It’s a Mighty homecoming for The Front Man!

Zack Sabre Jr. only just won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but he’s putting it on the line against Sanada! Who writes the ending to this storied rivalry’s new chapter?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff Show – Yuto Nakashima & Oskar Leube VS Danny Jones & Brendan White; Yuto & Oskar win.
• Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X VS Joe Lando & Danny Black; Taiji & Robbie win.
• Mina Shirakawa & Kanji VS AZM & Dani Luna; AZM & Dani win.
• Michael Oku VS Kosei Fujita; Fujita wins.
• Yota Tsuji VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Tsuji wins.
• Shota Umino VS Callum Newman; Shota wins.
• David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku; changed to…
• Gedo w/ David Finlay VS Taka Michinoku; Taka wins.
• David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku (for real this time); Finlay wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Robbie Eagles, Ryohei Oiwa & Mascara Dorada; LIJ wins.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii; Shane & Mikey win and retain the titles.
• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS SANADA; ZSJ wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff Show – Yuto Nakashima & Oskar Leube VS Danny Jones & Brendan White!

Excursion is always an important part of any Young Lion’s growth, but these big boys have really exceeded expectations! Team Youngblood have won the Pro-Wrestling Holland AND wXw World Tag Team Championships since venturing out into the world, will they be red hot in their return to a NJPW ring? Or will they soon owe some golden tickets to these Greedy Souls?

As fans rally, “Youngblood! WOOP WOOP!” things get rather tense between the teams. The ref calms them down, and the teams sort out. Oskar starts against Jones and they tie right up. They go around, equal in height but Oskar has more beef. But Jones turns things around to put Oskar on ropes. The ref counts, Jones lets off slowly, and he mockingly pats Oskar on the shoulders. Oskar shoves Jones back, storms up on him, but Jones headlocks. Oskar endures the grind, powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls, and they egg each other on. Oskar runs again, RAMS Jones again, then tells Jones to try.

Jones runs, he RAMS Oskar, Oskar RAMS Jones! They RAM and RAM and RAM! Jones ends up in a corner and the fans cheer. Jones backs off, tags White, so Oskar tags Yuto. The fans fire up as these two RAM each other, then start firing forearms! Yuto laughs it all off, but then White fires a flurry! White roars, runs, and RUNS Yuto over! The fans boo, but Yuto is up to RUN White over! The fans fire up while White flounders to ropes. Yuto tags Oskar, but White CLAWS Oskar’s eyes and fires more shots on Yuto! White whips but Yuto reverses to ROCK White! Then he feeds White to Oskar’s scoop and SLAM!

The fans cheer, Oskar taunts Jones then drags White up. Oskar CHOPS and fans “WOO~!” Oskar CLUBS White in the chest, then CHOPS him again! The fans rally behind Oskar and he runs, but Jones gest a cheap shot in! Oskar DECKS Jones for it, ELBOWS White away, but Jones anchors Oskar’s legs! White CLUBS away on Oskar but the ref reprimands. White tags Jones and Jones drags Oskar up. BIG back suplex, then White lifts Jones to back suplex SENTON! White adds his own SENTON while Jones BOOTS Yuto! The fans boo but Jones covers Oskar, TWO! Jones drops knee after knee on Oskar, then stomps him!

Jones clamps on a chinlock stretch but Oskar endures. The fans rally, Oskar fights up, but Jones CLUBS away on him! Jones whips Oskar to the corner, LARIATS, then tags White. White CLUBS Oskar in the back, then RAMS into him! The ref reprimands, the fans taunt Greedy Souls, but White KNEES Oskar down. Cover, TWO! Oskar toughs it out and rises up as the fans rally. White CLUBS Oskar, but Oskar ROCKS White! They fire forearms back and forth, and Oskar ROCKS White! White blocks the scoop and throws down ELBOWS! White KNEES Oskar in the side again and again, but the fans boo. White covers, TWO!

White drags Oskar up, tags Jones, and the Greedy Souls mug him. Jones has the legs, and he turns Oskar! Oskar fights but Jones KICKS and KICKS to have the BOSTON CRAB! Jones wants to use the “Young Lion” move to humiliate Oskar, but he just powers up! The fans rally as Oskar makes it to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Jones lets go at 3, to drop a BIG elbow on Oskar’s back! Jones drags Oskar over, tags White, and White stomps Oskar. White stays between Oskar and Yuto, taunts Oskar, then CLUBS him. But Oskar goes to scoop! White fights it, but Oskar still lifts him! And SLAMS him!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Oskar and White crawl, hot tag to Yuto! Yuto runs White over, but Jones gets away. Yuto dodges White but White blocks Yuto’s kick to CLUB him in the leg! White runs, but into the YAKUZA KICK! Jones CLUBS Yuto! The ref reprimands and the fans boo as Jones whips Yuto. Yuto returns to CLOBBER Jones! Yuto KICKS White again and again, has him in a corner and he KICKS more and more! The fans fire up, Yuto winds up, and he ROUNDHOUSES White down! White is in the corner, Yuto marches around, and the fans rally as he runs back in, METEORA! Cover, TWO!

White survives and the fans rally up again. Yuto brings White up, fireman’s carries, but White fights with elbows again. White waistlocks, but Yuto fights it with elbows! White ROCKS Yuto in the back, then scoops, BACKBREAKER! White fires up, the fans boo, but White tags Jones. White runs in to SPLASH! Feed to Jones’ BOOT, then a SHOTGUN KICK from White! Cover, White intercepts Oskar, TWO as Yuto still kicks out! White TOSSES Oskar, then Greedy Souls drag Yuto up. White suplexes, but Yuto BOOTS Jones away! Yuto slips around White, shoves him into Jones, then fireman’s carries White!

Yuto powers up to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Yuto and the Greedy Souls are down, and Yuto crawls for the corner! Hot tag to Oskar! The fans fire up as Oskar RAMS with Jones again and again! Oskar powers up to scoop but Jones fights free! Jones runs, but Oskar CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up and Oskar scoops again, to RUNNING SLAM! The fans rally up as Oskar rises. Oskar fires himself up, aims from a corner, and Jones rises. Oskar runs in, but Jones avoids the boot! Oskar fights the German Suplex to switch. Jones ELBOWS Oskar, tags White, and the Greedy Souls bypass Oskar to POWERSLAM!

The fans boo as Greedy Souls line up the shot in the corner. White SPLASHES Oskar, then Jones KNEES him! Jones trips Oskar, has the legs, and CATAPULTS Oskar to White for the BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Oskar survives and the fans fire up! Greedy Souls drag Oskar up, and White goes to suplex. Oskar fights it, and Yuto runs in to fire shots on Jones! Oskar switches with White for a SLEEPER! Yuto gives Jones a BRAINBUSTER! White is flailing, Oskar feeds him to Yuto’s BOOT! Atomic Drop and LARIAT! The fans fire up and Youngblood says this is it! They aim at White from corners and White rises up.

Oskar and Yuto run in, HIGH LOW KICK COMBO! Cover, TWO!! White survives but Youngblood just gets him back up! Fireman’s carry from Oskar, Yuto goes up, FLYING KNEE F5 COMBO! Cover, Youngblood wins!

Winners: Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima, by pinfall

Young Lions no more, Youngblood is flowing! Will Oskar & Yuto extend their tag team dominance to NJPW?

Mina Shirakawa & Kanji VS AZM & Dani Luna!

The Fighting Gravure Idol has been all around the world because the world wants Mina! But will the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion and The Asian Sensation get what they want in a win? Or will they fail to stop the High Speed Superstar and The Inevitable?

The teams sort out and the fans cheer Mina & Kanji. Mina dances to the singing, “Doodoo do-do-do, Mina Shirakawa!” AZM says come on, they don’t have all night. Kanji steps up to AZM and the bell rings. The fans rally behind hometown hero Kanji as she and AZM circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Kanji whips. AZM reverses, Kanji leaps over, and comes back to clinch and whip. Kanji then gets around AZM but AZM switches. Kanji drop toeholds, the fans cheer, but AZM avoids the kick to roll Kanji up. TWO, and Kanji sweeps to cover. ONE as AZM goes matrix. But Kanji trips her, ghost pins, TWO! AZM has it, TWO!

Kanji has a sunset flip! TWO, and AZM sits on Kanji, then handsprings away! The fans cheer and Kanji is a bit surprised. AZM and Kanji reset, and Kanji offers a handshake. AZM says okay, but then Kanji kicks her low! The fans boo but Kanji “apologizes.” Kanji runs, RAMS AZM, then RAMS her again. AZM follows Kanji, tags Dani, and then sets Kanji up for Dani to CLOBBER her! The fans fire up, and Dani brings Kanji up. Kanji CHOPS, Dani whips, but Kanji headlocks. Kanji CLUBS Dani, runs, wheelbarrows, but Dani holds Kanji up for AZM to ROUNDHOUSE into the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Dani stays cool and she brings Kanji up. Kanji CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Kanji whips but Dani blocks! And she blocks again! So Kanji ROCKS her! Kanji wrenches, whips, but Dani reverses to clinch and OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Dani runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Dani drags Kanji up, tags AZM, and they double whip. Kanji holds ropes, Mina tags in, and Kanji BOOTS Dani to then ELBOW AZM! Kanji & Mina double snapmare to KICK, KICK, and repeat! AZM grits her teeth, but gets a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK SANDWICH! Mina covers, TWO! AZM toughs it out but Mina stays on her.

Mina stands AZM up but ducks a kick! Fans duel as AZM blocks a kick, avoids Mina’s lariat, then blocks another kick to ROUNDHOUSE! Mina wobbles, AZM runs, but Mina goes up to FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up, Mina keeps moving, but AZM gets around! AZM reels Mina in for a suplex! Mina roars as she rises, and she blocks a shot to hook the leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! No bridge but the fans rally as both women crawl. Hot tag to Dani and she CLOBBERS Mina! And CLOBBERS her again! Dani reels Mina in, but Mina trips Dani to step through. Dani kicks and kicks but Mina SLAPS! Jackknife bridge, TWO!

Dani reels Mina in, brings her up, and POWERBOMBS! Cover, but Kanji breaks it! AZM runs up to TOSS Kanji out. The fans rally with AZM & Dani, and they drag Mina up. They double whip, but Mina reverses to send AZM away. Mina knees Dani, KICKS AZM, then victory rolls Dani! TWO, but Mina steps through the legs. AZM runs up but Mina spins her around, DDT into the SNAP LOCK! The fans fire up for Mina and she brings Dani around. Mina drops a knee on the knee, then gives a shimmy and shake. Mina drops an elbow on the bad leg! Then she steps through for the FIGURE FOUR!

The fans “WOO~!” as Dani endures, and Kanji intercepts AZM! KIMURA! Kanji has AZM in a standing Kimura, but AZM DUMPS her onto Mina! The fans fire up while all four women are down! Kanji and AZM find each other, as do Mina and Dani. The forearms fly back and forth, faster and faster! Mina blocks one to DECK Dani! AZM fires a flurry and ROCKS Kanji! AZM runs up on Mina but Mina blocks a kick to spin and SOBAT AZM! And URAKEN! AZM falls, Kanji pushes her out, and then they go after Dani! Mina & Kanji run, but AZM trips Kanji! Dani blocks Mina’s boot to fire a flurry! Dani whips, Mina reverses, but Dani SHOTGUN KICKS!

The fans fire up with Dani and she storms over to Mina. AZM sits on Kanji, then puts on an ARMBAR! Dani fireman’s carries, but Mina spins through to victory roll, and FIGURE FOUR! Dani endures, drags Mina around, and AZM goes up! DOUBLE STOMPS on Mina!! The fans fire up again, but here comes Kanji! AZM kicks low, runs, but Kanji catches her to STO and handspring! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Kanji runs in. AZM puts her on the apron, but Kanji avoids the slide. Kanji roars as she PLANCHAS! Down goes AZM but Kanji clutches a foot. Mina aims at Dani, Dani runs up to meet her!

Mina ROLLING ELBOW! Dani BACK ELBOW! Mina URAKEN! And CALF KICK! Mina runs, into a BOOT! Dani drags Mina back up, fireman’s carries, and pops Mina up into the SPINE BOMB! Cover, DANI & AZM WIN!

Winners: AZM & Dani Luna, by pinfall

What a shocker! This is a big win over THE Rev-Pro Women’s Champion, and Mina says she’s up for a 1v1! Will Dani winning that title off Mina be inevitable?

David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku!

The Rebel is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion after making it through Hirooki Goto just last week, proving he himself is still a fierce warrior. But now he’s up against The Blue Playmaker in non-title action, and- Wait, he wants a mic to speak? Finlay says, “I come from a very long, very, very famous line of savages not too far from here. But you see, it had to be that way because of all you English pr*cks. The Finlays could’ve been pacifists, we could’ve been poets, but you forced our hands into fighting you for EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS. So the last place on God’s Green Earth that is going to tell me when or who to wrestle is this s*it hole right here!”

So Taka, he’s a legend, just like Finlay. But being that is not enough to go 1v1 with the champ underserved. Finlay has been killing dreams lately. You can ask Nic Nemeth, Sanada, Yoshi-Hashi, Hirooki Goto and Goto’s kids. In fact, very soon, Taka can ask Taichi, too. But for now, Finlay is killing Taka’s dreams right here. “The Savage King” has his own Royal Quest for Taka tonight. If Taka wants to go 1v1 against the Global Heavyweight Champion, he has to get through Gedo first. How’s that sound, b*tch? The fans like seeing Gedo in action! Finlay tosses the mic to Taka and Taka says, “So what?! Okay, I will do that. David Finlay, you already die!”

But then Gedo sucker punches Taka! The Blacksmith is ready to get his hands dirty, will he clear out another of Just5Guys before Finlay deals with the Holy Emperor?

Gedo w/ David Finlay VS Taka Michinoku!

The bell rings, Gedo beats up on Taka more, and the fans are torn. Gedo kicks Taka to a corner, stomps him again, and soaks up heat from the fans. Gedo drags Taka up and TOSSES him outside. The ref has Finlay stay back, but also wants Gedo to stay in. Gedo distracts the ref so Finlay can beat up Taka! The fans taunt Finlay, “No One Thinks You’re Irish! No One Thinks You’re Irish! Lala lala-la, lala lala-la!” Finlay flips them off, then shoves Taka into the ring. Gedo stomps Taka more and he talks trash at the same time. Taka fires body shots but Gedo eggs him on. Taka fires more hands, but Gedo pokes him in the eyes!

Taka goes to a corner, Gedo runs up, but Taka dodges! SHINING WIZARD! Taka snapmares, runs, and SHINING WIZARSD! Finlay gets on the apron but Taka BOOTS him down! Gedo stands up, into SUPER K!! The fans fire up with Taka, and scoops. Gedo slips free, but Taka blocks the eye poke, to eye poke! Taka whips, Gedo reverses, but Taka reverses back to wrench, drop toehold, and HAMMER away into JUST FACELOCK!! Gedo taps, Taka wins!

Winner: Taka Michinoku, by submission

But then Finlay stomps away on Taka! Taka beat the Blacksmith but now The Rebel is giving Taka that match! Is this savage going to pick the bones like an animal?

David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taka Michinoku!

Finlay drags Taka up, suplexes, OVER- NO! Taka slips free, and pokes Finlay in the eyes! Taka whips Finlay to a corner, to SHINING WIZARD! Snapmare and SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Finlay is up but Taka Oklahoma Rolls him! TWO, PENALTY KICK! Prawn hold, TWO!! Finlay escapes but the fans fire up with Taka! Taka scoops, but Finlay slips free. So Taka pokes Finlay in the eyes, kicks Finlay in the shin, then SHOTEIS! Finlay staggers, Taka scoops, but Finlay slips free! Suplex, OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall

The fans boo but Finlay does pushups to show he still has power to spare. Finlay flips the fans off, not caring what the English think of him. But Finlay & Gedo aren’t done with Taka! Gedo stands Taka up, Finlay aims, and BELT SHOTS Taka down!! The fans boo more but Gedo says that’s what Taichi’s gonna get! Finlay grabs the mic to say one last thing before he goes. And he means this from the bottom of his cold heart: F U~! The fans tell him, “Don’t Come Back!” Will the Holy Emperor avenge his friends when he finally gets his hands on the Savage King?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii!

TMDK is dripping with gold right now, especially after retaining the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships just last week in the Ryogoku Kokugikan. But now they defend their blue straps against The Ace & Stone Pitbull! Will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey stay golden in the Crystal Palace? Or will Tanahashi have a championship going into his final year of wrestling?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty are still NJPW Strong!

The teams sort out and the fans already chant, “Go Ace!” They also cheer Tanahashi revealing the abs. Tanahashi puts his coat aside, the fans also chant for “I-SHI-I! I-SHI-I!” Ishii and Mikey get face to face but the ref has them back down. In the end, it is Shane and Tanahashi that start, and Shane teases Tanahashi’s great hair by tossing his own around. The fans rally for Tanahashi as he and Shane circle. They tie up, and Shane powers Tanahashi to a corner. The ref counts, Shane lets off cleanly, then “smashes” the air guitar! Shane runs up but Tanahashi dodges to arm-drag! Shane drags Tanahashi down but Tanahashi turns things back around.

Shane stands but Tanahashi wrenches, wrenches, and WRINGS Shane out. Tag to Ishii and Shane hurries to his feet. Shane RAMS Ishii, but Ishii doesn’t budge! Ishii then CLOBBERS Shane! Mikey steps in but Ishii CLOBBERS him first! The fans fire up as Ishii goes back for Shane. Ishii CHOPS Shane, but Shane eggs him on. Ishii CHOPS again, and again, but Shane wants more! Ishii ROCKS Shane with a forearm! And ROCKS him again! Ishii runs, but Mikey trips him! Shane adds a basement DROPKICK! Shane runs to BLAST Tanahashi while Mikey turns Ishii around to SMACK off the apron! The ref reprimands but TMDK soaks up the cheers and jeers.

Shane drags Ishii up, tags Mikey, and TMDK double wrench to run Ishii over! Then they split the wishbone! The fans duel, Shane stomps Ishii on his way out, and Mikey stands Ishii up. Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Mikey CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Fans “WOO~!” while Mikey eggs Ishii on. Ishii CHOPS, but Mikey CHOPS again! Ishii grits his teeth, comes back, and CHOPS again! And again! Mikey knees low! Tag to Shane, and Mikey CHOPS again! The fans rally, Shane drags Ishii to a cocky cover, TWO! Shane keeps on Ishii with a wristlock, and then he KICKS the arm! Shane shakes out the stanky leg, and KICKS again! And again!

Ishii rises but Shane KICKS more! Shane fires forearms but Ishii still stands! Ishii ROCKS Shane, then whips, but Shane reverses. Mikey gets a cheap shot in! Shane runs up, Ishii dodges, and Shane avoids running into Mikey. Ishii runs up, Shane dodges, and Ishii does ROCK Mikey! Shane runs back in, Ishii dodges again, and now Shane runs into Mikey! Ishii dodges Shane again to SAIDO! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ishii crawls for his corner, hot tag to Tanahashi! President Ace fires up and runs, to CLOBBER Shane! Tanahashi BLASTS Mikey, ELBOWS Shane, goes up and CROSSBODIES!

The fans fire up as Tanahashi gives some air guitar himself. Tanahashi drags Shane up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes up the corner. The fans fire up for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this but Tanahashi stays cool. The fans rally up and Tanahashi runs, but into a BOOT! Tanahashi roars an runs again, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans rally again. Shane tags Mikey and Mikey drags Tanahashi up. But Tanahashi fires forearms! Mikey fires back, the fans rally as they brawl! Mikey gets the edge, Tanahashi gets around to waistlock, but has to duck an elbow! Mikey uses that to DDT!

Tanahashi is down and Mikey hurries to BLAST Ishii! Tanahashi sits up, into a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this but Mikey says it’s time! Mikey hauls Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fights with elbows. Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi then has both legs, and he ties them up to turn Mikey over! TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Mikey endures and the fans fire up! Shane storms in to fire forearms but Tanahashi doesn’t budge! Ishii storms in, Shane kicks at him but Ishii blocks! Ishii DRAGON SCREWS Shane! And now Ishii steps through on Shane, for a SHARPSHOOTER!!

The fans fire up as TMDK endure stereo submissions! Mikey fights, crawls, ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets Mikey go and Ishii does the same with Shane. Tanahashi fires up, runs, and he SLINGBLADES Mikey down! Cover, TWO! Mikey survives but Tanahashi hurries up top! Ishii tries but Shane gets past him, and he UPPERCUTS Tanahashi! Shane fires more hands, then Mikey gets up. Mikey gives Shane the boost, but Tanahashi fires the bomb-superplex combo! Tanahashi SHOTEIS Shane, and Mikey still POWERBOMBS him! Mikey is shocked to see it’s just Shane on the mat! Ishii then ROCKS Mikey!

Ishii kicks Shane out of the ring, and Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS! The fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back up the corner! HIGH FLY FLOW! But onto knees! Mikey saves himself, and he brings Tanahashi up. But Tanahashi cradle counters, TWO! Mikey runs up to SLIDING LARIAT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Mikey and Tanahashi stir as the fans rally. They crawl for their corners, hot tags to Ishii and Shane! The fans fire up as Ishii dodges Shane, Shane dodges Ishii, and Ishii spins Shane! Ishii hits a BIG suplex! Shane staggers up, Ishii runs in at the corner and LARIATS!

Ishii whips corner to corner, Shane reverses but Ishii bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Shane! The fans fire up again and Ishii storms back over. Ishii drags Shane up and reels him in, but Shane fights the lift! Shane fireman’s carries, but Ishii slips free! Ishii fires a forearm, but Shane fires back! They go back and forth, and then Ishii ROCKS Shane! Shane KICKS, BOOTS, and hooks a leg, REVERSE POWERSLAM! Ishii flounders while fans fire up! Shane goes to the corner, runs up, and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and the fans fire up! Mikey runs up to BLAST Tanahashi! The fans boo but Shane stands Ishii up.

Shane UPPERCUTS Ishii, Mikey lifts, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Ishii stays in this but TMDK says this is it. They drag Ishii up, Mikey scoops, but Tanahashi saves Ishii! SHOTEI for Mikey! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT for Shane! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT for Mikey! The fans fire up again, and Tanahashi coaches Ishii up. They both run and dropkick TMDK’s legs out! The fans rally as Tanahashi climbs again. Ishii brings Shane around, hoists him up, and we get a HIGH FLY BRAINBUSTER!! Shane sputters, but Ishii runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, MIKEY BREAKS IT! The fans are thunderous as this continues!

Ishii fires forearms on Mikey, then whips, but Mikey reverses. Ishii grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Mikey! Mikey LARIATS Ishii! Mikey kicks at Tanahashi but he blocks! DRAGON SCREW! Shane rises to “SHORYUKEN!” Down goes Tanahashi! Ishii avoids Shoryuken, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous again! “This is Wrestling!” as all four men stir. Tanahashi drags Mikey out with him while Ishii goes to ropes. Ishii slaps himself, and runs up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Shane hauls Ishii up to SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Shane calls to Mikey.

Mikey hurries in, and he drags Ishii up. Mikey scoops, Shane runs up, but Ishii slips free to send TMDK into each other! Tanahashi SLINGBLADES Mikey! Shane runs up, Tanahashi dodges, SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up again and Ishii headbutts buckles! Ishii roars, runs up on Shane, and LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives but Ishii roars again! Ishii hauls Shane up to suplex, but Shane slips free! Ishii elbows, Shane UPPERCUTS! Mikey scoops, TANKBUSTER!! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it!! The fans fire up, Tanahashi fights TMDK 2v1! Forearm after forearm, but then Shane clinches! URENAGE BOMB!!

TMDK vow to end this, and they haul Ishii up. Ishii HEADBUTTS Mikey, PELES Shane, and then runs up! But into a scoop! TANKBUSTER AGAIN!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ishii survives all on his own and the fans are thunderous again! TMDK is beside themselves, but Shane says they’ll just escalate it! Shane goes up top, Mikey scoops Ishii, SUPER TANKBUSTER!!! Cover, TMDK wins!

Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

They made it through Bullet Club’s Rogue Army, and they’ve just made it through The Ace and the Pitbull! Shane & Mikey are truly The Mighty, and are THE tag team champions in NJPW, but will they always be undisputed?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS SANADA!

The Front Man returns home the conquering hero! He defeated and dethroned Tetsuya Naito just last week at King of Pro-Wrestling in Ryogoku, but was then swarmed by contenders! The Cold Skull got to Zack first so he gets his shot first. Will we see the return of The Gold Skull at the end of a very short reign? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and there are even streamers flying as we add one more chapter to this storied rivalry!

The fans already sing “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” and shift to “F him up, Sabre, F him up!” The bell rings and the two circle. Even Red Shoes gets cheered for and Red Shoes bows in thanks. Sanada gets nothing, but he and ZSJ feel things out. They knuckle lock, clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. Sanada switches, ZSJ wrenches to wristlock, but Sanada rolls and wrenches back. ZSJ rolls free and the fans cheer the exchange. The singing returns but Sanada steps out. The fans boo but Sanada takes his time walking along the apron. Sanada steps back in, he and ZSJ tie up, and Sanada waistlocks. ZSJ wrenches out to wristlock and he throws Sanada down.

ZSJ headscissors Sanada while fans sing, “Hey~ Sanada! Hoo! Hah! I wanna know~ oooOOOooo~, will you F off, bro!” ZSJ is amused, and he pushes up to put on the pressure. Sanada endures, fights around, and pops free. Sanada has ZSJ’s legs trapped, but ZSJ eggs Sanada on. Sanada jumps for a headlock but ZSJ headscissors back! The fans cheer, but Sanada bridges, rolls back, and again has the legs trapped. Sanada goes back to the headlock but just ends up in the headscissors again! Sanada scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and the fans cheer. Sanada hushes the fans but they just boo instead.

ZSJ and Sanada circle, they tie up, and ZSJ headlocks. Sanada powers up and out, but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada hip tosses free, has a leg, and he goes to tie ZSJ up. ZSJ refuses to be put in Paradise, and he wrangles Sanada into a cradle! ONE and Sanada has the prawn hold! ONE and ZSJ has it! ONE and Sanada has it! ONE, ONE, ONE! Sanada has a toehold but ZSJ uses the British Reel, only for Sanada to make it a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! ZSJ pops free, covers, ONE, but ZSJ headlocks for a takeover! Sanada headscissors, ZSJ kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff! ZSJ and Sanada catch their breath and reset.

The singing continues as ZSJ and Sanada circle again. They feel things out, testing the waters. They knuckle lock, and ZSJ brings Sanada down to stand on a hand. ZSJ twists the other hand around, bends the fingers, and then isolates the arm to STOMP it! The fans cheer and ZSJ apologizes to Red Shoes with a bow. ZSJ grabs Sanada’s hand, and SNAPS fingers! ZSJ bends and twists Sanada’s arm, pushes it down again, and STOMPS it! Sanada writhes but ZSJ sits him up to KICK in the back! The fans fire up as ZSJ brings Sanada up again. ZSJ wrenches, wrenches, wrenches, and whips, only for Sanada to reverse and dropkick the leg out!

ZSJ tumbles out while fans boo, but Sanada pursues. Sanada brings ZSJ up, and puts a leg around railing! ZSJ chinlocks Sanada, Sanada pulls the leg, and then Sanada BOOTS railing! ZSJ gets jammed up, and fans boo while ZSJ falls over. Sanada pretends he can’t hear the boos and goes back to ZSJ. Sanada headlocks ZSJ to bring him around the way. Sanada knees low, puts ZSJ’s leg back on railing, but ZSJ has a CROSSFACE! The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands both men, ZSJ lets go but they almost fall over with the railing. Sanada BOOTS the railing again, and ZSJ gets jammed up more. ZSJ hobbles away but Sanada pursues.

The fans tell Sanada off but he encourages it. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Sanada! Sanada eggs ZSJ on and ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! And again! Sanada kicks the bad leg! ZSJ falls over, Red Shoes says get this in the ring, and Sanada brings ZSJ up. Sanada puts ZSJ in, storms around, and brings ZSJ up. Sanada has the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! ZSJ falls over, Sanada drags him around to put the leg on the rope, and HIP DROPS! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but Sanada drags him around. Sanada stomps ZSJ’s leg again and again, then has a standing toehold. ZSJ endures, but then Sanada drops a leg on the leg!

Sanada has the toehold in deep but ZSJ uses his free leg to hook Sanada. ZSJ wants the armbar but Sanada fights it. Sanada pulls harder on the toehold, but ZSJ grabs the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ scuffs Sanada as Sanada lets go, but Sanada comes back. Sanada reels ZSJ in but ZSJ fights the shin breaker. Sanada dropkicks the leg! Sanada runs, but ZSJ LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ shakes out the bad leg while catching his breath, and the fans sing for him again. ZSJ hobbles over to bring Sanada up, but Sanada stomps ZSJ’s foot! Sanada puts ZSJ in a corner, whips corner to corner, but ZSJ reverses.

Sanada comes back, but ZSJ avoids the dropkick to his legs! Then he uses his legs to NECK TWIST Sanada! The fans cheer ZSJ and he goes to the corner. ZSJ runs up, Sanada dodges, but ZSJ goes up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and ZSJ hobbles up. Fans taunt Sanada with the song, “Sanada is a Tory! Sanada is a Tory!” ZSJ drags Sanada up but Sanada fights the suplex. ZSJ flips around to go for the arm, ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Sanada clasps hands but ZSJ uses his leg to get inside the grip! ARMBAR!! Sanada flails his way over to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go quickly and the fans applaud.

ZSJ kneels on Sanada, isolates his arm, and STOMPS it again! The fans rally and sing as ZSJ runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs this time! And then Sanada DROPKICKS ZSJ out of the ring! Sanada storms up to PLANCHA! Down goes ZSJ and Sanada encourages the booing again. Sanada just likes loud volume, regardless of what it is. Sanada puts ZSJ in, but now the fans sing, “If you all hate Sanada, clap your hands!” And they clap-clap! Sanada fireman’s carries ZSJ, GUT BUSTER- NO, ZSJ lands out to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! Sanada writhes and the fans fire up again.

ZSJ shakes out his legs and the fans sing more as he rises up. ZSJ hobbles over to Sanada, brings him up, but Sanada suplexes and uses ropes for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down, but then Sanada kips up! Sanada soaks up the heat, runs at ZSJ, SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done there, though, as he brings ZSJ up to clinch! But ZSJ slips out, waistlock, O’Conner BRIDGE! But into SKULL END! Sanada uses this rivalry’s history against ZSJ! ZSJ endures but he’s caught in the body scissors! ZSJ fights around, Sanada stands him up to drop back! SKULL END! The body scissors are in again and ZSJ is fading!

Red Shoes checks ZSJ. The arm drops once, but then ZSJ comes back to life! The fans rally, ZSJ wags his finger, but now he’s fading again! Red Shoes checks again, but ZSJ wakes up again! ZSJ grabs at Sanada, fights with his legs, but Sanada squeezes tight! ZSJ fades again, and Sanada puts him in the drop zone! ROUNDING BODY PRESS, but onto knees! ZSJ drags Sanada around into CLARKY CAT! The fans are thunderous but Sanada endures! So ZSJ shifts to the BAD BALLOON REMIX! Sanada fights, kicks around with his legs, but ZSJ grabs that, too! CLARKY CAT G1 EDITION! Sanada still endures, so it’s back to the classic ARMBAR!

Sanada fights, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans boo but ZSJ lets go. ZSJ stays cool as he rallies the fans back up. ZSJ goes back to Sanada, drags him up, and scoops, but Sanada fights free! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Sanada drops to a knee, but ZSJ eggs him on. Sanada stands to UPPERCUT back! The fans boo, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! The fans cheer, but Sanada UPPERCUTS again! The fans boo again, but ZSJ comes back. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Sanada UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, but Sanada shakes his head. Sanada UPPERCUTS, but ZSJ shakes his head. The fans rally as the UPPERCUTS keep going!

Sanada UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! The fans boo but Sanada has a cocky cover. ONE, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Sanada UPPERCUTS! The UPPERCUTS get going again and the fans rally up! ZSJ hooks an uppercut, Sanada switches, but ZSJ bucks the O’Conner, to UPPERCUT! Sanada runs up, but into a scoop and ZACK DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but, matching Naito from last Sunday. The fans rally for ZSJ and “T M! D K!” ZSJ paces, sits Sanada up, and PENALTY KICKS! Sanada stands but ZSJ is on him! He hooks a leg, but Sanada slips free of the ZSJ Driver! SKULL END!

But ZSJ flips things around and steals SKULL END! ZSJ drops back, but Sanada rolls free, to have the EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!! Both men escape their own moves and the fans fire up! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips down into an IRON OCTOPUS! “This is Awesome!” as Sanada endures! Sanada powers up to fireman’s carry! And T K O! The fans boo Sanada but both men are down. Sanada and ZSJ go to opposite corners as the fans rally up. Sanada stands first, but ZSJ runs in! ZSJ BOOTS Sanada and Sanada staggers to another corner. ZSJ runs in, but into a BOOT! Sanada Quebrada and dragon sleeper!

Sanada inverted suplexes, but ZSJ slips free! PELE to the arm! The fans fire up, but a BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD hits! The fans boo but Sanada goes to the corner. Sanada runs in again, SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada drags ZSJ into a drop zone, goes up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Sanada drags ZSJ up, clinches, but ZSJ slips free, trips him, and body scissors! ZSJ turns Sanada over, but Sanada trips ZSJ and returns the body scissors! Sanada turns ZSJ over, but ZSJ returns the trip up! ZSJ body scissors, turns Sanada over, and JAPANESE BRIDGE!! TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous as Sanada escapes! Sanada drags ZSJ up, has a leg, but ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS! And SLAPS! Sanada still DRAGON SCREWS! But ZSJ stays on his feet! ZSJ fights through the pain to PENALTY- NO, Sanada blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW again!! ZSJ falls over, the fans boo, but Sanada lines up a shot. SHINING- NO, ZSJ rolls back into a HALF CRAB, then stepover, and STF! ZSJ adjusts to have an arm! CLARKY CAT, but Sanada fights around! ZSJ steps over, has a leg, CLARKY CAT G1 EDITION!!! Sanada has no limbs, so he verbally quits!! ZSJ wins!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The hold that won ZSJ the G1 Climax now keeps the world title with him! Sanada felt this was his last chance to win this title this year, but will he find his way back in 2025?

As for ZSJ, after getting the belt from Red Shoes, he drapes it on the ropes. ZSJ shows his rival respect, Sanada returns it, and so the fans show Sanada respect as they applaud his departure. ZSJ then holds the belt up in victory before setting it down again. ZSJ grabs the mic and the fans cheer. The fans sing for “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~” again. ZSJ has belt and mic in hand and says, “We’re home.” The fans cheer that, and chant “You Deserve It!” ZSJ says no, no, no. Pro-wrestling owes him nothing, but it has given him everything, so he will be a pro-wrestler until the day he dies. Fans definitely cheer that!

ZSJ says this has been his dream since he was 13 years old, even though he didn’t know it’d take him this long. But 66 to 24, that’s a bigger gap, so he’ll take 20 years and change. Now, he was the first British wrestler to win the G1 Climax, but he wasn’t the first British wrestler to be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. BUT, he is “the first to bring the bloody thing home!” The fans also cheer that! ZSJ says ball’s in your court, English football team, he did his part. But in the lead up to this lifelong aim of his to be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, he talked about how it was his dream to reach the top of Japanese wrestling.

Well, that dream doesn’t exist without him being a British wrestler, and that doesn’t happen without the fans supporting him for over two decades. The fans applaud, and ZSJ says this is not some lifetime achievement award, he’s just getting effin’ started! The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ reviews his goals for 2024. G1 Climax: smashed it. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: done that one, as well. Next is Tokyo Dome’s main event. The fans cheer that! ZSJ says he will do what no foreign wrestler has done in the history of WrestleKingdom, and win the effin’ thing!

Sorry, innocent children, he picked up very bad habits living in a country where English is the second language. And he’s been told, he has a rather foul mouth. He’s a naughty boy. But we’ve seen them all, but this isn’t just his day. He is part of a team, a “gaggle of morons” really, but hey. Boys, get your asses out here. Fujita & Oiwa are probably already at the pub. Oiwa’s been at the pub all weekend. C’mon, boys! The fans cheer as the rest of TMDK make their way out here! ZSJ teases Fujita having the “cheeky glint” in his eye. He promises to introduce everyone. No, in the ring, idiots. Look at the size of this one!

Robbie Eagles and his Soul of PWA Championship step in first, and fans cheer “Robbie Robbie Robbie! OI OI OI!” ZSJ says he can do the full introduces. On slap bass, “Mad” Mikey Nicholls. Not just a nickname, by the way, because “Jovial” Mikey Nicholls didn’t have the right ring. But if you see him in traffic, “mad” is apt. On drums, it is “Hysterical” Shane Haste, which is not accurate either, depending on your comedic tastes. Then there’s the Sniper of the Skies, Robbie Eagles! But you get a couple drinks in him, he becomes Bobby C…an’t Say That Word. And then there’s Ichiban Sweet Boy, “Fuji Fuji Fuji!”

The fans cheer, and ZSJ sneaks a jab about Fujita “never” missing flights. And the newest member, Ryohei Oiwa, aka “Roy the Mullet!” The fans cheer on “MULLET! MULLET! MULLET!” Now, the future of NJPW isn’t just bright, it is effin’ ORANGE. And anyone coming after them will get absolutely bloody tangoed! TMDK is mighty, and The Mighty Don’t Kneel! The fans cheer that, and ZSJ says he loves you all very, very much. See you soon. As you were. Mic drop and the real celebration begins! TMDK holds up their gold and their banner! Will they be leading the charge for NJPW for not just 2024 but 2025 and beyond?

My Thoughts:

A great return to the UK for NJPW with Royal Quest, and TMDK was naturally all over this night with the last two matches being with their titles on the line. If I had a little more time today, I would’ve probably covered more, because as I skimmed it, Fujita VS Oku looked to be some awesome stuff. But I guess TMDK couldn’t completely dominate, that’s why they lost to LIJ with Mascara Dorada as their third man. Ironically, I go and cover the kickoff match, but that’s because I saw Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima are already dual tag team champions, and that is awesome for them. Plus, great to see Danny Jones again after being part of NXT UK’s later days.

Robbie X turning out to be “Mr. X” for Taiji Ishimori’s match was rather fitting, and Robbie X is now Bullet Club. Good win for them over members of CPF, the faction Callum Newman was in before going United Empire. Speaking of, good showing from him against Shota but it seems even in the UK, Shota is getting that “Super Cena” kind of heat. Well, when it comes to the Reiwa Musketeers, two outta three ain’t bad. Ren Narita is a Heel people love to hate, Yota Tsuji is a Face people love to cheer, but Shota is the Face people hate. Speaking of Yota, great match with Drilla and a great win from it, maybe Yota will challenge Ren for the NJPW World TV title.

Very good tag match for Mina & Kanji VS AZM & Dani, and like with Jones, great to see Dani again after NXT UK ended. Granted, I would be seeing her and South Wales Subculture if I watched TNA… But great win for Dani’s team, especially with her pinning Mina. A Rev-Pro title match between those two will be great stuff, though not sure Dani wins that. It’d add to Mina’s overall story if she went back to AEW to feud with Mariah May while they’re both champions. Add a little “Winner Takes All” to that match.

The Finlay story tonight was really good. Naturally, they played off the historical feud of Ireland and England, but I definitely chuckled at the chant of “You’re Not Irish!” or whatever since Finlay has no Irish accent from being raised in America. Good win for Taka over Gedo, but then of course Finlay goes right after Taka to get an easy win. Finlay VS Taichi for the Global Championship will be great stuff, but I still think Finlay wins. Even if Finlay got this belt back from Nemeth in May, five months and change is still rather short. Finlay probably takes this belt to WrestleKingdom, and maybe then he loses it again.

And as I said at the start, great double TMDK matches to close out the night. The NJPW Strong tag title match was great, but I figured TMDK would retain. Tanahashi should really be building towards a singles feud that feeds this year’s WrestleKingdom, with a Heel using the concept of “You won’t even MAKE it a full year!” Tanahashi will beat that guy, go undefeated the rest of 2025, and then lose at WK20 in 2026. As I type this, Evil probably tries to end Tanahashi early at WK19 and fails. Anyway, great match from ZSJ VS Sanada, with great nods to their previous matches, but again, ZSJ winning was of course how this went. Great stuff for ZSJ, can’t wait to see who faces him at WK19.

My Score: 8.9/10

Can the Violent Artist dry up the reign?

Kyle O’Reilly called out Kazuchika Okada and the challenge was accepted! Who walks away the AEW Continental Champion after Battle of the Belts 12?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW World Trios Championships: Blackpool Combat Club VS The Dark Order; The BCC wins and retains the titles.
• AEW Continental Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Kyle O’Reilly; Okada wins and retains the title.
• Lance Archer & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS Jon Cruz & Jack Cartwheel; Archer & Cage win.
• AEW Women’s World Championship Title Eliminator: Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Anna wins and earns a title opportunity.

PLAY BY PLAY

The events of Collision bleed over.

The Blackpool Combat Club beat Top Flight in an AEW World Trios Championship match, but the pain continues! Claudio drags Dante to the stage, reels him in, but here comes John Silver with a chair! Silver SMACKS Claudio, and the rest of The Dark Order rushes the ring! Silver JAMS Claudio, but Moxley sends Reynolds into steel steps! Uno is mugged 2v1, and Marina RAMS the briefcase into Reynolds! The Dark Order tried to be heroes, but they’re just getting hurt for it! Moxley GUILLOTINE FACELOCKS Uno, then shoves him down. Claudio takes the chair to SMACK Silver! Silver is put in the ring, and Moxley grabs a mic.

“Hey, Dark order. I’m gonna give you a chance to fight for your lives. I’m gonna give you a chance to fight for your dreams. I’m gonna give you a chance to live your dreams, fight for your careers. Everything you’ve worked for for the last five years in AEW, I’m gonna give you a chance right now. Hey ref, you work for me, get your ass in the ring. We’re going to put the Trios Championships on the line again, right now! Ring the bell!” The fans boo but apparently Moxley has the power to do this. Can Uno, Reynolds & Silver turn the tides to take the power back?

AEW World Trios Championships: Blackpool Combat Club VS The Dark Order!

The bell rings, Silver stands, but Claudio UPERCUTS! Claudio fires fists on Silver, the ref counts but he also has to reprimands Marina for getting too close to Uno and Reynolds. Claudio stops stomping to haul Silver over. Tag to Yuta, and he drags Silver up to ROCK him! The fans boo but Yuta ROCKS Silver again. Silver goes to a corner, but Yuta CHOPS! Silver fires hands in return! The fans rally up but Yuta CLAWS Silver’s face! Tag to Pac, the mugging continues, and Pac stomps Silver down. Pac drags Silver up to hit a BIG back suplex! Pac paces, drags Silver up, and he tags Claudio in. Claudio ROCKS Silver, then stalks him.

Silver CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as Silver fires more and more CHOPS! But Claudio scoops and SLAMS him! Claudio scoops and SLAMS Silver again! And he scoops and SLAMS Silver again! Tag to Yuta, and he climbs up. Claudio helps out, ROCKET LAUNCHER!! Cover, UNO BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Uno fires off on Yuta, but Claudio clamps on a DRAGON SLEEPER! Pac helps drag Uno from the ring, and Yuta stands Silver up. Yuta bumps Silver off buckles while Uno gets mugged! The fans boo but Claudio DUMPS Uno into the front row! Yuta tags Pac and the mugging continues.

Pac taunts Silver, then SOBATS! And KICKS! And SOBATS again! The fans rally for Johnny Hungy while Pac runs, and Silver LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous as Silver powers up! Reynolds rises, Silver heads that way, hot tags to Reynolds and Claudio! Reynolds dodges Claudio, BOOTS Yuta, then ROCKS Claudio! And again! And he hits Pac, too! Reynolds fires off shots to everyone, but Claudio DECKS him! Claudio powers up, runs, but Reynolds dropkicks legs out! Reynolds grits his teeth, fights through the pain, and he runs, but into a gorilla press, and GUTBUSTER! Right into the bad ribs from Wednesday!

Claudio steps through, turns Reynolds over, SHARPSHOOTER! Reynolds endures! Reynolds fights! He grabs at the belts waiting on the apron! But Claudio drags him all the way away! Claudio sits deep, but then Yuta has a chair!? The ref stops Yuta, but that’s so Pac can go up and DIVING DOUBLE STOMP Reynolds!! NOW Reynolds taps, BCC wins again!

Winners: The Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Champions)

Yuta adds on CATTLE MUTILATION! The record books will say BCC won two matches in a row, but we all know how they pulled it off. And then the mugging just continues as Moxley steps on Uno and Pac kicks away on Silver. Reynolds continues to suffer the arm submission while Moxley makes Uno take a seat. Uno SLAPS Moxley! Moxley DECKS Uno, CHOKES Uno, and then Marina SMASHES Silver’s arm with the briefcase!! Here comes Garcia & Private Party! BCC retreats, but the damage has literally been done. Top Flight also rise back up, but it is a little too late. Orange Cassidy finds his way out here, is he going to reconsider what Garcia told him during Collision?

AEW Continental Championship: Kazuchika Okada VS Kyle O’Reilly!

The Elite is still golden after WrestleDream, but The Rainmaker might’ve taken the wrong tactic with the Violent Artist. Will Kyle kick Okada off the throne? Or will it continue to reign in AEW?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really elite around here!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, then Okada backs away. The fans rally for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this a match. Okada and Kyle tie up, Okada waistlocks but Kyle wrenches to wristlock. Okada rolls, wrenches back, and the fans duel. Kyle squats to then spin and drop toehold! Kyle floats to a facelock then waistlock. Okada endures, fights up, and he pries the hold open. Okada wrenches, waistlocks, and trips Kyle to tie up the legs. Okada pulls on the legs, floats to a headlock, but Kyle fights up. Okada grinds the hold, but Kyle pries the hold open. Kyle arm-drags Okada down to a top wristlock.

The fans applaud this technical exchange, but Okada fights up. Okada puts Kyle on ropes, lets off slowly, and Okada feints the shot to pat Kyle on the shoulders. The fans applaud while Okada grins. Kyle storms up but Okada blocks the kick, only to get a SLAP! Kyle spins to trip Okada, and he top mounts for palm strikes! Okada defends but Kyle goes for an arm! Okada clasps hands so Kyle adds a leg for leverage! Kyle can’t pry the hands apart, so he rolls to have the ANKLE LOCK! Okada scrambles around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go to then drop a KNEE on Okada’s arm! Kyle kicks Okada around, and BOTB goes picture in picture.

Okada goes to ropes, Kyle stalks him to a corner, and Kyle KICKS! And KICKS! The ref reprimands but Kyle KICKS again! Kyle wrenches Okada, wristlocks, but Okada UPPERCUTS! Kyle knees low, runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Okada grins as he shakes out his bad arm. Okada drags Kyle up, brings him around and bumps him off buckles. Okada brings Kyle around again, to bump him off more buckles! The ref reprimands but Okada just grins. Okada brings Kyle around again for another buckle bump! Kyle falls over, the fans cheer, and Okada brings Kyle up. Okada whips Kyle corner to corner hard, and Kyle bounces off buckles!

The fans cheer, Okada revels in it, then he goes back for Kyle. Okada stands Kyle up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada clamps onto Kyle with a chinlock and he grinds Kyle down. Kyle endures, pries at the hold, and fans rally up. Kyle fights up but Okada wrangles him back down. Kyle pries at the hold again, but Okada digs his knee into Kyle’s back! Kyle still pries a finger! Okada KNEES Kyle in the back before his grip breaks! Okada still lets Kyle go anyway, and he brings Kyle back up. Okada CLUBS Kyle on the back, but Kyle shakes his head. Kyle fires body shots and forearms!

BOTB returns to single picture as Okada eggs Kyle on! Kyle fires mores shots, but Okada ROCKS and UPPERCUTS Kyle down! The fans are torn while Okada paces. Okada looms over Kyle, kicks him around, toys with him really, and then stands Kyle up. Okada bumps Kyle off buckles again! The fans are torn, but Okada scoops Kyle to SLAM him down! The fans fire up as Okada goes to the apron, and Okada grins as he slingshot- NO, Kyle moves! And he comes back to kitchen sink knee! The fans are torn as Kyle stalks Okada. Okada rises, Kyle fires knee after knee, then a KICK! SLAP! KNEE! LEG SWEEP!

The fans are torn again while Kyle paces. Okada staggers to a corner, but Kyle runs in to forearm SMASH! Kyle wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Okada ROCKS Kyle, Kyle hammerlocks and spins Okada, HAMMERLOCK DDT! The fans rally and duel while Okada goes to the apron. Kyle storms over, brings Okada up, and grabs a leg. Okada fights back with forearms, but Kyle still DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Okada is stuck in the ropes so Kyle goes to the apron. Kyle goes up the corner, takes aim, and KING KONG KNEE DROPS on the apron! The fans fire up while Okada flounders into the ring.

Kyle hurries back up the corner, to KING KONG KNEE DROP the leg! And then, HEEL HOOK!! Okada endures, reaches out, but Kyle shifts around for a KNEEBAR!! Okada still endures as Kyle twists the leg! The fans rally, Okada kicks at Kyle, but Kyle catches that foot! DOUBLE HEEL HOOK!! Okada flails, but he shakes his finger, he won’t give in! He CLAWS Kyle’s face! The ref reprimands and counts, the fans boo, but Kyle lets Okada go first! Okada grits his teeth and stands up, but he hobbles on that bad leg. The fans rally again as Okada storms over to Kyle. Okada brings Kyle up, but Kyle fights the scoop!

Kyle is free and Okada hobbles. Kyle KICKS the bad leg! And KICKS it again! Okada hobbles around, but Kyle is on him with a whip. Okada reverses, runs in, but Kyle dodges! Kyle comes back in, but Okada pops Kyle up, Alabama Lift for the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! A little double-edged given the bad knee, but both men are down! The ref checks Kyle, and BOTB goes back to picture in picture.

Okada shakes out the bad leg as he sits up, and he crawls over to Kyle. Okada drags Kyle by his leg and they go outside, for Okada to RAM Kyle into railing! The fans fire up, and Okada brings Kyle around to RAM him into the railing again. Okada paces, brings Kyle up again, and puts him in the ring. Okada stalks Kyle, brings him up, and bumps him off buckles again. Okada hobbles away, but then comes back to whip corner to corner. Kyle hits buckles hard again, and Okada runs up to ELBOW! The fans cheer and Okada looms over Kyle again. Okada scuffs Kyle, eggs him on, and Kyle rises up. Kyle swings, but into the MONEY CLIP!

Okada squeezes tight, Kyle flails, and Battle of the Belts goes to break!

BOTB returns and Okada SHOTGUNS Kyle down! The fans fire up while the ref checks both men. Okada and Kyle both stir, so a standing count starts. Kyle pushes himself up while Okada slowly sits up. We hit 5 of 10, but both men stand. Okada scoops to TOMB- NO, Kyle slips free, UPPERCUTS, and has the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK as we hear the five minute warning! Okada endures, even as Kyle thrashes him! Okada drops to his knees, so Kyle lets go, to KNEE him down! Okada sits up, but avoids the Penalty Kick! Okada scoops, but Kyle slips free to have the ANKLE LOCK!! AND GRAPEVINE!! Okada flails and fans fire up!

Okada endures, reaches out, crawls forward, but Kyle puts on more pressure! Okada grits his teeth to lurch into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kyle lets go in frustration. Okada bails out, time still on his side. Okada hobbles but grins because he knows that. Okada refreshes the count, and he grins. But Kyle goes to the apron to FLYING KNEE! Okada dodges! Okada kicks low and DDTS to the floor! Okada grins, he’s now just playing to run out the clock. Okada drags Kyle up, puts him in the ring, and then steps back in. Okada reels Kyle in, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner.

The fans duel as Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW! The fans fire up as Okada winds up, for the… MIDDLE FINGER! Okada grins, reels Kyle in, but Kyle fights the ripcord! Kyle wrenches, ELBOW KNEE VICE! Then he wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! But Okada still LARIATS! Okada drags Kyle back up, wrenches and- Kyle dodges! But Okada DROPKICKS! Okada hauls Kyle up, ripcords, RAIN- BOOT! KNEE! Strike fest! SLEEPER! Okada slips out, ripcords, but into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Kyle has it on tight this time, but Okada powers up! Okada powers Kyle into a LANDSLIDE!!

Okada drags Kyle back up, ripcords, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (still AEW Continental Champion)

With minutes to spare, The Rainmaker comes through with his Rainmaker lariat! Okada leaves with the title, meaning The Elite is still dripping with gold! Will no one ever stop their domination?

La Faccion Ingobernable speaks.

Or in this case, Rush laughs. Rush says that is what happens with LFI! And this message is for everyone! They will destroy every single wrestler and every single faction in this company! Dralistico says they will BURN! And then we see Mortos CHOKING Hologram!! The minotaur will not let it go that he lost the Best 2 Out of 3 Falls to Hologram at WrestleDream! Rush says remember: When you mess with the bull, you get the horns! LFI stands on Hologram and throw up the fists, who will be next to get those fists in their face?

Lance Archer & Brian Cage w/ Don Callis VS Jon Cruz & Jack Cartwheel!

The Murderhawk Monster and The Machine are the newest acquisitions for the Don Callis Family, and they’re being put together with one mission: grab tag team gold! We know #EverybodyDies, but will the question now be, Who Betta than Cage and Archer?

The teams sort out, we get the California boys of Cage and Cartwheel first. Cartwheel offers Cage a handshake, but Cage just CLOBBERS him! Cage storms up on Jack, ROCKS him, and then has him in a corner. Cage goes corner to corner, but Jack cartwheels to dodge! And he handsprings to dodge again! The fans fire up as Jack runs, but Cage pops him up for a FLAPJACK! Then a SUPERKICK! Cage flexes, Archer taunts Jack, and Cage stands Jack up. Cage TOSSES Jack to the corner, then dares Cruz to tag in. Cruz doesn’t wanna, so Cage runs up! Cruz dodges Cage, takes a swing, but Cage catches that! Cage makes Cruz tag in!

Cruz pleads with the ref but Cage TOSSES him across the way! Cruz CHOPS, CHPOS and CHOPS, but Cage doesn’t even flinch! Cage ROCKS Cruz, whips him to the Callis corner, then UPPERCUTS! GAMANGIRIS! And hoists him up top! Tag to Archer and he LARIATS Cruz off the corner! Callis says call the police and the paramedics. Archer drags Cruz up, to SUPLEX TOSS him away! Cruz flounders but Archer rains down fists! Archer dares Jack to do something! Jack fires a haymaker, but Archer DECKS him for it! Tag to Cage, Jack comes back to cartwheel, but Cage DISCUS LARIATS! Then he reels Jack in, puts one out, and he combines with Archer, CHOKE SLAM BOMB!!

Cruz staggers up, Archer scoops him, and with Cage, they hit a BLACKOUT POWERBOMB COMBO!! Cover, Callis’ monsters win!

Winners: Lance Archer & Brian Cage, by pinfall

Callis joins his #MurderMachines to celebrate, but will they really celebrate when these two take over the tag division?

Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.

Lexy Nair is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but also Beast Mortos. They wanted to talk with him, but are mostly feeding him fried chicken… Roddy says, “BEEEAST! Thanks for joining us.” Bennett gives Mortos more meat to eat, and Roddy says they really need to talk. What is going on with Mortos? Something seems off. Mortos growls but Bennett says no, he’s just confused. Mortos taking out Hologram like that? Not cool. Taven can’t believe LFI got Mortos to wear a polo shirt! Mortos never even wore a shirt when hanging out with The Kingdom. Not cool! And what is Mortos doing fisting (with) two other dudes? Really not cool.

But the most disappointing thing of all, is that this is all happening without The Kingdom! Roddy says they’re not mad, just disappointed. The Kingdom leaves but did Mortos even care what they said while chowing down on meat? If they keep trying to get Mortos back, will LFI make The Kingdom one of their targets?

AEW Women’s World Championship Title Eliminator: Mariah May VS Anna Jay!

While there were some legitimate complaints made by the AEW Women’s World Champion, she doesn’t really help herself when she looks down on the rest of the roster. Will The Glamour continue to grow her ego here tonight? Or will Anna prove she’s the real Star of the Show?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Anna and Mariah circle, tie up, and go around. The fans duel, Anna waistlocks, but Mariah wrenches to YANK the arm! Anna wrenches back to wristlock. Mariah pulls hair but Anna twists the wrist. Mariah wrenches, waistlocks, but Anna switches to then headlock. Anna hits the takeover but Mariah has the headscissors. Anna kips free but Mariah headlocks for the takeover. Anna headscissors, Mariah kips free, and the two stand. Mariah wrenches, Anna wrenches, then Anna hammerlocks. Mariah reaches back but Anna stays back. Mariah tries down low but Anna still stays back.

Mariah ELBOWS Anna and wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! Mariah wristlocks, but Anna rolls, wrenches, snapmares, and SLAMS the arm on the mat! Anna then cording holds to grind Mariah down. Mariah fights up, pulls some hair again, then rolls back. Mariah SLAPS Anna! Anna wrenches and YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, then WRINGS it out! The fans rally, Anna stands Mariah up but Mariah JAWBREAKERS! Mariah throws Anna down, then runs to SHOTGUN! Anna flounders, Mariah covers, TWO! Anna is tougher than that but Mariah clamps on with a cording hold. Anna fights up to arm-drag free!

Anna runs to run Mariah over! Then another cording hold for knee after knee! Anna whips, and she runs ot HEEL KICK in the corner! The fans fire up, Anna keeps moving, but Mariah sends her into ropes! Mariah rains down fists, but the fans boo and the ref counts. Mariah stops at 4, then stomps Anna around. Mariah smothers Anna, rains down more fists, then lets off as the ref reprimands. Anna goes to a corner, Mariah storms up, and Mariah TOSSES Anna across the way! Anna tumbles, Mariah eggs her on. Mariah TOSSES Anna across the way again! The fans boo but Mariah drags Anna up into a corner.

Mariah CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Anna is stinging but Mariah scoops her for the MARIAH-GO-ROUND SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mariah has the smug, teasing smile, and she soaks up heat while BOTB goes picture in picture.

Mariah clamps onto Anna with a cording hold, and she digs a knee into Anna’s head. Anna endures, fights around, and fights to her feet. Mariah throws her down by her hair! The ref reprimands and Mariah “apologizes” before she brings Anna up. Mariah puts Anna on ropes, hooks her arms, but the ref counts. Mariah lets go, to then SHOTGUN Anna in the back! Anna falls, Mariah covers, TWO! Anna toughs it out but Mariah just shrugs. Mariah drags Anna up, suplexes high and hard, then covers. TWO, but Mariah puts Anna in an ARMBAR! Anna endures, clasps hands, fights around, and rolls to stack Mariah! TWO as Mariah lets Anna go!

Mariah ROCKS Anna, reels her in, but Anna cradle counters! TWO!! Mariah runs up, Anna rolls her up, TWO!! Mariah escapes again, and she wrenches an arm for a SITOUT ELBOW BREAKER! Anna writhes and clutches her arm while Mariah soaks up heat. Mariah stomps Anna, drops a knee on the arm, then drops another knee on the arm! Mariah drags Anna up, whips her to ropes, but Anna slips around to wrench. Mariah stops the hook kick to wrench and ARMBAR DDT! Cover, TWO! Anna stays in this and Mariah grows frustrated. Mariah drags Anna into a cording hold, then gives Anna a kiss on the cheek!

Anna endures, Mariah taunts her and the fans, then adds a chinbar. BOTB returns to single picture and Anna endures. The fans rally as Anna fights up, and Anna fires body shots! Mariah ROCKS Anna in return! Mariah ROCKS Anna again, puts her in a corner, and CLUBS her! Mariah whips corner to corner, runs up and UPPERCUTS! Mariah whips the other way, but Anna dodges this time! Mariah still storms after Anna, but Anna SLAPS! Mariah CHOPS! Anna CHOPS! Anna fires forearms, puts Mariah in a corner, and CHOPS again! Anna whips corner to corner, runs up and hits a forearm SMASH!

Anna TOSSES Mariah, runs up and hits another forearm SMASH! And then another TOSS! Anna fires more shots, then whips Mariah. Mariah reverses, but Anna grabs ropes! Mariah runs up, but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Anna runs to CLBOBER Mariah! The fans fire up with Anna, and she runs up to ROCK Mariah again! Anna puts Mariah up top, wrenches, DANGEROUS JAY KICK! Then ICONOCLASM! And a SHOTGUN! Mariah tastes some of her own medicine! Anna covers, TWO!! Mariah survives but Anna shakes her head. Anna drags Mariah up, but Mariah ROCKS her! And SAI- NO! Anna fights that, to SAIDO! Cover, TWO!

Anna grows frustrated as Mariah stays in this. The fans rally up, and Anna storms up on Mariah. Anna drags Mariah up, and has the QUEENSLAYER SLEEPER!! Mariah flails, reaches out, but then she BITES Anna’s arm! The ref reprimands but Mariah hits the DANGEROUS SAIDO! And then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Anna survives and Mariah grows frustrated again. Mariah and Anna both rise, and Mariah reels Anna in. Mariah puts Anna in ropes to DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mariah striking like a Viper, and Mariah is getting mad now! Mariah rises up and the fans rally again.

Mariah drags Anna to her feet, ROCKS her, then puts her up top. Mariah CHOPS, then gets space. Mariah runs up, STARTUSFACTION! And then a RUNNING KNEE! Mariah won’t stop there! STORM- NO, Anna trips her to a jackknife! TWO!! Mariah escapes but Anna kicks low! Gory Especial, but Mariah sunset flips it! TWO!! Both women scramble to their feet, Mariah HEADBUTTS!! Anna wobbles, Mariah reels her in! Fireman’s carry, but Anna slips free! MOUSE TRAP! ANNA WINS!!

Winner: Anna Jay, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)

Mariah is speechless! She thought Anna was unworthy, and yet that arrogance is why Anna won! And Tony Khan calls in to say we don’t have to wait long! Two weeks from now, Collision in Philadelphia, Mariah May VS Anna Jay, with the title on the line! Will Mariah avenge herself in the rematch? Or will there truly be a new Star of the Show?

My Thoughts:

A great Battle of the Belts, especially with the events of Collision spilling over. BCC beating down Top Flight, fighting Dark Order, and then having another match was all great stuff to really get heat on them. And speaking of the Collision crossover, great bit with Garcia & Private Party rushing out there, and then Cassidy eventually going out there once BCC was on the retreat. As we saw for Collision, the other Faces are expecting Cassidy to step up but he is reluctant to, given his history with the various members of BCC. At some point, The Conglomeration members might also think Cassidy should step up, and he’ll be compelled to fight.

Speaking of Conglomeration, great match from Okada VS O’Reilly, and I do appreciate them pushing this close to the time limit. Great win for Okada, and his card is wide open now, ready to face just about anyone. LFI had a very good promo to follow up what they did on Collision, but also to show Hologram is not out of the woods with them. Hologram might even be the third man alongside FTR to fight the full LFI. Mortos and Undisputed Kingdom also had a great promo together, very funny stuff. That’s also a Six Man Tag we could see, and just about any trio could come out of this to challenge BCC next.

Really good first showing for the #MurderMachines, Archer & Cage, but that combo Blackout Powerbomb needs some work to smooth out the wrinkles. I feel like they’ll be stepping to Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara for the ROH World Tag Team Championships first, given The Bucks are Heels. And great main event from Mariah VS Anna. I am very pleased to see they had Anna win here. It works for Mariah’s character as her arrogance cost her, and now we’ll get an even better title match in a couple weeks. I don’t see Anna winning that one, though, because again, we need to see Mina Shirakawa work her way to the title so she and Mariah can fight it out.

My Score: 8.7/10