Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)

It’s Tag Season again!

Published

5 months ago

November 19, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?

It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.

PLAY BY PLAY

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!

The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?

The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!

The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.

Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!

Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!

Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!

Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!

The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!

Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!

The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!

Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)

A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???

Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?

Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?

The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.

Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.

“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHAS but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!

The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!

Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!

Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!

Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!

Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!

Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!

The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)

The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?

The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.

Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!

Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!

Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!

Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!

The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.

Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.

Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)

Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?

World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!

TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?

The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!

Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.

Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!

Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.

Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.

Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!

Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!

Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!

ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-

NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!

Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.

Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!

Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!

Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!

Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall

Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?

As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?

Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.

But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?

Here are the A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.

Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.

Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.

While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.

My Score: 8.9/10

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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!

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.10.2025

This week surely can’t be worse than last week…right? Right? Oh no…

Published

10 hours ago

April 10, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Last week was so bad, the best takeaway is that this HAS to be better. Sure…it could be even worse, but even under new management TNA has a very consistent history of inconsistency. They can have 2 months of abysmal garbage and then suddenly surprise you with the most entertaining show you’ve seen in weeks. That was true during the Russo years, Cornette, Dutch, Billy Corgan, Don Callis, D’amour and even last year with the early shades of Dreamer’s collective.

Now we get to see if my faith in this brand continues to plummet like stock prices when Sheriff Tariff was running the economy, or if they put a pause on my disdain.

To the television machine!

.@TheJohnSkyler pays the price for @MustafaAli_X! @Santana_Proud

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/WhydO0lwow pic.twitter.com/QQp9wRYU3l

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 11, 2025

Ratings:

Mustafa Ali w/Cabinet vs Ace Austin: Ace wins via DQ – N/A
TNA World Championship: Moose (c) w/Dango & Myers vs Deaner: Moose retains via Lights Out – zero
The Rascalz vs The System: System wins via Cheat Assisted Pinfall – **
Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro: AJ wins via TFL – ** 3/4
Ryan “Mokuba” Nemeth vs Leon “Charisma Vacuum” Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – **
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Steve Maclin: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – ***

Results:

Ethan Page opens the show similarly to how he ended last week. I still don’t care. Kaz comes down sounding like a corny doofus, it really sounds like he’s doing a Parody of Jericho without any engaging lines. These first 10 minutes are such a bore and then Santino comes out to tell us that even though he’s injured JOE HENDRY WILL TALK LATER. I hate this redundant gimmick. Leave it to Dreamer and Delirious to really make me start hating Joe Hendry.

Going to commercial I think I heard the commentary call Ali the head of Order 4? Why aren’t they just The Cabinet? Order 4 is the laziest most inane name I ever heard. It’s like a Chinese Supermarket knockoff Faction name. New World Order? Nah. 4 Horsemen? Nope…but we got Order 4. And coming out of commercial they confirm the worst faction name I’ve ever heard.

Mustafa Ali w/Cabinet vs Ace Austin

Ali starts off quick, quick strikes, Rolling Neckbreaker, classic signature Ali offense…and then my power spikes out for like 40 seconds because it’s windy…and by the time I get everything up again, the Dork Hands are in the ring abusing Ace. Ali is handed a chair, before he can use it, Santana appears out of the crowd and punches away the chair and goes after Ali.

Well I’m glad the power went out because this could’ve been a decent match and then turned into a nothing finish because…idiots are booking this show.

TNA World Championship: Moose (c) w/Dango & Myers vs Deaner

From one worthless match to next. You can tell imbeciles are booking this show. Dango cuts Deaner’s stupidity off saying that he could join in a minion/young boy role because his kids need their dad to have job security. Dango has charisma so I like when he talks, but this is a useless match and useless interaction. Cody says the other option is getting an X Division shot. Moose laughs, says if you last 2 minutes you can get a title shot.

Deaner tries to start quick, but a right hand and Jacknife Powerbomb has Deaner dying, another Jacknife Powerbomb for fun, goes for the pinfall just to pull him up and beat on him more. The crowd doesn’t care, Moose goes for the Lights Out, Deaner powders, and is just killing time. Deaner lasts the 2 minutes because he runs away, this smells like Delirious idiocy.

Moose tries a Lights Out, Deaner Sunsets over it, gets a two count and then Moose catches him with a follow up Lights Out and retains. A waste of like 4 minutes.

System goes for the beatdown but The Rascalz make the save to kick off the tag match immediately after the commercial.

The Rascalz vs The System

Wentz and Trey start quick, double up on Dango immediately, the MCMG homage into the Bronco Buster in the corner from Wentz. Dango gets over to Myers while Wentz is pandering, Myers comes in to eat the ABC homage combo attacks. Just a very chaotic start, Dango cuts off another double team, so Myers manages to isolate Trey, Stomp a Mudhole in the corner, Russian Leg Sweep, and finally The System has space to breathe. Quick tag to Dango, Chops, Rake to the Eyes, Overhand Rights, Shortarm Lariats, and Trey is just eating everything. Dango with the Vertical Suplex, float over and near fall. Finally Trey makes some space with a Pele Kick. Simultaneous tag, Wentz lights up Myers, Back Handspring Knee Lift from Wentz and two count helps the Rascalz start to roll. Rascalz want a tandem Suplex, but Dango saves Myers, System gets tossed out, Stereo Dives and Rascalz are still in control.

Small spam moment of cut offs and signatures. Dango pushes Wentz off the top rope, Trey kicks Dango off the apron, Trey tries the Outside In Vertical Suplex, but Myers shifts his weight and falls on top of Trey while Dango holds the feet down and The System wins.

Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro

Callihan produces a hook and wants to take out Mancer’s eye they struggle in the middle, AJ relaxes in one corner until he takes advantage of the situation and wipes out both guys with a Double Lariat, Double Shot of Tennessee Whiskey, KC and AJ taunt a little, SDL confronts them, AJ mouths off a little and walks back into the ring…while KC just points at her assertively and says “You’re a big girl” and scurries away. I really am a fan of KC.

Sami and Mance work together to take out AJ, but then they immediately go back to trying to murder each other. Sami finds a Sacrifice Poster, Paper Cut between the fingers, wants to do another across the eyes but AJ interrupts only to get his own Papercut between his Chokeslam fingers. Mance levels Sami, goes to find some chairs and starts setting up the play place. Chair between buckles, Whip, Brakes, Reverse, Brakes, Sami rips the chair out, Mance grabs the other one he found and Samurai Chair Duel. AJ gets involved before anything really interesting happens, AJ hits the Down Payment on Mance, Sami chairshot to break the pinfall. Sami focuses on Mance, but Mance does turn it around, sets up a chair spot but Sami turns that around, Death Valley Driver through the chairs. Sami gras the hook again, drives it into Mance’s face, celebrates a little and AJ hits the TFL out of nowhere to win the match.

Honestly…not terrible.

.@TheSamiCallihan wants @ManceWarner in BARBED WIRE MASSACRE! @milanmiracle

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/6Uwb5wNfXW pic.twitter.com/CMpKaXuulo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 11, 2025

Ryan “Mokuba” Nemeth vs Leon “Charisma Vacuum” Slater

Bell rings, Slater comes out with a Flying Kick and Ryan eats it, Rewind Mule Kick next keeps Leon in control, then he wears out Ryan from corner to corner. Leon tries a Suplex but Ryan finds the ropes, Back Elbow gives space. Around the Rosey powder, Leon chases like a stupid babyface, Ryan cuts him off trying to come back in the ring and just leans on him. Claws at Leon’s face, stomps, Headlocks to keep him down, Ryan takes off his shirt, mocks the Extreme Elbow and actually hits it but it’s slow and Slater took it stupid. Nemeth tries a Twist of Fate next and Leon kicks Ryan’s head off. Chops, Running Missile Dropkick in the corner, Twisting Suplex, Lethal Injection, and a two count. Leon tries another suplex, Ryan slips it, Leon tries a Leg Lariat but Ryan powders. They do a little Bugs Bunny of pulls each other out and trying to fun back in, but Leon gets the best of it.

Leon lights up Ryan, throws him back in, back and forth, big Elevated DDT from Ryan for two. Leon counters Ryan’s attempts with a Blue Thunder Bomb, Ryan goes to look for chairs again, but the Hardyz are late to the spot to pull the chair away, so Ryan looks a little silly. Twist of Slate, Swanton 450, and meh.

TNA Throwback: Unbreakable 2005, Christopher Daniels vs Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Steve Maclin

Eddie is in Kawada colors…but why? He usually is Green through and through, Misawa and the Celtics. So the yellow just looks…weird. And I’ll blame the color of his gear for why Maclin is beating the hell out of Eddie early. Strikes, SCUD, and just generally beating Eddie’s ass before Alisha causes enough of a distraction for Eddie to catch Maclin in a Blue Thunder Bomb. Lish gets involved again and we go to commercial.

Coming back from nap time, Eddie has Maclin grounded with a Sleeper, but Maclin fights up to his feet, but Eddie keeps things close with a Short Arm Clothesline and Maclin keeps trying to fight back up and rally. Maclin goes fight up, Jawjacker, a small double sell before rope runs. Thesz Press into the Ground and Pound and then Olympic Slam from Steve. Lish distracts Maclin again so Eddie sideswipes him with a Gowan Lariat. Maclin tries to cut Eddie off when Eddie goes up top, some jockeying, but an Avalanche Olympic Slam has Eddie reeling, Caught in the Crosshairs! Myers and Dango come out to distract, Northern Armoury follows but EY stops them from getting involved to make a point. Lish gives Eddie the rings for the Loaded Punch into the Boston Knee Party for the win.

EY slides in his Casey Jones mask and then walk off as Steve is left to contemplate.

Overall Score: 3.5/10

So not a good episode and opened with a lot of non-finishes and dumb crap. I also am growing very sick of “We’re gonna hear from Joe Hendry”, at least he’s starting the promo off somber, so its a little less cliche. The crowd was at least eating out of his hand when he made it seem like he was gonna vacate the belt because of the injury. So at least that’s good crowd manipulation and the crowd was willing to play with it instead of just try to get themselves over.

But still, the first match that was interesting was the International Championship Qualifier 3 way, and it still wasn’t wonderful, it was just serviceable. The main event was overbooked but it was pushing the EY and Maclin story forward so I can only be so critical. As to not mince words though, this was a bad episode. Santana going full Crime Drama Murderer, Callihan calling for a Barbed Wire Massacre match…I mean it all feels entirely cringe and edgy just for edgy sake. Sure I didn’t mind the last one which I think was OVE vs LAX. It was actually a solid match during the Twitch/Covid years. But did we learn nothing from the stupid nail bat spot? That doesn’t sell tickets (especially when it announced so shortly before the event). So it’s just senseless hardcore garbage for the sake of being a senseless hardcore garbage match.

Could it be entertaining? Sure. I liked Sami…100 pounds ago, and Mance used to be interesting in MLW. But whatever they’ve done so far this year, has been pissed in dog water. I’d rather get an enema from a blow torch than subject myself to whatever that’s gonna be. But alas…coverage dictates I can’t play with fire apparently.

Bad episode, better than last week and next week is gonna suck. iMPACT for 2 hours followed by 2-3 hours of Unbreakable right after iMPACT on a THURSDAY.

About Chairshot Radio Network

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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

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Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/10/25)

It’s a new era!

Published

13 hours ago

April 10, 2025

Steven Mitchell

The Franchise VS The Most Wanted!

Bandido finally took the ROH World Championship from Chris Jericho, and now he’s stepping onto the Proving Ground with perhaps one of the best in Jay Lethal!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Johnny TV & MXM Collection VS Ryan Matthews, Jordan Kross & Drake Daniels; Johnny & MXM win.
Marina Shafir VS Nixi XS; Marina wins.
Preston Vance w/ The Frat House VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.
Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Dominic Garrini, Kevin Ku & Davey Bang; Dustin & The Von Erichs win.
ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido VS Jay Lethal; Bandido wins and denies Lethal a title match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Johnny TV & MXM Collection w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Ryan Matthews, Jordan Kross & Drake Daniels!

The obsession with tag team gold has shifted from the ROH World Tag Team Championships to the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships, as evident by how Mansoor & Mason Madden are bringing the belt they stole from Dustin Rhodes! But will #MXMTV earn their shot at a proper title shot? Or will their obsession cloud their judgment?

The trios sort out and Johnny starts against Jordan. They keep the Code of Honor and the bell rings. The fans rally as the two circle, and then Johnny dodges to roll, do some breakdancing and a “Johnny-rooni,” to then pose. That’s not just taunting Jordan, that’s sending a shot at Sammy Guevara! Johnny even kips up! Jordan and Johnny circle, tie up, but then Jordan mocks Mason with the twerking! The fans cheer, MXM is upset, but Johnny grabs Jordan for a MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Johnny KICKS Jordan in the side, then SHINING WIZARDS! The fans boo but Johnny drags Jordan onto the ropes. Johnny CHOKES Jordan, the ref counts, but Johnny lets off at 4.

Johnny argues with the ref, Mason asks what the five fingers said to the face. Taya SLAPS Jordan! Get it? Johnny dodges Drake, and he hits the FLYING CHUCK! Johnny then RAMS Jordan into the corner, tags Mansoor, and Mansoor fakes the chop to say look up. Then he CHOPS, CHOPS! Tag to Mason, Mansoor BLASTS Ryan, then Mason sends Mansoor in for a LARIAT! Mason adds an ELBOW, then feed to the atomic drop! Mansoor runs, he bumps Drake aside to then dropkick Jordan’s legs out! Mason pulls up for the HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer as MXM pose, but then Mr. & Mrs. TV kiss right in front of the camera.

Ryan tags in, he CLUBS Mason, but Mason doesn’t budge! Ryan apologizes, and claims it was Drake. Mason HEADBUTTS Ryan to the corner! Mason then fires body shots, H O T T O~ G O~! And then the GRIZZLY MAGNUM! The fans fire up as Mason puts Ryan in the corner, then tags Mansoor. Mansoor feeds Ryan to Mason’s scoop, SIDEWALK SLAM LEG DROP COMBO! Fans fire up for the Catwalk Combo, then MXM points to Johnny. Johnny & Taya kiss again, and MXM cheer. Ryan flounders, Mansoor keeps him from his corner and ROCKS him with a forearm. Mansoor scoops, Ryan slips free, tag to Drake!

Drake fires hands on Mansoor, then whips, but Mansoor reverses. Drake ducks ‘n’ dodges but Mason tags in! Mansoor picks Drake up and Mason runs, LEG LARIAT SPINEBUSTER COMBO! The fans rally, Mansoor rolls through to haul Drake up. Johnny tags in and goes up, DOUBLE STOMP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER COMBO! MXM TV is all fired up and the fans cheer. Jordan runs in, but Mason picks him up! Ryan runs in but gets a BOOT! Then Mason CHOKE SLAMS Jordan! Johnny drags Drake to center, and MXM TV stands over him, to POSE! Then they get Drake up, for a TRIPLE CENTER FOLD! Cover, MXM TV wins!

Winners: Johnny TV & MXM Collection, by pinfall

When you look good, you feel good, and MXM TV certainly feels good after that win. They hold up their stolen title, and then they drag the ref into POSING with them! But will The Sons of Texas bring these fashionable thieves to justice soon enough?

The Von Erichs talk with Dustin Rhodes backstage.

Marshall wants The Natural to understand, they saw what MXM did. Dustin & Sammy can handle their business, they’re Texans! The Von Erichs know all about that. But the moment MXM even touched those titles, it frankly pissed Marshall off. The Von Erichs just got here, barely proved themselves, and what kind of tone does that set? Ross has his brother calm down, and says that where they come from, you don’t touch what you didn’t earn. They saw what happened, and now it is time to give ROH a reminder of what respect looks like. Dustin nods, and he tells MXM TV to listen closely.

“You wanted to get our attention? Well, now you’ve got it. You stealing my title was very juvenile, and stupid. And yes, I’m calling you all stupid. At no time in my 37 year career have I ever backed down from a challenge, and I’m not about to start. So that’s why I brought in the heavy hitters. Texas’ favorite sons, The Von Erichs, and The Natural, Dustin Rhodes! So how about you, MXM, and you, Johnny TV, show up next week, if ya got the balls, so we can rearrange your pretty faces and get back what’s mine?” The Sons of Texas have thrown down the gauntlet, will MXM TV accept? Will they regret ever stealing from the living legend?

Backstage interview with Bandido.

AEW shares footage from after Dynasty and the ROH World Championship match. Alicia Atout congratulates Bandido and his familia, as he defeated Chris Jericho to once again be ROH World Champion. What does this moment mean to him? Bandido takes a moment, and says this means everything. When he was just a child starting in this sport, he just dreamt of this moment. Now it is come true! He is grateful to God to be here with his family and this championship. He isn’t the real champion, his mama is! She’s always taking care of him, his brother, his sister, the whole family. The familia celebrates together, will they all have even more to celebrate as Bandido is back on top of ROH?

Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Dominic Garrini, Kevin Ku & Davey Bang!

We heard from The Sons of Texas, and now we’ll see them hit the ring together again! Will they be doubling down on that message to MXM TV with a huge return win? Or will they learn that #ViolenceIsForever?

The trios sort out and Dustin starts against Kevin. The fans rally for Dustin, but Kevin kicks the hand away! No Code of Honor here, but the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Dustin headlocks, but Kevin powers up and out. Dustin runs Kevin over, keeps moving, and hops over the dropdown. Kevin sets up but Dustin says, “Not Today!” UPPERCUT! Dustin then arm-drags Kevin into an armlock. The fans rally, “You Still Got It!” but Kevin fires a body shot. Kevin whips, Davey gets a cheap shot in, but Dustin DECKS him! Kevin takes a swing, Dustin dodges, and Kevin is sent into Dominic! Kevin then staggers into a SNAP POWERSLAM!

The fans fire up as Dustin drags Kevin over, and tag to Ross. They whip, Dustin drops down and Ross DROPKICKS! Kevin staggers, tags Dominic, and Dominic knees Ross! Dominic CHOPS, whips, but Ross reverses. Ross hits a HIP TOSS, then he arm-drags! The fans rally as Ross arm-drags again, then JUMP RANAS! Cover, TWO! Dominic stays in this but Ross stays focused. Ross headlocks, Dominic powers up and RAMS him into the corner! Dominic keeps Ross trapped, Marshall protests, and the ref holds Marshall back. This just lets Team Violence Is Forever mug Ross behind the ref’s back! The fans boo but VIF gets away with it all!

Dominic tags in Davey and Davey stomps Ross. Davey drags Ross up but the fans rally. Davey UPPERCUTS Ross’s arm, sends him to a corner, and ELBOWS him! Davey GRINDS Ross’s face off the ropes, then tags Dominic. Dominic ROCKS Ross, tags Kevin, and Kevin CHOPS Ross. VIF double whips, but Ross crisscrosses them into each other! Ross reaches for his corner but Kevin waistlocks to keep him back. Feed to Dominic, ROUNDHOUSE SAIDO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Ross survives but Dominic drags Ross over. Tag to Kevin, then they stand Ross up. Suplex and- NO, Ross slips free! He shoves Dominic into Kevin!

Ross hurries, hot tag to Marshall! The fans fire up, Davey tags in, but Marshall dodges him and Kevin to BOOT Dominic! DOUBLE LARIATS for Kevin & Davey! Then forearm after forearm, Marshall DECKS man after man! ROLLING ELBOW for Davey! ROLLING ELBOW for Kevin! Marshall fires up and LARIATS Davey in a corner! Then he runs to LARIAT Kevin in a corner! Marshall calls his shot, the fans fire up, and Marshall CANNONBALLS Davey! Cover, Kevin & Dominic break it! But Ross goes up, and he CROSSBODIES VIF down! Dustin storms in, he and Ross LARIAT VIF up and out of the ring!

Davey climbs up, leaps at Marshall, but he gets caught into the IRON CLAW!! Davey is fading, Marshall tops it off with a scoop and SWINGING SLAM!! Cover, Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs, by pinfall

A big return indeed, and a big win for the REAL ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions! But will they get that stolen belt back from MXM TV? Or will Johnny, Mansoor & Mason keep playing games?

Taya Valkyrie speaks.

“I have been in ROH now for two years. Clawing, fighting, waiting patiently- I mean, well, not so patiently sometimes, for an opportunity at a championship. And now, I finally have it. The opportunity to go after Red Velvet and the Women’s TV Championship. But there’s one person in my way, and that’s La Catalina, La Diva de la CMLL. Now, Catalina, I understand what kind of crazy it takes to leave your country, follow your dream, and find your place within this artform and sport, cuz I did it. I wrote the book, I am the blueprint, you basically copied me. And if you think La Diva is gonna get in the way of La Wera Loca, then you don’t know me.

“So on that night, in mi casa, may the best woman win. And we all know who that is.” Taya has made the challenge, Catalina will return to ROH to accept it, but then who moves on to face The Chef in her kitchen?

ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido VS Jay Lethal!

This is already a historic Proving Ground match as the two-time and NEW ROH World Champion is going to put the longest reigning (combined days) ROH World Champion to the test! Can Bandido beat The Franchise in ten minutes or less? Or will Lethal earn himself his golden ticket back to the title scene?

The fans duel already as the two men step up. The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and we’re on the clock. Bandido and Lethal circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Lethal waistlocks, Bandido switches, Lethal switches, repeat. They go around and around, Bandido ends up on the apron and he HOTSHOTS Lethal! Lethal runs back up but Bandido jumps over the slide! Bandido then ASAI MOONSAULTS, but Lethal moves! Bandido lands on his feet, both men go to the apron, and Bandido blocks a kick! Bandido CHOPS, then LARAITS Lethal into the ring, but Lethal lands on his feet! Lethal DROPKICKS Bandido down!

Lethal builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Bandido tumbles to the ramp! The fans fire up as Lethal shows some Black Machismo, then he CHOPS Bandido. Lethal puts Bandido in, climbs up, and aims for the MACHO- NO, Lethal blocks Bandido’s boots! The fans “WOO~!” with Lethal and he steps through, but Bandido makes it a cradle! TWO, and Lethal CHOPS again! Bandido goes to ropes while Lethal shakes out his hand. Bandido comes back and CHOPS! Bandido eggs Lethal on, and Lethal nods. Lethal CHOPS! Bandido CHOPS! The fans rally up and the CHOPS just start flying fast ‘n’ furious!

Bandido CHPOS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then whips, but Lethal reverses to CHOP! Lethal runs, but Bandido POP-UP CUTTERS! The fans fire up as Lethal staggers, and Bandido runs in at the corner. Lethal BOOTS Bandido, runs up, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Lethal runs back in, but into another BACKBREAKER! Another scoop, then the torture rack! Lethal fights the arm hook, Bandido still finds it, X KNE- NO!! Lethal blocks that knee, CLUBS that leg, and DISCUS LARIATS Bandido inside-out! The fans fire up, Lethal has the legs, “WOO~!” FIGURE FOUR- NO, Bandido kicks! Lethal blocks that kick, steps in on that leg, but Bandido cradles again! TWO!!

Bandido kicks, Lethal blocks, DRAGON SCREW! Lethal steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Lethal has the iconic hold on and Bandido endures! Bandido flails, reaches out, but his shoulders are down! The ref counts the cover, TWO as Bandido sits back up! The fans duel, Bandido reaches out, but Lethal puts on the pressure! Bandido still fights towards the ropes, but Lethal drags him back to center! The fans rally, Bandido fights his way around to the side, ROPEBREAK! Lethal lets go, then he brings Bandido around to SMASH the knee off the mat! Lethal drags Bandido up, stomps that bad leg, then KICKS the leg!

Bandido hobbles, Lethal KICKS the leg again, then he KICKS the leg out! Bandido is on his knees and fans chant, “One More Time!” Lethal obliges and KICKS that leg! Lethal then calls his shot, but Bandido reels him in! Lethal ELBOWS free, ROCKS Bandido again, then whips. Bandido reverses, Lethal handsprings, but into the torture rack! X KNEE!! Bandido hobbles but he takes aim! Lethal’s on the ropes, Bandido runs in! BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, Bandido wins!

Winner: Bandido, by pinfall (denies Jay Lethal a title match)

This match was fast ‘n’ furious, but Bandido wins with time to spare! More importantly than that, he shows Lethal respect by shaking his hand and even hugging it out. The champ surely has a long line of contenders forming at this very moment, but who will get their shot at The Most Wanted?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH here, clocking in at just under 47 minutes. Very good stuff in this ROH World Six Man Tag title story, as MXM TV get a good win in their match, but we also get a good promo from Dustin & The Von Erichs to call them out. Good match with Violence is Forever plus Davey Bang, and I feel Ross might still need to iron some things out. His escape from that suplex could’ve been cleaner. And while Ross & Marshall are good guys, I feel like this really should be where their reign as Six Man Tag champs ends. They’ve held those since last summer, haven’t done anything in a long time, we need to move on and put those belts on wrestlers who travel with AEW & ROH.

Very good promo from Taya to call out Catalina, and they’ll have a very good match. If Red Velvet is still going to be a Heel, I feel like Catalina wins to challenge her, and then Velvet gets another win as the champ. Marina of course won her match, she really dominated Nixi. Ishii VS Vance was rather competitive, but I figured Ishii would win anyway. And while we got a great 8 minute (give or take) match from Bandido VS Lethal, I suppose Bandido was going to win. Even if it was just a Proving Ground match, Bandido wasn’t going to turn around from winning this title on Sunday to lose here. Supercard of Honor is May 2nd, they have three episodes to build someone into a contender and I have no idea who that will be.