Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Destruction In Kobe Results & Report! (9/29/24)
Buenas noches, Kobe!
Will the United Empire conquer the ungovernable?
Takagi VS Henare for the NEVER Championship, Naito VS Khan for THE IWGP World Championship, can Los Ingobernables de Japon survive Destruction in Kobe?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Yuji Nagata, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Dia; Shota, Taguchi & Dia win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
- Hirooki Goto VS Gabe Kidd; Goto wins.
- Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Zack Sabre Jr, Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ, Fujita & Oiwa win.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Douki wins and retains the title.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: HENARE VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS YOSHI-HASHI; Finlay wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan; Naito wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
Don’t adjust your screens, we’re getting another battle of The Ace, The Joker & The Rook against The House of Torture. But this time, Evil & Yujiro Takahashi are bringing The Murder Machine, SHO! Will this change in line-up help The King of Darkness trump President Ace? Or will it be the same story as last time, where justice prevails?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who walks away with the pot!
The teams sort out, and after Tanahashi shows off the abs, The House attacks! The fans boo as Evil CLUBS Tanahashi, and Yujiro kicks Oleg out while Sho tosses Yano! The bell rings, The House stomps away on Tanahashi, and Evil even SMACKS Tanahashi with his own school uniform jacket! The House drags Tanahashi up, whips him corner to corner, and Sho runs in, but into BOOTS! Tanahashi BOOTS Yujiro, and he BOOTS Evil! Then Tanahashi goes up to TRIPLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up, and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano says here goes, and he unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, and Yano storms up on Evil.
Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano stops from hitting bare buckles! Yano taunts Evil, then dodges him, so Evil hits buckles! Sho & Yujiro both kick Yano, then double whip, but Yano holds ropes. Yano sends Sho into Yujiro, then SLAPS them both! The fans cheer, Yano runs, but Sho distracts the ref so Dick can SMACK Yano with the buckle pad! The fans boo but The House BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner. Evil TOSSES Yano out, and then Yujiro sends Oleg into railing! Evil RAMS Yano into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san, and Evil grabs a mic to talk trash on Yano! Evil stomps Yano, then he lets Sho talk trash on the mic.
Sho makes fun of Kobe and the fans boo. Sho stomps Tanahashi, Evil puts Yano in the ring, and Evil cocky covers. TWO! Yano stays in this but Evil tags Yujiro. Yujiro sends Yano into the bare buckles! Yujiro then brings Yano up, to RAM him into the bare buckles! Yujiro snapmares Yano, runs and basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! Yano toughs it out and the fans rally up. Yujiro drags Yano up, brings him around, and he tags Sho in. The House mugs Yano, then Sho taunts Tanahashi & Oleg by holding out Yano’s hand. But then Sho bends the fingers, and he stomps Yano down! Sho drags Yano around to stomp him more!
Sho talks more trash on Kobe, and he kicks Yano around. The fans boo but Sho drags Yano up. Yano pulls Sho’s hair! Sho kicks, whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Sho down! The fans fire up while both men crawl! Hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as #BARS CLOBBERS Sho! Then he DECKS Yujiro! Evil mule kicks Oleg, Sho join in, and they DOUBLE- NO, Oleg fights the suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX back! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg scoops Sho to SLAM him! Then SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but Oleg deadlifts Sho into the gut wrench! Sho wrenches free to bend fingers!
Sho runs, to SPEAR- NO, he just bounces off Oleg’s bulk! An d then Oleg deadlifts Sho for the Shake, Rattle and THROW! Oleg rises again and the fans fire up! Sho rises, Oleg runs corner to corner, but Sho dodges! Oleg hits bare buckles! Sho grins, runs up, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Oleg winds up to CHOP! Sho staggers back and the fans fire up. Tanahashi grabs Sho, tears his shirt away, and Oleg storms up to CHOP! Sho falls right over! Oleg then deadlifts Sho again, for a pop-up and fireman’s carry! But Sho bends fingers! Sho wrenches, but Oleg kicks low! Oleg runs, but Yujiro gets a cheap shot in!
Sho dropkicks Oleg’s legs, then tags Yujiro! Yujiro drags Oleg up, knees low, then CLAWS his eyes! The ref reprimands but he misses Evil anchoring Oleg! Yujiro BOOTS Oleg against ropes! Then Yujiro runs, but into a SHOTGUN! Yujiro sputters but he’s just as shocked that Oleg got up there! The fans rally, Oleg crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! President Ace is back in action as he rallies on Yujiro! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Yujiro into a drop zone, then goes up, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives a rather solid senton, but Tanahashi gets moving. SLING- NO, Yujiro ducks under!
Yujiro SHOVES Tanahashi into the bare buckles! Sho & Evil BLAST Yano & Oleg! Then they whip Tanahashi corner to corner! Sho forearm SMASH! Yujiro BOOT! Evil LARIAT! Then they set Tanahashi up, and Sho distracts the ref as Dick climbs! The fans boo, but Yano & Oleg make the save! Oleg tosses Yujiro aside, and Yano sends Sho into Evil, but it also knocks the ref down! Dick panics as Oleg kicks him and tosses him out! Yano calls the shots, and they set Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, the fans fire up for the ACE CROTCH CHOP!! Yujiro sputters while Oleg goes out after Sho. Sho CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Tanahashi runs, to SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi covers, Sho YANKS the ref out!
The fans boo but Sho just shrugs. Tanahashi is frustrated, but Dick sneaks in! Tanahashi dodges Dick, blocks a kick, and hits a DRAGON SCREW! Dick tumbles away! Sho steps in, but Tanahashi has him for a DRAGON SCREW! Evil steps in, but Tanahashi give shim a DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but Tanahashi dodges and spins him around, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up, Tanahashi gets moving, SLINGBLADE again! Tanahashi roars, the fans cheer, and Tanahashi goes up top! BUT WAIT! Ren Narita is here, and he CLOBBERS Tanahashi with that pushup bar! Ren CLOBBERS Oleg, and he CLOBBERS Yano!
The fans boo the Souled Out Son of Strong Style, but he and the House stomp away on Tanahashi! They drag Tanahashi up, but here comes El Phantasmo sporting a new haircut! ELP snatches Ren’s pushup bar, and CLOBBERS him with it! He then tosses the bar to Evil, and DICK PUNCHES him! Sho runs up, ELP dodges and SUDDEN DEATH! Yujiro kicks ELP, but ELP wrenches out to mule kick! ELP reels Yujiro in, tucks and C R 2!! ELP sets Yujiro in the drop zone, and Tanahashi climbs! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Team Ace wins!!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The Headbanga made sure justice was served, and he clearly cleared out that internal conflict! Will The House of Torture learn to give up on their life of wrestling crime? As for ELP, and Jado for that matter, they stand in the ring with Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg. The fans cheer ELP on, and ELP points to the lion mark. Then he offers a handshake. Tanahashi shakes hands with ELP and Jado, ELP & Jado are now Hontai/Main Unit! Will this mean big things for everyone in the near future?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Just as Japones Del Mal got past The Bone Soldier, an old friend turned enemy staked his claim! Kanemaru still doesn’t think Douki is good enough, will The Heel Master ruin Douki’s run? Or will Douki finally get some respect on his name?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Douki continues to prove the doubters wrong!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Douki and Kanemaru tie up, Kanemaru puts Douki on ropes, and the ref counts. Kanemaru lets off, to kick away on Douki’s leg! Kanemaru whips, Douki jumps the dropkick to whip. Kanemaru reverses, Douki ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up and Douki runs in to ELBOW Kanemaru at the corner. Douki keeps going, springboard BACK ELBOW! Kanemaru bails out, Douki builds speed, and he WRECKS Kanemaru with a dropkick! Kanemaru hits railing, but Douki goes out to whip him into more railing! The fans cheer for Douki, and he wrenches to whip Kanemaru into more railing!
Kanemaru crawls to the ramp, but Douki pursues. Douki drags Kanemaru up, whips, but Kanemaru stops from hitting the apron! Douki runs in, Kanemaru pops him up, but Kanemaru anticipates the handspring! Kanemaru catches Douki, ties up the legs, and hits a DOUBLE KNEE CRUSHER to the floor! Douki writhes but Kanemaru leaves him behind. The ref checks Douki, and he’s still okay to continue, so Kanemaru storms back over to SMASH the knees into the mat! The ref reprimands but Kanemaru leaves Douki behind again. The ring count starts, and Douki manages to stand at 9 to roll in at 10 of 20.
Kanemaru drags Douki back up, to SHIN BREAKER! Douki clutches his knee, but Kanemaru drags him up for another SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru then grabs the leg for a standing toehold! Then he falls back to YANK the leg! Douki writhes but Kanemaru drags him right back up, for a third SHIN BREAKER! Douki writhes, clutching that left leg, but Kanemaru shows no mercy! A FOURTH SHIN BREAKER! So much damage just to that leg, and Kanemaru keeps going! A FIFTH SHIN BREAKER! Douki flounders out of the ring, and Kanemaru wants either a count or for the ref to call this. Douki writhes, so the count begins.
Douki is still down at 10 of 20, but Kanemaru goes out to drag him into the ring. Kanemaru then brings Douki to the corner! Kanemaru wraps the legs around the post to pull! Douki endures and the ref counts, but Kanemaru lets go at 4. Kanemaru then SLAMS the bad leg into the post! The fans rally for Douki, but Kanemaru SLAMS the leg into the post again! Kanemaru pushes Douki over, then rolls into the ring. Kanemaru watches Douki crawl from the corner, then kicks at him. Kanemaru taunts Douki, but Douki gets mad! Douki stands and fires forearms! Kanemaru just kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru then trips Douki and has hold of the legs!
The ref warns Kanemaru not to stomp low! Kanemaru says okay, but then hands the ref one leg so he can split the wishbone! Douki gets mad at the ref but the ref defends Kanemaru tricked him! Kanemaru grabs the bad leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then puts on a toehold. Douki endures and grabs at Kanemaru to try a chinbar. Kanemaru just puts more pressure on the leg! Douki endures, keeps his shoulders up, and tries to use his other leg, but Kanemaru shakes that off. Douki drags Kanemaru with him as he reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Kanemaru kneels on the bad leg as he lets off!
Kanemaru has Douki’s leg in a leg scissors, and he leans on the ropes for leverage in this different kind of toehold! The ref reprimands and counts, Kanemaru lets go for real now, and he stays between Douki and ropes. Kanemaru stomps Douki, talks smack, then stomps Douki more. Douki slowly rises but Kanemaru gives mocking kicks. Douki CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Kanemaru kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru whips Douki to a corner, but runs into a BOOT! Douki storms up but Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg! Kanemaru runs, but into a LEAPING HEADBUTT! Both men are down and the fans rally up for Douki!
Douki slaps his bad leg as he sits back up. Douki stalks after Kanemaru, drags him up and whips to ropes, but Kanemaru reverses. Douki holds ropes, BOOTS back, then baits Kanemaru in order to DUMP him out! Douki then PANCHAS! Down goes Kanemaru and the fans fire up! Douki drags himself back to the ring and the fans rally up. Douki then ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Kanemaru again and the fans fire up more! Douki clutches his bad leg but he’s still got fight in him. Douki roars and the fans fire up again. Douki drags Kanemaru up and into the ring, hobbles over and brings Kanemaru up, to suplex! Cover, TWO!
The fans continue to rally behind Douki and he slaps his leg again. Douki drags Kanemaru up, hooks the arms, but Kanemaru fights the Gory Especial. Douki slips around, hooks again, but then spins Kanemaru to drop down! ITALIAN- NO, Kanemaru slips out to jackknife bridge! TWO!! Douki escapes, Kanemaru runs up, but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes to the apron, RAMS into Kanemaru, and slingshots, DAY- Manhattan Drop! Kanemaru turns things around on Douki, then slides him into the POST! Douki’s arm hits the bottom part of the corner, and he crawls to the apron. Kanemaru is there to SUPER KNEE SMASH to the floor!!
The ref checks Douki as he clutches his leg, and Kanemaru sits back while the fans rally up. Douki’s knee is somehow not busted so he is still in this. Kanemaru leaves Douki behind to the ring count again, and Douki is still down at 10 of 20. Douki slowly sits up, but we’re at 15 already! Douki manages to stand, but he falls over at 17! Douki hurries to get up at 19, and he rolls in at 19.5! But Kanemaru is there to RUNNING KNEE BUSTER!! And then, FIGURE FOUR!! Kanemaru thrashes around as he puts as much pressure as he can on the legs! Douki endures, keeps his shoulders up, but Kanemaru pushes on the leg!
Douki flails, reaches out, and he drags Kanemaru along to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru holds until the ref counts. Kanemaru slowly lets go of the Figure Four, then he goes up the corner. Douki crawls, manages to stand, into DEEP- NO!? Douki manages to catch Kanemaru! But Douki can’t hold on, the bad leg won’t support the extra weight! Kanemaru then kicks the leg, runs the ropes, and tilt-o-whirls, but into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Douki bridges, but the leg gives up at TWO! Douki clutches the leg while Kanemaru crawls to a corner. The fans rally up, Douki rises, and Douki hobbles up.
Douki blocks Kanemaru’s boot, and pops him up and over! Douki has Kanemaru in the Gory Especial, and brings him around for DODON NO JUTSU! Backslide cover, TWO! Kanemaru escapes, but ends up in ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Kanemaru endures, fights his way around, and reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Douki lets go, and the fans rally up again. Douki fires up and the fans are with him! Douki wheelbarrows Kanemaru, but Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg! FIGURE- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO, but Douki ghost pins! TWO! Douki tries the ITALIAN STRETCH!! Kanemaru endures, fights up, and he drags Douki along!
Douki rolls Kanemaru away, ITALIAN CRADLE! TWO!! Kanemaru is up but he’s back in the ITALIAN STRETCH! Kanemaru fades and falls over! Douki pulls, but SHO rings the bell!! The fans boo as The Murder Machine is here! Douki storms over so Sho backs away. Sho acts like he did nothing wrong, but he just saved Kanemaru. Douki pursues Kanemaru outside the ring, pushes him back in, but Sho keeps talking to the ref. WHISKEY MIST!! Douki staggers around blindly, and Kanemaru LARIATS him in the corner! Scoop, SLAM, and MOONSAULT off the corner! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and the fans fire up!
Kanemaru is furious, but he hurries to bring Douki up. Kanemaru suplexes, but Douki slips free! Douki GERMAN SUPLEXES, bridges, but then rolls back for an O’Conner style cover! TWO, but now Douki has Kanemaru in the wheelbarrow! SUPLEX DE- NO, Kanemaru mule kicks the bad leg again! Kanemaru trips Douki, and has the FIGURE FOUR!! Douki endures and flails while the fans rally as hard as they can! Douki keeps his shoulders up but Kanemaru thrashes around! Douki reaches out and the fans cheer him on! Douki claws his way over, for the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go in frustration but the fans cheer.
The ref checks with Douki but Douki won’t let it end here. Kanemaru goes up top and waits. Douki stands, into DEEP IMPACT! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and the fans fire up! Kanemaru drags Douki up, suplexes, but Douki fights free! Kanemaru kicks the leg, and SHIN- NO, Douki KNEES free, then HELL STABS! Kanemaru keeps Douki from running, but Douki uses the British Escape to then ENZIGIRI! Douki runs, but Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Douki pushes the ref aside and LARIATS Kanemaru down! Sho gets on the apron, Douki DECKS him! Douki fires up and runs, to DIVE into Sho! Sho hits railing and the fans fire up!
Douki roars, the fans fire up more, and Douki heads back to the apron. Kanemaru runs up, Douki RAMS into him! Then DAYBREAK!! Douki drags Kanemaru to a cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives but the fans fire up behind Douki! Douki pounds the mat, fires up again, and he wheelbarrows Kanemaru! SUPLEX DE LA- NO, Kanemaru drops to somersault clutch! TWO, into a FIGURE- NO, Douki arm-drags free, then dodges to LARIAT!! Kanemaru staggers up, falls over, and Douki wheelbarrows again! SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!!
Winner: Douki, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Even with all that damage to his leg, Douki finds a way! Douki stands tall with the title, only for Sho to snatch it away! The Murder Machine commits theft, and now HE says Douki doesn’t deserve to be champion! Sho says we’ve seen this pattern before, so now HE is going to take this title from Douki! Sho dares Douki to accept or he smashes the belt with his Torture Tool! Douki hobbles out of the ring, grabs a mic, and while fans tell Sho to go home, Douki tells Sho that he agrees, Sho should just leave. Sho has tarnished the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but he also beat Douki twice before. So CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
Sho says okay, fine, here’s the belt back. Sho steps up, holds the belt out, and Douki takes it back. But then Sho CLOBBERS Douki with the Torture Tool! Fans boo, Young Lions run up, but Sho beats them all down! Sho tries to steal the belt this time, but here comes Taichi! The Holy Emperor runs Sho off, but Sho got what he wanted. Will Sho redeem his previous losses by ruining Douki’s reign? Or can Douki finally tear The Murder Machine apart?
NEVER Openweight Championship: HENARE VS Shingo Takagi!
The Face of Fury has been a powerful champion, but he wants to solidify his dominance by taking down the man he took this title from! Will Henare once again conquer this ungovernable icon? Or will the Rampaging Dragon once again have this title around his waist?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly NEVER gives in!
The bell rings and the two run up! They RAM shoulders, Takagi fires a forearm to run, and he RAMS Henare! Henare fires a forearm then runs, and they RAM shoulders again! They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! The fans fire up as the shots fly, and Henare gets the edge! Henare RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds to RAM Henare! Takagi ELBOWS Henare, runs, but Henare ducks ‘n’ dodges. DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but then Henare CLOBBERS Takagi! Takagi’s right up to CLOBBER Henare! The fans fire up as Takagi follows Henare outside. Takagi SMACKS Henare off the apron, but Henare returns the favor!
Henare growls, but Takagi ELBOWS him! Takagi HEADBUTTS Henare, whips him, but Henare reverses, sending Takagi into railing! Henare storms up, fires body shots, then CLUBS Takagi. Henare HEADBUTTS again and again, then he RAMS Takagi into railing! The fans fire up and Henare brings Takagi around. Henare KICKS Takagi, puts him in the ring, but Takagi gets moving! Henare kitchen sink knees! Henare whips, but Takagi reverses, only for Henare to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up again and Henare stalks Takagi. Henare drags Takagi up, fireman’s carries, and WASTELAND SLAMS, to then SENTON! Cover, TWO!
The fans applaud as Takagi stays in this, and Henare stays close. Henare drags Takagi up into a half nelson, but Takagi fights the full! Takagi fires elbows, so Henare shifts to body scissors! Henare then has the GROUND COBRA! Takagi endures, pries at the hold, and moves around, to then kick and have the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Henare lets go. Henare kicks at Takagi, but Takagi stands to fire forearms! Henare fires back, so Takagi CHOPS! Henare KNEES low, snapmares, and KICKS! Takagi eggs him on! The fans fire up, and Henare KICKS again! That one stings, and Takagi writhes.
Henare drags Takagi up, runs, but Takagi blocks the Rugby Kick! Takagi CLUBS Henare, ELBOWS! JABS! And YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Takagi leans on ropes. Takagi then SENTONS onto Henare! Henare sputters and hurries to ropes. Takagi looks to the camera, but says maybe not yet. Henare goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Takagi blocks the boot! Takagi LARIATS, then he fires the fans up. JAB, CHOP, JAB, CHOP, repeat! Then JAB, JAB, JAB, and CHOP! Henare just growls! Henare puts Takagi in the corner and fires hands from all sides! Henare HEADBUTTS, then he whips corner to corner.
Henare runs to LARIAT, and Takagi stumbles along ropes. Henare runs and RAMS Takagi. Takagi rebounds to CLOBBER Henare! The fans fire up and Takagi suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi tells Kobe, “TOKI GA KITA!” It’s time and the fans fire up! Takagi sits Henare up to run and SLIDING- NO! Henare blocks and clinches! But Takagi fights with elbows! Henare KNEES low, BODY BLOWS, then runs, into a LARIAT! Takagi runs but Henare scoops, BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, ONE?!? Takagi is still in this but Henare stays focused. Henare paces, then he aims from a corner as Takagi rises.
The fans rally as Henare stomps and powers up. Henare runs in, but Takagi stuffs the Rampage! Takagi fires knees, then ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! But Henare rises?! Henare growls, and he RAMP- DDT!! Takagi turns things around on Henare and both men are down! The fans fire up, and Takagi rises. Takagi brings Henare up, puts him on the top rope, and then fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs, and goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down and writhing while the fans fire up! Takagi sits Henare up, runs, SLIDING LARIAT! But Henare’s right up to basement KNEE!!
Both men are down again and the fans are fired up! Takagi and Henare slowly sit up, and they give each other junkyard dog headbutts. They stand to HEADBUTT again and again, and then Takagi CHOPS! Takagi eggs Henare on, so Henare KICKS! Henare eggs Takagi on, so Takagi CHOPS! The fans rally and Henare KICKS! Takagi sputters, but he comes back to CHOP! Henare growls and KICKS! Takagi JABS, CHOPS, and then DOUBLE CHOPS! Henare just winds up to KICK! Takagi tries but that one really got him. Henare KICKS again! And KICKS again! Takagi goes to ropes to catch his breath, but he comes back, into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!
Both men are down as Henare clutches his shoulder. Henare still has damage from other brutal battles, but he grits his teeth to haul Takagi up. URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! Henare frowns but he rises up. Henare storms over to Takagi, and then clamps on. But Takagi fights the nelson! Henare BODY BLOWS, then half nelsons! Full nelson! ULTIMA NELSON!! Takagi endures but Henare puts on the pressure! Takagi pries at the hold, powers up, but Henare is pushing on the neck! The ref checks, Takagi shakes his head, but Henare stands Takagi up to pull on the arms! Takagi is fading!
The ref checks, but Takagi finds a second wind! He switches with Henare, and MADE IN JAPAN!!! Both men are down from how out of nowhere the pump handle driver was! But then Takagi sits Henare up for “OI! OI! OI!” HAMMER ‘N’ ANVILS! But Henare hits back from below! So Takagi SLIDING FOREARMS from behind! The fans fire up, and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” again. Takagi runs, but Henare ELBOWS him! Then FLYING CHUCKS! But Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi hurries to pump handle and rack, but Henare slips free! STREETS- NO, Takagi slips free, to HEADBUTT! Henare HEADBUTTS back!!
The fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Henare reaches up but he dazed himself with that shot. The fans rally and duel, and Henare rises first. Henare drags Takagi up, vows to end this, but Takagi fights the fisherman! Henare still has the leg, but Takagi wrenches out! Henare HEADBUTTS! NATIVE KNEE! Then snapmare and RUGBY KICK!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Takagi shocks everyone, especially Henare! But Henare hits the RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Takagi survives again but Henare powers up! Henare drags Takagi up, STREETS OF- NO, Takagi slips free! But then he falls over! Henare gloats a bit, feeling this is Takagi’s limit.
Henare drags Takagi up, but Takagi… Well, he tries throwing lariats, but there isn’t much behind those. Henare still catches him to half nelson! Takagi fights the full nelson, and he fires elbows! Henare ROCKS Takagi back! Takagi leans on Henare, but Henare ROCKS him again! Takagi again leans on Henare, so Henare ROCKS Takagi again! But now Takagi eggs Henare on?! Henare lets forearms fly, and then he winds up. Takagi SWATS the lariat, but Henare ELBOWS! Takagi SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!? The fans fire up and duel again, and Takagi brings Henare up. Takagi fires boxing elbows, but then Henare bobs ‘n’ weaves to BODY BLOW!
Henare HEEL KICKS! Takagi DISCUS PUJMPING! But Henare’s up to LARIAT! Takagi’s up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Now both men lean on each other! They DOUBLE HEADBUTT, and DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Takagi JABS! Henare HEADBUTTS!! Takagi LARIATS!! Henare HEADBUTTS!! Takagi BLINDSIDE PUMPING BOMBERS!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Henare stirs, perhaps in another daze. The ref starts a standing count, and the fans rally up as hard as they can! Henare and Takagi both flounder, but then tell the ref to stop the count! They both stand, and they start throwing palm strikes!
Henare fires a flurry, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! And ELBOWS! Takagi swings, but Henare catches the arm! And he catches the other arm! They tug-o-war, but then Henare breaks the grip! Takagi JABS! HEADBUTTS! KNEES!! Henare runs up, but into PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE!?!?!? HOW?!?!? But Takagi gets moving to PUMPING BOMBER!!! Henare flips inside out and Takagi covers!! TWO!?!??!! Henare shocks everyone but Takagi roars! Pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
These two pushed each other to limits perhaps even they didn’t know they had! But now, Takagi is once again atop the hardest hitting division in all of NJPW! Takagi shows Henare respect by bringing the ice pack, and Henare shows respect back by handing Takagi the title. Will Takagi bring this belt with him as he pursues Tetsuya Naito and the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS YOSHI-HASHI w/ Hirooki Goto!
The Rebel without a nation once again holds the belt he created using the former IWGP United States and IWGP United Kingdom Championships. However, the Headhunter of Japan wants to prove he still belongs. Will Hashi #GetBackUp and finally be a champion all on his own? Or will Finlay prove NJPW needs The Rebel more than it does Hashi?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. Finlay asks if Hashi is nervous. They circle, tie up, and Finlay smothers Hashi to the ropes! The ref reprimands and calls for the break. Finlay lets off, but then he sucker punches Hashi! Hashi swings but Finlay gets around to headlock. Hashi powers up and out, but Finlay runs him over! Cover, ONE, but Finlay clamps on with a headlock. Hashi slips out to hammerlock, then he headlocks in return. Finlay powers up and out, ducks the lariat, but Hashi runs him over! The fans applaud and Finlay goes to ropes. Hashi steps up, Finlay fires a body shot, but Hashi ROCKS Finlay with a forearm.
Hashi follows Finlay to ropes, CHOPS him, and Finlay grits his teeth. Hashi fires a forearm and Finlay goes to a corner. Hashi stands Finlay up to CHOP him! Finlay gets frustrated but Hashi whips him corner to corner. Hashi runs in, but Finlay pops Hashi up to fireman’s carry! Finlay hits SNAKE EYES on the ropes! Hashi sputters and falls, and Finlay rains down fists! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off, and then he shows he uses open palms as he rains down more shots! Finlay drags Hashi to a cocky cover, TWO! Gedo laughs and Finlay stands Hashi up, to UPPERCUT him! Hashi staggers but Finlay UPPERCUTS again!
Hashi goes to ropes, Finlay storms up and CHOKES Hashi! Finlay CLAWS Hashi’s face, lets off, and then whips Hashi to a corner hard! Hashi falls and writhes, and Gedo is impressed by Finlay’s strength. Finlay talks trash, Gedo tells Hashi to give up, but Hashi refuses. Finlay shows off by doing pushups and even a kip up. But he also flips off the fans, he doesn’t care about their cheering. Hashi fires body shots, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Finlay whips, Hashi holds ropes and BOOTS back! Finlay runs back up and LARIATS Hashi and himself up and out! The fans rally, Finlay drags Hashi up, and Finlay SMACKS Hashi off the apron!
Finlay talks trash, and he SMACKS Hashi off the apron again! Finlay hopes Hashi remembers that time he busted his face on the apron while running down to the ring. Finlay SMACKS Hashi off the apron again! Hashi falls back, and Finlay peels away the apron skirt! Finlay wants Hashi to remember that steel frame going into his face! Finlay brings Hashi up, but Hashi blocks the bump! Hashi fires hands, but Finlay throat chops! Finlay brings Hashi way up the ramp, reels him in, and POWER- NO, Hashi fights free! Finlay kicks low, but Hashi suplexes first! Finlay writhes from landing on the stage and the fans fire up!
Hashi and Finlay stir, and Hashi sits up first. Hashi then goes further up the ramp? The fans rally up as he aims at Finlay! Hashi runs down the ramp, to SHOTGUN Finlay! Finlay tumbles all the way back to ringside! Gedo freaks out but the fans fire up as Hashi storms back up. Hashi then whips Finlay face first into the apron! Now Finlay knows how it felt! Hashi leaves Finlay behind to go into the ring. The fans rally as Hashi pounds the mat. Hashi then builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Finlay! The fans fire up with Hashi as he flexes! Hashi then puts Finlay in, and goes up the corner, to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!
Finlay stays in this but Hashi stays on him with the BUTTERFLY STRETCH! Finlay flails and has the ROPEBREAK! Hashi lets go quickly and Finlay scrambles out even faster! Finlay crawls around ringside, but Hashi keeps his eyes on him. Hashi storms out after Finlay, ROCKS him, then follows him around the way. Hashi DECKS Finlay, and the fans rally up. Gedo is upset, but Hashi CHOPS Finlay! Finlay staggers away, chest stinging from the sharpest chops in NJPW! But then Finlay fireman’s carries! LAWN DART, but Hashi lands out! Only for Finlay to POUNCE him into railing! Finlay grins while Hashi writhes.
Finlay drags Hashi back up, brings him out through the gate, and lifts him up! Hashi fights, but Finlay double clutches! POST BOMB!! Hashi falls in a heap and Finlay laughs at his own sadism! Finlay soaks up the cheers and jeers as he says he is the greatest! Finlay and Gedo Too Sweet, then Finlay goes into the ring. The ring count climbs, and Goto coaches Hashi up. We pass 10 of 20, but Finlay steps out. Finlay has Goto get back, then he drags Hashi into the ring. The fans applaud, and Finlay rolls in to cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this but Finlay drags him up. Finlay talks trash on Hashi, but Hashi fires body shots. Finlay CHOPS Hashi down!
Finlay drags Hashi up to suplex and TOSS! Hashi flounders and Finlay flexes while Gedo tells Hashi to just quit. The ref checks Hashi, and Finlay uses that to untie a buckle pad! Who does he think he is, Yano? Finlay tells Hashi he is going to destroy him in this ring, and make this the worst day of his life! Finlay drags Hashi up, whips, but Hashi reverses! Finlay hits POST, and then dangles in the ropes! Hashi fires up, reels Finlay in, atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this and the fans fire up! Hashi rises, Finlay follows, and Finlay pie faces Hashi. Hashi fires a forearm! Finlay fires back!
Hashi fires another forearm, but so does Finlay! The fans rally, Goto and Gedo coach Hashi and Finlay, and the forearms keep going as they stand! Hashi ROCKS Finlay! Finlay staggers, comes back, and he ROCKS Hashi! Hashi staggers, comes back, and he ROCKS Finlay! The forearms fly fast and furious, back and forth, but Finlay gets the edge! ROLLING- SUPERKICK! Hashi runs up, ITA- NO, Finlay slips free! But Hashi fights the suplex! Hashi wrenches, half nelsons, pump handles, but Finlay rolls free! Finlay reels Hashi right in for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Finlay brings him right up!
Finlay Canadian Racks, for the CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives again and the fans fire up! Finlay snarls, drags Hashi up again and reels him back in. POWER- DDT!! Hashi turns things around, and then SUPERKICKS Finlay! Finlay staggers, Hashi runs, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay grits his teeth, clutches his knee, but he drags Hashi up by an arm. Finlay reels Hashi in again, Gedo says to end this! Finlay hoists Hashi up, but Hashi RANAS Finlay into bare buckles! Finlay staggers back, into ITADAKI KARI! Cover, TWO!! Finlay is NOT Easy Pickings and the fans fire up!
Hashi rolls into the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Finlay endures, claws at Hashi, reaches out with a foot, but Hashi puts on the pressure! Finlay fights around but Hashi twists him away from ropes! Gedo distracts the ref, and Finlay grabs his shillelagh! Hashi stops that arm, and Goto grabs Gedo in a SLEEPER!! Hashi snatches the shillelagh, tosses it away, and back to the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Finlay fights around, reaches out, but Hashi twists him away again! Finlay kicks and flails, bites his finger to ignore the pain in his shoulders, but Hashi just TWISTS him more!! Finlay flails, but he seems to be fading!
Hashi grabs that arm, CHIMERA BUTTERFLY!!! Finlay fights with one last gasp, to the ROPEBREAK!! Hashi lets go in frustration but perhaps also exhaustion, and the fans rally up again. Hashi rises, the fans fire up, and Hashi has Finlay in a wristlock. Hashi hooks a leg, but Finlay fights free! Only to run into a DRAGON SUPLEX! But Finlay LARIATS! Hashi’s up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stagger, then run up! HASHI LARIAT flips Finlay inside-out! Hashi drags Finlay up, fisherman and KUMAGOROSHI!! Cover, TWO?!? Finlay survives, but Hashi just fires back up with the fans!
Hashi scoops Finlay, SLAMS him, then goes up! Hashi aims to SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Finlay survives again and the fans are thunderous! Hashi storms back up on Finlay, reels him in to half nelson and pump handle, but Finlay fights Karma! Hashi KICKS Finlay’s hand, but Finlay fires elbows! Finlay CLUBS away on Hashi, but Hashi ROCKS Finlay! KARMA- PRIMA NOCTA?! And then OVER- CRADLE!! TWO!!! Finlay escpaes, hooks Hashi, backslide, but Hashi rolls through! But INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hashi survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay is in disbelief, and he drags Hashi up!
Finlay BUCKLE BOMBS Hashi!! But Hashi ROCKS Finlay?!? ROLLING ELBOW from Finlay! Finlay hurries to POWERBOMB again! Cover, TWO!!! Hashi survives and Kobe is electric! Finlay shakes his head, and slashes his throat as he vows to end it now. Finlay drags Hashi up, suplexes, OVER- NO!! Hashi blocks, KARMA CRADLE! TWO!!! Finlay POP-UP POWERBOMBS!! And then he drags Hashi up, to suplex, OVERKILL!!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
Hashi wasn’t able to #GetBackUp after Finlay went that far, and Hashi is still without a title to call his own. But now Finlay eggs Goto on. Finlay holds up the title, will he take a bite out of the Fierce Warrior next? Or will Goto put this War Dog down himself?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan!
The Uncontrollable Charisma has owed The Dominator this match from their 1v1 showdown in the G1 Climax. However, we all know that whoever wins here will face Zack Sabre Jr. at King of Pro-Wrestling in two weeks! Will Naito make it through Kobe to head for Ryogoku? Or will the KOPW Champion conquer all of NJPW?
Naito takes his time heading down the ramp, because he hopes it will annoy Khan. Khan stays calm, because he knows Naito wants him frustrated. The introductions are made, the top belt is raised, and we see who survives Destruction!
As usual, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. But Khan has a counter, in that he has his own elaborate attire to put aside. The fans duel already, “NA-I-TO!” “O-KHAN!” and that amuses Naito a bit. The bell finally rings, and the fans fire up as the two stare down. Red Shoes assesses a dead heat between the cheering, though it could be favoring Khan by just a bit. Naito and Khan slowly circle, feel things out, and Khan tests the waters. Khan shoots in, they clinch, and Khan shifts around to waistlock. Naito backs up into ropes, and Khan lets off cleanly. The fans applaud as the two reset.
Khan and Naito feel things out again, then Khan claps to fake Naito out! Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover, but Naito headscissors! Khan slips free and the two stand. Naito arm-drags, but Khan headscissors! Naito kips free, dodges, and while Naito tranquilos, Khan has his arms crossed behind his back. The fans cheer this pose-off where neither man is looking at the other. Khan and Naito reset and circle again. They feel things out, clinch, and Khan shoots around to waistlock. Khan goes for arms but Naito blocks, so Khan shifts to a facelock. Khan and Naito go around, Khan waistlocks and he drags Naito down to the mat.
Khan floats to a head ‘n’ arm, then floats to a lateral press. Naito resists as Khan tries to hook the far leg, so Khan settles for the near leg, cover, TWO! Khan floats around to keep on Naito, but Naito switches. They move around, Naito has the waistlock, but then Khan slips through to go for a leg. Naito counters with a headlock, but Khan rolls it to a cover, ONE! Khan headscissors, then slips to have the double wristlock. Naito endures, Khan shifts around for a different angle, but Naito has the leg! Khan rolls free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Khan and Naito circle again, feel things out, and Naito toys with Khan a bit.
Khan pushes forward to clinch, and he drags Naito down. Naito keeps his shoulders up but Khan tries to smother him. Naito pie faces Khan, Khan shifts and goes for an arm. Naito fights the top wristlock, rolls around, but Khan has the lateral press! Naito keeps a shoulder up, so Khan floats around to headlock. Khan grinds the hold but Naito fights up. Naito powers up and out of the headlock, then drops down, and atomic drops! Naito throws Khan down by his hair, then cocky covers. The fans cheer as Naito poses but Red Shoes doesn’t like that cover. Khan pushes Naito away, but Naito brings Khan up for a turn. But Khan elbows free!
Naito ELBOWS Khan down, but Khan avoids the basement dropkick to dropkick Naito’s leg! Naito clutches his knee, rolls to the apron, but Khan storms over. Khan wraps Naito’s leg around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito flails, but Khan lets go at 4. But Khan uses his legs to keep Naito stuck! Red Shoes reprimands again, so Khan stomps Naito as he lets off. The fans rally and duel as Naito stands up. Khan goes back to waistlock, and he drags Naito from ropes to wrangle him into a leg scissor. Naito fights but Khan still has the top mount, and shifts into a toehold! Naito endures, CLAWS Khan’s eyes, but Red Shoes reprimands.
Naito lets go but Khan puts on more pressure! Khan keeps Naito’s left hand down, but Naito reaches over with his right for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Khan lets go, to then YANK Naito’s leg! Naito clutches that knee, stands up, and he fires an ELBOW! Naito fires forearms, but Khan kicks the legs! Khan reels Naito in, rolls him, Khan uses a modified Figure Four grapevine on the bad leg! Khan taunts Naito by reclining back in this calf slicer! Naito endures, even as Khan grabs the other leg for a HEEL HOOK! Naito endures, pries at the calf slicer, but Khan focuses on it! But Naito uses that to move around and ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud as Khan lets go, and he watches Naito rise. Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian feint to UPPERCUT! Naito ends up in a corner, and the fans cheer as Khan hops up. Khan sits on his throne! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands as Naito flails. But Khan grabs the arms to pull them back! Red Shoes counts, Khan lets off, and he brings Naito around to gut wrench! Khan carries Naito around, before he THROWS Naito away! Cover, TWO! Khan clamps onto Naito’s legs, ties them up, and then he slaps Naito around. Khan pushes on the modified Deathlock but Naito still endures!
Naito crawls but Khan shifts his grip on the hold! Khan pulls on the legs, but Naito still fights forward. Khan CLAWS Naito’s eyes, but Red Shoes reprimands and Naito keeps crawling. ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Khan holds until Red Shoes counts, and he lets go. Khan looms over Naito as he rises, and the fans duel. Khan kicks at Naito, taunts him, then hauls him up. But Naito fights the lift with elbows! Khan ROCKS Naito, has the leg, and SHIN- ARM-DRAG! Naito then blocks a kick, spins Khan, shoves him and dropkicks the leg out! The fans rally while both men are down, clutching knees.
Naito stands, and he storms over to drag Khan up. Naito fires forearms and kicks, then CLUBS and whips Khan to ropes. Another arm-drag, then another elbow! Basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer and Naito drags Khan up to whip him to a corner. Naito forearm SMASHES Khan, then puts him in the ropes! DRAPING NECKBREAKER! And then Naito stands Khan, turns him, and holds him… for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses, the fans are torn, but then Naito covers, TWO! Naito clamps on with a cravat for the neck wrench! Khan endures, fights up, and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go at 4.
Naito looms over Khan now, drags him up, and puts him in the ropes at the corner. Naito has another DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Then he drags Khan up to turn and NECKBREAKER! No hesitation that time, and Naito covers, TWO! Khan stays in this but he writhes in pain. Naito stays cool as he stalks Khan and brings him up. Naito throws those heavy elbows, but Khan drop toeholds to get the HEEL HOOK! Naito fights up, slips free, but runs into a SAYANAGI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Khan rises, storms over to Naito, and drags him up. Khan hits a fireman’s carry, then a MONKEY FLIP!
Khan keeps hold of the wristlocks to reel Naito in. KNEE, facelock, and BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Khan clamps on with the KATAGATAME! Naito endures the Head ‘n’ Arm, but then Khan shifts to have the HEEL HOOK! Naito endures, reaches around, but Khan pulls on the leg! Naito fights his way over, but Khan grabs an arm! Naito fights with his free leg to have the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go and the fans applaud, and Khan watches Naito flounder. Naito rises, Khan KICKS the back of the leg! Then KICKS it again! Khan grabs that leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! Naito hobbles and falls, Khan covers, TWO!
The fans cheer, and Khan clamps on with a SLEEPER! Naito endures, even as Khan leans on the hold. Naito fights up, reaches out, but Khan shifts into an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Then the Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! But Naito slips free! Khan grins, runs up, but Naito wrenches and TORNADO DDTS! The fans fire up as Khan tumbles all the way out of the ring! Naito rests in the ring, and a count starts. Naito heads out after Khan, cancelling the count, and then he brings Khan up. Naito whips Khan hard into railing, and Khan tumbles over into No Man’s Land! Naito hurries out after Khan, drags him up, and brings him around to the ramp.
Naito brings Khan up the ramp, throws those heavy elbows again, and Khan staggers. Naito brings Khan further along, then turns him, but Khan resists! The two struggle, but Naito still turns Khan for a NECKBREAKER on the ramp! The fans fire up, Naito leaves Khan behind, and the ring count begins. The fans rally as Khan writhes, but he’s still down at 10 of 20! Khan slowly rises, but we hit 15! Khan tumbles down the ramp, then hurries to his feet! He’s in at 18! The fans cheer, but Naito drags Khan right up. Naito fires those heavy elbows again and again, and Khan falls! Naito clamps on for the PLUMA BLANCA!!
Khan endures, and he’s already turning red! Naito squeezes tight, but Khan fights around. Khan’s foaming at the mouth a bit, and he starts fading! Red Shoes checks on Khan, but Khan gets a second wind! Khan kicks and flails, but Naito puts on more pressure! Even so, Khan kicks to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Naito lets Khan go. Naito follows Khan to the corner, hops up, and then drags Khan up with the ponytail. ESPERANZA! Khan is sent tumbling, but Naito aims from the corner. The fans rally and duel, and Naito mocks the “O-KHAN!” chant. Khan rises, Naito runs in, but Khan slips around! IRON CLAW SLEEPER! FGO PLEX!!
Naito stands, but Khan hurries to TACKLE him, and then jackknife roll into a FIGURE FOUR HEEL HOOK! Naito endures so Khan shifts, drags him up, and has the leg again! SHIN- Sunset flip! But Khan slips through to KNEEBAR!! Naito endures, flails, but Khan drags him from ropes! The fans duel again as Naito endures! Naito fights, drags Khan along with him, but Khan drags him back to center! They roll, Khan has the FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR!! Naito endures even more as Khan twists the ankle! Red Shoes checks, Naito refuses to give up, but Khan drags him from ropes again! Naito fights around, but Khan is even BITING the ankle!
Naito works to roll around, but Khan anchors him at center! Naito flounders but Khan THRASHES him around! Red Shoes checks as Naito looks to be fading, but Naito gets a last gasp for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Khan lets go in frustration. Naito slowly sits up, clutching his leg. Khan watches closely, then runs up to BOOT Naito inside-out! Then a clinch for the- NO, Naito victory rolls! TWO, and Naito ELBOWS, ENZIGIRIS, but Khan IRON RIGHTS! Both men fall over and the fans fire up again! Red Shoes checks both men, and they’re both still in this. The fans rally and duel again as both men stir.
Khan rises first while Naito is still rather dazed. Khan lets the Monster Rage boil over! Khan stalks Naito to the corner, but then goes out to the apron. Khan climbs up the corner, and he brings Naito up with an IRON CLAW! Khan drags Naito up the corner, and to the very top! They both wobble up there, and Naito CLUBS Khan! Khan SHOVES Naito back down! Naito crashes into the drop zone, but he sits back up. Khan drags Naito back up the corner, and again has the IRON CLAW! The fans are worried, but Naito CLUBS away, and SUPER STEINERS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
Khan staggers to his feet, CORRIENDO SHIKI- NO, Khan stops Destino with a BACKBREAKER! And then HITSUJIGOROSHI! But Naito slips free to DESTINO!! Naito isn’t done, he drags Khan up to wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DEST- NO! Khan clinches for the FLATLINER! Khan drags Naito around, and he still has the IRON CLAW! We hit 30 minutes as Khan hits the ELIMI- DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO!!! Naito almost takes this one and the fans are thunderous! Naito mocks Khan’s pose, then drags Khan up. Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, and DESTINO!!!! Cover, Naito wins!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Khan may be KOPW Champion, but the world still belongs to the ungovernable! What will it take for The United Empire to truly reign over all of NJPW?
As for Naito, after he gets some water for himself, he lets Khan have the rest. Then Naito has his hand raised in victory, and takes a moment to fix his wristbands and kneepads before accepting the belt from Red Shoes. Khan is still down in the ring so Naito teases him with the strap of the world title. Naito puts his baseball cap back on, sets the belt down, and watches Khan be helped away. But wait! Before Naito can get the mic, Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way out here, G1 Climax trophy in hand! The fans cheer ZSJ as he walks down the ramp and to the ring to be face to face with the world champion.
ZSJ sets the trophy down right next to the world title, and Naito makes sure the mic is on before he hands it to ZSJ. ZSJ gives congratulations in Japanese, and then says he is glad it was Naito who won tonight. Next up is King of Pro-Wrestling, and ZSJ cannot wait. ZSJ says sorry, but Ryoguku will be the end of Naito. ZSJ is the G1 winner, and he will soon be THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. The fans are a bit torn but ZSJ continues to say that ZSJ is the top of NJPW! ZSJ throws down the mic, but then in steps Shingo Takagi? He says, “Allow me to interrupt for a moment!”
Takagi also congratulates Naito on the win. ZSJ applauds that, and Takagi assures him and Naito that he’s not trying to get in the way. But see, Takagi took back the NEVER Openweight Championship. The fans applaud that, and Takagi says that while this is his 20th year in wrestling, and while this is The Year of the Dragon, he hasn’t “gone on enough of a rampage yet!” The fans cheer that! Takagi says whoever wins at Ryogoku, Takagi has next! The fans like the sound of that! Takagi asks if ZSJ understands Japanese. ZSJ says yes, he understands, “d*ckhead.” Takagi asks if Naito understands. Yes, Naito understands Japanese.
Alright then! It’ll be fun if- WAIT. Ryohei Oiwa shows up? He tells Takagi to allow him to interrupt! Oiwa introduces himself as “born in NJPW, raised in NOAH!” The fans cheer that, too! And Oiwa says as the newest member of TMDK, he wants to challenge for the NEVER Championship! The fans like the sound of that, and Takagi asks, “Did you say your name was Onita? No matter. I’ll face you on October 14th in Ryogoku!” But also, this may be Oiwa’s first day back, but you should know you can’t beat Takagi that easy. Careful, or he’ll k ick your ass back to NOAH! LIJ stands against TMDK, will we see a major sea change in NJPW?
TMDK heads out, leaving Naito and Takagi alone in the ring. Naito finally gets to say, “Buenas noches, Kobe~!” The fans cheer, and Naito says this is NJPW’s first time here this year. This is the building where Naito won his first singles match, all the way back in October of 2006. The fans cheer that distinction, and Naito says being able to defend the title here for them makes him very happy. So to all of you who came, gracias, amigos. Now, he defeated Great-O-Khan tonight, and next is the G1 Champion, ZSJ, on October 14th. After clearing that, Naito would like a “new challenge.” That is to say, he’ll choose his own challengers.
The fans like the idea of Naito taking the initiative. Naito asks, “Who will I pick?” He looks at Takagi, and says the answer is, of course… TRANQUILO! Assen na yo! Now, to end this the right way. The fans cheer that! “For the first time here since September of 2016, are you all ready?” The fans cheer that they are! Then the only right way to end this NJPW event in Kobe is of course…! “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” Gold streamers fly out, and the path is set! Will the Uncontrollable Charisma be unstoppable as NJPW enters Autumn?
My Thoughts:
A great event for NJPW in Kobe, especially as a finale to the full Road to Destruction in Kobe series. If I had more time today, I would’ve gotten Goto VS Gabe and the Six Man with TMDK introducing a new member. In skimming, I saw Goto VS Gabe was great stuff, and great win for Goto. Oiwa joining TMDK is definitely a great surprise and a great way to bring him back into NJPW. Great NEVER Openweight Six Man match, but I figured The House of Torture would lose again, but great return of ELP with the new bleach blonde haircut to help Tanahashi’s team retain. Main Unit grows stronger with “Guerrillas of Destiny” folding into them, and I’m sure we’ll get quite a bit more of ELP battling The House from this.
Great stuff from Douki VS Kanemaru, it had balanced action and storytelling. Kanemaru knew Douki’s offense well, and he really went after a leg in an attempt to thwart it all, but Douki grits it out for a great win. I was hoping for a different contender to step up to Douki but I suppose he and Sho have unfinished business. Plus, Douki’s reign seems to be about getting wins over the biggest names in the Junior Heavyweight Division these past few years, and even as a cheating Heel, Sho has made an impact. Here’s hoping after Sho, Douki can defend this title against guys like Clark Connors, Francesco Akira, and other names from this past BOSJ.
The NEVER Openweight Championship match of Takagi VS Henare might’ve been the actual best match of the card, because it was hard hitting and yet still had good story behind it given this was a long awaited rematch from an equally hard hitting match. I believe this match got the fans the most excited all night, as well, and that’s what the aim should be. Takagi winning was rather surprising, though, but it does feed the larger LIJ story. Finlay VS Hashi for the Global Championship was still great stuff, though, and did get fans fired up, too. Hashi felt so close to winning, but this was only Finlay’s second defense since getting this belt back, so he wasn’t going to lose it yet. Not sure Goto takes the title off him, either, but that’ll be a great match.
And the main event was great stuff, very technical for the majority of it, like Khan was sending a message to ZSJ that he could match him in that style. However, it was maybe a little too technical, too cerebral, as the fans could only get so fired up for it. But them turning up the energy as it reached 30 minutes was a good touch, and a great win for Naito. Great closing promo with ZSJ confronting Naito, but then Takagi confronting them both, and then Oiwa confronting Takagi. The King of Pro-Wrestling event is going to be awesome, and while I don’t see Oiwa winning over Takagi, I could see ZSJ taking that title from Naito. As I said before, ZSJ bringing the world title home for Royal Quest IV just works, and what a place for him to have his first defense.
My Score: 9/10
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IF YA SMELLALALALALALA~…!
As Cody Rhodes teams with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman against Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, FINALLY, The Rock has come back to SmackDown!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & LA Knight; Miz & Melo win.
- Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae w/ Nia Jax; Tiff wins.
- Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins, by disqualification, and DIY retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; changed to…
- Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga; Priest & Braun win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes talks with Nick Aldis backstage.
They shake hands, but the SmackDown General Manager tells the WWE Champion there’s been a change: Cody’s out of the Six Man Tag match. What? Why would Aldis do that? It is out of Aldis’s hands. Wait, Solo Sikoa shows up to do what he did, but they can’t do the Six Man Tag that they advertised? How is this out of Aldis’s hands? Who do they need to talk to so they can do the match? Aldis says there’s no one either of them can call, if you smell what’s cooking. This is coming from The Final Boss, and The Final Boss wants to see Cody in the ring tonight. What business could The Great One have with The American Nightmare?
Drew McIntyre VS Jimmy Uso!
The Scottish Terminator rubbed it in Big Jim’s face that only one of them is going to Elimination Chamber in Toronto, which Big Jim was able to brush off. But McIntyre harping on how only one Uso is going to WrestleMania was a step too far. These two look to have it out, but is Jimmy just playing into McIntyre’s hands? Or will McIntyre get embarrassed by “the other Uso” this close to that big time match?
Speaking of, Jimmy has a message for Drew as he heads to gorilla. “Everybody know you’re going to Elimination Chamber, right? But Big Jimmy got a question for the Big Easy: Will Drew go onto the Elimination Chamber and win that? Will Drew go onto WrestleMania and win that? Ey, Drew, I think we got an answer for you, Uce. The answer is…” “NO YEET!” Jimmy makes his entrance, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Jimmy. Jimmy and Drew jaw, and then Drew raises his hands, to say UP YOURS! But Jimmy ROCKS and CHOPS away! Drew puts Jimmy in a corner, Jimmy dodges to CHOP!
Jimmy climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count, Drew dumps Jimmy tot eh apron at 5, but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jimmy goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jimmy hurries to CHOP, then he whips. Drew reverses to send Jimmy to the corner. Jimmy BOOTS back, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Drew runs up to SPLASH and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Jimmy flounders again, the ref has Drew hold on, and Jimmy bails out. Drew storms out to get Jimmy and he whips Jimmy HARD into barrier! The fans boo but Drew looms over Jimmy.
The ring count starts, Drew mockingly calls him “Jey,” then puts Jimmy in the ring. Drew says NO MANIA for Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, ROCKS him, then runs up, only for Jimmy to put him on the apron! Drew blocks a superkick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Drew drops, Jimmy DIVES! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! Jimmy grins, goes back to the apron, and then aims. But Drew stops the Penalty Kick to THROW Jimmy down! Drew then has Jimmy in the Reverse Alabama Lift! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM onto the steel steps! Drew stands on the desk to say “NO YEET!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Drew revels in the heat from New Orleans, then he leaves Jimmy behind. The ref checks Jimmy, he’s able to continue, so a ring count starts. Drew paces while Jimmy stirs. Jimmy drags himself up using the desk, then lunges in at 9! Drew is annoyed but he rains down fists! Drew stomps Jimmy, then eggs him on. Jimmy rises as the fans rally, but Drew is right on him in the corner. Drew winds up, but Jimmy counter punches! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And whips, only for Drew to reverses. Jimmy goes up, but Drew KICKS him out of the air! Drew then hauls Jimmy up, snap suplex! Cover, TWO!
Drew says okay, Big Jim. He clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Jimmy fights up, fireman’s carries, but Drew elbows free. Drew bumps Jimmy off buckles, then hauls him up to the top rope! Drew CLUBS Jimmy on the back, climbs up, then CLUBS Jimmy more. Jimmy fires elbows and Drew drops back. But Drew runs up to CLUB Jimmy again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Drew CLUBS away on Jimmy again! Jimmy keeps taunting “Jey,” then drags him up. Jimmy fights the back suplex! The fans rally, Jimmy fires hands and a HEADBUTT! Jimmy SMACKS Drew off the post!
Jimmy rises to USO IN THE WIND! Down goes Drew and the fans fire up! A standing count starts while both men stir on the mat. They both stand at 5, and Drew swings! Jimmy counter punches, then fires more shots! Mule kick, UPPERCUT, but then Jimmy dodges Drew! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Drew is tougher than that, but Jimmy hurries to a corner. Jimmy aims as Drew goes to the other corner, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Drew FLYING HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss stuns Jimmy, and Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jimmy shows his own toughness, and the fans rally behind him.
Drew paces, then he stalks Jimmy. Drew stands Jimmy up, reels him in, but Jimmy fights the underhooks! Jimmy wrenches, UPPERCUTS, but Drew ROCKS Jimmy back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, Drew HAYMAKERS! Drew whips, Jimmy reverses and Drew ends up on the apron! Drew ROCKS Jimmy first, then climbs the corner! FLYING- SUPERKICK! Jimmy runs to SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives, Jimmy’s spear doesn’t hit quite like The Tribal Chief’s. Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up, and the fans rally up. USO- NO, Jimmy rolls through as Drew moves! Drew dodges a lariat to NECKBREAKER!
Both men are down, the fans rally, and Drew kips up! Drew scowls as he aims at Jimmy. “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Jimmy hits first! GLASGOW KISS returns! Drew reels Jimmy in, “This is your WrestleMania! This is as close as you get!” Drew shouts Jimmy is nothing, then ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! GLAWSGO KISS! Another Reverse Alabama, but Jimmy victory rolls it! JIMMY WINS!!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
Drew is furious, but his own ego caught him there! But then Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy! The fans boo Drew being a sore loser, but he puts Jimmy back in the ring! Drew rains down fists, then he DRIBBLES Jimmy off the mat! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Drew says that was Jimmy’s Mania Moment! Drew will win the Chamber, he will go to Mania, and he will win there! Jimmy means NOTHING to Drew! Drew puts Jimmy up against the post, then takes aim! The fans boo, but refs and producers rush out here! They swarm Drew to keep him from going after Jimmy again. Drew says fine, fine, then takes his leave.
Producers help Jimmy to his feet, but then Drew BLASTS through the refs! CLAYMORE for Jimmy!! The Scottish Terminator hits his target, then laughs as he actually leaves. Will McIntyre make this his Road to WrestleMania?
A car pulls into the parking lot.
And out steps Solo Sikoa. Solo heads inside, and he finds Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga waiting. Solo tells them that last week with Tama, that was an accident. Jacob says yeah, it’s all good, Uce. But keep it 100: If it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing here right now. Well, good! Glad to see we’re all on the same page. Solo says he will be in the corner during the match for Jacob & Tama. Uh, no, Solo, no disrespect, but Jacob & Tama have been running things on SmackDown these past couple weeks. So tonight, it’s Jacob & Solo running the play? Yadada mean? Yeah, of course. And that right there, Jacob, is exactly why Solo loves him.
Solo says he’ll be back, he has to talk with Nick Aldis. Solo heads out, but will he really just step right back into place from before he lost the ula fala?
Carmelo Hayes is backstage.
R-Truth calls out to Melo, and says for the first time ever, Truth VS Melo! What’s Truth talking about? Duh, they have a match. No, Truth, Melo knows. But they had a match last week. Truth says he has never met Melo in his life, but they have a tag match tonight. What? No, they don’t. Who even made this match? Him. Truth, they are not going through this H1M who’s on first thing again. Melo is H1M. No, him made the match. The Miz!? Miz says he’s H1M. So now there’s two of you? No no no! Melo is H1M, this is The Miz! Yeah, #MeloDon’tMiz! NO! That’s not a thing! Tonight, they are. Who’s Truth’s partner?
Truth says he’s got a guy. A Louisiana legend! In fact, he just got here, so Truth’s gotta go. Laters. Miz says he has been workshopping this, and the fans love it. Think about it: Melo Don’t Miz! Melo Don’t Miz! And we are…! Melo shakes his head. Truth steps in and says Miz just wants Melo to say, “Awesome.” Miz offers a fist bump, Melo says no. Will Melo wish he had missed tonight’s show? Or will Miz actually help H1M get another win?
Zelina Vega speaks.
“My whole life, people have taken one look at me, and they try to define me. My size has never stopped me before. It never stopped me from becoming tag team champion. Or my personal favorite, the history-making first-time-ever Queen of the Ring. That’s me. Make no mistake about it, I’ve never had it easy. I had to scratch and claw to get anything around here. But this is a fresh start. Because I have something to prove. And my dreams are a lot bigger than your measuring stick. It ain’t over until Zelina Vega says it’s over.”
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes VS R-Truth & ???
Miz makes his entrance but Melo kinda steps all over it. So he already missed his cue… But who did Truth find to team with him in the Big Easy? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Truth makes his entrance. “What’s up?” Well, more like who is his partner? He’ll tell us! His tag team partner is a local legend, born and bred right here in New Orleans! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Louisiana Knight! Wait, he means L A Knight! Yes, Louisiana abbreviated is LA, but that’s not… Oh, Truth… Truth gives Knight a Po’ Boy and some Mardi Gras beads, so Knight embraces it. The teams sort out, and Truth calls out him! Does he mean Miz or Melo? Well, Melo says he is H1M, so that’s who starts. The fans cheer on Knight while Truth and Melo tie up. Melo KNEES low, whips, but Truth reverses.
Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo makes his free throw, but Truth drop toeholds! Truth headlocks, Melo powers up and out but Truth whips! Melo turns hip toss into lateral press, TWO! Truth has a ghost pin, TWO! Melo trips to cover, ONE! Truth trips to cover, ONE! Melo runs up, Truth does the splits, and then hits a BIG hip toss! The fans fire up, Truth counts, Melo gets up at TWO, but Truth was just goofing. The ref explains to Truth that he is the ref, not Truth! Melo is annoyed, he runs up on Truth, but Truth wrenches him around! Melo pulls hair but Knight tags in. The fans fire up as Knight fires hands!
Knight ROCKS Melo, whips Melo, but Melo reverses! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Melo up to tag Truth back in, and Truth ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, but he refuses to tag! Truth arm-drags Melo, then grinds the arm. Melo insists he’s got this, then arm-drags free. Truth staggers up, he and Melo bump heads! Truth staggers around more, and he tags Miz?! Truth forgot The Awesome Truth isn’t a thing anymore! Again! Melo BLASTS Truth off the apron, the fans boo, but Miz tags himself in! Melo is annoyed, but Miz goes to fetch Truth while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again, and Melo has Truth. Truth ROCKS Melo, but Melo holds onto the wristlock! Truth reaches for Knight, Knight reaches for Truth, but Melo holds on. Truth takes a swing, but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO and Melo BLASTS Knight! Truth rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo kicks low, calls his shot, but Truth suplexes for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Melo crawl, hot tags to Miz and Knight! The fans fire up as Knight rallies on Miz! “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Miz reverses, but Knight lEAPING LARIATS! Knight TOSSES Melo in for good measure!
Knight stomps a mudhole into Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” LARIAT for Miz! KNEE for Melo! Knight scoops and POWERSLAMS Miz! Knight keeps running, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Knight stays on Miz as he brings Miz up. Knight ROCKS Miz, then ROCKS him again! Knight whips, Miz grabs the ropes. Miz KICKS, then takes a swing, but into a back suplex! Miz lands out, tag to Melo! Miz ELBOWS Knight, but Knight scoops! Miz tilt-o-whirls through, Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo says he’s got this! Melo waits on Knight, then leaps, but NO 48!
Knight kicks low, but NO B F T! Tag to Truth! Knight ELBOWS Melo, Truth runs in! CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB! Truth says it’s time! “YOU CANT SEE ME~!” truth runs for the FIVE KNCUKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Melo slips free! Melo shoves, Truth dodges, and Truth hits the LIE DETECTOR! Truth then gets Melo in the S T R-TRUTH! But Miz CLOBBERS Truth! Knight ROCKS Miz, then LARIATS him up and out! Knight then goes out to THROW Miz into barriers! The fans fire up again, but NAKAMURA ATTACKS KNIGHT!
The fans boo, but the sinister samurai then POSTS Knight!! Nakamura slithers away while Melo keeps the ref’s attention! Truth sees Knight is down, Melo runs up, but Truth dodges! Miz tags in, full nelson, and a FIRST 48 FINALE COMBO?!? Cover, Miz & Melo win!!
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Well, what do you know? Nakamura aside, Miz and Melo made it work! Okay, they’re both trying to hog the spotlight, but is there a future for Melo Don’t Miz? Will Knight only have more of a reason to take that title off Nakamura now?
Charlotte Flair speaks.
“The GOAT… doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, I mean no one, can touch. And I’m back.” The Women’s Royal Rumble Winner chose Tiffany Stratton, but will The Queen take back her throne? Or will WWE always be on #TiffyTime? Speaking of…
Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!
The WWE Women’s Champion may have gotten past Nia Jax, but now she knows Charlotte Flair is waiting for her at WrestleMania, and is going to be teaming with Trish Stratus in Toronto! Will she be in Tiffy Top Shape for that Tiffy Trishy dream match? Or will the Poison Pixie be quite the problem all on her own?
Before the match, Tiff grabs a mic while the fans cheer. Tiffy says, “I know, I know. You know it, you know it, and you know it. Ever since I won this title, everybody’s just been so obsessed with me. And last week, I had Nia Jax beat, until Candice LeRae decided to interfere and help her little meal ticket. And at Elimination Chamber, Trish Stratus and I make sure the Unstoppable Force comes to a definitive end!” The fans cheer that, but Tiff says enough about them. Let’s talk Charlotte Flair. The fans boo that name, but Tiff says Charlotte took her sweet old time, grabbed a chair, grabbed a mic, and she looked down on Tiff.
Charlotte chose Tiff as her WrestleMania opponent. In that moment, Tiff’s dream came true! And as she lied down there and looked up at Charlotte, she realized the rumors are true: No one loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair. So at WrestleMania, Tiff isn’t coming for Charlotte’s legacy; that’s all Charlotte’s. Tiff is coming for the spot Charlotte desires the most: The number one spot as the top girl in the WWE! But here comes Nia & Candice to interrupt. Nia has a mic to tell Tiffy, “I Have to say, this is really cute. Like, it’s really cute that you actually think you were gonna beat me last week.”
Doesn’t Candice think that is cute? Candice says yes, it is so~ cute. And Tiff wouldn’t even be standing there if not for little Trish Stratus~. Exactly! And it’s even cuter that Tiff is out here talking about Charlotte when she wont’ even see WrestleMania! Because after Nia & Candide destroy Tiff at Elimination Chamber, Nia is coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Nia & Candice step up to the ring, and Nia says Tiff won’t even see the Grandest Stage of Them All. Tiff tells Nia to just give it up. This title isn’t even hers anymore. And once Tiff beats Candice tonight, Nia won’t have anyone to do her dirty work anymore!
Candice tells Tiffy that while they’re meant have a match right now, she and Nia are feeling impatient. Nia says they should just get rid of Tiff right now! But the ref steps in and says not gonna happen! Tiff VS Candice will, after the break.
SmackDown returns [Technical difficulties suck] TWO! Candice is frustrated but this is why Tiff’s a champ. The fans rally, but Candice stomps Tiff! Candice scowls at the fans, stalks Tiff, then brings her up. Tiff fires body shots, then she rolls Candice up! TWO, and Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Cover, TWO, into a ghost pin! TWO! Candice escapes to hit a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down, but Candice scowls again as she crawls over to Tiff. Candice rains down fists, Nia tells fans to shut up, and Candice steps on Tiff’s face. Candice huffs ‘n’ puffs, pushes Tiff around, then scuffs her. Tiff rolls Candice up again, TWO! Candice DECKS Tiff! Cover, TWO!
Charlotte is stoic on commentary as Candice drags Tiff up and puts her in a corner. Candice fires hands, then backs off. Candice runs up to ROCK Tiff again! Candice then runs, but Tiff dodges! SmackDown returns to single picture, and Tiff rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! The fans fire up, Tiff handsprings, BACK ELBOW! Tiff then reels Candice in for a SKY HIGH! High stack, TWO! The fans rally for Tiff, Nia coaches Candice, but Charlotte still seems nonplussed. Tiff and Candice rise, and Candice runs up. Candice puts Tiff on the apron, but Tiff ROCKS her! Tiff bumps Candice off buckles, then goes up, but Candice ROCKS her back!
Candice climbs up, and she fires hands on Tiff! Tiff fights the suplex! Tiff DECKS Candice, then adjusts position, to SANTON- FLOP! Candice ghost pins, TWO!! Tiff escapes, but Candice hits the step-up SENTON! And then a LIONSAUL FLOP! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then PRETTIEST MOON- NO, Nia drags Candice out of the ring! The fans boo, Nia tells them to shut up, but Tiff is on the apron! Nia swings, Tiff cartwheels over, and then she DROPKICKS Nia! Tiff Alabama Lifts Candice, to ALABAMA SLAM her into barriers! Tiff stares down Charlotte, tells her just wait for Mania, then she puts Candice in the ring.
Tiff goes to the corner, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall
Charlotte gives moderate applause, but Nia CLOBBERS Tiff from behind! The fans boo, but Nia just drags Tiff to a corner. Nia goes up, but wait! Trish is here!! The fans fire up for the legend as she rushes into the ring! Trish avoids a haymaker to CHICK KICK! Then THESZ PRESS for Candice! And then a SPINEBUSTER! Trish helps Tiff to her feet, but Nia grabs them both! Trish fires fast hands on Nia! Candice CHOP BLOCKS Trish! Tiff is still dazed, Nia HEADBUTTS her back down! Nia & Candice mug Trish, and then Nia HEADBUTTS Trish! Trish & Tiff are side by side, and Nia drags them into the drop zone! A-NIA-LATOR!!
The fans boo but there’s nothing can be done! Nia grins as she helps Candice away, will these two trash Trish & Tiff in Toronto? Charlotte steps into the ring, stands over Tiff, and points to the WrestleMania sign. Will The Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie unwittingly do the dirty work of The Queen of Flair?
Cody talks with Damian Priest backstage.
Priest asks why Cody’s boy, The Rock, is here tonight. Cody says given the time of year, his guess is as good as anyone’s. But tonight will surely be eventful. Cody congratulates Priest on entering the Elimination Chamber. Priest says what’s wild is, last year, they both walked out as champions. What sucks is that this year, only one of them can. Now, Priest is man enough and he respects Cody to say that after Chamber, he’s coming for that title. Cody says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody heads out, but what business does The Rock have tonight?
Braun Strowman steps in, and he tells Priest that congrats on winning, and good luck in the Chamber. But let’s be honest, Braun had Jacob dead to rights last week. If not for Solo Sikoa, things would look a lot different next week. Priest chuckles and says take it easy, he’s sounding like Drew with the excuses. But it is what it is, Priest just beat Braun to the punch. But that was last week. Tonight, Solo and Jacob, two of the baddest men in the business. Priest & Braun handling business? Oh, they’re handling business. The only business Braun cares about is getting his hands on those two. Priest says Braun definitely will.
Braun heads out, will the Monster of All Monsters and the Archer of Infamy make sure Solo & Jacob #GetTheseHands? Or will the rogues run roughshod all over SmackDown once again?
Backstage interview with Naomi & Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and brings up last week’s SmackDown, the security footage led us to believe Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez were the ones behind Jade Cargill’s attack. Now, hold on, Saxton. They don’t think, Naomi knows they were. Fair enough. But this Monday, they can get their revenge when they defend the tag titles against Liv & Raquel. How ready are they for this match? Bianca says so ready! They have been waiting for months for an update. Jade has been recovering, she hasn’t been able to call or text, so the GlowEST took matters into their own hands to get revenge.
Bianca & Naomi will handle Liv & Raquel, then move on to Elimination Chamber, where one of them is gonna win to face Rhea at WrestleMania. Not only will you #FeelTheGlowEST on Monday, but Liv feels it tonight! #Let’sGLOW! The champs head out, but will they clear their Road to WrestleMania of any other distractions?
Alexa Bliss speaks.
“When I was away, there was a lot of… change that happened in me. But when I look around, I see this place is still the same. The names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurity remains the same. You’ll see Toronto when I turn the Elimination Chamber into something of a playground of my own. I know the Chamber. I love the Chamber. I’ve won the Chamber. And for the other five women, it’s gonna be a Hell like they’ve never experienced before. Need I remind you, this is my division, and I am in charge.” Bliss smiles and says, “See you soon.” The film comes off the reel, but will things get twisted in Toronto?
Naomi w/ Bianca Belair VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Big Easy is all about having fun, and they’re fired up for Naomi’s entrance. But wait! Liv & Raquel don’t wait, they attack Bianca & Naomi while the lights are still down! They mug Naomi, but Bianca drags Liv out of the ring! Then Bianca storms in to fire off on Raquel! The fans fire up, but Liv returns to CHOP BLOCK Bianca! Raquel hauls Bianca up for a TEJANA BOMB!! Naomi runs up, fires more hands, but Liv brings Naomi around. Naomi fires hands on her, but Raquel throws her down! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!
Liv & Raquel stand tall, the refs rush out here, but clearly the singles match isn’t happening. Will we be getting something even meaner and nastier between these four on Monday?
The Rock arrives!
His truck pulls into the parking lot, but we’ll see him in the ring, after the break!
SmackDown returns and…
Aldis is chewing out Liv & Raquel for the attack. He doesn’t know what they get away with on Raw, but they can’t pull that crap here. Now get the hell out of his building. Liv & Raquel just laugh that off, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in. Chelsea says have no fear, Chelsea & Piper are here to sub in for Bianca and Naomi at Elimination Chamber. Aldis sighs, and says they’re not missing the Chamber. What? But Chelsea had an outfit picked out! This is a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export since maple syrup on a Canadian PLE! Does he know who she is? The first-ever, longest reigning, tallest, shortest, prettiest, richest, tannest, sparkliest, oldest, youngest Women’s US Champion! Piper asks what this is aboot, eh?
Aldis says this is them testing his patience. They need to pack their gear and whatever else they want, because they’ll be in action next week on SmackDown in Toronto. And oh, it’ll be a good one. Wait, they need more details! At least an e-calendar notification? Aldis is leaving Chelsea in the dark on what’s coming, will she absolutely hate it?
The Rock heads to the ring!
Wait, what is this New Orleans related remix? The Final Boss steps out on stage, he shows those goosebumps, then continues down the ramp, shaking hands with fans. The Rock hits his signature pose on the corner, but then takes the long way around to pick up a fan’s phone for them before going back into the ring. The fans all cheer for “ROCKY! ROCKY!” and he grabs himself a mic. He waits as the fans continue to chant his name, and then he says, “Ahh, you feel it, don’t you? You feel it. The Rock has got chills up and down his body because you know, on a Friday night, for the Final Boss to get inside his bird and fly all the way here, you know that I’m dropping some ish on you tonight!”
The fans fire up and The Rock smiles. Rock says, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The fans anticipate what’s coming but he says hold on, he’ll do it. “FINALLY! The Rock has come back…” “TO NEW ORLEANS~!” Rock smiles, and he adds, FINALLY, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!! The fans are thunderous to hear that! WrestleMania 30, WrestleMania 34, and now WrestleMania 42!? Yes, next year, 2026, LIVE from the Superdome! One of the greatest cities on Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana! The pyro goes off to commemorate the occasion, and the logo is already on the tron! Rock smiles at that, then he smiles at the WrestleMania 41 Vegas logo.
The fans are losing their minds, as we now know April 11th and 12th, 2026, the Big Easy has the Grandest Stage of Them All. Rock says you damn right holy ish! Oh when the saints go marching in…! Oh how I’d love… Wait, no, this ain’t singalong with The Final Boss! Sit there, shut up, and let The Final Boss sing the song! The fans are torn, but Rock says he sings! Oh how I’d love, to be in that number~! Oh when the saints go marching in~! Okay, that’s good enough. You got him, that was a great duet. The Rock is singing with the largest collection of STD’d trailer trash he has ever seen! The fans can’t believe Rock would do that to them!
Rock says now, dropping this news wasn’t the only gift he was going to drop on us. The Final Boss came here to call somebody out. The Rock will call out a man who he respects, who he admires, and who we all admire. That man is our WWE Champion, the one and only, Cody Rhodes. The fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance! They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get Cody’s pyro before he goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and round of pyro, then he steps inside to join The Rock. The fans cheer Cody on, so he holds up the title and the fans cheer even more.
Cody grabs a mic, but Rock says, “That feels good, doesn’t it? I mean, that’s gotta feel amazing, right? They love you, man.” Cody tells NOLA, “I love you, too.” Rock says this is crazy. Pretty much no one knows this, but since after WrestleMania last year, they’ve actually become good friends. No, it’s true, they have. Last time they were together was the Raw Netflix debut. Rock gave Cody his flowers, told Cody he has carried the company like the incredible champion that he is, so thank you, Cody. Rock meant it, and that night, they went to the back, drank tequila for two hours and had a great ol’ time.
They chopped it up, had a blast, but Rock wants to call Cody out here for something important. Here’s the thing… The fans get a bit rowdy as they wait, and Rock says Cody is a great champion. A great WWE Champion. Cody knows that. Again, they’ve become good friends, so over the months, they’ve texted. Even their moms became good friends! Look! Mama Johnson & Mama Rhodes together after WrestleMania 40! It is a pleasure becoming Cody’s friend. But Rock wanted this face to face to tell him a few things. One: Cody has been a great champion, but he needs to understand. Yes, The Rock, The Final Boss, is on the Board of TKO. And TKO owns WWE.
The Rock is the Director of the Board of TKO. Don’t boo that! The Rock’s good friend, Ari Emanuel, who owns everything Endeavor, The Rock joked with Ari, “Can you believe that you own The WWE?” Ari says he doesn’t own the WWE, The Rock does. Rock said no, no, he doesn’t know if he owns the WWE. But The Rock knows he is the most powerful… Cody, you are a great champion. But Rock wants Cody to be something more. Rock wants Cody to be something more than just our champion. Rock wants Cody to be his champion. The fans don’t like where that’s going.
Cody says he did not expect them to become friends, nor their moms to become friends, nor the tequila. Cody didn’t have that on his bingo card. But becoming The Rock’s champion? The Rock of all people should know, Cody is the people’s champion. The fans cheer Cody more, and Rock says yes! Cody is their champion! Of course! The Rock is also The People’s Champion, he loves that about Cody. This is their universe, they were both born into this business. But Rock means something even bigger than just this. Rock knows Cody’s goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to everyone around the world, as many as possible.
The fans cheer, and Rock says that’s Cody. Cody is that guy, and everyone knows it. Cody is on social media, Instagram, millions of followers. Millions, and millions! The Rock has half a BILLION. That’s not a flex. But The Rock is the most followed American man in the world, that’s what he wants for Cody. Rock wants Cody to be even higher. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, he will open doors to possibilities Cody never even imagined. If Cody becomes The Rock’s Champion, every dream he has ever had can come true. Every dream of Brandi’s, of their daughter’s. Think about how Rock brought them to the premiere of Moana 2, in Hawaii.
Thank you, by the way, for making that cross a BILLION dollars, fans, Rock loves you. Rock has met the Rhodes family, they’re amazing. But imagine it: Cody’s daughter’s children, their dreams, long after Rock and Cody are gone, all those dreams can come true. Rock just needs Cody to be his champion. The fans say don’t do it! Rock tells Cody to just think about it, though. Rock is a very lucky man, he has it all. Cody also has it all. They’re very fortunate. They’re Mama’s Boys, they’re Girl Dads, they’re lucky men. Fans say don’t do it, Rock tells them to shut up or he’ll slap the syphilis off their face! Rock is trying to have a moment here, shut your mouths!
The one thing that Rock has never had, that he wants more than anything, is a brother. And that is what Cody can be. Last year, WrestleMania, Rock’s goal was to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, for the title. Cody knows, the fans know. Rock talked with his friend, HHH. He talked with Nick Khan, who is his friend. They are also Cody’s friends. Rock knew it wasn’t in the plans, but they talked about moving Cody aside to make what was best for business: Rock VS Roman, WrestleMania 40! What’d Cody do? Cody pitched a b*tch fit! Cody told The Rock he ain’t doing it, and he stood up to The Rock. And y’know what else? Cody SLAPPED Rock!
No one does that and gets away with it. But that is why Cody is special. That is why Cody should be Rock’s Champion. And that is why Rock will take Cody from where he is to a level so far above. Rock will make sure every dream, every desire, for generations to come, it all comes true. Rock’s dad, Cody’s dad, Soul Man & American Dream, they are looking down right now. They were friends, Cody and Rock are friends, Cody should be Rock’s Champion. He doesn’t need to answer Rock tonight. He can think about it, talk with his wife and daughter, as will The Rock. Then Cody can think about it. Meet Rock in Toronto on March 1st to give him the answer.
Fans still say don’t do it, but Rock says it is okay. Before he leaves, this has been an amazing night, this is a hot crowd, thank you all very much. But before he leaves, Rock wants us to know this: The one thing Rock wants more than anything in this world… is that. Wait, the title? Cody’s title? The fans’ title? This is all this is about? No no no no! Brother… Rock doesn’t want the title. He wants Cody’s soul. The fans duel, “NO! NO! NO!” “SELL YOUR SOUL!” Rock pats Cody on the cheek and says see you in Toronto. The Rock leaves, giving Cody a lot to think about. Rock does give one last glance back at Cody, then smirks.
What will The American Nightmare choose: His integrity? Or his aspirations?
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
Did Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano got these titles thanks to Kit Wilson & Elton Prince? #YESBOY! Did they survive a couple title defenses thanks to Kit & Elton? #YESBOY! But when Pretty Deadly needed DIY, was DIY there for them? #NOBOY! So now, Kit & Elton are looking to give Ciampa & Gargano their comeuppance! Will we finally get another #SidePlateCheck? Or will Ciampa & Gargano remember for themselves, that if you wanna be champions, you gotta do it yourself?
But as DIY make their entrance, they have mics, and Johnny Wrestling tells NOLA, “Give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions…! The BTTITW (Best Tag Team In The World), D I Y~!” The fans boo instead. Ciampa says there is no denying that tonight has been electrifying. Gargano says this is a hot crowd. But please, if we could be somber for a second. Guys, this is serious. Two weeks ago, Pretty Deadly embarrassed DIY, and now reluctantly, DIY will return that favor by crushing their hopes and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. So please, let us all rise to our feet… Yes, you in the LSU jersey, stand up.
Ciampa thanks Wade Barrett, and asks for everyone to remove their hands and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly, beginning… now. The fans boo instead! And then Pretty Deadly make their entrance! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really needed who in this broken relationship!
But then DIY jumps Pretty Deadly! The ref reprimands, DIY whip but Pretty Deadly reverses! DOUBLE DORPKICKS! Then DOUBLE LARIATS send DIY up and out! The disco ball hasn’t even stopped spinning! The fans cheer while DIY throw a fit! They regroup, cool down, and go back to the ring. Gargano distracts Elton, Ciampa CLOBBERS him, and the bell rings. But Elton fires hands on Ciampa! Elton whips, Ciampa reverses and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Ciampa throws Elton to the apron and KNEES him down! Tag to Gargano and he aims, SUPERKICK! Elton goes down in a heap, DIY cheers themselves on, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns, Gargano tags in, and DIY hits the BACK SUPLEX BOMBO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but Gargano tags Ciampa back in. Gargano sends Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS him away! Gargano runs in, but Elton puts him on the apron! Gargano goes after Kit, but Kit blocks the kick! Kit BOOTS Gargano down, but then Ciampa BOOTS Kit! Elton dodges Ciampa to come back, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Elton and Ciampa are down, sputtering and writhing, and the fans rally up. Elton crawls, Kit rises, hot tags to Kit and Gargano! Kit rallies on DIY with big forearms! Kit whips, Gargano reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS!
Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa in a corner, then LARIATS! Kit runs to LARIAT Gargano! Kit pushes Gargano down, kicks him and hits a TWIST- NO, Gargano slips through to ROCK Kit! Kit yoyos, DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up, Kit tags Elton! They get Gargano up, but Gargano BOOTS Elton! Gargano ELBOWS Kit away, then runs up on Elton! Elton dodges, then gives Kit the boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Ciampa is in! Elton fireman’s carries Ciampa, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa whips, Elton reverses, Kit UPPERCUTS Ciampa! Elton shows off his strength with the GOTCH LIFT PLEX!
Tag to Kit, but IN COME THE PROFITS! Ford SHOVES Kit down, Dawkins mugs him!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by disqualification; DIY retain the titles
Not again! Just like they did Motor City Machine Guns, The Profits make sure no one else takes these titles off DIY! URENAGE from Ford to Elton! Dawkins keeps hammering away on Kit, and then Ford POSTS Elton! Dawkins fireman’s carries Kit, to POST him, too! Looking like the All Mighty with that one! Gargano fires forearms in return, but ends up int he POUNCE GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Ciampa runs up into a FLAPJACK! Ford goes up top, then flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Direct hit on Ciampa! But wait! MCMG rushes out here, wanting their payback! The Profits brawl with MCMG, but Ford TOSSES Shelley to the apron!
Ford runs up, Shelley goes to kick, but Ford blocks it! Ford LARIATS Shelley down, Dawkins hits Sabin with THE BIG ENDING! The fans are torn as Dawkins whips Sabin, Profits get him for the REVELATION!! And if there’s been any revelation, it is that Ford & Dawkins don’t just want the smoke, they want to burn down the tag division to get it! Will nothing stop them once they’re back in action?
Kevin Owens speaks.
“You got what you wanted, huh? You got your match. You couldn’t, uh… You couldn’t just take the punishment that you deserved, that I’d already given you, and let it go. No, you… You wanted me and you to go again. You wanted to fight me, you want to hurt me, you want to end my career, which would hurt my family, by the way. Which is truly despicable. But what about your family, Sami? Huh? Have you thought of them? What about your family, huh?” Kevin reveals he is right outside the Zayn home! Kevin peers inside to watch Sami, his wife, and his son!
Kevin asks Sami via the video if Sami knows what he’s about to put them through, when they have to watch Kevin end Sami’s career. And what happens then, eh? When Sami can’t provide for them, and everything they have, like this nice house, the shelter, the security, the peace they have, when it’s all gone? And why? What for? Because Sami’s too proud? Because Sami’s selfish? Sami IS selfish. Because Sami is making Kevin do this to Sami’s family. Kevin will never forgive Sami for that. He’ll see Sami in Toronto. “But remember… You asked for this. It’s all your fault.” As if Kevin’s delusions aren’t already grand, will he continue to blame everyone else but himself?
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman VS Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu w/ Tama Tonga!
Elimination Chamber is on the horizon, and the Road to WrestleMania makes for strange bedfellows. Priest, Braun and Jacob were fighting each other just last week, but Solo’s return really threw things for a loop. Can Priest & Braun give Solo and the Samoan Werewolf their punishment? Or will everything (not) be fine in Solo’s Bloodline?
SmackDown returns as #OneBigSOB makes his entrance. As Solo, Jacob & Tama head to gorilla, we hear from Solo. “Tonight, we handle business. And it starts with Braun Strowman & Damian-” Jacob interrupts with, “Man, c’mon, DP! C’mon, Braun! I thought we did this! So tonight, we about to even up the score. If you ain’t know, I’m all gas, no brakes with it! See, since we touched the scene, we been dropping bodies like bread crumbs! Yadada mean!? FA-TUUU~! Hit my music!” The rogues enter to Jacob’s theme, is this alone proof he’s the new alpha? Or will the match be the last nail in that coffin?
The teams sort out, but Jacob stares down both Priest and Braun. NOLA seems to acknowledge Jacob, but Solo convinces him to stand down. Solo starts against Priest, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Priest powers Solo back, but Solo powers Priest back. They break, stare down, and Solo talks some trash. Solo shoves Priest, Priest shoves back. They circle again, tie up, and Priest puts Solo in a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off at 4, but Solo stomps Priest’s foot! Solo throws hands, then a HEADBUTT! Priest staggers, but then he ROCKS Solo! And ROCKS him! And HEADBUTTS! That was a mistake!
Solo shakes his head to HEADBUTT Priest! Priest goes to a corner, Solo throws haymakers and body shots on repeat! The ref counts, Solo lets off and says see? Solo and Jacob as one! But Priest THROWS Solo to the corner to fire off haymakers of his own! Priest ROCKS Solo, the fans fire up, and Priest whips., Solo reverses to UPPERCUT! Solo talks smack but Priest ROCKS him again! Tag to Braun and the fans fire up! Braun stares Jacob down, tells him to shove it, then runs up to SPLASH Solo! Braun stares Jacob down again, goes back for Solo, and hits another LARIAT! Braun scoops, Solo slips free, but Braun runs up!
Solo ELBOWS Braun away, tags to Jacob, and Jacob runs in, but Braun dodges! Braun CROSSBODIES! Jacob is right up, but Braun BOOTS him right back down! Solo runs in but Braun TOSSES him! Priest hurries after Solo, Braun CLOBBERS Jacob! LEAPING LARIAT for Solo! Braun then gets on the track, STROWMAN EXPRESS SMACKS a chair out of Tama’s hand! The Good Bad Guy thought he was being sneaky! But then Jacob CROSSBODIES Braun into the timekeeper’s aera! The fans go wild as Jacob rises up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob hauls Braun up, drags him around the way, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him over to SMACK off the desk! Braun staggers, but he ROCKS Jacob in return! And THROWS Jacob into steel steps! Braun drags Jacob up, puts him in the ring, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Braun! Braun falls into the corner, Jacob HIP ATTACKS! Jacob’s all geeked up, then he tags in Solo. Solo soaks up some heat while Jacob HIP ATTACKS Braun again! Solo puts Braun on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, but Jacob gets a HEADBUTT in! Braun flounders, Solo taunts him and eggs him on, but Braun CHOPS him!
Solo HEADBUTTS Braun right down! Solo rains down fists, then lets off so he can put Braun on the ropes. Solo CHOKES Braun again, stops as the ref counts 4, and Jacob gets another cheap shot in! Solo tags Jacob in, then he HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! Jacob runs to BODY CHECK Braun! Jacob fires up, Braun flounders to ropes, but Jacob rains down fists! Tag to Solo, he soaks up heat from NOLA, then he stomps away on Braun! The ref counts, Solo lets off, then he keeps Braun from Priest by anchoring a leg. Tag to Jacob and Jacob climbs up, FROG SPLASH! Jacob roars while Braun writhes!
Jacob looms over Braun but he glares at Priest. Priest gets heated, but Jacob fires hands on Braun as SmackDown returns to single picture. Braun stands, but Jacob HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob runs for another BODY CHECK! And then a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun stays in this and he goes to a corner. Jacob snarls, tags Solo in, and the fans boo. Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK Braun! Solo grins as he copies Jacob’s geeking out. Tag back to Jacob and fans cheer! Jacob aims, runs, and HIP ATTACKS! Jacob keeps going, but Braun BOOTS from below!! The fans fire up while both men stagger to their feet.
Braun SPINEBUSTERS Jacob! Both monsters are down, the fans rally up, and they crawl, hot tags to Solo and Priest! Priest fires hands on Solo, then whips. Solo reverses but Priest SHOUDLER TACKLES Solo! Priest runs to BACK ELBOW! Jacob is back, but Priest dodges to WHEEL KICK! Priest then waits on Solo, but Solo catches Priest! Priest elbows free, but Solo SUPERKICKS! But Priest JUMPING ROUNDHOUSES! Solo comes back, Priest ROCKS him first! Solo swings, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Solo survives but Priest puts him in a corner. Priest whips corner to corner, then runs, only for Solo to put him on th eapron!
Solo takes as swing, Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest then knuckle locks with Solo, goes up top, and he tightrope walks for some OLD SCHOOL! The fans fire up and Priest powers up the arm! Priest runs, but Solo ducks the Comebacker! Priest fights the fireman’s carry to BELL CLAP, ROUNDHOUSE, and then he reels Solo in! But Tama is on the apron! Priest DECKS Tama, but Jacob HOTSHOTS Priest! Solo hits the URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Solo is stunned! Solo snarls, looks to his taped-up thumb, then he drags Priest up. The fans boo but Solo taunts the fans now. SAMOAN- NO! Priest grabs Solo!
But Jacob runs in! Priest ROCKS Jacob, ELBOWS Solo, then he dodges, so Jacob’s SUPERKICK hits Solo! An accident just like last week’s shot to Tama, but Jacob doesn’t seem as upset by it. Priest TOSSES Jacob, then CLOBBERS Solo! STROWMAN EXPRESS CLOBBERS Jacob & Tama!! Priest brings down the straps, the fans are thunderous, and Priest grabs Solo by the neck! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest & Braun win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman, by pinfall
Just as Solo thought it’d be like before, he and Jacob were not on the same page! Priest is rolling towards Elimination Chamber, will this be just what he needs to go back to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA LIVE! iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.20.2025
So the first live episode got fairly positive praise from everyone; will this continue the trend?
Filming at Full Sail seems to have set the stage nicely this week! Going into a Live episode we got Moose and The Hardy Boyz on NXT, as well as Jordynne Grace’s involvement with Steph and Giulia giving a little shine to TNA happenings since she’s newly WWE.
This episode should be interesting, we finally see Lei Ying Lee (fka Xia Li) back in action, Rascalz take on Tyson and Tyriek, Tessa should be seeing some action as well…so generally interesting happenings for the second Live iMPACT! of 2025. Let’s see how this one goes down!
No matter where @ManceWarner and @stephdelander go, @TheSamiCallihan WILL FIND THEM!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/mXz9U7m9PL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Ratings:
- Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin: Rascalz win via Meteora/Swanton Combo – ***
- Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary: Lei wins via Thunderstruck – **
- NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC: Dango wins via The System help – ** 3/4
- Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore: Masha wins via Requiem – N/A
- Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons: Elijah wins via Tombstone Piledriver – *** 1/4
Results:
Oh yeah, and another Hendry concert is…cut off by a commercial, LOLTNA. First Hendry is cut off by AXSTV’s new Anime Hour bumper, and now Primo and Epico are showing up in TNA. I definitely didn’t have this on my BINGO card. The crowd starts chanting “Where’s Carlito”, which they do acknowledge and play off of well. Oh they’re using their shoot names of Orlando and Eddie now…but before they attack the lights go out and we get another guitar strum! ELIAH/ELIAS/EZEKIEL/EBENERZER/EMERY/EL VAGABUNDO – shows up to back up Hendry. Okay I can apologize away the redundant concert since it played into an Elijah debut. The crowd is immediately popping and chanting “This is Awesome” 10 minutes into the show.
Tyson & Tyriek w/Wes Lee vs The Rascalz w/Ace Austin
Treehouse bros take it to the bigger men quickly, a few fast dives, a little MCMG style tandem strikes, Tyson fires and tries to take them out but they Low Bridge him. Tyriek comes in and they try similar things but Tyriek manhandles them both and throws them out of the ring, Trey is the first one back up and Tyriek and Tyson take his damn head off with his Corkscrew Running Euro Upper. Trey finally manages to flip out of the manhandle, tags in Wentz and Wentz goes for the hot and spicy cleaning house spot. Corner to Corner Knee Lifts for both big men, a Rolling Snapmare, into a Superkick for Tyson and Standing Shoot Star on Tyriek but only for two because Wes feints like he’s going to interfere.
Tyson and Tyriek pull off a tandem Assisted Backdrop Driver, but Wentz breaks it up, Tyson gets knocked out, Wentz hits the Tornillo, Wes tries to interfere again after Trey gets perched on the corner buckle but Ace runs around and trips Wes at the last second causing him to faceplant on the apron, Trey hits the Meteora, Wentz hits a Swanton from the other side of the ring and Trey gets the pinfall victory.
It was fast paced, all gas no brakes, but it didn’t overstay its welcome, so it was pretty fun all things considered.
After the match Wes grabs a mic, complains a little but challenges them to a 6 man match as Sacrifice. So we’re THAT’S where we’re getting the expected 3v3.
Fir$t Cla$$ comes out with an entourage of hot chicks and probably influencers or something. The “First Class Penthouse” , Gabby AF, Mafiosa Valentina, and Carolina are apparently known in their own way. Gabby I know was the awful one who did something for Impact a last year and sucked, but she’s part of the Busted Open Network I believe so that’s why she’s around. Two of them look like Noelle Foley and Frank the Clown…oh they actually are. Look at that. I do love KC Navarro as the Hype Man, they have this whole set up of AJ being mad that they haven’t gotten more Tag Title shots, so TNA placated him with his own Piper’s Pit and he’s *pregnant pause* totally happy with that. He says he loved Piper and hated Hogan before it was cool.
This is actually quality content and AJ is cutting a nice promo in this segment. They introduce their first guest, the greatest performer in TNA history, many whole say he’s Phenomenal with a whole lot of style….it’s A-J-Francis.
.@AJFrancis410 is GOING OFF!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/NY8HgI02kY pic.twitter.com/kGehtp9iTE
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 21, 2025
Lei Ying Lee vs Rosemary
Things were slow until Rosemary took her into a corner quickly, hit the Upside Down, and we get a lot of Lei trying to avoid Rosemary’s offense. Rosemary goes for a Spear in the corner and Lei forward rolls, starts connecting with a bunch of right hands, backs Rosemary into the corner, goes for 10 Count Punches, pulls her out, Airplane Spin TKO for only a two count. Rosemary tries As Above So Below, Lei shrugs it off, Rosemary tries to go after Lei anyway and eats Thunderstruck! Lei Ying Lee wins!
After the match Rosemary catches Lei on the ramp and hits the Green mist in the eyes. Match was far too short and so many of Lei’s set up moves look better than her finish. We’ve seen Kofi Kingston do it for years so it’s not bad, just the current Knockouts Division are awful and don’t take the move well.
Eric Young and the jabronis come out, EY cuts a very basic power crazed psycho kind of promo, gets the “What” chants from the crowds. EY is trying to recruit Maclin even though Maclin made his line in the sand last week. EY tries to spin it as maybe he took out Josh FOR Maclin instead of in spite of his trust. This really doesn’t seem interesting at all, but that’s probably because I hate the two Jabronis EY is with.
NoDQ Match: Leon Slater vs JDC
I really don’t have any interest in Slater. He’s got no personality beyond “flippy guy with a British accent”.
Dango immediately powders, grabs a chair and goes to swing on him but misses. So Leon is making JDC look dumb by dodging the post chop, using the chair to shield himself from a punch by JDC, and then clapping Dango’s fingers between the chair. So typical System match, look inept for the first few minutes, then take advantage of something to take over. Oh look, Leon takes too long setting up the table, Dango gets in a few pot shots, tries to whip him into the table but Leon leaps over it, and then leaps back over to clobber Dango. Dango is still trying to recover so Leon hits his over the corner post con hilo, and the crowd appreciates it but I’m not interested. Leon panders to the crowd after the big spot and then eats an X-Plex into the chair from Dango.
JDC throws Leon back in, goes for a pinfall that’s only a two and we cut to a commercial. Coming out of the commercial JDC is in control with a Kendo Stick until he isn’t, Leon counters and takes the keno stick, brutalizes Dango a few times then comes off the ropes with the kendo shot for 2. Leon goes for another table, and again, at least the crowd is receptive to this match. Leon sets it up, looks for something off the apron but Dango stops him first until he eats a dropkick to fall onto the table, Leon hits the Swanton 450 through the table on the outside. Does it look cool? Sure. Do I care about dumbass moves? Nope.
Oh thankfully the rest of The System comes out to stop the pinfall, Shield Bomb Leon through the first table, and roll him back in for Dango to win.
The Hardy Boyz come out to try and make the save, but the numbers are against them, so Oba Femi’s music hits! Oba cleans house but doesn’t get his hands on Moose, so they’re at least building the eventual clash between Moose and Oba.
The crowd starts a “Tessa, we comin for you” chant before she even starts talking. Tessa is actually playing off the crowd well, Santino’s music hits and Tessa thinks he’ll help her out with the crowd and Santino calls bullshit basically. Santino says if Tessa doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired and Masha’s music hits. Masha decides to step in for Tessa’s enhancement talent match.
Masha Slamovich vs Mila Moore
Jobber tries to attack Masha early but Masha stops her, rocks her and Requiem ends the match.
Masha stares down Tessa, and then Cora Jade attacks from behind and hits Jaded.
Ryan Nemeth comes out to his Abyss music remix. What will Mokuba say today? “MYYYY BIIIGG BBRROOOOTTHHHEEEEER” he repeats at least 4 times and it’s hilariously cringe. He announces that Nic will return at Sacrifice, he literally just came out to give a PSA.
Elijah & Joe Hendry vs The Colons
Hendry starts with Eddie, after a brief tie up it seems like Hendry reads the room and points at Elijah and the crowd wants him in. So Joe tags in Elijah, a little back and forth, Shoulder Tackle from Elijah, Rope Walk with Elijah lays out Eddie and a tag to Joe allows for a quick tandem knockdown, but Eddie powders as the Walking and Talking Duo hold the ring going into the final commercial break.
We come back and Hendry is bouncing Orlando off the ropes as he return a strike, but Orlando is obviously losing, eats a Euro Upper, and then gets walked around in the Stalling Suplex for posterity. Eddie tries a sneak attack but gets caught and Sack of Shit, into Kip Up, turn and then Orlando with the ambush! A few quick short cuts and an Irish Whip/Dropkick combo gives the Colons a near fall. Hendry does get locomotion variation cradles, but eats a Dropkick to stop the attempt at momentum. Orlando stays on Joe, but Joe finally starts to fire up as the crowd starts to get behind him. Euro Uppers make some space, but a Snapmare says no.
Eddie gets tagged in and a quick Leg Sweep into a Front Chancery keeps Eddie in control. As Joe tries to get back up, Eddie turns it into a Guillotine, but finally the Suplex counter connects for Hendry! Simultaneous tags! Elijah bulls over Orlando, catches a Leap Frogging Orlando with the Manhattan Drop as Orlando retreats to a corner, Stinger Splash into Spinebuster for two. Elijah tries to keep up the attacks but Orlando finds a few ways to make space, launches himself from the middle rope and eats the Jumping Knee! Eddie breaks up the pinfall, Hendry takes Eddie out and Elijah hits the Tombstone Piledriver for the win!
Overall Score: 6/10
Well there were more live hiccups than the first episode, and this felt both more epic and less epic at the same time. Elijah and the Colons debuting was a nice way to kick things off, Oba Femi showing up for the save was fantastic. There were a few decent matches, but also a lot of really short and rushed matches. Tessa played off the crowd well, but Masha really is useless on the mic. Lei Ying Lee needs to framed stronger, her matches have done nothing to show off her ability. It just proves that the Knockouts don’t know how to sell a kick to the head because they all take it in the shoulder and fall in corny ways.
Viva La Sam could be something fun if the next 3 weeks are just hand cam footage of him being like “I’m Sami Callihan and I’m gonna kick Mance Warner’s ass”, Elegance Clique getting the rematch with a stipulation is nice to see and while I like Fir$t Cla$$, that segment went a little long for a cornball swerve payoff. It’s one thing to placate the Influencer squad especially when we’ve seen Logan Paul and Ishowspeed do so well in WWE…but these are like Z Tier Influencers that no one cares about. These kind of dorks stream on Kick because they aren’t relevant enough for Twitch, not because they chose Kick over it.
So yeah, the low lights were pretty low, and the highs were a little fleeting, but at least they were pretty fun. Not a bad show, just clunky with noticeable issues and Masha shouldn’t be allowed to speak English anymore. She’s such a charisma vacuum when she’s not rambling in Russian.
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