Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Soul Results & Report! (6/16/24)
Sapporo’s covered in gold!

Will the Rogue Luchador have his revenge on the Murder Machine?
After winning Best of the Super Juniors, El Desperado got Sho to accept an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship STEEL CAGE MATCH, so will Sho have no choice but to do this without the House of Torture?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
- 10 Man Tag: Tomoaki Honma, Tomohiro Ishii, Satoshi Kojima, Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- DOUKI & Taichi VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Douki & Taichi win.
- Bishamon VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Bishamon wins.
- Tetsuya Naito & Titan VS Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura; Naito & Titan win.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Connors & Drilla win and retain the titles.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS HENARE; Henare wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS SANADA; Finlay wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match: SHO VS El Desperado; Desperado wins and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg!
It’s a Dominion rematch as Yota Tsuji, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi once again face The Ace, The Joker & The Rook! It was already rather incredible that LIJ won in the first place, will they prove it wasn’t just luck at Osaka-Jo Hall? Or will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg prove you can’t keep bad boys down?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and let’s see who really runs the schoolyard!
The teams sort out and while Yota and Oleg stare down, Yano insists he start. Hiromu obliges, and they both squat at the middle of the ring. They talk some smack, then the bell rings. And Hiromu copies Yano by going right to a corner to untie a buckle pad! Yano SMACKS Hiromu on the back of the head, then finishes the job himself! Hiromu SMACKS Yano on the head! Hiromu whips, Yano reveres, but Hiromu holds the ropes and copies Yano’s taunt! Yano runs up but Hiromu drop toeholds him onto ropes! Then he KICKS the rope, runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano tags Oleg and Tanahashi jump in, too.
Oleg & Tanahashi double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Hiromu! Oleg then scoops Hiromu to SLAM him! Tanahashi drops an elbow, Oleg SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Yano tags back in. Yano whips but Hiromu reverses, only for Yano to avoid the bare buckles. Hiromu runs in, but only gets bare buckles! Yano runs, but into a kick! Bushi gets in to dropkick legs out, then Yota runs in to basement dropkick! Bushi & Yota then knock Tanahashi & Oleg off the apron! Bushi & Yota then go out after them, stomp them down, and Hiromu stomps Yano. Hiromu drags Yano up, bumps him off the red corner, and tags Bushi in.
Bushi stomps Yano, digs his knee in, and the ref counts. Bushi lets go of the ropes, but that’s not the problem! The ref reprimands and Bushi steps away. Bushi drags Yano up, wrenches and wristlocks to then YANK the arm and CLUB it. Tag to Yota, he BOOTS the arm! Yano clutches the elbow, but Yota wrenches the arm to YANK it. Tag to Hiromu and he climbs up, and the fans rally for the AX HANDLE! Yota drops to his knees and Hiromu mocks his pain while bringing him back up. Hiromu whips Yano tot he corner, clotheslines, snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! Hiromu calls to Yota, and he has Yota scoop him, for the assisted SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Hiromu has the ref watch Tanahashi & Oleg, then calls Bushi in! LIJ double whip Yano but Yano holds ropes! Yano sends Hiromu into Bushi, then throws them both down by their heads! The fans fire up, Yano and Hiromu crawl, and hot tag to Tanahashi! Yota tags in but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Tanahashi fires hands, whips, but Yota reverses, only for Tanahashi to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Tanahashi fires fast hands, then Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Yota into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays cool and the fans rally up. Yota rises, Tanahashi runs, but Yota TOSSES Tanahashi out!
The fans fire up as Tanahashi skins the cat! But then Yota ROCKS him with a right! Tanahashi falls back into a corner, Yota runs in, and he STINGER SPLASHES! Yota keeps going, he runs Tanahashi over, then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Yota drags Tanahashi up. Yota reels Tanahashi in, suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it, to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT The fans rally up while both men are down. Tanahashi and Yota crawl, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg runs Yota over, gets him back up and fires forearms and CHOPS on repeat! Oleg whips, but Yota RAN- NO! Oleg stops the rana to get Yota up, for Shake, Rattle and THROW!
Oleg even kips up! The fans fire up, Oleg BLASTS Bushi & Hiromu off the corner, then he stalks Yota. Oleg waistlocks to deadlift Yota, for a GERMAN- NO, Yota fights free! Yota clinches, BACKBREAKER to FLATLINER to DOUBLE STOMP! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Yota crawls over, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi goes up the corner, Oleg rises, and Bushi MISSILE DROPKICKS! And Bushirooni! Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Oleg, then he brings Oleg in to FISHERMAN SCREW! Hiromu BLASTS Tanahashi & Yano! LIJ gets Oleg up, whips him to the corner, then Hiromu runs in to clothesline!
Bushi adds a back elbow, feeds to the SUPERKICK, then BACKSTABBERS! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! Hiromu tosses Tanahashi out, Bushi and Oleg rise. Bushi runs up, CODE- NO, Oleg tosses Bushi away! Yano throws Bushi down! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yano! Tanahashi blocks a superkick, but Yota gets in! Tanahashi blocks that superkick, too!? Tanahashi DOUBLE DRAGON SCREWS! The fans fire up but Bushi kicks low. Bushi runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up and Tanahashi drags Bushi up. Feed to Oleg for the KAMIKA- NO, Bushi slips free, and ENZIGIRIS! Oleg wobbles, Bushi goes to the corner!
Bushi runs up again, CODE- NO!! Oleg still blocks, and he fireman’s carries! Oleg coordinates with Tanahashi as he climbs, but Yota gets in Tanahashi’s way! Bushi rolls Oleg up! Tanahashi shoves Yota down onto the cover!! Tanahashi then aims to TRIPLE HIGH FLY ATTACK LIJ!! The fans are all fired up and Oleg drags Bushi back up! Fireman’s carry, and KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Oleg and team win!!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall
The Rook comes through for the team, and they get the belts back! Has Oleg proved he’s far from just a Young Lion now? Or will we need quite the tiebreaker between these trios to put this to rest?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita w/ Zack Sabre Jr!
The Bullet Club War Dogs claimed their losses to the TMDK Junior Heavyweights were flukes, but they still have to put up the gold. Will 100 Proof & 44 Caliber shoot down the Sniper of the Sky & Ichiban Young Punk? Or will we see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who’s really number one with a bullet!
The teams sort out and Fujita starts against Connors. The bell rings, the two stare down and the fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, then Connors swings on Eagles! Eagles ROCKS Connors first! Fujita ROCKS Connors, then he DECKS Drilla! Eagles jumps in, TMDK double whip to hip toss, then PENALTY KICK! Drilla storms in but into DOUBLE BLOWS! Then TMDK rolls Drilla back to DOUBLE KNEE SMASH! Eagles rallies the fans, Fujita builds speed, but Connors gets in, JEEP FLIPPER! Drilla drags Eagles out, too, and sends him into railing! Connors stomps Fujita while Drilla tosses Eagles over railing!
Drilla steps over and has fans move aside. Connors keeps on Fujita on the other end of the arena while Drilla BOWLS Eagles into chairs! STRIKE! Connors fires hands on Fujita, and he tells a segment of fans to move! Then he BOWLS Fujita into the chairs! Another STRIKE! The fans cheer while Connors throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Eagles around, scoops him, and then SLAMS him onto some seats! The ring count starts, but Connors is bringing Fujita back. Connors POSTS Fujita at 5 of 20, then takes his time to scuff Fujita before he steps in at 12. Connors taunts ZSJ at ringside, but Fujita rolls in at 17! The fans cheer but Connors mockingly applauds.
Connors kneels on Fujita’s neck, the ref reprimands and counts, and Connors steps away. Connors drags Fujita up, Drilla dusts off his boot, and Connors bumps Fujita off the boot! Tag to Drilla, and he CHOPS! And then he digs his boots in! The ref counts, Drilla steps off at 4. Connors CHOKES Fujita against ropes while the ref is busy with Drilla. The fans boo but Connors lets off before the ref catches him. Drilla looms over Fujita as he sputters, and the fans rally up. Fujita rises to throw body shots and forearms! Drilla CHOPS Fujita down! Drilla drags Fujita around, steps through, and ties up the legs into a DEATHLOCK!
Drilla tags Connors in, and Connors stomps away on Fujita! Then he JUMP ELBOW DROPS! Drilla lets Fujita go so Connors can cover, TWO! Connors smirks as he grabs the leg, and he mockingly calls “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” Drilla bark, bark, barks! Connors steps through to steal the RON MILLER SPECIAL! Eagles storms in but Drilla intercepts to TOSS him back out! Connors thrashes Fujita around but Fujita endures! Fujita crawls forward, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and the ref reprimands. Connors lets off with a smug grin, then drags Fujita up. But Fujita fires a forearm, and a CHOP!
Connors eggs Fujita on so Fujita CHOPS! Connors UPPERCUTS! Connors whips, but Fujita GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Connors crawls and tags in Drilla. Drilla grabs Fujita’s leg but Fujita BOOTS him away! Fujita scrambles, hot tag to Eagles! Eagles goes up and over Drilla, BOOTS Connors, then RANAS Drilla! The fans fire up with Eagles and he KICKS Drilla! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, Connors sneaks in to CLOBBER him! Connors & Drilla double whip, Eagles reverses to send Connors away! Then he sends Drilla into Connors! Eagles kicks a leg out, then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT BASEMENT DROPKICK COMBO!
The fans fire up with Eagles and he goes corner to corner at Drilla! DOUBLE KNEES! Drilla sits down, Eagles runs in to METEORA! Eagles drags Drilla to a cover, TWO! Eagles keeps cool and goes to the apron. Eaglee climbs, the fans rally up, and Eagles 450- NO, Drilla moves! Eagles rolls through, btu Drilla blocks his kick! Drilla pops Eagles up into the Canadian Rack! But Eagles sunset flips through! ONE, but Eagles has the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Drilla flails, Fujita keeps Connors out! Connors powers out, gets in, and he CLUBS Eagles! Eagles holds on, but Connors stomps away until he lets Drilla go!
The ref reprimands but Connors shoves him away! Connors stomps Eagles, and Drilla hobbles up. Connors stands Eagles up, but Eagles fires CHOPS and ELBOWS! SOBAT for Drilla, then a cravat! Eagles uses Connors to kick off, but Drilla denies him Sliced Bread! Drilla ELBOWS Eagles away, but Fujita tags in! Fujita slingshots but Connors catches him! Connors hands Fujita off to Drilla! But Fujita flails to go to the apron and HOTSHOT! Fujita and Eagles both springboard, DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS! The War Dogs are down and they bail out while the fans fire up! Fujita aims to springboard, DOUBLE CANNONBALL!
Direct hit and the Dogs go down! The fans fire up, Fujita puts Drilla in, and Eagles stands Drilla up. TMDK double wrench the arms, for MAXXY BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Drilla survives but the fans fire up with TMDK! Fujita hoists Drilla up, Eagles ROUNDHOUSES and Fujita GERMAN SUPLEXES! Then SUPERKICK PENALTY KICK COMBO!! Cover, Connors breaks it! The fans rally, Eagles whips but Connors reverses to TOSS Eagles out! Connors runs at Fujita but Fujita TOSSES him out! Fujita goes after Drilla with a CHOP! But Drilla wrenches to ripcord, but Fujita dodges! Sunset flip, but Drilla DOUBLE STOMPS and SENTONS!
The fans rally up and both men crawl. Drilla reaches out, hot tag to Connors! Connors takes aim, runs in, but Fujtia pops him up! Connors fights the German Suplex but Fujita holds the waistlock! Connors throws elbow after elbow but Fujita’s grip is tight! Connors throws even more elbows, and Fujita finally lets go. Fujita runs up, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla roars as he storms in, and the Dogs take aim from the corners! But Eagles anchors Drilla! Fujita O’Conner Rolls Connors, then trips him into the QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Drilla gets loose but Eagles MISSILE DROPKICKS him down! And puts him in the RON MILLER SPECIAL!!
Fujita sees Eagles has Drilla, and Fujita pulls Connors into the NELL VOSS SPECIAL!! Connors endures, flails, and Drilla reaches out, but Eagles drags him away! Connors grabs at the ref, Drilla grabs at Fujita! Drilla CLAWS Fujita’s face, and he lets Connors go! Eagles lets Drilla go, and the four are all down. The fans rally as Eagles regroups with Fujita. The Dogs regroup on the outside, and Eagles DIVES onto them! But is caught! DRILLA KILLA to the floor!! Drilla & Connors are laughing that they just shot down the Sniper! Connors & Drilla then slide into the ring, flanking Fujita. They bring Fujita up, but he still fires forearms and elbows!
The fans rally as Fujita fights and fights, switches with Drilla, but Drilla elbows free! Connors runs in, Drilla hurdles, SPEAR! Fujita staggers back up, into the SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO?!? Fujita survives and shocks The Dogs! The fans fire up as Connors goes up a corner and Drilla drags Fujita up. Drilla suplexes, but Fujita slips free! GERMAN SUPLEX! Connors still leaps but Fujita gets under! Fujita O’Conner Rolls, but Connors fights Chaos Theory! Fujita HEEL KICKS! Fujita whips Connors, pops Connors up, and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Connors survives, but Fujita still holds on!
Fujita drags Connors up and the fans are thunderous! Fujita suplexes, ABANDON- SUPERKICK from Drilla! Connors suplexes Fujita into the DRILLA KILLA!!! Drilla then feeds Fujita to the NO CHASER!! But they’re still not done!?! Connors climbs, Drilla suplexes, FULL CLIP!!! Cover, War Dogs win!
Winners: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they can’t withstand artillery of this magnitude! Bullet Club keeps these titles right where they are, and Connors himself asks, “Who’s next?”
NJPW announces the G1 Climax 34 Block line-ups!
In A Block, it will be: Tetsuya Naito; Shota Umino; Shingo Takagi; SANADA; Great-O-Khan; Zack Sabre Jr; Gabe Kidd; EVIL; and Pro-Wrestling Noah’s Jake Lee!
In B Block, it will be: Hirooki Goto; El Phantasmo; Yota Tsuji; Jeff Cobb; HENARE; David Finlay; Ren Narita; Yuya Uemura; and AEW & DDT Pro’s Konosuke Takeshita!
And this year, there will be a special G1 Climax preliminary round! 12 men, six for each block, must battle to earn the coveted tenth seed spots! In A Block’s prelim: Tomohiro Ishii; Yoshi-Hashi; Callum Newman; KENTA; Chase Owens; and Yujiro Takahashi! In B Block’s prelim: Hiroshi Tanahashi; Toru Yano; Boltin Oleg; Satoshi Kojima; Taichi; and TJP! Whoever comes out of those matches will join this already star-studded field! Who will help burn up this already red hot summer?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS HENARE!
It’s another Dominion rematch, as we ended up with a Double TKO Draw in Osaka-Jo Hall! Will Takagi stay standing this time? Or will the Face of Fury finally slay The Rampaging Dragon?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who pushes past their limits to be victorious!
The two are forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The bell rings, and Takagi ROCKS Henare! Henare fires back, but Takagi shoves him. They both run, they RAM shoulders, then Henare kicks to snapmare. Henare KICKS Takagi in the back, but Takagi gets up to DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi eggs Henare on, so Henare HEADBUTTS! Henare eggs Takagi on so Takagi HEADBUTTS! Henare nods, and HEADBUTTS again! Takagi staggers, but he comes back to HEADBUTT! Henare HEADBUTTS, Takagi HEADBUTTS, they HEADBUTT again and again and again! Henare gets the edge, then JUMP HEADBUTTS!
Henare runs, RAMS Takagi but Takagi comes back to RAM Henare! ELBOW! JAB! But Henare KICKS! Takagi runs Henare over! Then Takagi KICKS Henare in the back! Henare goes to a corner, the fans rally for Takagi, and he runs up, and blocks a boot! Takagi clotheslines through, then fires the fans up more. Takagi JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then he JABS, JABS, JABS, but Henare leans into the punches! Takagi fires more shots, then ROCKS Henare! Takagi whips corner to corner, runs up and clotheslines! Then SAIDOS! Henare flounders and the fans rally up. Takagi stands Henare up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO!
Henare bails out but Takagi keeps cool. Takagi goes out after Henare, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! Henare staggers away, Takagi follows, and he JABS Henare again. Takagi brings Henare up to SMACK him off the apron, but that just angers Henare! Henare SMACKS Takagi off the apron! Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then fireman’s carries! SNAKE EYES off the apron! Henare falls back and the ref wants this back in the ring. Takagi takes a moment to shake out his hand, then he walks over to Henare. Takagi drops a knee right on Henare’s face! Takagi then puts Henare in the ring, and the fans cheer.
Takagi kicks Henare around, taunts him, scuffs him, and Henare snarls. Henare fires body shots and a forearm! Takagi ELBOWS! And YUKON LARIATS! The fans cheer and Takagi says he’s still gonna be champ. Takagi brings Henare up, puts him on ropes, and then KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! And again! The ref reprimands, Takagi lets off, and he whips Henare to ropes. Takagi KNEES low, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Takagi goes to a corner, Henare runs in to clothesline! Takagi shouts at Henare, so Henare shouts back! Henare fires off fast hands from all sides!
The ref reprimands, Henare HEADBUTTS Takagi before he fireman’s carries. WASTELAND SLAM, then a SENTON! The fans rally up as Takagi sputters and goes back to the corner. Henare storms over, stomps Takagi, then HEADBUTTS him! Henare whips but Takagi blocks by holding ropes! The ref calls the ropebreak as Henare still tries to whip. Takagi still holds on, so Henare ELBOWS him in the head! The ref reprimands, but Henare whips corner to corner. Takagi reverses, runs up, but into an ELBOW! Henare goes up, FLYING CHUCK! But Takagi just runs! Into a BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and Henare fires back up!
The fans rally, Henare stands and he aims from a corner. Takagi rises as Henare stomps the mat. Henare runs in, RAMP- NO! Takagi stuffs the spear to fire off knees! Henare shoves back but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! And YUKON feints to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Henare flounders to a corner and the fans rally up. Takagi runs, but into a RAMP- DDT!! Takagi turns things around again and Henare is in a daze! Takagi kicks Henare, drags him up, and puts him on the top rope! The fans rally as Takagi climbs up, and he fires RIDGE HAND CHOPS! Takagi then goes to the very top, brings Henare up with him, SUPER DUPER PLEX!!
The fans are thunderous while Henare writhes from that hard landing! Takagi sits up and shouts, “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in and Takagi nods. Takagi stands, the fans fire up more, and Takagi says “My time is coming! TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER! But Henare withstands the impact and stays standing! Takagi runs again, PUMPING BOMBER! Henare drops to his knees! Takagi gives scuffing kicks, slaps Henare around, then fires a few forearms. Henare growls, headbutts the mat, but Takagi ROCKS him! Takagi fires forearm after forearm, but Henare eggs him on!
Takagi fires more forearms, but Henare leans into those shots! Henare swings, Takagi bobs ‘n’ weaves and UPPERCUTS! Takagi runs, but into a RAMPAGE!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Henare slowly rises, sits Takagi up, and PENALTY KICKS! But Takagi’s right up to RUN Henare over! The fans rally while both men are down, and Takagi sits up first. Takagi crawls over to Henare and they give each other junkyard dog headbutts. They start throwing palm strikes, then forearms! Takagi CHOPS and Henare staggers! Henare snarls, comes back, and KICKS! Takagi staggers, Henare eggs him on, and the fans rally up!
Takagi winds up to CHOP! Henare drops to a knee and Takagi shakes out his hand. Henare rises, and Takagi braces for the KICK! Takagi CHOPS! Henare KICKS! CHOP! KICK! Repeat! The fans fire up and so does Henare! Henare KICKS, and KICKS, and ROLLING KICKS! Takagi wobbles, Henare runs, but Takagi blocks the kick! Henare fires off strikes, but Takagi still pump handles! MADE IN JAPAN!! But Takagi can’t make the cover! The ref checks both men, this could end up like Dominion! Takagi slowly rises, the fans rally up again, and Takagi sits Henare up. Takagi clamps on to rain down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!
Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Henare rolls through to SLIDING KNEE!! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Henare sits up first, and he snarls as he slashes his throat. Henare vows to end this but he’s a bit wobbly as he walks over. Henare drags Takagi up but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Henare HEADBUTTS! They DOUBLE HEADBUTT! And DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Both men wobble, but Takagi JABS! Henare HEADBUTTS! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Henare JUMP HEADBUTTS! Takagi SLIDING FOREARMS!! Both men are down again and the fans are all fired up!
The ref checks, and both men are somehow still in this, but the standing count is here! Takagi hears it and he stirs. Takagi goes to ropes, and he drags himself up at 5 of 10! Takagi is up but what of Henare? He’s still down at 8, pushes up at 9, and stands at 9.9!! The fans fire up and Takagi runs in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men lean on the other, and Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi throws in about nine, but then Henare bobs ‘n’ weaves the tenth to BODY BLOW! And HEEL KICK! PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans are thunderous as Henare snarls, but Takagi gets moving! PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO!!!
The fans are thunderous again as Henare survives being flipped upside-down! Takagi roars, he drags Henare up, and he pump handles to the torture rack! Henare slips out, spins Takagi around, STREETS OF RAGE!! But he has to crawl to the cover! TWO!!! Takagi survives and Henare is stunned! Henare growls, fires himself up, and he drags Takagi back up. But Takagi fights the cross-arm hold! Takagi HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS! Henare HEADBUTTS!! Cover, ONE!?!?! But Henare runs to RUGBY KICK!! Cover, TWO!!!! Takagi still survives but Henare is furious! Henare reels Takagi in for STREETS OF- NO, Takagi fights the lift!
Takagi and Henare fight for suplex control! Takagi throws body shots, avoids the headbutt and UPPERCUTS! Then HEADBUTTS back! Then YUKON- NO, Henare blocks that, then blocks the other lariat! KAMI-HEADBUTT!!! Cover, HENARE WINS!!!
Winner: Henare, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Henare unleashes the headbutt to surpass God, and he slays the Rampaging Dragon! Finally, the Face of Fury wears gold in NJPW! Will this be a sign of even bigger things to come? Or will Takagi have his revenge in the G1 Climax?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS SANADA w/ Just5Guys!
When The Rebel heard the Cold Skull was back on the mend, he demanded this be the return match. Finlay still owes Sanada payback for the 2023 New Japan Cup finals loss, and that moment has finally come. Will Finlay ruin Sanada’s return right from the start? Or will he regret it when Sanada takes this title from him?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the War Dogs stay golden!
The bell rings and the fans rally behind “SA-NA-DA! SA-NA-DA!” Finlay gets on the corner to shout “WAR~ DOGS~!” and some fans do cheer, but the fans are still more on Sanada’s side. The two circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Finlay pulls hair to put Sanada on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Finlay pie faces Sanada as he lets off, then SPITS on Sanada! Sanada just brushes that off and the two reset. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Sanada uses height for leverage. Sanada puts Finlay on the ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Sanada lets off with pats on the shoulder.
The fans applaud but Finlay is annoyed. Finlay runs up, Sanada kicks low then headlocks. Finlay powers up and out but Sanada runs him over. Things speed up, Finlay hurdles but then Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up but Gedo is upset as Finlay bails out. Sanada aims, PLANCHA, but he lands on the apron as Finlay slides in. Finlay DECKS Sanada off the apron, goes out to CLUB Sanada, then SMACKS him off the apron! Finlay rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and says it’s too easy. Finlay fist bumps with Gedo then goes back to stand on Sanada’s face. Red Shoes reprimands but Finlay drags Sanada up and into the ring.
Finlay slides in to cover but Red Shoes says no, because of the shenanigans on the outside. Finlay is upset with Red Shoes, but then he drags Sanada up. Finlay hammerlocks an arm and leans on the hold. Sanada endures, even as Finlay grabs the other arm in a cording hold. Finlay digs knuckles into Sanada’s ribs, then a forearm in Sanada’s face! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off and gets mad at Red Shoes, but rules are rules. Finlay drags Sanada up, snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud but Finlay argues with Red Shoes more. Finlay drags Sanada up, but Sanada throws body shots! Finlay sputters, but then Sanada ROCKS him with a forearm!
Finlay knees low, whips, but Sanada reverses to ELBOW Finlay down! STANDING MOONSAULT FLOPS as Finlay moves! Finlay covers, TWO! Finlay keeps cool as he drags Sanada up. Finlay whips corner to corner hard and Sanada falls! Sanada writhes but Finlay barks it up. Finlay aims from a corner, runs in, and UPPERCUTS! Then he suplexes for a TOSS! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this and Gedo protests while Finlay argues the count. Sanada goes to the apron, Finlay storms over and drags him up. Finlay brings Sanada through the ropes to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! And UPPERCUT again!
Finlay UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS and UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS some more! Finlay dares the fans to cheer Sanada now. The fans do cheer, and Sanada back drops Finlay outta the ring! Sanada catches his breath while Finlay is on the floor. Finlay drags himself up with the apron skirt, but Sanada PLANCHAS him right back down! The fans cheer and Sanada rises. Sanada stalks Finlay, brings him around, and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, but then Finlay bails out the side. Sanada just PLANCHAS again! Down goes Finlay and the fans fire up! Sanada then brings Finlay up, ROCKS him, then slides into the ring.
Sanada builds speed and he fakes Finlay out! Sanada flips back in, then PLANCHAS again! A hattrick for Sanada and the fans fire up! Sanada encourages them to get louder, then he goes back for Finlay. Sanada puts Finlay in the ring, stalks him, then brings him up to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Sanada brings Finlay back up. Sanada fireman’s carries, Finlay slips free to waistlock, but Sanada switches. Finlay denies the O’Conner to roll Sanada up, TWO! Sanada runs in, but into a SPIN-OUT BOMB! Finlay grins as he leans against ropes, then he watches Sanada rise. Finlay runs in, and he clotheslines Sanada up and out!
Finlay goes out after Sanada, talks some trash, “This your boy?” Finlay flexes, drags Sanada up, and RAMS him into the railing! And RAMS him in again! Finlay’s trying to squish English commentary as he RAMS Sanada in again! Finlay lets Sanada falls over, then asks Gedo, “You wanna see a dead body?” Finlay fireman’s carries Sanada, to run up, but Sanada slips free! Finlay kicks low, reels Sanada in, but Sanada fights the piledriver! Sanada back drops Finlay onto the floor! The fans cheer while Sanada hobbles away. But then Finlay runs up! Sanada moves and Finlay crashes into railing! Sanada then brings Finlay out through the gate!
The Young Lions hurry to brace railing, but Sanada reels Finlay in for a PILEDRIVER on the floor!! And there’s far less padding out by the crowd then by ringside! Red Shoes wants this back in the ring, but Sanada has to catch his breath first. Sanada drags Finlay up, cravats for a neck wrench, and he brings Finlay back to ringside like that. Sanada puts Finlay in the ring and the fans applaud. Sanada then stalks Finlay, stands him up, and CLUBS him on the neck! Finlay staggers up, and he fires a forearm back! Sanada eggs Finlay on, so Finlay fires another forearm! And then SPITS at Sanada! And flips him off!
Sanada fires off furious fists on Finlay! The fans fire up but they’re on the ropes now! Red Shoes reprimands, but Sanada shoves him down! Sanada’s losing his cool, and Finlay YANKS Sanada into ropes! Both men are down and the fans rally up for Sanada. Finlay drags Sanada up, reels him in, Canadian Rack, but Sanada slips free, to get the dragon sleeper! Finlay arm-drags free, runs up, but into a BOOT! Sanada goes up to QUEBRADA, and he has the dragon sleeper! Sanada drops back but Finlay rolls through to inverted suplex! And LAWN DART off the corner! Then a Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up as Sanada survives! Gedo is upset and we pass 15 minutes. The fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” as he and Finlay slowly rise. Finlay uses ropes to help stretch out one of his arms, then he goes back for Sanada. Finlay clamps on to sit Sanada up, for a crossface forearm! And then another! And another! Finlay drags Sanada up again, runs, and BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this and Finlay is frustrated. The fans rally up for Sanada again, but Finlay drags Sanada up and reels him in. Sanada is dead weight so Finlay has Red Shoes check. Sanada refuses to give in and the fans rally up more.
Finlay talks more trash on the fans, then drags Sanada back up and in. POWER- RANA! Cover, TWO!! Finlay escapes, runs up, but Sanada spins him around, MAGIC- NO, Finlay slips free to suplex! But Sanada slips free to O’Conner Roll, but Finlay turns that around! O’Conner- NO, Sanada keeps Finlay up, then brings him into SKULL END!! Finlay flails and endures but he’s stuck in the body scissors! Sanada puts on the squeeze and Finlay is starting to fade! Red Shoes checks, Finlay flips everyone off! But he’s fading all the same! Sanada almost loses grip, and Finlay grabs at Red Shoes! Finlay endures as Sanada thrashes him around!
Red Shoes checks again, but Sanada lets Finlay go to go up top! ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Finlay saves himself at the last moment and both men are down! The fans rally for Sanada as he and Finlay stir. We hit 20 minutes and Sanada grabs at Finlay. They both rise up and Finlay fires a haymaker. Sanada fires it back! Finlay fires another haymaker, so Sanada gives it back! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists, so Finlay fires a forearm! Sanada fires one right back! Finlay staggers away to ropes, but then Sanada eggs him on. Finlay fires a flurry, but Sanada UPPERCUTS! Finlay wobbles, staggers, but comes back.
Finlay UPPERCUTS, but Sanada shakes his head. The fans rally up as Sanada goes back to UPPERCUT Finlay! Finlay wobbles, Sanada eggs him on, and Finlay UPPERCUTS! Sanada grits his teeth, Finlay eggs him on, and Sanada UPPERCUTS! Finlay leans on Sanada, but he still fires a flurry of forearms, then an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but Sanada dodges! Sanada tilt-o-whirls, and has the dragon sleeper! But Finlay slips through to suplex! But Sanada turns that around, MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sanada hurries up a corner, to ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Direct hit and Sanada covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up more as Sanada drags Finlay back up. Sanada clinches, but Gedo storms up to the apron! Sanada drops Finlay so he can KICK the ropes! The fans cheer as Gedo gets jammed up down low! But then Finlay cradles Sanada! TWO!! Sanada escapes, runs up, BLINDSIDE WIZARD! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada kips up and the fans cheer! Sanada shouts at Finlay to get up, then runs in, but Finlay ducks the Shining Wizard! Finlay wrenches, suplexes, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay almost had this one but he won’t stop there! Finlay suplexes again, OVER- BLOCKED!!
Sanada waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls and BRIDGES! TWO!!! Finlay escapes, but SHINING WIZARD hits!! The fans are thunderous and Sanada drags Finlay back up! Clinch and- NO, Finlay slips out to bring Sanada up! But Sanada slips free to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up as we hit 25 minutes! Time is running out, but Sanada aims from the corner! SHINING- NO, Finlay smothers the wizard to high stack and deadlift into a POWERBOMB! Then the flip over and suplex! OVERKILL!!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Cold Skull got hot, but maybe too little too late. Finlay holds onto the belt he created, for now. Will he prove that NJPW and the world needs The Rebel?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match: SHO VS El Desperado!
The Murder Machine missed out on the Best of the Super Juniors finals, and it was the Rogue Luchador who finally added that trophy to his list of accomplishments. And as Sho tried to rain on the parade, Desperado goaded Sho into not just putting up the title, but putting up the steel fence around the ring! Truly a historic first for this title, will Desperado continue to make history by winning again? Or will Sho somehow, someway win without The House of Torture’s help?
But of course, the NJPW ref corps knows Sho has tricks of his own, so they make sure to pat him down before he enters the cage. AHA! Scissors! Sho says those aren’t his! But the check continues, and wait! Evil is storming his way onto commentary! The King of Darkness is going to find a way to be here for Sho one way or another. But wait, the search finds handcuffs, as well as a metal plate in the kick pad! Sho is upset that all his tricks have been found out, but Desperado’s having a great time watching his humiliation. Sho is already trying to find things under the ring but the refs were thorough even before the cage was set up.
Sho, Desperado and Red Shoes are locked inside, and all of Sho’s things have been secured, because a Young Lion is taking them to the back! It’s sinking in for Sho that there’s nothing he can do to cheat this one. Sho finally steps into the ring, the introductions are made and the belt is raised. And now, with the odds finally even, we see who is truly the Best of the Super Juniors!
The bell rings and the fans rally for “DE-SU-PE! DE-SU-PE!” The two feel things out, clinch, go around, and Sho waistlocks. Despe spins through to facelock, but Sho wrenches out. Despe rolls, wrenches back, and wristlocks. Sho pushes Despe to then wrench, wrench and wristlock. Despe drop toeholds, floats to a facelock, then he ties up the legs. Despe pulls Sho with a chinbar, but then shifts to have a cording hold. Sho endures, reaches out to the ropes, and Despe lets go. The fans cheer, and Despe talks some smack as Sho goes to a corner. The two reset, feel things out, knuckle lock, and Despe rolls to top wristlock.
Despe shifts to a cording hold, but Sho rolls back to stand up. Despe wrenches to wristlock, then he arm-drags Sho down into the cording hold. Sho endures, even as Despe adds a chinbar. Sho fights up, Despe hammerlocks the arm and goes for the crossface. Sho fights that, so Despe headlocks. Despe hits the takeover, Sho headscissors and squeezes tight. Despe bridges back, headstands, then pushes down on Sho’s legs. Despe floats onto the headlock but Sho slips out the back. Sho has the arm, and he drags Despe in, SNAKEBITE! Despe fights up to get the KNEEBAR! Sho flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Despe lets off.
Sho crawls to the corner and Despe waits on him. The fans rally, the two circle, and they feel things out again. Sho bends Despe’s fingers, then hammerlocks. Despe elbows Sho, switches the hammerlock onto him then spins him around to whip. Despe arm-drags Sho then runs him over! The fans fire up but Sho bails out of the ring. But he can’t go far with the cage all around! Despe storms up but Sho kicks him! Sho whips Despe into the cage! Despe staggers, Sho grins and whips the other way, only for Despe to reverse! Sho hits cage, staggers forward, and Despe back drops him on the floor! Sho writhes and the fans cheer!
Despe stalks Sho as he scurries, but then Sho slips around. Sho reaches out and Evil slips him the “Torture Tool” wrench through the bars! But Red Shoes is right on Sho to take that away! Despe whips Sho at the cage! Sho stops himself, then HIP TOSSES Despe into steel! Evil acts like he did nothing wrong but Yano is also on commentary and telling him off. Sho drags Despe up to whip him into the cage! Despe slumps down, but Sho stands him up, to whip him in again! Despe staggers and falls, and part of the cage swings open! Seems there was a second door! Sho keeps Despe from getting out, and sends him back into steel!
Sho grins as he stalks Despe, and he RIPS at Despe’s mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets off and stalks Despe around the way. Sho drags Despe up to GRIND his face against the cage! Evil applauds as Sho goes along the whole side! Sho throws Despe down, and a good part of Despe’s mask has been ripped away! Sho talks trash on Despe, then brings him up to ROCK him with a right! Sho DIGS Despe’s face into the cage again, then SCRAPES him along! Evil applauds but he’s the only one. Sho makes Despe suffer, then shoves him back down. Sho soaks up the heat before bringing Despe back into the ring.
Sho CHOKES Despe against ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, then counts, but Sho steps away at 4. Sho drags Despe back up, CLAWS at Despe’s exposed face, then lets off as Red Shoes counts. Sho not so subtly unties the blue buckle pad, and uses the strap to CHOKE Despe! Red Shoes counts, Sho lets go, and Evil says that’s genius! The fans rally for “DE-SU-PE!” but Sho talks more trash. Despe sits up, and Sho scuffs him. Sho taunts Despe, scuffs him again, but Despe grabs Sho’s foot. Despe CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Sho DECKS him with a right hand! Sho storms up to digs his boot into Despe’s face! Red Shoes reprimands and Sho steps off.
Sho eggs Despe on, so Despe stands to CHOP and CHOP! Sho fires another haymaker, but Despe HEADBUTTS! Despe runs, but into a kitchen sink knee! Despe falls, but Sho brings him up to whip to ropes, for another kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Despe stays in this, and goes to a corner, but Sho runs in to RAM him! Sho then hoists Despe up to stick him across the top rope. Sho runs in, TOP SHELF KNEE! Cover, TWO! Sho pulls on an arm and a leg! Despe endures, the fans rally, but Sho pulls harder! Despe still reaches out with his free arm, fights over with his free leg, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Sho holds until Red Shoes counts 4.
Despe crawls to the apron but Sho grins as he runs up, to LARIAT Despe down! Despe falls on the apron then flops down to the floor. Sho wants a ring count, but this is a cage match, there’s no such thing. Sho says fine, and he goes out to fetch Despe. Sho whips Despe into the cage! Despe leans against the steel, and Sho grins as he brings Despe around to throw into more cage! Sho then SMACKS Despe off the steel, and runs him along the way, only for Despe to turn it around and send Sho into steel! The fans fire up and Despe RAMS Sho into steel! Then Despe throws Sho into the cage wall! Despe goes into the ring, builds speed, and DIVES! Both men hit the steel!!
The fans are thunderous and Despe roars as he rises up! Sho sputters while he’s slumped against the cage, but Despe drags him up. Despe whips Sho into the cage again! Sho falls, clutching an arm, but Despe gets him up and runs him hard into more steel! The fans fire up as Despe snarls and drags Sho up again. Despe still throws Sho into the cage! Despe then puts Sho in the ring, drags him up, and hits a BIG back suplex! Despe drags Sho right back up, for a BIG regular suplex! Despe then climbs up the corner, for a FROG SPLASH! But Despe’s own ribs make it hard to keep the cover. Despe drags Sho up, reels him in, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!
Sho survives but Despe just shakes his head. Despe staggers around, he drags Sho up, and he reels Sho in to tuck the arms. But Sho wrenches out to KNEE low and throw Despe down by his hair! Sho sputters, he goes back to the blue corner, and he finishes untying the pad. The Bullet Club Special is still possible in this cage, and as Despe runs in, TADA! Bare buckles! Sho whips Despe back into those bare buckles! Sho runs to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Despe survives and Sho is stunned! The fans rally for Despe but Sho calls his shot. Sho drags Despe up, but Despe fights the gut wrench! Despe CLUBS Sho’s legs, but Sho still tries to lift!
Sho KNEES Despe low, then whips him back to the bare buckles! Sho grins, but Despe comes back! Despe swings, but Sho gets around to POP UP and ARMBAR! Despe fights around, but ends up in SNAKEBITE!! Despe flails, reaches out, but he’s fading! Sho pulls harder on the hold, and Despe falls over! But then Despe gets a second wind! The fans rally as hard as they can, and Despe drags Sho over, but Sho just pulls harder on the hold! Despe tips over, but into the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes tells Sho to let go but he refuses! So Red Shoes pulls Sho’s hair to make him stop! Respect his authority, Sho!
Sho lets go and Red Shoes checks on Despe. Red Shoes keeps Sho back, and Despe raises a hand. Despe wags a finger, he isn’t done yet. Sho kicks Despe mockingly, toying with him. Sho stands on Despe’s head, then gives him another mocking kick. Despe slowly sits up and the fans rally up again. Despe looks up at Sho defiantly, and Sho gives him a kick. Despe stays up so Sho fires a forearm! Despe snarls as he stands, so Sho fires another forearm! Despe forearms back but Sho LARIATS! Sho is mad now! Sho gets Despe up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Despe survives and the fans fire up!
Sho is freaking out, slapping himself around. Sho pulls at his own hair in frustration, but he drags Despe back up. Sho reels Despe in, tucks the arms, but Despe slips out to wrench and OLYMPIC SLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Despe and Sho stir, and Sho crawls his way to ropes. Despe snarls as he rises at center, but Sho storms back over. Despe fires body shots, then a forearm! Sho fires off boxing elbows fast and furious! Sho ROCKS Despe, runs, but Despe DECKS him! Despe roars and the fans fire up with him! Despe underhooks, FACEBUSTER! And then the roll through, for PINCHE- NO, Sho fights it!
Sho shoves Despe into Red Shoes! Sho runs up, to SHOTGUN Red Shoes into the bare buckles! Despe slumps out of the ring, Sho storms over and “accidentally” drops an elbow on Red Shoes! Evil claims Sho is innocent, but here comes The House of Torture! The fans boo, so much for Sho doing this on his own! Sho drags Despe up as the fans tell all the others to go home, or at least go away. But Sho puts Despe against the cage, and Narita SMACKS Despe with a chair! But here comes Oleg! But Kanemaru CLOBBERS Oleg! Evil even hits Yano on commentary! Tanahashi and even Satoshi Kojima run out here, but The House goes after them, too!
The fans boo but The House starts throwing chairs into the ring for Sho to use! Evil pretends he sees nothing wrong with this. Sho grins stands Despe back up, talks trash on everyone, then brings Despe into the ring. Sho soaks up the heat, then talks more trash. But Despe has a chair! Despe HEADSHOTS Sho!! Sho flops into the ring and the fans are thunderous! Despe turns things around on The House as he puts Sho’s head on one chair, and grabs another! Evil can only freak out as Despe hits a HOMERUN!! Evil tries to climb into the cage?! Despe CHUCKS a chair at him and he falls right off! The others try, but Despe chucks more chairs!
The fans fire up as now Yano, Oleg and Tanahashi fight back, too! They all stomp the House, Kojima CLUBS Kanemaru, and Despe CHUCKS chairs as Narita tries to climb! Despe goes back to Sho while Tanahashi and team drag The House outta here! The fans cheer as justice is again served! Despe calls to Red Shoes and he slowly returns. Despe gets Sho up but Sho LOW BLOWS! The ref missed that by sheer luck! Sho pretends he got hit, too, and so now everyone’s down again! Sho can’t help but laugh, though, and he tells Red shoes to get up. Sho hobbles over to Despe, drags him up, and reels him in to pump handle!
But Despe Alabama Lifts! And then he tucks Sho in, BASTARD DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous as Despe gets Sho up, underhooks, and JAY DRILLER!! And then the PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, DESPE WINS!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
The Murder Machine couldn’t win it on his own, and that is why he lost it all tonight! Will it ever sink in that crime doesn’t pay?
As for Desperado, he now has trophy and championship belt to hold! Despe makes sure “the trash” is taken out of the ring first, then he gets the mic. The fans cheer “DESPE! DESPE!” as he gets the spotlight on him. Despe takes a moment, and then says, “Ah… that hurt. Thank you.” The fans cheer, and Despe continues by saying that there are all different types of wrestlers, and that’s what makes pro-wrestling so interesting. But even knowing that, it’s exhausting having to go this far. Why the heck are they opening the cage up? It took a lot to put it together in the first place, not that Despe really knows about that.
Despe won’t say this was fun, it’s not really his style, and his whole body hurts. He probably won’t do this kinda thing ever again. But he does want to get to his next challenger. The fans are shocked he’s doing this so soon! And then Despe calls out DOUKI! Despe tells Douki to come on out here, they don’t need to make a mess with the cage coming down just yet. The fans cheer for “DOUKI! DOUKI!” Despe waits, but he starts to wonder if Douki left already. Despe figured he’d give the guy he fought in the BOSJ semifinals, a guy who’s like a brother to him, a shot. But then, while he was home, he was kind alike, “Nah, maybe I’ll go with another guy.”
But wait! Here comes Douki! The fans cheer as Japones Del Mal heads into the ring. And Despe already knows what Douki must be thinking. Why’s he giving the shot to a guy he already beat? Is it because it’ll be an easy defense? Despe says the BOSJ was the BOSJ, and this cage match was this cage match. Whether the energy is flowing or not, a true IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match is different. Despe is sure Douki has what it takes. Despe knows Douki got cheated by Sho, so this will be different, too. So what does Douki say? Is he up for the challenge? The fans like the sound of that!
Despe keeps explaining that people might be thinking this is because of their past friendship, and maybe it is. After all, even though Despe is older, Douki helped him out a lot while they were in Mexico. This is Despe returning the favor. A chance like this doesn’t come along all the time, but don’t think of this as a handout. Despe just wants Douki to see for himself that he can do this. But if he doesn’t think he can, then Douki can walk away. The fans tell Douki to go for it! Douki steps inside! The fans fire up as Douki is face to face with Despe! Despe says he doesn’t know when or where this’ll happen, but when it does, it’ll be Despe VS Douki.
The fans cheer, Douki nods, and the fans even cheer Douki on. Despe lets Douki have the mic, and he says there was no way he was saying no with Despe asking him like that! Douki then says Despe better do everything he can to keep that belt. Despe tells Douki not to be so cocky. The Rogue Luchador grins as his old amigo heads back out. And then he grumbles that Douki shouldn’t have given him the mic back, now he has to wrap this up! And then he says, “That’s just how it is!” Despe drops the mic and the streamers fly! We have our next title match on the books, when and where will these former Suzuki-Gun soldiers do battle as rivals?
My Thoughts:
A great New Japan Soul, full of so much meaningful stuff for being the start to a short tour. A little surprised Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg won the NEVER titles back already, but I do appreciate NJPW isn’t afraid to hot potato their titles around. And I really do think there should be a tiebreaker coming, maybe with a heightened stipulation like Elimination or Best 2 Outta 3 Falls. Great Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, and TMDK came so close, but I should’ve figured The War Dogs would win out. And very good field for the G1 this year. I’m a little surprised so many people are in the qualifiers, but that should make it really wild stuff. I’d love if TJP got in for B Block.
Takagi VS Henare was an awesome rematch, and Henare winning was quite the surprise. Takagi’s not just in the G1, but he’s gonna be in AEW’s Owen Hart Cup, so I thought he’d bring that along. But maybe since Takagi isn’t likely to win the Owen Hart Cup, NJPW doesn’t want anyone getting a win over one of their midcard champions. Great return match for Sanada, but I suppose Finlay was going to retain either way. Finlay already felt the shame of losing this title once this year, he wasn’t gonna do it again.
And great stuff in the main event. I just knew The House of Torture would show up despite the cage, but then great of Tanahashi and friends to stop them. Desperado winning was the right choice and certainly great for him. Desperado naming Douki as his next challenger is really cool stuff, and Douki is definitely going to have a great showing. I still think Despe retains, but Douki is slowly rising up the ranks. If all things go well, Douki can definitely find himself as champion within the next year.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.8.2025
We get to see Alicia Fox in action and a dog collar match! Definitely an odd combination, so let’s see what happens!

As I feel like I say every week, the best parts of TNA are on NXT. I really can’t tolerate Dreamer and Delirious’ idea of creative. This shows have been slapdash early 00s MTV humor and nonsense angles. We open the show with Trick Williams, so of course you know he’s gonna be a dick and Hendry’s gonna try and get even.
At least this spawned an interesting concept with the TNA Heavyweight Championship being defended on NXT Battleground. So it’s nice that Hendry and TNA are getting exposure, but honestly it’s only Hendry, and the constant milking on the TNA side of “hearing from Hendry” is making me ill.
I feel like I’ve seen Johnny Gobs all over since Nekrogoblikon came out with new music. Not mad at it, just didn’t have that on my Bingo card.
.@Santana_Proud and @_trickwilliams just crossed paths—then @AJFrancis410 & @KCwrestles tried recruiting @TheSamiCallihan… and sparked beef with Santana in the process.
Wait… IS THAT @JohnGoblikon!?
WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/EQwH3BjPFE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025
Ratings:
- Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck – *
- Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors: Aztec Warriors win via Laredo Driver + Arabian Moonsault – * 1/2
- Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands: Ali wins via Crucifix Blade Runner – ** 3/4
- Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks: Victoria wins via Flying Axe Kick – Squash
- Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
Hey look, Trick comes out and does exactly what I said. He’s arrogant, he’s basically doing his own version of a Ric Flair promo. I do like the line about having two girls, one named Lexis who drives a Mercedes and Mercedes who drives a Lexus. It’s that right balance of dumb and clever to make me chuckle. Hendry of course comes out with his game face on, security tries, fails, and Hendry gets a measure of revenge.
Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck
Okay even though I don’t mind Xia as a wrestler anymore, Brookside is on commentary and she’s…awful. She’s like an Arianna Grace with no charisma. Her little integrity shtick got lame halfway through the word the first time she said it.
This match goes about how you expect which is why it’s not much to discuss. Rosemary does her usually brawling, biting and using the 5 counts with the Upside Down. But as expected, she tries to use the Brass Knucks, Xia comes off of commentary to stop her from using the weapon, and Lei catches her with Thunderstruck. I guess this was supposed to keep the Xia angle with some heat, but it’s really dumb. I don’t want to see any more of this Angel vs Demon, which one will turn crap. It’s boring, it’s cliche and for babies.
At least Lei Ying Lee is gorgeous and one hell of a wrestler. Hopefully she gets away from Rosemary and Xia soon.
Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors
Laredo and Octagon take early turns on Jason Hotch, Octagon even pulls off some rope acrobatics like he thinks he’s Rey Fenix. Hands try to take a few shortcuts, but the actions stays quick, the Cali crowd is behind the Luchadors. Stereo Tijeras, Five Hole Dive from Laredo into an Asai Moonsault from Octagon. Laredo Driver into Handstand Arabian Moonsault, and Aztec Warriors win handily.
After the fact Ali attacks the Aztec Warriors, Tasha and the Hands are trying to calm down Ali but then the Rascalz run out. Maybe we’re getting an early start to the Trey vs Ali match.
Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands
Hopefully this is something worth actually typing about instead of WCW Thunder level of rushed throwaway trash.
They trade early chops, but Ali is pissed, no sells Trey and rocks him with a Forearm. Trey tries to Baseball Slide through the legs and roll into a Sunset Flip, but Ali rolls through, comes up with Trey and Powerbombs him moving immediately into Ground and Pound. Ali goes for a Reverse Powerslam, but Trey escapes it, tries to use his quickness, trips up Ali for a second as he goes to the apron and then he catches Trey in the ropes and hits the Draping DDT off the apron. Outside In Neckbreaker from Ali into a Standing Tornillo.
Ali throws Trey into the ropes, Trey tries something but Ali catches him, flips him vertical and then Dragon Suplex looks nasty. Ali heads back to the apron, wants the Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker, but Trey catches him with a Cutter! Trey puts a little Shake Rattle and Roll together, Ali tries to block the last one so Trey hits the ropes and lands a Lionsault. Ali powders and eats a Dive, Trey throws him back in, Meteora! 1-2-kick out! Trey gets a little frustrated but tries a front facelock, they trade cradles, Ali throws him to the ropes, Trey tries that Rewind Tiger Feint, but Ali hits a Missile Dropkick. Ali tells the Hands to finish things but Wentz comes out flying. Ali drives Wentz into the post, throws Trey back in and mouths off to Wentz. When he turns he eats Trey’s Knee Slide Tornado DDT.
Tasha distracts the ref, Hands attack Trey with a Double Choke Bomb on the Apron and Ali kills Trey with Crucifix Blade Runner.
Hardys come out to talk, they get a solid pop from the crowd, but nothing interesting gets said. The old “we let you down” promo and they’re trying to get across a fandom nickname of “Diehardyz” and that’s corny. They punctuate their part before the Nemeths of course come out with some Obsolete and Delete references. Ryan starts talking and gets booed loudly, so that’s nice, they both play in it well. Ryan makes some goofy faces, Nic and him poke fun at the Hardys and the fact that Jeff can’t come to Canada because he’s prohibidabido.
So Santino comes out, says next week Jeff and Nic will have a singles match, so Matt will get a tag match against the Nemeths with a partner of his choosing. Kind of a stock standard promo, but the Nemeths and Santino made it fun.
Huh, coming back from commercial there’s a video package from WWE showing the last time Jeff Hardy and Nic Nemeth had a match. 16 years ago.
Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks
Brittnie is Chris Bey’s girlfriend and Alicia was always one of my favorites.
Victoria clocks Brittnie early, but Brittnie fires back, Victoria gets annoyed, hits her beautiful Northern Lights Suplex Hold for only a two. Victoria drives Brittnie into the corner, Brittinie tries to fight out, but Victoria catches her with a Tumbling Headscissors Take Over and then a Flying Axe Kick. Victoria’s gorgeous self wins, and Victoria looked pretty decent in the squash.
Masha comes out, attacks Victoria, so Tessa makes a save. Santino makes a tag match next week Blanshard and Crawfish vs Slamabitch and a partner of her choosing. Robert Stone overrides Santino and picks her partner for her and chooses Nikkita Lyons.
Tessa Blanchard is GOING OFF on @AriannaGraceWWE! @milanmiracle @MrStoneWWE
WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/7pnK7OG167
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025
Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury
EY sandbags in the corner at the bell and then catches Maclin with an opportune yank of the chain and then starts a little dirty boxing and chain choking. Cardona is out on commentary because there’s a number 1 contender match next week for the International title. EY grinds the chain across Maclin’s face and the bridge of his nose, and he’s bleeding 40 seconds into the match.
Maclin powders but since it’s a dog collar match the jabronis get involved immediately. Maclin is bleeding like his last name is Rhodes, the jabronis get in some pot shots and EY just whips him with the chain, uses the post, just goes for classic deliberately paced hardcore brawl tactics. Maclin does manage to get a small flurry, EY does the Flair Corner Flop, then EY and the jabronis eat a SCUD before we go to commercial.
We come back, Maclin is back to getting murdered, and now all the potential number 1 contenders and either on commentary, the ramp or in the back watching a monitor. Even Mance Warner looks a little concerned and horny at the same time with the blood. Maclin is so bloody he looks like a post explosion scene from The Boys. Maclin fires, whips EY in the ropes, grabs him mid run, Headbutts him a few times, Jumping Thesz Press into the Ground and Pound with some chain whips. Jabronis come in and eat a Busakiu and Backbreaker, EY tries to take advantage but EY eats an Olympic Slam. Another Busaiku for EY, Jar Headbutt connects! EY kicks out at two, then powders but Maclin follows and wraps the chain around his neck and starts throwing EY around by the throat. Dorks fly at Maclin, he deflects them, but EY yanks the chain and Maclin falls off the apron. EY throws him back in, another two count. EY heads to the top, Maclin crotches him, bald Jabroni eats a Powerbomb, hair Jabroni heads a Buckle Bomb. EY slips the Tree, so Maclin puts the jabronis in the corner, Stacked Tag Em and Bag Em, Nerds get Caught in the Crosshairs!
EY sees the chance, kick to the gut, Piledriver! 1-2…KICK OUT! EY calls for the Macho Elbow but Maclin gets up, pulls him off the top with the chain and KIA! Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4/10
A generally disappointing episode. The first hour felt like WCW Thunder written by Meth addicted Racoons. But the second hour starting with Mustafa, turned out to be okay. I’ve always enjoyed Alicia Fox aesthetically and she wasn’t bad in the ring, Mustafa being edgy is cool, Ryan Nemeth is a treasure, Tessa is still great and the dog collar match was decent.
So a mixed bag definitely. Rosemary is honestly useless anymore. She only gets a pop because of the gimmick, but her storylines have sucked, her matches aren’t great and this whole Infantile Sting knockoff of trying to stick to her morals and integrity and not do the mean things. Aztec Warriors are basic lucha stuff with no gimmick beyond the fact they’re luchadors. Lastly, the Trick Flair opening segment was okay at best but really just just paint by numbers.
It’s a sad turn of events when my favorite wrestling program anymore is WWE main roster stuff. Yikes…2025 is weird.
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Will Dax & Cash learn to Fear The Red Death?
FTR put the blame on Daniel Garcia for how things went down between them, but now Garcia plans on taking one of the Top Guys out!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ricochet VS Angelico w/ Serpentico; Ricochet wins.
- 8 Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS The Outrunners, Bandido & AR Fox; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn VS Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian; Bowens wins.
- Willow Nightingale VS Kris Statlander; Kris wins.
- Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander VS The Dark Order; Takeshita & Alexander win.
- “Speedball” Mike Bailey VS Dralistico; Bailey wins.
- Daniel Garcia VS Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler & Stokely Hathaway; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
Toni Storm is here!
Or rather, she’s still here given just last night, the TIMELESS AEW Women’s World Champion won a Fatal 4 Way Eliminator. And now she’s in the special box seat “balcony” with mic in hand. Detroit cheers and she blows kisses before saying, “So many men have taken a shot at me in here, I’m feeling like Abraham Lincoln. I will never forget my first. It was messy, it was sweaty, and painful. But I only wanted more. Once a month, once a week, twice a week, I was hooked. But then, it only became more risky. One at a time, then two at a time. And three at a time! Incorporating random objects, all the while being watched by perverts.”
The fans cheer being perverts but then Toni says, “One day, it will not end well for me. It will break my body and soil my soul. But in the end, I know it’s what I was born to do. And if you think I was referring to sexual intercourse, then get your minds out of the gutter!” Toni takes a moment before she continues, “Because the best bang could not compare to fighting for this!” She holds up the title and the fans cheer more! “I am not waiting for a Hayter or a CEO. So next week, line up the next batch of slop tarts, because baby wants to binge!” The fans also like the sound of that! Toni says spit on it and sit on it, and let’s get TIMELESS~!
The fans applaud and Toni takes a bow. Beach Break just got that much bigger, but who will take their shot at The Tramp that is The Champ?
Backstage interview with Paragon.
Lexy Nair is with Adam Cole, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly to ask them about the 2 Out of 3 Falls last Saturday. Roddy says that to say they’re disappointed is an understatement. He and Kyle are one of the best teams on this planet, and they thought it’d be like riding a bike. But it has been a bit more difficult than they thought. Kyle agrees that they’re frustrated and disappointed, but what they aren’t doing is taking anything away from themselves. They’re the Paragon and they’re still one of the best tag teams out there. And any other day, any other time, 99 out of 100, Kyle & Roddy win that match.
Cole agrees, and he knows that was tough last week. But they are one of the best teams in the world. There will be plenty of chances to prove that this year. But in step the Grizzled Young Veterans and Zack Gibson says say that again. He can’t believe Paragon has the nerve to stand here sulking and complaining. Honestly, this three are three of the best ever. The problem is, they’ve gone soft! They’ve forgotten what it is to fight for their sport. So any time they’re ready, GYV will remind them what that’s like. Kyle & Roddy say why not. GYV will be the first time that gets stomped on Paragon’s way back to the top!
GYV laugh that off then take their leave. But when and where will Liverpool’s Number One & Mr. Mayhem take on the Savior of the Backbreaker & the Violent Artist?
Ricochet VS Angelico w/ Serpentico!
The One & Only just got a big win last night alongside the Young Bucks, but now he looks to get a win on his own. Will Ricochet make Detroit #OuttaThisWorld two nights in a row? Or will tonight belong to Spanish Announce Project’s South African Stud?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Angelico and Ricochet circle. They feel things out, circle more, then Angelico leaves Ricochet hanging by smoothing his hair. Ricochet says ha ha, more bald jokes. Ricochet waistlocks, the fans chant, “He Has Hair!” but Ricochet hammerlocks and snapmares to then ghost pin, TWO! Ricochet taunts Angelico that this is professional wrestling, not modeling. Angelico trips Ricochet to cover, ONE! Angelico has a cording hold and he keeps Ricochet from the ropes. Ricochet wrenches, but Angelico gets the cording hold back! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but Angelico arm-drags him to the mat!
The fans cheer more, but Ricochet kips up. Angelico wrangles him back down! Ricochet claws at Angelico but Angelico polishes the bald head! The fans cheer and Angelico keeps on the arm. Ricochet fights up again, but Angelico wrangles him back down! Angelico gives Ricochet more polish, then stands him up to wrench and cording hold. Ricochet throws a body shot, flips up and over, but Angelico switches arms for a modified Cobra Twist! Angelico holds up his hand and the fans cheer, but Ricochet fights free and bails out. The fans boo but then Angelico sneaks up to clamp on shoulder claws!
Ricochet fights back, and he THROWS Angelico to the floor! Ricochet skins the cat, then TORNILLO PLANCHAS! Ricochet takes down Angelico, taunts Serpentico, then goes storming off to grab a chair! Ricochet chases off #SNAKEMAN, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet gets up on the barrier to soak up more heat, and he even flicks sweat off his bald head! Ricochet puts Angelico in the ring, stalks him to ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Ricochet backs off, and Serpentico coaches Angelico. Angelico sputters but Ricochet brings him up for a snapmare. Ricochet digs his knee into Angelico’s back as part of the chinlock. Angelico endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Angelico is free, runs the ropes, but Ricochet DROPKICKS him down! Ricochet taunts the fans, covers Angelico, TWO! Angelico is tougher than that but Ricochet covers again, ONE! And again, ONE! And again, ONE!!
Ricochet throws a fit and SLAPS Angelico down before arguing with the ref. The ref defends the count, so Ricochet just stomps away on Angelico’s back! Ricochet taunts the fans, goes back to stomp Angelico and kick him around, then he kicks Angelico to the ropes. Angelico rises to BODY BLOW! And JAB! Ricochet staggers back, Angelico fires more shots! Angelico runs, KICKS the backdrop away, then runs again, only for Ricochet to FLAPJACK him off ropes and JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Angelico survives and Collision returns to single picture. Ricochet storms his way to a corner while the fans boo.
Ricochet aims and 450- NO, he has to bail out as Angelico moves! Ricochet comes back but Angelico dodges again, Ricochet hits only buckles! Angelico swings, Ricochet dodges and shoves to TIGER WALL KICK! And SOBAT! KNEE! But Angelico KNEES in return! Ricochet rebounds to V-TRIGGER! ROLLING- NO, Angelico clinches for a LIFTING FLATLINER! The fans fire up while both men are down! A standing count starts, Ricochet and Angelico stir, and they rise at 5 of 10. Angelico counters a punch and then fires haymakers! Angelico whips, Ricochet reverses, but then Ricochet catches the leap!
Angelico fights Ricochet’s clinch with elbows, then whips, but Ricochet reverses, Angelico LEAPING LARIATS! And LEAPING LARIATS again! The fans fire up and Angelico storms up to Ricochet. Angelico whips, Ricochet reverses, but Angelico reverses back! COBRA TWIST, and the HEAD SLAPS! The fans fire up as Angelico just takes Ricochet to task! Ricochet sputters and staggers around, Angelico kicks and Canadian Racks! YOYO SLAM, into a hammerlock and HALF CRAB! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but Angelico gets the other arm! Ricochet kicks with his free leg and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans boo but Angelico lets go.
Ricochet goes to the apron, Angelico storms up, but Ricochet HOTSHOTS him! And then FLICKS the ropes at Angelico to hit down low! Ricochet then springboards and FLYING LARIATS! The fans boo but Ricochet runs for a STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Ricochet just keeps going, dragon sleeper for the VERTIGO!! Ricochet rolls back, locks ‘n’ loads, and SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
Ricochet made sure Angelico was done before he got the 1-2-3, and now he gets the mic. “Go ahead. C’mon, I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you!” The fans boo and taunt him more and Ricochet says he welcomes it all! Their boos mean NOTHING to him, because he sees what they cheer for. And c’mon, if you cheer for the Detroit Lions, that means you’re dumb as hell. If you were smart, if you had any amount of common sense, you’d be cheering for him! The fans keep taunting him with “They’re Not Bald!” But Ricochet says the Eagles won the Super Bowl, what’re they talking about? They should be cheering him, because he’s been here less than a year and he’s beaten most of the favorites!
Brody King, Will Ospreay, Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, Mark Briscoe, Swerve Strickland, and even Kenny Omega! All of them are AEW legends, and Ricochet beat them all! But wait, speaking of legends… Ricochet points out the living legend, Zach Gowen! Ricochet remembers growing up, watching wrestling, he was a huge fan of Zach Gowen. Huge fan. He remembers when big Brock would beat him up and down the arena, that was awesome. But the thing is, Daddy Gowen used to be on this side of the barriers, but now he’s on the other side of them. What happened, Zach? Doesn’t have a leg in the fight anymore?
Ricochet laughs at his own offensive joke, and then asks where that fire is now. He pushes Zach around, security rushes in and Ricochet says he wasn’t doing anything! They’re just talking! Then he BOPS each and every guard! They like that? Ricochet THROWS one guy into railing! Ricochet does his own commentary as he sends another one into the steel steps! Then he puts the third one in the ring, and says Zach might like this. The fans boo but now Ricochet brings out THE SCISSORS! Ricochet cuts this guy’s hair up! But Zach jumps into the ring!! The fans cheer as Zach snatches the scissors from Ricochet!
The fans cheer as Zach asks what is wrong with Ricochet! Ricochet says sorry, sorry! But then he KICKS Zach’s leg out! And then SPIRIT GUN!! The fans boo even more but Ricochet isn’t done with Zach. He takes Zach’s prosthetic leg away! The fans boo as loud as they can as Ricochet leaves with the leg! Ricochet isn’t just humiliating Zach Gowen, he’s committing a crime! Ricochet holds the leg up as a trophy, then mockingly limps with it. Will anyone ever humble the ego that is #OuttaThisWorld?
8 Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS The Outrunners, Bandido & AR Fox!
Don Callis himself dared Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd to find a friend so they could settle things with Roppongi Vice and the Family, but the Outrunners did better than that! They found TWO friends! Will the Most Wanted ROH World Champion and the Whole Fox’n Show help the Youngest Men Alive humble Callis’ cronies? Or will Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, Lance Archer & Kyle Fletcher use them to take out all of their frustrations?
Callis of course joins commentary while the teams sort out. Callis calls tonight “Don Callis Championship Wrestling,” and says Detroit boos him and his Family because it is a city of losers. Kyle Fletcher starts against Bandido and the fans fire up. Kyle and Bandido circle, the fans rally up more, and they tie up. They go around, Kyle puts Bandido on the ropes. The fans rally for Bandido and he dodges the chop to CHOP! Kyle swings, Bandido dodges and headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, Bandido RAMS him, but Kyle rebounds to RUN Bandido over! Kyle flexes, the fans boo, but then Turbo flexes and the fans cheer.
So Kyle BOOTS Turbo off the apron! Kyle runs, Bandido dodges, hurdles, but Kyle leaps over. The fans tell Callis off while things keep moving. Bandido slips around to tilt-o-whirl RANA! And then DROPKICK! Kyle falls against ropes, Trent tags in, and Trent CLOBBERS Bandido! The fans boo, Trent rains down fists, and the ref reprimands. Trent stops to tag in Rocky. Roppongi Vice mugs Bandido, then they DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! But Bandido lands out, tags AR Fox, and Fox BOOTS Rocky! And BOOTS Trent! Fox goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up but here comes the Murderhawk Monster!
Archer scoops Fox into the crucifix lift! But Fox slips free, goes Matrix to dodge, and he ENZIGIRIS! Archer tumbles out, Fox whips Rocky to the corner, Rocky runs into Turbo’s BOOT! Truth adds a HAYMAKER, then Fox tags Turbo. Turbo brings Rocky around to wrench and wristlock. Truth tags in as they whip and atomic drop, UPPERCUT HART ATTACK! Trent is back, but he runs into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! The fans fire up with The Outrunner as they run at the corners! BACK ELBOWS in stereo for RPG Vice! Then Outrunners trade, more ELBOWS in stereo! Then a feed to the BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up while The Outrunners wind it up!
“Turbo Floyd! You-” Well, Trent gets Rocky out of there, they do NOT give the people what they want. Archer is back and he double choke grips! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM!! Archer BLASTS Fox & Bandido off the corner, Kyle is there to beat them up, and the fans boo as Archer stomps away on Truth! Archer stands on Truth in the corner and laughs while Collision goes picture in picture.
Archer stalks Truth tot he Callis corner. Rocky tags Archer in and they mug Truth. Archer bumps Truth off buckles, then whips him corner to corner hard! Truth falls to the mat, Archer puts him back in the corner, and Archer looms over him. Truth rises up to fire CHOPS, but archer eggs him on! Truth fires haymakers, then runs, only for Archer to DECK him! Tag to Trent and Trent stalks Truth while Archer TOSESS Turbo! Trent CHOKES Truth, CHOPS him, then talks trash. Trent winds up to CHOP again! Trent brings Truth over to bump off buckles, then he tags in Rocky. RPG Vice mugs Truth, whips him to a corner, and Kyle joins in.
Rocky runs up to ELBOW Truth, then Trent adds an ELBOW of his own! Kyle runs to forearm SMASH! Archer runs in and ELBOWS Truth down! Rocky covers, TWO! Truth survives the onslaught, but Rocky wrenches an arm. Tag to Kyle and Kyle KICKS then arm! Kyle mocks Truth reaching out for his corner, then stomps Truth down. Kyle stalks Truth to the ropes, mockingly holds Truth’s hand out, then scoops and SLAMS him in a snap! Kyle taunts Bandido, then he brings Truth up. Truth fires hands, but Kyle scoops and SLAMS again! Collision returns to single picture and he BLASTS Truth’s corner! Bandido avoids the shot and shouts at Kyle!
Kyle taunts Bandido, but Truth fires hands! The fans fire up but Kyle BOOTS Truth! Kyle suplexes, but Truth counters with a cradle! TWO, and Kyle is up, only for Truth to juke! Hot tag to Bandido! Kyle kicks but Bandido deflects and waistlocks. Kyle switches, shoves and runs up, but Bandido SUPERKICKS! Bandido goes up, up, and TORNILLOS! Down goes Kyle and he bails out! RPG Vice attack Bandido from behind! RPG Vice double whip, Bandido grabs ropes and he BOOTS them back! The Outrunners are in and they stereo ATOMIC DROP! RPG Vice tumble up and out of the ring! Archer runs in, Bandido holds the ropes down, but Archer doesn’t fall for it!
Archer ROCKS Bandido, but the Outrunners DUMP him out! The fans fire up as the Callis Family regroups by the ramp. Fox returns, and he coordinates with Bandido! Whip and pop-up, SUPER CANNONBALL!! The fans fire up as Fox hits a strike! And then The Outrunners form a staircase! Bandido runs to step, step, and ESCALARA CONJILO!! The fans are thunderous as Bandido puts Kyle in! The Outrunners set Kyle up and then wind it up! “Turbo Floyd! You sonova b*tch!” HANDSHAKE DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Fox adds a SWANTON BOMB! Bandido adds a FROG SPLASH!! Cover, The Family breaks it!
The fans boo but The Outrunners brawl with the Family! Things tumble out of the ring, but Bandido aims at Kyle on the ropes! Bandido deals the hand, BLACKJACK- NO, Kyle switches through! DRAGON SUPLEX, but Bandido lands out! Bandido ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Kyle stops the DDT to MICHINOKU DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Kyle and Bandido crawl, hot tags to Fox and Trent! Fox RAMS Trent, goes up, up, and leaps over Trent to somersault and CANNONBALL Kyle! Then Fox wrenches Trent, catches the leg, and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Archer grabs Fox, shoves him back, but Fox returns to DRAPING DDT!
Fox sees Rocky, Rocky kicks first, then Rocky whips. Fox reverses, Rocky is in the corner, Fox hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Kyle runs up but Fox ELBOWS him away! Fox skins the cat to DROPKICK Rocky and then backwards roll, CUTTER for Kyle! Then Fox avoids Rocky to hit a CUTTER!! The fans are electric and Fox has Kyle on the ropes! Fox builds speed, but Trent anchors his foot! Kyle hits a CALF KICK! The Outrunners BLAST Trent, but Archer CROSSBODIES The Outrunners! Bandido springboards in but Kyle catches him! Kyle calls to the boys, RPG Vice hit a DOUBLE JUMP KNEE! The fans boo but Fox is up!
Fox dodges RPG Vice, BOOTS Kyle, then DOUBLE CUTTER RPG Vice! The fans are thunderous again as Fox goes up, up, but Kyle distracts the ref! Archer grabs Fox, and he SUPER CHOKE SLAMS him down! RPG Vice then sits Fox up, wrenches and double pump handle! JACKAL DRIVER!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
Trent shouts that no one will ever disrespect them again! Will Callis’ pack of jackals devour anyone and everyone that stands in their way?
BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break!
After the assault and humiliation that we saw earlier tonight, Zach Gowen is going to make his return to wrestling! Will Zach get revenge on Ricochet for taking things too far?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“So, we’re through the obligatory preamble, casualties on both sides. Last night, you took out my number one lieutenant. Now I could vow revenge and talk about all the things I’m gonna do to Samoa Joe once I get him inside that steel cage. But that would be rather rote, and probably mostly untrue. What do we know? The consensus is Samoa Joe is gonna kick my ass. And yeah, there’s nobody on the planet better at getting their ass kicked than me. The question isn’t whether Joe will beat me up. The question is, how long can he do it? Five, eight minutes? Ten? 20? 25? I’ve got all night.
“I know you don’t think very much of me, Joe, but you are one of the guys that I have genuine respect for. You are the embodiment of a champion. But you’re not the AEW World Champion, I am. And I know that no matter what happens to me inside that steel cage in Chicago, no matter what Hell is put on me, no matter what I am put through in that steel cage, I know I have been through worse. I have been through the kind of Hell, I have weathered the kind of storms, I have faced down the kinds of demons that would keep these kids up at night. So I don’t need to be feared or respected by you or anybody else. I just need you to show up.
“I don’t get along with the rest of the world because I am not like the rest of the world. And believe it or not, next week, there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be than locked inside a steel cage in Chicago with the AEW World Championship hanging in the balance, with the baddest man in pro-wrestling, Samoa Joe. I didn’t build my foundation on sand. When the storm comes through, the only thing that matters is who is the last man standing.” The Maniac has issued his ultimatum, will he ultimately be the baddest man in AEW?
Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn VS Lee Johnson w/ Blake Christian!
The Pride of Pro-Wrestling is ready to prove he’s worthy of all the opportunities before him, but that means having others step to the plate. #BigShotty thinks he can get a hit off the 5 Tool Player, but will he be able to go yard? Or will he just get Molly Whopped and sent back to the dugout?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind Bowens. Bowens and Lee tie up, Bowens wrenches and wristlocks, but Lee wrenches back. Bowens slips through, wrenches and hammerlocks, then he spins and snapmares Lee to an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Bowens tries a cradle, TWO! Lee is up to headlock back, but Bowens powers up and out. Lee goes up and over, baits Bowens into a waistlock, but Bowens switches. Lee switches, then he shoves Bowens! “You’re nothing!” The fans boo and Bowens scowls. Lee talks more trash, but Bowens CHOPS Lee off his feet! Bowens stalks Lee to a corner, CHOPS again, and the fans “WOO~!”
Bowens CHPOS again, and again, and again! Bowens then stomps a mudhole into Lee! The ref counts, Bowens steps off at 4, and Bowens apologizes. Lee bails out, Bowens pursues, and Lee tries to apologize. But then Lee bumps into Daddy Ass! Lee looks and sees Billy, apologizes to him now, but Bowens ROCKS Lee! Bowens whips Lee hard into barriers and the fans fire up! Bowens puts Lee in the ring, but Lee kicks low! Lee eggs Bowens on, whips, but Bowens hurdles and mule kicks! Front kicks! FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Bowens wrenches to lift Lee, SWING OUT FACEBUSTER! Cover, ONE?!?
Billy is annoyed, but then Blake gets on the apron! Bowens backs the Vanilla Babyface off, but then he dodges Lee’s sneak attack! Bowens fireman’s carries, Lee slips free and shoves Bowens to ropes. Billy wants after Blake but the ref keeps him back. Bowens ELBOWS Lee away, but Blake swipes at him! Lee then DUMPS Bowens out! Bowens staggers up, Lee FLIES, and he gets just enough of Bowens to take him down! Then Lee and Blake mock the scissor fingers! The fans boo but Lee puts Bowens in the ring. Lee reels Bowens in, suplexes, but Bowens slips free! Bowens shoves Lee away, runs up, and he blocks the boot! But not the ENZIGIRI!
Lee SUPERKICKS Bowens, runs, but into the Rock, Paper, Scissors, SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Bowens shows them how it’s done! He puts up the scissors, then shouts for his shot! But Blake gets on the apron! Bowens grabs Blake, Lee rolls Bowens up with tights, TWO!! MOLLY WHOP!! Cover, Bowens wins!
Winner: Anthony Bowens, by pinfall
Blake tried to tip the scales, but then he also storms into the ring! Billy gets in Blake’s way and Blake backs up. Blake “apologizes,” but then he takes a swing! Billy stops that and TOSSES Blake out! Billy says “SUCK IT!” Bowens grabs a mic to tell Detroit, “What you just saw was the Pride of Professional Wrestling! The perfect combination of power, athleticism, intelligence, the look, and The It Factor. And I am in a really good mood, so y’know what? Billy, throw ’em up! Detroit, throw ’em up! And make some noise!” And they SCISSOR FINGER~! For old time’s sake, Bowens embraces the old gimmick. But will nothing stop Bowens from making himself a contender?
The Gates of Agony are here!
Detroit cheers as Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona walk out to the ring, but they grab mics so they can talk. Kaun calls out Bryan Keith & Big Bill. “You think you’re gonna walk through these Gates unscathed, unburned, and redeem yourselves in the eyes of Chris Jericho?” The fans boo and Kaun says, “Hell no, Paradise has to be earned. And these Gates right here? They’re gonna stop you in your tracks.” Liona says, “And this time, we’re not doing it in a parking lot! Y’know why? Because we’re in Detroit! Why not do this right here, right now!?” The fans cheer and Liona tells Big Bill & Bryan Keith, you heard the people! Get out here and fight!
The shirts come off, and here come the Redwood & Bad Apple! They go right to the ring and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Bill has Kaun and Keith has Liona! Bill hammers away on Kaun in a corner, Liona ROCKS Keith, but Keith roars! Keith runs, only for Liona to LARIAT him down! Bill BOOTS Liona down! Bill goes out after Liona, but then Keith LARIATS Kaun and himself up and out of the ring! Bill and Liona brawl, Linoa shoves Bill into railing and CLUBS him! Keith and Kaun brawl on the floor, Liona SMACKS Bill off steel steps! Liona fires up, the fans are torn, and Liona runs in, only for Bill to send him into railing! In fact, Liona goes over the railing!
Keith staggers but Kaun keeps after him. Kaun brings Keith to the ramp but Keith elbows free! Keith runs but Kaun fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP down through tables!! Fans lose their minds, and somehow Liona is up! Liona and Bill now brawl on the stage, even as security and producer Kevin Matthews try to stop this! But there’s no stopping it, and Bill BOOTS Liona! Liona wobbles, but then he roars! Liona SPEARS Bill off the stage and down through tables!! The fans lose their minds all over again! The Gates and the Branches are down around ringside, is the Learning Tree impressed watching this at home?
AEW hears from Anna Jay & Harley Cameron, as well as Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne.
The Queenslayer says, “Megan, you really like to pick fights, huh? I don’t care how big you are, how hard you hit, I will wrap my arms around you and make you sleep!” The Superbad Girl says Anna has been gone a long time, and the Megasus says things have changed. There is a new animal in this jungle, and having a pure heart, fat ass and good friends isn’t gonna cut it. But the wild Aussie tells the Megasus, “I bet your back is blown out after the fight that I brought last night!” Anna says don’t say it like. Ford tells Harley to stop hiding behind Anna’s fat ass already. Ford & Megan want them to fight and learn that mercy is the one thing they never mastered.
Harley shouts that she and Anna will SLAY THE MEGASUS, and all will FEEL THE WRATH! And so BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break Collision! Anna Jay VS Megan Bayne will happen next Saturday when Collision returns to TNT!
Willow Nightingale VS Kris Statlander!
Former friends, bitter enemies, and now maybe somewhere in between, the Babe with the Power and the Galaxy’s Greatest will battle 1v1 once more! But will we truly see she’s a #BornAgainKristen when this fight helps her make amends with Willow? Or will nothing Kris does matter, and Willow will smile anyway?
The bell rings and the two circle. The two start pushing, and then shoving, and then Willow wrenches to wrangle Kris. Kris fights up to wrench back and headlock, but Willow powers out to headlock in return. Kris powers up and out, then reels Willow in for her own headlock. Willow THROWS Kris away and the fans fire up! Willow wants Kris to take this serious, so Kris runs up to waistlock. Willow fights the lift and switches, Kris fights the lift in return. Willow powers through to SLAM Kris all the same! The fans fire up more while Kris grows frustrated. Kris storms up, but Willow boops her on the nose!
The fans are torn but Kris says if that’s how it’s gonna be… And she SLAPS Willow! Willow swings, Kris dodges and Kris trips Willow to then basement CROSSBODY! Kris mocks the Willow smile ‘n’ pose, TWO! Kris mocks the smiling but then Willow SLAPS her! The fans fire up so Kris CHOSP! Willow CHOPS! Is that a spider on the screen? The CHOPS keep going and the fans “WOO~!” Willow then fires off forearms! And an ENZIGIRI! Kris sputters to a corner, Willow storms up, and the fans cheer as she bumps Kris off buckles! Then she brings Kris to another corner for another buckle bump! And then the third corner! And the fourth corner!
The fans fire up as Willow completes the lap, snapmares Kris and BOOTS her down! Willow whips Kris again, but Kris sunset flips! TWO, Willow sits up into a BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs but she CHOSP! And ROKS! And CHOPS! Kris hooks the arms but Willow flips that around to a backslide, TWO! Kris Oklahoma rolls, TWO! Willow has the cover, TWO! Kris has it back, TWO! Both women stand, Kris scoops, but Willow slips free! Willow shoves Kris, Kris goes up the corner, BACK ELBOW! Kris flexes and the fans are torn, but she hurries to cover, TWO! The fans rally and Kris brings Willow up.
Kris runs, but Willow POUNCES her! PERIOD! Kris tumbles out, the fans fire up, and the ring count starts. Willow goes to the apron and she CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up more as Kris goes down! Willow high-fives the front row, then she goes back to drag Kris up. Willow reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes first! A hard landing on the floor and we’re past 5 of 10! Kris rolls in at 7, but rolls out while Willow rolls in. Kris grabs Willow and brings her back out while Collision goes picture in picture.
Kris brings Willow around to hit another suplex to the floor! Kris soaks up cheers and jeers, puts Willow back in the ring, and then soaks up more cheers and jeers. Kris runs and LARIATS Willow in the corner! Then she scoop SLAMS, covers, TWO! Willow is still in this but Kris stays on her. Kris whips Willow, Willow reverses, and Willow stays back as Kris goes up. Willow then CLUBS Kris on the back, and she reels Kris in for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Willow reels Kris into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Kris endures as Willow twists her around! Kris pushes it to a cover, TWO! Both women stand, Kris kicks low and snapmares for a body scissor squeeze!
Willow endures, even as Kris adds a half nelson to the mix! Willow fights around, reaches out, and throws elbows! The nelson is undone but Willow still elbows away at the legs! Kris lets Willow go, the two stand up, and Kris CHOPS! Willow seethes and winds up to CHOP back! Kris ROCKS Willow! Willow CHOPS Kris! Kris ROCKS Willow, Willow ROCKS Kris, and repeat! The shots go back and forth, then Willow fires a flurry! Kris fires her own flurry in return! Both women wobble, then they fire more shots! Collision returns to single picture as the shots keep going! Willow then slips around and GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Kris rises, and she gets around Willow to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, and both women fall back! The fans fire up while Kris and Willow go to opposite corners. Kris and Willow rise, then Willow runs up to back body block! Kris dodges the lariat and UPPERCUTS! Kris runs side to side to KNEE Willow! Kris whips, Willow cartwheels and BOOTS! Kris kips up to PELE! Kris runs, but Willow hits a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Willow has Kris in a corner. Willow LARIATS point blank again and again and again! The fans count all the way to nine, but Kris dodges ten!
Willow blocks the superkick, fireman’s carries, and she bumps Kris off buckles before- NO, Kris slips free! Kris waistlocks but Willow CLUBS away! Kris shoves Willow but Willow avoids the snap powerslam! Willow gut wrenches but Kris trips her! Jackknife bridge, TWO and Willow sunset flips it! TWO and both women stand! SUPERKICK from Kris! Kris runs to SCISSOR KICK! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and Kris is shocked! The fans are thunderous and Kris hauls Willow up. Kris has the leg, but Willow wrenches and fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and Willow is beside herself!
Detroit is thunderous as Willow puts Kris in the corner. Willow bumps Kris off buckles, then she climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, but Kris slips out to CLUB Willow on the back! Kris goes up and she has Willow on the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both women are down and the fans go wild! Kris and Willow slowly rise again, and Kris takes aim! Kris winds up and DISCUS- LARIAT from Willow!! The straps come down and Willow hauls Kris up! BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!!! But Kris flounders all the way out of the ring! Willow rises, but Wheeler Yuta is here. Yuta taunts former friend Kris, but this is to distract the ref!
Marina Shafir gets Willow with a CHAIN!! Marina CHOKES Willow, then KICKS her down! The fans boo but the Death Riders leave ringside. Kris has no idea what happened, she just tucks Willow in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
The Problem flips off Willow and Detroit as she finally gets revenge on Willow. Will Willow be able to smile when she’s this pissed off at Marina?
Skye Blue speaks.
“Next week, Beach Break, AEW is back in Chicago. And so am I. I’m back, and I’m a violent little thing.” The Chicago Skye is dark and brooding once again, but will her future be bright?
Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander VS The Dark Order!
Before they take on Will Ospreay & Hangman Page for Beach Break, The Alpha & Walking Weapon are going to make an example out of the Cowboy’s former friends. Will this be the end of The Dark Order once and for all? Or can Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds survive despite not having the Numbers?
Well, Konosuke & Alexander don’t even wait, they just attack! The bell rings, Konosuke TOSSES Uno and Alexander runs up on Reynolds! Reynolds dodges, runs back in, but Alexander ELBOWS him down! Then BOOTS him! Konosuke uses his own jacket to LASH Uno with those studs! Alexander throws his jacket off to keep on Reynolds, and the ref is so busy with Alexander that he misses Callis CLAWING Uno’s eyes! Alexander whips Reynolds, Reynolds goes up and over, but then Alexander puts him on the apron! Reynolds avoids the shoulder to GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP!
Alexander staggers away, the ref is distracted, and Konosuke YANKS Reynolds down! Konosuke sits Reynolds on the apron, CHOPS and hits a DRIVE-BY, then Alexander adds his CROSSBODY CHECK! Reynolds is down, Uno runs up, but Alexander dodges for the ALPHA ELBOW to take Uno down! Alexander puts Reynolds back in the ring, bumps him off buckles, and he tags Konosuke. Konosuke wrenches and reels Reynolds in, BLUE THUNDER- NO, Reynolds fights the bomb! Reynolds reaches out for Uno, but Konosuke reels him in! BIG back suplex, but Reynolds lands out! Reyhnolds shoves Konosuke aside, hot tag to Uno!
Uno ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! The fans fire up and Uno tags Reynolds back in! They double whip Konosuke, but he breaks their double lariat! Reynolds dodges as Konosuke LARIATS Uno down! Reynolds comes back but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Hot tag to Alexander, and he hoists Uno up into the Electric Chair! Konosuke goes up, JUMP KNEE DOOMSDAY!! Then they haul Reynolds up, DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! And from there, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Callis Family wins again!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander, by pinfall
Not only are these two rolling towards Beach Break, but Konosuke is red hot going into his NEVER Openweight Championship defense tomorrow night, NJPW Resurgence in California! Will all of the wrestling world soon belong to the Don Callis Family?
“Speedball” Mike Bailey VS Dralistico!
This match came about because La Faccion Ingobernable was upset Kevin Knight’s team won that $400,000 tag match and they decided to make him pay for it physically. LFI essentially screwed The Jet out of a Continental Championship opportunity, but Bailey is going to fight for his friend! Will Bailey start by taking out El Toro Blanco’s brother?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Dralistico puts Bailey in a corner, but the ref counts. Dralistico backs off, and he CHOPS! Dralistico fires hands, the ref counts, but Dralistico tells Bailey off. Dralistico runs, but Bailey blocks the superkick! Bailey swings, Dralistico ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Bailey drops down, hurdles over, and KICKS Dralistico down! The fans fire up while Dralistico bails out. Bailey builds speed, but Dralistico ducks the baseball slide! Bailey kicks, Dralistico blocks and flips Bailey! Bailey lands safe, but then Dralistico avoids the wall kick to ROCK him! Bailey comes back, Dralistico pops Bailey up, and Bailey mule kicks!
Bailey ASAI MOONSAULTS and down goes Dralistico at the ramp! The fans fire and Bailey hurries into the ring. Bailey is all fired up while Dralistico sputters. Bailey goes back out after Dralistico, then he drags Dralistico up. Bailey KICKS, and CHOPS, and then brings Dralistico around. Dralistico CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo but Dralistico RANAS Bailey into the steel steps! Then a SUPERKICK into the steps! Dralistico tranquilos and fans boo while Collision goes picture in picture.
Dralistico nods as the fans rally, and he stalks Bailey. Dralistico drags Bailey up, SMACKS him off the steel steps, then refreshes the ring count. Dralistico pretends he can’t hear the fans booing but he sees them give him thumbs down. Dralistico storms up on Bailey to CHOP him against railing! Dralistico then whips Bailey into the railing! Dralistico hops up onto the barriers so he can soak up the heat. Bailey crawls to the apron but Dralistico shoves him into the ring. Dralistico sits Bailey up, clamps on a GROUND COBRA TWIST, but Bailey endures! Dralistico throws down fists, then tells the fans to shut up!
Dralistico goes back to Bailey, stomps him, then drags him to a drop zone. Dralistico springboards to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Dralistico tells everyone to tranquilo, then he stands Bailey up for a HEADBUTT! Dralistico looms over Bailey, stalks him to the ropes, and then KICKS a leg out! Dralistico puts Bailey on the ropes to CHOKE him! Collision returns to single picture as the fans boo and the ref counts. Dralistico stops at 4, then he KICKS Bailey in the leg! And he KICKS the leg again! Bailey hobbles, Dralistico kicks but Bailey blocks! Bailey KICKS and KICKS and KICKS in return! Then he CHOPS Darlistico in the corner!
The fans fire up but Dralistico turns things around. Dralistico CHOPS Bailey, but Bailey just snarls! Bailey puts Dralistico in the corner to KICK! Dralistico CHOPS! Bailey KICKS again! Dralistico CHOPS again and again and again! Bailey just KICKS again and again and again! The fans fire up as both men fire up and Dralistico fires forearms now! The fans are thunderous and Bailey comes back to KICK! Dralistico KICKS, Bailey KICKS, repeat! KICK for KICK, then Bailey unleashes the LIGHTNING KICKS! Dralistico avoids the thrust kick, but Bailey ducks a heel kick! Both men KICK, but then Bailey kicks a kick away to HEEL KICK Dralistico down!
The fans are thunderous as Bailey busts out that Tae Kwan Do! Dralistico rises, Bailey SOBATS, AX KICKS, and BUZZSAWS! Bailey then runs to SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Bailey drags Dralistico right up, suplexes and FALCON ARROW into the drop zone! Bailey climbs up, takes aim, and ULTIMATE- NO, Bailey has to bail out as Dralistico moves! Bailey rolls through, but Dralistico dropkicks the legs out! Dralistico then floats over, LA MAGITROL, TWO!! Bailey has Dralistico’s arm and steps over, but Dralistico rolls through, only for Bailey to sit on the sunset! Cover, TWO! Dralistico finishes the sunset, TWO!
Bailey kicks, misses, but then STANDING MOONSAULT! Dralistico moves again so Bailey lands out! Dralistico jumps the sweep, jumps on, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! The fans are thunderous as Bailey flounders! Dralistico reaches down to knuckle lock, but Bailey denies the cover with a Monkey Flip, into a DESTROYER!! The fans are electric as Bailey has Dralistico in the corner! Bailey runs up, but Dralistico DREAMCAST KICKS first! Bailey goes to the apron. Dralistico storms out after him, and Dralistico reels Bailey in. Bailey fights the underhooks, and he Alabama Lifts! Dralistico sunset flips but Bailey stays up!
Bailey breaks free and MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS on the apron! Dralistico coughs and sputters as he rolls into the ring and the fans fire up again! Bailey aims, spins, HEEL KICK!! Cover, Bailey wins!
Winner: “Speedball” Mike Bailey, by pinfall
The sequel was even better than the original! This rematch between Speedball and Prince of Silver was incredible, but wait! Here comes Rush himself! Bailey dares El Toro Blanco to bring those horns because he wants to keep on fighting! Rush says wait your turn, perro! When and where will Bailey look to take the bull by his horns and bring him down?
BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break: Dynamite!
Given Toni Storm wants more and more action, and since Chicago is Skye Blue’s backyard, they’ll be meeting in an AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Fatal 4 Way! Who will the two mystery participants be? And will anyone be able to score on the Whore We All Adore this close to Double or Nothing?
Daniel Garcia VS Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler & Stokely Hathaway!
For the longest time, Red Death respected FTR and FTR respected him. But after FTR selfishly betrayed Adam Copeland and put themselves ahead of everyone else, Garcia could not stand by and do nothing. Garcia dared one of the Top Guys to step up, will he take that Top Guy out? Or will this (emotionally) hurt FTR more than it hurts Garcia?
The bell rings and Dax circles with Garcia. Garcia is also wary of how Cash and #BigStoke are moving around ringside. The fans taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” so it isn’t just Ricochet anymore. Dax and Garcia tie up, go around, and Garcia puts Dax in the corner. The ref counts, Garcia lets off slowly, but he pats Dax on his bald head. Dax brushes that off, he and Garcia circle again, and then they tie up. They go around, Dax puts Garcia in a corner, and the ref counts. Dax lets off slowly, but he sucker punches Garcia! The fans boo but Stoke likes that! The ref reprimands but Garcia shakes off the cheap shot.
Dax storms up and ROCKS Garcia again! And CHOPS! Garcia staggers away but Dax storms up to CHOP again! Garcia goes to another corner, but then he CHOPS in return! Dax turns things around to CHOP again! But Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax CHOPS right back! Garcia sputters as he sits down in the corner. Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back for Garcia, but Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax headlocks, Garcia powers up and out, but Dax runs him over! Garcia trips Dax, HAMMERS away with fists, but Dax gets up. Garcia keeps after him with a CHOP in the corner!
Garcia whips corner to corner, runs up, but Dax ELBOWS him away! Dax runs up, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Garcia is down and the fans boo but Stoke & Cash cheer Dax on. Dax stomps and drops knees on Garcia at the ropes! The ref counts, Dax backs off, and Garcia checks his own neck. Cash talks trash, the ref has him back off, and Cash says he’s just talking! He’s allowed to do that, right? The fans still taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” Dax stands Garcia up, reels him in, but Garcia fights the lift! Dax pulls on Garcia’s hair to then CHOP him! Garcia bails out, Dax pursues, and Dax brings Garcia around.
Dax talks trash on the fans, then reels Garcia in. Garcia fights the lift again, trips Dax up, and then CATAPULTS Dax into the POST! The fans fire up while Dax falls in a heap! Garcia stands, rolls into the ring, but just long enough to refresh the count. Dax is busted open and Garcia is right on that bloody forehead! Dax wants mercy but Garcia only backs off to get space. Garcia puts up his dukes, does his dance, and then runs in for a DROPKICK! Dax hits barriers, but Garcia runs again! Another DROPKICK into the barriers! And then a third DROPKICK into the barriers! The fans fire up with Garcia as he goes one more time, only for Cash to stand in the way!
The fans boo as Cash says no more! Garcia seethes, and he still runs up, but Dax LARIATS Garcia down! Cash bought Dax time, and now Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs through his crimson mask. Dax puts Garcia in the ring, then he grabs the ring bell! The ref stops Dax and they tug-o-war over it! Dax lets the ref have the bell, but then Garcia trips Dax! Garcia steps through, and he turns Dax over for the DRAGON TAMER!! But Stoke distracts the ref, letting Cash drag Garcia out! DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Cash points to commentary to give a thumbs up, but wait! DADDY MAGIC is here! The fans cheer as Matt Menard CLOBBERS Cash!
The fans fire up, Stoke freaks out, and Menard fires off on Cash in a corner! Detroit is all fired up as Collision goes picture in picture!
Cash runs away to the back but Menard pursues! Now things are a bit more even, with Stoke coaching a bloodied and dazed Dax. Dax staggers to his feet, goes over to Garcia, and drags him up to put him in the ring. Dax talks more trash on the fans, then he storms in after Garcia. Dax suplexes and hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Garcia is still in this and Dax grows frustrated. The ref checks Dax while the fans rally behind Garcia. Dax is okay to continue, and he brings Garcia up, only for Garcia to cradle! TWO!! Dax stands and LARIATS Garcia down! Dax huffs ‘n’ puffs and TOSSES Garcia to the apron! Dax brings Garcia through the ropes, to then CHOP!
Dax KICKS and ROCKS Garcia on repeat! Then he reels Garcia in for a DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Dax rains down fists without hesitation! Dax hears the fans taunting him so he dares them to do something. Dax holds the ropes open but obviously no one takes the offer. Dax drags Garcia up, CHOPS him, and he storms up on Garcia at the ropes. Garcia ROCKS and CHOPS in return, but Dax CHOPS again! Garcia sputters and falls back while Dax soaks up the heat. Dax paces around Garcia, taunts Detroit more, and Collision returns to single picture. The fans boo as hard as they can but Dax talks trash on Garcia now.
Dax kicks at Garcia, egging him on. Garcia scowls as Dax pie faces him! The fans rally, Garcia rises, and Dax looks worried. Dax SLAPS Garcia, but Garcia just clamps onto Dax’s neck! Dax breaks fere, Garcia CHOP, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Garcia CHOPS away on Dax at the ropes! The fans fire up and Garcia whips, but Dax reverses. Garcia LARIATS, Dax staggers, so Garcia runs again! Another LARIAT but Dax still stays on his feet! Garcia runs, Dax ROCKS him, and then Dax whips. Garcia reverses, Dax reverses to wrench, but Garcia dodges the lariat to LARIAT! Down goes Dax and the fans fire up!
Stoke is frustrated for Dax as the fans rally up. Garcia storms up on Dax to climb up. Garcia rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to nine. Garcia foams at the mouth before he hits TEN! The fans fire up, Garcia waistlocks, but Dax holds onto a buckle pad! That pad comes loose, Garcia still hits a SAIDO! The fans fire up as Garcia covers, TWO!! Dax survives but Garcia goes for the legs. Dax CLAWS at Garcia’s face and shoves him away! Garcia still gets the legs and trips Dax up! DRAGON- NO, Dax fights and BOOTS Garcia into the bare steel! SLINGSHOT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Garcia survives and Detroit is thunderous!
Stokely is seething and Dax is pissed, but the fans continue to rally for “DANNY! DANNY!” Dax goes up, and Garcia CHOPS first! Garcia climbs, brings Dax up, and they go to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! And then a roll through! Garcia hoists Dax up to the top rope again, and goes back up top! Another SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Garcia isn’t done, he’s taking Three Amigos to a new level! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes to the next corner, hoists Dax up, and climbs again! The fans want the hattrick, and Garcia brings Dax up! SUPER DUPER THREE AMIGOS!!! Both men are down and the fans are electric!
Stokely is furious as Garcia crawls to a cover! ROPEBREAK!! Garcia miscalculates and that works out for Dax! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement! Dax and Garcia rise, go forehead to forehead, and then they go forearm for forearm! Garcia gets the edge and the fans love it! Garcia BOOTS Dax out of the ring, then pursues! Stoke has to run away before Garcia CLOBBERS Dax from behind! They go into the crowd, the fans fire up as they’re even closer to the action now! This brawl goes through the stands, around behind commentary, and Dax SMACKS Garcia off railing! And then off more railing!
Schiavone & Nigel just mind their own business, and yet Dax still feels the need to push Nigel’s headset off him! The fans boo and Nigel seethes. Nigel stands up, Dax dares him to do something! Detroit tells Dax he done F’d up, but Nigel just puts his headset back on. Nigel says he is a professional, but a professional commentator. Dax is the wrestler, so Nigel will not touch him. Dax SHOVES Nigel down! Nigel is furious but Dax already storms off to find Garcia. Dax puts Garcia in the ring, but Garcia reels Dax in! Dax fights the lift, Stoke barks from the apron! The ref backs stoke off, but Dax LOW BLOWS Garcia!
But now Nigel is storming down to ringside! Garcia fights the lift and Nigel is on the apron! Dax storms up on Nigel, but Nigel RAMS Dax down low! UPPERCUT! But Cash is back! He kicks Nigel low, reels him in, but Nigel WRINGS Cash out! Garcia LARIATS Dax up and out, and clearly by now the ref has just thrown this one out!
No Contest
Menard is back and he LARIATS Cash up and out! The fans fire up as Menard, Garcia and McGuinness stand tall together! FTR kept pushing buttons but they pushed the wrong ones! Will Stoke, Dax & Cash have to fear the repercussions of their actions?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision, but it apparently caught a bit of the Go Home Syndrome. There were quite a few recap packages I skipped but clearly they are working to hype Beach Break for next. Moxley’s newest promo was alright, didn’t really add much, because as I said just last night, Moxley surely finds a way to retain with help from The Death Riders. I will say, it made a lot of sense for the remaining Death Riders to cost Willow. Marina and Willow still have beef, and I’m still hoping on my idea from last night: Shayna Baszler shows up, teams with Marina, we get Shayna & Marina VS Willow & Kris. Let’s up the ante and get another classic Street Fight Tag out of Kris & Willow.
Great promo from Toni Storm to open the night, and good to hear Skye Blue is back. Another Fatal 4 Way Eliminator makes me wonder if one of the mystery entrants ends up taking the loss. There was also that spider during Kris VS Willow, which I believe is a teaser for Thekla. Thekla could easily jump into the Fatal 4 Way and get close to winning, but who knows. And as I said last night, not sure why they’re holding Athena back from doing much of anything right now. With Supercard of Honor now delayed to July to coincide with All In: Texas, Athena should really be getting involved more on AEW TV so people don’t forget she exists.
Very good stuff with Bowens VS Lee, and I appreciate the albeit lazy way they changed Bowen’s logo so that it doesn’t resemble the Shane Taylor Promotions’ STP. Bowens of course wins, but his promo after was pretty much the same as his other ones. At least he did one last scissoring with Billy. Bowens is unfortunately not going to get a title story right now with all the champions preoccupied in something else. Though honestly, I feel like there is a way for Okada VS Bowens to be a great match, and then someone violates the Continental Rules so that Okada loses without really losing. Best way I can think of is Swerve is hunting The Bucks, they go ringside, and since Bucks are associate with Okada, that’s a violation on his part, and it adds more heat to whatever big thing Double or Nothing has planned.
Great stuff from the Don Callis Family in all their matches. I wasn’t expecting a big 8 Man Tag, and I’m a little disappointed Brody King wasn’t one of the participants, but maybe that’s the next phase. Great showing from the Faces, especially AR Fox. Fox is in a similar boat to Bowens where he certainly deserves title opportunities but TK just isn’t seeing how to write it. But between that and the dominance Konosuke & Alexander over Dark Order, it feels like the Don Callis Family get their comeuppance with Hangman & Ospreay winning next week.
Ricochet VS Angelico was rather outta nowhere but it was still a great match. It was also clearly a vehicle so Ricochet could start beef with Zach (Zack?) Gowen and give us a Beach Break match between them for the real deepcut long time wrestling fans. Much like Bowens and Fox, I feel like Ricochet is waiting on a title to be freed up from story so he can go get those titles. Such as Paragon now feuding with Grizzled Young Veterans for a minute, which in a way keeps Adam Cole isolated. TK should’ve just given us Ricochet VS Cole for the fun of it because Ricochet VS Cole would be incredibly fun stuff. They could even revisit their NXT history if they wanted to.
Great stuff with Gates of Agony and Learning Tree, that was much better than last week’s. I really hope this gives us a Tornado Tag match. For that matter, why aren’t we getting that in the story of Anna Jay & Harley Cameron VS Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford? Good promo from those teams to hype up… just Anna VS Megan… It’d make Beach Break Collision feel all the bigger but whatever, maybe they feel Ford still isn’t up to speed after that Fatal 4 Way last night. But doing a chaotic tag match could help iron out some of that so that Ford can just focus on what she is good at with the gymnastics and throwing hands.
And awesome stuff with Garcia VS “Dax the Axe” in the main event. And yeah, I didn’t put it in myself, but they’re really committing to that as Dax’s ring name right now. Great to see Menard helping Garcia, and even Nigel standing up for himself against Dax. A “No Contest” result was a little odd but I suppose that’s like saying it is a draw where no one goes over. But with the Faces standing tall, maybe Nigel steps in and teams with Garcia right now for Double or Nothing so that Garcia teaming with Cope is the All In moment.
My Score: 8.8/10
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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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