Who really leads Bullet Club?

The King of Darkness declared war on the War Dogs, and now he faces David Finlay! Will Bullet Club see Everything is Evil?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Daiki Nagai; Nagata, Kojima & Nagai win.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club War Dogs; The United Empire wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
• Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; Gabe & Sanada win.
• Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Shota & Ishii win.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Yuya Uemura; Uemura wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ wins and advances.
• 2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: David Finlay VS EVIL; Finlay wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Yuya Uemura!

The Head Hunter was given a bye into this round, but the Heat Storm is coming in hot after burning Sanada. Will Yuya stay hot for the Spring? Or will Hashi cool him off here in Okayama?

The bell rings and the fans rally as Hashi and Yuya circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and then Yuya waistlocks. Hashi switches, Yuya switches, then Yuya brings Hashi down but Hashi slips away. The fans cheer this opening exchange as the two reset. The two tie up again, and Hashi headlocks. Yuya powers out but Hashi runs him over! Things keep moving, Yuya stays low but then hurdles over. Yuya arm-drags Hashi, then clamps on with an armlock. Hashi endures, makes it to the ROPEBREAK, and Yuya lets go. Yuya CHOPS Hashi in the corner, CHOPS again, and again, and again! The fans fire up but the ref counts.

Yuya stops, just to run up and CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Hashi sits down, the fans cheer, and Yuya fires up. Yuya drags Hashi to his feet, and HIP- NO, Hashi blocks the hip toss to THROW Yuya down! The fans cheer that, and Hashi brings Yuya around. Hashi bumps Yuya off buckles, then CHOPS! He bumps Yuya off buckles again, and CHOPS! And then he bumps Yuya off buckles again, for CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up, but Yuya shoves and CHOPS, CHPOS, CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ELBOWS! And CHOPS again! The fans fire up as the CHOPS keep going, and Hashi turns things around to give CHOPS back!

Hashi DOUBLE CHOPS and Yuya sits down! The fans fire up again but the ref reprimands. Hashi backs off for just a moment before he stands Yuya up. Hashi suplexes Yuya, hangs him out to dry, and then runs to DROPKICK Yuya down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yuya stays in this, and Hashi stays on Yuya. Hashi sits Yuya up to CHOP him down! And he sits Yuya up to CHOP him down again! Cover, TWO! Another cover, ONE!! A third cover, TWO!! Yuya rolls away and the fans cheer again. Hashi looms over Yuya, stands him up, but Yuya CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hashi spins to CHOP!

The fans rally as Yuya goes to a corner. Hashi and Yuya are both stinging from the chops, but Hashi storms up on Yuya. Hashi whips corner to corner, Yuya comes back, but Hashi CHOPS him! Hashi runs, but Yuya LEAPING LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Yuya and Hashi crawl to opposite ends while the fans rally up. Hashi goes to a corner, but Yuya CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Yuya whips, Hashi reverses, but Yuya goes up and over! Yuya then arm-drags Hashi! Hashi is back up, but Yuya CHOPS him down! The fans fire up with Yuya while Hashi goes to a corner. Yuya runs in, and he CHOPS!

Yuya reels Hashi in and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Hashi stays in this, and they rally up again. Yuya drags Hashi up, clinches, but Hashi fights the lift. Hashi throws down elbows, but Yuya CHOPS again! Yuya wrenches, and wrenches, and YANKS the arm! Yuya whips, but Hashi dropkicks a leg out! Yuya hobbles around, Hashi brings him in, NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Yuya and Hashi slowly rise as the fans rally harder. Hashi brings Yuya up and  in, but Yuya fights the lift! Yuya powers out with a wrench, but Hashi fires a forearm! And a CHOP! And a forearm! And a CHOP!

Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS Yuya on repeat, and then Yuya falls over! Hashi drags Yuya up, reels him in, and lifts for a- NO, Yuya slips free of the bomb! But Hashi CHOPS! And CHOPS, but Yuya blocks! Yuya wrangles Hashi into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Yuya twists the wrist and pulls on the finger, but Hashi still endures! The fans rally, Hashi fights his way over, but Yuya continues to torture the hand! Hashi reaches out with his foot, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Yuya lets go. Yuya drags Hashi up, wrenches the arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! And then another wrench, for another ELBOW BREAKER!

Yuya wrenches again, for an ELBOW- SLEEPER!! Hashi has Yuya caught, but Yuya reaches back. Yuya THROWS Hashi off him, then storms up. Yuya ROCKS Hashi, CHOPS Hashi, then CHOPS again! Yuya runs, into a CHOP! Yuya roars and keeps moving! Hashi CHOPS him again! Hashi ROCKS Yuya, fires body shots, then a CHOP! But Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS, DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Hashi ROCKS Yuya, CHOPS him, then runs, but into a a RANA into an ARMBAR! The fans rally as Hashi endures and fights around! Hashi tries to stack Yuya but Yuya keeps the arm scissored! Hashi manages to stomp at Yuya, but Yuya pulls on the arm!

Hashi is down in the ARMBAR, but he kicks and kicks and finds the ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya drags Hashi up, cording holds the arms, but Hashi fights the lift! Hashi RAMS Yuya into the corner and is free! Hashi then runs, but Yuya gets around, URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives, the fans fire up, and Yuya is frustrated again. Yuya roars, the fans rally behind him, and he drags Hashi up. Yuya clamps onto the arms again, but Hashi fights the lift! Hashi HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! But Yuya holds on! So Hashi hits a CODE BREAKER! And then a SNAP DRAGON!

Yuya flounders away and the fans fire back up! Hashi rises, runs, but Yuya SWATS the lariat! Hashi SUPERKICKS! Yuya roars but Hashi SUPERKICKS again! The fans fire up with Hashi and he brings Yuya in! Lift and SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives and the fans fire up! Hashi roars and the fans are with him! Hashi drags Yuya up, full nelsons, then spins and pump handles! Yuya fights Karma with clubbing shots! Hashi LARIATS point-blank! And then KARMA BACKBREAKER! Hashi sits Yuya up to SUPERKICK! And then Hashi runs to METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives again and the fans fire up!

Yuya stands, Hashi powers up and runs, LARIAT!! Hashi doesn’t stop there, he hauls Yuya up, full nelsons and- NO, Yuya slips around! Yuya has the arms! Yuya HEADBUTTS and DEADBOLT SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, YUYA WINS!!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Incredible! Just as Hashi was about to #TurnItAllAround, Yuya slams the Deadbolt shut! Hashi feels frustrated with himself, but he still shows Yuya respect with a handshake. The Heat Storm got hot at the right time, will he soon blaze a trail to the Cup itself?

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Ryohei Oiwa w/ Hartley Jackson!

TMDK battles TMDK as The Front Man’s first round bye sets him right up against The Mullet! Oiwa made Chase Owens tap out yesterday, will he manage to do the same to the Submission Master? Or will Oiwa be the one to #JustTapOut?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. ZSJ and Oiwa circle, feel things out and knuckle lock. They break, Oiwa goes for a leg, but ZSJ facelocks. Oiwa gets away, they knuckle lock again, and go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength. ZSJ bridges back, rolls, and he trips Oiwa to a toehold. Oiwa uses his free leg to get a short arm scissor, but ZSJ rolls back and floats around. ZSJ ties up the legs, then has Oiwa for an inverted Bow ‘n’ Arrow. ZSJ then floats to a headlock but Oiwa fights up. Oiwa wrenches out to a top wristlock, but ZSJ headlocks again. Oiwa fights back up, but ZSJ shifts to a cravat. ZSJ cranks the neck wrench, but Oiwa wrenches and wrenches and headlocks.

ZSJ grabs a leg, trips Oiwa up, and has a toehold. Oiwa endures, turns over and rolls free. The fans cheer the exchange as the two reset. They feel out another knuckle lock and Oiwa gets a fireman’s carry takeover! Oiwa then has a STRAIGHT ARMBAR, and he digs his boots in as he pulls on the arm. ZSJ gets up and around to return the STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Oiwa endures, fights up, but ZSJ fights off the high stack to wrangle Oiwa back down! Oiwa fights back up, stands on ZSJ’s face, but the ref reprimands. Oiwa grabs the arm for the STRAIGHT ARMBAR again! The fans rally as ZSJ reaches up to scuff Oiwa.

Oiwa pulls on the arm, then top wristlocks, but ZSJ headscissors! ZSJ then shifts right to the STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Oiwa moves right to a lateral press, ONE, and ZSJ has Oiwa’s arm! ZSJ has a wristlock, but Oiwa rolls, kips up, and WRINGS ZSJ! ZSJ UP KICKS, and the fans fire up for the standoff! Oiwa and ZSJ reset again, and the fans rally. ZSJ and Oiwa circle, tie up, and ZSJ spins Oiwa to a full nelson! Then he spins Oiwa to a cravat! Oiwa endures the neck wrench again, and he scoops to SLAM ZSJ! The fans cheer, and Oiwa adds an ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE, but Oiwa clamps on with a chinlock. ZSJ pries at the hold, but reaches out for a ROPEBREAK.

Oiwa lets go and the fans applaud. ZSJ stands but Oiwa scoops him for a POWERSLAM! Then Oiwa runs, SPLASH onto knees! ZSJ saves himself there and Oiwa sputters. ZSJ drags Oiwa up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Oiwa writhes but ZSJ pushes him over to kneel on his back. ZSJ ties up the legs, and he pulls Oiwa into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Oiwa endures while the fans cheer, and ZSJ KICKS Oiwa away! ZSJ then storms up on Oiwa to KICK him in the chest. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oiwa down, then paces. Oiwa stands, so ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! ZSJ reels Oiwa in for a snap suplex! The fans cheer while ZSJ paces around.

ZSJ clamps onto Oiwa with a headscissors neck lock, then he grabs an arm. ZSJ bends fingers, twists the wrist, but Oiwa still fights around. ZSJ grabs at that leg, but Oiwa gets the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go, and he KICKS Oiwa. And KICKS Oiwa again! ZSJ eggs Oiwa on as he KICKS! Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oiwa down! ZSJ then whips, but Oiwa reverses to gut wrench! And GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and ZSJ rise as the fans rally, and Oiwa headlocks. ZSJ powers up and out, but Oiwa runs him over! Things keep moving, and ZSJ catches Oiwa to a COBRA TWIST!

Oiwa fights the hold, HIP TOSSES free, and then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! The fans rally again while Oiwa grits his teeth. Oiwa fires up, the fans are with him, and he storms up on ZSJ. Oiwa wrenches and whips, then runs up to ELBOW in the corner! Oiwa whips corner to corner, but just to YANK ZSJ’s arm! The fans rally up while Oiwa brings ZSJ around. ZSJ fights the shin breaker with a headlock and elbows. ZSJ runs, but into an ARM-DRAM! Oiwa has an armlock, but ZSJ drags him down with headscissors, and then NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up again while both men are down. ZSJ goes to ropes and sits up while the fans rally.

ZSJ shakes out his arm, then storms up on Oiwa. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Oiwa shakes that off. Oiwa fires a forearm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Oiwa fires another forearm and ZSJ staggers! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ again and again, then wrenches to YANK the arm! Oiwa runs, but ZSJ slips around, IRON OCTOPUS, and then it becomes a GROUND OCTOPUS as Oiwa can’t stay up! ZSJ grinds Oiwa down all the same while the fans rally! ZSJ has a KIMURA with the headscissors, and then he has the behind-the-back grip on the armlock! The fans rally as Oiwa endures and kicks around! Oiwa rolls his way to the ROPEBREAK!

ZSJ lets go while the fans cheer. ZSJ waits on Oiwa while he sputters and coughs. Oiwa sits up but ZSJ brings him around. Oiwa fights the scoop, but ZSJ pushes back to KICK! Oiwa flops over and the fans fire up. ZSJ then KICKS again! Oiwa flops back over, sits up, but into another KICK! But then Oiwa grabs the arm! ZSJ scoops, Oiwa arm-drags free, and steps over! SHANKLY GATES!! ZSJ endures, the fans rally up, but then ZSJ eggs Oiwa on!? Oiwa puts on even more pressure, and then even more pressure! ZSJ scoots back and finds the ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go and the fans cheer. ZSJ rolls to a corner, but Oiwa goes after the arm!

Oiwa drags ZSJ up, STRAIGHT ARM LEVEL, but ZSJ BOOTS free! And UPPERCUTS Oiwa down! Oiwa is back up to CLOBBER ZSJ! Oiwa runs, but ZSJ LARIATS! But Oiwa is right up! TENZAN PLEX!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! The fans rally as ZSJ and Oiwa stir. ZSJ shakes out the arm, then sits up. Oiwa stands and he stomps the arm! And then stomps it again! And stomps it again! ZSJ stands and goes to ropes. Oiwa waits on ZSJ, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm! ZSJ drops to his knees, Oiwa kicks at the arm, but ZSJ stands up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down!

The fans rally as we pass 15 minutes, and Oiwa stands. Oiwa fires a forearm, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then they go forearm for forearm! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Oiwa catches him! ZSJ fights the backslide but Oiwa WRINGS the arm out! The fans fire up as Oiwa waistlocks and deadlifts! ZSJ fires elbows to fight the suplex, then he wrenches an arm to PELE! ZSJ wrenches, Oiwa wrenches, but ZSJ scoops! SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Oiwa survives and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ goes back to ropes, and he eggs Oiwa on. The fans rally as Oiwa crawls and sits up. ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Oiwa blocks the kick!

Oiwa stands, but ZSJ fires forearms! Oiwa ROCKS ZSJ back! ZSJ BOOTS a lariat, ducks the other, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up again and Oiwa drags ZSJ up. Oiwa gut wrenches, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Oiwa clamps onto an arm, wrenches it, and hammerlocks, but ZSJ reaches back. ZSJ flying-mares into a SLAM! Oiwa knows ZSJ too well for that! And it’s back to the SHANKLY GATES!! ZSJ scrambles around but Oiwa pulls on that arm! OIwa drags ZSJ from ropes, but ZSJ pops out to body scissor and JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! TWO!!

Oiwa escapes, but ZSJ trips him! LAST SUPPER!! TWO!! Oiwa escapes again but ZSJ KICKS him down! Then ROUNDHOUSES! Oiwa sputters, but he blocks a kick, fires forearms, and he LARIATS! Oiwa hurries to clamp onto ZSJ with the SLEEPER! ZSJ fights up, but Oiwa waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX! ZSJ flounders into the SLEEPER, and THE- SLAP!! ZSJ stops The Grip, then wrangles Oiwa into a ghost pin! ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Oiwa was a split second away from bringing down the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! But this is why ZSJ was a world champion at all! ZSJ’s also a former New Japan Cup winner, will he use this tournament as his road to redemption?

2025 New Japan Cup Second Round: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Rebel has been away since WrestleKingdom, and in that time, The King of Darkness declared war! Bullet Club is fighting itself once more, will Finlay end this before it goes too far? Or will even he have to admit Everything is Evil?

Naturally, Evil brings the whole House with him, from Dick Togo to Yujiro Takahashi, to Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Ren Narita. And in response, Finlay has Gedo & Gabe Kidd, and Moloney even leaves English commentary for this! That’s still 6v4, aren’t there more dogs in the pack? It doesn’t matter, the brawl is on anyway! Evil and Finlay brawl while Gabe, Drilla & Gedo take care of the rest! Things spill out of the ring, the brawl continues, and the fans fire up! Evil CLAWS Finlay’s eyes, Gabe sends Kanemaru into railing, and then things go into the crowd! Evil BOWLS Finlay into chairs! Ren CLAWS Gabe’s eyes, Evil grabs a chair, and Evil CHOKES Finlay!

Red Shoes reprimands, Young Lions help fans get out of the way, but Gabe JAMS up Yujiro! And he JAMS up Kanemaru! Gedo CHOKES Dick, Finlay CLUBS away on Evil, and the fans are having to get out of the way fast! Finlay KNEES Evil down, has him down on some chairs, and then CLAWS Evil’s face! Red Shoes reprimands more, but Kanemaru & Dick mug Gedo! Evil fires body shots on Finlay, CLAWS his face now, and grabs a fan’s magazine to SMACK Finlay on the back! Drilla & Gabe are still brawling with the House on the other end, and Finlay CLOBBERS Evil! Finlay CLAWS Evil’s face, then shoves him down.

Red Shoes reprimands but this chaos continues! Evil grabs something from commentary! Evil SMASHES Finlay with a water bottle! Both men fall over, their soldiers still fighting by the ramp. Finlay gets up to stomp Evil, then he brings Evil around. The floor is slippery, but Finlay CHOKES Evil. Red Shoes reprimands as Finlay rains down fists. Drilla, Gabe & Gedo have migrated the fight with The House closer to the stage. Finlay CHOPS Evil, but Evil CHOPS Finlay! The fans rally, but this still isn’t a match! Finlay throat chops Evil, then DIGS his knee into Evil against the railing! Finlay lets off and Evil sputters, but they seem to be the only ones still at ringside.

Evil goes after Finlay’s leg, Finlay CLUBS Evil, but Evil pulls on the leg! Finlay CLAWS Evil’s face, RAMS him into the apron, and then pushes him into the ring. The fans cheer as this match finally begins with the bell! Finlay runs up to UPPERCUT, then he scoops for a running BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finlay smirks and checks his nose before going to Evil. Finlay drags Evil up but Evil knees low! Evil runs, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Evil stays in this and goes to a corner while Finlay walks his way over. Finlay taunts Evil, Gedo has returned to cheer Finlay on, and Finlay stomps a mudhole in.

Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then Finlay SPITS on Evil! The fans cheer while Evil rises up. Finlay whips Evil corner to corner, then runs up, but Evil BOOTS him back! Dick has returned, and he’s untying the buckle pad! Finlay runs in, and SURPRISE~! Bare buckles! The fans boo but then Evil throws the pad at Gedo. Red Shoes has Gedo calm down, but Evil kicks Finlay to the outside. Evil then brings Finlay up, SMACKS him off the apron, and Dick has brought chairs over! Evil puts one around Finlay’s head, and then gets the other! Dick distracts so Evil can hit the HOMERUN! The other chair almost hits Abe-san!

Evil laughs and leaves Finlay behind. Red Shoes checks on Finlay while Young Lions make sure Abe-san is okay. The ring count begins, and Finlay stands at 5 of 20. Finlay rolls in at 7, but Evil is right on him! Evil stomps away on the leg, drops an ELBOW, then clamps on a toehold. Finlay endures, CLAWS at Evil, but Evil pulls on the leg. The fans rally, Finlay fights around, and they roll their way into the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Evil holds until 4, but then he drags Finlay from the ropes to stomp the leg. Evil paces, Gedo coaches Finlay, and the fans rally. Evil slaps Finlay around, and Finlay gets mad now.

Finlay stands, Evil fakes a chop to CLAW the eyes! Red Shoes counts, Evil stops at 4 and “apologizes,” but then Finlay fires haymakers! Finlay whips, Evil reverses, and Dick trips Finlay up! The fans boo as Dick drags Finlay out to sucker punch him! Evil soaks up the heat, drags Finlay up, and RAMS him into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san suffers again and Gedo is pissed! Wait, Dick is also setting up a table! Evil has a mic to mock Finlay, saying things like Evil is the proper leader of Bullet Club! Evil laughs, then he drags Finlay up. Evil whips Finlay, but Finlay stops short of the table! Finlay ELBOWS Evil away, then reels him in!

Dick storms up but Finlay shoves Evil aside! Dick backs off now, but there’s Gedo! The fans fire up, but then Evil CLOBBERS Finlay! Gedo still CLAWS Dick’s face, but Evil puts Finlay in the ring. Evil runs, but Finlay clinches for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Evil writhes in pain! Gedo and the fans rally behind Finlay, and Finlay has Evil in a corner. Finlay fires LARIAT after LARIAT, and goes all the way to TEN! Then Finlay hits a BROKEN ARROW! The fans fire up and Finlay flexes while Evil flounders away. Evil bails out but Finlay pursues. Finlay drags Evil up, brings him around, and whips him into railing!

Evil sputters as he staggers back, but Finlay looks at the table. Finlay brings Evil around and reels him in! Evil fights the lift, wrenches out, and then CLAWS Finlay’s eyes! Evil reels Finlay in, but Finlay fights the suplex! Finlay then gets free to SPEAR Evil through the table!! The railing is right behind it for a rough crash for them both! The fans rally up while Red Shoes checks both men. Somehow, both Finlay and Evil are okay to continue, but Finlay says Evil’s a dead man now! Finlay puts Evil in the ring, the fans cheer him on, and Finlay reels Evil in! CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives and Finlay snarls.

The fans rally up and Finlay paces. Finlay drags Evil up, and he fires a crossface forearm! The fans cheer as Finlay fires more of those! Gedo also likes this, and he wants Finlay to keep going. Finlay fires another crossface forearm, then drags Evil up. Finlay reels Evil in, but Evil fights the lift! Evil BACKDROPS free! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Finlay and Evil stir, and Finlay crawls over to Evil. But Evil goes to poke the eyes! Finlay blocks that, and he BITES the fingers! Finlay SPITS in Evil’s face, then runs, but Dick gets a CHAIR SHOT in! Evil LARIATS Finlay down!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up!

Evil is furious and he drags Finlay around. Evil has the legs, steps through, and he turns Finlay over! SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Finlay endures, fights up, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands, but Evil holds on. Red Shoes counts and Evil lets go at 4. The fans rally and Gedo coaches Finlay, but Evil scuffs Finlay. Evil talks more trash, then stands Finlay up. Fireman’s carry, but Finlay fights free! Finlay and Evil each CLAW the other’s face! Red Shoes counts on them both, they both let off at 4, and then Finlay kicks! But Evil blocks, and he THROWS that foot at Red Shoes!

Red Shoes falls and Evil LOW BLOWS Finlay!! The fans boo but now Dick steps up! Gedo is after him first! Dick panics as Evil focuses on Finlay. Red Shoes sees Gedo and Dick and steps in, only for the POCKET SAND to hit him!! Evil then BLASTS Gedo! But Finlay LOW BLOWS Evil! The fans cheer as turnabout is fair play! Both men are down, and wait! Sanada is here! The Cold Blooded War Dog chooses now to join the fight? Sanada rolls into the ring, but Evil ducks! The DROPKICK hits Finlay!! Sanada is upset, he hurries to go after Evil, but Evil ducks and Sanada DECKS Gedo!! Finlay is pissed, he thinks Sanada is betraying him!

But then Evil SHOVES Finlay into Sanada! Sanada tumbles out, Evil reels Finlay in, and Dick joins for a MAGIC KILLER!! Dick goes out and shoves Red Shoes in while Evil covers! TWO?!?! Finlay survives and the fans fire up again! Evil slashes his throat as he vows to end this, then he stands Finlay up. EVERY- NO, Finlay fights the STO, then slips around to backslide! Roll through, but Evil suplexes! Finlay slips free, ripcord and- NO, Evil ROCKS Finlay first! But Finlay ducks a lariat to LARIAT Evil and himself out to the floor! The fans fire up, Dick and Gedo coach their guys while Sanada is stoic.

Finlay and Evil sit up to give junkyard dog headbutts, then they fire fast hands! The ring count starts, Finlay RAMS Evil into railing! The count is 5 of 20, Finlay storms to the ring, but Evil keeps him from getting away! They both keep fighting, we hit 10 of 20 as they go back into railing! Evil won’t let Finlay get in, we’re at 13! Finlay BOOTS Evil, then fireman’s carries! Finlay POSTS Evil with a lawn dart! It’s 16, Dick goes after Finlay! Finlay RAMS Dick into Evil, then slides in at 19!! EVIL IS DOWN, FINLAY WINS!!

Winner: David Finlay, by ring count (advances to the next round)

Sanada shrugs and takes his leave. Does Cold-Blooded really not care one way or another what’s going on? As for Evil, his tricks couldn’t win this for him, will he give up on this civil war before it escalates?

As for Finlay, he can’t really get a read on Sanada, but he let’s it be. For now, Finlay grabs the mic to say, “Let me put this as simply as I can: Bullet Club is MINE! The War Dogs are all MINE! New Japan Cup is all MINE! Which mean’s Goto’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is MINE!” The fans cheer all that, and Finlay wants Gedo to tell them how it is. Gedo translates that into Japanese that everything is NOT Evil’s! It is all Finlay’s! Does Evil understand that? Then remember it! The Rebel is taking the EFF over everything! Gedo needs The Rebel! NJPW needs The Rebel! And the WORLD… needs The Rebel!

Finlay has asserted his dominance here tonight, but will he be the alpha dog of NJPW, all the way to the top of the mountain? Or will The Fierce Warrior have something to say about it in the end?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for the New Japan Cup, even with just three tournament related matches tonight. Uemura getting that win over Hashi was only a little surprising, but Uemura is definitely on a kind of return push. ZSJ VS Oiwa was great stuff, and the best Oiwa’s looked since joining TMDK, maybe even in his entire career. And it is pretty crazy how close he got to winning, but I figured ZSJ would win this to move on. ZSJ may have lost the world title but he’s not dropping down the card just yet. He might even be among the final four in this tournament.

And then great stuff with Finlay VS Evil in the main event. As matches go, ZSJ VS Oiwa was better, but Finlay VS Evil was all about building the Bullet Club: Civil War story. It did a good job with that, too, as Sanada chose to come out at a pivotal moment, and then maybe hit Finlay and Gedo on accident. I would think that was the case, but Sanada has already left LIJ for Just5Guys, then betrayed Just5Guys to join the War Dogs, so Finlay is right to suspect Sanada betraying him to join Evil’s side. Plus, that’d be Sanada reuniting with the guy he had all that tag team success with, it’d be a logical move from the storytelling side.

My Score: 8.9/10

There can only be ONE top champion!

Not only is NXT in Madison Square Garden’s Theater, history will be made as Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer battle with BOTH the NXT Women’s and NXT Women’s North American Championships on the line!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• TNA World Tag Team Championships: The Hardy Boyz VS Fraxiom; The Hardy Boyz win and retain the titles.
• Jordynne Grace VS Roxanne Perez; Grace wins.
• NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS MOOSE; Oba wins and retains the title.
• New York Street Fight: Ethan Page VS Je’Von Evans; Je’Von wins.
• NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Championships, Winner Takes All: Giulia VS Stephanie Vaquer; Vaquer wins and is the dual NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

TNA World Tag Team Championships: The Hardy Boyz VS Fraxiom!

While Matt & Jeff are putting up their belts for this match, this is also for the “title” of best tag team ever! Will The Hardys make sure TNA reigns in NYC? Or will Nathan Frazer & Axiom show that only the best #NeverSlowDown?

The introductions are made, the red belts are raised, and we see who makes an impact to open Roadblock!

The teams sort out and the fans already say, “This is Awesome!” Matt starts against Axiom, the fans rally with “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” as they circle. Matt and Axiom tie up, Matt wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Axiom slips around to then cravat. Matt endures, so Axiom waistlocks. Matt puts Axiom in the corner, lets off slowly, but then ELBOWS Axiom. Matt brings Axiom over, bumps him off buckles again and again, “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Matt stops, says, “YEEES~!” then YANKS Axiom into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Tag to Jeff and the fans fire up! Matt gives Axiom a ROPE GUILLOTINE, Jeff adds a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!

Jeff keeps Axiom from Frazer, snapmares and basement dropkicks, then he drops another leg! The fans rally for “BROTHER NERO!” Jeff tags Matt, the Hardys double whip, and then double kick! Matt JAWBREAKERS, Jeff LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Matt looms over Axiom, drags him up and headlocks, but Axiom endures the grind. Axiom wrenches out, headlocks, but Matt powers out. Frazer tags in. KICKS Matt, and Axiom KICKS! They DOUBLE DORPKICK Matt, then they dodge Jeff! They fire KICK after KICK, then DROPKICK Jeff out! The fans fire up and Frazer DIVES! Direct hit on The Hardys at the ramp!

Axiom builds speed, he DIVES and takes out Jeff! Frazer builds speed again, he FLIES to take out both Hardys again! The fans fire up as Axiom now goes up, up, and GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Another direct hit and MSG is thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as NXT goes picture in picture.

Fraxiom gets Matt back in the ring, then Frazer storms up. Frazer snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Frazer clamps onto Matt with a cravat, but Matt fires body shots. Frazer snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS! Cover, TWO! Frazer clamps onto Matt’s arm, keeps him from Jeff, and he brings Matt over to tag Axiom. Axiom goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Axiom then snapmares Matt, clamps on with a chinlock, but Matt fights as Axiom goes for the arms. Axiom shifts to get a ghost pin, TWO! And back to the chinlock! Matt fights up, Axiom keeps him from ropes, but Matt hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Axiom shoves Matt, ROCKS him, then tags Frazer.

Axiom whips Matt into the GAMANGIRI! Then SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Frazer jumps in, Fraxiom DOUBLE SUPERKICK Matt! Frazer BLASTS Jeff before he RUNNING SHOOTING STARS onto Matt! Cover, TWO! Matt survives but Frazer stands him up. Matt fires body shots and haymakers, then runs, into an ELBOW from Frazer! Cover, TWO! Frazer clamps on with a chinlock and grinds Matt down. Matt endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Frazer hits a takeover and he grinds Matt down again. Matt endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. The fans rally for Matt but Frazer CLUBS him.

Matt ELBOWS Frazer in return, then hits a NECKBREAKER! The fans rally while both men are down, and both men crawl for their corners! Hot tags to Axiom and Jeff! Jeff rallies on Axiom, DECKS Frazer for good measure, then atomic drops Axiom! Leg trip, leg splitting leg drop! Jeff adds a basement DROPKICK on Axiom, but here comes Frazer! Jeff TOSSES Frazer, then drops an ELBOW, into an armbar! Axiom has Jeff but Jeff stacks it! TWO, and Jeff kicks low! Jeff suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, Frazer breaks it! Matt whips but Frazer TOSSES Matt out! Frazer then aims, builds speed, and he DIVES! But Matt catches him! SIDE EFFECT to the floor!

The fans are thunderous, and Jeff CLUBS Axiom. Jeff CLUBS Axiom, revels in the energy, then kicks low. TWIST OF- NO, Axiom shoves Jeff away! But Matt tags in! Axiom dodges Jeff, Matt kicks Axiom, Jeff kicks low! PLOT TWIST!! Cover, TWO!! Axiom survives but Matt throws off the shirt! The fans are thunderous again as Matt tags Jeff. Jeff throws his shirt off, too! Matt says “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” TWIST OF- NO, Axiom shoves Matt into Jeff! SUPERKICK for Matt, tag to Frazer! Axiom UPPERCUTS Jeff, then climbs up! SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Frazer adds the PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, but MATT BARRELS IN!

The fans are thunderous again as all four men are down! Matt drags Axiom up to hit a SIDE EFFECT! Frazer SUPER- NO, Matt blocks the kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer blocks a kick from Jeff, but not the SPIN BACK KICK! Jeff ELBOWS Axiom away, then goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up again as Jeff hits a TWIST OF FATE on Frazer! Cover, TWO!?!? Frazer survives and Jeff is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Frazer flounders his way to ropes. Jeff rises up, storms over to Frazer, and YANKS him up, but Frazer lands on his feet! PELE! Frazer goes up, Axiom tags in, and Axiom SUPERKICKS Matt down!

Frazer FROG SPLASHES but into BOOTS from Jeff! Axiom goes up now, he leaps, but Jeff dodges! Jeff kicks and TWIST- NO, Axiom backslides it! TWO, and Jeff runs up! V-TRIGGER from Axiom! Axiom tags back to Frazer! Frazer gets Jeff up and Axiom climbs, but Jeff turns things around! MISSILE DROPKICK takes out Frazer!! The fans are thunderous and Matt is in! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” TWIST OF FATE!! Axiom flounders out, Jeff goes up! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, HARDY BOYS WIN!

Winners: The Hardy Boyz, by pinfall (still TNA World Tag Team Champions)

Fraxiom may be one of the best teams today, but this proves Matt & Jeff are still the best in the game! But is this a good sign that Frazer & Axiom will one day be the best ever?

Jaida Parker speaks.

“I’m in New York City, watching the main event between Giulia and Stephanie, because baby, Jaida Parker got next. You know what I’m saying? Or not?” Jaida’s talking to Mickie James! And Mickie tells Miss Parker that she tells her team on LFG (Legends & Future Greats) that you either sit around and wait for opportunities, or you go out and make your own. And if Mickie knows one thing about Jaida, is that Miss Parker don’t play, and she don’t wait. She goes out and takes, and takes, and then makes zero apologies for it. And in Mickie’s humble opinion, Jaida belongs at the top with names like Giulia and Stephanie.

But they both know that opinions only take you so far. It is Stand & Deliver Season! Jaida says Mickie is exactly right. So if Jaida wants her shot at the top of the best women’s division in the world, she has to go get it. Damn right! And Jaida says Mickie’s got her locked in. They fist bump and Jaida heads out. Will Miss Parker be more than ready for whoever walks away the DUAL Women’s Champion?

The D’Angelo Family talks backstage.

Stacks says, “I knew it!” He just knew Tony shouldn’t have competed last week, but it’s his fault Tony lost the NXT North American Championship. Rizzo asks, “What’re you talking about?” Luca says they can get it back. Stacks says no, he let his temper get the better of him. They don’t know what Stacks & Tony have been through. “Yeah, but I do.” Tony steps in, and he tells Stacks that he’s the Underboss, so he should know better. Getting emotional is a sign of weakness. But the same could be said about the family right now. There’s no respect, no fear! Tony gets that, he gets Stacks’ point, and he agrees with them.

The D’Angelo Family is still the best and they have a game plan. Tony says this is what they’ll do, but Stacks says he’s already on it. Stacks will get a Mixed Six Tag going: Stacks, Luca & Rizzo VS Jensen, Niko & Izzi. Luca says sign, sealed and delivered, Ava already signed off on it. See? The Consigliere has it covered. Tony says okay, then where does he figure into this? Stacks says he just figured, Stacks dropped the ball, he should pick it up. Plus, Tony’s back- Tony says his back is fine. And Stacks didn’t cost him the match. But okay, if they want to do this, fine. Tony cosigns on it. Stacks thanks The Don, but will the D’Angelos be able to strike back against Spears’ squad?

Jordynne Grace VS Roxanne Perez!

The Juggernaut was herself hoping to have her shot at the top titles, but she got a bit sidetracked with the former champion pitching a fit. But will The Prodigy learn to lose with Grace? Or can she find a way to repeat that performance from last year’s Battleground?

NXT returns and Grace makes her entrance. The bell rings, Grace runs up, but Roxie dodges and bails out. Grace gives chase, but Roxie uses that to take a swing. Grace blocks that shot, and another, to then BELL CLAP! Grace CLOBBERS Roxie, then GUT WRENCH SLAMS her! And SPINEBUSTERS! Grace HAMMERS away on Roxie, covers, TWO! Roxie scrambles to ropes, the fans duel, and Grace stomps Roxie around. Grace has Roxie on ropes, the ref counts, and Grace backs off at 4. Roxie goes to the apron, but Grace BLASTS her down! The fans fire up and Grace builds speed, but Roxie blocks the dropkick!

Roxie SLAMS a leg off the apron! Grace hobbles, Roxie storms up on her, and Roxie grabs the leg. Roxie BOOTS the knee into the steel steps! Grace falls over and Roxie leaves her behind for the ring count. The count is 5 of 10 before Grace sits up. Grace hobbles over at 8 and rolls in. Roxie fires down furious, shrieking fists! Roxie lets off to run, and she UPPERCUTS Grace against ropes! Roxie wrenches and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, ONE!! Grace still has power to spare, but Roxie snarls and SMACKS her off the mat! Roxie grabs the bad leg, pulls on it, then stomps it! Roxie then steps through for a KNEE JAMMER!

Roxie has Grace on ropes, O’Conner Rolls, TWO into a REAR NAKED CHOKE! Roxie flails, and she uses a leg scissor to twist the bad leg! Grace endures, Roxie drops another KNEE JAMMER! Grace hobbles to a corner, Roxie runs up and BACK BODY- NO, Grace catches her for a SLAM! Grace goes up, but the legs give out! Roxie has Grace for another SLAM! Roxie then goes to the corner, drags Grace over by her leg, but Grace fights back! They scrap inside the ropes, the ref counts, but Roxie bends Grace’s leg against the crossbar! The ref counts, Roxie stops at 4, then she STOMPS the leg! Grace writhes in pain while NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie drags Grace into the ring, covers, TWO! Roxie pulls on the bad leg again for another toehold. Grace kicks at Roxie with her free leg, but Roxie drops an elbow on the knee! Roxie then pulls on the toehold, and thrashes! Grace endures, throws some forearms, but Roxie SLAMS the leg down! Grace goes to a corner, Roxie runs up, but Grace puts her on the apron. Roxie HOTSHOTS Grace in return! Roxie then slingshots to DROPKICK the legs out! Roxie climbs while Grace falls, but Grace rises to UPPERCUT! Grace HEADBUTTS Roxie again and again, then tucks her in! MUSCLE- NO, Roxie slips free, and she DROPKICKS the legs out!

Roxie pushes Grace down for a cover, TWO! Grace is tougher than that, but Roxie drags her around again. Roxie hooks up the bad leg, and Roxie grins before she SNAP LOCKS it! And SNAP LOCKS it again! Roxie SNAP LOCKS It a third time before stepping through! FIGURE FOUR! Grace endures as Roxie puts on the pressure! Grace’s shoulders are down, it’s a cover! TWO as Grace sits up. Grace shakes her head and she turns things over! Now Roxie endures the Figure Four! Roxie crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, the hold is undone, and Grace hobbles to her feet. Grace goes to a corner, Roxie storms up, and she blocks Grace’s boot.

Roxie puts that leg in the ropes, ROCKS Grace with a forearm, then KNEE DROPS the bad leg! Roxie’s been learning from The Queen of Flair it seems. Roxie then goes up, up and LIONSAULTS onto knees! Roxie staggers around, comes back, but Grace ELBOWS her away! Grace runs up, Roxie dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Grace blocks! Grace puts Roxie in gut wrench position, and NXT returns as Grace REVERSE BOMBS Roxie! The fans fire up while both women are down! Grace headbutts the mat to fire back up, and she goes back to Roxie. Roxie fires a forearm, Grace SLAPS her! Roxie fires another forearm, Grace fires another SLAP!

The SLAPS go back and forth, then Roxie kicks the bad leg! Grace scoops and SLAMS! Roxie is up to CHOP, but Grace scoops and SLAMS! Grace snarls, Roxie shrieks, but Grace blocks the boot to CHOP and scoop! Roxie slips free to sweep the leg! ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!! Grace brings Roxie up, PACKAGE POEWRBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives and Grace is frustrated, but the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Grace drags Roxie up. Grace puts Roxie in a corner, then hoists her up top. Roxie fights the tuck to SMACK Grace off buckles! Roxie then leaps, CROSSBODY, but Grace rolls through!

Grace powers through the pain, but Roxie fires elbows! So Grace CLUBS Roxie! Grace lifts Roxie up, and pops her to a fireman’s carry! USHI- NO, Roxie lands out! Roxie BOOTS the lariat, ducks one from Grace and SUPERKICKS! Then CHOP BLOCK to the leg! Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirl, SPIKE RANA! The fans are thunderous as Roxie climbs up! FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! But into a CROSSFACE!! Roxie also learned something from The CE- er, Boss! But then Roxie fishhooks Grace’s mouth and grabs a leg, this is like a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow! But Grace rolls it to a cover, TWO! CHOP- NO, Grace blocks the chop block!

Grace gut wrenches, Roxie slips free and SOBATS! Roxie hops on, but Grace slips free! Roxie still backslides, TWO!! Grace is up, and she BACKHANDS Roxie! Roxie rebounds, into the fireman’s carry! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! The fans are thunderous as Grace hauls Roxie up! Pump handle, BEAST MODE!! Cover, Grace wins!

Winner: Jordynne Grace, by pinfall

A hard fought battle between these two, but not even a Roadblock can slow down the Juggernaut! Will Grace be waiting on the other side of Stand & Deliver for her title shot?

Oba Femi heads to gorilla.

And as he approaches, he looks over and sees THE DEADMAN! The Undertaker is here, and he steps over to Oba. Taker says, “I’ve been watching you for awhile now. And I gotta tell ya, I’m impressed. I don’t need to tell you how important this match is tonight. But what I will tell you is to go out there and defend your yard.” Taker and Oba fist bump. Will The Ruler make The Phenom proud by turning back the Face of the Franchise?

Trick Williams speaks.

“Eddy Thorpe thinks The Underground is his match. F that! I’m the caged animal getting let loose in The Underground! Time for me to get back to where I belong, and that’s on top.” Trick trains in the streets of his hometown, and says this fire has been burning in him all year. And Eddy feels that when Trick knocks his ass out! Will Trick make the Alpha Wolf run with tail between his legs? Or will Eddy be the one to Whoop Dat Trick?

NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS MOOSE!

Two men unlike any other, but very similar to one another, have both been waiting for this moment since the day the NXTNA collaboration began. Will The Ruler still reign? Or will Moose return home to TNA as a DOUBLE champion?

The introductions are made, Oba’s belt is raised, and we see if it is still Oba’s belt in the end!

The bell rings and the fans are dueling already between “O~BA!” “MOOSE!” “O~BA!” “MOOSE!” The stare down alone gets everyone fired up, and then the two circle. They tie up, go around in a deadlock, and Moose puts Oba on ropes. The ref counts the break, both men slowly let off, and Oba pushes Moose forehead to forehead. Moose ROCKS and CHOPS Oba in return! Moose CHOPS Oba in the corner, but Oba blocks to CHOP back! Moose coughs, Oba RAMS into him, but Moose CLUBS away! The fans fire up while Moose has a headlock. Oba powers up and out, runs the other way, and then CLOBBERS Moose!

But Moose kips up!? The fans fire up as Oba turns around to see that. Moose runs up to LARIAT Oba up and out! The fans are torn but mostly booing Moose. Moose says he can do this all day. Moose goes to the apron, but Oba FLYING CHOPS him from below! Moose goes back to the ring, but he BOOTS Oba off the apron! Moose goes out after Oba, runs up, but Oba clinches him first! APRON URENAGE for Moose!! The fans are thunderous as Oba stands tall, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Oba drags Moose up, pushes him back into the ring, then storms over to rain down fists! Oba ROCKS Moose, then drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Oba KNEES Moose in the back, KNEES him again, then brings him up. Oba whips Moose to ropes, then JUMP KNEES him down! Moose checks his jaw, but Oba pushes him to a cover, ONE!! Moose is tougher than that but Oba covers again, ONE!! And again, ONE!! Moose snarls but Oba stays on him with a clinch. Moose fires elbows, then HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Oba runs up, but into an URENAGE! Moose adds a SENTON! Oba sputters while Moose seethes. Moose covers, TWO!

Moose drags Oba up, reels Oba in, but Oba fights the lift! Oba fireman’s carries, but Moose fights free to shove and DROPKICK! Moose got air! Cover, TWO! Oba stays in this but Moose drags him into a chinlock. Oba endures, Moose leans on him, but Oba fights up. NXT returns to single picture the fans rally, and Oba fights up. Oba RAMS Moose into buckles, but Moose holds onto the chinlock! Oba RAMS Moose in, then he SHOTPUTS Moose away! The fans are thunderous as Oba takes aim. Moose rises, Oba pops him up, FALL FROM GRACE!! But Oba can’t make the cover as he stumbles back! And Moose rolls out of the ring!

The fans rally for Oba as he hurries out after Moose. Oba drags Moose up, whips, but Moose reverses! Oba is sent into steel steps hard! The fans fire up as Moose storms up. Moose puts Oba in, then takes aim. Moose runs at the corner to UPPERCUT! Moose keeps moving, but Oba follows to UPPERCUT! Oba runs, Moose follows, BOOT! Moose goes up, up, and AWAY into an UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Moose survives but Oba hauls him right up! Fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Moose survives again, but the fans rally and duel over Cena, as he also uses a Death Valley Driver.

Oba drags Moose up, suplexes, but Moose slips free! Moose POSTS Oba! Oba dangles out of the ring but Moose drags him back in. Moose puts Oba up top, then CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as Moose climbs, and he goes to the very top! Moose brings Oba up, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! And roll through!? But OBA suplexes back!! The fans are thunderous as both titans are down! “This is Awesome!” as Oba and Moose stir. They rise up, and Oba fires a forearm! Moose fires a forearm in return! Oba fires another, so Moose fires another! The forearms go back and forth, but then Moose blocks the body shots to fire a flurry!

Moose HEADBUTTS through! Oba LARIATS! Moose BOOTS! Oba stays up and the fans fire up! Moose runs up, into a LARIAT from Oba!! Oba storms up on Moose, for a FALL FROM- NO, Moose powers through to get Oba up! POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! The fans continue to rally and Moose brings Oba back up. Moose calls his shot, but Oba fireman’s carries! And he military presses Moose!! TO TOSS HIM OUT OF THE RING!!! The fans lose their minds, the ref checks Moose, and somehow Moose is still in this! The ring count starts, Moose is down at 5 of 10, but then Oba rolls towards the ropes.

Oba considers his options, but he lets the count continue. Moose is up at 9 and in at 9.9!! Oba tells Moose to stay down, but both men start throwing haymakers! The fans fire up, and Oba LARIATS Moose and himself out of the ring! Oba whips, Moose reverses, and Oba hits POST! Then Moose clinches, URENAGE through the table!!! The announce desk busts apart, the fans are all losing their minds again, and Moose hurries to put Oba in the ring! Moose runs up, for the SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Oba survives and shocks everyone, Moose included! Moose rains down fists on Oba, then takes aim from the corner again.

The fans are thunderous as Moose runs up, but into a FALL FROM GRACE!!! Oba falls on his cover, Oba wins!!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)

A true clash of the titans, but just as The Deadman told him, Oba defended his yard! Oba is still The Ruler of NXT, is it time to Stand & Deliver?

Zaria posts to Instagram.

The Agent of Change says they did things Sol Ruca’s way a few weeks ago. And now, ahead of Sol’s shot at the Women’s United States Championship, it is time to do things Zaria’s way. Time to bring out that aggression. Sol hits Zaria from behind, but Zaria barely budges! Oh, they’re matching! From the black tops to the Zubaz zebra pants. But point is, they’re in the rage room! Helmets on, and just start SMASHING! Zaria is very good at smashing, and Sol starts to get the hang of it. They even add in some ax throwing lessons. And to top it off, a shoey. Will all this venting help Sol snatch that title off The Hot Mess?

The Fatal Influence talks with Ava Raine.

Fallon Henley says the NXT General Manager cannot keep avoiding the subject. Where is her rematch for the Women’s North American Championship?! Better yet, she deserves it! Ricky Saints walks by, he asks the ladies to all calm down. Everyone is so angry around here. Jacy Jayne says Ridge Holland had the right idea last week. Ricky does not belong in NXT. The Influence leaves, Ava promises they will talk about this later, and Ricky says, “I don’t know how you do it.” Ava isn’t so sure, either. But Ricky says that is the second time someone’s said Ricky doesn’t belong. And if Ridge is trying to get something trending, Ricky’s gonna nip that in the bud.

So to Ricky, the only way to do that is to physically prove a point to Ridge. Ava takes that to mean he wants a match. Ricky says yes. Then next week good for Ricky? Yes, that sounds good. Ethan Page then walks by, and he tells Ricky that NXT doesn’t like outsiders like Saints. Doesn’t everybody know that? Ethan then pushes past Ricky to go to gorilla. Will All Ego absolutely eat his words tonight? Or will Ethan end the Young OG once and for all?

New York Street Fight: Ethan Page VS Je’Von Evans!

NXT returns and Je’Von makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two run up! Ethan BOOTS Je’Von, fires haymakers, then whips Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Ethan fires up, but Je’Von trips Ethan up! Je’Von rains down fists, but Ethan pushes him away. Je’Von dodges a haymaker to BOOT Ethan out of the ring! Je’Von then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Ethan tumbles over railing! Je’Von says that’s right! Je’Von gets Ethan up, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him again! Je’Von stalks Ethan around the ring, SMACKS him off steel steps, then does it again! Je’Von fires fists, the fans fire up, and Je’Von is all fired up!

Je’Von looks under the ring, and he brings out a chair! Ethan dodges the chair shot! Ethan fires body shots, fires haymakers, then whips Je’Von hard into steel steps! Je’Von tumbles, Ethan storms up, and Ethan puts that chair in the ring. Ethan drags Je’Von up, puts him in the ring, and then he brings out even more chairs. Ethan has a chair to SMACK Je’Von on the back! Je’Von writhes, Ethan sets that chair down, then wedges a chair in the corner. Ethan aims again, but Je’Von JAMS Ethan up! Je’Von SMACKS Ethan, SMACKS him again, then SMACKS him again! Ethan writhes from that triple, but Je’Von wants a homer!

Je’Von sits the chair up, brings Ethan up, but Ethan fights the back suplex! Ethan fires hands, then he whips Je’Von, but Je’Von slides to a stop! Je’Von dodges, Ethan almost hits the corner chair, but then Je’Von DROPKCIKS him into it! Je’Von keeps moving, BOUNCY~ RANA onto the chair! Cover, TWO! Ethan stays in this but Je’Von goes out to bring out a TABLE! New York loves where this is going! Je’Von puts the table in the ring, takes that corner chair and moves throws it aside so he can put the table in its place. Je’Von goes back to Ethan, but Ethan scoops! But Je’Von sunset flips! TWO, but Je’Von SUPERMAN PUNCHES! Ethan CHOPS in return!

Ethan kicks, Je’Von blocks to SUPERKICK! Ethan wobbles, but he ducks a heel kick! DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES rock both men! They both go for chairs, the chairs CLASH, and both men are disarmed! Je’Von gets around Ethan, BLUE THUNDER BOMB on a chair! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives but the table has fallen apart. The fans fire up as Je’Von fixes the table and has it standing up properly. Je’Von then takes the chairs, sets them together, and he stands on them before he reels Ethan in. The fans fire up but Ethan fights the lift! Ethan CLUBS Je’Von’s legs, then fireman’s carries to RAMS him into buckles!

Ethan sits Je’Von up top, then crosses the arms! FULL METAL ICONOCLASM!! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives, but Ethan RIPCORDS him into the POWERSLAM through the table!! The fans lose their minds, Ethan drags Je’Von to a cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives again and Ethan is beside himself, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Je’Von HOTSHOTS Ethan away! Je’Von then springboards, FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up and Je’Von aims from a corner. Ethan rises, Je’Von springboards, HAYMAKER! Just like Vengeance Day! Ethan hoists Je’Von up in an Canadian Rack, EGO’S EDGE!! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives Ethan’s best shots and Ethan is furious! Ethan tells Je’Von to stay down, then tells him to never tell another man how to live his life. Je’Von SLAPS Ethan! Je’Von says bring it! The haymakers fire off, Je’Von has the edge and the fans are thunderous! Je’Von DECKS Ethan, then goes out after him!

Je’Von THROWS Ethan into railing, then THROWS him into and over steel steps! Je’Von SMACKS Ethan off the announce desk, puts him in the ring, then rushes up. Ethan has a chair! Je’Von ducks the shot, to hit the #REDDOT SCREW KICK into the chair! Ethan flounders to the apron, near the table! Je’Von builds speed and FLYING CUTTERS down through the table!!! The fans lose their minds as Je’Von goes for broke! The ref checks both men, they’re somehow okay to continue, “This is Awesome!” Je’Von drags Ethan up, and now he looks at the commentary desk. Je’Von SMACKS Ethan off the desk, and gest back in the ring!

Je’Von runs and FLIES!! Direct hit and they both go over the desk!! The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Je’Von gets Ethan back in the ring, then he goes up the corner! O G TWISTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ethan survives and Je’Von is shocked! Je’Von seethes, and he grabs at the chairs. Je’Von finds one that isn’t already busted up, and he puts that around Ethan’s head! This is how it all started! Je’Von says this is the REAL Je’Von! But Ethan avoids the stomp! Ethan CHUCKS the chair into Je’Von’s head! And then Ethan sets a chair down, brings Je’Von around, TWISTED- NO, Je’Von slips free, FULL METAL CUTTER!!

Je’Von isn’t done with Ethan! He puts that chair back around Ethan’s head, goes up the ropes, FULL METAL OG CUTTER!!!! Cover, JE’VON WINS!!

Winner: Je’Von Evans, by pinfall

The Theater gives Je’Von a standing ovation for how far he went to win this one! But wait! The lights go out! OH NO! IT’S THEM!! Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Saquon Shugars & Osiris Griffin rush the ring! They beat up Je’Von AND Ethan! Then they give Je’Von the ASSISTED POWERBOMB!! #NoOneIsSafe, but what will appease these wild dogs?

NXT hears from Shawn Spears’ group.

Brooks Jensen says, “When I was at my lowest, you saw promise in me. And now, I’m ready to take on the world.” Niko Vance says, “This group’s mission: purge the weak; slaughter the feeble; and reshape this NXT society exactly how we envision it.” Izzi Dame says, “Out of the shadows, The Culling was born. United by survival, four hearts meld together as one, with the desire to reach the zenith of NXT.” Last week, they shook the world with a warning shot to signify the arrival of The Culling. Izzi asks The Chair Man how it feels to finally taste NXT gold. Spears says, “Exhilarating. But we’re not finished yet.”

Last week, Spears took this gold. But next week, Jensen, Niko & Izzi will take their hearts. Spears smiles, will The Culling begin The D’Angelo Family?

Ringside interview with Eddy Thorpe.

Sarah Schreiber is with The Alpha Wolf, and the fans all boo. Sarah says after months of tension and controversy, Eddy and Trick settle their issues next week in the NXT Underground. We’ve all seen Trick’s training, but Eddy says big deal! Trick’s just suddenly motivated now? He wants to knock Eddy out next week? Trick has no idea what he’s getting into. Eddy is the KING OF THE UNDERGROUND! Eddy’s been in the ring with Trick, and Trick clearly does not like getting hit. So what do you think happens next week when there’s no ropes and no rules?! The fans chant, “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” in response.

Eddy knows Trick wants to be NXT Champion again, but Trick is gonna choke, just like the New York Knicks! Wait, Trick CLOBBERS Eddy from the crowd! Trick and Eddy brawl down to ringside, Trick DUMPS Eddy over, and then keeps after him! Trick DRIBBLES Eddy off the desk, then puts him in the ring! Eddy scrambles up, Trick TACKLES him down! Trick rains down fists, then runs up to LARIAT Eddy up and out! Trick paces, security rushes out here, but there won’t be any stopping either of these two! Will Trick take that throne from the “King of the Underground?”

NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Championships, Winner Takes All: Giulia VS Stephanie Vaquer!

At Vengeance Day, the landscape changed as The Beautiful Madness ended Roxie’s reign at the same time that The Dark Angel dethroned Fallon Henley. This is THE biggest match in the history of the NXT Women’s Division, as it will name THE best in the division today! Who makes history here in The Theater?

The introductions are made, both belts are raised, and tonight, there can only be one to rule them all!

The bell rings and the two shake hands. The fans fire up and the two tie up. They go around in a deadlock, but Vaquer pushes Giulia to ropes. Giulia turns that around, lets off slowly, then rushes back in. Vaquer dodges to fire a forearm, Giulia fires back, and the fans are dueling! Vaquer SOBATS, whips, but Giulia reverses. Giulia DECKS Vaquer with a fastball! Giulia then runs, but Vaquer stays low. Giulia rolls over the dropdown, comes back, and wrenches Vaquer to a hammerlock and lift! Vaquer slips free, reels Gilia in, but Giulia slips up and out the back! The fans fire up as the two stare down. Vaquer and Giulia both smirk, but then Vaquer kicks low.

Vaquer headlocks, Giulia fires body shots and powers out to waistlock. Vaquer fights the lift, arm-drags free, and then runs up. Vaquer wheelbarrows, swings it, Giulia rebounds off ropes to drag Vaquer into a sunset flip! TWO, and Vaquer has a HEEL HOOK! Giulia has a HEEL HOOK, too! They fight, roll, end up in the ROPEBREAK, but then FLOP to the floor! The fans fire up for “WOMEN’S WRESTLING!” as both women stand. Giulia ROCKS Vaquer, but Vaquer ROCKS Giulia! They go back and forth, the ring count climbs, and both women jump in at 9! Giulia then goes back out, ROCKS Vaquer from the apron, and Giulia climbs up!

Giulia fires the fans up before she MISSILE DROPKICKS! Vaquer tumbles away and the fans fire up again. Vaquer goes to ropes, Giulia runs up, but Vaquer catches her to RANA Giulia up and out! Vaquer then goes up the ropes to SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up while NXT goes picture in picture.

Vaquer puts Giulia in the ring, then storms in and BOOTS Giulia down! Giulia goes to ropes, Vaquer runs in, but Giulia ducks the 619! Giulia drags Vaquer to the apron, for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Giulia fires up and New York is with her. Giulia watches from the apron as Vaquer slowly stirs. Giulia fetches Vaquer into the ring, Vaquer goes to a corner, and Giulia digs her boot in. The ref counts, Giulia steps off at 4, then runs corner to corner and back again, BOOT WASH! Giulia drags Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Giulia drags Vaquer up, but Vaquer fires a flurry of forearms! Giulia DECKS Vaquer in return!

Giulia drags Vaquer back up, turns her, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Giulia drags Vaquer back up, but Vaquer JAWBREAKERS and snapmares! Vaquer stands over Giulia, and she wraps on the headscissors! But Giulia slips out the back and clamps on a chinlock! Giulia pulls Vaquer back, then brings her around to snapmare. Giulia decides to copy Vaquer’s headscissors! DRILLER! Giulia just leaves it at five, then covers, TWO! Giulia drags Vaquer around again while NXT returns to single picture. Vaquer endures the neck wrench and the fans rally. Vaquer fights up, and she arm-drags Giulia away!

Giulia returns, but Vaquer wrenches her, SOLE FOOD! Vaquer LARIATS in the corner, then runs corner to corner, METEORA! And now Vaquer shows Giulia how it’s done! HEADSCISSOR DRILLER! Vaquer goes all the way to TEN! The fans fire up and Booker T is certainly pleased. Cover, TWO!! Giulia survives, the fans cheer on Booker but also this match, and Vaquer goes up a corner. Giulia stands to ROCK her first! Giulia climbs up after Vaquer, and she underhooks the arms! SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! Giulia crawls but she can’t make the cover as Vaquer is rolling away. Vaquer and Giulia go to opposite ropes as fans declare, “This is Awesome!”

Giulia runs up, Vaquer dodges to HOOK KICK! Giulia still clinches, SAIDO! Giulia wrenches and hammerlocks, then scoops, GLORIUS BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives, but Giulia brushes that off to bring her back up! Another scoop, but Vaquer fights that! Vaquer ROCKS Giulia, Giulia CLUBS Vaquer! Giulia goes to a corner, Vaquer to the other. Giulia runs in, but Vaquer dodges! Vaquer comes back to ROCK Giulia! Vaquer puts one leg in the ropes, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS the other! Vaquer then brings Giulia up and in, tucks the arms, S V B!! Cover, TWO?!? Giulia survives and the fans fire up again!

Vaquer huffs ‘n’ puff, then goes to the corner. Vaquer climbs up, SPINAL TAP into a TRIANGLE HOLD!! Giulia squeezes tight, Vaquer moves around, but Giulia shifts to a RINGS OF SATURN!! Vaquer endures and the fans rally up! Vaquer fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Giulia lets go to drag Vaquer back from the ropes, but Vaquer victory rolls her! TWO, and Giulia ARRIVEDERCI KNEES!! Cover, TWO!!! Vaquer survives again but Giulia vows to end it this time! Giulia scoops, NORTHERN- NO, Vaquer slips free to SUPERKICK! And SUPERKICK! And tuck for the S V B!!! But that isn’t all!? Vaquer hits a third S V B!!! Cover, VAQUER WINS!!!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (DUAL NXT Women’s & NXT Women’s North American Champion)

Vaquer did not succumb to the Beautiful Madness, for she IS La Primera! The confetti flies and the fans give this a standing ovation! Vaquer will go down in history as the first to ever do it, will she be more than ready to Stand & Deliver?

My Thoughts:

An awesome Roadblock from NXT, which they finally settled on having as “NXT Roadblock” in the graphics and all that. And as I’d said in the build to this, it was clear the Hardys weren’t going to lose the TNA tag titles, and Oba wasn’t going to lose the NXT title, certainly not to superstars of the other company. But as I’ve also said, keeping the status quo is just fine when the matches are really good, which is definitely what we got tonight. Fraxiom certainly felt close to winning those tag titles, and getting this moment with The Hardys was definitely an acknowledgement of their abilities. I wonder if the tables are turned and Fraxiom will have to defend their titles against the Hardys now.

Oba VS Moose was also incredible, and after weeks of the announce desk on Raw & SmackDown barely budging, that NXT desk just EXPLODING under Oba was some good stuff. Great win for Oba, and again, maybe they return the favor by having Moose defend his X-Division title. Je’Von VS Ethan was also awesome, and it didn’t have a problem following Oba VS Moose because of the Street Fight stipulation. Kudos to Je’Von for taking those rougher spots, but it’s also a good thing he’s young because he can bounce back from those rougher spots. And we really need a name for Dion’s group already, but I suppose that’d require them to actually get in the ring and do stuff.

Trick had a good promo that was only a little redundant given he attacked Eddy and had a quick brawl with him. Their Underground match will be really good, but hard to say who wins it. The D’Angelo Family had a good promo to help set up a Mixed Six Tag, which will be a good match. Shawn Spears’ group had a good promo, when you look at it in a vacuum. But “The Culling” really has some bootleg Schism vibes. Spears talked about it being a family, though I suppose he did start this journey as a borderline cult leader. But I don’t know if that name really works for them, or the “mission” as implied by the name.

But at least we got great stuff in the Women’s Division as usual. Grace VS Roxie was a great match, and that was a great win for Grace to overcome the damage to her leg. Fun little promo from Zaria and Sol, Sol VS Chelsea will be good stuff, but I think the Secret Her-vice finds a way to screw Sol over. Jaida had a good promo with Mickie James, and I would think Jaida does get her shot at at least THE NXT Women’s Championship. Fallon clearly wants her shot at the Women’s North American Championship, maybe she’ll have to earn it first. The Influence having issues with Ricky was a little uncalled for, but at least we have Ricky VS Ridge set up now.

And of course Giulia VS Vaquer was awesome. The chatter was that Giulia would need time off for a nagging injury, so Vaquer winning makes sense. Vaquer pulling double duty by taking on Jaida and Fallon separately could be a possibility, but that really depends on how big Stand & Deliver is going to be. I could see Fallon “getting snubbed” for her attitude and only getting her rematch on like the go-home NXT or something, so that Vaquer can focus on just Jaida in Vegas.

My Score: 9/10