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
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 2.13.2025
Two title matches, against opponents that….well…you wouldn’t expect. Let’s see how it goes!

Well TNA hasn’t done a bad job at splicing in the NXT talent with the TNA talent, while keeping things building and looking interesting. I’ve heard a few complaints about TNA not explaining who the NXT talents are, but that’s irrelevant. WWE is the biggest show in the game, no one needs to talk about the more established brand. If you don’t know who some of the NXT talent is, that is a you problem. It’s not like a certain other brand that randomly debuts Indy talent who only regional or super hardcore fans have heard of. Everyone from NXT in this crossover has been established on WWE programing before.
So I like where things are going, lets see if the momentum continues!
.@MustafaAli_X held a Town Hall Meeting to declare himself the new leader of TNA! But Tommy Dreamer reminded him the slot is already taken by @Santana_Proud!
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/EkIqqcuYSK pic.twitter.com/em6ChvaZ50
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 14, 2025
Ratings:
- TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Jake Something: Joe retains via Standing Ovation – ***
- Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) vs King Bees: Elegance wins via Seated Springboard Spanish Fly – ** 1/4
- Sami Callihan vs Frankie Kazarian: Who cares, this wasn’t anything
- Cora Jade vs Xia Brookside: Cora wins via Jaded – ***
- TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Savannah Evans: Masha retains via Requiem – (-) *
- Josh Alexander vs Eric Young w/Jabronis: Eric Young wins via Piledriver – *** 1/2
Results:
TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Jake Something
Oh we’re starting with this? Okay.
Early on its similar situations; Collar and Elbow tie up is deadlocked, Jake runs Joe over a couple times with rope run Shoulder Tackles but Joe returns the favor and then hits his Stalling Suplex into an Irish Whip to the buckle sending Jake chest first and a near fall. Jake tries to fire up out of it, a few Chops and looks to keep up the momentum, but Joe counters with a Scoop Slam and we go to commercial. We come back from commercial and Jake is working Joe over with Forearms against the ropes, Joe does go for two flash Cradle attempts for near falls but a Lariat takes off Joe’s head and gives Jake a near fall of his own. Jake starts laying in the Wrist Control Short Rainmakers before playing to the crowd and starts looking to continue the offense but Joe has a small flurry. A little back and forth, Joe counters a Whip with one of his own, but Jake coldcocks him with a Forearm and starts laying the Haymakers into Joe who’s grounded in the middle of the mat.
Crowd wills Joe back to his feet, Euro Upper gets a little space, but Jake cuts him off again and drops him on the apron. Jake looks to hit the ropes for something huge but Hendry pops back in and Lariat drops Jake. Jake eats some Slams and Lariats, Sack of Shit into the Kip-Up and turn, calls for the Standing Ovation but Jake blocks it and drives his shoulder into Hendry’s gut to wrest control back. Jake does the Warrior psyche up, looks for Into the Void but Hendry dodges it, Hendry eats a few Lariats, returns one of his own that sends Jake to the outside but Jake lands on his feet and pulls Hendry to a seated position and does…some kind of Running Forearm through the ropes thing? It looks stupid.
Jake goes to the top rope, Joe cuts him off, Avalanche Sack of Shit, Kip-Up, Standing Ovation called for…and…CONNECTS! Hendry retains.
Oh Mokuba cuts in as soon as Hendry retains. “Myyy brrrooottthhheeerrr”, but Santino’s music hits Jake attacks Joe, Santino gets into the ring to try and stop it, Nic comes to Ryan’s aid when Jake looks to go after Ryan next, Superkick rocks Jake, Nic goes for another but Jake powders and Nic Superkicks Santino.
.@milanmiracle just SUSPENDED @NicTNemeth for 4 weeks! @ryrynemnem
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/EkIqqcvwIi pic.twitter.com/062nePqwxI
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 14, 2025
Elegance Clique (Heather & Ash) vs King Bees
Heather starts quick, Danni is getting isolated after Heather knocks Charity off the apron. A little bit of quick offense and near falls, Ash hits an Implant Buster/Front Dropkick combo for another near fall. Danni starts to fight back, but Heather cuts off Danni and tags back in Ash. Ash tries to keep Danni down, but she fights back up again, strikes, chops, stereo Facebusters instead of Crossbodies is at least unique. Simultaneous tags and Charity starts dominating the Elegance Clique, Ash makes the save, Danni tags back in, Charity tries to set up Heather for a Doomsday style move, but Heather counters with a Frankensteiner that sends Charity into the ropes, crotches Danni, Ash gets in a few shots, Seated Springboard Spanish Fly from Heather and the match is done! Ash and Heather do the lipstick insult post-match stuff, so Spitfire comes out to run them off.
Sami Callihan vs Frankie Kazarian
Mance Warner attacks Sami before the match, Sami is laid out on the ramp. Kaz thinks he got an easy win, but Sami stumbles to the ring to fight.
Sami hits a Stunner when Kaz gets a little too excited at the easy prey, Mance and Steph run back down the ramp to guarantee interference costing Sami the match. Kaz slaps on his Chicken Wing and Sami taps out. Very nothing match, but it leads to Sami grabbing a mic and calling Mance out into a fight. We get a security pull apart.
Cora Jade vs Xia Brookside
Cora comes out cocky and arrogant, doing the relaxing on the turnbuckles taunts, Xia gets offended, takes it to Cora a little and returns the taunt. Cora doesn’t seem super pleased by that, but Xia stays one step ahead of her early on, even doing her cute little wiggle to show off a bit. Cora has to powder, then run away from Xia, slide back into the ring and cries to the referee that her injured knee is acting up. So it slows down Xia enough to get got, Xia gets rocked a few quick attacks from Cora and she keeps Xia grounded. Cora pushes Xia into the corner, does the Kevin Nash Leg Choke, Xia tries to fire out but eats a Lariat for a near fall from Cora. Springboard Stomp to the back gives Cora another near fall, Snap Suplex…too many random pinfall attempts and Cora is starting to show a lot of frustration about not having an easy night.
Bow and Arrow Submission from Cora, Xia tries to fight out, but Cora pulls her down by the hair and goes right back to the Bow and Arrow. Snamare escape finally from Xia, she blocks a punch of Cora strikes and peppers her back, a sequence of Lariats into a Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissors which sends Cora to the corner. Back Elbow Feint from Xia seats Cora, Broken Wings after a little dance, Russian Leg Sweep from Xia for two. Brooksy Bomb attempt, Cora counters, Xia counters Cora but Cora hits a V-Trigger to rock Xia. Cora goes for Jaded but Xia counters, Running Knee Lift from Cora into Jaded and Cora wins.
Either Tessa Blanchard has a match NEXT WEEK or there will be CONSEQUENCES!!! @milanmiracle @AriannaGraceWWE
Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/EkIqqcuYSK pic.twitter.com/OynhsAFHaD
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 14, 2025
Rascalz come out to cut a promo, explain the Ace alliance is just a convenient pairing. They call out Wes’ new crew, they think they’re gonna handle things because they have numbers, Ace shows up behind Wes’ crew, a brawl ensues where the heels stand tall after a few Low Blows and triple teaming Ace. Wes did mention something about going after the Tree House since the Rascalz don’t have any gold. So as Wes, Tyriek and Tyson walk out, we’re left to wonder what they’re gonna do with the Tree House.
TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Savannah Evans
Masha tries to start quick because Savannah is actually imposing her size and power on Masha. I’m not totally sure how to feel about this since Savannah has no established reasoning for being a real challenge but Masha is selling her ass off. She eats a Spinout Sideslam and this just makes Masha looks like kind of a jabroni. Masha went from an Undefeated Russian Terror to now she’s getting woman handled by a lower card wrestler who’s rarely been on episodes and was even gone for like 8 months.
This is a terrible match, it doesn’t make Savannah look impressive, it makes Masha look like a joke. I’ve mentioned that the Knockouts Division is pretty terrible, but they shouldn’t agree with me so hard that Masha is selling for Savannah. Masha hits the Capo Kick to rock Savannah, tries a Sunset Flip after Evans blocks the Requiem, but a little back and forth, Savannah gets kicked in the head but still grabs Masha, Masha tries a Sunset Flip again but Savannah just sits down on her for two. This is…dumb.
We shouldn’t be seeing a competitive match with enhancement talent, Savannah even grabs Masha and hits some kind of modified Fireman’s Carry Suplex for a near fall. PK and Sliding Dropkick from Masha, this is going on too long and been too close. Sole Butt into Requiem and the misery if over. This was logically insulting garbage,
Josh Alexander vs Eric Young w/Jabronis
Josh starts off hot, taking it to EY, EY even tries to escape the ring but Josh keeps him in close quarters and lays EY out a few times. EY stumbles to the corner like a Bushwacker and tries to escape again, but Josh grabs him and eats a poke to the eyes for his effort. EY does the Kevin Nash Corner Footchoke also. A move I rarely see we saw twice tonight…odd. Josh fires up and lays in the Forearms, whips EY to the corner, Flair Flip, tries to bait Josh with a Shoulder Tackle through the ropes, Josh side steps, kicks EY to seat him and lands the Low Crossbody for a signature pop and the jabroni duo stalk Josh to get him distracted so EY manages a Stun Gun to take the control back.
Commercial kicks in and when we come back EY is still in control. Clubbing blows across Josh’s neck as he drapes him over the apron. We all know why EY is going after the neck, and some Stomps and looks to choke him so the referee admonishes EY. While admonishing the Jabronis go after Josh. Josh slides through EY’s legs after a rope run, a bit of locomotion Cradle attempts but EY goes to the corner to try and recover, when Josh follows EY grabs him, chokes him from the seated position and then drops a Knee on the neck. A nice back and forth, EY throws Josh tries to get some control back and EY lands a Dropkick from the corner as they both slowly meet the 10 count. Strike Exchange, off the ropes, Back Body Drop from Josh, into Stinger Splash, Rolling Senton, and King Kong Knee Drop from Josh for two!
Josh looks for the Ankle Lock, but EY gets the ropes immediately, Josh looks for the Spicolli Driver, but EY slips it, throats Josh with the top rope, Macho Elbow for two! Josh hits the Styles Clash to a solid pop, but only a two count! Josh looks for something up the buckles, EY counters him and looks for the Avalanche Piledriver, but Josh counters that, Ankle Lock, transition into Sharpshooter, Jabroni distraction, more back and forth with Josh and EY, Ankle Lock attempt again, jabronis interfere again and slide in the Casey Jones mask. EY clocks Josh, Piledriver, EY wins.
Overall Score: 5/10
On paper two main title matches seem interesting unless you follow the product and know the challengers aren’t deserving and have no build. Jake is someone I’d like to see get pushed, but he never does, and I mostly blame his gimmick name. Something is funny for the Indies, but completely moronic to try and brand on even a marginally legit brand. Savannah didn’t deserve the offense she got in, the Knockouts title looks bad, Masha looks bad after that, this Knockouts Division is literally on life support. The Knockouts needs the NXT Women’s Division like fish need water to live. This is a painful low for the Knockouts. When I look back at the Dollhouse era as miles above this…that’s a sad perspective. Also, where the hell is Lei Ying Lee? She officially signed and has been used like twice since putting pen to paper. She is needed to make this Knockouts Division less awful.
There was definitely some stuff to like. Santino suspending Nic drags things out well, Ryan’s irritating smarmy character is great, Xia looked good in her match Cora, the main event was very good and the impending 6 man with Ace, Rascalz and Wes’ Crew should be fun.
A lot of this show felt like filler or just matches for the sake of matches. But it was at least mostly tolerable, and I have a little intrigue with this Mustafa Ali faction.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

All aboard the Cruise of Jericho!
Tonight, watch the great matches from the ROH World Champion’s annual Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea! Who will be having the best time on this Cruise of Jericho?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jay Lethal VS Mason Madden w/ Mansoor; Lethal wins.
- Billie Starkz VS Harley Cameron; Harley wins.
- AEW International Championship Title Eliminator: Konosuke Takeshita VS Tommy Billington; Konosuke wins and denies Tommy a title opportunity.
- The Outrunners VS Grizzled Young Veterans; The Outrunners win.
- Ricochet VS Serpentico; Ricochet wins.
- ROH World Television Championship: Komander VS Nick Wayne; Komander wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Chris Jericho speaks.
“Hola, gente! That’s Spanish for ‘Hi, guys!'” (Technically, “Hello, people”.) “And Spanish is the language they speak in the Dominican Republic. Why am I telling you about this? Because that’s where the Jericho Cruise: Six on the Beach went this year. And tonight on ROH, presented by The Nueve, Your ROH World Champion, we are gonna have a show filled with ROH special matches right from the Jericho Cruise. You’ve never seen it like this before. 20 years of ROH history, and it took Chris Jericho to bring such a festive scenario to you, live here on ROH tonight!
“So you can say that Mark Briscoe, or Bryan Danielson, or Nigel McGuinness, or my personal favorite, Jay Briscoe, is your number one ROH Champion, but after tonight, there is no doubt in my mind, or anybody else’s, that Chris Jericho, The Nueve, is Numero Uno for the ROH Campeonatos. That’s number one for ROH Champions. Enjoy the show tonight, guys, and hopefully we’ll see you next year on the high seas on the Jericho Cruise! Adios, gente! Also Spanish.” Jericho winks and gives a thumbs up, but indeed, ROH has for the first time ever a very special cruise edition! Soak it in, maaan~!
Jay Lethal VS Mason Madden w/ Mansoor!
While the former ROH World Champion is ready to get back into the title scene, do not let the belt MXM Collection has in their possession fool you. The Mahogany Hunk & Iron Chic literally stole that ROH World Tag Team Championship right off Sammy Guevara after beating him down! Will Mason make the deck his catwalk? Or will Lethal turn up the Black Machismo?
Turns out, he does! Lethal is bringing out his savage side and the crowd cheers. Mason stands on the corner, but he gets booed. The Code of Honor is skipped, the bell rings, and the two circle. They circle, and the fans duel about fingertip touching! Lethal says okay, and they MEGA POWER TIP TOUCH~! But then Mason KNEES Lethal low! The fans boo but Mansoor says that’s what Lethal gets! Mason CLUBS Lethal, stomps away in the corner, then struts his way to a POSE! The fans are torn, Mason whips, but Lethal ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides under to JAB! JAB! JAB! Lethal JABS again and again and again, high then low, then he winds up for a HAYMAKER!
Mason staggers to a corner, Lethal climbs up on him, and Lethal rains down fists! The fans count along, but Mason stops things at 5! Lethal slips free of the atomic drop to ELBOW Mason down! Lethal goes up, AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Mason is tougher than that but Lethal goes to the corner. Lethal climbs, and he AX- NO, Mason catches him for a CHOKE BOMB! Cover, TWO! Mansoor complains, Mason stomps Lethal, and then Mason throat chops Lethal! Mason runs corner to corner and ELBOWS Lethal! The fans rally and duel, but Mason whips Lethal to ropes, LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Lethal is also tougher than that, but MXM talks trash to fans.
Mason drags Lethal up, wrenches, and he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Mason wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER, and another, and another! The fans boo, but then Mason CLUBS the bad arm. Mason POSES, but Lethal powers up! Lethal CHOPS, but Mason HEADBUTTS! Mason runs in, Lethal dodges, then goes up and over in the corner! Lethal goes up the other corner to CROSSBODY! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Mansoor is upset, he tells fans to stop cheering, but Lethal and Mason stand. Mason ROCKS Lethal, but Lethal JABS! Mason ROCKS Lethal, Lethal JABS, and repeat!
The fans fire up as Lethal winds up, to JAB! JAB! JAB! Lethal winds up to ROCK Mason! But Mason is, uh, Maddening up? Lethal throws more hands, but Mason just feeds off them! Lethal throws one more shot and Mason shouts, “YOU~!” Lethal flips Mason off and the haymakers fly! Mason counter punches, whips, and BOOTS! Mason keeps copying the Immortal One, then he runs to drop the leg, but he misses! Lethal hurries up a corner, and he hits the MACHO- NO, Lethal blocks Mason’s boot first! Lethal stands Mason up, dodges his lariat, and handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION! A bit double-edged given how big Mason is, so that’s a big fall!
Both men are down and the fans rally up! Lethal rises, staggers, but he finds his way to a corner. Mansoor throws a fit as Lethal climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, Machismo wins!
Winner: Jay Lethal, by pinfall
Mansoor is really upset now! But good thing they aren’t the tag champions, because they’d owe Lethal a title shot! But speaking of a title shot, could Lethal be back on the rise towards the top of ROH?
ROH shares post-show footage from last week.
Athena and Billie Starkz returned backstage after Athena won yet another Proving Grounds match, but Athena still wasn’t happy with Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths. Athena makes Billie take a seat, and then tells her to share what she learned from watching Athena wrestle! Billie says she learned how to choke someone out, how to knock someone out- That’s it? That’s all she learned!? If that’s all Billie learned, than she is an IDIOT! Just like her stupid country bumpkin family! Athena is trying to save Billie! Athena is trying to make Billie better for the world of ROH.
Yet time and time again, Billie proves she is an imbecile, that she can’t cut it, and that she is nothing but what Louisville, Kentucky made her: a nothing! So, Billie… GET IT TOGETHER!! The Fallen Goddess storms off, but will Billie ever get out from under her thumb?
Billie Starkz VS Harley Cameron!
Last week she was getting grilled by the Minion Overlord, but this week, she gets to just be herself here on the Jericho Cruise! Will she show Athena what she’s really learned by fighting her way to a third shot at the ROH Women’s World Championship? Or will she #FeelTheWrath as this wild Aussie (at this point in time) fights to prove she belongs?
The fans chant “FEEL THE WRATH!” as she and Billie circle. The fans then chant “Both These Girls!” as they tie up. Billie waistlocks, Harley headlocks and says, “Feel the Wrath!” The fans cheer, but Billie pops out the back. Billie grinds the arm, mocks the ref’s admonishing, but Harley fights up. Harley wrenches to wristlock, then hammerlock, then headlock! The fans cheer, but Billie pops out the back to waistlock. They go to ropes, Harley tries but can’t buck free. Billie lets off and she SPANKS Harley! The fans cheer the cheeky nature, but Harley rushes up on Billie. Harley waistlocks, Billie headlocks, but Harley powers up and out.
Harley drop toeholds Billie, then SPANKS her! The fans cheer the cheeky return! Billie and Harley reset, and Billie throws her armbands off! Billie runs up, Harley dodges, then she rolls over the dropdown. Things speed up, Harley dodges and DROPKICKS Billie down! The fans fire up and Harley puts Billie in a corner. Harley climbs up, and she rains down fists! The fans count along, and Harley stops at nine, to SMOTHER Billie! Well, it’s a very tropical cruise, guess those are the coconuts! The fans fire up, but Billie storms up to SUPERKICK! Then she hits a DDT! Billie says this ends now! Billie storms up on Harley to stomp a mudhole!
The ref reprimands, Billie tells the ref to back off, and Billie still tries to get the taste out of her mouth. Billie ROCKS Harley, and she can’t help but hear fans chant things like “I Want Next!” She asks them, “What is wrong with you?” One fan chants back, “We Are Wasted!” Billie bumps Harley off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Harley bounces off buckles hard, Billie flexes, and the fans cheer. Billie drags Harley up and says take a shot of this! She CHOKES Harley on ropes! The ref counts, Billie stops at 4, and she bumps Harley off buckles. Billie bullies the ref again, then storms up on Harley. Billie ROCKS Harley, whips corner to corner, then runs up, only for Harley to ROCK her!
Harley ROCKS Billie again, then again! The fans rally, Harley kicks, but Billie blocks! Billie ducks the enzigiri just in time, and she digs a knee into Harley’s back! Billie has the chinlock, Harley fights it, and Harley slowly stands up. The fans rally, Harley fires body shots, but Billie knees low! Billie whips, Harley ducks ‘n’ dodges, but so does Billie! Harley LARIATS! And LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Harley kicks ow, reels Billie in, and HOTSHOT BULLDOGS! Then an AX KICK in the ropes! “FEEL THE WRATH!” MORE SMOTHERING! Then headscissor CHOKE! The ref counts, Harley lets Billie go, and she lines up a shot!
Harley runs in, dodges a lariat, ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Billie survives and Harley pounds the mat in frustration. The fans rally and duel, and Harley reels Billie in again. Pump handle, lift, but Billie fights free! Billie waistlocks, Harley switches, but Billie switches! The switching continues, and then Billie ripcords! Harley ducks, pump handles, and SAIDOS! Cover, TWO!! Billie survives and Harley is shocked! The fans rally even harder as Harley builds speed, but Billie cravats for the SMASH! Billie puts Harley in a corner, but Harley dodges the lariat! Harley comes back, but Billie ELBOWS her! And BOOTS her!
Harley blocks more boots, but Billie hits the REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Then a GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO?!? Harley survives and Billie is furious! Billie knocks Harley into the drop zone, then she goes up. The fans rally for Harley and that annoys Billie. SWANTON FLOP! Harley ghost pins, HARLEY WINS!!
Winner: Harley Cameron, by pinfall
Her ROH career is now 4-2, but that’s also a win over the inaugural ROH Women’s World Television Champion! Could this be a sign that Harley is destined for greatness?
AEW International Championship Title Eliminator: Konosuke Takeshita VS Tommy Billington!
It was July 13th, 2024 when The Alpha and The Dynamite Kid had an incredible Collision, but that was before Konosuke was a Double Champion. Will Konosuke be 2-0 now that he’s only gotten stronger? Or will Tommy use this cruise to grab a golden ticket?
The bell rings and the fans tell off Don Callis even though he’s not here. Konosuke and Tommy circle, tie up, and Tommy arm-drags! Konosuke gets up in a huff, circles with Tommy, and they tie up. Konosuke waistlocks but Tommy wrenches and wristlocks. Konosuke moves around, rolls, then trips Tommy to a toehold. Tommy endures, pries at the grip, and he brings Konosuke’s arm around to wrench and YANK! And YANK! Tommy wristlocks, Konosuke headlocks and hits the takeover, but Tommy headscissors! Konosuke kips free and the fans cheer as they reset. The two tie up, Tommy headlocks, but Konosuke powers up and out.
Konosuke drops down, but Tommy comes back to run him over! Things keep moving, Konosuke hurdles but Tommy waistlocks! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Tommy is sent to the apron! Konosuke hurries to suplex Tommy in, but Tommy slips free and- NO, Konosuke bucks the O’Conner! Things speed up, and Tommy hits an INVERTED MONKEY FLIP! Tommy hurries up, but Konosuke hits ropes! That trips Tommy up and the fans are torn. Konosuke storms back up to ROCKET LAUNCH Tommy! The fans cheer while Konosuke climbs. Tommy goes to the adjacent side, out of the drop zone, so Konosuke hops down.
Konosuke storms up to ROCK Tommy with a forearm. Konosuke brings something out from inside his boot? He climbs up on the corner, and he starts jabbing Tommy with that item! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Konosuke stops at 4. Reveal: it’s a SPORK! Konosuke was trying to dig into Tommy like he’s a buffet dinner! Konosuke “apologizes,” puts Tommy in another corner, and he JABS at Tommy with the spork again and again! Then Konosuke throws it to a fan! What a souvenir. Konosuke hits a BIG suplex, covers, TWO! Tommy stays in this but Konosuke stays on him with a chinlock.
Konosuke headstands to put on pressure, then drops down to crank the hold. Tommy endures, the fans rally up, and Tommy fights to his feet. Tommy fires body shots, but Konosuke knees low! The fans are torn but Konosuke lifts Tommy. BLUE THUNDER- NO, Tommy fights the bomb with elbows! Konosuke shoves Tommy to ropes, then catches him on the rebound for a back suplex! But Tommy lands out! Tommy waistlocks, Konosuke elbows free then runs, but Tommy CLOBBERS him! Tommy whips, then CLOBBERS Konosuke again! Tommy reels Konosuke in, snap suplex! The fans fire up as Tommy climbs a corner!
Tommy reaches the top, but Konosuke stands, so Tommy MISSILE DROPKICKS Konosuke down! The fans fire up again as Tommy stalks Konosuke to a corner. Tommy whips corner to corner, but Konosuke reverses. Konosuke runs in, but Tommy dodges! Tommy gets moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, and he gut wrenches Konosuke?! But Konosuke turns that around! Only for Tommy to turn it back around! TOMBSTONE! Konosuke is down, but Tommy goes back up! DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! Konosuke avoids disaster to then POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Tommy sputters, but Konosuke hauls him up! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, Konosuke wins!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (denies Tommy Billington a title match)
The Dynamite Kid almost had The Alpha, but it’s the same as before: Konosuke standing tall. With both the AEW International and NEVER Openweight Championships in his hands, will no one stop Konosuke Takeshita from taking over the wrestling world?
The Outrunners VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd may be fighting The Learning Tree on Dynamite, but they’ve got something to prove to Zack Gibson & James Drake here in ROH. The Outrunners outdid three other teams in last week’s Fatal 4 Way, will they win again now that it’s 2v2? Or will the Youngest Men Alive learn to #GritYourTeeth?
The fans are all fired up for “OUTRUNNERS! OUTRUNNERS!” GYV gets annoyed, especially as they get nothing but boos. The teams sort out, Truth starts against Drake, and the fans rally up. They tie up, Drake headlocks, but Truth powers up and out. Drake RAMS Truth, but Truth flexes! The fans cheer but Drake is annoyed. Drake backs off to talk this over with Gibson, and then Drake resets with Truth. They tie up, Drake CLUBS Truth on the back, then he wrenches. Truth wrenches back! The fans cheer as Truth wrenches again, but Drake rolls, handsprings, and he throws Truth down by his hair! The fans boo while Drake mocks the flexing.
Drake stands Truth up to ROCK him and whip him! Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up for Truth as he spins! Truth tags Turbo, they hand off the wrench, and the fans cheer Turbo on. Turbo wristlocks, but Drake pulls hair! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Gibson gets a cheap shot in! Gibson tags in and he UPPERCUTS Turbo! Gibson stands Turbo up to bring him around for a whip. Turbo reverses, then he scoops, but Gibson slips free! But Turbo gives him the Bruce Lee backhand! And then he flexes! The fans cheer, Turbo spins, and he brings Gibson up to tag in Truth.
The Outrunners double whip to body shot, atomic drop, then Manhattan Drop! Gibson flops over, Turbo fireman’s carries him, but Drake runs in! Truth intercepts with a fireman’s carry of his own! And then DOUBLE AIRPLANE SPINS~! The fans fire up as GYV ends up all dizzy! They stagger around, bump into each other, and then help steady each other. But then The Outrunners get them for DOUBLE ATOMIC DROPS! And GYV again bumps into each other! GYV falls over, The Outrunners spin around, and the fans are all fired up! Truth brings Gibson up, whips him to the corner, but Gibson BOOTS him!
Gibson elbows Turbo, but Truth JABS! JABS! JABS! Gibson headlocks, Drake tags in before Truth powers out! GYV drop down, trip Truth, then basement DROPKICK! Then MAYHEM IN MOTION for Turbo! GYV mock the spinning, then say “SUCK IT!” The fans boo, but Drake taunts Turbo, which also distracts the ref. Gibson has Truth on the ramp, whips him at the ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Truth sputters on the apron, Gibson plays innocent, and Drake drags Truth up. But Truth RAMS into Drake, slingshots over for the sunset flip, but Drake stays up! Drake flails, flails, reaches out, tag to Gibson!
Truth has the sunset, but Gibson ELBOWS him in the head! Gibson CLAWS Truth’s back while the fans boo and the ref reprimands. Gibson stomps Truth in the corner, digs his boots in, but he stops at 4. Gibson tells Turbo to stay back, then he ROCKS Truth. Tag to Drake, GYV mug Truth, but the fans rally up. Drake DECKS Truth, then he clamps on with a SLEEPER! Truth is already so red, but the fans rally up as he fights up! Truth fires body shots, reaches for Turbo, and repeat! The fans rally as Truth keeps trying, but Drake kicks him! Drake whips Truth to the GYV corner, but Truth BLASTS Gibson!
Drake runs in, Truth goes up and over! Truth reaches out but Drake just pulls him back! Drake kicks low, reels Truth in, but it’s Truth who suplexes Drake! The fans fire up, Truth crawls, but Drake anchors him again! Drake tags Gibson, GYV mugs Truth! They double whip, but Truth grabs ropes! Truth BOOTS Gibson, ELBOWS Drake, then dodges Drake to use Gibson as a step, FLYING HOT TAG! The fans fire up as Turbo now rallies on GYV! Haymaker after haymaker, then scoop SLAM after scoop SLAM! Turbo is all fired up, and he gives GYV a meeting of the minds! Then he LARIATS Drake up and out!
Gibson CLUBS Turbo, but that only angers Turbo! The fans fire up as Turbo flexes! Gibson takes another swing, but into a scoop! Truth joins in so it’s a DOUBLE SLAM! Then Truth winds up, and says, “Turbo Floyd! You SONOVA B*TCH!” They shake hands, and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up again, Turbo scoops, but Gibson sends him into Truth! The fans boo but Gibson rolls Turbo, with tights! TWO!! Turbo escapes, but Gibson fireman’s carries! But Turbo slips free, kicks low, and reels Gibson in! Scoop and SNOWPLOW! The fans fire up as Turbo waits on Gibson! Gibson distracts the ref, and Drake CHOKES Turbo with the scarf!
Drake THROWS Turbo down, then acts like he did nothing wrong. The fans boo but Gibson stalks Turbo now. Gibson rains fists down on Turbo, then he tags in Drake. Drake climbs up and flexes while Gibson Electric Chair Lifts Turbo. But Truth saves Turbo, and they send Gibson into Drake! Truth DECKS Gibson, and Turbo brings Drake off the corner, into TOTAL RECALL! Cover, Outrunners win!
Winners: The Outrunners, by pinfall
Gibson can’t believe it, but he and Drake got caught by the living throwbacks! Truth & Turbo are running on all cylinders, will they finally have themselves a tag title opportunity?
Backstage interview with Queen Aminata.
Earlier this week, Lexy Nair was with the One True African Queen and pointed out her great roll in ROH. What are her goals for 2025? Before Aminata can say anything, Serena Deeb walks in. Aminata rolls her eyes as she’s not surprised. The Professor says she knows she’s sounding like a broken record, but she sees so much potential in Aminata. Aminata is a superstar, and Serena is a big fan. But Aminata is listening to all the wrong people. Like most of these “girls” today, Aminata is more concerned about shaking dat ass on TV than about winning! This is professional wrestling. Pound for pound, bell to bell, Serena is the best pure wrestler in ROH & AEW.
She is the Woman of 1000 Holds. So Queen, how about they mix it up a bit? They should do this in a Pure Rules Match! Aminata is a bit surprised by that. Is that what The Professor wants? Then the Queen is ready. Name the time and place, and the queen that “shakes her ass” will be there. Serena says okay, see you in Deeb’s Dojo. When and where will we see these two reignite their rivalry and finally put it to the test?
Ricochet VS Serpentico!
Not only is this the Jericho Cruise debut of The One & Only, it is also the Honor Club debut of The One & Only! Will Ricochet make this special edition episode #OuttaThisWorld? Or will he be far away when the SNAKEMAN enters his veins?
The bell rings and fans are chanting “RICO-SH*T!” in reference to the toilet paper raining down in Cincinnati. Ricochet and Serpentico tie up, and Ricochet pulls on the mask to put Serpentico in a corner! Ricochet climbs up on Serpentico while still pulling the mask but the ref counts. Ricochet stops at 4, backs off, and the ref reprimands. Ricochet says that was a clean break. The fans keep chanting and Serpentico encourages them to get louder. Ricochet and Serpentico circle, tie up, and Ricochet waistlocks to headlock. Serpentico powers up and out, but Ricochet runs him over. Ricochet flexes, the fans are torn, but things speed up.
Serpentico stays low, then hurdles over. Ricochet leaps over Serpentico, Serpentico ducks ‘n’ dodges lariats to then RANA! The fans fire up and Serpentico DRPOKICKS! Ricochet flounders to the ramp, and he storms off. The ref says to get back in the ring but Ricochet takes his time huffing and puffing. Ricochet storms up to the ropes but Serpentico is there. Ricochet backs off, and now fans taunt him with “BALD! BALD!” Ricochet says he wants to get int he ring and that Serpentico is too close! The ref has Serpentico stand back, Ricochet storms in, but Serpentico dodges! Serpentico ROCKS Ricochet with ahymakers!
The fans fire up as Serpentico UPPERCUTS in the corner! Serpentico whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Ricochet uses the ref as a shield! The fans boo but then Ricochet LARIATS Serpentico down! The ref reprimands, Ricochet “apologizes,” then he drops elbow after elbow. The fans keep taunting “BALD~!” “RICO-SH*T!” but Ricochet stomps Serpentico. Ricochet has Serpentico at the ropes to then JUMP STOMP! The fans keep jeering but Ricochet just soaks it up. Ricochet storms up on Serpentico but Serpentico fires body shots! Ricochet CLUBS Serpentico, follows him to the corner, then whips corner to corner hard!
Serpentico falls, Ricochet flexes, and fans boo. Ricochet flaps his wings to mock the fans, then covers, TWO! Ricochet keeps Serpentico down with a headscissors. Ricochet turns over to DRIVE Serpentico into the mat! Serpentico endures and the fans rally up. Ricochet says he’ll squash Serpentico’s head! He again DRIVES Serpentico’s head into the mat! Serpentico fights his way back to bridging cover! TWO and Ricochet has let Serpentico go! Serpentico fires fast hands, then he UPPERCUTS! Serpentico runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! Ricochet then mocks The People’s Champoin before hitting the PEOPLE’S MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Ricochet argues that the count was bad but the ref defends the count. The fans rally for Serpentico but Ricochet tells them he’s the one winning! But Serpentico ELBOWS Ricochet down! Serpentico goes to a corner, BOOTS Ricochet, then dodges Ricochet! ENZIGIRI, schoolboy, basement SUPERKICK! Then a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Serpentico hurries up a corner! Serpentico aims, but Ricochet avoids the stomps! Serpentico handsprings through, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks, SOBATS, KNEE LIFTS, and DISCUS LARIATS! Ricochet roars, fans are torn, but Ricochet RUNNING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO!
Serpentico survives, Ricochet again argues the count, but the ref says two is two. Ricochet taunts the Serpentico fans, scuffs Serpentico, then stands him up. Fireman’s carry and GO TO- DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Serpentico hurries up top! FROG SPLASH onto knees! Cover, TWO! Ricochet hurries to dragon sleeper, and VERTICO DRIVER!! Ricochet isn’t done, he locks ‘n’ loads for the SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
The One & Only wins and does his best Stone Cold by flipping off the fans from the corner. Will Ricochet make sure no one, not in AEW and not in ROH, can stop his rise to the top?
ROH World Television Championship: Komander VS Nick Wayne!
The Commander of the Skies may be picking a fight with La Faccion Ingobernable, but he still has gold to defend. Will he soon be the Commander of the Seas with this one? Or will The Prodigy make The Patriarchy proud?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who sails away with the treasure!
Surprisingly, there are fans who actually like Nick Wayne. The Code of Honor is offered but not upheld by Nick. The bell rings, Nick and Komander circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Nick puts on the pressure. The fans taunt Nick with “Where’s Your Mom? Where’s Your Mom?” Komander endures the knuckle lock, rolls through, but Nick puts on more pressure. They double knuckle lock, and Nick uses his height to put on the pressure. Komander fights up, they go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and Komander manages to push Nick back. Komander then kicks, goes up, and MONKEY FLIPS!
Both men hurry up, and Nick MONKEY FLIPS in return, only for Komander to land out! Komander ducks a kick, whips Nick, but Nick manages a SWINGING ARM-DRAG! Things keep moving, Komander wheelbarrows to arm-drag! Nick sweeps to cover, ONE! Komander sweeps to cover, ONE! Both men dropkick, those cancel out, and both men handspring up! The fans cheer as these two stare down! The fans rally and duel, the two circle again, and Komander encourages the fans to get louder. But Nick attacks from behind! Nick stomps a mudhole in, then he scuffs Komander. The ref reprimands and Nick backs off.
Nick taunts the fans cheering Komander, then he drags Komander up. Komander fires body shots but Nick whips. Komander goes up, over, around, handsprings, and superhero lands! Then he runs to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Nick flounders to the ramp, Komander takes aim! Springboard and CROSS- NO, Nick kicks low, then DDTS Komander on the ramp! The fans are stunned while Nick rises up. Nick hobbles, brings Komander up, and shoves him up the ramp! Nick goes to the ring, he wants the count out! Komander hurries, he makes it back to ringside at 15 of 20! Komander is in and Nick is annoyed.
The fans taunt Nick more as he sees the bloody scrape on his hand. Nick shows that off to the fans, then flips them off! Nick even licks his own blood! The fans tell Nick that he’s sick! Nick ROCKS Komander, throws more hands, then stalks Komander to ropes. Nick ROCKS Komander again, then stomps him in the corner. Nick climbs up, taunts the fans more, then he digs his knuckles into Komander’s eyes! The ref counts, Nick hops down, and he shows the bloody scrape on his hand again. Nick brings Komander from the corner, snapmares and covers, ONE! Komander is tougher than this, but Nick keeps cool.
Nick sits Komander up to KNEE him in the back! The fans rally for Komander but Nick KNEES him in the back again. Nick then KICKS Komander in the back, covers, TWO! Komander stays in this and Nick grows frustrated. The fans rally, Nick says stop that, and he drops a leg on Komander! And another leg drop! And then Nick winds up, for a leap and scuff! The fans boo but Nick soaks it up again. Nick’s handful of fans get louder, but Komander victory rolls him! TWO! Nick kicks low, whips, but Komander reverses to fire off kick after kick! Komander runs, springboards, FLYING ARM-DRAG! Nick hobbles up, Komander whips.
Nick reverses the whip, Komander LEAPS out to the ramp! The fans cheer as Komander comes back, but Nick RAMS him! Nick slingshots up and over, comes back, but into a SUPERKICK! Komander springboards to ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Komander tosses Nick in, goes up a corner, and he tightrope walks to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Nick escapes in time and Komander nods, even he has to admit Nick’s tough. Komander goes to the apron, the fans rally up, and Komander feeds off that energy! Komander goes up, takes aim, but Nick hits ropes to trip him up!
Komander flops to the mat while the fans boo, but Nick has a cocky grin. Nick talks trash on the fans, then kicks Komander around. Nick goes corner to corner and back again, but Komander ELBOWS him! Komander fires forearms, but Nick SUPERKICKS! Then full nelson, SNAP DRAGON! Bridging cover, TWO!! Nick hurries to SUPERKICK again! Then the FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Not quite perfect but Nick watches Komander rise! Nick calls his shot, ROUNDHOUSE! And then up, up, and WAYNE’S- NO, Komander dodges, goes up and up, for a FLYING DESTROYER!!
Nick flounders onto ropes, Komander sees that and dials it up! 619! Nick flops back, Komander borrows the captain’s hat and climbs up! Tightrope walk and CIELITO LINDO!! Cover, Komander wins!
Winner: Komander, by pinfall (still ROH World Television Champion)
Nick is definitely a prodigy for him to step to Komander like this! But in the end, Komander is still in charge as a champion! Will no one replace him as the Face of ROH TV?
My Thoughts:
A great ROH here, clocking in at an hour and 15, but also with it being part of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager match card. There was a lot more to what the cruise had in store, but that’s obviously all for the paying guests on the ship. A little surprised they didn’t make time for Black Machismo’s marriage proposal to Lexy Nair… But that was a great match, always fun for Lethal to bust out his Randy Savage. Also, I feel like Mason & Mansoor stealing and bedazzling Sammy Guevara’s ROH World Tag Team Championship belt is them burying the lead, there should’ve been a promo where we saw them do all that to the belt.
Very good promo from Athena and Billie, but as I’ve been saying, they really need to wrap this story. There’s only so much that they can do to stretch this out, so the next ROH event needs to be the finale. But that aside, very good match between Billie and Harley, and what a great win for Harley. Harley got to really shine on that cruise as she also had a concert with Jericho. And while a good promo from Aminata and Serena, it’s a touch disappointing they’re only going back to this unfinished feud all because Britt Baker buried what would’ve been Dentist VS Professor pretty much from the jump. But hey, silver lining: Deeb wants a Pure Rules Match, and I genuinely would love a Women’s Pure Championship as another great avenue for the women of AEW & ROH.
Very good match from Konosuke and Tommy, but even with this just being a Title Eliminator, I figured Konosuke would win. Konosuke has only gotten even more powerful since that match on Collision last July, Tommy was not going to beat the DUAL International & NEVER Champion, and certainly not on the Jericho Cruise. Outrunners VS GYV was really good stuff, and The Outrunners are definitely on a run. MXM VS Dustin & Sammy is the clear ROH World Tag title match, but in the off chance MXM wins, MXM VS Outrunners could be some really good stuff. Ricochet VS Serpentico was really good, too, but of course Ricochet won while embracing that Heel Heat.
And a great main event from Komander VS Nick Wayne, but again, there was not going to be a title change on the Jericho Cruise. Komander will still be facing Lee Johnson at some point for this title. That match may have even been recorded already and is just waiting to be plugged into the Honor Club schedule. It was announced that ROH Global Wars would return as part of the Grand Slam: Australia taping this Saturday, I didn’t see Komander VS Johnson on that card, so it might be the week after.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!