WWE Smackdown 1/3/2025

WWE Smackdown 1/3/2025

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/wwe-smackdown-12272024.html

This is the start of Smackdown being 3 hours on USA. I like it as a fan, but as a reviewer, it means more work. And on nights when I'm tired or not enjoying the show, it means it's going to be a long night. I hope it means the midcard develops more, I hope it means we get to see more wrestlers and I hope it means the matches go longer.

We are in Phoenix, AZ. 

We see clips of the Nick Aldis/Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens situation.

They have a blue ring mat which I think is new.

Cody Rhodes comes out to talk. He says timing is a funny thing in life and says WWE is changing everything. Cody says he's not cleared to wrestle, thanks to Kevin Owens. Cody talks about the ladder match with KO then Drew McIntyre comes out. Drew hugs Cody and Cody makes a face.

Drew says he's here to help Cody and not hurt him. Drew says Cody isn't on his list and says he's about to screw up his life's work. Drew says this is the best time in WWE and says Cody is leading it all. Drew says Cody wants to fight and Aldis is holding him back. Drew says WWE is promoting KO as a champ while Cody's neck hangs by a thread.

Drew says Cody needs someone to watch his back and Cody interrupts. Drew says he's just here to tell the truth. Cody says he doesn't believe Drew. He says he knows this situation will devolve. He asks if he wants to throw hands and tells Drew to come and get his shot at the title. Drew says he's here to help him, not hurt him. Drew says Cody needs to watch his back then Kevin Owens hits Cody from behind.

KO stomps him and Cody fights back. They fight and officials and guards try to break it up.

We see Bloodline, Andrade, Bianca and Naomi arrive.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Andrade

SN = Shinsuke Nakamura

SN wrestled for Pro Wrestling NOAH on 1/1, beating Ulka Sasaki. They mentioned SN and Andrade fighting a decade ago in NJPW, which I also happened to cover here.

SN hits knees to the gut. He bends over and gets kicked. Andrade flying headscissors him then dropkicks him off the apron. Andrade 2nd rope moonsaults him and we go to PiP break. We return and Andrade hits forearms and back elbows. Andrade dragon screws him then flying forearms him.

SN knees him in the gut and spin kicks him in the head. They trade forearms. SN sliding germans him then 2nd rope flying knees him for 2. Andrade dropkicks him then corner meteora's him. Andrade does a top rope moonsault into a standing moonsault for 2.

SN spinning elbows him then Andrade spinning back elbows him for 2. Andrade's head is bamnged off the top of the post on a superplex attempt. SN kinshasha's him in the back of the head and wins.

Thoughts: I liked it. SN kept Andrade in check here and didn't let him do anything too crazy and they matched up okay.

LA Knight runs down after and attacks SN. He hits mounted shots. LA goes for the BFT and SN slides out.

LA gets on the mic. He says you steal his title and things go crazy. He says what goes around, comes around and it's him stomping SN's @ss to dust. 

Pretty Deadly and Apollo Crews talk in the back. They call him, "Apollo Stooge" and say snitches do get stitches. Legado del Fantasma come in. Escobar calls them liars and PD says they aren't. Escobar says their lies will come back and beat the crap out of them. Los Garza grab PD and Nick Aldis breaks it up. Nick wants to talk to PD after.

Michin vs Piper Niven

Mich has her boot caught and is driven into the corner. Piper hits punches. Michin boots her out of the corner and headscissors her down. Michin flying headscissors her out. Mich then flying headscissors her off the apron. Mich jumps at Piper and gets thrown down on the floor.

We go to break and return. Mich bulldogs her off the casaodra. Piper corner splashes her. Piper misses a conrer cannonball then Mich hits her with one. Mich twerks for some reason then mule kicks and pele kicks Piper for 2.

Piper sitout slams Mich for 2. Piper goes for a vader bomb and Mich gets her feet up. Mich then wins with soul foot.

Thoughts: The ending was quick and surprisingly. I knew Michin would win but the soul foot isn't the best finisher ever. It was just average and nothing of note.

Paul Heyman arrives and avoids the metal detector for some reason.

We get a package on Naomi.

Paul Heyman comes out to talk. He say we will find out who the real tribal chief is on Monday. Paul says him and Roman taught Solo to become the tribal chief. Paul says Solo would have been tribal chief once Roman was ready to step down. He says Roman couldn't turn down the lust for revenge on Seth Rollins at Mania and Cody Rhodes took advantage of it to beat Roman. He says Solo stole the necklace and did not earn it.

Paul says there must be a winner and lose at tribal combat on Monday. He promises Roman will win. Solo then comes out as Paul goes to leave. Paul says he's 10 seconds away from peeing his pants. He says the last time they did this, Solo put him through a table. Solo holds his hand out and Paul gives him the mic.

Solo tells the crowd to acknowledge him. Solo says Paul owes Punk a favor but says to let him owe Paul a favor. He says he needs someone to hold the necklace during tribal combat. He says he needs someone who is trustworthy and loves his family. Solo says Paul can put the necklace around Roman's neck if he wins and Solo will acknowledge him. He says when he beats Roman, Paul will put the necklace around Solo's neck. Solo says then everyone will know he owns the necklace and Paul. He says Paul will be his wiseman forever and Roman will have to acknowledge him. Paul then leaves.

The Motor City Machine Guns do a promo. They say getting betrayed by a friend sucks, especially when it's someone who has experienced the same things as you. He says Johnny Gargano threw it all away for the tag titles. Alex says DIY forgot who they were. Alex says it took them 3 matches win the titles and only one to win them back.

WWE Tag Titles - DIY (c) vs The Motor City Machine Guns

JG = Johnny Gargano

Ciampa boots Sabin and wristlocks him. Sabin rolls, kips out and armdrags him. Ciampa takes a double team. JG takes a boot to the face and goes out. Ciampa takes a double team shot and Graves brings up M-Dogg 20 and Josh Prohibition. Sabin lariats Ciampa over the top then sends JG out. Sabin topes onto DIY between Alex's legs. 

We go to PiP break and return. Sabin is making a comeback on Ciampa. He takes a boot then flying kicks Ciampa. Alex hits punches on JG then running forearms him. Alex neckbreakers JG for 2. MCMG hit stereo baseball slides on DIY then do stereo plancha's.

JG fights off both opponents. He takes knees, a legsweep and a double spin kick for 2. Everyone gets some offense in and all 4 men are down. Ciampa takes a double team sequence ending in a baseball slide. Pretty Deadly come down and MCMG get distracted. Ciampa pumping knees Alex. Alex takes a superkicks into an angel's wings for 2.

Angel and Berto chase Pretty deadly away. Alex does the border city stretch on JG while Sabin stf's Ciampa. Angel then beats up Kit in the ring and the match is thrown out.

Thoughts: It was a very fast paced match here at times as expected before the dirty finish. It was fine but nothing too great. I wasn't surprised DIY won here.

Nia Jax and LeRae talk in the back. Nia wants to know where Tiffany Stratton is. LeRae says she is here though. Nia tells LeRae to make sure Bianca stays out of her way tonight.

Sami Zayn talks to Carmelo Hayes in the back. Melo says he had him beat last week until Braun got involved. Sami said Melo almost got a kick to the face and then ran away. Melo says Sami and Braun can get this work anytime. The Uso's then walk up behind Melo and ask if there's a problem.

Sami tells Melo to tell him more about the work he's going to get. Melo then walks off without saying anything more. Sami says they got a big one and says let's get on the same page in a few minutes. Jey runs into Kevin Owens. Jey tells him to watch where he's going and KO says to watch his back.

Nick Aldis and Cody Rhodes talk in the back. Nick asks if he's okay. Nick tell him to put aside his hatred of KO and think of the big picture. He says Cody isn't doing that so he will do it for him. Cody says he has the right to call his shot. Cody says Aldis should tell Drew he's welcome to SD and says Drew has his attention. Cody says if he sees Kevin Owens or someone who looks KO, he will drop them on sight.

WWE Women's Title - Nia Jax (c) vs Naomi

Naomi dropkicks her and hits a back kick in the corner. Naomi hits leg kicks and Nia headbutts her over. Nia throws Naomi then corner lariats her. Nia is tripped into the buckles and takes kicks.

Naomi goes to springboard and is headbutted down to the floor. We go to break and return. Nia misses a butt drop and Naomi hits a knee lift. Nia swinging side slams her for 2. Nia slams her then elbow drops her for 2. Nia chinlocks her and sends Naomi into the post.

Nia hip attacks her against the post for 2. Nia hits a lariat after taking a victory roll. Nia gets stuck hanging from the ropes and Naomi double stomps her down. Naomi split drops her off the 2nd rope for 2.

Nia spears the post when Naomi moves. Naomi pulls her through down over the top rope. Naomi topes her. Naomi springboard kicks her then samoan drops her for 2. Nia puts her in tree of woe and hip attacks her there. Nia 2nd rope legdrops Naomi for 2.

Naomi tornado ddt's her. Naomi hits knees to the face of Nia then does a heatseeker piledriver variation for 2. We go to break and return. Naomi 2nd rope blockbusters her for 2. Naomi hits a crucifix bomb for 2. Naomi chinlocks Nia on the mat. LeRae gets on the apron and Bianca sends her into the rail. Bianca pounds on LeRae. Nia throws her title at Bianca's gut then sends her into the steps.

Nia is up top and Naomi high kicks her. Nia tries the 2nd rope powerslam again and Naomi flips her just like she did a few weeks ago. Tiffany Stratton comes out with a ref. She teases cashing in but pushes the ref over the rail. Tiff then hits Naomi with her MITB briefcase. Nia banzai drops Naomi and pins her.

Thoughts: This was a long one that got a lot of time. It took a few minutes to get going but was a decent match. It wasn't the best they could have done though. The finish was a surprise but it stops Naomi from losing clean.

Nia beats up on Bianca after. Nia goes to the 2nd rope and Tiff hits her with the MITB briefcase. She then sends LaRae into the buckles. Bianca hits a KOD on Nia, which looked like a dangerous spot. Tiff throws Bianca over the commentary table.

Tiff cashes in her MITB contract.

WWE Women's Title - Nia Jax (c) vs Tiffany Stratton

Tiff hits a double jump moonsault on Nia and pins Nia. Tiffany Stratton is the new champ!

Thoughts: Now that was a surprise. I wonder why Tiff helped out Nia just to turn on her though? That didn't make much sense.

Tiff poses on the commentary after with the title and gets a big pop, seemingly turning face.

Jacob Fatu tells Solo he loves him in the back and says it's the first thing he thinks of when he wakes up. He says he will show the world what happens when you don't acknowledge the one and only tribal chief. He says the whole world will acknowledge Solo when he beats Roman.  

Byron Saxton interviews LA Knight. He says Nakamura has hell to pay. He says Nick Aldis asked why he attacked Nakamura. He says Nakamura blindsided him and got the US Title. He says Nakamura will get his head stomped in until he gets what he wants. He says he has a US Title match with him next week.

Sami Zayn, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso vs The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu)

The faces enter through the concourse in the arena and come down the stands. The Uso's had a super long entrance here.

All 6 fight in the ring to start. They pair off and the heels are sent out. We go to break and return. Jey hits Fatu's arm off the buckles. Tama double axe handles Jey. Tama is sent hard into the buckles. Sami elbow drops Tama. Sami 2nd rope double axe handles Tama. Solo pulls Jimmy's neck down over the top rope. Solo hits punches on Jimmy then headbutts.

Solo trapezus holds Jimmy. Sami gets in and hits punches on Solo. Sami running lariats him and Solo his a shot. Sami lariats Solo. Sami hits corner punches. Sami comes off the top and takes a uranage. We go to PiP break and return.

Solo samoan drops Sami for 2 and hits some shots. Tama pounds on Sami and flurries him. Fatu corner hip attacks Sami. Solo gets back in and takes a blue thunder from Sami. Jey gets in and hits shots on Tama. Jey uppercuts Tama and euros him. Tama takes a double enzugiri in the corner. Tama takes a double back elbow and a double elbow drop. Fatu is double lariated over the top and Jimmy goes over as well. Jey backdrop lifts Tama into a neckbreaker for 2.

Sami dives off the steps onto Fatu outside. Tama hits a jumping ddt on Jey for 2. Jey superkicks Fatu. Fatu takes corner hip attacks from all 3 faces. Sami and JEy do topes outside. Jimmy top rope splashes Fatu for 2. Fatu hits a top rope splash on Jimmy then double jump moonsaults him for 2.

Fatu takes a double superkick for 2. Drew McIntyre comes out. Jey topes Drew. Fatu pop-up samoan drops Jey for 2. Fatu misses a conrer hip attack on Jey. Jey superkicks Sol out and hits a fling spear on Fatu. Jey top rope splashes Fatu. Solo then samoan spikes Jey and pins him to win.

Thoughts: It was a long tag match. They took it easy here at times and didn't go too crazy for this one. It was okay but they could have cut time off of this one and not much would have been missed.

Overall thoughts: It was the first three hour Smackdown and it was a bit of a long show. Just like how WWE needed time to figure out the pacing for 2 hour Raw's again, they need to figure the pacing out for 3 hour Smackdown's. There were only 6 matches in 3 hours. They were definitely stalling for time when the faces entered during the main. A lot people weren't on this show. Tiffany winning the women's title was the best part of the show and was a surprise. The main was the best match of the night. I'm not sure if SD really has the roster for a 3 hour show at the moment but hopefully they make some new stars to fill up that time. I can't say I'm looking forward to another 3 hours of this next week. I'd give this one a 6 out of 10 but I wouldn't recommend it.

1/3 notes

1/3 notes

I have the Marigold show but I didn't have time to watch it yet.

I will work on Smackdown tonight. Hopefully I finish it tonight but it may be finished in the morning.

Rampage and Level Up are both cancelled so there are no shows for either tonight.

 

WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/3/1991

WWF Superstars of Wrestling 8/3/1991

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/wwf-superstars-of-wrestling-7271991.html

We are in Edmonton, Canada. Vince says we are just in time for Lizzie Borden's liberation day. Vince McMahon, Macho Man Randy Savage and Roddy Piper are on commentary. Macho and Piper do Lizzie Borden poems and Piper calls Miss Elizabeth "Lizzie".

The Rockers vs Ed Moretti and Mike Roselli

Vince says the jobbers sound like a tomato sauce. Roselli has "Penn State" on his singlet. Marty armdrags Ed then Ed clubs on Marty. Marty bangs Ed's head off the mat. Ed eye rakes him. Mike gets tripped by Marty then he drives him into the corner.

Mike is thrown out and Ed takes a superkick. Shawn flying shoulders Mike outside. Mike takes a double back elbow. Shawn lariats Mike. Shawn then pops up Marty into a splash on Mike. Marty picks up the win.

Thoughts: It was just a quick squash. The jobbers didn't get much in but some shots to the back of the neck.

WWF Update

Bodybuilding Lifestyles Magazine can now be found on shelves everywhere. We see clips of last week's Funeral Parlor segment with Jake.

We then go to a funeral parlor. We see The Ultimate Warrior in a casket and Jake "The Snake" Roberts talking to him. He says Warrior probably feels sick because this is where it started for him. Jake says this is the same casket Warrior was once in. Jake says Warrior fought being in the casket and that was his mistake. He says he has to learn The Undertaker's way. Warrior tries to get out. Jake says he won't fight him for this and says he has something else to do if he doesn't want to do this.

Jake tells him to lay down and take this walk. He says he can show him the path but can't hold his hand. He tells him to release it and open up his soul to let the snake in. Jake tells him to lay down. Jake says to learn about Taker, you have to know where he came from. We see old clips of Warrior being locked in the casket.

Warrior is scared to lay down. Jake says he won't figure out the puzzle without doing this. He says to get to heaven, you gotta go through hell. He tells Warrior to trust him. Jake puts the lid down gently then slams it down. Jake then locks it.

Jake tells Warrior to relax and quit fighting it as Warrior slams. Jake tells Warrior to let the coolness creep upon him. He says if Warrior is gonna go for it, he's gotta go all the way. He says he thinks Warrior released his fear and unlocks the casket. He then lifts the casket and shrieks. He says Warrior has the same look of The Undertaker in his eyes. Warrior sits up Undertaker style and stares at the camera. The segment then ends.

Thoughts: This was a wild and unusual segment. Obviously with Warrior passing away this comes off a little differently than it likely did at the time. I thought this was a really good segment and made sense. We definitely saw some of heel Jake in this and it was interesting to see Jake being the guide to the dark side and The Undertaker. It made sense and it was a unique angle and I really liked it. This is one you have to see.

The Dragon vs The Brooklyn Brawler

Vince says he's a little leery of trusting Jake. Macho says he learned at DTA school not to trust anybody. Piper says the Brooklyn Jail is a wonderful facility and he'll tell Vince all about it. Ricky slides between Brawler's legs and hits a lariat.

Ricky snapmares Brawler and does a fist drop. Ricky jumps off the buckles and chops Brawler. Ricky then hits a top rope crossbody and wins.

Thoughts: It was quick and probably too quick. It would have been nice to see Brawler get a few shots in. Ricky hit a great snapmare here.

WWF Event Center

Sean talks Summerslam. The Mountie and Jimmy Hart do a promo. Hart talks about the jailhouse match. Mountie said he did research on Boss's case. He says he was coming here to take Boss' jurisdiction from him but found out he didn't have any. He says he will put Boss in a cell and a keep an eye on him.

The Big Boss Man talks. He says he's the law and order here and says only Mountie thinks different. He says he will prove he is the law and order of the WWF. He says Mountie will be dragged to a police car and a cell when he loses.

The Natural Disasters vs. Stan Saxson & Doug Casen

I think Doug has the facial hair. Typhoon clubs on Stan then hits a back body drop. The ND's do an inset promo. Typhoon tells The Bushwhackers to make sure their insurance policies are paid up because they will need them at Summerslam. Quake tells Andre to stay out of the way. Quake jumping kicks Stan then powerslams him.  

Quake corner splashes Stan then Tug does the same. Doug takes a double shoulder  and is thrown out. Typhoon slams Stan then hits a big splash. Quake butt drops Stan and wins.

Thoughts: It was the usual squash here with The ND's doing various splashes. It was fine and made The ND's look good. 

Mean Gene Okerlund is on the stage. He brings out The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan for an interview. Hulk says Sarge was right when he said it'll be a match made in hell. Hulk says they have been to hell and back again with Sarge. Hulk says his and Warrior's armies will wipe Sarge out.

Warrior talks about visions of The Ultimate Challenge. He says the coals there were hotter than anything Sarge has walked through. He says since that day, they have watched each other. Warrior says they should look towards the same gods and send the troops in. Hulk says it looks like Sarge's crew will be the ones handicapped. Gene then brings out Sid Justice.

Sid absolutely soaked and has water pouring from his chin. Sid shakes their hands and raises them. Gene said Sid denied  he would have any association with Sarge's crew and said it may not be a handicap match. Sid asks what is he trying to say? Sid says he might be impartial to Hulk, but he might not. He says Warrior shows intensity almost to his level. Sid says he will be at Summerslam to make sure justice is served.

Thoughts: I'm not real sure of what Sid's character is supposed to be right now. Obviously, we all know what Sid was like on screen so you'd kind of assume he's a heel but he was a bit of a face here holding up the faces arms. That kind of makes it hard to believe he will be impartial. We couldn't hear all of this one, so maybe I missed something. I think we will just have to see what happens at Summerslam.

The Undertaker vs Brian Jewel

Joey Marella is given the urn to hold while Paul undresses Taker. Brian's got some odd looking tights on. Taker boots and clubs on Brian. Taker claws Brian. Paul Bearer and The Undertaker do an inset promo. Paul says Jake thinks he knows something about their dark side but says he knows nothing about it and to stay out. Taker then says, "or suffer grave consequences". Taker backdrops Brian. Taker then hits a tombstone and gets the pin.

Thoughts: Taker didn't do a ton here before picking up the win. Brian got nothing in.

We are told Jake will take Warrior to a cemetery next week. Taker puts Brian in a bodybag then stomps him. 

WWF Event Center

Sean talks the Summerslam main event. Greg Valentine does a promo on IRS. He says he will bring his receipts in his wheelbarrow and IRS can audit him. He says they will find out how good of a wrestler he is through instead of a tax man.

Ted Dibiase and Sherri do a promo. Ted talks about the show called Fantasy Island. He says Fantasy Island could be Summerslam 1991. He says he'll give Virgil a taste of the dream of beating him only but will take it away from him. He says Virgil has to beat him to get the million dollar belt and laughs at the idea of it.

Summerslam Report

Mean Gene Okerlund talks Summerslam 1991. He says The Legion of Doom vs The Nasty Boys for the WWF Tag Titles has been signed and is no DQ and no countout. The Nasty Boys talk. Saggs calls them The Legion of Dummies and says they are playing their game. Knobbs says the heats on high and the paint is melting off their face. He says to get ready to get nastysized.

The Legion of Doom do a promo. They say we will see how nasty they are. Hawk says they will get severe swelling around their stinking brains.

Mr. Perfect and Coach do a promo. Perfect says he is what he says he is - absolutely Perfect. Bret Hart replies. He says there is no such thing as perfect but Perfect will never forget there is a hitman.

Ted Dibiase and Sherri do another promo. Ted says not to count your chickens before they match. Ted says nobody will ever take his title from him. Virgil says Ted will make him a rich, rich, rich man.

The Mountie and Jimmy Hart do a promo. Mountie says he will take the key when Boss is locked up and the world will see he always gets his man. The Big Boss Man replies. He says he stood tall all his life for law, order and justice. He says he will prove Mountie isn't who he says he is. He says Mountie will serve hard time at Summerslam.

We see fans talk about Macho and Liz's wedding. 

Handicap Match - Sgt. Slaughter vs Bobby Jones and Larry Williams

Piper says Sarge's crew is handicapped in IQ. Sarge and Mustafa hit the jobbers which should bea DQ since Mustafa isn't in this. Sarge back elbows one of the jobbers and throws the other out. The heels beat up one of the jobbers out there. Mustafa chairs the jobber. Sarge hits a short arm clothesline and pins one of the jobbers. Sarge back body drops the other then hits a backbreaker. Sarge tries a top rope foot stomp or knee drop but doesn't really connect. Sarge hits another backbreaker and then submits the other jobber with a camel clutch.

Thoughts: There was a bad reffing here as the ref watched the jobbers get hit by Mustafa and did nothing about it.

Sarge and Mustafa put the jobbers in camel clutches after. Adnan then slaps the jobbers with his hat.

WWF Event Center

Mr. Perfect and Coach do another promo. Coach says he wants to see what Hart has got at Summerslam. Perfect says history has been made at Summerslam in the past. He says if anyone can compete with him, it's Hart. He says Hart is close to perfect but isn't perfect.

The Bushwhackers and Andre the Giant do a promo. Butch says The Natural Disasters will meet a great big disaster. Andre says he's coming back at Summerslam and coming for good. Butch makes weird faces at Andre and Andre stares him down.

Vince runs down next week's show to close the show.

Overall thoughts: As always, there was nothing must see wrestling wise. We had some people cutting multiple promos on this show which was unnecessary. The Sid/Hulk/Warrior interview segment also didn't explain much. We are in full Summerslam hype mode here with the event only being 23 days away. I wouldn't recommend this one outside of the Jake/Warrior segment which was unique and interesting.

TNA Impact 1/2/2025

TNA Impact 1/2/2025

The last two weeks have been recap specials. The last Impact I saw is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/tna-impact-12122024.html

We get a graphic for Jax Dane, who passed away recently.

We see Jordynne Grace's team for tonight arrive.

Joe Hendy comes out to talk. He says there's a new #1 contender to the TNA Title. He says Final Resolution was that and a promise to himself that he will become champ. He says he got into the business on a resolution. He says Genesis is all about a new beginning. He says it's the beginning of the Joe Hendry era and will leave the world chanting, "we believe". Joe says they believe in a new TNA champ.

Ryan Nemeth comes out. Ryan says his big brother won't be happy about this. He says Joe comes out here, whining and crying every week. He says Joe's tarnishing his big brothers rep. Ryan says Joe thinks he's a hero, main eventer and champ but he isn't. He calls him a midcarder. He says he's a backstabber too who plays headgames to get ahead. He say he and Nic don't trust him. 

Joe says he admires the courage of Ryan to come out and make up stories. Joe says he's been on the road for 200 days and went to the doctor for help sleeping. He says the doctor asked him if he heard of The Ryan Nemeth Comedy Special. Joe says he was out in 10 seconds. He says if he's a midcarder, Ryan is a janitor. He tells him to go mop up the floor and get him a coffee. Joe says he has matters to attend to and says that's enough stealing TV time and glory.

Ryan says he will get glory against Rhino. He says he will beat him. Joe asks who wants to see Rhino vs Ryan right now. Rhino then comes out.

Thoughts: I'd like to see Ryan be more part of the show while Nic is around. They can do some things with them they can't do with others because they are brothers and I think Ryan can help add some personality to Nic. I don't like Ryan calling Joe a midcarder, because those things shouldn't really exist in kayfabe.

Rhino vs Ryan Nemeth

They trade wristlocks. Ryan side headlocks him. Ryan offers a handshake. Ryan boots and clubs on him. Ryan hits corner spears. Rhino chops and hiptosses him. Ryan goes out to stall. Ryan's head is banged off the apron. Rhino gets pushed into the post.

Ryan chinlocks Rhino then pulls him down by the hair. Ryan misses an elbow drop then Rhino hits a TKO for 2. Rhino hits punches on Ryan. Rhino corner spears him. Ryan rakes his eyes.

Ryan brings a chair in and is lariated. Rhino then chairs Ryan and gets DQ'd.

Thoughts: Rhino was dumb here for intentionally getting DQ'd when he was in control. It was short and not much of a math before the finish.

Jordynne Grace is interviewed. She says Tessa Blanchard too kher ball and left and say its her division. Grace says she doesn't think so. Grace says she's not the same Grace from 5 years ago but says Tessa is the same Tessa. She says will be waiting to give Tessa the warm welcome she deserves if she wants to walk back in. 

The Rascalz do a promo. They say the tag titles are being held by legends. Wentz says he remembers doing Jeff Hardy swantons as a kid. Trey says what about The Rascalz vs The Hardy's for the tag titles. The Hardy's walk in. They say they remind them of them. Matt says Genesis deserves a big match like theirs would be. Matt says The Hardy Train is moving full speed ahead and nothing stops it. Matt says they would be beating the GOAT's if they beat them. Trey says it'll be the match of the year and tells the fans to get ready.

Kushida vs Ace Austin

Kush takes him down. Ace gets on the 2nd rope to avoid a legsweep. Kush side headlock takeovers Ace. Kush leg locks him. Kush does a headscissors. Kush shoulders Ace over. Kush cartwheels over Ace. Kush tries to hiptoss him into a cartwheel dropkick but Ace dropkicks him. Ace then plancha's him outside. Ace handstands on the apron and is pulled down.

Kush armbars Ace on the apron. We go to break and return. Kush throws him out then baseball slides him. Kush knee drops Ace's arm and bangs the arm off his shoulder. They double lariat each other down.

They trade forearms. Ace hits kicks and a russian legsweep. Ace legdrops him. Kush does a hiptoss cartwheel dropkick. Kush ankle locks him then hits a running shotei for 2. Ace kicks him off the ropes. Ace hits corner lariats.

Ace is on the buckles and Kush handspring kicks him. Kush does a top rope rolling armbar. Ace lifts him and breaks the hold. Ace springboards and is kicked in the air. Ace spin kicks him. Ace hits the fold and wins.

Thoughts: I liked it. Kush worked the arm and stuck with it and Ace sold it well. They threw some high flying in there and it was a good juniors match.

Ace gets on the mic after and thanks everyone for supporting him. He thanks everyone for supporting Chris Bey too. Ace says Bey told him to go on a crazy singles run for him and win the big one. Ace says they were top guys but it's time he becomes the top guy. He says he wants Nic Nemeth and the world title.

Moose comes out. He says Ace won the top title but doesn't mention his name. He says it's time he teaches him about TNA. Moose says TNA wouldn't be TNA without him and wouldn't be the hottest company without him. Moose says he's holding onto the top title. He says Ace is scared of him and wants the easy way out by taking Nic Nemeth's title. Moose brings up Chris Bey and Ace tells him he will not speak about him.

Ace says he's been x-champion 3 times and carried the division for years. He says if Moose wants to learn about the x-division, he's talking to the right guy. Ace says he can become 4x x-division champ right now.

Santino Marella comes out. Santino says Ace is a top player and says Moose has been on fire. Santino sets up Moose vs Ace Austin for the x-division title.

Thoughts: I thought they did a good job with this and they made me interested in a match I wouldn't have been hyped for otherwise.

Steve Maclin is walking back and forth in front of EY in the back. Jonathan Gresham comes in. They talk about all of them being p@ssed off. The System then walk past them and talk about the tag belts. Eric, Gresham and Maclin then hit them and fight.

We get some clips of an old TNA match.

A trainer works on Ryan Nemeth in the back. He calls Rhino crazy and complains about him using a chair. Nic Nemeth walks in. Ryan says Joe Hendry happened and said Rhino hit him with a chair. Rhino comes in. Rhino said he hit Ryan with it and Ryan brought the chair in. Santino Marella comes in. He says next week will be The Nemeth Brothers vs Rhino and "someone nice". Joe Hendry then walks in and says he will be his partner. Joe says it'll be a preview of what Nic will get at Genesis.

Mike Santana comes out with Josh Alexander's head gear. Mike says he speaks from the heart. He says obstacles are something he is used to in his life. He says he beat rehab and took a bet on himself by coming to TNA. He says he wants to become the standard of TNA. The lights go out and The Northern Armory comes out.

Josh asks if it's about Mike being the standard and the face of the company. Josh says everyone wants to be the guy but few can obtain it. Josh says he wouldn't be the man he was today if it wasn't for LAX vs The North. He says Mike was sent packing by The North. He said Mike bet on himself and did nothing. Josh asks how may titles has Mike won since he went to TNA and he said 0.

Josh said he never told people he wanted to be the guy - it just happened and was destiny. He says he beat Minoru Suzuki and Bronson Reed to become the standard. He says Mike will never be the guy as long as he's around. 

He accuses Josh of sucking up to the booker. Mike says he knows he could beat the three Northern Armory members. He says he will go through the entire crew in one night and prove he is who he says he is. He says he will see him next week.

Jordynne Grace's team tells her it's time to go. Santino Marella comes in and puts a guard where Grace was at to wait for Tessa Blanchard.

Frankie Kazarian does a promo. He says he has cool sunglasses and doesn't care about Nemeth vs Hendry. He says he will be waiting for the perfect moment to maybe take his shot. Leon Slater walks past. Kaz says he has seen people come and go. He says Leon has something special. He says he can't be a king but could be a prince. He says he needs some coaching and is willing to do it. Leon says it would be cool. Kaz asks him if he wants to start now. He says Leon should be his trophy bearer and carry the trophy for him at ringside. Leon says that's not him and he isn't here to be a young boy. Kaz says "he's one of those" and tells him to go create his legacy and remember who paved that road in a rude tone. Leon says he will pass him on that road when he gets a chance. JDC comes in. He says he's a good kid but hopes those demons don't get to him down the road. JDC says he's just missing that something. He says maybe he needs a cool moniker like Leon "The Future" Slater. Kaz says it'll never get over.

Nic Nemeth comes out. He says we got a new #1 contender in Joe Hendry. Nic says Joe owes some of his success to the fans. He says he believes in Joe Hendry. He says Joe was close to becoming TNA champ against him but he's still him. Nic says he knows what Joe is capable of. He says one of his greatest honors is repping TNA as the champ. Nic says he outdoes everyone every night and that's why he's champ. He says it'll be a special night at Genesis. Nic says Santino hastily made a tag match. Ryan comes out.

Ryan gets mad at Nic respecting Joe Hendry. He says Joe will stab him in the back the first chance he gets like Rhino did. He says they will show Joe and Rhino that the name Nemeth is synonymous with greatness. Nic tells him to take it down a notch and says they are in this match because of Ryan. Nic tells him to calm down and leaves.

Ryan says Nic is upset and it's because of the fans. He then drops the mic and walks off.

We go to the back. The security guard waiting for Tessa is down. Santino says we need a medical professional.

Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich, Dani Luna and Jody Threat vs Ash By Elegance, Heather By Elegance, Tasha Steelz and Rosemary

Masha and Tasha pound on each other. Tasha is tripped into the ropes and takes a boot. Masha lariats her. Masha hits snapmares and kicks her in the back. Tasha armdrags her and Masha PK's her for 2. Masha hits lariats on Rose then forearms her.

Rose takes a nasty double side slam on her neck. Grace drops Masha onto Rose for 2. Grace hits shoulders on Rose then spinebusters her. All the girls come in and fight. We get 4 stereo suplexes. We go to break and return.

Heather forearms Dani and Dani catches her crossbody. Dani fallaway slams her. Heather is tripped into a basement dropkick > sliding lariat and low crossbody. Dani slams Jody onto Tasha for 2. Tasha jawbreakers Dani. Heath takes a double delayed suplex for 2.

Ash chokes Jody on the ropes then stomps on her chest. Jody hits forearms on Heather and Heather pulls her down by the hair. Heather hits mounted shots. Heather kicks Jody in the back. We go to break and return again. Jody gets stomped on in the corner. Ash cartwheel elbows Jody in the corner.

Rose euros Jody then sleepers her. Jody's head is banged off the buckles. Jody hits a tornado suplexes on Rose. Grace is hot tagged in. She bets up on Ash and spinning back elbows her. Grace hits a sliding forearm. Grace hits a world's strongest slam then vader bombs her for 2 when Tasha top rope splashes her to break it up. Grace lariats Tasha.

Masha superkicks Tasha then step up knees her in the corner. Masha facekicks Tasha in the corner and koppo kicks her for 2. Dani powerbombs Rose then everyone comes in to do a move. Tasha cutters Grace then Masha spin kicks Tasha in the face. Masha hits a short piledriver on Tasha and wins.

Thoughts: The breaks really cut this one up. What we got was a pretty average match as expected but they did get a lot of time for this one.

Tessa Blanchard comes in and nails Grace from behind. Rose mists Masha in the eyes. Tessa slams a door into Grace's head backstage. She drags her down a ramp with the strap on a bag. Tessa says she's taking her ball back and pulls down a rollaway door to lock Grace out. 

Overall thoughts: It was average as usual. I liked the Ace/Kushida match best and the Ace/Moose segment after. The main was average as expected. The Nic Nemeth/Joe Hendry storyline isn't really the strongest but there's still time for it to develop. Tehy did build some stuff for next week and the PPV though which is good. I'd give this one a 5 out of 10 and I wouldn't really recommend it.

Marigold 12/31/2024 Winter Wonderful Fight Day 10

Marigold 12/31/2024 Winter Wonderful Fight Day 10

Day 9 is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/marigold-12262024-winter-wonderful.html

They gave out some awards before the show:

Saree won the MVP Award. Best Match of the Year went to Saree vs Nanae Takahashi from 12/13/24. Mirai and Mai Sakurai won Best Tag Team.  The Outstanding Acheivement Award went to Utami Hayashishita. Miku Aono won the Best Technical Skill Award. Bozilla won the Fighting Spirit Award. Kouki Amarei won the Shine Award.

The girls talked about the awards after and posed with them.

They drew numbers to determine who fights who in the Rookie of the Year 2024 Tournament. And no, I have no answers for why Naho was in but Hummingbird, Victoria Yuzuki and Rea weren't.

Rookie Of The Year 2024 Tournament First Round Match - Minami Yuuki vs. Nagisa Tachibana

NT = Nagisa Tachibana

NT running dropkicks her multiple times to start. NT goes for an armbar and Yuuki ropebreaks. NT hits chest forearms and Yuuki chest forearms her over. Yuuki dropkicks her then slams her. Yuuki arm throws her over her shoulder several times for 2.

NT crossbodies Yuuki for 2. NT hits chest forearms and bangs Yuuki's head off the buckles. NT corner dropkicks Yuuki then rolls her up for 2. NT hits chest forearms. Yuuki does her hammerlock guillotine and ddt's her while doing it. 

NT ropebreaks. NT cradles her for 2. NT backslides her then la magistrals her for 2. Yuuki russian legsweeps her for 2. Yuuki does another hammerlock guillotine and taps out NT.

Thoughts: It was short and simple. Nobody botched anything or had any sloppy moments. It was about as basic as it gets but it went fine. This could have been a disaster but it wasn't.

Rookie Of The Year 2024 Tournament First Round Match - Naho Yamada vs. Ryoko Sakimura

RS = Ryoko Sakimura

The girls were at ringside already so they didn't get a special entrance. Naho wristlocks her. RS cartwheels out and reverses it. Naho wristlocks her again. Naho side headlocks her and side headlock takeovers her. RS headscissors her.

RS hits chest forearms. Naho running dropkicks her then headhunters her for 2. Naho hair throws her and takes kicks to the chest. Naho catches a kick, trips her and figure fours her. Naho bridges as RS ropebreaks. 

RS hits knees to the chest then step up knees her in the corner. RS dropkicks her for 2. RS slams Naho multiple times for 2. They trade chest forearms. Naho hits a couple in a row then RS rolls her up for 2. RS cradles her then Naho tries a pin. Naho backrolls and rolls up RS for 2. Naho bodyscissors rolls RS around the ring for 2.

Naho flying forearms RS off the buckles. RS rolls her up for 2. RS does a koji clutch and Naho ropebreaks. Naho dropkicks her. Naho pedigrees her and gets the pin.

Thoughts: RS looked better than Naho did here and I don't think anyone would disagree. It was a rookies match and pretty average for the most part. RS needs to put more into her kicks but I had no issues with her otherwise.

Rookie Of The Year 2024 Tournament Final Match - Naho Yamada vs. Minami Yuuki

Yuuki running boots her before the bell. She throws her over by the arms for 2. Naho cutters her then headhunters her. Naho slams her for 2. Naho dropkicks her in the knee and sunset flips her for 2. Naho bodyscissors rolls Yuuki around the ring for 2.

Yuuki hammerlock guillotines her and Naho ropebreaks. Naho chest forearms her. They botch a pin attempt and Yuuki rolls her up for 2. The camera falls over during the match and we get video of the ceiling for about 30 seconds. The camera man then tries to hold the camera and film it and does a poor job of it.

Yuuki russian legsweeps Naho for 2. Yuuki spinebusters her for 2. Yuuki backdrops her for the win.

Thoughts: It wasn't any good. The camera falling over was really funny and really fit the theme of this one. Naho had some loose offense here and the match was pretty generic.  

The girls are given medals after for the tournament. Yuuki talks on the mic.

Marigold Rumble Match - Nanae Takahashi vs. Nagisa Nozaki vs. Sareee vs. Miku Aono vs. Utami Hayashishita vs. Misa Matsui vs. MIRAI vs. Mai Sakurai vs. Nao Ishikawa vs. CHIAKI vs. Kouki Amarei vs. Chika Goto vs. Hummingbird vs. Rea Seto vs. Bozilla vs. Victoria Yuzuki

Yuz = Victoria Yuzuki, Nat = Natsumi Showzuki, Sare = Sareee

Yuz and Nat are the first two in. Nat side headlocks her and hammerlocks her. They trade forearms as Utami enters. Utami shoulders both over. Utami rams Yuz into Nat. Utami hits a double dropkick. Sare is next in. Utami boots her. Yuz and Nat roll out of the ring.

Utami shoulders over Sare. Sare hits chest forearms on her. They trade chest forearms. Misa is next in. Misa is caught on a double crossbody then Yuz and Nat dropkick the three over. Utami armdrags Misa then is double rolled into a double basement dropkick. The girls try pin attempts. Nao is next in.

Nao gets triple teamed and then she misses a double crossbody attempt. Nao hits chest forearms on 3 girls. Nao takes corner attacks from the other girls. CHIAKI is next in. Chi hits rolling spears then hits a double rolling spear. Chi hits a double dropkick throug hthe ropes on her opponents.

Nagisa Nozaki is next in. Nozaki facekicks Utami then pendulum kicks her on the ropes. Nozaki double chops multiple girls in the corner, including her partner Chi. MIRAI is next in. Chiputs Mirai in the apron. Mirai rolls back in with a flatliner on her. Nanae Takahashi is next in and gets a big "Passion" chant.

Nanae poses on the 2nd rope and girls try to push her out. Nanae then lariats most of the other girls. Nanae lariat battles Utami. Chika Goto is next in. Nao gets a 2 count on Nanae. Chika giant swings Misa. Grils surround Misa and try to jump over her as she swings. Kouki comes in next. Kouki facekicks Chika while holding her title. Nao and Nanae double team Sare. Nane lariats Nao then Sare top rope dropkicks Nanae. Nao tries to la magistral Sare but Sare blocks it and pins her.

Sare rolls Utami into a double stomp then dropkicks her on the bottom rope. Misa crossbodies Utami on the bottom rope. Mai Sakurai hits a double dropkick off the top. Utami germans Misa and pins her.

Mai throws money at 2 girls and hits a double dropkick. Sare then dropkicks Mai. Miku Aono is next in. The girls are trying like a 7 person suplex and Mai ends up laying on them as they try to do it. Miku head kicks Mai down. 

We get a 9 girl suplex. Miku double underhook suplexes Mai then trades forearms with her. Rea Seto is next in. Rea dropkicks Miku then she hits a double flying neckbreaker. Rea rolls up Miku and Mai for 2. Yuz dropkicks Rea then dropkicks her against the bottom rope. Nat meteora's Rea against the bottom rope. Hummingbird is next in.

Nat throws Yuz off the top onto Rea. Nat and Yuz fight on the apron and both fall down. Both get eliminated. Bozilla is next in. Boz shoulders Miku over. Utami is pulled onto the apron then Utami pulls Sare on there with her. They fight on the apron. Utami air raid crashes Sare on the apron. Both fall down to the floor and are eliminated. 

Boz is tripped into a cartwheel double knee from Chi. Boz back body drops Chika and Kouki over the top. Kouki definitely gets eliminated but they ignore it. Kouki and Chika trade on the apron. Kouki and Chika facekick each other off the apron and both get eliminated.

Nozaki and Chi take stereo backdrops. Mirai takes a double boot. Miku goes onto the apron then Mai does as well. They fight then Chi and Nozaki join them. Chi chairs Nozaki and eliminates her. Mai hits a hard facekick on Chi and eliminates her. Miku styles clashes Mai on the apron and both get eliminated off of it.

Rea stomps on Nanae. Nanae figure fours her. We get a multi-person submission spot that Boz breaks up. Boz takes chops from Nanae and Mirai. Boz hits a double lariat then Hum and Rea get a 2 count on her. Nanae running elbows Boz over. 

Boz takes corner attacks. Mirai and Nanae fight on the apron. Rea and Hum run at Boz on the ropes but Boz just walks to the side. Boz is supposed to go over the top but has trouble getting over. Mirai and Nanae get eliminated together. Boz double lariats. Boz powerbombs Hum then hits Rea with a nasty powerbomb. Boz vader bombs both and pins both to win the battle royale.

Thoughts: I didn't like this at all. It was long. Most of the girls weren't even in the ring during this as they waited outside. The eliminations didn't look good and it wasn't super serious.

The girls go to the back and come out after. Rossy talks on the mic and the girls drink champagne in the ring. The girls all talk on the mic and pose together to close the show.

Overall thoughts: I really hope tickets for this were discounted as it was a weak line-up on paper and in reality. I'm not really sure what the draw of this was for regular fans as there were only 4 matches and none of them were going to be great. I have no idea why they didn't do more matches here and this was not good at all. I'd give this one a 3 out of 10 and would not recommend it.

All Japan Pro Wrestling 12/31/2024 New Year's Eve 2024

All Japan Pro Wrestling 12/31/2024 New Year's Eve 2024

The ActWresGirl'Z match didn't even make the live stream of this one.

MUSASHI, Seiki Yoshioka & Taishin Nagao vs. Fuminori Abe, Seigo Tachibana & Yuko Miyamoto

Mu = Musashi, SY = Seiki Yoshioka

Yuko and Nagao go at it. Yuko wristlocks him then Nagao reverses it. Yuko trips him and Nagao armbars him. Yuko side headlocks him. Seigo and SY go at it. SY side headlocks him then facekicks him. Seigo shoulders him over after a side headlock. SY then does Seigo's pose.

They trade armdrags and Seigo back elbows him. Seigo takes kicks from Mu and Sy and a double basement dropkick. Seigo blocks Nagao's slam then he slams him. Abe gets in. Abe hiptosses Nagao for 2 and tries pins. 

Yuko foot chokes Nagao in the corner. Nagao 2nd rope dropkicks him. Mu gets in. He slingshot stomps Yuko. Mu makes Abe nail Seigo when he moves. Mu then exploders Yuko for 2. Yuko flips out of a german. Yuko lariats Mu then standing moonsault dobule knees him. Seigo facekicks Mu over. Seigo STO's him for 2. SY axe kicks Seigo.

Seigo takes a double superkick for 2. Nagao top rope dropkicks Seigo. Abe forearms Nagao then Nagao dropkicks him. Nagao slams Abe then crabs him and Nagao takes boots until he breaks it. Yuko handspring double back elbows Mu and SY. Seigo tope con hilos Mu and SY together. Nagao ducks an Abe PK and cradles him for 2.

Nagao his chest clubs on Abe. Abe baseball punches him then PK's him for 2. Abe does an octopus on Nagao then submits him.

Thoughts: It got more time than it needed. They had a lot of people involved so it was hard to really establish anything but it was an acceptable opener. Nagao got some shine as he got some offense in and got to kick out of stuff most rookies wouldn't get to kick out of.

Battle Royal - Ultimo Dragon vs. Minoru Suzuki vs. Suwama vs. Kumagoro Hokkai vs. Hartley Jackson vs. Aizawa NO. 1 vs. Hikaru Sato vs. Hideki Suzuki vs. Kuroshio TOKYO Japan vs. Shotaro Ashino vs. Kuma Arashi

Kuma = Kuma Arashi, Minoru = Minoru Suzuki, Hart = Hartley Jackson, Jiro = Kuroshio Tokyo Japan

Hideki and Suwama start us off and fight before the bell even rings. Hideki takes him down they get back up. Hideki full nelsons him. Sato gets in. He whips Suwama with his gi belt. Suwama then is tied up with it. Ashino is next in. Suwama whips Sato with the belt.

Ashino grabs Suwama by the waist and then then Kuma comes in. Suwama and Hideki grab each other and Aizawa comes in. He pops champagne on his way to the ring. Kuma gets a double foot choke. Hart comes out next and runs through the crowd on his way to the ring. Hart hits shots on Ashino and foot chokes him.

Hokkai comes in with his stuffed dolphin. He hugs Hideki and Aizawa charges at him. Suwama chokes Hokkai. Jiro is next in. Jiro climbs the stands and poses on the railings. Jiro teases coming in but goes to fool around in the crowd more. 

Minoru comes out next. Aizawa gets his arm bitten and Minor eye rakes Kuma. Ultimo comes out last. People try to push Aizawa and Kuma over the top. Ultimo hits kicks on Minoru. Everyone gangs up on Minoru to throw him over. Minoru and Ultimo trade.

Minoru rips on Ultimo's mask in the corner. Hokkai takes a double back elbow. Hookai bodyblocks Aizawa then Ultimo la magistrals Aizawa to pin him. Ultimo then gets group pinned.
Hart shoulders over a bunch of people then a group of people eliminate him. Hokkari swings his stuffed toy around at everyone then falls over. Hokkai then is group pinned. Ashino and Kuma trade shots. Ashino hits a hard forearm and Kuma lariats him over. Ashino germans Kuma. Ashino ankle locks Kuma and is group pinned during it. Kuma then gets group pinned.

Jiro gets surrounded and hits jacket punches on everyone. Everyone like bumps their chest into Jiro and Jiro submits. Suwama, Sato, Hideki and Minoru are the final four. Sato and Minoru trade chops. Sato hits kicks on Minoru. Suwama and Hideki are on the apron watching in separate corners. Sato water wheel drops Minoru and they trade armbars. Suzuki submits him via armbar.

Hideki neckbreakers Suwama then knee drops him. Hideki does an octopus on him. Suwama corner lariats Hideki then belly to belly suplexes him. Suwama hits double chops on Hideki and gets dropkicked. Suwama hits chops on both opponents then takes shots form both.  Minoru gotch style piledrivers Hideki and pins him.

Suwama and Minoru trade shots. Minoru sleepers him. Minoru is hanging over the top and tries to do submissions on him but fails. Suwama then boots him out for the elimination and win.

Thoughts: It wasn't good. They were doing a bad job of pretending to fight while waiting for everyone to get in. It was a slow and long match and no one really treated it seriously. Nobody came off this looking good.

Minoru hits Nagao with a railing after.

Daisuke Sekimoto vs. Dan Tamura

They lock up and Sek clean breaks him. Dan side headlocks him. They trade forearms. Sek misses a dropkick and takes a flying shoulder. Dan hits forearms and Sek pounces him. Sek twists Dan's neck with his feet and elbow drops him. Sek chops him in the back of the neck. Dan hits chest forearms and Sek chops him over.

Sek twists Dan's neck with his feet then neckbreakers him. Sek then sits on Dan's back and chinlocks him. Sek machine gun chops Dan. Dan chest forearm flurries Sek then Sek machine gun chops him.

Dan flying shoulders Sek. Dan suplexes him then does karelin's lift for 2. Sek puts Dan on his shoulders and rams him into the buckles. Sek corner spears Dan. Sek sentons and falling splashes Dan for 2. Sek chops Dan and they trade chest chops. Sek headbutts him and then suplexes him. Dan no sells it and hits a big lariat. Dan goes up top and they fight up there. Dan then stands on the mat and powerbombs Sek.

Dan hits lariats on Sek. Sek fires up and hits his own lariats. Sek enzugiri's him then germans him. Sek low crossbodies him for 2. Sek hits him with a big lariat as he comes off the ropes and pins him.

Thoughts: They did what they were supposed to but the crowd wasn't that into it. It was all chops and lariats. I thought Dan needed a big spot or two that he really didn't get in this one. It wasn't really designed to be a classic though so it would have only gotten them so far. It was okay but just not the great match it should have been.

Hokuto Omori, Cyrus and Jack Kennedy vs Rei Saito, Naruki Doi and Senor Saito

They all go outside to fight to start. Doi and Cy fight in the seats. Rei headbutts Omori on the floor. Cy chases Doi into the stands. Omori is thrown into the rails. Cy grabs a railing then Jack chops Senor. Senor eye pokes him and Jack shoulders him over. Jack slams him then elbow drops him for 2.

Rei eye pokes Omori and shoulders him over. Doi gets in and poses. Cy then shows up behind him and Doi wants out. Doi eye rakes Cy then Cy slams him. Cy then steps and stands on him.

Cy picks up Doi and throws him down. Jack clubs on Doi then fallaway slams him. Doi dropkicks Cy in the knee. Cy and Rei shoulder battle. Rei corner lariats him then Rei double chops Cy. They forearm each other at the same time. Omori top rope dropkicks Rei then Rei shoulders him over.

Senor and Rei corner splash Omori. Rei splashes Omori, Senor splashes Omori and Cy slams Doi onto all of them. Senor takes a double chokeslam. Omori takes a double powerbomb. Jack dropkicks Rei over. Cy takes a double team from Doi and Senor then double lariats them over. Cy slams Doi then vader bombs him and Senor. Omori top rope frogsplashes Senor to win.

Thoughts: It was average and nothing too special. They only had 11 minutes and they didn't exactly have the workrate all-stars in on this one. It was mostly just filler.

Both teams do backstage promos after. Kuma, Hart and Aizawa come in when Omori's team talks. 

Atsuki Aoyagi & Yuma Aoyagi vs. ELPIDA (Ren Ayabe & Ryuki Honda)

AA = Atsuki Aoyagi

This is Atsuki's first match in 10 months after getting injured.

AA and Honda wristlock each other. Honda side headlocks him then shoulders him over. AA dropkicks Honda out. AA then mocks Honda's dance. AA headlock takeovers him and they stand off. Ren and Yuma come in, do headflips and they lock up. Ren shakes Yuma's head around then Yuma dropkicks him. Ren shoulders him over. Ren slams Yuma.

Ren takes a double dropkick then is dropkicked off the apron. AA then 2nd rope moonsaults onto both opponents outside. Yuma and AA are whipped into each other outside. Yuma and AA then get thrown into the rails. 

Honda chokes AA on the ropes then does it to Yuma as well. Honda counts along with the ref on the break. Honda back elbows AA for 2. AA hits chest forearms on Ren. Ren forearms him over. Ren back body drops AA. Ren hits a high back body drop on Yuma.

AA and Honda trade forearms. Honda corner lariats AA then suplexes him. AA handspring enzugiri's Honda. Yuma comes in and dropkicks Honda. Honda flying forearms him. Yuma flying forearms Honda in the corner. Yuma top rope crossbodies Yuma for 2. Honda spinebusters Yuma. 

Ren flying neckbreakers Yuma then corner facekicks him for 2. Ren and Yuma trade forearms. Yuma dropkicks Ren. Yuma flying forearms Ren in the corner then takes a corner facekick. Yuma goes a guillotine to Ren. Ren suplexes Yuma. Yuma rock bottom's Ren. AA and Honda come in and trade forearms. AA leapfrogs him then 2nd rope diving armdrags him. AA dropkicks him. AA fisherman suplexes Ren three times for 2.

AA misses a top rope moonsault on Honda. Ren pops up AA and takes a dropkick. AA superkicks Honda then Yuma backdrops Honda. AA standing moonsaults Honda for 2. AA top rope moonsaults Honda for 2.

Ren throws AA off the top. Ren and Yuma trade shots and Ren dropkicks Yuma. AA takes corner takes and a sitout full-nelson bomb. Honda spears AA for 2. AA ddt's Honda for 2. AA step up enzugiri's Honda and Honda lariats him. Honda running lariats AA for 2. Honda running one-arm powerbombs AA and pins him.

Thoughts: I don't like AA losing on his return. That's just stupid and a great way to kill his run from the start. It was okay but not as great as it should have been. I just don't think they had the right crowd for it and they didn't do any real big spots, double teams or really anything that might have taken this to the next level.

Honda dances after. 

All Asia Tag Team Title Match - ELPIDA (Rising HAYATO & Yuma Anzai) (c) vs. Kento Miyahara & Ryo Inoue

Ryo and Yuma lock up. Ryo hits forearms on the ropes and they trade forearms. Yuma misses a dropkick and Ryo PK's him. Ken and Rising go at it. Rising wristlocks him. Ken reverses it then they trade hammerlocks. Ken wristlocks him. Rising headflips out and chops him. Rising flying headscissors him out then teases a dive. Rising poses and Ryo kicks him as he poses. Rising dropkicks Ken off the apron and poses with Yuma in the ring.

Ryo hits forearms on Ken then PK's Yuma from the apron. Ken headbutts Yuma outside and pulls his leg around the rail. Ken then kicks the leg. Yuma's leg is banged off the post and Ryo dropkicks the leg. Ken bangs Yuma's leg off the apron. Ryo stands on Yuma's leg in the ring. Ken facekicks Yuma and then Rising on the apron. Yuma hits forearms on Ken and is kicked in the back. Ken takes a belly to belly from Yuma.

Rising jumps off Ken's back to dropkick Ryo. Rising asai moonsaults Ken for 2. Rising corner dropkicks Ken then bulldogs him for 2. Ken dropkicks Rising in the knee and the side of the head. Rising and Ken trade shots. Ken pump kicks him. Ryo gets in and hits chest kicks on Rising. Rising codebreakers him. Yuma gets in and belly to belly suplexes Ryo for 2.  Ryo hits forearms on Yuma then Yuma dropkicks him. They trade forearms. Ryo hits a chest kick flurry then corner dropkicks him. Yuma hits a double dropkick on his opponents. Rising jumps off Yuma's back and dropkicks Ryo. Yuma takes a double bulldog for 2.

Ryo hits chest kicks on Yuma and Yuma dropkicks him. Yuma boots and knees Ryo around. Ryo forearms him down. Ryo gets stuck up top and takes shots. Yuma double underhook suplexes him down. Ryo no sells it then enzugiri's Yuma. All four men get a shot in and Yuma is the last one standing. Yuma flying knees Ryo then Ryo does sugar lock variation on him. Yuma ropebreaks.

Rising package tombstones Ryo then dropkicks Ken. Ken flying pumping knees Rising. Rising falcon arrows Ken. Yuma flying knees Rising in the back of the head for 2.  Ken lying pmping knees Yuma. Ryo hits headkicks on Yuma. Ryo hits a big punch and hits another headkick for 2. Ryo wristclutch backdrops Yuma for 2.

Rising springboard dropkicks Ryo into a Yuma german for 2. Yuma flying knees Ryo for 1. Ryo slaps Yuma around and punches him. Yuma flying knees Ryo. Yuma hits a gimlet on Ryo and pins him.

Thoughts: It was a good but not great match. It got a lot of time. Ryo was put over just by being in this and by getting treated as an equal. No one did any real special or dangerous offense in this one and it was mostly a normal match with more time added. I liked it but thought it could have been better with more effort put in. 

Triple Crown Title Match - Davey Boy Smith Jr. (c) vs. Jun Saito

They lock up and Davey clean breaks him on the ropes. Davey side headlocks him. Davey takes him over and Jun headscissors him. Davey bows at him and Jun side headlocks him. They shoulder battle. Jun slams him and is put in a hammerlock. Jun ropebreaks.

They fight outside. Davey kicks Jun's arm into the rail then sends him into the rail. Jun facekicks Davey over. Davey is sent into the rail and falls over right in front of Rei Saito at commentary. Davey is sent into the rails again. Jun goes up top and is thrown down. Davey headbutts Jun in the gut. 

Davey stomps on Jun then armlocks him. Davey bangs Jun's arm off his shoulder then kimura takedowns him. Davey pulls Jun's arms back. Davey flying lariats him for 2 then armlocks him. Davey hits euros. Davey boots him then takes a facekick. Jun running facekicks Davey, shoulders him over and elbow drops him. Davey powerslams Jun for 2.

They trade forearms. Jun hits a big chop and Davey hits headbutts. Davey blocks a spear. Davey germans Jun. Jun no sells it and running knees him in the back of the head. Davey reverse ddt's Jun for 2. Davey stomps on Jun. They fight on the buckles and Davey running powerslams Jun for 2.

Jun hits forearms and headbutts on Davey. Jun jackhammers Davey for 2. Davey hits some forearms and backdrops Jun for 2. Jun back body drops Davey. Jun spinning lariats him. Davey flying knees him then Jun running knees him.

Jun hooks onto Davey and throws him down for 2. Jun and Davey lariat battle. Davey lariats him for 2. Davey sitout powerbombs Jun for 2. Jun facekicks Davey then hits a spear for 2. Jun chokeslams Davey for the win.

Thoughts: This wasn't good. It was a very average and generic match with no major highlights and nothing super exciting going on in it. The finish came out of nowhere and no one was really ready for it. The match was slower paced and Jun did not impress in his big win. Neither of these two are great workers and there was nothing to suggest this was going to be a classic. I gotta give them credit for disappointing me even when I had low expectations for this.

Jun talks on the mic after. Davey comes in. He says it didn't go how he imagined it. He says sometimes you can't and won't win. He says it was an honor to share the ring with Jun. They shake hands. Davey says he was the better man and hopes Jun will give him a rematch somewhere down the road. Jun says arigato and thank you. Jun says he loves Zen Nippon Doom (?) and Davey says he loves Zen Nippon. They then say it together and streamers are shot out.

Overall thoughts: It wasn't one of AJPW's better efforts. The main looked disappointing and average at best on paper and it wasn't even that. The 3rd match from the top was okay but Atsuki losing on his return was stupid. The semi-main was good and probably the best match on here. Sekimoto/Dan was okay but didn't get enough time and they didn't really go all out for it. Everyone really did kind of take it easy for this show and no one really tried their best for this one. The matches all also got a lot of time that they didn't always need. I'll give this one a 4 out of 10 and would not recommend it. This was a disappointing show.

AEW Dynamite 1/1/2025

AEW Dynamite 1/1/2025

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/aew-dynamite-12252024.html

This is first AEW broadcast that is simulcasted on HBO MAX.

The intro for this show had "I'm So Excited" as the song.

We see Jon Moxley talk with The Death Riders after World's End. He says everyone talks but when things get real, they are different than what they say. He says Shafir took a bullet from Jay White. He said he grabbed the company by the strap and took bullets for the company. He says they aren't rebels because no one has authority over them. Mox says he is king and says Adam Copeland was just the loudest guy in the room.

Adam Copeland and FTR talk. Dax says they will give The Death Riders a fight. Adam says The Riders tried to take out his friends. He says let's get going and said he saw fear in Mox's eyes at world's End. He says he's sicker than Mox and it'll be fun tonight.

"Hangman" Adam Page vs Orange Cassidy

OS misses an orange punch and then avoids a buckshot lariat. OC rolls him up for 2. OC forearms him and gets slapped. Page chops him in the corner. Page hits a belly to belly for 2. Page springboard lariats him off the apron.

Page sends OC into the rails. Page takes a back body drop on the floor. OC stands on a chair and hits punches on Page. OC boots him out of the corner. Page catches OC's 2nd rope crossbody and fallaway slams him into the buckles. OC backrolls him for 2 and PK's him.

OC hits a stunner. Page catches OC's tope outside. Page fallway slams him on the floor. We go to PiP break and return. Page spinning forearms him. Page goes for a buckshot lariat and OC rolls out. Page throws him in then OC topes him outside. OC is then sent into the rails. Page chokes OC and OC puts his hands in his pockets. OC dropkicks him with his hands in his pockets.

Page's head is banged off the buckles. OC jumps off the top onto him but is caught. OC spinning ddt's him. OC hits another ddt for 2. OC superkicks him and takes a lariat. Page goes for a buckshot lariat and takes a beachbreak from OC.

OC sunset flips him and hits an orange punch. OC hits more orange punches. Page buckshot lariats OC for the win.

Thoughts: The ending seemed a little sudden. It was an average match. I didn't like OC sticking his hands in his pockets and I thought Page should have just beaten the crap out of him.

Page beats him up after and hits deadeye. Page holds on for another. Refs and Christopher Daniels try to stop it. Page punches out Daniels. 

Page tells Daniels to stay out of his business.

Jay White says 2025 didn't start as he planned. He said he planned to be AEW champ then Wheeler Yuta cost him the pin. He says he will show Yuta how he feels and says he still has a path to Mox at Maximum Carnage. He says he will win the casino gauntlet next week. He says he will be Swerve and Strong tonight in the 3-way to get in. 

The Acclaimed do an inset promo. Max goes to rap and Bowens says enough of it. Bowens asks if Max hit him on purpose in the match against Jericho. Max says it was an accident and tells him to get his head in the game. Max says no scissoring tonight and says he won't even rap. He says they will just do what they do best tonight.

The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) vs The Acclaimed

Bobby rushes both opponents and pounds on Max. Bobby foot chokes Max then belly to belly suplexes him. Bobby neckbreakers him. MVP joins the commentary desk and says Bobby and SB didn't want Ricochet. Bobby corner spears Max. Bobby lariats Max over the top.

Max is sent into the rails by SB. Max flips out of an SB backdrop. Bowens lariats SB and SB doesn't move. SB takes punches from Bowens. Bowens kicks SB in the leg then chops him. Max tags himself in. SB release germans Max three times. Bowens watches from ringside as Max takes another. SB step up knees Max in the corner.

Bobby rolling spears Max then chokeslams him. Bobby puts Max in a full neslon and submits him.

Thoughts: It was a quick one used to push the issues between The Acclaimed. The Hurt Syndicate had no issues here. This was basically a squash.

Bowens walks out on Max after and leaves him laying.

Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana are interviewed. Swerve says he's been distracted the last few weeks but gets back to doing what he does best. He says he will prove why 2024 belonged to him. He says he's never been in a casino gauntlet because he's been world champ. Nana then says, "Happy New Year, everybody". 

Jamie Hayter vs Julia Hart

This one is a lose-lose as neither needs to lose this one. Hart ducks a lock-up then pushes Jamie off of one. Hart pulls her down by the hair then Jamie does it to her. Hart takes forearms and hiptosses Hart.

Jamie hits corner lariats. Hart back elbows her and lariats her from behind. Hart is caught off the apron. She pushes Jamie into the steps. Jamie back elbows her. Hart pulls Jamie down backwards by the head on the steps. We go to PiP break and return.

Jamie step up enzugiri's her and facekicks her. Hart misses a top rope moonsault. Hart STO's her for 2. Hart puts her in hartless. Jamie stands up out of it then AA's her on the knee. Jamie sliding lariats her for 2. Jamie lays her on the top rope and clubs on her. Jamie is swept off the 2nd rope and hits her head on the landing.

Hart grabs an arrow, the ref grabs it and Hart mists Jamie. Hart then picks up the pin.

Thoughts: The match wasn't that good. Hart is still limited and didn't get much better during her time away. Hart misting Jamie gives her an out for losing and likely will lead to a rematch.  

Kazuchika Okada does a promo. He says he won the Continental classic and proved he's the best tournament wrestler alive. He calls Will Ospreay little brother and says nice try. Okada asks how many times he has to beat Kenny Omega and tells him to stay out of his business.

Mercedes Mone comes out. She wishes herself a happy new year and shows a video package on the tron. We see clips of her 2024. She says if you thought 2024 was good, wait and see what she does this year. she says Wrestle Dynasty is the first step on the money train. She says she will defend against Mina Shirakawa. She says Mina has gold she wants and says money changes everything.

They showed some first responders in the crowd but forgot to put the lights on them so we couldn't really see them.

Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong are interviewed. Cole says The Undisputed Kingdom is complete and this is their year. Kyle says they got all the bases covered. Strong says he guarantees himself a spot in the casino gauntlet next week and says it's every man for himself.

Thoughts: Well, they are now a group. Taven and Bennett weren't with them and I wonder why.

Casino Gauntlet Qualifying Match - Roderick Strong vs Swerve Strickland vs Jay White

Swerve hits shots on both opponents. Swerve gets double teamed. Swerve lariats Jay over the top then hiptosses Strong. Swerve suplexes him then fosbury flops Jay outside. Jay ddt's both opponents at the same time.

Jay chops and hits corner attacks on both. Jay exploders Strong over the top. Jay suplexes Swerve on the apron then drops Strong gut first onto it. Strong half-nelson backbreakers Jay and dumps him onto Swerve outside. We go to break and return.

We get a 3 person russian legsweep off the buckles that no one seemed to really benefit from. Swerve knocks Strong down a few times and backbreakers him. Swerve  powerbombs Strong into Jay in the corner. Swerve powerslams Jay for 2. Swerve rolls into a codebreaker from Strong. Strong olympic slams Jay then tiger drivers him for 2. Swerve does an M. Bison stomp on Strong.

Jay is pushed into Strong. Swerve rolls into a flatliner on Jay. Swerve walks the rail outside and boots Jay in the face. Ricochet then hits Swerve with a pair of golden scissors from the first row. Jay bladerunners Strong in the ring and wins.

Thoughts: It wasn't much and the finish wasn't done that well. Ricochet furthered his feud with Swerve. It had the usual issues 3 ways had and they did what they could with it, but it was nothing too special.

Swerve is bleeding and is crawling away from Ricochet. Nana goes up to Ric and Ric threatens him. Ric stabs Swerve with the scissors then hits punches. Ric then hits headbutts and Tony Schiavone calls it gross.

Nana and Ric fight over a chair and Nana is pushed into the steps. Ric chairs Nana. Ric headbutts Swerve in the ring and seats him in a chair. Ric then hits a spirit gun on him. The Undisputed Kingdom then come out to save Swerve, minus Taven and Bennett.

Thoughts: No toilet paper here. Ric looked cool with the blood all over him. 

Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh are interviewed. Jay said they hadn't heard from Jarrett. Jarrett then walks in. Dutt asks if Jarrett is sure. Jay says they will support Jarrett 100% and want to make sure that he's sure. Karen Jarrett, who Jeff was looking for, comes in. Karen says she knows the business is in Jeff's blood but what he wants, she wants. Karen says they are unbreakable.

Mariah May does a promo. She says the women's division is great. She said she had more matches last year than any other women. She said she did her job better than any other woman alive. She says she's the woman from hell and says you can't touch her.

Jeff Jarrett comes out and says "slappy new year", referencing his old slapnuts phrase. Jeff says he has a lot to be thankful for in his career. He says he thought about how it began for his family. He said his grandma took a 2nd job selling wrestling tickets and it changed his family's life. He said she became the CEO of the Tennessee territory and took high risks for high rewards He said his dad promoted shows in high school, wrestled and bought the promotion in a high risk and high reward situation. He said he got into wrestling in 1986 and went against his family's wishes. He said he dropped out of school and started his wrestling career.

He said he bet on himself in 2002 and launched his own promotion. He said that promotion produced some of the best wrestlers of all time. He has his wrestling boots in his hand. He said he has to ask himself if he should just ride off into the sunset and says, "hell no". He says when he takes the biggest risk, he gets the biggest reward. He said he signed his last talent contract and has re-signed with AEW. He says he wants AEW gold and says he wants to take the biggest risk of his career. He says he wants in the gauntlet next week and says his new years resolution is to become AEW champ.

Thoughts: This was a great promo. Jarrett is probably the best promo in the company and really laid out his reasons for wanting the title well. I hope they roll with this storyline because it will work. I don't get why Jarrett can declare himself for the casino gauntlet but others need to win to get in it.

Nick Wayne does a promo. He said he hopes Christian isn't looking forward to his new year. He says his job isn't finished and says to ask Nick what it's like to be in the redrum. He says he will choke him out. Hook fights Christian in 2 weeks.

Powerhouse Hobbs vs Jon Cruz and Rob Killjoy

Hobbs shoulders Cruz over. Rob tries a chop and Hobbs doesn't move. Hobbs hits a short arm lariat then corner lariats both opponents. Hobbs powerslams Cruz then spinebusters Rob. Hobbs spinebusters Cruz onto Rob and pins both.

Thoughts: It was a quick squash here with Hobbs winning as expected. The jobbers got nothing in.

Big Bill and Bryan Keith are interviewed. Jericho isn't with them. Bill says this place is great. Keith says, "it's aight". Bill says Jericho isn't coming here. They then see FTR and Copeland. Bill says he doesn't know who should be more ashamed - the people of Asheville or them for being proud of Asheville. Bill says home is where you find yourself and says the hometown heroes need to be taken down a notch or two. Keith calls Adam a "Rated R Dumb@ss".

Adam says Keith isn't a bad apple, he's a tumbleweed. He says Bill's face is stupid. Adam challenges them to a trios match on Collision and says, "bye guys".

We get a graphic for Sweet Daddy Siki who died today.

We see an MJF promo from after World's End. He says Adam Cole lost and it took his entire army to beat him up. MJF says finally his saga with Cole has come to a close. He says now it's time for retribution. He says something was taken from him - his title. He says his title is now being paraded around in a briefcase by a man claiming to be king of these lands. MJF says what's a king to a god? He says nobody is on the level of the devil. He says he doesn't have a problem with Mox, he just wants his title. He says he's getting it back come hell or high water. He says the devil gets his due part 2 in 2025.

Rated FTR (Adam Copeland, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) vs The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudico Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta

Adam's graphic said "Rated R Superstar Cope". Dax and Yuta lock up. Yuta slaps him in the corner. Yuta armdrags him and slaps him. Dax hits chops then back body drops Yuta. Adam and CC go at it. Adam side headlocks him. CC boots and euros him. Adam hiptosses him over the top and dropkicks him through the ropes. CC's head is banged off the apron. Shafir pushes Adam into the post.

We go to PiP break and return. Mox hits forearms on Adam in the corner and foot chokes him. CC chinlocks Adam. Adam back body drops Yuta. Cash comes in with a diving double clothesline. Cash backdrops Yuta. Cash powerslams Yuta off a leapfrog attempt. Dax suplexes CC for 2.

Dax 2nd rope twisting crossbodies Yuta. Yuta does a drop on him. Dax top rope backdrops Yuta. CC jackhammers Dax then Yuta top rope splashes Dax for 2. We go to another PiP break and return. 

Dax backdrops Yuta. CC falls into Dax and bangs the back of his head off of him. Mox and Adam trade forearms. Adam hits an impaler ddt. Mox avoids a spear. Mox and Adam go into the seats to fight. Adam throws Mox back into ringside. Back in the ring, Adam sit out powerbombs Yuta for 2.

Adam goes for a spear but is pulled into the post crotch first. Cash goes for a tope and takes a hard euro from CC. CC lariats Dax on the floor. Jay White comes into the ring when the ref isn't looking and blade runners Yuta. Adam back body drops Mox on the commentary table. Adam then jumps off the table onto Mox, sending him through a rail. Yuta takes a shatter machine and a spear. Yuta gets pinned.

Thoughts: This really got cut up by 2 breaks. What we got was a good main but not great. CC really nailed Cash hard with a euro on the tope attempt. They tied in Yuta and Jay's issues here which was good.

Overall thoughts: It was a longer show with a lot of wrestling on it. But the show was decent overall. Jeff Jarrett's promo was the best thing on here and the main was the best match, but it wasn't great. There were a lot of people missing from this show. I'd give the show a 5 out of 10 overall but I wouldn't recommend it.

Pro Wrestling NOAH 1/1/2025 The New Year 2025

Pro Wrestling NOAH 1/1/2025 The New Year 2025

GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match - RATEL'S (HAYATA & YO-HEY) (c) vs. AMAKUSA & Junta Miyawaki vs. All Rebellion (Alejandro & Kai Fujimura)

Kai, Yo and junta go at it to start. We get an early stand off, a double headlock spot then Yo takes a double dropkick. Jun armdrags Kai then Yo flying headscissors an opponent. Haya shoulders ama over and double stomps his back. Ale bounces off the ropes and does an armdrag then he spinning bodyscissors Haya. Ale and Kai hit stereo dropkicks then do stereo tope con hilos.

Yo takes corner attacks and a double superkick to the head for 2. Aam slips on the ropes and does a headscissors + armdrag takeover. Jun does a double corner dropkick on Haya and Yo.

Jun and Kai trade. Kai tilt-a-whirl backbreakers him. Ale slingshot pslashes Kai then ddt's Yo. Ama springboard headscissors Haya. Kai flying forearms Ama. Jun hits a top rope double dropkick. Kia jumps up on the 2nd rope and dives out. Ama does his tornillo tope outside. Ama hits a 450 on Yo. Kai does a spinning sitout shoulder throw on Yo for 2. 

Ale rolls into a code red on Jun for 2. Kai hits a springboard lariat. Kai springboard double stomps Haya's back and Ale hits a hard ddt on Haya. Ale top rope frogsplashes Haya for 2. Ama takes a double superkick. Ale misses a spiral tap off the top. Kai springboards and takes a Yo dropkick.

Ale is held in the air for a cutter for 2. Haya hits a high elevated ddt on Ale to win.

Thoughts: I liked it. They didn't overdo it and they did a bunch of flying at a fast pace. WE had a decent amount of people slipping on the ropes though.

Atsushi Kotoge, Go Shiozaki, Hajime Ohara & Mohammed Yone vs. Black Menso-re, Kazuyuki Fujita, Shuji Ishikawa & Tetsuya Endo
 
KF and Go go at it. They lock up. Go side headlocks him. They shoulder battle. KF shoulders him over and misses a kick. Endo and Kotoge go at it. Kotoge wristlocks him. Endo rolls through and wristlocks him. Kotoge hits headbutts on him. Ohra wristlocks Endo. Endo powerbomb backbreakers Ohara. Ohara hits a double basement dropkick then a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Endo. Menso comes in and gets one as well.

Yone corner lariats Endo. Endo facekicks him and handspring corkscrew kicks him. Shuji corner lariats Yone then 2nd rope double footstomps him. Yone armbars Shuji. Endo is sent into the rails. Yone conrer lariats Shuji. They trade forearms and lariat battle. Both go down.

Yone shoulders Menso over. Go chops up Menso. Go lariats him for 2. Endo does a corkscrew flying space tiger drop outside. Menso eye pokes Go, walks the top rope and hits him. Menso backslides him. Go hits a big lariat on Menso for 2. Go then pins him with another lariat.

Thoughts: It was alright here with us getting to see a little of everyone and not a lot of anyone. Shuji and Go's section was fun.

1-minute time limit - Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Daiki Odashima

Dai hits forearms on KF. KF shoves him then takes him down. KF misses a kick to the head then Dai hits a hard running soccer kick to the head. KF hits a hard lariat then hits a dangerous looking powerbomb. The time limit expires and it goes to a draw.

Thoughts: We only got  minute of this. Despite that, they both took some pretty hard shots here. I was surprised Dai was allowed to survive one minute.

El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Galeno Del Mal

Mal had a cool samurai entrance jacket on. Mal and Hijo look identical but Mal has blue on and Hijo has green on. They lock up. Hijo wristlocks him and side headlocks him. Mal is flipped over on the wristlock. Mal shoulders him over. Hijo chops him Mal top rope diving armdrags Hijo. Mal flying headscissors Hijo out.

Mal tope con hilos Hijo outside. Hijo guillotines Mal. Mal boots him out of the corner and Hijo boots him back. Hijo springboard armdrags him and then bodyscissors him over the top. Hijo top rope moonsaults Mal outside.

Hijo eye pokes him and is caught on a crossbody. Hijo pumping knees him then hits soul foot. Hijo walks up the buckles and diving codebreakers him. Hijo michinoku drivers him for 2. Hijo step up knees Mal in the corner and does another michinoku driver.

Hijo triple jump moonsaults Mal for 2. Hijo urakens him and takes a headbutt. Mal back body drops him and hits slaps. Hijo slaps back and takes a facekick. Hijo rebound lariats him then takes a spinning lariat. 

Mal 2nd rope moonsaults Hijo for 2. Mal double underhook twisting ddt's him for the win.

Thoughts: It wasn't as a bad as I expected but the selling was non-existent here. They just did the moves they wanted to do then moved onto the next thing they wanted to do. I liked it at first but liked it less as it kept going on.

KENTA vs. Kenoh

I didn't like the build to this one. It's a bigger match than the spot it will get on this show. I feel like it would have been better saved for another show. Ken has black hair here instead of his usual blonde hair.

Kenoh slaps him on the break. Kenta slaps him back and then Kenoh drops him with a slap. Kenta is thrown into the rails and is kicked outside. Kenoh misses a 2nd rope double stomp on the floor. Kenta powerslams Kenoh on the floor.

Kenta hits chest kicks and back elbows him. Kenta headscissors him and Kenoh ropebreaks. Kenta hits knees to the face. Kenta ddt's him then knee drops him. Kenta hits kicks to Kenoh's chest and head while he's down. Kenta hits chest kicks and Kenoh chest kicks him back.

Kenoh legsweeps him into a double stomp on the back. Kenoh flying knees him in the back of the head. Ken ankle locks him. They trade forearms and chest kicks. Kenta running facekicks him. Kenoh pele kicks him and they facekick each other down at the same time. Kenta ddt's him then corner facekicks him. Kenta hits a corner dropkick.

Kenta hits a top rope double stomp for 2. Kenoh ankle locks him then PK's him. Kenoh misses a top rope double stomp. Kenta facekicks him. Kenta crossfaces Kenoh and Kenoh ropebreaks.

Kenta leg lariats Kenoh on the ropes. Kenoh high kicks him then dragon suplexes him for 2. Kenoh hits two PK's for 2. They hit each other at the same time. They slap each other at the same time. Kenta hits a couple of hard slaps in a row then does a busaiku knee for 2. Kenta facekicks Kenoh for 2. Kenta hits a go to sleep and pins him.

Thoughts: Noah booked themselves into a corner with this one. NJPW probably wasn't going to let Kenta lose and Kenoh didn't really need to lose this one but he did. Kenoh losing was clearly the worst of the two outcomes especially since Kenta is a lowcarder in NJPW but that's what we got. Noah is horrible at protecting their stars against other companies stars and this was a great example of it. The match gave you some of the things you would want with the kicks and slaps but it wasn't as good as it could have been 10 years ago or so. Kenta's not injured or that old, but he just doesn't try and doesn't care enough to go try to put a classic on.

Kenoh begs for a handshake after and Kenta walks away, further burying Kenoh.

GHC Junior Heavyweight Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match - Daga (c) vs. Eita

1st fall - Daga shotgun dropkicks Eita in the corner then hits boots and punches. Daga flips over his back and takes a headscissors out. Eita goes to dive and gets stopped with a kick. Daga tornado ddt's him on the floor using the rail. Daga topes Eita into the rail. Daga top rope double stomps Eita then does a double underhook codebreaker. Daga wins the fall.

2nd fall - Daga baseball slides him out. Daga bites Eita on the rails. Daga gorilla press throws Eita onto the apron. Daga hits Eita with a table. Daga gotch style piledrivers Eita through a table. Eita jack knife pins Daga in the ring and pins him.

3rd fall - Daga hits a basement dropkick and chokes him in the corner. Eita step up enzugiri's him in the corner. Daga gets a 2 count on him. Eita hits 3 dropkicks, sending Daga out. Eita tope con hilos Daga through the ropes. Eita is caught coming off the top. Daga superkicks him then germans him for 2. Daga spinning lariats him then Eita superkicks him.

They trade chest chops. They trade shots and Daga powerslams him. Eita gets a 2 count on him. Daga does like a final cut for 2. Eita superkicks him. He then does like a Z360 out of the abdominal stretch for 2. They fight on the buckles. Eita bodyscissors rolls him down and wins.

Thoughts: I didn't like it. Daga did a piledriver through a table that not only meant nothing but lead to him getting pinned soon after in the 2nd fall. There was no way I was putting this over after that. I don't really understand the point of them doing 2/3 falls here when the first two falls were short and basically a waste.

GHC National Title Match - Manabu Soya (c) vs. Masa Kitamiya

They charge at each other then trade forearms. Masa gets knocked into the ropes with one then forearms him down. They trade more forearms. Masa side headlocks him. Soya shoulders him over then knee drops him for 2.

Soya suplexes Masa for 2. Soya hits punches and chops. Masa shoulders him over. Masa corner lariats him, samoan drops him and sentons him. Soya flying lariats him then corner lariats him. Soya 2nd rope powerslams him for 2.

Masa clips Soya then facebusters him. Soya's knee is banged off the mat. Soya hits chops while put in the prison lock. Masa suplexes Soya. Masa spears him, Soya no sells it and Soya spears him. Masa no sells it and they lariat each other down at the same time. They hit lariats and Masa lariats him over.

Soya hits double chops then Masa ddt's him. Soya does a high backdrop for 2. Masa clips him thne Soya hit a big lariat for 2. Masa drops Soya on his knees and piledrivers him. Masa prison locks him and Soya ropebreaks. 

Soya guillotines him then does a short ddt for 2. Soya hits headbutts on Masa then jumping ddt's him for 2. Soya then gets the win.

Thoughts: The jumping ddt finish was a bit weak for these guys when they are no-selling germans. We've seen this match before and it was what you would expect with lots of fire and hoss style wrestling. I liked it but it went a little longer than it needed to and I thought they could have done a little better. I would have liked to have seen a big high spot or two and a bit more drama.

GHC Tag Team Title Match - Naomichi Marufuji & Takashi Sugiura (c) vs. Team 2000X (Jack Morris & Omos)

Omos stares down some sumo wrestler in the front row. I don't know who that rikishi is but I'd like to see that one.

Omos and Sugi stare down. Sugi offers a test of stregnth but he can't come close to reaching Omos. Sugi bends down and Omos boots him. Sugi hits headbutts to the chest and forearms. Omos corner splashes him. Jack clubs on Sugi and Sugi suplexes Jack.

Maru chops and back elbows Jack. He runs into Omos then Jack hits Maru from behind. Maru tries to stare down Omos and just goes to his chest. Maru chops Omos and Omos laughs at him. Maru double boots him out of the corner and is facekicked off the buckles to the floor.

Omos throws Maru in from the apron. Jack clubs on Maru. Maru hits a kick combo on Jack and drops him. Sugi corner facekicks Jack then running knees him in the corner. Sugi hits a shot on Omos on the apron and Omos wants in.

Sugi 2nd rope suplexes Jack for 2. Jack flyng knees him for 2. Sugi gordbusters Jack and running knees him in the gut. Jack takes a double back elbow. Maru flying back elbows Jack then Jack spinebusters him for 2. 

Jack gets on Omos' shoulders and splashes Maru for 2. Omos chokeslams Sugi on the apron. Maru pumping knees Jack and Jack flying knees him. Omos hits a high back body drop on Maru then does a double arm chokeslam for the win.

Thoughts: It wasn't great, but I liked it. They really put Omos over here and made him look like a total force. Omos did his part too. If you were looking for a wrestling classic, this wasn't it, but they did a goob job with this.

Jack poses on Omos' shoulders after with the titles.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ulka Sasaki

Ulka has dyed red hair. SN got traditional japanese drums and horns for his entrance. SN also came out with a samurai helmet and mask with a cool remix of his theme. This is not for the WWE US Title, which SN currently holds. 

SN goes for kicks and hits some to the leg and body. SN blocks a takedown and waistlocks Ulka. Ulka goes for a guillotine. SN takes him down. Ulka goes for a leglock and SN goes out. SN facekicks Ulka off the apron. Ulka is sent into the rails. Ulka hangs over the apron and SN running knees him. SN hits knees ot the body and spinning heel kicks him. Ulka is laid on the top buckle and SN running knees him. Ulka hangs over the top and gets kicked.

Ulka hits chest kicks. SN knee drops Ulka for 2. SN arm and chinlocks Ulka. Ulka flying kicks him. Ulka strike combos him then SN knees him in the gut. Ulka hits a cutter. They trade forearms. Ulka slaps and germans him for 2.

SN comes off the buckles and gets hit with a flying kick from Ulka. Ulka flying triangles him. SN hits a knee to the chest. SN reverse slams/release backdrops him. Ulka gets on his back with a sleeper.

Ulka catches him with another triangle. The ref gets hit. SN black mists him and hits a styles clash type of move. SN hits a kinshasa and gets the win.

Thoughts: I didn't like it much. As I said earlier, Noah is bad at protecting talent. SN treated Ulka like a jobber rookie here early on and had his way with him. Ulka got some comebacks in and we had a dirty finish with a weak ref bump and SN using the mist to win. It didn't make Ulka look like a star and it wasn't the spirited match you would hope for. Now Ulka has to wrestle again regularly in Tokyo from now on and SN will go back to the US where Noah can't capitalize on the win.

GHC Heavyweight Title Match - Kaito Kiyomiya (c) vs. Taishi Ozawa

Tai stalls outside to start, rolls out of a lock-up and does taunts. Tai backs off on a lock up and KK grabs him by the hair. Tai stalls outside more. KK chases him around the ring. Tai side headlocks him in the ring and is forearmed over. Tai hits armdrags and headscissors KK.

Tai breakdances in the ring while waiting for KK to get back in. Tai backflips, picks his nose and puts it in KK's mouth. Tai backrolls KK then PK's him. Tai standing moonsaults him and rests on him to try and pin him.

KK dragon screws him then flying knees him. KK boots Tai out. Yoshitatus hits KK with his stick outside and KK's buddy stop Yoshi. Tai hits KK with a crutch and Kenoh stops him. Tai hits Ken with the crutch. Tai shoves the crutch into KK's face. 

KK is sent into the rails. Tai is sent into the rails. KK charges at him but goes into them. Tai cravates him in the ring. KK hits a flying shot. KK  slips on a springboard and elbows Yoshi off the apron. KK flying shotgun dropkicks Tai out. KK tope con hilos him.

Tai tries to hit KK with a weapon and gets dropkicked. KK hits corner punches. KK germans him for 2. Tai blocks a shining wizard. Tai rolls through a sunset flip and hits a basement dropkick.  Tai corner dropkicks him. Tai top rope dropkicks him for 2. Tai corkscrew kicks him for 2. Tai hits forearms and KK fires back.  Tai facekicks him and takes a spinning forearm. Tai spinning heel kicks him and takes a shining wizard. KK tiger suplexes him for 2. KK double underhook hims and tiger suplexes him to the side. Tai does a pop-up flatliner.

Tai finlay rolls him, misses a top rope moonsault and does a running ssp. Tai powerbombs him for 2. KK crotches Tai up top and gets booed for it. Tai 2nd rope liger bombs him for 2. Tai misses a top rope phoenix splash.

KK dropkicks him. KK hits flying shining wizards for 2. KK steps up the buckles and hits a shining wizard for 2.  KK goes for a shining wizard and Tai pushes the ref in his way. KK blocks Tai's low blow. KK then low blows Tai. KK hits a shining wizard but the ref is out.

Omos then comes out to big pops. Tai kicks KK in the nuts. Tai shining wizards KK for 2. Tai dropkicks him then does a sitout bomb for 2. Tai hits a phoenix splash and pins KK to win.

Thoughts: This was a big upset and shocker. This stuff doesn't happen in Noah usually. The first half was all stalling and shenanigans from Tai. Then in the 2nd half they had more of a normal match with finishing trading and big moves. The crowd was really into Tai and even booed Kaito over him so they did something right here. It don't think it was a great match but was something really different from the usual Noah fare and kept my attention.

Tai grabs the mic after. He poses on Kaito, says he's the real rebel and stomps on him. Tai calls out Kenoh after for a match. Why Ken gets a title match after losing today, I don't know.

Overall thoughts: It was a long one that went over 3.5 hours. The first two undercard matches were okay. Wagner/Mal wasn't good. I didn't care for Kenta/Kenoh and Ulka/Nakamura. In both cases, the regular Noah wrestler got beaten by the outsider, which doesn't help anyone. The Jr title match wasn't that good. Soya/Masa was fine. Omos' tag did what it was supposed to but wasn't great. The main was a different match from usual and Noah took a big risk in letting Ozawa win. The crowd liked it though so maybe it worked. I was surprised the women didn't make the show, especially Kouki who is the Women's GHC champ. I'd give it a 6 out of 10 mostly because it was a big show and they tried but the booking here really left a lot to be desired. Whatever you were looking for on this show, you probably got some of it. You probably should see the main in this one.