Tag: Tomohiro Ishii

Tomohiro Ishii returns to AEW on Dynamite

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Tomohiro Ishii has finally returned to AEW Dynamite.

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the episode of AEW Dynamite saw the return of Tomohiro Ishii during a backstage segment featuring The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong).

Briscoe opened up and shared that he was upset about not making it to Alabama for Collision, but he was there on the couch watching the show with his buddy, Ishii. The 50-year-old quietly stood behind Briscoe as the rest of the Conglomeration celebrated his return.

Ishii has been away from AEW TV since February 2026 and has been out of the ring since NJPW The New Beginning USA on February 27, 2026, when he suffered a neck injury. Ishii was previously scheduled to compete in the New Japan Cup, but had to miss the tournament due to his injury.

As of now, there are no confirmed updates regarding his in-ring return. Although Ishii is back on AEW television and reunited with The Conglomeration.

Kenny Omega reveals his favorite NJPW rivals

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

As Kenny Omega enters his newest rivalry in AEW, he’s also reflecting on some of his favorite rivalries in Japan. 

Omega was asked about his favorite New Japan rivalries in an appearance on the Battleground Podcast. “I think a lot of people sort of default to the [Kazuchika] Okada one and I understand why,” he said. “But I would say that for fans that were primarily New Japan fans, they also would argue that they really enjoyed my series of matches that I had with [Tetsuya] Naito. They really enjoyed the series of matches I had with [Tomohiro] Ishii.”

Then Omega went into detail about his long-term story with his old partner Kota Ibushi.

“Some of the people know me more because of the Golden Lovers stuff, which is also fantastic,” he said. “And I think that was some of the most proud storytelling that I’ve ever done in my career because the onus was all on us to continue that story forward and to always sort of implant that in the things we had done when maybe the promoters or the bookers didn’t see the value in it.” 

In particular, Omega’s happy how the two of them told the story while wrestling for several different companies.

“We had always sort of wanted to not insult the fans intelligence,” Omega said. “Regardless of what promotion we were in, we wanted to show that there was this interconnectivity and these human emotions, and that life doesn’t end just because of promotion changes. Relationships don’t end because of promotion changes. And it was cool that we could see this multiple-promotion-spanning storyline that took about a decade to see the grand finale and to be able to be at the forefront of an actual real long-term story where the onus was completely on us to tell.”

Tomohiro Ishii out of NJPW Cup tournament due to neck injury

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tomohiro Ishii is out of the NJPW Cup.

NJPW announced on their website that Ishii will be out for the duration of the tour and will be replaced by Satoshi Kojima. Ishii originally had a bye in the tournament and was set to face the winner of the match between Ren Narita and Taichi on March 12.

“Tomohiro Ishii, who was scheduled to wrestle in the New Japan Cup this month after a first round bye, has sustained a neck injury and will be absent for the duration of the tour. We apologise to fans looking forward to seeing Ishii wrestle and appreciate your understanding. Satoshi Kojima will substitute for Ishii during the New Japan Cup tournament, and will face the winner of Ren Narita and Taichi in round two on March 12 in Takamatsu. NJPW joins fans in wishing Ishii a speedy, full recovery,” they wrote.

Ishii wrestled this past Friday, dropping the NJPW Strong Openweight title to Boltin Oleg. He had previously been out of action in October after suffering a dislocated right shoulder while wrestling for AEW, but returned at Wrestle Kingdom 20 as part of the multi-team Ranbo match for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles.

Two titles change hands at NJPW The New Beginning USA

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

A pair of new champions have been crowned tonight at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s The New Beginning USA show in Trenton, New Jersey.

The first was Oleg Boltin, who pinned Tomohiro Ishii with a Verdict (F5) and Kamikaze (rolling fireman’s carry slam) to win the STRONG Openweight championship. 

It’s the first STRONG Openweight championship for Boltin, and the second singles title in New Japan—he held the NEVER Openweight championship for 120 days last year. He is also a three-time winner of the Never Openweight Six-Man Championships, including his current reign along with Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi.

The match ended Ishii’s first reign as STRONG Openweight champion. He had won the belt from Gabe Kidd at Windy City Riot in Chicago, Illinois, last April.

The second new champion on the show was Konosuke Takeshita, who defeated El Phantasmo to win the NJPW World Television championship. The match originally ended in a time limit draw, but ELP challenged Takeshita to an overtime period. Takeshita accepted and went on to win with a powerdrive kneestrike and raging fire. 

This is Takeshita’s first reign as NJPW World Television champion. He is also a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and NEVER Openweight Champion.

ELP is now a two-time former NJPW World Television champion. He originally won the belt from Ren Narita at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in January of 2025, in a four-way that also included Jeff Cobb (now known as JC Mateo on SmackDown) and Ryohei Oiwa. He lost the belt to Great-O-Khan the following April, but regained it later that same month. 

NJPW adds four names to New Beginning USA

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has announced a few more names who will be making the trip over for New Beginning USA 2026.

On February 27, NJPW comes to CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey for the New Beginning event. It was announced today that Syuri, Tomohiro Ishii, Oleg Boltin, and El Desperado will be among the talent competing. Their matches have not been announced yet.

Syuri enters the show as a double champion following her victory over Saya Kamitani at Wrestle Kingdom 20. She retained the IWGP Women’s Championship in the match and now also holds the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship.

Ishii is the men’s NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, having won the title from Gabe Kidd in April 2025. His only defense so far has been a victory over Drilla Moloney.

This appearance will be Boltin’s first time wrestling in the United States. An amateur wrestler from Kazakhstan, he made his in-ring debut for NJPW in 2023.

So far, the New Beginning card has one confirmed match: El Phantasmo vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the NJPW World Television Championship. It’s also been announced that Yota Tsuji — the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Global Heavyweight Champion — will be in action.

Tomohiro Ishii returning for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An injury has kept him sidelined for a couple of months now, but Tomohiro Ishii will be back in time for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20.

It’s been revealed that Ishii will have a spot on the Tokyo Dome card in the multi-team ranbo match for the NEVER Openweight Tag Team titles. He’ll be teaming up with Taichi & Satoshi Kojima. There was dissension between those two at Friday’s Road to Tokyo Dome event, but Kojima still volunteered himself to team with Taichi & Ishii in the ranbo.

This will be Ishii’s first match back since suffering a dislocated right shoulder while competing for AEW in October.

YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano are defending their NEVER Six-Man Tag Team titles in the ranbo. It’s a tornado match where eliminations can occur via pinfall, submission, or being thrown over the top rope. Once one member from a team is out, the whole team is eliminated.

Among the other teams set for the match are Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin; SANADA, Ren Narito & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; and Tiger Mask IV, Togi Makabe & Ryusuke Taguchi.

Kaisei Takechi — who competes for DDT Pro Wrestling and is a member of pop group The Rampage — will be part of the ranbo as well. His partners have not been announced yet.

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

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

Takeshita vs. Ishii part of AEW Collision lineup

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Eight matches are set for Saturday’s AEW Collision episode, including the NJPW G1 Climax 35 winner in action in a rematch from Wrestle Dynasty in January.

AEW revealed that G1 winner Konosuke Takeshita will take on Tomohiro Ishii on the Saturday, August 23 Collision. The two also matched up at Wrestle Dynasty in Tokyo Dome earlier this year with Takeshita taking the win.

The Young Bucks will also be in tag team action on Saturday’s card against Paragon’s Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong. Gates of Agony’s Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona will face Grizzled Young Veterans in another tag bout.

Big Bill will face Mark Andrews in one-on-one action on Collision. Max Caster’s open challenge will also return on the show.

In an eight-man tag, Hiromu Takahashi, Scorpio Sky, Darius Martin, and Dante Martin face Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Rocky Romero, and Lance Archer of The Don Callis Family.

Julia Hart and Skye Blue take on Willow Nightingale and Queen Aminata in a women’s division tag, plus Megan Bayne faces Isla Dawn in a women’s division singles matchup.

Saturday’s episode was taped Wednesday in Glasgow. Spoilers from the show are available here.

Saturday’s lineup:

AEW Collision, Saturday, August 23 —

  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • The Young Bucks vs. Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly
  • The Gates of Agony vs. Grizzled Young Veterans
  • Big Bill vs. Mark Andrews
  • Max Caster open challenge
  • Scorpio Sky, Dante Martin, Darius Martin & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Hechicero, Josh Alexander, Lance Archer & Rocky Romero
  • Julia Hart & Skye Blue vs. Queen Aminata & Willow Nightingale
  • Megan Bayne vs. Isla Dawn

All-Star tag match added to AEW Dynamite lineup

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An All-Star tag team match is the latest addition to the card for tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode in Cincinnati.

Tony Khan has announced that TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher will be teaming up with Josh Alexander & The Young Bucks for an eight-man tag match on tonight’s show. They’ll be facing Hologram, Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii — and a mystery partner from NJPW.

Last weekend on Collision, Fletcher challenged NJPW to send their “pound-for-pound best” to challenge him for the TNT Championship at Forbidden Door on August 24. We’ll find out the identity of that challenger tonight.

Fletcher won the TNT title from Dustin Rhodes in a street fight at the end of last month and has made one successful defense so far, defeating Ishii.

Cincinnati’s Andrew J Brady Music Center is the venue for tonight’s show. Here is everything that’s been announced:

AEW Dynamite (Wednesday, August 13) —

  • Hangman Page and MJF face-to-face
  • Jon Moxley vs. Kevin Knight
  • Adam Copeland vs. Stokely Hathaway
  • Mercedes Mone, Thekla & Skye Blue vs. Willow Nightingale, Queen Aminata & Alex Windsor
  • All-Star eight-man tag match: Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander & The Young Bucks vs. Hologram, Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii, and a mystery NJPW wrestler

Ring of Honor TV results: Bandido vs. Adam Priest World title match

Posted on by Arya Witner

Ring of Honor World Champion Bandido will put his title on the line against indie standout Adam Priest on tonight’s ROH on HonorClub from Chicago.

The champion will be looking for his fourth successful title defense while Priest has just one all-time career ROH victory.

The Conglomeration’s Tomohiro Ishii & Hologram will take on MxM Collection.

In a pair of men’s Pure Rules bouts, Blake Christian faces the returning Jimmy Jacobs in his first ROH bout since May 2024 while Virus faces Xelhua in a meeting of CMLL talent.

The show is rounded out by Gringo Loco vs. Jon Cruz.

**********

-Ian and Caprice start the show by running down what’s on the show, including Bandido vs Adam Priest for the ROH Title, which is your main event. Ian and Caprice are wearing their invisibility cloaks at ringside for this show.

The Conglomeration (NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii & Hologram) vs. MxM Collection (w/ Johnny TV)

This was a very good opener. I would say all four men are criminally underused, but I couldn’t tell you who they should take off Dynamite and Collision every week to put them on. 

We got a picture-in-picture with a MxM, Johnny and Taya commercial selling something called MxM Seed. It looked funny, but Ian and Caprice talked over it.

Ishii and Hologram ran wild on Mansoor early and did a double drop toehold to Mason when he tried to get involved and dropped Mason on top of his partner. MxM got the heat on Ishii when they bullied him into the corner and then TV yanked Hologram off the apron. Hologram got the hot tag and ran wild on MxM. The crowd got into Hologram’s comeback, including backflipping out of the ring and giving TV a headscissors takeover and a Suicide Dive out the other side of the ring to Mason. The expected 4-way broke out and Ishii gave Mason an assisted Brainbuster. Hologram pinned Mansoor with a 450 Splash.

Match Result: The Conglomeration defeated MxM Collection

-We got a video package recapping Athena vs Alex Windsor from Collision last week. 

Gringo Loco vs. Jon Cruz

This was a match won by Gringo Loco. There’s nothing else to say about the actual wrestling.

Seeing Cruz coming out makes me want to see Nyla Rose give Serpentico through a table for some reason.

Cruz was upset that the fans cheered for Gringo and not him. It evolved into them standing on the ropes on opposite sides of the ring and trying to cheerlead the crowd. I mean if nothing else, the crowd got into it. There was nothing wrong with their actual wrestling, but it was a lot less newsworthy than them spending several minutes cheerleading the crowd. Loco won with a Split Legged Moonsault.

Of all the matches I’ve ever seen, this was the most recent one.

Match Result: Gringo Loco defeated Jon Cruz

Blake Christian (w/ Lee Johnson) vs. Jimmy Jacobs

This was a good match and the type of match they should be having on ROH where they bring in veterans who can still go, like Jacobs and work with these young guys. Not sure why Jacobs isn’t signed, I imagine he wouldn’t break the bank to do more than come in once a year, like he currently is.

Jacobs was one of the longest lasting ROH wrestlers, with him leaving ROH after Supercard of Honor IX in 2015, but has since come back to do one match a year the last few years. The last time he had an ROH match he had an insane pyro display. Remember that insane WCW Kevin Nash pyro display? This was the AEW version of that. Anyway, when Jacobs came out here, he looked for his pyro and, sadly, he had none.

Jacobs is the kind of guy TK should sign to be the ROH veteran to work with young talent. He still wrestles pretty frequently, even if we only see him once a year. Christian has the talent to be one of those “next generation” guys and hopefully he gets the chance to do so. Jacobs went for Sliced Bread, but Christian got out of it, hit a pair of superkicks and a rolling Spiccoli Driver for a near fall. Christian tapped him with Vanilla Choke Zero. After the match, Christian looked into the camera and challenged Bandido.

Match Result: Blake Christian submitted Jimmy Jacobs

-Paul Walter Hauser was on something called the No Contest Wrestling Podcast and was upset because at the Revolution Zero Hour show in March, QT Marshall threw something alcoholic on him. Paul was mad because he’s been sober for three years and now he wants a match with QT. Not sure why it took Paul 5 months to get upset about this, but here we are.

Xelhua vs. Virus in a Pure Rules match

I don’t watch a lot of ROH on Honor Club, but this was easily the best “modern day” pure match I’d ever seen. This was an excellent grappling match. Nothing you have to go out of your way to see, just a match I’d love to see a rematch of. 

Virus began his pro wrestling career two weeks after WrestleMania 2 in 1986. I would like to imagine one had nothing to do with the other, however I cannot prove that. Meanwhile Xelhua is at the other extreme, as he is two years into his career. Xelhua used a double underhook submission that he turned into a pinning attempt. Virus used a reverse Figure Four and Xelhua grabbed the ropes five minutes into the match for his first rope break. Xelhua broke out a Cloverleaf Stretch, which was quite impressive, but Virus got the ropes. Virus used the Vertebreaker and Xelhua half kicked out/half got his foot on the rope, so it counted as a rope break. Virus submitted to the Shoelace submission.

Match Result: Xelhua submitted Virus

-They plugged Dustin Rhodes vs Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Title on Collision, which is happening as I type this. I won’t spoil it for you, mostly because I don’t know what happened. So go check out Jeff Moss’ Collision report. 

ROH World Champion Bandido defends against Adam Priest

This was a really good World Title match to cap off a really good episode of Ring of Honor. 

Priest came out with The Workhorsemen, but sent them to the back before the match began. Bandido has double duty tonight, as he teams with Brody King to take on GOA in the Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament on Collision. I actually know who won that match, but you should still go read Jeff Moss’ Collision report for more.

The Code of Honor was sort of adhered to, as Priest hit a forearm to Bandido to get the match started after the handshake. Bandido held Priest up for a delayed vertical suplex and even though he is tri-lingual (English, Spanish and Japanese), he let the crowd chant in whatever language they preferred. Priest hit a well timed dropkick to Bandido’s back as he came off the middle rope with a springboard move. The crowd chanted loudly for Bandido, proving that if you give these fans good stuff on ROH, they will react even if they’re there for Dynamite or Collision. Bandido rolled through on a Frog Splash attempt and took a backbreaker from Priest. Bandido had done the Eddie Guerrero shimmy, so Priest went for the Three Amigos, but Bandido reversed the third suplex and hit one of his own. Priest clipped the knee and slapped on a Half Crab, but Bandido got the ropes and then the champ retained with a Frog Splash.

Match Result: ROH World Champion Bandido defeated Adam Priest to retain the championship

Final Thoughts: I don’t watch a lot of ROH on HonorClub. I may have seen six or seven total episodes, including shows I saw live, but this was easily the best HonorClub show I’ve seen. There was nothing to go out of your way to see, but this was an easy hour to watch, it didn’t outstay its welcome and unlike a lot of modern-day wrestling, I was left wanting to see more. 

Play-in matches set for final four NJPW G1 tournament spots

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Eight wrestlers are set to compete for the final four spots in NJPW G1 Climax 2025.

Over the weekend, NJPW revealed 16 of the 20 entrants who will be participating in this summer’s tournament. The last four spots are still up for grabs with play-in matches taking place during the New Japan Soul tour with events at Korakuen Hall on June 23 and Budokan Hall on July 4.

Here is the play-in schedule:

Monday, June 23 —

  • A Block play-in match: Taichi vs. Callum Newman
  • B Block play-in match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Drilla Moloney

Friday, July 4 —

  • A Block play-in match: Ryohei Oiwa vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • B Block play-in match: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Chase Owens

Moloney and Oiwa would be competing in their first-ever G1s if they are able to qualify for the tournament. Moloney is a member of Bullet Club War Dogs, while Oiwa is part of TMDK.

At NJPW Dominion on Sunday, Taichi & Ishii defeated Newman & Great-O-Khan to become the new IWGP Tag Team Champions. Ishii also currently holds singles gold as the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion.

The G1 begins on July 19 and runs through August 17. Here’s what the field looks like ahead of the last four entrants being confirmed:

A Block —

  • Hirooki Goto
  • Oleg Boltin
  • Yuya Uemura
  • Yota Tsuji
  • David Finlay
  • EVIL
  • SANADA
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Taichi or Callum Newman
  • Ryohei Oiwa or Bad Luck Fale

B Block —

  • El Phantasmo
  • Shota Umino
  • Shingo Takagi
  • Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Great-O-Khan
  • Gabe Kidd
  • Ren Narita
  • Konosuke Takeshita
  • Tomohiro Ishii or Drilla Moloney
  • YOSHI-HASHI or Chase Owens

Tomohiro Ishii wins Strong Openweight title at NJPW Windy City Riot

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Image: JJ Williams

A new Strong Openweight Champion has been crowned.

Tomohiro Ishii pinned Gabe Kidd to win the Strong Openweight title for the first time. After their 30 minute iron man match ended in a draw, the match went into sudden death to determine a victor. Shortly thereafter, Ishii scored the win with a brainbuster to officially become champion.

Back at NJPW Battle in the Valley in January, Kidd and Ishii went to a time limit draw in a match that had also been for the Strong Openweight title. It was eventually agreed upon that a rematch would take place at Windy City Riot, with the stipulation being a 30 minute iron man match.

Kidd had held the NJPW Strong title for nearly a year. He defeated Eddie Kingston in a no rope last man standing match back at NJPW Strong Resurgance on May 11 of last year. His stock has risen during his championship run, facing Kenny Omega at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5.

There were two other title matches on Friday’s card. The World Class Wrecking Crew defeated Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA to retain the Strong Openweight Tag Team titles, while Hirooki Goto retained the IWGP World title over Shota Umino.

Ring of Honor TV results: Bandido vs. Jay Lethal title eliminator

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Days after kicking off his second Ring of Honor World title reign, Bandido will put a future title shot on the line as part of tonight’s HonorClub streaming show.

Bandido will face former ROH World Champion Jay Lethal in a Proving Ground match where if the challenger can draw or defeat the champion, a future shot is his. While they have shared the ring plenty through the years, this will be their first ever singles match.

For the first time since last September, ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes & the Von Erichs will be in action against Violence is Forever and Davey Bang.

NJPW’s Tomohiro Ishii will make his return to the black and red brand to challenge Preston Vance.

After returning to action recently, Marina Shafir will look get on the winning track tonight against Nixi XS.

MxM Collection and Johnny TV will reunite for a trios bout against Drake Daniels, Jordan Kross & Ryan Matthews.

**********

A brand new ROH World Champion, a pair of high-profile six-man tag matches and the return of a certain problem are all backed tightly into ROH on Honorclub episode 111! 

(Also, Preston Vance will be there).

Johnny TV & MxM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) (w/ Taya Valkyrie) defeated Drake Daniels, Jordan Kross & Ryan Matthews

Johnny TV, Mansoor and Madden are a match made in gorgeous heaven. So, I’ll be calling their Trios Team MxMxTV. A while back, Madden and Mansoor stole a championship belt from Dustin Rhodes, tonight carried to the ring by Taya Valkyrie. So that makes MxMxTV 1/3rd of the Six-Man belt holders. Or something like that. Daniels, Cross and Matthews (who sound like a 1970’s folk trio) were all making their ROH debuts in this match. 

TV and Kross kicked things off like anyone would: by engaging in a dance battle (TV won). He used that advantage to deliver some really devastating knees to the face of Kross. Mansoor and Madden isolated Kross in the corner and doubled teamed him with various pose-based offense. Matthews tried to help, but it did not work.

While Valkyrie and TV made out over the title belt at ringside, Daniels entered the match and was immediately destroyed by the much, much bigger Madden. Kross and Matthews were easily dispatched while TV, Madden and Mansoor hit a three-way Centerfold and posed with the beaten Daniels.

Match Result: Johnny TV & MxM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) (w/ Taya Valkyrie) defeated Drake Daniels, Jordan Kross & Ryan Matthews

Marina Shafir defeated Nixi XS

Shafir was back in ROH after spending some time hanging out with Voldemort’s forces in AEW. …What? …Death RIDERS? Oh, that’s totally different. Either way, she’s back and ready to face off against XS in her ROH debut. 

XS looked straight out of an episode of GLOW, which was a great juxtaposition to the more straight forward look and style of Shafir. Shafir used the Code of Honor to whip XS around in a series of Judo throws. XS had a very, very expressive face, so she was able to really sell Shafir’s offense. Shafir on the other hand, no-sold everything that XS threw at her. One Mother’s Milk submission later and XS was tapping out.

Match Result: Marina Shafir defeated Nixi XS

-Backstage the ROH Trios Champions (with all three belts?) cut a promo. The Von Erichs talked about how it made them mad that MxM stole Rhode’s title belt. Rhodes called MxM stupid. Yes, Stupid. Rhodes then issued a challenge to MxMxTV to show up next week so he could take his belt back.

Tomohiro Ishii defeated Preston Vance (w/ Jacked Jameson)

Vance, Jameson and their Frat House compadres Griff Garrison and Cole Karter have been running around being professionally obnoxious in ROH for a few weeks now. Their very presence makes me seethe with rage (which means they are very good at their jobs. And being jerks. Their job is to be jerks), so it’s with great pleasure that everyone welcomed Ishii back to ROH to smash, cook up and eat  at least one member of the Frat House. 

Vance tied up with Ishii and even though he had about a foot on him in height, Ishii has the density of a dying sun and was able to shrug off just about everything Vance threw at him. Vance tried to turn up the speed of the match, but Ishii ended up being grabbed by Jameson and pulled out of the ring.

Jameson gave Ishii a few shots while Vance distracted the Ref and tossed him back into the ring. Vance hit Ishii in the back of the head and delivered a suplex which seemed to enrage Ishii who began growing with every elbow Vance threw at his head.

The match devolved into the two of them just punching each other until Ishii caught Vance with a side slam. Vance ran the ropes and brought down Ishii with a football-style tackle. He tried for a discus lariat, but Ishii avoided it and clotheslined Vance.

Jameson jumped up on the ring apron (the highest part of the ring!) and tried to cause a distraction, but Ishii knocked him off and he and Vance traded strikes until Ishii landed a big head butt followed by a brainbuster to pick up the victory.

After the match, Ishii called out Jameson, who claimed that he had a “broken nose” so he couldn’t fight. Sure.

Match Result: Tomohiro Ishii defeated Preston Vance (w/ Jacked Jameson)

-An interview with Bandido aired from backstage at AEW Dynasty. He’s very excited to be ROH World Champion and was grateful to God to be there with his family. He declared his mom “the real champ” for her support. Then he challenged her to a Ladder match for the belt. OK, that didn’t happen, but I’d watch it. Just saying.

ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs (Marshall & Ross) defeated Davey Bang, Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku in a non-title match

It’s the return of Texas’ favorite (grand)sons to team up with one half of the Sons of Texas! Marshall and Ross Von Erich have been on the shelf due to injury since February and their return couldn’t have come at a better time, as MxM just stole Rhodes’ Championship title belt, which we dealt with earlier. Their opponents tonight Bang, Garrini and Ku were all last seen in ROH in 2023 with a collective 0-5 record between them. 

Rhodes and one of the other guys kicked things off and Rhodes made him look good. At this point, I need to note that the commentary team was absolutely terrible this week regarding who was in the ring with the better known wrestlers. It was like they didn’t know who was who and shared that lack of knowledge with the audience.

Anyways, (I think) Bang and Garrini tried to isolate Ross in the corner with a double team. Garrini tried to do the same with Ku, but that allowed Ross to get the tag to Marshall who cleaned house. When the dust settled, it was Marshall and Ku, with Ross and Rhodes keeping the other two at bay.

Bang tried to go up top, but ended up jumping right into an Iron Claw from Marshall. Marshall transitioned it into a front slam and got the pin to pick up the victory for his team.

Match Result: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs (Marshall & Ross) defeated Davey Bang, Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku

-Backstage, Taya Valkyrie cut a promo about how she has the opportunity to take on Red Velvet and get a shot at the ROH Women’s TV title. The one thing stopping her is La Catalina, who Valkyrie claims copied her by coming to ROH via Mexico. The two will face off next week, with the winner getting a shot at Red Velvet’s ROH Women’s Television championship.

ROH World Champion Bandido defeated Jay Lethal in a Proving Ground match

Bandido defeated Chris Jericho (not an ROH Wrestler) at AEW Dynasty (not an ROH Show) to become the ROH World Champion for the second time. Unlike his predecessor, this ROH World Champion actually appears on the show and got right down to business here with a Proving Ground match against one of the legends of ROH, a former ROH World, Pure, Television and Tag Team Champion, Jay Lethal. If Lethal scored a victory or lasted to the 10 minute time limit, he’d be slingshotted right into challenging for Bandido’s not-even-cold-yet title. (No word on if Bandido’s Mom will be there).

The two locked up and almost immediately the action left the ring. Lethal landed a running dive through the ropes, knocking Bandido almost back up the ramp, before tossing him back into the ring. Lethal tried to get a figure four on, but Bandido reversed it into a small package for a two count.

Lethal and Bandido then traded chops with Lethal having the advantage because he has “calloused hands from years of weightlifting” according to Ian Riccabonni. Lethal spun Bandido around with a bit lariat and tried for another figure four, which Bandido reversed into another small package, and got another two count.

Third time was the charm though as Lethal got a figure four on Bandido in the center of the ring. Bandido wormed his way to the ropes though and Lethal broke the hold, but continued working the knee of the Champion.

Lethal went for a Lethal Injection, but Bandido caught him midair and threw him to the ropes. The Champion then hit a 21 plex and picked up the win over Lethal. After the match, Lethal shook Bandido’s hand, showing respect to the new Champion.

Match Result: Bandido defeated Jay Lethal

And that does it for Episode 111. Next week: Taya Valkyrie vs La Catalina.

Okada vs. Ishii title match added to AEW Collision Maximum Carnage

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Former NJPW stablemates will square off on AEW Collision Maximum Carnage for the Continental Championship.

As announced during Wednesday’s Dynamite, Kazuchika Okada will defend the AEW Continental Championship against Tomohiro Ishii on Saturday’s Collision.

The Maximum Carnage special episode of Collision airing Saturday will be taped Thursday night.

Both Okada and Ishii were part of the CHAOS stable in NJPW. Ishii still wrestles for NJPW, while Okada departed the company for AEW last year. Ishii is also part of The Conglomeration stable in AEW.

The Continental title bout is one of three matches official for the Saturday, January 18 Collision. The card will also feature Hangman Page vs. Christopher Daniels in a Texas Death match, plus a 12-man tag.

The updated card for Collision Maximum Carnage:

  • Texas Death match: Hangman Page vs. Christopher Daniels
  • 12-man tag: Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith vs. Cope, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Powerhouse Hobbs, Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum
  • AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Tomohiro Ishii

AEW International title defenses official for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, Wrestle Dynasty

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Following his victory at Worlds End, Konosuke Takeshita is officially set to defend the AEW International Championship at the Tokyo Dome.

Takeshita is challenging Shingo Takagi for the NEVER Openweight Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4. When the bout was announced, it was noted that it would become a double title match if Takeshita was still AEW International Champion. That is now official with Takeshita having no more title defenses remaining before Wrestle Kingdom. He successfully defended the belt by defeating Powerhouse Hobbs at Worlds End this past weekend.

The winner of Takeshita vs. Takagi will defend both the NEVER Openweight Championship and AEW International Championship against Tomohiro Ishii in another double title match at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Both shows are being held at the Tokyo Dome and will air live on NJPW World.

NJPW wrote:

  • After a successful defense Saturday at the Worlds End event against Powerhouse Will Hobbs, Konosuke Takeshita will defend the AEW International Championship against Shingo Takagi’s NEVER title in a title for title match at Wrestle Kingdom.
  • Not only that, but the next night at Wrestle Dynasty, Tomohiro Ishii will challenge for both championships. Who will emerge with all the gold?

Takeshita became AEW International Champion by defeating Will Ospreay and Ricochet in a three-way match at AEW’s WrestleDream pay-per-view this October.

Gabe Kidd issues challenge for NJPW Battle in the Valley, Sumie Sakai retirement match set

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The card for Battle in the Valley started to shape up on Sunday.

After retaining the NJPW Strong Championship against Ryohei Oiwa at NJPW Strong Style Evolved, he cut a promo running down Kenny Omega before focusing on NJPW Battle in the Valley, which takes place on January 11. He singled out Tomohiro Ishii, calling him out for the San Jose event.

Kidd is set for a busy 2025, already taking on Kenny Omega at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Ishii meanwhile is scheduled to face the winner between Shingo Takagi and Konosuke Takeshita the previous night at Wrestle Kingdom 19. If Takeshita remains champion up to January 4, the match would be for both the NEVER and AEW international titles.

Following the show, Sumie Sakai asked Hiromu Takahashi to be in her retirement match that will take place at Battle in the Valley. Takahashi agreed, but suggested a mixed tag match, with himself teaming with two women and Sakai teaming with one man and one woman.

Another title match was seemingly agreed to for Battle in the Valley earlier on Sunday. After Royce Issacs and Jorel Nelson captured the NJPW Strong Tag Team titles, they were met by Rocky Romero. He issued the challenge for next month, saying his former Roppongi 3K partner YOH would be teaming with him. The new champions responded by taking out Romero.