Will there be anarchy in New Mexico?

Before Double or Nothing and Anarchy in the Arena, Jon Moxley teams with The Young Bucks against Swerve, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Hobbs!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Jon Moxley & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; win.
• Mina Shirakawa VS Julia Hart; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tony Schiavone is in the ring!

He brings up the Owen Hart Cup Finals, and the two men fighting for their chance at the AEW World Championship at All In. He introduces first, Hangman Adam Page! The fans fire up for the Blackhat Cowboy as he goes to the ring, and we notice the extra security already on hand. Schiavone then welcomes out the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay! Albuquerque fires up again as Ospreay sports his new baseball jersey style merchandise. Schiavone says both men know what is at stake. One goes on to All In: Texas to fight for the world title, upon winning the Owen Cup. Schiavone then turns things over to Ospreay and Hangman.

Ospreay thanks Schiavone and wants everyone to hear him out. He understands why there is security, but he won’t get physical. Will Hangman get physical? No? Good. Then he excuses the security and assures them, he’ll make sure they get paid for their time. Ospreay thanks them as they exit, and Ospreay says he just wants it to be him and Hangman. The fans cheer Ospreay for the gesture, and Ospreay tells Hangman that he has one very important question: “Do you still drink?” The fans boo but Ospreay says c’mon, not in a bad way! He just means, Hangman loves a good beer. And to be honest, Ospreay owes him an apology.

Ospreay says that when they got jumped the other day, Ospreay did take a swing on Hangman. But to be fair, Hangman gave him a headbutt. But like Ospreay’s dad says, when he gets hit in the face, it is a drastic improvement. But Ospreay does have some beers for them. The ring crew brings those over, and Ospreay hands Hangman one. Ospreay wants cheers, but Hangman stares him down. The fans are torn, Ospreay takes a swig, and says it’s fine. Ospreay puts his aside, and says while they need to get things off their chest, there is something else Ospreay wants to do.

Ospreay wishes to petition to Tony Khan and the AEW Board of Directors that Ospreay VS Hangman on Sunday are the main event. The fans like that idea! Ospreay says surely some still think he’s crazy. Why would Ospreay wanna follow one of the most destructive and brutal matches AEW has in Anarchy in the Arena? Why would Ospreay wanna follow three hours of amazing professional wrestling? Ospreay says to those people, “You do not know what is at stake!” The fans cheer, and Ospreay says not only is this about winning the beautiful Owen Hart Memorial trophy, not only is this about going to All In: Texas on Saturday, July 12th…

But the winner of this match is the person with the responsibility of bringing back that beautiful gold belt! The fans cheer that! Ospreay says he really wants this. He wants this so badly! He feels the moment he stepped here, he has done everything the right way. He leaves his home country on a Tuesday, arrives here, makes seven to 15 HOUR flights every single week! He barely sleeps on Tuesday, he is constantly jetlagged, doesn’t really know where he is, but he puts on his “crime fighting pants,” and he says ring the bell, bruv! The fans cheer that! Ospreay says he wants to wear the title with pride! To show it around the world!

And most importantly, he wants to bring it home. Ospreay brings up August 24th, Forbidden Door in London, the O2, an arena just 30 minutes from his home. There are people that have supported Ospreay from the ballrooms and the halls. He has been a young, immature man who has grown up right in front of them, and he wants to wear that title in front of them while he thanks them for their support! The fans also cheer that. But the other thing is, every Tuesday when he flies to the US is that he leaves his six-year-old son at home, and he wants nothing more than to walk into that building so his son can see him as WORLD CHAMPION!

The fans cheer more, and Ospreay understands how much Hanger wants it. But Ospreay wants it just that little bit more. The fans cheer Ospreay on, but then the “COWBOY SH*T!” rises. Hangman tells Ospreay, “That is the difference between you and I. And that will be the difference between you and I on Sunday. Will, you want this, you want it bad. And I know that feeling, because I have lived it. And I know that you understand that in ALL of professional wrestling, there is no prize grander, there is no greater honor, than to be the All Elite Wrestling World Champion, I know you know that!

“But Will… For you, this could be a professional accomplishment. Granted, it is the biggest professional accomplishment either you or I could ever dream of having! But it is that: A professional accomplishment. For me, this is personal. I don’t want this opportunity, I need it.” The fans cheer that, too! Hangman says he has WASTED two years of his life, filled with nothing but grief, sorrow, and hate! In those two years, Hangman has not won a single tournament or a single championship. The one thing that Hangman did win brought him nothing but the same. The worst of it wasn’t even here. It was when he was at home.

It was last Christmas morning, when Hangman’s son sat on the floor… playing with his new toys, he looked up to see his dad staring out the window, looking for someone he knew would never come back! How many times in two years did his son look at Hangman and feel disappointment?! Hangman NEEDS this!! When Hangman goes home, he needs his wife to look at him and not feel pity! She needs to see the man she fell in love with all those years ago! For Hangman’s kids to look up to him, to know they have the father they deserve! And for all these people who supported him when he deserved it the least to know that he can be the kind of man that THEY can believe in!

And Hangman needs this for himself. Because Hangman needs to know that there can be some kind of light at the end of this two year tunnel through Hell… Hangman needs it, because he needs to know Ospreay was wrong when Ospreay said that for Hangman, this was too little, too late. Ospreay scowls a bit as the fans get fired up. Ospreay tells Hangman, “So what’re you planning on doing about it? You’re gonna wrap a chair over my skull? You gonna beat me so bad that I have to retire, like you did Christopher Daniels? I’m not going down that path. Cuz I’ve been there, and it took a lot for me to come back.”

As silly as this might sound, Ospreay says he is showing up, and he is doing his best. And sometimes, his best hasn’t been good enough. He’ll admit that he’s lost. Lost bad. But he’s never lost because he dragged the ref around to get an advantage. He’s never whined to his boss about not getting his way. If Ospreay has lost, he has lost leaving it all in this ring! And if he’s lost, he at least won the fans’ respect! The fans cheer that, and Ospreay says more importantly… He won their trust! Hangman asks if that’s enough! Is that enough for Moxley and the Death Riders? Ospreay doesn’t know!! He doesn’t know what it takes!

Ospreay wrestled Moxley twice, and he lost both times! He doesn’t know how to do it, but Hangman does! So then show Ospreay! Show THAT man on Sunday! That fire, that animal! Because of Ospreay can beat that Hangman, then Ospreay knows he can beat Moxley! The fans fire up more, and Ospreay says Hangman used to be a pure-hearted man, and he can also be a bad man! He is a Cowboy! The one we’re meant to look towards when times are hard! But he hasn’t been doing that! He’s been staring out of the window! Hangman’s been looking for Swerve! His attention hasn’t been on being The Guy, but on someone else.

And Ospreay gets it, when someone crosses the threshold from business to personal, you gotta handle it. We could give Hangman a month, two months, three, but an entire YEAR?! An entire year has changed Hangman! The kids don’t look up to him! The men, the boys backstage, they lost respect for him. And the women have screamed in terror when Hangman wanted to kill Swerve! Ospreay is not that guy. Ospreay is just the guy that’ll show up and do his best. But before writing Ospreay off, Ospreay’s best has beaten MJF, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, anyone else you can name!

Wanna know what? Because Ospreay is the best in the EFFIN’ WORLD!! The fans are really fired up now! Ospreay tells Hangman, he knows that when the bell rings, anything can happen. If it is Hangman, Ospreay will be happy for him. And if Hangman thinks he has no friends, then it’ll take more than one person off of Moxley. Ospreay says if Hangman needs a friend, someone watching his back, Ospreay will have his back. Ospreay hopes the same goes back from Hangman. If Ospreay wins, hopefully Hangman will have his back. Ospreay then offers the toast again. So what Ospreay is saying, Cowboy, “Meet me in the desert! I’m calling you out for a shootout, bruv!”

Ospreay chugs his bear, HHH spits some of it, and then tosses his bottle. Hangman chugs his beer down to the very last drop, and the duel is set! Which one of these gunslingers hits the mark to then take aim at The Maniac in Texas?

Jon Moxley walks into the building.

Marina Shafir follows the Maniac AEW World Champion, and he seethes all the way. “Tensions are rising in AEW. The spoils will go to those that embrace the anarchy.” Moxley goes from pavilion to bleachers as he makes his entrance. Anarchy in the Arena is no longer the main event, but will this appetizer make up for that?

Six Man Tag: Jon Moxley & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!

The round robin’s second half begins!

A Block takes center stage to start Best of the Super Juniors’ sixth round! But who will break away and stand alone in the spotlight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Nick Wayne & Daiki Nagai VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Nick & Daiki win.
• 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, MAO, Shoma Kato & Masatora Yasuda VS YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Katsuya Murashima; Yoh, Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Murashima win.
• Titan & Yota Tsuji VS Robbie Eagles & Hartley Jackson; Titan & Tsuji win.
• Six Man Tag: Kevin Knight, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins, by disqualification.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Dragon Dia; Akira wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Robbie X; Wato wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

KUSHIDA: 3-2, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-2, 6 points
Robbie X: 3-2, 6 points
Kosei Fujita: 3-2, 6 points
Master Wato: 3-2, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 2-3, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-3, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-3, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The American Ninja and the Ticking Timebomb are both in the 2-3 half of this block, so they’re both one step away from the bottom! But who will it be that breaks even at 3-3?

The bell rings, Mack offers a handshake, and the fans rally. Hiromu accepts, the fans cheer more, and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Mack pushes Hiromu back step by step. Hiromu digs his heels in so it is a deadlock once more. They break, the fans cheer, and Hiromu headlocks. Mack powers up and out but Hiromu runs him over! The fans cheer and things keep moving. Hiromu RANAS, but Mack handsprings and flips through! But then Hiromu snatches him into TRIANGLE D! Mack scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets off slowly. The two reset and Hiromu CHOPS Mack!

Hiromu whips Mack to ropes, but Mack grabs ropes to stop. Hiromu runs up, Mack dumps him out, kicks him low, and CLUBS away on Hiromu’s back. The fans fire up for “NINJA! NINJA!” Mack handsprings, NINJA- NO, Hiromu elbows Mack in the back! Hiromu hurries in and stands Mack up. Hiromu CHOPS Mack, has him in the corner, then CHOPS again! Mack CHOPS but Hiromu CHOPS, and then Hiromu whips corner to corner. Hiromu runs up, LARIATS, then snapmares to basement DROPKICK! Cover, ONE!!

Mack is tougher than that and the fans cheer. But Hiromu clamps on with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Mack endures, the fans rally, and Mack gets an arm free. Mack crawls but Hiromu pulls him back in! The fans rally harder as Mack still endures, and he gets free of the grip! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu backs away. Mack crawls but Hiromu is right on him. Hiromu CHOPS, but Mack CHOPS back! Hiromu CHOPS back, Mack CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS, whips, but Mack reverses! Hiromu RANAS again, but Mack flips through again! Hiromu runs up to TRIANGLE D again!! Mack scrambles for the ROPEBREAK again!

The fans cheer and Hiromu is dead set on a technical win here. Hiromu eggs on Mack and Mack rises. Hiromu brings Mack around by his mask, but Mack fires body shots! Mack whips, Hiromu blocks, but Mack tries again. Hiromu fires forearms in return, then whips, but Mack reverses to TOSS Hiromu out! NINJA SPE- NO, Hiromu slides in and goes to the other side! But Mack just reverses course to NINJA SPECIAL!! The fans fire up as Mack once again pulls off something never before seen! Mack catches his breath and the fans cheer on “NINJA! NINJA!” Mack puts Hiromu in, Hiromu wants him to hold on, but Mack grabs the legs! BOSTON CRAB!

Hiromu scrambles as Mack holds on, ROPEBREAK! Mack lets go, but then he drags Hiromu back! Hiromu fights and THROWS Mack, but Mack cartwheels through to hold on! BOSTON CRAB! Hiromu endures again and reaches out! Hiromu powers up, crawls forward, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Mack lets go this time. Mack stalks Hiromu, waistlocks, and GERMAN- NO, Hiromu fights with elbows. Mack UPPERCUTS, ducks the superkick, then HADOUKEN! Mack runs, Hiromu ELBOWS him, but Mack follows to ELBOW! Mack runs again, but Hiromu stops the whip to SUPERKICK! Mack SUPERKICKS!

Hiromu returns but Mack SUPERKICKS! Mack fakes the run, SUPERKICKS again, then he reels Hiromu in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Hiromu survives. Mack drags Hiromu up in the waistlock again, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mack holds on but Hiromu switches to GERMAN SUPLEX! Hiromu holds on and drags Mack up, but Mack fights the lift to slip under! Mack waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Hiromu switches again to again GERMAN, but Mack lands out! Mack waistlocks, NIN-GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up!

A standing count starts while both men are down. The fans rally as Mack and Hiromu stir at 4 of 10. They crawl to each other at 6, and stand at 8! Mack pushes Hiromu down to CHOP, and then he goes to the corner. But Hiromu anchors Mack’s leg! Mack kicks Hiromu away, then goes up! The fans cheer, but Hiromu CLUBS Mack! Hiromu climbs, CLUBS Mack more, then lifts him into a fireman’s carry! But Mack fights to SUNSET FLIP RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Mack kips up, fires up, and he hurries back for the corner! The fans rally as Mack focuses, and jumps right up! NINJA BOMB into TRIANGLE D!!!

Mack is caught, he flails but can’t get anywhere! Mack TAPS, Hiromu wins!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by submission (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)

The Timebomb shows he isn’t just explosive, he can be strategic and surgical! Will this new dimension to his style help Hiromu once again be the Best of the Super Juniors? Can Mack still make it to the top even though he’s at the bottom?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Japanese Young Punk has stumbled a bit, but he is still near the front of the pack. Will the Heel Master change all that with the same old tricks up his sleeve? Or will we see even now, that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Fujita climbs onto the corner as part of his introduction, and Kanemaru attacks! The fans boo as he shoves Fujita to the apron. The bell rings, Kanemaru runs up but Fujita RAMS him! And GAMANGIRIS! Fujita springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Fujita waistlocks! Fujita deadlifts and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Kanemaru bails out. Fujita finally takes his shirt off, and he lets the ring count climb. Kanemaru sits up at 6 of 20, rises up at 10, but is still down at 15! Kanemaru rolls in at 18, but then rolls right back out. Kanemaru takes a walk around the outside and the count starts again.

Fujita slides out, but Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru suckered Fujita in, but Fujita still CHOPS! Fujita stalks Kanemaru, but then Kanemaru blocks a chop to SLAM the hand into the POST! Fujita clutches that hand, but Kanemaru wrenches the arm and WRINGS it into the floor! Kanemaru then hammerlocks Fujita’s bad arm for a scoop and SLAM to the floor! Kanemaru leaves Fujita behind while the ref checks him. The count starts again while Fujita clutches that arm. Fujita is still down at 10 of 20, uses the commentary desk to help stand at 14, and he hobbles in at 15! The fans cheer but Kanemaru is right back on the arm.

Kanemaru YANKS the arm again and again, then clamps on with an armlock. Kanemaru wrenches, cording holds, but Fujita scoops and SLAMS, only for Kanemaru to drag him down! The fans rally while Fujita endures the grind! Fujita fights up but Kanemaru YANKS the arm! Fujita ROCKS Kanemaru again and again! Fujita runs, but Kanemaru wrangles him right back down! Kanemaru wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER, then WRINGS the arm out again! The fans rally for Fujita but Kanemaru drops a knee on the arm! And another, and another! Kanemaru has the top wristlock but Fujita endures!

Fujita fights around, reaches out, and kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru holds on. The ref counts and Kanemaru lets go at 4. Kanemaru stomps Fujita, then stalks him to the ropes. Kanemaru brings Fujita up, but Fujita fires forearms! The fans rally but Kanemaru KICKS the bad arm! And KICKS it again! Kanemaru hammerlocks and scoops for another SLAM! The fans rally but Kanemaru covers, TWO! Fujita toughs it out and the fans applaud. Kanemaru drags Fujita up, CLUBS him on the bad shoulder, then taunts Fujita while kicking him. Fujita fires forearms, but Kanemaru CLAWS the eyes!

The ref reprimands but Kanemaru reels Fujita in. Fujita fights the suplex, Kanemaru still tries, but it is Fujita who lifts! The bad arm won’t let him follow through and Kanemaru kicks! Kanemaru whips but Fujita reverses to LEG LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Fujita goes to a corner, Kanemaru to the other. Fujita runs up and CHOPS! Fujita whips corner to corner, runs in, but Kanemaru puts him on the apron. Fujita ROCKS Kanemaru, then springboards, but Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Fujita stops from dropkicking the ref, then pushes the ref aside. Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls, and DDTS!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Kanemaru crawls to a corner and watches Fujita rise. Kanemaru runs up, but Fujita drop toeholds! DEATHLOCK, and Fujita wants arms! Kanemaru crawls, reaches out, but Fujita grabs that arm! And the other! Fujita pulls Kanemaru back into the SURFBOARD! Kanemaru endures, Fujita reaches further up, NEMOS SPECIAL!! But Kanemaru bends Fujita’s fingers back to break the facelock! The ref reprimands but both men let the other go! The fans rally as Fujita rises up, and he goes back for Kanemaru to waistlock! Deadlift, but Kanemaru fights free! Kanemaru kicks, runs, but into the waistlock!

Fujita pops Kanemaru around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives, Fujita roars, and the fans fire up! Fujita drags Kanemaru up and brings him around for a suplex. ABANDON- NO, Kanemaru cradles! TWO, and Kanemaru victory rolls Fujita! TWO, and Fujita HEEL KICKS Kanemaru down! The fans fire up again as Fujita brings Kanemaru up, but here comes Sanada! Cold Blooded has his guitar but the ref stops him! That lets SHO sneak in and LOW BLOW Fujita!! The fans boo, and Yujiro Takahashi even shows up! PIMP CANE ATTACK!! Down goes Fujita and now Sanada leaves the ref alone.

The fans tell the House to go home, but Kanemaru suplexes! TOUCH OUT BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Kanemaru wins!

Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)

Same old tricks indeed! The House of Torture helps the Heel Master steal this one away, will the deck just keep being stacked? Can Fujita rise back up and still make the finals?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Clark Connors!

The Time Splitter had a rough start but he’s turned it around to be one of the frontrunners in this race. Meanwhile, War Dog Racing has dropped back, but he isn’t done yet! Could Connors be the lucky dog that makes up his lost lap? Or will Kushida hit that 88 miles per hour Back to the Future?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, and Connors backs up to the corner. Kushida backs off, the two reset, and they circle again. They tie up, and Kushida manages to power Connors to a corner. The ref counts, Kushida lets off slowly, and then backs away. The fans cheer the sportsmanship while the two reset. They tie up again and Kushida trips Connors to have the legs! Kushida SLAPS and CLUBS Connors into giving up the arms, for the SEATED SURFBOARD! Connors endures, so Kushida stands and turns him over into the motorcycle stretch! Connors fights to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer and Kushida lets go. The two reset, and then Connors KNEES low! Connors CLUBS away on Kushida, then has him on the ropes. Connors KICKS the ropes to jam Kushida up, then Connors CLAWS at the eyes! The ref reprimands, Connors stops, and Kushida writhes. Connors drags Kushida up to CHOP, then he whips. Kushida reverses, hip tosses, and handsprings to basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer, and Kushida scoops to SLAM! Connors writhes, his back still hurting from facing Hiromu. Kushida runs corner to corner, slides and trips Connors, then YANKS him into the post! Now Connors’ wild rhino will be hurting!

The ref reprimands as Kushida pulls on Connors’ legs. Kushida lets go, then stalks Connors on the outside. Kushida CLUBS Connors’ back, then brings him to a corner. Connors and Kushida tug-o-war, and Connors YANKS Kushida into the POST! Connors huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Kushida up. Connors snap suplexes Kushida to the floor! Rather double-edged for Connors and his bad back, but he just powers through. The ring count starts, Kushida crawls away, but Connors looks under the ring. Connors brings out Wheel-san! But Connors is wary of his little friend after what happened last time. The count is 10 of 20 but Connors refreshes it.

Connors runs up on Kushida, but Kushida FLATLINERS him onto a chair! Kushida goes for Wheel-san! The fans rally as Kuhida picks it up, but both ref and Connors tell him not to do it! Connors runs away as Kushida CHUCKS Wheel-san! Then Connors comes back to JEEP FLIPPER! Kushida hits the apron and the fans fire up! Connors looks to Wheel-san and decides he can trust the tire again. Connors brings Wheel-san around and JAMS Kushida up! And then he goes wild hitting the Young Lions with Wheel-san! Connors shouts, “WHEEL-SAN!” and the fans fire up. Connors then uses a Young Lion as a brake so he can stand Wheel-san up.

Connors drags Kushida over and pushes him down onto Wheel-san for a backbreaker rack! The fans cheer but the ref reprimands, and Connors lets go of Kushida. The ring count starts and Connors drags Kushida up at 5 to put in at 6. The fans applaud while Kushida crawls. Connors storms up, CLUBS Kushida on the back, and then has him against the ropes. Connors CLUBS Kushida again, but Kushida fires body shots. Kushida KNEES low, runs, but Connors SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans cheer while Connors has a wild look in his eyes. Connors goes to the corner, the fans bark, and Connors runs in. Kushida sunset flips the spear! TWO!!

Kushida stands, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Connors ducks ‘n ‘dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Kushida and Connors rise, and Kushida KICKS away on Connors’ back! Kushida whips, Connors reverses, but Kushida handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Kushida hurries back up, runs in at the corner, and he SHOTEIS! Connors sputters but Kushida puts him up top. Kushida climbs and SUPER STEINERS! But Connors sunset flips through! TWO!! Kushida escapes, hurries to get a leg, ANKLE LOCK! Connors breaks free, goes to the corner, but Kushida returns, only for Connors to BOOT him!

Connors runs, Kushida drops down, HIP TOSS into the ARMBAR! Connors clasps hands, Kushida pries the grip free, and he has the ARMBAR!! Connors flails, fights around, but Kushida reels him into a TRIANGLE HOLD! The fans fire up as Connors endures and fights around! Kushida throws elbows and Connors fades! The ref checks, and Connors gets his second wind! Kushida squeezes as tight as he can, but Connors deadlifts, only for the bad back to give up! Kushida has the ARMBAR, then the DISARMER!! Connors reaches back, ROPEBREAK with a foot! Kushida lets go in frustration while the fans cheer.

Connors sputters against the ropes but Kushida goes to the apron. Kushida climbs, leaps, and KNEES Connors’ arm! Connors hobbles, Kushida runs up, but Connors avoids the Hoverboard! Connors fires body shots, but Kushida KICKS! And KICKS! And then somersaults, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire up, but Connors puts one out! NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!!

Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)

War Dog Racing comes through in the clutch! Will Connors still manage to make A Block 100 Proof? Can Kushida still reach the finish line after taking this hit?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira w/ Great-O-Khan VS Dragon Dia!

The Crown of Fire isn’t feeling so hot after losing to Master Wato, but neither is the Infinite Carat Diamond after being hit with a Hoverboard. Who reignites and shines bright here in round six?

The bell rings and Akira SHOTGUNS Dia down! The fans fire up as Akira stomps a mudhole into Dia, then stands him up. Akira CHOPS, fires up, and the fans are with him! Akira whips corner to corner, runs up, but Dia BOOTS him away! Dia runs, slides, and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Akira bails out, and Dia PLANCHAS! Dia stomps away on Akira now and the fans cheer! Dia CLUBS Akira, but Akira ROCKS Dia! Dia CHOPS Akira, but Akira CHOPS back! Dia felt that one! Akira eggs Dia on and the CHOPS keep going! Red Shoes reprimands but the CHOPS just keep going!

Dia whips Akira at the ring, but Akira Tiger Feint Kicks in return! Akira has fans clear out and he brings Dia up. The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” as he BOWLS Dia into chairs! STRIKE! Akira drags Dia up from the chairs, brings him back to ringside, and pushes him into the ring. Cover, but Red Shoes is not one for shenanigans. Akira is annoyed but he clamps onto Dia with a chinlock. Dia endures, even as Akira wraps his arm up and grabs the other. Akira makes Dia into a RECLINER! Dia endures and the fans rally! Akira sits up but Dia has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Akira lets off. Khan coaches Akira and he drags Dia up.

Akira eggs Dia on, and Dia chops! Akira eggs Dia on, and now Dia CHOPS! And CHOPS! Akira CHOPS back! Akira then scoops, SLAMS, and covers, TWO! Akira STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Akira stays cool as Dia crawls. Akira kicks Dia, eggs him on, kicks him more, and Dia rises. Dia CHOPS, Akira fires up with that, and he tells Dia to bring it! Dia CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Akira CHOPS Dia down! The fans cheer while Akira paces. Akira stands Dia up, whips him to a corner, then runs in, only for Dia to BOOT and RANA! The fans rally while both men are down! Dia growls as he rises while Akira goes to a corner.

Dia storms up, CHOPS Akira, and CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Dia whips corner to corner, runs in, but Akira puts him on the apron. Dia trips Akira up, then slingshots for the TORNILLO SENTON! The fans rally up and Dia dials it up, but Akira ducks the 619! But Dia SOBATS, LEG SWEEPS, and STANDING MOONSAULT FLOPS as Akira moves! Akira STANDING MOONSAULT FLOPS, and then Dia LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Dia and he goes to the corner. Dia climbs and watches Akira rise. Akira ROCKS Dia first! Akira climbs up, clinches, but Dia fires shots! They fight for control, and Dia CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

Akira hops down, Dia BOOTS him away, then D D- NO, Akira dodges the 4D! Dia mule kicks, runs, and REPTILI- NO, Akira catches Dia! Dia fights through Speedfire to ENZI- NO, Akira ducks, runs, but into the ENZIGIRI! Akira rebounds to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Red Shoes checks and both men stir. Khan coaches Akira and the fans join in, “A! KI-RA!” Akira drags Dia over, facelocks, and SPEED- NO, Dia fights the spin attack by hooking a leg! Akira KNEES him low, KNEES again, but then Dia sidesteps to roll-up! TWO, and into the ghost pin! TWO, and LA MAGISTROL stuffed! TWO!!

Dia SOBATS Akira in the face! Akira sputters, Dia roars, and the fans fire up! Dia climbs the corner again, takes aim, and D D D D- SUPERKICK!! Akira stops the 4D again, and he crawls away to a corner. The fans rally again, and Akira takes aim. Akira runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Then he brings Dia around, SPEED- NO, Dia slips free, REPTILI- NO, Akira slips free, SPEEDFIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Dia survives and Akira is in disbelief! Akira falls back to the corner, the fans rally up again, and Akira runs in! NOVA- NO, Dia PELES first! And then he runs up, slips around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!

Dia roars, runs, REPTILIAN, but Akira pops him off! Akira wants the Ground Tarantula! Akira drags Dia down into the twisted hold, and DIA TAPS! AKIRA WINS!!

Winner: Francesco Akira, by submission (gains 2 points; Dia earns 0)

The Infinite Carat Diamond could not withstand the pressure, and the Crown of Fire even tells Nick Wayne on English commentary to watch himself. Will Akira conquer the whole A Block for the United Empire? Can Dia still shine in the light?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Robbie X!

The Way of the Grandmaster and Mr. X are both on the rise, but now they’re in each other’s way. Will Wato remind us why he was the 2023 Best of the Super Juniors? Or will there be no avoiding the X Express?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Robbie gets the fans to bark for the War Dogs, but there are plenty of “WATO! WATO!” chants. Wato and Robbie approach, back away, then feel things out. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, go back and forth, then Wato puts Robbie on the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break but Robbie turns things around first. Robbie then pushes Wato and taunts him as “Master D*ckhead.” The two reset, tie up again, and they’re in a deadlock. Wato headlocks, Robbie pulls hair then powers out, but Wato RUNS him over! Robbie kips up smooth, and then CHOPS! And ROCKS, and CHOPS!

Robbie fires more forearms, then winds up, but Wato ducks the haymaker to SOBAT! Wato runs, Robbie drops down and hurdles, but Wato RANAS! Robbie flounders to a corner and the fans fire up. Wato runs in, Robbie dodges, but then Wato BOOTS Robbie! Wato BULLDOGS Robbie and the fans fire up again! Robbie checks his nose but Wato rolls him into the VENDEVAL! Robbie scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls the break, Wato lets go, but then Wato stomps Robbie! Wato brings Robbie up, CHOPS him to the corner, but Robbie eggs him on. Wato CHOPS, Robbie fires a forearm, repeat! Wato CHOPS then stomps Robbie down!

Wato whips Robbie corner to corner, runs in again, but Robbie puts him on the apron. Wato blocks a shot to ROCK Robbie, then he springboards, only for Robbie to trip him up! Robbie has Wato dangling on the ropes, and he KICKS Wato to the floor! The fans rally and Robbie goes out after Wato. Robbie tells fans to clear out, and he brings Wato up. Robbie whips and BOWLS Wato into chairs! STRIKE! The fans applaud and Robbie goes to fetch Wato. Robbie drags Wato up, and he tells more fans to move! Robbie brings Wato up, Wato fights back, but Robbie still runs and whips Wato into more chairs! STRIKE!

The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands, but Robbie fetches Wato again. Robbie fishhooks Wato, then drags him up. The ring count starts but Robbie SMACKS Wato! Robbie refreshes the count, then he SMACKS Wato off the apron! And now he wants the fans to again clear out? Robbie uses the aisle to run and DRIVEBY DROPKICK Wato! Wato falls and the fans applaud Robbie as he stands on the apron. The ring count starts again but Robbie drags Wato up at 7 of 20. Robbie puts Wato in at 10, the fans applaud as Robbie then stalling slingshot SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Wato survives the #SilverBullet and the fans rally up again.

Robbie winds the jack in the box to flip off fans, but Wato fires body shots. Robbie grabs Wato’s arm, steps over, and he BITES the fingers! Red Shoes reprimands, Robbie stops at 4, and Wato clutches his hand. Robbie argues with Red Shoes, then he stands on Wato’s fingers! Red Shoes reprimands, but Robbie STOMPS Wato’s hands! The fans are torn but Red Shoes reprimands more. Robbie covers, TWO! Wato stays in this, but Robbie KICKS him in the back. Robbie kicks Wato around, CHOPS him again, and Wato falls! Robbie talks trash that Wato is nothing! Robbie runs, but Wato scoops and BACKBREAKERS! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Wato clutches his hand, Robbie writhes, and the fans rally up. Robbie goes to the corner, runs up, but Wato DECKS him! And ELBOWS him! Wato whips to CALF KICK! The fans cheer and Robbie bails out, so Wato builds speed! Wato FLIES, and down goes Robbie! The fans fire up and Wato roars! Wato goes back to Robbie, stands him up and puts him in the ring. Wato aims, springboards, and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Wato brings Robbie up and wrenches. Wato hooks Robbie up but Robbie fights Recientemente! Robbie fireman’s carry, but Wato sunset flips it, into VENDEVAL!!

Robbie endures, even as Wato thrashes around! Robbie rocks the boat, fights his way around, and he refuses to give up! ROPEBREAK!! Wato lets go while the fans applaud. Robbie clutches his arm, but Wato fires up again! The fans cheer and Wato brings Robbie around. Wato whips but Robbie blocks by grabbing ropes! Wato ROCKS Robbie, whips, but Robbie reverses to SOBAT! Wato drops back to a corner, Robbie runs in, but Wato BOOTS! Robbie turns around to LARIAT! Robbie puts Wato’s leg in the ropes to KICK it, then he SPIN KICKS Wato! Robbie snapmares and STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Wato survives and the fans fire up!

Robbie huffs ‘n’ puffs and shakes out his arms. Robbie hobbles his way over, drags Wato back up, and reels him in. Wato fights the lift, Robbie stomps him down! Robbie stomps Wato again, then drags Wato up. Wato still fights the lift, wrenches out, but Robbie dodges to handspring! But Wato catches Robbie! Robbie ELBOWS free, ROCKS Wato, but runs into a BOOT! Wato avoids the Pele, to then tilt-o-whirl and clinch, RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives and the fans fire up while both men are down! Robbie rolls away to the apron but Wato joins him. Wato drags Robbie up, but Robbie fires a forearm!

Wato fires a forearm back, but Robbie fires another! They brawl on the edge, and they are both running on fumes! The forearms keep going, the fans rally up, and Wato gets the edge! Robbie flips Wato off, but Wato KICKS him in the chest! Robbie flops into the ring, but then slingshots to APRON CUTTER!! Both men flop down, but Wato falls to the floor while Robbie rolls into the ring! The fans rally and the count starts. But then Robbie goes up, up, and ESCALARA! Down goes Wato and the fans fire up! Robbie hobbles back up, rolls into the ring, and he wants the ring count! Red Shoes starts the count while Wato writhes.

Wato is still down at 5 of 20, then at 10. Robbie wants it to go faster, but Wato stirs at 12. Wato slowly rises, but we hit 15! Wato stands at 17! Wato springs in at 19! Robbie springboards to COAST2COAST!! And then a lift for the SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives and Robbie can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Robbie drags Wato around. Wato is in the drop zone and Robbie goes up! The fans rally as Robbie vows to end this! X EXPRESS onto knees!! Wato saves himself, and he fires back up! The fans rally and Wato brings Robbie in, TSUT- NO, Robbie victory rolls, only for Wato to roll it back! TWO!!

Both men hurry back up, exhausted as they are, and Wato spins, but into Robbie’s SUPERKICK! Robbie handsprings, but into the roll-up! TWO!! Robbie is up, he ducks a roundhouse to PELE! Wato stays up, but Robbie adds his SPIN KICK!! Handspring, but Wato waistlocks! TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Robbie survives and the fans are thunderous! Wato roars, he vows to end this! Wato drags Robbie up and the fans are behind him! Wrench and clinch, RECIENTEMENTE SECOND!!! Cover, WATO WINS!!

Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)

Robbie put Wato to the test, and in the end, Wato solved for X! With Robbie and Connors both at 3-3, will the War Dogs fail to take the block?

As for Wato, he now leads the block! After he has the belt and the mic, he says, “Hold on a moment. Wato a second. Stay until the end here.” Wato wants to make sure Robbie and the fans don’t just exit. Wato thanks them for staying, and he thanks the fans for coming today. Wato says, “I’d like to make this declaration now.” Oh? “I couldn’t go back to back last year, but after one year off, I’ll win this year.” The fans applaud that! Wato says that along with the tag titles, there is one other thing he needs. The fans have an idea what that is, but Wato says, “The IWGP Junior Heavyweight title that El Desperado has. I will win this tournament and use that as my chance and come for you.”

The fans applaud Wato wanting after his old rival and teammate, and Wato says with the singles title wrapped around his waist, he will return here, sell out this place, and sell out every building on his way to the Tokyo Dome. He wants to see the best sights possible! The fans applaud, and Wato says, “It is us, the Junior Heavyweights, that will make NJPW the best it’s ever been, and I will be the man at the center.” And while it has been awhile, he will close with his signature. In English, “I will be the Grandmaster!” The fans applaud, are we about to see Wato prove he is truly the Best of the Super Juniors?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Master Wato: 4-2, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-3, 6 points
Francesco Akira: 3-3, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-3, 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-3, 6 points
Kosei Fujita: 3-3, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-3, 6 points
KUSHIDA: 3-3, 6 points
Ninja Mack: 2-4, 4 points

My Thoughts:

A great night for NJPW, and I am very grateful they’re downsizing round 6 so that it is only one block. Ten matches on one card was a lot to get done. Hiromu winning by submission was a bit surprising, but I appreciate it. I once said for Kazuchika Okada adding Money Clip to his moveset, that can help with career longevity. No need to do the high impact moves all the time, the holds are ironically less wear ‘n’ tear on the body. And in the end, the block is looking pretty wild. Mack is the only 2-4, Wato is 4-2, and everyone else is 3-3 so there are still a lot of possibilities for semifinalists. Great win for Wato over Robbie, and it would be something if the 2023 and 2024 BOSJ winners met to see who becomes the 2025 winner.

My Score: 8.9/10