Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/13/24)
Time for round 2!

Don’t count anyone out just yet!
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 31 has only just begun, and while Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado fell short, there’s still time to turn it around! Will they and the other first round misfires score redemption?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Kevin Knight VS Blake Christian; Blake wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS Ninja Mack; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: HAYATA VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: TJP VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Dragon Dia VS Taiji Ishimori; Taiji wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS Titan; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS SHO; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS DOUKI; Douki wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the A Block standings!
Titan: 1-0, 2 points
HAYATA: 1-0, 2 points
Blake Christian: 1-0, 2 points
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 1-0, 2 points
El Desperado: 0-1, 0 points
TJP: 0-1, 0 points
BUSHI: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
Clark Connors: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the B Block standings!
SHO: 1-0, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-0, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-0, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-0, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 0-1, 0 points
DOUKI: 0-1, 0 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 0-1, 0 points
Dragon Dia: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie Eagles: 0-1, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Kevin Knight VS Blake Christian!
The Jet is flying high after taking down Public Enemy, but All Heat was able to burn 100 Proof. Only one continues on into the 2-0 club, so who’s heading there first class?
Knight flexes and says tsuyoi, and the fans applaud. The bell rings and the fans rally up as Knight and Blake stare down. Blake runs in, Knight dodges and Blake ends up in the corner. Knight runs in, Blake dodges, but then Knight dodges again to kick low. Knight whips, Blake reverses then hurdles, but Knight leaps over! Blake kips up, Knight hurdles, Blake handsprings, and they keep going. Blake stops himself to avoid the dropkick, but Knight flips through! The fans fire up but Blake says “SUCK IT!” Blake then eggs Knight on, dodges him, but Knight ducks the enzigiri to DUMP Blake out! Knight then PLANCHAS and down goes Blake!
The fans fire up with Knight, he fist bumps the front row, then he puts Blake in. Knight runs, redirects, and handsprings to SPLASH! The fans cheer and Knight covers, ONE!! Blake toughs it out but Knight stomps him. Knight CLUBS Blake, eggs him on, then wrenches to whip. Knight catches Blake to a COBRA TWIST! The fans cheer as Knight says he’s very, very, very strong! But Blake pries the hold open to hip toss! Knight handsprings through, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he stops at the ropes. Blake runs in but Knight dumps him back out! Knight builds speed but Blake moves. Knight slips out to the apron to go over the corner, but Blake moves!
Blake is in and he builds speed, to FOSBURY FLOP! And then FINAL CUT! The fans cheer as Blake flexes, then he gets them to boo. Blake goes back for Knight, POSTS him, and the fans boo more. Blake drags Knight up, wrenches and wristlocks, to then bring Knight to the apron. Blake STOMPS Knight’s hand on the edge! The fans boo more and Knight scrambles into the ring. Blake stalks Knight to a corner, ROCKS him with a right, then CHOPS him in the corner! But Knight puts Blake in to CHOP! The fans cheer but Blake knees low to then UPPERCUT! Blake whips corner to corner, Knight reverses, but Blake goes up and over.
Blake comes back, rolls under, slips out, then flips away! Blake trips Knight, slingshots and SPLASHES! Fans cheer, Blake drags Knight to a cover, TWO! The fans applaud again while Blake brings Knight to center. Blake hooks up the legs, grabs at the arms, and the fans rally up. Blake mockingly claps along with Knight’s hands, to then make Knight do the dirty bird! Blake STOMPS the knees! The fans boo but Blake mockingly applauds again. The fans rally, Blake brings Knight up but Knight throws body shots! Blake knees low, whips, but Knight comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! The fans fire up as Knight whips but Blake reverses
Knight goes up and over, to SKY HIGH! And we’re just five minutes in! The fans rally up, Knight rises, and he watches Blake go to a corner. Knight runs corner to corner, but Blake dodges! ENZIGIRI! URENAGE! IMPLODER SENTON! Blake then goes up the corner as fans rally, and Blake DIVING- NO, Knight moves! Blake comes back, but Knight puts him up top! Time for the- NO, Blake pushes Knight away! So Knight DROPKICKS! Blake wobbles up top and the fans fire up! Knight goes up after Blake, brings him around, throws some body shots, but Blake gives those back! Knight ROCKS Blake with a forearm and Blake falls to the apron!
Knight fakes Blake out, to then springboard and SUPER CROSSBODY! The Young Lions act as barriers so the crash landing doesn’t end up in the crowd! The fans fire up while the ref checks both men. Knight shouts and rises, and the fans fire up! Knight gets Blake back in the ring, then springboards in for a FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Blake toughs it out, he’s the GCW Champion after all. But Knight calls for “JETTO! JETTO!” The fans clap along and Knight runs up, but no DDT for Knight! Blake goes to the apron, Knight pursues, but Blake holds ropes! Blake kicks and STUNNERS! Knight wobbles, Blake runs up, but into a BOOT!
Knight runs up, to APRON- NO, still no DDT! Blake blocks a kick, puts the leg in the ropes, then KICKS the ropes! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Blake just grins. Blake runs up to APRON CURB STOMP! Knight flounders away, Blake springboards to 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Blake wins!
Winner: Blake Christian, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
All Heat is turning up the heat with another nasty way to win! But will he have to be careful he doesn’t burn himself out? And after losing some altitude, can Knight take flight again in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS Ninja Mack!
The Nova Fireball cracked the Infinity Carat Diamond while the American Shinobi cut down the Sniper of the Skies. Will Akira stay hot going into the third round? Or will the Mack attack rack up another two points?
The bell rings and the fans rally for “A! KI RA!” already. Mack gets on the corner to get the “NIN-JA! NIN-JA!” going. Mack offers a handshake, Akira asks if he should trust it. But then Akira SHOTGUNS Mack! Akira throws Mack out, then PLANCHAS! Direct hit, and Akira gets Mack back in! Akira goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE!! The fans fire up and Akira talks some smack on Mack. But Mack throws a body shot! Akira CHOPS Mack, then whips him to a corner. Akira hits a clothesline, then runs to UPPERCUT! Akira snapmares to a cover, TWO! Akira keeps cool as he brings Mack up but Mack fires body shots!
The fans rally as Mack backs Akira down, but Akira knees low! Akira says F U and then CHOPS! Akira whips Mack to a corner, Mack reverses and runs in, but Akira goes up and over, to get the TARANTULA! The fans cheer but the ref counts, and Akira lets go at 4. Akira “apologizes” then slaps Mack around. Akira eggs Mack on, kicks him around, and says NJPW superior to Noah! Mack fires forearms, Akira knees low, then whips. Mack rolls off Akira’s back to then DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Mack brings Akira around. Akira breaks free but Mack ROCKS, CHOPS and SOBATS, to then LEG SWEEP and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO!
Akira stays in this but Mack floats to bring him up. Mack CHOPS, Akira goes to a corner, and Mack DOUBLE CHOPS! The fans fire up for that one, and Mack puts Akira up top. Akira BOOTS Mack, but Mack jumps up after him! Akira fires elbows, Mack drops back, and Mack ducks Akira’s jump to CHOP! Mack runs, Akira clotheslines at ropes! Akira runs, Mack clotheslines at ropes! Mack runs, Akira fires up and gets a COLLISION COURSE! The fans fire up while both men are down! Akira roars and rises up, then reels Mack in. Mack spins free to SCREW HIGH KICK! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Mack crawls towards ropes on one end, Akira goes to the other. Mack powers up and runs in, but Akira dumps him to the apron! Mack ROCKS Akira first, then goes up a corner! But Akira goes up after him! SUPER STEINER but Mack lands out! Just like Will Ospreay! Mack runs in, but Akira gets around to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Then SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Mack survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel as Akira goes to a corner. Mack rises, Akira pounds the mat, and fans join in. “A! KI RA!” FIRE- NO, Mack ducks! Akira turns around, into a JUMP KNEE! Mack cravats and goes up the corner, SHIRA-
NO, Akira shrugs that off! Mack keeps moving, comes back, but Akira catches him to a backslide! TWO, Akira tires again but Mack rolls through! But into SPEED FIRE! Akira crawls for the cover, TWO!! Mack survives and the fans are thunderous! Akira goes to a corner, takes aim, but Mack SUPERKICKS! Mack gets Akira up, cravats again, SHIRANUI!! Cover, TWO?!? Akira survives and shocks Mack! Mack puts Akira in a drop zone, CHOPS him, then goes up! NINJA BOMB!!! Cover, Mack wins!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
The Phoenix 630 hits the mark, and Ninja Mack rises to 2-0! Will nothing stop the rise of the ninja? Will the Nova Fireball be able to reignite in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: HAYATA VS Clark Connors!
Pro-Wrestling Noah’s Falcon scored in the first round while 100 Proof got burnt. Will Connors redeem himself right away? Or will Hayata refuse to have No Chaser?
The bell rings and Connors runs in! Hayata dodges, CLAWS eyes, but the ref reprimands. Hayata lets off to stomp away on Connors, then he whips. Connors reverses and runs Hayata over! The fans fire up and Connors drags Hayata up. Connors TOSSES Hayata out, goes out after him to stomp, and then UPPERCUT! Hayata staggers, Connors ROCKS him with a haymaker. Connors has fans clear out, then he SMACKS Hayata off the chairs. The fans fire up, and Connors brings Hayata up to POST him! The ref reprimands and wants this in the ring but Connors shrugs him off. Connors stomps Hayata, then brings him up.
Connors snap suplexes Hayata to the floor! The fans cheer as Connors throws up the Too Sweet. The ring count starts, Connors attacks a Young Lion! Connors scoops and SLAMS him onto Hayata! The fans boo as Connors leaves Hayata behind at 10 of 20. Hayata sits up at 13, drags himself up at 16, and slides in at 18! The fans cheer but Connors covers, TWO! The fans rally as Hayata stays in this, but Connors drags him back up. Connors CHOPS and Hayata staggers to ropes. Connors brings Hayata up but Hayata fires a forearm! Connors fires one in return! Connors suplexes but Hayata slips free!
Connors kicks low, runs, but into a Manhattan drop! Hayata TOSSES Connors out, then goes right after him in the front row! Fans clear out fast, and Hayata SMACKS Connors off the chairs! The ref reprimands but the fans fire up. Hayata brings Connors up, and aims for another section! Fans clear out so Hayata can BOWL Connors into the chairs! Not quite a strike but it was still a good throw. Connors flounders around, the ring count starts again, and Hayata brings Connors up. Hayata snapmares Connors, then grabs the Young Lion from before! Scoop SLAM onto Connors! Poor Shoma Kato! Not how you wanna “debut” in a tournament.
Hayata leaves Connors behind, the ring count passes 10 while Connors crawls around. Connors hobbles up at 14, but flops over at 15! Connors forces himself back up at 17, and flounders in at 19! Hayata stomps Connors, then brings him up. Hayata talks some trash, but Connors SLAPS Hayata! And SLAPS! And SLAPS again! Hayata CLAWS Connors’ eyes! The fans boo but Hayata storms back up on Connors. Hayata snapmares, runs, but Connors avoids the boot! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Connors aims from a corner. The fans bark along with Connors, and he runs in, but into a KNEE! And DDT!
Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Hayata stands and he brings Connors up. Hayata straitjackets the arms but Connors fights the suplex! Connors turns things, breaks free of the arms, then runs. But Hayata catches him for chicken wings, then turns him into the STRAITJACKET DDT! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this and the fans fire back up! Hayata slashes his throat, stands Connors up and reels him in, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws Hayata to a corner, runs up, but Hayata dodges! TORNADO- NO, Connors stops the DDT to THROW Hayata away! The fans fire up again as Connors shows his strength!
Connors aims as Hayata rises, but Hayata dodges the lariat! Connors keeps going, but Hayata avoids the pounce, only for Connors to come right back! JEEP FLIPPER!! The fans fire up as Connors aims, runs in, and SPEARS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Hayata survives and Connors is seething! The fans are thunderous as Connors drags Hayata back up. NO CHASE- NO, Hayata wrenches out, rolls Connors up, tights! TWO!! ENZIGIRI!! Hayata roars and reels Connors in, for 40- NO, Connors HEADBUTTS, then NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hayata earns 0)
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion takes down the GHC National Champion! Will Connors serve up more L’s with No Chaser? Will Hayata be able to rebound in the next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Sniper of the Skies may have lost to Ninja Mack, and 44 Caliber might’ve been cheated by Sho, but now both men reload and take aim. Who wins this shootout to get on the board?
The fans already fire up with “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Drilla is already annoyed. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Drilla runs in, Eagles gets around but Drilla switches the waistlock. Eagles ducks the ripcord chop to schoolboy, but Drilla rolls through! Drilla kicks low and CHOPS! Eagles staggers to ropes, Drilla storms up on him and whips. Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag! Things speed up, Eagles hurdles and RANAS! The fans fire up as Eagles taunts Drilla, then WHEEL KICKS!
Drilla staggers and steps out to the apron, but Eagles basement 619s to sweep the legs! The fans join Robbie in another “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” then he builds speed But Drilla gets in, hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Eagles tumbles out, Drilla builds speed and WRECKS him with a dropkick! Moloney gets a “DRILLA DRILLA DRILLA!” “OI OI OI!” out of the fans, then stalks Eagles on the outside. Drilla drags Eagles up, brings him into the bleachers, and SMACKS him off the West sign! And again, and again! Eagles flops back and Drilla leaves him behind for the ring count to start.
The fans rally as Eagles sits up and rolls his way down the bleachers. Eagles returns to the floor at 10 of 20, crawls over, then slides in at 15! The fans cheer and Drilla smirks. Drilla stands on Eagles’ head, then scrapes his sole off Eagles’ face! The fans still rally for Eagles but Drilla stands him up. Drilla CHOPS Eagles down, covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Eagles stays in this, but then Drilla KICKS him in the side! Eagles sputters and writhes, Drilla stands on Eagles’ stomach! The ref counts, the fans boo, and Drilla steps away at 4. Drilla storms up on the ref but the ref backs off. Drilla stomps Eagles, kicks him around, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, ONE!
The fans applaud as Eagles toughs it out. Drilla is annoyed, but Eagles CHOPS him! Eagles CHOPS again, then swings, but Drilla gets around to ripcord CHOP! Drilla reels Eagles in, but Eagles wrenches out to schoolboy bridge! TWO!! Drilla escapes that, Eagles wants the legs but Drilla kicks him away! Eagles comes back to SOBAT! Cravat! SHIRA- NO, Drilla stops Eagles, pops him around, but Eagles RANAS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again and Eagles goes to ropes. The fans rally, Drilla runs up but into a BOOT! Eagles runs up, but fights off the pop-up! Eagles ROCKS, KICKS and CHOPS, then KICKS and CHOPS again!
Eagles ROCKS Drilla in the corner, the fans fire up, and he whips corner to corner. Drilla reverses, and catches Eagles as he goes up! Drilla pops Eagles around again but Eagles arm-drags free! Eagles gets around, kicks out a leg, then keeps moving to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles stands first, and he KICKS Drilla in the chest! Then KICKS again! And again! Eagles runs, but Drilla blocks the Penalty Kick! Drilla reels Eagles in and pops him up to the Canadian Rack! Eagles slips free but Drilla SUPERKICKS! Drilla whips, Eagles reverses to knee low! Eagles KICKS Drilla down!
The fans fire up again as Eagles pounds the mat. Drilla goes to a corner, Eagles runs in, DOUBLE KNEES! Eagles rolls back, runs in again, but Drilla dodges the Meteora! Drilla runs, but Eagles snatches his jump knee! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Drilla flails, reaches out, claws his way forward, ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go, for a spinning toehold! Eagles then goes to a corner and the fans fire up! Eagles climbs, the fans get even more fired up, and Eagles 450- NO, he has to roll through as Drilla moves! Drilla runs up, Eagles trips him, but Drilla kicks Eagles away! Drilla ducks a kick, schoolboys, and deadlift URENAGES!!
The fans fire up again and Drilla loads up. Eagles rises, Drilla runs in, LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Drilla slashes his throat and drags Eagles up again. Canadian rack, but Eagles sunset flips through! Eagles ties up the legs, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Drilla claws his way around, but Eagles drags him away! Drilla tries but he can’t, he TAPS! Eagles wins!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (gains 2 points; Drilla earns 0)
The Sniper shoots down an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! And he even snatches both belts to show off how they color coordinate. Eagles still gives Drilla his belt back, but will the Soul of PWA soon look to add that to the collection? Will 44 Caliber reload to take down his opponent next round?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: TJP VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Public Enemy was left in the dirt by The Jet, and the Heel Master couldn’t bring down the Young Punk of TMDK. Will TJP recover and get back on track? Or will Kanemaru use his bag of tricks to snatch away some much needed points?
The fans already rally for “T J P! T J P!” But Kanemaru attacks while TJP puts the United Empire banner away! Kanemaru TOSSES TJP out, but then TJP slides in as Kanemaru steps out! The bell rings and Kanemaru slides back in, but TJP stomps him! TJP whips, Kanemaru reverses but TJP RANAS! The fans fire up while Kanemaru tumbles out and TJP builds speed! TJP WRECKS Kanemaru with a dropkick and the fans fire up again! TJP goes back into the ring, the fans rally up and he builds speed, only for Kanemaru to run away. The fans boo but TJP throws his shirt off so he can pursue! Kanemaru slides back in and he taunts TJP.
TJP slows it down to be cautious. TJP steps in, and Kanemaru KICKS the ropes to jam TJP up! The fans boo but Kanemaru stomps TJP. Kanemaru whips, TJP reverses but Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls. TJP pushes Kanemaru away, elbows and runs, but Kanemaru sends the ref into TJP! The fans boo more but Kanemaru storms up on TJP to whip. TJP springboards to FLYING FOREARM! The fans rally up and TJP goes corner to corner, to BOOT! Kanemaru sits down, and the fans rally up as TJP scrubs his face! TJP goes side to side, but Kanemaru takes a swig! WHISKEY MIST! The fans boo more and TJP swings blindly!
TJP sees Kanemaru, but Kanemaru ducks the blood mist! Kanemaru shoves, victory rolls, KANEMARU WINS!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; TJP earns 0)
The Heel Master indeed resorted to his dirty tricks and he dirtied up this win! Will Kanemaru do anything and everything he has to in order to take the block? Will TJP have to bring out that dark side of his in order to stay alive in the tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Dragon Dia VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Infinity Carat Diamond may have fallen in the first round but it’ll take more than that to break him. But will Dia be able to break the Bone Soldier? Or will Taiji continue to prove #ItsReborn?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Dia dodges, kicks, then whips, but Taiji reverses. Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides under a boot to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag! The fans fire up, Dia DROPKICKS and Taiji bails out! The fans rally as Dia feints the plancha, but then Taiji YANKS him down anyway! The fans are torn but Taiji drags Dia up to POST him! Dia tumbles away, and Taiji snatches the bell hammer! The ref sees that and says don’t even try it. Taiji says okay and throws the hammer into the ring. The ref fetches the hammer, Taiji grabs Dia’s skateboard! Skater boy, see ya later boy, Taiji CLOBBERS Dia with the board!
The fans are torn, and the ref sees Taiji walking around with the board! Taiji puts the board back in Dia’s corner and then walks around the ring. The fans rally for Dia as he rises up, but Taiji is on him first. Taiji puts Dia in the ring, covers, but then Taiji CHOKES Dia! The ref reprimands, Taiji lets off, and he fist drops! Dia writhes, Taiji talks some smack, and then Taiji grabs the arms. Taiji pulls the arms back, spins Dia around, and then hooks a leg! Taiji lifts Dia into a rather interesting stretch! Then Taiji uses it for a SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Taiji is annoyed. Taiji taunts Dia as he stands up, and Dia fires a forearm.
Taiji eggs Dia on, Dia fires more forearms, so Taiji CLAWS the eyes! Taiji whips, Dia stops himself, then dodges as Taiji runs in! Taiji ends up outside and Dia runs up, 619! Taiji goes to the floor, Dia ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Taiji! The fans fire up and Dia rises! Dia drags Taiji up, puts him in the ring, and then Dia shouts “IKU ZO!” Dia whips but Taiji reverses. Taiji runs in but Dia dodges! Dia goes to the apron, trips Taiji up and slingshots to TORNILLO SPLASH! The fans fire up with Dia and he storms up on Taiji in the corner. Dia hoists Taiji up top, climbs up after him, and again shots “IKU ZO!” STORM SCISSOR!
The fans fire up and Dia runs up! Victory roll FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives but Dia roars! The fans fire up with Dia and he runs, to roll and REPTILIAN RANA! But Taiji sunset flips through!? TWO!! Taiji gets Dia’s arm, sends him at the ref, but Dia stops from running into him! So Taiji shoves Dia into the ref! Then Taiji whips, pops Dia up, and LOW BLOWS!! The fans boo but Taiji hooks Dia to a BLOODY CROSS!! Cover, Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Dia earns 0)
The Bone Soldier resorts to new lows just to get points! Wait, Taiji grabs Dia’s skateboard again? And he CLOBBERS Dia with it! The fans boo, that was just unnecessary! But will Taiji stop at nothing until he’s finally on top again? Can Dia find a way to shine even when he’s down 0-2?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS Titan!
Los Ingobernables de Japon clashes with Los Ingobernables de Japon as Black Mask and El Inmortal meet already! Will Bushi bounce back from his loss? Or will Titan keep momentum going until he’s back at the finals?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The fans cheer for Titan as he and Bushi tie up. They go around, Titan puts Bushi on ropes but Bushi turns it around. Bushi lets off clean to roll back and tease Titan. Titan runs up but Bushi avoids the basement dropkick. Titan sweeps the legs, covers, ONE! Titan avoids the sweep, but Bushi ducks the buzzsaw, and Bushi taunts Titan again. The fans cheer and the LIJ teammates reset. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Titan then trips Bushi, runs, but Bushi stays low. Bushi gets up to bypass, but Titan avoids the hurdle. Titan sends Bushi out, builds speed, Bushi moves but Titan rolls to backflip!
The fans cheer Titan landing on his feet, but Bushi kicks him low. Bushi SMACKS Titan off the apron, then brings him around. Bushi CLUBS Titan, fires the fans up, and then brings Titan to the orange seats! The fans cheer as the lights come up and Bushi brings Titan higher and higher. Titan hits Bushi first! Bushi CHOPS! Titan hits back, they go back and forth, and Titan fires off kicks! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Titan and he goes to the upper level! Fans help Titan balance on the ledge, to then SUPER CROSSBODY Bushi down! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Titan rises and roars, but the ref wants this in the ring!
Titan stomps Bushi, brings him up and headlocks to bring him along. They return to ground level, Titan throws a knee, then he puts Bushi in the ring. The fans cheer and Titan aims from the apron. The fans rally up and Titan springboards to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and Titan hurries to get Bushi back up. Bushi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Bushi whips, Titan reverses, then Titan goes Matrix to avoid the lariat! Titan CALF KICKS Bushi, then whips. Bushi reverses, then he dropkicks the legs out! But Titan kips up to PELE! Titan runs from the corner and back, into an ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
Bushi and Titan stir, and Bushi stands first. Bushi brings Titan up, has a leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Titan falls, Bushi SMASHES that knee into the mat! Bushi then ties the legs up, FABLE FIGURE FOUR! Titan endures, reaches out, drags Bushi along with him, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Bushi lets go as the ref counts, and Titan rolls away. Bushi goes to a corner and climbs. The fans rally as Bushi aims, for M- NO, Titan moves aside! Titan BOOTS, SOBATS, KICKS, fires palm strikes then WHEEL KICKS! Bushi falls and the fans fire up again! Titan roars and he drags Bushi around to step through, roll and then deathlock!
The fans fire up for JAVE INMORTAL!! Bushi reaches out, flails, but he’s caught! Bushi pries at the crossface, claws his way over, and has the ROPEBREAK! Titan lets go in frustration, but the fans continue to rally. Titan throws off the armbands and pounds the mat. The fans rally, Titan drags Bushi up and reels him in, to Canadian Rack and spin! But Bushi slips free to BACKSTABBER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Bushi stands, he reels Titan in, but Titan slips free of the fisherman! Bushi kicks, whips, but Titan reverses! TORNADO- NO, Bushi stops the DDT to backslide! Titan rolls free, but Bushi blocks the superkick!
Bushi spins Titan, but then Titan blocks a kick! Titan ducks the enzigiri but not the REWIND HEEL! Both men fall again and the fans fire back up! Titan goes to ropes, Bushi hobbles over, and Bushi whips. Titan reverses to TORNADO roll and then suplex for a GOURD BUSTER! SUPERKICK! Bushi flops over and Titan hurries for the corner! The fans rally as Titan skins the cat! Titan is now up top, for LA LANZA!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives the double stomps and the fans are thunderous! Titan roars, gets Bushi’s leg and steps through, for the deathlock! JAVE…! INMORTAL!!! Bushi endures all over again, but Titan has the straitjacket added!!
Bushi endures, crawls with his elbows, but it’s not enough! Bushi quits, Titan wins!!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
Two matches in two rounds, that’s two victories for Titan! However, the same goes for Bushi with two losses. Will the trend continue so that El Inmortal returns to the finals? Can Bushi stop from being dead last in the block?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS SHO!
The Timesplitter knows how to be a proper IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, but the Murder Machine knows how to win by any means necessary! Will Kushida not just get points but a golden ticket back to the top? Or will Sho stack the deck and screw over another opponent?
Sho gets the mic to remind us all, Kushida included, that Kushida’s just a substitute for Yoh, because Sho hurt Yoh just before the tournament. Therefore, Kushida only has his spot because of Sho! As such, Kushida should show gratitude by just letting Sho win here. And maybe they’ll still meet in the end! Or is Kushida too scared to face Sho at all? Kushida DROPKICKS in response! The fans fire up, Sho tumbles out, and Kushida builds speed! The bell rings right before the HANDSPRING KICK sends Sho back down! The fans fire up and Kushida goes out, and he grabs the belt! Sho is upset but also wary, but then Kushida throws the belt into the ring!
Both ref and Sho go for the belt but Kushida yanks Sho out of the ring! Kushida slides in, Sho slides back in and scurries after the belt, and Kushida KICKS him in the side! The fans fire up, Kushida wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! Then Kushida KICKS the leg! And KICKS it again! Sho goes to ropes, Kushida runs up to DROPKICK Sho’s arm! Kushida stands on Sho’s arm, the fans fire up, and Sho begs for mercy. Kushida drags Sho up instead, but Sho CLAWS Kushida’s eyes! Kushida CLAWS Sho back! Kushida whips, drops down, then hip tosses! Handspring, but Sho BOOTS from below! Sho then wants the ref to check his arm.
The ref does check Sho, but this is all just a distraction so Yujiro Takahashi can sneak out here! Tokyo Pimp hits a REVERSE DDT to the floor! The fans boo as the cheating begins already! Yujiro puts Kushida in, Sho covers, ONE!! Kushida is tougher than that but Sho grins as he digs his heel into Kushida’s arm. Sho stomps the arm, drags Kushida up and knuckle locks. Sho wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER, then he cording holds. Kushida endures, Sho wrenches both arms to then STO! The fans rally as Kushida goes to the apron, but Sho cuts him off at the corner! Yujiro has a chair to distract the ref, so that Sho can pull Kushida into the post!
The ref reprimands, Yujiro drops the chair but he still distracts the ref by arguing with him, allowing Sho to get the chair! CHAIR SHOT against the post! The fans boo harder but Sho pushes Kushida back in. Sho drags Kushida up to wrangle him into a KIMURA! Sho is adding insult to injury as he wants to use Kushida’s favorite hold! The fans rally as Kushida endures, fights up, and powers his way around for a takedown! ARMBAR!! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kushida lets off, but Sho writhes and grits his teeth. The fans rally, both men rise, and Sho KICKS Kushida’s arm! Kushida ROCKS Sho!
Sho KICKS, Kushida ROCKS, repeat! Sho talks some smack as Kushida staggers, so Kushida ROCKS him again! Sho KICKS, KICKS and KICKS, but then he blocks the fastball! Sho bends the fingers, but Kushida stomps a foot! Kushida winds up but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho then runs and SPEARS Kushida down! But Kushida rolls through!? ARMBAR!! The fans fire up as Sho fights around! Kushida’s bad hand holds him back, and Sho stacks to deadlift and POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Sho and Kushida rise, talk some trash, and Kushida KICKS the arm again and again!
Kushida whips, Sho reverses, but Kushida handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Kushida dodges Sho’s lariat to PELE! Sho wobbles, Kushida jumps on, HOVERBOARD!! But Sho goes to ropes and HOTSHOTS him! Sho then distracts the ref so Yujiro can PIMP CANE SHOT! Sho rolls Kushida up, with tights! TWO!!! Kushida escapes and the fans fire up! Sho is upset, but he goes to his corner to get his Torture Tool! The ref says no, he and Sho fight over the wrench, but Yujiro gets in the ring! Kushida FASTBALLS! But Sho LOW BLOWS! The fans boo but Sho grins and aims his bow. Sho drags Kushida up, reels him in and pump handles, for SHOCK- NO, Kushida slips free!
Kushida reels Sho into a straitjacket and roll, JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! KUSHIDA WINS!!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
The Timesplitter took all those tricks and still won out! But Sho & Yujiro now beat Kushida down for it! But here comes Kevin Knight! The Jet runs the House of Torture off, and the bottom line is Kushida has that golden ticket in his back pocket! Will Kushida have his shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion no matter what? Will the Murder Machine make sure Kushida has to use it by keeping the trophy from him?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita!
The Rogue Luchador failed to beat Titan again, but this tournament has only just begun. Will Desperado bring down the Young Punk? Or will he see for himself that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The bell rings, the fans rally up, and it sounds like they favor Fujita. Desperado just grins as he and Fujita circle. They feel things out, Fujita goes for a leg and he brings Desperado down to a waistlock. Desperado rolls, has a leg, then a headlock, but Fujita slips out for a top mount. Desperado and Fujita hand fight for control, but Fujita slips away before Desperado turns things around. The fans cheer the exchange and the two go again. They clinch, Fujita wants a leg but Desperado gut wrenches to roll Fujita. They end up on ropes, but then Fujita slips around to facelock. Desperado keeps fighting and they stand up in a clinch.
Fujita arm-drags Desperado down, top mounts, wants an arm but Desperado clasps hands to fight that off. Desperado pushes through Fujita’s leg guard to headlock, then he works on a top wristlock. The fans cheer this continuing exchange as Fujita keeps his shoulders up. Fujita rolls back but Desperado slips around to spladle, STRETCH MUFFLER! Desperado catches the other leg, this is almost like Zack Sabre Jr’s Orienteering! Fujita endures, fights around, but Desperado shifts to have an ANKLE LOCK! Fujita rolls to get the ANKLE LOCK on Desperado! Desperado turns over but Fujita SLAPS him! Fujita then drops into the ARMBAR!
Desperado hurries to clasp hands, but Fujita pulls at the grip! Desperado holds on, stacks and has the leg, HEEL HOOK! The fans cheer and Desperado thrashes the hold! Fujita HEEL HOOKS in return! The fans fire up for the dueling submissions! Both men roll into the ropes, then the apron, and then Fujita pulls! Both men fall to the floor, but they won’t let go of the holds! Red Shoes reprimands but both men keep pulling on the other’s ankle! The fans rally, the ring count starts, but both men are still fighting, even as we reach 10 of 20! Then to 15! Desperado wants to let go but Fujita won’t! Desperado kicks free, both men jump in at 18!
The fans fire up as both men catch their breath. Desperado and Fujita reset, circle, and egg each other on. Fujita fires a forearm, but Desperado gives it back! Fujita fires another, so Desperado gives it back! The forearms go back and forth, then Fujita CHOPS! The fans fire up, and Desperado CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Fujita snarls and Desperado eggs him on while the fans fire up! Fujita KICKS Desperado, whips him, but Desperado blocks! So Fujita YANKS the arm, but then Desperado bails out. The fans rally, Fujita aims, PLANCHA but he lands out as Desperado moves! Desperado blocks the Penalty Kick to YANK Fujita down!
APRON STRETCH MUFFER! NUMERO DOS!! The fans rally and Red Shoes reprimands, but Desperado lets go to SMASH the knee on the floor! The fans rally up while Desperado hobbles after Fujita. Desperado gets Fujita up, brings him along, aims at the crowd, but puts him in the ring. Desperado then gets on the apron, but Fujita DECKS him! Fujita then PLANCHAS and down goes Despe! The fans rally up again and Fujita storms over to Desperado. Fujita drags Desperado up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally up. Fujita storms in but Desperado KICKS the leg out! Fujita falls over as he clutches the knee!
The fans rally again and Desperado stalks Fujita. Desperado puts the leg on ropes to HIP DROP! Red Shoes reprimands but Desperado stalks Fujita. Desperado brings Fujita to center, to drop an elbow on the knee! Desperado grinds the toehold but Fujita endures! Fujita crawls, reaches out, but Desperado digs his knee into the knee! Fujita still endures, the fans still rally up, so Desperado sits back to tie up the legs into the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Fujita endures, Desperado pretends he can’t hear the fans, but Fujita throws forearms! Desperado eggs Fujita on and Fujita CHOPS! Desperado “falls” back and that puts on the pressure!
The fans rally as Fujita flails, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets go and grins as he mockingly cheers Fujita on with the fans. Desperado stands on Fujita’s knee, taunts him, then drags him up. Desperado CHOPS Fujita, talks some trash, then eggs him on. Fujita CHOPS and Desperado nods! Fujita CHOPS, Desperado nods again, and he kicks the bad leg! Desperado brings Fujita up but Fujita fights the lift! Fujita throws elbows, but Desperado lifts! Fujita KNEES free! The fans rally and Desperado staggers. Fujita storms up, Desperado kicks the bad leg! Desperado whips, Fujita reverses and WHEEL KICKS!
The fans fire up while both men are down again! Desperado and Fujita go to corners. and Fujita gets the bad leg working. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Fujita snapmares Desperado, goes out to the apron, then springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fujita runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Fujita rises and stalks Desperado. Fujita waistlocks to deadlift Desperado, but Desperado fights! Desperado reaches out, but Fujita keeps him from ropes! Desperado throws elbows, then mule kicks the bad leg! Fujita CHOPS back, then waistlocks. Desperado switches, Fujita elbows and whips, but Desperado reverses, to SPINEBUSTER!
The fans fire up, Desperado high stacks, TWO! Into STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita endures, fights, but Desperado gets the arm for NUMERO DOS!! Fujita still fights, but Desperado gets the other arm! NUMERO DOS PLUS!! But wait, Fujita is using that against Desperado for a wristlock, and INVERTED ARMBAR!! Desperado flails, reaches out, kicks around, but then Fujita switches! Omoplata and then he gets the other arm! JIM BREAKS ARMBAR!! Fujita is showing the teachings of ZSJ! Desperado kicks around, but Fujita gets that leg! CLARKY CAT! Desperado fights and kicks free to the ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous as Desperado survives!
Fujita is frustrated but the fans rally hard as ever! Fujita storms back up to Desperado, and clamps on a SLEEPER! Desperado endures but he looks to be fading! Desperado flails, reaches out again, but Fujita drags him from the ropes! Red Shoes checks as Desperado is fading! Fujita hits a GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO?!? Desperado still has live and the fans are thunderous! Fujita roars and rises, then brings Desperado up and in. But Desperado blocks the suplex! Fujita still tries, only for Desperado to wrench free! Fujita ROCKS Desperado with a forearm, but Desperado holds onto the wristlock!
Fujita ROCKS Desperado again, but still Desperado holds onto the wristlock! Fujita winds up to ROCK Desperado, Desperado DECKS Fujita!! Both men fall and the fans are thunderous again! Desperado rises and roars and he drags Fujita up! Desperado underhooks the arms, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free and wrenches to a standing armlock! Desperado fights, but Fujita keeps him from ropes! So Desperado rolls through to STRETCH MUFFLER!! Fujita flails, Desperado thrashes, and then NUMERO DOS!! Fujita endures, reaches out, but Desperado thrashes around and around! The fans rally as hard as they can and Fujita keeps fighting forward!!
Fujita reaches out but Desperado steps over! NUMERO DOS EXTRA!! Fujita taps, Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
The Rogue Luchador showed that he could do technical as good as anyone, and the Young Punk could not overcome! Will Fujita have to fight even harder if he wants to reach that next level? Is this how hard Desperado’s gonna fight every round in order to make it to the finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS DOUKI!
The Ticking Timebomb couldn’t blow up the Timesplitter, Japones Del Mal couldn’t break the Bone Soldier. But now, one of them will get on the board, but will it be LIJ or Just5Guys that takes the day?
Hiromu once again gifts Milano Collection AT-san with a framed copy of his headshot. Taichi looks at it, and prays as if it were the picture of a fallen family member. The bell rings and surprisingly, the fans are strongly behind Douki! The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Douki powers Hiromu to ropes, but Hiromu turns things around. Red Shoes calls for the ropebreak, Hiromu slowly lets off, but then swings! Douki dodges, whips, but Hiromu reverses. Hiromu drops down, hurdles, but Douki intercepts the monkey flip to wheelbarrow! SUPLEX DE LA- NO, Hiromu arm-drags Douki away! Hiromu runs up to RAM Douki!
Hiromu puts Douki on the ropes, KICKS the ropes, then runs and SHOTGUNS Douki down! The fans fire up while Douki tumbles out, and Hiomru points to the upper level. Hiromu goes out, and he brings Douki around. But Douki throws body shots, and he THROWS Hiromu into the barriers! Now Douki decides that they will go up into the orange seats! The fans cheer as they reach that upper level, and Douki reels Hiromu in. But Hiromu snap suplexes Douki to the floor! The fans fire up again and Hiromu scuffs Douki. Hiromu high-fives with the fans and the fans join in on shouting “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!”
Hiromu goes all the way to the far wall, runs back in, but Douki ELBOWS first! Douki then gets around, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, so they DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! Red Shoes starts the ring count, both men are still down at 8 of 20. Hiromu sits up at 10 and starts heading down. Douki hurries after, Hiromu takes a shortcut around commentary! Hiromu slides in at 18, Douki slides in at 19.5!! The fans cheer as this match continues! Hiromu grits his teeth and storms after Douki. Douki fires a forearm! Hiromu gives it back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, then Hiromu gets the edge!
Douki gets around to waistlock but Hiromu switches. Douki elbows Hiromu, goes to run but Hiromu reels him in. Douki kicks free and DDTs! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Hiromu goes to ropes but Douki storms up behind him. Douki whips Hiromu but Hiromu reverses. Douki arm-drags Hiromu to a corner! Douki runs in to ELBOW, then he keeps moving, springboard BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! But Hiromu scrambles right to the ROPEBREAK! Douki lets go, and can you believe this is only the first five minutes? Douki goes to the apron and aims, but Hiromu ducks Daybreak!
Douki comes back, Hiromu BOOTS him, then jumps up for a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Hiromu lets go at 4, then he runs in to whip Douki to a corner. Hiromu snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Douki tumbles out of the ring. Hiromu goes to the apron, aims and FLYING SHOTGUNS! Down goes Douki and Hiromu fires up! The fans are with “HI-RO-MU!” and he goes back for Douki. Hiromu puts Douki in, covers, TWO! The fans rally up as Douki is still in this, but Hiromu brings Douki up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Douki fights the lift!
Douki throws elbows but Hiromu still fireman’s carries! Douki slips free, shoves Hiromu to a corner and runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs up, Douki gets around, and Douki ducks the elbow to HELL STAB! Douki runs but Hiromu fireman’s carries, to CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu grins and he storms over to Douki. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Douki sunset flips! Hiromu rolls through but Douki reels him in, ITALIAN STRETCH- NO, Hiromu pops fere and rolls Douki to his feet! Suplex, but Douki slips free to Gory Especial! DOTON- NO! Hiromu arm-drags free! Douki comes back, pop-up and ITALIAN STRETCH #32!
The fans fire up as Hiromu endures and fights around! Douki pulls on the hold, Hiromu starts to fade! Hiromu reaches out with his feet, and fights his way over, only for Douki to roll him far, far away! But then Hiromu jackknife bridges! TWO as Douki bridges up! Douki spins Hiromu around, Gory Especial for DOTON NO JUTSU!! Backslide, TWO!! But Douki rolls over Hiromu to wheelbarrow, but Hiromu COMPLETE SHOT COUNTERS! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Douki and Hiromu crawl to their corners, the fans rally up, and Hiromu shouts at Douki. Hiromu says this isn’t over yet!
Douki and Hiromu run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Douki runs, Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu runs but that just lures Douki in for an ELBOW! Hiromu ROLLING- NO, Douki ducks, anticipates, and SNAP GERMANS! But Hiromu rises! He dodges to SNAP GERMAN back! But Douki rises! Into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! But Douki’s right up! DOUKI-SAN BOMBER!! Both men rise, run in, DOUBLE LARIATS again! Both men stagger and fall back into their corners and the fans are thunderous! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re okay to continue, and they slowly rise up. Hiromu shouts at Douki again, and they both run in! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!
Hiromu hurries to get Douki up to fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO?! Douki survives and the fans fire up again! Hiromu fires back up, drags Douki back up, dragon sleepers and TIMEBOMB- NO, Douki kicks and kicks and gets free! So Hiromu suplexes, only for Douki to wrench! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Both men wobble, Douki fires up, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS again! Hiromu roars, dragon sleepers and TIMEBOMB- NO, Douki flails to fight free again! O’Conner, Hiromu sits on it, but Douki quickly tips it over to a victory roll! TWO, and Douki wheelbarrows Hiromu! Full nelson, but Hiromu breaks that to somersault clutch! But Douki stifles it!
Douki tries again, but Hiromu pops free of the wheelbarrow to SOMERSAULT CLUTCH! TWO!! SUPERKICK! Hiromu grins as he and Douki both drop to a knee! Douki is face down but Hiromu hauls him up! VICTORY ROYALE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Douki survives and the fans are thunderous again! Hiromu is beside himself, but he dragon sleepers Douki. Douki slips around, to IMPALER DDT! And then ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Hiromu endures, the fans duel as hard as they can, and Douki pulls on the hold as hard as he can! Hiromu fights around, but Douki rolls him from ropes! Only for Hiromu to lift Douki!
Hiromu powers Douki through, VICTORY- NO, Douki drags Hiromu back down! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Hiromu is fading! Hiromu tips over, the fans duel even harder than before, and Douki pulls on the hold! Hiromu gets a second wind, stands back up, and manages to deadlift Douki, but Douki PULLS!!! Hiromu is still on his feet but he’s turning red! Red Shoes checks, Hiromu refuses to give up, but he falls over! Hiromu’s foaming from the mouth, Red Shoes calls it!! DOUKI WINS!!
Winner: Douki, by referee stoppage (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)
Hiromu sputters awake moments later, and Red Shoes tells him that Douki took the win! That makes Hiromu a shocking 0-2 start! Is it no longer the Timebomb’s time?
As for Douki, he sits down but has the mic to call to Hiromu. Hiromu doesn’t turn around until the third time, and Douki tells him, “You’re certainly one of the best wrestlers in the world.” The fans applaud that show of respect. “But for today, I am the better man.” The fans cheer for that one! Douki continues by saying Hiromu is surely disappointed right now. “Sorry to you and all the Hiromu fans. You’ll all go home disappointed today.” The Douki fans cheer that! Douki then asks the fans, “What did you think of today’s show?” They cheer because it was a great one!
Douki says, “These are NJPW’s Junior Heavyweights! And I just beat Hiromu, the face of the division! All that’s left is to win the whole damn thing!” The fans especially like the sound of that! Douki leaves it there, but will he come through and prove he’s The Best of the Super Juniors now?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Titan: 2-0, 4 points
Blake Christian: 2-0, 4 points
El Desperado: 1-1, 2 points
Kosei Fujita: 1-1, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 1-1, 2 points
HAYATA: 1-1, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-1, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-1, 2 points
TJP: 0-2, 0 points
BUSHI: 0-2, 0 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Ninja Mack: 2-0, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 2-0, 4 points
KUSHIDA: 2-0, 4 points
SHO: 1-1, 2 points
Francesco Akira: 1-1, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 1-1, 2 points
DOUKI: 1-1, 2 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 0-2, 0 points
Dragon Dia: 0-2, 0 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
An awesome second round for the BOSJ, especially with some of these more shocking results. A Block is really competitive with so many 1-1 records right now, and I really like their choices for the top two right now. One is Titan, last year’s runner-up, and the other is Blake Christian, who has bounced around all over the place. I was first aware of him through NXT, but that was sadly NXT 2.0 as run by Vince McMahon and he had no idea what he was doing with well over half of NXT 2.0.
Blake Christian avoided a really sad take on a superhero persona under Vince, and while he’s been in AEW and ROH, he clearly found something that works in GCW to where they gave him their top title. Blake would make for a great dark horse in this tournament. B Block is also looking good, with Ninja Mack, Taiji Ishimori and Kushida leading the way. Kushida’s win over Sho was awesome stuff, would love to see Kushida and Sho have a title match before the BOSJ 31 winner gets his.
And in both blocks, there has been great drama surrounding how Desperado and Hiromu are doing this year. Desperado gets probably the best match out of Fujita I’ve ever seen, gets the win, that was probably the actual best match of the night. But then Hiromu VS Douki was still awesome stuff, too, especially with Douki getting that upset victory. Douki’s hit that spot like Yoshi-Hashi before him, in that he’s been here long enough that fans are coming around to him, want to see him succeed, and it’s all coming together. I don’t know if Douki wins this tournament but the way he’s been going, he’s gotta make it outta the round robin phase.
My Score: 9.1/10
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London calling to the champion crowns!
SmackDown brings gold to London as LA Knight defends his WWE US Championship and The Street Profits defend their tag team titles! Will the landscape change this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly; The Profits win and retain the titles.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; The Secret Her-vice wins.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins, by disqualification, and Knight retains the title.
- Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab; Charlotte wins.
- Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Jimmy Uso VS The Miz; Jimmy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
We follow The American Nightmare as walks to gorilla, then through the curtain, and London sings along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, says hello to fans along the ramp, and then we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, then kneels down to kiss the WWE logo on the mat. The fans continue to sing along all the way to the end, “I AM MY KINGDOM!” The fans then cheer, and Cody holds up the belt to fire them up even more! The fans now sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and he soaks it in. The fans cheer again as Cody smiles, and he finally says, “So, London~! Whaddya wanna talk about?”
The fans chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody hears that dueling, and he smiles again. The song of “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” returns, then they cheer. Cody says, “At WrestleMania 41, I will be facing John Cena…” The fans boo, but Cody says, “I will be facing John Cena as he goes to break the record and win 17. But that is WrestleMania 41. In just a few nights, I will be standing face to face with John Cena in this very same city, in this very same arena.” The fans cheer that, but then here comes Randy Orton! Now the fans sing along with Voices as The Viper heads to the ring. Orton also high-fives fans before he joins Cody.
Orton grabs a mic, paces while the fans keep singing on their own, and then the fans cheer. Orton says he’s not really the sentimental type, but for Cody and for London, screw it. The fans chant “R K O! R K O!” and Orton tells Cody, “Look at you. Look at who you are now, the man you are now. Look at where he came from.” The fans cheer and sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” and Orton says he remembers a Cody in his early 20s, just breaking into the business. Cody was busting his ass harder than anyone else. He wasn’t exactly happy, and in fact, he was frustrated. But Cody was man enough, smart enough, to know he needed to grow, and that he couldn’t grow in the WWE.
Cody wasn’t exactly treated fairly in the WWE, so Cody left the WWE! That took some big ass balls to do what he did! Cody changed the business singlehandedly, and everyone in the back knows it. And Orton appreciates Cody for it. But then Cody came back, as they all knew one day he would. And the industry has been changed forever since the day Cody came back to the WWE. Cody is a bit teary eyed as Orton says Cody’s still the same guy, he just did what he set out to do, and he grew. Orton teases he would sing along with the fans, but the fans might leave. The fans again sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!”
Orton asks if they remember when Cody Rhodes faced Seth Rollins in Hell in a Cell. The fans cheer because they do. Orton says that was impressive, and even impossible, as he started with a partially torn pec and then ended with a fully torn pec! His body changed all kinds of shades of purple that Orton’s never seen on a human body. The pain he must have been in. Cody persevered not just for himself. Maybe not even at all for Cody. It was not even for his family legacy; it was for each and every single fan out there! Then Cody went on to WrestleMania, beat Roman Reigns and finished the story!
But there’s always another story, isn’t there? And Cody’s right in the middle of one. Cody is in charge of his legacy, and it is a privilege for Orton to watch Cody take control of it. Ticket sales have been up, there’s more intrigue around the world, and listen to the people! It is 99.9% all because of Cody! The fans cheer that, and of course they sing. Orton says what he’s trying to say is a long-winded version of he respects Cody, loves him, and is very, very proud of him. The fans cheer that! Orton then says, “But… But now it is time for WrestleMania.” They both look to the sign, and Orton says he can guarantee Cody that Orton will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head…!
Orton can just feel it already! He forgets how many days are left, but he can’t wait to remove Kevin’s head from his shoulders. And Orton knows Cody will enter champion, exit champion, but not before he beats the holy hell outta Cena all up and down the Vegas strip! But after all the smoke clears and the dust settles, just like Orton wants Number 17, there will come a time when Orton will want Number 15. But Orton won’t kick Cody in the balls like a coward. Orton will look Cody in the eye because he respects Cody, is proud of Cody, and sees him as an equal. Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell him that he’s coming for the title.
The fans cheer but wait! Drew McIntyre is here! The fans cheer the Scottish Terminator as he steps out on stage, mic in hand, and has a wry smile on his face as he looks at the ring. Drew waves as the fans now sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew says, “Isn’t this wonderful? A couple of nepo babies having a love fest in the middle of the ring> It makes me absolutely sick. What’d you just say, Randy? if Cody gets through Cena at WrestleMania, you’re coming for that title? What exactly have you done since that big comeback to justify that title match? Aside be Randy Orton. The only big moment I can remember is you being on the shelf for months and months and months.
“People like to make jokes about it, but more people talk about my five-minute-45-second title reign than your entire comeback so far! So get to the back of the line, sunshine! As for you, Cody, you should’ve listened to me. But you shunned me. You attacked me. Everybody should’ve listened to me about John Cena, but they didn’t. And the next night, he kicked you right in the twig ‘n’ berries, proving me right as usual. And the main event of WrestleMania should be Cody Rhodes VS The UK’s only ever world champion, Drew McIntyre!” Fans do like that idea. But sadly, it’s not, because of that guyliner wearing Temu Undertaker, Damian Priest!
Drew wants to talk about what is happening. And what’s gonna happen! Drew steps up to the ring while fans sing for him again. Drew says it will not be Randy that takes the title from Cody, should he get through Cena; it’ll be McIntyre. The fans cheer, but Orton says they were trying to have a moment. Can Drew just cut the crap already? Drew says okay, sure. He’ll tell the truth, because that’s all he ever does. The truth is, Kevin might have a point! If those Voices are talking to Orton again, then they know Drew very, very well. And he’s thinking, “My God, Randy looks great! Absolutely jacked! On the outside.”
On the inside, that back is hanging by a thread. And if Orton provokes McIntyre, McIntyre will break him. And as for Cody- Cody kicks Drew and UPPERCUTS him! The fans fire up, and Orton R- NO, Drew gets away! The fans boo, but the battlelines are drawn! Even if Cody makes it out of the frying pan that is Las Vegas, it’ll be into the fire that is these contenders waiting in line! Will the American Nightmare be ready for whoever comes for the crown?
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Pretty Deadly!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are finally golden again, but it’s time to put the titles on the line already! And while they’re ready for the grind, they’re up against the hometown heroes! Will the Profits still be up in the O2? Or will Kit Wilson & Elton Prince say #YESBOY to a new reign of their own?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really wants the smoke!
The teams sort out and Kit starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks, but Kit powers up and out. Dawkins runs Kit over, the fans fire up, and Dawkins fires hands on Kit in the corner! The fans rally for Pretty Deadly, Dawkins whips Kit to a corner, but Elton takes that bump! Kit CLOBBERS Dawkins, then tags Elton! Atomic drop into DROPKICK! Ford runs up, but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Dawkins whips, Elton reverses, and then Elton hurdles so Kit can DDT! The fans fire up with Pretty Deadly while the Profits bail out. Pretty Deadly has control while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Elton is right on Dawkins as he gets in, and UPPERCUTS him to the corner. Elton clinches Dawkins for another UPPERCUT! Tag to Kit, and Elton RAMS into Dawkins so Kit can UPPERCUT! Dawkins flops over, Kit drags him up to wrench the arm. Kit whips, Dawkins reverses, but Kit grabs ropes. Kit ELBOWS Dawkins, DECKS Ford, but Dawkins CLOBBERS Kit! The ref reprimands but Dawkins RAMS Kit into the corner again and again! The ref counts, Dawkins fires fast hands, then he tags in Ford. Ford says, “SUCK IT!” then he KICKS Kit! Ford scuffs Kit, then drags him to a cover, TWO!
Ford keeps Kit down with a facelock, but Kit endures the grind. Kit fights up, fires body shots, but Ford whips him away. Kit sunset flips! Ford rolls through, and PENALTY KICKS! Ford mocks Elton with the Scott Hall fingers, and the ref has to keep Elton back. Ford drags Kit up, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Kit. Dawkins CLUBS Kit down, then stalks him. Dawkins stays between Kit and Elton, then whips Kit into the Profits’ corner. CYCLONE- NO, Kit dodges! Ford tags in, he keeps Kit from Elton now, but Kit slips out of the suplex! Kit fakes high to go low, hot tag to Elton! Elton rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT!
Elton kicks and whips Ford to a corner, then UPPERCUTS! Elton whips the other way, UPPERCUTS again, and then does it again! Elton adds to the hattrick with a lift, Ford says a quick prayer before the SUPLEX! Ford flounders, gets to his feet, but Elton dodges to springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Elton stays on him. SmackDown returns to single picture and fans rally for Pretty Deadly as Elton gives Ford a back suplex. Ford lands out, waistlocks, but Elton switches and shoves Ford. Ford CLOBBERS Elton in return! Ford is also dazed but he covers, ONE!
Kit reaches out, Elton and Ford both crawl, hot tags to Kit and Dawkins! The fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Kit, underhooks and SILENCER! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Kit, Ford climbs, but Kit slips free! Kit shoves Dawkins into Ford! Ford falls to the floor, but Dawkins ENZIGIRIS Kit! Elton tags in, and Kit LARIATS Dawkins! Pretty Deadly combine for DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives and the Profits are a bit unsure of what to do next. Dawkins crawls to a corner, Elton runs up, but Dawkins dodges! Elton hits buckles and Dawkins TOSSES Kit, then Dawkins hits a SKY HIGH on Elton!
Dawkins hurries to tag Ford and Ford climbs up! But Kit pushes Elton out of the way! Kit takes FROM THE HEAVESN, and Elton ghost pins Ford! TWO!! Ford escapes, and he ROCKS Elton! Elton UPPERCUTS Ford! Dawkins sneaks a tag, Ford SUPERKICKS! POUNCE SAIDO COMBO!! Cover, KIT BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The teams go to opposite ends, then they all stand up in the corners. They all roar, all run in, and Kit SPEARS Ford while Elton FLYING UPPERCUTS Dawkins!! London is thunderous, and Kit hurries to tag in! Pretty Deadly gets Dawkins up, for SPILT MILK!! Cover, FORD BREAKS IT!
The fans are shocked, as is Elton, but Ford saves this for his team! “This is Awesome!” as Ford runs up and Elton TOSSES him out! Now DRY MARTI- NO! Dawkins doesn’t accept the second serving, and he DUMPS Kit out! Kit skins the cat while Dawkins DECKS Elton! Dawkins catches Kit to an Electric Chair! Ford rises, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)
Pretty Deadly put up a heroic fight, but the hometown heroes could not capture the gold. Dawkins & Ford hold onto the gold, will this be the strongest the Profits have ever been?
Kayden & Katana talk with Zelina Vega.
Carter & Chance know La Muneca got screwed over by The Green Administration. Chelsea thinks she’s untouchable, but someone’s gonna stop them eventually. Well, speaking of, Alba Fyre leads the way in as she & Piper Niven “scope the perimeter.” There’s one small threat. They frisk the “miniscule” threat, but nothing they haven’t dealt with before. Chelsea struts in and says, “The Eagle has landed~!” Zelina says she is so glad the “Bootleg Men in Black” have crashed the party. Now, yeah, they all know she’s small. But clearly this small “threat” is a big threat to Chelsea’s title reign. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken all three of them to beat her.
KC Squared agree with that. How about tonight, we see what happens when the odds are even? Chelsea says that’s fine, because Agents P & A are ready. The Secret Her-vice has been given their next mission, but will they be able to crash the party? Or will the party crash them?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS The Secret Her-vice!
SmackDown returns and The Green Administration makes their entrance. The teams sort out, Alba starts against Katana, and the two tie up. Alba KNEES low, CLUBS Katana down, then fireman’s carries. Katana fights free, tags Kayden, and they KICK, double whip, and then trip Alba up for the basement DROPKICK! Katana adds a slingshot SENTON, Kayden covers, TWO! Kayden tags Katana, they double whip Alba to a corner, then Kayden runs in. Alba DUMPS Kayden out, ROCKS Katana, and she tags Piper! Katana arm-drags Alba out, then goes out to run up. Kayden gives her a boost, Katana CROSSBODIES Alba down!
The fans fire up, but Piper goes up and out?! CANNONBALL and down goes KC Squared! Piper salutes Chelsea and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Kayden rallies on Alba while the fans rally up. Kayden fires up, runs in and whips, but Alba reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, then SUPERKICKS! Kayden fires up again but the fans are torn. Kayden runs in at Alba to BOOT WASH her against the ropes! Chelsea protests, Kayden kicks at her, then Kayden springboards for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Alba survives, Kayden whips, but Alba KICKS back! Tag to Piper, but Kayden jackknife bridges Alba! The ref explains bout the tag, Piper runs up, but Kayden moves! The SENTON hits Alba! Piper panics, Kayden tags Katana!
Katana goes up onto Kayden’s shoulders, VICTORY ROLL LAUNCHER, but Piper catches Katana! Katana fires hands, BOOTS, and then hurries to go up again. Kayden ROCKS Piper, and fireman’s carries?! SAMOAN DROP! Kayden then gives Katana the boost, for the KEG STAND SPLASH!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Kayden runs up on Alba to BOOT her out! Katana gives Kayden the boost now, SUPER CROSSBODY onto Alba! Kayden hurries to tag back in, and she brings Piper up. Piper swings, Kayden dodges and SUPERKICKS! Katana goes up, Piper staggers over that way, but Chelsea distracts the ref!
The fans are torn as Alba grabs Katana. Katana kicks Alba down, chases Chelsea off, but Piper sends Kayden into her! Piper scoops to PIPER DRIVER!! Cover, Secret Her-vice wins!
Winner: The Secret Her-vice, by pinfall
The Women’s US Champion helps her team, and now they all mug Kayden & Katana! But here comes Zelina! Vega runs down the ramp, CLOBBERS Alba, and then she gets in the ring! Zelina tilt-o-whirl DDTS Piper! And she KNEES Alba off the apron! But Chelsea CLOBBERS Zelina! Chelsea fires up, the UK is oddly with her, and she chicken wings Zeina. But Zelina fights free to fire forearms and body shots! And a BACK ELBOW! Zelina reels Chelsea in, CODE- SUPERKICK from Alba! SENTON from Piper! The Green Administration is just too much for Zelina to fight against alone! But can she, Kayden & Katana find a way to turn things around?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Braun Strowman!
Did the Mega Star just get this title back from Shinsuke Nakamura? YEAH! Did he help the Monster of All Monsters fight off Solo Sikoa’s rouge bloodline? YEAH! And now, does he have to defend this title against the monster he just helped? YEAH!! But will Knight still reign this close to WrestleMania? Or will Braun #GetTheseHands back on a championship?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for Knight’s biggest challenge, YEAH!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. The two tie up, and Braun SHOVES Knight away. Knight comes back, Braun SHOVES him down again! Knight gets up, gets around, and he headlocks. Braun powers up to back suplex, but Knight lands out! Knight tries but Braun’s too big to suplex! Braun ELBOWS Knight, storms up on him, but Knight fires haymakers! Knight whips, Braun reverses, but Knight KICKS back! Knight runs, but Braun HIP TOSSES! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, but Braun brings him up. Braun puts Knight in a corner, CHOPS, then runs, for a SPLASH! Knight sputters along ropes, Braun keeps moving, but Knight DUMPS him out!
The fans fire up as Knight then WRECKS Braun with a dropkick! Knight keeps moving, and he WRECKS Braun again! The fans fire up with Knight, but then Braun BOOTS Knight down! The fans are torn but Braun stands tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Braun puts Knight back in the ring. The fans cheer as Knight KICKS Braun! Knight tries again, but Braun’s still too big to back suplex! Braun CLUBS Knight, then runs in at the corner. Knight BOOTS Braun, goes up, and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Knight and Braun rise back up, and Knight dodges a shot to JAB! Then he dodges to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Braun KNEES low! Braun scoops, Knight slips free, and Knight RAMS Braun into buckles! Then the BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Knight rises again! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Braun has plenty left in the tank but the fans rally for Knight. Knight stands Braun up to kick low, but Braun THROWS Knight away! Knight rises, and Braun LARIATS Knight up and out! The fans fire up as Braun rips the shirt! Braun gets on the track, and he runs in, STROWMAN EXPRESS MEETS JACOB FATU!! The Samoan Werewolf strikes Braun down!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification; LA Knight retains the title
The fans boo as Jacob now goes after Knight! He just ruined what was becoming a great match, but Jacob fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT on Braun! SAMOAN DROP onto the desk!! The desk doesn’t budge, but Braun might’ve been broken in half! The UK fires up for Fatu as he puts Braun in the ring! Jacob fires more HEADBUTTS, then HEADBUTTS away on Braun in the corner! The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE, FATU~, FATU~!” Jacob runs corner to corner, but Knight kicks him first! Knight fires haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jacob denies the BFT to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! And then HIP ATTACK for Braun anyway!
Jacob keeps going, HIP ATTACK for Braun again! Jacob throws off his jacket, glares at Braun, and he runs in for a third HIP ATTACK! Braun flounders into the drop zone, so Jacob goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! Direct hit on Braun, but the fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Jacob obliges, BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The Samoan Werewolf just tore up #OneBigSOB and LA Knight, will there be no stopping him from taking the United States Championship?
Backstage interview with Jimmy Uso.
Jackie Redmond is with #BigJim, and she says that while she knew WWE was going global this month, she did not know they’d get the slap heard ’round the world! Jimmy says he’d do it again, and he’ll slap Gunther as many times as he needs! Jimmy knows Jey is up in his own head, doubt is creeping on him. But just because Jey’s 0-3 against Gunther doesn’t mean Gunther’s unbeatable! The Ring General CAN be got! Jimmy’s going to Raw this Monday, he will bust Gunther’s ass, Jey will go to Mania and bust Gunther’s ass to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. And then they leave Las Vegas just like this: YEET!
Jimmy heads out, but then The Miz & Carmelo Hayes walk by. Miz is mocking Jimmy’s words, and he asks excuse me. Miz says it’s just funny that suddenly, Jimmy is a tough guy, even though for most of his career, he’s been “The Other Uso.” Doesn’t Jimmy get it? Jimmy and Jey are career sidekicks while Gunther is a main character. Gunther is the lead, neither Jimmy nor Jey can beat him. And here’s another thing: The Usos are just blips on the trailer that was Roman Reigns’ Bloodline. Melo says Jimmy & Jey are stuck outside the club, they can’t even get in.
Miz says as a former WWE Champion, a former WrestleMania main eventer, Jimmy will never know what it is to carry this industry. And after this year’s WrestleMania, neither will Jey. Oh, and by the way, if Jimmy ever slapped Miz like that, Jimmy would still be on the ground. Jimmy feints the slap and Miz freaks out. Jimmy says it may be him and Gunther on Monday, but he’ll holler at Aldis real quick so it can be Jimmy VS Miz here tonight. Yeah, YEET! Jimmy heads out, Melo says he thought Miz was gonna do something about the slap. Will Miz have to do something about running his mouth before he gets his teeth kicked in?
Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga find Jacob Fatu backstage.
Solo asks Jacob what the Hell he was doing out there. Jacob goes out there alone without saying a thing to them? Jacob says he ain’t gotta say nothing to nobody! Matter fact, didn’t Solo not tap in with him last week? Tama says, “But Jacob,” only for Jacob to say, “But nothing, Tama!” Solo wants Jacob to lower his tone, but Jacob says okay. Let him be very clear with them. When it comes to Braun Strowman, Jacob WILL be the last man standing. Y’all better get in where you fit in, cuz that US title? Oh, Jacob’s bringing it home to the family. And he will do it with them, or without them! Yadada mean? Fatu heads out, is the Samoan Werewolf no longer following Solo?
Naomi speaks.
“I mean… How did we even get here? I don’t know. One thing that I do know is that I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. I’ve always been the woman to do the right thing. So Bianca, what makes you think that my attack on Jade was anything different from me doing the right thing? When I sit here and I think about all that I’ve sacrificed, all that I’ve given, and that’s what really breaks my heart. Because through all of that, I’m made to be the bad one in this situation. I just don’t understand, how does Jade come in outta nowhere and take my place with you? I want you to ask yourself this, Bianca. Who inspired you? Hmm?
“Who’s inspired women over the last decade? Who’s always had your back from day one of you being here? Me. Not Jade. Hmm. But you know what? What I’ve learned through all of this: You teach people how to treat you. And I’m done with being treated as a third wheel. I’m done being pushed to the side, I’m done with being too nice, I’m done with being undervalued, underutilized, underappreciated! So moving forward, hmm… Moving forward, here’s my message to you, Jade. If you continue to be in my way, I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.” The Glow shows her dark side, but will the storm be moved?
Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill.
Speaking of, the SmackDown General Manager understands things have been rather difficult for her as of late. Jade says she’s been trying to get her hands on Naomi for the past few weeks, now where is she? No one has seen her all day, so as far as anyone knows, Naomi’s not here. Well, when Jade catches Naomi, it’s on sight. Jade leaves, B-Fab & Michin are there. They let her know that what Naomi did to her was straight trash, totally uncalled for behavior. And after Jade gets her hands on Naomi, she’ll handle that business. Jade agrees. Mia says they’ve all got business to handle. Jade’s got Naomi, and Mia’s gonna get Charlotte for messing with her girl, B.
B-Fab says Naomi’s got what’s coming to her: no sympathy, no regrets. Jade, just do what you gotta do. Oh, she will. Jade also wishes Mia luck tonight. Mia & B-Fab head out, will the Head Baddie in Charge make the Queen bow down in London?
The darkness approaches.
“You are as I was. As I am, you will be.” The shadows are starting to take shape, but is SmackDown about to fade to black?
Charlotte Flair VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!
The Queen looks down on everyone, so it’s no surprise that everyone else wants to take her down. Charlotte may have checked off B-Fab, but will the HBIC be a much different story? Or will Charlotte only sharpen her edge before facing Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania?
WAIT! NAOMI ATTACKS B-FAB & MICHIN! Naomi drags Mia up for a FACEBUSTER! Naomi rains down fists, the ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Naomi tells the ref to back off. Naomi then BOOTS B-Fab off the apron! Naomi goes out after B-Fab to THRWO her into barriers! Naomi SLAPS B-Fab, tells her to stay down, but B-Fab gets up. Naomi fires hands, then she SMACKS B-Fab off the desk! Naomi rains down fists, but here comes Jade! Jade hurries down the ramp, she runs around the way, but Naomi runs away! Jade makes sure B-Fab is okay, but refs have to help her to the back. And what of Mia? Will she even be able to compete?
Charlotte makes her entrance, not really caring about what Naomi just did to Mia. But that means she also crosses paths with Jade. The fans like the look of this stare down, but Jade and Charlotte both let the other slide. Charlotte gets her pyro, and it seems she’ll still get her match. Will Mia be little more than an appetizer now?
The bell rings, and Charlotte BOOTS Mia down! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and the fans rally up. Charlotte just struts around while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns, Charlotte has Mia down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Mia fights up, fires body shots, and she then blocks a shot to ROCK Charlotte! Mia ROCKS Charlotte again and again, then reels her in for a TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Charlotte up, wrenches, but Charlotte says no to Da Feet! BIG back suplex! Mia stagger sup, Charlotte whips her, but Mia reverses! Charlotte goes up and out, BOOTS her away, then slingshots in and rolls Mia! Mia rolls through and BUZZSAWS! Mia runs corner to corner, but Charlotte avoids the cannonball!
Charlotte YAKUZA KICKS Mia down, then fires herself up! The fans “WOO~!” as Charlotte has Mia in the drop zone,. Charlotte steps on her, goes up the corner, but Mia gets underneath her! SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Mia is shocked! Mia nods as the fans rally back up, and she brings Charlotte up. But Charlotte ROCKS Mia! Mia SOBATS, PELES, and then runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Charlotte stays in this, Mia grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Mia uses that energy to stay focused, and she stalks Charlotte to waistlock. But Charlotte ELBOWS her away!
Charlotte CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Charlotte winds up, and she CHOPS again! Mia sputters, but then she dodges the boot! Charlotte is caught, and Mia hits a SAIDO! Charlotte flounders to a corner, the fans rally behind Mia, and Mia runs up, CANNONBALL! Mia hurries to wrench and EAT- NO, Charlotte shoves Mia away! Charlotte gets under, back suplexes, but Mia lands out! EAT DA FEET!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Charlotte’s long legs help her survive by a literal foot! Mia is beside herself while Charlotte bails out. Mia storms after Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! Mia’s kick hits steel steps!
Mia hobbles away, goes to the apron, but Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg out! Charlotte grabs Mia’s leg, drops a KNEE on the knee, but fans chant, “We Want Tiffy!” Charlotte just steps through, FIGURE FOUR, into FIGURE EIGHT!! Mia taps, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission
Charlotte got more of a fight out of Mia than expected, but she still won. Will The Queen be more than ready to reign again after WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Jackie Redmond is with the WWE Women’s Champion and says Charlotte certainly looks confident. Let’s be real, Charlotte came at Tiff pretty hard. It got a lot of people talking. Tiff says yes, people talk. And Charlotte sure loves to hear herself talk. Ten years into the business and Charlotte is still so insecure that she can’t let a “rookie” get a word out. But last week, Tiff did learn something: She learned that walking into WrestleMania, she isn’t the one with something to lose. Truth is, if Tiff loses, then she lost to the great Charlotte Flair, as just a 25-year-old rookie with one year into SmackDown.
But if Charlotte loses… Well, then she lost to an “undeserving, delusional, unoriginal, backflip doing, blonde-hair-having, little girl.” Did she get it all? And Tiff can’t wait to hear the look on Charlotte’s face when they hear the words, “And STILL!” Then maybe Charlotte will finally shut up for the sake of literally everyone! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Tiff will make damn sure what stays is Charlotte’s massive ego. Tiff is walking into and out of Mania as the WWE Women’s Champion. Tootles! Tiff heads out, will it still be #TiffyTime after WrestleMania?
Randy Orton VS Drew McIntyre!
The Viper told Cody how proud he was, but also how he wants the next shot after John Cena. The Scottish Terminator took offense to that, and basically said he is taking that shot instead. Will this match be an unofficial #1 contender’s match between these two former world champions?
SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~, Drew McIntyre~!” and chant “R K O! R K O!” Drew and Orton circle, tie up, and they go around in a deadlock. Drew powers Orton to a corner, but Orton headlocks back. Drew powers up and out, then he runs Orton over! Orton hurries to ropes and Drew mockingly asks, “How’s the back feel, Randy?” Orton stands, he and Drew reset, and the fans duel some more. Drew calls for a knuckle lock, Orton accepts, but then Drew kicks low! Drew bumps Orton off buckles, then climbs up, but he panders for too long and Orton YANKS him down!
The fans fire up as Orton climbs now! Orton rains down fists, and the fans count to nine. Orton hops down, brings Drew around, and POSTS him for ten! Drew tumbles out of the ring, Orton goes out after him, and they’re by the desk! But Drew kicks Orton first and SMACKS him off the desk! Drew clears the desk, and he brings Orton up for the DESK- NO, Orton fights free! Orton turns things around, DESK BACK SUPLEX for Drew! The fans fire up while Orton leaves Drew behind, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew writhes on the floor, but Orton goes out to fetch him! Orton brings Drew around, UPPERCUTS him, then says one more time! DESK BACK SUPLEX! Drew writhes as that desk stays standing! Orton grins, refreshes the ring count, and then he storms up on Drew. Drew pokes Orton in the eye! Drew POSTS Orton now, then brings him around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into barriers! Orton slumps down, and Drew also grits his teeth from that double-edged attack, but Drew fires up as he stands tall. Drew drags Orton up, puts him in the ring, then stalks Orton. Drew looms over Orton, and HIP DROPS him!
Orton sputters, Drew says one more time, and he winds up for the HIP DROP! Drew paces around Orton, says maybe one more time, and he pretends he can’t hear the fans. Drew winds up again, but Orton flips over! Hip drop meets kneecaps! And then Orton pokes Drew in the eyes! The ref reprimands but Orton rises up. Drew sputters and flounders, Orton ROCKS him with a right! Drew ROCKS Orton back! Drew storms up, Orton kicks low, but Drew fires another haymaker! The haymakers go back and forth, Orton gets the edge, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! Drew clamps onto Orton with an armlock!
SmackDown returns to single picture and the fans rally up. Orton fights up, pries at the chinbar, and then throws right hands! Drew CHOPS Orton in return! The fans “WOO~” and Drew winds up. Drew ROCKS Orton again, eggs him on, then CHOPS again! Drew shoves Orton to a corner, CHOPS again, then dares Orton to fight! Drew whips corner to corner, but Orton comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Drew swings, Orton dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Orton stalks Drew to the apron. Drew HOTSHOTS Orton first! Drew then runs in, but Orton puts him through the ropes!
The fans fire up as Orton has Drew for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up for Orton, and Orton hears those voices! Drew rises, but then Orton spots KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter is on the ramp, Orton glares at him, but then he turns around into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Kevin’s mere presence costs Orton, and now Drew has a huge win propelling him down the Road to WrestleMania! As for Orton, Kevin drags him out of the ring, SMACKS him off the desk, and then climbs up to join him! The fans boo but Kevin and his hot pink sneakers have Orton in position, but Orton slips free and TRIPS Kevin up! Kevin hits the desk then the floor! Orton staggers around, the fans rally behind him, and Orton stalks Kevin to the corner of the barriers. Orton lines up the shot! Orton runs in, but Kevin jumps over barriers! Security is there to stop Orton from pursuing, so Kevin runs away into the night!
The fans boo, but The Viper was that close! Will Orton be able to strike Kevin down and completely take him out?
Fire, thunder, smoke…
The force of nature is drawing ever closer. And he’s ready to fly! REY FENIX arrives next Friday Night SmackDown!
Jimmy Uso VS The Miz!
#BigJim gave Gunther a piece of his mind and a mark on his cheek, but it seems not everyone got the message. Will the Hollywood A-lister soon star in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will he prove Jimmy is NOT ready for a world champion level opponent?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Jimmy powers Miz to a corner, Miz turns things around, and the ref counts. Miz takes a swing, Jimmy ducks it to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz shoves Jimmy back, then runs up, but Jimmy TACKLES Miz! Jimmy rains down fists, Miz shoves him away to go to ropes, but Jimmy storms back up. Miz ELBOWS Jimmy away, then runs back up, only for Jimmy to LARIAT him down! The fans fire up while Jimmy storms up on Miz. Jimmy CHOPS Miz, has him in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Miz staggers back to ropes, but Jimmy is right on him.
Jimmy whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! The fans fire up, Miz scowls, and Miz KNEES Jimmy in the back again and again. Miz stalks Jimmy to the ropes now, and he CHOKES Jimmy! The ref counts, Miz runs, and Miz STRADDLE ATTACKS! The fans boo, but Miz runs again. Jimmy ducks the boot, then dodges a lariat! Jimmy runs up to LARIAT Miz up and out! The fans fire up and Jimmy builds speed, but Miz runs away! Jimmy smirks as he goes out the side, and UPPERCUTS Miz over the barriers! Jimmy makes sure Gunther knows he’s coming to get him, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both men are down. Miz and Jimmy crawl, and Jimmy pounds the mat. The fans rally, Jimmy rises and runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And mule kick! Jimmy then UPPERCUTS Miz, dodges a lariat, then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up, Jimmy goes to the corner, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but Miz puts him on the apron! Jimmy UPPERCUTS again! Jimmy climbs, leaps, but Miz gets under! Miz then waistlocks, ripcords, and MOVIE MAKER! Fans boo that blatant parody, but Miz full nelsons! Jimmy drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz has the cover, TWO! Miz hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Jimmy survives! Miz stalks Jimmy, the fans rally up more, and Miz fires a KICK! And then another KICK! The fans say “YES! YES! YES!” to the It Kicks, but then Miz winds up. Jimmy ducks the buzzsaw, Miz blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP connects! Miz rebounds to B-MOVIE KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! The parodies don’t get it done, but Miz still has his original work to fall back on. The fans rally for “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Miz runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Jimmy down, then springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy hurries up top, for the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jimmy wins!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Miz may be a movie star, but Big Jim’s the one winning this main event! Jimmy then borrows Joe Tessitore’s headset to call out Gunther! He’s coming after dat ass on Monday! Gunther won’t be the ring general, he will be “Private Gunther,” and he will salute Big Jim! Uh, uh, YEET! Will Jimmy be the one making examples out of the World Heavyweight Champion? Or will everything come crashing down when Gunther gets his turn?
Drew McIntyre returns backstage.
And he says hey to Lewis Capaldi, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, and also a big fan of Drew’s. They’re ready to have a good night in the pub, but Jackie Redmond walks over to congratulate him on the win tonight. She was hoping to get some thoughts on that victory and what happened with Orton and Kevin. Drew says it’s alright, this is what happens. He doesn’t care about anybody else’s business, but no one gets away with screwing him over. And when no one meddles in his business, he wins! Drew called out Priest, where is he? Priest doesn’t have the balls! So time to get mad in the pubs, everyone’s invited!
Drew turns the corner, but PRIEST IS THERE! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the door, then throws him into road cases! Priest ROCKS Drew, SMACKS him off the trunk of a car, and then again! Or since it’s London, “the boot.” The driver complains, but Priest BODY SLAMS that guy through a table! Drew comes back to KNEE Priest low, SMACK him off the trunk, and then off the side! They go to the hood, or bonnet for UK. Drew drags Priest up, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s eyes! Priest then sends Drew SOUTH OF HEAVEN through the windshield! Priest tells security that he’s done for now. Any more jokes, Drew? Didn’t think so! RIP, jackass!
Priest leaves, the producers hurry to help Drew, and Drew’s got glass in his eye! Will that glass help Drew see why he shouldn’t piss off the Punisher?
CM Punk heads to gorilla.
He has a security detail with him, and he passes by Drew writhing in pain. Punk chuckles, then continues on. Will his contract signing with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins be just as brutal? We find out, after the break.
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
The SmackDown General Manager welcomes us back, and says it is his honor and privilege to be here in the O2 in London. Now, we all know why he and this table is here, and why additional security is here tonight. Tonight, we are here to sign a contract for a Triple Threat. Perhaps the biggest Triple Threat in the history of WrestleMania: Seth Rollins VS CM Punk VS Roman Reigns! The fans cheer all those names, and here comes the OTC! London puts the ones up, and Paul Heyman accompanies THE Tribal Chief out on stage. Roman raises his finger to the sky for the pyro, then security follows him to the ring.
SmackDown goes picture in picture as Roman’s entrance continues, and he raises his finger to the sky for the second round of pyro. Roman steps into the ring, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Heyman hands him a mic. The fans sing, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!” Roman nods, the fans cheer, and now they chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman tells London, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again, and again chant, “O T C! O T C!” Roman smiles, but he sees the chairs are not to his liking. Heyman makes sure to put one at the head of the table. Heyman also dusts the chair off while Roman enjoys the singing of, “ROMAN! ROMAN REIGNS~!”
Roman takes a seat and says that was beautiful. The way they sing to their Tribal Chief, it’s just beautiful. The singing continues, and Heyman even joins in! Roman smiles, and he says that is what he’s talking about. That’s the OTC for you, baby! The biggest star on the planet! The OTC came here for two reasons. One: to be acknowledged; check! And two: to sign this contract. Roman does just that, and he says he’s checked both boxes. That means- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins interrupts! The fans now sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in his red wine paisley suit and conducts the O2 Choir all the way into the ring.
The fans cheer while Roman frowns, but Rollins takes the seat to Roman’s left. Rollins offers Heyman a chance to sing to this song, but Heyman frowns. Rollins chuckles, and he says the fans do have beautiful singing voices. He doesn’t know why Roman is in such a hurry to leave, though! This is their building! There’s a lot of history here! 12 years ago, they landed on the roof of this place in a helicopter! They came down those stairs over there, “ready to burn down the old guard!” They put the Undertaker down through the desk, and they were going to remake this company in their image!
Now don’t get him wrong, Rollins knows a lot has happened since then. They fought against each other, with each other, a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate. But Rollins dare says, as the fans continue to sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~,” that Rollins and Roman accomplished their mission. The fans start to chant for CM Punk, but Rollins tunes them out. Roman says, “We? We? You keep saying we. Our mission? We died a long time ago. It’s only been ME. You been here, but I done all the work! I’ve made this place what it is today! I took us to the level that we are here today! I made this place better than we found it!
“I’m the one that made us desirable to Netflix! I’m the one that took us into billion-dollar deals! Tell me, what have you done?” Rollins shouts, “I’ll tell you what I’ve done! YOU, YOU, YOU, it’s that mindset that keeps me having to screw you! You understand that? And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger that’s right in front of us! The danger that’s right in front of you! You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden! And you could’ve cut his head off at WarGames! But instead, you shook his hand. You could’ve let me finish him inside the cage at The Garden, but you didn’t. And now, I am left to do what I always do: Clean up your mess, again.”
Rollins drops his mic, picks up the pen, and signs his part. And now, here comes CM PUNK! The fans fire up and sing along with Cult of Personality, then join in on saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, but as he grabs a mic, he goes up a corner, just like he did last Friday. “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract. And I’m all outta bubblegum.” The fans cheer the Rowdy Roddy Piper reference, and Punk hops down to take his seat on Roman’s right. Punk looks over said contract, but Roman asks if Punk needs a highlighter or something. What’s he doing? Just go to page four, clause five.
Punk does as Roman says, but Roman says Punk needs to hurry, this is precious TV time. Punk reads the segment, Roman tells Heyman to just smarten Punk up. Heyman tells Punk he knows what Punk is looking for. It is in there. They’re closing the show at WrestleMania. The fans go wild hearing that! Heyman tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of dreams. CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer! The fans cheer and while Roman smiles, Rollins is furious. Roman says, “One man’s dream is another man’s favor! CHECK!” Wait, this was the favor? Rollins says no! This is not something to laugh at, and Punk does not get to tear up!
Punk is NOT deserving! He does NOT deserve this! The fans boo but Rollins continues to throw a fit! Main eventing WrestleMania is SACRED, the most important thing in the world to Rollins! More than anything! Except the fact that Punk NEVER gets to main event! This is all Roman’s fault! This is all Heyman’s fault! Rollins THROWS his mic down, paces angrily, but Punk picks up the mic. The fans cheer Punk on again, and Punk stands to thank London, to thank Chicago, to thank Louisville, Kentucky, and to thank ALL the fans. As corny as it sounds, he thanks the WWE Universe who stood by him and chanted his name for TEN LONG YEARS!
Roman says hold on, hold on. Punk shouldn’t be thanking the fans! He should be thanking the Tribal Chief! It is because of Roman that Punk gets this honor! So please, take this moment, close the show with that acknowledgement! Do this the right way. The credits are already rolling as Punk kneels before Roman!? Punk smiles, and he thanks “My Tribal Chief, the holder of the ula fala, the Head of the Table, the… Big Dog? Thank you for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by your presence. Thank you, My Tribal Chief, for allowing me to stand in your ring. And thank you so much. Thank you, Roman Reigns, so very much.
“But because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” And again, Rollins is agonizing over this. Punk finishes putting his signature on the contract, and London tells him, “You Deserve It!” Punk thanks Roman again, and then says, “But that’s not the favor that I’m owed.” WHAT?! Roman looks at Heyman and Heyman can’t look him in the eye! If getting this Triple Threat made into the main event isn’t the gift of the Wise Man, then what is?!
My Thoughts:
A good SmackDown, but they pulled off quite the paradox. They made it feel like they were struggling to fill three hours, yet they also filled the show to the point where that contract signing segment was almost bleeding over the three hour mark. Ironically, part of the problem was just how excited the London crowd was for this. The superstars still wanted to enjoy the chants and songs, but that’s time SmackDown doesn’t have to spare. It made the opening promo from Cody, Orton and Drew take longer, and it kinda did the same to the contract signing at the end. Even so, we still got a very good promo, and good stuff to set up Orton VS McIntyre.
Orton VS McIntyre was a great match, but of course Kevin costs Orton. McIntyre gets his win, Kevin and Orton have a bit of a brawl, but of course Kevin ends up on the losing end and runs off. McIntyre’s trash talk also comes back to bite him as Priest gets the better of him in their brawl. Here’s hoping Drew didn’t actually get glass in his eye, but that being the thing in kayfabe can be some good stuff. I can imagine McIntyre with an eyepatch, and he takes it off at the opportune time to get the better of Priest in their match. Also what a fitting choice for Punk to be passing by Drew suffering because of real glass.
Very good title matches tonight, but of course the status quo was kept. Pretty Deadly gets to look great here in London, but the Profits only just got the belts, they’re not going to be transitional champions like that. And Knight VS Braun was really good stuff, but honestly, Jacob Fatu going after them both should’ve been a given. Jacob also had a great promo with Solo & Tama to start adding to that divide between Jacob and Solo. I would hope Solo doesn’t screw Jacob out of the US Championship, but it feels like he will as Solo won’t stand for Jacob defying his authority, even though Solo’s been trying to make Jacob the champion all along.
Very good stuff from Jimmy Uso tonight, from his promo with #MeloDon’tMiz and then a great match with Miz. Their match ended up the de facto main event match, so that’s also great for both guys. Great win for Jimmy, but that’s likely because Jimmy is losing big time to Gunther on Monday. And it might just be me, but it feels like only now is the Jey VS Gunther build really moving, largely in part because Jimmy got involved. Jimmy’s promo after his match is something along the lines of what Jey should be saying. But I suppose as brothers, Jimmy is the one who knows Jey best and knows what Jey needs to be motivated again. And seeing Jimmy get beat up by Gunther will definitely motivate Jey…
Good final vignettes for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black. I’m a little surprised they confirmed Rey Fenix is showing up next week, and that they confirmed who Rey Fenix even is. I believe commentary confirmed Rey Fenix is Penta’s real brother, even namedropped “Lucha Brothers,” but all that is still surprising considering Fenix is going to start on SmackDown. Aleister’s vignette (at least I am fairly confident it’s his) was giving us glimpses of his silhouette, but I think there was usage of AI in the snake imagery. It was fine they did it for El Grande Americano because that is all trolling, but they really should try and do things the old fashioned way of photoshop and stock imagery.
Very good stuff in the Women’s Division tonight, though the WWE Women’s Championship portion was the weaker. Naomi’s got a great Heel persona going, her promo was great, and her going after B-Fab & Michin over them supporting Jade was a great detail. Jade runs Naomi off, helps B-Fab, but there was no helping Michin in being fed to Charlotte. Tiffany had a decent promo, and it does fit how Charlotte kept her from speaking so she finally gets things out here. It didn’t really add that much, though, but they already gave us a great brawl so not sure what more they can give.
KC Squared VS The Secret Her-vice was a very good match, but of course Chelsea made sure her team won. A Six Woman Tag of Zelina & KC Squared VS The Green Administration is certainly coming, to help give us Zelina VS Chelsea for the Women’s US Championship.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 3.27.2025
Bad news out of the TNA management side, but this is a taped episode from El Paso! So we won’t see any of the fallout just yet!

Now we all heard the news about the TNA change in hierarchy, and I…have no positive outlook on that. Delirious sucked at booking and creative in the dying days of ROH before it got bought as a B show. Dreamer having even more control is concerning because his ideas the last two years haven’t been much better.
Gail leaving makes more sense to me. Be it firing or a “you can’t quit, you’re fired” kind of situation, the Knockouts division is the worst it’s been in a long time and Gail was close with Scott D’Amore. So I don’t think Gail parting ways is as big of a problem since TNA has slowly been bleeding out with the Scott faithful.
Granted, I think the next few shows were already taped before the firing so things shouldn’t be completely unwatchable for at least a week or two. So let’s see where we’re going.
.@WeAreRosemary sends @XiaBrookside a CHILLING message!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/srciTTbel0
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Ratings:
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge: Ash wins via Rarefied Air – ** 1/4
- Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr: Chavo wins via Gory Bomb into Frog Splash – *** 1/4
- Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich: Masha wins via Russian Death Device – ***
- Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin: Eric wins via Piledriver – ** 1/2
- Seto & Mokuba – I mean – Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater: Nic wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4
Results:
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley vs Elegance Clique w/Personal Concierge
Ash and Gigi start off, Gigi with a little Rascalz after her first takedown. So both her and Wentz are making it obvious something’s going on between them, and I’m not mad at it. Good for my man Wentz.
Tatum and Gigi get some quick tandem offense in, Ash does manage to scurry off to a tag and Heather gets bent into a Pretzel. Some kind of Inverted Tarantula from Tatum, Gigi tags in, Bronco Buster on Heather followed by Kawada Kicks. Heather sells against the ropes, Gigi goes for a Hesitation Dropkick, but Concierge pulls her away so Gigi crashes and burns. Ref is distracted, Ash gets in some cheap shots and then the Elegant duo starts working over Gigi. A few quick tags, but once Heather comes in, Gigi fights out of the corner, gets the hot tag to Tatum. Tatum stacks up both Elegance members, Corner Stacked Crossbody, Butterfly Suplex and an Elbow Drop with some some flare. Tatum goes to the top rope, Heather pulls Gigi off the apron, Concierge shoves Tatum off the turnbuckle and Ash hits Rarefied Air for the win.
Post match the Elegance Clique wants to make their wish with the cake, they light the candles and Tatum and Gigi recover enough to do what we all expected last week, the cake in the face spot. Some…suggestive licking from both of our Hot Topic Hotties, so…no complaints here.
.@Ashamae_Sebera, @Heathereckless and @IamGeorgeIceman are having a meltdown!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/LaVxF6l2yc pic.twitter.com/FnKwPqm2ff
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 28, 2025
Fir$t Cla$$ & Frankie Kazarian vs Laredo Kid, Octagon Jr & Chavo Guerrero Jr
Chavo and Kaz start since he’s King Petty, a quick rope run turns into a Headscissor from Chavo. Kaz recovers, they lock up, Kaz hits the Knee Lift during the lock up to tag out to KC. KC pulls off some athletic dodges, gloats a bit so Chavo waits, measures and nails a gorgeous Dropkick. Laredo comes in on fire, quick high spots that send KC bouncing around like HBK against Hulk. KC powders after sells the Satellite Takedown, AJ checks on him and we go to commercial.
Back from commercial, Octagon is lighting up KC’s chest with overhand chops, he perches, Sunset Headscissor Flip from corner to corner, KC tries to Back Drop him but Octagon does a headstand, kicks KC away and lays him out with a high spot. AJ gets on the apron to stop Octagon from running the ropes, the referee has a stroke or something because he stops paying attention and AJ pulls Octagon out of the ring and chucks him. KC with the Tope con Hilo and tag (tag ropes haven’t mattered since the 80s we all know this). So AJ is getting taunted by the crowd in Spanish, but he’s manhandling Octagon since it looks like a Child fighting their parent. AJ knocks off Chavo and Laredo, Laredo pops up and tries to get involved but he’s caught on the shoulders, Octagon goes for the Crossbody but gets caught and AJ pulls off “World’s Strongest Wasteland” but Chavo breaks up the pinfall. AJ throws Octagon into the corner, Tennessee Whiskey, and tag out to KC. KC hits a few moves, but starts to lose the momentum until he connects with a Super Kick. Simultaneous rope run into the Dueling Crossbodies, so we get the timely tag outs from both sides. Kaz and Laredo come in, Laredo lands like two moves before Kaz hits a Sole Butt, Lariat and eats his lunch. KC and Kaz try to double team Laredo but he fights out and the crowd is chanting for Chavo.
Chavo tags in, and he’s rocking KC, Saito Suplex, Low Bridge to AJ, Reverse the Whip so Chavo goes to the corner and perches, KC feeds, Chavo Backflips to safety, rolls through and lays out KC. Chavo is feeling himself, 3 Amigos start on KC but only 2, Kaz comes in and Chavo switches to Kaz for the Amigos, only 2 again before AJ breaks it up. AJ goes for the disrespect, but Chavo counters and hits the 3 Amigos on the biggest Culero. Aztec Warriors dive to stop AJ and Kaz, KC tries a Dirty Victory Roll but Chavo kicks out. GORY BOMB into FROG SPLASH!
Chavo looked fantastic and he’s the one in the best shape in the ring. I wouldn’t be mad at more Chavito.
Jacy Jayne vs Masha Slamovich
I expect very little from this match.
Collar and Elbow, gator rolling for the first 30 seconds or so, then Jacy goes to some Hair Pull takedowns and does a little taunt before Masha pops back up and hits a Lariat into a Dive. Jacy sells it like she’s really hurt, even the ref tries to hold Masha back a little before Masha gets annoyed and just grabs her, Masha throws her in, looks for a Dive and Jacy sees it and powders. Masha tries to go back to the well for the Dive again but Jacy hits the Uppercut and then an Apron Run PK to drop Masha. Forearms rain down into a Foot Choke as Jacy continues to arrogantly play to the crowd. Another Foot Choke into a Cannonball, and near fall.
Masha gets space with a Sole Butt, tries to snap off Requiem but Jacy fights off, fights through a Sunset Flip another effective PK keeps Masha on her ass. Jacy looks for a kinda half-assed Camel Clutch as Masha is fighting up, but Jacy runs her into the corner, gets distracted mouthing off to the crowd, so Masha recovers, 5 Hole Up Kick sends Jacy into the corner, Yakuza Kick into Capo Kick for two. Requiem attempt again, but Jacy pushes off, a little back and forth, Masha tries a Backslide but Jacy gets away and hits a V-Trigger but only a 2 count. Jacy looks for the Discus Punch but Masha ducks it, they strike back and forth, but some dodges from both leave the exchange more even. Jacy with the Front Kick to the face sends Masha to the outside. Jacy wants another PK, but Masha blocks, Electric Chair Apron Snake Eyes. Masha throws her in, a PK into a near all. Requiem attempt 3, and thwarted from Jacy with a Superkick into a Neckbreaker. Senton misses from Jacy, Buzzsaw Kick, into Spinning Back Kick and Russian Death Device for the win.
Better than I expected, and Tessa attacks as soon as the bell rings. Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Li make the save after Tessa grabs the belt.
Eric Young w/two losers vs Ace Austin
Ace and Eric tie up, World of Sport start but as soon as Ace starts to get away EY punches him in the face. Eric looks at the camera and says “This is what trust looks like”, turns his back on Ace, when Ace looks to attack, the loser duo cut him off. EY takes advantage of the weird situation, but Ace with some Up and Over quick spots, into an Inside Cradle and La Magistral. EY kicks out of the quick flash attempts, but eats a Dropkick, and Ace goes all Speed Kils on him with fast strikes and then a face buster for another near fall. Strike spot very early in the match, Ace gets the best of it, goes for a Tear Drop Suplex but EY sits on it to block, Headlocks to keep him close and then a snap Lariat into beatdown bully tactics. EY takes the referee’s attention and one of the nerds punch Ace in the face.
Eric tries to lean on Ace, but Ace fires, a few strikes, Click Click Boom, the Miz Seated Lariats in the corner, Mochizuki Triangle Kick connects! Only a 2 count, but Ace seems to be in control. Ace puts EY on the ropes, a few strikes to keep him rocked, wants a Superplex, but EY blocks, bites the face and Macho Elbow gets a very close two count. EY tries the Piledriver but Ace turns it into a Jacknife Cradle,Spinning Heel Kick, calls for The Fold, but the losers hop on the apron to distract, Ace attacks them. Ace tries to time out the Triangle Kick again, but Eric dodges, throws Ace head first through the buckles. As Ace stumbles out of the corner, Piledriver, and it’s over.
Oh look it’s the “we’ll hear from Joe Hendry” segment. Again, I’ve loved this gimmick since Day 1, even didn’t hate his What Culture Pro stuff, but there is such a thing as milking a cow too much.
Elijah interrupts the whole “Who’s next” speech. When Elijah comes out he says he’s not the challenger and he believes in Joe. The crowd wants Elijah to turn on Hendry. Elijah pauses for a moment, and starts proving his friendship with stating his favorite color and a little “You Got a Friend in Me”. The crowd is into singing along and waving their cameras like Lighters to a 30 year old song. THANKFULLY Kaz breaks up the hug fest. Now he gets the “Culero” chant.
Kaz pulls out a Bass…what the hell is this Jam Session. Kaz has to warm up so he plays “La Cucaracha” on the bass. Kaz…is a national treasure. Hendry kicks Kaz out of the ring after his Heelish and playfully racially charged song choices. Kaz tries to sow dissension, but Joe and Elijah pinball Kaz between them. Kaz slips a power move and tries to shove Elijah into Joe but Elijah puts the brakes on, a small tense moment. But then Joe and Elijah play “Nah Nah Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye”…and that goes right into a commercial. Oddly…perfect.
Nic Nemeth w/Ryan Nemeth vs Leon Slater
Nic shoots the half immediately for a flash pinfall but Leon kicks out at one. Nic continues to keep things grounded with his amateur wrestling skills, and then does a little Dolph Ziggler show off. So Nic isn’t really taking this seriously, and Leon starts getting the best of things with an Arm Wringer, into drag, Shoulder Tackle and rope run as Nic tries to Leap Frog and Leon puts on the brakes and just shoves Nic on his ass. Nic gets annoyed, a few strikes, grinds his face along the ropes, but Leon keeps stringing some offense together, Back Handspring Elbow into his Corner con Hilo.
Ahh the classic formula of the commercial gives the heel the advantage, Twisting Suplex from Leon stops Nic’s offense momentum, right hand, Leon lifts Nic up for something, Nic slips it, kicks him in the gut, looks for the FameAsser, but Leon catches him into a Blue Thunder Bomb variation. Slater wants the Swanton 450, but Nic powders. Leon tries to adjust into a Dive, but Nic cuts him off, counter for counter and a FameAsser out of the counters for a two count. Nic starts the big brother tactics, bootwashes and arrogance, Slater fires, punches into a Yakuza Kick. Leon wants another Lethal Injection variant, but Nic catches him into a Rear Naked Choke. Slater tries to turn it into a pin so Nic breaks it. Leon wants a Leg Lariat but misses and gets unceremoniously dropped by Nic. Nic puts Leon up on the buckles, Superplex possibly but Slater counters, tries to collect himself for a move, but Nic falls into the ropes to crotch Leon, and finally hits the Superplex.
Twist of Slate from Leon, Swanton 450 but knees get up. Locomotion Cradles from both but they kick out, Ryan picks the ankle to trip up Leon just a touch and then Danger Zone ends the match.
Ryan starts the post match beatdown, but the Hardy’s music hits and they come down to the ring for the save. Matt challenges the Nemeths for Rebellion because they’re not medically cleared yet.
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Decent story motion, no match was offensive, and there was actually some solid match action for television standards. I don’t have a ton to complain about aside from the Knockouts Division is in a weird spot, and giving Hendry a lot of just talking and hollow payoff segments feels stupid. If we need to hear from him every week, give him a talk segment like Highlight Reel or something. Yes I know First Class just got The Penthouse, but if Hendry is going to talk more than wrestle, give him a talk segment for us to sink our teeth into.
There was the announcement that Xia, Lei Ying and Masha will face Tessa, Jacy and a mystery partner. So you gotta wonder if there’s going to be another NXT mercenary, a surprise return or if it’ll just be Rosemary since she’s got her issues with Xia. Also I just realized that Unbreakable is going to be on a Thursday, seemingly after iMPACT? I’m gonna have to see how they do it, because if there’s an Impact episode and 2-3 hour PLE…I do not want to be awake until 1am. People need to work, and I will be Unwakeable if things go that long.
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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