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

High stakes in Las Vegas!

The AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament continues on Collision as Ricochet battles Katsuyori Shibata for the first time ever!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Ricochet VS Katsuyori Shibata;  Ricochet wins and advances.
• “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS Griff Garrison w/ The Frat House; Hobbs wins.
• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Mark Davis VS Mark Briscoe; Davis wins and advances.
• 4v2 Handicap: Lance Archer & Brian Cage VS ???; Archer & Cage win.
• Six Man Tag: Holo.grm & Top Flight VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Hologram & Top Flight win.
• Megan Bayne VS Thunder Rosa; Megan wins.
• FTR w/ Daniel Garcia VS Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong w/ Adam Cole; FTR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ricochet speaks.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you know who it is, so please, show some love for Ricochet, your soon to be NEW International Champion. Because if Shibata is a smart man, he’ll take my advice and he’ll just forfeit. He’ll give up and allow me to move on to Dynamite next week. And if not, I guess I will have to continue to show everybody why I am Outta This World. AHA~!”

Katsuyori Shibata “speaks.”

His text reader says, “Shut up, baldie.” Will The Wrestler show that actions speak louder than words?

Mark Davis speaks.

“Chicken man, I never would’ve believed it, but you might just be even more insane than you look. Stepping in the ring tonight with Dunkzilla, I’m a chop you up, I’m a pluck those feathers, and I’m gonna eat you for dinner.”

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“I got my eyes set on that International title at Dynasty. Kenny Omega, I’m coming for you! But tonight, Mark Davis, you in my way! So I’m gonna run right through you, big man! RAH RAH RAH!” Which Mark hits the mark and heads for Dynamite’s Fatal 4 Way?

The Undisputed Kingdom speaks.

Roderick Strong tells, “KYYYLE~! Tonight, we prove to FTR that we are the best tag team on planet Earth.” Kyle O’Reilly says, “That’s right, Roddy.” They beat FTR once, and it was no fluke. Tonight, they do it again. Adam Cole says, “And that is undisputed.”

FTR speaks.

Cash Wheeler says, “So a few weeks ago, we made a mistake that cost us the match against Roddy & Kyle. But tonight, here in Vegas, put all your money, bet the house, on FTR.” Dax Harwood says, “I imagine if you guys beat FTR, that’ll put you right in line for an AEW World Tag Team title shot. I’m not gonna apologize for spoiling your party, but it ain’t happening at our expense. Top Guys Out.” But will Dax & Cash make good on this rematch? Or will this be a bet they lose big time?

AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Ricochet VS Katsuyori Shibata!

We heard how the One & Only thinks he should be the one that faces Kenny Omega, but he’ll have to get through The Wrestler! Will Shibata knock Ricochet off his high horse to then represent Japan in the Fatal 4 Way? Or will Ricochet make up for losing to Swerve Strickland at Revolution?

The bell rings and the fans rally for Shibata. Shibata and Ricochet circle, but Ricochet stays back. Ricochet is wary as Shibata steps closer, and he goes up a corner to tell fans to calm down. Ricochet and Shibata tie up, Ricochet headlocks and wrenches, but Shibata wrenches back. Shibata then KICKS Ricochet in the leg! Ricochet hobbles away to a corner, and he walks off the pain. The fans boo, Ricochet tells them to shut up, and he ties up with Shibata. Ricochet headlocks, but Shibata powers up and out. Ricochet runs Shibata over, then keeps moving, but Shibata sits up! Ricochet stays back, and he tells Shibata to stand up.

The fans rally for Shibata as he stays seated, legs and arms crossed. Ricochet runs up, Shibata ducks the kick, then stands, only for Ricochet to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Shibata brushes himself off, swings, but Ricochet dodges. Ricochet kicks and whips but Shibata reverses. Ricochet rolls over Shibata’s back, ducks a lariat, but not the CHOP! The fans fire up while Ricochet is stinging! Shibata then KICKS Ricochet in the back! Ricochet goes to the ropes, the fans rally up, and Shibata storms up. Ricochet uses the ropes as a defense, Shibata kicks anyway, but Ricochet blocks to HOTSHOT the leg!

Ricochet goes back to the apron and he springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Shibata, the fans boo, but Ricochet eggs them on. Ricochet goes out to fetch Shibata, and he RAMS Shibata into the barriers! Ricochet tells the fans to shut their mouths, then he RAMS Shibata into the apron! Shibata falls to the mat, Ricochet taunts the fans, then he puts Shibata in the ring. Ricochet runs and basement UPPERCUTS Shibata in the back! Ricochet sits Shibata up to KNEE him in the back, and KNEE him again. The fans boo but Ricochet brings Shibata up, snapmares and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Shibata stays in this, but Ricochet taunts them again as Collision goes picture in picture.

Ricochet drags Shibata up, and he RAMS Shibata into the corner! And RAMS him again, sits him down, and digs his boots in. The ref counts, Ricochet steps off, and Ricochet taunts the fans more. Ricochet digs his boots in, scrubs Shibata’s face, but lets off as the ref counts. Ricochet drags Shibata up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Shibata bounces off buckles. Ricochet flexes, then gets on a corner to soak up all that heat. Ricochet goes back to Shibata, digs his boot into Shibata’s head, and the ref counts. Ricochet puts Shibata on the ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Ricochet steps off, and Ricochet is arguing with the fans sone more.

Ricochet CHOPS Shibata, CHOPS again, but Shibata isn’t even bothered! So Ricochet CLAWS Shibata’s eyes! The ref counts, Ricochet stops, and then Ricochet scoops Shibata to SLAM him! Ricochet runs for an ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Shibata stays in this and Ricochet grows frustrated. Ricochet scuffs Shibata, eggs him on, then kicks him! Collision returns to single picture as Ricochet CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shibata stands up, the fans fire up, and Ricochet fires forearms! Shibata ROCKS Ricochet! Ricochet falls against Shibata, Shibata eggs him on then runs. But Ricochet DROPKICKS Shibata down! The fans boo while Ricochet snarls.

Fans chant, “You Still Suck!” Ricochet taunts Shibata that the fans know better. Ricochet then sits cross-legged, all to taunt Shibata. Shibata sits up and crosses his legs now, and he eggs Ricochet on. Ricochet CHOPS, then SLAPS, but Shibata just eggs him on. Ricochet fires SLAP after SLAP, but Shibata isn’t even bothered! Ricochet says fine, Shibata should try. Shibata holds Ricochet back by his bald head! Then he CLAWS at the head! The IRON CLAW as learned from the Von Erichs! Shibata whips Ricochet to a corner for a BOOT! Ricochet sputters, Shibata rains down forearms, then Shibata runs corner to corner! HYDRAULIC feint to SLAP that bald head!!

The fans fire up as Shibata brings Ricochet up. HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Ricochet stays in this, goes to ropes, but Shibata blocks a kick. Shibata UPPERCUTS, whips, but Ricochet reverses to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through, deadlift, and BRAINBUSTER! But Shibata’s right up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ricochet flounders, Shibata rises, and “This is Awesome!” as both men stand. Shibata runs up, Ricochet BOOTS, SOBATS, and KNEES him back! Then ROLLING ELBOWS! Ricochet dodges a haymaker to handspring, but into an ANKLE LOCK, and then an STF!! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but the fans fire up for him to “TAP! TAP! TAP!”

Ricochet claws his way forward, brings Shibata along, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go, stomps Ricochet, then drags him up. Shibata waistlocks, Ricochet fights the lift, so Shibata has the SLEEPER! Ricochet RAMS Shibata into a corner, ELBOWS him, but Shibata clamps back on! SLEEPER! Ricochet powers up to fireman’s carry, DETONATION KICK! Shibata falls, Ricochet runs, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shibata is still in this, but Ricochet keeps moving! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Shibata survives the onslaught and the fans rally up even more. Ricochet gets mad now, and he brings Shibata up.

Ricochet dragon sleepers, for the VERTI- NO, Shibata slips out and has the SLEEPER! Ricochet snapmares free fast, but Shibata dodges a lariat to have the SLEEPER! Ricochet kicks off the ropes, rolls back to a cover, TWO!! Shibata ducks a buzzsaw, has the SLEEPER again, and Ricochet is fading! Ricochet reaches out for ropes, but Shibata KNEES him low! Shibata fireman’s carries, for an USHIGOROSHI! And PENALTY- NO, Ricochet dodges! Shibata runs up, into an ELBOW! High stack, with the ropes!! Ricochet wins!!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (advances to the Fatal 4 Way)

The fans boo as Ricochet steals that one! Ricochet had to stack the deck here in Vegas, but how is he going to win an even wilder match like the Fatal 4 Way?

BREAKING NEWS for next Saturday!

With March Madness on the way, it will be a special “Slam Dunk Saturday” Collision! Live coast to coast at 11 PM Eastern, 8 Pacific, immediately following NCAA Tournament coverage. But that’s just for one hour! The second hour is “Slam Dunk Sunday,” also live coast to coast, 11 PM Eastern, following more NCAA Tournament coverage. Make sure to set your DVRs accordingly so you don’t miss a second of this wild weekend!

The Don Callis Family is on a rampage!

And no, not the debunked weekly show! Brian Cage, Lance Archer & Mark Davis are beating up a bunch of random wrestlers backstage! Archer has one in a headlock as he’s telling Mark Davis to take out Mark Briscoe and get in that Fatal 4 Way! Cage tells Mark he has to bring that gold back to the Don Callis Family! Davis CHOPS down the guy Archer was holding onto! Who dies? EVERYBODY! And who betta? NOBODY! The Murder Machines help Dunkzilla with his tune-up, will there be nothing the Sussex County Chicken can do to survive tonight?

Toni Storm speaks.

“My name is Timeless Toni Storm, and I am your AEW Women’s World Champion. And by God, welcome to Las Vegas. After a hearty evening of filling up slots, hitting on anything over 21, and making Wayne Newton scream Danke Schoen, I am ready for some Collision. And there is no one I would like to collide with more than Megan Bayne. What sort of perverted fanfiction did they write you up in, hey? You want to blindside me in my spotlight? Then I would love to see what you will do in front of my face.

“Darling, you want to swim around like some sort of hammerhead terrorizing the guppies of AEW waters? Then I have no problem making shark fin soup, and then being put away again for animal cruelty. And that goes for all the women in this company and beyond. You want to fight for gold? Then step up to the table and place your bets, shake your fists and blow! Because everything will come up… TIIIMELESS~!” The champion smiles, then uses the belt as a compress. Will no one ever stop the reign now that Ms. Storm is back on top?

“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS Griff Garrison w/ The Frat House!

After chopping down The Redwood and helping Hologram get even with La Faccion Ingobernable, the Powerhouse is looking to get back on track towards his own goals. Will the Book of Hobbs start a chapter about grabbing up titles? Or will the Ivy League MVP win one for the Frat House?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for Hobbs as he makes the pecs dance. Griff says he can do that, but the fans cheer on Hobbs. Griff LARIATS, but Hobbs doesn’t budge! Griff fires LARIAT after LARIAT, but still nothing! Hobbs tells Griff to run the ropes. Griff runs, but then he dodges a lariat to BOOT! Griff runs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him after all! The fans fire up, Preston Vance gets on the apron but Hobbs TOSSES him in! Hobbs CLOBBERS Vance, so Jacked Jameson tries! Hobbs TOSSES Jameson up and out! Griff kicks low, whips, but Hobbs reverses to then SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Hobbs wins!

Winner: “Powerhouse” Hobbs, by pinfall

Now that was #TownBidness! Hobbs probably could’ve won if it was 3v1, but speaking of… Vance & Jameson get back on the apron, but here come The Outrunners! They run off the Frat House, the fans fire up as Hobbs winds up with Truth & Turbo, “You son of a b*tch!” The Outrunners shake hands and Hobbs flexes with them! Will even Truth & Turbo get back on track towards a title opportunity?

Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.

Lexy Nair is with La Mera Mera and says given everything that’s happened between her and Megan Bayne, she mentioned Megan’s lack of respect. How does this affect Rosa going into the match tonight? Rosa asks, “Do you know what this business is built on? It is built on respect. And there are women here who think that they’re too big and too pretty or maybe too good to come and respect the women who come and lay themselves for this business and AEW. Yes, Megan Bayne, I’m talking too! I’m so sick and tired of you disrespecting me! Disrespecting Kris Statlander!

“And let’s talk about what you did to Toni Storm last Wednesday! You don’t do that to our champion. And guess what? Thunder Rosa, La Mera Mera, has bigger ovaries than your braincells! So tonight, I’m gonna teach you a lesson in-” MEGAN BAYNE ATTACKS NOW! Megan fires off knees on Rosa, CLUBS her down, then KICKS her in the side! Megan stands over Rosa and smiles before she storms off. Rosa clutches her side and says her ribs hurt. Lexy calls for a medic, did Megan just disrespectfully cancel tonight’s match?

AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Mark Davis VS Mark Briscoe!

Dunkzilla is all warmed up after helping beat down random guys in the back, but he’s gonna have to #ManUp if he wants to do that to the former ROH World Champion! Will the United States of America have three-fourths representation in the Fatal 4 Way? Or will Davis win this one for Aussie Open?

The bell rings, the fans fire up for Briscoe, and he circles with Davis. They tie up, Davis powers Briscoe to a corner, but the ref counts. Davis lets off slowly, but Briscoe avoids a chop to CHOP! Briscoe eggs Davis on, then dodges to waistlock. Davis elbows free, whips, but Briscoe ducks a boto! Briscoe then Crane Kicks! And UPPERCUTS! And HAYMAKERS! Briscoe has Davis in a corner to CHOP! Briscoe CLUBS and ROCKS Davis, then ROCKS him again. Briscoe winds up, REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! Briscoe whips, Davis reverses, and Davis BACKDROPS Briscoe! The fans boo but Davis storms back up on Briscoe.

Davis stands Briscoe up to put him in a corner, and he LARIATS! Then he hits a BIG back suplex! And SENTONS! The fans boo but Davis soaks that up while Briscoe goes to the apron. Davis storms up, Briscoe RAMS into him, then Briscoe DUMPS Davis out! Briscoe builds speed and the fans fire up as Briscoe FLIES! Direct hit and the fans fire up! They high-five with Briscoe, he looks under the ring, and he brings out a chair! The chair is thrown into the ring but the ref says no, that’s not this kind of match. Davis drags Briscoe out of the ring to THROW into railing! Davis then scoops Briscoe, but Briscoe slips free to POST Davis!

Briscoe gets the chair back! The fans cheer and Briscoe puts it on the apron. Briscoe uses it to FLY, and down goes Davis again! The fans fire up for Briscoe, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Briscoe puts Davis in the ring, climbs up a corner, and he leaps, only for Davis to get under! Davis runs in at the corner and LARIATS Mark, to then short arm LARIAT him down! Davis has Briscoe on ropes to LARIAT him again! Briscoe flops out to the ramp, Davis goes out after him, and runs to LARIAT Briscoe back into the ring! Davis stalks Briscoe, then runs to LARIAT again! Davis soaks up the heat while Briscoe is down. Davis kicks Briscoe’s chair off the apron, then he SENTONS onto Briscoe! Cover, TWO! Briscoe stays in this but Davis stays on him with a body scissors! Davis squeezes Briscoe but Briscoe endures.

Briscoe fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Briscoe escapes by a literal foot, and Davis lets go in frustration, but Collision goes to break.

Collision returns, both men are up top, and Briscoe fights off the suplex with body shots! Briscoe fires forearms, then he BITES Davis’ face! Briscoe shoves Davis down, then MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both Marks are down! A standing count starts, the fans rally up, and Briscoe rises. Briscoe dodges Davis’ chop to CHOP! And then he CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Davis puts Briscoe in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! But Briscoe CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but then Briscoe CHOPS, ROCKS, and CHOPS! Briscoe fires forearms in the corner, but Davis turns things around.

Briscoe dodges a chop to then stomp away. Briscoe whips, Davis reverses, but Briscoe goes up and out! Briscoe blocks a shot to RKF UPPERCUT! Briscoe gets in, runs, and LARIATS! Davis stays up but the fans fire up! Briscoe runs again, and LARIATS! Davis is still up, and he even shakes his head! So Briscoe ROCKS and CHOPS and fires a flurry! Briscoe whips, Davis reverses, but Briscoe FLYING FOREARMS! Davis staggers but stays up in a corner. Briscoe LARIATS Davis, reels him in, and the fans fire up! Briscoe hooks a leg, but Davis fights free! Davis ROCKS Briscoe, then bumps him off buckles. Then a DRAGON SUPLEX!

Davis runs up and KNEES Briscoe down! Cover, TWO!! Briscoe survives but Davis pursues him to the outside again. The fans rally up for Briscoe but Davis brings him around. Davis gets Briscoe up, but Briscoe fights the bomb! Briscoe is on the apron and he BOOTS Davis! Then BLOCKBUSTER to the floor! The fans fire up for Briscoe, and he gets on the barriers! Briscoe says BANG BANG, and then a FOLEY ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up more, they help Briscoe stand, and he puts Davis in the ring. Briscoe winds up, runs, and LARIATS! Down goes Davis! But Briscoe isn’t done, he hurries to fisherman and BUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Davis survives and shocks everyone! Briscoe is shocked, but he fires back up and calls his shot! The fans fire up more, and Briscoe hooks the arms. Davis fights the lift to BACKDROP, but Briscoe sunset flips! Davis rolls through, PILEDRIVER!! TWO?!?! Briscoe survives and the fans love “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Briscoe goes to a corner, and Davis grinds his forearm into Briscoe’s face. Davis runs side to side but Briscoe follows, and he forearm SMASHES! Briscoe puts Davis up top, RKF UPPERCUTS, and then fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans fire up as Briscoe goes up the corner!

Davis rolls away, Archer runs out here! The ref stops Archer, but Cage slips in from the other side! Cage SHOVES Briscoe off the corner, into Davis’ GAMANGIRI! The fans boo but Davis roars and hops on, SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, Davis wins!

Winner: Mark Davis, by pinfall (advances to the Fatal 4 Way)

The #CorealisForce does the job, but Davis did have a major assist from the Murder Machines. Will nothing stop the Don Callis Family from having that International Championship again?

4v2 Handicap: Lance Archer & Brian Cage VS ???

Oh well turns out those randos they were beating up are the four that the Murder Machines are facing now! Cage carries out and FALL AWAY SLAMS two of them onto the ramp! Archer TOSSES the third, BOOTS him down, then TOSSES the last guy into the ring! Cage puts another one in, the bell rings, and the fans boo as Cage & Archer stomp away! Cage hauls one up, Archer helps out, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Cage then grabs the other guy, puts one out, MURDER BOMB!! Cover, Murder Machines win!

Winners: Lance Archer & Brian Cage, by pinfall

But they’re not done! They grab the other two who were spared during the “match,” and give them an F5 and CHOKE SLAM! Cage CHOKES one while doing pushups, and Archer just chokes the last guy! But here comes Briscoe with a chair! He storms the ring, gets mugged 2v1, but wait! HOBBS is back! Briscoe fights with Cage while Hobbs brawls with Archer! The fans fire up as Hobbs has Archer staggering around on stage! They go to the back, Cage and Briscoe brawl into the crowd! The fans fire up as the action is even closer now! Cage and Briscoe fight around towards the wall, then the exits! Will Hobbs & Briscoe brawl with Cage & Archer all the way to the Las Vegas strip?

Swerve Strickland is here!

Las Vegas becomes “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” as The Realest #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship goes to the ring. Swerve grabs a mic to ask, “Las Vegas, what’s good with you? Last Sunday, I did exactly what I said I was going to do, and that was beat Ricochet to become the #1 Contender for the AEW World Championship.” The fans cheer that! Swerve doesn’t take anything away from Ricochet, he is tough as hell. Probably one of the best to ever step foot in the ring. Hell, Ricochet even ruptured Swerve’s eardrum. But Swerve warned Ricochet about stepping to the Most Dangerous Man in AEW gets you put down.

And if you wanna challenge him again, Ricochet, Swerve will gladly accept it so he can slap your bald head back to the ground again. The fans cheer that! Swerve hears the fans chant for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and smiles. Swerve is sorry that Nana wasn’t here, but Nana is safeguarding the Embassy Robe so that Swerve can focus on the big things, the important things, like the AEW World Championship. The top prize for the best roster in the world. To compete for that championship, you have to be great. But to win that championship, you have to be elite. And last year, Swerve was All Elite! Last year at Dynasty, Swerve became AEW World Champion!

The fans cheer, and Swerve says 126 days, he was All Elite. And it seems that history repeats itself, because he will not be across from the champion in just three weeks. Swerve will have a chance to lead the Dynasty once again. That said, next week in Omaha, Nebraska, we have Jon Moxley VS Adam Copeland once again, but in a Street Fight. The fans boo a bit but Swerve smiles. Swerve says that you probably know he and Cope go way back. Swerve looked up to that man since he was a kid, so all Swerve’s life. A few years ago, Cope took Swerve under the ring and taught him what it was to seize the opportunity.

To put it this way, you don’t become dangerous without learning from the Rated R. But make no mistake about it, Cope, Swerve will reiterate something Cope once said: Whether you are challenger, or whether you are champion, you’re in my way. Right now, Cope is a legend and an icon, but he is in the way of the future of AEW, and Swerve will mow him down. Now, there’s also Jon Moxley. The fans boo again, and Swerve says Moxley is a FOUR-TIME AEW World Champion. You don’t become that without being an elite level performer. Swerve used to think he and Moxley were cut from the same cloth.

Until Moxley mentioned that there is no one that can hold down the world title like Moxley. Swerve doesn’t believe Moxley believes his own words! So much so, we have to listen to the dribble night in and night out, Moxley standing in the back, in boiler rooms, talking in riddles. All Swerve sees when he looks at Moxley is true desperation! And desperation is all Moxley will have, because to catch a maniac, you have to send a maniac! In three weeks, Dynasty in Philadelphia, whether it is Moxley or Cope, the result doesn’t matter, the Dynasty Era continues! And it will be Swerve that takes back the world title to turn AEW back to whose house?

MOXLEY SLITHERS IN FROM THE CROWD! And he CLOBBERS Swerve with a crowbar!! The fans boo and shout, but Moxley takes aim again. CURB STOMP!! Swerve writhes, Moxley storms his way back out of the arena, and then Moxley goes to the parking lot. “Consider that a free lesson: Respect won’t get you anywhere, Swerve! Swerve, Jay White, all these guys trying to back me into a corner! Copeland, you’re all amateurs! The Rated R Superstar, I hate your guts! I hate what you turned me into! I hate what you’ve done to me! On Wednesday night, IT’S OVER!! The Rated R Superman Superstar is a dead man.

“Wednesday night on Dynamite, Copeland, it’s ON!!” Moxley has sent his message to everyone else in AEW, will anyone end this reign of terror?

Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.

Lexy is again with La Mera Mera for a health update. Can Rosa still compete tonight? Rosa says don’t ask the doctor, you ask Rosa. And Rosa won’t let Megan punk her out tonight! It is time to effin’ go!! Rosa storms out of the trainer’s room, will she regret going after The Megasus at anything less than 100%?

Six Man Tag: Holo.grm & Top Flight VS Shane Taylor Promotions!

The futuristic luchador has been picking up speed ever since he returned from injury, and now he might achieve takeoff alongside Dante & Darius Martin! Will three high-fliers make leaps and bounds towards title opportunities? Or will Lee Moriarty, Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo show them how to rumble, bad man, rumble?

The trios sort out, Hologram starts against #TAIGASTYLE, but wait, The Cru is here? Lio Rush & Action Andretti have been watching other tag teams in AEW, but it makes sense they’d watch their former friends, Top Flight. The bell rings and Hologram circles with Lee. They feel things out, tie up, and Lee wrenches to wristlock and wrangle Hologram. Hologram kips up, Lee grabs both arms for a motorcycle stretch. Hologram flips, spins things around, and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, ONE! Hologram wrenches and spins Lee, but Lee full nelsons. Hologram uses a leg for leverage in breaking that, then he victory rolls Lee!

Hologram steps forward, leans back into a JAPANESE LEG ROLL, ONE and Lee turns that around for his own! Hologram stops that to roll Lee up, TWO! Lee CLOBBERS Hologram, then soaks up the heat. The fans rally for Hologram, and he reaches up to twist and RANA! And “Harley-gram” is backstage watching! The fans rally as Hologram dodges Lee, then handsprings to stare him down! Hologram and Lee back off, tag to Dante and Dean. Things speed up, Dante dodges and A-LIST LARIATS Dean int he corner! Tag to Darius for the snap suplex, and a kip up to tag Dante back in, slingshot SENTON!

Carlie & Lee coach Dean but Dante brings Dean up. Dean pushes free, takes a swing, but Dante gets around to arm-drag! Dante has the armlock, Dean fights up, and Dean whips Dante away. Dante rolls under, comes back, and he jumps, but Dean denies the rana! Dante DROPKICKS Dean and then talks trash on Action. Action dares Dante to bring it, but Dean waistlocks. Dante switches, headlocks, but Carlie tags in as Dean powers out. Dante runs up on Dean but Dean BOOTS him! Carlie is there to BOOT Dante down! The fans boo but Lee applauds, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Carlie RAMS Dante into the STP corner, then STP all mugs Dante! The ref counts, Dean & Lee let off, and Carlie swaggers around. Carlie storms back over, tags in Dean, and Dean sends Carlie in for a forearm SMASH! Then “Psyche!” Carlie is sent back in for another forearm SMASH! Dean runs up to ELBOW Dante, then LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Dante toughs it out but Dean stomps him to ropes. Dean tags Lee, Lee scrapes his soles off Dante’s face. Lee clamps onto the arm, grinds Dante down, but Dante endures. Dante fights up, fires body shots, but Lee bends fingers! Lee wrangles Dante, SNAPS the fingers, then puts Dante in the corner.

Tag to Carlie and Carlie CHOPS Dante! Carlie taunts the fans, CHOPS Dante again, then also tells The Cru to watch it. Carlie steps on Dante’s neck, “apologizes,” then dares Dante to go for his corner. Carlie puts Dante back in the STP corner, tags in Dean, and the mugging continues. Dean brings Dante up to scoop and SLAM! Dean stays between Dante and his team, then runs to drop a JUMP ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Dean is frustrated, but he keeps Dante down with an armlock. Dante endures, Lio is vlogging this, but Dante fights up. Dean facelocks Dante to then knee him low. Dean ROCKS Dante, The Cru talks trash, and Collision returns to single picture.

Carlie tags in, The Infantry whips Dante back into the STP corner, then Dean sends Carlie in. Dean TOSSES Carlie out! And he BLATS Lee, BOOTS Dean, then runs up. Dean catches Dante to keep him from his corner! Atomic drop! Dean BLASTS Darius & Hologram, then Carlie hits a SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Carlie clamps onto Dante while Harley-gram is still watching. Harley-gram is confronted by Beast Mortos?! These two stare down while the fans rally for Dante. Dante fights up, the fans rally, and Dante JAWBREAKERS free! Dante crawls, Carlie anchors legs, and we check in with Spanish commentary if Dralistico can give us explanations as to Mortos’ actions.

Dralistico seems just as confused as we are about this, but it seems Mortos is enamored with Harley-gram. Meanwhile, Dante kicks free of Carlie, Dean tags in, and he stops Dante short! Back suplex, but Dante lands out! Carlie waistlocks, Dante elbows free, and he dodges Dean! Hot tag to Darius! Darius rallies on STP, then fires shots on Dean! Darius whips, Dean reverses, but Darius atomic drops and BULLDOG HOTSHOTS! Darius SUPERKICKS Lee, ROUNDHOUSES Carlie, and GAMANGIRIS Dean! Dean staggers, into the springboard FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Dean stays in this, Shane coaches him up.

Darius brings Dean up, Dean JAWBREAKERS free, then Carlie sneaks a tag. Darius ROCKS Dean, UPPERCUTS him, then whips corner to corner. Dean reverses, then Carlie runs up to SMASH Darius! Feed to Dean’s FLYING LARIAT! Carlie BLASTS Hologram, the Infantry gets Darius up, ASSISTED URENAGE! Cover, Hologram breaks it! The fans fire up but Dean CLOBBERS Hologram! Dante runs up, Dean picks him up, but Dante RANAS Dean out of the ring! Lee runs up, Hologram dodges to roll and arm-drag! Hologram builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit into Lee into railing! The fans fire up but The Cru is furious!

Darius avoids Carlie’s scissor kick! Darius waistlocks Carlie to O’Conner Roll, TWO! Dante tags in, Darius gets around Carlie! Carlie fights free, but gets a SHOTGUN GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Dante stares The Cru down as he covers, Top Flight & Hologram win!

Winners: Hologram & Top Flight, by pinfall

Dante stares daggers at The Cru but they don’t sweat him. Will The Man of the Hour and the Sight to See ground Top Flight once and for all? As for Hologram, he sees Dralistico on commentary and is having his own stare down. Will LFI reel in Mortos before he has a change of heart?

Alex Abrahantes speaks.

“LFI, months ago, you took out Hologram, you took out Komander, and that’s something neither one of them has forgotten. So if you want to prove you’re as tough as you say you are, allow us to make a challenge to you. But be aware: what you’ve done, LFI, is bring two of the most exciting and unique luchadores together. They aren’t some random competitors, they are lucha stars. And they challenge you, LFI, because united we stand, and together, you will fall!” The Hype Man has issued the ultimatum to LFI, will Rush, Dralistico y Mortos learn to respect Hologram y Komander?

Megan Bayne VS Thunder Rosa!

Speaking of respect, or lack there of… The Megasus shocked Storm by attacking on Wednesday, and then she rolled Thunder by attacking here tonight. But La Mera Mera has never backed down from a fight, and she won’t start now! But can Rosa even keep up with damaged ribs? Or will her undying heart see her through?

The bell rings, Megan storms up to Rosa, and pie faces her! The fans rally for Rosa and she SHOTGUNS Megan! And DROPKICKS again! Megan stays up but Rosa DROPKICKS her to a corner! The fans fire up and Rosa runs corner to corner to ELBOW Megan! And CHOP! And CHOP! Rosa CHOPS again, but Megan shoves her down. Megan runs up but Rosa avoids the boot! Rosa fires forearms and CHOPS, has Megan on the ropes and fires more shots! The ref counts, Rosa runs, but Megan CLOBBERS her! Megan drags Rosa up, bumps her off buckles, and then CHOPS! The fans boo but Megan runs corner to corner, but Rosa ELBOWS her away!

Megan comes back but Rosa BOOTS her away! Rosa goes up and CROSSBODIES, but into Megan’s arms! BEARHUG! Megan thrashes Rosa around, before she OVERHEAD BELLY2BELL SUPLEXES her! Rosa flounders to the apron, Megan runs and BOOTS her down! Rosa hits the floor and clutches her ribs while Megan soaks up the heat. Rosa struggles to sit up while Collision goes picture i npicture.

Rosa rises up, but Megan just kicks her back down. Megan goes out after Rosa, THROWS her into the ring, then drags her out just to THROW her into railing! Megan paces, then she whips Rosa into the apron! Megan whips Rosa into more barriers! Rosa flops over but Megan is looming. Rosa shoves Megan, fires body shots, but Megan KNEES her low! Megan scoops and SLAMS Rosa on the floor! Rosa writhes, Megan stalks her, and then Megan SMACKS Rosa off the apron! Megan brings Rosa around the way, fireman’s carries her, and then goes up the steel steps! Megan DUMPS Rosa into the ring!

Megan goes to a corner, watches Rosa rise, and then she runs in for a LEAPING LARIAT! Rosa is in serious trouble while Collision goes to break.

Collision returns, Megan has Rosa in a BEARHUG, but Rosa JAWBREAKERS free! Rosa CHOPS, then fires a forearm, but Megan ROCKS her back! Rosa comes back to fire a flurry! Megan DECKS Rosa! Megan eggs Rosa on, and Rosa rises again to run. Rosa fires a flurry of forearms and CHOPS! Megan roars, Rosa dodges, but then Megan kicks low! Megan suplexes, Rosa slips free, and Rosa kicks low! Rosa fires forearms, then powers up to SHOTGUN! Megan staggers to a corner, the fans fire up with Rosa, and Rosa runs corner to corner! But Megan puts her on the apron! Rosa blocks a shot to ROCK Megan back!

Rosa climbs, aims, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Megan flounders away and the fans fire back up! Rosa says time to teach Megan some respect! DROPKICK through the ropes! Megan flops out to the floor but Rosa is right on her! Megan fires a body shot, and she scoops Rosa! But Rosa slips free to POST Megan! Rosa SMACKS Megan off the steel steps, then dribbles her off them! Rosa pushes Megan along and they go up the ramp. Rosa CHOPS, then uses the ropes to springboard, but Megan catches her again! Rosa fires elbows, slips free, and ROCKS Megan! They go up the ramp to the stage, and Rosa ROUNDHOUSES!

Megan drops to her knees, and Rosa runs up! But Megan fireman’s carries! “BOW DOWN!” FATE’S DESCENT on the stage!! Megan leaves Rosa behind for the ring count to handle. The count is 5 of 10 as Rosa crawls to the ramp. Rosa reaches ringside at 8, and she rolls in at 9.5! But Megan hoists her back up! “BOW! DOWN!” FATE’S DESCENT again!! Cover, Megan wins!

Winner: Megan Bayne, by pinfall

A former AEW Women’s World Champion is now among those defeated by The Megasus! But she isn’t done! She gut wrenches Rosa for an ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER! BUT WAIT! Toni Storm is here! The fans fire up as Toni storms her way into the ring! Megan dumps Rosa down, and they start firing forearms, then haymakers! The fans fire up, and Toni dodges a shot to HEADBUTT! Megan stays up!? Toni roars and runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! FATE’S DESCENT!! The fans boo but Megan now stands over the four-time AEW Women’s World Champion! Kris Statlander rushes out here, along with refs, and Megan stands down.

Kris helps Rosa, Luther appears to help Miss Storm. Megan has demolished some of the best in AEW today, is it only a matter of time until she is THE best in AEW?

BREAKING NEWS for Slam Dunk Saturday!

Adam Cole and Daniel Garcia both agreed that Cole was owed a rematch, so here it comes! Garcia VS Cole Round 2 for the AEW TNT Championship! There will be a RINGSIDE BAN of all others, but will there also be a NEW Face of TNT?

BREAKING NEWS for Slam Dunk Sunday!

The challenge was issued, and the challenge was accepted! Dralistico y Mortos will battle with Hologram y Komander in what will surely be a lucha libre instant classic! But will LFI start their takeover of AEW? Or will the Super Amigos prove they are the future, and the future is now?

FTR w/ Daniel Garcia VS Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong w/ Adam Cole!

Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler won’t apologize for giving their opponents a fair shake last time, but they also feel that kindness came back to bite them. Will FTR be only concerned with a win this week? Or will Collision once again be Undisputed?

The teams sort out while Cole and Garcia join commentary. The bell rings as Kyle and Dax start off. Vegas duels between “UN-DIS-PU-TED!” “F T R!” Almost sounds like a super team name. Kyle and Dax circle, they tie up, then break. Then they tie up, break, and go again. Dax waistlocks, Kyle switches, but Dax arm-drags for an armlock. Kyle headscissors, Dax kips free and then hits a headlock takeover. Kyle headscissors again, Dax kips free, but Kyle trips Dax to an ANKLE LOCK! Dax scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and even goes to the apron. The ref counts, Kyle lets go, and the fans cheer for “TAG TEAM WRESTLING!”

Dax storms back into the ring, but he tags Cash. Cash and Kyle circle, feel things out, and tie up. Cash wrenches, wristlocks, but Kyle wrenches and wristlocks back. Cash rolls, but Kyle wrangle shim! Cash stands up to whip but Kyle reverses. Cash goes up and over, keeps moving, then slides under to arm-drag! Kyle avoids the dropkick, and he KICKS Cash down! The fans fire up and Kyle bumps Cash off buckles. Roddy tags in, he clinches for a GUT BUSTER! Kyle goes up to add a KNEE DROP! Roddy drags Cash up to CHOP, then CHOP, then he tags Kyle. Roddy & Kyle CHOP and KICK on repeat! Then they DOUBLE SUPLEX! Kyle covers, TWO!

Kyle rains down palm strikes from all sides, then looms over Cash. Kyle brings Cash up, wrenches, then tags Roddy. Roddy knees Cash low, has him in a corner, and he fires a forearm. Roddy whips corner to corner, Cash just gets up and over, then runs again. Roddy doesn’t quite hurdle so he clips Cash. Roddy CLUBS away, then whips. Cash reverses and kicks low, then he whips Roddy into the FTR corner! Dax might have gotten a bit of Roddy’s face in his face, but Cash CHOPS Roddy! And CHOPS! Cash whips Roddy, Roddy reveres, but Cash turns that around to send Roddy back to the corner. Roddy BLASTS Dax off the corner this time!

Cash HOTSHOTS Roddy, Dax returns, and Cash anchors Roddy’s legs. Tag to Dax, he drops a leg, an elbow, and a HEADBUTT! The fans fire up as Dax paces around, and then Dax drags Roddy up. Dax snapmares, clamps on a chinlock, and the fans again duel, “UNDISPUTED!” “FTR!” Roddy fights up, fires body shots, but Dax CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS! Dax CHOPS! Repeat! The fans fire up as the CHOPS keep going, and Roddy gets the edge! Roddy runs up, but Dax catches him! Dax keeps Roddy from Kyle, puts him in a neutral corner, but then Roddy dodges! Dax hits buckles hard and staggers back. Cash runs in, almost runs the ref over, but Roddy DUMPS Cash out!

The fans rally as Roddy rises, but Dax reels him in! Dax lifts, Roddy fights it, and Cash stumbles back in. The ref ushers Cash to the corner while Roddy BACKDROPS free! Roddy tags Kyle, but the ref doesn’t see it! Cash’s stumbling might be Cash playing it up just for this moment! FTR now mugs Roddy in the corner! The fans boo, Kyle protests, and then he jukes past the ref to go after FTR! Dax leads Kyle on a cat ‘n’ mouse game while Cash keeps beating up Roddy! The ref then stops Kyle, Cash hoists Roddy up, Dax runs the ropes, HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO! All the trickery doesn’t pay off, but Collision goes to break.

Dax drags Roddy from Kyle, bumps him off buckles in a neutral corner, then CHOPS! Dax CHOPS again, then UPPERCUTS! Roddy sputters as he leans against ropes, but Dax brings him around. Roddy CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax CHOPS back! Dax tags Cash, FTR puts Roddy under the ropes and ROPE GUILLOTINES! Cash then goes to the apron, for a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Roddy sputters, Cash soaks up cheers and jeers, then he brings Roddy over. Tag to Dax, Dax drags Roddy up, and Dax snap suplexes! Roddy writhes, but Dax soaks up more cheers and jeers. Dax boasts more, and Roddy rolls him up! TWO!!

Dax escapes, and he CHOPS Roddy down! Dax puts Roddy in the corner, snapmares him out, and clamps on a chinlock. Roddy endures, Dax leans on him, but Roddy fights up. Roddy reaches out, Dax keeps him from Kyle, but then Roddy JAWBREAKERS free! Both men fall, and then both men crawl, then they stand. Dax CHOPS Roddy again! So Roddy CHOPS Dax again! Collision returns to single picture as the CHOPS continue! The fans fire up, and Roddy gets around to ANGLE SLAM! Both men are down again and Garcia admits, that was impressive. Hot tags to Cash and Kyle! Kyle BOOTS Cash, KICKS him, then KICKS him again!

Kyle fires off a strike fest on Dax! Cash runs up, but Kyle blocks a kick to get an ANKLE LOCK!! Dax clamps onto Kyle with a SLEEPER! Dax pulls Kyle back, but Kyle hits a SAIDO! Kyle runs to forearm SMASH Cash in the corner! Then ELBOW BREAKER! Cash ROCKS Kyle, inside cradles him, TWO! Cash suplexes, Kyle slips free, and ANKLE LOCK!! Cash endures, reaches out, but Roddy goes after Dax. Dax kicks Roddy away, but Kyle DECKS Dax! Cash rolls Kyle, Kyle rolls through, ANKLE LOCK!! Roddy has Dax on the apron with an ANKLE LOCK of his own! The fans duel as both FTR endure!

Dax turns over and he BOOTS Roddy into the POST! Dax then hurries up top, for a DIVING HEADBUTT on Kyle! Everyone is down at ringside, both Cole and Garcia are talking up their guys, and Vegas says “This is Awesome!” Kyle stirs, Dax calls to Cash. Dax Electric Chair Lifts while Cash climbs. But Kyle slips free to shove Dax into Cash! Kyle then KNEES Dax, fires off a strike fest, and KICKS the legs out! Kyle then goes up after Cash, brings him up with a double wristlock, but Cash fires body shots! Dax tags in, Cash SUNSET FLIPS to Electric Chair Lift Kyle! Dax is up top now, DOOMSDAY BULLDOG!! Cover, TWO!?!

Cole is fired up for his team, but Garcia says FTR is the best at isolating a single opponent. The fans rally up as FTR watches Kyle. But that lets Roddy slip in! Roddy shoves Cash into Dax, then he runs to WRECK Cash with a dropkick! Kyle tags Roddy in, Roddy KNEES Dax against ropes! Feed to Kyle’s KNEE! Then AX & STRONG SMASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Dax survives and Cole admits, Dax is resilient. Kyle & Roddy KICK and CHOP Dax again and again, but Cash rushes in! Roddy kicks Cash, gives him to Kyle, CHOP and BRAINBUSTER! Dax comes back to fire haymakers and CHOPS on Roddy & Kyle!

Dax fires a flurry on Roddy, then runs, but into a KNEE from Kyle! SWEEP THE LEG OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, but Cash BARRELS in and breaks it! Cole is beside himself but Garcia and the fans all applaud. All four men are down in the ring but the fans cheer them on. FTR and the Kingdom stand and start throwing forearms back and forth! The brawl picks up speed, Roddy DECKS Dax! Kyle KICKS Cash down, then gets him back up. But Dax saves Cash from the suplex! Dax dodges Roddy & Kyle to shove them into each other! Kyle falls, Dax waistlocks Roddy and Cash goes up and over them both.

Cash sets up, Roddy is sent into SHATTER MACHINE!!! Cover, KYLE DRAGS DAX OUT!! Now Cole is the one fire dup, but Cash DIVES onto Kyle! Cash puts Roddy back in, Dax covers, ROPEBREAK!! The ref sees it this time, so there’s no questioning it! “This is Wrestling!” as Dax calls to Cash. We hit the five minute warning, Dax stands Roddy up. Dax CHOPS, but Roddy fires off forearms and elbows on FTR! Dax CHOPS again, fans hope these teams “FIGHT FOREVER!” Dax JABS, JABS, and ROCKS Roddy! Roddy falls back, Dax storms up and talks trash. Dax even fires up the fans! Dax hoists Roddy up top, then CHOPS again!

Cash tags in and Dax climbs up! SUPERPLEX for the Power! SPLASH onto knees! Kyle KING KONG KNEE DROPS on Dax!! Roddy covers Cash, TWO!! This match is a roller coaster of emotions for Cole and Garcia, and even the fans! Kyle says it’s time, and Roddy runs, SWEEP THE- NO, Dax pushes Kyle away! SHATTER MACHINE!!! Cover, FTR WINS!!!

Winner: FTR, by pinfall

Cole is fuming but he hurries to ringside to check on his guys. Garcia thanks Schiavone & Nigel for welcoming him, and he excuses himself to go celebrate with his Top Guys. No flukes here, but now Cole and Garcia have one week to prepare for their own showdown. They stare down now, and Cole offers a handshake. Garcia takes it, the fans cheer the respect, and then Roddy & Kyle offer the same. FTR still leaves The Kingdom hanging? Even Garcia is surprised by that. But will there still be respect for Cole and Garcia after their Slam Dunk Saturday showdown?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision here, but I’m still not much for cold open promos. It’s really only an issue when trying to keep up and write stuff like this, because the wrestlers still do a great job. It just seems unnecessary when there are other promos both tonight and during the week that help us understand story. I can’t say for sure, but I doubt there are fans watching only Collision and not Dynamite. Just get to Ricochet VS Shibata as the opening moment for even more of a great match. As I predicted on Wednesday, we got both Heels winning tonight since Orange Cassidy and Mike Bailey won on Wednesday.

Great promo from Toni Storm, and a good one from Rosa, but I could just feel an attack ready to happen for Rosa’s. Megan Bayne is clearly building up to be that next challenger, she damages Rosa before their match, and then has a fairly easy time with Rosa in the match. Toni making the save only to need saving was also a nice twist. As I said on Dynamite, this next feud is about Toni overcoming someone so much bigger and stronger than her. Think like Rocky 4 and Rocky having to fight Ivan Drago. At the same time, if Megan & Penelope find a third, they can have a pretty good Six Woman Tag with Toni, Rosa & Kris. Gasp. Willow shocking us by going Heel because it’s Kris?

Very good promo from Swerve to put Ricochet over just a little bit. Swerve calling out both Cope and Moxley equally was also good, and of course Moxley would attack Swerve. He got payback from how Revolution ended, and gives one more ultimatum of his own before the Street Fight with Cope. Also, I wonder if the ambulances in the parking lot acts as foreshadowing. After all, Cope and friends hospitalized Pac, Claudio & Marina, and they’ll be coming back for revenge of their own. It’s half the reason the stipulation is “Street Fight,” aka no disqualifications and nothing to be done should they ALL attack and screw Cope over.

Good stuff from the Don Callis Family just wrecking people, but there is some match order and basically filler stuff going on that was just weird. Commentary called the Six Man Tag the “standby” match, aka the match they didn’t think they’d put on tonight, but no, no, no. Hobbs crushing The Frat House should’ve been the “standby” match, no way should The Frat House be getting on an AEW card on purpose. But that aside, Outrunners getting to help Hobbs was good stuff, and I’m sure we’ll get a Six Man Tag from that. And if Hobbs was going to get involved alongside Briscoe in going after Don Callis Family, why not just let this be Hobbs’ thing instead of that filler?

Sadly, Top Flight & Hologram VS STP wasn’t much better in the end. It was less about that actual match and more about plugging The Cru back into a story with Top Flight, and making a story out of “Harley-gram” and Mortos. Beauty & The Beast Mortos is going to be quite the romcom. But why is Harley being relegated to this when she was doing so well as herself? Good promo from Abrahantes to call out LFI and set up a tag match, though. Komander & Hologram VS Dralistico & Mortos is going to be fast ‘n’ furious, but I already have a feeling Harley’s presence is going to cost LFI.

At least FTR VS Kyle & Roddy was an awesome main event, bordering on PPV worthy. Cole and Garcia on commentary was some good stuff, but obviously all about plugging their title match next week. I figured FTR would win, but it feels like they’re slowly turning Heel. They didn’t show respect at the end there, and Dax has been on that “I’m not gonna apologize” thing for a few weeks. I don’t know if Garcia is going to start using that same attitude or if he cuts ties with them because of it. But Cole VS Garcia will be awesome stuff, and hard to call. Would they really do a title change on an episode that is partially preempted because of basketball? It’d give fans reasons to actually care about Collision.

My Score: 8.8/10