Tag: Kazuchika Okada

AEW Collision live results: Tommaso Ciampa & The Rascalz debut, three title defenses

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

For the first time in a decade, Tommaso Ciampa will compete outside a WWE owned ring when he challenges TNT Champion Mark Briscoe in the headliner of tonight’s live AEW Collision from Arlington, Texas.

Ciampa made his surprise debut this past Wednesday to answer Briscoe’s open challenge — the first time they have shared a ring since 2013.

The Rascalz will also make their AEW in-ring debut as Zachary Wentz & Dezmond Xavier take on CRU’s Lio Rush & Action Andretti.

AEW International Champion Kazuchika Okada will appear to defend the title against Adam Priest.

In the third title defense, AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) defend against the Sisters of Sin (Julia Hart & Skye Blue).

The main card is rounded out by Darby Allin facing the returning Clark Connors.

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 pm Eastern.

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The show opened with Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness running down the card before introducing the first match, Darby Allin vs. Clark Connors.

Darby Allin vs. Clark Connors

The match started with Connors crashing into Allin as Allin skateboarded down towards the ring. When Allin went to the top rope Connors swept his legs and sent Allin crashing back first onto the top turnbuckle and then to the floor. Connors sent Allin in to the guardrail and continued the beating when Allin slapped him in response. Connors hit a shoulder tackle that crushed Allin and trapped him against the ring apron.

Allin was covered in tape on his back, giving a target for Connors, who back dropped Allin on the guardrail and apron, targeting the back after Allin was suplexed into the ring steps a few weeks ago. Connors hit a German suplex on Allin in the ring for a 2-count. Connors hit another shoulder tackle on the Allin, who was on his knees, and sent him back towards the opposite corner.

Allin ended up on the apron, but Connors flew through the ropes with a spear, leaving both men on the apron. Connors pulled out the ring steps and looked to suplex Allin on them again, but Allin fought it off by raking the eyes of Connors and getting back into the ring. Connors sent Allin towards the stairs and Allin flipped over the steps to the other side, turned around and ran up the stairs to hit Connors, and got back into the ring and hit a tope suicida that sent Connors into the guardrail.

Connors blocked a superplex attempt and hit a sunset flip powerbomb followed by a spear for a 2-count. Allin fought out of a straight jacket and flipped Connors over into a Scorpion Death Drop. Allin went for the Coffin Drop, but Connors got the knees up. Connors went for another spear, but Allin dodged, swept the legs, and locked on the Scorpion Death Lock to make Clark Connors submit.

Result: Darby Allin defeats Clark Connors

This was an excellent opening match. Connors is great, and Allin remains fantastic.

–Darby Allin cut a promo about how he had defeated all the Death Riders, and now it was his time to go for the top title in AEW. As he was just about to call out MJF, Gabe Kidd ran into the ring from the crowd and started beating on Allin. Connors joined him in the beatdown, and they took Darby to the floor and placed the ring steps onto Allin’s midsection while Kidd stood on top of the stairs.

Kidd said that Allin wouldn’t be able to make it to the top of AEW if he was pushing up daisies, and that he was going to follow Allin all over the earth if he had to until he ended Allin’s career. I mean, threatening him with death and actually doing it would end Allin’s career, though it would present other problems for Kidd. Like a murder charge.

–A hype video aired for the Sisters of Sin vs. the Babes of Wrath, happening later tonight.

–Jet Speed were backstage with their new World Six-Man Championships, talking about how the Don Callis family were looking for gold, but they were not hard to find. They also said that Hangman Adam Page was no longer alone, and they would be watching his back as Hangman goes for the AEW World Championship.

Cru (Action Andretti & Lio Rush) (w/ Lacey Lane) vs. The Rascalz (Zachery Wentz & Dezmond Xavier) (w/ Myron Reed)

Xavier and Rush started the match, with Xavier grounding Rush a little bit, but the pace picked up very quickly, with Xavier hitting a dropkick off the ropes. Wentz tagged in and hit a bronco buster on Rush. Rush rolled over to Andretti when he hit the ropes and tagged him in, and Andretti came in with a clothesline that dropped Wentz and Cru had the advantage for the first time in the match.

Xavier missed a top con giro to the floor, but largely landed on his feet, and Wentz came flying in with a corkscrew plancha to the floor on Rush and Andretti. Rush dodged a double team attempt, leaving an opening for Andretti to spring board into a lariat on Xavier. Andretti hit a suplex on Xavier and got a 2-count. Cru hit a series of double team moves, ending with a spinning kick to the back of Xavier’s head from Rush for a 2-count.

There was a series of counters so fast that I couldn’t keep track of it, and Cru ended up hitting stereo handsprings and tope suicidas on everyone. Wentz saved Xavier from a double suplex and then superkicks started flying so much I thought it was a Young Bucks match, and Wentz did a handspring into flying knee on Rush. Wentz went for a moonsault and Xavier shoved him in mid air until he spun over and hit it on Andretti for the pinfall.

Result: The Rascalz defeated Cru

This was an excellent match, and also shows that Cru is rather under utilized in the tag division. I would love to see the Young Bucks mix it up with both of these teams.

–Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor were discussing their team again, saying that they both like to get hit and hit other people, and while Windsor had other tag partners, none of them were able to get to the titles. Hayter and Windsor said that they were going to have fun chasing the titles.

–Jon Moxley was backstage and he responded to Takeshita challenging him last week. He said that Takeshita was one of the few wrestlers in the world that he understands, because they both chased titles and competing against the best all around the world. Moxley said that he thought he was that kind of man, but Takeshita had some goons attack him last week, and Moxley made Mark Davis pay for it by hitting him in the face with a title. Moxley said that if the Callis Family was looking to start a gang war that it was something that the Death Riders did for fun. This promo was fantastic. Jon Moxley is, again, one of the best wrestlers in the world today for creating compelling matches.

Orange Cassidy & Toni Storm vs. Gino Medina & Lady Bird Monroe

Cassidy put his hands in his pockets and hit a dropkick on Medina. Lady Bird Monroe got in the ring and started arguing with Cassidy, so he did his slow kicks to her shins, then stood aside to let Storm dropkick her and Cassidy hit a tope suicida on Media. Storm hit a tornado DDT on Medina, the hip attack, and sent Medina into an Orange Punch for the pinfall from Cassidy.

Result: Orange Cassidy & Toni Storm defeated Gino Medina & Lady Bird Monroe

–Wheeler Yuta ran in to attack Cassidy as soon as the match ended, and Marina Shafir attacked Storm from behind after. Yuta grabbed a mic and said that he was going to interview Orange Cassidy while Shafir held him in a full nelson. Yuta said that Cassidy said a lot of lies about Yuta, and asked how he felt now that the Death Riders made him pay.

Cassidy said that he couldn’t hear Yuta through his garbage hair. Yuta grabbed a pair of scissors from ringside and looked to cut the hair of Cassidy, but Storm came in, suplexed Shafir, grabbed the scissors, and threatened to stab Yuta. Storm then grabbed a mic and said that they picked the wrong team to mess with, and that mixed tag hair vs. hair match was going to happen in Australia at AEW Grand Slam, and that Yuta or Shafir were going to lose their hair.

–The Grizzled Young Veterans were backstage with Eddie Kingston and Ortiz, and how they continued wanting to fight. Kingston said that they could end it, as they beat each other up, and that should be it. GYV said that Kingston didn’t understand them, and didn’t speak for them, and Kingston challenged them to a parking law brawl for next week. Bryan Keith and Big Bill flew in and attacked Kingston and Ortiz, and GYV paid them for their services. GYV then agreed to the parking lot brawl for next Saturday.

–A short hype video aired for Tommaso Ciampa vs. Mark Briscoe, highlighting clips from ROH when they were much younger.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Mark Briscoe for the TNT Championship

Ciampa and Briscoe maintained a clear back and forth for the first few minutes of the match, exchanging holds until Briscoe hit a Redneck Kung Fu kick and a cannonball tope through the middle ropes. Briscoe and Ciampa exchanged chops, but Briscoe hit a dropkick and then hit a suplex for a 2-count. Briscoe’s advantage continued for a few minutes until Ciampa managed to hit the Psycho Drillerr on the apron, driving Briscoe head and back first onto it. That was brutal.

Ciampa hit 7 punches in the corner and did the “six-seven” meme to the delight of the crowd and a sigh from me. Briscoe fought out of a sleeper hold with a back suplex. Briscoe fired up with some chops hit a flying forearm on Ciampa. Briscoe hit a lariat in the corner and then another in the opposite corner before going for an exploder suplex.

Ciampa blocked the attempt but ate a kick from Briscoe that sent him to the floor. Briscoe hit a running dropkick and hit a blockbuster from the apron on Ciampa before the fans helped him stand back up. As they were coming back into the ring Ciampa hit a draping DDT on Briscoe for a 2-count. Briscoe blocked a Psycho Driller attempt off the top rope and hit a froggy bow for a 2-count. Ciampa blocked a top rope move of his own and hit the Psycho Driller off the top rope for a 2-count.

Both Ciampa and Briscoe exchanged attempts at Jay Drillers until Ciampa hit a running knee that sent Briscoe to the floor. The ring announcer let us know that there was only 5 minutes left in the match. Briscoe grabbed the time keeper’s table after fighting Ciampa off, but got cut off from Ciampa who put Briscoe on the table, hit a running knee, and posed on the table. Briscoe, however, came off the top rope with a froggy bow to the standing Ciampa that put them both through the table.

Briscoe and Ciampa got back in the ring and started exchanging attempts to finish the match, hitting kicks, etc. Just as they were getting to the last minute, Ciampa manged to counter of a Jay Driller and hit a running knee to knock Briscoe out and score the pinfall.

Result: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Mark Briscoe to win the TNT Championship

This was a fantastic title match, with Briscoe putting in his usual great performance, and Tommaso Ciampa having a fantastic debut. Ciampa winning here puts him over strong, and Briscoe can move onto new things, so it looks like we will not be getting that Fletcher and Briscoe rematch that Callis was teasing/pushing Fletcher into. Fletcher will need to face Ciampa instead.

–Just as I wrote my reaction above, Fletcher came onto the ramp and pointed at Ciampa, indicating that he was going to be wrestling him soon.

–Josh Alexander was cutting a promo while the Don Callis family beat up a bunch of people in the background, saying that Moxley should mind his own business when saying Takeshita is too good for the Don Callis family. Alexander said that announced that Mark Davis would be facing Hangman Adam Page before Australia, and Romero said that he had a ringside ticket to see Okada beat Adam Priest. Alexander looked around for Lance Archer, who ran in off screen to hit a crossbody on three of the poor geeks backstage before laughing and saying “Everybody dies” while almost giggling. That was great.

Adam Priest (w/ Tommy Billington) vs. Kazuchika Okada (w/ Rocky Romero) for the AEW International Championship

Rocky Romero joined the commentary desk and immediately accidentally called Priest “Adam Pierce” which is quite the funny mistake. Romero insisted that Priest was not on the same level as Okada and didn’t deserve Okada in a robe or to see the International title. Okada dominated the early part of the match, with Okada hitting a dropkick and selling like he hurt his knee. Romero ran down from the commentary desk on the ramp to attack Priest from behind as the referee was checking on Okada.

Okada hit a DDT on Priest on the floor as a fan held a “Okada Fears Takeshita” sign that the announcers noted. Okada taunted Priest with some face wash kicks before hitting a hard uppercut, but Priest fired back with his own. Priest hit a few forearms and a neckbreaker to drop Okada. Priest went for a figure four, but Okada fought out. Okada went for a dropkick, but Priest dodged and locked on a figure four in the middle of the ring.

Priest hit an upper cut, but Okada responded with a dropkick after hit hit the ropes. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Priest countered into a backslide. Priest went for a cutter, but Okada dumped him onto the mat like a back suplex and then hit the Rainmaker for the win.

Result: Kazuchika Okada defeated Adam Priest

–The Rascalz were backstage with Lexy Nair, and they mentioned how they like parking lots. Eddie Kingston walked in and said that if Bill & Keith were going to get involved, Kingston was bringing in friends that had had history with the Grizzled Young Veterans. He then said he was going to the parking lot with the Rascalz to take some medicine, and they offered Lexy Nair some, but she said no.

–A hype video aired for the current AEW World Championship situation with Brody King challenging MJF in a Eliminator Match, while Omega, Hangman, and Andrade are all chasing MJF for AEW Revolution. Good recap video.

–Lexy Nair was with Tommaso Ciampa backstage, and he was with his wife and child. His daughter had the title on her shoulder, which was cute. Ciampa said that AEW had welcomed him like family, and that his daughter now has a new sister in the TNT title, and they were going to celebrate. Great promo.

The Sisters of Sin (Julia Hart & Skye Blue) vs. The Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) for the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship

Julia Hart immediately attacked Nightingale on the apron and all four women ended up on the floor fighting around ringside. Nightingale saved Cameron from a double suplex from the Sisters of Sin and sent Cameron into Blue and Hart before Cameron hit a sling blade on Blue. Nightingale got necked on the top rope letting Blue hit a tornado DDT on Nightingale.

Cameron hit a crossbody onto both Blue and Hart, rolled to the floor, but got shoved into the apron by Julia Hart. Hart and Blue hit a flapjack on Cameron for a 2-count. The Sisters of Sin then got the heat through the commercial break on Cameron. Hart locked on a tarantula on Cameron letting Blue hit a dropkick to the midsection of Cameron.

Cameron managed to hit a suplex on Blue and tagged out to Nightingale who came in and started hitting clotheslines on Hart. Nightingale dodged a corner charge from Blue, who crashed into her own partner. Nightingale then cartwheeled out of an attack by Blue and hit a pounce on her before hitting a spinebuster on Hart for a 2-count.

Hart hit some forearms on Nightingale and went for a hurricanrana, but Nightingale’s balance got thrown off and they both fell over. Nightingale covered for this transitioning into a Boston crab. Nightingale went for the powerbomb, but Hart hit an X-factor and the Sisters of Sin hit a front suplex and double superkick on Nightingale.

Nightingale fought off a double team move and tagged out to Cameron and then there was a series of miscommunications with Cameron and Blue, but they recovered and Cameron hit Blue with a DDT and eventually a Crucifix bomb. Cameron hit Sole food on Blue that sent her backwards into a page turner from Nightingale for the win.

Result: The Babes of Wrath defeated The Sisters of Sin to retain

–After the match Thekla ran down to attack, and Kris Statlander made the save. As Statlander cleared the ring, Penelope Ford and Megan Bayne ran in and attacked Statlander, laying her out, and working with the Triangle of Madness to beat down Nightingale and Cameron as well.

Final Thoughts

This was a good episode of AEW Collision, especially the Mark Briscoe and Tommaso Ciampa match. The rest of the show was not that important, but there was nothing bad on it, outside of a few awkward communication issues and botches in the main event. This was a good show overall. The Rascalz and Cru had a great match, as did Darby Allin and Clark Connors. So, three good matches across this two hour show. I give that a thumbs up.

International title match announced for AEW Collision

Posted on by Ian Carey

The AEW International Championship will be on the line this Saturday on AEW Collision.

Champion Kazuchika Okada will defend his title against Adam Priest. The match was set up during Thursday’s episode of ROH TV.

Priest defeated Anthony Henry of The Workhorsemen on the show. He was later confronted backstage by Rocky Romero, who said Priest had been talking badly about the Don Callis Family. Priest responded by saying he had seen the group lose a lot of gold recently.

“If you really want to find out and test yourself, show up in 48 hours to AEW Collision in Arlington, Texas. How about Okada vs. Priest for the AEW International Championship?” Romero said to Priest.

“Tell him I’ll be there,” Priest responded.

Saturday’s show is set for the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

AEW Collision announced lineup for Saturday, January 31, 2026:

  • AEW International Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Adam Priest
  • AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Babes of Wrath (Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale) defend against Sisters Of Sin (Julia Hart & Skye Blue)
  • Clark Connors vs. Darby Allin
  • TNT Champion Mark Briscoe defends against Tommaso Ciampa
  • The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz) vs. CRU (Action Andretti & Lio Rush)

Bushiroad president thanks Kazuchika Okada after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Bushiroad president Takaaki Kidani recently reflected on his chat with Kazuchika Okada after the wrestler reportedly got upset at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20.

At that event, Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in Tanahashi’s retirement match, which also happened to be Okada’s first NJPW match since leaving the promotion in February 2024.

Afterward, reports emerged about Okada being upset with NJPW management for not being greeted backstage.

Kidani uploaded a photo on social media and claimed that he had a chat with Okada following the Wrestle Kingdom 20 backstage confusion (the following quotes have been translated from Japanese):

“There was a lot of confusion in the dome, but we were able to talk at length. Thank you for your hard work, the biggest event of the century.”

Bushiroad currently owns the majority of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). While the promotion was founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972, it was acquired by Bushiroad in 2012.

Fight Game: Saying goodbye to Hiroshi Tanahashi

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling.

We gave out our thumbs up and thumbs down for the week before focusing on this past weekend’s Wrestle Kingdom 20.

We talked about Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada being near perfect, the poetry of the book-end feud, Yota Tsuji beating Konosuke Takeshita, and the debut of Aaron Wolf.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

John Cena, Kazuchika Okada, others comment on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement

Posted on by Ian Carey

The wrestling world has been paying tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi in the wake of his retirement.

Tanahashi’s final match headlined Sunday’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 at the Tokyo Dome, where he was defeated by Kazuchika Okada. Following the match, several of Tanahashi’s former rivals and allies came to the ring to honor him. The tributes have continued on social media, with Okada, John Cena, and others sharing comments about Tanahashi.

Cena posted an image of Tanahashi to his Instagram page on Sunday. As is typical with Cena’s posts, he did not include a caption.

Okada wrote (translated): “Tanahashi-san, thank you for your hard work. Let’s meet again, everyone in Japan.”

CMLL’s Atlantis wrote (translated): “Respect and admiration for Hiroshi Tanahashi in his retirement match. His influence marked generations and elevated Japanese professional wrestling to the world. Legends don’t retire, they transcend.”

CMLL wrote (translated), “Today we bid farewell to a legend of the ring. Hiroshi Tanahashi leaves an indelible mark on the history of Lucha Libre and on that of CMLL, where in 2013 he was crowned Universal Champion, demonstrating his greatness, respect, and love for this sport.”

TNA World Champion Frankie Kazarian wrote, “I raise a glass to @tanahashi1_100 One of the very best. What an incredible career. It was an honor to share the ring with such a talented and well rounded ambassador to our industry. NJPW is in great hands.”

MJF wrote, “Solid career kid, you’re welcome for the rub 😉”

Ricochet wrote, “You did great things, Ace. I got it from here. 👑”

Rush wrote, “GRACIAS AMIGO. Respect and admiration !!”

Christopher Daniels wrote, “Congratulations to @tanahashi1_100 on his incredible career & amazing retirement! Thank you Ace! And may your presidency bring @njpw1972 unrivaled success in Japan in the coming years! 💐 💐 💐“

Tanahashi wrote following the show, “I’m home. Tokyo Dome event. Super packed. Lots of cheering! Thank you so much. I’m tired~”

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 live results: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The final match in the legendary career of Hiroshi Tanahashi takes place in the Tokyo Dome as part of tonight’s NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Tanahashi takes on longtime NJPW rival and current AEW roster member Kazuchika Okada on a night that will also feature a retirement ceremony.

IWGP World Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji in a winner takes all bout.

Olympic judo gold medalist Aaron Wolf makes his pro wrestling debut against NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL.

In another winner takes all match for the IWGP Women’s Championship and NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, Saya Kamitani goes one-on-one with Syuri.

NJPW TV Champion El Desperado defends against Chris Brookes while El Desperado vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Sho will decide the next IWGP Junior Heavyweight title challenger.

In a 10-man tag, the Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Drilla Moloney) and Unaffiliated (Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi) take on Andrade El Idolo and United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Henare & TBA).

The show will also feature a Ranbo match for the NEVER Six-Man Tag Team titles.

Our live coverage begins at 1:15 PM Eastern.

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Pre-Show

Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda defeated Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto

Murashima and Matsumoto began grappling to a standstill in the Tokyo Dome. Yasuda gained control following two suplexes. Kato quickly recovered with a suplex to Murashima. Three consecutive bodyslams saw Kato maintain an edge over Murashima. He bounced back with a Back-Body Drop. and a Murashima Stampede. Through gritted teeth and applied pressure, Murashima’s Boston Crab tapped Kato.

(Crisp match with a quick pace. While the Young Lions were hungry, they stayed coloring in the lines, so as not to take any unwanted risks. Just enough to have a serviceable match.)

El Phantasmo (c) defeated Chris Brookes for the NJPW World Television Championship

Phantasmo and Brookes wrestled to a standstill. Employing sportsmanship with a handshake, Phantasmo earned a kick to the midsection as recompense for his good deed. Attacking Phantasmo’s ally, Jado, Brookes exploited the confusion and the environment using his DDT cohorts to inflict whiplash via a brightly colored rope.

Brookes from the top rope landed a senton that rattled the champion. Phantasmo slingshot himself from the ropes to deliver a Thunderkiss 86. His UFO attempt nearly finished the match. Brooks regained control, sneaking his knees up to disrupt another Thunderkiss 86. The challenger’s Brainbuster resulted in a nearfall. Phantasmo’s CR2 preceded a final Thunderkiss 86 that secured a title retention over Brookes.

(Phantasmo and Brookes had chemistry. The Dome sizzled with this one, and I imagine Brookes will revisit this bout with Phantasmo in the future to build something else. There’s something here, but not enough to go nuts over. Solid affair.)

Main Card

TMDK eliminated Oleg Boltin & Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) in the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship Rambo

House of Torture (SANADA, Ren Narita, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) promptly went to work on Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, & Kaisei Takechi. They bounced back, however, flinging Narita into the corner as War Dogs (Yuto-Ice, OSKAR, & Clark Connors sauntered to the ring, accompanied by AEW’s Thekla. Narita unwisely took this time to sneak up on Umino, Uemura, and Takechi and was stomped out. War Dogs barreled into the standing babyfaces.

Thekla distracted House of Torture so Connors could batter them with a tire. TMDK emerged next, featuring Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, and Hartley Jackson. Oiwa and Yuto-Ice clobbered each other with forearms. Connors punctured Sabre with a Gore to allow Yuto-Ice more breathing room. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Togi Makabe joined the four teams as Oiwa battled OSKAR and Yuto-Ice in the ring. Oiwa flung OSKAR out, thereby eliminating War Dogs. They were replaced by Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Oleg Boltin.

Team 100 (Taichi & Satoshi Kojima) & Tomohiro Ishii were the new entries as Boltin eliminated Tiger Mask via pinfall. Boltin and Ishii teetered in a vertical suplex standoff, which the latter gained the upper hand in. The champions Toru Yano, Master Wato, & YOH rounded out the participants; YOH came out emulating “Toru YOH-no”. Taichi and Uemura tumbled into the ropes, each spilling outside, therefore eliminating their teams.

YOH singlehandedly stood his own against the challengers. Wato and Yano saved YOH from elimination. However, House of Torture pulled him off the ropes after nearly toppling SANADA, who fell out as well. Bishamon and Boltin coordinated well to disorient TMDK. Sabre outwrestled Boltin’s Kamikaze attempt to secure a pinfall with a bridged pin.

(This Rambo Match felt like a party. It won’t be for everyone, but the chaos was a part of the charm. I genuinely didn’t expect TMDK or Bishamon & Oleg Boltin to be the final two.)

Syuri (c) defeated Saya Kamitani (c) for the IWGP Women’s Championship & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship

Despite the swift agility of both champions, each woman evaded the other’s lethal strikes to a stalemate. Syuri trapped Kamitani’s arm, but a rope break was her salvation. Kamitani used the referee as a shield to break up Syuri’s momentum. H.A.T.E. pulled Syuri out of the ring, allowing Kamitani to dive at her into the steel blue barricade.

Kamitani weakened Syuri following a spiteful forearm exchange. A Bridging Northern Lights Suplex lent the Strong champion more momentum. Syuri swung a comeback as she dragged Kamitani over the top rope and cranked back on her opponent’s arm. The terrified and panicking Kamitani squirmed to a rope break, even though both of her arms were within Syuri’s grasp. A confident Blue Thunderbomb placed Kamitani inches from victory, as did a Star Crusher. Syuri grounded Kamitani with a Fujiwara Armbar, followed by a knee to the face. Kamitani garnered some steam, but Syuri caught her with a roundhouse kick. A Buzzsaw Kick dazed Kamitani. Syuri became a double champion by use of her signature Syu-Sekai.

(To the surprise of absolutely no one, this match was a classic. A hard-hitting bout with close nearfalls, this added poignancy to the seriousness of tonight. If this match doesn’t land in the conversation of match of the year in most, if not all, circles, then I’d be surprised.)

United Empire (Jake Lee, Andrade El Idolo, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) defeated War Dogs (David Finlay, Drilla Moloney & Gabe Kidd) & Unaffiliated (Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi)

Finlay quickly went to work on Lee. Meanwhile, Kidd contended with Idolo, whose conditioning overwhelmed the madman, resulting in a Flying Crossbody. Takagi and HENARE collided, two bulls clashing in tackles, the former gaining an upper hand with a DDT. HENARE withstood most of Takagi’s offense, but couldn’t survive a lariat. Moloney outcircled him, leading to a dropkick. Reunited with Takagi, HENARE fell prey to an elbow from him and Moloney.

Takagi’s lariat and Moloney’s Gore continued to rock the Maori wrestler. Finally, HENARE snagged a comeback with a Berserker Bomb. Finlay and Newman’s hate boiled over in their hot tags; a backbreaker crushed the latter. Lee joined in, powerslamming Finlay. Takahashi and Finlay used each other as a weapon, flinging the other into Lee in the corner. By way of Finlay’s Dominator, Takahashi landed on Lee in a 2-count pin attempt. Moloney endured Newman’s onslaught to return fire with a Drilla Killa. Finlay tossed Takahashi into the sea of War Dogs and United Empire members. Irate, Takahashi flipped him over onto all their partners and opponents.

The jubilant Takahashi, now isolated, looked at the lights after Lee’s Facebreak Shot awarded him the pinfall victory.

Post-match: Jakob Austin Young joined the group in a white-collared shirt and tie. A masked figure also joined the United Empire’s celebration, revealed to be Francesco Akira.

(This match had some unhinged energy to it, with so much going on. I loved the chaos. Social media may be divided on Jake Lee, but the overall storytelling and action in this match was truly something to behold.)

El Desperado defeated Taiji Ishimori, SHO, Kosei Fujita for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Contender

SHO found himself on the receiving end of everyone’s ire, absorbing everyone’s kicks. He pointed into a random corner and scurried away. Desperado and Ishimori formed a temporary alliance toward Fujita. SHO returned to the fray and promptly fell to a drop toe-hold from Fujita (with a Desperado and Ishimori assist). Ishimori left Desperado reeling with a La Mistica. Yoshinobu Kanemaru and DOUKI swarmed Ishimori with stomps and a lead pipe from the latter. SHO almost struck Ishimori with a wrench when Robbie Eagles, Robbie X, and Kuukai came to his rescue.

Fujita would have helped them, had it not been for SHO striking him with a black sheet pan. He followed up with a Shock Arrow. Desperado usurped him, nevertheless, with a Pinche Loco.

(Thrilling Junior Heavyweight action here, don’t get me wrong. But this match was so disorganized in the end. Though I’m excited to see the Robbies and Kuukai involved, I could have sworn the House of Torture interference had resulted in a bell being rung, so I thought this had already ended in disqualification with a wild post-match angle. Whatever. It should’ve been Fujita with the win, though.)

Death Vegas Invitacional and further event dates

An April 16, 2026, show in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, was revealed to be titled “Death Vegas Invitacional”. Further shows revealed were the New Japan Cup, Sakura Genesis, Wrestling Red Zone in Hiroshima, Wrestling Dontaku, and G1 Climax 36 (with U.S. dates).

Aaron Wolf defeated EVIL (c) for the NEVER Openweight Championship

Wolf emerged with a shaved head and black trunks, eschewing his judogi.

EVIL and Wolf wasted no time, sharing forearms. The fiery Wolf used EVIL’s headlock against him, hurling him every which way. An elbow drop left EVIL fleeing to the outside. Propping a chair on Wolf’s neck, EVIL swung like he was famed baseball player Ken Griffey Jr in 1997. The arrogant EVIL taunted Wolf after an Irish Whip into the corner wrecked the former judoka.

Another whip into the corner devastated Wolf. EVIL tried several pinfalls to no avail. Using his judo experience, Wolf overcame the flood of House of Torture members with relative ease. EVIL swung powder in his face and sank in a deep Texas Cloverleaf. Tokyo erupted as he crawled to the bottom rope. EVIL regained dominance as he bullied Wolf with strikes. Wolf found his spirit with an Olympic Slam. He rocked EVIL with a Splash. House of Torture stole the referee before he could get a pin. Preventing further aid, the team wiped out YOH, Master Wato, and Toru Yano, who stormed in on Wolf’s behalf.

Don Fale erected a wooden table and splashed Wolf through its unforgiving structure. Miraculously, Wolf kicked out of EVIL’s lariat. Wrapping his legs around EVIL’s neck, Wolf stretched EVIL’s arms until he was left unconscious. Wolf became the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

(Tokyo was not ready for, yet hotly anticipated, Aaron Wolf. The long build to his debut and the overall execution made for a special moment and atmosphere. EVIL was actually in good form here, and the House of Torture antics added to the drama to give a superhuman performance. Wolf is a made man, and I hope the booking has the vision to ensure he is a successful prospect.)

Yota Tsuji defeated Konosuke Takeshita for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

Exchanging headlocks, both men remained remarkably calm. Reaching a standstill, Tsuji paintbrushed Takeshita in the face. He sent Takeshita reeling courtesy of a hurricanrana. Slowing the match to a crawl, Takeshita took a stroll to regain composure. The audience audibly grimaced, hearing the thud of Tsuji’s chest from Takeshita’s chops.

Tsuji rocked Takeshita with the double-knee Gut Buster. The World Heavyweight Champ retaliated with a vertical suplex. Takeshita dropped Tsuji with a DDT onto the apron, to head-crunching effect. He sent Tsuji outside with a Frankensteiner. Tsuji countered a Power Drive with a backbreaker and a stomp to grasp a comeback. Tokyo clamored for Tsuji following a well-executed Fosbury Flop.

Takeshita’s Power Drive hit its mark on Tsuji, and he hit his own version of the Gene Blaster. Escaping Takeshita’s forearms, Tsuji was devastated with an elbow low blow. Takeshita lay dizzied on the mat after suffering a Destroyer. Though he suplexed Tsuji, Takeshita still ended up on the receiving end of a Gene Blaster. Readying for another Blaster, Tsuji withstood Takeshita’s knee, a Blue Thunderbomb, and a Raging Fire with a rope break. Takeshita found some wiggle room with a Poisonrana. Tokyo became unglued after a top rope Blue Thunder Bomb and Power Drive failed to put Tsuji away. Aiming for one last Power Drive, Takeshita instead fell victim to a Gene Blaster. Tsuji sank in a Boston Crab and lowered it further to keep Takeshita grounded. Ultimately, Takeshita acquiesced, tapping out to Tsuji’s pressure.

Post-match: Tsuji celebrated, enjoying sportsmanship from Takeshita and expressing his pride as the new World Heavyweight Champion, as well as retaining his Global Heavyweight Champion. Jake Lee attacked him from behind and tossed his title carelessly into his lap.

(Yes. I agree with this. The absolute correct call, and I am a Takeshita fan. But man, this match’s intensity became so stressful, so compelling that any meandering spots were meaningless to the overall spots that elevated it to another level. Takeshita and Tsuji have such gripping chemistry that reliably results in instant classics.)

Main Event

Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

Tanahashi soon wrestled control of the match in his favor. Okada wrenched it to his with a relentless headlock, taunting him by saying, “Go, Ace!” Tanahashi retorted with an elbow drop and a senton. Slamming his opponent to the mat, he teased a High-Fly Flow when Okada dropkicked him to the ringside. The Rainmaker faced Tokyo with a cheesy grin as he tormented Tanahashi with a knee to the barricade and a DDT off of it.

Bullying his old rival in the corner, Okada planted him with a DDT. Fighting back with punches, Tanahashi dazed Okada with a slam and a senton. Okada flung Tanahashi over the top rope, but he ricocheted back, replying with a Dragonscrew Leg Whip. Recuperating on the outside, Okada returned to the floor upon a top rope High-Fly Flow. Giving the camera the middle finger, Okada hinted at a Rainmaker Lariat, only for Tanahashi to flop him around with three successive Twist ‘n’ Shouts. A Tombstone from Okada was The Ace’s reward. The crowd pleaded with Okada not to drop Tanahashi with a Tombstone on the ramp, but he did it anyway. With the weight of the world and the match crushing his body, Tanahashi narrowly slipped back in the ring at a close 19-count.

Okada greeted him with a series of Rainmakers, with a third one eliciting a fire from The Ace. Wrist control firmly locked, Okada resumed his unloading of Rainmakers. With a second wind, Tanahashi reversed one with a Rainmaker of his own. Okada employed one more Rainmaker with some extra emphasis added to it. Changing strategies, Okada targeted Tanahashi’s knees with a Boston Crab. As though holding his last breath to savor life itself, Tanahashi refused to give in, grasping for that rope break. Distancing himself from another of Okada’s Rainmakers, Tanahashi pulled out a Slingblade.

Sitting Okada down with a sleeper hold, Tanahashi evoked Katsuyori Shibata with a Penalty Kick. He then paid homage to Shinsuke Nakamura with a Bomaye. While he did land a High-Fly Flow, Okada denied him a successful pinfall. Once more, Tanahashi reversed a Rainmaker with a Slingblade. At the last second, Okada lifted his knees to rupture Tanahashi’s midsection to disrupt a High-Fly Flow. Tanahashi absorbed a series of uppercuts, doling out forearms in return. Battling for leverage, Okada stole Tetsuya Naito’s Destino, followed by a Cobra Flowsion. Visibly exhausted, he struck with a stiff Rainmaker. Using a classic Rainmaker pose, Okada followed suit with his patented lariat and retired Hiroshi Tanahashi in the middle of the ring.

Post-match: Okada bowed to Tanahashi, and on the microphone, he said, “Thank you.” Officials gifted Tanahashi his flowers. Former NJPW talents Jay White, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, and a tearful and agonized Kota Ibushi gave The Ace more flowers, embracing him with a hug as the locker room joined at ringside.

Katsuyori Shibata, playing heel, wearing an Opps t-shirt, handed Tanahashi his own bouquet, and they locked up one last time before hugging. Keiji Muto also gave his flowers, as did Tatsumi Fujinami. Just when it seemed everyone had their moment, BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito surprised Tokyo with his presence as he gave his own flowers, taking his time as he did so, as is his wont. He took the microphone and said that even if he didn’t ever wrestle in an NJPW ring again, he’d hope to meet Tanahashi again someday. Tanahashi concluded the evening’s proceedings, giving a heartfelt thank you and a couple of air guitar solos. As was the case throughout the last dates of his run, Tanahashi greeted every fan he could feasibly reach.

(Okada was exceptional here; trying to be a heel, delighting in mischief, only to give in to his emotion for a memorable last encounter. A bittersweet finale for a wrestler who changed the game. Tanahashi, even in his final year, contributed so much. Elevating younger talent, earning accolades (such as his 100th G1 Climax victory), all while embodying the spirit of The Ace. I watched this match, as I had all his other matches in 2025, holding in each moment in my mind so as to remember the feeling of a Tanahashi match. Inevitably, we all have to let go. In the end, it was an honor covering Tanahashi’s final bout on this platform. Thank you, Ace.)

Final Thoughts

While I think poorly of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship contender match and was unmoved by Jake Lee’s return, I found social media’s reactions to the show to be exaggerated. Plenty of matches were either satisfying or good. Great, even. Saya Kamitani and Syuri had an incredible workrate display. Aaron Wolf and EVIL moved the entirety of the Tokyo Dome in a feel-good debut. Yota Tsuji and Konosuke Takeshita thrilled in a dramatic match that could easily be taken as a message of Japan placing its homegrown talent first. But everyone likely was here for Tanahashi and Okada running it back one last time.

And to that effort, they did exactly what they were supposed to do. All emotions on the line. Okada, breaking away from his Don Callis Family persona over time, ended the match on that cathartic note.

NJPW sold the Tokyo Dome out on this night, January 4. I hope the company learned the right lessons from the show. Japan may still be struggling economically, but if it pivots correctly, the lion crest may find its bearings and become a driving force in 2026. This is the year to be forward-thinking. The Ace won’t be here this time to turn things around as he did against Inoki-ism.

Once more, thank you, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

AEW stars set to attend Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

In less than a week, Japanese wrestling legend and NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi is set to wrestle his last-ever match. At 49-years-old, the veteran will face off against AEW’s Kazuchika Okada in his retirement bout. With still a few days left for the event, All Elite Wrestling EVP Kenny Omega and former champion Will Ospreay have now been announced to attend Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

On January 4th at the Tokyo Dome, during Tanahashi’s final wrestling match against the seven-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Okada, NJPW will also be hosting a retirement ceremony. Earlier today, via a social media announcement, NJPW shared that Omega and Ospreay are now set to be a part of the ceremony.

Omega last appeared in NJPW when he competed at Wrestle Dynasty and defeated Gabe Kidd in his pro-wrestling return last year. On the other hand, Ospreay is currently recovering from a neck injury. His last match before going under the knife was at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, which also involved Darby Allin, Kota Ibushi, Omega, and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Both Omega and Ospreay share a vivid history with Tanahashi, which they will now be able to reflect on during the retirement ceremony.

AEW crowns Continental Classic winner at Worlds End

Posted on by Bryan Rose

For the first time in 647 days, Kazuchika Okada is no longer Continental Champion.

Jon Moxley defeated Okada in the finals of this year’s Continental Classic, drilling the now-former champion with the death rider DDT to secure the victory and the title. The rest of the Death Riders entered the ring to celebrate after the match. Moxley then cut a babyface promo saying this belt wasn’t for him, it was for everyone who participated in the tournament as well as the fans. He says the Death Riders want to be the elite of the elite and they will continue to do so.

In the opening match of the night, Okada defeated Konosuke Takeshita to advance to the finals, pinning the IWGP World Champion after using Don Callis’ screwdriver. Immediately after, Moxley put Kyle Fletcher to sleep in what ended up being a classic back-and-forth battle.

Okada won the title by defeating Eddie Kingston back on the March 20, 2024 edition of Dynamite and would go on to retain the title by winning last year’s Continental Classic tournament. He then unified that title with the International title at All In earlier this year, creating the Unified Championship. Although Okada lost the Continental title, he remains the AEW International Champion.

AEW Worlds End preview & predictions: The end comes for us all

Posted on by Mike DellaCamera

Image: AEW

Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the author and not the website.

Another year in the books, friends. All in all, it was a pretty rough one for, well, just about everyone. But we soldier on, marching slowly into the sea. As always, a sincere thank you to anyone who’s read even a single word I’ve written over the past 365 days and an extra thanks to the site editors who keep letting me do this.

Extra, extra thanks to my wonderful wife, my sounding board, who patiently listens as I explain why Diddy is somehow a talking point on “the wrestling show that’s somehow always on.” I love everyone, but love her most of all.

With all that said, let’s run down the final big AEW show of the year: tonight’s Worlds End from Chicago, Illinois (8 PM PPV start time).

Continental Classic semifinals & finals

If you’re like me and toil away in the white collar mines, this is also the season of end-of-year check-ins: a famously delightful and productive exercise (sic). Personally, it’s the highlight of my year, especially if you’re someone I work with and happen to be reading this (I actually like my job very much).

In that spirit, it feels like the right moment to check in on the remaining four wrestlers and where they stand now and going forward.

  • Jon Moxley: The formerly loathed leader of the Death Riders is dangerously close to being loved again. This run was supposed to burn off goodwill and to sandpaper the audience into rejecting him. Instead, it reminded everyone why he’s the company’s emotional constant. He bleeds, he loses, he stays true to himself and keeps going. That still plays. Moxley will be embraced again; it’s just a matter of how loud it’s going to be when it happens.
  • Konosuke Takeshita: He’s already held the International Championship and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, but he’s still circling something bigger. Takeshita’s problem has never been credibility; it’s been timing and commitment. If 2026 isn’t the year AEW finally lets Takeshita define himself outside of utility, matches of the night, and faction warfare, then the promotion risks turning inevitability into a missed opportunity.
  • Kyle Fletcher: Same question as Takeshita — How long can they reasonably hold off crowning him World champion? That’s no longer a rhetorical question. Fletcher has crossed the line from “promising” to “ready” and every month he isn’t positioned as one of the absolute top stars feels more deliberate rather than patient. The Don Callis association has done its job. The reps are there. The confidence is through the roof. Everything one would need to be a champion exists inside the young Aussie. At some point, AEW has to decide whether Fletcher is the pillar he is, or just another name they were high on for a while. The real challenge will be balancing his ascent with Takeshita’s without sacrificing either.
  • Kazuchika Okada: We know what Okada is in AEW. He’s settled into a reliable upper-mid card act that, on occasion, can reach back and create something great. He isn’t asked to do that often, nor does he seem to have a particular interest in doing so. There might be another classic or two left in him, but they’ll be fewer and far between. 

Predictions: Fletcher over Mox, Okada over Takeshita, Fletcher over Okada to win the CC

Mixed Nuts Mayhem: Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir) vs. The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong) and Toni Storm

A match called “Mixed Nuts Mayhem” (!?!?!?!?) was added on Christmas Day. I will not be previewing it. There are limits. The sickest thing Tony Khan has ever done.

Prediction: I abstain.

Darby Allin vs. Gabe Kidd

The older I get, the saltier I become. That’s not exactly a profound or unique statement, but a true one. I have less and less patience for the Gabe Kidd type. The repeated insistence that he is, in fact, a madman? None of it works for me, brother.

As the year went on, it became clear that Kenny Omega made their Wrestle Kingdom match work through the sheer force of his own greatness. The man held together by tape and love dragged an incredible match out of a slightly above-average wrestler. There’s a non-zero chance that was the last ‘Kenny Omega Match’ we’re going to get. Gabe Kidd! January optimism turned December disappointment — same as it ever was. 

Allin occupies a rare space in wrestling. He exists almost entirely outside of the World title scene yet constantly elevates whatever he’s involved with. He’s now the “big name” others are brought in to have big matches with. He has become a true attraction. This little freak somehow achieved a 99th-percentile outcome before his body gave out which is a remarkable talent.

Prediction: Allin

AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Bang Bang Gang in a Chicago street fight

Austin Gunn has, no pun intended, a bit of the juice. He can be corny, funny, serious, and he can come out to “Many Men.” Once he figured out who he was as a performer, the in-ring work followed. Watching someone put it together in real time is always a treat, and it’s clear who the breakout star of his family is.

The Bang Bang Gang are fun, loud, and still figuring out how seriously they want to be taken. FTR has long since solved that problem. A street fight narrows the talent gap temporarily. It lets Juice Robinson’s manic charisma shine through and gives Gunn more room to lean into his natural swagger.

Eventually, this becomes what most FTR matches are: a lesson in timing, positioning, and why fundamentals still matter, even when the rules might not.

Prediction: FTR

AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Babes of Wrath defend against Mercedes Mone & Athena

The Babes of Wrath have become something surprisingly compelling. They’re a team built on vibes, volume, and Willow Nightingale’s undeniability. Harley Cameron certainly brings an energy, though a brand that I grow less fond of as time passes, but this act only works because Willow is a genuine star hiding inside a fun enough gimmick. At some point, that tension between her joy for life and drive for success must be resolved, or she’ll never reach the heights she deserves.

Across the ring are two wrestlers who seem like they wandered in from a more serious division. Mercedes Mone and Athena have nothing to prove. They have collectively done it all while their opponents have barely done anything. What they do need is purpose. Athena continues grinding away in largely unseen ROH. Mone floats in and out of programs, parading her collection of belts while seething about the one she can’t win. This is a transitional program, nothing more, nothing less. Even though Mercedes and Athena should never, ever lose to The Babes, somehow they will.

Prediction: Babes of Wrath retain

AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander defends against Jamie Hayter

Jamie Hayter is trapped where Kris Statlander used to live: talented, credible, clearly capable of more, but unable to shift the energy around her. Blood and Guts was a proper spectacle, but that was a group effort. Her injury layoff didn’t just stall her momentum; it erased it. The in-ring work still hits. The strikes are still crispy. Between the bells remains vibrant, but everything surrounding it feels inert. Timing is everything in pro wrestling and Hayter’s timing has been cruel. 

Statlander is no longer a what-if. She’s established. She’s bona fide. She wrestles like someone who belongs at the very top. Her reign has been about legitimacy more than spectacle. It’s solid more than spectacular. For a wrestler who spent years lost in the creative wilderness, that consistency is everything.

If you’re frustrated with Hayter’s position, Statlander is the proof of concept. This is what making it out the other side looks like. Hayter doesn’t need to win to benefit here (though it wouldn’t hurt); she needs to remind people who she is. Statlander needs to keep doing what she’s been doing: beating excellent wrestlers clean and stacking wins.

Prediction: Statlander

AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Swerve Strickland, Hangman Page and MJF in a four-way

Strip away the noise, the borrowed outrage, the winking-at-the-camera seriousness, and what you’re left with is a ridiculous amount of star power sharing one ring. That’s the frustrating part. This didn’t need help.

Samoa Joe is gravity. He warps the match simply by standing there, turning every exchange into something consequential. Swerve is violence with intent, a main eventer who has long since crossed the moral event horizon and never looked back. Hangman remains AEW’s emotional barometer, even when his righteousness becomes something more interesting and dangerous. MJF is still the company’s great disruptor, incapable of existing in a scene without bending it toward himself, sometimes for better, often for worse.

If we could wipe away the last few weeks of Diddy-related promo work, this match would be much better served. All they needed to do was ring the bell for this to feel special. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re in for another MJF title reign, especially with Dynamite Diamond ring wearing Bandido waiting for the winner on January 14.

Prediction: MJF

AEW Collision Holiday Bash live results: Mercedes Mone title defense

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Multi-promotional champion Mercedes Mone will put her RevPro Undisputed Women’s Championship on the line as part of today’s Holiday Bash edition of AEW Collision from Manchester, England.

Mone issued an open challenge to a local competitor during Wednesday’s Dynamite/Collision that will be answered today.

Two pivotal Continental Classic Gold league matches will take place in the tournament’s final week as 2024 tournament winner Kazuchika Okada goes one-on-one with Kevin Knight while “Speedball” Mike Bailey faces “Jungle” Jack Perry.

Eddie Kingston will look to rebound from his loss to AEW World Champion Samoa Joe as he faces Nathan Cruz to round out the one hour show.

Our coverage begins at 2:30 PM Eastern.

**********

Jack Perry (0) vs. Mike Bailey (6) in a C2 Gold League Match

The fans in Manchester loved Jack Perry, and they also loved sportsmanship as they sung Perry’s theme and cheered the handshake between the two babyfaces. Keeping up with Mike Bailey is hard, but Perry did so in the early portion, but Perry showed signs of his ankle hurting, referencing his injury he received against Kazuchika Okada. Perry dodged a handspring attack from Bailey, but Bailey immediately hit a series of kicks. Perry hit the ropes, looking to hit a dive on Bailey, but Bailey hopped up onto the top rope as Perry slid under the rope sand hit a moonsault. Perry dumped Bailey onto the stairs to leave him laying as they went to commercial break.

When they came back, Bailey and Perry were brawling in the ring, and Bailey missed his moonsault into double knees on the apron, allowing Perry to hit a Canadian Destroyer on the apron. Perry missed a double stomp in the ring, landing on his bad ankle. Bailey went for a kick in the corner in response, but Perry dodged and hit a German suplex for a 2-count. Perry was unable to bridge properly due to his ankle. Perry charged Bailey, but Bailey hit a thrust kick and went for the Flamingo Driver, but Perry escaped and they started exchanging holds until Perry locked on the snare trap, but Bailey made the ropes.

Bailey countered another snare trap attempt into a cradle, but Perry kicked out. Bailey hit a forearm and a hard kick before going for the moonsault into the double knees on Perry, but Perry got his legs up, and Bailey took the full impact on his knees. Bailey hit a spinning kick but missed an Ultima Weapon and Perry hit an Olympic slam for the win.

Result: Jack Perry (3) defeated Mike Bailey (6)

Really solid match here as Mike Bailey continues to be great and Jack Perry is really coming into his own as a babyface now.

Eddie Kingston vs. Nathan Cruz (w/ The Grizzled Young Veterans)

GYV attacked Kingston before the match started, sending him back into the ring, allowing Cruz to hit a slingshot back suplex on Kingston to open the match attacking. Kingston fired up and hit a lariat and then the continual chops in the corner before hitting a neckbreaker. GYV tried to distract Kingston again, but it did not last long as Kingston hit an exploder and a DDT on Cruz for the pinfall victory, ending the match almost as quickly as it started.

Result: Eddie Kingston defeated Nathan Cruz

Kingston was very fired up in this match, and he looked great. Cruz bumped well for him, and has a good look. I remember seeing him years ago when I watched the early PROGRESS wrestling shows, and he seems to fit well with AEW. A group with him and GYV would be a trio I could get behind.

–A recap video aired of the C2 results from Dynamite.

Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Alex Windsor for the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship

Windsor and Mone wasted no time at all in this match, wrestling aggressively, countering attacks from each other, including Windsor rolling through a meteora on the apron into a sharpshooter on the apron. Windsor. Back in the ring, Mercedes hit a backstabber and a kick to the head on Windsor just before going to an ad break.

Mone was hitting the three amigos when they came back to break, but before the third amigo, Windsor sent Mercedes back to the corner. Mercedes tried to hit something off the middle ropes, but Mercedes hit a forearm. Mercedes and Windsor exchanged a few more moves before Mercedes locked on a crossface. Windsor fought out, but Mercedes transitioned that into a crucifix bomb and hit a meteora for a 2-count.

Windsor and Mone fought on the middle rope until Windsor hit a blue thunder bomb off the middle rope into the ring for a 2-count. Mone went for a statement maker, but after a shuffle, Windsor locked Mercedes Mone into a crucifix and scored a pinfall, as Mone lost two of her belts that make up the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship.

Result: Alex Windsor defeated Mercedes Mone

These two women wrestled a a frantic pace throughout this match. It made it a bit hard to follow given the pace, but they never really slowed down the entire match. Very action packed, and with a very big loss for Mone here. Windsor’s son came into the ring to celebrate with his mom in a very sweet moment.

–A video recap aired of the contract signing for the world title match at AEW World’s End, including MJF returning and how he was inserting himself into the title match to reclaim the world title he lost at World’s End two years ago.

Kevin Knight (3) vs. Kazuchika Okada (6) in a C2 Gold League Match

This match is a very interesting one to me, as both Okada and Knight are incredible athletes, with similar leaping abilities. Knight flipped Okada off, leading to Okada smiling and both men starting to brawl on the floor with forearms. Knight, at least early on, did not look out of place against Okada. He may be young and still improving, but he is really coming into his own as a worker, and matches with guys like Okada are only going to make him better.

Okada and Knight continued the forearm battle in the middle of the ring, ending with Okada hitting a hard forearm. Okada went for the Rainmaker, and Knight jumped over the arm of Okada to dodge it. Okada baited Knight into a spring board from the opposite side of the ring, but didn’t jump, forcing Knight to jump into the middle of an empty ring. Okada cackled on the apron, but was soon knocked off by Knight, who then hit a springboard lariat to the outside on Okada that sent him crashing into the announcers table.

When they came back from the break Okada had Knight in a rear chinlock. Knight hit a crossbody on Okada from the middle ropes, and Okada took it, but rolled Knight off his body, forcing a battle back on their feet. Knight hit a splash in the corner, a bodyslam, and a standing splash for a 2-count on Okada. As Knight went for a springboard into the ring Okada shoved the referee into the ropes to trip him, and Okada hit a neckbreaker across his knee before hitting an elbow drop off the top rope. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Knight countered and hit a sky high powerbomb for a 2-count.

Knight went for the UFO splash, but Okada got his knees up, and Knight crashed to the mat. Okada went for a tombstone, but Knight countered out of it. Okada then did a backslide instead, but flipped Knight onto his feet with it and hit a Rainmaker. Okada missed a Rainmaker attempt, but Okada hit the dropkick as Knight came off the ropes. Knight got up and hit a dropkick of his own before hitting a ripcord DDT and a springboard lariat. Knight went for the coast to coast dropkick on Okada, but as Knight flew into the air Okada stood up and hit a dropkick that dropped Knight. That was incredible. Okada went for the Rainmaker and Knight countered it again, but Okada responded with a wheelbarrow suplex. Okada held onto Knight and tried for the Rainmaker again, but Knight cradled Okada and scored the flash pinfall!

Result: Kevin Knight (6) defeated Kazuchika Okada (6)

This was a fantastic match. Okada is on fire in this tournament this year, putting on some of the best matches he has had in AEW, and he seems intent on making everyone he works with look like a million bucks. Excellent main event match between Okada and Knight, with the biggest win of Knight’s career as he beat a huge main event star.

Final Thoughts

This was one of the easiest hours of wrestling television to watch that I have seen in a very long time. There was zero wasted time on this show, the crowd was still hot despite taping after Dynamite, and we had some major matches in the C2 as there are 5 people tied for first in the Gold League. I love the round robin format, and while this is shorter than the G1 that inspired it, it captures all the fun of the G1 with all the different possibilities about who is winning each league. These kind of tournaments, when booked right, are the most fun stories to follow as a wrestling fan, as every match matters, and everyone, even people eliminated, can play spoiler. Excellent AEW Collision today.

C2 Gold League Standings

Fight Game: What will keep WWE hot in 2026?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling this week.

After doing our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down segment, we hit on our major topics of the week which included:

  • Austin Theory unmasking
  • If WWE can stay hot in 2026 and how
  • AEW Continental Classic update
  • AEW Worlds End lineup thus far

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

NJPW confirms Wrestle Kingdom 20 main event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match is officially set to close NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20.

NJPW has revealed the match order for the January 4 Tokyo Dome show, confirming that Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada will be the main event. It will be the final match Tanahashi — one of the greatest wrestlers of his time who helped lead NJPW into a new golden era — ever competes in.

Okada, now signed to AEW, is returning to NJPW for this match to help give Tanahashi a fitting sendoff. Throughout their careers, Tanahashi has been a rival, friend, and mentor to Okada.

The semi-main event of Wrestle Kingdom will be Konosuke Takeshita vs. Yota Tsuji in a matchup where the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and Global Heavyweight Championship are both on the line.

In a recent interview with NJPW, Okada explained why he thought his match against Tanahashi should headline over the double title bout.

“I’ve always thought that the IWGP title should absolutely go on last, but in a situation like this Tanahashi’s last match should absolutely go on last. That’s what people are coming to see,” Okada said. “Maybe this is pushing it a bit but it’s kind of like eating your meal, having dessert and then in comes a second entree. People might be stuffed, but even then, maybe because of that I like the main event better.”

Even after ending his in-ring career, the 49-year-old Tanahashi will remain hugely important to NJPW as the promotion’s real-life president.

Tickets to the show have completely sold out, with this set to be the best-attended Wrestle Kingdom ever. The event will be broadcast live on NJPW World.

Here is the announced lineup:

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 (Sunday, January 4, 2026) —

  • Hiroshi Tanahash’s retirement match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • Winner-take-all match: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji
  • NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL defends against Aaron Wolf
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight title number one contender’s match: El Desperado vs. SHO vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishiimori
  • David Finlay, Shingo Takagi, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, Henare, and two mystery partners
  • Winner-take-all match: IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani
  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano defend in a multi-team ranbo

Jack Perry suffers legitimate injury at AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Jack Perry got injured at Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming, but was still able to work through his match.

Perry was facing Kazuchika Okada in a Continental Classic Gold league match when he attempted a suicide dive on Okada who was standing on the ringside floor.

Shortly after Dynamite, our Bryan Alvarez reported that Perry legitimately hurt his ankle on the dive with Alvarez noting Perry worked through it and now looks to be “fine.”

It was Perry’s first match in the tournament as he replaced the injured Darby Allin. It’s unclear what the extent of the injury is.

Following tonight’s Dynamite, Okada and Kyle Fletcher sit at the top of the Gold league with six points each while Konosuke Takeshita and Claudio Castagnoli lead the Blue league with six points each.

Ongoing AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming results:

  • Babes of Wrath defeated Timeless Love Bombs to win the inaugural AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship
  • Kazuchika Okada defeated Jack Perry in a Continental Classic Gold league match
  • Hangman Page & Swerve Strickland defeated Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Speedball Mike Bailey defeated Kyle Fletcher in a Continental Classic Gold league match
  • Samoa Joe defeated Eddie Kingston to retain the AEW World Championship

Daily Update: WWE notes, Okada, Umaga

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We have the largest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in our history up on the site covering two very newsworthy weeks:

  • Full coverage of Full Gear. The good, the bad, the reaction, the business notes, reasons for the surprisingly good PPV number, thoughts on the world title change, long title reigns and how they create legends, and early Continental Classic thoughts.
  • Notes and odds regarding upcoming matches
  • UFC announces its first two shows of 2026, changes that the company is making and why the first two main events are so controversial
  • Full coverage of UFC 323
  • The life and times of Bob Caudle, the voice of Mid Atlantic wrestling and a Hall of Fame candidate
  • A detailed look at how and why the ratings have changed, why the explanation makes no sense, exactly how much the new panel and big data ratings have hurt each show and in particular where.
  • The most in-depth look at the ratings for all the shows over the past two weeks, placings for the week, placings in the time slot, men vs. women, how the placings compare to 2024 and 2023, and each show compared with the prior year and prior week, as well as the leading competition for each show.
  • Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, Komander, Mortos, Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight go to CMLL, draw big crowds and a look at their key matches
  • CMLL ready to honor a milestone it is close that no company has ever done in history
  • Notes on AAA’s new TV deal in Mexico and Latin America and who they are pushing as the top stars
  • WWE tag team taking the name of one of Mexico’s greatest tag teams in history
  • Updates on tag team tournaments in Stardom, New Japan and All Japan.
  • Wrestler suspended after getting in car accident and messing up a tournament
  • Update on Tokyo Dome ticket sales
  • Fantastica Mania 2026 notes
  • Battle of the Generations
  • RAF new philosophy and update
  • Santo’s final matches
  • Sting’s son has first singles match
  • Headbangers farewell tour
  • The oldest male wrestler in history has a match last week
  • Opera Cup notes
  • TNA business notes as well as notes on the next PPV show and the last major show
  • AEW TV changes
  • Final Battle updated card
  • Tony Khan on multiple subjects
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Two best in the world at their specific sport athletes are on UFC’s radar
  • Becky Lynch’s comments
  • Update on stockholders lawsuit against WWE
  • New WWE signings
  • WWE star talks about her domestic violence issue
  • WWE engagements
  • Bret Hart talks McMahon and Michaels and our thoughts on it

This Week’s Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • Bayley thanked Charlotte Flair for stopping by the free seminar she’s holding in Orlando this week and spending some time with the attendees: “Thank you @MsCharlotteWWE for spending your morning with the Lodestone Women before flying out to Smackdown”
  • Charlotte responded to Bayley: “Bayley……. YOUR commitment to elevating women’s wrestling is unmatched, and it pushes all of us to raise the bar. thank you for the opportunity…. KEEP DREAMING & working hard ladies”
  • Fox News Digital asked Logan Paul if he could see President Donald Trump attending John Cena’s last match on December 13 in Washington, D.C.:
    • We (Paul and his friends) have talked about it. I have no idea. It seems like something that could happen. I think it’d be awesome. But I don’t know how political the WWE wants to get, so I’m not sure.
  • Paul uploaded a new episode of his vlog.
  • Becky Lynch celebrated her daughter Roux’s fifth birthday: “5 years ago, the world was introduced to the GREATEST child of all time. It’s not just me saying it, everyone is saying it. My HOT husband says it! (Sports Illustrated might have mentioned it)”
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque wished Jelly Roll a happy 41st birthday: “Music icon. WWE superstar. Inspiration. Proud of the many challenges he’s faced and overcome and even prouder to call him a friend. Happy birthday @JellyRoll615!”
  • On social media, AJ Styles responded to a fan who claimed that he and Dragon Lee stole a tag team move from The Young Bucks: “In Prowrestling you can’t claim moves. They may be your signature, but those are still open to the public. Any confident wrestler wouldn’t ever change that. Calm down guys.”
  • Former WWE executive George Barrios is writing a book titled “Sometimes Wrong but Never in Doubt: How a Cuban Kid from Queens Transformed WWE.” It will be released in June 2026:
    • George Barrios helped transform WWE from an $800 million wrestling company into a $9.3 billion global sports and entertainment powerhouse. For the son of Cuban immigrants who grew up in a cramped Queens apartment near LaGuardia Airport and nearly flunked out of high school, the climb to the corporate boardroom was anything but obvious.
    • Barrios’s story blends grit, reinvention, and bold bets. He went from a 2nd grader forging a letter from his parents so the nuns wouldn’t expel him to the highest levels of corporate leadership. As WWE’s longtime strategist, he pioneered streaming years before other sports properties caught up and helped make WWE the #1 sports brand on YouTube with over a billion followers.
    • When Vince McMahon abruptly fired him in 2020, Barrios cofounded Isos Capital—and three years later, McMahon called him back. The Cuban kid from Queens had become indispensable.
    • Sometimes Wrong but Never in Doubt offers:
    • A framework for spotting undervalued assets and transforming legacy businesses.
    • Hard-won lessons on navigating corporate politics and surviving setbacks.
    • A masterclass in disrupting before being disrupted – and betting on conviction when everyone else doubts your vision.
    • This is both an immigrant’s story and a playbook for entrepreneurs and executives seeking to stay ahead of the curve – proof that preparation, persistence, and courage can change everything.
  • Comedian Andrew Schulz appeared on a new edition of “What’s Your Story?” with Stephanie McMahon.
  • WWE Vault uploaded a full Georgia Championship Wrestling Omni show from December 4, 1983.
  • CM Punk was featured on WWE Break it Down, looking back at some of the gear he wore throughout his career.
  • Punk said that, when he wore Randy Savage tribute gear in 2011, an unnamed higher up in WWE told him that he shouldn’t do that – but Punk wore it anyway:
    • Unfortunately, just before this picture, the legendary ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage passed away. So I wanted to pay homage to a classic pair of gear – twofold really. You know, pink looks great on me – and this is an homage to the gear he wore at WrestleMania III taking on Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat.
    • Now, I commissioned my gear maker at the time to make this gear. And I won’t name names, but somebody very high in the office walked past and saw it and found me and said, ‘Do not wear that gear on television.’
    • And I said, ‘You got it.’ And I wore the gear on television, because that’s what I do. I’m going to pay homage to Randy Savage whether you like it or not.
    • As a fan, Macho Man to me was, you know, I’m a hardcore wrestling fan, so we tend to gravitate toward the guys that we feel aren’t getting the spotlight we think they deserve. We maybe feel like, ‘Oh, Macho should’ve been in Hogan’s spot.’ And really, that kind of passion that I had as a fan, and that fans in turn have for me, is really what has propelled me throughout my career.

Other Wrestling

  • Swerve Strickland attended The Root 100 Gala in New York City last night and took a photo on the red carpet with CBS broadcaster Gayle King.
  • Chris Jericho interviewed Viva Van on a new episode of Talk is Jericho.
  • While speaking with NJPW’s English-language website, Kazuchika Okada addressed whether his match against Hiroshi Tanahashi should main event Wrestle Kingdom 20:
    • I’ve always thought that the IWGP title should absolutely go on last, but in a situation like this Tanahashi’s last match should absolutely go on last. That’s what people are coming to see. Maybe this is pushing it a bit but it’s kind of like eating your meal, having dessert and then in comes a second entree. People might be stuffed, but even then, maybe because of that I like the main event better.
  • Zilla Fatu remembered his late father Umaga, who passed away on this day in 2009: “Today be a sad day for me …. I miss you pops”
  • Maven posted an Umaga tribute:
    • Hard to believe it’s been 16 years. I still remember getting the call from D-Von, telling me that one of my closest friends, Ekie, better known to the world as Umaga, was gone. At first, it didn’t register, but within minutes, the reality hit, and the tears came.
    • Ekie was one of the first guys to welcome me when I stepped into this business. Even after I left WWE, he was one of the few I stayed in close contact with. He was more than a colleague; he was family.
    • Thank you, Ekie. Miss you every day. Rest easy, brother.
  • Indie wrestler Facade announced that, barring any serious change, 2026 will be his last year performing.

Kazuchika Okada: ‘Everything about the Rainmaker’ started with Hiroshi Tanahashi

Posted on by Joseph Currier

By serving as Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final opponent, Kazuchika Okada feels like he’s repaying his former NJPW rival for all the ways Tanahashi helped him over the years.

Tanahashi will close out his legendary in-ring career on January 4 when he faces off against Okada at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20. Okada — who is now contracted to AEW — is returning home to Japan for this special moment at the Tokyo Dome.

In an interview posted to NJPW’s English-language website, Okada said it hasn’t fully set in for him that Tanahashi is retiring, but he’s happy that he gets to play a role in the end of Tanahashi’s career.

“It doesn’t quite feel like he’s retiring. I think I won’t know for sure until the day itself,” Okada said. “If I was in NJPW all this time, perhaps I might get a sense that retirement was looming, but I’ve been over in America; I never really gave it thought. I think it’ll be at the end of the year, when I’m finished with the AEW schedule, and next is the Tokyo Dome, that’s when I’ll be able to give it more thought.

“But everything about the Rainmaker started with Tanahashi, so it makes sense to end Tanahashi’s career.. Talking about it that way sounds a little self centered [laughs] but in the end, I feel this is a repayment in a way.”

Okada vs. Tanahashi is one of the most legendary wrestling rivalries of the past few decades. When Okada first won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in 2012, Tanahashi was the person he won the title from.

“If it wasn’t for that first Osaka match, or if it wasn’t Tanahashi in that match then the Rainmaker wouldn’t have become what the Rainmaker was,” Okada told NJPW. “Everybody would always say those matches were great. I do think in the end if you talk about the Rainmaker without mentioning Tanahashi, there would be a big hole there. He’s essential to everything about what the Rainmaker has been.”

Okada said Tanahashi has been a lot of things to him in life: a rival, a friend, and a mentor. Even after he retires from the ring, Tanahashi will remain a key figure in NJPW behind the scenes as the president of the company.

In AEW, Okada — the current Unified Champion — is competing in the Gold League of the Continental Classic tournament. He’s 1-1 so far with a win over PAC and a loss to Kyle Fletcher.