Will the Rogue Luchador have his revenge on the Murder Machine?

After winning Best of the Super Juniors, El Desperado got Sho to accept an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship STEEL CAGE MATCH, so will Sho have no choice but to do this without the House of Torture?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
• 10 Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma, Tomohiro Ishii, Satoshi Kojima, Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• DOUKI & Taichi VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Douki & Taichi win.
• Bishamon VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Bishamon wins.
• Tetsuya Naito & Titan VS Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura; Naito & Titan win.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Connors & Drilla win and retain the titles.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS HENARE; Henare wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS SANADA; Finlay wins and retains the title.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match: SHO VS El Desperado; Desperado wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg!

It’s a Dominion rematch as Yota Tsuji, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi once again face The Ace, The Joker & The Rook! It was already rather incredible that LIJ won in the first place, will they prove it wasn’t just luck at Osaka-Jo Hall? Or will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg prove you can’t keep bad boys down?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and let’s see who really runs the schoolyard!

The teams sort out and while Yota and Oleg stare down, Yano insists he start. Hiromu obliges, and they both squat at the middle of the ring. They talk some smack, then the bell rings. And Hiromu copies Yano by going right to a corner to untie a buckle pad! Yano SMACKS Hiromu on the back of the head, then finishes the job himself! Hiromu SMACKS Yano on the head! Hiromu whips, Yano reveres, but Hiromu holds the ropes and copies Yano’s taunt! Yano runs up but Hiromu drop toeholds him onto ropes! Then he KICKS the rope, runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano tags Oleg and Tanahashi jump in, too.

Oleg & Tanahashi double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Hiromu! Oleg then scoops Hiromu to SLAM him! Tanahashi drops an elbow, Oleg SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Yano tags back in. Yano whips but Hiromu reverses, only for Yano to avoid the bare buckles. Hiromu runs in, but only gets bare buckles! Yano runs, but into a kick! Bushi gets in to dropkick legs out, then Yota runs in to basement dropkick! Bushi & Yota then knock Tanahashi & Oleg off the apron! Bushi & Yota then go out after them, stomp them down, and Hiromu stomps Yano. Hiromu drags Yano up, bumps him off the red corner, and tags Bushi in.

Bushi stomps Yano, digs his knee in, and the ref counts. Bushi lets go of the ropes, but that’s not the problem! The ref reprimands and Bushi steps away. Bushi drags Yano up, wrenches and wristlocks to then YANK the arm and CLUB it. Tag to Yota, he BOOTS the arm! Yano clutches the elbow, but Yota wrenches the arm to YANK it. Tag to Hiromu and he climbs up, and the fans rally for the AX HANDLE! Yota drops to his knees and Hiromu mocks his pain while bringing him back up. Hiromu whips Yano tot he corner, clotheslines, snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! Hiromu calls to Yota, and he has Yota scoop him, for the assisted SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Hiromu has the ref watch Tanahashi & Oleg, then calls Bushi in! LIJ double whip Yano but Yano holds ropes! Yano sends Hiromu into Bushi, then throws them both down by their heads! The fans fire up, Yano and Hiromu crawl, and hot tag to Tanahashi! Yota tags in but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Tanahashi fires hands, whips, but Yota reverses, only for Tanahashi to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Tanahashi fires fast hands, then Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Yota into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays cool and the fans rally up. Yota rises, Tanahashi runs, but Yota TOSSES Tanahashi out!

The fans fire up as Tanahashi skins the cat! But then Yota ROCKS him with a right! Tanahashi falls back into a corner, Yota runs in, and he STINGER SPLASHES! Yota keeps going, he runs Tanahashi over, then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Yota drags Tanahashi up. Yota reels Tanahashi in, suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it, to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT The fans rally up while both men are down. Tanahashi and Yota crawl, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg runs Yota over, gets him back up and fires forearms and CHOPS on repeat! Oleg whips, but Yota RAN- NO! Oleg stops the rana to get Yota up, for Shake, Rattle and THROW!

Oleg even kips up! The fans fire up, Oleg BLASTS Bushi & Hiromu off the corner, then he stalks Yota. Oleg waistlocks to deadlift Yota, for a GERMAN- NO, Yota fights free! Yota clinches, BACKBREAKER to FLATLINER to DOUBLE STOMP! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Yota crawls over, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi goes up the corner, Oleg rises, and Bushi MISSILE DROPKICKS! And Bushirooni! Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Oleg, then he brings Oleg in to FISHERMAN SCREW! Hiromu BLASTS Tanahashi & Yano! LIJ gets Oleg up, whips him to the corner, then Hiromu runs in to clothesline!

Bushi adds a back elbow, feeds to the SUPERKICK, then BACKSTABBERS! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! Hiromu tosses Tanahashi out, Bushi and Oleg rise. Bushi runs up, CODE- NO, Oleg tosses Bushi away! Yano throws Bushi down! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yano! Tanahashi blocks a superkick, but Yota gets in! Tanahashi blocks that superkick, too!? Tanahashi DOUBLE DRAGON SCREWS! The fans fire up but Bushi kicks low. Bushi runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up and Tanahashi drags Bushi up. Feed to Oleg for the KAMIKA- NO, Bushi slips free, and ENZIGIRIS! Oleg wobbles, Bushi goes to the corner!

Bushi runs up again, CODE- NO!! Oleg still blocks, and he fireman’s carries! Oleg coordinates with Tanahashi as he climbs, but Yota gets in Tanahashi’s way! Bushi rolls Oleg up! Tanahashi shoves Yota down onto the cover!! Tanahashi then aims to TRIPLE HIGH FLY ATTACK LIJ!! The fans are all fired up and Oleg drags Bushi back up! Fireman’s carry, and KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Oleg and team win!!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall

The Rook comes through for the team, and they get the belts back! Has Oleg proved he’s far from just a Young Lion now? Or will we need quite the tiebreaker between these trios to put this to rest?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita w/ Zack Sabre Jr!

The Bullet Club War Dogs claimed their losses to the TMDK Junior Heavyweights were flukes, but they still have to put up the gold. Will 100 Proof & 44 Caliber shoot down the Sniper of the Sky & Ichiban Young Punk? Or will we see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who’s really number one with a bullet!

The teams sort out and Fujita starts against Connors. The bell rings, the two stare down and the fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, then Connors swings on Eagles! Eagles ROCKS Connors first! Fujita ROCKS Connors, then he DECKS Drilla! Eagles jumps in, TMDK double whip to hip toss, then PENALTY KICK! Drilla storms in but into DOUBLE BLOWS! Then TMDK rolls Drilla back to DOUBLE KNEE SMASH! Eagles rallies the fans, Fujita builds speed, but Connors gets in, JEEP FLIPPER! Drilla drags Eagles out, too, and sends him into railing! Connors stomps Fujita while Drilla tosses Eagles over railing!

Drilla steps over and has fans move aside. Connors keeps on Fujita on the other end of the arena while Drilla BOWLS Eagles into chairs! STRIKE! Connors fires hands on Fujita, and he tells a segment of fans to move! Then he BOWLS Fujita into the chairs! Another STRIKE! The fans cheer while Connors throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Eagles around, scoops him, and then SLAMS him onto some seats! The ring count starts, but Connors is bringing Fujita back. Connors POSTS Fujita at 5 of 20, then takes his time to scuff Fujita before he steps in at 12. Connors taunts ZSJ at ringside, but Fujita rolls in at 17! The fans cheer but Connors mockingly applauds.

Connors kneels on Fujita’s neck, the ref reprimands and counts, and Connors steps away. Connors drags Fujita up, Drilla dusts off his boot, and Connors bumps Fujita off the boot! Tag to Drilla, and he CHOPS! And then he digs his boots in! The ref counts, Drilla steps off at 4. Connors CHOKES Fujita against ropes while the ref is busy with Drilla. The fans boo but Connors lets off before the ref catches him. Drilla looms over Fujita as he sputters, and the fans rally up. Fujita rises to throw body shots and forearms! Drilla CHOPS Fujita down! Drilla drags Fujita around, steps through, and ties up the legs into a DEATHLOCK!

Drilla tags Connors in, and Connors stomps away on Fujita! Then he JUMP ELBOW DROPS! Drilla lets Fujita go so Connors can cover, TWO! Connors smirks as he grabs the leg, and he mockingly calls “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” Drilla bark, bark, barks! Connors steps through to steal the RON MILLER SPECIAL! Eagles storms in but Drilla intercepts to TOSS him back out! Connors thrashes Fujita around but Fujita endures! Fujita crawls forward, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and the ref reprimands. Connors lets off with a smug grin, then drags Fujita up. But Fujita fires a forearm, and a CHOP!

Connors eggs Fujita on so Fujita CHOPS! Connors UPPERCUTS! Connors whips, but Fujita GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Connors crawls and tags in Drilla. Drilla grabs Fujita’s leg but Fujita BOOTS him away! Fujita scrambles, hot tag to Eagles! Eagles goes up and over Drilla, BOOTS Connors, then RANAS Drilla! The fans fire up with Eagles and he KICKS Drilla! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, Connors sneaks in to CLOBBER him! Connors & Drilla double whip, Eagles reverses to send Connors away! Then he sends Drilla into Connors! Eagles kicks a leg out, then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT BASEMENT DROPKICK COMBO!

The fans fire up with Eagles and he goes corner to corner at Drilla! DOUBLE KNEES! Drilla sits down, Eagles runs in to METEORA! Eagles drags Drilla to a cover, TWO! Eagles keeps cool and goes to the apron. Eaglee climbs, the fans rally up, and Eagles 450- NO, Drilla moves! Eagles rolls through, btu Drilla blocks his kick! Drilla pops Eagles up into the Canadian Rack! But Eagles sunset flips through! ONE, but Eagles has the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Drilla flails, Fujita keeps Connors out! Connors powers out, gets in, and he CLUBS Eagles! Eagles holds on, but Connors stomps away until he lets Drilla go!

The ref reprimands but Connors shoves him away! Connors stomps Eagles, and Drilla hobbles up. Connors stands Eagles up, but Eagles fires CHOPS and ELBOWS! SOBAT for Drilla, then a cravat! Eagles uses Connors to kick off, but Drilla denies him Sliced Bread! Drilla ELBOWS Eagles away, but Fujita tags in! Fujita slingshots but Connors catches him! Connors hands Fujita off to Drilla! But Fujita flails to go to the apron and HOTSHOT! Fujita and Eagles both springboard, DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS! The War Dogs are down and they bail out while the fans fire up! Fujita aims to springboard, DOUBLE CANNONBALL!

Direct hit and the Dogs go down! The fans fire up, Fujita puts Drilla in, and Eagles stands Drilla up. TMDK double wrench the arms, for MAXXY BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Drilla survives but the fans fire up with TMDK! Fujita hoists Drilla up, Eagles ROUNDHOUSES and Fujita GERMAN SUPLEXES! Then SUPERKICK PENALTY KICK COMBO!! Cover, Connors breaks it! The fans rally, Eagles whips but Connors reverses to TOSS Eagles out! Connors runs at Fujita but Fujita TOSSES him out! Fujita goes after Drilla with a CHOP! But Drilla wrenches to ripcord, but Fujita dodges! Sunset flip, but Drilla DOUBLE STOMPS and SENTONS!

The fans rally up and both men crawl. Drilla reaches out, hot tag to Connors! Connors takes aim, runs in, but Fujtia pops him up! Connors fights the German Suplex but Fujita holds the waistlock! Connors throws elbow after elbow but Fujita’s grip is tight! Connors throws even more elbows, and Fujita finally lets go. Fujita runs up, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla roars as he storms in, and the Dogs take aim from the corners! But Eagles anchors Drilla! Fujita O’Conner Rolls Connors, then trips him into the QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Drilla gets loose but Eagles MISSILE DROPKICKS him down! And puts him in the RON MILLER SPECIAL!!

Fujita sees Eagles has Drilla, and Fujita pulls Connors into the NELL VOSS SPECIAL!! Connors endures, flails, and Drilla reaches out, but Eagles drags him away! Connors grabs at the ref, Drilla grabs at Fujita! Drilla CLAWS Fujita’s face, and he lets Connors go! Eagles lets Drilla go, and the four are all down. The fans rally as Eagles regroups with Fujita. The Dogs regroup on the outside, and Eagles DIVES onto them! But is caught! DRILLA KILLA to the floor!! Drilla & Connors are laughing that they just shot down the Sniper! Connors & Drilla then slide into the ring, flanking Fujita. They bring Fujita up, but he still fires forearms and elbows!

The fans rally as Fujita fights and fights, switches with Drilla, but Drilla elbows free! Connors runs in, Drilla hurdles, SPEAR! Fujita staggers back up, into the SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO?!? Fujita survives and shocks The Dogs! The fans fire up as Connors goes up a corner and Drilla drags Fujita up. Drilla suplexes, but Fujita slips free! GERMAN SUPLEX! Connors still leaps but Fujita gets under! Fujita O’Conner Rolls, but Connors fights Chaos Theory! Fujita HEEL KICKS! Fujita whips Connors, pops Connors up, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Connors survives, but Fujita still holds on!

Fujita drags Connors up and the fans are thunderous! Fujita suplexes, ABANDON- SUPERKICK from Drilla! Connors suplexes Fujita into the DRILLA KILLA!!! Drilla then feeds Fujita to the NO CHASER!! But they’re still not done!?! Connors climbs, Drilla suplexes, FULL CLIP!!! Cover, War Dogs win!

Winners: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they can’t withstand artillery of this magnitude! Bullet Club keeps these titles right where they are, and Connors himself asks, “Who’s next?”

NJPW announces the G1 Climax 34 Block line-ups!

In A Block, it will be: Tetsuya Naito; Shota Umino; Shingo Takagi; SANADA; Great-O-Khan; Zack Sabre Jr; Gabe Kidd; EVIL; and Pro-Wrestling Noah’s Jake Lee!
In B Block, it will be: Hirooki Goto; El Phantasmo; Yota Tsuji; Jeff Cobb; HENARE; David Finlay; Ren Narita; Yuya Uemura; and AEW & DDT Pro’s Konosuke Takeshita!

And this year, there will be a special G1 Climax preliminary round! 12 men, six for each block, must battle to earn the coveted tenth seed spots! In A Block’s prelim: Tomohiro Ishii; Yoshi-Hashi; Callum Newman; KENTA; Chase Owens; and Yujiro Takahashi! In B Block’s prelim: Hiroshi Tanahashi; Toru Yano; Boltin Oleg; Satoshi Kojima; Taichi; and TJP! Whoever comes out of those matches will join this already star-studded field! Who will help burn up this already red hot summer?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS HENARE!

It’s another Dominion rematch, as we ended up with a Double TKO Draw in Osaka-Jo Hall! Will Takagi stay standing this time? Or will the Face of Fury finally slay The Rampaging Dragon?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who pushes past their limits to be victorious!

The two are forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The bell rings, and Takagi ROCKS Henare! Henare fires back, but Takagi shoves him. They both run, they RAM shoulders, then Henare kicks to snapmare. Henare KICKS Takagi in the back, but Takagi gets up to DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi eggs Henare on, so Henare HEADBUTTS! Henare eggs Takagi on so Takagi HEADBUTTS! Henare nods, and HEADBUTTS again! Takagi staggers, but he comes back to HEADBUTT! Henare HEADBUTTS, Takagi HEADBUTTS, they HEADBUTT again and again and again! Henare gets the edge, then JUMP HEADBUTTS!

Henare runs, RAMS Takagi but Takagi comes back to RAM Henare! ELBOW! JAB! But Henare KICKS! Takagi runs Henare over! Then Takagi KICKS Henare in the back! Henare goes to a corner, the fans rally for Takagi, and he runs up, and blocks a boot! Takagi clotheslines through, then fires the fans up more. Takagi JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then he JABS, JABS, JABS, but Henare leans into the punches! Takagi fires more shots, then ROCKS Henare! Takagi whips corner to corner, runs up and clotheslines! Then SAIDOS! Henare flounders and the fans rally up. Takagi stands Henare up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO!

Henare bails out but Takagi keeps cool. Takagi goes out after Henare, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! Henare staggers away, Takagi follows, and he JABS Henare again. Takagi brings Henare up to SMACK him off the apron, but that just angers Henare! Henare SMACKS Takagi off the apron! Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then fireman’s carries! SNAKE EYES off the apron! Henare falls back and the ref wants this back in the ring. Takagi takes a moment to shake out his hand, then he walks over to Henare. Takagi drops a knee right on Henare’s face! Takagi then puts Henare in the ring, and the fans cheer.

Takagi kicks Henare around, taunts him, scuffs him, and Henare snarls. Henare fires body shots and a forearm! Takagi ELBOWS! And YUKON LARIATS! The fans cheer and Takagi says he’s still gonna be champ. Takagi brings Henare up, puts him on ropes, and then KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! And again! The ref reprimands, Takagi lets off, and he whips Henare to ropes. Takagi KNEES low, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Takagi goes to a corner, Henare runs in to clothesline! Takagi shouts at Henare, so Henare shouts back! Henare fires off fast hands from all sides!

The ref reprimands, Henare HEADBUTTS Takagi before he fireman’s carries. WASTELAND SLAM, then a SENTON! The fans rally up as Takagi sputters and goes back to the corner. Henare storms over, stomps Takagi, then HEADBUTTS him! Henare whips but Takagi blocks by holding ropes! The ref calls the ropebreak as Henare still tries to whip. Takagi still holds on, so Henare ELBOWS him in the head! The ref reprimands, but Henare whips corner to corner. Takagi reverses, runs up, but into an ELBOW! Henare goes up, FLYING CHUCK! But Takagi just runs! Into a BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Henare fires back up!

The fans rally, Henare stands and he aims from a corner. Takagi rises as Henare stomps the mat. Henare runs in, RAMP- NO! Takagi stuffs the spear to fire off knees! Henare shoves back but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! And YUKON feints to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Henare flounders to a corner and the fans rally up. Takagi runs, but into a RAMP- DDT!! Takagi turns things around again and Henare is in a daze! Takagi kicks Henare, drags him up, and puts him on the top rope! The fans rally as Takagi climbs up, and he fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS! Takagi then goes to the very top, brings Henare up with him, SUPER DUPER PLEX!!

The fans are thunderous while Henare writhes from that hard landing! Takagi sits up and shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in and Takagi nods. Takagi stands, the fans fire up more, and Takagi says “My time is coming! TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER! But Henare withstands the impact and stays standing! Takagi runs again, PUMPING BOMBER! Henare drops to his knees! Takagi gives scuffing kicks, slaps Henare around, then fires a few forearms. Henare growls, headbutts the mat, but Takagi ROCKS him! Takagi fires forearm after forearm, but Henare eggs him on!

Takagi fires more forearms, but Henare leans into those shots! Henare swings, Takagi bobs ‘n’ weaves and UPPERCUTS! Takagi runs, but into a RAMPAGE!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Henare slowly rises, sits Takagi up, and PENALTY KICKS! But Takagi’s right up to RUN Henare over! The fans rally while both men are down, and Takagi sits up first. Takagi crawls over to Henare and they give each other junkyard dog headbutts. They start throwing palm strikes, then forearms! Takagi CHOPS and Henare staggers! Henare snarls, comes back, and KICKS! Takagi staggers, Henare eggs him on, and the fans rally up!

Takagi winds up to CHOP! Henare drops to a knee and Takagi shakes out his hand. Henare rises, and Takagi braces for the KICK! Takagi CHOPS! Henare KICKS! CHOP! KICK! Repeat! The fans fire up and so does Henare! Henare KICKS, and KICKS, and ROLLING KICKS! Takagi wobbles, Henare runs, but Takagi blocks the kick! Henare fires off strikes, but Takagi still pump handles! MADE IN JAPAN!! But Takagi can’t make the cover! The ref checks both men, this could end up like Dominion! Takagi slowly rises, the fans rally up again, and Takagi sits Henare up. Takagi clamps on to rain down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!

Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Henare rolls through to SLIDING KNEE!! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Henare sits up first, and he snarls as he slashes his throat. Henare vows to end this but he’s a bit wobbly as he walks over. Henare drags Takagi up but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Henare HEADBUTTS! They DOUBLE HEADBUTT! And DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Both men wobble, but Takagi JABS! Henare HEADBUTTS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Henare JUMP HEADBUTTS! Takagi SLIDING FOREARMS!! Both men are down again and the fans are all fired up!

The ref checks, and both men are somehow still in this, but the standing count is here! Takagi hears it and he stirs. Takagi goes to ropes, and he drags himself up at 5 of 10! Takagi is up but what of Henare? He’s still down at 8, pushes up at 9, and stands at 9.9!! The fans fire up and Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men lean on the other, and Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi throws in about nine, but then Henare bobs ‘n’ weaves the tenth to BODY BLOW! And HEEL KICK! PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans are thunderous as Henare snarls, but Takagi gets moving! PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous again as Henare survives being flipped upside-down! Takagi roars, he drags Henare up, and he pump handles to the torture rack! Henare slips out, spins Takagi around, STREETS OF RAGE!! But he has to crawl to the cover! TWO!!! Takagi survives and Henare is stunned! Henare growls, fires himself up, and he drags Takagi back up. But Takagi fights the cross-arm hold! Takagi HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS! Henare HEADBUTTS!! Cover, ONE!?!?! But Henare runs to RUGBY KICK!! Cover, TWO!!!! Takagi still survives but Henare is furious! Henare reels Takagi in for STREETS OF- NO, Takagi fights the lift!

Takagi and Henare fight for suplex control! Takagi throws body shots, avoids the headbutt and UPPERCUTS! Then HEADBUTTS back! Then YUKON- NO, Henare blocks that, then blocks the other lariat! KAMI-HEADBUTT!!! Cover, HENARE WINS!!!

Winner: Henare, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

Henare unleashes the headbutt to surpass God, and he slays the Rampaging Dragon! Finally, the Face of Fury wears gold in NJPW! Will this be a sign of even bigger things to come? Or will Takagi have his revenge in the G1 Climax?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS SANADA w/ Just5Guys!

When The Rebel heard the Cold Skull was back on the mend, he demanded this be the return match. Finlay still owes Sanada payback for the 2023 New Japan Cup finals loss, and that moment has finally come. Will Finlay ruin Sanada’s return right from the start? Or will he regret it when Sanada takes this title from him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the War Dogs stay golden!

The bell rings and the fans rally behind “SA-NA-DA! SA-NA-DA!” Finlay gets on the corner to shout “WAR~ DOGS~!” and some fans do cheer, but the fans are still more on Sanada’s side. The two circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Finlay pulls hair to put Sanada on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Finlay pie faces Sanada as he lets off, then SPITS on Sanada! Sanada just brushes that off and the two reset. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Sanada uses height for leverage. Sanada puts Finlay on the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Sanada lets off with pats on the shoulder.

The fans applaud but Finlay is annoyed. Finlay runs up, Sanada kicks low then headlocks. Finlay powers up and out but Sanada runs him over. Things speed up, Finlay hurdles but then Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up but Gedo is upset as Finlay bails out. Sanada aims, PLANCHA, but he lands on the apron as Finlay slides in. Finlay DECKS Sanada off the apron, goes out to CLUB Sanada, then SMACKS him off the apron! Finlay rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and says it’s too easy. Finlay fist bumps with Gedo then goes back to stand on Sanada’s face. Red Shoes reprimands but Finlay drags Sanada up and into the ring.

Finlay slides in to cover but Red Shoes says no, because of the shenanigans on the outside. Finlay is upset with Red Shoes, but then he drags Sanada up. Finlay hammerlocks an arm and leans on the hold. Sanada endures, even as Finlay grabs the other arm in a cording hold. Finlay digs knuckles into Sanada’s ribs, then a forearm in Sanada’s face! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off and gets mad at Red Shoes, but rules are rules. Finlay drags Sanada up, snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud but Finlay argues with Red Shoes more. Finlay drags Sanada up, but Sanada throws body shots! Finlay sputters, but then Sanada ROCKS him with a forearm!

Finlay knees low, whips, but Sanada reverses to ELBOW Finlay down! STANDING MOONSAULT FLOPS as Finlay moves! Finlay covers, TWO! Finlay keeps cool as he drags Sanada up. Finlay whips corner to corner hard and Sanada falls! Sanada writhes but Finlay barks it up. Finlay aims from a corner, runs in, and UPPERCUTS! Then he suplexes for a TOSS! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this and Gedo protests while Finlay argues the count. Sanada goes to the apron, Finlay storms over and drags him up. Finlay brings Sanada through the ropes to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! And UPPERCUT again!

Finlay UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS some more! Finlay dares the fans to cheer Sanada now. The fans do cheer, and Sanada back drops Finlay outta the ring! Sanada catches his breath while Finlay is on the floor. Finlay drags himself up with the apron skirt, but Sanada PLANCHAS him right back down! The fans cheer and Sanada rises. Sanada stalks Finlay, brings him around, and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, but then Finlay bails out the side. Sanada just PLANCHAS again! Down goes Finlay and the fans fire up! Sanada then brings Finlay up, ROCKS him, then slides into the ring.

Sanada builds speed and he fakes Finlay out! Sanada flips back in, then PLANCHAS again! A hattrick for Sanada and the fans fire up! Sanada encourages them to get louder, then he goes back for Finlay. Sanada puts Finlay in the ring, stalks him, then brings him up to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Sanada brings Finlay back up. Sanada fireman’s carries, Finlay slips free to waistlock, but Sanada switches. Finlay denies the O’Conner to roll Sanada up, TWO! Sanada runs in, but into a SPIN-OUT BOMB! Finlay grins as he leans against ropes, then he watches Sanada rise. Finlay runs in, and he clotheslines Sanada up and out!

Finlay goes out after Sanada, talks some trash, “This your boy?” Finlay flexes, drags Sanada up, and RAMS him into the railing! And RAMS him in again! Finlay’s trying to squish English commentary as he RAMS Sanada in again! Finlay lets Sanada falls over, then asks Gedo, “You wanna see a dead body?” Finlay fireman’s carries Sanada, to run up, but Sanada slips free! Finlay kicks low, reels Sanada in, but Sanada fights the piledriver! Sanada back drops Finlay onto the floor! The fans cheer while Sanada hobbles away. But then Finlay runs up! Sanada moves and Finlay crashes into railing! Sanada then brings Finlay out through the gate!

The Young Lions hurry to brace railing, but Sanada reels Finlay in for a PILEDRIVER on the floor!! And there’s far less padding out by the crowd then by ringside! Red Shoes wants this back in the ring, but Sanada has to catch his breath first. Sanada drags Finlay up, cravats for a neck wrench, and he brings Finlay back to ringside like that. Sanada puts Finlay in the ring and the fans applaud. Sanada then stalks Finlay, stands him up, and CLUBS him on the neck! Finlay staggers up, and he fires a forearm back! Sanada eggs Finlay on, so Finlay fires another forearm! And then SPITS at Sanada! And flips him off!

Sanada fires off furious fists on Finlay! The fans fire up but they’re on the ropes now! Red Shoes reprimands, but Sanada shoves him down! Sanada’s losing his cool, and Finlay YANKS Sanada into ropes! Both men are down and the fans rally up for Sanada. Finlay drags Sanada up, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Sanada slips free, to get the dragon sleeper! Finlay arm-drags free, runs up, but into a BOOT! Sanada goes up to QUEBRADA, and he has the dragon sleeper! Sanada drops back but Finlay rolls through to inverted suplex! And LAWN DART off the corner! Then a Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Sanada survives! Gedo is upset and we pass 15 minutes. The fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” as he and Finlay slowly rise. Finlay uses ropes to help stretch out one of his arms, then he goes back for Sanada. Finlay clamps on to sit Sanada up, for a crossface forearm! And then another! And another! Finlay drags Sanada up again, runs, and BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this and Finlay is frustrated. The fans rally up for Sanada again, but Finlay drags Sanada up and reels him in. Sanada is dead weight so Finlay has Red Shoes check. Sanada refuses to give in and the fans rally up more.

Finlay talks more trash on the fans, then drags Sanada back up and in. POWER- RANA! Cover, TWO!! Finlay escapes, runs up, but Sanada spins him around, MAGIC- NO, Finlay slips free to suplex! But Sanada slips free to O’Conner Roll, but Finlay turns that around! O’Conner- NO, Sanada keeps Finlay up, then brings him into SKULL END!! Finlay flails and endures but he’s stuck in the body scissors! Sanada puts on the squeeze and Finlay is starting to fade! Red Shoes checks, Finlay flips everyone off! But he’s fading all the same! Sanada almost loses grip, and Finlay grabs at Red Shoes! Finlay endures as Sanada thrashes him around!

Red Shoes checks again, but Sanada lets Finlay go to go up top! ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Finlay saves himself at the last moment and both men are down! The fans rally for Sanada as he and Finlay stir. We hit 20 minutes and Sanada grabs at Finlay. They both rise up and Finlay fires a haymaker. Sanada fires it back! Finlay fires another haymaker, so Sanada gives it back! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists, so Finlay fires a forearm! Sanada fires one right back! Finlay staggers away to ropes, but then Sanada eggs him on. Finlay fires a flurry, but Sanada UPPERCUTS! Finlay wobbles, staggers, but comes back.

Finlay UPPERCUTS, but Sanada shakes his head. The fans rally up as Sanada goes back to UPPERCUT Finlay! Finlay wobbles, Sanada eggs him on, and Finlay UPPERCUTS! Sanada grits his teeth, Finlay eggs him on, and Sanada UPPERCUTS! Finlay leans on Sanada, but he still fires a flurry of forearms, then an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but Sanada dodges! Sanada tilt-o-whirls, and has the dragon sleeper! But Finlay slips through to suplex! But Sanada turns that around, MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sanada hurries up a corner, to ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Direct hit and Sanada covers, TWO!!

The fans fire up more as Sanada drags Finlay back up. Sanada clinches, but Gedo storms up to the apron! Sanada drops Finlay so he can KICK the ropes! The fans cheer as Gedo gets jammed up down low! But then Finlay cradles Sanada! TWO!! Sanada escapes, runs up, BLINDSIDE WIZARD! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada kips up and the fans cheer! Sanada shouts at Finlay to get up, then runs in, but Finlay ducks the Shining Wizard! Finlay wrenches, suplexes, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay almost had this one but he won’t stop there! Finlay suplexes again, OVER- BLOCKED!!

Sanada waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls and BRIDGES! TWO!!! Finlay escapes, but SHINING WIZARD hits!! The fans are thunderous and Sanada drags Finlay back up! Clinch and- NO, Finlay slips out to bring Sanada up! But Sanada slips free to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as we hit 25 minutes! Time is running out, but Sanada aims from the corner! SHINING- NO, Finlay smothers the wizard to high stack and deadlift into a POWERBOMB! Then the flip over and suplex! OVERKILL!!! Cover, Finlay wins!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Cold Skull got hot, but maybe too little too late. Finlay holds onto the belt he created, for now. Will he prove that NJPW and the world needs The Rebel?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match: SHO VS El Desperado!

The Murder Machine missed out on the Best of the Super Juniors finals, and it was the Rogue Luchador who finally added that trophy to his list of accomplishments. And as Sho tried to rain on the parade, Desperado goaded Sho into not just putting up the title, but putting up the steel fence around the ring! Truly a historic first for this title, will Desperado continue to make history by winning again? Or will Sho somehow, someway win without The House of Torture’s help?

But of course, the NJPW ref corps knows Sho has tricks of his own, so they make sure to pat him down before he enters the cage. AHA! Scissors! Sho says those aren’t his! But the check continues, and wait! Evil is storming his way onto commentary! The King of Darkness is going to find a way to be here for Sho one way or another. But wait, the search finds handcuffs, as well as a metal plate in the kick pad! Sho is upset that all his tricks have been found out, but Desperado’s having a great time watching his humiliation. Sho is already trying to find things under the ring but the refs were thorough even before the cage was set up.

Sho, Desperado and Red Shoes are locked inside, and all of Sho’s things have been secured, because a Young Lion is taking them to the back! It’s sinking in for Sho that there’s nothing he can do to cheat this one. Sho finally steps into the ring, the introductions are made and the belt is raised. And now, with the odds finally even, we see who is truly the Best of the Super Juniors!

The bell rings and the fans rally for “DE-SU-PE! DE-SU-PE!” The two feel things out, clinch, go around, and Sho waistlocks. Despe spins through to facelock, but Sho wrenches out. Despe rolls, wrenches back, and wristlocks. Sho pushes Despe to then wrench, wrench and wristlock. Despe drop toeholds, floats to a facelock, then he ties up the legs. Despe pulls Sho with a chinbar, but then shifts to have a cording hold. Sho endures, reaches out to the ropes, and Despe lets go. The fans cheer, and Despe talks some smack as Sho goes to a corner. The two reset, feel things out, knuckle lock, and Despe rolls to top wristlock.

Despe shifts to a cording hold, but Sho rolls back to stand up. Despe wrenches to wristlock, then he arm-drags Sho down into the cording hold. Sho endures, even as Despe adds a chinbar. Sho fights up, Despe hammerlocks the arm and goes for the crossface. Sho fights that, so Despe headlocks. Despe hits the takeover, Sho headscissors and squeezes tight. Despe bridges back, headstands, then pushes down on Sho’s legs. Despe floats onto the headlock but Sho slips out the back. Sho has the arm, and he drags Despe in, SNAKEBITE! Despe fights up to get the KNEEBAR! Sho flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Despe lets off.

Sho crawls to the corner and Despe waits on him. The fans rally, the two circle, and they feel things out again. Sho bends Despe’s fingers, then hammerlocks. Despe elbows Sho, switches the hammerlock onto him then spins him around to whip. Despe arm-drags Sho then runs him over! The fans fire up but Sho bails out of the ring. But he can’t go far with the cage all around! Despe storms up but Sho kicks him! Sho whips Despe into the cage! Despe staggers, Sho grins and whips the other way, only for Despe to reverse! Sho hits cage, staggers forward, and Despe back drops him on the floor! Sho writhes and the fans cheer!

Despe stalks Sho as he scurries, but then Sho slips around. Sho reaches out and Evil slips him the “Torture Tool” wrench through the bars! But Red Shoes is right on Sho to take that away! Despe whips Sho at the cage! Sho stops himself, then HIP TOSSES Despe into steel! Evil acts like he did nothing wrong but Yano is also on commentary and telling him off. Sho drags Despe up to whip him into the cage! Despe slumps down, but Sho stands him up, to whip him in again! Despe staggers and falls, and part of the cage swings open! Seems there was a second door! Sho keeps Despe from getting out, and sends him back into steel!

Sho grins as he stalks Despe, and he RIPS at Despe’s mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets off and stalks Despe around the way. Sho drags Despe up to GRIND his face against the cage! Evil applauds as Sho goes along the whole side! Sho throws Despe down, and a good part of Despe’s mask has been ripped away! Sho talks trash on Despe, then brings him up to ROCK him with a right! Sho DIGS Despe’s face into the cage again, then SCRAPES him along! Evil applauds but he’s the only one. Sho makes Despe suffer, then shoves him back down. Sho soaks up the heat before bringing Despe back into the ring.

Sho CHOKES Despe against ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, then counts, but Sho steps away at 4. Sho drags Despe back up, CLAWS at Despe’s exposed face, then lets off as Red Shoes counts. Sho not so subtly unties the blue buckle pad, and uses the strap to CHOKE Despe! Red Shoes counts, Sho lets go, and Evil says that’s genius! The fans rally for “DE-SU-PE!” but Sho talks more trash. Despe sits up, and Sho scuffs him. Sho taunts Despe, scuffs him again, but Despe grabs Sho’s foot. Despe CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Sho DECKS him with a right hand! Sho storms up to digs his boot into Despe’s face! Red Shoes reprimands and Sho steps off.

Sho eggs Despe on, so Despe stands to CHOP and CHOP! Sho fires another haymaker, but Despe HEADBUTTS! Despe runs, but into a kitchen sink knee! Despe falls, but Sho brings him up to whip to ropes, for another kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Despe stays in this, and goes to a corner, but Sho runs in to RAM him! Sho then hoists Despe up to stick him across the top rope. Sho runs in, TOP SHELF KNEE! Cover, TWO! Sho pulls on an arm and a leg! Despe endures, the fans rally, but Sho pulls harder! Despe still reaches out with his free arm, fights over with his free leg, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Sho holds until Red Shoes counts 4.

Despe crawls to the apron but Sho grins as he runs up, to LARIAT Despe down! Despe falls on the apron then flops down to the floor. Sho wants a ring count, but this is a cage match, there’s no such thing. Sho says fine, and he goes out to fetch Despe. Sho whips Despe into the cage! Despe leans against the steel, and Sho grins as he brings Despe around to throw into more cage! Sho then SMACKS Despe off the steel, and runs him along the way, only for Despe to turn it around and send Sho into steel! The fans fire up and Despe RAMS Sho into steel! Then Despe throws Sho into the cage wall! Despe goes into the ring, builds speed, and DIVES! Both men hit the steel!!

The fans are thunderous and Despe roars as he rises up! Sho sputters while he’s slumped against the cage, but Despe drags him up. Despe whips Sho into the cage again! Sho falls, clutching an arm, but Despe gets him up and runs him hard into more steel! The fans fire up as Despe snarls and drags Sho up again. Despe still throws Sho into the cage! Despe then puts Sho in the ring, drags him up, and hits a BIG back suplex! Despe drags Sho right back up, for a BIG regular suplex! Despe then climbs up the corner, for a FROG SPLASH! But Despe’s own ribs make it hard to keep the cover. Despe drags Sho up, reels him in, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!

Sho survives but Despe just shakes his head. Despe staggers around, he drags Sho up, and he reels Sho in to tuck the arms. But Sho wrenches out to KNEE low and throw Despe down by his hair! Sho sputters, he goes back to the blue corner, and he finishes untying the pad. The Bullet Club Special is still possible in this cage, and as Despe runs in, TADA! Bare buckles! Sho whips Despe back into those bare buckles! Sho runs to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Despe survives and Sho is stunned! The fans rally for Despe but Sho calls his shot. Sho drags Despe up, but Despe fights the gut wrench! Despe CLUBS Sho’s legs, but Sho still tries to lift!

Sho KNEES Despe low, then whips him back to the bare buckles! Sho grins, but Despe comes back! Despe swings, but Sho gets around to POP UP and ARMBAR! Despe fights around, but ends up in SNAKEBITE!! Despe flails, reaches out, but he’s fading! Sho pulls harder on the hold, and Despe falls over! But then Despe gets a second wind! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Despe drags Sho over, but Sho just pulls harder on the hold! Despe tips over, but into the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes tells Sho to let go but he refuses! So Red Shoes pulls Sho’s hair to make him stop! Respect his authority, Sho!

Sho lets go and Red Shoes checks on Despe. Red Shoes keeps Sho back, and Despe raises a hand. Despe wags a finger, he isn’t done yet. Sho kicks Despe mockingly, toying with him. Sho stands on Despe’s head, then gives him another mocking kick. Despe slowly sits up and the fans rally up again. Despe looks up at Sho defiantly, and Sho gives him a kick. Despe stays up so Sho fires a forearm! Despe snarls as he stands, so Sho fires another forearm! Despe forearms back but Sho LARIATS! Sho is mad now! Sho gets Despe up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Despe survives and the fans fire up!

Sho is freaking out, slapping himself around. Sho pulls at his own hair in frustration, but he drags Despe back up. Sho reels Despe in, tucks the arms, but Despe slips out to wrench and OLYMPIC SLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Despe and Sho stir, and Sho crawls his way to ropes. Despe snarls as he rises at center, but Sho storms back over. Despe fires body shots, then a forearm! Sho fires off boxing elbows fast and furious! Sho ROCKS Despe, runs, but Despe DECKS him! Despe roars and the fans fire up with him! Despe underhooks, FACEBUSTER! And then the roll through, for PINCHE- NO, Sho fights it!

Sho shoves Despe into Red Shoes! Sho runs up, to SHOTGUN Red Shoes into the bare buckles! Despe slumps out of the ring, Sho storms over and “accidentally” drops an elbow on Red Shoes! Evil claims Sho is innocent, but here comes The House of Torture! The fans boo, so much for Sho doing this on his own! Sho drags Despe up as the fans tell all the others to go home, or at least go away. But Sho puts Despe against the cage, and Narita SMACKS Despe with a chair! But here comes Oleg! But Kanemaru CLOBBERS Oleg! Evil even hits Yano on commentary! Tanahashi and even Satoshi Kojima run out here, but The House goes after them, too!

The fans boo but The House starts throwing chairs into the ring for Sho to use! Evil pretends he sees nothing wrong with this. Sho grins stands Despe back up, talks trash on everyone, then brings Despe into the ring. Sho soaks up the heat, then talks more trash. But Despe has a chair! Despe HEADSHOTS Sho!! Sho flops into the ring and the fans are thunderous! Despe turns things around on The House as he puts Sho’s head on one chair, and grabs another! Evil can only freak out as Despe hits a HOMERUN!! Evil tries to climb into the cage?! Despe CHUCKS a chair at him and he falls right off! The others try, but Despe chucks more chairs!

The fans fire up as now Yano, Oleg and Tanahashi fight back, too! They all stomp the House, Kojima CLUBS Kanemaru, and Despe CHUCKS chairs as Narita tries to climb! Despe goes back to Sho while Tanahashi and team drag The House outta here! The fans cheer as justice is again served! Despe calls to Red Shoes and he slowly returns. Despe gets Sho up but Sho LOW BLOWS! The ref missed that by sheer luck! Sho pretends he got hit, too, and so now everyone’s down again! Sho can’t help but laugh, though, and he tells Red shoes to get up. Sho hobbles over to Despe, drags him up, and reels him in to pump handle!

But Despe Alabama Lifts! And then he tucks Sho in, BASTARD DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous as Despe gets Sho up, underhooks, and JAY DRILLER!! And then the PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, DESPE WINS!!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

The Murder Machine couldn’t win it on his own, and that is why he lost it all tonight! Will it ever sink in that crime doesn’t pay?

As for Desperado, he now has trophy and championship belt to hold! Despe makes sure “the trash” is taken out of the ring first, then he gets the mic. The fans cheer “DESPE! DESPE!” as he gets the spotlight on him. Despe takes a moment, and then says, “Ah… that hurt. Thank you.” The fans cheer, and Despe continues by saying that there are all different types of wrestlers, and that’s what makes pro-wrestling so interesting. But even knowing that, it’s exhausting having to go this far. Why the heck are they opening the cage up? It took a lot to put it together in the first place, not that Despe really knows about that.

Despe won’t say this was fun, it’s not really his style, and his whole body hurts. He probably won’t do this kinda thing ever again. But he does want to get to his next challenger. The fans are shocked he’s doing this so soon! And then Despe calls out DOUKI! Despe tells Douki to come on out here, they don’t need to make a mess with the cage coming down just yet. The fans cheer for “DOUKI! DOUKI!” Despe waits, but he starts to wonder if Douki left already. Despe figured he’d give the guy he fought in the BOSJ semifinals, a guy who’s like a brother to him, a shot. But then, while he was home, he was kind alike, “Nah, maybe I’ll go with another guy.”

But wait! Here comes Douki! The fans cheer as Japones Del Mal heads into the ring. And Despe already knows what Douki must be thinking. Why’s he giving the shot to a guy he already beat? Is it because it’ll be an easy defense? Despe says the BOSJ was the BOSJ, and this cage match was this cage match. Whether the energy is flowing or not, a true IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match is different. Despe is sure Douki has what it takes. Despe knows Douki got cheated by Sho, so this will be different, too. So what does Douki say? Is he up for the challenge? The fans like the sound of that!

Despe keeps explaining that people might be thinking this is because of their past friendship, and maybe it is. After all, even though Despe is older, Douki helped him out a lot while they were in Mexico. This is Despe returning the favor. A chance like this doesn’t come along all the time, but don’t think of this as a handout. Despe just wants Douki to see for himself that he can do this. But if he doesn’t think he can, then Douki can walk away. The fans tell Douki to go for it! Douki steps inside! The fans fire up as Douki is face to face with Despe! Despe says he doesn’t know when or where this’ll happen, but when it does, it’ll be Despe VS Douki.

The fans cheer, Douki nods, and the fans even cheer Douki on. Despe lets Douki have the mic, and he says there was no way he was saying no with Despe asking him like that! Douki then says Despe better do everything he can to keep that belt. Despe tells Douki not to be so cocky. The Rogue Luchador grins as his old amigo heads back out. And then he grumbles that Douki shouldn’t have given him the mic back, now he has to wrap this up! And then he says, “That’s just how it is!” Despe drops the mic and the streamers fly! We have our next title match on the books, when and where will these former Suzuki-Gun soldiers do battle as rivals?

My Thoughts:

A great New Japan Soul, full of so much meaningful stuff for being the start to a short tour. A little surprised Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg won the NEVER titles back already, but I do appreciate NJPW isn’t afraid to hot potato their titles around. And I really do think there should be a tiebreaker coming, maybe with a heightened stipulation like Elimination or Best 2 Outta 3 Falls. Great Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, and TMDK came so close, but I should’ve figured The War Dogs would win out. And very good field for the G1 this year. I’m a little surprised so many people are in the qualifiers, but that should make it really wild stuff. I’d love if TJP got in for B Block.

Takagi VS Henare was an awesome rematch, and Henare winning was quite the surprise. Takagi’s not just in the G1, but he’s gonna be in AEW’s Owen Hart Cup, so I thought he’d bring that along. But maybe since Takagi isn’t likely to win the Owen Hart Cup, NJPW doesn’t want anyone getting a win over one of their midcard champions. Great return match for Sanada, but I suppose Finlay was going to retain either way. Finlay already felt the shame of losing this title once this year, he wasn’t gonna do it again.

And great stuff in the main event. I just knew The House of Torture would show up despite the cage, but then great of Tanahashi and friends to stop them. Desperado winning was the right choice and certainly great for him. Desperado naming Douki as his next challenger is really cool stuff, and Douki is definitely going to have a great showing. I still think Despe retains, but Douki is slowly rising up the ranks. If all things go well, Douki can definitely find himself as champion within the next year.

My Score: 9/10

Time sure flies when you’re having fun!

AEW Collision turns one year old tonight, and to “celebrate,” Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo battle under NO DISQUALIFICATIONS! What won’t these two do to settle the score?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: The Blackpool Combat Club VS Rocky Romero, Lio Rush & TMDK; The BCC wins.
• No Disqualifications: Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Deonna wins.
• Hechicero w/ The Gates of Agony VS Dalton Castle; Hechicero wins.
• TNT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Lee Moriarty VS Dante Martin; Dante wins and advances to Forbidden Door.
• Kyle O’Reilly VS Anthony Henry; Kyle wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Bang Bang Gang VS The House of Black; The House wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Christian Cage speaks.

“Welcome to Collision. Welcome to the one year anniversary of Collision. That’s right, it’s been 365 days since I singlehandedly put this show on the map when I won the TNT Championship int he very first episode, and went on a run with the TNT Championship that will never, ever be seen again. Now in the spirit of Christian Cage’s Collision, tonight, I guarantee you will see why AEW is where the best wrestle. And in the spirit of usual unpredictability, on the eve of the most important holiday of the year, Father’s Day, I guarantee you, Christian Cage’s Collision is going to end up being… very special.” Just what does The Patriarch have in mind for “his” show?

8 Man Tag: The Blackpool Combat Club VS Rocky Romero, Lio Rush & TMDK!

Jon Moxley is still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Wheeler Yuta is still ROH Pure Champion, and both Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli are still bad, bad men! The BCC is looking to still be the baddest group around, but will they be rolling on towards Forbidden Door? Or will Azucar, The Bad Child and the NEW Undisputed NJPW Tag Team Champions prove they’re just a little bit badder?

The teams sort out and The American Dragon starts against Lio. The fans rally for “B C C! B C C!” as Bryan and Lio circle. They feel things out, Lio ducks the roundhouse but Bryan blocks a kick! Bryan gets a SLEEPER, but Lio slips under to waistlock. Bryan switches, shoves, but Lio redirects! Bryan gets under the heel kick and the fans fire up for the standoff! Lio and Bryan reset, feel things out again, and knuckle lock. Bryan kicks low, brings Lio around to UPPERCUT, then UPPERCUTS again. Bryan whips, Lio reverses to then go up and RANA! Bryan gets up, but Lio runs to wheelbarrow. Bryan powers Lio to the corner, Yuta tags in!

The fans fire up for Yuta but Lio dodges to whip. Yuta whips, Lio reverses, Yuta goes up and over. Lio handsprings under ot kick and ENZIGIRI! Lio brings Yuta over, tag to Rocky, but Yuta gets loose. Rocky and Yuta trade forearms, the fans fire up, and then the CHOPS fly! CHOP after CHOP after CHOP and the fans fire up more! Yuta fires a flurry of forearms, then whips. Rocky slides under, kicks, Yuta ducks the enzigiri but not the HEEL KICK! Yuta rewinds to get around and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yuta floats to a facelock, tags Claudio, and the fans cheer as the Swiss Superman kicks low.

Claudio brings Rocky around to CHOP! Claudio whips, Rocky ducks ‘n’ dodges to jump up and RANA! Tag to Mikey Nicholls but Shane Haste jumps in, too! Shane BLASTS the BCC corner while Mikey whips Claudio to a corner. Mikey runs in to clothesline! Feed to Shane’s UPPERCUT and snapmare, then Mikey SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Mikey keeps on Claudio and tags Shane. TMDK double whip but Claudio crisscrosses them! Then he runs to DOUBLE BULLDOG! The fans fire up with Claudio and he tags Bryan. Bryan goes up, Shane stands, into the MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Bryan as Shane tumbles to a corner!

Bryan runs in to DROPKICK! Bryan keeps going but Shane FLYING ELBOWS! Shane storms around, goes after Bryan, but Bryan drags him into the LEBELL LCOK! Shanes’ team runs in but BCC intercepts! Moxley & Yuta TOSS out Mikey and Lio, but Claudio has Rocky in a COBRA TWIST! Shane endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Bryan lets go while The BCC keeps beating on Mikey, Lio & Rocky! Moxley makes Rocky sit on the railing, Claudio BOOTS him down! Bryan KICKS Shane again and again, “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan winds up to BUZZ_ NO, Shane ducks to shove Bryan! Mikey trips Bryan, Shane basement dropkicks!

Mikey spins Bryan around to UPPERCUT! The ref reprimands, The BCC storms up, and Collision goes picture in picture.

The ref has everyone back off, but Rocky gets cheap shots on Bryan! The ref reprimands, Rocky backs off, and Shane drags Bryan in to stomp him down. Shane drags Bryan up, cravats, then tags in Lio. They mug Bryan, and Lio fires off at the ropes! Tag to Rocky, he adds on with KICKS! Rocky stomps Bryan down, tags Mikey, and they mug Bryan some. Mikey then CHOKES Bryan on the ropes! The ref counts, Mikey lets off, and Bryan sputters as he reaches out. Mikey drags Bryan up to tag in Rocky, and the mugging continues! The ref has to keep The BCC back and that lets the whole team beat up on Bryan!

Rocky taunts Yuta, goes back to Bryan, and brings Bryan around to snapmare. Rocky clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Bryan down. Bryan endures, fights up, but Rocky becomes a backpack! Bryan still reaches out, steps forward, but Rocky lets go to whip Bryan to a corner! Collision returns to single picture, Rocky runs up to clothesline! Rocky keeps going, TWO-EVER! Then THREE-EVER! Rocky hoists Bryan up top, climbs up after him, and goes to the very top. Rocky swivels them hips, but Bryan grabs Rocky for a SUPER ATOMIC DROP! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Rocky and Bryan crawl, hot tag to Shane and he BLASTS BCC!

Shane whips Bryan to a corner runs up, but Bryan dodges, hot tag to Claudio! Claudio BLASTS Lio, UPPERCUTRS Mikey, then UPPERCUTS Shane! Claudio fires off fast hands at the ropes, the ref backs him up, but Claudio jukes to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Claudio whips, and he back drops Shane hard! Claudio just keeps going, he UPPERCUTS Rocky on the outside! Claudio brings a chair around the way, sets it up, and then uses it to LAUNCH into Mikey! Claudio then returns to the ring, runs up and DOUBLE STOMPS Shane! The fans fire up and Claudio gets the legs! But Mikey gets in to LARIAT Claudio down!

The fans boo but Yuta DROPKICKS Mikey! Mikey tumbles out, Yuta DIVES onto him, but is THROWN into railing! Shane fireman’s carries Claudio, but Moxley’s in to CUTTER! Moxley shouts to Claudio and Claudio rises up! The fans are thunderous for the hot tag! Moxley gives Mikey a CUTTER! Moxley then runs in to clothesline at the corner! Moxley whips corner to corner, for another clothesline! Moxley goes up to rain down fists! The fans count along as fast as they can, Moxley goes right to TEN, then he reels Mikey in! Stalling PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! But Moxley clamps on with the SLEEPER!

Mikey fights up, pries free and elbows Moxley. Moxley BOOTS back! Mikey rebounds, Moxley dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! Lio tags in and he goes up! FINAL HOUR!! Cover, TWO!! Moxley’s not done yet and Lio is shocked! Lio says no, now it’s time! Lio goes up top again, for another FINAL- NO, Moxley moves and Lio rolls through! Moxley BOOTS Lio down! Then Moxley underhooks, for PARADIGM- NO, Lio slips out! TMDK is in, URENAGE BOMB!! Bryan runs in, but into the scoop! Bryan slips free, shoves Mikey into Shane, then BUSAIKU KNEE! Shane DROPKICSK Bryan!

Yuta gives Shane an OLYMPIC SLAM! Rocky hits SLICED BREAD! Claudio SPINEBUSTERS for the GIANT SWING! Azucar goes around and around and around, and the fans count to TEN, but Claudio just picks up speed! Claudio TOSSES Rocky at 15! Lio leaps on for a SLEEPER! Claudio powers Lio around to TOSS into the DEATH RIDER!! Cover, BCC wins!

Winners: Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall

The BCC defend homefield in AEW, and we’re just two weeks away from Forbidden Door! Moxley then gets the mic to say, “Tetsuya Naito of NJPW is a survivor, but The Forbidden Door is the final conflict. This is it. This is your last chance. I’m not coming to beat you,  Naito. I’m not coming to defend the IWGP Championship. I’m coming to Forbidden Door to put an end to Tetsuya Naito once and for all! Naito, I’m coning to Forbidden Door to finish you, to finish your career, to put you in a pine box, to put you in the ground, and to BURY your ass once and for all!!” A powerful ultimatum with still two weeks to go, will the Maniac also be the man that retires Naito?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Youngstown, Ohio, please welcome The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn! The fans fire up as Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass make their way to the ring. Schiavone lets Caster have the mic, and he says usually the Acclaimed comes out here with a rap, some punchlines, but tonight, if you didn’t see, but the “love” EVPs, the Young F’s…! Well, those guys issued a $5 THOUSAND FINE on them for disparaging company executives!? There was a tweet about it! Seems these EVPs are outta touch with the fans! Youngstown confirms!

Caster says the fans don’t want a couple of women’s business suit wearing a-holes! They want Platinum Max roasting everyone! They want Bowens & Billy hitting the scissor fingers, and you bet they want The Acclaimed to become the NEW AEW World Tag team Champions! And if Bowens was The Bucks, he wouldn’t focus the pettiness on raps and tweets, but on the fact that they will be face to face with The Acclaimed for the first time in four years. And this isn’t the same team they faced before in 2020. They are not an upstart! They have the same exact accolades as The Bucks do! Scissor King, Platinum Max, FORMER AEW World Tag Team Champions, FORMER AEW World Trios Champions, the WINNINGEST team in the history of AEW!!

And all they have to get the titles back is beat The Bucks twice. So do your worst! FINE them, but all they want is to get those titles back, get this company back, and prove that EVERYONE loves The Acclaimed! In fact, forget fines! Take those fines, stick ’em up your virgin asses, because everyone here is gonna kick it old school for you! YO! YO! YO! LISTEN~! But then someone says NOOOO~! And it’s Brandon Cutler! He tells The Acclaimed to listen! This one year anniversary of Collision is to be a night of praise for the EVPs! They’ve carried this show since day one! But these limp noodles use their public platform to disparage!

So if they want a fine? FINE! Here’s a $10 THOUSAND fine! Then it’ll be $15- Christopher Daniels comes out here to stop Cutler. The Acclaimed had Daniels’ back, so here’s some good news. Tony Khan has REVERSED the fines, they get their money back! And Cutler, we don’t need to hear any more from you. But Cutler shows his clipboard to Daniels. Daniels SMACKS Cutler with the clipboard! Then DECKS him with his fist! Daniels TOSSES Cutler in for The Acclaimed to handle! They trip him up, hold him open, and Bowens goes up to say, SCISSOR ME TIMBERS~! Cutler crawls away in shame, but will The Bucks make sure The Acclaimed pay for that on Wednesday?

No Disqualifications: Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!

La Mera Mera tried to be an ally to The Virtuosa against their common enemy, but the only thing they had in common was that they wanted to be the one to take down Toni Storm. That made them into enemies, and it has escalated to this! With nothing holding these two back, who stops at nothing to make sure the other regrets ever showing up in AEW?

Deonna doesn’t wait, she attacks while Rosa’s on the corner! The bell rings and Deonna puts Rosa in the Tree of Woe. Deonna runs in, but Rosa sits up! Deonna slides out of the ring, and Rosa CROSSBODIES down onto her! Rosa fires off hands, then POSTS Deonna! The fans rally behind Rosa and she CHOPS Deonna against the apron. Rosa SMACKS Deonna off the steel steps, then off them again, and then again! Rosa stands on Deonna, Deonna pushes her away, and Rosa starts bringing out stuff from under the ring! A chain, a trash can, and the lid! Rosa SMACKS Deonna with the lid! And then pushes the lid into Deonna with a boot!

The fans want tables but Rosa runs up first. Deonna dodges, Rosa dropkicks the steps! Deonna drags Rosa up, puts an arm between steps and post, then BOOTS the steps! Rosa falls back, clutching the elbow! Deonna snarls, goes looking under the ring, and she brings out a kendo stick! Deonna throws that all the way over the ring, but she gets some chairs. Deonna wedges a chair in a corner, then gets Rosa up. Rosa reverses the whip but Deonna stops herself! Deonna kicks and whips, but Rosa stops. Rosa ELBOWS Deonna, fireman’s carries, then DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Cover, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa goes looking for more!

Rosa brings out a TABLE! Youngstown cheers as Rosa gets that big thing up, only for Deonna to DROPKICK it into her! The fans boo but Deonna soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Deonna drags the table up for herself, and she puts that in the ring. Deonna drags Rosa up, wrenches, then kicks Rosa. Deonna hammerlocks an arm before she POSTS Rosa! And then she hammerlocks and POSTS Rosa again! Rosa clutches the side of her face, but there’s no blood, yet. Deonna gets Rosa in the ring, then drags her over to snapmare by the table. Deonna steps over Rosa to trap the arms, then turns her over so she can dribble Rosa’s head onto the wood! Deonna lets off and Rosa flops over. Cover, TWO! Rosa is tougher than that but Deonna keeps her cool as Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and the two fight over a chair. Deonna JAMS Rosa up, takes a swing, but Rosa dodges! Rosa BOOTS the chair into Deonna! Then Rosa grabs the chair to JAM Deonna, and SMACK her on the back! And SMACK her again! Rosa brings Deonna around, fireman’s carries, and SAMOAN DROPS her on the folded table! Cover, TWO! Deonna is still in this but Rosa drags her around to put in a corner. Rosa hoists Deonna up top, goes up after her, but Deonna fights with body shots! Rosa CLUBS Deonna in return, but Deonna slips under! Rosa rains down fists, so Deonna YANKS her into the buckle! CHEEKY NANDOS!

Rosa falls into the Tree of Woe, Deonna runs up and this time, she RAMS into Rosa! Rosa falls out of the Tree, Deonna covers, TWO!! Rosa survives that Spear of Woe or whatever you’d call it, and the fans rally up. Deonna drags Rosa up, slashes her throat, and then Gotch lifts, but Rosa fights that! Rosa wrenches out to FULL METAL DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Deonna survives hitting steel but Rosa won’t let up. Rosa brings Deonna over to a corner, and puts the trash can around her! The fans cheer as Rosa stomps away on Deonna! Deonna sits down, Rosa grabs the table and she brings that around. The fans cheer as it’s finally set up!

Rosa SMACKS the can with the chain! Then Rosa finishes setting the table up, to use it as a ramp! FLYING SHOTGUN into the trash can!! The fans are thunderous for that unique use of a table, and then Rosa covers Deonna, TWO!?!? Deonna survives the savage innovation, but Rosa won’t give up just yet. Rosa completely stands the table up now, but Deonna has a chair! She slide sit at Rosa, the table falls over, but Rosa JAMS Deonna up with it! Rosa reels Deonna in, underhooks, but Deonna fights the package to wrench out! Deonna reels Rosa in, for a KNEELING PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!!! Rosa lives and Deonna is stunned!

Deonna clamps onto the arm, FUJIWARA! Rosa reaches out, but ends up in the VENUS DE MILO!!! Rosa reaches with her legs, but Deonna HAMMERS away on her head! Deonna rolls past Rosa to then look around on the outside. She LOW BLOWS a staff member!? Just to CLOBBER Rosa with his camera!!! Deonna shows no mercy to anyone, and she puts Rosa in the ropes! MOTORCYCLE STRETCH IN THE ROPES! Rosa’s out cold, Deonna wins!!

Winner: Deonna Purrazzo, by referee stoppage

That camera shot might as well have been a knockout! But Deonna still gets the win either way. Is Deonna going to move on from Rosa once and for all to then go after a title? Or will Rosa’s revenge not die with one loss?

Hechicero w/ The Gates of Agony VS Dalton Castle

Now this is a unique match-up! The Alchemist of Lucha is taking on The Peacock, and… wait are those The Outrunners being Castle’s substitute Boys? Well, uh, Turbo & Truth aside, will Castle be too hot to handle even for the man that summons fire? Or will Hechicero turn this Forbidden Door appetizer into sweet, sweet victory?

The bell rings and the fans fire up as these two get face to face. Hechi shoves Castle, Castle gets serious. They feel things out, tie up, and Hechi facelocks. Castle still powers Hechi to ropes, the ref calls the break, and the two let off clean. Castle gets fired up and eggs Hechi on. Hechi CHOPS, so Castle UPPERCUTS! They fire back and forth, CHOP for forearm, then Castle fires off a flurry! Castle runs, but HEchi follows to CROSSBODY! Hechi slips right into a SLEEPER at the ropes! Hechi shoves Castle away, goes up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Hechi kicks Castle around and eggs him on.

Hechi CLUBS away on Castle, runs, but Castle wrenches to LARIAT, KNEE, and DDT! The fans fire up as Castle gets a wild look in the eyes. Castle clamps on a half nelson, then CLUBS away on Hechi to get him up. Hechi fights with elbows of his own, but runs into an Alabama Lift! Castle spins, BANGAAA- NO, Hechi slips free, pops Castle up, and has the COBRA CLUTCH STRAITJACKET! Castle flails, pushes back to a cover, TWO! Hechi keeps the body scissors, wants the rear naked choke but Castle rolls. Hechi drags Castle up but Castle arm-drags free! Hechi BOOTS back, swings, but Castle blocks to ELBOW!

Castle snarls, runs, but Hechi follows to LARIAT in the corner! Hechi fires fast hands and a CHOP! Castle sits down, Kaun & Liona like what they see. Hechi powers up but runs into a clinch! EXPLODER! Castle and Hechi both rise, and the fans fire up with Castle! Hechi swings, but into another lift! Hechi sunset flips, TWO!! Castle just manages to escape, and he BOOTS Hechi! Hechi goes to a corner, Castle runs in but Hechi dodge! SHINING WIZARD! Hechi keeps going, LA MYSTICA LEG DROP! Cover, Hechi wins!

Winner: Hechicero, by pinfall

That was some in-ring magic for sure! The Gates of Agony celebrate with their new ally, will they and The Machine, Brian Cage, soon take over AEW and CMLL? But then Hechi beats up on Castle, puts him in a corner, and Liona HIP ATTACKS! Kaun METEORAS! The fans boo, but The Outrunners run in! Only to get CLOBBERED by The Gates… Hechi then feeds Castle to the Gates for the LARIAT SANDWICH! And they CLOSE- NO! Daniel Garcia hurries out here, with a chair! He and Daddy Magic have Castle’s back as they run off Hechi & The Gates! Will even The Alchemist of Lucha fear Red Death?

Backstage interview with Dante Martin.

Arkady Aura is with Angel Dorado, as well as his teammates, Darius Martin & Action Andretti. She brings up Dante facing Lee Moriarty in the TNT Championship qualifier. However, everyone else is banned from ringside. Dante says that’s fine, because Top Flight is about friendly competition. He remembers a time when Lee Moriarty was once about that. Darius asks if Dante is running. He’s not. Is he scared? He’s not. Because this is one of the best high-fliers today! High-flying and redeye-ing! Action promises that at Forbidden Door, Dante will be the NEW TNT Champion! But in steps Lio Rush. He says what’s up, long time no see. Good to see he has some new friends.

Not sure if any of them knew this or not, but Lio and Action go way back. That’s true. So as far as Darius, nice to finally meet you. Darius knows who Lio is, and won’t shake his hand. Okay, that’s fine. Just wanted to wish Dante luck tonight. Maybe see them around. Lio heads out, Action says yeah, great seeing him again. Top Flight heads out, but will Dante book him and the boys some golden tickets to Long Island? Or will #TAIGASTYLE make sure Shane Taylor Promotions takes over New York?

The Patriarchy is in the ring.

And “Mother” Shayna Wayne asks for everyone’s attention. They boo her? They boo a mother?! How dare you! Shayna demands they all get on their feet right now and pay respect to “the greatest father to ever live,” THEIR Patriarch, Christian Cage. And with that, Captain Charisma makes his way out here. Christian takes the mic and sits in the fancy chair they have for him. “Well, I didn’t exactly have ‘spending the most important holiday of the year’ in The Rust Belt, but here we are.” The fans boo but Christian says Youngstown needs to sit down and shut their mouths while he conducts his business.

Now, he’d be remised if he didn’t acknowledge what today is. Today is the anniversary of his son, Nick Wayne’s biological father passing away. Christian says that can affect a child many different ways. You might wonder why the universe can be so cool. But in a strange way, Nick’s father dying was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to him, because it led him to Christian Cage. The fans boo but Christian says this veiled picture must of course be a gift for him. Did Nick commission this? Nick even has a card! Christian opens it up, and it says Happy Father’s Day. A homemade card from the heart? Should he read it?

“To Dad, You are the greatest TNT Champion in history,m and I can only dream of having half your tlanet, but I will keep striving to prove my worth. Love, Nick.” How thoughtful, Christian appreciates that. And uh, can we unveil the portrait now? Of course! The curtain is taken away, and it’s a failry impressive painting. Did Luchasaurus do this himself? Wow. Then uh, this is… Okay. But Nick’s card is unbelievable! He’s a wordsmith! It’s popping off the paeg! Christian has never been prouder, he will cherish this forever. And uh, Killswitch- The fans chant “LUCHASAURUS!” but he says shut up, he’s Killswitch! Killswitch, why can’t you be more like Nick?

Luchasaurus storms off! The fans cheer but Christian says he wasn’t excused! Get back in line! Christian has something important to say and everyone will want to hear this. Luchasaurus reluctantly stands back by the chair, and Christian says that’s a good looking guy in the picture either way. Now, it is no secret that Double Or Nothing was a couple weeks ago. And Christian clearly fell short in his quest to become AEW World Champion. But what you might not realize is that there is alternate footage clearly showing his shoulder was up! The EVPs want to do the right thing and show this footage, but he politely asked not to show it.

This family does not make excuses here! They just roll up their sleeves and get back to work! Christian vows to one day be World Champion, and that path starts with winning the Trios Championships! That’s right! Christian’s gift to his “sons” is that they will hold titles together. The fans still chant for Luchasaurus but Christian tells them to shut up! Now yes, it is uncommon for the father to give a gift to his children on Father’s Day, but that is what a good father would do. He would give anything to make his children smile. Hey, even Tony Khan’s dad gave him millions upon millions of dollars to start this company!

But here’s the thing, Tony Khan, this very instant, Christian Cage says this is HIS company! He is the greatest, most talked about and influential star in this sport! He will win every accolade until he goes down as THE greatest in history! So Tony, Christian is your father now. They are The Patriarchy, the next Trios Champions, the Faces of TNT, now and forever! Captain Charisma has spoken, but will his declaration become reality?

The Bang Bang Gang speaks.

Juice Robinson says it is the one-year anniversary of Collision, and they are the Collision Cowboys, the men who built this brick by brick! Juice broke his back carrying this place! Colten says that as such, they hold a lot of gold. There are a lot of teams gunning for them, but they can’t handle the pressure. House of Black tonight, and now The Patriarchy wants a shot? Yeah, it’s Father’s Day, but you don’t get special privilege. Get in line! Austin adds that House of Black, they’re not sure what’s going on, maybe they’ve been in the dark too long, but open your eyes, dilate the pupils, and uh, notice that Jay White isn’t here.

Tonight is NOT for the titles, but tonight is about proving whether or not if you can hang with the OGs! And if you’re not down with that, they’ve got two words for ya: GUNS UP!

TNT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Lee Moriarty VS Dante Martin!

As we heard from Dante, these two used to be friends, but ambition seems to have given #TAIGASTYLE a bit of a salty edge. Will Lee use that edge to clip Angel Dorado’s wings? Or will Dante prove that he not only does things the right way, but can win at the same time?

The bell rings, the fans rally as the two circle, and then Lee goes for a leg. Dante steps over, trips Lee, then speeds up. Lee drops, hurdles, but Dante stops to hurdle and drop. Lee handsprings, then shimmies and shakes. The fans cheer and the two reset. Dante and Lee feel things out, and the fans are behind Dante. Lee gives a testing kick, then the two knuckle lock. Lee wrenches, trips Dante, then GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! The fans are torn, but Lee drags Dante around by the leg< Dante kicks free, reaches up, and RANAS! The fans fire up, Dante speeds up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then jumps to RANA again!

Lee flounders, Dante stays by ropes,. Lee runs up, Dante goes up and over! Lee tumbles out of the ring, Dante builds speed! Dante FLIES, but lands safe as Lee moves aside! Lee thinks he’s safe, but then Dante uses the corner to DROPKICK Lee down! Dante copies the shimmy and then drags Lee up. Dante CHOPS Lee against the railing! The fans fire up for that one, and Dante puts Lee in the ring. Dante then jumps right up to the apron, springboards, but Lee trips him up! Dante tumbles back down and Lee grins. Lee claps and the fans applaud, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Lee waits on Dante, and Dante slides back in. Lee stomps Dante at the ropes again and again and again! Dante writhes, Lee drags him up, then KNEES low. Lee fires m ore knees, then shoves Dante to RAM into him. Lee reels Dante in to HALF HATCH! Roll back and cover, TWO! Lee keeps on Dante with a hammerlock, then traps that arm to go after the other. Dante endures, even as Lee pushes on the arm. Lee twists the fingers and wrist to bend the arm, and then use it as a recliner! Dante endures as Lee gives a thumbs up. Lee then sits back up, to stomp the arm down! Dante writhes, Lee stomps him around, then Lee drags Dante up.

Lee fires more knees into Dante, shoves him, but Dante leaps up and over to sunset flip! TWO, and Lee ROCKS Dante with fast hands! Dante blocks a kick but not the KNEE! Dante sits down, Lee basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Lee is annoyed but he clamps onto the arm again. Dante endures, Lee bends the fingers and wrist, to JAM the fingers into the mat! Dante still endures, but Lee clamps on, chinbars, and pushes on the joint. The fans rally, Dante fights, but Lee throws knees to keep him down. Lee pulls on the chinbar but Dante powers up. Collision returns to single picture, and the fans rally as Dante pries free!

Dante arm-drags Lee away, Lee runs up, but Dante BOOTS him! ROLLING ELBOW! Dante ROCKS Lee again, whips, but the bad arm jams up! Lee whips Dante away, runs up, but Dante slips to the outside! Dante ROCKS Lee, springboards to go up and around, but Lee grabs a leg. Dante kicks him away, jumps again and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Lee survives but Dante stays focused. The fans fire up with Dante as he rises, and Dante reels Lee in. Lee fights the half nelson, so Dante CLUBS away! Lee wrenches free of the waistlock, brings Dante to a knee, and he SNAPS the fingers! What a villain!

Lee gets Dante’s arms tired up, clinches, YOYO URENAGE! Into the BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Dante endures, reaches out, and he crawls with the one free arm! Lee kicks at that arm, but Dante uses a leg for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Lee lets off, and then Lee brings Dante up! Lee suplexes into a SLAM, then covers, TWO!! Dante escapes that deep tuck and Lee is frustrated. Lee kicks at Dante while they’re both down, then Lee rises up. Lee aims, Dante rises, and Lee runs up, but Dante ducks the kick! JUMP KNEE! Lee wobbles, but he BOOTS back! Lee runs up, into a KNEE from Dante!

Dante goes up, METEORA! Lee is down and the fans fire up as Dante climbs a corner! MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, Dante wins!

Winner: Dante Martin, by pinfall (advances to Forbidden Door)

And with that, the fourth spot is filled! Dante joins Mark Briscoe, Konosuke Takeshita & Jack Perry, but wait! Shane Taylor & Anthony Ogogo show up to mug Dante! The fans boo as STP are sore losers! BODY SHOT from Ogogo! But here come Darius & Action! They fight with STP but that’s 3v2! Shane DECKS Darius, Ogogo GERMAN SUPLEXES Action! URENAGE for Darius! The fans boo more but STP doesn’t care. Lio Rush hurries out here, he asks what this is all about. Shane dares Lio to bring his little ass in here! Lio does, and he slips under Shane to shove Ogogo into him! Then he schoolboys Ogogo to SPIN KICK!

Shane whips Lio but Lio stops himself at the ropes! Lio eggs Shane on, then DUMPS him out! Lee runs up but Lio TOSSES Him out, and HANDSPRING KICKS Lee into Shane! Lio stands tall with Top Flight, and refs hurry out to stop this from getting any wilder. Will Shane Taylor make sure Lio meets his final hour soon enough? As for Dante and Top Flight, they nod respect to Lio, but still no handshakes. Will Lio just have to give them all time to trust him?

Hikaru Shida speaks.

“I have been in AEW since day one. I am a three-time world champion. I am the longest reigning AEW Women’s World Champion. And I am officially entering the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. That tournament needs me. And Wembley Stadium needs me! And the Shining Samurai will go to Wembley Stadium to once again become Women’s Champion.” Will Shida shine all the way through the Summer to then go All In on an incredible fourth Women’s World Championship reign?

Kyle O’Reilly VS Anthony Henry!

The Violent Artist has been trying to do things on his own, but even now, Roderick Strong & The Kingdom tag along. They’re on commentary for this match, and BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite! It will be an “All-Star 8 Man” as Roderick Strong joins forces with Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita and Zack Sabre Jr. VS Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy, Dante Martin & Mark Briscoe. Will the Savior of the Backbreaker still be able to support his “friend” here tonight knowing that now? Or will Roddy find himself rooting for the other guy?

The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, and tie up. Henry powers Kyle back but Kyle turns that around. They go around and around, Kyle waistlocks but Henry switches. Kyle switches and drags Henry down Henry blocks one kick but has to duck the other! The fans cheer as Henry backs off, and the two reset. Kyle and Henry feel things out, knuckle lock, and go shoulder to shoulder. They go around, Henry throws Kyle down but Kyle has the leg guard up. Kyle kicks one knuckle lock apart to trip Henry up. Henry uses a leg guard now, but Kyle stands. Henry uses body scissors to climb up and go for the arm!

Kyle moves around, back drops and ARMBAR! Henry scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go, KICKS at Henry, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! This relentless Kyle is the kind Roddy likes. Kyle wrenches, whips, but Henry holds ropes! Kyle KICKS the leg, then hooks it. Henry turns that around to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Henry traps Kyle’s head to NECK TWIST! Henry holds on, grabs an arm, then gives some kicks. Kyle just gets mad! The fans rally for Kyle and Roddy also coaches Kyle. Kyle stands, Henry KICKS, but Kyle ROCKS Henry. They fire off forearms, henry fires a strike fest!

Kyle blocks a kick, gives a strike fest in return, then SWEEPS the legs! The fans fire up as Henry flounders to a corner. Kyle runs up to forearm SMASH! Then wrench and ELOBW BREAKER, to a KNEE, to a suplex and FALCON ARROW into the ARMBAR! Henry TAPS, Kyle wins!

Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by submission

Roddy says that’s because of his presence! Roddy says Kyle is clearly missing something, or someone, to help him get that edge. Will Kyle show Roddy plenty of that “edge” this Wednesday?

Six Man Tag: The Bang Bang Gang VS The House of Black!

We heard from Rock Hard Juice Robinson, Fully Cocked Colten, and… Austin earlier tonight, but now is time to put up or shut up! Malakai, Brody & Buddy have been World Trios Champions before, but will they get one step closer to becoming Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Champions? Or will the House fold when facing the Collision Cowboys in their house?

The trios sort out, but then they all step to each other. The fans taunt the “ASS~ BOYS~!” but we get Juice and The Dark Father. Juice and Malakai circle, then tie up. Malakai headlocks, Juice powers out but Malakai runs him over! Cover, ONE and Juice arm-drags! Malakai headscissors, Juice kips free, but Malakai avoids the arm-drag to sit down. The fans fire up, so Juice lifts a leg a la dogs. Malakai stands up to KICK Juice down! Juice scrambles away, Austin tags in. Austin is all fired up, but then Brody tags in! Austin turns around and tags Colten! Colten says that’s fine, he can bark it up. Brody swings, Colten bobs ‘n’ weaves and ROCKS-

Er, well, no, Brody doesn’t seem too bothered. Brody runs Colten over, he runs Austin over, then runs them both over! The Gunns stagger up, Brody runs up to DOUBLE LRIAT them out! Juice runs in but Brody TOSSES him out onto The Gunns! The fans fire up as The House stands together, they all build speed, but the Bang Bang Gang gets in to say BANG! So the House DECKS them all! The House tosses everyone out and the brawl is on as Collision goes picture in picture!

Brody is after Juice, Malakai TOSSES Austin, and Buddy CHOPS Colten. Malakai BOOTS Austin into the crowd! Brody sits Juice in a corner to CHOP! Malakai joins in to mug Juice, and Buddy KNEES Colten. Brody brings Juice around to whip hard into railing! Austin returns but Malakai KNEES him down. Brody CLUBS Austin, the fans fire up, and Brody CHOPS Austin. Buddy brings Colten over to join in, and he UPPERCUTS Colten into a seat. Brody herds Austin and Juice that way, the Bang Bang Gang all take seats, and Malakai KICKS away on them all! The fans hoot and bark with Brody as he runs in, to TRIPLE CROSSBODY!

The fans cheer and high-five Brody as The Bang Bang Gang all slumps down. Brody drags Colten up to put him in, and then stalks Colten to his empty corner. Brody grins at Colten’s fear, and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns again and Buddy tags Malakai. They mug Colten, then Malakai wrenches to tag Buddy. Buddy climbs up to DOUBLE STOMP Colten’s arm! Buddy taunts Austin, goes back to Colten and wrenches. Tag to Malakai and he KNEES the arm! Malakai wrenches but Colten throws him down by his hair! Tag to Austin and Austin stomps away on Malakai! The ref counts, Austin lets off, but Malakai BOOTS him! Austin runs up to CLOBBER Malakai! Austin throws hands, then tags in Colten. They whip Malakai, to BODY SHOT, KNEE LIFT, and DROPKICK! Juice tags in to SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Juice stands on Malakai, the Gunns YANK Buddy & Brody down! Juice whips Malakai hard into the corner! Juice stomps away on Malakai, argues with the ref, then drags Malakai back up. Juice snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Malakai is still in this and Juice is frustrated. Juice stands Malakai up to bump him off buckles, then he tags Austin in. They mug Malakai, Austin asks “Who’s the Ass Boy now?” “YOU!!” Austin frowns, then fires hands on Malakai. Tag to Colten, he stomps away on Malakai. The ref counts, Colten ROCKS Malakai but the fans rally up. Juice tags in, he stomps at Malakai, then eggs him on.

Juice HEADBUTTS, but Malakai ROCKS Juice, DECKS the Gunns, then fires off on Juice! Juice blocks a kick, to LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Malakai is still in this and Juice is upset with the ref’s count! Juice clamps onto Malakai for a chinlock but Malakai endures. Malakai fights up as the fans rally, and Malakai KICKS the bad leg! Juice THROAT CHOPS back! Malakai falls into a corner, Juice goes corner to corner, CANNONBALL only gets buckles! Malakai crawls, as does Juice, hot tag to Colten! He CLOBBERS Malakai, then whips him away. Colten runs up, but only gets buckles! Austin tags in, grabs Malakai’s foot, but Malakai BOOTS him into Colten!

Hot tag to Buddy! The fans fire up as the Aussie Juggernaut fires off strikes and a BOOT to Austin! POP-UP KNEE for Colten! Austin runs up, into a tilt-o-whirl and LAWN DART into Colten! Buddy reels Austin in for the JACKHAMMER! Cover, Juice breaks it! The fans boo but Juice hurries to BLAST Brody! Juice goes back to Buddy to whip, but Buddy lands safe on the apron! Buddy GAMANGIRIS Juice, bumps him off buckles, then BOOTS him away! Buddy goes up, Juice staggers around, into the METEORA! Cover, TWO! Buddy’s bad knee is bothering him, but he hobbles up to tag in Brody. Brody storms in and the fans fire up as we go picture in picture again.

Buddy has medics check his knee, he may have taken himself out when he hit Juice. Brody does his best to focus on the match, and he puts Austin in a corner. Buddy is in some serious pain, though. Brody runs up to CLOBBER Austin in the corner! Brody hoots and barks and gets the fans back into this. Brody roars, runs, but Colten saves his brother! The Bang Bang Gang regroups on the outside, the medics are still checking on Buddy but it isn’t looking good. This is basically 3v2 now. Juice & The Gunns strategize, knowing they have the advantage now. The ref has Bang Bang Gang settle down a minute while Buddy is helped to the back.

The fans applaud as Buddy is doing his best to walk on the good leg, and Collision returns to single picture. But the Gunns jump on Brody, they and Juice mug him, and Malakai tries to help but is sent back out! The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” but the Bang Bang Gang doesn’t care! Tag to Colten and he stomps away on Brody. The ref counts, Colten tags Austin back in, and now Austin stomps Brody. Tag to Juice, he gets some stomps in! The fans still taunt the “ASS~ BOYS~!” but Juice blows boogers onto Brody! Then Juice CANNONBALLS! Direct hit and Juice covers, TWO! Brody stays in this and the fans fire up!

Austin tags in, then he tags Colten. The Gunns get Brody up, whip him to ropes, but Brody denies the 3:10 with a LARIAT! And another LARIAT! Juice runs up, but into a BOSS MAN SLAM! Brody is down and the fans fire up! Brody crawls, the fans hoot and bark, hot tag to Malakai! Malakai breaks through Colten’s lariat to BOOT Austin! Malakai dodges Colten, DECKS Austin, then ELBOWS Colten! A strike fest and a LEG SEWEP for Austin! SLIDING KNEE! The fans fire up, but Juice takes the QUEBRADA for Colten! Malakai still ROUNDHOUSES Colten and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Malakai snarls and the fans fire up! Colten rises, distracts the ref with talk of injury, and Juice grabs a leg! Malakai kicks Juice away, but Colten runs up, FLYING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!! Colten’s shot doesn’t finish this but he tags to Austin. The Gunns get Malakai up, double whip, 3:10- NO, Malakai BOOTS Colten, BOOTS Austin, but Juice HOTSHOTS! FAMOUSER from Austin! Cover, TWO!! Malakai survives and Austin is stunned! The Gunns reload, call their shot, and they coordinate with Juice! Juice goes up, but Brody is back! The Gunns dodge him, 3:10 TO YUMA!!! But they have to get Malakai down!

Austin turns Malakai, Juice finally aims, but PAC is here?! The Bastard spooks Juice, trips him up, then flips off Austin! Austin swings on Pac, but turns around into THE END!!! Cover, The House wins!!

Winners: The House of Black, by pinfall

The Bastard told The Bang Bang Gang that he was not going to let what they did to Death Triangle slide! The House still gets the win, even with Buddy going down with a bad knee. But then The Patriarchy has to come in via the tron to ruin all the fun. Christian Cage says congratulations to The House. Congratulations on becoming the #1 contenders to the World Trios Championships. The only problem is, they’re not a trio anymore. The Patriarchy reveals they took out Buddy!! The Patriarchy leaves Buddy down and out, right as Malakai & Brody rush to the back! Will Christian Cage stoop to new lows just so he and his “sons” can rise up the ranks?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision for the anniversary episode, and I appreciate it was more rock, less talk. The only real talky stuff was everything Christian Cage did, but even that wasn’t so bad because he didn’t take forever getting to the point. He takes credit for all the good Collision content, heavily favors Nick Wayne over Killswitchasaurus, and then tries to hide his failure at Double Or Nothing by going for the trios titles, which he can totally just use Nick and Luchasaurus to win for him when the time comes. Really good promo from Bang Bang Gang in response, and great main event between Bang Bang Gang and House of Black.

If Buddy isn’t actually hurt, he was doing amazing acting tonight. And with how Christian “attacked” Buddy, it seems the story is the same either way: The House will need a new third man to challenge Jay White & The Gunns. Pac showed up to stick it to the Bang Bang Gang, so maybe The Bastard becomes an honorary member of The House of Black just to take the titles. And honestly, what better feud than Christian “Greatest Father Ever” Cage and “The Bastard” Pac, with how “bastard” also has the old definition of “a fatherless child.” And honestly, when is Luchasaurus going to break away from Christian? Should happen during the trios title match.

Really good 8 Man Tag, but I should’ve figured BCC would win, and that Moxley would again tell Naito that he’s done after Forbidden Door. It’s the same thing he’s been saying all week since Dominion last Sunday, he’ll probably keep saying it for those who weren’t paying attention, and I am starting to think that’s just because he’s going to lose in Long Island so Naito can have finish his last run with the world title. And good integration as Lio says hey to Dante before Dante has his match with Lee. Great win for Dante, and I figured he would because you need a true high-flyer in a ladder match. Lio helping fight off Shane Taylor Promotions is also interesting, can’t wait to see which way this splits. Could someone be leaving Top Flight to join STP?

Kyle VS Henry was a strange filler-not-filler, because at least we got the news of an 8 Man Tag happening for Dynamite. It’ll be a great match, with some Forbidden Door build involved as Cassidy will be facing Zack Sabre Jr. and now we’ll be seeing Mark Briscoe, Dante Martin, and Konosuke Takeshita in the ladder match. With that, feels like one of the Kyles takes a loss. Either Roddy purposefully costs O’Reilly or accidentally costs Fletcher. I’m thinking the former so that Roddy can insist O’Reilly still needs him to be relevant. Then they can take that feud through the Summer, maybe even into the Men’s Owen Hart Cup.

Really good promo from Shida, and she’ll be a great part of the Women’s Owen Hart Cup. Probably won’t win it, though, with the potential story of Mariah May challenging Toni Storm, or with Willow looking to go back-to-back. Very good match from Hechicero VS Dalton Castle, and it was a rather clever move that The Outrunners were the pseudo-boys that failed to save Castle while Garcia & Menard succeeded. Add Angelo Parker to that and you’ve got an 8 Man Tag right there of Garcia, Menard, Parker & Castle VS Hechicero & The Cage of Agony. Very good No DQ match from Deonna VS Rosa, but as I said earlier in the week, I figured Deonna would win. She’s a Heel, the current champions are Faces, she will make a good challenger to maybe the TBS Championship for All In.

And a great promo from The Acclaimed to call out The Bucks for their continued abuses of power. Cutler being the scrub that takes beatings on behalf of The EVPs is a pretty silly recurring gag, but Daniels getting in on the fun was good stuff. The Acclaimed surely do find a way to win the Title Eliminator in order to force a title match that The Bucks probably cheat to win. This probably still leads to Acclaimed helping Swerve for Blood & Guts, as I sensed on Wednesday.

My Score: 8.8/10