! Everybody knows Trick Melo Gang ain’t on the same page, but Malik & Edris are reading the same book. They’ve been friends just as long as Trick Melo Gang!
But Edris knows exactly what they need to turn their careers around, and it’s this tournament! Hey, hey, guys! Who’s ready to change their lives? Uh, hey, Brandy Reece, right? #BrandActive. What’s up? Brandy asks if they want to, but is sure they do. She isn’t getting any vibes from them, but let’s get started with stretches! Because when you stay active, you’ll have six packs just like that. Um, okay, Brandy, but they’re covered on that. WOW! Okay, impressive. But if they need a program, hit her up. Okay, bye. Brandy heads out, will the only program Malik & Edris need be winning in the Dusty Classic?
NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee VS Lexis King!
The Boy Wonder, the Future of Lucha Libre, is back and getting right back on his open challenge series. Will he put the Drama King in his place at the same time? Or will the self-proclaimed Face of Tuesday Nights actually slay the Dragon?
NXT returns and King makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly sits on the throne!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, King powers Dragon to ropes but Dragon turns it around. The ref counts, Dragon lets off with a pat on the shoulders, and the two reset. They tie up again, King powers Dragon to a corner, the ref counts again, and King lets off. The fans chant “LEXIS SUCKS!” Dragon catches King to a headlock takeover, but King pulls on the mask! King headscissors, Dragon kips free, but King grabs an arm. King wrenches, hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then wristlocks. Fans rally, Dragon rolls, and he hooks a leg. King fights that off, but Dragon trips King up. Dragon has a toehold but King body scissor clutches! TWO!
King headlocks, Dragon powers up but King hits a takeover. The fans rally for Dragon and he fights up. Dragon powers up and out, King runs him over, and King soaks up the heat. Things speed up, King rolls over Dragon’s dropdown but Dragon runs. King drops, hurdles, Dragon leaps over, and then Dragon dodges to DROPKICK! King ends up in a corner, the fans fire up and Dragon runs in. But King puts Dragon up top, to DROPKICK Dragon to the floor! Fans boo but King builds speed, but Dragon avoids the wrecking ball dropkick! King gets tangled up a bit, gets himself free, and TREY BEARHILL is here!
Refs are holding big bad Bearhill back, King tells him to go away, but Dragon FLIES and takes King out! Fans fire up and NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragon looms over King as Bearhill is escorted away. Dragon CLUBS King, but King RAMS him into steel steps! Then BOOTS him down! King refreshes the count, storms up on Dragon, and whips him into barriers! King looms over Dragon, sits him up to KICK him in the back, then puts him in the ring. King covers, TWO! King looms over Dragon, drags him up and bumps him off buckles. King stomps Dragon, stands him up to CHOP, then digs his boots in, using ropes for leverage! The ref counts, King lets off, and King soaks up the heat. King storms back up on Dragon, pulls on the mask, but Dragon throws body shots!
Dragon swings, King gets under and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Dragon is hanging in there but King is frustrated. King throws down fists, covers, TWO! King clamps onto Dragon with a chinlock, but Dragon fights up as the fans rally. Dragon throws body shots, gets free, and runs, into a kitchen sink knee! King BLINDSIDE KNEES Dragon down! Cover, TWO! Dragon is still in this but King gets a leg. NXT returns to single picture as King has the HALF CRAB! Dragon endures, the fans rally, and Dragon reaches out. But King drags him from ropes! Dragon rolls to a sunset flip, TWO! King runs up to LARIAT!
King huffs and puffs, but he soaks up the heat from the fans. King aims from a corner, Dragon rises up, and King runs in, but fakes the dropkick to SLAP Dragon! King pie faces Dragon, talks trash, but Dragon stands up. Dragon ROCKS King, ROCKS him again, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then SLAPS King in return! Dragon whips, King reverses and sidesteps, but Dragon CLOBBERS King! And LARIATS! Fans fire up, Dragon aims from a corner, and he runs in, only for King to put him on the apron. Dragon blocks a punch to ROUNDHOUSE, then SLINGSHOT RANA! King hits buckles, Dragon runs in, JUMP KCIK!
Dragon sweeps the legs, then swings in for the DROPKICK, Combinacion Dragon! Fans fire up as Dragon keeps moving, and he HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Dragon covers, TWO! King survives but Dragon clamps on with a chinlock. King endures so Dragon lets off to KICK him in the back! Dragon eggs King on, and King eggs Dragon on. So Dragon SLAPS him! King CHOPS back! Dragon CHOPS! King CHOPS! They CHOP and CHOP and fans fire up! The CHOPS get louder, Dragon BOOTS King then slips through the lariat! But King trips Dragon! Dragon BOOTS King, King SUPERKICKS back!
Dragon V-TRIGGERS in return, then hops on! King slips out the back to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! And then the scoop, FISHERMAN DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! King is beside himself, but he holds onto a leg! HALF CRAB! The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Dragon endures and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! King lets go in frustration, runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Dragon runs up, tilt-o-whirl, OPERACION DRAGON!! Cover, Dragon wins!
Winner: Dragon Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
King tired to take Dragon’s crown but he ended up slayed! But wait!! Oba Femi is storming out here?! With a referee and his contract?! He wants to cash that in NOW?! Well, it’s happening, so- WAIT! DRAGON DIVES ONTO OBA! Fans fire up as Dragon fires off on Oba first, then puts him in the ring! Dragon still wants this match, is he gonna win twice in one night?!
NXT Men’s Breakout Contract Cash-in, North American Championship: Dragon Lee VS Oba Femi!
The bell rings, Dragon fires off on Oba and the fans fire up! Oba shoves Dragon, catches Dragon, but Dragon ENZIGURIS! Dragon whips, Oba blocks! Oba whips and CLOBBERS Dragon! Then SHOT PUT BOMB!! Fans are thunderous as Oba aims, runs corner to corner, but Dragon SUPERKICKS!! Dragon hurries after Oba, TORNADO DDT! Dragon crawls to the cover, TWO! Oba is tougher than that, and the fans fire up as he rises to his feet! Dragon runs in again, OPERACION- NO!! Oba blocks that to pop Dragon up, into the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, OBA WINS!!
Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)
From Breakout Tournament winner to champion in just ONE WEEK, The Ruler now reigns!! The Year of the Dragon ends, is this now the Year of Oba?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT, with a wild ending that I didn’t think we were gonna get. Lexis King calling out Dragon Lee with his own stupid title contract as a sad approximation to the Breakout Tournament contract was actually a very clever in-character move. And then of course he doesn’t win, he’s got his own feud with Trey Bearhill still to do, and just isn’t ready character wise for a title. Oba cashing in for the fastest turnaround on a Breakout contract AND winning were both incredible surprises. But at the same time, perfect spot for Oba, this helps Dragon go back to SmackDown full-time, and it really freshens up that midcard picture for the New Year.
Great farm work vignettes from Tiffany and Fallon throughout the night, and it all went about as expected: Tiffany couldn’t hack it but she brushed it off like it doesn’t matter anyway, and then karma bites her as she ends up covered in poo and water. She and Fallon will surely go after each other in that 20 Woman Battle Royal, costing each other the title shot in the end. Speaking of, I like that idea of 20 Woman Battle Royal that turns into a Fatal 4. Great promo from Lyra and Lola and Lopez, and another brawl that Tatum gets involved in. The resulting tag match could go either way, but don’t expect a cash-in. I’m thinking Lyra upsets Tatum by rejecting her and then that ends up the Vengeance Day title match since it’s also kinda Valentine’s Day themed.
Great opening stuff with Blair and Lyons going from brawling to having the match. I guess there was supposed to be a part in there where they actually stopped fighting long enough to change into ring gear, but that seems silly to me. Blair winning out was fine, and if they’re in the 20 Woman Battle Royal, they probably also cost each other the title shot. Gigi VS Cora was also really good, and I should’ve figured Cora would win this one. Gigi probably costs Cora in the battle royal, and they have a rematch. At least one of these grudge matches is gonna happen at Vengeance Day, and perhaps under special stipulations.
Good promo from Briggs with Meta Four to set up Briggs VS Oro, and great win for Briggs. Briggs is still aiming for that Heritage Cup, and as much as I’d love for Briggs to win it with like a knockout clothesline, I can’t be sure the chances of Dar losing the Cup. And speaking of cups, great start to the Dusty Rhodes Classic. Great win for Bron & Corbin over Gallus, and I think fans were chanting “A-holes! A-holes!” in odd support of Bron & Corbin. Frazer & Axiom also have a great match and great win over Hank ‘n’ Tank, but it seems a shame Bron & Corbin VS Axiom & Frazer is already happening next round.
Good promo from Gallus with Ridge Holland, guess Gallus is moving on from Gacy. NXT Anonymous watching Jacy meet with members of Chase U’s “student body” is interesting, not sure why they couldn’t just introduce that as a camera in the room, but I guess if it’s framed by NXT Anon, it is meant to be like a secret is revealed. Now everyone knows, or is at least led to believe, Jacy has a shady plan to fix things. Great tag title match, though maybe one false finish too many. I forget what OTM’s finisher is, but there’s half a chance Tony buried it tonight. But in OTM’s defeat, they are adding Jaida Parker as a female member, that’s good for all parties involved.
And then there’s a nice new wrinkle in the Trick Melo Gang story. Melo of course wants to keep Trick close by having them go for the tag titles together, which I always felt like they should’ve tried for before. But now it’s because Melo is being two-faced. Malik & Edris had a good promo responding to that news that was confusingly sidetracked by the debut of Brandy Reece (at least I think that’s the name), who also confusingly has the newest fitness guru gimmick. HBK is doing a great job, don’t get me wrong, but this is a bit too old school of a move from him, unless Brandy really does wanna be like the modern day Simon Dean or whatever.
But back to the tag tournament, I feel like Trick Melo Gang is going to make it through the first round, only to implode against the winners of Chase U VS LWO. Which is a shame for Malik & Edris, they really do deserve something finally. Maybe they’ll surprise us with Malik & Edris getting the win and that adds tension to Trick Melo Gang’s already damaged friendship, getting us that much closer to Melo snapping and revealing he did attack Trick. But at this point, if we’re waiting until Dragunov VS Trick for Vengeance Day, is Trick VS Melo gonna be like the go-home or something? Or maybe Melo forces things into that Triple Threat he wanted a couple weeks ago after all.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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