Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/28/24)
The Prodigy VS…?
Tonight, Roxanne Perez’s next opponent is revealed!
The NXT Women’s Championship will be on the line at NXT Battleground: Las Vegas, and Ava Raine is set to tell us all just who it is! Who will The Prodigy face in Sin City?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Mia Yim VS Tatum Paxley; Mia wins and advances to NXT Battleground: Las Vegas.
- Ridge Holland VS Riley Osborne w/ Chase U; Ridge wins.
- The Good Brothers VS Malik Blade & Edris Enofe w/ Brinley Reece; The Good Brothers win.
- Lola Vice VS Arianna Grace; Lola wins.
- Dante Chen VS Lexis King; Dante wins.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Kelani Jordan VS Wren Sinclair; Kelani wins and advances to NXT Battleground: Las Vegas.
- Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans VS Gallus; Trick & Je’Von win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Ava Raine is in the ring!
The NXT General Manager opens the show by welcoming us here to NXT, where they have the best Women’s Division in the game. They are constantly pushing the envelope, breaking barriers,, and making history. And speaking of, in just two short weeks, we find out who climbs to the top of a ladder, grabs the belt, and becomes the FIRST-EVER NXT Women’s North American Champion! Four spots have already been secured, the last two are decided tonight. And speaking of tonight, as many already know, we have a very special guest. So at this time, Ava would like to welcome the hip-dropping, show-stopping, chain wearing, hottest hood princess, Sexyy Red!
The fans cheer as Red makes her way out to the ring. Red is star-spangled as she struts her way to the ring. Red twerks real quick before she gets the mic. Ava welcomes and thanks Red for being here. Red thanks Ava, and Ava says Red has been looking forward to this, as have they. Now, Ava is understanding there is a special announcement for Battlegrounds in Las Vegas. Yes, and part one of that is Sexyy Red will be hosting Battleground! Stay tuned! Ava confirms, that’s breaking news right here. But also, as their special guest, Ava would like Red to help with this. Red helps unveil the Women’s North American Championship belt!
The fans cheer for the white strap and red backing. But Tatum Paxley slithers right into the ring! She and Red tug-o-war over the belt! But here comes Michin! The Head Baddie gets Tatum off the belt and fires off forearms! Mia Yim TOSSES Tatum out, Red & Ava get the belt outta the ring, and Mia sends Tatum into barriers! The fans fire up for the HBIC, and she digs her boots into Tatum! Mia then puts Tatum in the ring, and we get this first of the night’s qualifiers going!
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Mia Yim VS Tatum Paxley!
Mia keeps on Tatum with a TACKLE and fast hands! The fans rally, Tatum kicks Mia away, but Mia runs up to CHOP! Mia whips corner to corner hard, then she storms up to stomp Tatum down. The ref counts, Mia lets off to whip corner to corner again. Tatum sits down in the corner, Mia grins and runs up, but Tatum RAMS into her! Mia grabs at Tatum but Tatum throws body shots. Tatum CLUBS Mia, Mia throws body shots in return. Mia whips Tatum again, runs, but Tatum dodges! Mia gets stuck, Tatum ROCKS her! Tatum stomps a mudhole now but the ref counts. Tatum lets off as fans duel, and she drags Mia up.
Tatum bumps Mia off buckles, then digs her boots in. The ref counts, Tatum lets off, and now Jaida Parker comes out here? Tatum bumps Mia off buckles but fans fire up for Miss Parker. Tatum CLUBS Mia, bumps her off buckles, then grins as she whips corner to corner. Tatum runs up but Mia puts her on the apron. Mia trips Tatum, runs side to side and WRECKS her with a dropkick! Jaida likes that one, too, and Mia builds speed. Mia DIVES and takes out Tatum! The fans fire up and Mia sees Jaida. Mia dares Jaida to do something but Jaida keeps her distance while NXT goes picture in picture.
Mia goes back for Tatum and drags her up. Mia puts Tatum in the ring again, covers, TWO! Mia stays cool as she stays on Tatum with a KICK! Tatum grits her teeth as she stands, but Mia brings her in. Mia drags Tatum down in a facelock, has a cover, TWO as Tatum manages to sit up. Tatum powers her way to her feet but Mia throws knees. Mia keeps on the guillotine but Tatum RAMS her into buckles! And again! Tatum gets free, then hops on to SUSNET BOMB into buckles! Mia writhes and goes to the apron, but Tatum drags her up. Tatum pulls Mia through ropes to then dig her knee into Mia’s back!
The ref counts, Tatum lets go, but then she puts a SLEEPER on! Tatum CLUBS Mia, drags her in and throws her down! Cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out but Tatum clamps on with a chinlock. Tatum makes that a stretch, but Mia endures as she fights up. Tatum HIP DROPS Mia down, then digs her knee in for the chinlock stretch! Mia rises up, spins around and sunset flips! TWO, Tatum runs up but Mia gets under! Mia fires forearms but Tatum DECKS her! Tatum drags Mia up, whips her to a corner, then she runs in to CROSSBODY! Tatum pushes Mia down, slithers over, then covers, TWO! Tatum stays on Mia with a body scissors!
Mia endures the squeeze and pries at the feet. Tatum rolls her to a cover, TWO! Tatum still has the squeeze, rolls Mia the other way, TWO! Mia powers back to cover, TWO! Tatum still holds Mia in the scissors, theN CLUBS her! And CLUBS her again! Mia still endures, NXT returns to single picture, and Mia pushes Tatum back again. TWO as Tatum lets her go. Mia ELBOWS Tatum away! Then BOOTS her! Then BOOTS, but Tatum blocks to ROCK Mia! Tatum whips, Mia ducks ‘n’ dodges then redirects to POUNCE! Both women are down, Jaida is on commentary and is still moderately impressed.
Tatum and Mia both rise, and Mia blocks a shot to give a shot! And again! Mia fires off a flurry, then HEEL KICKS! Tatum wobbles, into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Tatum flounders back up, and Mia fires up! The fans cheer as Mia CHOPS! And HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS! Mia HEADBUTTS until Tatum sits down, then keeps going! The ref counts, Mia goes corner to corner and says Too Sweet! CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Tatum is still in this but Mia drags her back up. Mia wrenches, but no Sole Food! Pump handle, LIGHTNING SPIRAL! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives but Tatum drags her right up!
Tatum waistlocks, Mia fights the lift, then Mia fires elbows. Tatum gets under one for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Mia survives, the fans rally up and duel. Jaida says it really doesn’t matter who wins this, she’s still gonna be the history maker. Tatum scuffs Mia, runs, but Mia follows! Tatum goes Matrix, but Mia goes Spider-Woman in the ropes! The fans fire up as the two stare down. Mia and Tatum slither to each other, both with wild grins. Jaida is a little spooked, but Mia says Too Sweet. The two go forehead to forehead, then Tatum pie faces Mia! Mia blocks the kick, but Tatum ducks Mia’s! Pump handle, but Mia rolls Tatum! TWO!!
Tatum gest up, BOOTS the lariat, then SAIDO- NO, Mia slips free! Mia wrenches, and serves up SOLE FOOD! Cover, Mia wins!!
Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall (advances to NXT Battleground)
Jaida says okay, and now we have five out of six. Will the Head Baddie In Charge make sure Miss Parker and all the women of NXT know who runs this?
Gallus talks backstage.
Joe Coffey tells Markus that he spoke with Ava. Ava is being “difficult,” but she slapped them on the wrist. But now there can only be two of them allowed ringside for tonight’s tag match. Where even is Wolfgang? Markus isn’t sure, but then in walks Meta Four. Lash says here we go. Oro says from Gallus Boys to the Main Man, he needs to know: Why’d they jump Oro’s guy, Noam Dar? What? Oro says he gets why they jumped Ivar, Briggs and Wes Lee, but- But that’s it. Ivar, Briggs and Wes, but also Je’Von and Trick. If Gallus went after them, everyone would know about it. So wait, they’re thinking Gallus went after Dar? That’s a stupid question. They thought better of Meta Four.
The Coffey Brothers head out, and Meta Four is confused. But then if it wasn’t Gallus, it still has to be Trick. Lash says excuse you, Oro. She already said it wasn’t Trick. Oro says there’s no time for this. He’s gonna go find Trick. Lash is the only one standing by Trick on this, is she going to be the only one right about this?
Lola Vice trains backstage.
But Arianna Grace walks in and says as locker room leader, and a leader of women in general, she must ask Lola this. Does she seriously intend on going through another barbaric NXT Underground match? Lola says absolutely. Oh, Lola… Arianna understands in the heat of the moment, after losing to Natty & Karmen, that Latina Heat was red hot. But Shayna is extremely dangerous! A #1 contender tot he tag titles, and a true cage- So is Lola! Little princess, find out how dangerous she is first hand. Arianna lets out an “Oh s*it!” and then hopes no one heard that. Will Arianna learn that Lola’s shirt tells the truth about how her fists don’t lie?
Ridge Holland VS Riley Osborne w/ Chase U!
Yorkshire Grit has been trying to earn Turbo Terry’s trust, but some things might just be impossible. Will Ridge at least earn Riley’s respect in the ring? Or will this end up a #TeachableMoment for everyone?
NXT returns and Ridge makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Riley and Ridge feel things out, tie up, and Ridge powers Riley to the ropes. The ref counts, Ridge lets off but they stay tied up. Ridge THROWS Riley down, but Riley gets up again! They tie up, Ridge puts Riley on ropes, and Ridge pushes Riley. Riley ROCKS Ridge with a right! Ridge snarls, swings, but Riley dodges to body shot and haymaker! Riley UPPERCUTS, Ridge KNEES low! Riley sputters, Ridge KNEES him again! Thea coaches Riley but Ridge UPPERCUTS Riley down! Riley checks his chin but Ridge hauls him up for a BIG headlock takeover!
Ridge grinds Riley, Riley keeps his shoulders up, and the fans rally. Riley fights to his feet, throws body shots, but Ridge ROCKS him! Ridge CHOPS Riley against ropes, then CHOPS him again! Riley sputters, but he CHOPS back! Ridge CHOPS Riley to a corner, RAMS into him again and again, then hits another takeover. Ridge clamps a chinlock on and he grinds Riley down. Riley endures, fights up, but Ridge wrangles him back down. Riley endures more, fights back up, and he throws body shots and forearms. Ridge swings, Riley dodges, and Riley DROPKICKS! Riley facelocks to grind Ridge down.
Ridge fights up, wrenches out, and short arm LARIATS Riley inside-out! All of Chase U felt that one, but Ridge hauls Riley back up. Ridge whips hard and Riley bounces off buckles. Ridge storms over to Riley, but he does tell Mr. Chase he isn’t sure if he wants to keep going. Chase says they gotta work these issues out, so Ridge gets Riley up,. Ridge fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, then whips hard! Riley bounces off buckles, the fans boo, but Riley kicks from below. Ridge stomps Riley, hauls him up and whips again. Riley goes up and up and WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up as Riley ENZIGIRIS Ridge!
Ridge falls, Riley runs, and Riley SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Ridge is still in this, and he TACKLES Riley outta the ring! Both men have a rough landing, Chase U checks them both, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Ridge grinds Riley with a chinlock. Riley endures, fights up, but Ridge cranks the hold! Duke coaches Riley, Riley fights up and JAWBREAKERS free! Riley runs up, but into a SLEEPER! Riley gets around, but Ridge CLUBS him down! Ridge drags Riley back up, suplexes, but Riley slips free! Riley rolls Ridge up, TWO! Ridge gets up but Riley DROPKICKS! Riley goes to a corner, climbs up, but Ridge gets to him first! ROCKET LAUNCHER! Ridge runs to SPLASH! And then clinch, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Riley flounders, Ridge snarls and hurries to cover, TWO! Riley is proving that toughness!
Chase coaches Riley to keep fighting, but Ridge hauls Riley up. Ridge TOSSES Riley out hard, but Riley lands on the apron. Chase coaches Riley but Ridge eggs Riley on. Ridge drags Riley in, pops him up, and runs around, but Riley slips free! SUPERKICK! Ridge goes up and out! The fans fire up as Riley hurries to triangle jump DROPKICK! Ridge is down again, and Riley DIVES into a forearm! Riley tumbles to the floor, Ridge goes for steel steps!? Thea stops him, pleading for him to do this the right way. Fans boo, they want Ridge to unleash his rage! Ridge puts Riley in, but Riley snatches him to a cradle! TWO!!
Ridge runs up, swings, but Riley bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off shots! Riley whips, Ridge reverses, but Riley LEPAING LARIATS! And UPPERCUTS! And then CALF KICKS! Ridge staggers about, goes to a corner, and Riley runs to UPERCUT! Riley CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! The fans ‘WOO~!” each time, but Ridge DECKS Riley! Riley comes back, runs up, goes up, but Ridge sweeps the legs! REDEEMER DDT!! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Chase U gets in to check Riley, even though this was Mr. Chase’s idea for them to fight it out. But Ridge did prove he can do this without crossing the line. Ridge helps Riley up to show him respect, and he even offers a handshake. Riley doesn’t take it? The fans boo, Thea and Chase are surprised by this but Duke seems to stand with Riley. What will it take to squash the beef?
Backstage interview with The Good Brothers.
Kelly Kincaid is with Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows, and notes they are moments away from taking on Edris Enofe & Malik Blade, but she wants to talk the NXT Tag Team Champions, Nathan Frazer & Axiom. The Machine Gun says good, let’s talk about it. Because when it comes to The Good Brothers, they are only getting the silent treatment. Big LG says he and Machine Gun are sick of being ducked, dodged and overlooked by a team that’ve been together for what? Six months? The Good Brothers have a couple title reigns worldwide longer than that. Last week’s beatdown is what you get when you treat The Good Brothers like a couple of Outsiders.
So fair warning to the maxed mook and the quick brother: Until Gallows & Anderson get their title shot, the beatdowns will continue whenever these two want. Anderson calls out Axiom & Frazer, “Do we have your attention now?!” Keep running, or man up. You know where to find them. The Good Brothers head out, will they make their case later tonight? Kelly then hears word of something happening! Cut to the other cameras!
We do cut, and we find ORO is down! Lash & Jakara hurry over, want help, and refs call for medical. Jakara assumes this is Trick, too! Lash knows that’s not the case, but then who IS attacking Meta Four?
The Good Brothers VS Malik Blade & Edris Enofe w/ Brinley Reece!
We just heard from The OC, but surely Malik & Edris won’t take being overlooked lightly either. Can Malik & Edris break their run of bad luck by taking down one of the best tag teams in history? Or will one of the best tag teams in history prove they’re worthy of the NXT Tag Team Championships?
The teams sort out and Edris starts against Anderson. Edris is a little busy reassuring Brin he’s okay, but then Anderson kicks him low! Anderson headlocks, Edris powers up and out, then he jukes! Malik tags, Edris RAMS Anderson, then he and Malik hit a DROPKICK BULLDOG COMBO! Cover, TWO! Malik has Anderson in a corner, fires off hands, then Malik whips. Anderson reverses, Malik goes up and over and keeps moving! Tag to Edris, body shot and FLYING AX HANDLE! Edris covers, TWO! Edris keeps close on Anderson with the facelock, tag back to Malik. They wrench and whip, then DOUBLE DROP TOEHOLD!
Malik & Edris somersault and DOUBLE DROPKICK Anderson! Gallows runs up, Malik DROPKICKS him! Edris & Malik high-five, and then Malik gets Anderson up. Brin checks in on Edris and Edris says he’s good, really! But then Anderson shoves Malik into Edris, AND EDRIS FALLS ON BRIN! Edris freaks out, he calls to the refs, but Malik has to fight off Anderson now! The refs hurry to help Brin, Malik fires off on Anderson, but is this only going to mess with Edris’ head worse? We’ll have to wait and see as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Gallows grinds Malik down with a headlock. Malik endures, the fans rally, but Gallows thrashes him around. Edris is stressed but Malik fights up to his feet. Malik throws body shots, Gallows kicks low! Gallows ROCKS Malik, puts him in the corner, then fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Gallows lets off, and he UPPERCUTS Malik! Tag to Anderson and he brings Malik around to whip back into the corner hard! Anderson drags Malik from the corner, stands him up, and whips him to another corner hard! Malik drops to his knees while Anderson soaks up cheers and jeers. Anderson storms up on Malik, bumps him off buckles, then turns him around for UPPERCUTS!
Anderson tags Gallows, he storms up to stomp Malik, then he reels Malik in for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Malik is still in this but Gallows clamps on to fishhook the mouth! Gallows makes Malik smile, then drags him up. The fans rally as Malik throws hands, but Gallows HEADBUTTS! Malik JAWBREAKERS! Gallows wobbles, but Anderson distracts Edris with trash talk! Edris misses the chance to tag! Gallows brings Malik around to DECK him! Edris is even more upset, but he coaches Malik. Gallows back suplexes, Malik lands out! Malik dodges Gallows, hot tag to Edris! Edris dodges to rally on the Good Brothers!
The fans rally, Edris DROPKICK FOREARM COMBOS! Edris DROPKICKS Anderson! And he DROPKCIKS Gallows! Edris keeps moving, he SLING-DOGS Gallows! Edris DECKS Anderson, hurries up top, and he MACHO ELBOW FLOPS as Gallows moves! Gallows gets Edris up for the CHOKE SLAM! Tag to Anderson, he BLASTS Malik, and now time for MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, Good Brothers win!
Winners: The Good Brothers, by pinfall
Bad luck or just being in his own head, Edris couldn’t turn this one around. But speaking of, the Good Brothers turn around and get DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS! Axiom & Frazer have turned the tables as they fire off on The Good Brothers! They send Anderson out, then they DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE Gallows! The fans fire up with the champs, and Axiom says it doesn’t take a genius to know what the Good Brothers want! Frazer tells the “fraudulent clowns” to listen up! As long as Frazer & Axiom are tag team champions, Gallows & Anderson ain’t getting anywhere near these belts! Yes, Good Brothers are among the greats, but they’re also two of the biggest AS-
Axiom stops Frazer there, and says what he means is that they will see Gallows & Anderson at Battleground! The Good Brothers get their shot, but will they make it count? Or will Frazer & Axiom win big in Las Vegas?
Dante Chen speaks.
“Last week was the greatest night of my life. For over two years, I’ve waited for my opportunity. I’ve watched other superstars get their chance. But instead of being jealous or envious, I’ve always been happy for them and their success. I kept telling myself, ‘Dante, stay ready. One day, it will be you. Your chance.’ A chance to represent my family, my culture, as the first Singaporean WWE Superstar! And the response I received when I walked out, I will remember forever. It’s those members of the NXT Universe who watched me week in and week out on Level Up, give my heart and soul to them.
“But I’m all about discipline and my work ethic. And as much as I’d love to bask in this victory forever, I’m hungry for another, and another, and another. Dante Chen is ready for whatever and whomever is next.”
The locker room cheers Dante on.
Hank ‘n’ Tank are among those who tell Dante to embrace it. He thanks them for the kind words, but Lexis King says this means nothing! Having a party after his fluke win? How pathetic is that?! Even for Dante. But the others tell Lexis shouldn’t wreck Dante’s moment. Lexis says they’re right, Dante should enjoy the moment, because it’s never happening again. Dante will take that bet. And he’ll prove it wasn’t a fluke! Oh, acting all tough in front of his friends, huh? Got balls now? When does Dante want it? Dante says… tonight! The others like that! Lexis says Dante’s 15 minutes of fame are over!
Lexis leaves, but will Dante leave Lexis speechless when it’s 2-0 in favor of the Singapore Warrior?
Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans warm up backstage.
The NXT Champ says check it, Young OG. Trick appreciates Je’Von having his back last week, and Je’Von says c’mon, Trick knows he’s got him. He’s lucky to be standing here. But they’ve got Gallus tonight. Those guys will be on their P’s & Q’s, so Trick & Je’Von better be on their A Game, too. But then in steps Sexyy Red! They say get it, Sexyy! She twerks then shakes hands. That new album dropping, too, “In Sexyy We Trust.” But how is she liking NXT? She loves it. Sweaty bodies and muscles, but hey, she just wants to wish them luck. But Je’Von says hold on. Since they’re all going to Battleground, why not come out with the NXT Champion tonight?
Well, why not? Red says talk about it. Follow her! They all head out, is tonight’s main event gonna get sexy?
Roxanne Perez is here!
The Prodigy brings her NXT Women’s Championship to the ring, and she gets a mic to say, “Can we all just acknowledge the fact that I’m the only woman in the WWE that has actually appreciated this championship from the very beginning? I mean, seriously. From the moment that I won this NXT Women’s Championship in 2.0 to when I finally regained it at the biggest Stand & Deliver of all time, I’ve seen this title jump from waist to waist to waist, and it has been continuously held by women who use it as some sort of vehicle or stepping stone to get to something bigger and better.
“I am the only one who has shown true commitment to this championship.” The fans do cheer that, and Roxie says that if you don’t believe her, she began training at 13, all for this title! No one else can say they’ve been working towards this title for nine YEARS! Roxie never cared about Raw or SmackDown really. All she ever cared about the NXT Women’s Championship! Because to everyone else, this title just represents the future greatness rather than present. And trust her when she says, you’re in the presence of true greatness right now.
“Which is why I find it really, really, really disrespectful that I have to come out here and find out who my Battleground opponent is like this. I mean, c’mon, Ava, where the hell is the respect for the NXT Women’s Championship? As the face of the NXT Women’s Division, the best Women’s Division in all of wrestling, the only thing that me and Ava can actually agree on, I deserve to be treated better. But okay, Ava. You don’t wanna give me the respect I deserve? That’s okay, because I can play that game, too. So who the hell is it gonna be, Ava?!”
Ava makes her entrance back out here to tell Roxie she doesn’t know why Roxie’s made this “Woe is Me” thing when Ava’s never said Roxie is a bad champion. Ava thinks Roxie is great. But it isn’t about being good or bad, but if she’s still even gonna be champ after Battleground. Roxie, you will be defending your NXT Women’s Championship at Battleground against… JORDYNNE GRACE?!? The fans go wild as the Impact- er, TNA Knockouts Champion is here!! The fans fire up and lose their minds as Grace gets in the ring with Roxie! Grace smiles while Roxie scowls, and Grace finally says, “Some of you may remember me from the Rumble earlier this year.”
But if you don’t, let her officially introduce herself. She is THE TNT Knockouts Champion, Jordynne Grace. Now, Roxanne, you’re a great champion. A two-time NXT Women’s Champion, and she’s built her name here in NXT the same as Grace did in TNA. But Grace is curious: whose foundation is stronger? Time to find out. Battleground: Las Vegas, Grace challenges Roxie for the title! And she’s fully prepared to leave Las Vegas a double champion! Roxie is seething, but will she have to learn to lose with Grace?
Eddy Thorpe speaks.
“To most people, fire is a destructive force. Items and memories consumed by the flames, turned to ashes, carried by the wind to oblivion. But to me and my people, the sacred fire is much more. It is a doorway to the spirit world, to connect and communicate with our ancestors. Fire is used for healing. As I sit and I stare into the sacred flames over these past months, asking for guidance and healing, I can finally feel it. In my heart and my spirit, my Buha. The vision is strong, my body is healed, the path is illuminated. I now lead the way, not only for me and my family, but for all indigenous people with a dream.
“Through the cleansing of the fire, Eddie Thorpe has been reborn.” When and where will The Alpha Wolf return to finally go for gold?
Chase U regroups backstage.
Andre Chase says they got it out of their systems, it’s over now. It was a hard fought match, nothing to be ashamed of, but Ridge won fair and square. Is Riley okay? NO! Riley’s been saying it for weeks, Ridge cannot be trusted! Thea asks what the hell he’s talking about. Riley’s the one who didn’t shake Ridge’s hand! Duke speaks up, Chase lets Duke go from here. Duke doesn’t wanna be the bearer of bad news, but… Duke sees what Riley sees. What?! Duke and Riley go off to talk, Thea is freaking out! She has her match with Jazmyn next week, she’s gotta go prepare for that.
Chase finds himself alone as Ridge walks over. Ridge says that was a hell of a scrap. Chase agrees, and Ridge thanks Chase for putting that together. But is everything okay? Chase says yes, it’s fine. One day at a time. Is everything A-OK with Chase U?
Lola Vice VS Arianna Grace!
While she’s going to bring the Underground to NXT Battleground with Shayna Baszler, Lola is in a fighting mood even now. Will the Mayor of Vice City shut the Pageant Queen up? Or will Arianna find a way to survive the Latina Heat?
The bell rings and the two circle. Arianna wants Lola to calm down, and then avoids a haymaker! Arianna hooks Lola for a backslide, ONE! Lola fumes but Arianna wants her to calm down. Then Arianna rolls Lola up! TWO, and Arianna again wants Lola to take this down a notch. She blocks a kick, trips Lola, then jackknifes, TWO! Lola fumes more but Arianna says chill! But then Arianna drops just seeing Lola show punch! Lola then smirks and AX KICKS Arianna on the back! Lola drags Arianna up, UPPERCUTS her, then stalks her to a corner. Arianna elbows back, goes up, but Lola blocks a kick. Ariana KICKS back!
Arianna runs up but into a SOBAT! Lola drags Arianna up, whips her to a corner, then ROCKS her! Lola fires off body shots from all sides, then throws her into buckles! The ref reprimands but Lola soaks up the cheers and jeers. “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Arianna sputters, coughs, and Lola drags her away from ropes! Arianna scrambles, KICKS Lola away, then hurries up to CHOP! Arianna whips, ELBOWS in the corner, then reels Lola in for a snap suplex! Arianna drops an elbow but misses as Lola moves! Arianna hurries to ELBOW Lola at ropes, then whips. Lola reverses to URAKEN!! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall
It was buenas noches on the 305, and Lola gets a mic. “Shayna Baszler, next Sunday in the Underground, you have one of two options: Either I tap you out, or I knock you out! You choose, B*TCH!!” But wait! The Queen of Spades is here, and she’s rushing the ring! Security intercepts her, the fans are losing their minds! Shayna says she was BORN in the underground! Security also has to stop Lola, but there won’t be any stopping them when it’s finally time to fight! Who will survive going no ropes and no rules in Sin City?
Carlee Bright speaks.
“My entire life has always been ‘Ready~! 5-6-7-8!’ But now all I wanna hear is 1-2-3.” Carlee dedicated herself to the sport of cheerleading, all the way to a Division I scholarship at the University of Minnesota. Flying through the air in front of 70, 80, even 90 THOUSAND people in front of the Golden Gophers was great, but she knew when she graduated that it was her chance to take her skills to another level. From the moment she stepped into the ring, wrestling was her new love. And she is going to bring that same dedication and athleticism to NXT! So WWE Universe, your Ray of Sunshine has officially arrived.
Carlee talks with Natalya, Karmen Petrovic and others backstage.
Natty says Carlee’s first match two weeks ago was so good. Carlee thanks Natty for the huge compliment, and pressure. But Izzi Dame says to stop giving the kids a false sense of hope. They’ll never last in this division. Natty says Izzi has “incredible” manners. Karmen says she’ll handle this. First, Izzi can’t talk to a living legend like that. And second, Karmen will be damned if Izzi comes in with that big negative energy. Oh, Izzi sees what’s going on here. Sword Girl got her first win and now she’s feeling herself. Did she thank Natty for that? Yes, and here’s this! Karmen fires off on Izzi!!
The other ladies rush in to stop this, but clearly tensions are riding high the closer we get to Battleground! Will “Sword Girl” cut down the Leaning Tower of Izzi?
No Quarter Catch Crew works out.
They’re all pumping iron, and Damon Kemp finishes his set to check on Charlie. Is he alright? No, not really. Ever since losing the Heritage Cup, it feels like he lost a piece of himself. He isn’t sure what it is, but Charlie needs to win it back. Demon says it’s alright. He knows how it feels. Does he? Does he? Because Charlie doesn’t wanna have to say this, but he feels the NQCC needs to take a closer look at Tony D and how he runs the family. They need structure, discipline, a chain of command. That is the only way they end up on top! Myles says he wants to face Tony, but Charlie says no. Damon will get The Don. Capiche? Yeah, he’s got this.
No, Charlie wants Damon to say it. Capiche. Capiche? Yes, capiche! Okay, capiche, capiche! Charlie says good, and he heads out. Damon and Myles are confused, mostly because what does “capiche” mean? Is Charlie going a little far obsessing over The D’Angelo Family? Or will he regain the cup before he loses his mind?
The Meta Four is in the medical room.
Oro is checked out, and Jakara is nervous. Lash says she isn’t happy about this either. First Dar, now Oro. Maybe one of the ladies is next. Meta Four is family, so if Trick is behind this- Lash stops Jakara there, but says she will talk with Trick about it. She knows he won’t lie to her, especially after everything they’ve been through. Trick will tell the truth. Good. Jakara leaves it to Lash, will we get to the bottom of NXT’s latest whodunnit?
Dante Chen VS Lexis King!
The Singapore Warrior told The Drama King that they can run it back tonight, and so here we are! Will Dante prove he didn’t just get lucky last week? Or will this be royal redemption for Lexis?
NXT returns as Dante makes his entrance and the fans fire up! The bell rings and King runs in! Dante dodges, fires off haymakers and CHOPS! The fans fire up, King shoves Dante away, but Dante runs to STINGER SPLASH! And then he runs to BOOT! Lexis flounders, the fans fire up, and Dante whips. Lexis reverses, Dante goes up and over, but Lexis SUPERKICKS! Lexis throws down forearms, then stomps Dante. Lexis says he’s not playing, and he KICKS Dante down! Lexis sits Dante up to KICK him in the back! Lexis says Dante doesn’t deserve his fame! He SLAPS Dante, drags him up, and suplexes, but Dante fights it to a cradle! TWO!!
Lexis escapes, but Dante elbows, UPPERCUTS and ROCKS Lexis! Dante fires off more shots, then whips, but Lexis reverses to short arm LARIAT! The fans boo but Lexis gets Dante up to suplex and JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO! Dante survives and Lexis is upset with the ref! GHOST PIN! DANTE WINS AGAIN!!
Winner: Dante Chen, by pinfall
Not a fluke, just Lexis’ ego! But then he CLOBBERS Dante because he’s a sore loser! The fans boo as Lexis drags Dante to the apron! Lexis CLUBS away on Dante’s chest, then dumps Dante to the floor. Lexis runs to CROWN him! Dante sputters from the blindside shining wizard, but now Lexis pulls up floor mats! Lexis is a MAD king as he drags Dante up, reels him in, and CORONATION on the bare concrete!! The fans boo but Lexis says HE’s the guy! You don’t mess with The King! Did Lexis just make sure Dante’s right back on the shelf? What consequences will there be for what Lexis just did?
Josh Briggs speaks.
While watching footage of his early days in Evolve Wrestling, he asks, “Who is Josh Briggs? Signed to NXT in 2020 and had big dreams of becoming a superstar and breaking out on my own. But my goals were a little too big too early, so I got myself a ‘little brother’ (Brooks Jensen) and then a ‘little sister’ (Fallon Henley). It wasn’t about me, it was about us. And there’s no ‘I’ in team, but there is in ‘win,’ and that’s exactly what we did. We found success, and I thought I found who I was. And then it was time to break away, and find success on my own.
“I got my hand raised a few times. I was betting on myself but when I think about it, what am I betting on? Am I a Man of Mayhem in the ring or in my damn mind? I may not know who Josh Briggs is right now, but best believe, I’m gonna find out.”
Shawn Spears watches and smiles.
But then Kelly Kincaid walks over to talk with him. The Chair Man says it is a shame to see another lost soul in search of himself. Yes, um, but it’s been a few weeks- Spears says he is very troubled by the youth here in NXT. They’re so talented, so impressionable, so… misguided. There are those wandering down a path of uncertainty, and one in particular with great potential, they just don’t have it yet. Spears has been down that path. It can be daunting. So he will help them. He’ll guide these youth to reach that potential! All their concerns, their worries, their problems, and he will be the answer.
The Chair Man heads out, just what is going on in that twisted mind?
The D’Angelo Family talks backstage.
They know the NQCC is still looking for trouble, and they messed with the wrong family. Rizzo says that’s right, and Luca says they can litigate this. But Tony D wants things to settle down. They don’t need to worry about that tag title fiasco, they gotta think big picture on No Quarter Catch Crew. Nothing else gets done until they put this one to bed, because clearly, NQCC will keep coming after them, all over the cup. At first, Tony thought this was a decent cup, but it’s kinda growing on him. For the NQCC, this is like part of them, like a liver or heart. Luca, did you look up the Catch Clause? Yes, he sent in the paperwork, he’ll have it done tonight.
Good, because Tony needs to know everything about it so the Family can use it for their advantage. Rizzo asks if he’s expecting a surprise. Charlie said it’s Damon, but Tony only trusts them as far as he can throw ’em. Stacks says throwing ’em ain’t easy with how sturdy Damon’s belt. They need to take someone for a ride? Tony says nah. They’ll just beat ’em at their own game. Does that mean there’s going to be a D’Angelo Clause to counter the Catch Clause?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Kelani Jordan VS Wren Sinclair!
There’s only one spot left, and there’s nothing to it but to do it! Will the Gym Princess or the new kid on the block be the one joining Lash Legend, Sol Ruca, Fallon Henley, Jaida Parker & Mia Yim in Sin City’s six pack challenge?
Fallon is on commentary and says it’s just like how Jaida was just on commentary earlier. If Jaida can, why not her? The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Wren headlocks for the takeover, but Kelani headscissors. The fans duel as Wren kips free, but then Kelani arm-drags! Wren headscissors, Kelani kips free, and the two reset. The fans cheer, they tie up, and Kelani wrenches to a wristlock. Wren rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks, but Kelani rolls, rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. Kelani wristlocks, Wren rolls, spins, and kicks Kelani down. Wren clamps on with a cording hold and the fans applaud.
Kelani fights up, rolls, spins, and trips Wren to then float for a facelock. Wren fights, rolls free, and has the arm again. Kelani fights up, Wren wristlocks, but Kelani uses the corner to go up and up and ARABIAN PRESS ARM-DRAG! Wren flounders away, but comes back, only for Kelani to DROPKICK! And DROPKICK again! Kelani swings in the ropes, but Wren blocks the arm-drag! Wren drags Kelani up, and hits a FACEBUSTER! Kelani goes to corner, Wren runs up, but Kelani ELBOWS her away! Wren flops out of the ring, and Kelani TORNILLO PLANCHAS! Direct hit and the fans fire up with Kelani!
Kelani puts Wren in the ring, hurries after her, and then runs to SPLASH! But Wren rolls it through! Cover, TWO! Wren drags Kelani up, whips, but Kelani reverses. Wren sunset flips, Kelani bridges to stay up! Kelani then drags Wren into a sunset flip of her own, TWO! Prawn hold from Wren, TWO! Kelani has the sunset again, TWO! Wren stacks, TWO and Kelani has another sunset! TWO! Wren jackknife bridges, TWO but barely! Kelani bridges, spins Wren around and around, but Wren fights the backslide! Wren slips free, swings, but into a spin and hook, OLYMPIC SLAM! Kelani hurries up the corner to SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Kelani wins!
Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall
Fallon says, “Well, well, well.” But Kelani proved she’s one of a kind with that finish! Will she be the one, the only, the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion? Or is that easier said than done given this star-studded field?
Stevie Turner meets with Ava Raine & Robert Stone.
The 4D Superstar would just like to know, what has Jordynne Grace ever done to earn her shot at the NXT Women’s Championship? Because Stevie’s been busting her ass on Level Up just to get noticed, and uh, her “invite” for the combine apparently got lost in the mail. Mr. Stone, Stevie saw he got Dante that opportunity with Lexis King. What about one for Stevie Turner? Stone says relax, and Ava understands the frustrations. Oh, no, Stevie doesn’t think Ava does. See, Stevie still doesn’t know what Jordynne has done to earn- Oh, someone else is here. It’s JORDYNNE! Stevie, right? Nice to meet you.
But she couldn’t help but overhear Stevie asking questions. And to be honest, Jordynne absolutely agrees. Stevie wants a chance to prove herself, and Jordynne wants to show the WWE Universe why she’s TNA Knockout Women’s Champion. So how’s this? Next week, they both get what they want. Stevie shows up, and Jordynne shows everyone what we have to look forward to at Battleground. Ava says great! Everyone’s happy, right? Stevie’s smiling but no, she’s not happy. Will Stevie go from 4D to 2D after running into The Juggernaut?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
Kelly Kincaid is with the Cardiac Kid, noting he is on his way to Battleground and the NXT North American Championship. It isn’t how he expected, and Wes says she is right about that. It felt great to get a win last week, but he is very, very upset that he had to share it with Joe Coffey. Completely upset. Kelly asks how he feels about Joe & Gallus not just going after the North American Championship but also THE NXT Championship? Wes says the thing about Gallus, those are three angry Scots making threats all across the roster. Wes saw that fire burning in Joe’s eyes, and he means what he says.
Step one for Gallus is the North American title. The only issue is, they won’t make it to step two, because Wes needs to have the North American title back. Wes would love to make it 1v1, but he’s been in Triple Threats before and still walked out with the title. The only big difference is… Speaking of, Oba Femi walks in. Oba tells Wes that he commends Wes’s bravery. But level of focus aside, the number of men facing Oba doesn’t matter as the outcome remains the same: this title staying with Oba. Wes tells Oba that he has made a career of proving people just like Oba wrong. Wes heads out, but will he survive the odds in Sin City?
Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans w/ Sexyy Red VS Gallus!
There have been a lot of accusations about whodunnit in the case of Noam Dar, but both the NXT Champion and the Gallus Boys made it clear: they take credit for their work! And as we now, Joe & Mark Coffey want it all! Will they get started on step two right here against THE NXT Champion? Or will Trick and the Young OG get so bouncy, they bounce Gallus right out of the title scene?
The teams sort out and Trick starts against Markus. And then Trick CLOBBERS Mark at the bell! Trick stares Joe down, Mark staggers to a corner, and Trick whips. Trick ELBOWS Mark down, storms up on him, and headlocks. Mark powers up to throw body shots, then powers out. But Trick sends Mark away, follows, and runs Mark over! The fans cheer for Trick as he scoops and SLAMS Mark! Trick makes sure Joe sees this, and he tags in Evans. Evans circles, but Joe storms in! But Evans is ready, he gets the assist from Trick to FLYING RANA! Joe tumbles away, then Trick & Evans DOUBLE DROPKICK the Coffey Brothers!
The Coffey Brothers bail out, Trick & Evans join Red on the outside to shake out the dreadlocks! The fans fire up for the Young OG and Red says to get ’em! Evans headlocks Mark, but Mark powers out and tags Joe in. They DUMP Evans out hard, then Joe says bye with a GLASGOW SENDOFF into steel steps! Evans bounces off steel but not in a good way, and the Coffey Brothers are all fired up as NXT goes picture in picture.
Joe storms after Evans, telling Booker T and Vic Joseph something. Joe puts Evans in, but Evans throws body shots. Joe fires hands on Evans, whips him to a corner hard, then whisp him back in even harder! Evans staggers into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Joe then goes up, VADER ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Evans toughs it out, but Joe drags him up. Evans throws more body shots, but Joe RAMS into him! Evans rebounds, sunset flips, TWO! Evans and Joe get up, Joe CROSSBODIES! Tag to Mark, and the Coffey Brothers double wrench to pop-up and DOUBLE CHOP! Cover, TWO! Mark stays between Evans and Trick, then DECKS Evans!
Mark stalks Evans, KNEES him down, then drags him back around. Mark scoops to SLAM Evans, covers, TWO! Evans grits his teeth as he crawls, but Mark stomps him down. Mark drags Evans around, SMASHES him off a knee, then drags him back around for a COBRA CLUTCH! Evans endures, reaches out, and Trick coaches him up. Evans fights to his feet, throws body shots, but Mark wrangles him as NXT returns to single picture. The fans boo but Mark grinds Evans in the hold. Evans still endures and fights back up. Mark throws some headbutts, but Evans still raeches out. Evans thrwos body shots but Mark ripcords. Evans ROCKS Mark first!
Evans fire smore shots, but Mark scoops to SLAM! Tag to Joe, he ELBOW DROPS Evans on the back! Then ELBOW DROP on the ribs! Cover, TWO! Joe keeps Evans away from Trick and cravats. Evans endures, throws more body shots, but Joe gives hime knees! But Evans back drops Joe away! The fans fir eup as Evans reaches out, but Joe waistlocks! Joe back supeles, but Evans lands out! Evans LEAPS to hot tag Trick! The fans fire up as Trick rallies on the Coffey Brother! LEG LARIAT! LEG LARIAT! Trick whips, Joe reverses but Trick jumps over Joe to take out Mark! Then Trick FLAPJACKS Joe!
Trick kips up, the fans fire up, and Trick lets the hair down again! Trick has Joe’s arm, cartwheel and clinch, but Mark runs up! So Trick adds him to a DOUBLE BOOKEND! Cover, TWO!! The Coffey Brothers tough it out but Trick stays focused on Joe. Trick fires boxing elbows, then whips. Joe blocks, Trick ROCKS him again! Joe reverses the whip to HEADBUTT! Tag to Mark, the Coffey Brothers DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Markus covers, TWO! Trick survives but Joe is right on him! The ref reprimands but Trick BOOTS Joe! Mark tries, Evans springboards in! Mark dodges but the FLYING CUTTER gets Joe!!
The fans go nuts as Evans gets up, but Mark DECKS him! Trick JUMP NECKBREAKERS Mark! The fans fire up as all four men are down! Red coaches her guys up, Trick rises, and he ROCKS Mark! Mark ROCKS Trick, they go back and forth! The fans rally for Trick but Mark DOUBLE CHOPS! Trick comes back with a EDDY GORDO KICK! Mark dodges the spin kick, but Trick bucks the O’Conner! But then Mark GAMANGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Mark calls to Joe, but Red sees that! Joe goes for the belt, but Red says nope! She and Joe fight over the belt, and she snatches it from Joe! Evans then FLIES over Mark to take out Joe!!
The fans lose their minds and even Red is shocked! TRICK SHOT for Mark! Cover, Trick & Evans win!
Winners: Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans, by pinfall
Huge teamwork from Trick, Evans and Sexyy Red, and the Gallus Boys are not on top! But wait, here comes Lash Legend! Lash goes to the ring with a mic, and Evans gives her space. Red high-fives her girl, and Lash has Trick to herself now. Lash wants Trick to be honest here. Lash needs to know: Was Trick the one who attacked Dar & Oro? Trick takes the mic and says hey, look. Wait, the lights go out!? Who’s doing this!? And then the lights go up, and ETHAN PAGE shoves Trick into Lash?!? ALL EGO IS NOW IN NXT?!?! But wasn’t he only just in All El- Wait, wait, Ethan talks! “Trick. I took out Noam! I took out Oro!”
The fans boo but also lose their minds, because Ethan says, “Whoop that Trick? Yeah, I’m about to!” BOOT WASH in the corner!! The fans are torn between being mad and being excited as Ethan Page picks up the title. Is he going to take over NXT?
My Thoughts:
An awesome NXT to further build Battleground. It seems Sexyy Red is the new NXT music celebrity, and I long for the days of Poppy being awkwardly inserted into the #InDex story. But she got to honor of showing off the NXT Women’s North American Championship belt, and will now have the honor of hosting Battleground. Good segue in that opening segment, though, with Tatum grabbing at the belt and jinxing herself so that now Mia is going on to the ladder match. And a really good match from Kelani VS Wren, and I figured Kelani would win. Clearly Jaida’s aiming for Mia, Fallon is aiming for Kelani, that surely leaves Sol Ruca or Lash Legend to win the title.
Speaking of Lash and Red, good throughline tonight of Oro asking around for who attacked Dar, and then he gets attacked. Seems it wasn’t as much of a fake out as we thought, as Ethan Page is no longer All Elite, he is NXT! Great tag match from Trick & Evans VS Coffey Bros, great win for Trick & Evans, and great way for Ethan to debut. Maybe Dar really wasn’t ready to face Trick, maybe he has a real injury he needs to let heal and this was them writing him off and calling an audible. Trick VS Ethan will be great stuff, but at the same time, I can’t be sure it’ll be for the title because Ethan can’t lose in his debut but it doesn’t feel like the right time for Trick to lose his title.
Good promo from Wes and Oba, with Wes being confident that at the very least, Joe isn’t winning the North American title. I’m inclined to agree, as Joe probably just takes the pin for whoever. Meanwhile, good promos from both NQCC and The D’Angelos. I find it rather interesting that both sides are trying to copy the other, and it’s certainly cornier for Dempsey to think being like a mafia is what NQCC needs. Catch Clause/Freebird Rule is definitely more beneficial to The D’Angelos at this point. I kinda wish Dempsey’s talk of bringing structure to his group means bringing in his dad, William Regal, but it feels like they would’ve already done that the first time Regal returned on screen.
Good promo from Eddy Thorpe to hype his return, I hope he gets in on either of the midcard stories. Very good promos from Dante, and a really good match from Dante VS Lexis. Dante getting the win but Lexis doing serious damage is also good stuff, I look forward to where this goes. Very good promo from Lola and Arianna before their match, and Arianna actually looked good in the match before she lost. Good appearance by Shayna, too, to hype up things more. But them saying “next Sunday/this Sunday” instead of just saying “at Battleground” made me wonder if they prerecorded that segment, not knowing when they were really airing it.
Really good stuff with this Ridge Holland story tonight. Really good match from Ridge VS Riley, and I figured Ridge would win, but I did like the detail that Thea got Ridge to refrain from using weapons. Riley being upset and now Duke siding with Riley is good stuff, too, can’t wait to see how this goes. Briggs had a good promo, Spears also had a good promo to attach himself to that story, we could be getting some really interesting build towards Heatwave in July. And great promo from Good Brothers before a very good match with Malik & Edris. Another loss for Malik & Edris, they might be just one moment away from breaking up. And of course we get Good Brothers VS Axiom & Frazer for the tag titles, that is going to be awesome stuff.
And awesome stuff with the NXT Women’s Championship. Clearly, WWE and TNA are working closer together now, and Jordynne Grace coming in to challenge Roxie is wild. And welcome back, Stevie Turner, was wondering what happened. Of course, now Stevie’s gonna get demolished by Jordynne in the go-home episode. Roxie VS Jordynne will be awesome stuff, and while a double champion Jordynne Grace would be wild, I feel like Roxie uses shenanigans to retain. Maybe Roxie gets to return the favor and goes to TNA to go after the Knockout title, maybe other NXT stars show up there, but either way, this is going to be really cool stuff.
My Score: 8.9/10
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An episode with truly international flavor!
While Will Ospreay defends his AEW International Championship against Brian Cage, Kazuchika Okada takes on former mentor, Ultimo Guerrero! Will the champions stay strong on the Road to The Forbidden Door?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata VS The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling; Joe, Hook & Shibata win.
- Private Party VS Chris Jericho & “Big Bill” Morrissey w/ Bryan Keith; Jericho & Bill win.
- AEW Continental Championship Title Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Ultimo Guerrero; Okada wins and denies Ultimo Guerrero a title match.
- Six Man Tag: The Patriarchy VS The Iron Savages; The Patriarchy wins.
- Toni Storm & Mariah May w/ Luther VS Lady Frost & Leyla Hirsch; Storm & Mariah win.
- Malakai Black & Brody King VS Leon & Max St. Giovanni; Malakai & Brody win.
- Hechicero w/ The Gates of Agony VS Matthew Menard; Hechicero wins.
- AEW International Championship: Will Ospreay VS Brian Cage; Ospreay wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata VS The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling!
Three dangerous men joined forces out of respect for what each of them can do, but they aren’t getting much respect from others. But will the Samoan Submission Specialist, The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil & The Wrestler beat some respect into Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari & Josh Woods? Or can the Premier Athletes actually put their money where their muscles are?
The trios sort out, Joe starts against Nese and the fans sing, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Nese says not tonight. Nese and Joe tie up, Nese waistlocks, but he can’t lift Joe! Joe smirks, wrenches free, and wristlocks. Nese rolls, wrenches and headlocks. Nese’s team cheers but they’re the only ones. Joe powers up and out, then he runs Nese over! Joe smirks, stalks Nese to ropes, then brings him around. The fans fire up for Joe as he scoops, but Nese slips fere! Nese SOBATS, runs, but into an ELBOW! Tag to Hook and the fans fire up more! Hook puts Nese in a corner to fire off body shots! Hook throws hands, Nese shoves past him but Hook fires more shots!
Nese throws forearms on Hook, but Hook counter punches! Nese staggers, comes back, but Hook gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Nese manages to land out and he STOMPS Hook down! Nese tags Daivari and they mug Hook with haymakers! The fans boo but Nese lets off. Daivari brings Hook up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! Daivari snapmares Hook, clamps on a full nelson and leans on the hold. The fans rally and Hook fights up, and he pries the hold open! But Daivari waistlocks! Hook elbows free, and hot tags to Shibata! Shibata storms in but he has to slow down as Daivari gets away to his corner.
Woods reaches out, so Daivari says here’s something for The Wrestler. Daivari tags Woods in, he steps to Shibata, and they fire forearms! The fans rally up as the shots keep going, then Shibata gets the edge! Woods trips Shibata, goes for an arm, but Shibata slips right around to go for the arm! Woods goes for Shibata’s arm, but Shibata goes after Woods again! Woods powers through to get the arm, but then Shibata slips around, changes sides, and has the ARMBAR! Woods scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Shibata lets off and CLUBS away on Woods. Shibata cranks the arm for a double wristlock but Woods throws body shots!
Shibata leg scissors to trip Woods! KNEEBAR! Nese storms in to stomp Shibata! The fans boo, Woods tags Nese in. Nese stomps Shibata around, then taunts the fans. The fans boo but Nese CHOPS Shibata. Shibata doesn’t flinch! Nese CHOPS again, but Shibata eggs him on! Nese throat chops! Nese whips, Shibata reverses, but Nese ELBOWS back! Nese goes up and up and QUEBRADAS, but Shibata steps aside! Everyone’s learning from Joe now! The fans fire up and Joe smiles. Shibata then tags Joe in, and he stalks Nese. Nese rises up, into the JABS! JABS! JABS! Joe fires off fast hands, CHOPS Nese down, but Sterling gets on the apron!
Joe scares Sterling off, but this is all a delay tactic so Nese can crawl, and Woods can HOTSHOT Joe! The fans boo but Nese brings Joe around, BULLDOG HOTSHOT! Joe staggers, Daivari tags in! Nese & Daivari mug Joe, run, and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Daivari covers, ONE!! Joe is still tougher than that! Woods tags in, he and Daivari mug Joe, and then Woods CLUBS away on Joe’s chest! Cover, ONE!! Joe is still tougher than that so now Daivari tags back in. Daivari and Woods mug Joe, then Daivari stands Joe up. Daivari throws hands, but Joe hits back! They go back and forth, Joe gets the edge, but Daivari CLAWS the eyes!
Daivari sucker punches Shibata down! Daivari whips, Joe reverses and sweeps the legs! SENTON! The fans fire up, hot tags to Hook and Nese! Hook rallies on Nese, wrenches and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Woods runs in but Hook KNEES him down! Nese gets up, but into the clinch! TAZ PLEX! The fans fire up and Hook stalks Nese, to give crossface forearms! Daivari runs up, Hook DECKS him! Woods gets in to GERMAN SUPLEX! Hook tumbles, but Shibata tags in! Shibata ROCKS Woods, BOOTS Nese, BOOTS Daivari, then STO for Woods! Shibata runs up at Nese for a BOOT! Shibata fires off forearms and the ref counts.
Shibata goes corner to corner to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Shibata drags Nese up, SNAP HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Nese survives, but ends up in an ARMBAR!! Nese endures, but he taps! Shibata’s team wins!
Winners: Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata, by submission
The Premier Athletes did prove they’ve got guts, but not enough to overcome this trio of warriors! Will Joe, Hook & Shibata find themselves on the road to trios gold?
The Bang Bang Gang speaks.
Juice Robinson says, “Apparently… AEW isn’t gonna recognize the fact that I was anointed one-quarter of the AEW Unified Trios Champions!” Austin says he’s pissed, Colten confirms that is true, and adds that apparently, The House of Black still gets their shot. At least, once Buddy’s leg gets better. And apparently, PAC cares!? He interrupted their match, he pushed Juice off the top, and then he flipped Austin off! But that’s good. Because their fearless leader, Jay White, is off training his butt off. You thought EIGHT abs was something? Jay will be coming back with TEN! SO Pac, you better hope you don’t see The Switchblade in the Owen Hart Cup!
Because then, The Bastard will do more than just “care” now. He’ll cry to sleep! And if you’re not down with that, they’ve got two words for ya! GUNS UP! Bullet Club Gold is taking aim at a lot of different targets, but will they be able to hit the mark?
Private Party VS Chris Jericho & “Big Bill” Morrissey w/ Bryan Keith!
Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy have been busy this week. They got called out by The Learning Tree on Dynamite, they put in a fast and furious match last night on Rampage, and now they’ll be entering the “Jericho Vortex” when they take on Big Bill and the man himself. But will Quen & Zay teach Jericho something about not looking down on the younger guys? Or will Jericho ruin the fun #ForTheWorld?
The teams sort out and Jericho starts against Quen. The fans rally up and Jericho says here’s a free lesson from The Learning Tree. Then he tags out to The Redwood. Bill steps in, sporting new gear that quotes Tony Schiavone, on the butt… Bill and Quen tie up, Quen gets around and headlocks. Bill powers out and runs Quen right over! Because as the shorts say, “Too much man!” Bill mocks the “Shots! Shots! Shots!” then he stands Quen up. Bill CHOPS Quen, drags him up, then CHOPS him again! Bill keeps Quen in the corner, and he ROCKS him with a right. Then Bill TOSSES Quen across the way!
Bill mocks the dancing, runs corner to corner, and he SPLASHES Quen! Quen was practically smothered by that move! Quen falls over, but Bill stands him back up, and gives a thumbs up before he TOSSES Quen again! Quen writhes, goes to ropes, then the corner. Bill runs in again, but Quen dodges the splash! Bill staggers, Quen goes up, and Quen leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Bill staggers, Quen is on him in a corner! Quen rains down fists, Bill stops him at 6, then DECKS him! Jericho applauds, and Bill tags him in. The fans are torn as The Learning Tree waves, and Bill hoists Quen way up! Jericho “helps” SLAM Quen down!
Jericho & Bill wave, then Jericho stands Quen up to CHOP! Jericho CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Jericho runs up but Quen BOOTS him! Quen goes up and leaps to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Then hot tag to Zay! The fans rally as Zay TACKLES Jericho and rains down fists! Jericho pushes him away but Zay comes back, another TACKLE and more fast hands! Jericho tries to get away but Zay fires off high and low and all around! Jericho CLAWS eyes! The fans boo but Jericho brings Zay up. Zay CHOPS, fires more forearms, then just more and more and more! Zay runs, but Jericho sends him out!
Quen is there, for SILLY STRING! Jericho tumbles, Zay covers, TWO!! Jericho survives, Quen tags in, and he TACKLES Jericho! Quen fires off hands just like Zay! Quen stomps Jericho around, runs, but Bad Apple Bryan Keith trips him! The fans boo, but then Jericho CLOBBERS Quen! Jericho waves to the fans, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Jericho takes his time waving to all sides of the arena, then he drags Quen up. Jericho hits a BIG back suplex, then has the cocky cover, ONE! Jericho perhaps returning the favor from last night there, but Jericho bumps Quen off buckles. Tag to Bill and Bill stomps away on Quen! Jericho adds on, the ref counts, and Bill digs his boots in. The ref counts more, Bill lets off with applause, and then Bryan CHOKES Quen! Bill SUCKER PUNCHES Kassidy! The ref reprimands but Bill goes back to Quen. Bill mocks the “Shots! Shots! Shots!” then CLUBS Quen on the back. Then SLAPS Quen down! Bill mocks the shots more, then mockingly cheers.
Bill drags Quen up, puts him on ropes, and RIPS his shirt open to CHOP him down! Quen sputters, Bill drags him up and tags in Jericho. They mug Quen in the corner, then Jericho brings Quen around. Quen fires hands first! Quen runs, but Jericho DROPKICKS him down! Jericho waves to the fans again, then he drags Quen up. Collision returns to single picture, Jericho bumps Quen off buckles, then Jericho puts Quen up top. Jericho CHOPS Quen, climbs, and wants his “branches” to fire up. The fans are torn, but Jericho has Quen on the very top, but Quen throws hands! Quen shoves Jericho down, and the fans rally up!
Quen adjusts, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jericho survives and Quen is frustrated. Quen and Jericho crawl, hot tag to Zay! Zay springboards to CROSSBODY! Zay keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DROPKICKS! Bill storms in, but Zay DUMPS him out! Zay then triangle jumps to DROPKICK! That’s Jericho’s move! Zay then kicks and hits a STUNNER! Then a STUNNER for Bill! The fans fire up and Zay runs up to SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives and shocks Zay! Bryan coaches Jericho, Zay tags Quen. Private Party mugs Jericho, then Quen whips Jericho to a corner. Quen runs up to SPLASH!
Quen brings Jericho around again, SOBAT and SOBAT! Quen runs, but Jericho THROAT CHOPS! Then LIONSAULTS! But onto knees! Quen holds Jericho, Zay uses him as a step to FLY onto Bill! Then Zay hurries back and goes up again! Quen sets Jericho up again, SWANTON BOMB! Quen climbs now, for the 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives and Quen can’t believe it! Tag back to Zay, but Bill returns! The ref is busy with Bryan, too! Zay springboards, into a BOOT! The Redwood slips away, Bryan hops down, and Jericho covers Zay, TWO?!? Zay survives and the fans fire up!
Jericho huffs ‘n’ puffs, drags Zay up, but Zay is dead weight. Jericho KNEES Zay, then KNEES him again. Jericho says if Zay wants to be a threat, he has to fight. So Zay fires off fast hands and CHOSP! Zay whips, Jericho reverses, but Zay KICKS, then RAN- NO! Jericho turns Rana into WALLS OF JERICHO! Zay endures, even as Jericho sits deep! The fans fire up as Zay fights around! Zay reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Zay lets go in frustration but also exhaustion, so he tags to Bill. Bill storms up but into a mule kick! Zay runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but into the BOSS MAN SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!? Zay survives and Bill is frustrated.
Bill mocks the shots again, gives a thumbs up, then he drags Zay up. But Quen runs in! Bill choke grips Quen, to CHOKE SLAM him onto Zay! Cover, TWO?!?! Zay survives and Bill is surprised! Bill tags Jericho back in, and Jericho climbs. Bill gets Zay up and brings him over, CHOKE- NO, Zay slips free and shoves Bill into Jericho! Jericho lands on his sapling, then Quen DROPKICKS Billy into him! Private Party DOUBLE LARIAT Bill out! Then they get Jericho set up! GIN & JUICE!! CODE BREAKER STYLE!! Quen CLOBBERS Bill, Zay covers, TWO?!?!? Jericho survives and no one can believe it!
The ref defends his count was fair but Zay can’t believe that math. Jericho is up, Zay fires off forearms! “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” Zay fires body “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” then runs to LARIAT! Zay is all fired up and the fans are with him! But Bill returns! Zay LION- NO, Bryan Keith CLOBBERS Zay!! The ref was busy with Bill, he missed that! Jericho drags Zay to a cover, Jericho’s team wins!
Winners: Chris Jericho & “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Consider this one a 3v2 Handicap Match, because the Bad Apple got involved. And he even goes after Zay now! Quen goes after Bryan, but Bill & Jericho go after Quen, but Samoa Joe’s team runs out there! Joe LOW BLOWS Bill! Shibata and Hook go after Jericho and Bryan, but Jericho gets outta there! The Learning Tree wants nothing to do with this! So Shibata isolates Bryan’s arm, and STOMPS it!! Jericho feels Bryan’s pain, emotionally speaking. Joe gets a mic to say, “HI~, CHRIS~!” But week after week, Jericho has “graced” us with his presence, but Joe and his associates here have been talking. And every idea that falls from Jericho’s tree “absolutely SUCKS!”
The fans cheer but Joe isn’t done. Joe tells Jericho that they come from very different schools of thought. And the best ideas survive the crucible of combat! So that is what Joe suggests! Joe, Hook & Shibata VS Jericho and what’s left of his tree, come Forbidden Door! Will Jericho, Bill & Bryan be able to regroup in the eight days they have? Or will they be turned into the lumber that builds the school of Samoa Joe?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
Though Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland are Forbidden Door opponents, and hardly friends after how personal they’re making things, they must team together against The Gates of Agony! Will Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona crush the champions before they ever reach Long Island?
AEW Continental Championship Title Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Ultimo Guerrero!
Christopher Daniels promised The Elite that they would face top tier competition for their titles, and he finally realized who would be best for The Rainmaker: the man who mentored him while on excursion in Mexico! Will Okada be able to stay undefeated in AEW when facing one of CMLL’s best? Or will Ultimo Guerrero show him that he still has a lot to learn?
The bell rings and Okada stares Ultimo down. The fans rally up, the two circle, and Ultimo offers a handshake. Okada slaps the hand away, he no longer cares about his former sensei. The two tie up, Ultimo waistlocks, then he SLAMS Okada down. Ultimo facelocks, Okada wrenches out but Ultimo rolls and trips Okada. Ultimo rolls Okada but Okada arm-drags free, and the two stand! The fans fire up as they reset and go again. Ultimo gets his side of the crowd going, but Okada has plenty of fans, too. The two speed things up, Okada drops but Ultimo runs him over! Ultimo whips, Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Ultimo CHOPS!
Ultimo scoops, Okada slips free, but Ultimo LARIATS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Ultimo stands first and he brings Okada around. Ultimo puts Okada in a corner to CHOP! Okada sputters, but Ultimo CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Okada drops to a knee, Ultimo brings him up to scoop, and SLAM! The fans fire up, Okada slowly rises, but Ultimo is on him again. Ultimo CHOPS, and CHOPS, then brings Okada around. Ultimo whips Okada to ropes, then LARIATS him down! Ultimo stalks Okada to a corner, KNEES low, then KNEES low again! The ref counts, Ultimo snapmares Okada down then clamps on a chinlock.
The fans rally, Okada endures and fights around, but Ultimo pushes him down to get a leg. STRETCH MUFFLER! Okada endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts in Español, and Ultimo lets go at 4. Ultimo stomps Okada to the corner, lets off again, but Okada powers up to Alabama Lift! REVERSE NECK- NO, Ultimo fights it to an IRON OCTOPUS! Okada hurries to the ROPEBREAK, and Ultimo lets off again. Ultimo whips Okada to a corner, runs in, but Okada pops him up to the Alabama! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Okada scowls and the fans fire up while Collision goes picture in picture.
Okada goes back to Ultimo, drags him up, and CLUBS him. Okada TOSSES Ultimo out, goes out after him, and UPPERCUTS! Ultimo staggers, Okada UPPERCUTS him again, and Ultimo sits in a corner. Okada stands Ultimo up, to SMACK hm off the chair! Okada drags Ultimo up and puts him back in the ring, then takes his time stepping in. Okada brings Ultimo up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ultimo stays in this and Okada is annoyed. Okada paces, drags Ultimo up and DECKS him! Okada looms over Ultimo as Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Okada has Ultimo in a corner. Okada brings him up but Ultimo body shots! And CHOPS! Okada knees low, whips, and runs in to BACK ELBO! Okada goes corner to corner, but Ultimo follows to clothesline! Ultimo keeps moving, but then Okada follows! Ultimo dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up, the ref checks, and both men are still in this. Okada sits up first but Ultimo stands first. Ultimo whips, Okada reverses, but Ultimo pops Okada up to the apron! Ultimo sweeps the legs, fires up, and runs side to side to WRECK Okada with a dropkick!
The fans fire up and Ultimo goes out to the apron. Ultimo storms over to Okada, drags him up, and whips him into railing! Then he CHOPS! The fans fire up as Okada reaches out in pain. Ultimo storms up behind Okada, the ring count climbs, but Ultimo POSTS Okada at 7! Ultimo slides into the ring at 8, Okada flounders in after, and Ultimo eggs Okada on. Ultimo fireman’s carries, Okada slips free! Ultimo ELBOWS Okada, runs, but into the DROPKICK! Okada snarls and he drags Ultimo back up. Okada ripcords, but Ultimo ducks the lariat! Ultimo kicks low, runs in, but Okada avoids the splash! Okada fires forearms then goes up!
Okada pulls at Ultimo’s mask! The fans boo the disrespect, but Ultimo hits a RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Okada stays in this but Ultimo rises up. Ultimo drags Okada up, puts him up top backwards, then climbs up behind him. Ultimo goes to the very top!? But Okada CLAWS at Ultimo’s face through the mask! Ultimo drops down, Okada climbs off the corner, and Okada ripcords! Ultimo ducks again, rolls Okada up, TWO!! Okada escapes and the fans fire up! Ultimo swings, but Okada gets around, and UNMASKS HIM! Ultimo does his best to cover up, but Okada ripcords! RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (denies Ultimo Guerrero a title opportunity)
Despite how he got the win, Okada grins because for him, a win is a win! Will The Rainmaker be unstoppable now that he does what he wants?
Backstage interview with Top Flight.
Lexy Nair is with Dante, Darius & Action, and she congratulates Dante for making it into the AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match. Now, they wanted this time so what’s on their mind? Dante says the last time he was in a ladder match, he broke his leg. A broken fibula, a dislocated ankle. It took a lot of hard work for Dante to make it back here. He had to relearn how to walk, how to run, how to jump, and how to be himself again. But now, he’s going back in to that environment. A lot of people are saying that’s crazy. But it’ll take a little bit of crazy to become the NEW TNT Champion, so boys, at Forbidden Door, he’ll get some gold to celebrate with.
Lio Rush walks in and he wants to talk about last week. Action says before that, he does want to congratulate Lio Rush on the win last night. Lio appreciates that. And he asks if Darius is cool. Darius nods so Lio takes that. Lio tells Dante that when it came to last week, Lio is a man of his word. He has Dante’s back. Always has, always will. But come Forbidden Door, Lio is in the match, too, and he wants the TNT Championship for himself. Dante says same for him. So then see you there. Darius says they’ll see who the better man is. Top Flight heads out, but will the Bad Child make sure he’s the Man of the Hour in New York?
Six Man Tag: The Patriarchy VS The Iron Savages!
While Christian Cage still wants to be AEW World Champion, he also wants his “sons,” Nick Wayne and Killswitch/Luchasaurus, to succeed, too. So they are going to go after the AEW World Trios Championships as a family, no matter who they have to go through. Killswitchasaurus took out Jacked Jameson, Dirty Bulk Bronson & Beefcake Boulder all by himself, so will it be even easier when Captain Charisma & The Prodigy Son are with him? Or will everyone be sippin’ sauce and livin’ hoss on Saturday night?
Before the match, Jameson has a mic. He tells Christian that he has been a focal point on the biggest shows in wrestling since most of us were little kids. Christian is one of the greatest of all time, and is now better than he’s ever been. However, ever since coming to AEW, Christian’s been acting more like “Low T Loser!” A couple weeks ago, Christian had Killswitch take them out for no reason! Then he’s got that little peeper, Nick Wayne, who looks like Timothée Chalamet but even wimpier! But they ain’t going to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! They’re going to the milk farm in #TIDDYCITY!!
The fans are a little torn about that idea, but then The Patriarchy makes their entrance. But then Christian leaves?! No, he joins commentary! He’s leaving this all up to his “sons!” The teams sort out in this unofficial handicap match, and Luchasaurus starts against Bronson. The fans are on the dinosaur’s side, but Jameson says time to sip some sauce! Bronson grabs the cup and he CHUGS it! Bronson is all fired up, runs up on Luchasaurus, but Luchasaurus HEADBUTTS him down! Nick wants in, so Luchasaurus tags. Nick swaggers around, toys with Bronson, then taunts Jameson. Nick eggs Bronson on, kicks him around, then KICKS Bronson ont he back!
Nick flexes but Bronson gets up! Bronson is literally twice as big as Nick! Bronson back suplexes, Nick lands out! Nick kicks and runs, but into a back drop! Christian coaches Nick from 30 feet away at the desk but Bronson says it is time for TIDDY! CITY~! Bronson sends Nick right into Boulder’s beefy chest! Nick sputters, Luchasaurus tags in! He CLOBBERS Bronson, BLASTS Boulder & Jameson, then TOSESS Bronson toa corner! Luchasaurus fires off fast hands, whips corner to corner, then runs up to BOOT Bronson down! Christian says this is the most elite big man in the business. Boulder storms up, he grabs Luchasaurus!
Luchasaurus ELBOWS Boulder, SHOVES him up and out, but Jameson grabs Luchasaurus by the hair! Christian says that’s cheating! Well, he would know… Jameson CLUBS Luchasaurus, goes up, but Luchasaurus garbs him first! To THROW him down onto Boulder! Nick gets in, he gets a boost from Luchasaurus, SUPER PLANCHA onto the Savages! Christian says they are the next Trios Champions and it is not up for debate. Luchasaurus waits on Bronson, Bronson slowly staggers to his feet, and into the choke grip! But Bronson CLUBS at the arm! Bronson breaks free, fires hands over and over, then LARIATS!
Christian is upset but Luchasaurus stays up! Bronson LARIAT, then DISCUS LARIATS! Luchasaurus drops to a knee, Bronson fires back up, “I’M GONNA BUST~!” Bronson runs, but into the choke grip! JURASSIC CHOKE SLAM! And then Nick wants back in! Christian says to do it, so Luchasaurus tags. Luchasaurus gets Bronson up, Christian says now his boys need his help. WAYNE’S WORLD! Christian goes to ringside, and Nick gladly tags his “father” in. Christian then has his “sons” get Bronson up, and he says THEY are the next Trios Champions! KILLSWITCH for Bronson! Cover, Patriarchy wins!
Winners: The Patriarchy, by pinfall
Christian tops it off after his “sons” do the heavy lifting, but a win is a win. Will nothing stop The Patriarchy as they look to reign over AEW together?
Mercedes Mone visited Arena Mexico.
And she told Stephanie Vaquer this is why she’s the CEO. She flew all the way to Mexico just ot make a point. Mone said hola, and then stared Vaquer down. Mone knows Vaquer is NJPW Strong Women’s Champion for now, but that title is hers come Forbidden Door. But then Vaquer told Mone, “You’re in my house now, b*tch! And we speak Spanish here!” So Mone used the internationally understood SLAP ACROSS THE FACE! The fight was on, and Mone snatched both belts! Will Mone prove she is The CEO of the entire world? Or will she find out why Vaquer is La Primera?
Toni Storm & Mariah May w/ Luther VS Lady Frost & Leyla Hirsch!
While Mina Shirakawa is coming for The Leading Lady’s AEW Women’s World Championship and the spotlight, she also wants her Mariah back! Will Storm and Mariah show Mina that their bond is more than just skin deep? Or will they both freeze up facing a LEGIT cool duo?
The teams sort out and Storm starts against Leyla. The fans rally for Storm as she and Leyla circle. They tie up, and Storm powers Leyla back, but Leyla puts Storm in the corner. They go around again, on the mat, then back to their feet. Storm wrenches but Leyla gets around to trip Storm. Leyla pushes Storm to a cover, ONE as Storm bridges. Leyla pushes her down, ONE! Leyla tries again, ONE! Leyla hops on but Storm stays bridged up! They stand, Storm wrenches to a facelock, then tags Mariah. The fans cheer as Storm whips Leyla to ropes, then BOOTS her down! Mariah SHOTGUNS Leyla down, but Leyla scrambles away.
Frost tags in, Mariah and Storm are too busy celebrating together. Frost gets around Mariah, goes to ropes, but Mariah bucks the O’Conner. Frost rolls through, comes back, tilt-o-whirl and sunset flip! TWO, but Mariah SLAPS Frost! Mariah puts some stank on the CHOP! Mariah then scoops for a SPIN OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up and Mariah even BLASTS Leyla for good measure! Storm runs in to HIP ATTACK Frost! Storm and Mariah pose together, and Storm cues us to picture in picture.
Storm and Mariah talk but Leyla drags Mariah back in! Frost drags Storm out, the two are separated and Frost fires off on Storm! Leyla throws Mariah down, covers, TWO! Frost CHOPS Storm against barriers! Leyla drags Mariah up to snap suplex! Leyla soaks up the heat, drags Mariah up, then tags in Frost. Leyla snap suplexes again, and Frost STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Frost stays on Mariah and brings her back over, tag to Leyla. They mug Mariah, stomp her down, then Leyla digs her boots in. The ref counts, Leyla lets off, and then she drags Mariah up. Luther rallies the fans while Mariah endures the REAR BEARHUG!
Mariah reaches out while Leyla leans on her. Mariah fights up, reaches for Storm, but Leyla brings her away. Mariah fights with elbows, then runs, but Leyla reels her in! Mariah switches, Leyla switches, but Mariah wrenches to a SAIDO! Mariah and Leyla crawl, hot tag to Storm! Storm rallies on Leyla, BLASTS Frost, and Collision returns to single picture! Storm dodges Leyla, blocks the boots, and DRAPING BACKSTABBERS! The fans fire up and Storm stands Leyla up, for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Storm stands Leyla up again. Storm reels Leyla in, but Leyla back drops!
Storm sunset flips, but Leyla drops into the ARMBAR!! Storm flails, reaches out, and the fans rally up again! Mariah jumps in to RUNNING KNEE Leyla down! Storm is free, Frost runs up, but into a HEADBUTT! Mariah hurries back and reaches out! Hot tag to Mariah! She drags Leyla to a corner, Frost is in the other. Mariah and Storm say kiss THESE! But then Frost & Leyla dodge! GAMANGIRI for Mariah! Now Mariah and Storm are in corners! Frost hits the CANNONBALL! Leyla adds a SWINGING DROPKICK! Leyla drags Mariah to the drop zone and Frost goes up! Leyla goes after Storm but Storm HEADBUTTS!
Storm shields Mariah from the FROSTBITE!! Frost drags Leyla to cover Mariah, STORM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Frost fires off on Storm! Frost bumps Storm off buckles, Leyla gets Mariah up. Leyla ROCKS Mariah, coordinates with Frost, and they whip Storm and Mariah into each other! The two HUG! Then they dodge Leyla & Frost, to DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as now they DOUBLE HIP ATTACK! Storm gets Leyla for STORM ZERO! Mariah covers, she and Storm win!
Winners: Toni Storm & Mariah May, by pinfall
The mentor and protege embrace as they come out victorious! But with Mina Shirakawa trying to wedge herself between them, will this story have a tragic ending?
Serena Deeb speaks.
“Leading up to Double or Nothing, I was 6-0. Physically, I was unbeatable. Mentally, I was untouchable, unbreakable. And subsequently, I’ve had three of the toughest losses of my career, to some of the best women in this company. And I know how this goes. Sometimes you’re on the up, sometimes you’re on the down. But when you’re on the down, you gotta stop it in its tracks and you gotta lift yourself back up. If there’s anything that my wrestling career has shown, it’s perseverance, it’s redemption, it’s grit. So next week, I will be in Buffalo at Collision, and I am begging anybody to step into my ring, to step into Deeb’s Dojo!
“Because, baby, I’m on the up. And from here, I’m gonna remind everybody, and I’m gonna remind myself, just who the hell I am: The Professor of Professional Wrestling.” Who will accept Deeb’s “pop quiz” next week on Collision?
Malakai Black & Brody King VS Leon & Max St. Giovanni!
The Bang Bang Gang mocked the misfortune of this malevolent faction, and they are looking to take their anger out on whatever poor souls AEW have found for them. Will LSG & MSG soon RIP at the feet of The Kings of the Black Throne?
The teams sort out, MSG starts against Malakai. They circle, MSG is wary of Brody, but he ties up with Malakai. MSG wrenches, wristlocks, but Malakai rolls, wrenches and cording holds. MSG slips around to wrench back, but Malakai spins to wrench then headlock. MSG powers out but Malakai runs him over! Malakai stands MSG up but MSG ROCKS him with a forearm! MSG winds up, but Malakai blocks the kick to ELBOW him away! Malakai runs up, but into an ELBOW! LSG tags in, but runs into an arm-drag! Malakai clamps onto LSG’s arm, wrenches it, and tags in Brody. The fans bark as Brody CLOBBERS MSG!
LSG arm-drags free of Malakai, then runs up, but Malakai drops down so Brody can CHOP LSG off his feet! LSG sputters, the fans bark for Brody, but MSG is back! Malakai blocks MSG’s superkick to KICK the other leg. Brody and Malakai FOREARM KNEE SMASH COMBO! LSG runs up, but into a POP-UP KNEE COMBO! Then DANTE’S INFERNO!! Cover, The House wins!
Winners: Malakai Black & Brody King, by pinfall
The brothers St. Giovanni could not withstand the wrath of the Dark Father and the King of Death, who still have fury burning in their eyes. But as they head up the ramp, Ian Riccaboni is there to interview them. He congratulates them on the win tonight, but he must ask: How does it feel after what happened to Buddy last week? Malakai chuckles, and says what a “human” question. Brody tells Ian that revenge is never a straight line. They feel nothing. Does that mean Buddy doesn’t matter? Or are Malakai & Brody just waiting until the right time to strike?
Hechicero w/ The Gates of Agony VS Matthew Menard!
The Alchemist of Lucha Libre warned MJF that at Forbidden Door, he’s going to break off one of MJF’s arms! Will Hechicero use Menard as an example of that? Or will Hechicero have a hard time handling some Daddy Magic?
The bell rings and Menard dodges Hechi to fire off fast hands! Menard whips Hechi to then CLOBBER him! The fans fire up with Menard as he keeps on Hechi, with a LARIAT! “What you got!?” The fans cheer, Menard whips, but Hechi gets under the leap frog to DUMP Menard down! Hechi ELBOW DROPS, then basement DROPKICKS! Menard bails out, shakes out the stars, then slides back in. But Hechi stomps away on Menard, then CHOKES him on ropes! The ref counts, Hechi BITES Menard before letting off. Menard gets up but Hechi CHOPS him! Hechi runs to JUMP KNEE! The fans are torn, but Hechi gets Menard up, for a back drop!
Hechi traps an arm, grabs the other, and DARK SACRIFICE! Menard writhes, staggers around, and Hechi slithers around to make sure MJF knows he is numero uno! Hechi runs up, but Menard dodges! Hechi hits buckles, and Menard fires off shots! Menard whips corner to corner, then runs up to clothesline! Menard climbs, and he rains down fists! The fans fire up and count all the way to TEN! Menard is all fired up, then he hits a CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Hechi stays in this but Menard scowls. Menard runs, but into a CROSSBODY from Hechi! SLEEPER on the ropes! The ref counts, Hechi RAMS Menard down!
Hchi then slingshots to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Hechi waits on Menard, runs and tilt-o-whirls, HEADSCISSOR LEG DROP! Then Hechi rains down shots on Menard’s back, before reeling him into the CRUCIFIX ARMBAR! Menard taps, Hechi wins!
Winner: Hechicero, by submission
The Gates of Agony storm in to celebrate with Hechi, will the Alchemist of Lucha turn the Wolf of Wrestling into a lap dog? Or will MJF prove that he’s better than even Hechicero, and he knows it?
Jeff Jarrett speaks.
“When I was asked officially about being in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, all the emotion came back. It’s hard for me to imagine it’s been 25 years, but there are so many things that I remember like it was yesterday. In the late 90s, we would become Tag Team Champions, and I kinda look back on those days as the favorite days of my career. His passing in 1999, May 23rd, on the Monday the following day, I made a promise to myself that I would be able to look Oje & Athena in their eyes, and it really meant something. They were little kids when it happened, but to let them know what a great man their father is. I never, ever met anybody like him.”
Jarrett looks back, and he’s since become a 12-time world champion, a two-time Hall of Famer. The Owen Cup means more to him than anything he’s ever done. Toby Keith passed away earlier this year, another good buddy. And as the song says, he ain’t as good as he once was, but he’s as good once as he ever was. To get the opportunity to win three matches, then stand in the ring in Owen’s hometown of Calgary, Jarrett is absolutely gonna do it. The Last Outlaw must still wait and see what “wild card” is dealt, but will he make it through no matter what?
AEW International Championship: Will Ospreay VS Brian Cage!
The Aerial Assassin wants to be the #TwoBeltBruv by taking Swerve’s AEW World Championship, but he also has to defend the belt he has. And while The Machine doesn’t work for The Mogul anymore, he might end up helping him out with this match. Will Ospreay stay golden on the Road to The Forbidden Door? Or will Cage make sure Ospreay’s limping into Long Island?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see #WhoBetta!
The bell rings and Cage CLOBBERS Ospreay! Cage fires off in the corner, the fans boo and the ref counts. But then Ospreay turns things around to fire back! Ospreay goes up to rain down fists, but Cage SHOVES him away at 4! Ospreay lands out on his feet, only for Cage to run him over! The fans boo but Cage drags Ospreay up to ROCK him! Ospreay staggers, Cage CHOPS him, but the fans rally for the “BRUV! BRUV! BRUV!” Cage whips, Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAN- NO, Cage stops that and TOSSES Ospreay! Then he scoops to do bicep curls, before the FALL AWAY SLAM! Cage flexes but fans boo.
Ospreay grits his teeth as he stands up, and Cage runs in. Ospreay DUMPS Cage out, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again. Cage shoves Ospreay but Ospreay comes back to BOOT! Cage falls to the floor, the fans fire up with Ospreay, and he PLANCHAS! Down goes Cage and the fans fire up again! Ospreay paces, brings Cage up and into the ring, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ospreay aims from the apron, springboards, but Cage catches him! Cage stalling suplexes Ospreay, walks around with him, but Ospreay flails. Cage still keeps Ospreay up, to JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO! Cage is annoyed but he brings Ospreay back up. Cage brings Ospreay around, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! Cage ROCKS Ospreay, soaks up the heat, then smirks as he drags Ospreay back up. Ospreay fires forearms in return! Cage SOBATS, scoops, and SLAMS, to then drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Cage stays on him. Cage drags Ospreay up, to HEADBUTT him!
Ospreay staggers, Cage bumps him off buckles, but Ospreay kicks low! Ospreay ROCKS Cage, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ospreay whips corner to corner, but Cage reverses hard! Ospreay falls back, Cage dusts himself off, and then Cage asks, “Who betta?!” Cage looms over Ospreay, gives him clubbing crossface forearms from both sides, and Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Cage has Ospreay in a BEARHUG! Ospreay endures, the fans rally, and Ospreay throws elbows! Ospreay BELL CLAPS and Cage lets him go! Cage still knees low, CLUBS Ospreay, then shouts, “Who betta than Cage, huh?!” Cage runs but into the TIGER WALL KICK and ENZIGIRI! Cage staggers to a corner and the fans fire back up! Daniel Garcia is watching, as he still wants a shot at the International Championship. Ospreay runs corner to corner to BOOT Cage! Ospreay pushes Cage out, goes to the apron and springboards in, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but he just brings Cage up.
Ospreay reels Cage in but Cage resists the lift. The fans rally as Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! And then winds up to CHOP! Ospreay reels Cage in again, but Cage back drops free! Cage goes corner to corner to UPPERCUT, GAMANGIRI, then GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay has a rough landing and the ref checks him, but he seems okay to continue. Cage goes to the corner, and he deadlift SUPERLEXES! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay toughs it out and Cage grows frustrated. The fans rally for Ospreay but Cage reels him in. Cage puts one out, lifts Ospreay up, but Ospreay RANAS Cage into the buckles!
Ospreay hurries up top now, and he BLINDSIDE CHEERIOS! The fans fire up and Ospreay prepares his elbow pad. Cage stirs, Ospreay goes to a corner and the fans are thunderous! HIDDEN- NO, Cage fireman’s carries first! But Ospreay fights around, sunset flips, but Cage stays up to YANK Ospreay up! But Ospreay gets around, full nelsons, only for Cage to ELBOW free. Ospreay HOOK KICKS back! Ospreay springboards, OSC- DROPKICK from Cage!! The fans boo, but Cage aims and spins, but Ospreay slips through the lariat! And he gets Cage up, SITOUT BOMB! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Ospreay and Cage stir, a standing count begins, and the fans rally up. Both men are down at 5 of 10 but Ospreay sits up first. Cage follows, and Ospreay stands at 7. Ospreay brings Cage around to fire a forearm! And then another forearm! And then another! Cage ROCKS Ospreay back! Cage stalks Ospreay, hauls him up to a fireman’s carry, and F5!! Cover, TWO!! Cage is losing his cool and he argues with the ref but the count was still two! Cage seethes, and Collision goes picture in picture again.
Ospreay stirs while Cage paces around him. Cage slashes his throat, brings Ospreay back up, and he SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay wobbles, Cage SLAPS him again! Ospreay ROCKS Cage, ROCKS him again, and again! Cage ROCKS Ospreay right back! Ospreay staggers around, finds his way back, and he fires more forearms on Cage! So Cage DECKS Ospreay! Cage eggs Ospreay on, and Ospreay rises to fire another flurry! Cage ROCKS Ospreay again, and Ospreay leans against Cage. Cage pushes Ospreay down, talks trash, then stands on Ospreay’s back! Cage flexes, soaks up the heat, but Ospreay pushes up off the mat!
Cage STOMPS Ospreay down! Cage runs, but Ospreay avoids the elbow drop! Cage staggers back over, brings Ospreay up, but Ospreay fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ospreay but Ospreay just fires up! Ospreay fires another flurry, Cage ROCKS him again, but Ospreay ROARS! Ospreay fires shot after shot but Cage ROCKS him one more time! Ospreay goes to a corner, Cage brings him around and reels him in. Suplex, but Ospreay slips free! Ospreay waistlocks, Cage switches, but Ospreay ELBOWS free. Cage ROCKS Ospreay again, but Ospreay headbutts buckles to fire himself up! The fans are thunderous as Collision returns to single picture!
Ospreay eggs Cage on, then blocks a shot to fire KAWADA KICKS! Cage JUMP KNEES! DISCUS- SUPERKICK! Cage stills wings, Ospreay swats the lariat to HOOK KICK! Cage still LARIATS through!! Cage gets Ospreay up, lifts, POWERBOMB! Deadlift, SPINNING SITOUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and the fans are thunderous again! Cage seethes and pounds the mat in frustration but the fans are behind Ospreay. Cage drags Ospreay up, fireman’s carries again, but Ospreay fires elbows! Ospreay pops up to spin and RAN- NO! Cage blocks that again! Cage brings Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips into a DDT!
Cage staggers, Ospreay whips, but Cage reverses! Ospreay handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay springs right up to HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cage survives and shocks Ospreay! Ospreay just fires himself back up and the fans rally as hard as they can! Ospreay gets Cage up, reels him in, and underhooks those big meaty arms! But Cage fights with those arms to RAM Ospreay into a corner! Cage goes corner to corner, but Ospraey BOOTS him! Ospreay goes up but Cage GAMANGIRIS! Right in the mouth! Cage goes up, but Ospreay slips under and tucks Cage in! CHEEKY NANDOS!
Cage wobbles, Ospreay puts him back up! Ospreay goes up TO SUPER- NO, Cage slips free! So Ospreay GAMANGIRIS back! Ospreay goes up but Cage scoop him! SUPER SPINNING POWERSLAM!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Ospreay shocks Cage! The fans are electric for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Ospreay rises, Cage runs in, and he CLOTHESLINES Ospreay in that corner! Ospreay’s momentum puts him up top! Cage goes up after Ospreay, fireman’s carries, but Ospreay pops up to SUPER STEINER!! The fans are electric again, for the OS- NO!! Cage stuffs that to ripcord and HAYMAKER!
Cage vows to end this! Suplex, STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! And POISON-RANA!! Ospreay gets moving, OSCUTTER!!! Cover, TWO!??!? Ospreay throws his elbow pad away, he means business this time! HIDDEN BLADE!!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)
The Machine proved he can get his stuff in, and that he can take one of the best to the limit, but that is where Cage hits his limit! Ospreay is rolling into Dynamite next week, where he will have no choice but to team with The Realest to take on some common enemies. Will Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland make it through The Gates of Agony? Or will neither of them make it to The Forbidden Door?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision, though stocked full of more action than I expected. Thankfully, it was less talky than usual, and what promos we got were fairly efficient. Well, I feel like there was a touch of redundancy to Lio interacting with Top Flight when we got that moment on Rampage. I guess AEW is worried not enough people are watching Rampage. Deeb sending out an Open Challenge for the Collision go-home next week was good, I’m sure we’ll get a great match of her and a visiting CMLL or Stardom talent. And after Jarrett’s very moving promo, I actually want to see him make it to the finals. I don’t see him winning the whole thing with Pac AND Bryan Danielson on the other side of the bracket, but for the sake of honoring Owen Hart’s memory, Jarrett at least has to get past the wild card.
Storm & Mariah VS Leyla & Frost was a good tune-up match for the Six Woman Tag set for Dynamite, but as such, The Outcasts likely win. As I said on Wednesday, if Mariah is going to beat Saraya in the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, she’ll have to lose out on Dynamite because that’s how the math works. Hechicero of course beat Daddy Magic, but that’s because MJF is going to win at Forbidden Door. And then of course The House of Black beat the St. Giovanni brothers. Their dismissive nature towards the interview was an interesting one, but I would think they will get their revenge on The Patriarchy soon enough.
Good promo from The Bang Bang Gang that helped feed into the various stories. The Patriarchy of course beat The Iron Savages, but Christian avoided doing work in an even more obnoxious way than I expected. I still think Pac should work with Malakai & Brody in an attempt to get revenge on The Bang Bang Gang together, but I guess that depends on if Pac goes to the Owen Hart Cup finals or not. Oddly, I’d love if The Bang Bang Gang did face The Patriarchy for some rare Heels VS Heels shenanigans. Christian will try to cheat at the same time Bang Bang Gang tries to cheat so it comes down to who can cheat better.
Though going by the other tag matches, the Joe-Hook-Shibata trio is a great team, and they naturally made quick work of The Premier Athletes. Then they logically went after Jericho’s group after that great match with Private Party. Jericho likely will still owe Hook an FTW Championship match, but it’d also be great if Joe-Hook-Shibata got their shot at the trios titles. We’d get some awesome promos between them and the Bang Bang Gang, as well as some fresh showdowns. And really good match of Okada and Ultimo Guerrero. It was a little sluggish, but I suppose between Ultimo and Okada needing to get a rhythm, and Ultimo being 52, it was still very solid stuff. But Okada winning was fine, it leaves him available for a different match-up for Forbidden Door weekend.
And just an awesome International Championship match for the main event. I did not think Cage was going to get as much offense in as he did, but I appreciate that they let him. Cage needs to be seen as a threat on some level so pushing Ospreay like this was a good way to do it. But of course Ospreay wins, because they’re continuing to tease Garcia VS Ospreay.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The Road to the G1 has begun!
NJPW is heating up the G1 Climax already by bringing us a Qualifier Series! Whose New Japan Soul will burn bright through the Summer?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
- Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira VS Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato; Khan & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Tomohiro Ishii, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma; The United Empire wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Hirooki Goto, El Desperado, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Goto, Desperado, Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win.
- G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: Callum Newman VS Yujiro Takahashi; Callum wins and advances to New Japan Soul in Korakuen Hall.
- G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Chase Owens; Hashi wins and advances to New Japan Soul in Korakuen Hall.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: Callum Newman VS Yujiro Takahashi!
The United Empire has been on a roll tonight, but while those were tag matches, The Prince of Pace has to do this on his own! Can Callum conquer the Tokyo Pimp? Or will he have to watch out for the usual tricks?
The bell rings and the two run in! Yujiro BOOTS Callum down, stomps him around, and Callum goes to ropes. Yujiro ROCKS Callum with a forearm, then stalks him to a corner. Yujiro stomps Callum again, CLUBS him, then brings him out to knee low. Yujiro CLUBS Callum again, whips corner to corner, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and keeps moving, to then BOOT Yujiro! The fans fire up while Yujiro bails out. Callum eggs Yujiro on, but the ref wants him to stay in. Yujiro slides in, Callum dodges and DROPKICKS! Yujiro bails out again and the fans fire up. Yujiro hurries back up to the apron, but Callum DROPKICKS him down!
Callum takes aim as Yujiro stands up, for the PLANCHA, but Yujiro moves aside! Callum lands on his feet but that strains the legs. Yujiro reels Callum in, REVERSE DDT to the floor! The ref wants this back inside, and fans rally up for Callum, but Yujiro stalks him. Yujiro drags Callum up to RAM him into railing! Yujiro brings Callum back up, to RAM him into the apron! The ref reprimands but Yujiro brings Callum around, to whip into railing! Callum goes down in a heap and Yujiro leaves him behind. The ring count starts but Callum sits up at 4 of 20. The fans cheer Callum on as he rises at 10 of 20 and hobbles over.
Callum rolls in at 13, the fans cheer, but Yujiro stomps Callum right down. Yujiro digs his boots in, the ref counts, so Yujiro lets off at 4. Yujiro whips Callum into a corner, stomps him, ROCKS him with a forearm, then ELBOWS him. Yujiro throws more elbows, then runs up to BOOT! Callum slumps down but Yujiro pushes him to a cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro argues the count. The ref says it was fair, so Yujiro drags Callum to center. Yujiro drops a leg, drops it again, then drops it again! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans rally up. Yujiro is annoyed, but he eggs Callum on. Yujiro brings Callum up, and Callum fires a forearm!
Yujiro eggs Callum on more as Callum throws more shots. Yujiro then knees low! Yujiro snapmares Callum and then basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Callum toughs it out. Yujiro brings Callum up, puts him against ropes, then fires forearms. The ref reprimands, but Yujiro gets space. Callum BOOTS first! Callum runs up but into a kick! Yujiro runs but Callum follows, trips him, and DOUBLE STOMPS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yujiro goes to one corner, Callum goes to the other. Callum fires up, the fans are with him, and he runs Around the World to DROPKICK!
Callum snapmares Yujiro, runs up and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans still applaud as Callum has control. Callum clutches his beat up back, uses the ropes to stretch it out, and then he clamps onto Yujiro with chicken wings. Yujiro hurries to the ropes, so Callum ROCKS him with a right! Callum sits Yujiro in the ropes, then runs to DROPKICK Yujiro in the back! Yujiro falls, Callum brings him up and chicken wings. Yujiro fights the lift, stomps Callum’s foot, then ROCKS him with an elbow! Callum comes back to ROCK Yujiro with a forearm! Callum runs, but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Callum sputters, Yujiro runs up and BOOTS him!
Yujiro brings Callum around, reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and the fans cheer! Yujiro is frustrated but he stalks Callum. Yujiro drags Callum up, reels him in, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Callum is tougher then the Intercollegiate Slam and Yujiro grows further frustrated! Yujiro stumbles after Callum, brings him up, and fireman’s carries. Callum fights free, but Yujiro blocks the lariat! Yujiro ducks the backhand but not the ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down again as Callum catches his breath. The fans rally up and Callum fires himself back up. The fans join in and Callum takes aim.
Callum goes to run but Yujiro reels him in! Yujiro waistlocks, Callum switches, but Yujiro BITES Callum’s hand! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Yujiro stops at 4. Yujiro runs, but Callum blocks the boot, ROCKS Yujiro, then runs. Yujiro uses the ref as a shield! He gets the cane! But Callum blocks the cane attack, kicks Yujiro low, but now the ref sees Callum with the cane! Callum defends his innocence, the ref takes the cane, and Yujiro LOW BLOWS!! The fans boo but Yujiro reels Callum in, for PIMP JUICE! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro is stunned that Callum survives! Yujiro pleads with the ref, but no, it was not a three.
Yujiro drags Callum up, reels him in, for BIG- NO, Callum wrenches out! Yujiro ROCKS Callum, runs, but Callum shoots around to chicken wing and TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yujiro escapes but the fans fire up! Callum aims from a corner, runs Around the World, and DROPKICKS! Yujiro staggers, Callum goes up, and he roars as he springboard DOUBLE STOMPS! Then OSCUTTER!! Cover, Callum wins!
Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
It was a grueling first fight, but Callum was able to outpace Yujiro, and he now moves ahead! Callum faces Kenta in Korakuen Hall, will Callum continue to build momentum? Or will he #GoToSleep before the Climax?
G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Chase Owens!
The Head Hunter and the Crown Jewel have battled many times, both in the G1 and more recently, over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Sadly, neither man has that gold, but they’re looking at something bigger. Will Yoshi-Hashi #GetBackUp and head for the next round? Or will he be the victim of a Jewel Heist?
The bell rings and the two circle as the fans rally up. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Chase swings Hashi around to put him on ropes. The ref counts, Chase lets off, but then he blows snot on Hashi! Chase eggs Hashi on so Hashi fires forearms! Hashi CLUBS Chase, Chase knees low and Chase TOSSES Hashi out. Hashi runs up to the apron but Chase DECKS him! Chase builds speed but Hashi dodges the dropkick! Hashi kicks low, whips, and Chase hits railing! Chase staggers away while fans applaud. Hashi goes after Chase, brings him around, and whips him into more railing! Chase staggers again while fans applaud.
The ref wants this back in the ring but Hashi lines up a shot. Chase stands, Hashi runs up, but Chase BOOTS him! Chase RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS Hashi into railing! The ref goes out to check Hashi while Chase leaves him behind. Chase opens the gate so he can snatch a fan’s Yoshi-Hashi towel! Chase sneaks that over so he can CHOKE Hashi with it! The ref sees that, reprimands, but Chase whips Hashi hard into railing! Down goes Abe-san, too! Since when was Chase copying the House of Torture? Chase storms over, brings Hashi up, and puts him in the ring. Hashi sits up, Chase runs, SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Hashi stays in this. Chase is annoyed and he mocks the fans as they rally up. Chase CLUBS Hashi on the neck, stomps Hashi’s hand, then brings him up to wrench and wristlock. Chase bends the fingers, then SNAPS them! The ref reprimands Chase being a Villain, but Chase stomps away in the corner. Chase then bends the fingers, and he makes Hashi flip Goto off on commentary. Chase CHOPS Hashi, CLUBS him, then RAMS into him! Chase digs in his shoulder, then lifts Hashi to RAM him in again! Hashi hobbles, Chase whips him corner to corner hard, and Hashi bounces off buckles! Chase soaks up the heat while Hashi writhes.
Chase drags Hashi up but Hashi fires body shots. Hashi CHOPS and the fans cheer! But Chase BOOTS Hashi down! Chase clutches his stinging chest, drags Hashi up, but Hashi suplexes first! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Chase goes to a corner. Hashi goes to the other, runs in corner to corner, and CHOPS! Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS and repeat on Chase! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but Hashi lets off with one more CHOP! Chase sits down, but he SPITS at Hashi! So Hashi CHOPS him again! Hashi whips corner to corner, Chase reverses, but Hashi comes back to run Chase over!
The fans cheer and Hashi cleans himself off. Hashi then runs up to CHOP, run again, and BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this but the fans rally up for Hashi. Hashi storms over to Chase, brings him up, but Chase throws body shots. Hashi eggs him on, Chase throws more shots, then a CHOP of his own! Hashi DECKS Chase and the fans fire up! Hashi goes back to a corner to catch his breath. Chase slowly goes to the other corner, Hashi runs in again, but Chase blocks the lariat to BUCKLE SHOT, STO, and SENTON! The fans fire up while both men are down! Chase runs corner to corner now to forearm smash!
Chase reels Hashi in, short arm LARIAT! Then a half nelson to GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans fire up again! Chase is annoyed but he drags Hashi back up. Chase reels him in, but Hashi back drops free! But Chase is right back up! BLINDSIDE C-TRIGGER! Chase then wrenches, hammerlocks and JEWEL HEISTS! Cover, TWO!! Chase is furious with the ref but the ref defends his count! Chase scowls, drags Hashi up, and reels him in. Chase tucks the arms, PACKAGE- NO, Hashi flips free to CODE BREAKER! Roll up and bridge, TWO! Chase escapes but Hashi dropkicks the legs out!
The fans fire up again while both men are down! Hashi and Chase go back to corners, and both men run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither falls! DOUBLE LARIATS collide again, and Chase staggers back! Hashi runs corner to corner, but Chase sends him into buckles! Chase rolls Hashi up, and puts his feet on ropes! TWO!! Hashi escapes but Chase gets moving, to C- NO!! Hashi blocks the trigger! Chase fires hands but Hashi CLUBS the leg! Hashi puts the leg in ropes, to SUPERKICK! Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Chase roars and rise sup, he swats a lariat and BACK ELBOWS! Hashi roars and swings, but into a HALF ‘N’ HALF!
But Hashi is right back up! C-TRIGGER!! Hashi falls back but Chase has to sit down! The fans fire up and rally for Hashi as he stirs. Chase aims as Hashi goes to ropes, and he runs in to C-TRIGGER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and the fans fire up again! Chase drags Hashi back up, POINT-BLANK C-TRIGGER!! Hashi flops over but Chase wants to go for the execution! Chase reels Hashi in, tucks the arms, and PACKAGE- NO! Hashi kicks and flails to fight! But Chase powers through! PACKAGE- NO, Hashi fights free with a back drop! Chase sunset flips it! But Hashi sits on it! Cover, TWO!! Even Chase has to check if he got free in time!
Chase runs, but Hashi dodges the trigger! ELBOW! CHOP! SUPERKICK! Chase roars, but into a SUPERKICK! Hashi reels Chase in for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives and the fans fire up! Hashi rallies the fans, runs, and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Chase is still in this but the fans fire up more! Hashi gets Chase up, full nelsons, then pump handles, KARMA!! Cover, Hashi wins!
Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Crown Jewel cracked under the pressure and now Hashi heads for Korakuen Hall! But Hashi’s friend and teammate in Chaos, Tomohiro Ishii, will be waiting! If Hashi made it through this, can he make it through the Stone Pitbull?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture!
Tetsuya Naito is preparing for the Forbidden Door and his battle with Jon Moxley, but it seems some old enemies are knocking at his door. Will Titan, Bushi & Yota Tsuji help Naito stay tranquilo? Or will Evil, Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho make sure Darkness Falls in Fukushima?
Before the match, Sho gets on the mic to sarcastically with Naito a happy birthday. As such, he says it’s cute Naito thinks he’s going to have a happy birthday at all. Sho talks trash on LIJ, too, but the fans boo. And then The House just attacks! The bell rings, the brawl is on, and while Evil, Narita & Kanemaru drag Naito, Bushi & Yota out, Sho digs his boot into Titan’s neck! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets off, and he drags Titan up to CLUB him down. Sho talks trash as he digs his boot into Titan’s head. Titan gets up to fire off a strike fest! SOBAT and Titan runs, but Kanemaru gets a cheap shot in!
Red Shoes reprimands, Titan swings on Kanemaru but Kanemaru avoids it. Kanemaru throws Titan down by his mask, only for Titan to kip up! PELE! Kanemaru falls, Titan gets around Sho to knuckle lock, CHOP, and he goes up and up! Titan tightrope walks but Kanemaru gets in, so Titan MISSILE DROPKICKS the Heel Master! Then DROPKICK for the Murder Machine! The fans fire up as Titan snapmares, gets a leg, and drops a leg on the knee! And then Titan drags Sho over to tag in Naito! The fans cheer as the birthday boy drags Sho up and wrenches his arm to a wristlock. Sho begs for mercy as Naito cranks the hold!
Sho reaches out, Naito keeps him from ropes, and they go around and around. Naito even teases Evil by just barely keeping Sho back from a tag! Naito grins as he brings Sho away and Bushi tags in. Bushi climbs up, Evil protests, but Bushi still gets away with the AX HANDLE! The fans cheer, and Bushi BLASTS Evil off the apron! Bushi CHOPS Sho, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Sho dodges. Sho runs in but into the PENDULUM KICK! Bushi aims but Dick Togo anchors Bushi’s feet while Sho gets in Red Shoes’ face! Narita BOOTS Bushi down, and then the rest of the House attacks the rest of LIJ!
Narita whips Bushi into railing, Evil CHOKES Naito, Sho whips Yota! Sho and Bushi get back in the ring, even as Evil CHOKES Naito, Kanemaru CHOKES Titan, and Narita brings Yota into the crowd! The fans have to be careful, and Red Shoes reprimands, but this lets Sho CHOKE Bushi in the ring! Sho tags Kanemaru and he scrapes his foot off Bushi’s face. Kanemaru snapmares Bushi, ELBOWS him in the head, then stomps him around. The fans rally for Bushi but Kanemaru sends him into Evil’s boot! Kanemaru tags Evil, Red Shoes sees Evil has a shirt ready to use, so Evil gives that up so he can kick Bushi out of the ring.
Red Shoes is busy putting the shirt aside, so he misses Sho and Narita mugging Bushi! Narita grabs a chair, Sho stands Bushi up, and Narita JAMS Bushi! Yota protests, Narita puts Bushi in for Evil, and Evil drags Bushi up for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! But then someone rings the bell? Dick Togo makes the announcement and Evil even grabs Bushi’s mask cover to celebrate. Red Shoes says no, this doesn’t count in any way, shape or form. Evil says fine, and he tags Narita. Narita drags Bushi up, Bushi CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Narita CLAWS Bushi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands while Narita scrapes Bushi’s face off ropes!
Red Shoes counts, Narita lets off and runs, but Bushi blocks the boot to ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Bushi crawls, but Narita stomps him down! Narita BLASTS Yota, stands Bushi up, but Bushi blocks a kick to CLUB the leg! Bushi then dropkicks the legs out, crawls for his corner, and the fans rally up! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota runs Narita over! Kanemaru & Sho get in to kick low then double whip, but Yota kicks Sho while he arm-drags Kanemaru! The fans fire up as Yota scoops Sho for a BACKBREAKER! Kanemaru storms up but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER!
Narita returns, kicks low and whips, but Yota reverses to scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up for the hattrick while Narita writhes! Yota gets the fans even more fired up and he smiles. Yota drags Narita up, fireman’s carries, but Narita fights free. Narita CHOKES Yota, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yota breaks free! Yota swings, Narita ducks then gets the SLEEPER! Yota endures, and he RAMS Narita into the corner! Yota sputters, but Evil sneakily unties the buckle pad! Yota runs back in and surprise! Yota runs into bare buckles! The fans boo but Narita tags Evil in. Evil & Narita split the wishbone on Narita, then Evil DECKS Naito!
Narita & Evil whip Yota to an open corner. Evil runs in but Yota BOOTS him! Narita runs in, he blocks Yota’s boot, but Yota reels Narita in to STOMP down! Evil mule kicks, runs, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yota crawls over, hot tag to Naito! Naito fires hands on Evil, kicks and CLUBS him, then whips. Evil reverses but Naito holds ropes. Naito BOOTS Evil, runs up and gets around, then whips to arm-drag! Evil stands, Naito RAMS into him, but Evil fights the atomic drop. Naito RAMS Evil into the corner, whips him corner to corner, then ELBOWS him! Naito snapmares and basement dropkicks!
The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he covers, TWO! Evil is still in this but Naito stays on him. Evil kicks, Naito blocks and he CLUBS the leg! Naito kicks and kicks, but Evil blocks! Kanemaru gets in to dropkick the legs out! Kanemaru & Sho hold off LIJ while Evil steps through, for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Naito endures, pushes up, crawls forward, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Dick pokes Naito in the eyes! But even so, Naito fights forward to the ROPEBREAK! Evil holds until Red Shoes counts 4, then Kanemaru tags in. The House sends Naito to an open corner. Sho runs in to forearm smash, then Narita adds his own!
Kanemaru runs in to elbow! Evil runs in to clothesline! Snapmare, and then Narita gets in Red Shoes’ face! Dick goes up the corner while Evil & Kanemaru hold Naito open! DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans fire up! But Kanemaru & Evil SMASH the knees! Kanemaru steps through to FIGURE FOUR! Naito endures, the fans rally, but Kanemaru thrashes around! Bushi gets in to stomp Kanemaru, but Sho kicks Bushi! Sho throws Bushi out, but Naito is still free of the leglock. Dick distracts Red Shoes, letting Kanemaru get his whiskey! The fans boo as Kanemaru aims, but Naito ducks the bottle!
Titan SHOTGUNS Kanemaru, then he BOOTS Dick! Sho kicks Titan, whips, but Titan reverses. Titan goes Matrix to then CALF KICK Sho! Evil & Narita attack, double whip, but Titan uses that to FLY out onto Sho! The fans fire up, Bushi & Yota get in! CODE BREAKER for Evil, STUNNER for Narita! Then Naito baits Kanemaru into an atomic drop! Bushi ENZIGIRIS! Yota SUPERKICKS! Bushi gives Naito a boost, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito gets Kanemaru up, wrenches, and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
The House of Torture tried but failed, and the night is tranquilo after all! Yota grabs the blue buckle pad and threatens Narita with it! Souled Out runs away to help the rest of The House get outta here, will they ever learn their lesson?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring, and naturally, Naito gets the mic. “Buenas noches, Fukushimaaa~!” The fans cheer, and Naito continues. NJPW visits the Fukushima Prefecture often, but it has been three YEARS and eight MONTHS since they were last in THE Fukushima City. Therefore, Naito thanks everyone for coming out tonight. Gracias, amigos. Naito then notes that yes, today happens to be his birthday. The fans cheer that! And Naito says he isn’t sure where she is, but his mom made the trip all the way from Tokyo just to be here tonight. The fans are surprised, but then cheer for Mama Naito.
Naito says again, he isn’t sure where she is in the crowd, but he says gracias to her. The fans applaud that, and then Naito says that in these last three years and eight months, surely there are a lot of new fans here. So, did those new people enjoy NJPW and LIJ? The fans cheer! Then, after these three years and eight months, the next time will be… Hmm. Two years? Three? Four? Just next month? Well, Naito isn’t sure. But until then, remember: Tranquilo! Assen na yo! The fans cheer, and Naito asks, “So, shall we?” The fans cheer, and Naito says if he remembers right, it has been since October of 2016, so SEVEN years and eight months, since the last time! Is everyone ready?
The only way to close out tonight’s New Japan Soul in Fukushima is of course… “Bushi, Hiromu,Takagi, Titan, Yota, y Naito! Nosotros! LOS! INGOBERRRRRNABLEEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!” Big mic drop and LIJ is rolling forward, but they will have to do this all over again tomorrow night. Will Naito keep up the pace as he heads for Jon Moxley and the Forbidden Door?
My Thoughts:
A very good return for the New Japan Soul series here, with plenty of tune-up matches for tomorrow’s New Japan Soul and those G1 Climax qualifiers. Really good G1 Climax qualifiers tonight, though the fans were just cold for Yujiro against Callum. Good win for Callum, and he’ll have a good showing against Kenta but I don’t expect Callum to make it to the A Block prelim finals in a couple weeks. Hashi VS Chase was very good, great win for Hashi, and while they avoided Bullet Club VS Bullet Club, they’re totally giving us Chaos VS Chaos as Hashi takes on Ishii. I’m leaning towards Ishii making it through and facing Kenta in the prelim finals.
And then a really good, really fun 8 Man Tag for the main event. Naito is definitely building momentum towards his match with Moxley in just over a week, which I would hope he wins, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a clear challenger for Naito afterwards. At the same time, the G1 is next, he’s gonna be in that as champion, the round robin nature makes for at least one person getting that golden ticket win off him in like a middle round. Also happy birthday to Naito, and it was so nice to know his mom made the trip out there to spend time with him.
My Score: 8.8/10
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