Austin paves the way to Grand Slam: Australia!

Even before the big night in Brisbane, AEW is in Austin and gold is on the line! Will Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin hurt The Gunns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???; Hangman Page wins.
• AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS The Undisputed Kingdom; The Death Riders win and retain the titles.
• Six Man Tag: Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata VS Aaron Solo, Jon Cruz & Rosario Grillo; Joe, Hook & Shibata win.
• Dustin Rhodes VS MJF; MJF wins.
• Megan Bayne VS Maya World; Megan wins.
• Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP VS The Gunns; Lashley & Shelton win and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???

Dynamite begins with Platinum Max already in the ring, mic in hand and he thanks Austin, even though they’re booing as hard as they can. Caster introduces himself as the Best Wrestler Alive! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Caster says if you don’t believe him, look at this trademark certificate, signed and notarized by “your precious American government.” The fans boo but Caster says he’s giving anyone, anywhere, a chance to go eye-to-eye with the Best Wrestler Alive. And since he ran his partners, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn, outta this company, now you can all see the true mastermind behind The Acclaimed was always Max!

“So without further ado, let’s see who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive!” Caster hands the mic to Justin Roberts, and here comes HANGMAN PAGE! Caster is freaking out but he should’ve known better when he got on The Cowboy’s nerves last week. Caster bails out of the ring the moment Hangman steps in, and Caster wants to run away through the crowd? Hangman asks where Caster went, and the fans point him out! Caster says stop it, but here comes Hangman! Hangman storms through crowd, catches up to Caster, and then chases him into the ring! Caster attacks, the bell rings, and the fans boo.

Caster fires hands, then throws off his shirt. Caster whips, Hangman reverses, but Caster BOOTS back! Caster goes up, leaps, and FLYING RANAS! The fans boo but Caster says that’s why he’s the best! But he gloats too much, and he doesn’t see Hangman get up. Caster turns around, Hangman LARIATS him down! The fans fire up as Caster goes to the corner, and Hangman runs in, LARIAT! Hangman whips corner to corner, LARIATS, then snapmares for a SLIDING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Hangman now loads up on the apron! Caster stands up, into a BUCKSHOT! Cover, Hangman wins!

Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall

Platinum Max is 0-2 at his own challenge, but we can only hope that ego has been deflated. As for Hangman, will there be even more #CowboyS*it on this road to Revolution?

AEW hears from Ricochet and Swerve Strickland.

The One & Only says, “Much like the Philadelphia Eagles, I now stand before you a winner. Swerve Strickland, he had all the threats, he had all the insults, he had all the menacing looks, and he had all the vigor. But again, none of that matters when you can’t win. Ricochet is moving on to bigger and better things.” But the Realest tells Ricochet that this is far from over. “I’m a big believer in eye for an eye, and I’m coming for you.” But Prince Nana speaks up, saying this is the same thing he’s been telling Swerve about! Why does Swerve have to make things personal? Focus on what matters: Jon Moxley & the AEW World Championship!

Swerve says he can’t! He’s tried! And Nana knows of all people that he tried. But look at what happened the last time he let someone walk way: Hangman burned down Swerve’s house and Swerve lost everything! Ricochet says it is a cold, cold world, but ya boi is staying really, really warm. AHA~! Ricochet has the Embassy’s robe, but he also has Swerve aiming for the kill shot. When and where will these two go one more round?

AEW World Trios Championships: The Death Riders VS The Undisputed Kingdom!

The “reign of terror” doesn’t just pertain to Moxley’s grip on the AEW World Championship, it applies to how Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Pac have barely even defended these titles since winning them. However, it was just last week that they attacked Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Adam Cole BAYBAY in an attempt to keep them down. Cole said the Death Riders were messing with the wrong team, will that fact be undisputed? Or will the Death Riders continue to hold four belts hostage?

The introductions are made, but the Kingdom goes after the Death Riders on the outside! The bell rings to get this on record, but the brawl is already on! Austin fires up as Cole is after the Swiss Superman, Roddy is after The Decoder, and Kyle has The Bastard! Claudio sends Cole into barriers! Kyle fires knees on Pac, Roddy whips Yuta, and Yuta hits railing! Kyle kicks Pac against railing, Roddy CHOPS away on Yuta, Kyle KICKS Pac, then Roddy gives Pac a CHOP as he and Yuta pass by. Cole fires shots on Claudio then bumps him off barriers! Kyle runs to DORPKICK Kyle against barriers! Pac slumps down while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Roddy fires shots on Yuta, Cole stomps Claudio, then Kyle runs to KNEE Yuta down! Kyle then runs to DROPKICK Claudio! The fans are fired up with The Kingdom, and they get Yuta in the ring. Kyle stomps Yuta, puts him in a corner, then tags Roddy. They CHOP and KICK Yuta on repeat! The ref counts, Roddy brings Yuta around and hits a BACKBREAKER! Tag to Cole and Cole drags Yuta up. Cole turns Yuta for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yuta stays in this but Cole stays on him with a buckle bump. Tag to Kyle, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Yuta, then Kyle covers, TWO! Kyle rains down palm strikes as Dynamite returns to single picture.

The fans rally for “UNDISPUTED! UNDISPUTED!” while Kyle wrenches Yuta. But Yuta pulls hair, puts Kyle in the corner, and the Death Riders mug Kyle! The ref counts, Pac tags in, and Pac BOOTS Kyle! Pac bumps Kyle off buckles, then runs him corner to corner to bump him off more buckles! Pac then brings Kyle back to the Death Rider corner for one more buckle bump! Tag to Claudio and the Death Riders stomp away on Kyle! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Pac lets off. Claudio looms over Kyle, brings him up, and CHOPS! The fans rally but Kyle fires a forearm! Claudio UPPERCUTS, Kyle fires another forearm, but Claudio gets a SLEEPER!

The fans rally for Kyle but Claudio sits him down already! Kyle pries at the hold, bends Claudio’s fingers, but Claudio just powers up to keep the hold. Kyle stands, turns around, but Claudio facelocks. Kyle powers his way forward a step at a time, but Claudio power shim back! Yuta storms in to CLUB Kyle! The ref reprimands Yuta, but then he has to keep Cole & Roddy back, and all this allows Claudio & Pac to mug Kyle more! Yuta joins in, the fans boo more, but the Death Riders get away with everything before the ref sees! Yuta tags in, Pac gets a cheap shot in before Yuta JUMP STOMPS again and again!

But Kyle grapevines the leg! The fans fire up but Claudio stomps Kyle down! The ref reprimands but Yuta tags Pac. Pac stalks Kyle, stays between him and The Kingdom, and then Pac stands Kyle up to pie face. Kyle fires a forearm, so Pac fires back! They go back and forth, Kyle fires a strike fest, but Pac jumps the leg sweep! Pac SOBATS, KICKS, and SOBATS! Pac runs, but into a kitchen sink knee! Hot tag to Roddy! The Savior of the Backbreaker CALF KICKS Pac, then CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Roddy catches Claudio to a leg capture BACKBREAKAER! Roddy BLATS Yuta, CHOPS Pac, then hits a BACKBREAKER!

Yuta runs in, but into a HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER! Then an X-PLEX onto Pac! Cover, TWO!! Pac survives but Roddy hurries to tag Cole. Tag to Kyle now, and then Roddy fireman’s carries Pac. GUT BUSTER DROP, then Cole adds a BACKSTABBER! Kyle hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, Claudio breaks it! The fans boo but Cole runs up! Claudio UPPERCUTS Cole, but Roddy KNEES Claudio out of the ring! Kyle hurries to tag Roddy, and they get Pac up. But Yuta sneaks up as Kyle climbs! Roddy gives Pac the BACKBREAKER, but Yuta SHOVES Kyle off the top! Kyle tumbles to apron then the floor!

The ref argues with Yuta, but Claudio hits a BIG back suplex on Roddy! Cole protests but Claudio tags back in. Claudio stomps away on Roddy, then he soaks up the heat from Austin. Tag to Yuta, he and Claudio mug Roddy, then they hit a HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Roddy is tougher than that, but Yuta clamps on him with a facelock. Yuta grinds Roddy down, but Roddy endures and fights up. Roddy wrenches up, but Yuta kicks low! Yuta hits a snap suplex, then covers, TWO! Tag to Pac, and Pac takes the handoff to a headlock. Pac grinds Roddy down but Roddy keeps his shoulders up. The fans rally up and Roddy stands, but Pac facelocks, snap suplex!

Pac watches Roddy goes to a corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT! Snapmare and covers, TWO! Roddy stays in this but Pac tries to intimidate the ref. Pac keeps Roddy from the Kingdom, then tags in Claudio. They mug Roddy, then Claudio snapmares for a chinlock. Claudio grinds Roddy down, the fans rally up, and Roddy fights to his feet. Roddy carries Claudio as a backpack, but Claudio brings him around! Claudio whips Roddy to the corner, tag to Pac! Claudio pokes Roddy in the eyes before he runs to BLAST Kyle off the apron! Pac tags Yuta, and the Death Riders regroup. Claudio whips Yuta in to ELBOW Roddy!

Claudio whips Pac in to ELBOW Roddy, then Claudio adds an UPPERCUT! Yuta ELBOWS, Pac UPPERCUTS, Claudio UPPERCUTS, and the cycle repeats, even as Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Roddy gets hit with another sequence of ELBOW, UPPERCUT and UPPERCUT, then Claudio feeds Roddy to Yuta’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yuta scowls, as does Pac, but Cole is back to coach Roddy. Yuta stands on Roddy’s chest to dig in his heel, but Roddy pushes him away. Roddy goes to ropes, but Yuta drags him up. Yuta CHOPS Roddy, has him in a corner, but Roddy CHOPS back! Yuta CHOPS again, Roddy CHOPS again, but Yuta powers Roddy to ropes! Claudio is there to hold Roddy, and Yuta ROCKS Roddy! Yuta tags Claudio, Claudio stands between Roddy and his corner, then stands Roddy up. Claudio shoves Roddy to a corner, but Roddy BOOTS back!

Roddy fires forearms and CHOPS, then reaches for his corner. Claudio reels Roddy in first, but Roddy fights the suplex! Roddy suplexes Claudio! The fans rally up as Claudio and Roddy crawl, and they push past each other, hot tag to Yuta! Yuta BLASTS Cole before Roddy can get there! Yuta then stands Roddy up, only for Roddy to CHOP Yuta down! Roddy goes for his corner, but Yuta trips him! Yuta drags Roddy back, tags Pac, and Pac drops a knee on Roddy’s back! Pac tells Austin to shut it, then he stalks Roddy to ropes. Pac digs his boots in, the ref counts, but Pac lets off. Pac JUMP STOMPS Roddy down, then brings him up.

Pac puts Roddy on ropes to CHOP him, then CHOKE him! The ref counts again, Pac lets off, but Claudio gets a cheap shot UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO, and Pac argues the count. The ref defends the pace, so Pac drags Roddy back to the corner. Tag to Yuta, Yuta stomps Roddy, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Yuta suplexes, but Roddy cradle counters! TWO!! Yuta escapes, and he DROPKICKS Roddy down! Cover, TWO! Yuta keeps Roddy from his corner, but Roddy CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~” but Yuta knees low! Yuta whips, Roddy LARIATS first! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Roddy and Yuta crawl, hot tag to Cole! Cole dodges Yuta to BLAST Claudio! Cole BOOTS Yuta, runs up, and LARIATS! And ELBOWS! And BOOTS again! The fans fire up with Cole, then he fireman’s carries Yuta. Yuta slips free, shoves Cole, but Cole BLASTS Pac! Yuta waistlocks, Cole breaks free and PELES! Then the fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Cole takes aim. Yuta slowly rises, Claudio storms in! Cole TOSSES Claudio, Kyle FLYING KNEES Claudio down! Yuta ELBOWS Cole away, tags Pac, and Pac springboards in, into a SUPERKICK! The fans are thunderous as Cole tags Roddy and Roddy tags Kyle!

Claudio is back, but he runs into DOUBLE KNEES, then a BOOT! Roddy SHINING WIZARDS Pac, feed to a KNEE from Kyle! Then it’s AX ‘N’ TRIPLE SMASH!! Cover, CLAUDIO BREAKS IT! The fans boo but Cole & Roddy get Claudio. But Claudio DOUBLE SUPLEXES them first! The fans are thunderous as Claudio has Kyle’s legs! Yuta tags in, climbs up, and Claudio winds up, ROCKET LAUNCHER onto Kyle’s knees! Roddy STRONG KNEES Claudio outta the ring! Kyle cradles Yuta, TWO!! Cole aims, SUPERKICKS, and Roddy shouts to “KYYYLE~! Sweep the leg!” TOTAL ANNIHILATION!! Cover, PAC & CLAUDIO BREAK IT!

The fans are going nuts as Cole & Roddy TOSS Pac & Claudio! Kyle has Yuta in an ANKLE LOCK!! Cole sends Pac at railing, Roddy runs to WRECK- NO, Claudio blocks the dropkick, and he SWINGS Roddy into railing! Yuta endures, reaches out, but Claudio has a chair! The ref stops Claudio, but then Cole SUPERKICKS Claudio! Claudio stays up, Kyle lets Yuta go so he and Cole can DOUBLE SUPERKICK Claudio out! Pac runs in, Cole TOSSES him back out! But Yuta LOW BLOWS!! The ref missed it while dealing with the chair!! Yuta rolls Kyle up, DEATH RIDERS WIN!

Winners: The Death Riders, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Champions)

Yuta takes advantage of the chaos and keeps the reign of terror going! But now the Death Riders beat up on Kyle & Cole for good measure! But wait! Daniel Garcia & 2Point0 make their way out here! They run the Death Riders off into the night! The fans cheer on Daddy Magic, Cool Hand Ange & Red Death as they help the Kingdom stand back up. But while the Death Riders get away with the trios titles, will Garcia have to go on the defense of his TNT Championship?

Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir walk the halls.

The Problem gets the cameraman to back off, but as she turns the corner, ADAM COPELAND SMACKS MOX WITH A CHAIR! The Rated R Superstar then blocks an attack from Marina, and shoves her into a closet! Cope holds the door closed while he tug-o-wars with Marina over the briefcase! Cope shouts for Switchblade, and Jay White rushes in with bolt cutters! White says hold still, we don’t want anyone losing fingers over this. White CUTS the chain, and now Marina is locked in the closet! Cope & White get away with the belt and Moxley is fuming! Will getting that briefcase back be the new stakes for the Brisbane Brawl?

Backstage interview with MJF.

Renee Paquette is with the Wolf of Wrestling and brings up his match with the living legend, Dustin Rhodes. This is Dustin’s home state of Texas, what kind of home court advantage does that give The Natural? MJF says this might be Dustin’s home, “but Texas isn’t a real state, and Dustin isn’t a real man.” MJF knows AA meetings tell you to pray to a higher power in times of need. Then if MJF were Dustin, he’d be on his hands and knees and pray to the devil, aka MJF. Ain’t no amount of paint on that mangled face will be able to hide Dustin’s shame! But then Hangman steps in, and he tells MJF, “Out.”

MJF asks, “Pardon?” Hangman says get out, this is his interview now. Oh, okay. Hangman, MJF doesn’t know what is going on, but does Hangman have a crush on him or something? Four weeks in a row! To be honest, Hangman smells great. MJF had no idea Jack Daniels had a cologne. Hangman says it’s been five years, is that the best MJF has? MJF says okay, okay. Not high class enough for Hanger. How about this? Whatever this is, it isn’t Hangman. Hangman doesn’t have the stomach for it, and deep down, he knows it. MJF watches week in and week out as Hangman questions every decision he makes, like a lost puppy.

Hangman has lost his friends and his sanity, all for what? A little apology? Hangman’s a joke. And the punchline is the fact that these SHMUCKS actually believe in him! But if anyone deserves an apology, it is MJF. For the lack of respect from the fans, from Hangman, and from Dustin. But tonight, MJF beats it into all of you. He’ll beat Dustin, he’ll get one step closer to accomplishing what Hangman has failed to do, after multiple failures, and that is become a TWO-TIME AEW World Champion. So see you later, Seabiscuit. MJF heads out, and Renee starts to ask a question, but Hangman quietly stops her. Will the Cowboy soon dance with the Devil in the pale moonlight?

Six Man Tag: Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata VS Aaron Solo, Jon Cruz & Rosario Grillo!

While their target is The Patriarchy, the Samoan Submission Specialist, The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil & The Wrestler are looking to keep that edge sharp. Will they be more than tuned up after taking on The Extra Talented, totally not Serpentico, and #ForzaGrillo?

The trios sort out and the fans sing, “Joe’s Gonna Kill~ You!” In fact, Joe leads the charge as his team attacks! The bell rings, the fans fire up, and Joe JABS away on Cruz while Hook as Solo and Shibata has Grillo! They all fire hands in corners, then Joe drags Cruz up to TOSS him out! Joe & Shibata let Hook handle this as he fires off on Solo. Solo kicks, Hook ducks, and Hook catches Solo for the HIGH CAPTURE PLEX! Solo tumbles out of the ring but Hook storms out after him! Shibata puts Grillo in, and Grillo wants mercy, but only gets a CHOP! Joe sends Cruz into steps! Shibata CHOPS Grillo again!

Shibata CHOPS away on the ropes! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, and Shibata CHOPS again! Joe returns to join in, they CHOP and CHOP on repeat! They double whip Grillo, then trip him rather easily, before the SENTON! Cruz runs in to fire forearms! Joe didn’t even realize Cruz was doing that until he turned around. Cruz says oh well. He winds up, but Joe CHOPS him! Joe puts Cruz up top, tucks him in, and MUSCLE BUSTER! Cover, Joe’s team wins!

Winners: Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata, by pinfall

The fans cheer “JOE! JOE! JOE!” but Joe grabs a mic. Joe introduces himself, as well as his “brothers,” Hook and Shibata. And week after week, they come out here, and the world asks Joe, “What is this about?” Joe will tell us. “What stands before you is three men who go everywhere, always have a misunderstanding, and the only answer is violence!” The fans cheer that! They are three men who don’t understand, they always have a problem, and they always beat your ass to solve it. What stands here are the OPS, and they will hunt you down in the street, in this ring, and you will be caught lacking.

That leads Joe to Christian Cage & The Patriarchy. The fans boo those names, and Joe says this could’ve been real simple. Christian could’ve just not hid away, took his ass whooping like a man, and they could’ve gone about their business. But no, Christian continues to hide from the ops! So since Joe can’t drag Christian out of his dressing room, and Christian is too much of a chicken ass coward to come out here tonight… The fans echo “CHICKEN ASS!” and Joe adds a cluck cluck. Joe says next week, Dynamite, The Patriarch VS The Ops! Will Captain Charisma prove Joe wrong by having the guts to accept this challenge?

Backstage interview with Chris Jericho & Bryan Keith.

Renee is now with The Learning Tree, and she says Jericho promised to double the $100,000 bounty on Bandido, should The Bad Apple beat The Most Wanted. Keith did not win, is Jericho at least relieved he keeps his 200K? Jericho asks if she’s mocking him. Is that a smirk? Relieved to keep the 200K? He wouldn’t have put that money up if he wasn’t prepared to lose it. He would’ve paid even TRIPLE to get Bandido out of AEW. But Jericho assures Keith that it is okay he didn’t beat Bandido. They don’t yell at each other in The Learning Tree, they learn from each other. And so this is a teachable moment, because now Keith can watch and learn as Jericho collects the bounty!

Jericho tells Bandido that he wants to see him in the ring now! Jericho challenges him to a showdown! Jericho leaves, and Keith tells Renee to never embarrass him in front of Jericho again. The Bad Apple follows after his Learning Tree, but will The Nueve be able to bring down The Most Wanted?

Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.

Dynamite returns and Renee is now with The Babe with the Power. Renee notes that last time they talked, Kris Statlander was there, but Willow told everyone that she’s just focusing on herself. Coming up, Willow has a return to Japan, so what’s the plan? Before Willow can answer, Marina Shafir attacks?! She must be taking her anger out towards Cope & Switchblade out on the first woman wrestler she saw! Marina CHOKES Willow, then tells her, “Smile, b*tch!” Marina THROWS Willow into spare tubes or something! Moxley steps in, and he calls out Copeland! Cope fights fire with fire, but Moxley thinks that’s pathetic. Cope is a dead man walking!

Moxley storms off, but is this anger only proof that Cope’s plan is working? Will Revolution still get Rated R?

The Learning Tree heads to the ring!

As promised, The Nueve is making his way out because he wants a showdown with Bandido! The fans boo the ROH World Champion as he waves to them. Jericho puts his title belt aside, and here comes The Most Wanted! The two step to each other in the ring, and a spotlight is put on them! Austin likes where this is going. The bell tolls, and both men go back to back. Bandido and Jericho then walk ten paces, of more like nine, and then they turn back around. The hats come off, and then they fire up! But Keith trips Bandido! The fans boo as the Learning Tree mugs Bandido! This was never going to be a fair fight!

But here come The Outrunners! Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd not only owe Bandido for previous saves, but they still owe Jericho & Keith payback! The fans fire up as the tables have turned, but Keith kicks Truth! Jericho ROCKS Turbo, but Turbo hits back! The brawl keeps going, but here comes BIG BILL!? The Redwood wants to claim the bounty! He storms up on Bandido in the ring, shows him that wanted poster, and then grabs Bandido by the neck! SKYSCRAPER- NO, Powerhouse Hobbs is here! Bill puts Bandido aside so he can brawl with Hobbs! The fans fire up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs ROCKS Bill, Bandido GAMANGIRIS!

Bill staggers, into a SPINEBUSTER! Hobbs stands tall and the fans fire up! Bandido and Hobbs fist bump and tell Bill that’s what he gets! But will things only escalate from here on out?

Cope & White speak.

The Switchblade says, “Oh, Jonny~! Jonny Boy! Are you missing something?” The Rated R Superstar holds up that briefcase. Is their luggage feeling a little light? Well, don’t worry about the precious cargo, just worry about getting to Australia. Because White & Cope have a canvas that they must paint with the blood of the “One True King.” Cope says he’s carried briefcases like this before. But that aside, Moxley is running around, throwing tantrums and drooling all over the place, all because he knows he doesn’t have the weapon that keeps everyone under his thumb. Are the sycophants gonna listen to him still?

Well, tell ya what. If Moxley wants this briefcase back, he just has to meet Cope & White in the ring at the end of the show. See you there, kid. White & Cope hold all the cards, will Moxley have no choice but to play their game?

Backstage interview with Dustin Rhodes.

Dynamite returns and Renee is with The Natural, and brings up last week’s words he had for MJF. Any last words before facing off with the Scumbag? Dustin asks, “Austin, Texas, are you ready?!” The fans sure sound it! Dustin tells MJF that he promised to bring him to the devil, and the devil is here! And MJF will find out why Dustin is the Last of His Kind! B*TCH!! Dustin heads out, because it is time for the shootout! And it’ll be commercial free! Will Dustin show MJF that even ass-kickings are bigger in Texas? Or will Dustin just end up a stepping stone on MJF’s road back to the AEW World Championship?

Dustin Rhodes VS MJF!

The fans are fired up for Dustin already just for his entrance! Dustin and MJF are forehead to forehead, then they back up. The bell rings, the two step back up, and Dustin draws a line in the sand. MJF runs up, but into a SNAP POWRESLAM! Dustin throws down fists, but MJF scrambles to a corner. MJF wants a timeout but Dustin gives him more stomps! MJF bails out, wants to just leave, but Dustin storms out after him! Dustin CLAWS MJF’s back, then ROCKS him with a right! Dustin brings MJF back tot he ring, bumps him off the apron, and MJF staggers. Dustin puts MJF in, but MJF scrambles to the far side.

Dustin storms over and drags MJF up by his hair! MJF HOTSHOTS the arm! MJF then hurries to push Dustin down, and he drops knee after knee on the arm. MJF SLAMS the arm off the mat, the fans boo, but MJF just soaks it all up with a cocky grin. MJF goes back to Dustin, grabs the bad arm, and he wrangles Dustin down for a cording hold! Dustin endures, the fans rally, but MJF tells them to shut up. Dustin fights to his feet, and he fires haymakers! The fans cheer but MJF YANKS the arm! MJF whips, Dustin ducks ‘n’ dodges to sunset flip! MJF stays up as he  flails, then he steps around to YANK the bad arm! Cover, ONE!!

MJF is annoyed already but he looms over Dustin. MJF clamps onto Dustin’s arm again, wrenches it, then hammerlocks. The fans chant “MAXWELL SUCKS!” but MJF hits a HAMMERLOCK BACK SUPLEX! The fans boo and even flip MJF off, but he acts like he doesn’t know why. MJF goes back to Dustin, sits him up, and KNEES Dustin in the back! MJF mocks the fans by clapping along, then he runs, runs, and runs, to then just T-BAG Dustin! The fans boo but MJF grins as he soaks it all up. MJF does kissy faces to the camera, and he tells Dustin, “You’re a joke, old man!” Dustin UPPERCUST! And UPPERCUTS!

Dustin puts MJF in the corner, but MJF CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but MJF claims he did nothing wrong. MJF then wraps Dustin’s and arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, MJF stops at 4, but then MJF climbs up. MJF rains down fists, the fans do count along, but MJF takes a deep breath, to then flip everyone off. But Dustin picks MJF up for a POWERBOMB! The fans fire up while MJF writhes and flounders around. Dustin pounds the mat, the fans rally up behind him, and Dustin rises. MJF also stands, he runs up, but Dustin dodges! Dustin kicks low, says, “Not Today!” UPPERCUTT! Atomic drop!

Dustin runs to BOOT MJF, and MJF goes to a corner. Dustin storms up to climb up, and the fans count along as he rains down fists! Dustin goes to nine, takes a deep breath, and says “SUCK IT!” before he hits TEN! The fans fire up and Dustin headlocks, for the BULLDOG! The fans fire up while MJF is down, and Dustin goes back for the Scumbag. Dustin drags MJF up, reels him in, but MJF slips around to go for the arm! Dustin whips him away, MJF ELBOWS back! MJF goes up, and he DOUBLE STOMPS the bad arm! The fans boo, but MJF FUJIWARA- NO, Dustin rolls it to a cover! TWO, and Dustin swings, but into MJF’s dragon sleeper!

MJF grins, the fans boo, but Dustin fights free! Dustin dragon sleepers, MJF flails, but Dustin still hits CROSS RHODES!! Cover, TWO?!? MJF survives and Dustin can’t believe it! The fans rally as hard as they can while both men are down. Dustin reaches up and the fans cheer him more. Dustin uses that energy to rise again! “Let’s Go, Dustin!” Dustin stands MJF up, but MJF cradles! TWO and Dustin has it, TWO! Both men stand again, and Dustin reels MJF in! Back suplex, but MJF lands out! MJF clutches his knee, Dustin goes for it, but it was a trick! MJF steps over to reel Dustin in, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans fire up as Dustin survives, and now MJF is shocked! MJF gets mad as the fans again rally for Dustin. MJF goes outside to grab a chair! The fans boo as MJF brings it to the ring, but the ref tells him don’t do this. MJF puts the arm around Dustin’s arm! MJF goes up the corner, the ref tells MJF not to do this, and then the ref takes the chair away! The fans cheer, and then Dustin trips MJF into the ropes! The fans like where this is going, and Dustin says this is for what happened in Houston! SHATTERED DREAMS!! Then FINAL RECKONING!! Cover, TWO?!?! MJF survives again and the fans boo!

Dustin is seething, but he storms up on MJF again. Dustin drags MJF up, reels him in again, but MJF wrenches and WRINGS the bad arm! MJF snarls now, and he hauls Dustin up. MJF suplexes, FINAL RECKONING?!? Cover, TWO?!?!? But into the FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! MJF pulls on the arm but the fans rally as hard as they can! Dustin reaches out, but MJF thrashes the bad arm around! Dustin digs his knuckles into the mat, crawls towards the ropes, and the fans are thunderous, until MJF drags him away! CROSSFACE!!! Dustin is fading! DUSTIN IS OUT! MJF WINS!!

Winner: MJF, by submission

MJF still holds on a little longer, then lets go when he’s satisfied! The fans boo, but there’s nothing that can be done. MJF beat Dustin, then threatens the ref. The ref gets out of there, and MJF grins as he looks to do more to The Son of Texas! MJF puts on the FUJIWARA ARMBAR again!! BUT HERE COMES HANGMAN! The fans fire up as The Cowboy storms out here! MJF lets Dustin go, and he stares down with Hangman. Fans chant for #CowboyS*it, but neither Hangman nor MJF makes a move. MJF backs down, but then he TACKLES Hangman! MJF throws hands, but Hangman fires hands in return!

Security rushes out there to separate the two, with Jerry Lynn representing the Board of Directors. But MJF gets loose to LEAP at Hangman! Security drags him back, but now Hangman breaks free! Hangman CLOBBERS MJF in the corner! Security hurries to separate these two once again, and MJF bails out of the ring. Hangman slips out the side and they brawl on the outside! MJF throat chops Hangman, but Hangman still pursues! They go into the crowd, up the bleachers, and the brawl just gets meaner! Security catches up, MJF hurries away, then he SMASHES Hangman with someone’s beer bottle!

MJF keeps retreating, but Hangman keeps pursuing! They go to the nosebleed section, and MJF RAMS Hangman into the railing! MJF tries to dump Hangman over! Security pulls both men apart once more, and they go down separate ends of the bleachers. Austin wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but Hangman is being brought out of the building! Hangman promises to get MJF, but MJF just says the Cowboy isn’t a hero, he’s a zero! MJF then takes a fan’s drink, just to SPLASH it on the fan! MJF grabs a mic and says the fans were chanting “Let Them Fight,” right? The thing is, MJF’s ready to go, but “your boy” is afraid of him!

The fans boo that, but MJF says Hangman ain’t coming back out here! Because he’s a loser like each and every single one of the fans! The fans again boo, but MJF just soaks it up. WEAIT! Hangman got loose of the security! HE TACKLES MJF!! The fans fire up as security has to again pull these two apart! Security keeps Hangman in the ring while they pull MJF away, but when and where will these two finally settle things?

AEW shows us what happened during commercial.

With MJF away from ringside, Hangman was slowly let go by security. Only for Hangman to DECK each and every one of the guards! Hangman would even give one poor guy a BUCKSHOT! Austin is all fired up, and so Tony Khan just sent word: next week on Dynamite, in Phoenix, Arizona, it will be a face-to-face of Hangman and MJF! But will they be able to keep it from going fist to fist and blow for blow?

Megan Bayne VS Maya World!

The Megasus made quite the impressive return to AEW in the inaugural Women’s Casino Gauntlet, and then continued to impress with a win on Collision. However, it seems she’s aiming for the big fish as she went after Thunder Rosa last Saturday! Will Megan make all of AEW, and even The World, bow down?

The bell rings and Maya steps up to Megan. But Megan’s 6’1″ frame is intimidating. Maya runs up, Megan grabs her and powers her to a corner! Megan fires knees into Maya, then brings her around to whip. Megan CLOBBERS Maya, then soaks up cheers and jeers. Megan runs, Maya drops down, but Megan catches the hurdle! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Maya flounders around while the fans fire up. Megan looms over Maya, stands her up, but Maya fires body shots! Megan just OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES again! Megan drags Maya into a corner, stands her up, and RAMS her again and again!

Megan stops as the ref counts, then Megan CHOPS Maya! Megan whips Maya corner to corner, Maya bounces off buckles, and Megan LEAPING LARIATS Maya down! The fans fire up with Megan, and she hauls Maya up for the fireman’s carry! “BOW! DOWN!” F5!! Cover, Megan wins!

Winner: Megan Bayne, by pinfall

The Megasus conquered The World, but then Kris Statlander makes her entrance. The Galaxy’s Greatest is herself a female titan, will she show even big bad Bayne that every night is #StaturdayNight? Or is Dynamite about to be superbad?

Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!

The bell rings and Ford circles with Kris. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, but the ref counts. Ford turns things around slightly, and she LICKS Kris’s face! Kris gets mad and she hits a headlock takeover! Ford fights up, but Kris wrenches to wristlock. Ford wrenches through, but Kris spins and wrenches back to then hit another headlock takeover! Ford headscissors, and she thrashes Kris around. Kris kips free, the two reset, and the fans rally up. Kris and Ford circle, tie up, and Kris waistlocks. Ford switches, Kris wrenches, and Kris wristlocks. Ford wrenches to wristlock then hammerlock, and she again gets a taste!

Kris ELBOWS Ford, snapmares her, and runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kris drags Ford back up in a deadlift gut wrench, then bumps Ford off buckles! Kris ROCKS Ford, then fires the fans up. Kris goes corner to corner, but Ford dodges! Ford ROCKS Kris, but Kris stops her from getting another taste by grabbing that superbad tongue! Ford tries to apologizes, but then she SLAPS Kris! Kris swings, Ford goes Matrix, but then Kris throws Ford down and stomps her! Kris whips Ford to a corner, Ford goes up and around to sunset flip, but Kris rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Kris as she drags Ford back up. Kris flexes, then suplexes! The fans cheer for the stall, then the SLAM! Kris flexes more and the fans fire up again. Kris gives a side chest pose, then she stands Ford up. Kris whips Ford, but Ford wheelbarrows, victory roll puts Kris on ropes right as Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Ford rolls back, runs in, and DROPKICKS Kris in the back! Cover, TWO! Kris stays int his but she still has to catch her breath. Ford huffs ‘n’ puffs and KNEES Kris in the back! And again! And again! Ford pulls on the arms for a motorcycle stretch! Kris endures, powers up, and works to turn things around. Kris stands, but Ford throws her down by her hair! Ford mocks the flexing while the ref reprimands her. Ford then drags Kris back up, just to kick her in the face! And again! And again! Kris BODY SHOTS back, then CLUBS away on Ford’s back! Ford kicks low, but Kris RAMS her! Kris runs, but Ford LARIATS! Cover, TWO!

Ford is annoyed, and she stalks Kris to the ropes. Ford CHOKES Kris, then talks trash. The ref counts, Ford lets off, and she drags Kris up to bump her off buckles. And bumps her off buckles again! Ford digs her boot in, the ref counts, but Ford lets off. Ford then stands Kris up, puts her back on ropes, and Ford CHOKES her again! The ref counts more, but Ford steps off. Ford brings Kris around, but Kris stops the buckle bump to fire body shots! Kris bumps Ford off buckles, ROCKS her, then hoists her up top. Kris ROCKS Ford, but Ford hits back! Ford CLUBS Kris, Kris ROCKS Ford, and Kris climbs up to get Ford.

The two brawl, the fans rally up, and Kris hits a SUPERPLEX! Both women are down and a standing count begins. The fans rally and Kris rises up first. Dynamite returns to single picture as Kris has Ford at 5 of 10. Kris fires a forearm, then another! Ford CHOKES Kris with her bare hands, but Kris fires haymakers! Ford still CHOKES Kris! Kris breaks free, wrenches Ford, and ROCKS her! Kris fires shot after shot, then a short arm LARIAT! Then another short arm LARIAT! Ford swings, misses, and Kris hits a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Ford survives, but Kris goes corner to corner! UPPERCUT!

Kris goes side to side, but Ford dodges! Ford comes back to BOOT Kris! And then DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kris survives that rough landing and Ford grows frustrated. Ford goes up the corner, but Kris CLUBS her! Kris drag Ford down with a waistlock, and she GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Ford lands out! And she goes Matrix to dodge a lariat! STUNNER! Ford springboards, but into the waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!!! Ford survives and Kris is rather surprised! Kris just drags Ford up, fireman’s carries, and she pops Ford up into an Electric Chair. Ford POISON RANAS free!!

Ford goes corner to corner and handsprings in, BACK- NO, Kris dodges the elbow, then tilt-o-whirls Ford! Ford slips free but Kris LARIATS her! Kris then gut wrenches, tucks Ford in, STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall

Ford put up a fight, but she could not win out against the Galaxy’s Greatest! Wait, Megan Bayne makes her way back out here. Kris isn’t sure what this is about, but Ford BLASTS Kris of the apron! And Megan gets Kris for the F5 to the floor!! Just like with Thunder Rosa on Saturday! Are the Superbad Girl and The Megasus becoming a super duo?

AEW checks in with Mercedes Mone…?

Wait, that’s PUPPET MONE! Harley Cameron’s CEO is having the time of her life, and surprise, Harley is rapping! “C E O? C E NO! You might’ve robbed the bank, but girl, I’m gonna steal the show. I wonder, down under, will I be the one that steals your thunder?” Harley shows off her high speed bars, but she says hold on, cut. What? What’s wrong? Harley speaks to Mone by telling her she is in fact one of the greatest women’s wrestlers alive. But Mone had to start somewhere. And not too long ago, there was a time where Harley had no idea how to wrestle. But there was also a time where Harley didn’t know how to sing, play guitar, do ventriloquism, or speak Mandarin Chinese.

Harley shows off her Chinese, and says she’s a quick learner. But for all the times Mone called Harley a “loser” and ignored her, Harley says thanks. Because that pushed her to work harder! That inspired her to be different! So again, thank you, Mercedes Mone, for elevating the Women’s Division! Thanks to Mone, Harley is going to win the TBS Championship in her home country of Australia! Harley won’t ride the Mone Train, she’ll drive it! #FeelTheWrath! Austin is on Harley’s side, but will she become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone hold onto her gold?

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP VS The Gunns!

The Hurt Syndicate called their shot against Private Party, and they won these titles. But likewise, Austin & Colten made their return from injury to call their shot against the Hurt Syndicate! Will The Gunns be up? Or will the All Mighty & The Standard of Excellence remind everyone: #WeHurtPeople?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who are the real AEW gold members!

The teams sort out and the fans cheer for “M V P!” Lashley starts against Colten while MVP wants to join commentary, but the ring staff wasn’t even ready. MVP says thanks for the invite, but he’ll just stay ringside. Colten and Lashley tie up, go around, and Lashley puts Colten right in a corner. The ref counts, Lashley lets off slowly, and Colten gets out of the corner. The two reset, Colten waistlocks, but Lashley elbows free. Lashley headlocks, but Colten powers up and out. Colten then hurdles over Lashley, literally no small feat, and the fans cheer. Lashley scowls, then runs up, but Colten dodges him.

Lashley BACKDROPS, but Colten lands out! Colten whips, Lashley blocks, and Lashley CLOBBERS Colten! Colten gets back while the fans cheer, and Austin tags in. Lashley and Austin circle while the fans duel, “We Hurt~ People!” “GUNNS UP!” “We Hurt~ People!” “GUNNS UP!” Lashley seems annoyed that there’s a split in the crowd, but Austin has fun with it. Lashley storms up, Austin headlocks, but Lashley SLAMS Austin down! Austin flounders to a corner, but he dodges Lashley to fire forearms! Austin whips, Lashley reverses, but Austin goes up, only to get caught! Lashley TOSSES Austin to the floor! Austin sputters and the fans go nuts!

Colten protests, but Shelton tags in so he can get Austin up. Shelton throws Austin into the apron, into the barriers, and Austin ends up in the front row! The fans fire up and MVP tells Colten to stay back. The ref has everyone calm down, but the fans cheer MVP. Shelton drags Austin up, puts him in the ring, then stands him up for a HIGH CROTCH PLEX! Austin writhes, Shelton covers, TWO! Austin survives and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Shelton drags Austin up, puts him in a corner, then whips corner to corner hard! Austin bounces off buckles, flops out of the ring, then sputters on the floor. Colten coaches Austin up, but Shelton paces. MVP stares Austin down, taunting him from afar. Austin rises up, only for Lashley to CLOBBER him! Lashley grins, Colten protests, but Lashley drags Austin up again. Lashley RAMS Austin into the railing, gets in his face, then DECKS him! The ref has to keep Colten back, and Lashley puts Austin in the ring. Lashley drags Austin up, tags Shelton back in, and Shelton stomps Austin in the corner. Shelton stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts.

Shelton lets off to argue with the ref, but Lashley gets cheap shots in. The fans rally while Shelton drags Austin up. Shelton puts Austin in a corner to ROCK him with a haymaker! Austin ROCKS Shelton back! Shelton and Austin trade shot for shot, then Shelton gets the edge! Shelton winds up, but Austin counter punches! Austin fires a flurry, blocks a kick, but the DRAGON WHIP finds him! Cover, TWO! MVP is almost amused but Shelton puts Austin in the corner. Tag to Lashley and he runs corner to corner to RAM into Austin! Austin sputters, Lashley lets him stumble and fall, then Lashley drags Austin up.

Lashley suplexes Austin, holds him up, and waits for TEN to SLAM him down! Dynamite returns to single picture, Lashley covers, TWO! Austin survives but Lashley dares him to go to Colten. The fans rally and duel again, and Austin rises! Lashley keeps him from Colten, but Austin fires as forearm! Lashley CLUBS Austin down! Lashley taunts Colten, grins as he drags Austin up again, but Austin fires more shots! Austin breaks free, but Shelton tags in! Lashley runs up, Austin dodges and Colten DUMPS Lashley out! Shelton has Austin, puts him in the corner, but Austin jukes to NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up as Austin crawls, but Lashley YANKS Colten down! Lashley RAMS Colten into railing, then Shelton bumps Austin off buckles! The fans continue to duel, “We Hurt~ People!” “GUNNS UP!” Shelton ROCKS Austin, and Lashley steps in. The Hurt Syndicate helps Austin to his feet, just to double whip him to the corner. Lashley runs in, Austin goes up and over! Lashley POSTS himself, then Austin ducks Shelton! Hot tag to Colten! Colten dodges Shelton to SPLASH Lashley! COlten fires haymakers on Shelton, then whips. Shelton reverses, but Colten LEAPING LARIATS! Then a DROPKICK for Lashley!

Colten fires up with the fans, then he SPLASHES Shelton in the Gunn corner! Colten keeps moving, jukes and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shelton survives the crossover but Colten stands him up. Colten kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and then runs, but he avoids the sweep by Lashley! Shelton waistlocks, Colten switches, O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Shelton has the ANKLE LOCK! Austin storms in to SLINGBLADE Shelton! Lashley is in, but Austin dodges! Lashley comes back, but Colten helps Austin hit a BOOSTED BLOCKBUSTER! Shelton stands, Colten hits him with the RABBIT PUNCH! Austin hits a FAMOUSER!! Colten covers, TWO!!

Shelton survives, the fans fire up, and MVP is still rather amused that The Gunns are lasting this long. Tag to Austin, they wait on Shelton! Lashley CLOBBERS Colten first! Austin ROCKS Lashley, but Shelton SUPERKICKS Austin! The fans fire up with Shelton and he waits on Austin. Austin rises, GERMAN SUPLEX! “We Hurt~ People!” “GUNNS UP!” Shelton stalks Austin again, GERMAN SUPLEX! Colten is up, but Shelton GERMAN SUPLEXES him, now! Lashley adds a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Shelton STEP-UP KNEES Austin in the corner, then Lashley adds the ALL MIGHTY SPEAR!! Cover, Hurt Syndicate wins!

Winners: The Hurt Syndicate, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

And with that, the first defense is in the books! The Gunns just didn’t have enough ammo, but wait! Lance Archer & Brian Cage walk out on stage! The Murder Machines applaud for Lashley & Shelton, will they not just hurt people when #EverybodyDies?

Mariah May speaks.

“You should’ve died in August. But you never did know how to write an ending, did you? You can write beginnings, you can write comebacks, but you never know when to stop. Beating you in Australia is not the worst thing I can do. I could let you beat me and then disappear. And then everyone will realize Mariah did it better. Every match, every move, every promo, Mariah did it better! Every entrance, every cosplay, every mind game, Mariah did it better! You are NOTHING without me! You don’t exist without me! Toni Storm isn’t real! She’s just the imagination of a sick, tired, pathetic woman and it stops now!”

The Glamour calms herself down, and says, “I guess I really do love you. Because this is going to be a mercy killing.” Grand Slam: Australia is the long awaited sequel from All In: London, but the question is, how will the story end?

Adam Copeland heads to the ring!

He and Jay White bring the AEW World Championship briefcase with them, just as they promised earlier tonight. Cope grabs a mic to tell Austin, “Hear me out. The AEW World Heavyweight Championship has been hidden inside this briefcase for I dunno how many months now. Too long, right?” The fans want him to open it! Wait, they wanna see it? The fans cheer, and Cope says he has an idea. He sets the briefcase down, then goes out to look under the ring. Cope brings out an old friend in “Spike.” Cope says he doesn’t know if they remember Spike, but she’s pretty hungry. And she might wanna dig her teeth into that briefcase.

Cope opens the case, brings out ol’ Spike, and Cope tells Moxley it’s rather simple. If Moxley doesn’t get out to the ring to accept Cope’s challenge for the world title at Revolution, Cope will just smash the briefcase open and TAKE the title! The fans like the sound of that! Cope tells Moxley to get out here to give us an answer. We wait, fans chant “OPEN IT! OPEN IT!” No Death Riders, so Cope says last chance. Moxley says Cope has no idea the mistake he’s making. Moxley says Cope thinks he doesn’t care. No, he doesn’t! At all! Moxley says Cope doesn’t know JACK about that title! These people don’t know jack about it!

Moxley says he has left pieces of his SOUL in the ring for that title, and what it represents! Moxley is that title’s protector, he is its shepherd, and he is going to do something he doesn’t wanna do because he is just that much of a nice guy. Moxley will show how much he cares! At Revolution, Moxley breaks Copeland’s NECK!! The fans boo, but Moxley says if Cope wants his shot at the title, if he wants his shot at the king, then he’s got it! The fans cheer that! Cope says that’s all he was looking for. But Cope’s also gonna show everyone here how much he cares about the title. Cope aims, Moxley calls for reinforcements, but Spike hits briefcase!

Cope SMASHES away at the case, but Yuta slides in! White gives Yuta a BLADERUNNER! Moxley stays back as Cope watches him, but Pac slithers in! Cope spots The Bastard, and Pac says hold on now. Marian scurries in and she snatches the briefcase! Moxley CLOBBERS Cope, he and Pac stomp away! The fans boo, Moxley & Pac whip Cope, but Cope SPEARS Pac! Cope ROCKS Moxley, throws more shots, but Claudio is in! Claudio UPPERCUTS Cope, brings him around, but Cope dodges, and White is back! BLADERUNNER! Moxley grabs Spike! Mox says the tables have turned, but White dares him to do it! COPE SPEARS MOXLEY!

The fans fire up as Cope, White & Spike get outta there! White grabs a mic to say Revolution is set, but before we get there, Grand Slam: Australia is coming! And White promises he and Cope put the Death Riders in the ground! The fans cheer that! Will Moxley & Claudio soon Breathe with The Switchblade? And will Cope lead the Revolution to free the AEW World Championship?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite here, especially as the go-home to Grand Slam: Australia, but also still building things for next week’s Dynamite. For one, I predicted it last week that Hangman was going to answer Caster’s open challenge. Hangman of course won that, and then he of course had another interaction with MJF. MJF VS Dustin was awesome, and as this was a prerecorded episode, they were able to go commercial free for more content. It made sense MJF would win this, and we got a great brawl between him and Hangman. Their face-to-face will be a great promo segment, but hopefully not too long of one. Then they can have a great match at Revolution, unofficially establishing the winner as the next world title contender.

Great Trios Championship match, but I figured the Death Riders would win that, especially with sneaky tactics. Garcia & 2Point0 might get the next trios title match, maybe for Revolution, but at the same time, what about Garcia’s TNT Championship? I could see him going 1v1 with Cole, and I could see Cole winning just so Cole actually has something going for him. Joe, Hook & Shibata of course got to squash their opponents, but I’m surprised it was Aaron Solo in the mix and not like Brick Savage or Adam Priest. Great promo from Joe, of course, and their trio finally has a name. I would think “The Ops” wins that trios match, setting up Joe VS Christian 1v1.

Great promo from Harley, I legitimately could not keep up with her rap, so thankfully she in kayfabe gave up on that so she could talk seriously to Mone. Harley is so good as a character, talented in so many different ways, but I still can’t say she’ll beat Mone. Harley does deserve something, though, and it’d be amazing if she won. Mariah had a great promo of her own to call out Toni Storm, and really, that match could go either way. Megan Bayne of course squashes her opponent, but what a great match from Kris VS Ford. Right after I brought up Ford showing ring rust, this match showed she got through that. And oddly, are we going to get Megan & Ford VS Rosa & Kris? That’ll be a great match, and I can’t wait to see how that goes.

Very good promo from Jericho and Keith ahead of the “showdown,” but of course Jericho & Keith were going to gang up on Bandido. The Outrunners, Big Bill and Will Hobbs getting in on this was also natural, and the Faces standing tall makes sense given where this is going. Hobbs and Bill will have a proper 1v1, probably for Revolution, and I still expect there to be Jericho VS Bandido for the ROH World Championship. Seriously, there’s been talk about ROH getting a cable deal, when is that happening? For that matter, we still need Bill ditching Jericho.

We got a great tag title match from Hurt Syndicate VS Gunns, and I really liked the rhythm of the dueling chant. Lashley & Shelton won out, of course, but then Archer & Cage basically saying they’ve got next is great stuff. That match is going to be some awesome stuff, but also another big win for Hurt Syndicate. And then some really fun stuff in the world title story. For one, Cope & White getting the jump on Moxley & Marina was great. And trying to bash the briefcase open was also pretty clever. Spike is back, so surely that weapon will play a part in the Brisbane Brawl. But of course we established Moxley VS Copeland for Revolution. A part of me still wants Christian to cash in just to spice things up, since there’s his history with Cope.

My Score: 8.9/10

Will this truly be a New Beginning?

Hirooki Goto won the New Japan Ranbo to have this shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, can he finally reach that mountaintop? Or will Zack Sabre Jr. prove he is the mightiest of them all?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – El Desperado & Katsuya Murashima VS Francesco Akira & Jeff Cobb; Akira & Cobb win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Togi Makabe; Tanahashi wins.
• Shingo Takagi VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
• Shota Umino VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
• Taichi VS SANADA; Sanada wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Rocky Romero & YOH; Eagles & Fujita win and retain the titles.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
• IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd; Double Down Draw, Yota retains the title.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Shingo Takagi VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The Rampaging Dragon is big and bad, but 44 Caliber ain’t too shabby, either. Will Shingo avoid a Drilla Killa? Or will this “Super Junior” slay the dragon?

The bell rings and the two run right up! Drilla dodges, Takagi blocks to kick low and HEADBUTT! Takagi whips, Drilla grabs ropes and BOOTS back! Drilla runs, RAMS Takagi, but Takagi RAMS him back! Drilla RAMS Takagi again, neither man falls, and the fans fire up! Drilla fires a forearm, but Takagi fires back! Drilla fires another, but so does Takagi! Fans bark with Drilla as he fires another, but then fans “OI! OI! OI!” with Takagi! The forearms go back and forth, “BARK! OI!” and repeat! Takagi gets the edge, “OI! OI! OI!” Drilla fires back, “BARK! BARK! BARK!” Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint, but Drilla slips out of the DDT!

Takagi avoids the double stomps, knees low, but then things speed up. Drilla hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS! But Takagi stays up to RUN Drilla over! The fans fire up again and Takagi storms up on Drilla. Takagi drags Drilla up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Drilla is still in this, but Takagi fires Osaka up. But Drilla SUPERKICKS Takagi before he can even say “Toki!” Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Drilla stands. Drilla fires the fans up now and the barking returns. Drilla storms up to CHOP Takagi! Drilla whips, Takagi reverses, and Takagi blocks a boot to LARIAT through!

Takagi fires the fans up as he JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Drilla pushes Takagi and eggs him on! The fans like that, and Takagi obliges, only for Drilla to block the shot! Drilla ROCKS Takagi, but Takagi ducks the enzigiri to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! But Drilla’s right up to SAIDO! Both men stand, Takagi runs up, and DOUBLE LARIATS hit! Drilla ripcords to CHOP, then he runs, only for Takagi to follow and LARIAT! Takagi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down. Takagi rolls out of the ring but Drilla pursues.

The fans rally both ways, and Drilla stalks Takagi. Drilla drags Takagi up, then whips him into railing! Takagi slumps down, but Drilla brings Takagi around to throw him into chairs! The fans bark for Drilla and he drags Takagi up. Drilla ROCKS Takagi, then brings him around and whips him hard into more railing! The fans are torn, Drilla glares at Young Lions, and Drilla goes to Takagi. Drilla wrenches Takagi, puts him in the ring, and then throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla brings Takagi up, but Takagi backdrops free! Drilla goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Drilla dodges to GAMANGIRI! Drilla reels Takagi in, hoists him up, but Takagi arm-drags free!

The fans fire up as Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feints, but then Takagi stands Drilla up to JAB and YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up while Drilla sputters. Takagi drags Drilla up, hoists him to the top rope, and then he ROCKS Drilla! Takagi climbs, and he brings Drilla up for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down again! The fans join in on “OI! OI! OI!” as Takagi rises. Takagi drags Drilla up, slashes his throat and then Canadian Racks! But Drilla slips out, and pump handles! Takagi arm-drags free of that, then catches Drilla for some knees. Drilla powers up, runs, and GORES! Cover, TWO!!

Takagi survives, the fans fire up, and Drilla grows frustrated. Drilla slashes his throat, brings Takagi in, and Canadian Racks! Takagi slips free to Gory Especial and NOSHIGAMI! The fans fire up, Takagi crawls over to Drilla, and Takagi stands Drilla up to LARIAT! Drilla stays on his feet so Takagi eggs him on. Drilla BOOTS, SUPERKICKS, then he SUPERKICKS again! Takagi comes back, but into MADE IN JAPAN!? Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives and the fans are thunderous! Drilla is frustrated that he couldn’t beat Takagi with his own move. Drilla drags Takagi up but Takagi fights the lift to then ALABAMA SLAM!

Takagi CATAPULTS Drilla to a corner, and then LARIATS! Takagi hurries to pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO?!? Drilla survives taking Takagi’s move and Takagi is shocked! The fans fire up with more “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi brings Drilla up. Takagi fires boxing elbows, but Drilla roars! JAB from Takagi, then a HEADBUTT! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? WHAT?! Drilla staggers, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi hauls Drilla up for the torture rack! But Drilla slips free, to inverted suplex, and then he pops Takagi around?! DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover, DRILLA WINS!!!!

Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall

HOLY SMOKES! 44 Caliber just shot down the Rampaging Dragon! Is this a sign that Drilla is ready for bigger and better than the Junior Heavyweight Division?

Shota Umino VS Great-O-Khan!

As if losing on the Road to New Beginning wasn’t bad enough, The Roughneck suffered humiliation as The Dominator cut off a lock of his hair! Will Shota defy the United Empire once more? Or will he fail to bring about a Paradigm Shift?

As Khan makes his entrance, he shows off the electric clippers! Is he planning on doing more follicle based damage to Shota should he win tonight? Shota steps into the ring, and SHOTGUNS Khan right down! Khan goes to ropes, but Shota slingshots to APRON DDT! The fans fire up while Shota puts his jacket aside. Shota drags Khan up, puts him back in the ring, and the bell rings! The fans rally for Khan as he scrambles away from the underhooks! Khan gets out of the ring again and Shota goes out after him. Shota drags Khan up, but Khan grabs railing. Shota CLUBS Khan down, UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again!

Shota whips Khan, but Khan reverses, sending Shota into railing! But Shota comes back to SHOTGUN again! The fans are torn but Shota drags Khan up. Shota brings Khan to the ramp, he clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Khan knees low, then he underhooks Shota! Khan BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES Shota into railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks on them, Khan rises up, and Khan pulls some railing from the rest. Khan SLAMS it onto Shota! Shota writhes, the ref reprimands, but Khan drags Shota up. Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops again! And he Mongolian Chops again!

Shota falls back over, the fans rally and duel, and Khan drags Shota up. Khan brings Shota around, picks him up, and then he APRON SPINEBUSTERS! Shota writhes, Khan slides in and covers, TWO! Shota stays in this but Khan stays on him. Khan wrenches to fireman’s carry takeover! Then he wristlocks to MONKEY FLIP! And then SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Khan stands over Shota, and then Khan clamps onto Shota with the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Shota up, Shota breaks free, but Khan gut wrenches! GUT BUSTER, then GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans fire up while Shota flounders away to the corner.

Khan waits on Shota, then runs in, but Shota BOOTS him! Khan comes back, but into more BOOTS! Shota runs up, but Khan ROCKS him first! Khan runs, but Shota clinches him! EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans are torn again. Khan and Shota slowly sit up, Shota rallies the fans, and he gets moving. IGNITION! Cover, TWO! Khan stays in this but Shota drags Khan up. Shota underhooks, but Khan wrenches free. Khan slips around, IRON CLAW, then the Bow ‘n’ Arrow rack, only for Shota to slip free! Shota blocks the Mongolian Chop to ROCK and ENZIGIRI! Khan wobbles, the fans duel, and Shota powers up!

Shota aims from a corner, runs up on Khan, but into a LARIAT! IRON CLAW, then ELIMI- SATELLITE DDT!! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Shota rises, goes back to a corner, and then powers up, to BLAZE BLADE! But Khan’s right up! Khan swings, but into underhooks! PARADIGM SHIFT! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives but Shota hurries to bring him around. Underhooks, but Khan slips out to RABBIT PUNCH! Shota goes down in a heap, but Khan rains down more forearms! The ref warns Khan, he has to check Shota! Khan SHOVES the ref down to rain more shots down on Shota!

The ref reprimands, Khan stops with the forearms, just to grab Shota’s hair. The ref stops Khan and checks on Shota. Khan comes back, drags Shota to his feet, REVERSE S T O! Cover, TWO!! Shota still has something to give, but Khan’s Monster Rage boils over! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW, hauls Shota back up, and he ELIMIN- NO, Shota slips free! Khan runs up, Shota dodges, and uses the ropes in a TORNADO DDT! Shota hurries to bring Khan up, underhook, but Khan NORTHERN LIGHTS free! Khan then drags Shota up with wristlocks, into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Shota endures, flails, but Khan swings him around! Shota slips free to spin Khan, and ROLLING ELBOW! Then ROLLING- IRON RIGHT from Khan!!

The fans fire up while Shota staggers around. Khan clamps onto Shota with the FLATLINER, and then IRON CLAW! ELIMINATOR!! Cover, KHAN WINS!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall

The Roughneck was running hot, but Khan just cooled him down! Khan stands tall over Shota, but then he grabs the clippers! Khan has them, and even some scissors, but Young Lions stop him! Khan just kicks one and throws him into the other! Khan now has Shota all to himself! Khan turns on the clippers, but Shota stops him! Shota has power enough to take the trimmers from Khan! But then Shota stares at them, and starts shaving his head anyway?! Fans are shocked to see Shota doing Khan’s work for him, cutting away at the fiery red locks! Khan grins, and Shota flops over, having only down a runway down the center.

Khan leaves Shota behind for Shota to wallow in his humiliation and defeat. What and who will Khan look to conquer next in the name of the United Empire?

Taichi w/ Taka Michinoku VS SANADA w/ Taiji Ishimori!

When Just4Guys became Just5Guys, it was because the Holy Emperor reached out to a man he respected in the Cold Skull. And while Sanada reigned as world champion for a time, it would seem his losses made him Cold Blooded. Sanada would betray Taichi, all to join The Rebel that beat him, and there’s no more respect here. Will Taichi make Sanada pay for his betrayal? Or will Sanada destroy what’s left of Just4Guys?

As if to mock Taichi’s operatic entrance, Sanada has a leather jacket with big speakers on the jacket, and a guitar in hand. But speaking of that entrance, the moment Taichi is ringside, Sanada PLANCHAS onto him! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, only for Sanada to push Taichi into the ring. Sanada then grabs his guitar! The ref reprimands, the fans cheer on Taichi, but Sanada takes aim! Taichi avoids the Smash Hit to then kick low! Taichi whips, Sanada reverses, but Taichi BOOTS him down! The fans fire up while Taichi seethes. Taichi then grabs the guitar? The ref says don’t do it, as does Taka, and Taichi throws the guitar aside.

The fans cheer as Taichi storms back out after Sanada. The ref reprimands, this isn’t even a match yet! Taichi whips but Sanada reverses! Taichi hits railing, but he comes back to BOOT Sanada! Taichi then whips Sanada into railing after all! Sanada hobbles away while the fans rally behind Taichi. The bell rings now, but Taichi has a chair! The ref stops Taichi, only for Taichi to shove him aside! Taichi JAMS Sanada up with a chair! Then SMACKS him on the back! The fans cheer while Sanada falls in a heap! Taichi stalks Sanada, daring him to get back up. The ref keeps Taiji from getting involved, and Taka has Taichi calm down.

Taka takes the chair from Taichi, and Taichi finally takes off his coat. Taichi drags Sanada up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. But Sanada grabs at the ref so Taiji can anchor Taichi! Taichi tries to kick free, but Sanada KICKS the ropes! Taichi gets jammed up low, Taka goes after Taiji, but Taiji CLAWS Taka’s face! Sanada drags Taichi up to then suplex and MAGIC SCREW! The fans boo Sanada, Sanada complains about the chair, but nothing the ref can do about it now. Sanada rains down fists on Taichi, the ref reprimands, but Sanada lets off. Sanada paces, then he sits Taichi up to throw a haymaker!

The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Sanada just throws another! Taichi eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires more haymakers! Taichi gets in Sanada’s face, so Sanada dropkicks the leg! Taichi hobbles back, Sanada whips him to ropes, but Taichi grabs ropes to BOOT back! Taichi then whips, but Sanada reverses, only for Taichi to reverse back, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi sits up, and he watches Sanada go to the corner. Taichi paces while he wants on Sanada to stand. Taichi runs up to BOOT Sanada! Taichi runs, Sanada dodges, but then Taichi dodges! Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up more as Taichi paces around. Taichi kicks Sanada, kicks him again, then KICKS him again! The fans cheer, but now Sanada eggs Taichi on. Taichi KICKS Sanada again, and he definitely felt that one! Taichi sits Sanada up, and KICKS, but Sanada blocks! Sanada CLUBS the leg, fireman’s carries, but Taichi slips free! Only for Sanada to dropkick the leg again! And then he DROPKICKS Taichi to a corner! Sanada runs up, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Sanada slumps down and the fans fire up! Taichi fires up now, and the fans fire up even more as OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Sanada, TENSHO- NO, Sanada dodges!

Sanada goes up, out, springboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! But Taichi’s right up! ROUNDHOUSE, and then DANGEROUS- NO, Sanada grabs the ref to stop the saido! LOW BLOW MULE KICK!! The fans boo as Sanada gets away with it! SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done, he puts Taichi in the drop zone! Sanada goes up, up and ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Sanada is frustrated but he drags Taichi up. Sanada encourages the fans to cheer Taichi, as he clinches for SIDE- NO, Taichi slips free and ROCKS Sanada! BLINDSIDE AX BOMBER, then GAMANGIRI!

The fans fire up while both men are down again! Taiji coaches Sanada, Taka coaches Taichi, and Osaka rallies again. Taichi rises first, goes to a corner, and he roars! The fans are with him as he takes aim again. Sanada stirs, Taichi powers up, TENSHO- NO, Sanada pulls the ref in! Taichi pushes the ref aside, BUZZ- NO, Sanada blocks that kick! Taichi shouts to the ref to see the FAKE LOW BLOW! Sanada won’t get away with this one as Taka also vouches for Taichi! Sanada gets pissed at the ref and says it’s so obvious! But then Taka argues with the ref, and Taichi LOW BLOWS Sanada!! And then GEDO CLUTCH!! TWO!!!

Sanada escapes, Taiji shouts to the ref, and Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! Taka YANKS Taiji down and the fans are thunderous for Taichi! Taichi drags Sanada up, DANGEROUS SAIDO BRIDGE!! TWO!?!? Sanada escapes but the fans are thunderous again! Taichi roars, he drags Sanada up, and Taichi Alabama Lifts! Sanada grabs the ref again! Taichi drops Sanada, the ref falls, Sanada hits the POP-UP LOW BLOW! DEADFALL!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!

Winner: Sanada, by pinfall

Another cheap tactic, another cheap win for Sanada! He gives thumbs up and Too Sweet to Taiji, and then he rains down fists on Taichi! Taka and Young Lions get in there, and Taka SLAPS Sanada! And he SLAPS Taiji! But Taiji LOW BLOWS Taka and hits BLOODY CROSS! The War Dogs keep on winning, but they’re not done with Taichi! Taiji drags Taichi up while Sanada grabs his guitar. Taiji says to end Taichi, and Sanada nods. Sanada winds up, BUT WAIT! YUYA UEMURA is back?! He throws off his suit jacket to then arm-drag Sanada, and DROPKICK him! The fans are thunderous as he arm-drags Taiji, then CHOPS him down!

The fans are all fired up now that Heat Storm is back! Yuya clamps onto Sanada with one cording hold, then goes for the other, but Sanada scrambles free! Sanada takes a moment to catch his breath, and the fans now rally for Yuya. Yuya grabs the mic to tell Sanada that he’s back, and that he’s ready anytime, anywhere to get his revenge! Sanada will become Yuya’s stepping stone! Sanada looks to camera and shakes his head like, “He did not just say that.” The fans cheer Yuya on more, but the War Dogs take their leave. Yuya continues with “YOSH! Taka-san, Taichi-san, and everyone here in Osaka, Uemura is back, and he’s ready to blow!”

Yuya adds that from now on, HE will be the one to heat up everyone’s hearts! Mic drop and the fans are already fired up! But when and where will the Heat Storm get to burn the Cold Blooded Sanada?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Rocky Romero & YOH!

From winning the Super Junior Tag League to then winning these titles in a huge Fatal 4 Way, the Ichiban Sweet Boys have been riding high. However, the revival of a classic threatens their reign. Will “Roppongi ReVICE” write a new chapter with this gold? Or will they find that no matter what, The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who punctuates this story!

The teams sort out and after he assures Yoh it’s fine, Azucar starts against the Sniper of the Skies. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Eagles circles with Rocky. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Rocky finds a point of leverage to push Eagles back. They go to ropes, the ref counts, and Rocky lets off to give some Azucar Heat. The fans cheer and Eagles is amused. But then he trips Rocky, goes for the leg, but Rocky kicks him away. Things speed up, Rocky hurdles but Eagles leaps over. Eagles sidesteps, arm-drags, but Rocky arm-drags back. Rocky avoids Eagles’ next arm-drag, then calls him a “konoyaro” before he UPPERCUTS!

Eagles flounders away while the fans fire up, and the fans rally behind Rocky. Rocky whips Eagles, Fujita sneaks a tag. TMDK double elbow Rocky down, then split the wishbone! Eagles knocks Yoh down for good measure, and Fujita brings Rocky up. Fujita whips and wrenches Rocky to a corner, then CHOPS! The fans cheer and Fujita runs Rocky to ropes. Fujita CHOPS Rocky again, then snapmares for a KICK! Cover, ONE, and the fans cheer more. Fujita is on Rocky with a facelock, and Eagles tags in. The Sweet Boys mug Rocky, but then Rocky CHOPS Eagles! Eagles eggs Rocky on so Rocky CHOPS again! Eagles CHOPS Rocky off his feet!

The fans rally and duel, Eagles bumps Rocky off buckles, then Fujita tags in. Fujita stomps Rocky, brings him around, and CHOPS again! Rocky shoves Fujita, they go forehead to forehead, then Fujita CHOPS Rocky down again! The fans fire up and Fujita whips. Rocky grabs ropes, BOOTS Fujita, and Yoh tags in! Rocky whips Fujita and Yoh bypasses him. Drop toehold, basement dropkick, and then Eagles runs in! Eagles takes DOUBLE DROPKICKS and the fans cheer RPG ReVice! Yoh storms up to Fujita, CHOPS him in the corner, then wrenches and whips. Yoh runs up, ELBOWS Fujita, then scoops to SLAM him!

Yoh soaks up the cheers, drops an elbow, then cover, TWO! Knee drop! Cover, TWO! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this and the fans cheer, but Yoh keeps his cool. Yoh brings Fujita up, but Fujita fires forearms! Yoh kicks low, CHOPS Fujita, then reels him in. Yoh suplexes but Fujita fights free! Fujita wrenches, but Yoh ducks the chop! Fujita drop toeholds Yoh and ties up the legs! Fujita pulls Yoh back into the NEMESIS HOLD! Rocky runs in, but Eagles catches him with a wheelbarrow and victory roll! Eagles steps through on the legs, but Rocky KICKS him into Yoh and Fujita! Yoh is saved, though maybe in a rather rough manor.

The fans rally up as all four men rise up. Eagles runs up, Rocky DUMPS him out, but Fujita CHOPS Rocky! Fujita whips Rocky, Rocky ducks the chop to DIVE onto Eagles! Fujita dodges Yoh, CHOPS him, but Yoh says I’LL BE BACK! Yoh CHOPS, but Fujita rebounds to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while Yoh tumbles out, and now Fujita aims! Fujita slingshots to feint the plancha, then he ASAI MOONSAULTS, only for RPG ReVICE to catch him! The fans fire up as Yoh & Rocky now DOUBLE SUPLEX Fujita to the floor! Eagles is up, but Yoh scoops and SLAMS him! Rocky goes to the apron, to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP to the floor!

Eagles coughs and sputters while the fans fire up! Yoh drags Fujita back up and puts him in the ring. Rocky is there, RPG ReVICE tunes up and the fans join in. Fujita rises slowly, into a shove and 3- NO! Fujita RANAS Yoh away! Rocky spins Fujita to UPPERCUT, then he calls to Yoh again. Yoh is back, he aims while Rocky whips, but Fujita reverses! SUPERKICK for Rocky! Fujita then waistlocks Yoh to roll him and O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO!! Yoh escapes just in time! Fujita CHOPS him, roars, then runs, into a 3K!! Cover, EAGLES BREAKS IT! The fans are thunderous, but Rocky kicks Eagles! Rocky tells Yoh to get up!

Yoh rises, reloads, and Rocky whips Eagles, only for Eagles to reverse! But Rocky stops himself from having a repeat, and he again whips Eagles! Yoh SUPERKICKS Eagles! Finally, the right target gets hit! Eagles tumbles out, Rocky goes to the corner, and Yoh tags Rocky in. RPG ReVICE hauls Fujita up, BACKSTABBER and feed to the suplex! Rocky joins in, FALCON ARROW BOMB!! Rocky high stacks, TWO!! Fujita survives again, but Rocky calls for the next one! Yoh hauls Fujita up and Alabama Lifts! Rocky climbs up top, but Eagles springboards up to get him! SUPER STEINER! And Fujita SUNSET FLIP BOMBS Yoh!

The fans fire up again as all four men are down! The teams regroup, then they all go to corners. The fans rally as all four men stand, and then Rocky runs at Eagles! Eagles BOOTS Rocky, Yoh UPPERCUTS Fujita! Eagles ducks Yoh’s superkick to then CHOP! TMDK double whip, but Yoh crisscrosses them, only to get a ENZIGIRI HEEL KICK COMBO! The fans fire up with TMDK and they get Rocky up. Double wrench, lift, and MAX- NO, Rocky slips free and DOUBLE RANAS! TMDK go to opposite ends, so Rocky winds up, LARIAT for Eagles! LARIAT for Fujita! THREE-EVER for Eagles, but Fujita ducks Four-ever!

TMDK catch Rocky again, but Rocky slips out of the double back suplex! Only to run into the MAXY BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Rocky survives and the fans cheer again! Fujita crawls to tag Eagles! Eagles fires up, scoops Rocky, and Fujita adds on, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, YOH BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Fujita kicks Yoh but Yoh TOSSES Fujita out! Eagles blocks a kick to ROUNDHOUSE! YOH’LL BE- NO, Eagles dropkicks Yoh! Fujita tags back in, and then Eagles DIVES onto Yoh! They both hit railing! Eagles gets his leg tweaked in there, Hartley Jackson hurries to make sure Eagles is okay. Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK on Rocky!

The fans fire up with the Japanese Young Punk as he gets Rocky! Suplex and- NO, Rocky cradle counters! TWO!! Fujita escapes, runs up again, but Rocky pops him up to an Alabama Lift, and then a tuck! DUDE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Rocky’s shoutout to #JustTrent doesn’t finish this, but Rocky roars! The fans fire up as Rocky cravats Fujita, but no Sliced Bread here! Fujita then slips around Rocky to O’Conner, and CHAOS- NO, Rocky fights that, but Eagles is back! GAMANGIRI into the GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Fujita holds onto Rocky! Fujita hauls Rocky up, spins him, ABANDON HOPE!! Cover, TMDK wins!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

It got scary there for a second, but the Ichiban Sweet Boys pull off the win! Will the Junior Heavyweight Division continue to be Mighty? Wait, wait, Taiji is making his way back out here. Taiji grabs a mic and he congratulates Fujita & Eagles for making it through. But yes, he wants next! Fujita & Eagles say okay, but who will his partner be? Taiji says yes, he knows. Taiji will be teaming with Robbie! No, not Eagles. Robbie “Extreme,” aka Robbie X! Taiji promises he and Mr. X will be the next champions, so they better be ready! The Bone Soldier leaves, having delivered his message. But will TMDK be ready for Taiji and his X-Factor?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!

The Alpha of the Don Callis Family, the DOUBLE CHAMPION, puts up just one of his belts against the former NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion. Josh Barnett promised to make him a singles champion, will Boltin soon become “Gold Bars?” Or will he see what it means to be All Elite?

The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who NEVER backs down!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as these two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock as they’re both big and strong, and Konosuke headlocks. Oleg powers up and out, Konosuke RAMS him, but Oleg stands his ground! Oleg runs, RAMS Konosuke now, but Konosuke runs. They RAM shoulders again, then Oleg runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke comes back to RAM Oleg, Oleg comes back to RAM Konosuke! Oleg runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, Konosuke RAMS him, but Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans are thunderous already as Konosuke tumbles out of the ring!

The fans rally behind Oleg, he eggs on Konosuke, but Konosuke eggs on Oleg. Oleg slides out, and the two tie up on the outside!? They’re in a deadlock all the same, until Oleg POSTS Konosuke! The fans fire up and Oleg opens the gate. Oleg runs up, but Konosuke moves, Oleg POSTS himself! Oleg goes down in a heap, but Konosuke drags him up. Konosuke brings Oleg to the apron, then hammerlocks the bad arm, to POST it again! Oleg falls to the floor, the ref checks on him, but Konosuke drags Oleg back up. Konosuke wrenches the arm while the fans rally, but Konosuke puts Oleg in the ring. Konosuke then drags Oleg back up by the bad arm.

Konosuke fires a forearm into the bad arm, but Oleg hits back! Oleg fires another shot, and another shot, but Konosuke CLUBS the bad arm! Oleg staggers back, but Konosuke is on him with a whip. Oleg reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE takes Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg writhes, and Konosuke brings Oleg back up. Konosuke hoists Oleg up to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. The fans rally as Konosuke goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Oleg tumbles, Konosuke hurries to cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke steps on the bad arm, digs his heel in, but the ref reprimands.

Konosuke steps off, and he smirks as he eggs Oleg on. Konosuke stomps Oleg, drags him up again, but Oleg DROPKICKS Konosuke away! Both men rise and go to corners. Oleg runs up, but Konosuke BOOTS him away! Konosuke runs up, but into a scoop!? Oleg THROWS Konosuke away, then runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is tougher than that but Oleg still gut wrenches him! But Konosuke wrenches the bad arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Konosuke throws a back elbow into the arm, but Oleg picks Konosuke up! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Oleg roars and the fans fire up with him!

Konosuke pounds the mat in frustration, but the fans rally as both men stand. Oleg runs up, he and Konosuke DOUBLE LARIAT! They stagger back, run back up, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Again, they stagger back, and they run back up, DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg CHOPS Konosuke, then he gut wrenches! Shake, Rattle and THROW! Konosuke tumbles away and the fans are thunderous! Oleg rises, Konosuke goes to a corner, and Oleg runs in! SPLASH! And then a scoop, for a SLAM! Oleg runs to go up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Oleg stays on Konosuke with a deadlift scoop!

Oleg pops Konosuke to the fireman’s carry, but Konosuke slips fere! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again! Konosuke snarls as he crawls over to the ropes. Konosuke and Oleg rise as the fans rally again. The two stare down, then they step up. They wristlock to then fire forearm after forearm! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth between these titans! Oleg DECKS Konosuke!! But Oleg says that’s not all! Oleg stands Konosuke up to DECK him again! Oleg wants more, and he stands Konosuke up, but the ALPHA ELBOW hits! So Oleg ROCKS Konosuke! ALPHA ELBOW AGAIN!!

Konosuke flops onto Oleg, but Oleg’s on his stomach! And then Oleg fireman’s carries Konosuke from the mat?! POINT BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and Osaka is erupting! Oleg waistlocks to GERMAN- NO, Konosuke fights and throws elbows! Oleg shoves Konosuke, but Konosuke ducks the lariat! Oleg ducks a lariat, but then Konsouke LARAITS on the return! Cover, ONE?!?!?! HOW?!?! Konosuke doesn’t ask how, he just POWER DRIVE KNEES!! Cover, TWO!?!? Okay, now HOW?!? ALPHA ELBOW!!! Konosuke has the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!!! Oleg is fading but then he SPINEBUSTERS!!

But Konosuke holds on!? So Oleg powers up again! But Konosuke CRANKS the hold!! Oleg is fading on his feet! Oleg drops to a knee, the fans are thunderous, but the hand drops once! The hand drops twice! The hand- KONOSUKE won’t let it drop!? And then he hits RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

Konosuke didn’t take the easy win, he punctuated it! And while he’s still the Double Champion, Konosuke shakes Oleg’s hand to show him the respect he earned. But if Oleg got this close at this early in his career, is his rise to the top inevitable? As for Konosuke, he not only stays the Double Champion, but he builds momentum towards AEW Grand Slam: Australia this Saturday! Wait, wait, wait, here comes Ryohei Oiwa! The Mighty Mullet stares down the Double Champion, and he has the mic to say, “Takeshita-san, your style, going worldwide, and my style, Japanese-made, if we mix that, it’ll be electric.” Fans cheer that.

Oiwa says he is challenging Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship! NJPW’s Konosuke Takeshita? NO, OIWA is NJPW! The fans cheer that, and Oiwa drops the mic. Oiwa then heads out, but Konosuke takes the mic. “Oiwa, hold on. Worldwide Takeshita is damn tough.” The fans like the sound of that. When and where will Oiwa took to get a grip on the NEVER title?

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!

Matthew & Nicholas Jackson made their return to NJPW by calling out then-champions, Great-O-Khan & Henare. But as Khan & Henare battled Los Ingobernables de Japon, the Face of Fury would go down with an injury. A Triple Threat was made, and it was won by the AEW EVPs. However, NJPW says the 2024 World Tag League winners deserve their 2v2 title shot. Will LIJ finally have these titles once again? Or will The Bucks throw a Superkick Party for Osaka?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if tranquilo beats The Elite, the the Elite!

As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. The Bucks get impatient, but then the teams sort out, only for The Bucks to fake a sneak attack! The Bucks then mockingly tell LIJ to relax. Matt and Hiromu shake hands, which the fans applaud. But then Hiromu uses that handshake to DOUBLE AX HANDLE Nick! The bell rings, Matt dodges double ax handles, only for LIJ to come back on the rebound! LIJ double whip, and DOUBLE AX HANDLE, then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! They kick and whip Nick, he gets around to send Naito into Hiromu, but Hiromu & Naito dosido! They kick Nick, and Hiromu gives Naito the boost into the RANA!

Nick tumbles out, Matt storms up, but Hiromu CROSSBODIES Matt down! The fans fire up as Hiromu keeps moving, and he CROSSBODIES Nick! The Bucks bail out, Hiromu slides out to keep going! CROSSBODY for Nick! Hiromu keeps going, and Naito holds Matt up, but Matt SUPERKICKS first! Matt then elbows Naito, and he sets up LIJ for Nick! Nick FLIES and wipes out LIJ! The fans fire up as Nick lands on his feet! Nick asks the cameraman if he saw that. Unbelievable, right? The fans duel, Nick puts Naito in, and Nick finally takes off his shirt. Nick kicks Naito to a corner, then whips him to the Bucks’ corner.

Nick runs up, he blocks boots, and he puts Naito int he ropes! Tag to Matt, NECKBREAKER and DRAPING SLINGSHOT SENTON! Matt keeps going and he BLASTS Hiromu off the apron! Matt runs in, he and Nick LARIAT ENZIGIRI combo on Naito! Matt keeps moving, and he slides out to SUPERKICK Hiromu! Nick slides out, Matt slides in, and they coordinate, CANNONBALL ENZIGIRI COMBO! The fans fire up with The Bucks, then Matt brings Naito up. Matt bumps Naito off buckles, then CLAWS Naito’s back! The ref reprimands, Nick tags in, and Nick CLAWS Naito’s back! Nick facelocks and he grinds Naito down.

Naito endures, and he manages to CLAW Nick’s back! Nick lets go, Naito CLAWS him again! The ref reprimands but Naito SPITS at Nick! Naito runs, but Matt trips him! Matt drags Naito out and sets him up for Nick. Nick runs from the apron, but then Naito ducks! PENALTY KICK hits Matt! Nick panics, then springboards at Naito, but into a MANHATTAN DROP! A little double-edged given Naito’s bad knees, but he and Nick crawl. Hot tags to Matt and Hiromu! The fans fire up as Hiromu fires forearms on Matt! Hiromu whips, Matt reverses, but Hiromu RANAS! Nick is back and he kicks Hiromu!

Nick CLAWS Hiromu, then he coordinates with Matt. They double whip Hiromu, but Hiromu ducks the double ax handle to send Matt into Nick! Then Hiromu lifts Matt to make him RANA Nick! The fans fire up, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT Matt in a corner! Hiromu snapmares Matt, runs and basement DROPKICKS him out! Hiromu goes out and he CROSSBODIES Nick like before! And then he finally CROSSBODIES Matt! The fans fire up as Hiromu says he’s going another round! CROSSBODY for Nick! CROSSBODY for Matt! The fans fire up and Hiromu puts Matt in the ring. Hiromu drags Matt up, fireman’s carries, but Matt slips free!

Matt clinches to NORTHERN LIGHTS! And roll through, NORTHERN LIGHTS! The Polar Express gets going as Matt NORTHERN LIGHTS again! Then he has the legs, Nick tags in, CATAPULT GAMANGIRI! Hiromu falls back, Nick goes up, DOUBLE STMOP BACKBREAKER COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Nick argues the count but the ref defends it. Nick whips, Naito tags in, and Hiromu reverses! DOUBLE AX HANDLE on Nick! LIJ then whip Nick to a corner, but Nick reverses! Naito is sent in, Nick kicks Hiromu. Nick runs at Naito, but gets BOOTS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Nick into the ESPERANZA!

Nick sputters and flounders, Naito takes aim, but Matt SUPERKICKS Naito! Hiromu is up, he blocks Nick’s kick, then sends it at Matt! Matt ducks, Nick keeps the spin going so he can sweep the legs on Hiromu! Hiromu sits up into basement DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Naito stands, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Nick climbs, Matt puts Naito in the ropes, DRAPING SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans fire up! Nick tags Matt and Matt drags Naito up. Nick goes to the apron, Matt scoops Naito, but Hiromu SUNSET FLIPS Nick! Nick fights off the bomb, but Naito fights the driver! Victory roll, TWO!!

Hiromu has Nick anchored on the outside, but Matt schoolboys Naito! TWO, but Nick kicks free of Hiromu! Matt has Naito’s wrist, Nick grabs the other! E V P- NO, Naito ducks so the knees hit together! CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTI- NO, Matt stops the Destino in time! Nick gets the other arm, E V P TRIGGER!! Cover, HIROMU BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again as Hiromu CHOPS Nick, then CHOPS Matt! And CHOPS Nick! And CHOPS Matt! Hiromu runs, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Matt tags Nick and they soak up the cheers and jeers. The Bucks aim at Hiromu first, but he blows past the kicks! CROSSBODY caught!

Matt has Hiromu while Nick goes back to the apron. But Naito anchors Nick this time! Hiromu fights the gut wrench while Nick kicks free! Nick goes up the corner, but Naito anchors him there! Hiromu turns things around on Matt, and now Naito SHOVES Nick! INVOLUNTARY TK DRIVER on Matt!! Naito storms in, Hiromu laughs as he gives Nick TIMEBOMB 1.5! Naito & Hiromu work together now, ASSISTED- NO, Nick slips out of the DDT! Nick shoves Naito at Hiromu, but they dosido again for the DOUBLE AX HANDLE! The fans fire up as NOW we get the ASSISTED TORNADO DDT!!

Naito waits on Nick to stagger up, then he wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Bucks’ reign ends at just over five weeks! The Bucks thank Japan, and they promise that they’ll be back again some day. Meanwhile, Hiromu has his first reign as a heavyweight champion, and he wants Captain Naito to stand up with him. Naito asks for help but he kinda sandbags on it. Hiromu gives up and simply fetches Naito’s hat for him. They eventually do stand together, but will this New Beginning be LIJ’s best chapter yet?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd!

The Gene Blast took down the “Boss Dog,” David Finlay, and took this title from him at WrestleKingdom. But now the second in command is looking to avenge The Rebel! Will this Mad Man become a double champion? Or will Yota keep everything tranquilo?

As Yota makes his entrance, he tosses his coat away to reveal he went with SHORT tights tonight! Gabe smirks, this is clearly Yota’s answer to Gabe wanting NJPW to return to tradition. The introductions are made, the white strap is raised, and we see who takes NJPW global!

The bell rings and Gabe steps to Yota and vice versa. The fans fire up for this stare down, and the crowd sounds pretty torn. Gabe SLAPS Yota, so Yota SLAPS back! Gabe grins, the two back up, and then they tie up! They’re in a deadlock, but then the forearms start flying! They tie up again, are still in a deadlock, but Gabe pulls hair! Yota turns things around to put Gabe on ropes, but Gabe turns that back around. Red Shoes calls the break, Gabe lets off slowly, then he fires forearms! Red Shoes reprimands, Gabe eggs Yota on, but Yota headlocks. Gabe powers up and out, Yota RAMS him, but Gabe rebounds to RUN Yota over!

The fans fire up and duel again. Yota reaches up at Gabe, Gabe stomps him, then things speed up. Gabe hurdles, Yota hurdles, then Yota bypasses Gabe to RANA! But Gabe handsprings through!? Only for Yota to arm-drag! Gabe headscissors, Yota kips free, and then Gabe scoops to SLAM Yota! The fans fire up, Gabe covers, TWO! Gabe stays cool, that was just a heat check. Gabe drags Yota up, tells him this is NJPW, and he CHOPS! The fans fire up, Gabe gets in Yota’s face, and Gabe eggs Yota on. Yota CHOPS, Gabe wants more, so Yota CHOPS again. And CHOPS again! Gabe UPPERCUTS Yota, then UPPERCUTS again!

Yota falls, sputters, and the fans fire up. Gabe kicks Yota out of the ring, then brings him around to whip him hard into the railing! Gabe opens the gate, grabs a chair, but then puts it aside as he sees Yota stirring. Gabe drags Yota up, whips him, and Yota hits railing hard! But he comes back, only for Gabe to clinch! Yota fights the clinch with elbows, but Gabe still hits the T-BONE to the floor! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Gabe then sits up cross-legged a la Shibata. Gabe shakes his head, then he storms up on Yota. The fans rally and duel, Gabe encourages them to get louder, then he CHOPS Yota!

Yota staggers away, Gabe storms up, and Gabe CHOPS again! Yota huffs ‘n’ puffs as he staggers away. Gabe storms up to CHOP him again! Gabe eggs Yota on, so Yota CHOPS in return! Gabe felt that one! Yota stands Gabe up to CHOP again, and CHOP again! Gabe SUPERKICKS!? Yota staggers back as Gabe shows he’s been working on his arsenal. Gabe fires up, the fans fire up with him, and Gabe brings Yota up. Gabe puts Yota in, covers, but Red Shoes says no, too many shenanigans on the outside. Gabe scuffs Yota to egg him on, and the fans rally up. Gabe scuffs Yota more, then KICKS him in the back!

Yota rises up, Gabe pushes him around, and talks trash. Yota DECKS Gabe! The fans rally again, Gabe stands back up, and he ROCKS Yota! Yota shakes that off to ROCK Gabe! The forearms go back and forth again and again, and then Gabe ROCKS Yota! Gabe eggs Yota on as he wobbles! Yota roars, CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yota fires more CHOPS, then he brings Gabe around to CHOP again! Gabe drops to his knees but Yota says he’s not done! Yota stands Gabe up, but Gabe CHOPS! Yota doesn’t back down, so Gabe CHOPS again! Yota CHOPS back, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going and the fans rally up!

Gabe CHOPS, he gets the edge, and he eggs Yota on to show him NJPW’s spirit! Yota fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Gabe! Gabe leans against ropes, seethes but also grins. “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” Gabe comes back to CHOP! The fans fire up and Yota grits his teeth. Yota CHOPS and Gabe drops to his knees! The fans are thunderous as Yota looks at his own hand. Gabe seethes, rises up, and though he’s stinging, he says F you, Yota! CHOP! Yota grits his teeth, both men storm up, and Gabe CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS Yota against the ropes again and again, but Red Shoes counts.

Gabe LARIATS, runs, but into a BOOT! Gabe UPERCUTS! Yota ROCKS! Gabe CHOPS! Yota SUPERKICKS! Gabe roars so Yota SUPERKICKS again!! The fans are thunderous, Yota covers, TWO! Gabe stays in this and the fans fire up more. Yota rises, goes to ropes, and he fires up again! The fans join him and Yota grabs Gabe’s legs. Gabe kicks at Yota, but Yota works to turn Gabe! Gabe resists, but Yota still has the BOSTON CRAB! Yota wants to use the “Young Lion” hold to humble Gabe! Gabe powers up, fights forward, but Yota sits down deep on the hold! Gabe endures, the fans rally, and Gabe powers up again! Gabe claws at the mat, but Yota drags him from the ropes!

The fans rally as hard as they can as Gabe endures! Gabe powers up one more time, and he makes it to the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go, barely holding on as it was, but both men are down as they catch their breath. Yota rises, Gabe goes to a corner, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Gabe bites the rope as he drags himself up. Yota runs in, KNEE! Gabe slumps down, Yota pushes him, and Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Gabe gets under! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men wobble, but Yota drops to a knee! Gabe runs, but Yota blocks the knee! POP-UP KNEE, and then a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives, Yota roars, and Osaka is thunderous again!

Yota aims from a corner, Gabe slowly rises, GENE- COBRA TWIST!! Gabe catches Yota into the iconic Inoki hold! Yota endures, even as Gabe puts on the pressure! Yota reaches for ropes, but Gabe shifts to a BIG back suplex! Yota almost lands on his head! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Gabe rises and the fans fire up! But then Yota also rises in the other corner. Gabe hobbles his way over, then runs up to LARIAT! Yota drops to his knees, and Gabe goes up? Gabe shouts, “SAEKO DA! <I’M AWESOME!>” Gabe drags Yota up with a facelock, bringing him up the corner. Yota endures the guillotine and fires body shots.

Yota fires forearms, Gabe fires back, and they brawl on the corner. Gabe HEADBUTTS Yota! Yota holds onto ropes, and he RISING HEADBUTTS in return! Gabe sputters, Yota roars, and Yota goes to the very top! The fans fire up already as Yota has Gabe in the clinch, but Gab says F YOU! SUPER LARIAT!!! Yota has a crash landing but Gabe roars! Gabe runs, to LARIAT Yota again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Yota survives being turned inside-out, but Gabe roars again! Osaka is ready to erupt again, but Yota suplexes first! X-PLEX even! Gabe sputters, Yota KNEES him down!! Osaka is electric as both men are down again!

Yota grits his teeth as he crawls away to a corner. Yota drags himself up with the ropes while Gabe is in a daze. Yota staggers back over to Gabe, drags him up, but Gabe’s a ragdoll. Red Shoes checks Gabe but Gabe is somehow still in this. Yota eggs Gabe on, and he wants Gabe to show that NJPW spirit! Gabe rises, leaning against Yota. Yota then SLAPS Gabe! Gabe staggers, but that slap woke him up! Gabe comes back to PALM STRIKE! Gabe grins, but so does Yota! Gabe tells Yota, “Who you think you are, I AM!” Yota gets up, and he SLAPS Gabe! Gabe SLAPS Yota, Yota SLAPS!! Gabe wobbles but the SLAPS keep going!

The fans fire up as the SLAPS come in from all directions, back and forth! Yota fires a flurry, but Gabe gives it back! STRAIGHT RIGHT! Gabe runs, Yota dodges, and Yota LARIATS Gabe!! Yota hurries to haul Gabe up, POWERBOMB! A very Finlay looking one at that! Then CURB STOMP! Yota roars as he aims from the corner! Gabe rises, into the GENE- PILEDRIVER?!?! Gabe turns things around in an instant and Osaka is erupting again! Yota and Gabe stir, Gabe finds the cover, TWO!! Yota is still in this, but so is Gabe. The fans rally as hard as they ever have, and Gabe rolls away to the ropes.

Gabe rises and Osaka roars again! Gabe snarls, he drags Yota up by his hair, and he reels Yota in. The barking echoes through the stadium, but Yota fights the lift! Wrench and HEADBUTT! Gabe stays up, but a GENE TRIGGER hits! COMEBACKER from Gabe!! The Mad Man is going nuts, and he brings down the kneepad and even the wrap! ONI- GENE BLASTER!!! But Gabe tumbles away, Yota can’t make the cover! Time is running out on this match as Gabe sputters and Yota crawls his way over! Yota claws at Gabe, Gabe turns over, and Red Shoes begins a double down count! The fans rally as both men have until 10!

Gabe sputters, grits his teeth, and he grabs the ropes. But we’re already at 5! And then 7! 8! Yota stands at 9, but he flops back down! TEN, IT’S A DRAW!!

Double Down Draw; Yota retains the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

These two men fought so hard, neither man could keep going! Or maybe they can? They both sit up and give junkyard dog headbutts, but there’s no point now! They both flop back down, the fans cheer again, and Red Shoes tells them both to stop. The fans chant for NJPW, clearly feeling these two epitomize the truth spirit of Strong Style. Gabe and Yota stare down, then nod. Gabe DECKS Yota! In a roundabout way, that is how these two show respect. Yota keeps the title, but will he and Gabe look to run this back?

WAIT, THE HOUSE OF TORTURE ATTACKS!! The fans boo as Sho, Kanemaru, Yujiro and Narita all stomp away on Yota! Is this because not a single one of these rejects got on the card? Wait, Narita stomps Gabe, too?! And then the lights go out! WAIT! EVIL is here! The King of Darkness said he wasn’t coming home after losing back at Battle in the Valley! And yet he’s returned with New Beginning? Then he STOPS The House from beating up on Yota?! What’s going on with The King of Darkness? He and Dick Togo have the guys back off, and Evil helps Yota to his feet? Oh, just so he can hit EVERYTHING IS EVIL on him!

The fans boo as Evil tricked us into thinking he had a change of heart. Or a heart at all. The fans tell The House of Torture to just go home, but now they want to help Gabe up? Evil & Dick help Gabe stand, only to set him up!? PUSHUP BAR ATTACK?!? Narita then hits Gabe with the DOUBLE CROSSER!! What happened to House of Torture being Bullet Club? Hold on, Evil grabs a mic to speak. “Oi, Tsuji, you thought I was here to help you? TOO BAD, SUCKER! HAHAHA!” The fans boo more, but Evil says Yota’s head is foggy from all that damage. This is your present and future. And as for “Gabe-chan,” Evil is here to speak to him.

Evil tells Gabe, “You’re in my way, pieces of crap like you. Tell this to Finlay, as well. From now on, the War Dogs are no longer part of Bullet Club!” What!? Does Evil have the authority to say that? But he says, “Your crew of losers aren’t needed in Bullet Club anymore! Got it? Remember that!” The House has declared war, but will this be anything but civil?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ TMDK VS Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi!

The Front Man really shook things up when he used the G1 Climax golden ticket to win this title in Ryogoku rather than the Tokyo Dome, but now the Fierce Warrior looks to do the same in Osaka! Goto has been fighting for decades, will this finally be his moment? Or will he #JustTapOut?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if there is truly a New Beginning in Osaka!

The bell rings and the fans are already strong for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” ZSJ doesn’t let that bother him as the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and ZSJ wrenches an arm. ZSJ then waistlocks, but Goto wrenches free. ZSJ spins around, slips through, and he wrangles Goto by an arm. Goto fights up but ZSJ top wristlocks. ZSJ wrangles Goto after all, but Goto keeps his shoulders up. Goto slips around, goes for a leg, but ZSJ slips away, and the fans cheer this opening exchange. The two reset, tie up, and ZSJ headlocks. Goto powers up and out, ZSJ RAMS him, but Goto returns to RUN ZSJ over!

ZSJ avoids the elbow drop but Goto avoids the Penalty Kick! ZSJ avoids a lariat, Goto avoids as roundhouse, then Goto kicks and whips. ZSJ reverses but Goto RUNS him over again! The fans fire up while ZSJ shakes out the stars. Goto CLUBS ZSJ to a corner, whups him corner to corner, then runs up to LARIAT! Goto HIP- NO, ZSJ THROWS Goto down, the NECK TWISTS! The fans rally and ZSJ brings Goto up. ZSJ cravats for the neck wrench, then shifts to a headlocks. Goto endures the grind, fights up, and powers out. ZSJ RUNS Goto over! Things keep moving, but ZSJ catches the dropdown into a NECK TWIST!

Goto writhes and goes to the apron. ZSJ goes out to NECK TWIST even out there! Goto falls, Hashi protests, but ZSJ just shakes out his arms. ZSJ drags Goto up, UPPERCUTS him, and Goto staggers up the ramp. ZSJ pursues to UPPERCUT, but Goto CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and Goto falls! ZSJ goes to the ring, which fans applaud, and Goto crawls his way over. The fans rally as Goto reaches the ring by 5 of 20. Goto rolls in, ZSJ drags him by a leg, and ZSJ has a toehold. ZSJ turns Goto over and ties up the legs, while also adding a headscissor! Goto endures this modified deathlock, but then ZSJ focuses on just the headscissors!

Goto fights around, the fans rally, but ZSJ rolls Goto away from the ropes. ZSJ has Goto at the center of the ring, grabs an arm, but Goto kicks around! ROPEBREAK right as ZSJ goes for the armbar! ZSJ lets go, and the fans rally for “GO-TO-O!” even more. ZSJ paces, drags Goto up to cravat, but Goto again endures the neck wrench. Goto fires body shots, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto staggers to a corner, ZSJ whips him corner to corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs, but Goto follows! ZSJ BOOTS the lariat, but Goto avoids the Pele! ZSJ
avoid the buzzsaw, RAMS low, then whips.

Goto reverses, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! ZSJ goes to a corner, Goto runs up, and Goto LARIATS! Goto whips corner to corner, then runs to MURAMASA! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but Goto stays on him. Goto fireman’s carries again, but ZSJ kicks his way to the apron! ZSJ has Goto in the ropes, HANGING ARMBAR! Red Shoes reprimands, then counts, but ZSJ lets go at 4. ZSJ stumbles a bit, but goes back for Goto in the ring. ZSJ knees on Goto’s face, then grabs an arm. ZSJ SNAPS fingers! And then he digs his elbow into Goto’s ribs, to then isolate an arm, and STOMP it!

The fans duel while Goto clutches that elbow. ZSJ drags Goto around, digs an elbow into Goto’s shoulder, then pulls on the bad arm. ZSJ twists it around, and STOMPS it again! Goto writhes more but ZSJ looms over him. ZSJ stands Goto up, reels him in, but Goto fights the scoop! Goto CLUBS with the good arm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS the bad arm! And again! And again! ZSJ brings Goto around to scoop, but Goto slips free! Goto waistlocks, ZSJ elbows free, and ZSJ runs up. Goto dodges to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then roll into the GOTO SAN SHIKI! TWO, and ZSJ body scissors, JAPANESE ROLLING CLUTCH! TWO!!

The fans fire up as both men escape the other! ZSJ BOOTS Goto to a corner, then runs up. Goto dodges to put ZSJ right in the ropes! Draping dragon sleeper, for DRAPING SHOTO! Cover, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ survives but Goto roars! Goto dragon sleepers, but ZSJ slips around to scoop and ZACK DRIVER! But ZSJ can’t make the cover! The fans fire up again while ZSJ sits back up. ZSJ grabs Goto by the hair and drags him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Goto wobbles, and the fans rally. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, Goto staggers, but ZSJ has him again. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Goto just gets mad! Goto fires forearm after forearm!

ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, but Goto just roars! The fans fire up as Goto LARIATS! ZSJ stays up and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! ZSJ comes back, but Goto spins him around, URA G T R! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSEES the lariat, then scoops! SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! But into an ARMBAR!! Goto flails, reaches out, but ZSJ pulls on the arm! Goto fights around, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Goto keeps moving, tries to stack ZSJ, but ZSJ keeps his shoulders up! So Goto deadlifts, but ZSJ wrangles him into an omoplata! ZSJ grabs the other arm, Goto resists, but ZSJ powers it into a roll and CLARKY CAT!

Goto keeps fighting and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto refuses to get caught, but ZSJ grabs the leg! CLARKY CAT, BAD BALLOON MIX! Goto still fights, even with just the one free leg! Goto kicks and his arm slips free, ROPEBREAK!! Even ZSJ is surprised, but he lets go of Goto. The fans continue to rally for Goto as he slowly rises. ZSJ KICKS him in the chest and Goto falls over! ZSJ paces, Hashi coaches Goto, and Goto rises up. ZSJ KICKS him in the chest again! ZSJ eggs Goto on, then KCIKS, KICKS, KICKS! Goto blocks one! Goto stands, and he fires forearm after forearm! ZSJ rebounds, but Goto DECKS him!

The fans are thunderous and Goto roars! Goto runs, but into a SLEEPER! ZSJ squeezes tight as Goto reaches out, and Goto is fading! Red Shoes checks on Goto, but he drops to his knees! ZSJ sits Goto down, but the fans rally even harder! ZSJ lets go to run and PENALTY KCIK! But Goto’s right up!? LARIAT!! Goto knows Shibata well, so he knew how to fight that combo! The fans are thunderous again as Goto rises! Goto roars, then takes aim, BUZZSAW! ZSJ falls right down! Goto drags him right up! Fireman’s carry and G T W!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives, the damage he did to Goto’s arms being what weakened that attack!

Goto still dragon sleepers, but ZSJ fires shots! Goto grabs that arm, but ZSJ grabs Goto’s arm! They fight for control, so Goto ripcords and HEADBUTTS ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ drops back! But Goto holds onto ZSJ’s wrist! Goto drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS him again! And again! Goto just stands ZSJ up, so ZSJ fires a flurry of SLAPS! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Goto snarls, the fans are thunderous, and Goto HEADBUTTS ZSJ again! But Goto isn’t done! He HEADBUTTS AGAIN AND AGAIN! Goto roars, winds up, and LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous once more as Goto suplexes, for SHOUTEN KAI!!

The fans erupt as Goto brings out one of the classics! And then Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ victory rolls! EURO CLUTCH, TWO!?!?! Goto escapes, but ZSJ snatches an arm! ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm, but Goto LARIATS with the other! Goto leans on the ropes, Osaka erupts once again, and Goto drags ZSJ up! Dragon sleeper, but ZSJ hooks the arms! Goto fights the backslide, dragon sleepers, G T R!!! But Goto doesn’t cover?!? Goto wants to end this, and he straitjackets ZSJ’s arms, for ULTIMATE G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

Osaka is practically lifting off into space as finally, after 22 YEARS of hard work, of blood, sweat and tears, of always being the proverbial bridesmaid but never the bride, the Fierce Warrior has his world title breakthrough!! It was a generational battle to be sure, and while The Mighty Don’t Kneel, ZSJ could not #GetBackUp! Will TMDK have to take a page out of Chaos’ book and find a way to #TurnItAllAround?

As for Goto, it finally sinks in with the official announcement! “Perennial Challenger” no longer, Hirooki Goto is FINALLY the top champion in NJPW! Goto finally gets to hold this belt, and Hashi is there by his side to help put it on. After Goto catches his breath and gathers himself, he grabs the mic. “I know my dad was watching, and this is for him.” Goto points to the sky and the fans cheer. Goto stands, and he says, “A lot of you probably know this, but I’m an idiot. I’ve been an idiot as I’ve pursued this pro-wrestling life. But this idiot stuck with it, and now this idiot is a champion.” The fans cheer that, and they cheer as Goto tells his dad, “I DID IT!”

Goto now thanks everyone for coming and packing the house. “Actually, my son and daughter are here, as well.” The fans cheer, knowing the little Gotos are here. Goto asks if it’s okay to invite them into the ring. The fans cheer more, and Goto calls to them. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Goto’s son and daughter hurry from their seats, take off their shoes, and then step into the ring to stand alongside their father. The fans cheer, and Goto says they’re doing well in school. And his girl is doing well in her dance class. The fans cheer, Goto says he wants them to get a good look at this sight. “This is what Papa’s been working for.” The fans cheer that, too!

Goto says thanks to his kids, he was able to do this. And of course, “Yo-chan” for always being in his corner. And most of all, it is thanks to the people here today! The fans applaud again, and Goto says that he’s been at this for 22 YEARS, so he is thankful to his own body for making it this far. “The Goto Revolution has just begun.” The fans like that! Goto hopes they’ll be part of it until the end. “And finally… It’s about Goto’s G! Do you know what the G stands for?” Do the kids know? His son and daughter are excited. It is for the G in IWGP! That’s right! Now, here goes! The fans fire up with Goto, and he says the G in IWGP now stands for GOTO!

Goto hugs his kids, and the confetti flies! It may be decades into his career, but this is truly Goto’s New Beginning! Will there be no stopping the Fierce Warrior that overcame The Mighty Front Man?

My Thoughts:

An awesome New Beginning event, and fittingly, we got a lot of new stuff going on from this point. Drilla beating Takagi was wild, I did not think that’d happen. Khan beating Shota was also wild, and so was Shota voluntarily shaving his own head. As I’ve said before, Shota is the one out of the Reiwa Three Musketeers that isn’t working as far as crowd reaction. Fans love Yota as a Face, they love to hate Narita as a Heel, but they haven’t quite accepted Shota as a Face. Maybe shaving his head and ditching this Roughneck hero character could help Shota. Sanada beating Taichi with more cheating made sense, it just adds more Heel heat on him.

Roppongi ReVICE looked great against the Ichiban Sweet Boys, but I figured Eagles & Fujita would win. Taiji making the challenge on behalf of himself and Robbie X, that’ll be a great feud. And then holy crap, Konosuke VS Oleg was awesome. Not only does it show how great Konosuke is, but it shows how awesome Oleg already is for being this early in his career. But I feel like it’s a shame the KOPW Championship is gone, because I felt like the NEVER Openweight title was the one Oleg could get at this point. Oiwa challenging Konosuke is cool, can’t wait to see how that one goes.

LIJ VS The Bucks was great stuff, and I’m actually a little surprised LIJ won. I suppose The Bucks could (and maybe should) go back to AEW now, maybe do something about the Death Riders or whatever. But this is big for LIJ, and they have quite the lineup to defend these titles against. Yota VS Gabe was also awesome, and it was brilliant to have it end in a draw. But then, are we seriously getting Bullet Club: Civil War now? With House of Torture VS David Finlay & The War Dogs? Well, it isn’t about the quality of the wrestlers, since the War Dogs are all good, but it’s more we could’ve gotten even better stuff when it was Jay White’s Bullet Club.

And then, the main event was amazing, especially because of the story going into it. ZSJ has fought hard to become top champion, but Goto has fought hard and long for the same thing, to where maybe people were thinking it’d never happen. This is an inspirational story on top of an awesome match, because it shows if you keep at it, your dream will come true, and/or people will see your dedication, and they will appreciate and maybe even reward it. You deserve it, Goto, and what a great moment for him and his kids. I can’t wait to see where this is going, especially with the Anniversary Show in under a month.

My Score: 9.3/10