WWE Main Event 4/24/2024

WWE Main Event 4/24/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/wwe-main-event-4172024.html

Apollo Crews vs Ivar

Crews dropkicks him. He leapfrogs him and Ivar goes out. Crews then plancha's him. Ivar misses a spin kick then Crews falls over on the slam attempt. Ivar corner lariats him then bronco busters him in the corner. Ivar hits a shot to the gut.

Crews hits shots then takes a knee to the gut. Crews dropkicks him then Ivar butt drops him in the corner. Ivar misses a top rope moonsault then Crews germans him. Crews hits a standing moonsault for 2. Crews corner splashes him then top rope crossbodies him for 2. Ivar spinning high kicks him then tiger drivers him for 2.

Ivar gets up top and is kicked. Ivar 2nd rope world's strongest slams him and gets the win.

It was a short but fun match here. Both guys were inspired and matched up well. 

The Creed Brothers vs Gallus (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang)

JC takes Wolf down from the waistlock. Wolf euros him then JC wiastlock takedowns Mark. JC and Brutus hit knees to the gut then double gutbuster Mark. Brutus shoulders over Mark then clubs on him. Mark takes fireman's carry from both Creed's.

The Creed's do stereo fallway slams then stereo kip-ups  and stereo moonsaults. Brutus does a random flip trying to land on his feet but doesn't. JC lands on his feet off a monkey flip and fireman's carry takeovers Mark. Brutus does an inverted attitude adjustment on Mark. Mark hits a knee to the gut and Wolf sentons Brutus.

Brutus is thrown backwards by the hair then Wolf does a cobra clutch on him. Mark 2nd rope shoulders Brutus then cobra clutches him. Brutus hits forearms on Mark then back body drops him. JC belly to belly suplexes Wolf and Mark and does kip-ups inbetween. JC then does a double northern lights suplex.

JC standing SSP's Wolf for 2. Wolf lariats and slams JC. JC takes a double uranage. All 4 trade shots Wolf is lariated over the top and takes a sledgehammer shot from Mark. JC nails Joe Coffey on the apron and skins the cat. Mark takes an electric chair brutus ball and is pinned.

It was a decent little match here with The Creed's impressing as usual. Gallus didn't get much in here at all.

Overall thoughts: Only two new matches here as usual but both were fun and I enjoyed it. It 's not must see but it was a fun 20 minutes of wrestling.

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/23/2024 Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2024 Day 4

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/23/2024 Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2024 Day 4

They had a Douki vs Sho contract signing. The heels flipped the table and the announcer's said Sho had more under the contract than what Douki could see. It turns out that the contract was for a "Not IWGP" Title Match.

Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Shoma Kato vs. BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens, KENTA & Taiji Ishimori)

Everyone fights to start and 4 of them go out as Yoshi and Kenta trade. Goto beats up Chase in the ring then Kenta and Chase are knocked into each other. Yoshi neckbreakers Kenta then Taiji takes double clubs from Goto and Yoshi. Kato hits a dropkick on Kenta and they trade forearms. Kato running forearms him then Kato got crabbed.

Taiji stomps on Kato and kneedrops his back. Chase backbreakers Kato. Kato dropkicks him then Goto spinning heel kicks and backdrops Chase. Goto and Chase trade forearms. Kenta trips Goto from the outside. Chase avoids a double team and sends Goto into Yoshi. Goto hits a ushigoroshi on him then Kato crabs Taiji. Taiji escapes it then takes a headhunter + russian legsweep combo from Bishamon. Kato slams Taiji and crabs him.

Kato hits forearms then is facekicked by Taiji. Taiji sends Kato's arm into the exposed buckle then codebreakers the arm. Taiji does a border city stretch and wins it. 

It was a basic tag match here and it wasn't anything of note. It didn't have enough time and the only person who maybe got something out of it was Kato who got more offense in than usual.

TMDK (Kosei Fujita, Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Zack Sabre Jr.) vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo), El Desperado & Katsuya Murashima

Kosei and Hiku start us off. Kosei hits forearms then is chopped. Kosei takes corner attcks and stops KM's corner attack twice. Hiku then runs Kosei over with a lariat. ELP walks up the ropes and does rope tricks then Kosei does it as well, hitting an enzugiri.

ELP flips over Shane's back and hurricanrana's him. Shane basement dropkicks him then ELP takes a double back elbow. ELP takes a fist drop + rolling senton. Zack cravate snapmares ELP then twists his neck with his feet. ELP is beat up on and TMDK blocks his tag. ELP pushes Shane and Mikey into each other and tags Hiku in.

Shane stops Hiku immediately then takes a face kick. Zack gets shouldered over then Kosei takes a big hiptoss. Hiku double clotheslines the heels. Hiku takes a lariat to the back of the neck then double suplexes Mikey and Shane.

Depsy and Zack get in. Despy backdrops him then Zack does an octopus on him. Despy stretch mufflers him and Zack tries a pin attempt. Despy spinebusters Zack then Zack pele kicks Despy's arm. Kosei armbreakers Despy then Despy back elbows Kosei. KM hits a nice dropkick on Kosei when he gets in.

KM forearms Kosei then Kosei hits a big chop knocking him down. Kosei dropkicks and hiptosses him. Kosei backslides KM into a crab in a nice move. Kosei then taps him out.

The finish was pretty cool here with the backslide into the crab. It was an okay multi-man tag but it only had around 10 minutes. KM got some shine spots here and Hiku did good in his section.

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Title Match - Hiroshi Tanahashi, Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano (c) vs. House Of Torture (EVIL, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi)

Oleg gets jumped as he goes to square up with Kanemaru. The heels take over and Kanemaru is sent int othe rails outside. Oleg hits a double shoulderblock then spinningslams Kanemaru. Tana hits a strike combo on Evil then throws Evil's shirt into the crowd. Tana 2nd rope twisting crossbodies Evil then Yano gets in. Ynao takes off a turnbuckle pad.

Yano gets sent into the exposed buckle then Evil hits him with the turnbuckle pad. Yano is thrown out then put back in. Kanemaru basement dropkicks him and chinlocks him. Yujiro chokes Yano then Yano is sent into the exposed buckle. Yujiro leg drops, elbow drops and headbutt drops Yano. Evil puts Yano in an abdominal stretch and his partners help him yank on Yano.

Evil fisherman suplexes Yano and HoT ring the bell even though the match isn't over. Yano is sent into the rail then ddt'd on the floor. Kanemaru eye rakes Yano then Yano pulls him down backwards by the hair. Oleg is hot tagged in and cleans house. Oleg bearhugs Kanemaru then suplexes him out of it. Oleg picks up Kanemaru then Togo gets on the apron. Togo is thrown in then Oleg does karelin's lift on him. Oleg then kips up.

Oleg karelin's lifts Kanemaru then hits a big splash on him for 2. Oleg takes corner attacks from the heels then is chopped in the nuts by Togo. Oleg hits a double suplex. Tana gets in and flying forearms Evil. Tana slams Evil then 2nd rope swantons him for 2. Evil misdirection lariats Tana.

Yujiro face kicks Tana. Tana slaps him. Tana is thrown over the top and is hit with a chair in the gut. Yujiro olympic slams Tana for 2. Togo chokes Tana with a weapon. Kanemaru spits whiskey at a partner and we get triple low blows. The middle rope is kicked in Togo's crotch. Oleg finlay rolls Yujiro then Tana top rope splashes Yujiro to win it.

It was more tolerable than other HoT matches as we didn't get the pre-match interference. They still ended up going too far with the shenanigans though when if they had done less, I might have actually put this over.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs vs. LIJ Best Of Five Series Match #1 - Gedo vs. Yota Tsuji

Gedo misses a brass knucks shot and is speared before the match begins. Yota then pins Gedo in 5 seconds.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs vs. LIJ Best Of Five Series Match #2 - BUSHI vs. Gabe Kidd

Bushi poses on the ropes, Gabe charges him then is dropkicked. Bushi flying hurricanrana's him then Gabe walks out of the way on a dive attempt. Gabe uppercuts Bushi and eye rakes him. Gabe misses a corner charge and goes into the rails. Bushi is sent into the rails.

They fight in the stands and Gabe's knee is dropkicked. Bushi bangs Gabe's head off the step area then jumps off of it onto Gabe. They fight at ringside then Bushi ddt's him for 2. Gabe hits shots and knocks him over with a lariat.

Gabe takes a rewind kick then Bushi canadian destroyers him for 2. Gabe headbutts Bushi. Bushi black mists Gabe over top the ref. Gabe kicks the ref and no one is there to count the pin for Bushi. Gabe piledrivers Bushi and wins it.

I was disappointed by this. This was a different pairing than usual and it ended up having all kinds of shenanigans with cheating and the ref. I thought they had a chance here to do a fun match and they blew it.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs vs. LIJ Best Of Five Series Match #3 - Shingo Takagi vs. Clark Connors

Clark immediately goes out to stall. Shingo chases him then they shoulder battle inside. Clark hits forearms then takes a bunch of shots back. Clark shoulders him over then orner lariats him. Shingo suplexes Clark. Clark is sent into the rails outside then Shingo is sent into them.

They go into the seats and Shingo's head is banged off the bleachers. Shingo is sent into the wall and the post. Clark suplexes him on the floor mats. Clark slams Kato on Shingo then spears Katsuya onto Shingo too. Shingo is buried under 2 young lions. Shingo gets on the apron and takes a hard spear.

Clark full nelsons Shingo. Shingo back elbows him and lariats him. Shingo chop and punch combos Clark in the corner. Shingo corner lariats Clark, short arm lariats him, slams him and top rope elbow drops him. Shingo the nbackdrops him for 2. They trade forearms and headbutts. Clark lariats him on the ropes then pounces him. Clark hits a powerslam for 2. Clark sliding lariats him then spears him.

Shinog headbutts and powerslams Clark. Shingo running lariats him then sliding lariats him for 2. Shingo hits a made in Japan for 2. Shingo running lariats him and wins it.

It was a decent match with Clark not being treated as the smaller wrestler he is and being believably able to go toe to toe with Shingo.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs vs. LIJ Best Of Five Series Match #4 - Tetsuya Naito vs. Drilla Moloney

Drilla runs at him and gets put on the apron. Naito legsweeps him and sends him to the floor. Naito pounds on him and cravates him outside. Drill baseball slides Naito then sends him into the rails. Drilla stomps him and they trade shots. Drilla back elbows him.

They trade shots. Naito back elbows him and hiptoss neckbreakers him on his knee. Naito armdrags him then baseball slides him in the back. Naito neckbreakers him then cravates him. Naito reverse ddt's him on his knee. Naito then puts his legs around Drilla's neck and pulls the arm.

They trade shots and Drilla dropkicks him. Drilla spits at him then double stomps him. Drilla step up enzugiri's him then is armdragged into the ref. Naito step up enzugiri's him, flatliners him and puts him into a headscissors with an armlock. David Finlay comes out and taunts Naito. Jake Lee of Noah then comes out and trades forearms with Naito. He knees Naito in the gut then running face kicks him. Drilla hits a nasty over the shoulder piledriver and wins it.

It was a decent match that was brought down by a ref bump and interference as commonplace in NJPW. Jake Lee coming in was a surprise. We'll have to see where that goes as Lee is with GLG in Noah.

Jake stomps Naito after. Hiromu comes to his save and double dropkicks the heels. Jake ends up hitting Naito with a face kick on the rails.

BULLET CLUB War Dogs vs. LIJ Best Of Five Series Match #5 - Hiromu Takahashi vs. David Finlay

This starts outside through the aftermath of the stuff last match. They fight, get in the ring then Finlay escapes a move and stalls. Hiromu is thrown into the post head first. DF throws him on a suplex then Hiromu is sent hard into the rails. DF chokes Hiromu on the ropes then throws him hard into the corner. DF backbreakers Hiromu.

Hiromu hits chops on DF then flying hurricanrana's him. Hiromu headscissors him over the top rope then drops him face first on the floor. Hiromu shotgun dropkicks him off the apron through the rail door. Hiromu corner lariats him then basement dropkicks him. DF uranage backbreakers him then does a spinning version of it.

DF goes for a spear then Hiromu triangles him. DF powerbombs him out of it. Hiromu hits a hurricanrana then flatliners him out of the casadora. DF grabs the shillelagh then is superkicked. Hiromu pretends he got hit with it. DF running lariats him then hits an attitude adjustment for 2. 

Hiromu superkicks and lariats DF. DF spinning forearms him then is superkicked. Hiromu running lariats him. Hiromu hits DF with his own oblivion for 2. DF lariats him then hits a dominator for 2. Hiromu triangles him. DF tries to powerbomb him out of it but can't. DF powerbombs him into the buckles and hits oblivion for 2. Hiromu rolls him up for 2.

DF hits euros. He lifts him for a suplex and knees him in the gut to win it.

It was an average match. Nothing too wrong with it just not great or anything.

Hiromu is beaten up after. Hiromu's LIJ buddies try to help out then War Dogs help put LIJ down. DF says he's ahead of everyone in the company and solved all problems that were put in his way. He said the only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when to hurt you. He says hate always finds a way.

During the post-show interivews, Jake Lee says hello and said he came to hurt everyone. We are then told Jake will take Gedo's place in the 5v5 elimination match this weekend.

Overall thoughts: Like yesterday, it felt like a long show that dragged. Yota got wasted in a quick match, Shota, Ren and Yuya weren't even on this one. We had interference and shenanigans in almost every match which brought things down as usual including ones that looked like they had potential. They had some different matches here that were interesting to see in Shingo vs Clark and Gabe vs Naito. I wouldn't recommend this one and I thought it highlighted a lot of NJPW's problems just like yesterday's show.

AEW Dynamite 4/24/2024

AEW Dynamite 4/24/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/aew-dynamite-4172024.html

We see The Elite arrive. There's audio issues and we can't really hear them. Jack Perry then arrives with them. The security guards say Jack can't be here and The Bucks say he's with them.

Orange Cassidy is supposed to come out but is thrown out onto the stage by Trent Beretta. Trent forearms him on the stage then beats him up in the ring. Trent tells Chuck Taylor to come out here. Trent says he's sorry he didn't do a long time ago. He said he's sorry they spent 5 years hugging this narcissistic prick. He said OC was suppose to be their mascot and they became his lackey's. Trent said OC gave them nothing and said he doesn't care about Chuck.

Trent tells Chuck he cares about him and loves him. He says to do the right thing and give the people what they want. Chuck says he always thought Trent was a piece of sh!t then pushes him. Chuck said he can't be cleared for a match in the ring. He said he wants to fight him in the parking lot though.

Jon Moxley does a promo that's hard to hear. He says Hobbs is a truck of a man and said it will only take one mistake for his world to come crashing down. He says tonight will suck and be a walk through hell. He said he will remind everyone who he is.

Prince Nana brings out Swerve Strickland and the audio is still messed up.

AEW Title Elimination - Swerve Strickland vs Kyle Fletcher

Kyle hasn't won an AEW match in months so it is unknown why he was chosen for this. Swerve hammerlocks him then Kyle snapmares him. Swerve hammerlocks him again and Kyle ropebreaks. They roll around and Swerve keylocks him. They catch each others boots when they try to kick each other at the same time.

Kyle forearms him. Swerve goes up and over then kicks him. Swerve 2nd rope euros the back of his neck. Kyle flying kicks him off the apron then Kyle takes a back body drop on the floor. Swerve boots him from the apron.

We go to PiP break and return. The audio is sounding better. Kyle is backbreakered. Swerve takes a superkick then a michinoku driver. We see The Elite go up to Tony Khan's office in an inset. Swerve neckbreakers him on the apron. Swerve top rope double stomps him on the apron and holds his ankle after.

Kyle ankle locks him and Swerve ropebreaks. Kyle hits kicks to the chest. Swerve rolls him into an upkick then rolls into a flatliner. Swerve then suplexes him and Kyle spinning tombstones him for 2. Kyle face kicks him in the corner then they fight on the buckles. Swerve top rope double foot stomps him as Kyle hangs from the ropes for 2. Swerve jumping kicks him in the side of the head and wins it.

It was just an average face. Nothing too special here but at least they didn't overdo it like Kyle tends to do. I don't like Swerve going so long and even with a guy like Kyle who doesn't win.

Thunder Rosa is interviewed. She's not happy about Deonna Purrazzo getting involved in her match. Deonna walks in and they argue. They then push each other and it's broken up.

Mina Shirakawa vs Anna Jay

They both pose. Anna kicks her and hits forearms. Mina dropkicks her in the knee and back. Mina works the knees and drops Anna on them. Mina kicks her from the ropes then russian legsweeps her. Mina works the leg more and figure fours her. Mariah May comes out. Anna eye rakes Mina then neckbreakers her over the middle rope. Anna tells May to kiss her butt then we go to PiP break.

We return and they trade forearms. Mina spinning forearms her and spinning back elbows her. Mina kneepresses Anna's arm from the top then Anna gori special drops her for 2. Mina figure fours her then top rope dropkicks her. Mina running step up enzugiri's her for 2. Anna puts her in a choke then Mina does a pin combination and pins her.

It wasn't that great. Mina worked the knee some here as she always does before getting the pin on this one. I didn't like the finish that much.

May comes in with champagne after. Anna drops both of them with shots to the back then she puts May in a choke. Toni Storm then comes out. Serena Deeb then comes out. She grabs the women's title and talks but we can't hear anything she says due to the audio issues.

I lost my original review of this but they had a celebration for Willow Nightingale winning the title. Mercedes Mone interrupted and said she would take the title at Double or Nothing. She asked if she was the one who attacked her. Kris  asks how do we know it wasn't Mone. Stokely Hathaway says it was Julia Hart.

Willo asks Mone if she thinks she intentionally injured her at NJPW. She said she feels awful she got injured. Willow said she had questions and doubts after it happened and wondered if she could beat her at 100%. She said everyone else wondered the same thing. Willow sait that title reign has an asterisk to it. Willow said her title reign now has no asterisk to it. She said she wants to beat her and show her why she is the TBS champ. Mone says Willow knows in her heart she can't beat her. Mone gets in Willow's face and walks away. Kris grabs Mone then Money slaps Willow thinking it was her who grabbed her.

It was an okay segment here.

Jack Perry is asked if he is reinstated in AEW. The Elite have no answer. A Buck says Tony will meet with Jack live in the ring.

Casino Gauntlet Match for an International Title Match

Jay side headlocks him  hen wristlocks him. Dante does a standing flip to get out of it then is chopped. Dante headsicssors and dropkicks him. Dante cartwheels over the top then jumping knees Jay out there. Dante is suplexed over the top then bangs his head off the floor.

Penta El Zero Miedo is next in. Penta slingblades him and Dante. Penta hits a spinning death valley driver as we go to break. We return and Kyle O'Reilly is the next guy. Kyle facekicks Jay, hits chest kicks then armbreakers Jay. Dante lariats Penta then Penta gets dragon screwed while holding Dante's leg, causing Dante to get dragon screwed.

Kyle slaps Jay and legsweeps him. Kyle leglocks Jay then Will Ospreay comes out. He trades forearms with Kyle. Will springboard forearms him then Penta leg kicks Will. Will handspring double pele kicks Dante and Penta. Will armdrags Jay and they stand off.

Jay eye rakes him then Will standing ssp's Dante. Lance Archer then comes out. Will hits forearms on Lance then is dropped with one. Lance chokeslams Dante onto Jay. Lance shoulders Penta over. Lance is holding up Kyle then overhead suplexes him. Lance step up knees Will in the corner then throws him outside with a blackout onto everyone. 

We go to PiP break and return. Komander comes out, walks the top rope and hurricanrana's Lance off the apron through tables. Will flips off of Kom then Kom does it to him. Kom satelitte ddt's Will. Jay uranage's Kom for 2. Will sitout powerbombs Jay for 2. Jay Lethal then comes out.

Jay and Will trade then Jay hiptosses him and cartwheels into a basement dropkick. Jay lethal combinations Dante. Jay hits a lethal injection on Penta. Jay cobra clutch suplexes Jay then Dante top rope dropkicks Jay. Kyle drops Dante with shots then hits shots on Will. Will spin kicks him then Kyle spinning forearms Will. Will hidden blades Kyle.

Kyle armbars Will then Kom rope walk SSP's Kyle to break the hold. Will hidden blade's Kom and gets the win.

It was fast paced chaos here. Only 2 people were in for most of this with everyone else just missing outside. It was fine for what it was.

The Undisputed Kingdom comes out. Strong goes face to face with Will.

Chris Jericho comes out and his theme now says "I am The Learning Tree". He says he's the new FTW champ. He says FTW now means For The World Championship because it's for all the fans. He said Terry Funk told him to teach the next generation and now he's doing that.

He puts over Hook and said there's some things hook needs to take from The Learning Tree. He said he needs to get rid of the dead weight like Taz and Shibata. He said he needs to listen when he tells him to stay down. He said Hook forced him to hit him with a baseball bat.

Big Bill comes out. He says he has been listening to him and says he needs the guidance of The Learning Tree. Bill says Jericho is the Socrates of wrestling. He said he's always willing to give advice, lend a hand and take a less established guy to the top with him. He says there is no one bigger than him or better fit for The Learning Tree. He says Jericho knows this.

Jericho said he's one of the reasons Bill is here. He said he will think about what he said and will keep his eye on him. Bill says to keep his eye on him and watch him.  

Well, Bill hasn't really done much lately. I don't know if it will help him but it will get him on TV, which is good.

Renee interviews Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis.  Don interrupts and asks why he didn't use the tiger driver '91 on Kyle. Will says it has to go and has caused too many injuries. Kyle Fletcher said he won the match and Don tells Fletcher that this is not the night to talk about winning matches. Don says Hobbs will win a title tonight and Will shall win one at the PPV.

IWGP Title - Jon Moxley (c) vs Powerhouse Hobbs

Mox leg kicks Hobbs then Hobbs boots Mox. Mox hits forearms then backdrops him. Hobbs no sells it and suplexes Mox back.  They fight outside and Hobbs' head is banged off a table. Hobbs misses a kick on the rails then Mox running facekicks him.

They trade forearms outside and they go into the seats. Mox hits punches and is thrown back over the rail. We go to PiP break then full break with the announcers not warning us about it. Hobbs bearhugs him then Mox boots him out of the corner. Hobbs misses a corner splash then Mox topes him outside.

Hobbs is hobbling around and Mox hits corner punches. Mox ddt's him for 2. Mox then wins with a grounded choke.

It wasn't any good. Hobbs seemed to have hurt his knee here and they just had a slower and very unexciting match.

Konosuke Takeshita comes out after and stares him down.

Katsuyori Shibata is interviewed by Renee. He said Jericho called him collateral damage. He says he will damage him at home next week and will challenge him to an FTW Title match under FTW Rules. Shibata did this through a translator as usual.

Tony Schiavone is in the ring then Jack Perry comes out. Jack said he had some of his best nights here but he has business to handle. He said he wants to handle it face to face with Tony Khan. Tony Khan comes out.

Jack says it's been a long road and said AEW has changed the world in 5 years. Jack said he only ever wanted what was best for AEW. He asks Tony to shake his hand and reinstate him. They shake hands and hug. Jack then punches Tony in the gut. The Young Bucks and Okada come out. They ask him what he is doing. Tony then takes a meltzer driver.

Bryce the ref comes down with other refs and asks what is wrong with them. One of The Young Bucks' pants rips. Some of the wrestlers then come out and check on Tony. Tony's dad comes out and then checks on him too in his first TV appearance.

It was a segment designed to The Bucks, Perry and Okada over more as heels. The problem is where does it lead to? It's not clear at this point. Like CM Punk, Tony won't be wrestling (hopefully) and FTR didn't even come out. In theory, Tony could just fire the heels for this though that won't happen and they will have to come up with a good explanation as to why. So, we will have to see where things go. I do remember how Tony said he would never become an on-screen character though and now not only has he become one, but even his dad now is thanks to his appearance here. It felt like a desperate attempt to save a fledgling company that is near its end and is just totally out of line with what AEW usually does.

Overall thoughts: The only thing I liked here was the gauntlet match. I don't know what the Tony Khan angle leads to. Mox/Hobbs was not good with Hobbs getting injured. Swerve/Fletcher wasn't anything special and Mina/Anna was not going to be great. The audio was awful for the first half of this show which made it impossible to hear anything clearly. I don't recommend this one.

WWE Speed 4/24/2024

WWE Speed 4/24/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/wwe-speed-4172024.html

WWE Speed Tournament Semi-Finals - Ricochet vs JD McDonaugh

They trade shots and Ric chops him. JD running forearms him on the ropes then is monkey flipped into the ropes. Ric is uranage'd then JD arabian moonsaults him. Ric rolls and back handsprings into a headscissors. Ric then dropkicks him. Ric superkicks him while he's seated on the apron then Ric fosbury flops him.

Ric top rope ssp's him but JD gets his knees up. JD gets a 2 count then Ric 2nd rope canadian destroyers him to win it.

It was a quick 1:57 minute match. They threw as much action in there as they could but what else can you say? I'm not surprised they had JD lose, but I do feel bad for the guy as he always loses.

Overall thoughts: Only one match as usual here. It was only 1:57 long and you could see it or not see it and I don't think it would do much for you either way.

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/22/2024 Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2024 Day 3

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/22/2024 Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2024 Day 3

Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Katsuya Murashima vs. BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens, KENTA & Taiji Ishimori)

The faces get jumped before intros are over as usual. Chase bangs Goto's head off the buckles and works him in the corner. Chase takes a double shoulder then has Yoshi hiptossed on him and Kenta suplexed on him. Taiji then takes the double back clubs from Bishamon. KM hits forearms on Chase then slams him.

KM misses a dropkick and takes a running knee. KM's legs are split then Taiji chokes him with a shirt. Kenta chest kicks KM then Kenta back elbows him. KM takes foot slaps then dropkicks Kenta. Yoshi gts in and gets offense in on the heels. Yoshi shoulders Kenta over then corner lariats him. Yoshi neckbreakers Kenta.

Yoshi is tripped by Chase outside. He avoids a double team  then Kenta avoids a double team and suplexes Goto. Yoshi lariats Kenta. KM and Taiji get in. KM hits forearms then shoulders him over. KM slams Taiji then dropkicks him. KM crabs Taiji then Taiji is basement dropkicked while in it.

Taiji handspring back corkscrew kicks KM then sends KM's arm into the exposed buckle. KM is shoulderbreakered then Taiji submits him with a border city stretch.

It was an okay opener, especially by Bullet Club standards. Nothing great here but it was tolerable and there wasn't too much BS.

TMDK (Kosei Fujita, Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Zack Sabre Jr.) vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny (El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado) & Shoma Kato

ELP = El Phantasmo

Kato gets in Kosei's face during intros. Shane and ELP start us off. ELP dances and poses. Shane wristlocks him, ELP headflips out then Shane kips out out. He then kicks ELP in the back. ELP dropkicks Shane and headflips up. Shane hits a nice dropkick on ELP. ELP takes a double back elbow then rolling senton + fist drop combo.

Mikey is sent int oa Hiku forearm then takes corner attacks. Hiku spinning side slams him and ELP elbow drops him off the ropes. Mikey fights out of a 4v1 then runs into a ddt from Hiku. Mikey is pulled over the top. Kosei hits euros on Jado then Zack head twists Jado with his feet. Zack headscissors Jado. Kato tries to break it up but Zack just ankle locks him as well.

Zack boots on Jado and Jado hulks up. Jado shoulders him over. Hiku comes in and cleans house. He hits snake eyes and big boot on Kosei. Hiku runs through a double clothesline and hits his own. Hiku elbow drops Shane for 2. ELP avoids a double team  then Zack puts an abdominal stretch on him. Hiku breaks it up.

Hiku takes a double boot and double strikes. Hiku takes a reverse 3D then ELP is double lifted and hits a double ddt out of it. Kato and Kosei go at it. Kosei chops him then avoids a lariat. Kato flying dropkicks him then hits forearms. Kato hiptosses Kosei. Kosei backslides him into a crab and taps him out.

It was around 10 minutes. There wasn't a ton of time here for everyone. It was average for the most part and was far from anyone's best.

TMDK puts all the titles they have on Kosei after. Shane and ELP have words after.

CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano), Hiroshi Tanahashi, Oleg Boltin & Shota Umino vs. House Of Torture (Dick Togo, EVIL, Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi)

The faces get jumped before intros as usual and most of them go out to fight. Shota is sent into the rails. Yano pulls the heels down by their hair then takes a turnbuckle pad off. Yano is sent into the exposed buckle. Yujiro chokes Yano with a cane outside then bangs his head off the exposed buckle.

Ren stomps on Yano then rubs his eyes on the ropes. Togo foot chokes Yano and fist drops him. Yano sends Togo into the exposed buckle. Ishii avoids several double teams and sends Togo into Evil. Ishii then shoulders Togo over. Togo eye pokes him then Ishii suplexes Togo. Shota takes a weird double overhead suplex.

Ren is slammed on his chest then Shota basement dropkicks him. Ren chokes him. Shota euros him then Ren chokes him. Shota throws him over then Ren germans him. Shota exploders him. Tana and Evil go at it. Evil eye rakes him then Tana does it back. Evil low blows him.

Tana pushes the ref over and low blows Evil back. Evil eye rakes Oleg then amkes him charge into the exposed buckle. Oleg takes corner attacks then is punched in the crotch off the 2nd rope. YK comes off the 2nd rope and is caught with a bearhug. He eye rakes and ear claps out. Tana sling blades YK then Oleg splashes YK for 2. The faces clear the heels and Oleg karelin's lifts YK and throws him.

Yujiro hits Oleg with a cane, Oleg goes into the exposed buckle and Oleg is pinned.

It wasn't anything special and there wasn't enough time for everyone here. At least the shenanigans wasn't egregious and over the top here. 

The faces are beaten up after and HoT poses on them. 

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, David Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)

Yota comes out in a football helmet, jersey and shoulder pads. The two teams bark at each other before the match. The heels jump the faces before it starts and most of them fight outside. Yota's eyes are raked by DF outside then Gabe and Shingo trade forearms and chokes outside. Shingo is sent into the post and Gedo eye rakes Naito on the rails.

DF backbreakers Yota for 2. Yota rolls up DF then Yota headscissors DF. Yota shoulders DF over then splashes him. DF fights out of a double team in the corner and 8 of the 10 fight outside again. Shingo and Gabe headbutt each other and Bushi is sent into the post. Drilla works over Bushi and tries to take his mask off.

Clark back elbows and elbow drops Bushi. Bushi hits a double hurricanrana on Drilla and Clark. Drilla knocks Gabe off the apron by accident. Naito armdrags, back elbows and basement dropkicks Drilla. Naito grabs Gedo by the beard and slaps his face.

Naito neckbreakers Drilla then does a cravate on him. Drilla and Naito trade forearms. Naito spins on him then takes a spinebuster. Drilla double stomps him. Gabe and Shingo get in and trade forearms. Gabe slaps him then corner lariats him. Gabe hits a headbutt then Shingo corner lariats him. Gabe backdrops him. Shingo backdrops him.

Shingo and Gabe lariat, headbutt then chop battle. Gabe lariats Shingo down, hitting his own combo on him then Shingo lariats him down. Gedo and Hiromu fight. Hiromu dropkicks him then falcon arrows him for 2. The War Dogs bark at Hiromu then Hiromu takes corner attacks. Hiromu takes a stiff dominator then the heels try to give Gedo the pin. Hiromu triangles Gedo then taps him out.

The finish was really lame here and didn't fit this one at all. We barely saw Yota at all here. They kept it moving and it was okay mostly for Gabe Kidd and Shingo going at it. I like the War Dogs doing group barks at people now.

The fight continues after. Shingo and Gabe trade on the floor. DF and Yota have words. DF spits at fans then Clark takes a fan's beer and spits it at him.

Faction Warfare Gauntlet Match - United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & TJP) vs Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, SANADA, Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura)

Leg 1 - Yuya Uemura vs Great O'Khan

They do some mat wrestling to start and grapple. Khan hooks his leg and hammerlocks him but Yuya ropebreaks. Khan wristlocks Yuya. Yuya uses the ropes and wraps Khan's arm around it. Yuya armdrags and armlocks Khan. Yuya kimura takeovers Khan then Khan dumps him over the top to the floor. Yuya is sent into and over the rails. Khan sits on a chair on Yuya. Yuya is whipped into the stage but jumps onto it then off it onto Khan.

Yuya punches Khan in the ring and is knocked down with a forearm. Yuya flying forearms him. Yuya backdrops Khan for 2 and they grapple. Khan shoulder throws him then Yuya cradles him. Khan does a sheep killer suplex and grabs a table. Yuya uranage's Khan in the ring then top rope crossbodies him for 2. Yuya goes for his front suplex but is belly to belly suplexed instead. Yuya belly to belly suplexes him and the time runs out.

This was dumb as they were doing basic grappling when they had a short 10 minute time limit.

Leg 2 - SANADA vs Jeff Cobb

Cobb clean breaks him. Sanada grabs the leg then Jeff just sits on him. Sanada wristlocks him then Cobb reverses it. Sanada hammerlocks him then they shoulder battle. Cobb isn't moved at all. Sanada lets Cobb do it then dropkicks him in the knee and head.

Sanada backrolls him and is rolled up. Sanada hits boots and he knee dropkicks Cobb off the apron. Cobb stops a plancha and they go outside. Sanada walks into the stands and tries to paraidse lock him up there. They both realize they are close to getting counted out and run back in.

Cobb lifts him and slams him then hits a standing moonsault.  Sanada slams him then Cobb uranage's him. Cobb hits a doward lariat then superkicks him. Sanada moonsaults into skull end. Cobb rolls backwards then Sanada dropkicks him in the back. Sanada back rolls him into a bridge. Sanada shining wizards him. Cobb back rolls Sanada and bridges him for 2. Cobb forearms Sanada and the 10 minute time limit ends.

Like the last match, they spent more than half of it doing basic stuff that could't possibly lead to a pin. It makes no sense in a match with a 10 minute time limit where you need to win to eliminate people and not eliminate yourself.

Leg 3 - Callum Newman vs TAKA Michinoku

Taka side headlocks him and eye pokes him. Taka trips him and goes for just facelock but Newman ropebreaks. Taka side headlocks him then headscissors him while splitting the fingers. Taka goes for another facelock and Newman ropebreaks again.

Taka stomps on him and is chopped down. Newman trips him and double stomps his back. Newman dropkicks him in the corner then hits a kick combo into a lariat. Taka step up knees im then running knees him. Taka bulldog headlocks him.

Newman running face kicks him. Taka pump kicks him, takes a spin kick then jumping kicks him. Newman PK's him for 2. Newman misses a top rope SSP, Taka shin kicks him then hits a knee to the face. Taka rolls him up for 2 then superkicks him. Newman high kicks him then does an os cutter. Newman then pins him.

Well, at least we finally got an elimination here.

Leg 4 - Callum Newman vs DOUKI

Douki single leg dropkicks him then topes him outside. Newman is sent into the rails. Douki double stomps Newman then douki chokey's him. Newman hits forearms but is fatigued. Douki euros him. Newman runs the ropes fast and single leg dropkicks him. Newman plancha's him outside.

Newman hits a weird flatliner from the bearhug position. Douki then hits a code red out of the deadlift powerbomb. Douki puts the douki chokey back on and submits Newman.

It was quick but easily was the most entertaining leg so far. The move Newman did was something unique.

Leg 5 - Akira Francisco vs DOUKI

Akira flying headscissors him then hits a stiff baseball slide. Akira sends him into the rails and chokes him on them. Akira straightjacket neckbreakers him on the knee then basement dropkicks him in the back. Akira chinlocks him. Douki fhgts out then takes a running back elbow.

Akira hits forearms and knees. Douki step up enzugiri's him. Douki forearms him then armdrags him. Douki springboard back elbows him. Akira superkicks Douki then corner lariats him. Douki flips him with a lariat then armdrags him. Douki gori special drops him on the knees.

Douki slingshot ddt's him for 2. Akira rolls him out of the casadora into a double stomp. They trde shots. Douki step up enzugiri's him then takes an STO variation. Akira hits a neat twisting neckbreaker and Douki ends up pinning him.

It was a decent leg here with Akira having a good showing. Akira busted out some interesting offense here.

Leg 6 - TJP vs DOUKI

TJP jumps off the top and forearms him before it starts. Douki puts him in the douki chokey then TJP regal stretches him. TJP flying knees him in the corner then does facewash kicks. Douki dropkicks him out then asai moonsaults him outside. Douki slingshots in and is caught with a cutter. TJP frogsplashes him off the top. TJP kind of pulls off before he gets the pin but they count it anyway.

This was only a few minutes long. 

Leg 7 - TJP vs Taichi

Taichi rolls Douki out and TJP dropkicks him through the ropes. TJP top rope splashes him for 2. TJP triangle dropkicks him from inside to outside. TJP knee drops him and hits a euro. Taichi step up enzugiri's TJP in the corner. Taichi kicks him in the back then running knees him.

Taichi abdominal stretches him. They trade forearms then Great O Khan and United Empire come down. TJP cranks Taichi's arm back then springbord twisting forearms him. TJP corner face kicks him then facewash kicks him.

Taichi hits Kawada kicks then TJP rakes him with the boot. TJP backdrops him then Taichi no sells it and running lariats him. TJP springboard ddt's Taichi. They fight up top and Taichi gets his knees up on TJP's frogsplash. Tacihi cradles him then backdrops him. Taichi buzzsaw kicks TJP then is rolled into a pinoy stretch.

TJP backslides him and they trade forearms. Taichi enzugiri's him then backdrops him. TJP spin kicks him then Taichi spinning back elbows him. TJP lariats him then Taichi axe bombers him. TJP cradles him and gets the win.

TJP gets on the mic after. He says his partners should all win various titles and tournaments then says divide and conquer, United Empire, crowns up.

It wasn't that good of a gauntlet. The first two matches had the bigger stars in it and both were draws where they misused the time. We then ended up getting a bunch of TJP and DOUKI, which wasn't the worst thing ever but it wasn't as interesting as seeing the bigger names go at it. Only two of the gauntlet matches really got enough time and it was disappointing overall. I wish they would have just scrapped one of the undercard matches and extended this thing.

Overall thoughts: It was a one match show and the one match wasn't that great. I wouldn't recommend this.

WWE NXT 4/23/2024

WWE NXT 4/23/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/wwe-nxt-4162024.html

Adam Pearce and Ava Raine talk in the back about the WWF Draft with Nick Aldis webcamming in. Nick says he has eyes on some of the NXT roster for the draft. He says he will watch the Trick/Ilja title match closely. Ava says every match matters tonight. She says it's not about who goes to Raw or SD, it's about who goes up to take their place. She says NXT will never be the same.

We see clips of the wrestlers arriving earlier.

NXT Women's Title - Roxanne Perez (c) vs Lyra Valkyria vs Tatum Paxley

LYra goes after TP and pounds on her. She boots her in the corner as Perez watches. Perez throws Lyra out then TP stares down Perez. Lyra pulls Perez out then Lyra sweeps TP on the apron. Lyra bangs both opponents heads together then does a double dropkick through the ropes.

Lyra pushes Perez down on the apron then springboard twisting crossbodies TP. Lyra slaps TP and shotgun dropkicks her. Lyra northern lights suplexes TP and Perez for 2. Lyra and Perez trade pin attempts. Perez back rolls her then is pushed out of the ring. Lyra back rolls TP then is pushed off the top down to the floor.

Perez top rope crossbodies TP then TP throws Perez out into a tope on Lyra. Perez and TP are on the 2nd rope and Lyra powerbombs both down. They all fight on their knees then get up and fight. Lyra step up enzugiri's Perez. Lyra fisherman busters TP for 2. Perez throws Lyra into the buckles then running euros her. Perez crossfaces Lyra then TP crossfaces Perez.

Lyra hits a combo ddt + russian legsweep. Perez hits soul foot on Lyra. Lyra and Perez trade on their knees then Lyra germans her. Lyra spinning high kicks Perez then TP sunset flips Lyra for 2. TP hits a made in Japan variation on Lyra then 450's her off the top. TP goes for the pin then Perez rolls up TP off of it and wins it.

It was a good three way here. They didn't slow down at all, we had some creative spots and it felt like everyone was trying to win. The crowd was really into it as well. They didn't have any embarrassing moments here and it was probably the best women's three-way WWE has done in a long time.

Various wrestlers and fans pick the winner of Ilja/Trick.

Fallon Henley, Thea Hail and Kelani Jordan talk in the back. Thea said everything is sorted with Chase but she's not happy Jacy put him on the spot. She said they are all on the same page and she's happy she has all these people making her better. Jaida Parker then interrupts. Jaida says Fallon's the most popular loner she knows. Fallon asks if they have a problem. Jaida says we can. They push each other and the girls break the fight up. 

 Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont do a promo. They've been on NXT Level Up for a bit. They said they will debut next week. They said they aren't afraid to go pound for pound with anyone. They said any team who goes against them will get their butters (boots).

The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile are here and interviewed. Ivy said she remembered when they were chasing the tag titles. They put over Trick for improving and Julius says he can slay the dragon. Brutus says if anyone can do it it's him. They then chant "Whoop that Trick" and seemingly mimic Booker T.

No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp and Myles Borne) vs The D'Angelo Family (Tony D'Angelo, Luca Crusifino and Stacks)

All 6 stare down then pair off and fight. Four of them go outside and fight then Dempsey and Tony go at it. Tony takes him down and hits shots then deadlift powerbombs him out of the triangle. Tony says that's what happens when you don't pay him his money.

Kemp trips Tony then holds his leg for a stomp from Dempsey. Kemp and Tony exchange punches. Stacks corner splashes Kemp then hits shots to the back of the head. Kemp is sent into Luca's boot then he slams him down. They trade mounted shots as they roll around.

Borne stomps on Luca then comes off the 2nd rope, catching an uppercut. Borne dropkicks Luca for 2. Luca is triple teamed and all 6 fight. Everyone fights outside and Kemp hits a cannonball off the apron.

We go to PiP break and return. Dempsey chinlocks Stacks then Stacks crossbodies him. Dempsey dragon screws Stacks. Stacks  takes a dropkick into a german. Dempsey perfectplexes Stacks then single leg crabs him. Tony gets tagged in and fights off his opponents 3v1. He hits belly to belly suplexes on 2 of them and hits a spinebuster on Dempsey. Kemp tries to stop it but double stomps Dempsey. Dempsey clips Tony then Kemp and Dempsey hit an olympic slam + neckbreaker combo on Tony.

Dempsey double underhook suplexes Tony. Borne takes a shatter machine then Tony spinebusters Dempsey for the win.

It was a good trios match here. Kemp did a rare cannonball off the apron and we saw some new double team moves here. Borne was the highlight of this one hitting some great dropkicks.

They tease after that Tony pinned Dempsey so he should maybe get a title shot. The two teams argue after and Tony says to pay them.

Baron Corbin is with a photographer in the back. 

Jaida Parker vs Fallon Henley

This starts during the PiP break. We return and Jaida is tripped. Fallon slides out and punches her, then she argues with the rest of OTM. Fallon leg takedowns Jaida and trips her. Fallon then hits a house call kick. Fallon goes for a headscissors in the corner but is dropped on the top rope and falls down. Jaida butt drops Fallon down from the 2nd rope then she hits shoulders.

Fallon sunset flips Jaida then Jaida throws her back by the hair. Jaida grounds her with a submission. Fallon headbutts her then forearms her down. Fallon swinging facebusters her for 2. Fallon is thrown throat first into the ropes then Jaida hits a nice running hip attack to win it. Jaida's wig then falls off in an embarrassing moment.

Fallon doesn't have the greatest offense or anything and neither does Jaida. It was passable but you can tell these girls aren't super athletic.

Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx say Thea Hail is ungrateful. Jacy said she stood behind her and gave her a one way ticket to the hottest attraction. She said Thea didn't thank her and said she made Jacy. She said Thea should be kissing the ground she walks on. Jacy said all she did was show that she's an ungrateful little girl. She said she will end her next week.

Lola Vice says Natalya's confidence will be her downfall. She  said if she's confident enough that she can be overseas and on a rigorous touring schedule and beat her, she better think again. Lola says she's entering her world. Nat says Lola can show her what she's made of. Lola says while Nat is being a legend, she's preparing to become one at her expense.

JD McDonaugh is interviewed. He said you have to hospitalized Ilja Dragunov to beat him and said Trick is not that guy. Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne walk in. Bate says they will smash the spuds out of each other. Dunne picks Ilja and Bate picks Trick.

Ava Raine is in the ring. She said she's hosting the contract signing for the first NXT Women's Underground Match. She brings out Lola, Natalya and Petrovic. Lola and Natalya sign the contracts. Nat asks who Lola is in her corner. Lola said she's more worried about that than what she will do in the match. Lola says just because she shakes her @ss doesn't mean she can't kick hers. She says she will break her next week.

Nat says she knew Lola had an ego since she first met her. She said she respects where she came from. She said Lola doesn't respect that she was made in The Dungeon. She said she will beat some respect into her if she's a star who will take us into the future. She says to bring everything she has as she will tap her out. Lola says she can try but her fate is in her hands, the fastest hands in the division. Lola said her training partner will make them faster. Shayna Baszler then comes out.

Shayna said Nat's chances have gone from slim to none. She says when it comes to fighting, the most dangerous woman in NXT is aligned with the baddest woman in WWE. She said there's still time for Nat to get out here. She says if she was her, she'd tear the contract up immediately, especially if Karmen is her training partner. She pushes Karmen and Karmen high kicks her. Lola and Nat fight and Lola is thrown off the ring with the no ropes.

Ridge Holland is interviewed earlier outside. He said it's been a rough few months and he wants to show people he can earn success the right way. Shawn Spears comes up to him. Ridge says to leave him alone. Shawn tells Ridge to give into his thoughts and let them out. Ridge says he knows what he's trying to do and says he can't rile him up.

The Final Testament do a video. Kross says they will take us back to the gold ol days when they left everyone beat and broken. Paul Ellering says The Final Testament is coming for all the titles and are bringing destruction back to NXT. AOP tell Axiom and Nathan Frazer to prepare.

Axiom and Nathan Frazer talk in the back with all the wrestlers around. NF says he could care less about AOP. Ax says they will beat them. Malik Blade said he loves the energy and said he can't catch a break. Gallows and Karl said they are tired of people coming down here to take the tag titles. Enofe knocks a mirror over and breaks it then Gallows asks if he was saying something. The announcers say Enofe doesn't need 7 more years of bad luck.

Beach Brawl Match - Blair Davenport vs Sol Ruca

Sol ducks a surfboard shot and hits her with one. Blair hits her with a boogie board. Sol hits her with it in the gut. Sol bats away a beach ball, hitting the ref with it. Sol puts an inner tube around Blair, trapping her arms. She then throws a football and kickball at Blair.

Blair tries to walk away and has her head banged off the apron. Sol is thrown into a bench. Blair bangs Sol's head off the post then throws a beach ball at her. Sol hits her with a boogie board. Sol  flips out of a hiptoss and facebusters Blair into a pool filled with balls. Sol then puts the surfboard on Sol and rides it and stomps it on her.

We go to PiP break and Sol throws more of the toy balls at her. Blair top rope double stomps Sol over the middle rope. Blair hits Sol with a bucket then a surfboard. Blair chairs Sol then puts her in a chair. Blair is tripped into the chair then Blair dropkicks the chair into Sol. Blair bridges a surfboard on two stands and slams Sol through it.

Sol's head is put through the chair and Blair pushes down on it. Sol hits Blair with a boogie board. Sol springboard twisting shoulderblocks her. Sol then superkicks her and standing moonsaults her. Blair superkicks Sol then is superkicked back. Sol hits a fireman's carry into a powerbomb. Sol climbs the buckles and is german suplexed off the 2nd rope.

Blair is sent into a surfboard. Sol walks the rail then Blair pushes her into another rail. Blair gets on the rail then Sol drops her backwards off the rail through a picnic table. Sol runs at the ropes and hits a sol snatcher then wins it.

It was a bit silly and over the top but it was entertaining and probably Sol's best full match so far. They got a lot of time for this which Sol usually doesn't get and they did well here. I thought the surfboard and picnic table spots were creative and something different. 

Trick Williams is in the locker room talking on the phone. He asks what the doctor said and his mom says she's okay and gonna get better. His mom tells him to whoop that trick tonight.

Johnny Gargano comes in. He asks how he's feeling. Trick says the pressure is on. Johnny says no pressure, no diamonds. He says to take the pain and betrayal and use it. He said it made Trick stronger and there's only one Trick Williams. He asks if Trick is willing to give it his all and win the title. Johnny says to whoop that trick.

We see Meta-Four have a car breakdown on their way to the show. They try to fix it and eventually make it.

Baron Corbin vs Lexis King

BC drops him with a shot and beale throws him. King is thrown into the rails and BC urnaage's him in the corner. BC shoulders King over and chokes him on the ropes. BC shoulders him over. King dropkicks him in the legs then pounds on him.

King snapmares him then hits downward elbows. King double footchokes him on the ropes then pounds on him. King running lariats him in the back of the head for 2. King hits a nice dropkick but BC rebounds off the ropes and lariats him. BC corner lariats him then back body drops him. BC lifts him and does a cutter for 2. 

King superkicks him in the ring then tries to pin him with his feet on the ropes but is caught. The ref stops it then BC death valley drivers him for 2. BC nearly gets pushed into the ref then King low blows him. King hits the coronation neckbreaker and wins it.

It wasn't that great as expected as King's a limited worker. Not like it was bad bust just not that strong of a match. I was surprised to see King win but that's surely not the end of this feud.

The wrestlers sit in the front row for the title match.

Ilja Dragunov is interviewed. He said Trick Williams gained his respect. He says something in Russian then Damian Priest walks up to him. He says good luck tonight.

Trick Williams is interviewed. He said he either wins tonight or leaves NXT. He said he's either the champ or a bust. He said he either way he will fight and said he fears no man. He said let's whoop that trick.

NXT Title - Ilja Dragunov (c) vs Trick Williams

Trick misses a pumping knee and is german suplexed. Ilja waistlocks him then hits an enzugiri. Trick side kicks him and takes a jumping front kick. Ilja slaps him then hits chops. Trick blocks a chop and hits headbutts and punches. Ilja jumping ddt's him then does a constantine special for 2.

Ilja powerbombs him. trick up kicks him. Ilja hugs him and they hockey fight. Ilja running knees him. We go to PiP break. Ilja hits chops and forearms ot the back of the neck.

Ilja stomps him then suplexes him. Ilja sentons him then germans him. They fight up top. Ilja tries a sunset bomb but they botch it and Ilja taks a nasty looking bump. Ilja powerbombs him then running face kicks him. Ilja coast to coast dropkicks him for 2. Ilja jumps off the top and either does a neckbreaker or is caught with one. Trick powerbombs him.

Trick hits an h-bomb for 2 then Trick hits a torpedo moscow for 2. Ilja jumping front kicks him and enzugiri's him. Ilja death valley drivers him in the corner. Trick back body drops him on the floor. They get on the rail and Trick rock bottoms him off the rail through a table.

Ilja flying knees him as he enters the ring then deadlift superplexes him. Ilja hits an h-bomb then a 2nd rope h-bomb for 2. Ilja does a top rope h-bomb for 2. Ilja germans him then Trick jumping knees him in the back of the neck for 2. Trick flying knees hi mand wins it.

It was a spring of a match with them going hard and at full speed the whole time. The crowd was wild all throughout and they really did everything they could to put this over as a big match. I liked the match and it was maybe Trick's best effort yet. They were real stiff with each other and real aggressive. I'm not really sure why they did this here and in the way they did it, but it really couldn't have gone much better.

Overall thoughts: It was a good show with 3 strong matches and one okay match. Sol and Trick both had the best nights of their career here and the main really couldn't have gone much better than it did. You pretty much have to see the main event here.

Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling 4/21/2024

Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling 4/21/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/southern-illinois-championship.html

Drew Ebenhouse and Mauler McDarby are on commentary. Mauler says it's Drew's pleasure that he is here. Bobby D and Gil Rogers vs Ayers and Uber Destroyer is the main event tonight. Billy McNeil fights Shawn Shantell. We will see Kenny Kingston and Glenn Williams as well.

The Top Guns (Brandon Baretta and Joe Vinetti) vs Shogun and Shawn Douglas

Andy Anderson is our ref here. Brandon side headlocks Shogun then shoulders him over. Shogun gets a guillotine choke on Brandon then Brandon fisherman suplexes him out of it. Shogun takes a corner lariat and a powerslam. Joe basement dropkicks Shogun then slams him. Brandon is lifted into a splash on Shogun.

Brandon drops down and Joe dropkicks Shogun. Shawn snapmares Joe when he gets in and PK's him. Joe slingshot rolls into a codebreaker on Shogun then Brandon spinebusters Shogun. Brandon picks up the win.

It was a quick one here with Shogun taking the loss as expected. I felt like we saw a new move or two out of the faces but I'm not sure.

Mauler McDarby has some words with The Top Guns after.

Glenn Williams and Sean Vincent are interviewed by Drew. Sean has a knee brace and cane due to his injury. Sean said Fanfest 2 and the raceway show are coming up and he's out. He said he's out because them Canadians take their health more seriously than Americans do. He said he got injured doing hardcore Canadian pilates. Drew asks if it's ECW pilates.

Sean said he can focus more on Glenn now. He said he's Glenn's Mr. Miyagi, Splinter or Chuck Norris. He said he will take him to the next level and said he will be the greatest champion ever. Drew asks Glenn what's next.

Glenn said they worked for almost a year as a team. He said he normally knows what he's gonna do. He said he doesn't know where he's gonna fit in and pretends to cry. He said Wildfire sheds some tears and everyone feels bad for her. He said he shows emotion and is made fun of. He said like his hero Lizzo, he has haters. He said he let himself feel the emotions.

He said he heard Bobby D has an open challenge contract. He said he wants gold and he wants to face him next week. He said he's going to make a moment.  He said he's the face of SICW, saying he's on the poster. He says he will see Bobby next week.

Shawn Santel vs Billy McNeil

Shawn waistlock takedowns him then armlocks him. Billy rolls and kips up out of a wristlock. He does an armbreaker on Shawn then armlocks him. Shawn grabs the hair and is side headlocked. Billy side headlock takeovers him. Billy crossbodies him for 2 then is deadlifted and slammed.

Billy hits forearms then Shawn back elbows him. Shawn wraps Billy's arm around the ropes and pulls. Shanw suplexes him then armlocks him. Billy get caught on a crossbody then Shawn fallaway slams him. Shawn hits forearms and Billy urakens him. Shawn calls for his partner Mauler McDarby. Mauler gets on the apron, Shawn is sent into him and Billy pins Shawn.

It was an okay match here with the heels trying to cheat and Billy outsmarting them. It was a pretty simple match.

Mauler complains about Billy attacking him. Mauler said he was on the apron to get an interview. Drew says you don't do it during the match. Mauler said it's his first time trying to do this. That was funny.

Glenn Williams vs CK Cosmic

They lock up and CK wristlocks him. CK side headlocks him then side headlock takeovers him. Glenn headscissors him and CK knees his way out. CK shoulders Glenn over. Glenn hits a knee to the gut then CK armdrags him.

CK suplexes Glenn then CK 2nd rope corkscrew legdrops him. Glenn eye rakes him and cobra clutch russian legsweeps him. Glenn then gets the pin.

It was a short one here. CK is very young and green, but he has Dusty Rhodes style energy that you just can't teach. There may be something there. Glenn's finisher looked good here and Glenn mouths off after.

Destiny Lynch interviews Stephen E., Peyton Ayers and The Uber Destroyer. E says there's an injustice here. He says they don't want to see him suceed. He said he's mad a woman is interviewing him. He said she needs to cover her face and says it's disrespectful. E says the injustice won't stop them from doing what they do.

E says he has the money and everything it takes to take it to the next level. He said there's a problem here in SICW. He said there's people in black and white ref stripes that should be wearing yellow. E says Danny Boy Hawkins has been sticking his nose in their business too much. E says he wants to buy SICW and he wants it now. He says he will bring the attorney general and justice system to make this happen.

E says they are the most devastating organization in wrestling. He said nobody will stop them when they purchase SICW.

E was real fired up here and cut a good promo.

Richard Shaw vs Kenny Kingston

I don't know if either one of these guys have gotten a win yet here. Somebodies 0 must go. Kenny gets jumped from behind during intros. Shaw clubs on him then chokes him in the corner. Shaw bites him then corner splashes him.

Shaw chokes him on the ropes then hiptosses him. Shaw hits a low diving clothesline for 2. Shaw misses a 2nd rope splash, just hitting the knee. Kenny hits a big uranage then a running senton. Kenny running back elbows him then hits a splash. Kenny slams him and get the win.

This was a fun heavyweight sprint. Not the cleanest match ever but I thought it helped sell how big these guys are. These two really hustled here and Kenny can move well for his size. 

Promoter's Corner

Herb Simmons interviews Tito Santana. They talk about Tito being at SICW Fanfest. Herb said Tito had a long line of fans the last time he came and said he treated the fans well. Tito says without the fans, none of them would be anybody.

They talk about Sgt. Slaughter. Tito says he's one of the nicest guys in the business. He said he was a world champ and he enjoys talking to him on the road. Tito said they tried to start their own league in the AWF. He said the sponsor lied about the money and closed shop. He was disappointed as he thought they had a good product.

He says Bob Orton comes from a big family of wrestlers. He said he got to wrestle Bob's father. He said he appreciated him helping him. He said Bob Orton Jr. and Bob Roop were over in 1977 and said his son Randy is as good as it gets. Herb says hopefully Randy can come and see his dad inducted in the SICW Hall of Fame.

Tito says Haku is one of the toughest but nicest guys in the business. He said he had a great career. Tito says Jimmy Hart is still setting up chairs and is a never ending battery that just keeps on going. Herb says he's a pinball. Tito said he never heard Jimmy say anything negative about anyone.

Tito talks about The Godfather. He said he wrestled him on a dark match at Wrestlemania IX. He said he's a good guy that has always been good to the fans.

Herb says Bruiser Brody's widow will be with them. He said he worked with him once in Chicago in the AWA. He said he saw a photo of him playing football at West Texas State University recently. He talks about how Brody was in Japan.

Herb brings up Greg Gagne. Tito says people knock Greg but he was a general in the ring and gave him a lot of advice.

Devastation Incorporated (Payton Ayers and The Uber Destroyer) vs Bobby D and Gil Rogers

Gil and Uber lock up. Gil escapes a shot in the corner. Uber takes a double shoulderblock then D armbreakers Uber. Uber takes a double armwringer and arm yank.

Uber knees Gil in the gut. Bobby armwringers Payton and bangs his arm off his shoulder. Bobby armlocks him then Gil 2nd rope elbows Payton in the arm. Payton clubs on Gil then chokes him on the ropes. Uver chokes Gil and holds him for a shot from Payton. 

Payton hits corner spears on Gil then corner spears him. Payton steps on Gil's back then bearhugs him. Payton shoulders Gil over. Uber elbows Gil in the corner then hits punches. They trade shots and Uber chokes him. Gil is sent hard into the buckles.

Payton chokes Gil over the middle rope. Uber punches and elbows Gil then Gil crossbodies him. Bobby D is tagged in. He hits big lariats on both opponents. Uber knees Bobby in the gut then lariats Uber over. Bobby spin kicks Payton then Uber throws Bobby over the top. Uber is DQ'd for it.

Bobby gets back and runs Uber over. He flurries on Payton then Gil helps beat up Payton too. Devastation Inc then goes out and Stephen E backs them off.

Well, the DQ finish was disappointing. It wasn't a bad match here with the faces getting worked on and the heels stopping their comeback by throwing Bobby over the top.

Overall thoughts: It was an okay hour of wrestling here. All the matches were on the shorter end or were squashes. There was nothing must see here, but I enjoyed it.