WWE Elimination Chamber 2019 Results and Review

Tonight we look at Elimination Chamber, a PPV on WWE’s Road to Wrestlemania. The show had two matches that took place in the Elimination Chamber itself. The first one crowned the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and in the main event, a match that had the WWE Championship on the line. Let’s take a look at the show.

Akira Tozawa vs. Buddy Murphy (WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match)

The Youtube pre-show match was Akira Tozawa versus Buddy Murphy. It feels sort of odd that the one feud that took place exclusively on the Network is having it’s match on the pre-show. Some people who don’t watch 205 Live just wouldn’t care, right? Anyways, Tozawa did a dive to the outside early on, but was caught an given a suplex. Tozawa landed a Shining Wizard for a two count. Shortly after, Tozawa reversed a Powerbomb off the second rope into a Huricanrana for another two count. He did an Inverted Huricanarana off the corner, and then two dives to the outside head first. Murphy was dragged back into the ring but got up to avoid being landed on. Murphy got hurt on the ropes, and was given a Back Senton from Tozawa which looked painful. Coming off the ropes, Tozawa was hit with a running knee. Murphy escaped a submission move and landed Murphy’s Law to retain his belt. This was a spectacular match. I don’t know much about 205 Live currently, but when I see their matches on PPV’s then tend to deliver.

Carmella & Naomi vs. Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) vs. Tamina & Nia Jax vs. Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose vs. Sasha Banks & Bayley (Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match)

The first match on the PPV was the Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match. The two tag teams that started this match were Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose and Sasha Banks & Bayley. Mandy Rose was given a good neckbreaker outside the ring from Bayley because she got her boot stuck on the cage. The first group to enter from a pod was Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan from the Riott Squad. The second team that entered was The Iiconics. They immediately tried pinning everyone in the ring since everyone was on the ground tired. After the Iiconics came Naomi and Carmella. Sidenote, but their names together work well as a team name since they’re both one-word names. Also they’re pretty good at mocking each other’s movements. Carmella was picked up by Billie Kay and almost Powerbombed off the cage and to the floor, but she reversed it into a Huricanrana. Naomi fought Mandy during this match because of their rivalry. Naomi was surprised by a roll-up pin from The Iiconics, who both pinned her. Naomi and Carmella became the first eliminations of the match. Right after, The Iiconics were surrounded by all of their opponents. Of course the final entrants were Nia Jax and Tamina.

Out of fear of the chaos, The Iiconics went back into their pod. Once Tamina and Jax realized this, they focused on The Iiconics. They were given duel Samoan Drops to be eliminated. They’re a seriously good comedy tag team. Morgan and Logan did duel Crossbodys off the top of a pod. Morgan was given a Samoan Drop off the second rope by Jax, and then Tamina did a Frogsplash onto both Riott Squad members to eliminate the team. Nia tried spearing Bayley but missed her and went through a pod. While Jax was out, Tamina was given an Elbow Drop off the top rope from Bayley. Everyone pinned and eliminated her. The final two teams were Deville & Rose, and Bayley and Banks. Banks did a Backstabber, and then Bayley did a Bayley-to-Belly onto Deville for a pin attempt. Rose came in to break up the pin. All four wrestlers went to the top of a pod. Deville was kicked off the pod, so was Bayley right after. Deville speared Bayley into a pod, but a metal bar in it, so it didn’t break. Rose drove Banks into a pod, and then did a move in the ring for a two count. Rose tried Spearing Banks, who was being held by Rose, but Sasha escaped, making Deville attack her own teammate. Banks put Deville in a Boss Statement to become the inaugural tag team champions with Bayley.

This match was pretty good. Up until the first pinfall it did feel a little slow, with a few minutes where it felt like nothing was happening at all. Also I don’t completely understand the gimmick of Banks doing nothing in tag matches on RAW the weeks before. Banks did a lot of the work in this match, so it didn’t make much sense to me. Banks and Bayley had an emotional speech afterwards.

The Miz & Shane McMahon vs. The Usos (WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match)

Before the first match, The Miz came out. He brought out Maryse, who announced that they’re having another baby. To be honest this surprised me because I was expecting him to announce another episode of their reality TV show. Pretty sure this was the sole reason why the champions entered first. Like true best friends, The Miz and Shane wore matching shirts for this match. Early on in the match Shane was hit with a Superkick while trying for a Coast-to-Coast, and then a Frogsplash for a pin that The Miz broke up. He landed a Coast-to-Coast before his second one was countered. Shane did an elbow drop off the top rope and through a commentary table later. Miz did a Skull Crush Finale but it was reversed into a roll-up to end the match. The crowd loved this but it felt weird. The finish felt a little rushed. I was surprised that they were able to get the crowd back by the end of the match since they seemed tired from the match before. The Miz helped Shane McMahon to the back.

Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor (WWE Intercontinental Championship Match)

This next match was an interesting one was Bobby Lashley’s belt was put on the line but defended by him and Lio Rush. Balor did a dive over the top rope to both Rush and Lashley. Balor gave Rush a Coup de Grace to win the match and become the new IC Champion. Out of pure anger, Lashley gave Rush a Chokeslam afterwards.

Ruby Riott vs. Ronda Rousey (WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match)

We were shown a clip from a house show last night where Becky Lynch came from the audience to attack Charlotte Flair. Flair then came out and was interviewed by Charly Caruso. She cut a promo and then took a seat at ringside for the next match. Ronda Rousey won her championship match in short time with an Armbar. Becky Lynch came from the crowd in crutches afterwards, coming to the ring with no security stopping her. After a long time of pretending she was hurt, she took her crutches and beat Charlotte with them. After a long build she beat Rousey with her crutches too. It didn’t feel believable how long Becky had until security arrived.

Baron Corbin vs. Braun Stroman (No DQ Match)

Baron Corbin and Braun Stroman fought each other in a No DQ match next. Corbin did a Running Powerslam through a table during this match. Right after, Drew McIntyre’s music hit and he came out with a chair. When he was focused on Corbin, Lashley came from behind and attacked with a chair. McIntyre and Lashley both picked on Stroman. The three guys gave Stroman a Triple Powerbomb through two tables to win the match.

Kofi Kingston vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniel Bryan (WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match)

The main event of the evening was the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship. Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan started the match. During Bryan’s pre-match promo he got mad at the fact that Erick Rowan wasn’t allowed at ringside. Early on in this match, Bryan was cautious about Joe. He was waiting for another person to come into the match. Bryan fought with Joe until Kofi Kingston came in. Bryan climbed to the top of a pod and just sat down. Kofi hopped onto the pod and then chased Bryan onto the cage. Joe threw off Bryan, but Kofi avoided being taken down. Kofi jumped off the cage, landing back first onto Bryan and Joe. AJ Styles was the next person to enter the match. Joe was eliminated when AJ gave him a Phenomenal Forearm. Jeff Hardy came in next. Hardy did a unique Swanton Bomb off a pod and onto Styles, who was on the top turnbuckle. Bryan then gave Hardy a running knee strike to eliminate him. Randy Orton was the final person to enter. Orton landed an RKO on Styles to eliminate him. Kofi gave Orton a Trouble in Paradise to eliminate him.

The final two were Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan. Bryan and Kingston exchanged kicks. Kofi landed an SOS for a two count. The crowd was completely behind Kofi. Later on Bryan landed a running knee strike, but Kofi kicked out. Bryan tried for another but was hit with a Trouble in Paradise. Bryan turned a pin attempt into one of his own which Kofi escaped. Bryan put in the Labell Lock but Kofi made it to the ropes. They went onto a pod, where after exchanging blows, Bryan got knocked down. Kingston tried for a Frogsplash but Bryan dodged it. Bryan landed a his running knee strike to end the match. The crowd fell silent. I think this is a good example of how when you play up a fanbases dream but have no intention of actually fulfilling it, you make people feel unsatisifed. The crowd did a “thank you Kofi” chant after the match.

NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka 2019 Results and Review

Finally, it’s time to watch the culmination of the New Beginning shows, “The New Beginning in Osaka. Alongside the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title bout, the main event of the evening was Hiroshi Tanahashi facing Jay White for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. This was Tanahashi’s first title bout since he captures the championship at Wrestle Kingdom in January. Let’s look through the show.

Road to The New Beginning Day 2 (With Day 1 Recap)

Road to The New Beginning Day 3 Recap

Road to The New Beginning Day 4 Recap

New Beginning in Sapporo Day 1 Recap

New Beginning in Sapporo Day 2 Recap

Road to The New Beginning Day 8 Recap

TAKA Michinoku, Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan

The first six-man tag match centred around Tenzan and Iizuka. Surprisingly the Young Lions didn’t open the show. Tenzan said something on the microphone before the bell. There was a spot where Kojima gave Suzuki his chops but he didn’t seem to be too hurt by them. Kojima reversed a Gotch Style Piledriver into a Back Bodydrop. Iizuka was given a double team move by Tenzan and Kojima. Tenzan took a shirt of his and showed it to Iizuka. Iizuka got a chair and hit Tenzan with it to end the match. Lame. Tenzan was hit with Iizuka’s iron glove afterwards.

Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida vs. SANADA & EVIL

EVIL and SANADA recently defended their IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, so tonight isn’t as challenging as a night for them. After a few minutes of competition, EVIL and SANADA landed a Magic Killer to end the match.

Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taichi & El Desperado vs. Shingo Takagi, BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito

The next match was a Los Ingobernables versus Suzuki-gun six man tag team match. Suzuki-gun got the jump start. Taichi, who is most likely salty about losing to Naito in a Intercontinental Championship match at The New Beginning in Sapporo show, targeted Naito from the start. Kanemaru and Takagi had a good exchange in this match. After Takagi did a Pumping Bomber, Naito gave Kanemaru a Destino to end the match. This was short, but very explosive and fun. When walking back, SHO and YOH came out and confronted BUSHI and Shingo Takagi. They attacked them and snatched the belts. They got boos from the crowd. They offered a challenge, which the champions took.

Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens w/ Pieter vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma

In the next contest, Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi fought YOSHI-HASHI and Tomoaki Honma. Early on, Honma missed a Kokeshi attempt on Owens. He tried once again minutes later and landed it. The pin attempt after was broken up by Takahashi. Honma gave Owens chops and then went off the ropes but was given a double team Neckbreaker. Honma was given a Small Package Piledriver, which was horrifying, and ended the match. I don’t think anybody was expecting YOSHI-HASHI and Honma to win this.

Kota Ibushi Makes An Announcement

Kota Ibushi made a special appearance next. This was his first live event since Wrestle Kingdom, when he suffered a concussion against Will Ospreay. The crowd erupted when he announced that he will be staying in New Japan. Like, a huge reaction to this. He also announced that his return will be in the New Japan Cup next month.

Togi Makabe and Toru Yano vs. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa w/ Jado

When Togi Makabe and Toru Yano made their way to the ring for their match, they were attacked by their opponents. Tama Tonga is done being the good guy and has returned to his cheating ways. Yano did his trademark removal of a corner pad. He hit Tonga with the pad after dodging the pad. This was a real showdown between two cheating teams (although Makabe is a pretty clean fighter). Tonga Loa was shoved into Tama Tonga, who knocked down the referee. Yano gave Loa a low blow. After being distracted by Jado, Yano took a kendo stick to the head from Tonga. Tonga hit a Gun Stun to end the match. Tonga used a kendo stick even more after the match, also hitting Young Lions who tried to stop him, and ringside staff. The finish was good because it showed how Yano’s own attempt at cheating ended up costing him.

Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Taiji Ishimori (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match)

The first of two championship matches on this show was Ryusuke Taguchi versus Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. Taguchi mocked Taiji early in the match with a dance but got angry when Ishimori did it. Taguchi did a Springboard Crossbody to the outside, and then a Dropkick off the ropes in the ring. He did a Tope Con Hilo to the outside after. Taguchi went for a pin which gave him a two count. Taguchi landed a Three Amigos for another two count. Ishimori landed a Bloody Cross later on, and then followed it up with a move that Taguchi reversed into an Ankle Lock. Taguchi turned it into a Dodan for a two count. The crowd was very loud for this. They were very much behind Taguchi. Ishimori landed a double knee strike in the corner of the ring. He then did a Death Valley Driver which Taguchi kicked out of. Taguchi tried for another Dodan but Ishimori reversed it into a Bloody Cross to retain his belt. I liked this match, I thought it was well done. This was maybe one of the best if not the best Taguchi match that I’ve seen. While this was good, I don’t feel a victory over Taguchi will boost his reputation more, but I don’t know. Jushin Thunder Liger, who was at ringside on Japanese commentary was called out. Liger accepted the challenge and said other stuff, but the translator on this show wasn’t that good so I can’t really expand on what he said.

Bad Luck Fale w/ Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada

Before the main event, we had a grudge match between Bad Luck Fale and Kazuchika Okada. Okada got a pop when revealing his shorts. Early in the match there was a near countout spot with Okada. Back in the ring, Okada lifted Fale but fell under his weight. Later on, Okada landed an Elbow Drop off the top rope and then called for a Rainmaker. He did not land it, as Fale escaped and then landed a running clothesline. Okada accidentally struck the ref because Fale pulled the ref into the crossfire. Owens and Takahashi came in the ring and did moves on Okada. Fale tried for a Powerbomb but Okada escaped and landed two dropkicks. Okada tried again for a Rainmaker but couldn’t land it. On another attempt, he was hit with a Grenade for a two count. On the second rope Okada landed a Superplex. Okada landed a Rainmaker to win the match. Great match.

Jay White w/ Gedo vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match)

The main event of this show was, of course, Jay White versus Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. White had Gedo in his corner. Early in the match, White dumped to outside the ring and then threw him into barricades at ringside. Outside the ring, Tanahashi was thrown stomach first onto a table. Later on, Tanahashi landed a Crossbody off the top rope to the outside. Gedo distracted the ref when they got back in the ring. White tried using a chair but was run into Gedo, hitting him with a chair. After numerous reversals, Tanahashi landed a Twist & Shout. He followed up with two more weaker ones. Tanahashi did a German Suplex which bridged into a pin, but White kicked out. Gedo got on the apron when Tanahashi headed to the top but was knocked down. Tanahashi did a High Fly Flow onto White’s back. When trying to do it a second time, on his stomach this time, White escaped. White put in the TTO (Tanahashi Tap Out, known traditionally as an Inverted Figure Four) but Tanahashi made it to the ropes. White did a Death Valley Driver for a two count and then a Kiwi Crusher for another kickout. Tanahashi started to make a comeback, and then put White in the Cloverleaf. He was pretty close to the ropes when this move was put in but was at such an angle where it was hard to reach. Tanahashi transitioned into a Styles Clash from the submission. White almost landed a Blade Runner, but instead, Tanahashi landed a Swingblade. After landing another, Tanahashi got a close pin attempt. Tanahashi did a Dragon Suplex into a pin attempt but White kicked out. On the top rope, Tanahashi tried for a Crossbody but it was reversed into a Blade Runner that ended the match. Jay White is your new IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

This was, to me at least, a shock. I wasn’t expecting that White would win because for one, Tanahashi won the best just over a month ago, and because I didn’t think they wanted White to win just yet. But I was wrong. I love Jay White, and I feel his current character is great. How he was built on this tour was very well done. The finish to that elimination tag, and the run-in during KUSHIDA’s goodbye match were the top moments for me. My only worry is how Tanahashi looks from this. With such a short title reign and a clean loss, does it devalue him? I found it interesting how Jay White won the match clean. He was billed as a dirty cheater in the whole build up to this, but didn’t really show that in this match. This wasn’t one of the best title matches I’ve ever seen, but it was still good.

Smackdown Live 2/12/19 Results and Review

The show started with a rest in peace graphic for Pedro Morales, who passed away this week. After that we saw a recap of last night, where Vince McMahon announced that Becky Lynch would be replaced at Wrestlemania by Charlotte Flair. Charlotte came out right after and cut a promo. Nothing special happened. She isn’t the best in her division for promo work and it shows.

Carmella & Naomi vs Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay)

Similarly to what happened last night on RAW, three tag teams that will be in the Elimination Chamber Match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship faced off. Naomi won the match for her team by doing a Split Legged Moonsault on Mandy Rose. During the whole match Peyton Royce and Billie Kay didn’t get in the ring. They jumped Carmella and Naomi after the bell. Since Rose was pinned, her team will start the Elimination Chamber match against Bayley and Sasha Banks.

McMiz TV With The Usos

The next segment was Shane McMahon and The Miz’s talk show segment. Their guests on this episode were The Usos. The Usos did a “tag team test,” which is the questions of favourite food, colour and sports team. Shane and Miz got a pop when saying that their favourite minor league baseball team is the Toledo Mud Hens. The Usos started to act sour once Mandy Rose was brought up. It really struck a nerve. The segment ended with The Usos giving their opponents Superkicks.

Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton (Gauntlet Match)

New Day have been given an opportunity to have the last Elimination Chamber slot after Mustafa Ali lost his due to injury. The group selected Kofi Kingston as the entrant into the match. Kingston faced Daniel Bryan as part of a gauntlet match including all Elimination Chamber members. The winner of the match gets to enter last in the Chamber match. This went for a very long time. Big E and Xavier Woods fought Erick Rowan at ringside late into it. They were kicked out from ringside, yet Rowan got to stay. Rowan threw Kofi into the timekeepers area when the referee wasn’t looking. Instead of the match ending in DQ, Rowan was thrown out from ringside. Kofi gave Bryan a Trouble in Paradise for the pinfall. Jeff Hardy came out next. Kofi eliminated Hardy with an SOS. Kofi escaped a Kokena Clutch and turned it into a roll-up to eliminated Joe. Joe attacked Kofi right after, putting him in a Rear Naked Choke. AJ Styles came out next and attacked Samoa Joe. Styles waited until Kofi Kingston recovered before they started. Kofi was working very hard in this match for what is a very small prize. Styles put in a Calf Crusher, which made Kofi Kingston tap out. The final entrant was Randy Orton, who of course came out of nowhere and did an RKO.

This match had some good wrestling but was half of the show. This just felt like a night off for the writers. NOTHING moved forward on this show. All we had was previews which gave us the same information we already knew.

NJPW Road to New Beginning Day 8 Results and Review

After a few days off of NJPW being televised, the promotion came back on Saturday with a Road to The New Beginning show from Osaka. Let’s look at the show.

Road to The New Beginning Day 2 (With Day 1 Recap)

Road to The New Beginning Day 3 Recap

Road to The New Beginning Day 4 Recap

New Beginning in Sapporo Day 1 Recap ‘

Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida vs. Yota Tsuji & Hiroyoshi Tenzan

This show’s start was different from the rest because it did not have a video package. Instead, we just went right into the show. The first match included three Young Lions and Hiroyoshi Tenzan. Don Callius is back on English commentary after being absent for most of the month of January. Late in this match Tenzan gave Tsuji a hot tag onto Umino. He gave him a back bodydrop for a two count. He landed a great dropkick and then a Boston Crab which Yoshida broke up. Yoshida made a comeback, landing a missile dropkick for a two count. He put in a Boston Crab which Tenzan ended. Yoshida did a kick, and then Umina landed a Fisherman Suplex which bridged into a pinfall to end the match. Nice move, but doesn’t beat the Belly-to-Belly that Narita has been landing lately. I’m a real big fan of these Young Lions, to be honest.

Ren Narita vs. YOSHI-HASHI

In a singles match, YOSHI-HASHI battled Ren Narita. Narita jumped YOSHI, which surprised me. These two battled for a very long time. Narita escaped a Boston Crab by going to the ropes. After Narita tried two roll-up attempts, YOSHI landed an amazing kick. He followed it up with a neckbreaker for a two count. YOSHI-HASHI put on some sort of Masterlock submission move that made Narita tap out. Felt a little long of a match but not bad.

Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens vs. Toa Henare & Tomoaki Honma

The next match was a tag team bout between Bullet Club and the team of Henare and Honma. Honma and Owens started the match. Early on Owens avoided a Kokeshi. Later on another one was missed on Takahashi after a Running Bulldog. Bullet Club used their cheating tactics numerous times during this match. Tama Tonga wasn’t there to tell them otherwise. Henare got a hot tag on Owens. He landed a Shoulder Tackle off the ropes. He gave Takahashi a Samoan Drop when he came in to save Owens. Honma landed a Kokeshi and Henare did a chop on Owens but he kicked out. Henare gave his takedown type of move, but Takahashi broke up the pin. Owens tried for a Small Package Piledriver but Henare got out. He landed it a few minutes later, putting away Henare for good.

El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Minoru Suzuki vs. BUSHI, SANADA & EVIL

In the fourth match, Suzuki-gun faced Los Ingobernables de Japon. As expected, people started brawling all around the venue eventually. EVIL got barricades and chairs stacked on him by Suzuki. BUSHI did a dive to the outside onto Desperado during this match. EVIL and SANADA did a Magic Killer onto Kanemaru to end the match. Magic Killer is such a great finishing move.

TAKA Michinoku & Taichi vs. Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito

After Tetsuya Naito and Taichi had their close battle earlier this week for the IC title, they met once again in a tag match that also included TAKA and Shingo. Early in the match Taichi did the laying down pose that Naito usually does. Takagi gave Michinoku the “Last of the Dragon” to end the match. I wasn’t expecting that Takagi would get the win for his team.

Taiji Ishimori, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, Bad Luck Fale & Jay White w/ Jado & Gedo vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Toru Yano, Togi Makabe, Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi (Elimination Tag Team Match)

The main event was a ten man elimination tag team match. The rules are that you can take someone out is via pinfall, submission or over the top rope elimination. Jay White was in Hiroshi Tanahashi’s face before the match started. They both started the bout. They are the obvious focus in this match as their match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship was on the next show. Surprisingly, no team jumped the other before the bell. Jado put his kendo stick to use during this match, hitting Taguchi in the head with it when he got out of a roll-up pin. When Makabe was on a roll against Tanga Loa, he was shoved off the top rope by Fale. During this whole match, Tama Tonga was doing his “good guy” gimmick. Makabe was the first elimination by being thrown over the top rope by Loa. Makabe was distracted by Jado who was at ringside. Yano was the next in for his team. He was hit with a double team move, but the pin attempt was broken up. Yano gave Loa a roll-up while he was distracted to make it four on four. Tama Tonga was handed a kendo stick and had the option to cheat. He eventually unleashed after weeks of being the good guy. He was disqualified after hitting everyone. Odd that the good guy gimmick went away on a Road To show. He turned so bad that Loa was actually holding him back at one point.

The match became three on three after Jay White gave Yano a Blade Runner for a pinfall. Okada took Fale out of the match via over the top rope elimination but took himself out at the same time. This left it down to the final four wrestlers, who all were involved in title matches on the next show. Ishimori and Taguchi fought next. Taguchi gave Taiji a hip attack move on the apron, eliminating both of them. So they basically did the same spot that was done in the two eliminations before. Tanahashi and White were the final two left. While White fought with the referee over a chair, Gedo tried putting Tanahashi over the top rope. He avoided elimination. When turning around he got out of a Blade Runner but was given a Rock Bottom. The match ended when Tanahashi gave White a Swingblade on the apron to eliminate him. This ending felt sort of anticlimactic, but not horrible. After the match Jay White attacked Tanahashi. White cut a promo afterwards, saying how he will be the new champion. He got some boos from the crowd.

WWE RAW 2/11/19 Results and Review

Let’s look at the go-home show for Monday Night RAW before the Elimination Chamber PPV.

Last Week’s RAW Review

Last Week’s Smackdown Live Review

2019 Royal Rumble PPV Review

Monday Night RAW started this week with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in the ring. They hyped Sunday’s PPV. They reminded us that Becky Lynch was suspended last week after refusing to see a doctor. They tell us that Lynch saw a doctor recently, and before they finished speaking, she was coming down the ramp. HHH issued an apology to Lynch, and lifted her suspension. They shook hands, but then there was a catch. Becky could get her Wrestlemania match if Becky apologized to Stephanie. Becky was on board with this at all, saying she would fight anyone but wouldn’t apologize. As Becky tried leaving the ring Stephanie got in her face. HHH and Stephanie left the ring after telling her that she needs to apologize to get her match.

Sasha Banks & Bayley vs. Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan w/ Ruby Riott vs. Nia Jax & Tamina

To preview the Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match, the three RAW teams faced each other in a tag team triple threat match. Before the commercial break there was a spot outside where Ruby Riott, who wasn’t in the match, ran Sasha Banks into a ringside barricade. Banks walked to the back after the break. This is to continue their story that Bayley has been doing all the work for their tag team. Tamina is seemingly in a position in her team where she took all the bumps. She was attacked by the Riott Squad for minutes on end, while Nia Jax might have not been slammed once in this match. When Nia was run into a ringpost, Tamina tagged herself in. She tried for a Frogsplash off the top, but Sarah Logan put her knees up to counter it. Liv Morgan and Bayley tagged in. After a big combo of moves, Bayley gave Morgan an Elbow Drop off the top for a pin that Logan broke up. She landed a Bayley-to-Belly, and then Tamina came in and kicked Bayley in the head. Jax was tagged in and hit a Samoan Drop to win the match. I would guess that Banks will do another antics thing during the Elimination Chamber match. Because of a stipulation of this match, Bayley and Sasha Banks will start first in their match on Sunday. So, not the most fan-friendly start to the show so far as a heel team won clean and a segment with Becky Lynch sort of ended boring

Elias Performs

Elias was in the ring. Before he began performing we saw on the big screen Becky Lynch and Finn Balor backstage. Balor implied that Lynch should apologize. We got re-introduced to Elias after. Did they mean to introduce him the first time? We saw a Seth Rollins video package, which cut off Elias this time. After the video package, Elias was introduced a third time. This time he was cut off by the Lucha House Party. Oh, I was duped. This was a comedy bit. Well, I guess you know it’s a good joke when it catches you like that. At this point, I realized that there were two guitars in the ring, so I’m going to predict that one or maybe two would be used as a weapon. Elias mentioned how his album wasn’t nominated for the Grammys. Kalisto says that the Lucha House Party wants to “walk with Elias.” He then performed a song about how he hates Grand Rapids. The Lucha House Party all gave his performance a thumbs down. Kalisto offered to perform. He was given the guitar, played something simple which made people cheer him on. Elias offered to do a duet, and then, of course, grabbed his second guitar and smashed it on Kalisto’s back.

Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre

Before Finn Balor’s title match this weekend, he faced Drew McIntyre on this show. His opponents on Sunday, Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush, were at ringside. When Balor went to the top rope during the match, Lashley pushed Balor off the top, making the match end via DQ. Lashley and McIntyre teamed up on Balor until Kurt Angle made the save. Angle cleaned house, putting Lio Rush in an Angle Lock. Baron Corbin came from the back to take down Angle. Braun Stroman came out to join the chaos. The heels stood on the ramp while we went to commercials.

Finn Balor, Braun Stroman & Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin

Hmm, I wonder what they are going to do with this even number of guys all in ring gear. Of course an impromptu tag match was made. Lashley gave Balor a move to end the match (or so we thought) after Lio Rush played as a distraction. Balor put his leg up to end a pinfall, but the referee did not see it. Another ref came out to correct this, making the match restart. At some point Stroman was thrown over the barricade and stayed there for a long time. He eventually got up and went on a roll against all of his opponents. Angle gave Corbin a German Suplex on the floor. Lashley and Stroman were the legal competitors, with Stroman landing a Running Powerslam and then tagging in Finn Balor for a Coup de Grace that ended the match. It was fun to see how much the crowd loved this ending. But other than that, this felt boring. I’m so over the Kurt Angle thing.

Nikki Cross vs. Ruby Riott

After the next match we saw a promo from Kevin Owens. He was in a bowling alley. He talked about how he doesn’t know what brand he will be on, but will be back in a month. During the match we saw Ronda Rousey tell Becky Lynch to apologize. Riott won the match with a kick of some sort. I don’t understand why Riott had to face Cross. Like, I get that she should win a match since she’s facing Rousey on Sunday, but why against Cross, who just debuted?

Seth Rollins Reflects and Looks Forward

Seth Rollins came out to talk about his recent success and his upcoming match with Brock Lesnar. He was cut off by Paul Heyman, who introduced Brock Lesnar. Well, Lesnar actually didn’t show up despite being called out by his mouthpiece. Heyman cut a promo, and then Seth told him that he will do anything to win. After Heyman left, Dean Ambrose came to the ring and gave Rollins words of encouragement. Ambrose part was weird, but the rest was fine.

Dean Ambrose vs. EC3

EC3 faced Dean Ambrose in the next match. This match was presumably set up because of EC3 being roasted by Ambrose on Alexa’s talk show last week. Ambrose won via roll-up, to no reaction from the audience. Alexa Bliss played the devil on Becky Lynch’s shoulder backstage, telling her to not say sorry. Lynch didn’t buy Bliss’ advice, thinking that only encouraged her to not apologize so that her Wrestlemania spot would be available.

Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs. The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) (WWE RAW Tag Team Championship Match)

The next match was Bobby Roode and Chad Gable versus The Revival. Gable and Roode are the champions but it doesn’t feel like anyone knows them. It was sad to hear Roode’s music hit but seemingly not have a single person in the audience singing it. Before we went to a break, Gable did a Moonsault off the ropes to the outside onto The Revival. Much later into the match, Roode hit a Spinebuster on Scott Dawson for a two count. Gable went off the ropes but was hit with a Shatter Machine to end the match. The finish was great, and the match was great, but why are The Revival champs? It felt like this was just done so people don’t think that this go-home show was pointless.

Becky Apolgizes

The final segment of the show was Becky Lynch meeting with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Just like before, they wanted Lynch to apologize. Lynch eventually apologized, solving the issue between her and the duo. But this didn’t solve her apparent issue with Vince McMahon, who came out and said he wasn’t satisfied by the apology. He suspended her for 60 days, which takes her off the Wrestlemania show. Vince announced Charlotte Flair as her replacement. Okay, I understand that they want to build to a triple threat match, but I don’t get the story behind this. It’s like they started the script for this show today and said “Okay, we need Charlotte in the picture immediately.”

Smackdown Live 2/5/19 Results and Review

This week’s Smackdown Live started with Charlotte Flair heading to the ring. Charlotte talked about how Becky Lynch’s attitude is what got her suspended last night. Charlotte said she was healthy and wanted to face Ronda Rousey, and then pointed at the Wrestlemania sign. As she pointed at the sign, a spotlight got on Becky Lynch as she was entering through the crowd. No more limping from Lynch. Lynch got in the ring, and security got around her but refused to do anything. They both shouted at each other until Triple H’s music hit. HHH told Becky to go home and told Charlotte to leave the ring. As HHH was leaving the ring, Becky asked him if Stephanie was medically cleared after she got punched in the face. HHH essentially said that Becky acts tough but is actually scared. He claims that she might actually not be hurt and is scared that the doctor will clear her for the Ronda fight. After he finished his lengthy promo, Lynch slapped him. They had a staredown, and then Lynch left through the crowd. I thought HHH’s promo was a little too long, but was good.

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev

This next match was Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev versus Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The team of Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura were enemies a couple of weeks ago, but have to co-exist now. After a break Shinsuke tried for a Kinshasa but was given a Spinebuster by Anderson instead. Gallows and Rusev were given hot tags. Anderson and Gallows tried for a Magic Killer but Nakamura came in to stop it. Rusev landed a Matchka Kick to end the match after a great exchange from everyone in the match. Using the logic of the wrestling match last night, the match should have been DQ’d when Nakamura came in. But besides that, the finishing sequence of this match was actually pretty good.

Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton

It was announced that next week on Smackdown there will be an episode of McMizTV (Shane and The Miz’s show), with the guests being The Usos. We saw a promo backstage from The Usos. The next match was Mustafa Ali versus Randy Orton. Orton landed a Superplex for a two count. After the break, they were fighting outside the ring, with Ali diving over the commentary table, onto Orton. When Orton got in the ring he was given two Superkicks. Orton tried for a draping DDT but Ali got out of it and landed a move of his own. Ali faked out Orton, making him try for an RKO, and then hit a Tornado DDT off the second rope. Orton took Ali off the top rope when he was trying for a reverse 450 and did an RKO. Great match by both of these guys. After the match, Samoa Joe attack Mustafa Ali.

Daniel Bryan Talks About The Elimination Chamber

Daniel Bryan was in the ring with Erick Rowan to talk to the crowd. Bryan was sporting his new WWE Championship. The crowd was 1000% behind Bryan and he seemed to milk that. Now to be fair this was his home state. Rowan actually talked this time, which I don’t think has happened before. After a video package played, Bryan finished his promo. Wow, a whole segment with no interruptions. That feels like a rarity.

Carmella & Naomi vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

We got a triple threat tag team match to preview the Women’s Tag Team Championship match at Elimination Chamber. Deep into the match, Naomi went wild on everyone, nearly kicking Deville’s head off at one point. She got lots of punches in on Mandy because of their recent rivalry. Rose hit Naomi with a move due to Naomi being distracted from dealing with Royce.

Jeff Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan w/ Erick Rowan

The main event of Smackdown was Hardy versus Bryan. Late into this match, Hardy landed a Swanton Bomb. When going for a pin, Rowan dragged Hardy out of the ring, and then attacked him, making the match end via DQ. Bryan put in a Yes Lock after the bell. Samoa Joe came in and attacked Bryan. Mustafa Ali also did a run-in, and took a great Chokeslam from Rowan onto the commentary table. AJ Styles did a run in and got his entrance music. He fought with Orton, who also appeared. This is a rivlary between Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles, with four other guys being background noise. I’m not saying it’s never been like this for a Chamber match, it just shouldn’t be this way.

WWE RAW 2/4/19 Results and Review

Live from Portland, Oregon, RAW started with Stephanie McMahon in the ring. Before she could introduce whoever she would bring out, Becky Lynch came out. Stephanie got her introduction out after Becky came out. She played a video of when Becky confronted Rousey on RAW last week. It was pointed out that Becky was wearing a knee brace tonight. Stephanie pleaded Becky to get a medical evaluation. Remember that Becky drove away from Smackdown last week because she feared she would have to be sidelined again. Stephanie said that she won’t let her compete unless she is cleared by the staff. Lynch started to talk about struggle, saying that Stephanie has never had to struggle in her life. She continued by saying that nobody will stop her. Stephanie says that if Becky doesn’t see the doctor, she will be suspended. Becky didn’t let up, so she was officially suspended.

Once Stephanie turned around, she got attacked by Becky. Becky tried putting on the Disarmer, but couldn’t. While limping she beat up some security guards. Poor Stephanie seems to get put in a submission move by every top women’s wrestler. First Ronda and now Becky. After the break we saw Lynch getting escorted out of the building. She stopped walking, seeing Ronda Rousey. Rousey was angry that Lynch threw away their Wrestlemania main event. Personally I actually really enjoyed this segment. They are making it obvious that Lynch is a anti-authority, and a go by the beat of her own drum type of character. Rousey’s promo backstage was also very well done.

Liv Morgan w/ Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott vs. Ronda Rousey

The first match of RAW this week was LIv Morgan versus Ronda Rousey. As the bell rang Morgan immediately ran out of the ring. After more tomfoolery, Rousey put in an Armbar to win the match. Right after, Rousey called out anyone else who wanted to fight her.

Sarah Logan w/ Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott vs. Ronda Rousey

Sarah Logan came in, and another match happened. Logan was put in an Armbar, but escaped as her two friends dragged her to the ropes. This fight went through the commercials, but Rousey won with an Armbar eventually. Ruby Riott considered fighting Ronda, but didn’t. Good, because I wouldn’t want to see a third match. It would just get too grating at that point.

Heavy Machinery (Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight) vs. Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik) vs. The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) vs. The B-Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) (WWE RAW Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match)

The next match was a four corner survival match, with the winning team getting a tag team title shot. Otis did a great move where he did the dance move The Worm, and then a standing Elbow Drop. The Revival landed a Shatter Machine to win the match. Backstage we saw a backstage segment between Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. Ryder said that they will end Curt’s multi-year losing streak as a team.

Kurt Angle Tries To Retire

Kurt Angle came to the ring to address his future. He talked about how he has had success over the course of his career, but recently has had trouble. He said that there is one opponent that he can not defeat. “That opponent is father time.” Before he finished what people thought was his retirement speech, Baron Corbin cut him off. After Corbin insulted him, Angle said he could break his ankle in two. Well, he had the chance to last time they fought. Drew McIntyre, someone else who break Angle, came out too. McIntyre said that they will put out Angle for good. They then charged towards the ring, but were distracted by Braun’s music hitting. Braun made the save, making Corbin and McIntyre leave. Man, could you make Angle look any more weak? At one point McIntyre made a pretty good observation, mentioning how Angle wanted to retire but then wanted to fight again only minutes later when Corbin came out. It was announced later that Angle will tag with Stroman.

Sasha Banks & Bayley vs. Alicia Fox & Nikki Cross (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match)

The next match was scheduled to be Bayley and Sasha Banks versus Alicia Fox and Nikki Cross. As Banks’ music hit before the match, we saw that they got jumped on the ramp. A brawl broke out between the four wrestlers. Even though Banks and Bayley seemed pretty laid out from the attack, when we came back from the break the match was underway. The winning team of this match would be added to the Elimination Chamber match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship. Fox landed a Scissor Kick for a two count. Bayley won the match with a roll-up, which is lame but whatever.

Jeff Jarrett vs. Elias

Road Dogg introduced Jeff Jarrett. They both sang a song together. After too much singing, Elias finally cut them off. Elias said he turned down the Super Bowl, and went to a city where there isn’t even a football team. Jarrett had heard enough, saying “Don’t sing it, bring it.” Their match started after this. Elias won his match but was attacked by Road Dogg afterwards. The legends made a comeback, and Jarrett hit Elias in the back with a guitar. The guitar did not break. I just didn’t have interest in any of this. Jarrett was a cool Rumble surprise entrant, but what made it cool was that it would most likely just be a one night return. Backstage we saw Dana Brooke apologize to Natalya for costing her their tag match last week. After being ignored, Brooke decided to book a match against Nattie. Cool.

Finn Balor vs. Lio Rush w/ Bobby Lashley

Before Finn Balor’s match, he did an interview where he admitted that an arm of his is still injured from the Kimura that Brock Lesnar put him in last week. When Balor’s opponent, Bobby Lashley came out he and his assistant Lio Rush cut a promo. Lashley claimed he is better than Brock Lesnar. Since Lashley thought Finn should fight people his own size, he’s going to fight Lio Rush tonight. If he entertains Lashley, he could get a Intercontinental Title shot down the line. Lashley attacked Balor before the bell. Lashley was banned from ringside early on. Balor tired for a Coup de Grace but Rush stopped it before it happened. Rush kept Balor at the top rope and did a Huricanrana. Balor landed a Swingblade and then tried for something else but Rush reversed it into a roll-up. Rush tried for a Frogsplash but Balor dodged. He was positioned up and given the Coup de Grace to end the match. Lashley stormed the ring afterwards but Balor escaped.

“A Moment of Bliss” With EC3

Paige made a special appearance right after the match. She told everyone about her upcoming move “Fighting With My Family.” A trailer then played. After the break, Alexa Bliss had another episode of “A Moment of Bliss.” Her guest this week was EC3. Nia Jax and Tamina came out as the interview was just starting. Dean Ambrose also interrupted. Ambrose said that Nia has a huge crush on him. When Ambrose asked who EC3 was he knocked his microphone out of his hand. Dean absolutely went in on EC3, and then got punched in the face. EC3 went the whole segment without talking.

EC3 vs. Dean Ambrose

After the break we saw Ambrose versus EC3. EC3 won the match in short time after reversing a move into a Jackknife Pinfall. That makes it another match that Ambrose has lost. Ambrose’s stock is dropping by the second. People question if Ambrose’s contract expiring in April is true, and personally I think it is. It wasn’t mentioned at all on this show, so I don’t see why it would be a part of a storyline. But we’ll have to wait and see.

Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin vs. Braun Stroman & Kurt Angle

The main event of the show was Braun Stroman and Kurt Angle versus Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin. Late in the match Angle got a hot tag, giving McIntyre and Corbin German Suplexes. The match was thrown out after Stroman attacked Corbin. Stroman wasn’t the legal competitor. Like, can they even tell this story with honesty? Because illegal members attacking legal members is a huge part of tag team matches. Corbin and McIntyre attacked Angle. They put a steel staircase in the ring and set up for a move, but Stroman came in to end stop them and use the staircase himself. This match being the main event showed how little the show mattered this week. This was a real boring episode where nothing happened besides Becky Lynch being suspended.

NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo 2019 Day 2 Results and Review

After a packed day one of The New Beginning In Sapporo, NJPW brought an even bigger card for day two. Along with three title matches, including Naito versus Taichi, this card had five other matches. Let’s look at the second night.

Road to The New Beginning Day 2 (With Day 1 Recap)

Road to The New Beginning Day 3 Recap

Road to The New Beginning Day 4 Recap

New Beginning in Sapporo Day 1 Recap

Yota Tsuji vs. Toa Henare

The first match was a Young Lion versus Toa Henare match. Yota Tsuji nearly fell over when running down the ramp in this venue. To be fair, the ramp has tons of level changes. Henare’s first big move in the match was a Samoan Drop, with a kickout at two afterwards. Tsuji started to get on a roll, landing a dropkick and then a Boston Crab. Henare escaped, making it to the ropes. Henare reversed a move from Tsuji, landing a takedown. They traded slaps, ending with Henare giving Tsuji a headbutt. Henare did a clothesline off the ropes for a close kickout. Henare finally put away Tsuji with a Rock Bottom. Not a bad match. I wonder when Henare will finally escape these Young Lion matches.

Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida vs. Tiger Mask & Manabu Nakanishi

The next match was a classic Young Lions versus veterans bout. Nakanishi gave Shota a Standing Splash for a two count. Umino got a big pop from the crowd when he landed a slam on Nakanishi. As everyone else was outside the ring, Tiger Mask had a leg move on Yoshida. Luckily he reached the ropes. Mask landed a Tiger Driver, but Umino broke up the count. Tiger Mask did a Superplex onto Yoshida to end the match.

TAKA Michinoku & Takashi Iizuka vs. Ren Narita & Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Before the next match, Iizuka and TAKA made their chaotic walk to the ring from through the crowd. They faced Ren Narita and Hiroyoshi Tenzan. The match started outside the ring, with Iizuka putting chairs on Tenzan. Narita and TAKA battled in the ring until Tenzan got the hot tag after Narita landed a Slam. Tenzan was on a roll until his brainbuster was reversed. Iizuka tried taking out his iron glove but Narita stopped it from happening. Tenzan went to the top, but got kicked off by TAKA. Iizuka had the iron glove slid to him and landed it, making the ref end the match via DQ. Iizuka got a mic after the match and strangled Tenzan with it. The crowd popped for him grabbing the mic because they thought he would speak. Tenzan passed out from the microphone. The crowd applauded afterwards, I assume because Iizuka will retire on the 21st.

Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Togi Makabe & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yujiro Takahashi, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale w/ Jado

The next match worked as a preview for Taguchi versus Ishimori, which will happen later down the line. Why does the NEVER Openweight Title look so comically small? We’ll never know the answer. Taguchi and Ishimori got separate entrances from their teams. Tonga kept doing his comedy gimmick of being the good guy. This is a good gimmick but I feel there’s no progression with it, just the same thing every match. Honma landed his Kokeshi on Takahashi, and then gave Makabe a hot tag. He did his punches and laugh in the corner on Yujiro. Later on, Taguchi put Taiji in an Ankle Lock that got broken up. He put it back in once everyone cleared out. The ref got taken down, letting Jado hit Taguchi in the head with a kendo stick. Yano got tagged in and undid a corner pad. Of course he was the one who ended up going into it. Tonga protested this. Against his will, Tonga was thrown into Yano while being the illegal man. Jado got on the apron, distracting the ref. Tonga stopped a kendo stick spot, which leg Yano hit a low blow and a roll-up to win the match.

Chase Owens, Bad Luck Fale & Jay White w/ Gedo vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi

This match was an extended version of last night’s main event, with Chase Owens and YOSHI-HASHI being added to the match. Okada had a good exchange with Fale, landing a slam. He then tried for a Tombstone Piledriver, but couldn’t land it. He did land a Back Body Drop though. He called for a Rainmaker but didn’t get it, getting hit with a Samoan Drop. HASHI got a close count on White after a Neckbreaker. White also got a kickout with a Death Valley Driver. Okada stopped a Blade Runner attempt. HASHI landed a clothesline on White and then a Fisherman Buster for a very close pinfall attempt. The crowd was unglued for this. He went to the top for a move but White put his knees up. White put in the reverse Figure Four to win the match. He calls it the TTO (Tanahashi Tap Out). HASHI tapped out to end the match. Everyone brawled after the match. Gedo got slapped by Tanahashi. White kicked Tanahashi’s injured knee once and then landed a Blade Runner. White walked out with Tanahashi’s belt. This Jay White build has been truly amazing.

El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Shingo Takagi & BUSHI (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match)

The first of three championship matches on this card was for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles. Kanemaru and BUSHI were defending their belts. They came out very dressed up for this bout. Togi Makabe joined the Japanese commentary team. The match had some pretty good moves throughout. They kept a pretty quick pace. BUSHI and Desperado traded blows at one point, with BUSHI getting the upper hand then then tagging in Kanemaru. Kanemaru and Takagi fought each other. Kanemaru landed a DDT after pushing the ref out of the way. Kanemaru landed a Moonsault for a two. He went to the second rope and tried for a Deep Impact, but it got reversed into a Belly-to-Belly German Suplex. Takagi landed another after. He landed an impressive Death Valley Driver, catching Kanemaru mid-move. He then tried for Last of the Dragon, but it got reversed into a Sunset Flip. Takagi landed a clothesline for a count but then Desperado pulled the ref out. Desperado tried to use a chair but instead was hit with it. Kanemaru tried for a Satori Surprise but was blocked by the chair. BUSHI then gave Kanemaru his mist. BUSHi did a Suicida to Desperado, letting Takagi do a Pumping Bomber which Kanemaru kicked out of. BUSHI and Takagi landed the double team move “Rebellion” to win the match and retain. Great work in this contest by all of them. This reign can really help Takagi as he has only been with the company for a short amount of time. I hope they get a few more months out of this reign at least. Desperado was unmasked after the match by BUSHI, with his mask being thrown into the crowd.

Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki w/ TAKA Michinoku vs. SANADA & EVIL (IWGP Tag Team Championship Match)

The second Suzuki-gun versus Los Ingobernables match was ZSJ and Suzuki challenging SANADA and EVIL for their tag belts. As EVIL was getting his name announced, they were attacked. Suzuki attacked EVIL with a barricade and chairs in the first few rows of the crowd. SANADA made it in at the 19 count. ZSJ had SANADA in the ring in a submission move that he escaped, but he had no help since Suzuki was targeting EVIL at ringside. Suzuki and ZSJ tried for dual piledrivers but both got reversed into big moves from LIJ. The duo hit a Magic Killer on Suzuki, but ZSJ broke up the pin. SANADA tried for a Skull End but Suzuki got out of it. Suzuki got hit with another Magic Killer, and then SANADA did a Moonsault off the top to win the match. Wow, it looks like no belts are moving on this show. This was a good match, with a little less exciting of a finish compared to the match before. Not going to lie, I was starting to get a little burnt out at this point. We were approaching the three hour mark, and we were watching the second of three long matches.

Taichi w/ Miho Abe vs. Tetsuya Naito (IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match)

The main event of the evening was Taichi versus Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP IC title. As Naito was making his walk down the ramp, Takashi Iizuka came and hit him with a ladder. Taichi acted innocent as if he didn’t expect that this would happen. On the ramp Taichi landed Black Mephisto on the ramp. Naito was down on the ramp for a long time, getting checked out by doctors and Young Lions. Taichi got on the mic and got some boos. They carried Naito through the corner aisle, and disappeared. Taichi went up to the Japanese commentary team, where Makabe got up and considered fighting him. There was a few awkward few minutes where Taichi walked around doing bits. I thought maybe he was improvising. After a while the announcer told the crowd that the doctor was checking on Naito. Referees and NJPW employees came out and delegated. Eventually we saw a limping Naito be helped out by BUSHI. The match became official, and it started.

Five minutes into the match, Taichi gave Naito a great Clothesline on the apron that made him go upside down. Taichi took out a table and set it up at ringside. Taichi tried for a move onto it but Naito stopped it. Naito did a great piledriver through the table. Taichi got in the ring at the 18 count. Naito went to the top rope to land a Huricanrana that got a two count. Taichi did a side-suplex and then did the tear off of his long pants. He landed a Clothesline after an exchange. Naito landed a Gloria for the two count. Naito tried for the Destino, but then Iizuka came back. He attacked BUSHI, and then got on the apron. Naito threw him into a guardrail at ringside. Taichi picked up the IC title in the ring and tried to hit Naito with it but couldn’t. Naito put down the title and picked up Taichi’s microphone stand. He hit him with the microphone. Naito tried using the mic for the third time but was hit with a chair from Taichi. Naito was hit so hard with a chairshot to the head that it scared me. I didn’t catch what happened to the ref that made him absent this whole time. Naito kicked out once again after Taichi hit a side suplex.

Taichi attempted another Black Mephisto but it got reversed into a move. Naito tried for a Destino but it got stopped. Taichi pushed the ref and then kicked Naito in the groin. He tried for a roll-up but wasn’t successful. This was an spectacular combo. Taichi did a Superkick for a very late kick out. Taichi tried for a Powerbomb but Naito slipped out. He shoved the ref, kicked Taichi in the groin, then did a Destino that got kicked out of. Yes, I said that right. A Destino was kicked out of. Another Destino got reversed, but then Naito did a Reverse Huricanrana. Naito did a Brainbuster for a two count. For the last time, Naito landed a Destino to end the match.

This was a truly great main event. You know, I didn’t know how I’d feel about this match. I thought the gap between Naito and Taichi wouldn’t make this match believable. And while there was that gap, the attack at the start made it all make sense. The attack made it so that Taichi actually had a chance. Taichi came out of this match looking better than he did before, in my opinion. This was a great main event, and a not bad show overall. NJPW returns on the 9th for their next Road to show.

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NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo 2019 Day 1 Results and Review

After the Road to New Beginning shows have wrapped up, we got two days at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Saporro for The New Beginning in Sapporo. Let’s look at day one.

Road to The New Beginning Day 2 (With Day 1 Recap)

Road to The New Beginning Day 3 Recap

Road to The New Beginning Day 4 Recap

Yuya Uemura vs. Ren Narita

We had a singles Young Lion match to start off the show. Late into the match, Uemura put Narita in a Boston Crab which he escaped eventually. Both these guys traded blows, and then Narita tried for the Belly-to-Belly German that got him a win recently. He got stopped, and then Uemura landed one of his own for a two count. Narita escaped another Boston Crab. Uemura landed a few strikes and then went off the ropes but got caught with the Belly-to-Belly German Suplex, which bridged into a pinfall to end the match. That move is beautiful.

Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida vs. Toa Henare & Manabu Nakanishi

The final match involving Young Lions was Umino and Yoshida facing Henare and Nakanishi. Umino had Henare in an Armbar at one point which was broken up by Nakanishi. Henare landed a Samoan Drop on Umino for a two count. He also landed a Spear but Umino kicked out. He landed a Rock Bottom to finally put him away.

TAKA Michinoku & Takashi Iizuka vs. Tiger Mask & Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Takashi Iizuka made his way through the crowd with TAKA before this match. This is one of Iizuka’s last matches as he has his retirement match on the 21st. The fight went deep into the crowd here, with Iizuka taking a chair to Tenzan. They did a 19 count spot with Tenzan after. The match ended via DQ after Iizuka used a chair in the ring. Tenzan was hit with Iizuka’s iron glove. Nothing much to say about this match quite honestly. It was a thing.

YOSHI-HASHI, Tomoaki Honma, Toru Yano, Togi Makabe & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga & Taiji Ishimori w/ Jado

After winning their 6-man belts on the last show, Taguchi, Yano and Makabe teamed with Honma and YOSHI-HASHI to face Owens and Takahashi, and the former champions, Loa, Tonga and Ishimori. Early on in the match Jado hit Honma with a kendo stick when he tried for the Kokeshi. Tonga shouted at Jado since he doesn’t like cheating. Takahashi tried putting his boot in the corner for a ring, letting Owens shove Honma’s head into it, but Tonga stopped it twice. His teammate shoved him off the apron and talked to him. He was then tagged in and had to shove Honma onto boots, but did it so slow that Honma reversed it. Taguchi gave Jado a hip attack and then did a Crossbody to the outside onto Taiji. Yano gave Takahashi a low blow and roll-up to end the match. Not a bad match. If they’re trying to emphasize how Tonga is dragging the team down, maybe that should be more a part of the finish.

El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi w/ Miho Abe vs. Shingo Takagi, BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito

Tonight was the final preview match for Tetsuya Naito versus Taichi for the Intercontinental Championship match, which is on tomorrow’s show. Since this is a big show, Miho Abe was in Taichi’s corner. Taichi bent the ropes open for Naito and did not jump him before the bell. Wow. When the match started, others went outside the ring to fight while Naito and Taichi stared each other down. Later on when the fight went into the crowed, Taichi was fighting with Naito. Taichi finished the match against BUSHI, landing a Back Body Drop while Naito was held to watch in the ring. A good finish to promote the match tomorrow, while not making either guy look weak.

Minoru Suzuki vs. SANADA

The next match was a singles match between Minoru Suzuki and SANADA. YOSHI-HASHI joined the Japanese commentary booth. After a couple minutes of in-ring action, Suzuki brought the fight to outside the ring. He used a chair near the commentators, and then used a chair as a weapon, detaching it from a row. He threw a barricade on SANADA, and then put a few more chairs on him. Suzuki got a small cut on his cheek. SANADA got back in the ring around the 17 count. SANADA put in a Skull End at one point but SANADA let go of it. He tried for a Moonsault but Suzuki put his knees up. Suzuki tried for a Gotch Style Piledriver but SANADA reversed it into a Back Body Drop. SANADA did a roll-up which got reversed into a Rear Naked Choke which he got out of. After a combo of moves, Suzuki landed a Gotch Style Piledriver to end the match. I had no complains about this matchup.

Zack Sabre Jr. w/ TAKA Michinoku vs. EVIL

The second singles match was ZSJ versus EVIL. This match was a classic ZSJ match where it didn’t rely on big bumps to entertain. EVIL brought ZSJ to the rampway at one point and tried for a much but instead Zack put in a move. EVIL got out of the move by landing a Fisherman Buster. Back in the ring, EVIL landed Darkness Falls for it to be kicked out at like, one. EVIL did a good move where he made the ref hold ZSJ’s leg for a kick. EVIL landed a Superplex and then landed a clothesline off the ropes for a two count. EVIL then tried for the Everything is EVIL, but ZSJ reversed it into a roll-up. He was unsuccessful. Later on, another Everything Is EVIL got reversed, and then EVIL reversed ZSJ again to land an Everything Is EVIL and win the match. I like how ZSJ always goes at this slow but epic pace in singles bouts. I enjoyed this.

Bad Luck Fale & Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi

In a big main event, Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi teamed up to face Bad Luck Fale and Jay White. White told the commentary table that they were a dream team since they were “the first Kiwi team to main event in Sapporo.” The commentary kept putting over White as the favourite for when he faces Tanahashi. Fale felt nearly invisible during this whole match. If there was an alternate dimension where a two on one match would still seem even, Fale wouldn’t have been booked for this. White fought with Tanahashi outside the ring at one point, putting a barricade and a Young Lion on him. Okada got a hot tag on Fale, doing a DDT and then a kip up. He landed a slam, and then went to the top for a move. Fale dodged the top rope move and then landed a Samoan Drop. Fale landed a standing Frogsplash for a two count. Tanahashi and White fought outside the ring. Fale tried for a Grenade but Okada got out. Okada tried to lift Fale, and then Fale tried for a Bad Luck Fall. Neither worked. Tanahashi got tagged in with White. They faced off and then traded blows. Tanahashi hit a Swingblade for a two count. Tanahashi went off the ropes but got his leg held by Gedo. This let White do a German Suplex into a pin, with Tanahashi kicking out. The crowd was chanting Tanahashi’s name at this point. Tanahashi gave Fale a Swingblade, and then Okada gave White a Dropkick. Both guys popped off at the same time.

Okada landed a Tombstone Piledriver, and then Tanahashi did a Styles Clash, and then Okada did an Elbow Drop, and then Tanahashi went to the top for a High Fly Flow but was stopped as Fale came in while Gedo was on the apron. Fale gave Okada a Grenade, and one for Tanahashi. White did a Death Valley Driver but Tanahashi kicked out. White tried for his finisher but Tanahashi turned it into a Twist and Shout. He also gave Fale one. Gedo got on the apron, giving White the chance to use a chair. He couldn’t use it as he was given a Swingblade. Tanahashi did a German Suplex on Fale which was impressive. Gedo got in the ring and swung at Tanahashi but didn’t succeed at attacking. When the ref was distracted, White used a chair to attack Tanahashi’s already injured leg. He did many more moves on the leg. Tanahashi was in an Inverted Figure Four, while Okada was held off by Okada, including a Bad Luck Fall being landed. Tanahashi eventually tapped out.

What a great match this was. This match did a great job at putting over Jay White. I love how they’ve been building him this whole tour. It’s truly been well done. I loved how the near perfect finishing sequence by Tanahashi and Okada was disrupted. I’m more than happy with this main event. After the match, White cut a good promo after the match while wearing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

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NJPW Road to The New Beginning Day 4 2019 Results and Review

The third and final taped night of The New Beginning nights moved locations and included a title match. Let’s get into night four.

Day 2 Recap (With Day 1 Results)

Day 3 Recap

Shota Umino & Ayato Yoshida vs. Yota Tsuji & Toa Henare

The first match was a Young Lion contest set for fifteen minutes. Umino and Henare got hot tags early in this match. Tsuji gave Umino a Boston Crab but Yoshida broke it up. Shota put Tsuji in a Boston Crab of his own, but Tsuji made it to the ropes. He then landed a Missile Dropkick off the top rope, and then a Fisherman Suplex for the win.

Tiger Mask & Manabu Nakanishi vs. Ren Narita & Hiroyoshi Tenzan

The next match was three veterans and a Young Lion in a tag match. Narita jumped his opponents before the bell. At one point Narita had a Boston Crab in and was getting hit with chops, yet enduring and keeping the hold. Tiger Mask gave Narita a leg lock that Tenzan got him out of. After a kick to the head from Tiger Mask, Nakanishi landed a chop off the top rope, and Tiger landed a Tiger Driver to end the match.

Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Shingo Takagi

We had the third singles match of the tour next. Yoshinobu Kanemaru faced Shingo Takagi. Or, as I like to call it, the battle of the two guys in their factions with normal names that aren’t the faction’s leader. Very quickly in the contest, the fight went outside the ring. Takagi was given a reverse DDT on the ramp. He was also given a kick to the head on the apron. Takagi tried for a Satori Surprise but Takagi dodged and then hit a Samoan Drop. He landed a clothesline after. As Tagaki was looking for another move, the match ended with a DQ after El Desperado did a run-in. BUSHI came in to even the odds.

El Desperado vs. BUSHI

The next scheduled match was BUSHI versus Desperado, so we went right into the next match. Kanemaru got involved when the referee wasn’t looking, pushing BUSHI off the apron and slamming him on the floor. Desperado took BUSHI and threw him into barricades and rows of chairs. BUSHI just barely made the count, getting in at 19. BUSHI did a Tope Suicida on both Desperado and Kanemaru with the help of Takagi. The match also ended in a DQ after BUSHI was unmasked. In a brawl afterwards, El Desperado was unmasked as well. I didn’t like these two matches, they felt sort of lame.

Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale & Jay White w/ Gedo vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomoaki Honma & Hiroshi Tanahashi

Our next eight-man tag match was CHAOS versus Bullet Club. Hiroshi Tanahashi was sporting new red hair. White jumped Tanahashi before the bell and hoisted his IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Early in the match Honma failed at landing a Kokeshi. Owens tried a package piledriver on Honma but couldn’t land it. After being isolated for minutes upon minutes, Honma tagged out. Later on, Tanahashi got some shots in on White after he interrupted KUSHIDA’s goodbye match the show before. White landed a Rock Bottom after a combo of reversals. Okada gave Takahashi one of his great dropkicks, and then did a Tombstone Piledriver. Tanahashi gave Takahashi a Styles Clash and then Okada did an Elbow Drop. Tanahashi did a High Fly Flow to end the match. I loved this finishing combo, very well done.

Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi w/ TAKA Michinoku vs. SANADA, EVIL & Tetsuya Naito

Before this next match started, EVIL and ZSJ were in each other’s faces. Naito faced off with Taichi since they will face each other soon. There was no chaotic start to this match. Both teams civilly waiting for the bell to ring. The politeness would only last so long as the fight eventually made it’s way into the crowd. Naito was thrown over maybe three or four rows of chairs. SANADA at one point had Suzuki in a hold but he escaped it by holding onto the ref. It was EVIL and ZSJ who ended the match, with ZSJ reversing an Everything is EVIL into a bridged pinfall. Suzuki-gun walked off with all of the titles that LIJ brought in. I thought it was good that ZSJ got the finish to put the focus on the tag match while showcasing the Taichi match a little. The match itself wasn’t anything to write home about, but wasn’t bad either.

Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Toru Yano vs. Taiji Ishimori, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa w/ Jado (NEVER 6-Man Openweight Championship Match)

Togi Makabe’s copyright free music was cranked up extra loud for this main event. So much so that Kevin Kelly’s commentary was just a vibration in the background. The main event of the show was a NEVER 6-Man Openweight Tag Team Match. Taguchi got the hometown pop when starting the match. Just like in the matches before, Tonga was playing up his good guy gimmick. Taguchi landed a move on Taiji which would have been a three count, but Jado pulled the referee out. Chase Owens then came in and tried to give Taguchi a Package Piledriver, but then was given a low blow from Yano. When Taguchi had Taiji in an Ankle Lock, he rolled out, making Taguchi hit the referee. Then Bad Luck Fale came in, with Kazuchika Okada coming in for the save. Jay White made a run-in as well, with Tanahashi making yet another save. This could have been done without Okada and Fale. Taguchi did an O’Connor Roll and was hit with a kendo stick by Jado when Taiji kicked out. Taguchi kicked out of a pin attempt from Ishimori. Taguchi did another Ankle Lock, which got turned into a different hold which made Ishimori tap. We have new 6-man champs.

I don’t like this. I thought this was really going time for Ishimori to be pushed. I thought he could really look like a star. Sure, he can lose the belts, but all of this? Tapping out? Taiji looked completely weak by the end of this. He still has his other belt, but it’s the man who makes the belt, not the belt who makes the man. Taguchi cut a promo to finish the show.

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