Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Results & Report! (4/7/24)
FINISH! THE! STORY!
Bloodline Rules, but will they reign?
The Rock quite truly did everything he could to screw Cody Rhodes on Night One, so now on WrestleMania Night Two, it’s BLOODLINE RULES for the Universal Championship! Is this how they #FinishTheStory?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins and becomes the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship MITB Cash-In: Drew McIntyre VS Damian Priest; Priest wins and becomes the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
- Six Man Philly Street Fight: The Final Testament VS The Pride; The Pride wins.
- LA Knight VS AJ Styles; Knight wins.
- WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Logan Paul VS Kevin Owens VS Randy Orton; Logan wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky VS Bayley; Bayley wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s Champion.
- Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Bloodline Rules: Roman Reigns VS Cody Rhodes; Cody wins and becomes the new WWE Universal Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WrestleMania Night Two Kickoff Show!
Once again, join Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, CM Punk & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting the action for the biggest WrestleMania’s epic finale!
WWE presents part two of the sit-down interview with Triple H.
Megan Morant brings up how CM Punk made his return to the WWE in Chicago back in November, at the end of Survivor Series. How’d that all come about? HHH says it is funny. If you’d asked HHH a few weeks prior to it, all the rumor and speculation, yet HHH and Punk had no communication. But as the event drew near, there were a couple conversations that happened between Punk and Nick Khan. Khan wanted HHH to have a conversation and see where it goes. HHH had no issues, just a concern about, “What’s the fit?” It was still a longshot when it came to calling Mia Lowie on the WWE Music side of things to see about Cult of Personality.
And then Survivor Series starts, and HHH got word that they’d pay for the song, and Punk was gonna show up. So at that point, maybe five people knew. Right before Punk arrived, HHH got word that it was a done deal. Punk snuck in, HHH said hey at gorilla, and HHH told people at the break just before the main event to tell the others. There was some mixed emotions, and over the next couple of days, HHH had some “interesting” private conversations for people to air their differences. They got to a good place, and HHH will say himself this is a different Punk than before. Punk’s been nothing but a wonderful employee and addition to the team.
It has even been refreshing to work with Punk now, that they’ve kept him updated on everything even while Punk is out injured. Megan shifts things to Drew McIntyre VS Seth Rollins, with CM Punk on commentary. Certainly a lot of drama there between all three, but what has the dynamic been like to HHH? A lot of history there. Rollins and Punk have respect, but they’re not fans of each other. McIntyre and Punk have a lot of water under that bridge. The dynamic completely changed when they all agreed to add CM Punk to things.
Megan says WrestleMania is one thing, but even the rest of 2024 looks just as busy. What can fans expect as the year continues on? HHH says he couldn’t be more excited and motivated not just by the superstars but by the staff and crew. It makes him wake up and excited to go to work and dig in. It is hard to put things into words how excited he is for this. Then imagine five years from now, what does the WWE look like? HHH wants to reinvent all this. Well, not really “reinvent” since nothing is broken, damaged or anything like that. This is the greatest form of entertainment in the world, but HHH wants to turn it into something even more.
Mania next year, this might feel like a whole new place. Five years from now, HHH expects this to be the same heart and soul, but with a whole new bunch of ish that blows our minds. Then any final words of wisdom? Nah, HHH just feels, keep doing what you’re doing, keep sharing what you like and all that. Pro-wrestling is an escape, a fantasy world, and you can enjoy every aspect of it, just like he does. Megan thanks HHH for this time, and appreciates all he is doing for the company. HHH thanks Megan and appreciates all of us. Is The Game’s Era going to be the greatest of all time?
Meek Mill speaks.
“In this life, you either finish your story, or somebody else gonna finish it for you. Turn neon dreams into faded nightmares. Ain’t this what they’ve been waiting for? You ready? I used to pray for times like this, to rhyme like this, to grind like that to shine like this. Dreams are full, nightmares come true, time to marry the game and said, ‘Yeah I do.'” Snatch the glory. When they write the book of greatness, this will be the epilogue. We on one now! Ain’t no better place to be, no better city to be in! Let’s get it, one more time!
The War & Treaty sings God Bless America.
Stephanie McMahon is here!
The fans cheer as the Billion Dollar Queen of the WWE returns! Steph struts her way down the ramp and to the ring. She gets the mic and says it’s a good things are a little warmer tonight. But when she was eight years old, she was at the entryway to watch WrestleMania 1. She has seen or been part of every mania since, but WrestleMania 40 is the one she’s most proud of. This is the first Mania of the Paul Levesque Era! And tonight, fans from 64 countries and all 50 states of America are here to share this one thing we all love! And no one understands that better than HHH. So if she may steal a line from him… Are you ready?
The fans sure sound ready! No, no, no, Philly and the world over! ARE, YOU, READY?! The fans are really fired up now! Then without further ado, Steph says let’s kick off night two of WrestleMania XL!
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
The Visionary also lost against The Bloodline last night, but now he has to focus on what he’s fighting to protect. Will he be able to survive the Scottish Psychopath that’s coming after him? Or will this finally be McIntyre’s Mania Moment, four years in the making?
McIntyre gets an entire Scottish procession but CM Punk is on commentary for this to say this is some kinda sacrilege. McIntyre walks under the raised claymores of his fellow Scotsman all the way down the ramp, then he steps into the ring. As for Rollins, he has the Philadelphia Mummers Parade playing his song on banjos, saxophones and accordions! And Rollins himself looks like a grand poobah of the owl house or something! Punk says Liberace must be rolling in his grave. The fans still sing along, “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who burns it down!
The bell rings, and CLAYMORE OUTTA NOWHERE!!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins survives and everyone is stunned! McIntyre reloads, Punk says this is the smart play! But same goes for Rollins getting outta there! McIntyre seethes, he storms out after Rollins and CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! Rollins writhes, McIntyre stalks him, and McIntyre hauls Rollins up to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Rollins tumbles, McIntyre borrows his wife’s phone to tweet, “Bored at work, LOL!” Then McIntyre POSTS Rollins, spine first! Rollins hobbles, McIntyre refreshes the count, and he OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Rollins again! McIntyre sneers at Punk, then hauls Rollins up.
The fans chant for Punk, but McIntyre asks if Punk recognizes this. The underhooks are in, but Rollins wrenches out! Rollins underhooks to PEDIGREE on the floor! Rollins clutches the leg but he gets himself into the ring. The ring count is climbing, McIntyre rises at 8 and slides in at 9! Rollins runs up to CURB STOMP! Cover, TWO!!! McIntyre survives Rollins’ best shot now, and Punk thinks this is all to impress him. But he’ll neither confirm no deny if he is, because neither guy is The Best int he World. Rollins rises up, underhooks again, but McIntyre back drops Rollins away! Rollins writhes, and McIntyre storms up again.
McIntyre ROCKS Rollins, stalks him, but Rollins ROCKS McIntyre! McIntyre ROCKS Rollins, Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, repeat! They go back and forth, faster and after, and the fans fire up! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, but Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS! McIntyre BOOTS Rollins, Rollins SUPERKICKS! McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Rollins staggers but stays up, to swing again! But into a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down, but McIntyre kips up! The fans fire up and McIntyre scowls. Rollins sits up slowly and McIntyre aims from a corner. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- POP-UP?! POWERBOMB!! And flip over, into underhooks! PEDIGREE!!!
But the leg won’t let Rollins cover! Rollins reloads, to CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!!! McIntyre survives again and Rollins is stunned! Is the bad leg and the bad back holding back all his best moves? “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and McIntyre stir. Rollins hobbles to another corner, and he goes up a corner. McIntyre rises, Rollins SUPER- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp, but then Rollins avoids the Claymore! McIntyre dodges, wrenches, underhooks, FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!?! Rollins survives and McIntyre is shocked! McIntyre thinks on what he has to do, but he looks at Punk. Punk tells him to focus on Rollins.
McIntyre says night-night! Punk says of course McIntyre goes there. He must be putting the fans to sleep. McIntyre fireman’s carries Rollins, for the GO TO- CRADLE!! TWO!! McIntyre escapes, blasts past Rollins, CLAYMORE!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? HOW?!?! McIntyre is getting frustrated as Rollins shows superhuman grit! McIntyre goes outside, and he clears off the English commentary desk! Punk is not intimidated, he says doubt is creeping into McIntyre’s mind. McIntyre can’t get this done in the ring so he needs furniture. McIntyre ROCKS Rollins, drags him out, and reels him in. McIntyre gets Rollins up, aims, but Rollins fights!
Rollins lands safe on the desk to BOOT McIntyre, then SMACKS him off the desk! And again! And then SUPERKICK! Rollins drops to his knees but then goes to the Spanish commentary desk! This is a bit like last night’s main event. Rollins runs to CURB STOMP McIntyre off the desk!! McIntyre falls back, Rollins gets him in the ring, but McIntyre’s up to CLAYMORE again!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Where is Rollins getting this!?! McIntyre seethes, Rollins sputters, but Rollins dares McIntyre to do it! CLAYMORE YET AGAIN!!!! Cover, MCINTYRE WINS!!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
The Visionary was beat up but still had so much to give, only for it all to be snuffed out by the Scottish Terminator! McIntyre is trying not to be emotional, but he finally holds a world championship in front of a sold out arena! And Rollins stands, emotional in his own way. He says McIntyre earned this, and then moves on. Will that seal of approval heal McIntyre’s wounds?
McIntyre brings the belt to show to his lovely wife, and she gives him a kiss in celebration. But then McIntyre looks over at Punk again. McIntyre gets on the desk to look Punk in the eyes. Punk says congrats, go have fun taking selfies for the internet with the belt. McIntyre says he still meant every single word he’s said about Punk. And he wouldn’t change anything he’s done, either. If Punk wants, he can step back in the ring, but he needs to know McIntyre will obliterate him when he does. McIntyre wants this moment framed on his wall as he holds the belt over Punk’s head, and tells him to “SUCK IT!” So Punk TRIPS McIntyre!!
The fans go nuts as Punk is no longer on commentary, and he takes off the arm brace and suit jacket! Punk CLOBBERS McIntyre with the brace! Punk stomps McIntyre again and again, taking out his frustrations on him! WAIT! Damiani Priest is here!! Punk loves it! He knows all about Money in the Bank cash-ins, and he lets Priest CLOBBER McIntyre with the briefcase! Priest says it’s go time!
WWE World Heavyweight Championship MITB Cash-In: Drew McIntyre VS Damian Priest!
Priest puts McIntyre in the ring, the bell sounds, and Priest takes McIntyre SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, PRIEST WINS!!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
McIntyre’s moment lasted all of five minutes! The Punisher goes from Senor Money in the Bank to the man who pulled off the NEW Heist of the Century! And Punk can’t help but applaud. Judgment Day may not be undisputed tag team champions, but Priest is THE champion! Will nothing stop Judgment Day from running Raw?
Snoop Dogg is here!
The WWE Hall of Famer and world renowned rapper is bringing the Golden Championship with him as he joins commentary for the showdown that’s about to go down.
Bubba Ray Dudley is here, too!
The ECW Original is wearing the zebra stripes, aka he’s the special guest referee for this match, because it’s gonna get extreme!
Six Man Philly Street Fight: The Final Testament VS The Pride!
Karrion Kross & The Authors of Pain have been writing how this story goes, and it’s them always beating down The All Mighty and his Profits. However, Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins aren’t going to let it continue any longer! Will The Pride be the reason for The Final Testament’s fall? Or will Kross still bring the apocalypse to WrestleMania?
The bell rings and it fires off! Lashley LARIATS Korss up and out! Ford ENZIGIRIS and Dawkins DROPKICKS! The AOP tumble out, and the Profits go looking. They bring out a TABLE! Bubba didn’t even need to say anything! But AOP mug the Profits and send them into steel steps! Lashley hurries out but Kross hands out kendo sticks! Lashley stands his ground in the ring, even as the Final Testament flank the ring. Lashley hits Kross, hits Rezar, but Akam gets him first! Then it’s a 3v1 kendo stick smack attack! Kross talks trash, and Rezar BREAKS his kendo stick off Lashley’s back! Kross gets a chair, turns Lashley, and hits a NECKBREAKER on the edge!
Kross covers, but Dawkins breaks it! But then he gets kendo stick strikes! Ford leaps in, but Kross SMACKS him out of the air! Like a homer by the Phillies! The sicks all break apart and Rezar shows off the damage done. The AOP haul the Profits up, and Kross says have at it! SUPER COLLIDER! Kross covers, B-FAB breaks it! So Scarlett CLOBBERS her with a trash can! This is a Mixed Street Fight now as Scarlett POSTS B-Fab! Kross tells the AOP to set it up again. They get the Profits up, but Lashley makes the save! He then clinches Kross to FLATLINER! The Profits RANA free and the AOP tumble all out!
Lashley OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Kross! The Profits hurry up, and Dawkins POUNCES both AOP! Then Ford FLIES to take them both out at the barriers!! The fans are thunderous and Snoop can’t even! Lashley gets a chair, and he aims at Kross! Lashley JAMS Kross, SMACKS him, then SMACKS him again and again and again! Snoop loves it, and Lashley puts the chair down so he can URENAGE Kross right on it! Kross writhes, Scarlett panics, and Lashley clamps on the HURT LOCK!! Scarlett SMACKS Lashley with the kendo stick! That just pisses Lashley off! But B-Fab BOOTS Scarlett for him! B-Fab gets Scarlett to the apron, but Ellering gets involved!
B-Fab gives Scarlett a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP through the table!! Kross ROCKS Lashley, to hit a DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Kross sets the chair up again, drags Lashley up, and DDTS him through the chair!! Cover, TWO!!! Kross argues the count with Bubba, but you can bet Bubba knows the difference between two and three. Kross shoves Bubba, so Bubba brings out the glasses! The fans fire up as Kross turns around, into a SPEAR!!! The Profits return, and Lashley nods to them. Bubba also approves as they open Kross up! Dawkins is up top to say WAZZUP~!! The Dudleys would approve! Then Lashley tells Ford, and Ford tells Dawkins, “GET THE TABLES!!”
The fans chant for tables as the Profits find the hardware! They get that in the ring, Lashley helps set it up, and they put it right at center. Kross is put on the table, and it already breaks! Shoddy craftsmanship! Lashley beats down Kross while the Profits go find another table! They put this one in, Ford SMACKS away on Kross with the kendo stick! This new table is set up, Ford says they’ll try this again. Ford climbs, Kross is put on the table, and the table stays together! Ford comes in FROM THE HEAVENS through the table!!! Cover, The Pride wins!!
Winner: The Pride, by pinfall
Philly is the city of extreme, and that’s just what Philly got! But will this punctuate the story with The Final Testament? Or will there be a sequel on the horizon?
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton first congratulates him on the Hall of Fame induction, but then has to ask about last night, The Rock & Roman Reigns won their tag team match, tonight is now Bloodline Rules for Cody VS Roman. Can he please tell us what that means? Well yes, according to WWE Official Rules Page 88, Subsection D… Oh, c’mon, Kayla! The Bloodline Rules are determined by The Bloodline itself! No disqualifications, no count outs, there HAS to be a definitive winner. One is the Universal Champion, the other goes home to his wife, Brandi Rhodes. So tonight, Roman Reigns and The Bloodline Rules! Get it?
The Wise Man heads out, and if it is Anything Goes, what won’t The Bloodline do to make sure Cody’s story ends in tragedy?
LA Knight VS AJ Styles!
The Mega Star drove up to the arena in the Slim Jim-mobile, and he’s ready to snap the Phenomenal One in two! But will he really turn this into WrestleMania X L A Knight? Or will Styles make this his game now?
Styles has new music to fit his new attitude, and he runs down the ramp! Styles slides in, the bell rings right before the hands start flying! Styles puts Knight in a corner but Knight turns things around to fire hands! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, but Styles CLUBS and KICKS Knight back! Styles CHOPS Knight against ropes, runs side to side, but Knight dodges! Styles tumbles up and out, Knight RWECKS him with a dropkick! “YEAH!” Knight gets Styles up, and he SMAKCS him off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then brings Styles for one last big SMACK! The ring count is past 5 of 10 but Knight puts Styles in at 8.
Knight storms in, argues with the ref, but Style kicks the ropes to jam Knight! Then he CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Styles stomps away on Knight’s leg, then drops knees on the knee! Styles paces around Knight, then gets the leg to DDT the foot! Knight writhes, Styles stalks him to a corner, but Knight kicks back! The haymakers fly, Styles KICKS the leg out! And he KICKS the leg again! The ref reprimands but Styles backs off. Knight hobbles along ropes, but Styles brings him around to get the leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Knight flounders away while Styles soaks up the heat. Styles storms up on Knight, drags him around by the leg, but Knight kicks with the good one!
Styles staggers, Knight stands, but Styles kicks the bad leg! SHIN- NO, Sunset Flip! TWO! Knight DECKS Styles again and again, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! “YEAH!” The fans rally as Knight gets Styles in a corner. Knight stomps a “YEAH!” hole into Styles! The ref counts, Knight lets off to go corner to corner and back again, KNEE WASH! The fans rally up as Knight waits on Styles. Styles rises, Knight springboards to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Styles is still in this but the fans still cheer on Knight, “YEAH!” Knight puts Styles up top, then CHOPS! Styles almost falls off but Knight goes up after him.
The fans rally and “YEAH!” as Knight brings Styles up. Styles resists, slips under, and he Electric Chair Lifts to then SMACK Knight off buckles! GERMAN SUPLEX! Styles holds on, to atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but Styles seethes again. Styles drags Knight to a drop zone, goes up the corner, but Knight trips him up! “YEAH!” Knight climbs up to get Styles, and he CLUBS away on Styles chest! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight BITES Styles’ forehead, “YEAH!” Knight then gets Styles up, but Styles CLAWS the eyes! Knight falls back, Styles adjusts, but Knight’s right back up! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!!
Styles survives but both men are down after that one! “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly rise. Knight stands, he gets the fans fired up, “YEAH!” Knight drags Styles up, but Styles trips him! CALF CRUSHER!! Knight endures, reaches out, fights around, and the fans rally for him! Styles pulls back on the leg, but Knight still reaches out! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Styles lets go at 4 and is frustrated as Knight hangs around. Knight goes to a corner but Styles goes out. Styles drags Knight to the corner to SLAM the bad leg! And then Styles positions the leg, gets on the apron, and DROPKICKS the knee into the post!
Knight writhes, the ref reprimands, but Styles pushes Knight around. Styles gets Knight’s legs on either side of the post, but Knight YANKS Styles in! Styles wobbles, Knight hobbles, and Knight gets Styles’ legs to STOMP the stomach! Knight rips up floor mats!? Knight goes back for Styles, hauls him up, but Styles fights the lift. Styles back drops Knight onto the bare floor! Styles goes into the ring and wants the count out! The fans boo but the count climbs as Knight writhes. We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Knight rises at 9 and slides in at 9.99!! The fans fire up and Styles is furious! Styles KICKS Knight in the side!
Styles goes out to the apron, springboards and 450 SPLASHES onto knees!! Double-edged for Knight but better than taking the full force of that move! Styles sputters as he tumbles to a corner, and the fans rally harder for Knight! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight rises, and he ROCKS Styles with a haymaker! Styles ROCKS Knight back! Knight ROCKS Styles, “YEAH!” Styles ROCKS Knight, “BOO!” They go back and forth, Styles KICKS the bad leg! Knight JABS! JABS! And swings, but Styles ducks to PELE! Knight goes to the corner, Styles runs up but is put on the apron! Styles springboards back in, but Knight dodges!
Knight hurries to cravat, but Styles rolls him up! And then deadlifts into the- NO, Knight kicks free! Styles BOOTS from the apron, goes out and he ROCKS Knight! Styles springboards again, but Knight trips him up! Styles falls in and Knight has him! B F T!! Cover, KNIGHT WINS!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall
“YEAH!” The Mega Star proves he’s more than phenomenal! His first WrestleMania is his first WrestleMania victory, will it only be a matter of time before this IS LA Knight’s game?
The King & Queen of the Ring are coming!
The epic tournaments return, and it all culminates on May 25th as the WWE returns to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia! Who will fight their way to the top and ascend to the thrones?
The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame Class is on stage!
Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda, aka The US Express! Thunderbolt Patterson! Bull Nakano! Ata Johnson is here to represent Lia Maivia, and a banner flies for Muhammad Ali! And of course, The Wise Man, Paul E. Dangerously himself, Paul Heyman! The fans cheer for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” as this incredible class shines under the spotlight.
WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Logan Paul VS Kevin Owens VS Randy Orton!
They say all men are created equal, but if you were to ask The Maverick, he’d say he’s levels above both of his opponents put together. Logan is ImPAULsive to say the least, but he went from trolling The Prizefighter to outright screwing The Viper over inside the Elimination Chamber. Now he’ll have to face them both, can he survive? Or are we mathematically guaranteed a new champion here in Philly?
Logan sees LA Knight’s Slim Jim car and raises him a Prime Truck, armed with a “Prime Cannon” to set off his pyro! And once again, he has a Prime bottle mascot following him. Is that gonna turn out to be KSI again? As for Kevin, he reaches gorilla, and Sami Zayn is there! Sami won the Intercontinental Championship after Kevin encouraged him, so he says, “Your turn now! Go get ’em!” Kevin makes his entrance, his ring gear and graphics echoing OG ECW, but that makes him think. Kevin goes around behind the L to go get the golf cart! Kevin cruises down to ringside, but then he hears Orton’s music hits so he backs up and offers a ride.
Orton thinks about it, and says why not. Orton hops on the back, holds on to the handrail, and Kevin cruises right back down to ringside. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s prime championship material!
The bell rings and Logan bails out! Logan won’t let #RKKO go after him like they did on Friday, but he thinks this is enough to turn them against each other. They go out after him, chase him down and pinball him between haymakers! The fans fire up and Kevin CHOPS! Orton CLUBS Logan, Logan kicks Kevin but Orton SMACKS Logan off the apron! Kevin SMACKS Logan off the apron! Orton SMACKS Logan off steel steps! Kevin SMACKS Logan off Spanish commentary! Speaking of commentary, Orton gives Logan a DESK BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and RKKO agree to do that again! Kevin hits the DESK BACK SUPLEX!
Logan writhes, RKKO say they need to go higher! Orton drags Logan up to BIG DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kevin sees it now, and he brings Logan up to put him in the ring. They go in, stomp Logan around, then Kevin hauls Logan up to back suplex. Logan slips free, shoves Kevin into Orton, and now there’s tension. But Orton remembers, it was Logan who shoved Kevin. So RKKO mugs Logan! Orton stomps Logan’s hand, Kevin stomps the other hand! Then they do the same to the feet! The fans cheer as Kevin asks Logan, “Are you having a good time? No?” Oh well. Orton whips Logan to ELBOW him down, then Kevin SENTONS! But then who covers…?
The tension grows a bit more, but RKKO says they’ll keep going against Logan. But then Kevin stops the RKO! Orton says it was that close. The fans tell Orton he messed up, but Kevin says they might as well get it out of the way. They fire off haymakers on each other! The fans cheer as the forearms fly, then Orton HEADBUTTS! Logan DOUBLE BUCKSHOTS them down!! The fans boo but Logan rains down forearms on Kevin! Logan says this is what they get for bullying him, and he stomps Orton around. Orton goes to one corner, Kevin goes to the other, and Logan mocks Orton’s pose. Logan mocks the fans, then runs up to dribble Kevin off buckles!
Logan digs Kevin’s face into the Prime logo on the buckle, then ROCKS him! Logan runs up at Orton to STINGER SPLASH! The fans cheer for Gatorade, and Kevin SUPERKICKS Logan! Logan falls onto Orton, and Kevin says “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL, two for one! Kevin hurries up top with Logan in the drop zone! SWANTON onto knees! Logan saves himself, goes out to the apron, and he climbs up top. Logan SWANTON BOMBS Kevin, then SPLASHES Orton! Cover, TWO! Logan covers Kevin, TWO! The fans tell Logan “You Still Suck!” but Logan waits on Orton to stand. Logan drags Orton up to UPPERCUT! Orton UPPERCUTS in return!
Logan UPPERCUTS, but Orton shakes out the cobwebs. Orton UPPERCUTS and Logan wobbles. Logan UPPERCUTS, Orton UPPERCUTS, repeat! They go shot for shot, Logan throws UPPERCUTS from all sides! Orton drops to his knees and Logan wipes the sweat from his brow. The fans boo but he just grins and soaks it up. But then Orton pokes Logan in the eye! Orton TOSSES Logan out to the floor, but Kevin kicks Orton! Kevin whips Orton to a corner but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Kevin swings, misses, and runs into the SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton smirks.
Orton has Kevin in the ropes, brings him out, but Logan ROCKS Orton! Logan slingshots but into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Orton scowls and drags Logan up. Orton puts Logan in the ropes, and then gets Kevin, too! The fans fire up as Orton has them both, DOUBLE DRAPING DDTS! The fans cheer as Orton swaggers, then he hears those voices in his head! The Viper has two targets, who wants it first? Logan and Kevin both stand, so Orton tries Logan! No RKO, Kevin SUPERKICKS! Kevin SUPERKICKS Logan, too! Then CODE BREAKER SENTON COMBO! Orton tumbles away so cover on Logan, TWO!!
Kevin rains down hands on Logan, steps on him to go to the corner and climbs up top. But Orton is back and he ROCKS Kevin! Orton throws hands but Kevin hits back! Orton pokes Kevin in the eye, climbs up, but Logan runs up to CLUB Orton in the leg! Logan gets under Orton but Orton rains down fists! Orton also punches Kevin, he alternates and gets to TEN much faster! But then Kevin HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Orton falls back, but Logan ROCKS Kevin! Logan goes up, but Kevin turns this around, FISHERMAN BUSTER JACKHAMMER!! Kevin goes back up to MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!!! Logan survives and Kevin is speechless!
Logan flounders his way to the outside, and Orton wants Kevin! Kevin says no to the RKO and rolls Orton, TWO! Kevin kicks, whips, but Orton slips free of the pop-up! Kevin still tries the kick but Orton block the Stunner! RKO!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Kevin survives THE move, and Orton is shocked! Kevin crawls to the apron then flops out. Orton is frustrated, but Logan slithers in. He has the brass knuckles!! The fans boo as Logan can’t just do this fair and square! But Orton ducks the haymaker, gets the knuckles, but Logan CLAWS Orton’s face! And BRASS KNUCKLE HAYMAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?!?!
Orton survives and Logan can’t understand! To be fair, surviving that is superhuman to say the least! Logan aims again, but Kevin grabs that hand! Logan gets free, BRASS BODY BLOW then BRASS HAYMAKER!! Logan gets Orton back up, reels him in and grins. Logan says watch this! RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!! The Viper strikes and the fans are thunderous! But all three men are down! Orton stirs and rises up while Philly rallies for him. Orton finds his way over to Logan, takes the knuckles away, and the fans want him to use them now! Orton says no, he lets the ref have the knuckles. Orton then looms over Logan, and prepares that field goal leg!
The fans fire up as Orton takes aim, and he runs in, only for the Prime bottle to get Logan outta there! The fans boo, that’s IShowSpeed! Streamer helps influencer, and he barks at Orton like he’s a big dog! Speed shoves Orton, talks trash, but Orton BOOTS him down! He spills the Prime, and then clears off the English commentary desk! Orton strips Speed of the costume, then drags him to the desk! Orton gets Speed on the desk, then climbs up to join him! The fans fire up as Orton’s about to meme him! BARK BARK, RKO TO THE DESK!!! Philly is electric but Logan POSTS Orton! Logan puts Orton in, goes up top, and FROG- NO, Orton move!
Kevin is there, POP-UP POWERBOMB for Logan!! STUNNER for Orton!! Cover on Orton, TWO?!?! Orton survives Kevin going Stone Cold and Kevin is beside himself! “This is Awesome!” as Logan flounders away and Kevin drags Orton up. Kevin gets Orton on his feet, whips him to ropes, POP-UP RKO!!!! But Logan runs in! Orton tosses him back out, but Logan still POSTS Orton! Logan goes up to FROG SPLASH Kevin!! Cover, Logan wins!!
Winner: Logan Paul, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The Maverick proved he can be as opportunistic as the best of ’em! He better give IShowSpeed some of that winner’s purse for saving him. But with this big WrestleMania victory, will Logan’s ego grow exponentially from here on out?
WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky VS Bayley!
Damage CTRL debuted at SummerSlam 2022, and it was meant to be how The Evil Genius, The Role Model and Dakota Kai would take control of the WWE Women’s Division. However, when Iyo found success and Bayley did not, things soured. It was Iyo who brought in old friends to usurp control from Bayley and then cut the deadweight away from the group. Will Bayley make Iyo regret betraying her? Or will Bayley end up regretting ever bringing Iyo back to the WWE?
Bayley’s entrance has her carried in by men in Anubis headdresses while she herself is like an Egyptian goddess. Her theme song is remixed to fit the theme, is this her way of saying she’s going to bury Iyo like the pharaohs of old? As for Iyo’s entrance, it’s a lot of herself on screen, and then she walks out in a robe that sparkles in all colors of the rainbow, DMG CTRL seeing her off. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. They step up, tie up, and go around. Bayley headlocks for the takeover, but Iyo headscissors. Bayley kips free and runs Iyo over! Iyo bails out, Bayley eggs her on, and Iyo returns. Iyo stomps a foot, then throws Bayley by her hair! The fans still rally behind Bayley but now Iyo eggs Bayley on. Bayley gets back in, they tie up again, and Bayley powers Iyo back. They go to the mat, tumble out to the floor, then stand up. Bayley shoves Iyo so Iyo SHOTEIS! The brawl is on, and Iyo SMACKS Bayley off the apron! Iyo puts Bayley in, storms up after her, but dodges the haymaker!
Iyo handsprings, Bayley dodges, but the DROPKICK still finds her! Bayley bails out and Iyo says iku zo! Iyo runs but Bayley ROCKS her first! APRON DDT! Iyo staggers, Bayley DIVES! Direct hit with a rare low-pe from Bayley, but she shakes out a leg. Bayley puts Iyo in, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Bayley keeps cool but her leg still bugs her. Iyo bails out so Bayley WRECKS her with a dropkick. Bayley then runs to DAREDEVIL- NO, Iyo blocks the dropkick to SLAM the bad leg into the post! Iyo has her target and she gets on the apron for a HANGING HEEL HOOK! Bayley suffers, the ref counts, but Iyo lets go at 4!
Iyo hurries back in, Bayley hobbles away, but Iyo SLAMS the bad leg off the mat! Bayley goes to a corner, Iyo runs in, but Bayley BOOTS her! Iyo runs back in, blocks the second boot, and then puts that leg in the ropes to DRAPING DRAGON SCREW the other! Bayley won’t have a leg to stand on at this point! Iyo stomps Bayley around, focusing on the knees, then she drags Bayley up. The fans rally but Iyo whips. Bayley reverses, but Iyo wheelbarrows, victory rolls, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives, bails out, and the fans still rally behind her. Iyo smirks as she goes out to the apron. Iyo then aims, but Bayley YANKS her down!
Bayley runs up, but Iyo ROCKS her first! Iyo brings Bayley up to whip, but Bayley reverses and sends Iyo over barriers, into the timekeeper’s area! Bayley says she’s got Iyo now, but Iyo ROCKS her first! Iyo goes up the barrier to CROSSBODY into a SPINEBUSTER! Bayley turned that right around on Iyo and the fans rally up! The ring count is 5 of 10, then 7! Bayley hurries to get Iyo up and in at 8 to keep this match alive. Cover, TWO! Iyo is still in this but Bayley KNEES her right down! Iyo goes to a corner, Bayley fires off point-blank clotheslines! The fans fire up as Bayley fires off but the ref backs her down.
Bayley reels Iyo in, fireman’s carries, and spins around, SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives that but Bayley just goes to a corner. Bayley climbs, even with the bad leg, but Iyo SHOTEIS! Bayley’s bad leg gets caught between the ropes! Iyo hurries up to SHOTGUN Bayley to the floor! Iyo won’t stop there, she goes up the corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and Bayley’s down again! Iyo roars as she rises but the fans boo. Iyo gets Bayley in, goes up and up and springboards to SHOTGUN! Then Bayley’s on ropes so Iyo DOUBLE KNEES her in the back! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives the onslaught and Philly still sings for her!
Iyo snarls, gets Bayley up, but Bayley switches. Iyo switches, Bayley switches, repeat! Bayley back suplexes, Iyo lands out and Bayley hobbles. Bayley still comes back, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Then inside cradle, TWO!! Iyo escapes, Bayley’s bad leg holding back that cradle. Bayley and Iyo both stand, Bayley runs up but Iyo puts her on the apron! Bayley’s bad leg buckles, but she still avoids Iyo’s shoulder tackle! Bayley CLUBS away, but then Iyo waistlocks! Iyo drags Bayley back in, to GERMAN SULE! Bridging cover but the roll through, deadlift HIGH ANGLE GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Iyo is seething but she goes up the corner now. The fans boo the OVER THE MOONSAULT but Bayley BOOTS her! A truly double-edged move to save herself but this is how much Bayley wants this! Bayley drags herself up the corner, aims, MACHO ELBOW, into a CROSSFACE!! Bayley flails, reaches out, rolls it to a cover, TWO! SLIDING UPPERCUT! Then SLIDING- CROSSFACE!!! Iyo has Bayley again, but Bayley fights and crawls around! Bayley reaches out but Iyo rolls this back, steps over, STF!!! Bayley endures all over again, but gets her arms inside the crossface to elbow away! Iyo lets her go, and Bayley clinches! BAYLEY2BELLY!!! Cover, TWO!!!
Iyo survives the classic and Bayley is frustrated. Bayley drags Iyo back up, hooks her up, but Iyo grabs at Bayley’s vest! Iyo wants to apologize? SUCKER PUNCH! Iyo manipulates Bayley’s emotions and laughs about it! But Bayley rises up to SLAP Iyo!! The fans are thunderous as Bayley says Iyo is right: they were never friends. Bayley did this for Iyo! Iyo ROCKS Bayley, Bayley fires off forearms in return! BAYLEY2- ROLL-UP! TWO!! Bayley rises, but Iyo wrenches her and underhooks! TIGER BACKBREAKER!! Iyo goes up the corner, to go OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!!! Bayley survives and shocks everyone!
The fans cheer Bayley on as hard as they can while Iyo tries to use all her Evil Genius to understand how Bayley’s still in this! Iyo fires off hands, STANDING MOONSAULTS, then she goes up to LIONSAULT! Then she goes up and up and OVER THE MOONSAULT but Bayley moves! Bayley runs up to hook Iyo up! ROSE PLANT but Iyo handsprings through?! Since when!? Iyo runs up, but Bayley LARIATS Iyo inside-out!! Bayley fights through the pain and the fans are thunderous! Bayley hobbles back up, clinches, SAIDO!! Bayley hurries to the corner and drags herself back up! MACHO ELBOW!!!
But that’s not enough for Bayley! She hooks Iyo up, ROSE PLANT!!! Cover, BAYLEY WINS!!!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Champion)
Justice has been served and Bayley has been vindicated! She takes control back from Iyo, adding to her already stellar résumé! Will Bayley’s star only shine bigger and brighter from here on out?
Backlash says c’est la vie.
That’s right, Saturday May 4th, WWE goes to Lyon-Decines, France! But who will say oui oui to championship opportunities?
The Philadelphia Cheerleaders help bring out Snoop Dogg!
D O Double G has a mic to say, “Yessir! If you having a good time tonight, make some noise!” The fans make some noise for sure. Snoop says he is gonna announce tonight’s attendance: 72,755! Can we have a toast to the City of Brotherly Love? The fans cheer that, too! Is anybody out there ready for the amin event? Then say “Hell yeah!” “HELL YEAH!” Say it again! “HELL YEAH!” Then that brings us to the two night total of: 145,298! WrestleMania 40 is truly XL, will things only get bigger and better from here?
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Bloodline Rules: Roman Reigns VS Cody Rhodes!
It has been a cold weekend in Philadelphia, and everyone has had chills going up their spines as the story continues to heat up. Reality doesn’t always have a happy ending, just look back at last year in Hollywood. “You can step away, set a new standard, ignite a revolution,” and even then, a dream may always be just out of reach. The Tribal Chief has found a way to dominate and retain this title time and time again, and again, just look back at last year. But this year, The American Nightmare vows to do everything he has to in order to right those wrongs. This year, Cody is all in, he’s going to go all out, because it is all or nothing!
If Cody loses now, he’ll NEVER get another shot at this title, because The Final Boss, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said so! Last night’s tag team match may have sealed Cody’s fate, but if there’s even a one percent chance of winning, can The American Nightmare hit the mark? Or will we all ACKNOWLEDGE the end?
As banners with his logo wave on the tron, with a warzone all around, Cody Rhodes rises up wearing a winged skull helmet, Brandi Rhodes by his side! “Wrestling has more than one royal family,” and Cody is ready for war! The fans sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and Cody gets his pyro. Cody hugs his mom, sister and nephew at ringside, hoping to make them proud. For Roman’s entrance, he has an entire choir and orchestra performing the prelude to his theme song, then he walks out on stage, The Wise Man right behind him. He raises the title and the pyro goes off as the music continues here on Day 1316.
Roman continues down to the ring, Heyman holding up the title as the only banner The Tribal Chief needs. Roman then steps into the ring, raises the belt again, and his second round of pyro goes off. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see just how we #FinishTheStory!
The bell rings and the fans are thunderous already! And they’re all chanting for “CODY! CODY!” Roman smirks and steps forward to stare Cody down. Roman talks a little trash, then the two circle. Cody fires the fans up more, they tie up, and Roman clinches. Cody puts Roman in a corner, but then gets away before Roman can turn it around. The fans boo Roman but Roman chuckles. The two circle again, tie up, and Cody waistlocks. Roman fights the lift, ELBOWS free, then talks more trash. Roman headlocks, Cody powers up and out, but Roman runs him over! Roman puts up the one but the fans boo.
Cody gets up and Roman smirks. Roman and Cody reset and circle again. The fans fire up for “CODY! CODY!” more and Roman is annoyed. They tie up, go around, and Cody headlocks. Roman powers up and out, but Cody slides under, kicks low and RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody baits Roman in, Roman runs up but into the POST! Cody has Roman on the outside and hurries after him! Cody decides to use Bloodline Rules to his advantage, and he gets a TABLE! The fans fire up as we’re going extreme already! Cody puts the table in but Roman DRIVEBY DROPKICKS! Roman chuckles as he takes the table and puts it back under the ring!
The fans boo, but Roman doesn’t give them what they want, he does what he wants. Roman brings Cody around, whips him, but Cody reverses! Roman hits steel steps! Cody sees the belt on display, then goes after Roman. Cody puts Roman back in, but Roman bails out the side. Cody is annoyed but he hurries after. Cody drags Roman up by his hair, but Roman kendo stick SMACKS Cody! Then Roman gets in to SMACK Cody again! And again! And again! And again! The fans boo but Roman tells them to shut their mouths, he’s The Tribal Chief. Roman winds up, but Cody ducks! Strike one, and Cody kicks low!
Cody gets the kendo stick now! Roman freaks out, dodges Cody, and the stick goes tumbling away! Cody kicks Roman back to then BULLDOG him down! Cody gets the legs, the fans “WOO~!” and Cody steps through! FIGURE FOUR! Roman flails right on the Prime logo! Roman grabs at the hold, CLAWS Cody’s face, and Cody lets Roman free! Roman snarls, hobbles, and Cody flounders. Roman BOOTS Cody down, stomps away on him, then stalks Cody. The fans rally for Cody but Roman wags his finger. Roman bumps Cody off buckles, then brings him around to bump off more buckles. The fans rally for Cody but Roman TOSSES Cody out.
Roman talks trash as he goes out after Cody. Roman storms up and uses the Prime tank to SMACK Cody! Roman shoves the hydration station aside, DUMPS Cody into the crowd, then pursues! Roman tells Mama Johnson he’s gonna beat Cody’s ass. But Cody hits back! They brawl with haymakers right by one of the girder supports, then Roman SMACKS Cody off it! Roman gets up on the support with Cody, but the fans boo. Roman tells fans to move aside, he’s about to chuck Cody! Roman reels Cody in, but Cody blocks the suplex! Roman throws body shots, but Cody still fights, to suplex Roman onto the support!
The fans fire up while Cody rises. Roman hobbles away, but Cody DUMPS him to ringside! Cody puts Roman in, the fans rally up, and Cody hurries in to springboard and DISASTER- NO, Roman catches and POWERBOMBS Cody! But even Roman falls back from how much that took out of him! Roman sits up, Cody crawls, and the fans rally again. Heyman grins as Roman stands and storms up on Cody. Roman hauls Cody up to snap suplex! Cover, ONE!! Cody is defiant but Roman CHOKES him on the ropes! Roman says he’ll send Cody to Hollywood with the rest of ’em! “This is MY company, you little b*tch!”
The fans boo as Tribal Chief puts money in the swear jar, but Roman just looms over Cody. Roman kicks Cody around and laughs. Cody hobbles up, but Roman reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Roman gets annoyed but laughs it off. Heyman says the son of the son of a plumber is not going to win this one! Roman clamps on a cravat for a neck wrench, and he grinds Cody down to the mat! Cody endures, fights up, and the fans rally up! Cody throws body shots, but Roman CLUBS Cody! Roman brushes off the fans cheering Cody on, and he back suplexes, but Cody lands out! Kick and facelock, but Roman wrenches out!
Roman hooks a leg, PERFECT PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! So not quite perfect, but Heyman says Cody must love the pain if he’s still hanging around. Roman stalks Cody to a corner, and he SLAPS Cody! Roman stares Cody down, ROCKS him, and Heyman is certainly enjoying this. The fans still rally for Cody as Roman ROCKS him again. Cody goes to another corner, Roman storms up, and Roman fires point blank clotheslines! The fans count along, Roman goes all the way to TEN! Roman then runs, but Cody SUPERKICKS! Roman BOOTS back, Cody SUPERKICKS! Roman BOOTS again! Both men wobble, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Roman and Cody slowly sit up. Roman stands and he throws a haymaker! Cody gives that haymaker back! Roman hits back, so Cody hits back! They go back and forth, Philly clearly on Cody’s side! Cody gets the edge as he fires off a flurry! Cody whips, Roman reverses but Cody CLOBBERS him! Roman runs back up, Cody goes up and over! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are thunderous as Cody is feeling it! Even with one good leg, Cody springboards to DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Roman’s tougher than that but Cody keeps calm. Cody glares at Heyman, then hauls Roman up.
Cody runs, springboards, but into a waistlock! Then dragon sleeper! Roman steals CROSS RHODES!! Cover, TWO!!! Heyman is shocked and Roman is laughing in disbelief! “That move sucks!” Roman pretends like that’s the reason Cody kicked out, and then he goes to a corner. The fans boo as Roman locks ‘n’ loads! Roman runs in, SUPERMAN- NO, Cody dodges! JAB! JAB! JAB! JAB JAB JAB JAB! Flip, Flop, Fly, BIONIC ELBOW! Cody looks to Heaven, knowing Dusty is looking down on him! Roman bails out, Cody pursues, but then thinks about it. Cody looks at the desk, and he clears it off! The fans are loving where this is going!
Cody gets Roman up, but Roman LOW BLOWS!! The fans boo but Roman grins. It was only a matter of time before Roman went there, and he reels Cody in to get him up, to POWERBOMB him through the desk!! Roman then hurries to get Cody up and into the ring! But Cody’s right up, so Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives again and Roman is beside himself! Roman eggs on the fans now and they boo as he goes back to the corner. Roman says this is the end! “OOOAH~!” Roman runs in, into a KICK! Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER!! But Cody can’t make the cover! He crawls to it, TWO!!!
Roman survives but Cody fights back his frustration and panic. The fans are still with him, and Cody roars! Roman rises, Cody dragon sleepers, but Roman fires hands from below! And a KNEE! Cody staggers back, but he runs up, into a clinch! ROCK BOT- ARM-DRAG!! Cody then dodges Roman to SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!!! Roman survives, does that move “suck” now? Cody gets Roman back up, dragon sleepers, and CROSS RHODES!! But Cody holds on! JIMMY USO SUPERKICKS HIM!!! This was also only a matter of time! Jimmy may have lost to Jey but he isn’t gonna let Roman lose this!
Jimmy gets Cody up, Roman runs in, SUPERMAN PUNCH! But speaking of, here comes Jey!! Jimmy hurries to intercept and the Uso VS Uso battle begins again! Jey throws haymaker after haymaker, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Then SUPERKICK! Then a SPEAR off the stage and through some tables!!! Uso cancels out Uso and Roman can’t believe it! Cody rolls Roman up! TWO!!! Cody ducks ‘n ‘dodges, but Roman SPEARS!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Cody survives again and Roman is pissed at the ref!! Roman storms around, says he’s done with this ish! Roman tells Heyman to do something but what? Roman gets Cody in the GUILLOTINE!
Cody RAMS Roman into buckles! Roman holds on, so Cody RAMS Roman into more buckles! Then Cody takes Roman tumbling out of the ring! Cody is free now, stands back up, and he runs back in at Roman! Cody SPEARS Roman through barriers!!! The fans lose their minds as Cody gives Roman a taste of his own medicine from just last night! “This is Awesome!” as Cody drags Roman up from the wreckage, into the ring, and he pounds the mat. Is he hearing voices like his old mentor, Randy Orton? CROSS RHODES!! And then another CROSS RHODES!! But then flashbacks to WrestleMania 39!! SOLO SIKOA SAMOAN SPIKES CODY!!!!
The fans boo as the other ace up Roman’s sleeve comes into play! Solo drags Roman onto Cody, handing him this on a silver platter! Cover, TWO!??!?!? HOW?!?!? Solo doesn’t believe it, even though he sees it with his own eyes! Solo is about to lose his cool, and he HAMMERS away on Cody! The fans boo as The Enforcer tells The Tribal Chief to stand! Solo says to finish this, and Roman says he knows! Solo stands Cody up for Roman, and Roman takes aim! Roman says “OOOAH~” and SAMOAN SPIKE SPEAR COMBO!!!! Cover, TWO??!?!?! How is Cody human?! Solo is pissed, but HERE COMES JOHN CENA!!!!
The fans are going nuts as Cena wants payback on Solo for Crown Jewel!! Cena fires off haymakers on Solo, then runs to LARIAT Solo up and out! Then fireman’s carry on Roman, this is for SummerSlam 2021! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cena clears off the Spanish desk, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT through the desk!! But here comes THE ROCK! Cena knows The People’s Champion well, and he goes into the ring as Rock starts heading down the ramp! The fans are losing their minds as we get Once in a Lifetime for the third time! Cena says you can’t see him, but Rock hits the ROCK BOTTOM!!
Rock tells that’s what Cena gets! The weight belt comes off, and it still has Mama Rhodes’ name on it. But wait, the SHIELD theme?!? The Rock is waiting for someone, anyone, but Roman sees Rollins first! SUPERMAN PUNCH on Rollins, who was even dressed in the old gear! The fans boo as Roman ruins Rollins’ moment, and now Rock tells Mama Rhodes she’s gonna see a repeat of Chicago! BUT THEN THE BELL TOLLS?!? Not even The Rock can believe this one! The lights go down, and when they come up, THE UNDERTAKER IS BEHIND ROCK!!! Rock sees him, takes a swing, but gets a CHOKE SLAM instead!!!
Taker then disappears with the lights, and he took Rock with him!! Roman and Cody are alone with a chair and the weight belt in the ring! Roman thinks about what he wants to use, and he goes for the chair. Cody drags himself up with the ropes, but then Roman sees Rollins is still here. Roman can’t let the past go, he SMACKS Rollins!! Rollins falls, Roman takes aim at Cody, “OOOAH~!” But Cody KICKS him first! CROSS RHODES!!! CROSS RHODES!!!! And once again, CROSS RHOOOOODES!!!!! Cover, CODY WINS!!!!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (NEW WWE Universal Champion)
Now THAT is how you #FinishTheStory!!! Brandi joins Cody in the ring to celebrate with a kiss as he, and the Rhodes Family, finally holds up THE WWE Championship! Rock and Roman regroup on the ramp while Cena, Rollins, Jey, Sami, Kevin, Randy, even LA Knight and CM Punk join Cody in celebrating. They hoist him up on their shoulders for all to see, because finally, someone dethroned The Tribal Chief! Even Mama Rhodes gets in the ring to hug her boy. Cody lets Mama hold onto the belt, everyone knowing Dusty is smiling down on them. Cody gets a mic and stands with the family to say, “Real quick, I know it’s been a long night.”
The fans cheer Cody on, and Cody says he is surrounded by greatness in this ring, in this stadium, but there are two people who he would never have made it back to WWE without. One is Bruce Pritchard, and the other is pleading to not come out here, but we have started a brand new era and that man is the leader of it, PLEASE, HHH! Come on down! Mama Rhodes hands the belt back to Cody as Pritchard and HHH make their way on down the ramp. Brandi helps Cody put the belt on, just in time for Pritchard to hug it out with Cody. HHH shakes Cody’s hand, the fans cheer, and now they hug it out, all the emotion pouring out.
HHH raises Cody’s hand in victory and the fans cheer again. Sami calls Randy over, they get Cody up again for another round of applause. The American Nightmare is living the dream, having fulfilled Dusty’s greatest dream for his son. Cody even goes out to hug it out with Michael Cole, then shakes hands with Corey Graves and Pat McAfee. Cody returns to the ring to continue shaking hands and hugging it out with everyone on Team Nightmare. And of course, Cody thanks Rollins for sticking with him until the end. They shake hands, and Rollins says Cody deserves this. HHH shakes Cody’s hand one more time, and now Cody revels in the cheers of the fans.
The pyro goes off in celebration, and Cody holds the belt up one more time. Truly, a new era has begun in the WWE, and if this is the biggest WrestleMania ever, just how much bigger will WrestleMania 41, 42 and beyond become?
My Thoughts:
What an incredible night for WrestleMania, for WWE, for pro-wrestling at all! From first match to last match, just so much great action that also worked well with all the stories being told. And Steph returned, that’s a sign of good thigs, too! The World Heavyweight Championship opening the night was a surprising move, but then it became clear they wanted this title scene to have a moment unto itself. Rollins probably survives one too many things given what he also went through last night in the tag match, but McIntyre gets his win, his moment, and then perhaps his own hubris took that moment away when he taunted Punk, got punked, and then Priest cashes in successfully. What an awesome move going into Raw in this HHH Era.
The Six Man Street Fight was great not just for action but for the fact Snoop joined commentary, Bubba Ray got to be the special guest ref, and even the ladies got involved. Great win for The Pride after all the “losses” they took along the way. With this team on SmackDown, and given how A-Town Down Under have the tag titles, The Pride could easily go after them now in this stretch to Backlash France. In fact, Logan Paul still being US Champion, Lashley can even go after him now so that the whole faction is facing Logan and his circle of friends. The Triple Threat was great stuff, and Kevin is himself so self-aware of story tropes, it was great for him and Orton to amicably start fighting each other! As I figured, those two canceled out, Logan retains, on to another Face challenger.
LA Knight VS AJ Styles was really good because it found a way to blend their styles, pun intended. LA Knight is the Attitude Era throwback beefy brawler while Styles basically helped innovate the Indy wrestler hybrid of technique and high-flying, and we got enough of both that it worked. Knight winning out was the right move, he gets payback for Elimination Chamber and gets a much needed moment of “winning the big one.” If not Lashley, LA Knight should go against Logan and the US Championship next because he’d be able to match Logan in promos while basically having another of these mixed style matches.
Iyo VS Bayley as the second-to-last match was a great honor for them, that in a way shows how important this story is to WWE right now. Iyo the international Joshi star, Bayley as one of the NXT Horsewomen and first Women’s Grand Slam Champion, these two gave us an awesome match because what else was it gonna be? Both knew each other so well given their time as allies in DMG CTRL, and it’s Bayley bringing out stuff she hadn’t in a long time that tipped the scales in her favor, I really like that Bayley actually pulled this win off. DMG CTRL lost the whole weekend, though, so you can bet they’ll want something big for Backlash as revenge.
And of course, what is there to say about the main event? Well, I did wonder at the start how wild it was gonna get, they kinda gave us just a taste of what that “fair and square” match was gonna be. But it built up through the No Disqualification stipulation, built up through the overbooking, and it was so awesome that they got Cena and Taker to get in on this. Granted, Taker was the most surprising, I was expecting glass to shatter, not the bell to toll. But hey, there’s continuity to make Taker helping Cody make sense, such as Roman beating Taker after the streak was already broken. But in the end, Cody HAD to #FinishTheStory, he DID #FinishTheStory, and so much great showing of real emotion. In a perfect world, Dustin would’ve been here, too, but hey, 99% is still damn good.
My Score: 9.6/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHAS but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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