AEW Rampage 4/29/2022

AEW Rampage 4/29/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/aew-rampage-4222022.html

Swerve Strickland vs Darby Allin

Slow start early. Darby jumps up top for an armdrag but Swerve flips out of it. Swerve then headscissors and armbars him. Darby grabs a hammerlock and is sent outside then Swerve flips off the apron and takes a stunner over the back from Darby. Darby then tries to tope him but Swerve pumping knees him during it. Swerve kicks him from the apron and we go to PiP break. Swerve hits a 2nd rope euro to the back of the neck. Darby puts him in an ankle lock and swerve uses strikes to get out. He then rolls him into a nice suplex.

Swerve misses a top rope double stomp then takes a code red for 2. Swerve gets his knees up on Darby's coffin drop then takes Swerves kick to the back of the head for 2. Swerve then suplexes him off the apron to the floor. Ricky Starks heads to ringside and Sting gets in his way. Swerve then goes in and gets rolled up for the Darby win.

This was not good. The suplex to the floor spot was stupid and the finish was really out of nowhere. Swerve loses again which is weird since he's supposed to be such a big signing.

Shawn Spears talked more about Wardlow's mystery opponent. He said he is 7 foot tall. He said Wardlow is now all alone and says Warpiggy goes to slaughter next week.

Jericho awarded himself Sports Entertainer of the Week for fireballing Eddie Kingston. Santana and Ortiz then came out and Santana slapped him and hit him a few times. They then just kind of walked off without much else in a stupid segment.

 

Jericho said he demanded and received a match with Santana for Dynamite.

The Baddies (Jade Cargill, Keira Hogan and Red Velvet) vs Skye Blue, Trish Adora and Willow Nightingale

Everyone involved this is is black except for Skye, even the ref. This has been happening a lot on Rampage lately and seems intentional. This is The Baddies' debut and they have a bunch of money taped together to form a fan.

Red leg lariats Skye and pounds on her in the corner. Hogan sliding dropkicks her and misses an off the back legdrop and is superkicked. Willow pounces Hogan into the ropes. Hogan and Skye catch each others superkick Hogan then comes off of Trish's back for the legdrop over the neck. Jade then pump kicks Trish and double chickenwing bombs her for the win.

This was a quick squash and I don't have many other thoughts on it.

Darby and Swerve are interviewed. Darby offers to go another 5 minutes. Swerve says he knows he wasn't the one who set up that. Swerve says they are northwestern buddies and needs Keith Lee to get the job done against Team Tazz.

Keith Lee vs Colten Gunn

Gunn hits a double chop early and is pounded on in the corner. Lee then double chops him. We go to PiP break then regular break. Colten takes some Lee shoulders then is thrown across the ring. Lee tries to do something to Colten in the corner but nails Austin instead. Colten messes up a fameasser spot then takes the F-U into the slam for the Lee win.

The break ate up most of this and what was left of it wasn't anything special.

The Hardy Boyz are interviewed. Jeff says he is excited to get in the Owen Hart Tournament. He talks about possible dream matches and Matt joins in. Matt says Fish will eat a swanton bomb.

The Undisputed Elite are doing Jeff Hardy poses. Cole says there is no way Hardy beats Fish next week and says one of the UE will win the tournament. Fish calls Hardy "Jeff Hardly and says "that's Elite".

Danhausen comes out and says he will decimate Hook. He said he has come to take him out then Hook is brought out. Danhausen says they will do it another time and Hoo ksays they will do it now. Mark Sterling then gets on the mic and asks if people want to see these guys fight. He says he doesn't then Tony Nese jumps them both. hook shoulder throws Mark then exploder suplexes Nese. Danhausen tries to "curse" them by pointing at them. He thinks he does it as he doesn't see Hook behind him. Danhausen wants to shake hands but Hook shoves him aside and leaves.

Colten and Austin Gunn are interviewed. Austin said he didn't consider the loss a loss. The Acclaimed then walk in. They said when they all team up, they don't lose. The Acclaimed ask them if they want to scissor with The Acclaimed and said they have to go talk to daddy.

Mercedes Martinez does a promo. She says everyone thinks she is just a fluke interim champion. She said will be the undisputed ROH women's champ on Dynamite when she faces the champ Deonna Purrazzo.

We get a split screen promo with Best Friends and Joe. Joe says Trent will pass out before he walks out of the building. Trent says he is the underdog and says Joe won't kill him.

ROH Television Title - Samoa Joe (c) vs Trent Beretta

Ian Riccaboni is at the announcer's booth. Joe runs him over with a shoulder then hits a punch flurry in the corner. Joe back elbows him then enzugiri's him in the corner. Trent slides with a knee on him on the apron then asai moonsaults him and overshoots it.

Joe facekicks Trent on the floor. We get a 3+ minute PiP break with Joe in control. Trent dropkicks him then crossbodies him off the top to the floor. Trent backdrops him then tornado ddt's him for 2. Joe powerbombs him into an stf. Trent escapes a muscle buster then flying knees him. Trent gets a uranage in the corner then Joe chokes him out for the win.

This was quick once you cut out of the commercial and there wasn't a ton to it. This was just an extended squash.

Tony Schiavone interviewed Joe after. Jay Lethal and friends then came out. Orange Cassidy went up to Satnam Singh and did his stupid shin kicks. Thankfully Jay Lethal hit him then Jay and Joe went at it. The refs and agents tried to break it up to end the show.

Overall thoughts: They had too much to fit in here and therefore nothing got much of a share of the 60 minute time limit they had. I didn't think it was a very good episode.

WWE NXT UK 4/28/2022

WWE NXT UK 4/28/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/wwe-nxt-uk-4212022.html

There's an Ilja Dragunov and Jordan Devlin contract signing tonight.

Symbiosis vs Mark Andrews and Wild Boar

They head outside to fight to start and Primate goes into the rails. Eddie Dennis runs for it when Boar spots him. Mark dropkicks T-Bone then enzugiri's Primate. Boar pounds on Primate then lifts up Mark and drops him down on Primate. T-Bone fallaway slams Mark then holds him up on the ropes for a Primate springboard double axe handle.

Mark gets lifted by his arms and takes a reverse curb stomp from Symbiosis. T-Bone pops up Mark and lets him drop down. Primate misses a springboard and Mark slips away to tag in Boar. Boar butt drops Primate then hits a pepsi twist for 2.  Boar then dives onto T-Bone off the apron and corner spears Primate.

Primate takes a half-nelson suplex for 2. Eddie gets on the apron with a chain, Boar gets distracted and Primate capitalizes. Boar germans T-Bone and sentons him in the corner. Mark then hits a top rope SSP on T-Bone and wins it.

It wasn't great or anything but it was a decent tag match. Boar's offense looked good, but I still wish he was part of The Hunt.

After the match, Eddie is on the apron and Boar drives on him. He then chases him around the arena with a chain. 

We get a Von Wagner segment. Robert Stone says Saxon Huxley will find out why it's Von Wagner's world.

Mustache Mountain arrive and are asked about the finish last week. Bate admits there was some nefarious actions but they won and Trent says it is water under the bridge. Trent says it's not cheating unless you get caught and Bate protests it. Trent says they have to keep the tag titles at any cost.  Trent says Saint and Scala need to find reputable opponents for them.

Sid Scala is interviewed and Eddie Dennis runs past him asking for him to do something about Wild Boar. Sid said he can fight Boar in a match where Symbiosis is banned from ringside. Eddie isn't happy and he ups it to a dog collar match. Boar then chases Eddie and Sid follows to try and stop it.

Angel Hayze vs Xia Brookside

Eliza Alexander is with Xia. They work a wristlock early. Angel hits some kicks and a dropkick to the side of the head for 2. xia works over her a little and camel clutches her. Angel hits some poor strikes and sling blades her. Angel rolls her up. Eliza gets on the apron and Angel nails her then is immediately rolled up for the Xia win.

There wasn't much to this and it wasn't too good. Angel didn't botch anything, but she works light and her stuff doesn't look too great right now.

Angel gets beat up 2v1 after and Amale makes the save.

Charlie Dempsey is working out with a club then A-Kid comes up to him. Kid says they need a rematch and says his heritage will make him say yes.

Sid Scala announces that Damon Kemp is a new addition to the brand. He talks about his accomplishments and Kemp comes in. Kemp says he is excited to learn the British style. Johnny Saint then walks in and welcomes him aboard. It seems like he will be a regular. I'm a big fan of Kemp. He hasn't been getting much time and I don't know if NXT UK is the place to fix that, but there's some better wrestlers on NXT UK than NXT.

Saxon Huxley vs Von Wagner

They had an altercation last week when Von ripped up an autograph Saxon was giving to a fan.

They collide shoulders to start then Saxon flying shoulders him. Von then hits a nice flying high knee. Von butterfly suplexes him then hits corner spears before hitting a short arm lariat. Saxon hits some weak lariats to the back and front then top rope lariats him for 2.

Saxon hits a Thesz press then takes a death valley driver for the Von Wagner win.

Saxon's offense was a little late here. This was kind of short and Von didn't get a ton in, wasting the opportunity.

Von says Saxon is the first man to fall. He says we have never seen anything like him before and this is his world and we are just living in it.

Gallus does a press conference. Wolfgang says Gallus is united and stronger than ever. Mark says this stuff happens with every team and they just had a bad day. They said they believe in Gallus Boys on Top. They said they are starving for more success.

Tiger Turan gets a little intro video. He appeared during the Sam Gradwell/Kenny Williams match last week and they said he will debut next week.

Isla Dawn does a vignette saying we have been living under Meiko's rules too long. She said she is about toenter her world. Meiko says Isla made a big mistake. Meiko says this ends in the World of Darkness match. She said she has already beaten her but will now hurt her instead.

Lash Legend gets a video with her talking and Nigel talking about her. She will be on Supernova Sessions next week. It feels like it has been a while since we have had a Supernova Sessions episode.

NXT UK Title Match Contract Signing

Sid Scala introduces Johnny Saint for the Devlin/Dragunov contract signing. Devlin puts his feet on the table. Dragunov says Devlin belittles the brand and Devlin says he carried the brand on his back. Drag says Devlin as the NXT UK champ is his worst nightmare. Devlin says he will walk out with the NXT Title and make him live his worst nightmare.

Drag says he has a dream of NXT UK without Devlin. He says their match should become a loser leaves NXT match. Devlin accepts and Sid Scala makes it official - Jordan Devlin vs Ilja Dragunov in a Loser Leaves Town match for the NXT UK Title.

Drag raises his title after and Devlin tries to hit him but Drag headbutts him. They fight and Devlin takes an enzugiri. Drag goes to spear Devlin through a table but Devlin grabs Scala to shield himself. Devlin then pulls him into a backdrop through the table. Sid Scala is quite upset and Devlin raises the title to close the show.

The segment was a little messy as they tried to manipulate the furniture but loser leaves town is the biggest match they have had in some time. It feels like Devlin might win it as Dragunov moves onto bigger and better things.

Overall thoughts: There was probably more out of the ring stuff than in-ring stuff this week. A lot of people are coming and going and next week's title match is going to be a big one. This wasn't a great episode, but it was interesting and did fine to set-up some of the new things going on.

AEW Dynamite 4/27/2022

AEW Dynamite 4/27/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/aew-rampage-4222022.html

CM Punk was on commentary.

Owen Hart Tournament Qualifier - Dax Harwood vs Cash Wheeler

It really doesn't make sense why they would fight each other and this is not good booking. They are both wearing Hart Foundation logos on their tights.

Cash rolls and flips out of a wristlock then they repeat the sequence some before standing off. Cash gets hip tossed and they push each other off then do more chain wrestling. Cash gets thumbed in the eye then starts pushing Dax. Cash is put on the top rope and gets chopped then superplexed.

Dax misses a top rope headbutt then takes a baseball slide to the floor. We go to PiP break. Dax gets thrown into the buckles chest first then takes german suplexes. Dax then gives him one back. They both go for crossbodies and collide in-air. They trade euro uppercuts and Dax tries some roll-ups. Dax goes for a slingshot powerbomb but is hurricanrana'd.

Dax then hits a slingshot ligerbomb for 2. Cash piledrivers Dax for 2. Cash goes for a top rope backdrop but Dax kind of rolls on him when he tries it. Cash rolls up Dax but Dax reverses it and wins.

It went a little long and the storyline for this wasn't good at all, but it a decent match.

Punk got on the mic and asked if he could still do this. He said everything he has done has been just him warming up. Punk said he would continue to fight until the wheels fell off and they made his challenge to Adam Page for the title official.

Dan Lambert and Scorpio Sky did an interview. He said he success wasn't an accident and said he was screwed out his TNT Title. He said Philly is here to see him beat up Sammy and said there can only be one face of TNT and it's him.

The Blackpool Combat Club vs The Factory

The BCC jumps the Factory to start and QT is sent int othe rails. Mox kicks some leg kicks on Nick then runs into a shoulder. Solow gets release suplexed then takes Mox crossfaces. Yuta kips up out of a Solow wristlock and armdrags him. Yuta then takes a big back body drop from Nick. We go to PiP break and return. QT tries to throw Yuta out but he catches himself on the ropes and germans him. Bryan hits a kick and chop combo on Solow in the corner.

Bryan then ducks a lariat and topes his opponents outside. Bryan hits a top rope dropkick on him. QT gets in and Mox release half and half suplexes him on his head. Mox lariats QT over the top and goes with him. Solow comes off the top on Bryan but takes a dropkick right to the face.

Yuta and Nick go at it then Nick throws him. Yuta catches him with a guillotine then turns over on him into a sleeper as he stands. The BCC hit two submissions then Nick gets pinned by Yuta after an elbow flurry.

I don't like Nick doing the job here. This was okay. Not great or anything but a perfectly serviceable midcard match.

Toni Storm, Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter are with Tony in the back. Toni brings in Ruby Soho. Ruby said they intimidate and try to jerk around new people who come in then Ruby challenges them to a fight. Britt said they are going to leave and go to her favorite place - catering.

Jurassic Express and Christian are interviewed. JB said he knows he could have won the match last week. Christian says he sounds like a sore loser, but isn't a loser. Christian throws out a challenge to nay top 5 team then Starks and Hobbs walk in. They challenge them to a match anytime.

Lance Archer vs Wardlow

MJF is found in the stands with Spears. Spears is eating popcorn. MJF says women in Philly use their personalities as birth control. That was a good one. He says Lance will decimate Wardlow and says to bring out the pig. MJF says no music for Wardlow.

Lance flips on everyone outside as Wardlow gets removed from the handcuffs. Wardlow headscissors him then does an up and over into a roll and then a spear. Wardlow spinebusters him and they double lariat each other and both fall down. They trade forearms and punches then Lance walks the top rope and moonsaults on him. Lance hits a big chokeslam for 2.

Lance then hits his blackout but Wardlow kicks out and rolls him up for 2. They headbutt each other up top then Wardlow does a top rope swanton for 2. Wardlow then powerbombs him 4 times and wins it.

There was some decent stuff here. Not a classic or anything though. I didn't like the Lance kickout on the swanton or the Wardlow kickout on the blackout. The crowd was not into it though and it did hurt it.

The Jericho Appreciation Society came out for a meeting with Eddie Kingston and Ex-LAX. Parker said sports entertainers are best for business and called the fans the "AEW Galaxy". He promised there would be no fighting. Eddie and co then came out. They threw their chairs and Ortiz had Parker's shoes around his shoulder.

Jericho demanded and apology. Ortiz said he had it, looked in his pockets and flipped him the bird. Santana then did the same. Garcia troed tp dare Eddie's crew to hit them. Eddie flipped the table over and said he will get them and wants to fight. Jericho said they would take them out 1 by 1 and said he was putting a hit on them. Eddie asked him if he knew what a hit was. Jericho told him no company wanted Eddie and this is his last chance. Jericho dared him to hit him. Eddie said he wouldn't hit him and would smell the fear off him. Jericho made faces as Eddie got in his face.

Sammy said he would beat up Sky for the 3rd time in his match - the ladder match. He said Sky is the least interesting guy.

Philly Street Fight - Hikaru Shida vs Serena Deeb

There's a giant water mark on the ring from the last segment. Shida runs at her with a forearm and thye ground and pound each other. Shida missile dropkciked Deeb off the 2nd rope. Shida banged Deeb's head off the buckles then knee'd her as she was laying on the top rope. Shida went for a knee off the apron but Deeb blocked it with a chair.

Deen did a sloppy throw to Shida's knee on a chair. We went to PiP break. We returned with Deeb sitting on a chair. Shida reverses a sunset flip and catapulted Deeb back into the chair back. Deeb got powder under the ring and throew it in Shida's eyes. Deeb then grabbed a kendo stick and fired away. Shida started wildly swinging the stick and cleaned her eyes out with water.

Shida jumps off the steps with a dropkick then hit more kendo stick shots. Shida tried a spinning knee but Deeb got the chair up and blocked it. Shida hit a top rope falcon arrow on her for 2. Shida then choked her with the stick and Deeb hit a detox no arms pedigree for 2.

Deeb banged Shida's knee off a chair then put her in a texas cloverleaf and won it.

Shida's selling of the knee was non-existent here despite the match being based around it. This wasn't anything special and the crowd wasn't too into it.

Thunder Rosa was seen watching the match from the back.

MJF and Shawn Spears were interviewed. MJF yelled at the interviewer then called someone. He asked that person about making 6 figured for one match. He said Wardlow would go against someone who was bigger and stronger than him and said "you can't teach that", hinting at W. Morrisey from Impact.

We see Fuego del Sol laid out on the ramp. The House of Black then picks him up and Black goes to unmask him. Penta's manager Alex then says if they continue to mess with Fuego, they will get burnt. Alex said he has been dressed like this for the right moment to blindside the HoB. Penta and Pac then come out. We find out the person in the ring isn't alex, but is Rey Fenix. Fenix swings a shovle at them but Buddy stops it. Fenix then springboard spin kicks him and springboard double stomps him. Death Triangle then flips on the HoB. I liked this.

Swerve Strickland and Darby Allin are interviewed. They fill face each other in the Owen Hart Tournament. Swerve says Darby has grown up and said he will turn Rampage into his house. Darby said AEW is his house and says he will show him why this tournament is his tournament.

Adam Cole, Red Dragon and The Young Bucks vs The Varsity Blondes, Dante Martin, Brock Anderson and Lee Johnson

Julia Hart is still wearing the eye patch and still pouting. The faces get attacked to start. Dante dropkicks a buck over Kyle who is on all fours. Griff holds up Kyle for a BPJ dropkick. Lee comes off the top with a crossbody on the Bucks then Borck double lariats the Bucks. Brock takes an exploder then Dante top rope dropkicks Fish. Dante and Lee hit dives on opponents as we go to PiP break.

We return and Lee gets a double superkick from the Bucks. Brian gets a high/low from Red Dragon then Nick moonsaults off the apron onto opponents. Nick then corkscrew flips over Matt to the outside on opponents. We get a 4 person BTE trigger then Cole hits the boom kjnee on Lee to win it.

There wasn't much to this and there wasn't going to be unless they got a lot of time. The heels then all wore Elite shirts and posed.

We cut to the back and Eddie and friends were getting jumped. Eddie got a fireball to the face from Jericho.

Trent Beretta and Samoa Joe talk about their match on Rampage this week. Trent said he was in ROH for a long time and had nothing to show for it. Joe got like one line in.

TNT Title - Ladder Match - Sammy Guevara vs Scorpio Sky

Sky and Sammy hockey fight on the floor then Sammy is thrown into the rails. Sky flurries him with gut shots and rops him throat first on a rail. Sky gets a ladder and backs it up into Sammy. Sky takes a hard german on the metal ramp and Sammy does snow angels on the ramp.

Sky gets pulled down off a ladder then Sammy does a phoenix splash 630 off of it and misses, nearly killing himself. The refs come in the ring to check on Sammy. Sky mocks Sammy and tries to climb the ladder but gets pushed off it. Sammy gets a ladder from the outside. He then rolls back outside and Sammy springboard then jumps off a ladder into a Sky cutter, which is a similar spot from the Cody/Sammy ladder match.

Sky pulls out a barbed wire ladder, which really is stupid since you can't climb it then Sammy standing spanish flies him on it. Sammy pulls Dan Lambert in the ring then Tay kicks Dan in the nuts. Paige Van Zant then comes out and fights her then Sky and Sammy go at it.

Sammy and Tay then kiss in the ring after they take down Paige and Sky. Sky flatliners Sammy. Sky and Sammy climb the ladder and both have girls on their backs. Paige and Tay fight while on their backs on the ladder then high kick each other at the same time. Sammy gives Sky the finger and he bites it. Sammy goes for the belt and the ladder is lifted up and he falls back first onto the barbed wire ladder. Sammy gets right back up though then springboards onto the ladder. He gets knocked off and Sky wins.

Ethan Page, who didn't help out for some reason then came out and Frankie Kazarian came out and shook hands with Sky. Sky agreed to defend against Frankie if he won.

This was a total mess just like the last Sammy/Sky match was. Sammy nearly killed himself and there was a bunch of stalling until that got sorted out. The girls got involved in this and Ethan Page didn't for unknown reasons. There wasn't a ton of selling and Sammy totally no sold the barbed wire ladder spot at the end. The barbed wire ladder was also stupid.

Overall thoughts: There were a couple of decent matches here but the streetfight and the ladder match sucked. It wasn't a storyline heavy show as the shows haven't been lately and that has helped these shows out since that is not an AEW strong suit. I thought this had about equal amounts of good and bad stuff.

Ice Ribbon 4/23/2022 Ice Ribbon #1194

Ice Ribbon 4/23/2022 Ice Ribbon #1194

I am just doing 3 of the 4 matches here. The main is a weird 11v2 handicap match and it runs over 36 minutes.

Yappy and Yuko Sakurai vs Asahi and Kiku

Yuko and Yappy are attacked at the bell and take stereo dropkicks. Yappy gets an Asahi 619 then a double elbow. Kiku hits some dropkicks on Yappy then Yappy hanging chokes Kiku in the corner. Kiku hits some kicks and dropkicks on Yappy against the ropes then Asahi hots some dropkicks on her.

Asahi gets sandwiched by her opponents then Yappy legdrops her for 2. Asahi and Kiku are put in stereo dragon sleepers then Yappy elbow slices Asahi for 2. Asahi and Yuko trade chest forearms and Asahi sledgehammer shots her.

Asahi lariats Yuko for 2 then top rope dropkicks her for another 2. Kiku hits a kick flurry on Yuko's back then PK's her for 2. Kiku hits kicks on Yuko and Yuko shoulders her down. Yuko takes a double dropkick for 2.

Kiku does some bad submissions and a weird drop on Yuko for 2. Yappy gets in and double clotheslines both opponents then Yuko wins with a grounded sleeper on Kiku.

It dragged on too long. It was decent for the most part, but it got worse the longer it went. Kiku's kicks were a little better here and Asahi definitely stepped up.

Yuuki Mashiro vs Rina Amikura vs Saran

Saran refuses to shake hands. They do a three way test of strength and Rina ends up over-powering both. Rina takes a double dropkick then takes stomp flurries from both opponents. Saran and Yuuki do falling splashes on Rina with them mocking Rina's mannerisms on it.

Saray and Yuuki then go at it. Yuuki crossfaces Saran but Saran hits the ropes. Saran is then tied up in the ropes and evades an attack to dropkick Yuuki against the ropes. Saran then indian deathlocks Yuuki but Rina breaks it up. Rina backbreakers Yuuki over her shoulder then uses Saran's legs to ram Yuuki.

Rina splashes Yuuki for 2. Yuuki eye pokes her then Rina double lariats both opponents. Rina tries to splash both but they move. We get some pin attempts and Rina powerslams Yuuki for 2. Rina goes up the buckles but is caught and knocked onto the apron then Saran rolls up Yuuki for 2. Yuuki then does a nice roll-up on here and wins it.

These things are almost always scrambles to try and get things in and that's what this way. It was very fast paced with a lot of pin attempts and it was okay, but not great or anything. 

 

Hamuko Hoshi and Ibuki Hoshi vs Kaho Matushita and Nao Ishikawa

The Hoshi's are attacked early and ram their butts into their opponents in the corners then double bulldog them. Ibuki facebusters Kaho then crabs her while Ham camel clutches her. Nao gets in and hits some nice dropkicks on Ibuki then is shouldered down. Ham then splashes Nao for 2 and rubs her chest in her face.

Nao cartwheel splashes Ham for 2 then Ham runs her over with a shoulder. Ham crabs Nao then Ibuki does it to Kaho. Nao slams Ham for 2 then Kaho and Ham trade shoulders. They then trade chest forearms and Ham takes a double shoulder from her opponents.

Ham hits some belly bumps to Kaho then is dropkicked on her shinning stomach attack. Kaho then side slams her for 2 then Ham running body attacks her. Ham then hits a shining stomach attack for 2. Ibuki gets in and botches a catapult on Kaho then takes some splashes against the ropes. Kaho hits some chest forearms on Ibuki and knocks her over with a shoulder.

Kaho hits some back kicks on Ibuki and PK's her for 2. Ibuki comes back with a hard dropkick then takes a stiff step-up enzugiri. Nao gets in and hits some crossbodies on Ibuki then Ibuki gives her some back. The Hoshi's sandwich Nao with splashes then do a dogpile splash on her for 2.

Nao and Ibuki trade chops and Ibuki machine gun chops her. Ibuki hits her with la escalera and Nao hits the ropes. Nao drops Ibuki off her back then Kaho suplexes Ibuki. Nao then double underhooks Ibuki for 2. Ham double lariats both opponents then Ibuki top rope crossbodies Nao for 2. Ibuki superkicks and buzzsaw kicks her.

Nao cartwheel headscissors Ibuki for 2 then does a nice pinning combo for 2. Ibuki codebreakers her then hits a lightning spiral for 2. The Hoshi's steamroll Nao and Ibuki grabs the win.

I thought this was a really good one and a strong Ice Ribbon match. Ham was great here and both Kaho and Nao really upped their games in this one. It was just good back and forth fast paced action and it had a bunch of time so it could develop. 

Overall thoughts: That's all I'll be covering for this one. The tag match with the Hoshi family was really good was one of the better Ice Ribbon matches of late. That is worth a watch if you enjoy this promotion.

WWE NXT 4/26/2022

WWE NXT 4/26/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/wwe-nxt-4192022.html

Nikkita Lyons vs Lash Legend

Lash runs right in and they trade shots. Lyons hits kicks then does a nice spin kick to the face. Lash then leapfrogs and back elbows her. Lyons Thesz presses her then pounds on her. Lyons sits on her and gets pushed out of the ring, possibly taking a header on the outside.

Lash back elbows her off the apron then throws her into the steps. Lash grounds and pounds her and is rolled up for 2. Lash spinning sideslams her. Lyons blocks a pump kick then hits some leg kicks and suplexes her. Lyons hits a german. She goes for corner punches and Lash tries to powerbomb her but gets hurricanrana'd. Lyons then spin kicks her to the body and wins it. Natalya then jumps Lyons from behind then Cora Jade makes the save, hitting Lash with the skateboard. Cora tries to hit Natalya with it and misses then Lyons kicks Natalya out of the ring.

I liked the match. It was fast paced and the crowd really liked Lyons.

Tony D said he was supposed to face Xyon Quinn, but he can't wrestle tonight and now faces Von Wagner instead. He said when he gets done with him, he'll be sleeping with the fishes and said, "Santos, you know what I'm talking about, right guy?"

Diamond Mine talked. Strong said they are too good to crumble like his last group did. Strong said they have been struggling. He said the Creed's have been acting like champs when they didn't win the titles yet. Brutus defended his team and Strong said it was an excuse. Strong said he set up a match with The Creed's vs The Viking Raiders. The Viking Raiders then came in and The Creed's said they would see them next week. That should be good.

We saw clips of Gacy pushing Bron off the seats last week and then we saw the druids take him.

Tony D'Angelo vs Von Wagner

Wagner takes him down early and Tony comes back with punches and knees. Von then hits some clubs to the back and some knees to the gut. Tony kicks Von out of the ring then lariats him out. Von runs his back into the ring apron then backdrops him on the apron. We then went to PiP break. We return with Tony taking a sloppy slam for 2. Tony then hits a nice overhead belly to belly and a regular belly to belly.

Tony spears him into a takedown then hits an exploder suplex on him. Von comes back with a lariat. Tony gets backdropped over the top but lands on the apron and then falls off of it. LdF come down and fight with Tony's goons then Santos Escobar crowbars Tony in the leg. Tony gets back in and takes a running face kick and Von wins it.

Von didn't look good here and the logic and selling wasn't too good on Von's end. I liked that they at least furthered the LDF/Tony feud though.

Persia, Indi and Roxanne were talking then Toxic Attraction came in. They said Roxanne got lucky last week and Roxanne said a win is a win. Roxanne said she'd give them a rematch and Mandy said she'd show them the difference between a champion and someone who wants to be a champion.

We saw clips of Nathan Frazer, who debuts next.

Briggs, Jensen and Fallon were in the back. Fallon said she's tired of LdF and said it's time to take care of business. The blonde that is aligned with Robert Stone then passed by and Jensen was distracted. Briggs told him to to get it together.

Chase U were in the audience.

Nathan Frazer vs Guru Raaj

Grayson Waller jumped Frazer's opponent as he entered. Waller said no one cares about him or his debut. He said this is his NXT and said he doesn't need Sanga, it's The Grayson Waller Show. He said he does what he wants, when he wants. He then called Chase U idiots. He said Chase's University was a scam and said the sorority girls are built like refrigerators. Frazer then springboard dropkicks him and  dropkicked him out of the ring. Frazer then hit a great tope on him.

Chase U then came in and said this is a teachable moment. Frazer then hugged Bodhi and shook hands with Chase.

The match never started here.

They announced an NXT Women's Breakout Tournament. We got a package on Arianna Grace. She is a former beauty pageant queen and has trained mma and boxing. She said she isn't afraid to take chances and said she will throw caution to the wind. I like new talent, so I'm cool with this.

Tiffany Stratton was interviewed. She called Sarray a little cheater. Grayson waller then walked in and yelled about Nathan Frazer. Tiffany said he looks homeless and has a terrible accent. They talked and were getting along then walked off together.

Katana Chance and Kayden Carter vs Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon

Katana is the former Kacy Catanzaro. They hired Kacy because she was famous off of Ninja Warrior and now changed her name because they are on a run where they don't want people using their real names. It's dumb stuff.

Leon does some rolls early and dances then Kayden walks on her back and does it to her.  Leon flips out of a hiptoss and dropkicks her then picks up Feroz into a headscissors on Kayden. Feroz then dances in celebration and chases Kayden. Kayden catches her with a springboard boot when she gets in.

Chance hits an interesting rortation splash on Feroz then Feroz hits some arm throws. Feroz leg scissors her into a triangle and Chance 2nd rope twisting crossbodies her. Feroz takes a double kick to the face on the ropes. Kayden slingshot sentons Feroz for 2 and grounded abdominal stretches her.

Leon gets in and top rope dropkicks Kayden. Leon gorilla presses Feroz onto Kayden for 2. Chance is pulled off the apron. Leon misses an asai moonsault then Chance is back on the apron. She 450's Feroz into a Carter neckbreaker and they win it.

This was a little longer than usual and was the best outing I've seen of Leon and Feroz. Both looked decent here and maybe there is some potential to their team after all.

Jensen is down in the back holding his hand. Briggs fires up saying he knows LdF did this as Jensen tries to explain that he can fight.

Alba Fyre gets a video. She is dragging her ball bat and says she is a warrior and a champion. She lights her bat on fire and says it represents where she comes from. They then had Wade Barrett basically acknowledge that she is taking up a new name.

3v2 Handicap Match - Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro and Elektra Lopez) vs Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley

Briggs and Fallon jump LdF to start then take them out of the ring. Lopez slams her then gets dropkicked. Briggs gets in and throws Toro over the top into a backbreaker then suplex throws Wilde onto his partner. Fallon enzugiri's Lopez then Fallon and Briggs slide outside and do the double punch spot that Briggs and Jensen do. Toro flies off the top and gets caught by Briggs, then Wilde clips Briggs.

Wilde holds down Briggs so Toro can slingshot senton him. Wilde takes some corner moves then is double backdropped. Wilde then gets on Toro's shoulders and is dropped down into a splash on him.

Briggs makes a comeback by popping up Toro and punching him. He then falls backwards and does not make the tag, but they allow it anyway because Toro tagged in Lopez. Henley hit some fast paced offense on Lopez. Briggs got back in kicked Toro off the apron then hit a splash on Wilde for 2. Fallon mounted and pounded Lopez, then they fought outside and brawled into the crowd. Wilde walked the top rope into a dropkick on Briggs then LdF hit the step-up enzugiri/russian legsweep combo to win this.

A handicap mixed tag is a new one. I don't know if I've ever seen that before. It was super fast paced and I thought it was decent. No idea why it was a handicap match though. They didn't do any intergender stuff, which is fine by me.

Natalya and Lash Legend are interviewed. They said they would fight Cora Jade and Lyons next week. Natalya said Cora is immature and has a stupid, little skateboard. She said she put the women's locker room on notice but did notice Lash Legend. Lash called Natalya a legend and said this isn't over with Lyons. Lash said she would take the momentum of beating Lyons into the Women's Tournament.

Trick Williams with Carmelo Hayes vs Solo Sikoa

Cameron Grimes is on commentary. Trick backflips out of a wristlock and works the arm. Trick runs Solo's shoulder into the buckles. Solo comes back with a nice shoulder block then slams him. Trick spin kicks him and slams him. Trick hits a nice dropkick then hits Solo with a Mcguillicutter. Trick goes back to the shoulder and Solo hulks up then backdrops him.

Solo hits some shots then corner splashes him. Trick does a samoan drop variation on him then hits a top rope splash for the win.

Trick looked better here than in prior outings but he still does have some general akwardness due to his long legs. Trick worked the shoulder here most of the match then Solo made his comeback and won it. Nothing wrong with this.

Cameron Grimes then came in and went face to face with Solo. Hayes pushed Solo out of the way then Solo went for a superkick but Hayes moved and Grimes got nailed.

Blade and Enofe were in the back. Blade said they had a big opportunity tonight against the Viking Raiders and Enofe said they got this. Enofe put him in front of a mirror and talked about his strengths ala Cool Runnings. Enofe made him say it louder and with more energy. Blade said he sees speed, power and heart. I think Enofe had new sunglasses and a new robe here but I'm not sure.

Legado del Fantasma did a promo. They bragged about their victory and Santos said he proved Tony is a low life and a liar, and he gave him a taste of his own medicine. He said no one threatens Santos and said it's an eye for an eye.

 

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade vs The Viking Raiders

I'm a fan of the VR's, though I don't watch the main shows so I don't see them much. Blade runs into Ivar and goes down. Enofe climbs on Erik's back then dropkicks him. Blade and Enofe then hit a boot and back elbow combo.

Erik runs into Enofe with a running forearm smash then the VR's pound on Enofe. Erik knees Enofe hard in the face and Enofe does such a good sell that it might have been legit. Erik misses a double knee in the corner then Blade gets the hot tag in. He hits some flying offense and a dropkick then top rope crossbodies him. He gets caught and Enofe crossbodies them to complete the move.

Enofe takes a butt drop in the corner and Ivar back body drops Blade. Enofe takes a pop-up knee then Blade takes a double single arm powerbomb for the VR win.

This was decent with the VR's using heavyweight offense against the faces flying offense. The knee Erik hit was pretty sick and Blade and Enofe are progressing well in their role.

They shake hands after then the Creed brothers come out. They yell at each other.

Wes Lee is at the beach alone. He said it took 6 months to get the tag titles back and talked about the titles being taken from hin and not lost. He said he can't forget his past, but he can only rely on himself. He said he could complain or knuckle up and make the waves that he is destined to make.

Toxic Attraction was headed to the ring.

Tony D is interviewed. He said Santos should have been smartened up a long time ago. He said he's the one who makes the threats around here. He said he made some calls and said his crew is here. He then brought out his goombah's - Troy "2 Dimes" Donovan and Channing Lorenzo aka Stacks. He said mixing it up with Tony D is bad for Santos' health. He said him and Santos need to do this man to man at Spring Breakin' before he takes this into his own hands. 

Troy and Channing already debuted on NXT Level Up a few weeks ago, but these are new characters than what they started with.

Roxanne Perez vs Mandy Rose

RP gets some offense early and headscissors her from the back roll. Mandy hits a forearm to the face and is rolled up. Mandy gets her finger bitten then is rolled up again. RP  is thrown out and they fight outside. RP bangs Mandy's hand off the steps.

We go to PiP break with RP working on Mandy's hand. We return and Mandy does an interesting back body drop on her. Mandy stretches her back over her knee. Mandy catapults her into the top rope and RP bounces back onto Mandy's knees. Mandy slams her and RP Thesz presses her off the 2nd rope. RP leg sweeps her then does her unusual backflip move on her. RP crossbodies her then takes a pumping knee for the Mandy win.

I didn't think this was anything too special and Mandy had the usual divas sloppiness that you'd expect.

Wendy Choo pops up on the apron after and tries to spray T-A with waterguns. They run then Wendy drops a net on them from the ceiling. They get out then T-A gets hit with silly string. This was silly and not too believable.

Sloane Jacobs got a video package for the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament. She said she is 19, is the underdog and learned how to fight through her sisters. She said she will be the youngest champ in NXT history and starts the path here.

Joe Gacy is with the druids and says, "Let's go change the world".

Joe Gacy comes out. He said NXT is the clay of acceptance that he has been molding. The druids then surround the ring and said the mission isn't accomplished yet. He said he doesn't think everyone buys in yet and says it is time for people to commit to his vision. He said he thinks Bron Breakker isn't cleared to defend the NXT Title because of what he did and said he will be crowned NXT champ.

Rick Steiner then came out, not using the Steiner Brothers' theme. Rick said Bron is cleared to compete and will defend his title. The druids surrounded the ring then Bron Breakker came out. He took out the druids then took a lariat from Gacy. The druids passed down Bron's belt and Joe held it up to end the show.

It wasn't great or anything and Harland was not there for some reason.

Overall thoughts: There were some highs and lows with the in-ring stuff tonight and there was more in-ring stuff than usual. Neither the main event or the show closing angle really delivered though and I was disappointed that we were promised a Nathan Frazer match but didn't get it.

All Japan Pro Wrestling 4/24/2022 - Champion Carnival 2022 Day 7

All Japan Pro Wrestling 4/24/2022 - Champion Carnival 2022 Day 7

Izanagi and Ryuji Hijikata vs Yoshitatsu and Seigo Tachibana

Slow start here with nothing really happening. Seigo hiptosses Iza then does a weird legdrop on him. Seigo then takes a double chest kick and Ryuji hits some back kicks on him. They trade forearms and Iza chest kick flurries Seigo. Iza hits him with some punches and knocks him down.

Yuji hits a nasty knee to the side of the face of Seigo then Seigo comes back with a forearm. Yoshi hits kicks on Ryuji then dragon screws him. Ryuji shining wizards Yoshi then Iza superkicks Yoshi for 2. Yoshi's team hits running corner moves on Iza then Yoshi top rope chops Iza for 2. Yoshi powerslams Iza for another 2 then codebreakers him off the 2nd rope for the win.

There wasn't much to this at all and it was over really as it was just getting started. Some nice kicks here though.

Takao Omori and Ryo Inoue vs Suwama and Dan Tamura

Ryo tries to wrestle Suwama early and is taken down. Dan gets in and gets dropkicked and they trade forearms. Dan slams him then Ryo makes the mistake of trading forearms with Suwama and loses that one. Suwama then forearms him down.

Ryo hits some dropkicks on Suwama then Omori gets in. He misses a spinning heel kick that Suwama sells anyway then neckbreakers him. Dan forearms Omori's chest then shoulders him off the 2nd rope for 2. Ryo begs to get in. He suplexes Dan and knocks Suwama off the apron. Ryo then top rope dropkicks Dan for 2.

Ryo misses a top rope dropkick. Dan hits a big lariat on him for 2 then hits a stiff powerbomb for the win.

There wasn't too much in this one with Suwama barely getting in. It was short and Ryo wasn't too good here.

Yuma Aoyagi and Atsuki Aoyagi vs Rising Hayato and Kento Miyahara

Rising springboard armdrags Atsuki early and they do some counters and flips before standing off. Kento face kicks Yuma then takes a corner enzugiri from Atsuki when he runs into it. Atsuki dropkicks Kento off the apron then moonsaults off the 2nd rope onto him outside.

Kento takes a double shoulder then some Atsuki dropkicks. Kento facekicks Yuma then tags out. Rising hits a springboard dropkick on Atsuki then bulldogs him for 2. Atsuki superkicks Rising then corkscrew kicks him. Yuma and Rising then trade chest chops for forearms.

Rising accidentally superkicks his own partner then flying kicks Atsuki. Atsuki comes back with a handspring into a enzugiri. Rising gets thrown on Keto then Kento takes a top rope moonsault and top rope dropkick for 2. Kento hits a pumping knee on Yuma and Yuma rolls up KEnto out of nowhere with guillotine into a pin to win it.

They kept it moving here. The finish was messed up a little as Kento didn't really roll with the pin attempt. I didn't mind this at all and it was more of a juniors style match.

Yuma raises Rising and Atsuki's hands after then I think he threw Rising out (the camera's missed it). Kento threw a fit with the referee as he thought he was on the ropes.

All Japan Junior Heavyweight Title - Hikaru Sato (c) vs Black Menso-re

Sato side headlocks him early and they trade chops. Menso slaps him  then gets slapped back and takes some kicks. Sato kick flurries him in the corner then Menso comes back wit chops. Menso dropkicks him and takes a kick when he tries to tope him.

Menso hits more chops but is taken down with a kick then waterwheel dropped for 2. Sato crabs him and Menso dropkicks him. Menso double stomps him off the 2nd rope for 2.  Menso then octopus stretches him with an armbar and rolls him up for 2. They trade forearms up top and Menso double stomps him as he hands in tree of woe.

Menso then 2nd buckle double stomps him on the floor. Menso enzugiri's him and spin kicks him for 2 then Sato comes back with an enzugiri. Menso germans him for 2 and Sato headbutts him. They trade slaps on their knees then trade slaps standing up. Sato gives him a stiff backdrop for 2 and death valley drivers him for 2. Sato then headbutts him for the win.

This would have been a lot better with a crowd that could cheer. This wasn't too bad at all but Menso's chops really did suck. It was good to see Menso get some real offense in for a change and I don't mind a good slap fight.

Sato got pulled under then ropes after and Yusuke Kodama came up with Sato's title.

Champion Carnival - Ryuki Honda vs Shuji Ishikawa

Honda flurries Shuji with forearms then they trade forearms. They shoulder battle and Shuji runs him over. They go outside and Honda lariats him on the floor. Honda takes control for a little and argues with the ref. Honda hits some forearms then takes a headbutt back and goes down.

Shuji double stomps Honda off the 2nd rope for 2. Honda comes back with a spear. They criss cross with lariats then Honda suplexes him. Honda then lariats him and Shuji dragon suplexes him. They trade forearms and give each other hard slaps then Shuji hits a stiff fire thunder driver. Shuji knees Honda in the chest then does a running knee for 2. Shuji then wins it with a splash mountain.

It was a little bit of a sprint, but it was an entertaining one. The second half was fun with some real stiff shots and some stiff moves. It would have been better with a few more minutes added on.

Champion Carnival - Shigehiro Irie vs Shotaro Ashino

Irie hits a stiff forearm early then Ashino comes back with stiff back elbows. Ashino charges him in the corner and Irie butt drops him. Irie then gets dragon screwed through the ropes. Ashino works Irie's legs. Irie fights back with a headbutt to the chest then is dropkicked in the knee. Ashino stretch mufflers him then Irie comes back with a black hole slam. He then cannonballs him in the corner.

Irie and Ashino trade shots and Irie flying headbutts him. He tries for another and is caught with a german in mid air, then takes euro uppercut. Irie hits a stiff forearm and they trade forearms for euro uppercuts. Ashino then slaps him and germans him for 2. Ashino then goes straight into the ankle lock and Irie does a nice cannonball on him as he is sitting.

Irie puts him in a sleeper. Ashino back drops him then gets his running euro attempt reversed into a grounded sleeper. Irie hits some elbows to the side of the head then Ashino slips out into an ankle lock. Irie hits some slaps while on the ground then Ashino sits on his back with the ankle lock. He then turns it into a grounded ankle lock and wins it.

This was decent. Ashino worked the leg and it led up into the ankle lock finish. I liked Irie's flying headbutts here and the flying headbutt reverse into a german was a really good spot.

Champion Carnival - T-Hawk vs Jake Lee

Slow start here. T rolls him into an STF style move. They trade facekicks on the outside then T facekicks him against the rails. Back in the ring and Jake double reverse armbars him. Jake goes for a suplex but T reverses it with his own suplex.

Jake sits up top then gets chopped down to the floor. Jake gets back in and step up enzugiri'd him. T dropkicks him in the knee then knees him in the back. T hits a reverse sit out slam for 2. Jake then high kicks him and backdrops him for 2. Jake then running knees him in the back for 2 and brainbusters him for the win.

I wasn't too into this. It started off slow and never really picked up. The ending was kind of out of nowhere and Jake's heel act doesn't really make for good matches.

Overall thoughts: The main wasn't too good but I liked Irie/Ashino and Honda/Shuji.The junior's match wasn't too bad and the match with Kento was decent. It was a good show overall.

WWE NXT Level Up 4/22/2022

WWE NXT Level Up 4/22/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/wwe-nxt-level-up-4152022.html

Edris Enofe and Malik Blade vs Damaris Griffin and Quincy Elliot

This is Damaris Griffin's debut.

Quincy is dancing for his entrance. Damaris is a bigger stocky dude. It seems like these two are going to be a team. Quincy is wearing an african patterned shirt and some silly bell bottom pants.

Quincy throws off Blade then gyrates. Blade hits a big dropkick then Quincy splashes his back. Quincy bends over and Enofe M. Bison stomps his back. Damaris gets in and he takes a funny looking botched bump off an armdrag. Damaris gets a double backdrop. Enofe and Blade do a pump kick into a back elbow.

Damaris hits a big spinebuster on Enofe for 2. Enofe then gets whipped into a Damarius lariat. Quincy hits a great pounce on Enofe then gives him a stiff knee lift. Enofe gets stopped on his sunset flip but Quincy misses a butt drop. Blade gets the hot tag in and flying burrito's Quincy.

Blade top rope crossbodies Quincy for 2 then Damaris gets in and hits a big slam on him. Enofe breaks up the pin and knocks Quincy off the apron. Blade then hits a top rope frogsplash on Damaris and Enofe moves him out of the way to get the pin.

This was actually good. I'm sure the crowd were plants like usual, but they were into it. Blade and Enofe did quick face offense here and the big guys did big guy stuff before losing. Quincy Elliot has something. He can really move for his size and has charisma. His goofy attire is also so unusual that you wonder what he will wear next. Damaris didn't get much in here but was fine in the little he got.

Thea Hail vs Fallon Henley

Hail comes out with a cape and does some spazzy superhero thing.

They lock up and Hail turns it into an armdrag. Hail comes back with an armdrag from the wheel barrow position then headscissors her down. Fallon hiptosses her then goes outside the ring and punches her in the face. Back in and Hail flipping neckbreakers her.

Fallon stretches her and they trade shots. Fallon then shining wizards her and wins it.

This was really too short and not too good. It was sloppy and the shining wizard that won it was pretty poorly done.

Dante Chen vs Bodhi Hayward

Bodhi side headlocks him and they sweep each other. Dante leapfrogged him and then tried to crossbody him as Bodhi flipped over him. Dante side headlocks him and gets rolled out of it, then he jumping neckbreakers him. Dante guillotines him then Bodhi rolls him back into a pin. Dante then neckbreakers him.

Dante puts him in a chinlock and Bodhi tries to roll him off but can't. Bodhi hits a big powerslam and football tackles him. He hits a nice flying shoulder then splashes him for 2. His nose is busted open. Dante misses a pump kick then takes a spinebuster for the Bodhi win.

This was unusual. It wasn't clear to me whether some of this was a shoot, super realistic or were just two green dudes going at it. They countered each other like they had wrestled a bunch of times before here. You'll have to see it for yourself and make your own determination, because I have no idea what to make of this one.

Overall thoughts: The women's match was short and not good. The men's tag match was actually good and Quincy Elliot showed some potential. I have no idea what to make out of the main and you should probably check this out for yourself to make your own determination.

AEW Rampage 4/22/2022

AEW Rampage 4/22/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/aew-rampage-4152022.html

Owen Hart Tournament - Tomohiro Ishii vs Adam Cole

No intros for either guy. Ishii runs him over with a shoulder. Cole poses and turns his back then gets chopped over by Ishii. Ishii chops him on the outside and accidentally lariats the ring post. Cole then throws himn into the rails.

Cole pounds on Ishii then chinlocks him. Cole neckbreakers him and slaps him in the back of the head. Ishii starts to fire up and no sell then forearms him and powerslams him. Ishii backdrops him for 2. Cole death valley drivers him over the knee as we go to PiP break.

We return and and Ishii delay brainbusters him off the 2nd rope for 2. Cole comes back with a superkick then Ishii sliding lariats him for 2. Cole pump kicks him then suplexes his head on his knee for 2. Ishii no sells a superkick then they trade enzugiri's him. Ishii headbutts him, takes a superkick then lariats him. Jay White comes out and throws Rocky Romero into the steps. Rocky was in Ishii's corner. Cole then hits the boom knee to win.

I wasn't a big fan of this one. There was a lot of no selling and White attacking Romero took away from the match.

The Jericho Appreciation Society was banned from building when they tried to get in. The guard said management banned them. Why is management also banning Wardlow? Daniel Garcia then says he doesn't need them as he will beat Eddie Kingston on his own. Jericho said he would file a complaint through HR on the security guard.

Hook is interviewed in the back. He runs into Danhausen who has spilled chips all over the floor. Hook grabs him and says he has his attention now.

Lance Archer vs Serpentico

Serp dives on him as he enters and Lance just brushes him away. Lance forearms him and slams him on the apron. Lance throws him on a suplex then splashes him in the corner. Lance then hits his reverse razor's edge and wins it in no time at all.

There was no point or reason for this.

Archer chokeslams him after and tries to do a chokeslam symphony to mock Wardlow's powerbomb symphony.  

Tony Nese gets a package and Mark Sterling talks about him being a premier athlete. Tony says Mark lines them up and he knocks their lights out.

Daniel Garcia vs Eddie Kingston

Eddie slap flurries him to start. He hits some machine gun chops then chops him against the rails. Garcia hits some knees to the body. Garcia tries to boot him down but Eddie fights to get up. Garcia pounds on him in the corner and bites him then Eddie bites him back. Eddie is rammed into the post as we go to PiP break.

WE return with Garcia hitting euro uppercuts then they trade submission attempts. Garcia german's him then climbs on top of him and stomps in the corner. Eddie 2nd rope kneedrops his neck then Garcia crabs him. The ref pulls off Garcia and does a messy job of it. Eddie enzuguri's him in the lower back then exploders him. Eddie back suplexes him  then uraken's him for the win.

This was really bad. It had no momentum at all, a lot of the strikes looked bad, the crowd wasn't into it and these two just did not gel at all. I expected this to be a lot better than it was.

Eddie teases whipping him with the belt after. Eddie says he is saving the whipping for Chris Jericho and tells him to send that message to Chris Jericho.

Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland were interviewed. Lee said he wants to annihilate Team Tazz. Swerve called Hobbs and Starks "Calvin and Hobbs". Swerve said the war is far from over. This was not good.

Ricky Starks and Hobbs were at the announcer's desk and said they had a check to cash with their names on it.

Britt Baker and Jaymie Hayter were interviewed with Toni. Toni asked what she did except for being AEW women's champ. Toni asked if she ever left Pittsburgh. She said she'd see Jaymie in the first round and Britt maybe later if she makes it that far.

FTR said they wanted to face each other in The Owen Hart Tournament. They said they wanted to pay respect to Owen Hart and Dax said he has to win for his girls.

Marina Shafir and Jad Cargill do split screen promos. Jade asks who Marina is then hands it to Mark. Mark said he is a black belt as he bought one off Amazon for $20. Mark said there will be balloons for Jade's 30th win tonight. Marina said problems don't care about plans. Jade called her "Marena".

TBS Women's Title - Jade Cargill (c) vs Marina Shafir

Jade poses and gets kicked in the leg. Marina climbs on her back for a sleeper but is thrown then gets taken down. Jade fallaway slams her and Marina is lariated over the top. Jade's Baddie Section throws popcorn at Marina. Red Velvet then beats up on Marina. Jade then backdrops her for 2 and mounts and pounds her.

Jade does some delayed powerslam and we go to PiP break. We return after a long break and Marina hip throws her. Marina heel hooks her. Marina bangs her leg off the post and hip throws Sterling. Marina argues with Jade's friend and takes a stiff pump kick. Jade chokeslams her through a table but the table doesn't budge much at all and she takes a hard landing on her neck.

Jade poses on top of her and Marina heel hooks her. Jade kicks her way out and hits the double chickenwing bomb to win.

There were some okay parts to it, but I didn't think it was good.

Overall thoughts: Not a good edition of Rampage at all. I thought everything on this sucked.

WWE NXT UK 4/21/2022

WWE NXT UK 4/21/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/wwe-nxt-uk-4142022.html

Back Alley Brawl - Kenny Williams vs Sam Gradwell

This just takes place in the arena and not a back alley. Sam jumps him as he makes his entrance. Kenny gets banged off the apron and rails then drives Sam into the apron and steps. Someone in a glittery orange mask is shown in the crowd then the match actually begins. Sam pounds on him and throws him out of the ring. Kenny gets thrown over a rail then has trashed dumped on him. Then he is hit with a trash can. Sam is thrown over the rails and the masked man appears again.

Sam goes in the post then Kenny goes under the ring and grabs a fire extinguisher. Sam then is sprayed with it and hit with it. Kenny gets slammed on a trash can and a table is set up outside. Kenny gets thrown into a chair between the buckles. Sam grabs a strap and whips him.

Kenny comes back with a back elbow off the 2nd rope while Sam is on the apron. Kenny goes up top and is distracted by the masked man. Sam then F-U'd him off the apron through a table then wins it.  The masked man then chased after Kenny

It was a real simple hardcore match and wasn't anything too special. The masked man got a lot of the attention here. I was disappointed that Kenny didn't get a real whooping and I was disappointed that this didn't actually take place outside.

Symbiosis do a promo on Mark Andrews and Wild Boar. Eddie Dennis says wild animals need to be broken in before they are of any use. Eddie calls for a tag team match with them and Symbiosis. Eddie says they will run their vehicle off the road to revenge before they meet their destination.

Stevie Turner vs Emilia Mckenzie

EM = Emilia Mckenzie

They push each other then EM hits a dropkick and a spinning neckbreaker. Steve hits a kick to the chest then facewash kicks her in the beak of the neck. EM hits some flying clotheslines the nbackdrops her for 2. Stevie hits a side effect for 2. then EM comes back with a german and a spear for the win.

This was short, simple and nothing too special.

Isla Dawn does a vignette promo on Meiko Satormura. She says she is going to welcome her to her world of darkness in a world of darkness match.

We see clips of NXT stars arriving like Damon Kemp, Lash Legend, Ivy Nile and Von Wagner who will have some matches here.  They sign autographs except for Von Wagner then Saxon Huxley signs one and Von rips it up.

Xia Brookside and Eliza Alexander do a promo. Xia says she will be in action next week and says someone will get battered. Eliza said she won last week as she said she would.

Ilja Dragunov and Jordan Devlin will meet on the 200th episode in 2 weeks in a title match. They will have a contract signing next week.

 

2 out of 3 Falls - NXT UK Tag Titles - Mustache Mountain vs Oliver Carter and Ashton Smith

1st fall - Smith and Bate go at it to start and trade wristlocks. Bate armdrags him and tries to flip Trent on him, but Smith just rolls Seven up during it. Carter does a slingshot shoulder in on Bate. Seven crossbodies then legdrops Carter for 2. Trent does his flipping senton over Trent's shoulders from the 2nd rope then carter saves Smith on a double suplex. Mustache Mountain misses sentons then are dropkicked out.

Bate hits a nice dropkick on Smith. Smith gets out of a double backdrop and tags to Carter, who springboard dropkicks in. Carter jumps off of Bate in the corner then spinning heel kicks Trent onto Bate in the corner. Carter release german suplexes Bate for 2.

Bate nearly rolls up Smith for the pin then helps him up for a Trent powerbomb fo 2. Bate gets thrown off the apron then Smith hits a big lariat on Trent. Trent takes a big pump kick to the face  then Carter urange's Trent. Carter moonsaults off of Smith and Smith grabs the first fall.

2nd fall - Trent is a little out of it as Smith is in control. Smith and Carter do a silly string into a splash for 2. Carter misses a pump kick in the corner and takes a one armed powerbomb. Smith alley oops Trent then Carter does a flying axe kick for 2 on him. Trent ddt's Smith then Bate gets a hot tag in. He beats up on his opponents and hits a nice running euro on Carter. Smith moves Carter out of the way on a 2nd rope euro by Bate then Bate exploders Carter. Bate forward flip kicks on both opponents then MM hits punches on both opponents. They then both hit tiger drivers for 2. Bate does a big lariat into a Trent dragon suplex to win the fall.

3rd fall - Bate hits some strikes on Smith then takes a bump over the top then Carter pulls the rope down. Smith then hits a blue thunder bomb on Smith for 2. Carter is held up by Smith and is flipped to the outside on both opponents. smith hits a top rope legdrop on a standing Trent then Bate breaks up the count with a top rope knee. Smith backdrops Carter who turns it into a 450.  Trent and Smith lariat each other at the same time and both go down. Trent hits a lariat then a high emerald flowsion.

Trent has Smith up in the rack position then Bate drops a knee on Smith from the top and Smith is burning hammered. Carter breaks up the pin. Trent gets banged into Bate on the apron and Bate is rolled up for 2. Carter superkicks Trent then Carter and Smith collide on the apron. Trent puts his feet on the ropes and pins Carter for the win. Mustache Mountain wins 2 falls to 1. Tyler notices it and is disappointed at Trent's tactics on the outside.

I thought it was a good main event. Not a classic or anything and Mustache Mountain were clearly the better team here, but Smith and Carter did okay. I didn't like the knee drop + burning hammer kick out, but that's about it.

Overall thoughts: The main was good but there wasn't much else that was noteworthy.

AEW Dynamite 4/20/2022

AEW Dynamite 4/20/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/aew-dynamite-4132022.html

CM Punk vs Dustin Rhodes

They shake hands. They trade an armdrag for a hiptoss early. and get off to a slow start. Punk tries to roll him up and gets an armdrag. Dustin misses a crossbody and rolls to the outside. Punk works the leg and we go to PiP break.

Back from break and Punk legsweeps Dustin on the apron. Dustin then armdrags Punk down on the apron. Punk hits some leg kicks then gets back body dropped. Dustin hits some corner punches then hits a code red for 2. Dustin then powerslams for him for 2.

Punk figure four leglocks him and they slap each other while in the figure four leglock. Dustin reverses it. Dustin comes back with a cross roads and a piledriver for 2. Dustin hits a punch combo then takes a high kick. Punk has him for the GTS but then kind of drops down and wins it.

This was not a good opener. It had logic with the knee work but it slow and close to 20 minutes. That's just not something that gets you pumped and hyped.

Hangman Adam Page comes out and stares down Punk as they go face to face.

We see Wardlow arrive earlier. Security interrupts him and Mark Sterling shows up. Mark says AEW security will bring him to his room. He also tells Wardlow that he needs to wear handcuffs. This didn't make much sense at all. Why would Tony Khan allow this and why would MJF have any say over who enters the arena and who doesn't?

Blackpool Combat Club vs Dante Martin, Lee Moriarty and Brock Anderson

They waste no time here and brawl inside and out. Dante enzugiri's Yuta then Bryan hits chops and kicks on Dante. Dante does some flying counters and Brock hits a nice clothesline on Mox. We go to PiP break, where Brock is hung on the top rope and Bryan drops a knee on him from the top.

Brock spinebusters Mox then Lee gets in and face kicks people on the apron. Lee then springboard crossbodies Bryan. Lee and Bryan trade slaps and Lee backdrops him for 2. Lee then puts him in the motor city stretch. Dante gets in and missile dropkicks Bryan then springboard dives on Mox. Dante almost slips on a double jump springboard moonsault and then gets caught in a facelock by Mox. Lee, Dante and Brock all get pounded on with elbows at the same time then Mox hits the paradigm shift on Dante to win.

This wasn't anything too noteworthy. I thought they forgot about Lee since he hadn't been seen for a while.

The Elite are interviewed. They argue and talk about all the people they have lost to. Kyle said he would qualify for the Owen Hart Cup by beating Jungle Boy. Cole says as a team they can't be stopped and says they should do an open challenge 10 man tag to remind the roster how dangerous they are.  

 

Samoa Joe does a promo on Satnam Singh and we see some clips of Singh beating up people. Lethal says Singh is one in a billion and Joe says him coming for Lethal is inevitable. Singh  then said something in his own language.

Tony Khan came out for his big announcement. He brings out the president of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Adam Cole then interrupts and said he should make the announcement. He says on June 26th, AEW and NJPW will have an event called "Forbidden Door". He says we will get a preview on Friday when Adam Cole fights Ishii in an Owen Hart Cup match.

He then says he has a special friend who wants to say hello then Jay White comes out. White said he sold out MSG the last time NJPW had a joint event. He said it is still the era of the Undisputed Elite and Bullet Club.

Jade Cargill, Red Velvet, Mark Sterling and someone else were talking. She said she will see Marina Shafir on Friday.

Wardlow vs The Butcher

MJF and Sean Spears are in a club box. MJF said Wardlow is a nobody like the fans and they throw popcorn on people. MJF said Wardlow comes out to no music since he is a nobody and says to send the pig out.

They trade forearms then shots. Wardlow hits some shoulders and knocks him over. They fight on the outside. Wardlow is slammed on the apron. Butcher powerbombs him and stumbles on it. Wardlow gets up and powerbombs him 4 times to win it.

Pittsburgh crowds are always weird and kind of hurt this one. It was a little slow but okay otherwise.

Eddie Kingston did a promo. He told Jericho to watch what he does to Daniel Garcia, because it is meant for Jericho. He said he would whoop him real good. He said you reap what you sow, but he doesn't he sow, he just reaps. Garcia and Eddie fight on Friday on Rampage.

Owen Hart Qualifier - Kyle O'Reilly vs Jungle Boy

Jr walks up the ropes and flips on them for an armdrag but is caught with an armdrag. JB hits a dropkick then O'Reilly hammerlocks him and takes him down. Kyle knees him in the gut and does some butterfly throws on him.

We go to Pip break and return with JB hitting forearms. Kyle gets thrown over the top then JB topes him. JB comes off the ropes and ddt's Kyle. JB gets knee'd into the ropes then hits a lariat on Kyle. JB pounds on Kyle from the tree of woe position then sliding dropkicks him. JB rolls up Kyle for 2. JB puts Kyle in the snare trap an Kyle hits the ropes.

Kyle superplexes JB then brainbusters him. Kyle drops a knee off the top on him and wins it.

The crowd was awful for this and destroyed it. I didn't think it was a real great match as it went long and had a slower pace to it.

Christian Cage comes down to talk to JB and walks to the back with him.

MJF and Spears are interviewed. MJF admits Butcher didn't get the job done when Marvez brings it up. MJF says he is like a snake and then gives Jake Roberts money. Jake says when the time is right, he will get it done and take out Wardlow. Lance Archer then comes in and says he doesn't need the money, he just wants to take out Wardlow. I guess it's time for Lance's monthly loss again.

Hook vs Anthony Henry

Hook uh has quite the hair style for this one. Hook flurries him in the corner then does a nice throw. Hook does a release northern lights suplex then lariats him to the back of the head. Hook then hits crossfaces and Danhausen comes out to point at him. Hook then gets the redrum for the win.

Danhausen gets on the mic and says he has had enough of him. He says Hook will fight Danhausen since he doesn't want to be harmed by him. Hook then walks out.

Kazarian is interviewed by Tony and Scorpio Sky comes in. Sky says he needs to wait longer to get a shot, but promises to give him the first shot when he wins it.

Thunder Rosa does a promo. She says she is no stepping stone and one of the best in the world.

Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti come out. Both are dressed like heels. Sammy says his girlfriend is hotter than the crowds girlfriends then Lambert, Sky and Page come out. Sky says screw Sammy. Page said Lambert decided tonight is about business. Lambert said Sammy is throwing his career away by acting like a high school douchebag. He says Sammy either gives Sky a title shot or Sammy gets a pounding his girlfriend would dream about. Sammy says he will give Sky a title shot next week if they do a mixed tag match. He challenges Sky to a ladder match.

I don't really know who the faces or heels were supposed to be here and it wasn't good.

The House of Black does a vignette. They said next week the sun dies which likely means Fuego del Sol.

 

Owen Hart Tournament Qualifier - Daniella Kamela vs Britt Baker

Two Steelers players were out there with Britt. Excalibur pimps a Girls Gone Wild documentary then Britt double underhook suplexes her as we go to PiP break. We return and Britt hits a spinning forearm. Britt hits a forearm flurry then sling blades her. Britt superkicks Daniella then spinning neckbreakers her. She then hits a curb stomp and wins with a lockjaw.

What we got was mostly a squash and a lot of it was cut off by the PiP break.

Britt says the AEW women's division is a mess without her. she says Jamie Hayter will beat up Toni Storm. Britt says the only people who want to see Jade in the ring tonight are the people she gave tickets to. Britt says she is the baddest on the block and will be the Owen Hart tournament winner. One of the Steelers then tries to say something but the mic is cut off and catches it.

Deeb and Shida do dueling promos. Shida wants to finish it and Deeb says she will finish her next week. They announce a philly street fight for next week.

Adam Cole vs Tomohiro Ishii is announced for Rampage as is Archer/Sepentico and some interviews along with what we were already told.

Coffin Match - Andrade El Idolo vs Darby Allin

Darby hits a skateboard shot to the back early then gets him in the cut with it. Marq Quen and The Blade then interfere to make it a 3v1. Darby fights them off some with a skateboard and is thrown into the rail. Andrade then hits Darby with the skate board. Marq rips up a sign by someone in a Sting mask and it turns out to be Sting. Sting then beats up Marq and Blade and hits them with a trash can.

Marq gets thrown into some short barricades that are super weak and knocks them all down. Marq hits Sting with a chair to the back but Sting isn't phased. Sting then jumps off part of the stands and crossbodies the 3 heels.

Andrade throws Darby over a rail. Andrade and Darby trade shots and Andrade is thrown into a chair in the ropes. Andrade misses a corner charge and takes a code red. Darby coffin drops him off the top the floor and is caught then german'd on the floor.

Darby is in the coffin and the lid has thumbtacks on it. Darby prevents it from closing then is suplexed on the ramp. Darby is suplex thrown onto something on the stage then thrown int othe steps. Andrade tries to destroy the lid in the coffin but can't. Darby then tope's Andrade into the casket. Darby hits him with the lid then Jose (Andrade's assistant) stops it. Jose gets backdropped on the tack lid then Andrade is shut in the coffin for the Darby win.

This was fine. Not a classic and not too many crazy moments but I didn't have a problem with it. 

Overall thoughts: The only things I really hated were the MJF/Wardlow security thing and the Sammy/Lambert segment. I didn't love some of the matches, but they weren't disasters or anything. However, the crowd was awful and completely ruined every match, in typical Pittsburgh fashion.

Ice Ribbon 4/16/2022 - Ice Ribbon #1192

 Ice Ribbon 4/16/2022 - Ice Ribbon #1192

Ibuki Hoshi vs Yuko Sakurai

 

They work a side headlock early. Ibuki stars flurry slapping her on her back. Yuko comes back and hair throws her then stands on her in the corner. Yuko then camel clutches her. They trade chops for chest forearms.

Hoshi cartwheels through a forearm and dropkicks her. She then russian legsweeps her into la escalera. Hoshi then hits a lightning spiral for 2. Yuko comes back with a slam and a suplex. She then grounded dragon sleepers her but Hoshi hits the ropes. Hoshi hits a spinning double chop for as the time limit nears. Then then rolls under her in a neat pin combiation for the win.

This wasn't bad at all and was one of the better things Yuko was involved in. Hoshi definitely carried the match with her usual energy and good chops and Yuko did okay as the heel against her.

Yuuki Mashiro vs Yappy vs Asahi

Yappy gets double kicked and stomp flurried in the corner then her opponents push on her neck with their feet. Yappy takes a double facebuster then they pound on her lower back. Yapp then takes a two single leg lariats at the same time and has her arms stretched on top of it.

Yappy picks up Asahi and running slams her into Yuuki in the corner, then splashes them both. Yuuki does a great scared face sell for it. Yappy hip attacks Yuuki for 2. Yappy and Asahi then double hip attack Yuuki and Asahi takes a funny fall off the apron on that double hip attack.

Yuuki hits some dropkicks on Yappy then Yappy spinning backbreakers her. Yappy then misses a legdrop and takes a kick. Asahi then dropkicks Yuuki and lands on Yappy for a senton. Asahi dodges some Yuuki punches. Yappy does a stunner on Asahi and ledrops Yuuki at the same time. Asahi then trips her on Yuuki and fujiwara armbars both in a cool spot.

Asahi double lariats her opponents. Yuuki does an odd counter on a slam then rolls up Yappy for the win.

The finish was a little botched but this was good. It was fast paced. Yappy did good as the hoss here and they had some creative spots. It was only under 10 minutes as well.

Saran vs Tsukushi Haruka

Saran is wearing the same gear as Tsukushi. Tsukushi will be retired within 3 weeks.

Saran wristlocks her, Tsu rolls out then Saran followers her. Tsu flips on the ropes out of a wristlock and Saran copies her. Tsu steps on her foot and gives the "I don't know what happened" gesture to the crowd then hair throws her. Tsu tries to double stomp Saran's hands and misses then Saran does it to her and does a flurry of them. She then kicks her over.

Saran gets tied up in the ropes and Tsu dropkicks her. Saran hits some nice dropkicks. Saran goes up top and gets caught, but climbs on Tsu's back for a sleeper. Tsu then dropkicks her in the corner. Saran is on the apron and Tsu comes at her, then gets pulled down ont othe apron too. They each try to stomp each others feet and Saran succeeds. Tsu chases Saran on the apron and trips then Saran chases her and trips. Saran rolls her up on the apron then double stomps her. Saran then nails Ibuki Hoshi on the outside and runs up her back to crossbody Tsu against the bottom rope.

Saran dropkicks her against the ropes then crossbodies her off the top for 2. Tsu double stomps her for 2. Saran tries some roll-ups and gets her for a close 2. Tsu then reverses her roll-up attempt for 2. Tsu hits a top rope double stomp on Saran and beats her for the win.

This was a great match. If you follow Ice, you'll appreciate it more than if you don't. Saran is kind of Tsukushi's student and she copied a lot of Tsukushi's stuff here. It was fast paced, they were both jerks to each other and Saran was great here as the babyface going for the win. One of the best matches that has been done on the dojo shows so far and a real fun one. I really liked this.

Nao Ishikawa and Rina Amikura vs Kaho Matsushita and Tsukasa Fujimoto

Rina and Nao have some new music for their princess team and it's pretty good.

Rina asks for a weird handshake to start. Tsuka and Nao do a test of strength then Tsuka rides Nao's bridge as she bridges back. She then sits on her as she bridges. Rina grabs Tsuka against the ropes and Rina/Nao miss a double falling splash. Kaho throws Nao by the hair then Nao does it back.

Kaho slams Nao. Rina gets in and shoulders Kaho and Kaho hits a nice forearm on her in the corner. Kaho misses a falling splash then Rina hits one on her and sentons her. Tsuka does a nice octopus stretch on Rina. Both Rina and Nao get tied up in the ropes then Tsuka and Kaho rub their faces with dirty towels. They then dropkick both in the back.

Rina backbreakers Tsuka then Tsuka is put in reverse tree of woe and splashed. Rina rolling sentons Tsuka for 2 then dies a nice side suplex. Nao gets in and hits some crossbodies on Tsuka. Nao takes some 1v2 offense including a double dropkick. Tsuka goes up top and is slammed down then Nao elbow drops her for 2. The two trade forearms then Tsuka double chops her down. Nao cartwheels into a headscissors on her then double reverse armbars her.

Tsuka then comes back with a leg sweep and a PK. Nao crossbodies Kaho. Kaho and Tsuka double dropkick Nao and Rina. Kaho then top rope crossbodies Nao for 2. Nao backdrops her then does a cartwheel into a roll-up for 2. Nao double underhook suplexes Kaho then Kaho shoulder kicks Nao for 2. Kaho then suplexes her for 2 at 15 minutes.Kaho then hits a falcon arrow and wins it.

This wasn't bad at all. It went a few minutes longer than needed but Rina and Nao looked okay here and Kaho got some nice shine.

The roster then sang happy birthday to Yuuki Mashiro and gave her a cake.

Overall thoughts: A very good dojo show. Saran vs Tsukushi is a must see if you watch these. It was one of Saran's best matches yet and a very good match logic wise. I liked the three way, the main was fine and the opener was good.

WWE NXT 4/19/2022

WWE NXT 4/19/2022

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/wwe-nxt-4122022.html

Pretty Deadly came out to start the show. They bragged about winning the tag titles. The Grizzled Young Vets came out and asked why they weren't invited to the tag team gauntlet last week. The Vets said PD was only successful in the UK was because they left. Legado del Fantasma came out and jumped the Vets, then they brawled around the arena.  The Vets may just be known as Gibson and Drake now.

Bron Breakker then came in through the stands and called out Joe Gacy. Joe then got on the tron and said he has the HoF ring that belonged to Rick Steiner but Bron has to come find him.  He then laughed on the tron.

Santos Escobar did a taped promo on Carmelo Hayes. He said Hayes should be in the back of the lines when it comes to the N-A Title.

Hayes and Trick did a promo. He said he's not the back of the line, he is the line. He said Santos was crazy and will be the first casualty on the getting back to the gold tour.

Tiffany Stratton vs Sarray

Tiff gut kicks her to start then Sarray kips up, armdrags her and dropkicks her. Sarray forearms her to the chest then indian deathlocks her. Sarray misses a dropkick against the bottom rope and gets stuck on it then Tiff hip attacks her on the ropes. Tiff then jumps up and kneels on the top rope then rolls onto her for a senton.

They trade chops then Sarray dropkicks her. Sarray then hits a german then second rope double stomps her. Sarray dropkicks her through the ropes. Tiff comes back with a corkscrew vader bomb and wins it.

The finish was a little random but Tiff did fine here and Sarry was better than she usually is.

The Vets were in the back and Bron Breakker ran through them looking for Gacy. He heard his dad's voice and it was a tape playing in a cage. Bron slammed the tablet he found down in anger.

Pretty Deadly was walking the halls and ran into Indi and Persia. They were saying "yes, boy" and "yes, girl" to everyone. Indi and Persia said they wanted a match. They agreed as they thought it would be against them, then they said it will be against Duke and Dexter. PD walked off and said they would think about it.

Grayson Waller was interviewed. They said Waller fired Sanga. Waller called Sanga dead weight. Chase U then walked in and said we have a teachable moment. He brought up Ben Franklin then Sanga walked in. Waller ran for it and threw stuff at him as Chase U cheered on Sanga.

They got in the ring and...

Sanga vs Grayson Waller

Sanga knocked him down early and threw him around. Sanga hits a nice shoulder then sideslams him. Sanga bangs his head off the mat. Waller rolled outside and pushed Sanga into the post. Waller pushed him in and did the roll into the cutter to win it.

I didn't think it was bad, but this storyline is out of nowhere and I don't like Sanga losing. Sanga looked much beter here than I expected and Waller did a decent job putting him over.

Waller held an Aussie flag after with a boxing kangaroo.

Their break up was not aired last week and was not explained well. I think it could have been better done, but you do have to give them credit for how quick they accomplished it.

Cora Jade talked about last week's segment with Natalya. She said she met the real Natty. She said her future isn't bleak . She said she saw Natty as a hero as a kid but now her dream is kick Natty's butt.

We got a Roxanne Perez vignette. She's been addicted to WWE video games since she was a kid and says she steps out of the video game and into real life next week.

Roxanne then did a promo. She debuts next week. She said she is nervous. Toxic Attraction comes in and is a lot taller than her. They tell her not to set her bar too high as she will never get there. Roxanne sounds confused and says thanks for the advice. Jacy then said she should debut tonight against her. Roxanne said she will figure something out.

Legado del Fantasma (Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro) vs Gibson and Drake

Gibson and Drake get dove on and their Vets name is no more. Cruz holds up Wilde and drops him on Drake. Wilde walks up the ropes then dropkicks Drake. Drake jumps off Gibson's back to dropkick Cruz on the apron. Cruz hit Drake with strikes then did a fast clothesline and dropkick. Cruz hit a top rope hurricanrana on Drake then took a double throat thrust from Gibson.

Wilde springboard flips on Gibson then Cruz hits a ddt on Drake. Wilde then tries to springboard with the help of Cruz and then just falls down but doesn't really blow it. LDF then get the win on Drake soon after with a kick/russian legsweep combo.

This went 100MPH and was really hard to keep up with. The story here was honestly the name change of the Vets. The Vets' name did really flow that great, but it was a lot better than this one.

Santos Escobar got on the mic and told Tony D'Angelo to see how a real boss handles business.

Wes Lee was interviewed. He said the last few weeks have been chaotic and said he feels lost and with doubts. Xyon Quinn then walks in. He said the real problem is that Lee doesn't run it straight. Lee said he doesn't know what it means. Xyon says it is time he teaches him lesson. Lee says he is at home in the ring and seeing him out there might bring some peace to the chaos. Xyon is wearing a leather jacket and definitely a full on heel now.

Santos Escobar vs Carmelo Hayes

They didn't get off to a hot start. Hayes hit a shoulder then Santos hit a dropkick. Santos then top rope crossbodied him then Trick interfered and Hayes twisting springboard crossbodied Escobar. Hayes then hit a neckbreaker and posed.

We went to PiP break and returned with them trying pumping strikes. Hayes did some weird lariat counter that looked like it hurt him worse than taking the lariat. Hayes put him in a single leg crab. Santos comes back with a fisherman's suplex for 2. Santos then delay brainbusters him. They trade forearms on their knees and Escobar hits corner punches on him. Santos throws him out then tope's him.

Tony D's un-named associates come out in pinstripe suits and hats. One of them crowbars Santos in the knee then Hayes hits a top rope leg drop to a bent over Santos and wins it.

It was okay but I'm not a huge fan of either guy in the ring. The ending was a little lame but at least there was a reason for it.

Trick and Hayes talk after. Hayes says there is nobody standing in his way and says he will become the N-A champ in 2 weeks at Spring Break-In, which is apparently the next NXT special.

Cameron Grimes then came out. He accepts the challenge. Hayes said he wants to start it now. Solo Sikoa then steps in and takes out Trick and Hayes. Grimes and Solo stare down  and Solo says "I got next".

Bron Breakker is still looking for Gacy. Creepy music plays and he enters some weird mirror room. He sees Gacy in the mirror and then Gacy disappears. Bron breaks a mirror yelling "where are you?" and the segment ends.

We wet to Diamond Mine's training dojo. Bivens was on the phone with Ivy Nile, who is in the UK for NXT UK. Roderick Strong told Bivens that he is the leader and refuses to watch another group crumble (like his last one). He said he is going to make an example out of people and says people who don't follow his vision are an enemy of Diamond Mine.

Natalya vs Tatum Paxley

Natalya has Cora's hat which she took earlier but they didn't really mention. Nat pushes her down. Tatum cartwheels throw a wristlock then backflips out of a wristlock. Tatum chases Natty outside then gets a spinning lariat. Natty then suplexes her on the floor. Natty surfboards her. Tatum comes back with lariats  and suplexes her. She standing corkscrw moonsaults her for 2 then Natty bangs her face into the middle buckle. Natty then sharpshooters her and wins it.

Tatum looked good here and held up very well against Natty. This wasn't a bad match at all.

Tony was asked if he had anything to do with the attack on Santos Escobar earlier. He denied it and said it was a couple of "goombah's trying to make a name for themselves". He then saw a car and asked if it was Santos' car.

Nathan Frazer got a vignette. He said his creativity and innovation will take over .He debuts next week.

Duke and Dexter are in the dressing room. Indi wants to know what size pants he wears as they need to look like a team. Duke wasn't sure how they would work together since Lumis doesn't talk. Due then tries to stare him down and make faces in a funny segment. Indi stops him and says don't worry about doing that. Duke says it is stupid and impossible and walks off.

Xyon Quinn vs Wes Lee

Lee rushes him to start. He then dropkicks him out and tope's him. Xyon backdrops him on the apron. Lee hits some strikes then runs into Xyon's double forearm block. Xyon headbutts him in the corner then hits a corner spear. They mess up a power spot into a roll-up then Lee is popped-up and thrown down.

Lee superkicks him then dropkicks him in the back of the neck. Lee then runs into a big forearm then Xyon flying forearms him to win it.

It was a short squash and it wasn't particularly impressive for either guy.

Natalya was interviewed. She said she was acting in self defense against Cora last week, and didn't attack her. She said all new wrestlers on Smackdown go through her, so she came to her home to speed it up. Nikkita Lyons then walked in. She said she is putting her on notice and is coming for her. Natty said everyone wants a piece since she is at the top and said Nikkita will know how to tap when she is in the sharpshooter. Nikkita then says she is flexible.

They announced Von Wagner has been suspended and fined for throwing Jiro into the seats last week.

Jacy Jayne vs Roxanne Perez

Jacy hits some chops on her early then RP fires one back. and rolls her up. They try a bunch of pinfalls and RP hits some armdrags. Jacy avoids one and RP falls down. RP kips up and armdrags her then takes a superkick. Wendy Choo is on the tron and says she did some remodeling to the T-A locker room. Everything is a mess and she rips up a sign. RP then hits a code red out of nowhere and wins it.

This wasn't bad. It was quick and definitely worked like an underdog match. Good on them for letting RP win it.

LdF walked to the parking lot. Their car had a giant boot on it and a dead fish was put on the hood. Santos says it is pretty obvious who did this.

A triple threat for the N-A title is announced for next week with Sikoa vs Grimes vs Hayes.

Gacy watches Bron try to find him on video camera's. He says it is itme he ends this.

WWE NXT Tag Titles - Pretty Deadly (c) vs Dexter Lumis and Duke Hudson

Elton dives on Dexter's foot then Kip comes in and attacks him. Dexter takes a double shoulder then PD does a splash and legdrop combo. Dex atomic drops Elton then Kip comes off the top and lands on a Dex atomic drop. We get a "dookie" chant for Duke. Him and Dex argue and PD blocks their double suplex attempt. Pd rolls outside and poses with Indi and Persia  then gets thrown in.

Duke pounds on Kip then Kip takes a double suplex. Duke back elbows Kip then hits a nice lariat which kip does a good sell for. We go to PiP break and Duke works a chinlock on Elton. Duke spinning side slams Elton for 2 and chinlocks him. We return to Duke crossfacing Elton.

Duke hits a nice lariat on Elton then Kip pulls out Elton from a corner charge. PD hit corner shots on Dex then Kip neckbreakers Dex. We get a rare overhead camera shot and PD tries to stop a Dex tag but fail. Duke gets the hot tag in and overhead belly to bellies Elton. He powerslams Kip then throws him into Elton.

Duke gets pulled off the 2nd rope then gets a roll-up for 2. Kip pulls Dx off the apron then Dex throws him into the steps. Duke powerslams Elton for 2. Elton hits a nice face kick on Duke and Duke collides with Dex on the apron and steals the win.

The ending was a little lame, but PD looked good here and this was one of Duke's better outings.

The lights go out and Joe Gacy appears. He says he is here then Bron comes out. Joe has the HoF ring and walks up to Joe. Joe holds the ring in front of him and says he will return it under one condition - in two weeks, Joe has to get a title shot at Spring Break-In. Bron agrees and Joe gives him the ring. Joe then says Bro needs to take a leap of faith and is pushed off the stands and lands on the floor with druids near him. The druids then surround Bron and the show ends. Harland was nowhere to be seen and it made Bron look like a dumb babyface.

Overall thoughts: This was a very busy show. A ton of stuff happened and there was very little downtime here. They just went super fast from one thing to the other. It was a little hard to keep up with, but you can't say they didn't fill the time. I don't like the Vets' new name change as it just insults the audience and makes the show look bad. I liked the main as it overperformed. I also did like Paxley/Natalya and Paxley seems like she is on the fast track to success. I also do like Tony now having his own little mafia crew and I'm interested to see where that goes.