Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/17/25)
Round 4, all together!

Whose luck is about to change?
The Best of the Super Juniors enters round 4, and you know what that means! Could one of our undefeated entries finally lose?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Ninja Mack; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS YOH; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Clark Connors VS Robbie X; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Taiji Ishimori; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Kosei Fujita; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Nick Wayne; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Dia; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Mao; Desperado wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 3-0, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 2-1, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-1, 4 points
Robbie X: 2-1, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-2, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-2, 2 points
Master Wato: 1-2, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 1-2, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-2, 2 points
Here are the current B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 3-0, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-1, 4 points
Titan: 2-1, 4 points
MAO: 2-1, 4 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-1, 4 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-2, 2 points
El Desperado: 1-2, 2 points
SHO: 1-2, 2 points
YOH: 1-2, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-3, 0 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Ninja Mack!
The Way of the Grandmaster lost to the Japanese Young Punk, but the American Ninja got sent back by the Time Splitter. Who will only continue to spiral while the other rises to 2-2?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Mack offers a handshake, Wato takes it, and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Wato’s slight height advantage helps, and he pushes Mack to a corner. Mack turns things around, the ref calls the break, and Mack lets go slowly, but with a big Ninja “OSU!” Wato is wary, but the fans rally with “NINJA! NINJA!” Mack and Wato tie up again, and Wato puts Mack in the corner this time. The ref counts, Wato lets off slowly, and he gives his own “Osu!” Mack applauds that, and the fans cheer for “WATO! WATO!” Mack is surprised, but he and Wato reset.
The two tie up yet again, and Wato waistlocks. Wato goes for a half nelson, Mack fights it, so Wato spins him to a cravat. Wato snapmares Mack, clamps on with a chinlock, but Mack fights up. Wato hits a takeover, Mack headscissors, Wato kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. The two tie up again, Wato waistlocks again, and he SLAMS Mack down! Mack fights around, scoots forward, but Wato keeps him from the ropes. Mack drops to slip out the back! Mack waistlocks now, and he THROWS Wato up and out! Wato hops down to the floor, Mack handsprings, but wait, where’d Wato go? Wato pulls a ninja disappearing act!
Mack looks for Wato, checks under the ring, but doesn’t find him. Wait, Wato returns, wearing a Ninja Mack style mask! He is now NINJA WATO! The fans fire up and Mack sees this on the tron! The ninjas turn to see each other with their own eyes! The fans rally as Wato and Mack circle the outside, then step into the ring. Mack asks, “Naze? (Why?)” Mack and Wato take fighting stances and circle. Wato blocks Mack’s attacks and HADOUKEN DOUBLE PUNCHES! Mack tumbles out, Wato builds speed, and Wato FLIES! Down goes Mack and the fans cheer the tope conjilo! Wato goes back for Mack, puts him in, and then aims from the apron.
The fans rally but Mack SUPERKICKS first! Wato falls back, Mack builds speed, and he handsprings for the NINJA SPECIAL PLUS!! He goes up the ramp, but Wato avoids the kick! Wato fires hands but Mack blocks to HADOUKEN! Then he runs up, but Wato dodges! Mack dodges a boot, Wato dodges a knee, and Wato runs for the ring! Mack shouts “GET OVER HERE!” Mack runs up, Wato puts him on the apron, and Wato blocks the kick! Wato THROWS Mack, but Mack FLIPS through! The fans fire up and Wato thinks it’s for him. But then Mack SUPERKICKS Wato down! The fans fire up again as Mack brings Wato around.
Mack DOUBLE CHOPS Wato, the fans rally up, and Mack takes Wato’s mask! Wato pretends he has to hide his face, and fans boo, they liked Ninja Wato. Mack lets English commentary hold onto that mask for him, and then he puts Wato in the ring. Mack then brings Wato up to KICK, KICK, and KICK! Mack powers up and- NO, Wato blocks that kick, spins Wato, but then Mack kicks low! Mack reels Wato in, lifts, but Wato sunset flips through! TWO, the fans fire up, and Mack SUPERKICKS! Wato goes to a corner, Mack runs, but Wato BOOTS him! Mack ducks the roundhouse, ducks the heel kick, but Wato dodges the leg sweep!
Mack dodges the spin kick, to then hit a SHURIKEN SPIN KICK! Cover, TWO! Wato stays in this and the fans rally! Mack covers again, TWO! Mack is frustrated but the fans still rally. Mack puts Wato in the drop zone, CHOPS him, then goes up the corner! The fans rally as Mack aims, NINJA BOMB onto knees!! Wato then catches Mack into VENDEVAL!! Mack flails, reaches out, moves around, breaks fere, but Wato uses a rolling cradle! VENDEVAL!! Mack TAPS, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by submission (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)
Just as waves break on the shore, Wato breaks even with this win! But can Wato continue to turn the tide and rise to the top? Will Ninja Mack still have a chance though he is 1-3?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS YOH!
The Funky Weapon outsmarted Sho and the House of Torture while Direct Drive grounded The Jet. But will Taguchi play it serious with Yoh? Or are things about to get stranger and stranger?
The bell rings and Taguchi runs up to HIP ATTACK! And then HIP ATTACK in the corner! Taguchi whips, Yoh reverses, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up to headscissors for DEADLY BUTT SHADE! Yoh wobbles and falls back, and Taguchi shouts out Tomoaki Honma! Taguchi runs, wiggles, and KOKESHI! The fans fire up and Yoh spasms! Yoh flounders away and even Taguchi isn’t sure what to make of that. Taguchi sees Yoh is on the ropes, and he runs to 619, but Yoh dodges! Taguchi gets caught up in the ropes! The ref checks Taguchi while he flops to the mat. Yoh checks Taguchi’s pulse and says the doc should check him.
The ref starts a standing count and the fans rally up. Taguchi is still down at 4 of 10, slowly turns over, and the fans rally harder as we pass 7! Taguchi is still down at 8, but he rises at 9! Then Yoh kicks him and whips him to the corner. Yoh ELBOWS Taguchi, turns him and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Taguchi is still feeling the pain down low. Yoh hammers out Taguchi’s back, perhaps like a massage, before he STOMPS it! Yoh stands Taguchi up but Taguchi fires body shots! Taguchi runs, HIP ATTACK into an atomic drop! Yoh runs, but into a HIP ATTACK! The fans rally and Taguchi has Yoh on ropes again.
Taguchi runs, HIP ATTACKS, then runs back in for a HIP ATTACK! Then a slide and APRON HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer, Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans rally and Taguchi drags Yoh up. Taguchi suplexes for Uno Amigo! Then he suplexes again, Dos Amigos! Yoh fights the third, but Taguchi fights Yoh’s suplex! GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up and Taguchi rolls to the corner! Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style! “ORYA~!” KETSUYE! Then Taguchi hauls Yoh up, chicken wings, DODON- NO, Yoh victory rolls it! TWO, and Taguchi rolls it back! TWO and Yoh has it again, TWO! Both men stand, things speed up, and Yoh sunsets, but Taguchi stays up!
Taguchi PANTSES himself, but Yoh fights that off! But Taguchi still HIP DROPS, only for Yoh to dodge! Taguchi is down but Yoh gets the legs, and he puts Taguchi in a PARADISE LOCK!! The fans fire up but this isn’t quite the view anyone wants… Taguchi is stuck with his cheeks hanging out, and Yoh fires up! Yoh tunes up, the fans rally, and Yoh SUPERKICKS Taguchi out of Paradise! Yoh drags Taguchi up, underhooks, but Taguchi fights Direct Drive! The rope helps censor Taguchi running, but Yoh bypasses and bypasses! Yoh uses Taguchi’s trick, but Taguchi reverses to bypass Yoh again and again!
Taguchi then dodges, fakes Yoh out, and BARE HIP ATTACKS! But Yoh says I’LL BE BACK, only for Taguchi to dodge the kick and ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi pulls his pants up, chicken wings the arms, DODON BUSTER!! And then BARE BUTT COVER!! Taguchi wins!!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
That indeed was very strange, but it was oddly exciting, too! Taguchi scores big on the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, but will he keep going until he has the trophy in hand? Will Yoh be able to stay fresh despite dropping to 1-3?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Crown of Fire burns bright after the huge main event win over Hiromu Takahashi last night. However, you can never count the Heel Master out, even if he is 1-2. Will Kanemaru be able to cheat his way to redemption? Or will he not be able to handle this Fireball?
But as Akira gets his introductions, Kanemaru attacks! The fans boo but Kanemaru knocks Akira off the corner, goes out and kicks him! And then POSTS him! The ref reprimands, the fans rally for Akira, but Kanemaru drags him up. Kanemaru puts Akira in, the bell rings, and Kanemaru is on Akira in the corner. Kanemaru whips corner to corner, runs up, but into a BOOT! Akira runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RANAS! Kanemaru tumbles, the fans fire up, and Akira aims. PLANCHA but on a Young Lion! Kanemaru uses that guy as a shield, then he BOOTS Akira down! Kanemaru SMASHES Akira’s knee of the floor!
The fans rally for Akira but Kanemaru brings him up. Kanemaru puts Akira in the ring, drags him up, and whips him to ropes. Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Akira writhes, Kanemaru grabs the leg and steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Akira scrambles and drags Kanemaru along, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Kanemaru holds on. The ref pries the hold apart and Akira crawls to a corner. The fans rally and Kanemaru stalks Akira. Kanemaru grabs the leg and hits a SHIN BREAKER! Akira clutches the leg and the fans rally more, but Kanemaru kicks Akira around. Kanemaru stomps Akira, but Akira fires a forearm!
Kanemaru CLAWS Akira’s face, then stalks him to the ropes. Kanemaru kicks the leg again and again, then whips. Akira hobbles back and KICKS! Kanemaru kicks, runs, but into a CALF KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Akira finally takes his shirt off, and he drags Kanemaru up. Kanemaru kicks low, whips, but Akira reverses. Akira then dodges, wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru stays in this, but Akira STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this, but Akira fires up! The fans fire up with him, and he stands Kanemaru up. SPEED- NO, Kanemaru slips free!
Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out, then he reels Akira in, SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru steps through, but Akira cradle counters! TWO, and Akira SUPERKICKS! Kanemaru wobbles, Akira reels him in, SPEEDFIRE! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives but Akira stays focused. The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” Kanemaru sits up, into the NOVA FIRE- NO, Kanemaru ducks! Akira stops from running into the ref, only for Kanemaru to SHOVE him into the ref! The fans boo but Kanemaru BOOTS Akira down! Kanemaru goes for his whiskey, takes a big swig, and then brings Akira up. But Akira smothers Kanemaru! Akira takes the bottle from him, too!
The ref sees this, and he takes the bottle from Akira! Akira defends his innocence, but he gets WHISKEY MIST! Cradle, KANEMARU WINS!!
Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
Akira may be the Crown of Fire, but he’s not ready for that kind of burn! The Heel Master suckered everyone in,
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Robbie Eagles w/ Hartley Jackson VS SHO!
The Sniper of the Skies missed his target facing The Prodigy, Nick Wayne, and the Murder Machine is falling apart after being outsmarted by Taguchi. Can Sho stack the deck higher than Eagles can fly? Or will Eagles be ready for any trick Sho throws at him?
Wait, as soon as Sho is done with his entrance, he hurries to hide by the entryway! Eagles makes his entrance, but luckily HARTLEY is there to catch Sho! Sho is shocked, perhaps forgetting about Eagles’ back-up! Eagles throws Sho into the ring, the fans cheer, and Sho asks for mercy! The bell rings, and Eagles hits a TORNADO ARM-DRAG! Then he runs, hurdles, and RANAS! Sho tumbles, Eagles WHEEL KICKS him! Eagles kips up, the fans fire up, and Eagles throws the shirt away. Eagles gets the fans to join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!”
But then Sho grabs the mic to shout down the cheering! The fans boo, Sho rings the bell again and claims this is done! Eagles chases Sho, they go back into the ring, then Sho goes for the apron again! Eagles catches Sho, drags him up, but Sho HOTSHOTS the arm! Sho hurries back in and TOSSES Eagles out. Sho hurries after Eagles, wrenches and bends fingers, then he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Sho wrenches Eagles, brings him to a corner, and laces the arm through so he can SLAMS the arm against the POST! The fans boo and Eagles clutches his arm, and then Sho has the ref check Hartley. This lets Sho SLAM Eagles’ arm off the timekeeper’s table!
Sho puts Eagles in the ring, covers, TWO! Sho clamps on with a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Eagles fights up, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts the break but Sho pulls the arm around ropes! The ref counts more and Sho lets go at 4. The fans boo but Sho grins. Sho kicks at Eagles and taunts him. Eagles frowns, CHOPS, and the fans fire up! Eagles ROCKS Sho, but Sho YANKS Eagles’ arm! Sho drags Eagles up, wrenches and then he makes Eagles kneel. Sho kicks, KICKS, and SUPER- NO, Eagles blocks the superkick! But Sho CLAWS Eagles’ eyes! Sho whips, Eagles reverses, and Eagles DROPKICKS Sho down! Eagles runs to LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Sho stays in this but the fans rally for Eagles. Eagles steps through on the legs, but Sho bends Eagles’ fingers! The ref reprimands, Sho swings, but Eagles hooks a leg for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Eagles has the leg and rolls Sho to hook him up again. Sho fights the backpack by pulling on Eagles’ bandana! The ref reprimands, Eagles breaks free, and Eagles SOBATS! Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Sho pops Eagles into an ARMBAR! Sho pulls, but Eagles stacks him, TWO! ARMBAR!! Sho pushes on the arm but Eagles fights around! The fans rally, but Sho wrangles Eagles back to the ARMBAR!! Eagles endures, reaches out, but fights around again!
Eagles rises, Sho wrangles him, but Eagles uses that to roll and tie up the legs! RON MILLER SPECIAL! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go, but then drops KNEES on the knee! Eagles goes up, out, and up again! The fans rally for WARP 4- NO, Sho puts his knees up, only for Eagles to catch them! The fans cheer and Eagles wags his finger. Eagles drags Sho around, KICKS away on the leg, then steps through! But Sho YANKS Eagles into the ref! The fans boo, and here comes Yujiro Takahashi! Tokyo Pimp CLOBBERS Hartley with his cane! Then he JAMS Eagles up! Yujiro & Sho whip Eagles to the corner, then Yujiro runs in and BOOTS him!
The fans boo but Sho runs in and LARIATS Eagles! Sho then snapmares Eagles, stands him up, but Hartley storms in! Hartley takes Yujiro’s cane away! Yujiro is scared, but then Sho goes after Hartley! Sho’s punches do nothing to big bad Hartley’s back! But then Yujiro LOW BLOWS Hartley! The fans boo, but Yujiro CLOBBERS Hartley with the cane again! Hartley falls out of the ring, and Yujiro aims at Eagles! Yujiro runs up, but Eagles dodges, ROCKS Sho, then ELBOWS Yujiro! Eagles CHOPS Sho, CHOPS Yujiro, repeat! The fans rally, Eagles BOOTS Sho, then ROUNDHOUSES Yujiro! SUPERKICK! PELE!
The fans fire up with Eagles while Yujiro falls! But Sho LOW- NO!! Eagles stops the low blow! Eagles KICKS Sho’s leg, but Sho is hiding his wrench! TORTURE TOOL TO THE LEG!! And then TO THE HEAD!! The fans boo but Sho calls for the ref. Yujiro shoves the ref in and Sho drags Eagles up. Sho tucks the arms, for the SHOCK ARROW!!! Cover, SHO WINS!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Murder Machine still needed help, but he doesn’t care because winning is all that matters! Will the House of Torture continue to do everything they have to in order to win the tournament? Or will justice be served in the end?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Clark Connors VS Robbie X!
Bullet Club meets Bullet Club, but at least they’re both War Dogs. But will 100 Proof be the solution to X? Or will even War Dogs Racing hop aboard the X Express?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Connors and Robbie step up, and they get the fans barking. The two then circle, tie up, but then they fire hands! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, then Connors fires knees! Connors whips Robbie to a corner, LARIATS, but Robbie eggs him on with trash talk and a pie face! Connors kicks and CLUBS Robbie, but Robbie fires forearms! Connors KNEES low, whips corner to corner again, and Robbie flips before he hits buckles! The fans fire up and Connors brings Robbie around. Connors bumps Robbie off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans bark and Connors goes to TEN!
Connors shouts, “Where my dogs at?” The fans cheer, and Connors brings Robbie up. Connors CHOPS Robbie, whips corner to corner, but Robbie reverses to SOBAT! Robbie whips, Connors reverses, but Robbie handsprings, only for Connors to go the other way! JEEP FLIPPER! Robbie tumbles out of the ring and Connors says that’s a homerun! The fans cheer and Connors goes out to fetch Robbie. Connors CHOPS Robbie, Robbie sputters, but Connors CHOPS him again! Robbie falls over, but he flips Connors off! Connors says okay, and he POSTS Robbie! Robbie falls in a heap, Connors fires up, and the fans cheer.
Connors says it is time, and he brings out WHEEL-SAN! The fans fire up and Connors JAMS Robbie up with the tire! The ref reprimands, but Connors prepares to discus throw Wheel-san! Robbie ducks, and the tire flies into a Young Lion! Robbie then SUPERKICKS Connors down! The fans fire up and Robbie grabs Wheel-san for his own! Connors stands, Robbie says, “I EFFIN’ LOVE THIS SPORT!” and he CLOBBERS Connors with the tire! The fans fire up again and Robbie puts Connors in. Robbie rains down forearms, then he lets off to storm around. Connors crawls to ropes, but Robbie BITES Connors’ hand! The ref reprimands and Robbie stops.
Connors clutches his finger, Robbie drags him up, and Robbie whips corner to corner. Connors hits buckles hard, Robbie drags him to a cover, ONE!! The fans cheer as Connors shows that grit, but Robbie KNEES Connors in the back! Robbie traps an arm and clamps onto the other, and he throws down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Robbie whips then ELBOWS Connors down! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Robbie stays on him. Robbie drags Connors up but Connors UPPERCUTS! Robbie falls back, Connors huffs ‘n’ puffs, and Connors storms up, and blocks a kick! And the other! Connors YANKS Robbie up, but Robbie holds the ropes!
Connors pulls Robbie free, swings him up, then SITOUT POWERBOMBS! The fans fire up and Connors goes to a corner. Connors snarls and takes aim as Robbie rises. Connors runs in, but Robbie hurdles the spear! Connors hits buckles, Robbie LARIATS Connors in the corner! And then he puts Connors’ leg in the ropes to KICK it! Robbie spins for the DREAMCAST! Snapmare and STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives but Robbie vows to end this! Handspring and- NO, Connors dodges the cutter to SPEAR!! The fans fire up and Connors covers, TWO!! Robbie survives and Connors shakes his head.
Robbie sputters and coughs but Connors drags him up. Connors whips, Robbie handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION X!! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives and Robbie is shocked! But Robbie steps on Connors, goes up the corner, and X EX- NO, Connors moves! Robbie rolls through, but the SNAP POWERSLAM finds him! Connors reels Robbie in, NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
Now that was a dogfight! Both men brought the fight, but it sees X is less than 100 Proof! But Connors and Robbie are dogs for real, so water under the bridge. Which of these dogs makes it to the top of the block and beyond?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Taiji Ishimori!
El Inmortal and the Bone Soldier Reborn are still alive, having defeated Mao and El Desperado respectively. But with the block still so competitive, whose prayers will be answered with a victory?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Taiji and Titan feel things out, knuckle lock, then clinch. Taiji waistlocks, Titan wrenches but Taiji wrenches back. Titan headlocks, Taiji pops out the back and headlocks in return. Taiji sits Titan down but Titan rolls to the side. Taiji wrenches an arm, wristlocks, but Titan rolls, kips up, and bridges. Titan then handsprings and arm-drags free! Taiji comes back, Titan sweeps and covers, ONE! Taiji sweeps and covers, ONE! Titan kips up and the fans fire up! Taiji applauds, offers a handshake, but Titan is wary. Taiji kneels to show he means it. Titan runs up, Taiji dodges, and then Taiji kicks low.
Taiji whips, Titan reverses, but Taiji fights the Tornado DDT! Taiji kicks, runs, but Titan follows to then RANA! The fans fire up and Titan builds speed, but Taiji ducks the slide! Titan turns around, Taiji pops him up to the apron, but Titan mule kicks! Only for Taiji to YANK him down! The fans rally, Taiji drags Titan up, and Taiji POSTS Titan! Titan falls back and Taiji grins while he lets the ref check. Titan is alright, but Taiji unties the blue buckle pad! Taiji waits as Titan rises and the fans rally up. Titan rolls in, CHOPS, but Taiji eggs him on. Titan CHOPS again, so Taiji CHOPS! Taiji wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS!
Titan drops to his knees as he clutches the elbow. Taiji stands Titan up, wrenches the arm again, and he stands on the shoulder. Taiji then hooks the other arm, traps it, and pulls on Titan’s left arm, for the SACRIFICE! Titan clutches his elbow and the fans rally up. Taiji looms over Titan, clamps on with a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK, but Titan has the ROPEBREAK! Taiji holds on until the ref counts 4. Taiji pulls on the arm again, then stomps it! Titan writhes and goes to the apron but Taiji stays close. The ref checks with Titan but Titan says he can still go. Taiji wrangles Titan into a STRAIGHT ARMBAR! Titan kicks over to the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer and Taiji lets go. Titan scrambles away but Titan is back on him. Taiji wrenches the arm, and then POSTS Titan! Taiji brings Titan around, hammerlocks and scoops for the SHOULDER BUSTER! The fans rally, Taiji watches from the corner, and then he runs in, LA MYSTI- NO, Titan slips free, shoves and trips Taiji, then goes to the apron. Titan ducks a shot to GAMANGIRI! And then springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Taiji tumbles out, Titan builds speed, and Titan FLIES! Down goes Taiji and the fans fire up! Titan rises and roars, and the fans fire up more. Titan hurries to drag Taiji into the ring, and he goes to the apron.
The fans rally and Titan springboards, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Taiji survives but the fans continue to rally. Titan loosens his mask just a bit and the fans rally up. Titan stomps Taiji, brings him around, but Taiji CLAWS Titan’s eyes! Taiji whips, Titan reverses, then Titan goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK! Titan whips, Taiji handsprings, NEUTRALIZER! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Taiji rises, he stands Titan up, but then Titan blocks the whip. Titan reverses, and TORNADO- NO, Taiji blocks the DDT and puts Titan in the ropes! ENZIGIRI and SLIDING GERMAN!
The fans rally while Taiji goes to the corner. Taiji climbs, 450- NO, Titan moves! Taiji rolls through, comes back, but into a strike fest from Titan! WHEEL KICK! Titan hurries to whip Taiji into the bare buckles! Taiji suffers his own trickery and the fans fire up! Titan runs corner to corner, FRAME OUT LARIAT! Taiji falls, Titan goes up, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and the fans fire up! Titan is surprised, but he rallies the fans again. Titan roars, drags Taiji around, then steps through the legs, but Taiji drags him down into a cradle! TWO!! Titan stands, Taiji JUMP KNEES him down!
The fans rally as Taiji roars! Taiji drags Titan up, gut wrenches, and CIPHER U- NO, Titan grabs the leg, steps through, TRAILER HITCH, into LLAVE- NO, Taiji turns over! Taiji slips free, floats over, and has the BONE LOCK!! Titan endures, fights around, but Taiji rolls him from the ropes! Titan endures but that’s his bad arm caught in the hold! He still fights, still reaches out, but Taiji rolls him again! Taiji hauls Titan up, BLOODY- NO!! Titan blocks again! Titan steps through, ties up Taiji’s leg in a figure four, but then hooks Taiji’s head and arm! Titan has Taiji in some kind of pretzel, and TWISTS!! Taiji TAPS, Titan wins!!!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
Who knows what to call that unique hold, but it was certainly effective! Will El Inmortal use that hold to become the Best of the Super Juniors? Will Taiji still be redeemed #ByGrace as the tournament rolls on?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Kosei Fujita!
The Time Splitter finally got on the board last round while the Japanese Young Punk has not been stopped once in this tournament! But will Fujita’s fortunes change against one of the most decorated Junior Heavyweights ever? Or will he show that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
In an interesting move, Fujita has changed up his ring gear to be barefoot in shorts. Kushida decides he will make it a fair fight, and he also takes off his boots! These two are going old school and the fans applaud. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, feel things out, and then clinch. Kushida facelocks and holds on as Fujita moves around. Fujita puts Kushida on the ropes, the ref counts the break, and both men let off slowly. The fans cheer as the two reset and go again. They clinch, Kushida puts Fujita in a corner, but Fujita fights around to waistlock. Kushida drops down but Fujita floats to get a leg.
Kushida facelocks, drags Fujita around to a lateral press, Fujita gets free fast but Kushida drags Fujita back down. Kushida body scissors but Fujita stays on his feet. Kushida goes for a Triangle but Fujita fights that off by clasping hands. Kushida uses his legs to push Fujita down, and then he goes for an arm! Fujita rolls, Kushida still clamps onto an arm, but Fujita gets his legs in there. The fans applaud this technical exchange as Kushida stands. Kushida pushes past the leg guard to have a top mount, then he goes for the arm! Fujita clasps hands again, rolls Kushida, and slips out the back! Fujita has a chinlock but Kushida fights around.
Fujita is a backpack and almost has a full Sleeper, but Kushida pushes up. Kushida slips free of the body scissors, still wants an arm, but settles for a leg. Fujita shifts position fast and goes for Kushida’s arm. Fujita then floats to a facelock, but Kushida fights up. Fujita throws Kushida down with the facelock, then front mounts. Kushida endures, keeps his shoulders up, and kicks his way around. The fans cheer again as Kushida stands back up. Kushida then ties up the legs but Fujita fights against it. Kushida pushes on Fujita’s arm, but Fujita uses his on leg as leverage. Kushida pulls on that leg, then stands over Fujita again.
They knuckle lock but Kushida cartwheels to have the lateral press. Fujita keeps a shoulder up, but Kushida moves around. The two stand and the fans cheer again. Fujita and Kushida circle, feel things out, and Kushida goes for a leg. Fujita blocks, they clinch, and they go around. Fujita goes for a leg then the waistlock. Kushida grabs Fujita’s leg, drops down, but Fujita hooks legs to fight the toehold. Fujita also has a chinlock, but Kushida rolls. Fujita stands and backs away from Kushida’s leg guard. Kushida scoots forward, stands up, but Fujita avoids the takedown. Kushida rolls around, shoots in, but Fujita still stays back.
Kushida jumps to body scissor, but Fujita blocks the double wristlock! Fujita pushes Kushida down, turns him over, but Kushida fights free of the Crab! The two back off again and the fans cheer. Kushida and Fujita circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Kushida hooks an arm, goes for the sweep, but Fujita fights that off. Kushida goes for the leg directly but Fujita blocks. Kushida rolls, facelocks, but Fujita fights up. Fujita rolls, Kushida rolls with him, then Kushida floats all over! Kushida pushes Fujita to a cover, ONE, and Fujita avoids a kick! Fujita goes for legs, Kushida avoids that, but then Fujita avoids th esame.
The two tie up, and Kushida drops down, but Fujita blocks the armbar takeover! Kushida body scissors but Fujita deadlifts and ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Kushida clasps hands now, then fights around. Kushida rolls and slips free to then have an ANKLE LOCK! But Fujita grabs Kushida’s leg to have an ANKLE LOCK! Fujita then hops on for a SLEEPER! Kushida slips free to have the IRON OCTOPUS, but Fujita backs up into the corner! The fans cheer as the two separate and circle again. Kushida and Fujita knuckle lock, clinch, and Kushida has the facelock. Kushida pushes Fujita down, top mounts, but Fujita keeps his shoulders up.
Fujita guards as Kushida starts throwing palm strikes! The ref checks but Fujita is still in this. Kushida goes for the arm but Fujita clasps hands! The fans rally and duel as the two fight for control, and Kushida shifts sides! Fujita clasps hands as tight as he can, then high stacks! Kushida lets Fujita go, but Fujita trips him up! Fujita ties the legs up in the DEATHLOCK! Kushida endures, reaches out, but Fujita grabs the arms! Fujita’s own arm holds him back so he focuses on just one arm of Kushida’s. Kushida drags Fujita along as he swims to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Fujita lets go in frustration.
We pass 10 minutes as Fujita shakes out the arm. Fujita brings Kushida up, wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS! And ELBOW BREAKER! And ELBOW BREAKER! But Kushida KICKS Fujita’s bad arm! Kushida runs, but Fujita pops him up into the GERMAN SUPLEX! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Fujita wants to beat Kushida at his own game, but Kushida clasps hands behind his back. Both men stand, Fujita fireman’s carries, but Kushida fights free! Kushida then KICKS Fujita’s leg! Fujita CHOPS! The fans fire up as Kushida winds up, but Fujita bypasses the Fastball with a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Kushida RAMS Fujita into buckles!
Fujita holds on, pulls on the facelock, and has those body scissors in tight! Kushida endures, the fans rally, and Kushida powers up! Kushida is free and goes for Fujita’s arm! Fujita resists, so Kushida switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Fujita springs right onto Kushida’s arm! Kushida again fights against the double wristlock, rolls around, but Fujita powers it back on! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! The fans rally as Kushida endures and Fujita puts on more pressure! Kushida fights out from under Fujita, but he’s so far from the ropes! The fans rally even harder as Kushida reaches out! Kushida rolls, rolls, and rolls, to have the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!!
Fujita flails, fights around, but Kushida just rolls him into an ARM- NO, Fujita fights the standard armbar, but Kushida finds another angle! HOVERBOARD!! Kushida bends fingers and wrist, then HOVERBOARD!! Fujita endures and fights to his feet?! Fujita hobbles, but Kushida gator rolls him! But Fujita goes for Kushida’s arm! Both men are fighting for control, and Kushida takes Fujita BACK TO THE FUTURE!! Cover, KUSHIDA WINS!!!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
With blood in his mouth, Kushida smiles as he stands tall! Fujita tried beating Kushida at Kushida’s game and lost, but Kushida shows him respect. When and where will these two run it back? Will either of them be holding the trophy, or even the title, when that happens?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS Nick Wayne!
The Jet has been moving fast but he just hasn’t been able to score any points. Meanwhile, The Prodigy is living up to that nickname as the youngest entrant to ever start 3-0! Can Nick keep up the pace? Or will Knight finally start to rise?
The bell rings and the fans rally up already. Knight and Nick circle, tie up, and go around. Knight puts Nick in a corner, Nick turns things around, and the ref counts the break. They go out of the corner and Knight wrenches an arm. Knight wristlocks, but Nick spins and wrenches in return. Nick hammerlocks, but Knight wrenches again. Nick wrenches back, Knight rolls, handsprings, and wrenches again for a headlock takeover. Nick headscissors, Knight kips free, but Nick sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE, and Knight ducks a buzzsaw! Nick keeps his eyes on Knight while the fans cheer. Knight slides out to take a breather.
Nick holds the ropes open and invites Knight back in. Knight steps up, accepts the invitation, and the fans applaud. Knight and Nick reset, and Knight offers a handshake. Nick accepts, the fans applaud again, and then Knight kicks low! Knight headlocks, Nick powers up and out, but Knight runs him over! Knight flexes, but Nick kips up! Nick also flexes, the fans cheer, and then Nick dodges Knight. Nick hurdles, bypasses, and UPPERCUTS! Nick handsprings, the fans cheer, and Nick goes back to Knight. Nick drags Knight around, drops a leg, then covers! TWO, and the fans applaud. Nick stays cool as he brings Knight up.
Nick cravats, ASAI- NO, Knight dumps Nick off and TOSSES Nick out! Then Knight slides, but Nick dodge! Knight goes to the corner to PLANCHA! The fans fire up with Knight, and he asks if Nick is alright. Knight drags Nick up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally. Knight goes up and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Nick stays in this and the fans cheer but Knight stays cool. Knight tells the “Young Boy” to get up, and then he CHOPS Nick to a corner. The fans cheer, but then Nick turns things around to CHPO, CHOP, and CHOP! Knight knees low, snapmares and runs, SLIDING SHOULDER! Knight flexes and fans cheer, then he covers, TWO!
Nick is still in this but Knight nods. Knight brings Nick up, clamps on, and he pulls Nick into the COBRA TWIST! Nick endures, Knight pulls on him, ‘and says “Ore wa meccha, meccha, MECCHA TSUYOI~!” The fans cheer but Nick powers up to HIP TOSS! Knight handsprings through, blocks a kick, and he ROCKS Nick! Knight wrenches and whips, Nick grabs ropes and Knight’s dropkick crashes! Nick runs to PENALTY KICK! Then Nick cravats, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and the fans rally up. Nick stalks behind Knight and half nelsons. Knight fights the full nelson, elbows free, then runs, and he LEAPS over the lariat!
Nick avoids the Pele and DRAGON SUPLEXES after all! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! Nick rises and he hurries to the corner. The fans rally as Nick climbs from the outside. DIVING- NO, Knight avoids the stomps and Nick rolls through. Nick comes back, but into a scoop and SLAM! The fans fire up, and Knight then UFO SPLASHES, but onto knees! Nick whips, Knight reverses, Nick handsprings but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Nick rolls away to ropes and then to the outside. The fans rally, Knight aims, and Knight springboards to SUPER FLYING LARIAT!
The fans fire up while both men are down on the ramp! The ref checks and Nick is still in this, as is Knight. The ring count starts and both men are still down at 5 of 20. Knight slowly rises, and he stands at 10. Knight fires up and the fans are with him! We’re at 13 as Knight stands Nick up, and he puts Nick in at 15. Knight aims again, springboards again, but Nick avoids the lariat! Knight runs back in, blocks a boot, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Nick goes up, but Knight goes to the UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up and Knight somersaults, UFO FLOP! Nick Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! SATELLITE- NO, Nick makes it a cradle, TWO!!
Knight and Nick stand in the facelock, and Nick suplexes! Knight slips free to SUPERKICK! Knight whips, Nick reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Nick somersaults, hops on, SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and the fans fire up! Nick and Knight slowly rise, and Nick vows to end this! “IKU ZO!” The fans fire up, and Nick hooks a leg! PRODIGY- NO, Knight fights that, wrenches out and leaps, but Nick THROWS him away! SUPERKICK! Knight wobbles, but he roars! Nick ROUNDHOUSES him! Nick hurries as the fans rally, and he goes up the corner! WAYNE- NO, Knight jumps up to REVERSE UPPER ROOM!!
Knight somersaults into the SATELLITE DDT!! The fans are thunderous as Knight hurries up top! MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH!! Cover, Knight wins!!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
The first win for Knight is the first loss for Nick! Knight does show respect by offering a handshake, and Nick takes it. This match doesn’t flip the dynamic of the block, but could The Jet be correcting course towards the top? Or will the Prodigy prove he also excels at rebounding from defeat?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Dragon Dia!
The Ticking Timebomb got blown up in the main event last round, and the Infinite Carat Diamond is shining after getting through Clark Connors. Will Dia be unbreakable now? Or will Hiromu find a way to blow up Dia’s run?
The bell rings, the fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” and he smiles. Dia shrugs that off as he circles with Hiromu. They tie up, Hiromu powers Dia to ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Hiromu lets off cleanly, but then takes a swing! Dia dodges then whips, Hiromu reverses, then Hiromu drops down and hurdles over. Dia leaps over, comes back, but Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu whips, LARIATS in the corner, then snapmares. Dia dodges, dodges, slides under, and tilt-o-whirls to arm-drag, and then DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Hiromu bails out. Dia goes out, but Hiromu trips him up a bit! Hiromu kicks low, fireman’s carries, and APRON DEATH VALLEYS!
Hiromu puts Dia in, covers, TWO! Hiromu follows Dia out, puts him right back in, and drags him right up! Dia fights free, bails out, and Hiromu is annoyed. Hiromu waits while Red Shoes checks Dia. Dia is okay to continue, so Hiromu goes out to fetch him. Hiromu CHOPS Dia, shakes out his hand and nods while he paces. Hiromu drags Dia up, brings him around the way, then CHOPS again! And CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS Dia again, and Dia falls over! Hiromu stalks Dia, looms over him, and drags him back up. Hiromu reels Dia in to snap suplex to the floor! The fans rally while Dia writhes, and a ring count starts.
Hiromu takes his time, and he brings Dia up at 7 of 20. Hiromu puts Dia in at 8, the fans applaud, and Hiromu stalks Dia. Hiromu whisp Dia to a corner, LARIATS and snapmares again, then basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Dia is tougher than that, but Hiromu clamps on with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Dia endures, Hiromu pulls on the hold, but Dia crawls. Dia reaches out, but Hiromu sits way back! Dia still fights to the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go and the fans rally again. Hiromu taunts Dia, brings him up, but Dia CHOPS! Hiromu eggs Dia on, so Dia CHOPS again! Hiromu CHOPS and Dia staggers back!
Dia storms up to CHOP, but Hiromu CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going! Dia runs, but Hiromu drop toeholds and has the leg trapped! Dia endures but Hiromu pushes on his modified Calf Killer! Dia crawls forward again and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets go. Hiromu drags Dia up again, and CHOPS! Dia staggers but he comes back to CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS again, and Dia is stinging! Dia grits his teeth as he comes back to CHOP, but then Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dia falls, the fans applaud, and Hiromu smirks as he stands Dia up.
Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Dia slips free! Dia BOOTS from the corner and then RANAS! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring and the fans rally up. Hiromu makes it to the apron but Dia 619s him down! Then Dia ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit again and the fans fire up! Dia slowly rises, fires himself back up, and the fans are with him. Dia drags Hiromu up and puts him in the ring. The fans rally again as Dia goes up the corner. Hiromu stands, Dia leaps, but Hiromu dodges! Hiromu then scoops and BACKBREAKERS! But Hiromu holds on, to suplex and FALCON ARROW! Both men are down while the fans rally back up.
Hiromu stands and he shakes out his arms. Hiromu brings Dia to the corner for a fireman’s carry, then he climbs! Dia fights free and GAMANGIRIS! Dia then roars as he rises back up, for the ASTRO SCISSORS! Then Dia goes up the other corner, for D D- NO, Hiromu stops the 4D! And he fireman’s carries for a throw into the dragon sleeper! Dia spins around, fights the suplex, and then runs to REPTI- NO, Hiromu POEWRBOMBS Dia down! And then deadlifts him up into the fireman’s carry! But Dia slips into the crucifix, DOUBLE CORK!! Ghost pin, TWO!! The fans fire up as Dia gets moving, but runs into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!
Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Hiromu rises first, wobbles and hobbles, but he makes it back to Dia. But Dia ENZIGIRIS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into an ENZIGIRI! Dia then aims, HEEL KICK!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Dia hurries up the corner and he roars for Hiromu to rise! Hiromu stands, Dia leaps, D D D D T!! It hits!! Cover, TWO!?!? Hiromu survives the 4D and Dia is raging! But Dia runs, rolls, REPTI- NO, Hiromu tucks him in! DUDEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives being busted and the fans fire up even more! Hiromu grits his teeth as he rises again!
Hiromu roars, the fans fire up with him, and he drags Dia into the fireman’s carry. Swing and TIME- NO, Dia slips to a victory roll! TWO, and Hiromu wheelbarrows for the GERMAN! But Dia lands out, gets around, and POISON-RANAS!! Dia runs, rolls, REPTILIAN BOMB!! High stack, DIA WINS!!!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)
Hiromu tried but he could not crack this Infinite Carat Diamond! Is the most decorated BOSJ winner of all time no longer the best in the Junior Heavyweight Division? As for Dia, this massive win keeps him at the front of the block! Will he prove himself worthy of the trophy this year?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Mao!
The Rogue Luchador has lost twice in a row, but that really only proved him right that anyone can win any given match. The Idol Warrior is coming off a loss of his own, can he rebound with a massive main event win? Or will Desperado prove he’s still the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans duel already. Despy and Mao both smile, and Despy gets the crowd even louder! Mao and Despy circle, tie up, and Despy waistlocks. Mao pries free to wrench and wristlock. Despy rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks, but Mao spins and slips through. Mao facelocks, but feints the suplex just to wrench again. The fans applaud, and Mao keeps on the hammerlock. Despy rolls Mao up, STRETCH MUFFLER! Mao flails, brings Despy down, and floats to the JUST FACELOCK, only for Despy to pop out the back! Despy goes for the leg again but Mao rolls and handsprings free! The fans applaud while both men reset.
Despy and Mao circle, tie up, and Despy headlocks. Mao endures the grind, powers up and out, but Despy RAMS him! Mao puffs up, #Tsukakui! The fans cheer but Despy runs to RUN Mao over! Mao kips up, Tsukakui! The fans cheer and Mao runs. Mao RAMS Despy, Despy RAMS Mao, and Mao puffs up to be Tsukakui! The fans cheer, Despy mockingly applauds, and then he CHOPS! Tsukakui! CHOP! Tsukakui! CHOP! TSUKAKUI! Despy asks Red Shoes what’s up with that. Mao and Despy go chest to chest to see who is most Tsukakui! The fans cheer while the two go outside! Red Shoes says no, fight in the ring.
The fans boo, they want things outside the ring. Mao says hold on, this is the main event, they really should do this in the ring. The fans applaud as both men return to the ring, to then go back outside! The fans cheer, the two run up, and they RAM! And RAM! And then RAM again! Despy bounces off, Mao is truly Tsukakui! Mao then brings Despy around to whip, but Despy reverses. Mao handstands on the apron and hops over Despy, to then BOOT him! Mao goes to the apron, lines up the shot, and runs to CANNONBALL! The fans fire up and Mao stands tall, TSUKAKUI! Red Shoes insists they get this in the ring, so Mao stands Despy up.
Mao ROCKS Despy with a right, and the ring count starts. Mao throws more hands, but Despy BODY BLOWS! Mao staggers to the ramp, Despy ROCKS Mao, but we’re past 10 of 20! They keep brawling, Despy scoops, but Mao slips free! We’re at 15 but Despy YANKS Mao back! But then Mao YANKS Despy back! They argue, they brawl, Red Shoes keeps the count going! Despy SUPERKICKS Mao, but Mao THROWS railing at him! WE’RE AT 19!! Mao LEAPS and CUTTERS on the railing!! Red Shoes is at a loss for words, so he calls off the count! He won’t let the main event end on a draw! The fans cheer, and Red Shoes ushers the two along.
Mao marches, but Despy clings to Mao’s pants! Mao CLUBS Despy, Despy lets go, and both men lunge into the ring! The fans applaud as Red Shoes says this is why you fight in the ring. Mao and Despy storm up, go forehead to forehead, then fire forearm for forearm! They talk trash on who is the bigger jerk, then throw more forearms! Mao gets the fans to chant for DDT Pro! But then Despy gets the fans to chant for NJPW! The fans duel, the forearms keep flying, but then Mao pulls the “Look!” and RIGHT HAND! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Mao goes with the fans, and he vows to finish this!
Mao drags Despy up, MICHINO- NO, Despy slips free, rolls Mao, and has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Mao scrambles, picks a leg, and has the ANKLE LOCK! Then he floats to the JUST FACELOCK! But Despy pops out the back again, to have a SLEEPER! The fans rally but Mao is already fading. Mao grabs his own leg for leverage, but also flips Despy up! Despy grabs that finger, but it’s a trap! Mao drags Despy down and has the JUST FACELOCK!! Despy endures, crawls forward, and reaches out! The fans rally and Despy keeps fighting forward! Mao grabs that free arm, uses it to roll Despy, but Despy uses that to get a cradle! TWO, and Mao sunset flips! Cover, TWO!
Despy has the cover, TWO, and Mao has a ghost pin! TWO, and Mao tucks Despy into a GEDO CLUTCH into JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO?!?! Despy escapes, Mao kicks and whips! Despy reverses, but Mao SHOTGUNS! Mao whips, Despy reverses, for a SPINEBUSTER! But Mao rises right up! Despy also stands, roars, but Mao talks about rib pain. Red Shoes checks, but then is used as a shield! Mao runs, but Despy returns the favor, the CUTTER hits Red Shoes!! Mao is stunned, the fans boo, and Despy says shame on Mao. But it was Despy’s fault! They argue over who is at fault, and Mao starts a “Mao Jinai! <Not Mao!>”
Despy says no no no! “Despy Jinai!” Red Shoes stirs, the Young Lions help him exit the ring, and now Mao and Despy aren’t sure what to do. Mao apologizes either way, and the Young Lions carry Red Shoes away. Mao says now we can go wild! Mao goes looking under the ring, and he brings out plastic tubs! The DDT Pro style gets to shine here in NJPW! Despy helps bring the tubs into the ring, but he also kinda hordes them in his corner. Mao says bet, and he SMASHES a tub on Despy’s head! Despy grins as he shakes off the pieces. His turn! SMASH on Mao’s head! Mao smiles and nods, and he grabs another tub.
The fans rally as Despy and Mao set these tubs up in a nice rectangle, and Mao dares Despy to go up. Despy obliges, and both men climb. The fans cheer as the CHOPS begin! They go back and forth, but then Marty Asami shows up to be the new ref! He scolds them for doing this but the fans boo. The fans want DDT Pro madness, and Mao cravats Despy! Despy fights and tries to throw Mao! They brawl, and Mao says they should up the ante. Despy agrees and they go up to the top rope! The fans rally, and the two figure if they get in trouble, they get in trouble together! “SE~ NO~!” SUPER RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP DOWN THROUGH THE TUBS!!
The fans are thunderous but Marty reprimands them. The Young Lions clean up the mess while Mao and Despy crawl around. Mao rises and the fans fire up! Mao then runs up and BOOTS Despy against rope! Despy eggs Mao on, so Mao runs again. Mao BOOTS Despy again, but Despy just nods! Mao goes again, but Despy SPEARS him! Then Mao gut wrenches, GUITARRA DEL- NO, Mao slips free! Despy ELBOWS Mao, suplexes, and BRAINBUSTERS!! The fans fire up again as Despy underhooks! PINCH- NO, Mao slips free to MICHINOKU DRIVER 2!! Cover, TWO?!? Despy survives but Mao goes to the corner!
Mao aims as Despy rises and the fans rally! SAMURAI SUPERKICK!! Despy drops to his knees, but he flips Mao off! Mao grabs those fingers and bends them! Despy rises to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Mao HEADBUTTS back! Mao HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Despy drops to his knees again, but then ruses up to HEADBUTT! Mao REAR HEADBUTTS! Mao runs, OSAKA REN- Despy says, “Look!!” LOCO MONO!! Mao falls for his own trick! The fans fire up and Despy nods. Despy laughs, but Mao stands! Mao SLAPS Despy! Despy wobbles, the fans rally, and Despy SLAPS Mao! Mao smiles and nods, then SLAPS back!
The fans duel as Despy staggers, and he comes back to SLAP! Mao grits his teeth, SLAPS again, but Despy SLAPS! The SLAPS keep going! Mao winds up and ROCKS Despy with that right hand! Despy grits his teeth, and he comes back to ROCK Mao! Mao grits his teeth, manages to smile, and he throws another right hand! But Mao shakes his hand from how hard he hit Despy! Despy then ROCKS Mao again! Mao powers up and DECKS Despy! That straight right was stiff, but Despy manages to stand! Despy says okay, and LOCO MONO!! Mao falls and the fans fire up! Despy drags Mao back up, underhooks, and PINCHE- NO, Mao flips through to cradle! TWO!!
Despy escapes, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, they go again, only for Mao to dodge! DREAMCAST- SAIDO! But Mao is up to OSAKA RENKAI UPPER!! Cover, ONE?!!? The fans are thunderous as Despy hits a LOCO ELBOW!! Cover, ONE as Mao goes Matrix!! The fans are thunderous and Despy is in disbelief! Mao drags Despy around by his hair, Despy flips him off, so Mao PUNTS him in the face! The fans fire up as Mao aims again! Despy sputters but he still rises up. Despy staggers around, turns to face Mao, and Mao SAMURAI- SPEAR!! The fans fire up again as Despy has the arms! FACEBUSTER!! Then he rolls through to bring Mao up again!
PINCHE LOCO!!! The fans are thunderous as Despy crawls to the cover, TWO?!?! Despy is shocked and the fans are electric! Despy stands while Mao sputters, and Despy vows to end this! Underhooks and JAY DRILLER!!! Then he drags Mao back up, for a PINCH- NO, Mao fights the lift! Mao uses whatever he has left in the tank to lift Despy! But Despy fights Mao back down! Mao flails with one free arm! Despy hooks it again but they fight for control! Despy powers up to lock it in! PINCHE LOCO!!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mao earns 0)
These two kindred spirits battled in the longest match of the tournament so far, and perhaps in the wildest match we’ll get all tournament long! And in the end, THE Junior Heavyweight Champion prevails! Will the star of DDT still manage to shine in the latter half of this tournament?
As for Desperado, after catching his breath and standing back up, he’s given the belt and has his hand raised. Then he hurries to get the mic as Mao exits the ring. The fans chant for Mao, and Despy says, “Uh-oh. You just won over some NJPW fans.” The fans applaud, and Despy says, “That was thrilling! Thank you, Mao.” Mao takes a bow then makes his exit to the back. Despy says, “Superstars like that don’t come around so easily. DDT, thank you.” The fans applaud, and Despy says while there are more league matches ahead, he was really looking forward to this one.
Despy also knows the other NJPW wrestlers will continue to go hard at Mao. “I’m worried about whether they can do it. Heads up, I was almost sucked in. That was insane. But that’s what makes him being here worthwhile.” The fans applaud that. Despy continues by saying, “I love Super Juniors more than anything. I’m doing what I can to make this everyone’s favorite series. All the guys are. To borrow a phrase from Hikaru Sato, the juniors will not bow down to the heavyweights.” The fans applaud that, too! Despy says, “People keep yapping about a changing of the guard, age, careers, all that nonsense.
“You think because I have the belt, I’m going to be rushed into the argument? Just get outta my way. Make it happen or don’t. That’s that! New generation? Current generation? Now they’re talking about a super and hyper generation? I’m not really sure, but whatever. Just make it happen. If you don’t win, that’s on you. Laters.” Despy drops the mic having upped the ante, will he prove he’s still THE Best of the Super Juniors?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Kosei Fujita: 3-1, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-1, 6 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie X: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-2, 4 points
Master Wato: 2-2, 4 points
KUSHIDA: 2-2, 4 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-3, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-3, 2 points
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Nick Wayne: 3-1, 6 points
Titan: 3-1, 6 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2, 4 points
MAO: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
YOH: 1-3, 2 points
Taiji Ishimori: 1-3, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 1-3, 2 points
My Thoughts:
Another great round for NJPW, some great surprises to go with it. Wato VS Mack was really fun with the mask gag, and it’s been a minute since Taguchi won with butt antics quite like that. I do wonder if Kushida VS Fujita finish was a botch, though. Fujita kinda sorta kicked out but the cradle stayed put, and the ref tried to say something, but his initial count was what counted. Even so, Kushida winning felt like the right choice anyway, he should stay afloat a bit longer to really up the stakes in A Block. Plus, it works that both guys leading the blocks take their first losses here, as Nick loses to Kevin. With Kevin and Nick both being AEW, maybe this sets up an ROH World TV Championship story when this tournament is over.
And of course, awesome stuff in the last two matches, as usual. Dia getting the win over Hiromu is great stuff for Dia, especially as a Dragon Gate guy. Despy VS Mao going extreme with the DDT Pro plastic tubs was fun, and it was still a great match besides. Despy getting a win works, he needed to get back up after giving out those golden tickets to Taiji and Nick. Despy’s promo was good, just like his previous, and I do appreciate he is kinda daring everyone/anyone/someone to actually prove they’re the next big thing. That kinda adds more to every match he has left in this round robin, especially when facing guys of the younger NJPW classes.
My Score: 9/10
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SmackDown is going big in Bakersfield!
John Cena, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and ALL TWELVE Money in the Bank contenders, all here on the same night! Is SmackDown about to blow the roof off this place?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
- Bakersfield Brawl: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
- LA Knight VS Aleister Black; Knight wins, by disqualification.
- Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer VS Naomi, Roxanne Perez & Giulia; Rhea, Alexa & Vaquer win.
- Andrade & PENTA VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable; Andrade & Penta win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
The Visionary is just one of the six men in this year’s Money in the Bank Ladder match, and he of course has Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & “Big” Bronson Reed with him. The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins revels in it as he stands in the ring in his all indigo suit with gold necklace. The fans also bark for Bron, and others get an “O T C!” chant and a “C M PUNK!” chant going. Rollins is handed the mic by The Wise Man to say, “Bakersfield… I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I am… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” The fans do cheer, and Rollins vows that tomorrow night, HE TAKES EVERYTHING!
Rollins points to the briefcases up above and the fans are torn. Rollins says when he wins the MITB contract, he will have ABSOLUTE POWER, and he will have TOTAL CONTROL over this entire industry! Rollins paces while the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says yeah, no, he can’t hear you. That guy is off on the Island of Irrelevancy where Rollins put him after WrestleMania! But that total control Rollins will have doesn’t just mean Raw. It will include SmackDown, as well! So they are here to deliver a message! Anyone who stands in their way will suffer the same fate as anyone who has already stood in their way.
“Sami Zayn stood in our way. He’s in the dirt. CM Punk stood in our way. POOF! Gone! Roman Reigns stood in our way, and he is Missing In Action. Roman Reigns is not coming to save you. Roman Reigns doesn’t care about you! Roman Reigns has never cared about you! But y’know who has?! You know who has?! SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” The fans are again torn, but Rollins says he will drag all of you, kicking and screaming if he has to, into the future because that is what Rollins does. Not just for himself, not just for his group, but for the entire industry! And there is NOBODY who can stop him!
Wait! Here comes Solo Sikoa and his “family.” The fans actually cheer as Solo, JC Mateo & Jacob Fatu head to the ring. Rollins and his faction stand their ground as Solo grabs a mic and leads the way for his rogues into the ring. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says, “You said that, uh, if anybody gets in your way, that you’re gonna lay ’em out?” Rollins says, “That’s right.” And that there is nobody here to stop him? That’s also right. Well, uh, Solo’s team is standing here right now. Oh, is that so? Solo says by the looks of it, Rollins has his own little “Bloodline” going on. Which one is Bron supposed to be? The Right Hand Man, Jey Uso? “YEET!”
Then does that make Bronson the “Honorary Uce?” After everything they’ve been through… Bronson was on Solo’s side for WarGames! And now, he no calls, then shows up and teams up with this guy? But Rollins even has The Wise Man. Speaking of, long time no see, Heyman. Rollins tells Solo to choose his next words very carefully. Solo laughs that off, and says let’s cut to the chase. All we know is, tomorrow night, Solo climbs the ladder, grabs the contract, and then all that power and control Rollins talked about will all be Solo’s. Rollins laughs that off and says he sees. This is Solo’s turf, he is pushing back.
Is Solo threatened because Bron Breakker is the future of this industry and Solo is not? Is he threatened that Bronson Reed could squash Solo like a bug at the snap of Rollins’ fingers? Well, Solo should be worried. But he should really be worried about the fact that Solo’s own family would rather stab him in the back than have his back. Rollins looks at The Samoan Werewolf, and says, “What’s up, Jacob? You look like you wanna say something. C’mon, take the mic from Solo. You gonna let Solo talk for you?” Solo tells Rollins to shut up. Rollins says Fatu is the werewolf, but there could be a new nickname for him, like “Solo’s B*tch.”
The fans fire up and Rollins says hey, in all seriousness, it took a lot of guts for Solo to come out here and talk to him. Solo is threatened by Rollins, while Rollins is threatened by one Fatu in here, and it ain’t Solo. Rollins smiles, the fans cheer Fatu on, but Solo takes off his jacket. Rollins takes off his jacket, but Bron steps up. So Fatu steps up! The sunglasses come off, but Rollins has Bron stand down. Rollins has his faction leave first, but will all these heavy hitters throw down soon enough?
Wait! Jimmy Uso CLOBBERS JC Mateo into Fatu! #BigJim snuck in from the crowd side! Solo bails but JC takes the SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Rollins chuckles. Solo has Fatu calm down, Jimmy is the issue, not JC! Will JC take Jimmy on a Tour of the Islands? Or will that be a #NoYeet?
JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu VS Jimmy Uso!
SmackDown returns and this match is underway as JC TOSSES Jimmy to a corner! JC mocks the No Yeet before he runs in, but Jimmy dodges! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Jimmy climbs up, the fans fire up, and Jimmy rains down fists! The fans count along, but JC stops Jimmy at 7! JC DUMPS Jimmy to the apron, but Jimmy RAMS and GAMANGIRIS JC! Jimmy goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE!! JC is tougher than that but Jimmy clamps on with a chinlock. JC endures, fights up, and the fans rally. JC slips around, shoves Jimmy, and clinches for an EXPLODER!
The fans rally while both Jimmy and JC catch their breath. JC stands on Jimmy’s hand, then drags him up with a fishhook! JC makes Jimmy look at Solo, Solo says it is not too late. Jimmy can just come back home, unless he wants to get his ass kicked. Jimmy refuses, so JC hits a BIG back suplex! Solo eggs Jimmy on, JC stomps Jimmy, then JC clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally up and Jimmy fights to his feet. Jimmy fires body shots, JC shoves him away, and then JC ELBOWS Jimmy down! JC stalks Jimmy, CHOPS him against the ropes, then CHOPS him again! JC whips, Jimmy grabs ropes, and then Jimmy dodges to TOSS JC!
JC gets up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS him down! The fans fire up, Jimmy builds speed, and Jimmy DIVES! Direct hit into JC and the fans fire up again! Jimmy hurries to get JC up and into the ring. Solo asks Jimmy what’s going on here. They can still be family! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS JC instead! Jimmy goes up but Solo barks at him. The ref reprimands Solo, but JC DROPKICKS Jimmy to the floor! Solo says this is what he’s trying to tell Jimmy, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Jimmy sputters, the ring count climbs, but JC rolls out to fetch Jimmy. JC THROWS Jimmy into barriers! Solo talks trash, JC drags Jimmy up and SMACKS him off the apron. JC pushes Jimmy into the ring, stomps him around, then talks trash on the fans cheering Jimmy on. JC puts Jimmy on the ropes to CHOKE him! Fatu frowns, Solo talks trash, and JC stomps Jimmy again. JC HEADBUTTS Jimmy in the corner, then gets space. JC runs and HIP ATTACKS! Jimmy sputters and flops over, Solo tells him that this can stop, but Jimmy refuses to give up. JC clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jimmy down!
Jimmy endures, fights up, but JC wrangles him back down! JC grinds Jimmy down more, but Jimmy still endures. Jimmy fights up, only for JC to squeeze tighter. Solo talks trash the whole time as Jimmy endures, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally harder and harder as Jimmy stands! Jimmy JAWBREAKERS free! But JC ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Jimmy sputters and scrambles away, but JC smirks as he stalks Jimmy to the ropes. JC CHOKES Jimmy, lets off as the ref counts, and Solo asks again. Jimmy says no, so Solo says Jimmy isn’t done, so JC needs to kick his ass more.
JC puts Jimmy in a corner, UPPERCUTS, and then brings him around to whip corner to corner. Jimmy goes up, over, and then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up as Solo is upset and confused as to how Jimmy has more to give. The fans rally again, and both men stand. Jimmy counter punches! Then HEADBUTTS! Then mule kicks, pops ‘n’ locks and UPPERCUTS! Jimmy dodges a lariat, fireman’s carries again, but JC slips free! JC JABS while Jimmy kicks low! Jimmy rebounds, JC blocks the kick and spins him, but Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS! JC staggers to a corner and Jimmy CHOPS! Jimmy whips corner to corner, JC reverses, but Jimmy ELBOWS JC1
Jimmy goes up, up, and USO IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO!! JC stays in this and Jimmy is stunned! The fans rally more as Jimmy and JC go to corners. Jimmy says, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but JC catches him to a waistlock! Jimmy fires elbows, whips, but JC reverses and reels Jimmy in, ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and Solo says it’s alright. JC whips Jimmy to the corner, runs in, but Jimmy BOOTS JC! And then SUPERKICKS! And then SUPERKICKS again! JC still comes back, but Jimmy dodges to SPEAR! The fans fire up as Jimmy hurries up a corner! Solo distracts from the apron! The fans boo, and now Fatu is up!
Jimmy hops down before Jacob can do anything. They glare at each other, but Jimmy dodges JC! JC CLOBBERS Fatu! Roll-up, JIMMY WINS!!
Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall
#BigJim uses the numbers game against Solo’s side, and now he’s got a win over a former Olympian and multi-time champion from NJPW! JC blames Fatu for this, Fatu doesn’t wanna hear it, and Solo does his best to smooth things over. But will Solo’s team lose all control before he ever becomes a champion?
Zelina Vega crosses paths with Giulia.
The Women’s United States Champion tells the Beautiful Madness that she made her intentions very clear last week. Now allow Zelina to make her intentions very clear: Zelina has worked her ass off to have the title. If Giulia wants her shot, then pry it from her lifeless body. Zelina is not giving this up for anything. Giulia says no, she likes Zelina. Zelina has confidence. Yes, well… La Muneca heads out to handle business with the Green Administration. Will Zelina survive now that Chelsea has gotten rid of the rules? Or will Piper Niven help Madam President Green make SmackDown a hot mess again?
Jacob Fatu returns backstage.
He is in no mood, but Damian Priest walks over anyway. The Archer of Infamy says it’s tough working with family. What Fatu is going through, he’s been there, and he doesn’t envy it. But regardless of the situation, man to man, face to face, Priest wants Fatu to know that at some point, Priest is coming for the US Championship. Fatu says Priest can line it up. Because if Priest doesn’t handle business with Fatu, he’s send to the back of the line with it. YADADA mean? Fatu heads out, when and where will these monstrous men battle it out?
Bakersfield Brawl: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration!
SmackDown returns as the WWE Women’s US Champion makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Piper SHOVES Zelina down, and then grins as she flexes. Zelina brushes that off, resets with Piper, and they tie up again. Piper SHOVES Zelina away and Zelina goes to the outside. Piper salutes but Zelina brings something out from under the ring! Piper storms her way over, and SMACK! Kendo stick! Zelina uses Chelsea’s tricks against her, SMACK and SMACK for Piper! Piper grabs the stick to HEADBUTT Zelina! Piper snarls and storms up to bring Zelina around. Piper scoops, but Zelina slips free!
Zelina has the stick again! SMACK! Zelina then adds a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Piper is tougher than that but she bails out of the ring. The fans rally for Zelina and call for tables. Chelsea says no they don’t! Zelina WRECKS Piper with a dropkick, then DOUBLE STOMPS her down! Zelina hurries to go up the steps, then she FLYING- NO! Piper stops the rana to swing Zelina up and around. ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM on the apron! Zelina sputters, Piper goes up the ramp, and then Piper runs downhill! SPLASH against the LED! The Green Administration is standing tall while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both women are down. Chelsea shouts for Piper to get up so Piper rises. Piper goes to a corner, and she brings a chain over! The fans rally but Piper uses the chain to CHOKE- NO, Zelina blocks the chain, but Piper makes it a GAG! Piper still chokes Zelina, brings her to a corner, and BOOTS her into the buckles! Zelina is in a daze, and Piper teases fans by taking off her suit jacket. Piper throws the jacket aside, grabs a chair, and she sits it up at center. Piper drags Zelina up and over, coops her, and salutes for the FULL METAL- DDT COUNTER!! Zelina turns things around, hurries to cover, but Piper flops right out of the ring!
Chelsea stresses out but Zelina now goes to the apron. Then she climbs up the corner, and she ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Down goes The Green Administration! Zelina hurries back up, but Piper SLAPS her first! Piper has Zelina stuck up top and climbs up to get her. The fans rally, Piper brings Zelina to the top rope, but Zelina fires body shots! Zelina HEADBUTTS again and again, then SMACKS Piper off buckles! Zelina climbs up, and she hops on for the SUPER CODE RED!!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Then Chelsea drags Zelina out! There’s nothing to stop them from mugging Zelina! The fans boo but this is why Chelsea had this match made to start with!
Piper shouts to Alba, “GET THE TABLES!” Alba fetches exactly that and the fans fire up! The table is put in the ring, Piper scoops Zelina, PIPER DRIVER on the floor! Zelina sputters but The Green Administration isn’t done with her! The table is set up near a corner, Piper pushes Zelina in, and Chelsea says the people get what they want! Piper puts Zelina on the table, waves goodbye, then goes up the corner. But wait! GIULIA is here?! She DOUBLE LARIATS Alba & Chelsea! And Zelina gets under Piper! Piper holds on, but Giulia uses a kendo stick to SMACK Piper’s hands! Piper loses her grip, Zelina POWERBOMBS Piper down through the table!! Cover, ZELINA WINS!!
Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall
Giulia grins as she helps Zelina survive. But was this less about helping Zelina so much as helping herself? YEP! She HEADBUTTS Zelina and reels her in! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Giulia is no fool, it is easier to beat a champion who is all alone than one with minions hanging around. Will Giulia soon take all the gold for herself once she becomes Miss Money in the Bank?
Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes meet backstage.
The American Nightmare asks how Main Event Jey is doing. A bit banged up from Monday but he’ll be fine. How about Cody? He looks good. And then Jimmy joins in. They shake hands and Jimmy asks if Jey is okay. Jey says of course! What does everyone keep asking? Jimmy says he has a match tomorrow and a big title match on Monday! They just want to make sure The YEET Man is ready to YEET. Jey says yeah, that’s what champs do. But the only thing they need to worry about tonight is what John Cena & Logan Paul are gonna say. After that, they handle tomorrow. YEET? YEET! Jey heads out, but will he and Cody handle business? Or will they get handled instead?
Aleister Black speaks.
“No. I can’t let it go. Initially, I had convinced myself that someone of your standing, someone that’s so loved by the WWE Universe, using the Black Mass was almost respectful. And in a weird way I almost respect it, but the longer I think about it, the more I think that you stole something from me. And that does not sit well with me. It’s funny what the human mind can do. But now, I wanna take away all this security that you had in that match. No Shinsuke Nakamura, no relaxed rules. Just you, and me. And all the shadows that are there. And I will drag you into the light, and see what’s left of you.
“But if you beat me, LA Knight, I will look you in the eyes, I will shake your hand, and I will accept defeat.” The Dark Father wants the Mega Star to earn his respect, can he do it?
LA Knight VS Aleister Black!
SmackDown returns as Knight makes his entrance, and he grabs a mic. “LEMME TALK TO YA! It’s that time of the year again. Yeah.” “YEAH!” “It’s MITB season!” “YEAH!” “And I think about it, and you do a little bit o’ math here, yeah.” “YEAH!” “This is my third year in a row being in MITB.” “YEAH!” “What’s that, sir? You said third time’s the charm?” “YEAH!” “Whatcha think, third time’s the charm?” “YEAH!” Knight ain’t satisfied with that. He looks at five guys running out here, like Penta. We like Penta, right? He’ll do everything under the sun to try and reach up and grab that case. “YEAH!”
There’s Andrade. They like him a bit, right? Another guy who’s gonna do every possible thing he can to get up there. Well, everyone’s gonna do everything they can, but those guys take it to another level. But those guys, we respect them a little bit, but then we get to the “Goons.” Then we get to… El Grande Americano Chad Gable. The fans are torn and Knight asks him which is it? Do we like him or not? The fans are still conflicted, but Knight says dummy number two is Solo Sikoa. Everyone hates him! Knight feels the same! And Solo, they’ve done this a million times, and Knight can drop him on his head one more time to climb up the ladder and take the briefcase.
But then there’s dummy number three. Knight thinks about a men he hasn’t really had interactions with, a man who has gotten crewed up and that is Seth Rollins. The fans are torn again, but Knight says Rollins has been here, done that, had the case and cashed in. He wants to #BurnItDown! But Rollins has to understand that there is nothing hotter than a night in LA with LA Knight, YEAH! And what that means Rollins won’t be burning anything done, ROLLINS gets burned down by this man, YEAH! Before that, we have tonight, Aleister Black. Aleister had a shot, and Knight understands. This is a big deal! MITB is a big deal!
MITB can make or break careers, so Knight gets why Aleister’s feelings got hurt when Knight “stole” the win. But it was a Triple Threat, Knight had to do what he had to do and got the job done. If that hurt Aleister’s feeling, sorry. But now he’s set himself up to get those feelings hurt one more time, YEAH! And you know that coming into California, Bakersfield, Aleister will be home on Saturday watching whose game this is, with everybody saying L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!! But then Aleister makes his entrance. Will the Mega Star still shine? Or is he about to #FadeToBlack? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns and the bell rings. The two circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Knight headlocks, Aleister powers up and out, then Aleister drops down and hurdles over. Knight stops and waistlocks, Aleister switches, and they go to ropes. Knight bucks the O’Conner, but runs up into a victory roll! TWO, the two stand, and Knight avoids a boot to flip and sunset! TWO, and Knight blocks a shot, only for Aleister to stop the BFT! Knight comes back, but narrowly avoids the Black Mass! The fans cheer the standoff as the two reset. The two circle again, tie up, and they go around. They end up on the ropes, in a corner, then the ropes again.
The fans cheer as they go around and around and make a full lap! And then they keep going! They finally stay in a corner, the ref counts, and Knight slowly lets off. Aleister shoves, Knight shoves, and Aleister hits a headlock takeover. Aleister grinds Knight down but Knight fights up. The fans rally, Knight stands up and fires body shots. Knight powers up and out, then he CLOBBERS Aleister! The fans rally, Knight stomps Aleister, and then stalks him. Knight brings Aleister up, snap suplexes, then covers, ONE!! Aleister is tougher than that but the fans rally. Knight brings Aleister up, bumps him off buckles, and RAMS into Aleister!
The ref counts as Knight RAMS Aleister again and again. Knight whips corner to corner, Aleister KICKS him in return! Aleister waistlocks, Knight elbows free, kicks, but Aleister denies the DDET! Knight UP KICKS, but then Aleister ROUND KICKS! Aleister runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while both men catch their breath. Knight storms up on Aleister, drags him up, but Aleister JAWBREAKERS! Knight scoops, Aleister lands out, they throw hands, and Aleister shoves Knight to a corner. Knight kicks but Aleister blocks to JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but he might be seeing stars.
Aleister stalks Knight, brings him around, and KICKS him against ropes! Knight goes to a corner, Aleister BOOTS him, and Aleister fires forearms. Aleister brings Knight in for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Aleister stays on him. Knight fires hands, Aleister fires a strike fest! LEG SWEEP! Aleister runs to SLIDING KNEE! Aleister handsprings, goes up, but Knight LRAIATS Aleister and himself up and out! The fans fire up while both men are down, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Aleister FLYING SUNSET FLIPS, but Knight rolls through! Aleister avoids the boot, kips up and BOOTS back! Then QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and Aleister is stunned! Aleister waits on Knight while the fans declare, “This is Awesome!” Aleister aims, Knght ducks the Black Mass, but Aleister denies the BFT! Knight dodges Aleister to hit the JUMPING NECKBREAKER! POP-UP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Knight climbs, then spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP, but Knight blocks the boot! Knight rolls Aleister to his feet, spins him around, and tortuer racks!
The fans fire up for Knights’ BURNING- NO, Aleister lands out! Knight narrowly deflects the boot to roll Aleister up! TWO, and both men hurry to their feet! Knight shoves, Aleister fires a haymaker, Knight fires back, and they go back and forth with fists! Aleister BOOTS Knight’s lariat, fires more strikes, but Knight shoves him away again. The BOOT hits on the return, then Aleister goes up again! But Knight turns it into a torture rack! BURNING HAMMER!! But Aleister flops out of the ring! The fans fire up, but wait! SETH ROLLINS CURB STOMPS KNIGHT!!
Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification
The Visionary must’ve heard Knight mention him, and so “dummy number three” just gave Knight his first interaction! The fans chant for Punk, but Aleister steps in Rollins’ way instead! The fans fire up for that stare down, but then here comes Bron Breakker!! SPEAR on Aleister!! Rollins TOSSES Aleister out, and then a SENTON from Bronson Reed onto Knight! The fans boo but Bron builds up speed to SPEAR Knight!! Rollins tells Knight this is what he was talking about! You stand in Rollins’ way, you don’t stay standing! Will Rollins bring his behemoths with him to absolutely bulldoze the ladder match?
Nick Aldis & Adam Pearce speak.
The SmackDown General Manager says, “In the WWE, things tend to move fast. This week, we’re climbing the ladder at Money in the Bank, and next week, we’re kicking off the King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments.” The Raw General Manager says, “This year, it’s bigger than ever. The tournament begins with four Fatal 4 Way matches in the men’s and women’s divisions, and the winners advance.” Aldis says from there, it is a co-branded single elimination tournament with the semifinals and finals. Those finals take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions. And the stakes could not be higher!
The King and Queen of the Rings get title matches on their respective brands for the biggest show of the summer, SummerSlam! Aldis & Pearce wish everyone luck, and may the best man and woman win. With so many spots open, who gets in, and who makes it to the Night of Champions?
Backstage interview with Jade Cargill.
Byron Saxton is with The Storm, and knows that while she would’ve loved to been in MITB, how good does it feel to know she is in the Queen of Ring? Jade says it feels great. She understands she won’t have the chance to climb the ladder and grab the briefcase, but she’ll keep climbing the ranks. She is The Storm, she is in that tournament, and when the dust settles, she will be Queen of the Ring. Then at SummerSlam, she won’t ask for a belt, she’ll take it. On a different note, we saw Bianca Belair refuse to forgive Naomi, but where do things stand between Biansa and Jade? Well, Charlotte Flair walks in and tells Jade as a reminder: Salt and sugar look the same.
That is to say, choose your friends wisely, or don’t have any at all. And as for QOTR, Jade will need a prayer to win. There is only ONE Queen in the WWE. But then Tiffany Stratton walks by and tells them both good luck with that. The WWE Women’s Champion heads to gorilla, what will she have to say the night before a new Miss MITB is crowned?
Legado Del Fantasma meets.
Santos Escobar is in a good mood, but Berto asks him why he brought them here. Santos says, “Family.” After the meeting they had, they agreed they were going to compete at Worlds Collide. And now, Santos has a plan. It is very simple: Worlds Collide, they will prove once and for all, they will establish, before their people, before their country, and before the world, just who owns lucha libre. Want a scoop? It’s Legado taking on Psycho Clown, Pagano and “the one who will always live in the shadow of his father,” El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr, aka Dr. Wagner the Third. They will remove the heart and soul of AAA!
So pay close attention to Santos, because he knows they have the tools to win. That is how it is. They will establish themselves as the ones who own lucha libre. And it only takes two words: Legado y Familia! But will Santos, Angel y Berto truly make themselves the three kings of lucha libre? Or will they be the ones to fall when Worlds Collide?
Backstage interview with American Made.
Byron is now with the Creed Brothers & Chad Gable, and Byron says it is a big day tomorrow for Chad as he challenges El Hijo Del Vikingo for THE AAA Mega Championship. How confident is he going into that match? Oh, confidence is high. He is a bit disappointed he didn’t qualify for MITB, but the WWE found a “suitable replacement” for him in the greatest luchador of all time, El Grande Americano! As for Gable, he will put himself in the history books when he beats Vikingo and win the most prestigious title in all of lucha libre! But then in walks Andrade. El Idolo says in Espanol that Gable wants to beat Vikingo. Gable says, “Si.”
Andrade points out something about Vikingo and Gable keeps saying, “Si,” but Andrade asks, “Si to what?” But then in steps Penta! Penta and Andrade both talk in Espanol that Gable is crazy. Gable says enough! It’s not funny to use Espanol on him! And it won’t be funny when El Grande Americano puts them both through ladders tomorrow! The Creeds agree, but then Aldis steps in. Aldis has everyone stand down. There’s enough going on tonight, so settle this in the ring, tonight. Andrade y Penta are up for that. Will the luchadores put Julius & Brutus in their place? Or will the SmackDown before MITB be American Made?
Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring.
The fans cheer as the WWE Women’s Champion struts out here, then grabs a mic before stepping in the ring. The fans cheer more, Tiff soaks it up, and she says, “Let’s call it for what it is, shall we? Last year, I didn’t just become the youngest Miss MITB. I became the It Girl of WWE, which is why I can see it now. Every single lady in that match is gonna try and pull a Tiffy and pull someone off a ladder, and then reach for the stars. I mean, we can all agree that every single lady in that match is championship material, right?” The fans do cheer that. Tiff says it doesn’t matter, because whoever wins MITB, their world will revolve around Tiff.
“So, ladies, you can win the match, you can trend for one night, but I fear no one can outdo the doer. Because, Bakersfield, what time is it?” “TIFFY TIME!” But then RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here and the fans fire up for Mami! Rhea joins Tiff in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and the fans cheer on “MAMI! MAMI!” Rhea smiles and says, “Y’know, Tiffy, I’ve never actually been a part of the MITB ladder match before, because the fact is, I never had to.” The fans cheer that. Rhea says she doesn’t know what it feels like to win the contract like Tiff does, but Rhea knows what it feels like to be a champion. And Rhea misses that feeling.
But wait! Here comes La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer! The fans fire up as another of the Miss MITB contenders makes her entrance, followed by Alexa Bliss! And with that signals tonight’s Six Woman Tag! Will the dark, twisted, brutal trio of Vaquer, Bliss & Ripley stand tall just 24 hours before they make the climb? Or will Naomi, Roxie & Giulia make them #ProceedWithCaution?
Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer VS Naomi, Roxanne Perez & Giulia!
SmackDown returns and Naomi makes her entrance, followed by Roxie’s entrance, then Giulia’s. The teams sort out and Vaquer starts against Giulia. The fans fire up for this NXT rivalry revisited. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Vaquer stands on Giulia’s hand to then turn her around. Giulia endures the standing motorcycle stretch, then turns it around so she can KNEE Giulia low. Giulia swings, Vaquer ducks and whips, then blows past to slip around and arm-drag! Giulia is up, Vaquer wheelbarrows and sunsets, but Giulia rebounds off ropes to sunset back! ONE, Vaquer has it! ONE and Giulia has it back! They go back and forth, then break!
Vaquer slips around, drags Giulia down, turns her over, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! ONE, and Giulia runs up, but into a SOBAT! Vaquer snapmares Giulia, then smiles. The fans fire up as Vaquer wraps on the headscissors, but Giulia pops out the back! Giulia ties up the legs, pulls on the arms, ANGELITO STOMP! Cover, TWO! Giulia tags Naomi and she SLIDING LARIATS! Naomi says she’s gonna do it now, and she wraps Vaquer up in headscissors! The fans are torn but Vaquer turns it around to push back for a cover, TWO! Vaquer goes up and over, and now she has the headscissors! But then Roxie & Giulia run in!
Alexa & Rhea intercept, STO for Roxie and an atomic FACEBUSTER for Giulia! The fans fire up as Alexa has Roxie at the ropes and Rhea rear mounts Giulia! Vaquer turns Naomi over, and together, “AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH!” Vaquer gives Naomi DEVIL’S KISSES, Alexa’s SKATEBOARD STOMPS Roxie, and Rhea just ground ‘n’ pounds Giulia! The fans cheer as Vaquer, Rhea & Alexa stand tall while the others regroup. Vaquer chases after Naomi, puts her in the ring, but then Naomi YANKS her into ropes! The fans boo but Naomi bumps Vaquer off buckles. Naomi stomps a mudhole in but the ref counts.
Naomi steps off, but this lets Roxie & Giulia CHOKE Vaquer! The fans boo, Naomi storms over and tags in Roxie. They mug Vaquer, then Roxie digs her boots in. The ref counts, Roxie steps off and DOUBLE STOMPS! Roxie shoves Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Roxie whips Vaquer to the corner, UPPERCUTS, then tags Giulia. They mug Vaquer, then Giulia snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Naomi and she keeps Vaquer from her corner. The fans chant, “We Want Mami!” but Naomi CLUBS and KNEES Vaquer down! Naomi swings on Rhea, misses, then goes back to Vaquer. Naomi back suplexes, Vaquer lands out! Hot tag to Alexa!
The fans fire up for Alexa as she rallies on Naomi, BLASTS Giulia & Roxie, then CLOBBERS Naomi! BASEMENT DDT! Alexa drags Naomi up, but Naomi headlocks. Alexa slips out so the corner bulldog just sends Naomi into buckles! Alexa storms up, Naomi ELBOWS her away, tag to Roxie! Alexa DECKS Roxie, SLAMS Naomi, then Alexa runs to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Alexa goes out to the apron, CANNONBALL onto Giulia & Naomi! But Roxie RAMS Alexa into the steel steps! Roxie says that is why SHE is the Prodigy! The fans boo, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Roxie drags Alexa up and into the ring, then storms up on her. Roxie SMACKS Alexa off the mat, then taunts Rhea by holding out Alexa’s hand. Roxie wrenches Alexa to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie is annoyed but she keeps Alexa down. Roxie drags Alexa over, tags Giulia, and they mug Alexa with a CHOP! Giulia drags Alexa around, bumps her off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Alexa hobbles, Giulia runs up and SHOTGUNS her down! Cover, TWO! Giulia goes up the corner, aims, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Giulia tags Naomi and she runs to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Naomi stays on Alexa with a facelock.
Alexa fights back with body shots, but Naomi suplexes. Alexa fights that to a cradle, TWO! Naomi PENALTY KICKS Alexa down! Naomi soaks up the heat, stalks Alexa to the ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref counts, Giulia adds on, but they both stop at 4. Naomi puts Alexa in the corner, fires body shots, then tags Roxie. The mugging continues as they stomp a mudhole into Alexa! The ref reprimands and counts, the stomping stops, and Roxie brings Alexa up. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Roxie drags Alexa away from her corner, tags Naomi, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Naomi bumps Alexa off buckles, then stomps and KICKS her!
Naomi digs her boot in, the ref counts, but Naomi steps off at 4. The fans rally, “We Want Mami!” but Naomi runs up. Alexa drop toeholds Naomi into buckles! Alexa crawls, but Naomi hurries to ROUNDHOUSE Vaquer! Naomi picks Alexa up, but Alexa fights and DDTS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Hot tags to Roxie and Rhea! The fans are thunderous as Rhea rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! Giulia runs up, Rhea dodges to BOOT! Roxie runs up, but Rhea scoops her! FALL AWAY SLAM! Roxie tumbles away, Rhea DROPKICKS Naomi off the apron for good measure! Rhea then drags Roxie up but Roxie JAWBREAKERS!
Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirls, and RUSSIAN- NO, Rhea blocks that, and grins as she ripcords and HOOK KICKS! Then a gut wrench for the Canadian Rack! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Roxie flounders, Rhea basement DROPKICKS! Cover, Naomi breaks it! Vaquer DROPKICKS Naomi! Giulia KNEES Vaquer! Alexa clinches Giulia, TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! Roxie ENZIGIRIS Alexa! Rhea HEADBUTTS Roxie! Rhea pump handles, RIP- DDT from Roxie!! All six women are down and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Rhea and Roxie stir while their teams regroup. Roxie reaches out to Naomi, but then Naomi leaves her hanging!
The fans boo but Naomi knows MITB is what matters, and that is every woman for herself. Giulia has also disappeared, so Roxie is all alone! Alexa ROCKS Roxie with a right! Vaquer wrenches Roxie for SOLE FOOD! Rhea pump handles for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea’s team wins!
Winners: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall
The spookier team sticks together, and now they’re all rolling into MITB with momentum! But will it be one of these three that takes the briefcase home? Or did Naomi make the smart play?
Solo talks with JC Mateo backstage.
Solo is confident that he’ll win MITB, so long as he has JC and Fatu. JC asks if Solo really trusts Fatu after tonight. Solo says yeah, it’s okay! So long as Fatu follows Solo’s lead, it will all be okay. But will Fatu really follow Solo? Solo tells JC, “My man, you worry too much.” Solo brought Fatu in, Fatu loves Solo, and the thing about Fatu is… He’s not all that smart, y’know? All that man does is think about himself. He is all gas, no brains. Solo laughs at his own joke, and says they just gotta handle business. They leave, but Fatu was around the corner! The Samoan Werewolf heard all of that. Is Solo the one with no brains? Will he also be the one with no contract?
The Wyatt Sick6 speak.
Bo Dallas’ video interrupts Sign of the Night time so he can say, “Grief is not linear. It is not healed by time. It is a festering wound that is continually being ripped open by an echo of a presence that is no more. You don’t forget. You can only accept that which cannot be changed.” The video fuses images of Bo and Bray, and Bo says that he has watched the SmackDown Tag Division. “The loyalty. The trust. The brotherhood. But is that bond unbreakable? From our loss, we have become a family. A ship unshaken by the storm. And yet again, they wanted to forget about us. Like we were never even here. Ignoring the sacrifices.
“Dying to the flesh to become one, we return. Not for nostalgia. Not for closure. But to rip open the wound of apathy and take what we are owed. Your brotherhood will be tested. The time for repentance has passed. Accept your condemnation. We will not be forgotten.”
The SmackDown Tag Division finishes watching this.
And from DIY to MCMG to Fraxiom to the Street Profits, and even GM Aldis, everyone is worried. Gargano says that’s not good. Ciampa says as “the two guys who built this division,” which makes everyone groan, Ciampa says there is no reason for DIY to take the fall! So come clean! Who provoked the Wyatts? Gargano immediately accuses Angelo Dawkins! Montez Ford says hey, look, they’re obviously all afraid. Fraxiom, you’re not fine! Motor City, bring the guns! And DIY, you can’t do this yourselves! But let’s forget about the tag titles for just one second. They have a bigger problem on their hands and that is Wyatt Sick6.
Dawkins says they didn’t get where they are by being scared. If the Wyatts want the smoke, they can get it. Unless y’all forgot that the Profits are the real Bogeymen around here. Ooga booga! The Profits head out, Frazer says there’s no forgetting about the tag titles. But admittedly, the Wyatts do mean business. But they cost Fraxiom, so if Frazer sees Uncle Howdy…! Axiom has Frazer calm down. But yes, Frazer is right. Fraxiom is undefeated, so they will teach the Wyatts what’s what! DIY loves that idea! Go get ’em! MCMG says of course DIY second someone else handling this. MCMG says DIY will get what’s coming to them.
But for now, MCMG will put that on the backburner to get after the Wyatts. Let’s not forget who the veterans are around here, and that’s MCMG. They set the standard, so they’ll bring the fight to the Wyatts. Gargano says another brilliant idea! DIY says they can do that. Aldis, make it so those three teams fight the Wyatts. Aldis says yes, thank you for the input. DIY heads out, and Aldis certainly has a mess to sort out. Who will survive the Wyatts coming for it all? And will the tag titles go along with that?
Andrade & PENTA VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable!
El Idolo and the Man with No Fear know that whether or not El Grande Americano is really Chad Gable under that mask, Chad Gable definitely doesn’t stand a chance against El Hijo Del Vikingo. But can Andrade y Penta build momentum going into the ladder match together? Or will Julius & Brutus do Chad’s- Er, El Grande’s dirty work for him?
SmackDown returns as Andrade makes his entrance. Then American Made makes their entrance, and the fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Andrade y Penta DOUBLE FLY out onto the Creeds! The fans fire up, Andrade fires off on Brutus with forearms while Penta POSTS Julius! Penta THROWS Julius into barriers, Andrade puts Brutus in the ring, and the fans cheer for “Cero Miedo!” Penta revels in that, and Andrade starts against Brutus. The bell rings, Brutus runs up, and Andrade drop toeholds Brutus into buckles! Juius rushes in but Andrade dodges to CLOBBER him with forearms! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies them with “SI! SI! SI!”
Andrade CHOPS Brutus, then runs at Julius, CIEN KNEES! Then CIEN KNEES for Brutus! The fans join in for a “CERO! MIEDO!” Andrade tags Penta, he runs up to headstand and DROPKICK on Julius! Then a headstand and DROPKICK for Brutus! Penta swaggers, but Julius waistlocks! Penta fires off hands, then a CHOP! And another CHOP! And another CHOP! Penta CLUBS Julius, Brutus CLUBS Penta! Brutus snarls, ROCKS Penta, then he tags Julius. The Creeds drag Penta up, but Penta CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Penta CHOPS away on Brutus, then has him on the ropes for a CHOP!
The ref reprimands, Penta whips, but Brutus reverses. Penta KICKS Brutus, then he catches Julius as he runs in! Penta waistlocks Julius and tags Andrade, Andrade GAMANGIRIS! Julius falls, Andrade climbs, but Brutus rushes up! Andrade ROCKS Brutus, Brutus drops down, but he’s a step for Julius to FLYING KNEE! Andrade flops on the top rope, and Julius GUT WRENCH PLEXES him away! The straps come down, the fans boo, but Julius clinches for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Julius kips up, tags Brutus, and Brutus STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE, but Gable is still pleased as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Brutus stalks Andrade to the apron, drags him up and bends him against the ropes! The ref counts, Brutus lets go at 4, and Andrade flops over. Brutus stomps Andrade, digs his boot into Andrade’s neck, then steps off at 4. Tag to Julius and he drags Andrade around. The Creeds KNEE Andrade back and forth, then Julius sucker punches Penta! The ref reprimands but Julius goes back to Andrade. Andrade JAWBREAKERS free! Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Julius trips Andrade onto the ropes! Julius CHOKES Andrade, steps off at 4, then paces around. Julius drags Andrade up to RAM him into the corner!
Tag to Brutus and he runs up to BRUTUS BALL in the corner! Snapmare and a tag to Julius for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Julius drags Andrade into a chinlock, tags Brutus, and the Creeds mug Andrade. Brutus drags Andrade up to ROCK him with a forearm! And another! And then Brutus TACKLES Andrade so he can SMASH! Brutus stalks Andrade to a corner, eggs him on, and then drags him away from the corner to HAMMER him down! Brutus soaks up the heat, then eggs Andrade on. Andrade sits up, and Brutus clamps on a chinlock. Brutus grinds Andrade back down, thrashes him around, but Andrade fights up.
Brutus smothers Andrade as SmackDown returns to single picture. Andrade fights up again as the fans rally, but Brutus back suplexes, only for Andrade to CROSSBODY! Both men are down, Julius tags in and jumps on a leg! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tag to Penta! Penta goes up and CROSSBODIES Julius! Penta keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! Julius tumbles around, Penta KICKS him in the leg! Penta whips, Julius reverses, but Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, Brutus breaks it! Brutus whips, Penta reverses and out goes Brutus! SUPERKICK for Julius! The fans fire up, but Gable drags Julius to safety!
Andrade protests but the ref keeps Andrade back. Penta storms upon Gable, but Gable grabs at the mask! The fans boo, but EL HIJO DE VIKINGO jumps the railing! Vikingo YANKS Gable down and throws hands! The fans fire up, but Gable knees Vikingo low! Gable whips, Vikingo reverses and he TOSSES Gable over barriers! Vikingo pursues, they brawl more, but Julius rolls Penta up! TWO, and Penta SUPERKICKS! Brutus is in, Andrade SHADOW ELBOWS him! Penta goes up, the ref is busy with Brutus, so Andrade SHADOW ELBOWS Julius! Penta adds a FLYING DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta y Andrade win!
Winners: Andrade & Penta, by pinfall
El Idolo and Penta celebrate together, but wait! Here comes Seth Rollins! He attacked LA Knight just for being in MITB, now he looks to do the same to these two. Penta & Andrade don’t back down, even as Bron & Bronson flank the ring. The fans boo this 3v2 scenario, but the fight is on! Rollins & Bron mug Andrade while Bronson CLOBBERS Penta! The fans chant for Punk, but Rollins sets Andrade up for Bron’s SPEAR!! Bronson scoops Penta to SLAM him, then SENTON him! CURB STOMP for Andrade!! CURB STOMP for Penta!! The fans boo as Rollins has his behemoths drag Penta to a drop zone!
Rollins TOSSES Andrade, Bronson goes up, TSUNAMI!! The producers and refs can’t get in the ring with Bron barking at them, and whatever fines Rollins faces don’t matter with how close he is to having all the power in WWE! Can no one stop the Visionary from taking over the future of the industry?
SmackDown returns and…
Rollins’ crew is still in the ring. Heyman now has the mic to say, “Yea, though we walk through the sold-out hellhole of Bakers b*tches, we fear not the future! Because ladies and gentlemen, like it or not, we ARE the future!” The fans boo but Heyman says he doesn’t understand why they would! Seth Rollins told you even before WrestleMania what this industry was becoming. He told you all what would happen at Mania, and it happened! Rollins told you all they would get Roman Reigns out of the way, and they did! Rollins told you all they would put CM Punk out of Heyman’s misery, and they did!
Don’t they get that whatever Rollins tells them becomes true? Don’t they understand that Rollins is the vanguard of the future of this industry? That this group is the vanguard of the destiny of the WWE!? The fans still boo, and Heyman says they can sit there and boo all they want. “Tomorrow night, Seth Freakin’ Rollins becomes, once again, Mr. Money in the Bank!” The fans boo even more, but Heyman says then, once Rollins does that, at his leisure, at his discretion, when he damn well feels like it, it will be who, what, where, and when! We all know the why! The why is to solidify the POWER that comes with the title!
“And Seth Freakin’ Rollins will then propel this entire industry into a future that is a vision all of his own!” As for Heyman, the greatest honor of his professional and personal life is when he gets to stand here, in this ring, and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the REIGNING! DEFENDING! UNDI-” Wait! Cody Rhodes makes his way out here! The fans fire up and sing along with the American Nightmare’s song, and he still gets the “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. Cody high-fives fans as he goes down the ramp and to the ring. Rollins has Bron & Bronson calm down, even as Cody steps inside. Cody looks at the four, then stares Rollins down.
But now we’re joined by Jey Uso! The fans fire up as Jey makes his way out from the concourse and down through the stands! Jey even gets a little girl to join in on the YEET! Rollins has his faction follow him away again, letting Cody and the World Heavyweight Champion have the ring. Cody & Jey will have one last face-to-face with John Cena & Logan Paul, but can they keep it civil? Or will it pop off 24 hours before MITB? We find out, after the break.
SmackDown returns once more…
Cody & Jey revel in the cheers, and Cody has the mic to say, “So, Bakersfield… Whaddya wanna talk about? Talk about MITB?” “YEET!” “Talk about the Intuit Dome?” “YEET!” “Talk about Main Event Jey Uso!” “YEET!” “Talk about our opponents, John Cena…” The fans boo that name. “And his tag team partner, Logan Paul…!” The fans definitely boo that name. Cody says okay, well, what’d they say last week? Cena was rather aggressive, saying Cody tries too hard. The fans already duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cody says Cena called Cody desperate, which was bold coming from Cena. Cena danced his way onto a livestream all, “How do you do, fellow kids?”
We saw Cena kick some man in a nuts, then begging for forgiveness online. Seeing Cena in the ring with Logan in 2025, that was like if Michael PS Hayes was in the ring with the Hardy Boys. Let’s talk about desperate! Desperate is WrestleMania 41, throwing away 20 YEARS of good will so that he could have a record-setting title reign. Tomorrow isn’t about the World Heavyweight Championship, it isn’t about the Undisputed WWE Championship, it is a showdown. What would Jey call that? Jey calls that a YEET DOWN! One time for the one time: Four letters, one word! UH UH, YEET!! But wait! Here comes John Cena!
The fans erupt with “JOHN CENA SUCKS~! JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as Cena makes his entrance in his Lakers inspired merch for Los Angeles. Cena steps into the ring, has them cut his music, and he looks at the crowd as they duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena of course makes the announcer give him the proper introduction: The Greatest of All Time, the Never-Seen Seventeen, gracing Bakersfield with his presence one last time, he is the Last Real Champion, JOOOOOHN~! CENAAA~! And then LOGAN PAUL slides in! ONE LUCKY PUNCH on Jey!! Then he tries it on Cody, but Cody grabs him for a dragon sleeper!
But Cena BELT SHOTS Cody before he can hit Cross Rhodes! The fans boo but Cena drags Jey up for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cena lets Logan get Cody with the PAULVERIZER! Cena then sets Cody up in the drop zone for Logan as he climbs. Logan hits the FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH! Cena now sets Jey up and Logan goes back up, FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! The fans boo as Cena kicks Cody & Jey out of the ring, and then gets himself a mic. Logan picks up the World Heavyweight Championship while Cena says, “Take a good look. NO ONE is coming to save you. I’ve been telling you this for a half of a year! YOUR DREAM of what the WWE is… will be RUINED!
“THIS is your future! I take this home! He takes that to the top!” They raise their belts up, and Cena says he is the Last Real Champion while Logan is the Moment Maker, the One of One, the Inevitable Future Face of the WWE! “Bakersfield, humble yourselves for the humblest! The future World Heavyweight Champion, Logan Paul!” The fans boo as they both hold up the belts again, then set them down. The fans chant “Logan Sucks! Logan Sucks!” Cena and Logan go outside to grab Cody and Jey and put them back in the ring! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT for Cody! Logan lines up a shot, ONE LUCKY PUNCH for Jey!!
The fans boo, chant “We Want Truth!” but Cena says, “You Can’t Handle the Truth!!” Cena says if you want their truth, their truth is right here, staring them in the face! And there is not a damn thing the fans or anyone that fights for the fans can do about it! “You hypocrites chant for Truth. You are all pathetic LIARS!” The fans still chant “We Want Truth!” but Cena says, “This is why you’re losers. Take a good look, because it’s my last time here in Bakersfield. And remember these words: Winners write the history books! Ladies and gentlemen, your future champion, and the Last Real Champion!”
The two raise the belts up again as the fans boo, but is this really going to be the future of the WWE? Or can someone, anyone, stop it all from happening?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown as the go-home to both MITB and Worlds Collide. Though, the most Legado could do for their Six Man Tag was have a promo that didn’t really add much, and Santos kinda repeated himself a bit. There’s also the Six Man Tag of Aerostar, Octagon Jr. & Mr. Iguana VS Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro and apparently now Lince Dorado to sub in for Joaquin Wilde. One Six Man Tag surely goes to WWE and the other to AAA, I’m just not sure which one. We did get a bit more Gable VS Vikingo with Vikingo help Penta & Andrade in the main event, but I don’t know how that math works. As wild as it would be, I really don’t think Gable should win the AAA Mega Champion.
Especially if El Grande Americano has the potential to win MITB. While we all know Gable and Grande are one in the same, Grande didn’t show up tonight, so he was safe from the go-home math that happened tonight. Seth Rollins and his faction of course ran roughshod over SmackDown tonight, but I liked the opening promo of Rollins’ faction being confronted by Solo’s. Great bit bringing Jimmy Uso out, but it’s kinda funny Fatu and JC each fell for the “He bumped into me!” misunderstanding. Great win for Jimmy from this, and Solo’s promo later definitely puts the final nail in the coffin for him, Fatu is going to screw Solo over at MITB.
Aleister and LA Knight each had good promos before their match, which was a little rough in the middle but still really good. Rollins of course ruins that match to weaken Knight, but what a great stare down of Aleister and Rollins. As it stands, that won’t be a feud, unless the WWE Draft still happens and moves Aleister (and Zelina) over to Raw. And back to that main event match, of course Rollins and his crew blew that great match up, too. All this math is adding up to Rollins losing, because chances are, CM Punk does show up to screw him over. And so, if it isn’t Grande, I feel like Knight benefits from that since he was the first to take a stomp from Rollins.
Great stuff in the Women’s MITB build, with Tiffany’s promo calling out all six contenders cuing up the six contenders making their entrances for the Six Woman Tag. Awesome match, and great win for the Faces with Naomi (and Giulia more quietly) leaving Roxie alone. Good promo from Zelina with Giulia, and great Bakersfield Brawl. I like that Giulia suckered Zelina in with the assist, because it really is as I said: Better to challenge a champion with no obvious allies than the one with sidekicks. Plus, Chelsea Green can finally move up to the top title with someone else challenging Zelina for the Women’s US Championship. Chelsea and Tiffany interacting while Tiff worries about Miss MITB will be some really fun stuff.
Giulia going right for Zelina takes her out of the running, the Faces did that tonight with their win, and even without the math, Naomi is perhaps the perfect choice for Miss MITB. She has her beef with Tiffany, but also with Jade and Bianca, meaning one or both won’t let Naomi get a clean cash-in. Good promo from Jade and Charlotte to help add to the hype of the King & Queen of the Ring news. Four Fatal 4 Ways makes things happen much faster, but it adds up to the same: eight people from each brand fighting to be in the semifinals and so on, can’t wait to see who else gets in.
Great promo from Bo Dallas, and great response from the teams of SmackDown. DIY play the perfect Heels in this letting the Faces handle the spooky, scary tweeners the Wyatts are, and we will definitely get great stuff out of the different tag matches. And of course, great final faceoff from Cody, Jey, Cena & Logan. In fact, it was very clever for Cena to take all that attention so Logan could get the drop on Jey & Cody. Cena had a very good promo, and he very cleverly touched upon the #WeWantTruth campaign with it. But this obviously has to mean Cena & Logan lose, helping set up Cena VS Cody the rematch for SummerSlam, even with the big Atlanta weekend coming up.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Who will stand atop Evolve as THE champion?
Jackson Drake, Keanu Carver, Edris Enofe or Sean Legacy. After tonight, only one will be known as the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright; Jin wins.
- WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake; Drake wins and is the inaugural WWE Evolve Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kali Armstrong is here!
The fans cheer the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Women’s Champion as she goes to the ring, mic in her hand and belt on her shoulder. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and Kali says, “Oh yeeeeeah! I told y’all! The first-ever Evolve Women’s Champion, Kali Armstrong. Hey, I like the way that sounds. How ’bout y’all? You like the way that sounds?” The fans cheer, and Kali says she did what she said she was gonna do. She has been here for a year and a half, and this is what she’s on. They say it gets harder from here, but that’s fine. She ain’t ducking any of these chicks!
Kali is ready to go at it with each and every one of them, so that when she gets to NXT, they’ll know who the Difference Maker is. She is at the top of the Evolve Women’s Division, so she wants to know: Who is her first challenger? And out walks Zayda Steel. She tells Kali that seriously, she wants to be the first to congratulate the first-ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion! Give it up for Kali, everybody! The fans do cheer, and Zayda says that Fatal 4 Way was a classic. But she realized something: They have a lot in common! They are both history makers! Kali is the first champion, and everyone already knows this, but Zayda is the first WWE ID prospect.
So from one difference maker to another, Zayda just wants to say… Kali is luck. Huh? But wait! Zayda is interrupted by Nikkita Lyons! Lyons tells Kali, “Hey, girl! Congratulations, new champ! I’m Big Kat Kita, but you already knew that. But it’s so good to meet you, for real. Like, I’m really honored to meet you. But I already talked with Stevie Turner, and I told her that once they crown a new champ to call me. So here I am.” Lyons stops Zayda before she says anything to say Zayda is cute, and she does like her. But when it comes to gold, Lyons is not afraid to pounce.
Kali tells them they’re both doing a lot of big talking, but they’re doing nothing to prove they want this title. Lyons says, “Bet.” And then Lyons & Zayda jump Kali! The fans boo as they mug her 2v1! Kali shoves Lyons, kicks Zayda, then fires hands! But Lyons THROAT CHAKRA KICKS Kali down! Zayda rains down fists, but wait! Here comes Natalya! The fans fire up as the Queen of Harts rushes out here! She dodges Lyons, TACKLES Zayda, and she has the legs! Lyons drags Zayda to safety and Natty stares them down. The fans cheer Natty and she makes sure Kali is alright. Kali is a bit salty even here as she snatches the belt back, but will The BOAT help her sink Lyons & Zayda?
Carlee Bright has been attacked!
That makes three women in about as many weeks! And this is right before her match tonight! A ref calls in medical, and all Carlee knows is someone shoved her into the chair rack. Just who is it stalking Evolve stars and taking them out?
Evolve returns and…
Stevie Turner is with Carlee and a WWE medical trainer. Stevie apologizes that this has happened, this shouldn’t be happening here in Evolve. Carlee doesn’t blame Stevie, and insists she can go. Stevie asks who did it but Carlee says they were in a black hoodie, and it was a drive-by attack. The doc says there are no serious injuries, so it is up to Carlee. Carlee says she will compete. Stevie says, “If you’re sure, girl.”
Keanu Carver speaks.
“Tonight means something to me, man. Those other three? They just want the glory, the prestige, the fame. Nah, that ain’t me. For me, that title is my ticket out. And I’ll be damned if I go back to the streets of DC. Y’all don’t get what I had to do to get here. So when I step into that ring with them three, I’ma beat the brakes off them boys! From the streets of DC to the Evolve Championship, I’ma show y’all what I’m about! Then y’all gonna remember the name, Keanu Carver.”
Sean Legacy speaks.
With Timothy Thatcher by his side, Super Sean says, “This is it, this is it. My moment. Eight long years for this. Eight long years.” Sean says Timothy taught him everything. Timothy says Sean is ready. Sean says damn right he’s ready! It’s time for Sean to create his legacy!
Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright!
Another prospect from LFG is ready to Evolve! Will “The Detonator” have an explosive debut? Or will Evolve’s future still be Bright?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, Jin goes for the bad arm but Carlee pushes Jin away. They go again, and Jin goes after the bad arm. Jin double wristlocks, pushes on it, and pushes on it again! Carlee endures, but Jin hits a double wristlock takedown! Cover, ONE, but Jin stays on the arm. Carlee fights up, Jin wrenches, but Carlee slips through to wrench back. Carlee trips Jin, steps over, and LA MAGISTROL! ONE, but Carlee arm-drags! Carlee keeps on Jin’s arm but Jin fights up. The fans rally, Jin moves around, but Carlee wrenches and hammerlocks. Jin reaches back and switches the hammerlock!
Carlee switches, sunset flips, TWO! Carlee DROPKICKS Jin! The fans rally, Carlee whips but Jin blocks! Jin reverses, Carlee goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Carlee hurries to facelock Jin, Jin scoops, but Carlee fights to keep the arm. Jin wrenches and WRINGS Carlee’s arm! Jin KNEES and UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then gives it a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Carlee toughs it out but Jin stays on that arm. The fans rally as Jin traps both arms in a modified butterfly! Carlee endures, fights up, but Jin powers those arms back again! Carlee refuses to give up and she stands again! Jin shifts to a ghost pin, TWO!
Carlee has a leg, Jin kicks her away, and Jin runs up. Carlee dodges, ELBOWS, and then ELBOWS again! The fans rally, Carlee ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Jin dumps her out! Carlee still headlocks for a BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Jin stays in this and Carlee shakes out her bad arm. The fans rally as Carlee facelocks, but Jin powers out! Carlee blocks a kick, spins Jin, and CODE BREAKER! Carlee sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT, but Jin dodges! Jin steps over onto the arm for a STANDING ARMBAR!! The “Bakunawa Bind!” Carlee TAPS, Jin wins!
Winner: Jin Tala, by submission
Carlee tried to fight at less than 100% and it cost her! Will Jin Tala’s technical skill be just the thing to make her a star?
Evolve shares footage from last week.
It was after the Women’s Championship Elimination Match that Kylie Rae returned backstage, only to be attacked by Wendy Choo! They brawled and Wendy would get the advantage by throwing Kylie into the garage door, and then throwing a garbage can onto Kylie! Refs broke that up, but will nothing stop wicked Wendy from having her revenge?
Chuey Martinez talks with Kylie Rae.
He says Wendy is still haunting her, and Kylie says ever since coming to Evolve, Wendy keeps sticking her nose in Kylie’s business. Sure, Wendy won those two singles matches, but Kylie eliminating Wendy should’ve ended it. And Kylie hates to admit this, but Wendy is the only person here that makes Kylie not so smiley. And after last week, Kylie is so ready to- Chantel Monroe says Kylie should call it quits. Kylie gets on Chantel’s nerves no matter if she’s smiley or angry. Chantel storms off, but both Masyn Holiday & Layla Diggs say pay that no mind. Chantel’s mirror is the only thing that shows the real her.
The Vanity Project hypes up Jackson Drake.
Ricky Smokes says Jackson has nothing to worry about! Who even knows if that was the real Lince Dorado anyway? Who trusts someone that wears a mask? Smokes gives Bryce Donovan a pat on the chest and Bryce smacks him back. Brad Baylor tells Jackson that he is the Wild Card, Heartbreak Drake! Do they all think he’s gonna be the first Evolve Champion? Hundos fo’ sho’, bro! Jackson is the future! Zayda adds that The Vanity Project is the future. Jackson says that’s right, and he’s known that since he was 13 years old when he first stepped into a wrestling ring and never looked back.
Jackson tells they all know he’s the Wild Card and Heartbreak Drake, but after tonight, the world is going to know him as the first-ever WWE Evolve Champion! The Vanity Project is ready, but will the Carolina Reaper take the title home? Or will the odds be against him?
Edris Enofe speaks.
“Man, been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. I came back from a gruesome shoulder injury, and it hurt. It hurt for real. But what hurt me even worse was the fact that I couldn’t compete in front of each and every one of y’all. But now things change. Things will be different now. Because tonight, I change the entire WWE Universe’s mind. Tonight, I go from Edris Enofe the tag team wrestler to Edris Enofe the singles superstar! Tonight, Edris Enofe, the Epitome of Excellence, the EOE becomes the first-ever WWE Men’s Evolve Champion!”
The High Ryze is here!
Wes Lee leads the way for Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe and fans boo. Wes has the mic, and he says, “Now, I can bet that none of y’all expected to see me out here on Evolve. Look, that’s understandable, especially with the boys out here dominating completely on their own the past couple of weeks, I haven’t had any reason to. But see, last week, I wanted to come to Evolve and get a better understanding of what it’s all about. They call this the evolution of professional wrestling or something like that. When I walk around and talk to the kids in the locker room, I can see it. They have big dreams, a lot of potential, and they have a lot of hope that one day they are going to become the next big thing.”
Wes laughs, and then apologizes. It isn’t funny, it’s just cute. It is! It’s okay! But see, he was the same way. Once upon a time, he wanted to come into they business and make it the best that he possibly could. He wanted to change the world, and he did! The fans do cheer that. Wes says when he walks around here, what he really sees is that they’re all naive, maybe even delusional, to think that they’re going to steal Wes’s spot one day! He has busted his ass, broken his back, all for this business, and has barely scratched the surface. Look: a Dusty Cup Winner, two-time NXT Tag Team Champion, and the greatest North American Champion ever, and he’s not even done!
So to everyone in Evolve right now, listen very closely. WES is the gatekeeper now! You wanna make it to NXT? You gotta make it through him! Well, hold on, because here come Cappuccino Jones & Jack Cartwheel! The fans cheer for “CAAA-PPUCCINO! CAAA-PPUCCINO!” Jones tells Wes that he sees what Wes is “brewing up.” Tyson & Tyriek are impressive, and Wes’s mentorship is paying off. Wes asks why Jones is out here. Or do the barista and his buddy want a rematch? Wes is sure the boys are fine beating them up one more time. Jones says he and Cartwheel aren’t here for a tag match. Jones wants a match… with Wes!
Wes is calling himself a gatekeeper, and sure, he has been the Human Highlight Reel for years. But whatever Wes has been sipping on is tasting pretty bitter. Bitter!? No! Wes has just been around the block long enough to know better! The fans chant, “Bitter~! Bitter~!” Wes says he isn’t just some happy-to-be-here kid walking around with a cup of coffee. Jones says hate on him all you want. But if you wanna be the measuring stick, Jones wants to see how he measures up. Jones feels he has what it takes, and the best way to back that up is to go 1v1 with one of the staples of NXT! The fans cheer that!
Wes looks Jones up and down, then tells him, “You really should’ve stayed behind that counter, dog. You want the match? Next week, you’ve got it.” Will the Cardiac Kid keep Evolve down? Or will he get the jitters from facing Cappuccino Jones?
Je’Von Evans is backstage!
Evolve Media asks the Young OG why he’s here, and Je’Von says he loves this! He had to come check out Evolve, but he’s here mostly to present the title to the first-ever Evolve Champion. Those boys are locked in! Je’Von notices Jordan Oasis walking by. Je’Von says hey to Oasis and asks why he’s out in the parking lot. Just walking. Je’Von says he is a big fan of Oasis, and keep running, your time is coming. Oasis appreciates that coming from Je’Von. Je’Von says he’s gotta go watch the match, but he’ll see Oasis around. Will this endorsement from NXT’s future help Oasis become Evolve’s future?
Marcus Mathers speaks.
“I’ve been waiting a very long time to introduce myself to the WWE Universe. My name is Marcus Mathers. I’ve been wrestling for about six years now, with way over 650 matches under my belt, proving I’m not just Philly’s Finest, but I’m the finest in WWE ID. And speaking of WWE ID, this was made for men and women to use this to the best of their ability, to the max. And lemme tell you, nobody used WWE ID like I did. And with the support of WWE ID, I’ve been able to travel more, get more matches, and train with the best of the best. And now I bring all that knowledge right here, right now. The WWE ID prepared me for Evolve.” Is Mathers ready to Evolve?
WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake!
While Evolve started fourteen weeks ago, the journey to this moment was very different for each man in this match. But one thing they all share in common is the hard work, grit and determination they put into their careers. Whose journey culminates in a historic achievement that will be remembered forever?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but only one man survives to put their name on it!
The bell rings and Drake already talks trash on all three opponents. Keanu DECKS him! Drake tumbles out, Keanu eggs the others on, so Legacy & Enofe go after him! But then Keanu shoves them both away! And he DOUBLE LARIATS them! The fans fire up and Keanu ELBOWS Enofe in a corner! Keanu runs corner to corner to ELBOW Legacy! Then he runs back at Enofe, but Enofe dodges and Drake GAMANGIRIS! Enofe runs to SLING-DOG! Drake runs up, Enofe dodges and SLINGBLADES! Legacy back suplexes but Enofe lands out! Enofe kicks low, runs, and jumps onto Legacy to DROPKICK Drake!
Drake tumbles out, Legacy runs in, but Enofe TOSSES him! Enofe KNEES Keanu in the corner for good measure, then he FLIES! Down go Drake and Legacy! The fans fire up and Enofe goes up a corner! Enofe CROSSBODIES Keanu down, covers, TWO!! Keanu survives, Enofe is a bit surprised, and he reels Keanu in. Keanu fights the suplex to suplex, but Enofe knees free! Enofe runs, but into an ELBOW! Keanu scoops Enofe for the CORKSCREW POWERSLAM! Cover, Keanu ELIMINATES Enofe!! As fast as Enofe was moving, Enofe is out of this match! Legacy and Drake see the intimidating power of Keanu as Evolve goes to break.
Evolve returns as Keanu SPLASHES both Legacy & Drake in a corner! Keanu then runs to DOUBLE POUNCE!! The fans fire up with Keanu, and he scoops Legacy to SLAM! Then he scoops Drake to FALL AWAY SLAM! Keanu didn’t even need to fall to throw Drake across the ring! Keanu storms up, puts Drake on the top rope, but Drake BOOTS Keanu away! Legacy MISSILE DROPKICKS Keanu down, and Drake adds a MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE!! Keanu shocks everyone, especially Legacy and Drake. He dares them to keep fighting, because that title’s still gonna be his! Legacy runs up but Keanu DECKS him!
Drake BOOTS Keanu, but Keanu scoops him! Legacy SUPERKICKS Keanu, Drake SUPERKICKS Keanu, and then Legacy GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Drake hits the UNALIVING! Legacy adds the 450 SPLASH!! DOUBLE COVER, they ELIMINATE Keanu!! And then there were two! The fans rally up behind “LEGACY! LEGACY!” as he and Drake stare down. They stand up and step to each other. Drake grins and kicks, but Legacy blocks! Drake avoids Legacy’s superkick, but Legacy avoids Drake’s roundhouse! Drake ducks an enzigiri to deadlift, but Legacy elbows free! Legacy runs but into Drake’s ELBOW! DOUBLE LARIATS collide!
Both men spring up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And then Legacy roars! Drake dodges the lariat but not the SUPERKICK! Legacy storms up but into a SUPER PUNCH! Legacy rebounds to HEADBUTT! Drake ROUNDHOUSES! Legacy ENZIGIRIS! But Drake waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Legacy roars and rises again! SNAP GERMAN! Drake flounders, Legacy runs in, but Drake BOOTS him away. Drake goes up, but Legacy jumps up to get him! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! And speaking of fly, Legacy goes up, out, and springboards for the 450!! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives and Legacy is stunned!
The fans rally up while Drake flounders away. Legacy huffs ‘n’ puffs and waistlocks Drake. Legacy then drags Drake up into a torture rack, but Drake CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo, but then Legacy TOSSES Drake! Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy, then KNEES him into ropes! Drake reels Legacy in for a suplex, and DROPS him on the ropes! Drake hurries up the corner, takes aim, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Legacy survives again but Drake stays on him! Handspring and LETHAL IN-JACKSON!! Cover, TWO!!! Legacy is still in this! But Drake SUPERKICKS him down! Cover, TWO!?! Legacy survives again and Drake is freaking out!
“This is Awesome!” as Legacy stirs. Drake grits his teeth, goes to a corner, and he waits on Legacy to get up. Drake runs in, but Legacy turns knee into drop toehold! S T F!!! Drake endures, flails, reaches out, and the fans are freaking out! Drake claws at the mat, crawls forward, but Legacy makes it a STRAITJACKET STF!!! Drake has one arm to reach out with, and he makes the ROPEBREAK!! Legacy lets go in frustration but the fans rally up again. Legacy rises, brings Drake up, but Drake still holds the ropes! The ref counts, Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy! Handsprings and LETHAL- Torture rack! SHAM- NO, Drake lands out to JUMP KNEE!
Drake goes to a corner, runs back in, UNALIVING!!! Cover, DRAKE WINS!!
Winner: Jackson Drake, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion)
And Vanity Project rushes right out here to celebrate with their bro! It was certainly heartbreak for Enofe, Keanu and Legacy, but will the real tears be from all of us having to listen to Drake brag? Je’Von does present the belt to Drake, and Drake takes it from him, to bring Je’Von in for a hug! Old friends and rivals reunite in this moment, and this makes up for a bit of Drake’s bad attitude. But will this be the beginning of the Vanity Project Era? Or can someone save us from it before it begins?
My Thoughts:
A very good episode, and surprisingly only two matches. That said, less matches helped then maximize the main event, and also some story build. Another woman is attacked and we’re back to that gimmick around the Performance Center, but it can’t be Lyons when she and Zayda were beating up on Kali Armstrong. Wendy Choo is too obsessed with Kylie, so it can’t be her. Could they be quietly building up a female superstar who has been hiding in plain sight? They could do a great “It was me, Stevie! It was me all along!” with this. But that aside, a hurt Carlee makes for a protected loss to new girl, Jin Tala, who has a very creative submission finisher.
Speaking of Wendy and Kylie, good promo from Kylie but Chantel picking on her is a little too much like Jaida Parker having beef with Thea Hail over Thea’s positivity. Kylie VS Wendy should be a No Disqualification rematch so settle things once and for all. And I hope this story of Masyn knowing “the real Chantel” turns into something more. She keeps saying it, but she needs to confront Chantel on it a bit more forcefully. And as for the women’s title, Lyons would be an impressive first defense for Kali that Kali would certainly win. Zayda might be trickier, if only because she’s the bigger Heel and would totally cheat to win.
Very good promo from Wes with Cappuccino Jones, and now they’ll have a singles match, just as I expected from last week. The only odd thing is Wes says he is the gatekeeper now. Does that mean Lexis King just decided to be one and done? Is he going to do bigger things in NXT now? Anyway, good promo from Marcus Mathers, he’s finally getting his debut in Evolve and that will be a lot of fun. It does make me wonder who are the WWE ID Champions right now, and if they’ll ever show up with those belts on Evolve.
And great promos from all the Fatal 4 Way contenders tonight. Jackson Drake makes a lot of sense as the first champion. Enofe only just came back, he needs to build up. Keanu is powerful but then that’d mean two powerhouse champions so that’s redundant. Legacy is great, he can surely come around as a challenger, as Faces benefit from the chase. And with Drake holding up the title for Vanity Project, that will work with Zayda wanting the women’s title, and possibly Swipe Right asking about Evolve Tag Team Championships, really building the whole faction at once.
My Score: 8.7/10
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