Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/18/24)
It’s an all-star battle royal!
It’s a special night for NXT in more ways than one!
Trick Williams’ next challenger will be decided in a 25 Man Battle Royal, with stars from not just NXT, but perhaps from outside the WWE altogether! Who will be heading for the Heatwave with the champ?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s 25 Man Battle Royal: Je’Von wins and will challenge Trick Williams for the title.
- Triple Threat Tag: Roxanne Perez & Lola Vice VS Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Roxie & Lola win.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship: Kelani Jordan VS Mia Yim; Kelani wins and retains the title.
- Fallon Henley VS Carlee Bright; Fallon wins.
- Andre Chase & Duke Hudson w/ Chase U VS The Good Brothers; Chase & Duke win.
- Je’von Evans VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s 25 Man Battle Royal!
A match this stacked was not going to wait very long! Je’Von Evans, Apollo Crews, Tyler Bate, Pete Dunne, Dragon Lee, Legado Del Fantasma’s Angel & Humberto, and pretty much all the stars of NXT are all in this ring, but they’re not the only ones. Say his name and he appears, it’s TNA’S JOE HENDRY!! Hendry has a mic to say “Say his name and he appears, Joe Hendry is here, in NXT!” The fans are going nuts, and Hendry says Cody Rhodes said this was a 25 man match. But let’s be honest, this is 24 men and one sensation! Hendry is gonna walk down to the ring, eliminate every single one of ’em, and go on to become NXT Champion and bring that title to TNA!
And when the title changes hands, the entire WWE Universe will be chanting, “WE BELIEVE!” And what they believe in is 250 pounds of pure motivation, the answer to all of life’s problems, they believe in JOE HENDRY! But wait, he isn’t the last one in this, as here comes All Ego, Ethan Page! Ethan and Hendry get face to face, as there was a time when All Ego was making an impact in TNA. The bell rings, and Oro Mensah jumps in to go after Ethan! They tumble out of the ring but under the bottom rope, so technically Ethan is still in this match! Except the brawl takes this to the back! And then Hendry finds himself going 23v1!
Wait, is that Frankie Kazarian, also of TNA, in there going after Hendry? Well alright. The fans freak out as Kaz DUMPS and ELIMINATES Hendry!! Kaz will probably have to deal with the consequences this week on TNA’s show. Tony D’Angelo goes after ol’ rival, Joe Coffey, Dempsey brawls with Tyler Bate, but then Lexis King CHOPS Tony! The Don turns around and thinks it was Edris! Edris defends his innocence but Tony TOSSES and ELIMINATES Edris! The brawling continues, Lexis finds Kaz and CLUBS him. Tavion Heights works well with the NO Quarter Catch Crew, and Legado goes after The Done.
Dragon goes after Myles Borne, Kaz DECKS Luca Crusifino then CHOPS Garza. Luca & Tony mug Humberto, Shawn Spears and Eddy Thorpe brawl. Eddy runs up, but the boot misses! Spears DUMPS and ELIMINATES Eddy! Coffey CHOPS Bate, but Ridge CLUBS Joe! Ridge still owes the Iron King so he hits a GERMAN SUPLEX! Malik Blade goes after Tony for him throwing out Edris! Joe tries to dump Lexis, but Lexis kicks back. The fans rally for Dante Chen as he’s in the mix, and then Dempsey puts Malik on the apron! Malik ROCKS Dempsey, slingshots and RANAS, but Dempsey uses ropes to stop that!
Dempsey kicks at Malik, Kemp WRECKS Malik, but Dempsey ends up falling with Malik! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Kemp apologizes, but then Kaz DUMPS and ELIMINATES Kemp and Myles! The fans fire up for the Heavy Metal Rebel, all is forgiven from earlier. Crews and Bate go after Humberto, and Crews puts Humberto on the apron. Humberto drags Crews out to join him and they brawl! The fans rally, Humberto kicks the legs out, and Garza KNEES Crews down to ELIMINATE him! Legado gets another one on Crews, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Legado high-five, then Garza goes after Spears while Humberto is after Luca. Bate and Coffey brawl some more, Spears dumps Garza out but Garza lands safe on the apron! Spears works to scrape him off but Garza hooks the ropes with his legs! Lexis goes after Tank Ledger, Spears and Kaz brawl, and Tavion is after The Don! Guess he’s gonna earn his NQCC stripes already. Lexis AX HANDLES Luca, Je’Von and Dante fight it out in a corner, and Dante ends up on the apron! Dante RAMS into Je’Von’s bad ribs then gets back inside. Ridge and Tavion fight, Dante throws hands down on Spears, and Lexis CHOPS Tank.
Dragon boots but Coffey blocks to HEADBUTT! Coffey runs up but Dragon TOSSES and ELIMINATES him! The Iron King is irate but there’s nothing he can do now. Luca stomps Bate, Spears CHOPS Tony, Humberto fights off Ridge, Spears CHOPS Tony again! Spears gets space, runs up, but Luca takes the LARIAT! Luca goes up and out, Spears ELIMINATES him! Tony DECKS Spears, Bate RAMS into Tony! Tank fights back against Lexis and then goes after Dante. Tavion CLUBS Tank, Bate fires hands on Tony, Humberto fights off Kaz. Dante turns things around on Tavion to ROCK and ELBOW him!
Tony puts Bate up top, Ridge fires off on Tank, Spears finds Je’Von, and NXT returns to single picture. Garza goes after Kaz with body shots, Tavion clinches Dante to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Dante hangs onto the ropes! Dante RAMS into Tavion, DUMPS him out, but Tavion is on the apron! They brawl on the edge, so Ridge runs up to BLAST and ELIMINATE them both!! The fans boo but Yorkshire Grit wants that title shot! Lexis CLUBS Ridge, Legado regroups, and Je’Von fights off Frazer. Spears TOSSES Dragon but Dragon holds on and gets back in! Kaz stomps Je’Von in those bad ribs, Spears stomps Dragon.
Bate fights off Tony’s suplex, CLUBS him, and Ridge UPPERCUTS away on Ridge. Legado bullies Tank, double trophy lifts him, but Tank fights free! Tank CLOBBERS Legado against ropes! Tank tries to get them both, but Lexis CLOBBERS Tank! Lexis is helping Legado? But then he backstabs Humberto and TOSSES him! Lexis ELIMNATES Humberto, and laughs at him! Garza is upset, though, and Lexis says hey, c’mon, battle royals, right? Garza says yeah, and he DECKS Lexis! Garza TOSSES and ELIMINATES Lexis! But then Tank TOSSES and ELIMINATES Garza! The fans fire up for Tank, but Bate gets him in the AIRPLANE SPIN!!
The fans fire up as Bate and Tank go around and around and around, way past TEN, then the SLAM! The fans rally for the Big Strong Boi as he DUMPS and ELIMINATES Tank! Kaz is sure shocked seeing all that! But then Tony DECKS Bate, hits a BELLY2BELLY on Kaz, then a SPINEBUSTER on Spears! the fans fire up with The Don, Frazer leaps but into a BODY SHOT! Tony TOSSES Frazer but he holds onto ropes! GAMANGIRI, then springboard, but into Tony’s arms! Frazer slips free, dumps Tony out, but Tony holds on! Tony shoves Frazer away but he’s right back with a SHOTGUN! Frazer ELIMINATES Tony!!
But then Dragon dumps Frazer out! Frazer skins the cat to RANA Dragon, but he holds on, too! They both stand, fire off BOOT after BOOT, then Frazer SUPERKICKS! Frazer runs up, into a V-TRIGGER!! Frazer falls, Dragon ELIMINATES him! But here comes Ridge! Dragon fires hands on Ridge, but Ridge shoves him. Dragon SUPERKICKS, ripcords, but Ridge LARIATS first! The fans boo as Ridge hoists Dragon up! Bate says Bop up, BANG! Ridge wobbles, Dragon shoves him! Bate DUMPS Ridge up, DOUBLE BANG and down goes Ridge! Bate & Dragon ELIMINATE Ridge, and then BANG for Dragon!
Spears TOSSES Bate, but Bate rebounds, LARIAT takes down Spears! We have our final five of Bate, Spears, Dragon, Kaz and Je’Von! Bate is all fired up, he runs in but Spears BOOTS him! Spears runs up but into a boot, and a KNEE! “This is Awesome! as Bate goes up, but Spears SHOVES him down, and ELIMINATES him! Now we’re at four! Dragon fires up, he and Spears brawl while Je’Von fires hands with Kaz! Kaz BODY SHOTS Je’Von, then helps Spears mug Dragon. Then Spears TOSSES Kaz! Kaz holds on, ducks a shot, but so does Spears! Spears rams in but into a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!
Dragon SUPERKICKS Spears, Je’Von throws hands on Kaz. Kaz CHOPS Kaz, whips, but Je’Von reverses hard! Kaz goes up and out and to the floor! Je’Von ELIMINATES Kaz!! The Young OG is among the finalists! Je’Von fires hands with Dragon, Dragon BOOTS Je’Von! Je’Von runs, into a HEEL KICK! Je’Von runs up, but into a SNAP GERMAN! But Je’Von is right up!? And he SNAP GERMANS Dragon!! Dragon is up! He slips through a lariat, gets Je’Von up, SITOUT BOMB!! The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as Dragon roars! Je’Von flounders about, Dragon runs up and JUMP KICKS! Leg sweep! But Spears SHOVES him down to ELIMINATE him!!
Spears grins as he sneaks that one, and now he has Je’von all to himself. Spears gets Je’Von up but Je’Von JAWBREAKERS! Springboard, but Spears DUMPS him out! Je’Von keeps his feet off the floor! Je’Von KICKS Spears, slingshots, but into a fireman’s carry! Je’Von slips free, Spears dodges a lariat, but then Je’Von dodges a lariat! Je’Von LARIATS Spears up and out, but Spears has fingers on ropes! Je’Von CLUBS away but Spears ROCKS Je’Von! Spears springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Rebound and GAMANGIRI! Je’Von TOSSES Spears!! Je’Von wins!!!
Winner: Je’Von Evans (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)
Even in this stacked field of veteran stars, it was the youngest of them all that bounces them all out! And now he’ll be facing his role model, Trick Williams! Is this match-up going to burn down the house in Toronto?
The Women’s Division talks backstage.
Kelani Jordan is an inspiration to them, Carlee Bright hopes she wins tonight. And then challenging her for the Women’s North American Championship would be a dream come true! Fallon Henley walks in and hopes Carlee isn’t serious. She’s had literally one match here. If anyone deserves a shot, it’s Fallon. But didn’t she have her part in the ladder match? Because Fallon didn’t come first there. Wren Sinclair points out that’s true. Fallon tells Wren to sit down. Anyway, she is the only one in this locker room that deserves a shot. Oh, really? Brinley Reece is doing pretty well, and Karmen Petrovic got a pin on Shayna Baszler, so…
Fallon is sick and tired of all the new girls thinking they deserve stuff! Sol Ruca avoids the drama by getting out of there. But clearly things are heating up, who will rise above to be next in line to the newest title in NXT?
Lola Vice warms up.
She kicks and punches away on a dummy, and Roxanne Perez storms in. Does Lola think she’s stupid or something? We all saw how Lola eyed the Women’s Championship. So if Lola thinks she’s gonna get her title- Okay, hold on. Yes, Lola was eyeing the title. But she’s not gonna fake being friends just to get close to the title. Lola will even tell Roxie’s plan: she will knockout every woman that gets in her way, including the four women in the Triple Threat tonight. She won’t go after Roxie, yet. So is Roxie ready to do this? Roxie says that Lola may not get it, but as THE NXT Women’s Champion, she doesn’t trust Lola or anyone else. But let’s handle business.
Roxie heads out, Lola takes off the gloves. That Triple Threat is up next, will The Prodigy and Miami Vice be able to hold it together against two teams that are united?
Ridge Holland regroups with Chase U.
Andre Chase & Thea Hail are certainly proud of him for being out there with so many opponents. He may not have won, but he fought hard and represented Chase U well. Duke Hudson gets off his phone to say yes, indeed. Very impressive. But hey look, a message from Riley Osborne. It says, “What about our mate, Ridge?” See? Even Riley’s coming around. Speaking of, where is Riley? Oh, back home in the UK. But when he comes back, this will be the best version of Chase U the world has ever seen! Well said, Thea! Ridge tries on his new Chase U shirt, and it fits like a glove. But then The Good Brothers walk over and sarcastically clap.
Luke Gallows says, “Would ya look at that? They’ve finally accept him.” Karl Anderson says, “From a brute, to a nerd!” How touching. He might cry. Ridge says ignore the haters. Duke says nah, they’ve got this. Chase says yeah, if the Good Brothers have a problem with Ridge, then they’ve got a problem with Chase U. Thea says yeah! Oh, so they’ll fight his battles for him? Duke says if it’s Ridge’s battle, it’s their battle, too. Gallows says, “You don’t want none of this, kid!” THEA goes off, but Duke holds her back. The Good Brothers leave, but Chase says they’ll handle this. When and where will the bullies get what’s coming to them?
Triple Threat Tag: Roxanne Perez & Lola Vice VS Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
We just heard from champion and one potential challenger, but with The Toxic Traitor’s face on the mend and Meta Four wanting more, the walls might be closing in on The Prodigy. Will this tag team Triple Threat help clear some space? Or will someone score themselves a golden ticket to Toronto?
In this form of Triple Threat, each team has one woman legal, so Roxie steps up against Jakara and Jacy. Roxie kicks Jacy low, fires hands on Jakara, but Jakara ROCKS her then headlocks. Roxie powers out to send Jakara into Jacy, then she rolls Jakara up. Jacy sunset flips Roxie, TWO! Jakara ghost pins Jacy, TWO! Roxie ghost pins Jakara, TWO! Jacy grabs Roxie but she hits a JAWBREAKER! Jakara waistlocks Roxie but Roxie switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO and Roxie is sent into a LARIAT by Jacy! Jacy turns around, Jakara hits a SLINGBLADE! Jakara talks smack then tags Lash! Lash gets Jacy up, and brings Roxie over, but they both stomp Lash’s feet!
Roxie & Jacy mug Lash, but she shoves Jacy away and DECKS Roxie! Jacy gets around to crucifix but Lash stays up! Roxie runs up and leaps, but into Lash’s arms! Lash says nope! She dribbles them both in the ropes! The fans cheer as Lash then SWINGS Jacy into Roxie, but Jacy swings free to arm-drag! Jacy ducks ‘n ‘dodges, Jazmyn tags in, RANA and PENALTY KICK! Cover, Jakara breaks it! Jakara whips but Jazmyn TOSSES Jakara! Roxie TOSSES Jazmyn! Roxie CLUBS away on Lash, jumps on for a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK, but Lash reaches out! Lash lifts Roxie, Loa tags in! Lash TOSSES Roxie, but Lola fires off kicks on Lash!
Lash blocks a kick, scoops Lola and SLAMS her down! Lash then drags Roxie up, reels her in, but Roxie fights out of the powerbomb! Roxie kicks low, Lola kicks low, then they DOUBLE LAREIAT Lash down! They kick Lash out, Jazmyn LEAPS at Lash! Lash catches Jazmyn, so Jacy CANNONBALLS! Down goes Lash, but then Jakara RAMS Jacy into steel steps! The fans fire up, but Loa SOBATS Jakara, and Roxie DIVES! Down goes Miss Jackson, and the fans fire up as Roxie and Lola actually high-five! For not being friends, they’re making it work as a team, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Jakara has Lola’s legs while Jazmyn has Lola in a headscissor squeeze! Jakara turns Lola over into a BOSTON CRAB! Lola endures double submissions, who wins if she taps out!? But Roxie CLAWS at Jazmyn, she lets go, but theN Jacy goes after Roxie! Roxie TOSSES Jacy off the apron! Jakara stomps Lola, but Lola BOOTS her away! Loal then BODY SHOTS Jazmyn! Tag to Roxie and she fires off on Jakara! Then on Jazmyn! UPPERCUT for Jakara, UPPERCUT for Jazmyn, repeat! Roxie wrenches Jakara, kicks Jazmyn< RUSSIAN LEG SWEE DDT COMBO! Cover on Jazmyn, TWO! Cover on Jakara, TWO!
Roxie shrieks in anger but she drags Jakara up by her hair. Tag to Lola and they mug Jakara. Jakara hits back but Lola fires those fast kicks! Jazmyn runs up, but Lola ROCKS her, then fires off more kicks! Jazmyn sits in a corner, Jakara is in the other. The afns fire up because Lola’s a Latina~! HIP ATTACK on Jazmyn! HIP ATTACK on Jakara! Lola keeps going, but Jacy CLOBBERS Lola! Cover, Jakara breaks it! Jakara hurries to tag Lash, and she runs up. Jacy dodges, BOOTS Lash, but Lash DECKS Jacy! Then she BOOTS Lola! And she DECKS Roxie! Lash hauls Jacy up, gets Lola added to it, DOUBLE SUPLEX! And a kip up!
Tag to Jakara and Meta Four gets Jacy up. Wheelbarrow and CUTTER! Cover, Jazmyn breaks it in time! But Lash THRASHES Jazmyn! Jazmyn PELES Lash! Jakara runs up on Jazmyn, EDGE-O-MATIC! But Lola URAKENS!! Roxie tags in, which upsets Lola, but Roxie hops on to POP ROX!! Cover, Roxie & Lola win!
Winners: Roxanne Perez & Lola Vice, by pinfall
It was already buenas noches when Lola hit Jakara, but The Prodigy always needs the spotlight. Roxie holds onto the title, even as Lola raises her hand in victory. But then Roxie URAKENS Lola!! Roxie strikes first, but will Lola have the last laugh?
Je’Von Evans meets with Ava Raine.
The NXT GM congratulates the new #1 contender, that is a big deal. He appreciates even being put in there. Nah, that was definitely all him. But then Ethan Page storms in and demands that Ava should do something! Do something about Oro “The Menace” Mensah, who has attacked Ethan like five different times! Ava says she did, she kicked Oro out of the building. OH~, thank you so much~! How about she kick him out of NXT entirely instead?! If not for Ethan, he’d still be in the battle royal! Actually, no, he IS still in, he never got thrown out, the match should still be going! And what is Je’Von laughing at?!
Those results should be null and void, and Ethan should be the one in this room talking Heatwave with Ava! Not some punk ass kid! Oh, he’s a punk ass kid? Well oddly enough, this punk kid’s got another match in him. Does Ethan? Or has Oro been beating his ass that badly? Ethan says he’s got another match in him! Let’s go! Ava asks if Je’Von is sure about this. Je’Von says yeah, let’s have it out in the main event! Ava says that settles it. Ethan says Je’Von may have all the heart in the world, but he has nothing between those ears. Ava tells Ethan and Je’Von to save it for the main event. But will All Ego look to change the plans for Heatwave with his own two hands?
Kelani Jordan heads to gorilla position.
The Stand Out sees both allies and enemies watching her as she goes. But it’s Sol Ruca who tells her that she’s got this. Kelani thanks Sol and high-fives her. The gold is on the line for the first time, will we see no one does it like Lani? Or will Michin make this first reign a short one?
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Kelani Jordan VS Mia Yim!
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!
The bell rings and Mia offers a handshake. Kelani takes it, and the two circle. The fans rally and duel, the two tie up, and Mia headlocks. Kelani powers up and out, but Mia runs her over. Mia shrugs, runs, but then rolls over the dropdown. Kelani runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS, but Mia handsprings through! Kelani kips up, but wait, The Good Brothers saunter out here. Kelani says okay, she gets it. They still shake hands, but then Mia uses that to get a backslide! TWO, Kelani rolls Mia, TWO! Kelani arm-drags, Mia arm-drags, and then Mia avoids an arm-drag to Oklahoma Roll! ONE!! Mia hurries to get another headlock.
Kelani powers up and out, then drops down to handspring, but Mia watches out! Kelani slingshots but Mia blocks the arm-drag! Mia arm-drags, runs up, but Kelani dodges. Mia goes Spider-Woman, but Kelani runs up! Mia drops and Kelani tumbles up and out! The Good Brothers are there but the ref warns then, Mia DIVES, but Kelani moves! Gallows helps Mia land on her feet, but then Kelani PLANCHAS down onto Mia! The fans fire up for Kelani as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns again and Mia waistlocks. Kelani elbows free and runs, but Mia goes the other way to POUNCE! The fans fire up, Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Mia drags Kelani up, and reels her into a BEARHUG! Kelani endures Mia’s limitless arsenal, and the fans duel again. Kelani throws elbows, fights free, and then fires forearms! Mia BOOTS Kelani, and Kelani goes to ropes. Mia runs up, Kelani dodges, then DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both women are down and the fans rally up again. Kelani stirs, crawls, but Mia sits up. Kelani fires a forearm, but Mia CHOPS! Kelani ROCKS Mia, but Mia CHOPS!
Both women rise, Kelani fires off forearm after forearm, then whips to CLOBBER Mia! And CLOBBER her again! Kelani cartwheels to BACK ELBOW! Kelani kips up and the fans fire up! Kelani runs at the corner to SPLASH, then she wrenches and reels Mia in! IMPALER DDT! Cover, TWO! Mia survives and Kelani grows frustrated. Kelani thinks of her options, handsprings, but Mia gest around! Mia GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Kelani escapes and Mia is surprised. Mia drags Kelani up as the fans duel more. Mia wrenches, for EAT- NO, Kelani steps over to WHEEL KICK! Mia flounders and Kelani rises!
Kelani goes up a corner, but Mia SHORYUKENS! Mia then brings Kelani out with an Electric Chair Lift, but Kelani fights the driver! POISON-RANA!! Cover, TWO!! Mia survives and shocks Kelani! The fans fire up and Kelani drags Mia to a drop zone. Kelani goes back up, for the SPLIT LEG- FLOP!! Mia avoids that one of a kid moonsault, to then hammerlock, clinch, and SITOUT! Cover, TWO!! Kelani survives and Mia can’t believe it! And wait, here comes OTM’s Nima & Price! They’re still hot over last week with Jaida and Mia! The refs hurry out here, but Miss Parker herself SHOVES Mia off the top!!
Jaida slips away, Mia flounders, and Kelani goes up and up to SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Kelani wins!!
Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s North American Champion)
Jaida gets back at Michin, and Kelani is still the first Women’s North American Champion! But will things only get harder for The Stand Out from here on out?
Backstage interview with Ethan Page.
Kelly Kincaid is with All Ego, and says it has been a wild night for him already. He was only in the battle royal for a few seconds- Uh, wrong, Kelly. Ethan is still in that match because he was never eliminated! And you know what else? Trick Williams did not beat Ethan Page at Ethan’s best! Because at Battleground in Las Vegas, Ethan was attacked by Oro Mensah in the parking lot! Ethan let his emotions get the better of him, but now he is back on track. Ethan has business to handle, and the first order of business is Je’Von Evans. Then Ethan IS coming after Trick, he will take that title from him, but ORO!
Ethan warns Oro that the next time they cross paths, Ethan will make sure to deal with him. Will Oro regret getting in All Ego’s way?
Izzi Dame speaks.
“Being great was never a choice. It was my way of life. On the volleyball court, I was that girl. A Division I athlete with All American honors.” She loved smashing faces, zinging the ball 60+ miles per hour at the opponents. She set records for kills and velocity, then went pro. It’s no wonder WWE wanted her to be that girl in NXT. She is picking up this new game real quick, and will soon dominate in the ring like she did on the court. These “Non-Athletic Regular People,” AKA NARPs, won’t stand a chance. It Iz what it Iz.
Axiom and Nathan Frazer talk backstage.
Axiom wants to know what Frazer was doing out there. Oh, well, hola to you to, amigo. Axiom wants to know why Frazer didn’t tell him he’d be in the battle royal. Uh, shouldn’t the real question be why Axiom wasn’t in there? Who is gonna pass up a shot at the NXT Championships, mate? But they’re the NXT Tag Team Champions, mate! Yeah, he knows. And then last week, Frazer was looking at the Heritage Cup- Yeah, and then he eliminated Tony D tonight! So maybe- Maybe, maybe, maybe! Is being a tag champ not good enough for Frazer? That’s not what Frazer’s trying to say. Well there’s a Tag Team Turmoil next week, with the winners-
But then Luca Crusifino walks in. The Legal Eagle isn’t trying to interrupt or anything, but he is here on business. After what happened in that battle royal, The Don had him draft up a contract for an NXT Heritage Cup match. It is already signed off and approved by Tony D and Ava. Frazer snatches it up and signs on the dotted line! Luca verifies, and says that’s not a bad signature. Luca heads out and Axiom says this is unbelievable. Frazer asks what he means by that, and Axiom just leaves. Frazer says they’re quite literally off next week, no worries! But will there be reason to worry should Frazer actually win the Heritage Cup back?
Tatum Paxley paid a visit to TNA!
It was TNA: Against All Odds, where the twisted, title obsessed Tatum showed up to challenge Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts Championship. In the end, The Juggernaut made Tatum pay for that stunt at Battleground and she retained the title. Will Tatum return to NXT tail between her legs as she must settle for opportunities over here?
Oba Femi is here!
The fans cheer as The Ruler heads to the ring, bringing his Men’s North American Championship with him. Oba gets a mic to then say, “This feels all too familiar, doesn’t it? Once again, Oba, still the North American Champion! Still the Ruler of NXT. And I did tell everybody who would listen to me, I told them that no matter how many men would step up to me at Battleground, the results remain the same.” The fans cheer, and Oba smiles. Oba says he flew to Vegas, did what he did best and dominated two men in Joe Coffey and Wes Lee. Two of the greatest that NXT has to offer! But they are nothing like Oba. There is NO ONE like Oba!
“So look in my eyes, and riddle me this. Who can ever take this title from me?” Wes Lee makes his way out! The Cardiac Kid says to answer the question, it’d be Wes. See, Oba knows, Wes knows, and everyone that watched Battleground knows, Oba sure didn’t pin Wes. Oh, this again, Wes? Wes’s obsession with what was once his is begin to irritate Oba. Oh, is it? Well, Wes doesn’t care! But wait, what’s going on in the crowd? Is that Brooks Jensen? Security hurries to stop that, and Wes tells Oba that he was in Vegas for one thing: Oba! And Oba knows how badly Wes wanted to test himself against Oba 1v1.
Hell, Wes even had the chance to be in the battle royal, and he respectfully declined! Why? Because all of Wes’s energy, every ounce of him, is focused on HIS North American Championship and getting it back. Oba says he’s realized Wes is going in circles, and he is just tired of it. he is done. Oba goes to leave, but Wes shouts at him! “Don’t turn your back on me!” Oba smirks but Wes says Oba has everything going for him. Oba is making headlines every week. Oba has guys like Big E saying Oba is their favorite superstar. And NXT is treating Oba like the greatest North American Champion ever. But even Oba knows what Wes is to that title, unless Oba does something about it.
And Wes is giving Oba that opportunity. But just know, that Oba will be facing a different kind of kid when it’s Wes 1v1. And Wes will show Oba exactly what it is Wes’s name in those record books. Oba tells Wes that it seems he has a lot of faith in himself, as do the fans. They really believe Wes can win this belt back. But that is neither here nor there. What really concerns Oba is changing those record books. So Wes, Oba will give Wes his 1v1 match. However…! This will be the first and FINAL time Wes gets at this title so long as Oba is champion. What’s it going to be, Wes? Do they have an accord?
Wes says Oba’s got it. The deal has been struck, but will Wes’s one and final shot be the only shot he needs to take it all back? Or will Oba force him to finally move on from the past?
Hank ‘n’ Tank regroup backstage.
Hank tries to encourage Tank but Tank feels he blew it. Hank says hey, 25 Man Battle Royals are tricky, but he’s got good news. This is a 10 outta 10 on the Hank ‘n’ Tank good news scale. Moments ago, Hank was cleared from his shoulder injury, he is ready to get back in that ring! Hank ‘n’ Tank high-five, and that means if they’re back in action, they gotta get back in action! You see Tyler Bate tonight? Hank couldn’t miss him! He was spinning Tank like pizza dough. Tank dry heaves and says he knows. But that is how Hank ‘n’ Tank get back on track. Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne, two absolute technicians, take on Hank ‘n’ Tank!
The beefy boys shake hands and fire up, but will they be able to tackle the top tekkers of the New Catch Republic?
No Quarter Catch Crew regroups backstage.
Charlie Dempsey asks Tavion Heights if he has any idea why he’s here. Tavion says no. No? Well, Myles was supposed to give him a hint. Myles, why didn’t you tell Tavion why he’s here? Kemp signals to Myles but Myles doesn’t know what about. Dempsey gets mad and shouts at Myles. How come Myles didn’t tell Tavion why he’s here? Sorry, he didn’t hear anything. Dempsey says Tavion is impressive. Former Olympian, former PanAm Champion, multiple Greco-Roman championships under his belt. Kemp shrugs in confusion, he has those things, too. But Dempsey says Tavion has everything the Crew needs.
That is why Dempsey invited Tavion here. He wants Tavion to be NQCC. Well, alright. Oh, playing hardball, huh? N-No…? Dempsey will do Tavion one better. Next week, it will be Tavion VS Kemp. Wait, what? Yeah, man! After what Kemp did to Dempsey in the battle royal, he deserves this. So if Tavion wins, he’s in. Even better! Dempsey says Tavion drives a hard bargain, and he likes that. They shake on it, but seriously, what is going on in Dempsey’s head?
NXT Anonymous is watching Gallus.
Joe is furious, and asks who the hell Wes Lee think he is!? Wes gets another title shot when Gallus beat him in that ring last week! Who should be getting another match? It’s Joe! Wolfgang & Mark agree, but then Tyriek & Tyson attack! Gallus has to fight off the #Tygers, but then refs rush in! Seems Gallus will have to pay for doing whatever they want to whoever they want, will this be just the thing Igwe & Dupont need to get themselves in tag title contention?
Fallon Henley VS Carlee Bright w/ Kendal Grey!
The Cowgirl is not having it with these new girls trying to jump the line. If Fallon Comes First, will she be unstoppable on the way to the top? Or will Carlee be! Aggressive! B E aggressive?
NXT returns and Carlee makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Fallon waistlocks then trips Carlee to headlock. Carlee endures the grind, fights up, and she throws Fallon off. Carlee wrenches to a wristlock but Fallon powers her way to a headlock and takeover. Carlee fights around, pushes Fallon toa headscissors, and she squeezes tight! Fallon slips free, but Carlee avoid the splash! Carlee wrenches to wristlock, but Fallon throws knees! Fallon whips, Carlee ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl and RAAN! Then CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Carlee keeps on Fallon with a wrench and wristlock, but Fallon breaks free.
Fallon CHOPS Carlee, then RAMS her to a corner! Fallon digs her shoulder in, lets off, but Carlee BOOTS her away! Fallon runs up, but Carlee puts her on the apron! Carlee ROCKS Fallon, but Fallon avoids the shoulder to BOOT Carlee down! Fallon talks smack on Kendal, then she goes back into the ring. Fallon TOSSES Carlee to a corner, stomps a mudhole in then digs her boot in! The ref counts, Fallon lets off and Carlee sputters. Fallon snapmares Carlee down, then clamps on for a chinlock and armlock. The fans rally, Carlee fights up, and Fallon pries free, only for Fallon to kick low! Fallon whips, Carlee sunset flips! TWO!
Carlee stands up but into a BOOT! Fallon snarls, she drags Carlee up and back suplexes, but Carlee lands out to jump on! SLEEPER! Fallon reaches out as Carlee thrashes around! Fallon RAMS Carlee into buckles! Carlee lets go, and WENDY CHOO Is behind Kendal! Carlee cravats Fallon, Kendal turns around, and then Fallon and Carlee fall out of the ring! Kendal is worried for Carlee, but Wendy clamps on the COBRA CLUTCH! Kendal goes night night, and then Wendy glares at Carlee. Carlee puts Fallon in but realizes what happened to Kendal! Carlee still ROCKS Fallon, ROCKS her again, then dodges the lariat to DROPKICK!
Carlee hurries up to whip Fallon, but Fallon reverses. Fallon runs up but into an elbow! Carlee goes up, up and CROSSBODY FLOPS as Fallon moves! Fallon then gets Carlee up, Fisherman CUTTER! Carlee sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Fallon wins!
Winner: Fallon Henley, by pinfall
New attitudes seem to be the theme for NXT lately, as Fallon’s edge cuts down Carlee, and Wendy going all weird put Kendal to bed! Will Fallon stampede her way up towards that Women’s North American Championship?
NXT Media catches up with Eddy Thorpe.
They know The Alpha Wolf didn’t win in the battle royal, but he seems to have that fire in his eyes. Yeah, they all saw him out there. He had an injury that put him out of action for awhile, but he got a great return win and a strong showing tonight. He wants to pick up momentum so that once he gets going, he’ll be the one challenging Trick, Oba, or even Tony D. Sorry if he seems a little all over the place, but NXT is getting hot and he wants to be in the middle of it. Eddy heads out for the night, but will he soon be at the precipice of a great opportunity?
Je’Von Evans gets checked by medical.
The doc wants him to be careful with those ribs, but Je’Von says hey, he’s headed to Heatwave. Trick walks in to say hey and congrats on the battle royal. But two matches in one night? Let’s talk about it! Je’von says you know he’s gotta do what he’s gotta do. Ya boi gotta keep pushing. But is he good? Yeah, yeah. Appreciate you, Doc. Trick just wants Je’Von to understand, Ethan Page is a bad man. He stepped into NXT, hustled his way to a title match, and now he’s trying to do it all again. Je’Von has to put an end to this. Je’Von says Ethan’s goofy, this ain’t nothing. Then that’s why Je’Von has to handle Ethan for real this time.
Je’Von says thanks, but Ethan thinks this is just a game. Trick says Ethan doesn’t belong in NXT. Doesn’t matter how much time is on his contract, if it were Trick, Ethan will always be an outsider. Je’Von says real talk, he’ll get that W, then it’ll be the two of them for this title. They shake on it, but will the Young OG be able to make it through another hard fought match here tonight? Or is Trick right about Ethan being a snake?
Andre Chase & Duke Hudson w/ Chase U VS The Good Brothers w/ Mia Yim!
Professor Chase & The Chase U MVP stood up on behalf of Ridge Holland, and now they’ll be fighting on behalf of him, too! Will they show that The OC isn’t the only club that sticks together? Or will things be Just Too Sweet?
NXT returns and The Good Brothers make their entrance, Michin by their side. The teams sort out and Chase starts against The Machine Gun. Karl kicks low, bumps Chase off buckles then fires hands. Karl headlocks, Chase opwers up and out, but Karl runs him over! Things keep moving, Karl hurdles bu tChase hip tosses! Chase brings Karl around to headlock takeover, and he grind sKarl down. Karl fights up, powers up and out, but Chase runs him over! Chase runs, but Karl drops. Chase hurdles, turns hip toss into hip toss, and the fans fire up! Chase bumsp Karl off buckles, tags Duke, and Chase U whips Karl back into the corner!
Chase U double body shot then high-ten to DOUBLE CLUB! Cover, TWO! Duke wrenches Karl, RAMS his shoulder, then wrenches and runs Karl over! Cover, TWO! Duke facelocks Karl, tags Chase, and then whips. Chase drip toeholds for Duke to drop an elbow! Chase covers, TWO! The fans rally as Chase facelocks, but Karl RAMS him into the OC corner! Tag to Gallows but Chase fires hands first! Chase ELBOWS Karl, but Gallows UPPERCUTS! And hits a BIG back suplex! Gallows runs to BOOT Chase down! And then he drops a BIG elbow! And another BIG elbow! And then a third BIG elbow! Cover, TWO!
Gallows is annoyed but he drags Chase up to bump him off buckles. Gallows ROCKS Chase, brings him around, and scoops to a SLAM! Gallows throws up the Too Sweet, then brings Chase up to scoop and SLAM again! Gallows tags Karl, and Karl drags Chase up to whip. Karl ELBOWS Chase down, covers, TWO! Karl stays on Chase and tags Gallows in. The Good Brothers mug Mr. Chase, then Gallows snapmares Chase into a chinlock. The fans rally, Chase fights up, and Chase fires body shots! Chase JAWBREAKERS free, but Karl tags in! Karl keeps Chase from Duke and whips him to an open corner. But Chase BOOTS back!
Chase ducks Gallows’ cheap shot, dodges Karl, hot tag to Duke! Duke rallies with forearms, then he even DECKS Gallows! Duke whips, Karl reverses but Duke breaks the lariat to CLOBBER him! Gallows gets in but gets JAB after JAB after JAB! Flip, flop, fly and U~! BIONIC ELBOW! Karl BOOTS Duke, goes up a corner, but Duke handsprings to SUPER STEINER?! The fans fire up and Duke covers, Gallows breaks it! Chase gets in to fire hands, he and Duke CLOBBER Gallows out of the ring! Chase goes to the apron to SUPERKICK! And then CANNONBALL! Direct hit and down goes Gallows! Mia and Thea check their guys while Duke has Karl.
Duke suplexes. Karl slips free and shoves! Duke reverses that to roll Karl up, and is Ridge helping?! CHASE U WINS!
Winners: Andre Chase & Duke Hudson, by pinfall
Duke seems rather surprised! The cameras weren’t in position, did Yorkshire Grit sneak a little assist? Will it matter once Chase U is back in contention for the tag titles?
Ava Raine meets with Kelani Jordan.
Robert Stone & Stevie Turner are there as the GM congratulates Kelani on her first title defense. But Ava also has to say, there was a long, long line of women in front of her door wanting their shot at Kelani. Kelani knows, but as one challenge ends, another begins. And she knows who it should be. Someone who is deserving, who never complains or feels like they’re owed anything. But in steps Arianna Grace. Doesn’t Kelani know it’s not polite to talk about someone behind their backs? But in this case, she’ll allow it!
Arianna moves Stevie aside to say Kelani is such a sweetheart to be thinking about her. Especially when Arianna wasn’t even in the combine to qualify for a chance. So she just wants to tell Kelani thanks, and she accepts. Uh, sorry, Arianna, this is kinda awkward, but Kelani didn’t mean Arianna just now. She was talking about someone who never asks for anything, never complains, stuff like that. And who is that? Sol Ruca. Ohhh… Yes… Well, Sol is nice, but she doesn’t carry herself like a champion! Or a pageant queen. Sol surfs! The only thing that suits her is the ocean. And Arianna is so much better that it’s funny!
Stone says if that’s the case, Arianna should prove it. Ava agrees! Sol VS Arianna next week, winner gets the shot. Arianna has no choice but to accept, will she back up her words and win her way to the title match? Or will she just get her Soul Snatched?
Chase U regroups backstage.
Thea is all fired up! They just beat THE OC! Do you see what happens when Chase U is on the same page? Congrats on the win! Andre Chase thanks Thea, but just wishes Riley was here to be part of it. When does he get back? Soon, hopefully. And what were the Good Brothers complaining about after? No idea. Duke looks at Ridge and Chase jokingly asks if Duke was up to no good. Duke says why him? But uh, no, he didn’t do nothing, didn’t see nothing. Well, Ridge, did you see something? No, just Duke rolling ’em up clean as a whistle. Well, alright! Time to celebrate! Chase and Thea head out, Ridge and Duke give each other a look. Was there something fishy about that win?
Fallon Henley throws a fit backstage!
Even though she won, The Cowgirl is still upset! Everyone just skips over her like she’s nothing! Jacy & Jazmyn walk in and say she is pretty pissed. Uh yeah she is! Wanna know why? Cuz Kelani doesn’t even deserve to have that title in the first place, and this is a damn joke! Join the club. At least Fallon’s nose isn’t broken. And she also won her match! Jacy & Jazmyn weren’t even pinned! Well then it is either Sol Ruca or Arianna Grace! So much for seniority, or even respect. Is that too much to ask for? No, it is not. In fact, Jacy is sick of the way things are done around here. So is Fallon. Are these former enemies bonding over… toxicity?
Trick Williams heads to ringside!
The fans cheer as THE NXT Champion is going to join commentary for this main event! Will he see the Young OG handle business? Or is All Ego about to take away Je’Von’s ticket to Toronto by force?
Je’von Evans VS Ethan Page!
NXT returns and The Young OG is already in the ring, pointing to his guy, Trick. Ethan makes his entrance, the fans boo, but the bell rings. Ethan runs up, Je’Von dodges and fires off hands! Ethan fires back and hits Je’Von in the ribs! Ethan reels Je’Von in but Je’Von slips under to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! The fans fire up but Ethan kicks the legs out! Ethan KICKS Je’Von in the side! The fans boo but Ethan RAMS into Je’Von! And RAMS him again! And again! The ref counts, Ethan lets off to argue with the ref, then Ethan fires body shots! Ethan clamps on with the cobra clutch and cradle, for the SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Ethan is frustrated already but he stalks Je’Von and talks trash. Ethan KNEES Je’von in the side, but Je’Von CHOPS! Ethan stomps Je’Von around, drags him up by the rib tape, and puts Je’Von in a corner. Ethan KNEES low, whips corner to corner hard, and Je’Von falls to the mat! The fans boo but Ethan soaks it all up. Cover, TWO! Ethan covers again, TWO! Ethan drags Je’Von up by the tape again, brings him around, and scoops to SLAM! Ethan KNEES Je”von in the side, and KNEES him again! And again! The fans boo as Ethan stomps away. The ref counts, Ethan lets off, but then he drags Je’Von up.
Je’Von fires body shots, then CHOPS! Je’Von runs up, but Ethan FLAPJACKS him on the ropes! Je’Von falls back, Ethan hauls him up, and Canadian Racks for the EGO’S- RANA! Je’Von throws Ethan, then runs up to trip him! DUOBLE STOMPS! Ethan sputters and cries in pain, but Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan out of the ring! Je’Von tells Ethan to get back up and in, but NXT goes picture in picture.
Ethan leans against the desk, but Je’Von goes out to stalk him. Ethan kicks but Je’Von dodges to CHOP! Je’Von brings Ethan around but Ethan RAMS him into the apron! Ethan drags Je’von up to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Je’Von flounders, Ethan storms in and covers, TWO! Je’Von is still in this but those ribs are in rough shape. Ethan stalks Je’Von to ropes, drags him up, and shoves him into ropes to CLUB him on the rebound! Je’Von falls over, Ethan drags him back up. Ethan shoves and CLUBS Je’Von again! Ethan paces around, drags Je’Von up again, and scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Je’Von grits his teeth as he stays in this match, but Ethan stalks him to ropes. Ethan drags Je’Von up, reels him in, and puts him on the ropes! DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Je’Von writhes but Ethan tells the ref to check. Je’Von refuses to give in so Ethan drag shim up. Je’Von fires body shots, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Je’Von whips, Ethan reverses, and a kitchen sink knee hits Je’Von low! NXT returns to single picture and Ethan clamps onto an arm for a low abdominal stretch! The fans rally, Je’Von fights up and he fires body shots. Ethan CLOBBERS Je’Von! The fans boo but Ethan says kiss his ass!
Ethan stalks Je’Von, drags him up, and suplexes to hang Je’Von out to dry! Je’Von bounces off the ropes, into a deadlift POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives and Ethan grows frustrated. The fans rally but Ethan stalks Je’Von. Ethan gets the legs, and he forces Je’Von over into the LION TAMER! Je’Von endures as Ethan uses another famous Canadian’s hold, but Je’Von claws his way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Ethan lets go, and Je’von sputters as he grabs at ropes. Ethan drags Je’Von up, reels him in, and suplexes. Je’Von slips free, blocks a shot, then body shots! Je’Von fires off hands and the fans fire up!
Ethan swings, Je’Von dodges to fire off more hands! Je’Von DECKS Ethan! Je’Von runs to LRAIAT! And ELBOW! Je’Von has Ethan in a corner, whips him, but Ethan reverses. Je’Von slides to a stop, dodges Ethan and rebounds to NEURALIZER! The fans fire up and Je’Von hurries to the apron! Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ethan stays in this and even Trick is a little surprised. Je’Von springboards, but Ethan dodges the OG Cutter! Ethan then goes to a corner, runs up, but Je’Von BOOTS, HEEL KICKS, and BLUE THUNDER BOMBS! High stack, TWO! Ethan escapes but Je’Von runs! But into a LARIAT!
Ethan deadlifts again, but Je’Von uses that to DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but Trick cheers the Young OG on. Je’Von climbs a corner, but Ethan shoves him down! The ribs hit top rope, and Ethan has the Canadian Rack! EGO’S EDGE!! Cover, Ethan wins!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall
Trick frowns as All Ego takes advantage of Je’Von and gets a win he perhaps shouldn’t have. But then Ethan storms out to get in Trick’s face! Ethan beat the #1 contender, so shouldn’t he be #1 contender now? Trick says that’s not how it works, but wait! Shawn Spears goes after Je’Von! The fans boo but Trick goes after Spears! But then Ethan goes after Trick! The Canadians mug Trick while fans boo! Ethan and Spears stomp away in the corner, then they bring Trick back up. But Je’Von springboards, DOUBLE OG CUTTER!! The fans fire up as all four men are down, the title down between them all! Everyone grabs for the gold, are things only going to heat up towards Heatwave?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT, but a very talkative one. I get it, promos help to move stories along but did we need this many promos to do it? I did appreciate there was story integration at least. Kelani VS Mia was really good, but Jaida screws Mia over because of their ongoing feud. We’ll definitely be getting a Mixed Six of OTM VS The OC now, but we might even throw Chase U into that as Ridge surely did help Duke cheat that pin to beat The Good Brothers. And a Mixed Six Triple Threat would be kinda fun, maybe a little chaotic. But clearly it’s also helping build a sort of Chase U Civil War as Duke & Riley try to show everyone they were right about Ridge all along.
The tag division in NXT is really heating up, too. Great NXT Anonymous video of Ty & Ty going after Gallus, I hope they’ll be part of Tag Team Turmoil next week. Same goes for Hank ‘n’ Tank and New Catch Republic. And I do appreciate the tension being created between Axiom and Frazer. Honestly, Frazer should be trying to convince Axiom they can be a Two Man Power Trip but Axiom seems about singular focus so they don’t lose what they’ve got. Tony VS Frazer is going to be a great Heritage Cup match, but I feel like Axiom’s lack of support is going to be why Frazer loses out in the end.
Related to the Heritage Cup, No Quarter Catch Crew feels like it’s falling apart. Dempsey is starting to be delusional, off in his own little world, but Tavion VS Damon is going to be really good. Also, it’s still very clever how they subtly poke fun at Myles Borne being partially deaf. I still feel like Tavion and Damon should end up a team of great shoot wrestlers and they can go after the tag titles. I’m just not sure the endgame for NQCC with Dempsey driving himself crazy trying to be more like The D’Angelo Family.
Fallon’s story also grows stronger with how she’s bitter over this Women’s North American Championship stuff. Good match from her and Carlee, but what a surprise that Wendy showed up just to choke out Kendal. And good bit with Arianna Grace where she of course thinks she’s more important than she is. Sol will definitely beat Arianna in the #1 contender’s match, but Fallon joining forces with Jacy & Jazmyn is an interesting trio. Great Triple Threat tag with Roxie & Lola winning. Roxie VS Lola is clearly the next Women’s Championship match, that’ll be good stuff.
Good promo for Izzi Dame to help us learn some of her sports origin story. A little surprised we didn’t get this sooner, because it would’ve helped her be more than just Kiana James’ sidekick. And I’m both okay and disappointed that Tatum going after Jordynne Grace was done so quickly with it being an Against All Odds open challenge type move. I’m okay because it’s done, I don’t have to worry about missing out on anything on TNA’s weekly programming. But I’m disappointed that they didn’t try a little harder on returning the favor of NXT visiting TNA. At least, at this point. We surely will get more crossover, I just hope they make it feel equal.
Speaking of which, kinda didn’t feel that way in the battle royal tonight. Yes, it was awesome that THE Joe Hendry made his NXT debut, but why was he the first person eliminated? Why wasn’t he in the spot Kaz filled in this match? I suppose it’d make more sense if I knew how the feud of Hendry and Kaz was going on TNA, but then why not kill two birds with one stone? Hendry eliminates Kaz for the TNA story, but then all of us get what we want with having more Joe Hendry on NXT. In the end, it was still an NXT guy winning, so what harm would it do to make Hendry one of the finalists?
Likewise, very clever of them to have Ethan eliminated without being eliminated while adding heat to Ethan’s story with Oro. And then we got a great main event out of Ethan VS Je’Von. Ethan of course wins after all the damage Je’Von’s ribs have taken, but I also like that we’re getting more Spears VS Je’Von going on. And that closing image tonight definitely teases a Fatal 4 Way for the title. It’s obvious, right? They’re gonna be in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and we’ve got two Canadians in Spears and Ethan. They’ll get the hometown crowd into it, and with a Fatal 4, whether Trick wins or loses, it helps protect everybody with how they can make things chaotic and opportunistic.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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