Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW WrestleKingdom 19 Results & Report! (1/4/25)

Do dreams truly come true?

Published

5 months ago

January 4, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Is The Roughneck mightier than The Frontman?

NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome for WrestleKingdom 19! Shota Umino wants the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but will he #JustTapOut instead?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – New Japan Rambo: Hirooki Goto wins and is the #1 contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles & Fujita win, and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM; Mayu wins and retains the title.
NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins and becomes the new NJPW World TV Champion.
The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL; Tanahashi wins and will NOT retire.
NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita; Konosuke wins and is the new double champion.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado; Desperado wins by referee stoppage, and becomes the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji; Yota wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi; Naito wins.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino; ZSJ wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff – New Japan Rambo!

In quite the shocking move to close 2024, the definitive KOPW Champion, Great-O-Khan, decided to DISCONTINUE the KOPW Championship! As great as his victory was, he wants there to be more, so now this battle royal will instead crown a NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship! Who survives to then aim at the very top of NJPW?

Well speaking of, Great-O-Khan starts us off, determined to be the one and only #1 contender! And entry number two is… JOSH BARNETT! The War Master returns to NJPW! The bell rings and these two circle. They feel things out, the fans rally and duel between Khan and Barnett. They tie up, Khan gets a leg and he drags Barnett down. Barnett moves around, slips free and goes for a facelock, but Khan slips out to use a leg guard. The fans cheer as these two reset. They circle again, feel things out, then clinch. They go around, Barnett hits an arm-drag and goes for a lateral press. Khan stays up, and entry number three is here!

The fans fire up as BOLTIN OLEG makes his way out here! Khan and Barnett focus on each other, but BARS is ready to be more than just NEVER Openweight Six Man Champion! Khan gets a ROPEBREAK, Barnett lets off to circle with his former student. They go around, clinch, and Oleg hits that arm-drag! The fans cheer, the two go again, and they clinch. Barnett hits a headlock takeover, but Oleg headscissors! Oleg wants an arm but Barnett turns and slips out the back. Barnett has legs, but Khan CLUBS him! Entry number four is already on their way while Khan CLUBS Oleg. Khan blocks a kick but Oleg knocks him down!

Number 4 is Hirooki Goto! The Fierce Warrior is determined to get back to the top of NJPW, could this be his moment? Oleg scoops Khan but Khan fights free to go after an arm. Oleg fights Khan off and clamps on a facelock! Goto storms in to run and LARIAT Oleg down! Goto then snap suplexes Khan onto Oleg! But Barnett WHEEL KICKS Goto down! The fans fire up as Barnett stomps Oleg to a corner. Barnett drops a knee, then he rains down forearms and elbows! Oleg fights around and rolls with Barnett into a double wristlock. Khan wants Goto’s arm but Goto fights free. Number five is now on their way!

Khan lifts Goto to RAM him into a corner, and here comes Yuji Nagata! The fans fire up for Blue Justice while Barnett has Oleg stuck on the mat and Khan digs his boots into Goto at the corner. Barnett lets off of Oleg so he and Nagata can go KICK for KICK! Khan fires Mongolian Chops on Goto, Barnett has a facelock on Nagata but Nagata fights out to go for an arm! Nagata and Barnett fire shots while Khan sits on his throne, aka Goto’s head! Oleg fires shots on Barnett but Barnett fires back! Oleg hits a BODY BLOW, then goes to scoop. Number six is on the way as Barnett fights off a fireman’s carry!

Barnett and Oleg are suck on the ropes, but Barnett is using an armbar takedown to drag Oleg over! They both go up, out and to the floor! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! By the way, number six is Togi Makabe! Oleg and Barnett shove each other as they finally separate, and Goto trades shots with Nagata. Nagata ROCKS Goto, fires off in a corner, and now the Uncaged Gorilla gets in to CHOKE Khan with that chain! The ref reprimands but Makabe lets off. Makabe then digs his boots into Khan, while Goto snapmares and KICKS Nagata! Cover, TWO! Nagata stays in this but Goto brings him up. Nagata ROCKS and stomps Goto again!

Khan CHOPS Makabe, Makabe ROCKS Khan, repeat! Makabe DECKS Khan, covers, TWO! Makabe keeps Khan down with a chinlock! Number seven is on the way, and it’s… KENTA! The DEFY Champion overcame Kenoh in Pro-Wrestling Noah, and he has an Absolute challenger eyeing him stateside, but he’ll still powerwalk his way to the ring if he can become #1 contender to the IWGP World title. Nagata stomps Goto around, Makabe has Khan down, so Kenta steps to Nagata. They fire forearms back and forth, then Kenta CLAWS Nagata’s eyes! Kenta BOOTS, Nagata BOOTS, and Nagata runs, only for Kenta to dodge!

Kenta fireman’s carries, Nagata fights against it, only to end up on the apron! Kenta fires hands but Nagata holds onto ropes! Nagata roars, Kenta ROCKS him, repeat! Kenta just wants Nagata to fall already, but Nagata ROCKS Kenta! Kenta fights the suplex, HOTSHOTS Nagata, then BOOTS him down! Kenta ELIMINATES Nagata! But now number eight is here, and it’s YOSHI-HASHI! Speaking of, Kenta goes after Goto, Hashi’s teammate! The Headhunter storms down the ring while Kenta rains down fists, then he hurries to help Goto! The forearms fly between Hashi and Kenta and the fans fire up!

Hashi CHOPS and Kenta sputters. Kenta goes to ropes, but he mule kicks! Hashi eggs Kenta on so Kenta CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS again and Kenta tries to ask the ref for help. The ref can’t do anything so Kenta just trades CHOPS! Then he CLAWS Hashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Kenta argues with him, and then Kenta stomps away on Hashi. Makabe has Khan in a SLEEPER, but Khan RAMS Makabe into buckles. Khan is free, but here comes number nine! It’s Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi! Hashi goes after Kenta but here comes Takahashi. Makabe has Khan in a facelock while Hashi throws Kenta at ropes.

Kenta holds on, then whips Hashi, and Yujiro trips Hashi up! Bullet Club works together to whip Hashi to a corner. Kenta runs up to forearm SMASH! Yujiro BOOTS! Yujiro feeds Hashi to Kenta’s fireman’s carry! But Hashi slips free and shoves Kenta at Yujiro! Bullet Club avoids a collision, but Hashi SUPERKICKS Yujiro! Hashi then sends Kenta into Yujiro for real! Hashi THROWS Kenta at the ropes, but Kenta holds on! Hashi pushes Kenta, but Yujiro is after Hashi! Yujiro fires hands but Hashi fires back! Hashi whips, but Yujiro reverses, and Kenta holds down ropes! Hashi tumbles up and out, Bullet Club ELIMINATES Hashi!

Number ten is here, and it’s TORU YANO! Good thing the ramp is a long walk, Yano needs all his sponsors and endorsements read off in his intro first. Yano then hurries in, only to get mugged by Bullet Club! They double whip Yano, but he grabs ropes. Yano taunts Kenta, sends him into Yujiro, then SLAPS them both! Kenta runs up but Yano DUMPS him to the apron! Kenta stays up but then Yano sends Yujiro into him! Kenta falls, Yano rolls Yujiro up, THREE! Yano ELIMINATES Kenta and Yujiro!! The fans fire up and Yano smiles. Khan has Makabe in a Heel Hook, but Makabe has the ROPEBREAK!

The ref reprimands, Khan lets go, and here comes number 11! Everyone watches and waits, and it’s Hiroyoshi Tenzan! Another fan favorite makes his way out here, but Khan sits on Makabe as his new throne! Khan hops down to then HIP TOSS and cover, TWO! Makabe survives, Tenzan finally arrives, and he goes right after Khan! Tenzan CLUBS and stomps Khan, then HEADBUTTS! Tenzan eggs Khan on, and gives him Mongolian Chops! Or, uh, “Sweet Amashi Slammers,” since Khan won the rights to THE Mongolian Chops. Tenzan CHOKES Khan, the ref reprimands, and Tenzan lets off.

Tenzan stomps Khan to ropes, then drags him up. Tenzan HEADBUTTS Khan, stomps him in a corner, but Yano goes after Tenzan! Number 12 is here, and it’s Satoshi Kojima! The MLW World Champion is here, just in time to help his #TenKozy teammate! Yano brings Tenzan up to use the Mongolian Chops! Goto has Khan in a corner, Makabe watches and waits, but Kojima gets in to kick Yano! Kojima ROCKS Yano, Tenzan Mongolian Chops, repeat! Then Kojima uses the Mongolian Chops! The fans fire up as TenKozy mugs Yano, whips him corner to corner, but Yano dodges Tenzan to roll him up!

Kojima makes the save and fires off! Kojima sets Yano up, but then Yano ducks, Tenzan’s LARIAT takes out Kojima! Yano rolls Tenzan, Yano ELIMINATES Tenzan! Kojima fires off on Yano for it! Makabe goes after Khan while Kojima fires off on Yano, and here comes number 13, Tomoaki Honma! Everybody’s Kokeshi storms down the ramp while Goto and Makabe have DOUBLE ARMBARS on Khan! Khan manages to scoot into the ROPEBREAK, so Goto and Makabe let go. Yano turns things around on Kojima while Goto covers Khan, TWO!! Khan stays in this but Makabe covers, TWO!! Goto covers again, TWO!! Makabe tries, TWO!!

Honma CLOBBERS Yano! Then he fires up, runs the ropes, and KOKESHI FLOPS as Yano dodges! Yano flops out of the ring, Kojima brings Honma up, but Honma CHOPS Kojima! Kojima goes to a corner, Honma CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Honma CLUBS Kojima, then CLUBS him again. Cover, TWO! Makabe goes after Kojima, then he and Honma double whip Kojima corner to corner. Makabe LARIATS, Honma ELBOWS, then they double whip Kojima again. Makabe LARIATS, then feed to an ELBOW! Number 14 is here, and it’s SANADA! The Ranbo just got Cold Blooded!

Honma CLUBS Khan, he and Goto mug Khan, and Kojima keeps Makabe down. Sanada slides in but Kojima kicks him first! Koijma puts Sanada in a corner for MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up and Kojima CHOPS again! Makabe says hold on, and he climbs up! Makabe rains down fists, and fans count all the way to TEN! Makabe laughs, then he and Kojima argue. Sanada runs up but they double kick him! They double whip, but Sanada gets under the lariats to send Makabe into Koijma! Then Sanada waistlocks Makabe, but Makabe switches. Sanada shoves the ref aside so he can LOW BLOW MULE KICK Makabe!

The fans boo but Sanada TOSSES Makabe! Makabe ends up going through the middle rope so he’s safe. Kojima goes after Sanada, Sanada gets around to waistlock, but Kojima switches back. Sanada MULE KICK LOW BLOWS Kojima, too! Number 15 is here, and it’s TAICHI! Sanada TOSSES and ELIMINATES Kojima, but one of the Just4Guys Sanada betrayed is on his way! Sanada waits on Taichi, and everyone else gives them room. The fans rally for Taichi while he takes off his entrance attire. Taichi storms in, but then Sanada slithers out! The fans boo but Taichi storms out after him! They brawl on the outside, all legal since they went under the top rope.

Taichi whips, Sanada reverses, and Taichi hits railing! Makabe and Khan copy them a bit as they slide out and brawl on the outside! Goto and Honma brawl in the ring, but the extra refs reprimand Sanada and Taichi. Goto snapmares and KICKS Honma, covers, TWO! Number 16 is here, and it’s Tomohiro Ishii! The Stone Pitbull already gets his shot at whoever is NEVER Openweight AND AEW International Champion tomorrow, but is Ishii working to become a belt collector? Khan slides into the ring but Goto goes right after him! Khan gets free, he stomps Goto, then he goes after Ishii! Ishii roars and ROCKS Khan!

Honma fires forearms but Ishii ROCKS Honma! Ishii runs, RAMS Honma, but Honma roars! Honma ROCKS and RAMS Ishii, Ishii rebounds, but Honma LARIATS! Honma runs, KOKESHI! The fans fire up and Honma suplexes, but Ishii fights it! Ishii suplexes, but Honma fights it! Honma wrenches, the forearms fly, but Honma roars! Ishii runs, Honma blocks a lariat to HEADBUTT! Then RUNNING KOKESHI gets ROCKED! And then Ishii suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Ishii ELIMINATES Honma! And now the last entry, number 17, is Alex Zayne! The fans fire up for The Sauce, could he really spice things up?

Sanada has Taichi in the ring, just to try and throw him out! Taichi lands safe on the apron, then slides back in! Ishii stomps Khan, Sanada fires shots on Taichi, Goto stays safe under the bottom rope. Zayne slides in, watches as Taichi DANGEROUS- NO, Sanada fights free! Sanada whips, Taichi reverses to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! The fans fire up with Taichi as he runs, AX- NO, Sanada gets under to waistlock. Taichi switches, Sanada shoves the ref again, but Taichi avoids the low blow! Sanada FAKES a low blow from Taichi!! The ref gets fooled and he ELIMINATES Taichi by disqualification!! The fans boo and Taichi is furious!

Taichi glares at Sanada, Sanada jumps over the top rope just to taunt him, but then Taichi BOOTS Sanada down! Taich ELIMINATES Sanada after all! The fans cheer and Taichi goes after Sanada by sending him into railing! Meanwhile, Yano rolls Zayne up, TWO! Zayne ENZIGIRIS Yano! Khan ROCKS Ishii, Goto waistlocks Zayne. Zayne switches, Goto wrenches out, and he whips Zayne. Zayne ducks ‘n’ dodges, IMPLODER KNEES! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! Zayne stands Goto up to whip, but Goto reverses. Zayne grabs ropes, Yano RAMS Goto with a buckle pad! Yano then runs up on Zayne, but Zayne DUMPS Yano and ELIMINATES him!

The final four brawl now, but we have to go to just one! Khan has Ishii in the IRON CLAW! ELIMI- NO, Ishii slips free to suplex! Khan fights that to scoop Ishii! Khan goes for ropes, he puts Ishii on the apron! Khan fires forearms, but Ishii ROCKS Khan in return! Ishii calls to Zayne, Zayne runs up, but Khan puts Zayne on the apron! So Ishii ROCKS Zayne! Zayne holds onto ropes, and he ROCKS Ishii! Ishii holds on, they brawl, Khan BLASTS Ishii down to ELIMINATE him! Zayne RAMS into Khan, slips into the ring, but Goto knees and hammerlocks him! Khan runs up, Zayne catches Khan, RANA SNAPMARE COMBO!

Zayne fires up with the fans, and he kicks Goto! Mule kick for Khan! Zayne runs to DOUBLE ROLLING AX KICK! Zayne drags Goto up, whips him to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs in but he blocks boots! Goto puts Zayne on the apron, but Zayne catches Goto! Khan runs up, Goto gets free, Khan CLOBBERS Zayne! Zayne falls to the floor, Khan ELIMINATES him! Goto and Khan are the final two! The fans fire up and duel between “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” and “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” They circle, tie up, and Khan ripcords to SAYANAGI! Goto flounders to a corner, Khan runs up and LARIATS!

Khan snapmares Goto, stalks him, and as Goto rises, Khan runs in! BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Khan drags Goto up to Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! Khan roars and runs, but Goto catches him! URA G T R! And then a TOSS! Khan holds onto ropes! The fans fire up as Goto snarls, and Goto runs up! Khan RAMS into Goto first! Khan drags Goto up and suplexes! Goto fights that, and he suplexes! Khan fights that, suplexes Goto again, but Goto fights free! Goto HEADBUTTS, runs, and LARITS Khan down! GOTO WINS!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by ring-out (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)

The Fierce Warrior has done it! He starts his 2025 by winning a guaranteed title shot! Zack Sabre Jr. and Shota Umino battle it out tonight, and then one of them is bringing that title to WrestleDynasty! Who will it be that Hirooki Goto battles for the top prize in NJPW?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

As if Kushida & Kevin Knight weren’t already raising the stakes by taking on the Super Junior Tag League winners, and the team that beat them during the round robin phase, and the former champions they beat to get these titles, they’re truly escalating things with these ladders! Who literally rises above to reign supreme in the Junior Tag Division?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised high over head, and for the first time in NJPW, a team must rise up to take them!

The bell rings and the brawl is on! It is chaos but the War Dogs stand tall being the biggest and meanest team! But then Knight springboards to CROSSBODY the War Dogs and Catch 2/2! The fans fire up, TMDK brings in a ladder! Knight hurdles the ladder, Kushida DROPKICKS TMDK down, and then Knight SPLASHES the ladder down on them! The fans fire up for that double-edged play, and the Jet Setters take the ladder. TJP runs in and kicks Knight, CHOPS Kushida, then takes the ladder for his own. He and Knight fight over the ladder, so TJP RAMS Knight into the corner. Kushida runs up but TJP sends him into the ladder!

Francesco Akira runs up and TJP gives him a boost to DROPKICK Kushida, ladder and Knight! The fans fire up while the Jet Setters fall out of the ring, but here come the War Dogs, with chairs! Drilla JAMS Akira, Connors knocks TJP over, and TJP’s hand is trapped under the ladder! Drilla SMACKS TJP on the back! Connors takes the ladder, but Akira uses it to RAM him into a corner! Drilla runs up, Akira sends him at the ladder, but Drilla stops shirt. Drilla blocks a kick, gives it to TJP then SUPERKICKS TJP! Drilla ROUNDHOUSES Akira, then Connors CLOBBERS Catch 2/2 with the ladder!

The War Dogs get the ladder up, Fujita returns but Connors JAMS him up! The War Dogs then HIGH LOW with the chairs!! Fujita flounders away, Connors goes out to CLOBBBER him and Eagles! Then Connors goes for a tall ladder! Connors slides that in, Drilla stands it up, and they both climb. But Kushida is back and he handsprings to TOPPLE the ladder over, the War Dogs going with it! Eagles and TJP climb the same corner, they brawl, so Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS them both down! And he WRECKS Akira with a dropkick! The Jet Setters regroup and bring a table around. Kushida then brings Drilla over and SMACKS him off the table!

The fans fire up as Kushida stands Drilla up while Knight goes up the corner. But Connors SHOVES Knight down! Drilla powers out of Kushida’s hold and THROWS him over railing! Knight returns, goes up the apron, but Connors CHUCKS a chair at him! Kevin crashes ‘n’ burns while the War Dogs take that table. They prop it up against railing, then drag Kushida up. Drilla reels Kushida in, gets him up, DRILLA KILLA on the edge of the table! The table doesn’t break but Connors barks at Kushida. Connors beats down Akira, too, and Drilla gets another table. Drilla drags Akira up and Connors climbs a corner!

The fans freak out as Drilla suplexes, but TJP SHOVES Connors down! TJP KICKS Drilla onto the table! Akira goes up, then goes up onto TJP! Take pictures for this one! SUPER SENTON down through the table!! Akira and Drilla are down in the wreckage while the fans go wild! Connors BLASTS TJP off the apron! Eagles gets Connors with an ASAI DDT! Knight FLYING LARIATS Eagles! The fans fire up as Knight stands that tall ladder up again. Knight adds a shorter ladder as a bridge, but then Connors CLUBS Knight! And SMACKS him off the ladder! Connors whips, but Knight hurdles the ladder!

Knight dropkicks under the ladder, taking Connors’ legs out! Connors SMACKS off the ladder bridge! Knight puts Connors on the ladder bridge, making sure it is in position. Knight CLUBS away on Connors, then gives Eagles the green light! Eagles SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASHES Connors and the ladder!! Both Connors and Eagles bounce off and go tumbling away! The fans fire up and Knight hurries to climb. Fujita adds another tall ladder to the mix! Fujita YANKS Knight down, stands his ladder up, and now he climbs up! But Akira joins him! They both reach the top, reach for the belts, then fire foerarms!

TJP has Fujita in an Electric Chair! The fans fire up as TJP brings Fujita around, for the LEANING TOWER!! But Eagles is back, and he uses the ladder bridge to take a shortcut! TJP springboards to meet him there! Eagles fires hands, then grabs at the belts! But TJP BLOOD MISTS! Eagles flails blindly, and TJP slips around using Fujita’s latter! SUPER FINAL CUT down through the ladder bridge!! The fans go wild as Eagles writhes, but Akira climbs! Kushida hurries to stop Akira, and has him in an Electric Chair! Knight joins in, TIME 2 FLY! Knight hurries to get the ladders positioned just right before he climbs.

The fans rally, but Drilla grabs Knight! Kushida runs up but Drilla ROCKS him! Kushida gets him back with a BUCKLE SHOT! Knight grabs for belts, but maybe he miscalculated position. Connors runs up, Knight KICKS him away! So Connors goes for the ladder! But Kushida SHOTEIS Connors down! Knight changes position, and he says METCHA TSUYOI~! SUPER DUPER PERFECT TIMING!!! The Jet Setters risk it all just to take Drilla down! But they then use a ladder to keep Drilla down! Kushida climbs with Drilla stuck, but Fujita is back to drag Kushida down! Fujita climbs now, but Kushida goes after him!

Kushida has an ANKLE LOCK! Fujita tries to reach for the belts, but then Kushida THROWS him off the ladder! But Eagles traps Kushida in the rungs! Kushida fights free, and Knight takes Eagles to the UPPER ROOM! Knight hurries up, but Drilla powers up to bench press the ladder!! Knight falls onto the ropes!! Knight flops out to the floor and Drilla stands! Drilla repositions the ladder, climbs up, but TJP returns. Drilla kicks him away, so TJP just climbs up the other side! Drilla fires hands, but both men slip down a few rungs. TJP YANKS Drilla into the ladder again and again! Drilla falls hard, but Eagles is back!

Eagles SMACKS TJP! TJP hits back! They brawl up top, then wobble. Their tag partners get the other ladder and they climb up! Fujita is next to TJP, Akira is next to Eagles, and all four men meet at the very top! The fans fire up as TMDK and Catch 2/2 brawl left and right and across the way! Eagles gest the edge on TJP, then ROUNDHOUSES! TJP falls, but Akira BOOTS Eagles! Akira SMACKS Fujita off the top, then reaches for belts! But Fujita BODY SHOTS! Fujita reaches out, Akira BODY SHOTS! Akira tries again, but Fujita grabs a leg! Akira is stuck in a DRAGON SLEEPER on the very top! Fujita CLUBS Akira, grabs the belts, and TMDK WINS!!

Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and tonight, they stand tall above the rest! Eagles & Fujita won the Super Junior Tag League, so it is only fitting that they win the titles! Will 2025 be the Year of the Mighty?

IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM!

The Sky Blue Hyper Technician and the High Speed Bomb Girl have a storied rivalry, and have even teamed with each other on occasion. But for the first time ever, they battle over this title, the bridge between NJPW and Stardom! Will Mayu continue to be the Icon of Stardom? Or will AZM turn the corner on a new chapter in her career?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, with a quick photo op, and we see whose star shines brightest!

The bell rings and the two run up to fire forearms! The fans rally as the shots go faster and faster! AZM gets the edge, but Mayu SOBATS! The fans fire up as Mayu whips AZM to ropes, but AZM trips her up! AZM runs to PENALTY KICK, then BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up as AZM kips up, and Mayu bails out. AZM goes corner to corner, then up and up and ESCALARA CROSSBODY! Direct hit on Mayu! The fans fire up with AZM and she throws off the gloves. AZM puts Mayu in the ring, then hurries to bring her up. AZM runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!

Mayu endures, fights around, rolls, but AZM whips her to a corner. AZM Runs up, Mayu slips out to then roll her, and BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Mayu now while AZM flounders to ropes. Mayu runs and DROPKICKS AZM against ropes! Mayu drags AZM to a drop zone and fires up! Mayu climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this and the fans fire up again. Mayu drags AZM up, brings her around to waistlock, but AZM fires elbows. AZM whips Mayu to a corner, runs up, but Mayu SUPERKICKS! Mayu goes up and up, but AZM KICKS the legs out!

AZM goes up the corner, and she WOE STOMPS Mayu down! AZM kicks Mayu to center, then goes up the corner for a DIVING DOUBLE STOMP! Mayu writhes, AZM pushes her to a cover, TWO! AZM is frustrated already but the fans rally up. AZM drags Mayu up, but Mayu kicks! AZM blocks, Mayu ducks a kick, and they DOUBLE FOREARM! And DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! AZM ROUNDHOUSES again, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Both women are down and the fans fire up! AZM flounders away while the fans rally. AZM goes to ropes, Mayu pushes herself up, and they end up in opposite corners. Mayu runs up to DROPKICK AZM in the corner!

The fans fire up as Mayu goes out to the apron. Mayu climbs the corner again, and she leaps for a MISSILE DROPKICK! AZM flounders away but Mayu hurries to put her in the drop zone. Mayu calls for the end! Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT FLOPS as AZM moves! AZM runs up, Mayu ducks the buzzsaw but not the RETURN! Mayu flops over and AZM hurries to get her back up. AZM’s teammates rally at ringside as she reels Mayu in. But Mayu powers out of the Destroyer! Mayu full nelsons, but AZM fights that off to DESTROYER!! AZM brings Mayu around, underhooks the arms, and ROLLING TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?

Mayu survives and shocks AZM! The fans fire up as AZM drags Mayu into a drop zone. AZM goes up the corner, takes aim, and DIVING- BOOTS from Mayu!! Mayu turns things around and the fans fire up again! AZM and Mayu slowly sit up, and they grab at each other. They both stand, AZM breaks fere to dodge and LA MYSTICA, then AZM SUSHI! TWO!! Mayu escapes, BUZZ- NO, AZM blocks that, slips around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE?!? Both women stand, run up, and Mayu gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE!!! But Mayu holds on, tries again, and then shifts to a full nelson!

But AZM victory rolls! TWO!!! Mayu escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Both women stand, AZM runs up to LA- NO, Mayu stops the tilt-o-whirl, and brings AZM into a TOMBSTONE!! Mayu vows to end this, and she goes to a corner. The fans fire up more as Mayu climbs, MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! AZM survives and shocks Mayu! Mayu roars as she rises up, and she hauls AZM into a waistlock. Then full nelson! HIGH DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, MAYU WINS!

Winner: Mayu Iwatani, by pinfall (still IWGP Women’s Champion)

A truly fast ‘n’ furious showdown, and it is the Icon that stands tall! Will Mayu continue to shine as her reign continues past 622 DAYS?

NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo!

The Souled Out Son of Strong Style was already in a sticky situation when it was just The Imperial Unit and The Mullet coming for him. But The Headbanga made an incredible return having overcome cancer, and is ready to make an even greater comeback! Will this title have a new “season” with the New Year? Or will this still be the Ren Narita Show?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real star of the show!

The challengers surround Narita, so Narita quickly bails out. But then Cobb goes out one side, Oiwa out the other, and Narita is again trapped! ELP DIVES onto Narita to take him out at the ramp! The fans fire up, the bell rings, and we’re still on the clock. Oiwa and Cobb hurry into the ring and they RAM shoulders! And RAM, and RAM! Oiwa kicks low, headlocks, but Cobb powers out. Oiwa RAMS Cobb, Cobb rebounds to RAM Oiwa! Oiwa RAMS Cobb again, the two talk trash, and ELP storms in, only for Cobb and Oiwa to run him over! Cobb and Oiwa then fire forearms back and forth!

The fans rally up, Oiwa dodges but DOUBLE FOREARMS hit! ELP runs up but Oiwa dodges in the corner! Oiwa HIP TOSSESS ELP high and hard! Cobb deadlifts ELP for a suplex TOSS! Oiwa TOSSES ELP, then he and Cobb RAM into each other. Oiwa runs, and he RUNS Cobb over! The fans fire up, Oiwa whips to YANK Cobb’s arm, and then he isolates that arm to STOMP it! Cobb writhes, but Oiwa clamps onto the arm, SHANKLY GATES! Cobb endures, and Narita storms in to CHOKE Oiwa! The ref reprimands then counts, and Narita lets go at 4. ELP gets in but Narita CHOKES ELP! The ref counts again and Narita lets go at 4.

Narita CHOKES ELP some more, but he lets off at 4. The ref reprimands, but here comes Cobb! Cobb fireman’s carries but Narita slips out to CHOKE Cobb! The ref counts, but Cobb powers out! Cobb sits Narita down, but Narita rolls to get a takedown! KNEEBAR! Oiwa SPLASHES onto Narita! Cover, TWO, but Oiwa hauls Narita up. Narita fights the Gotch hold suplex, and he CLAWS Oiwa’s eyes! The ref reprimands again but Narita whips. Oiwa reverses, Narita slips around, but Oiwa slips around! SLEEPER! They end up on ropes, the ref counts the break, so Oiwa GOTCH SUPLEXES Narita up and out!

ELP runs up to RANA Oiwa out! The fans fire up as ELP kips up, but then Cobb is in ELP’s way! Scoop and TOUR- NO, ELP slips free, rolls Cobb up, TWO! ELP STMOPS Cobb’s hands! ELP puts Cobb in a corner, knuckle locks, and CHOPS! ELP goes up, up, and tightrope walks to ARI- NO, Cobb keeps ELP from jumping away! Cobb ROCKS ELP, and ELP falls onto Oiwa and Narita! The fans fire up as all three men are down on the outside! But the clock is ticking, Cobb has to get someone in. Cobb thinks instead to build speed! The fans go nuts as Cobb FLIES! A massive tope conjilo wipes out ELP, Oiwa & Narita!

Cobb hurries to get Narita up and into the ring, then hits an URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER! Cover, ONE!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Narita survives and we pass five minutes. Cobb hauls Narita up to fireman’s carry, but Narita slips free! Oiwa DROPKICKS Cobb into Narita! Oiwa whips, Cobb reverses, but Oiwa reverses again to GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, ELP DROPKICKS it apart! ELP ENZIGIRIS Narita off a corner, then he goes up! But Oiwa CLUBS ELP! Oiwa climbs up, he brings ELP around, but then Cobb CLUBS Oiwa! Cobb brings Oiwa off the corner but Oiwa throws hands!

Oiwa grabs ELP, brings him up, and we get a TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans fire up for the Powerbomb Superplex combo, but Narita climbs up! Cobb turns around into HELL’S GUILLOTINE!! Cover, TWO!!! Narita hurries to cover Oiwa, TWO! Narita hurries to cover ELP, TWO!! And the ref is taken out at the same time! Narita grins because now he grabs his pushup bar! The fans boo as Narita storms in, but then Jado snatches the bar! The fans fire up for the Master Heater! Narita sees all his challengers are there! Oiwa CHOPS, Cobb ROCKS and ELP SUPERKICKS Narita down! The fans fire up as Narita flounders away.

Oiwa, Cobb and ELP fire up, and Oiwa fires forearms and CHOPS! ELP BOOTS Oiwa, Cobb HEADBUTTS him! Oiwa comes back, Cobb & ELP dodge! Cobb DROPKICKS, then SUDDEN DEATH from ELP! The fans fire up again as Oiwa is down! Cobb runs up, ELP goes up and over! ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboards, but into Cobb’s arms! Cobb pops ELP around for an F5 THOUSAND!! ELP flounders, Cobb covers, but Oiwa breaks it! Oiwa deadlifts Cobb up with a gut wrench! Cobb fights free, Oiwa fires shots! Cobb dodges but Oiwa LARIATS Cobb down! Oiwa brings Cobb back up for a GUT WRENCH- NO, Cobb’s still too big!

Wait, Oiwa double clutches, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, but Narita YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but Narita gets his pushup bar back! But Oiwa dodges! Oiwa has the SLEEPER, then THE- PUSHUP BAR!! Narita takes out Oiwa, and now he aims at Cobb! But Cobb blocks the bar, TOSSES Narita, and he BREAKS the pushup bar!! The fans are thunderous, but then Narita LOW BLOWS Cobb! Narita shouts to the ref, and he DOUBLE- NO! Cobb stops the double crosser to take Narita on a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, ELP SWANTONS IN!! Then PLANCHAS Oiwa! Then he THUNDERKISS 86 on Narita!! Cover, ELP WINS!!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World TV Champion)

Right at the ten minute mark, The Headbanga seals the deal! ELP defeats cancer, and he defeats “the cancer” in NJPW that is the House of Torture! Will ELP make 2025 the best year he’s ever had?

The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!

President Ace told the world that his plan would be ONE MORE YEAR as an in-ring talent, ending things with WrestleKingdom 20 in 2026. But the King of Darkness made it his mission to end Tanahashi’s career prematurely! Will tonight be the last night we can cheer “GO ACE?” Or will Tanahashi finally tear down The House of Torture?

Naturally, Evil’s lumberjacks are the House of Torture: Yujiro Takahashi, Dick Togo, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho. As for Tanahashi, he is bringing his NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship teammates, Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano, but he also brings Tiger Mask and Master Wato! The bell rings and the fans all rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Evil circle, feel things out, but Sho grabs at Tanahashi! Evil attacks, then headlocks. Tanahashi endures, fights up and pries at the hold. Evil tries to power it back on, but Tanahashi still manages to put the headlock on Evil! The fans cheer while Evil endures.

Evil pulls hair, the ref reprimands, but now Tanahashi pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, counts, but only Tanahashi lets go at 4! The ref reprimands Evil more, but Evil kicks Tanahashi. Evil whips Tanahashi to a corner, runs up, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans cheer while Tanahashi air guitars. Evil staggers up, Tanahashi kicks him low, then Tanahashi whips Evil to ropes. Evil grabs ropes, bails out, and the House of Torture brings out a chair for Evil to take a seat. The fans boo as Dick fans Evil off, and Tanahashi tells Evil to get back in. Kanemaru gets on the apron as a distraction for Evil to slither in!

Evil CLUBS Tanahashi, then TOSSES him to ropes! Tanahashi holds on, but Dick grabs Tanahashi. Tanahashi BOOTS Dick away, then skins the cat, only for Evil to grab his leg! Evil BITES Tanahashi’s thigh! The ref reprimands, Evil stops at 4, and Evil DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi falls to the floor, and the House goes after him! Tanahashi’s team rushes over, the lumberjacks brawl, but The House sends Wato and Tiger Mask into railing! Evil goes out to fetch Tanahashi while Yano is also sent into railing. The House mugs Oleg while Evil POSTS Tanahashi! Evil brings out chairs, and he puts one around Tanahashi’s head!

The ref is too busy telling The House to stand down, and Evil hits the HOMERUN! The fans boo while Tanahashi falls, and Evil laughs. The House brings Wato over, and they give Evil a can of spray paint! Evil graffities Wato’s chest with a rather sloppy “H O T” for House of Torture! Sho & Kanemaru then throw Wato down while Evil goes into the ring. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Sho fetches him into the ring for Evil. Evil has a House of Torture merch shirt, but the ref confiscates it! Evil says fine, put the shirt away. He has the tag rope! Evil CHOKES Tanahashi with the rope, but lets off before the ref can see!

Evil hides the evidence, then drags Tanahashi up. Evil whips Tanahashi into the bare buckles of the blue corner! And then LARIATS him! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but none of the tricks have finished off Tanahashi yet. Evil paces, scuffs Tanahashi, and taunts him. Evil drags Tanahashi up, but Tanahashi fires forearms! Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets go, but then Evil blocks a kick! Evil hands that to the ref, but then Tanahashi blocks Evil’s kick! The ref lets go of Tanahashi’s foot, and Tanahashi DRAGON SCREWS Evil!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Tanahashi rises up and the fans rally behind him again. Evil goes to ropes but Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms. Tanahashi whips, Evil reverses, but Tanahashi WRECKS Dick first! Tanahashi then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Evil! The rest of the House gets on the apron, but Tanahashi BLASTS them back down! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and goes back for Evil. Tanahashi brings Evil up to scoop and SLAM! Tanahashi then goes up the corner to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this, but Tanahashi waits for him to rise. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil bails out!

Evil hurries away to the ramp, but Tanahashi has his lumberjacks go get him! Oleg stomps Evil, then fireman’s carries him back to ringside! The fans cheer as Oleg puts Evil in for Tanahashi! Evil wants mercy, but Tanahashi kicks him low! Tanahashi stands Evil up but Evil CLAWS Tanahashi’s face! Evil fireman’s carries, Tanahashi slips free, but Evil grabs the ref! That stops the suplex, so the ref SLAPS Evil! Tanahashi then turns Evil around for TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up and Tanahashi gives a thumbs up to the ref. Tanahashi then runs, but Evil uses the ref as a shield! The ref goes down and the House rushes in!

The fans boo but The House and Team Tanahashi brawl! Team Tanahashi is sent out and The House stomps away on Tanahashi! They set Tanahashi up for the NEW YEAR’S DICK CHOP! The fans boo but now Dick uses the SPOILER’S CHOKER on Dick! Yano CLUBS Dick! Yujiro BOOTS Yano! Tiger Mask runs in, Yujiro blocks the kicks to get the arms! But Tiger Mask ROLLING KICKS free! Sho & Kanemaru mug Tiger Mask! They double whip, but Tiger DIVES out onto Yujiro! Wato gets in but Sho & Kanemaru mug him now! Oleg runs up but they mug him, too! They double whip Oleg into the bare buckles!

Kanemaru & Sho then reel Oleg in, but Oleg fights the double suplex! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES Sho & Kanemaru! The fans are thunderous, and now Wato rises! Wato builds speed to FLY out onto Sho & Kanemaru! The fans fire up again, and now it’s just Evil and Tanahashi! Tanahashi rises, a back-up ref gets in, and the fans rally up! Tanahashi roars and runs up, but Evil sends him into bare buckles! Evil LARIATS, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil LARIATS again, but Tanahashi stays up! Evil tries again, but Tanahashi dodges! Only for Evil to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up while Evil seethes, and Evil vows to end this!

Evil drags Tanahashi up and spins him around, EVERYTHING- NO, Tanahashi fights to steal EVERYTHING IS EVIL! The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi hits a DRAGON SUPLEX!! Evil sits up in a daze and Tanahashi runs! SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Evil survives, but Tanahashi hurries up top! Evil stands, into the HIGH FLY ATTACK! Then Tanahashi hurries right back up! HIGH FLY- NO, Evil shoves the ref into the ropes! And Dick uses POCKET SAND! Wato goes after Dick but is sent into railing! Evil rises up to get Tanahashi! The fans boo but Evil goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!!

Evil hurries to stand Tanahashi up! Fireman’s carry, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives again, but Evil steps through! SCORPION DEATH LOCK!! Tanahashi endures, reaches out, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Evil even hooks the legs to pull on the hold even harder! Tanahashi endures, the fans are thunderous, but Evil lets off in frustration. Evil argues with the ref, surely Tanahashi was done for! The ref defends that Tanahashi is still in this, and Evil drags him up. Evil winds up to LARIAT, but Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Evil LARIATS again! Evil stands Tanahashi up, for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! CRADLE COUNTER, TANAHASHI WINS!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (does NOT retire yet)

The fans are as shocked as anyone, but while Evil gets after the ref, the House attacks! The fans boo these sore losers, but wait! IS THAT SHIBATA?! The Wrestler has returned to NJPW and he scares off the entire House of Torture!! The fans are thunderous as Shibata, though signed with AEW, returns home to help President Ace! Shibata helps Tanahashi to his feet, and then asks for a mic. The fans fire up getting to hear from Shibata now! Shibata tells “Tanahashi-kun,” that if he’s not tired yet, how about they have a match for WrestleDynasty? The fans are losing their minds, and Shibata hands the mic over.

Tanahashi tells Shibata that he’s never tired! CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! The fans are going nuts as the inaugural WrestleDynasty gets even bigger! The Ace, the Wrestler, one more time, and perhaps the last time! Will Shibata give Tanahashi the fight of his life as only the Neo Three Musketeers can?

NEVER Openweight & AEW International Championships, Winner Takes All: Shingo Takagi VS Konosuke Takeshita!

The Rampaging Dragon didn’t get to meet The Alpha of the Don Callis Family in the G1 Climax, so he wanted this match as much as anyone. He also wanted Konosuke to pull his weight and bring that International Championship with him. Konosuke kept up his part of the bargain by getting past “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs at Worlds End, and now both titles are on the line! Who comes away as a true alpha of wrestling?

The introductions are made, both belts are raised, and we see who brings them both to WrestleDynasty!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Takagi seems to have the stronger support, and then both men run up! They RAM shoulders, RAM shoulders again, and again! They stare down for just a moment before Takagi fires a forearm! Takagi runs, RAMS Konosuke, but Konosuke RAMS him and BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Takagi reverses, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges to TAKESHITA LINE! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Konosuke runs up, Takagi dodges and HIP TOSSES! Konosuke gets up but Takagi RUNS him over! The fans fire up again while Takagi waits on Konosuke.

Takagi kicks Konosuke around, but Konosuke stands right up. Konosuke is taller so he literally looks down on Takagi. Takagi still fires forearms! Konosuke eggs Takagi on, so Takagi winds up to ROCK Konosuke! Konosuke shakes that off, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS Takagi down! The fans fire up as Konosuke looms over Takagi. Takagi is dazed so Konosuke goes up, to SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans rally up. Don Callis is stone faced at ringside as Konosuke clamps on a chinlock. Konosuke squeezes tight and grinds Takagi down. Takagi endures, fights up, and he fires body shots.

Takagi is free but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke runs, but Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! Takagi runs, but into a RANA! Takagi tumbles out and fans rally up as Konosuke builds speed! Takagi moves, but Konosuke changes to a PLANCHA! Takagi moves again, YANKS Konosuke off the apron, and then pop-up DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks both men. Somehow, Konosuke is okay to continue, and Takagi rises up. Takagi staggers a bit but he fires back up. Takagi brings Konosuke into the ring, then watches Konosuke go to a corner. Takagi runs up but blocks a boot, to then LARIAT through!

The fans fire up with Takagi, and Takagi puts Konosuke up top. Takagi climbs up and has Konosuke on the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Then Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke stays in this but Takagi shouts to the fans, “TOKI GA KI-” NO, Konosuke waistlocks and lifts! Takagi fights free, ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up again, and now “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer, and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Callis is worried while Takagi winds up. Takagi stands Konosuke up to pump handle, but Konosuke fights the lift! Konosuke fires elbows, but Takagi EXPLODERS!

Takagi runs up, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke runs up, into a clinch and SAIDO! But Konosuke’s back up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men rise, but then they flop over! The fans fire up for this fighting spirit, and then we see Tomohiro Ishii sitting by both belts! We all know Ishii gets the winner, so he wants to see it happen with his own eyes. Takagi and Konosuke both rise, and the fans rally up. Callis coaches Konosuke as he and Takagi go to corner. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up! He and Konosuke run in, DOUBLE LARIATS! Konosuke fires boxing elbows, then he eggs Takagi on! So Takagi gives back boxing elbows!

The fans rally, Takagi winds up, but another ALPHA ELBOW floors him! Konosuke runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, but Konosuke LARIATS first! And then scoops Takagi right into the BASTARD DRIVER! And a deadlift WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! And then Konosuke aims from a corner! POWER DRIVE- PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Takagi roars as he rises, and he brings Konosuke up. Konosuke pushes Takagi but Takagi comes back with a SLIDING FOREARM! Then a pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and Callis is relieved.

The fans rally, Takagi starts up another “OI! OI! OI!” and then rises. Konosuke slowly stands, Takagi runs, but Konosuke dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! Takagi runs, into a JUMP KNEE! A glancing blow that sends Takagi to a corner but the fans rally up. Konosuke storms up on Takagi, puts him up top now, and then Konosuke climbs. Konosuke has Takagi on the top rope, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER!! Takagi tumbles, Konosuke rises, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, ONE?!?! HOW?!?! Konosuke doesn’t question it, he just attacks with BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!!

The fans are thunderous again but Konosuke vows to end this! Konosuke suplexes, but Takagi scoops! Fireman’s carry, and LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! A rough landing for Konosuke, but Takagi can’t make the cover!! Callis is again worried but both men are stirring. Takagi sits up first, and he grabs at Konosuke. The fans rally, and that energy wills Takagi on! Takagi has Konosuke for a POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Konosuke stays up so Takagi LARIATS again! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Takagi runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke goes up to POISON-RANA! And then TAKAGI POISON-RANAS??! But Konosuke hits a BLINDSIDE ALPHA ELBOW!!

The fans are thunderous and Callis is proud of his man for fighting this hard! Konosuke rises, takes off the elbow pad, but Takagi runs up! Konosuke ROCKS him, and ROCKS him again! Konosuke fires more forearms, then winds up, but Takagi fires a flurry! HEADBUTT! JAB! HEADBUTT again! POWER DRIVE KNEE!! PUMPING BOMBER??! Both men stagger around, ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke hurries to suplex! RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (DUAL NEVER Openweight & AEW International Champion)

The Alpha slays the Rampaging Dragon, and now he brings more gold home to the Don Callis Family! But the Stone Pitbull is still stone faced. Will Ishii just take both those belts away from Konosuke at WrestleDynasty? Or will Konosuke continue to prove why he is All Elite?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS El Desperado!

Japones Del Mal has proved haters and doubters wrong again and again as he has overcome the best the Junior Heavyweight Division has to offer. But now, The Rogue Luchador is back and he wants to see if he is still the Best of the Super Juniors. Will these amigos still be on good terms after fighting on the biggest stage in NJPW?

As part of Douki’s entrance, he has a special guest in the famed kabuki actor, Shido Nakamura! Nakamura whips his wild white hair around, and then there’s pyro before Douki rises from under the stage! Douki fist bumps with Nakamura before continuing down to the ramp. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who best represents the fusion of lucha and puro-resu!

The bell rings and fans rally up already. Douki and Desperado hear the dueling as they circle. They step up, then speed up! Douki ducks ‘n’ dodges, Despy hurdles then does the splits! Douki leaps over, sidesteps, then he does the splits! Despy leaps over, things keep moving, and Douki tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Despy tumbles out, but he also hurries away before Douki can build speed. The fans cheer this opening exchange and Despy goes to the apron. Douki BLASTS Despy down, then he DIVES! Direct hit into railing and the fans fire up! Douki puts Despy in the ring, but Despy yoyos back out to RAM Douki into railing!

Despy hurries inside and he builds speed to DIVE!! Direct hit right into railing! The fans fire up and Despy goes out to get them even hotter! Despy then fetches Douki, and he whips Douki hard into railing. Despy tells media to move, then whips again, but Douki sends Despy into railing! Despy staggers away, the ring count is climbing, but Douki fetches Despy. They brawl at the ramp, but the count is 10 of 20! Then 13! The brawling keeps going, we hit 15, and Despy puts Douki in. The fans cheer as Douki takes a swing, but into Despy’s BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Douki shakes his head, he’s tougher than that.

Despy shakes it off and he storms up on Douki. Douki CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Despy ROCKS Douki, Douki tries some misdirection, but Despy still blocks the uppercut! Despy ROCKS Douki, but Douki ENZIGIRIS Despy! The fans rally up and Douki brings Despy around. Douki whips, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Despy talks some trash, but Douki catches him into the ITALIAN STRETCH 32! But Despy powers out to have the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Douki endures, crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Despy lets go, and the fans cheer.

Despy catches his breath and nods as he stalks over to Douki. Douki BOOTS Despy, goes up and out to the apron, then slingshots for DAY- NO, Despy stops Daybreak to then pop Douki around for a suplex! Douki slips out, goes up, MYSTERIO RANA! Despy tumbles out, Douki builds speed, but Despy hurries away. Only for Douki to go up, up and SUPER SENTON into the railing!! Did Despy counter bomb at the last second?! The fans are going nuts, did Douki also bust his elbow? The ref checks while Despy gets himself to the ring. The ref talks with Douki, Douki points to his left elbow, and the ref calls it!! Referee stoppage, and Desperado wins?!?

Winner: El Desperado, by referee stoppage (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

The Rogue Luchador is frustrated, because while he wanted to win, he wanted to beat Douki himself. Both men were going so hard, so fast, someone was bound to crash ‘n’ burn. Desperado checks on his amigo while also picking up the title belt. Desperado grabs the mic on his way back into the ring, and he tells Douki that when they go this hard, put everything you have, things like this tend to happen. Desperado apologizes to the fans that he won’t apologize for how this went down. “This is the inevitable result when you put your all into something. We will do this again, and I hope you’ll be there to see it. This is by no means over!”

Desperado does his best to keep the fighting spirits hot, with more WrestleKingdom and more NJPW to go! Will Douki rise up better than before to prove to himself that he IS the best in the world?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Yota Tsuji!

The Rebel may do a lot of underhanded things just to win, but he crossed the line calling the injured Yuya Uemura a coward for not answering the challenge. The Gene Blast stepped up for his friend and rival, and now he’s the one aiming for Finlay’s gold. Will Yota make Finlay regret having such a big ego? Or will no one take this title from Finlay ever again?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has that dog in them!

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YOTA! YOTA!” as he stares down with Finlay. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but then Finlay pulls hair! The ref reprimands but they end up on ropes, then a corner. Finlay scuffs Yota with his forearm, even as the ref reprimands. Finlay thrashes Yota around, lets off slowly, but then Yota ROCKS him! Finlay fires back but Yota ROCKS him again! They go forearm for forearm, but Yota ROCKS Finlay again! Yota whips corner to corner, Finlay reverses, but Yota boots. Finlay blocks, but Yota reels him in for a DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer but Gedo is upset.

Yota brings Finlay up but Finlay CLAWS Yota’s face! The ref reprimands, Finlay runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Finlay flounders out of the ring but Yota takes aim. Yota builds speed, but Finlay hurries away! The fans boo but Yota just adjusts course! Yota DIVES, but Finlay manages to catch him! And RAM him into the apron! Finlay then fireman’s carries to run and LAWN DART! Yota manages to deflect off the post, but then Finlay CLOBBERS him into railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay grins and Gedo applauds while Yota writhes. The ref checks and Yota is able to continue.

Finlay drags Yota up, puts him in the ring, and Finlay stands on Yota for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay brings Yota up. Finlay scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Finlay grins. Finlay rains down fists on Yota, the ref reprimands, but Finlay stops at 4. Finlay paces, then flips off fans. The fans boo but Finlay just spits at them! Finlay goes back to Yota, clinches, but Yota fights with elbows! Finlay knees low, clinches again, but Yota arm-drags free! Yota gets Finlay for a BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans cheer the Gene Combination while Finlay sputters.

Yota brings Finlay up and he fires forearms! Yota whips, Finlay reverses, but Yota CLOBBERS him! Yota keeps moving, BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Yota stays focused. Finlay goes to a corner, Yota runs up to SPLASH! Yota keeps moving, and he RANAS Finlay out of the ring! The fans cheer while Finlay flounders, and Yota builds speed again! Yota FOSBURY FLOPS! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous! Yota paces around the outside while Finlay sputters. Yota brings Finlay back up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Yota drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the suplex!

Finlay tries to suplex but Yota fights him! Finlay wrenches out to ROCK Yota, but Yota ROCKS Finlay! Forearms go back and forth again, and Yota grins as he fires off a flurry! Yota ROCKS Finlay, then runs up, but Finlay dodges! Finlay returns to LARIAT Yota up and over, and ends up going with him! They both tumble to the floor while the fans fire up again. Finlay grins as he rises, and he staggers over to Yota. Finlay brings Yota up to fireman’s carry, and he gives him a LAWN DART into the post! Yota goes down in a heap and Gedo cheers, but the fans boo as Finlay opens the gate. Finlay goes to the timekeeper’s table and clears it off!

Finlay drags Yota up and over to the table, for an IRISH CURSE through the table! The fans boo but Finlay is all smiles as he stands over the wreckage. Finlay leaves Yota behind and the ring count begins. Finlay soaks up all the heat from the Tokyo Dome while flipping them off. The count reaches 5 of 20, then 10. Yota crawls from the wreckage but he has to get around the railing. The count is 15, Yota hobbles and falls, tripping over wires! Yota gets free at 18, and he slides in at 19! The fans cheer but Finlay is right on Yota with a suplex TOSS! Finlay grins and flexes while he aims from th ecorner.

Yota rises, Finlay runs up and UPPERCUTS! Finlay then reels Yota in, but Yota suplexes Finlay into the corner! The fans fire up while Finlay writhes. Yota stands, storms over to Finlay, and he drags Finlay up. Yota hoists Finlay to the top rope, then he climbs up. The fans rally as Yota goes to the very top, but then Finlay shoves him down! Yota tumbles, rises back up, and he GAMANGIRIS Finlay! Yota climbs back up, but Finlay fires body shots! Finlay gets under Yota for a SUPER POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Finlay is frustrated and he reels Yota in to Canadian Rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!

And then another CANADIAN HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that vicious hattrick, and Finlay is frustrated all over again. Finlay drags Yota up but Yota’s deadweight! The ref checks Yota while Finlay grins again. The fans rally for Yota while Finlay paces. Finlay drags Yota up, but Yota pushes him away, only for Yota to fall back over! Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota cradle counters! TWO!! Finlay escapes, ROCKS Yota, then LARIATS! Yota manages to stay up but Finlay LARIATS again! And LARIATS again! Yota fires a forearm but Finlay LARIATS! Yota rebounds, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then GENE TRIGGER!

Finlay rebounds, SPEAR but into a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up for Yota as he roars and rises up! Yota drags Finlay to a drop zone, then goes to the corner. Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Finlay gets under the crush! And he gets Yota up for a POWERBOMB! Finlay brings Yota back up, to BUCKLE BOMB! And then another POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota barely survives and Finlay is beside himself! Gedo coaches Finlay while the fans rally behind Yota. Finlay grins again as he stands back up, and he drags Yota by the hair. Finlay reels Yota in, gets him up, but Yota RANAS Finlay into buckles!

Yota runs up and he GENE TRIGGERS in the corner! The fans fire up as Yota roars! Yota goes up, up and MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Gedo fires up! The fans rally again and Yota goes to a corner. Yota powers up and Finlay rises, GENE- CUTTER!! Finlay catches Yota and suplexes, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Finlay is pulling at his own hair! Finlay storms around, slashes his throat, and he drags Yota up. Finlay suplexes, but Yota slips out! Yota ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Finlay SPEARS! And then he suplexes for OVER- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Finlay ends up staggering around, into GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!

Finlay survives by a literal foot and Yota can’t believe it! The fans still rally behind Yota and he grins as he stands back up. Finlay sputters but still grabs at Yota. Yota drags Finlay up, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Finlay staggers to the ropes, comes back, and Yota ROCKS him again! Finlay staggers around more, Gedo coaches him, but Yota ROCKS him again! And again! And then HEADBUTTS! Finlay drops to his knees but Yota roars! Yota runs, CURB STOMP! Yota roars again and the fans are thunderous! Yota goes to a corner, takes aim as Finlay rises, and GENE- NO, Finlay gator rolls, OVERKILL!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?

Finlay cannot believe it but Yota survives! Finlay hurries to try again! But Yota suplexes! Finlay slips free, backslides, but Yota rolls through! But into OVER- NO, Yota powers out and KNEES Finlay! Then Yota hits a POWERBOMB!! Finlay flounders, staggers up, into GENE BLASTER!!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!!

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

The Tokyo Dome erupts as Yota proves NJPW doesn’t need The Rebel! Yota grabs the Global Heavyweight Championship for his own, but will this be just the beginning of Yota’s legend? As for Finlay, he has to fight again tomorrow night against AEW’s Brody King! Is the King of Death going to show Finlay who’s the real Boss Dog in wrestling?

Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi!

While it is unfortunate that Henare was injured during World Tag League, denying Los Ingobernables de Japon their shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, it did open things to a unique opportunity. The Uncontrollable Charisma and Ticking Timebomb were meant to battle as IWGP World and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions four years ago, if not for the pandemic. Now Naito and Hiromu can have their 1v1 on NJPW’s biggest stage, who proves to be the strongest in LIJ?

The fans rally already as Naito takes off his newest entrance attire. It’s still as elaborate and stylish as the other ones, but he actually starts with the pants first. Hiromu still knows to be patient, as he is familiar with Naito’s tricks. Naito puts the shirt aside, then offers the LIJ fist bump. Hiromu smiles, but leaves Naito hanging! The fans are surprised, but perhaps this is Hiromu playing mind games in return. The bell rings, the fans duel, and Naito takes his time stepping forward. Hiromu meets him, they tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Naito slips around to waistlock, but Hiromu switches. Hiromu nelsons but Naito arm-drags free.

Things speed up, Naito drops down then dodges, to roll and tranquilo! But he avoids Hiromu’s basement dropkick to return the favor! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring but Naito rolls out the side. Naito storms up and kicks low! Then he CLUBS Hiromu, whips, but Hiromu blocks. Naito puts Hiromu in the ring and the fans applaud. Naito takes his time rolling back in, then he storms up again. Naito clamps on a cravat to wrench the neck, but Hiromu fires body shots. Hiromu is free, then runs, but into an atomic drop! Naito turns Hiromu for the NECKBREAKER, then clamps on the LEG LOCK NELSON! The fans rally while Hiromu endures.

Naito thrashes Hiromu around, but Hiromu still kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Naito claims he needs help. Red Shoes undoes the leg lock and Naito stands over Hiromu. Naito stomps Hiromu around, then brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Naito SPITS at Hiromu, then kicks low. Naito whips, Hiromu reverses and LARIATS in the corner! Then Hiromu snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Naito stays in this, but Hiromu steps on his face. The fans applaud as Hiromu gives back the taunting, then Hiromu drags Naito up.

Hiromu fireman’s carries, Naito slips free and he shoves Hiromu to a corner. Naito runs up but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs, but Naito ducks to run, only for Hiromu to catch him and spin him! Hiromu suplexes, Naito knees free, but Hiromu takes a swing. Naito dodges, then Hiromu dodges back! Naito sidesteps to arm-drag, ELBOW, and basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Hiromu writhes. Naito catches his breath, drags Hiromu up, and whips him to a corner. Naito runs up to ELBOW Hiromu, then turn him, and hold him, and hold… for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer.

Naito crawls to the cover, TWO! Hiromu is tougher than that but Naito stays calm. Naito drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Naito fights free, but Hiromu avoids the elbow to fireman’s carry again! Hiromu throws Naito over the ropes, then SUPERKICKS him! Then Hiromu runs to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB to the floor! The fans fire up and Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, puts him in the ring, then hurries to wrench and fireman’s carry again. TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Naito’s tougher than that but Hiromu stays calm. Hiromu drags Naito back up, fireman’s carries again, but Naito sunset flips! TWO!

Hiromu and Naito hurry up, Naito runs up but Hiromu sidesteps to then GERMAN SUPLEX! Naito is down, the fans rally up, and Hiromu encourages them to get louder. Hiromu drags Naito back up, runs, but Naito ducks! Naito runs, but the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER finds him anyway! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, TIMEBOMB 1.0!! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans rally up again. Hiromu drags Naito back up, dragon sleepers, but Naito turns around! Hiromu still suplexes but Naito fights it! Naito dodges, TORNADO- NO, Hiromu fights the DDT! Naito tries again, but Hiromu rolls through the DDT to have a cover, TWO!

Both men are down and catching their breath, but the fans rally up again. Hiromu waits on Naito, then SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Naito flounders but Hiromu brings him back up. Hiromu dragon sleepers, but Naito fights Timebomb 2 into DESTINO! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Naito slowly sits up and he stands over Hiromu. Naito brings Hiromu up, and he fires the heavy back elbows! Hiromu stays up so Naito adds on a few more! Hiromu goes to a corner, Naito hops up and reels him in. ESPERANZA! Hiromu flounders, Naito goes back to the corner, and he takes aim.

Naito runs up, CORRIEN- NO, Naito has to duck a Heel Kick first! Then CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but Hiromu powers that into a TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. Hiromu sits up first and he pounds the mat in frustration. The fans fire up as Hiromu roars! Hiromu drags Naito up, facelocks, then dragon sleepers! But Naito fights free again, to ripcord and ELBOW! Naito fires more heavy elbows, but Hiromu leans on Naito. Naito throws more elbows, but Hiromu just fires up!

Naito fires even more heavy elbows! Hiromu eggs Naito on so the elbows keep coming! Hiromu drops to his knees, but he leans on Naito all the same. Naito stands Hiromu up for even more elbows! Hiromu gets fed up, but Naito ENZIGIRIS! And a wrench, but Hiromu wrenches back! HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE! TWO!!! Naito narrowly escapes, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS him into buckles! Wait, Hiromu wrenches and tilt-o-whirls? HIROMU DESTINO!! The fans are fired up as Hiromu hurries to get Naito up, for the dragon sleeper and TIMEBOMB 2!! Cover, TWO!??! Naito survives and the fans are thunderous!

Hiromu grits his teeth, and he roars again! The fans fire up as Hiromu has Naito’s arm, straitjacket and dragon sleeper, for TIMEBOMB- NO, Naito fights off MK 2.5! Naito KNEES free, then blocks a superkick! Naito SLAPS Hiromu, and Hiromu goes to ropes. The fans fire up as Hiromu’s rage boils over! Hiromu runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Naito drags Hiromu up, wrenches, and DESTINO!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Hiromu survives, Naito’s plan to take advantage of his rage didn’t work! Naito drags Hiromu up, scoops and SLAMS him, then he goes to the corner! Fans fire up, but Hiromu anchors Naito’s legs!

The fans rally as Hiromu grabs hold of the leg. Naito drags Hiromu up, SLAPS him again, then reels him in to scoop and VALENTIA!! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion beats the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, proving that even now, Hiromu has a long way to go before he can get one over on him! Hiromu’s fighting spirit and passion were powerful, but Naito wins out for being tranquilo through and through. Naito puts his baseball cap back on, and he raises the LIJ fist. Hiromu slowly sits up, then stumbles around as he tries to stand. Hiromu leans on Naito in order to get to his feet, and though frustrated with himself, he bows to “Shishou,” and raises the fist! Will the 2024 World Tag League winners still look to go after the IWGP Tag Team Championships together in the future?

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino!

The Front Man won the G1 Climax, then dared to shake things up and have his title match in Ryogoku. ZSJ won the title and put the target on his back, will the Roughneck hit the mark? Or will ZSJ prove it’s still too soon for Shota’s Paradigm Shift?

ZSJ has TMDK with him as he makes his entrance, but Shota is a lone wolf tonight. But Shota’s hair has returned to the hot pink he had before, perhaps a symbol of his renewed determination. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who reigns supreme in this WrestleKingdom!

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. ZSJ and Shota stare down, slowly approach, and they feel things out. They knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead then clinch. Shota puts ZSJ on ropes, Red Shoes calls the break, and Shota lets off slowly. ZSJ steps forward, silently daring Shota, but Shota pats ZSJ on the shoulders and backs away. The two reset, knuckle lock, and go around again. ZSJ steps over then hooks a leg before having the cravat. ZSJ shifts to a facelock but Shota wrenches out to wristlock. ZSJ spins, wrenches, and he hooks a leg again. Shota fights that off to wristlock, but ZSJ bridges, turns, slips through, and he wristlocks back.

The fans rally as ZSJ wrangles Shota to the mat. Shota moves around, rolls, wrenches through and wristlocks. ZSJ rolls, wrenches, rolls, wrenches, slips through and has the wristlock. Shota gets under to shovel ZSJ, but ZSJ kips up to break free! The fans cheer that opening exchange while ZSJ and Shota reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ reels Shota in and stands on a hand! ZSJ turns Shota around to have a motorcycle stretch. Shota endures, even as ZSJ digs his forehead into the shoulder blades. Shota powers up to turn the stretch onto ZSJ! ZSJ powers up to turn it back, but Shota just spins through!

Shota stands on ZSJ’s back, but then reels ZSJ into a full nelson. ZSJ breaks, wrenches, but Shota slips around to full nelson again. ZSJ slips down, rolls back, but Shota stays back so he can full nelson again! The fans applaud but ZSJ is annoyed. ZSJ backs up into Shota but Shota keeps from being thrown over. Shota puts more pressure on the full nelson, but ZSJ uses his leg for leverage. ZSJ breaks free but Shota ducks the elbow. ZSJ ducks a haymaker but swings into a facelock! ZSJ fights the suplex, but then so does Shota. Shota wrenches free but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to then arm-drag!

ZSJ headscissors, Shota kips free, the fans rally up as this keeps going! ZSJ avoids a dropkick, Shota avoids the Penalty Kick to scoop and DROP, then basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Shota stands tall out of that fast ‘n’ furious exchange! Shota cools off while ZSJ sits up, then Shota brings ZSJ around. Shota CLUBS ZSJ, ZSJ goes to a corner, and Shota throws an elbow! Shota throws another elbow, then he stomps ZSJ down. Shota drags ZSJ up with a cravat, but ZSJ endures the neck wrench to chinbar in return. Shota puts on more pressure, but ZSJ goes for a leg. Shota still cranks the neck wrench, then fires shoulders into ZSJ!

Shota CLUBS ZSJ down again, then sits him up. ZSJ eggs Shota on, so Shota fires some HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The Blackpool Combat Club special still lives in The Roughneck, and he brings ZSJ up. Shota suplexes but ZSJ blocks again. ZSJ has a facelock and cranks the hold, but Shota suplexes again. ZSJ wrenches out to WRING the arm! The fans rally up while Shota clutches the shoulder. ZSJ sits Shota up to then SNAP the fingers! The fans are torn over ZSJ acting like a Villain, but then ZSJ twists Shota’s wrist and wraps the arm around the ropes. Red Shoes counts, and ZSJ lets off with an apologetic bow.

ZSJ then drags Shota from the ropes, wrangles him, and has a mounted armbar! Then ZSJ isolates the arm to STOMP it! The fans cheer while Shota writhes and clutches the elbow. ZSJ paces before going back for Shota. ZSJ stands on the bad arm, and even the hand. Shota throws shots with the other hand, but ZSJ KICKS Shota in the side! ZSJ kicks Shota around but Shota eggs him on. ZSJ KICKS Shota in the arm again, eggs Shota on now, and then KICKS him again! Shota sits up but ZSJ kicks him to the ropes. Shota stands up and he fires a forearm! And another forearm! ZSJ eggs Shota on so the forearms keep going!

ZSJ wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Shota falls back to ropes but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Shota staggers around, ZSJ whips, but Shota reverses, only for ZSJ to catch him into a COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, even as ZSJ puts pressure on the crossface portion! ZSJ practically flexes as he puts on the grip tighter, but Shota fights his way towards ropes. ZSJ grabs that free arm and adds a straitjacket variation to the hold! Shota still endures, even as ZSJ digs an elbow in! Shota almost falls into the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as ZSJ lets off, and then ZSJ KICKS Shota!

ZSJ runs, but Shota DROPKICKS back! Both men are down and we’re only ten minutes in. Shota rises and he fires back up! The fans cheer as Shota storms up to fire forearms on ZSJ in the corner. Shota whips corner to corner, then UPPERCUTS ZSJ! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota keeps cool. Shota paces, and he drags ZSJ up. Shota clinches but ZSJ wrenches out and then goes to the bad arm. PELE to the elbow! Shota goes to ropes and the fans rally up. ZSJ runs but Shota drop toeholds him into ropes! Shota slingshots, APRON DDT! ZSJ is stuck upside-down while fans fire up!

Shota clutches his leg while ZSJ finally flops to the floor. The fans rally up and a ring count starts. Shota rolls in at 3 of 20 while TMDK coaches ZSJ. ZSJ is still down at 10 of 20, but Shota goes out to fetch ZSJ. Shota has media clear out so he can whip ZSJ into railing! ZSJ slumps down but Shota brings him back up. Shota brings ZSJ around, cravats, and then whips again, but ZSJ bounces off railing to BOOT Shota! Shota returns to SHOTGUN! ZSJ is down again and Shota snarls as he rises up. The fans rally and duel, and now Shota wants TMDK to give him space. Red Shoes has TMDK back up a bit, and Shota puts ZSJ on railing!

DRAPING DDT to the floor! The fans go wild while ZSJ flops over! Shota is stone faced, and he doesn’t even care that the ZSJ fans boo him. Shota paces while ZSJ reaches out. Shota drags ZSJ up, brings him around, and then puts him in the ring. Shota goes to the corner, takes aim, and he goes COAST2COAST! Then Shota hauls ZSJ up to dragon sleeper, TRIDENT! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and the fans rally up! Shota waits on ZSJ, then runs, but ZSJ avoids Ignition to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ stands up and paces around while Shota stirs.

ZSJ sits Shota up to KICK him in the back! Shota grits his teeth, but he sits back up! Shota eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ KICKS him in the back again! The fans rally, Shota manages to sit back up, and Shota again dares ZSJ to hit him. ZSJ winds up, and he KICKS, covers, TWO! Shota stays in this but he rolls to the ropes for shelter. ZSJ waits on Shota as Shota has to beat him, not the other way around. ZSJ eggs Shota on, taunting him with how he wanted this main event. ZSJ kicks Shota around, but Shota sits up. Shota looks up with defiance, but ZSJ gets forehead to forehead with him. Shota rises, ZSJ eggs him on, and Shota fires a forearm!

ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota staggers around, and the fans rally up. Shota roars and comes back to fire a forearm! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Shota again staggers around, but he steadies himself and shakes his head. Shota goes back to ZSJ to fire a forearm, and another, but then ZSJ ROCKS Shota! ZSJ whips, Shota reverses, but ZSJ wrenches to ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Shota clasps hands but ZSJ shifts sides! Shota still holds on to fight the armbar! ZSJ pulls, uses legs for leverage, and has the ARMBAR! But Shota fights around, only to end up in an omoplata! ZSJ wants the other arm, Shota reaches for ropes, but ZSJ rolls him away!

ZSJ has the deep armbar! Shota endures, but ZSJ pulls on the arm! ZSJ shifts, CLARKY CAT! ZSJ uses his forehead to push on that arm, then he scissors the arms with his legs! Shota fights around but ends up in an TRIANGLE HOLD! ZSJ adds a double wristlock to it, and Shota is already fading! Red Shoes checks, and Shota’s turning red like his hair! ZSJ still squeezes, but Shota finds a second wind! Shota deadlifts ZSJ! But ZSJ slips around, DDT! Shota staggers back, rebounds, BASEMENT UPPERCUT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Shota goes to a corner, takes aim, and ZSJ sits up into BLAZE- NO, ZSJ ducks!

ZSJ runs up to BOOT the lariat, but Shota SWATS the kick! Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROLLING- NO, ZSJ gets under to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Shota’s right up! ZSJ LARIATS Shota inside-out!! The fans are thunderous and ZSJ roars! ZSJ then shouts, “IKU ZO!” Scoop and- NO, Shota slips free to CROSS RHODES! The fans fire up while both men are down! ZSJ crawls to ropes, Shota goes to the opposite side. Shota rises, he and ZSJ go to corners. They both run up, and ZSJ BOOTS Shota! Shota ROCKS ZSJ! Shota eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ comes back to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers and the fans rally up again.

Shota scowls, comes back, and he UPPERCUTS! ZSJ wobbles and staggers back! ZSJ leans on ropes, Shota stares him down, and ZSJ returns to UPPERCUT! Shota staggers around, but he also comes back. Shota UPPERCUTS! ZSJ nods and shakes that off. The fans rally up more and more, and then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ falls! ZSJ gets right up and Shota stares him down. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ wobbles. ZSJ UPPERCUTS and Shota staggers! The fans continue to rally as neither man is backing down!

Shota UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ roars, but Shota UPPERCUTS him down! Shota roars, we pass 25 minutes, and the fans rally up again. Shota stands ZSJ up, catches his uppercut, but then ZSJ catches his! UPPERCUT, but then Shota clinches! EXPLODER, cover, ONE!! ZSJ KICKS Shota down, covers, ONE!! Shota SHOTGUNS ZSJ! ZSJ is right up to PENALTY KICK! But ZSJ drops to his knees, he can’t make the cover! ZSJ heads back over, brings Shota up, only for Shota to fight the scoop! Shota wrenches, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then ZSJ whips. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT!

Shota hurries to haul ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops! ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! TMDK coaches ZSJ while he and Shota are both down. ZSJ rises, the fans rally up, and ZSJ roars again! ZSJ stands Shota up, reels him in, and Gotch Lifts! A shoutout to Suzuki-sensei, but Shota backdrops free! ZSJ rises, but into a pop-up, clinch, and EVOLVED DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Shota fires up! The fans also fires up and Shota runs up, IGNITION! Shota then hurries to underhook, SWINGING DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and the fans are thunderous!

Shota is back up, and he drags ZSJ back in! Underhooks and- NO, ZSJ traps a leg to TWIST, and TWIST! And then KNEEBAR!! Shota endures, even as ZSJ has the heel hook added on! ZSJ shifts the grip to put more pressure on, then he drags Shota away from ropes! It’s an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! Shota endures as ZSJ twists the leg from knee to ankle! Red Shoes checks as Shota endures, ZSJ adds an ANKLE LOCK to it! Shota crawls for ropes, but ZSJ drags him back again! ZSJ tortures the leg with the different angles, but Shota claws at the mat! Shota grabs at Red Shoes’ shirt, but he refuses to give in!

ZSJ scissors the legs, the INVERTED FIGURE FOUR returns! HEEL HOOK on top! Shota flails, reaches out, and we pass 30 minutes! But that’s only the halfway point for an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match! Shota endures as ZSJ puts all the pressure he can on the legs! Shota roars, pushes up off the mat, and he claws his way forward! The fans are thunderous, but then ZSJ leans way back on the legs! Shota shouts in pain, but he still makes the ROPEBREAK!! The fans all cheer while ZSJ lets go in frustration. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s legs, and STOMPS them! Shota clutches his legs, but he still looks up defiantly at ZSJ.

ZSJ storms up to STOMP the leg again, and Shota writhes again. Shota crawls away, but then sits back up. ZSJ storms up to STOMP the leg again! Shota goes to ropes, the fans rally and duel, and ZSJ waits on Shota to stand. Shota hobbles, but then he falls over, and he crawls to ropes. Shota still tries to stand, but his legs just won’t let him! Shota crawls after ZSJ but ZSJ soaks up the cheers from the fans. ZSJ brings Shota up, but Shota fires a forearm. There wasn’t much behind it, but Shota fires another, and another. ZSJ KICKS the legs out, but Shota gets right up! Shota fires forearm after forearm, and now there’s something there!

ZSJ DROPKICKS the legs out! Shota flounders around, but ZSJ waits to then run up. Shota dodges, and uses the corner to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down again and the fans rally. Shota crawls to a corner, ZSJ to the other, and they both drag themselves up with ropes. Shota shouts, “IKU ZO!” and then he runs in, BLINDSIDE KNEE in the corner! Shota puts ZSJ up top, climbs, but then flops down because of the bad leg! Shota still tries as the fans rally up, but ZSJ catches him to a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ drags Shota up top for a HANGING GUILLOTINE! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but ZSJ puts Shota on the ropes!

ZSJ then tries to scoop Shota! Shota uses what he has left to fight that, and he fires elbows! Shota HEADBUTTS, but then he falls back! ZSJ wobbles up top and Shota rises again! The fans rally up as hard as they can, and ZSJ kicks Shota. Shota SHORYUKENS ZSJ! Shota goes to the very top, brings ZSJ up to join him, and fans go nuts already for the SUPER DUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! ZSJ tumbles away and both men are down again! The fans rally up and both men stir. Shota rises first, and he walks over to ZSJ. Shota stomps away on ZSJ in the ropes, the fans boo, and Red Shoes reprimands. Shota shoves Red Shoes down!

The fans boo because not only does Shota shove a ref, he shoves his own dad! Shota keeps stomping away on ZSJ, then he digs his boots in. Red Shoes tells Shota to stop, and Shota finally listens. Well, not really, as he sneaks stomps in! The fans boo more, Red Shoes knows what Shota is doing, and he has Shota back off. ZSJ rolls into the ring, Shota looms over him, and Shota scuffs ZSJ again and again. ZSJ flounders, but Shota brings him up. Shota ROCKS ZSJ, ROCKS him again, and ZSJ staggers to a corner. Shota winds up to UPPERCUT! ZSJ falls over, but Shota looms over him again.

ZSJ KICKS a leg! And KICKS! And KICKS! Shota doesn’t even care! Shota has the wrists and he DRAGON STOMPS! Shota shouts out Bryan Danielson but the fans boo! ZSJ endures as Shota digs his heel into his chest, then stomps him again! Shota brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ SLAPS Shota! Shota staggers and drops to his knees while the fans rally up! ZSJ looms over Shota, and he kicks him and stomps him over and over! We hit 40 minutes as Shota just looks up with defiance. ZSJ KICKS Shota in the chest! Shota grimaces and doubles over, but even ZSJ needs a moment to catch his breath. Shota crawls over to ZSJ, but ZSJ sits him up to KICK!

Shota grimaces again, doubles back over, but ZSJ brings him up. ZSJ stands Shota up, SLAPS him again, and has the wristlock to keep Shota close. Shota SLAPS, ZSJ SLAPS, it is a SLAP fight! The fans fire up as ZSJ gives as good as he gets! Shota and ZSJ SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! ZSJ ROCKS Shota with that last one, then DECKS him with the next! Shota is dazed but ZSJ stands him up. Shota ducks the roundhouse to pump handle, scoop, and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Shota roars, takes aim, and BLAZE BLADE!! Cover, TWO!! Shota hurries to get ZSJ back up, underhooks, but ZSJ drops to get a leg! He ducks the enzigiri to have an ANKLE LOCK!

Shota rolls, victory rolls even, TWO!! Both men stand, ZSJ BOOTS! Shota roars! ZSJ SLAPS! ZSJ runs, Shota LARIATS! Both men are down but they hurry back up! They might be running on fumes but they’re still on their feet! They both run in, but Shota’s leg gives out! ZSJ DROPKICKS, then scoop for the SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ shakes his head, and he drags Shota back up! Gotch lift, PILEDRIVER!!! The fans are thunderous for the Suzuki shoutout! ZSJ then drags Shota back up, reels him back in, ZACK SABRE DRIVER!!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!!!

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

At about 43 minutes and change, The Frontman finally downs his upstart challenger! ZSJ shows Shota respect in the end, because who knew he had it in him? But will Shota just have to shift gears and try again with the New Year? And what about his battle with Claudio Castagnoli tomorrow night? Can Shota refuel and hit The Swiss Superman with that Paradigm Shift?

As for ZSJ, he again shows Shota respect, and the fans applaud as Shota shows it in return. Shota is still down while ZSJ gets the mic, and ZSJ says, “I WON!” The fans cheer that! ZSJ tells Shota to hold on. Shota may not be an Ace yet, “but do your best to come back here. I’ll be waiting for you, do your best.” Shota slowly exits the ring, and ZSJ asks everyone, “How’d you like that?” The fans cheer, they loved it! ZSJ says there’s still tomorrow, so he’ll win then and talk to you all again. So mind if he keeps it short tonight? Happy New Year to everyone! Have fun tomorrow, too! This year will revolve around TMDK!

The fans cheer as ZSJ drops the mic, but is The Frontman already looking past The One & Only Ricochet? Or will ZSJ make this one mighty Tokyo Dome weekend?

My Thoughts:

An awesome night one in the Tokyo Dome with WrestleKingdom 19, but I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say get well soon, Douki. He and Desperado were going really hard, and that super senton, possibly powerbomb counter, that was a rough way for Douki to beat up his arm. But Desperado gave a good speech right after to address the injury happening and all that. So then the Junior Heavyweight Championship aside, I feel like the only real weak spot was that the Women’s Championship match barely being 16 minutes total from entrances to exits. I suppose if that is the real pace of a Stardom match, then good on them. Still a great match for what we got, but I would think for a big stage like WK19, they could’ve taken more time to really show what they can do.

Mayu retaining was fine, I obviously haven’t been watching Stardom’s programming so I don’t know what the build to this was. But she’s 100 days away from a two year reign, I would think someone takes that title off her at some point. Meanwhile, we got a lot of fun out of the Ranbo, and I don’t know if they meant for it to be only 17 entries or something happened to like three planned entries and they just didn’t replace them. They got a lot of stories involved at once, such as Sanada VS Taichi. Khan being the first entry and then being one of the final two was great, but per the unwritten rule, Khan had to lose since this was all his idea. Goto being the winner was a touch surprising, but he does make for a solid opponent no matter who is world champion.

Great ladder match, with the only weak spot being when Drilla didn’t smash Akira through the table with Drilla Killa. None of that was the right angle, but it was admirable that they even tried. Great win for TMDK, though, as they are the Super Junior Tag League winners and really should be the ones to win outside of the champs retaining. Great NJPW World TV Championship match, and I love that ELP won. ELP gets this as both a reward for sticking it out in NJPW, being a great talent in and out of the ring, and as a celebration of his overcoming cancer. Whoever didn’t want ELP winning this title must really be a fanboy for one of the others.

Also, awesome move in Cobb breaking the pushup bar, Narita’s gonna need a new weapon of choice. Great lumberjack match, too, and of course The House of Torture tried to do all the cheats they could. But at the same time, of course Tanahashi won to keep his career going for this final year. Shibata returning is a great move, as is Shibata VS Tanahashi for tomorrow, that is going to be a show stealer. Takagi VS Takeshita was awesome, definitely worthy of both titles, and I’m actually a little surprised Takeshita won. Takeshita VS Ishii tomorrow will be awesome, and could probably go either way. Maybe Takeshita wins so he can bring both belts back to AEW.

Finlay VS Yota was awesome stuff, and Yota winning makes sense given Finlay is facing Brody King tomorrow. Finlay with a title would’ve made that match really predictable, because Brody can’t go beating a champion and earning himself a title match. Plus, it was about time Finlay got his comeuppance as one of the top Heels in NJPW. To me, Naito VS Hiromu had a great start, lulled in the middle, but then kicked it back into gear going into the end. Hiromu looked great even in defeat, and I would think after WrestleDynasty, whoever are the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions will face Naito & Hiromu so that the World Tag League title shot doesn’t go to waste.

And of course, just an awesome main event. 43 minutes is WILD, but it helped give a great story arc to Shota from start to finish. There were many times Shota started to embrace the heat from the fans by not caring and just going after ZSJ how he wanted. It was similar to Kota Ibushi’s “Scary Mode,” too. But in the end, ZSJ winning is the right call. Shota still needs some time to perhaps work on either being a Face fans actually like or shifting into a Heel fans love to hate. Shota VS Claudio also didn’t need a title, the story of being Moxley’s Young Boy VS Moxley’s second in command works on its own. And while ZSJ VS Ricochet will now be for the title, I don’t see ZSJ losing just yet.

My Score: 9.1/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)

Round 8, all together!

Published

16 hours ago

May 26, 2025

Steven Mitchell

The penultimate round of this round robin!

Best of the Super Juniors 32 enters round 8, and there are still a lot of moving pieces! Who will be that much closer to the finals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kushida wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan; Yoh wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X; Dia wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne; Mao wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack; Mack wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO; Sho wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors; Connors wins, by disqualification.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight; Desperado wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Master Wato: 5-2, 10 points
Clark Connors: 4-3, 8 points
Francesco Akira: 4-3, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-3, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-3, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-4, 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-4, 6 points
KUSHIDA: 3-4, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-4, 6 points
Ninja Mack: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the current B Block standings!

YOH: 4-3, 8 points
Nick Wayne: 4-3, 8 points
MAO: 4-3, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-3, 8 points
El Desperado: 4-3, 8 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-4, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-4, 6 points
SHO: 3-4, 6 points
Titan: 3-4, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-4, 6 points

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles!

The Funky Weapon fell short in last round’s main event, but he proved he’s still got it. But can he get it going again this late into the tournament? Or does the Sniper of the Skies have the kill shot waiting?

The bell rings, Eagles runs up, wheelbarrows, victory rolls and has the legs, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taguchi claws at the mat, drags Eagles along, and makes it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles drags Taguchi back, but Taguchi kicks Eagles down to have OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, Eagles bails out, and Taguchi goes to the corner, TRIANGLE- NO, Eagles moves, Taguchi lands safe on the apron, but then the leg jams! Eagles 619s the legs out! Taguchi falls to the floor, Eagles brings him around, and he KICKS the bad leg! The fans rally, Eagles taunts Taguchi, then drags Taguchi around.

Eagles SMASHES Taguchi’s knee off the floor! The fans cheer, Eagles stands Taguchi up, and he puts him in the corner. Eagles pulls Taguchi’s legs against the crossbar! The ref reprimands and counts, Eagles lets go at 4, but he sits on Taguchi! Eagles eggs Taguchi on as he hops down, then rallies the fans. Eagles aims from the apron, springboards in, but into ANTIAIR HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi clutches his leg but he rolls his way to Eagles. Taguchi has Eagles on ropes and rubs it in his face! POINT BLANK HIP again and again! Taguchi then runs, to HIP ATTACK! Eagles sputters and the fans cheer!

Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Eagles rolls up with bridge, TWO! Taguchi rolls Eagles, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles, rolls, and KICKS Taguchi down! The fans rally while Eagles shakes out the bad leg. Eagles stands, hobbles, and he shows some cheek! HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Taguchi sputters, Eagles fires the fans up with some swivel, but Taguchi blocks the hip attack to HEADBUTT the butt! The fans cheer and Taguchi HEADBUTTS Eagles’ stomach! The forearms fly, Taguchi gets the edge, but Eagles ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Taguchi ducks! OH MY GAH ANKLE!

Eagles rolls and kicks free, then catches Taguchi. Taguchi shoves free to HIP ATTACK! Eagles says I’LL BE BACK, but Taguchi catches him! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles reaches out, crawls forward, and the fans rally up! Taguchi stands Eagles up, Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Taguchi slips free of the DDT! Drop toehold, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles endures, the fans fire up, but Taguchi yanks Eagles back! Chicken wings, DODON- NO, Eagles victory rolls! TWO and Taguchi has it! TWO and they roll, roll, roll, roll, roll! In the end, Taguchi has it, TWO!!! Eagles escapes but both men are dizzy! Taguchi fires up, the fans are with him, but both men fall over!

The fans rally hard, and this is just the first five minutes! Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Eagles is against ropes, but he comes back to HYPERION!!! Cover, EAGLES WINS!!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)

It was a wild shootout from the start, but it is Eagles who hits the mark! Will the Sniper still take aim at the top? Or will someone else in the block block his path?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Time Splitter and the Heel Master are on that bubble, one loss means the end for them! Will Kushida pick up speed and make it Back to the Future? Or does Kanemaru have one last cheap trick up his sleeve?

Kushida is on the corner for his entrance, and Kanemaru attacks! And ROCKET LAUNCHES him! The bell rings and Kanemaru whips to then DROPKICK the legs! Kanemaru steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! Kushida scrambles and rolls all the way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru lets go, and Kushida scrambles away to the other side. Kanemaru drags Kushida back from ropes, holds him open, then gives a foot to the ref to split the wishbone! The fans cheer, Kanemaru turns Kushida over and SMASHES the knee! Kushida writhes more but Kanemaru is on him again, to YANK the leg!

Kanemaru taunts Kushida, mockingly asking what’s wrong. Kanemaru kicks Kushida to ropes, but Kushida CHOPS! Kanemaru kicks the leg, Kushida CHOPS, then Kushida CHOPS again! Kushida KICKS Kanemaru’s arm! The fans rally, Kushida whips, but Kanemaru reverses. Kanemaru handsprings, but Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs! FIGURE FOUR!! The fans rally for Kushida while he endures, and he fights to push the main leg! Kanemaru powers the hold back down! Kushida endures, fights over, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud but Kanemaru holds on until the ref reprimands. Kushida hobbles to the apron, and Kanemaru runs up.

Kushida RAMS Kanemaru, HOTSHOTS him away, then hurries up the corner. Kushida leaps but Kanemaru moves! Kushida’s leg jams, and Kanemaru trips him! Step through, but Kushida cradles, TWO!! Kanemaru escapes, Kushida waistlocks, but Kanemaru switches. Kushida slips under, FLIPS Kanemaru, and has the HOVERBOARD! Kanemaru fights up, spins through, and kicks the bad leg! Kushida PELES! Kanemaru goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but Kanemaru BOOTS Kushida! Kanemaru runs, Kushida drops then HIP TOSSES into the ARM- NO, Kanemaru stacks Kushida, TWO! Kanemaru kicks and scoops, BRITISH-

NO, Kushida wrenches through to hop on, HOVERBOARD!! Kanemaru endures as Kushida thrashes the arm, and he grabs the ref! Kanemaru sends the ref into Kushida then ENZIGIRIS! Kushida and the ref are both down, so Kanemaru takes a swig of his whiskey! Kushida stands, but he smothers Kanemaru! Then TANAKA FASTBALL sends the mist flying! Backslide, KUSHIDA WINS!

Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)

Another fast and furious match as this night gets going, and Kushida turns things around! Kanemaru is more than likely out of the running now, but can Kushida still make it to the finals? Or is time running out?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan!

One man is near the front but the other is near the back! Will Direct Drive kick it into gear and keep it fresh? Or will El Inmortal stay alive for a little longer?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Titan DROPKICKS Yoh and Yoh tumbles out! Titan builds speed, Yoh is back and he trips Titan! Yoh ties Titan up in the Paradise Lock! Milano Collection AT can’t believe what he’s seeing! Yoh fires the fans up, then runs to DROPKICK Titan out of Paradise! Yoh hurries to suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Titan stays in this but Yoh stays focused as the fans rally up. Titan stirs while Yoh tunes up! SUPER- NO, Titan ducks the kick, shoves, and then goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK! Yoh tumbles, Titan runs, but Yoh puts Titan on the apron. Titan GAMANGINRIS in return!

Titan then springboards and FLYING RANAS! Yoh tumbles out again and Titan FLIES! Down goes Yoh and the fans fire up again! The fans fire up, Titan puts Yoh in the ring, and then Titan springboards again! DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this and the fans rally more. Titan waits on Yoh, pounds the mat, and the fans rally back up. Yoh stands, Titan throws off his elbow pads, and he FRAME- NO, Yoh BOOTS Titan first! Titan comes back but Yoh ducks a lariat to full nelson! Titan breaks free, switches, but Yoh elbows and runs! Titan follows to TORNADO DDT, and he brings Yoh up! But Yoh suplexes, FALCON GOROSHI!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Titan sputters, and Yoh roars as he rises up. The fans cheer and Yoh brings Titan around. Yoh underhooks but Titan fights it! The fans rally, Titan wrenches and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Then he drags Yoh up to suplex, GOURD BUSTER! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Titan and he hurries to the corner! Titan skins the cat up top, aims and LA LANCER!! Yoh spasms, Titan covers, TWO!!! Yoh survives and the fans fire up again! Titan loosens his mask a bit, roars and the fans are with him! Titan drags Yoh up, reverse rack, but Yoh slips out of the yoyo! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Titan still lives, but Yoh roars again! Yoh drags Titan up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, YOH WINS!!

Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)

It’s like everyone is going for a speed record in this round! Yoh seals the deal like Ziploc, and now leads with 10 points! Is it freshness guaranteed for the finals?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X!

The block is sorting out with every match, but both men are on the bubble! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond be greater than X? Or will the X Express stay on track?

The bell rings and the fans rally. Robbie gets fans to bark for the War Dogs, and he ties up with Dia. Robbie puts Dia on ropes, the ref counts, and Robbie lets off, to CHOP! Robbie CLUBS Dia, stomps him down, then drags him back up. Robbie ROCKS Dia, whips, but Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges then slides to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag! Then DROPKICK! Robbie tumbles out, Dia FLIES! Down goes Robbie and the fans fire up! Dia brings Robbie back up, puts him in the ring and covers, TWO! Robbie bails back out but Dia waits. Robbie shakes out an arm, rolls back in, but bails out again. Dia rushes after Robbie, but Robbie picks him up and POSTS him!

Dia writhes but Robbie KICKS him in the back! Robbie then stands Dia up just to DECK him! Robbie tells fans to move aside, and he grabs one of the chairs. Robbie brings that over, sits Dia down and CHOPSS! Robbie wants more chairs so he takes another one from the crowd. Robbie sets that chair up, runs up, and leaps to CANNONBALL Dia down! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he goes back to Dia. Robbie drags Dia up, puts him in the ring, then pushes to a cover, TWO! Dia stays in this and the fans applaud. Robbie stomps Dia on the back, then stands him up to whip corner to corner. Dia hits buckles hard and falls to the mat!

Robbie stands on Dia’s back, shouts for the War Dogs, and the fans cheer. Robbie sits Dia up, steps over, and he BITES Dia’s fingers! The ref reprimands and counts, Robbie stops and tells the ref to shut up. Robbie drags Dia back up, but Dia CHOPS! Robbie eggs Dia on, but Dia CHOPS again! Robbie CHOPS in return! Dia goes to a corner, Robbie runs up, but Dia BOOTS then RANAS! The fans fire up as Robbie staggers away. Dia growls and rises up. The fans rally and Dia runs in, but Robbie dodges. Dia dodges in return, then goes to the apron to trip Robbie! TORNILLO SPLASH! The fans fire up again as Robbie is on the ropes!

Dia dials it up, 619! Robbie flops back, Dia STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Robbie stays in this but Dia fires up more! The fans are with Dia and he goes to the corner. Dia climbs, watches Robbie rise, D D D- NO, Robbie stops the 4DT and suplexes! Robbie hangs Dia out to dry, then goes to the corner! GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Dia survives and the fans fire up again! Robbie is frustrated but he drags Dia back up. Robbie CLUBS Dia, suplexes, but Dia cradles! TWO!! Robbie escapes, hobbles away, but Dia runs up. Robbie BOOTS Dia, goes up, but Dia GAMANGIRIS! Dia goes up to get Robbie, ASTRO SCISSCORS!

Dia goes back up, D D D D T!! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives going 4D but Dia just fires up more! Dia runs, rolls, REPTILI- NO, Robbie stops the rana! And makes it a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives and the fans are thunderous! Robbie thinks on what he must do next, but he rises up while the fans rally again. Dia is in the corner, Robbie LARIATS! Robbie puts the leg in ropes to KICK, then he SPIN KICKS! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Dia stays in this but Robbie stays on him! “You’re dead, b*tch!” Robbie handsprings, Dia dodges, DOUBLE CORK!!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Robbie survives, but Dia SOBATS! ENZIGIRIS! But Robbie PELES! And DREAMCAST KICKS! Then Robbie reels Dia in, lifts, but Dia REPTILIAN RANAS!!! Cover, DIA WINS!!

Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)

Both men love to go “X-treme,” but this skater boi is the one still standing! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond continue to shine until he’s holding up the trophy?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne!

DDT Pro collides with AEW/ROH, with both men just a step behind first place! But will the Strange Love Connection throw the Prodigy off his game? Or will the Idol Warrior see he just lives in Wayne’s World?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Mao BOOTS but Nick brushes that off! Nick and Mao fire forearms, Mao gets the fans to cheer him, then he kicks low! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then hurdles, then bypasses to UPPERCUT! Nick kips up and the fans fire up. Nick then covers Mao, TWO! The fans cheer while Nick flexes. Nick drags Mao up to CHOP! Mao comes back to SMACK Nick down! And then Tsukakui! The fans cheer as Mao waits on Nick. Nick rises, Mao winds up, and Mao kicks, kicks, and KICKS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, but Mao DROPKICKS! Mao kips up, and Tsukakui! The fans rally and Mao claps along.

Mao runs to BOOT Nick against ropes, then he runs again to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Nick stays in this but Mao has JUST FACELOCK! Nick endures, and the fans rally as he reaches out, fights around, then finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Mao lets go. Mao gets a Shikaku chant going, then he brings Nick up. Mao whips, Nick grabs ropes and KICKS back! Nick kicks again but Mao blocks to step over and WHEEL KICK! Mao then reels Nick in and calls his shot, but Nick suplexes first! The fans cheer all the same while both men are down. Mao goes to ropes, Nick rises up, and the fans rally again.

Mao is in a corner, Nick runs in, and Nick UPPERCUTS! Nick snapmares then runs up, spins Mao, and ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Nick keeps his cool. Mao sits up and checks his head. Nick stalks Mao, waistlocks, but Mao fights the nelson! Nick still powers through to have half, but Mao REAR HEADBUTTS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then Nick avoids the knee to SHOOTING STASR! Cover, Mao goes Matrix! GEDO CLUTCH BRIDGE! TWO, and Nick has the body scissors the JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO, and Mao has a waistlock! This is a DOUBLE COVER, TWO!!! Both men get up and the fans fire up!

Mao says look but Nick says shut up! Nick says look, Mao says he can shut up! Mao ROCKS Nick! Nick SUPERKICKS back! Nick goes up the corner, WAYNE’S- NO, Mao ducks the cutter, keeps moving, SPIDER-MAN into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Nick handsprings to STUNNER! Bit Mao kips up to STUNNER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down again! Mao sits up first and the fans rally. Mao and Nick crawl to each other, go forehead to forehead, then they stand to go forearm for forearm! Mao gets the Shikaku chant going again, then he ROCKS Nick! Nick comes back to ROCK Mao!

The forearms keep going and the fans rally up. Nick fires a flurry, but Mao winds up to SMACK Nick! Mao powers up, runs, OSAKA- NO, Nick BOOTS the uppercut! Mao avoids the roundhouse! Mao SLAPS, SLAPS, but Nick CROSS COUNTERS! Nick fires up and runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Then LEAP FROG into the GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Mao survives the turnaround but Nick fires back up! The fans rally, Nick says “IKU ZO~!” and he hooks Mao up! But Mao fights the Prodigy Plex! Mao spins Nick around and around and around, then reels him in for a POWERBOMB! Nick stands, Mao hits a DESTROYER!

Nick ends up in a corner, Mao runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Nick goes up to FLYING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! The fans fire up with Nick as he goes up, up, and WAYNE’S WORLD, but Mao handsprings through!? To STEAL WAYNE’S WORLD!!! Cover, TWO!??! But into the JUST FACELOCK!!! Nick scrambles, Mao rolls him away, DICK KILLER!!!! NICK TAPS, MAO WINS!!

Winner: Mao, by submission (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)

More like the Nick Killer, but the point is, Mao overtakes The Prodigy to be right behind Yoh! But Mao still shows Nick respect with a handshake. Will these two run it back one day? Will one of them be the Best of the Super Juniors when they do?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack!

The Japanese Young Punk is mighty, and he is just outside the front of this block. However, the American Ninja Warrior, for all his speed and agility, has fallen completely out of the race. Will Mack manage to spoil something for Fujita? Or will even he see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The bell rings and Mack offers the handshake. The fans applaud but Fujita dismisses it. Mack and Fujita circle, feel things out, then tie up. Fujita powers Mack back but Mack breaks free. They go again. fight for control, and Fujita pushes Mack to ropes. Mack powers his way back, then shoves Fujita way. The fans cheer and both men fire up as they go again. They clinch, fight for control, and Fujita puts Mack on the ropes. The ref counts the break, Fujita lets off with pats on the shoulder, but then CHOPS! Mack CHOPS, but Fujita CHOPS again! Mack CHOPS again, but so does Fujita! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going!

Fujita CHOPS and Mack wobbles! Fujita CHPOS, CHOPS, CHPOS, then runs, but Mack UPPERCUTS! Mack runs, leaps over the dropdown, then TOSSES Fujita out! Mack builds speed, Fujita slips in, and he catches Mack in the handspring to GERMAN SUPLEX! Mack tumbles out and the fans fire up! Fujita goes up the corner and the fans rally, SUPER CANNONBALL! Down goes Mack and the fans fire up again! Fujita puts Mack in, then aims to ROUNDHOUSE! Cover, ONE!! Mack is tougher than that and the fans rally. Fujita stomps Mack, pushes him down, then yanks his leg for a HEEL HOOK!

Mack endures as Fujita grinds the hold, but Mack SLAPS and CHOPS! Fujita CRANKS the foot, but Mack scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fujita DDTS the leg! The ref reprimands but Mack writhes. Fujita drags Mack around, and he SMASHES the knee! Mack writhes more but Fujita has him again. Fujita brings Mack around, turns him over, and has a HALF CRAB! Fujita pulls way back on that leg but Mack refuses to quit! Mack powers up, but Fujita brings him away from the ropes! Fujita has a deep angle on that leg, but Mack still makes the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Fujita lets go at 4, and the fans rally again.

Fujita stomps Mack, brings him up and CHOPS! Mack calls to his “little ninja” fans but Fujita CHOPS! Mack goes along ropes, the fans rally, but Fujita whips him corner to corner. Mack goes up and over, rolls, then comes back to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Mack rises, hobbles his way over, and he brings Fujita up with a waistlock. GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE, but Mack holds on! Fujita reaches for ropes, Mack GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Another bridging cover, TWO! Mack still holds on, and he GERMAN ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans fire up but Fujita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

Mack lets go and the fans rally again. Mack brings Fujita up, bumps him off buckles, and then RAMS him in the back! And RAMS him again! Mack goes up, climbs up, and he CLUBS away on Fujita’s back. Mack drags Fujita up the corner, adjusts position, and the fans anticipate something wild already. Fujita fires body shots, he stands up, but Mack swings! Fujita ducks the punch to SUPER DUPER GERMAN!! The fans are thunderous while Mack flounders around! Fujita hurries to cover, TWO!! Mack survives but Fujita roars and the fans cheer again. Fujita brings Mack up, reels him in, and ABANDON- NO, Mack fights the suplex!

Mack wrenches through, but Fujita wrenches and drop toeholds! Fujita ties up the legs, grabs Mack’s head and has the chinlock! Mack endures, crawls, but Fujita pulls him back! Mack keeps fighting, keeps crawling, but Fujita has the arms! Mack resists against the Nemos Lock to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Fujita lets Mack go. Mack writhes but Fujita brings him up. Fujita hooks a leg, suplexes to the torture rack, but Mack fires body shots! Mack slips down, shoves Fujita, then goes Matrix to then HANDSPRING CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Another cover, TWO! Mack is frustrated but the fans rally back up.

Mack rises, he dares Fujita to get up, and the fans rally more. Fujita rises, but he blocks the buzzsaw! Fujita CHOPS, but Mack ducks the heel kick to leg sweep! SHURIKEN KICK!! Mack goes up, up, and NINJA BOMBS!! Cover, MACK WINS!!

Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)

The underdog comes out on top as Mack still gets another win! Will Mack spoil Fujita’s chances at the finals? Or is there still hope for this Ichiban Sweet Boy?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO!

The Bone Soldier is building momentum in the latter half of this tournament, but now he runs into the Murder Machine, who has done his best to cheat every opponent so far. Will Sho manage to stack the deck again? Or will be #ByGrace that Taiji avoids disaster?

Taiji turns the tables on Sho by attacking first! The fans fire up as Taiji runs Sho over from behind, then drags him to ringside, so he can POST him! Taiji has fans clear out, and then he BOWLS Sho into the chairs! STRIKE! Then he SMACKS Sho with a chair! Taiji CHOKES Sho with a chair, the ref reprimands, but this isn’t even a match yet! Taiji still leaves Sho behind so that he can go for the red buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is now in play but Sho is still down. Taiji JAMS Sho up but almost knocks the ref over! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes, drags him to ringside, and then puts Sho in the ring. Now the bell rings and the fans cheer Taiji on.

Taiji CHOKES Sho but Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji stops at 4, but then he CHOKES Sho some more! The ref counts, Taiji stops, and Sho sputters. Sho then CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho bails out, Taiji pursues, and Taiji has Sho at the ramp. Sho wants to retreat into the crowd but the railing won’t give. Sho goes to the entryway, Taiji pursues, but then something goes on backstage! Sho leaves Taiji behind and acts like it is all okay. But YUJIRO TAKAHASHI is choking Taiji with the pimp cane! The fans boo as this is literally happening behind the ref’s back! Yujiro throws Taiji down and Sho laughs.

Sho stomps Taiji, drags him up, and he has fans move! Sho BOWLS Taiji into chairs, STRIKE! Sho says that’s what Taiji gets! Sho then storms up on Taiji, twists his wrist, and brings him back to ringside. They go in the ring, Sho drags Taiji up, and he whips Taiji into the bare buckles! Taiji suffers his own trickery and Sho says this isn’t on him for once. Sho digs a knee into Taiji’s back while he has the chinlock, but Taiji BITES Sho’s hand! The ref reprimands, but then Sho CLAWS Taiji’s face! The ref reprimands Sho now, and Sho stops at 4. Sho drags Taiji up, TOSSES him out, then goes out to grab a chair!

The ref stops Sho, but this lets Yujiro use the chair to JAM Taiji up! The fans boo but Tokyo Pimp gets away with another one. Sho drags Taiji up, puts him back in, then covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this but Sho drags him back up. Sho TOSSES Taiji back out, distracts the ref, but the ref won’t fall for it this time! The ref stops Yujiro, but then that lest Sho JAM Taiji up! The fans boo more as the ref can’t keep up with both guys. The ref does say Yujiro needs to go, but Sho puts Taiji in the ring. Sho kicks Taiji around but Taiji CHOPS! And CHOSP! And then he CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, but Yujiro is still here to trip Taiji!

The fans boo as Yujiro gets in the ring while Sho is in the ref’s face! Yujiro whips Taiji, but Taiji stops from hitting buckles! Yujiro runs in, and Taiji dodges! Yujiro hits steel, Sho whips Taiji, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans cheer, and Taiji grins as he brings Sho up. Taiji whips Sho into the bare buckles! Sho falls and writhes but Taiji keeps on him. Taiji wrenches and POSTS Sho! The fans cheer while Sho clutches his arm. Taiji brings Sho out, hammerlocks then scoops, but Sho slips free to bend Taiji’s fingers! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, the ref is used as a shield! Sho SPEARS Taiji!

The fans boo Sho while both men are down. Sho rises up, he bends Taiji’s fingers, then wrenches to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this and Sho grows frustrated. Sho aims his bow and he drags Taiji up. Sho reels Taiji in, tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Taiji slips free to BLOODY- NO, Sho fights free, but Taiji JUMP KNEES first! Sho drops down, Taiji aims and runs in, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Sho endures as Taiji pulls on the hold! Sho fights around, Taiji rolls him away to then RAM into Yujiro! Down goes Tokyo Pimp, but then Sho whips Taiji into the ref! LOW BLOW!! The fans boo but Yujiro is back to stomp Taiji!

Yujiro drags Taiji up while Sho crawls to his corner. Sho grabs for his “Torture Tool!” The fans boo as Sho takes aim, but Taiji BOOTS Sho! And LOW BLOWS Yujiro! ZIGZAG for Sho!! And then BONE LOCK!! Sho endures, but where’s the ref? Gedo gets off commentary, but here comes SANADA! Gedo helps the ref, but The Cold Blooded Sanada uses the wrench to CLOBBER Taiji!! The fans boo but Sanada stands Taiji up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves Taiji for Sho, the ref is up, and Gedo is stunned! Sho covers, and SHO WINS!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)

The House of Torture pulls out all the stops, but Sho is still only 4-4. Will Sho need to cheat one more time to finish above .500? Or was spoiling things for Taiji more than enough?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors!

This could be a very explosive combination as The Crown of Fire and 100 Proof are both a step behind the leader. Will Akira conquer this War Dog for the United Empire? Or will War Dogs Racing still have a chance at that final lap?

Oh, what’s this? Akira waits at the ramp for Connors? A bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for him. Connors steps out, sees Akira, and smirks. Connors likes Akira’s guts, and after he puts his things aside, Connors runs up! The two brawl on the ramp and the fans fire up! They RAM into railing, then more railing, then more railing! The railing almost falls over! Akira POSTS Connors hard and then keeps after him around the way! Akira CHOPS Connors, CHOPS again, and then again! And again! Akira is really fired up and the fans join in. But Connors UPPERCUTS Akira, SMACKS him off the apron, but Akira hits back!

Akira CHOPS, and he wants to go bowling! But Connors reverses the whip! Akira puts on the brakes, but the JEEP FLIPPER sends him into the chairs! The fans fire up and bark with Connors while he clears out space. Connors drags Akira up, brings Akira over, and puts him in the ring. But Akira is up to PLANCHA! Down goes Connors and the fans fire up with Akira! Akira drags Connors up, puts him in the ring, and this is finally a match! Akira reels Connors in, SPEEDFIRE! Akira aims, the fans rally, NOVA FIRE- NO, Connors ducks! And SPEARS!! The fans fire up and Connors has a wild look in his eyes as he wants more.

Connors puts one out, drags Akira up, and NO CHA- NO, Akira wrenches out to ROCK Connors! Connors runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Connors comes back, Akira dodges, THE SPEAR HITS THE REF!!! The fans go nuts but Connors isn’t all that bothered. Connors hurries to aim at Akira, runs up again, but Akira dodges the lariat to CHPO, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans fire up but Connors shoves Akira, then SNAP POWERSLAMS! Connors goes out and he finds WHEEL-SAN! The fans cheer, but wait, that’s not what he wants? Connors brings out a TABLE! Table-san is put in the ring and Connors props it up in the corner.

Connors fetches Akira but Akira fires body shots. Akira CHOPS, Connors KNEES low, and then Connors SMACKS Akira off the table! Connors lines up the shot, runs in, but Akira dodge! Connors slams on the brakes, Akira comes back, and Connors LARIATS! Connors says Akira can’t get the better of him, and now he grabs Wheel-san! The fans cheer as Connors slides Wheel-san into the ring. Gedo wants Connors to kill Akira with this one, but the fans rally up. Connors drags Akira over, but Akira blocks the hubcap bump! Connors CLAWS Akira’s eyes, and he DRIBBLES Akira off the hubcap! The fans rally, and the ref is being carried away!

Connors smirks as he now can do whatever he wants. Connors puts Wheel-san over Akira’s face, and he CURB STOMPS!! Gedo loves it, but this isn’t the end! Connors brings Akira up, grins as he SLAPS the bloody forehead! But Akira CHOKES Connors! Akira is furious as he SLAPS and fires hands! Akira trips Connors and he rains down forearms!! The fans fire up as Akira brings it back to when Empire and War Dogs feuded so violently in the past! Akira takes off his belt, and he brings it over to LASH Connors! The fans fire up while Akira LASHES Connors again! Gedo does NOT like this as Akira LASHES Connors again and again and again!

Akira TOSSES his belt aside, that’s a free souvenir now. Akira won’t stop here, though, as he goes looking under the ring. Akira brings out chairs! Akira puts those in, then drag Connors over. Red Shoes is here and he says don’t do it, Akira! Akira stops himself, letting his rage subside. Akira tries to reason with Red Shoes, Red Shoes won’t let it go, so Akira SHOVES Red Shoes down! Connors has a chair, but Akira blocks the shot! Akira JAMS Connors up! Red Shoes says no, he can still stop now! Gedo says just end the match anyway! Akira SMACKS Connors with the chair again and again!! DISQUALIFICATION!

Winner: Clark Connors, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)

But Akira doesn’t care, his rage has boiled up, and he SMACKS Connors again!! He gave Connors the points he wanted, was settling the grudge worth giving up a spot in the finals? Wait, Akira isn’t done, he wedges a chair in a corner, and then drags Connors up! Red Shoes reprimands, commentary all shout for Akira to stop, but Akira puts Connors against the chair. Young Lions rush in but Akira shoves them all away! The Young Lions come back, they keep Akira from running at Connors! Akira powers up and gets free, but Connors SPEARS Akira through the table!!! Both men are down in the wreckage, is nothing settled between Empire and War Dogs?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight!

The Rogue Luchador said at the start of this that anyone could win at any given time, no matter who they are and where they’re from. At the same time, he vowed just the other day that he would finish this off and win the whole thing! Will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion stop The Jet from taking off? Or will Knight win that golden ticket shortcut to the top?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Knight and Despy circle, feel things out, and Knight waistlocks. Despy wrenches free but Knight rolls, kips up, and wrenches back to waistlock. Then Knight arm-drags for a takedown, and he drops a knee on the arm! The fans cheer, Knight wristlocks, then double wristlocks, but Despy fights up to the ROPEBREAK! Knight lets go slowly, and the fans cheer as Knight flexes. Knight teases Despy’s lack of abs, and Red Shoes checks. Despy says stop, and the two reset. They tie up, Despy trips Knight, then thigs speed up. Despy avoids the hurdle, but not the BACKDROP! Despy tumbles out and the fans rally.

Knight aims to PLANCHA, but Despy blocks his kick! Despy trips Knight up and Knight hits off the apron! Despy then goes for the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands, Despy lets go, but he YANKS Knight’s leg. Knight hobbles but Despy kick shim down. Despy stalks Knight around the way, brings him up, but Knight fires body shots! Despy CHOPS back and Knight staggers away. Knight returns to CHOP, so Despy UPPERCUTS! Despy puts Knight in the ring, storms up on him, and hits a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer and Despy covers, ONE!! Knight is tougher than that but Despy taunts him.

Despy stands Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy kicks the leg, then grabs it, SHIN BREAKER! Knight hobbles and falls, and Despy looms over him. Despy grabs a leg but Knight kicks and kicks and kicks! Despy kicks in return, then brings Knight in, only for Knight to BACKDROP again! The fans rally as Knight rallies with LARIATS! Knight whips, Despy reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Knight comes back to LARIAT again! Knight then runs corner to corner, BIG LARIAT! Knight powers up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Despy stays in this, and Knight says he was that close.

Knight goes to the corner and the fans rally as he takes aim. Knight springboards but Despy DECKS him! Despy goes out to the apron and stands Knight up, but Knight fires forearms first! Despy SMACKS Knight in return! Despy underhooks, but Knight holds on for dear life! The fans rally, Knight fights free, and he SUPERKICKS Despy! Then he APRON SATE- NO, Despy just shrugs Knight off! Despy laughs as Knight falls on the floor. Despy then grabs a leg and SMASHES it on the floor! Despy YANKS the leg, then has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands as Despy thrashes Knight’s leg! Despy stops and he leaves Knight behind.

Knight writhes and Red Shoes checks him, and somehow Knight is able to continue. The ring count starts, Knight seethes as he sits up, but we already pass 10 of 20! Knight hobbles at 14, grits his teeth, and he rolls in at 17! Despy is on him with a gut wrench! GUITARRA POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the STRETCH MUFFLER returns! Knight endures, reaches out, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! They go around, Despy has NUMERO DOS! Knight activates the core to sit up! Knight reels Despy into an IRON OCTOPUS! Despy sits down but Knight pulls on the arm more! The fans rally as Despy fights around, and finds the ROPEBREAK!

Knight lets go in frustration but now things are even. Knight roars and rises up to bring Despy around. Despy shoves Knight, Knight comes back, but Despy ROCKS Knight! Despy fires more shots, but Knight fires back! Knight ROCKS Despy, roars, but the bad leg won’t let him jump! Despy KICKS the legs out! Despy then storms up to whip, but Knight reverses and SKY 2 HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans cheer! Knight snarls, he pushes Despy to the drop zone, and Knight climbs the corner! Bad leg or not, Knight aims, but Despy SHORYUKENS! Despy then ROCKET LAUNCHES Knight off the top!

Knight sputters, Despy goes up, but Knight rises! UPPER ROOM!! The fans fire up as Knight manages that jump, and he goes back up top! MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH FLOPS as Despy dodges! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives, Despy is frustrated, but the fans fire up again! Despy drags Knight up, underhooks, but Knight wrenches out! Cradle, TWO!!! Despy escapes, Knight slips around, backslide! TWO!! Despy and Knight stand, Knight SUPERKICKS! Despy LOCO ELBOWS! Despy runs, into a DROPKICK!! The fans fire up as Knight still manages that jump, too! Knight then takes aim and waits on Despy.

Despy rises, Knight somersaults, and SATELLITE DDTS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Despy survives and Knight is shocked but the fans fire up again! Knight backs away to the corner and he climbs up again. The fans fire up as Knight reaches the top, but Despy rises! Despy hits the ropes to trip Knight up! A savvy move and Despy goes after Knight. Despy brings Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Knight fires more shots, but Despy ROCKS him! Despy goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men writhe and the fans are thunderous! Despy crawls and covers, TWO!!!

The fans fire up again as Knight survives! Despy roars, he drags Knight up, and he underhooks for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Knight survives and shocks everyone! The fans love it but Despy is frustrated with Knight. Despy drags Knight up, underhooks him again, FACEBUSTER! Roll through and PINCHE- NO, Knight fights the lift! Knight reaches out, but Despy pulls that arm back! Despy underhooks again, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)

Knight gave it his all but he could not bring down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! The Jet is now on the outside looking in, will Desperado make it to his back-to-back BOSJ wins?

Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi!

The winner of BOSJ 30 now runs into the FOUR-TIME BOSJ winner, and it could all come down to this win! Will the Way of the Grandmaster continue on to the top of the block? Or will the Ticking Timebomb blow up all of Wato’s plans for the future?

The bell rings and the fans strongly rally for “HI-RO-MU!” The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Wato digs in and powers Hiromu to the ropes, but Hiromu turns it around. Red Shoes calls the break, Hiromu slowly lets off, and the fans applaud. But then Hiromu takes a swing! Wato dodges, headlocks, but Hiromu powers out. Wato RUNS Hiromu over, things keep moving, and Hiromu hurdles. Wato leaps over, then keeps moving to RANA Hiromu! Hiromu tumbles out, Wato builds speed, but Hiromu is back to ELBOW Wato! Hiromu whips Wato to a corner, Wato BOOTS in return and BULLDOGS!

The fans fire up with Wato and he goes back to Hiromu. Wato wrenches but Hiromu fights Recientemente. Wato KNEES low, whips, but Hiromu grabs ropes. Hiromu BOOTS Wato and then reels him in for a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go to then whip Wato to a corner. LARIAT and snapmare, basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer, Hiromu covers, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Wato with the headscissors squeeze! The fans rally as Wato endures and moves around. Wato reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go, Wato goes to the outside, but Hiromu is after him.

Hiromu CHOPS Wato, stalks Wato around the way, and they go past commentary. Hiromu stands Wato up to CHOP again! Wato flounders but Hiromu stays after him. Hiromu stands Wato up, CHOPS him again, and Wato falls back down. Hiromu brings Wato up, fakes putting him in and CHOPS! Then snap suplexes to the floor! Wato writhes, Red Shoes insists this be in the ring, then starts a count. Hiromu goes back to Wato, brings him up at 5 of 20, and puts him in at 8. The fans applaud and Hiromu covers, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Hiromu is right on him with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Hiromu sits deep on the hold already but Wato endures!

The fans rally, Wato frees an arm, and he uses that to crawl forward! Hiromu sits back down to bend Wato, but Wato still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets go. Hiromu paces while Wato writhes, and we pass five minutes. Hiromu brings Wato back up, just to CHOP him back down! Hiromu eggs Wato on, and the fans rally again. Wato rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Wato right down! The fans rally, Hiromu drags Wato up to whip, but Wato reverses and CALF KICKS! Hiromu goes to ropes, runs up, but Wato scoops to BACKBREAKER! Hiromu tumbles out and the fans rally up again.

Wato builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes Hiromu and the fans fire up again! Wato drags Hiromu up, puts him in, and goes to the apron. Wato springboards in, FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans cheer, Wato covers, TWO! The fans rally up as Wato rises, and Wato fires himself back up. Wato wrenches and hooks Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights Recientemente! Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Wato fights free! Wato SOBATS, then wrenches again, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Wato sunset flips, into VENDEVAL! Hiromu endures as Wato pulls on the head and neck! Hiromu rocks the boat to then head for ropes! Wato lets Hiromu go so he can body scissors and roll!

VEND- NO, Hiromu makes it a cradle, TWO! VENDAVAL!! Hiromu endures all over again and the fans rally up! Hiromu leans, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks Hiromu, but he gets that second wind! Hiromu seesaws around, but he is still fading! A third wind helps Hiromu make it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Wato lets go in frustration. Wato waistlocks but Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu reaches out again, but Wato brings him away from ropes! Hiromu fires elbows to get free, but Wato swings through the lariat, CRUCIFIX DRIVER, then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up!

Wato is frustrated but he just fires up more! The fans rally, Wato brings Hiromu up and chicken wings. RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu fights off The Second with an arm-drag! Wato is up but Hiromu mule kicks! Front KICKS! Hiromu SWATS the roundhouse to SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but Wato dodges! Wato tilt-o-whirls, schoolboys, but Hiromu rolls through to then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Both men rise and the fans rally up again! Wato runs up, but Hiromu scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this and the fans still rally. Hiromu roars, the fans fire up with him, and he brings Wato into the dragon sleeper!

Wato fires knees from below, Hiromu staggers, and Wato ROUNDHOUSES! Hiromu roars, but the DREAMCAST KICK hits! Wato roars, the fans fire up, and Wato drags Hiromu up. Wato waistlocks to TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and Wato is beside himself! The fans rally even harder as Wato rises. Wato drags Hiromu back up, chicken wings again, RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu flips through! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER meets KOZY LARIAT!! Hiromu slumps down and Wato stands tall! The fans are thunderous and Wato roars! Wato drags Hiromu up,b ut HIromu SUPERKICKS!

Wato kicks, Hiromu ducks, and CODE BREAKAER! Then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu hauls Wato up, fireman’s carries, and the TIMEBOMB 1.5!! But Hiromu isn’t done, he dragon sleepers and TIMEBOMB 2.0!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)

To battle like this, these two truly are two of the Best of the Super Juniors! But in the end, four times beats one time, and Wato falls off the top spot. Will Wato still find his way into the finals?

As for Hiromu, he does offer a handshake of respect, but Wato refuses, too frustrated with himself to accept. Hiromu goes to the mic to tell Wato, “Where’s your belt? Aren’t you a tag champion? Take it easy, it’s okay. I figured I’d challenge. And as for my partner… Me and Kanemaru will challenge! I think! Understand, yesterday wasn’t really how Kanemaru felt. Me and him are challenging, so get ready!” The fans applaud, but is The Ticking Timebomb serious about the Heel Master coming around?

Moving on from that, Hiromu admits he’s really feeling that match now. Maybe Hiromu can’t go anymore. Hiromu thanks you for all your support, please chant for him. The fans do chant for “HI-RO-MU!” and he feels better. And it has been a little while since he’s done one, so maybe let’s do a little Hiromu survey! Don’t be shy, if this is your first time watching wrestling live, please raise your hand. Oh, a lot of you! And you didn’t even leave during this pointless promo! Thank you! The fans cheer and Hiromu wonders… Anyone planning on going to the finals in Ota? Yes, some, but not enough! Hey, Ota is near Nagoya, when you think about it.

In fact, nothing is “too far” within Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Right? The fans echo that, and Hiromu says, “Thank you for chanting that!” Hiromu says these are real fans here! The fans cheer that! Now, going through BOSJ, there is one thing Hiromu is sure of. He guarantees that BOSJ will be the best tour in ALL of NJPW! The fans cheer that! Hiromu vows that he will definitely win! IF he has your support! The fans cheer, and Hiromu says no really, he needs you! The fans chant his name again, and he powers up again. Hiromu thanks them, and promises that for the rest of BOSJ…

Hiromu will make it “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!!” Fun for everyone!! The fans cheer as Hiromu sets down the mic, but will he get into the finals? Or could he still be one stumble away from missing out?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
Master Wato: 5-3, 10 points
Clark Connors: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-4, 8 points
KUSHIDA: 4-4, 8 points
Dragon Dia: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

YOH: 5-3, 10 points
MAO: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
Nick Wayne: 4-4, 8 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-4, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great round here, but thankfully the last time all 10 tournament matches are on one card. I also appreciated that so many of those matches in the first half of the card were so fast and short. And at this point in the tournament, it makes sense a good chunk of each block goes down into mathematically eliminated territory. Mack still getting a win despite that was great for him, and he might’ve been the final nail in Fujita’s own run, depending on how the ninth round goes. The blocks still parallel each other at this point, three guys at 5-3 for 10 points, and it will really come down to who loses rather than who wins.

Wato may have lost tonight, but he could beat Kanemaru and still make it in. Hiromu has Robbie X, Connors has Fujita, one of those could end up a huge upset, but so could Kanemaru cheating Wato to then add onto this idea that Hiromu will team with him even though he isn’t going to be House of Torture. On the other side, Desperado VS Eagles, Yoh VS Taiji, and Mao VS Sho, those are also intriguing match-ups. I would think Despy makes it in as both champion and last year’s tournament winner, so the other two are going to be really tricky. And if this is where Nick Wayne’s run ends with him and Titan in a somewhat do-nothing match, it’s still a great first run, and he can be home in the USA and AEW in time for Fyter Fest.

My Score: 9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/26/25)

New Day Rocks? Or New Day Sucks?

Published

20 hours ago

May 26, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Who will be the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~?!

Tonight on Raw, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defend the WWE World Tag Team Championships in a Triple Threat against War Raiders and Creed Brothers!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable; Penta wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers; The New Day win and retain the titles.
Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane w/ Iyo Sky; Kairi wins.
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor; Rollins wins and advances to Money in the Bank.

PLAY BY PLAY

Seth Rollins is here!

The Visionary leads the way for The Wise Man, the Badass and the Colossal Aussie as they head down the runway. The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins steps into the ring in his mint blue floral suit. Rollins revels in the singing a little longer, then the fans bark for Bron Breakker. Paul Heyman has a mic and he gives his introductions. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. Let’s see who the players are without even the benefit of a scorecard. First…” The fans bark as Heyman steps to his left. “A man, an attack dog, a badass, THE badass, in a true bloodline of badasses.

“And not just a badass, but the key to the future. If Skynet sent a Terminator from the future to this plane today and you asked that Terminator, ‘Who’s gonna main event WrestleManias 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and so on?’ That terminator would tell you the answer to that question is BRON! BREAKKER!” Fans are a little torn on that but Heyman says he’ll put his reputation on the line tonight. That’s not a prediction, that is a damn spoiler! The fans chant for “CM PUNK!” but Rollins smirks. Heyman asks Rollins if the fans realize that CM Punk is not here tonight. The fans boo, but Heyman says that is all thanks to “Big Bronson Reed!”

“WWE would never put him in the ring with top tier talent. Why? Because they were afraid of him! Not just the WWE, but the top tier talent here in the WWE! Why? Cuz he’s too reckless! Why? Cuz of the Tsunami! Why? Cuz he’s a violent man in the PG Era, and he’s gonna put everyone down in front of him! So what’d Bronson Reed do? He took the initiative! He went after THE top star in WWE! He went after the legacy player, the future of this industry! Bronson Reed targeted Seth Freakin’ Rollins. In one night, Bronson Reed put a beating on Seth Rollins worse than Roman Reigns ever put on Seth Rollins in ten years.

“In ONE night, Bronson Reed put a beating worse on Seth Rollins than CM Punk was able to do in his entire career! In ONE NIGHT, Seth Rollins fought Roman Reigns and CM Punk in essentially a handicap match at WrestleMania, and they couldn’t do the damage to him that Bronson Reed did to him in ONE NIGHT! Get down on your hands and your knees and thank the Heavens above for the altruism of this man to my right. The sacrifice that Seth Rollins is willing to make for each and every single one of you so that the trajectory of this industry going into the future is bigger than ever before.

“I give to you the most generous man I have ever met in my entire life. I give to you the epitome of the epiphany. I give to you a Visionary! I give to you an Architect! I give to you the future of this entire industry! Ladies and gentlemen… ACKNOWLEDGE Seth Freakin’ Rollins!” The fans boo and Rollins smiles, but then the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins takes a moment, listens for the fans singing his song, but also hears the fans chant, “We Want Roman!” Rollins waits for that to die down, then he says, “Make no mistake about it. Tampa, this is the vision. This is MY vision. This is the way forward! This is how we secure the future of the industry!

“We do it through total control! Through total domination! Through complete POWER!” The fans chant, “You Sold Out!” Rollins asks to who? To himself? Are they outta their minds? Rollins has not changed a beat! He told us exactly what he would do at WrestleMania, and he did it! Rollins takes a moment, but the fans cuss him out. Rollins says the fans are questioning his integrity right now. They are questioning him. Need he remind them, less than five minutes ago, everyone in this building was singing HIS song! And now, NOW, you wanna chant profanity at him? You wanna question HIS integrity?

The singing does return, and Heyman conducts it, but Rollins has everyone hold on. “You people, you morons, don’t even know right from left! You don’t know what’s good for you! But you’re telling ME that I’M the bad guy here, that I don’t deserve the power. I’m the only one who does. I’m the only person capable of leading this company into the future. I’m the only person capable of wielding that power! And that power comes through championships! And I tell you, I would be standing here before you, right now, World Heavyweight Champion, if it wasn’t for Sami Zayn… And C… M… Punk.” The fans chant for Punk again and Rollins sighs.

Rollins stands with Bronson and says, “CM Punk found out on Saturday exactly what happens when you underestimate me! Sami Zayn will figure that out tonight, because ladies and gentlemen, I have found something more powerful than championships. I have found an object that allows me to control the fates of those championships.” Rollins looks up to the Money in the Bank briefcase. Heyman smiles and Rollins says, “I’m going to qualify for Money in the Bank. I am going to win the Money in the Bank contract. And I am going to cash-in the MITB contract.

“But here’s the beauty of it: I can do it whenever I want; I can do it however I want; I can cash-in on whomever I want; and there is NOBODY who can stop me! And THAT is complete domination! THAT is total power! And THAT is why I am a Visionary! I am a Revolutionary! I am SETH! FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” The mission statement is crystal clear, but will all of the gold soon belong to Rollins and his team?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable!

Speaking of MITB, this could be one of the fastest and wildest qualifiers yet! But will a luchador win their way to LA? Or will Chad Gable give himself a very busy Saturday with both a Worlds Collide AND MITB match?

Raw returns as Gable is frustrated already seeing his Worlds Collide opponent, El Hijo del Vikingo, in the crowd to watch this. The bell rings, Gable, Penta and Lee watch each other. The fans rally, Lee and Penta realize Gable is the common denominator, so they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! They take turns stomping Gable, but then they argue over who gets to do more. They shove each other, then agree to keep on Gable together. They TOSS Gable out, Gable tumbles, and now Penta rolls Lee! TWO, and Lee says okay, if that’s how it is… Lee dodges Penta, runs up, but Penta puts Lee on the apron. Lee RAMS Penta, bumps and ROUNDHOUSES him, then RANAS!

Penta ends up in a corner, Lee runs corner to corner, JUMP KCIK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION DRAGON! But Gable is back to ROCK Lee! Gable whips, Lee reverses and Lee DROPKICKS! Lee runs to DROPKICK Penta! Lee comes back for Gable, but Gable catches him for an EXPLODER! Gable dodges Lee, Penta springboards, but Gable catches him! GERMAN SUPELX! The fans boo but Lee RAMS Gable. Lee slingshots but Gable NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable snarls and he drags Lee up. Gable THROWS Lee out, goes back to Penta, but Penta fires body shots. Gable CHPOS, whips, but Penta KICKS Gable!

Penta dodges Gable, mule kicks a leg, then SLING-DOGS! Lee is back but Penta pops him up in the corner, SUPERKICK to Lee! Gable runs up, into a BACKBREAKER! Penta picks Lee up into the Gory Especial, then he reels Gable in! Underhook, TIGER DRIVER GORY BOMB COMBO!!! The ref checks Gable as he flops out of the ring, but Lee also goes out, only for Penta to FLY! Direct hit and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Gable whips Penta, but then Penta grabs ropes. Gable runs up, Penta TOSSES him, but then Lee runs up. Penta SUPERKICKS Lee, goes out, but Gable anchors his foot! Gable YANKS Penta down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Gable talks trash on Vikingo, goes back for Penta, then throws hands! Gable wants Vikingo to know what’s waiting for him on June 7th! But Lee FLIES! Gable moves, Lee lands right on Penta and they both fall off the desk!! Everyone loses their minds, even Gable! Gable sucker punches Vikingo! The fans boo and Michael Cole tells Gable to focus on the match! How dare he assault a guest?

Gable puts Penta in the ring, CHOPS him, but Penta just gets mad. The fans fire up as Penta winds up and CHOPS! Gable snarls and CHOPS! Penta CHPOS, Lee SUPERKICKS Gable! Penta SUPERKICKS Lee! Lee DRAGON TRIGGERS! And POISON-RANAS! Gable lariats, Lee slips through and lifts! LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives landing on his head again, and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” and Lee rises up. Lee has Penta for a fireman’s carry, but Penta fights free with elbows! Penta spins Lee, pump handles, but Gable waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX PUMP HANDLE SLAM COMBO!!!

The fans are thunderous and Gable has the straps down! “A THANK YEW~!!” Gable goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS onto Penta! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and Gable is furious! Lee runs up, but Gable THROWS him overhead! Lee hits buckles, Gable goes up, but Vikingo trips Gable! GAMANGIRI! Gable is in the Tree of Woe and Vikingo cheers on Lee! Lee climbs, aims, and WOE STOMPS Gable!! But Penta hits Lee with a DESTROYER!! Penta gives Gable the PENTA DRIVER!!! Cover, PENTA WINS!!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Vikingo gets even with Gable, but they’ll surely go above and beyond at Worlds Collide! As for Penta, will #CeroMiedo be the one holding the MITB contract?

Judgment Day hangs out in the clubhouse.

JD McDonagh wants to talk tag titles but Finn Balor says one thing at a time. Finn’s gonna focus on MITB first, then they get back to business. As for Carlito & Dominik, they’re too busy playing WWE 2K and the WarGames match. But Roxanne Perez is here? She has a whole platter of chicken nuggets and offers him some. And then she says his shoulders seem tense. Roxie starts massaging Dom’s arm, and then LIV MORGAN walks in! She is absolutely livid, and Dom says hey, she’s back! Roxie wants to introduce herself but Liv hushes her. What’s been going on? Well, see, the time zones and nuggets and-

Liv stops Dom there, because Raquel already filled her in. And something is about to get very interesting. Liv will address that, but not before asking Adam Pearce for an MITB qualifier. Liv tells “Sister” Raquel time to head out, and Raquel tells Dom in Espanol that he messed up. Liv & Raquel head out, Finn chuckles and Dom plays it off by saying it’s so great to have Liv back. Finn says yes it is. Carlito says stop eating Roxie’s nuggies. Is Liv feeling what it’s like to have the tables turned on her? Or will she assert her dominance soon enough?

WWE honors our armed forces on this Memorial Day.

Home of the free because of the brave. Cody Rhodes narrates by saying it is easy to speak of sacrifice and harder to live it. Some did. From Normandy to Vietnam, across the Gulf War deserts and mountains of Afghanistan. Not for praise, but for freedom, for each other, and for all of us. Today, remember the selfless who stood in harm’s way and gave their all. Because of them, we live free. Because of them, we carry on. To them, we say thank you.

Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri!

The Redeemer all but demolished The Dozer, and that is why the Stamina Monster is already raging as he stands in the ring. Will Rusev continue to “fix” the Raw roster by breaking them down? Or can Tozawa stop the rampage?

The bell rings and Tozawa rips his shirt! Rusev runs up, Tozawa dodges to fire off hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa, Tozawa is back to throw more hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa to a corner, runs in, but Tozawa dodges! Tozawa runs up but Rusev puts him on the apron. Tozawa GAMANGIRIS, goes up, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Rusev tumbles, but he comes back to LARIAT! The fans are torn but Rusev roars and stomps around! MACHKA KICK!! Rusev roars, “RUSEV! MACHKA!!” And then the ACCOLADE!!! Tozawa TAPS, Rusev wins!

Winner: Rusev, by submission

Rusev makes Tozawa suffer, he bends Tozawa back! The fans are torn and the ref tries to pry that grip open! But wait! Here comes Sheamus! Rusev throws Tozawa aside, and Bulgarian Brute stares down The Celtic Warrior. They were once friends, but that was a long time ago. The fans rally behind Sheamus, and Rusev stands down. Does Rusev feel Sheamus does not need his “help?” Or is he not deserving?

Backstage interview with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura.

Cathy Kelley tells Burt welcome back, and brings up Segura being a bit critical of the WWE in the past. What brings him by tonight? Segura knows he’s done stupid things in his life, saying that stuff was part of it. But Cody Rhodes was on their podcast recently, it was a great time, and a real eye-opener. Plus, Burt had such a blast at the show he attended, so Tom couldn’t turn it down. Cathy knows that’s true. They were interrupted last time, so maybe Burt can plug his stuff now? Burt says yes, his new special is called Lucky, on Netflix, watch now. Something has Bur’s attention and he excuses himself.

Cathy knows Tom has something coming up, too, and he says yes, his own special will be a wild sketch show and- Wait, Burt is calling for Tom. Tom says this happens every time… Tom heads over, and Burt’s got his shirt off as he’s excited to see the War Raiders in person! It’s like they could all be related! Ivar says time to fire up! Ivar CHOPS Burt on the chest, Burt is already red, and they chant “WAR! WAR! WAR!” The Raiders head out, Tom has Burt calm down cuz Erik & Ivar left. Burt asks how does he look. Very red. Tom suggests they check with a medic to check before he and Burt go to their seats.

Sami Zayn is backstage.

Sami says he can’t stand listening to those guys talk! Heyman, Rollins, running their mouths, Sami should’ve gone out there to interrupt. But for what? Jey Uso says it would’ve been 1v3. Gotta be smart, Uce. Gotta pick the right time. Rollins wants the power, but this is how they stop him! Sami goes out there, wins the qualifier, and snatch that briefcase. If anything gets messy out there, Jey has Sami’s back. Sami nods, and Jey has him bring it in for the secret handshake. Jey wishes Sami luck, but will the Underdog from the Underground be on top? Will the Visionary’s plan continue to succeed? Or will The Prince have his own golden ticket to LA?

WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers!

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods certainly tried to use their opponents against each other in hopes of crossing one off the list, but now they’ll be facing them both! Will the New Day survive a night in Tampa? Will Erik & Ivar have redemption from WrestleMania? Or will Julius & Brutus make sure these titles are now American Made?

Raw returns as the titles are raised and Burt is seen chugging beer! Tom joins in, and then the War Raiders attack the New Day! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but the Raiders TOSS the Creeds! This has to come down to 1v1 but Erik & Ivar throw hands on Woods & Kofi! The Creeds return, but the Raiders stereo scoop and SLAM them! Then Erik scoops and SLAMS Woods! Ivar & Erik scoop Kofi to LAWN DART him out onto the rest! The fans fire up, the Raiders say “UP!” Erik scoops Ivar, and from the apron he THROWS Ivar onto everyone! The fans fire up, Ivar rises, and he puts Kofi in. The bell rings as Erik brings Kofi up.

Ivar climbs a corner, but Woods anchors Ivar’s leg! Kofi BOOTS Erik, Julius DROPKICKS Ivar to the floor! Woods & Brutus THROW Erik into barriers! Julius & Kofi do the same! The New Day and American Made have made an alliance, and they all RAM Erik together! They they go to the ring and stand tall together. The fans boo while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the Raiders are back. Kofi has Erik but Erik fires body shots. Kofi KNEES low, facelocks, and he puts Erik in the ropes. Kofi KNEES away on Erik, then tags Woods. Woods goes up the corner to GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP! The fans boo but Woods struts around. “NEW~ DAY~!” “SUCKS!” Woods talks trash on Erik, brings him up, but the fans rally. Erik shoves Woods and ROCKS him! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Woods sputters but Erik crawls, hot tag to Ivar! Julius runs in but Ivar BACKDROPS him! BOOT for Woods! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM for Brutus!

Kofi runs in, Ivar dodges then scoop shim, SIDEWALK SLAM onto Brutus! Ivar runs and he DOUBLE SPLASHES! Julius is up, the fans fire up with Ivar, and Ivar runs in, only for Julius to dodge. Julius comes back, into the SEATED SENTON! Ivar TOSSES Woods, dodges Brutus and LARIATS him up and out! Kofi runs up but Ivar TOSSES him out onto Woods & The Creeds! The fans fire up more as Ivar says “UP!” Ivar climbs the corner! But Kofi jumps up to GAMANGIRI! Ivar falls but Erik DECKS Kofi! Brutus ROCKS Erik! Brutus RAMS Erik, hoists him up, but Erik SMACKS Brutus! Brutus ROCKS Erik then climbs.

Erik DECKS Brutus, but Julius springs up! The fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Woods hits the LIMIT BREAKER ELBOW on Erik! But Ivar is up top! WAR BEARD SPLASH!! Cover, Kofi & The Creeds break it! The fans fire up while all six men are down! “This is Awesome!” as the teams regroup. Kofi runs up on Erik, but Erik ducks the kick! EriK DECKS Kofi! The Creeds CLOBBER Erik! Ivar breaks their line to handspring DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! And then HEEL KICK for Woods! Ivar helps Erik wake up, and he says it is time to end this! Erik feeds Woods to Ivar, but Julius tags in! Ivar DECKS Julius, Woods FACEBUSTERS Erik!

Kofi KICKS Ivar, he and Brutus TOSS Ivar out! Brutus springboards to BRUTUS BALL Erik! Kofi DIVES at Ivar, but Ivar catches him! And RAMS him into the LED apron! The fans fire up for Ivar, and he runs up, CROSSBODY against the LED board! Ivar goes up, up, but Julius JUMP KNEES him! Woods rolls Julius up with tights! NEW DAY WIN!!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)

Well, The New Day used their opponents against each other all over again and came away with the titles! Will no one ever stop Kofi & Woods as the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~?

Liv & Raquel walk ‘n’ talk.

And then they spot something. It’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane! What is this? A DMG CTRL reunion? Isn’t that group as dead as Kairi’s chances of winning MITB? Iyo says keep walking. Oh, they will! Liv is gonna walk right into Adam Pearce’s office and get herself a qualifier. And when she wins the briefcase, she cashes in on Iyo. Something Kairi could never ever do! Kairi tells Liv, in Japanese, that Liv keeps on talking, talking, talking like an idiot. Kairi then dares Liv to have a match with her tonight! Liv says challenge accepted. Raquel says Kairi done messed up, but Iyo says good on the Pirate Princess. Will Kairi sink Liv’s ship before it even sets sail?

Jey Uso heads to the ring!

The fans are ready to YEET here in Tampa as the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way down to ringside. After Saturday Night’s Main Event, we know he and Cody Rhodes are preparing for a star-studded tag team match at MITB, what will Jey have to say about it? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Jey has the mic to say, “The World Heavyweight Champ, Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says it has been a busy week for the champ. “YEET!” Everybody’s after the champ! “YEET!” Logan Paul got YEET’D! Cena ’bout to get YEET’D! And at MITB, it is Jey and his dawg, Cody- WAIT! Gunther is here! Der Ring General interrupts as he goes right to the ring and grabs his own mic. The fans taunt Gunther with “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther shrugs that off. Gunther tells Jey, “Well first of all, I came out here…” The fans boo but Gunther says he wants to congratulate Jey.

“And this one comes from a very personal places. Congratulations on the 15 year jubilee of The Usos in the WWE.” The fans cheer that, and Gunther says, “Secondly, congratulations on your first successful defense against Logan Paul on Saturday. You are holding onto this title way longer than I expected.” The fans boo that but Gunther says he appreciates Jey is doing everything in his power to fulfill this position. He really wants to be the captain of Monday Night Raw. And Jey has his hands full. There’s the long term plan going around, some of Jey’s friends are in trouble, and when they need Jey, he is there, no questions asked.

“And those are great qualities for a human being. But they are terrible qualities for a great champion.” The fans boo, but Gunther says he doesn’t blame Jey. Jey doesn’t know any better. Unlike Gunther, this position as World Heavyweight Champion doesn’t come natural to Jey. Being a great champion doesn’t mean you’re there for everyone else, that you sort out all the problems. Just guess, how was Gunther able to be a champion for almost ay ear? Because the only person he cares about is HIMSELF! The fans boo, but Gunther says if he is fully honest, Jey doesn’t have the intellect to carry himself as a great champion.

And in two weeks, when they step into the ring one more time, Gunther will relieve Jey from his position. Gunther will make things right and choke Jey out! Gunther will take back HIS World Heavyweight Championship and put it back where it belongs: Around Gunther’s waist! The fans boo but Jey takes a moment. “You done? Are you done?” Jey says he’s done, He is done with everybody saying his days as champ are numbered. “YEET!” Jey is done with everybody using an excuse for this title to turn their back on the people who brought them up! Jey does have friends, he does have family. He a real one, Uce. He fights for them, they fight for him!

The fans cheer and Jey paces. Jey tells Gunther he runs his mouth on Jey’s life. Gunther wants to judge Jey? Go ahead! Jey gets worked up and says what Gunther is fighting for is less than what Jey is fighting for. Jey isn’t overlooking Gunther, he knows what Gunther is capable of. Jey knows Gunther in and out. So see you in Phoenix. But at the end of the day, at the end of the day… Jey is fighting for the fans. Because in Phoenix, Jey will make Gunther tap out, again! Four letters, one word, UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up with Jey as he heads out. Will this be the Summer of YEET?

Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane!

The leading lady of the Judgment Day is back from her time in Japan filming for Hollywood, but now she thinks she can just call the shots for MITB. Will Liv be rolling towards a MITB qualifier? Or will the Pirate Princess prove she’s still got it?

Raw returns as Kairi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. They go around, Liv puts Kairi on ropes, then they go along ropes. Kairi has Liv in the corner but she lets off as the ref counts. Kairi rushes up but Liv THROWS her down by her hair! Liv KICKS Kairi, stomps away, but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, bumps Kairi off buckles, then throws hands! The ref counts, Liv shrieks, “OKAY!” But Kairi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kairi CHOPS Liv again and then fires boxing elbows! Kairi backs Liv into a corner, ROCKS her, then whips corner to corner. Kairi runs up, Liv puts her on the apron, but Kairi RAMS Liv!

Kairi goes up, up, and leaps, but Liv gets under. Kairi says kiss this! The fans fire up, Liv says okay then! Liv runs up, Kairi sidesteps and drops down, then does it again. Kairi blows past, goes up and RANAS! Liv tumbles to the ropes, the fans fire up with Kairi, and she runs in, SLIDING D! Liv sputters and Kairi goes out to the apron. Kairi brings Liv up, BACKHANDS her, then gets space. Kairi runs in, but Liv dodges! Kairi boots the post, and Liv SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS to the floor! Raquel cheers and the fans are torn, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Liv suplexes Kairi! That’s Una Amiga as Liv brings her back up, for Dos Amigas! Liv brings Kairi up again, for THREE- NO, Kairi slips free, but Liv ELBOWS her! Liv runs, Kairi dodges, and then Kairi SPEARS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Raquel panics and coaches Liv but Kairi goes to a corner. Liv runs up but Kairi DECKS her! And CLOBBERS her! And CROSSBODIES her! Kairi whips, Liv reverses, but Kairi stops herself to come back, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up with Kairi again and she has Liv in the corner. Kairi marches and then runs up, SLIDING D again!

Liv flounders, Kairi climbs, and FLYING KABUKI FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Liv lives and Kairi is annoyed, but she hurries to bring Liv back up. The fans rally, Liv breaks free, but Kairi ducks the enzigiri! Kairi has the legs, and she pulls Liv into the ANCHOR HOLD! Liv endures as Kairi bridges back! The fans fire up but Liv pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Kairi DECKS Liv! Kairi roars, runs, but Liv STOMPS her down! Liv scowls, rises up, and she climbs the corner. FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Kairi survives and Liv is livid! Liv SLAPS Kairi around, kicks her, then has her on the ropes. Liv runs up, but Kairi denies ObLIVion!

URAKEN!! Liv sputters, Kairi runs, SLIDING D the third!! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally, Kairi drags Liv up, and then she Alabama Lifts! But Liv sunset flips it! TWO, and both women hurry to their feet! Liv blocks the backhand to BACKSTABBER! Kairi flounders. Liv runs in, but Kairi pops Liv up! But Liv rolls, Kairi smothers it to a jackknife bridge, TWO! Both women grab at the other but Kairi Alabama Lifts again! ALABAMA SLAM! Kairi goes up the corner and the fans fire up! Raquel distracts the ref, ROXANNE shoves Kairi! The fans boo but then Raquel and Roxie argue! Roxie says she just helped Liv, what’s the big deal?

Liv runs at Kairi, Kairi rolls her up! KAIRI WINS!!!

Winner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall

Raquel is shocked, but Liv let herself get distracted by everything! Roxie says that wasn’t on her. Will Liv get over herself to accept the new girl on the team?

Rhea Ripley speaks.

“Mami’s always on top. It wasn’t just a saying to me, but it was a way of life. Lately, that just hasn’t been our reality, now has it? But at MITB, that all changes. For the first time in my career, I’m in a ladder match, which means no one is ready for the amount of brutality that I am going to unleash. I will do absolutely anything to climb that ladder, to retrieve the briefcase, and to once again cement myself at the top of the women’s division. So Iyo Sky, Tiffany Stratton, I advise you to hold your titles really tightly. Because absolutely no one is safe from Mami in the Bank.” The Eradicator is ready, will she be ready to call her shot after June 7th?

Judgment Day regroups.

Liv still wants to know what Roxie was doing out there. Finn defends Roxie just wanting to help. Dom knows that was the plan, right? Dom stammers, but Raquel says if Roxie hadn’t gone out there, Liv would’ve won! Liv says he can’t believe she’s saying this, but no, Raquel was the veteran out there and she should’ve known better. What? Finn grins again, is this going even better than he expected?

Lyra Valkyria is here!

The fans “WHEW~!” with the song as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion makes her way to the ring. Lyra has the mic to say, “Well what is up, Tampa? Ugh, I wish I was out here to talk to you guys about some new competition and a new challenger for this championship. But news broke today that Becky went and did what Becky does best. She groveled and she begged and she twisted the arms of the right people in the back, and she once again talked herself into a rematch at MITB.” The fans boo, but Lyra says, “Why would I accept, right? I have nothing left to prove. I’ve beaten her twice.

“Every opponent that I have ever had, I didn’t care what they said about me or what they did to me. Once I beat them between these ropes, I was the ultimate winner. But I didn’t feel any satisfaction when I beat Becky. Because she came out here after Backlash, ego still through the roof, no embarrassment, no sense of shame, even though she’d been outwrestled and beaten. And she sat there, on that top buckle, and she talked like she won the match! She was that delusional! And then she just went on to try and steal the next opportunity from the next person. She’s like a rat with a piece of cheese, and I just couldn’t let her do it.”

The fans cheer, and Lyra says, “At Backlash, all I wanted to do was pin her shoulders to the mat for three seconds. But she came out here and she go tin my fiancé’s face, and she tried to take my eye out, and she tried to break my arm! So yeah, now it’s personal!” The fans like that! Lyra says at MITB, she is going to hurt Becky. She is going to break Becky’s ego! And if that means bashing Becky’s head in, then she’ll do it! But wait! Becky is here now! Lyra frowns as The Man makes her way out to the ring, and Becky has a mic to ask, “I made this personal? I made this personal? YOU cost ME! You cost me my opportunity!

“I was done with you! I was on the bigger and better things, because okay, okay, you won a match. You won a match, I won the night! Because I went home with my hot husband, and you went off to the hospital with your weird little fiancé!” Wow, Becky’s “hot husband?” AKA, the only talented thing about her? Becky says here it goes! Lyra makes it personal! Lyra made it personal first! She could’ve let it go, but she couldn’t. Because Lyra knows Becky is the best thing that ever happened to Lyra, or to that title! Lyra says that is not the flex Becky thinks it is! Becky acts like she just graciously stepped aside and shared the spotlight.

People are talking about Lyra because Lyra beat Becky! The fans cheer that! Okay, okay, Lyra says Becky “steals” opportunities. If Lyra is so confident, how about this? MITB, if Lyra wins again, Becky will never challenge Lyra for that title ever again. Fine! No problem for Lyra. As she sees it, she beat Becky twice, and the last time was with her eyes closed. Becky frowns, but she says Lyra did not let her finish. Because there’s something Becky keeps remembering. When Lyra took the NXT Women’s Championship from Becky, it was a quick roll-up, not really decisive. When Lyra won that match, the good person Becky was, what’d she do? Becky graciously raised Lyra’s hand.

So WHEN Becky wins at MITB, and does it fair ‘n’ square, Lyra must look her in the eyes and raise Becky’s hand! The fans are torn on that, but Lyra says she has never had an issue raising the hand of the woman better than her. It just hasn’t been Becky yet. Mic drop from The Morrigan, but will The Man make her humble? Or will Lyra close this title off to Becky for as long as it is on her shoulder?

Sami Zayn walks the halls.

And Karrion Kross says, “Well, well, WELL! Here we are again, Sami! You’re still trying to claw your way to the top when you could’ve just taken the deal, went to SmackDown, and challenged for the WWE Championship. NO, you gotta do it ‘your way.'” Sami says he has no time for the games, okay? Sami walks off but Kross says Sami knows he will never win the title, right? Sami looks back at Kross and tells him he’ll deal with this later. Sami continues on, but will he be winning his way to the top? Or just falling to the bottom?

Also, in the background, New Day is talking with Grayson Waller like they were last week. Are they still trying to convince the Aussie Icon of something?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor!

The Visionary wants all the power, the Underdog from the Underground wants to stop that from happening, and The Prince wants to put Judgment Day back at the top with a world title. Who gets their way in this star-studded three way in Tampa?

Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, followed by Sami. The bell rings, Sami and Rollins fire hands, and Finn watches. Sami LARIATS Rollins up and out, but Finn attacks Sami! Finn bumps Sami off buckles, throws hands, then CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Finn whips. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges then DIVES onto Rollins! The fans fire up as Rollins tumbles, and Sami is after him again! Finn hurries to join in and he CLOBBERS them both! The fans cheer, Finn brings Sami around and pushes him into the ring. Finn fires hands on Sami, CHOPS him, and Heyman scowls from ringside. Sami kicks back and puts Finn in the corner.

Sami climbs up, rains down fists, and the fans count, only for Rollins to stop Sami at 5! Rollins drags Sami down to CLOBBER him! Rollins rains down fists, huffs ‘n’ puffs as he goes to Finn, but Finn trips Rollins to DOUBLE STMOP! CHOP for Sami, CHOP for Rollins! Finn CHOPS Rollins, fires body shots, then fires haymakers! Rollins fires back, but Finn slips around to dragon sleeper! Sami runs up, Finn kicks him, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! Cover on Rollins, TWO! Cover on Sami, TWO! Finn is in control and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn CLUBS Sami! The fans rally, Finn throws hands, but Sami eggs him on! Finn throws more hands, then reels Sami in. The fans want tables but Sami hits a suplex on Finn! The fans rally as Sami rises, but Rollins is in! Sami counter punches Rollins and backs him down! Sami climbs to rain down fists! The fans count and Sami goes to TEN, then fires a flurry to get to TWENTY! The fans fire up, Sami runs up and BLASTS Finn off the apron! Rollins runs up, Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up more as Sami goes to the apron! Finn grabs a foot, Sami kicks him away, then Sami kicks Rollins!

Sami goes up, ARABIAN PRESS! Direct hit on Rollins and Finn and the fans fire up with Sami! Sami rises up, gives a shoutout to the late, great Sabu, and then hurries to put Rollins in the ring. Sami waistlocks, Rollins fights the Blue Thunder to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rollins is annoyed but he storms up on Sami. Rollins puts Sami in the corner, grinds his forearm into Sami’s face, then CHOPS! Rollins puts Sami up, CHOPS him again, then climbs. The fans rally, Sam fires elbows, and he knocks Rollins down! But Finn CLUBS Sami! Finn climbs up, he and Sami fight, and Sami CLUBS Finn down! Then shoves him down!

Rollins is right up top! Sami fires body shots and then he CLUBS Rollins down! Sami then adjusts, and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, Finn breaks it! The fans fire up while all three men are down! Finn drags Sami up to TOSS him out, then goes for Rollins. Finn dragon sleepers Rollins, drags him up, but Rollins KICKS free! Rollins then kicks low, underhooks, but Sami is back !Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS Sami first! Then Rollins underhooks Sami, only for Finn to SLINGBLADE Rollins! Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into a corner! The fans fire up, Finn fumbles in the ropes a bit, but he goes up the corner!

Sami is up and he ROCKS Finn first! Sami then climbs up after Finn, goes to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Rollins FROG SPLASHES Sami!! Rollins bounces off that cover, all three men are down again, and “This is Awesome!” Heyman is freaking out while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again, and Rollins DECKS Finn! Sami sputters towards a corner, Rollins stomps him down and then stomps a mudhole in! The fans are torn but Rollins sees Finn sit up. Rollins tells Finn they can be 1v1 if they get rid of Sami first. Rollins & Finn get Sami up top, climb up after him, but Sami fights them both off! The fans rally behind Sami as he fires fast hands! Sami DECKS Rollins, DECKS Finn, and the fans fire up! Sami stands to leap, but Finn gets under. Rollins is there to catch Sami, but Sami DUMPS Rollins out! Finn runs up, but into a clinch! Only to victory roll it! TWO!! Sami escapes, Finn stands, and Finn waistlocks.

Finn dragon sleepers, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, Rollins breaks it! The fans rally, all three men slowly rise, and Rollins watches Finn. Rollins kicks Finn, underhooks, but Finn wrenches out, rolls Rollins up, but Rollins rolls through! Underhooks and PEDIGREE!! Cover, SAMI GHOST PINS ROLLINS! TWO!! Rollins escapes, kicks Sami, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!??! Sami survives and the fans fire up again! Heyman is beside himself while the fans rally for Sami. Rollins gets in Sami’s face and tells him this is it! Rollins runs from the corner, but Sami avoids the stomp! BLUE THUNDER- NO, Rollins slips free to KICK the legs!

Rollins runs, but into BLUE THUNDER!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins barely survives and no one can believe it! Where’s Finn in all this? Rollins sputters in a daze as he goes to the apron and the fans rally. Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs, looks up to the briefcase as motivation, and he throws hands on Rollins. Rollins staggers, but then he throat chops! Sami still throws hands! Rollins JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Rollins CLAWS Sami’s eyes, puts him in a corner, and just SLAPS away! Rollins huffs ‘n’ puffs and almost foams at the mouth! Rollins runs in, btu into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! Sami is feeling it and the fans are with him!

Sami aims, runs at Rollins, but FINN SLINGBLADES! Then Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into Rollins! They’re both down but Sami’s in the drop zone! Finn goes up, COUP DE- NO, Sami dodge! CURB STOMP by Rollins! HELLUVA KICK by Sami!!! Cover on Rollins, BRON BREAKKER drags Sami out!! And Bronson Reed is there to rain down fists! The fans boo, because for No Disqualifications, this is still unfair! But then JEY CROSSBODIES Bronson! Jey fires fists on Bron, SUPERKICKS Bronson, then SUPERKICKS Bron! SUPERKICKS again and again, but Rollins grabs Jey! Jey UPPERCUTS Rollins! Bron SPEARS Jey!!

The fans boo, Bronson POSTS Sami, but DOM is here with a chair!! Dom slides that into the ring, halfway between Finn and Rollins. Finn grabs the chair, Rollins FULL METAL CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, ROLLINS WINS!!!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Dirty Dom tried to help but that backfired in a big way. But even then, Rollins had his minions help out, so it’s all fair. Bron & Bronson go after Jey & Sami, but CM PUNK is here?!? Bron & Bronson Security now move to the ramp, but Punk sneaks in from the crowd!! Fireman’s carry for Rollins, and a GO TO SLEEP!!! Rollins is down, Punk bails out, and the fans fire up! The Best in the World gets the better of The Visionary! But even so, Rollins is still going to MITB. Will the Visionary take over using that contract once again? Or will Punk make sure that never happens?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw to not just follow up Saturday Night’s Main Event but even accelerate towards Money in the Bank Saturday. Great tie-in of Worlds Collide with Vikingo being here, and that was an awesome Triple Threat from Penta, Dragon Lee and Gable. Gable VS Vikingo for Worlds Collide will be great stuff, but I think a graphic gave away that Vikingo’s match with Alberto Del Rio El Patron for the AAA Mega Championship is going to go Vikingo’s way to then escalate the Worlds Collide match. Very good promo from Rhea to hype up her part in MITB but there are still more people to add so I’m not sure Rhea wins.

Rusev VS Tozawa was really quick but I suppose it would be given Rusev is Rusev. But Sheamus confronting Rusev was great stuff, and they’re going to have a great feud. Fun promo with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura to hype up the tag title match, and the tag title match itself was great stuff. The finishing sequence was quick and brilliant stuff, but it also makes me think we’re getting more New Day VS American Made after this. Great promo segment from Lyra and Becky to set up their rematch, but I feel like the stakes aren’t even. Becky only wants Lyra to raise her hand in victory? I feel like Becky would be pettier than that, but maybe she beats Lyra up so bad that Lyra can’t even stand.

We got great integration of other segments through the big stories. Judgment Day’s new dysfunction is all because of Finn, and he was clearly enjoying it. Liv not liking Roxie hanging around Dom is made all the sweeter because it’s what Liv was doing with Dom while Dom was with Rhea. But then in a great twist, Roxie really did try to help Liv, only for Raquel to not like it and that cost Liv. And then Liv seeing Roxie’s point later was a great detail, too. Finn is either going to break up Liv and Dom or Liv and Raquel and he doesn’t seem to mind which one it is.

Very good promo from Gunther and Jey, not that it really adds much. I was oddly expecting more Logan Paul to show up and talk trash on Jey while putting Cena over, saying stuff like how he and Cena are going to be this unstoppable dream team. Maybe Logan will do that Friday or next Monday, given next Monday is the go-home Raw. Seth Rollins & Paul Heyman had a very good promo to open the night, though they maybe let the chants for Punk and Roman go on when they didn’t need to. Jey and Sami had a good promo and that helped plug Jey helping Sami in the main event.

That main event was also an awesome match, but it works that Rollins won. The MITB contract served him well before, can’t wait to see if he wins it and tries to use it on June 9th during Gunther VS Jey. At the same time, CM Punk either gets in MITB with a qualifier, or he just shows up to make sure Rollins doesn’t win the ladder match. He might even stalk Rollins to make sure Rollins can’t cash in successfully. But such a story would get boring over time, so I would think Rollins just doesn’t win and has one last match with Punk for Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta or for SummerSlam’s night two main event.

My Score: 8.8/10

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PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff – New Japan Rambo!

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Catch 2/2 VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS AZM!

NJPW World Television Championship Fatal 4 Way: Ren Narita VS Jeff Cobb VS Ryohei Oiwa VS El Phantasmo!

The Ace’s Final Road Lumberjack Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS EVIL!

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Tetsuya Naito VS Hiromu Takahashi!

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shota Umino!

My Thoughts:

My Score: 9.1/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

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

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My Thoughts:

My Score: 9/10

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

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Seth Rollins is here!

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Judgment Day hangs out in the clubhouse.

WWE honors our armed forces on this Memorial Day.

Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri!

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My Thoughts:

My Score: 8.8/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

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

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