FREEDOMS 2/8/2024 Go Beyond The Limit 2024

FREEDOMS 2/8/2024 Go Beyond The Limit 2024

Kengo, Takahiro Katori & Toru Sugiura vs. F-SWAG (Gaia Hox, Jun Masaoka & Yuya Susumu)

We get some forearm trades to start. Jun takes a triple basement dropkick then takes a gubuster into a basement dropkick. Hox rakes Jun's eyes with his feet and slingshot swantons him for 2. Yuya snapmares Kengo then kicks him in the back for 2. Jun boots him out of the corner and takes a back body drop.

Toru gets in and shoulders over Jun. Toru slams Hox then Kengo and Toru do stereo tope con hilos outside. Toru corner forearms Jun then basement dropkicks him. Jun dropkicks Toru in the knee and axe kicks him in the head for 2. Toru forearms Jun then suplexes him when he tries to springboard.

Katori and Hox go at it. Katori knees him. Toru slams Hox and Kengo top rope double foot stomps him. Katori backdrops Hox for 2. Katori gets hit with a sign from Jun while running the ropes then he takes corner attacks. Katori takes a codebreaker into a double stomp on the back. Hox hits a neat northern lights bomb type of slam.

Katori hurricanrana's Hox then Hox pumping knees him. Katori backrolls Hox and wins it at 9:53.

It wasn't anything too special here. Nothing wrong with it but it needed more time. Katori didn't even get his stuffed animal toy out here and we didn't see much of Toru.

GENTARO & Tatsuhito Takaiwa vs. HAKKA & Rekka

Hak and TT go at it. Hak wristlocks him then TT grabs his leg. Hak hits some shots on TT then Rek gets some in. Rek and TT trade forearms and chops then TT lariats him over. Gen snapmares Rek and elbow drops him. Gen neckbreakers him then Rek dropkicks him. Rek hits another dropkick then Hak pounds on Gen. Hak slams him then elbow drops him.

Hak is tripped into the buckles then TT hits a chop flurry on Hak. TT corner lariats Hak then Hak suplexes him. TT takes chops from both opponents then lariats both opponents. Hak running lariats TT. Rek hits forearms on TT then misses a dropkick. Gen slaps and hits punches on Rek. Gen gutwrench suplexes Rek then top rope dropkicks him for 2.

Rek springboard dropkicks Gen then corner dropkicks him. Gen takes a sandwich forearm and double suplex. Gen slaps Rek then TT lariats Rek off a piledriver attempt. TT death valley drivers Hak. Rek no sells a Gen backdrop then is backdropped again for a 1 count. Gen backdrops Rek again and wins it at 10 minutes.

It was a solid tag here with both teams getting a little in. They just stuck with real basic wrestling and it was okay for what it was.

Mammoth Sasaki, Minoru Fujita, Takahiro Katori & Takashi Sasaki vs. ERE (Dobunezumi Fukki, Kyu Mogami, Toshiyuki Sakuda & Violento Jack)

Everyone fights at the bell and 6 of the 8 go out to fight. Kyu takes a double boot then a double shoulder from Mammoth and Takashi. Fukki and Katori trade then Katori dropkicks him for 2. Fujita is dropkicked off the apron then Fukki backdrops Katori.

Fukki chairs Katori in the back then Jack hops over Fukki's back to elbow drop Katori. Jack then sentons Katori. Katoi and Sakuda go at it. Sakuda smashes Katori's fingers between legs of a ladder. Kato tries forearms on Kyu but gets nowhere. Kyu low blows him then is suplexed. Mammoth chops Kyu then double arm spinebusters him. Fujita is suplexed by Jack then Takashi tries to lariat battle with Jack.

Takashi ripcord high kicks Jack then lariats him. Mammoth grabs a ladder and swings it at Fukki and Kyu then throws it at Kyu. Mammoth powerbombs Takashi so he can superplexex Fukki in a dumb spot. Fujita chinbreakers Kyu. Sakuda and Katori trade.

Katori boots him out of the corner and is caught with a rolling death valley driver when he jumps off the 2nd rope. Fujita holds Sakuda for a Katori dropkick. Sakuda is bridged on the ropes. Katori top rope dropkicks him and Fujita ddt's Sakuda down.

Katori knees Sakuda in the face then backdrops him. Sakuda drives Katori into the ropes for a Jack kick then Jack running lariats Katori over. Jack sitout powerbombs Katori for a close near fall. Jack does a grounded octopus to Katori that Fujita breaks up.

Kyu cutters Fujita to get him out. Katori does a flying octopus on Jack but is side slammed. Katori goes for a ground submission but is rolled into a pin attempt. Jack chairs him, lariats him in the back of the neck then does a side electric chair driver on him. Jack gets the win at 9:45.

It wasn't a bad 8-man. It didn't have enough time for everyone to really do much here. However, they didn't get to  do stupid stuff and therefore didn't have to sell the stupid stuff, which made the match a lot better.

Barbed Wire Board Death Match - Daisuke Masaoka vs. Yusaku Ito

DM = Daisuke Masaoka

Ito face kicks him and pounds on him at the bell. they try to push each other's heads into the boards, which are made of the thinnest wood ever. DM is driven into the boards first and breaks it with ease. Ito pushes DM's head into the barbed wire. He slams the board onto DM then headbutt drops the board into him.

DM gets his head pushed into the barbed wire then Ito footpresses DM's head into it. Ito pushes barbed wire into DM's head and they trade forearms. Ito knocks him over with a headbutt for 2. Ito chairs a barbed wire board onto DM then Ito is back body dropped onto a chair pile. DM flying knees Ito.

Ito is slammed on the mat and DM vader bomb corkscrew elbows him. DM slams Ito then hits an asai moonsault for 2. Ito throws a chair at DM's head then Ito michinoku drivers him for 2. A chair is bridged on 3 chairs. Ito sitout powerbombs DM through the contraption for 2.

A board is bridhed on chairs. Ito gets stuck up top with barbed wire wrapped around his head. They fight up top and Ito gets headbutted. DM 2nd rope rolling snapmares Ito through the bridged board. DM fire thunders Ito onto the barbed wire board for 2. Ito crucifix drivers DM for 2.

Ito wraps his fist in barbed wire and punches DM. They trade forearms and Ito face kicks him. Ito hits a big headbutt then DM headbutts him back. Toru Sugiura is seen enjoying this as they headbutt each other move. DM rolls Ito and pins him.

It was going okay until the rolling snapmare spot through the board. They didn't sell the spot much and just kept going. The finish wasn't too good either and didn't really hit what they were doing here.

Razor Cross Board & Bamboo Skewer Cross Board Death Match - Jun Kasai vs. Crazy King

They lock up. Jun side headlocks him and they shoulder battle.Jun cradles him and headlock takeovers him. King headsicssors him and they stand off. Jun gives him the middle finger then chairs him. King uses the chair on himself then 2nd rope dropkicks a chair into Jun.

Jun is sent right into both sets of cross boards and has a skewer sticking out of his ribs. King shoves skewer sticks into Jun's mouth then pump kicks them. King powerbombs Jun. Kin nudo's Jun then shoves the sticks in Jun's head and poses.

Jun piledrivers King onto chairs then pulls the sticks out of his own head. King and Jun each let each other hit the other with razorboards. Jun headbutts a razorboard into King's head then running lariats him. Jun corner spears and suplexes King.

Jun top rope headbutt drops King for 2. King puts sticks in his own head and Jun puts sticks in his own head. They forearm the other. Jun then hits a sitout elevated pedigree for 2. Jun gets caught up top. King 2nd rope death valley drivers him at 10 minutes.

King sentons Jun for 2. King spinning forearms and death valley drivers Jun for 2. King heatseeker piledrivers Jun over the 2nd rope. King goes for another heatseeker but is thrown back onto the skewer stick board. Jun runs the ropes fast and lariats King for 2. Jun slams Jack then top rope splashes him for 2.

Jun forearms King then does a jay driller. Jun kisses King then does a cross-arm pilerdriver for the win at 13:23. 

It wasn't good for several reasons. They put sticks into their own heads to show it didn't hurt. King didn't sell much at all  and there was just not a lot there besides the hardcore spots. That's nothing new and I expected it.

King Of FREEDOM World Title / Barefoot King Title Barefoot Fluorescent Lighttubes & Thumback Alpha Death Match - Masashi Takeda vs. Takayuki Ueki

Both of these guys are indeed barefoot here. Both avoid going into the light tube ropes to start. They swing tubes at each other and Ueki gets hit with a tube in the foot. MT is sent into the tubes then bdropkicks Ueki into the tubes. Ueki then sends MT into the tubes again. Uei goes headfirst into the tubes and MT hurts his foot after stepping on one.

MT bangs a tube off Ueki's foot then presses a tube into Ueki's foot. Ueki is hit in the head with a tube. MT hits Ueki in the head with scissors. MT then stabs and scraps Ueki's foot with the scissors. MT slams Ueki on tubes.

Ueki drops MT feet first on the tubes. Ueki avoids being dropped feet first into tacks then cartwheels to avoid the tacks. Ueki is headlock takeovered onto the tacks. MT tries to double stomp him but just stomps the tacks. MT has a whole bunch of tacks stuck in his feet.

Ueki does an octopus on MT while his foot is in the tacks. Ueki carves lemons onto MT's head. MT is put in tree of woe with his head on the tack board then Ueki presses down on him, forcing tacks into MT's head.

Ueki chairs the tacks into MT's head. MT shotgun dropkicks tubes into Ueki but hurts himself since he is barefoot. MT chairs Ueki. MT bulldogs Ueki then bangs his head off the tack board at 15 minutes. MT chairs a chair, pushing Ueki's head into the tackboard. Ueki has about 15 tacks stuck in the side of his head.

MT dominators Ueki. MT goes for a dropkic, misses and dropkicks a gusset plate board. MT is then battering rammed head first into tubes. Ueki drives himself into tubes and hits fist drops. Ueki uses tubes as canes to walk around then stomps tubes into MT.

Ueki takes his pants off then jawbreakers MT. Ueki ddt's MT into the tacks then misses a falling headbutt drop, going into the tacks. Ueki misses a dropkick and goes into the tacks then is release german'd. They each grab the same set of tubes and headbutt each other.

Ueki puts a gusset plate in his head, as does MT. They trade forearms and headbutts. Ueki blocks a knee and puts Mt inot the tacks feet first. Ueki flying headbutts him then death valley drivers him onto tacks. Ueki comes off the 2nd rope and headbutts tubes into MT. MT uraken's a tube stack into Ueki's head then knees him for 2.

MT top rope swantons tubes into Ueki for a 1 count. MT knees a stack of tubes into Ueki's head then does an elevated lifting reverse ddt for 2. MT knees more tubes into Ueki's head then does an abdominal stretch suplex on Ueki into tubes. Takeda wins it at 19:59

It went on longer than it needed it. It straddled a fine line between creativity and stupidity. They didn't sell a lot in the final stretch but they did keep it entertaining. I liked it overall but it was flawed and was not the smartest match.

Overall thoughts: It was your typical Freedoms show. The undercard was watchable. The hardcore matches were mostly stunt shows with little wrestling. The main wasn't the smartest but it was entertaining and creative. I wouldn't recommend this one.

All Japan Pro Wrestling TV 1/11/1998

All Japan Pro Wrestling TV 1/11/1998

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/05/all-japan-pro-wrestling-tv-131998.html 

This is from the 1/2/1998 show.

Asunaro Cup Tag League Match - Akira Taue & Kentaro Shiga vs. Jun Izumida & Tamon Honda

 

We join this in progress. Jun tries to shoulder over Taue but gets nowhere. Jun and Taue do sumo then Jun does a sumo chest slap flurry. Taue throws him and boots him in the back of the head. Taue hits a stiff lariat for 2.

Jun and Shiga go at it. Shiga sunset flips him and Jun just buttdrops him multiple times. Honda airplane spins Shiga into a gutbuster. Shiga was thrown out and sent into the rails by Jun. Jun stomps on him outside then slams him on the floor mat. Honda throws Shiga hard into the buckles and Jun does a strangle hold alpha to Shiga.

Honda chest clubs Shiga and headbutts him. Shiga hits a nice running tornado ddt. Jun STF's Shiga then headbutt drops him. Shiga is sent into the buckles shoulder first and Honda yanks on the arm. Honda throws Shiga down then armbars him. Taue breaks it up with a boot.

Honda hits a nice belly to belly on Shiga for 2. Taue comes in and ddt's Honda. Taue face kicks Honda and Jun. Honda flying neckbreakers Taue. Taue takes a headbutt into a chokeslam then a 2 person headbutt drop for 2.

Jun pump kicks Taue then takes a boot in the corner. Taue jumping face kicks him. Shiga top rope dropkicks Jun then springboard splashes him for 2. Shiga tornado ddt's Jun for 2. Shiga double boots him in the corner then is powerslammed for 2. Jun hits a stiff lariat on Shiga then Taue drops Shiga onto Jun for 2. Shiga dropkicks Jun.

Shiga running forearms Jun then Taue nodowa otoshi's Jun. Taue backdrops Shiga onto Jun and wins it.

We sadly saw most of this one. It was long and it front of a totally dead crowd who wasn't interested. Jun was pushed as someone of a threat here which didn't really work considering he's dressed up like Kamala. Shiga did some flying here but was still green at this point. Honda got little in. This wasn't good.

Gary Albright, Ricky Santana & Steve Williams vs. Jun Akiyama, Maunakea Mossman & Mitsuharu Misawa

 

Kea = Maunakea Mossman

This is joined in progress, though likely not by much. Kea and Ricky go at it. Rick hits chops and Kea hiptosses him. Ricky upkicks him then spinning lariats him. Ricky face kicks him, hits forearms then is dropkicked. Kea side headlocks Ricky then Kea is backdropped. Ricky STF's Kea.

Gary snapmares and rolls Kea into a pin attempt. Jun gets in. They lock up and Jun is taken down. Gary chinlocks him and is put in a hammerlock. June is spinebustered and Steve elbow drops him. Steve and Jun stand off. Steve takes him down and armlocks him. Misawa gets in. Steve drops him with some shots for 2. Steve side headlocks him at 5 minutes.

Misawa arm throws Steve then arm and wristlocks him. They trade shots and Steve falls down after a forearm. Kea running boots Steve in the gut then hammerlocks him. Steve hits a big punch on Kea then throws him out. Kea is whipped into Ricky's lariat outside. Doc brainbusters Kea for 2.

Gary clubs on Kea then throws him on a suplex. Gary then throws him on a double underhook suplex. Kea fujiwara armbars Ricky and Steve breaks it up. Jun hits forearms on Ricky then jumping knees him. Jun snapmares and chinlocks him. Ricky slips out then Steve running double axe hammers Jun's back. Gary sends Jun into the rails outside then Jun is lariated by Steve outside.

Steve bangs Jun's head off the buckles and hits a corner lariat. Steve hits corner spears on Jun then Jun backdrops Steve. Misawa top rope springboard forearms Steve. Misawa flying corkscrew lariats Steve for 2.

Steve spinebusters Misawa and tags in Gary. Misawa takes a double shoulderblock for 2 then Gary does a big abdominal stretch slam. Misawa 2nd rope dropkicks Gary then Kea gets in. Kea hits strikes on Gary then is slammed down hard. Ricky flying forearms Kea then corner lariats him. Ricky tornado ddt's Kea for 2. Ricky misses a top rope splash. Kea hits a TKO for 2.

Jun corner forearms then northern lights suplexes Ricky for 2. Misawa forearms Gary out then Jun exploders Ricky for the win.

We saw almost all of this 14:12 match. It wasn't that good. The crowd wasn't into it and it ended before it really got going. Steve and Ricky really did try here but there were too many tags and Misawa didn't get to do much. 

We then see slow-mo highlights of Hiroshi Hase & Takao Omori vs. Johnny Ace & Johnny Smith.

Overall thoughts: There were only 2 matches. The crowd was totally dead for both. Both went long and neither were good. I wouldn't recommend this.

WWE Main Event 5/1/2024

WWE Main Event 5/1/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/wwe-main-event-4242024.html

JBL is on commentary this week instead of Road Dogg.

Katana Chance and Kayden Carter vs Piper Niven and Chelsea Green

Pipe lariats both opponents from behind before it starts. Piper splashes Carter in the corner. Carter is slapped and takes a ripcord lariat. Green bullies Carter around then Carter hits forearms. Carter is thrown back then Green sits on her on the middle rope.

Carter is foot choked in the corner and Piper throws her down. Carter slaps her and is bullied around more. Piper misses a corner cannonball. Carter tags out. Chance trips and facebusters Green. She shotgun dropkicks Green and boot flurries her. Chance corner lariats Green then double stomps Green while he's hanging over the 2nd rope.

Carter flips Chance onto Green for 2. Carter rolls up Green for 2. Green codebreakers Chance and holds her for a Piper senton on the back. Chance is thrown out then Piper lariats Green on accident. Carter superkicks Piper then Piper spears the post when Carter moves. Carter superkicks Green. Green takes a 450 + neckbreaker combo and is pinned.

It was a short and acceptable match. It wasn't anything too great but it made sense.

The Creed Brothers vs Legado del Fantasma (Angel and Berto)

BC = Brutus Creed, JC = Julius Creed

Angel and JC lock up. JC side headlocks him, Angel leapfrogs him then chops him. JC takes him down and pounds on him. JC fireman's carries Berto. BC then fireman's carries Berto and armlocks him. Berto takes knees to the gut, a standing moonsault and a standing SSP from The Creeds.

JC istripped into the 2nd rope and knee'd by Angel. We go to break and return. JC is put on the top rope and is double clubbed by his opponents up there. JC is in tree of woe and is kicked there. Angel dragon sleepers JC. JC takes a double superkick for 2. JC flying knees Berto.

BC comes in and hits shots on LdF. He exploders Angle and powerbombs Berto. BC splashes Berto the back rolls him while doing a northern lights suplex on Angel. Angel knees BC then BC is held for a low dropkick to the face.

Berto corkscrew kicks JC. BC t-bone suplexes Berto then brutusballs Angel off the apron. Berto takes a brutus ball out of the doomsday device is pinned.

I would have liked a little bit of better offense from the heels here. However, The Creed's gave it their all as usual and it was watchable. 

Overall thoughts: There were only 2 new matches here as usual. Both were fine but I wouldn't recommend this one.

STARDOM 4/27/2024 All-Star Grand Queendom 2024

STARDOM 4/27/2024 All-Star Grand Queendom 2024

Future Of Stardom Title Match - Rina (c) vs. Sayaka Kurara

 

SK = Sayaka Kurara

They lock up. SK wristlocks her and they do some reversals of it. Rina headlock takeovers her and SK headsicssors her. SK dropkicks her then hits forearms on the ropes. SK misses a dropkick then is basement dropkicked. Rina hair throws her then foot chokes her on the bottom rope. Rina slams her then fujiwara armbars her.

Rina face kicks her and misses a corner charge. SK spears her between the ropes, springboard armdrags her and dropkicks her for 2. SK dropkicks her in the corner then slams her for 2. They trade chest forearms then SK dropkicks her. Rina hip throws her then face kicks her on the ropes.

SK dropkicks her then hits a twist and shout with a bridge for 2. Rina does an octopus stretch variation and SK ropebreaks. SK hits a nice spear for 2. SK does a sliced bread style move for 2.

SK hits chest forearms on Rina then Rina face kicks her. Rina does a leg clutch exploder with a bridge for 2. SK rolls her up for 2. Rina does a reverse suplex for 2 then top rope double knee drops SK. Rina then wins it.

Rina gets on the mic after and says there was no way Sayaka was going to take the belt from her. She said she expects Momo to also win tonight.

It was a decent opener here. It went a little long. While Sayaka did good here, Rina should be doing a little better for all the experience she has at this point.

God's Eye (Ami Sourei, Konami & Syuri) vs. Empress Nexus Venus (HANAKO, Waka Tsukiyama & Xena)

Kon = Konami

Kon and Xena start us off. Kon drops down on the mat and front facelocks her. Kon grounded chokes her and Xena ropebreaks. Cena gets her back and Kon throws her over. Kon kicks her in the back then running PK's her for 2. Xena spinning side slams her. Waka gets in and is dropped on Kon by Xena. Waka jumps around and Kon kicks and stomps her.

Syuri snpamares Waka then kicks her in the back. Syrui running knees her and underhook suplexes her. Syuri goes for the armbar and Waka ropebreaks. Ami atomic drops Waka then stomps her back. Waka grabs Ami's leg. Waka lariats her on the ropes then sits on the 2nd rope for a flatliner. Hana gets inand face kicks Ami.

Hana splashes Ami then knee drops her for 2. They shoulder battle and Ami knocks her over. Hana running shoulders her. Xena flying headscissors Ami and they trade chops. Xena chop flurries her then Ami double chops her. Ami suplexes Xena and Kon gets in. Kon sliding kicks Xena on the ropes then perfectplexes her for 2.

Xena blocks a high kick and drives her into the ropes on a botch. Waka gets in and top rope dropkicks Kon. Waka hip attacks Kon on the ropes for 2. Kon rolling armbars Waka but Waka turns it into a pin attempt. Kon does a rings of saturn on Waka and everyone gets in to break it up.

Xena back elbows Kon on the ropes then Hana drops Waka onto Kon. Waka straightjacket drops Kon then Kon puts her in a rings of saturn. Kon hooks Waka's head with her leg and Waka grabs the ropes. Kon germans Waka for 2. Waka back rolls Kon for 2 then everyone gets in. Ami and Syuri hit corner pslahes on opponents. Waka takes a double electric chair and top rope dropkicked off of it. Kon triangle lancer's Waka and taps her out.

It was nothing too special and it mostly focused on Konami vs Waka. We saw little of Syuri and Hanako here. Xena's really not that good right now and Waka is rather limited as well. Konami put on a good bit of weight.

High Speed Title Four Way Match - Saki Kashima (c) vs. Fukigen Death vs. Saya Iida vs. Saya Kamitani

All 4 lock up together. Saki escapes and turns it into a 3 person lock up. Death takes a double dropkick. Kamitani and Iida evades moves and Kamitami kips down out of a lariat. Iida sledgehammer shots Kamitani then takes a basement dropkick. Iida rolls up Kamitani then they both try to dropkick each other and headflip up.

Death and Saki then roll up their opponents. Death walks the top rope with Iida's arm and armdrags her. Kamitani dropkicks Death while Death poses. Kamitani flying knees Iida then basement dropkicks her. Iida hits a chop flurry on Kamitani. Kamitani basement dropkicks her knee then rolls into an indian deathlock on her. Death then sits on Kamitani to read the newspaper while she's in the hold. Death hits both with the newspaper.

Death pushes Iida into Kamitani then does a dropkick + senton combo. Death then sentons both while they are on each other. Death cradles Iida for 2 then they try pins on each other. Kamitani crucifixes Death for 2. Kamitani sunset flips Iida, who rolls through it and sliding lariats her. Iida suplexes Kamitani for 2.

Kamitani spinning high kicks Iida then Iida does a pinfall on her that Saki breaks. Saki then tries to pin Kamitani. Saki rolls up Death then Iida sliding lariats Saki. Iida lariats Kamitani. Death backrolls Kamitani then Kamitani hurricanrana's her to win it.

It was a fast paced half-serious match. We didn't see much of Saki here at all. There was nothing too special about it and they only had 6 minutes so it limited what could be done here.

Saki teases putting the belt on Kamitani after then tries to run away with the belt. 

Natsuko Tora vs Mina Shirakawa

Mina hits shots on her to start. Mina is tripped by Oedo Tai outside and beaten up in front of the ref. The ref could care less and Mina is sent into chairs. Tora hair throws Mina then facewash kicks her in the corner. They grab each other and Tora forearms her down.

Mina does a la mistica into a russian legsweep. Mina elbow drops the leg and Tora stops the figure four. Mina is sent out and beat up by Oedo Tai again. Tora 2nd rope splashes Mina for 2. Tora suplexes Mina and misses a senton. Mina rolls her up then does a leglock off of it.

Mina bangs Tora's knee off the mat. tora pushes the ref into Mina then shoulders her over. Tora cannonballs Mina against the bottom rope. Mina spinning forearms her. Mina goes up top and knee drops Tora's arm. Mina implant ddt's Tora for 2. Mina figure fours Tora. Tora mists her in the eyes to get out of it then cradle shocks her. Tora misses a top rope senton. Mina goes to pin Tora then the ref is pulled out.

Mina's buddies and Oedo Tai fight in the ring. Thekla comes out and grabs Tora's weapon. She then hits Mina with it, turning on her own stablemate. The ref then calls it a no contest.

It had a lot of lame heel shenanigans here with the ref being pulled out and Mina being group beaten in front of the ref, yet the ref didn't care. The ref then called it when Thekla used the weapon on Mina.

Thekla does a promo after. She says she's with Oedo Tai. She asks Mina what happened to her and asks if she really thought she would join her group. Thekla then spits on her. Tora has words for Mina and says she will stomp her. Thekla says DDM is finished and said everyone is doing whatever they want around here. She said she will do what she wants too. She said she will reform the new Stardom with Oedo Tai

Aja Kong & Kaoru Ito vs. Cosmic Angels (Natsupoi & Tam Nakano)

Aja and Tam go at it. Tam hits kicks to the leg and Aja no sells it. Tam ducks a lariat and poses. Aja kicks Tam while she's down. Poi and Tam stereo cartwheel then stereo dropkick and pose. Aja hits both then chops Tam. Aja kicks Tam in the back. Ito corner lariats Tam. Tam fights back with forearms then Ito lariats her.

Tam bridges and runs into Ito's shoulder. Tam cartwheels and bridges out of a double team. Tam and Poi then hit stereo basement dropkicks. Poi running headhunters Ito then superkicks her in the corner. Poi corner dropkicks her then top rope crossbodies her. Poi then goes for the armbar but is lsammed down.

Poi ducks double stomps then Ito corner lariats her. Poi hits chest forearms then is dropped with one forearm. Poi sunset flips out of a powerbomb. Ito is barely double german'd by Tam and Poi who struggle to lift her. Ito then sentons both at the same time.

Ito double dropkicks Tam and Poi through the ropes. Ito double stomps Poi. Poi spin kicks her in the back and side of the head. Poi gets caught going up top and Ito 2nd rope samoan drops her. Aja hits boots on Poi then Aja double suplexes both opponents.

Tam and Poi do stereo spin kicks, a double headhunter and stereo superkicks. Tam legsweeps Aja then cartwheel kicks her in the back of the head. Aja then lariats Tam over. Tam slaps Aja and Aja laughs. Aja hits one big shot on her.

Ito grabs Tam on the ropes then Aja shoulders Ito off the apron. Poi top rope dives on Ito and Aja but is caught. Tam then top rope dives onto them and knocks them all over. Tam flying knees Aja back in the ring for 2. Tam and Poi go up top. Tam hits a destiny hammer and Poi 180 corkscrew dives onto Aja. Aja lariats Tam.

Aja goes up top and Tam germans her off the 2nd rope. Tam flying knees her and Poi dropkicks Ito. Aja takes a superkick into a tiger suplex for 2. Aja blocks Tam's spinning high kick then backdrops her. Aja brainbusters Tam for 2.

Tam spinning high kicks Aja then rolls her into a pin attempt. Ito double crossbodies her opponents then Aja gets her trash can out. She hits Tam and Poi with it then Aja backdrops Tam for 2. Tam and Poi are sent into each other then lariated against each other. Ito hits a wild release backdrop on Poi while Aja backdrops Tam. Ito 2nd rope double stomps poi then Aja 2nd rope back elbow drops Tam. Aja then gets the win.

I'd like to say I'm surprised Aja and Ito got the win, but I'm not. Aja doesn't do a whole lot of jobs even at her old age. The match went longer than it needed to and Aja definitely got tired towards the end of it, but I thought it was a decent match. The faces got thrown around by the vets and did a lot of selling for them before being put down. The vets had a good showing here and were able to hide their weaknesses well here.

Tam gets Aja to do her cute pose with her after.

Goddesses Of Stardom Title Four Way Match - Crazy Star (Mei Seira & Suzu Suzuki) (c) vs. Queen's Quest (AZM & Miyu Amasaki) vs. Oedo Tai (Ruaka & Starlight Kid) vs. STARS (Hazuki & Koguma)

I'm not going to do a play by play on this due to being so fast and crazy. It was as advertised here with four girls in the ring for most of this and everyone wrestling at a fast pace. We had weapons shots, a tower of doom spot and Mei busted out a finisher I hadn't seen before here that was like a backflip tequila shot.

Mei and Suzu get on the mic after. Koguma says her team is crazy too and Hazuki challenges them to a rematch. Ruaka gets mad at Starlight Kid after and Oedo Tai turns on Kid, turning her face. Tam Nakano then comes out and takes some of the beating for Kid. Tam invites her to join Cosmic Angels and they leave together.

IWGP Women's Title Match - Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. Sareee

They lock up. Sareee armdrags her then is dropkicked out. Mayu misses a tope on her, nailing ringside attendants instead. Mayu is sent into chairs then has a chair thrown at her. Sareee top rope dropkicks her then crabs her. Sareee indian deathlocks her. Mayu wakes up and hits a flurry of shots. Mayu kicks on her while she's down then hits a kick flurry in the corner.

Mayu rolls her up into a basement dropkick for 2. Mayu basement dropkicks her against the ropes. Mayu spin kicks her then takes a forearm. They trade chest forearms and Sareee hits dropkicks on the ropes. She dropkicks her in the face through the ropes. Sareee fisherman suplexes her for 2.

Mayu 2nd rope hurricanrana's her then Mayu is superplexed. Sareee M. Bison stomps her while she's down then 2nd rope double ftoostomps her. Sareee top rope footstomps her for 2.  Sareee stomps and kicks her while she's down then wheelbarrow germans her. Mayu dragon suplexes her on the apron then topes her outside.

Mayu top rope dropkicks her then top rope splashes her for 2.  Mayu high kicks her then takes a nice german for 2. Sareee headbutts and spin kicks her for 2. Sareee no sells a german then Mayuu no sells a german. Mayu dragon suplexes her for 2. Sareee t-bone suplexes her then Mayu crucifix bombs her for 2.

Sareee rolls her into a double footstomp then bangs Mayu's head off the mat. Sareee hits wild release exploders for 2.  Mayu then dragon suplexes her. Mayu tombstones her then hits headbutts. Mayu dragon suplexes her for 2. Mayu buzz saw kicks her and hits kicks to the face. Mayu top rope moonsaults her then lifts her and wins it with a dragon suplex.

It was a good one here. The two matched up really well and were natural opponents with Sareee working a more buillying style and Mayu being a good face. It was a throwback to 2000's joshi main events with lots of stiffness and with everything looking good. I'd love to see these two do this again with more time on a show where they can stand out on their own.

Mayu thanks her after and says she's happy. She says she wants to face her again. Sareee says she's coming back for the belt.

Tsukasa Fujimoto of Ice Ribbon then comes out. She said there's a lot going on and said her parnet Arisa Nakajima is retiring. Tsukka tells her to open up the date. They agree to a tag match. 

Wonder Of Stardom Title Match - Saori Anou (c) vs. Hanan

Han = Hanan

Han takes her down and they trade front face locks. Han side headlocks her then Anou does the same to her. Han hammerlocks her and Han rolls her into a guillotine. Han dropkicks her then leg lariats her on the ropes. Han running euros her then snapmares her into a basement dropkick to the back. Han dropkicks her then does a guillotine choke + hammerlock. Anou ropebreaks.

Han running euros Anou's neck then takes an axe kick and basement dropkick. Anou is knocked off the buckles to the floor then Han legdrops Anou's neck while she is bent over on the floor. They fight on the apron and Anou fisherman suplexes her. Anou top rope dropkicks her for 2. Anou foot slaps her.

Han hip throws her and they trade chest forearms. Han pop up euros her then release cuty specials her. They cuty special each other and knock each other down at the same time. Han hits running euros and Anou perfectplexes her while she's on the 2nd rope. Anou then hits another perfectplex.

Anou heavenly locks her then does an exploder with a bridge for 2. Anou 2nd rope dropkicks her in the back then germans her for 2. Han backdrops her. They trade forearms while holding each other's wrists. Han dropkicks her then top rope  crossbodies her on the outside.

Han fameassers her for 2 then cranks Anou's arm back. Han does a bow and arrow style submission to her and Anou ropebreaks. Han hits euros then flying leg lariats her for 2. Anou dragon suplexes her. Anou hits 2 german suplexes and a wheelbarrow suplex. Anou grabs her arm and headhunters Han. Han backdrops Anou three times then hits a cuty special for 2. Han backdrops her for 2. Han backdrops her then Anou backslides her and flips over on her to pin here.

It was Hanan's best match yet. She didn't do anything wrong here and held up pretty well. She still needs better offense though and still needs to show more fire and personality. It was a decent match that far surpassed my expectations. Anou was a good opponents for her here and I think Sareee could probably even get something better out of Hanan.

Anou tells her that was amazing after. She says Hanan has a whole future ahead of her, being 19 and attractive. Anou says she's 33 and still attractive, right? Hanan says she's disappointed but Anou is 33 and still attractive. She says it was a tough fight and she wants to fight her again.

Natsupoi comes out after as does Ami Sourei. Ami challenges Anou for her title then Poi tells her she was going to try and challenge. Anou says they should fight for a #1 contendership match. Poi asks Anou if she is okay and if she bumped her head. Poi tells Ami there's no way she is losing. Poi chases Ami up the ramp after. Anou says she's the champ after.

World Of Stardom Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match - Maika (c) vs. Momo Watanabe

1st Fall - They trade forearms. Momo hits chest kicks. Maika kicks her in the gut then Momo kicks her in the back and hair throws her. Momo knee chokes her then hits foot slaps. Momo slaps her around and is forearmed in the chest. Momo camel clutches her and throws her out. Maika is thrown into the chairs. Momo chest kicks her against the post then chest kick flurries her against the bottom rope.

Maika powerslams her and tazzmission's her. Maika lariats her on the ropes and sliding lariats her. Momo hits 3 suplexes in a row then top rope urnage's her. Momo hits a meteora then 2nd rope meteora's her for 2. They fight on the buckles and Maika superplexes her.

Maika cross arm STO's her. Momo no sells her suplex then tiger suplexes her. Maika lariats her then is high kicked. Both go down. They trade forearms on their knees then get up and trade. Momo hits chest kicks then Maika hits her enka otoshi slam. Momo kicks her in the head from behind then Maika michinoku drivers her for 2.

Momo cradles her then hits a package tombstone. Maika no sells it and tries to pin her. Momo hits 2 suplexes for 2 then high kicks her. Momo punts her in the face then peach thunders her to win the first fall.

2nd fall - Hardcore Match - Momo throws her out then PK's her from the apron.  Maika is thrown into chairs and Maika sunset flips her on the floor. Maika lariats the post then Momo moves. Momo throws a box of jewels at Maika then suplexes her onto a stack of chairs. Momo hits her with a turnbuckle pad and puts her in tree of woe in the corner. Momo chairs some chairs into Maika's face. Momo puts a trash can on Maika's head then hits it with a barbed wire bat.

Maika hits her with a giant hand fan then Maika throws jewels in the ring. Maika suplexes her on the jewels. Momo is thrown into a ladder then Maika lariats her against the ladder. Maika climbs a ladder and Momo tips the ladder over. Momo basement dropkicks the ladder into her then meteora's her for 2.

They get on the ladder again and Momo is superplexed off of it onto jewels. Momo hits her in the chest with a barbed wire bat. Momo is powerbombed through a table for 2. Momo is dropped onto chairs face first then Maika hits her with a giant hand fan. Maika michinoku drivers onto chairs to win the fall.

3rd fall - Last Man Standing Match - They forearm flurry each other and fall back. Maika criss-cross shoulders her. Momo sweeping kicks her from the mat. Momo is caught up top and Maika superplexes her. Maika holds on for 5 more suplexes. Maika lariats her and hits short arm lariats. Momo kicks her in the gut then holds her wrist while she kicks her.

Momo high kicks her then Maika powerbombs her. Momo triangles her then buzzsaw kicks her. Both are down and get up before the 10 count. Momo b-drivers her then Maika backdrops her. Maika spinning lariats her then Momo cradle tombstones her. Momo hits a high kick and is lariated. They repeat the spot 2 more times. Momo high kicks her and both go down.

Maika michinoku drivers her then spinning michinoku drivers her. Momo can't make the count and Maika wins it.

It wa a longer match here. I thought they did enough in the first fall just to end it there. At least they did slow down in the second and third falls which helped sell the damage and prevented them from going too crazy. It was an okay main overall but not great.

Maika says she thought she would win it easy after. She says Momo is a great wrestler and is glad she faced her. Momo teases saying thank you then yells at her. She says she will come back for the belt.

Maika talks more. She says she was damaged but successful in her title defense. She said she wants to keep the belt and face the world. 

Overall thoughts: It was a long show, but it was good and that was especially surprising since Stardom just lost a whole bunch of wrestlers. The three top matches were all decent to various degrees with Sareee/Mayu being really good. I liked Aja/Ito vs Cosmic Angels and I liked the opener as well. Stardom needed to show up and impress here and they did just that. I don't know if I'd recommend it due to the length but I did like it overall.

AEW Rampage 5/1/2024

AEW Rampage 5/1/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/aew-rampage-4272024.html

NOTE - This show ran over it's allotted time, so I had to download it to see the end. I wish AEW wouldn't do this.

Kenny Omega is stretched out due to the attack from The Elite. FTR help him then The Elite attack FTR. Dax is sent into a rail. One of The Bucks says they love him but it's just business. They say we gotta change the world then knock the stretcher over. 

Jay White vs Dante Martin

Dante runs at him and forearms him. Dante chips him outside and Jay chops him inside. Dante flips over his back then headscissors him over. Dante knocks him off the apron then topes him. Dante flips off the apron and jumping knees Jay. Dante goes for the springboard and is tripped, falling throat first on the ropes. We go to PiP break and return.

Dante hits a dropkick and chops him. Dante springboard crossbodies him for 2. Dante lariats Jay over the top then they go back in. Jay uranages him. Jay hits chops then Dante hits forearms and chops back. Jay eye rakes Dante then double springboard moonsaults Jay for 2.

Jay does a suplex then hits a blade runner. Jay picks up the win.

I have no idea what they are doing with Jay. They keep putting him in these long matches with midcarders where the midcarder gets a ton of offense in before Jay wins. This did not help Jay at all and only made him look like the midcarder he currently is.

Jay holds up Dante's hand after then hits a high angle death rider ddt. Darius and Action Andretti then back Jay off.

Deonna Purrazzo is interviewed. She is asked why she attacked Rosa. She asks when enough is enough. She said she's been at this 12 years and is a 5x world champ. She said it's about time the locker room feels her. She said they can make it personal if Rosa wants. She says she hopes you never find out what happens when you make it personal with a Jersey girl.

Rush does a taped video. He said his family has dominated lucha and said he is the first ever Mexican to become ROH champ. He said he's the most hated man in Mexico. He says he wants respect to his name and is the toro blanco.

Renee interviews Big Bill. Bill says he believes he has all the tools to get to the top. He said he is missing the proper guidance and thinks Jericho's the guy to help him. He says Jericho will take him to the promised land. He asks him to teach him. Jericho walks in. He says Shibata is a great wrestler and said he was able to retain his title against him. Jericho said Bill is right and said he would love to bring him into The Jericho Vortex if he will have him. Bill says he won't regret it. Bill says he won't let him down. Jericho does a cheesy wave to the crowd and says he will be a champ for a long time to come. 

Swerve Strickland does a video. He said Christian chose to tag with him at Wembley because he knows the kind of man he is. He said he's about to remind him who he is. He said they will have a talk and he won't be alone next time.

Kyle O'Reilly vs Rocky Romero

They lock up and stand off after some amateur wrestling. Kyle wristlocks him. Rocky tries to roll through it but is thrown back. Rocky misses a dropkick, ducks a kick and they stand off. Kyle walks over Rocky's back. Rocky jumping hurricanrana's him and goes for the armbar. Kyle turns it into an ankle lock. Rocky ropes him into the rails. Kyle catches him and hits a falcon arrow into an armbar on the floor.

We go to PiP break and return. They trade kicks to the body.  Kyle and Rocky trade forearms. Rocky jumping knees Kyle then Kyle rebound lariats him. Rocky is put up top then Rocky hits a shiranui off the top for 2. Kyle hit a knee to the body, an axe kick and a forearm. Kyle goes for the kimura then Rocky armbars him. Rocky rolls onto him for a pin attempt. Kyle takes a backslide for 2.

Rocky kimura's Kyle then Kyle rolls him up and wins it.

It was a straight, no frills wrestling match here. It was fine but not the most exciting thing ever.

Saraya and Harley Cameron are interviewed. Saraya says Mariah May's perfroamnce was disastrous. Harley calls Toni Storm "Tiny Storm". Saraya says losers breed losers. I think Harley challenges Toni to a match on Dynamite.

This wasn't good.

Roderick Strong, Matt Taven and Mike Bennett are interviewed. Taven talks about Strong being neckstrong. Strong says Will Ospreay better resurrect the tiger driver '91 as he is dealing with The Messiah. He saysWill will fall to The Messiah of The Backbreaker.

TBS Title - Manitoba Massacre - Willow Nightingale (c) vs Skye Blue

Willow hits her with a trash can lid to start. Skye is thrown into the rails then Willow lariats her over them. Willow clubs on Skye's back then Skye's head is banged off the hockey boards. They fight in the crowd and Willow's head is banged off the top of the rail. Skye jumps off the rails and is hit with a chair for 2.

Skye is put in a chair. Willow chops her. Skye moves and Willow cannonballs the chair.

Willow hits her with a trash can lid. Skye then hits her with it. They go back inside. Skye foot chokes her and is busted open. Willow slams Skye on an unfolded chair and throws more chairs in. Skye superkicks Willow then Willow pounces her on the floor. Skye throws a chair at Willow's head then superkicks her.

Skye pulls thumbtacks out and pours them in the ring. Skye throws a chair at Willow's head then Willow fisherman suplexes Skye and herself into the tacks. Skye is slammed onto a chair. Willow top rope moonsaults but lands only on chairs as Skye moved.

Skye pulls out a barbed wire board and puts it on a table. Willow hits a wild doctor bomb off the apron onto a barbed wire table and Willow wins it.

It was a good hardcore match with the two going into tacks, landing on chairs and going through a barbed wire table. They showed a lot of aggression here and Skye bled which made it seem more brutal. The finish was really brutal looking with Skye really landing hard on the table.

Overall thoughts: There were only 3 matches here. Jay/Dante went look and got Jay under as he couldn't put the midcarder away easy. Rocky/Kyle was a pure wrestling match and the main was a brutal hardcore match. It was good overall.

AEW Dynamite 5/1/2024

AEW Dynamite 5/1/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/aew-dynamite-4242024.html

Tony Khan welcomes us to the show live from the Jacksonville Jaguars office, wearing a neckbrace. He says he's not cleared to leave Jacksonville due to the attacks from The Elite.

We then see The Bucks in the control center cutting out the feed. They say there are technical difficulties there. The Bucks say Tony isn't there but they are. The Bucks say they have iron clad contracts with a founders clause and can't be fired. They say it also says if Tony Khan can't be at an event, the EVP's can run the show.

The Bucks then run a new intro for the show with only The Elite in it.

This doesn't really make any sense considering The Bucks and Jack Perry got suspended in storyline/real-life already for fighting Punk. Why wouldn't Tony suspend them again? The question of  "why doesn't the promoter just fire the wrestler" always becomes a problem in these types of angles.

Swerve Strickland comes out. He aid there were 3 title matches in one week and said that's the kind of champ AEW deserves and is the kind of champ he will be. He says AEW doesn't deserve power hungry EVP's who can throw their weight around. He said what The Elite did was a b!tch move. He says it will be handled at some point. He asks who his opponent will be at Double or Nothing.

The Young Bucks appear on the tron. They said they are champs too and Swerve's success has gone to his head. They say they he needs a dose of humility and bring out Christian, who they say is going to be his opponent at Double of Nothing. How that can happen when there's a ranking system that he's not at the top of, I don't know. I also wonder why they wouldn't give Okada or Perry the shot instead if they are ignoring the ranking system.

Christian and his crew come out and Christian hits Swerve with the mic. Swerve fights back and she runs into Mother Wayne. Killswitch helps then Christian hits a killswitch on Swerve on the AEW title. Nick Wayne then hits a cutter off the 2nd rope on Nana. Christian says he never forgets and hasn't forgotten him breaking into Nick Wayne's gym months ago and leaving him covered in blood. He said they teamed up at Wembley and Swerve lost. He said he's been waiting for him to own up to his mistakes and says there's no better time for him to pay for his mistakes. He says he will end his title reign before it starts. He said Swerve's daughter won't want to know him when he's done with him. He said Swerve's daughter will have a father she can be proud of for the rest of her life.

Killswitch then rips a braid out of Swerve's head.

I liked Christian's promo but the big issue here is that Swerve's loss with Christian was a year ago and hasn't been mentioned since. That really hurts some of the believability of it. 

TNT Title - Adam Copeland (c) vs Buddy Matthews

Adam does a side headlock and they shoulder battle. Buddy takes a side headlock takeover. They end up doing a stand off and Buddy flying headscissors him. They stand off again. Buddy is thrown out then pulled over the top. Adam topes him.

We go to PiP break and return. Buddy bridging ddt's him over the 2nd rope. Buddy stomps and stands on him. Buddy side headlocks him. Adam hits a flapjack. They fight on the 2nd rope then both fall down to the apron simultaenously.

Adam and Buddy fight on their knees. Adam running forearms him then they collide in mid-air with crossbodies. Buddy holds his ribs and medical staff comes in to check on him. We go to PiP break and return.

The match is still going on. Adam hits corner punches and Buddy powebombs him. Buddy is dropped on the buckle connector ribs first. Adam hits a 2nd rope imapler ddt. Buddy gets his knee up on a spear and hits pumping knees. Buddy jackhammers him for 2 then crossfaces him.

Adam hits an olympic slam then spears the 2nd buckle when Buddy moves. Buddy hits a go to sleep then Adam hits a spear. Adam then gets the win.

It made sense with Adam working the ribs but it long and slow in front of a dead crowd. That really brought it down and made it hard to sit through. I'm also not a big fan of long openers like this.

Adam grabs chairs after. He chairs Buddy and goes for a conchairto. The lights go out and Malakai Black appears next to Adam. He tells him to do it and Buddy says to hit him. Adam raises the chair at Black then the lights go out. Buddy and Black then teleport away.

Samoa Joe vs Isiah Kassidy

Zay puts Joe's towel around his neck and dances. He talks trash to Joe then Joe chokes him with the towel. Joe pops up Zay and drops him on his chest. Joe hits punches. Zay gets in to avoid a tope then Zay springboard cutters him over the top rope. Zay does a tope con hilo but Joe moves. Zay topes the floor on purpose in a dangerous and stupid spot.

Zay is popped up and dropkicks Joe off of it. Zay hits corner punches then Joe blocks his monkey flip. Joe muscle busters him and wins it.

It was a squash as expected. Zay's bump to the outside was totally stupid and I can't believe anyone would ever agree to do that. It was entertaining other than that. 

Skye Blue says Willow Nightingale is a fraud. She said she had her pinned but Stokeley Hathaway got involved and stopped in. Skye also said she beat her in a tag team street fight. She challenges her to a TBS Title match on Rampage tonight.

Orange Cassidy comes out to talk. He said he thought Trent and Chuck would beat each other up and get it out of their systems this weekend then come back as best friends. OC says that will never happen. He said he was told that Chuck Taylor will never wrestle again due to what Trent did.

Trent Beretta comes out. He says OC is trying to make things about himself again. Security and Kris Statlander then hold OC back. Trent says Chuck's career is over because OC is selfish. Don Callis comes out and tries to hold OC back from Trent. He then grabs him and walks to the back with him. Trent then does OC's thumbs up pose.

Renee interviews The Young Bucks. The Bucks say they don't have time for this and are looking for an old friend. The Bucks said they will give some time to Jack Perry as they've  used up too much time. Jack is asked about attacking Tony Khan. Jack says he only wants what is best for AEW. He said that's what he did by taking him out. He said Tony made him The Scapegoat. He said it was a sacrifice someone would have to make. Jack says they are entering a new era under The Elite. The crowd chanted CM Punk during this.

FTW Title - Chris Jericho (c) vs Katsuyori Shibata

CJ armdrags him. KS snpamares him and chinlocks and armlocks him. They trade chops and CJ double throat thursts him. CJ hits an asai moonsault then grabs a trash can lid outside. KS gets hit with it, CJ brings in a bag of hockey pucks. KS STO's CJ on the pucks. CJ is then suplexed on the pucks.

CJ hits chops and KS chops back. We go to PiP break as they trade chops. We return and they trade more chops. CJ throws a puck at KS' face then puts him in the walls of Jericho. KS figure fours him then CJ throws a puck at KS' face to break the hold.

CJ puts a garbage can on KS' head then he hits the can with a kendo stick. KS stands up with the can on his head. KS headbutts him with it then dropkicks the can into CJ's body. KS' nose is busted open. KS hands him a kendo stick while he has one. They both sit down and trade shots with the stick in the shoulder. KS backdrops him using the kendo stick.  KS hits chops then runs into a codebreaker. KS sleepers him. Big Bill comes out and face kicks KS. Bill chokeslams KS through a table. CJ then gets the pin.

I didn't like this at all. Much like the last match, it was long and slow. They got silly like they usually do with Jericho. I really hope the hockey pucks were fake because throwing them at people's heads is a bad idea, especially when they are Shibata who left wrestling due to head injuries. Shibata seemed to have gotten his nose busted open from it. I didn't like Shibata taking all the shots to the head here. 

Willow, Kris and Stokeley are interviewed by Renee. Kris said she's so sorry for last week and said she wanted to diffuse the situation. Stoke is making a weird face. Willow said last week's fiasco left her in a fighting mood for Skye Blue. She said she has something for Mone. She said she will maim and massacre Skye here. Stoke complains about The Bucks beating up Tony Khan. The Bucks send a text and say Kris/Stoke are banned from ringside tonight. Stoke asks what he did to deserve this besides his own actions.

Brian Cage vs Claudio Castagnoli

They run at each other with lariats and trade forearms. They trade lariats. Brian running euros him then suplexes him. CC hits euros then suplexes him. Brian no sells it then headscissors him. Brian hits a dropkick.

Brian jumps up and is backbreakered. Brian goes up and over then basement dropkicks him. CC slams Brian then double stomps him. Brian deadlift suplexes him in. We go to PiP break and return. Brian superkicks him then 619's him. Brian spinning lariats him. 

CC springboard euros him then they trade face kicks. CC superkicks him then hits his own 619. CC spinning lariats him for 2. Brian hits a sitout alabama slam for 2. CC pop-up euros Brian for 2. CC giant swings Brian then sharpshooters him. Brian then taps out.

I wasn't a fan of this. They didn't sell anything here at all and Cage was doing a bunch of stuff he shouldn't have been doing as a big man. I also thought they threw each other around with ease here.

Rocky Romero is interviewed by Renee. Rocky said he doesn't side with anyone. He asks who the real winner is in the Best Friends feud. He said he can't take it anymore and is done with it. He says he does his own thing from now on. He said that thing is to be a champion in AEW. He said the only way he knows how to do it is to challenge the best in Kyle O'Reilly tonight. So if Kyle is the best then AEW Champion Swerve is what exactly?

Mariah May vs Serena Deeb

Deeb hammerlocks her and headlock takeovers her. May headscissors her and they stare down. Deeb wristlocks her and takes her down. Deeb puts her in a paradise lock then dropkicks her butt out of it. Deeb shoulders May over then armdrags her out of the hiptoss. Deeb surfboards her. May handstands hurricanrana's her in the corner then basement dropkicks her.

We go to PiP break and return. Deeb corner lariats her then neckbreakers her over the middle rope. Deeb spinning neckbreakers her. Deeb rebound germans her then hits a pepsi twist lariat. May high kicks her from the apron then top rope dropkicks her. May hip attacks her in the corner for 2.

May running knees her for 2. Deeb cobra twists her in the air then they trade pin attempts. Deeb spins her and backslides her for 2. May headbutts her then backdrops her. Deeb blocks a handstand headscissors then single leg crabs her. Toni Storm throws in the towel for May and Deeb wins it.

It was an average match. I thought it went a little longer than it needed to here and would have liked more leg work before the finish. I don't think it was a good idea to put this on near the end of the show like that.

Renee interviews Adam Copeland. She asks if he's okay. Kyle O'Reilly comes up to him. He said he doesn't dig what is going on with House of Back. He says he will be his back up if he ever needs it. Adam said he has Brody King next week and says Kyle has Rocky Romero tonight.

Kenny Omega comes out. He said he was diagnosed with diverticulitis. He said he was told he was 24 hours away from dying. He asked if he could be patched up and sent back to Dynamite. He was told he needed to have a colostomy bag for months or maybe his life. He said if he didn't, he'd have a ticking time bomb in his stomach and may just wake up having the surgery done to him anyway. He was told any blunt force trauma to the stomach could kill him.

He said he thought he would have to explain that he was retiring. He said he watched Dynasty. He said he saw Swerve make history and saw Bryan/Will make history. He said he asked himself if he was scared to be a wrestler. He said he was just going through withdrawal. He said living is being in the ring.

He said this isn't over until he exhausts every option. He said if there's a 1% chance, we aren't done with him. He said he wants to talk about The Young Bucks. He said they embarrassed themselves. He said they forgot there is also one other EVP. He said he's fired from The Elite but not fired from being an EVP. He said a part of this company belongs to him.

Kazuchika Okada comes out. Omega said they had a rivalry in NJPW. He said give him a few months and they will settle it in an AEW ring. Okada says he's sorry and says he's the best bout machine now. Jack Perry then jumps Kenny. He fights off security with a chair. Kenny hits punches on Jack and dragon suplexes him. Kenny holds his gut then Jack hits a chair to the gut.

The Young Bucks come out and hit an EVP trigger on Kenny. Kenny is then left laying.

It was a good angle with Kenny being sympathetic and then getting hit in the gut. The problem still remains though - who will be facing The Elite and when? Khan can't wrestle. Punk won't wrestle and Kenny is a long way away from returning. Kota Ibushi is injured. There's FTR and maybe Swerve, but they need something better than that.

Overall thoughts: It was a night of long matches and The Elite here. Boss vs wrestler angles are tough to do and AEW has already run into problems with their attempt at it. I don't really get the logic of The Bucks choosing Christian for Swerve when they could have chosen Okada/Jack or chosen the #1 ranked contender. The closing angle was good here but I didn't like the show that much.

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/29/2024 Satsuma no Kuni 2024

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/29/2024 Satsuma no Kuni 2024

Oleg Boltin vs. Katsuya Murashima

KM goes for takedowns and Oleg grabs the leg. KM rolls through a wristlock and is headlock takeovered. KM headscissors him. They trade side headlocks. Oleg hammerlocks him then fireman's carry takeovers him. Oleg side headlocks him then clubs and elbows on him.

Oleg sleepers him then KM ropebreaks. Oleg guillotine chokes him and suplexes him from that position. KM hits chops to the chest then is chopped back. KM slaps him then flying dropkicks him. KM hits another dropkick then crabs him. KM hits forearms. Oleg pops him up into a bear hug then karelin's lift. Oleg then kips up. Oleg finlay rolls him for the win.

It was a short but decent young lions match here with them keeping the pace up and doing a good job trading basic holds.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe vs. Just 5 Guys (Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura)

Togi and Taichi lock up. They trade strikes. Togi side headlocks him and they shoulder battle. Taichi face kicks him then is shouldered over. Togi hits corner punches then shoulders him over. Togi misses a corner charge and takes attacks from all 3 opponents with Yuya dropkicking him. Taichi hits Kawada kicks.

Yuya chops Togi in the corner and slams him for 2. Taka hits knees on Togi, snapmares him and running knees him for 2. Togi lariats Taka over after Taka ducks his first lariat attempt. Tana hits shots on Taka then flying forearms him. Tana dragon screws Taka and Taichi.

Tana 2nd rope flip dives Taka. Taka face kicks him from the side and tags in Yuya. Tana and Yuya trade. Taka hits a twist and shout neckbreaker. Tiger gets in. He hits chest kicks on Yuya then tilt-a-whirl backbreakers him. Tiger hits a high tiger drive ron Yuya. Taichi grabs Tana by the gut and throws him out.

Togi double lariats Taka and Taichi. Yuya armdrgas Tiger then rolls out of a crucifix. Yuya backdrops Tiger then running chops him for 2. Yuya top rope crossbodies Tiger and wins it.

It was a basic trios here and was just average. Yuya got a little more in than he usually does.

Yuya holds his title at Togi and Tana after. Tana has words for him and Togi slaps the belt away.

United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb) vs. TMDK (Kosei Fujita, Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Kosei and Khan start us off. Kosei takes him down and they get back up. They roll on the ropes. Kosei chops him then flying headscissors him. Kosei hits forearms on Khan then is tripped into a Newman double stomp on the back. Akira hits forearms on Kosei then leg lariats him.

Akira dropkicks Shane then corner lariats him. Akira dropkicks him in the knee and the side of the head. Shane suplexes him. Akira is worked on by Mikey then Zack. Zack drops Akira with euros then Akira rolls him into a double stomp.

Akira headscissors shane into Mikey. Cobb gets in and shoulders over Mikey and Shane. Cobb hits running corner lariats and euros. Cobb pulls TMDK into each other then dropkicks Shane out. Mikey ddt's Cobb. Zack hits euros on Cobb when he gets in. Cobb hits a big forearm and Zack hits a big euro and face kick. Zack flying triangles him but is deadlifted into a suplex.

Newman runs the ropes fast and running boots Zack. Newman takes a uranage + powerbomb combo then Zack twists his neck with his feet. Zack hits a PK for 2. Newman flying dropkicks Zack in the corner then trips him into a basement dropkick. Zack pele kicks Newman's arm then is corkscrew kicked. Zack turns an os cutter attempt into an armbar. Zack then taps out Newman.

There were too many people involved here and they didn't have much time. We barely saw Khan and Mikey here. It was watchable. I liked the os cutter counter into an armbar.

House Of Torture (Dick Togo, EVIL, Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) vs. Guerrillas Of Destiny (El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado), El Desperado & Shota Umino

The heels attack before it starts but they waited more than usual here to do it. Togo want to do their handshake and his partners back out as Hiku gets in. Togo does push-ups and Hiku holds him by the head so far out that Togo can't even hit him. Togo begs for mercy. Hiku picks him up by the the throat and the heels save him.

Hiku hits a double lariat then euros Togo. Togo takes atomic drops from all of his opponents then the faces high five Hiku. ELP and Despy hit punches on Togo. Despy goes into the exposed buckle. 8 of the 10 brawl outside while Togo tries to take off Despy's mask. Despy is throwh hard into the rails outside.

Despy's head and back are sent into the exposed buckle. Yujiro slams Despy then legdrops, elbow drops and headbutt drops him. Kanemaru suplexes Depsy then rakes his eyes. Kanemaru runs at him and is speared.

Shota gets in with Evil. He hits forearms then running forearms him. Ren takes an armdrag and a dropkick then Shota dropkicks Yujiro. Shota avoids a double team, drops Evil on his chest then basement dropkicks him. Shota then cannonballs outside onto Evil. Shota is tripped by Ren outside.

Ren and Evil stomp Shota then double boot him. Shota is thrown back by both and Ren setons him. Ren chokes Shota then face kicks Evil off the apron when Shota moves. Shota tornado ddt's Ren. Ren takes boots and then a face kick from Hiku. Ren flying knee presses Despy then Jado bridging ddt's Ren. Jado crossfaces Ren then Togo chokes Jado with a weapon while the ref distracted. Ren hits Jado with a push-up board and wins it.

It was your usual HoT match with the usual heel tactics. At least they didn't do their spots here that are less believable. It wasn't that good as usual. 

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

Honma and Taiji start us off. Taiji eye rakes him and boots him in the corner. They shoulder battle and Taiji is knocked over. Goto hits forearms on Taiji. Kenta tags himself in and hits shots on Goto. Kenta is double shouldered over. Goto hiptosses Yoshi onto him then suplexes Chase onto him. Evil is triple clubbed then Kenta ddt's Goto.

Goto is thrown out then choked with a shirt by Taiji outside. Chase corner forearms Goto then short arm lariats him. Taiji chokes Goto with a shirt in the ring. Kenta neckbreakers Goto for 2. Goto takes a double shoulder and Kenta tries to hiptoss Chase onto Goto, but Goto moves. Goto lariats Kenta off the ropes.

Yoshi comes in and sends Chase into Kenta. Yoshi neckbreakers Chase. Chase is laid over the top rope and dropkicked. Yoshi and Chase trade forearms. Yoshi superkicks him and is lariated. Kenta and Honma get in. Honma hits chops then bulldogs him. Honma misses a headbutt drop. Honma stops a double team and hits a flatliner + ddt combo on the heels. Kenta is whipped into a flying Honma shoulder for 2.

Chase brings a title belt in and Goto lariats him. Kenta grabs it, Yoshi takes it away and Honma rolls up Kenta. Honma headbutts Kenta. Honma goes for the headbutt drop but Kenta puts the title on him and Honma headbutts the title instead. Kenta busaiku knees Honma and wins it.

The finish was creative here with Honma going for a headbutt drop and Kenta putting the title in the way. It was nothing special otherwise.

Chase, Kenta and Bishamon fight after. Chase takes an ushigoroshi.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)

LIJ does their pose and War Dogs break it up. Shingo is sent into the rails by Gabe outside then DF eye rakes Yota. Gedo eye rakes Naito. Naito grabs Gedo by the beard then slaps his hand away. Naito baseball slides him in the back. Yota pushes DF out with his feet. Gedo is surrounded by 3 opponents then triple teamed.

Naito yanks on Gedo's beard then Yota joins in as well. Shinogo comes off the buckles and chops Gedo's beard. Gedo eye pokes Naito and Shingo then DF headbutts Shingo outside. Gabe and DF pound on Shingo outside and send Naito into the rails. DF pounds on Yota outside. Naito's head is banged off of DF's boot.

DF foot chokes Naito over the bottom rope then stands on his fingers. Gabe foot slaps Naito around then eye rakes him. Naito atomic drops him then neckbreakers him. Shingo stops a double team then hits a chop and punch combo on Gabe in the corner. Gabe then chop flurries him. Shingo back elbows him and ddt's him. Shingo suplexes him for 2. Shingo poses and Gabe nails him from behind. Gabe suplexes him for 2.

Gabe and Shingo trade forearms then chops. They lariat each other on the ropes and trade headbutts and slaps. They lariat each other over then lariat eac hother down at the same time. Yota tilt-a-whirl backbreakers DF then splashes him. DF throws Yota on a suplex. Yota back body drops him. DF hits euros on Yota then uranage backbreakers him. Gedo gets in and runs to eye rake Naito on the apron. He chinbreakers Yota then eye rakes Yota.

Gedo hits punches on Yota then takes Yota's curbstomp combination. The video freezes and Yota ends up pinning Fedo.

I liked the Shingo vs Gabe section here. I thought it was obvious Gedo was going to take the fall in this one and it wasn't anything great.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match - BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) (c) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi)

 

HT = Hiromu Takahashi

HT and Clark lariat each other then shoulder each other over. All 4 men fight. Clark takes a corner lariat then is rolled into a double basement dropkick. Clark takes a basement dropkick to the knee then the face. Bushi is pushed into HT then Bushi flying headscissors Drilla. Bushi dropkicks Drilla out then Clark powerslams Bushi as he goes to dive. The heels block HT's sunset bomb outside and Drilla powerbombs HT on the apron. HT then takes a legsweep + spear combo on the floor.

Clark throws HT into the rails while he's trying to beat the countout count in. Drilla beats up on HT standing over top of him. HT takes a double back elbow. Clark back elbows HT. Drilla and HT trade shots and Drilla knocks him down. Drilla chinlocks HT then Clark snap suplexes and elbow drops HT for 2. Clark hits crossface shots and face rakes on HT. HT hits chops, is headbutted then dropkicks Clark's knee. HT dragon screws Clark's knee.

Bushi gets in and flying headscissors Clark. Bushi hits a lariat + bulldog combo then ddt's Clark for 2. Bushi does a figure four on Clark's knees then pulls on the leg. Clark pounces Bushi. HT corner lariats Drilla hen they get in and basement dropkicks him. Drilla suplexes HT. HT goes for a move out of a wheelbarrow and ends up doing a flatliner out of it.

Drilla pushes Bushi and HT into each other then dropkicks Bushi. Clark running lariats Bushi. Bushi dropkicks him in the knee then does a figure four variation on Clark. HT triangles Drilla at the same time. Drilla ends up powerbombing HT onto Bushi to break the hold. HT superkicks Clark then Clark superkicks him back. Drilla superkicks Bushi then Bushi takes a high/low. Clark is belly to belly suplexed into the buckles.

Drilla and HT trade shots. HT superkicks him then does an attitude adjustment on him. Bushi sunset flips HT so he can german Clark. Bushi comes off the 2nd rope and is hit with a spear by Clark. Clark knocks HT off the apron then Bushi bakcslides Clark. Drilla grabs Bushi while he does it and does an over the shoulder piledriver for 2.

Drilla step up enzugiri's HT then Clark hits a high angle ddt on HT. Bushi takes a suplex + flying spear combo and is pinned.

It was a decent mach here. They didn't overdo it too much and it being a tag covered up some of the selling and story issues.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Match - SHO (c) vs. DOUKI

There was something with a contract going on pre-match here but I'm not sure of all the details. Douki hits stomps on Sho early then foot chokes him in the corner. Douki back rolls into a headscissors on Sho then armdrags him several times. Douki bangs Sho's knee off the mat. They go out and Sho is sent into the rails. Douki kicks the rail into Sho's knee.

Douki stomps on Sho's knee then pulls on it. Sho grabs Douki by the hair. Sho charges at Douki, Douki splits and Sho goes out. Sho throws a young lion into Douki when he goes for his dive. They go into the crowd and Douki's leg is banged off the stand. Sho uses a chair on it right in front of the ref. Sho bangs Douki's knee off the mat inside then ddt's the leg.

Sho stomps on Douki's leg. He then leglocks him and sticks Douki's leg into his shirt somehow to increase the pressure. Douki dropkicks Sho's leg. Douki hits forearms on Sho then basement dropkicks his knee. Douki drops Sho on both knees then basement dropkicks him for 2.

Sho grabs Douki's fingers and kicks him in the knee.  Douki trips him and does a figure four variation on him. Kanemaru comes down. Taichi tries to help out then Togo chokes Taichi with a weapon. Kanemaru stomps Douki 2 feet from the ref and somehow the ref doesn't see it. Douki suplexes Kanemaru. Sho low blows Douki and throws him into the ref, sending him out.

Togo stomps Douki. Yuya and Taka come to help out then Yujiro and Evil beat them up. Eventually, the ring clears and Sho gets a 2 count on Douki. Sho powerbombs Douki on his (Sho's) knees for 2. Douki douki chokey's Sho then takes a straightjacket piledriver for 2. Douki turns a shock arrow attempt into a double arm triangle choke. The bell rings but it's HoT ringing it. Evil knocks Douki into the ref sending him out. Douki is beat up on by the heels. Taichi tries to help but he's handcuffed to rails. Taichi eventually gets free and helps out.

The heels are run off and it's down to Sho and Doukin in the ring again. Douki and Sho each have weapons. Douki has a stick and Sho has a wrench. Douki knocks the wrench away then does a gori special bomb with the stick over Sho's throat. Douki does a torture rack into a side slam on Sho. Douki wheelbarrows sho into a dragon suplex. The ref is pulled out and Kanemaru comes in. He gets thwarted by Douki.

Ren Narita comes down with a push-up bar. Ren hits Douki with it and facebusters him. Sho is thrown onto Douki and the ref is thrown in to make the count. Sho wins.

This was your usual House of Torture garbage. They had a decent work the limb storyline going on here then HoT did their interference, ref bumps and fake bell ringing and destroyed whatever good will this one had earned.

Overall thoughts: This was basically a Korauken level show. It wasn't that good. The junior tag title match was okay and maybe the best thing on here next to the opener. The main was ruined by HoT nonsense as usual and the rest of the card had unmemorable trios and 8-man tags. Skip this.