Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE King & Queen of the Ring Results & Report! (5/25/24)
ALL HAIL!
Bow down to the… Bow down to the King & Queen!
The thrones are open as WWE crowns a new King & Queen of The Ring! Lyra or Nia, Orton or Gunther, who will reign and head for SummerSlam?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Countdown Show – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell; Bianca & Jade win and retain the titles.
- WWE Women’s World Championship: Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan; Liv wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s World Champion.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Sami Zayn VS VS Bronson Reed VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Sami wins and retains the title.
- 2024 Queen of the Ring Finals: Lyra Valkyria VS Nia Jax; Nia wins and will challenge for a title at SummerSlam.
- 2024 King of the Ring Finals: GUNTHER VS Randy Orton; Gunther wins and will challenge for a title at SummerSlam.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Logan Paul; Cody wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the King & Queen of the Ring Countdown Show!
Join Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action for this historic night!
Corey Graves interviews Cody Rhodes.
Corey sits with The American Nightmare and talks about his role has changed since becoming champion. It’s only been a couple months, but Corey wants Cody to best describe the feeling of “finishing the story.” Cody would say whatever that feeling is, that’s the feeling he wants to chase for the rest of his life. It was a sensation that he can’t describe. It made him happy, it made him smile, it made him cry, it was everything. That moment met if not exceeded expectations. Corey says Cody got what he was chasing, he is now WWE Champion and the face of this company. What does that responsibility feel like?
If that is true and Cody is the face of this wonderful company, he feels more appreciative of the team around him more than he ever was. He told Logan Paul and stands by this, this is a team effort. What is the time requirement of being THE WWE Champion in this day and age? Fans might hear this often, think this is hyperbole about how much your life changes winning the Royal Rumble and winning the WWE Championship. Media, teleconferences, “stuff.” It feels pretty balanced and he’s able to do it all.
Then are there any superstars, past or present, that have been world champion who Cody has gone to for advice? He’s stayed connected to Randy Orton, remembering back to 2008 when John Cena was on top. Cody is doing his best to do what they did right, but do it his way. He wants to do it bigger. Then what is the opinion on the state of the industry? What’s great about the last three years is new fans. From little kids or returning adults. There’s this almost pat on the back for the ones in Cody’s generation, because they were beaten over the head with how “wonderful” The Attitude Era was. And it was, it really was.
But sometimes, Cody’s bitter about it because this era is here, they’re the ones doing it now. Biggest arena attendance, and that’s on Cody’s name, not on The Rock or Austin, and that’s something Cody can be proud of. Then if Cody had to give his younger self advice, what would he tell that Cody? When you’re in the position of that Cody, “Undesirable,” low on the role sheet, then bet on yourself. Stardust shouldn’t be in any main event anywhere, so Cody had to figure out how to make Cody better. If you’re the same as you were, that’s not good, you’re not growing. He made the call to “get better.” More of this interview later on in the show.
Backstage interview with Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the StrongEST Storm, and he says it is a big night to say the least. First televised tag title defense for them, how do they feel? Jade is beyond excited, this is her first PLE in Saudi, who gets that this soon? And with The EST, they will take these belts like they always do. Byron asks about Bianca’s knee, and she says it is not 100%. She lost out last night because of Candice. Candice started this, but Bianca beat her before so she will do it again. She and Jade will remain champions. Byron wishes them luck and Jade says who needs luck? Will nothing stop this dynamic duo when they stand side by side?
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
Kayla Braxton is with The Morrigan and says tonight is the night. She is about to embark on the biggest challenge of her WWE career, and only after being called up for a month now. She could be the NEW Queen of the Ring, how surreal is it to realize she’s made it here so fast? So surreal! She was just in NXT wanting to regain the title, but now she’s here in Jeddah! She can’t imagine a more surreal start as a rookie on Raw. And now, the finals of QOTR! She will be facing Nia Jax, who had choice words for her. Has Lyra marinated on those claims?
Lyra can’t wait to prove Nia wrong. Nia says she’s gonna “buzz” through her, but surely everyone else thought the same. Dakota Kai, Zoey Stark, Iyo Sky, all former champions, but Lyra is the one here. She is the one that will be Queen and going to SummerSlam. Lyra is gonna launch herself into the WWE Women’s World Championship scene! Lyra is ready to fly, but can she get through the Irresistible Force?
Backstage interview with Triple H.
Byron is with The Game and says there is a lot of excitement already tonight, with the finals of King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. How important are these matches? They’re massive. And the excitement is an understatement, the whole week, the moment WWE landed, being in Riyadh and the WWE Experience, HHH can’t imagine how as a kid it’d feel to go to such an immersive world. But last night, in Jeddah for SmackDown, it was off the charts. They’ve had a great time, but this whole night is the main event. It is the reason we are here.
And these aren’t just fancy titles you win and get to say you’re king or queen. This is about cementing legacies. The competition for these crowns is massive. When you look at tonight, Nia Jax since her return has torn through everyone. From going toe-to-toe with Rhea Ripley to tearing through Becky Lynch, Naomi, Bianca, Jade, all to get here. Can Nia finish that job? Can she establish herself as Queen? She has to go through Lyra Valkyria. In many ways, a lot of accolades on her own, but should Lyra be here already? It’s been “a cup of coffee.” But also, Lyra beat Iyo Sky to be here. And when you beat a former Women’s Champion to be here, anything is possible.
And of course, Randy Orton returning form near career ending injury. Can The Viper solidify his legacy? Can he put the stamp on his return? Can he finish this and take another step forward as one of the greats? In his way is Gunther, who has been like no one before him in WWE. Longest reigning Intercontinental Champion, went through just about everyone to get here. Orton VS Gunther is impossible to call, but HHH will be doing what we’re doing: sitting on the edge of his seat and watching with baited breath. A king is crowned, a queen is crowned, and they’ll each face top champions at SummerSlam. This is gonna be awesome.
Byron thanks HHH for sharing his thoughts on a night that will be talked about for years. The Game set things out pretty well, so who will be crowned and move on to “The Land” to fight for gold?
Michael Cole & Corey Graves tag out of the panel.
In their place, Kayla Braxton and Kevin Owens are here to help Wade & Big E for the second hour! The Prizefighter is back, and he saved Randy Orton from The Bloodline. Kevin says yes, you’re welcome, he loves praise. And he’s glad to have made it here at all. He made sure Orton would have some support, check the shirt. It’s good, right?
Corey’s interview with Cody, part two.
Saudi Arabia, it will be Cody VS Logan Paul. Cody’s had limited access to Logan in Logan’s short time in WWE, but to Cody, who is Logan Paul? Cody looked up the definition of “maverick.” An unorthodox or independent minded person. Cody doesn’t dislike that, and it describes Logan. The ventures Logan has gone on, he has just been so successful. And as a pro-wrestler, he is more fundamentally sound than he has any right to be. Then there’s a healthy professional respect there, but what about personal? Well, fortune favors the bold, but everything Cody just said about Logan has informed Logan’s decisions. Logan is too bold in taking credit for WWE’s success.
Knowing Logan actually believes that, the best thing that can happen to him is slip on a banana peel, fall on his face, and we see what he does next. Then what are Cody’s thoughts to Logan taking his US Championship out of the deal? Titles mean everything. Cody knows a lying wrestler when they say they don’t care about a title or a list. Cody would’ve loved to get the Grand Slam, maybe he’ll finish that story later. Then how does Cody plan on neutralizing Logan’s lethal right hand? This might not be the best person to quote, but JBL talking about HBK’s Sweet Chin Music, “Just duck.” That’s JBL for ya.
That is Cody’s current strategy, in that he doesn’t need to get to the point where he’s off balance. No matter how quick, how athletic, how in-your-blood, it’ll end quickly at that right hand. Then as we approach that match, how does it go down? As much positive things and wonderful platitudes Cody could throw out at Logan, to be completely honest, he doesn’t stand a chance. Logan finds out that he’s great and all, but not on the level he thinks. That’s actually a great thing for Logan to find out. Corey wishes Cody luck, they shake hands, but will Cody still be Undisputed Champion after facing the ImPAULsive One?
Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.
Byron is with the #1 contender to the Women’s World Championship and notes her Liv Morgan revenge Tour. This tour could reach an epic conclusion if she wins the title off Becky Lynch. Where is her confidence level right now? Liv thanks him for asking that, because she has never felt better in her whole life! She’s been waiting for this day the last 8 months of her life, ever since Rhea Ripley injured her. And she completes the LMRT by taking what Rhea loves most, in the Women’s World Championship. Becky is charged up, too, how is Liv going to change that?
Liv says Becky keeps reminding everyone that Liv has yet to beat her, but that changes tonight because Becky’s never face this Liv. There’s nothing she can throw at Liv because- Wait, what’s Dominik Mysterio doing here? Dom says Liv knows what he’s doing here. He flew all the way to Saudi Arabia to make sure Liv doesn’t get her hands on Mami’s gold. Dom leaves, and Liv definitely didn’t expect that. Will Liv be able to focus on The Man when she has Mami’s Latino Heat lurking?
Countdown Show – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell!
The StrongEST Storm said it themselves, they’re gonna get even with The Poison Pixie for the damage done and leave here still holding the gold. But while Candice & Indi may have last their way and gone to the dark side, will they come away the winners?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is the greatEST!
The teams sort out and Jade starts against #IndiWrestling. They tie up., Indi waistlocks but Jade throws her off! The fans cheer but Candice says that’s okay. Indi gets up, goes for a leg, but Jade lifts her up! Indi slips out, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then runs into a scoop! And a FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up as Jade kips up! Jade runs Indi over, then tags Bianca in. The fans cheer as Jade keeps Indi from Candice, to scoop and SLAM! Bianca runs up, gets the lift from Jade, DOMINATOR SPLASH COMBO! Wakanda Forever, Black Girl Magic! The fans fire up, Candice tags in, and she goes after Bianca’s bad leg.
Bianca is aware of that, dodges Candice, but then Candice tilt-o-whirls! Bianca blocks the rest of that, to tilt-o-whirl GUTBUSTER! Bianca gets her bad leg moving, the fans rally for her, and she RAMS into Candice! And again, and again, and again! Bianca lets off, whips Candice back in, but Candice BOOTS back! Candice goes up, but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca trophy lifts Candice, hobbles a bit, but Candice slips free! Tag to Indi, Bianca THROWS Candice then ROCKS Indi! Bianca drags Indi up but Candice CHOP BLOCKS Bianca! The fans boo but Indi stomps Bianca. Indi keeps between Bianca and Jade with a gut wrench.
The fans rally, Bianca fights up, but Indi puts her in a corner for stomps. Indi puts the good leg around ropes and pulls! Bianca falls, Indi stomps both legs, and then mocks Bianca swinging her hair using her own braid. But then Bianca throws body shots! Indi kicks the bad leg, Bianca falls, and Indi gets Bianca up. Indi snapmares Bianca into the ropes! Bianca writhes, Candice tags in and CLUBS Bianca down! The fans boo but Candice taunts Jade. Candice gets the bad leg to SMASH the knee! The fans rally, Candice CLUBS Bianca more, then grabs the bad leg again. Candice drags Bianca back, stomps that leg, but the fans rally harder.
Candice stands Bianca up, ROCKS her, then tags Indi. But Bianca DUMPS Candice! Indi YANKS the braid! Indi keeps Bianca down, tags Candice back in, and Candice STOMPS Bianca’s leg! Cover, TWO! Bianca is toughing it out but Candice drags her to DDT the bad leg! Jade reaches out but Candice turns Bianca for a HALF CRAB! Bianca endures, the fans rally, but Candice sits deep! Bianca fights, Candice drags her back, but Bianca BOOTS her away! Indi tags in, Bianca scrambles but Indi CLUBS her down! Indi ELBOWS Jade, too! Indi mocks Bianca, brings Bianca up, but Bianca blocks the whip! Bianca whips, Indi KICKS back!
Indi runs up but into a BOOT! But Candice grabs Bianca from behind while Indi distracts the ref! Bianca TOSSES Candice in, dodges Indi, hot tag to Jade! Jade BOOTS Indi, SPINEBUSTERS Candice, and then fires up! The fans fire up with Jade, and she STINGER SPLASHES Candice! STINGER SPLASH for Indi! Back to Candice! Jade TOSSES Candice across the way! Then DOUBLE SPLASH for them both! Jade reels Indi in, flexes, and POWERBOMBS! Cover, Candice breaks it! Jade scowls at the Poison Pixie, TOSSES her out, but Indi SHOTGUNS Jade in the back! Indi has Jade in ropes, tags Candice, then BOOTS Jade!
Indi drapes Jade out, Candice LIONSAULTS Jade down! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and Candice is furious! Candice tags Indi, then climbs. Indi drags Jade back up, but Jade fights back! Jade POSTS Indi, but Candice MISSILE DORPKICKS! Jades taggers away, Bianca tags in! Bianca ROCKS Candice, then CHOP BLOCKS her! Payback time! Pop-up, wheelbarrow, DDT to GERMAN SUPLEX!! Cover, Bianca & Jade win!
Winners: Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Candice couldn’t weather the storm, and with a combo like that, will Bianca & Jade be unstoppable as tag team champions?
Backstage interview with Logan Paul.
Byron is with The Maverick and wants to revisit SmackDown and everything Cody Rhodes has said. Logan is a fraud, suffers from Impostor Syndrome, so in response to that and the general controversy, what is Logan’s approach? There’s no controversy, there’s no syndrome. Logan went from YouTube to boxing Mayweather. And for the third time, he’s in Saudi Arabia, wrestling for a title. He left with the US Championship last time, he’ll leave with two belts this time. It is a cycle of people doubting him and him proving people wrong time and time again. he will show us why he belongs here, in the ring, and on top. Will Logan make good on all that in tonight’s main event?
A Champion’s Journey.
“The moment an idea becomes an obsession signifies the beginning of a champion’s journey. An opportunity to take the throne, defend what’s already yours, and delivery a massive spectacle in front of the world. Tonight, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it’s no longer about how far you’ve come, but how high you will ascend. Remember this: Every journey starts with a spark of an idea. And what we make of our obsessions becomes our destiny. This… is WWE King & Queen of the Ring!”
WWE Women’s World Championship: Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan!
Mami Rhea went down with injury, a battle royal was held, and it was these two that were there at the end. Obviously we know The Man won, but the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour isn’t over until she’s taken over! Will Morgan live the dream after fighting for so long? Or is she still not ready for The Big Time?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really on top!
The bell rings and the fans rally up for Becky. Liv wags her finger, and she circles with Becky. They tie up, go around, end up on ropes, but then come off ropes. Liv shoves Becky, Becky shoves back! They start shoving, the ref has them back up and reset. They circle, tie up, Liv waistlocks but Becky switches and SLAMS! Becky holds onto Liv, but Liv fights up. The fans rally for Becky as they switch around again. Liv goes to ropes, Becky lets off slowly, but Liv ELBOWS her! The ref reprimands but Liv ROCKS Becky with a forearm. Liv fires more shots, talks trash, then CHPOS! Liv whips, Becky reverses and BOOTS Liv down!
The fans fire up while Liv sits up and sputters. Becky runs, Liv drops then follows, but Becky still runs her over! Liv bails out, Becky talks trash and eggs Liv on. Liv cools off but Becky goes out after her! Becky ROCKS Liv, SMACKS her off the apron, then brings her around to SMACK off more apron! The fans cheer as Becky SMACKS Liv off the barriers! Becky goes for more apron but Liv blocks! Liv ROCSK Becky, SMACKS her, the ring count is 8 as Liv puts Becky in. Becky gets Liv int he ropes for an UPPERCUT, SOBAT and then goes up the corner! But Liv YANKS Becky down! Becky flounders away and Liv hurries in. Cover, TWO!
Becky goes to a corner but Liv storms after her. Liv smirks as she stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Liv lets off at 4, and then she storms up to stomp some more! The ref counts, Liv lets off and runs back in, btu Becky dodges! JUPM KICK! JUMP0 NO, Liv blocks the second one to LARIAT back! Liv puts Becky through ropes, bends her back and even has body scissors! The ref counts the rope clutch, Liv lets off at 4. Liv then SHOTGUNS Becky in the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, but Liv stomps and kicks Becky around. Liv drags Becky back up, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Becky SLAPS Liv!
Liv SLAPS Becky, whips her, but Becky BOOTS back! Liv staggers, storms back up, but into an ELBOW Becky goes up and up, but Liv YANKS her down again! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps on Becky with a top wristlock! The fans rally as Becky endures, fights up, and fights back. Liv KNEES Becky down! Liv has an almost Shankly Gates Stretch but Becky endures. Liv pulls on the arm but Becky finds an opening to slip out from under Liv. Becky arm-drags free, then dodges Liv to fire a forearm! Liv hits back! Liv whips, Becky reveres but Liv goes up, wheelbarrows, and she sends Becky into buckles! O’Conner Roll, TWO, and Liv hits buckles!
Becky snarls, runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS take both women down! The fans fire up, and they sing Becky’s song as Becky slowly rises. Becky and Liv fire forearms back and forth! Liv ROCKS Becky, Becky ROCKS Liv, repeat! Liv gets the edge but Becky LARIATS! And LARIATS again! And CALF KICKS! Liv goes to a corner, Becky fires up and runs in, FOREARM SMASH! Then BECKSPLODER! Liv bails out, the fans fire up, and Becky builds speed! Becky WRECKS Liv with a dropkick! Becky now aims from the apron, and she FLYING FOREARMS! Becky drags Liv up, puts her in the ring, then climbs a corner!
The fans fire up as Becky reaches the top. But Liv trips her up! Liv ROCKS Becky, climbs up, the fans duel as the fists fly! Becky shoves Liv down, adjusts, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Liv is still in this and the fans duel again! Becky snarls, grabs an arm, DIS- NO, Liv rolls Becky up! TWO, Becky wants Liv’s arm again! Liv ROCKS Becky, runs up, springboard and CODE BREAKER! Becky falls, Liv covers, TWO! Becky survives and Liv is growing frustrated. The fans continue to rally as Becky flounders to a corner. Liv grins, then snarls, then runs in, but only gets buckles! Becky KICKS and CLOBBERS Liv! Cover, TWO!
The fans continue to rally as Becky drags Liv into the drop zone. Becky climbs, but Liv moves! Becky rolls through the leap, but Liv MISSILE DROPKICKS back! Cover, TWO! Liv is beside herself as Becky stays in this. Liv sees Becky go to ropes, runs up, OB- NO, Becky turns that into a FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Becky is now a bit frustrated, but the fans fire up again. “This is Awesome!” as Becky snarls. This place is shaking as Becky clinches, MAN- NO, Liv victory rolls! TWO and Becky has it, TWO! Beck runs up, Liv dodges to GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO!! Liv is starting to lose her cool as Becky refuses to lose!
The fans rally up again, Liv kicks Becky around. Becky SMACKS her! Liv hits back, they go haymaker for haymaker! Liv gets the edge, runs with Becky, but no springboard here! Becky kicks, BUTTERFLYU SUPLEX into an ARMBAR!! Liv flails, stacks Becky, TWO! Liv has the RINGS OF SATURN!! Liv pulls on Becky, Becky turns her to a cover, TWO! Liv still stays clamped on, RINGS OF SATURN!! Liv’s arsenal is deeper than before, she goes for a ghost pin, but Becky slips free! DISARM-HER!!! Liv endures, reaches out, but Becky’s between her and ropes! Liv moves around, and wait, DIRTY DOM is ringside now?!
The fans boo as Becky stares Dom down! Dom doesn’t want Liv to win, but Liv just got a ROPEBREAK for this! The fans boo Dom and Becky tells him to go away. Liv gets up, and she swings, but into the MAN- CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!!! Becky survives and Liv snarls. Liv stares Dom down, then drags Becky to a drop zone. Liv goes up a corner, but Becky goes after her! Becky gets Liv for a SUPERPLEX! Both women are down and Liv flounders all the way to the other corner! The ref checks Liv, Dom gets a chair! And he slides it into the ring for Becky!? He wants The Man do protect Mami? Dom then distracts the ref!
But Liv runs up, DDT onto the chair!!! Dom freaks out, he just messed up the wrong woman! ObLIVion!!! Cover, LIV WINS!!!!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s World Champion)
Liv says she told you so! She comes out on top all because Dirty Dom couldn’t keep his dirty mustache out of this! Liv took out Mami, she just took the title from The Man, did the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour just accomplish its mission?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Sami Zayn VS VS Bronson Reed VS Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy!
As the Great Liberator put it himself, this is a battle of mind, body and soul. The Mind is Master Gable, the manipulator and technical genius of The Alpha Academy. The Body is “Big” Bronson Reed, the Colossal Aussie whose Tsunami wipes out all in its path. And The Soul is Sami himself, who puts his all into every fight he’s in. Sami bets on Soul every time, because he bets on himself. But when he only has a 33 and one-third chance of winning, will the numbers spell disaster for him tonight? Or can he overcome these odds and stay golden?
Oh, Maxxine Dupri IS here. But then Gable says no, she should stay in the back so she doesn’t mess this up like she does everything else. Maxxine does as told, will Gable only need his number one guy to come out on top?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes it reign in the desert!
The bell rings, the fans are thunderous for Sami, but then Gable takes a swing! Sami counter punches, throws more hands, but then Bronson throws Sami! Gable CHOPS Bronson, Bronson HEADBUTTS him! Bronson SPLASHES Sami in a corner, Gable CHOPS Bronson! Gable CHOPS again, but Bronson CHOPS back! Bronson then scoops and lifts Gable, but Gable slips free! Gable bails out, Bronson pursues, but then Sami PLANCHAS onto Bronson! Gable CLOBBERS Sami from behind! The fans still sing for Sami, “OLE~! OLE OLE OLE~!” but Gable puts Sami in the ring. Sami blocks a buckle bump to give a buckle bump!
Sami climbs up and he wants fans to count along! Sami punches away until we reach TEN! Gable staggers, Sami AX HANDLES him down! Bronson is back to LARIAT Sami! The fans boo as Bronson flexes. Bronson drags Sami up, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Gable comes back, Bronson spins him, then he catches Sami! URENAGE DDT COMBO! Bronson stalks Sami, drags him up, and HEADBUTTS! Gable bails out while he can and Bronson runs in at Sami,. Sami drop toeholds Bronson into buckles! Sami ELBOWS Gable away, and the fans fire up as he goes out after Gable!
Gable trips Sami and has him in the apron skirt! Gable CLUBS away on Sami, then goes to a corner! Gable climbs, leaps at Bronson, MISSILE DROPKICK! Bronson tumbles, Gable soaks up the heat, and he gets Sami out of the skirt. Gable ROCKS Sami with a right, but the fans still sing for Sami. Gable stands Sami up, talks trash, and he ROCKS Sami again! Gable whips, Sami holds ropes, and he DUMPS Gable right out! But Bronson runs in! Sami TOSSES Bronson out! The fans fire up as Sami builds speed, and he FLIES! Direct hit and down go both Bronson and Gable! As if this place wasn’t already rocking!
Sami hurries to get Bronson up but that’s a big ask. Sami gets Bronson in, hurries up a corner, and the fans fire up again. But Bronson ROCKS Sami first! Bronson climbs up after Sami, fireman’s carries, but Sami kicks and flails, to then SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Bronson survives but the fans are thunderous again! Sami stalks Bronson, reels him in, but Bronson’s too big for Blue Thunder! Sami CLUBS away on Bronson’s back, tries again, but Bronson is still too big! Bronson CLUBS Sami now, puts him up top, but Gable CHOP BLOCKS Bronson! Gable climbs up after Sami, but Bronson joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!!
Bronson snarls, hobbles over, and he drags Sami to a drop zone. Bronson climbs and Otis is watching. Bronson KAIJU SAULTSÂ but FLOPS as Sami moves! Gable MOONSAULTS on Bronson! Cover, Sami breaks it! The fans are thunderous as all three men are down! Sami hurries to get Bronson up again but that’s still too much to lift! Bronson reels Sami in, but Sami wrenches out to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Knuckle lock, up and up and TORNADO DDT! Cover, Gable breaks it, with an ANKLE LOCK!! Sami endures, reaches out, but a Triple Threat means no disqualifications, no ropebreaks!
Sami flails, fights around, but Gable leans on that hold with all his might! Sami still flounders forward, but Gable drags him back! GRAPEVINE! But Bronson runs up! Gable grabs Bronson for the ANKLE LOCK!! Bronson endures, Sami gets Gable for the ANKLE LOCK!! The fans fire up as it is a chain! Gable lets Bronson go to flail around, but Bronson runs up! Sami uses that to BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!! Bronson survives but it’s just as shocking that Sami hit the Blue Thunder! All three men are down again, Gable goes to a corner. Sami goes after him with forearms but Gable gives those back!
The fans cheer Sami, boo Gable, but then Bronson SPLASHES them both! Bronson puts Gable up top, fireman’s carries Sami, and then he adds Gable to the stack! DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP!! The fans cheer the show of strength but Bronson then eyes his targets on the outside. “This is Awesome!” as Bronson builds speed! Bronson DIVES?! And he takes out both Sami and Gable!! The fans lose their minds, Bronson puts Sami in the ring, and Bronson climbs the corner. The wave is rising, TSUNAMI FLOPS as Sami moves in time! Sami runs corner to corner, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX from Gable!
Gable holds on, he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Sami throws elbows, switches, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES! Sami holds on, to GERMAN SUPLEX again! But Bronson joins in! Gable elbows Sami, switches, but that means having Bronson? DOUBLE GERMAN?!?! The fans are thunderous for that show of strength! The three men stir, Gable shoves Bronson out and says it’s time! Otis CLOBBERS Bronson! Gable says that’s what he’s talking about! This is the Otis that Gable wants to see! Gable TOSSES Sami out, time for Otis to get him, too! The fans say “NO! NO! NO!” and Otis is conflicted.
Gable says do it! Do it for Gable! But Otis hesitates and Gable asks what’s wrong with him. Gable gets Sami up in a waistlock, and he wants Otis to hit Sami! Otis paces in frustration, but he can’t bring himself to do it! The fans cheer! Gable is mad, and asks what is wrong with him! Gable tells Otis to listen to his coach. Gable SLAPS Otis! The fans boo, Otis snarls, but Gable asks what Otis is gonna do. Is Otis suddenly Sami’s friend? Gable SLAPS Otis again! Gable sets Sami up again, Otis snarls and runs up, but Sami ducks! LARIAT hits Gable after all!! Otis is stunned, and Sami has Bronson in a corner! HELLUVA KICK!!! Cover, Sami wins!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Otis was a deciding factor in this match, but in Sami’s favor! Will Gable ever forgive Otis for this? Will Sami continue to be the heart and soul of this Intercontinental Championship?
Backstage interview with Bianca & Jade.
Byron is again with the tag team champions and congratulates them on defending those titles. But is there a secret to how they’ve gelled? What secret? Candice & Indi stepped up and got stepped on. Bianca got even with Candice, she gave her a taste of her own medicine, these two had something to prove and they proved it. If you want it, come get this work. #AndStill!
2024 Queen of the Ring Finals: Lyra Valkyria VS Nia Jax!
As we heard from The Morrigan, it is truly surreal that she is here, in this moment, so soon after being drafted from NXT to Raw. But she put in the work, so she most certainly deserves it. The Irresistible Force has also been putting in the work, “buzzing” through opponent after opponent, though maybe with a little controversy at times. But when it comes to this crown, there can only be one. Will Lyra plant her flag and prove she belongs? Or will Nia cement her legacy beyond a shadow of a doubt?
The introductions are made, the throne awaits, and we see who wears the Queen’s Crown!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. They slowly circle, then Nia runs up. Lyra dodges and keeps her distance. Nia tries again, Lyra dodges again, then Lyra headlocks. Nia powers out, Lyra comes back and gets around, but the crucifix takedown doesn’t work. Lyra shifts to sunset flip but still Nia stays up. Nia drags Lyra up, TOSSES her, but Lyra handsprings through! The fans cheer, Lyra dusts herself off, and then she drop toeholds. Nia still stays up, and she fireman’s carries! Lyra slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Lyra into buckles, gets free, runs back in, but Lyra TOSSES her out!
Lyra aims, builds speed, and WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! The fans fire up, but then Nia RAMS Lyra into the apron! Nia puts Lyra in, Lyra staggers around, and Nia storms up. Lyra DORPKICKS Nia to a corner! Lyra fires off forearms, Nia shoves her away. Lyra comes back, TORNADO- NO, Nia throws Lyra away again! Nia scoops, but it’s back to the SLEEPER! Nia SLINGS Lyra off, snarls and runs up, and she SPLASHES Lyra in a corner! Nia CLUBS Lyra, shoves her down, then stalks her. Nia kicks Lyra around, soaks up heat, then runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and the fans rally up again.
Nia kicks and stomps Lyra, then drags her up. Nia whips Lyra to a corner hard, then soaks up more heat. Nia digs her boot into Lyra at the corner! The ref counts, Nia lets off, and Lyra crawls. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Nia. Lyra RAMS into Nia again and again, but Nia CLUBS Lyra down. Nia drags Lyra up, scoops, and she RAMS Lyra into buckles! Nia puts Lyra in the Tree of Woe, then HEADBUTTS Lyra right out of it! The fans boo but Nia drags Lyra up again. Nia puts Lyra in ropes, and pulls her back against them! Nia lets go and Lyra clutches her back. The fans rally but Nia brings Lyra around for a COBRA CLUTCH!
Nia thrashes Lyra, Lyra endures, and the fans rally again. Nia grinds Lyra into the mat, but the fans continue to rally. Lyra fights up, throws elbows, but Nia SWINGS Lyra around to THROW her away! The fans boo but Nia stalks Lyra. Lyra BOOTS from below! Nia comes back, but into a JAWBREAKER! Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, RAMS and KICKS again! ENZIGIRI! Nia drops to a knee! Lyra runs, but into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and Nia scowls. Nia drags Lyra to a drop zone, goes up the corner, A-NIA- NO, Lyra slips out of the ring! So Nia just goes to the outside of the corner! APRON A-NIA- NOPE! Lyra moves again!
Lyra then runs up to WRECK Nia with a dropkick! Lyra keeps moving, and she- GETS CAUGHT! Nia drags Lyra out to wheelbarrow, but Lyra BULLDOGS to the floor! The fans fire up as Lyra turns things around! The count starts, both women rise up at 3 of 10. Lyra shoves Nia in at 4, hurries up a corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Nia bounces off a corner, Lyra runs up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia is still in this and Lyra is frustrated. The fans rally, Lyra goes up, but Nia gets under. Lyra hobbles on a bad leg, Nia SAMOAN DROPS again! Nia hurries to put Lyra right in the drop zone! Nia goes up again, but Lyra KICKS the legs out!
Nia is stuck in the Tree of Woe! Lyra runs corner to corner to WOE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Nia is still in this but Lyra hurries back up! Nia stands, for the CHANGE OF FORTUNES!! Cover off the flying leg drop, TWO!! Nia survives and Lyra is shocked! Lyra tries to fireman’s carry, but this is Sami with Bronson all over again! Nia CLUBS Lyra, shoves her away, and SPLASHES in the corner! Lyra grins, fireman’s carries, and climbs up the corner! But Lyra fights to slip, around, she SUNSET FLIPS, but Nia holds onto the ropes! A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (2024 Queen of the Ring Winner)
Lyra tried, but not all birds can fly over a mountain. Triple H presents Nia the crown personally, and they hug it out. Kayla interviews Nia and congratulates her but Nia says save it, she doesn’t need it. She knows the fans aren’t happy for her, but she is very happy for herself. And she’ll be a lot happier and we’re gonna be a lot angrier, because Nia will become WWE Women’s Champion at SummerSlam. Will The Role Model be able to withstand The Irresistible Force when they meet in The Land?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Becky is tearing into Dom as Byron walks up, and Byron asks her on any comments. Becky doesn’t know what happened out there, why Dom was there, what’s going on with him, Rhea or Liv. This revenge tour, that revenge tour, but Becky has a rematch clause! She’s gonna talk with Pearce, and she’s gonna demand a rematch this Monday on Raw! Will The Man make sure the new champ’s time in the spotlight is short lived?
2024 King of the Ring Finals: GUNTHER VS Randy Orton!
Der Ring General set the bar for being Intercontinental Champion, and then he powered his way through Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, and Jey Uso. The Viper meanwhile has set the bar for being a living legend in this company and in this business, and yet the one thing he has yet to win is that crown. Will Orton show even Gunther is vulnerable to the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment? Or will Gunther go from Ring General to King General?
The introductions are made, another throne awaits, and we see who bows down to the king!
The bell rings and the fans are all fired up. Orton and Gunther stare down, then slowly circle. The fans are strongly behind “R K O! R K O!” and even make the song “ORTON~! ORTON ORTON ORTON~!” Gunther is unbothered as he and Orton tie up. They go around in a deadlock, each man rather equal in height and size. Orton puts Gunther on ropes, but Gunther puts Orton in a corner. The ref counts, Gunther pushes Orton as he lets off, and the fans applaud. The fans cheer on Orton even more now, but Gunther is still unbothered. They circle, tie up, and are in another deadlock. Gunther powers Orton back but Orton puts Gunther in a corner!
The fans rally, the ref counts, and the two men still clinch. The ref has to get in there, and finally Orton lets off. The fans cheer as both men reset, neither back down. Gunther starts talking a bit of trash but the fans boo. Orton goes for Gunther, Gunther gets the arm. Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, then clamps onto the shoulder. Orton drops to his knees but he endures the grind. Orton fights up, makes sure his bad leg is good, and then he wrenches Gunther’s arm! And wrenches again, and again! Orton WRINGS Gunther out! Gunther gets up, puts Orton on ropes, and the ref counts. Orton lets go and Gunther backs off while fans cheer.
Orton and Gunther stare down as they reset, and the fans fire up again. The two circle, feel things out, tie up again, and Orton headlocks. Gunther fights with a forearm in Orton’s face, but Orton just cranks the hold harder. Gunther powers up, powers out, but Orton runs him over! The fans fire up, Orton hits a headlock takeover! Orton grins as he has the ring technician down. The fans rally, Gunther fights with forearms in Orton’s face again, and fights up to his feet. The fans rally harder, but Gunther powers up, only for Orton to hold on tight! Orton thrashes the hold, but Gunther endures. Gunther fights up again, powers up, and he puts Orton in a corner.
The ref counts, Orton lets go slowly, and Gunther CHOPS! Orton grimaces but he shakes it off. Gunther winds up again, to CHOP! Orton snarls through the pain, Gunther eggs him on, and Orton comes back. Gunther CHOPS again! Orton seethes, and he blocks a chop! The fans fire up as Orton fires haymakers in return! Orton has Gunther in a corner, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Gunther UPPERCUTS back! Orton staggers and goes to ropes, but he kicks back! Orton UPPERCUTS Gunther down! Orton has Gunther in a corner, ROCKS him, then climbs up on him. Orton rains down fists and the fans count along to TEN!
But Gunther grabs Orton first, throws him back, and the bad leg jams! Orton slips out of the clinch but Gunther avoids the RKO! That was as close as you could get! Gunther STOMPS Orton’s back! And stomps him again! Orton goes to ropes, Gunther CLUBS him right between the shoulders! Orton seethes through the pain, but Gunther waistlocks. Gunther stands Orton up, shoves him, and CLUBS him in the lower back! Orton flounders away but Gunther stalks him. Orton ends up on ropes again, the fans rally, but Gunther drags Orton up again. Another shove, but Orton ROCKS Gunther first!
Orton fires off haymakers, but Gunther turns things around to stomp and CHOP! Orton falls, sputters, and the fans boo. Gunther stalks Orton, “This is Awesome!” as Gunther stomps Orton against ropes. The ref counts, Gunther goes up to soak up the heat. Gunther already claims the crown, then he stalks Orton along ropes. Orton stands in a corner, and Gunther CLUB Shim! And CLUBS him again! And again! Orton crawls, Gunther stalks him, and Gunther clamps on an inverted top wristlock! Orton endures, the fans rally, and Orton stands. Gunther wrangles Orton back down, has the motorcycle stretch, then a chinbar and cording hold!
Orton endures the armlock, fights up, and he fights free, but Gunther kicks low! Gunther scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Orton but Gunther stalks him. The fans boo Gunther as Orton rises up. Gunther scoops again, for a SLAM! Orton writhes and the fans boo but Gunther paces. Gunther talks some more smack, goes back to Orton, and Orton slowly rises. Gunther drags Orton up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Orton fights it! Orton tries to suplex but Gunther fights it! They both battle for control, and it’s Orton who suplexes Gunther up and over! The fans fire up and Orton starts getting a sinister smile on his face.
Orton watches Gunther rise, storms up, but Gunther gets around to CLUB Orton’s back! And CHOP Orton’s chest! Gunther runs, but into Orton’s LARIAT! Orton then rallies with more LARIATS! Gunther takes another, swing, but he avoids the powerslam! Gunther runs up to LARIAT in return! Cover, TWO! Orton is still in this and Gunther grows frustrated. The fans rally up while Gunther looms over Orton. Gunther stands Orton up, reels him in, but Orton fights the lift! Orton RAMS Gunther into a corner! Gunther comes running back but into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Gunther goes to the apron but the fans fire up!
Orton storms his way over to get Gunther in the ropes! The fans fire up for the DRAPING DDT! Orton rises, and while he hears the thousands of fans, he hears those voices in his head! Gunther rises, Orton runs up, but no RKO! Gunther scoops to SLAM! Gunther hurries to a corner and climbs up! GUNTHER SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans are thunderous! Gunther hurries back to the corner, he wants another one! GUNTHER- NO, he has to roll as Orton moves! RKO!!! But Orton can’t make the cover!! Orton has to crawl, and Gunther rolls away to the apron! The fans boo and Orton can’t believe it.
Orton goes out after Gunther on the floor. Orton also eyes the commentary desks… The fans want ot see it, and Orton gets Gunther up, DESK BACK SUPLEX! “One More Time! One More Time!” Orton says okay, and he DESK BACK SUPLEXES again! That’s twice for the American commentary, what about the Saudi Arabia commentary? Orton refreshes the ring count, he doesn’t wanna win that way. But then Gunther RAMS Orton into the apron! Gunther CHOPS Orton, “This is Awesome!” as Gunther gets Orton in. But Orton powers up to back drop free! The fans fire up and Orton leans on the apron.
Orton hears the ring count, he gets Gunther up for a THIRD DESK BACK SUPLEX, all for the American commentary! Orton drags Gunther in at 7 of 10, drags himself up onto the apron at 8, and the fans rally for him. Orton steps in, Gunther SHOTGUNS Orton’s bad leg in the ropes! Orton is stuck, Gunther kicks him down and kicks him around! Gunther gets Orton’s bad leg, drops a knee on the knee, then clamps on! Orton fights the turnover but Gunther still has the HALF CRAB! Orton endures, powers up and powers out! But Gunther stomps the bad leg again! Gunther turns Orton back over, HALF CRAB!
The fans rally as hard as they can as Orton endures again! Orton fights his way over, fights to turn back over, and he BOOTS Gunther away! Gunther comes back for the leg, and it’s back into the HALF CRAB! Orton endures, the fans rally, but Gunther digs his knee into Orton’s lower back! Orton fights forward, ROPEBREAK! But Gunther drags him away! Orton kicks and kicks and kicks free, RKO!!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Gunther survives, because of the bad leg! Ghost pin, GUNTHER WINS!!!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (2024 King of the Ring Winner)
The fans can’t believe it, but Der Ring General snatches this one away outta nowhere! The crown continues to elude Orton, will he ever finish his WWE checklist? As for Gunther, HHH returns to give him the crown, and the King General is born! Byron is here to interview and congratulate Gunther. Gunther was confident he’d win, he achieved this goal, how does it feel to be King of the Ring? Gunther takes a moment, and there are fans who chant, “You Deserve It!” Gunther thanks them for that, but what he does or doesn’t deserve is none of their business. The fans boo, but Gunther says it doesn’t even matter that he defeated Orton here in the finals!
What happened today was the Apex Predator becoming the prey of Der Ring General. Der Ring General is now King of the Ring! And at SummerSlam, the King becomes the World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther has put Damian Priest on notice, and also in effect all of Raw. Will Gunther keep the mat sacred from here to The Land?
Crown Jewel returns!
Riyadh will once again host the landmark spectacle of the Fall! Saturday, November 2nd, who will return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as champion?
Backstage interview with HHH.
Kayla is now with The Game and says he has some breaking news. Yes, he does. It has been an incredible night so far, congratulations to Liv Morgan, to Nia Jax, and to Gunther. But for big announcements, earlier tonight, the medical staff just cleared Drew McIntyre! And true to his word, Damian Priest agreed to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against the Scottish Warrior. The match is now official! Priest VS McIntyre for the title, June 15th in Glasgow, Scotland! It will be a Clash at the Castle to be sure, but will McIntyre bring about Priest’s judgment day? Or will even all of Scotland rise for El Campeon?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Logan Paul!
The American Nightmare was able to #FinishTheStory at WrestleMania 40, and he had a phenomenal first defense at Backlash. But now, he goes up against the Maverick United States Champion who is known for pulling fast ones over on his opponents. After all, Logan won his US title by cheating Rey Mysterio, and even found a way to not defend it here tonight. But will Cody show Logan that this business isn’t about ability but dedication? Or will we all have to call him #TwoBeltLogan?
As special guest ring announce, Saudi Arabia’s own Ibrahim Al Hajjaj is here! Ibrahim makes the introductions, Cody’s belt is raised, and it’s time to see who is truly Undisputed!
The bell rings and the fans sing “CODY~! CODY CODY CODY~!” The fans then fire up as Cody and Logan slowly circle. They hear the fans rally harder for Cody, and Cody revels in it a moment. Then he and Logan tie up, are in a deadlock, but Logan uses his height for leverage. Logan has Cody in a corner but Cody turns that around. Logan talks trash but Cody lets off cleanly. The two reset, Logan avoids Cody going for a leg, but Cody gets around to waistlock. Logan switches, Cody switches, repeat and repeat. They end up on ropes, the ref counts, and the two let off cleanly. The fans rally for Cody as he and Logan reset.
Cody and Logan circle, feel things out, and tie up again. Cody wrenches, wristlocks, then UPPERCUTS the arm! Logan wrenches to wristlock, but Cody cartwheels fere! Logan sweeps, covers, ONE! Logan avoids a sweep to sweep again, ONE, and Cody wants that leg! Logan scrambles to the ROPEBREAK and Cody lets off. The fans boo Logan but Logan gets up to reset with Cody again. They stare down, circle, tie up, and Cody headlocks. Logan powers up and wrenches free, goes for the top wristlock but Cody fights it off. Cody slips around and he wrenches to then headlock. Logan powers up and out, drops down then hurdles, but Cody kicks and RHODES-
NO, Logan blocks! Logan SLAMS the hand off the mat! Logan talks trash, Cody gets up in a huff and shoves. Logan shoves back, so Cody fires a forearm! Logan UPPERCUTS, Cody haymakers, repeat! Cody ROCKS Logan, reels Logan in and suplexes, SLINGSHOT GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up with Cody, then he pushes Logan to a cradle, TWO! Logan gets free but the fans are on Cody’s side. Cody get Logan up, headlocks again, but Logan endures. Logan throws body shots, powers up and out, but Cody ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Logan to duck the crossbody! Cody tumbles out, Logan PLANCHAS! Down goes Cody again!
The fans boo but Logan stalks Cody, and RAMS him into steel steps! Logan asks if Michael Cole saw that. The fans chant “You Suck!” but Logan says no brass knuckles needed. Logan puts Cody in at 6 of 10, but the fans tell him off. Cody goes to a corner, Logan runs up to throw body shots! Logan keeps Cody cornered and fires more of those boxing blows! Logan then brings Cody in, lifts, ALLEY-OOP BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Cody sits up. Logan brings Cody up, gut wrenches for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this but Logan stays on him with a ground ‘n’ pound! The fans boo but Logan lets off to step on Cody.
STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Logan drags Cody to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, but Cody ROCKS Logan first! Cody climbs, CLUBS away on Logan, but Logan throws hands back! Logan knocks Cody down, but Cody returns to go up and up and SUPER ARM-DRAG! A rough landing for both men but the fans fire up all the same! Both men rise, and Cody JABS! But Logan throws a body shot! Logan wrenches, clamps on, IRON OCTOPUS! Cody endures and powers out as the fans rally up! Cody CLUBS Logan’s legs, but Logan sunset flips! Cody stays up to PUNCH Logan down! Cody grits his teeth and the fans rally up harder.
Cody goes to ropes, Logan runs up but Cody DUMPS him out! Then BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Logan falls to the floor and the fans fire up for Cody! Cody pounds the mat as he fires himself up, and the fans clap along. Cody builds speed, but Logan moves aside! No dive for Cody, so he goes out to fire hands! Cody sends Logan into barriers! And then back into barriers! The fans fire up again and Cody drags Logan up. Logan throws hands, his posse is there to cheer him on! They help him hydrate with Prime, but then Cody kicks low! Cody takes that bottle and SMACKS Logan with it! Logan’s buddies shove Cody, so Cody drags one over the barriers!
The ref stops Cody but then Jeff gives Logan a THIRD pair of knuckles! Cody runs in, BRASS KNUCKLE BODY SHOT!! The fans boo but we all knew Logan was a POS before this, what else would he do? Logan tells Cole to do his job, Cole says Logan should stick to his word! Logan’s a loser! Logan gets pissed that Cole said that, but Corey stands in Logan’s way! Corey talks Logan down, and then Cody DIVES! Down goes Logan and the fans are thunderous! Cody dribbles Logan off the desk, puts him in the ring, and then runs to CLOBBER Logan! The fans fire up, Cody baits Logan to a corner! Up, over and SNAP POWERSLAM!
Cody winces from the pain in his side, but the fans rally as hard as they can! Cody rises, grits his teeth, and he brings Logan up. Springboard, but Logan ducks the Disaster Kick! Logans wings, Cody ducks, to JAB! JAB! JAB! Flip, flop, fly and BIONIC ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans continue to rally for Cody, and he drags Logan by a leg. Cody steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Logan endures, flails, reaches out, his shoulders are down! ONE as Logan sits up, and he grabs at Cody’s hair. Cody puts pressure on the leglock. Logan backstrokes towards ropes, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Cody lets the hold go at 4.
Logan goes to the apron, Cody storms up, but Logan RAMS into him! Logan slingshots, but Cody gets under the Buckshot, to CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Logan survives and Cody can’t believe it! Cody huffs and puffs and the fans fire up with him again! Cody fires hands on Logan, has him in a corner for more, then brings Logan out to reel him in! Cody gets the Inverted Gory Especial, for the- NO, Logan slips free and steals CROSS RHODES!! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives his own move and Logan is beside himself! Logan snarls, he drags Cody to a drop zone, and he climbs up top. FROG SPLASH, but he has to bail out as Cody moves!
Cody comes back, gets around, ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cody hits that curtain call, and now it’s time to end this! Cody looms over Logan, roars, and then he dragon sleepers! CROSS- NO, Logan slips around to RAM Cody into a corner! And RAMS him in again! And again! The ref counts, Logan brings Cody around, to TOSS out of the ring. Logan goes out to the apron as Cody slowly stands. Logan brings Cody up to SMACK off the Arabic desk. Logan puts Cody back in, just to drag him back out. SMACK off the American desk! Logan dares Cole to say something now as he clears the desk. Logan “apologizes” as he messes things up.
Logan goes to Cody, brings him around, and puts him on the desk. Logan refreshes the count, then gets on the desk. Logan reels Cody in, says it is the Logan Paul Levesque Era! Logan underhooks the arms! But Cody fights free! Cody fires forearm after forearm, then goes from barrier and back again, CODY CUTTER on the desk!! The fans lose their minds while both men are down! The count is climbing, Cody hurries in at 7 of 10! Logan is still down at 8! Cody hears 9 and asks the ref to stop!? Cody again doesn’t want it like that, he wants to finish this in the ring! The fans cheer his sportsmanship, and Cody clears the Arabic desk!
The fans fire up as Cody refreshes the count again. Cody brings Logan over, “This is Awesome!” but then Logan RAMS Cody into steel steps! ONE LUCKY PUNCH!! Logan talks a bunch of trash but he has to get Cody in the ring for this to matter! Logan puts Cody on the desk first, then grabs himself some fresh Prime! Logan goes into the ring, goes up the corner, and he’s ready to go viral again! Logan is up top, soaks up the heat, takes a sip, and gives a HHH spit before the VLOG SPLASH!! The fans lose their minds again as Logan flounders his way back up. The count returns, Logan drags Cody up and into the ring at 5 of 10!
Logan goes up a corner, aims again, FROG SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Logan is shocked and the fans are thunderous as Cody still lives! Logan gets angry now, and he demands Cody get up. Logan drags Cody into position, “I HATE YOU!” Logan fires body shot after body shot! Then he whips Cody into the corner, goes corner to corner, but into a BOOT! Cody sputters, snarls, and he goes back for Logan. Cody whips Logan, Logan reverses, and he sends Cody into the ref! Logan runs in, Cody moves, the SPLASH hits the ref!! Logan turns around, into Cody’s kick! Inverted Gory Especial, DIN’S FIRE!! Cover off the vertebreaker, but no ref to count!!
Cody realizes what happened, checks on the ref, apologizes, and says they gotta finish this. Cody goes back to Logan, for a LOW BLOW!! Cody falls, Logan reaches down, and brings out a FOURTH pair of brass knuckles! How’d he smuggle all of these in!? Logan pumps up, but WAIT! Ibrahim anchors Logan’s legs! Logan kicks Ibrahim away and asks who the hell even is that guy! Cody blocks the hand! CROSS RHODES!!! But that’s not all! ANOTHER CROSS RHODES!! And then A THIRD CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, Cody wins!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Logan tried all his tricks and then some, and Cody makes him pay for it! Will Logan have to learn to do this the right way? As for The American Nightmare, his story as champion continues on. Gunther will be facing the World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam, so who is next for THE WWE Champion?
My Thoughts:
An awesome show for this year’s King & Queen of the Ring. Really good interview promos throughout the “countdown” show, and a really good women’s tag title match to top it off. That finishing string of moves was also used at Backlash but it wasn’t a finisher then, so I’m glad they used it as a finisher now. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark won the right to be challengers next, maybe we get them against Jade & Bianca for Clash at the Castle. Speaking of, glad to learn Priest VS McIntyre is official for Clash at the Castle, what else would they do? There’s a very good chance McIntyre wins, as Priest has been adamant about Judgment Day not cheating for him, and Priest could end up arguing with Finn or McDonagh and that costs Priest the title.
Great Women’s World Championship match, and great tie-in of the story, Dom costing Becky when he meant to cost Liv. Becky wants her rematch, she’ll probably get it, but there’s a good chance Liv uses another dirty tactic to keep the title, only for Rhea to return and challenge Liv. There’s something brewing with Liv and Judgment Day, as she’s been spotted Easter Egg style with Finn Balor. There’s all the memes of Liv VS Rhea for “custody” of Dom, guess we’ll see. The Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship was also great stuff, and while Sami was of course winning, we got a great moment of Otis accidentally clobbering Gable. That will definitely be a major point on Raw, and Sami can move on to any number of contenders now.
Awesome Queen AND King of the Ring matches tonight, and it makes sense the brands split the two. Lyra is great but she wasn’t gonna be the challenger to a world title so soon, and what a creative finish with Nia crushing Lyra’s powerbomb attempt. As I figured just last night with SmackDown, Bayley will have to take on some powerhouses with Piper Niven in Glasgow and Queen Nia in Cleveland, really bringing out that classic Underdog Face side of her. At the same time, we have to remember Money in the Bank is in July, who knows who will be Miss Money in the Bank by SummerSlam, they could take advantage of Nia almost having Bayley and snipe the title.
Gunther VS Orton was so good, and they played up Orton’s bad leg and bad back to perfection. It was one of the few times where Orton hits an RKO and can’t make the cover. Plus, Gunther winning not with a finisher but a fast pin was a great move to protect Orton in the loss but to still make sure it was Gunther getting the crown and getting in on the world title scene. Priest VS McIntyre in Glasgow, a new Mr. MITB to worry about after July, and Gunther VS World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam. It’d be rather fitting if Priest got cashed in on, and we also have to worry about Bash in Berlin on August 31st. Gunther’s gotta be doing something for that, and could possibly be champion going into that.
And of course, awesome main event from Cody and Logan. Gotta admit, it was clever for Logan to have other people sneaking him knuckles, and it was good Heel Heat for him to resort to this. But of course Cody won by making it through all the cheap tricks and he has a win on the US Champion. As I was theorizing last night, it feels like Cody VS Styles 2 should happen for Clash at the Castle, and then because Cody got a win over a champion and Cleveland is Logan’s hometown, Cody VS Logan 2Â for the US Championship should happen. Now, whether Cody becomes Grand Slam Champion at SummerSlam, who knows. MITB will also be in play, someone could use that to snipe the Undisputed title off Cody while Cody gets the US title, a wild switcheroo if they go for it.
My Score: 9.1/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who’s Your Fav Ninja Turtle?
Every team has now played more than half of their schedule and Tunney and Balaz got you covered as we...
Hockey Talk- The Hall Finally Calls [111224]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame 16 years after his last game and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Are The Lions Better Than The Chiefs?
With Rey Cash out on assignment, Andrew and PC take you through Weapon and Dumbass of the week along with...
Hockey Talk- Capital Gains [110524]
Hockey Talk looks at the surprising Washington Capitals and their captain, Alex Ovechkin, as he draws closer to the goal...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – Last Week Today
The Chairshot presents episode 10 of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, a with an NBA and World Series Preview,...
Bandwagon Nerds #263: Dawn Patrol
BWN continues its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 1987 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Flyers, plus Star...
Bandwagon Nerds #262: Curse of the Great Bambino
BWN begins its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 2003 ALCS clash between the Yankees and Red Sox, plus MCU...
Bandwagon Nerds #261: Flying Figgity
The Bandwagon begins its 6th year by concluding its review of Agatha All Along and mulling over the question of...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (10/31/24)
IT'S TIME!
Hockey Talk- Jet Setters [102924]
Hockey Talk looks at the red-hot start to the season of the Winnipeg Jets and discusses how the defending champion...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)
Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!
Greg DeMarco Show: Looks That Kill
Patrick O'Dowd went to Arizona and he and Greg had themselves an extended weekend with IZW Looks That Kill!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)
It's Tag Season again!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/19/24)
There's a lot on the line tonight!
Classic POD is WAR: What Is Thank You Alex Trebek? (111220)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/18/24)
It's a BIG night!
#TheOddity 018: That’s Alot Of Chalamets
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (11/16/24)
Championship or Bust!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Posthumously? Really??
Smash or Trash is back this week as the guys are talking beverages! Plus, some thoughts on the Mike Tyson/Jake...
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/15/24)
Ricochet is on a Rampage!
