Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/15/25)
The quarterfinals are here!
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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Time to deal with some absolute egos!
Joe Hendry made it through Vengeance Day still the NXT Champion, but now he teams with Myles Borne against Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy; Eli and Legacy win.
- Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright; Lexis & Uriah win.
- Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence; Sol wins.
- Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair; Wren wins and will challenge Fallon Henley for the title.
- Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page; Ricky & Ethan win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tatum Paxley is here!
The fans cheer the NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion as she holds up the belt and heads to the ring. Tatum puts the belt around her waist and grabs a mic to say, “I am your NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion!” The fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Tatum continues by saying they don’t know how much that means to her. For the longest time, she’s felt she’s been doing this whole thing wrong. She was begging to be noticed, to be accepted, forcing friendships, all to just still feel alone. She’d play with the dolls and wonder if it was all worth it. All the self doubt, the loss, the mental battle of thinking she should be “a little less Tatum.’
But at Vengeance Day, it became very clear: Tatum didn’t win the title because of The Culling, or because someone else carried her there, or even that she got lucky. She won this title because of the fans! The fans cheer that! Every time she felt alone, every single one of the fans encouraged her to keep going. Now she wears this title around her waist, and she feels something she has been searching for her entire life, and that is the confidence that she belongs! The pain, the hurting, it was all worth it! And she’ll tell us the truth: She won the NXT Women’s Championship for The Culling; but she won the Women’s North American Championship for the fans!
Now she realized something: Tatum has never been and never will be- Interrupted by Izzi Dame… Izzi “congratulates” Tatum on beating her for the title. That must’ve been the best day of her life! But before Tatum starts acting like she knows who she is now, let’s all remind everyone who Tatum used to be. Roll tape! The fans boo as Izzi throws Tatum’s past at her. All the way from from her tryout to joining the Diamond Mine, to losing the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament, to turning on Diamond Mine, to Level Up, to her #TuesdayAddams transformation.
The fans cheer the video genuinely, but Izzi mockingly says, “Wow! Just wow!” It is truly inspiring how Tatum finally found herself! Izzi would be touch, if it weren’t so fake! Tatum, you haven’t changed at all! You haven’t found anything! You’re just doing what you always do, and that is trying to convince everyone that she’s not just the same weirdo outcast she was when she first showed up here. The fans boo but Izzi says Tatum can stand here and hold the title, soaking in all the fake love from the fake fans, but Izzi and Tatum know what this is: Another mask! Tatum thinks beating Izzi validates her?
The fans sing the Addams Family theme song while Izzi says all Tatum’s found is she is the chameleon of NXT! How is she not tired constantly changing? It’s almost impressive! Always pretending! But sooner or later, the unlovable girl she’s hiding from will show herself again. And when she does, everyone will see what Izzi already knows: Tatum Paxley, championship or not, will forever be the girl desperately trying to fit in. Hopefully Tatum’s enjoyed the past couple of days borrowing that belt, because Izzi wants it back NOW. Tatum turns around to see Niko & Spears! Then Izzi BOOTS Tatum down!
The fans boo as Izzi POWERBOMBS Tatum down! Izzi snatches the belt off Tatum, taking being a sore loser to a new level. Will Tatum just have to beat Izzi again to finally shut her up?
Ricky Saints talks with Ethan Page backstage.
The Absolute asks All Ego just what the hecc was that on Saturday! Ethan slid the belt all the way to Hendry?! Ethan says he knows! He knew the moment it left his hand! Saints says yeah, and he saw it as it slid right by him! Now neither men have titles! They’re naked! Ethan says that visual will haunt him now. Saints says the visual they need is them both as champs! Which is what makes them so great. They don’t dwell on the past. The last two days have sucked for Saints. Oh? Well, the last two WEEKS have sucked for Ethan! Saints apologizes, and he forgives Ethan for Saturday. But guess what? Tonight, after they beat those two cornballs, it’ll look like this.
If Ethan pins Myles, then guess what? He’s back in the North American Championship scene. If Saints pins Hendry, he’ll be main-eventing Stand & Deliver! That’s a sold out crowd chanting his name, oh yes indeed! Ethan says that’s right. Every dynasty has its slump, and this is a mere blemish on their impeccable records. Saints says barely a hiccup! After tonight, they’ll be back holding hands with Miss Title Contention! Ethan sees it, Saints loves it, and now they will both be TWO-TIME champions! Say it again, TWO-TIME CHAMPIONS! But will the Absolute Egos have their way? Or will they be made to believe in Borne & Hendry?
Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy!
The MonStar LFG Season 1 Champion is not happy he lost his Speed Championship in a Triple Threat. But since he can’t just go right after the champion, he’ll take it out on the other guy in that title match, and then Super Sean just because he’s here! Will Troy destroy two high-fliers with one match? Or will there be another win snatched away from him?
NXT returns as the Disrespectfully Athletic makes his entrance, followed by Legacy. The bell rings and Troy ROCKS Legacy! Eli jumps on Troy but Troy throws him down. Legacy jumps on but Troy RAMS him into a corner! Eli comes back, but Troy THROWS him across the way! The fans are torn but Legacy runs up. Troy scoops Legacy, fireman’s carries, but Eli jumps in! Troy catches him!? And then he shrugs Legacy off so he can gorilla press Eli! Eli wiggles free, but Troy gets him again, CHOKE SLAM onto Legacy! The fans fire up while Troy puts Legacy in a corner and fires knees! Troy then goes to Eli in the other corner and BODY BLOWS!
Troy short arm LARIATS Eli, then stalks Legacy. Troy HEADBUTTS Legacy, then steps on him in the corner! The fans rally, Troy steps off, and Troy storms up on Eli. Troy BODY BLOWS Eli again, then whips corner to corner. Troy runs up, but into a BOOT! Eli hurries to fire hands on Troy, but Troy whisp him away. Troy CLOBBERS Eli, the fans fire up, and Troy stalks Eli. Troy scoops Eli, then aims at Legacy. Eli slips free, Legacy SUPERKICSK! Eli SUPERKICKS, then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Troy tumbles up and out of the ring! Legacy whips Eli but Eli reverses! Eli ROCKS Legacy in a corner, then ROCKS him again!
Legacy fires shots in return, and we can see Troy drag himself up with the apron skirt. But KEANU CARVER CLOBBERS TROY! The fans are torn as the One Man Demolition Crew CHOKE SLAMS Troy through the desk! The fans go nuts, and Keanu tells Booker T this is what he meant! Keep his name out your mouths! Don’t play with Keanu! Keanu just turned this Triple Threat into a 1v1, and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again as refs check on Troy. Legacy has Eli in a chinlock but Eli fights up. Eli arm-drags free, runs up, and he blocks a boot to CALF KICK! Then Eli goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Legacy tumbles out, Eli goes to a corner, and Eli springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans fire up with Eli and he hurries to get Legacy in the ring. Eli goes to the corner for the TIGER WALL MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Legacy survives. Eli hurries up top, and he MOONSAULTS! Legacy moves, Eli lands out, and then Eli dodges to BOOT! Eli runs up, Legacy goes up and over!
Legacy runs up, Eli dodges, but Legacy BOOTS him from the corner! Legacy QUEBRADAS into the dragon sleeper, and the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Eli survives but the fans fire up again! Troy clutches his side but he’s standing back up! “This is Awesome!” as Legacy hurries to get Eli up int the torture rack! But Eli fights free! Eli ROCKS Legacy, Legacy ROCKS Eli, and repeat! The fans rally as they go back and forth, but then Legacy gets the edge! But Eli ENZIGIRIS! Legacy UPPERCUTS! Eli falls, Legacy WRECKS Troy with a dropkick just to be sure! Legacy turns around, Eli JUMP KNEES!
Eli runs, blocks a boot, but Legacy dodges! Eli dodges back, but runs into a SPANISH FLY! The fans fire up with Legacy, but Troy is back up!? The fans are going nuts as Legacy fires hands! Troy snarls and RAMS Legacy into a corner! Then he BODIES Eli! The fans are torn, but Troy pops Legacy up, and SPINEBUSTERS him down! Then he BACKDROPS Eli onto Legacy! Troy clutches his ribs but he’s still so strong! Troy then hoists Eli up, RAMS him into Legacy at the corner, and then fireman’s carries them both!? DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP! Troy roars, rises up, and he guzels Eli! MONSTAR CHOKE SLAM! Cover, BUT LEGACY BREAKS IT!
The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Legacy stands, but Troy runs up! Legacy ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into the BIG BOSS- SHOTGUN from Eli! No slam for Troy, and Legacy runs up to SLICED BREAD! Legacy hurries to a corner, he springboards to 450 SPLASH! But then Eli adds his MOONSAULT! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!!
Winners: Sean Legacy & Eli Knight, by pinfall
Both Eli and Sean are surprised, but them both winning is better than them both losing! They shake hands on it and celebrate together! Will this momentum send both men towards titles? As for Troy, he surely has a score to settle with Keanu now. When and where will the MonStar get his shot at the Demolition Man?
Tatum Paxley is furious!
She demands to know where that snake, Izzi, slithered off to. She asks Shiloh Hill if he saw them. He says sorry, he hasn’t seen The Culling. Tatum says she has to find Izzi before she goes. Wait, before she goes? Oh, that part he can help with. Shiloh has his tire iron, and both he and Tatum laugh maniacally as they hurry to the parking lot! Will Izzi’s car be two tired for her to get out of here?
Birthright talks backstage.
Arianna Grace says she successfully defended her TNA Knockouts World Championship last week, so now it is the boys’ turn to impress. Stacks asks Lexis King if he’s good, and Lexis says he’s just disappointed it had to come to this. Charlie Dempsey is too stubborn for his own good. Did Uriah make the call? Nope, but his dad did. And “they” are on their way. Perfect. Birthright heads out, but who could they mean by “they?”
Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright!
Despite the offer from his friends in the second-generation-superstar club, The Son of the Gentlemanly Villain is still his own man. And he chose to team with his former No Quarter Catch Crew member to make sure Birthright understands that. Will Charlie & Tavion prove they can reach new heights their way? Or will the Drama King and Chase U dropout show them it’s in their blood?
The teams sort out, Charlie starts against Uriah, and the two tie up. Uriah headlocks, Charlie slips around but Uriah wrenches and wristlocks. Uriah shifts to a full nelson but Charlie breaks that to then wrench and full nelson in return. Uriah breaks free of that, snapmares, and covers, ONE! The fans applaud as the two tie up with knuckle locks. They’re shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and Uriah bends Charlie back. Charlie fights up, but Uriah wrenches. Charlie wrenches back then whips, but Uriah leaps over the dropdown. They tie up again, and Charlie puts on the pressure. Charlie hits a straight arm suplex, then clamps onto a CATTLE MUTILATION!
Charlie moves around, then goes to a FUJIWARA, but Uriah rolls through. Charlie gets Uriah’s legs, drags him back, then tags Tavion. Charlie puts Uriah in the BOW ‘N’ ARROW, then THROWS him to Tavion for the GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans cheer while Uriah flounders away. Tavion runs up, Uriah dodges and tags Lexis. Lexis saves Uriah from the suplex, but then Tavion snatches Lexis for a scoop SLAM! Tavion runs, Charlie tags, and Tavion rolls into jackknife, turning it into a fireman’s carry. FLAPJACK and KNEE LIFT! Charlie covers, TWO! Lexis scrambles away to the apron but Charlie grabs after him.
Lexis HOTSHOTS Charlie, then CHOPS! Lexis whips, Charlie reverses, but Uriah tags in. Lexis waistlocks, Cahrlie BOOTS Uriah away, then he drop toeholds! Tavion tries to warn Charlie but Charlie is too busy hammering Lexis! Uriah CLOBBERS Charlie! The fans boo but Uriah stomps Charlie. Uriah drags Charlie over, CHOPS him, then tags Lexis back in. Lexis snapamres Charlie to then get the leg, and he tags Uriah. Uriah slingshot SENTONS but onto knees! Charlie UP KICKS Lexis, then BACKBREAKERS Uriah! The fans rally, hot tag to Tavion! Tavion SLINGBLADES Uriah, BLASTS Lexis, and CLOBBERS Uriah!
Tavion whips Uriah to OVERHEAD BELLy2BELLY! Tavion keeps going, RUNNING BELLY2BELLY! Cover, Lexis breaks it! Charlie storms in and he TOSSES Lexis out! But Uriah BOOTS Charlie out! Tavion SPEARS Uriah out of the ring! Uriah and Tavion are down hard, but Charlie and Lexis brawl! The ref checks, Tavion gets up, and he keeps after Uriah. NQCC puts Birthright int he ring, then hug it out. The fans fire up for the boys, but wait! Is that Fit Finlay & William Regal?! And Charlie GERMAN SUPLEXES Tavion?!? The fans are going nuts, but Charlie feeds Tavion into the ring! Uriah hits Tavion with a BARE BONE KNEE STRIKE!
Tag to Lexis, and he gets Tavion up for the CORONATION!! Cover, Birthright wins!!
Winners: Lexis King & Uriah Connors, by pinfall
It seems Charlie is still his father’s son. He steps into the ring and embraces his Birthright! Will nothing stop them from taking over?
The Culling walks the halls.
Izzi feels good about how that went. Niko is sure Tatum will now spiral out of control. But then The Chair Man hears the car alarm. Someone just put their car on blocks?! And a few other cars, too… Well, as we see Shiloh Hill walking back to the door, we know who did it. But Robert Stone asks what’s going on! Shiloh says he didn’t know which car was The Culling’s, but the car alarms are too loud. Stone says get inside! They get away from the honking, and Shiloh shouts that he didn’t know which car it was. Stone is trying to figure out what and why, but Shiloh leaves the tire iron with him. The Culling complains to Stone, but will they just have to take it up with the mechanics?
Tony D’Angelo is here!
The fans cheer as the man who was once The Don goes to the ring. Tony gets a mic and says, “When I returned to NXT, I told the WWE Universe I came back for two reasons. The first mission was DarkState. Vengeance Day was the culmination of that mission. On Saturday, me and Lennox went to war.” The fans applaud that. Tony says that while he despises Dion, Dion went out on his shield. Tony left DarkState the way they left him: Beaten, empty, and searching for answers. So now, we get to reason number two as to why Tony returned. And while he was away, he considered his future. This life goes by fast but he had time to reflect.
See, Tony looked at the man in the mirror, and had to be honest with himself. There was one thing that that man could not accomplish. There was one thing that that man could not achieve. And in that moment, Tony buried that version of himself six feet under, became the man that stands before you today, the man who proved he is the toughest SOB in NXT! The fans cheer that! The second reason Tony came back… is to win the NXT Championship. The fans cheer that! Tony knows Joe Hendry is a sensation, and he has no issues. If this was a year ago, Tony would have a sit down and break bread with Hendry. But that’s not him anymore.
“Joe, if I gotta break your face, that’s what I’m gonna do. And I’d love to say this is just business, but this is personal to me. Now Joe, this is your one warning. Prepare yourself for my actions, cuz I will not be denied. Tony D’Angelo will be the next N X T Champion!” The fans like the sound of that. But with Ricky Saints also wanting his shot, will Tony have more than just the champion to deal with?
Lola Vice talks with Sol Ruca backstage.
Miami Vice says hola, and Sol says hola. Sol says congrats on the win at Vengeance Day. Lola says gracias, it felt so good knocking out Kelani Jordan. Now, how is Sol? She’s… okay. Yeah, Lola gets that there is a lot on Sol’s plate. She’s got Lainey Reid tonight, then her best friend betrayed her. But Lola knows she’s looking at the next NXT Women’s Champion. Sol says damn straight. Next week in Houston, Sol takes the title from Jacy Jayne while getting her hands on Zaria at the same time. Lola says she’ll be watching. So when Sol takes the title, know it’ll be her and Lola at Stand & Deliver. Well, a lot has to happen first.
Lola still wishes Sol luck, and Sol heads to gorilla. Will Sol make it through the Southern Bell and her toxic back-up? Or will her wave of momentum come crashing down around her?
WrenQCC talks with Myles Borne.
Kendal Grey says she and Wren Sinclair were so pumped to see Myles win the North American Championship off Ethan Page. That was amazing! Glad to see he finally had his moment. Myles thanks them, and says not to be rude, but have either of them seen his tag partner? They gotta prepare for the match tonight. Wren says she knows where they can find him! Remember that one time? Oh, yes, Kendal remembers now. Watch. Joe Hendry! “Say his name and he appears!” The fridge? Wren opens it up, but no, that’s just a cake. But then Hendry steps in and asks what they’re looking at. Hendry, why weren’t you in the fridge? Been there, done that.
Myles asks Hendry where he’s been. They gotta game plan for Ethan & Ricky! Hendry apologizes, he had some business to attend to, but he’s here now. Time to game plan! Myles wishes Wren luck for her Speed match. Wren says she’s got the need! The need for speed! Kendal, are you ready? Wait, Kendal’s stuffing her face with cake! Kendal~! What? She’s got the night off. Cheat day~! Fine, let’s just get going. Kendal says good luck, guys! So, she’s not gonna share? Will Wren become a contender in three minutes or less? Will Myles & Hendry prove they were Borne to Believe?
Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence!
NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance, joining The Fatal Influence in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Sol as she circles with Lainey. They tie up, go around the ring, and against the ropes. Sol powers up but Lainey slips around to a waistlock. Sol switches, but Lainey switches back. Lainey pries the hold open to a wrench and wristlock. Sol cartwheels, then slips under to BACKDROP Lainey! Sol has the armlock, Lainey fights up, but Sol wrenches to wristlock. Sol wrangles Lainey but Lainey endures. The fans rally as Lainey headscissors, and she holds on tight as Sol tries to kip free. Sol moves around, and headstands to then pop free!
Sol drops on Lainey for a headlock, but Lainey fights up to her feet. Lainey powers up but can’t power out as Sol holds on tight. Lainey powers up again, pries the hold open, and she turns things around to headlock Sol. Lainey snapmares but Sol cartwheels through! The fans cheer while Lainey frowns. Lainey runs up, Sol trips her up, and Sol steps on Lainey to use her as a surfboard! Then Sol STOMPS Lainey’s leg! Lainey scrambles away while the fans cheer. Jacy & Fallon fan Lainey off, then Lainey runs up to kick Sol! Lainey kicks again but Sol blocks! Lainey hops around, rolls, and trips Sol in one go!
Lainey headlocks but Sol powers up and out. Lainey RUNS Sol over, then hits a headlock and takeover! Sol rolls to a cover, ONE! Lainey holds on but Sol headscissors. Sol squeezes tight but Lainey still kips free, then DROPKICKS! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs up, but Sol catches her! Sol spins with Lainey for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lainey scrambles to a corner, Sol runs up, and Sol MONKEY FLIPS Lainey away! Lainey ends up in the far corner, and Sol runs up again. Lainey puts Sol up top, but Sol BOOTS her! Lainey SHOVES Sol, but Sol body scissors Lainey to throw her out of the ring! The fans cheer as Sol gets back up.
Sol runs to use the corner for the MOONSAULT! Down goes Lainey and Jacy is upset, but Sol just brings Lainey up and into the ring. Sol senses Jacy creep up and she stares the champ down. But then Fallon distracts the ref! This lets Jacy anchor Sol in the ropes! Sol kicks free, only for Lainey to DOUBLE STOMP! Lainey and Fatal Influence soak up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.
Lainey storms up to stomp Sol, then HAMMERS away! Lainey stops just to JUMP LEG DROP! Then she brings Sol up to bump her off buckles. Lainey runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then she SHINING WIZARDS! Sol flounders along the ropes but Lainey keeps on her. Lainey CHOKES Sol, stops as the ref counts, then pushes her down. The ref reprimands but Lainey steps on Sol, and DOUBLE STOMPS again! Cover, TWO! Lainey argues the count but the count was fair. Lainey reels Sol in but Sol cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, and Sol ROCKS Lainey first! Then mule kicks! Then SMACKS Lainey again!
Sol whips, but Lainey turns backdrop into NECKBREAKER! Lainey then clamps on with a chinlock and grinds Sol down. Sol endures, fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs in, but Sol ROCKS her! And susnet flips! TWO, and Lainey grabs ropes for good measure. Both women stand, Sol blocks a superkick, but not the second SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jacy is frustrated that Sol survives, but Lainey CLUBS Sol down. Lainey turns Sol for a Gory Especial! Sol endures as Lainey bends her back! The ref checks on Sol but she just powers up! Lainey hits a GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO!
Lainey is frustrated as Sol survives, and she stands Sol up as NXT returns to single picture. Lainey whips Sol to a corner, runs up, but Sol goes up and over. Sol then SHOTGUNS Lainey down! Sol fires forearms on Lainey, has the arms, and kicks the legs out so she can SURFBOARD STOMP Lainey into buckles! Sol runs up, but Lainey dodges! Lainey runs up, but Sol puts her on the apron! Lainey bumps Sol off buckles, KICKS low, then buckle bumps for another KICK! Lainey then steps in, FLYING STUNNER! High stack, TWO! The fans rally as Sol survives. Lainey taunts the fans before she stands over Sol.
Lainey DOUBLE- NO, Sol Electric Chair Lifts Lainey right up! And then SLAMS her down! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Zaria is seen watching this backstage, probably hoping Sol loses. Sol and Lainey rise up, and Lainey SMACKS Sol first! But Sol SMACKS Lainey back! Lainey ROLLING ELBOWS Sol, but Sol rebounds to ROCK Lainey! Then mule kick! CLUB! Bob ‘n’ weave, UPPERCUT! Sol whips and ELBOWS Lainey down! And LARIAT! Sol whips Lainey to the corner, then SNAP GERMANS! Lainey flounders, Sol goes up, and Sol MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Sol kips up!
Sol aims again, runs back up, KNEE STRIKE! High stack, TWO! Lainey flounders but Sol goes to the apron. Sol springboards, but has to roll through as Lainey moves! Sol goes back, but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Sol survives, the fans fire up, but Fatal Influence is frustrated. Lainey drags Sol up, Gory Especials, but Sol sunset flips it! TWO, and Sol hits the X-FACTOR! Lainey flounders, Sol gets her up, fireman’s carry for the swing and AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Lainey survives and the fans can’t believe it! Fatal Influence is relieved, but Sol whips Lainey to the corner. Lainey holds ropes to stop the German Suplex!
Lainey ELBOWS Sol, then slips around, reverse victory roll, TWO! Lainey rebounds but into the EDDY GORDO KICK! Lainey wobbles, Sol runs, but Lainey scoops! Sol slips free and TOSSES Lainey out! Lainey ROCKS Sol from the apron, then steps in, but Sol SUPERKICKS! The fans cheer “Women’s Wrestling!” as Sol goes up, up, but Lainey YANKS her down! And then the ROLLING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Lainey takes down her kneepads, for some SOUTHERN HOSPITAL- NO, Sol dodges, then SOUL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!
Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall
Fatal Influence is beside themselves! Lainey gave Sol a run for her money, but it was still Sol on top! The wave of momentum is growing, will it completely wipe out Jacy and Zaria? Or will Sol be denied both revenge and reign?
Robert Stone meets with Sean Legacy, Eli Knight, and Elio LeFleur.
The (Interim) NXT GM is still getting his hearing back, but the Sky Slicer says he’d love to defend his Speed Championship against both Legacy and Eli if he could. Stone says it has already been a long night, and he also enjoyed the double pin. And yes, while it’d be great for Legacy or Knight to challenge Elio, the rules state there has to be a Speed Tournament. Elio says that takes so long, which is kinda the opposite of what the Speed Division is about. Eli says yeah, him beating Troy should mean something. Legacy says they beat Troy. Stone admits, that is true. They can get the tournament going, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
And then Vanity Project walks in. Jackson Drake says enough of the Speed title. Jumping through hoops just to get a chance? What a pain in the ass! Brad Baylor wants to talk NXT Tag Team Championships. They’re already thinking Stand & Deliver, the biggest spotlight for Stone’s brightest new stars! Ricky Smokes says, “Y’know, guys who can actually go more than three minutes.” They already cleared out the division, but surely Stone can get creative. Drake says don’t even worry about it. Their guy, Stone, will cook up something great. Laters. Vanity Project leaves, and Legacy says let’s put a pin on the Speed title for a second, because he has an idea.
Stone will consider what Elio said about the Speed Division, but yes, he likes where Legacy is going. He thinks he has an idea. Will Legacy & Knight soon swipe right on a match with the tag team champions?
Backstage interview with Blake Monroe.
Blake Howard brings up The Glamour beating Jaida Parker in the Street Fight, a huge victory. What’s next for her? Blake says Jaida brought out a godawful side of her, and learned that when you mess with the Woman From Hell, you get burned. So as for what’s next, the biggest show of the year is coming up. This will be Monroe’s first Stand & Deliver, and she’ll make it all about her in St. Louie. Howard corrects her that it’s St. Louis. Monroe says she is the conversation, she is the controversy, so what will she do? Well- Tatum turns the corner and calls to Blake. They both respond and Tatum says right, both Blake.
But then, have either Blake or Blake seen The Culling? No, and no. Okay, bye. Tatum calls out to Izzi that she’s looking for her, and Monroe says Howard needs to do something about his name. Because that, like many other things, belongs to her. Blake Monroe leaves Blake Howard speechless, but did Tatum just make herself a target?
Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair w/ Kendal Grey!
The Grown-Ass Woman stole the spotlight from Blake Monroe while the Captain of WrenQCC managed to slay Nikkita Lyons. Now both of these young and hungry superstars is looking to go right at the Toxic Cowgirl, but that means getting through each other! Who makes themselves #1 contender in three minutes or less?
NXT returns as Thea makes her entrance. The bell rings, and Thea DROPKICKS Wren down! The fans rally and duel but Thea KICKS and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE, but Thea dodges a lariat to jump on the arm! KIMURA, but Wren powers out! Wren CHOPS Thea, fireman’s carries, and ROLLING SENTONS! Wren keeps moving, and she RUNS Thea over, then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Wren goes for arms, but Thea fights around! Thea fights up, jumps and wheelbarrows, then arm-drags! Then mule kicks! Thea runs, and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, ONE and Wren bails out!
We hit the two minute warning orange phase, and Thea builds speed! DIVE and down goes Wren! Thea shakes out her arm, then gets Wren int he ring. The fans rally up again as Thea climbs. Thea aims and CROSSBODY FLOPS as Wren moves! Wren hurries to then roll Thea up, TWO!! Thea escapes, and has the KIMURA!! Wren flails, reaches out, and rolls through! Wren gets the FINAL WRENCH!! Thea flails, fights, but she QUITS!! WREN WINS!
Winner: Wren Sinclair, by submission (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Speed Championship)
With 62 seconds to spare, Wren seals the deal! The Texas girl gets to do it up big in Houston, but will she dethrone the Toxic Cowgirl? Or will even the Speed Division be stuck under the Influence?
Robert Stone meets with the NXT Tag Division.
Suit Man Stone thanks everyone for being here, and he knows that we are officially in Stand & Deliver Season. After talking with Vanity Project earlier, it got him thinking. This division is deep, this division is hungry, so Stone is going to put together a tag team tournament! The winners get their shot at Vanity Project at Stand & Deliver! Everyone except Swipe Right likes that! What do they look like to him? Oh, so they don’t want to be at Stand & Deliver? That’s not what they’re saying! Yeah, that’s what Stone thought. So now, to the teams in the tournament: the new team of Legacy & Knight; The Culling; Birthright; Hank ‘n’ Tank; OTM; DarkState.
Shugars says no, DarkState ain’t doing no tournament! They want their rematch and they want it now! But then OTM storms up on DarkState, and they start throwing hands! The other teams get in there to break this up, but clearly it’s about to pop off! Who survives the tournament to then have their shot in St. Louis?
Backstage interview with Fatal Influence.
Blake Howard is now with Jacy, Fallon, and Lainey, and brings up the title defenses next week in Houston. How are they handling these targets on their back this close to Stand & Deliver? Jacy says wow, she never thought she’d miss Sarah Schreiber, but here we are. And she doesn’t need Blake Howard reminding her that she has to deal with both Sol and Zaria next week. If she wants to walk into Stand & Deliver as champion, then she has to make the impossible happen. And he watches the product, right? Then he should know that this is perhaps the most unpredictable WrestleMania season ever!
How many new champions have been crowned lately? Penta, Cody Rhodes, Lash & Nia, AJ Lee! The odds are stacked against Jacy. Howard brings up Tatum beating Izzi, and Jacy can’t even. Fallon, you talk to him. Fallon is pretty sure he’ll bring up Wren Sinclair now, right? Everyone’s favorite little underdog, a leader of two people. Big deal. All Fallon has to do is win within five minutes. Oh, look, here they are! Wren steps in and says considering she beat Lyons and Thea in under three, she’ll have no problem beating Fallon in five. Kendal is also confident in that. And if we’re talking numbers, Fatal Influence is definitely losing one of their titles next week.
Oh, and Jacy, if you get past Sol and Zaria to make it to Stand & Deliver as she so desperately wants, just know Kendal will be the one she defends that title against. Lainey says enough. They don’t have time for this. Time to go. Fatal Influence leaves, WrenQCC is ready to bring the fight to them, but who will get to Stand & Deliver?
The Culling heads out.
Niko & Spears are ready to go for those tag titles, but then Tatum CLOBBERS Izzi! They start brawling, Izzi RAMS Tatum into the garage door, but The Culling and security separate these two! Stone sees this and shouts that this is enough! If they wanna get their hands on each other, fine! The rematch for the Women’s North American Championship is gonna happen in Houston! And in a STEEL CAGE!! Tatum loves that idea! Will she get to rip into Izzi without anyone getting in her way?
Backstage interview with Robert Stone.
Blake Howard catches up with Stone and says this is a huge night for NXT in Houston now. Stone says he’s even got stars from Raw & SmackDown texting him about it. Remember that this is Stone’s first road show for NXT, and he wants to make it special. Well, adding Tatum VS Izzi in a Steel Cage is huge, and Stone says yes, it has to end somehow with these two. Plus, the other two title matches, the NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat, and the Women’s Speed Championship. Then there’s the tag tournament, and we’re starting in Houston! Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Birthright. The tournament culminates on March 31st as NXT returns to NYC, winners going on to Stand & Deliver.
And also, and he hasn’t said anything yet, but… OTM AND DarkState are now OUT of the tournament. Between Vengeance and what happened just now in his office, it cannot keep happening. Vanity Project walks back in and Brad appreciates having all this time off. Smokes says he’s even gotten some invites to parties in Houston, so- Stone says don’t party too hard. W-Why? Because in Houston, they will be in Six Man Tag action against LOS AMERICANOS! What?! Yeah, sorry, gotta go. Man, Stone used to be cool! Stone promises that the Houston fans are gonna love this, but he’ll let Vic Joseph break this next bit of news!
Vic Joseph indeed takes up the mic to say this is big. Next week, NXT is live in Houston, the hometown of Booker T. And Vic doesn’t wanna let the cat out of the bag, but this duo was only meant to be a duo for three months. A lot of people didn’t know that, and this is three YEARS! So it is Vic’s honor to say that next Tuesday, it will be BOOKER T APPRECIATION NIGHT! All hail King Bookah~! The fans cheer that! Booker asks, why did they wait to say this? But between celebrating Booker T’s career both in the ring and at the desk and all those title matches, will NXT in Houston be the biggest episode ever?
Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
Even after their big victories the last couple of weeks, The NXT Champion and the North American Champion are teaming up against their common enemies! Will Hendry & Borne prove they aren’t champions out of dumb luck? Or will these Absolute Egos earn themselves golden tickets to championship rematches?
NXT returns as Myles makes his entrance, followed by Joe Hendry. The teams sort out and Hendry starts against Saints. They tie up, Saints headlocks for the takeover, but Hendry headscissors. Saints kips free, but turns around into a tie up, and then Hendry headlocks for the takeover. Saints headscissors, Hendry kips free, and TURNS! The fans cheer, but Saints hits low! Saints ROCKS and whips, but Hendry reverses, blows past, and CLOBBERS Saints! The fans cheer, but Ethan runs up! Hendry HIP TOSSES Ethan, then he HIP TOSSES Saints! Hendry drags Saints up, tags Myles in, and they coordinate, for the DROPKICK SUPLEX COMBO!
The fans cheer as Myles waits on Saints, then scoops, for the FALL AWY SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Saints survives Myles pulling out a new move, but Myles fireman’s carries. Saints fights free, waistlocks, but Myles switches. Saints RAMS Myles into a corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Myles ducks Ethan’s cheap shot, DECKS him for it, but Saints ROCKS Myles! Saints hits a BIG back suplex, then he tags Ethan. They stomp Myles, then Ethan rains down fists. Ethan drags Myles up to suplex, but Myles fights it! Myles fires body shots, then ANARCHY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Myles keeps on Ethan, but Ethan RAMS him into the corner!
Ethan RAMS Myles again and again, then stops as the ref counts 4. Ethan drags Myles up, but Myles fires body shots! And he ELBOWS Saints! Myles ROCKS Ethan, ROCKS Saints, repeat! The fans fire up as Myles UPPERCUTS then runs, but into a BOOT! The fans boo Ethan but he tells Saints to go get the belts! Saints grabs a belt, slides it in, but way out of the ring! Ethan is incredulous, and Saints says he is so, so sorry. Ethan says this wasn’t that hard, he’s right here! Saints apologizes, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Saints tries to explain himself to commentary, but Myles snatches Ethan into a cradle! TWO, and Ethan drags Myles from Hendry! ELBOW DROP! Ethan tags Saints, they stomp Myles down at the ropes, but step off as the ref counts. Saints drags Myles up to put through the ropes, and then CHOKE! The ref counts, Saints stops at 4, then taunts Hendry. Saints UPPERCUTS Myles down, then brings him back up. Saints tags Ethan back in, they mug Myles, and Ethan stays between Myles and Hendry. Ethan brings Myles around to suplex, but Myles slips free to roll Ethan up! TWO, and Ethan anchors Myles’ leg!
Ethan drags Myles back, tags Saints in, and Saints ELBOW DROPS Myles on the back of his head! Cover, TWO! Saints drags Myles up to wrench, then he goes up the corner. Saints tightrope walks, and he gives Myles the Old School AX HANDLE! Myles sputters, Ethan smiles, and Saints strikes his pose. Saints storms up on Myles but Myles fires body shots. Myles whips, Saints reverses, and Saints SPINEBUSTERS! Then he gator rolls Myles to tag in Ethan. Ethan steps in and ELBOW DROPS on Myles’ chest! Ethan scoop SLAMS Myles, tags Saints, and Saints goes up the ropes to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Myles survives, but Saints keeps Myles down with a chinlock. Myles endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. Myles fires body shots but Saints KNEES low. Saints puts Myles in the corner, CHOPS, then tags Ethan. Ethan kicks Myles down, then he and Saints double whip. Myles reverses to send Saints & Ethan into each other! Myles DECKS Saints, but Ethan whips Myles to the corner. Ethan runs up, but Myles dodges the splash! Myles crawls, reaches out, but Saints YANKS Hendry down! The fans boo but Saints THROWS Hendry into barriers! Ethan SPLASHES Myles in the corner!
The fans are riled up as Ethan whips Myles corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Tag to Saints, then Ethan puts Myles up top. Saints joins in, and they DOUBLE ICONOCLASM! Then they YANK Myles up, ASSISTED TORNADO DDT! Cover, Hendry CLOBBERS Ethan onto it! The fans fire up, but Ethan TOSSES Hendry! Hendry lands safe on the apron, ROCKS Ethan, then steps in, only for Ethan to give him a CONFIDENCE BREAKER! Saints then SHOTGUNS Hendry down! The fans boo but Absolute Egos are on the same page now. Saints puts Myles up top, but Myles fires hands! Myles and Saints trade shots, then Myles ROCKS Saints!
Ethan runs up, Myles ROCKS him! Saints SMACKS Myles! Saints then runs side to side, tags Ethan, and he goes right up to get Myles! SUPER DUPER PLEX for the Power! Ethan adds a DIVING BODY PRESS for the Glory! Cover, TWO!! Myles survives and shocks Ethan! Ethan stomps Myles but the fans rally, “WE BELIEVE!” Ethan RIPCORDS Myles up, but Myles fights the slam to a REVERSE DDT! Myles crawls, reaches out, and this time, hot tags to Hendry and Saints! The fans fire up as Hendry rallies on Ethan & Saints! Then he kicks Ethan, spins him, and NECKBREAKER! Then he scoops Saints for the FALL AWAY SLAM!
Hendry kips up, and he dodges Ethan to scoop him! Pop up to the fireman’s carry, and the ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Saints runs up, Hendry dodges, ANGLE SLAM! Hendry busts out all the hits! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Hendry as hard as they can, and he starts up the stomp stomp clap! But Ethan anchors Hendry! Hendry kicks free, he dodges Saints, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans rally up again, and now Saints wants Ethan to get a belt! Not this again! Ethan slides the belt to Saints properly this time, but the ref spots that! Saints swings, but the ref stops him! The fans fire up as Hendry then rolls Saints up, TWO!!
Saints runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and Ethan tags in before the SPEAR!! Saints hoists Hendry up, Ethan steps in, and only now does Saints realize Ethan tagged in! The fans rally as Myles is back! DROPKICK on Saints! Ethan just goes for Hendry, TWISTED GRIN on the gold!! Cover, ETHAN & SAINTS WIN!!
Winners: Ricky Saints & Ethan Page, by pinfall
Myles is furious, but Ethan rubs it in with his cocky grin. Saints says Ethan’s a genius! But using Saints’ logic earlier, if Ethan pinned THE NXT Champion, who’s really becoming the TWO-TIME NXT Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT that basically acted as a go-home to the BIG Houston episode next week. Very good promo from Tatum given her title win, but naturally even she was annoyed with Izzi coming back for another match. Shiloh Hill doing more car shenanigans was great, and adding Tatum VS Izzi to next week is great stuff. I’m not usually one for Steel Cage matches, because you can just feel The Culling interfering on Izzi’s behalf and Shiloh countering. I would hope Tatum keeps the title, it’d be disappointing for her reign to only be 10 days. Very good promo from Blake Monroe with Blake Howard, clever way of pointing out the same names. And yeah, I would think Monroe wants that North American title back and will challenge Tatum at Stand & Deliver.
Great match from Sol VS Lainey, and I’m pleased Zaria let it play out. Great win for Sol, but still unclear if the Triple Threat will help Jacy win or give her a protected loss. Great Speed match from Wren VS Thea, and great win for Wren. I feel bad for Thea, especially since she is dealing with awful “fans” being, well, just awful to her on social media. Thea has been doing great work since day one, she deserves something good, and maybe she’ll finally reach the top of NXT after Stand & Deliver. As for Wren, great promo from her and Kendal with Myles and Hendry, and then a really good promo with Fatal Influence. And yeah, if any title changes, it might be Wren taking the Speed title from Fallon.
Awesome Triple Threat from Troy, Legacy, and Eli, even with Keanu Carver getting involved. Troy definitely looks like a monster coming back from that table spot and almost winning the match. Eli and Legacy both winning that match was really clever stuff, and a great excuse to make them a team for this “impromptu” tag tournament. Although, it just makes me wonder where the Dusty Cup went… And I like that we got six teams announced at first, only for OTM and DarkState to take themselves out because of their behavior. OTM VS DarkState can still happen as a grudge match, and the four teams will all have great matches on the road to what was going to be Roadblock.
Great development with Birthright. Fit Finlay & William Regal showing up and signaling Charlie Dempsey’s turn was a nice surprise. Now Birthright has the right number of people for a “golden prophecy.” Lexis King could make himself the top title guy, Stacks as the midcard guy, and then Charlie & Uriah as the tag team. Very good promo from Tony D, but duh, he was going to call his shot at the NXT Championship. Very good promo from Ethan & Ricky, especially with Ricky pointing out the usual rule of “pin a champ, get a title match.” Great tag team main event, especially with the blatantly bad pass from Ricky to Ethan. Ethan winning on Hendry was not only a surprise, but it was a great way to show Ethan wants THE title back.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Who the War Dragons survive round two?
The New Japan Cup is gaining speed, but only the best will gain any ground! Tonight is Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale, Yuya Uemura VS Drilla Moloney, whose time has come?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aaron Wolf & Masatora Yasuda VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Oskar & Yuto win.
- 10 Man Tag: Bishamon, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Hartley & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Yota Tsuji & Daiki Nagai VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale; Takagi wins and advances.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Yuya wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale w/ Dick Togo!
The Rampaging Dragon is no stranger to the House of Torture, from feuding with them in Los Ingobernables de Japon and now the Unbound Company. And now, he faces the Rogue General who indeed had the House backing him just last round. Will Fale have another stacked deck here tonight? Or will it not matter when Takagi’s time has come?
No attack during the entrance or introductions, so there’s that. The bell rings and the fans rally up for “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” Fale and Takagi step up, stare down, and Takagi shoves Fale. Fale shoves back, so Takagi fires forearms, and a CHOP! Fale DECKS Takagi! Takagi gets up and RAMS Fale! Fale stays put so Takagi runs and RAMS him again! And again! Takagi fires up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he RAMS Fale! Fale stumbles into the ref, then out of the ring! The fans cheer, but Yoshinobu Kanemaru rushes in! Takagi dodges the bottle shot, then blocks the next! Takagi kick slow, takes the whiskey, and takes a swig! But Fale BODY BLOWS the whiskey out of him!
The fans boo but Fale CLUBS Takagi down! Fale then drags Takagi up, just to TOSS him out! Fale distracts the ref so that Kanemaru can whip Takagi into railing! Takagi writhes and the fans boo, but Kanemaru gets away with that. Takagi staggers away into the crowd, and Fale wants the ring count. The count begins, but Takagi walks back to ringside at 8, rolling in at 9 of 20. But Fale CLUBS him down, then stands on Takagi! The ref counts, Fale steps off at 4, then he stalks Takagi. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up, then he ROCKS and KNEES and HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up as Takagi calls his shot!
Takagi goes to scoop, he gets Fale up, but falls under Fale’s weight! Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally for Takagi while he sputters. Fale stalks Takagi to the ropes, stomps him, then stands on him again! The ref counts again, so Fale steps off at 4. Fale argues with the ref, then drags Takagi up. Fale BODY BLOWS, and BODY BLOWS again! Takagi falls over, but Fale turns him over. Fale stands on Takagi’s back, using him as a surfboard! Then Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Takagi has Takagi toughs it out. Fale brings Takagi up again, but Takagi KNEES low! And KNEES again! And again! Takagi goes for the scoop but Fale CLUBS him!
Fale scoops, but Takagi fights free! Takagi runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RAMS Fale! Fale rebounds but into a kick! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale BACKDROPS free! Takagi sunset flips, but Fale stays up! Fale HIP DROPS but flops as Takagi dodges! SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Takagi rises up, and the fans join in with the “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs in and LARIATS Fale at the corner! The fans cheer and Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS! Takagi winds up to ROCK Fale! The fans cheer again, and Takagi goes up to ELEVATED DDT! Cover, TWO! Fale survives but the fans still rally for Takagi.
Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he looks to the cameras. “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer and Takagi vows to lift Fale! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale fights with body shots! Fale whips Takagi to a corner, runs up, and SPLASHES! Then he snapmares Takagi for the SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and the fans cheer! Fale frowns but he calls his own shot. Fale waits on Takagi to stand up, and he guzels! Then the GRE- NO! Takagi breaks free, ducks the hand, to JAB! HEADBUTT! And then facelock! Fale is still really big, but TAKAGI SUPLEXES HIM! The fans are thunderous as Takagi manages the impossible!
Takagi then runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, KANEMARU YANKS THE REF OUT! The fans boo but now Dick Togo slithers into the ring! Takagi shouts at Kanemaru, but turns around into the POCKET SAND! The fans boo again but Dick & Kanemaru mug Takagi! They choke him in the corner, then they set him up for Fale to SPLASH! Takagi falls, but Fale & Kanemaru set him up! DICK CHOP! The fans boo while Takagi writhes, but Dick puts the ref back in the ring. Fale runs to ELBOW DROP! But Gedo gets off commentary to argue with the ref! Fale’s cover goes uncounted! The fans cheer Gedo, but Fale storms over!
Gedo hides behind the ref while Kanemaru takes a swig. Dick stands Takagi up, but Takagi ducks the WHISKEY MIST! Kanemaru sprays Dick instead! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Down goes Kanemaru, but now Takagi takes a swig! The fans cheer as Takagi gives Fale a DRAGON WHISKEY MIST! Takagi then BLINDSIDE PUMPING, and runs to PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Blacksmith applauds as justice is served! Takagi tastes the bitter whiskey, but also sweet victory. He definitely prefers the latter, but will he continue the climb to the top?
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Heat Storm vowed last round that he would light that fire in NJPW as the shining sun leading the way, and winning the Cup would solidify that. But will Yuya still have the hot hand? Or will he be shot down by 44 Caliber?
The bell rings and the fans cheer as the two circle. Drilla and Yuya tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yuya wrenches to wristlock. Drilla spins to wrench in return, only for Yuya to roll and wrench right back. Drilla rolls, breaks the grip, then wrenches to wristlock. Yuya reaches out but Drilla keeps him from ropes. Yuya rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, spins to hammerlock, then he snapmares Drilla down for the armlock! The fans cheer the technical display. Drilla stands but Yuya wrenches again. Drilla rolls, rolls back, handsprings, then breaks free! The fans applaud that technical display, too.
Drilla and Yuya reset, and Drilla calls for the knuckle lock. Yuya obliges and they lock up. They feel out the other knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength! The fans rally as Drilla powers up and bends Yuya back! Yuya bridges to stay up, but Drilla hops on! Yuya is still up, so Drilla jumps on! Again, Yuya stays up! Drilla tries again but Yuya uses that to get up and kick free! Yuya arm-drags, Drilla headscissors, but Yuya kips free. Drilla headlocks for the takeover, and he fights off the headscissors! The fans cheer while Drilla grinds Yuya down. Yuya keeps his arms up, but Drilla squeezes tighter.
Yuya fights to his feet and pries the hold open, only for Drilla to clamp it on tighter. Yuya fires body shots, powers up and out, then arm-drags! And arm-drags! Then he dodges a lariat, to arm-drag again! The fans cheer the exchange as Yuya again has the armlock. Drilla endures the top wristlock as he moves around, but Yuya puts on the pressure. Drilla rises, Yuya wrenches, but Drilla works on the escape. Yuya grinds the arm but Drilla goes to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, but Yuya whips Drilla. Drilla reverses, Yuya handsprings, but Drilla RUNS him over! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Yuya arm-drags again!
Yuya has the armlock again, and the fans rally as Drilla fights it. Yuya fights off headscissors while putting pressure on the double wristlock. They stand, Drilal lifts Yuya, and Drilla puts him in the corner. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak, Drilla backs off, only to RAM Yuya low! Drilla then whips corner to corner, but Yuya goes up and over. Drilla fakes out the arm-drag! And he KICKS Yuya in the back! The fans cheer as Yuya gets right up. The two go face to face, then forearm for forearm! Yuya fires a forearm, KNEE, and CHOP, then runs, but Drilla hurdles! Drilla drops down, but Yuya avoids the dropkick! Drilla still CHOPS Yuya!
Drilla CHOPS Yuya to the corner, CHOPS him again, and the fans rally up. Drilla whips corner to corner but Yuya reverses. Drilla goes up and out, then he DUMPS Yuya to the floor! The fans fire up as Drilla builds speed, and he WRECKS Yuya with the dropkick! Yuya hits railing then slumps down while the fans cheer. Drilla drags Yuya up, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! The fans rally while Yuya slumps back. Drilla brings Yuya around to put in the ring, and the fans rally behind him. Drilla storms in and brings Yuya up. Yuya breaks free to CHOP! Drilla slips around, ripcords, but Yuya blocks the chop!
Yuya swings, but into a clinch! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! A shoutout to The Rebel with that one and the fans rally up. Drilla stalks Yuya, KICKS him in the back, then brings him up. Drilla shoves Yuya into a corner, RAMS him in the back, then RAMS him again! And again! Drilla reels Yuya into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Drilla looms over Yuya, and drags him into a chinlock, digging his knee into Yuya’s back. Yuya endures, fights forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Drilla lets Yuya go. Drilla looms over Yuya again, stands him up, but Yuya ROCKS him! Yuya fires another shot, but Drilla kicks low!
Drilla scoops Yuya for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Drilla clamps right onto an arm, traps it, and then has Yuya’s legs! MODIFIED TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! The fans rally as Yuya endures! Yuya crawls with his one arm, reaches out, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Drilla lets go. Drilla drags Yuya up, SLAPS him on the back, and eggs him on! Yuya stands, and he fires a forearm! And another forearm! And another! But Drilla CHOPS him back! Yuya sputters, Drilla whips, but Yuya reverses for the FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then a DROPKICK! The fans rally up again while both men are down!
Yuya and Drilla rise up, and Drilla goes to a corner. Yuya storms up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Drilla shoves Yuya back, but Yuya comes back to DOUBLE CHOP, DOUBLE CHOP, and DOUBLE CHOP! Yuya whips corner to corner, runs in, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer as Yuya fires up, and he reels Drilla in for the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally again as Yuya waistlocks. Yuya goes to full nelson but Drilla breaks free and arm-drags! Then he RAMS Yuya in the corner! Fireman’s carry, tuck, and RUNNING AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yuya survives, but Drilla shakes it off. Drilla goes to the apron while the fans rally up, and Drilla climbs the corner. Drilla aims for a MACHO ELBOW FLOP! Yuya gets the arm for the ARMBAR! Drilla clasps hands to fight it off, but Yuya shifts to ARMBAR the other arm! Drilla keeps his hands clasped, so Yuya sits up and twists for the double wristlock! The fans rally as Drilla still endures, and he kicks his way around. But Yuya rolls to throw Drilla to center! Then Yuya cording holds, but Drilla fights the suplex! JAWBREAKER! ENZIGIRI! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up!
Drilla and Yuya stir while the fans duel. Drilla headbutts the buckles a la Takagi, then runs in, but into a RANA! And then DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! The fans rally again as Drilla fights the hold! Drilla rises up, then fireman’s carries! Yuya slips free, Drilla ELBOWS him, but Yuya blocks a superkick! Yuya swings, but Drilla ducks to then fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY BOMB! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Drilla clutches the elbow and shakes out the bad arm while the fans rally. Yuya rolls over while Drilla rises up. Drilla brings Yuya up to his feet, then puts him on the top rope. Drilla CHOPS Yuya before he climbs up to join him.
The fans rally as Drilla goes to the very top, but Yuya fires body shots! Yuya then HEADBUTTS Drilla down! Yuya fires up as he rises, to CROSSBODY FLOP! Drilla avoids the High Fly Attack to then GORE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Yuya survives! Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs as he rises up again, and he brings Yuya up, only for the bad arm to hurt. Drilla puts Yuya in the drop zone and goes up top. The fans rally again for the MACHO ELBOW! Direct hit this time, and Drilla is fired up! The fans are with him as he goes back to Yuya and vows to end it. Drilla drags Yuya up, but the bad arm limits his lifting!
The fans rally as Drilla still tries, but Yuya resists. Drilla KNEES Yuya, then brings him around to Canadian Rack! But Yuya fights free! And he backslides Drilla, TWO! Drilla swings, but into the full nelson! Drilla breaks free, but Yuya GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! ARMBAR!! The fans fire up as Drilla is caught! Yuya breaks the grip to PULL on the arm! Drilla scrambles, fights to stack Yuya, ONE as Yuya keeps the arm up! TRIANGLE HOLD! Drilla endures again, but he seems to be fading! Red Shoes checks on Drilla, and he revives to fight around again! Drilla deadlifts Yuya for the fireman’s carry!
But then Drilla pops Yuya around to a shoulder rack, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA- NO! Yuya lands out to run and SUPERMAN CLUTCH!! TWO!! Drilla survives that shoutout to Colt Cabana, and he POP-UP POWERBOMBS! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Drilla fires up, the fans rally, and Drilla drags Yuya back up! Drilla hauls Yuya up, Canadian Racks, but Yuya slips free again! Cording hold! Cording hold! But Drilla fights the suplex! Drilla HEADBUTTS, but runs into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Yuya pulls on the arm but Drilla clasps his hands! The fans rally as the two struggle, and Drilla stacks Yuya! TWO!
Both men stand, and Drilla BOOTS! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya takes another swing, but Drilla ducks to ripcord and CHOP! But Yuya roars! Drilla SUPERKICKS! Yuya PELES! Then DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Drilla slumps over but that still saves him! Yuya roars and the fans are thunderous! Yuya goes up the corner, takes aim, and HIGH FLY- DROPKICK!! The anti-air hits and the fans fire up again! Drilla snarls, builds speed, and GORES!! But Drilla isn’t done there! He hauls Yuya back up, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA KILLA!! Cover, BUT YUYA ROLLS IT BACK! YUYA WINS!!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Yuya quite truly won by the seat of his pants, snatching victory from the jaws of this War Dragon! What will it take for Drilla to have that breakthrough to the next level?
As for Yuya, he’s very tired, but he still grabs the mic while resting on the mat. The fans cheer as Yuya manages to sit up. “To be honest, I thought today would be a no-go, but this is the soul of NJPW!” The fans cheer that! Yuya says the reason he was able to win today was because the fans supported him, and that gave him the energy! Thank you very much! The fans cheer again while Yuya stands back up, if just for a moment. Yuya asks if the fans love NJPW, and the fans cheer because they do. Yuya says if you like NJPW, come watch as the Spring’s hottest star, Yuya Uemura, becomes the strongest of all time!
The fans cheer again, and Yuya says he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts! Wait, did the mic go out? Oops. Yuya makes sure the mic is on as he repeats himself that he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts, and that he’ll continue to heat up this New Japan Cup! YOSHA! The fans cheer as Yuya falls back! Yuya gets another win, but will he keep it up all the way to the finals?
My Thoughts:
A great start to the second round, but I’m a little surprised we didn’t get more than two tournament matches. Takagi VS Fale was very good, even with the usual House of Torture overbooking. Gedo helping turn things around was great, too. Then awesome main event from Yuya VS Drilla. That sudden ending was a great move, they really made it seem like Drilla was going to win. But Yuya pulling it out was great, it builds his story of becoming the “sun,” aka the face of NJPW. He’s definitely proving himself worthy of being a top star in this generation, can’t wait to see how far he goes.
My Score: 8.9/10
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