There’s a Collision on TBS!

The AEW Women’s World Champion, Timeless Toni Storm, is a fighting champion! And she is giving Lady Frost a golden opportunity in an Eliminator match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Lady Frost; Toni wins and denies Frost a title opportunity.
• $100,000 Fatal 4 Way: Rush VS Sammy Guevara w/ Dustin Rhodes VS AR Fox VS Kevin Knight; Sammy wins the big cash prize.
• Megan Bayne w/ Penelope Ford VS Harley Cameron; Megan wins.
• Josh Alexander VS Brody King; Time Limit Draw.
• Best Wrestler Alive Five Minute Open Challenge: Max Caster VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
• The Gates of Agony VS Ray Chas & Goldie; The Gates win.
• Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: FTR VS Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly; FTR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Adam Cole is here!

Atlantic City fires up for the Panama City Playboy as he brings the AEW TNT Championship with him to ringside. As such, the fans of course join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” But he isn’t here to talk, he’s here to watch this opening match!

AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Lady Frost!

Timeless Toni continues her search for her next “costar,” and she’s crossing paths with the Coldest Wrestler You Know! But will Frost go from ice to gold? Or will she be crossed off the list during this “audition?”

The bell rings, the two shake hands, and the fans applaud. Toni and Frost circle, tie up, and Toni wrenches to wristlock. Frost grabs the ropes to flip through, and she wrenches back. Toni reaches back to headlock but Frost powers up and out. Toni runs Frost over, the fans cheer, but then Frost kips up! Things speed up. Frost handsprings but Toni sidesteps. Frost roll sunder a lariat to roll back and SWINGING headscissor! Toni tumbles out and the fans are torn, but Frost watches Toni go around the way. Frost goes to the apron, avoids the leg sweep, then CANNONBALLS to the floor!

The fans fire up and Frost goes up the barriers. Frost handsprings to MOONSAULT onto Toni! The fans fire up more and Frost puts Toni back in. Frost storms up on Toni to cover, TWO! Toni stays in this but Frost stays cool. Frost whips Toni but Toni hits a THESZ PRESS! Toni rains down fast hands, then fires up! The fans are with her and Toni stands Frost up. Toni scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Frost writhes but Toni brings her back up. Toni hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Toni doesn’t let that bother her. The fans rally as Toni brings Frost up to her feet.

Toni grabs Frost with both hands, but Frost turns that into a wheelbarrow! Victory roll, TWO! Things speed up, Frost ducks ‘n’ dodges and LARIATS! The fans fire up as Toni goes to a corner, Frost runs in, SNOWBALL! The fans fire up more and Frost pushes Toni. Frost goes out, BOOTS Toni, then steps in to slips around, and she ROCKS Toni! Frost climbs, aims, and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Toni stays in this and the fans rally up again. Frost rises, goes back to the corner, and she climbs back up. But Toni grabs Frost first! Frost breaks free, Toni ROCKS her, and then hits a SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!!

Frost survives but Toni just moves on to her closeup! The fans rally as Toni runs corner to corner, SWEET HIP- NO, Frost KICKS first! Cartwheel and Alabama Lift, CHILLER DRILLER!! Cover, TWO!! Toni survives and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Frost aims, but Toni ducks the buzzsaw! GERMAN SUPLEX! Frost flounders away, Toni runs up, UPPERCUT! Toni waits on Frost, then gives a very dramatic look. SWEET HIP MUSIC! Then a CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE!! Toni brings Frost down, Frost TAPS, Toni wins!

Winner: Toni Storm, by submission (denies Frost a title match)

The #TCM, Toni’s Classic Move, wins it for her, and Luther hands her a mic. Toni rests on the mat while she says, “This Whore You All Adore… This Slut You Can’t Rebut… This tramp is still THE CHAMP! And my gawd, what a frosty little slop tart. Now I know there’s a fresh batch of tarts back there, wanting to take a shot at this wide load that holds the gold. Yes, that’s right. Everyone’s coming for Toni Storm. But you got it all wrong, darling! Toni Storm comes for everybody! So if you’re tits can take the hits, then I’m not a hard woman to find. I could be right here.” Then she goes outside and says she could be here, or here next to this man.

Or here, down the ramp. Here with this gentlemen, by the stage, or on this bloody boardwalk! Toni goes outside of the arena and says she will be ready, sweaty, here, queer, and TIMELESS~! Toni revels in the brisk evening air of the Atlantic City beach, but who will look to ruin all the fun?

Jon Moxley speaks.

The Maniac AEW World Champion says, “When Katsuyori Shibata woke up on Wednesday morning, his fate was already sealed. He may as well have already been in the hospital. There’s nothing you can do about it, Joe, so I don’t want you to feel bad that all of the people closest to you are dropping like flies. And I struggle to find reasons to dislike Samoa Joe, I really do. The guy defined professional wrestling for a whole generation of us guys. He deserves the respect he commands. Samoa Joe is beyond reproach. But so was Bryan Danielson. Something to think about.

“Steel Cage for the world championship in Chicago. There’s this notion, this idea, that I should be scared to step into a steel cage with Samoa Joe. When you’re the world champion, every opponent is dangerous, every match is hard, every day is hard. I’m gonna do what I always do: my job. And I am exceptional at my job. You wanna lock me inside a steel cage? Lock it. Lock the door, man. This is always how this was gonna end. My affairs are in order. But if you subscribe to this notion that I should be scared, well then you haven’t been paying attention, Joe. You better make sure you thought things through.”

The Maniac has issued a warning, but will Joe even acknowledge it? Or will Joe make Moxley realize what fear really is?

$100,000 High Speed Fatal 4 Way: Rush VS Sammy Guevara w/ Dustin Rhodes VS AR Fox VS Kevin Knight!

Tony Khan’s dishing out more money, and each man has a 25% chance of bringing that jackpot home! Will El Toro Blanco, the Spanish God, the Whole Fox’n Show or The Jet be rolling in dough just in time for Mother’s Day?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for pretty much everyone in this match. All four men watch each other, then approach. Knight CLOBBERS Fox and Rush CLOBBERS Sammy! Rush and Knight then step up to each other. Knight fire a forearm but Rush eggs Knight on! The forearms go back and forth, then Rush CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Knight CHOPS! Rush CHOPS, and Rush wants Knight to man up! Knight CHOPS, Rush HEADBUTTS! Rush stomps away on Knight, stomps away, then “takes” Knight’s head to “punt” it into the crowd. Rush has the fans behind him right now as he and Knight speed up.

Knight drops down, then hurdles over, but Rush leaps! They keep moving, Knight scoops and SLAMS! Then UFO- NO, Rush moves! Rush arm-drags Knight, Knight arm-drags Rush, and then dropkicks cancel out! Both men kip up and the fans fire up! Cole is still on commentary, he likes this one, too. But then Fox and Sammy DROPKICK Rush and Knight out of the ring! The fans fire up for Fox and Sammy, Fox BOOST the lariat away to then tilt-o-whirl and waistlock. Sammy switches, Fox switches, and Fox shoves Sammy. Fox then blows past Sammy, but Sammy hurdles, backflips, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up so Sammy takes a bow.

Sammy runs corner to corner at Fox and he RAMS Fox in the corner! Sammy goes out, slingshots in, but Fox slingshots out! Sammy crash lands and Fox slingshots back in, SENTON! The fans fire up again, and Fox catches Sammy’s punch! Fox also hooks a leg, ties those up, and hits a modified FISHERMAN BUSTER! Rush is back to SUPERMAN FOREARM! Sammy JUMP KNEES Rush! Knight springboards to FLYING LARIAT Sammy! The fans fire up again, and Knight runs up on Rush, only for Rush to OVERHEAD SUPLEX him into buckles! Knight crashes down, the fans rally up, and Collision goes picture in picture!

Dustin checks on Sammy and he’s alright. Knight drags himself up with the ropes but Rush runs up to BODY BLOW! Rush whips corner to corner, CHOPS, then sits Knight down. Rush runs corner to corner, runs back in, but feints Knight out to BOOT him! Rush soaks up cheers and jeers before he rolls back and tranquilo! Sammy sends Fox into barriers, Rush feeds off more energy, then Rush goes out to SMACK Fox down! Rush HEADBUTTS Sammy, then SMACKS Sammy off a chair! Dustin coaches Sammy but Rush stares Dustin down. The Natural tells Toro Blanco that there’s no problemo here.

Knight storms up on Rush, but Rush SMACKS Knight down! The fans applaud while Knight slumps against railing. Rush talks some trash, then he smothers Knight! The fans get a bit closer to the action like that, but then Fox runs up on Rush. Rush ROCKS Fox first, SMACKS him off railing, then goes back to Knight. Rush SMACKS Knight, brings him around, and pushes him along the barriers. Rush CHOPS Knight, but Knight CHOPS Rush! Rush CHOPS Knight! Knight staggers away while Rush revels in the cheers. Rush has Atlantic City all cheering him on, and he goes after Knight to KICK his leg! Knight hobbles, but Rush fires body shots!

Rush keeps after Knight, CHOKES him on the railing, and the ref reprimands. Rush doesn’t have to stop, but he does as Collision returns to single picture. Rush whips Knight, Knight reverses, and Rush hits steel steps! The fans fire up while Rush writhes. Knight and Fox are in the ring, and Fox BOOTS first! The fans rally for Fox now, but Knight puts him on the apron. Fox ROCKS Rush, jumps up, but Knight DROPKICKS him down! We can see in the rafters, glowing with blue light, that’s Hologram! The futuristic luchador is very invested as Knight builds speed to DIVE into a DDT from Fox! The fans fire up more as Fox now takes aim.

Fox springboards and IMPLODER 450 SPLASHES onto Knight! The fans fire up while both men go down! Fox brings Knight up but Knight fights the lift. Fox CLUBS Knight, but Sammy is up top! Sammy SUPER SHOOTING STARS! Down go Fox and Knight and the fans fire up with Sammy! But Rush DECKS Sammy! Rush whips Fox hard into railing! Rush then whips Fox to the other side, into more railing! Rush sends Sammy into steel steps! Rush has Knight, and he sends Knight into railing! Rush snarls, brings Knight around, and then suplexes! Knight fights free, gets around the steps, and he leaps off those steps to DROPKICK Rush!

The fans fire up with Knight, and he runs at Rush, only for Rush to THROW him at the ramp!! The fans fire up as Rush storms back up on Knight. They brawl up the ramp and to the stage! Then they go off into some shadowy corner! “This is Awesome!” as Sammy and Fox are now left in the ring. Hologram approves as Sammy torture racks. GO TO- NO, Fox dodges the knee, then goes Matrix to dodge the lariat! PELE! Sammy BOOTS back! Sammy goes up a corner, but Fox is after him, LO MEIN PAIN! And then a 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Sammy survives and the fans rally up! Fox puts Sammy in the center of the ring, but then goes to the corner?

Fox climbs, aims, SWANTON BOMB onto knees!! Sammy saves himself, torture racks, but Fox fights free! Roll up, TWO! Sammy is up, Fox goes Matrix again, but the JUMP KNEE finds him! Fox sputters, Sammy reels him in, GO TO HOSPITAL!! Cover, SAMMY WINS!

Winner: Sammy Guevara, by pinfall (wins the $100K prize)

Adam Cole applauds, and certainly Sammy’s family is happy he has this money. But Sammy points to Cole, then to the All In sign. Will this Son of Texas get to go All In for the TNT Championship? Will Hologram look to add himself to the mix before too long?

PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week’s Collision!

First: It’ll be live at 8 PM Eastern, just like tonight. Second: It’ll be on TBS, just like tonight. Third: It will be on THURSDAY NIGHT instead of Saturday! Make sure to adjust your DVR accordingly so you don’t miss a moment of the action!

Samoa Joe speaks.

“Hello, Jon. I hope you’ll forgive me, I’m not there at Collision this week, but it’s only because I’m paying you respect by being here in my gym, preparing for what I’ll do to you in a few short weeks. What that is, Jon, is helping you understand. I’m gonna help you understand what happens when you call a man like me out. And you’re going to understand that what you have done to Hook and Shibata is going to be visited upon your man, Claudio, next week. And that all starts with me understanding a little bit about you, Jon. See, I understand that you have the ruthless streak that is required to take on someone like me.

“I understand that you have the ability and the will to come after someone like me. But you see, Jon, I had to put this match in a cage. Cuz there’s something else that I understand about you. The Jon Moxley I look at today doesn’t have the heart to stand in front of me. The Jon Moxley I see today doesn’t have the balls to get into a ring and get into an actual firefight with a man like me. And Jon, come Chicago, at Beach Break, I will break you. And when you turn around to run, with nowhere to go, I am Samoa Joe. I will be the next AEW World Champion. And Jon Moxley, I will make you understand.”

Megan Bayne w/ Penelope Ford VS Harley Cameron!

The Megasus keeps crushing opponent after opponent, and the Superbad Girl is there to help pick up the scraps. Will their path of destruction continue tonight? Or will this wild Aussie have quite the underdog victory here in Atlantic City?

The bell rings and Harley SPLASHES int he corner! Harley stomps away, lets off, and then runs up to RAM Megan! The fans fire up, the ref counts, but Megan shoves Harley away. harley returns again but is put ont he apron. Harley ROUNDHOUSES, ROUNDHOUSES again, then RAMS into Megan! Harley has Megan in the ropes and she HAMMERS away! The fans fire up as Harley shouts, “FEEL THE WRATH!” Harley goes up, in, runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and ENZIGIRIS! Megan stays up so Harley runs agian, but Megan stops the COde Breaker! OVERHEAD SUPLEX! The fans are torn while Harley writhes.

Megan storms over to Harley, stalks her to the ropes, then drags her up to RAM her into the corner again and again! Megan CHOPS Harley, then stalks her to a corner. Megan KNEES Harley again and again and again! The ref reprimands, Megan steps back, but that lets Ford CHOKE Harley! The fans boo but Ford gets away with it. Megan snapmares Harley, then KNEES her in the back! Cocky cover, ONE! Megan drags Harley up to suplex her high and hard! Megan stalks Harley to the corner again, whips her corner to corner, then runs up for a SPLASH! MEgan then underhooks and hits a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!

Megan storms up on Harley, but Harley JAWBREAKERS back! Harley wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD! Megan staggers, runs back in, and LEAPING LARIAT! The fans are torn but Megan stands over Harley as Collision goes picture in picture.

Megan takes her time fixing her hair and her gear, but Harley goes out to the apron. Megan runs up and BOOTS Harley down! The ref and Megan argue, and Ford gets another cheap shot in! The fans boo but the ref misses it like he did before. Megan waits on Harley as Harley hobbles back into the ring. Megan then storms up on Harley to put her in a corner. Harley fires forearms but Megan is more amused than anything. Harley ROCKS Megan, but Megan BOOTS her! Megan RAMS Harley into the corner again and again! Then she GERMAN SUPLEXES Harley away! Harley sputters but Megan is right back on her.

Megan drags Harley up, brings her around, and short arm LARIATS! Megan drags Harley back up, short arm LARIATS again, then stands Harley back up. Harley dodges the lariat this time, but then a LARIAT finds her on return! Cover, TWO! Megan sighs, drags Harley up, and SLAMS her back down! Megan drags Harley up, scoops again, and SLAMS her back down! Harley sputters but Megan brings her up again. Another scoop and another SLAM! Megan soaks up cheers and jeers while Collision returns to single picture. Megan grabs at Harley but Harley KICKS her! And KICKS! And KICKS again!

Megan grabs Harley by her hair and drags her to a corner! Megan CHOPS and CHOPS and runs back in, but into an ELBOW! And another ELBOW! Harley climbs, Megan runs up and Megan ROCKS Harley! Megan climbs, but Harley fires body shots! The fans rally, Harley fires hands, and then she BITES Megan’s ear! The fans fire up as Megan falls back! Ford gets up but Harley DECKS her! Megan runs in, but Harley dodges! Megan hits buckles, Harley ducks ‘n’ dodges to then tilt-o-whirl DDT! The fans fire up and Harley covers, TWO! Megan survives but Harley fires up. The fans rally and Harley brings Megan in for a facelock.

But Megan suplexes first! Harley fights that, but Megan tries again! FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Harley survives and Megan is seething! Megan drags Harley up, fireman’s carry, but Harley fires elbows! Harley then fires forearms, and she dodges a haymaker! Harley fires a flurry, then runs to LARIAT! Harley is the one who falls over! Megan drags Harley right into a POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Harley survives but Megan is furious! Fireman’s carry, but Harley sunset flips! TWO!! Megan is up, Harley Oklahoma Rolls her, TWO!! Megan escapes again, but Harley hits a SHINING WIZARD! Then Harley aims from a corner!

Megan rises, Harley goes up, and Harley leaps! But Megan catches her, pops her up, FATE’S DESCENT!! Cover, Megan wins!

Winner: Megan Bayne, by pinfall

Megan did not #FeelTheWrath, but she did make Harley #BowDown! But they’re not done, as Ford stands Harley back up! Megan fireman’s carries for another FATE’S DESCENT!! The fans boo but Megan wants another! Wait, Anna Jay is here, with a two-by-four! And she SMACKS Megan with it!! But Megan doesn’t budge!? Anna doesn’t care, she swings again! Megan blocks that, takes it from Anna, then throws it aside! Megan runs up, but Anna DUMPS Megan out! Ford has Megan stand down, even though Anna wants her to fight! Will the Queenslayer help Harley get even with Megasus and minion?

AEW returns and…

Wait, Moxley & Marina are here in person! They beat up a security guard, DUMP him to ringside, and then dare the other guards to try something. Marina gives one guy the briefcase, just to then BOOT him down! Marina storms into the ring and intimidates Arkady Aura to give the mic over. Arkady does as told and then gets out of the ring. Marina hands the mic to Moxley and Moxley snarls while the fans boo. Moxley paces, and he tells Samoa Joe, “I heard what you said. Lemme ask you a question. What exactly is it I don’t understand? Just what the hell is it, Joe, that I don’t understand?”

The fans chant for Joe, and sing, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Moxley asks how Joe is gonna explain something to him inside a steel cage. What? Is Joe gonna kick his ass? The fans chant “YES!” So Joe is gonna beat Moxley up? “YES!” Oh, is that what they think? “YES!” Right… Moxley has faced all the supposed baddest men in the business, all shaped and sizes, all organizations and in all countries. Just name one. They all said the same thing as you’re saying, Joe! They were thinking the same things Joe is thinking, until they weren’t! Moxley knows the moment it happens, he can feel it when it happens! Every time!

He feels it every time when they realize they don’t wanna be here anymore. When they stop trying to win and they start trying to survive, and then realize they aren’t in a chess match, but they are in a war! The only difference this time, Joe, on May 14th, it will be both. Joe wants to target his people? Moxley expected nothing less. You think Moxley doesn’t wanna get into a real firefight? Newsflash, brother: Just look at your brothers; it’s been a firefight this whole time. Moxley then drops the mic and storms out the way he came in. Will Moxley step into Chicago and step out of Chicago still the AEW World Champion?

Backstage interview with The Outrunners.

Lexy Nair is with Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum with their 1980s standard definition, and brings up how Roppongi Vice got in their faces and then beat them up. She understands they have a response to that. Truth says yeah, he’s got something to say! Trent, Rocky, Truth gets you’re upset! He gets you feel disrespected. But maybe the Outrunners get a little loud sometimes. So what? Maybe they flex a little too much. So what? Maybe they spin a little too fast. So what?! Turbo says if Rocky & Trent wanna get physical, let’s get physical! They’ll settle this where it counts! When you’re face to face with The Outrunners, some are scared to death! But some are scared to live!

Truth & Turbo shake it out, will the Youngest Men Alive show Azucar & #JustTrent what respect is really about?

Josh Alexander VS Brody King!

The Walking Weapon and the newest member of the Don Callis Family scored big alongside Konosuke Takeshita a couple weeks ago, and they beat down The King of Death to do it. But with The Alpha in Japan for Wrestling Dontaku, will the “Canadian Assassin” be able to win all alone? Or will this Hound of Hell take a nice big bite out of Alexander?

The bell rings and the fans bark for Brody. Brody and Alexander stare down, circle, and then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Brody puts Alexander on the ropes, but lets off. Alexander goes for a leg but Brody THROWS him away! The fans duel as the two circle again. They tie up, Alexander headlocks, but Brody powers up. Alexander wrenches, hammerlocks, but Brody ELBOWS free! Alexander avoids a second shot and the two reset. They feel things out, then Alexander drop steps to have the waistlock. Brody takes another swing, but into a clinch! Brody facelocks, but Alexander wrenches out to wristlock. Brody breaks free and CHOPS!

The fans fire up while Alexander goes to a corner. Brody runs up but Alexander kicks low! Alexander fires forearms and UPPERCUTS, then CHOPS! Alexander whips but Brody blocks! Brody whips Alexander to a corner, then runs in and SPLASHES! Brody ROCKS Alexander, CHOPS again, and repeat! The fans rally as Brody rains down shots. Alexander sits down, Brody lets off, then he stands Alexander up. Brody puts Alexander on the top rope, winds up, and CHOPS! Alexander slumps down to the apron and the fans fire up! Brody goes out after Alexander, fireman’s carries, but Alexander fights with elbows!

Alexander slips inside, HOTSHOTS Brody and kicks the legs out! Alexander builds speed as the fans rally up, and Alexander CROSSBODIES into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! The fans fire up and bark with Brody. Brody stalks Alexander, drags him up, and CHOPS him again! Alexander staggers away but Brody CLUBS him against the railing. And CHOPS him! Alexander sputters and falls back while the fans fire up. Brody whips Alexander hard into railing, and Alexander falls into the front row! The fans fire up and Brody smiles. Brody storms up on Alexander, drags him up, and suplexes him to the floor!

The fans fire up for Brody while he refreshes the ring count. Brody stands Alexander up, brings him around, and ROCKS Alexander again. Brody grabs a chair from the timekeeper’s area, and he CHOPS Alexander into taking a seat. Brody barks and gets space. Brody runs back in, but Alexander slumps down. The fans boo as Brody is denied his splash. But Alexander grabs a leg and BOOTS it against the steel steps! Alexander refreshes the ring count now, and he leaps, into a HAYMAKER! Brody uses antiair on Alexander, then he puts Alexander back in the ring. Brody storms up, but Alexander slides out!

Alexander wraps Brody’s leg up in the ropes, CLAWS at Brody’s face, and he hits a DRAPING NECKBRAEKER on the apron! A wicked combination as Alexander says the bigger they are, the harder they fall. The ref checks Brody while he is down on the ground, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Brody clutches his leg, but Alexander grabs said leg. Alexander SLAMS the leg off the floor, then stalks Brody as he crawls into the ring. Alexander grabs the bad leg to SLAM it against the apron! Brody crawls to a corner, Alexander steps in, and Alexander stomps away on Brody! Alexander stomps chest, stomps leg, then stomps a mudhole! The ref counts and Alexander stops at 4. Brody sputters while Alexander soaks up heat. Alexander stands Brody up to CLUB him on the neck. Brody CHOPS Alexander, hobbles then CHOPS again! Alexander puts Brody in a corner, wraps the bad leg around ropes, and pulls!

The ref counts, Alexander stops at 4, then ROCKS Brody! Alexander runs side to side and he BOOTS the bad leg! Brody falls over and Alexander soaks up more heat. Alexander goes back to Brody, but Brody kicks at him from below. Alexander eggs Brody on, kicks the bad leg more, then fires forearms. Brody ROCKS Alexander in return! The forearms go back and forth, but then Alexander knees low! Alexander runs, but into a scoop, SLAM, and SENTON! Brody clutches his bad leg, that string of moves taking a lot of out it. Both men slowly rise, and Brody hobbles over to Alexander. Alexander grabs the leg, but Brody CLUBS him down!

Collision returns to single picture as Brody CHOPS again! Brody puts Alexander on the top rope, CHOPS him again, then climbs. Brody brings Alexander to the very top, but Alexander kicks at the bad leg! Alexander then slips under, CLUBS Brody on the back, and he manages to torture rack! But Brody slips free! And CHOPS! The fans fire up as Brody huffs ‘n’ puffs. Alexander CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going back and forth, and Brody’s CHOPS hit harder! Alexander is wincing now, and Brody CHOPS him again, again, and again! Brody puts some stank on the CHOP and Alexander falls to his knees!

Brody barks, the fans are with him, and Alexander stands up! The straps come down and Alexander pie faces Brody! And then SLAPS him! Brody DOUBLE CHOPS Alexander right down! Brody waits on Alexander, but Alexander kicks the legs out! Then he BOOTS Brody! And BOOTS him again! Torture rack, TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Brody survives and Alexander is beside himself! Alexander hammers the mat, drags Brody back up, and the fans rally up. Alexander tucks the arms, but Brody BACKDROPS free! The fans fire up and Brody runs in at the corner! Alexander BOOTS first, then dodges a lariat!

Alexander comes back, but into a BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO! Alexander survives and Brody clutches the bad leg. Brody drags Alexander up, reels him in, but Alexander slips free of the Canadian Rack! Brody ELBOWS Alexander, runs up, but Alexander dodges! SNAP GERMAN! But Brody rises?! Alexander dodges the lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW!! The fans are all fired up while both men are down! A standing count starts, Alexander goes to a corner, “This is Awesome!” as Brody rises. Brody runs corner to corner, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Alexander is still in this but he does go to the bottom rope.

Brody snarls and storms over to Alexander. Brody drags Alexander up, brings him back to the corner, and brings him back up to the very top! But Alexander fights with body shots! Brody fires body shots, and hits the SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down and Atlantic City is loving this! Another standing count starts, both men rise at 5 of 10, and Alexander fires a flurry of forearms! Brody ROCKS Alexander, and we hit the one minute warning! Brody runs up, Alexander dodges, and Alexander ROCKS Brody! Alexander runs back up, but blocks a boot! KNEE DROP on the bad knee!! And then an ANKLE LOCK!!

Brody endures as Alexander hits the GRAPEVINE!!! Brody fights up, stands and CHOPS Alexander on the back! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! But Alexander rises?! Only for Brody to LARIAT!! Brody hurries to reel Alexander up, GONZO BOMB!! The countdown begins, but Brody can’t make the cover!! TIME’S UP!

Time Limit Draw

Atlantic City is disappointed, and Lance Archer is here to help his Callis Family brother up. Brody wants to keep going, the fans want to keep going, but can Alexander even keep going? Brody powers through the pain to DIVE onto Archer & Alexander! The fans fire up and bark as Brody rises again. Brody wants more, and he fights through security to fight with Archer! Archer takes a seat, Brody puts the guards on top of him! Brody runs to TRIPLE CROSSBODY!! The Murderhawk Monster sputters, refs hurry out here to tell Brody to stop, but Alexander CHOP BLOCKS Brody! Archer KICKS Brody down!

The fans boo as now the Callis Family mug Brody! Archer CHOKES Brody, shouts at the refs, but then helps Alexander up and out of here. Will Don Callis have to pay some fines for his family?

CRU speaks.

Lio Rush says, “It was inevitable that the story ended with the way that it did.” Action Andretti adds, “With Top Flight landing flat on their faces.” They’re not in AEW to waste time. And any more time spent on Darius & Dante is a waste of time. They tried to walk away, drift off into the sunset, but “you two children couldn’t handle being without us.” Top Flight couldn’t stand being in the rearview mirror. CRU hopes Top Flight will learn a lesson. And that lesson is you should #FearCRU. Either you’re CRU, or you’re enemy.

Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???

Platinum Max is in the ring again, and he tells Atlantic City, “You are lookin’ live at the Best Wrestler Alive!” The fans boo that clearly false statement, but Caster says, “You people just witnessed a 15 minute time limit draw. And that got me thinking. No one in AEW could survive FIVE minutes in the ring with Platinum Max!” The fans boo but Caster says let’s put five minutes on the clock! The tech guys oblige, and Caster says before his next “victim” comes out here, he wants the people here in AC to prove that they’re not just a bunch of drunk, degenerate tourists! He wants them to do the chant correctly!

“Let’s Go, Max! You’re The Best Wrestler Alive! Let’s Go, Max! You’re The Best Wrestler Alive!” Caster is already laughing at how “bad” the fans are doing. That was not full participation, please do better. But let’s get to business! Who can survive FIVE with the Best Wrestler Alive? It’s DANIEL GARCIA! Caster is furious, but will Platinum Max be lucky to survive Red Death?

The bell rings, the time limit starts, and Garcia gets around Caster to fire off haymakers! Garcia stomps away on Caster in the corner, the fans fire up, but the ref counts. Garcia steps off, then stalks Caster along the ropes. Caster throat chops! The fans boo, Caster whips, but Garcia reverses. Garcia dodges Caster to reel him in, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Caster flounders away and Garcia snarls. Garcia puts up his dukes, does his dance, then SHOTGUNS Caster down! Garcia reels Caster in, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Garcia wins!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall

Literally one minute passed, and Garcia won! Garcia grabs the mic to then call out FTR! “I agree. I just handled my business. You guys handle yours tonight, and I’ma talk to you after.” Garcia has put Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler on notice, what will these three talk about later tonight?

Backstage interview with with Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn.

Lexy is with the Pride of Professional Wrestling & Daddy Ass, and Bowens wants her to remember he is also the 5 Tool Player, the perfect combination of power, athleticism, intelligence, “The Look” and “The It Factor.” Bowens is here in his home state of New Jersey to tell us all that he intends to use all five tools to climb to a championship opportunity. Doesn’t that sound great? But then in steps Blake Christian & Lee Johnson. Vanilla Babyface tells Bowens all he is hearing right now is blah blah blah. Let’s be real: Bowens may have won against Blake three weeks ago, but those people weren’t talking about Bowens beating Blake.

The talk was about Bowens being outshined by Blake! Big Shotty says Bowens needs to listen because he means this with all the disrespect in the world. Johnson believes he is 150% better! After watching Blake soften Bowens up, Johnson knows how to put Bowens down. Bowens says wow, outshined him? That’s not possible. And 150% better? Well, then step up to the plate and get MOLLY WHOPPED by the 5 Tool Player! Any time, anywhere. Blake & Lee leave, when and where will Big Shotty take his shot?

The Gates of Agony VS Ray Chas & Goldie!

The Hurt Syndicate claimed we’d see Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona way down the line after they lost in the AEW World Tag Team Championship match. But the Cameroonian Prince says there are things much worse than death. They took a bite of the baddest apple on the tree, and the Samoan Lion says it made them SICK! Compared to that, only agony awaits! This is a message sent to Big Bill & Bryan Keith, will it be received loud and clear?

The teams sort out, Kaun starts against Ray, and the two step up. Kaun then BOOTS Ray, GERMAN SUPLEXES him, then reels him in. RUNNING SUPLEX! Kaun mockingly applauds, then he puts Ray in the corner to CHOP! Tag to Liona, and Kaun bumps Ray off buckles for Liona to then BACK ELBOW! Goldie SLAPS Kaun, but Kaun grins. Kaun TOSSES Goldie in, Liona runs up and POUNCES him out of the ring! The fans fire up and Liona tags Kaun. Then the Gates run up, HIP ATTACK followed by a METEORA! Then they CLOSE THE GATES on Ray!! Cover, Gates win!

Winners: The Gates of Agony, by pinfall

The CRU is watching ringside, acting unimpressed. But will Kaun & Liona make sure Lio & Action are next after Bill & Keith? But speaking of, Bill calls them out from the tron! Last week, Bill & Keith called them out. They’re in the parking lot. They don’t come to you, you come to them! Kaun & Liona say bet! The Gates leave the ring, go to the back, and find their way to the parking lot! Will we get quite the battle of titans in Atlantic City?

AEW returns and…

The Gates have found the Redwood & Bad Apple! The brawl is on right in front of the Mack trucks! Bill SMACKS Liona off one, but Kaun THROWS Keith into fencing! Bill BOOTS Kaun, kicks more fencing out of the way, then he picks up a swivel chair! Bill SLAMS the chair, but Kaun avoids disaster! Liona SMACKS Bill with a trash can lid! Bill grabs some poor passerby by the face, and THROWS him at Liona! Liona catches the guy, throws him aside, and then he stares Bill down. Only for Keith to jump on Liona with a SLEEPER! Kaun is up and he ROCKS Bill! Liona spins around to swing Keith off him and into a truck!

Bill and Kaun brawl, Liona runs up, but Keith avoids the trash can attack! This brawl is gonna keep going, but the show must go on, too! Will security be able to stop this carnage before it goes too far?

Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: FTR VS Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly!

Dax & Cash have gone back and forth with Roddy & Kyle for months now, and this match is about finally settling the score. Who wins when it takes more than just the first lucky opportunity?

The teams sort out and Kyle starts with Cash. The first fall begins, the two circle, and the fans rally up. The two rush in, Cash rolls Kyle up, TWO and Kyle has an omoplata! Cash rolls free, shakes out the bad arm, and Dax checks him. Cash’s arm is fine, and the two reset. Chas and Kyle tie up, Cash headlocks, but Kyle endures the grind. The fans rally as Kyle powers up and out, but Cash runs him over! Things keep moving, Cash sunset flips, but Kyle stays up to then drop down into an ARMBAR! Cash rolls Kyle, TWO! Cash narrowly avoids a roundhouse, then he scrambles away. The fans rally behind Kyle, but Cash and Kyle tag to Dax and Roddy.

The fans rally as Roddy and Dax circle. They tie up, Dax puts Roddy in the corner, and the ref counts. Dax lets off to CHOP, but Roddy CHOPS back! Dax falls and scrambles away! Cash protests, the ref has Roddy stay back, and Stokely coaches Dax up. Dax and Roddy tie up, go to a corner, and the ref counts. Dax gets a cheap shot in, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS, CHOPS, and ROCKS Dax! Roddy fires off, but Dax CHOPS again! Roddy ROCKS Dax, fires more shots, then whips. Roddy then DROPKICKS Dax down! The fans fire up but Stoke coaches Dax. Roddy stands Dax up, wrenches, then tags Kyle.

Kyle KICKS, Roddy CHOPS, repeat! Kyle wrenches but Dax knees low! The ref says that was a little too low, but Dax tags Cash. Dax feeds Kyle to Cash’s knees, then Cash UPPERCUTS! Cash CHOPS Kyle, UPPERCUTS, and then tags Dax back in. FTR double whips Kyle to a corner, but Kyle goes up and to the side! Kyle dodges Dax to then kitchen sink knee! And kitchen sink knee for Cash! Kyle KICKS Dax, KICKS Cash, repeat! The fans fire up as the KICKS keep going! FTR is down, Cash bails out, and Kyle wrenches Cash. Dax ROCKS Kyle, Kyle wrenches again, repeat! Kyle WRINGS Dax, Cash and Roddy get into it on the outside! Kyle covers Dax, TWO!

Cash creeps to the apron but Kyle chases him off. Dax ROCKS Kyle with a sucker punch! Cash slips in, FTR whips, but Roddy CLOBBERS Cash! Kyle KNEES Dax, Roddy JUMP KNEES! Then URENAGE BACKBREAKER and PENALTY KICK! Cash is back, but Roddy KNEES him! Kyle suplexes, CHOP and BRAINBUSTER! Cash bails out but Roddy WRECKS him with a dropkick! The fans fire up, Kyle spins Dax, but Dax blocks a kick! Kyle rolls to have the ANKLE LOCK! Cash grabs Dax’s hands to drag him forward, but Roddy STOMPS Cash’s hands! Dax is caught, Stoke coaches Dax to tap, so Dax taps! Paragon has the first fall!

FTR: 0; Paragon: 1

Big Stoke says that’s the smart move, because there’s still two falls to win anyway. Stoke has FTR regroup, but can the Top Guys pull off the comeback? Collision goes picture in picture.

Stokely argues with fans, and then Dax grabs a chair! Dax throws the chair into the ring, the ref catches it and puts it aside, and he tells them to get in here, the second fall has already begun. The ref starts a ring count but Stokely has FTR settle down first. Dax takes his time before stepping inside. Stokely & FTR huddle up to talk strategy, and Dax starts with Kyle. They tie up, go around, and Dax wrenches Kyle to a wristlock. Kyle breaks free to ROCK Dax, then ROCK Cash! Collision returns to single picture as Kyle keeps fighting off FTR! Dax powers Kyle back, Cash sneaks the tag, and Kyle jumps the dropdown, only for Cash to grab Dax’s hand! DOUBLE LARIAT from the ropes!

Stoke applauds, the fans are torn, but Cash then slingshots to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Cash stomps away on Kyle, Stoke talks trash, and the ref counts. Cash stops with the stomps and Stokely grins. Kyle sputters but Cash brings him up. Cash clamps on the chinlock and grinds Kyle down. Kyle endures and the fans rally up. Kyle stands, fires body shots, then he runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Cash RAMS him low! Kyle sputters, Roddy coaches Kyle, but Cash sucker punches Roddy! Cash whips Kyle hard into the FTR corner, then he snapmares for another chinlock. The fans again rally as Kyle endures.

Cash grinds Kyle down, Dax sneaks some leverage by sticking his feet in for Cash to push off of. The fans rally, Kyle fights up, and Kyle snapmares free! But Cash picks Kyle up, puts him in a corner, and runs up, only for Kyle to dodge! Cash’s bronco almost gets busted, hot tags to Dax and Roddy! Roddy DROPKCISK Dax, LARIATS Cash, and then HALF NELSON BACKBREAKERS Dax! JUMP KNEE for Cash! Roddy fireman’s carries Dax to then SLAM him onto Cash! The fans fire up and Roddy ROCKS Dax! Roddy runs side to side for ELBOW after ELBOW! And then an ATOMIC FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Dax stays in this for FTR but Cole says that’s fine, Roddy & Kyle are in control. Kyle tags in and DUMPS Dax out. Roddy keeps after Dax, Kyle is after Cash, but Cash turns things around. Roddy CHOPS away on Dax, BOOTS Cash, then he brings Cash around to have him take a seat. The chair broke but Roddy just CHOPS Cash again and again. Kyle runs from the apron to MISSILE DROPKICK FTR into the barriers! The fans fire up as Roddy helps Kyle stand. Paragon stands FTR up to keep after them. Roddy throws Dax into the crowd! Roddy goes out to CHOP away on Dax! Cash FLAPJACKS Kyle off barriers!

The fans fire up as Roddy and Dax fight up into the crowd! CHOP after CHOP and Roddy keeps Dax staggering! Then Roddy just fires haymakers! The fans are loving this but the ref wants someone to get int he ring! Dax returns to ringside but Roddy CLUBS him! Meanwhile, Cash suplexes Kyle! Kyle fights that off to suplex back, but Cash RAMS Kyle into barriers! Roddy has Dax, but Cash tags in before the BACKBREAKER! Roddy ELBOWS Cash, goes back for Dax, and he whips, only for Dax to reverse! Roddy LARIATS Dax, but Cash CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Roddy writhes but Stoke coaches FTR up. Cash keeps after Roddy while Collision goes back to picture in picture.

Cash puts Roddy’s foot on the ropes and HIP DROPS it! The ref reprimands but Cash paces around Roddy. Stoke tells Cash to keep on it, and Cash drops an elbow on the bad leg! Cash soaks up heat, tags in Dax, and FTR drags Roddy over to the corner. Dax SLAMS Roddy’s leg into the post! Roddy writhes, Stokely taunts him, and Dax SLAMS the leg again! Roddy clutches the leg while Dax stays between him and Kyle. Dax goes back to Roddy, stands him up, but Roddy reels him into a cradle! TWO, and Dax trips Roddy to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Roddy writhes and flails but he still endures!

Dax puts as much pressure as he can on the hold, but Roddy reaches out for Kyle. Kyle reaches out in return but they’re still so far apart! Roddy turns things over so now Dax is in pain! Dax crawls to the ROPEBREAK! The leglock is undone, and Dax drags Roddy to the ropes. Dax HIP DROPS the bad leg! The ref reprimands but Dax taunts Kyle. Stokely likes how this is going now, and Dax drags Roddy around by the bad leg. Dax stomps the leg, Collision returns to single picture, and Dax steps over, only for Roddy to BOOT him away! Dax hits POST! Cash hurries to tag in, and he hurries to stay between Kyle and Roddy!

Roddy dodges Cash, hot tag to Kyle! Kyle DUMPS Cash out, ROCKS Dax, then runs to FLYING KNEE Cash down! The fans fire up but Dax rushes out there! Kyle fires off a strike fest on Dax, then LEG SWEEPS! Kyle pushes Cash into the ring, runs up in the corner, and forearm SMASHES! Then a wrench and ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle KICKS, KNEES, and suplexes, ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Cash flails, but Kyle shifts to the leg! ANKLE LOCK!! But Dax has a SLEEPER on Kyle! Kyle slips down, UP KICKS, and then he sends Cash into Dax! O’Conner Roll, TWO and Kyle ROCKS Dax! Cash rolls Kyle up, with tights! TWO!!

Kyle KNEES Cash, then AX & SMASH!! Cover, TWO!! Cash survives and Kyle is a bit frustrated, but Kyle goes back for a leg. ANKLE LOCK!! Cash hobbles up, hot tag to Dax! But Kyle BACKDROPS Dax! Roddy coordinates, they FOREARM ENZIGIRI COMBO! Roddy tags in, hobbles around, and manages to run, but Cash CLOBBERS Kyle! Roddy runs into a SHATTER MACHINE!! Cover, FTR scores the second fall!!

FTR: 1; Paragon: 1

And now it all comes down to the third and final fall! The fans boo and Cole is frustrated but Stokely fist-bumps FTR. The teams reset, fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but it has to end somehow! Cash goes up, Dax reels Roddy in, but Kyle SHOVES Cash off the corner! Roddy fights the lift to then give Kyle a target, FLYING KNEE! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! FTR survives, but Dax gets a KICK! KNEE! AX and DOUBLE SMASH!! Roddy hobbles to the cover while Kyle PLANCHAS Cash! TWO!! Dax survives, Cole is concerned, but Stoke coaches his guys. Roddy tags Kyle and the fans rally up even more.

Roddy & Kyle stand Dax up, Roddy runs, but Cash again CLOBBERS Kyle! But Roddy fights off Shatter Machine this time! And Kyle’s back to CLOBBER Cash! Roddy JUMP KNEES Dax, then he and Dax give him TOTAL ANNIHILATION!! Kyle covers, Cash gives Dax the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts three, but then he sees the foot!! The fans and Paragon think they’ve won, but no, this is a mockery of this feud’s ignition point! The match is going to keep going, and Cash CHOP BLOCKS Roddy in the confusion! Kyle grabs Cash’s leg to ANKLE LOCK!! But Cash isn’t legal! Cash turns over, CLAWS Kyle’s eyes, feed to Dax’s roll-up, with tights! TWO!!!

Kyle is up, but into a SHATTER MACHINE!!!! Cover, FTR WINS!!

Winners: FTR, by pinfall, 2-1 score

Stokely cheers as he makes all the difference! Will the Top Guys continue to win by any means necessary until they’re back on top of AEW? WAIT! Daniel Garcia storms his way out here! He has a mic and a crowbar, but which one is he gonna use?! Stoke has Garcia hold on, the ref tells Garcia to stand down, but Garcia says what he really wanted to do is come down and beat all three of them over the head with the crowbar. “But I can’t. Because I have too much love for the both of you. And I thought you two had a lot of love for me, too. Because any time that one of my so-called mentors left me high and dry, left me stranded, you guys were there to pick up the pieces and put me back on my feet.”

The fans rally for Garcia, and Garcia says after what FTR did to Adam Copeland and 2Point0, and then after they tried to break Garcia’s neck, Garcia was left looking for answers. But Garcia realized that he won’t get those answers just standing around having a therapy session with them. The fans say use the crowbar then! Garcia says he has an idea. Next week, it doesn’t matter if it is Dax, Cash, Stokely, all of them, fifteen of them, a hundred of them, FTR, CPR, the ER, it doesn’t matter! Just meet him in the ring so he can beat the answers out of them!! The fans fire up for that! Who will accept this challenge from an enraged Red Death?

My Thoughts:

A very good Collision, but wow, six years and they haven’t learned how to not be redundant. While Moxley and Samoa Joe had good promos, Moxley having two promos is stupid. Skip the video one Moxley did backstage and just give us Moxley responding in anger to what Joe had to say. Same effect, but much more efficient. To be fair, I feel like a good number of this night was thrown together last minute. Because hey look, another match with “prize money” on the line when we know that’s kayfabe. It was still an awesome match from all four guys, with Hologram watching a la Sting and Darby, but what’s the point of a fake money prize? Sammy calls out Adam Cole here, why not make it some kind of TNT Championship #1 contender’s match?

Very good match from Storm VS Frost and a very good promo from Storm, and while we know Mercedes Mone VS Jamie Hayter is set, this feels like someone is going to challenge Storm for Double or Nothing in an attempt to change the All In: Texas plans. The wildest thing they could do is make it Athena as her way of getting to the All In card. They could even make it title for title because it’s Double or Nothing, and the winner brings both those titles to facing Mercedes Mone, and they have ALL the titles on the line because it’s All In! But because it’s that wild, they won’t do it. And to be fair, they really shouldn’t because then who would ever get a belt off the “Ultima Dragon” they create?

Megan of course beats Harley, but I appreciate that it led to Anna Jay making the save. Anna and Harley can certainly make a great team to battle Megan & Ford, but I feel like Megan & Ford win mostly because of Megan. Awesome match from Alexander VS Brody, and I really like that on the same day Konosuke and El Phantasmo have a 15 minute time limit draw in NJPW, Alexander and Brody have one here in AEW. Archer getting involved was also good stuff, but there’s no word on when Buddy Matthews is getting back so I’m not sure the chances of Hounds of Hell VS Don Callis Family.

But after that good promo from the Outrunners, I bet we get them and Brody working together as rather strange bedfellows. Very good stuff with Gates of Agony. They of course squashed their opponents tonight, but I like that we got a brawl of them and the former Learning Tree. Though, the brawl could’ve been a bit better, but I understand how no one wanted to fall on that hard concrete of the parking lot. I’m pretty sure we’ll get a tag match now, helping reestablish both teams in the tag division. But while CRU had a good promo to say they’re done with Top Flight, they’re like chihuahuas barking a big game thinking they can go against Kaun & Liona in a fair fight.

Caster adding a time limit to his Open Challenge was hilarious, since it added to how humiliating it was for Caster to lose fast. And Garcia answering the challenge also helped tie into tonight’s main event with FTR. Which also seemed rather out of nowhere, but it did make sense in story for FTR to go 2 outta 3 with Kyle & Roddy. Great main event with that, and I actually like Stokely’s strategy of forgoing the first fall to avoid any further damage. As such, FTR of course pulled off the comeback to win out, allowing Garcia to confront them. Thankfully, Garcia didn’t side with FTR, I had feared they’d do a lame bit of logic leaping. Garcia against either Dax or Cash will be a great singles match, and I feel like Cope will make some sort of heroic return so Garcia can have a tag partner to face FTR at Double or Nothing. Then Garcia turns.

My Score: 8.7/10

Who will win the Bullet Club: Civil War?

The War Dogs and House of Torture battle inside the brutal Dogpound Steel Cage to determine who is truly Bullet Club 4 Life!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai; Murashima wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; Hontai wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Ishii, Taichi, Yuya & Taka win.
• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; Bishamon & Taguchi win.
• NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Konosuke Takeshita; Time Limit Draw, ELP retains the title.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
• Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins.
• Dogpound Cage Match, Losers Leave Bullet Club: War Dogs VS House of Torture; War Dogs win and expel House of Torture from Bullet Club.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero!

The Headbanga just got this belt back form Great-O-Khan, and he’s already going double or nothing with AEW’s Alpha! ELP is putting his title on the line tonight before he and Konosuke battle for the NEVER Openweight Championship at Resurgence. Will ELP come to regret upping the ante?

The introductions are made, ELP’s belt is raised, and we see if it stays ELP’s belt!

Tensions are high as belts are put aside. ELP and Konosuke talk trash, but then an ALPHA ELBOW knocks ELP out of the ring! Jado protests, Rocky distracts the ref, and Konosuke builds speed to FLY! While still wearing his jacket! The fans duel, Konosuke puts his jacket aside, and Konosuke puts ELP in the ring. The bell finally rings, and Konosuke goes up top! ELP runs up, Konosuke leaps over and kicks low. Konosuke whips, ELP reveres, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges and TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up and Konosuke brings ELP around. Konosuke suplexes, but ELP slips free and rolls Konosuke up, TWO!

Konosuke goes to a corner but ELP CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans ‘WOO~” and ELP whips, but Konosuke reverses. ELP goes up and over, keeps moving, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Somersault to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this and the fans rally up. ELP drags Konosuke up and has a straitjacket on the arm. Konosuke fights the lift with elbows, then wrenches free. Konosuke whips but ELP rolls off Konosuke’s back! ELP RANAS, then handsprings so he can LARIAT Konosuke up and out! The fans fire up again as now ELP builds speed! But Rocky gets Konosuke clear!

The fans boo and ELP storms out to glare at Azucar. But that lets Konosuke run up and CLOBBER ELP from behind! The fans boo but Konosuke and Rocky soak up the heat. Rocky talks trash, then Konosuke storms over to ELP. Konosuke stands ELP up to POST him! ELP slumps down to the floor, but he manages to stand up again. Konosuke stalks him around the way, then pushes him into the ring. Konosuke aims from the apron to slingshot SENTON! Konosuke taunts Jado but Jado coaches ELP. ELP sits up to CHOP! Konosuke eggs ELP on, so ELP CHOPS again! Konosuke stands ELP up so he can CHOP ELP down!

Konosuke stands ELP up again to wrench and whip corner to corner hard! ELP bounces off buckles and flops to the mat. Konosuke then stands on ELP at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off at 4, and the fans rally. Konosuke puts ELP in a corner to whip him corner to corner again, and just as hard! ELP falls, Konosuke covers, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans applaud, but Konosuke clamps on with a cobra clutch! ELP endures, fights around, but Konosuke thrashes him! Konosuke has the body scissors but the fans continue to rally. ELP reaches out with his free arm, but Konosuke hooks it with a leg! So ELP reaches out with a leg for the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer and ELP crawls his way to a corner. Konosuke makes his way over, stands ELP up, but ELP ROCKS Konosuke! And ROCKS him again! And again! But Konosuke ROCKS ELP in return! ELP staggers all the way back to the corner as we reach five minutes! Konosuke runs in and KNEES ELP down! Konosuke stands ELP back up, whips him corner to corner a third time, but ELP doesn’t bounce off the buckles. Konosuke runs up, but ELP ducks, and Konosuke’s jump knee hits buckles! Konosuke tumbles up and out to the floor! The fans fire up and ELP builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit and Konosuke goes over the railing!

The fans fire up and Jado coaches ELP. Rocky gets in ELP’s face, but now Jado creeps up on Rocky. Rocky turns around, sees Jado, apologizes, but then ELP KICKS Rocky, and TOSSES him over railing, onto Konosuke! ELP goes back to the ring, and the fans rally up as ELP aims from the ropes! The fans join in with “E! L! P!” SUPER THUNDERKISS ATTACK!! Down go Rocky and Konosuke!! The fans are thunderous and ELP can’t believe he made it! ELP drags Konosuke up to dump him back to ringside. The fans rally again as ELP puts Konosuke on the apron. ELP hops up, reels him in, and hooks the arms!

The fans fire up, but Konosuke fights free! Konosuke ROCKS ELP, then KNEES him in the face! ELP sputters, Konosuke reels him in, BLUE- NO, ELP grabs the ropes to block! ELP throws down elbow after elbow, then rolls into the ring. ELP RAMS Konosuke, goes up the ropes, but Konosuke drags him into a shoulder rack! ELP CLUBS Konosuke’s legs, slips down and POSTS Konosuke! Then he reels Konosuke back in! Konosuke fights the underhooks, so ELP lifts for an APRON PILEDRIVER!! Both men hit the floor and the fans fire up again! The ref checks, Konosuke is able to continue, so the ring count begins.

Both men crawl around at 5 of 20, but ELP stands first. Konosuke tries but flops over at 8. ELP rolls in at 10 but Konosuke is still down at 12! Konosuke sits up but is still down at 15! We hit 17! 18! 19! Konosuke springs in at 19.99!! The fans cheer as this continues, but the clock is still on ELP’s side. ELP stands Konosuke up to ROCK him with a forearm! ELP eggs Konosuke on, and Konosuke ROCKS him back! ELP comes back to ROCK Konosuke again! Konosuke snarls while ELP eggs him on. The forearms fly again and again, but ELP wobbles! Konosuke fires more shots, even boxing elbows, but ELP ENZIGIRIS!

ELP runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, ELP reverses, TAKESHITA LINE meets DROPKICK! ELP then springboards, into the ALPHA ELBOW! RAGING- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! SUDDEN DEATH!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! ELP rises, he goes to a corner, and he tunes up the band! Konosuke rises, but then he drops! Sudden Death denied, but ELP reels Konosuke in! But Konosuke Alabama Lifts! And then he swings ELP around, into the BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! ELP survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel, Konosuke stalks ELP, and he puts ELP on the top rope.

Konosuke climbs up the corner as we hit the three minute warning. Konosuke lifts ELP but ELP fights with fists! ELP adjusts his position, and from the post, he SUNSET FLIPS and RUNNING POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives, but ELP reels him right in! Tuck and C R SPINNING DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Konosuke survives the CR3 and we hit two minutes left! ELP goes to the apron, climbs the ropes, but he’s a bit wobbly! Konosuke grabs him for a fireman’s carry! ELP fights free, shoves Konosuke, then dodges the lariat to springboard, but into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB?!?! Cover, TWO!!!

ELP survives that sudden turnaround, but Konosuke drags ELP right up. ELP wrenches free, slips around to waistlock, only for Konosuke to standing switch! Konosuke hops up, but ELP slips out the back, and then ELP hops on for a POISON-RANA!! The fans fire up and ELP throws off the elbow pads! ELP runs, but Konosuke slips around, hops on, POISON-RANA!! Konosuke runs, but ELP dodges! ONE MINUTE LEFT, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men roar, but then both men fall over! The fans rally as hard as they can, and both men rise as fast as they can! ALPHA ELBOW! Then the POWER DRIVE- RANA! Cover, TWO!

Konosuke sunset flips! TWO and ELP high stacks but then rolls Konsouke through, tucks the arms, but Konosuke BACKDROPS and SITS on the cover! TWO!! Under 20 seconds, POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Cover, ONE?!? Konosuke hurries to get the kneepad off, 10 seconds, but ELP LARIATS first!! ELP covers, ONE?!?! ELP tucks Konosuke in, but TIME IS UP!!

Time Limit Draw; ELP retains the title

Maybe ELP survived by the skin of his teeth, but maybe Konosuke was saved by the bell! At the very least, ELP denies Konosuke from becoming a two-time double champion. However, ELP is now the challenger to Konosuke’s NEVER Openweight Champion. They both have just SIX DAYS to prepare, will Konosuke NEVER let ELP be a double champion?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Final Road leads The Ace to face one of his best young rivals in the Front Man. Will President Tanahashi show that he is still just as mighty? Or will he #JustTapOut?

As usual, Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Tanahashi. Tanahashi and ZSJ circle, feel things out, then knuckle lock. They break, but come back to try again. They knuckle lock, then clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. Tanahashi switches but ZSJ drop toeholds. ZSJ hooks up the legs, then floats to a facelock, but Tanahashi rolls. ZSJ rolls away and the fans cheer the opening exchange. The fans rally again as the two reset. Tanahashi and ZSJ step up, feel out another knuckle lock, and they go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength. ZSJ bridges back, spins and wrenches to then wristlock.

Tanahashi cravats in return, but ZSJ wrenches an arm. Tanahashi powers his way back to the cravat, but ZSJ spins and wrenches again. Tanahashi reels ZSJ back in for the cravat! ZSJ bridges, wrenches, but Tanahashi again has the cravat! The fans rally but ZSJ puts Tanahashi in the corner. The ref calls for a break, ZSJ lets go, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulders. ZSJ then runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Tanahashi goes up, up and CROSSBODIES! Tanahashi air guitars and the fans cheer! ZSJ goes to ropes but Tanahashi storms up to throw a body shot! Tanahashi whips but ZSJ reverses, only for Tanahashi to block!

Tanahashi dropkicks low but ZSJ avoids it! ZSJ then clamps on for the NECK TWIST! And then another NECK TWIST! Tanahashi writhes but ZSJ clamps on for a third NECK TWIST! The fans rally while the ref checks Tanahashi. Tanahashi is able to continue so ZSJ stands him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Tanahashi fires up! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and Tanahashi goes to the corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then he knuckle locks to wristlock. ZSJ forces Tanahashi down to a knee, then has the MOUNTED ARMBAR! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi in the side, and he gets the other arm! Tanahashi fights but ZSJ has the DOUBLE ARMBAR!

ZSJ pushes Tanahashi down, has a leg, and Tanahashi is in a pretzel knot of a cradle! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes and the fans fire up! ZSJ scuffs Tanahashi, eggs him on, and Tanahashi sits up. ZSJ KICKS Tanahashi, eggs him on some more, then KICKS again! Tanahashi staggers to the ropes but ZSJ KICKS him against the ropes! Tanahashi spotters, ZSJ looms over him, but Tanahashi rises to fire forearms! ZSJ UPPERCUTS in return! ZSJ whips, Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS in return! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he storms up to fire fast hands! The fans chant “GO ACE!” as Tanahashi ROCKS ZSJ!

Tanahashi scoops ZSJ to SLAM him into the drop zone! Tanahashi then goes up the ropes, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to rise, and Tanahashi runs, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs up, but into a BOOT! Tanahashi runs up, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs up, but he blocks the boot! DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi writhes and the fans rally, but ZSJ goes to the far side. ZSJ runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! ZSJ snapmares, KICKS, and Tanahashi writhes! ZSJ aims from the corner again, and runs up to PENALTY- NO, Tanahashi blocks! ZSJ throws some slaps but Tanahashi just stares him down.

ZSJ slaps again and again, but Tanahashi leans into the shots! Then DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi keeps the leg, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ has the leg to REVERSE DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi seethes while ZSJ writhes and the fans rally up! Tanahashi waits on ZSJ, but ZSJ grabs the arms! Tanahashi fights the backslide, flips the hooks, but then ZSJ flips them back! The two fight for control, and Tanahashi has the BACKSLIDE! TWO, and Tanahashi has the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi brings ZSJ back up, but ZSJ scoops! Tanahashi fights free to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up for the hattrick while both men are down. Tanahashi rises and the fans rally behind him. Tanahashi waits on ZSJ to rise, then he runs, but ZSJ scoops! ZACK DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Tanahashi and ZSJ roll to opposite ends, and ZSJ shakes out his bad leg. ZSJ scoots his way to Tanahashi but Tanahashi is on the apron. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up, wrenches and PELES the arm! Tanahashi drops to his knees on the apron but ZSJ goes out after him! Only for Tanahashi to grab a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi steps inside, has the other leg, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS!

Tanahashi powers up again and the fans rally! Tanahashi runs, and he SLINGBLADES ZSJ down! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but Tanahashi stays focused. Tanahashi goes up and the fans cheer for the HIGH FLY ATTACK! ZSJ is back down so Tanahashi goes back up! HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! ZSJ reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi flails, ZSJ squeeze tight, and ZSJ slaps his own leg into working! Tanahashi endures, fights up, pushes through and turns Triangle Hold into the Cloverhold! Tanahashi works to step over, but ZSJ fights that to reel Tanahashi back into the TRIANGLE HOLD!

The fans rally as Tanahashi endures again! ZSJ sits Tanahashi down, ARM- NO, Tanahashi high stacks ZSJ to a cover! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, and he UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then full nelsons! But ZSJ drops down to victory roll, only for Tanahashi to roll it back! TWO!! ZSJ escapes, scoops, but Tanahashi cradles! TWO!! ZSJ escapes again, Tanahashi slips around and O’Conner Rolls, JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO!! ZSJ has a SLEEPER! Tanahashi rolls back, ZSJ rolls through, and he still has the SLEEPER! Tanahashi fights up, reaches out, and the fans rally as hard as they can, but Tanahashi is fading!

The ref checks, but ZSJ spins Tanahasi around! Scoop and SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall

The final time between these two goes to The Front Man! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but ZSJ does sit with Tanahashi to show his respect. The Final Road still has many stops to go, what other final showdowns will we see for The Ace?

Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!

Ever since The Roughneck started this Second Chapter, he’s had a new attitude, and he’s picked a fight with a Rampaging Dragon. Shota vows that one way or another, he will lead Hontai and all of NJPW. Will this be where his Paradigm Shift truly begins? Or will Takagi keep things tranquilo for Dontaku?

Takagi seems to anticipate something, as he’s bringing a chair with him to the ring. The ref warns him about that, but then Takagi pushes him aside! And he CHUCKS the chair at Shota! Shota dodges but Takagi fires off Shota in the other corner! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Takagi stops to put his jacket aside. The bell rings but Shota turns things around on Takagi to fire forearms! Takagi turns things back around to fire forearms of his own! Takagi then JABS, JABS, JABS until Shota sits down! The ref reprimands but Takagi pushes him aside again. Takagi whips corner to corner, runs up, but blocks Shota’s boot.

Shota avoids Takagi’s lariat, runs and RAMS shoulders, but Takagi doesn’t budge! Shota runs, RAMS Takagi again, then runs and RAMS him again! Takagi whips Shota out of the ring, but Shota slips back into the ring. Shota sends Takagi out, Takagi bumps into railing, and the fans rally up. Shota follows Takagi around the way, but Takagi ELBOWS and HEADBUTTS Shota! Takagi CLUBS Shota, then pushes him into the apron. Takagi whips, Shota reverses, and Takagi hits railing again! The fans rally while both men catch their breath. Shota storms over to Takagi, drags him up, and puts him in the ring.

The fans applaud and Takagi gets moving! Takagi RAMS Shota, Shota rebounds and he finally runs Takagi over! The fans rally and duel, and Shota watches Takagi go to a corner. Shota runs in and UPPERCUTS! Shota then hooks a leg, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let it bother him. Shota drags Takagi up but Takagi fights the lift. Shota CLUBS away on Takagi, brings him up and turns him, but Takagi fights free. Shota runs up but into the ELBOW! JAB! And feint to the JAB again! Then YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up, Takagi runs, and he LARIATS Shota up and out!

The fans rally as Takagi goes out after Shota. Takagi stands Shota up, then whips Shota into railing! Then he brings Shota around the way to SMACK him off the timekeeper’s table! Takagi grabs a chair, SMACKS Shota on the back, then CHUCKS the chair at Shota’s head! The ref reprimands while Shota slumps down, and the fans are a bit torn. Takagi kicks at Shota while he’s down, the ref reprimands more, so Takagi drags Shota up and back to ringside. Takagi puts Shota in the ring, has the fans rally more, and then winds up as Shota stands. Takagi runs in and LARIATS! Shota slumps back down but Takagi eggs him on.

Takagi kicks at Shota, but Shota kicks back! Takagi eggs Shota on more so Shota kicks more. Takagi kicks at Shota again, then even slaps him! Takagi CLUBS Shota, and Shota stands up in a huff. Shota fires a forearm, but Takagi shakes his head. Shota fires another forearm, but Takagi still shakes his head. Shota fires a third, but Takagi short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! Takagi reels Shota in and POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays cool. The fans rally and Takagi gives Shota more scuffing kicks. Shota scowls but Takagi stands him up.

Takagi reels Shota in, pump handles, but Shota fights the lift! Takagi fires knees, but Shota slips around! Takagi fires elbows, then runs, but Shota dropkicks the leg! Takagi still kicks, but Shota blocks and DRAGON SCREWS! Shota turns Takagi over, steps through, STF! Takagi scrambles forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Shota lest go in frustration. Shota stands, brings Takagi up, and he half nelsons. Takagi fights that with elbows, then he RAMS Shota into a corner! Takagi fires elbow after elbow then ROCKS Shota! But Shota headbutts the buckles in a very Takagi way! Shota runs up, dodges, SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!

Takagi is up, he dodges Shota to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Shota is back up to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Shota runs up, but Takagi SWATS the lariat, and BLINDSIDE LARIATS in return! Takagi whips, Shota reverses and TORNADO- NO, Takagi denies that to ELBOW Shota! Takagi goes up the corner, TORNADO DDT! Shota staggers to his feet, but into the YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi hurries to bring Shota around. Pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up! Takagi is a bit surprised, but he stands up and has the fans rally again.

Takagi brings Shota around, pump handles, but Shota fights the torture rack! Shota CLUBS Takagi again and again, but Takagi LARIATS! Shota wobbles but shakes his head! Shota comes back, so Takagi LARIATS again! Shota stays on his feet, so Takagi winds up to LARIAT! Shota roars, Takagi JABS and HEADBUTTS, then SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up and Takagi brings Shota up. Takagi whips, Shota reverses, TORNADO DDT! Takagi is right up, but Shota LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shota rises up as we reach ten minutes, and the fans rally again. Shota storms back over to Takagi and brings him up.

Shota reels Takagi in, and hits a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives but Shota just fires up more! The fans rally and Shota brings Takagi back up. Shota reels Takagi in, but Takagi sprawls to fight the suplex. Takagi wrenches out, but Shota ROCKS him! Takagi goes to a corner, checks his jaw, and then comes back to egg Shota on. Shota ROCKS Takagi, ROCKS him again, but Takagi fires boxing elbows in return! Takagi winds up to ROCK Shota! Takagi eggs Shota on some more and the fans rally back up. Shota nods and fires up! Shota fires boxing elbows of his own, then ROCKS Takagi! Shota runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT!

Takagi runs but Shota follows to LARIAT! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Shota LARIATS! Takagi is up to PUMPING BOMBER! But he can’t make the cover! The fans fire up as both men go to corners! Takagi runs in, but Shota meets him! DOUBLE LARIATS! Shota SWATS a lariat to DROPKICK! Takagi comes back, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! SHOTA LARIATS THROUGH!! Cover, ONE?!?! Takagi is still fighting but Shota gets moving! SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Shota just fires up more! Shota aims from a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE!! But that’s not all! Scoop and SECOND-

NO, Takagi fights through to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans rally while both men are down again! Shota goes to ropes, as does Takagi. They stand back up, biting the ropes even! They both run up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Then DOUBLE LARIATS again! Shota HEADBUTTS! Shota runs up, Takagi puts him in the ropes! TAKAGI G T R!! Then a pump handle and rack, BURNING DRAGON!! Takagi runs, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Shota survives and the fans are thunderous! Takagi brings Shota up, pump handles and torture racks again, for LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall

Shota’s Second Chapter still hasn’t quite turned things around, and he even has a bloody nose from that last impact. But has he learned what it takes to be an IWGP World Heavyweight Champion from a former champion like Takagi? Will Takagi find himself on the path back to that title soon enough?

Dogpound Cage Match, Losers Leave Bullet Club: War Dogs VS House of Torture!

For quite some time, there has been tension between the many branches of The Club. In some ways, this dates back to when Jay White led the Firing Squad. But things really escalated this year, when the New Beginning in Osaka became the beginning of the end! David Finlay leads Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori against Evil, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Sho, Ren Narita, and the newest traitor, Sanada! This will be the final battle, but who will prove they are THE Bullet Club?

Well, while they’re not directly in the match, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo are still ringside, because they’re as much part of this as the others. Even that aside, Evil and the boys are already armed. The King of Darkness has a chair while everyone else has their signatures, like the whiskey bottle, “Torture Tool,” pushup bar and guitar. The War Dogs are just as prepared, as there are kendo sticks, baseball bats, a trashcan full of other goodies, and Drilla is even wearing an ammo belt of silverware! But then The Rebel ups the ante by locking the cage door! No one in or out, except by the Dogs climbing the cage from all sides! The Dogs close in, the bell rings, and the war is on!

The fans fire up as Finlay goes after Evil, Gabe has Narita, Drilla has Sanada, Connors has Kanemaru and Taiji has Sho. Finlay shoves Evil into the cage, then into a POST! Gabe uses a kendo stick, but Narita takes that from him to SMACK him down! Only for Finlay to be all over Narita! Evil JAMS Finlay with a chair, puts him in the ring, and then Narita JAMS Connors and Gabe with that chair! Finlay and Evil brawl, Finlay HEADBUTTS and Evil CHOPS! Finlay kicks Evil, TOSSES him back out, but Evil JAMS Finlay with a kendo stick! Evil SMACKS Finlay with the stick, then Connors brings Narita into the ring.

Connors whips but Narita reverses, Connors hits buckles hard! They go back outside, so Taiji puts Sho in. Taiji stomps Sho, Evil SMACKS Connors, Finlay throws hands on Evil! Taiji SMACKS Sho around, Drilla CLAWS Narita’s face and SMACKS him with another kendo stick. Things spill back outside, Drilla JAMS Sho up! Gabe SMACKS Narita! The fans rally for Gabe, but Sanada CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Gabe puts Narita in the ring and the fans rally for the Mad Man. Gabe bumps Narita off buckles, then CHOPS again and again! The fans bark with every CHOP, and Gabe grabs himself a chair! Gabe winds up, and he CHUCKS the chair at Narita’s face!

Narita falls out of the ring and the fans fire up for Gabe! Gabe then goes out, only for Narita to HEADSHOT him with the chair! Narita SMACKS Gabe on the back! Taiji and Sho get back in the ring, and Taiji ROCKS Sho! But Sho CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho has his tool, but Taiji dodges the attack! Taiji then kicks low, whips, but Sho reverses. Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kanemaru DROPKICKS Taiji! Connors JEEP FLIPS Kanemaru! Narita BOOTS Connors! Gabe UPPERCUTS Narita, then hits the SAIDO! Evil LARIATS Gabe! Finlay hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sanada suplexes for the MAGIC SCREW!

Drilla steps in but Sanada KICKS the ropes! The fans boo as Sanada gets Drilla down low! But then Sanada has the legs! Drilla kicks free of the Paradise Lock, then DUMPS Sanada to the outside! Sanada gets up, ROCKS Drilla, then steps inside, only for Drilla to KICK the ropes! The fans cheer as Sanada tastes his own medicine! Drilla then hits a SPINEBUSTER, and the fans bark with Drilla. Drilla reels Sanada in, Canadian Racks, but Sho LOW BLOWS! The fans boo, but then Sanada grabs one of Drilla’s forks! Sanada STABS Drilla in the forehead! Sho hands out the forks, but Sanada DIGS his into Drilla’s forehead!

The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but that’s all he can do. Evil undoes the red corner’s buckle pad while Kanemaru and Sho each DIG their forks into Drilla! Evil is untying more buckle pads while the others keep the War Dogs down. We’re now in a four corners of danger situation! Connors returns, but he’s sent into steel buckles! Drilla is bloody already, but Kanemaru bumps him off buckles! Sho TOSSES Connors out while Sanada DIGS his fork into Drilla’s wound! The fans boo as Drilla suffers! Finlay is back but Evil kicks him low, then POSTS him hard! Finlay falls out of the ring, writhing while clutching his shoulder!

Sho digs Connors’ face into the cage, and Dick is there to DIG a fork into Connors’ forehead!! The fans boo as Dick JABS away on Connors! Evil and Sanada stand over Drilla in the ring, these two working together like the old days. Kanemaru SMACKS Taiji with a buckle pad! Sanada bumps Drilla off buckles, then BITES at the wound! That’s Cold Blooded to say the least! Evil stomps Connors, then Kanemaru takes a turn standing on Drilla’s neck! Kanemaru steps off to run up and BOOT Drilla in the corner! Evil uses the barbed wire from Connors’ hat to DIG at Drilla’s forehead! Drilla roars in anger, but Evil CHOKES Drilla with Dick’s Spoiler Choker!

The fans boo but Evil tells them to shut up. Taiji is thrown into the cage! Evil hits a FISHERMAN BUSTER on Drilla! Cover, TWO!! Drilla is still in this and Evil is furious. The fans cheer but Sho storms in. Gabe CHUCKS a table! Narita dodges and they brawl! Sho BITES Drilla’s forehead! Sho then digs his boot into the forehead, and so does Evil! Drilla pushes them back but Narita SMACKS Gabe’s face off the table again and again! Narita then BULLDOGS Gabe through the table! Gabe is stuck against the wood while Evil laughs at his pain. Drilla continues to be tortured by the House of Torture but the fans rally for him.

The House whips Drilla into a corner! Then Sho hits a LARIAT! Kanemaru adds an ELBOW! Narita adds an ELBOW! Sanada adds an ELBOW! Evil LARIATS, then he snapmares Drilla. Sho & Narita hold Drilla open, Kanemaru climbs up with a kendo stick, but the Dogs make the save! The fans rally, Connors dodges Kanemaru to SPEAR! The kendo stick goes flying! The Dogs each have a man, and they climb up to rain down fists! The fans bark as we go al the way to TEN! That’s a total of FIFTY right there! The Dogs then TOSS the House out, and Finlay keeps Sho in the ring. Sanada is sent into the steel, and then the Dogs make sure everyone is lined up.

Finlay brings Sho up to the top rope! Red Shoes and the fans freak out for the SUPER DUPER PLEX onto the group! Talk about a dogpile! The fans rally up again while all ten men are down! Gedo says c’mon, boys! Kill ’em all! The fans bark and the dogs rise up. Connors manages to stand, and he gets his baseball bat! Connors stalks Kanemaru, stands him up, and puts him in the ring. Kanemaru has a kendo stick, but Connors takes aim! Swing and a hit! No more kendo stick! Kanemaru panics and begs for mercy! Connors calls his shot, but Sho grabs the bad! Kanemaru kicks Connors, Sho JAMS Connors up with his bat!

Sho JAMS up Taiji, then Kanemaru SMACKS Connors with a chair! BRITISH FALL onto a chair!! Cover, Taiji breaks it! Sho JAMS Taiji with a chair now, then aims! HEADSHOT!! Bone Soldier flops out of the ring, and Sho CHOKES Connors with his bat! Connors fights up but he’s fading already! Kanemaru takes a big swig, then runs up, but Connors ducks! WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! Connors has the bat again, and he JAMS Kanemaru! Connors then hurries to aim from a corner, DOUBLE SPEAR!! The fans are thunderous, and Connors hurries to get that whiskey! Connors takes a swig just to mist it into the air, and he tells his guys to get up!

Taiji climbs, Connors HEADBUTTS Sho, but wait, Dick & Yujiro try to stop Taiji. Gedo runs up to DECK Dick and SMACK the Tokyo Pimp! The fans fire up as Taiji, bloodied himself, hits an ARIHARA MOONSAULT on Sho & Kanemaru! But then Evil CLOBBERS Connors and DECKS Taiji! Finlay is up to CLOBBER Evil! Evil is in the ring, he has the shillelagh! Finlay dodges to fire off forearms! ROLLING ELBOW! Finlay has his shillelagh back!! The fans fire up as Finlay gives it a kiss, but Evil CLAWS Finlay’s eyes! Evil whips but Finlay reverses, and now Evil hits POST! Finlay reels Evil in, FULL METAL BUCKLE BOMB!!

Finlay reels Evil back in, slashes his throat, and OVER- NO, Evil fights the Overkill! Finlay fights free of that, but then avoids Everything is Evil! GUN STUN!! Shoutout to the OGs of Bullet Club! Then INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, Narita YANKS Red Shoes out of the ring! The fans boo but Narita just grins. Finlay BLASTS Narita off the apron for it, then paces around. Everyone else is down, but Finlay grabs a chair before he goes outside. Finlay dares Evil to get up, and Evil stands, so Finlay CHUCKS the chair at him! Finlay pushes things aside, such as the busted table, to bring out a fresh table! The fans rally as Finlay sets this one up by a corner.

Gedo tells Finlay to end this! Finlay says he’s gonna end this! Finlay reels Evil in, but Dick POCKET SANDS through the cage!! The fans boo but then Dick KICKS Gedo! Dick climbs up and in so he can help Evil mug Finlay! Gedo tries to climb, but Dick & Evil shove Finlay into the cage! Gedo falls, and now Finlay is put on the table! Dick goes up, but Gedo meets him! They brawl at the top of the cage, and Gedo DECKS Dick! Finlay gets up to CLAW Evil’s face! Now Gedo hops inside, and Finlay puts Dick on the table! The Blacksmith goes hardcore as he FROG SPLASHES onto the table! Dick, Gedo and table fall over, and the fans cheer Gedo on!

Finlay goes after Evil with the shillelagh, but Evil fights it off! Yujiro hops in, and he has a big steel chain! Yujiro CLUBS Finlay down using it, then wraps it around Finlay’s neck! Yujiro CHOKES Evil while Evil BREAKS the shillelagh! Evil uses one of the jagged ends to DIG at Finlay’s face!! The fans boo but Finlay is bloodied. Evil wraps the chain around his fist to punch Finlay over and over! Evil BITES at Finlay’s wound while Yujiro brings out a new table! And another new table! These are set up side-by-side, and then Evil goes back for Finlay. Drilla is back and LOW BLOWS Yujiro! And he LOW BLOWS Yujiro!

Drilla chases Sanada into the ring, dodges his Smash Hit, and hits the GORE! Drilla has the guitar and the fans fire up! Drilla gives Sanada the SMASH HIT!!! The fans go wild for Drilla, and he shows off the busted guitar! Drilla then grins as he has Sanada all alone. Drilla drags a bloodied Sanada to the apron, reels him in, and he aims for those tables! Drilla lifts but Sanada fights! Sanada fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the table! Drilla is down in the wreckage, but now a bloodied Gabe and Narita find each other in the ring! Gabe ROCKS Narita, but Narita ROCKS Gabe! Gabe is like a zombie as he keeps coming back for more!

The fans rally as the shots go back and forth between Mad Man and Souled Out Son of Strong Style! Gabe fires shot after shot, but Narita BITES Gabe’s face! Narita pushes Gabe down, then drags him back up, only for Gabe to HEADBUTT Narita down! Narita falls over and writhes, but Gabe is hungry for more! The fans rally as Gabe winds up, and Gabe runs to COMEBACKER LARIAT!! Narita is in a daze from being flipped upside-down, but Gabe vows to end this! Gabe goes outside, looks under the ring, and he brings out a table wrapped in barbed wire! The fans fire up as the Mad Man ups the ante!

Gabe has to be careful with how he handles this thorny bit of furniture, but he manages to put it in the ring and stand it up. Gabe slashes his throat and the fans fire up again. Narita takes a swing, Gabe dodges once, but Narita JAMS him up the second time! Narita, crimson mask worst of everyone’s, drags Gabe up. Narita GRINDS Gabe’s face against the barbed wire!!! The fans freak out, as does Red Shoes, but Narita stops and grins through his own blood. Narita then stands Gabe back up, and CLUBS him onto the table! Narita has Gabe prone, then he goes up the corner. Narita climbs, but Gabe rises and UPPERCUTS!

The fans rally up again as Gabe ROCKS Narita! Gabe adjusts the table’s position, then climbs up after Narita. Gabe says Narita did this to himself. Gabe HEADBUTTS Narita, then reels him in! Narita fights with body shots, but Gabe fires forearms! They brawl up top, there’s blood dripping onto the camera… Gabe wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS back! Gabe then double checks his math, and he shouts, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!!” SECOND ROPE PILEDRIVER down through the barbed wire table!!!! Cover, WAR DOGS WIN!!!!

Winners: War Dogs, by pinfall (House of Torture is exiled from Bullet Club)

Wait, Evil has cuffed Finlay to the cage! He’s got a dog collar around Finlay’s neck! Evil doesn’t care if he lost the war, he wants to rid the War Dogs of their leader!! Evil throws the chain over the top, then climbs out so he can CHOKE Finlay!! Evil is trying to hang Finlay!! The others rush over so Evil retreats. The King of Darkness is no longer Too Sweet, but will this only make the House of Torture more dangerous?

As for the Dogs, Finlay is freed of the collar but they need keys for the cuffs. Keys are found, and Gedo helps free Finlay from the cage. Bruised, battered, bloodied, but triumphant, the War Dogs regroup in the ring while the rest of the House flees. Finlay shows off the barbed wire table Gabe used to end this, and Drilla pours out Kanemaru’s whiskey in celebration. Gabe throws up the Too Sweet, but he also has the mic to tell them to turn the music off. The fans cheer as the Dogs stand tall, and Gabe barks. The fans bark along, and then Gabe says, “They wanted to try and take it from us. They wanted to try and take it from us.

“How can you take it from us when this is our effing lives?! This is the house that WE built! WE made Bullet Club popping! This is the number one Bullet Club, and you wanna take it from us!? You will say thank you, you will say effin’ thank you!” Gabe DGAF! You can bring up AJ Styles, Kenny Omega, Jay White, F THEM! THIS is Bullet Club now! The fans cheer that! Gabe says THIS is the best Bullet Club that has ever been! F Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura,  these are the guys saving NJPW! Every day! And if you ain’t down with that, then you ain’t a dawg for real! Gabe throws down the mic and The War Dogs celebrate!

Will no one from nowhere in the wrestling world ever stop this Bullet Club? Will the wrestling world soon belong to the Dogs?

My Thoughts:

A great event here to kick off Dontaku weekend. A lot of good tune-up stuff, with Ishii’s team winning their 8 Man Tag to mostly build Yuya Uemura going into his match with Yota Tsuji. They’ll have a great Global Heavyweight Championship match but I feel like Tsuji retains. Bishamon & Taguchi won their match, but I can’t be sure the go-home math now favors Callum Newman in the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match tomorrow. It’d still be pretty wild if Callum won, but I’m still favoring Goto.

Great NJPW World TV Championship match, especially because of the time limit draw. ELP and Konosuke are now going into the NEVER Openweight Championship match at even, which makes me think Konosuke retains his title. Part of that is how Takagi stared Konosuke down after Shota VS Takagi. I’m a touch surprised Takagi won because of how Shota’s been running hot. Perhaps it lends itself to Shota’s story of growing up and learning how to truly be that top guy and living up to expectations rather than them writing him as if he’s just magically there. This can pay off in the long run so that fans can accept Shota and not feel he was shoved down their throats, a la a “Super Cena” type story.

We got a great match from Tanahashi VS ZSJ in their final match against each other, and ZSJ going over was the right call here. ZSJ himself is working his way back up after losing the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and then missing out on the New Japan Cup this year. This last win over Tanahashi can certainly propel ZSJ up to the world title, and he can go out there tomorrow to challenge the winner of Goto VS Callum. Then a great main event, where everyone learned from the original Dogpound match to hold back a touch. It was still plenty violent and chaotic, but they let the ring stay in one piece so we don’t end up with another injury like Alex Coughlin got.

And War Dogs winning fits, as the House of Torture always felt like it should’ve been its own faction from the start. Evil, Sanada and the boys can focus on House of Torture merch, and the feud doesn’t even have to end given we’ll be seeing Sho, Kanemaru, Connors and Ishimori in Best of the Super Juniors, meaning they will encounter each other at some point.

My Score: 9/10