Tag: Report

NJPW New Year’s Dash live results: The fallout from the Tokyo Dome

Posted on by Corey Michaels

The fallout from the well-received Wrestle Kingdom 19 & Wrestle Dynasty shows in the Tokyo Dome this past weekend will continue with the annual New Year’s Dash show.

Today’s show emanates from the Ota-City General Gymnasium.

Per tradition, the card isn’t announced beforehand. Rather, the fans learn about who is competing when they are announced to the ring.

The one exception is an expected Josh Barnett vs. Oleg Boltin clash after Barnett called him out at Wrestle Kingdom 19 following both men participating in the annual Rambo match.

Our live coverage begins at 4:30 AM Eastern.

**********

Pre-show

Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Yuji Nagata defeated Shoma Kato, Daiki Nagai, and Katsuma Murashima

The Young Lions started the night overwhelming the group of veterans, but Kojima’s resilience was the difference-maker that gave his team room to breathe. Kato launched a comeback, however, leading to Murashima to fearlessly charge his elders with strikes. Nagai continued this by flattening Nagata and unleashing a Boston Crab, but Tenzan and Kojima broke the hold. If it were not for them, he would not have been able to use Nagata Lock II to secure the victory. Nagai tapped to the Blue Justice’s submission.

This small group of Young Lions show a lot of promise. Murashima in particular has star power combined with his strength and power.

Main Card

Oleg Boltin versus Josh Barnett ended in a time-limit draw

This exhibition match saw Boltin’s immeasurable power bring out use advanced expertise and technique, namely in the left arm. A Gut-Wrench Suplex followed by a Fireman’s Carry nearly took out Barnett, but a Rear-Naked Choke by the veteran left this match a tie.

— Post-match: Barnett congratulated Boltin on passing the test in surviving him, and promised he’d help Boltin become champion someday.

I’m over the moon about Boltin; he has all the makings for a top guy in NJPW someday. Matches like these make that gap all the more closer.

United Empire (TJP, Jakob Austin Young, Frencesco Akira, Great-O-Khan, and Jeff Cobb) defeated Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma, Jado, Master Wato, and El Phantasmo

Umino started the match strong against Khan in a technical test, but his combined effort alongside Phantasmo and Jado chipped further away on him. Young and Cobb then took turns on Jado, with Khan pressing all his eight on the former Bullet Club member’s back. Cobb manhandled Phantasmo for the most part, with a splendid Spin Cycle, but his Tour of the Islands had been cancelled due to a countered DDT courtesy of Phantasmo.

A combined front from Umino, Jado, Wato, and Phantasmo wiped out most of United Empire so Honma could drop a Kokeshi on a horizontal Khan. However, this resulted in only a 2-count. Khan held down the legend with an Eliminator for the pinfall.

— Post-match: Phantasmo repeatedly flaunted his NJPW World Television Championship to a smug Cobb. Umino fell victim to a beatdown after Khan ripped up mock-up paper and plastic championship belts made by fans.

House of Torture (Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi, & Ren Narita) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tiger Mask, Toru Yano, and Togi Makabe

After a promising start for the team of veterans and a manic display by Yano, House of Torture swarmed them; Yano could only scream in agony as Kanemaru delivered knees to his back and SHO working the left arm. Makabe, however, proved to be a bit more than the House expected as he crushed SHO with a Lariat.

Everyone took turns with a Hair-Pull Mat Slam, leaving Tiger Mask tapping SHO out. Unfortunately for him, the referee’s back was turned due to SHO’s interfering teammates. Takahashi sneakily dropped Tiger Mask with a NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team belt; SHO capitalized with a pinfall.

Skippable. There was nothing here of substance.

Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & SANADA) defeated Just Four Guys (Taichi & TAKA Michinoku)

Taichi intercepted SANADA in the ring, but was sent over the barricade and onto the chairs outside. Meanwhile, Connors bullied Michnoku in the ring while still wearing the fur coat from his entrance. SANADA used his wrist tape to throttle Michonoku into near unconsciousness before the referee caught it.

Michinoku made a brief comeback, trapping SANADA and Connors into a Facelock, earning enough time to tag in Taichi. SANADA held Taichi down until he leapt for a enzuigiri and an Axe Bomber. Michinoku’s spirit kept him alive for a while, but SANADA ended the match with a sleeper, forcing his legal opponent to tap out.

I went from being so high on SANADA back when he won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship back in 2023 to forgetting that he’s dyed his hair bleach blonde. Outside of his interactions with Taichi, there wasn’t much special about this match. That aside, SANADA’s hasn’t been this interesting in Bullet Club War Dogs since his Los Ingobernables de Japon days and I hope to see that continue. He fits like a glove.

El Desperado & KUSHIDA defeated Bullet Club (KENTA & Taiji Ishimori)

Ishimori remained in control of Desperado, which transitioned over to KENTA, with both choking out Desperado with holds. Desperado finally gained an opening with a Rolling Elbow to Ishimori, giving KUSHIDA a hot tag. Throwing dropkicks and strikes, he was off to a hot start until KENTA and Ishimori combined their efforts to thwart any upward momentum. While Desperado held Ishimori tight on the apron, KUSHIDA torqued KENTA’s left arm until he had no choice but to submit.

— Post-match: Ishimori challenged for Desperado’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at a later date.

Excellent Junior Heavyweight action. Nothing groundbreaking, but Ishimori’s interactions with Desperado and KUSHIDA were eye candy. Storyline-wise, Ishimori’s win at Wrestle Dynasty’s Lucha Gauntlet makes him deserving of the title shot in my opinion.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Titan, Shingo Takagi, & Yota Tsuji) defeated Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gedo, Gabe Kidd, & Drilla Moloney)

An emotional Finlay ran back his Wrestle Kingdom 19 match against Tsuji before being intercepted by BUSHI. Gedo equalized the masked wrestler, softening him up for Finlay to abuse on the turnbuckle. Each of the War Dogs took turns tagging in on BUSHI until Tsuji made the hot tag. Kidd and Tsuji circled each other like warring beasts, chopping each other’s chest until they reddened, but neither could get past the other.

Moloney and Takagi exchanged forearms until spilling outside, reaching the same fate as Kidd and Tsuji. Back in the ring, Titan & BUSHI weakened Gedo, despite Finlay’s attempts to save him. With no one to rescue him, Gedo tapped to Titan’s El Inmortal.

— Post-match: Moloney challenged Takagi for a singles bout in the future.

A strong weekend for the War Dogs ends in defeat, but the crowd is still hot for Finlay and Kidd. With the star-making performance at Wrestle Dynasty, having Kidd head into Tsuji would have me happily seated.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Alex Zayne

Zayne & Taguchi held Takahashi underfoot, with the former dropping him on his face. Naito, having saved Takahashi, spat in the face of Zayne handled him smartly until he tagged in Taguchi. A Hiromu Bomber/Jackknife combo from Takahashi and Naito quelled Taguchi. Naito followed this with a Swing DDT and Destino for the pinfall.

— Post-match: Naito called out the Young Bucks, challenging for the IWGP Tag Team Championships at a later date.

Zayne & Taguchi make for a nice tag team. They’d do well together in 2025.

Main Event

Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI), YOH, & Rocky Romero defeated TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa, Kozei Fujita, & Robbie Eagles)

Fujita started the match against YOH, ending their interaction with flirting. Romero and Eagles traded some Junior Heavyweight offense, while Sabre and Goto provided a glimpse at their upcoming IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match whenever the challenger sets the date. TMDK toyed with an immobilized YOSHI-HASHI with a game of musical chairs on his limbs.

Eagles and Fujita continued picking at YOSHI-HASHI, and the strong Oiwa followed suit with his sheer force. YOSHI-HASHI made an adrenaline-fueled comeback, dropping Oiwa with a sound lariat. Sabre and Goto reunited, with the champion targeting the impending challenger’s left arm. All-out warfare boiled over between the teams, with Goto delivering an Ushigoroshi unto Sabre. YOH dodged a leg strike from Eagles and rolled him up for the pinfall.

— Post-match: YOSHI-HASHI and Oiwa partook in a lengthy chop exchange, despite the best efforts of the Young Lions to break it up.

I’m not sure when Goto gets his title shot, maybe February, but this was an entertaining New Year Dash main event.

Though not as packed with huge surprises as 2023 and 2024, this New Year Dash had some excellent follow-ups. Finlay and Kidd have won everyone over, Oiwa’s already main event material, and there are implications for the months to come in NJPW.

AEW Collision live results: Two title matches, Rated FTR vs. The Learning Tree

Posted on by Suit Williams

The first TNT/Max simulcast edition of AEW Collision airs live from Charlotte, North Carolina, with two title matches and Rated FTR looking for their second win in four days.

Fresh off strong showings in the Continental Classic, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia defends against former ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe in a tournament rematch.

After earning a shot with their win over Top Flight, Lio Rush & Action Andretti will challenge AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party for the titles.

After defeating the Death Riders in their first trios match, FTR & Cope will unite again to face Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith of the Learning Tree.

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will take on Deonna Purrazzo.

After announcing this will be his last run in the ring, Jeff Jarrett’s quest for an AEW World title shot begins tonight.

An appearance from the legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Express rounds out the main card.

**********

Collision started with the cold open promos, featuring Mark Briscoe, Daniel Garcia, The Learning Tree, & Rated FTR. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting came back as the intro song, as Sir Elton John made his return after a suspension for a backstage scuffle. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call as always.

AEW TNT Title Match – Daniel Garcia (c) defeated Mark Briscoe

(This was a fun start to the show. After entering the Continental Classic immediately after winning the title, Daniel Garcia’s TNT Title reign truly kicked off here. Charlotte was behind Briscoe on this night, and Garcia rolled with the punches and let Briscoe get a ton of shine here. I wouldn’t panic about the weaker reaction for Garcia, but they do need to give him something to sink his teeth into as TNT Champ moving forward.)

This is Garcia’s first defense of the title. Briscoe earned this title shot by beating Garcia in the Continental Classic, then challenged Garcia at the Worlds End Zero Hour. Matt Menard joined the commentary team as per usual for Daniel Garcia matches.

The 113th TNT Title match in company history began with champion and challenger fighting to a stalemate. Briscoe kept wanting Garcia to fight on the floor, but Garcia refused to leave the ring. Briscoe got in the ring and took the advantage over Garcia with chops, chopping him off of the top turnbuckle to the floor. Briscoe hit a blockbuster to send us to a commercial.

Both men jockeyed for position on a suplex attempt before Briscoe suplexed Garcia over the top rope, with both men tumbling to the floor. They beat the countout and traded strikes in the ring, with Briscoe laying out Garcia with a lariat. Briscoe scored with another lariat before getting a nearfall with a fisherman’s buster. Garcia wouldn’t allow a Jay Driller, so Briscoe hit a powerbomb instead for a nearfall.

More strikes were traded, with Garcia scoring with a shotgun dropkick. Garcia hit the ten punches in the corner before hitting a piledriver for a nearfall. Garcia fought out of the Jay Driller again, transitioning into the Dragon Tamer to force Briscoe to the ropes. The two fought to the top rope as the ring announcer announced 3 minutes remaining in the time limit.

Briscoe hit the Froggy Bow and the Jay Driller, but Garcia got his foot on the rope on the cover attempt. The 2 minute call came as Briscoe went for the Cut Throat Driver, but Garcia fought out and caught Briscoe with the jackknife pin to get the win and retain the title. After the match, Briscoe shook hands with Garcia, noting that he came just that close to beating him.

Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, & Marina Shafir were backstage. Yuta was upset at Jay White getting involved in their business and was ranting at him before Moxley hushed him and changed the subject to FTR. He considered their issues with FTR squared after their attack on them in December, but FTR came back with Adam Copeland on their side. Moxley warned Cope and FTR that if they kept walking this path, they would find nothing good.

We got a recap of Jeff Jarrett’s promo on Dynamite, where he stated his goal to become the AEW World Champion in 2025.

Jeff Jarrett defeated Aaron Solo

Jarrett made quick work of Solo, hitting him with two Strokes to win.

Lio Rush & Action Andretti were walking backstage ahead of their tag team title match tonight.

(Just a small gripe, I’m not sure what this shot accomplishes. We know there’s a tag title match tonight. Why do we need to see them walking?)

We got a recap of Ricochet’s attack on Swerve Strickland.

(I do enjoy Ricochet being the Carrie of AEW, getting bullied past the point of no return.)

AEW World Tag Team Title Match – Private Party (Quen & Zay) (c) defeated Action Andretti & Lio Rush

(A solid TV defense of the titles. Give Private Party a couple more of these nice little defenses and you’ll have something going with them. The Top Flight/Andretti & Rush story would benefit from ending soon and moving them around in the division.)

This is Private Party’s second defense of the titles.

Private Party had the advantage early, but the challengers cut off a Poetry In Motion attempt and double slammed Quen into the barricade. Zay was left to be double teamed through the commercial break before fighting to his corner for the tag. Quen ran wild on both challengers, scoring a nearfall by hitting a Death Valley Driver to Rush on top of Andretti.

Private Party went for Gin And Juice, but Quen’s back gave out before he could elevate for it. Andretti & Rush came back, with Andretti hitting a Spanish Fly on Quen. The challengers hit Gin and Juice on Quen for a nearfall before noticing Top Flight watching at ringside. They went to the top rope, but Private Party called them to the mat to throw fists.

After a quadruple down, Quen sent Rush to the floor to start a dive train. Quen hit a big Shooting Star Press onto Rush for a nearfall, broken up by an Andretti springboard 450. Andretti stuffed a sunset flip attempt and tried to hold onto Rush’s arms for a pin, but Dante Martin broke the grip and allowed Quen to reverse the roll-up for the win.

We get a recap of Darby Allin’s war with the Death Riders, ending with footage of them taking Allin out on the final Rampage in Hammerstein Ballroom.

Adam Copeland was backstage with Lexy Nair, who asked him about his issues with the Death Riders. Copeland said that his issues were because they attacked his friends and claimed that no one wanted to be AEW World Champion. Chris Jericho walked in and shouted about his accomplishments before Copeland told him that he already respected Jericho. Copeland ran down their history together, with Jericho claiming to remember none of it. Copeland called Jericho and a**hole, and Jericho called Cope a dope.

Toni Storm defeated Deonna Purrazzo (w/ Taya Valkyrie)

(This Toni Storm goofiness just doesn’t work for me. She’s been back for weeks, and instead of restarting her feud with Mariah May, she’s got amnesia. I get we need to kill time before the Australia show in February, but maybe don’t bring her back until we’re closer to the show? Or find another way to keep them apart? On another note, I don’t know what this Vendetta group is supposed to be accomplishing, other than giving these two pin eaters something to do on the weekends.)

The two fought on the mat before Purrazzo tagged Storm with a slap. She sent Storm to the floor, where a Valkyrie distraction led to a crossbody from Purrazzo to send the match to break. After the commercial, Storm made her comeback and locked on an STF. Storm went for a hip attack, but Valkyrie distracted her. Purrazzo put on a Fujiwara armbar, forcing Storm to the ropes. The two traded strikes before Storm hit a DDT for a two count. Storm clocked Valkyrie, then pinned Purrazzo with an inside cradle.

We got video from after Dynamite with Christopher Daniels trying to get through to Hangman Page. Daniels told Page that he could be World Champion if he could control himself, but Page rejected Daniels’ advice. He tore into Daniels, calling him an old man clinging to a sport that left him behind. He told Daniels that he should’ve retired five years ago when he still had a shred of dignity, then slapped him in the face. Page walked away before Daniels jumped him in a frenzy. Daniels got bloody and left Hangman lying, with Hangman muttering to himself as he pulled himself to his feet.

$100,000 High Speed Collision Four Way – Brian Cage defeated Dante Martin (w/ Leila Grey), Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes), The Beast Mortos

(This was awesome. Just four guys going out there and fighting for some cash. Komander was spectacular here, as he had two great bases to work with in Cage and Mortos. The mercenary Cage gets the big check in the end.)

During Cage’s entrance, we got video of his Callis Family teammate Konosuke Takeshita’s NEVER Openweight Championship win at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 earlier today.

The action was fast and furious to start, with Martin and Komander flying onto the big guys to start. Those two got in a pinning predicament before Mortos broke it up, but Komander hit a triple-rotation headscissors to send him to the floor before hitting a double-jump corkscrew dive to Mortos and Cage on the floor. Martin hit his own double-jump dive to the floor before Lio Rush jumped Martin and sent him into the barricade as payback for earlier in the night.

Back in the ring, Mortos squished Komander with a pop-up Samoan Drop before Cage dropped Mortos with a spinny facebuster deal. Look, I don’t know every move name. After a commercial, Martin tried to fight his way back into the ring before Cage booted him down. We got a lot of minutes of a lot of moves, and Cage pinned Martin with a Weapon X.

FTR were backstage with The Rock N’ Roll Express, who brought up the angle from 2021 where FTR hit Ricky Morton with a spike piledriver. Harwood apologized for that before The Outrunners entered the frame, complaining about gas money they were owed from 1982. Morton apologized, and the Outrunners did the Predator handshake with the Rock N’ Rolls.

(The only way this could have been better is if it was in front of the crowd.)

Rated FTR (Cope, Cash Wheeler, & Dax Harwood) defeated The Learning Tree (Big Bill, Bryan Keith & Chris Jericho)

(A trademark Collision trios main event, as Adam Copeland fills in the role of FTR’s trios partner. I’m of the opinion that Big Bill has the tools to be a player in AEW, and I would spin him off as a singles and let Jericho & Keith stick around as a tag team. The post-match angles with the Death Riders continues to miss the mark, as them tying up the Rock N’ Roll Express just felt goofy instead of menacing.)

As someone who has to quickly write names down, I’m a fan of Cope. Cope and Jericho stared each other down to start the match, but Jericho tagged out before they fought. The first third of the match was Big Bill being just too damn big and handling FTR by himself. After a commercial, Jericho & Cope tagged in and faced off to a big reaction.

We got a lot of action, including a Big Bill powerbomb on Harwood, before Cope hit Jericho with the Impaler. Cope went for the spear but Jericho hit the Codebreaker for a nearfall. The Learning Tree isolated Cope in their corner for a while before he got a tag into Wheeler. Wheeler ran wild on Big Bill, finally taking him down with a tornado DDT.

Rated FTR hit Bill with a Double PowerPlex – well, a single Plex and a double Power. A triple Shatter machine got broken up, with Bill hitting a Bossman Slam. Jericho & Harwood had dual submissions on before Cope and Bill broke them up. Cope sent Bill to the floor and hit a big dive to the floor, with Harwood following with a big suicida. Harwood & Jericho were left, but as Harwood went up for a diving headbutt, Keith hit Harwood with the ROH Title for a long nearfall.

Harwood moved out of the way of a Lionsault, and FTR hit Jericho with a Shatter Machine. Cope followed up with a spear, and the good guys won. After the match, Jon Moxley appeared on the screen before revealing that he had The Rock N’ Roll Express tied up in the back. The Outrunners came to try and help before Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir laid them out. The Death Riders bailed out before Copeland and the Death Riders could catch them in the back.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 live results: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shota Umino

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW kicks off its biggest weekend of the year today with its biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 19 in Tokyo Dome.

In the main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Shota Umino.

This is undoubtedly the biggest match of Umino’s career, as the 27-year-old tries to establish himself as the leader of the next generation of NJPW stars.

For Sabre, the match caps a year where he won the G1 Climax, the IWGP World title, and established himself as the top foreign star in NJPW.

A Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiromu Takahashi “dream match” is in today’s semi-main event position. Both are Los Ingobernables de Japon stablemates, but have agreed to a one-time dream encounter.

Today’s other title matches include David Finlay vs. Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Global title, DOUKI defends the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title against E Desperado.

The AEW International and NEVER Openweight titles are on the line in a winner takes all match with Shingo Takagi vs. Konosuke Takeshita in a potential show-stealer.

Hiroshi Tanahashi puts his career on the line in a lumberjack match against EVIL. Ren Narita defends the NJPW World TV title in a four-way against Jeff Cobb, El Phantasmo, and Ryohei Oiwa.

Mayu Iwatani will defend the IWGP Women’s Championship against AZM. The main card kicks off at 3 a.m. Eastern time with a Tokyo Terror four-way ladder match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles with Intergalactic Jetsetters vs. Ichiban Sweet Boys vs. Catch 2/2 vs. Bullet Club War Dogs.

The New Japan Ranbo to determine the number one contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is set for the pre-show.

**********

Pre-show

Hirooki Goto won the New Japan Ranbo

This year’s Ranbo featured the stipulation of determining the #1 contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Having relinquished and retired the King of Pro Wrestling Championship during the Road to Tokyo Dome tour, Great-O-Khan put on an Iron Man performance along the likes of SANADA, Tomoaki Honma, Tomohiro Ishii, and more.

The match came down to a seesaw struggle on the ropes between Khan on the inside and Hirooki Goto on the outside apron. Inevitably, Goto won the Ranbo, earning him the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at a later date.

Main Card

Ichiban Sweet Boys (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) defeated Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight & Kushida) (c), Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira), and Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) in a 4-way Tokyo Terror Ladder Match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

With ladders and chairs in hand, the War Dogs got an early advantage by incapacitating everyone else. As they climbed to the top, Kushida propelled his body to the ladder at the last moment to deny them an easy win. TJP and Akira sent Moloney through a table, leaving Connors to contend with Knight and Eagles. Having already landed on a horizontally-hanging ladder, Eagles was once again dropped onto it by TJP. As Kushida held a recovered Moloney on the mat, Knight dived onto the War Dog, only to miss at the last second.

Inches away from grasping the belts, Knight careened off the ladder and out of the ring as Moloney lifted the bottom rung from his prone body. Atop two ladders, the members of Ichiban Sweet Boys and United Empire battled. With TJP and Eagles out of the picture, the hopeful Akira lost his momentum as Fujita held his body over the ladder while grabbing wildly for the hanging belts. Eventually, they were in grasp of Fujita’s firm hands.

Moloney and Connors wearing fur coats while flanked by women immediately sets the stage for the pageantry for this match. The match itself was fun, with plenty of tense moments. Though not as exciting as most ladder matches, this showed a lot of promise as NJPW stepped out of its comfort zone. I’m a sucker for the tag team ladder matches of the Attitude Era, and I’d love to see more of these in the cerulean blue.

Mayu Iwatani (c) defeated AZM for the IWGP Women’s Championship

AZM’s speedy offense stunned Iwatani initially, who opted for the resilience of her patented zombie state. The champ withstood two Canadian Destroyers like it were a minor inconvenience. A gnarly suplex to Iwatani by AZM managed to earn a 1-count pin.

Despite a failed Tombstone Piledriver breaking her zombie mentality, Iwatani closed the match with a Closed Dragon Suplex for the win.

In some respects, this match was plotted like a horror movie—an unkillable force that would require luck to survive. Unfortunately for AZM, she was no final girl. As one of Stardom’s great young talents, however, she remains one to watch as her lengthy match catalog would suggest. Iwatani is forever one of the best women to step into a ring in the modern era. Much like Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Misterio Jr at Halloween Havoc 1997, Iwatani and AZM made the most of every second they had.

El Phantasmo defeated Ren Narita (c), Jeff Cobb, Ryohei Oiwa for the NJPW World Television Championship

Phantasmo immediately displaced Narita with a vicious tope. Meanwhile, Oiwa and Cobb locked horns like two angry wildebeests in a savannah. Narita bounced back, even throttling the still-weak knee of Cobb. Phantasmo, out-maneuvering Cobb, was sent flying to the flattened Narita and Oiwa on the outside; Cobb relished this opportunity to do the same with a Tope Con Hilo. A hopeful Phantasmo’s top rope aspirations onto Cobb were dashed by Oiwa, leading to a Tower of Doom spot with Cobb as a sturdy base.

Seeking out his handy board, a distracted Narita lost his weapon to Jado, leading to a combined beatdown. Mere breaths from victory, OIwa’s Doctor Bomb nearly earned a pinfall over Cobb had it not been for Narita. Cobb broke Narita’s reintroduced board and followed suit with a Tour of the Islands but couldn’t make the pin. Phantasmo, however, took out Narita with a Thunderkiss ’86 for the win.

Just as the previous match maximized their minutes, so did the NJPW World Television Championship match. I went into this match hoping that either ELP or Oiwa would walk away with the belt, but Cobb’s injury gave him an undeniable underdog status. Phantasmo’s work landed significantly, providing an entertaining battle to the top. All hail your new NJPW World Television Champion.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated EVIL in a Lumberjack Match

Should Tanahashi lose, he would retire sooner than he originally planned. As such, EVIL dished out every dirty tactic he could devise, but the undeterred valiance of The Ace is a fire that refuses to go out so easily. Smashing Tanahashi with chairs and spray-painting colleagues like Master Wato, EVIL sought to ruin anything Tanahashi held dearly: his health, his career, his friends. EVIL sought to flee like a coward now Tanahashi stood with replenished vigor, but was dragged back by lumberjack Oleg Boltin.

House of Torture forwent the lumberjack formalities as they proceeded for Dick-to-Dick Contact. Tiger Mask, Wato, and Boltin came to The Ace’s rescue, giving him enough respite. Tanahashi made a rousing comeback, featuring a Sling Blade and a failed High Fly Flow, thwarted by Dick Togo. EVIL proceeded to throw everything at Tanahashi, confident that this would be it. After a Dead End, EVIL went for a pin, ending in a nearfall, reversed by Tanahashi. In this reversal, Tanahashi gained the pinfall victory.

— Post-match: House of Torture gave a cruel beatdown to the victorious Ace, stopping at nothing. Then, Katsuyori Shibata emerged to his rescue. Following the save, Shibata challenged Tanahashi for Wrestle Dynasty.

Evil’s special entrance rocked. The gothic vibes of the organ, transformed into a cyberpunk syntheziser coagulated wonderfully into an excellent musical presentation. He felt like The Kurgan from the 1986 film “Highlander”. Hard to be mad at any House of Torture interference, as this match welcomed it. Despite the later Togo interference, the last half of this match created an unreal atmosphere of adrenaline and hope. I was on the edge of my seat. I’m positively looking forward to Tanahashi versus Shibata.

On an important note, Tanahashi’s last year already feels special. This is a man who had saved a company through performance alone and steered the company into a golden age. His work is transformative, adapting to any match format while still retaining his Ace aura, from bloodbaths with Jon Moxley to working Kenny Omega’s unique modern style. When Tanahashi hangs up his boots on January 2026, professional wrestling will lose that important voice in the ring, but gains an incredible president and figure.

Konosuke Takeshita defeated Shingo Takagi for the NEVER Openweight Championship and AEW International Championship

Two behemoths collided, with AEW’s International Champion delivering ruthless power. Takagi prevented a dive from Takeshita, turning the tide with a Death Valley Driver. Through an evenly-matched collision and standoff, Takeshita swung the trajectory to his favor, broken by a Pumping Bomber by Takagi.

Making a spirited comback, Takeshita nearly gained a pinfall with a Blue Thunderbomb, but Takagi soundly countered it with a Last of the Dragon. Lariats and clotheslines, one after the other, led to Takeshita clutching control of the match. With one last Blue Thunderbomb, Takeshita added the NEVER Openweight Championship to his collection of now two belts.

An adrenaline-pumping taste of what’s to come at Wrestle Dynasty. Warrior vs Hogan vibes, except I liked this much better. This has been a nice turnaround for Takeshita, having struggled to get anywhere in AEW for so long, to holding gold in among two big wrestling companies. Takagi as always was in superb form.

El Desperado defeated Douki (c) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (Injury)

From the first bell, Desperado sought to slow the flow of this match. Throwing everything (including himself) at the champ, Desperado maintained relative control. Douki attempted a top rope seated senton to Desperado on the outside, but landed his elbow nastily on the blue steel barricade. Officials declared Douki was unfit to continue. Desperado was visibly upset by this turn of events.

Shido Nakamura’s presence in Douki’s entrance made for a spectacle made possible by massive events like this. A fan of foreign cultures, I grinned stupidly at this treat. Having spent the last few months invested in Douki and El Desperado’s story, I was gutted to see this match cut short and the champion denied this big moment. All the best wishes to Douki in his recovery from this injury.

Yota Tsuji defeated David Finlay (c) for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

Finlay’s underhanded tactics gained him an early advantage, with an impactful barricade bump to his challenger. Briefly losing control, Finlay regained it by tossing Tsuji into the ring post and through an abandoned table near the announcers. The champ could only look on with malicious glee as Tsuji crawled and tripped to a 19-count return to the ring. Three consecutive Dominators by Tsuji immobilized Tsuji, but could not get the job done.

Tsuji made a brief comeback, trounced by four consecutive powerbombs, once again to no avail. Tsuji pulled out a Gene Blaster, but Finlay countered with a Gun Stun into Oblivion. Tsuji successfully landed a Gene Blaster, and went for the pin but Finlay lifted his leg to the rope at the 2-count. Finlay threw everything else he could, but Tsuji reached deep within himself to deliver a Powerbomb and one last Gene Blaster to a pinfall victory to a thunderous Tokyo Dome crowd.

Both men had aesthetically pleasing special entrances, with Finlay’s machine gun syncing well with the tron behind him, much like Kenny Omega’s Final Fantasy entrance at Wrestle Kingdom 17. Following up on the Douki injury sapped the energy from the building, but the crowd gave it their best. And to their credit, it worked. I’ve not given Finlay enough credit, but he excelled here with fantastic chemistry to Tsuji.

What was my least anticipated match going into Wrestle Kingdom 19 quickly became my match of the night. Unreal stuff from Tsuji and Finlay, making the crowd happy after such a tragic moment. Now the stakes with Tsuji against Jack Perry at Wrestle Dynasty are raised.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Hiromu Takahashi

Five years of destiny denied. Takahashi’s face told the story all too well, that this match means more than friendship—it means graduating out of junior heavyweight competition. Naito’s prepared for any and everything Takahashi could think of. It won’t be easy. A Time Bomb to the outside finally granted Takahashi an opening, planting a Dynamite Plunger to his stablemate.

Naito began a comeback, but a failed second Destino returned the momentum to Takahashi courtesy a Time Bomb. Softening the neck of Takahashi with elbows, Naito’s efforts were countered with a Destino by Takahashi followed by another Time Bomb. Naito weakened Takahashi with holds and Destinos, leaving Takahashi on his knees. Eventually, Naito landed one that granted him a bittersweet pinfall victory.

For fans of the Yakuza series, the tension and relationship between Naito and Takahashi in this match gave me strong yet vague Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Mijima vibes. This wasn’t some sort of workrate classic, but something far more. The determination in Takahashi’s eyes, and the apprehension in Naito’s. Even when Naito won, there was a sense of regret as he lay on the mat. Sometimes the best storytelling isn’t solely in dialog or action, but reading between the lines and the emotions that lie therein.

Main Event

Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Shota Umino for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Umino’s back, while not noticable at first, grew to being an important factor. While in Sabre’s realm of holds and submissions, Umino barely clawed his way out, but in terms of high-paced frenetic action, he surpassed the champion. Spiking Sabre’s head on the apron, Umino gained a moment to catch his breath, save for the fact his ankle has been weakened thorughout his landing. Propelling the champion into the guardrails, Umino is showered in boos, just like in Ryogoku. Throughout any swing in momentum, his eyes glare in reproach, eschewing the babyface heroics he’d adopted throughout 2023.

With spite in his arsenal, Umino had a modicum of control, but still Sabre did implore him to bring his best to this match, that he’s in the main event and should act like it. Wrenching back Umino’s arms, Sabre nearly put the challenger to sleep. A rageful Umino rampaged through the champion, but fell to a lariat. Both men frenzied, urgently exchanging stiff strikes until Sabre landed a Sabre Driver to a 2-count. Umino planted the champion with a Death Driver, also to a 2-count. An extended leglock hold on Umino brought Umino beyond his threshold of pain, yet he crawled to the ropes in sheer desperation.

Meekly throwing weak elbow strikes, Umino is fueled by the derisive laughs in the crowd. Slipping on his way to the top rope via his hurt ankle, Umino was ensnared by Sabre. A last-ditch effort by Umino saw a Death Driver from the top rope, leaving Sabre prone. Viciously, Umino kicked and stomped on the champ’s helpless body. Vitriol, no remorse. At last, Umino’s ankle caught up with him. Sabre, ever the opportunist, deployed Sabre Drivers and a Suzuki-esque Piledriver before one last Sabre Driver put Umino down once and for all.

Ebbs and flows through this entire bout. So many flashes of greatness, tainted by moments of lulls and a strong lack of urgency. Umino gaining some originality in his character was nice, certainly, and added much to the story. The same applies to his ankle. Umino needs to complete his character. I loved his ruthless side, sharing disdain for the audience.

Long story short, this match felt like being fed an incredible steak, only to take turns pouring hot tar into your mouth. Not a bad match, but not a Tokyo Dome main event match.

Overall, Wrestle Kingdom was a blast. Much like AEW World’s End, however, it’s main event suffered. Pretty much any other match is worth watching. My highlights were the last half of Tanahashi versus EVIL, Takahashi versus Naito, AZM versus Iwatani, and Finlay versus Tsuji.

WWE SmackDown live results: Women’s title match, Bloodline six-man tag

Posted on by Colin McGuire

On the first WWE SmackDown of 2025 and with a return to three hours, WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax will defend her title against Naomi on a sparsely announced card as of this writing.

Jax defeated Naomi in November to retain her title, but the champion was part of a losing effort last week as she teamed with Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae and came up short against Naomi, Bayley & Bianca Belair.

In a trios match that will main event the show, the OG Bloodline (Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn) will face The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga) in Jimmy’s first match since breaking his toe at Survivor Series.

WWE United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura will go one-on-one with Andrade in a non-title match. Nakamura defeated Andrade in November after Andrade ran into an exposed turnbuckle. To receive a future title shot, Andrade must win tonight.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Phoenix aired. Cole then threw to last week’s developments regarding Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. Afterwards, Cody made his entrance inside the arena. He was dressed in a suit.

The Cody Rhodes promo

This was pretty good. Cody continues to show good fire in his program with Owens and I get a kick out of both Owens and McIntyre never really being wrong in their logic for why they have issues with the babyfaces. That said, it felt like McIntyre’s words here were dripping in foreshadowing and I think that extends beyond the attack Owens showed up to execute, so it should be compelling to see how things play out between Drew and Cody over the coming weeks. Speaking of weeks, with four of them left until the Royal Rumble, I wonder how they’re going to stretch out Owens and Cody beyond simple pull-aparts each week. In some ways, it’s already a bit stale, considering how much those two worked with each other in 2024. It’d be nice if they found a way to freshen things up going into their ladder match.

Cody took in a bunch of cheers and then shouted “Phoenix” before saying they all want to talk about the same thing. He said WWE is on the cusp of changing everything and it starts tonight by SmackDown going three hours. Cody referenced Raw going to Netflix and said his excitement was tempered because he cannot be involved because he is not cleared to wrestle because of Kevin Owens. Cody noted that management was concerned about him even being there at all, but at the Royal Rumble, he will compete with Owens in a ladder match. Drew McIntyre’s music then hit and McIntyre walked out through the main entrance.

McIntyre took his time stepping into the ring, but he got there. McIntyre stepped towards Cody and … hugged Cody. Cody looked confused. McIntyre said he wasn’t there to hurt Cody; he was there to help Cody. McIntyre said Cody is about to screw up his entire life’s work and Drew is looking out for him. McIntyre said right now is the best generation of wrestlers WWE has ever had and Cody is the quarterback of it all. McIntyre noted how he knows what it’s like to want to compete, but management won’t let that happen. McIntyre said he can see that Cody needs a friend and Cody interrupted McIntyre.

Cody asked Drew if he wanted to help him and Drew said yes – because he always tells the truth. Cody said he and McIntyre are kindred spirits in the way they left WWE and came back for success. Cody listed off other ways they are the same, but essentially said it didn’t matter because Cody said he didn’t believe McIntyre. Cody then invited McIntyre to “come and get it.” McIntyre said he was telling Cody the truth again – he wasn’t there to hurt Cody; he was there to help Cody. Drew stepped out on the apron and told Cody he needed to watch his back. McIntyre stepped off the apron and Owens attacked Cody from behind. McIntyre slowly walked to the back.

Owens and Cody brawled in the ring and Cody briefly had control. Officials ran out to separate the two and Cody broke away to leap at Owens. Owens found himself on the outside of the ring and the two jawed at each other from afar. Owens was pushed back up the entranceway by the officials. Cody sold head pain in the ring as he scowled at Owens. Cody’s music hit to end things.

**********

– The Bloodline was shown arriving to the building earlier in the day. Naomi and Bianca Belair got the same treatment. Ditto for Nia Jax and Andrade.

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Andrade [8:48]

It was nice to see the crowd rally behind this match by the time these two went to the finish. As for the body of the bout, it was fine enough. I’m not too much of a fan of Andrade continuously taking losses, but I’ve been whining about that for long enough in this space now that I should probably stop. I like the freshened up Nakamura a little more each time I see him. His entrance is plodding, but effective and even the face paint kind of/sort of works. This was nothing near the level of some of their matches years ago, but a solid TV match is a solid TV match and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Nakamura went at Andrade to begin the match, but Andrade rebounded quickly and hit a moonsault onto Nakamura, who was on the outside, about 40 seconds into the match, the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Andrade was working a comeback, including a leaping elbow. Andrade fired up the crowd, but ran into a knee from Nakamura. With Andrade draped over the second rope, Nakamura landed a German Suplex before heading to the top and hitting a knee to Andrade’s head. Nakamura then ripped off the top turnbuckle covering.

Andrade dropkicked Nakamura into the exposed buckle and followed it up with a Meteora, which earned Andrade a two-count. Andrade went to the top and landed his double miss-then-make moonsault for a good near-fall. Andrade set up for The Message, but Nakamura countered … only for Andrade to land a spinning back elbow for a very good near-fall that actually looked like it should have been a three count. Andrade placed Nakamura on the top rope, but Nakamura blocked a super-plex attempt and slammed Andrade’s head on top of the ring post. Nakamura hit the Kinshasha from there and got the win.

Almost instantly after Nakamura was announced as the winner, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight pounded on Nakamura. Knight went for a BFT, but Nakamura escaped and walked away. Knight grabbed a microphone and said one way or another, he will collect what’s owed to him, which is the U.S. title. Knight then did his catchphrase to end the post-match shenanigans.

**********

– Apollo Crews were walking backstage and ran into Pretty Deadly. Santos Escobar showed up with Legado Del Fantasma and accused Pretty Deadly of lying to his faction. Los Garza then half-attacked Pretty Deadly before Nick Aldis showed up and broke things up. Aldis then told Pretty Deadly they needed to have a chat.

– Aldis was shown talking to Pretty Deadly after a commercial break and asked about who attacked the Street Profits. #DIY showed up and Aldis said all four wrestlers were on thin ice. #DIY told Pretty Deadly that it’s important they leave Phoenix as tag champs later tonight. Gargano then said “Yes, boy,” and the Pretty Deadly duo were excited.

Michin defeated Piper Niven [6:57]

A seven minute match that lost nearly three minutes to commercials. Add all the hours you want, WWE; some things will never change. This was fine for what it was and I don’t really have an issue with them running things back between Green and Michin. I don’t know how you top a Dumpster Match, if you go a stipulation route between the two, but maybe the booking minds have something good in mind.

Michin ran at Niven to start the match, but Niven caught her and ran Michin into a corner. Michin came back and took Niven down on the outside of the ring. Things were going well for Michin until Niven caught her and hit a sidewalk slam before the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Michin had control after landing a Bulldog. Michin went for Eat Defeat, but Niven countered and went for a Cannonball, but Michin moved and hit one of her own. Michin saluted Chelsea Green mockingly and hit a Pele Kick on Niven for a two-count.

Michin went to the top, but Niven moved and landed a Piper Driver on Michin for a two-count. Niven set up for a Vader Bomb, but Michin got her feet up. Michin followed that up Eat Defeat and got the win.

**********

– Paul Heyman was shown entering the arena as the show went to break.

– A Naomi vignette aired when the program returned.

The Paul Heyman/Bloodline segment

This was a good go-home segment for the Tribal Combat match on Monday, especially if Roman was never going to show up. I also like touch that had Sikoa never get physical with Heyman. Does that mean Heyman might be in cahoots with Sikoa and his version of the Bloodline now? Probably not, but I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t feel like a swerve is coming one way or another on Monday. Also: Man, this show missed Paul Heyman. He makes good things great and great things can’t-miss. I don’t know why they didn’t advertise his appearance beforehand. Makes you wonder if a Reigns appearance might have been in play up until the final minutes. Then again, there is more Bloodline later on in the show.

Heyman walked into the ring and did his “Ladies and gentlemen …” thing. Heyman said he wanted to set something straight – on Monday, they will find out who is the real Tribal Chief. Heyman said Roman Reigns and Heyman trained Solo Sikoa to become the next Tribal Chief – but not right now. Heyman then recalled everything that happened at WrestleMania 40 and said Sikoa sized the moment and stole the Ula Fala from Reigns’s bag. Heyman called Sikoa a “twisted son of a b#@!.”

Heyman said Sikoa went out and found a band of filthy animals who don’t belong in pro wrestling. He said Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, who aren’t welcome in the United States and cited Jacob Fatu as someone who isn’t even welcome in the United States prison system. Heyman said on Monday, there must be a winner and there must be a loser. Heyman said the only Tribal Chief Roman Reigns will win on Monday. Heyman started to walk out of the ring and Sikoa’s music hit. Out came Sikoa, who was alone.

Sikoa stood across from Heyman in the ring and the crowd chanted “OTC!” Heyman said he was about 10 seconds away from pissing in his pants because the last time they did what they were doing, Sikoa had Heyman put through a table. Sikoa put out his hand for Heyman’s microphone and Heyman gave Sikoa the mic. “Solo sucks!” chants began. Sikoa told Phoenix, Arizona to acknowledge him and the boos broke out.

Sikoa said it was time for Heyman to come to terms with the truth. Sikoa said Heyman owes CM Punk a favor and now Sikoa was asking Heyman for a favor – to hold the Ula Fala during Monday’s Tribal Combat match. Sikoa said if Roman wins, Heyman will put the Ula Fala around Roman’s neck and Sikoa will acknowledge Roman as the Tribal Chief. However, Sikoa said when he beats Roman – and he will – Heyman will have to put the Ula Fala around Sikoa’s neck and that will mean he owns Heyman and Heyman will be Sikoa’s Wise Man forever. At that point, Sikoa said, Roman will have no choice but to finally acknowledge him.

Heyman received the microphone back from Sikoa and Heyman laid the microphone down in the mat before leaving the ring. Sikoa’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

#DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) fought Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) to a no-contest for the WWE Tag Team Championship [10:52]

The was perhaps the best MCMG WWE TV match thus far and the crowd responded as such. That’s promising because as I’ve been saying for the last couple weeks in this space, Shelley and Sabin simply have not been able to find a crowd to give a hoot about them when they make their SmackDown entrances. This was a step in the right direction. I don’t mind the copout finish – this was a tag title match that wasn’t even advertised ahead of time – but I say that only with the caveat that these two teams get more time somewhere down the line and can truly have an opportunity to move a live crowd, which it felt like they were about to do here. The other end of that? Please don’t make this a four-way ordeal that includes Pretty Deadly and Angel and Berto.

Ciampa and Sabin started the match. Sabin quickly gained the upper hand with an arm drag. Shelley tagged in and MCMG kicked Gargano to the outside. Sabin tagged in and MCMG landed a double clothesline on Ciampa. While running the ropes, Gargano tagged himself in and that led to Ciampa and Gargano being on the outside. Sabin leapt through Shelley’s legs and hit a suicide dive on Gargano and Ciampa. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and the heels were on the offensive until Ciampa ran into a leaping kick from Sabin. Shelley received the hot tag and Gargano tagged in as well. Shelley landed a neck-breaker on Gargano for a two-count. Sabin tagged in the two hit stereo splashes on Ciampa and Gargano, who were on the outside. Back in the ring, Shelley tagged in and MCMG worked a series of double-team moves on Gargano before a pin attempt that Ciampa broke up.

Sabin and Ciampa traded strikes in the middle of the ring. Lots and lots of super-kicks were had by everyone all four wrestlers were down in the middle of the ring. Ciampa and Shelley wound up being the legal men and Ciampa chopped the hell out of Shelley. Shelley returned the favor. Sabin tagged in and MCMG landed a fury of double-team moves on Ciampa. MCMG went for Skull And Bones, but Pretty Deadly ran out and distracted MCMG. #DIY took advantage and it looked like Gargano was going to get the win after a super-kick, but Shelley kicked out at the last tenth of a second. Los Garza ran out to chase Pretty Deadly away and right as MCMG looked as though they might win, the brawl between Pretty Deadly and Los Garza spilled into the ring and that ended the match.

**********

– Nia Jax and Candice LeRae were talking in the locker room and Jax wondered where Tiffany Stratton was. Jax then told LeRae to make sure Bianca Belair doesn’t interfere in her match later.

– Sami Zayn was walking backstage and ran into Carmelo Hayes. Zayn talked about how Melo ran away last week and Melo said Zayn could “get this work.” Jey and Jimmy Uso showed up and asked Melo if they have a problem. Melo kind of pouted and left. Zayn walked away to get ready for the main event and the Usos ran into Kevin Owens, who told the Usos they need to watch their backs.

– Cody was walking backstage and Aldis walked up to him. Aldis said Cody seems like he’s hellbent on not making it to the Royal Rumble. Aldis pleaded with Cody to think about his future. Aldis said if Cody won’t do that, Aldis will do that for Cody. Cody said Aldis is the boss, but Cody is the champ, and because of that, he deserves the ability to call his shot. Cody said if he sees Kevin Owens or anyone who looks like Kevin Owens, he will “drop them on site.”

Nia Jax defeated Naomi to retain the WWE Women’s Championship [19:32]

Naomi started quick with a pair of kicks. Naomi went for Jax’s legs, but Jax rebounded and toyed with Naomi as a response until a drop-toe-hold took Jax down. Naomi was on the apron and Naomi kicked Jax in the head, but Jax came back with a headbutt that took Naomi to the floor. Jax posed in the ring and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Naomi got caught only to be slammed by Jax for a two-count. Naomi tried to fight back, but Jax cut her off with a bodyslam and an elbow drop for a two-count. Jax worked a rear chin-lock and that was broken up when Jax ran Naomi into the ring post. Jax crushed Naomi’s head against the ring post and a two-count from Jax came after that. Jax lifted Naomi, but Naomi rolled into a sunset flip and a pin attempt. Jax hopped up and clotheslined Naomi.

Jax set up for her finisher, but Naomi kicked Jax’s leg and followed that up with a double-stomp and her split-leg-drop for a two-count. Jax ran at Naomi, but Naomi moved and Jax ran into the ring post. Jax found herself on the outside and Naomi landed a suicide dive before rolling Jax back into the ring. Naomi landed a series of double axe-handles. Naomi hit an enziguri and an impressive Samoan Drop for a good near-fall.

Naomi set up for a split-legged moonsault, but Jax cut Naomi off and put her in a Tree Of Woe. From there, Jax hit a leg drop from the second rope for a good near-fall. Jax set up for her finisher again, but Naomi pulled Jax off the ropes and landed a Tornado DDT for another good near-fall. Naomi planted Jax with a draping DDT for another good near-fall. The show then actually went to yet another commercial break at about the 13-minute mark of the match.

The show came back and Naomi landed a Blockbuster for a two-count. Out of nowhere, Naomi slammed Jax for a great near-fall. Belair and LeRae started brawling on the outside of the ring while Naomi went for a submission. Jax broke it and threw a tag title at Belair to break up the outside brawl. Jax went to the second rope and Naomi cut her off … until Jax countered with an attempted powerslam from the second rope, but Naomi countered that with a slam of her own.

Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and Stratton finally looked like she was going to cash in, but instead, Stratton hit Naomi in the head with her briefcase. After that help from Stratton, Jax hit her finisher on Naomi and got the win.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Nia Jax to become the new WWE Women’s Champion [0:04]

Finally. It felt like it was coming tonight, and I hoped it was coming tonight, and the crowd hoped it was coming tonight, and damn it, if they would have ended the segment with Stratton simply helping Jax retain, every single viewer on television and in the arena would have screamed about how this whole story jumped the shark … but it didn’t. I loved it. The crowd loved it. Actually, I loved everything about this, including the match between Naomi and Jax, who had another really good wrestling match before all the MITB stuff. Better yet, they were given almost 20 minutes, so for those of us not all that happy that SmackDown added an hour to its programming, the ability to give matches like this almost 20 minutes is a fruitful tradeoff. Naomi and Jax worked their asses off. If you watch one thing from this episode, it’d be this match. The Heyman promo is a strong No. 2, to boot. Really good stuff here. It’s fun when SmackDown gets fun, and that doesn’t happen as much as it used to these days. Kudos to everyone involved.

After the match, Jax tried to attack Belair and Stratton hit Jax with her briefcase to an enormous pop. Belair hit a KOD on Jax and Stratton threw Belair over the commentary table. Stratton then officially cashed in with Jax out. Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and within four seconds, Stratton was your new WWE Women’s Champion. The crowd went nuts.

**********

– A vignette setting up the Bloodline match on Monday aired.

– The Bloodline was shown walking backstage and Jacob Fatu kept screaming “I love you, Solo!” Fatu said he was going to show the world what happens when the world doesn’t acknowledge the one and only Tribal Chief. Sikoa’s music hit and the trio walked to the ring for the main event with about 35 minutes left in the program.

– Byron Saxton caught up with LA Knight backstage. Knight said he was talking to Nick Aldis about why he attacked Nakamura. Knight said he returned the favor when it came to how Nakamura attacked Knight every week before their U.S. title match last year. Knight then announced that next week, he will take on Nakamura for the United States Championship.

– The Usos and Sami Zayn made their way through the concessions stands and the crowd to make their entrances for the main event.

The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga) defeated Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso & Sami Zayn [22:37]

The outcome was predictable, if only because Sikoa is the one going into a Very Important Match at WWE’s next Very Important Event. But that didn’t take anything away from the finish, which I thought was kind of clever, with Jey thinking he had the thing won and Sikoa using the Spike to get the victory. I probably could have done without the McIntyre appearance near the end, but lest we forget: Raw on Netflix is coming and he has a match with Jey Uso. Anything over 20 minutes felt like a bit too much here, especially with the extended entrance from the babyface team, and because of that, it felt like this would have probably been a better dark match, but who am I to judge. In all, a fine-enough main event (though Tiffy’s cash in would have probably made for a better moment to end the show, if we’re being honest). Three hours, eh? We’ll see.

All six men stood in the ring and brawled immediately to start the match. Sikoa and his Bloodline found themselves on the outside of the ring and the show went to a break. Back from the break, Jey worked Fatu’s arm until Tonga was tagged in. Jey and Tonga locked up and Tonga got the best of Jey at first. Jey came back by whipping Tonga into a corner and Zayn tagged in to hit a double axe-handle from the second rope on Tonga. Jimmy tagged in and kept control for the babyfaces until Sikoa interfered and whipped Jimmy’s neck across the top rope.

Sikoa tagged in and worked over Jimmy. Before long, Jimmy got the upper hand and tagged in Zayn, who fired up against Sikoa, complete with a clothesline. Zayn came off the middle rope, but Sikoa caught Zayn and hit Zayn with a Spinning Solo. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Sikoa hit a Samoan Drop on Zayn. Zayn fired back with a chop, but Sikoa came back with a chop of his own. Tonga tagged in and worked a wild ground and pound on Zayn.

Fatu tagged in and landed a hip attack on Zayn. Sikoa tagged in and headbutted Zayn. It wasn’t long before Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Sikoa, out of nowhere, and got the hot tag to Jey. Tonga tagged in as well, but Jey controlled Tonga with kicks, punches and chops. Jimmy tagged in and the Usos hit stereo enziguris. Jimmy and Jey then faced Fatu, who was clotheslined over the top rope. Jey hit a pop-up neck-breaker on Tonga for a good near-fall.

A brawl broke out on the outside of the ring while Tonga DDT’d Jey for a near-fall inside the ring. Fatu tagged in, but Jey super-kicked him and tagged in Zayn, who tagged in Jimmy. Jey, Jimmy and Sami hit hip attacks on Fatu and Zayn and Jey landed suicide dives on Tonga and Sikoa. Jimmy, inside the ring, hit an Uso Splash on Fatu for a two-count. Fatu super-kicked Jimmy and went to the top, where Fatu hit a splash and a moonsault on Jimmy, but Zayn broke up a pin attempt.

Fatu threw Zayn over the top rope and set up Jimmy for something, but Jimmy ran Fatu into a corner. Jey tagged in and Jimmy and Jey hit a double super-kick for a two-count. Drew McIntyre then walked out with no music or anything of the like. Jey was distracted before he hit a suicide dive on McIntyre. Jey went to the top, but missed a splash on Fatu. Fatu followed that up with a pop-up Samoan Drop for a nice near-fall. Sikoa tagged in and Jey super-kicked Sikoa. Jey speared Fatu, but Fatu wasn’t the legal man. After Jey hit a splash and went for a pin, Sikoa returned to the ring and hit the Samoan Spike on Jey for the win.

The show ended with a rundown of the Raw on Netflix card and The Bloodline standing tall in the ring.

TNA Impact live results: Tessa Blanchard returns, eight-woman tag team match

Posted on by Matt Boone

While tonight’s TNA Impact doesn’t have a lot of pre-announced in-ring action, a litany of the company’s stars will be on the show.

In an eight-woman tag team bout, Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich, Jordynne Grace and Knockouts World Tag Team Champions Spitfire will take on Rosemary, Tasha Steelz, and Ash & Heather By Elegance.

After making her surprise return at December’s Final Resolution to attack Grace, former World Champion Tessa Blanchard has said she will be seen tonight. Grace is also scheduled to share some thoughts, likely about Blanchard.

TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth will make an appearance ahead of his title defense against Joe Hendry who will also appear on tonight’s show.

In an X-Division match, Ace Austin will take on KUSHIDA while Ryan Nemeth goes one-on-one with Rhino. In both cases, the match features an individual who is no longer with the company.

The main card is rounded out by Mike Santana having something to say ahead of this month’s Genesis.

**********
An “In memory of” graphic for Jax Dane airs to kick things off. Highlights of TNA Final Resolution 2024 are shown, and then we see arrival shots of the team of Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich and Spitfire.

Joe Hendry Kicks Off 2025 For TNA

As advertised, the familiar sounds of Joe Hendry’s viral hit theme song plays. The number one contender for the TNA World Championship and opponent for reigning title-holder Nic Nemeth at TNA Genesis 2025, Joe Hendry, makes his way to the ring to kick off tonight’s show, and 2025 in general for TNA.

“Say his name, and he appears,” is the opening line for arguably TNA’s most popular star. Hendry says his New Year’s Resolution for 2025 is to become TNA World Champion, and the start of “The Joe Hendry Era.” He vows to win the title at TNA Genesis 2025.

Hendry leads fans in a “We believe!” chant. As he talks about his plans to leave TNA Genesis 2025 with the title, he is interrupted by the theme of Ryan Nemeth. The brother of TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth makes his way to the ring.

Ryan Nemeth gets on the mic and says his big brother is not going to like this. He tells Hendry he’s not a main-eventer. He’s a mid-carder. “A pretty good one, too!” He also calls him a snake and a backstabber who plays macho head games to try and get ahead in TNA. He says he nor Nic trust him.

Hendry admires Ryan’s ability to come out here and “tell these little stories.” He asks who wants to hear a little story of his own. He talks about going to the doctor due to sleep issues. He can’t sleep on his long flights. The doctor says he’s got just the thing.

“Have you ever heard of the Ryan Nemeth comedy special?” He says after ten seconds, he was out like a light. He says if he’s a mid-carder, Ryan is a janitor. “So go mop that floor, and get Joe Hendry a coffee.” Fans chant “Coffee! Coffee!”

He says this main-eventer has business to attend to, so it’s enough stealing TV time for Ryan Nemeth. Hendry says that’s enough glory for Ryan. Ryan says he’ll get all the glory he needs when he beats the Hall of Famer Rhino later. He tells Hendry he can sit front row when it happens later. Hendry asks if he said “later?” He asks who wants to see it right now. The fans pop. He says “in that case, play the music.”

Ryan Nemeth defeated Rhino via Disqualification

The “Gore! Gore!” theme hits and out comes TNA Hall of Fame legend Rhino. As he heads to the ring for our first match of the evening, the show heads into a quick pre-match commercial break. When the show returns, the bell sounds to start things off.

Nemeth tries begging off with a handshake offer early on, but it does him no good, as Rhino takes the early lead. Nemeth fights back into competitive form, until Rhino hits a big TKO for a close two-count. Nemeth grabs a chair from outside of the ring and brings it in.

Rhino blasts Nemeth before he can use it. Nemeth drops the chair, Rhino picks it up and takes a long look at it. Nemeth crawls back up and as he does, Rhino whacks him across the back with the chair. The referee calls for the bell. Nemeth wins via disqualification.

Gia Miller Interviews Jordynne Grace

Backstage, Gia Miller is standing by with Jordynne Grace. She asks “The Juggernaut” about being attacked by the returning Tessa Blanchard at TNA Final Resolution. Grace talks about Tessa “taking her ball” and going home.

She says now she’s trying to return and lay-claim to the leader of the locker room, and reap the benefits off of the backs of the hard work she and others put in while Tessa was gone. She says she knows she’s “the same old Tessa.”

She vows to wait by the door all night to give Tessa the “nice, warm welcome she truly deserves.” That wraps up the brief backstage interview. Tom Hannifan runs down the action still to come before the show heads into another commercial time out.

The Rascalz & The Hardys Will Do Battle For Gold At TNA Genesis

The show returns to The Rascalz duo of Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz talking about The Hardys holding the TNA World Tag-Team Champions. They call them legends and talk about growing up doing swanton bombs off of their couches. They ask what fans think about The Rascalz vs. The Hardys for the titles.

After they finish, The Hardys themselves walk up. Matt Hardy says the two remind them of themselves. He calls them talented, good looking, hungry, extreme and fearless. He mentions a big show called TNA Genesis coming up in Texas later this month.

He thinks a big show like that deserves a big match like this. The Rascalz claim they’ll tear the roof off the place. “Smoke ’em if you got ’em!” They pose together to end the newsworthy backstage segment.

Ace Austin defeated KUSHIDA

Inside the Impact Zone, the familiar sounds of KUSHIDA’s entrance tune plays. After he settles in the ring, the ABC theme hits and Ace Austin cartwheels his way out of the entrance tunnel. He heads to the ring for our next match of the evening as Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt talk about Austin beating Trent Seven at TNA Final Resolution.

The bell sounds to get this one officially off-and-running. Hannifan plugs the Help Support Chris Bey efforts at TNAWrestling.com/Bey. The two lock-up and KUSHIDA takes Austin’s back and ankle picks him. He spins around him like Brock Lesnar on Frank Mir in his UFC debut many moons ago.

Austin scrambles back to his feet and takes a breather on the top turnbuckle before re-engaging. KUSHIDA and Austin end up on the mat again, with KUSHIDA looking to attack the legs of Austin with submission attempts.

Following a long head scissor hold, the two scramble back to their feet again, where Austin connects with a big drop kick. KUSHIDA fights back and locks in a vicious cross arm-breaker on Austin on the hard part of the ring apron outside of the ring ropes.

They fall out to the floor as the show heads into a mid-match break. When the show returns, Austin is selling his arm as he makes a big fired up offensive comeback. He looks for an homage to Chris Bey with an Art of Finesse, but KUSHIDA avoided it.

Off the top-rope, KUSHIDA once again traps Austin in a straight armbar on the mat. He transitions to a triangle attempt, but Austin escapes. Austin goes for the Art of Finesse again, but once more KUSHIDA blocks it and counters with a dropkick.

He looks for Back to the Future, but Austin avoids it and connects with a spin kick of his own. Austin follows up with the Ace up his Sleeve for the pinfall victory in an absolute thriller.

Moose & Ace Austin To Do Battle For Gold At TNA Genesis

Austin gets on the mic and says every day Chris Bey fights for a better life, and he fights for him in the ring. He talks about Bey with tears in his eyes before surgery saying his situation means Austin has to go on a crazy singles run and win the big one for him.

He talks about being a top guy in the company for a long time. He thinks it’s time he becomes “the” top guy for “the” top title. He says he wants Nic Nemeth and the TNA World Championship. Instead, he is cut off by the familiar sounds of the entrance tune for the TNA X-Division Champion Moose.

Moose says the TNA X-Division Championship is the flagship title in TNA. Without it, TNA wouldn’t be what it is. He calls himself “The Franchise” of TNA and what makes it the hottest wrestling company on the planet right now. Moose says when Austin talks about going after the top title, Moose is holding onto the top title.

He says Austin is scared of him. “So go ahead, take the easy way out and go ahead and go after Nic Nemeth and the TNA title.” Austin cuts him off. Moose tells him to shut the hell up. “Just like your partner Chris Bey.” Austin smacks the mic outta his face and calls him a “disrespectful piece of sh*t.”

He says “maybe you don’t know how to count this high, but I’ve been X-Division Champion not once, not twice, but three times.” He talks about carrying the X-Division for years. He says if he wants to learn something about the X-Division, he’s standing in the ring with the right guy.

He says he’ll happily become a four-time TNA X-Division Champion right now. The theme for TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella hits. Marella says it’ll be Moose vs. Ace Austin for the TNA X-Division Championship at TNA Genesis 2025.

Steve Maclin, Josh Alexander & Jonathan Gresham Brawl With The System

Backstage, Steve Maclin, Josh Alexander and Jonathan Gresham all agree they’re pissed off. They ask what they’re going to do about it. In walks The System, sans Moose and the ladies, who asks what they’re going to do, too.

They do this ignorantly, while standing right in front of the aforementioned trio. All six end up in a big brawl that we see all of three seconds of. The camera pans to Jordynne Grace padding up and getting ready for the big multi-person main event later in the show.

Big Tag-Team Match Announced For Next Week

On that note, the show cuts to another commercial break. When the show returns, we see a lengthy match excerpt as the TNA+ Moment of the Week. We return live to Ryan Nemeth being checked by the doctor after being hit with a chair. “Wait until my big brother hears about this!”

Joe Hendry and Rhino against Nic and Ryan Nemeth is made for next week when all four end up bickering, with Santino Marella entering the picture and making the match official.

Mike Santana Confronted By Josh Alexander & The Northern Armory

Inside the Impact Zone, the hip-hop sounds of Mike Santana’s theme hits. He makes his way to the ring through the crowd. He gets on the mic and says he’s going to do what he does best and speak from the heart.

He talks about his tough life on the streets growing up, his hard times in rehab beating addiction. He talks about coming to TNA and becoming one of the best after people said he made career suicide. He said it’s time to get back to the path of purpose, and that’s becoming the standard of TNA.

As he continues to talk, the theme for Josh Alexander hits to cut him off. Out comes “The Walking Weapon” along with the other duo from The Northern Armory. Alexander gets on the mic and says everyone says they want to be the guy, but very few can actually rise to the occasion and obtain it.

Alexander says they’re cut from the same cloth. He tells Santana he’s always liked him. He calls him tough and talented. He loses his cool at some fans and yells at them to shut their damn mouth, but worse, as it was bleeped out. He turns and talks to them off-mic, off-camera for a moment, and then returns to his point.

He tells Santana he might not be who he is today if not for the wars between LAX and The North. He asks how that ended. He says he was beat by The North and sent packing, whereas The North became the longest-reigning champions in this company’s history. He leans right in Santana’s face and says he left for green pastures and asks what happened. He tells him he failed.

He says he’s the man who beat Christian Cage to become TNA World Champion. He lost it before he could wrap it around his waist, but he didn’t piss and moan. He came out the next week and won again, then he beat Bronson Reed and climbed until he got back to the top of the mountain. It was destiny.

As long as he’s in TNA, Mike Santana will never be “the guy.” Alexander and The Northern Armory go to leave. Santana stops them. “Hey, where you going?” He says Alexander might be right. He stayed here and beat killer after killer to become the face of TNA.

“Now was it you, or because you was kissing ass and sucking up to the man with the pencil.” Santana brings up Alexander’s bald-ass head. Fans chant “Bald-Ass Head! Bald-Ass Head!” Alexander glares at them. Santana says he can whoop all three of their asses.

He says how about next week he goes through Alexander and his entire squad in one night. He vows to prove he’s what he says he is, which is the nastiest ever. “I’ll see your b*tch-ass next week.” Mic drop.

Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth Talk Upcoming Business

we shoot backstage and see Jordynne Grace gearing up still when she is met by her partners for tonight’s eight-Knockouts tag-team main event. Santino Marella tells them they’re up next. On that note, the show heads into a commercial break.

When the show returns, Frankie Kazarian and JDC have some fun mocking Leon Slater after he walks off following his refusal to accept the self-proclaimed “King of TNA’s” offer to essentially be his errand-boy.

Back inside the Impact Zone, the theme for “The Wanted Man” hits and out comes TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth. He says he has a lot to say, so he’s going to get right down to it. He talks about facing Joe Hendry at TNA Bound For Glory. He says Hendry was “this close” to becoming TNA World Champion.

Nemeth puts over Hendry some more, before pointing out how he can’t keep putting him over because he’s going to kick his ass in a couple of weeks. He talks about representing the TNA locker room as the TNA World Champion. He says TNA Genesis will be a special night.

He knows Hendry is bringing everything he’s got, and we all know he’s coming to steal the show and stay our champion. He brings up Santino making a tag-team match with himself and his brother Ryan against Rhino and Hendry for next week. He continues to talk but is cut off by his brother.

“My brother, Nic, it is so great to see you.” He asks about him putting over Hendry. He reminds him he’s a snake. He says he’ll hit him in the back the first chance he gets, just like Rhino hit him in the back with a steel chair.

He says they’ll show everyone next week that the name Nemeth is synonymous with greatness. Nic tells Ryan not to forget he’s in this match because of him. He says he should be focusing on TNA Genesis, but says not to worry because they’ll take care of business. He walks off.

Masha Slamovich, Jordynne Grace & Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) defeated Rosemary, Tasha Steelz, Ash & Heather By Elegance

It’s main event time!

But first, we are given the lineup for next week’s TNA Impact (see below), and Hannifan and Rehwoldt run down the updated lineup for TNA Genesis 2025, as the official match graphics flash across the screen.

Backstage, we see TNA security and officials standing over a beaten down security guard. Santino Marella runs up and says they need more security. Hannifan brings up Tessa Blanchard, but it is never confirmed to be her.

Inside the Impact Zone, Ash and Heather by Elegance make their way out to the ring. Tasha Steelz comes out next, followed by Rosemary. The first four-Knockouts team settles inside the squared circle for our final match of the evening.

TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Champions Spitfire, Dani Luna and Jody Threat, make their way out first for the opposition. They stop at the top of the stage and wait. Their music dies down and the sirens blare to bring out “The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace.

Finally, TNA Knockouts Masha Slamovich is out next, and the babyface foursome head to the ring for our eight-Knockouts tag-team main event of the evening. Before the match gets underway, the show heads into another commercial break.

The show returns and Steelz and Slamovich are in the middle of in-progress action. Steelz is throwing kicks as Slamovich gets back to her feet. Slamovich hits the ropes and runs over Steelz with a lariat. She snap mares her down and kicks her in the back with authority.

Steelz fights back into competitive form and tags in Rosemary, who picks up where she left off, taking it to the TNA Knockouts Champion. Slamovich fights back and tags in Grace. The two hit a double-team spot on Rosemary. And another. Grace goes for the cover, but only gets two.

Spitfire takes over and hits some double-team spots that gets the crowd back on their feet. After some more back-and-forth action, the show heads into another mid-match commercial break. When the show returns, the heel team is in the lead.

The opposition begins taking over until George Iceman gets involved at ringside. This allows Ash By Elegance to shift the momentum back in her team’s favor. She stomps away at Threat in the corner. Heather By Elegance tags in and takes over. Rosemary provides an assist behind the ref’s back.

As the heel foursome continue to control the action, keeping Threat on the mat and on their side of the ring, the show heads into the final mid-match commercial break of the evening. When the show returns, Threat is still isolated in the ring, with Rosemary controlling her and the crowd trying to rally behind her.

Threat finally makes the much-needed tag. The opposition begins fighting back into competitive form. There are a bunch of quick tags to give everyone some ring time in the closing minutes of the contest. At one point there are all eight competitors in the ring at the same time.

Spitfire and the Elegance duo brawl at ringside, leaving the other four alone in the ring. Grace and Slamovich double-team Steelz. Steelz fights off Grace, but turns around into a big kick from Slamovich. Slamovich follows up with her finisher for the pinfall victory.

Tessa Blanchard Kicks Out Jordynne Grace Takes Back “Her Locker Room”

As the winning team celebrates, Tessa Blanchard, who was advertised for the show, makes her expected appearance, attacking from behind. She and Jordynne Grace powder off to the back. Rosemary sprays mist at ringside. The cameras catch up with Tessa, who is beating down Grace.

She literally drags her out of the building and throws her outside. She tells her, “And now, I’m taking my locker room back.” She pulls the garage door shut and storms through the backstage area, shoving people and yelling, “Get out of my way!” That’s how the first TNA Impact of the New Year of 2025 goes off the air. Thanks for joining us!

Next Week:
* Savannah Evans vs. TBA
* Mike Santana in Northern Armory Gauntlet
* Nic & Ryan Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry & Rhino
* The Rascalz vs. The Hood Hands
* The System vs. Eric Young, Jonathan Gresham & Steve Maclin

Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow F4WOnline.com’s Matt Boone on Twitter/X.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Women’s Television title defense

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Ring of Honor women’s TV Champion Red Velvet will put her title on the line as part of tonight’s show on HonorClub.

Velvet will defend against HANAKO of Stardom fame after she debuted on the Final Battle pre-show in a win over Harley Cameron. The champion is looking for her fourth title defense.

ROH men’s TV Champion Komander will take on QT Marshall in a Proving Ground match where if Marshall defeats or goes to a draw with the champion, he earns a future title shot.

After making a surprise appearance last Thursday as Rocky Romero’s partner, former ROH World Champion Homicide will once again team with Romero against Action Andretti & Lio Rush. The latter will challenge AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party on Saturday’s Collision.

Shane Taylor Promotions (Taylor, Lee Moriarty & The Infantry) will face Dark Order (Evil Uno and Alex Reynolds) & the Iron Savages.

The aforementioned Harley Cameron will take on Ashley Vox to round out the card.

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It’s the 97th episode of ROH on Honorclub and the first of a brand new year! With talk of a TV deal for ROH being on Tony Khan’s 2025 wishlist, it’s time for ROH to shine! Starting with:

ROH Women’s World Television Title Match: Red Velvet (c) defeated HANAKO

Velvet retained her title in a brutal affair against Leyla Hirsch at Final Battle 2024 that involved a wrench. On the Final Battle Pre-Show we saw Stardom star HANAKO defeat Harley Cameron. Both of these women have some momentum as they meet up in ROH’s first title match of 2025, and Velvet’s fourth title defence overall.  

Velvet was the smaller of the two women in the ring, but what she lacked in height she made up for in swagger, getting right in HANAKO’s face off the top. Velvet used the ropes to get some momentum but bounced off HANAKO who easily picked her up for a slam.

Velvet slipped out of the ring, drawing HANAKO into a race? They ran in a circle around the ring until Velver hopped back in and lured HANAKO into the corner. The two traded blows until Velvet was distracted by the crowd (asking them politely to “shut up.”) and HANAKO burst out. Velvet got the upper hand again though, wrapping HANAKO’s knee around the ringpost.

All was not lost for HANAKO though as she planted Velvet with a huge stalling suplex and some big back elbows that sent Velvet careening across the ring. She hit a big splash on Velvet for a two count but Velvet battled back with some double knees to the back of HANAKO’s head.

Velvet managed to get HANAKO off her feet with some chop blocks and kicks to the leg. She hit a Mama’s Kitchen and pinned the challenger to retain her title.

-A Shane Taylor vingette aired next. Taylor told us about greed, and how you need to be ruthless to be successful. Taylor says real warriors are gone, but Shane Taylor Promotions aren’t afraid to go to war to prove they are the baddest.

Action Andretti & Lio Rush defeated Homicide & Rocky Romero

Andretti and Rush have been teaming together through most of December and it begs the question how did no one think of this sooner? They are natural partners and would elevate any tag division, largely because of their very, very excellent jackets. Longtime friends and canine-enthusiasts Homicide & Romero picked up a win over Aaron Solo and QT Marshall on Boxing Day, so they have some momentum headed into this match. No cool jackets though.

Rush and Romero kicked things off, and the name of the game was speed. They flew around the ring so fast, no one even saw a tag in for Andretti. He was just suddenly there. Rush and Andretti bailed to the outside to talk strategy while Homicide played to the crowd. Rush eventually got back in and ran literal circles around Homicide.

Romero dodged a double team from Rush and Andretti, but they kept bouncing around, frustrating the veterans. Homicide went to the outside to throw a chair all angry-like. Rush and Romero remained legal, Rush setting a pace with a dropkick. Andretti tagged in and worked Romero’s arm, isolating him from Homicide.

A miscommunication led to Andretti accidentally hitting Rush on the outside. Homicide took advantage of the confusion and tagged in to take on both Rush and Andretti. Homicide hit a set of rolling suplexes and a cutter on Andretti but could only get a two-count.

Homicide produced a fork, but missed with it, embedding it in the turnbuckle. While the ref was trying to get the fork unstuck, Andretti hit Homicide with a low blow and rolled him up for the win. It was forking great.

-A promo from the Sons of Texas, Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara, from just after their Double Bull Rope match at Final Battle aired. Rhodes thanked Guevara for being there and then recapped the feud with the Righteous for some reason while lauding praise on Guevara. Bottom line, they hugged and are buds. They then gave a shot at the ROH Tag Titles to the House of Torture at Wrestle Dynasty.

Harley Cameron defeated Ashley Vox

I’m just going to come right out and say it: Harley Cameron is very, very good. She’s dynamite in promos and a really good worker in the ring. I think Cameron is going to be a big deal in ROH and AEW this year. Vox is making her return to ROH, with her last match being back in 2021. And I know what you’re thinking: Yes, 2021 was four years ago. 

Cameron had the upper hand off the top, catching Vox in a quick headlock and trading dropkicks. Cameron’s aggressive streak came out right away and she laid some big kicks into Vox’ face. Cameron dodged a cannonball in the corner followed by a suplex.

Cameron chopped Vox on the ropes, playing to the crowd as she drove elbows into Vox’ collarbone. She locked in a straightjacket submission but Vox was able to wiggle out and unload some elbows into Cameron’s throat. Vox tried to fishhook Cameron, but Cameron got free and booted her in the stomach.

Cameron hit a big suplex and then a shining wizard to put Vox out and pick up the victory.

-Next, Lexy Nair interviewed Red Velvet in the back. She asked Velvet why she had resorted to using a wrench to win at Final Battle. Velvet was shocked that people were questioning her tactics. Leyla Hirsch showed up and wanted answers. Why did Velvet have to cheat? Velvet said that if HIrsch wanted another shot at the title, she could have it. But it would be on Velvet’s time. Then she left.

Shane Taylor Promotions (Carlie Bravo, Lee Moriarty, Shane Taylor & Shawn Dean) (w/Trish Adora) defeated Iron Savages (Beefcake Boulder & Bulk Bronson) & The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & Evil Uno) (w/Jacked Jameson & John Silver)

STP are THE faction in ROH and it shouldn’t be far into 2025 that we see them challenging for and winning some serious gold. For now though, they count the ROH Pure champion Moriarty in their company along with a more aggressive and scary Infantry. The Savages and Dark Order are beef-filled opponents, but each team has been kind of in limbo recently. Whoever wins this should find themselves pretty high on the list for tag team title shots. 

STP had the advantage in that they were a single unit taking on two teams who haven’t teamed together. As teams. Anyway, Reynolds and Moriarty kicked things off and they were perfect for each other. A series of fast and technical moves followed, until Moriarty stopped to pose. Boulder and Bravo tagged in next and it was the opposite: Power and more power. Boulder brought in Bronson and the two took Bravo to Titty City (look it it up. No, wait actually, don’t).

Adora got up on the apron to distract the Ref and Bravo delivered a kneed to Bronson’s head on the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring). Taylor tagged in and the big men rumbled, with he and Bronson trading shots in the corner. Uno jumped in to save Bronson from getting pinned to a great ovation.

Uno and Moriarty squared off in the ring in a high speed exchange that reminded everyone that Uno is very good at wrestling. He ended with a huge Brainbuster, but it only got a two count. Boulder tagged in and hit a double DDT on Dean and Bravo who were in the ring for some reason. That brought in Taylor to face off against Boulder.

They hit each other very hard for a few seconds before Boulder lifted Taylor and powerslammed him! He then used his partner as a weapon and slammed him on Taylor, but it only got a two count. Reynolds and Moriarty became legal again and Moriarty lured him to the outside for a Border City Stretch. In the ring, Uno got caught by Adora and left at the mercy of Dean, Bravo and Taylor. They beat on Uno and Moriarty appeared to put him in a Border City Stretch, forcing Uno to tap out.

ROH Classic Match: ROH Women’s World Title Match: Athena (c) vs Willow Nightingale (Death Before Dishonor 2023, July 21, 2023)

A replay of Lexy Nair’s expulsion from MIT by ROH Women’s World Champion Athena was shown next. This led into the showing of the Women’s World Title match from Death Before Dishonor 2023. Athena had alread been a long-term champion by this time and Nightingale had just come off winning the Owen Hart Foundation 2023 Women’s Tournament in AEW. Both were fired up and it’s a great match!

ROH World Television Title Proving Ground Match: Komander (c) vs. QT Marshall – Time Limit Draw (10:00)

In this first Proving Ground Match of the new year, Marshall must pin or submit Komander or last the 10 minute time limit. If he can do one of those things, Marshall will get a shot at Komander’s ROH World TV Title, acquired at Final Battle in a six-man Survival of The Fittest Match. Marshall had a match against Jay Lethal that I’m still unable to find a reason for. Anyway, this one looked to be a good one!

“QT Sucks” chants broke out from the crowd and he stepped outside to really soak them in. When Marshall got back in the ring, Komander ran at him and Marshall slide out of the ring. At this point, it became clear that Marshall’s strategy was to slow everything down and waste as much time as possible to reach the 10-minute time limit, which I have to admit, is pretty smart.

Komander goaded Marshall into some wrestling and the two traded moves back and forth. Every time Komander would pick up the pace, Marshall would respond with something that slowed it right back down. That allowed Marshall to utilize his size advantage on the smaller Komander.

Marshall methodically kept Komander off his feet, milking the clock with submission holds, power moves and even working the crowd. Komander managed to turn a suplex attempt into a sleeper hold, but Marshall backed him into the corner. Komander hit a facebuster off the ropes and the match sped up significantly.

Komander went to the top rope for a running shooting star press, but Marshall caught him with an uppercut and suplex powerbomb for a two count. That ground things back to a halt as the time ticked away. Marshall set up Komander for a super diamond cutter, but Komander reversed it and sent Marshall to the outside. Komander hit a springboard mexican destroyer and then went to the top rope.

Komander set up and executed his signature running shooting star press, but Marshall rolled to the outside… just as the 10 minute time limit elapsed! I cannot stress how rare it is for a Proving Ground Match to go to time and a challenger win. Fantastic work by Marshall and Komander and a great way to end the first show of the year!

AEW Dynamite Fight for the Fallen live results: Death Riders vs. Rated FTR

Posted on by Ryan Howard

Adam Copeland returns to the ring for the first time in more than six months on tonight’s AEW Dynamite Fight for the Fallen.

Copeland teams with FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler to form Rated FTR tonight as the trio faces AEW Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta in six-man tag team action. Copeland suffered a broken leg during a barbed wire steel cage match at Double or Nothing last May, then made his return to AEW in the aftermath of the main event of last weekend’s Worlds End pay-per-view, confronting and spearing Moxley.

Tonight’s show also kicks off a new streaming era for AEW, as the flagship Dynamite program makes its streaming debut with a simulcast on Max.

Orange Cassidy vs. Hangman Page is also on tap for tonight’s episode. Both were part of the four-way main event World title match at Worlds End won by Moxley.

Julia Hart also makes her in-ring return on tonight’s show after missing more than eight months of ring time due to injury. Hart faces Jamie Hayter on the program.

Jeff Jarrett will make an announcement regarding his wrestling future on the show.

The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin vs. The Acclaimed’s Max Caster and Anthony Bowens is also set for the show.

***********

AEW Fight for the Fallen comes on the air with a new intro and music, I’m So Excited by The Pointer Sisters, as Excalibur welcomes us along with Tony Schiavone. The greatest tournament wrestler, Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada, is shown walking backstage before Excalibur runs down tonight’s card.

Comments from Jon Moxley backstage after World’s End is shown. When bullets start flying and things get real, it’s very different to how they normally act. Moxley said Marina Shafir took a bullet and he expects nothing less from a solider by his side. He grabbed the entire AEW organization by the strap and have guided it through a pandemic, taking bullet after bullet. He will destroy AEW World Title before he lets anyone else get their greedy, soulless, criminal fingers on it ever again. Moxley knows what Adam Copeland is all about. Death Riders aren’t rebels, no one has authority over them, as Moxley is the King. At World’s End, Copeland was just the loudest guy in the room.

Backstage at Dynamite, Rated FTR talk about tonight’s main event and Copeland said if Death Riders want to take out his friends, then it’s time to fight back. Copeland knows he’s sicker than Moxley, this should be fun.

Hangman Adam Page defeated Orange Cassidy

(Hard to believe that this was the first singles encounter between these two. This was a solid opener and a good way to get two home grown AEW talent in front of new eyes in the MAX era. The post-match, I’m not sure where this Page & Daniels stuff is headed, but I assume it’ll have something to do with The Elite, at least I think it would. Not sure people are clamoring for a Daniels vs. Page one-on-one program.)

Both trade finisher attempts at the bell, but are countered repeatedly into a stalemate. Page no sold forearms and chopped Cassidy into the corner, as Excalibur plugged how all Dynamite episode and special events from 2019 are now available on MAX. Page planted Cassidy to the floor with a springboard lariat before sending him crashing into the barricade. Despite early chants for him, Page flipped the crowd off, but was distracted too long, as Cassidy backdropped out of a powerbomb attempt and delivered 10 punches on the barricade. Back inside, Page caught a cross body and delivered a fall away slam into the corner for two. Cassidy got a near fall, PK and Stundog Millionaire that sent Page outside, where he wanted a dive, but Page caught him. Cassidy avoided an apron powerbomb, but not a fall away slam up the ramp, putting Page in control during break.

Page wanted a Buckshot, but Cassidy rolled to the floor, forcing Page to give chase. They repeated the spot, thus angering Page even more, as Cassidy put his hands in his pockets, hit the dropkick, kip-up, float over in the corner and slammed Page repeatedly into the buckle. Cassidy wanted a top rope DDT, was caught, Page wanted a lawn dart, but Cassidy countered into multiple DDTs. Cassidy fired up the little kicks, hit a thrust kick, but Page no sold into a lariat. Page wanted the Buckshot, but Cassidy countered into Beach Break for two in a solid sequence. Cassidy connected on multiple Orange Punches, but Page rolled to the apron, only to eat another. Cassidy stumbled around to go for the home run shot, but Page flipped over into the Buckshot and got the victory in a really fun opener.

Post-match, Page attacked once more, connecting on multiple Dead Eyes until referees and Christopher Daniels ran out. Daniels got into Page’s face and ate a right hand for his troubles. Daniels pleaded that he was Page’s friend, but was booted in the face, as Page went to the back, yelling at Daniels to stay out of his business.

-Switchblade Jay White is backstage saying they aren’t starting 2025 out the way he wanted, as he is not the AEW World Champion. White would’ve been champion, but Wheeler Yuta cost him his moment. White promises he’ll show Yuta how he feels, as words won’t do it justice. Tonight, he’ll win the top spot in next weeks Casino Gauntlet and make his way to Moxley and the World Title. It’s nothing personal to Roderick Strong & Swerve Strickland, but they will breathe with the Switchblade.

The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster)

(It’s wild how cooled off The Acclaimed have been since a year ago, but it’s more than time for them to break up and go singles. Interesting to note that MVP said the business card he gave to Caster expired, so perhaps there isn’t a future for Caster in the Hurt Syndicate? Caster is fine, but I’d love a nice Bowens singles run at some point in 2025.)

Caster held up a fans sign that said “Bowens Will Be Fine” before we get pre-recorded comments from them. Bowens asked Caster if he hit him with the ROH Title on purpose a few weeks ago and Caster said no, he didn’t. Caster said for Bowens to get focused, as tonight is The Hurt Syndicate, there’s no scissoring or rapping, it’s Bowens and the Best Wrestler Alive.

The Acclaimed immediately argue about who should start, resulting in Lashley running over both of them, launching Caster with an overhead belly to belly. Excalibur brought up MVP giving Caster a business card and MVP said he took too long to answer, while Lashley & Benjamin both said they didn’t want him. Caster got off one back elbow before being clotheslined outside where Benjamin chucked him repeatedly into the barricade, as Bowens just watched. Back inside, Caster floated over a suplex and dove for the Bowens hot tag. Bowens was in for about 30 seconds until Caster blind tagged in. They keep arguing, which led to Suplex City from Benjamin on Caster, each one getting louder pops from the crowd. Bowens dropped off the apron and just watched Caster get his ass kicked, as Lashley made the tag, hit a Spear, spinebuster and Hurt Lock for the submission. Bowens said Caster isn’t the best wrestler alive, he’s a selfish asshole and walked to the back.

-Swerve Strickland is backstage with Prince Nana interviewed by Alex Marvez and talked about tonight’s three way. Strickland apologizes for the fans who continue to chant his name, as he’s been distracted recently, but that changes tonight. He’ll remind everyone why, just like 2024, that 2025 will be Swerve’s House. Strickland said he’s never been in a Casino Gauntlet before and asks Marvez if he knows why? It’s because he was always World Champion when they happened. Nana wished everyone a Happy New Year before dancing off.

**********

Julia Hart defeated Jamie Hayter

(This turned into a good match, as it’s important to point out the ring rust for Hart, having been off for such a long time. The finish is interesting, as when Hart would mist people in the past, they’d eventually turn to the dark side, so perhaps a heel Hayter is in the cards in the future?)

Hart’s first match back since her shoulder injury last April, as she slammed Hayter down repeatedly by her hair, but Hayter kept kipping up, returning the favor. Hayter hit an awkward hip toss into a neckbreaker, crunched Hart in the corner with multiple splashes until Hart fought out with a clothesline to the back to the outside. Hart wanted a cross body off the apron, but was caught, Hayter wanted a suplex on the steps, but Hart floated over and slammed Hayter back first on the steps.

Hayter mounted her comeback, as she went the lariat, missed, but Hayt-Breaker connected for two. Taking way too much time to follow-up, Hayter ran into a corner boot, as Hart wanted a moonsault, rolled through, but hit a back heel trip for two. Hartless was applied, but Hayter powered her way to her feet. Hart tried a crucifix counter, only for Hayter to hit a DVD on the knee and sliding lariat for two. Hayter wanted a superplex, but Hart swept out the leg and Hayter was clutching her left ribcage. Hart pulled out an arrow, as it was a distraction for the ref, who got it away, allowing Hart to mist Hayter and get the pin. Doctors checked on Hayter in the post-match, as she was writhing in pain.

-A video package on the latest chapter of the Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher rivalry is shown, with Ospreay getting his win back at Worlds End after losing to Fletcher at Full Gear.

**********

-Highlights of the incredible finish of the Continental Classic is shown in the finals between Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay. We then see the return of Kenny Omega, as he presented Okada with the Continental Title. It turns into an Omega highlight package and we’re told Omega is coming next week.

We then see a video package for Okada, who said he proved he’s the best tournament wrestler alive. Okada told his little brother, Will Ospreay, nice try, before telling Omega to stay out of his business, as how many times does he have to beat him?

Mercedes Mone’s New Year Celebration

Mercedes Mone comes to the ring, as commentary plugs Wrestle Dynasty this weekend and her NJPW Strong Women’s Title match against Mina Shirakawa. Mone does her signature line before throwing it to a highlight video package all about herself. All of her Sports Illustrated ranked Top matches is shown, including her #1 spot against Hazuki in New Japan. Mone said you haven’t seen anything yet for what’s in store in 2025. Mone said Mina Shirakawa has something she wants, more gold, the RevPro Championship and said Mone Changes Everything. Excalibur said it’s Title vs. Title at Wrestle Dynasty, but the graphic only said the NJPW Strong Women’s Title. This was a pretty nothing segment, other than a way to get Mone on TV, but I’m glad they showcased her run over the past few months, as no one has been able to hold a candle to her.

-Video package talking about Fight For The Fallen’s partnering with the American Red Cross and multiple charities in hope to help with Hurricane Helene relief in rebuilding for those effected. Dax Harwood was shown presenting a check to the World Central Kitchen and Asheville Dream Center.

-Alex Marvez is backstage with Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong, as Cole said finally the Undisputed Kingdom is complete. O’Reilly said they have it all covered, Trios, Tag Team, Singles and Triple Threats. Strong said he couldn’t have said it any better, as tonight, he’ll win the match and reminds them next week, it’s every man for himself.

Switchblade Jay White defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) & Roderick Strong to earn the 1st spot in next week’s Casino Gauntlet

(I thought this was a pretty darn good three-way, with everyone getting their chance to shine and never ever really feeling like the standard carousel of singles matches. They really drove home how White was so close to winning the AEW Title at World’s End, so he has to be a favorite to win the Gauntlet next week. The post-match was a big story, as Ricochet finally looked like a threat and a strong heel after multiple weeks of looking the contrary. He’s losing his mind and it appears to be the best thing for him, as this feud with Strickland should only help him, I’m looking forward to it kicking into gear.)

White hilariously did the Swerve dance using a finger gun during Strickland’s entrance, as it was fast action right at the bell. White was sent outside, as a flashy suplex sent Strong outside, allowing Strickland to hit a backflip over onto White to a huge ovation. Back inside, a signature flying uppercut on White, but Strong broke the count. Double DDT from White, who fired off a series of chops before dumping both Strong & Strickland out. Front face suplex on the apron delivered to both, but as everyone was back in the ring, Strong was the one who sent Strickland & White crashing down onto one another, putting him in control during break.

They return to all three fighting up in the corner, where everyone crashes down with Strickland to his feet first. No pun intended, but Strickland was a house of fire, powerbombing Strong into White in the corner before delivering a powerbomb into powerslam on White. As he went for a rolling Flatliner, Strong countered into a Code Breaker on Strickland an Angle Slam and Tiger Driver on White for two. Strickland returned and hit a standing Swerve Stomp on Strong, but missed House Call. White wanted Blade Runner, missed, as Strickland hit the rolling Flatliner. Strickland wanted a Swerve Stomp, but Strong cut him off, White rolled to the floor and Strickland was left to decide who to go after and settled on Strong. Pump kick to Strong on the apron, as Strickland walked the barricade and hit another to White until Ricochet appeared and popped Strickland in the head with a golden pair of scissors, just staring him down. It turned into a singles match, as Strong & White rolled into the ring, where almost instantly, White hit a Blade Runner for the win.

Post-match, Strickland is bleeding, as Ricochet slowly steps over the barricade and holds the scissors up to Nana, keeping him away. Ricochet drove the scissors into the head of Strickland, as his own shirt is covered in Strickland’s blood, as he was laughing manically. Nana tried wrestling a chair away from Ricochet, but was shoved aside and Ricochet hit a chair shot to the back. In the ring, Ricochet placed Strickland on the chair and hit the Spirit Gun. Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Strong got in the ring and made the save, as Ricochet bailed, continuing to laugh his ass off before leaving. Strickland was checked on by the Undisputed Kingdom and doctors as the faded to break.

**********

Back from break, Alex Marvez is backstage with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh who said they hadn’t heard from Jeff Jarrett all day. Jarrett walked up and they said whatever he’s planning, they support him 100%, they just want him to make sure this is what he wants to do. Karen Jarrett walks in and said this business is what brought them together, but knows this is what has broken him at times. What Jeff wants, she wants, they’re unbreakable, as she hands him his wrestling boots and Jeff walks off.

-Mariah May is backstage and said was asking to stop saying bad things about the women’s division and mockingly did so before saying she has had more matches than any other woman. They were busy faking injuries, failing auditions, not remembering who they were, while May left a trail of broken hearts, bodies and minds while everyone didn’t realize how good she was. May is The Epic, so it’s time for others to prove themselves to her. She is the woman from hell, you can’t touch her, she’d love to see you try.

Jeff Jarrett Announcement

With a guitar set-up in the ring, Jarrett came to the ring and said there’s so many things he has to be thankful for in his career and wishes everyone a Slappy New Year. It’s sad to start thinking about things coming to an end, but made him think of how things began. Jarrett talked about his grandmother starting to sell wrestling tickets and thus changing his families lives forever. High risk, high reward decisions helped her get in the business, his father becoming a wrestler and buying the promotion in Tennessee. In 1986, when Jeff got in the industry it ultimately led to starting his own promotion in 2002, a place that has developed some of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Jeff grabs his boots and asks if The Last Outlaw should ride off into the sunset? The answer is, hell no, when you take the biggest risk, you get the biggest reward, so he signed his very last wrestling contract, with AEW. The Last Outlaw wants one ride and wants AEW gold. He’s talking about the biggest risk of his career, he’s entering the Gauntlet next week, as his New Years Resolution is he wants to become AEW World Champion.

Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Jon Cruz & Rob Killjoy

Hobbs immediately mowed through poor Cruz before turning Killjoy inside out with a lariat. Big splashes in the corner until a snap powerslam flattened Cruz. Massive spinebuster on Killjoy as the straps lowered and Cruz was spinebustered onto his partner for the easy Hobbs win. Commentary put over how if Hobbs is in the Gauntlet next week and his number is called, he has to be a favorite.

-Alex Marvez is backstage asking Big Bill & Bryan Keith where Chris Jericho is? They said North Carolina is just ok, but Jericho isn’t coming here before calling out the hometown heroes, Rated FTR, who were getting ready for the main event. Bill said home is where you find themselves and The Learning Tree find themselves in a position to knock the hometown heroes down a branch or two. Keith calls them a Rated Dumbass until Copeland mocks them, says Bill’s face stupid and challenges them to a Trios match this Saturday on Collision. Rated FTR vs. The Learning Tree.

-A memorial graphic for Sweet Daddy Siki is shown

**********

-MJF post-match at World’s End is backstage congratulating Adam Cole on his win, but corrects himself and says that’s right, Cole lost. It took an army to beat him up after the match and says thankfully, mercifully, the chapter of Better Than You Bay-Bay comes to a close, but now it’s time for retribution. It’s time to take back the Triple B, something taken from him without him actually losing. It’s being paraded around in a briefcase and questions Jon Moxley what’s a King to a God? No one is on the level of The Devil, something Moxley should know very well. MJF doesn’t care if Moxley burns AEW to the ground, because in 2025, The Devil gets his due, Part 2. I’m looking forward to MJF putting the Cole feud behind him and getting back into the main event picture and becoming a key player again in the new year.

Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defeated AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta (w/Marina Shafir)

(I have no idea why the name change, but it’s going to really take me a while to get used to calling him Cope. It took me just about a year to get used to Adam Copeland. The match itself really picked up towards the end and got maybe a little too jam packed, as commentary almost entirely missed the White appearance and attack on Yuta. The crowd went wild for the finish though, as you needed Cope & FTR to stand tall, especially on this show.)

Justin Roberts announces Adam Copeland as “The Rated R Superstar Cope” so I guess Cope is what he’s going by now? They need to update the video boards and entrance videos going forward then. Commentary plugged Castagnoli being sent as a mercenary by Moxley to hurt his former protégé, Shooter Umino, at Wrestle Dynasty this weekend. They also talked about Sweet Daddy Siki training Cope to become a wrestler and gave a nice tribute.

Yuta & Harwood start things off, with Yuta taking brutal chops repeatedly until Cope tagged and Yuta bailed. Castagnoli tagged and a first-time face-off between the two, as they trade shoulder blocks, with neither budging. They trade hip tosses, as Castagnoli is sent over the top, where Cope follows with a baseball slide. Castagnoli was sent into the apron, but as the ref was distracted, Shafir posted Cope hard as things went to break with Moxley standing innocently over a fallen Cope.

It was all Death Riders during break, isolating Cope, who finally got a back drop on Yuta to make the hot tag to Wheeler, who ran wild to a huge pop. Nice fast sequence with Yuta & Wheeler, who countered a leap frog into a snap powerslam for two. Harwood back in, but Castagnoli cut off a spike piledriver attempt. Harwood countered a pop-up uppercut into a suplex, as Yuta nearly stole the pin for two. Harwood flew out of the corner with a cross-body for two, but Yuta responded with an Angle Slam for the double down. Yuta went up top, but was cut off with a massive Avalanche Back Suplex for two. Wheeler gets dumped by Castagnoli, who followed by hitting Cope with a big boot. Jackhammer from Castagnoli and big splash from Yuta got a near fall, as they went to another commercial almost at the top of the hour.

Cope & Moxley both tagged in and slugged it out, as everyone in the crowd are on their feet. Cope spun out of Death Rider and hit the Impaler DDT, but Moxley bailed before the Spear could hit. Cope was out after him and they brawled into the crowd, but ultimately made their way back to the ring, where Moxley blind tagged Yuta. Cope was planted with a DDT, as Yuta signaled for the Spear, but ran into a pop-up Liger Bomb for two. Cope wanted a Spear, but had his legs pulled out by Moxley & Castagnoli, crotching him on the post. Wheeler made the save, wanted a dive, but Castagnoli hit a gnarly charging uppercut to put a stop to it. Castagnoli & Moxley clear off the commentary table, as Moxley kissed Tony Schiavone on the cheek before teasing a piledriver, but Cope backdropped him. All this distraction, allowed Switchblade Jay White to appear and lay out Yuta with a Blade Runner. Cope tackled Moxley through the barricade, as back inside, Yuta ate a Shatter Machine and Spear to give Cope the pin. Rated FTR celebrated as the show went off the air.

AEW Collision 1/4/25

  • Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. The Learning Tree (Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith)
  • Daniel Garcia defends the TNT Title against Mark Briscoe
  • Toni Storm vs. Deonna Purrazzo
  • Private Party defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against Lio Rush & Action Andretti
  • Rock n’ Roll Express Return To Charlotte

AEW Dynamite 1/8/25

  • Casino Gauntlet for an AEW World Title shot at Maximum Carnage on 1/16/25
  • Kenny Omega Returns to Dynamite

WWE NXT live results: Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice, year-end awards

Posted on by Jeremy Peeples

The final televised pro wrestling show of 2024 has arrived with tonight’s WWE NXT which will feature the brand’s year-end awards.

Former NXT Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan will take on the hard-hitting Lola Vice. Jordan made her presence felt last week by attacking Cora Jade with a kendo stick after Jade’s loss to Stephanie Vaquer.

Former NXT Champion Ethan Page will be in action against Cedric Alexander. Page has experienced an attitude change as of late after bloodying up Je’Von Evans to send a brutal message.

Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe will take on Andre Chase, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger.

In a three-way tag team match made after the chaotic events of last year’s show, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson will face Gigi Dolin & Shotzi, and Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.

After Izzi Dame interrupted a Sol Ruca backstage conversation with Zaria last night, Dame and Ruca will go one-on-one to round out the show.

**********

NXT returns to the Performance Center and Kelani Jordan is the first person out to close out 2024 with her match against Lola Vice.

Kelani Jordan defeated Lola Vice

Jordan started off strong with a headlock takeover before Vice escaped and Jordan landed a crossbody for 2. Vice recovered to grind away with a camel clutch before they each exchange armbars on the mat while Booker T quotes MC Hammer. Vice took Jordan down in the corner with a series of kicks before landing a hip attack. Vice hit a three amigos before landing some kneeling kicks, but eating a slick kick from Jordan to even things up.

Jordan landed a series of rope-bound strikes to Vice before Vice snatched a rear naked choke before Jordan slammed her in the corner and then sat back to break it up. Cora Jade ran down and Jordan ran Vice into her before a Backlund Bridge wins it for Jordan. Stephanie Vaquer went to attack Jade, but Vice accidentally backfisted Vaquer when Jade moved.

An NXT Match of the Year nominee video package aired with Femi vs. Briggs vs. Dijak winning. A Fatal Influence hear no evil/see no evil/speak no evil video package airs to hype up New Year’s Evil. An NXT Spotlight video airs with Giulia hyping up Roxanne Perez as a worthy NXT Women’s Champion – but she needs to put her own name in the history books like Asuka and Charlotte while clips from MARIGOLD air. The NXT Moment of the Year is Joe Hendry being in NXT while being a TNA Wrestling roster member.

Sarah Schreiber interviewed Cedric Alexander about facing Ethan Page tonight and Je’von’s jaw was wired shut and the goal is for him to eat solid food – let alone get back in the ring and he’ll take his anger out on Page before Page tells him that he wished the texts warned him about Page before he takes him out and puts him next to Evans. They brawled out to the ring and their match is going on right now instead of later.

Ethan Page defeated Cedric Alexander

Alexander started off heavy with a slugfest and stomping a mudhole in Page in the corner. Page landed a corner combo before eating a dropkick to the knee and a basement dropkick to the neck for 2. Lowpe from Alexander hit hard on the floor but Page landed a codebreaker “to tha snout” according to Booker T for 2 before a dropkick landed another 2 for Page. Alexander landed a snap Michinoku Driver for 2 before falling to a Page cutter. After the match, Page grabbed a toolbox and slammed it on Alexander’s hand.

Tyreik and Tyson chat with Hank and Tank about wanting the tag gold before Wes Lee and Shawn Spears intervene and Spears left Hank and Tank high and dry. Shotzi and Gigi Dolin are out for a women’s triple threat tag match.

Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend defeated Shotzi & Gigi Dolin and Katana Chance & Kayden Carter in a triple threat tag

Dolin and Carter start off hot with a basement superkick by Carter. Legend came in and tosses Carter off her back before hoisting Carter up in a Backlund lift. Chance and Carter took Legend down and got 1 off a Chance cover. Shotzi and Jackson went at it quickly with a butterfly suplex getting 2 for Jackson. Gigi came in and both she and Shotzi landed a series of attacks to Jackson. Shotzi got the cloverleaf on, but Jackson got to the rope.

Carter landed a big boot to Dolin before Chance hits a rana to the floor and she and Carter land a stereo dive to Dolin and Shotzi. Carter landed a basement superkick to Legend before Chance goes into the drop zone for 2 before everyone breaks it up. Jackson landed a missile dropkick to Chance before Carter blind tagged in and ate a dropkick from Jackson. Dolin hit an enzuiguri and set up a dive from Shotzi that landed short. Legend and Jackson set up a shoulder-walking dive to the floor that hits before a Dolin crucifix bomb got 2.5. Jayne distracted Dolin and the Meta Girls hit a double-team cutter for the win.

Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre chat about the Meta Girls and brag about beating them before getting gold back. Backstage, Lola and Stephanie argue before Kelani Jordan stirs things up. Eva puts Cora Jade in a fatal 4-way at New Year’s Evil. Backstage, Lexis King chats with Eva and she says it’s a grey area if he can win it via DQ and at New Year’s Evil, there will be a sudden death rematch and Lexis hands the cup back to Eva. NXT Tag Team of the Year Award goes to Fraxiom, who bring up being rivals and now being friends. Zaria and Sol Ruca chat backstage before Ruca’s match and we get a little look at some WWE ID signings in the crowd.

Izzi Dame defeated Sol Ruca

Ruca got an armdrag and drop toehold off a long collar-and-elbow tieup. Ruca ties her up on the corner and rides her like a surfboard. I think I saw Nick Bockwinkel do that on the AWA back in the day. Dame sidestepped the Sol Snatcher for 2. Zaria came down to give Ruca some moral support before Ruca hits a springboard spinning shoulderblock. Ruca corner high kick hits and a moonsault met the knees of Dame. Ruca wanted a moonsault off the top to the floor but Dame put Zaria in the path of it! The I-Drive/Sky High hit and gave Dame the win. Spears looked on menacingly.

The NXT Women’s Superstar of the Year is Roxanne Perez and she says she’s brought people from all over the world – Mexico, Japan, and TNA, and no one can stop her. Andre Chase came out for Hank and Tank!

Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe defeated Andre Chase, Hank Walker & Tank Ledger.

Dupont slugged away on Tank before Igwe tagged in and ate some offense on Tank. Chase ran in for a corner forearm before Tank landed a corner charge. Hank and Tank would have been a riot in Memphis with Lance Russell calling their matches. Igwe stomped away on Tank before Tank hit a spinebuster and Chase landed a swanton dive to the floor. Lee went for a satellite DDT on Hank but turned into a front choke before eating an overhead belly to belly and a northern lights suplex and then a giant suplex by Hank!

Tank comes in and ran wild and slugged Igwe on the apron and a cartwheel clothesline! Lee landed a superkick on the floor to take down Tank. Chase slugged away on Igwe mid-ring before hitting a Russian legsweep. Chase wanted the Chase U stomps, but fell into a deep depression and tagged out before walking out on Hank. Hank got a schoolboy but ate a Lee high kick and Igwe landed a stunner to win it.

Ashantee tried to call Carmen Petrovic and it goes right to voicemail and he expresses his love for her and says he misses her. Nikkita Lyons chats him up and he turns her down. Spears congratulates Dame before Tony D tells him to get away from her. Andre Chase told Kale Dixon backstage that Chase U is dead before Oba Femi came out to accept the Male Superstar of the Year award before saying it really doesn’t matter and he is the captain now and you can see him win the title at New Year’s Evil.

Trick Williams came down to show the fans some love like they’ve done for him and Femi is beatable – and because he is so beatable, that’s why they have a triple threat. Thorpe smashed the award on Trick’s head and held the title high. This was a solid by-the-numbers build towards New Year’s Evil – but Oba Femi came off as the biggest star of the three in the closing segment.

WWE Raw live results: Final episode on USA Network

Posted on by Marc Quill

Before moving to Netflix next week, WWE Raw has one final episode on USA Network.

Raw says goodbye to its longtime television home with tonight’s show from the Toyota Center in Houston. The final Raw of 2024 will feature a face-to-face with CM Punk and Seth Rollins as they get ready for their main event match on next Monday’s Netflix premiere.

The semifinals of the Women’s Intercontinental title tournament will also go down tonight with Dakota Kai vs. Zoey Stark and IYO SKY vs. Lyra Valkyria both taking place.

A six-man tag match is set with Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Carlito taking on Damian Priest & The War Raiders. Two weeks ago, Erik & Ivar defeated Balor & McDonagh to become the new World Tag Team Champions.

A grudge match between Otis and Chad Gable is scheduled for tonight as well. Plus, R-Truth takes on Pete Dunne.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Following the WWE “Then, Now, Forever, Together” signature open, we were welcomed to the 1203rd episode of Raw by the voice of Joe Tessitore. Shots of Seth Rollins and CM Punk arriving at the arena followed, as we then took a look around inside the sold-out Toyota Center.

– Tessitore & Wade Barrett were at the commentary table talking about tonight’s Raw being the final show on USA Network, to be presented with no commercial interruption for the first 90 minutes. Before Barrett could welcome Jey Uso, the maligned New Day duo of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods interrupted.

The New Day open Raw

Kingston demanded that their theme music be shut off as the crowd chanted “New Day Sucks” at the two. Woods tried to talk, but was drowned out by the loud jeers of the Houston crowd. The “New Day Sucks” chants continued as Woods & Kingston walked towards the ring. Woods asked “what did we even do to you?” incredulously at the crowd, while Kingston tried to speak. He was once again cut off by the increasingly-louder jeers from the Toyota Center crowd.

Before Kingston could say anything, the theme of “Main Event” Jey Uso interrupted, as Uso himself made his way from the crowd to a raucous ovation of cheers.

Woods complained how the fans liked Jey Uso more as the fans continued to boo him further. He asked Uso to tell the crowd to quiet down so he could speak. Even with Uso’s suggestions, the crowd continued to hate on the New Day.

Uso said that he and the New Day did go way back, but he only had one thing to say to the two: “New Day Sucks”. Woods stepped up to Uso and tried to confront him, but Kingston got his partner to back down for the time being. As the New Day left, Uso redirected his focus on the New Bloodline and Drew McIntyre, as he challenged the latter to face him now. He was interrupted by Solo Sikoa on the Titantron.

Sikoa said that Jey and Jimmy made a big mistake by siding with Roman Reigns. He promised that he would remain the Tribal Chief after next week’s Tribal Combat match on the Netflix premiere of Raw. Then everyone would have to no choice but to acknowledge him.

As Jey tried to respond, Drew McIntyre snuck up on him and proceeded to assault Jey with a sneak attack. McIntyre tried to size Uso up for a Clamymore kick, but he got met with a superkick. A Glasgow Kiss headbutt gave McIntyre the upper hand as the crew of officials and referees stepped in to stop him. McIntyre ran back into the ring and struck Uso with a Claymore Kick.

**********

– Cathy Kelley was with American Made ahead of Chad Gable’s match with Otis. Gable said that tonight he’d start checking off his bucket list by beating Otis tonight. Gable promised that the final lesson will be taught to Otis: with the master remaining the master.

Chad Gable (w/ American Made) def. Otis (w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri)

Gable started off by clubbing Otis with chops, but with little effect on his foe. Otis responded with a shoulder block that left Gable rattled in the corner. Otis lifted Gable over his head for the gorilla press drop, which sent Gable out of the ring.

Outside the ring, Gable yelled at Tozawa and Dupri, which gave Otis an opening to throw his former mentor around. Once the action returned to the ring, Gable’s attempt at a comeback was snuffed out as he got thrown into the corner hard. Otis rolled under a Gable clothesline and answered with a clothesline of his own.

Gable created an opening for himself by avoiding a shoulder charge from Otis, which sent the big man into the ringpost. Otis’ left knee was targeted by Gable after that misfire. Gable’s leg lock on Otis didn’t last long as an attempted big splash by Otis was dodged at the last second.

On the top rope, Gable’s own diving headbutt was missed as Otis rolled out of the way. Gable tried to run away, but Otis caught him and unleashed his flurry of offense. Gable got rattled by a freight train spear from Otis, which led to the Caterpillar Elbow. Pinfall stopped as Gable’s foot was on the rope. The Creed Brothers attacked Tozawa at ringside, which promted Otis to get involved. Maxxine tackled Ivy Nile. As Otis re-entered the ring, Gable locked in the ankle lock on him. After a long struggle, Otis managed to power his way out of it to push Gable out of the ring. The Creeds entered the fray and got taken out by Otis tossing Gable into them. Otis ripped out his shirt and locked in an ankle lock of his own on his former teacher.

Gable escaped and nailed an impressive deadlift German suplex on Otis. Gable went up top but was met by Otis clotheslining him. Nile tried to grab at Otis from ringside, which created a momentary distraction and another ankle lock by Gable. Grapevine applied on the leg created enough pressure for Gable to get the win via submission.

Fantastic opening match. Though the feud between Gable and Otis went cold a few months, back, I found myself enjoying this quite a bit. Not a bad way to kick off the in-ring action on Raw tonight, and the match unfolding with no commercial interruption helped keep things easy to follow.

**********

– We got a promo from Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan ahead of their Women’s World Title match next week on the Netflix Raw premiere.

– Backstage at the Judgment Day clubhouse, they commiserated amongst themselves with where Liv Morgan was. Finn Balor tried to passive aggresively change the subject on the tag match against War Raiders & Damian Priest, as he then told Raquel Rodriguez to tell Liv that he wishes her good luck on her title match next week.

R-Truth versus Pete Dunne

Dunne interrupted Truth’s entrance by attacking him from behind. The incredibly-busy staff of officials and referees ran in to stop the attack. “I’m nobody’s Butch!” shouted Dunne as the segment ended, presumably meaning that this match would not take place.

– Backstage, Cathy Kelley talked to IYO SKY and Dakota Sky about their matches in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament later tonight, as well as the prospect of the two Damage CTRL members facing each other in the finals.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinal #1: Dakota Kai def. Zoey Stark

Kai started off with a boot to the face of Stark, as she attempted a monkey flip from the corner. Stark landed on her feet, but she couldn’t avoid a knee to the face from Kai. On the apron, Stark and Kai had a dogfight as the latter got the upper hand. That upper hand lasted for all of a few seconds as Stark nailed a dropkick on Kai. We headed to picture-in-picture at this point in the action.

We returned to Raw with Stark still in full control of the match as she taunted Kai with lackadaisical kicks to the head. Kai fired back with an offensive assault that capped off with a rolling backcracker. Across the ring, Kai cracked Stark with a boot to the head that lead to a near-fall.

Stark answered with a back exploder suplex and a big knee to the head of Kai. One, two… not quite. Kai rolled through on a powerbomb attempt by Stark and got yet another near-fall. Big kick by Stark is followed by mounted fists to Kai’s face. Attempted springboard attack by Stark is caught by a superkick from Kai, who finished things off with the fireman’s carry and Pele kick to punch her ticket in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship final.

A solid match with an intriguing result that could potentially pave the way for the all-Damage CTRL Women’s IC Title final if IYO SKY wins later tonight.

**********

– We got a highlight package commemorating the best moments of WWE Raw on the USA Network throughout the years. Notably, clips of Chris Jericho and Bryan Danielson (fka Daniel Bryan) were shown in the package. We also learned that John Cena will appear on next week’s Netflix Raw premiere.

Damian Priest and the War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) def. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, Dominik Mysterio)

Judgment Day entered to a brand new theme song ahead of this match, eschewing “The Other Side”, which was their former theme.

Priest and Balor started off for their teams. McDonagh got the quick tag as Balor avoided Priest in the corner. Priest got the tag to Erik, who nailed consecutive slams on the Judgment Day trio. The War Raiders nailed a unique double team move on McDonagh as Erik lifted Ivar up and trhrew him onto the prone McDonagh.

Balor saved McDonagh from a War Raiders double team, but he and his former co-World Tag Team Champion partner were sent flying onto the commentary table by a double charge from Erik and Ivar, which gave us a break in the action.

We returned to Erik attempting to fight this way out of the Judgment Day corner, but he got put down by a neckbreaker from Balor. Erik tried to power out of Balor’s rest hold to make the tag, but couldn’t. Balor kicked away at Priest, which gave Erik an opening to ram his foe into the corner as Ivar entered the fray and was a house of fire.

Ivar missed on the Bronco Buster as Balor got outof the way at the last second. Ivar leapt to his corner to make the tag to Priest, who proceeded to clean house on the Judgment Day trio. He had Dominik in his sights for the fierce clothesline. South of Heaven attempt was interrupted by Carlito, who provided a distraction long enough for Dominik to clip Priest in the leg.

Action outside saw Balor and McDonagh taken out of the equation by the War Raiders. In the ring, Priest put an end to the action with a South of Heaven on Dominik for the win.

After the match, Balor got the jump on Priest and attacked his knee. Erik and Ivar stepped in before Balor could do any more damage.

Standard six-man tag match here. Not much to say, but the Judgment Day vs. Damian Priest feud has kinda run its course. It’s honestly hard to get invested in a feud that’s been rather one-sided.

**********

– Adam Pearce informed an irate Jey Uso that since Drew McIntyre got escorted from the arena tonight, he’ll get his match against the Scotsman next week on the premiere of Raw on Netflix.

– As we headed to break, a teaser for Penta aired, this time showing the Ø icon, followed by his mask design being shown briefly.

Ludwig Kaiser in-ring promo; Sheamus returns

Kaiser talked about how he was A+ everything and that he was European Elegance. He demanded that Bron Breakker face him now, but was met by Sheamus instead. The Celtic Warrior didn’t waste any time and stormed the ring to attack Kaiser with vicious ferocity. Kaiser tried to take advantage with a rake to the eye, but that didn’t last long as he found himself on the wrong end of a Brogue Kick from Sheamus.

**********

– Backstage, Rey Mysterio gave Otis encouragement after his great effort against Chad Gable earlier tonight. As Alpha Academy left, the New Day approached Mysterio and began to condescendingly mock him. Mysterio issued a challenge to Woods and Kingston for a tag match, which was promptly accepted by the New Day.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semifinal #2: Lyra Valkyria def. IYO SKY

The match started off with neither woman getting a clear advantage as they exchanged holds and armdrags early on. Fast-paced dodges and rollup pins from SKY and Valkyria kept things fast-paced here. Valkyria finally gained control with a dropkick to SKY’s knee. She applied a unique pendulum submission hold on SKY to keep the advantage. SKY went up top, but got slammed knee-first by Valkyria as we got a break in the action.

Raw returned with SKY in pain as Valkyria looked on from the opposite corner. SKY mounted a rally as she left Valkyria flatfooted with her comeback. Off the top rope, SKY soared with a missile dropkick on Valkyria that got a close two. SKY looked to continue the momentum, but she was intercepted by Valkyria at the top rope. Standoff up top ended with Valkyria escaping SKY with a flip, followed by a shotgun dropkick. Tornado DDT and suplex by Valkyria on SKY was not enough for the victory.

O’Connor Roll by SKY turned into a bridging German suplex on Valkyria. One, two… kickout! Spinning heel kick from Valkyria couldn’t get it done as she headed up to the top rope again. SKY met her there and began to batter Valkyria with strikes before she hit an incredible avalanche rolling victory powerbomb for the 2.999999 count.

SKY headed up to the top rope and hit a moonsault on Valkyria at ringside. With Valkyria stunned, SKY looked to have the match won with her moonsault, but she couldn’t connect. SKY’s O’Connor Roll was reversed into a bridging pin by Valkyria and that’s it, over. Lyra Valkyria advances to the Women’s Intercontinental Championship Finals.

A fun little match we had here. SKY and Valkyria have impeccable chemistry and it’s always a real treat seeing these two go at it in the ring. Valkyria getting the win was a genuine surprise and I can’t wait to see her and Dakota Kai battle for the Women’s Intercontinental Title in two weeks time.

**********

Seth Rollins & CM Punk Face Off

Rollins entered first and after the commercial break, he welcomed Houston to Monday Night Rollins. He went through his “I am a Visionary” spiel before he said that it was time to go out with a bang for the final episode of Raw in 2024. He called CM Punk the “self-proclaimed” Best in the World before boasting that he himself was the true Best in the World. Rollins said that he’d be here every Monday fighting because that’s what he does and that if things don’t go Punk’s way, he’ll whine and cry about it.

At that point, the static of CM Punk’s theme interrupted Rollins’ tirade, which brought out Punk himself. He walked down to the ring with a purpose and entered to stare down Rollins before he started with his own promo.

Punk said that “took his ball and go home” was the biggest industry bootlicker cliche planted lie he had ever heard of. Punk asked did Stone Cold Steve Austin take his ball and went home? He also took a jab at Becky Lynch, asking Rollins if she took his ball and went home, and that Rollins is crying because of him. Punk said that both he and Rollins made their own decisions and he did not regret making them.

Punk asked Rollins how his neck and knee were. He asked Rollins how his insides were after Bronson Reed crushed him, and how his pride was after he was denied of getting revenge on Reed, while Punk broke the big man’s ankle at WarGames.

Rollins fired back by saying that Becky took a break to take care of his kid, something that Punk does not know how it feels like. Rollins continued by taking a dig at Punk going on Colt Cabana’s podcast to complain about WWE, and then signing with AEW (calling them “the competition”), asking him how it worked out for him. Rollins stated that he stayed in the trenches and helped win “the war” because that’s how revolutions are made and that he will not be “little brothered” by Punk because he is the big brother now.

Punk shot back by saying that he left the place because of the guy in charge, someone who loved Rollins. He said that when he left, Rollins turned around and betrayed Roman Reigns and played victims for years. Punk stated that he came back because for seven years, fans chanted his name (mostly during Rollins’ time, Punk noted). Next week, Punk said, the same arrows that were supposed to do him in, he now holds and he’s going to jam them right down Rollins’ “corporate throat”.

Rollins responded by saying that maybe Punk was a pioneer once upon a time, but he’s now become a cancer, and that the only way to defeat the cancer is to cut it out. Rollins promised to burn Punk to the ground next week on Raw on Netflix.

The final Raw on USA Network (and broadcast television) closed out with a final tense staredown between Rollins and Punk as the former’s music played us out.

**********

A rather intense way to close out the final Raw before the dawning of a new era, and Punk and Rollins gave as good as they got in a rather heated promo segment. Their showdown didn’t need any physicality ahead of next week, but the shots both men got in on one another made for a hell of a parting shot for Monday Night Raw on the USA Network. In fact, I enjoyed this two hour show from start to finish and if WWE was wanting to get people hooked for the first episode of Raw next week on Netflix, I’d say they did a great job based on the closing segment with Punk and Rollins alone.

AEW Worlds End live results: World title four-way, Continental Classic finals

Posted on by Ryan Howard

The AEW World title is on the line in a four-way, plus the 2024 Continental Classic winner will be crowned tonight at Worlds End.

Jon Moxley defends the title against Orange Cassidy, former champion Hangman Page and Jay White.

The Continental Classic final will occur after two semifinal bouts: Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet and Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher. The C2 winner will also be crowned the AEW Continental Champion.

International Champion Konosuke Takeshita puts his title up for grabs against Powerhouse Hobbs, TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander in a rematch from Full Gear, and Mariah May defends her Women’s World Championship against Thunder Rosa in a Tijuana street fight.

MJF faces Adam Cole on the show with the former’s Dynamite diamond ring at stake.

Three matches are set for the Zero Hour pre-show: Toni Storm vs. Leila Grey, Jeff Jarrett vs. QT Marshall, and The Outrunners & Top Flight vs. Murder Machines, Action Andretti & Lio Rush in an eight-man tag.

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Zero Hour

The WrestleAunts, Renee Paquette & RJ City, alongside Daddy Magic Matt Menard welcome us to Zero Hour and run down tonight’s card. Mark Sterling joins the crew to go over the Continental Classic. Sterling, Paquette & RJ all choose Fletcher over Ospreay, while Paquette questions if we’ve seen the New Japan version of Kazuchika Okada in AEW? They all agree that they have not, as Menard hilariously said Ricochet doesn’t know who he is right now while he’s out “playing grab ass with the boys and MVP.” Everyone but Sterling picks Okada to advance.

A monster truck blaring Mercedes Mone’s theme pulls into the backstage area and Mone steps out with her TBS and NJPW Strong Women’s Titles and she does her signature line. The panel is joined by Madison Rayne to go over the women’s matches for the evening. Rayne mentioned Statlander defeating Jade Cargill and having her number.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with Leila Grey and asks her about her Zero Hour debut against “newcomer” Toni Storm. Grey said she’s spent the last few months training at the New Japan Dojo to hone her skills and no longer will she sit on the sidelines. With all due respect, she’s going to beat Storm into oblivion, get it, got it, good.

Toni Storm defeated Leila Grey

Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness are on the call, as things start with the battle of the “rookies” on Zero Hour. Schiavone said Storm is mixed up right now, while McGuinness has completely bought in and went over Storm’s accomplishments in Japan. Early misdirect dropkick and backbreaker put Storm in control for a series of near falls. Grey responded with a somersault neckbreaker but Storm battled back in a striking battle. Grey cut her off with a cutter that was floated over into a Dragon Sleeper, but Storm got the ropes.

Storm exploded out of the corner with a Thesz Press, as she briefly had a flashback doing her old Timeless pose, but corrected herself and did the rock n’ roll pose before connecting with Sweet Cheek Music. Grey spun out of a ripcord and hit a Blockbuster, rattling herself in the process for two. Step-up corner knee from Grey, who tried rolling suplexes, but Storm caught an inside cradle for the flash pin. Storm acted shocked as she celebrated up the ramp.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with “The Big Doom” QT Marshall and put over Jeff Jarrett, but he’s not an innovator like himself. Marshall said he sold out the building last month and might have to change his address on account of all the people trying to get a glimpse. Marshall said Jarrett can’t accept his best years are behind him. Nair was left speechless, as Marshall said tonight will be viral and last forever and he took a selfie with Nair to end the segment.

Mark Briscoe & TNT Champion Daniel Garcia join the panel to break down the Continental Classic once again. Garcia choose Fletcher to win it all, while Briscoe disagrees and goes with Ospreay. Briscoe said for 2025, he smells gold and said since he got a win over Garcia in the C2, maybe he deserves a title shot? Garcia said he respects that and he deserves gold, just not the TNT Title. I really enjoyed this segment, as especially Briscoe was great giving his expertise on tonight’s matches.

Jeff Jarrett defeated QT Marshall

Marshall got early takedowns and mocked Jarrett with a series of poses afterwards. Jarrett responded by clotheslining Marshall to the floor and hitting the Fargo Strut to You Still Got It chants. Marshall escaped a sleeper with an uppercut off the second and handspring corkscrew kick for two. Jarrett got out of a sleeper with a back suplex into the double down. Jarrett fired up with a series of strikes and back drop before unleashing ten corner punches and an enzugiri for two. Marshall hit a throat chop, went up top, but Jarrett caught him and drove him down. Jarrett got the Sharpshooter, as Aaron Solo ran down, running distraction to allow Marshall to get a school boy for two. Both men up, as Marshall hit The Stroke for another close near fall. Marshall ordered Solo to get the guitar, but Jay Lethal appeared and brawled with Solo up the ramp. Jarrett nearly got an inside cradle and backslide for two until planting Marshall with The Stroke for the win.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with Toni Storm, who said there’s a first time for everything, this being her first PPV. It’s safe to say the AEW is officially Toni Time. Deonna Purrazzo walks in and mockingly introduces herself before challenging Storm to a match on Collision for “the first time ever.” Storm said she’s wanted this match for forever and thanks her for the opportunity.

Murder Machines (Brian Cage & Lance Archer w/Don Callis), Lio Rush & Action Andretti defeated The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) & Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin w/Leila Grey)

Darius got a fast start on Archer, but was quickly stomped down and sent to Cage tagging in and double team. Andretti made a blind tag to anger Cage, as he & Rush had a scrap with Top Flight until Rush & Dante were left with a fast exchange. Archer stepped in the way to cut off a dive attempt, as we saw Private Party watching on backstage. Outrunners made fast tags and hit a double atomic drop on Rush & Andretti before wiping them both out. Magnum wanted an airplane spin, but Rush raked the eyes and Magnum found himself isolated.

Floyd finally was able to make the hot tag and run wild, bodyslamming Rush & Andretti multiple times and on top of one another. Unsuccessful in slamming Cage, until Magnum reappeared and The Outrunners hit a double suplex followed by a bodyslam on Archer. A quadruple Predator handshake with Top Flight. Cage turned Dante inside out with a lariat, but the Outrunners hit a double big boot, only to eat a double handspring kick from Rush & Andretti, who followed with double dives. The match broke down, as Cage & Archer unleashed power moves, including the choke/bomb on Dante, but was broke up. Archer went to make the pin attempt, but Rush flew in with a Frog Splash and stole the pin.

Post match, Private Party walked down the ramp and faced off with Rush & Andretti, who we’re told are the top contenders for the tag team titles.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh. Lethal said to get Karen on the phone to celebrate when Jarrett was bickering with Dutt and said it’s not his decision. Jarrett said on Fight for the Fallen this Wednesday, Jarrett will make an announcement about his career. They all walk off questioning him to end the segment.

-A great video package for tonight’s show to Guns n’ Roses ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ is shown.

AEW Worlds End

Will Ospreay defeated Kyle Fletcher in a Continental Classic League Semi-Final

(I can’t believe these two were able to rival their match from last month at Full Gear, but that’s exactly what they did. Ospreay bleeding early put him at a big-time disadvantage, but ultimately was able to pull out the incredible come from behind victory, thus robbing Fletcher of winning the C2. This was an excellent opener, one of the best AEW have had on any PPV and the fact that they’re only getting going is wild.)

Incredibly quick start, as they fire off a wild series of counters that I will not even attempt to try to rattle off, but just showed how well they know one another, until Fletcher took a powder. Both trade hard chops until a throat chop hit for Fletcher, only for Ospreay to duck a strike and send him outside. Fletcher sidestepped a dive, but Ospreay landed on the apron and hit a perfect somersault plancha. Fletcher caught a hurricanrana and planted Ospreay with a powerbomb onto the apron before lawn darting Ospreay into the barricade. Fletcher ripped up an Ospreay Better sign, but the fan was ready with an Ospreay Still Better sign. Ospreay comes up bleeding a gusher as back in the ring, Kawada Kicks from Fletcher that look even more gnarly due to the white boots. Fletcher wiped the blood off his kick pads and licked it, which got the appropriate “You Sick F*ck” chants. Ospreay tried to fight back, but again Fletcher lawn darted him into the corner for two. Ospreay is bleeding buckets, as Fletcher was taking his time, but too long, as Ospreay exploded up with a lariat. Starting to build momentum, Ospreay hit a big boot and standing Sky Twister Press for two. Stundog Millionaire connected, but as Ospreay signaled for the Oscutter, Fletcher hit the Half and Half. Fletcher delayed too long, as Ospreay fired off a Spanish Fly for two and the reset.

Kawada Kicks for Ospreay’s receipt, as he dares Fletcher to get up and fight, as both trade more loud chops. Fletcher tried a thrust kick, which Ospreay caught, hit a hook kick, both fly out of powerbomb attempts until Ospreay flew into an Oscutter for two in a great sequence. Fletcher countered Hidden Blade into a lariat of his own, but as he went for the finish, Ospreay managed a Poison Rana. Before Fletcher collapsed, he threw a desperation Hidden Blade into the double down. Both start trading brutal headbutts, until Fletcher flew for a headbutt, only to be superkicked out of mid-air. Fletcher tried a school boy and cheating using multiple ways, feet on the ropes, handful of tights, but was caught red handed. Fletcher shoved referee Paul Turner, who shoved back right into an Ospreay Hidden Blade for two. Fletcher pulled Turner into Ospreay, allowing him to hit a charging boot and Brainbuster for the closest nearfall of the match. Elevated Liger Bomb connects, but again Ospreay kicked out. Ospreay ate another corner kick to the back of the head, as Fletcher followed up with a proper one before trying a Brainbuster, which Ospreay popped out of into a snap hurricanrana, holding on into the Styles Clash for the win. As Ospreay celebrate up the ramp, he smeared a handprint on the tunnel before heading to the back.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Ricochet in a Continental Classic League Semi-Final

(A much slower pace than the opener, which shouldn’t be surprising, but they had their share of fast sequences throughout. For being a first-time singles meeting, I thought these two worked very well together. Ever since Ricochet was made to look like a dork by The Hurt Syndicate a few weeks ago, he’s completely leaned into the heel role and the crowd has reacted really strongly to it. The post-match tells you that Ricochet & Swerve Strickland are just getting started as I can’t wait to see the heel work Ricochet does in that feud in 2025.)

Crowd loudly behind Okada and all over Ricochet, as an early ear pull (since Ricochet has no hair) allowed Okada to escape from the corner. Ricochet fired off a series of fast offense, but opted to mock the crowd, allowing Okada to slide back in and hit a big boot. Okada did a hilarious misdirect spot where Ricochet was preparing for the strike, but once he lowered his guard, was paint brushed, which popped the crowd. Ricochet trapped Okada’s leg and pulled him into the ropes, crotching him, allowing for a Tope to hit, as Ricochet again trash talked the crowd. Springboard lariat got a near fall as the crowd sang “Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah, Hey, Hey, You’re Bald” as Ricochet slowed the pace considerably, keeping Okada grounded. Okada started no selling, as Ricochet did a wall walk, but ran right into a flapjack for the reset.

Okada spiked Ricochet with a DDT for two, but Ricochet answered with a Lionsault and running Shooting Star Press for a near fall of his own. Ricochet went up top, but rolled through a 450, as Okada hit the Air Raid Crash neckbreaker to regain control. Top rope elbow connects, as Okada did the Rainmaker flip off pose, but Ricochet spun out of the ripcord into a Benadryller attempt, which Okada blocked. After a series of counters, Okada fired off his dropkick, wanted a Tombstone, but Ricochet countered into a scary looking Vertigo for two. Up top he goes, Ricochet hit the Shooting Star Press for another two. Ricochet loaded up the Spirit Gun, but Okada ducked, they trade big time shots until another dropkick by Okada led to the double down. Okada went for a corner charge, but ate a pump knee, as Ricochet went for the Spirit Gun, but Okada ducked, hit Emerald Flowsion and a picture-perfect Rainmaker that turned Ricochet inside out for the win.

Post-match, Okada went to the back as toilet paper flew into the ring, until Swerve Strickland’s music hit and he came to the stage with a mic. Strickland congratulates Ricochet for making it just as far as he did last year in the Continental Classic, but Ricochet said he was going to win it. Being a man of his word, Strickland said if Ricochet blew it, he’d make him feel it, big. All Ricochet has done since coming to AEW is run his mouth. Ricochet talks a lot of mess, so Strickland is here to clean up the mess. Prince Nana struts out with a wagon full of toilet paper, tossing them to the crowd. Strickland said they want to help Ricochet have a clean slate for the next year. Strickland counts down and says Happy New Year, Trevor, as Ricochet is covered in toilet paper and furious.

-A bloody Will Ospreay was being checked on by the doctor backstage when Renee Paquette approached and said he’s wrestled Okada about 10 times and lost 8 of them, so asks the crowd to be behind him. He smacks himself in the head and said he’s been hit by a truck, but after he beats Okada, he’s going to Disneyworld and said in the immortal words of Tony Khan, “Let’s F*cking Go, lads!”

Mariah May defeated Thunder Rosa to retain the AEW Women’s Title in a Tijuana Street Fight

(This was fun for what it was, as Rosa really excels in these kinds of matches and she put up a good fight, but no way was May losing the title tonight. The finish kind of came out of nowhere and popped the crowd, as these two had a good battle, but there’s been better women’s weapons matches in AEW.)

Rosa hugged her father sitting ringside, as May taunted him with the Women’s Title. Rosa dove off the apron onto May to start the match, as sliding lariat back inside and senton got an early two. May swept out the legs and pounced, but missed the shotgun dropkick, allowing Rosa to hit an uppercut to the spine, but didn’t get enough of the follow-up dropkick for two. Rosa threw weapons into the ring, but took a crazy long time, like opting for a different trash can than the one she initially pulled out, as May crawled up the ramp and hit a DDT for two. May had a bottle of a tequila, took a swig and misted Rosa, who stumbled to her feet and tackled May through a table set up against the entrance tunnel. McGuinness on commentary said May was just filling her opponent with spirit in a great line. Rosa hesitated, allowing May to chuck a trash can at her, causing Rosa to tumble down the ramp. May approached, but Rosa waffled May with a bottle that shattered for two.

Back in the ring, Rosa grabbed a pinata she brought to the ring and dumped out thumbtacks, but as she went for her Fire Thunder Driver, May was able to escape into May Day on the tacks. Both ladies go to the floor, as May sent Rosa into the steps before knocking Rosa’s father’s hat off, ripped his cane away and mocked him. May wrapped barbed wire around her own leg, went to charge at Rosa, who moved and May crashed and burned. Rosa grabbed the cane, but barely tapped May with it, before setting a table up, launching off it with a dropkick. Despite being pin attempts on the floor, Rosa threw May back inside for the cover and near fall.

Rosa wrapped a chain around May’s throat and choked away, but let it go in order to set up a chair. As Rosa again went to choke May with the chain, May reached into the bag Rosa had brought and threw dirt (we’re told from the Tijuana Graveyard) into Rosa’s eyes. They spill onto the apron, where May hits Storm Zero off the apron through the table and got the pin.

MJF defeated Adam Cole for the Dynamite Diamond Ring

(For being a very flat story the last, well, year, the crowd were really into this match and only grew stronger throughout. The referee was made to look like a complete dork buying MJF’s shenanigans to get the Undisputed Kingdom ejected, but it got the job done, as the distraction was long enough for MJF to steal the win. I have no idea if this feud continues (I hope not, they all need a clean break), but if MJF wants any shot at revenge, he’s going to need numbers as Cole appears to have all his friends watching his back, at least for the time being.)

Mike Bennett & Matt Taven are standing ringside and are “protecting” the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Bell sounded, MJF immediately took a powder, but Cole was right out after with a pump kick. Cole wanted the Panama Sunrise, but again, MJF bailed, only to pull Cole face first into the steps. Crowd chanted “He’s Our Scumbag” but MJF yelled back if he needed their help, he’d ask, so Shut The F*ck Up! Cole is bleeding, as MJF does push-ups in the ring before pouncing, biting at the head before hitting a powerbomb onto the knee for two. MJF mocked going for a Panama Sunrise, but got superkicked out of mid-air for the reset.

Cole fired up, hit the backstabber and brainbuster on the knee for two. Taven & Bennett cheered Cole on, as he went for the Panama Sunrise again, but MJF side-stepped and Cole came up limping, so MJF chop blocked him. MJF zoned in on the previously injured ankle, as a corner whip resulted in Cole collapsing. MJF posted the leg before trashing talking Thunder Rosa’s father ringside, calling him Yosemite Sam. MJF opted to Fargo Strut and resulted in Cole pulling his legs in and posting MJF, busting him opened in the process. Both back in the ring, as Cole fired back with punches in bunches before hitting the Panama Sunrise and The Boom for two. Cole went for The Boom again, but MJF crumbled. As Cole trash talked, MJF dove for the chop block to regain control.

Both start slugging it out as MJF screamed he never cared about Cole, who fired off a superkick, but MJF swept out the legs and got the Figure Four. Cole flipped MJF off and rolled over, causing MJF to get the ropes. As the ref checked on Cole, MJF went for the ring, but Taven & Bennett stood in front, so MJF smacked the ring steps and cried foul. Referee Bryce actually bought this and ejected Bennett & Taven (who we were told by Cole a few weeks ago were approved by Tony Khan to stand guard), as MJF quickly grabbed the ring. MJF charged at Cole, who hit a superkick and put the ring on himself. Cole went to use it, but MJF hit a low blow and the Heatseeker for the tainted win.

Post-match, MJF grabbed a chair and placed it around the ankle of Cole. He was about to Pillmanize it until Roderick Strong returned and hit the ring. MJF bailed up the ramp, but Kyle O’Reilly appeared and ran MJF back to the ring. MJF was stuck and hit with a High/Low, as O’Reilly helped Cole up, hugged him and held MJF with Strong, as Cole popped him with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Cole, Strong & O’Reilly hugged, as this initially got boos, but turned into cheers as Taven & Bennett returned to stand tall with Cole.

Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) defeated Powerhouse Hobbs to retain the AEW International Title

(This turned into one hell of a match and Hobbs’ best match of his career I’d argue. The crowd were clearly disappointed he lost, but he more than held his own and sold the knee injury incredibly well, especially with this being only his second singles match since returning in November. This was a superman performance from Hobbs and I’d be shocked if he didn’t win a title in 2025 in AEW.)

Callis joined commentary for this one and we immediately get “Meat” chants from the crowd as both slugged it out at the bell. Neither budge on initial shoulder blocks, but Hobbs launched Takeshita to the floor with one. Hobbs told Callis to watch as he drove Takeshita repeatedly onto the apron with slams. Takeshita went to the eyes, got the fireman’s carry and dropped Hobbs on his surgically repaired knee on the edge of the apron. Takeshita really zoned in on the knee back in the ring and helped when Hobbs wanted a suplex from the apron to the outside, but Takeshita reversed and suplexed Hobbs back inside. Hobbs was able to run through a lariat attempt and hit a cross-body block, as he was able to fire up with a series of corner clotheslines. Hobbs managed a running powerslam for a close two, as he clutched his knee on impact.

Both men slowly up, as Hobbs no sells a whip attempt, but Takeshita countered a powerslam into the Bastard Driver for two in an impressive power spot. Again, they slowly rise and trade standing clotheslines, with neither going down, so Takeshita opts for a stalling German suplex. Hobbs blocked the Power Drive Knee, but not the wild forearm. Takeshita charged, but ran right into a snap powerslam, as both went for a home run shot, with Hobbs hitting first and turning Takeshita inside out with a lariat for two. Takeshita floated over a spinebuster and chopped out the leg, leading to a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Hobbs was out at one and Callis stood up shocked. Hobbs hit another wild lariat for two, as he slowly went up top, but Takeshita cut him off, looked for a superplex, but both fell to the apron and Hobbs clutched his bad knee. Please Be Careful chants from the crowd, as they both go up the ropes and Takeshita gets his superplex and top rope senton before wanting a Power Drive Knee, only to run into the Spinebuster for two.

The straps are lowered by Hobbs, who fights through the pain, as Takeshita rolled to the apron. They climb the ropes again, as Takeshita raked the eyes, wanted his Avalanche Lariat, but Hobbs hit the Avalanche Powerslam instead for the double down. Hobbs took off his knee brace, but the delay allowed Takeshita to recover, hit a wind-up forearm, pump knee and front Guillotine until hitting the Raging Fire for the victory.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kazuchika Okada who said Will Ospreay is like his younger brother’s little brother. Ospreay is on another level, but not Okada’s level…bitch.

Mercedes Mone defeated Kris Statlander to retain the TBS Title

(Similar to last month, these two ladies knocked it out of the park. The crowd were with them from the very beginning and really wanted Statlander to win this, but to no avail. Mone has been on another level over the past few months and has really been showing why she’s the best in the game. Statlander, even in defeat, continues her string of fantastic PPV matches and should be praised as well, I’m glad she got her flowers from the fans in the post-match. I want round 3 between these two in 2025 for sure.)

Statlander showed the power game early, but Mone used her speed to try and counter. Unfortunately for Mone, Statlander was ready for the hurricanrana and cartwheeled out. The ladies had a face-off, as Mone pie-faced Statlander, sent her to the floor and hit a dropkick through the ropes. Mone hit a running knee against the barricade, but tried a cross-body off it, only to get caught and Statlander walked up the ropes and bodyslammed Mone to the apron. Back inside, Mone picked up the pace, hit a hurricanana pin attempt for two, but Statlander was right there with a snap powerslam, held on and hit a backbreaker for good measure. Both ladies took time fighting up the ropes until Mone slid out and hit a powerbomb onto the apron. Mone remained in control, hitting the running double knees in the corner for two. Statlander exploded out of the corner with a clothesline, but Mone floated over into a backstabber for a near fall.

Another backstabber from Mone, who held on into the submission, but Statlander used her strength to power out. Statlander, maintaining wrist control, hit a series of clotheslines before a charging corner knee led to Chaos Theory for two. Mone escaped an Oklahoma Stampede, but Statlander did connect with a spinning sit-out slam for a near fall. Mone was placed in the corner, where she blocked a corner charge with a flashy Tornado springing DDT for two. Siete Amigos from Mone, as the crowd only grew louder as she hit the seventh suplex. Mone went up top and hit the Frog Splash just enough, but Statlander kicked out. Both ladies traded a series of backslide counters until Statlander hit a perfect Package Piledriver for two.

Mone connected on a series of jawbreakers, but Statlander stayed on her feet and started the forearm exchange. Statlander looked for another rolling German, but Mone spilled through the ropes with Statlander holding on and both crashed hard. Mone was up and managed a Mone Maker and had this won by countout but broke it at 9. She trapped Statlander’s ankle between the ring frame and canvas and stomped down as Mone hit a Meteora off the apron before reigning down punches. Statlander had to untie her boot to free herself, catching a diving Mone with a F5 on the apron. Back inside, another F5 connected, but Mone got her shoulder up so slightly, fans thought it was three. Statlander tried climbing the ropes, but had her legs swept out and Mone hit a scary sit-out Tombstone on the edge of the ring. Mone started celebrating the countout, but Statlander rolled in at 9 to a really cool visual and loud Statlander chants.

Mone screamed why won’t you die, as she locked in the Statement Maker, but transitioned into a STF, but Statlander lunged for a rope break. Mone is shrieking in frustration as she trash talked, charged, but ate a big Statlander lariat, who wanted Saturday Night Fever, but Mone escaped. Both traded rolling pin attempts until Mone got a Seatbelt pin with the leg trapped to get the victory. Post-match, Mone seemingly gave a nod of respect to Statlander before celebrating up the ramp. Statlander got a loud ovation from the crowd as she made her way to the back.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay to win the 2024 Continental Classic and retain the Continental Title

(An incredible ending to a phenomenal tournament and you would expect nothing else from these two, who are really incapable of having anything other fantastic matches. The way these two are able to get the crowd to lose their minds is quite something and if this was somehow the first time you’ve seen Okada vs. Ospreay, take time to seek out their New Japan battles.)

Jim Ross joins commentary for the final two matches of the evening, as Ospreay’s head is heavily bandaged from the opener. Okada teased his signature clean rope break, but instead popped Ospreay with a forearm, as Ospreay answered with hard chops. Ospreay quickens the pace with a snap hurricanrana that sent Okada outside, where he was met with a slingshot dive. Ospreay tried to jump from the barricade, but Okada avoided and hit a DDT on the floor followed by a draping version off the apron. Ospreay slowly rolled back to the ring where he ate a third DDT for a near fall. Okada starts toying with Ospreay before planting him with a neckbreaker that caused Ospreay’s bandage to come off. Ospreay tried throwing chops, so Okada dug at the forehead, wanted another DDT, but Ospreay snapped off a suplex. Handspring corkscrew kick connects for Ospreay, as the crowd are on their feet as she hits Pip, Pip, Cheerio for two. Ospreay charged, but Okada connected on a flapjack before placing Ospreay in the corner, hit a dropkick and the knee wrenched back for Ospreay, who crumbled outside.

Okada wanted a Tombstone on the floor, but Ospreay hit a hook kick and Oscutter off the barricade. Okada beat the count at 9, but rolled right into an Ospreay springboard dropkick and follow-up Oscutter for two. Ospreay fired off Kawada Kicks, but as he went for Storm Breaker, Okada countered into the Air Raid Crash neckbreaker before hitting the top rope elbow. Rainmaker flip off pose as the John Woo dropkick launched Ospreay to the corner. Ospreay fought back with a running Shooting Star, but Okada got the knees up and hit his signature dropkick for two. Okada tried a leap frog, but Ospreay put on the brakes and caught him into a Styles Clash for a very close two. Okada responded with the Emerald Flowsion and Rainmaker flush, but Ospreay managed to kick-out. Okada is slowly taking his time, waiting for Ospreay to recover, ducking a wild shot with a high angle German suplex, wanting another Rainmaker, which Ospreay turned into a Spanish Fly for two.

Ospreay went for Hidden Blade, but Okada hit his dropkick, which Ospreay no sold, hit a hook kick, tried another Oscutter, but got dropkicked in mid-air. Okada tried a Rainmaker, but Ospreay ducked and hit a Rainmaker of his own before hitting Storm Breaker for the closest two of the match, leaving the crowd going nuts. Ospreay wanted a Tiger Driver, but Okada flipped out into another Rainmaker and with both down, maintained wrist control. Ospreay fought back with another hook kick, Okada ducked Hidden Blade, wanted Rainmaker, Ospreay flipped over, tried Storm Breaker, Okada escaped, got the wrist and hit a Rainmaker to win it in an incredible closing sequence (did you catch all of that?). This was absolutely unreal.

Post-match, Okada offered a handshake to Ospreay, who was helped to the back by doctors. They played Okada’s music briefly until Christopher Daniels came out to the stage to congratulate him on continuing his reign as Continental Champion. Daniels said normally this is when he’d walk down and present him the title, but he’s no longer an EVP for AEW, this man is.

Kenny Omega’s music hits and the crowd goes nuts. Omega takes the Continental Title down to the ring and hands it to Okada, who holds it up in the air. Omega gives a golf clap and leaves as Tony Schiavone questions how long it will take for Omega to get back into ring shape and I’m going to guess it’s January 5th.

Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) defeated Orange Cassidy, Switchblade Jay White & Hangman Adam Page to retain the AEW World Title

(Exactly the kind of chaos you’d expect in a 4-way, as I was somewhat surprised at how early this ended, thus the finish really caught me off guard. I know Death Riders constantly help Moxley, but it was sort of overkill at the finish. I will say the crowd went wild when Shafir finally got her comeuppance in a spot I didn’t think people saw happening until it actually did. I’m not sure where the challengers go from here, as the post-match kind of made it clear who will be next in line for Moxley & his crew. Once thing is for sure, it looks like almost everyone is getting healthy at the right time for AEW heading into the new era, which is a huge positive.)

Bell sounds and immediately Page & White start bickering, so Moxley rolls outside where Cassidy met him with a dive to kick things off. All three take turns putting the boots to Moxley against the barricade until Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta appear and bail Moxley out. They brawl with Page & White, as Shafir attacks Cassidy in the crowd along with Moxley. Security is able to escort Castagnoli & Yuta away, as Cassidy is ringside and distracts Moxley with his hands in pockets, as White & Page reappear and all three slam Moxley through the announce table with a powerbomb. The truce is over, as Page attacks Cassidy & White, as it’s a 3-way back inside with Page getting the upper hand and near falls as we see Christian Cage & The Patriarchy watching from a suite, but see HOOK in another keeping his eye on them. Page hit charging boots on White & Cassidy against the barricade and sent Cassidy crashing into the steps before trying a superplex back inside, but Cassidy fought back with a Stundog Millionaire. White was in, Cassidy nearly hit another, but White countered into a Cutthroat Suplex. Pop-up hurricanrana on Page, who was sent outside, but Moxley appeared and sent White outside. Cassidy wound up for Orange Punch, but ran right into a Moxley cutter in mid-air. The back of Moxley’s head is bleeding bad from the table bump as he & Page have a back and forth until White & Cassidy return and they tease school boy attempts until Moxley levels White with a lariat until Cassidy hits a spinning DDT for a reset.

All four rise to their feet until Cassidy just collapses to the floor, leaving White, Page & Moxley to slug it out. Everyone hit home run shots, leaving Cassidy alone with Moxley, tried the spinning DDT, Moxley countered, tried Paradigm Shift, but Cassidy hit Beach Break. Page pulled the ref out from making the count and dropped Cassidy with a Buckshot Lariat and another on White. Moxley wanted a piledriver, but Page hit the Dead Eye. Page wanted a third Buckshot, but Yuta returned, ran distraction briefly, but unsuccessfully, as Yuta ate a boot, Page hit the Buckshot, but there was no ref. Paul Turner ran down, but wasn’t in time, as Cassidy tried a roll-up for two, but took a low blow by Page. White came back and hit multiple Blade Runners, but as he made the cover, Yuta dove on the referee to break the count. Shafir appeared behind White, who spun around and laid her out with Blade Runner to a massive pop. Yuta ran in and hit the Busiaku Knee on White, as Moxley was up and hit a Death Rider as Castagnoli threw the original ref, Bryce Remsberg into the ring to make the cover and the pin, as Moxley retained in a chaotic finish.

Post-match, Yuta launched Bryce to the outside, as Death Riders stood over White and were about to take him out with a chair until FTR’s music hits. They stop on the stage as the lights went out and the Rated FTR logo appears on the tron and the music for the returning Adam Copeland hits. He joins Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, as FTR fight off Castagnoli with a dive and Yuta with a Shatter Machine. Copeland & Moxley are left face-to-face until Moxley swings first, but Copeland ducks and hits a Spear. Christian Cage is furious up in the suite, as The Patriarchy bails as Copeland broke off a piece of a chair and locked Moxley in a Crossface with it. You Deserve It chants from the crowd, as Castagnoli pulled Moxley to safety. Copeland took the mic and called Moxley kid, saying that Rated FTR are going to take everything from them. Copeland & FTR stood tall as commentary puts over Fight for The Fallen this Wednesday on the MAX simulcast where a Trios Match is officially signed for Copeland & FTR’s hometown. They really drove home the simulcast on MAX to close the show.

AEW Rampage New Year’s Smash live results: The final episode

Posted on by Joseph Collins

AEW airs the final episode of Rampage tonight, a special New Year’s Smash branded edition of the show.

Tonight’s episode is headlined by current Ring of Honor World champion Chris Jericho facing The Acclaimed’s Anthony Bowens in a non-title affair. Jericho served as a commentator for the first Rampage episode in 2021, and now he wrestles on the final episode in 2024.

AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party will also be in action on the show against Alec Price and Leo Sparrow in another non-title matchup.

Hook’s battles against The Patriarchy will continue on tonight’s New Year’s Smash episode as he faces Nick Wayne in singles competition.

Prior to her challenge for the AEW Women’s World Championship in a street fight at tomorrow’s Worlds End pay-per-view, Thunder Rosa will face Leila Grey on tonight’s go-home show.

After more than three years and 177 episodes, the final AEW Rampage airs tonight. Our live coverage begins at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

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Taped in New York City. 

Ian Riccaboni, Matt Menard & Tony Schiavone were on commentary. 

Chris Jericho (w/ Big Bill) defeated Anthony Bowens (w/ Max Caster) (9:38) 

This match is non-title. Jericho is very New York proud for this match. Bownes and Caster are still doing the slow burn for the split. Jericho tried to scissor with Bowens, who opted for chops and strikes instead. Bowens pounded Jericho down, and Caster popped up on the apron to celebrate. This gave Jericho his opening to attack. Jericho backdrop suplexed Bowens and chopped him around the corners. Jericho went for a bulldog, but Bownes sent him crotch first into the turnbuckles. Bowens got a near fall off a shining wizard. Jericho tried for a Lionsault, but Bowens blocked it and drove him to the map with a twisting hanging DDT for a near fall. Jericho came back and locked in the Liontamer as the show went to a split-screen break. 

Bowens spent the whole split-screen break in the Liontamer, and finally got to the ropes after the break ended. Jericho walked into a rolling forearm and a fameasser for a near fall. Bowens tried to go the top, but Jericho caught him. They fought on the top until Bowens sent Jericho to the floor. Bowens dove at (but not onto) Jericho and Big Bill. 

Back in the ring, Bryan Keith ran in, and this distracted allowed Max Caster to come in and slam Jericho, then set him up for Bowens to drop the scissor legdrop. Jericho hit a Codebreaker on Bowens for a near fall while Keith skulked around ringside with the belt. Bowens ducked a Judas Effect and hit a superkick for a near fall. Behind the referee’s back, Bryan Keith tried to attack Bowens with the ROH belt, but Max Caster ran in to stop him. They engaged in a tug-of-war with the belt, which predictably ended up Caster wacking Bowens. The ref turned around and saw Jericho on top of Bowens to get the pinfall.

– Private Party was very publicly partying all around New York City, leading to… 

Private Party defeated Leo Sparrow & Alex Price (1:03)

Both the job guys looked like they could use a hot meal. Private Party quickly ended their night with the Gin and Juice. 

After the match, Leo Rusk and Action Andretti came out to get in a brawl with the champs. Top Flight came out and soon all three teams were going at it, and security came out to break things up.

– Powerhouse Hobbs threatened the Don Callis family and promised to take the belt from Takeshita. 

Thunder Rosa defeated Leila Grey (7:05 aired)

It’s an absolute injustice that 25 minutes into this show we haven’t seen Harley Cameron once. 

Rosa hit a sliding lariat for a near fall. Grey countered a bodyslam with a rollup for a near fall. Grey hit a shotgun dropkick. 

After the usual long commercial break, Rosa came back and hit Grey with a diving dropkick against the ropes. Grey hit a side effect for a near fall. Rosa backdropped her way out of double-underhook suplex, then locked in a camel clutch after screaming “you can’t kill me!” and Grey quickly tapped out. Most of the match was during the split-screen break.

– Tony ran down the card for tomorrow night with no new matches added. 

Hook defeated Nick Wayne (w/ The Patriarchy) (12:19)

Wayne jumped Hook from behind while he was standing in the corner with his back turned. Hook hit Wayne with an exploder suplex. Wayne came back with a suplex of his own. The fight soon went to the floor, where Wayne whipped Hook into the steel steps. While Wayne distracted the ref, Christian smacked Hook’s broken arm with his contract. The ref then ejected all of the Patriarchy from ringside. 

Wayne spent the entirety of the split-screen break working over Hook’s arm. After the break, Wayne ripped off Hook’s cast and started stomping on his arm. Finally, Hook came back with an exploder. The crowd was behind Hook. Hook tossed Wayne across the ring with a judo throw. A northern lights suplex was followed up with a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall. 

Wayne bit Hook’s arm and snapped his neck against the top rope. Wayne hit a frog splash for a near fall. Wayne stood over Hook and crossed his arms like Taz (although the commentator’s said Wayne was imitating Shibata, I think it was Taz). Hook popped up and floored Wayne with a clothesline. 

Kip Sabian and Christian tried to come back out and interfere again, but Shibata was behind them and chased them away with a 2×4. Back in the ring, Wayne countered several attempts at the Redrum. But, when he went for Wayne’s World, he dove right into Hook’s grip and he locked in the Redrum and choked Wayne out. 

During the match, QT Marshall v. Jeff Jarrett, Toni Storm v. Leila Grey, The Outrunners & Top Flight  v. Lio Rush, Action Andretti & The Murder Machines were all advertised in graphics for Zero Hour tomorrow night. 

– In the back, The Death Riders are murdering Darby Allin. Claudio Pillmanized his neck, and Moxley pushed him down a metal staircase. Pac stood there in his wrestling gear because Pac is awesome. And then they headed into the Hammerstein Ballroom. 

– Back from the break, Jon Moxley was in the ring and he called out anyone with a problem with how he’s been acting. First came Komander, and he was immediately jumped by Claudio. Top Flight followed, and they were no help. Orange Cassidy’s music hit, but Shafir blocked his way down the aisle. Willow Nightingale’s music hit and she jumped into a brawl with Shafir. While this was happening, Adam Page and Jay White surrounded the ring and with Cassidy, evened the odds. Lio Rush and Andretti jumped Top Flight, and pretty soon the locker room emptied and everyone was out brawling with everyone. While everyone brawled at ringside. While everyone was brawling, Pac and Wheeler Yuta snuck to the control area and smashed the light board, knocking out the lights for the show. The brawl continued in the dark, but the Death Riders snuck out the back. 

Jon Moxley and the Death Riders then invaded the production truck, and Moxley “put an end to Rampage,” cutting the show off the air and sending it to black. Honestly I’m not sure if that move makes him a face or a heel.

Rampage started with an (Impact) World title change and the next week had the debut of CM Punk, but by the end it was the C show of all C shows.

WWE SmackDown live results: Nick Aldis addresses Kevin Owens

Posted on by Colin McGuire

The final WWE SmackDown episode of 2024 takes place live tonight from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

A six-woman tag match has been announced for the show with WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax set to team with Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae against Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley. Naomi recently replaced Jade Cargill as Belair’s Women’s Tag Team Championship partner after Cargill was forced out of action following a mystery attack.

Also set for tonight, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis will address Kevin Owens’ assault on Cody Rhodes that took place after their match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Rhodes has yet to appear on WWE television since that attack. We’ll see if that changes tonight.

Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green will hold a celebration on SmackDown. Green won the title after beating Michin in the finals of a tournament to crown the inaugural champ.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Video of Cody calling out Kevin Owens from last month opened the show. From there, the video extended to the high points of their ongoing feud.

– Nick Aldis spoke backstage. Aldis said Owens is not a champion, but Owens is in possession of the Winged Eagle Belt. Aldis said the belt represents greatness and Owens has no claim to the belt. Aldis said Owens has until the end of the night to relinquish the belt or he will face severe consequences that will effect his future in WWE.

– Cathy Kelley was shown in guerrilla interviewing Naomi and Bianca Belair. Naomi said she was grateful to hold the tag titles with Belair. Belair said they won’t forget about what happened to Cargill. Bayley stepped in and asked Belair if they were good. Belair said they were and then her music hit. The three walked out for the first match.

– Nia Jax made her entrance with a microphone and reiterated that they didn’t mess with Cargill. Jax half made fun of Stratton and called out Belair for doing fine without Cargill. Jax said she thinks Belair is trying to avoid suspicion on Belair. Jax said Belair couldn’t stand the share the spotlight with Cargill because Cargill is better than Belair. Jax said Belair snapped. Jax told Belair to own up to what she did or Jax will make Belair own up to it.

Naomi, Bianca Belair & Bayley defeated Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax & Candice LeRae [16:10]

A fine six-woman television tag match. We’ve officially reached The Point Beyond when it comes to Stratton teasing cashing in her MITB briefcase because this is far past old these days. It’s to the point where you almost think it will be one of those cash ins that are called ahead of time and it turns into a regular planned match and that’s never fun. We’ll see. As for the match, there were some fun spots and I can’t say Jax didn’t say the things a lot of us are thinking about Belair as we watch the fallout of the Cargill attack unfold. Again, we’ll see.

Stratton and Belair started the match. Belair had control early. With the heels outside of the ring, Belair, Bayley and Naomi all took them out with various mistimed splashes. The show then went to a quick commercial break. The show returned and Jax was taking punches from Belair inside the ring. Naomi gave Jax a stink face after tagging in. Jax came right back and planted Jax and got a two-count out of it. LeRae tagged in and kept control for the heels. Naomi made a brief comeback and Belair tagged in to hit a pair of splashes on LeRae.

Belair pounded on LeRae until Stratton distracted Belair and Jax tagged in. From there, Jax hit a leg drop on Belair and earned a two-count. LeRae tagged in and then Stratton hit a splash from the top rope after a blind tag. Stratton yelled at LeRae about not being tagged in enough and it ultimately leg to Belair tagging in Bayley. LeRae tagged in and was the recipient of a back suplex. Bayley went for a dropkick through the turnbuckles onto LeRae, but LeRae ran Bayley’s head into a ring post. LeRae planted Bayley face-first on the ring apron and the show went to another commercial break.

The show returned and Bayley and LeRae were down in the ring. Stratton tagged in and Naomi tagged in, too. Naomi kicked Stratton in the head and followed it up with a Mule Kick and a Bulldog for a near-fall. Things broke down and everyone traded power moves. Jax found herself on the second rope and Naomi pulled her off with her legs before hitting a split-legged moonsault, but Stratton broke a pin attempt up. With Jax down, Stratton teased cashing in her briefcase, but LeRae pulled the briefcase away from Stratton. LeRae tagged herself into the match and fit a full-nelson slam on LeRae for the win.

**********

– Grayson Waller and Austin Theory were talking to Aldis backstage and Sami Zayn walked in. Zayn told Aldis they should talk. The show then went to a commercial.

– Back from that break, Zayn was still talking to Aldis and said he thinks it’s only fair he gets his crack at The Bloodline. Carmelo Hayes walked into the room with Christmas cards to hand out and Zayn told Melo to wait his turn. Zayn crumpled up a card and threw it in Melo’s face. Melo told Zayn to stay off Melo’s show. Zayn told Aldis that The Bloodline stuff could wait and instead, he wanted to face Melo later. Aldis said, “Consider it done.”

Braun Strowman defeated Austin Theory [7:26]

A result that was never in doubt. In fact, this was probably a little more competitive than it should have been. That said, I also understand they needed this to fill a space that included a commercial break, so as always, television rules all. Still, I wonder if Theory was actually supposed to land his finisher on Strowman near the end and the two stumbled, of if what we got was what the plan was supposed to be. Either way, this amounted to nothing more than a long squash that cements Strowman in the middle of the card, which is a bit of a shame, but that’s a conversation for another day.

Strowman face-palmed Theory out of the ring to start. Strowman followed that up with a series of strikes and eventually, after Strowman threw Theory, Theory rolled out of the ring. The show went to a commercial break after that. The show returned and Theory hit a DDT on Strowman. Theory chop-blocked Strowman and punched Strowman for a one-count. Strowman dropkicked Theory and Theory rolled to the outside. Strowman pulled Theory up to the apron and eventually threw Theory onto Waller on the outside.

Strowman clotheslined Theory on the outside of the ring and threw Theory back into the ring. Strowman then went to the top rope, but Waller stalled Storwman and Theory went for an A-Town Down, but Strowman stumbled out of it and landed a running powerslam on Theory for the win.

**********

– Owens cut a car promo and said he heard what Aldis said. Owens said he deserves to have the winged eagle belt because he is the true WWE Champion. Owens said he think he and Aldis need to have a discussion and he’ll come into the arena on only his terms – no security guards or office people, with just Aldis and Owens. In that case, they can talk.

The Chelsea Green Celebration

Meh. I was hoping this would be better, but a lot of this felt forced. It just wasn’t as witty or as funny as you could tell the people who wrote it thought it would be and the crowd didn’t help matters. Even so, it was entertaining enough. I have so much hope that Michin and Green can get their program over – especially with a brand new title involved – but we’ll see. It should be interesting to see how things shake out as WWE gets a mild reset with the Netflix premiere and a new calendar year on the horizon.

Piper Niven stood in the ring behind a podium that looked like it could be used for an American president. Niven introduced Green. The crowd cheered when Green’s music hit and Green walked out dressed as the Statue Of Liberty. Green stepped to the podium and thanked the crowd. Green said she wanted to address the people of the WWE universe and said they have officially turned the blue brand into the green house. Green called herself the most glamorous, most … you get it … Women’s United States Champion. Green walked over to Niven and teased giving Niven credit, but instead gave herself the credit for helping herself.

Green spoke to Michin and said she had two words for her: Good riddance. Green said she’d say Michin could be a champion, but she doesn’t want to say that because she doesn’t lie. Green challenged the crowd to ask themselves not what Chelsea Green could do for them, but what they could do for Chelsea Green. She said 2025 will be the year of Red, White and Green. Michin’s music hit and Michin walked out with a kendo stick. Michin said she’d introduce Green to her little friend – her kendo stick – and walked to the ring. Michin hit Niven a bunch with the kendo stick. Michin entered the ring and went after Green, but Green got out of it. The segment ended with Niven carrying Green to the back.

**********

– #DIY and The Street Profits were shown talking to Aldis backstage and Aldis asked #DIY who attacked The Profits a couple weeks ago. Pretty Deadly walked in and it turns out, they were witnesses to the attack. Pretty Deadly tried to bribe everyone and nobody bit. They said it was Garza who attacked the Profits and the Profits went looking for Garza and Berto. They found them and brawled. Aldis then made a match for the teams after the break.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defeated Los Garza (Berto & Angel) [11:04]

Another weirdly overly competitive match for acts that just aren’t on the same level, speaking in terms of the booking these teams have received in the recent past. In some ways, good for Berto and Angel because they have been throwaway characters for so long; on another level … yeah, if I’m Montez Ford, I’m probably a little fed up with the irrelevant booking his team has been receiving for a long time now. As such, the match was pretty good and I like the edge that the Profits continue to show. In fact, I’d like to see more of it, going forward, but seeing is believing.

The match was joined in progress and the four wrestlers fought in and out of the ring. Ford and Berto ended up alone in the ring and Ford clotheslined Berto. Dawkins tagged in and the two hit a double flapjack on Berto. Angel tagged in and the two worked over Dawkins. Angel pummeled Dawkins and tagged in Berto. Dawkins fired up and took Berto down. Ford tagged in and things broke down between the four wrestlers. They brawled outside of the ring and the show went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Angel had control over Ford, complete with a spinebuster. Berto tagged in and kept the momentum up. Angel tagged in and before long, Ford hit a DDT to even things out. Ultimately, Dawkins received the hot tag and Dawkins came in to take out both heels. Ford tagged in and Berto was on Dawkins’s shoulders, but Angel broke things up. Berto and Angel threw Ford off the top and Berto landed a moonsault on Ford for a nice near-fall.

Angel tagged in to become the legal man, but it wasn’t long before Dawkins tagged in to take care of the heels. With Berto and Angel on the outside, Ford landed a splash and then the Profits set up for their finisher and this time they hit it for the win.

**********

– An Andrade vignette aired during which Andrade was taking aim at Nakamura. Next week, Naomi will face Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship and Andrade will take on Nakamura for the U.S. title.

– Pretty Deadly were shown walking backstage and ran into #DIY. Pretty Deadly said they scratched #DIY’s backs, so they hope they can scratch theirs. The Profits walked in and B-Fab told Pretty Deadly they were thankful they told them the truth. The Profits started walking and ran into Motor City Machine Guns, who said they deserve a title shot. Apollo Crews walked in and told the Profits that it was #DIY who attacked the Profits. Crews then walked away as everyone looked confused.

Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes via DQ [11:34]

A good match and a worthy main event, match-wise. The smoz finish was expected, but it’d be nice to see Zayn get a clean win sometime soon, considering how many loses he’s been taking from Drew McIntyre. The Strowman wrinkle was fun and I hope we see more of that moving forward (as referenced above). Kevin Owens appearing to get involved in Sami Zayn business – even if it’s just his music hitting after an unrelated angle is show – is always a nice way to get people to wonder about what might happen next, so kudos to the cleverness of those involved.

The two locked up to begin things and “Sami Uso!” chants broke out in the crowd. Zayn chopped the hell out of Melo until Melo came back with a dropkick for a one-count. Melo found himself on the outside of the ring and Melo dragged Zayn to the outside. Ultimately, Zayn landed a moonsault off the crowd barricade onto Melo and then the show went to a break.

The show returned and Melo had control. Melo landed a springboard splash onto Zayn and worked a ground and pound. Zayn fired up and hit a clothesline to reset the match. Zayn went to the second rope and hit a double axe-handle. Zayn hit his Blue Thunder Bomb for a good near-fall. Zayn went to the top and missed a splash, which turned into a First 48 from Melo for a very good near-fall. Melo landed a springboard DDT on Zayn and went to the top, but he leapt into a clothesline from Zayn, who then fired up.

Zayn landed an Exploder on Melo into the corner. Zayn set up for the Helluva Kick, but Melo rolled to the outside and started to walk to the back, but Strowman appeared and Melo ran to the back. Out of nowhere, The Bloodline appeared and attacked Zayn, so Zayn got the DQ win. Strowman was shown bringing Melo back to the ring and saw what was happening and threw Melo down to walk to the ring and battle Solo Sikoa. Strowman shoulder-blocked Sikoa to the ground and Jacob Fatu stared down Strowman. The crowd went wild. Tama Tonga cho–blocked Strowman before anything could happen and Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Strowman. Zayn came back into the fold, but the Bloodline took Zayn out all over again.

Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens walked out with the winged-eagle belt. He walked slowly, so his entrance didn’t really have much to do with the carnage in the ring.

**********

The Nick Aldis/Kevin Owens segment

A good segment to end the show. Cody showed great fire and Owens keeps trying to get heat as a heel, but these crowds are slowly but surely rallying behind him and it will be very fun to see how this all shakes out by the time the Rumble comes around. At some point, we should pay attention and give credit to the fact that Owens and Cody have managed to work a program that keeps people interested all these months into it. The ladder match should be very good, but it’s going to have to be the end of the road for these two … maybe? … Hopefully?

Aldis told Owens to do the right thing and hand over the winged eagle belt. Owens told Aldis to explain why he’d give the belt back because it’s the only bargaining chip he has. Owens said he’d give the belt back if he can get a rematch with Cody. Owens said he had Cody beat and everyone knows it. Aldis noted how he said it’s not a negotiation and because of that, Owens needed to hand the belt over or Owens would never step in a WWE again. Cody’s music hit to a huge pop. Cody walked out with a microphone and Aldis told Cody to turn around and let Aldis handle it.

Cody said he wasn’t going to walk away and he didn’t want Owens to be a martyr. Cody brought up how Owens claims Cody teamed with Reigns and that’s why Cody is a bad person. But, Cody argued, Owens attacked Cody at SNME like Reigns would have. Cody listed off all the people for whom he does what he does. Cody said it’s his responsibility to take the winged eagle back. Cody said he wanted a match with Owens and entered the ring. Cody challenged Owens to a ladder match and to put the winged eagle up there with the Undisputed Championship. Aldis announced that at the Royal Rumble, it will be Cody vs. Owens for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a ladder match. Owens stuck out his hand and said he’d see Cody there. Cody didn’t shake it and Owens attacked Aldis before attacking Cody. Owens eventually walked away and yelled that he was the true champion. The show ended with Owens holding up the winged eagle and walking to the back.

Ring of Honor Boxing Day Brawl live results: Men’s TV title defense, Toni Storm debuts

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Thursday’s Ring of Honor TV will be a special Boxing Day Brawl edition featuring a men’s TV title defense and the promotional debut of former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm.

After winning the gold for the first time in last Friday’s Survival of the Fittest six-way, Komander will put the men’s TV title on the line against Johnny TV.

Storm will be in action against Rebecca Scott in Storm’s first-ever match for the black and red brand.

Rocky Romero will team up with a mystery partner with some ROH history against QT Marshall & Aaron Solo.

Former ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will team with Tommy Billington against Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese of the Premier Athletes.

Lee Johnson will return to singles action as he faces Serpentico while former GCW Champion Blake Christian goes one-on-one with AR Fox.

The show is rounded out by MxM Collection (Mansoor & Madden) against Northeast standouts Miracle Generation (Dustin Waller & Kylon King).

**********

Blake Christian defeated AR Fox

Christian and Fox looked to continue where they left off from the Survival of the Fittest match from ROH Final Battle. Christian refused the Code of Honor, shoving Fox. Fox hit a leg lariat as Christian hit the ropes. Fox hit a springboard stunner and a running shooting star press off the apron. Christian dodged a corner charge and hit a Mafia kick in the corner before hitting a missile dropkick. Christian hit a 180 tope suicida to the floor on Fox, which looked incredible.

Fox had a brief comeback with an enziguri, but Christian cut him off again before going for a running boot on the floor. Fox, however, rushed into the ring and hit a suicide dive to the floor on Christian before hitting a Senton Bomb for a two count. Christian raked the eyes to avoid a backpack cutter, and hit a standing Spanish Fly for the two count. Christian argued with the referee over a chair being introduced to the match, and Fox hit a huge dive to the floor and a 450 Splash. Fox grabbed the chair after Christian kicked out, and the referee took it away from him, but Christian hit Fox with a low blow and hit a curb stomp on Fox for the win. Really good match to open the show.

Lee Johnson (w/ EJ Nduka) defeated Serpentico

Johnson was not taking Serpentico seriously at the start of the match, hitting a drop toe hold and slapping Serpentico’s head. Serpentico did hit an armdrag, but Johnson hit a dropkick soon thereafter. Johnson got the heat for the next few minutes, but occasionally fell victim to a roll up which he kicked out of quickly. Serpentico rolled through a roll up, hit a superkick, and then a running cutter for a two count. Serpentico was soon cut off by a chokeslam from Nduka from behind the back, allowing Johnson getting the win.

A hype video aired for Shane Taylor Promotions, with Taylor cutting a promo against the people that have dismissed them, saying that they were coming for everything in ROH, and that there was nothing anyone could do about it. This was good.

Tommy Billington & Katsuyori Shibata defeated The Premier Atheltes (Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese) (w/ Smart Mark Sterling & Josh Woods)

Billington and Shibata are now teaming after their one on one match at ROH Final Battle. Billington took it to Nese right away, sending him bouncing all over the ring, ending when he hit a missile dropkick and tagged out to Shibata. Nese’s selling made both guys look dangerous until it was time for him to get the heat on Billington after a distraction from Daivari.

Woods and Sterling attacked Billington on the floor behind the back of the referee. Nese tried to hit a move off the middle rope, but Billington hit a dropkick and tagged out to Shibata, who hit a German suplex on Daivari before tagging out to Billington. Nese ran in and superkicked Shibata, and Billington almost got the submission on Billington but Sterling distracted the referee while Woods yanked Billington off Daivari. Nese hit a 450 splash on Billington, but knocked Billington backwards into his own corner, letting Shibata tag in.

Shibata proceeded to nail Daivari with a Mafia kick in the corner. Billington flew off the ropes with a diving DDT, and Shibata hit a PK for the win.

A hype video aired for The Outrunners, as they promoted their Fanny Pack merch, including how it could hold a second fanny pack, among other things. This was great.

Toni Storm defeated Rebecca Scott

Storm got a superstar pop coming out, and it seems this weird amnesia gimmick has hurt her star power with the audience. Storm hit a basement dropkick after changing directions while running the ropes, but missed the corner hip attack. Scott hit a flying knee in the corner on Storm. Storm reversed an Irish whip, and Scott jumped onto the middle rope before jumping backwards into the arms of Storm. Storm hit a backbreaker, the corner hip attack, and a Storm Zero for the pinfall.

Retro ROH: Nigel McGuinness defeated Colt Cabana in a Soccer Riot Match at ROH Night of Grudges II (August 20, 2005)

Cabana set the rules, which largely meant there were no rules, as that would be an advantage to him. They actually shared the whole match, which included a funny spot when McGuinness tried to kick the soccer ball at Colt, who was seated in the corner. McGuinness missed and sent it into the crowd, causing the fans to yell “Throw it back!” Cabana grabbed the ball and threw it at the face of McGuiness. Nigel sent Cabana crashing through a ringside table after hitting him with an iron. Cabana pulled his own iron out from under the ring and hit McGuiness with it before hitting a lariat for the win. They actually aired the full match, which is not a bad thing to do sometimes for fans watching. I am not sure if this is a frequent feature, but if it is, I think it’s smart to do every now and then.

The Rottweilers (Rocky Romero & Homicide) defeated QT Marshall & Aaron Solo

Homicide’s return to ROH got a huge pop from the New York audience. The Rottweilers are back together for at least one night, speaking of an ROH flashback. Homicide started the match with QT Marshall, and Marshall was hilariously looking at Homicide very unsure about his own safety before they locked up. Marshall’s suspicions were right, as Homicide bit his ear.

Romero tagged in, and Marshall exited the ring very quickly, tagging out to Solo. Romero low bridged Solo and Romero went for a dive, but Marshall tripped Romero, and Solo hit a flying kick on Romero to begin getting the heat. Romero hit a Shiranaui and tagged out to Homicide, and Homicide hit the three amigos suplexes on Solo. Homicide hit a belly to belly on Solo, but Marshall broke up the pinfall and hit a combo back suplex/neckbreaker on Homicide for a 2-count.

Homicide went for the Cop Killa on Solo, but Marshall broke it up. Romero threw Marshall to the floor and hit a suicide dive that sent Marshall crashing into the front row. Homicide then hit a big lariat on Solo for the win. This was fun. I love seeing Homicide back in ROH. He isn’t what he was, but he is still great. Homicide kissed the canvas, indicating he was home.

A recap of Atlantis Jr. beating Mansoor from ROH Final Battle aired. Mason Madden cut a promo on Danhausen about how he ruined their match. Mansoor called Atlantis a nepo baby, claiming (correctly) that his father Atlantis and (incorrectly) mother Atlantis Morissette were why he had success in the business. They then declared war on all masked wrestlers.

MxM Connection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) defeated Dustin Waller & Kylon King

Mansoor and Madden beat on Waller throughout the early part of the match, with Madden not removing his sunglasses. King broke up the pinfall attempt of Mansoor on Waller after a spinebuster, and Mansoor chased King around the ring, letting Waller and King get some very brief offense against Mansoor. Mansoor tagged out and the huge Madden ran wild hitting a big flying knee on Waller, and slammed King to the mat. Madden had an idea, saying “Let’s kill him!” as they hit a combo where Mansoor elevated Waller into a double arm DDT by Madden for the win.

Chris Jericho’s New York Minute re-aired from AEW Dynamite.

A recap of the ROH Final Battle match between Matt Cardona & Chris Jericho, and Athena’s defeat of Billie Starks.

At the post show media scrum Athena promised to kick out someone out of the Minions In Training.

Lexy Nair introduced Billie Starks as the loser of the main event for the Minion Expulsion. Athena said that Starks caused nothing but problems for her, and that she sucked because she wouldn’t listen to Athena’s guidance. Athena put over how Nair has lived up to all her expectations. Athena then expelled Nair from the MIT for failing to wear a Penguin costume to match Athena’s Two-Face costume, claimed her intro of Athena was mediocre, and how she almost cost Athena the match.

Athena claimed that Nair was the stepping stone for Billie, and that it was those two forever, because Athena cared about Billie Starks and her success. Athena hugged Starks, and Starks looked very conflicted and unhappy about how all of this went down.

Komander was shown arriving backstage after his title victory at ROH Final Battle, crying as he hugged Tony Khan and celebrated in the biggest win of his career in ROH. A nice moment of real emotion.

ROH Television Champion Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) defeated Johnny TV (w/ MxM Collection) to retain

MxM Collection made their way into one of the balconies, holding a sign that said “If Johnny TV loses, we’ll be really sad” and tried to lead the crowd in chants for Johnny TV. Johnny TV spending years working lucha has paid off here, with him being able to provide a good base for Komander. TV knocked Komander off balance as he ran up the ropes, and hit a backflip Samoan drop and a running shooting star press for a two count.

TV hit a knee to the face of Komander for a two count. TV locked on a dragon sleeper, but Komander got into the ropes to escape. Komander avoided a suicide dive, but TV adjusted and followed Komander as he dodged and hit a dive through the ropes on the other side of the ring. That was cool. Komander blocked a corner charge, hitting a superkick and running across the ropes, bouncing off them and landing on the apron before running back up the ropes and hitting a flying dragonrana on TV for a two count.

Komander hit a Canadian Destroyer on Johnny TV for another near fall. TV hit two rolling neckbreakers on Komander for a two count of his own. MxM Collection exited the balcony by ducking down in an elevator pose as soon as Johnny started looking in trouble, and Komander hit a poisonrana. Komander hit a senton, and went for his rope walk into a shooting star press, but MxM Collection pulled TV from the ring. Komander adjusted and hit a moonsault onto everyone on the floor, but Johnny TV managed to cut him off and go for Starship Pain. Komander dodged and hit his shooting star press for the win. Fun match and main event to a very easy to watch episode of ROH Wrestling.

AEW Dynamite live results: Darby Allin vs. Ricochet

Posted on by Ryan Howard

AEW Dynamite on 34th Street airs tonight with five Continental Classic matches scheduled for the show, including Darby Allin vs. Ricochet.

Ricochet sits atop the Continental Classic Gold League in a tie with Claudio Castagnoli at 9 points, while Allin’s 6 points have him tied for third in the Gold League.

In the Blue League, Kazuchika Okada faces Shelton Benjamin on the show. Okada, the current Continental Champion, has 7 points, while Benjamin has 6 points. Will Ospreay takes on Brody King in another Gold League matchup tonight. Both competitors are tied with 6 points.

In the Blue League, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia faces Kyle Fletcher. Fletcher is tied at the top of the Blue League with his 9 points, and Garcia has 7 points. Claudio Castagnoli and his 9 points take on Komander and his 0 points in another Gold League battle tonight.

Toni Storm vs. Taya Valkyrie is set for tonight’s episode. We will also hear from Jon Moxley, Hangman Page, and Jay White.

***********

AEW Dynamite on 34th Street comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & the returning Taz, who is back from knee replacement surgery, but we didn’t see him on screen, as the music for Will Ospreay hits and we’re ready for the opening match of the evening.

Will Ospreay [9] defeated Brody King [6] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(At this moment, Ospreay is tied with Ricochet & Claudio Castagnoli and need either of them to lose their matches to be able to advance to the Gold League semi-finals. This was a fantastic match and yet another Ospreay gem in this tournament. King was a great opponent and the crowd supported both big time throughout. The reaction to Ospreay hitting his finishers on King were pretty great, as it took nearly everything Ospreay had to survive this one.)

Ospreay tried leg kicks and chops early, but seemingly had no effect, as King blocked a hurricanrana and bealed Ospreay clear across the ring. No fear from Ospreay, who tried to fire up, but ran into a wall, as a failed bodyslam saw King collapse on top for two. Knees up from Ospreay to avoid the senton, but King popped up, wanted a Gonzo Bomb, but Ospreay hit a hurricanrana to the outside. Ospreay dropkicked out the leg and King went face first into the steps. King, however, responded with a spinebuster onto the edge of the steps to take control. The crowd was behind King, as he laid in the chops around ringside before grounding Ospreay back inside. Forearm battle ensued until a high back body drop planted Ospreay into break.

Things return with Ospreay firing off a desperation handspring corkscrew kick that sent King outside. Ospreay connects with the Sky Twister Press from the post to the floor. Back inside, King no sold a charging boot, as a chop battle started, which proved to be a big mistake for Ospreay, as King walked right through them. Forearms started working for Ospreay, but one shot from King was all it took, as he draped Ospreay in the corner and hit a wild overhand chop. To the floor again, as King hit a violent cross body against the guard rail. Back inside, King connects with the cannonball, but only gets two.

Ospreay started firing up, throwing as many strikes as he could, but King maintained wrist control and was relentless with his chops. King went for a charge, but Ospreay cut him off with multiple hook kicks, tried an Oscutter, but King watted him out of mid-air. King went for a big lariat, but Ospreay flew around and somehow connected on a Styles Clash for a near fall that had the crowd going nuts. Hidden Blade was countered by a lariat and sitout piledriver by King for two, as did another lariat. Both hit the ropes and charge with Ospreay hitting Hidden Blade, but King kicked out at one. Another Hidden Blade cracked King, who kicked out at two this time. Ospreay actually hit the Storm Breaker to pick up the victory.

-Renee Paquette is with Christopher Daniels and security as she approaches an arriving Hurt Syndicate and informs them MVP & Bobby Lashley have been banned from the building tonight. MVP said as a courtesy to Paquette, they’ll follow the request and wishes her a Merry Christmas before leaving with Lashley.

Ricochet [10] vs. Darby Allin [7] went to a 20 Minute Time Limit Draw in the Continental Classic Gold League

(Both men get 1 point each and Ricochet officially advances to World’s End and the semi-finals, as the crowd was pissed. I thought these two had a really solid first-time meeting and you know it won’t be the last. All Ricochet had to do in this one was survive and he did just that. The 630 Senton spot was insane and helped tell the story of Allin having to really fight off being injured (though, isn’t that every Darby match?) to have try and win this. I’m going to be sad when AEW leaves the Hammerstein, as the crowd laying into Ricochet for these past few shows have been pretty fun to watch.)

The crowd are all over Ricochet from the jump and are completely behind Allin as a much slower pace to start with headlock takedowns and arm drags. Ricochet backed Allin into the corner and teased a clean break until the ref stepped between them and Ricochet got a cheap shot to take control during commercial.

Someone in the crowd threw toilet paper again at Ricochet and he chucked it back at them, but the delay allowed Allin to sweep the leg on the apron. Both took turns sending the other into the guard rail, but Allin missed a Coffin Splash against the railing, allowing Ricochet to hit a hook kick, springboard lariat back inside and standing moonsault for two. Wall walk from Ricochet, as Allin got a takedown and springboard splash leading to multiple pin attempts for two. Dropkick sent Ricochet to the floor, as Allin wanted a low dive, but Ricochet hit a pump knee in mid-air. Ricochet set up a table ringside, placed Allin on it and crashed through with a 630 Senton from the post to the floor as they went to picture in picture where doctors checked on Allin.

Back from break, Allin had rolled into the ring, as referee Paul Turner continued to check on him, but Ricochet leapt from the top into a stomp on the midsection and was relentless on his attack. With both fighting in the ropes, Allin managed an Avalanche Code Red and a proper one for a near fall. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but Ricochet rolled to the apron, battled back, tried a springboard 450, but missed. Allin locked in a Fujiwara armbar Justin Roberts gave the 2-minute call. Ricochet nearly got the rope with his arm, but Allin wrapped it up, as Ricochet just got a toe for the rope break. With 1 minute remaining, the urgency from Allin was apparent, as he floated over a locomotion Northern Lights into the Scorpion Death Drop, but his ribs were in a lot of pain to make the cover. Allin climbed the ropes at the 10 second call and hit the Coffin Drop, but time ran out. Post match, Allin was left looking dejected, while Ricochet cackled as he gloated up the ramp. Allin got cheered by the crowd, as Komander’s music hit and Allin whispered something to him & Alex Abrahantes before heading to the back.

-Switchblade Jay White is backstage to give his final thoughts ahead of World’s End this weekend. White said the biggest threat to Jon Moxley is a one-on-one match with the Switchblade, which is why Moxley made it a 4-way. One way or another, White will find his way to the AEW World Championship.

**********

Komander [3] defeated Claudio Castagnoli [9] in the Continental Classic Gold League

(We officially have out first spoiler in the C2, as the secret info that Allin relayed to Komander proved to be the difference maker, as Allin got his revenge on Castagnoli for stealing their match last weekend. I liked the end to this, as Komander got a huge ovation for the win. The post-match was a good redemption for the 3 challengers for the AEW World Title this weekend, as they actually looked strong heading into the PPV. Not sure if any of them are actually going to win the title, but it’s nice of them to look like threats instead of bickering like last week.)

Before the match even begins, Tony Schiavone told us Komander is really surging lately, despite not having a C2 win up to this point. Castagnoli used his power to avoid the flashy springboard attempts from Komander in the early going. Castagnoli fireman’s carried Komander up the ropes in the corner and hit a massive super gut-buster for a near fall. Castagnoli continued to keep Komander grounded, until Komander tried a Poison Rana, but Castagnoli held on and both fell over the top, landing in the same position, with Castagnoli dropping Komander face first on the apron. Back inside, Komander kicked at the leg and managed a springboard hurricanrana that sent Castagnoli into the post. Komander scaled the ropes and hit a somersault dive, as Castagnoli clutched his right arm.

Back inside, Castagnoli tried a pop-up uppercut, but Komander countered into an abdominal stretch. Komander flipped up and hit a face buster before going up the ropes, only to get crotched by Castagnoli. I’ve missed Taz calling that Yambag City, as a running boot sent Komander to the floor. Castagnoli argued with the official, as Komander pulled out Darby Allin’s coat from under the ring and put on the brass knucks Castagnoli used on Collision last week. Komander waffled Castagnoli with the knucks and hit the rope walk Shooting Star to get the upset win and eliminate Castagnoli from the C2.

Post-match, Death Riders hit the ring and put a beating on Komander, as Marina Shafir went to grab a chair until Switchblade Jay White’s music hits. The distraction to the stage allowed Orange Cassidy to run-in from behind and clean house on Wheeler Yuta & Castagnoli with dives, as White came in and planted PAC with a Uranage. Yuta stumbled back in and was dropped with Beach Break until Cassidy went to check on Komander, leaving White alone. Jon Moxley ran in with the briefcase and he waffled White & Cassidy before taking the microphones.

Moxley said as long as his heart is still beating, this is the closest Cassidy & White will ever come to the AEW World Title. They’re delusional if they think they deserve to even lay eyes on it. Hangman Adam Page’s music hit and he stormed to the ring. Cassidy & White slowly got to their feet and Moxley found himself surrounded and alone. Page ducked a briefcase shot, as Moxley ate an Orange Punch, Buckshot Lariat and Blade Runner leaving the challengers standing tall. White went to grab the briefcase, but Cassidy & Page put their boot on it. Cassidy put on his sunglasses and we get a 3-way face-off to end the segment.

-A video package for Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander 2 at World’s End is shown

Kazuchika Okada [10] defeated Shelton Benjamin [6] in the Continental Classic Blue League

(The win officially stamps Okada’s ticket to the World’s End semis, as this was a much slower pace match than the others we have seen tonight, which was totally fine, as this was a really good back and forth battle. Benjamin had a very good showing this C2 and Okada absolutely had to advance to the semi-finals being the current Continental Champion.)

These two have had a series of tag matches in Japan 11 years ago, but have never faced each other in a singles match. Okada got a massive ovation when his coin dropped for his entrance as this was a very evenly matched exchange to start. Both men avoided the other’s finishers, fired off arm drags into a stalemate. Okada took a powder, as Benjamin was suckered into going out after him, resulting in Okada hitting a DDT. Okada scaled the ropes back inside, but Benjamin sprung up and leapt up the ropes with a huge superplex for two as they went to break.

Things return to a forearm exchange, as Okada got a head of steam into a running back elbow into the double down. Benjamin battled back, teased a Tombstone, as Okada slid out, teased a German suplex, but Benjamin escaped into the Ankle Lock. Okada rolled out into the Money Clip, but as Benjamin escaped, Okada was able to hit the Air Raid Crash on the knee. Okada connected with the top rope elbow before doing the Rainmaker pose flip off to the crowd and Benjamin. Okada wanted Rainmaker, but settled for a series of German suplexes. Okada wanted Rainmaker, but Benjamin ducked and hit three German suplexes of his own. Step-up corner knee connected, but Okada countered the Exploder into a roll-up and snap dropkick. Benjamin countered Rainmaker into Pay Dirt for a close two. Okada spun out of a T-Bone and managed to finally hit the Rainmaker for the win.

Post-match, Benjamin offered a handshake and Okada accepted in a nice show of respect, which lasted about 2 seconds, as once Benjamin left, Okada flipped him off.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana and asks what the end of 2024 has in store for him? Strickland can hear the crowd chanting Swerve’s House and mentioned the success he had this past year, even with the losses he’s had. Strickland was about to mention his plans for 2025 when a super cocky Ricochet strolled in and asked if he saw him kick Darby Allin’s ass tonight and said he’ll do something Strickland couldn’t last year, that’s win the Continental Classic. Strickland faked like he was going to hit Ricochet after he called him Stefon and told Ricochet not to fail, if he does, Strickland will make him pay, dearly. Strickland left and Ricochet said that’s why Strickland doesn’t have a house anymore.

**********

-Chris Jericho’s New York Minute is shown and he feels the Christmas spirit and will grant one final miracle this Friday on Rampage, for Anthony Bowens. The Scissor King doesn’t seem like he has too many friends and hopes he didn’t bite off more than he could chew in The Grand Apple.

Toni Storm defeated Taya Valkyrie (w/Deonna Purrazzo)

(Another win for the fiery upstart Storm, who continues to be hilarious in this role of not realizing what happened the last two years. I can only imagine what happens if/when she ever runs into Luther backstage.)

Storm offered a handshake, but Valkyrie delivered a cheap shot and took control early. “She’s a Rookie” chant from the crowd for Storm, as Valkyrie hit her own version of Sweet Cheek Music following with a Meteora for two. Storm fired out of the corner, but Purrazzo tripped her up, allowing Valkyrie to post the leg and remain in control during picture in picture.

Storm battled her way back when things returned, but Valkyrie responded with a misdirect lariat. Storm got the ropes during a submission attempt, but Purrazzo slapped her hand away. Storm got to her feet and hit a Thesz Press before hitting the Sweet Cheek Music in the corner. Valkyrie spun out of Storm Zero as both ladies trade slaps until a Spear dropped Storm. Valkyrie berates Storm, who manages a quick inside cradle for the flash pin.

-A video package for MJF vs. Adam Cole at World’s End is shown in a feud that hopefully wraps up this Saturday.

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page and asks if the challengers will be working together come World’s End? Page said whatever happens, he guarantees Jon Moxley won’t leave World’s End as AEW World Champion. Christopher Daniels walks in and said Page was right, he’s been through a lot and the last thing Page needs is someone talking at him, so if he needs anything. Page cuts him off and calls him an office stooge, which Daniels says was fair. Daniels Moxley has Death Riders, Cassidy has The Conglomeration and White has Bullet Club Gold watching his back (when was the last time we saw The Gunns?). Page doesn’t have anyone, but Daniels knows something about having backup in the past like SCU and Matt Sydal, who he said wasn’t here anymore, so if Page needs help at any point, let him know. Daniels walked off as Page contemplated the offer, as this was a super odd segment. Daniels has absolutely been portrayed as a stooge this last year and Page considering his offer at the end was weird.

Kyle Fletcher [12] defeated Daniel Garcia [7] in the Continental Classic Blue League

(Big win for Fletcher here over the TNT Champion, which could come into play at some point next year. These two had great chemistry and I would love to see a rematch down the line. This was the official end of League matches in what was an absolutely fantastic Continental Classic, one I wish will have more on the line next year, like an AEW World Title shot or something, not just the Continental Title.)

The deciding match in the Blue League kicks off with both men fired up until Garcia backs Fletcher in the corner, rolls out and does his dance that we haven’t seen in a while. Fletcher took a powder, knowing time is on his side in this, as he’s back in the ring and mowed down Garcia with a shoulder tackle. Garcia responded with corner punches until Fletcher sent him crashing outside where he followed with a powerbomb on the edge of the apron, taking control into the break.

The crowd got Garcia back into it, as he fired off a series of lariats, as Fletcher hit a big boot, but Garcia no sold and turned Fletcher inside out with a lariat. Fletcher spilled outside, where Garcia hit the John Woo dropkick against the railing. Fletcher tried a draping DDT back inside, but Garcia escaped and hit a draping spinning neckbreaker for two. Fletcher battled back with a Helluva Kick in the corner, but as he went for a brainbuster, Garcia countered into a Guillotine. Garcia kept the submission while tied up in the ropes, as Fletcher stepped to the apron where he escaped the choke into a brainbuster on the edge of the ring. Back inside, Fletcher hit a massive Liger Bomb for a close near fall. Fletcher went for the charging knee, but Garcia swept the legs into a Dragon Tamer attempt, but Fletcher sent Garcia nearly into referee Aubrey. The brief delay allowed a Fletcher low punt kick and Brainbuster, but Garcia kicked out.

Fletcher took Garcia up in the corner and wanted his Brainbuster, but Garcia tried turning it into a sleeper, until both just fell to the mat for the reset. Forearm battle ensued, which turned into a slap battle from Garcia until a series of thrust kicks from Fletcher led to a charge, but Garcia jumped into a Dragon Tamer. Garcia wrenched back with the submission, but Fletcher slammed his head down repeatedly to break the hold. Power Drive Knee connected, but as he went for a piledriver, Garcia got a jackknife cover for two. Fletcher up first with a lariat and multiple corner big boots before the top rope Brainbuster spiked Garcia and Fletcher got the win.

Post match, Will Ospreay walked to the ring and had an intense stare-down with Fletcher as we get match graphics for Ospreay vs. Fletcher and Okada vs. Ricochet for the Continental Classic Semifinals.

Jon Moxley is out back with Marina Shafir and the AEW World Title briefcase and said it’s 3 for the price of 1, even if it isn’t always pretty, which is what he’s accepted. They’ll continue their work after World’s End and continue their crusade against ego and delusion. Page, White & Cassidy lack spirit and heart, as no one in AEW wants it, they say they do, but they don’t. Extraordinary things require extraordinary sacrifice. If they aren’t willing to sacrifice and take time to look up from their phone while tanks are rolling in, then he’ll sacrifice them. They think the AEW World Title is something they can achieve, when in fact it’s something you are, it’s in your heart. Taking pics with the belt by the pool and his car isn’t for Moxley, but he knows exactly who he is, he is The King, born for all the things that come with it. Moxley is the only King that’s ever been. He & Shafir walk off to close the show.

Continental Classic Gold League Standings

10 Points: Ricochet*

9 Points: Will Ospreay*, Claudio Castagnoli

7 Points: Darby Allin

6 Points: Brody King

3 Points: Komander

Continental Classic Blue League Standings

12 Points: Kyle Fletcher*

10 Points: Kazuchika Okada*

9 Points: Mark Briscoe

7 Points: Daniel Garcia

6 Points: Shelton Benjamin

0 Points: The Beast Mortos

AEW Rampage 12/27/24 (the final episode of Rampage)

  • ROH Champion Chris Jericho vs. Anthony Bowens
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party vs. Leo Sparrow & Alec Quest
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Leila Grey
  • HOOK vs. Nick Wayne

AEW World’s End 2024

  • Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Switchblade Jay White vs. Hangman Adam Page for the AEW World Title
  • MJF vs. Adam Cole for the Dynamite Diamond Ring
  • Mariah May vs. Thunder Rosa for the AEW Women’s Title in a Tijuana Street Fight
  • Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander for the TBS Title
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Powerhouse Hobbs for the AEW International Title
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher in a Continental Classic League Semi-Final
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet in a Continental Classic League Semi-Final
  • The Continental Classic Finals

WWE NXT live results: Christmas Chaos four-way tag

Posted on by Chris Aiken

On the night before Christmas, WWE NXT will decide new Tag Team title number one contenders.

A Christmas Chaos fatal four-way tag match is taking place on tonight’s Christmas Eve edition of NXT. It will be Bronco Nima & Lucien Price vs. Myles Borne & Tavion Heights vs. Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino — with the winning team getting a future shot at NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazier & Axiom.

The Heritage Cup will be contested tonight as Lexis King continues his quest to win the trophy from Charlie Dempsey and prove that he’s worthy of everyone’s respect.

Main roster stars Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn are back in NXT tonight for a showdown against Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx of Fatal Influence. Plus, Stephanie Vaquer gets her hands on Cora Jade in a grudge match.

Tonight’s show has already been taped in advance. Spoilers can be found here.

Join us for coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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This taped episode of NXT was prerecorded from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA. The show was taped after the live episode last Tuesday.

From the start, the vibe is that of a taped show. The atmosphere is dampened compared to the live episode from last week. The lighting in the background is festive for Christmas Eve, with red and green colors for this episode.

Santa Claus arrives to start this episode, as he enters the ringside area. Santa waves to the live crowd ahead of the opening match.

Stephanie Vaquer defeated Cora Jade

Vaquer pinned Jade after a package neckbreaker. Kelani Jordan runs in to jump Jade in a post-match attack.

The match goes through a commercial break. Jade with a rough backstabber just before the show cuts to a commercial break. The match continues after the break, with Vaquer making a comeback. Vaquer gets a near fall, and Jade tries to cut her off. Vaquer hits her with a forearm, and Vaquer picks up Jade for a package neckbacker. Vaquer then covers Jade for a three count.

Kelani Jordan ran in after the match with a kendo stick. Jordan ambushes Jade and repeatedly hits her with the kendo stick. Vaquer had left the ring, and she rushes back in to pull Jordan off Jade.

NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo is alongside The Family as they cut promos ahead of their match tonight. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo has beef with Santa Claus, because someone dressed as Santa apparently tried to steal presents from him as a kid. His mom ran the thief off with a broom, or something like that. Not sure what to make of that, except it may have something to do with the Santa seen earlier on the show. Anyway, Stacks also vows he and Luca Crusifino will win the tag titles.

William Regal talks with Lexis King in a backstage skit. Regal says he admires King, and Regal wants to be in his corner. Regal asks King if he is going to do it, and King responds by saying he is going to win the Heritage Cup tonight. KIng walks away, and Regal says that is not what is was asking, while Regal reveals he brass knux on his hand. This is a bit of foreshadowing ahead of the next match.

The situation with Regal, King and the knux relates to a story from a few months ago. In a previous match, King refused to use the knux after Regal tried to smuggle them into the ring. King would go to lose that match.

Lexis King (with William Regal) defeated NXT Heritage Cup Champion Charlie Dempsey (with Wren Sinclair) to win the trophy

Dempsey is disqualified in the fourth round, so King wins the match and the Cup. Regal gets involved in the match, and his involvement ends up costing Dempsey the match. There is a father-son dynamic there, but that is not part of the storyline so far.

No falls in the first round, and the bell awkwardly rand to end round one. The action was more intense in the second round, but still no falls. Dempsey stomps on King after the bell sounds to end round two. Round three supposedly all took place during a commercial break, and no falls.

They return from the commercial break with the start of round four. Dempsey and King collide and bonk heads. Double down as both are out on their feet. Wren Sinclair frantically tries to revive Dempsey. The referee is distracted by Sinclair getting into the ring, and Regal puts the brass knux in King’s hand. King revives and sees the knux. He gets to his feet and tries handing the knux back to Regal. Instead, Regal decks King with a left hand, and King drops like a stone.

The knux go bouncing around the mat. Dempsey picks them up and puts the knux on his hand. The ref turns around to see Dempsey with the knux, and King laid out on the mat. The ref disqualifies Dempsey just times runs out on the round. King wins via disqualification after having won 1-0. And new…

OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) cut a promo vowing to win tag team titles, after they first win the fatal four-way tag match later tonight.

Kelani Jordan is angry with Stephanie Vaquer and Lola Vice in a backstage skit. Jordan rants at them about Cora Jade.

Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) defeated Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx with NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley)

Dawn pinned Jayne to win the match, thanks in part to an assist from Gigi Dolan. There is also a distraction from another main card tag team that has returned to NXT.

The tag bout goes through a commercial break. Much to the chagrin of Fatal Influence, the trio of Gigi Dolan, Tatum Paxley and Shotzi enter the ringside area just before the show cuts to the break. Kayden Carter & Katana Chance also come down to ringside at some point.

Just before the match goes home, Nyz and Henley confront Carter and Chance at ringside. That left Jayne alone in the ring. Jayne is climbing the ropes when she is shoved off by Gigi Dolan. The Unholy Union then executes a tandem finisher on Jayne, and Dawn covers Jayne for the pinfall.

Tavion Heights and Myles Borne talk ahead of their fatal four-way.

Zaria is talking with Sol Ruca when they are interrupted by Izzi Dame. She is then interrupted by Shawn Spears, who is trying to recruit her into his faction. Dame is repulsed by Spears. I was repulsed by how they have dropped the ball with Zaria. She is just a regular character in silly skits, after debuting with a monster push.

Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated Dion Lennox

Adonis pinned Lennox after reversing an O’Connor roll. This match played off a skit from the prior episode. The match was not long, but it also somehow took forever.

Nikkita Lyons comes to ringside during the match, playing into an ongoing love triangle. And so are the days of our lives, as the world turns. Lyons interferes late in the match, as she puts Adonis’ foot on the rope to break a count. Lennox had delivered a powerslam and went for the cover when Lyons put Adonis’ foot on the bottom rope.

For the finish, Lennox catches Adonis with an O’Connor roll. Adonis counters the roll-up, and Adonis bridges backwards to cover Lennox for a three count.

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger cut a silly promo ahead of the fatal four-way later on. I have seen far more serious promos from The Bushwhackers.

Gigi, Shotzi, &Tatum get into an argument backstage with Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson. They all try yelling over each other.

A promotional tie-in with an insurance company features a video package highlighting NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez. This hype video also builds interest in the next title match for Perez, when she defends against Giulia at New Year’s Evil.

Sarah Schreiber interviews Lexis King, and King boasts about winning the Heritage Cup by being a man of integrity. King says he did not short-cuts to win. There is indeed an irony there.

In a vignette, Ethan Page cuts a sinister promo on Je’Von Evans.

OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) defeated The D’Angelo Family (Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino) and No Quarter Catch Crew (Myles Borne & Tavion Heights) and Hank Walker & Tank Ledger in a Christmas Chaos fatal four-way tag team match to determine number one contenders

Price pinned Stacks to win the match. Santa Claus causes a distraction at ringside by giving Tony D’Angelo a DDT on the floor. Santa Claus then reveals himself to be Ridge Holland.

Tornado rules with lots of weapons and gimmicks. Some of the gimmicks relate to the holiday, like a Christmas tree and large ornaments hanging from the ropes. Plenty of comedy spots that are lighthearted, yet still violent. Likewise, Tank takes a low blow when an ornament is used like a bowling ball.

Stacks takes a bump through a table set up at ringside. Just before the show cuts to commercial break, Borne executes a cool cutter out of nowhere on Price. After the they return from the break, kendo sticks wrapped up like candy canes come into play.

Metal folding chairs are not exactly festive, but they also come into play often in the match. The chairs are used as weapons, along with them taking bumps on the chairs. Borne takes a nasty bump on the chair with a spinebuster. OTM then hip-tosses Borne through a table set up in a corner.

Hank & Tank run wild, until they are attacked at ringside by Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe. The two teams brawl their way down the aisle and through the curtain.

NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo gifts his guys presents, which includes crowbars wrapped like candy canes. They use the crowbars to hit their opponents. Then, Stacks & Crusifino execute a Shatter Machine on Price. Nima has to make a save to break up a pin.

Suddenly at ringside, Santa Clause gets up from his seat. Santa ambushes “The Don”, and Santa gives D’Aneglo an implant DDT on the floor. Santa would soon reveal himself as Ridge Holland, who is in a title program with D’Angelo) OTM capitalizes in the ring, as they neutralize Crusifino. Stacks takes an assisted spinebuster, and Price cradles Stacks for the deciding pinfall. OTM are the new number one contenders to the tag titles, and they earn a shot for the titles at New Year’s Evil.

NXT Champon Trick Williams is heading to the ring to close out the show with a monologue. Of course, Trick is soon interrupted, since there is hardly ever a monologue in NXT without an interruption. This time the interruption was abrupt, as Trick barely spoke when Oba Femi enters to confront the champion. Before Femi can say much, out comes Eddy Thorpe. They could likely have been pressed for time, as this all seemed to rush through much of this.

Thorpe gets in the ring alongside Femi and the champion. Thorpe cuts a promo on Trick, and Trick is responding until Femi interjects. Femi and Thorpe bicker over who deserves a title match. Trick tells them both to shut up. Trick then books himself in a triple threat match for New Year’s Evil, where he will defend against both challengers. Terrible logic here, but such is life. One guess which guy is dropping the fall, and it is probably not the champion, nor is he the guy getting a monster push.

Out comes NXT General Manager Ava, who says she signs off on the triple threat match. That makes the title bout official for New Year’s Evil. Thorpe jumps Femi with a sucker punch, and a melee ensues. Femi knocks down both Trick and Thorpe. Femi in runs wild with a series of elbows smashes. Femi follows up by giving Trick a pop-up powerbomb, and Femi tries doing the same with Thorpe. However, Thorpe counters to escape. Thorpe powders. Femi then grabs the NXT title belt and poses with it as the credits roll.

So, a triple threat match. How original. Also, a reminder that Trick Williams is the brand’s top star, since that might be hard to determine after watching this episode.