HazyHeel

Naoki Sano, Ryusuke Taguchi, Shinjiro Ootani, Tatsuhiko Takaiwa vs. The Great Sasuke, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tatsumi Fujinami, Tiger Mask IV: El Samurai was in Team Liger’s Corner, while Kuniaki Kobayashi. Liger and Sano started things off, and after a few submission exchanges, Sano drilled Liger with a suicide dive. Ootani tagged in, and gave Liger a face wash, before liger stood up and drilled him with a series of shoteis. Tiger Mask and Takaiwa came in next, trading stiff chops and kicks, with Takaiwa coming out on top. Takaiwa’s team then beat down Tiger Mask for a little while, showing off their signature offense. Tiger Mask was able to escape after hitting Takaiwa with a Tiger Driver, and then tagged in Fujinami. Fujinami then drilled everyone with a dragonscrew leg whip, and even started to choke out Takaiwa. Sasuke then went for an elbow drop, but Takaiwa dodged and tagged in Sano. Sano then went for a double stomp, but missed, and the two brawled up to the top rope and nailed a superplex. They both tagged out to Liger and Taguchi, who immediately was hit with a rana off the top. The two then continued to fight in the middle of the ring as the rest of the legends brawled on the outside. Taguchi then nailed Liger with an ensiguri, followed by a Bumoye, but Liger kicked out! However, Taguchi then hit the Dodon for the win. 

After the match, everyone shook hands and bowed to Liger. They all held their hands up high in the air.

Grade: C-. I feel bad giving this such a low grade, but this match wasn’t really about the wrestling. It was about the sight of seeing all these legends in the ring, which was cool. It was a fitting retirement match. I’m shocked that Liger lost this one, I thought for sure that he was gonna win it. 

BUSHI, EVIL, SANADA & Shingo Takagi vs. El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki, Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr: Evil and Suzuki started things off in the ring as everyone else brawled on the outside. Suzuki quickly took control after an armbar over the top rope, and started to beat him down with a chair on the outside. They fought back into the ring where Suzuki-gun worked over Evil’s neck and arm. However, Evil fought back with a Fisherman suplex to Taichi, and Takagi got the hot tag, destroying Taichi, Suzuki and Desperado. The two continued to fight utnil tagging in Sanada and Sabre. The two traded pinning cominations with Sabre targeting the arm and Sanada targeting the knee. LIJ continued to beat down Sabre, with Bushi trying to recreate his recent upset. However, Sabre was able to twist him into a submission for the win. 

After the match, Sabre kept the hold on Bushi until Sanada pulled him off with a Dragon Sleeper. 

Grade: C+. Pretty good match, nothing too exciting. It’s always fun to see Suzuki-Gun heeling it up in a multi-man tag, but there wasn’t too much to this match. It felt very rushed without the sense of urgency. Takagi had an awesome hot tag though, so that was fun. Fine stuff, but nothing more than that. 

Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, KENTA, & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI: Yano and Fale started things off, much to Yano’s dismay. Yano tried to take him down with some shoulder tackles, but Fale quickly flattened him. Yano then avoided the rest of Fale’s offense and tagged out to Hashi. Fale tagged in Owens, and then two tradded chops back and forth. Hashi had the advantage until Takahashi tripped up Hashi and allowed Owens to nail a wrecking ball dropkick. Bullet Club beat down Hashi for a while, until Ishii ran in and made the save. He tried to give Fale a suplex, but Fale powered out and gave Ishii a slam. Yano then slapped Fale on the head, angering the big man who then beat the crap out of him. Goto and Kenta then tagged in, and exchanged huge lariats back and forth. Kenta was able to get the advantage with a DDT, and Bullet Club then beat down Goto. As everyone started to take each other out with their big moves, Ishii gave Fale a huge headbutt and then a brainbuster to a roar from the crowd. Goto then fought off Kenta and Takahashi, before giving Takahashi the GTR for the win. 

Grade: B-. This match was similar to the last, but it had a lot of really exciting action much to my surprise. Yano was funny as ever whenever he entered the ring. Ishii got a big moment in a year where it was very possible that he wouldn’t. Good stuff for Ishii. Also, Kenta and Goto really wailed into each other, so I’m now super excited for the title match.

FinJuice vs. Guerrillas of Destiny for the IWGP Tag Team Championships: as GOD made their entrance, FinJuice ran up the ramp to meet the champions, but immediately got beaten down. Juice Robinson ate a back body drop on the ramp, and David Finlay was thrown off the stage. GoD then beat down Juice in the ring for a bit, but Finlay was able to recover and get the hot tag. He beat down Tonga Loa a bit, until Tama Tonga took him down with a cheap shot. Finlay fought back a bit and climbed to the top rope, but Loa pushed him off and he landed on the injured shoulder. GoD then took their time beating down Finlay, until Finlay threw caution to the wind and drilled Loa with a spear. Juice got the hot tag and beat down both members of GoD with power slams, lariats and cannonballs. Juice went for the Left Hand to God, but Loa blocked it and nailed a knee to the face, an ensiguri, and a german suplex. GoD tried to capitalize, but Juice nailed leg lariats on both of them. FinJuice finally took control and beat down Tama with a dropkick/Russian leg sweep combo, for a quick kickout. FinJuice then went for a superplex combo, but Loa pushed Robinson off the top. They then grabbed Finlay and nailed him with a powerbomb/ frog splash combo for a near fall. GoD then hit Finlay with a Magic Killer, but Juice broke it up. They then drilled Juice with a Magic Killer, before pulling Finlay up to the top rope for the double powerbomb, but Finlay countered with a rana. Tama then went for a gun stun, but Finlay fought out of it with stunner. Finlay then tried for a rollup, but Tama pushed him into the ropes and Jado nailed a kendo stick shot, but Tama couldn’t get the pin. Robinson then took Jado out with a Left Hand to God, gave a pair of left hand to gods to Loa, before allowing Finlay to hit sliced bread for the win. 

Grade: B. I wasn’t a huge fan of this match until the finishing sequence, but what a finishing sequence it was. Lots of big moves, and awesome kickouts. They did a great job of making FinJuice out to be real underdogs. They were scrambling by the end of the match, and everything looked very frantic. I was into it, and I was happy to see the boys pick up the big win. 

Jon Moxley vs. Lance Archer in a Texas Death Match for the IWGP United States Championship: The match started out quickly with Moxley throwing Archer out of the ring and nailing a suicide dive. Moxley then grabbed a kendo stick, but Archer threw a chair into his face. Archer then beat down Moxley with a Kendo stick, a chair and a trash can lid. Archer was going to go for the tightrope walk, but Moxley pulled him off and destroyed him with kendo stick shots to the face. He let Archer back in the ring, and quickly countered a chokeslam with an elbow, before catching Archer off the ropes with a trash can lid shot to the head, followed by a vertical suplex onto some chairs and a regal knee. Archer then rolled to the outside, gave Moxley a chokeslam onto the apron, followed by chokeslamming a young lion into Moxley, and then diving into a crowd of young lions and Moxley. Archer then set up four chairs in the ring and gave Moxley Blackout onto them. Moxley barely made it up to his feet, so Archer locked on the EBD claw and smashed Moxley’s head into a chair. Moxley countered into an armbar, but Archer quickly caught his neck and gave him an overhead suplex into the corner. Moxley then popped right back out of it with a lariat and a double underhook ddt. Archer got up, and was able to take control back with a derailer and a chokeslam onto a chair. Moxley got up at 9 and flipped off Archer, earning him a boot to the face. Archer then produced a plastic bag and locked on the EBD Claw with it. Moxley nearly passed out, but passed the arm drop test, so Archer introduced a pair of tables. He then used his spiked helmet to stab Moxley in the head, and tried for the blackout out of the ring onto the tables, but Moxley countered and went for a spear. Archer caught him out of spear and went for a chokeslam through the tables, but only managed to get Moxley onto the apron. Moxley then kicked him in the gut and gave him the Death Rider through the tables for the bloody bloody win. 

After the match, Moxley got on the mic and said that he wants to leave with nothing or everything. He said that on Night 2, they settle things once and for all. 

Grade: B+. This was a violent as hell match that was tough to watch at times, but it was an awesome sight to see. They beat the crap out of each other with a bunch of weapons and there were some totally rough spots. Archer does some vicious chokeslams. Nothing beats that finish though, that looked insane. I really hope Archer is okay, because his arm was really really cut up. Still, a match deserving of the death match name. Good stuff. 

Hiromu Takahashi vs. Will Ospreay for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: The two started out with some fast paced wrestling on the mat, before Ospreay nailed him in the head with a slap. The two then stood back up in the middle of the ring and exchanged shots back and forth. They then engaged in a series of counters ending in a stiff chop from Ospreay. Takahashi then put Ospreay on the apron and went for a sunset flip powerbomb, only for Ospreay to counter. Takahashi then pulled them both onto the floor and gave him a powerbomb on the apron, followed by a missile dropkick off the apron. The two then exchanged chops in the middle of the ring, until Takahashi went to the apron. Ospreay then caught him with a double stomp to the back of the head and a hanging DDT to take control. Ospreay then started to work over the neck, with Takahashi only getting tiny glimpses of offense. Back in the ring, Ospreay locked in a Koji Clutch to continue to attack on the neck, but Takahashi barely made it to the ropes. The two then exchanged chops back and forth until Ospreay nailed a kick to the midsection. Takahashi then caught him off the ropes with a rolling flatliner, followed by a basement dropkick a nd a falcon’s arrow for a near fall. Ospreay then went for his Sasuke special, but Takahashi backed up and tried for a German suplex, only for Ospreay to flip out of it. He then charged Takahashi down the apron, and Takahashi tried to give him a belly to belly into the apron, but Ospreay slid into the ring and nailed a Sasuke special anyway. It was an awesome sequence. The two then fought out onto the apron, where Ospreay gave him a springboard double stomp to the back of the head in a brutal shot. Ospreay then wanted the hidden blade, but Takahashi collapsed before he could hit it. The ref checked up on Takahashi, but Ospreay pushed him away and started to lay into him with kicks to the face and midsection. Ospreay then put him in the corner and nailed a cheeky nandos kick. He kept him up and went for a move off the top, but Takahashi countered out of it with some chops. Hiromu went for a wheelbarrow bomb, but Ospreay counted, only for Hiromu to hit it anyway for a near fall. The two started to pick up the pace with Ospreay nailing an ensiguri and a robinson special, but Takahashi countered the Os Cutter. The two jockeyed for position, with Ospreay nailing Made in Japan for a near fall. He then nailed Takahashi with a shooting star press to the back for a near fall. And finally he hit the Os Cutter, but Takahashi still managed to kick out! Ospreay was pissed, and nailed a hook kick. He tried for the hidden blade, but Takahashi dodged and nailed a desperation pop up powerbomb. The two then exchanged stiff shots back and forth, with the last drops of their energy. Ospreay tried for the handspring ensiguri, but Takahashi caught him and nailed a german suplex for a near fall. Takahashi then tried for a lariat, but Ospreay caught him and set him up for Stormbreaker, only for Takahashi to nail an awesome Canadian destroyer for a near fall. Takahashi then planted Ospreay in the corner and nailed a pair of Superkicks when Ospreay followed him out. he tried for the time bomb, but Ospreay counter for the Stormbreaker again, but he couldn’t make it. Takahashi then ran the ropes, but Ospreay caught him with a Spanish fly for another near fall. Ospreay then nailed the Hidden Blade, but Takahashi still countered out of the Stormbreaker with a code read. Takahashi then nailed the Time Bomb, but Ospreay kicked out! So Takahashi picked him right back up and nailed a sort of package piledriver for the win. 

Grade: A+. A killer match. These moves were absolutely and phenomenally brutal. They pulled out all the stops and hit some of the stiffest and toughest moves that they’ve ever hit in pro wrestling. Ospreay played up the heel role to a T, coming across as a total asshole but also as a great final boss. All that work on the neck was totally brutal and it told an dangerous and great story. Now it’s time for Ospreay to move up to the heavyweights, because he really killed it. Takahashi was the same wild wrestler that he was a year and a half ago. And he debuted a brutal new finisher that looked awesome. These guys totally killed it, and I’m so happy that Takahashi is back. 

Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship: White immediately rolled out of the ring as the match started. He did this a couple of times, before Naito grabbed Gedo by the beard to lure White into the ring. They fought in the ring a bit, with Naito coming out on top. White retreated again, but Naito held the ropes open for him. White entered the ring and tried to kick Naito, but Naito saw it coming and gave him a leg sweep and a hangman’s neckbreaker out of the ring. The two then brawled back into the ring, with White only really gaining the advantage when Gedo held Naito’s leg. At one point, White crotched Naito on the ringpost, followed by Gedo nailing his knee with a chair. White continued to work over the knee and back of Naito on the outside. He continued the assault with an Indian Death Lock, with Naito barely making the ropes. The two continued to go hold for hold, with Naito locking in a full nelson with his legs, and slapped his head as he struggled. White quickly regained control with a stiff DDT, and continued to work on the midsection and knee. Naito started to return the favor and attack the knee back, but White continued to keep up the pressure with stiff knee strikes to midsection. Natio then started to focus on the neck with a neckbreaker on the knee. He then brought White to the top rope, but White escaped and swept his legs, sending his neck directly into the turnbuckle. White then trapped Naito’s bad knee in the ropes and kicked it over and over again, before nailing a dragonscrew leg whip. Naito started to collapse as he ran back and forth across the ring. Naito tried for the tornado DDT off the ropes, but he couldn’t hit it because of his knee, so White took advantage with a huge uranagi. White then dumped Naito onto the apron with a saito suplex, brought him back in the ring for a twisting suplex, and then hit the kiwi crusher, but Naito kicked out! Every time Naito started to fight back even a bit, White would unleash a devastating attack on the knees. White then locked in the TTO for a tense submission sequence where Naito just barely made it to the bottom rope. White pulled him back into the middle for the TTO again, but Naito spit in his face and gave him a boot, followed by a somersault kick. White tried to run the ropes, but Naito popped him up into a spinebuster. As Naito started to gain the advantage back, Gedo got up on the apron for a distraction. But Naito saw it coming and nailed White with an ensiguri and a tornado DDT off the middle rope. He took the battle to the top rope with a snap rana and then Gloria for a near fall. Naito went for the Destino, but White just sat down, so he nailed him in the face with a basement dropkick. Naito tried again, but the struggle sent Naito into Red Shoes and took the ref down. Gedo then tried for a chair shot, but ate a low blow instead, only for White to Low Blow Natio and then throw a chair right in his face. He followed it up with a pair of sleeper suplexes, only for Naito to nail a running Destino, but he couldn’t make the cover. They both made it to their feet and struggled for positioning on their finisher, with Naito nailing a poison rana, followed by a Destino, but White still kicked out! Naito picked White back up, and White nearly hit Blade Runner, but Naito just dropped him on his head and hit one last Destino for the win. 

Grade: A. This was some great storytelling matched with some really awesome looking moves and some awesome limb work. White was a great heel, working as a total dick to Naito and playing up the cheating at just the white times. Naito didn’t come off as an underdog so much as he cameo off as a victim of a brutal attack that he overcame in a spectacular way. The bumps were terrifying, but not to the point that they overshadowed some really good action and some amazing storytelling. Awesome stuff here, and I’m excited to see the conclusion of the Double Gold Dash. 

Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Okada came out in very short pants, but it still got a pop. The two started with some slower paced mat wrestling, showing some interesting counters and holds at a meticulous pace, until they hit a stalemate. Okada tried to break things up with a shoulder tackle, but Ibushi went right back up to his feet. The two then traded strikes, and Ibushi dodged a Rainmaker and nailed a series of strikes and a moonsault for a near fall. Ibushi kept up the pressure with some stiff kicks around the chest and stomach, but Okada brought it back with a flying elbow followed by a DDT. The two then fought to the outside as Okada gave Ibushi a draping DDT onto the floor. Back in the ring, Okada tried to provoke Ibushi into frustration but Ibushi didn’t fall for it, fighting a patient fight before drilling Okada with a dropkick. Okada took control back with a dropkick to the outside, before kicking Ibushi over the barricade and giving him a diving splash. Back in the ring, Okada worked over the neck with a brutal looking crossface until Ibushi made the ropes. Okada then nailed an elbow drop off the top, and hit the rainmaker pose. He spun Ibushi out, and Ibushi went for a backflip kick, but he under rotated and nearly landed on his head if Okada hadn’t kinda caught him. Okada then set him up for a tombstone, but Ibushi reversed into a wicked package piledriver. The two stood in opposite corners, and Okada went for a shotgun dropkick, but Ibushi caught it with a double stomp. Okada rolled to the outside, so Ibushi nailed him with the moonsault off the top to the floor. Okada then tried for a neckbreaker, but Ibushi countered out of it into a huge Last Ride. Ibushi then tried for the Bomboye, but Okada caught him with a huge dropkick and then a tombstone. He tried for the Rainmaker, but Ibushi collapsed into the ropes. Okdaa the showered him with strikes, which seemed to piss Ibushi off to no end. Ibushi just absorbed the shots and then starched Okada with a huge punch in the face. Okada then gave him a huge shotgun dropkick, but Ibushi got right back up and peppered Okada with huge punches and kicks. He didn’t even stop went Okada was down and defenseless in the corner. Ibushi then went for the deadlift German on the ropes, but Okada countered it and planted him on his head with a tombstone piledriver on the apron. Ibushi was nearly counted out, but he made it back in the ring at 19. Okada sprung the second that Ibushi hit the ring with a series of pins and neckbreakers, but Ibushi kicked out of all of them. So Okada slowly picked Ibushi up and nailed a high angle German suplex, and held the wrist for a rainmaker. As he went for the spinning rainmaker, Ibushi countered with a huge lariat of his own. He then put Okada on the apron and delivered the deadlift German off the second rope, but Okada still kicked out. Ibushi then tried for a lawn dart into the corner, but Okada countered with a spinning tombstone, and tried for the rainmaker, but Ibushi totally flattened him with a rainmaker of his own at the last second. Ibushi then showered the grounded Okada with kicks and a bomboye, but Okada kicked out at 1! So Ibushi nailed another bomboye to the back of the head, and Okada still kicked out. Ibushi followed up with a huge high kick and a Kamagoye, but Okada still managed to kick out! Ibushi went for the Kamagoye once again, but Okada was able to get to his feet and deliver a huge dropkick to counter it. The two then exchanged labored forearms on the ground, but they slowly rose to their feet, with the strikes getting harder and faster as they went, with Ibushi bringing Okada to his knees with a combination of slaps and kicks, followed by a triad of kicks to the head of the grounded Okada, and then collapsed himself. Ibushi then brought Okada to the top for an avalanche Tiger driver, but Okada nailed him with forearms until he fell off the top. Okada then went for a missile dropkick, but Ibushi caught him out of the air with powerbomb for a near fall. Ibushi then went for the Phoenix Splash, but he missed, allowing Okada to hit a pair of Rainmakers, but Ibushi kicked out right at the last second! Okada slowly dragged Ibushi up another two times for rainmakers, but on the third, Ibushi dodged it and nailed a high kick, followed by a V-trigger. Ibushi then tried for a piledriver, but Okada hit a sit out tombstone and then one last rainmaker to finish it off. 

Grade: A+. Phenomenal match. These guys didn’t go for the raw speed of the Junior Heavyweight match, but they delivered with a story about two equals who could barely keep up with each other. They destroyed each other with incredibly hard hits and stiff drops on the head. They destroyed each other’s necks over and over again, and Ibushi unleashed everything with his punches and kicks. It was an incredible match, and I cannot wait for the day when Ibushi eventually becomes the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, because it really will be glorious. Amazing match, match of the night. 

Overall Grade: B+

Predictions: 8/11

Pros: IWGP Tag Match; Texas death; Junior Heavyweight; Intercontinental; main event

Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki vs. Giulia & Hana Kimura: This is a Wonder Ring Stardom showcase match that I did not expect to happen, but here it is. I have heard great things about Stardom, but my only real experience with it was in my small experience with Ring of Honor. So I have only really seen Iwatani wrestle, but she is pretty good, so there is no reason not to look forward to this. Iwatani is currently the World of Stardom Champion (main event), while Hoshiki is the Wonder of Stardom Champion (midcard). Since I have no clue who anyone other than Iwatani are, I am just gonna guess that she will win. This will probably be pretty good. 

Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors, Karl Fredericks & Toa Henare vs. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura: A young lion showcase at the Tokyo Dome. This is probably the biggest stage that any of the young lions have been on, so good for them for getting on the card. I’m gonna say that the US Dojo boys will win this one, only because Fredericks won the Young Lion Cup so he may get the pin. But I will be rooting for my boy Tsuji all the way. This could be good, but I’m not going to get my hopes up.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Manabu Nakanishi & Yuji Nagata: The last pre show match has a few of the older guys on the roster in a tag match. While I’m not a huge fan most of these guys, other than Nagata, they have been working together for a long time and have probably developed a good amount of chemistry. I’m calling TenKoji to win this, because they are an actual tag team. Again, could be a good match, but I’m not willing to bet on it. 

The Great Sasuke, Jushin Thunder Liger, Tatsumi Fujinami & Tiger Mask IV vs. Naoki Sano, Ryusuke Taguchi, Shinjiro Ootani & Tatsuhito Takaiwa: The match opening up the official Wrestle Kingdom Card is Jushin Thunder Liger’s first retirement match, and features a host of Japanese wrestling legends. Now, I don’t know much about old school New Japan, but I definitely recognize a few of these names. I’m gonna say that Liger’s team will get the win on this one, just so he can have one last pin to his name. I’m not expecting much from this match, but the aftermath should be quite touching. 

BUSHI, EVIL, SANADA & Shingo Takagi vs. El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki, Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr: Los Ingobernables de Japon vs. Suzuki-Gun. An 8 man tag that serves to get a bunch of deserving people on the wrestle kingdom card, and preview the British Championship match for night two. Not much else to say about this, but there is a lot of good talent in this match. I’m not normally into the hastily thrown together multi-man tags in New Japan, but this might be good if they step up their game for the Tokyo Dome. I’m going to say that Suzuki-Gun gets the win, because then the heels will get to beat down the faces, and that is always fun. 

Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & YOSHI-HASHI: CHOAS vs. BULLET CLUB. Another big 8 man tag that gives a big old Wrestle Kingdom Paycheck to some deserving guys. This match, however, kinda previews two matches. Not only the NEVER Openweight Championship, but the 6-man tag team championships as well. I don’t care much about this match because most of the Bullet Club guys aren’t super exciting to watch, but I’m looking forward to whenever Kenta gets in the ring. I’m gonna call the CHAOS team winning so that there can be a bit of tension between Ishii, Hashi and Yano, because Ishii and Hashi are gunning for Yano’s title on Night two. 

FinJuice vs. The Guerrillas of Destiny for the IWGP Tag Team Championships: The unlikely winners of the World Tag League take on the totally dominant Guerrillas of Destiny. The big story coming into this match is that GOD beat FinJuice in the World Tag League late last year, so they have the edge going into this match. Even though I really want FinJuice to win this, and I’ll probably be rooting for them on the day, I doubt they are coming away with the big win. It’s not even really because they are a bad team, I just don’t think that they want to have Juice with two belts before the main event of night two (spoilers for my later predictions). I hope this is a good match, because I feel like it will be but GOD can be kinda iffy sometimes. But I think it will be pretty good. 

Jon Moxley vs. Lance Archer in a Texas Death Match for the IWGP United States Championship: New Japan does not often use stipulations of any kind, and this is actually quite the big one. In this match, there are no pinfalls. The win can only come from a submission or a KO, to be represented by a ten count. So it’s kinda a hybrid between a submission match and a last man standing match. Very interesting. This match came about on the final day of the World Tag League, when Moxley confronted Archer after his final league match with Suzuki. Because of the violent nature of both of these wrestlers, they busted out the aforementioned violent stipulation. I think that Moxley is winning this match because Archer has really just been a transitional champion. Moxley never actually lost this belt, and it’s a damn shame that we didn’t get the Moxley-Robinson rematch last year. So I think we are gonna get it on Night two. This looks like it’ll be a brutal match with a lot of weapons and maybe even a bit of blood. I’m really looking forward to this wild brawl, because we never see matches like this in New Japan. 

Hiromu Takahashi vs. Will Ospreay for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: MY LOVELY LOVELY BOY IS BACK! I’ve missed Takahashi so so much. The story of this match goes back a while actually. In 2018, Takahashi won Best of the Super Juniors and went on to beat Ospreay for the Junior Heavyweight Championship at that year’s Dominion. Unfortunately, the next month, Takahashi suffered a broken neck during his match with Dragon Lee at the G1 Special in San Fransisco. So he had to forfeit the title and has been out for a year and a half. While was out, Ospreay won last year’s best of the Super Juniors by beating Takahashi’s stablemate and now heavyweight Shingo Takagi, and went on to beat Dragon Lee at Dominion. He has held onto the title since then with defenses against Robbie Eagles, El Phantasmo and BUSHI, as well as entering the G1 Climax and New Japan Cup while he was still a Junior Heavyweight. After he beat BUSHI, Ospreay offered an open challenge to anyone in the Junior Heavyweight division, and Takahashi returned. And everything was right in the world. I think that Takahashi is winning here, because he never lost his belt and he deserves it back. Also, Ospreay has been flirting with the heavyweight division for a long time, and it’s about time that he moves up. He’s beaten a whole bunch of heavyweights, and he needs to be higher up on the card. This should be an amazing match. Ospreay is probably my favorite wrestler in the world right now, and Takahashi is just as amazing. Any other card and I would’ve predicted this as the match of the night, but Wrestle Kingdom is stacked as hell this year. 

Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship: This match has higher stakes than the Intercontinental Championship, as it is also to qualify for the main event double championship match of night two. These two absolutely hate each other, and were very passive aggressive when they interacted during their feud last year. Naito lost the Intercontinental Championship to White at Destruction in Kobe last year, and since then, both men have announced that they want to be double champions. So that is where we are with this feud. I think that Naito is winning here, mostly because of my next prediction and the fact that they have held off on a match that they seemed very fond of for a really long time. I think it could be White winning here, because they like him a lot, but it’s Naito’s time to main event in the Tokyo Dome. This should be a really good, if not great, match, but it is kinda falling in the background for me considering Takahashi’s return and the main event. 

Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan vs. Erick Rowan and Luke Harper: This match stems from Reigns nearly getting killed a few months ago. First someone tried to drop a bunch of boxes on him, and then tried to hit him with their car. So, after guessing Samoa Joe and being wrong, Reigns guessed Rowan, and was right. There was a lot of back and forth between Rowan, Reigns and Bryan, until Reigns produced footage of Rowan attacking him (despite the fact that it could’ve been the doppleganger they found they week before, but let’s ignore that.) So Bryan felt betrayed that Rowan lied to him, and Rowan kicked his ass. At Night of Champions, Reigns and Rowan had a no DQ match, and Luke Harper returned to give Rowan the win. Over the next few weeks, Rowan attacked Bryan a few times, and Reigns made the save. So, this match was booked, with Reigns and Bryan only really getting on the same page after the lumberjack match last night. I think that Rowan and Harper should get the win here, because they kinda need the boost. if they get this win, that could propel Rowan into an actual midcard spot for a while, and maybe even closer to the main event. So yeah, I think the heels go over here, probably with the help of someone else who comes out as the mastermind of the whole situation. I’m actually looking forward to this, because Harper and Rowan are a really good tag team together, and Reigns and Bryan feel like the type of team that can work together really well right away. So I think this will be pretty good. 

Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women’s Championship: this build was short, because they realized that only three matches were booked and they needed to fill out the card. So, Bayley and Charlotte have a bit of history, because they were feuding when Bayley turned heel, which kinda turned Charlotte face by comparison. They fought at Night of Champions, where Bayley cheated to get a win. Then, last night, Charlotte pinned Bayley in a tag match. That’s really it. Bayley wins here, because it isn’t Charlotte’s time. They need to work on her character, and at this point, she just feels like a placeholder. Should be good though, unless they give us a cheap finish like last time. 

Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks in a Hell in a Cell match for the Raw Women’s Championship: This match goes back to the night after Summerslam, where Banks returned and attacked Natalya. Lynch made the save, and they started feuding about who deserves the title more. It’s been quite good. They had a match at Night of Champions, which ended in a DQ win for Banks because Lynch hit the ref on accident. So they continued to feud, with things getting violent on the weekly shows, and Banks asked for a rematch. Lynch accepted, under the condition that it is in Hell in a Cell. I think that Lynch is going to get the win here, because I have quite the feeling that Shayna Baszler or Ronda Rousey is going to be the one to beat Becky, and Sasha is probably headed on over to Smackdown to team with Bayley some more. I think this will be a great match though, and it’s between this and the main event that is the most exciting. 

Isla Dawn vs. Piper Niven: The two started the some grappling, resulting in some interesting holds going back and forth. Dawn tried to pick up the pace with some dropkicks and clotheslines, but Niven caught her right away and nailed scoop slam, followed by a running splash for a 2 count. Niven kept the match on the mat from there, locking in a straight jacket and refusing to let go from there. Dawn powered out of it, nailing a high kick, a huge saito suplex and a high knee for a 2 count. Dawn then sent Niven into the turnbuckle, nailed a low dropkick and hit a meteora for another near fall. Niven fought back into the match with a wicked headbutt, and then put Dawn down with a Michinoku Driver for the win. 

Grade: B-. Good match, and it really showcased some good stuff from Dawn. She had some really nice striking, and that saito suplex looked awesome. Niven was the right gal to win this, and I’m glad she is back in her winning ways. 

Ilja Dragunov Interview: Radzi is in the house! Dragunov said that he wasn’t medically cleared, and was disappointed that he couldn’t fight tonight. Alexander Wolfe then approached him and told him to take a rest, and that Wolfe will take his place in a match. Then he told Dragunov to think about his future. Ooooooo, new Imperium member? 

Piper Niven interview: More Radzi! Niven said that she wants to be the NXT UK women’s Champion, but Jinny came up and said that she as a claim to that spot. Jazzy Gabert then attacked from behind, and the two beat Niven down until security separated them. 

Alexander Wolfe vs. Saxon Huxley: The two locked up and started to jockey for position, with Wolfe quickly getting the advantage. Huxley escaped, and the they reset, with Huxley actually coming out on top this time. The two continued to go hold for hold, and at one point, Huxley pulled his knee pad up. With that working as a distraction, Wolfe nailed him in the face with a kick, and then took control with an arm bar of sorts. He followed that up by bringing Huxley to his feet, and nailing a european uppercut, followed by a vertical suplex. He continued to work on the arm between huge strikes, and mixed in some shots to the knee as well. At one point, Wolfe ran the ropes for a PK, but Huxley just pounced on him with a Thesz press, and started to wail on Wolfe. Wolfe then dodged a big boot, and nailed a pump kick, a forearm in the corner, and a german suplex. He then nailed a high angle powerbomb for the win. 

Grade: B. Jeez, Wolfe was underused in both NXT and the main roster, he is great. He made Huxley look really good here, and he killed it out there in the ring. They put on a really good and competitive match, and I’m excited to see where this storyline with Dragunov goes. 

Ashton Smith Interview: He talked about his recent setbacks, but Grizzled Young Veterans came out and wrecked him for having such an awful win loss record. He then shot back that they’ve lost their last two matches, and they said that they still run the locker room. Smith then said that they aren’t leaders, because they don’t have any followers. Smith actually had the last word, because he walked away. Zack Gibson yelled at the interviewer a bit, before they walked away as well. 

Mike Bird vs. Jack Starz: As Starz made his entrance, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang just dragged him out, and they put over Mike Bird a bit. They said that he trained both Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews. Mark then asked Bird to shake his hand, but Mark took it back. Wolfie and Mark then attacked and beat him down. Then the South Wales Subculture ran out to make the save, but Joe Coffey was out right behind them. Gallus beat the crap out of the new champions. 

Grade: B. Good beat down, and establishes who the next contenders will be, if that wasn’t clear already. My question is where Joe fits into this. Where does he go next? That will be interesting to see. 

Tegan Nox vs. Kay Lee Ray: The two quickly started to slap each other back and foth, with Nox winning the exchange. Nox went hold for hold with Ray, and was fine with keeping the pace high. She nailed chop after chop, before hitting a flying crossbody for the 2. Ray then tried to retreat to the back, but Nox attacked her on the ramp, and dragged her back to the ring. When they got back in the ring, Ray went right to the knee. Ray then kept up the pressure with shots at the knee over and over, as well as kicks all around the body. Ray went for a Swanton, but Nox avoided it, and then dodged a tackle that sent Ray into the post. Nox couldn’t capitalize on the advantage, as her knees were in too much pain to stand. They eventually both got up and traded huge shots back and forth. Nox nailed a somersault senton off the top, but still only got 2. Ray had Nox set up for a gory special, but Nox countered with a sunset flip for a near fall, followed by a short superkick for another. Ray got right back up with a big DDT, and then locked in a guillotine on the mat. Nox was able to break out for a moment with a modified spinebuster, but Ray locked it right back in. This time, Nox made it to the ropes. She then launched Ray into the ropes, and then nailed a chokeslam for another near fall. She went to the top, but Ray crotched her and attacked Nox’s knee on the top rope. Ray then went for a gory special, but Nox countered out with a destroyer out of nowhere for another near fall! She hit the shineist wizard, but Ray got her foot on the ropes. Nox then followd Ray out to the apron, where Ray dodged a kick, sending her leg into the post. Ray then hit a gory bomb for the win.

Grade: B+. Damn good match. Ray played a really good heel here by attacking the knee over and over, and just being a great foil. But Nox was the star here. Awesome storytelling, awesome selling, and a great underdog performance. Nox is the future, and she’ll be a women’s champion one day. And I can’t wait. Match of the night.

Overall Grade: B.

Pros: wolfe vs. huxley; gallus beatdown; main event

Madison Rayne vs. Tenille Dashwood vs. Kiera Hogan: Dashwood tried to start things out with a quick victory, but Hogan and Rayne quickly started to work together. Dashwood and Hogan fought a bit, with Dashwood nailing a butterfly suplex. For a 1 count. Rayne then hopped on Dashwoods back and held her in place for a superkick from Hogan. Once again, the heels teamed up on Dashwood. Dashwood fought back a bit, throwing Hogan to the outside before locking in an interesting submission on Rayne, only for Hogan to break it up. Once again, the two beat down Dashwood with some really good low dropkicks and moves of the such. They then took the match to the outside, until Dashwood dodged a tope suicida from Hogan that took out Rayne. Dashwood fought her went back into the ring with a neckbreaker through the ropes on Hogan, but Rayne pulled her out of the pin. Rayne and Hogan started to argue about the miscommunication from earlier in the match. They set Dashwood up in the corner, and were arguing about who was going to deliver the superplex. As they argued, Dashwood smacked their heads together, which made Hogan fall off. She then was able to give Rayne a powerbomb onto Hogan, but they all kciked out. She locked Hogan in a Tarantula, before giving Rayne a drop toehold into Hogan, and then both of them a Taste of Tenille. Once again, the heels teamed up on Dashwood, but they argued some more, until Dashwood pushed Rayne into Hogan to send Hogan out of the ring. Dashwood rolled up Rayne for a 2 count before hitting the Spotlight for the win. 

Grade: B-. A fun little story here, with Dashwood needing to overcome two dysfunctional heels. It was good, they had a pretty fun match that I liked a lot. Good stuff to open things up. Dashwood continues to impress. 

Eddie Edwards and Tommy Dreamer Backstage: Eddie told Dreamer that he needed a lot of help, and Dreamer told him that he needs professional help. Eddie claimed that RENO SCUM drugged him. Dreamer told him that he would always have Eddie’s back, but turns out, Edwards was talking to Kenny the Kendo Stick. Ugh. Wasn’t Eddie Edwards kinda badass a few years ago? Like when he feuded with Davey Richards, and when he later teamed with Davey Richards? I wish I could see more of that Eddie Edwards rather than this “I’m so wacky” guy. Reminds me of Dean Ambrose, when he should be more of a Jon Moxley. 

Johnny Swinger vs. Owen Travis: Owen Travis was a jobberThe two locked up right away, with Swinger overpowering the poor local guy a few times. He then started to give him falling headbutts into the nether regions of Travis, followed by an eye, back and chest rake. Travis started to fight back a bit, but Swinger nailed a huge swinging neckbreaker for the win.

Grade: C+. Haha, Swinger was actually pretty funny. I didn’t mind his stuff, and I thought the swinging neckbreaker looked pretty good. Swinger looks fine, so I’m giving this the normal squash rating. 

The North Interview: The two said that they are going to prove themselves as the best tag team in the world after they beat Willie Mack and Rich Swann, but they then found out that it’ll be a three way also against RVD and Rhino. 

Tessa Blanchard interview:  She claimed that Callihan has been attacking people on purpose, and said that everyone in Impact has a target on their back. This was a pretty intense promo, but I kinda got interrupted in the middle of it so I didn’t hear everything. 

Impact Plus moment of the Week: Robert Roode vs. Kurt Angle at an old Bound for Glory. Looked pretty good. 

Ace Austin and Alisha Edwards Backstage: Austin was being really like “nice guy” towards Alisha. He said that Eddie might be dealing with some substance abuse problems, and said that he was only a call away if she needs him. He has experience dealing with friends who has problems like this, so he will be willing to help wherever he can. He is a really good heel. 

Eddie Edwards and Kenny vs. RENO SCUM: Eddie tied Kenny to the tag rope, and started things out against Adam Thornstowe. The two exchanged huge shots back in forth, before Edwards nailed a huge overhead suplex. Luster the Legend then tagged in, and he wanted Kenny. As Eddie went to do it, but Luster attacked him from behind. The two then brawled a bit, and Reno Scum started to take control with some huge to the head. Eddie then nailed a huge blue thunder bomb, but Luster grabbed his leg before he could get the hot tag to Kenny. Eddie evnetually got the hot tag to Kenny, and Eddie took control by just smacking them around with the Kendo stick. Eddie then nailed a tope suicida to Luster. Reno Scum then pulled Eddie and Kenny into the ring, and slammed Eddie into the mat. Thornstowe then went for a splash, but Eddie got his knees up. He then smacked Luster off the top with Kenny, before nailing Thornstowe with the Boston Knee Party and the win.

Grade: C-. This was dumb, really really dumb. But unfortunately, it was also really fun, mostly due to the completely idiotic commentary from a confused Josh Matthews and Don Callis, who constantly tried to pretend that Kenny was an actual wrestler. Before the tope suicida, Eddie threw Kenny out of the ring, which commentary called a tope con hilo. So yeah, that was funny, but this was a largely stupid match. Which sucks because Reno Scum looked really good. 

The North Backstage: They went into the back and confronted Konnan. Konnan took a swig of tequila and the door closed. 

Konnan Backstage: Konnan was lying on the floor of the room that he was in, and a bunch of people were yelling for help. 

OvE Promo: Security surrounded the ring, and Sami Callihan defended his actions from last week. He said that it was an accident, and a tragedy. He then read an apology off a sheet of paper. In the middle of the apology, Brian Cage ran down to the ring, and took out security to get there. He gave Jake Crist a powerbomb on the apron, a F5 to Dave Crist, and a chokeslam to madman Fulton. Callihan ran through the crowd, and as Cage started to chase after him, a fan grabbed him and he pulled him over the barricade and slammed him. Some officials yelled at Cage as he apologized, and Cage got arrested. 

Grade: B.  I actually kinda liked this. It was intense, it was cool, and it showed Cage kinda losing it. I don’t think he needed to be arrested, there could’ve just been consequences from Impact management. But yeah, this was cool. I’m into Cage getting super pissed and kicking the crap out of anyone in his way. He is awesome. 

Daga vs. Chris Bey to qualify for the X-Division Ladder Match: Jake Crist was out on commentary, and Jake and Don made fun of Matthews a whole bunch. The two started out quickly, nailing some huge flying and kicks, only really stopping after Daga hit a tope suicida on Bey. Daga then took control with a snap vertical suplex. He kept up the pressure with a superman forearm into the corner and then a shining wizard for a near fall. Bey then took control with a rewind kick, and nailed a huge tope con hilo. As they went back in the ring, Bey hit a huge slingshot DDT, but still only got a near fall. Daga then put Bey in the corner, and kicked out his leg to crotch him on the middle rope, before hitting a huge Lungblower. Bey fought back with a huge back kick and an awesome flying crucifix bomb for a close near fall, but he recovered quickly and hit an avalanche Spanish fly. Daga got the win with a butterfly facebuster to the knees. 

After the match, Daga and Jake argued a bit, until Dave ran out and they beat down Daga together. As they fought, Blanchard ran out and made the save.

Also, on commentary during this match, Matthews took a shot at Chris Jericho for having an ugly scarf. 

Grade: B. Pretty good stuff. Lots of flying and back and forth, but not really enough selling or storytelling for my taste. There is such a thing as too fast, especially if they aren’t telling a real story during the match. They could’ve done better, but they still put on a really good match. Chris Bey is going places, he will be big. 

Fallah Bahh and TJP backstage: TJP said that he thinks that he has a good game plan, and tried to get Bahh to give him some advice, but he couldn’t. He then told an interviewer that, although he is a Cruiserweight, he is confident for this match. 

Moose and Ken Shamrock Press Conference: Moose called MMA barbaric and completely without skill. But he then brought in a UFC trainer so he can get some of that barbarism. He said that he will beat Shamrock, and Shamrock came to him, not the other way around. Shamrock then confronted him, and said that he will beat Moose because he isn’t attacking him from behind this time. They squared up for a photo, where they insulted each other until Moose took a cheap shot. It was cool, I liked it. 

Grade: B+. This was a good segment, and since there wasn’t much going on this epsiode, I’m gonna grade it. Both guys were super intense, and were great at the MMA press conference jaw jacking. Good stuff that built well to the match. They are doing great with this build. 

Jessica Havok and Father Mitchell Outside: The Father was arguing with Havok for trying to kill Su Yung. He screamed at her for the attack, until Taya Valkyrie asked them to take out Tenille Dashwood for her, and if Havok did it, she’d get the championship match at Bound for Glory. They said no. Honestly it was a stupid idea anyway, because Havok is waaaaaaay bigger than Tenille.

Michael Elgin vs. TJP: TJP tried to start out with some quick dropkicks,put Elgin avoided them. He ate a few strikes here and there, before he started to overpower TJP. TJP started to look for the kneebar, and worked over the knee as the match rolled on. Elgin took control after a huge shoulder tackle, and kept it up with some huge powermoves, until TJP retreated to the outside. TJP was able to snap the arm, before trying to lock in some more submissions, and we cut to commercial. When we came back, Elgin was rocking TJP with strike after strike, but TJP was able to get some nice counters in here and there. He low bridged Elgin to the outside and tried for a cannonball, but Elgin caught him and powerbombed him onto the apron. Elgin kept control, and started to counter TJP’s counters, such as when he had TJP in an electric chair, but he dropped him down for a bridging suplex and a two count. Elgin tried for a deadlift superplex, but TJP countered with a springboard super rana. TJP then lit up Elgin with various strikes and a springboard forearm. He then kicked Elgin into a 619 position, gave him a dropkick and then a splash for a near fall, but he reversed the kick out into a Fujiwara arm bar. Elgin tried for a flying ensiguri, but TJP dodged and tried for an armbar, but Elgin just powered him up for a huge powerbomb, followed by an awesome lariat for only a 2 count. Elgin tried for the Elgin bomb, but TJP countered into a rana. TJP then went for tope suicida, but Elgin caught him right into a powerslam, which looked awesome. Elgin then hit the deadlift super falcon arrow, but TJP still kicked out. Elgin then looked for a huge lariat, but TJP countered with a Cross armbreaker. Elgin nearly made the ropes, so TJP pulled him back into the ring, only for Elgin to then counter the cross armbreaker into a buckle bomb. He followed that up with a huge backfist and a spinning Elgin Bomb for the win. 

Grade: B+. Really good match. This was more competitive than I thought it was going to be, with TJP getting a huge amount of quick offense. Elgin was mostly powering through moves here, although he hit some awesome strikes. Good match with the right winner. Hopefully TJP breaks into the X-Division soon, because he’d make an awesome champion. And that dream match will probably be as awesome as they are advertising. Match of the night. 

Melissa Santos bailing out Brian Cage: Sami Callihan confronted Santos outside of the prison. Callihan told her that the attack was an accident, and blamed Cage for attacking him. However, he said that he really liked hitting her with the bottle, and then left. 

Overall Grade: B-

Pros: daga vs. bey; press conference; main event

The set for this show is actually awesome. I love the little tube thing that they have on the entrance ramp, it looks badass. Waaaaaaaaaay better than the Raw set, let me tell you. Stephanie and Vince McMahon came out first. They popped the crowd with a quick “Welcome to fox” type thing, before throwing it to the new theme song. This was all kind of a pre-show thing, so I’m not gonna grade it. And possibly the most exciting thing: A TWO MAN ANNOUNCE BOOTH. Corey Graves and Michael Cole were holding it down, and I’m so excited to see how well they do without a third wheel. 

Becky Lynch Promo: She thanked everyone at smackdown for boosting her up to title level. King Corbin interrupted and walked down to the ring. He told Lynch that she wasn’t the Man anymore, to which she said “step in the ring and we’ll find out.” He did, and I was excited to see Corbin get his comeuppance for attacking her at Extreme Rules, but The fuckin Rock came out instead, which is also good. He and Lynch slapped up in the ring as he posed in the corners, and even without talking, he exudes charisma. It is crazy. Rock talked about how he was the guy who invented the word smackdown. He put the show over a bit, before calling Corbin a Broke Ass Burger King on Crack. Then he hit his catchphrase, saying that he is back home. He was gonna keep going, but Corbin cut him off. Corbin said that Smackdown isn’t his home, and he isn’t the great one anymore. Corbin told him to shut up, so Rock told him that he wasn’t a King, and called him a 35 yer old version who hangs out at Comicon. He said that winning King of the Ring doesn’t make him a King, and just because Becky is the man doesn’t mean she is gonna carry a pair of testicles. Lynch said “yeah, but if I did, they’d be bigger than his.” Corbin kept heeling on LA, before Lynch hit the whole “it doesn’t matter what you think.” Rock then put him over a bit, before calling him a Super Tough Dude (STD), and the crowd chanted it, which Lynch said would stick with him for life (which it won’t but that was clever). Rock then told him that he was getting mad, and told him that Lynch and Rock would kick his ass. The two of them beat him down, and Rock hit the People’s Elbow, followed by a Rock Bottom. 

Grade: B. I liked this promo, and of course I loved the Rock. It was perfectly fun, and Lynch actually carried herself really well in this segment. She wasn’t groveling for the Rock at all, she was on equal footing with him, which was good. I don’t like when today’s stars stand shoulder to shoulder with attitude era guys and act like excited little kids. Becky is a star, and she caries herself like one. So yeah, really fun. Sucks that Corbin got the crap kicked out of him though, that kinda hurts him. Highlight of the night. 

Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks & Bayley: Bayley and Charlotte started things out, with Bayley giving Lynch a cheap shot on the apron, before Charlotte put her down with some strikes. Bayley quickly took control back, and tagged in Banks, only for Charlotte to nail several chops to the chest, and a big boot off the apron. Charlotte went to the top, and Bayley tried to push her off, but Lynch intercepted with a forearm. The ref yelled at Lynch for it, so Bayley was able to push Charlotte off anyway. We cut to commercial, and as we came back, Charlotte was able to give Lynch the hot tag. Lynch took down Bayley with a series of strikes and a huge superman forearm. Bayley was able to fight back by hanging her up on the top rope, but Charlotte got the blind tag. She kneed Bayley in the stomach to take her down, and hit Natural Selection, but Banks broke it up. Everyone then started to brawl in the ring, with the faces coming out on top and throwing both heels to the outside. Charlotte nailed them with a moonsault to the outside, and then threw Bayley back in the ring for the tapout win with the figure 8. 

Grade: B. These four together always make for a really good match. This was short, but it did what it had to do. It teased the violent Hell in a Cell match, while setting up a Smackdown Women’s Championship match as well. Good stuff, and a fitting first ever smackdown match. 

New Day Interview: Erin Anderson interviewed them, and I wasn’t going to emphasize her at all, but holy crap she is way better than most of WWE’s interviewers. She actually had a personality, so that was refreshing. Kofi Kingston said that he will win despite being the underdog, and Big E and Xavier Woods confirmed that they wouldn’t be in Kingston’s corner in the main event. Hopefully we will get more Renee Young backstage, with a similar amount of personality. 

Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: Before the match, Bray Wyatt came on the screen, and introduced his puppets. Ramblin Rabbit told Rollins not to fight the Fiend, but Wyatt interrupted him. They then showed Mercy the Buzzard killing Ramblin Rabbit in a Hell in a Cell representation. He told Rollins that was what will happen to him in their match on Sunday, before leaving. Nakamura came out with Sami Zayn. The match started, and Nakamura immediately tried for an armbar. Rollins powered him up and nailed a buckle bomb, followed by a pair of suicide dives. The two then fought back into the ring, where Rollins nailed a springboard knee, and then a superkick to the face. He had Nakamura set up for the Curb stomp, but the lights went out. Rollins booked it to the top of the stage, where the Fiend was able to lock in the mandible claw once again, before throwing him off the stage. 

Grade: C+. The match was going pretty well, and the attack was cliche at this point although somehow managed to be fresh with a bit of fight from Rollins. But this was just good enough in my opinion. 

Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon in a Career vs. Career Ladder Match: As the announcer was giving Shane his huge introduction, Owens attacked, and the match was off. Owens took Shane down by smacking him into a ladder bridge, and tried to get up the ladder. Shane pulled him off and hit a side Russian leg sweep. The two brawled beside the ladder, until Owens took it down and threw it at Shane, who ducked. Shane took control after nailing Owens in the back with the ladder, and then set Owens up on the table. He smacked Owens in the head with part of the announce table, before putting him through it with an elbow drop. We cut to commercial, and when we came back, Owens put Shane through a ladder bridge with a huge frog splash. Owens started to climb up, but Shane got back up and started to attack him with a chair. He beat the hell out of Owens with it for a bit, before putting him down in the corner and then setting up a Coast to Coast with the ladder. He was able to nail it, and Owens rolled out of the ring. Shane then started to climb the ladder slowly, but Owens grabbed his foot, and pulled him down for a powerbomb into a ladder that was set up in the corner. Owens then grabbed the briefcase and got the win. 

After the match, Owens told Shane that he was fired, and gave him a stunner. 

Grade: B-. This match was fine, it had a few big spots. This was just good enough to be in the positive, and the right guy won. Good stuff. That splash through the ladder looked brutal though. 

Paul Heyman interview: He just yelled a little bit about how Kingston was gonna lose to Lesnar. 

Heavy Machinery, Braun Strowman and The Miz vs. AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode: Miz and Ziggler started out, and Ziggler nailed a Zig Zag almost right away, but Miz countered back with a DDT. Strowman then tagged in, and took out Ziggler a couple times with huge tackles, only for Roode to break up the pin. Everyone hit a finisher real quick, and landed on the outside. Stromwan then ran around the ring to give everyone a shoulder tackle. Strowman then started to yelled at Tyson fury in the front row, and they playfully jaw jacked a bit, until he threw Ziggler into him on the barricade. Fury then started to scream at him, allowing Ziggler to nail a superkick. That only made Strowman more mad, and he gave Ziggler a Running Powerslam for the win. 

After the match, Fury tried to ump the barricade, but a bunch of security ran out to stop him. Eventually, after swearing a lot, he backed down.

Grade: C-. I’m bumping this down for celebrity involvement. The match was just kinda boring and simple, but the real story of this match is Fury and Strowman. I smell a Wrestlemania match, unless they wanna blow their load early. 

Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan in a Lumberjack Match: Daniel Bryan was on commentary, and Luke Harper wasn’t at ringside at all. They all both put each other on the outside early on, but when Rowan was on the outside, he fought off the lumberjacks, and even caught Reigns as he came in with a flying splash and threw him into the barricade. When we came back from commercial, they fought each other a bit with their signature offense. As they were fighting, Luke Harper started to walk down. Bryan met him in the ramp and they brawled, and the lumberjacks tried to gain control, only for Reigns to take everyone out with his splash into the crowd. Rowan then powerbombed Ali into Reigns, before bringing him into the ring with a running splash. He was about to hit the iron claw, but Reigns countered and hit a superman punch. Harper then ran in to save Rowan, only for Bryan to nail a Running Knee. Rowan then went to give Bryan the iron Claw, but Reigns nailed a spear for the win. 

After the match, Reigns and Bryan shook hands. 

Grade: C. I don’t really like lumberjack matches, but we need these types of Lumberjack matches in order to have a good one once in a blue moon. The closing stretch was pretty fun, with Harper and Rowan getting involved. Although this match did get me excited for the tag match on Sunday, so it did what it had to. Not a great match though. 

Kofi Kingston vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship: Kofi actually came out last, which was good, because I didn’t expect him to. Kofi tried to jump at Lesnar, only for him to catch him on his shoulders and it one F5 for the win. 

After the match, Rey Mysterio and CAIN FUCKING VELASQUEZ came down to the ring. And took him down, and started to hammer him with shots. Lesnar quickly retreated, and contemplated fighting Velasquez for a bit, before ultimately walking away with fear in his eyes. 

Grade: C. So, at first I was pissed about the match going so quick, but honestly, it was kinda effective. I think that, if they were gonna just give Lesnar the WWE Championship, they should’ve had him cash in on Kingston to win it here. Disappointing, and a real missed opportunity, but the squash was a good way to get heat on Lesnar. That being said, that was a very unexpected debut, and I definitely popped for it. That is a big get, even if he is just freelancing for them. Quite the way to close the first Friday Night Smackdown. 

Overall Grade: C+

Pros: The Rock and The Man promo; Lynch & Flair vs. Bayley and Banks