Who is truly the Best of the Super Juniors?

NJPW returns to San Jose, and they’re bringing gold! But will El Desperado keep his newly won IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? Or will Taiji Ishimori make sure #ItsReborn?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Strong Survivor: Zane Jay VS Viento; Zane wins.
• Kickoff – Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito VS Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff; Shane & Tito win.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii; Time Limit Draw, Gabe retains the title.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH; WCWC wins and retains the titles.
• 8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM; Viva, Hanako, Maika & Mina win.
• NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb; Double Count-Out Draw, ELP retains the title.
• Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki; win.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA; wins and
• Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero; wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd VS Tomohiro Ishii!

WrestleDynasty did not go the way either man wanted. The Mad Man could not best the Best Bout Machine, and the Stone Pitbull could not grab up Konosuke Takeshita’s gold. But will Ishii be able to take a bite out of Gabe? Or will Gabe prove he’s got that dog in him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really #WarReady!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Gabe and Ishii stare down, the fans rally a bit more, then both men back up. Ishii and Gabe run up to lock up! The fans cheer as they’re in a deadlock! Gabe pushes Ishii back, but Ishii pushes Gabe back. They end up on ropes, the ref calls the break, but Gabe lets off slowly. Gabe CHOPS! Ishii doesn’t even flinch! Gabe fires a forearm, then clamps on a headlock. Ishii powers up to pry at the hold, but Gabe squeezes tight. Ishii fires body shots, powers up and out, but Gbe RAMS him! And RAMS him! And RAMS him! The fans fire up, Ishii runs, and he RAMS Gabe!

Gabe runs and he RAMS Ishii! Both men run, and they RAM in again! And again! And again! The fans fire up as the shoulders continue to RAM! Gabe pushes Ishii, the two reset, and they RAM! Ishii ducks the lariat, but the SOUTHPAW lands! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer while Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes out the arm, stands over Ishii, and the fans rally up. Gabe scuffs Ishii, the fans boo, but Gabe soaks up the heat. Gabe pretends not to understand why they boo, then he tells Ishii to get up. Ishii stands, Gabe tells off the fans, then runs corner to corner to LARIAT Ishii down! Gabe scuffs Ishii again while the fans boo more.

Ishii stirs, but Gabe does jumping jacks to show off. Gabe puts Ishii on ropes to CHOP, CHOP, and LARIAT! Gabe runs, and he RUNS Ishii over! Cover, TWO! Ishii’s tougher than that but Gabe mockingly applauds. Gabe steps on Ishii’s face, kicks him around, but Ishii stands. Ishii CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS and Ishii staggers back! Ishii flops against the ropes, Gabe flexes, but the fans boo. Gabe tells the fans off again while he flexes more. Gabe goes back to Ishii, and he plays along as fans chant “Gabe Kidd Sucks!” Ishii stands to fire forearm after forearm, but Gabe eggs him on.

Ishii fires more shots, but then Gabe ROCKS him and UPPERCUTS him! Ishii falls to the mat, Gabe talks trash, and Gabe drags Ishii up. Gabe ROCKS Ishii, ROCKS him again, and again! But now Ishii wakes up! The fans fire up as Ishii just takes the forearm shots! Ishii leans into the shots! Then he DECKS Gabe! The fans fire up as Gabe sputters around. Ishii whips Gabe, Gabe reverses, but Ishii bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Gabe! The fans fire up again and rally behind “I-SHI-I!” as he stalks Gabe to a corner. Ishii CHOPS, ROCKS, and repeat! Ishii stands Gabe back up for more CHOPS and forearms!

The ref counts, Ishii lets off, and the fans cheer again. Ishii storms back over to Gabe, kicks him around, but now Gabe gets mad. Ishii slaps Gabe around! Gabe stands and fires a forearm, but Ishii CHOPS! Ishii whips corner to corner, but Gabe comes back, only for Ishii to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this but Ishii stands on him. Ishii sits Gabe up to KICK him in the back! Gabe stands right up, and he gets in Ishii’s face. Gabe UPPERCUTS and Ishii staggers back! Gabe CHOPS Ishii in the corner, CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Ishii gets in Gabe’s face, then puts him in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP!

Ishii eggs Gabe on, so Gabe turns things around and CHOPS! Gabe talks trash on Ishii, daring him to bring the NJPW fighting spirit! Gabe waits at center, and Ishii storms up to CHOP! Gabe flips Ishii off and CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going back and forth, the fans cheering Ishii and booing Gabe. “YAY! BOO! YAY! BOO!” Ishii wobbles but he CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS again, and Ishii grits his teeth to stay standing! The CHOPS continue! The fans fire up as these CHOPS just keep going! Ishii gets the edge, but then Gabe bails out! Gabe dares Ishii to fight him on the outside now!

The fans boo but Ishii says get in the ring! Gabe gets in the ring, and he CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS! The CHOPS continue! Both men huff ‘n’ puff but they stay standing! The fans fire up as Ishii CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS just keep going! They might never stop, and the fans are loving it! Gabe finally staggers, and Ishii winds up to CHOP again! Gabe CHOPS, but Ishii CHOPS again! The fans hope they “CHOP FOREVER!” The CHOPS do continue, and Ishii gets the edge! Gabe snarls and CHOPS high! The fans boo but Gabe runs, but into a CHOP! Ishii reels Gabe in, but suplexes first!

But Ishii’s right up! He catches Gabe, spins him, and suplexes back! The fans fire up but Gabe GERMAN SUPLEXES! Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men stagger, stagger around, and fall! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Gabe and Ishii stir, and Gabe crawls to a corner. Ishii staggers and falls again, but Gabe struggles to stand. Ishii shouts at Gabe from afar, the fans rally up, and Ishii rolls his way back to center. Gabe manages to stand in the corner, so Ishii runs in and LARIATS! Ishii fires up and puts Gabe on the top rope. The fans rally again as Ishii climbs. Ishii tries but Gabe fights the superplex!

Gabe fires body shots, then he BITES Ishii’s ear! The fans boo, but Gabe brings Ishii up for a HANGING NECKLOCK! Gabe drops Ishii, soaks up the heat, then flips everyone off. Gabe dares Ishii to stand, talks trash, then reels Ishii in. But Ishii RISING HEADBUTTS! Gabe is stunned on the top rope, and Ishii climbs up after him! The fans rally up but Gabe again resists! Gabe fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, but Ishii HEADBUTTS in return! Ishii then stalling SUPERPLEXES! The fans are thunderous and Ishii storms over to Gabe. Ishii sits Gabe up, runs, and SLIDING- NO, Gabe ducks the lariat!

Gabe swings but Ishii blocks! Ishii swings but Gabe blocks! Ishii SOUTHPAW DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives, the fans rally up again, and Ishii drags Gabe up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives again but the fans rally behind Ishii. Ishii powers up, runs, but Gabe ducks the lariat! Ishii fights the German Suplex, ROCKS Gabe, but Gabe UPPERCUTS and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives but now Gabe hauls him up, SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives again and both men are down. The fans rally up, and Gabe sits up first. Gabe shakes out the stars and storms over to Ishii.

Gabe flips off the fans again, then drags Ishii up. Gabe reels Ishii in, but Ishii backdrops free! The fans fire up but Gabe stands. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Ishii falls to his knees, but rises again. Gabe LARIATS, but Ishii stays up! Ishii LARIATS, Gabe rebounds off ropes, and he LARIATS! The fans rally as Ishii rebounds to LARIAT! Gabe LARIATS from all sides! Gabe runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Gabe’s right up to LARIAT Ishii! Ishii’s right up, but Gabe LARIATS again! Gabe brings down the kneepad, and he runs up, but Ishii blocks the knee! Gabe ROCKS Ishii, and O-KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!?!

The fans go nuts and Gabe is shocked! Gabe gets mad, he runs up again, but Ishii dodges to DRAGON SUPLEX! Gabe rises, Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe rebounds, into Ishii’s LARIAT! Cover, ONE!?!? Gabe rises, the fans boo, but he UPPERCUTS! Ishii HEADBUTTS, then LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as Ishii brings Gabe up, but Gabe suplexes! BRAINBUSTER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The ref checks both men, they’re both okay to continue, and the fans rally up. A down count begins, but both Gabe and Ishii stir at 4 of 10. The fans rally up again, Ishii goes to ropes at 6, but Gabe is the one that stands at 8!

Gabe has the ref stop the count, he wants to finish this with Ishii. The fans fire up and Ishii storms up to Gabe at center. Ishii SLAPS Gabe, but Gabe CHOPS back! Ishii CHOPS again, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOP fight returns, but then Gabe winds up to ROCK Ishii! Or not, as Ishii comes back to ROCK Gabe! Gabe eggs Ishii up and he fires another forearm! Ishii ROCKS Gabe back! Gabe snarls and CHOPS! Ishii staggers back to ropes, the fans rally, and Ishii CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS! Ishii staggers, leans on Gabe, but then Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe fires CHOP after CHOP and Ishii staggers around!

Gabe CHOPS again! And again! Ishii HEADBUTTS, Gabe HEADBUTTS, they HEADBUTT again and again! Then they both fall back! Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but the show’s only just started! Both men sit up, and they junkyard dog headbutt! The five minute warning hits, but Gabe HEADBUTTS Ishii. Ishii HEADBUTTS Gabe! Gabe SLAPS Ishii, so Ishii SLAPS Gabe! Now it’s a SLAP fight! Both men bob ‘n’ weave, then SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! They both roar, and the SLAPS fire off! Ishii ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire up! San Jose shows respect for “Both These Guys!”

Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ishii roars and powers up! The fans fire up as Ishii brings Gabe in, but Gabe wrenches to LARIAT! Ishii stays up to RUNNING HEADBUTT! Ishii then gets moving, to LARIAT Gabe inside-out! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans fire up! Ishii rises again, vows to end this, and he drags Gabe up. The fans rally as hard as they can, and Ishii suplexes. Gabe slips free, and has the COBRA TWIST! GROUND COBRA CRADLE! Ishii is stuck, but Gabe pushes him to the cover, TWO!! SLAP! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!? The fans fire up and Gabe can’t believe it!

Gabe rises, he runs, and COMEBACKER LARIATS! Cover, TWO!??! Ishii survives again and we hit the two minute warning! Gabe drags Ishii around, stomps him, and the fans boo again. Gabe mockingly asks what’s wrong, but Ishii ROCKS him! Gabe ROCKS Ishii back! But Ishii fights the driver to spin and suplex! Gabe fights free, has Ishii again, PILEDRIVER!!! But Gabe clutches his knee, he can’t make the cover! Gabe crawls, but Ishii crawls away, and we’re literally at the last minute! Ishii goes to ropes, but he kicks at Gabe! Gabe rains down fists, then he hauls Ishii up! But Ishii fights the driver! THIRTY SECONDS!

Gabe CLUBS Ishii, DOUBLE CHOPS him, then fires PALM STRIKES! Ishii DECKS Gabe!! TWENTY SECONDS! Ishii hauls Gabe up but Gabe’s a ragdoll! TEN SECONDS!! Ishii suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER!!! But Gabe flounders away! TIME’S UP!!!

Time Limit Draw; Gabe retains the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship

The fans give a standing ovation for these two pushing the opener to its 30 minute limit! Gabe survives, and he grabs a mic to ask Ishii, “What happened?” Gabe wants to keep fighting! If Ishii wants to take Gabe to the limit, then in Chicago, April whenever the F (April 11th), 30 MINUTE IRONMAN MATCH!! BRING IT! They give junkyard dog headbutts and SLAPS even now! Young Lions separate them, and now both men have three months to prepare. Will it truly be a Windy City Riot when these two have one more dogfight?

NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: West Coast Wrecking Crew VS Rocky Romero & YOH!

Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson took these titles off the Grizzled Young Veterans at Strong Style Evolved, but now they battle Azucar & Direct Drive! Will the WCWC stay NJPW Strong? Or will Roppongi Revise rewrite this story?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and let’s see who gets wrecked!

The teams sort out and the fans rally behind Rocky. Yoh starts against Jorel and the fans rally behind Yoh now. The two circle, tie up, and Jorel waistlocks, SLAMS, and floats all over Yoh! Jorel slaps Yoh around, drags him up and wrenches, but Yoh drop toeholds. Yoh straddles Jorel to slap him around! Jorel gets away, Yoh says kiss this. Jorel storms up and he puts Yoh on ropes. The ref counts, Jorel lets off, but then he wrenches Yoh’s arm! Jorel hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then a wristlock. Yoh rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Rocky tags in, Yoh hands Jorel off to a wrench! Rocky wrenches, then tags Yoh for another handoff!

Yoh wrenches and wrenches and wrenches, then he tags Rocky. Rocky climbs and drops AX HANDLES on the arm! Jorel clutches the elbow but Rocky & Yoh double whip. They bypass then drop toehold to basement DROPKICK! Royce runs in but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as WCWC bails out, and Yoh aims. Rocky builds speed, DIVE onto Jorel and PLANCHA onto Royce! But WCWC catch them both! Stereo stalling suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Jorel puts Rocky in the ring. Jorel runs and dropkicks the legs out, Royce follows up with a knee to the side! Jorel comes back to cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Rocky but Jorel tags Royce. WCWC stomp Rocky in the corner, then Royce digs his boots in. The ref counts but Royce tags Jorel. Jorel steps in to stand on Rocky! The fans boo and the ref counts, but Jorel steps off at 4. Jorel brings Rocky up but Rocky CHOPS! Jorel UPPERCUTS Rocky, tags Royce, and then runs in, only for Rocky to BOOT him! Rocky BOOTS Royce, cravats, and he kicks off Jorel, only for Royce to block Sliced Bread! Royce flips Rocky around, Jorel runs in, CANADIAN HAMMER CUTTER COMBO! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans fire up but Royce TOSSES Yoh!

Royce stalks Rocky, drags him up, but Rocky CHOPS! Royce ROCKS Rocky, then CHOPS! Rocky ends up in a corner, Royce tags Jorel, and then Royce stands Rocky up. Royce feeds Rocky to Jorel’s POP-UP- NO, Rocky DDTS out of the bomb! Rocky dodges Royce, tilt-o-whirls, and DDTS! The fans fire up while WCWC is down! Rocky crawls, Yoh reaches out, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh climbs up to DOUBLE CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Yoh fires forearms on WCWC! But Royce kicks low! Jorel runs in, Yoh BOOTS him! Yoh sends Royce into Jorel, then he DUMPS Royce! Royce stays on the apron, but Yoh pokes him in the eyes!

Jorel runs up, but Yoh RAMS into Jorel low! Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM, and then he scoops SLAMS Jorel! The fans fire up for Yoh’s ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yoh wants a faster count but the ref says those were all fair. Jorel sputters but Yoh drags him up. Yoh reels Jorel in, suplexes, but Jorel fights it! Jorel suplexes but Yoh fights it! Yoh suplexes, Jorel slips free! Yoh RAMS Jorel into a corner, tags Rocky, and Rocky BLASTS Royce! Rocky comes back to ELBOW Jorel, then Rocky sets up for Yoh. POETRY IN MOTION! Yoh then suplexes Jorel to drape him on the ropes!

Rocky climbs a corner, and hits DRAPING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yoh runs to basement DROPKICK! Rocky covers, TWO! Royce returns to TOSS Yoh! Royce kicks Rocky, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but Rocky dodges! LARIT for Jorel in a corner! LARIAT for Royce in a corner! Rocky keeps going, that’s TWO-EVER! But then Jorel hits a FLYING CUTTER! #PopTheTank! And then CROSSFACE! Royce intercepts Yoh for a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! RPG Revise endures submissions while the fans rally! Rocky crawls his way over with one arm, but Jorel switches to legs! ANKLE LOCK! But Rocky rolls to send Jorel into Royce!

Royce runs up but Rocky BOOTS him! SLICED ROCKY! Jorel runs up, Rocky catches him, and Rocky sends Jorel to ropes. Jorel rebounds, Yoh is there for 3- NO! Jorel ELBOWS Yoh away! Then he BOOTS Rocky! Jorel CHOPS Yoh, CHOPS Rocky, then says WCWC mother effers! Jorel runs, but into DOUBLE JUMP KNEES! Rocky hits a BACKSTABBER, Yoh reels Jorel in for a FALCON ARROW BOMB! Rocky high stack covers, but Royce breaks it! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Royce and Yoh stand first, and they fire forearms back and forth! Royce fires a flurry, then a ROLLING ELBOW!

Royce runs, but Yoh DROPKICKS him! Rocky gets Royce, whips him, but Royce reverses! Yoh’s SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh panics, but then Royce sends Yoh into Jorel’s BOOT! Royce GERMAN SUPLEXES! Jorel goes to the corner while Royce stands Yoh up. Jorel goes up, and up, and Yoh moves, POP THE TANK hits Royce! Yoh SUPERKICKS Jorel! Rocky shoves Jorel, rebound and 3K!! Cover, TWO!! Jorel survives and RPG Revise can’t believe it! The fans fire up with Yoh & Rocky, and Rocky goes to a corner. Yoh drags Jorel up, Alabama Lifts him, but Royce slips a belt in! The ref grabs the belt from Jorel!

Jorel and the ref fight over the belt, as does Yoh, but then Royce full nelsons and pops Yoh up! HUSH MONEY PLEX! Rocky leaps, but into more HUSH- NO Rocky pops free and DROPKICKS Royce out! Jorel waistlocks, Rocky switches, repeat! Rocky O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Royce BELT SHOTS Rocky with the other belt! Jorel whips and POP-UP POWERBOMBS Rocky, to then CATAPULT him into Royce’s fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BACKBREAKER COMBO! Double cover, WCWC wins!!

Winners: West Coast Wrecking Crew, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

It took some trickery, but Royce & Jorel keep these belts around their waists!

8 Woman Elimination Tag Match: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa VS Johnnie Robbie, Trish Adora, Anna Jay & AZM!

As WrestleDynasty’s International Women’s Cup proved, women’s wrestling is strong all around the world! And so, eight rising stars from Stardom and AEW align in San Jose! The Hellbent Vixen, the 181cm Wonder Tower, the Crimson Cannon Empress and the Fighting Gravure Idol face Robbie Rocket, The AfroPunk, The Star of the Show & The High Speed Superstar, will it come down to the last woman standing?

The teams sort out and the fans all love Mina. But in the end, Hanako steps to Adora. The fans fire up and the bell rings. The tallest RAM each other again and again, and again, and again! They both roar, both run, and then RAM in again! The fans fire up as Adora runs, but Hanako follows! But all according to plan as Adora LARIATS her at the ropes! Adora then calls in the team and they go to lift Hanako! NJPW Elimination Tag Matches do allow for over-the-top-rope eliminations! But Mina and team hurry to save Hanako! The fans fire up as Mina’s team throw Anna, Robbie and AZM out! Viva & Maika then double whip to DOUBLE TACKLE Adora!

Hanako scoops Mina and stands over Adora for a FLIPPING SPLASH COMBO! Viva joins in, she and Mina run to slide and shimmy! Maika joins in on that last part, and Hanako kinda does, but she feels a bit awkward about it. The fans cheer all the same, and Hanako stands Adora up. Hanako suplexes but Adora resists it! Adora suplexes but Hanako resists! They fight for suplex control, then Adora kicks low. Adora runs but Hanako follows again, and she BOOTS Adora! Hanako runs, Adora tries to get away but she slumps against ropes. Hanako stomps Adora but the ref checks on Adora. The ref calls for a medic to check.

Robbie also checks on Adora, and helps her to the corner. Robbie tags in, but then sees Hanako so she tags Anna. Anna calls out Viva, and Hanako tags Viva in. The fans fire up as these AEW rivals meet again, and they run up! Anna dodges, takes a bow, and fans cheer. Anna dodges, Viva dodges, then Viva rolls and shimmies! But Anna SHOTGUNS Viva down! Anna whips Viva, Viva redirects and redirects, WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer and Viva takes a bow. Viva tags Hanako back in, and Hanako scoops Anna to SLAM! The fans rally as Hanako scoops again, but Anna fights free! Anna shoves Hanako away, tag to Robbie!

Robbie runs in, tilt-o-whirl crucifix takedown! Cover, TWO! Hanako whips Robbie to ropes, but Robbie victory rolls through! TWO! Robbie ducks Hanako’s boot, blocks the heel kick, and she trips Hanako up! Robbie runs and BOOTS Hanako down! The fans fire up and Robbie brings Hanako around. Hanako breaks free to ROCK Robbie! Robbie ROCKS Hanako! Then she backslides Hanako, TWO! Hanako escapes but Robbie KNEES her down! Cover, TWO! Hanako stays in this but the fans rally up. Robbie runs, but Hanako fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Robbie goes to a corner, Hanako runs up to SPLASH!

Hanako whips corner to corner, Robbie goes up and up, but Hanako catches her Code Breaker! And she turns it into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up and Hanako brings Robbie around. Torture rack and JP COASTER! Cover, Hanako ELIMINATES Robbie! And with Adora getting checked by medics, could Team AZM already be down 4v2? Speaking of AZM, she goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Hanako! The fans fire up as AZM kips up! AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Hanako throws her away! AZM kicks low, but Maika steps in and snapmares AZM! Hanako drops a KNEE, then she and Maika run to DOUBLE BOOT! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as AZM survives, and Adora’s back! The team still has three! Hanako torture racks, AZM slips free and comes back, LA MYSTICA into AZM SUSHI! AZM ELIMINATES HANAKO! The numbers are even but Viva Van CROSSBODIES from the top! Cover, TWO! AZM goes to a corner, Viva runs in, but AZM slips out! Anna joins in, DOUBLE LEG LARIAT int he corner! Then they run to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Viva flounders, AZM tags Anna, and Anna runs up, but Viva goes up and over! UP KICK! Viva then hoists Anna up to an Electric Chair Lift! But Anna victory rolls it! ONE!! Anna has the QUEENSLAYER!!

Viva flails but she is caught! Viva TAPS, Anna ELIMINATES her! Team AZM has the lead, and AZM joins Anna. They intercept Mina with kicks, then double whip. Mina reverses to send Anna away, then she kicks AZM! Mina ELBOWS Anna, victory rolls AZM, and has the legs tied up! Anna runs up, but Mina catches her, DDT SNAP LOCK COMBO! The fans are thunderous for Mina, and Mina dares someone to bring it. Adora tags in, Mina kicks her and puts her on the apron. Adora went through the middle rope so she’s safe. Mina fires shots, drags Adora back in, but Adora fires more shots! They go back and forth and the fans fire up!

The shots go fast and furious, Mina ROCKS her! Maika joins in, they work to TOSS Adora! Adora goes up, over, lands on the apron, but DOUBLE SHOTGUNS knock her to the floor! Mina & Maika ELIMINATE Adora! Things are tied again at 2v2, but AZM runs up to ROCK Mina! Mina fights the suplex, so AZM shifts to roll Mina up! TWO, but AZM tries AZM SUSHI! Maika breaks it! Anna CLUBS Maika, whips her, and AZM whips Mina. AZM slides to trip both Mina & Maika, and then Anna DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover on Mina, TWO! AZM drags Mina up, whips her corner to corner, but Mina goes up, only for AZM to SHOVE her over!

Mina lands safe on the apron, fights AZM off, and hurries in to FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up while Mina has AZM down! Mina goes up the corner, Anna and Maika scrap on the outside, and AZM stands. FLYING SLINGBLADE! Cover, Anna breaks it! Maika TOSSES Anna, and the fans fire up as Mina has AZM. GLAMOROUS- NO, AZM slips free, shoves Mina, but Mina DUMPS AZM to the apron! Mina sweeps the legs, but Anna SHOVES Mina! Mina and AZM fight on the apron edge while Maika goes after Anna! AZM BUZZSAWS Mina, but Mina ducks the Penalty Kick! AZM fights the roll-up!

AZM goes up the ropes but Mina avoids the double stomps! Mina uses a victory roll, but they BOTH fall to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Now it comes down to Anna and Maika! The fans fire up as Anna kicks and whips Maika! Anna LEG LARIATS, then runs side to side for another LEG LARIAT! Anna goes the other way, LEG LARIAT! Anna finishes the hattrick and she puts Maika up top. Maika fights back, BOOTS Anna away, then hops in. Maika dodges Anna, runs back in, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Maika survives, Anna grows frustrated, but she runs, into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Anna stays in this. Maika fires up and the fans rally. Maika brings Anna up, suplexes, but Anna fights free! Anna wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK, then BACKSTABBER! Anna goes up and the fans fire up! But Maika hurries to ROCK Anna first! Maika climbs up, fires more shots, then brings Anna up! Stalling SUPERPLEX! The fans are thunderous, Maika covers, TWO!! Anna survives and the fans fire up! Maika vows to end this, and she scoops Anna. Anna slips free, for the QUEENSLAYER!! Maika reaches out, but Anna becomes a backpack! Maika still makes it to ropes, and works ot throw Anna over!

Anna is on the apron, and Maika runs up to LARIAT! Anna holds on so Maika tries again! ROLLING ELBOW! Anna FALLS, Team Mina wins!

Winners: Viva Van, HANAKO, Maika & Mina Shirakawa, by ring-out

Empress Nexus Venus stands tall, along with their honorary member in Viva. Will Stardom, NJPW and maybe even AEW soon belong to #ENexusV?

NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb!

The Headbanga’s 2024 was quite the roller coaster: exiled from Bullet Club; teaming with the Guerrillas of Destiny; being left behind by the Guerrillas of Destiny; and being diagnosed with cancer. But ELP overcame that dreaded disease, and he overcame three opponents at once at WrestleKingdom 19! Will ELP continue to be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Imperial Unit take this title back?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time for the “season premiere” of the ELP Show!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. ELP and Cobb circle, tie up, and ELP headlocks. Cobb powers up and out, then he RAMS ELP! ELP stays up, sighs, then runs. ELP RAMS Cobb, but Cobb stays put. The fans fire up and ELP goes again, to RAM Cobb! Cobb isn’t impressed so ELP offers him a go. Cobb runs and he CLOBBERS ELP! But ELP kips up! ELP mule kicks, runs, and he RUSN Cobb over! But then Cobb kips up!? The fans fire up, Cobb dodges a superkick to scoop! ELP slips free, kicks and reels Cob in! Cobb fights free, ELP avoids the lariat, and then handsprings up! The fans cheer this opening exchange.

ELP and Cobb reset, then step up to each other. They bump shoulders, then ELP fires a forearm. Cobb doesn’t budge so ELP fires another. And then another! Cobb winds up to DECK ELP! The fans fire up as Cobb drags ELP back up, and TOSSES him across the way! The fans fire up and Cobb says touchdown! Cobb then deadlifts ELP into a suplex! ELP fires knees, drops down, but Cobb holds onto him! Cobb brings ELP back up, and then THROWS him away! The fans fire up and ELP almost cries in pain. Cobb stalks ELP, and drags him back to center. Cobb stomps on ELP, then stands on him! Cobb hangs ten on ELP!

Cobb mocks the ELP rocker fingers, but makes ’em hang loose. Cobb then steps off, and he “apologizes.” Cobb sits ELP up, but ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! ELP fires forearm after forearm, and he brings Cobb to his knees! ELP winds up to ROCK Cobb again! ELP runs, but Cobb LARIATS ELP inside-out! Cobb drags ELP up, whips him to ropes, then scoops for a TOUR- DDT!! ELP turns things around on Cobb and the fans fire up! ELP and Cobb are both down, but ELP works his way up into a kip up! Cobb goes to a corner, ELP runs up to spin and CHOP! ELP knuckle locks, CHOPS, then goes up, up, jumps around, and around, then FLYING RANAS!

The fans fire up and ELP handsprings again. Then he LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Cobb has power to spare but ELP stays cool. ELP brings Cobb up, straitjackets and torture racks, but that’s a lot to lift! We’re past five minutes, and ELP’s back gives up! Cobb RIPCORDS ELP into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans rally up. Cobb tells ELP to get up, then brings him around. Cobb whips, ELP grabs ropes! Cobb runs up, but into a BOOT! ELP runs up, but Cobb URENAGES, and FALLING HAMMERS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI onto KNEES! Inside cradle, TWO! ELP runs to PUNT, and BUZZSAW!

ELP STOMPS Cobb’s hands! ELP stands Cobb up, straitjackets, and then he fires forearms to the back! ELP torture racks, but Cobb’s still a lot to lift! ELP still gets Cobb up! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE?!?! Cobb rises, into SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP goes to the apron, springboards, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO!??! ELP hurries to haul Cobb up, but then Cobb jumps up to DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while a standing count starts. Cobb is in one corner, ELP is in the other. Cobb snarls, runs corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over! ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY!

ELP rolls, LIONS- NO, Cobb bails out, but ELP lands on his feet! ELP DIVES onto Cobb, and Cobb goes over the railing! The fans lose their minds and a ring count begins. ELP hurries into the ring at 6 of 20, but then he aims from the ropes! Cobb stands, but he hurries away! The fans boo, but ELP just changes to the corner! ELP uses the post to SUPER THUNDERKISS out into the crowd! The fans lose their minds as ELP wipes out Cobb and Young Lions! A new ring count begins, and both ELP and Cobb slowly stir. ELP borrows a fan’s water to take a drink. Cobb CLUBS ELP at the railing! The count is 10 of 20 as both men try to get over the railing while fighting.

ELP hops the railing, but Cobb reaches under to trip him! ELP SUPERKICKS Cobb away! ELP hurries but then Cobb TOSSSES Zane Jay at ELP!! The count hits TWENTY, it’s a DRAW!!

Double Count Out Draw; ELP retains the title

The fans are going wild, but “episode one” ends on controversy! The fans want overtime, and ELP and Cobb both get in the ring. They clearly want to keep going! The ref says the rules are the rules, 15 minutes is 15 minutes. The fans say “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but this will just have to be a cliffhanger. ELP tosses the belt aside and shoves Cobb! Cobb shoves him back, but the two stand down. Will they just have to wait for somewhere down the line to settle this plotline?

Sumie Sakai Retirement Mixed Six Tag: Sumie Sakai, EVIL & SHO VS Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki!

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA!

Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero!

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!

It’s another Collision between #RatedFTR and The Learning Tree!

Last week’s Six Man Tag wasn’t enough to settle things, so now Adam Copeland goes 1v1 with “Big Bill” Morrissey! Can the Redwood cope with Cope?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Adam Copeland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey; Cope wins.
• PAC VS Komander w/ Alex Brahantes; Pac wins.
• The Outrunners VS Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta; Claudio & Yuta win.
• Mariah May VS Harley Cameron; Mariah wins.
• Brody King w/ Julia Hart VS Trevor Blackwell; Brody wins.
• AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Katsuyori Shibata; Garcia wins and retains the title.
• Dax Harwood VS Chris Jericho; Jericho wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Harley Cameron speaks.

Or rather, sings, “Feel the Wrath!”

Mariah May speaks.

“Tonight, it’s hot girl graps. Well, for one of us.” Mariah is the Women’s World Champion, the Woman From Hell, and she’ll make it so Harley will never sing again, because Mariah’s gonna rip out those vocal cords and throw them into the third row. Mariah’s all smiles, but will she make this anything but pleasant?

The Learning Tree Speaks.

The Redwood, “Big Bill” Morrissey says that as The Learning Tree, Chris Jericho, always says, “Brevity is the soul of it.” And while “Cope” may have shortened his name, Bill’s gonna shorten Cope’s career. Chris Jericho says last week, they proved Cope is a Dope, so tonight, Jericho shows that Harwood is no good! Bryan Keith says it’ll be a clean-ass sweep! Jericho then waves and says, “Bye, guys.”

Rated FTR speaks.

Dax says Jericho’s Learning Tree gets chopped down by Dax The Ax! And Cope says he’s been called many things, from Paul Bunyan to a lumberjack, and that is apropos because he’ll chop down that Redwood right now! See ya, boys! Cope heads to gorilla, Cash has the honors of saying #TopGuysOut. Will Collision once again be Rated R?

Adam Copeland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey!

Athens, Georgia is fired up to see the Rated R Superstar, but of course Jericho joins commentary, Bryan Keith by his side. Will The Learning Tree make Cope RESPECT Chris Jericho? Or is a Redwood about to fall?

The bell rings, the two tie up, and Cope manages to push Bill back step by step! The fans rally, but Bill powers Cope all the way to a corner! Cope bounces off buckles, bails out of the ring, and Bill soaks up the heat. Cope shakes off hitting buckles but Bill storms out after him. Bill runs up, but Cope drop toeholds him into steel steps! Cope then SMACKS Bill off the apron, then off the barriers! The fans fire up as Cope bumps Bill off railing, then off the desk! The fans fire up, Jericho protests, but Cope DRIBBLES Bill more! Jericho warns Cope, but Cope lets off and the fans fire up more! Jericho tells fans to shut up but Cope leaves Bill behind.

Jericho coaches Bill up, but Cope drags Bill to the apron! Cope fires forearms, then runs, but Bill dodges! Bill CLUBS away on Cope in the ropes! The fans boo but Jericho says that’s what Cope deserves! Bill then hops down, so he can BOOT Cope! Cope tumbles to the floor, Bill soaks up more heat, and the ring count begins. Bill drags Code up, to SNAKE EYES off the desk! Jericho is okay with it when it’s Cope taking the desk to the face. The fans duel, Bill SMACKS Cope off the apron, then he SMACKS Cope off steel steps! Bill refreshes the count, taunts the fans, and he stands Cope up to scoop, SNAKE EYES to the steps!

Cope falls back, Jericho and Keith applaud, and Jericho even high-fives Keith and Bill. Bill refreshes the ring count, then he drags Cope up. Bill puts Cope against railing, and puts some stank on the CHOP! The fans are torn, Bill mocks Cope’s pain, then Bill scuffs Cope. Cope stands Bill up, to CHOP him down again! Bill refreshes the count yet again, and he gets the fans to boo him louder. Cope rolls into the ring, but Bill puts him on the apron! Bill CLUBS Cope, taunts him with the rock ‘n’ roll hands, then CLUBS Cope again! Cope slumps down, Bill stands him up! Bill hits SNAKE EYES off the barriers!

The fans boo while Bill mockingly asks if Cope is okay, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Cope reaches out in a daze but Bill leaves him behind. Bill refreshes the count, taunts Cope and the fans, then stands Cope up. Bill whips Cope hard into railing, and Cope slumps down again. Bill storms up on Cope, stands him back up, and blows a kiss to the fans. Bill puts Cope in the ring, stalks him, and soaks up more heat. Cope sits up, but Bill CLUBS him back down! Bill stands on Cope’s neck! The ref reprimands, counts, but Bill steps away at 4. Cope goes to ropes, Bill CHOKES him, but the ref counts again. Bill stops at 4, then stands on Cope’s neck! The ref counts, Bill steps off again, and Cope sputters under the ropes.

Bill soaks up more heat, then goes back to bring Cope up. Bill puts Cope in a corner, winds up, and UPPERCUTS! Bill mockingly claps for Cope, then grabs Cope’s arms. Bill traps one arm and then clamps on a neck wrench! Cope endures, Collision returns to single picture, and the fans rally up. Cope fights up, fires shots at the big legs of Big Bill, and the fans fire up more! Cope short arm LARIATS, but Bill stays up! Cope fires LARIAT after LARIAT, Bill wobbles, then Cope runs. Bill choke grips Cope, but Cope kicks the legs! Cope fires KNEES into Bill’s face! Cope then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Bill is down! Cope hurries to cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Cope as Bill is still in this. Bill goes to ropes, Cope storms over and whips. Bill reverses, Cope ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Bill hits a BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO! Cope survives and the fans fire up, but Jericho still loves seeing Bill “drop the hammer” on Cope. Cope sputters, Bill calls to Jericho, and Jericho goes over to talk with his Branch> The ref says no, Jericho needs to stay back. But Bill yanks a buckle pad away! Cope stagger sup, Bill scoops, and Bill aims for that corner! But Cope slips free! Bill avoids the buckle, then puts Cope on the apron. Cope ROCKS Bill, HOTSHOTS him, then hurries back up!

Jericho plays dumb about the buckle pad while Cope climbs. Bill UPPERCUTS Cope, and Jericho says Cope’s outta hope! Bill climbs up to get Cope, but Cope fights the suplex! Cope fires body shots, then he CLUBS away on Bill’s back! Cope BUMPS Bill off the steel! Jericho is furious, but Cope still POWERBOMBS Bill!! Cover, TWO?!? Bill survives and Jericho is relieved. The fans rally up and Cope goes to a corner. Bill goes to the other, and it’s the very corner with the bare buckle Cope runs in, but Bill HURDLES! Cope hits the bar buckle! Bill BOOTS Cope down! Cover, TWO!! Cope survives and shocks everyone!

The fans fire up but Bill takes aim. Cope stands, Bill has the choke grip! CHOKE- NO, Cope slips free, for an IMPALER DDT!! Bill flounders and Cope goes to a corner! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cope is shocked and even Jericho can’t believe Bill survived! Athens is going nuts as Jericho shouts for Bill to get back up! Bill grabs Cope from below! Cope shoves the ref to LOW BLOW!! SPEAR!!! And then HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Cope is sending a message to Moxley before clamping on a REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! Bill is OUT, Cope wins!!

Winner: Adam Copeland, by submission

Jericho is furious, so he and Keith storm the ring! They beat Cope down, but Cope wasn’t even making this about them! Cope was calling out the Death Riders, but here comes FTR! Dax brawls with Keith, Cash TACKLES Jericho, and now refs rush out here! The fans rally for Rated FTR, but now security has to hurry to stop this! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but for the sake of tonight’s main event, the two sides must be separated! Chris Jericho has his Learning Tree regroup, will things only be more violent when the ROH World Champion goes 1v1 with Dax?

Hangman Page speaks.

“I have worked so hard in my wrestling career to protect my family from the kind of prying eyes, the kind of intrusions that even a small amount of fame can bring. And in one night, all of that work was undone. And it nearly tore my family apart. And though it didn’t tear my family apart, it broke me. Because for the first time, I was ashamed! I was ashamed to come here every week, I was ashamed to stand in front of the world, and I was ashamed to look my wife and my son in the eyes after what I allowed to happen to them! And I knew after awhile, that I had to make a decision. I could either remain the husk of a man that I was…

“Or I could do something about it. So I found Swerve Strickland. And I made sure that he did not hold the AEW World Championship. And I severed the ties to the last hope that he had that he could build a family and a home like I had! And in September, I all but spilled his brains in front of the world. Christopher Daniels, I know, I understand what you are trying to say to me. And I humored you, maybe for too long, because of who you were. When I met you 14 years ago, I was just a kid, and you were the first wrestler I’d met that had ever done anything, who told me that I could, too.

“So I humored you for awhile. But I listened for too long. And last Saturday, you crossed a line when you laid hands on me. And for that, you will pay the price. Saturday on Collision in Cincinnati, Maximum Carnage, Christopher Daniels, I will see you… in a TEXAS DEATH MATCH. And I need you to understand this going into Cincinnati. I have decided who I will be. And I will wake up every morning and I will make that same decision over and over again, because I would rather injure and maim, I would rather tear every life on this Earth apart, than be the man that I was last year.

“CD, you have made your bed.  And next Saturday, I lay you down in it… forever.” The Cowboy has called his shot, but will The Fallen Angel make sure to strike first?

PAC VS Komander w/ Alex Brahantes!

The Bastard is back in action, and he’s surprisingly alone right now. The Commander of the Skies wants his revenge on The Death Riders and they want revenge on him, how will walk away from this Collision?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Pac puts Komander on ropes, but the ref counts. Pac shifts to a cravat and snapmare, but Komander handsprings through! The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and they end up on ropes again. Pac lets go to then headlock, and Pac hits a takeover. Komander endures the grind, fights up and around, and Komander powers up and out. Pac RUNS Komander over, tells the fans to hush, but the fans boo instead. Things speed up, Pac handsprings over the dropdown but Komander runs up. Pac scoops but Komander slips free, only for Pac to kick low.

Pac whips, Komander reverses to hip toss! Pac is right up but Komander MONKEY FLIPS! Pac lands through! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to jump and RANA! Pac tumbles out, Komander keeps moving, and Komander rolls to slow-mo roll and RANA! The fans fire up for that tricky move, and Komander goes to the far side. Komander climbs up, tightrope walks, and he salutes for the SPACEMAN MOONSAULT! The fans fire up and Komander puts Pac in, to then springboard and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Pac escapes but Komander storms up. Pac kicks low and he sends Komander into buckles!

Komander sputters, Abrahantes coaches him and the fans rally up. Pac digs his boots into Komander’s face, the ref counts, and Pac lets off at 4. The fans boo but Pac soaks it up, while also standing on Komander! The ref reprimands, Pac steps off, but he drags Komander up. The fans rally, Pac mocks them, and he TOSSES Komander out. Pac goes out to then send Komander into railings! Komander falls, the fans boo, but Pac soaks it up. Pac stomps Komander, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Pac steps off, and he glares at Abrahantes. The Hype Man asks what happened to Pac that he’s like this, but Pac goes to the ring.

Komander crawls, Abrahantes coaches him up, and Komander is back in. But Pac runs corner to corner, but Komander dodges! But then Pac dodges! Pac BOOTS and Komander sputters while slumped against ropes. Pac pushes Komander down and covers, TWO! Komander stays in this but Pac stalks him. The fans rally, but then Pac goes out just to CHOKE Abrahantes! The fans boo but Komander hurries to go up, up, and ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Pac and the fans fire up! Komander and Pac both sputter while Abrahantes is pumped! Komander rises, he puts Pac in the ring, and then aims again.

Komander springboards, Pac gets under, but then Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges! Roll and FALLING CUTTER!! The fans fire up as Komander keeps moving, and he QUEBRADAS! Pac catches Komander, but Komander swings around to a DDT! Cover, TWO! Pac survives and the fans rally up. Komander goes to a corner, tunes up, and then runs corner to corner. Komander goes up, up, but Pac trips him up! The fans boo but Komander is stuck on the top rope! Komander slowly slumps down, and now Pac goes up the corner! Komander rolls away and the fans cheer, but Pac is just angrier than before. Pac runs corner to corner, but into a SUPERKICK!

Pac staggers, Komander SUPERKICKS again! The fans fire up and Komander climbs! Pac stands, but into a FLYING DESTROYER!! Komander hurries up top again, for the 450- NO, Pac gets his knees up! And now Komander’s in the BRUTALIZER!!! Komander TAPS, Pac wins!

Winner: Pac, by submission

The Bastard beats the ROH World Television Champion, and only lets go when he wants to! But that isn’t all, because here comes the rest of the Death Riders! Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta make their way out here, and then they all get Komander to his feet. The Swiss Superman is still mad about that Continental Classic match, but here come The Outrunners! The fans fire up as Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum brawl with Yuta & Claudio! This match was meant to happen a little later, but it might as well happen now! The ref rings the bell, can the Youngest Men Alive get their own revenge on The Death Riders?

The Outrunners VS Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta!

The fans fire up as Turbo has Claudio on the outside, but Yuta KNEES and CHOPS Truth in the ring. Yuta whips, Truth reverses, and then Truth ELBOWS Yuta down! Turbo fires off on Claudio but Claudio turns things around. Truth stomps Yuta, bumps him off buckles, then he stomps again. Yuta knees low, bumps Truth off buckles, then CHOPS! The fans boo Yuta while he talks trash, and then Yuta CHOPS! But Truth bumps Yuta off buckles! Truth CHOPS, and CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Yuta staggers forward into a CHOP! The fans fire up, Turbo tags in, and he wrenches Yuta to whip into the corner.

Turbo ELBOWS Yuta, tags Truth, then snapmares Yuta down. Truth hits the NECK SNAPPER, Turbo hits an ELBOW DROP! Yuta staggers up, Truth DECKS him! Truth tags Turbo back in, but Yuta headlocks. Yuta CLAWS Turbo’s eyes, has him on the ropes, but the ref counts. Yuta lets go of Turbo to argue with the ref, but Claudio LARIATS Turbo from behind! The fans boo, Yuta stomps Turbo, then Yuta tags Claudio. They stomp Turbo, then split the wishbone! Claudio BOOTS Turbo, then stalks him to the ropes. The fans rally, and Turbo fires hands on Claudio! But Claudio scoop SLAMS Turbo!

Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Turbo sputters, Claudio clamps onto his arm with a cording hold. The fans rally and Turbo fights to his feet! Turbo fires body shots, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Turbo goes to ropes, but Claudio brings him around to UPPERCUT! Claudio ROCKS Turbo, fires body shots at the ropes, then UPPERCUTS! Claudio smothers Turbo against ropes, then whips. Turbo reverses to THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up for those fast hands! Turbo roars, then he tags Truth. The Outrunners whip Claudio to BODY SHOT, KNEE LIFT, and BIG back suplex! The fans fire up but Yuta storms in! Truth DECKS him!

Claudio is back up, but the Outrunners LARIAT both Claudio & Yuta up and out of the ring! The fans are thunderous for the Outrunners, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Truth goes outside to CHOP Claudio against the barriers! And CHOP him again! Yuta storms up but Truth DECKS him again! But then Claudio whips Truth hard into the steel steps! Truth tumbles up and over, clutches his legs, but Claudio stalks him. Truth hobbles away, falls back down, but Yuta is there, too! Yuta & Claudio mug Truth, stomp him on the floor, but back off as the ref reprimands them. Turbo storms over but the ref keep shim back, too. Claudio grabs Truth’s leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER off the railing! Claudio leaves Truth behind and distracts the ref, so Yuta goes after Truth. Truth CHOPS first!

Yuta kicks the bad leg, puts Truth back in, and Claudio drags Truth up to UPPERCUT! Claudio puts Truth’s bad leg in the ropes to KICK and CHOP! The fans rally for the Outrunners but Claudio tags Yuta, and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and Claudio has Truth down with an ANKLE LOCK! Truth endures, fights, and rolls! Claudio is thrown away, but he BLASTS Turbo! Claudio then DECKS Truth and tags in Yuta. The fans boo but The Death Riders give Truth a HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Yuta keeps on Truth after that message to FTR for their love of the Hart Foundation. Yuta hauls Truth up but Truth fights the suplex. Yuta kicks a leg, hits the suplex, then tags Claudio. Claudio goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Claudio clamps onto an arm. Truth endures the double wristlock, fights up, but Claudio stops the jawbreaker!

Claudio ROCKS Truth, runs up, but Truth TOSSES him up and out! The fans fire up as Truth crawls, but Claudio intercepts! But Truth powers up! Truth lifts Claudio, seps forward, repeat! Truth BACKDROPS, Claudio sunset flips, but Truth rolls through! Truth dodges, hot tag to Turbo! Yuta hurries to tag in, but Turbo DECKS him! And DECKS him! And DECKS him again! The fans fire up as Turbo scoops and SLAMS Yuta! Claudio runs in, into a scoop and SLAM! Truth joins in, Turbo scoop SLAMS him onto Yuta! The fans fire up and The Outrunners power up! “Turbo Floyd, you sonova b*tch!” DOUBLE ELBOW DROP!

The fans fire up as Yuta staggers to his feet and Turbo scoops him. Truth runs, but Claudio trips him! No Total Recall as Claudio sends Truth into barriers! Yuta  sends Turbo into an UPPERCUT! Then O’Conner Roll, TWO! Yuta hurries to whip Turbo, but Turbo sunset flips! TWO! Yuta hurries up but Turbo whips him, only for Yuta to sunset flip! Turbo sits on the cover! TWO!! Yuta escapes, then wrangles Turbo into the lateral press, ONE, Turbo turns it around to a ghost pin! TWO!!! Yuta escapes by nanoseconds this time! Yuta KNEES low, THROWS Turbo down, then basement DROPKKICKS him down!

The fans boo but Yuta drags Turbo up. But it’s Turbo who suplexes! Cover, Claudio stomps it! And he BOOTS Truth off the apron! Claudio THROWS Yuta to the Death Rider corner, then tags himself in. The Swiss Superman says this is how they do it! GIANT SWING! The fans are torn, but then Yuta DROPKICKS Turbo at TEN! Cover, Truth breaks it! Truth ROCKS Yuta, then LARIATS Yuta and himself up and out! Claudio ignores that to put Turbo up top. Claudio ROCKS Turbo, climbs up, but Turbo fights with body shots! The two brawl, and Turbo winds up to DECK Claudio! The fans fire up as Turbo adjusts!

But wait, Claudio grabs at the ref, and Yuta trips Turbo up! The fans boo but Claudio goes up, to SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX! Then Claudio makes Yuta his weapon, ROCKET LAUNCHER SPLASH! Cover, Death Riders win!

Winners: Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta, by pinfall

It was a harder fought match than Claudio would’ve liked, and he tells Yuta as much. But will no one, in any division, be able to stop the reign of terror The Death Riders are on?

“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs speaks.

“Mox. Everything you want is right in front of you, dog. See, I’ve been listening since the beginning. Since all this Death Rider BS started, I’ve been listening. Everything you want is in front of you. You wanted people to stand up, you wanted AEW to be a place where people took initiative. Well guess what, Mox? I took initiative. I won the Casino Gauntlet. I beat seven other people, Mox. I stood up to you Wednesday on Dynamite, and what’d you do? You backed away. You cowered out, you tucked your tail between your legs. What type of leader, what type of world champion is that?

“This Wednesday night, Maximum Carnage, I know where we’re at. Cincinnati, Ohio, the birthplace of Jon Moxley. Well guess what, Mox? I’ve between shot, I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been homeless. Hell, there’ve been times when I was left for dead. But guess what, Mox? There’s nothing you can actually do to me. So this Wednesday, Cincinnati, Ohio, I’m gonna make you my b*tch.” The Powerhouse is ready, will the Book of Hobbs have its greatest chapter yet?

Mariah May VS Harley Cameron!

The Glamour feels no one in the AEW Women’s Division is on her level, or even the level below that, but this wild Aussie is too crazy to care! Will the AEW Women’s World Champion FEEL THE WRATH? Or will she show us just why she’s The Woman From Hell?

The bell rings and Mariah doesn’t even take Harley seriously as she sits perched on the corner. Harley says c’mon! It’s HOT GIRL GRAPS! The fans fire up, Mariah hops down and still mockingly asks, “What is this?” The two storm up, Harley talks some smack, but Mariah laughs and looks awya., Harley rolls her up! ONE!! Harley Oklahoma Rolls, oNE! Harley snatches Mariah for a cradle, TWO! Mairah is up, and she HEADBUTTS Harley!! Harley sputters and flounders, and Mariah smiles. The fans rally for Harley while she goes to a corner, and Mariah storms up. Mariarh stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts 4.

Harley flounders to another corner, but Mariah storms up on her there. Mariah says, “Feel the Wrath!” and she CHOPS! Harley staggers away, Mairah whips her to a corner, then Mariah runs up. Harley BOOTS Mariah, runs up, and she LARIATS! The fans fire up with Harley, and she kicks low! Then she KNEES low again and again! Harley clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, ONE!! Mariah snarls but Harley stays on her with elbows into the shoulders! Harley runs, but Mariah ducks the Shining Wizard! Mariah fireman’s carries but Harley fights free! ENZIGIRI! Mariah falls, Harley covers, TWO!

Harley is frustrated already but the fans rally up. Mariah goes to ropes, and Harley storms up behind her! Harley grabs the legs, Mariah grabs the ropes! Mariah BOOTS Harley away, but Harley comes back! Mariah sends her into ropes! Mariah runs and SHOTGUNS Harley down! Cover, TWO! Harley stays in this and Mariah grows frustrated, but Collision goes picture in picture.

Mariah storms around, Harley flops against ropes, but Mariah stands her up. Mairah scoops for teh SPIN-OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mariah snarls again and stalks Harley to ropes. Mariah CHOKES Harley, blows kisses, then lets off as the ref counts. Mariah storms back up on Harley i a corner, and CHOPS! Harley staggers away again, but Mariah follows her to a corner. Mariah digs her boots in, steps off as the ref counts, and Mariah soaks up the heat. Mariah stomps Harley, mocks the fans clapping for Harley, then storms up on Harley in the corner. Mariah scrapes Harley’s face off the ropes! The ref counts but Mariah stops once she goes side to side.

Mariah plays innocent, “apologizes” to the ref, then stalks Harley to ropes. Mariah stands Harley up to DECK her! Harley writhes then crawls, but Mariah kicks her to a corner. Mariah snapmares Harley, clamps on a chinlock, then shifts things to a straitjacket stretch! Harley endures, even as Mariah’s knee digs into her back. Mariah mockingly laughs in Harley’s ear, and Collision returns to single picture. Harley fights up as the fans rally, but Mariah throws her down! The fans boo but Mariah drags Harley up. Mariah hoists Harley to the top rope, then puts some stank on the DOUBLE CHOPS! The fans still “WOO~!” while Harley sputters.

Mariah runs up, and hits some STRATUSFACTION! Cover, TWO! Harley stays in this, and Mariah is almost amused. Mariah taunts the fans that this is someone they like. Mariah reels Harley in, but then spins her out. Harley dodges the lariat to FLYING FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! Harley rises as the fans rally behind her, and she runs up to fire forearms! Mariah staggers, Harley fires more counter shots, then Harley DECKS her! And DECKS her! Harley runs and RAMAS Mariah in a corner! Then whips corner to corner to SPALSH! Snapmare, run, wrench, NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up as Harley has Mariah hooked up! PUMP HANDLE SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives and Harley is furious! The fans rally up again and Harley brings Mariah around. But Mariah knees low! Mariah reels Harley in, STORM- NO, Harley makes it a jackknife bridge! TWO, and Mariah KNEES Harley down! Then Mariah reels Harley back in, STORM ZERO!! Cover, Mariah wins!

Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall

Harley brought the fight to the champion, but not even #HotGirlGraps can bring down The Glamour. The first-ever Women’s Casino Gauntlet happens next week, who survives Maximum Carnage to meet Mariah in Australia?

Christopher Daniels speaks.

“Hangman Page, what you don’t seem to understand is I was never approaching you as an AEW official. Even when I was still an EVP, I was trying to be a friend to you. I’ve known you for more than 15 years, and I saw you go through the worst year and a half of your life. I saw all of your friends desert you. I saw the fans turn their backs on you. And I wanted to be a friend to you. But every time I reached out, you responded with violence. And I don’t even care about getting punched, I’ve been knocked on my ass more than 1000 times in my life, Adam! But when we stood face to face, you called me an old man and asked me what I’ve done in professional wrestling?

“That hurt. Apparently, it’s time for a history lesson, Adam. I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I’ve won championships, I’ve main evented PPVs, I’ve wrestled all around the world. And if a professional wrestling company mattered in the last THIRTY-TWO YEARS, I wrestled there! I helped build two professional wrestling companies from the ground up. I was AEW before AEW was even real. So maybe 2024 wasn’t my best in-ring year of my career. But it’s 2025 now, and I’m not an EVP anymore. I’m just a man who’s sick and tired of being disrespected!

“Maximum Carnage Collision, Adam Page, you want Texas Death? I already shown I’m willing to shed MY blood, I’ll shed yours, as well. Maybe I’ll add beating your ass to my list of accomplishments.” The Fallen Angel is ready, will he make sure Texas Death is the end of #CowboyS*it?

Brody King w/ Julia Hart VS Trevor Blackwell!

The House of Black’s foundation has been questioned by Will Ospreay, but that is perhaps fair after Brody failed to meet him in the Continental Classic, along with failing to win in the Tokyo Dome. Can the House rebuild with what remains? Or is it time for the King of Death to sit on the throne?

The bell rings, Athens barks for Brody, and Brody eggs on Trevor. Trevor fires a haymaker, but Brody doesn’t flinch! Brody CHOPS Trevor off his feet! Trevor scrambles to a corner, throws elbows, but Brody fires back! Brody TOSSES Trevor across the way, then storms up to put him across the top rope. Brody winds up and CHOPS Trevor right down! Julia is pleased as Brody goes out to stalk Trevor. Trevor is in a real-life horror movie as he finds himself surrounded. Julia wags her finger, Trevor turns around, Brody CHOPS him down again! Brody puts Trevor in the ring, then runs, runs, and LARIATS!!

Brody isn’t done, he TOSSES Trevor back to a corner, and the fans bark again. Brody runs to CANNONBALL! Brody hauls Trevor up and in, then hoists him up! GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!

Winner: Brody King, by pinfall

The Princess of the Black Throne stands with her King, and the fans bark in celebration. Will 2025 be the year AEW fades to Black?

Backstage interview with Brody King & Julia Hart.

Lexy Nair is with the House of Black and says we saw him end 2024 on a strong note with his great showing in the C2. He continued that momentum into 2025 in the Tokyo Dome, we heard everything good Ospreay had to say about Brody and Buddy, and Brody just got a big win. How is he feeling? Brody says right now, it is a confusing time for the House of Black. But then in steps Cope. Cope says they’ve been through a lot. But he hopes that at the end of all of it, Cope respects Brody, Julia, and Buddy. They have the world at their feet. Cope knows what Brody brings to the table, because he felt it. Cope wanted this to be a group.

But hey, time for Brody to take the reins and run things. Cope heads out, leaving Brody with a lot to think about. Will there be a new head of the house now?

AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Katsuyori Shibata!

Red Death has great respect for The Wrestler, has teamed up with him a few times, and had made the promise that once he took this title off Jack Perry, he and Shibata would battle for it. That promise is now fulfilled, but will Garcia still be golden afterward? Or will Shibata add a new accolade to the list?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we’re about to see who earns the title of “The Face of TNT!”

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two stare down, then slowly circle. They feel things out while fans duel, and then the two back away. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Shibata powers Garcia to ropes. The ref counts the break, Shibata and Garcia let go slowly, and then Shibata backs away. The fans cheer the sportsmanship, and the two reset. Shibata and Garcia tie up, then break, and Shibata CHOPS! Garcia stands his ground and the fans fire up. Garcia CHOPS Shibata, Shibata nods, and he CHOPS again! The fans fire up and Shibata eggs Garcia on. Garcia CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP!

Garcia headlocks, Shibata powers up and out, but Garcia RAMS Shibata! Shibata CHOPS Garcia off his feet! Garcia hurries back to his feet, and the fans are fired up. Garcia CHOPS, Shibata eggs him on! Garcia CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Shibata still eggs him on! The CHOPS keep going but Shibata steps into them! Shibata then CHOPS Garcia to the corner! Shibata CHOPS, CHOPS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Garcia sits down, Shibata goes corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Garcia sputters, Athens is thunderous, and Shibata hits a SNAP HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Garcia grits this out but Shibata ROCKS him in the back!

Shibata has Garcia’s leg for a toehold, but Garcia endures. Garcia keeps his shoulder sup but Shibata puts the toehold on deep! Shibata goes to tie up both legs, Garcia tries for a chinlock, but Shibata shifts around while Collision goes picture in picture.

Shibata sits up with the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Garcia endures, and he CHOPS from below! Shibata eggs him on, so Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS Garcia down! Garcia sputters, but he keeps his shoulders up. Shibata puts on the pressure, grabs Garcia’s arm, and he puts on a top wristlock. Shibata uses that to make this a cover, TWO as Garcia gets the other arm up! Shibata lets off the legs to then STOMP the arm! Garcia scrambles to ropes, but Shibata storms up to wrench his arm. Shibata wrangles Garcia to the mat, isolates the arm again, and STOMPS it! Garcia goes back to ropes but Shibata is after him again.

Shibata brings Garcia around, snapmares him, then steps through for the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Garcia endures all over again! Garcia powers up to back stroke his way to ropes, and the ROPEBREAK! Shibata shows respect by letting go quickly, then he waits on Garcia. Garcia stands, into a CHOP! Garcia snarls, rises, and Shibata CHOPS again! Garcia falls and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns again and both men run, Garcia LARIATS Shibata down! The fans fire up as both men stand. Garcia has Shibata in a corner, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, Garcia goes to nine, then he winds up for TEN! Garcia fires up, the fans are with him, and he brings Shibata in. TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shibata survives, as he knows that move from Tanahashi. Garcia waits on Shibata to rise, and then he runs up to trip Shibata! Garcia steps through, but Shibata drags him down to a cradle! TWO!! Shibata brings Garcia up, trips, but Garcia drags him down to a cradle! TWO!

Garcia BOOTS Shibata! Shibata stays up, so Garcia runs to BOOT him again! Shibata shakes his head, runs, and he BOOTS Garcia! Garcia runs again, and he BOOTS Shibata! Shibata rebounds to BOOT! Garcia rebounds to BOOT! Shibata BOOTS! Shibata runs, but Garcia BOOTS him down! But then Shibata’s right up! BOOT! SAIDO! But Garcia’s up! SAIDO! Both men stand, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, they both roar! But then Shibata catches Garcia to an S T O! The fans fire up and the ref starts a count! The fans rally, “This is Awesome!” as we pass 5 of 10! Then pass 7!

Garcia an dShibata both sit up at 8! Garcia an dShibata go forehead to forehead, stand to their feet, and Garcia CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth again and the fans love it! Shibata CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then clamps on a COBRA TWIST! Garcia endures the Inoki signature, and he marches forward to the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go, but then Garcia blocks his kick! DRAGON SCREW! ANKLE LOCK!! Shibata rolls to get the ANKLE LOCK on Garcia! Garcia rolls, victory roll even, TWO! Both men stagger up, and Garcia trips Shibata! Garcia steps through, for the DRAGON TAMER!!

The fans are thunderously dueling, and Shibata rolls to drag Garcia down! HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR COMBO!! Garcia endures the “Achilles Lock,” but Shibata drags him from ropes! FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK!! Garcia endures the classic, fans “WOO~!” as Shibata puts on the pressure! Garcia backstrokes his way to the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go quickly and the fans fire up again. Shibata roars, stands Garcia up, and Shibata snapmares Garcia to KICK him in the back! Shibata runs, but Garcia ducks the Penalty Kick! DRAOGN- NO, Shibata steps through! ARMBAR, but Garcia stacks Shibata! TWO!!

Shibata SLAPS Garcia!! And then ripcord and- Leg trip! Jackknife bridge!! GARCIA WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Garcia snatches victory away from Shibata, and Shibata shows him respect. Shibata raises Garcia’s hand, and Garcia raises Shibata’s hand. Will these two run it back some day? Who will step to Garcia for the title next?

BREAKING NEWS for Maximum Carnage!

After a brutal match and a tense confrontation, Mark Briscoe & Private Party join forces against The Hurt Syndicate! Will The Sussex County Chicken help the AEW World Tag Team Champions fend off their challengers? Or will MVP, The Standard of Excellence & The All Mighty handle their business?

Dax Harwood VS Chris Jericho!

After the chaos between Rated FTR and The Learning Tree to open the night, a ringside ban has been put on this match! Only Dax and Jericho are going to be out here so that we can have a true 1v1 match! Will Dax the Ax chop down The Nueve? Or will Jericho show Harwood is no good?

The bell rings, the two circle, and Jericho soaks up the heat from Athens. Jericho and Dax tie up, break, and then Jericho claims Dax was digging at his face. The two go again, Jericho puts Dax in a corner, but then Dax turns things around. Jericho turns things around, then they tumble out to the apron! They keep going and tie up on the outside! They go around the desk, into railing, then along the LED barrier. The ref wants this in the ring but these two continue the collar ‘n’ elbow all the way to the ramps ide! The front row almost has this match in their laps! Dax and Jericho finally break and go back to the ring!

Dax and Jericho tie up again, end up in a corner, and Jericho CHOPS! And CHOPS! As if we didn’t get a ton with Shibata and Garcia. Dax CHOPS, CHOPS, and then grabs a leg! Dax hits a deep DRAGON SCREW! Jericho crumbles, but Dax drags him to the corner! The ref reprimands but Dax gets a high-five from the young fans before he SLAMS Jericho’s leg into the post! Dax goes up the steel steps, but Jericho YANKS Dax into the post! Dax staggers away, Jericho goes out, and he runs up to LARIAT Dax over the railing! The fans boo but Jericho storms out after Dax. Jericho ROCKS Dax, Dax CHOPS back!

Dax TOSSES Jericho to ringside and the fans fire up again. Dax climbs jump onto the barriers, but Jericho SMACKS him! Jericho fires hands but so does Dax! Dax CHOPS, CHOPS, and then hops up and over. Dax puts Jericho in the ring, brings him up, suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jericho survives but Dax hurries to a corner. Dax climbs, the fans fire up, but Jericho shoves Dax down! Dax lands on his top guys, and Jericho CHOPS him! Jericho climbs up after Dax, waves to the fans, then SUPER STEINERS! The fans boo while Dax tumbles all the way to the other corner! Jericho waves to the fans, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Jericho soaks up the heat, storms over to the corner, and he stomps away on Dax. Jericho grabs Dax’s legs, and BUCKLE GUILLOTINES! Dax sputters, but Jericho slaps him around. Jericho stands Dax up and hits a BIG back suplex! Dax writhes but Jericho stands on him for a cocky cover. OEN, but Jericho waves to the fans. Jericho goes back to Dax, throws down crossface shots, then stalks Dax to a corner. Dax CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! Dax whips, Jericho reverses, and Jericho CLOBBERS Dax! SENTON! Jericho soaks up more heat while Dax sputters. Cover, TWO! Dax stays in this but Jericho brings him up.

Jericho puts Dax on the ropes, CHOKES him, but the ref counts. Jericho steps off, taunts fans, then CHOKES Dax again. Jericho stops at 4, flexes, and soaks up more heat. Collision returns to single picture as Dax sits up. Jericho SLAPS him! Jericho slaps Dax around more, but Dax ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And repeat! Dax whips, Jericho runs him over! Things keep moving, Jericho runs Dax over again! Jericho tries a third time, but Dax TOSSES him up and out! Jericho goes right up a corner! CROSSBODY! But Dax rolls through! Cover, TWO! Jericho swings, Dax ducks, GERMAN SUPLEX!

Dax holds on and the fans fire up, GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax still has Jericho, and he GERMAN S- NO, Jericho victory rolls, then steps through! Jericho fights to turn Dax, Dax fights it, so Jericho CATAPULTS him into buckles! Dax falls, Jericho fires up, and he springboards, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dax survives and Jericho frowns. The fans rally up for Dax, but Jericho soaks up heat. Jericho runs in, but is put on the apron! Jericho ROCKS Dax, step sin, but Dax DRAGON SCREWS him again! Dax grabs the legs, turns Jericho around, steps through, but Jericho BOOTS Dax into the POST! Roll-up, TWO!!

Dax survives but Jericho goes to the corner. Jericho climbs, the fans rally as hard as they can for Dax, but Jericho waves. Dax rises to ROCK Jericho! And CHOP! And CHOP! Dax climbs up to the very top, and he brings Jericho up. Jericho drops down, either slipping or fighting the suplex, but Dax keeps him at the ropes! Dax drags Jericho back up, to SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dax and Jericho slowly sit up as the fans rally. Jericho and Dax go forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The shots go faster and faster, but Jericho gets the edge! Jericho whips but Dax blocks!

Dax CHOPS, Jericho CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up, “WOO~” with every CHOP, but then Jericho CHOKES Dax! Dax CHOKES Jericho! The ref reprimands, Dax breaks free, but both men SLAP the other! They both fall and the fans fire up again! Jericho goes to the outside but Dax pursues. Jericho grabs his ROH World Championship belt, takes aim, but Dax BOOTS him first! Dax trips Jericho, then steps through! Jericho fights it and BOOTS Dax into the steel steps! Jericho rises, and runs up to hit a CODE BREAKER! Jericho leaves Dax behind as the ring count passes 5 of 10. Dax is down at 7 but the fans rally up.

Dax rises at 8, stumbles, but he slips in at 9.5! Jericho is frustrated, but he storms up to trip Dax! Dax fights the turnover, and he THROWS Jericho away! Dax trips Jericho again, has the legs and steps through, for the SHARPSHOOTER!! Jericho endures, turns slightly, but the fans rally as Dax puts on the pressure! Jericho fights around, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Dax won’t let go, so the ref has to pry him off Jericho. They argue, Jericho crawls and fetches his belt! But Das ducks the cheap shot! BIG back suplex! Jericho flounders, but he SLAPS the ref! Dax climbs, Jericho grabs the belt!

DIVING HEADBUTT! Dax hits the mark, but the ref’s are watering, he can’t see anything! Dax checks on the ref, Jericho BELT SHOTS Dax!! The fans boo as Jericho gets away with that, as well as hides the evidence. Jericho crawls over and covers, TWO?!?! Dax survives but Jericho dares him to get up. Dax stands, into the JUDAS EFFECT!! Cover, Jericho wins!

Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall

The Learning Tree’s Branches may not have been present, but Jericho still had tricks up his sleeve to cheat Dax! And now speaking of, here come Big Bill & Bryan Keith! They celebrate with Jericho, then beat down Dax! But of course Cash and Cope hurry out here! The fans fire up as the brawl is on again! But now it’s 3v2! Wait, the Death Riders run in! They go after Rated FTR, but also The Learning Tree! The Outrunners return, they help Rated FTR! The fans fire up for this chaos, especially as it spills out of the ring! Pac beats down on Cope, then runs, but into a SPEAR! The fans fire up as the Rated R Superstar stands tall!

But wait, JON MOXLEY is here! He reels Edge in for a PARADIGM SHIFT! Marina Shafir sends in a chair, and  then another! Marina puts Cope’s head on top of one, and Moxley has the other! But wait! POWERHOUSE HOBBS is here in person! He warned Moxley, and he CLOBBERS Yuta and Keith on his way down the ramp! Hobbs dodges Bill to send him into railing, then storms into the ring! The fans fire up, but Claudio runs in! SPINEBUSTER for Claudio, but Moxley SMACKS Hobbs with the chair! Hobbs doesn’t even budge!! The fans tell Moxley he messed up, and Mox seems to see that. Hobbs SMACKS the chair out of Moxley’s hands!

Hobbs storms out after Moxley, but Marina stands in his way! The fans boo as Moxley runs away, but Hobbs grins. But then Yuta LEAPS at Hobbs off the steel steps! Only for Hobbs to catch him! Hobbs brings Yuta over to URENAGE through the desk!! The fans go wild as Hobbs stands tall! But will this violence be nothing compared to what happens at Maximum Carnage?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision that did an excellent job of blending stories while telling those stories in the ring. Mariah VS Harley was great stuff, and Harley is getting to look stronger and stronger each week. While AEW has “a lot of belts,” or “too many belts” depending on your opinion, only two of those belts are women’s titles. Harley Cameron should be a contender for a Women’s International Championship, perhaps even crowning her at Grand Slam: Australia next month. But of course Mariah won, she needs to be strong going towards that same event, and the Women’s Casino Gauntlet will be great stuff to determine her next challenger.

Great TNT Championship match from Garcia VS Shibata to reach back and make good on that promo when Garcia won the title. The C2 is partly why they waited on this, but Garcia VS Shibata made for just the right thing to fill out this episode. Garcia of course retained, but it was a good move to have it be by jackknife bridge. Meanwhile, with Mark Briscoe & Private Party facing The Hurt Syndicate next week, we should definitely see things move towards Garcia & Private Party VS Hurt Syndicate, and then all those titles can be on the line. I can’t be sure how any of those matches go, but if it’s Lashley going for the TNT title, it’s very likely Lashley wins.

Brody King of course gets a squash match victory, but he was brought here mostly so Cope could talk with him in the same nature as Ospreay talking with Buddy Matthews. This is AEW telling us Malakai Black really IS leaving without saying it outright. If only TK had figured out he should book Buddy, Brody and Malakai for singles title stories like he has other factions. Basically, House of Black could’ve been doing what The Don Callis Family has been doing with Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher. In fact, The House could’ve been feuding with The Don Callis Family, too, with those singles titles being the goal.

Good cold open promos that weren’t redundant this time, and then we got a great match of Cope VS Bill. Cope cheating to win was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose Cope was sending a message to The Death Riders. Great brawl for Rated FTR with Learning Tree, and I like how they used to that to change things up for the main event just a touch. Pac VS Komander was great stuff, too, and I like The Outrunners going after the Death Riders to save Komander. Komander & Outrunners could make a great trio that takes Pac, Claudio & Yuta on for the trios titles, even if it’s a losing effort.

Hobbs had a very good promo, but it didn’t necessarily change anything from his post-match promo on Wednesday. Great main event for Dax VS Jericho, but of course Jericho cheated. I feel like the cheat spot they wanted messed up, though. Jericho shoves ref, Dax dives, but I feel like the belt should’ve been there for Dax to “land on.” That aside, things of course turn back into a brawl, and while Rated FTR and Outrunners were on the same side, it made some sense that Death Riders would beat up Learning Tree members because everyone is an enemy to The Death Riders. I figured Moxley would get the better of Cope, and then great save moment for Hobbs.

Hobbs looks unstoppable as he takes out the Heels and scares Moxley off, but then that signals the go-home math of Moxley winning at Maximum Carnage. News is going around that Darby Allin was written off the way he was so he could climb Mount Everest like he’s always wanted. We can only hope and pray Darby doesn’t get hurt or worse on that mountain so that he can come back closer to Revolution and go after Moxley again. Honestly, Christian Cage trying to cash in on Wednesday should be a thing, too. It can even be a way to protect Hobbs in the loss, and give us a roundabout reunion of Team Taz as Hobbs and Hook go after The Patriarchy.

My Score: 8.8/10