Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/12/24)
Will the Role Model lead by example?
Once more, Bayley takes on Bianca Belair!
With the EST gunning for Iyo Sky and her WWE Women’s Championship, Bayley steps in to block! But will Bianca Belair just get another win off Bayley? Or will Bayley finally come out on top?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Grayson Waller w/ Austin Theory VS Cameron Grimes; No Contest.
- Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde w/ Zelina Vega VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo w/ Santos Escobar; Garza & Carrillo win.
- Bianca Belair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Bianca wins.
- Carmelo Hayes VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; No Contest.
- Six Man Tag: AJ Styles, LA Knight & Randy Orton VS Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa & ???; changed to…
- 3v2 Handicap Match: AJ Styles, LA Knight & Randy Orton VS Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa; Styles, Knight & Orton win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Grayson Waller w/ Austin Theory VS Cameron Grimes!
Last week, A-Town Down Under was standing up for Logan Paul (since no one else was gonna), and they couldn’t take a joke from the Carolina Caveman. Will Grimes feel that Grayson Waller Effect? Or will he cause a Cave-In in Cornhusker Country?
But wait! As Grimes makes his entrance, THE BLOODLINE attacks him!! Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa mug Grimes while Paul Heyman makes his way to the ring. Waller & Theory are laughing and enjoying this while fans boo and refs rush out. Security follows but Jimmy & Solo clobber them all! Producers and Nick Aldis storm out next, but this is clearly the Bloodline’s response to Roman Reigns being put in a Fatal 4 Way as punishment for his own actions. A-Town Down Under clears out of there for Heyman to take the ring. Heyman would appreciate it if the jeers were directed elsewhere. “We’re not the bad guys here.”
“The bad guy is that villainous James Bond wannabe right there, Nick Aldis. Nick Aldis put YOUR Tribal Chief in a Fatal 4 Way match at the Royal Rumble, where it’s practically guaranteed that the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World will be lost by Roman… Reigns.” Aldis storms up to the ring while Heyman says that this doesn’t make Jimmy the bad guy, this doesn’t make Solo the bad guy, and it certainly doesn’t make Roman the bad guy, let alone Paul Heyman into the bad guy. The bad guy IS Aldis. Nick…! Aldis! Aldis snatches the mic!! Fans fire up while Heyman keeps Solo back.
Aldis tells Heyman, “First of all, disabuse yourself of the notion that this is a conversation between two equals, because it isn’t. The Fatal 4 Way match at the Royal Rumble? That’s a done deal. This is the second match in as many weeks that have been ruined by the Bloodline. It will not happen again. And the Bloodline, you can’t ruin the main event of tonight’s show, because tonight in Lincoln, Nebraska, The Bloodline are IN the main event of tonight’s show.” Fans like the sound of that! Lincoln, you’ve braved the cold, so tonight, you will get the Phenomenal AJ Styles teaming with L A Knight “YEAH!” and Randy Orton…
And they will be facing all THREE members of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Roman… Reigns! Fans REALLY like the sound of that! Heyman is halfway between grinning and frowning, and he tries to take the mic back. Aldis holds on tight, so Heyman leans in. “You know as well as I know Roman Reigns is not here in Lincoln, Nebraska tonight.” Fans boo but Aldis says “Oh… You’re right! Roman Reigns has once again started something that he doesn’t seem to want to finish. So, the Bloodline, you have until the main event of tonight’s show to find a third man if you’d like. And if not, well then I guess it’s a 3-on-2 handicap match. Good luck, Mr. Heyman.”
It’s about to pop-off in Cornhusker Country! Will Jimmy & Solo suffer for the arrogance of their Tribal Chief? Or will they pull of a miracle of finding someone who doesn’t hate their guts?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jimmy hopes Solo heard what just happened out there. Two against three because ain’t nobody teaming with them, Uce! They gotta find someone? Heyman says don’t worry, he let Roman know, he’s on hold. But don’t worry, there is a locker room full of people kissing up to Heyman, wanting to join the Bloodline. Relax, Heyman will find them somebody. Don’t worry. Jimmy says he IS worried, though! Solo, you worried? Solo is stoic as he says, “I never worry.” Will Solo start worrying if it still ends up 3v2 tonight?
Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde w/ Zelina Vega VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo w/ Santos Escobar!
The new era of the Latino World Order has been marred by the arrogance and betrayal of the Emperor of Lucha Libre. But Santos says there is a natural order: the weak are consumed by the strong. The new era of Legado Del Fantasma is here, will they do to Cruz & Wilde what has already happened to Rey Mysterio? Or will Santos’ new familia let him down, too?
SmackDown returns and Santos has joined commentary. The LWO makes their entrance, La Muneca by their side. Santos claims they can’t call themselves LWO anymore. HIS team is LWO: Legado World Order! The teams start brawling, the bell rings, and Wilde dodges Humberto to clothesline Humberto and himself out of the ring! Cruz SHOTGUNS Garza down, and then he fires off hands. Cruz CHOPS Garza, Garza shoves back, but Cruz ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Fans fire up with Cruz as he talks trash on Garza. Cruz fires off on Garza in a corner, lets off to run in, but Garza pops him up. Cruz lands on the ropes to springboard MISSILE DROPKICK!
Garza scrambles but Cruz sends him out. Humberto returns but Cruz TOSSES him out! Wilde joins in and the fans fire up. LWO FLIES to take out Garza & Humberto! The fans fire up again and Santos admits, that wasn’t bad. But he taught them everything they know, just not everything he knows. Cruz puts Garza back in but Garza kicks low. Garza calls to Humberto, tags him in, and they mug Cruz. Humberto whips, follows, but Cruz arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Humberto fights up, tags Garza, and they whip Cruz. Humberto hurdles, Cruz ducks ‘n ‘dodges, but Garza holds the ropes open, sending Cruz to the floor!
Fans boo but Santos laughs as his former amigo flounders. Humberto sits Cruz on the apron for Garza to PENALTY KICK back down! Santos says nothing’s stopping his guys, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Cruz fires haymakers on Garza! Garza shoves, blocks a kick, then slips around to hook Cruz up in a Gory Especial! Tag to Humberto and he slingshots, GORY BOMB CUTTER! Then the Chancery to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Fans boo but Humberto stomps Cruz. Humberto swipes at Wilde but Wilde gets away, so Humberto goes back to chinlock Cruz. Cruz endures, fans rally up, and Vega coaches Cruz up. Cruz fights up to JAWBREAKER free! Hot tag to Garza and he drags Cruz back. Cruz hops up, slips out of the back suplex, and ducks under to hot tag Wilde!
Fans fire up as Wilde rallies on Garza! DROPKICK! Fans fire up more and Wilde fires off haymakers. Wilde whips, Garza reverses but Wilde ducks ‘n ‘dodges and goes up, around, and backslides! Garza rolls through but into a SOMERSAULT DDET! Cover, Humberto breaks it! Cruz whips, Humberto reverses and tosses Cruz out! Wilde dumps Humberto out! Wilde goes up the corner, but who is he aiming for? Garza trips him up, so it no longer matters! Santos enjoys seeing that as Garza CHOPS Wilde! Garza calls to Humberto, tags him in, and they both climb up. They DOUBLE ROCKET LAUCH Wilde!
Garza whips Cruz into steel steps! Humberto MOONSAULTS but lands through as Wilde moves! Humberto rebounds, sunset flips, and deadlifts to SPINNING BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Wilde survives and even Santos has to admit, that’s impressive. The fans fire up, Humberto drags Wilde up and tags Garza. Humberto Electric Chair Lifts but Wilde POISON-RANAS free! Garza SUPERKICKS Wilde to a corner, runs in, but only gets POST! Humberto staggers his way over, but Cruz MISSILE DROPKICKS him down! Cruz then runs, goes up and up and ESCALARA TONRILLO!! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans are thunderous!
But wait, here comes Carlito! Santos was just waiting for this! He dares Carlito to come get him, but Carlito BLINDSLIDES him from the crowd!! Caribbean Cool beats up on Santos all over ringside, then TOSSES him over barriers! The brawl spills into the crowd and the fans love it! The teams are rather stunned by this, but then Wilde wheelbarrows Garza! Garza blocks, sits on the cover, and holds ropes!! LEGADO STEALS THE WIN!
Winners: Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo, by pinfall
Even with Carlito being an ace up the sleeve, Garza & Carrillo run away with the victory! Will Santos’ new familia take down the LWO by any means necessary?
Nick Aldis meets with Carmelo Hayes.
Aldis says Melo impressed a lot of people during his run in the United States Championship Contender’s Tournament, including Aldis himself. Melo says blue does look good on him. But since he’s here, he’ll shoot his shot. The Royal Rumble is- Wait, A-Town Down Under interrupts, telling Aldis they need to talk. What is with these shenanigans? What kind of show is Aldis running here? Waller wins by forfeit, right? Right? Aldis says he was in the middle of something. Oh, what is Melo even doing here? Need more of the Waller rub? Melo asks Waller what he’s doing here. Melo’s beaten Waller so many times already.
Theory says it’s a fluke. Melo isn’t on Waller’s level. Oh, yeah, that’s true. Melo’s on the level above Waller. And Melo is getting real sick of Waller, so maybe they should run it back. Waller says he’d love to, but he just wrestled, he needs his cool down. But Theory is hungry tonight, he can do this. Aldis likes that idea. It is a done deal. Melo says it’ll be A-Town Down Bad tonight. Theory & Waller head out, cocky as ever, but will they feel rather deflated after facing… HIM?
The LWO regroups backstage.
They are upset about how things just went down with Legado, but then Heyman, apple in hand, says hey to Carlito. Heyman doesn’t want Carlito to think of this like Eve temping Adam with an apple or anything, but Carlito teaming with The Bloodline… That’s cool. Carlito chuckles and says yeah, Carlito is looking for a fight. But with Santos Escobar. But thanks for the apple. Heyman says that was supposed to be a package deal! Well, will this snake have to look elsewhere to find his naive target?
Logan Paul speaks.
Still sporting the black eye Kevin Owens gave him, the Maverick United States Champion tries to get Kevin’s attention on the tron. Logan “apologizes” for not being live tonight, but he never goes to Nebraska and he was busy. With his lawyers. Because this black eye isn’t just a black eye, it’s evidence. Turns out, that cast on Kevin’s hand is a liability. Not just for Logan but for their match. Because if Kevin thinks he can just stroll into the Royal Rumble with that cast- Or no, with that weapon, then Logan won’t just beat Kevin in the match but in the court of law. Logan will run Kevin’s pockets so deep, Kevin will forget he’s wearing pants.
Logan wants Kevin to consider this: Yes, Logan is ready for the fight, but is Kevin ready for a fair fight? Little cheater cheater, pumpkin eater. Because if Kevin is still wearing the cast by the time their match is up, consider the match cancelled. See you soon, KO. Hypocrisy aside, is the Prizefighter going to have no choice but to go into that fight with one hand metaphorically tied behind his back?
Tyler Bate meets Pete Dunne backstage.
They sit down in the lounge area, and while the Big Strong Boi has his chai latte with oat milk, he hands the Bruiserweight standard black coffee. Dunne thanks him, and they cheer. Just like old times, isn’t it? Bate thanks Dunne for the call, he knows Dunne’s been having a rough go of it. Dunne says he can handle things on his own, he just couldn’t have a tag match without a tag partner, y’know? Bate wants Dunne to just admit it already. Dunne had a smile when he saw the Big Strong Boi debuting on SmackDown. And he also has to admit that they had fun breaking Pretty Deadly’s fingers and kicking their heads in.
Bate knows Dunne, they’ve been friends for years. Dunne is trying to find himself, but Bate can help. Shut up, mate. Okay, okay, here’s an idea. They can work on some mindfulness techniques. Breathing exercises, meditation, yoga. Bate knows Dunne loves it. Dunne tells Bate to slow down. Don’t make him regret giving Bate the call. But yeah, it was a good laugh kicking Pretty Deadly’s heads in. But that was a one and done. The Brawling Brutes are also the past. They can each focus on themselves in the New Year, okay? Bate says this is their chance, though! They can finally show the world what British Strong Style is about! Unbelievable Tekkers!
Bate wants Dunne to remember, “Make a name for yourself.” Who told Dunne that? So look inward and ask yourself, “Who was that guy? What is that name going to be?” Well…? “Butch” opens his mouth, but what does he say?
Bianca Belair VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The EST wants to become the next WWE Women’s Champion, and she is still fighting her way through Iyo Sky’s team- Er, Bayley’s team, to get what she wants. But as such, will the “team leader” be the Role Model for DMG CTRL? Or will nothing stop Bianca from getting back to the gold?
SmackDown returns as Bayley makes her entrance, Asuka, Iyo, Kairi & Dakota following behind. Bianca says they just had to bring all five to handle her. The bell rings and the two circle while the fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Bayley laughs at that, then ties up with Bianca. Bianca powers Bayley to a corner, Bayley turns things around and the ref counts,. Bianca powers Bayley all the way to the opposite corner! The ref counts, Bayley pulls hair to get out, then rolls Bianca up, TWO! Fans boo but Bayley says she almost had Bianca there. The two reset, circle again, and they tie up. Bianca rolls Bayley now, ONE!
Bianca rolls Bayley again, ONE! Bianca tries a third time, ONE!! Bayley LARIATS Bianca down! Fans boo but DMG CTRL cheers Bayley on. But then Bianca kips up! And she runs Bayley over! Fans cheer, Bianca taunts DMG CTRL then runs, but Bayley avoid the handspring. So Bianca says kiss this! Bayley runs in, but Bianca wrenches and wristlocks. Bayley goes through the ropes, then back in, and she has Bianca’s arm around the rope. The ref counts, Bayley lets off but Bianca storms up. Bianca waistlocks, Bayley switches, but Bianca switches back. Bianca SLAMS Bayley down, then holds on as fans fire up.
DMG CTRL coaches Bayley but the fans are still on Bianca’s side. Bianca drags Bayley up, but Bayley throws elbows. Bayley is free, she runs, but Bianca sidesteps, drops down, hurdles and back drops! It wasn’t high but it was hard! Then Bianca hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Bianca, she brings Bayley up and whips her to a corner, then runs in. Bayley BOOTS back, runs up and BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Fans duel, “Let’s Go Bayley!” “BAYLEY SUCKS!” Bayley drags Bianca up to fire a forearm. Bianca goes to ropes, Bayley revels in the cheers and jeers, then stalks Bianca to a corner.
Bayley brings Bianca up but Bianca scoops to SLAM! And then scoops to SLAM again! And then scoops, holds Bayley up, then SLAMS her again! The fans fire up, but Bayley YANKS Bianca onto ropes! Bayley CHOKES Bianca, lets off and distracts the ref with talk about her back, but then no one in DMG CTRL takes a shot. Bayley is upset, they don’t understand why, so Bayley YANKS the rope to jam Bianca up. Bayley talks things over with DMG CTRL, but Bianca torture racks! Bayley flails, holds the ropes, so Bianca puts her on the apron! Bianca ROCKS Bayley, bumps her off buckles, and lets her tumble down!
Bianca aims, to PLANCHA! Down goes Bayley and DMG CTRL is stunned as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns as Bayley thrashes Bianca around with a top wristlock. The fans duel, Bianca endures, and Bayley even CLUBS Bianca’s shoulder and ribs. Bianca fights her way up to her feet, but Bayley CLUBS her down! And CLUBS her again! DMG CTRL cheers, Bayley CLUBS away on Bianca more, then goes back to the top wristlock. Bianca still endures, the fans rally for her, and she fights up again. Bianca throws elbows, body shots, then rolls Bayley up, TWO! Bayley is up to knee Bianca low! Bianca goes to a corner, Bayley clotheslines her down! The fans boo, Bayley whips corner to corner but Bianca reverses and reels Bayley in, SPINEBUSTER!
Fans fire up while both women are down! DMG CTRL rallies and cheers Bayley as she goes to ropes. Bianca stands, and she runs Bayley over! And runs her over again! And DROPKICKS! Then kips up! Then runs in at the corner to RAM into her! Bianca climbs up and she rains down fists! The fans count along, but Bayley trips Bianca at four! Bayley has Bianca in the ropes, to run and KNEE her out of the Tree of Woe! Then a cover, but the ref says they’re in the ropes! Bayley says she saw it, okay? Bayley then ties Bianca’s hair around the ropes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Bianca is now anchored to the bottom rope!
The ref reprimands and tells Bayley to untie the hair! Bayley CLUBS away on Bianca, then runs up to KNEE Bianca into buckles! The ref says to stop but Bayley keeps going. But Bianca dodges and uses her hair to trip Bayley! Bayley falls mouth first into buckles! Bayley checks her teeth, but Bianca BOOTS her down! Bianca unties herself, and fans fire up as Bianca drags Bayley to the apron. Bianca SMACKS Bayley off the apron, SMACKS her again, and then bends her against the post! The fans fire up as Bayley endures, but Bianca lets off as the ref counts. But Bayley grabs hair to YANK Bianca into the post!
Fans are torn, the ref tells DMG CTRL to stay back, and Bayley goes out after Bianca. But Bianca gets around, torture racks, and TOSSES Bayley into the post!! Bayley sputters and coughs, Bianca drags her up and into the ring, then gets moving to RAM Bayley into a corner! And again, and again, and again! Bianca whips corner to corner hard and Bayley falls back! Bianca gets Bayley up to suplex high and hard! The fans fire up as Bianca again kips up! Bianca runs up and climbs up, to rain down fists! The fans count along and this time Bianca gets to TEN! Bianca wants more, but Bayley slips out and pulls Bianca’s hair!
Bianca stays up to YANK Bayley back in! Now we get going on another round of TEN! Bianca blows a kiss, backflips, and reels Bayley into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! DMG CTRL is worried but the fans rally up. Bianca runs side to side, handsprings and MOONSAULTS onto knees! But Bianca blocks them! Bianca flips Bayley over to scoop, but Bayley slips free and uses hair to send Bianca into buckles! DMG CTRL cheers again and Bayley runs in. Bianca TOSSES Bayley away! And she runs again, HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives, DMG CTRL is relieved and Bianca is frustrated.
The fans rally and duel, Bayley takes a swing but Bianca dodges to then ROCK Bayley! Torture rack, but Bayley fights free, schoolgirl roll into buckles! Bayley drags Bianca to a drop zone and she goes up top! MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives and DMG CTRL is losing their cool! Bayley drags Bianca up but Bianca RAMS her back into the corner! Bayley ELBOWS back! And she trips Bianca, high stack, feet on the ropes! The ref sees them! Bianca sunset flips, but they’re in the ropes again! Both women get up, Bianca runs in but Bayley TOSSES her out! The ref warns DMG CTRL but Bayley distracts with talks of a bad knee.
DMG CTRL still doesn’t do anything?! The ref sees Bayley signaling, he suspects something, but for once, DMG CTRL is playing fair. Bayley is upset by that, she fires off on Bianca then puts her in the ring. Dakota says Bayley’s got this! Bayley gets back in, but Bianca Oklahoma Rolls! TWO, Bayley runs but Bianca follows, to SPEAR! Fans fire up and Bianca dares DMG CTRL to do something. Bianca then torture racks, to KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
DMG CTRL is stunned! Though, is that a smirk on Asuka’s face? Just what is going on within the group? Is Iyo Sky gonna have to handle Bianca herself now?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“Logan, buddy, I heard everything you had to say, unfortunately. Because I don’t really like hearing you talk at all. But I see what you’re doing, and I get it. Look, if you wanna call this a liability and an unfair advantage for me, this cast, you can do that. But we both know that’s not what it is. If this is an advantage for anyone, it’s you, because I have a broken. But unfortunately for you, it’s not going to keep me from being at the Royal Rumble. But again, after seeing your face, and that bruise, that black eye, everything, I understand what you’re trying to do, I get it.
“So how about this? I think we need to talk about this whole thing, the lawsuit, and whatever you’re threatening, let’s talk about it face to face. Next week, on SmackDown. Where you get to have the biggest honor of your miserable career: by being a guest on the Kevin Owens Show. What do you say? I hope to see you there. Never thought I’d say I hope to see Logan Paul…” The Prizefighter invites the ImPAULsive Influencer to his show, will they come to an agreement? Or just to blows?
DMG CTRL regroups backstage.
Iyo Sky complains in Japanese that Bayley messed this up. But then Bayley asks them what was going on out there. Dakota has Bayley go off to the side to explain that the ref was looking right at them. What were they supposed to do? Bayley just wanted a little help. Yeah, but they didn’t wanna cause a disqualification. Dakota just thought Bayley would be good to face Bianca on her own. This plan for DMG CTRL to have all the gold includes Bayley winning the Rumble on her own. Yeah, but Dakota knows they’re stronger together, right? Yes, but… Look, forget it. It’s done, let’s look ahead. Bayley’s got this! She’s still got the Rumble to win, okay? It’s all good.
But while Bayley was talking with Dakota, we can clearly see Iyo, Asuka & Kairi talking among themselves. What are the three joshi thinking as it pertains to Bayley as “leader” of DMG CTRL?
Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits are here!
And they’re skipping the suits and rolling up in style tonight! They have no suit jackets and they’ve rolled up their sleeves as they storm to the ring. The All Mighty gets the mic and paces around as he says, “AOP and Karrion Kross, last week, y’all tried to take us out. You thought jumping us from behind was gonna get you the upper hand? Oh, no, that just got you into a fight that you can’t win. See, because when we have an issue with somebody, we will confront them face to face, and we settle things. We don’t take the cowardice approach. We don’t go lurking in the darkness or hiding in the shadows. We walk down to this ring, we roll up our sleeves, we clench our fists, and we get ready to fight!” Fans like the sound of that!
Lashley tells Kross that if he and his boys wanna settle this issue with them, then come down here and they can all do it right here, right now! The lights go down, and then Paul Ellering is on stage! He then points to the tron, and a video plays. Kross says that for the last several years, his purpose has been to show the world just how corrupt it really is. Scarlett says he does that by breaking people, on the inside. But now they will just break people on the outside. Lashley is a lucky guy. For now he and his “embarrassing” Profits are at the top of the list. “To be deconstructed.” And who better than two of the most dangerous men this world has ever known?
Akam, Rezar, the Authors of Pain, and “the most sadistic and inhumane person this world has ever had the displeasure of knowing,” Paul Ellering. They are “The Final Testament.” The video ends with the words, “The End is Near.” Lashley & The Profits still stand their ground, but will they all be made to #FallAndPray?
Paul Heyman is stressing out.
The Wise Man seems to have come up empty on his promise. But then Pretty Deadly walk over and address “Lord Heyman,” that they have a proposition. Th-th-they… stammer a lot, but they get out that they are the best tag team on SmackDown, and heard Heyman was looking for people. They could be a team, “a fantastic shower of physical excellence,” all for Heyman. They’d make a great team for Heyman. They shoulder lean and Heyman hopes they realize that only one person teams with Jimmy & Solo against Styles, Knight & Orton. Oh, right, uh… Hmm… Elton “remembers” Kit has something to do, and Kit “remembers,” too.
That’s a real shame, if only this was last week. They acknowledge everything Heyman does, they bid him adieu, and hurry away. Heyman is so frustrated, almost in tears. Will Heyman find someone, anyone, to help Jimmy & Solo?
Lashley & The Profits return backstage.
They’re still looking for a fight, so Heyman walks over! Heyman says he and Bobby have known each other a long time, right? He is sorry about the treatment Lashley’s getting from Kross, but as a friend, please, Heyman wants to do Lashley a favor. Lashley can work out that frustration alongside Jimmy & Solo against the three “shmucks,” Styles, Knight & Orton. Lashley says yes, they have known each other a long time. But the only time Lashley wants to be in the ring with the Bloodline is when he’s standing across from Roman Reigns. Lashley & the Profits head out, and Heyman struck out again.
Carmelo Hayes VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!
Melo may not be the one facing Logan Paul for a title, but he’ll be damned before he lets A-Town Down Under try and look down on him. Melo may be going for tag titles with Trick Williams on NXT, but will he show he can go solo here tonight?
SmackDown returns and Theory makes his entrance, Waller by his side. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Theory puts Melo in a corner, but the ref counts. Theory talks trash, pie faces Melo, and he says he runs SmackDown. Melo frowns, and he headlocks and grinds the hold. Theory pries free, headlocks back, but Melo powers up and out. Fans rally behind Melo as he CHOPS Theory! Theory brushes that off, but Melo headlocks again. Theory lifts but Melo hits a flying takeover. Theory headscissors, Melo kips free, both men stare down for half a second, then tie up again.
Melo headlocks, Theory powers up and out. Melo ducks the lariat, hurdles and ducks, to then DROPKICK! Theory falls over and the fans fire up! Melo says Theory’s about to find out about HIM. Theory stays in the corner and the ref keeps Melo back. But then Theory cheap shots Melo and CLOBBERS him! Fans boo but Theory drags Melo up to scoop him, only for Melo to slip free. Theory bucks the O’Conner, goes out to the apron, but Melo BOOTS Theory as he rams in. Then FADE AWAY! Fans fire up while Theory flounders, and Melo SLINGSHOT APRON DDTS!! Melo is all fired up and so are the fans as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Theory has Melo in a chinlock. Melo throws body shots to get free, then JAWBREAKERS! Theory staggers to a corner, Melo runs up but Theory drop toeholds him into buckles! Theory then somersault SHOTGUNS Melo down! Waller taunts Melo as he bails out, but backs off so Theory can fetch Melo. Fans boo but Theory soaks up the heat. Theory puts Melo in the ring, high-fives Waller then hurries up. Theory brings Melo up, aims for the outside, but Melo fights the suplex! Theory throws body shots, tries again, but Melo fights the suplex again! Theory throws more hands, but Melo suplexes him using the ropes!
Fans fire up and Waller has no idea what to make of what he just saw. Melo goes to the corner and drags himself up. Theory runs in, Melo ELBOWS him away! Melo then wrenches, cravats, KNEE SMASH and then atomic drop! And a CHOP! Fans fire up as Melo haymakers and CHOPS on repeat! Melo ROCKS Theory, whips, but Theory reverses, only for the FLYING CLOTHESLINE to hit! The fans fire up, Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Melo keeps his cool. Melo sees Waller slide in but Waller bails out. Theory runs up, Melo punches him first, but Theory kicks low.
Theory whips, Melo arm-drags to a cover, TWO! Theory ghost pins, TWO! Melo bobs ‘n’ weaves but Theory ELBOWS him! Theory reels Melo in, Melo wrenches out to SUPERKICK! And FIRST- NO, Theory blocks the First 48 to put Melo up top! Melo throws hands, Theory keeps him on the top rope but Melo BOOTS him away! Fans rally for Melo but Theory come right back, ARABIAN PRESS FLY!! But that was a ROUGH landing for Theory! The ref checks both men, and the ref calls it here.
No Contest
Theory took himself out with that hard landing, perhaps trying too hard to prove himself worthy of bigger and better. Will Theory be alright to get back in the ring? Will Melo have to find another way to prove himself Rumble ready?
BREAKING NEWS for next week!
After an exchange on social media, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships are on the line as Kayden Carter & Katana Chance make their way to SmackDown to face Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn! Will the party be rolling even through #Hotlanta? Or will the Wicked Witches finally take those titles back? And speaking of championships, Roman Reigns will return so that he, AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton can all sign on the dotted line to make their Universal Championship Fatal 4 Way official! Will the Tribal Chief still be the Head of the Table with three men coming for his throne?
The Bloodline regroups.
Jimmy says he never doubted the Wise Man for a second! Who did Heyman get? Jimmy, Solo and…? Heyman says he interviewed every member of this locker room this evening, and there is not one man here worthy to stand beside The Bloodline! Auditions are over! No more! No more tryouts, no more people talking to Heyman. He has full faith in Jimmy & Solo! He is NOT worried! Jimmy says he IS! Solo steps over and says he’s not. The Enforcer looks ready to handle all three on his own, so Jimmy says if Solo ain’t worried, he ain’t worried! NO YEET! But will Solo & Jimmy have no chance when the numbers aren’t in their favor?
3v2 Handicap Match: AJ Styles, LA Knight & Randy Orton VS Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa!
But wait! Just as The Viper makes his entrance, Solo & Jimmy attack! They want to even things out their own way! SUPERKICK! SAMOAN SPIKE!! Fans boo as Orton sputters and refs rush out! Did The Bloodline just turn this into a 2v2? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and it seems Orton is out of action for tonight. Even so, The Phenomenal One makes his entrance, followed by The Mega Star. The teams sort out, Styles and Knight arguing, so Jimmy CLOBBERS Knight! Styles fires off on Jimmy, but the ref stops him so Jimmy fires off on Knight. Jimmy UPPERCUTS Knight, whips him to ropes, but Knight turns things into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Knight brings Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then tags Styles. They double whip, double ELBOW, then Styles drags Jimmy around to bump him off buckles. The fans rally as Styles CHOPS Jimmy, then bumps him off more buckles.
Styles CHOPS, the fans cheer him on, and Styles tags Knight back in. They mug Jimmy, Knight fires haymakers then stomps and JABS on repeat. The fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with every stomp! The ref counts, Knight lets off at 4, and he puts Jimmy in the ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Knight lets off to go side to side, and he STRADDLE ATTACKS, “YEAH!” Cover, TWO! Knight tags Styles, they mug Jimmy more, then Styles snapmares to run and SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Styles and Jimmy stand, Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Styles wobbles, Jimmy CHOPS him down! Jimmy runs, into a DROPKICK!
Jimmy staggers up, and Styles clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up as Jimmy slumps on the floor, but Solo gets in! The ref reprimands, Knight runs in, but solo catches him to a choke grip! But Styles & Knight both kick low, then JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! “YEAH! WOO~!” echoes out as they fire off on Solo again and again! These two are working together on common enemies, and they DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE Solo up and out! Fans fire up for the Phenomenal Mega Stars as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again and Solo clamps onto Styles with a shoulder claw! Styles endures, the fans rally up, and Knight coaches Styles up. Styles fights up, throws body shots and then haymakers. Styles runs, into an ELBOW! Styles flounders to an open corner, and Solo rains down fists! The ref counts, Solo lets off and he goes to the far corner. Solo runs back in, to HIP ATTACK! Fans boo more but Solo watches Styles flounder to ropes. Solo CHOKES Styles on the ropes, the ref counts, and Solo lets off. Styles flounders, Solo stalks him and CHOKES him on more ropes! The ref counts, Solo lets off, and Jimmy gets a cheap shot in!
Knight storms over but Jimmy strikes a defensive stance. The ref has Knight back off and tells Jimmy to get on the corner. Solo tags Jimmy in, they split the wishbone on Styles! Styles writhes, Jimmy taunts Knight, and Jimmy stalks Styles. Fans rally for Styles but Jimmy puts him in the corner. Fans chant “JEY IS BETTER!” Styles fires off hands on Jey and Solo! Styles ROCKS Jimmy, PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight reaches out, Styles crawls over, but Jimmy holds onto a leg! Solo is on the outside, he runs over but Knight dodges! Knight sends Solo into steel steps! But that means Styles misses the tag!
Jimmy reels Styles in to back suplex but Styles lands on his feet! And then dodges the lariat to PELE! Fans fire up as Styles and Jimmy are back down again! Styles crawls, Knight is there this time, but Styles hesitates. Styles says Knight ditched him before, but Knight says he had to handle Solo! Jimmy runs up, Styles dodges, the SUPERKICK hits Knight! Things keep moving, Styles and Jimmy DOUBLE CROSSBODY and they both fall down! Fans fire up as everyone is down, but Jimmy calls to Solo. Solo is back on the corner, he reaches out, but here comes Randy! The Viper doesn’t care how his throat is feeling, he wants to fight The Bloodline!
Fans fire up as Orton storms up and Heyman is furious! Styles figures why not, hot tag to Orton! Orton rallies on Jimmy with big LARIATS! Then he DECKS Solo! Then he dodges Jimmy to SNAP POWERSLAM! Fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the apron, and Orton storms over. Orton has Jimmy in the ropes, for the DRAPING DDT! Lincoln is all fired up and Orton hears those voices in his head! Jimmy rises, but he rolls Orton up! TWO, SUPERKICK!! Orton wobbles, and RKOS!! Cover, Orton’s team wins!
Winners: Randy Orton, LA Knight & AJ Styles, by pinfall
Heyman frowns, but then Solo attacks Orton! Solo stomps Orton down, aims his thumb, but Styles springboards in, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Fans fire up, Knight is back, and he says B F T for Solo!! Styles and Knight argue about the misunderstanding earlier, but Orton sees Solo getting up. RKO!! Orton then sees Jimmy on the outside, and UPPERCUTS him! Styles joins in, they mug Jimmy, and then Knight also joins in. Orton pulls steel steps apart, to RAM Jimmy down! Knight TOSSES Jimmy into the timekeeper’s area, and then Orton clears off the desk! Orton, Styles & Knight drag Solo over, and here’s a message to Roman! SHIELD TRIPLE BOMB through the table!!
The fans are thunderous as the Mega Star, Phenomenal One and Apex Predator all stand tall together! Meanwhile, Heyman makes a call to Roman Reigns. Will the Tribal Chief find a way to survive when the odds aren’t in his favor?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here, great stuff from the Bloodline as always. Them “ruining” Grimes VS Waller was a pretty good way to respond to the Fatal 4 Way news, but kudos to Aldis standing his ground as GM and making the main event. Great promos from Heyman failing to find people to join Jimmy & Solo, but of course Solo & Jimmy go after Orton in hopes of keeping it to 2v2. But in the end, Orton makes the comeback at the right time and his team still wins out. Great ending brawl and the bomb through the desk. But the Fatal 4 really lends itself to Roman pitting the other three against each other, and he’ll definitely start dividing them as soon as next week’s contract signing.
Melo getting a match out of Waller & Theory bragging was a good move, but that Arabian Press going wrong was definitely NOT planned. Really bad timing for something like that to happen, A-Town Down Under was finally starting to blend. Maybe they’ll adjust and give us Grimes VS Waller “as intended” next week. Great tag match out of LWO and “Legado World Order,” with Santos on commentary really trying hard not to be happy watching. He’s clearly still great friends with Cruz & Wilde and just likes seeing them do well alongside Garza & Carrillo. Great addition of Carlito going after Santos, and we’re definitely getting a Six Man Tag from this.
Speaking of Six Man Tag matches, really good promos from Lashley and from Kross to hype up their trios going head to head soon. I also really like Lashley telling Heyman that he wants to take on The Bloodline, that can be a great faction feud on like the other side of WrestleMania or something. As for Kross’ faction being named “The Final Testament,” that is a fitting name given all this apocalyptic theming that also ties into the “All Mighty” and “Profits/Prophets” religious theming. Pretty sure Final Testament wins the first round because AOP is on their return push, but there might also be the split of 2v2 AOP VS Profits and 1v1 Kross VS Lashley that really determines who gets ahead in title match races.
Bianca Belair is definitely getting the title shot after that great match with Bayley. And a great detail of the DMG CTRL dysfunction in how, for being Heels, DMG CTRL chose not to behave like Heels so as to gaslight Bayley and cost her that match. Dakota being the intermediary between Bayley and the rest of the team, this is all adding fuel to the fire of DMG CTRL kicking Bayley out, putting all the blame on Bayley and making her feel like the weak link. If Charlotte wasn’t hurt, I’d think she and Bayley then end up allies being that they’re the NXT Horsewomen and all that, but Bayley will probably end up all alone right now because Charlotte’s hurt. And Sasha Banks is asking for a lot of bank to get her to come back, so don’t count on that return any time soon.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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