TNA Impact 1/9/2025

TNA Impact 1/9/2025

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/tna-impact-122025.html

The System (JDC, Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) vs Eric Young, Jonathan Gresham and Steve Maclin

Eddie clubs on JG then bangs his head off the buckles. JG boots him out of the corner and 2nd rope crossbodies him. Eddie is stomped on by EY and JG in the corner. EY back elbows Eddie then clubs on him. EY dropkicks him for 2. EY gets distracted by Alisha and The System take control.

JDC euros and corner spears EY. Eddie beats up on EY. EY suplexes Eddie. Brian then stomps on EY. JDC hits punches on EY in the corner. Brian chinlocks EY. EY hits a death valley driver. Maclin comes in and hits a thesz press on JDC. He then flying knees Eddie.

Everyone starts to fight and Maclin hits his crosshairs spear on JDC in the corner. Maclin double underhook ddt's JDC and wins.

Thoughts: It went pretty quick and we didn't get a ton of it. I'm not sure why to be honest. Thre wasn't anything too special about it though it wasn't bad.

Eddie and Brian hit the faces with chairs after. JG takes a t-gimmick. A chair is put around JG's head and he's sent into the post with it.

We get a video on Joe Hendry talking about 2024 and his life. He says he wasn't a natural athlete. He says he doesn't take his success for granted and said he had to scratch and claw his way to the top. He said he did judo as a kid and took acting classes. He said he also started doing music around this time. 

He said he took a lot of risks to get to where he is. He said he gave up music after not getting signed to a major label. He talks about devoting himself to wrestling and making a promise with himself to try and make it. He said everyone was into rock music in wrestling when he came in so he stared doing pop music. He said he started wrestling in 2013 with no amateur wrestling experience. He said he became a British champ in 2 types of wrestling. He said he felt like he was putting the pieces together then.

He said he talked to a friend at school about TNA wrestling and first saw it on The Wrestling Channel (a former UK wrestling channel). He said he had an ipod with only one wrestling video on it and it was Genesis 2006. He said he later challenged for the TNA Title at Genesis. 

Savannah Evans vs Xia Brookside

Xia is not dressed to wrestle. She shows us clips from Turning Point. She said Evans injured her and she's not medically cleared. She said Evans injured someone else who is cleared though and that person is ready to get revenge right now. And it's Lei Ying Lee.

Savannah Evans vs Lei Ying Lee

Lee ducks a lariat and hits a bunch of shots. Evans knees her into the gut. Lee comes off the top and is caught and sammed in a botch. Lee kicks her off the apron then cannonballs her off the apron. Lee top rope crossbodies Evans for 2.

Lee hits kicks to the chest. Evans sit out spinebusters her for 2. Evans cranks on Lee's neck. Lee hits elbows to the gut. Lee and Evans trade shots. Lee enzugiri's her. Lee hits mounted punches in the corner. Evans lariats her. Lee armdrags Evans then corkscrew kicks her for the win.

Thoughts: This was a lose-lose. Lee was returning here and Evans has been getting pushed as a monster. Neither needed to lose this one. It was pretty average with Lee doing kicks and Evans powering her around.

Gia Miller talks and Jordynne Grace takes the mic from her. She says if Tessa wants to fight, she'll be in the ring so meet her there.

We get a package on Rosemary yelling Masha's name and saying stuff that we can't hear while we see video of Masha.

Northern Armory Gauntlet Match

Leg 1 - Mike Santana vs Judas Icarus

Judas rushes him and pounds on him. Judas enzugiri's him from the apron and corkscrew kicks him. Judas hits a pepsi twist lariat but it is no sold. Mike chops him down then sentons him. Mike boots him from the apron. Mike goes up top and is swept, falling down to the inside of the ring. Mike hits a big lariat on Judas and pins him.

Leg 2 - Mike Santana vs Travis Williams

Mike hits chops. Trav kicks Mike in the arm then dropkicks him in the back of the head for 2. Trav facekicks him and we go to break. We return and Trav is caught coming off the 2nd rope. Mike backrolls and is caught with an armbar on the cutter attempt. Mike buckle bombs him then alley oops him. Mike sitout powerbombs him and pins him.

Leg 3 - Mike Santana vs Josh Alexander

Mike gets hit from behind by Judas then is triple teamed. Trav foot chokes Mike. Mike takes a jay driller. Josh then takes his headgear back.

Thoughts: The ending wasn't real surprising here. This wasn't much. Mike won the first two legs in quick fashion and we never got the 3rd leg.

George Iceman says he has a special announcement next week. He says he sees Heather and Ash By Elegane as the next tag champs. He says they will do a pre-launch celebration.

Rosemary talks in the back about Masha Slamovich. She says she's just so tough, fierce and predictable. She says she's wearing the title like a suit of armor. Rose says they can see the cracks forming. Rose says they can smell her fear. Raven then appears. He asks if she's sure she's ready. He asks if she's ready to win the belt again and says it's been 6-7-8 years. Rose then threatens him with a knife. Raven says to make it a Clockwork Orange match and then she can do whatever she wants and make her taste even wetter. Rose likes the idea and says they can see how hardcore Masha is.

The Good Hands come out. John says it's ironic that they are booed while the degenerates from the treehouse of The Rascalz are cheered. He said their tree house is better than their trailer park. He insults the local sports team and says they will give them a treat when they are victorious with these good hands.

The Good Hands (John Skyler and Jason Hotch) vs The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel)

Hotch wristlocks Zach. Zach flips out of it and armdrags him. Zach kicks him off the ropes and 2nd rope tornillo's him for 2. Hotch takes kicks from both then a double stomp from Zach. Zach is caught on a handspring and takes a baseball slide.

John stomps on Zach and puts him in tree of woe. The heels stand on Zach's crotch. John abdominal stretches Zach. Zack handspring jumping knees John. Trey headscissors Hotch off the bottom rope. Trey tilt-a-whirl ddt's Hotch over the 2nd rope. 

Hotch back body drops Trey to the outside. John finlay rolls Zach and Hotch top rope splashes Zach for 2. Trey spinebusters John. Zach top rope double stomps John while Trey holds him. Trey then picks up the win.

Thoughts: It was a shorter one than I expected. It was fine though with the heels being heels and the faces doing some flying. Trey's tilt-a-whirl ddt over the middle rope was sick looking.

Frankie Kazarian talks to Rhino in the back. He says he may be ready to cash in his title shot if Rhino gores Nemeth.

Steve Maclin and Eric Young talk in the back. Maclin said The System tried to end Gresham's career. Maclin says the message was received. Eric says this isn't child's play and they will hand out their own kind of justice. First Class come in. They laugh at EY saying he declares war.

Maclin asks if they think this is a joke. AJ says they were both world champ so how hard could it be? AJ says they are interested in tag gold too. He says if they have to step over both of them to get it done, they will. AJ says he will go talk to Santino now. 

Alisha Edwards and Moose come out. Moose says he's the greatest x-division champ of all time. He says Ace will find out why you always trust The System at Genesis. He says he will beat the living h3ll out of him. He tell Alisha to throw the title out of the ring. He says he doesn't want hte title associated with him anymore as he is debuting a new x-title fit for him. Alisha then throws the title down to the floor.

Moose says he was embarrassed he had to carry the title. Andrew Everett for some reason comes out. AE says this is why Moose has no business being in the x-division. He says it was the only title he cared for when he was in it. He said it gave him purpose. He said the x-division built TNA, not the face of the franchise.

Moose says he's trying to figure out who he is and asks Alisha who he is. Moose says he will give him the opportunity to get out of the ring. He says he will put him down if he says another word. AE syas he's an x-division wrestler and Moose is not. Moose facekicks him over. He says he just earned himself an x-division title match right now.

TNA X-Division Title - Moose (c) vs Andrew Everett

Moose corner spears him then hits chops. Moose throws him. We see Ace Austin watching in the back. AE blocks a powerbomb and hits a step up enzugiri. AE is caught on an asai moonsault and ddt's Moose off of it. AE springboard swantons out. 

AE is stopped on a springboard and takes a hard chokeslam on the apron. Moose hits an apron powerbomb. Moose then does a last ride powerbomb. Moose then pins him with a foot on the chest.

Thoughts: I don't mind Andrew when he's serious and not doing comedy like he did here. Moose threw him around and he bumped for him as he should have. The set-up for this was weak though. The apron chokeslam sounded really painful.

Sami Callihan and Santino Marella talk in the back. Sami said he feels shafted not being announced in the tag title match. He says him and PCO were never beaten in a tag match. He says him and PCO have next. Santino says they should face The Hardy's next week and if they win, they get in the tag title match at Genesis. Santino calls their team, "Death Meat". Sami doesn't like it though.

Jordynne Grace comes out. She says Tessa Blanchard should be terrified she has a mic in her hand. She says she's nothing like her. She says she will give her the chance to fight her like a woman. She says she needs to go through her if she thinks the division is hers.

Tessa runs in and JG hits forearms. Tessa kicks her in the crotch then hits mounted shots. Security then comes to break it up. The crowd chants, "let them fight".

Joe Hendry and Rhino vs Nic and Ryan Nemeth

Frankie Kazarian is on commentary. Rhino wristlocks Nic and Nic reverses it on him. Rhino shoulders him over. Nic hits a nice dropkick. Rhino takes a double short arm lariat for 2.

Rhino clubs on Ryan's neck. Joe chops Ryan in the corner. Joe shoulders Ryan over then does a delayed suplex. Ryan double throat thrusts Rhino. Nic comes in and takes shots from Rhino. Ryan knees Rhino from the apron. Ryan pulls Rhino down by the hair.

Nic neckbreakers and elbow drops Rhino. Ryan chokes Rhino on the ropes. Nic elbow drops and chinlocks Rhino. Nic hits shots on Rhino then headbutts him. Rhino blocks a flying headscissors with a sitout powerbomb. Joe hits an AA on Ryan then fallaway slams Nic. Joe cutters Ryan for 2. Rhino belly to belly suplexes Nic. Kaz gets up from commentary.

Rhino gores Ryan. Nic superkicks Rhino. Joe lariats Nic over the top. Joe chokeslams Ryan and wins.

Thoughts: It was a very average main. It didn't get a lot of time and we didn't see Joe until the end. There was basically nothing of note in this one and it was basically a throwaway.

Overall thoughts: This was not TNA's best work. It was a very weak show with nothing being that good. Nothing was awful of course but the matches were almost all of the shorter side and none of them really achieved their potential. I would not recommend this and would give it a 4 out of 10.

WWE Speed 1/8/2025

WWE Speed 1/8/2025

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/wwe-speed-112024.html

WWE Speed Women's Title - Candice LaRae (c) vs Natalya

Nat rolls her up for 2. Nat baseball slides her in the back of the head. CL misses an elbow drop. Nat suplexes her three times and CL goes out. Nat chases her. CL running headbutts her in the gut. CL sends her into the steps. CL hits a top rope dropkicks on Nat then step up sentons her on the back for 2.

Nat throws her off on a tornado ddt attempt. Nat misses a corner spear and goes into the post. CL rolls her up for 2 then pounds on her. CL armbars her. Nat michinoku drivers her. CL misses a corner charge and Nat drops her on her butt. Nat tries to walk off of CL's neck but CL moves. CL misses an asai moonsault. Nat sharpshooters her but CL is saved by the bell as the 5 minute time limit expires.

Thoughts: What we got was okay but nothing too great. They were not going to go all out in this. It was fine for what it was and probably one of the better Speed matches so far, but that was mostly because it got some time.

The men are back next week as Charlie Dempsey faces Chad Gable in a Men's #1 Contender's Speed Tournament match.

Overall thoughts: There was only one new match here as usual. It was fine but nothing you need to go out of your way to see. There's worse ways to spend 5 minutes though.

NWA Powerrr 1/7/2025

NWA Powerrr 1/7/2025

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/nwa-powerrr-12312024.html

Next week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/nwa-powerrr-1142025.html 

EC3 vs Josef Von Schmidt

JVS is making his debut here. They go to lock up. We then pause the video and get a video from EC3. He talks about being the face of the franchise and shows clips of him being JVS.

EC3 then talks about The Exodus (which is his group of masked guys). He says his group are simple soul's who are looking for a leader. He says they are now canon in the NWA.

Thoughts: This was a new one. They cut into the match as soon as it started, showed video of EC3 and fast forwarded and cut ahead to the finish.

We then get the NWA intro video.

Kyle Davis is with Miss Starr. Starr says she wanted to give Ella Envy her flowers. A man in the ring then gives Ella flowers. Starr puts her over and says she's so gorgeous. Starr says Ella will take on 2 opponents. Starr talks more and we cut away for a break.

Handicap Match - Ella Envy vs Nima Gore and Shamar Amor

We have 2 new people to the show here. Amor gets booted and clubbed on. Ella stomps Amor. Amor's head is banged off the buckles and Ella chops her. Ella suplexes her. Amor is sent into the corner and Ella misses a charge. Amor splits out of a lariat then hits her own armdrag. Amor slams Ella for 2. 

Gore boots Ella in the corner. Ella takes a double suplex. Amor comes off the top and tries to do a split drop but Ella moves and Amor lands in a full split. Ella double boots Gore out of the corner then flatliners her for 2. Ella hits a TKO on Amor. Natalya Markova then runs in. Tiffany Nieves then chairs Nat in the back.

Thoughts: They say Nat is the coach of Amor and Gore so that's why she came out. I thought that was kind of weak. Nat and Tiff have been feuding so I guess that makes sense but it was an unusual segment. Amor is really tall and thin. Her split bump off the top was one of the nastiest bumps I have ever seen and I can't believe she did that. Both Amor and Gore are still pretty green. This wasn't that good.

Primo and Epico Colon are interviewed by Kyle Davis. primo says he's so excited for NWA and the fans. He says they will get to see the greatest of Primo and Epico. He says The Immortals are good guys but no Primo and Epico. Primo says they are household names. Epico talks in Spanish for the 2 Puerto Rican people who watch this.

NWA Tag Titles - Knox and Murdoch vs The Spectaculars (SLADE and Rolando Freeman)

This is part of the longterm Eric Smallz (who is with Knox and Murdoch) vs Freeman feud. Slade kicks the 2nd rope into Murd's crotch. Slade germans Murd. Slade hits punches on Murd then foot chokes him. RF gets in then runs right back out. Murd hits punches on Slade then back elbows him. Murd half-nelson slams him. Murd trips Slade into a Knox elbow drop.

Knox hits a big splash on Slade for 2. Knox pulls on Slade's mouth then hits him in the face. Murd slams him. Murd whips Knox into a corner splash on Slade. Knox slams Slade. RF hits a shot on Knox which distracts him. Slade suplexes Knox for 2.

Knox facekicks Slade. Knox punches Slade, Slade falls into RF and the ref counts it as a tag. RF isn't aware until he sees Knox behind him. Knox slingshots RF in. Knox facekicks RG. Knox gorilla press slams RF. Slade is thrown out. RF takes a double gorilla press drop.

Knox suplexes RF down. RF takes a high/low and is pinned.

Thoughts: It was what you would expect with RF eventually getting his and going down. I was surprised Smallz didn't get involved though. It was fine for what it was and made sense but it was not really something I wanted to see. 

Kyle Davis interviews Aron Stevens. Aron says he apologizes for nothing. He says BFT is the best tag team in wrestling. He then says he won't apologize for walking away from everyone right now. He then leaves.

We get a video on Mike Mondo, who is now bald and is well over 250lbs. He says it's gut check time and says he is coming for someone in the NWA. He says that person knows who it is but he doesn't tell us.

Boz vs Mike Mondo

They lock up. Mike wristlocks him and slaps him in the back  of the head. Boz wristlocks him. Mike boots him in the gut then hits a forearm. Boz running boots him then lariats him.

Mike rakes the eyes then flying knees him, sending him into the corner. Mike hits a sick kick for 2. Mike pulls on the mouth and slaps him. Mike gets on his back and chinlocks him. Boz dropkicks Mike out.

Mike hides under the ring, comes out the other side and nails Boz from behind. Mike hits a fireman's carry gutbuster and pins Boz.

Thoughts: Yeah, this was another random one. The match was fine and all but I have doubts about the NWA being able to follow up on this. I wouldn't have had Boz get squashed either.

Primo and Epico Colon vs The Immortals (Odinson and JR Kratos)

Kratos throws Primo out. Primo side headlocks Kratos and Kratos shoulders him over. Kratos drops him with a punch. Kratos yanks him and slams him. Kratos release suplexes Primo.

Kratos misses a corner splash. Epico is tagged in and hits shots on Kratos. Epico stomps on Kratos. Kratos takes a double russian legsweep. Epico hits punches on Kratos. Kratos takes a double team and has his face raked on the ropes.

Kratos taks corner splashes. Primo is pushed off a bulldog attempt. Odin comes in and flying euros Primo then does it in the corner. Odin overhead suplexes Primo. Odin F-5's Epico onto Primo. Odin takes a double ddt. Kratos throws Primo into the corner and Primo gets stuck upside down. Kratos has his arm pulled into the hole in the post and he's stuck. Odin jackhammers Primo. Epico chairs the post while Kratos' arm is in it and Epic/Primo are DQ'd.

Thoughts: The finish was lousy here and the match was just average. I'm sure it's building to something at least but this didn't do a lot to make me want to see it.

BFT then attack The Immortals from behind after. Aron Stevens brings a ladder in. BFT stomp the faces. Aron the climbs the ladder and rings the bell that is hanging from the ceiling. Aron then sprays himself with Odin's facepaint like Odin does.

Overall thoughts: It was another bad edition of Powerrr. We had 2 matches with dirty finishes and one match that we only saw a second of as they cut ahead and fast forwarded through it. We had random people showing up as usual and no mention of lots of various NWA wrestlers as usual. This show is awful and is so hard to watch and keep track of. I'd give this one a 2 out of 10 and would not recommend it at all.

WWE NXT 10/2/2013

WWE NXT 10/2/2013

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/08/wwe-nxt-9252013.html

Next week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2025/02/wwe-nxt-1092013.html 

Alex Riley, Tony Dawson and Renee Young are on commentary

Fandango and Summer Rae come out. Renee interviews Emma on the ramp. She is asked if she has a partner tonight. She says her partner is only the best possible partner she could have and it's Santino Marella.

Mixed Tag Team Match - Fandango & Summer Rae vs. Emma & Santino Marella

Santino and Emma argue over how to enter and they do Emma's dance down the ramp.

Fan dances around and Santino does his own dance back. The crowd chants "you got served" at Fandango. Fan and Santino try to boot each other at the same time and catch each other's feet. Then they stand off. Fan knees him in the gut then hits a punch. Santino's head is banged off the buckles. Santino goes for the cobra and Fan backs off.

Emma then moves Santino's hands and they dance. We go to break and return. Fan boots Santino away out of a hold. Fan punches Santino down then Santino hits armdrags. Emma and Summer get tagged in but tag out after some arguments with the ref. We have people going in and out then Fan drops Santino with a punch.

Fan back elbows Santino. Fan stomps Santino on the ropes. Fan suplexes him for 2. Fan chokes Santino on the ropes. Summer then slaps Santino. Emma goes for Summer and the ref stops her. Santino goes to tag in Emma but she's not in the corner.

Fan stomps on Santino. Santino tries to kip up but falls down. Fan goes up top and Santino rolls to the other side. Fan goes up on top on the other side and Santino rolls away again. Santino backslides him for 2. Santino kips up and tags out.

Emma lariats Summer over twice. Summer misses a corner charge and Emma does the tarantula on the ropes. Emma crossbodies Summer against the bottom rope for 2. Santino gives Emma the cobra sleeve. Summer rolls Emma backwards and they fight on the mat. Emma sends Summer into the corner and she knocks Fan into the ring onto Emma. Emma and Santino hit stereo hiptosses and falling headbutts.

Santino goes for the cobra and hits Fan with it for the win. The faces dance after.

Thoughts: This was a wild one that was filled with comedy. You don't see a lot of these. It was entertaining though. It wasn't too unbelievable and they stayed in character here. This was all shenanigans.

The Ascension do a promo. Conor said what they did to Enzo and Big Cass is just an image of what Graves and Neville's future holds. They say they will take the NXT tag titles to where they belong - their home. Rick says the heroes wil fall and they will rise.

Kassius Ohno vs. Luke Harper

Luke throws KO out by the hair. KO single leg dropkicks him. Luke hits a running back elbow. Luke hits mounted punches. Luke elbow drops KO. KO kicks him then dropkicks him through the ropes. Luke hits a nice facekick. Luke running elbows Ko in the corner then lariats him for the win.

Thoughts: I liked it. It was short but everything really connected here and they stiffed each other. 

Enzo Amore and Big Cass do a promo. Enzo says they were close to becoming #1 contenders to the tag titles. They say they will bounce back as they are stars. Cass says Scott Dawson is dressed like a mechanic and he wouldn't let him fix his car. He says the only thing he is fixing is to get his teeth knocked down his through. Cass says the big mush Alexander Rusev should be worried about breaking his mother's heart by not wearing shoes instead of breaking boards. Enzo says Rusev and Dawson have been filling up on SAWFT tacos instead of hard tacos. 

We get a video on Mojo Rawley. He says hype is the most powerful force in the world. He said it can transform a person from ordinary to superhuman. He says if getting hype can make a man this powerful, what do you think a man is capable of if he's this hype always? He says he doesn't get hype, he stays hype.

Thoughts: This was terrible and looked like it was filmed by a teenager.  

WWE NXT Tag Team Title Match - Adrian Neville & Corey Graves (c) vs. The Ascension (Conor O'Brian & Rick Victor)

 

AN and Rick start us off. AN goes for a pin and flips out of a legsweep. AN side headlocks him and Rick flying shoulders him. Conor shoulders AN over for 2. Graves gets in and hits punches on Conor. He spinkicks him and is flapjacked for 2. Rick stomps on Graves.

We go to break and return. Rick pulls on Graves' chin. Graves crossbodies him and is pulled back into the heels corner. Conor legdrops Graves on the back of the neck. Conor bodyscissors Graves.

Rick hits punches on Graves. Rick hits euros on Graves and does an interesting water wheel drop variation. Rick chinlocks Graves. Rick hits corner spears then hits the post when Graves moves. AN hits kicks on Rick and forearms him over. AN dropkicks him off the apron. AN corkscrew dives out then springboard dropkicks Rick for 2. AN misses a top rope black arrow/corkscrew ssp.

Graves drags AN into the corner to tag in. Graves runs at Rick and takes a flying knee. Graves takes a high/low and is pinned.

Thoughts: It got a lot of time but it wasn't great. It was acceptable and really came alive towards the end. Graves and Neville were a makeshift team and were never going to be longterm champs so it wasn't too shocking that they lost. This match probably deserved more hype going into it since it was going to be a title match.

Bo Dallas comes out to do his Bo Dallas Invitational. He says he will give a lucky new wrestler the opportunity of a lifetime. He says if the challenger wins, he gets a title shot.

Bo Dallas Invitational Match - Bo Dallas vs. ?

Bo's opponent doesn't even get his name announced when he comes out. The unknown guy rolls him up for 2. Bo boots and clubs on him. Bo hits a running spear and wins.

Thoughts: It was just a quick squash here with Bo's opponent obviously having no chance.

Bo says he feels great and says there has to be someone else who wants to RSVP for the Bo Dallas Invitational.

Leo Kruger comes out. Cesaro then comes out. They fight over who gets to accept the challenge. Cesaro and Leo trade shots. Cesaro knocks Leo out of the ring then Bo flying knees Cesaro out. 

Bo Dallas Invitational Match - Bo Dallas vs.El Local

El Local then comes out. He leapfrogs Bo and Bo goes into the buckles. El Local hits a helluva kick and pins Bo.

The masked guy then takes the mask off and it's Sami Zayn.

Thoughts: I didn't really get the part with Leo and Cesaro coming out but somehow being eliminated from this by going over the top. Sami being under the mask though made sense.

Overall thoughts: It was a different kind of show with a comedic match to open the show, the tag titles changing hands on short notice and then the unusual Bo Dallas Invitational. I get what they were trying to do with the Bo segment but it could have been done a bit better. I would give this one a 5 out of 10 as I liked it but it had some issues. I wouldn't recommend this one.

AEW Dynamite 1/8/2025

AEW Dynamite 1/8/2025

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/aew-dynamite-112025.html

Next week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2025/01/aew-dynamite-1152025-maximum-carnage.html 

Tony Schiavone is "on assignment" tonight and some are speculating he got suspended along with Chris Charlton over the weekend over stuff said during the Dome shows.

Will Ospreay vs Buddy Matthews

Buddy wristlocks him and Will reverses it. Buddy shoulders him over twice. Buddy blocks an os cutter and Will backslides him. Will hits chops and Buddy chops back. Will flying headscissors Buddy out. Will plancha's him outside. Buddy snapmares him and kicks him in the back. Buddy PK's him then knee drops him. They collide in mid-air.

Will handspring corkscrew kicks Buddy off the ropes. Will springboard forearms Buddy for 2. Buddy lifts Will into a backbreaker. Buddy tope con hilos Will outside. Buddy hits a top rope meteora off the top for 2. They fight on the apron. Buddy throws him off the apron into the commentary table.

Will superkicks him outside and hits an os cutter off the rails onto the floor. Will springboard dropkicks him then hits an os cutter for 2. Will back elbows him for 2. Will hits Kawada kicks and chops him. Buddy does like a reverse go to sleep and a curb stomp for 2. Will hits a styles clash for 2. Will then hits a hidden blade for the win.

Thoughts: It was a workrate designed opener here. There was no reason for the match other than to have a good match. The crowd liked it but it was pretty flippy and had no real face or heel roles or story.

Will tells everyone to give it up for Buddy after. Will says he admired him from afar. He says Buddy and Brody don't need to follow a leader as they can do it on their own. Will says he sees tag gold in his future and singles gold if he works hard enough. He says he hopes it isn't the last time he meets and says he'll be in his corner if he ever needs it.

Thoughts: I didn't like Will treating Buddy like he's new to singles wrestling and basically needs to put in the work to get a title as if he isn't already in kayfabe.

We see clips of the AEW wrestlers at the NJPW Dome shows on 1/4 and 1/5, which I reviewed. 

Private Party come out for a championship celebration but it's on the stage and not in the ring. They say they were in the first ever tag title match on Max. They say they should celebrate and The Hurt Syndicate come out. The Hurt's invade the party and say they like to have a good time. MVP says he invented the red velvet ropes. MVP says they should raise a toast to Private Party. Bobby then toasts to The Hurt Syndicate taking the tag titles, ruining the event.

Bobby Lashley vs Mark Briscoe

MVP is on commentary. Bobby backs up Mark on the ropes and pats him on the head. Bobby then maybe offers him the chance to leave, holding the ropes open for him. Mark chops him and forearms him. Bobby hits a flatliner. Bobby suplexes him then hits a corner spear. Bobby neckbreakers him. Bobby hits a twisting drop off his shoulder.

Mark is caught with an overhead suplex coming off the buckles. Bobby then runs him over outside. Bobby overhead suplexes him on the floor. We go to PiP break and return. Mark forearms him off the buckles then hits some shots. Bobby elbows him and Mark splats on the floor off of it.

Mark hides under the ring. Bobby opens the skirt to look for him and is hit with a chair from underneath the ring. Mark jumps off the chair in the ring and tope con hilos Bobby outside. MVP throws a fit over Mark cheating. Mark sends Bobby into the post then corkscrew moonsaults him off the top.

Mark sliding moonsaults Bobby in the ring. Mark top rope elbow drops Bobby for 2. Bobby back elbows Mark and boots him in the face. Bobby rolling spears Mark then does a spinebuster/chokeslam. Bobby submits him with the full-nelson.

Thoughts: Mark overdid it a little here but he did put out the full effort in this one. They got this one right with Bobby overpowering Mark and Mark having to do his flying against him.

Mark is beaten up after by the heels. Private Party then come out to save Mark with chairs. 

World Title Shot Casino Gauntlet Match

Jay White and Adam Page are the first two in. They trade chops. Adam shoulders him over. Jay hits chops. Jay avoids some of Page's moves. Jay top rope superplexes him. Wheeler Yuta is next in. Jay blade runners Yuta for 2. Adam fallaway slams him then corner lariats him. Adam springboard lariats Yuta and Jay off the apron. Ricochet comes out with Swerve's theme music lines playing before his music.

Ric hits a springboard elbow on Adam then topes Jay outside. Ric springboard crossbodies then asai moonsaults Adam. We go to PiP break and return. Yuta and Ric are back body dropped over the top together. Adam Cole comes out. He hits superkicks on Yuta. Ric springboards and is caught with a Cole superkick. Cole hits a panama sunrise on Ric for 2.

Daniel Garcia is next in. He trades with Cole. Cole superkicks him in the knee then DG does a twist and shout. DF then does corner punches to Cole, Jay and Page. Yuta and DG trade slaps for chats. DG is thrown out. Powerhouse Hobbs is next in.

Hobbs overhead suplexes Yuta and Cole. He then fallaway slams Page. Hobbs overhead suplexes Page. We go to PiP break and return. Hobbs lariats Ric. Jay hits lariats on Hobbs. Hobbs slams Jay. Hobbs is tripped into the 2nd buckle. Roderick Strong comes in and uranage backbreakers Jay.

Strong and Ric trade. Ric is stomped on in the corner by 3 people. Hobbs hits a doubly flying clothesline. Strong sick kick's Hobbs. Ric handspring back elbows Page. Jay does a hard suplex on Ric onto his head. Yuta low blows Jay. Lance Archer is next in.

Lance chokeslams Yuta then does the same to Strong onto Cole's back. DG is chokeslammed into the buckles. Hobbs throws Ric across the ring towards Lance. Lance then throws Ric towards Hobbs. Hobbs powerslams Lance. Lance black hole slams Hobbs. Lance hits punches on Hobbs.

Kyle O'Reilly is next in. He legsweeps Yuta outside. Kyle dragon screws Lance on the apron. Ric is on Strong's knee and takes a diving knee drop onto his neck. Cole ushigoroshi's Page and Kyle PK's Page. 

Hobbs takes a high/low. Jeff Jarrett is next in. Yuta hits him before he even enters. Yuta pounds on Jeff and they fight to the back. Lance takes superkicks. Hobbs bowling balls 3 people over at once like pins. Lance is lariated over the top by Hobbs. Kyle hits kicks on Hobbs. Hobbs spineusters Kyle for the win.

Thoughts: Hobbs winning was random. That was not well built to at all. It was hard to follow with people coming in and out, 2 breaks and people just randomly disappearing for a while. They did what they could with it but it had its limits and wasn't that great.

Renee interviews Hobbs after. Hobbs says, "let's shoot for a second". Hobbs says Mox brought him to AEW. He says he will shock the world and make Mox his b!tch.  

Jeff Jarrett comes back out after the match ends and heads to the ring. Jeff Jarrett is interviewed in the ring by Ian Riccaboni. Jeff says he has to ask himself if he still has what it takes to climb the mountain. MJF comes out. They stare down face to face. MJF tells him he's the greatest AEW champ of all time. MJF says Jeff got beaten up by Yuta. He says none of the people in the battle royale are worthy of holding his world title but says Jeff Jarrett might be.

MJF says he knows JJ may want to be champ but he says the clock is ticking. MJF say Jeff's contract is only for one more year and said it's because that's all wrestling thinks he has left to give. He says Jeff only has one more year to prove he still has it. MJF says he can help Jeff be champ and says he couldn't win a match without his help. MJF says he wants the first match though if he can help Jeff win it.

MJF asks if he wants to make a deal. Jeff says MJF was the longest reigning AEW champ but is too young to understand that you learn more from your failures than your successes. Jeff says just because MJF was on top before doesn't mean he will be on top again. Jeff says MJF is a one hit wonder. 

Jeff says he knows the road he has to go down. He has been at rock bottom. He says it gives him the opportunity to fight to the top of the mountain. He said MJF opted not to enter the casino gauntlet. Jeff says he's been on top 12 times and is looking for #13. He says he will make the most of 2025. Jeff says he doesn't need him and isn't buying what MJF is selling him.

Thoughts: It was a good segment here with Jeff being a great promo as usual. I'm down for an MJF vs Jarrett match.

We see clips of The Death Riders pushing Darby down the stairs at the end of December. They say no one has heard from Darby and he has fallen off the mat.

Cope comes out to talk. Adam says The Death Riders took out Bryan Danielson and threw Darby down the stairs. He says they tried to go FTR and says he's close with FTR. Cope says no one has fought through what he did just to be standing here. He says he will die on that hill. He says he's a different animal and broke his neck in a match with Eddie Guerrero. He said he got up, wrestled more and won the match. He says he broke his leg in the match with Malakai Black and got up and won. He said what can Mox do to him that hasn't been done before?

The Death Riders come out. FTR attacks them from behind and everyone fights. Dax dumps a trash can on CC's head. Yuta is sent into the rails.Mox and Cope fight. Shafir comes out and gets grabbed by Cope. Pac hits Cope in the back with a briefcase. Mox bulldog chokes Cope out. Powerhouse Hobbs comes out and the heels back off.

Mariah May talks. She says there will be a women's casino gauntlet for a title shot at her title. Harley Cameron interrupts and says she wants a match with her. May says she won't get a title shot. Harley says it's okay though. Harley says it's some hot girl graps. May says okay and says she will rip her head off. Harley says she will feel the wrath.

Women's Casino Gauntlet Qualifier - Kris Statlander vs Toni Storm vs Willow Nightingale

Kris shoulders over Toni. The girls roll each other up. Willow step up enzugiri's Kris then shoulders Toni over. Willow spinebusters Toni then her and Kris try pin attempts. Willow shoulders Kris over and sends Toni out. Kris shoulders Willow over. Kris armlocks Willow. Toni top rope crossbodies both opponents.

Willow catapults Toni into Kris' crotch. We go to PiP break and return. The girls trade strikes. Toni is caught on a 2nd rope crossbody and takes a double fallaway slam. Kris is pushed into Willow then trades with Toni. Kris nails Willow when Toni moves. Kris high kicks Toni then is lariated by Willow. Kris shotgun dropkicks Toni into the buckles. Willow pounces Kris. Willow corner lariats Toni then does a double cannonball on both opponents. Willow death valley drivers Toni for 2. 

Toni germans Kris. Willow facekicks Toni. Kris lariats Willow. Willow double germans both opponents at once. Kris hits a one legged package tombstone on Toni and wins.

Thoughts: I kind of expected Toni to win. The match wasn't anything too special but it wasn't awful. They mostly had all 3 girls in at the same time here. They teased Kris trying to make up with Willow at one point but then Toni interrupted it. Why these girls need to qualify for the gauntlet and why others don't is unknown.

Renee interviews Toni Storm in the back. She said she gave it her bet but isn't ready. She says the women will be amazing next week but she's not ready. She said it can't be toni time all the time and says she's sorry.

Kenny Omega comes out with new music. Kenny said he checked himself into a hospital and had diverticulitis. He said they took 2 feet of intestines from him. He said he would have been dead if he didn't check himself in. He said the doc told him he'd be lucky to return to his normal life yet alone wrestling.

He said he wondered what purpose he had without wrestling. He said he can still prove himself. Don Callis' music then hits and Don comes out. Kenny goes after him before he can say much and starts pounding on him. Cage and Archer then beat up on Kenny.

The fight goes into the ring then Kyle Fletcher comes out and nails Kenny. Cage then punches Kenny in the gut. Will Ospreay comes out to help Kenny with a chair. They then stare down.

They then announce Omega vs Brian Cage for next week.Kenny goes to talk more on a mic but the mic is muted and the show ends.

Thoughts: One would think Kenny would come back angry and mad at The Elite after they injured him but now he's feuding with Don Callis' crew and now doing something with Will Ospreay. I really don't understand this booking at all especially since The Bucks and Jack Perry were just wrestling for NJPW this week.

Overall thoughts: I didn't like the show that much. The matches didn't have that much meaning storyline wise and while having gauntlets and stuff makes for reasons to give people title shots, it's not much beyond that. They do have some stories going on at least. I don't get why Kenny doesn't seem to care about The Elite right now when they were the ones to take him out. Hobbs winning the gauntlet was not well built up to and it's not clear why some people have to qualify for these gauntlets and others don't. I also didn't like Jarrett not even really entering the gauntlet. I'd give this one a 4 out of 10 and wouldn't recommend it.

WWF Summerslam Spectacular 1991 8/18/1991

WWF Summerslam Spectacular 1991 8/18/1991

Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan are our hosts. Heenan says he can't wait for the main tonight which is Hulk vs Sarge for the WWF Title. He asks if Warrior will hide behind Hulk, considering he's snake bitten. Vince calls Bobby a beach bum as he is wearing some beach clothing.

Hawk vs Brian Knobbs

Knobbs stalls to start and keeps going out. They each get shots in and Knobbs takes a facebuster. Knobbs then does a nice bump out for it. Knobbs hits some punches when he gets back in. Vince says Jack Tunney promised no interference in this one. Hawk throws Knobbs backwards by the hair and fist drops him. Hawk hits corner punches. Hawk misses a corner spear. Knobbs then chairs Hawk outside while Jimmy Hart distracts the ref.

Knobbs double axe handles Hawk off the apron. Knobbs back elbows him. Knobbs crabs Hawk. Hawk uses his legs to push Knobbs out off the the crab. Knobbs double axe handles the back. Knobbs slams Hawk then sits on his back and pulls the chin.

Knobbs elbow drops and headbutt drops the back. Hawk stands up with Knobbs on his back and drops him backwards. Hawk facekicks him then flying shoulders him. Hawk powerslams him. Knobbs charges into the corner and gets a boot. Hawk diving lariats him off the top.

Thoughts: It wasn't great but I liked it. Knobbs took a nice bump to the outside and worked the back some before Hawk made his comeback and won. Both guys did what they were supposed to and there were no real problems with this.

Jake "The Snake" Roberts and The Ultimate Warrior are outside of a dark, creepy room. Jake says Lucifer's in there. Jake says there's a coffin in there with Lucifer waiting for him. He tells Warrior to reach his hand in there and let Lucifer gives him the answer. Warrior says he has no fear and the trust he had in Jake so far has done him no harm. Jake tells him to go for it and closes the door on him. Jake then locks the door. Jake says he'll shed light on the subject.

Warrior is then stuck in a room filled with snakes. Jake says these are friends of his. Warrior bats the snakes away. Jake says the snakes won't hurt Warrior. Jake says to reach in the coffin and find out what The Undertaker is made of. Jake says Warrior was buried in dirt and a casket and tells him to go to the center of the room.

Warrior touches a mini coffin with a snake on it. Jake says, "it's there". Warrior opens it up and Lucifer is inside. Lucifer stands up and supposedly bites him. Jake says that's not what you expected and not what the doctor ordered. Jake says Warrior is a little sick now and says the venom is part of it. Warrior wants out. Jake says it's not over yet. Jake tells Warrior there's nothing left to give him. Jake tells him to drop like the common man he is. Warrior then starts to drop down. Jake says this is what happens to all good men.

Jake then talks to the camera. He says he should come and see how the devil's work is done. Warrior then bursts through the door. Jake says Warrior is fighting to survive. Warrior then grabs boots and it's The Undertaker with Paul Bearer. Jake tells Warrior, "I'm a snake, never trust a snake". Warrior is then out cold and the segment ends.

Thoughts: Well that was quite the segment. I thought it was a great. This turned Jake heel after his long face run. This helped build a Warrior vs Taker and a Warrior vs Jake program. 

Vince says Warrior was given anti-toxin in the ER and is now back on his feet.

We get a commercial for Summerslam.

Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs The Barbarian

Heenan says Warrior is done and says you can't trust Jake. Heenan says the surgeon general should put a label on Jake, letting people know he's dangerous for your health.  Bret gives a fan his sunglasses.

Bret side headlocks Barb and Barb shoulders him over. Barb then shoulders him over again and sends him out with it. Heenan says Hart can't think. Hart works Barb's arm and armdrags him. Hat armdrags him. Hart hits punches and then hits dropkicks. Barb goes out.

Hart jumps off the apron onto him, gets caught and is rammed into the apron. Barb swings Hart's back into the post. Barb foot chokes Hart then sends him into the buckles chest first. Barb backbreakers Hart. Coach is outside with a clipboard. 

Hart goes for a hiptoss and is lariated over hard. Barb suplexes Hart. Barb goes for the pin, Vince says it's a 3 but the ref says it's 2. Barb sends Hart into the corner then bearhugs him. Hart bites Barb to escape which is pretty poor sportsmanship.

Barb stomps on Hart. Hart boots him out of the corner then 2nd rope diving lariats him. Hart hits an atomic drop then shots to the gut and head. Hart hits corner punches on Barb. Hart russian legsweeps Barb for 2. Hart backbreakers Barb then hits a 2nd rope elbow drop.

Barb facekicks Bret and Bret is kicked down to the floor. Barb tries to powerslam Hart in and Hart cradles him to win.

Thoughts: It was a long, slow and kind of boring at times. The work was okay though. Barb hit some nice stiff shots on Bret. I didn't like Bret's facework here as he bit Barb to get out of a hold for no reason. 

Mean Gene Okerlund interviews Sid Justice on the platform. Sid says he can't control everything that goes on outside the ring at Summerslam but he can control everything that happens inside the ring. Gene says the match could side either way depending on which team he sides with. Gene asks him how he could be impartial.

Sid says Gene doesn't know him or what he stands for. Sid says he stands alone. He promises justice will be served at Summerslam.

Sgt. Slaughter General Adnan and Col. Mustafa do a promo. Sarge says it's him and Hulk 1v1 before Summerslam. He says there's many battles in a war and says he will take the title before Summerslam. He says Warrior won't be Ultimate and may not even be at Summerslam. He says it could be Hulk vs Sarge's Core of Destruction. Sarge says "Slaughter Rules" and says that's an order.

Irwin R. Schyster vs Mark Thomas

IRS says the government is in trouble and it's time people pay their taxes. Heenan says IRS saved him money last year. Heenan asks if Vince has a good accountant and asks when he's due out of jail.

IRS drops Mark with a punch then slams him. IRS hits elbow drops then flying lariats him. IRS does an abdominal stretch and rubs Mark's face into the mat. IRS samoan drops him and picks up the win as Vince make's fun of IRS' name.

Thoughts: It was all squash here with Mark getting nothing in before being beaten.

IRS elbow drops him after.

We see clips from Macho Man's bachelor party from Prime Time Wrestling. There's a female indian style dancer dancing Macho. Slick's dancing and Jamison' getting down. Piper feints as a stripper dances. The Bushwhackers get hold of a giant cake. Heenan goes to check it out, thinking a girl is inside. A fat lady is in it, thinks it's Vince and puts the moves on Heenan. She then lifts him on her shoulders and we cut away. Heenan calls it the worst party he was ever at.

The British Bulldog, The Dragon & The Texas Tornado vs. The Orient Express (Kato, Tanaka and Sato)

Hey, Sato's back. We hadn't seen him since Kato debuted. Vince calls Fuji "The Avocado King" and "Chopstick Charlie".

Ricky and Tanaka start us off. Ricky side headlocks him and shoulders him over. Tanaka tries to send him over the top but Ricky skins the cat. Tanaka takes a high back body drop, a double chop and an armdrag. Davey shoulders Tanaka over then lariats him. Kato trips Davey from the outside and Davey takes a kick in the back.

Davey dropkicks Kato. Kerry works Kato's arm. Heenan says the heels names sound like an oriental law-firm. Vince says it sounds like a soy sauce. Kerry hits punches on Sato. Kerry gets a knee to the back from the apron. Heenan says Kerry's the only guy he knows who can hide his own easter eggs. Kato chops and eye rakes Ricky. Heenan calls the heels, "The Oreo Express". 

Ricky takes a flying forearm from Tanaka then going for a piledriver on Kato. Fuji hits Ricky with his cane. Kato falling chops Ricky. Ricky is then triple teamed in the corner. Sato side kicks Ricky and chops his throat. Ricky takes a double chop.

Kato goes up and over Ricky then superkicks him. Ricky is double face raked on the ropes. Tanaka back body drops Ricky. Kato hits chops on Ricky then camel clutches him. Ricky gets triple teamed. Tanaka elbows Ricky in the gut and superkicks him. Ricky is bridged on the ropes and Tanaka butt drops his back there. Tanaka superkicks Ricky for 2.

Ricky neckbreakers Tanaka. Kato chinlocks Ricky. Ricky leapfrogs Kato then superkicks him. Davey is tagged in. Davey back body drops Kato then gorilla presses Sato and Tanaka. Kato tries an up and over but is caught with a running powerslam. Davey powerslams Kato. Ricky top rope crossbodies Kato and picks up the win.

Thoughts: It was a good tag here with the heels being heels and Ricky doing the majority of the selling for the team. We didn't see much of Kerry in this one. Tanaka bumped around like a mad man as usual. I would have liked to have seen Sato get more offense in though. Heenan was really funny on commentary.

Heenan and Vince talk about the Summerslam main event. Heenan says Warrior's mind is "mashed potatoes" and totally gone. Heenan says the main event will be something and salutes as Sarge's music hits. Heenan then pulls out the NWA Title. He says Ric Flair is the real world's champ and says he will give the winner of this a title shot. 

WWF Title - Hulk Hogan (c) vs Sgt. Slaughter

Adnan and Mustafa are at ringside. They lock up and Sarge is pushed in the corner. Sarge hits punches on Hulk then chest clubs him. Sarge takes a back body drop then Hulk hits a lariat. Hulk bangs Sarge's head off the post and hits mounted punches inside.

Sarge rakes Hulk in the eyes and on the back. Sarge knocks Hulk out of the ring with a punch. Adnan nails Hulk outside. Mustafa bangs Hulk's head off the apron. Sarge hits punches on Hulk then bites his head. Sarge drops Hulk with punches. We go to break and return.

Sarge chokes Hulk on the top rope then hits Hulk in the back with a chair. Sarge hits a top rope knee drop on Hulk's back for 2. Hulk is busted open and starts to hulk up after taking punches. Hulk points at him and hits punches. Hulk then hits the big boot. Adnan throws powder into Hulk's eyes. 

Mustafa gets in the ring and stomps on Hulk for the DQ. Adnan and Sarge join in. The ref is thrown over the top. Hulk is then put in a camel clutch and slapped with Adnan's hat. Sid Justice comes out and jumps to the apron. Sid backs up the heels. Hulk grabs the chair and the heels run. Sid takes the chair from Hulk.

Thoughts: The match wasn't much. I was surprised to see Hulk bleed. Sarge did basic stuff and Hulk made his comeback.

Hulk and Sid argue over the chair then Sid leaves.

We see clips of Earthquake injuring Andre the Giant.

The Natural Disasters (Earthquake & Typhoon) vs. Ray Garcia & Russ Greenberg

Typhoon clubs Ray then lariats him. Typhoon hits an elbow drop then does a standing dropkick. Quake back elbows Ray then elbow drops him. Quake corner splashes Ray then Typhoon does as well. Quake clubs on Russ and Russ takes a double body block. Russ is thrown over the top.

Ray is slammed then splashed by Typhoon. Quake then butt drops Ray and pins him.

Thoughts: It was all squash as expected here with the jobbers getting nothing in before their demise. As usual, The Disasters looked good with lots of weight based offense.

The Barber Shop

Brutus Beefcake welcomes us to the show. Sensational Sherri is this week's guest. She is asked what her gift for Macho and Liz is for their wedding. She says she wants to deliver it to them right now. She says she'd like to slap Macho and puke all over Liz. Brutus says that's a little extreme and Sherri says it's not. Sherri says the overrated and over the hill Macho lost at Wrestlemania VII then proposed to Miss Elizabeth. Sherri says the wedding is a mistake.

Brutus says Sherri is bitter and says it will be a happy ending for Macho and Liz. Sherri says Liz and Macho won't be the match made in heaven but the match made in hell if she has anything to do with it. Brutus says he arraigned Sherri's transportation to the wedding and hands her a broom. Sheri swings it at him and knocks some stuff over with it. 

Summerslam Report

Mean Gene talks about the Summerslam main event. He says Hulk and Warrior are unavailable for comment. We hear from Sgt. Slaughter's team. Sarge says Hulk got bit. Sarge asks what will Hulk do when his partner is laying around wishing he's not there. Sarge says he wants Sid to let them do things their way. Sarge says his trio will destroy Hulkamania once and for all.

Gene runs down the rest of the card. Ted Dibiase and Sherri do a promo. They say the buck stops here. Ted says Virgil may show up in a limo but he leaves in a yellow cab. Virgil says he will ride the train down to Summerslam and will tip the limo driver so nicely that he will go down to Broadway and Ted/Sherri will pay the tab.

The Mountie and Jimmy Hart do a promo. Mountie says Boss' running days are coming to an end and his hard time serving days are coming to a beginning. He says he will put him in jail. The Big Boss Man does a promo. He says it'll make him feel good to make Mountie feel real bad as he's going to jail. 

Ted Dibiase comes out with a masked wrestler who is wearing The Black Knight's mask (he was a jobber who was on Superstars a few times this year). Ted says he knows Virgil can hear him. He says everyone knows Virgil's dream in life is to beat him and Summerslam and take the Million Dollar Belt. He says he paid this wrestler a lot of money to break Virgil in half. He says Virgil should be confident to face Ted's man.

Virgil vs Ted Dibiase's Masked Wrestler

They lock up and Virgil is pushed down. The masked guy hits shots on a downed Virgil then chokes him. Virgil's eye is raked on the ropes. Virgil hits punches then hiptosses him. The masked guy waistlock takedowns him and Vince wonders who the masked guy is. Virg goes up and over and rolls up the masked guy for 2. Virg hits some punches and wristlocks him.

Virg shoulders the masked guy over then takes a stun gun. Virg is dropped throat first on the top rope. The masked guy stomps Virg then puts Virg in a sleeper. Virg hits a punch.

Virg lariats the masked guy. Heenan says "Murray" is the masked guy's name. Virhg puts the million dollar dream on the masked guy. Ted Dibiase trips Virg from the outside and Virg is lariated hard over the top. Ted gets a cheapshot in on Virg then the masked guy suplexes Virg in. The masked guy suplexes Virg. He does a splash but Virg gets his knees up. Virg then pins the masked guy.

Thoughts: They say Smash was under the hood here. The masked guy got a bunch of offense in and was not treated like a jobber. It was average though. Virg took a nice lariat over the top to the floor.

The Mountie takes us on a tour of the jail cell Boss Man will be in. He says Boss will be kicking and begging for mercy. He says they will take a photo of Boss then Mountie poses for photos. Mountie says the real fun will be when Boss gets fingerprinted. Mountie fingerprints someone and says it'll be another black stain in Boss' life. Mountie says there's only room for one law enforcement officer in the WWF. Mountie slams the door and says Boss will serve hard time.

The Big Boss Man says it's good Mountie is checking out the jail as he will get a second chance at Summerslam. He says he will take his last breath as a free man and will serve hard time.  

Bobby and Vince close the show. Heenan says someone will raise their hand when they ask if anyone objects to Macho and Liz's wedding. They talk about the Summerslam card.

Overall thoughts: They gave away a much better card than we usually get each week. I was surprised we got a WWF Title match but wasn't surprised it ended in shenanigans. I liked this one. The work was good in the various matches. Hawk/Knobbs was fine and the trios match was good. Hart/Barbarian was a little slow. The WWF Title match wasn't much. The show wasn't great but it was a nice way to hype up Summerslam some. I'd give it a 5 out of 10 overall.

New Japan Pro Wrestling 1/6/2025 New Year Dash !! 2025

New Japan Pro Wrestling 1/6/2025 New Year Dash !! 2025

TenKoji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) & Yuji Nagata vs. Daiki Nagai, Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato

KM = Katsuya Murashima

KM side headlocks Koji. KM takes him down by the wrist and armlocks him. KM side headlock takeovers him. Koji headscissors him and they stand off. KM hits chops and forearms on Koji. Nagai chop flurries Koji. Koji is triple stomped on by the rookies.

Kato hits forearms on Koji and hits him even after he tagged out. Kato takes shots from TenKoji and Tenzan falling headbutts him for 2. Tenzan suplexes Kato then bangs his head off the buckles. Kato gets kicked down by Yuji and takes a chest kick. Yuji half-crabs him.

Koji chops up Kato in the corner. Koji flying forearms him in the corner and 2nd rope elbow drops him for 2. Kato dropkicks Koji. KM gets in. He hits forearms on Koji then flying forearms him. KM powerslams Koji for 2. Koji suplexes KM.

Yuji chest kicks KM and KM dropkicks him out of the corner. Nagai gets in and hits forearms on Yuji. They trade. Yuji facekicks him then Nagai hits a dropkick and crossbody. Nagai crabs Yuji and it is broken up. Yuji belly to belly suplexes Nagai then crossfaces him. Nagai submits.

Thoughts: It was your usual rookie vs vet opener. The rookies got some shots in before going down.

Exhibition Match - Josh Barnett vs. Oleg Boltin

Oleg takes down Josh and waistlocks him. Oleg rolls him by the leg. Josh goes for a rolling armbar and they get back up. Oleg armbars Josh and Josh ropebreaks. Oleg rolls him and goes for the kimura.

They grapple. Josh headscissors him and grabs the arm. Oleg karelin's lifts him then Josh grabs a sleeper. The time limit then runs out.

Thoughts: It was only a few minutes long here and was just mostly grappling as you would expect. It wasn't anything too great and these type of matches aren't really my thing.

Josh gets on the mic after. He says this was a test of Oleg to see if he would come and meet him in the ring. Josh said he showed up and wrestled his @ss off. Josh said he told him he was going for the arm and congratulates him. He says he's moving up and will take him as high as he can. Josh says he will take him as high as he can. Oleg says English isn't his language and talks in Japanese. He says he wants to train under him. 

El Phantasmo, Jado, Master Wato, Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma vs. United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan, Jakob Austin Young, Jeff Cobb & TJP)

Shota and Khan go at it. Khan takes him down and they get back up. They shoulder battle and Shota dropkicks him. Khan takes a striple team ending in a step up enzugiri. Jado gets worked on and Jake basement dropkicks him. TJP stomps on Jado in the corner and facewash kicks him.

Khan hits mongolian chops on Jado then uppercuts him. Khan sits on Jado's neck in the corner. Akira flying headscissors Wato. Shota slams TJP then Honma misses a falling headbutt on TJP. Cobb misses a corner splash on Jado. ELP 2nd rope twisting crossbodies Cobb then asai moonsaults him for 2.

Cobb throws ELP on a suplex then spin cycle backdrops him. ELP ddt's Cobb. ELP twists Khan's nipples in the corner. Khan takes corner attacks from his opponents. Honma ddt's Khan for 2.

Everyone starts coming in for a move. Khan takes a tornado then Wato dives off the top while ELP moonsaults off the top outside. Honma falling headbutts Khan for 2. Honma headbutts Khan then Khan flatliners him. Khan chokeslams Honma and pins him.

Thoughts: It was a short tag with more people than time. It wasn't much of note and was just filler. I don't like Honma taking chokeslams and stuff. That guy is too fragile for those kinds of moves. 

ELP bumps in Cobb after and puts his title in his face. Khan sends Shota into the rails. He then rips up Shota's toy belts that a kid made for him. Shota goes after Khan and is group beaten by United Empire.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Toru Yano vs. House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi)

Sho got the win by hitting Tiger with a belt. It wasn't too much of note. With Yano and Togi in there, the faces actually used HoT's own underhanded tactics and didn't put up with as much BS as usual which was good. It was just your standard HoT match but they didn't do some of the worse cheating spots.

The faces get beaten up after and Oleg Boltin makes the save. HoT steals the 6-Man Tag Titles after.

Just 4 Guys (Taichi & TAKA Michinoku) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & SANADA)

Tai's team attacks the heels as they enter. Sanada's head is banged off the commentary table and Tai beats him up in the aisle way. Tai is whipped into the seats and the rail. Clark hits chops on Taka and Taka eye pokes him. Clark pounces Taka. Sanada snapmares Taka and chokes him with tape while doing a headscissors to him. Taka puts just facelock on both opponents. Taka jumping kicks Clark.

Tai facekicks Sanada over then hits Kawada kicks. Tai side kicks Sanada and facekicks Clark off the apron. Sanada dropkicks Tai in the knee then the chest. Sanada plancha's Tai outside. 

Tai enzugiri's Sanada. Tai takes his pants off. Sanada chokes him with his pants then Tai lariats him. Sanda goes for a bridge pin and is put in just facelock. Clark is then put in stretch plum at the same time.

Sanada takes a superkick for 2. Sanada low blows Taka then submits him with skull end to win.

Thoughts: It was short and not much of note. Sanada didn't get much offense in here though he did pick up the win.

Sanada pours beer on Taka after. 

El Desperado & KUSHIDA vs. BULLET CLUB (KENTA & Taiji Ishimori)

Despy and TI go at it. Despy shoulders him over early and TI crossfaces him. TI facekicks Despy over. Kenta chinlocks Despy. TI chinlocks Despy around the rails. Despy is double teamed in the corner and tries to fight it off.

Despy spinebusters TI. Kush gets in and armdrags TI. TI armdrags him and Kush headscissors him. Kush does a hiptoss into a cartwheel and basement dropkick. TI handspring corkscrew kicks Kush.

Kenta knees Kush in the gut and crossfaces him. Kenta powerslams him. Kush is double teamed and hits a handspring double back elbow. Kenta rolls up Kush twice and tries to pin him with his feet on the ropes. Kush kimura's Kenta and submits him.

Thoughts: It was another short and forgettable match. They didn't have a ton of time and didn't do anything too special here.

Kush gets on the mic after and TI takes it away. TI challenges Despy for his title. 

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, Titan & Yota Tsuji) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (David Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)

DF pounds on Yota to start. DF catches a flying headscissors and Yota running knees him. DF is pulled over the top and Bushi is tripped then sent into the rails. Everyone fights outside. Gedo hits Bushi with a hammer and the ref doesn't care.

DF stands on Bushi's chest. Gedo rakes Bushi's eyes. Drilla pulls on Bushi's mask and elbows him in the neck. Bushi hits chops on Gabe and takes an uppercut. Bushi flying headscissors Gedo. Yota and Gabe get into a shoulder battle then trade forearms. Gabe and Yota trade chops. They trade corner attacks then more strikes. Gabe headbutts him in the chest then hits a big lariat. Yota suplexes Gabe. Gabe no sells it and backdrops him. Yota no sells it. They then headbutt each other at the same time. 

Shingo lariats Drilla. Drilla step up enzugiri's him. They trade forearms. Shingo lariats him on the ropes then Drilla spinebusters him. They lariat each other. Drilla superkicks him and takes a lariat. Titan springboard crossbodies Gedo then pele kicks DF. Titan jumping back kicks Gedo then corner lariats him. Bushi holds Gedo and Titan top rope double stomps Gedo's back for 2. Titan springboard dropkicks DF then Bushi hits a tope on DF. Titan inidian deathlocks Gedo and taps him out.

Thoughts: It was another waste of time that didn't get enough time to be anything special. This was little more than a way to get people on the card.

Gabe and Yota butt heads after. Yota holds his title up at Gabe. Drilla gets on the mic and says he's a heavyweight. He says dragon's aren't real and only he is real. He tells Shingo to show him what he's about. 

FUNKY SAUCE (Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito)

HT = Hiromu Takahashi, RT = Ryuske Taguchi

HT wore his giant helmet thing from The Dome here. RT and Ht lock up. HT side headlocks him. HT slides out. RT sits down and hurts his crotch somehow then HT misses a crossbody. RT basement dropkicks HT and RT puts ice on his inner thigh and crotch. RT misses a hip attack. HT crossbodies Alex and RT.

RT takes an atomic drop and then a baseball slide. HT corner lariats Rt then basement dropkicks him for 2. RT takes a double atomic drop on double hip attack attempt. He then hits the double hip attack. Alex hits forearms on Naito. He then hiptosses him into a standing corkscrew moonsault. 

Naito flying headscissors Alex off the 2nd rope. Alex bites Naito's hand then step up enzugiri's him. RT corner hip attacks Naito then Alex leapfrogs RT into a corner dropkick on Naito. Alex corner cannonballs Naito. Naito takes a flipping legdrop = side slam combo. RT ankle locks Naito then hip attacks him. Naito step up enzugiri's RT then HT lariats RT for 2. Naito does an assisted tornado ddt on RT. Naito hits destino on RT and wins.

Thoughts: I'm not sure why this was in this spot. It was just a match with RT goofing around and Alex not even getting to do that much flying.

I think Naito maybe challenges The Young Bucks after.

CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Rocky Romero, YOH & YOSHI-HASHI) vs. TMDK (Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)

Kosei and Yoh lock up. Kosei kisses him on the ropes. Yoh trips him then  they miss attacks. They then stand off. Rob and Rocky go at it. Rob trips him and armdrags him. Rocky armdrgas him back then hits a big slap. Rob spinning heel kicks him. Zack and Goto go at it. Zack takes a double shoulder. Goto hiptosses his partners onto Zack. Zack is clubbed down on the back by the other team.

Yoshi headhunters Oiwa. Yoshi chops him up. Oiwa stomps Yoshi's arm. Yoshi gets his limbed worked on by all 4 opponets at once. They then rotate to each limb. Kosei chops down Yoshi in the corner then PK's him for 2. Yoshi takes a double back elbow and a double kick.Oiwa side headlocks Yoshi and shoulders him over. Yoshi superkicks him then lariats him. Zack and Goto get in. 

Zack hits euros and Goto corner lariats him. Goto spinning heel kicks him in the corner and backdrops him for 2. Goto hits forearms and Zack pele kicks the arm. Zack then legsweeps him. Zack does an octopus to Goto. Zack grounds him with it. Goto running lariats Zack. Zack does a birdge pin on Goto for 2. Zack then PK's him.

Goto no sells a german and does double lariats with Zack. Goto lariats Zack over. Yoh and Kosei trade forearms. Rocky and Rob then trade at the same time. Kosei spin kicks Rocky then Rocky takes a double team kick. Kosei step up enzugiri's Yoh. Kosei takes a t-gimmick for 2. Oiwa hits a big lariat on Yoshi.

Rob springboard dropkicks Yoh in the knee. Yoh neckbreakers Rob on his knee. Zack and Goto jump in and trade forearms. Goto ushigoroshi's him. Rob trips and rolls up Yoh for 2. Kosei takes a 3D. Rob takes a backcracker into a falcon arrow.

Yoh superkicks Rocky on accident. Yoh cradles Rob for 2. Rob hits kicks on Yoh. Rock superkicks Yoh in the knee then Yoh crucifixes Rob for the win.

Thoughts: The Zack vs Goto segments were nice. It was an okay main but not great. Nobody did anything too crazy here but compared to the rest of the card, the effort was better.

Goto and Zack get into it outside. Yoshi and Oiwa fight outside. They eventually fight up the aisle way.

Yoh gets on the mic after. Yoh says his team will challenge for the junior tag titles. Goto says he has a world title match guaranteed. Goto says he will become champ.

Overall thoughts: It was a nothing show. All this did was get a bunch of people on the show and started the build to some matches on the next big show. This was almost all filler and not very entertaining to watch. Almost none of the outside wrestlers from the Dome shows showed up to this minus Titan. The only match where they really tried was in the main. And this was all tag matches instead of adding another type of match in for some variety. I'd give this a 3 out of 10 and would not recommend it.