Who makes NJPW their dominion?

NJPW returns to Osaka-Jo Hall, and Hirooki Goto defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shingo Takagi! Will the Fierce Warrior slay the Rampaging Dragon?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai & Masatora Yasuda; Kato & Murashima win.
• 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & “Don Fale”; The House of Torture wins.
• El Phantasmo & Shota Umino VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura; Tanahashi wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru Douki; Sho & Douki win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii; Taichi & Ishii win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Oleg wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
• Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay VS EVIL; Evil wins.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Shingo Takagi; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & ???

While their leaders will battle in a Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch later tonight, Chase Owens, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Moloney & Taiji Ishimori will wage war with Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, Sanada, and the newest member of the House. But will it not matter who Evil recruited? Or could new blood be just the thing to turn the tide?

Sanada walks out in a very odd body suit. It’s like he wants to walk out here in a leopard speedo but not really. Also, he’s now the “Cold Blooded Snake,” so clearly he is still evolving. But then, who is this mystery partner? Wait, is that Bad Luck Fale?! A founding member of Bullet Club has now betrayed Bullet Club!? And now he’s “Don Fale?!” Then is this the dawn of a new era in NJPW?

The brawl is on as Taiji, Connors & Drilla rush Sanada, Ren & Yujiro, but Chase wants to know why Fale, why? Chase and Fale were tag partners and friends! But Fale grabs Chase by the neck! Connors rushes in and CLUBS Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS Connors! Drilla attacks Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS and BODY BLOWS, and then TOSSES Drilla! Taiji fires off but Fale BODY BLOWS him, too! The bell rings to finally put this on record as Fale steps on Taiji in the corner! The fans rally, Fale drags Taiji to the ropes, and Fale stands on Taiji for the Bullet Club Massage! Or, perhaps the House of Torture Massage now!

Tag to Yujiro and he drops a leg, brother! And then another leg! Cover, TWO! Yujiro CHOKES Taiji as a cover, the ref reprimands, and Yujiro stops at 4. Tag to Ren and he BLASTS the Bullet Club corner! Ren bumps Taiji off buckles, SCRAPES Taiji’s face off the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally for Taiji while Ren TOSSES him! Ren distracts the ref, which lets Fale whip Taiji hard into the railing! Yujiro drags Taiji up to put in the ring and Ren covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this, Drilla glares at Ren, but the ref has Drilla back down. Taiji fires hands on Ren, but Ren CHOKES Taiji! Ren puts Taiji in the corner, but stops as the ref counts 4.

Tag to Yujiro and Sanada distracts the ref. Ren snapmares Taiji and holds him open! But as Yujiro lines up the shot, Taiji UP KICKS Ren! Yujiro kicks low, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally, hot tag to Connors! Connors CLOBBERS Ren, CLOBBERS Yujiro, KICKS ropes to jam up Sanada, and the fans fire up! Connors runs to ELBOW Ren in one corner, then runs to ELBOW Yujiro in the other! Connors reels Ren in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Connors and they bark it up. Connors aims at Yujiro, but Fale drags him out!

Fale whips Connors into railing! Chase gets in Fale’s face but the ref has them both back down. Drilla pushes Fale, so Fale whips Drilla into railing! Wait, Connors has Wheel-san! Connors CLOBBERS Fale with Wheel-san! The fans fire up and Connors hurries back into the ring. Connors whips Yujiro to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tokyo Pimp toughs it out but Connors vows to end it! Connors drags Yujiro up, but Yujiro BITES Connors’ hand! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but then Connors ROCKS Yujiro! Connors runs up, but Yujiro FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Connors! And then he BOOTS Connors!

Yujiro runs, but Connors goes the other way! JEEP FLIPPER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yujiro and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Drilla! GORE OUTTA NOWHERE! The fans fire up as Drilla shows off his dancing pecs and drags Sanada up. DRILLA- NO, Sanada slips free! Drilla HEADBUTTS, Sanada drops, but Drilla blocks the sneaky low blow! Drilla whips and SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up and bark with Drilla, then he drags Sanada back up. Gut wrench and DRILLA- NO, Sanada BOOTS the ref! Sanada then slips free, reels Drilla in, and MAGIC SCREW! The fans rally but the House goes after Bullet Club on the outside!

Sanada grabs his guitar! The fans boo as this Cold Blooded Snake steps inside. Chase stops Sanada! He takes the guitar, gives it to Drilla, then sets Sanada up. Drilla takes aim, but then Chase LOW BLOWS Drilla?!? The fans don’t understand! Why did the Crown Jewel do that?! NO WAIT, he’s joining the House, too!?? SMASH HIT from Sanada to Drilla!! It wasn’t just Fale as Mr. X, there was a MOLE inside the club! Sanada covers Drilla, the House wins!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall

Taiji asks why, Chase, why, but he just gets a LOW BLOW for it!! The old guard of Bullet Club is leaving them all behind to join up with Evil! Then is there nothing to stop this from being a HOT boy summer?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura!

The Ace Final Road continues to make connections, and that leads to his first and last 1v1 match with the Heat Storm. Will Tanahashi continue to ride high on his retirement tour? Or will Yuya only get hotter with the summer?

The bell rings and the fans rally for Tanahashi already. Tanahashi and Yuya circle, feel things out, and tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, Yuya switches, and repeat. Tanahashi trips Yuya but Yuya switches. Tanahashi switches, Yuya switches, repeat, and then the two separate. The fans applaud this opening exchange, and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Yuya wrenches to hammerlock then headlock, then he spins through to hammerlock, headlock, and hit the takeover! Tanahashi headscissors, Yuya kips free, but now Tanahashi hits a headlock takeover. Yuya headscissors. Tanahashi kips free, and Yuya headlocks.

Tanahashi fires body shots, powers out, but Yuya slides under! Yuya arm-drags! Tanahashi arm-drags, and he has the armlock! The fans rally, Yuya tries to headscissors but Tanahashi fights that off. Yuya rises up, Tanahashi grinds the arm, but Yuya wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Yuya then steps over to SNAP LOCK the arm! The fans rally while Yuya runs, and he basement DROPKICKS the arm! Tanahashi clutches the elbow and the fans rally more, but Yuya drags him up. Yuya wrenches the arm, wrenches again, then snapmares for Short Arm Scissors! Tanahashi endures, even as Yuya puts on the pressure.

Tanahashi turns, clasps hands, and he kicks his way over. Tanahashi reaches out but Yuya turns him back to keep on the scissors! The fans rally as Tanahashi continues to endure, and Tanahashi fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Yuya lets go, and the fans applaud. Yuya brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fires forearms. Yuya wrenches the arm! Tanahashi fires more forearms, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Yuya stands Tanahashi up. Yuya wrenches and whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! And then he ELBOWS Yuya, whips him to ropes, and BACKDROPS him!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi storms over to Yuya. Tanahashi drags Yuya up to scoop and SLAM into the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! A rough landing but Tanahashi stands back up. The fans rally and Tanahashi waits on Yuya. Yuya slowly rises, Tanahashi builds speed, but Yuya dodges the slingblade! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and waves bye before he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Tanahashi resets and runs again, SLING- NO, Yuya slips through to trap the arms! Tanahashi kicks at Yuya’s legs, whips, but uses that to reel Yuya in for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he tries once again. SLINGBLADE! Down goes Yuya and Tanahashi covers, TWO! Yuya stays in this and the fans rally up. Tanahashi hurries up the corner, aims, but Yuya stands. Tanahashi hits a HIGH FLY- NO, Yuya dodges the High Fly Attack, and now he goes up top! FROG- NO, Tanahashi dodges the Frog Splash Attack! The fans fire up while both men writhe. Yuya clutches his arm, the same arm that he injured all those months ago, and the fans rally. Tanahashi crawls his way over, drags Yuya up, and he fires a forearm! Yuya comes back with a forearm of his own!

The two stand, Yuya fires up, and the fans fire up with him! The forearms go back and forth, the fans cheering both men! Tanahashi eggs Yuya on, so Yuya fires a flurry! Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Yuya goes to a corner, Tanahashi storms up and whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And ARMBAR! Tanahashi clasps hands and the fans rally! Tanahashi fights around, but Yuya pulls on the arm! Yuya CLUBS Tanahashi’s grip and has the ARMBAR! Tanahashi has the ROPEBREAK, but Yuya drags him up into a cording hold! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then DRAGON SUPLEXES!

The fans fire up with Tanahashi builds speed. But Yuya catches him for a RANA! Then ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks the cover, TANAHASHI WINS!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

Yuya doesn’t realize it as he goes for a cover of his own, but he missed the kick-out by a thin margin! Tanahashi shows Yuya respect with how close that was. But is this really the only time Yuya gets to test himself against one of the best ever? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road bring them back around before the year is over?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

Direct Drive & The Way of the Grandmaster surprised a lot of people taking these titles off of the Ichiban Sweet Boys, but now some familiar foes come around to take these titles from them. We saw the House of Torture add new members, will they be adding new gold as well? Or can Yoh & Wato keep it fresh like Ziploc?

Wait, Sho grabs a mic. And he talks trash about how in Best of the Super Juniors, Wato lost in a “terrible effort” against Kanemaru, and yet he managed to hurt Kanemaru in the process! Sho also talks trash on Osaka, too, saying Kanemaru is above competing here in Wato’s hometown. The fans boo but Sho says these two don’t even have the right to call themselves proper champions! But don’t worry, Sho has a replacement for Kanemaru! Wait, really? Sho drops the mic and the House has yet another new member! It’s… DOUKI?! What?! Back from injury, and yet he’s turned to the dark side! Will Japones Del Mal make things very, very bad for Yoh & Wato?

Oh, of course Sho & Kanemaru still have to attack from behind! The shock of this return was the perfect distraction! Sho TOSSES Yoh out, Kanemaru kicks Wato out for Douki to RAM into the railing! Douki stomps Wato, drags him around, and then SMASHES the knee off the floor! Sho talks more trash but Douki puts Wato in the ring. The bell sounds so this is finally a match!

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Douki!

The fans boo as Douki and Sho stomp away on Wato, and the ref reprimands. One in, one out! Douki & Sho say hold on, and they stand Wato up to double whip. Wato grabs ropes, and he BOOTS Sho, ELBOWS Douki, and RAN- NO, Sho stops the rana and Douki basement DROPKICKS! Then they SMASH both knees off the mat! Yoh rushes in and fires off on Douki & Sho! Yoh CLUBS Douki, but Sho BODY BLOWS Yoh! Sho & Douki whip Yoh into bare buckles! Kanemaru still does his part in bringing out the House Special! And then Douki distracts the ref so Sho can hold Yoh open! Kanemaru climbs up, and that bad arm isn’t even hurt! Kanemaru uses it to DICK CHOP!

The fans boo as the House gets away with stooping even lower than usual! Douki brings Wato up but Wato fires body shots. Douki TOSSES Wato out, and he distracts the ref so Kanemaru can SMASH Wato’s knee on the floor! Then Sho SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! Then they DOUBLE SMASH the knees off the floor! The fans boo as Sho & Kanemaru mug Wato, then Sho drags Wato to his feet. The ref reprimands, Sho puts Wato in, and Douki DDTS a foot! And then Douki turns Wato over for the HALF CRAB! Wato endures, reaches out, and Sho keeps Yoh down on the outside! Wato crawls forward, but Douki drags him back!

Douki sits deep on the leg and the fans rally harder! Wato endures, pushes up, and he reaches out again! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Douki holds! The ref counts and Douki lets go at 4. Douki kicks Wato and taunts him. Wato grits his teeth but Douki stomps him. Wato rises up to throw body shots and chops but Douki laughs them off. Wato fires a forearm but Douki kicks low! Douki clamps onto a leg but Wato CLUBS away on him! Douki kicks the bad leg, runs, but Wato manages a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Wato crawls, but so does Douki, and Sho tags in first!

Sho BLASTS Yoh from the corner, then he drags Wato back. Douki KICKS Wato’s bad leg! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Douki watches Wato go to the corner. Douki runs in, Wato dodges, and he BOOTS Sho! Wato sends Douki into Sho, then he DOUBLE BULLDOGS! The fans fire up while all three are down! Wato crawls, hot tag to Yoh! The fans fire up as Yoh rallies on Sho & Douki with forearm after forearm! Yoh whips Sho into the bare buckles! Then he whips Douki into the bare buckles! Then Yoh PLANCHAS onto Kanemaru! Yoh then whips Kanemaru into railing! Yoh roars and the fans fire up with him!

Yoh goes up a corner, takes aim, and he CANNONBALLS into Sho! Cover, TWO! Yoh drags Sho up, brings him in, but Sho bends fingers! Yoh ROCKS Sho, turns him, but Sho still bends fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho whips. Yoh avoids hitting bare buckles, then he dodges Sho. Sho avoids hitting buckles but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then he SPEARS Yoh down! Both Sho and Yoh are down but Sho crawls over, tag to Douki! Douki runs up on Yoh to LARIAT in a corner! Douki scoops and SLAMS Yoh, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Then Douki WRECKS Wato with a dropkick!

Douki goes outside and SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! The fans boo Douki as he swaggers around the way. Douki aims at Yoh, DAY- NO, Yoh ducks the Daybreak to UPPERCUT! Yoh runs, but Sho trips him up! The ref reprimands but Sho holds Yoh up. Douki runs, but Wato trips him up! The fans cheer and Yoh breaks free. Yoh sets up for WATO IN MOTION! Down goes Sho, and then Wato runs to BOOT Douki down! Wato fires up and the fans cheer as he FLIES! Down goes Douki at the ramp! Wato hobbles but he fires up even more! The fans cheer their hometown hero and he puts Douki back in the ring.

Yoh tags Wato in and then brings Douki up! FALCON ARROW! Kanemaru distracts the ref, Sho RAMS Yoh into the ref! Kanemaru SHOVES Wato down, Sho sends Yoh into bare buckles! The fans boo as now Kanemaru gets his whiskey bottle and Sho gets his Torture Tool! They aim at Wato & Yoh, but Wato & Yoh dodge! Kanemaru & Sho avoid colliding, but they take DOUBLE SUPERKICKS instead! Wato & Yoh aim at Douki, the fans rally up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Wato helps the ref back to his feet. Yoh suplexes Douki, but Douki slips free, and he shoves Yoh into the ref! Sho LOW BLOWS Yoh!

WHISKEY MIST for Wato! The fans boo but Sho has the Torture Tool! Sho CLOBBERS Yoh with it! The fans boo and Wato hobbles up, but Sho spins him around for Douki’s #DeathPipe! HOMERUN to the legs!! The fans boo but Sho laughs as he brings Wato around. Sho puts Wato on the ropes, holds the bad leg out, and Douki goes up! FLYING DEATH PIPE STRIKE!! Wato writhes, the fans boo more, but there’s nothing to stop Douki from putting Wato in the PARADISE FIGURE FOUR!! Sho keeps Yoh back, Wato TAPS, the House wins!!

Winners: Sho & Douki, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions)

The Young Lions try to stop Douki from inflicting more damage, but Sho & Kanemaru TOSS them all out! The House mugs Wato, adding insult to injury! Douki beats Wato down with the pipe! Yoh tries to go after him but Sho CHOKES him with the wrench! Douki then CLOBBERS Yoh! Sho is now a DOUBLE champion, and Douki holds gold after his first match back! How much more will the House stack the deck?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii!

The United Empire has gone through changes, and they are calling for NJPW to do the same. But is the future here with the younger generation? Or will the Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull prove old dogs can still learn new tricks?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if past or future is our present!

The teams sort out and Taichi starts against Callum. The bell rings, the two run up, and Taichi BOOTS! Callum BOOTS back, and Taichi eggs him on! Callum fires a forearm, Taichi fires a ridge hand chop, and repeat! They go back and forth, then they add KICKS to the mix! Callum fires a flurry, whips, but Taichi reverses. Callum BOOTS Taichi, Taichi SOBATS and ROUND KICKS! Callum falls but kips up to DROPKCIK! Taichi is up and the two tie up! They scrap, end up in the Empire’s corner, and Khan tags in. The Empire mugs Taichi, Mongolian Chop to a PENALTY KICK! Ishii storms in but Callum BOOTS him!

Khan grabs Ishii’s leg and THROWS him down! Callum DOUBLE STOMPS Ishii, then Callum rains down forearms on Taichi! The ref reprimands so Callum stops and steps outside. Khan drags Taichi up and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Khan MONKEY FLIPS Taichi, then fireman’s carries for the SLAM! Khan stands Taichi up again for a SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO! The fans rally as Khan drags Taichi up, his tearaway pants already starting to tear away. Khan CLUBS Taichi into the corner, then hops up to sit on his throne! The fans applaud, the ref reprimands, and Khan hops down,

Khan brings Taichi around to Mongolian Chop him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii coaches Taichi up while the fans rally, but Khan gives Taichi mocking kicks. Khan then BLASTS Ishii off the apron! Khan mockingly asks Taichi what’s wrong, then slaps him around. Taichi fires RIDGE HAND after RIDGE HAND! Khan winds up but Taichi CHOPS him first! Taichi reaches out but Khan keeps him from the corner. Khan UPPERCUTS and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Taichi manages to tag Ishii! Ishii ROCKS Khan, then dodges Callum to send that BOOT into Khan!

Ishii whips Callum into Khan at the corner, then runs up. Callum dodges so Ishii LARIATS Khan! Callum returns but Ishii dodges, so Callum forearm SMASHES Khan! Ishii RUNS Callum over, then suplexes Khan high and hard! The fans fire up and Ishii looms over Khan. Ishii drags Khan up to CHOP! And CHOP again! Khan staggers but he shakes his head. Khan blocks the next chop to wrench, ELBOW BREAKER, and then KNEE the arm! Mongolian Chop to the arm! Ishii CHOPS, though a bit double-edged. Ishii runs, but into a SAYANAGI! Khan holds that bad arm out for Callum to PENALTY KICK into the ARMBAR!!

Ishii endures and the fans rally up! Ishii kicks around, fights his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Khan lets go, and Khan tags Callum. The Empire double whip just to YANK Ishii’s bad arm, CLUB it, BOOT Ishii, then KNEE him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii toughs it out but Khan drags him back up for a waistlock. Callum runs, but Ishii BOOTS him away! Ishii ELBOWS Khan, then ducks so Callum’s ROUNDHOUSE hits Khan! Ishii then GERMAN SUPLEXES Callum! Callum tumbles away and the fans rally up! Ishii crawls, hot tag to Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi runs corner to corner.

Taichi BOOTS Callum, and the fans rally behind him. Taichi runs, Callum avoids the Ax Bomber, swats the return, then BODY BLOWS! Callum KICKS Taichi to a corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Callum, winds up, but Callum ducks the buzzsaw to roll Taichi up! TWO, and Callum ducks a backhand! Taichi avoids the spin kick! Taichi reels Callum in for a DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up! Taichi feeds off that energy and takes aim. Callum rises, but Khan rushes in! Khan stops the Tensho Jujihou to THROW Taichi down!

Ishii runs in, Khan blocks the lariat and runs to LARIAT Ishii! Khan picks Taichi up and RAMS him into a corner! Khan then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan climbs up the corner and he drags Taichi up to join him! Taichi fights with ridge hands! Khan falls, but Callum DROPKICKS Taichi to the floor! The fans fire up and Khan brings out the Monster Rage! Khan PLANCHAS Ishii down!? Callum builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on Taichi and Callum rolls through! The fans fire up while all four men are down on the outside! Callum rises first and he puts Taichi in the ring. Callum climbs the corner and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!

Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Khan keeps Ishii on the outside while Callum rises up. The fans rally more and Callum roars! Callum brings Taichi up, BLOODY- NO, Taichi slips out and back suplexes! Callum lands out, and feeds Taichi to a KNEE from Khan! Callum ROCKS Taichi, then coordinates with Khan. ROLLING ELBOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Callum then drags Taichi up, hooks up the legs, FIREBOLT!! Cover, ISHII BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, and then Khan CLOBBERS Ishii! Khan throws up the crown, then he fireman’s carries Taichi! Callum says crowns up, runs the ropes, but Ishii CLOBBERS him!

The fans fire up as Taichi slips free of Khan, shoves him at Ishii, and Ishii LARIATS! Ishii blocks Callum’s boot to HEADBUTT! DOUBLE GIRI COMBO!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi stands Callum up! Alabama Lift, but Khan has a SLEEPER on Ishii! Callum fights free, kicks off Ishii, and TORNADO DDTS Taichi! Khan GERMAN SUPLEXES Ishii away! The fans rally up while Callum watches Taichi runs. Callum runs in, V-TRIGGER! Callum runs again, but into a FOREARM! Callum V-TRIGGERS again! Taichi roars and runs in, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous while Callum is furious!

Callum shakes his head, mostly to shake out the doubt. The fans rally even harder for Taichi as Callum runs. Springboard and OSC- TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Alabama Lift, Ishii ROCKS Callum into the BLACK MEPHISTO BRAINBUSTER!!! Khan returns but into a TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Taichi roars because he’s not done with Callum! BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI & ISHII WIN!!!

Winners: Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The United Empire could not conquer the past, and now Taichi & Ishii reign! This perhaps makes up for how Douki betrayed Just4Guys to make them Just3Guys, but perhaps they can just join Hontai now? As for the Empire, what are they to do after losing what little gold they had?

NJPW announces the participants in G1 Climax 35!

Naturally, Hirooki Goto is in, but will he still be world champion? Joining him in A Block will be: Boltin Oleg; Yuya Uemura; Yota Tsuji; David Finlay; Evil; Sanada; and Hiroshi Tanahashi in his FINAL G1! B Block has: El Phantasmo; Shota Umino; Shingo Takagi; Zack Sabre Jr; Great-O-Khan; Gabe Kidd; Ren Narita; and Konosuke Takeshita to represent AEW & DDT Pro! The remaining spots are up for grabs as part of play-in matches during the New Japan Soul tour! Two on June 23, the other two on July 4th, who will be lucky enough to be chosen for this opportunity?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!

The Alpha of AEW is back, and though he is planning for a big summer, he has a big title defense to start it off! Will Konosuke keep this title going into G1 Season? Or will he be put behind BARS?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if things NEVER change!

The bell rings and the two run up to tie up! Konosuke headlocks, Oleg powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Oleg rebounds to RAM Konosuke, Konosuke rebounds to RAM Oleg, then Konosuke BOOTS Oleg! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, but Konosuke RAMS Oleg! Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs at Konosuke in the corner! SPLASH! Oleg keeps moving, but Konosuke meets him with a JUMP KNEE! The fans duel while Oleg bails out. Konosuke builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Oleg at the ramp and the fans fire up! Konosuke rises and the fans cheer him on.

Konosuke drags Oleg up and into the ring. Konosuke brings Oleg to the apron, but Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke powers through to FALCON ARROW Oleg into the ring! The fans rally and Konosuke climbs up. He gets the fans fired up, and then SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Oleg is still in this and the fans applaud. Konosuke paces around while Oleg rises. Konosuke brings Oleg around as the fans rally for “BO-RU-TIN!” Oleg fights the back suplex and throws elbows. Konosuke keeps Oleg from running and ROCKS him in the back! Konosuke shoves Oleg to the ropes and ROCKS him in the back again!

Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES into a fireman’s carry! The fans fire up and Konosuke panics! Oleg F5s Konosuke to the outside!! The fans fire up as Konosuke crashes down! Oleg crawls to the apron and then storms up on Konosuke at the ramp. Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, but Konosuke hits back! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again, and they go further up the ramp. Konosuke ROCKS Oleg in return, but then Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again! They’re up on stage now, and the ALPHA ELBOW knocks Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg sputters and rises again. Konosuke uses the full length of the stage for a running start!

Oleg meets Konosuke for DOUBLE LARIATS! Oleg CHOPS, then he gut wrenches! The fans fire up for the Shake, Rattle and THROW down the ramp! Konosuke tumbles all the way from the D to the N in “DOMINION!” The fans fire up for Oleg as he hobbles after Konosuke. The ref finally starts a ring count, as is his discretion, and Oleg rolls into the ring at 7 of 20. Konosuke stands at 10, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 14. The fans applaud as this continues, and then Oleg runs up, jumps up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Oleg drags Konosuke up. Oleg runs, but Konosuke ROCKS him!

Oleg swings, but into a cording hold! ALPHA ELBOW! Konosuke hauls Oleg up for BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! But right into a BOSTON CRAB! Konosuke sits deep on the hold, wanting to take Oleg down with a “Young Lion” hold! The fans rally for Oleg and he fights around! Oleg reaches out, powers up, and almost throws Konosuke off! Oleg pushes forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Oleg is freed. But Konosuke runs and LARIATS Oleg down! Konosuke vows to end this now, and he reels Oleg in. But Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke tries, but Oleg lifts him first! But Oleg’s back gives out!

Konosuke waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Konosuke grows frustrated but the fans still rally behind Oleg. Konosuke goes to the corner and climbs up. Konosuke fires up and the fans cheer. Konosuke reaches the top, but Oleg ROCKS him first! Oleg climbs up after Konosuke now! Konosuke fires body shots, then LARIATS Oleg off the corner! But Oleg rises!? And he ROCKS Konosuke again! The fans fire up as Oleg climbs up, and he drags Konosuke onto his shoulders for the fireman’s carry! SUPER DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and now Oleg grows frustrated!

The fans rally as Oleg tries another fireman’s carry! Konosuke flails and slips down to have a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Oleg endures as Konosuke squeezes tight, but the fans rally up! Oleg gets a second wind, Konosuke CLUBS away on him, but Oleg BACKDROPS free! Both men rise, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS Oleg!! Konosuke drags Oleg up, but Oleg fireman’s carries through! The fans fire up as Oleg hits a POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke and Oleg both catch their breath before they rise again.

Konosuke ROCKS Oleg, Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, repeat! The forearms keep going back and forth and the fans rally up! Oleg gets the edge, but then Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Konosuke pulls off his elbow pad, winds up again, but Oleg DECKS Konosuke!! Oleg roars, the fans fire up, and Oleg runs! Konosuke dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Konosuke runs, but Oleg LARIATS through!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg rises, he fireman’s carries Konosuke, but Konosuke slips down to waistlock! Full nelson, and DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Oleg stirs!? Konosuke hurries to ALPHA ELBOW again!!

Oleg falls in a heap but Konosuke isn’t done! He vows to end this, and he stands Oleg up, but Oleg SHOTGUNS! Konosuke ruses, POWER- NO, Oleg stops the knee attack and fireman’s carries! KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

His first singles championship, and it comes off the incredibly accomplished Konosuke Takeshita! Oleg shows The Alpha respect, but this title is now going to be with Oleg for the G1! Will Oleg be the one to define the NEVER fighting spirit?

Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ The House of Torture!

If tonight has shown us anything, it’s that the Dog Pound Cage Match barely settled anything! The War Dogs may be THE Bullet Club now, but the House of Torture has been making moves in the shadows. But can The Rebel still put the King of Darkness down? Or will we have to admit that Everything is Evil?

Well, given this is a No Disqualification match, Evil is putting all the cards on the table by having all nine of his henchmen at ringside! Finlay makes his entrance, and it seems he only has Gedo with him. To be fair, his dogs got beat up in the 8 Man Tag, and Gabe Kidd has to focus on his own goal of the Global Heavyweight Championship. Wait, Finlay has Gedo go to the back? Evil chuckles, surely Finlay doesn’t think he can win 1v10. Wait, the rest of the dogs are still here! Connors, Drilla & Taiji walk with Finlay, but they’re still outnumbered 2:1. Even so, five War Dogs step up to the stacked deck of 10.

Finlay has the chain, and he has his boys throw up the Too Sweet. Osaka barks for the War Dogs as Finlay puts his collar on. Evil has his boys put one out, and he smirks as he picks up his collar. Evil puts it on, the factions stay outside, and the bell rings. The fans rally as Finlay and Evil gather up slack, and they circle as they get closer. The tug-o-war gets tenser, but Evil lets some slack go so the distance stays the same. The two feel things out using the slack as a weapon. Evil takes swipes, and then he stands on the chain! Finlay uses that trick against Evil and trips him up! Finlay rains down fists, but Evil scrambles out of the ring!

Finlay quickly reminds Evil that they’re stuck together by reeling him back in! Finlay CLUBS away on Evil, the fans and the War Dogs fire up, and then Finlay throat chops Evil in the corner! And throat chops again! Finlay climbs up to rain down fists, then he wraps the chain around the post! Finlay CHOKES Evil, then RAMS him! Finlay wraps the chain around the post again and he pulls! Payback for when Evil did this in the dog pound! Finlay stomps Evil, CHOKES him, but Evil refuses to give up. Finlay fires point-blank LARIATS again and again and again, all the way to TEN! The fans cheer while Evil sputters.

Finlay lets Evil out of the corner, gathers up some slack, and he LASHES Evil on the back! Finlay then TOSSES Evil over the top rope, and HANGS him! The warring factions keep each other at bay, and then Finlay lets Evil drop to the floor! Finlay takes his time going outside, but Evil YANKS the chain and FLINGS Finlay into railing! The Rebel crashes down and the ref checks him. Evil has the ref check him, but this is a distraction! The House swarms Finlay! The War Dogs rush in, but again, this is a 2:1 ratio, the House beats up on the War Dogs! Evil drags Finlay into the crowd! The fans fire up but they clear out of the way as Evil PUNCHES Finlay!

Evil CHOKES Finlay with the chain! The ref reprimands but there’s nothing more he can do. The factions brawl more at ringside, and oh look, the blue buckle pad is gone! The House Special is waiting while Evil BOWLS Finlay into chairs! The fans clear out a bit more as Evil looms over Finlay. Evil ROCKS Finlay, talks trash, then drags him back to ringside. Evil throws more headlock punches, then he stands on Finlay’s head! The ref reprimands, Evil steps off, and Evil drags Finlay up. Finlay is busted open, but Evil GAGS Finlay with the chain! Finlay flails, fans have to move aside, and Evil CHOKES Finlay on the railing!

The fans boo Evil and rally for Finlay, but Evil brings Finlay back to the ring. The House has thoroughly beat down the War Dogs, and Evil GAGS Finlay again! Finlay can only suffer as Evil wraps the chain around his head a bit more, then BOOTS him down! Evil drags Finlay up, then SMACKS him off bare buckles! The fans boo and the War Dogs coach Finlay on. Evil tells them to shut up, and then he puts Finlay in a Tree of Woe! The bare buckles make that hurt more. Evil’s collar comes undone, and he “complains” to the ref! That’s all a distraction so Dick and the House can CHOKE Finlay using the chain!

The fans boo, the ref does reprimand about the chain detaching from Evil’s collar, but Evil claims it was totally by accident. Finlay is freed from the Tree, the ref grabs the chain, and he reattaches it for Evil. Finlay coughs and sputters while Gedo protests, this has to be because of something Evil did to the chain. Evil whips Finlay hard into more bare buckles, because the House undid one of the neutral corners! And then the same on the other neutral corner! Evil laughs at Finlay but Gedo and the dogs coach Finlay up. Evil whips Finlay back into the House corner and Finlay falls in a heap. Evil says the ref should just call it.

Finlay refuses to let Evil win like that, so Evil whips him at the red corner! Finlay avoids hitting those bare buckles, then he dodges Evil! Evil avoids hitting the bare buckles, but Finlay YANKS the chain and LOW BLOWS Evil! Finlay storms up on Evil, and now Evil is sent into bare buckles! The King of Darkness tastes some of his own medicine! Finlay gathers up the slack and LASHES Evil again and again! Ren, Yujiro & Sanada get on the apron, but Finlay BLASTS them all down! Finlay then stands Evil up to CHAIN PUNCH! The fans fire up and Evil looms over Evil. Finlay drags Evil up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him out onto the House!

The fans fire up as The King of Darkness is used to wipe out about seven of his pawns! Finlay goes outside again, and he wraps up his fist again. Finlay says no more games, and he punches away on Evil’s forehead! The fans bark, Finlay shouts, “WAR DOGS~!” and the fans cheer! Finlay fetches Evil, whips him hard into railing, then laces through a corner. Finlay reels Evil in with the chain and has him against the corner! Finlay then runs around Evil to wrap him up! Evil is trapped, and Finlay fires away with HAYMAKERS! Finlay BITES Evil’s forehead, then spits out that awful taste. Finlay unwraps Evil by running around the other way, only for Evil to YANK Finlay into POST!

Finlay is in a daze, and Evil brings out chairs! Evil has Dick distract the ref. No Disqualification or not, Evil wants to escalate things! He puts the chair around Finlay’s head, and then YANKS him into the POST!! Finlay falls in a heap while the fans boo Evil! The ref checks on Finlay, and somehow Finlay is still able to continue. Evil drags Finlay up with the chain, reels him into the ring, and Evil LASHES Finlay now! Finlay writhes but Evil LASHES him again! Finlay flounders but Evil LASHES him again! The fans rally for Finlay but Evil drags him up, to LARIAT! Finlay staggers around, Evil LARIATS again! Finlay leans on Evil, then slumps down.

The fans rally for Finlay but Evil wraps his arm in chain. Evil winds up and stands Finlay for the CHAIN LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up! Evil brings Finlay back up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is still in this and the War Dogs rally the fans! Evil is annoyed but he vows to end this now. Evil drags Finlay up, reels him in, EVERY- NO, Finlay slips free and suplexes! INTO OBLIVION!! The fans fire up as Finlay turns this around! Both men are down, but Finlay uses the chain to bring Evil over. Finlay reels Evil in, lifts, and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Evil falls in a heap from hitting off bare steel!

Finlay shows no mercy, and he POWERBOMBS again! Finlay wobbles but then leans against the ropes. Evil sputters, the House is worried, but Finlay is on Evil again! POWERBOMB!! Finlay staggers, but even the War Dogs want more! Finlay storms over to Evil, uses the chain to CHOKE him, then turns around. But Evil reels the ref in and CHOKES him! Evil and the ref fall, and Finlay realizes what happened. Finlay says that won’t spare Evil, and he KNEES Evil down! Finlay says Evil wanted this, now he’s gonna pay! Finlay stands Evil up to KNEE him down again! The fans cheer Finlay on as he drags Evil back up.

Finlay reels Evil in for another KNEE! Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! The fans fire up and bark with Finlay. Finlay wraps his knee with the chain, but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Gedo gets in and uses the chain to CHOKE Dick! Sanada CLUBS Gedo! Connors CLUBS Sanada! Sho hits Connors with the Torture Tool! Drilla kicks Sho low and reels him in, DRILLA- NO, Ren uses the PUSHUP BAR! Taiji fires off hands on Ren, but Yujiro uses the PIMP CANE! Finlay CLOBBERS everybody, but Chase is in! Finlay SMACKS that traitor, then goes after Ren! WHISKEY MIST! DEATH PIPE!! Chase gives Finlay a C-TRIGGER!!

The fans boo as all these traitors help Evil! They even bring in a table! They CHUCK the table right at Finlay’s head! Then they set it up near a corner, and Fale climbs up!?! Finlay is put on the table, and Fale DIVING SPLASHES through the table!! The fans boo as Finlay is completely wrecked! Evil makes sure the collar is back on as if nothing happened. Evil calls for the ref, then he wraps the chain around Finlay’s neck! Evil CHOKES Finlay, a new ref comes in as a replacement, and Evil uses the chain to help with the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Finlay endures as Evil bends him back and pulls on the chain!!

The fans boo but Finlay can only endure! Bloody forehead, bloody back, and he’s PASSING OUT!! EVIL WINS!!

Winner: Evil, by submission

The King of Darkness let The Rebel have the name, “Bullet Club,” because clearly he wants what matters more: POWER! The House of Torture is a force of nature at ten men strong, will no one stop them from taking over NJPW?

As for Finlay, the medical team is brought in, and they bring a backboard and stretcher. Will their boss dog ever be able to bark again?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd!

When these two battled last, it went to a time limit draw, and obviously everyone was left wanting more. But will sixty minutes be enough this time around? Or will the Gene Blast and Mad Man fight forever?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and these two finally run it back!

Gabe surprisingly shows respect by offering a handshake. Yota accepts and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the two slowly circle. The fans duel, with plenty of “YOTA!” and “GABU!” Gabe then SMACKS Yota, SAIDOS, and Yota tumbles out! “I’m a Mad Man, y’know!” Gabe runs and FLIES! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up! Gabe goes back to Yota, drags him up and into the ring, and the fans cheer. But then Yota BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Yota runs to FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down from bringing out the big moves early, and a ring count begins. Both men stir at 8, and Yota rises at 10 of 20.

Yota brings Gabe up at 13 but Gabe fights the scoop! Yota fights the driver, we pass 15! And then 17! Yota fights the suplex, both men hear 19 and they LEAP in! The fans cheer as these two avoid a rather quick draw. The two then tie up, Gabe headlocks, and Yota powers up and out. Gabe RUNS Yota over, then things speed up. Yota bypasses then HIP TOSSES Gabe, and adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans rally while Gabe goes to ropes. Yota storms up but Gabe CHOPS! Gabe fires forearms and UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Yota reverses and hit a KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Gabe sputters but Yota brings him up for a scoop and SLAM!

Yota runs, and he SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head, he’s tougher than that, but Yota stays calm. Yota storms over to Gabe, stands him up, and CHOPS him back down! Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up, but Yota fires a forearm. Gabe fires back, they trade shots, but then Yota BODY BLOWS! Gabe falls in a heap and sputters again. Yota brings Gabe back up, then runs to RUN Gabe over! The fans cheer and Yota pushes Gabe to a cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and the fans applaud but Yota grins. Yota brings Gabe up, ROCKS him, and has him in a corner. Gabe eggs Yota on so Yota CHOPS him!

Yota stands Gabe up, RAMS into him again and again, but Red Shoes reprimands. Yota snapmares Gabe, then wraps on body scissors! Gabe endures the squeeze, fights off the chinlock, and he eggs Yota on again. Yota fires a forearm, Gabe SLAPS, and repeat! Yota SLAPS Gabe now! Gabe sputters and Yota turns scissors into a top mount so he can CHOP Gabe! Gabe snarls and grabs at Yota, but Yota CHOPS him again! Yota paces, then he scuffs Gabe. Gabe sits up with a scowl, but Yota scuffs him again. Gabe gets in Yota’s face, so Yota fires forearms. Gabe tells Yota off but Yota fires a flurry! Then he DECKS Gabe!

Yota smiles and paces while Gabe slowly sits back up. Gabe shakes out the stars, but Yota fires even more forearms. Gabe powers Yota to the ropes! Yota HAMMERS Gabe, but Gabe SHOVES Yota up and out! Yota tumbles to the floor but is otherwise okay, so a ring count begins. The fans rally, Gabe sits cross-legged, but Yota is still down at 10 of 20. Yota stands at 13, rolls in at 15, and Gabe says F YOU! LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans cheer but Gabe is annoyed. Gabe barks, the fans join in, and Gabe stands Yota up. Gabe winds up to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP as he has Yota against ropes! Gabe then LARIATS and CROSSBODIES!

Yota tumbles away and Gabe snarls. Gabe runs in at the corner and LARIATS! Then he clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and paces around Yota. Gabe runs, but Yota ducks the lariat to COMPLETE SHOT, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gabe tumbles to a corner, the fans rally up, and Yota growls. Yota runs corner to corner to V-TRIGGER! Gabe falls, Yota grins, and Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Gabe dodges! Gabe runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Gabe is still in this but Yota stays focused. The fans rally and duel as Yota brings Gabe up.

Yota reels Gabe in, suplexes, but Gabe blocks! They fight for suplex control now, and Gabe fires a body shot! Gabe then hangs Yota out to dry and BOOTS him! Gabe goes up the corner now, and he GUILLOTINE SENTONS! Not the best hit and Gabe may have taken as much damage as Yota on that. Gabe crawls over to bring Yota up, and he SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yota is still in this and the fans cheer. Both men are down but Gabe sits up. Gabe shakes his head, he doesn’t care about that. He eggs Yota on and dares him to bring the fight! Gabe SLAPS Yota, then eggs him on more. Yota CHOPS in return and the fans fire up!

Yota eggs Gabe on, then catches him for the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Yota watches Gabe bails out, so Yota builds speed again! Yota DIVES and down goes Gabe! But Gabe’s right up to BOOT Yota! Gabe runs up, but Yota pops him up! Gabe mule kicks, then goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and then Gabe inverted suplexes into a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE on the floor!! Gabe and Yota are both down while the fans fire up! Gabe rises and the fans cheer him on! Gabe puts Yota in the ring, hauls him up, and suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, but Gabe frowns. Gabe grabs Yota’s legs and GIANT SWINGS him! Gabe borrows from his new friends in the Death Riders, and then he turns Yota over for a BOSTON CRAB! Gabe wants to use that Young Lion hold to humiliate Yota! The fans rally as Yota endures and powers up! Yota storms his way forward, but Gabe drags him back and sits deep! The fans rally more as Yota powers up again! Yota grits his teeth and fights forward, but Gabe sits deeper! Yota still manages the ROPEBREAK! Gabe lets go in frustration, and he stomps and kicks Yota at the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe eggs Yota on.

Gabe tells Yota that this is NJPW, so get up! Yota rises, and he fires a forearm. Gabe shakes his head so Yota fires more shots. Gabe says they’re still not good enough, and he CHOPS in return! Yota sputters, the fans rally, and Gabe waits on Yota. Yota rises to fire a forearm, Gabe CHOPS again, and Yota staggers back. Yota storms up to fire a forearm, but Gabe gives that back. The forearms go back and forth, speed up even, and the fans rally. Yota fires a flurry, then a CHOP! Gabe felt that one! Gabe still comes back and fakes a chop to JAB! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists but Gabe kicks and CHOPS Yota!

Yota stands to HEADBUTT! Gabe falls right over! Yota waits on Gabe, winds up, but Gabe catches him to a nelson! Yota breaks it but ends up in a COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up, Yota reaches out, but Gabe rolls Yota up! TWO, and Gabe SMACKS Yota! Gabe reels Yota in, but Yota Alabama Lifts! DEADEYE! Yota then reels Gabe in, lifts, and hits a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and Yota grows frustrated but the fans love it! Yota runs to CURB STOMP Gabe, then he goes up the corner! The fans fire up for the MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans cheer again. Yota roars and the fans duel again!

Yota aims from a corner as Gabe rises. GENE- KNEE!!! Gabe roars, KICKS Yota in the face, then reels him in! LEG TRAP PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and no one can believe it! The fans rally up again and Gabe roars! Gabe brings his kneepad down and takes aim at Yota! O- NO!! Yota pops Gabe up for a KNEE of his own! And then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans rally up again. Yota goes to a corner, Gabe stands, GENE- LARIAT!! Gabe counters again, and then he hauls Yota up! Yota fights the driver, wrenches, but Gabe SMACKS him! Yota V-TRIGGERS!

Gabe rebounds, Yota dodges, but then Gabe rebounds again, COMEBACKER!! The fans are thunderous and Gabe aims from the corner! O- GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Now Gabe survives and the fans are electric! Yota roars and he reloads! Gabe stands, into the GENE- NO! Gabe facelocks, PARADIGM SHIFT?!?! And then the LEG TRAP DRIVER!!!! Cover, GABE WINS!!!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Mad Man used The Maniac’s move and made himself a champion! Gabe has been saying he wants to restore the feeling of Strong Style in NJPW, but did he prove he can also be elite?

After being presented the belt, Gabe grabs the mic. “Tsuji, wait, wait, wait.” Gabe hobbles over to his rival and the fans applaud. Gabe tells Yota that NJPW in the 1990s, it was Hashimota and Mutoh. In the 2000s, it was Tanahashi and Nakamura. And then the late 2010s, it was Okada and Omega. But now, with 2025, it will be them, Tsuji and Kidd!! Gabe wants Tsuji to understand, he will see him again later. Gabe then asks if anyone minds that he speaks English. No, let’s be real. It is very public what happened to him, the struggles he has been through. “Getting sectioned in a side checker hospital, not wanting to live anymore…”

But none of that matters now, because he is now the GLOBAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! The fans cheer Gabe on as he holds up the belt. Gabe revels in that praise, and then says that he wants challengers now! Who is it gonna be? OI! HIROSHI TANAHASHI! Get out here, ya bastard! The fans cheer Tanahashi on, and Gabe says hurry up, get out here. Here comes The Ace! The fans cheer as Tanahashi makes his way back out here, and Gabe holds the ropes open for the President. The fans applaud, and now they’re face to face in the ring. Gabe says this is Tanahashi’s Final Road. Then let’s go, President! They’ll fight one last time!

The fans cheer that idea! Will Tanahashi and Gabe light it up even before entering the G1? Will the Mad Man regret gambling with The Ace?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS Shingo Takagi!

The dream finally came true earlier this year at the New Beginning in Osaka as the Goto Revolution dethroned Zack Sabre Jr. Goto was handed the banner of Hontai by Hiroshi Tanahashi, and then Goto overcame ZSJ again in their rematch. But now, this former ungovernable has come back to regain former glory! Will this become the Takagi Revolution? Or will the Fierce Warrior slay this Rampaging Dragon?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes this their Dominion!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling is strong between “GO-TO-O!” and “TA-KA-GI!” The two feel things out, knuckle lock, then clinch, only to separate. They go again, then separate, and the fans continue to rally. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Takagi powers Goto to the ropes. Goto turns things around on Takagi, lets off slowly, and pats Takagi on the shoulders. Takagi rushes Goto and kicks low! Takagi CLUBS Goto, clamps on a headlock, but Goto poewrs up and out. GOto headlocks inr eturn, but now Takagi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and Takagi just brushes it off.

Takagi runs to RAM Goto, but Goto grits his teeth. Goto and Takagi egg each other on, then Goto runs. Goto RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds and RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds and RAMS Takagi again, and both men stand their ground. The fans rally as Goto fires a forearm and Takagi fires a CHOP, then repeat! They both throw forearms now, but then Goto knees low, snapmares, and KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stands to CHOP! The fans fire up and Takagi whips. Goto reverses, Takagi blocks the hip toss, and Takagi THROWS Goto down. Goto avoids the senton and he hits a takeover. Takagi headscissors, Goto kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff.

Goto and Takagi reset while the fans rally. They approach, and Takagi offers a handshake? Goto is wary, but Takagi promises a clean fight. Goto accepts the handshake, but then Takagi KNEES low! Goto fights the pump handle, dragon sleepers, but Takagi arm-drags free. Takagi bypasses Goto, but Goto counters a hip toss with a hip toss! Goto then RUNS Takagi over! Takagi bails out and goes to the crowd. Takagi dares Goto to come get him, but Goto tells Takagi to get in the ring. Takagi stretches out his arms and legs, then steps back to the apron. Red Shoes has Goto stay back, but then Takagi steps in and Goto attacks!

Goto CLUBS away on Takagi in the corner, then he whips Takagi to ropes. Goto ELBOWS Takagi down, then ELBOW DROPS! Takagi sputters, Goto drops an ELBOWS on the back! Cover, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Goto brings Takagi up. Goto digs his knee into Takagi’s back as part of the chinlock. Takagi endures, but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Red Shoes reprimands but Goto stomps Takagi around. Goto and Takagi trade forearms but Goto stomps Takagi in the corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS! The fans fire up with Goto and he headlocks, but Takagi fights off the bulldog!

Goto fires knees, but Takagi shoves Goto away! Goto comes back, but into the ELBOW! Takagi goes up and reels Goto in, TORNADO DDT! Takagi then runs up and LARIATS Goto up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, then they duel while Goto is down on the outside. Takagi goes out to fetch Goto, and he brings Goto around the way to whip hard into railing! Yoshi-Hashi has to stay back as Takagi storms over that way. Takagi brings Goto around to SMACK him off the apron! Takagi then fireman’s carries for a SNAKE EYES off the apron! Takagi doesn’t stop, he brings Goto to the ramp! Snap suplex onto the ramp! Right on the N and I!

Goto writhes, clutching his leg, and Red Shoes has Takagi stay back. Takagi waits, and Goto is okay to continue. Takagi stomps Goto, drags him up, and Takagi brings Goto to the ring. Takagi then drops an ELBOW of his own! And a SENTON! The fans applaud and rally up again. Takagi brings Goto up, puts him on the ropes, and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Takagi backs off as Red Shoes reprimands, and then Takagi whips to KNEE Goto again! Takagi runs to RUN Goto over! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Goto back up, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!

Takagi looks to the camera, but then says not yet. Takagi wraps on the body scissors! Goto fights around as he endures the squeeze. Takagi clamps on a chinlock, Goto still fights, so Takagi shifts to make it part COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Goto still endures and still fights around! Goto kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Takagi holds on! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, so Goto lets go at 3. Takagi stands while the fans rally. Takagi kicks Goto around, then stands him up. Goto fires CHOP after CHOP, but Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS, and RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then DOUBLE CHOPS!

Takagi has Goto in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but blocks a boot! Takagi LARIATS through and the fans fire up! Takagi stands Goto up to JAB, CHOP, and repeat! The fans rally with every JAB, then Takagi CHOPS! Takagi then whips Goto back the other way, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into BOOTS! Takagi runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Goto rises as the fans rally and duel again. Goto storms over to Takagi in the corner, fires forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in and MURAMASA to the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans cheer.

The dueling continues as “GO-TO-O!” rises and storms over to “TA-KA-GI!” Goto scoops, Takagi slips free to the apron, but Goto ELBOWS Takagi. Goto runs up but Takagi RAMS him! Takagi looks to the floor and nods. Takagi brings Goto up but Goto DECKS him! Takagi goes to the floor and leans on the railing. Goto rolls out to go after him, but Takagi RAMS Goto into the apron! Takagi has media clear out, and he whips Goto. Goto stops from hitting railing, then he picks Takagi up! Goto has Takagi on the railing, for a DRAPING SHOTO to the floor! The fans fire up and Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both able to continue, and Goto rolls into the ring first.

The ring count is climbing, Takagi is still down at 7 of 20. Takagi stirs, rises up, and he uses the railing to stand at 11. But then he falls back! Takagi rises again at 15, and he slides in at 17! The fans applaud, and Goto storms his way over. Goto stomps Takagi, brings him up, but Takagi fires a forearm! Goto fires back, but then Takagi CHOPS! Goto ROCKS Takagi, Takagi HEADBUTTS Goto, repeat! Takagi then runs, but Goto catches him to URA GTR! Goto runs and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and Goto snarls. The fans rally and Goto brings Takagi up. Takagi fights the fireman’s carry and CLUBS away on him!

Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto is down! Takagi drags Goto back up while the fans rally, but Goto takes a swing! Takagi catches him, spins him, and hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans applaud. Takagi shouts to Osaka and says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as Takagi stands Goto up and pump handles. Goto fires elbows and gets free, to then fire forearms! Goto runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! Goto stands?! But Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI!

The fans fire up again while both men are down! The dueling begins again and is strong as ever. Goto stands first, he runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Takagi drops to his knees while Goto staggers back, and the fans rally up again. Takagi and Goto DOUBLE LARIAT again! Goto roars, runs, but Takagi swats a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT, then PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi hauls Goto up to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans fire up. Both men slowly rise up, and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Takagi runs corner to corner and LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto sputters.

Takagi roars, the fans fire up more, and Takagi puts Goto up top. Takagi climbs up but Goto fires body shots! Goto shoves Takagi down but Takagi fires ridge hands! Takagi climbs up again, but Goto fires forearms! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Goto HEADBUTTS, and they keep going back and forth! Goto then pushes Takagi down so he can climb up, SUPER KAI TEN!! High stack cover, TWO!! Takagi survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderously dueling! Goto fireman’s carries, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives again and the fans rally up more. Goto roars and drags Takagi into a dragon sleeper!

But Takagi spins it around! Takagi squeezes tight, but Goto drops down! Takagi holds on, but Goto fires hands from below! Goto is free, runs up, but Takagi puts him in the ropes! Takagi hits the DRAPING GTR! And then he pump handles to hit MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi drags Goto up, runs, and PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous as Takagi stands Goto up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!??! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Takagi is beside himself but the fans continue to duel between them!

Takagi rises and he goes over to Goto. Takagi pump handles again but Goto fires elbow after elbow! Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men stay up, and Takagi LARIATS again! Goto drops to a knee, but Takagi brings him back up. Goto fires forearms! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Goto HEADBUTTS into a FOREARM! But then Goto and Takagi DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Goto fires up, but Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS! And POINT-BLANK- NO, Goto catches Takagi to facelock! Takagi fights the suplex, and then he suplexes! But Goto fights that and suplexes, SHOTEN KAI!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!

Goto and Takagi stir, the fans rally as hard as they possibly can, and Goto rises first. Goto goes to a corner, roars, and he powers up! Takagi sits up, into the BUZZSAW! But then he springs up!? But Goto LARIATS Takagi back down!! Osaka is erupting as Goto dragon sleepers! But Takagi fires hands! So Goto grabs the arm, only for Takagi to somersault clutch! TWO, and SLIDING D!! Both men are down again, and the fans duel as hard as they can! Takagi roars, and then he drags Goto back up! Takagi pump handles, torture racks, but Goto slips down! G T R!!! Goto has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!?!?

The fans are electric as Takagi survives! Goto is almost foaming at the mouth, but he brings Takagi up for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! And yet Takagi rises!? Takagi says he’s not done yet, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! And then URA SWING into G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The Fierce Warrior reveals he is still growing and evolving as he busts out a brand new take on his classic finisher! The Rampaging Dragon has been slain, but can he rise back up in the heat of the G1?

As for Goto, Hashi helps put the belt back around his waist, and Goto shows Takagi respect by holding out his hand. Takagi stands up, applauds Goto, and then shakes his hand. The fans applaud, will these two run it back soon enough? As Takagi makes his leave, Goto grabs the mic. The fans cheer Goto on, and he says, “The Goto Revolution is all about the will of a veteran.” The fans cheer, and Goto says that in a sense, Takagi is part of that revolution. Goto tells Takagi not to give up. “You’ll find yourself a nice wife. You have to create your own future.” The fans chuckle but they do applaud Goto supporting Takagi both professionally and personally.

Goto says, “As for me, it is my mission to create the future for NJPW!” The fans applaud, and Goto adds, “The Goto Revolution is far from over.  Please keep following me until the very end!” The fans applaud again and Goto says they will close with Goto’s G’s. “Let’s go, Osaka-Jo!” The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP stands for Goto!” With that, Goto puts down the mic and the streamers fly! If the Goto Revolution is keeping the G in IWGP, will the Fierce Warrior also make the G1 into the Goto 1?

My Thoughts:

A great night for NJPW, a very packed show, even though I skipped ELP & Shota VS ZSJ & Oiwa. Bullet Club and House of Torture sure had a big night tonight, with “Don Fale” defecting from Bullet Club and apparently bringing Chase Owens with him, and Douki replacing Kanemaru to not only have a shocking return but to take those titles off Yoh & Wato. And then all of this factors into that dog collar match to help Evil win, showing the House of Torture is the new big bad faction everyone has to worry about.

Tanahashi VS Uemura was very good, and a part of me figured Tanahashi would win to stay strong as he goes into the second half of his final year. Oleg VS Konosuke was great stuff, especially for Oleg to win the NEVER Openweight title. Konosuke is still going to be in the G1 but I wonder if after that, Konosuke focuses more on AEW related story, especially since things will sort out between the Continental & International Championships. Yota VS Gabe was great, but that flying senton was perhaps a spot Gabe hadn’t practiced, he really overshot it. Gabe winning was still the right move after how strong he’s been going and is becoming NJPW’s favorite anti-hero. Gabe VS Tanahashi will be great stuff, but I would think Gabe retains the title.

And the main event was awesome, both guys still very popular and still going strong. Goto retaining made sense, there’s still a lot he can do as champion. He will definitely be tested in the G1, with every match being the other guy giving their best against him. But I don’t expect Goto to win the whole thing, or maybe even A Block, with quite a few top names in there. Tanahashi might make a good push, it could be between him and Goto since this is Tanahashi’s last G1.

My Score: 9/10

SmackDown’s on the road to Riyadh!

John Cena dared CM Punk to challenge him at Night of Champions, and Miss Money in the Bank, Naomi, wants all champions to Proceed With Caution!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes; Orton wins and advances to the next round.
• Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim; Jade wins and advances to the next round.
• Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/ The Wyatt Sick6; Gacy & Lumis win.
• Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS Chelsea Green Alba Fyre; Alexa wins and advances to the next round.
• King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins and advances to the next round.

PLAY BY PLAY

John Cena is here!

Lexington, Kentucky sings, “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he makes his way out in the University of Kentucky white ‘n’ blue. Cena goes to the ring, and while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena signals to Mark Nash to give the proper introductions: Please welcome the Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Lexington with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOHN CENA! The fans boo as Cena holds up the belt. Cena then grabs a mic and says, “Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore… is John Cena, John Cena, John Cena, and John Cena.” The fans boo but Cena says, there have been great wrestlers and great talkers.

But no one in the past, and certainly no one in the present nor the future, is comparable to him. And the very reason Cena will always outmaneuver the fans is not because he never gives up. It is because he is smarter than us. “You Can’t See Me, but you all wanna be me.” And whether watching at home or being mesmerized in this very arena, Cena is always 1000 steps ahead because everyone is worried about here and now, when he had already “won” this title over a year ago. Cena announced his retirement early so that he could have an extra six months to scout his potential opponents.

Cena knew anyone could enter the Rumble, so he did. And he knew that if he lost in the Rumble, he could use his seniority to enter the Elimination Chamber. And he knew that in the Chamber, Rollins and Punk would melt down to give Cena an easy win. Plus, Cody Rhodes was so focused on The Final Boss, Cena just had to seize the moment, shock the world, and become unpredictable. Then all he did was use Cody’s obsession with everyone’s love to guarantee the WrestleMania win. Cena used the fanfare and love of the 25 year rivalry to get a match in Randy Orton’s hometown, all to lull Randy into a false sense of security.

Cena put R-Truth in the Saturday Night’s Main Event so that all the fans would care, and the fans took the bait! While the fans tried to save Truth, Cena made friends with Logan Paul, just to eliminate him as a threat, and all to size up his next opponent in CM Punk. The fans boo but Cena says he used Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence to back him into a corner. The fans cheer for Punk, but Cena says if Punk wants to take the title, he has to admit that he is a hypocrite! And Cena doesn’t even have to worry about Mr. Money in the Bank, Rollins will never cash in on Cena while he holds this!

Cena knows Rollins wants Cena to leave with the Undisputed title, Rollins becomes your only champion! Cena is the greatest for a reason! The fans boo but Cena says while they’ve been busy using their pathetic brains to come up with fake stories like if Cena “sold his soul,” all Cena has to do is put the math in his favor. He wins before the matches even start! In 25 years, he crunched every number, solved every puzzle and cracked every code. And thank God Cena doesn’t need the fans’ appreciation, because they won’t realize how good he is until three years after he’s gone! This is the greatest moment of their lives, but to Cena, they are just a mathematical equation.

And the math says that there is no one ever worthy enough to earn the right to hold the Undisputed title ever again. But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! Lexington sings along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring. Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans in the front row, then steps up onto the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody throws his track jacket to the crowd as a free souvenir, then he grabs himself a mic. The fans cheer as Cody and Cena are face to face again, and then Cody gets the fans to fire up a bit more. Cody takes a moment, then asks Cena to go over what he just said.

Cena claims to be 1000 steps ahead because he’s so smart? No, no, he isn’t just smart! Cena’s a genius! It is unfortunate that everything Cena’s said has come true: Rollins and Punk melted down, Cody was distracted, and they all took their eyes off the prize. The homefield advantage was used against Randy, and the Mount Rushmore being all Cena, sure. But here we are, some sort of 25 year master plan, and there’s this variable that he didn’t account for, and it is simple. Cena laid out his whole story since his return, but why didn’t he include the simple fact that this past Saturday, he was looking up at the lights when Cody pinned him in the middle of this ring?!

The fans cheer, and Cody says he isn’t part of Cena’s plan, Cena is part of Cody’s. So “John Rushmore,” where does that leave the two of them? Well it isn’t just the two of them, because here comes Randy Orton! The fans fire up as The Viper goes right to the ring, gets right in Cena’s face, then pushes past him to grab himself a mic. Randy is back a month after Backlash, and he tells anyone and everyone that had a pulse and was watching Backlash knows Orton had Cena BEAT! Down and out, dead to rights, and about to remove Cena’s head from his shoulders! Until somebody out there decided to come and save John Cena.

Orton realizes now that he has to do whatever it takes. It doesn’t matter what or who it is he has to go through to get his fifteenth. Even being in the King of the Ring Tournament. Cody, Orton loves you like a brother, you know that… But if Orton has to put Cody’s ass down to get to Cena, he won’t hesitate to do it! But wait! Here comes LA Knight!  Lexington fires up for The Mega Star as he already has a mic to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” “YEAH!” LA Knight says all week long, he’s heard the whole world saying #WeWantLAKnight! “YEAH!” Knight knows what they want, and he knows for damn sure what none of the other guys in the ring want, and that’s Knight walking down there.

So, why don’t we take a walk? Knight understands what this is as he defiantly walks down there. He is looking at the WEW Establishment! “YEAH!” Knight is the sore thumb sticking out here, and that’s how he likes it, YEAH! “YEAH!” But you gotta understand something. Cena, you have this great little master plan, BAH GAWD, it is genius. But Knight knows damn sure that the plans didn’t include Knight, YEAH! So let’s go ahead and throw the plan on it’s head. KOTR is around the corner, which means Knight has a shot at Cody, Orton, and Cena, all on the way to taking what is his! “YEAH!”

So unbreakable as Knight is walking in here, he’s gotta drop a viper, a nightmare, and if he has to drop “a genius balding b*tch John Cena,” he’ll do it to be WWE Champion, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Cena chuckles and steps out. The fans boo as Cena goes back up the ramp, but then R-TRUTH GETS HIM! Or, well, Ron Killings gets him! And he rains down furious fists on Cena right at the ramp! Security rushes out there, as do producers, and the fans boo. Cena kicks free as it takes everybody to hold Killings back! Will Cena even make it to Night of Champions with the walls closing in?

King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Randy Orton VS LA Knight VS Aleister Black VS Carmelo Hayes!

SmackDown returns as Melo joins Orton and Knight out here, followed by The Dark Father. The King of the Ring has a new format this year, which one of these four survives to head into the semifinals?

The bell rings and the four watch each other. Melo locks eyes with Knight, but then he goes after Aleister! They brawl with forearms and haymakers, then Melo throat chops! Melo whips, Aleister grabs ropes and BOOTS H1M back! Aleister TOSSES Melo, Knight and Orton tie up and they end up in a corner. Aleister whips but Melo reverses to send Aleister into barriers! Orton fires hands on Knight, then a KNEE! Knight turns thing around, only for Melo to roll him up! TWO, and Orton kicks Melo! Orton UPPERCUTS Melo, Aleister UPPERCUTS Melo, then Knight DECKS him! And LARIATS him up and out!

Aleister goes up, out, and TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Down goes Melo and Knight has Orton! Orton denies the BFT, but then Knight denies the RKO! Aleister runs up, Knight ducks the Black Mass! The fans fire up the huge standoff, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Melo has Knight in a corner. Melo rains down fists, but Knight stops him quick! Atomic drop and a LARIAT! Knight storms up on Melo to stomp him into a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then goes to Orton in the other corner and stomps away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes back to Melo, but Melo SUPERKICKS! Aleister is back, Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, LA MYSTICA! But then Knight runs up, only to be put on the apron. Knight slingshots but into a CUTTER! Melo has Knight in the ropes, FADE AWAY LEG DROP! DROPKICK for Orton, but Aleister ROCKS Melo!

Aleister whips, Melo springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Melo shoots his free throw, then FLIES to take out Aleister! The fans fire up and Melo goes back to the ring, but Knight WRECKS him with a dropkick! “YEAH!” Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Melo up to SMACK him off the desk! Knight dribbles Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Orton has Knight for a back suplex, but Knight lands out! Orton blocks Aleister’s boot, spins him around, DESK BACK SUPLEX! Knight then RAMS Orton into the apron! The fans rally, Knight fetches Melo, and Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight storms up, “This is Awesome!” as Knight hoists Melo up top.

Knight climbs but Melo throws hands! Knight CHOPS, they brawl some more, and Knight fires a flurry! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight steadies himself, brings Melo up, but Melo fights the lift! Melo fires body shots then he shoves Knight down! But Orton runs up to ROCK Melo! Orton gets Melo up but Melo CLWWS the eyes! Aleister STEP-UP KICKS Melo! Melo wobbles, Aleister TOSSES Orton, but Orton drags Aleister out! Orton whips, Aleister reverses and he POSTS Orton! Knight springs up to get Melo! Melo shoves Knight away, aims, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Aleister breaks it! The fans fire up as this one continues, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns once again and Aleister KNEES Melo, then ENZIGIRIS! Knight runs u;, Aleister goe sup and over, then he spins Knight to ELBOW him! Orton stumbles up but Aleister stops the RKO! Orton avoids Black Mass, Aleister grabs Knight but Knight rolls him up! ONE, and Aleister aims, but Knight dodges so the BOOT hits Orton! Knight has Aleister but Aleister denies BFT to KNEE Knight down! Melo headlocks but Aleister handsprings out of the bulldog! Aleister fires off a strike fest and a BOOT! Cover on Melo, TWO! Aleister grows frustrated but he has all three opponents down! The fans fire up as Aleister aims, runs up, but Orton LARIATS!

Orton LARIATS again, then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! But Knight runs up, he gets a SNAP POWERSLAM! Melo ROCKS Orton, runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up for Orton as he drags Melo up. Orton puts Melo in the ropes, but then Aleister runs up. Orton kicks Aleister, has him in the ropes, but then Knight adds on! JUMPING NECKBREAKER DOUBLE DRAPING DDT COMBO!! Cover on Orton, TWO!! Orton stays in this for everyone’s sake and Knight is a bit stunned. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” Knight watches Melo rise, kick and B- NO, Melo powers out! Knight swings on Orton but Orton ducks!

Orton aims, but Knight denies the RKO, and he sends Orton into Melo’s FIRST 48! Aleister BOOTS Melo! Knight has Aleister, B F T!! Cover, MELO BREAKS IT!! Melo denies Knight that game winner, and now they rise up. Melo vows to end this, but Knight wrenches and kicks, to then whip and POP-UP and POWERSLAM! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to the corner. The fans rally as Knight climbs, “L! A! KNIGHT!” BUT BRONSON REED YANKS KNIGHT DOWN! The Colossal Aussie gets revenge for Monday, but speaking of! BRON BREAKKER SPEARS KNIGHT!! They cost Knight at MITB, he cost them in KOTR, so now they get him out of KOTR!

Melo grins and takes aim, NOTHING BUT RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Just when Melo thought he was taking advantage of an opening, he left himself open to The Viper! Will Orton be meeting Cody Rhodes at the end of this tournament? Or will Sami Zayn make sure he isn’t just someone’s stepping stone?

Jacob Fatu walks ‘n’ talks backstage.

“Lexington, Kentucky. The United States Champion is here. Hell, the United States Champion is America’s Most Wanted, and I’m coming live and direct inside The Rupp Arena! YADADADADADADA mean?!” The Samoan Werewolf is all fired up, but what more will he say on how Saturday was the night he broke free from Solo Sikoa? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and…

Fatu heads to the ring! Lexington cheers the Samoan Werewolf, and he grabs the mic to say, “Lexington, Kentucky! Let’s keep it 100! Just because you’re family don’t mean that you can go behind their back and try to snake ’em. Just because we both come from the same bloodline don’t mean that they can take all the credit for your hard work! So Solo says I wouldn’t be nothing if it wasn’t for him. Solo says Jacob Fatu would be nothing if it wasn’t for him!” The fans boo that, and Fatu says this is why he had to remind Solo at MITB what happens when you don’t get in where you fit in! The fans cheer that!

So now, it is Fatu against the world! Cuz Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADA MEAN~?! But wait, Solo Sikoa is on the tron, sarcastically applauding. Solo says that’s it, Jacob, tell ’em how you feel. Solo leans in close and asks Fatu if he’s done getting it all off his chest. At MITB, Fatu could’ve made the biggest mistake of his life. And Solo can forgive him for that. One year ago, when Solo visited Fatu in Sacramento, Fatu was doing nothing. NOTHING. No one wanted Fatu around until Solo brought him here to the WWE. Solo made Fatu into a WWE Superstar, put money in his pocket, put him in the position for success, and even made him a champion!

This is all because of SOLO, you stupid…! Solo holds back, and he says next week, Solo will be in the ring with open arms, willing to take Fatu back. But there is something Solo needs from Fatu. He needs those four words from him: I Love You, Solo. And just remember… Solo brought Fatu into the WWE, and he can take him out of it. Yadada mean? Solo leaves Fatu to think on this ultimatum, but is it already obvious what Fatu will say to Solo next week?

Nick Aldis meets with The Secret Her-vice.

“Special Slaygent” Piper informs the SmackDown General Manager that Chelsea Green needs to speak with him. But Chelsea isn’t here in the room…? She’s on the phone. And Chelsea apologizes, she had an impossible time finding a flight to get her to Lexington, so can they postpone her Fatal 4 Way until next week? Aldis says no, they’re not postponing anything for little ol’ Chelsea. But if her Secret Her-vice is here… Alba is ready for competition, right? So then Alba will take Chelsea’s place! Perfect! Chelsea says no, she will filibuster and- Oh, sorry, no, Aldis authorized it, he doesn’t care what Chelsea has to say, so Alba has to go get ready now.

Alba grumbles that she has to change from her security suit to her wrestling suit. Chelsea complains and complains, but then Zelina Vega steps in. Zelina takes the phone and hangs up on Chelsea so she can talk with Aldis. She wants Giulia now! Well, she’s not here tonight. Oh, that’s convenient. Aldis says he understands that Zelina wants after Giulia after last week. Zelina says first of all, she’s been snatched unawares much harder by much better. Second, don’t worry about the girl that does the sneak attacks, worry about the girl that gets up after every beating. One sneak attack isn’t gonna scare her, she is THE Women’s US Champion!

So next week, Zelina will confront Giulia, because she doesn’t need to pretend or hide. The smallest girl with the biggest mouth is gonna make Giulia look stupid! Zelina storms off, will the Beautiful Madness learn not to get on La Muneca’s bad side?

Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Jade Cargill VS Nia Jax VS Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!

A storm has come to Lexington, and she wants to make her way to Riyadh! Will the Irresistible Force, the Special Slaygent and even the Head Baddie in Charge be unable to slow her down? Or will someone else grab that spot in the semifinals?

SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, joining Jade and Piper, leaving Nia for last. Nia says she won the crown last year, she’ll just do it again. The bell rings and Piper fires off on Mia while Nia RAMS Jade! The fans boo but Jade elbows Nia and bumps her off buckles! Jade RAMS into Nia but Piper has Mia on the outside. Piper whips Mia into barriers! And then puts her up against the post. Nia and Jade have moved their brawl outside while Piper runs up on Mia. Mia dodges so Piper POSTS herself! Nia whips, Jade reverse, Nia hits steel steps! The fans fire up as Jade and Mia meet in the ring.

Mia and Jade run up, Mia slips around to waistlock, but Jade switches to SLAM Mia down! Mia fights up while Jade holds on, but Jade whips. Jade hurdles, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Jade stays on her. Jade suplexes, holds Mia up, but Mia slips free! Mia goes to a corner, dodges Jade, but Jade keeps moving! Mia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ redirects to RANA! Mia runs and SHOTGUNS Jade down! The fans rally, Mia covers, TWO! Jade is tougher than that but Mia stomps her. Mia runs but Piper trips her up! Piper drags Mia out and scoops to SLAM her on the floor!

Nia drops an ELBOW on Jade! Piper SENTONS Mia! Nia soaks up the heat, drags Jade up, and Nia bumps Jade off buckles. Nia CHOPS Piper, then shakes her hand. Nia whips corner to corner, Jade bounces off buckles, and Nia signals for that crown. Jade fires forearms but Nia HEADBUTTS her down! Nia fireman’s carries and SAMOAN DROPS! Piper adds a SENTON! Piper and Nia stare down, but they decide to work together on Jade. Nia & Piper mug Jade in a corner, then whip corner to corner. Jade ELBOWS Piper away, dodges Nia, and Nia POSTS herself! Jade runs to PUMP KICK Piper outta the ring!

But Nia drags Jade out of the ring! The mugging continues, but Mia goes up and up to ASAI MOOONSAULT! Direct hit and all four are down! The fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Jade SPLASHES Piper in one corner, then SPLASHES Nia in the other! And repeat! But then Nia follows, only for Jade to dodge! Nia SPLASHES Piper, then Jade ROCKS her! But Piper CLOBBERS Jade! Nia DRIBBLES Jade off the mat, the fans boo, and Nia salutes with Piper. They drag Jade up, whip her to a corner, then Nia runs to SPLASH! Piper adds a SPLASH of her own! Jade sits down, Nia HIP ATTACKS! Piper CANNONBALLS! Cover, but Nia won’t let Piper get it! Piper says okay, okay, she was just kidding around. But Nia shoves Piper! Piper shoves Nia! Mia RANAS Nia, then JAWBREAKERS Piper!

Mia has Piper for a TORNADO BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Piper stays in this but Mia drags her up. Jade CLUBS Mia, whips her, but Mia RAN- NO, Jade blocks it! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives, and Piper SPLASHES Jade! Piper drags Mia up, reels her in, but Mia slips out of the scoop! SLICED BREAD! Mia hurries to cover, but Nia breaks it! Nia SENTONS onto Mia! Cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out and Nia grows frustrated. Nia & Piper go after Jade on the outside but Jade fights them off! SUPERKICK for Piper! HAYMAKER for Nia! Piper HEADBUTTS Jade, Nia ROCKS Jade, and then they two TOSS Jade over the desk!

Wade Barrett gets wiped out by The Storm and Nia just flips them both off! But Mia WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! Piper is up, Mia dodges and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, Nia breaks it! Mia drags Nia up to fire hands, then she fires hands on Piper! The fans rally, Mia runs, but into double guzels! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Nia applauds, the fans boo, and Wade is apparently okay, but then Nia DECKS Piper! Nia dumps Piper out, drags Mia to a drop zone, then she goes up! The fans boo the A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, PIPER BREAKS IT! Piper and Nia go outside, and Piper POSTS Nia! Piper then runs to SPEAR Nia through the barriers!!

The fans go nuts as Piper proves she’s the more destructive powerhouse! Piper then storms over to Mia, she goes up the corner, VADER BOMB! But Jade is up!! Chicken wings on Piper, JADED for Piper!!! Cover, JADE WINS!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Just as it looked like she was done for, Jade snatches this win away for her own! The Storm is in the semifinals, will she make quick work of The Prodigy, Roxanne Perez?

Naomi watches this backstage.

She’s not exactly pleased that Jade is advancing, but she’s also the one holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. Naomi heads for gorilla, what will she have to say about her huge victory? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and…

Lexington fires up as Naomi heads to the ring! “Yes, I see some o’ y’all looking real surprised! Real shocked! Real stupid! I dunno why, because I told y’all I was done accepting scraps. I took what I deserve, and look at me now. Miss Money in the Bank! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fans are torn, but Naomi says what’s really funny is the entire time, when she was trying to beat Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship, y’know who was there with a briefcase to stop it? Y’know who distracted her? Who bashed her in the head?! It was Tiffany Stratton. “Too Nice Naomi” just let it happen. But the Naomi now aini’t lettin’ nothing sliding! She’s here for payback!

And when Naomi CLOCKS Tiffy Time in the head with this briefcase, it’ll feel so good when Naomi becomes the NEW WWE- Well, here comes Tiffany herself! The fans cheer as Tiff goes to the ring, and she grabs a mic to say, “You talk a big game, Naomi. So why don’t you just do it? Just cash in and take my title… right now.” The fans chant “DO IT! DO IT!” Tiffy says see, she’s still the same ol’ Naomi: all talk and no action. That is why Naomi never beat Nia. But please, prove us all wrong! The fans cheer, Naomi snarls, and she says, “Do I look stupid to you?! Do I look like Booboo the Fool? I ain’t gonna cash in on you now. I’ma cash in when you least expect it.”

Fans go, “What?” and Naomi shouts, “B*tch, you heard me!” Naoim says in the meantime, she will enjoy making Tiffy’s life HELL! Naomi says tick-tock, Tiffy, time is almost up! So Naomi strongly advises to #ProceedWithCaution. The fans are torn, but while Naomi holds up the briefcase, Tiffy holds up the belt. When and where will we see- WAIT! NIA is here! Nia and Tiff brawl, the fans fire up, and Nia shoves Tiff. Tiff DROPKICKS Nia’s legs, then DROPKICKS Nia in the face! Naomi runs up, Tiff DECKS her, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff! Nia may not be going to Riyadh, but she wants to get hers now! A-NIA-LATOR on Tiff!!

Naomi hurries back up, but Nia steps in the way! Nia tells Naomi to back off, so Naomi backs off. Will Nia get payback on the Wrestling Barbie before Naomi can? Or will Tiffy still have time on the clock?

Nick Aldis meets with the SmackDown Tag Division.

He thanks the Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom & DIY for coming to discuss the Wyatt situation. Johnny Gargano interrupts, saying this is a big decision. DIY feels this is a huge opportunity… for Fraxiom. Everyone else says they knew DIY would pull that. Fraxiom says they’re not afraid, but Tommaso Ciampa says if nothing else, the Street Profits should step up as the champions. Angelo Dawkins says bet, they’re already ready. Aldis suggests they all let him finish his explanation. Taking all this into account, MCMG are the veterans, so they will set the tone. They get the Wyatts tonight.

The others applaud and Dawkins says yes, set that tone. Will Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin be able to have an impact on the Wyatt Sick6? Or will the Motor City Machine Guns have no effect on what goes bump in the night?

Motor City Machine Guns VS Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis!

SmackDown returns as the lights go down and the fireflies come out. The chair and the lantern wait on stage as the Wyatts make their entrance. Uncle Howdy sits in the chair, Nikki Cross & Erik Rowan stay close, and Gacy & Lumis rush the ring! The fans cheer as the brawl is on! The bell rings, Gacy has Shelley while Lumis has Sabin! The ref reprimands, Gacy whips Shelley to a corner then CLOBBERS him! Lumis & Gacy whip Sabin, DOUBLE ELBOW, then Lumis drops an AX HANDLE! Gacy drops a SENTON! Cover, ONE!! Gacy drags Sabin up, bumps him off buckles, and tags in Lumis.

Lumis brings Sabin around but Sabin swings. Lumis duck sot hit a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Sabin is tougher than that, but Lumis drags him up. Gacy tags in, they mug Sabin, and then Gacy whips. Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Gacy goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gacy BLASTS Shelley off the apron and he tags Lumis in. They get Sabin up, UPPERCUT and then a kick down low. Lumis wrenches Sabin, tags Gacy back in, and the mugging continues. They double whip, but Sabin breaks the double lariat! Gacy runs up but Sabin DUMPS him out! And then he TOSSES Lumis!

Tag to Shelley and MCMG set up! The fans fire up as the Machine Guns DOUBLE DORPKICK! Then they DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go Lumis & Gacy and the fans fire up! MCMG stare down with Rowan while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and both Shelley and Gacy are down. The fans rally, Shelley crawls, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin goes up to MSSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders, Lumis tags in, but Sabin dodges to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Sabin whips, Lumis reverses but Sabin BULLDOGS! The fans fire up and Lumis staggers up. Sabin runs and GAMANGIRIS! Sabin drags Lumis to a cover, TWO! Howdy is antsy as Sabin tags Shelley. Shlley goes to the apron, Sabin follows, and MCMG DOUBLE SUPERKICK Lumis! Lumis sputters, MCMG drags him inside, and Shelley whips Lumis to the corner. LARIAT, then he tags Sabin!

Shelley clinches but Lumis ELBOWS free! Lumis trips Sabin up, then hurries to tag Gacy! Gacy runs in to handspring, and DOUBLE UPSIDE-DOWN!! Tag back to Lumis and they have Sabin! Whip and POP-UP POWERBOMB onto Sabin! The fans fire up as Lumis covers, TWO!! Sabin survives but Lumis snarls. Lumis watches Sabin stir, drags him up and wrenches to then whip him to the corner. But Sabin DROPKICKS Gacy! Lumis runs in, Sabin BOOTS him away, then Sabin runs up, DDT! Hot tag to Shelley! Lumis staggers up, Shelley whips, BIG atomic drop! Then the DREAM SEQUENCE!

The fans fire up with MCMG and Howdy doesn’t like that. Sabin tags back in, he drags Lumis up while Shelley climbs. Sabin turns Lumis but Gacy trips Shelley! Gacy HEADBUTTS Sabin, he and Lumis aim, HIGH LOW!! Cover off the superkick and leg sweep combo, but they ask Howdy for permission. “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH~!” Lumis goes up, Gacy CLOBBERS Shelley, and Lumis hits a SUPER LEG DROP!! Cover, The Wyatts win!

Winners: Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, by pinfall

The chaos is back and it is on top as Lumis & Gacy break the Machine Guns. Will they tear through the rest of the division until they’re the champions?

John Cena encounters Jimmy Uso backstage.

Cena and #BigJim stare down, and Cena asks if Jimmy has seen R-Truth. No, he hasn’t. Then has he seen Ron Killings? Listen, man… Jimmy ain’t seen either one of ’em. Cena says he knows Jimmy and Truth are close. So let Killings know that Cena’s going back to the ring, and he wants Killings to meet him there. Cena heads out, will Ron get the message? Will Cena get the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth?

SmackDown returns and…

“JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as he goes right back to the ring, just as he promised. And he tells everyone to shut up! Cena paces and says, “There is a level of disrespect that I can tolerate. R-Truth, you just crossed the line!” The fans chant, “We Want Truth!” and Cena frowns. Cena says for once, he agrees. There is a time to talk and there is a time to fight, so Truth, get out here so they can fight! BUT WAIT! CM PUNK is here instead! Cena is stunned and maybe even a little scared to see Punk here on SmackDown. Punk goes right to the ring as the fans cheer, and he grabs himself a mic before sitting on the top rope.

The fans cheer Punk on even more and Punk asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Lexington, Kentucky or what?” The fans cheer that! And Punk asks Cena if he said something about disrespect. Cena is tired of being disrespected? “John, these people are tired of being disrespected! But now, CM Punk has a microphone, and I think you can trust when I say that we have yet to begin the reach the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.” Punk says for old time’s sake, he’ll give Cena a chance, the benefit of a doubt. Maybe Punk’s empathy is too much, too Obi-Wan talking to Darth Vader, hoping to see Anakin still in there.

So Punk will give Cena a chance in front of this legendary wrestling town. “Stop what you’re doing, let these people celebrate who and what you are, let them put you on a pedestal on your way out. Let them celebrate the sacrifices you have made for them and this business. Give them a happy ending!” Punk steps back and Cena steps up. Cena asks, “Why? Why would I waste my time?” The fans boo, but Cena says the people don’t matter, this place doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, horse racing doesn’t matter! THIS Undisputed Championship is the only thing that matters! So Cena is to eat crow to the same idiots wearing his shirt but singing Punk’s song? Fat chance!

Punk says okay, okay, let the record show that Punk and Lexington gave Cena an out. But now, let’s do it Cena’s way. Let the disrespect being. Ironically that is the Punk way! When the static hits and Cult of Personality plays through sold-out arenas, everyone knows it is about to get real. And ladies and gentlemen, watching and working at USA Network, it’s about to get real. Here’s the truth Cena wants so badly. The saying goes, “You tell a strong man a lie to offend him.” That’s why it pisses Punk off when Cena calls him the hypocrite. Conversely, you tell a weak man the truth and that offends him.

Fans chant, “We Want Truth!” Punk says the truth here is… Cena can’t beat Punk. When Punk is at his best, Cena never could. And now Cena wants to ruin wrestling? Well, Punk is going to take it upon himself to save it. Bare with Punk, because as always, he has a lot to get off his chest. That other thing about sociopathic confidence? Punk takes that as a compliment. Because it is that confidence that brought Punk to the mountaintop time and time again. Especially when people like Cena say they wanna see it but claim Punk didn’t have it. But Punk is not as confident as Cena, because Punk would never dress like a toddler who looks like he struck out at T-Ball.

The fans laugh, Punk says he wants that stricken from the record, because y’know who that sounds like? That sounds like the PG John Cena. Which is ironic, because right now, y’know who Cena sounds like, saying he’s gonna ruin wrestling, take the strap and go home… That sounds like C M PUNK! And yes, that is ironic. Cena is stealing Punk’s best material. Punk won that title, he left with the title, and Cena is trying to follow in those footsteps. Punk did it! He said he would and he did, and Cena couldn’t stop him. Cena thinks challenging Punk at Night of Champions is going to stop him? “John Boy, just like old times, here’s CM Punk to make your title run interesting.”

Here comes CM Punk to make John Cena’s retirement tour interesting! Watchable! Get the rocket fuel to fuel that private jet! Punk would go to MARS to beat Cena’s ass! Punk will follow Cena to Hell to prove he is better than Cena! But here’s more truth, it isn’t all bad. Cena IS a GOAT, but so is Punk. Punk beat Cena in Chicago, he beat Cena in Boston, and he will beat Cena at Night of Champions. Cena is the “Goat” that Punk will spit-roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling! Legends who actually belong on the Mount Rushmore! Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero! The AUDACITY of Cena to put himself on that mountain once, let alone all four times. What a joke.

The fans cheer but Cena smirks. Punk says here’s more truth: You can’t see me? No, Punk sees through him, and always has, and that’s the truth. Punk leaves Cena with that, and then KILLINGS STRIKES AGAIN!! And he puts Cena in the STF!! Punk mockingly says, “I’m sorry~! But the Truth hurts!” Cena suffers his own signature submission but security rushes out here! The fans boo as they drag Killings off Cena and Cena scrambles away! Cena hops and hobbles on one good leg, are the bridges he burned going to take them down with him?

Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.

Byron Saxton is with Lil’ Miss Bliss at gorilla, and notes that she took a tough loss at MITB. What is the mindset going into the future? Alexa says she’s won MITB, cashed in, made history, so she isn’t rattled. Tonight, she reminds everyone of who she is, and will be one step closer to becoming Queen of the Ring. But then in steps Charlotte Flair. And she says, “Sweetie, did you say, ‘Queen?’ There’s only room for one queen in this division. WOO~!” Charlotte makes her entrance first, but both she and Alexa will have to fight their way into the next round. Will it be either of them that moves forward? Or are they overlooking the Poison Pixie and the Firestarter?

Nick Aldis finds R-Truth/Ron Killings backstage.

Aldis asks Truth what the hell he’s doing, he can’t just keep jumping Cena like that! What’s Aldis supposed to do? Truth says he wants a match with Cena next week. Next week? Yeah. Done. Killings says he’s driving now! Will he run Cena right off the road?

Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Charlotte Flair VS Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae VS Alba Fyre!

SmackDown returns and Candice makes her entrance to join Charlotte, Alexa, and Alba. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The four watch each other, but Alexa and Charlotte stare down as they step up. Alba and Candice jump on them! Candice is after Alexa, Alba is after Charlotte, and they put the two in corners. Alba RAMS into Charlotte again and again while Candice stomps a mudhole into Alexa. Alba digs her boots in, Candice SPLASHES Alexa, and then Candice fires elbows. Charlotte CHOPS Alba, storms up to RAM Alexa into Candice, then Charlotte POSTS Alexa! Alexa tumbles out and the fans are torn for Charlotte.

Charlotte dusts herself off, then THROWS Candice into Alba! Charlotte drags Alba to a cover, ONE!! Cover on Candice, ONE!! Charlotte CHOPS Alba, CHOPS Candice, and repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! But then Candice grabs a leg, Alba BOOTS Charlotte down, and they mug Charlotte! Alba smothers Charlotte using her tie! Alba CLUBS Charlotte down, then she and Candice mug her, returning the CHOPS! Alba kicks Charlotte, she and Candice have Charlotte on the ropes, and they CHOP again! They double whip Charlotte, but Charlotte grabs ropes. Charlotte KICKS Candice, ROCKS Alba, then LARIATS Candice!

Alexa is back and she CROSSBODIES onto Charlotte! Cover, ONE! Alexa clinches, but Candice & Alba mug Alexa! Charlotte gets away while Candice bumps Alexa off buckles. Alba stomps Alexa, Charlotte DECKS Candice, and she DECKS Alba! Cover on Alba, TWO! Charlotte scowls as she stands back up. The fans rally while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Charlotte storms up on Candice, reels her in, but Candice fights the suplex. Alba joins in, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte! Cover, but Alba stops Candice. A parallel to Piper and Nia, we know how that turned out… But Alba & Candice still mug Charlotte together for now. Charlotte JAWBREAKERS Alba, dodges Candice, but Candice tilt-o-whirls to RANA! And then ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Charlotte is tougher than that and that annoys Candice. Alba BLASTS Alexa off the apron, Charlotte RAMS Candice into a corner, but Alba CLUBS Charlotte down. Candice climbs the corner while Alba stands Charlotte up, but Charlotte ELBOWS free!

Charlotte BOOTS Candice off the corner, but Alba rolls Charlotte to BOOT her down! Cover, WTO! Alba seethes and throws her suit jacket at Charlotte. Alba stomps a mudhole into Charlotte, then stands on her hair! Alba salutes while Candice SMACKS Alexa off the apron. Alba pulls Charlotte’s arms and Candice SMACKS Alexa off the desk! Alba & Candice work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX Charlotte, but Alba has Candice stay back. They drag Charlotte up again, but she ROCKS Alba and ROCKS Candice! Then repeat! Alba kicks low, Candice comes back, and they double whip Charlotte to a corner.

SmackDown returns to single picture as Charlotte goes up and out! She BOOTS Alba, RAMS Candice, then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Candice SMACKS Charlotte first! And SMACKS her again! Alba climbs up to join them, but Alexa sneaks in underneath! TOWER OF DOOM! The fans fire up and Alexa crawls to cover Charlotte, TWO! Alexa is frustrated but the fans fire up. Alexa and Candice stand, Alexa RUNS her over! She even RUNS Alba over! Alexa SLAPS Candice, DECKS her, then blocks Alba’s kick to DRAGON SCREW! Charlotte runs up, Alexa clinches to S T O! And then INSULT2- NO, Candice makes it a CODE BREAKER SENTON!

Alba has Candice, wrenches and reels her in, GOURD BUSTER! But Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Candice hits NATURAL SELECTION!! Charlotte drags Alexa around, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! And the push-up into the FIGURE EIGHT! But Candice LIONSAULTS it all apart!! Alba SUPERKICKS Candice! Charlotte is up, Alba spins her around, Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, ALEXA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and Alba drags Alexa up. Alexa mule kicks, DDTS, and then hurries for a corner! Lexington cheers on Alexa, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, CHARLOTTE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but Charlotte TOSSES Alexa!

Alexa is on the apron, Charlotte BOOTS her down! But Candice rolls Charlotte! TWO!! Charlotte escapes, Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Charlotte SPEARS her down! Cover, TWO!! Candice shows that toughness and Charlotte is frustrated. Charlotte has the legs, steps through, but Alba SUPERKICKS Charlotte! Alba roars, turns her, but Charlotte powers out of the Unpretty-Her! BOOT!! FIGURE FOUR!! Then FIGURE EIGHT!!! Alba endures, but Alexa catches Candice!! TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, ALEXA WINS!!

Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Charlotte lets go of Alba and is in disbelief! But Alexa smiles as she snatches this win right out from under Charlotte’s nose! Charlotte may call herself the queen, but will Alexa be the one to wear the crown?

Cody heads to gorilla.

And he crosses paths with Punk. Cody says they can’t run away from each other forever. Punk says he knows. But good luck tonight. After Night of Champions, we’ll see who’s chasing who. Cody moves on, but will he move on in the tournament? Or will the American Nightmare’s nightmare of losing that Undisputed Championship only get worse?

King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest VS Andrade VS Shinsuke Nakamura!

SmackDown returns as the King of Strong Style makes his entrance, followed by El Idolo, leaving the Archer of Infamy for last. The bell rings and the fans rally. All four men are wary of each other, but Nakamura winds up, only to not say his signature “C’mon” to just bail out. But then Cody DIVES onto him! Priest swings on Andrade, Andrade dodges to WRECK Cody! Priest KICKS, KICKS, and ROLLING ELBOWS Andrade! Priest winds up, Andrade dodges, FLYING FOREARMS! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies the fans with ‘SI! SI! SI!” But Cody stops Cien Knees to take an elbow!

Priest mule kicks Andrade, then suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flip, flop- BELL CLAP from Priest! But Cody rebounds to LARIAT Priest up and out! Priest drags Cody out, they brawl, and Cody SMACKS Priest off the apron! Nakamura FLYING KNEES Priest! Nakamura kicks Cody, ROCKS Priest, they all brawl outside, but Andrade goes up! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and everyone is down while the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture!

All four men stir and Andrade is first up. Andrade puts Nakamura in the ring, covers, TWO! Andrade whips Nakamura to a corner, runs in, but Nakamura dodges! Andrade’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles out! Nakamura goes after Andrade to put him on the apron, and then runs to KNEE Andrade down! Priest and Cody brawl in the ring, and Priest ROCKS Cody to a corner. Priest whips, Cody reverses to kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody whips, Priest reverses, and Priest runs up, only for Cody to go up and over. Priest feints running up so Cody’s snap powerslam gets nothing! Priest then KICKS Cody down!

Cody sputters but Priest is on him. Priest ROCKS Cody again, Nakamura stomps Andrade, then Nakamura KICKS Priest! Nakamura fires off fists and kicks in the corner, so Andrade rolls Cody! TWO, and Cody powers Andrade to a corner. Cody climbs up to rain down fists, only for Andrade to slip out at nine and YANK Cody down! Nakamura brings Priest around but Priest DECKS him! Priest stomps away on Nakamura, then he goes over to Andrade, Priest stands Andrade up to DECK him! Cody SMACKS Nakamura off the desk! Priest drags Andrade up while Nakamura SMACKS Cody off the desk! Priest ROCKS Andrade, then he has Cody in another corner.

Nakamura fires off on Andrade, Priest digs his boots into Cody, and then Nakamura bumps Andrade off buckles. Cody turns things around on Priest to CHOP, but that just pisses Priest off. Priest DECKS Cody! Cody sputters, Priest puts him in the corner, but Nakamura fires off strikes on Priest! Nakamura has Andrade on the top rope, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Nakamura runs in for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Andrade falls to the floor, but then Priest runs up! Nakamura dodges, runs back in, and he blocks boots to ROUNDHOUSE Priest! Nakamura puts Priest in the ropes to SLIDING GERMAN!

Nakamura hurries back in while fans fire up. Cody swings, misses, but then Cody ducks a roundhouse, only for the WHEEL KICK to hit! The fans fire up as Nakamura gives Cody some BAD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura goes corner to corner and the fans rally. Cody dodges, Nakamura hits buckles, and Cody grabs a leg! Cody trips Nakamura, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Nakamura endures, fights the main leg, but Andrade is up top! FROG SPLASH onto Cody! Nakamura is free, but then Priest JUMP KICKS Andrade! Priest drags Cody up, ROCKS him, and then runs to ELBOW Andrade! ELBOW for Cody! SHOULDER TACKLE for Andrade!

The fans fire up for Priest and he goes to the outside, to leap off the steel steps and AX HANDLE Nakamura! Priest puts Nakamura back in the ring, drags him up at the ropes, and he knuckle locks so he can climb! The fans cheer as Priest goes Old School, only for Cody to jump up after him! But Priest then grabs Cody in a guzel! Nakamura trips them both up! Nakamura CLOBBERS Priest, Andrade rolls Nakamura, TWO! Andrade swings, but into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! The fans fire up as Cody DIVING SPLASHES! Cody TOSSES Nakamura, covers Andrade, TWO! Cover again, TWO! Cody is frustrated but he goes outside.

The fans fire up as they sense what’s coming! Cody brings out a TABLE! Cody sets “Slim Jim” up at ringside, goes back to the ring for Andrade, and he lines up the shot. But Andrade hooks the ropes to block! Andrade suplexes but Cody blocks! They fight for control, but Priest CLUBS Andrade. Priest and Cody stare down, but they decide to work together! The fans fire up as they hoist Andrade up, but Nakamura makes the save! Only to INVERTED EXPLODER Andrade! DYNAMIC DROPKICK and Cody falls through the table! Cody snaps into a Slim Jim and the fans go nuts! Nakamura goes outside while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Nakamura fetches Priest, brings him over, but Priest blocks the desk smack to ROCK Nakamura! Priest SMACKS Nakamura off the desk now! And again! Priest brings Nakamura around to DECK him, but then Andrade CLUBS Priest! Andrade SMACKS Priest off the desk, then he and Nakamura actually work together to BOOT Priest onto the desk! But they’re not done as they TOSS Priest over the desk! Wade got outta there this time! Andrade then clears off the desk! Nakamura & Andrade bring Priest around to TOSS him over barriers! Then Nakamura CLOBBERS Andrade! Nakamura applauds his trickery before putting Andrade in the ring. Nakamura covers, TWO!

Nakamura is annoyed and he KICKS Andrade in the side. Andrade sputters but Nakamura paces. Andrade rises to CHOP! Nakamura dusts himself off to KICK Andrade down! Andrade stands but into KNEES and KICKS! Andrade blocks one, but not the ENZIGIRI! Andrade ends up in a corner, Nakamura whips corner to corner, but Andrade reverses. Andrade runs up, Nakamura puts him on the apron, but Andrade ROCKS him! Andrade climbs, but Nakamura ROCKS him! Nakamura climbs now but Andrade fires back! They brawl up top, and Andrade HEADBUTTS Nakamura down! Nakamura GAMANGIRIS in return!

SmackDown returns to single picture again as Nakamura climbs back up. Priest returns to CLUB Nakamura! He has Nakamura in the crucifix, but Nakamura fights free! Priest drags Nakamura down, Nakamura fires a strike fest! Priest clinches to FLATLINER! Andrade MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura LARIATS! Andrade BOOTS! Nakamura PELES! These three are down, and Cody rises from the wreckage! The fans fire up for Cody as he drags himself into the ring. Cody runs up to LARIAT Andrade! And LARIAT Nakamura! Cody whips Priest, Priest reverses, but Cody goes up and over, and this time, SNAP POWERSLAM!

The fans fire up and Cody blocks Andrade’s kick to then run and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody catches Nakamura, Nakamura drops down to UP KICK! Snapmare and SLIDING KNEE! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT!! Priest has Andrade, Andrade schoolboys him into buckles! The fans fire up, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, CIEN KNEES for Nakamura! Then Andrade goes again, CIEN- NO, Priest has Andrade by the neck! Andrade breaks free to CHOP, but Priest ROCKS Andrade! Andrade comes back, SHADOW ELBOW! THE MESSAGE!! Cover, NAKAMURA AX KICKS IT APART! Nakamura drags Andrade up, but Andrade ROCKS him first!

Nakamura snarls and ROCKS Andrade back! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Andrade CHOSP! Nakamura KICKS! Nakamura CLUBS Andrade, KNEES him low, but Cody is back! Cody dodges Nakamura, to DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Not the cleanest but it didn’t need to be! Priest kicks Cody low, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Cody slips free! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Priest tumbles out of the ring and Cody roars! He catches Andrade, CROSS RHODES!! And then he drags Andrade up again, only for Nakamura to clamp on a SLEEPER!! Cody flails, claws at the grip, but Nakamura dragon sleepers!

Nakamura vows to end this, but Cody flips that around on him! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, CODY WINS!!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Lexington cheers and sings with Cody’s song as he comes out on top! We know Sami Zayn and Randy Orton are one semifinal match, but Raw will determine the other! Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, or MAIN EVENT JEY USO, who survives to then meet Cody in the next round?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown with a lot of action from doing all the SmackDown Fatal 4 Ways in the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. And each Fatal 4 Way was great, because Fatal 4 Ways always lend themselves to fast, chaotic action. Great opening promo from Cena with Cody, Orton and Knight to help segue into the first match, but also great stuff with R-Truth going after Cena. Orton winning was a bit of a surprise, and makes for a very interesting match with Sami Zayn. I suppose Sami going hard against Orton and finding a sneakier way to win could go with how Karrion Kross has been working to bring that side out of Sami.

Jade winning her match made sense, as Piper is still just Chelsea’s sidekick and Mia isn’t quite at that QOTR top title level. It also puts her in line with Naomi’s story of being Miss MITB, because Naomi can mess Jade over in a title match just as much as she can Tiffany. Very good promo from Naomi with Tiffany to tease a cash in, but also set up Tiffy VS Nia one more time. Chelsea also had a hilarious video call promo, and good on Aldis to stand up to her by putting Alba in the match instead. Alexa winning was only a little surprising, as she’s on that return push. And it makes for a fresh match-up no matter who from Raw wins the final Fatal 4.

Awesome main event Fatal 4 but I figured Cody would win, as it makes for a unique match-up of Cody VS Jey. Jey being put in was a bit of a surprise, but perhaps the wrestlers we’re waiting to return (Roman Reigns, but maybe even Ilja Dragunov) just aren’t ready yet. And given Bronson & Bron screwed Knight over, Knight will surely show up on Raw again to keep that feud going. Sheamus and Rusev have their own story, so Jey is the default choice. I almost feel like they should’ve flipped the brackets so that it would give us Orton VS Cody and Sami VS Jey in the semifinals, but those combos probably serve for stronger finals matches.

Very good stuff with the tag division, but MCMG VS Gacy & Lumis could’ve been a bit better. Part of the problem that comes with the Wyatts being gone away so long is that there might be some ring rust. Lumis & Gacy were on point, but they needed time to coordinate some things first and that slowed the overall pace down. The Wyatts won, of course, and will likely deal with Fraxiom next, what with DIY volunteering Fraxiom and Profits ahead of them. Then, Cena and Punk had a great promo, with it mostly being Punk tearing into Cena. Surprisingly, no allusions to Punk’s incendiary comments from years ago, but that’s very Punk of Punk.

And Killings going after Cena again was great stuff. Cena VS Killings will be a great match next week, and Cena probably rubs it in that he’s using one of his precious final appearances was used to beat Truth again. Though, to build Killings up, I would think they find a way for him to win that “isn’t definitive,” like a count out victory or some kind of disqualification. I was hoping for an R-Truth celebration at Saturday Night’s Main Event akin to Lex Luger over Yokozuna, but maybe that happens next week.

My Score: 9/10