Connect with us

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Battle in the Valley Results & Report! (1/11/25)

There’s a lot of gold in the Golden State!

Published

on

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; Hiromu, Mayu & Yuka win.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero; ZSJ wins.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori; Desperado wins and retains the title.

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!

The living legend, the Ray of Sunshine, now reaches her sunset. And to honor the woman who helped build the Women of Honor Division in ROH, and who has held 13 different titles across the world, NJPW has built this star-studded crossover match! Though, why would Sumie Sakai team with the House of Torture? Sumie has known Evil & Sho since they were just Young Lions on excursion, and is hoping to show them the light! Will Sumie’s last match redeem The King of Darkness & Murder Machine? Or will the Ticking Timebomb, the Roaring Icon of Stardom & the Wrestling Magical Girl not even give them that chance?

Wait, who is this supposed Kamaitachi? That was Hiromu’s old persona while on excursion, is this House of Torture poking fun at him? And wait, where’s Evil? This is a Six Person Tag, but Sumie’s team is missing the third person! Hiromu’s entire team makes their entrances first, and still no King of Darkness. Hiromu poses with Mayu & Yuka for a photo op, and NOW Evil runs out here! Even Sumie is shocked as Evil attacks Hiromu from behind! And Sho even kicks the IWGP Women’s Champion! Then they mug Yuka! The fans boo but Evil & Sho soak it up. Sumie tries to reason with them, but Evil grabs a mic.

Evil tells Hiromu that he’s gonna pay for that stunt he pulled in Karatsu, and for thinking he could avoid The House of Torture by taking this tag match! They stand Hiromu up, Sho runs and BOOTS Hiromu down! Evil stands Hiromu up and wants Sumie to join in? Sumie didn’t sign up for this kind of match! Hiromu fights free, but Evil & Sho mug him. They double whip, the bell rings, and Hiromu ducks the double lariats to CROSSBODY Evil & Sho! The fans fire up, Sumie and Mayu run in to brawl, but Yuka joins in! Yuka waistlocks Sumie but Sumie kicks Mayu away. Mayu rebounds, both Sumie and Yuka duck the lariat, so Mayu keeps going to DIVE out onto Sho!

The fans fire up as Yuka goes up and up and CROSSBODIES Evil! The fans fire up as #MaYuKa high-ten. And now Sumie and Hiromu are in the ring! The fans rally up, Sumie is conflicted, but Hiromu gets the fans to cheer even louder. Sumie offers a handshake, Hiromu accepts, and they even hug! But then Sumie stomps Hiromu’s foot! Sumie is still willing to play dirty! Sumie wrenches, Hiromu wrenches, but Sumie rolls, kips up, and wrenches back. Hiromu asks if it’s okay, and Sumie says yes. He rolls, but then she covers! TWO! Hiromu is upset but Sumie rolls him up! TWO! Sumie runs, victory rolls, TWO!!

Hiromu swings, but into a SAYANAGI! ARMBAR! Hiromu flails, hurries to high stack, TWO but Hiromu deadlifts! Sumie slips free, but Hiromu CHOPS! The fans boo but Hiromu is confused. Hiromu CHOPS Sumie again, then whisp. Sumie blocks but Hiromu ROCKS her, puts her on ropes and KICKS the ropes! Hiromu runs but Evil trips him! The fans are torn, but then Sho distracts the ref so that Evil can JAM Hiromu up with a chair! Okay, now the fans boo because this is still not right. Evil puts Hiromu in, and he slides the chair to Sumie! Sho says do it, but the fans say “NO! NO! NO!” Sumie grabs the chair, to throw it away!

Sumie says neener neener to Evil, then stomps away on Hiromu in the corner! The ref counts, Sumie hops up, but Sho brings her down? Sho says this is how you do it! He digs his boots into Hiromu, then scoops to SLAM! Sho then picks Sumie up to SLAM her onto Hiromu! The fans boo but Sho & Evil soak up the heat. They also split the wishbone on Hiromu! The ref reprimands, but Evil throws his shirt at Yuka! Evil insults Yuka, but she throws the shirt back. So Evil KICKS Yuka down! Mayu storms in and throws hands, but Evil kicks her down, too! The ref reprimands Evil, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!

Evil CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Evil whips Hiromu to the corner, and surprise! Sho takes the blue buckle pad away! The House Special has been served! The fans boo more but Evil hauls Hiromu up for a COBRA TWIST! Sho reaches out, but Hiromu switches with Evil! Sho steps back as Hiromu now uses the rope for leverage! The ref argues with Sho now, as he still has the buckle pad in his possession, and this allows MaYuKa to reach out and link with Hiromu! The fans cheer as Evil tastes his own medicine! Wait, Kamaitachi and Sumie help out! And the fans, too! Evil gets an extra large helping of his medicine!

The fans cheer as Hiromu and everyone else get away with this, “This is Wrestling!” But then Sho kicks Hiromu down! The fans boo but Sho drags Hiromu up and whips him into the bare buckles! Hiromu flounders, Yuka runs in, but Sho kicks her! Sho whips Yuka into the bare buckles! Mayu runs in, Sho kicks her and whips her into the bare buckles! The fans boo more but Sho & Evil regroup. They bully Hiromu in a corner, then whip him corner to corner. They want Sumie to join in, and she tentatively walks over, but then they just kick her! They double whip Sumie at Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!

Hiromu CROSSBODIES, but is caught! The House throws him back but Hiromu rebounds to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Evil & Sho stagger, into DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS from MaYuKa! Sumie still attacks Yuka, reels her in, but Yuka fights the suplex to cradle! ROLLING CRADLE! ONE! ONE! ONE! ONE! Yuka finally stops, deadlifts, and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives but Yuka sits her up. Yuka runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives again and the fans rally up. Yuka drags Sumie up, cravats, snapmare roll, but Sumie ducks the basement kick! CROSSFACE! Yuka rolls free, but into TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Sumie fires up but Mayu kicks her! Sumie hits back, but Mayu ROCKS her! Mayu goes to run, but Sumie snatches Mayu’s lucky fox tail! The fans fire up, Sumie taunts Mayu with the tail, but Mayu SOBATS! Mayu whips, Sumie reverses, but Mayu slips out, in, and rolls Sumie for a SHOTGUN! The fans fire up with Mayu while Sumie goes to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS Sumie against ropes! Cover, TWO! Sumie survives yet again, but Mayu drags her up. The fans rally, Sumie breaks free and dragon sleepers. Yuka CLUBS Sumie into Mayu’s victory roll, TWO! MaYuKa DOUBLE SUPERKICK!

Sumie tumbles out, Sho runs in, but he gets pinballed around by MaYuKa! Sho gets fed up with it and he DOUBLE BODY BLOWS! Sho runs, into DOUBLE ELBOWS! Double snapmare, DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Sho tumbles out, Evil is in, but he gets a DOUBLE SUPERKICK! He stays up, but gets double kicks down low! The fans fire up as MaYuKa DOUBLE- NO, Evil pulls hair to stop the suplex! So Hiromu SUPERKICKS! And now DOUBLE SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Hiromu’s team, and he helps Sumie up. “This is Awesome!” Hiromu says it’s time, and he fireman’s carries! But Sumie slips out to SMASH MOUSE!! Cover, SHO YANKS THE REF OUT!

The fans boo but Sho “apologizes,” since that ruined Sumie’s win. Then why do it? Evil CHOKES Sumie with a shirt!! The fans boo as The House of Torture turns on Sumie! They also beat down Hiromu, the fans tell Evil off, but Evil & Sho put one out on Hiromu. But then Yuka snatches Sho’s “Torture Tool,” and SMACKS him with it! Mayu CLAWS Evil’s eyes! Yuka scoops and hits the TEA TIME DRIVER! Evil pushes Mayu, then whips her at the corner. Mayu avoids the bare buckles, then dodges Evil! Evil hits bare buckles, and Mayu GERMAN SUPLEXES! Hiromu steals EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans fire up as Team Hiromu stands tall again!

Hiromu sees Sumie and tells her to rise. The fans rally up for “SU-MI! SU-MI!” but Hiromu helps her. Sumie ROCKS Hiromu! And ROCKS Mayu! And ROCKS Yuka! Repeat! Sumie keeps throwing shots so the new generation eggs her on! Sumie fires more and more shots, but she’s slowing down! The fans fire up as Sumie finds the strength to keep going! Even Kamaitachi is cheering her on! Sumie fires shot after shot after shot, and even some CHOPS, but she finally tires out! The fans cheer the legend on, but now Hiromu brings her around. Yuka hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Mayu hits a SUPERKICK! And Hiromu thanks Sumie, before hitting a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!

Hiromu brings Sumie around, TRIPLE cover, TWO?!?! Sumie still lives!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu is all smiles. Nothing less from this absolute legend! Even the ref pounds the mat to rally behind Sumie! Yuka drags Sumie up, wrenches and hammerlocks to then lift her. Yuka spins for the MAGICAL MERRY-GO-ROUND! Sumie is in the drop zone and Mayu goes up! MOONSAULT! Hiromu drags Sumie back up, fireman’s carries, and swings Sumie for the TIMEBOMB 1.0!!! TRIPLE cover, Team Hiromu wins!

Winners: Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani & Yuka Sakazaki, by pinfall

It’s a standing ovation as everyone shows their love, respect, and gratitude to Sumie Sakai! Sumie stirs, and she takes a moment to let the moment soak in. The fans chant, “Thank You, Sumi!” Sumie sits up in the corner, and she wants to thank her opponents for this match. Hiromu helps Sumie stand, as does Mayu, and the fans cheer some more. Sumie sits back down, but the others say she can’t go just yet. The ring announcer returns to say that Sumie has finished her last match. The fans cheer and give another standing ovation as Rocky Romero, Yoh, and more come out. The mic is then handed to Yuka.

Yuka tells Sumie, “Our history together may have been short, but it’s thanks to your presence that I can see these wonders. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much! I look forward to learning from you from here on.” Yuka bows in deep respect and Sumie returns that bow. The mic is handed to Mayu, and she loudly says, “KONBONWA~! <GOOD EVENING~!>” Is this why she’s the Roaring Icon? Mayu admits, “I didn’t think I’d be here with a mic in hand, so I didn’t have anything prepared. Sumie-san, you’ve always put everyone else’s happiness ahead of your own. From now on, put your own happiness first and foremost.”

Mayu continues to say, “Sumie-san’s smile makes me so happy! Seeing your smile is number one!” Mayu says in both English and Japanese, “Thank you so much!” The fans cheer as Mayu bows and Sumie returns it, and then Mayu hugs her. Hiromu has the mic now, and he says he doesn’t have much to add to what Mayu & Yuka “expressed so beautifully.” Hiromu simply thanks her and says he looks forward to working with her in the future. Also, does she remember this jacket of his? “Meeting you, Devitt, Yuki & Princess have been the treasures of my life.” The fans cheer while Sumie tears up a bit.

Hiromu says the memory of those four people is in this jacket, and now he wants her to have it. The fans cheer as Hiromu adorns Sumie with the denim jacket covered in art, and they again chant, “Thank You, Sumie!” Sumie is then given a bouquet of flowers, and she stands so that she may speak. Sumie says that life can be hard, but it can also be good, and bad. She was crying so much, but today, she is the happiest wrestler in the world! The fans cheer that! Sumie says that is because everyone made her that happy. She thanks them all, and she loves them all! And with that, she drops the mic, and she welcomes the others back into the ring!

The fans again chant “Thank You, Sumi!” as she, Hiromu, Mayu, Yuka, Kamaitachi-chan, Rocky, ELP, Fred Rosser, Jeff Cobb, Yoh, TMDK, Team Mina and Team AZM, former ROH timekeeper Amy Rose, and even the Young Lions and the ref, all join in for a grand photo-op! Then they say hip, hip, HOORAY as they throw Sumie up in the air! Sumie then bows to all of them in thanks. And to wrap the retirement ceremony, the ring bell sounds ten times. Truly, #ThankYouSumie for everything!

 

Sho and Evil complain backstage.

The Murder Machine grumbles, “Why did they team us with that country bumpkin? I only did this because I wanted a shot at Hiromu! The ring was rampant with no-good country losers! Why’d you bring me to such a place?” Sho crawls away, and the King of Darkness says, “That punk (Hiromu) is on a roll now. Whatever. Either way, I’m not going back to Japan. Goodbye, New Japan! Got it? Remember it!” Wait, is Evil telling the truth? Is he effectively quitting NJPW? To do what?

 

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS KUSHIDA!

The Don Callis Family’s Alpha became a double champion and stayed a double champion through the big Tokyo Dome weekend, but now he’s being called out by the Time Splitter. Kushida has done all he can as a Junior Heavyweight, can he prove he’s ready for more? Or is Don Callis right in saying Konosuke is the best bell-to-bell wrestler today?

The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who never gives up!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Konosuke and Kushida circle slowly, feel things out, then tie up. Kushida waistlocks, Konosuke turns around for a facelock, and they end up in a corner. The ref counts the break, Kushida lets off with a pat on the side, and the fans applaud. The two reset, circle again, and Kushida rolls. Konosuke keeps his distance, Kushida has a leg guard, but Konosuke still grabs a foot. Konosuke steps over as Kushida turns over, but Kushida slips out the back. They clinch, Kushida slips around to a waisltock, but Konosuke’s height helps him fight the drop toehold. Kushida still grapevines the leg to bring Konosuke down.

Kushida floats to a headlock, Konosuke fights up, but Kushida hits a takeover. Konosuke headscissors, Kushida kips free, and roles reverse as Konosuke hits the headlock takeover but Kushida headscissors. Konosuke kips free, the two stand off, and the fans cheer the exchange. Kushida and Konosuke reset and the fans duel. Konosuke offers a handshake, but Kushida isn’t so sure. How much has Callis influenced Konosuke? Kushida steps up and takes the handshake. But then Konosuke kicks low! Very much, it seems. Kushida fights the waistlock with elbows, then headlocks, only for Konosuke to power him to ropes.

Konosuke powers up and out, Kushida RAMS him, but Konosuke RUNS Kushida over! The fans fire up and Konosuke runs, but Kushida KICKS the leg! And KICKS it again! Kushida runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Kushida reverses, but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up while Kushida bails out, and Konosuke pursues. Konosuke wrenches Kushida and whips him into the railing! The ring count starts but Konosuke CLUBS Kushida on the back. Konosuke then CHOKES Kushida on the railing! The ref reprimands, Konosuke stops, and the ring count is 10 of 20. Konosuke says be patient, but Kushida RAMS him into the apron!

Kushida hops up to MOUNTED ARMBAR, and he falls back to YANK Konosuke into a standard ARMBAR! The ref reprimands all the same, then counts, but Kushida lets go at 4. Konosuke hobbles away, the fans fire up with Kushida, and Kushida pushes Konosuke into the ring. Kushida then grabs the arm and wrenches it. Kushida puts Konosuke in a corner, and he grinds the hand against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Kushida lets go and Konosuke falls over. Kushida stands on the bad hand, then stomps it! The fans are torn while Konosuke goes to ropes. Kushida grabs Konosuke’s arm to wrangle him again!

Kushida traps the bad arm, then has the good arm, and he pushes down on them both. The fans rally as Konosuke endures, and Kushida falls back to DOUBLE SNAP LOCK! Konosuke hobbles to a corner, but Kushida goes up and has the arm! TORNADO ARMBAR DDT! Then a BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures but Kushida moves around and around. Kushida drags Konosuke by that bad arm, for another BRIDGING HAMMERLOCK! Konosuke endures, Kushida turns him, but Konosuke CLAWS Kushida’s eyes! Kushida lets Konosuke go and Konosuke goes back to the corner.

Kushida runs up, Konosuke puts him on the apron, and Konosuke bumps Kushida off the buckles! The fans rally, but Kushida climbs the corner! Kushida aims, and he FLYING KNEES the bad arm! Konosuke clutches the elbow and triceps, but the fans fire up as Kushida has the arm again. Kushida RAMS the shoulder, wrenches the arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida wants the Kimura but Konosuke scoops him! And SLAMS him! The fans fire up, but Kushida KICKS away on Konosuke’s leg! That just pisses Konosuke off! He STOMPS Kushida right down! The fans fire up and Konosuke shakes the bad arm.

Konosuke aims from a corner, Kushida sits up, and Konosuke runs in, but Kushida blocks the knee! ANKLE LOCK! Konosuke endures, crawls, and he reels Kushida in, to LARIAT from below! Both men stand, Konosuke LARIATS Kushida from above! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises, he drags Kushida up and reels him in, but Kushida fights the Blue Thunder! Kushida KICKS away on the bad arm! Konosuke CHOPS in return! Kushida fire sup to KICK the leg! And then KICK the leg! And then another KICK to the leg! Konosuke sits down, Kushida runs, but Konosuke avoids the Penalty Kick!

Konosuke rolls Kushida, Kushida rolls through, TANAKA FASTBALL! Konosuke swings back, but Kushida ducks to PELE! The fans fire up while Konosuke leans on ropes. Kushida whips, Konosuke reverses, but Kushida handsprings! But into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives as Konosuke couldn’t use his bad arm to push Kushida down! The fans rally up, Konosuke goes to the corner, and he climbs! SUPER SENTON FLOPS and Kushida has the ARMBAR! Konosuke clasps hands, Kushida CLUBS away at those hands, and Kushida breaks the grip! Konosuke hurries to stack Kushida! TWO, and Konosuke deadlifts Kushida!

The fans fire up and Konosuke powers through to a fireman’s carry! And he pops Kushida into the tuck, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel while Kushida flounders to the apron. Konosuke slashes his throat, vowing to END Kushida! Konosuke drags Kushida up, scoops him, but Kushida fights with elbows! Kushida is free, but Konosuke runs up! Kushida hops down, Konosuke hits POST! Kushida then SWEEPS the legs and Konosuke lands on the apron! Kushida hops up, APRON KNEE SMASH! Then KNEE SMASH from apron to the floor!

The fans lose their minds and the ring count starts. Kushida refreshes the count so he can step through, and he has a FIGURE FOUR! Konosuke endures, the ref reprimands, but Kushida is letting the ring count climb! Konosuke grabs at the apron skirt but he can’t get a good grip. The count is 10 of 20, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Kushida puts on as much pressure as he can! We’re at 15! 16! 17! Kushida lets go at 18! Konosuke scrambles, he slides in at 19.999!!! PENALTY KICK!! PENALTY KICK to the arm! Kushida then goes up a corner and leaps, FLYING SPIKE-RANA!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up and Kushida brings Konosuke up!

Kushida hooks a leg, BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke survives and the fans are thunderous! Kushida grows frustrated but “This is Awesome!” The fans duel while Konosuke shakes out his bad arm. Kushida rises, waits on Konosuke, and then runs up to jump on! HOVERBOARD KIMURA!! But Konosuke powers through!? RAGING- NO, Kushida slips free, TANAKA- ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke’s fastball hits first, and he reels Kushida in! POWER- NO, Kushida sunset flips, just to get the ANKLE LOCK!! Konosuke gets the ROPEBREAK, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS th earm! And then SHOTEI!

Konosuke roars, so Kushida runs again! Konosuke blocks the Shotei, but Kushida SOUTHPAW SHOTEIS!! And then RIGHT-HAND SHOTEIS!! Konosuke is right up?! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Kushida shakes his head and Konosuke is shocked! The fans are thunderous as Konosuke rises! Konosuke drags Kushida up, powers up, and- SHOTEI from Kushida! Konosuke winds up again to ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke drags Kushida up, reels him in, and RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

Kushida never gave up, but Konosuke never let up! Konosuke hits the homerun and keeps the Openweight Championship! Konosuke still shows Kushida respect, then takes the mic. “Hey, to those watching back in Japan, listen up. Now that I’m part of NJPW, there’s someone I have to face!” In English, Konosuke tells everyone to listen up. “Chicago! April 11th! HIROSHI TANAHASHI!” The fans like where this is going! “OI, Tanahashi… Your last US match… I challenge you! That date marks the end of The Ace. I will show you who is The Alpha.” The fans fire up for that one! Will Konosuke ruin Tanahashi’s final time in the United States? Or will the Final Road not end so soon?

 

Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hechicero!

The Front Man is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he looks to clear up some blemishes on his record. The Alchemist of Lucha snatched a win in CMLL’s Arena Mexico last June, but ZSJ got his payback last August under Rev-Pro’s roof. These two incredible technical geniuses finally have their tiebreaker, will Hechicero #JustTapOut? Or will he be owed a golden ticket instead?

The bell rings and the fans rally up with “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” ZSJ and Hechi feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ rolls to wrench the hold, but Hechi manages double cording holds and a leg trip! But ZSJ headscissors in return! Hechi rolls that to have a take on Napalm Death, but ZSJ scoots back and slips free of that. The fans cheer this opening exchange and the two go again. They feel things out, Hechi steps on ZSJ’s foot, then grabs the other leg for spinning toehold! ZSJ waistlocks but Hechi fires elbows. Hechi has a double wristlock, then shifts to an ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ fights so Hechi spinning toeholds again!

ZSJ cravats, even with his leg trapped, but Hechi pushes him down. ZSJ manages to slips his long leg up and around, and now he has Hechi’s leg for a step-over toehold! ZSJ grabs the other leg for a STRETCH MUFFLER, going for his Napalm Death! Hechi fights back by bending ZSJ’s fingers, and the fans duel between them. ZSJ rolls back, keeps on one leg, and he hits his own spinning toehold! ZSJ ties up both legs but Hechi goes for one of ZSJ’s! ZSJ resists, Hechi reaches up to get an arm! Hechi has a spladle, TWO! ZSJ rolls Hechi into an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Hechi scoops back, to get ZSJ in an INVERTED BOW ‘N’ ARROW!

ZSJ fights to scoot back, they knuckle lock and stand, then ZSJ trips Hechi! ARMBAR! Hechi uses his legs to get at ZSJ’s legs, but ZSJ pulls on Hechi’s leg for a toehold! They both crank on the leg locks, but ZSJ slips up and around to then trap an arm! Hechi rolls, tries to stack ZSJ, but they end up in the ropes! The ref calls the break, Hechi lets off slowly, and the fans cheer. But then Hechi stands on ZSJ’s neck! The fans boo, but Hechi steps away, letting know he could’ve if he wanted to. The two reset, the fans fire up, and they tie up again. Hechi trips ZSJ, jackknife bridges, but then rolls to headscissor and squeeze!

The fans rally while ZSJ endures. ZSJ bridges back, moves around, pops free, and has the NECK TWIST! Hechi writhes but ZSJ reels him back into a headscissors. Hechi endures, ZSJ puts on the pressure, but Hechi rolls over. Hechi pushes ZSJ down so he can pop out the back, and then Hechi ties up the legs in an INVERTED DEATHLOCK! Hechi then grabs an arm, to SNAP ZSJ into a sideways surfboard! ZSJ reaches back, and he bends Hechi’s fingers! ZSJ gets up to SNAP the fingers! ZSJ playing this like a Villain and the fans rally up. Both men back away and reset. They feel things out, but Hechi KICKS low!

Hechi wrenches, pump handles, and rolls ZSJ! Hechi ties ZSJ up in his own version of Paradise, and then rolls ZSJ into a pretzel knot! ZSJ endures, slips free, and grabs Hechi’s arm! Hechi goes for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as the two reset again. The fans duel again as ZSJ and Hechi circle. ZSJ rolls but Hechi avoids the leg pick. Hechi facelocks, ZSJ spins around, but Hechi goes for an arm. Hechi steps over, loops around and drags ZSJ into an INVERTED MOTORCYCLE STRETCH! Hechi bridges to put on the pressure, but ZSJ shifts around to high stack! Hechi lets go of the arms but ZSJ gets the legs, MODIFIED FIGURE FOUR!

The fans cheer while Hechi endures, and he TWISTS one of ZSJ’s feet! A simple yet effective counter, and now Hechi ties ZSJ’s legs up in a FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ SLAPS Hechi, Hechi SLAPS ZSJ, repeat! The fans fire up as these two SLAP fight while still locked up! Hechi bails on the leg lock to get in ZSJ’s face. The ref has them back up as ZSJ is in ropes, but Hechi CHOPS! The fans fire up and want “OTRA! OTRA!” Hechi kicks ZSJ, then CHOPS! ZSJ nods, and says, “Mada mada.” Hechi CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and then ZSJ fires more UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, Hechi follows, SLEEPER at the ropes!

ZSJ pries free, wrenches, but Hechi blocks the Pele! Hechi has ZSJ in the ropes, but ZSJ uses that for a DRAPING LEG LOCK NELSON! Hechi fights free, and he puts ZSJ’s leg in the rope to STOMP it! The fans fire up as both men continue to show vicious innovation! Hechi and ZSJ shake out their sore limbs while catching their breath. They then runs in, Hechi scoops to BACKBREAKER! ZSJ goes to ropes, but runs back in, only for another scoop! ZSJ slips free, and has the IRON OCTOPUS! Hechi endures and pulls on a leg! Hechi shifts ZSJ into an Alabama Lift, and swings him for BANGARANG! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Hechi drags ZSJ back by his legs, but ZSJ slips out the back to trip Hechi! ZSJ hooks the legs, grabs the arms, and goes up, up and ROMERO SPECIAL! The fans fire up, but Hechi fights free! Hechi has ZSJ’s legs for a TWIST and FIGURE FOUR! ZSJ grabs at the legs but Hechi kicks him! The fans rally as ZSJ endures, moves around, and pulls on his own leg in hopes of getting free. Hechi KICKS ZSJ down, then pulls on the leg! ZSJ sits up, Hechi KICKS him again! ZSJ fights around, grabs Hechi’s hand, but Hechi kicks him! ZSJ falls back, but he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans duel again while Hechi lets go.

Hechi sits ZSJ up against the ropes, CLUBS away on him, then runs to SPLASH against the ropes! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi clamps on a SLEEPER, and he drags ZSJ up. Hechi hooks a leg to FLIP-OVER SHIN BREAKER! ZSJ flounders to the ropes, Hechi storms over, and he wraps ZSJ’s arm around the ropes! The ref counts, Hechi lets go at 4, and then Hechi drags ZSJ up. Hechi dragon sleepers and he inverted suplexes ZSJ to the top rope! But then ZSJ has a SLEEPER on Hechi! Hechi throws hands from below, then pulls on the arm to ELBOW BREAKER!

Hechi UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then climbs up, but ZSJ has him in a TOP ROPE OCTOPUS! The fans fire up but the ref counts. ZSJ lets go at 4, but Hechi throws hands! ZSJ hits back, the fans duel again, but ZSJ ROCKS Hechi! Hechi hops down, but comes back for a SUPER STEINER!! The fans fire up while ZSJ tumbles away! Hechi runs up, sunset flips, but ZSJ rolls through to PENALTY KICK! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. ZSJ drags Hechi up, UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again! Hechi gets around to waistlock, then he wrenches to CHOP! ZSJ wobbles, Hechi wrenches and whips.

ZSJ reverses, Hechi grabs ropes and avoids the dropdown! Then he gator rolls ZSJ by a leg, for a POINT-BLANK KNEE! The fans fire up while both men crawl away. ZSJ is in the corner, Hechi roars, and the fans fire up. Hechi runs in, ZSJ dodges, but Hechi goes up and out! Hechi HOTSHOTS ZSJ, goes up and SPRINGBOARD FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up again. Hechi and ZSJ both rise, and Hechi kicks ZSJ. Hechi eggs ZSJ on, kicks him, then runs. ZSJ BOOTS the lariat, wrenches an arm, and PELES! ZSJ then scoops Hechi, ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO! But into an ARMBAR!!

Hechi clasps hands, fights around, but ZSJ shifts to hammerlock that arm, and he goes for the other! CLARKY CAT!! Hechi endures, reaches out, but ZSJ grabs a leg! ZSJ moves around to then shift right for a STF!! Hechi has the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go but the fans are thunderous! “This is Wrestling!” ZSJ storms up on Hechi, grabs an arm, but the ref reprimands as Hechi is still in the ropes. ZSJ STOMPS the arm! Hechi writhes but ZSJ comes back to grab that arm again. ZSJ drags Hechi up, wrenches, wrenches, but Hechi slips under to HEADBUTT! Hechi runs, goes up the ropes, and MISSILE DROPKICKS!

The fans fire up as ZSJ ends up in a corner. Hechi runs in, and he STEP-UP KNEES! High stack, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up more! Hechi drags ZSJ around, hammerlock sone arm and stands ZSJ up! CONJURO BACKBREAKER!!! The fans fire up again as Hechi crawls to the cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Hechi is too tired to be upset! The fans rally as hard as they can as Hechi and ZSJ slowly rise. Hechi brings ZSJ up, tucks him in, and he wants the reverse Gory Especial! The fans freak out as Hechi marches around with ZSJ on his back! VERTA- NO, ZSJ sits up with core strength!

Hechi fights the victory roll, and he ELBOW DROPS ZSJ’s lower back! Hechi hurries to hook ZSJ up, but ZSJ switches the Cobra Twist onto Hechi! Hechi fights free, hits a HIP TOSS, and then gets space. But ZSJ UP KICKS him! Hechi returns to basement DROPKICK! ZSJ basement DROPKICKS! Hechi basement DROPKICKS again! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! “This is Awesome!” as both men run in! Hechi kicks, ZSJ kicks, then both men BOOT! The two go to ropes, the fans rally up, and ZSJ runs in! ZSJ slips free of the scoop but Hechi victory rolls, to DOUBLE STOMP INVERTED MONKEY FLIP ZSJ!!

REAR NAKED CHOKE, but ZSJ slips free! EURO CLUTCH!!! TWO!!! Hechi has the ARMBAR!! ZSJ shifts, Hechi powers him down, they roll, and Hechi yanks ZSJ into an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, ZSJ steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, Hechi has the arms again! ROLLING CRADLE, but ZSJ slips free to jackknife, PRAWN HOLD! ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall

Truly, this is what they mean by “blink and you miss it!” Thankfully this is the age of streaming and being able to rewind! But in the end, ZSJ snatches away the tiebreaker win, truly establishing himself as perhaps the best today! But both ZSJ and Hechi still want more from the other, when and where will we see these two take it to a fourth round?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori!

WrestleKingdom 19 was The Rogue Luchador’s win, but not the way he wanted it. And then he enters the Lucha Gauntlet for WrestleDynasty, and loses because of the golden bull’s eye on him! Will Desperado prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors? Or will the Bone Soldier be victorious by God’s Grace?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to end this Battle in the Valley!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Despy and Taiji stare down, circle, then feel things out. Taiji waistlocks, Despy spins around but they end up on ropes. The ref counts, Taiji lets off slowly, and he promises a clean break. Taiji pats Despy on the shoulders, then backs off. The fans cheer, and Despy says okay then. They tie up, Taiji waistlocks, but Despy wrenches free. Taiji uses ropes to flip through and he hammerlocks in return. Despy goes to ropes, steps through, then steps back in to wrap Taiji’s arm around the ropes! The fans cheer, the ref counts, but Despy shifts to a headlock.

Taiji powers up but can’t power out as Despy holds on tight! Despy hits a headlock takeover, Taiji headscissors, Despy kips free, and Taiji jumps over the sweep! Taiji headlocks, Despy powers out to headlock back. Taiji powers out, then he arm-drags Despy! Things speed up, but Taiji avoids the arm-drag! Taiji headlocks and grinds Despy down. Despy fights up but Taiji cravats for the neck wrench. Despy breaks free, but the cravat is back! Despy breaks free again, but again Taiji cravats. Despy snapmares free, then he RUNS Taiji over! The fans cheer while Despy “fixes” his neck. Despy stands Taiji up and whips corner to corner.

Taiji reverses, runs up, but Despy put shim on the apron. Taiji blocks a shot, RAMS Despy, then slingshots, into an UPPERCUT! Despy builds speed and DIVES, into a GAMANGIRI! Taiji takes Despy down and the fans are torn. Taiji drags Despy up, wrenches him to a hammerlock, then he POSTS Despy’s shoulder! The fans boo but Taiji acts like he doesn’t know why. The ref checks Despy, and Taiji removes the blue buckle pad! Taiji hides that fact while Despy rises up. The fans rally, Despy rolls into the ring, and Taiji storms up on Despy. Taiji CLUBS Despy, Despy fires forearms, but Taiji CLUBS him again.

Taiji whips Despy into the bare buckles! Now the ref sees and he reprimands Taiji! The fans boo but Taiji grins while he acts like he can’t hear them. Taiji stalks Despy, drags him up, and wrenches an arm. Taiji whips Despy just to WRING him out! Despy writhes, then he rolls away to ropes. Taiji storms over, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, then he has the arm again! The ref counts again, Taiji lets go at 4 again, and he backs off this time. The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up by the bad arm. Taiji snapmares Despy, then PULLS on the arm! Despy writhes but he fights up.

Taiji stops the stack by powering Despy back down! Despy fights back up, but Taiji wrangles him again! Despy fights, rolls, but Taiji slips under to hammerlock the bad arm. Taiji half nelsons the other arm but Despy fights around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji lets go at 4, and the fans rally up again. Taiji steps on Despy’s hand, then CLUBS Despy down. Taiji stands Despy up, hammerlocks the arm, but Despy fights the scoop! Despy fires body shots, the fans cheer him on, and he scoops, only for Taiji to hit a double wristlock takedown! Taiji has the double wristlock but Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, Taiji lets go, and Despy bails out. Despy leans on railing and the fans cheer him on, but Taiji fetches Despy into the ring. Despy fires forearms but Taiji KICKS the bad arm! Despy falls back, but he stands up, only for Taiji to hammerlock and POST him! The fans boo more, but Taiji just soaks it up. Taiji brings Despy around again, hammerlock and scoop, SHOULDER BUSTER! Despy writhes but Taiji aims from the corner. Taiji runs up, but into an ELBOW! Taiji BOOTS the bad arm, whips, but Despy reverses. Taiji handsprings, but into a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up for Despy while he goes to a corner.

Despy waits on Taiji, Taiji rises, and Despy runs in. Despy ELBOWS Taiji in a corner, then suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this but the fans rally behind Despy more. Despy drags Taiji up, whips him to ropes, but Taiji reverses to RAM the arm! Taiji WRINGS Despy out, then he soaks up the heat. Despy goes to a corner, Taiji runs in, but Despy dodges! Despy blocks a kick, puts the leg in the ropes, then he dropkicks the other leg! And he DRAGON SCREWS it, too! Taiji writhes now but Despy hauls him up, SHIN BREAKER and DRAGON SCREW! Then a LEG DROP on the knee!

Despy has Taiji in the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Taiji endures, but he also has to keep his shoulders up. Taiji CHOPS away on Despy, and Despy “falls,” putting pressure on the hold! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he drags himself closer to ropes. But Despy makes the hold part CALF KILLER! Taiji still gets the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go, the fans fire up, and Despy brings Taiji around. Taiji throws hands but there isn’t much to them. Despy taunts Taiji, then stomps the bad leg! Despy gut wrenches, but Taiji slips free! Taiji sends Despy to a corner, then he blocks boots! Taiji puts Despy in the ropes, ENZIGIRIS, then runs side to side, SLIDING GERMAN!

The fans are torn while Despy writhe. Taiji goes to the apron and he has Despy out there with him. The fans boo but Taiji wrenches the arm, and WRINGS it onto the apron! The ref reprimands but Taiji just soaks up the heat from San Jose. Taiji walks off the pain in his legs and lets the ring count climb. Despy sits up, but his left arm just hangs there. Despy stands at 6 of 20, and uses the railing to YANK the arm back into place. Despy slides in at 12 of 20, but Taiji goes COAST2COAST! Taiji is fired up but the fans are torn as he brings Despy up. Taiji wrenches the arm but Despy fires body shots. Despy is free, but Taiji scoops him! CIPHER UTAKI!

Despy sputters, Taiji clutches his knee, but Taiji crawls to the cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Taiji slaps his leg into working. Taiji goes to the apron, then climbs a corner. Taiji aims for a 450- NO, he has to roll through as Despy moves! Then Despy CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! Taiji endures, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! Taiji uses that roll to get the chicken wing! BONE LOCK!! Despy endures, fights around, and the fans fire up! ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go in frustration but the fans cheer. Taiji rises, takes aim, and BANG! The fans boo but Taiji drags Despy up. But Despy fights the underhooks!

Despy fires a forearm, Taiji fires a flurry! Despy DECKS Taiji with an elbow! The fans fire up and Despy drags Taiji back up. Underhooks and- NO, Taiji wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Despy goes down in a heap but Taiji roars! The fans boo but Taiji brings Despy back around. But Despy wrenches out, spins Taiji, and underhooks! PINCH- NO, Taiji BACKDROPS and BRIDGES! TWO as Despy bridges up! Underhooks are still in, but Taiji fights the lift! Despy just hits a FACEBUSTER! And then he rolls through to haul Taiji up, for PINCH- NO, Taiji sunset flips! TWO!! Despy escapes, but now is in the BONE LOCK!!

Despy fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away from ropes! BONE LOCK!!! Despy endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Despy fights around! Despy reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away again! Then underhooks, BLOODY CROSS!!! But the bad knee holds Taiji back! Taiji crawls to the cover, ROPEBREAK!! Despy survives by a literal foot and Taiji is beside himself! Taiji again says BANG, and he drags Despy back up. The fans rally, even start to duel, but Despy RAMS Taiji into the bad buckles! Taiji writhes from tasing his own medicine, and the fans rally up again! Despy and Taiji go to opposite corners, then stand.

Taiji runs up to tilt-o-whirl, but no Mystica! GUITARA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives but Despy fires up! The fans are with Despy as he drags Taiji back up. Despy underhooks to PINCH- LA MYSTICA!? BONE LOCK!!! Despy scrambles, Taiji rolls him away! But Despy slips through to STRETCH MUFFLER!! NUMERO DOS!! Taiji endures, reaches out, and he uses core strength to sit up! But Despy fights the Destroyer! He tucks Taiji in, for a DUDE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Taiji survives and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Despy drags Taiji up. Taiji pushes free, and he throws a punch, but there’s nothing to it!

Despy drags Taiji up, underhooks him, JAY DRILLER!! Despy holds on, and he drags Taiji up for the PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, DESPY WINS!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

It was quite the Battle in the Valley, but it seems Taiji could not use grace as a cheat code to win. Will he just have to fight even harder if he wants to be champion again?

As for Desperado, he has the belt on his shoulder as he gets the mic. In English, he thanks everyone for coming to the show. But he also admits his English is not so good, sorry. Despy does not some fans were cheering Suzuki-Gun, but uh, Suzuki-Gun is over. But Despy still respects Minoru Suzuki, and no matter what, Suzuki-Gun is still number one. Okay, you guys? The fans cheer that! But again, Suzuki-Gun is done, so this time, cheer NJPW, okay? The fans also cheer that. Despy thanks them, and says NJPW is ICHIBAN!! The fans cheer again, and Despy leaves it at that. The first defense is done, who will be next for the Rogue Luchador?


My Thoughts:

An awesome Battle in the Valley, and it partly makes me feel bad I missed Strong Style Evolved, I would’ve liked to see WCWC VS GYV for those tag titles. Now, obviously these titles were all retained, but as I’ve said in the past, keeping the status quo is fine so long as it’s done in great matches. Gabe VS Ishii opening was a surprise, but seeing them go the full 30 minutes was an awesome way for Gabe to retain the title. And now Windy City Riot having a 30 minute Ironman match is going to be awesome stuff. Though something about that is interesting, because if they didn’t lose a fall in 30, there’s a chance we get like one fall with just minutes to spare and then time runs out before the other guy can tie the score.

Great openweight tag title match, getting a win over Yoh & Rocky is great for WCWC as they’re still a younger team. But at the same time, it was with a great Heel cheat spot, that’s totally fine. The 8 Woman Tag was a lot of fun, but a little scary there with Adora needing a moment. She perhaps just got the air knocked out of her from all those combo moves. But Team Mina, which was basically her faction of Empress Nexus Venus from Stardom, was a good choice for winning. Mina only just lost the Rev-Pro Women’s title, she needed a rebound. But Anna Jay got to look strong as her team’s final woman, maybe Anna can get herself to a NJPW women’s title.

ELP VS Cobb being a draw of its own kind was great stuff, mostly because Cobb threw another man to take out ELP. I’m sure they’ll have a rematch, maybe part of prime NJPW programming, and maybe ELP gets a win. The Sumie Sakai Mixed Six was such a fun match, a very unique way of doing a retirement match but also a unique Mixed Six. The House of Torture got some comeuppance while Sumie got to look superhuman, and Sumie taking all those big moves before losing is a great way in-ring to show her respect. Then we got a great retirement ceremony, this all honestly could’ve closed the show, but this is still a NJPW event so NJPW things need to main event.

Konosuke VS Kushida was great, great win for Konosuke and certainly a great first match for Kushida in an openweight division. Konosuke calling out Tanahashi for Windy City Riot is wild, and that is going to be a stellar match. ZSJ VS Hechicero was world title worthy, maybe even main event worthy, but it makes sense this was second-to-last since it wasn’t for the title. Great win for ZSJ, making him 2-1 with Hechi, and it’d be great if they could arrange the next match for Forbidden Door: London. And then a great main event from Desperado and Taiji. Great storytelling of how both men know each other given their rivalry, but then great win from Desperado. Despy making his closing promo a shoutout back to Suzuki-Gun was great, and I’m sure a prime NJPW event will be where Despy finds a new challenger.

My Score: 9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/5/25)

Penta wants payback!

Published

on

Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!

Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
  • Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
  • Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
  • Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is in the concourse.

The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.

Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.

Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.

Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.

And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!

And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”

The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!

Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.

Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!

Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?

 

Heyman returns backstage.

He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.

Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?

 

PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!

The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?

Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.

JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.

Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!

Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!

The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall

Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?

 

Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.

The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?

Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?

 

Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???

Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.

Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.

Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.

Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?

 

BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!

Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.

Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?

 

Chad Gable is backstage.

“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.

Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?

 

Becky Lynch goes to the ring.

Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!

That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!

Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.

Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.

But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.

What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!

The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?

 

Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!

The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?

Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!

Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!

Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!

Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!

Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall

Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!

Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?

 

Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!

Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!

Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!

Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!

Winner: Rusev, by submission

Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!

Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?

 

Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.

The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.

Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!

Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.

Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.

They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.

And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!

“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”

Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?

 

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!

To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?

Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!

The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!

Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!

The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!

Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!

Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.

Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!

Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.

Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!

Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!

Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)

Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?


My Thoughts:

A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.

Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.

Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.

Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.

Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.

And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.

My Score: 8.9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)

It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Published

on

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?

The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
  • Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
  • YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
  • Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
  • El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
  • 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
  • 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!

It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?

The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!

Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!

Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!

Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!

Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!

The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!

Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!

The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!

Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall

A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?

 

10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!

As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!

Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!

The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!

Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!

Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!

Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!

Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!

Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!

Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall

Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?

 

8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!

As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?

For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!

Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.

Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!

Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!

Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!

Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.

Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!

Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!

Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall

Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.

 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!

The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.

Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.

Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.

Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!

The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!

The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!

Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!

Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!

Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!

Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!

The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.

Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!

Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?

Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.

The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?

Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!

The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!

The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!

Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.

Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.

Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!

Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!

But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.

Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!

Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!

Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!

Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!

The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!

Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!

Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?

As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.

“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.

Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!

The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…

Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?


My Thoughts:

An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.

LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.

Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.

My Score: 9.1/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Sports

Entertainment

Sports Entertainment

Buy A Chairshot T-Shirt!

Chairshot Radio Network

Trending

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com