Tenzan welcomed us to the show this week. I don’t think he’s been interviewed once since these shows started airing on AXS.
This is from August 14, 2015 in Sumo Hall.
Doc Gallows vs. Katsuyori Shibata
Gallows chokeslammed Shibata on the apron early, which is a big time owwie. I mean apron spots are cool, but New Japan has some of the nastiest ones I’ve seen. This wasn’t one of them, but they remind me of the ones Will Ospreay and Ricochet took during the Best of the Super Juniors. This was fine, but nothing memorable. Gallows got the surprising win with the Gallows Poll.
Kota Ibushi vs. Togi Makabe
Ibushi is so great at adapting to styles. He’s not only a terrific aerial wrestler but a great striker as well, and this that made this match memorable. Facially Ibushi is awesome at everything he does. A really fun, stiff match. Makabe is great in this role, but Ibushi shone in being able to hang with him. He got the win with the Phoenix splash.
Tenzan mentioned that 2015 was his 20th anniversary in the ring, so this year’s G1 was tough for him. He was outraged when someone wrote he wasn’t capable of being in the G1, and thus got him enraged and motivated. Regarding Naito, he says he really wanted to tear him apart and it was in his mind the whole time. He’s wasted his chances by acting out, doesn’t seem committed. He wonders if there is any motivation. He’s not a type of guy he enjoys wrestling against.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tetsuya Naito
First off, I hope Tenzan didn’t read what I said prior to the G1 because…well, Tenzan has on and off days. Sometimes he’s super awesome, other times it’s kind of sad that he’s still wrestling. Time’s never kind to pro wrestlers, Tenzan being a good example of this in recent years. But despite all that, he did some great work in this match, and with the announcing of JR and Barnett, they turned this into a really good match.
Announcing was great here, getting over that Naito was being disrespectful to his former mentor. In terms of work, nothing blow away awesome, and some of it wasn’t pretty but as a whole the match was pretty good. Tenzan gets the submission win with the anaconda vise.
Tenzan ran down Naito after a match, saying it would take a million years before he could beat him. Naito said good job, was he able to regain his honor in the end? Nice work, he’s heading home now.
Tenzan mentioned that it was a really long G1 – he was determined, however, not to lose. It wasn’t a refreshing victory, and physically it was tough. At times, his body didn’t move like it wanted to. It is NJPW’s most prestigious series right now, though, and he wanted to fight until the end.
Tanahashi welcomes us to the 200th episode of World Pro Wrestling Returns! This also took place on August 14.
Toru Yano vs. Bad Luck Fale
This really wasn’t much. Jim Ross called it a “bowling shoe ugly” match and I wouldn’t disagree. They always tease the count out spot in New Japan, and here they finally did it as Fale didn’t make it to 20 and got counted out.
Already time for Tanahashi to talk. He mentioned his match against Kota Ibushi where he was lawn darted into the turnbuckle (and in hindsight, what a dangerous spot), and was still banged up from that spot.. AJ’s match was one of concern. He definitely didn’t want to lose against him. The winner of the match was going to the finals. He considered AJ one of the best wrestlers in the world – why wouldn’t he want to beat Styles and reclaim that title?
AJ Styles vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
They, of course, pulled out all the stops here and was a great match that you totally need to see if you haven’t yet. I really liked the leg work from Styles on Tanahashi early in the bout, only for Tanahashi to return it a while later. Another factor that you have to remember is that even before Styles came to New Japan, Tanahashi used the Styles Clash, so that was also a big part of the match, with Styles escaping before eventually landing one.
Styles even hit a high fly flow but Tanahashi kicked out. Finally Tanahashi hit a big high fly flow to a standing Styles then finished him off with another one. This was so fantastic, a great story told by both men. One of the best matches of 2015, easily, and stands out even more today thanks to the English commentary.
Tanahashi announced he was in the finals match to big applause. ‘
In his reflective interview, he mentions how it took eight years for his favorite match (vs. Goto) to be replaced by this one. He mentioned that how of the four wh made it to the semifinals, only two would be continuing to 2016 in New Japan, which shows how great 2015 was.
On Styles leaving, he would like to thank him as a member of New Japan Pro Wrestling. In his first match against him back in 2007, he was booed. But after, he said he wanted to face him again. “Let’s do this again, genius” is the exact quote. When AJ left for WWE, he told him the same thing.
First hour had some pretty good action. The second one is great and highly recommended, as it was fantastic.
The latest big New Japan event, Dominion, takes place tonight in Osaka Jo Hall for the second straight year in a row.
We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com
Tetsuya Naito has another big challenge for him as the former champion, Kazuchika Okada, looks to reclaim his title once again. Los Ingobernables have been red hot for most of this year. Will Naito take a loss and try to recoup himself during the G1 tournament or will Okada fail to reclaim the title that Naito’s been abusing for the last few months?
All major New Japan titles will be on the line tonight as Kenny Omega defends the Intercontinental title against Micheal Elgin in a ladder match, Guerrillas of Destiny defend against the Briscoes, Yuji Nagata defends against former champion Katsyuori Shibata, Best of the Super Juniors Champion Will Ospreay gets another shot at Kushida’s Junior Heavyweight title and another fatal four way for the Junior tag team titles will take place, this time being a fatal four way match with Matt Sydal and Ricochet defending against the Young Bucks, reDragon, and Roppongi Vice.
SATOSHI KOJIMA & HIRYOSHI TENZAN & MANABU NAKANISHI VS. JUICE ROBINSON & JAY WHITE & DAVID FINLAY
The story here is that it’s White’s last match before he starts next week with ROH in North Carolina. After the match he gave a speech in Japanese. Tenzan, Kojima and Nakanishi were on the ramp clapping for him. The crowd was chanting “Jay” pretty loud. Robinson and Finlay were in the ring on theie knees cheering for him and then they all hugged.
The match itself was your typical opener. The announcers were talking about how White as someone who started out there could be the next Prince Devitt or Chris Benoit. Well, you know what they mean. Everyone did their basic spots. Finlay looked good. White tagged in at the end, got some offense, but Tenzan pinned White after a spin kick, an Anaconda buster and a side anaconda vise.
BAD LUCK FALE & YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & HANGMAN ADAM PAGE VS. TOGI MAKABE & CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN & YOSHITATSU
Captain New Japan & Yoshitatsu are the Hunter Club, meaning they are hunting the Bullet Club. Not much of a match. Page did a shooting star press off he apron on Yoshitatsu. Page’s gimmick as Hangman Page is he uses a bullrope to hang guys. The finish saw Page use the Omori driver on Captain, and really dropped him on his head something sick looking. He then hung him over the top rope with the bullrope after the match.
TOMOHIRO ISHII & YOSHI-HASHI VS. SEIYA SANADA & BUSHI
Yoshi-Hashi & Ishii won as expected, but the surprise was that Yoshi-Hashi made Sanada submit to the old WAR special or Rings of Saturn while Ishii had Bushi in a real naked choke. Pretty good match, but short, built around Yoshi-Hashi vs. Sanada going back-and-forth with near falls. Sanada was really the star of the match. When you have Bushi in the match, there’s no reason for Sanada to lose the fall via submission at this point.
HIROOKI GOTO VS. EVIL
Good match, but not as good as their prior singles match. It looks to be the story of the show is Los Ingobernables are losing all their bouts until Naito in the main event. Goto won clean in a hard hittign match with the final cut after two-head butts and the ushigoroshi, neckbreaker over the knee.
MATT SYDAL & RICOCHET VS. YOUNG BUCKS VS. KYLE O’REILLY & BOBBY FISH VS. TRENT BARETTA & ROCKY ROMERO IN AN ELIMINATION MATCH FOR THE IWGP JR. TAG TITLES
The Young Bucks came out and told Gallows & Andeson & Styles “Good luck tomorrow.” It’s kind of today. The Bucks won the titles clean using the Meltzer driver on Sydal and Matt pinned him. So they have the trios and tag titles. Very good match, not off the charts. Romero was going crazy doing the forever clothesline on everyone until the Bucks threw Romero & Baretta both over the top rope. Sydal & Ricochet a few minutes later threw Fish & O’Reilly over the top rope. Then it was down to a tag. Becaause of the over the top rope elimination rules it took away the dives over the top. They did a lot of near falls. They cut way back on the high flying compared to a usual match with these guys.
KUSHIDA VS. WILL OSPREAY FOR IWGP JR. TITLE
Great match, but not as good as their first mathc. Kushida worked on Ospready’s left wrist early but Ospeay dominateed the second half with all kindsof creative spots including getting out of an armbar into a tombstone into a codebreaker. Ospreay did a middle rope Phoenix splash, a standing Spanish fly and a shooting star press and all kinds of great kicks. Kushida with a flip plancha off the top rope. The finish saw Ospreay rebound off the ropes but Kushida caught him with a hoverboard lock for the submission. They shook hands after. This wasn’t as good as the Taguchi or Bailey matches in recent weeks but still best thing so far.
TAMA TONGA & TANGA LOA VS. MARK & JAY BRISCOE FOR THE IWGP TAG TEAM TITLES
The Briscoes won the tag titles with the Doomsday device on Loa and Jay pinned him. Jay had used the Jay driller on Loa before the finish Good match. Mark took a crazy back drop over the top rope. Good match. Tonga is good but is missing something. Loa is just kind of there. The Briscoes were the personality of the match.
After the match Page & Takahashi attacked the Briscoes. Page hung Mark over the top rope. Page & Takaashi grabbed the belts so they are going to be the next challengers. This tag division is so weak compared to the other one.
I should mention that Shinya Aoki is at ringside with Takaaki Kidani so that probably means something. He’s been shown several times but tha was it.
YUJI NAGATA VS. KATSUYORI SHIBATA FOR THE NEVER OPEN WEIGHT TITLE
This was super. By far the most heated match so far. Shibata regained the title as expected using a choke, Nagata tried to flip him over but it only made it tighter ala the Holm-Tate finish. Shibata then let go just as Nagata was almost otu and hit the penalty kick for the pin. Nagata’s mouth was all bloody. Shibata bowed to him when it was over and Nagata whipsered something in his ear. The feud is ove as Nagata raised Shibata’s hand while Kojima, Nakanishi and Tenzan all cheered for Shibata. Shibata shook hands with all of them. Nogami was almost in tears as it came across like Nagata’s last big hurrah. Lots of hard kicks. Nagata kicked out of Shibata using Nagata’s back suplex as well as the Nagata lock. Nagata used Shibata’s penalty kick. Lots of suplexes back and forth. Nagata is starting to look old. He can still go.
They talked about the 44 year history of New Japan and that history wil take another step for the first ever ladder match.
KENNY OMEGA VS. MICHAEL ELGIN FOR IC TITLE IN A LADDER MATCH
Adam Page and Yujiro Takahashi came out with Omega. No Young Bucks even though Omega & Bucks are trios champs. They are now hanging the belt about 14 feet up. Red Shoes was suspicious of no Young Bucks, searched under the ring, found them and kicked them out.
This match went 34 minutes of constant insanity. Omega did a Shawn Michaels like performance here. Elgin had the match won when The Young Bucks came out and sprayed him in the eye with cold spray. superkicked him and handcuffed him to the corner. Yoshitatsu & Captain New Japan came in to help Elgin but got superkicked. Matt Sydal came out but he was a distraction and Ricochet did a running flip dive onto everyone. Ricochet tried to unlock Elgin but couldn’t find the key. Omega sprayed Ricochet in the eyes and climbed up the ladder and had it won. Elgin broke free of the handcuffs, tipped over the ladder and Omega flew over the top rope onto everyone. Elgin climbed up to win. There were a million ladder shots, bumps on ladders, Elgin power bombed Omega off a ladder through two tables that didn’t break. The crowd was just going nuts at the end with all the twists and turns and run-ins. \
We’re four hours into the show and the main event is starting.
TETSUYA NAITO VS. KAZUCHIKA OKADA FOR THE IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
Another long match ending with Okada winning the title after three rainmakers. Just before the finish Naito had kicked out of a rainmaker which is why Okada felt he needed to keep doing them. It started slow but they went 29 minutes and it was a classic grueling world title match. Naito had used a destino and tried a second one, but Okada blocked it and turned it into a tombstone piledriver. Okada hit a German suplex, Naito tried a Destino and got a near fall with a front rolling cradle until Okada hit the three rainmakers. They did all of their usual stuff but a very dramatic and excellent match.
Okada did the post-match promo. No Gedo with him. Okada was a total babyface tonight with Naito booed the entire match. The crowd was reacting big to Okada’s mic work. With the G-1 the next big thing no need for any challenges.
Submitted by Craig Russell from The Orpheum in Ybor City, FL
Rob Naylor and Leva Bates are on commentary.
Lexie Fyfe comes out with the their version of the Money In The Bank briefcase first. During the ring entrances, Mia Yim comes out still mocking Leva Bates’ “Blue Pants” character, and is bandaged up and on crutches to further mock Leva’s current injury. Lexie announces that Ivelisse is cleared to wrestle, and she is put into this match, turning it into a 5 way for the briefcase. Elimination match rules.
Money In The Bank Women’s Match: Kellie Skater vs. Mia Yim vs. Santana vs. Nicole Matthews vs Ivelisse
Yim goes outside the ring, is distracted by Bates, and is counted out; Skater eliminated by Santana via Shining Star Press; Santana eliminated by Matthews via roll up and a handful of tights; Ivelisse pins Matthews with a Snap DDT and wins the briefcase.
Maria Maria & Luscious Latasha vs. Rhia O’Reilly & Viper
Viper performs a corner splash on Latasha. Maria then performs a cross body on Viper and rolls out of the ring. Latasha is still the legal woman and falls on Viper and pins her, so her winning streak is still intact. Viper is over already and the crowd liked her a lot.
Kellyanne vs. Chelsea Green
Kellyanne with a backpack stunner on Chelsea for the pin. Solid match from both of them.
SHINE Tag Team Champions Better Than You (BTY) of Marti Belle & Jayme Jameson vs. Evie & Shazza McKenzie
Jameson hits her “Double D” (spinning side slam) move on Evie for the pin, so BTY retain. Good match where Shazza was the underdog and played for the hot tag to Evie.
Tessa Blanchard vs. Rachael Ellering
TKO by Ellering on Blanchard for the pin which sets up their rubber match. Another good match from both of them. Ellering has gotten better since their first match and looked good in the ring again. After the match, Su Yung runs out to attack Ellering with Blanchard, and as they are taking her to the back, Kay Lee Ray jumps off the stage onto them all and ends up facing Blanchard in the ring. Ray slaps Blanchard before Yung attacks her from behind which leads to the next match. Ellering fights Blanchard to the back while this happens.
Su Yung vs. Kay Lee Ray
Yung hits “The Panic Switch” (spinning Death Valley Driver) on Ray for the pin. Worth the price of admission and possibly match of the night. Lots of back and forth and both women looked sharp. Highlights included a great missile tope by Ray and a dragon screw leg whip into the stairs on Ray by Yung.
SHINE Champion Taylor Made vs. SHIMMER Champion Madison Eagles vs. TNA Knockouts Champion Allysin Kay — Loser drops their title
Ivelisse turns in her briefcase, and the match becomes a 4 way title match. First pinfall wins the match. Good match, lots of moves and great energy by all four women. Ivelisse taps out Made with a leg lock/inverted cloverleaf finisher and Ivelisse is the new SHINE champion.
This season, both the women’s strawweight division and the men’s light heavyweight division will be competing, and the end of the season, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha fight on the TUF 23 Finale with Joanna Champion defending her strawweight title.
Last week, Team Jedrzejczyk finally got their first win when “The Sandman” Josh Stansbury was able to knock off Abdel Medjedoub via majority decision. That was the good news. The bad news is that Team Gadelha member Cory Hendricks has a pinched nerve or bulging disc in his neck, and it’s so serious he might be medically DQ’d.
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The final fight of the first round is Ashley Yoder from Team Jedrzejczyk vs. Kate Jackson from Team Gadelha. The interesting twist on this whole thing is that Jackson has actually fought Jedrzejczyk before — losing a fight by TKO back in 2013. She hails from Cornwall, England, but you could guess that just from her accent.
Gadelha is very impressed by watching Jackson spar, saying she has incredible body strength, and the Brazilian coaches describe her as having “a beast” in her body. Watching her throw knee strikes it’s hard to disagree.
Dr. Jeffrey Davidson, M.D. is back with news for Hendricks: he doesn’t have a herniated disc, just a protrusion. With physical therapy, ice and ibuprofen his prospects for recover are good – the doctor says we’ll know for sure in 4-5 days.
The focus switches for a bit to Gadelha going to Xtreme Couture to train for her own fight, because she’s working hard to prepare for her rematch with Jedrzejczyk at the TUF 23 Finale in Vegas. “I beat her the first time and I’m gonna beat her again.” She can say that all she wants but Jedrzejczyk gave her the only loss of her career.
We see Jedrzejczyk preparing in her own way, enjoying a post workout dinner with her coaches and her team, and then she heads to Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu to get her work in. She vows that she’s going to finish Gadelha. “It’s going to be striker vs. grappler but I’m going to prove strikers are the best in UFC. I want to fight her five rounds and beat her badly, second by second.”
At weigh-ins, Yoder is 115.5 and Jackson is 115. Yoder vows to win the fight in the memory of her deceased brother. Jackson vows to show people what she’s capable of and move on to be a UFC pro.
– Ashley Yoder (Team Jedrzejczyk) vs. Kate Jackson (Team Gadelha)
Yoder is 4-1, Jackson is 7-2-1. Yoder is in the red and Jackson the black. Jackson has a takedown 15 seconds into R1 but Yoder is trying to throw her legs up around Jackson’s neck. She finally breaks free and lands a few hammerfists. A stand-up is threatened for inactivity at 1:28. Jackson responds with hammer but eats a few upkicks, and Yoder is warned by John McCarthy to target them carefully. Yoder is going for a submission again. Jackson’s arm could be in danger but McCarthy wants to see more. Jackson just can’t get free this time. You can see blood leaking out of her mouth on the back of Yoder’s leg. A strange first round but Jackson survived it.
Jackson goes for a single leg in the first minute of R2 that’s stuffed. Jackson goes for a takedown but Yoder nearly takes her back in the process, and she’s already hunting for another submission attempt. Jackson gets her left arm free for a few shots to the face while McCarthy calls for more work. McCarthy stands them up at 2:47. Jackson shoots right away. They break at 3:32. Yoder may have been hurt by a head kick but she’s not down and out. Jackson is tagging her with lefts repeatedly. Another takedown is stuffed. This goes to the judges.
20-18 X3 FOR KATE JACKSON. Team Gadelha finishes the first round 7-1.
The show begins with a recap of all the cop drama that has happened throughout season two. We see the death and resurrection of Mil Muertes and then Pentagon Jr’s return last week leading to his team entering into tonight’s feature content – the first-ever Six to Survive match where the winner gets a shot at Matanza Cueto’s Lucha Underground Title at Ultima Lucha Dos.
The Voodoo Glow Skulls play us into the show and Vamp and Striker run down that the main event will be an elimination match.
Pentagon Jr. vs. King Cuerno vs. Ivelisse vs. Taya vs. Johnny Mundo vs. Fenix – Six to Survive
Vamp says Pentagon’s recovery is nothing short of a miracle and he has no idea how he did it. Cuerno starts things off with a slick sliding schoolboy that gets 2 on Pentagon. Ivie gets double-teamed by Taya and Mundo and kicks out of the Moonlight Drive. Fenix superkicks Johnny and then kicks Taya right in the ass. Fenix and Pentagon double team Pentagon with a wassup spot – only with a double stomp instead of a headbutt. Cuerno lands a running deja vu DDT to Pentagon.
Mundo hits a flip dive onto Pentagon on the floor. Ivie gets picked up and tossed out onto Mundo and Pentagon by Cuerno and Fenix! Somersault superman punch by Fenix to Cuerno up top! Cuerno hits a rewind rana.Cuerno goes for the Thrill of the Hunt, but Muertes runs down and spears him to his doom before landing a nasty powerbomb to Cuerno. Mundo’s DILLIGAF face is perfect and he beats Cuerno with the End of the World.
Taya jumps Fenix and pounds away, before Ivie comes in and clubs away at her. Ivie kicks Fenix’s legs and then lands some kneeling kicks. Outside the ring, Pentagon kicks Taya’s legs out from under her. Fenix won’t fight Ivie, so she opts to chop and kick him. Ivie hits a high kick to Pentagon. Ivie charges in at Taya, but she moves and Mundo kicks Ivie. Ivie ranas Mundo off the middle rope and hits a high kick to Taya for 2. Taya hits a front slam, but a moonsault misses. Ivie goes for a Code Red, but Taya powers her into a Northern Lights and a double stomp for the pin.
Taya misses a corner dropkick and Pentagon goes after her in the corner and hits Shattered Dreams. Mundo gets hits with Snake Eyes into the post on the floor. Pentagon lands the nasty shush chop on Taya, or as Vamp puts it “he just chopped the bitch out of the biatch!” Pentagon lands another kick to Taya – only now it’s another ass-centric one. Mundo and Pentagon trade mid-ring forearms. Taya holds Pentagon for a Flying Chuck. Fenix hits a superkick and then a calf kick to Mundo.
Taya hits a rana and a corkscrew DDT-ish thing on Pentagon. Northern lights into the double stomp only gets 2 on Fenix. Mundo hits the basement knee strike on Fenix for 2. Fenix attacks Taya and Mundo goes after him. Shotgun knees to Pentagon by Taya. Fenix kicks Mundo in the gut, then Taya in the face, then Mundo in the face. Pentagon hits the package piledriver on Taya to eliminate her. Mundo consoles Taya on the floor before coming back in to fight.
Vamp puts over every single person here as someone who is tough enough to win – but Mundo isn’t scarred enough to beat them in a sheer war. Everyone chops everyone else a billion times. A billion may be a low estimate. Mundo lands a nice spinebuster and gets 2. Fenix goes for a handspring off the ropes, but gets stopped and a Batista bomb gets 2. They fight to the floor and Pentagon Jr. hits a flip dive amid a “lucha!” chant.
Striker talks about how everyone is going for strikes and palm strikes to avoid breaking their hands. Mundo hits a huge dive to the floor and nearly knocks over the camera man. Mundo tosses Fenix into the ring and lands a sloppy standing End of the World for 2. Standing C4 hits Fenix for 2. Pentagon hoists Johnny up top where Fenix hits a double stomp up top. Fenix and Pentagon pin Johnny underneath a wacky cradle combination.
Pentagon and Fenix face off to close out Six to Survive. Pentagon hits a flapjack and then the Haas of Pain. Fenix locks on a scorpion deathlock tequila sunrise! Pentagon locks on a double-trap backbreacker, but Fenix gets a Low Ki-style dragon sleeper. Fenix gets a run-up armdrag that sends Pentagon to the floor. Fenix hits a double-jump corkscrew dive on the floor! Fenix throws him in and gets 2.
Pentagon tosses Fenix into the buckle and hits a running punt to the gut. Fenix catches him for an Alabama Slam, but Pentagon turns into a Mexican Destroyer for 2. Pentagon chops him on the rope, but eats a palm strike. Fenix fires up before flipping a whole bunch and hitting a super rana for 2. Pentagon hits two Slingblades, but Fenix won’t fall. Fenix kicks him to prevent a third. Fenix misses a double stomp off the top on the apron and eats a superkick.
Fenix is sent to the floor and eats a Mexican Destroyer on the floor! Fenix is tossed in for another Mexican Destroyer, but Fenix counters it into a Dudebuster for 2! They’re each fighting off of their knees with slaps and meet face to face to fight more on their feet. Fenix swats him down with a hard slap to the face, and Fenix kicks him, but Pentagon superkicks him! Package piledriver gets the win for Pentagon Jr.!
The camera pans to Vampiro looking absolutely shocked. Vamp tells Matt to shut up and let him think so he can enjoy the moment. Matanza comes out on the steps and stares down Pentagon Jr. Pentagon Jr. tells Dario that he’ll break every bone in Matanza’s body, and Dario’s as well because he is Pentagon Jr. and he has zero fear!. Pentagon Jr. is an amazing promo and he says next to nothing in English. His passion says more than words ever could.
This was an excellent match and between this, Aztec Warfare, and the All Night Long match, Lucha Underground really has mastered the art of making one match shows compelling from start to finish.
To see every screen taken for the show, just click here.
The Big News: Shinsuke Nakamura appeared at the end of the show, declaring himself to be the next opponent for Finn Balor.
The Medium News: Andrade Cien Almas defeated Tye Dillinger in a rematch of TakeOver.
The Little Beaver Sized News: In perhaps the first time in WWE history, we had a tag team match where neither member of either team had their name mentioned.
The Authors of Pain (w/Paul Ellering) defeated Two Nameless Opponents (Sean Swags and CJ O’Doyle)
The first show after TakeOver kicks off with Paul Ellering and his giant new tag team, the Authors of Pain. At the big show last week, they attacked American Alpha after their title loss to The Revival.
This may be the most unique match in WWE history as neither the winners nor the losers were named by the announcers. This was just an out and out squash match. It was something completely different than just about anything else on NXT. AOP won with a combo Side Russian Leg Sweep/Clothesline.
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Andrade Cien Almas attempted to cut a promo backstage when Tye Dillinger walked up and said he wants to right the wrong from last week. They set up a rematch.
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Backstage, Ellering said he will let everyone know what they’re doing here in due time.
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Carmella submitted Tessa Blanchard
The biggest news of this match was they announced the Almas-Dillinger rematch would be tonight’s main event. The nicest thing to say is this has was better than most of Carmella’s matches have been and she submitted Tessa with the legscissors, which is now called the Code of Silence.
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After his match last week, NXT Champion Samoa Joe declared this the start of his era and no one has enough to sacrifice to take the belt from him.
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Blake & Murphy cut a promo. Yeah they broke up a few weeks ago, but they are giving teaming up the old college try tonight to face TM61. They blamed their problems on Alexa Bliss.
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TM61 defeated Blake & Murphy
The Mighty 61 lost their debut match 3 weeks ago to Ciampa & Gargano, so they are looking to even up the old win-loss column. However if they lose they shouldn’t worry too much since Sami Zayn has easily lost 75% of the matches he’s wrestled in WWE and NXT. In case you forget, their new names are Shane Thorne and Nick Miller.
This match was a backdrop to Corey Graves openly making things up about Murphy and Miller’s respective backgrounds and Tom Phillips calling bs on it. If you actually paid attention to the match, it was a fun bout that the crowd was into.
Blake and Murphy crossed themselves up on two different occasions, knocking themselves out. Unfortunately it was not something they could come back from and TM61 won with Thunder Valley, which is a double team Gorilla Press into a reverse slam.
Blake and Murphy stared at each other after the match.
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After their match last week, The Revival bragged about doing exactly what they said they were going to do. They talk heavy and hit hard
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Bayley has a doctor’s appointment next week and if all goes well, Mr. Regal will let her back in the ring. (Just don’t tell William about all the matches you have had on house shows the last few weeks.)
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Andrade Cien Almas defeated Tye Dillinger
Main event time. Last week these two had a very good match that got the crowd into Almas, who they reacted tepidly to at first.
The match wasn’t at the same level of last week, although both men seemed at times to be recreating the match move for move. The fans had a half hearted dueling chant of “We Want Almas/Perfect 10” during a chin lock spot. Just like last week Almas won with the running double knees to his seated opponent.
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The final segment of the show saw Finn Balor come out to address the audience following his loss in the steel cage match to Samoa Joe last week. The fans loved Balor, giving him a standing ovation and chanting at him to please not go.
Balor talked about watching NXT for the first time, seeing Enzo & Big Cass and saying he wanted to be a part of this. As much as he became a part of NXT, NXT became a part of him and became what he was. He put over his wars with Neville, Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe and yet, here he stands not the champion. The question being what’s next for Finn Balor? The fans chanted Balor Club, which he acknowledged by saying “Too Sweet”. He asked what was next for Finn three times, almost as if the production team messed up cuing the music, but I think he was just going for a dramatic effect.
Out came Shinsuke Nakamura, with the fans singing Nakamura’s theme song and chanting “This is awesome” before anything happened. Nakamura said that when he was in Japan he watched Balor and watched Balor become the icon of NXT. Nakamura said that even though he is not champion anymore he is still an icon. Nakamura said if he wants to be champion he has to beat the icon. To become the icon he has to beat Balor. The fans chanted “YES! YES! YES!” and then “Match of the Year”
Balor accepted the challenge, they shook hands and the show ended there. That should be one amazing match when it happens.
Until next week, thank you for reading, say your prayers, and take your vitamins!
Ring of Honor television from Toronto was another installment from the War of the Worlds tour featuring ROH vs. NJPW. A loaded lineup on this episode included another stellar matchup between Kushida and Kyle O’Reilly in the main event. Elsewhere, Tetsuya Naito collided with Moose and Jushin Liger teamed up with Cheeseburger.
Mark Briscoe provided guest commentary alongside announcer Kevin Kelly and matchmaker Nigel McGuinness. Several times throughout the show Mark said he felt Roderick Strong continues to disrespect him. He and Roddy are set for a match at the Best in the World pay-per-view with Chicken seemingly set for a singles push.
Later in the show, Roddy strolled out to ringside. He confronted Nigel about having to team with Mark in an eight-man tag match. The match (Briscoes & Strong & Jay Lethal vs. Bullet Club) airs next week on ROH TV, which was plugged several times throughout the show.
In another sign of disrespect to Mark, as Roddy argued with Nigel he at first never acknowledged Mark until calling him the “Briscoe that doesn’t matter.” Mark got in his face and Nigel stepped in to break things up. Roderick backed away while also flapping his arms insinuating Mark was chicken.
The show itself opened with the entrance of a former pro football player turned pro wrestler who was in the news recently as speculation continues about his future with ROH. He was followed by the current IWGP heavyweight champion representing Los Ingobernables de Japon, who sauntered to the ring for a non-title match.
Tetsuya Naito beat Moose (with Stokely Hathaway)
On commentary, Nigel noted that Naito had one knee taped up. Naito also reportedly became ill on this tour. He still had a good match. Moose more than held his own too. Early on when Moose started signaling for the “Moose” chants, Natio spat in his face. Moose hit a dropkick then also dropkicked Naito as he was perched on the top turnbuckle sending Naito sailing out to the floor.
Moments later, Naito teased doing a dive only to mock Moose. When Naito did eventually jump over the ropes for a plancha, Moose caught him and gave him a fallaway slam into the guardrail. Naito cut him off and did a flurry of moves before mocking Moose again. After a commercial break, Moose fired up looking to make a comeback.
When Naito executed a hurricanrana off the top turnbuckle, Moose miraculously hulked up and delivered a lariat that turned Naito inside out for a nearfall. Moose suplexed Naito upside down into the turnbuckles. Naito countered and applied a Koji clutch and Moose got a rope break. Moose also kicked out after getting dropped with a swinging DDT. However, Moose eventually fell victim to a Destino and Naito covered him for the pinfall.
ANX cut a promo vowing to “make wrestling great again.”Of course, they are spoofing a certain WWE Hall of Famer currently running for president. During their entrance as part of their supposed new campaign, they did their best Jimmy Hart in bringing megaphones to the ring.
The backstory of the match was ANX had previously attacked Cheeseburger and beat him down so he enlisted the help of his mentor, Liger, in gaining revenge.ANX began pummeling Liger and Cheeseburger at the outset. Liger and Cheeseburger fought back. ANX got heat on Cheeseburger for awhile until Liger came in off a hot tag. ANX dispatched Liger to the outside and did some double-team offense on Cheeseburger. They finished off Cheeseburger and Titus pinned him.
In the weekly Bullet Club backstage promo, Adam Cole was mad about the main event at the next PPV being a world title rematch with Jay Briscoe vs. Jay Lethal. Cole claimed he should be in the match. He also objected to the camera operator and the sound engineer so the Young Bucks took over those duties as Cole basically vowed Bullet Club would take part in some angle on the PPV.
Silas Young interrupted the show to cut a promo on ACH. Silas ranted about his usual subjects pertaining to manliness and accused ACH of dressing like he was in a Japanese cartoon. He began arguing with a fan at ringside who was wearing a ACH t-shirt. Silas shoved him and security grabbed Silas. During the commotion, ACH ran in and did a wild springboard dive onto Silas and the security team. Silas Young vs. ACH is set for the PPV.
Kyle O’Reilly beat Kushida
Much like their previous matches, this was outstanding. From their matwork to their selling and into the highsports, they told a great story of O’Reilly finally being triumphant. In a pre-tape promo beforehand, O’Reilly talked about waiting an entire year for that moment.
Kushida began working an arm on O’Reilly only for Kyle to counter and work a leg on Kushida. O’Reilly applied a knee bar and went for an achilles lock. Kushida got a rope break but really sold his leg thereafter. Even though they did some highspots, they still kept selling and at times did so subtly and sold throughout the match.
Just before a commercial, O’Reilly dropped Kushida with a knee strike. After the break, Kushida was in the midst of a hope spot when O’Reilly turned him inside out with a lariat. Kushida came back with a brainbuster moments later. Kushida went back to work on the arm just before the action spilled outside.
As they fought at ringside, O’Reilly sat Kushida down in a chair. O’Reilly then dove off the apron for an attempted flying knee. In the same big spot they did in one of their previous matches, Kushida jumped out of the chair and caught the flying O’Reilly in an armbar as he crashed to the floor. Back in the ring, they both fell in a heap after dueling kicks and forearm strikes.
They rose once more for a few more final exchanges. O’Reilly momentarily caught Kushida in a guillotine. Kushida countered into a kimura lock. O’Reilly then maneuvered that into cradling Kushida for the deciding pinfall.
The Big Takeaway: Mainly tying up loose ends for the Money in the Bank PPV. While Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns had a faceoff to build their main event match, Dean Ambrose teased potentially winning the Money in the Bank briefcase and cashing it in that night to beat one of his former Shield mates. The relationship between Shane and Stephanie McMahon is growing more prickly as they bickered throughout the show. Charlotte and Dana Brooke are teasing a breakup after a whole month together. Last half of the show was driven by the six Money in the Bank participants. Really, the program was focused on trying to get Ambrose to be taken seriously again instead of a comedy figure.
Show Recap:
As trivial as it may seem at a time like this, Raw will have its go-home show for Money in the Bank tonight in New Orleans. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are expected back for the final push for their main event match at the PPV. After the curious decision to air that Rollins video last week, the question isn’t how much will he be cheered, but how much? Was last week any indication that they’re finally willing to give up the ghost on Reigns being a babyface?
This is also another show going head-to-head with the NBA Playoffs. Last time that happened was two weeks ago and it led to a wrestling-oriented program where Shane and Stephanie McMahon were limited to cameos. Last week was full of interviews, so perhaps they’ll even it up tonight.
Our coverage starts at 8 ET.
To open the show, the entire roster lined up on the ramp for a moment of silence to honor the 49 killed in the Orlando nightclub shooting. Again, Vince and Stephanie McMahon appeared but no HHH, who was in England over the weekend at the Download Festival hosting an NXT show. He also was the first recipient of the “Spirit of Lemmy Award” in honor of Lemmy Kilmister.
The New Day came out and discussed their title defense in a Fatal Fourway. Xavier Woods noticed that Kofi Kingston was wearing Stephen Curry’s Under Armour’s ridiculed shoes. Kingston joked Kingston was wearing the “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up 12s.”
Enzo and Big Cass showed up. When Enzo Amore asked “How you doin’?,” New Day muttered they were doing fine. Cass said they were going all-in in Vegas and walking out with the WWE Tag Team titles. Cass asked Kingston if he was serious with those “Jerry Seinfeld joints” he had going. Cass talked about Francesca 2, the trombone, and asked where was Woods’ girl last night? Cass said Francesca 2 was with Enzo last night, and he had his lips all over her. Enzo said he had Franny on Bourbon Street, where he played her like Louie Armstrong. He said “Enzo Satchmo had her going all night long.” Basically, Amore was dropping lots of double entendres straight from 1980s Ric Flair promos, except this was about a musical instrument. Woods said “I’m the only one who blows my girl.”
Enzo and Woods teased a verbal showdown before the Vaudevillains interrupted them. Aiden English sang like the leader of a barbershop quartet about how they were going to be the new champions. Then Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows finally came out to say they were going to be the new champions. Gallows said it would be easier than scoring a touchdown on the New Orleans Saints. This built up an eight-man tag for the night’s opening match.
Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and the Vaudevillains defeated The New Day and Enzo & Cass (13:27)
Gallows pinned Kingston after a Magic Killer. Kingston tried an O’Connor Roll on Karl Anderson, but Gallows had just made a blind tag. Action spilled out to the floor at the finish, where Big E gave English a belly-to-booty suplex. The highlight was Kingston doing a spectacular flip tope over the post onto English and Simon Gotch that the crowd loved. First spot was English trying to flip Kingston, who landed on his feet and he pointed to the Curry shoes for a pop. Pretty good match, but this crowd was dead most of the way and we still have 2.5 hours to go.
Tonight’s series of flashback clips feature the rise of the Shield. They opened with the Shield’s debut at Survivor Series 2012, which they also aired last week during the Seth Rollins profile.
Life Lessons with Bob Backlund featured Backlund asking how Young was going to celebrate many of his upcoming wins. Young said he was going to bring back the Millions of Dollars dance. Backlund said his next lesson would be about saving money. Young asked Backland how he saved money. Backlund said this was his only pair of clothes. Young asked if that was his only pair of underwear? Backlund screamed “You gotta want it!”
Shane McMahon walked in with Stephanie talking on the phone. Tensions are rising again. They argued over who would get Raw and who would get SmackDown. Stephanie wanted both. Shane said she and HHH ran both into the ground. Corporate Kane showed up and offered his services, and handed him his resume and a letter of recommendation from the Undertaker. Stephanie left Shane alone to talk to Kane, who dropped as many references to fire as possible to let us all know he’s also the Demon Kane.
Zack Ryder talked to some unknown backstage visitors about Apollo Crews hitting Sheamus from behind on Smackdown when Sheamus walked up. Sheamus said he would give Crews a Sheamus kick and make him a joke. Ryder blurted out “Hey Apollo!” Sheamus turned his head in concern, but Crews wasn’t there. When he turned around, Ryder was gone. Sheamus vowed to kick Ryder’s head off tonight while the visitors chuckled at him.
The next Shield flashback was their face turn against HHH, Randy Orton and Bautista from 2014.
The Shining Stars did a vignette saying they take care of the beaches of Puerto Rico and don’t litter, unlike the trash infected beaches of America.
Titus O’Neal made his ring entrance for a match when Rusev jumped him from behind. As Lana watched on from the background, Rusev put him in the Accolade several times before a group of referees ordered him off. Rusev screamed over a fallen O’Neal that he was the champion.
Next Shield highlight was Rollins turn on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. This was to set up the Ambrose Asylum with Reigns and Rollins, and really to reestablish Rollins as the heel again in the program.
They showed a tweet from HHH congratulating the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be sent a gorgeous WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt with the Penguins logo on it.
Ambrose came out and said the Ambrose Asylum was back by popular demand. He put over the entire Money in the Bank card then brought out Rollins and Reigns. Rollins got roundly cheered despite Ambrose calling him the “scum of the Earth.” Reigns got mostly booed, and Ambrose had to clap into the microphone for him to drown out the jeers.
Ambrose was smiling and clapping as Reigns and Rollins stared at each other. Ambrose asked Rollins how his knee was doing? Rollins curtly said if Ambrose had seen his documentary on the WWE Network? He said his knee was fine. Ambrose asked how was Rollins’ face? Rollins didn’t know what he was talking about. Ambrose said Rollins’ face was killing him.
Reigns spoke up briefly but was drowned out by booing. He said it was fun on Bourbon Street last night. Rollins looked wary of Ambrose and Reigns, and Ambrose called him a party pooper. Rollins brought up past memories of beating Team Hell No and the New Age Outlaws. Rollins smiled and brought up seeing Ambrose passed out beside a dumpster one night in Salt Lake City.
Rollins said the best times inside the ring came with the Shield. He even brought up beating Bautista, and Dave hasn’t been seen since. Then Rollins said his best ever moment in the ring was when he took a chair and hit Ambrose and Reigns to end the Shield. That was supposed to get him booed. It didn’t.
Ambrose asked Reigns what we can expect on Sunday. Reigns said the big dog would walk in as champ and the big dog would walk out as champ. Rollins said he was never defeated as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Ambrose tried to keep the two from fighting. Reigns said if Rollins was the champion, why does he have the belt? Actually, he said “this.”
Rollins said Reigns has the championship because he beat Ambrose. He beat Sheamus and he beat HHH. But Reigns has never beaten Rollins. Rollins said Reigns would have never won the championship without him. On the other hand, Rollins said everything he’s accomplished, he’s done on his own. And he will win the championship on his own. Ambrose brought up J&J Security, the Authority, Kane, etc.
Reigns said Rollins was right. Rollins broke up the Shield on his own. But the Shield had Rollins’ back, the only ones who did. And for what reason? So he could hog the spotlight. After Sunday, fans would call Reigns “the guy” not because he’s the champ, but because he beat Rollins. Ambrose wrapped up the segment by saying he could win the Money in the Bank contract on Sunday, and whether it’s Reigns or Rollins, he could cash in on Sunday to walk out as champion.
As Ambrose’s music played, Rollins pushed Ambrose into Reigns. Rollins punched Ambrose. Reigns gave Rollins a Superman Punch. Then Ambrose gave Reigns a kick to the stomach and Dirty Deeds and ended the segment looking up at the Money in the Bank briefcase. Good segment with the best mic work from Reigns since he became champion.
John Cena was shown talking to Shane backstage. Cena will have a contract signing with A.J. Styles later tonight.
Stephanie met Ambrose in the back. She mentioned that Shane was the one who brought back the Ambrose Asylum. Stephanie said that Ambrose would face Chris Jericho later tonight. It led to Ambrose saying that Stephanie had a lot of hatred and bile flowing through her veigns. Stephanie said having hatred within you can be a good thing if you know how to use it.
Paige defeated Charlotte (C) in a nontitle match (2:28)
Charlotte went for the Figure Eight, but Paige kicked her out of the ring. Dana Brooke threw Charlotte right back in the ring, where Paige gave her the Rampage for the pin. They’re already teasing a Brooke-Charlotte breakup. Natalya and Becky Lynch were at ringside on commentary. This leads to Charlotte & Brooke vs. Natalya & Lynch on Sunday. Charlotte took the face first Flair flop, which the crowd enjoyed.
Cesaro did an interview with Renee Young. Sami Zayn walked in, which made Cesaro mad. Cesaro said he was acting like a child. Zayn said, as far as he was concerned, they were equals. Cesaro said he’s been in the WWE for four years, while Zayn has been in the WWE for four months. He said Zayn still has a lot to prove and he should start tonight.
Backstage, Charlotte chewed out Brooke for costing her the match. Charlotte said she gave Brooke a chance to be part of her legacy, but if she makes the same mistake again on Sunday, there will be no room for her in the history book she’s writing.
Sheamus defeated Zack Ryder (1:54)
Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick. He put punches and boots to Ryder until Crews ran out. Crews scored a double-leg takedown, knocked him out of the ring with a forearm and Sheamus ran out through the crowd.
Another series of flashbacks, this one featurin famous monents from Money in the Bank. The opener was from 2010 Kane winning the briefcase, then cashing it in to defeat Rey Mysterio 50 minutes later. He’s still the only man to win the briefcase and the world championship on the same night.
O’Neal was shown in an Ad Council PSA paying Go Fish with his kids.
Kane talked with Shane backstage when Kevin Owens showed up. Owens wanted to see Stephanie, but when he heard she wasn’t around, he said that Alberto Del Rio only showed up to the building 20 minutes ago. Owens felt Del Rio should be taken out of the Money in the Bank match. Del Rio then walked in and said someone called airport security on him, which caused him to be held up for five hours. Del Rio blamed Owens. The two started jawing at each other with Del Rio speaking Spanish and Owens speaking French. Finally, Kane spoke up and ordered them to team together tonight against the Lucha Dragons. If the Lucha Dragons won, they would get Owens and Del Rio’s spot in the Money in the Bank match. Owens didn’t like the idea, but Shane did and it was done.
Sami Zayn defeated Cesaro (8:11)
Very good match where Zayn won with the Code Red. Fans got into it after Cesaro did his suplex from the apron into the ring. Had the most crowd heat of the night. Cesaro knocked Zayn to the floor early, blocking a springboard move with an uppercut. Zayn had a look on his face after he scored the finisher that put over the importance of finally getting a win on Raw.
There was a new feature called WWE Technology, which showed off the company’s video production truck. They also put over using green power to energize the trucks.
Cena came out for the contract signing with Styles. Cena said Money in the Bank might as well be WrestleMania, which wasn’t the first time someone has made that comparison tonight. Cena said for 15 years, people have wondered what would happen if he faces Styles. He said he loved the WWE, but year after year, the decision makers in the company said Styles didn’t belong. But through Ring of Honor, PWG and New Japan (using those names on the air), Styles has proven he belongs. Cena said he’s won 15 world championships, but Styles has won more over a 15-year span. Now, Styles has been given a chance thanks to Shane McMahon and that this would be a history making match.
Cena said the contract signing would be a little different tonight and told Michael Cole to leave. There was a table set up with a chair in the ring. Styles came out and there were the usual dueling chants. Styles said he turned Cena’s world around two weeks ago. At Money in the Bank, he would do it again. Styles said he would be the one saying “You can’t see me” because Cena couldn’t beat him.
Cena explained that there were two contracts on the table. One would guarantee a singles match between Cena and Styles with the Club barred from ringside. The other contract would have Cena vs. Styles with the Club allowed at ringside. If Styles signed the one that included the Club, it would prove how much of a bitch Styles truly is. But if he signed the one-on-one match with the Club barred from ringside. they would finally have an answer to the question of what if Styles faced Cena.
Styles brought up what would happen if Styles had been in the WWE 15 years ago? Then Cena wouldn’t have been a 15-time world champion, wouldn’t have won the Royal Rumble twice, wouldn’t be in movies and wouldn’t be on the cover of magazines. Cena screamed enough. He said he had heard the same routine from dozens of independent geeks for years and that Styles’ Club wasn’t full of bullets, it was full of bull. Cena said it was time for Styles to man up and try to prove him wrong. Cena said if Styles signed the contract with the Club, then they would need to put Styles on a fast track on Japan because he left his balls in Japan. Styles signed the contract for a one-on-one match with no Club at ringside and Cena followed.
Styles said this independent geek would beat Cena’s K-Mart shopping ass and prove it Sunday.
They aired highlights of the 2013 Money in the Bank, captured by Orton. He used it to defeat Daniel Bryan a month later.
Kevin Owens and Alberto Del Rio defeated Lucha Dragons to keep their spot in the Money in the Bank match (8:25)
Owens and Del Rio argued and nearly came to blows throughout the match. Kalisto used Salida del Sol on Del Rio, leading to the hot tag to Sin Cara. Owens was forced to use a save after Cara hit Del Rio with a Swanton, then dragged Del Rio to the corner for a tag. Kalisto attempted a tope on Del Rio, who threw Kalisto into the dasherboards. Owens pinned Cara with the Pop-Up Power Bomb. Del Rio gave Owens a Superkick afterwards and spit on him.
The Miz did another Facebook interview from the set of the Marine 5: Battleground. A stagehand gave him coffee, which Miz said was too cold.
Owens complained to Stephanie about Del Rio giving him a cheap shot. Stephanie listened to him instead of burying him. Owens said Zayn was going to be a commentary for the Ambrose-Jericho main event and asked if he could join him. Stephanie approved it. Del Rio walked up, said Owens was kissing up to Stephanie and demanded to be on commentary, as well. Stephanie said Del Rio could be guest timekeeper instead. Del Rio and Owens argued some more.
Shane and Stephanie bickered about their respective decision making. Shane said Cesaro will be the guest ring announcer for the main event. Stephanie said that Kane would be the wrong choice to run SmackDown. Kane walked in and Shane broke the news to him that he would not be running SmackDown. Kane asked if Shane’s decision was based on the whole “Jumper cables to the testicles” thing. Shane said it didn’t. Finally, Shane said Stephanie could run Raw, but he was going to run SmackDown this Thursday.
During Jericho’s ring entrance, Cesaro said he originally was from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, but currently lives in Stupid, Idiotville. He went on to say that Ambrose looked like he had just rolled out of bed.
Dean Ambrose defeated Chris Jericho (11:53)
Jericho got the Walls of Jericho but Ambrose made the ropes. After the elbow clothesline, Ambrose blocked the Codebreaker and won with Dirty Deeds. Owens largely stole the show on commentary putting down Byron Saxton. Del Rio held the bell hammer meancingly throughout the match, but never used it.
Owens ran in and jumped Ambrose afterwards. Zayn jumped on Owens, but Del Rio gave Zayn the back stabber. Cesaro ran in and gave Del Rio a springboard uppercut. Del Rio and Cesaro brawled around ringside. Meanwhile, Owens pulled out a ladder, but Ambrose gave him a baseball slide. As the four men fought, Zayn gave them a somersault plancha. As the only man not involved in the brawl, Jericho set up the ladder in the ring and climbed to get the Money in the Bank briefcase. He unhooked it and posed on top of the ladder cross-legged.
The show opened with the announcer telling us there were two changes: Tony Nese being added to the cruiserweight match to make it a 5 way elimination match and the non-title Hot Sauce v Tim Thatcher match would now be a title match.
– Dark Match: Joe Coffey def. Rory Gulak via submission
Gulak did some sort of a Tye Dillinger gimmick where he would evade a move and yell “amazing” or something similar. Coffey put him in a ridiculous standing boston crab and Gulak tapped instantly.
– Cedric Alexander def. Fred Yehi via pin
I thought this ended up being the best singles match on the show. It had the stiffest forearms/chops of the evening, and that is saying a lot. It looked like Cedric forearmed Yehi a little too hard and Yehi started to lay them in which looked pretty real to me. There was a dive spot where Alexander knocked the barricade back into the people in the first row. They went into the ring and started exchanging big moves, finally ending with a flurry from Cedric that gave him the victory. Yehi stayed in the ring in shock while Cedric celebrated, Cedric went down to the mat and they exchanged a very manly handshake.
– Bravado Brothers def. Jason Cade and Darby Allin via pin
After some standard tag work in the ring, Bravados took them outside and smashed them into the barricades a few times. Action went back into the ring where Cade threw one of the brothers out of the ring. He then went over the barricade into the crowd. The spot of the night happened when Cade leaped from the apron onto a basketball hoop that was left down in the gym, then hit a hurricanrana on one of the Brothers (I still don’t know which one is which). Action found its way back into the ring where Bravado brothers hit their finish and got the pin.
– Matt Riddle def. Trevor Lee via submission
Pretty blah match except for a spot where Riddle was thrown into one of the barricades and they broke apart, crashing into the people in the first row. Riddle tapped him with the Bro-Mission.
– Evolve Champion Timothy Thatcher def. Hot Sauce Williams via submission
Hot Sauce sent the rest of Catch Point to the back because he didn’t want an asterisk next to his name when he won the title. Thatcher then entered with no title belt as Riddle had stole it from him. Thatcher was very technical and kicked out of a few moves that looked devastating. He ended up catching Hot Sauce in an armbar and tapped him.
After the match, Riddle entered with the belt and cut a promo on Thatcher saying he deserved a title shot. Stokely Hathaway then entered and told him his boy TJP earned a spot in the cruiserweight series and neither of the other two had one. He felt TJP deserved the next shot. Thatcher said he would give TJP the next shot, then it would be Riddle in a Last Man Standing match. Thatcher then exited the ring without trying to get his title belt from Riddle.
– Cruiserweight Elimination Match: Tony Nese pinned TJP in a match involved Drew Gulak, Lince Dorado, and Johnny Gargano
Tony Nese entered first and cut a promo on how all he wants is a shot to show to the world what he can do in the WWE cruiserweight tourney. They implied that if he won he would be in the series. All the other entrants came in one by one and cut similar promos. Gargano made some vague WWE references.
Very good match, non-stop action. Gargano was eliminated early via roll-up by Gulak. Lots of dive spots, the barricades were knocked silly this match. Dorado did a moonsault onto the 3 remaining competitors and right as he was setting it up, Drew Galloway and EC3 entered and beat up Gargano. They cut a promo but the mic wasn’t quite working. After the moonsault spot, Gulak slept outside for about 5 minutes. Back in the ring, Dorado was pinned. Next, Gulak was eliminated by TJP. Nese and TJP then battled for a solid 10 minutes. TJP kicked out of a sit out tombstone piledriver. Nese started yelling “I am not losing this match”, went into a hulk-up mode, and hit TJP with another piledriver then a 450 for the pin.
With the win, Nese is now in the WWE cruiserweight tournament.
Match almost immediately left the ring and they fought all over the gym. They tossed a plastic trash can around and Drew grabbed a half full Coke bottle out of it and smashed it on Ethan’s head. Drew went for a suplex on the outside and Page reversed it. Action went back to the ring and Drew emptied the ring of chairs, another barricade, then grabbed a fan’s plastic chair. Page then went outside and grabbed a tiny ladder. He Irish whipped Galloway into the ladder, which was propped up on the ring and barricade. The ladder went flying about 10 feet almost into the crowd. Match went back into the ring and Drew hit his dirty deeds finisher onto a couple of steel chairs for the pin.
After the match, EC3 came out to celebrate with Drew. He said his open challenge was off because he already beat everyone up in the back and there was no one left. Gargano then came out and cut more WWE related promos, said something about him being “best for business” and he “knows how to play the game”. Gargano then said he didn’t want to pin EC3 so this would be a last man standing match. EC3 accepted the challenge and Drew went to the back.
– Johnny Gargano def. EC3 via KO in a Last Man Standing match
Back and forth match, good action. EC3 got mad at the ref for not counting fast enough so he knocked him out. He beat Gargano up and went to the back for another ref. The second ref counted to 9, Gargano got to his feet and EC3 whacked him with a chair. The ref started counting from 1 and EC3 told him “no that’s not 1, its 10”. The ref disagreed and EC3 then knocked that ref out as well.
Galloway came in, and then the Catch Point stable came in to help Gargano. They cleared Drew from the ring and it was left with EC3 surrounded by three men and the third ref. EC3 pleaded to the ref who just patted him on the face, EC3 then turned around to eat a bunch of superkicks. The match ended with EC3 being superkicked into the ref who gave him the Stone Cold salute, then a pretty well executed stunner. EC3 was then tossed over the top onto a table that was at ringside that didn’t break and the ref counted to 10.
At that point, the four men in the ring celebrated and the ref got a nice pop for his stunner. After the cameras were off, the ref attempted a spin-a-roonie and The Worm…which weren’t great.
Yujiro had Mao with him as she proceeded to do a very rated R dance. I don’t think we’ve seen her or any girl with Yujiro since the G1. They aired the match in full, and was fine. Very physical. Yujiro is one of those that are hit and miss as he can be very sloppy at times, but he was fine here for the most part. He got the sneaky win after Cody Hall interfered, allowing him to low blow Kojima and pin him with the Miami Shine.
Kojima says no matter how bad he looks, he promises to never give up. No matter how he does it, he will fight to the end.
Goto said that looking back, G1 25 was hard, but liked the breaks and this type of schedule fit him the most. He desires the belt that Okada had. Facing the Heavyweight champion as the Intercontinental champion…he never experienced that.
Hirooki Goto vs. Kazuchika Okada
This was another match where it started slow, turned into a pretty good back and forth match and evolved into something great. The crowd were into it and I think were genuinely interested in seeing the IWGP champion (at the time) face the Intercontinental champion (also at the time). Titles still mean a lot in Japan, unlike in US where I couldn’t tell you a lot of the current champions off the top of my head. Nice back and forth match with Hirooki Goto getting the clean win with the shouten kai. Hey, when the IWGP title is on the line he always has a better chance of winning. When it is on the line, well..
Goto says “I’VE CONQUERED IT!” to massive cheers. He wants the crowd to celebrate with three cheers, and they do. He says accidents don’t happen twice, we’ll beat the rest. Goto feels that he’s opened a new door. He welcomes anyone to challenge him for the IC title. He had mixed feelings beating Okada. 2015 was a year of change for him, and he’d like to challenge for the belt again.
Interestingly, a ROH commercial for Best in the World aired near the end of the program. Might not be too unusual, but it’s the first time I’ve seen during this show.
