5/3/2024 Notes
This is a huge weekend for wrestling with NJPW
having 2 shows, AJPW having 2 shows, TNA having a PPV, WWE having a PPV,
TJPW having a bigger show, Noah having a PPV along with the usual
stuff. It's going to take several days to get this all done and I don't
really know how this will end up working out.
I'm working on
today's NJPW show. I think it's possible to get it done today but it
will be hard. Tomorrow's NJPW show will be a big priority to get done as
well.
WWE Speed 5/3/2024
Wednesday's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/05/wwe-speed-512024.html
This is the first Friday edition of Speed. I don't know if it's permanent or just a one-off.
WWE Speed Title Tournament Final - Johnny Gargano vs Ricochet
JG = Johnny Gargano
This has a 5 minute time limit instead of the usual 3 minute time limit.
Ric leapfrogs and JG armdrags him into a pin attempt. Ric rolls him and JG armdrags him off the shoulders. They trade shots. Ric is flipped. JG rolls him and Ric does a standing SSP.
JG goes to springboard and is enzugiri'd. JG blocks Ric's moonsault with his feet. Ric moonaults to nothing outside then JG tope tornado ddt's him on the floor. Ric step up enzugiri's him, handsprings and is caught with a russian legsweep. JG puts him in the gargano escape then Ric throws him backwards into the buckles.
JG superkicks him then hits a poisonrana. Ric no sells it and germans him for 2. JG is up top and Ric enzugiri's him. Ric is dropped face first on the top rope. JG superkicks him for 2. JG hits forearms then Ric fireman's carries him into a facekick. Ric hits a recoil single leg codebreaker. Ric handsprings into a cutter for the win at 4:21.
It was a super fast paced match. They did a lot of evading and blocking some of the flying early which sucked since that's what you watch this for. Them getting the extra 2 minutes to work with here kind of defeats the point of Speed but I'm not complaining. As usual, it wasn't must see or anything.
They announced that a #1 Contender's Tournament for the title starts next Wednesday. Ric got fireworks for his win.
Overall thoughts: There was only one match as usual but unlike usual, it was 5 minutes long instead of 3 minutes. It wasn't must see but they did fill the match with lots of action.
Ring of Honor on HonorClub 5/2/2024 Episode #62
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/ring-of-honor-on-honorclub-4252024.html
The Infantry vs The Outrunners
The Outrunners have some girl named Laser Linda with them which is is a first for TV. Trish lariats Linda for no reason during their entrance.
The four fight and The Runners miss dropkicks. The Infantry then dropkicks them out.Dean hits some armdrags on Turbo then Bravo elbow drops Turbo's arm. Turbo takes a double atomic drop, double hiptoss and double fist drop. Truth then takes the hiptoss and fist drop too.
Truth distracts the ref and Turbo hits Dean in the eyes. The runners go for a double team but Bravo pulls Dean out and The Runners hit each other. Bravo plancha's outside onto Turbo. Truth is put over Bravo's knee then Dean fist drops Truth (they do a thing with catching an invisible grenade during it). Bravo superkicks Turbo then is nailed in the gut.
Bravo trips Truth and pulls his crotch into the post. Turbo then double axe handles Bravo off the apron. Bravo is held for a kick then bravo sunset flips Truth. Turbo bulldog headlocks Bravo. Bravo chops both Runners then takes a double hiptoss. The Runners then do a double elbow drop.
Bravo slingshot cutters Truth. Dean is tagged in and hits shots on both opponents. Truth is back body dropped. Dean hits offense on The Runners then ddt's Turbo. Dean elbow drops Turbo. Dean knocks down Truth with his crossover punch then Dean top rope splashes Turbo for 2.
Truth begs off and gets his eye poke blocked. Turbo facekicks Truth on accident then Truth takes bootcamp (russian legsweep + face kick). Truth is then pinned.
It went a little long here for the match they had set up. It was a decent match with The Runners being stooges and The Infantry being the faces here.
2.0 do a promo. Parker says he was going to retire a few weeks ago. Then he said he got the biggest news of his life. He says that lit a fire under his @ss. He said Ruby will be at home and he has to figure out what's next. Parker says there's a lot to fight for. Menard says Parker has his priorities in order.
Menard said they have an issue with The Undisputed Kingdom. Menard said they should get the van and take a road trip. Parker says they will go on a trip to the promised land. Mendard tells Undisputed Kingdom to get ready.
Proving Ground Match - The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) vs The Qrown (Leonis and Maximus)
They didn't really mention which Qrown member was which here and they didn't get an entrance. Leonis has the red bandana and is bigger. Mike chops and forearms Leonis. Leonis is tripped into a Taven elbow to the neck. Taven then stops Leonis. Mike hits forearms and boots on Linus in the corner.
Leonis fights off the 2v1 and belly to belly suplexes Taven. Leonis takes a couple of shots and is knocked down. Mike stomps on Leonis. Leonis hits chops and throws Taven out. Mike is back body dropped and Maximus gets in. Max hits nice lariats then uranages Mike. Taven springboard kicks Max then Max takes a spike piledriver. Mike pins Max.
It was a quick squash here. Maximus got a little shine with some nice lariats before being put away.
JD Drake does a promo. He said he's been lost for the last month. He said his brain is foggy and he doesn't know if he's coming or going. He said it showed in his bowling game too and he asked where did he go from here. He said he got change for a $5 at the bowling alley with three $1 bills and a $2 bill. He said his grandfather used to put $2 bills in every picture frame. He said JD would need to talk to him one day and said this will be the message. He said when times get tough, you either quit or tighten your boot straps and get back to work. He says The Workhorsemen might not be a thing for the forseeable future but it's time for him to be a Workhorseman. He said it's time to give ROH a $2 bill worth of @ss whooping.
This was a nice promo here and was more helpful than anything JD has done for the last year.
Toa Liona vs Jimmy Wild
Toa offers a handshake. Jimmy takes it then Toa doesn't let go. Toa running back elbows him then hits chops and shots to the gut. Toa chokes Jimmy on the ropes then belly to belly suplexes him. Jimmy step up enzugiri's him then hits a dropkick. Toa superkicks him then sentons him on the apron.
Toa then grabs the camera and yells. Toa running pounces him then sits on him to pin him.
It was a quick squash here with Toa looking good. Will it lead to anything? I doubt it.
Toa throws Jimmy out after.
The Dark Order (Evil Uno, John Silver and Alex Reynolds) vs Adam Priest, Zicky Dice and Sean Maluta
You may remember Sean Maluta from WWE's Cruiserweight Classic a few years ago. The Order appear to be faces again here. John shoulders Sean over. Sean goes for a hurricanrana and is powerbombed down. John back body drops Adam then Dice backs off from John.
Sean is double tripped and takes a triple basement dropkick. Dice knees Uno from the outside and Sean hits Uno from behind. Dice sends Uno into the post.
Dice cravates Uno and does a neckbreaker out of it. Adam gets shots in on Uno then Dice footslaps Uno. Uno gives Dice's foot to the ref then neckbreakers him. Alex running back elbows Adam and knocks the ref over. Alex plancha's Dice and Sean outside then he double underhook powerbombs Adam. Sean enzugiri's Alex the Uno face kicks Alex. Dice hits a spinning forearm on Uno then John superkicks Dice. John canadian destroyers Adam then Adam takes a triple pendulum powerbomb. The Dark Order get the pin.
It was a short squash here. It's too bad they didn't let it go longer because it would have been good.
The Iron Savages do a promo. They say they are underappreciated and undervalued. They say they have been paraded like a circus act. They haven't been in any tournaments or on PPV's. They sayd making people laugh is not bringing them success. Jameson says the fans don't deserve their entertainment and are done trying to win over low testosterone losers.
Aaron Solo vs Jon Cruz
Jon wants a handshake. Solo gives him one then boots and punches him. Solo suplexes him then takes a flying headscissors and lariat. Jon slams him and shakes the ropes. Jon misses a top rope splash and is german suplexed. Solo corkscrew kicks him and gets the win.
It was just a quick squash here.
Queen Aminata vs Robyn Renegade
They lock up. RR side headlocks her and Queen headlock takeovers her. RR step up enzugiri's her then backcrackers her. Queen is hanging over the 2nd rope and RR double stomps her. Queen cradles her then hits lariats.
Queen snapmares her and running knees her. Queen running knees her through the ropes and we see Athena watching this with Billie Starkz. RR sunset flips her then is snapped suplex. RR drops her down on her chest then basement dropkicks her. RR hits an attitude adjustment for 2.
Queen germans her then corner hip attacks her. Queen running facewash kicks her in the corner then hits an air raid crash for the win.
It wasn't real interesting here. They seemed to have gotten lost at one point near the end of this with Queen hitting some bad strikes.
They show then ends at around 51 minutes.
Overall thoughts: I'm not sure why the show was shorter this week. I wouldn't think people paying for this service would be happy about it though it makes my job easier. This episode was a backwards step for ROH as we went back to the pointless squashes, we only had one champ on the show and nothing was really built. I wouldn't recommend this one.
TNA Impact 5/2/2024
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/tna-impact-4252024.html
AJ Francis is with Rich Swann and Bun B in the luxury box seats. They said they wanted to hear Joe Hendry's apology in the VIP section. AJ says to feel free to come up here and get kicked out by security.
Mustafa Ali vs Chris Bey
They lock up and trade wristlocks. Ali headflips out of a wristlock then side headlock takeovers him. Ali side headlocks him and shoulders him over. Ali back elbows Bey and takes chops in the corner. Bey hits corner punches then flips Ali with a lariat.
Ali flips out of a backdrop and is ddt'd for 2. Ali stomps on him. Ali is put in tree of woe then Bey does a coast to coast elbow drop in a cool spot. Bey is swept down onto the top buckle then Ali tilt-a-whirl backbreakers him. Ali is thrown into the 2nd buckle face first.
Bey running lariats Ali then enzugiri's him on the apron. Ali flips over him then is spinebustered for 2. Bey gets on the 2nd rope then is pushed over and then dropkicked to the floor. Bey spin kicks Ali when Ali slingshots in.
They trade shots and Ali tries to pin him with his feet on the ropes. Ace knocks Ali's feet off the ropes. Ali's security then argue with Ace and Ali topes Ace. Bey then tope con hilos Ali. Bey top rope crossbodies Ali then Ali superkicks him.
Bey pumping knees him then hits a kudo driver. Bey gets on the 2nd rope and is german suplexed on the apron. Ali misses a 450 then Bey flying cutters him. Ali's guards hit Bey with a flag while he's up top. Ali 450's Bey and gets the win.
I liked it at first but then it kept going and going and I ended up not liking it. The Bey coast to coast elbow was nice but it ended up meaning nothing as did the Ali german to Bey on the apron. They did too much here.
Dani Luna vs Alisha Edwards
Lars Frederiksen is on commentary here. Masha is with Alisha and Jody Threat is with Dani. Alisha slaps her then is piefaced over. Dani drops her with a forearm then corner lariats her twice. Dani exploders her for 2. Dani knocks her over with a forearm and Masha tries to coach Alisha.
Dani is pulled into the ropes then Alisha splashes her on the ropes. Masha chokes Dani on the ropes then Alisha hits a tornado ddt. Alisha yells at the fans and Dani stares her down. Dani slams her then hits lariats and back elbows. Alisha takes a nasty slingshot blue thunder bomb.
Masha gets on the ropes and distracts Dani. Jody threat pushes Masha and Alisha dropkicks Jody. Masha gets in and hits a northern lights bomb on Dani. Alisha then picks up the pin.
It was a short one here and wasn't that great. Alisha got thrown around like a kid by Dani here.
Sami Callihan does DMTV with an old school TV show intro.We see him spit and he says he can say anything he wants. He said he wants to right the wrongs of the past. He then does his thumbs up and thumbs down thing. This was very fast paced and extremely hard to hear and follow.
Deaner gets on the mic and says it looks like he has a battle ahead of him. He said he talked to Santino and said they can add a stipulation to this. Hammer takes the mic away. He said he's been in TNA for a few months and said this is the worst part of the experience. He calls it a sad sorry attempt to pander to idiots. Hammer says they should make this an arm wrestling match as a stipulation. Deaner said they should get in crazier since they are in Vegas and have an anything goes, no DQ, Sin City Streetfight. Deaner says it's not either one of their choices, it's the people's choice. Deaner asks the crowd which match they want and the crowd chooses the street fight.
Sin City Street Fight - Hammerstone vs Cody Deaner
Deaner hits Hammer with the mic saying the people have spoken. Deaner dropkicks him in the knee then grabs a trash can lid. He hits Hammer with it and Hammer just gets mad. Hammer pump kicks him then stomps him in the corner.
Hammer back elbows Deaner then throws him out. Hammer pulls Deaner shoulder first into the post. We go to PiP break and return. Deaner takes a forearm to the spine then Hammer hits crossface shots. Hammer tells him he wanted this and chokes him on the ropes.
Hammer gorilla presses Deaner on the chair top edge. Deaner hits forearms and falls over when he tries to slam Hammer. Hammer hits mounted shots then Deaner slams Hammer on chairs for 2. Deaner grabs a table. He tries a forearm but Hammer no sells it then Hammer exploders him. Hammer chokeslams Deaner through a table. Hammer torture racks Deaner and wins it.
It was a longer match than it needed to be. Deaner had no real shot here and it would have been better as a squash.
Jake Something flies in over the top rope onto Hammer. They fight on the mat then security breaks it up. Hammer teases fighting Jake then walks off. Security stops Jake.
We see a doctor working on Nic Nemeth. He says Nic has a bad injury to his neck to Santino. He said Nic won't be able to compete at Under Siege and he said he is pulling him. Matt Hardy comes in. He said he will team with Seven and Bailey instead of Nic to fight The System. Santino makes the match.
Trent Seven, Mike Bailey and Matt Hardy talk. Trent says The System needs to be taken down. Mike says it will be time for them to delete The System tomorrow. Matt says The System must be annihilated and deleted. Matt says Trent and mike will be made temporary members of House Hardy. He said Trent will be "Trent the Seventh" and Mike will be "The Ball of Speed". He said they will render The System obsolete.
We get another Jonathan Gresham video. He talks to Santino. Santino says he's "jack up". Santino said he hopes this time in TNA is smooth sailing. JG gets lost with images of bugs and Santino says welcome back. They shake hands and one of them gets black liquid on their hands. The guy in the octopus mask then walks in and sits across from JG. Santino tries to wash the black stuff off but can't.
AJ Francis and crew are in the VIP seats. He asks if the crowd agrees that it has been a great episode of TNA, then tells them he doesn't care. AJ said he doesn't Joe Hendry but will see if he's a man of his word.
Joe Hendry comes out with a guitar and a mic. He says it's time for him to apologize to First Class. He said his issues with them began here with a song. Joe says it's important to end things the same way, with a song. He said he needs to put his apology into context. He said his last song mocked them brutally. He then sings the song, mocking AJ failing at the NFL and rap. In the song, he says he'll never win any titles and says he's the cheese of champions.
Joe then said he did a second song and sings it. The lyrics talk about AJ being banned from diving. Joe then says it's time for the apology song. He said he went low before and will go higher this time. The lyrics say he's sorry for making fun of him as there's so much material. He shows a photo of AJ holding up Rich with his hands on Rich's butt. He then sings a rip off of "Can you take me higher?" with the lyrics, "Can you please get fired? Because it happened twice before."
I thought it was a good segment but Joe kind of was a jerk for saying he would apologize and then ripping him further.
Gia Miller interviews The System. Eddie ask who is on the poster for Under Siege and says they are. Eddie says TNA needs them. Brian Myers asks how Speedball Mountain got in this and said they are riding the coat tails of Matt Hardy. Moose says the show will have the return of TNA legend, Matt Hardy. Moose said he became a TNA legend while Matt was gone. He says Matt talks about deleting people but says The System can't get deleted. He says Matt and Speedball Mountain will be deleted at Under Seige. Alisha says you always trust The System.
Trey Miguel vs Ace Austin
They lock up and go into the corner. Trey lock-up drags him but Ace holds on. They shove each other and punch each other. They roll on the mat with punches and Wentz/Bey each get on the apron. Ace rolls and trips Trey into a kick in the back. Ace armdrags him and dropkicks him. Trey goes out.
Aces goes to springboard and Wentz pulls Ace down. Trey rakes Ace's back. We go to full break and return.
Ace is sent into the corner hard. Trey chokes him with his knee then front facelocks him. Trey flying bodyscissors Ace then hits mounted punches. Trey hits kicks then double stomps Ace's back. Ace gets his knees up on Trey's asai moonsault. Ace russian legsweeps him then legdrops him.
Ace hits corner lariats on Trey then 2nd rope kicks him for 2. Trey rolls up Ace for 2. Trey moonsaults over Ace, who is on all fours, then dropkicks him in the back. Trey kicks Ace in the chest. He tells a fan that he just hurt his leg and still moves better than him.
Trey enzugiri's Ace. Ace misses a springboard kick then his head is superkicked into the buckles. Trey ear claps Ace then sunset flips him off the top for 2. Ace drives Trey's head into the mat then hits a running headhunter to win it.
It started off well and pretty much tailed off for the rest of the match until the finish.
Josh Alexander and Eric Young do a promo. Josh says he doesn't like Kazarian or Maclin. Eric agrees and says he doesn't like Kazarian. Eric says they are coming straight at Kaz/Maclin and are coming for them tomorrow night.
George Iceman gets on the mic. He says what's a Knockouts title match without a perfect spectator? He then brings out Ash by Elegance, who is in the box seats.
Knockouts Title - Jordynne Grace vs Miyu Yamashita
Grace wristlocks her. Miyu rolls through it and wristlocks her. Grace shoulders her over then cartwheels over her. Miyu hits a chest kick then Grace does a regal suplex on Miyu's head. Miyu triangle kicks her during the break then hits knees to the face. Miyu drops her with a kick the ndoes it again wit h chest kick. Grace sweeps her on the apron.
Grace jackhammers her on the floor. Grace goes for a dive and is kicked on the attempt. Miyu hits kicks on the apron then high kicks her. Miyu hits an attitude adjustment on the apron.
Miyu throws her over with a cobra clutch. Grace slaps her then is slapped back. Miyu chest kicks her then is slammed. Miyu gets up and chest kicks Grace. Grace slams her again. They go down at the same time with a uraken and high kick to each other.
Grace back elbows her in the corner then slaps her. Miyu knees her in the face on the buckles then grace hits headbutts. Grace back body drops her off the top. Miyu high kicks her then is clotheslined. Miyu legsweeps her then spin kicks her in the head for 2. Grace spinning back elbows her then hits a made in Japan. Grace then gets the win.
It didn't have much build to it but they did give Miyu enough offense here to make you think she had a chance. They were super stiff with each other here and Miyu really lit her up with kicks. I ended up liking this one and thought it was a brutal looking match.
Steph de Lander and Kon come out after. Steph face kicks Grace. Steph tells Kon to break her neck then the lights go out. PCO appears in the ring and chops Kon. Grace lob blows Kon. PCO lariats Kon over the top. Steph lariats Grace. PGO grabs Steph by the throat and Steph tries to flirt with him. Grace then throws Steph out.
Overall thoughts: I liked the main and the Hendry concert but not much else here. It just felt like a lot of filler and the show was skippable. It didn't do much to build to the PPV tomorrow, but the PPV is so weak that no amount of build will do much for it anyway. I wouldn't recommend this.
FREEDOMS 2/8/2024 Go Beyond The Limit 2024
Kengo, Takahiro Katori & Toru Sugiura vs. F-SWAG (Gaia Hox, Jun Masaoka & Yuya Susumu)
We get some forearm trades to start. Jun takes a triple basement dropkick then takes a gubuster into a basement dropkick. Hox rakes Jun's eyes with his feet and slingshot swantons him for 2. Yuya snapmares Kengo then kicks him in the back for 2. Jun boots him out of the corner and takes a back body drop.
Toru gets in and shoulders over Jun. Toru slams Hox then Kengo and Toru do stereo tope con hilos outside. Toru corner forearms Jun then basement dropkicks him. Jun dropkicks Toru in the knee and axe kicks him in the head for 2. Toru forearms Jun then suplexes him when he tries to springboard.
Katori and Hox go at it. Katori knees him. Toru slams Hox and Kengo top rope double foot stomps him. Katori backdrops Hox for 2. Katori gets hit with a sign from Jun while running the ropes then he takes corner attacks. Katori takes a codebreaker into a double stomp on the back. Hox hits a neat northern lights bomb type of slam.
Katori hurricanrana's Hox then Hox pumping knees him. Katori backrolls Hox and wins it at 9:53.
It wasn't anything too special here. Nothing wrong with it but it needed more time. Katori didn't even get his stuffed animal toy out here and we didn't see much of Toru.
GENTARO & Tatsuhito Takaiwa vs. HAKKA & Rekka
Hak and TT go at it. Hak wristlocks him then TT grabs his leg. Hak hits some shots on TT then Rek gets some in. Rek and TT trade forearms and chops then TT lariats him over. Gen snapmares Rek and elbow drops him. Gen neckbreakers him then Rek dropkicks him. Rek hits another dropkick then Hak pounds on Gen. Hak slams him then elbow drops him.
Hak is tripped into the buckles then TT hits a chop flurry on Hak. TT corner lariats Hak then Hak suplexes him. TT takes chops from both opponents then lariats both opponents. Hak running lariats TT. Rek hits forearms on TT then misses a dropkick. Gen slaps and hits punches on Rek. Gen gutwrench suplexes Rek then top rope dropkicks him for 2.
Rek springboard dropkicks Gen then corner dropkicks him. Gen takes a sandwich forearm and double suplex. Gen slaps Rek then TT lariats Rek off a piledriver attempt. TT death valley drivers Hak. Rek no sells a Gen backdrop then is backdropped again for a 1 count. Gen backdrops Rek again and wins it at 10 minutes.
It was a solid tag here with both teams getting a little in. They just stuck with real basic wrestling and it was okay for what it was.
Mammoth Sasaki, Minoru Fujita, Takahiro Katori & Takashi Sasaki vs. ERE (Dobunezumi Fukki, Kyu Mogami, Toshiyuki Sakuda & Violento Jack)
Everyone fights at the bell and 6 of the 8 go out to fight. Kyu takes a double boot then a double shoulder from Mammoth and Takashi. Fukki and Katori trade then Katori dropkicks him for 2. Fujita is dropkicked off the apron then Fukki backdrops Katori.
Fukki chairs Katori in the back then Jack hops over Fukki's back to elbow drop Katori. Jack then sentons Katori. Katoi and Sakuda go at it. Sakuda smashes Katori's fingers between legs of a ladder. Kato tries forearms on Kyu but gets nowhere. Kyu low blows him then is suplexed. Mammoth chops Kyu then double arm spinebusters him. Fujita is suplexed by Jack then Takashi tries to lariat battle with Jack.
Takashi ripcord high kicks Jack then lariats him. Mammoth grabs a ladder and swings it at Fukki and Kyu then throws it at Kyu. Mammoth powerbombs Takashi so he can superplexex Fukki in a dumb spot. Fujita chinbreakers Kyu. Sakuda and Katori trade.
Katori boots him out of the corner and is caught with a rolling death valley driver when he jumps off the 2nd rope. Fujita holds Sakuda for a Katori dropkick. Sakuda is bridged on the ropes. Katori top rope dropkicks him and Fujita ddt's Sakuda down.
Katori knees Sakuda in the face then backdrops him. Sakuda drives Katori into the ropes for a Jack kick then Jack running lariats Katori over. Jack sitout powerbombs Katori for a close near fall. Jack does a grounded octopus to Katori that Fujita breaks up.
Kyu cutters Fujita to get him out. Katori does a flying octopus on Jack but is side slammed. Katori goes for a ground submission but is rolled into a pin attempt. Jack chairs him, lariats him in the back of the neck then does a side electric chair driver on him. Jack gets the win at 9:45.
It wasn't a bad 8-man. It didn't have enough time for everyone to really do much here. However, they didn't get to do stupid stuff and therefore didn't have to sell the stupid stuff, which made the match a lot better.
Barbed Wire Board Death Match - Daisuke Masaoka vs. Yusaku Ito
DM = Daisuke Masaoka
Ito face kicks him and pounds on him at the bell. they try to push each other's heads into the boards, which are made of the thinnest wood ever. DM is driven into the boards first and breaks it with ease. Ito pushes DM's head into the barbed wire. He slams the board onto DM then headbutt drops the board into him.
DM gets his head pushed into the barbed wire then Ito footpresses DM's head into it. Ito pushes barbed wire into DM's head and they trade forearms. Ito knocks him over with a headbutt for 2. Ito chairs a barbed wire board onto DM then Ito is back body dropped onto a chair pile. DM flying knees Ito.
Ito is slammed on the mat and DM vader bomb corkscrew elbows him. DM slams Ito then hits an asai moonsault for 2. Ito throws a chair at DM's head then Ito michinoku drivers him for 2. A chair is bridged on 3 chairs. Ito sitout powerbombs DM through the contraption for 2.
A board is bridhed on chairs. Ito gets stuck up top with barbed wire wrapped around his head. They fight up top and Ito gets headbutted. DM 2nd rope rolling snapmares Ito through the bridged board. DM fire thunders Ito onto the barbed wire board for 2. Ito crucifix drivers DM for 2.
Ito wraps his fist in barbed wire and punches DM. They trade forearms and Ito face kicks him. Ito hits a big headbutt then DM headbutts him back. Toru Sugiura is seen enjoying this as they headbutt each other move. DM rolls Ito and pins him.
It was going okay until the rolling snapmare spot through the board. They didn't sell the spot much and just kept going. The finish wasn't too good either and didn't really hit what they were doing here.
Razor Cross Board & Bamboo Skewer Cross Board Death Match - Jun Kasai vs. Crazy King
They lock up. Jun side headlocks him and they shoulder battle.Jun cradles him and headlock takeovers him. King headsicssors him and they stand off. Jun gives him the middle finger then chairs him. King uses the chair on himself then 2nd rope dropkicks a chair into Jun.
Jun is sent right into both sets of cross boards and has a skewer sticking out of his ribs. King shoves skewer sticks into Jun's mouth then pump kicks them. King powerbombs Jun. Kin nudo's Jun then shoves the sticks in Jun's head and poses.
Jun piledrivers King onto chairs then pulls the sticks out of his own head. King and Jun each let each other hit the other with razorboards. Jun headbutts a razorboard into King's head then running lariats him. Jun corner spears and suplexes King.
Jun top rope headbutt drops King for 2. King puts sticks in his own head and Jun puts sticks in his own head. They forearm the other. Jun then hits a sitout elevated pedigree for 2. Jun gets caught up top. King 2nd rope death valley drivers him at 10 minutes.
King sentons Jun for 2. King spinning forearms and death valley drivers Jun for 2. King heatseeker piledrivers Jun over the 2nd rope. King goes for another heatseeker but is thrown back onto the skewer stick board. Jun runs the ropes fast and lariats King for 2. Jun slams Jack then top rope splashes him for 2.
Jun forearms King then does a jay driller. Jun kisses King then does a cross-arm pilerdriver for the win at 13:23.
It wasn't good for several reasons. They put sticks into their own heads to show it didn't hurt. King didn't sell much at all and there was just not a lot there besides the hardcore spots. That's nothing new and I expected it.
King Of FREEDOM World Title / Barefoot King Title Barefoot Fluorescent Lighttubes & Thumback Alpha Death Match - Masashi Takeda vs. Takayuki Ueki
Both of these guys are indeed barefoot here. Both avoid going into the light tube ropes to start. They swing tubes at each other and Ueki gets hit with a tube in the foot. MT is sent into the tubes then bdropkicks Ueki into the tubes. Ueki then sends MT into the tubes again. Uei goes headfirst into the tubes and MT hurts his foot after stepping on one.
MT bangs a tube off Ueki's foot then presses a tube into Ueki's foot. Ueki is hit in the head with a tube. MT hits Ueki in the head with scissors. MT then stabs and scraps Ueki's foot with the scissors. MT slams Ueki on tubes.
Ueki drops MT feet first on the tubes. Ueki avoids being dropped feet first into tacks then cartwheels to avoid the tacks. Ueki is headlock takeovered onto the tacks. MT tries to double stomp him but just stomps the tacks. MT has a whole bunch of tacks stuck in his feet.
Ueki does an octopus on MT while his foot is in the tacks. Ueki carves lemons onto MT's head. MT is put in tree of woe with his head on the tack board then Ueki presses down on him, forcing tacks into MT's head.
Ueki chairs the tacks into MT's head. MT shotgun dropkicks tubes into Ueki but hurts himself since he is barefoot. MT chairs Ueki. MT bulldogs Ueki then bangs his head off the tack board at 15 minutes. MT chairs a chair, pushing Ueki's head into the tackboard. Ueki has about 15 tacks stuck in the side of his head.
MT dominators Ueki. MT goes for a dropkic, misses and dropkicks a gusset plate board. MT is then battering rammed head first into tubes. Ueki drives himself into tubes and hits fist drops. Ueki uses tubes as canes to walk around then stomps tubes into MT.
Ueki takes his pants off then jawbreakers MT. Ueki ddt's MT into the tacks then misses a falling headbutt drop, going into the tacks. Ueki misses a dropkick and goes into the tacks then is release german'd. They each grab the same set of tubes and headbutt each other.
Ueki puts a gusset plate in his head, as does MT. They trade forearms and headbutts. Ueki blocks a knee and puts Mt inot the tacks feet first. Ueki flying headbutts him then death valley drivers him onto tacks. Ueki comes off the 2nd rope and headbutts tubes into MT. MT uraken's a tube stack into Ueki's head then knees him for 2.
MT top rope swantons tubes into Ueki for a 1 count. MT knees a stack of tubes into Ueki's head then does an elevated lifting reverse ddt for 2. MT knees more tubes into Ueki's head then does an abdominal stretch suplex on Ueki into tubes. Takeda wins it at 19:59
It went on longer than it needed it. It straddled a fine line between creativity and stupidity. They didn't sell a lot in the final stretch but they did keep it entertaining. I liked it overall but it was flawed and was not the smartest match.
Overall thoughts: It was your typical Freedoms show. The undercard was watchable. The hardcore matches were mostly stunt shows with little wrestling. The main wasn't the smartest but it was entertaining and creative. I wouldn't recommend this one.
All Japan Pro Wrestling TV 1/11/1998
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-japan-pro-wrestling-tv-131998.html
This is from the 1/2/1998 show.
Asunaro Cup Tag League Match - Akira Taue & Kentaro Shiga vs. Jun Izumida & Tamon Honda
We join this in progress. Jun tries to shoulder over Taue but gets nowhere. Jun and Taue do sumo then Jun does a sumo chest slap flurry. Taue throws him and boots him in the back of the head. Taue hits a stiff lariat for 2.
Jun and Shiga go at it. Shiga sunset flips him and Jun just buttdrops him multiple times. Honda airplane spins Shiga into a gutbuster. Shiga was thrown out and sent into the rails by Jun. Jun stomps on him outside then slams him on the floor mat. Honda throws Shiga hard into the buckles and Jun does a strangle hold alpha to Shiga.
Honda chest clubs Shiga and headbutts him. Shiga hits a nice running tornado ddt. Jun STF's Shiga then headbutt drops him. Shiga is sent into the buckles shoulder first and Honda yanks on the arm. Honda throws Shiga down then armbars him. Taue breaks it up with a boot.
Honda hits a nice belly to belly on Shiga for 2. Taue comes in and ddt's Honda. Taue face kicks Honda and Jun. Honda flying neckbreakers Taue. Taue takes a headbutt into a chokeslam then a 2 person headbutt drop for 2.
Jun pump kicks Taue then takes a boot in the corner. Taue jumping face kicks him. Shiga top rope dropkicks Jun then springboard splashes him for 2. Shiga tornado ddt's Jun for 2. Shiga double boots him in the corner then is powerslammed for 2. Jun hits a stiff lariat on Shiga then Taue drops Shiga onto Jun for 2. Shiga dropkicks Jun.
Shiga running forearms Jun then Taue nodowa otoshi's Jun. Taue backdrops Shiga onto Jun and wins it.
We sadly saw most of this one. It was long and it front of a totally dead crowd who wasn't interested. Jun was pushed as someone of a threat here which didn't really work considering he's dressed up like Kamala. Shiga did some flying here but was still green at this point. Honda got little in. This wasn't good.
Gary Albright, Ricky Santana & Steve Williams vs. Jun Akiyama, Maunakea Mossman & Mitsuharu Misawa
Kea = Maunakea Mossman
This is joined in progress, though likely not by much. Kea and Ricky go at it. Rick hits chops and Kea hiptosses him. Ricky upkicks him then spinning lariats him. Ricky face kicks him, hits forearms then is dropkicked. Kea side headlocks Ricky then Kea is backdropped. Ricky STF's Kea.
Gary snapmares and rolls Kea into a pin attempt. Jun gets in. They lock up and Jun is taken down. Gary chinlocks him and is put in a hammerlock. June is spinebustered and Steve elbow drops him. Steve and Jun stand off. Steve takes him down and armlocks him. Misawa gets in. Steve drops him with some shots for 2. Steve side headlocks him at 5 minutes.
Misawa arm throws Steve then arm and wristlocks him. They trade shots and Steve falls down after a forearm. Kea running boots Steve in the gut then hammerlocks him. Steve hits a big punch on Kea then throws him out. Kea is whipped into Ricky's lariat outside. Doc brainbusters Kea for 2.
Gary clubs on Kea then throws him on a suplex. Gary then throws him on a double underhook suplex. Kea fujiwara armbars Ricky and Steve breaks it up. Jun hits forearms on Ricky then jumping knees him. Jun snapmares and chinlocks him. Ricky slips out then Steve running double axe hammers Jun's back. Gary sends Jun into the rails outside then Jun is lariated by Steve outside.
Steve bangs Jun's head off the buckles and hits a corner lariat. Steve hits corner spears on Jun then Jun backdrops Steve. Misawa top rope springboard forearms Steve. Misawa flying corkscrew lariats Steve for 2.
Steve spinebusters Misawa and tags in Gary. Misawa takes a double shoulderblock for 2 then Gary does a big abdominal stretch slam. Misawa 2nd rope dropkicks Gary then Kea gets in. Kea hits strikes on Gary then is slammed down hard. Ricky flying forearms Kea then corner lariats him. Ricky tornado ddt's Kea for 2. Ricky misses a top rope splash. Kea hits a TKO for 2.
Jun corner forearms then northern lights suplexes Ricky for 2. Misawa forearms Gary out then Jun exploders Ricky for the win.
We saw almost all of this 14:12 match. It wasn't that good. The crowd wasn't into it and it ended before it really got going. Steve and Ricky really did try here but there were too many tags and Misawa didn't get to do much.
We then see slow-mo highlights of Hiroshi Hase & Takao Omori vs. Johnny Ace & Johnny Smith.
Overall thoughts: There were only 2 matches. The crowd was totally dead for both. Both went long and neither were good. I wouldn't recommend this.
WWE Main Event 5/1/2024
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/wwe-main-event-4242024.html
JBL is on commentary this week instead of Road Dogg.
Katana Chance and Kayden Carter vs Piper Niven and Chelsea Green
Pipe lariats both opponents from behind before it starts. Piper splashes Carter in the corner. Carter is slapped and takes a ripcord lariat. Green bullies Carter around then Carter hits forearms. Carter is thrown back then Green sits on her on the middle rope.
Carter is foot choked in the corner and Piper throws her down. Carter slaps her and is bullied around more. Piper misses a corner cannonball. Carter tags out. Chance trips and facebusters Green. She shotgun dropkicks Green and boot flurries her. Chance corner lariats Green then double stomps Green while he's hanging over the 2nd rope.
Carter flips Chance onto Green for 2. Carter rolls up Green for 2. Green codebreakers Chance and holds her for a Piper senton on the back. Chance is thrown out then Piper lariats Green on accident. Carter superkicks Piper then Piper spears the post when Carter moves. Carter superkicks Green. Green takes a 450 + neckbreaker combo and is pinned.
It was a short and acceptable match. It wasn't anything too great but it made sense.
The Creed Brothers vs Legado del Fantasma (Angel and Berto)
BC = Brutus Creed, JC = Julius Creed
Angel and JC lock up. JC side headlocks him, Angel leapfrogs him then chops him. JC takes him down and pounds on him. JC fireman's carries Berto. BC then fireman's carries Berto and armlocks him. Berto takes knees to the gut, a standing moonsault and a standing SSP from The Creeds.
JC istripped into the 2nd rope and knee'd by Angel. We go to break and return. JC is put on the top rope and is double clubbed by his opponents up there. JC is in tree of woe and is kicked there. Angel dragon sleepers JC. JC takes a double superkick for 2. JC flying knees Berto.
BC comes in and hits shots on LdF. He exploders Angle and powerbombs Berto. BC splashes Berto the back rolls him while doing a northern lights suplex on Angel. Angel knees BC then BC is held for a low dropkick to the face.
Berto corkscrew kicks JC. BC t-bone suplexes Berto then brutusballs Angel off the apron. Berto takes a brutus ball out of the doomsday device is pinned.
I would have liked a little bit of better offense from the heels here. However, The Creed's gave it their all as usual and it was watchable.
Overall thoughts: There were only 2 new matches here as usual. Both were fine but I wouldn't recommend this one.
STARDOM 4/27/2024 All-Star Grand Queendom 2024
Future Of Stardom Title Match - Rina (c) vs. Sayaka Kurara
SK = Sayaka Kurara
They lock up. SK wristlocks her and they do some reversals of it. Rina headlock takeovers her and SK headsicssors her. SK dropkicks her then hits forearms on the ropes. SK misses a dropkick then is basement dropkicked. Rina hair throws her then foot chokes her on the bottom rope. Rina slams her then fujiwara armbars her.
Rina face kicks her and misses a corner charge. SK spears her between the ropes, springboard armdrags her and dropkicks her for 2. SK dropkicks her in the corner then slams her for 2. They trade chest forearms then SK dropkicks her. Rina hip throws her then face kicks her on the ropes.
SK dropkicks her then hits a twist and shout with a bridge for 2. Rina does an octopus stretch variation and SK ropebreaks. SK hits a nice spear for 2. SK does a sliced bread style move for 2.
SK hits chest forearms on Rina then Rina face kicks her. Rina does a leg clutch exploder with a bridge for 2. SK rolls her up for 2. Rina does a reverse suplex for 2 then top rope double knee drops SK. Rina then wins it.
Rina gets on the mic after and says there was no way Sayaka was going to take the belt from her. She said she expects Momo to also win tonight.
It was a decent opener here. It went a little long. While Sayaka did good here, Rina should be doing a little better for all the experience she has at this point.
God's Eye (Ami Sourei, Konami & Syuri) vs. Empress Nexus Venus (HANAKO, Waka Tsukiyama & Xena)
Kon = Konami
Kon and Xena start us off. Kon drops down on the mat and front facelocks her. Kon grounded chokes her and Xena ropebreaks. Cena gets her back and Kon throws her over. Kon kicks her in the back then running PK's her for 2. Xena spinning side slams her. Waka gets in and is dropped on Kon by Xena. Waka jumps around and Kon kicks and stomps her.
Syuri snpamares Waka then kicks her in the back. Syrui running knees her and underhook suplexes her. Syuri goes for the armbar and Waka ropebreaks. Ami atomic drops Waka then stomps her back. Waka grabs Ami's leg. Waka lariats her on the ropes then sits on the 2nd rope for a flatliner. Hana gets inand face kicks Ami.
Hana splashes Ami then knee drops her for 2. They shoulder battle and Ami knocks her over. Hana running shoulders her. Xena flying headscissors Ami and they trade chops. Xena chop flurries her then Ami double chops her. Ami suplexes Xena and Kon gets in. Kon sliding kicks Xena on the ropes then perfectplexes her for 2.
Xena blocks a high kick and drives her into the ropes on a botch. Waka gets in and top rope dropkicks Kon. Waka hip attacks Kon on the ropes for 2. Kon rolling armbars Waka but Waka turns it into a pin attempt. Kon does a rings of saturn on Waka and everyone gets in to break it up.
Xena back elbows Kon on the ropes then Hana drops Waka onto Kon. Waka straightjacket drops Kon then Kon puts her in a rings of saturn. Kon hooks Waka's head with her leg and Waka grabs the ropes. Kon germans Waka for 2. Waka back rolls Kon for 2 then everyone gets in. Ami and Syuri hit corner pslahes on opponents. Waka takes a double electric chair and top rope dropkicked off of it. Kon triangle lancer's Waka and taps her out.
It was nothing too special and it mostly focused on Konami vs Waka. We saw little of Syuri and Hanako here. Xena's really not that good right now and Waka is rather limited as well. Konami put on a good bit of weight.
High Speed Title Four Way Match - Saki Kashima (c) vs. Fukigen Death vs. Saya Iida vs. Saya Kamitani
All 4 lock up together. Saki escapes and turns it into a 3 person lock up. Death takes a double dropkick. Kamitani and Iida evades moves and Kamitami kips down out of a lariat. Iida sledgehammer shots Kamitani then takes a basement dropkick. Iida rolls up Kamitani then they both try to dropkick each other and headflip up.
Death and Saki then roll up their opponents. Death walks the top rope with Iida's arm and armdrags her. Kamitani dropkicks Death while Death poses. Kamitani flying knees Iida then basement dropkicks her. Iida hits a chop flurry on Kamitani. Kamitani basement dropkicks her knee then rolls into an indian deathlock on her. Death then sits on Kamitani to read the newspaper while she's in the hold. Death hits both with the newspaper.
Death pushes Iida into Kamitani then does a dropkick + senton combo. Death then sentons both while they are on each other. Death cradles Iida for 2 then they try pins on each other. Kamitani crucifixes Death for 2. Kamitani sunset flips Iida, who rolls through it and sliding lariats her. Iida suplexes Kamitani for 2.
Kamitani spinning high kicks Iida then Iida does a pinfall on her that Saki breaks. Saki then tries to pin Kamitani. Saki rolls up Death then Iida sliding lariats Saki. Iida lariats Kamitani. Death backrolls Kamitani then Kamitani hurricanrana's her to win it.
It was a fast paced half-serious match. We didn't see much of Saki here at all. There was nothing too special about it and they only had 6 minutes so it limited what could be done here.
Saki teases putting the belt on Kamitani after then tries to run away with the belt.
Natsuko Tora vs Mina Shirakawa
Mina hits shots on her to start. Mina is tripped by Oedo Tai outside and beaten up in front of the ref. The ref could care less and Mina is sent into chairs. Tora hair throws Mina then facewash kicks her in the corner. They grab each other and Tora forearms her down.
Mina does a la mistica into a russian legsweep. Mina elbow drops the leg and Tora stops the figure four. Mina is sent out and beat up by Oedo Tai again. Tora 2nd rope splashes Mina for 2. Tora suplexes Mina and misses a senton. Mina rolls her up then does a leglock off of it.
Mina bangs Tora's knee off the mat. tora pushes the ref into Mina then shoulders her over. Tora cannonballs Mina against the bottom rope. Mina spinning forearms her. Mina goes up top and knee drops Tora's arm. Mina implant ddt's Tora for 2. Mina figure fours Tora. Tora mists her in the eyes to get out of it then cradle shocks her. Tora misses a top rope senton. Mina goes to pin Tora then the ref is pulled out.
Mina's buddies and Oedo Tai fight in the ring. Thekla comes out and grabs Tora's weapon. She then hits Mina with it, turning on her own stablemate. The ref then calls it a no contest.
It had a lot of lame heel shenanigans here with the ref being pulled out and Mina being group beaten in front of the ref, yet the ref didn't care. The ref then called it when Thekla used the weapon on Mina.
Thekla does a promo after. She says she's with Oedo Tai. She asks Mina what happened to her and asks if she really thought she would join her group. Thekla then spits on her. Tora has words for Mina and says she will stomp her. Thekla says DDM is finished and said everyone is doing whatever they want around here. She said she will do what she wants too. She said she will reform the new Stardom with Oedo Tai
Aja Kong & Kaoru Ito vs. Cosmic Angels (Natsupoi & Tam Nakano)
Aja and Tam go at it. Tam hits kicks to the leg and Aja no sells it. Tam ducks a lariat and poses. Aja kicks Tam while she's down. Poi and Tam stereo cartwheel then stereo dropkick and pose. Aja hits both then chops Tam. Aja kicks Tam in the back. Ito corner lariats Tam. Tam fights back with forearms then Ito lariats her.
Tam bridges and runs into Ito's shoulder. Tam cartwheels and bridges out of a double team. Tam and Poi then hit stereo basement dropkicks. Poi running headhunters Ito then superkicks her in the corner. Poi corner dropkicks her then top rope crossbodies her. Poi then goes for the armbar but is lsammed down.
Poi ducks double stomps then Ito corner lariats her. Poi hits chest forearms then is dropped with one forearm. Poi sunset flips out of a powerbomb. Ito is barely double german'd by Tam and Poi who struggle to lift her. Ito then sentons both at the same time.
Ito double dropkicks Tam and Poi through the ropes. Ito double stomps Poi. Poi spin kicks her in the back and side of the head. Poi gets caught going up top and Ito 2nd rope samoan drops her. Aja hits boots on Poi then Aja double suplexes both opponents.
Tam and Poi do stereo spin kicks, a double headhunter and stereo superkicks. Tam legsweeps Aja then cartwheel kicks her in the back of the head. Aja then lariats Tam over. Tam slaps Aja and Aja laughs. Aja hits one big shot on her.
Ito grabs Tam on the ropes then Aja shoulders Ito off the apron. Poi top rope dives on Ito and Aja but is caught. Tam then top rope dives onto them and knocks them all over. Tam flying knees Aja back in the ring for 2. Tam and Poi go up top. Tam hits a destiny hammer and Poi 180 corkscrew dives onto Aja. Aja lariats Tam.
Aja goes up top and Tam germans her off the 2nd rope. Tam flying knees her and Poi dropkicks Ito. Aja takes a superkick into a tiger suplex for 2. Aja blocks Tam's spinning high kick then backdrops her. Aja brainbusters Tam for 2.
Tam spinning high kicks Aja then rolls her into a pin attempt. Ito double crossbodies her opponents then Aja gets her trash can out. She hits Tam and Poi with it then Aja backdrops Tam for 2. Tam and Poi are sent into each other then lariated against each other. Ito hits a wild release backdrop on Poi while Aja backdrops Tam. Ito 2nd rope double stomps poi then Aja 2nd rope back elbow drops Tam. Aja then gets the win.
I'd like to say I'm surprised Aja and Ito got the win, but I'm not. Aja doesn't do a whole lot of jobs even at her old age. The match went longer than it needed to and Aja definitely got tired towards the end of it, but I thought it was a decent match. The faces got thrown around by the vets and did a lot of selling for them before being put down. The vets had a good showing here and were able to hide their weaknesses well here.
Tam gets Aja to do her cute pose with her after.
Goddesses Of Stardom Title Four Way Match - Crazy Star (Mei Seira & Suzu Suzuki) (c) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM & Miyu Amasaki) vs. Oedo Tai (Ruaka & Starlight Kid) vs. STARS (Hazuki & Koguma)
Mei and Suzu get on the mic after. Koguma says her team is crazy too and Hazuki challenges them to a rematch. Ruaka gets mad at Starlight Kid after and Oedo Tai turns on Kid, turning her face. Tam Nakano then comes out and takes some of the beating for Kid. Tam invites her to join Cosmic Angels and they leave together.
IWGP Women's Title Match - Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Sareee
They lock up. Sareee armdrags her then is dropkicked out. Mayu misses a tope on her, nailing ringside attendants instead. Mayu is sent into chairs then has a chair thrown at her. Sareee top rope dropkicks her then crabs her. Sareee indian deathlocks her. Mayu wakes up and hits a flurry of shots. Mayu kicks on her while she's down then hits a kick flurry in the corner.
Mayu rolls her up into a basement dropkick for 2. Mayu basement dropkicks her against the ropes. Mayu spin kicks her then takes a forearm. They trade chest forearms and Sareee hits dropkicks on the ropes. She dropkicks her in the face through the ropes. Sareee fisherman suplexes her for 2.
Mayu 2nd rope hurricanrana's her then Mayu is superplexed. Sareee M. Bison stomps her while she's down then 2nd rope double ftoostomps her. Sareee top rope footstomps her for 2. Sareee stomps and kicks her while she's down then wheelbarrow germans her. Mayu dragon suplexes her on the apron then topes her outside.
Mayu top rope dropkicks her then top rope splashes her for 2. Mayu high kicks her then takes a nice german for 2. Sareee headbutts and spin kicks her for 2. Sareee no sells a german then Mayuu no sells a german. Mayu dragon suplexes her for 2. Sareee t-bone suplexes her then Mayu crucifix bombs her for 2.
Sareee rolls her into a double footstomp then bangs Mayu's head off the mat. Sareee hits wild release exploders for 2. Mayu then dragon suplexes her. Mayu tombstones her then hits headbutts. Mayu dragon suplexes her for 2. Mayu buzz saw kicks her and hits kicks to the face. Mayu top rope moonsaults her then lifts her and wins it with a dragon suplex.
It was a good one here. The two matched up really well and were natural opponents with Sareee working a more buillying style and Mayu being a good face. It was a throwback to 2000's joshi main events with lots of stiffness and with everything looking good. I'd love to see these two do this again with more time on a show where they can stand out on their own.
Mayu thanks her after and says she's happy. She says she wants to face her again. Sareee says she's coming back for the belt.
Tsukasa Fujimoto of Ice Ribbon then comes out. She said there's a lot going on and said her parnet Arisa Nakajima is retiring. Tsukka tells her to open up the date. They agree to a tag match.
Wonder Of Stardom Title Match - Saori Anou (c) vs. Hanan
Han = Hanan
Han takes her down and they trade front face locks. Han side headlocks her then Anou does the same to her. Han hammerlocks her and Han rolls her into a guillotine. Han dropkicks her then leg lariats her on the ropes. Han running euros her then snapmares her into a basement dropkick to the back. Han dropkicks her then does a guillotine choke + hammerlock. Anou ropebreaks.
Han running euros Anou's neck then takes an axe kick and basement dropkick. Anou is knocked off the buckles to the floor then Han legdrops Anou's neck while she is bent over on the floor. They fight on the apron and Anou fisherman suplexes her. Anou top rope dropkicks her for 2. Anou foot slaps her.
Han hip throws her and they trade chest forearms. Han pop up euros her then release cuty specials her. They cuty special each other and knock each other down at the same time. Han hits running euros and Anou perfectplexes her while she's on the 2nd rope. Anou then hits another perfectplex.
Anou heavenly locks her then does an exploder with a bridge for 2. Anou 2nd rope dropkicks her in the back then germans her for 2. Han backdrops her. They trade forearms while holding each other's wrists. Han dropkicks her then top rope crossbodies her on the outside.
Han fameassers her for 2 then cranks Anou's arm back. Han does a bow and arrow style submission to her and Anou ropebreaks. Han hits euros then flying leg lariats her for 2. Anou dragon suplexes her. Anou hits 2 german suplexes and a wheelbarrow suplex. Anou grabs her arm and headhunters Han. Han backdrops Anou three times then hits a cuty special for 2. Han backdrops her for 2. Han backdrops her then Anou backslides her and flips over on her to pin here.
It was Hanan's best match yet. She didn't do anything wrong here and held up pretty well. She still needs better offense though and still needs to show more fire and personality. It was a decent match that far surpassed my expectations. Anou was a good opponents for her here and I think Sareee could probably even get something better out of Hanan.
Anou tells her that was amazing after. She says Hanan has a whole future ahead of her, being 19 and attractive. Anou says she's 33 and still attractive, right? Hanan says she's disappointed but Anou is 33 and still attractive. She says it was a tough fight and she wants to fight her again.
Natsupoi comes out after as does Ami Sourei. Ami challenges Anou for her title then Poi tells her she was going to try and challenge. Anou says they should fight for a #1 contendership match. Poi asks Anou if she is okay and if she bumped her head. Poi tells Ami there's no way she is losing. Poi chases Ami up the ramp after. Anou says she's the champ after.
World Of Stardom Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match - Maika (c) vs. Momo Watanabe
1st Fall - They trade forearms. Momo hits chest kicks. Maika kicks her in the gut then Momo kicks her in the back and hair throws her. Momo knee chokes her then hits foot slaps. Momo slaps her around and is forearmed in the chest. Momo camel clutches her and throws her out. Maika is thrown into the chairs. Momo chest kicks her against the post then chest kick flurries her against the bottom rope.
Maika powerslams her and tazzmission's her. Maika lariats her on the ropes and sliding lariats her. Momo hits 3 suplexes in a row then top rope urnage's her. Momo hits a meteora then 2nd rope meteora's her for 2. They fight on the buckles and Maika superplexes her.
Maika cross arm STO's her. Momo no sells her suplex then tiger suplexes her. Maika lariats her then is high kicked. Both go down. They trade forearms on their knees then get up and trade. Momo hits chest kicks then Maika hits her enka otoshi slam. Momo kicks her in the head from behind then Maika michinoku drivers her for 2.
Momo cradles her then hits a package tombstone. Maika no sells it and tries to pin her. Momo hits 2 suplexes for 2 then high kicks her. Momo punts her in the face then peach thunders her to win the first fall.
2nd fall - Hardcore Match - Momo throws her out then PK's her from the apron. Maika is thrown into chairs and Maika sunset flips her on the floor. Maika lariats the post then Momo moves. Momo throws a box of jewels at Maika then suplexes her onto a stack of chairs. Momo hits her with a turnbuckle pad and puts her in tree of woe in the corner. Momo chairs some chairs into Maika's face. Momo puts a trash can on Maika's head then hits it with a barbed wire bat.
Maika hits her with a giant hand fan then Maika throws jewels in the ring. Maika suplexes her on the jewels. Momo is thrown into a ladder then Maika lariats her against the ladder. Maika climbs a ladder and Momo tips the ladder over. Momo basement dropkicks the ladder into her then meteora's her for 2.
They get on the ladder again and Momo is superplexed off of it onto jewels. Momo hits her in the chest with a barbed wire bat. Momo is powerbombed through a table for 2. Momo is dropped onto chairs face first then Maika hits her with a giant hand fan. Maika michinoku drivers onto chairs to win the fall.
3rd fall - Last Man Standing Match - They forearm flurry each other and fall back. Maika criss-cross shoulders her. Momo sweeping kicks her from the mat. Momo is caught up top and Maika superplexes her. Maika holds on for 5 more suplexes. Maika lariats her and hits short arm lariats. Momo kicks her in the gut then holds her wrist while she kicks her.
Momo high kicks her then Maika powerbombs her. Momo triangles her then buzzsaw kicks her. Both are down and get up before the 10 count. Momo b-drivers her then Maika backdrops her. Maika spinning lariats her then Momo cradle tombstones her. Momo hits a high kick and is lariated. They repeat the spot 2 more times. Momo high kicks her and both go down.
Maika michinoku drivers her then spinning michinoku drivers her. Momo can't make the count and Maika wins it.
It wa a longer match here. I thought they did enough in the first fall just to end it there. At least they did slow down in the second and third falls which helped sell the damage and prevented them from going too crazy. It was an okay main overall but not great.
Maika says she thought she would win it easy after. She says Momo is a great wrestler and is glad she faced her. Momo teases saying thank you then yells at her. She says she will come back for the belt.
Maika talks more. She says she was damaged but successful in her title defense. She said she wants to keep the belt and face the world.
Overall thoughts: It was a long show, but it was good and that was especially surprising since Stardom just lost a whole bunch of wrestlers. The three top matches were all decent to various degrees with Sareee/Mayu being really good. I liked Aja/Ito vs Cosmic Angels and I liked the opener as well. Stardom needed to show up and impress here and they did just that. I don't know if I'd recommend it due to the length but I did like it overall.
AEW Rampage 5/1/2024
Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/aew-rampage-4272024.html
NOTE - This show ran over it's allotted time, so I had to download it to see the end. I wish AEW wouldn't do this.
Kenny Omega is stretched out due to the attack from The Elite. FTR help him then The Elite attack FTR. Dax is sent into a rail. One of The Bucks says they love him but it's just business. They say we gotta change the world then knock the stretcher over.
Jay White vs Dante Martin
Dante runs at him and forearms him. Dante chips him outside and Jay chops him inside. Dante flips over his back then headscissors him over. Dante knocks him off the apron then topes him. Dante flips off the apron and jumping knees Jay. Dante goes for the springboard and is tripped, falling throat first on the ropes. We go to PiP break and return.
Dante hits a dropkick and chops him. Dante springboard crossbodies him for 2. Dante lariats Jay over the top then they go back in. Jay uranages him. Jay hits chops then Dante hits forearms and chops back. Jay eye rakes Dante then double springboard moonsaults Jay for 2.
Jay does a suplex then hits a blade runner. Jay picks up the win.
I have no idea what they are doing with Jay. They keep putting him in these long matches with midcarders where the midcarder gets a ton of offense in before Jay wins. This did not help Jay at all and only made him look like the midcarder he currently is.
Jay holds up Dante's hand after then hits a high angle death rider ddt. Darius and Action Andretti then back Jay off.
Deonna Purrazzo is interviewed. She is asked why she attacked Rosa. She asks when enough is enough. She said she's been at this 12 years and is a 5x world champ. She said it's about time the locker room feels her. She said they can make it personal if Rosa wants. She says she hopes you never find out what happens when you make it personal with a Jersey girl.
Rush does a taped video. He said his family has dominated lucha and said he is the first ever Mexican to become ROH champ. He said he's the most hated man in Mexico. He says he wants respect to his name and is the toro blanco.
Renee interviews Big Bill. Bill says he believes he has all the tools to get to the top. He said he is missing the proper guidance and thinks Jericho's the guy to help him. He says Jericho will take him to the promised land. He asks him to teach him. Jericho walks in. He says Shibata is a great wrestler and said he was able to retain his title against him. Jericho said Bill is right and said he would love to bring him into The Jericho Vortex if he will have him. Bill says he won't regret it. Bill says he won't let him down. Jericho does a cheesy wave to the crowd and says he will be a champ for a long time to come.
Swerve Strickland does a video. He said Christian chose to tag with him at Wembley because he knows the kind of man he is. He said he's about to remind him who he is. He said they will have a talk and he won't be alone next time.
Kyle O'Reilly vs Rocky Romero
They lock up and stand off after some amateur wrestling. Kyle wristlocks him. Rocky tries to roll through it but is thrown back. Rocky misses a dropkick, ducks a kick and they stand off. Kyle walks over Rocky's back. Rocky jumping hurricanrana's him and goes for the armbar. Kyle turns it into an ankle lock. Rocky ropes him into the rails. Kyle catches him and hits a falcon arrow into an armbar on the floor.
We go to PiP break and return. They trade kicks to the body. Kyle and Rocky trade forearms. Rocky jumping knees Kyle then Kyle rebound lariats him. Rocky is put up top then Rocky hits a shiranui off the top for 2. Kyle hit a knee to the body, an axe kick and a forearm. Kyle goes for the kimura then Rocky armbars him. Rocky rolls onto him for a pin attempt. Kyle takes a backslide for 2.
Rocky kimura's Kyle then Kyle rolls him up and wins it.
It was a straight, no frills wrestling match here. It was fine but not the most exciting thing ever.
Saraya and Harley Cameron are interviewed. Saraya says Mariah May's perfroamnce was disastrous. Harley calls Toni Storm "Tiny Storm". Saraya says losers breed losers. I think Harley challenges Toni to a match on Dynamite.
This wasn't good.
Roderick Strong, Matt Taven and Mike Bennett are interviewed. Taven talks about Strong being neckstrong. Strong says Will Ospreay better resurrect the tiger driver '91 as he is dealing with The Messiah. He saysWill will fall to The Messiah of The Backbreaker.
TBS Title - Manitoba Massacre - Willow Nightingale (c) vs Skye Blue
Willow hits her with a trash can lid to start. Skye is thrown into the rails then Willow lariats her over them. Willow clubs on Skye's back then Skye's head is banged off the hockey boards. They fight in the crowd and Willow's head is banged off the top of the rail. Skye jumps off the rails and is hit with a chair for 2.
Skye is put in a chair. Willow chops her. Skye moves and Willow cannonballs the chair.
Willow hits her with a trash can lid. Skye then hits her with it. They go back inside. Skye foot chokes her and is busted open. Willow slams Skye on an unfolded chair and throws more chairs in. Skye superkicks Willow then Willow pounces her on the floor. Skye throws a chair at Willow's head then superkicks her.
Skye pulls thumbtacks out and pours them in the ring. Skye throws a chair at Willow's head then Willow fisherman suplexes Skye and herself into the tacks. Skye is slammed onto a chair. Willow top rope moonsaults but lands only on chairs as Skye moved.
Skye pulls out a barbed wire board and puts it on a table. Willow hits a wild doctor bomb off the apron onto a barbed wire table and Willow wins it.
It was a good hardcore match with the two going into tacks, landing on chairs and going through a barbed wire table. They showed a lot of aggression here and Skye bled which made it seem more brutal. The finish was really brutal looking with Skye really landing hard on the table.
Overall thoughts: There were only 3 matches here. Jay/Dante went look and got Jay under as he couldn't put the midcarder away easy. Rocky/Kyle was a pure wrestling match and the main was a brutal hardcore match. It was good overall.
