Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/11/24)
Will there be a true Paradigm Shift?

Will the Roughneck surpass his Maniac mentor?
While there’s respect between them, Jon Moxley and Shota Umino won’t go easy. After all, they’re fighting for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Will #SHOOTER bring this title home to NJPW? Or will it stay All Elite with Moxley?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff match – Strong Survivor: Matt Vandagriff VS Adrian Quest; Vandagriff wins.
- Kickoff match – Strong Survivor: Mustafa Ali VS Lio Rush; Lio wins.
- Six Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Rocky Romero, Tomohiro Ishii & The DKC; The House of Torture wins.
- Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser VS West Coast Wrecking Crew; WCWC wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; ELP & Leo win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Alex Windsor; Vaquer wins and retains the title.
- Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji VS David Finlay & KENTA; Naito & Yota win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Jeff Cobb VS Lance Archer; Cobb wins and retains the title.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Yuya Uemura; Takagi wins and retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, No Ropes, Last Man Standing: Eddie Kingston VS Gabe Kidd; Kidd wins and becomes the new NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS Shota Umino; Moxley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kickoff match – Strong Survivor: Mustafa Ali VS Lio Rush!
It’s been a long time since The Beacon and The Bad Child have faced off, but they’re finally crossing paths again. Both men’s careers are in a Resurgence to be sure, but who proves to be a Strong Survivor?
Ali is rather high off himself as he goes to the ring, and Lio handspring kicks him off the apron! The fans fire up as the TNA X Division Champion flounders around on the outside, and Lio goes out after him! Lio throws hands, they both get in the ring, and the bell rings. Lio CHOPS and fans “WOO~!” Lio CLUBS Ali to a corner, fires off more hands, but Ali shoves him back. Lio run sin, Ali goes up and over, things speed up and Lio hurdles. Lio whips, Ali reverse, Lio reverses, repeat! Lio uses ropes to go up and around to whip, then he redirects! The fans rally for Ali but Lio ducks. Ali comes back, Lio sends him right out! Ali lands on his feet, turns around, into Lio’s DIVE!
The fans fire up again while both men hit railing! Lio gets up and in to build speed and DIVE again! Ali is sent back into railing but Lio wants another! The fans fire up and Lio builds speed, to then build more speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and the fans cheer the hattrick! Lio puts Ali in and stalks him to a corner. Ali stands up but Lio fires hands! Lio climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count but Ali stops Lio at four to FLAPJACK him off the buckles! The fans rally up as Ali snarls and Lio sputters. Ali has Lio in a facelock, suplexes, but Lio blocks! Ali throws body shots as fans duel, then he whips. Tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER!
Ali then suplexes, for a JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO! Lio toughs it out but Ali talks trash on him. Ali slaps Lio around, drags him up, and the fans rally. Ali bumps Lio off buckles, CHOPS him in the corner, then says, “In Ali We Trust!” The fans are torn but Ali whips Lio corner to corner. Lio slides to a stop, then dodges Ali to go up and over and over again! Lio tilt-o-whirl RANAS Ali into buckles! Then a roll up, spin and ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up and Lio says its time! Lio springboards, but no Rush Hour! Ali hits a LUMBAR CHECK! Shoutout to his old rival, Cedric, then Ali goes up top! 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up and Ali is shocked that Lio survives! Ali goes back up the corner, aims again, and 450- NO, he has to bail out as Lio moves! Ali runs back in, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO, and into a KOJI KLUTCH!! Lio endures, pushes around, has a cover, TWO! Ali has the victory roll, TWO! Both stand, Lio gets around, but Ali trips him! Ali steps through and turns Lio over into a SHARPSHOOTER! The fans cheer that unique way into the hold, and Lio endures. Lio pulls Ali’s hair to pull him down! Then HEEL KICKS! Lio runs, rebounds, RUSH HOUR! Lio hurries up top and aims, for the FINAL HOUR!! Cover, TWO as Ali goes Matrix!!
But then Lio jumps up to POISON RANA!! Cover, TWO!! Ali survives again and the fans rally up. Lio storms over to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally again. Lio aims, but Ali rolls away to the far corner. Lio hops down, storms up, but Ali YANKS him into a corner! Lio stops himself in time, but Ali blocks his kick! Ali hooks Lio up, backslide, but feet on the ropes!! ALI WINS!!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall
The politician celebrates his win, but Lio knows he cheated to get it! They argue, the ref steps in, but then Ali CLOBBERS Lio! Ali stomps away on Lio, but then Young Lions rush in to break it up! The fans are torn but then the lights go out? House of Torture is in the building tonight… But when the lights come back, Lio’s foaming black liquid from the mouth! He’s laughing and shouting at Ali as the X Division champion gets outta there! Is this a bad omen of what’s coming for Ali and his gold?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls held onto these belts through The Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but not without some controversy. The Headbanga & Young Guerrilla get one more shot, can they take the titles back? Or will TMDK make this a more decisive victory?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if justice is served!
The teams sort out, Mikey starts against ELP. They circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Mikey headlocks, ELP powers up and out, but Mikey runs him over! Mikey talks trash, things speed up, but Mikey avoids ELP’s dropkick! ELP avoids the sliding lariat, and both men stare down. They both go after the other’s partner! ELP BLASTS Shane down but Leo ROCKS Mikey first! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey, tags Leo, and the fans rally as they double whip Mikey to a corner. Leo runs in to SPLASH, ELP runs in to clothesline! Feed to Leo for a SIDEWALK SLAM! ELP is up top, AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and the two high-five!
Leo paces around Mikey, brings him up, but Mikey throws body shots! Leo CLUBS away on Mikey, then reels him in to suplex. Mikey fights that and suplexes Leo! Leo fights that, Mikey slips free but Leo elbows him away! Shane tags in to kick low! TMDK double whip, then DOUBLE ELBOW! Leo stays up, runs up, but into a double drop toehold! Then FIST DROP SENTON COMBO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Shane powers up. Shane shakes out that leg, runs up, but blocks Leo’s boot! Shane CHOPS, but Leo doesn’t flinch. Shane is surprised, so he CHOPS again! Leo still doesn’t flinch! Leo storms up on Shane, Shane winds up and CHOPS!
Leo just sighs and paces around. Leo grabs Shane by the neck, then CHOPS him down! Leo swings on Mikey but Mikey gets away. Leo tags ELP, and ELP CHOPS Shane! The fans “WOO~” but Shane kicks low. Shane whips,. ELP goes up and over and then ducks ‘n’ dodges to roll off Shane’s back! But Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and Mikey spins him around for a DRAPING DDT! Shane BLASTS Leo off the apron, too! The fans are torn and Mikey tells the ref ELP just fell like that. Mikey puts ELP in for Shane to cover, TWO! ELP stays in this but Shane brings him around for a NECKBREAKER! Shane pushes ELP to a cover, TWO!
Shane pulls on ELP’s arm, twists the wrist, then KICKS ELP in the back! Shane shakes out that stanky leg, but ELP gets up to fire forearms! ELP ROCKS Shane, runs, leaps, but Shane keeps ELP from Leo! Shane shoves ELP back and DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up, Shane covers, TWO! Shane tags Mikey, Mikey runs at Leo, but Leo gets away. Shane stands ELP up, URENAGE POWER- RANA! ELP sends Mikey away and fakes Shane out to go low! But Shane grabs a foot! ELP ENZIGIRIS Shane, reaches for Leo, but Mikey has a foot! Mikey ducks the enzigiri, but ELP BOOTS him into Shane! The fans fire up, hot tag to Leo!
Leo storms in and he rallies on TMDK! Mikey blocks a boot, ducks a lariat, but the UPPERCUT takes him down! Leo has Shane for a scoop, but Shane slips free! Shane CHOPS, Mikey clotheslines! TMDK double whip, but Leo comes back to DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Leo and he aims at Mikey! Mikey staggers up, into a choke grip! But Mikey fights free! Leo swings, Mikey gets around, but Leo fights the back suplex! Leo ROCKS Mikey, Mikey ROCKS Leo, repeat! The forearms fly, the fans fire up, and Mikey gets the edge! Mikey runs, into an ELBOW! Leo runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Leo keeps calm and he brings Mikey up. Leo scoops Mikey, tags ELP, POWERSLAM to SPRINGBOARD SWANTON! To LIONSAULT! Leo BLASTS Shane while ELP covers, TWO! Mikey survives but ELP & Leo say this is over! They go to corners and tune up the band! But Shane anchors Leo! Mikey blocks Sudden Death to ROCK ELP! Mikey clothesline Leo, Shane UPPERCUTS! FOREARM! UPPERCUT! LARIAT! Leo stays up, so Shane LARIATS! Leo roars and runs up, but into a BACK SUPELX NECKBREAKER COMBO! ELP returns to BOOT Shane, BOOT Mikey, then runs, but into the URENAGE POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as ELP survives. Mikey tags Shane and TMDK go after ELP together. Mikey scoops, ELP slips free and shoves Mikey at Shane! Mikey ducks so Shane can LARIAT ELP! Shane sits ELP up for Mikey to SLIDING LARIAT! Mikey gets ELP up to scoop, TANK BUSTER!! Cover, LEO BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Mikey goes after Leo! Leo grabs Mikey by the neck! And then he gets Shane! But TMDK fight free, ROCK Leo, and DOUBLE TROPHY LIFT! Leo fights free and he BOOTS Shane down! Mikey ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into the POWERSLAM! Leo then hauls Mikey up, for GOD- NO, Mikey slips free!
Mikey waistlocks Leo but Leo gets free, and ELP hits SUDDEN DEATH! Almost a Hidden Gap a la Bishamon! ELP dodges Shane, Leo UPPERCUTS him down! ELP builds speed to DIVE onto Mikey! And then Leo gets Shane up! GODSEND!! ELP goes up and then onto Leo’s shoulders! SUPER THUNDERKISS!! Cover, ELP & LEO WIN!
Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Justice IS served! ELP & Leo take these titles back, but will their Resurgence see them through the Summer? Or will TMDK want to settle the score before the Fall?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Alex Windsor!
The Windy City Riot saw La Primera make it past the highspeed AZM, but now she’s running headlong into Iron Will Windsor! Will Vaquer be able to hold onto the gold when facing someone tough as titanium? Or will the winds of change blow across the Golden State?
The introductions are made, the amethyst colored belt is raised, and we see who is NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. The fans rally as Alex puts the pressure on. Vaquer rolls, but so does Alex! Vaquer steps over to bring Alex down, and she twists the wrist! Vaquer then shifts to have a motorcycle stretch, but Alex powers it back onto Vaquer! The fans rally, Vaquer arm-drags and then wraps Alex up in a straitjacket stretch! Alex fights up, but Vaquer kicks the legs out to pull her back onto knees! But Alex rolls back to put the straitjacket on Vaquer! The fans rally, Vaquer fights up, and she powers out to victory roll! TWO!
Alex escapes, and she ROCKS Vaquer! Alex takes another swing but Vaquer gets around, waistlocks, then spins and wrenches Alex’s arm to YANK it! The fans rally, Alex wrenches back, but Vaquer rolls, handsprings, and wrenches again. The fans cheer this technical exchange, and Vaquer gets Alex’s other arm to wrangle her down! Vaquer isolates that arm to STOMP it! The fans cheer while Vaquer watches Alex get up. Vaquer is right on her with a whip, but Alex ducks ‘n’ dodges to run Vaquer over! The fans cheer and Alex kicks Vaquer. Alex runs, Vaquer stays low then hurdles. Vaquer DROPKICKS Alex and the fans fire up again!
Vaquer runs corner to corner to jump at Alex, but Alex puts her up top! Alex CHOPS, then YANKS Vaquer down! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Alex KICKS Vaquer, KICKS her again, then hauls her up to CLUB her down. Alex clamps onto Vaquer’s arm to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Alex sits Vaquer up to basement LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Alex drags Vaquer up and cravats for a neck wrench. The fans are torn but Vaquer endures and wrenches free. Alex CHOPS, then cravats for some knees! Vaquer still endures and the fans rally up. Vaquer pries free, arm-drags Alex down, then isolates the arm again, only for Alex to avoid the stomp!
Alex mule kicks, SUPERKICKS, and Vaquer falls! Alex covers, TWO! The fans fire up as Vaquer survives, but Alex scowls. Alex runs in at the corner, but Vaquer dodges! Vaquer then fires off HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! The fans fire up, Vaquer goes corner to corner, but Alex dodges! Alex swings but Vaquer spins her around, snap suplex! Vaquer drags Alex up into the headscissor squeeze, then turns her over to RAM her into the mat again and again and again! The fans fire up and Vaquer lets off to cover, TWO! Vaquer is annoyed but she brings Alex down to scrape her face! Then she drops the leg, brother! Cover, TWO!
Alex is still in this but the fans rally behind Vaquer. Vaquer drags Alex up, but Alex HEADBUTTS! Vaquer HEADBUTTS! Alex HEADBUTTS again! Vaquer HEADBUTTS again! They DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Both women wobble, then run in! Vaquer dodges to SUPERKICK! Vaquer runs, but Alex LARIATS her down! The fans fire up while both women fall on the logo at center! A standing count starts, the fans rally up, and both women sit up at 3 of 10. Alex aims from ropes, runs up at Vaquer, but Vaquer gets around, shoves, only for Alex to stop herself! Alex puts Vaquer on the apron, Vaquer ROCKS Alex, but Alex catches the shoulder thrust for a DRAPING DDT!
Vaquer is stuck in ropes so Alex goes up a corner! MISSILE DROPKICK! Vaquer flops out of the ropes, Alex drags her to a cover, TWO! Alex hauls Vaquer up, suplexes, but Vaquer fights free, SOLE FOOD! And then wrench for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Alex survives but the fans rally up again. Vaquer runs, but Alex follows to clothesline at ropes! Then she whips to clothesline again! Then leg lift SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives but Alex steps through, for a SHARPSHOOTER! Vaquer endures, even as Alex sits deep with her at the center of the ring! The fans rally, Vaquer fights around, ROPEBREAK!
Alex lets go in frustration, but she drags Vaquer right up. Alex says Vaquer is a POS, but Vaquer JAWBREAKERS and SUPERKICKS her for it! Vaquer then brings Alex around, tucks her in, but Alex fights free! HEADBUTT! Vaquer stays up, runs up, but Alex blocks to DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives again and Alex is losing her cool! The fans fire up as Alex steps through, but Vaquer kicks her away! Alex goes to a corner, runs back in, but only gets buckles! Vaquer runs up, blocks boots, and DRAGON SCREWS! Vaquer sits Alex up in the corner, runs and METEORAS! The fans fire up as Vaquer isn’t done yet! Tuck and PACKAGE BACKBREAKER!! Cover, Vaquer wins!
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)
La Primera pulverizes the Iron Will and holds onto the title! She holds all three of her titles high, will anyone ever take those from her?
NJPW World Television Championship: Jeff Cobb VS Lance Archer!
Two big bad behemoths battle over a belt that’s more about speed and time than size and strength! But then will the Imperial Unit make this a quick Tour of the Islands? Or will the Murderhawk Monster show how fast #EverybodyDies?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how this kaiju movie short film turns out!
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Archer fires a forearm, runs, but Cobb hits a SPANISH FLY!?! Cobb almost gives himself a brainbuster but he whips Archer, for a TOUR OF THE- NO, Archer slips free! Cobb gets under the lariat, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES! Archer tumbles out of the ring, Cobb follows, and he gets Archer back in the ring. Cobb storms up to ROCK Archer, but Archer shoves back. Cobb RAMS into Archer, then whips corner to corner. Archer goes up and over, keeps moving, but Cobb ducks the lariat! Cobb runs in but Archer TOSSES him out! Archer aims from the apron, to CANNONBALL!
The fans fire up with Archer, then he ROCKS a Young Lion! Archer brings this poor soul over to scoop and SLAM him onto Cobb! The fans boo but Archer soaks up the heat. Archer hauls Cobb up, but Cobb throws body shots and CHOPS! The ring count starts, Archer ROCKS Cobb! Cobb ROCKS Archer! Archer kicks low and then APRON CHOKE SLAMS! The count is 6 of 20 while Cobb flops to the floor. Archer grins and we reach 10 of 20. Archer drags Cobb up, to whip him into railing! The count is 15 so Archer leaves Cobb behind! Cobb hurries up and in at 18! The fans cheer but Archer is annoyed.
Archer storms over to Cobb, stomps him then drags him up. Archer puts Cobb in a corner to CHOP! Cobb sputters and Archer smirks. Archer tells the booing fans to shut up, then he swings, but Cobb dodges to CHOP back! Archer ROCKS Cobb, then CLUBS away at the ropes! The ref reprimands, Archer lets off and says this is HIS title now! The fans boo and Archer scares referee Scarlet off! Scarlet says hey, she’s the authority here, leave her alone! Archer drags Cobb up, but Cobb fires body shots! Cobb ROCKS Archer, runs, but Archer follows to CROSSBODY! Archer laughs while the fans are torn.
Archer talks trash, goes back for Cobb, stomps him, then covers, TWO! Archer is upset with the ref again but she cowers away. The fans boo Archer for being a bully, but he drags Cobb up. We hit five minutes, the fans rally for “COBB! COBB! COBB!” Archer tells them to shut up, but Cobb suplexes first! The fans fire up while both behemoths are down! Cobb and Archer stir, rise up, and crawl to each other. Archer pats Cobb on the head, but says he’s tired of Cobb’s crap! Archer ROCKS Cobb with a forearm, but Cobb ROCKS Archer back! Archer ROCKS Cobb, so Cobb ROCKS Archer! The fans chant “MEAT!” with each forearm they throw!
The forearms keep going, even as both men stand! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Archer CHOPS, Cobb CHOPS, and so fans “WOO~” as they keep going! They even throw LARIATS! “MEAT! MEAT!” Both men fire up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! DOUBLE LARIAT! DOUBLE LARIAT! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Archer kicks low, SMASHES Cobb, then runs, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up while Archer leans on ropes. Archer snarls, runs up, but into an URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER! Cover, ONE?!? GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up while Cobb is surprised, but he goes back for Archer.
Archer grabs at Cobb but Cobb fights off the claw! Archer BOOTS Cobb, ripcords, and SCRAPBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Archer drags Cobb back up. Archer puts Cobb in a corner, then puts him up top. Archer wants the inverted crucifix! But Cobb fights that and CLUBS away on Archer! Cobb shoves Archer, but Archer comes back with a STEP-UP KNEE! And now the crucifix, for the BLACKOUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Into a ghost pin!! TWO!!! Archer escapes and the fans fire up again! Cobb goes to a corner, Archer snarls and runs in to SPLASH! Archer fires up and the fans boo, but he runs back in for another-
NO! Cobb catches Archer and carries him out, ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO!! We’re past the 10 minute mark so time is still on Cobb’s side. Archer goes to a corner, Cobb fires up and rises up! Cobb runs in but into a BOOT! Archer slashes his throat and says that belt is his! Archer drags Cobb up with a knuckle lock, then CLUBS him. Archer goes up the corner, CLUBS Cobb more, then walks the tightrope! Archer flips the fans off, but Cobb yanks him down! TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, Cobb wins!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)
Archer tried to go Old School but he let filler get in the way! Cobb is still the star of NJPW World, will he have the biggest and best “season” of them all? Wait! Tomohiro Ishii walks out here! The Stone Pitbull stares the Imperial Unit right in the eye and the fans fire up! Cobb can tell what Ishii wants, and the fans sure like the idea of this match! Cobb sets the belt down, and he mockingly does a Rainmaker Pose. Ishii says he’ll be back. Will Ishii look to terminate Cobb’s reign and make his own?
NJPW receives a message.
“Bloodied, left for dead, surviving only by the last drop of blood running through my veins. New blood. Evolution. Valiantly, eternal, wreck. Those words define my destiny. The NEVER Openweight Championship IS my destiny! And I don’t care who is victorious tonight, Henare is back! And I’m coming for anybody who holds that championship! I’ll ensure this fight forever and ever and ever! I’m bringing my mana, I’m bringing vengeance, and I’m TAKING that NEVER Openweight Championship! Understand this challenge! Agree to it! RAH! And let’s make it so!” The Face of Fury is back, but at who will his Rampage be aimed?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Yuya Uemura!
The Rampaging Dragon is no stranger to the NEVER Openweight Division, but he is no stranger to the KOPW Championship that the Heat Storm now holds. Will Yuya be able to take down one of the toughest men in NJPW to become a rare Double Champion? Or will Takagi earn himself a golden ticket back to the cerulean blue belt?
Each man holds up their titles, the fans cheer, but of course only one is on the line here. The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. Takagi and Yuya slowly approach, circle, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Yuya gets around to waistlock. Takagi switches, Yuya switches back, but Takagi drop toeholds. Takagi pushes on the foot, floats to a headlock, but Yuya pops out the back. Yuya headlocks now, but Takagi powers up, only for Yuya to hold on tight! Takagi stands up, pries at the hold, but Yuya grinds Takagi’s head. Takagi still tries, throws some body shots, and pries free. Takagi hammerlocks, headlocks, but Yuya powers out to headlock back! The fans cheer this exchange as Takagi endures.
Takagi throws body shots, then hits a BIG back suplex! But Yuya holds on! Yuya grinds the headlock, but Takagi fights back up. Takagi throws body shots, powers out, but Yuya runs him over! The fans cheer, things speed up, but Yuya drops onto Takagi’s dropdown for a headlock! Takagi fights back up, puts Yuya in a corner, but the ref counts. Yuya and Takagi let off slowly, but then Takagi fires off forearms! Takagi then whips corner to corner, but Yuya goes up! Takagi catches him going over but Yuya hits a takeover! Takagi headscissors, Yuya kips free, and Yuya runs up. Takagi sidesteps to ELBOW, JAB! YUKON LARIAT!
The fans fire up while Yuya flounders away to a corner. Yuya is on the apron but Takagi goes out after him. Takagi brings Yuya up to SMACK him off the apron! Then Takagi follows Yuya around the way to SMACK him off the apron again! Takagi asks if the fans want that again, and the fans cheer! So Takagi fireman’s carries, to SNAKE EYES off the apron! DDT to the floor! The fans fire up more while Takagi stands tall. The ring count starts while Takagi leaves Yuya behind. Yuya is still down at 5 of 20, then at 10. Yuya sits up at 12, slowly crawls over at 15, and slides in at 18! Takagi’s right on Yuya for a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Yuya stays in this, and Takagi keeps cool as he looms over Yuya. Takagi sits Yuya up into a chinlock and he grinds Yuya down. Yuya endures, fights up, but Takagi hits a takeover. Takagi makes it a lateral press, ONE! Takagi still has a half nelson to keep Yuya down but Yuya fights around to a ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Takagi lets off cleanly, and he brings Yuya up. Takagi cravats for a neck wrench but Yuya endures again. Takagi cranks harder but Yuya throws body shots! Yuya headlocks but Takagi hits a snap back suplex! The fans fire up and Takagi gets a leg. Takagi turns Yuya but Yuya scrambles around to the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts but Takagi has both legs! ROPE GULLOTINE! Yuya sputters and the ref checks on him, but he’s okay to continue. Takagi storms over to KICK Yuya in the back! Takagi then drags Yuya up, has him on ropes, and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! The fans rally, Takagi assesses the crowd. Yuya? “BOO~!” Takagi? “YAY~!” Takagi is satisfied and he whips Yuya to then KNEE him again! But Yuya suplexes first! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi flounders to a corner and the fans rally. Yuya grits his teeth, rises up, and Yuya runs in at the corner! But Takagi BOOTS first! Takagi runs up, but into an arm-drag! And another arm-drag!
Yuya DROPKICKS Takagi down, then kips up! The fans fire up and Yuya storms around. Yuya aims from a corner as Takagi slowly rises. Yuya runs in to SPLASH! Then he reels Takagi in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Takagi is tougher than that but Yuya fires up again. Yuya goes to a corner and climbs up. Takagi springs up and CHOPS him first! Takagi ridge hand chops again and again! Takagi goes up but Yuya fires forearms! Takagi staggers back, then Yuya CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Yuya keeps calm, and he fires back up. The fans rally, Yuya brings Takagi up but Takagi fights the clinch! Takagi throws elbows but Yuya throws knees!
Yuya lifts but Takagi arm-drags free! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feints to DDT! The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Takagi stands. The fans chant “Let’s Go, Shingo!” as he looms over Yuya. Takagi kicks Yuya around, brings him up, and catches the lariat to spin Yuya around, reel him in, and FACEBUSTER! Takagi then drops a KNEE on Yuya’s neck! Yuya writhes, Takagi hauls him up and whips him into a corner hard! Takagi wants the ref to check Yuya, but Yuya says he’s fine. Takagi runs up, blocks a boot, and he clotheslines through! Then YUKON LARIATS! Then scoop and SLAM! Takagi goes up, FALLING ELBOW!
The fans fire up and Takagi isn’t done! He hauls Yuya up to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! STF!! Yuya endures and the fans fire up! Yuya endures, so Takagi shifts to the JUST FACELOCK! Takagi pulls way back but Yuya still endures! Yuya reaches out, fights around, claws his way over, but Takagi really pulls on the facelock! Yuya still swims his way to a ROPEBREAK! Takagi lets go and the fans rally up again. Takagi brings Yuya up, puts him up top, then climbs up after him. Yuya fires a forearm, then another, then another! Takagi HEADBUTTS back! The fans fire up as Takagi goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!
The fans fire up, Takagi crawls to the cover, TWO!! Yuya survives but Takagi looks to the cameras! The fans fire up as he says, “My time is coming! TOKI GA KITA!” The fans join in on “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi goes to Yuya at the ropes. Takagi brings Yuya up, pump handles, MADE IN- VICTORY ROLL!! ONE!! Takagi escapes as Yuya couldn’t hold on! Takagi hurries to waistlock but Yuya fights the lift! Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Yuya staggers forward, but PELES in return! The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi and Yuya crawl towards each other, and they give junkyard dog headbutts! Takagi stands first, but Yuya CHOPS!
Takagi nods and CHOPS back! The fans “WOO~!” as we pass 15 minutes. Takagi eggs Yuya on, Yuya CHOPS! Takagi CHOPS, Yuya CHOPS, repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and then CHOPS! Yuya springs up to CHOP Takagi down! The fans fire up with Yuya as Takagi goes to a corner. Yuya runs in to DOUBLE CHOP! Then he reels Takagi in for an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Yuya stays focused! Yuya roars, rises up, and he brings Takagi up with a cording hold! Then another cording hold! But Takagi fights the Deadbolt! Takagi powers Yuya to ropes and OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! Yuya roars, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but leaps into Takagi’s arms!
Takagi pops Yuya up for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans are thunderous while both men are down again! Takagi goes to a corner, runs up, and PUMPING BOMBERS! But he isn’t done, he drags Yuya up to pump handle! Yuya fights the lift, but Takagi still hits an USHIGOROSHI! Then pump handle for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives but Takagi wags his finger. The fans rally and duel as Takagi rises. Takagi brings Yuya up, pump handles, but Yuya sunset flips! Takagi turns that to a NECK TWIST! The fans rally as Takagi gets Yuya back up, fires boxing elbows, then ROCKS Yuya!
Yuya staggers to ropes, comes back, but into a JAB! HEADBUTT! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?!? The fans are thunderous, Yuya staggers around, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Pump handle, torture rack, but Yuya slips free! To DEADBOLT!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Takagi escapes and the fans are thunderous again! Yuya fires up, “This is Awesome!” as Yuya drags Takagi around to the drop zone. Yuya goes up, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Yuya can’t believe it! Yuya won’t let that stop him, though, and he gets Takagi up. Yuya waistlocks, then full nelsons, but Takagi fights it!
Takagi elbows Yuya, but Yuya ducks to ROCK Takagi! Takagi wobbles, but he grins as he grabs Yuya by the hair! HEADBUTT!! Yuya HEADBUTTS back?!? Takagi drops but Yuya stays on his feet! Yuya stands Takagi up to run, but into a LARIAT! Takagi runs, but Yuya gets around! O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO!!!! Takagi escapes Yuya’s best Sanada impression and the fans are electric! Takagi then runs up, but Yuya dodges! PUMPING BOMBER into cradle, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was strong, but he could not slay the Dragon! Takagi holds onto this title, but he also holds up Yuya’s KOPW belt! Yuya snatches his belt back, but will Takagi look to take it from him for real? However, Takagi must prepare because Henare is coming after him. Will Takagi deny Henare his destiny? Or will the Face of Fury soon become the Face of the NEVER Division?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, No Ropes, Last Man Standing: Eddie Kingston VS Gabe Kidd!
The Mad King and the Mad Man have gone back and forth, physically and verbally, but the Windy City Riot really ramped up the animosity. Now there’s quite literally nothing holding them back, not even ropes! Will Eddie hold on to the last piece of what was the Continental Triple Crown? Or will Gabe keep the War Dogs oath of bringing belts and bodies to the Club?
Kidd has Kensei Abbot live and in person to rap the War Dogs theme for his entrance! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the last mad man standing!
Young Lions stand in the way until both men are ready. Kidd takes his time putting his robe aside, and he’s ready now. The bell rings, the Young Lions clear out, and Kidd runs up to JUPM KNEE! He and Eddie start throwing hands fast and furious! Kidd fires palm strikes over an dover, but Eddie gives them all back! Kidd ROCKS Eddie, Eddie ROCKS Kidd, repeat! The fans fire up, Kidd SLAPS Eddie, so Eddie SLAPS Kidd! Kidd CHOPS Eddie but Eddie just gets mad! Eddie throws his shirt off and brings the straps down! The fans are thunderous as Kidd CHOPS! Eddie CHOPS back! Kidd CHOPS, Eddie CHOPS, repeat!
The fans “WOO~” as the CHOPS continue back and forth! Kidd then SPITS on Eddie, but Eddie CHOPS him down! Eddie rains down furious fists and forearms! And he just keeps going until he’s good with it! The standing count starts but Kidd rolls off the ring to stand up. Kidd then starts looking under the ring, and he brings out chairs! The fans fire up as Kidd stands. Eddie runs up but Kidd CHUCKS the chair at him! Eddie falls and tumbles to the floor and now the standing count is on him. Kidd steadies himself, Eddie is still down at 7 but he sits up, so Kidd runs up to CLUB Eddie down! Kidd gets the chair, and CHUCKS it at Eddie again!
Eddie flops over and fans boo, but Kidd tells them all off! Kidd flips off the fans so the fans give it back. Kidd runs up to BOOT Eddie, then stomps on him! Kidd digs his foot into Eddie’s face, and we see Eddie is bleeding! The fans rally as Eddie rises and goes to the ring. Eddie staggers around, but Kidd brings his chair, and CHUCKS it at Eddie again! Eddie falls, but Kidd isn’t done with him! Kidd goes under the ring to bring out a chain! Kidd brings the chain to the ring while the fans rally for Eddie. Kidd wraps that chain around his arm, then aims at Eddie. FULL METAL LARIAT! Eddie is down, the count starts, and Kidd soaks up all the heat.
The count is 5 of 10, Kidd drops the chain. We hit 6, then 7, but Eddie staggers to his feet! Eddie flips Kidd off, so Kidd UPPERCUTS him! Eddie drops to a knee, so Kidd BASEMENT DDTS! Kidd lets the count start and he talks a lot of trash. Eddie sits up at 4, reaches out at Kidd, but Kidd ROCKS him! Eddie tells Kidd off, Kidd fires more forearms, then BITES Eddie’s head! The fans boo but Kidd brings Eddie to a corner. Kidd puts one of the crossbars in Eddie’s mouth! Then he digs it into Eddie’s eye!! The fans boo but Kidd lets off and soaks up the heat from the Toyota Arena while Eddie has the ref check him.
Thankfully, Eddie’s eye is still there, but Kidd half nelsons! Eddie fights the suplex, then switches to POST Kidd! That’s really dangerous from this side given the bare buckles! Kidd falls to the floor, the ref checks him, and the standing count starts. Eddie rests for only a moment, and the count passes 5. The count reaches 8 but Eddie sees Kidd crawling. Eddie gets that chain and wraps it around his hand to FUL LMETAL PUNCH Kidd again and again! Kidd is busted open, but Eddie still wraps the chain around him to CHOKE him! Eddie walks the War Dog to the corner, wraps the chain around the post, and tries to HANG Kidd!!
The fans freak out and this is only the first five minutes! Eddie lets go and Kidd sputters before falling over. The count starts again, Kidd gets the chain off him, but Eddie goes looking for stuff. Kidd crawls around at 7, but Eddie has a stop sign! SMACK and Kidd goes down! But this doesn’t stop Eddie, he puts the sign on Kidd to STOMP it onto him! Eddie leaves Kidd behind to go looking for more goodies. The count is past 5 but Eddie brings out a trash can and lid first! Eddie puts the can in the ring, to then SMACK Kidd with the lid! Kidd staggers around, so Eddie SMACKS him again! Kidd scrambles away to the ring and fans want tables.
Eddie goes for the trash can, but Kidd flips him off. So trash can SMASH! Kidd staggers around, into another trash can SMASH! And another! And another! Kidd falls, and Eddie’s headbutting the can! He truly is a mad king! Kidd is down, the count starts, and we pass 5 of 10! Kidd rises at 8, so Eddie storms over! He won’t even let the count continue as he stands Kidd up! Eddie SMACKS Kidd with the chair! Kidd falls again, Eddie roars, and the count begins again. Kidd flounders around at 4, but Eddie keeps the can away from him. SMASH! Eddie mockingly counts but the count has to reset because of that.
Eddie says fine, he’ll really end it now! Eddie drags Kidd up, throws fists right on the wound, then DIGS his fingers in! Eddie stands Kidd up and half nelsons, to HALF- NO, Kidd fights free! Kidd reels Eddie in, SAIDO on the can!! It wasn’t the whole can, but that still hurt! But now it’s a double standing count as Kidd is also down! Kidd rises up but he has the ref stop, because he isn’t satisfied with just this! Kidd goes looking under the ring again, but he doesn’t find what he wants. Kidd ROCKS Eddie with a haymaker, the standing count starts, and Kidd keeps searching. We pass 5 of 10, but Kidd hurries back to Eddie.
Eddie stands, but then flops over onto the trash can! Kidd stands on him triumphantly, but this isn’t done yet. The fans boo, but Kidd stomps Eddie before continuing the search. Kidd asks where it went, doesn’t find it, but he throws chairs in instead. But then he finds a LADDER! That’s not quite it, but Kidd JAMS Eddie with a chair to keep him down! The count starts again, Kidd keeps searching, but he’s gone around the ring quite a few times already. Eddie stands at 7, and Kidd finally finds it! A chair wrapped in barbed wire!! Kidd puts that in the ring, tells Eddie off, and reels him in! BARBED WIRE PILEDRIVER!!!
The fans lose their minds as that is double-edged for someone who wears trunks like Kidd! The standing count starts, both men are down past 5, but Kidd stands at 7! Eddie sits up at 8 but Kidd is on him! Kidd HEADBUTTS, then sits the regular chairs up. Kidd puts the barbed wire chair across them like a bridge, and he tells Eddie to get up. Eddie wobbles as he rises, and the fans chant for “E C DUB!” Kidd fires off palm strike after palm strike, almost toying with Eddie really as he just throws more shots! Kidd DECKS Eddie, then soaks up heat. But he then drags Eddie back up, suplexes, but Eddie blocks!
Eddie wrenches, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Kidd sputters, staggers, and Eddie SMASHES him off the barbed wire chair!! Eddie storms around, then DOUBLE STOMPS Kidd onto the barbed wire!! Both men are down and the count begins! We pass 5 of 10, Eddie rises at 7, and he waves off the count. Eddie grabs the ladder and brings it over, to SMACK Kidd on the back! Kidd writhes but Eddie won’t stop there. Eddie sets the ladder aside, brings Kidd up, and clinches! EXPLODER onto the ladder!!! Kidd writhes across the rungs and now Eddie wants the count. Kidd flails and flounders, but he’s still down at 8! Kidd stands at 9, only to flop over!
The count begins but Eddie says hold on. Eddie goes looking under the ring now, and he even wants the ref to help? Because Eddie is bringing out a TABLE! The fans are finally satisfied as the ref helps Eddie set this table up as a bridge from ring to railing! That proves harder than you’d think, so Eddie YANKS railing closer to the ring! The table bridge is completed, though wouldn’t it have been easier just to stand it up? Eddie still goes back for Kidd, brings him up, and URA- NO, Kidd ducks to fire UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! But Eddie URAKENS! Kidd flounders and the count starts. Eddie stalks Kidd, kicks the trash can aside, then URAKENS again!
The count begins again, Kidd is still down at 5 of 10, but then Eddie changes his mind at 9! Eddie isn’t satisfied, either, and he goes looking for more plunder! Eddie brings out handcuffs!? The fans are going nuts just seeing that, and Eddie shouts at Kidd, “Show me how much you love NJPW!” Eddie cuffs himself, Kidd fights but Eddie cuffs him! They’re attached at the wrist, and Eddie tells Kidd to get up! Kidd rises, and they start throwing haymakers! The fans are thunderous as these two go wild! Eddie HEADBUTTS Kidd, brings him around, and even though cuffed together, he reels Kidd in! But Kidd fights the lift!
Eddie CHOPS Kidd, CHOPS again, and keeps him close with the cuffs. Kidd ROCKS Eddie, CHOKES him with the chain, and then turns Eddie around for a BRAINBUSTER through the table bridge!!! The fans lose their minds and both men are down on the floor! The standing count is rising fast, both men are still down at 5! At 7! At 9! KIDD STANDS, KIDD WINS!!!
Winner: Gabe Kidd (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Eddie raised the stakes to an insane limit, and loses his own gamble! Kidd is bringing this title home to the War Dogs, and both David Finlay and Kensei help him to his feet! Is the Mad Man going to keep his promise by taking everything from NJPW to restore NJPW to what it was?
The War Dogs leave Eddie behind for medics to check, and he makes it back to the ring. The fans cheer Eddie on as he rests on the NJPW Strong logo, but then JACK PERRY makes his way out here? The House of Torture won earlier tonight, but then why is The Scapegoat coming back to the ring? Unless… THE YOUNG BUCKS are here!! Matthew & Nicholas Jackson attack Eddie and stomp him out! The Elite is here because Eddie is part of Team AEW for Double or Nothing’s Anarchy in the Arena! The fans are torn, and many chant “C M PUNK!” at The Elite. But Matt gets the mic to say, “NJPW, it’s been a minute, right?”
Matt says “This guy is an idiot! Who picks a fight on Wednesday night, and then on Saturday, shows up at the hometown of The Young Bucks? Beautiful Ontario, California!” Nick stomps Eddie in the nuts! Matt says now that he’s standing here in this great city, it’s all hitting him. He got the chills! So many great memories here! They had a backyard wrestling company out here, there are people he went to high school with. But now that he’s taking it all in again, he’s starting to realize, this was a great place to live, when they were poor. Just like all the fans! No judgment! Matt stomps Eddie but then apologizes.
Matt says the best thing he and Nick ever did was become multimillionaire executives, take their lovely families, pack their bags, and buy mansions in the “high desert!” Nick says he loves this relationship of AEW and NJPW! It gives him a chance to beat Eddie’s ass at two different shows! How about June 30th, when NJPW and AEW combine and do the greatest show, Forbidden Door! But even sooner than that, in two weeks AEW will be in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and The Elite will kick Eddie’s ass on PPV! Nick stomps Eddie, then tells Jack that this dumbass audience wants to see them hit their finisher on “this p*ick!”
Jack holds onto the mic for Nick, Matt sits Eddie up, and Jack says let’s all say it together. One, two, three! E V P TRIGGER!! Eddie falls back over and Matt thanks everyone for tonight! They’re not coming back to Ontario, CA, it is beneath them now, goodnight! The Elite stands tall over Eddie, but will it be a much different story when Eddie has Bryan Danielson & FTR backing him up at Double or Nothing?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS Shota Umino!
The Maniac took this title off Tetsuya Naito at Windy City Riot and completed a historic trifecta of being the first WWE, AEW & IWGP World Champion ever. Then he made it through “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs on Dynamite and through Ren Narita just last week at Wrestling Dontaku. However, he now faces his NJPW protege in what is The Roughneck’s biggest match yet! Will #SHOOTER be the student that surpasses the master? Or will Moxley show Shota that he’s 100 years too early to beat him?
Moxley poses on the apron, and Shota DROPKICKS him down! The ref reprimands and the fans go nuts, but then the bell rings to put this on record as Shota FLIES! Direct hit and the fans fire up with Shota! Shota whips Moxley into railing, then Shota mocks the Moxley shoulder slink. Shota then goes around the way to cut Moxley off at the pass, and Shota kicks Moxley low. Shota puts Moxley in the ring, CLUBS him on the neck, then CLUBS him again. Moxley snarls and gets in Shota’s face, so Shota bumps him off buckles! Shota stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but lets off as the ref counts, to shove the ref! Shota then stomps Moxley more!
Shota digs his boot in again, the ref reprimands, but Shota lets off. Shota UPPERCUTS, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Moxley LARIATS first! Moxley then gets Shota up to LARIAT again! And LARIAT again! The fans fire up and Moxley storms around while Shota goes to the apron. Moxley goes out after Shota to bring him to the ramp. Moxley CLAWS Shota’s back, then snap suplexes him on the ramp! The fans fire up while Moxley leaves Shota behind to refresh the count. Moxley pats Shota on the cheek, he’s oddly proud of Shota pulling that move. Moxley puts Shota in the ring, then waits on him to rise.
The fans rally, Moxley runs up, but Shota ducks to ROCK him! Moxley ROCKS Shota but Shota shouts at Moxley! Shota runs, ROCKS Moxley, but Moxley rebounds to BOOT! Moxley says F U, but Shota says Moxley is the no brain mother effer! The fans fire up and Shota runs to ROCK Moxley! Moxley hits back, they fire forearms back and forth, and they each egg the other on! The forearms keep going, the fans fire up with each shot, and then Moxley KICKS a leg! And JABS! And KNEES! Moxley whips, Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges and CLOBBERS Moxley! The fans fire up and Shota gets Moxley up, for a NECKBREAKER!
Shota fires up and the fans are with him as Moxley goes to ropes. Shota storms up on Moxley and whips corner to corner. Shota runs in, to UPPERCUT! Then Shota fisherman’s for the FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shota’s not quite perfect but he still fires up. Shota storms after Moxley to snapmare, then he clamps on for the HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Moxley taught Shota this move and now he feels this move! Shota fires up again and he brings Moxley up. Shota clinches, but Moxley fights with elbows! Moxley shoves Shota to a corner, runs up and clotheslines! Then CHOPS! Then forearms!
Shota grits his teeth and gets in Moxley’s face, even as Moxley fires more CHOPS and forearms! Shota then puts Moxley in the corner to CHOP and forearm on repeat, just as Moxley taught him! But Moxley CLAWS eyes, digs his elbow into Shota’s face, and he sits Shota down so he can stand on him! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and Moxley hops off at 4. Moxley “apologizes” with a bow, then stands Shota up. Moxley puts Shota up top to CHOP! Moxley climbs up after Shota and rains down fists! Fans count to 3 then Moxley BITES Shota’s face! The fans are torn but then Moxley punches more! But Shota slips under to tuck Moxley!
Shota learned this one from Ospreay! CHEEKY NANDOS! Moxley is still stuck, so Shota CHEEKY NANDOS again! Moxley eggs Shota on, Shota feints then CHEEKY NANDOS anyway! Shota drags Moxley down, pulls him into the corner, then SLAMS a leg into the post! The ref reprimands but the fans fire up, and Shota tells Moxley he’s an SOB! Shota SLAMS the leg back into the post! The fans cheer while Moxley tries to crawl away, but Shota gets him again! Moxley is still an SOB and Shota SLAMS the leg into the post again! Moxley hobbles away but Shota CLUBS the bad leg. Shota then whips Moxley hard into railing! Shota runs up to dropkick the bad leg!
The fans fire up again and Shota stalks Moxley. Shota puts Moxley into the ring, aims and runs up, to dropkick the leg again! Shota reloads and runs in from another corner, but he blocks the boot! Shota dropkicks the bad leg again! Then he brings Moxley out for a SHINBREAKER, into a takedown and roll, KNEEBAR!! Moxley endures as Shota pulls back on the leg! Moxley asks where the hell Shota learned this one, and he scrambles around to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Shota lets go at 4. Moxley hobbles, Shota stalks him, and Shota kicks the bad leg! And kicks it again! And then kicks it again!
Shota puts the bad leg int he ropes, pulls on it, but Moxley grabs at Shota. The ref counts, Shota lets off to run, but Moxley TOSSES him to the apron! Moxley runs to BLAST Shota off the apron! Shota rises, Moxley gets the bad leg working, and he builds speed! Moxley DIVES and sends Shota into railing! The fans fire up and Moxley stands on railing to show off a bit. Moxley then goes back to Shota, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. Moxley rolls in, paces around Shota, then drags him up, for an X PLEX! Cover, TWO! Shota’s tougher than that but Moxley drags him up to TOSS him back out.
Shota hits railing and falls to a knee. Moxley goes out to stand Shota up and grind an arm. Moxley CLUBS that arm, then hammerlocks it, to POST it! Shota clutches the elbow and hobbles away, but Moxley goes after him. Wrench and ELBOW BREAKER, then a KNEE down low! Moxley hammerlocks the arm again, to POST it again! Moxley gets in the ring and paces around as the fans cheer. The ring count starts, Moxley lets it climb, and Shota rises at 8 of 20. Shota hobbles over at 10, slides in at 11, but Moxley is right on him. The fans cheer as Moxley shots Shota how those HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS are down! Then he KICKS! ELBOW! KICK! Repeat! Moxley covers, TWO!
Moxley keeps Shota down by digging a knee into the arm, and he bends it back! The fans rally while Shota endures, but Moxley shifts position to push on the arm. Moxley SNAPS the fingers, and Shota scrambles away! Moxley gets in Shota’s face, CHOPS him, then eggs Shota on. Shota stands, Moxley pushes him around, but Shota fires a forearm! Moxley fires it back! Shota shakes his head, shouts and forearms again! Moxley ROCKS Shota right back! Shota staggers, fires another forearm, but Moxley ROCKS Shota again! Shota fires himself up and the fans are with him! Shota fires forearm after forearm, but Moxley KICKS the leg!
Moxley wrenches the arm to a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK, then he drags Shota down! Shota endures, even as Moxley tortures the elbow! The fans rally, Moxley shifts to an ARMBAR! Shota endures, kicks and flails, reaches out with his legs, and finds the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Moxley lets off, and he SLAMS the arm on the mat! The fans continue to rally as Moxley brings Shota up. Moxley puts Shota up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up to join him. DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Shota endures, the ref reprimands, but Moxley still twists the arm! The ref counts, Moxley lets go at 4, then stands Shota up! SUPERPLEX!
Moxley hurries to get Shota back up and in, for a stalling PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up! Moxley SLAMS Shota’s bad arm again, then paces. The fans fire up for Shota but Moxley goes out to look under the ring. After all the violence from Eddie and Kidd, what’s even left under there? Moxley finds a TABLE! The ref reprimands, this isn’t a No Disqualification match! Moxley flips the ref off and sets the table up anyway. The fans duel while Moxley makes sure the table is just how he wants it. Moxley blesses it with a quick prayer, then goes back to Shota. Shota runs up to forearm!
Shota throws more shots but Moxley ROCKS him back! Shota CHOPS, Moxley CHOPS, repeat! Then Moxley HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS again! Moxley runs, but into a DROPKICK! Shota fires up, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls to ropes on one end while Moxley goes to the other. Shota stands, Moxley runs in, but Shota BOOTS! Shota drop toeholds Moxley onto the ropes, then slingshots to APRON DDT! Moxley flounders and the fans fire up with Shota! Moxley is on the apron, and very close to the table he set up. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” for Shota as he makes a lap around the ring.
Shota brings Moxley to the table, throws hands, then CLUBS Moxley onto the furniture! Shota goes up the corner and the fans fire up! The ref says don’t do it, but Shota still MACHO ELBOWS through the table!!! The fans lose their minds as Shota rises from the wreckage! Shota shouts, but then he sits back down. A ring count starts, but Shota stands at 7 of 20. Shota leaves Moxley behind, and Moxley flounders at 11. Moxley sits up at 12, drags himself up at 13, but Shota’s back up top!? Moxley turns around at 15 of 20, staggers at 17, and slides in at 19! Only for Shota to MISSILE DROPKICK him down! And then, EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
Moxley survives but Shota won’t let that stop him! Shota hurries to spin Moxley, POP-UP KNEE, and IGNITION! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives again but Shota just revs up the engines! Kick and DEATH- NO, Moxley wrenches out to CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! But Moxley clamps on the BULLY CHOKE!! The fans rally, Shota rolls Moxley into an STF!! “This is Awesome!” as Moxley now endures! Moxley fights free of the crossface, and gets the BULLY CHOKE back! Shota fights around, stands up, then switches to CROSS RHODES!! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives but it’s right back to the STF!! The fans fire up again as Moxley endures!
Moxley fights around, drags Shota along with him as he claws his way forward, but Shota drags him back! Shota wants the arms but Moxley resists! Shota traps the arms after all, flips Moxley off, this is just like with Ospreay! Shota rains down forearm after forearm on Moxley’s head and neck! The fans are thunderous as Shota lets off and roars! Moxley flounders around, gets to his feet, and swings wild. Shota storms up on Moxley in a corner, puts him up top, then climbs up. Shota has the arms but Moxley fights that! Moxley wrenches Shota’s hand, for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Shota CLUBS Moxley’s leg, but Moxley underhooks him!
The fans freak out, but Shota fights to underhooks, and CLAWS Moxley’s back! Shota gives Moxley extra CLAWS, then he goes to the very top! SUPER DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Moxley survives but Shota won’t be deterred! Shota aims from a corner, for the BLAZE- PARADIGM SHIFT!! But BLAZE BLADE hits on the rebound!!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as mentor and mentee slowly stir. Shota crawls after Moxley, and he fires a forearm! Moxley gives it back! Shota throws another forearm, so Moxley takes off the wrist tape. Moxley fires a forearm, Shota gives it back!
The forearms keep going, and then the two stand up. Shota fires a forearm, but Moxley says Shota’s just pissing him off! Moxley ROCKS Shota, and Shota says Moxley’s the one pissing him off! The forearms keep going, and they’re picking up speed! The fans fire up, Shota ROCKS Moxley but Moxley KICKS, KNEES and ROCKS Shota! Shota drops to a knee, Moxley aims to KICK! And KICK! And KICK! Shota just grits his teeth! Moxley pie faces Shota, scuffs him, and pie faces again. Shota stands up and the fans are all fired up! Shota winds up, to ROCK Moxley! Moxley wobbles, drops to a knee, and now Shota gives the scuffs and slaps!
Shota kicks and kicks and pie faces Moxley, eggs him on, and Moxley stands. Moxley paces, then he comes back to fire forearms with Shota! The fans rally as they go back and forth again, picking up speed, and then Shota kicks the leg! Moxley kicks Shota’s arm! Shota ROCKS Moxley with elbow after elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW! Moxley ROCKS Shota, runs, but into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! But Moxley still GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Shota rises to HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Moxley’s up to KING KONG LARIAT! But Shota’s up to SHOTGUN!! Shota and Moxley both stand, the fans are thunderous, and they both run in! Moxley’s LARIAT hits first! Cover, ONE?!?!?
We’ve hit 30 minutes and Moxley is scowling at Shota. The fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow! Moxley rises, Shota flips him off, so Moxley STOMPS that finger! Moxley gets Shota up, DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Shota shocks Moxley and the fans are thunderous again! Moxley is beside himself as he hobbles around and fires back up. The fans are loving this as Moxley drags Shota up and in again. DEATH- NO, Shota slips free to SATELLITE DDT! The fans rally as hard as they can as Moxley goes to a corner. Shota goes to the other, runs in, and BLINDSIDE KNEES! Then TORNADO DDTS!
Shota isn’t done there, he drags Moxley right up to fisherman, EVOLVED DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Moxley survives and Shota pounds the mat! Shota goes back to a corner, Moxley eggs him on, so he gets BLAZE BLADE!! Shota hauls Moxley up, underhooks, SWINGING DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Moxley survives again and Shota is going nuts! Shota reloads one more time, Moxley rises up, and Shota runs in to BLAZE BLADE!!! Shota roars and the fans are thunderous again! But Moxley still WRINGS Shota’s arm! And CURB STOMPS! And then DEATH RIDER!!!! Cover, Moxley wins!!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Moxley defied human limitations to survive this shootout! It may not be 100 years too early, but it’s still a few years too early for Shota to surpass The Maniac. But then, how long will Shota have to wait until he is truly the New Ace of NJPW?
As for Moxley, he still shows his student respect by offering a hand. Shota takes it, and Moxley helps him sit up. The fans cheer, and Moxley even kneels down to tell Shota that while he didn’t win this time, he’s on the right track. Shota bows deeply to show respect for his mentor, and the fans also cheer that. Moxley sets the belt down, and he bows in respect to Shota. The fans cheer that, too, but then THE HOUSE OF TORTURE ATTACKS! Evil & Ren Narita beat down Moxley & Shota! The fans boo as Narita CHOKES Shota with the push-up bar! Evil gets the mic, and in English, he says, “Hey, Jon Moxley. F YOU!”
The fans boo more, especially as Evil now lifts up the IWGP World title. “Next challenger is me!” The fans also boo that but Evil says no no no, he is the REAL IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! “So next challenger is you, b*tch!!” And then, just as he did with the NEVER Openweight title, Evil brings out a can of black spray paint, and he vandalizes the world title!! Then he says, “Hey, y’know what? I am the REAL NJPW Pro-Wrestling President! Everything is Evil! <That’s what it is! Remember that!>” The King of Darkness drops the mic as the lights dim. Will Darkness Fall on NJPW once more? Or can Moxley tear down this house of lies?
After Evil & Ren leave, Moxley gets back up so that he can finally speak. “Evil…! I know what you just did, spray painting this belt, was meant to be a very big insult to me, to the fans and to NJPW. And it is. You will pay dearly for it. But I gotta tell you man, this black don’t look too bad. After I beat the s*it outta you, I might keep it like this. So good looking out. Ontario, California, thank you for tonight, this incredible experience you got to be a part of, and NJPW live pro-wrestling show, an authentic NJPW show right here in California, on this side of the Pacific. That’s really something special.
“Every time we come here, we will bust our asses, because you came here tonight and was such a great crowd, gave us something to dig, and we need that energy to beat the s*it out of each other.” The fans cheer that! Moxley tells Evil, “One day, somebody’s gonna hit me and I’m gonna go down, and I’m not gonna get back up. But trust me, today in Ontario, California, is not that day. And Evil, you are not that guy! NJPW, Ontario, California, thank you, we’ll see you next time.” The Maniac rides on, even into the shadows. Will he stare into the abyss and make the abyss flinch first?
My Thoughts:
An awesome night for NJPW in the USA, even though I did still skip stuff. There’s just too much going on with how Best of the Super Juniors was this morning and AEW’s got their stuff during primetime. Great match from Lio and Ali in the kickoff show, and what a wild development for Lio’s character. Great NJPW Strong tag title match, and I was fairly surprised ELP & Leo won. I guess NJPW is okay playing hot potato with these titles, but I still hope we get some huge Winners Take All Fatal 4 as teased during Wrestling Dontaku just last week. And very good NJPW Strong Women’s title match, but I figured Vaquer would retain. Alex Windsor just didn’t have what felt like new champion vibes.
Cobb VS Archer was a lot of fun, though I was worried it was gonna end quick only because Cobb’s Spanish Fly wasn’t as clean as it could’ve been. Great win for Cobb over Archer, which I figured would happen, but I like Ishii stepping up. That is going to be a stiff, hard hitting showdown. Great promo from Henare to preemptively call out the NEVER Openweight Champion, and then an awesome match from Takagi VS Yuya. I figured Takagi would win, but it is intriguing that he teased going back for the KOPW title. Is Yuya sadly just a transitional champion for Takagi to be the NEVER KOPW combo champ?
That No Ropes Last Man Standing was some wild stuff, and I was really surprised Kidd took the title. At the same time, Kidd had to make good on his promise/threat to NJPW as a company, and winning this title was definitely more likely than his taking the NEVER title last week. And then great crossover as The Elite weren’t present on Collision in Vancouver because they were in California! It’s a smart Heel strategy to go after one target while they’re alone and the others are in another city. Eddie better bring this up on Dynamite for good continuity.
And then an awesome main event from Moxley and Shota. Moxley was maybe booked a little too strong surviving so many things, but it’s not like this never happens in pro-wrestling. Shota definitely had the best match of his career, even in losing, but I guess even a Reiwa Three Musketeer has to wait until they can be top champion. Evil going after Moxley was a little surprising but there’s connections here given the beef between Moxley & Shota with The House of Torture. Evil cut a pretty good promo for using English and not Japanese, and while he spray painted the belt, I’m surprised he didn’t steal it like usual.
Moxley’s promo in response was good, and it’s funny how he downplayed the belt being defaced. Evil probably won’t beat Moxley, but it’d make sense if he did because he’s a former IWGP World Champion, and he’d also have the whole House of Torture go after Moxley to do it. Perhaps it happens at Forbidden Door, which The Elite also made sure to name drop tonight to remind us it’s coming.
My Score: 9/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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