Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/7/25)
WOO~! YEET! Part 2!
Main Event Jey Uso is back on SmackDown!
As they each promised, Jey Uso AND Charlotte Flair are both here for SmackDown to consider the champions, Cody Rhodes and Tiffany Stratton.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bianca Belair VS Piper Niven; Bianca wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- WWE Tag Team Championship Title Eliminator: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins and will challenge DIY for the titles.
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Jimmy Uso VS LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- Carmelo Hayes VS Akira Tozawa; Melo wins.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae; Bliss wins and advances to Elimination Chamber.
- Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; Cody & Jey win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
And like before, he comes on through the concourse with the WWE Universe, and says, “Hey, Uce! Please hit my music! Uh, uh, YEET!!” Memphis fires up and sings along with that Day One Ish! Then they get their bounce on with Jey while he heads down the bleachers and to ringside. And much like in Cleveland, they bounce along as Jey’s on the corner! Jey keeps it going and the fans are with him! They might just YEET all night if they could! Jey grabs a mic and the fans chant for “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says aight. MORE YEET! Jey finally says, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!”
Jey hears the “YEET!” continue, but he says he has had a hell of a week. He got a lotta love. “YEET!” From his family. “YEET!” From his friends. “YEET!” And from the fans. “YEET!” Your 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Winner! “YEET!” The fans now chant, “You Deserve It! YEET!” Jey says okay, but he’s here to pick a champion to main event with at WrestleMania. On Monday right, he had the Ring General, Gunther. So it is only right that he pulls up on Smackdown to be face to face with the WWE Champion. So Memphis, help him welcome his dawg, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans now fire up as Cody makes his entrance!
The fans sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH!” and we get the pyro! Cody high-fives fans as he heads down the ramp, then he steps into the ring to join Jey. Cody and Jey hug at the second “WHOA~ OH~!” then Cody grabs a mic. The fans chant between “CODY! CODY!” and “YEET!” Cody tells Memphis, and Main Event Jey Uso, “I think I know what you wanna talk about.” We get a look at the WrestleMania sign, and Jey tells Cody, “Uce, you know why I’m here, right? You do. I got two choices to make, Uce. Just two. I can stand across from you on the Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania. That’d mean a lot to me.
“Or… I can stand next to you, you still WWE Champ, and me the NEW World Heavyweight Champ.” The fans like both ideas! Cody says that’s quite the choice to make. He spoke to his doctor this week after that ladder match, and he was told that there’s fluid in his elbow that needs to be drained, a hip that is out of alignment, a bunch of lower back medical jargon he wasn’t really paying attention to. Cody’s doctor is a nice guy, but he’s not the WWE Champion. And one of the things that the doc left out is a good diagnosis: how good Cody’s heart is, how absolutely 100% proud Cody is of Jey Uso winning the Royal Rumble!
The fans cheer, and Cody says he knows this is Jey’s choice. But that sign there, having fought for it, having his choice taken from him and then fighting to get it back, that is Jey’s sign to point out this year. This is Jey’s WrestleMania! They’ve had some good moments in this ring together. They won tag team gold together. They had a libation or two. This arena is right off Biel Street… They could do that all over again, y’know what he’s saying? But Jey, as much as Jey has this choice, Cody has to go to WrestleMania. And for this title reign to be complete, he has to not only be in the main event, he has to win.
So if Jey chooses Cody, they’ll make a memory here tonight and have some absolute fun, because it’ll be the last time. Does Jey feel Cody on that? Cody and Jey shake hands, but wait! Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga are here! The Samoan Werewolf and Good Bad Guy go to the ring, but Cody & Jey stand their ground. Tama grabs a mic to say, “Shh… YEHYEHYEHYEHYEH! YEH YEH YEH YEH!” Jacob adds a “Yeeeeah. Okay. First off, Cody Rhodes! Last year, you took that title from my family. But as of now, Cody, my family needs that title back. Which that takes me to you, Jey Uso. Big cousin! Mr. Yeet Man! Mr. 25 Royal Rumble winner!”
Jacob tells “Big Cousin” to not get it twisted, keep it 100. If it is anyone that brings that title back to the family, it sure to Hell ain’t gonna be Jey’s ass! Tama storms up but Jey SUPERKICKS him! So Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! Cody fires hands on Jacob! But Jacob WRINGS Cody’s bad arm out! And then BODY CHECKS him! The fans boo but Jacob hammers away on Cody in the corner! Jacob throws off his jacket, goes to the far corner, but Jey SUPERKICKS him! Cody hurries to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Jey & Cody then DOUBLE LARIAT Jacob up and out! Tama & Jacob regroup to retreat, but surely this isn’t the end of things between Rhodes and these rogues!
In fact, Nick Aldis makes it official during the break! Cody & Jey VS Jacob & Tama in a massive tag team match! Will the American Nightmare & Main Event Jey look to YEET Jacob & Tama out of the way on this Road to WrestleMania?
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Bianca Belair w/ Naomi VS Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green!
The StrongEST Glow may not have won the Women’s Royal Rumble, but they are still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. However, Bianca is still joining the chase for a world title shot! Will Bianca break into the Elimination Chamber and head for WrestleMania? Or will the “Secret Her-vice” take the lead on going for more gold?
The bell rings, the two storm up, but Bianca slips around Piper to wrench and torture- NO, Piper fights free, scoops, but Bianca fights fere! Bianca goes to a corner, Piper runs in, but Bianca dodges! Bianca RAMS into Piper again and again, then lets off to fire up Memphis. Bianca says kiss this, then she RAMS Piper again! Bianca climbs up, the fans count along as she rains down fists! But Piper slips out at 5, and she uses the braid to pull Bianca down! Piper then uses the braid to reel Bianca in for a short arm LARIAT! The fans boo but Piper stalks Bianca. Piper bumps Bianca off buckles, then RAMS into her now!
The ref counts, Piper stops at 4 to push Bianca down. Piper talks trash, then runs up, but Bianca DUMPS Piper out of the ring! Chelsea is upset but Bianca WRECKS Piper with a dropkick! Bianca then brings Piper around, only for Piper to RAM her into the LED apron! Then she SPLASHES Bianca against the LED apron! The fans boo but Piper SENTONS Bianca on the floor! Piper soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Piper drags Bianca up, Bianca fires body shots, but Piper SMACKS her off the top of the apron. Piper puts Bianca in, stalks her, but Bianca fires forearms! Bianca runs, RAMS Piper, but Piper rebounds to CLOBBER Bianca! Piper soaks up more heat before she covers, TWO! Bianca is tougher than that, but Piper clamps on a chinlock. Bianca endures, fights up, then Bianca fires body shots. But Piper scoops, to SLAM Bianca! Bianca goes to a corner while Piper taunts Memphis. Chelsea cheers while Piper storms up on Bianca. Piper climbs up, and now she rains down fists! Piper really puts heat on them, but Bianca slips out at 5!
Bianca pries Piper from the corner in an Electric Chair, then SLAMS her onto the buckles! Piper sputters, Bianca gets space, and Bianca runs back in to RAM Piper again! Bianca climbs up, and she rains down more fists! Bianca gets to nine but Piper slips out again! Piper goes after the braid like before, but Bianca backflips through! Bianca then dodges Piper, and DROPKICKS her! Piper storms back up but Bianca headlocks. CORNER BULLDOG! Piper staggers back, runs back up, but Bianca ROCKS her first! Bianca bumps Piper off buckles, then goes side to side to do it again! Bianca climbs, takes aim, and SmackDown returns to single picture.
The fans fire up as Bianca CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is relieved but Naomi coaches Bianca up. Bianca drags Piper to her feet, and goes for the torture rack! Piper fights free again, and HEADBUTTS Bianca! Piper whips, then scoops for a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bianca survives and Chelsea can’t believe it! Piper runs, but Bianca avoids the senton! Bianca then runs and SPEARS Piper down! High stack, TWO! Bianca is sent into buckles and she falls in a heap! Piper runs corner to corner, and she CANNONBALLS into Bianca! Piper goes up, up, and Chelsea cheers, but Bianca CLUBS Piper on the back!
Piper fires back and Bianca staggers away. Bianca runs up, but into an URENAGE! Piper goes up again, Chelsea says finish this! VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives again and Piper is growing frustrated. Chelsea is frustrated, too, but the fans rally for “E S T! E S T!” Piper brings Bianca up, scoops, but Bianca slips free! Bianca goes to a corner, dodges Piper, and then has Piper in the ropes to BOOT her into the post! Piper is dazed, Bianca hoists her up, torture rack! The fans are thunderous for the KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
Naomi celebrates with Bianca, and now this might be the strongEST, the toughEST, the roughEST, the fastEST Elimination Chamber match ever! But will Bianca win big for her and her team?
Nick Aldis welcomes Kayden Carter & Katana Chance to SmackDown.
The transfer window has closed, and the party girls are now officially part of the blue brand. They’re excited, but then Carmelo Hayes steps in. Aldis apologizes to KC Squared as they step out, and Melo says unless this meeting is about the Elimination Chamber, maybe giving H1M a bye like Cena got, there’s nothing to talk about. Oh, but there is something to talk about. Aldis had a phone call with Adam Pearce, and Pearce wants Melo to have a match with a Raw superstar who’s in town tonight. Aldis accepted that request. Melo says no, they’re not doing this anymore. Aldis tried it with Strowman, he tried it with Priest, Melo’s not into that.
But knock knock, they’re here. And it’s Akira Tozawa! He will be Melo’s opponent after how Melo cost him his spot in the Royal Rumble. So that deserves this match. Melo says he’s changed his mind anyway, this is perfect! Melo has been wanting to wrestle Tozawa, and it’ll be a layup. Tozawa says more like airball. What was that? Who does Tozawa think he is? Tozawa will see an airball! Melo heads out, Tozawa says he’s a problem. Will the Alpha Academy’s Stamina Monster find a way to humble H1M when others couldn’t?
#DIY is here!
Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa are still WWE Tag Team Champions, only because The Street Profits cost the Motor City Machine Guns in the Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match. Though, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins would then attack Gargano & Ciampa afterward, so clearly it wasn’t to help them. What will DIY have to say about it all? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and the fans boo DIY while they grab mics. Gargano starts by telling Memphis to give it up one time for your TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions~! The fans boo, but Gargano says they beat MCMG not once but twice at the Royal Rumble. That means officially, this is THE best tag team in the world! Everyone knows that the BTTITW is D I Y! And Ciampa says with that, it is safe to say that the chances of MCMG ever holding these titles again are officially dead. RIP. But that’s hard, because DIY has nothing but respect for MCMG, two indie legends! 11 years ago, they were DIY’s favorites.
So tonight, Memphis, everyone here and watching at home, please stand up. Please, they’re serious. This is for MCMG. Take your hats off, bow your heads in silence. Silence! The fans boo instead, but “YES BOY~!” Pretty Deadly is here! Elton Prince has a mic to say, “Wow, wow, wow. What a lovely sentiment that was.” Kit Wilson says they were just back there watching, having fun- Ciampa says they’re interrupting a moment of silence! But Elton says they felt it was important for them to remind DIY of all the help Pretty Deadly’s given them to keep the titles! Ciampa says what is important is that you respect this moment of silence!
The fans boo more, but now Aldis walks out here. He apologizes for interrupting, but after everything DIY has pulled, they have no business making demands about those titles. That’s Aldis’ job! As for Pretty Deadly, they don’t deserve a title shot, but they can earn one. How about Pretty Deadly VS DIY in a non-title match. If Pretty Deadly wins, they’ll be in line for a title shot. And that match? It starts right now! Ciampa & Gargano are furious! They’re not dressed to compete at all! This is unprofessional! But will DIY just have to put up or shut up? We find out, after the break!
#DIY VS Pretty Deadly!
SmackDown returns, the match is already going, and Ciampa has Elton in a headlock. Elton powers up and puts Ciampa in a corner, but the ref counts. Elton backs off, but Ciampa THRWOS Elton down by his hair! Ciampa stomps Elton in the corner, then taunts Kit before he tags Gargano. Gargano whips Ciampa in, but Elton ELBOWS Ciampa back! Elton then DUMPS Gargano onto the apron! Gargano falls to the floor, Elton TOSSES Ciampa out to join him! Elton crawls, the fans fire up, but Gargano grabs Elton’s legs! Elton KICKS Gargano away, hot tag to Kit! Kit rallies on Johnny Wrestling with big forearms!
Kit whips, Gargano reverses, but Kit UPPERCUTS Gargano down! Ciampa is on the apron but Kit TOSSES him in! Kit stomps away, the fans fi reup, but Gargano runs up! Kit catches him for a SIDE EFFECT! Ciampa runs up, Kit waistlocks but Ciampa elbows free! Kit yoyos to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kit tags Elton. #YESBOY! Kit & Elton run to the corners to UPPERCUT Gargano & Ciampa! Then Kit & Elton trade, UPPERCUTS for Ciampa & Gargano! They go again, but while Elton UPPERCUTS Ciampa, Gargano dodges Kit! Gargano then sends Elton at Kit, but Elton gives Kit a boost, DRY MARTI-KNEES! Elton covers, Ciampa breaks it!
Ciampa drags Gargano to their corner, then tags himself in. Kit runs up but Ciampa trips him! Ciampa POSTS Kit, but Elton dodges his haymaker! Elton UPPERCUTS, and fans actually cheer Pretty Deadly on! Ciampa ROCKS Elton, Elton ROCKS Ciampa, repeat! Elton UPPERCUTS again, but Ciampa still fires forearms! They go back and forth, then Ciampa CHOPS! Elton roars and eggs Ciampa on! Ciampa HEADBUTTS, ROCKS, and BOOTS Elton! Elton goes to the corner, BOOTS back, but Gargano is there to grab hair! Elton DECKS Gargano! Ciampa O’Conner Rolls Elton, holding ropes! But Kit BOOTS Ciampa! Elton has Ciampa, with ropes! PRETTY DEADLY WINS!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)
Just as DIY stands for, you gotta do it yourself! That’s just what Pretty Deadly did here, and they’ve got their shot at the titles! Will we be saying #YesBoy to NEW tag team champions?
The Miz talks with Andrade backstage.
The A-Lister admits to El Idolo that he was impressed last week. Andrade has great in-ring ability. With that ability and Miz’s expertise, Andrade could learn so much. Andrade says he did learn! He learned how to beat Miz. Miz tries to laugh that off, but Andrade leaves. Cody walks past and Miz says just the guy he wanted to see! “Can you believe this young crop of talent? They don’t have the respect for guys like us. These guys, they would never have our backs. Don’t you worry, we’re old school. I’ll always have your back.” Cody says he doesn’t need that. Oh, well, okay, Miz gets it. Road to WrestleMania, very exciting, very unpredictable.
Miz knows how it was last year. It was Cody’s story. The entire world was behind Cody Rhodes! But now, you heard ’em. It’s Jey’s story. Miz gets Cody wants to be a good guy, be Jey’s friend, but we know what this title does to friendships. Kevin Owens, for example. Miz is just saying, what if Jey Uso does choose Cody? Is Cody still gonna be Jey’s friend? Because to be honest, Jey VS Cody in the main event of WrestleMania is one hell of a story. Miz heads out, and we see Shinsuke Nakamura lurking in the shadows. What is going to happen as this Road to WrestleMania takes more twists and turns?
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat: Jimmy Uso VS LA Knight VS Drew McIntyre!
With spots filling up fast in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, SmackDown is giving #BigJim, The Mega Star, and the Scottish Terminator a huge opportunity. There will be even more qualifiers on Monday, so who will represent the blue brand in Toronto?
Before the match, McIntyre grabs a mic to say after he was eliminated from behind by a coward, he want to the back very angry, he may’ve torn some things up, said some things, then he got in his car. He drove from Indy back to Nashville, slept in his own bed, full of rage. And when he woke up in the morning, he suddenly had clarity. He had an epiphany. He got out of his huge bed in his huge house, alongside his hot wife, looked in the mirror and said, “By God, you are jacked and handsome, Drew McIntyre.” But then why is he so angry? He realized, it is a product of his environment. Raw is a toxic workplace! They all stab you in the back, they all have egos!
If you’re a good person just telling the truth, you’re apparently the bad guy. That bald idiot, Adam Pearce, has no idea what he’s doing! McIntyre needed a solution, and that’s when he got a call on his phone. Nick Aldis was calling. They’ve known each other since they were teenagers, and Aldis told McIntyre that he wants McIntyre on SmackDown. Aldis promised no more BS, McIntyre can finally be unleashed, Drew can be Drew 100%. So why is McIntyre here? He’s here for Cody Rhodes. Not even specifically Cody, but what Cody has, what was stolen from McIntyre, what should’ve been his all along: THE Undisputed WWE Championship!
The fans are torn, but here comes Jimmy! #BigJim has a mic to say, “Is it me? Tell me it’s not just me.” But every single week, McIntyre comes out here, lives in the past, and he sounds like… Like an angry ex-girlfriend. Drew complaining, “They stole it from me~!” Homie, nobody stole nothing from you, you lost it! And now he’s standing out here, acting like he doesn’t have to earn his spot! Drew has to get through Jimmy, he has to get through LA Knight, and Jimmy’s here to earn his. Drew says yeah, that’s cool. A couple weeks ago, Drew would be angry at what Jey had to say. Oh, Jimmy, sorry!
Jimmy laughs that off, and Drew says it has been 20 years, he still can’t tell them apart. But Drew says it must eat Jimmy alive that, with how he and his twin brother are so similar, just as talented, that maybe Jimmy would be where Jey was, if he’d just said YEET first. Jimmy says that’s funny. But remember who is in front of you. This is Big Bruh, Big Jim! If he wants to say yeet, he can say it. Watch! YEET! If he wants to say NO YEET, he can. Watch! NO YEET! So reminder, Jimmy’s got to get his, punch his ticket, go to Vegas, cash the chips, and get his! So yeah, there is a difference. Jey clocked his. Where’s Drew’s?
So if Drew wants to go to Mania, he’s gotta go through Big Jim! Then he’s gotta get through Elimination Chamber! But Jimmy doesn’t live in the past. He’s here in the present, ready to kick Drew’s ass! Jimmy Uso is going to WrestleMania, Uce! Mics drop, but the Mega Star finally joins in! And he of course has a mic to say, “Let me go and get right to this. Jimmy Uso, Big Jim, whatever you wanna call yourself, I ain’t got any love for you. You’re the main reason I didn’t become WWE Champion just a little over a year ago. So I ain’t got any love for you, but I ain’t gonna complain about it, I’m gonna make good on it tonight.
“But… If I could for a second, I do need to say this. In my life, in my career, I wanna be somebody who affects good change before I die. So I’m gonna speak to all the men, all the boys here in Memphis tonight and around the world. I mean this from the bottom of my heart: If something arises in your life that hits you in the feels and you have to cry, let it out. It’s good for your mental health, it’s good for you, it doesn’t make you any less of a man.” Memphis cheers that! Knight says with that, there is a line where it becomes too much. There are there guarantees in this life: Death, taxes, and Drew McIntyre crying like a damn baby!
Knight says BAH GAWD, Monday through Friday, every single week, Drew just cries! Knight’s pretty sure he heard someone back here say it was “Drew McIncryer.” But to get the silliness out of the way, what we’re talking bout is WrestleMania, and Elimination Chamber, and Knight giving Drew and Jimmy something real to cry about. And that is Knight giving them both three just like that, all their dreams getting dashed, and so it goes. Oh, wait, Knight forgot to get his stuff in. Memphis, tell ’em whose game this is: “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” The fans are fired up and this one couldn’t be any more intense! But will it blow the roof off the place? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns, the match is already going, and Jimmy & Knight are actually working together to stomp a mudhole into Drew! “YEAH! NO YEET! YEAH! NO YEET!” but then Jimmy TOSSES Knight! Knight stays on the apron, RAMS into Jimmy, but Drew runs up! Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TAKCLE Drew! Knight stomps away on Jimmy in a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Drew SLAPS Knight, so Knight SLAPS Drew! They scrap, Drew wants a sleeper but Jimmy HEADBUTTS him, then HEADBUTTS Knight! Jimmy CHOPS Knight, CHOPS again, then whips him to a corner. Knight reverses, Jimmy goes up and over, and he mule kicks Knight!
Jimmy pops ‘n’ locks and UPPERCUTS Knight! Drew CLOBBERS Jimmy, stomps away on Knight, then soaks up the heat from Memphis. Drew stands Jey up to CHOP him! Jey ends up on ropes, Drew storms up to whip him, but Jimmy ducks ‘n’ dodges to fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, but Knight breaks it! Knight stands Jimmy up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS first! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Jimmy pops ‘n’ locks again, but Knight dodges the shot to scoop and POWERSLAM! Knight fires up, the fans are with him, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Knight runs, into a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!
Drew snarls as he stands over Knight, then he stalks Knight to the ropes. Drew stands Knight up to reel him in, for a BROKEN ARROW! Perhaps a shot at Damian Priest just because? Drew BROKEN ARROWS Jimmy, too! Drew storms up to stomp Jimmy’s hand! Jimmy staggers to a corner but Drew CHOPS him! Drew whips Jimmy corner to corner hard, then he goes to Knight. Drew clinches to OVERHEAD SUPLEX Knight across the way! The fans are torn but Drew soaks up the cheers and jeers. Drew brings Jimmy around to whip, but Jimmy reverses to TOSS Drew out! Jimmy then DIVES, down goes Drew in front of the desk!
But Knight WRECKS Jimmy into the desk! Knight then brings Drew up to DRIBBLE him off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Jimmy storms up but Knight counter punches him! And now Knight DRIBBLES Jimmy off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight brings Jimmy around for one more big SMACK! Knight stands on the desk, the fans fire up with him, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Knight drags Drew around by his legs, stomps him low, then goes to Jimmy. Knight puts Jimmy in the ring, then along the apron. Knight CLUBS Jimmy in the chest, then storms up on Drew. Drew kicks low, then POSTS Knight! Drew goes back to Jimmy, pulls him against the ropes, and ROCKS him with a right! Drew goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! But then seeing the fans cheer, he puts the table back under! The fans give thumbs down but Drew stomps Jimmy. Drew stomps Jimmy to a corner, stomps him more, then paces around. Drew shakes his head at those booing him, and then he drags Knight up from the apron.
Drew TOSSES Knight into the ring, stalks him to ropes, and scoops him, only for Knight to slip free! Knight shoves Drew into buckles, then hits a JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Drew stays in this but Knight stomps him. Jimmy CHOPS Knight, Knight CHOPS Jimmy! They CHOP back and forth, then Knight fires a haymaker! And another! And another! Jimmy goes to a corner, Knight bumps him off buckles. Knight brings Jimmy around, but Jimmy fights the suplex! Jimmy wrenches out, ROUNDHOUSES Knight down, but Drew fires knees on Jimmy! Jimmy UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Jimmy whips, Drew reverses, but Jimmy goes up, only for Drew to KICK him out of the air! Cover, TWO! Knight is also there, but maybe a split second late. Drew TOSSES Knight out either way, then he hoists Jimmy up top. SmackDown returns to single picture, CHOPS him, then catches his breath. Drew climbs, fires hands, then brings Jimmy up to the very top! But Jimmy fights the superplex! Jimmy trips Drew and Drew lands bad on his claymore! Jimmy HEADBUTTS Drew into the Tree of Woe, but Knight ROCKS Jimmy! Knight stomps away on Drew, but Jimmy ROCKS Knight! But Knight SPRINGS right up!
But then Drew sits up! SPIDER GERMAN SUPERPLEX COMBO!!! The fans are thunderous as all three men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Drew, Knight and Jimmy all stir. Drew crawls over to bring Knight up, and he CHOPS! Knight CHOPS! Drew CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Drew kicks low! FUTURE- NO, Knight wrenches out to kick and DDT! Knight goes up the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, Jimmy breaks it! Jimmy was faster on that save than Knight was earlier, but all three men are down again. Jimmy drags Knight into a facelock, then brings him up.
Jimmy fireman’s carries, but Knight slips free! Knight kicks, but no BFT as Drew SPINEBUSTERS Knight! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Knight survives but then Drew dodges Jimmy! NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up and the fans are torn. Drew aims at Jimmy from a corner, then gives the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” SUPERKICK from Jimmy! Jimmy LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight fires hands on Jimmy! Knight whips, Jimmy KICKS back, but then Knight blocks the next one! Only for the DRAGON WHIP to find him! SUPERKICK! Knight falls into the drop zone, Jimmy climbs up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, DREW YANKS THE REF OUT!
The fans boo but Jimmy grabs Drew! Drew fights back but Jimmy HOTSHOTS! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Drew onto the desk! Jimmy goes up the corner again, to USO SPLASH Knight, only to get knees! Knight cradles, TWO!! Jimmy survives, but Drew is back! Knight kicks Jimmy, CLAYMORE BFT COMBO!!!! Cover, DREW WINS!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
The Scottish Terminator takes down two targets at once, and now he’s going to fight for a golden opportunity! Cena, Punk, McIntyre, who else will be in this massive match?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest.
Byron Saxton is with The Punisher and says after seeing Drew qualify for the Elimination Chamber, what is his reaction? Priest says Drew’s having a good day today. Because if he wasn’t, he’d be complaining on the internet about it by now. But that aside, Priest is going to go to that same match and eliminate Drew just like he did in the Royal Rumble. But Braun Strowman steps in to say while he appreciates Priest’s enthusiasm, he’s putting the wagon before the horse. Priest has to qualify for that match, and next week, Priest is in the ring with two of the biggest and baddest the WWE has to offer.
Priest gets that. Braun and Priest have both walked out of WrestleMania as champion. And Jacob Fatu probably will walk out of Mania as champion one day. But Priest is taking out the both of them so he can go on to WrestleMania and face a current champion. Braun says Priest is overlooking the fact that he’s not in the ring with two normal human beings. He’ll be in there with a wild animal, and also with the Monster of All Monsters. Priest says he isn’t overlooking anything. Punisher, Samoan Werewolf and #OneBigSOB, who will be the baddest man on SmackDown after that Triple Threat?
Kevin Owens speaks.
In another video from his car, the Prizefighter says, “I’ve been through a lot, me and you, over the years. A lot. But I don’t think we’ve ever been through like what happened on Saturday. You see these scars? These stitches? These scars I’m always gonna have on my face? And the trauma that you can’t see but that I can feel. In my neck and my spine, the pain I’ve been in all week, and that I’m still experiencing right now, it’s probably never gonna go away. Not completely. I’m gonna have to live with that. And it’s all your fault. Because, Sami, you stood there and watched while Cody tried to end my career. Worse, y’know, I think he was actually trying to end my…
“And you stood there and did nothing. And then later on, I watched the Royal Rumble match, and what do I see but you rushing to the aid of Roman Reigns because someone’s beating him up in the corner. But me? For me? You did nothing! You’re a horrible friend. You’re a disgusting human being. And I’ll never forgive you. Never. But I am gonna make you pay. You’re gonna pay.” The Prizefighter’s bitterness has turned on the man he called a brother. What won’t Kevin do to destroy Sami Zayn once and for all?
Carmelo Hayes VS Akira Tozawa!
After being the very first man eliminated in this year’s rumble, Melo took his anger out on whoever was next. It was just bad luck for The Stamina Monster that it was him. But now, will Tozawa take his anger out in return? Or will Melo dunk on the Alpha Academy just to get his L back?
Melo has a mic as he makes his entrance, and he tells Tozawa that Tozawa is not talking about airballs looking like a Cody Rhodes that got left in the dryer too long. Because when Melo shoots, he don’t miss. When he’s in Memphis, they call him Ja Melo-rant! But the big difference between H1M and Ja, is that if there’s an all star team, Melo would be selected. The fans boo but then Tozawa WRECKS Melo with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Tozawa sends Melo into the apron, then into the barrier! Tozawa puts Melo in, the bell rings, and Tozawa runs up, but into an ELBOW! Melo seethes, then runs up, but into a BOOT!
Tozawa goes up and FLYIGN RANAS! Melo tumbles out but Tozawa hurries to PLANCHA! Down goes Melo, Memphis fires up with Tozawa, and he brings Melo up while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Tozawa takes a swing on Melo, only for Melo to duck and back suplex! Cover, TWO! Melo clamps onto Tozawa to have a top wristlock. Tozawa endures, the fans rally, and Tozawa fires body shots. Melo pushes on the hold, but Tozawa fights free. Melo knees low, whips, but Tozawa jumps up! Melo stops the rana and brings Tozawa back up, only for Tozawa to RANA through! Melo hits buckles, then Tozawa fires hands! Tozawa whips, Melo reverses, but Tozawa SATELLITE DDTS! Cover, TWO! Tozawa huffs ‘n’ puffs, the fans rally up, and Tozawa goes to a corner! Tozawa climbs, but Melo avoids the leap!
Melo runs up, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Tozawa is tougher than that, but Melo CLUBS away on him! The fans boo but Melo stands Tozawa up. BIG back suplex, but Tozawa lands out! SOBAT, but Melo ducks the spin kick! Tozawa slips under, then comes back to SPIN KICK! The fans fire up as Melo is down! Tozawa rips off the shirt, and the fans fire up more! Tozawa hurries up a corner, takes aim again, but Melo GAMANGIRIS first! Melo climbs up to bring Tozawa to the top rope! But Tozawa fires body shots! Tozawa CLUBS Melo, CLUBS him more, then SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!!
Melo survives and Tozawa is stunned! Tozawa rises, the fans duel, and Tozawa waistlocks! Melo fires elbows, switches, rolls Tozawa up, TWO! Tozawa rolls Melo up, TWO! Melo swings, Tozawa ducks, but then Melo reels Tozawa in, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Melo springboards, FADEAWAY JUMPER! Melo then goes up a corner, waits on Tozawa to rise, and he hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Melo wins!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall
Melo Don’t Miss, but it does help that he wasn’t up against towering opponents this time. But will this just be the first win in a new streak for H1M?
R-Truth helps Akira Tozawa backstage.
Truth says just like his childhood hero, John Cena, would say, you just never give up! But then Truth sees someone else, and he DROPS Tozawa! Truth says hey to Jey Uso! Truth congratulates Jey, and says he always say Jey as a king. Now he’s King of the Ring! Uh, Truth, he won the Royal Rumble. Oh, that, too! Jey asks what happened to Tozawa, and Truth says Tozawa yeet’d on himself. What? Truth goes back to help Tozawa, and Cody walks in. Cody asks Jey how he’s feeling about WrestleMania. Jey says he would like to go face to face with Cody, but he’s got the personal beef with Gunther. Jey says he’s undecided right now.
Jey heads out, and that news doesn’t seem to help Cody. Will things be sorted out by the end of tonight?
Charlotte Flair is here!
Memphis has a warmer reception for The Queen than Cleveland did as she struts out to the ring. She already visited Raw on Monday and even NXT on Tuesday, so she’s finishing out her post-Rumble week with the blue brand. Charlotte has someone hold ropes open for her before she steps into the spotlight. Charlotte hears the fans “WOO~!” while she grabs a mic. “Hi, Memphis~. So what’s it gonna be tonight? Do you love me?” Fans cheer that! “Or do you hate me?” Fans boo that? “See when you boo, you know what I hear? Money~!” Charlotte says the fans can’t make up their minds, but that’s fine, because it means she lives rent free in all of our minds.
Charlotte is wrestling’s obsession! Her looks, her championships, her last name, and everything Charlotte Flair! And she knows what we’re thinking: The fans think that she thinks that just because her last name is “Flair,” that she’s just better than everyone. But that’s not the only reason she thinks she’s better! Did you actually think she was going to be gone for 14 MONTHS and not win the Royal Rumble? That she was not going to make history? Charlotte entered the Royal Rumble on February 1st, 2025, with 29 unserious women! There was no way she was going over the top rope.
So here’s the thing: She became the first-ever TWO-TIME Women’s Royal Rumble winner! She punched her ticket to WrestleMania! So here we are on her time. She wants to feel inspired. She went to Raw and saw Rhea Ripley. She went to NXT to see if Giulia would “inspire” her. And now she’s here on SmackDown to see if Tiffany- is here! The fans cheer as Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring, title on her shoulder. Tiffany joins Charlotte in the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans chant, “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” Tiff says first off, Charlotte, congratulations and welcome back. Honestly, nobody and she means nobody, is a bigger Charlotte fan than Tiff.
And honestly, Tiff thought WWE couldn’t even survive without Charlotte. Charlotte got hurt, and then everyone cared! For like a day! And then Tiff came along and the sales were up, buildings were selling out, and WWE’s been hotter than ever. And guess who’s at the top of that? Tiffy! Charlotte twitches and asks if Tiff said something. Sweetie, you speak when Charlotte says you can speak. And if you think there are not other women claiming to be on top, Tiff should get in line. Tiff says no, she has been in line. The moment she debuted on TV, Tiff was compared to Charlotte. Tiff is a Charlotte wannabe! Tiff is the next Charlotte Flair!
So Charlotte better pick Tiff. Because on Tiff’s first WrestleMania, she’ll beat Charlotte! Then she’ll no longer be the “next Charlotte Flair,” she’ll be the one and only Tiffany Stratton! The fans like the sound of that! Charlotte says when she was in the ring with Rhea, she saw a kid. Looking at Tiffany, Charlotte sees a child begging her to make a start out of her. So tell you what, Tiffy? If you want Charlotte to choose you, get on your hands and knees and BEG her! Wait! Here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force has Candice LeRae by her side, and a mic in her hand. Nia says this blondie back ‘n’ forth is really cute and all…
But it is a little premature. Right, Candice? Yes! And why is that? Because Nia will be champion again. That’s right! Okay, okay, Nia just spoke with Nick Aldis, and they agreed that instead of Nia facing five other women in the Elimination Chamber, Nia just has to face one next week. Nia steps up into the ring, and yes, she and Tiff are going 1v1 for the WWE Women’s Championship that Tiff stole from Nia! So Charlotte, if you wanna be Women’s Champion at WrestleMania, you’ll have to go through Nia. Charlotte says this just got interesting. She’ll stick around and watch next week, and see what happens.
But now, ALEXA BLISS makes her entrance! Nia may have her title rematch, but Lil’ Miss Bliss is ready to fight the Poison Pixie for a spot in the Elimination Chamber! Will things get a lot more twisted in Toronto? We find out, after the break!
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Alexa Bliss VS Candice LeRae!
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Bliss and Candice slowly circle, tie up, and Bliss headlocks. Candice powers up and out, Bliss goes Spider-Woman int he ropes, then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Candice and Bliss both slowly stand, and Candice steadies herself. They circle again, tie up, and Candice knees low! Candice soaks up heat, but then Bliss choke grips! S T O! INSULT2INJURY! Bliss then waits on Candice, clinches, and fans fire up for SISTER- NO, Candice slips free to EDGE-O-MATIC! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS Bliss down, pushes her around, then pushes her to a cover, TWO! Bliss is still in this and the fans rally.
Candice stalks Bliss, cravats and snapmares, then NECK SNAPPERS! Cover, TWO! Bliss is still in this and Candice grows frustrated. Candice CLUBS Bliss, pushes her down, and has knees in her back bow a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow. The fans rally as Bliss endures, but then Candice flips her over. Bliss fires body shots, but Candice RAMS her into buckles! Candice RAMS Bliss again, throws body shots, but lets off as the ref counts. Candice storms back up on Bliss, KICKS her in the side, then stands her up. Candice RAMS Bliss, stomps a mudhole into her, then lets off to soak up heat. Candice goes back to Bliss but Bliss drop toeholds her into buckles!
The fans cheer, Bliss climbs the corner, but Candice ROCKS her first! Candice climbs up, brings Bliss up to join her, but Bliss fires body shots! Bliss CLUBS Candice, then HEADBUTTS her down! Bliss stands on the very top, but Candice goes to the apron. Bliss hops down, but Candice hits her with an APRON FLATLINER! Candice does a rather DIY self-applause while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns as Candice has Bliss in a motorcycle stretch. Bliss endures as her arms are pulled back and Candice digs her knee in. The fans rally for Bliss, she fights up, but Candice uses her forehead for leverage. Bliss pries free, JAWBREAKERS Candice, but Candice CODE BREAKERS in return! Cover, TWO! Bliss stays in this and the fans rally up again. Candice seethes and storms up on Bliss. Candice kicks Bliss and slaps her around. Candice says Bliss came back when no one wants her here. Candice pie faces Bliss, but Bliss snarls. The fans fire up and Bliss shrieks! Bliss rallies on Candice with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle!
Bliss hits a THESZ PRESS, rains down hands, then blocks a kick to spin and SLAP, ROCK, and DROPKICK Candice down! The fans fire up with Bliss and Candice goes to ropes. Bliss runs up to DOUBLE KNEE, then she YANKS Candice down! BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Candice goes to the apron, Bliss storms up to her, but Candice has her in the ropes! HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Bliss staggers away, Candice goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Bliss survives, and the screen glitches with some familiar imagery… Candice is frustrated, but she storms back up on Bliss. Candice cradles Bliss, Bliss turns it, and now they roll and roll and roll!
The fans cheer as this cradle rolls around and around, falls apart, and both women stand up in a daze. Candice ENZIGIRIS, then runs, but into a clinch! Bliss wipes her lips, then shifts into the SIDEWINDER DDT! Cover, Bliss wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
Things got twisted in the end, and now Bliss goes from surprise return to a big name in the Elimination Chamber match! Will Bliss be able to bring down Bianca, Liv, and whoever else joins them?
Backstage interview with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven.
Byron is with the Hot Mess and her Secret Her-vice, congratulating Bliss on entering the Elimination Chamber match. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for his guests at this time. But Chelsea does have a chance next week, if she beats Naomi. Chelsea says it isn’t “if” but when she beats Naomi. She’ll beat Naomi, beat all those “nasty girls” in Elimination Chamber, then she, her Secret Her-vice, and her motorcade will sail off into the sunset that is WrestleMania, where Chelsea will become a double champ! But then Mia Yim & B-Fab walk up and have Chelsea hold on. Because speaking of eliminations, Chelsea eliminating B-Fab is not in the back of her mind, but the front.
Mia says Chelsea might make it into the Chamber match, but she might not be US Champion. Stop stalling. We all know the inevitable. Piper says the inevitable will pound Mia’s face in! But then Zelina Vega walks by, looks at the US Championship, and thinks yes, that could work. So since she’s on SmackDown now, maybe Zelina gets her own shot at the title? Piper asks what is going on! Chelsea says Piper was supposed to get a bigger security detail, so get it already! But so many people hate Chelsea! Are the walls closing in on the Hot Mess and her title reign?
The Street Profits speak.
Angelo Dawkins says, “What? You thought you was gonna win the tag team championships and not see us? Motor City, we wouldn’t even be in the position right now if you didn’t give our opportunity away! DIY, your days are numbered, cuz we coming for you. Every time the Street Profits get close to the tag team titles, somebody just wants to show up. Somebody wants to appear outta nowhere! Somebody just wants to screw us over! Well no more! Life’s a crutch, and y’all can finally say y’all saw me walk around with this thing!” Dawkins tosses the crutch, and Montez Ford is fired up!
Ford says he loves that! The passion! He sees it! He feels it! He knows it! And congrats, everybody, you officially pissed off the Profits. But you know what they don’t like? All these strangers coming in here, making shots like they’ve been here the whole time. How many brothers and tag teams are we gonna see turn on each other, just to see them mend back together because they know the grass isn’t greener on the other side? So sad. Profits always run together, stay together, and this violence will be televised. May God have mercy on your souls, because the Profits want the smoke. Will that smoke come from the Profits burning down their enemies?
Backstage interview with Motor City Machine Guns.
Byron is with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin, and with the Rumble come and gone, we just heard some “harsh comments” from the Profits. Has MCMG had a chance to process? Shelley says yes, they had a chance to process everything. What happened at the Rumble? It’s just what The Profits said. But if this is their backyard, then come and kick MCMG out! Sabin says that was the biggest match of their career, and they had DIY beat. They would be tag team champions now! But then in steps Los Garza! And Angel says no, no, no. Not so fast! MCMG needs to stop complaining and get over it!
Berto says time to let it go. MCMG lost, just let new teams step up to the plate. Wow, funny they’re talking about stepping up. Because last week, when MCMG needed Los Garza to step up, what’d they do? They walked out! Shelley says Los Garza couldn’t take the heat, so they got out of the kitchen. Now, if they wanna step up to MCMG, then by all means! Elektra Lopez steps in and asks if they’re looking for a fight. Santos Escobar steps in and says he understands their frustration, he really does. No one is more upset with The Profits than Legado Del Fantasma. The reason being is the Profits started this whole mess attacking Los Garza for no reason.
And if you remember, that on top of all the other opportunities ripped away, puts Legado in a really frustrated state. So if it’s a fight you’re looking for, you’ve got it. Los Garza VS MCMG next week, be prepared. Santos leads his team away, will Angel y Berto finally get up the ranks to go after the gold?
Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga!
The American Nightmare wants to know who he’ll be facing at WrestleMania, and Main Event Jey Uso is still working out that decision. The Samoan Werewolf wants to make it real easy for both of them by tearing down “Big Cousin” Jey and tearing Cody apart! Will Jacob be the only one getting what he wants? Or will Cody & Jey make sure Jacob & Tama just get what they deserve?
SmackDown returns and Cody makes his entrance once again, “WHOA~ OH~!” Then Jacob & Tama make their entrance. The teams sort out, Tama starts against Cody, and the bell rings. The fans rally behind Cody and he kicks Tama low. Cody reels Tama in, suplexes, but Tama slips free. Tama shoves Cody away, then tags to Jacob. Jacob and Cody circle, then Jacob fires up. Cody kicks low, then RHODE SUPPERCUTS! Cody springboards, CODY- NO, Jacob handstands out of the cutter! Then he basement SUPERKICKS, and SENTONS! Cody sputters, Jacob’s all geeked up, but the fans boo. Tama tells fans to sit down, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jacob stalks Cody, CLUBS him, and has him in a corner. Jacob RAMS into Cody, RAMS him again, then RAMS him again! Jacob spins to UPPERCUT! Cody sputters, Jacob HEADBUTTS him down, then Jacob stalks Cody to the ropes. Cody bails out but Jacob pursues! Cody kicks low to SMACK Jacob off the desk! Cody SMACKS Jacob off the desk again, slides into the ring, but Jacob just drags him back out! Jacob SMACKS Cody off the desk, puts him in the ring, then hauls him up to tag Tama. They mug Cody, DOUBLE HEADBUTT him, then Tama HAMMERS away on him! Tama CLAWS Cody’s eyes, then stalks him to ropes.
Tama CHOKES Cody on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tama steps off at 4. Tama stands Cody up in the corner to fire body shots and haymakers! The ref counts, Jacob tags in, and the mugging continues. They stomp away at the ropes, then Jacob puts Cody in a corner. Cody kicks back, throws hands, but Jacob bumps him off buckles. Jacob CHOPS Cody, Cody falls, and Jacob HIP DROPS him! Jacob looms over Cody, tags Tama back in, and Tama rains down more fists! Tama stomps Cody, CLUBS him, then fires off on him! Tama drags Cody up but Cody fires body shots! Cody CHOPS, ROCKS, but Tama HEADBUTTS!
Tama CLAWS Cody’s back, and Cody writhes! Tama CLUBS him down again, then drags him up again. Tama whips Cody to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Tama looms over Cody, brings him around, and tags in Jacob. The mugging continues and SmackDown returns to single picture. Jacob HEADBUTTS Cody to a corner, then UPPERCUTS him! Cody fires back with a CHOP, but Jacob UPPERCUTS again! Jacob glares at Jey, drags Cody up again, and then whips Cody hard into the corner! Jacob runs up to SPLASH Cody, then he tags Tama. Tama HEADBUTTS Cody, reels him in, but Cody fights the back suplex!
Cody has a headlock, fires hands, but Tama HEADBUTTS again! Tama back suplexes, Cody lands out, and then Cody dodges! Tama runs into Jacob! The fans fire up as Cody crawls, but Tama grabs Cody’s leg! Cody BOOTS Tama away, hot tag to Jey! Jey rallies on Tama and Jacob, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey fires hands, then winds up to DECK Tama! The fans fire up, Tama blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Jey throws off the new WrestleMania Main Event Jey Uso shirt, then fires fans up with the “UCE! OH!” Jey runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK for Tama! Cover, TWO! Tama survives but Jey keeps cool.
Jey waits on Tama, dodges his lariat, and hits the POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, Jacob breaks it! Cody goes after Jacob! Jacob tumbles out, the ref backs Cody off, but Jacob slides right back in to SUPERKICK Jey! Tama rolls Jey, TWO!! Jey escapes and the fans fire up! Cody coaches Jey but Tama looms over him. Tama runs to then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Jey is still in this but Tama tags Jacob, and they double whip Jey to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Jey down, then stomp him! Jacob sucker punches Cody! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Jacob drags Jey back up. Jacob fireman’s carries, tags Tama, and then WASTELAND SLAM!
Tama slingshots to SENTON! Fans oddly join in on “YEHYEHYEHYEH!” as Tama paces. Tama then HEADBUTTS Jey again and again! Tama hauls Jey up, but Jey fireman’s carries! Tama fights free, shoves Jey to ropes, and now Tama fireman’s carries! Jey slips free now, DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! The fans fire up while both men stir! Cody rises, he and Jacob reach out! Jey and Tama crawl, hot tags to Jacob and Cody! Cody fires hands, then hits running forearms! Cody goes to a corner, Jacob runs up, but Cody goes up and over! SNAP POWERSLAM! Cody roars and the fans fire up with him!
Cody springboards again, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Jacob rises so Cody kicks and RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, ONE?!? Jacob shocks everyone, but Cody hurries to dragon sleeper! But Jacob slips around and RAMS Cody into the corner! Jacob HEADBUTTS Cody, Tama tags in, and then Jacob runs up, Cody dodges, Jacob hits off the post! Tama rolls Cody up, TWO! Cody swings, into a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this and he crawls to a corner. Tama snarls, runs in, but Cody BOOTS him down! Cody goes up but Tama distracts the ref! Jacob SHOVES Cody down!
The fans boo but Cody flounders up, into Tama’s VENOM DDT! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and Tama is furious! Tama calls to Jacob and says they’re gonna kill this fool! SUPERKICK for Cody! Jacob runs, runs, but Jey trips him up! Cody fires elbows to get free of Tama! Jey SUPERKICKS Jacob, then runs into the ring, just to DIVE back out! Jacob is sent over the desk! Tama swings, but into the CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody & Jey win!
Winners: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso, by pinfall
The former tag team champions stand tall together as they take down the other former tag team champions! BUT SOLO SIKOA IS BACK!? SAMOAN SPIKE!!! The prodigal son returns, and he stands over the American Nightmare! Is he going to suddenly try and take the Undisputed WWE Championship back after leaving his Bloodline in the lurch?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown here to do their part in shifting from the Royal Rumble to Elimination Chamber. Charlotte Flair had a good promo with Tiffany Stratton, and it is fitting that Tiff brings up the Charlotte parallels. In this day and age of pro-wrestling, the trope of “I’m not the new you, I’m the first me” is a classic choice. Plus, just the athletic ability of them both makes for a great match. But naturally, Nia Jax is going to get her rematch first, that’ll be really good stuff between her and Tiffany. I would think Tiffany retains so that she faces either Charlotte of the Elimination Chamber winner.
Speaking of which, a good return match for Bliss for her to win and get into the Chamber, but another awesome match between Bianca and Piper. Great win for Bianca, but I’m still curious when the Jade Cargill return happens and how that affects the tag title story. We got a good promo from Chelsea & Piper to react to that loss, plug Chelsea’s qualifier, and then tease many opponents for that Women’s US Championship. A downside of Chelsea & Piper talking about needing reinforcements is that literally just today, WWE released Blair Davenport! I was sure they were all spotted as one of those “in the background” things HHH likes doing, and yet they couldn’t make Blair part of a trio? I guess even under HHH, ideas like that just don’t make the cut.
We got great stuff in the tag division, and I feel like we could build to a really big tag title match for Mania. DIY’s sarcastic moment of silence being upstaged by Pretty Deadly was good stuff, and we got a great match between them. Great win for Pretty Deadly, but I feel like they won’t win the title match next week. Profits had a great promo to call out DIY and MCMG, and then Legado confronting MCMG was good, too. I feel like we could easily see another tag title ladder match at WrestleMania so that DIY, MCMG, Profits, Los Garza and Pretty Deadly can all fight it out, get all the stories wrapped up, and any team could come away with those belts.
Good promo from Melo, Aldis and Tozawa to lead to Melo VS Tozawa. Good showing for Tozawa, but naturally Melo had to get this win. Melo was getting his comeuppance plenty of times, now for him to get back up and head for something going towards WrestleMania. We got great promos from McIntyre, Jimmy and LA Knight to lead into their Triple Threat, and that match was a lot of fun. McIntyre of course got the win here, and despite him talking about his fresh start on SmackDown, you can bet he’ll go right after Punk in the Chamber match. Heck, we could even see him and Rollins go after Punk because I would think Rollins beats Finn Balor this Monday to qualify.
Priest had a good promo with Braun to hype up their Triple Threat with Jacob, but that Triple Threat nature did make it a little awkward. Braun was not only having to put himself over, but he kinda had to admit Jacob was a dangerous man. That Triple Threat is going to be awesome, but it mostly feels like Braun isn’t winning. Priest could win and we’d get great interactions between him and McIntyre, maybe him and Punk or Cena. Jacob could win and get in there to just start destroying stuff. Great promo from Kevin to call out Sami, and y’know what? Looking back, that moment Cody climbed and Sami did nothing, it makes sense now that Kevin would blame Sami. Kevin still won’t blame himself, so he defaults to the one man he always goes after.
And of course, great stuff with the overall world title story for WrestleMania. Great opening promo stuff with Jey and Cody as Jey still has to decide, and then great addition from Jacob in basically stating the WWE Championship is not Jey’s to take. Good intertwining where Miz being dissed by Andrade turns into Miz getting in Cody’s head. Seems Miz learned something from Karrion Kross… And also, Nakamura was lurking again, so that’s an interesting detail. Truth helping Tozawa was great, because of course Truth comedically drops Tozawa. Truth congratulating Jey for King of the Ring is classic confused Truth.
Jey & Cody VS Jacob & Tama was a great tag team match, great win for Jey & Cody, but Tama is quickly filling the same role as Karl Anderson was for The OC. Tama is a great wrestler but he eats the losses for the “real stars” on his team who shouldn’t be taking pins. And what a massive surprise for Solo Sikoa to return and attack Cody. The sad irony is, what makes Solo think he should get one more title match when he has failed to beat Cody again and again? Unless that’s the point, and Jacob challenges Solo’s authority. Solo lost the ula fala, he didn’t do anything after that, Jacob should no longer see Solo as a capable alpha.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Front Man VS The Rebel!
The 2025 New Japan Cup is moving into the homestretch, and we have Zack Sabre Jr. battling David Finlay! Will ZSJ return to the finals?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tomohiro Ishii & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Daiki Nagai VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano VS Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku; Hashi & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS The United Empire; Hontai wins.
- Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Newman win.
- 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Zack Sabre Jr. & David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture!
After Gabe Kidd eliminated Ren Narita from the New Japan Cup, the Souled Out Strong Style and the boys made sure the Mad Man lost, too! Will Gabe, “Drilla” Moloney, Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale & Sanada finally bring down the House? Or will the King of Darkness lead his team and prove Everything is Evil?
Well, no sneak attacks during the House’s entrances, but Sho does get the mic. Sho claims that of all the places in Japan, Shizuoka is the worst! Just like the War Dogs! He tells the War Dogs to get out here so they can just end this and go home already. With that, Gabe & Drilla lead the charge and the brawl is on! Evil intercepts Sanada with a kick, but Chase & Fale go after Yujiro & Kanemaru! Gabe BOWLS Ren into chairs in the crowd! The fans fire up but they also have to clear out fast! Gabe sends Ren into the wall, Sanada sends Evil into commentary! The King of Darkness knocks President Ace over!
Gabe fires forearms on Ren at ringside, the fans fire up, but then Evil CHOKES Tanahashi just because!! The fans boo but then Sanada attacks Evil. Ren & Dick turn things around on Gabe! Evil throws Sanada at Milano Collection AT-san! Mmilano ends up falling onto fans! And then Evil just does it again! Ren throws Gabe into a wall! Kanemaru knocks Chase down, then whips him into railing! Sho finally scrambles into the ring to get away from Drilla, and now the bell rings! Sho wants mercy but Drilla puts him in a corner instead. The fans bark as Drilla CHOPS and ROCKS Sho on repeat! The ref reprimands, Drilla won’t stop so the ref pulls him back.
Drilla pushes the ref aside, then runs back in, but Sho ELBOWS Drilla! Sho runs, SPEAR gets stuffed! Drilla fires knees, then hoists Sho up! Sho fights free and he bends Drilla’s fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho whips Drilla into the corner, SURPRISE~! Bare buckles! Drilla hits steel and falls back while Sho BLASTS the War Dogs off their corner! The fans boo but Sho drags Drilla up and TOSSES him outside. Sho distracts the ref as Ren & Evil mug Drilla, then the others join in! The fans boo, but Gabe runs up to attack! He gets mugged, too, and he’s even sent into railing! Drilla is put in for Sho to cover, TWO!
Kanemaru tags in and kicks away on Drilla. Kanemaru whips Drilla to an open corner, runs up and ELBOWS him! Then Kanemaru snapmares to drop a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Drilla is still in this and the fans rally up behind him. Kanemaru bumps Drilla off Yujiro’s boot! Tag to Yujiro and he drags Drilla up. Yujiro bumps Drilla off the bare buckles! The fans rally for Drilla more but Yujiro knees him low. Yujiro fires forearms, stands him against the ropes, and the House holds Drilla in place for the BOOT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Drilla stays in this, but Ren tags in to drag Drilla up. Drilla fires forearms on Ren!
Ren CLAWS Drilla’s eyes! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Ren whips Drilla to a corner. Drilla BOOTS him away! And then Drilla puts Ren up top, and GAMANGIRIS! Ren wobbles and the fans fire up! Drilla brings Ren off the corner, but Ren slips free and CLAWS the eyes again! The ref reprimands, Ren lets go to run, but he runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ren crawls and Gabe shouts as he rises up! The fans rally, hot tag to Gabe! The Mad Man dodges Ren to BLAST the House! Ren kicks low, whips Gabe, but Gabe reverses and LARIATS in the corner! Then he whips corner to corner to LARIAT again!
Gabe clinches Ren for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans bark with Gabe and he hauls Ren up. Gabe suplexes but Ren slips out to SLEEPER! Gabe slips around but Ren fights the back suplex! Ren fires elbows, then he CHOKES Gabe! Gabe breaks free, takes a swing, but Ren catches him into an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Ren drags Gabe to his feet, but Gabe stops the facebuster! Ren avoids the Penalty Kick, gets around to shove Gabe, and Evil gets a cheap shot in! Ren runs up but Gabe gets around the boot to SAIDO! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and both Ren and Gabe crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Chase and Evil!
The fans fire up as the Crown Jewel dodges Evil and JABS! JABS! JABS! Chase winds up, but Evil kicks low! Evil whips, Chase LARIATS him first! Kanemaru & Sho attack, they double whip, but Chase ducks the double lariats! Chase shoves Sho into Kanemaru, then he dragon sleepers Sho. Kanemaru runs up but Chase catches him, URENAGE DDT COMBO! The fans fire up, but Evil waistlocks! Chase breaks free and PELES! Chase hurries to DECK Yujiro for good measure! Chase lines up a shot, C- NO! Evil stops the trigger and CLAWS the eyes! Then he sends the foot at the ref, and he mule kicks Chase’s other leg out!
The fans boo but Sho BLASTS Sanada off the apron! Yujiro & Kanemaru get in to whip Chase to the corner! Then Sho runs up to forearm SMASH! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Chase, Sho distracts the ref, and Dick Togo goes up! DICK CHOP! Evil covers, TWO!! Chase survives, but Evil “falls” on the ref! Evil grins as he gets a chair! The fans boo, but Evil swings! Chase dodges, but then Evil gives Chase the chair! Evil tries to frame Chase, but Chase SMACKS the mat, and then falls over! Chase turns the tables and now the ref and Evil argue over the chair! The chair is taken away, and Chase sends Evil into Sanada’s DROPKICK!
Chase now spins Evil, wrenches and hammerlocks, for a BUTTERFLY DDT! Cover, but Sho & Kanemaru break it! Sanada & Drilla go after them, TOSS them out, and the brawling on the outside returns! Chase drags Evil up, but Evil clinches! EVERY- NO, Chase rolls Evil up! TWO!! Evil escapes, but a C-TRIGGER hits the mark! The fans fire up but now Yujiro distracts the ref! This lets Kanemaru slip in and CLUB Chase! Then Kanemaru spins Chase around, but Chase UPPERCUTS the whiskey mist into the air! Chase TOSSES Kanemaru, but Dick uses POCKET POWDER! And then EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, The House wins!
Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall
The War Dogs tried their best, but the House of Torture has too many tricks up their sleeves! Is there nothing that can stop them from being the PRIME Bullet Club? Well hold on! Gabe & Drilla bring out chairs! They get the House running away, but Evil mocks them with the L to the forehead. What must the War Dogs do to finally end this farce?
2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Zack Sabre Jr. & David Finlay w/ Gedo!
As a previous two-time New Japan Cup winner, The Front Man has been in this position before. The Rebel has also been in this position before, but the semifinals were as far as he’d go in the past. Will this be the moment Finlay breaks through and proves he’s the Savage King? Or will he be made to #JustTapOut?
The bell rings and the fans rally up already as ZSJ and Finlay circle. They feel things out, Finlay drops down to go for a leg but then backs off. They continue to feel out the grapple, then clinch as they go to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break but ZSJ and Finlay keep hand fighting. Red Shoes reprimands, ZSJ lets off slowly, but Finlay shoves him back. Finlay complains but he still resets with ZSJ. The fans rally some more as the two knuckle lock. Finlay goes for an arm, ZSJ hooks a leg, but Finlay wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ spins around and slips through to waistlock, then he wrenches, hammerlocks, spins Finlay, and wrangles him to the mat!
The fans cheer this technical wrestling display, but Finlay fights up to trip ZSJ. Finlay has a toehold, ZSJ has a chinlock, but Finlay pushes back on the leg. Finlay shifts around, goes for the Half Crab, and even dares ZSJ to use the ropebreak. ZSJ moves around and stands up, so Finlay lets go of the leg. The fans applaud and the two reset again. ZSJ and Finlay tie up again, and Finlay headlocks. ZSJ powers up but Finlay grinds the hold. ZSJ goes for a leg, Finlay thrashes the headlock, so ZSJ powers up and out to headlock back. Finlay powers up and out, but ZSJ counters the hip toss, only for Finlay to do the same!
They go counter hip toss for counter hip toss, until ZSJ TOSSES Finlay up and out! The fans cheer while Finlay grows frustrated. ZSJ waits on Finlay as Finlay paces. Finlay storms back in, but ZSJ arm-drags him down! Finlay headscissors, ZSJ kips free, and the fans cheer again as they reset. Finlay and ZSJ stare down, Finlay talks some smack, but then he fires a forearm! ZSJ brushes that off, and he UPPERCUTS in return! Finlay nods and comes back with an UPPERCUT of his own! The fans rally up and ZSJ nods. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, so Finlay UPPERCUTS again! The fans rally up more as Finlay UPPERCUTS again!
ZSJ walks around and gets the fans fired up, but Finlay UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Finlay fires a flurry of forearms! Finlay runs, but ZSJ dodges, only for Finlay yo ELBOW him down! SENTON onto knees! ARMBAR! Finlay scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go. ZSJ brings Finlay back up and reels him in, all to go after an arm! Finlay endures being stuck in this modified headscissors while ZSJ bends his fingers! And then he SNAPS the fingers! The Front Man is rather villainous there and the fans rally up. ZSJ grabs the hand, wrenches and wrenches and wrenches, but Finlay wrenches back!
ZSJ takes as swing, but into Finlay’s IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! ZSJ writhes and goes to a corner, but Finlay storms over to stand on him! Red Shoes counts, Finlay steps off, and the fans duel as Finlay whips ZSJ corner to corner hard! ZSJ falls and writhes, Gedo applauds and the fans rally again. Finlay flexes before he storms over and whips ZSJ hard into the other corner! Finlay claims he can do this all day, then he stands on ZSJ again. Finlay stands ZSJ up to whip him HARD into the corner! ZSJ bounces off the buckles and falls to the mat! The fans rally and duel as Finlay storms up on ZSJ again.
ZSJ pushes Finlay away, but Finlay keeps grabbing at him. ZSJ grabs the bad hand and bends the fingers! Then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Finlay UPPERCUTS right back and ZSJ falls! The fans are torn as Finlay watches ZSJ crawl away. Finlay barks, fans bark with him, and Finlay runs in! UPPERCUT! Finlay reels ZSJ in, but ZSJ snap suplexes Finlay into buckles! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Finlay sputters while he gets his legs out of the ropes. ZSJ drags Finlay up, UPPERCUTS again, and Finlay staggers around. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and again, and again!
Gedo is worried but Finlay swings, only for ZSJ to backslide! Finlay rolls through, but into a NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Finlay writhes. ZSJ stands and encourages them to get louder. The fans rally as ZSJ brings Finlay up. Finlay fights the suplex, tries to suplex back, but ZSJ goes for an arm. Finlay rolls and reels ZSJ in for a BACKBREAKER! ZSJ slumps out of the ring and Finlay grins as he goes out after him. Finlay drags ZSJ up, reels him in, and brings ZSJ up, only for ZSJ to make that a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ squeezes tight, but Finlay RAMS ZSJ into the railing!
The fans rally up while both men are down on the outside, and Gedo applauds Finlay for getting free. Finlay hobbles away, but then runs back in, only for ZSJ to send him into railing! ZSJ now crawls away, but then calls on the fans. The fans rally up, ZSJ lines up a shot, and he runs in to SHOTGUN Finlay back into the railing! Finlay writhes and the fans fire up again! ZSJ stalks Finlay now, passing by secondary commentary with Taichi. ZSJ puts Finlay in the ring, slides in, and then PENALTY KICKS! High stack, TWO!! Finlay survives, Gedo is relieved, and the fans rally up. ZSJ is annoyed but he paces around while Finlay flounders.
ZSJ drags Finlay up, but Finlay fights the scoop! Finlay suplexes, but ZSJ cradle counters! TWO!! Finlay gets free, but ZSJ gets around to hook him up, IRON OCTOPUS! Finlay endures, powers out, and he HOTSHOTS ZSJ off ropes! Then he reels ZSJ in to POWERBOMB! Finlay roars, the fans fire up, and Finlay- NO, ZSJ SCOOPS! SABRE DRIVER!! But ZSJ can’t make the cover! The fans fire up while both men are down! Red Shoes checks and Finlay is still in this. The fans rally while Gedo shouts for Finlay to get up! ZSJ stands first, and he looms over Finlay. ZSJ drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the lift!
ZSJ pats Finlay on the back, then KICKS Finlay in the chest! Finlay flops forward, but pushes himself back up. ZSJ KICKS again! Finlay flops down again, but ZSJ makes him sit up so he can KICK again! Finlay is back down, and ZSJ takes a moment to stretch before he hauls Finlay up. Finlay fights the lift, and he Alabama Lifts ZSJ! But ZSJ Gotch lifts Finlay! Finlay BACKDROPS, ZSJ sunset flips, but Finlay sits on it! TWO, ZSJ sunsets, TWO! Finlay high stacks, to DEADLIFT and POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up! Gedo coaches Finlay, Finlay crawls over to ZSJ, and Finlay drags ZSJ back up.
Finlay Canadian Racks, but ZSJ has a SLEEPER while up there! Finlay powers up, but ZSJ slips around to have a standard SLEEPER! Finlay throws ZSJ down, but ZSJ reels him into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Finlay powers up, but he falls back! ZSJ rains down elbows! Then ZSJ focuses on just the ARMBAR! Finlay tries to kick at ZSJ but ZSJ grabs that foot, now he has a HEEL HOOK with the armbar! Finlay endures, reaches out, and the fans duel as he reaches out! ZSJ has the TRIANGLE HOLD back, and then he gets Finlay’s free arm in a wristlock! Finlay only has a leg free and it’s not in a very good spot for this!
The fans fire up as Finlay endures, and gives one last gasp to get his arms free! ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go, and he grins as he looks at Gedo. ZSJ KICKS Finlay, and then KICKS Finlay again! ZSJ runs, but into a SPEAR!! Both men are down again after that desperate attack! Finlay crawls over to ZSJ, drags him up and reels him in, but ZSJ wrenches out to PELE the arm! ZSJ waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, but Finlay rolls through! ZSJ pushes Finlay down, has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL, TWO!! Finlay escapes, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Finlay rebounds to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Finlay winds up! Finlay runs, into a GUILLOTINE!
Finlay powers through, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Finlay rises up, roars, and he brings ZSJ up. Finlay suplexes, OVER- NO, ZSJ blocks the knee and trips Finlay! ZSJ body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH into the JAPANESE LEG ROLL, and ZSJ is even flipping Finlay off! TWO!!! Finlay escapes, both men stand, and Finlay fires a forearm! And a ROLLING ELBOW! And a ROLLING- LARIAT from ZSJ!! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ watches Finlay go to a corner. ZSJ runs in, Finlay dodges but ZSJ goes up and around to TORNADO DDT and then roll through! Scoop and- NO, Finlay escapes!
Finlay and ZSJ gator roll, Finlay powers up to OVERKILL!!! Cover, FINLAY WINS!!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
It was a breakneck pace at the end, and it ended up the breakthrough The Rebel needed! Will ZSJ just have to use a different path back to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
As for Finlay, Gedo joins him in the ring as Finlay gets the mic. The fans cheer him on, and he says, “You can call Zack Sabre Jr. many, many things. You can call him a two-time New Japan Cup Champion. You can call him the 2024 G1 Climax Champion. You can call him the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Hell, you can call him the best tournament wrestler int he world. But one thing you cannot call Zack is better than me!” The fans cheer, and Finlay says, “Come Hell or high water, I am winning the Cup because hate always finds a way.” The fans applaud as Finlay hands off the mic to Gedo.
Gedo translates what Finlay said about ZSJ’s accolades, and that the New Japan Cup will now belong to Finlay! “The Rebel takes the F over everything! I need The Rebel! New Japan needs The Rebel! And the world… needs The Rebel!” Finlay is one match away from that dream, and he even mouths off to Tanahashi to make sure he understands that, too. But who will stand against him on the other side? Can anyone stand against him?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for New Japan Cup, though I’m a little surprised we’re stretching things out like this. They could’ve given us Shingo VS Shota, too, but I guess they want to give that match a main event moment, too. The tune-up matches tonight went how I expected, but I covered the War Dogs VS House of Torture match just to see if Sanada does anymore shenanigans, or lack thereof I suppose. This time, Sanada actually did help out a bit, so it isn’t quite clear if he’s betraying the War Dogs after all. This will definitely culminate in a wild No Disqualification style team match, but I would hope they don’t go as wild as when War Dogs and United Empire ripped up the ring. That’s what got Alex Coughlin hurt to where he can’t wrestle anymore.
ZSJ VS Finlay was an awesome main event, and it certainly felt like it could go either way. Finlay winning was only a bit surprising, but perhaps it’s too soon for ZSJ to win the Cup to get back to the world title. Plus, while Finlay is a de facto Face in the Bullet Club Civil War story, he’s Heel everywhere else, and so we’re going to get a Heel VS Face for the Cup, no matter who wins between Takagi and Shota.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The Fierce Warrior fights Blue Justice!
An IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match during the New Japan Cup? It’s happening as Hirooki Goto defends the title against Yuji Nagata!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Ishii & Hashi win.
- 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; LIJ wins.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Shingo Takagi VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Takagi wins and advances.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Shota Umino VS Jeff Cobb; Shota wins and advances.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Yuya Uemura VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Taichi; ZSJ wins and advances.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Yuji Nagata; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Shingo Takagi VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Rampaging Dragon broke through BARS while 44 Caliber shot down the Public Enemy. And now these two meet again after the New Beginning in Osaka! Drilla won then, can he do it again? Or will Takagi make the quarterfinals tranquAilo?
Takagi attacks as soon as jackets are put aside! Takagi fires forearms, the bell rings, and Drilla turns things around! Drilla ROCKS and CHOPS Takagi, but then Takagi turns things around for JABS and CHOPS! The fans fire up, Drilla turns things around but then Takagi puts Drilla back in the corner! JAB, JAB, JAB, and then a HAYMAKER! The fans fire up again but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Drilla checks his teeth while Takagi rallies the fans. Takagi whips, Drilla grabs ropes and BOOTS back! Drilla runs, RAMS Takagi, but Takagi RAMS Drilla! Drilla RAMS Takagi, and fans fire up as both men roar and flex!
Takagi fires a forearm, so Drilla fires back! Takagi fires another forearm, but Drilla fires up and barks. The fans bark with Drilla, and he fires another forearm! Takagi gets fans fired up with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi fires a forearm, Drilla fires back, so we get “OI! WOOF! OI! WOOF!” Takagi fires a flurry, but then Drilla gives those back! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! FEINTS, but Drilla gets under the lariat. Drilla shoves Takagi to ropes, hurdles, drops down, and DROPKICKS! But Takagi’s right up to CLOBBER Drilla! The fans fire up all the same! “OI! OI! OI!” starts up again and Takagi brings Drilla up, throwing up the Stan Hanson longhorns!
Takagi Canadian Racks, but Drilla slips free! And Drilla pump handles?! Takagi fights with elbows, so Drilla ripcords and CHOPS! Drilla runs, but Takagi LARIATS! Takagi runs, but Drilla SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up and Drilla looms over Takagi. Drilla kicks Takagi, drags him up, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Takagi fires a forearm, so Drilla fires back! They go back and forth, but then Drilla snapmares and KICKS Takagi! Drilla stalks Takagi to the corner, and there’s a fan doing his best to start a “Both These Guys!” chant. Drilla whips but Takagi blocks by grabbing ropes. Drilla CHOPS Takagi, then he whips corner to corner.
Drilla runs up but Takagi ELBOWS him! Drilla PELES right back! Drilla snapmares and covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Takagi stays in this, but Drilla grows frustrated. Drilla pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Drilla brings Takagi up. Takagi fights the lift, and he BACKDROPS Drilla away! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Takagi runs up on Drilla, runs him over, then scoops to SLAM! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Takagi looks to the cameras! But as Takagi gets to saying it’s his time, Drilla springs up! Takagi ducks the superkick, then ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feints to UPPERCUT and LARIAT!
The fans fire up again and now Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA! <THE TIME HAS COME!>” The fans rally up, Takagi sits Drilla up, but Drilla avoids the sliding lariat! But Takagi stuffs the Gore and fires knees! Drilla wrenches out, takes a swing, but Takagi spins him, only for Drilla to suplex! Drilla gets moving, and he GORES Takagi down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! They rally behind “MO-LO-NEY! MO-LO-NEY!” Drilla storms over and kicks Takagi to the apron. Then Drilla goes out after him, but Takagi fireman’s carries! Drilla fires elbows to get free, then he reels Takagi in! But Takagi fights the lift!
Drilla CLUBS away on Takagi, but Takagi drops down to YANK Drilla off the apron! DEATH VALLEY BOMB on the floor! Both men are down and the fans rally up! The ref checks Drilla, he’s okay to continue, so Takagi rises up. Takagi wants Hiroshi Tanahashi on commentary to watch this. Takagi puts Drilla in the ring, the fans fire up, and Takagi goes corner to corner! LARIAT! Takagi keeps moving, but Drilla BOOTS the lariat away! And he catches Takagi into a pump handle! Drilla steals MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives his own move and Drilla is frustrated. The fans rally up as Drilla growls and rises up.
Drilla roars, brings Takagi in, and Canadian Rack! Takagi slips free, has the arms, Gory Especial into NOSHIGAMI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up. Takagi stands and fires boxing elbows! Drilla grits his teeth and BOOTS in return! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, but Drilla ENZIGIRIS! Drilla runs, but Takagi goes the other way! PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous as Takagi brings Drilla back up. Takagi pump handles, torture racks, but Drilla slips out to inverted suplex! And he pops Takagi around, DRILLA- NO, Takagi lands out for SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up and Takagi rises again.
Takagi brings Drilla around, but Drilla scoops! Takagi slips free to inverted suplex, and now he pops Drilla around, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Takagi gets moving, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!! Cover, TWO?!!? Drilla survives that heavy hitting combo and Takagi roars! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi hauls Drilla up. Pump handle, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just like that adjustment that defeated Boltin Oleg, Takagi changes it up just enough, and he brings down this War Dog! Takagi shows some respect to Drilla, saying that they’re 1-1 so they will have a tiebreaker one day. Will Takagi be New Japan Cup Champion when that day comes? Maybe even IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?
2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Shota Umino VS Jeff Cobb!
The Roughneck beat Great-O-Khan in their rematch from New Beginning in Osaka, but the Imperial Unit shut the doubters up by shutting down Tetsuya Naito. Will Cobb make Shota look like a “bald b*tch?” Or is the Paradigm Shift still happening?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. The fans duel as Cobb and Shota slowly step forward. They tie up, Cobb powers Shota to the ropes, and the ref calls the break. Cobb slowly lets off, pats Shota on his shoulders, but Shota fires a forearm! Cobb swings, Shota dodges and fires more forearms. Shota headlocks, Cobb powers up and out, then RAMS Shota! Shota runs to RAM! And RAM! Shota roars, Cobb roars, but then Shota kicks and runs. Cobb CLOBBERS Shota! The fans fire up and Cobb storms up on Shota. Cobb drags Shota up, ROCKS him with a right, then stalks him around the ring.
Cobb HEADBUTTS Shota, pats him on the head, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans cheer while Cobb staggers back. Shota CLUBS Cobb on the back, brings him around, then reels him in. Shota powers up but Cobb’s too big to suplex! Cobb suplexes Shota, and THROWS him away! The fans fire up, and Cobb RAMS Shota into a corner! Cobb then runs and RAMS him again! Shota grits his teeth and clutches his ribs as he drops to his knees. Cobb drags Shota back up, CLUBS him on the back, then eggs him on. The fans rally, Cobb stands on Shota’s hand, but pretends not to know until the ref points it out.
Cobb “apologizes” as he steps off, and he has Shota against the ropes. Cobb tells Tanahashi, “This is the future Ace? The future Ace?” Cobb CLUBS Shota, drags him up, and wrenches to then pump handle and FALL AWAY SLAM! Shota writhes, the fans fire up, and Cobb storms back over. Cocky cover, TWO! Cobb drags Shota around to stand on his back! Cobb uses Shota to surf! And he copies the air guitar! Cobb steps off, “apologizes,” and eggs Shota on. Shota fire kicks from behind, but Cobb stomps that leg! Cobb drags Shota up, but Shota fires forearm after forearm! Shota turns Cobb, but Cobb elbows free.
Shota rebounds to dropkick a leg! Then he dodges a lariat to hit the NECKBREAKER! The fans rally up while Shota goes to a corner. Shota runs corner to corner, to UPPERCUT! Shota then brings Cobb in, hooks a leg, but Cobb wrenches out. Shota dodges a lariat to DROPKICK the legs! Shota then steps over, S T F! Cobb fights the crossface portion but Shota fights to get it back on! Cobb endures, he crawls around and brings Shota along as he goes to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Shota lets go at the ref’s count, and Shota brings Cobb up. Shota reels Cobb in, but Cobb is still too big! Cobb BACKDROPS, but Shota sunset flips!
Cobb stays up to drag Shota up! Shota waistlocks, Cobb switches, but Shota elbows free! They trade forearms back and forth, and Shota fires up! ROLLING ELBOW! Cobb JABS! Shota kicks a leg, but Cobb ducks the enzigiri to SUPERKICK! Shota roars, comes back, but into a scoop! Cobb SLAMS Shota down, then SENTONS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Cobb rises, leans on the ropes, and then he storms over to Shota. Cobb drags Shota up, whips him to ropes, but Shota grabs the ropes to stop. Shota BOOTS Cobb, then runs up, but into a scoop! ATHLETIC PLEX! Cobb drags Shota right up to whip again!
Shota reverses, and he TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! The fans rally up, Shota rises and he storms up on Cobb. Shota reels Cobb in, half nelsons, but Cobb fights that. Cobb elbows Shota, wrenches and lifts, URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this, but Cobb GACHIMUCHI FLOPS as Shota moves! ENZIGIRI! Shota runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Cobb then hauls Shota up, fireman’s carries, F5 THOUSAND!! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and Cobb is furious, but the fans are thunderous! Cobb shakes his head, drags Shota up, and ripcords!
Cobb reels Shota in for the TOUR- CRADLE! TWO!! Cobb escapes, Shota returns, but Cobb LARIATS him down! Cobb then reels Shota in for a TOUR OF- NO, Shota escapes again! SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Shota rises back up, fire in his eyes! Shota runs, and he LARIATS Cobb down!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb is still in this and the fans fire back up! Shota growls, Cobb shakes his head, and this is only ten minutes in! Shota aims from a corner, runs up on Cobb, BUSAIKU KNEE!! The fans are thunderous as Shota drags Cobb up again! Shota hooks a leg, SECOND CHAPTER!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!
Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Just like with Great-O-Khan, The Roughneck shows he has changed! Will this Second Chapter see Shota become the new face of NJPW?
2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!
The Heat Storm cooked Cold-Blooded Sanada, who hasn’t really been helping the War Dogs out much anyway. The Rebel trumped the King of Darkness and is focused on winning the Cup. Will Finlay prove he’s truly the top dog around here? Or is he just going to get burned?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. It sounds pretty even between “YUYA! YUYA!” and “FINLAY! FINLAY!” The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Finlay manages to power Yuya back to ropes, and he grinds his forearm and wrist into Yuya’s face! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off, but Yuya avoids the cheap shot to arm-drag Finlay away! Finlay runs up, Yuya dodges to arm-drag again! And again! Yuya has the armlock while the fans fire up. Finlay fights up, fires body shots, and he whips Yuya. Yuya reverses to WRING and ARM SCREW! Then he adds a basement DROPKICK! Cover, ONE, but Yuya clamps back onto the arm.
Finlay pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Yuya keeps on the arm, but Finlay fights up. Finlay pulls hair again but Yuya puts him in the corner. The ref calls for the break, and Yuya lets off slowly, to then CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! The fans fire up and Yuya whips corner to corner. Finlay reverses, Yuya goes up but Finlay catches him! HOTSHOT, and then a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Yuya stays in this, but Finlay says he’s the real Ace! Finlay rains fists down on Yuya, but the ref reprimands. Finlay stops to throw up the Too Sweet, then he goes back for Yuya. Finlay drags Yuya up to whip hard into a corner!
Yuya bounces off the buckles and falls to the mat, and Gedo applauds. Finlay taunts Yuya, drags him back up, and then whips him hard into another corner! Yuya falls again but the fans continue to rally. Finlay barks, fans bark with him, and Finlay aims from a corner. Yuya rises, Finlay runs corner to corner, but Yuya ELBOWS him first! Finlay still LARIATS through! Finlay whips corner to corner, but Yuya goes up and over this time! Arm-drag! And a CHOP! The fans fire up while Finlay falls! Yuya storms over to Finlay, drags him up, and reels him in, only for Finlay to fight with elbows! Finlay runs, but Yuya reels him back in!
SAIDO! Cover, TWO, but right into an ARMBAR! Finlay flails and bridges up as he clasps hands. Finlay stacks Yuya, ONE and Yuya keeps on the ARMBAR! Finlay bridges again, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go while the fans cheer. Yuya drags Finlay from the ropes, clinches, but Finlay fights with more elbows. Finlay then reels Yuya in, but Yuya BACKDROPS free! The fans fire up, Yuya storms over to Finlay, but Finlay CLAWS Yuya’s face! The ref reprimands, Finlay whips, but Yuya reverses to reel Finlay in! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this and goes to a corner while the fans rally behind Yuya.
Yuya runs corner to corner, and he CHOP LARIATS! Finlay flops forward, Yuya looks at the corner, and he hesitates a moment. Yuya says, “OSU!” and he goes to climb! But Finlay runs up and ROCKS Yuya first! Finlay CLUBS Yuya, Yuya ROCKS Finlay, and then Yuya fires a flurry! The ref counts as they’re on the ropes, only for Finlay to HOTSHOT Yuya down! Yuya falls to the apron then the floor, and Finlay says Yuya’s a dead man. Finlay goes out, runs up, and he RAMS Yuya into the railing! Yuya gets bent back, then he slumps down while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet. The fans cheer, and Finlay tells the ref he’ll get Yuya in the ring.
Finlay puts Yuya in, the fans rally, and Finlay drags Yuya up to reel him in. Canadian Rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Finlay is annoyed. Finlay steps on Yuya’s head, then has the cameras focus on Yuya’s “pretty face.” Finlay crossface forearms Yuya down! Finlay taunts Yuya, tells him to smile for the camera, and then he crossface forearms Yuya again! Finlay sits Yuya up to crossface forearm even harder! The fans rally while Finlay paces. Finlay slashes his throat, vowing to finish this! Finlay drags Yuya up, reels him in, but Yuya cradles! TWO!! Yuya swings, Finlay catches him, and he backslides!
Yuya rolls through, but into OVER- NO! Yuya blocks the knee! Finlay fires forearm after forearm, but Yuya roars! Yuya spins Finlay around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Finlay survives and the fans rally again! Yuya rises, roars, and the fans fire up with Yuya! Yuya half nelsons, then full nelsons, but Finlay fights with elbows. Finlay reaches out, but Yuya keeps him from the ropes! Finlay drops, but Yuya stuffs the somersault to have a cover! TWO, and Yuya wheelbarrows Finlay into a full nelson! Finlay fights that to hit a BACKBREAKER! The fans rally harder as Yuya writhes and Finlay snarls.
Finlay says Yuya’s dead now. Finlay reels Yuya in, lifts, and BUCKLE BOMBS! And then he reels Yuya back in, but Yuya RANAS! Cover, TWO!! Finlay escapes, Yuya rises, and Finlay runs up! But Yuya blocks the discus to have the cording holds! But Finlay SPITS in Yuya’s face!! And then ROLLING ELBOWS! Yuya rebounds, into another ROLLING ELBOW! Yuya staggers around, into a third ROLLING ELBOW! And then a fourth ROLLING ELBOW! Yuya stays on his feet, so Finlay winds up, but Yuya HEADBUTTS!! Finlay rebounds, but into the DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
The fans rally as Yuya rises, and he goes to a corner! Yuya climbs, but Finlay crawls away. Finlay stands now, and Yuya still leaps! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and the fans fire up again! Yuya checks his arm and it is still good! Yuya fires up, he brings Finlay into the cording hold, and then swings Finlay around, but Finlay LARIATS! Yuya stays up, and he HEADBUTTS in return! Finlay is a ragdoll, so Yuya gets him up in the cording holds! But Finlay HEADBUTTS back! Finlay runs, Yuya dodges, and Yuya leaps, but into Finlay’s arms! Finlay hits a POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Yuya survives, but Finlay hurries! INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO?!!? Yuya survives, flounders, and the fans are electric! Finlay drags Yuya up, reels him in, and hits OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The Heat Storm almost burned Finlay, but Finlay walked through the fire and made it to the other side! Will this tournament soon belong to The Rebel?
Wait, what’s Sanada doing come out here? He and Finlay look at each other before Sanada continues down to the ring. Sanada wants Taka to relax, he isn’t here for anything bad. Sanada says something to Yuya, then helps him stand. No one is sure what to make about this, but then Sanada hits DEADFALL!! Sanada was lying all along! The fans boo as Sanada exits on his own. That was cold-blooded to be sure, but will Sanada continue to do what he wants, even though he’s one of the War Dogs?
2025 New Japan Cup Quarterfinal: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Taichi w/ Taka Michinoku!
The Dangerous Tekkers meet again. While TMDK’s Front Man put his protege, Ryohei Oiwa, in his place, the Holy Emperor was unceremoniously handed a win over Gabe Kidd by the House of Torture. But none of that matters now, it’s all about these two finally going 1v1 with each other. Who proves to have the most dangerous tekkers of all?
The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Taichi does his best to hold back, even as ZSJ eggs him on. Taichi seems emotional rather, but the fans rally up with, “LET’S GO, TAICHI!” Taichi shakes off the frustration of last round, does some stretching, and slaps some fire back into himself. The two tie up, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Taichi ridge hands! They go back and forth, ZSJ fires a flurry of UPPERCUTS, then he whips. Taichi BOOTS ZSJ down! The fans fire up again, and then Taichi runs. ZSJ dodges to scoop, but Taichi slips free! Taichi dodges to DANGEROUS- NO, ZSJ fights the Saido and has an arm!
Taichi avoids the Pele to his arm, ZSJ ducks the buzzsaw, and ZSJ headlocks! But into a DANGEROUS SAIDO! ZSJ tumbles out while the fans fire back up. Taichi slaps himself a little more to keep that fire, and a ring count starts. ZSJ checks his neck as we pass 5 of 20, but Taichi goes out at 6 to fetch him. Taichi drags ZSJ up, and he whips ZSJ hard into railing! ZSJ falls in a heap but Taichi looms over him. Taichi whips ZSJ into more railing! Taichi then storms out to No Man’s Land to grab a chair. The ref reprimands, grabs the chair, and Taichi lets him take it. The fans applaud as Taichi chooses to do this the right way.
Taichi drags ZSJ up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Taichi stands ZSJ up, snapmares, and KICKS! ZSJ writhes and the fans rally more. Taichi goes to a corner to focus himself again, and he storms back up on ZSJ for another KICK! ZSJ writhes more and the fans continue to rally. Taichi paces around ZSJ, then KICKS him again! Taichi eggs ZSJ on now, so ZSJ stands to kick, snapmare, and KICK! Taichi stands right up, but ZSJ kicks, snapmares, and KICKS! Then NECK TWIST! Taichi writhes and the fans rally up. ZSJ takes a moment to stretch his back, then he clamps on a headscissor neck lock!
Taichi endures but ZSJ grabs an arm. ZSJ twists the wrist, bends the fingers, then shifts around to make this a TRIANGLE HOLD! Taichi rolls and rolls, to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, ZSJ lets go, and Taichi catches his breath. ZSJ storms back up on Taichi, the fans duel, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Taichi drops to his knees, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Taichi sits down in the corner and ZSJ goes to the far side. ZSJ runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then he snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ scuffs Taichi, kicks him around, then stomps on him.
Taichi gets mad now, and he stands up! Taichi CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! But ZSJ blocks one to UPPERCUT the arm! ZSJ runs in at the corner, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! ZSJ falls and the fans fire up! Taichi also rests on the mat and the fans rally up again. Taichi and ZSJ go to opposite corners, then Taichi runs up! BOOT! Taichi powers up and runs, but ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! ZSJ wrenches, Taichi wrenches back, and Taichi HOOK KICKS! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this and the fans rally up. Taichi rises, and BUZZ- NO, ZSJ ducks to RAM Taichi! Taichi SOBATS and BUZZSAWS! ZSJ falls over while the fans fire back up!
Taichi waits on ZSJ and ZSJ looks around in a daze. OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi takes aim, TENSHO- NO, ZSJ blocks, KNEEBAR HEEL HOOK!! Taichi endures, the fans rally, but ZSJ uses a grapevine just to drag Taichi back! ZSJ pulls on the leg, shifts to an ANKLE LOCK, maybe even a calf killer! Taichi reaches out, but ZSJ again drags him away from ropes! Taichi endures, reaches out, and goes to the side for a ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and the fans cheer. Taichi shakes out the bad leg but ZSJ stomps it! And stomps it again! And stomps it again! Taichi goes to the ropes, but ZSJ kicks him around.
Taichi hobbles, ZSJ storms up, and they go forehead to forehead. ZSJ eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS ZSJ’s leg! ZSJ UPPERCUTS back! Taichi KICKS ZSJ’s leg again! ZSJ grabs that leg, but then he UPPERCUTS after all! Taichi smirks and comes back. Taichi KICKS ZSJ’s leg once more, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Taichi falls and the fans rally up! ZSJ eggs Taichi on, then kicks him around. Taichi stands, pats ZSJ on the shoulder, and then KICKS him in the chest! ZSJ sits back and Taichi eggs him on. ZSJ rises, but Taichi KICKS him again! ZSJ drops to his knees and the fans rally up.
Taichi KICKS ZSJ in the chest again! Taichi eggs ZSJ on, the fans fire up, and ZSJ stands. ZSJ KICKS Taichi in the chest! Taichi KICKS ZSJ again! ZSJ KICKS, Taichi wobbles, but then Taichi stands tall to KICK again! ZSJ leans back, staying on his feet, and he KICKS again! Taichi roars and KICKS ZSJ down! The fans fire up while both men catch their breath. Taichi winds up, runs, and AX- NO, ZSJ slips around to have a COBRA TWIST! Taichi fights that, switches it to a SEITEI JUJIHOU!! ZSJ endures the Holy Emperor’s Tomb, but he’s slapping Taichi! ZSJ is egging Taichi on even now! So Taichi CRANKS the hold!!
ZSJ is sputtering, turning red, but ZSJ finds a second wind, only for Taichi to TWIST him around!! ZSJ is fading! The ref checks, ZSJ reaches out again! Taichi has the hold on tight, but ZSJ slips down to reach out! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as ZSJ survives by a literal foot! Taichi lets go, we hit 15 minutes, and the fans rally up. Taichi storms up on ZSJ, eggs him on, and ZSJ reaches up. Taichi drags ZSJ up, reels him in, but ZSJ fights the lift! Taichi CLUBS ZSJ on the back, then gives him scuffing kicks to the face. Taichi gives ZSJ some Kawada Kicks, then he KICKS ZSJ in the face! ZSJ staggers up, DANGEROUS- CROSSBODY!
ZSJ gets up to scoop and ZACK DRIVER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! The fans rally hard for both men, but the Taichi side might be overpowering the Zack side. Taichi and ZSJ go to opposite corners, then ZSJ runs in and UPPERCUTS! Scoop and- NO, Taichi slips free, scoops, EMERALD FLOWSION!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up! Taichi rises, roars, and the fans fire up again! Taichi runs, but ZSJ LARIATS! Taichi is right up, to AX BOMBER!! Taichi powers up, and shouts, “OSU!!” Taichi gets ZSJ up, DANGEROUS SAIDO BRIDGE!! TWO!?!? ZSJ escapes and the fans are thunderous!
Taichi is frustrated, but he pounds the mat and roars! The fans rally as hard as they can as Taichi brings ZSJ up. But ZSJ Gotch hold PILEDRIVERS!! A shoutout to Minoru Suzuki, and yet Taichi is sitting back up!?! Taichi flops back over, the ref checks him, and Taka coaches Taichi up. ZSJ also shouts at Taichi to get back up! Both men rise, ana\d ZSJ runs up to PENALTY- NO, Taichi blocks the kick! ZSJ drops, but Taichi catches him into a TAICHI STYLE GEDO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! TENSHO- NO, ZSJ dodges to scoop, SABRE DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!?! But into a KNEEBAR!! Taichi endures as ZSJ pulls on the leg!
The fans are thunderous as ZSJ then shifts his grip for a HEEL HOOK, then he adds the other leg into a modified FIGURE FOUR!! Taichi endures this wild pretzel of a leglock, pries at it, and ZSJ eggs him on! We hit 20 minutes as ZSJ bridges up to put on the pressure! Taichi endures, reaches out, but ZSJ pulls on the legs! Taichi still fights his way around as the fans rally harder! Taichi eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ shifts to a pure KNEEBAR!! Taichi endures, claws at the mat, ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ has to let go. ZSJ hobbles his way over, brings Taichi back up, and hooks a leg! But Taichi fights that to Alabama Lift!
Taichi shifts ZSJ around, but ZSJ has an UPSIDE-DOWN OCTOPUS!! But Taichi powers through to BLACK MEPHISTO!! Taichi clutches his leg and his neck, he can’t make the cover! Both men are down and the fans are electric! ZSJ slowly sits up as the fans rally again, and Taka coaches Taichi again. Taichi and ZSJ spot each other, head for center, and they each egg the other on. ZSJ gets forehead to forehead with Taichi, and both men stand. Taichi ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm! ZSJ comes back to ROCK Taichi! The fans rally as both men steady themselves. Taichi ridge hand chops! ZSJ comes back to UPPERCUT!
ZSJ and Taichi both drop to their knees, the energy reserves running out. They get face to face again, then stand. Taichi BOOTS ZSJ, and ZSJ rebounds to BOOT Taichi! Taichi roars, runs, and BOOTS but ZSJ blocks! ZSJ fires a flurry of forearms! Taichi BACKHANDS! ZSJ ROLLING ELBOWS! Taichi ENZIGIRIS! Both men are back down and the fans are thunderous again! ZSJ and Taichi rise, and ZSJ leans on ropes. Taichi storms up and brings ZSJ around, to then GAMANGIRI! ZSJ wobbles and staggers back to a corner, and we’ve hit 25 minutes! The fans fire up just for that news as ZSJ dangles out of the ring.
ZSJ rises, staggers forward, into another GAMANGIRI! ZSJ rebounds to PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE?!?! TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Taichi crawls to a cover, ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ survives by a literal foot once again! Taichi roars, the fans fire back up, and Taichi Alabama- NO, ZSJ spins that to hook the arms, but Taichi fights the backslide! So ZSJ trips Taichi, LAST SUPPER! TWO!! Taichi BOOTS ZSJ, then BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS! ZSJ ducks the enzigiri to JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH!! ZSJ WINS!!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The Dangerous Tekkers battled their hearts out, and it was Taichi’s body that gave out first! The old friends show each other respect, and they even hug it out. The fans cheer, but when and where will we see these two go again? Will ZSJ once again be New Japan Cup Champion and even IWGP World Heavyweight Champion by then?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS Yuji Nagata w/ Satoshi Kojima!
The Fierce Warrior took his New Japan Ranbo win to forge his New Beginning in Osaka. He also celebrated NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary by overcoming The Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi. And while Chaos and Hontai are now one, that doesn’t mean he’ll take it easy on this living legend. Will Goto keep his revolution going? Or will Blue Justice prevail?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wins between icon and legend!
The bell rings and the fans are thunderous already as they duel! “GO-TO-O!” “NA-GA-TA!” The two circle, feel things out, and tie up. Goto waistlocks, Nagata wrenches out to wristlock, but Goto rolls to wrench and hammerlock, then he headlocks for a takeover. Nagata headscissors, Goto kips free, and fans cheer this opening exchange. Goto and Nagata go again, feel things out, and Goto is wary of those kicks. They knuckle lock, Nagata clinches but Goto wrenches. Goto headlocks, Nagata powers out to clinch again, and the two fight for control. Nagata waistlocks but Goto puts Nagata on the ropes.
Red Shoes counts, and both men let off slowly. Goto pats Nagata’s shoulder but Nagata SLAPS Goto! Nagata headlocks and grinds Goto down while the fans rally. Goto fights up, powers out, but Nagata RAMS him! Goto rebounds and RUNS Nagata over! But Nagata avoids the elbow drop! And has the ARMBAR! Goto scrambles around to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Nagata lets go. Nagata kicks Goto, clamps onto an arm, but Goto fires body shots. Goto fires forearms now, but Nagata blocks one to get a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Goto scrambles to the ROPEBREAK again! The fans cheer, Nagata lets go, and Goto bails out.
Goto shakes out the arm while Nagata eggs him on. Nagata even holds the ropes open. Goto ignores that to go around the side. Goto steps in on his own, and the fans applaud as the two reset. They knuckle lock, Nagata clamps on for a double wristlock, but Goto goes to a corner. Red Shoes calls the break but Nagata fires elbows. Nagata whips, Goto reverses, and Goto blocks the kick to put that leg in the ropes! Goto KICKS the ropes, then pulls on the leg. Red Shoes counts, Goto lets go, but then Goto KICKS the leg! Nagata falls to the apron while fans boo Goto a bit. Goto eggs Nagata on now while Nagata leans against railing.
Nagata shakes his bad leg out, storms back in, and he circles with Goto. The fans cheer as the two feel things out. Goto trips Nagata, has the bad leg, and kneels on it for the toehold! Nagata kicks at Goto, Goto pulls the leg then KICKS! KICKS! KICKS! Goto goes back to the toehold but Nagata pulls hair. Goto pulls on the leg, Nagata CHOPS and KICKS Goto, but Goto drops into a deeper toehold! Nagata endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Goto stomps the leg and drags Nagata around! Goto hits a spinning toehold, into a KNEEBAR! Nagata CHOPS Goto, then turns over. Goto grapevines but Nagata still gets the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer as Goto lets go again. Goto stomps Nagata, paces, and then brings him up. Goto CLUBS Nagata, Nagata fires a body shot, and Goto eggs him on. Nagata fires forearms but Goto still eggs him on. Nagata fires more shots, but then Goto kicks away at the bad leg! Goto brings Nagata up to suplex, but Nagata fights that! Nagata suplexes to MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Nagata slaps his bad leg into working, and he stands back up. Nagata storms around, Goto rises up, and Nagata KICKS Goto in the chest! And KICKS! And KICKS! Goto goes to a corner, and Nagata whips him corner to corner.
Nagata runs to BOOT, and then EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Goto survives and the fans duel again! Nagata goes to suplex but Goto fights that. Goto fires body shots, but Nagata ROCKS Goto! Nagata whips, Goto reverses, but Nagata kicks in return! Nagata runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Nagata down! The fans rally again while Goto brings Nagata up. Goto fires forearms, then whips Nagata corner to corner. Goto runs up to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Nagata stays in this and the fans fire up again. Goto paces around, then he brings Nagata up. Goto goes to fireman’s carry, but Nagata wrenches out of it!
Goto CLUBS away on Nagata, then the forearms start flying back and forth! The fans rally and Nagata gets the edge! But Goto catches Nagata, spins him, URA G T R! Goto runs, but Nagata wrangles him! FUJIWARA, into the MOUNTED ARMBAR!! The fans are thunderous as Goto endures, and Nagata’s eyes roll back! Nagata pulls on the arm, right at the center! Goto endures, kicks around, crawls forward, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Nagata lets go and the fans fire up again. Nagata waits on Goto, and KICKS him! And KICKS! And KICKS! Nagata brings Goto up to wrench the bad arm, into an ELBOW BREAKER!
Goto staggers to a corner, Nagata runs up, and SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up for that Justice Knee and Nagata drags Goto back up. Nagata hoists Goto up top, climbs up to join him, but Goto fires forearms! Nagata eggs Goto on, and the two are brawling up top! Goto fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then he tucks Nagata in!? Goto rises, but Nagata fires body shots! Goto sits back down, and Nagata fires forearm after forearm! Nagata roars, ROCKS Goto, and then brings Goto up for a SUPER EXPLODER!! The fans are thunderous, Nagata crawls to a cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Nagata just roars! The fans are thunderous again as Nagata stands Goto up!
Goto fights the saido, rains down elbows on Nagata’s neck, but then Nagata CLUBS Goto! Nagata waistlocks, and uses the ropes for the DYNAMIC GERMAN SUPLEX!! Goto flops over, and Nagata storms up on him again! Nagata drags Goto up, but Goto fights the saido! Nagata powers through to SAIDO after all! Cover, TWO! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous! Nagata storms up again, and he drags Goto back up. Nagata wants another but Goto fights that! Goto has the ropes, but Nagata fires knee after knee! Nagata KNEES Goto down, then winds up to KICK! But Goto’s right up to LARIAT!! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Goto and Nagata crawl, and the fans rally and duel even harder! Goto goes to a corner, Nagata runs in! BOOT! And then a whip, but Goto reverses to reel Nagata in! G T W!! Cover, TWO!!! Nagata survives and the fans are thunderous again! Goto and Nagata are both down, catching their breath, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto and Nagata rise up, plenty of fight left in them! Goto fires a forearm, but Nagata ROCKS Goto! Nagata eggs Goto on, so Goto ROCKS Nagata! Nagata ROCKS Goto, Goto ROCKS Nagata, and Nagata wobbles a moment. Nagata ROCKS Goto, and Goto grits his teeth. The forearms keep going and the fans fire up!
Goto ROCKS Nagata but Nagata just glares at him! Nagata fires a forearm, Goto fires right back! Nagata roars, he and Goto continue to trade shots, and this is 15 minutes in! Nagata ROCKS Goto, and Goto leans forward. But then he stands to HEADBUTT Nagata! Nagata drops to the mat and the fans rally up again! Goto brings Nagata back up, and he eggs Nagata on before firing off HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Goto HEADBUTTS Nagata down to the mat, but he still won’t let Nagata stop here! Goto drags Nagata into a dragon sleeper, but Nagata wrenches out! Nagata suplexes but Goto fights it! They fight for control, and Goto hits SHOTEN KAI!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Nagata survives and the fans fire up again! The dueling is stronger than ever as Goto staggers to his feet. Goto powers up, takes aim, and BUZZ- NO! Nagata blocks that kick, and WHEEL KICKS back! But Goto LARIATS! Nagata’s right up!? He wobbles, and then he falls! The fans rally up, Nagata sits up, but into a PENALTY KICK! Goto hurries to dragon sleeper, G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Though a grizzled veteran now, Yuji Nagata was still able to fight like he’s a young warrior! But in the end, he couldn’t bring a fight worthy of being world champion in this day and age. Will Blue Justice ever shine with NJPW gold again?
As for Goto, Red Shoes and Yoshi-Hashi help him put the world title back on, then he gets the mic. Goto thanks everyone for coming out tonight, and says he has returned to Nagoya with this title firmly around his waist. The fans cheer that, and Goto admits, Nagata was tough. As champion, Goto thinks he was able to overcome another hurdle tonight. The fans applaud, and Goto says next, he faces the winner of the New Japan Cup. “NO matter who stands across from me, I will be victorious in the end.” The fans cheer again, and he promises, “The Goto Revolution is just getting started. Please keep following me to the very end!”
The fans applaud, and Goto says that he wants to close this out by telling us what the G in IWGP stands for. Do they understand what the G stands for? A fan shouts “Goto!” already, and Goto says that’s right. The G in IWGP is for GOTO! Goto gets the streamers and the cheers, but will he still be champion going through the Spring?
My Thoughts:
A great event for New Japan Cup tonight, getting ALL of the quarterfinals done in one show, and doing a world title match. Takagi VS Drilla was a great match, especially as a rematch from New Beginning. As such, Takagi getting the win made sense, because it also teases a third time around down the line. Shota VS Cobb was really good, but Shota winning was probably a given. It isn’t so much that Cobb could be going to WWE but that Shota is still being built as rising star in NJPW. Yuya VS Finlay was awesome stuff, and Yuya felt really close to winning. But Finlay winning is fine, he himself is a name NJPW is strongly behind.
Taichi VS ZSJ was awesome, especially with Taichi being emotional over this encounter. I figured ZSJ would win, though, as the former world champion certainly deserves to be in the semifinals. Shingo VS Shota and ZSJ VS Finlay are going to be some awesome matches to build a powerful tournament finals. Goto VS Nagata was an awesome main event, but of course Goto won. Not to be mean to Nagata, but putting the title on someone older is not what NJPW would do. Even Goto winning over ZSJ at New Beginning was a surprise, so they’re going older than Goto. And Goto will definitely have an awesome match with whoever wins the tournament.
My Score: 9/10
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