Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/31/24)
The Irresistible Queen is here!
Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown!
Nia Jax conquered them all and is now Queen of the Ring! SmackDown shall be her coronation, but will the Women’s Division bow down or revolt?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tommaso Ciampa w/ Johnny Gargano VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; Theory wins.
- Andrade VS Apollo Crews; Andrade wins.
- The Street Profits VS VS The Guerrillas of Destiny; The Guerillas win.
- Bayley & Naomi VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven; Chelsea & Piper win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nick Aldis is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to SmackDown live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York!” The fans cheer, and Aldis says as a GM, there is no better feeling than when one of your top draft picks comes through in the clutch. Ladies and gentlemen, the superstar he is about to introduce did just that. Please welcome the 2024 Queen of the Ring, the Irresistible Force, Nia Jax! The fans are a bit torn as Nia makes her way out to the ring. The crown awaits on the pedestal, and Nia soaks up the heat from New York. Aldis congratulates her and says the floor is hers. Nia puts her crown on and then takes the mic.
The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Nia just ignores that. She says, “Let’s get the facts straight. It’s a fact that I am your Queen~ of the Ring~!” Nia revels in the heat from that statement. “And it’s a fact that as Your Queen, I get a title shot at SummerSlam. So Bayley, Your Queen is commanding your presence in Her Ring, right now!” The fans boo, but then the Role Model makes her entrance and the fans cheer! Bayley has the belt on her shoulder, a mic in hand, but PIPER NIVEN coming up behind! Piper CLOBBERS Bayley, and Chelsea coaches her to keep on Bayley! Piper sends Bayley into barriers on one side of the ramp, then into barriers on the other side!
Piper puts Bayley in the ring, Bayley tries to fight back but Piper HEADBUTTS! And then SPLASHES! Nia just sighs and shrugs as Piper stands over Bayley and Chelsea holds up the belt. Piper stares Nia down, but the fans all cheer for Bayley. Chelsea has a mic to tell Nia, “Sweetie, you don’t have to worry about facing Bayley. Because by the time SummerSlam rolls around, your NEW WWE Women’s Champion is gonna be my Sweet P Best Friend, little spicy margarita, Piper Niven!” Chelsea laughs and the fans boo, but Nia says, “I don’t give a damn who the champion is, because I’m gonna A-Nia-Late her regardless.”
The Queen has spoken and she takes her leave. Will the Scottish Viper leave Bayley down and out in Glasgow? Or can Bayley survive a Clash at the Castle only to run into a wall at SummerSlam?
Nick Aldis returns to his office.
And after some QR madness, he sees AJ Styles is there waiting. The Phenomenal One is in a suit as he says he thought about what Aldis said last week. If there is time, he’d appreciate just addressing his future. Aldis says he can find the time, no problem. But is there something Styles wants to tell Aldis? Styles is hesitant, and says it is hard enough to do it once. So if it is okay with Aldis, maybe just let him say it in the ring tonight. Understood. Aldis will give Styles that time. Styles appreciates that. They shake hands, Styles heads out, but what could Styles have to say to the WWE Universe?
Bayley gets checked in the trainer’s room.
Her arm is bugging her after Piper hit her there hard, and then Naomi walks in to check on her. Naomi says those two are not getting away with this! Is Bayley good to fight? Bayley sure feels ready. The doc confirms, she is good to go. Bayley says okay, let’s do this! She’ll go get changed. Naomi says good, she’s always got Bayley’s back. Naomi will tell Aldis. Will the Role Model & The Glow mop the floor with The Hot Mess & her “spicy margarita?”
Tommaso Ciampa w/ Johnny Gargano VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!
DIY wants to go right after those WWE Tag Team Championships, so the Sicilian Psycho will test himself against Austin Theory Live from New York on a Friday Night! Will Ciampa be able to stake a claim to the titles? Or will Theory make sure it is A-Town Down in the Big Apple?
SmackDown returns and Theory makes his entrance, Waller by his side. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Theory puts Ciampa in a corner and then gets in his face. The ref counts, Theory lets off and says all day. Ciampa shoves back, then eggs Theory on. Theory swings, Ciampa dodges and ROCKS Theory! And CHOPS! And kicks low! Ciampa whips, CLOBBERS Theory, then has him in a corner. Ciampa CHOPS, goes up, and rains down fists! The fans count along, Ciampa gets to 8 before Waller gets on the apron! Ciampa DECKS Waller, but Theory YANKIS Ciampa down! AOI SHODOU!
Ciampa writhes from the fisherman neckbreaker but Theory storms up to stand on him at the ropes. The ref counts, Theory lets off at 4, and Theory soaks up the heat. The fans rally for “D I Y! D I Y!” but Theory ELBOWS Ciampa in the corner. And ELBOWS him again! Theory throws another ELBOW, and Ciampa drops to his knees. Theory gets Ciampa up, whips him to a corner, but Ciampa BOOTS him! Ciampa ELBOWS Theory, ducks ‘n’ dodges him, then leaps, but Theory gets under! Ciampa crashes ‘n’ burns but Theory goes out to get him on the apron. DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Waller laughs while Gargano checks Ciampa, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Waller taunts the fans. Theory grinds Ciampa in a chinlock but the fans rally up. Ciampa fights up, throws body shots, but Theory RAMS him into a corner! Then ELBOWS him down! Ciampa sputters while Theory scowls and paces. Theory goes to the apron, mocks the fans and the fans boo. Theory slingshots to somersault in, but Ciampa SHOTGUNS first! The fans fire up as both men rise, and Theory staggers over. Theory swings but Ciampa counter punches! And again! And again! Ciampa CHOPS, ROCKS and repeat! Ciampa whips, Theory reverses, ducks ‘n ‘dodges, and then LARIATS!
The fans fire up, Ciampa gets Theory for a dragon sleeper, to REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Waller is relieved and hangs out by the hydration station, plugging his buddy, Logan Paul. The fans rally, Ciampa gets Theory up, and he CLUBS Theory down. Ciampa drags Theory up again to CLUB him back down! Ciampa turns Theory, but Theory fights the neckbreaker! Theory wants the backslide but Ciampa fights that! Ciampa spins Theory around and underhooks, FAIRY- NO, Theory fights the lift to lift Ciampa! But Ciampa sunset flips! Theory gets free to BLINDSIDE SUPERKICK! And then ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO?!?
The fans fire up as Ciampa survives, but Theory snarls. Waller coaches Theory up and Theory says it’s time! Theory gets Ciampa up, A-TOWN- NO!! Ciampa blocks the knee smash and CHPOS! Theory fires a forearm, Ciampa ELBOWS! Theory ELBOWS back! Both men wobble, then they both BOOT! Ciampa stays up, and he brings Theory around! Theory swings, Ciampa ducks, but the ELBOW hits! But the PSYCHO KNEE comes right back! Both men are down and the fans are fired up! Theory flops out of the ring, Waller helps his guy up, but then hears Wade Barrett saying DIY’s praises. Waller talks trash on Gargano, saying he only ever held Theory back!
Waller says Theory is relevant again THANKS TO WALLER! Theory hears Waller say that, and asks if he really thinks that about him. Waller says he didn’t mean it like that, but Ciampa RAMS Theory into Waller!! Roll-up, CIAMPIA WINS!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Waller gets up and is stunned to see what happened! Was this the Grayson Waller Effect backfiring big time? Or can A-Town Down Under regroup and be ready for a rematch?
Aldis meets with Blair Davenport.
The SmackDown GM welcomes her to the brand, but then Naomi walks in. Naomi apologizes for bothering him, but enough is enough. Naomi & Bayley want a match with Chelsea & Piper tonight. Blair says Naomi may not be bothering Aldis, but she’s already upset Blair. Naomi says normally, she’d introduce herself and ask who Blair is, but right now- Blair says no, she doesn’t need to ask because Blair will tell her. This is Blair Davenport. But don’t worry, Naomi will know all about her soon enough. Blair storms off, Aldis says she’s clearly not making friends. But as for the tag match, it is official! Done deal!
Naomi and Aldis shake on it, and then LA Knight walks in. He’s not interrupting, right? The Mega Star just has some things to run by Aldis. This thing with Styles, he’s not retiring, is he? Aldis says he doesn’t know. Knight says okay, we’ll all find out together. Meanwhile, Knight’s been walking around, seeing who is here, and there’s one guy he can’t seem to find. Maybe Aldis can tell Knight where Logan Paul might be. Aldis says they can talk about that. The two sit down, will the Mega Star get him a shot at The Maverick?
SmackDown returns and…
LA Knight exits Aldis’ office. Kayla Braxton is there to ask him what the conversation was about. Knight says she’s a rather Nosy Nelly just waiting for it. But LEMME TALK TO YA! You wanna know what they talked about? What Knight asked and what Aldis answered? Right? Right? Kayla nods but Knight keeps waiting on a verbal answer. Well, point is, she was asking, and so here’s the answer he can give: Wasn’t much to tell. The only answer Aldis had was that Logan Paul isn’t here tonight. So Knight will just talk to Kayla again next week. Knight walks off, but then returns and says WRONG! Knight’s here tonight, Albany, SmackDown, HYEAH!
And what that means is that if he isn’t getting the answer he wants, he’ll make it what he wants. Logan Paul, Knight wants that United States Championship! Oh, speaking of creeps, what does Carmelo Hayes want? Melo says what’s with Knight? Always talking but never really saying nothing. Melo doesn’t know why LA would want Knight when he could face a first round draft pick. Knight says if he was facing himself, he’d be looking in a mirror. Get it right, it’s Logan Paul he wants. Melo says the truth is, Logan is a baller, and Knight ain’t that. So while Logan leaves Knight on read, tell him this: If we’re gonna talk the talk, Knight’s the man. But if you wanna walk the walk, then Melo is HIM.
Melo leaves now, Knight says he’s trash. Will The Mega Star have to get through one massive ego before he can go after another?
Andrade VS Apollo Crews!
A couple of big returns collide in the Big Apple! El Idolo says it is his time, will he be ungovernable all the way to the top? Or will Apollo’s star finally shine bright?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Andrade waistlocks but Crews switches. Andrade pries free, turns around, and he suplexes, but Crews turns that around. Crew suplexes, Andrade lands out but Crews elbows free. Crews runs but into a DROPKICK, and Andrade ends up landing on Crews, too! The fans fire up while Andrade makes sure his arms are okay. Andrade gets Crews up, wrenches and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE! Crews shows he’s tougher than that but Andrade stomps him around. Andrade has the fans rallying up as he goes to a corner. Andrade climbs, but wait, Legado’s Angel Garza is making his way out here.
Angel says Andrade should be considering that offer to join up, but this distraction lets Crews DROPKICK Andrade down! Crews then goes to the apron, to ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Andrade and Crews fires up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Andrade is up top. He grabs Crews by the ears, then HEADBUTTS him down! CROSSBODY! Direct hit and the fans fire up while both men are down! Crews rises, he fires forearms on Andrade but Andrade gives it back! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans fire up for the scrap! Crews whips, Andrade ducks ‘n’ dodges and CLOBBERS Crews! Angel applauds and the fans cheer as Andrade kips up! Andrade has Crews in the corner, fires the fans up with “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade goes corner to corner, CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO!! Crews survives and Angel says it was so close.
Andrade drags Crews up, Crews fireman’s carries but Andrade arm-drags free! Crews gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Crews holds on but Andrade goes to the corner. Andrade bucks the waistlock, BOOTS Crews, then goes up. Crews GAMANGIRIS first! Crews then trophy lifts Andrade, brings him out, and DROPS him! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Crews waits on Andrade to rise. Angel gets on the apron, Crews swipes at him! Crews goes back to Andrade, boot feint to ELBOW!! Andrade drags Crews up, underhooks, and sends THE MESSAGE! Cover, Andrade wins!
Winner: Andrade, by pinfall
Angel is all fired up, and can certainly take some credit in El Idolo’s victory. The rest of Legado walks out now, and Santos Escobar says that is what he likes to see. Andrade is uncertain about this, but he does approach The Emperor of Lucha. To then blow right past him! Santos is upset with Angel but Angel says tranquilo, he’ll work this out. Angel hurries after Andrade, will Legado be able to recruit Andrade to their side?
Solo Sikoa talks with the Guerrillas.
The Enforcer wants Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa to tear into the Profits tonight. Do whatever they can to take them out. Paul Heyman walks in and Solo sighs. The Wise Man says that he has been doing a lot of thinking, a lot of introspection. About how Heyman can better serve Solo while he is in charge. And with Roman Reigns as Tribal Chief, there was a lot of violence in The Bloodline, but that was to preserve the family. To preserve everything that The Bloodline was working towards. And before Roman ever said yes to an act of violence, there was a lot of counsel… from Heyman.
Heyman sees Solo is recruiting some very violent men into The Bloodline. And all Heyman sees are random acts of violence! But no strategy at all. Solo, the strategy has to be that when Roman returns, The Bloodline has Cody Rhodes in check. Solo tells Heyman, “We got Cody Rhodes in check, and he doesn’t even know it.” Heyman asks Solo this, then. All due respect, but who is “we” in this? Wait, Kevin Owens’ music hits? Solo says he has a strategy. But Heyman needs to go out there and fix this, NOW! Heyman hurries, but just what is The Wise Man to do about the Prizefighter?
The fans cheer as Kevin gets in the ring, what does Kevin have to say about everything going on? We find out, after the break.
Angel Garza finds Andrade backstage.
And he asks what the heck! Andrade just embarrassed Angel in front of his friends! But then CREWS attacks Angel! The refs and producers rush in but Crews tells Angel to stay out of his business! Does Angel have more to worry about than getting El Idolo on Legado’s side?
SmackDown returns and Kevin sits on a corner.
The fans fire up for KO as he has a mic, and he thanks them for that. But last week, he made his return to SmackDown, and went all the way to Saudi Arabia to do it to make sure that he had Randy Orton’s back. The fans cheer that! Kevin says the last few months, no the last few YEARS, Orton has had Kevin’s back. Kevin wanted to make sure that Solo and his crew weren’t gonna ruin Orton’s chances at King of the Ring. Now, Randy isn’t King of the Ring, but we all saw what happened: HE didn’t really lose. And while Randy is home recovering, Kevin does know who IS here, and that happens to be Solo and his little crew. Kevin just figured he would be here too.
But “Ladies and gentlemen,” Paul Heyman makes his way out, introduces himself, and everyone in New York knows him. Heyman says he has served as Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. In his absence, Heyman serves as Wise Man for Solo & The Bloodline. The fans boo, but Heyman says it is within this capacity that Heyman comes out here tonight to talk to Kevin man to man, professional to professional, and father to father. Heyman is sure there is a mutual interest at the moment, and Heyman hopes he can serve- Paul, just get in the ring and make your point. Heyman steps inside and fans chant “We Want Roman!”
Heyman says there isn’t a person in this arena that wants Roman back more than Heyman does. And here is why: Kevin keeps calling out Solo, and Roman Reigns… Roman has great respect for Kevin. Anything Kevin went through with Roman was because of how much Roman respected and admired Kevin, and dare Heyman say, acknowledged Kevin as a true threat to the title reign. Solo has NO respect for Kevin, and is recruiting “criminals” into the Bloodline. Heyman & Roman turned down every new member of The Bloodline. They did background checks, they did NOT want “these people” in The Bloodline representing them!
These are the people that Kevin is picking a fight with! That Kevin is antagonizing! These guys aren’t even really people! They’re just bloodthirsty thugs! They don’t need a reason to take Kevin out, they’re looking for an excuse! And that is bad for WWE! Heyman likes Kevin in the WWE! The fans LOVE Kevin int he WWE! The fans cheer in agreement there. Heyman warns Kevin that if he keeps calling Solo out, Solo & The Tongans are gonna do something really bad about it. Heyman is asking, pleading, begging that Kevin backs off of this Bloodline. The fans boo but Kevin asks if Heyman is really acting like he’s here to help Kevin.
What in the last few years has made Heyman believe Kevin would ever put any trust into anything that comes out of Heyman’s mouth? Kevin is not falling for the act! Heyman really thinks Kevin doesn’t know this is all Heyman just pulling the strings? This is what Heyman does! Brock to Roman, Roman to who? Who can keep Heyman relevant? It’s Solo! Kevin ain’t falling for it. But whatever this is about, is Heyman trying to make everyone afraid? Guess what? Kevin fought The Bloodline for four YEARS, took everything they could give. They threw him off of high things, they handcuffed him to the ropes, Superkick’d him 20 times, even ran him down with a golf cart!
And yet, Kevin is still here, and is having a great time! But THAT was The Bloodline, Roman, Jimmy & Jey! Guys Kevin respects! But Solo and those two new guys? That’s just Solo and two guys Kevin doesn’t wanna know and no one wants here! So you think for a second Kevin’s gonna stop fighting them? HELL NO! He will #JustKeepFighting and do everything he can to get them out of his world, and THIS is his world! And as far as Heyman’s help, Kevin doesn’t need it, and he doesn’t want it! Heyman has a rather fowl scowl on his face. Okay, maybe Heyman isn’t trying to help Kevin, but maybe he’s trying to SAVE Kevin! Ever think of that?
Maybe, just maybe, Heyman is thinking of Kevin’s kids! Heyman met Kevin’s kids, Kevin met Heyman’s kids, and what? That Heyman can’t redeem himself in his life? How many times has Kevin redeemed himself? But oh, Heyman can’t! Not that guy! Never ever Heyman! Why won’t Kevin understand what he’s up against with these thugs!? Why is Kevin not understanding what Heyman is doing for him? Heyman is a HALL OF FAME Wise Man! But no~, don’t listen to Heyman, thinking there’s some scheme here! That there’s some grand vision for the future of Solo Sikoa taking over the entire Bloodline! Why won’t anyone ever listen to him!?
But then Heyman bumps into Kevin and the fans tell him he done messed up! Kevin sighs, Heyman apologizes, but then Kevin storms up on Heyman! Solo makes his way out here with Tama & Loa! Kevin thinks this is just what Heyman was plotting, but either way, he’s got The Bloodline staring him down! Wait, The Profits slip in from the crowd side! Dawkins & Ford have Kevin’s back, so here com Tama & Loa! The brawl is on, Kevin and Solo go out into the crowd! The Profits and the Guerrillas fight in the ring, maybe their match will start early! Dawkins DECKS Tama, Ford ROCKS Loa! The Profits get The Guerillas out of the ring, and then the Profits coordinate.
Dawkins FLIES and he takes out Tama & Loa! He even sits cross-legged and says what up! The Profits are up, they want the smoke, will they get it? We’ll see, after the break!
The Street Profits w/ B-Fab VS VS The Guerrillas of Destiny w/ Paul Heyman!
SmackDown returns and the match has already begun, as Ford RAMS into Tama in a corner again and again! The ref counts, Ford CHOPS, but Tama eggs him on! Ford CHPOS, RAMS into Tama, repeat! Tama pushes Ford, Ford stomps him, but Tama keeps pushing him! So Ford RAMS into Tama again and again! Ford brings Tama over, tags Dawkins, and the Profits mug Tama! Dawkins bumps Tama off buckles, tags Ford, and they get Tama up for a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Ford covers, TWO! Tama is still in this but Ford drags him up. Ford whips Tama to a corner, runs up, but Tama puts Ford on the apron!
Ford ROCKS Tama, but Loa runs up! Ford KICKS Loa, but then Tama BLASTS Ford! Ford fortunately misses landing on the the hydration station, but then Tama BLASTS Dawkins! The ref is busy with Dawkins so that Loa can RAMS Ford into barriers just behind the hydration station. Loa puts Ford in, Tama throws down hands, then Tama runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tama runs to SLIDING LARIAT again! Tama tags Loa, Heyman is stressing out as Loa drags Ford up. Loa scoops Ford and carries him around, to then RAM him into the corner, then OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Loa drags Ford back up, tag to Tama.
Loa snap suplexes Ford, Tama slingshot SENTONS! Tama KICKS Ford down, pushes him to a cover, TWO! Ford stays in this, but Tama pushes him to the corner. Tama fires body shots, UPPERCUTS, and lets off as the ref counts. Tama talks trash on Dawkins but Ford fights back! Tama UPPERCUTS Ford, runs, but Ford dodges! Hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Tama with big LARIAT after big LARIAT! Dawkins whips, Ford reverses but Dawkins hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! The fans fire up with Dawkins and he runs corner to corner to CYCLONE SPLASH! ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Dawkins stays on Tama while the fans fire up.
Tama ROCKS Dawkins but Dawkins ROCKS Tama! Tama BOOTS Dawkins, Loa sneaks a tag. Dawkins kicks and whips but Tama reverses. Dawkins hurdles but Loa CLOBBERS him! Even Heyman is shocked by that violence! And then the SAIDO! Loa TOSSES Dawkins out, argues with the ref, but Tama brings Dawkins around to SMACK him off the desk! The ref sees that now, reprimands, and Tama lets off. Loa goes out to fetch Dawkins, and SMACKS him off the desk! Loa drags Dawkins up, whips him and Tama is there to LARIAT! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but the Guerillas stand tall as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Loa CLUBS away on Dawkins. Loa drags Dawkins up, tags Tama, and they DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Dawkins falls back, Tama rains down more fists! Tama even HAMMERS, KICKS and CLUBS Dawkins, then just rains down furious fists! Tama scrapes his sole off Dawkins’ face, and the fans boo as he paces. Tama stands on Dawkins, but then stomps him! And stomps again! The fans boo more but Tama just soaks up the heat. Tama runs to JUMP ELBOW but Dawkins moves! The fans fire up, Dawkins goes to a corner, but Tama runs in! Dawkins dodges the elbow, but he has to crawl for his corner!
Tama intercepts Dawkins, brings him around, but Dawkins ROCKS Tama with a right! Tama just roars! Tama swings, but into a clinch! Tama fights with elbows, but Dawkins roars! EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dawkins and Tama crawl, hot tags to Loa and Ford! The fans fire up as Ford fires off with kicks and fists! Ford CLUBS away with a windmill of haymakers, then he ROCKS Loa! Loa shoves back, gets under Ford’s lariat, but Ford slips out of the back suplex! Ford mule kicks, front kicks, and SUPERKICKS! Loa stays up!? Ford dodges Loa’s lariat to LARIAT back! Tama runs up but Ford FLAPJACKS him!
The fans are thunderous and even Heyman is surprised! Ford gets Loa up, Loa blocks his kick and flips him! Ford lands on his feet to ENZIGIRI! Loa stays up, Ford runs up to SPLASH in the corner! Dawkins tags in, and he hoists Loa up in an Electric Chair! Ford climbs, the fans fire up, DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, Tama breaks it! The fans boo, Dawkins TOSSES Tama out, but Loa CLOBBERS Dawkins! Loa snarls, waits on Dawkins, and runs up, but Dawkins POUNCES him away! Tama sneaks the tag, Dawkins gives Loa a SKY HIGH! Tag to Ford and Ford climbs, but the ref tries to say Loa isn’t legal! FROM THE HEAVENS!
Tama hits a COMPLETE SHOT!! Cover, Guerillas win!!
Winners: The Guerillas of Destiny, by pinfall
The Profits almost had it, but in the end, they learned just why Tama & Loa are the historic SEVEN-TIME IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! But will The Guerillas make more history by adding the WWE Tag Team Championships to the résumés?
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill walk ‘n’ talk backstage.
The EST says Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler really think they’re gonna stop this duo? Girl, please, it’s just talk. They won’t even give those two another thought. But then Indi Hartwell storms over and says, “Oi! Lemme get this straight: You’re going to Raw to hurt more people, like you did Candice?” That “heinous” attack on the knee by Bianca & Jade has Candice stuck at home. Bianca says Indi’s being a bit extra right now. How? Because Candice came after Bianca’s knee first. Don’t change the subject! Bianca isn’t doing that at all. Girl, uh-uh. Candice started it, Bianca ended it.
Jade says if Indi wants to keep complaining, Jade has no problem putting her on the shelf next to lil’ Candy. Indi says that is not what she meant, and she leaves. The StrongEST Duo is ready for any team anywhere, will they show Zoey & Shayna that this Monday Night Raw?
Backstage interview with Mia Yim.
Kayla Braxton is now with Michin, and says that the talk of the night is what Styles plans on saying later tonight, possibly his retirement. As a member of The OC, can she shed any light on these rumors? Mia says Styles hasn’t really spoken to The OC, but the vibe between them all has been- Nia steps in and asks why they’re talking about AJ Styles? The talk of the night should be about her, Queen Nia, starting her reign. Mia can’t believe people keep interrupting people. Mia was kinda in the middle of something here. Nia asks if she was speaking to Mia. No, The Queen was not. And do not step to The Queen.
Mia steps to Nia, and Nia says okay. She’s gonna regret that. Nia leaves, but what is Styles about to tell us later tonight?
Bayley & Naomi VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven!
The Role Model was just trying to talk to Nia and she gets jumped from behind. The Glow ain’t having none of that, so she and the WWE Women’s Champion are teaming up to put the troublemakers in their place. Will Bayley be rolling right into the summer with some fire? Or will The Hot Mess & Scottish Viper prove they’re more than just talk?
SmackDown returns as Chelsea & Piper make their entrance. The teams sort out and Bayley starts against Chelsea. Chelsea takes a swing, Bayley dodges, and Bayley fires off in return! Bayley whips, CLOBBERS Chelsea, but Chelsea scrambles away to tag Piper! So Bayley just fires off on Piper! Piper RAMS Bayley into buckles, whips her back in, then runs up to SPLASH! Chelsea tags in now that Piper did enough damage. Chelsea taunts the fans for cheering Bayley, then she kicks low. Chelsea wrenches, but Bayley reels her in for a SAIDO! Tag to Naomi before the SLIDING LARIAT! Naomi adds a SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!
Naomi keeps on Chelsea, tags Bayley back in, and they double whip. Chelsea holds ropes, so Bayley & Naomi DOUBLE LARIAT her up and out! The fans rally up, Naomi builds speed and Naomi DIVES to take Chelsea down! The fans fire up as Naomi rains down fists for good measure! But Piper sneaks up, only for Bayley to intercept with a FLYING FOREARM! Bayley stomps Piper, she and Naomi stand tall, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Bayley fights up out of a chinlock. Bayley fires body shots on Piper but Piper knees low. Piper brings Bayley over, tags Chelsea, and ripcord HAYMAKER to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea complains, covers, TWO! Chelsea sucker punches Naomi but Naomi storm sin! The ref stops Naomi, Chelsea talks trash, but Bayley throws body shots! Bayley fires boxing elbows but Chelsea RAMS her into a corner! Chelsea RAMS into Bayley again and again, then tags Piper. Piper brings Bayley up but Bayley fires forearms! Bayley reaches out but Piper keeps her from Naomi! Piper scoops, but Bayley slips free!
The fans fire up, Bayley slides under Piper, and she hurries for her corner! Piper drags Bayley back but Bayley kicks and kicks and kicks. Piper stomps Bayley in return! Piper ELBOW DROPS but misses as Bayley dodges! The fans fire up as the two crawl, hot tags to Chelsea and Naomi! Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Chelsea, reels her in, HEATSEEKER! Chelsea flounders back, Naomi goes up, and she CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up again and Naomi runs to DROPKICK Piper for good measure! Naomi sees Chelsea in a corner, fires up and runs in, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! And ENZIGIRI! Naomi then drags Chelsea to the drop zone, SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!
Chelsea survives and Piper gets her outta there! Naomi just PLANCHAS out onto them both! The fans fire up and Naomi drags Chelsea into the ring. Naomi goes up the corner, Chelsea distracts the ref, Piper SHOVES Naomi down! Chelsea SUPERKICKS! Cover, Bayley breaks it! Bayley then fires off on Piper! But Piper YANKS Bayley down, and sends her into the steel steps! Bayley is down, clutching a leg, and Chelsea gets Naomi up! Chicken wings, but Naomi powers out! Naomi ducks ‘n dodges to hit the REAR VIEW!! Cover, PIPER SENTONS! That squishes both Naomi and Chelsea, but then Piper puts Chelsea on Naomi! Cover, Chelsea & Piper win!
Winners: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, by pinfall
Chelsea wakes up and realizes what happens! She manages to stand up and celebrate, but will Piper still need to do the heavy lifting if they want title opportunities?
AJ Styles heads to gorilla.
And LA Knight finds him first. Knight looks Styles up and down, then says if rumors are true, much respect. Styles nods and continues on. And then Cody Rhodes is there! Cody shakes Styles’ hand, and Styles whispers something to Cody. Perhaps a hint and what’s coming? Styles continues on, and he is met by The Good Brothers. They all shake it out, and Styles says they’ve been through it all with him, so it is only right that they join him out there. Gallows & Anderson follow The Phenomenal One, is this going to be a Too Sweet farewell?
The OC head to the ring!
SmackDown returns as AJ Styles makes his entrance, the Good Brothers by his side. They go to the ring, and Styles gets a mic. The fans cheer for “A J STYLES~! A J STYLES~!” Styles has to say, he’s been thinking about what Aldis said the past week, dwelt on it. If Styles wants another shot at Cody and the WWE Championship, he’d have to go to the back of the line. But Aldis is just doing his job, Styles understands that. Styles thought about this all week, and he has to be honest with everyone… Styles can’t do that at this point in time in his career. At this point in time in his life, he can’t do that!
Styles has been doing this for over two DECADES. The fans cheer that! He’s been busting his body in these rings, blood, sweat and tears all over the world. Styles gets a bit emotional here, and the fans cheer him on. Styles says he did that so he could become phenomenal. But this past week, Styles’ son graduated high school! He got to be there! They had the graduation party, so many friends and family members were there, and it was literally at that point, clarity hit him upside the head: How many of these moments has he missed? So instead of being The Phenomenal AJ Styles, maybe he can just stay at home and be the Phenomenal Dad?
The fans are a bit torn, but Styles turns to his Good Brothers. he has Gallows & Anderson step forward. Styles says he couldn’t have done this without them, he loves them both. They’re better than friends, they are his brothers. If they have to do this one last time, let’s do it right. Too Sweet, baby! They hug it out and the fans cheer. Styles then says before he goes, he does want to mention what he told Cody Rhodes. Styles said if Cody didn’t mind, he would call him out here. So Cody, now’s the time. Please, come on out. And so The American Nightmare obliges! The fans fire up and sing the song as Cody makes his way to the ring.
Cody gets a mic as he stands with Styles and the fans cheer again. Styles says before he came out here to do what he’s gotta do, he just wants to look Cody in the eyes face to face, and tell Cody he had one of the greatest matches he’s ever had at Backlash in Lyon, France. The fans cheer that! The crowd was electric, and if Styles was gonna have one last match, that was the one. But just so everyone knows, this is still The House That AJ Styles Built! The fans cheer that, and Styles says he called Cody out here to hand over the keys.
Cody gets emotional now, and says he and Styles only ever exchanged one text message since that match. Cody wanted to know if Styles was okay, and Styles’ response was, “I’m all good, lil’ bro.” Cody could say a lot about Styles’ decision, but he says this: On behalf of himself and a locker room that Styles was a “big bro” to, thank you very much, AJ Styles. The fans cheer that! The two shake hands, hug it out, and Cody lets Styles soak up the adulation. Styles blows kisses to everyone, then Cody raises his hand in victory. The fans cheer more and more, and then STYLES CLOBBERS CODY!! Styles rains down fists on Cody, it was all a trap!!
New York is freaking out but The Good Brothers smile ear to ear! Styles TOSSES Cody out, then RAMS him into steel steps! Cody falls in a heap but Styles pulls the steps apart! The fans boo, upset that they got duped! But then Styles gets Cody over and brings him onto the base steps! The Good Brothers keep the refs back as Styles SMACKS Cody off the post, then reels him in! ELEVATED STYLES CLASH!!! The Phenomenal One pulls off a phenomenal deception, but what will be the consequences of his actions?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here to follow King & Queen of the Ring but even to just add to the great week set by Raw & NXT. But something about AJ Styles in that sky blue suit made it feel like this was his “Mark Henry in a salmon pink blazer” moment. He and The Good Brothers lured Cody Rhodes right into this trap and Styles’ attack will most certainly goad Cody into giving him a rematch for Clash at the Castle. I felt that much coming at the end of KQOTR, and that gives Cody another title match before SummerSlam, where he may or may not tell Logan Paul that Logan owes him a US Championship match.
Also good continuity that LA Knight talked with Styles on his way out given their past feud, and great promo from Knight calling out Logan Paul. Melo also had a good part, and Knight pointing out his flub was also really good. Knight will surely want after Styles for what he just did tonight, but there’s a good chance Logan shows up after being called out, and Knight will also have to face Melo if he wants a shot at the US title. Really good opening match of Ciampa VS Theory, especially with how Waller mouthed off about being the thing that made Theory relevant. The seeds of a break-up are planted, and I’m intrigued to see where this goes.
Really good match from Andrade VS Crews with Angel Garza getting involved. Also good follow-up of Crews going after Angel after. If Legado continues to not take “no” for an answer, maybe Crews can be an ally of Andrade’s in a tag match. Really good little promo from Jade & Bianca with Indi, hyping up a possible visit to Raw but also more out of Jade & Bianca VS Indi & Candice. Really good promo from Nia to open the show, and I figured Chelsea & Piper would do something. I thought Blair would do something in the main event match but guess not. Blair’s feud with Naomi is clearly starting but maybe Blair will make her move next week.
Great match from Naomi & Bayley VS Chelsea & Piper, and I kinda thought Piper was gonna take the win. Though, I guess she did make all the difference in the end there. I would still think Piper gets the title shot in Glasgow, or else Glasgow itself might be a bit upset. Nia also had a good quick promo with Mia to tease a match between them, which will help Nia bide her time while waiting on SummerSlam. And as I’ve said, Bayley is gonna get that underdog Face champion heat going again so that she’ll “survive” Piper, but then Bayley VS Nia could go either way because of just how good Nia’s been doing since her return.
And another great week of Bloodline storytelling. Great promo from The Bloodline backstage, great promo from Kevin with Heyman in the ring, and then great stuff from the tag match. In fact, Kevin and Solo went off brawling and were never seen again, maybe they’re still brawling even after the show’s over. Guerillas got a great win off The Profits, and while they’re still Heels, I’d love for them to take the tag titles. It could even be a Fatal 4 Way or something for these tag titles, making it A-Town Down Under VS DIY VS Profits VS Guerillas. ATDU can break up, DIY and Profits can get in each other’s way, and Guerillas can take advantage so The Bloodline has some gold again.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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