Opinion: Match & Show Ratings for March 13 to March 19, 2022

Welcome to TPWW’s Emperor Smeat’s Match and Show Ratings for the week of March 13th to March 19th, 2022.

Match and show star ratings (out of 5):

WWE

WWE RAW (March 14)
* Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest – 2.0
* Omos vs. Commander Azeez – 2.0
* Liv Morgan vs. Queen Zelina – 2.5
* Dominik & Rey Mysterio vs. The Hurt Business (Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin) – 2.0
* Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop – 2.5
* Riddle vs. Montez Ford – 2.5
* Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens – 3.0
Overall – 1.5
Best – The Scott Hall tribute video.
Worst – The dull flow throughout the show.
Show Notes – Opening Owens’ promo about Steve Austin accepting his invitation & mocking him was all right but him busting out a random Stunner to the cameraman was a bit funny. Balor vs. Priest was mostly solid despite the ending shenanigans with Austin Theory. Omos vs. Azeez was a mostly decent hoss fight. Morgan vs. Zelina was mostly solid despite the ending shenanigans with Carmella & Rhea Ripley. Rollins’ promo about his grand plan to be at WrestleMania being a talk show segment, Owens’ retort being upset over Rollins trying to take his Mania spot, & bickering banter about a match setup over who gets the talk show was corny but also a bit funny. Mysterios vs. Hurt Business was decent at best. Post-match brawl with Miz & Logan Paul was decent. Edge’s new rock theme song sounds pretty good. Edge’s promo bashing the crowd, his reason for his new bad guy persona, & upcoming match against Styles was all right. Belair vs. Doudrop was a solid back-and-forth match. Post-match ambush attack by Lynch to Belair was okay but Lynch whipping Belair into the post via hair yank was more comedic than WWE likely expected. RK-Bro RAW Tag titles celebration segment about their WrestleMania plans, Orton being a cheapass with his gifts to Riddle, & interruption by Street Profits & banter about tag title challenge at WrestleMania was splendid. Riddle vs. Ford was going on really well until the buzzkill DQ ending by Alpha Academy. The Scott Hall tribute video was magnificent. Rollins vs. Owens notable moments: Owens’ top rope spiked Tornado DDT to Rollins. Ouch at Rollns back after crashing hard into the announcer table from his dive to Owens on the outside. Owens’ Avalanche Fisherman Buster to Rollins. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. WWE managing to bait the sheets & leakers hard over Cody Rhodes’ debut tonight that didn’t happen was a bit hilarious. This week’s show was somewhat average at best but also went overboard with the amount of filler stuff & dragged at times.

NXT (March 15)
* North American Championship Qualifier match – Cameron Grimes vs. Santos Escobar – 3.0
* KUSHIDA vs. A-Kid – 2.5
* Sarray vs. Tiffany Stratton – 1.5 (Squash)
* Indi Hartwell vs. Persia Pirotta – 2.0
* Raul Mendoza vs. Dominik Mysterio – 2.5
* NXT Championship – LA Knight vs. Dolph Ziggler (c) – 3.0
Overall – 3.0
Best – Cameron Grimes vs. Santos Escobar match and the Tommaso Ciampa & Tony D’Angelo in-ring promo segment.
Worst – Sarray vs. Tiffany Stratton match.
Show Notes – Opening MIZ TV segment with Ziggler & Roode about Ziggler’s NXT title win, interruption by Knight demanding a title shot, & insults banter was somewhat decent. Cora Jade backstage interview about Toxic Attraction & stealing their belts was okay. Grimes vs. Escobar notable moments: Grimes’ cannonball dive over Legado onto Escobar on the outside. Escobar’s Phantom Driver finisher counter of Grimes’ Cave-In. Match itself was a good action filled bout, especially the ladder half. Shirai & Ray promo video about Women’s Dusty Tag Finals & T.A. was all right. KUSHIDA vs. A-Kid was a solid back-and-forth match despite A-Kid botching his springboard DDT finisher. Escobar backstage interview about NA title plans, surprise interruption by the Mysterios, insults banter with Legado, & match setup was all right. Jade trapping Jayne in a giant cage backstage was goofy. Ciampa’s passionate promo about his NXT career and future, interruption by Tony D’Angelo wanting a match, & sneak attack by D’Angelo was splendid. Hartwell vs. Pirotta was decent at best despite the ringside shenanigans by Duke Hudson & Dexter Lumis. The post-match one upping making out session by Hartwell & Pirotta to their man’s was a bit cringey. Jade trapping Dolin inside a dumpster was really dumb but also funny. Mendoza vs. Mysterio was solid despite the ending ringside shenanigans by Legado, Fallon Henley, Briggs, Jensen, & Rey Mysterio. Mandy Rose’s parking lot ambush attack to Jade was okay. Creed Bros’ angry promo about getting attacked last week, interruption by MSK claiming it wasn’t them but airing their grievances at Creed Bros, interruption by Imperium mocking Creed Bros, & match setup banter was all right. NXT title match notable moments: Knight’s catch & slam counter of Ziggler’s Zig-Zag attempt. Knight’s Burning Hammer to Ziggler. Match itself was a good hard fought bout despite the abrupt ending. Post-match promo by Bron Breakker demanding a title match & KO punch to Roode was splendid. This week’s show was mostly enjoyable overall.

Friday Night SmackDown (March 18)
* Rick Boogs & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Los Lotharios (Angel & Humberto) – 3.0
* 6-Man Tag Team match – Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) & Drew McIntyre vs. Shanky, Jinder Mahal, & Happy Corbin – 2.5
* Naomi & Sasha Banks vs. Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley – 3.0
* Kofi Kingston vs. Ridge Holland – 2.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Brock Lesnar’s backstage forklift carnage to Bloodline’s van and Pat McAfee & Austin Theory in-ring promo segment.
Worst – The buzzkill DQ ending to the Women’s Tag Team match & the sloppy brawl between Charlotte Flair & Ronda Rousey.
Show Notes – Open Reigns promo mocking Lesnar & promising to make him bleed again, Heyman’s announcement of Lesnar’s plane trip problems & him being absent from the show, their banter about Lesnar actually arriving soon instead, & Bloodline bailing was splendid. Lesnar ramming a forklift into Bloodline’s van backstage & trashing it was cool. Lesnar’s promo about his upcoming match against Reigns & coming for his blood was splendid. Boogs & Nakamura vs Lotharios notable moments: Boogs’ Military Press lift reps to Humberto & curling powerslam finisher to Angel afterwards was cool. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth style bout. Corbin & Madcap Moss pre-match interview about McIntyre & lame joke mocking Corbin was lame. 6-Man Tag notable moments: McIntyre’s Michinoku Driver to Shanky. Match itself was a solid back-and-forth bout. Zayn’s backstage promo about his issues with Johnny Knoxville & Anything Goes match stip challenge was decent. Women’s Tag notable moments: Ripley’s stalling vertical suplex counter of Banks’ suplex attempt. Ouch at Naomi’s tailbone after her hand landing from Morgan’s toss over the ropes. Ripley’s apron cannonball to Naomi & Banks on the outside. Ripley’s stiff missile dropkick to Banks’ head. Banks’ backstabber counter of Ripley’s Riptide. Naomi & Banks’ superplex setup into a Tower of Doom powerbomb by Morgan. Match was going on really well until the buzzkill DQ ending by Natayla & Shayna Baszler. Post-match mass brawl with Carmella & Queen Zelina was fine. Knoxville video promo accepting Zayn’s Anything Goes match stip at Mania was decent. Pat McAfee promo about his love of pro wrestling and Cole giving him a job in WWE, interruption by Austin Theory, & McAfee insults filled “apology” digs at Theory was all right. Kingston vs. Holland was solid despite the ending shenanigans by Butch & Sheamus. Charlotte Flair’s promo bashing Ronda Rousey & brawl with Rousey was somewhat decent despite being a bit sloppy. This week’s show was enjoyable overall.

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AEW

AEW Dark Elevation (March 14)
* Nyla Rose vs. Katalina Perez – 2.0 (Squash)
* Frankie Kazarian vs. Tiger Ruas – 3.0
* Skye Blue & Kilynn King vs. Emi Sakura & The Bunny – 3.0
* Jay Lethal vs. Merrick Donovan – 2.5
* Ruby Soho vs. Amber Nova – 2.0
* Chaos Project (Luther & Serpentico) vs. Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & Jon Silver) – 2.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Skye Blue & Kilynn King vs. Emi Sakura & The Bunny match.
Worst – Ruby Soho vs. Amber Nova match dragging at times.
Show Notes – Rose vs. Perez opener was a decent squash style match. Kazarian vs. Ruas notable moments: Kazarian’s apron scissors kick to Ruas onto the ropes. Ruas’ high angle German suplex to Kazarian. Kazarian’s springboard leg drop to Ruas. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. Women’s Tag notable moments: Blue’s knee strike & snapmare combo to Sakura into a running double knees by King to Sakura. Sakura & Blue’s slugfest exchange. King’s powerslam counter of Sakura’s running attack. Match itself was a pretty good action filled bout. Lethal vs. Donovan notable moments: Lethal’s diving crossbody to the outside crashing hard onto Donovan. Donovan’s ripcord Flatliner to Lethal. Match itself was a solid brief bout. Soho vs. Nova notable moments: Soho’s Backdrop Driver to Nova bending her in half. Match itself was a somewhat decent bout. Chaos Project vs. Dark Order notable moments: Luther hitting a running bulldog to Serpentico onto Reynolds & using him as a weapon to Reynolds’ chest afterwards. Silver’s running knee to Luther onto the ropes sending him tumbling out of the ring. Reynolds & Silver’s moves fest destruction of Serpentico. Match itself was a solid back-and-forth bout. Post-match ambush attack by Chaos Project & run-in save by rest of Dark Order was all right. This week’s show was enjoyable overall.

AEW Dark (March 15)
* Trios Tag Team match – Dark Order (Alan “5” Angels, Colt Cabana, & Evil Uno) vs. Brandon Cutler & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) – 3.0
* Ruby Soho vs. Ashley D’Ambroise – 2.5
* Josh Woods vs. AC Adams – 2.0 (Squash)
* Ricky Starks vs. Darian Bengston – 2.0 (Squash)
* Diamante vs. Session Moth Martina – 2.0 (Squash)
* Chaos Project (Serpentico & Luther) vs. Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) – 3.0
* Leyla Hirsch vs. Marina Tucker – 2.0 (Squash)
* Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) vs. Invictus Khash & Ariya Daivari – 3.0
* Aaron Solo vs. 10 – 2.5
* Emi Sakura vs. Shalonce Royal – 2.0
* Lance Archer vs. Sage Scott – 2.0 (Squash)
* 2point0 & Daniel Garcia vs. Luke Sampson, Mike Reed, & Shane Stetson – 2.0 (Squash)
* Jora Johl vs. Frankie Kazarian – 2.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Dark Order vs. Brandon Cutler & The Young Bucks match.
Worst – AEW production’s poor editing job for the ending sequence to the Jora Johl vs. Frankie Kazarian match.
Show Notes – Trios Tag opener notable moments: Cutler’s comedic slow fall into an inadvertent boot counter of Angel’s Flying Nothing was a bit funny. Young Bucks swinging neckbreaker combo to Angels. Angels’ dodge counter of Young Bucks double chops & superkicks combo to Cutler was a bit funny, especially Cutler’s reaction afterwards. Angels’ Frog Splash to Cutler via Uno & Cabana lift grab assist. Match itself was an entertaining bout with some nice comedic moments. Chaos Project’s backstage interview about their upcoming match against Dark Order & putting the “FU” in fun was a bit goofy but also funny. Woods vs. Adams notable moments: Woods’ Tombstone style overhead suplex finisher to Adams was cool. Match itself was a decent squash bout. Chaos Project vs. Dark Order notable moments: Luther using Serpentico as a weapon for his attack to Silver in the corner & dropping Serpentico over the ropes afterwards was a bit funny. Reynolds’ Tombstone to Serpentico onto Luther. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth action bout. Top Flight vs. Khash & Daivari notable moments: Dante’s springboard crossbody to Khash & Daivari via Darius assist. Daivari’s arm bar Flatliner to Darius. Dante’s reverse float-over neckbreaker to Daivari. Khash’s neckbreaker & Daivari’s Frog Splash combo to Dante. Dante’s step up dropkick via Darius assist to Daivari sending him crashing from the apron to the floor. Dante’s rolling German to Khash into a deadlift German finisher by Darius. Match itself was a quite good action filled bout. Top Flight post-match interview about Darius’ return from injury & message to AEW Tag division was all right. Sakura vs. Royal: Sakura mocking Royal’s opera singing taunts & Taz awful signing on commentary was a bit funny. Match itself was a somewhat decent at best comedic style bout. Johl vs. Kazarian was a mostly solid match despite AEW production’s poor & abrupt editing job done for its ending sequence. This week’s show was mostly enjoyable overall.

AEW Dynamite St. Patrick’s Day Slam 2022 (March 16)
* Trios Tag Team match – Adam Cole & reDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly) vs. Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus) & Hangman Adam Page – 4.0
* Bryan Danielson & Jon Moxley vs. Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Wheeler Yuta) – 3.0
* TNT Championship – Wardlow vs. Scorpio Sky (c) – 2.5
* Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) vs. The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) – 3.0
* AEW Women’s World Championship Steel Cage match – Thunder Rosa vs. Dr. Britt Baker (c) – 3.5
Overall – 4.0
Best – Trios Tag Team match, Jericho Appreciation Society promo segment, & Thunder Rosa’s AEW Women’s title victory.
Worst – The rushed ending sequence to the AEW Women’s Championship match.
Show Notes – Trios Tag opener moments: Jungle, Luchasaurus & Page’s triple moonsaults to Cole & reDragon was sweet. Fish’s backbreaker & O’Reilly double foot stomp combo to Jungle. Cole’s superkick to Jungle’s failed Doomsday Device leap. Page’s Deadeye counter of Cole’s superkick. Page’s lariat to Cole spinning him to the mat. Jungle’s double Doomsday Device to Fish & Cole via Page & Luchasaurus assist. Match itself was an awesome action packed bout. Kris Statlander’s vignette about her wiping off her alien face paint was interesting. Danielson & Moxley vs. Best Friends moments: Danielson & Moxley’s stiff strikes & kicks fest to Yuta. Yuta’s bridging German suplex counter of Moxley’s brainbuster. Danielson’s bridging shoulder capture suplex. Match itself was a quite good physical bout. Post-match Yuta & William Regal confrontation was sweet. J.A.S. promo segment about 2.0 praising Jericho, Jericho boasting about himself & bashing the fans, Inner Circle, and Kingston, Jericho & Garcia boasting about being sports entertainers, & Jericho & Hager’s war on pro wrestling was superb. 2.0’s new ring names being very goofy was funny though. Serena Deeb video promo badmouthing Shida was all right. TNT title mach was solid despite the predictable shenanigans ending by MJF. Private Party vs. Hardys was entertaining despite dragging a bit long. AEW Women’s title Steel Cage match moments: Rosa’s live mariachi music & Baker’s Scott Hall tribute gear was cool. Baker’s Avalanche Air Raid Crash to Rosa onto a pile of chairs. Rosa slamming Baker’s head off the cage from the top rope causing her to crash onto a tower of chairs was brutal. Baker’s back drop to Rosa onto a pile of tacks. Rosa slamming Baker’s hands onto tacks & powerbomb onto tacks afterwards was crazy. Rosa’s Fire Thunder Driver finisher to Baker onto tacks. Match itself was a mostly very entertaining bloody hardcore bout, especially the latter half. Rosa winning the Women’s title was great. This week’s show was mostly great overall.

AEW Rampage (March 18)
* Darby Allin vs. The Butcher – 3.0
* “Legit” Leyla Hirsch vs. Red Velvet – 3.0
* House of Black (Buddy Matthews, Brody King, & Malakai Black) vs. Fuego Del Sol & Bear Country (Bear Bronson & Bear Boulder) – 2.5 (Squash)
* Keith Lee vs. Max Caster – 3.0
Overall – 3.5
Best – Darby Allin vs. The Butcher match.
Worst – N/A
Show Notes – Allin vs. Butcher notable moments: Butcher’s stiff punch to Allin in the corner flooring him. Butcher’s vicious lariat to Allin spinning him to the mat. Butcher’s stiff lariat to Allin flipping him onto the floor. Butcher swinging Allin into the guard rail & steel steps. Allin’s Code Red to Butcher off the steps. Allin’s Coffin Drop from the top rope to Butcher on the outside. Match itself was a quite good physical bout. Post-match brawl with AFO, Sting, & Hardys was all right. Scorpio Sky, Dan Lambert, & Paige VanZant backstage promo about Sky’s winning streak and TNT title reign and boasting about themselves while bashing others was all right. Hirsch vs. Red Velvet notable moments: Velvet’s suplex counter of Hirsch’s suplex onto the ramp. Hirsch yanking out Velvet’s legs off the top rope. Hirsch’s catch & Cradle suplex counter of Velvet’s kick. Kris Statlander’s surprise appearance & new look was cool. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth bout despite the ending shenanigans by Statlander. HoB vs. Del Sol & Bear Country notable moments: King’s punch counter of Del Sol’s flying attack. Matthews’ knee strike counter of Del Sol’s springboard crossbody. Matthews’ Murphy’s Law finisher to Del Sol looked brutal. Match itself was an entertaining mostly squash style bout. Penta Oscuro’s backstage promo thanking House of Black for unleashing his darker side & wanting to destroy them was all right. Acclaimed’s trash talk & Lee’s intellectual split-screen backstage pre-match interview was fine. Caster’s pre-match rap mocking Ted Cruz & snowstorms, Lee’s gear colors, & Alamo reference was splendid. Lee vs. Caster notable moments: Lee’s catch & overhead toss of Caster’s kick. Caster’s springboard dropkick to Lee onto the ropes. Lee’s Pounce to Caster sending him flying into the ropes. Lee’s chops fest & Big Bang Catastrophe finisher combo to Caster. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. Post-match brawl with Team Taz & Swerve Strickland was splendid. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

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NJPW, Impact, & Other Wrestling

NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 Night 7 (March 13)
* TAKA Michinoku, Zack Sabre Jr., & Taichi vs. Master Wato, YOSHI-HASHI, & Hirooki Goto – 3.0
* SHO & Yujiro Takahashi vs. DOUKI & El Desperado – 3.0
* Gedo, Taiji Ishimori, Bad Luck Fale, & El Phantasmo vs. United Empire (Aaron Henare, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, & Will Ospreay) – 3.0
* BUSHI, SANADA, & Tetsuya Naito vs. YOH, Hiroshi Tanahashi, & Kazuchika Okada – 3.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Second Round match – Chase Owens vs. Tiger Mask – 3.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Second Round match – Tanga Loa vs. Shingo Takagi – 3.5
* New Japan Cup 2022 Second Round match – Tama Tonga vs. EVIL – 3.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Second Round match – Hiromu Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki – 4.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – Hiromu Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki match.
Worst – The flat shenanigans ending to the Tama Tonga vs. EVIL match.
Show Notes – Suzuki-Gun vs. Wato, YOSHI-HASHI, & Goto 6-Man Tag opener was a good back-and-forth style bout. SHO & Takahashi vs. DOUKI & El Desperado notable moments: Despy’s spinebuster counter of SHO’s slam attempt. Yujiro’s Big Juice finisher counter of DOUKI’s Daybreak attempt. Match itself was pretty good. Bullet Club vs. United Empire 8-Man Tag notable moments: U.E.’s beard yanks & chops to the beard antics to Gedo was a bit funny. ELP’s purple nurples to Ospreay via Fale assist was a bit funny. ELP’s Frog splash style back rake to Ospreay. Cobb’s pop-up backbreaker to Ishimori. Match itself was a quite good back-and-forth action bout. LIJ vs. YOH, Tanahashi, & Okada 6-Man Tag was pretty good, especially the latter half. Owens vs. Tiger Mask notable moments: Owens’ slingshot backbreaker to Tiger Mask. Tiger Mask’s top rope arm drag counter of Owens’ punches. Match itself was a good back-and forth bout. Loa vs. Takagi notable moments: Takagi’s whip into the barricade into Loa’s rebound lariat to Takagi on the outside. Takagi’s backdrop suplex to Loa into Loa’s Exploder Suplex counter of Takagi’s lariat into Takagi’s lariat flooring Loa sequence. Loa’s dropkick counter of Takagi’s lariat. Loa’s spear & sit-out powerbomb combo to Takagi. Match itself was a very good hard hitting bout. Tonga vs. EVIL notable moments: EVIL’s Magic Killer to Tonga via ref assist. EVIL’s whip into the exposed turnbuckle into Tonga’s “fighting spirit” lariat flooring EVIL. Tonga’s Tonga Twist counter of EVIL’s lariat. Tonga’s Rolling DVD & Supreme Flow splash combo counter of EVIL’s low blow attempt. Match itself was going on very well until the buzzkill ending shenanigans by HoT & Bullet Club. Ishimori & ELP’s fakeout help of Tonga against HoT only to turn on him was interesting though & same for Jado also getting kicked out of BC. Takahashi vs. Suzuki notable moments: Hiromu & Suzuki’s very lengthy stiff bruising chops fest to each other to start off their match was awesome. Suzuki’s maniacal laughter while getting chopped was sweet. 1st 10 minutes being almost just stiff chops strikes was spectacular. Hiromu’s Falcon Arrow to Suzuki. Hiromu & Suzuki’s chops fest part deux was wonderful. Hiromu shrugging off Suzuki’s slaps fest was cool. Match itself was a fantastic grueling war of the chops slugfest. New Japan Cup 2022 Night 7 was a mostly very enjoyable show overall.

NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 Night 8 (March 14)
* TAKA Michinoku, El Desperado, & Minoru Suzuki vs. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Tomoaki Honma – 3.0
* El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori, & Bad Luck Fale vs. Jado & Guerillas of Destiny (Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga) – 3.0
* Dick Togo, Chase Owens, & EVIL vs. SANADA, Shingo Takagi, & Hiromu Takahashi – 3.0
* Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan vs. DOUKI & Zack Sabre Jr. – 3.0
* Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb vs. YOH & YOSHI-HASHI – 3.0
* BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito vs. Master Wato & Hiroshi Tanahashi – 3.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – CIMA vs. Hirooki Goto – 4.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – Taichi vs. Kazuchika Okada – 4.0
Overall – 4.0
Best – Taichi vs. Kazuchika Okada match.
Worst – The flat ending shenanigans to the Bullet Club vs. Jado & Guerillas of Destiny match.
Show Notes – Suzuki-Gun vs. Tiger Mask, Taguchi, & Honma 6-Man Tag opener was a good back-and-forth bout. SHO’s post-match ambush attack to Despy & Jr. title match challenge was all right. Bullet Club vs. Jado & G.o.D. 6-Man Tag notable moments: Tonga’s vicious lariat to Ishimori spinning him onto the mat. Match itself was a pretty good hard hitting bout despite the flat ending & ending shenanigans by Gedo. House of Torture vs. LIJ 6-Man Tag was a good back-and-forth action bout. Henare & Great-O-Khan vs. DOUKI & Sabre Jr. notable moments: Sabre Jr’s leg lock counter of Khan’s Mongolian Chop. Khan’s claw & gutwrench suplex combo counter of Sabre Jr’s Guillotine choke. Sabre Jr’s neck twist & DOUKI’s double foot stomp combo to Henare. Match itself was a pretty good grapple heavy bout. Ospreay & Cobb vs. YOH & YOSHI-HASHI notable moments: YOSHI’s drop toe hold & YOH’s dropkick to Cobb causing him to splat on a fallen Ospreay. Cobb’s overhead pumphandle toss to YOH. YOSHI’s stiff chop & YOH’s kick and Falcon Arrow combo to Ospreay. Match itself was an entertaining action filled bout. BUSHI & Naito vs. Master Wato & Tanahashi was a good back-and-forth action bout, especially the latter half. CIMA vs. Goto notable moments: CIMA’s slingshot to Goto’s throat onto the bottom rope. CIMA bending Goto into a ball & Stump Puller submission onto him. CIMA’s backstabber counter of Goto’s lariat attempt. Goto’s Ushigoroshi counter of CIMA’s running attack. Goto’s neckbreaker to CIMA via top rope assist. Goto’s swift kick & GTW combo to CIMA. CIMA’s Air Raid Crash counter of Goto’s discus lariat. CIMA’s back-to-back springboard Meteroas finisher to Goto was cool. Match itself was an excellent hard fought action filled bout. Taichi vs. Okada notable moments: OKada’s DDT counter of Taichi’s whip to the barricade. Taichi’s hook kick to Okada flooring him. Okada’s catch & Tombstone counter of Taichi’s superkick. Taichi’s Sumo toss counter of Okada’s Money Clip. Taichi’s lariat counter of Okada’s lariat. Taichi’s Dangerous suplex bending Okada in half. Taichi’s catch & chokeslam counter of Okada’s dropkick. Taichi’s brutal looking Alabama Slam to Okada. Okada’s sitout powerbomb counter of Taichi’s top rope Black Mephisto. Match itself was a fantastic hard fought action packed battle. New Japan Cup 2022 Night 8 was a mostly great show overall.

NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 Night 9 (March 15)
* Ryohei Oiwa & Rysuke Taguchi vs. Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma – 3.0
* El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori vs. Kosei Fujita & Master Wato – 2.5
* Gedo, Chase Owens, & Bad Luck Fale vs. Jado & Guerillas of Destiny (Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga) – 3.0
* United Empire (Aaron Henare, Will Ospreay, & Great-O-Khan) vs. TAKA Michinoku, El Deserado, & Zack Sabre Jr. – 3.0
* Dick Togo, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi, & EVIL vs. BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, SANADA, & Hiromu Takahashi – 3.0
* DOUKI, Minoru Suzuki, & Taichi vs. YOH, Hirooki Goto, & Kazuchika Okada – 3.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – Jeff Cobb vs. YOSHI-HASHI – 4.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – Jeff Cobb vs. YOSHI-HASHI match.
Worst – The flat shenanigans to the Gedo, Chase Owens, & Bad Luck Fale vs. Jado & Guerillas of Destiny match.
Show Notes – Oiwa & Taguchi vs. Tiger Mask & Honma opener was a pretty good back-and-forth style bout. El Phantasmo & Ishimori vs. Fujita & Wato was a solid bout. Bullet Club vs. Jado & G.o.D. 6-Man Tag notable moments: Loa’s leaping headscissors grab to Fale. Owens’ ref distracted swift kick to the nuts & C-Trigger finisher to Jado. Match itself was mostly pretty good despite the flat ending & ending shenanigans with Gedo & Tonga. United Empire vs. Suzuki-Gun 6-Man Tag notable moments: Sabre Jr’s Judo toss counter of Khan’s Octopus hold & claw combo. Ospreay’s extra spinny backbreaker to Despy. TAKA’s bicycle kick & Despy’s spear combo to Henare. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. House of Torture vs. LIJ 8-Man Tag was mostly pretty good, especially the latter half. Suzuki-Gun vs. YOH, Goto, & Okada 6-Man Tag notable moments: Suzuki’s manical laugh while getting punched by YOH. Suzuki’s leg lock to YOH into countering Okada’s stomps into a double leg lock to Okada & YOH. DOUKI’s top rope double foot stomp to Goto via Suzuki & Taichi grab assist. Okada managed to get some really nice height with his Flapjack to DOUKI. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. Cobb vs. YOSHI-HASHI notable moments: YOSHI’s shotgun dropkick to Cobb on the outside crashing him into the guard rail. Cobb’s delayed vertical suplex toss to YOSHI. Cobb’s catch & post slam counter of YOSHI’s plancha to the outside. Cobb’s overhead pumphandle suplex & standing moonsault combo to YOSHI. YOSHI’s spiked Destroyer to Cobb was cool. Cobb’s gutwrench powerbomb counter of YOSHI’s leg lock. Cobb’s pop-up headbutt counter of YOSHI’s Karma was cool. Match itself was a great hard hitting action filled bout. Naito vs. Tanahashi notable moments: Tanahasni’s Scott Hall entrance tribute was sweet. Tanahashi’s Dragon Screw counter of Naito’s enziguri. Tanahashi’s straightjacket bridging German suplex to Naito bending him in half was cool. Naito’s ref whip into the ropes counter of Tanahashi’s Aces High setup. Naito’s Frankensteiner to Tanahashi off the top rope. Naito’s spiked Esperanza to Tanahashi. Tanahashi’s triple Twist & Shouts counter of Naito’s Destino. Naito’s escape & Jackknife pin combo counter of Tanahashi’s missed High Fly Flow. Match itself was a very good hard fought action filled bout. New Japan Cup 2022 Night 9 was very enjoyable overall.

NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 Night 10 (March 17)
* El Phantasmo & Taiji Ishimori vs. YOH & Tiger Mask – 2.5
* TAKA Michinoku & El Desperado vs. Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi – 3.0
* Gedo, Chase Owens, & Bad Luck Fale vs. Jado & Guerillas of Destiny (Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga) – 2.5
* Aaron Henare & Jeff Cobb vs. Tomoaki Honma & Hiroshi Tanahashi – 3.0
* Dick Togo, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi, & EVIL vs. BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito, & Hiromu Takahashi – 3.0
* DOUKI, Minoru Suzuki, & Taichi vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto, & Kazuchika Okada – 3.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – Great-O-Khan vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – 4.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – Will Ospreay vs. SANADA – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – Great-O-Khan vs. Zack Sabre Jr. match.
Worst – The awkward ref stoppage finish to the Will Ospreay vs. SANADA match.
Show Notes – El Phantasmo & Ishimori vs. YOH & Tiger Mask opener was a solid match. Michinoku & El Desperado vs. Master Wato & Taguchi notable moments: Despy’s split legged dodge counter of Taguchi’s Bomaye. Match itself was a pretty good bout. Bullet Club vs. Jado & GoD 6-Man Tag notable moments: Loa’s sppear & Tonga’s running splash combo to Owens & Fale in the corner. Match itself was mostly solid despite the anti-climatic ending & ending shenanigans by Gedo, Loa, & Owens. Henare & Cobb vs. Honma & Tanahashi notable moments: Cobb’s catch, suplex toss, & standing moonsault combo counter of Tanahashi’s running crossbody in the corner. Honma & Tanahashi’s double Kokeshis to Cobb & Henare. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. House of Torture vs. LIJ 8-Man Tag notable moments: BUSHI’s sunset roll hold & Naito’s dropkick combo to Togo. BUSHI’s double rana to Yujiro & Togo. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth bout despite the illegal weapon ending shenanigans by Yuirjo. Suzuki-Gun vs. CHAOS 6-Man Tag notable moments: Goto using YOSHI as a weapon for his hip toss onto DOUKI. Goto’s spinning Ushigoroshi counter of Suzuki’s running attack. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action filled bout. Great-O-Khan vs. Sabre Jr. notable moments: Khan & Sabre Jr’s leg locks to each other into them locked & rolling out of the ring onto the floor to continue the double hold. Khan’s leg lock counter of Sabre Jr’s bicycle kick. Sabre Jr’s European uppercuts & Khan’s Mongolian Chops fest exchange. Sabre Jr’s leg assisted grapevine double arm bar counter of Khan’s lariat was cool. Khan’s knee grab powerbomb to Sabre Jr. Sabre Jr’s hanging grapevine armbar submission finisher counter of Khan’s Eliminator. Match itself was a great hard fought grapple heavy bout. Ospreay vs. SANADA notable moments: Ospreay’s leg assist arm bar & other arm yank combo to SANADA. Ospreay’s dodge & back drop onto the apron counter of SANADA’s plancha to the outside. SANADA’s springboard missile dropkick counter of Ospreay’s whip into the corner. Ospreay’s Spanish Fly counter of SANADA’s running attack. Yikes at SANADA’s face after getting nailed hard by Ospreay’s standing Shooting Star Press. Match itself was a very good methodical action filled bout despite the awkward ref stoppage finish. New Japan Cup 2022 Night 10 was a mostly very enjoyable show overall.

NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 Night 11 (March 18)
* YOH, Tomoaki Honma, & Togi Makabe vs. Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Hiroshi Tanahashi – 3.0
* Yujiro Takahashi & SHO vs. DOUKI & El Desperado – 3.0
* El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori, & Bad Luck Fale vs. Jado & Guerillas of Destiny (Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga) – 3.0
* TAKA Michinoku, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, & Minoru Suzuki vs. Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI, & Hirooki Goto – 3.0
* United Empire (Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb) vs. BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito – 3.5
* Dangerous Tekkers (Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi) vs. Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada – 3.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – Chase Owens vs. Shingo Takagi – 4.0
* New Japan Cup 2022 Third Round match – Hiromu Takahashi vs. EVIL – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – Chase Owens vs. Shingo Takagi match.
Worst – The overboard House of Torture style shenanigans during the Hiromu Takahashi vs. EVIL match.
Show Notes – 6-Man Tag opener was a good back-and-forth action bout. Takahashi & SHO vs. DOUKI & El Desperado was pretty good. Bullet Club vs. Jado & G.o.D. 6-Man Tag notable moments: Tonga’s running splash to Fale & Ishimori in the corner. Loa’s stiff running lariat to Fale launching him over the ropes was cool. ELP’s swift punch to Jado’s nuts while the ref was down. Match itself was an entertaining bout. Post-match brawl was all right but Wato & Taguchi’s run-in save & joining forces with GoD is interesting. Suzuki-Gun vs. CHAOS 6-Man Tag was a good back-and-forth hard hitting bout. United Empire vs. BUSHI & Naito notable moments: Cobb’s catch & back drop counter of Naito’s slingshot corner dropkick. Cobb’s Spin Cyle counter of Naito’s Destino was cool. Match itself was a very good fast paced action bout. Dangerous Tekkers vs. Yano & Okada notable moments: Sabre Jr’s comedic ears pulling counter of Yano’s atomic drop attempt. Okada’s elbows & Taichi’s kicks fest exchange. Yano pantsing Taichi was funny. Match itself was a pretty good action bout, especially the latter half. Owens vs. Takagi notable moments: Owens’ Russian Leg Sweep to Takagi into the ring frame & neckbreaker onto the floor afterwards looked brutal. Owens’ Russian Leg Sweep to Takagi into the corner. Takagi’s lariat counter of Owens’ Jewel Heist lariat. Takagi’s lariat & snap DDT combo to Owens. Owens’ hip toss neckbreaker to Takagi was cool. Takagi’s DVD to Owens onto the floor. Owens & Takagi’s stiff slugfest exchange. Takagi’s Made in Japan counter of Owens’ running attack. Owens’ C-Trigger counter of Takagi’s lariat. Takagi’s stiff lariat to Owens flooring him. Match itself was an awesome physical battle. Takahashi vs. EVIL notable moments: Hiromu’s shotgun dropkick from the apron to EVIL & Dick Togo on the outside. Hiromu’s Falcon Arrow to EVIL was impressive. Hiromu’s catch & Dragon Screw counter of EVIL’s failed ref assisted leg whip. EVIL’s Fisherman Buster to Hiromu. Hiromu’s lariat to EVIL spinning him onto the mat. EVIL’s ref assisted leg whip counter of Hiromu’s Time Bomb 2. EVIL’s stiff lariat to Hiromu flooring him. Hiromu busting out Everything Is Evil finisher to EVIL was cool. Match itself was a mostly very good hard hitting action bout despite the overboard shenanigans by Togo. New Japan Cup 2022 Night 11 was a very enjoyable show overall.

NJPW Strong Rivals Night 3 (March 19)
* Stray Dog Army (Misterioso, Bateman, & Barrett Brown) vs. Keita Murray, The DKC, & Fred Yehi – 3.5
* Chris Bey vs. Blake Christian – 4.0
* Ren Narita vs. Buddy Matthews – 4.0
Overall – 4.0
Best – Ren Narita vs. Buddy Matthews match.
Worst – N/A
Show Notes – Stray Dog Army vs. Murray, DKC, & Yehi 6-Man Tag opener notable moments: Murray’s Side Effect counter of Brown’s lariat. Bateman & Murray’s stiff forearms exchange into Bateman’s stiff forearm flooring Murray. Bateman’s modified back drop driver to Murray. Yehi’s STO & Koji Clutch combo to Bateman. Yehi’s stiff chop & vicious looking high angle German suplex combo to Brown. Brown’s Half & Half suplex to Murray bending him in half. Misterioso’s springboard moonsault to Murray & DKC on the outside. Yehi’s brutal looking spinning backfist & Fisherman Suplex finisher combo to Broan. Match itself was a very entertaining action filed bout. Bey vs. Christian notable moments: Bey’s dodge & shotgun dropkick counter of Christian’s apron dive to the outside. Bey’s spinning low uppercut to Christian’s back. Christian’s wheelbarrow to Bey into Bey’s knees counter of Christian’s standing Frog Splash. Christin’s tilt-a-whirl gutbuster to Bey. Bey’s kicks, top rope guillotine elbow drop, & Torture Rack style neckbreaker combo to Christian. Christian’s snap German & ripcord Spanish Fly combo to Bey. Christian managed to get some really nice distance with his springboard 450 splash to Bey. Bey’s Art of Finese cutter finisher counter of Christian’s moonsault. Match itself was a great back-and-forth action packed bout. Clark Connors’ video promo about Tom Lawlor & upcoming match was all right. Narita vs. Matthews notable moments: Matthews’ spiked snap DDT counter of Narita’s dive from the apron into the ring. Narita’s release Fisherman suplex counter of Matthews’ Flying Nothing. Narita & Matthews’ slugfest echange on the apron into Narita sleeper via ropes assist into Nartia’s kicks fest counter of Matthews’ dive into the ring. Nartia’s Half Crab counter of Matthews’running knee strike. Matthews’ Checky Nandos kicks & powerbombs combo to Narita from the corner. Matthews overhead elbows strikes, Kamigoye, & Murphy’s Law finisher combo to Narita. Match itself was a great hard fought action filled battle. This week’s show was great overall.

Impact Wrestling Impact! (March 17)
* Bullet Club (Chris Bey & Jay White) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) – 4.0
* Steve Maclin vs. Rhino – 3.0
* Larry D vs. Bhupinder Gujjar – 2.5
* AAA Reina de Reinas Championship & Impact Knockouts World Championship Champ Champ Challenge Triple Threat – Gisele Shaw vs. Lady Frost vs. Deonna Purrazzo (c) – 3.0
* JONAH vs. Zicky Dice – 1.5 (Squash)
* Masha Slamovich vs. Arie – 2.0 (Squash)
* Matt Taven vs. Josh Alexander – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – Bullet Club vs. Motor City Machine Guns match.
Worst – JONAH vs. Zicky Dice match.
Show Notes – BC vs. MCMG opener notable moments: Shelley & White’s stiff chops fest to start off the match. MCMG’s double team running kicks to Bey. Sabin’s suicide dive to Bey & White on the outside. Bey’s Swanton dive almost completely overshooting MCMG on the outside. Shelley’s vicious looking Flatliner counter of Bey’s running attack into the corner. Shelley’s overhead suplex of Bey onto White in the corner & Sabin’s running dropkick to White afterwards. White’s snap suplex to Sabin into the corner. Shelley’s Dragon Screw to Bey into White’s Dragon Screw to Shelley into Sabin’s Dragon Screw to White sequence. Match itself was a great fast paced action packed bout. Maclin vs. Rhino notable moments: Maclin busting out the Gore finisher to Rhino. Match itself was pretty good. Heath & Rhino backstage segment about them reuniting as a team & Tag title goal was all right. Honor No More backstage promo bashing Alexander & interruption by Alisha wanting Eddie to leave HNM was okay. Champ Champ Triple Threat match notable moments: Purrazzo’s standing moonsault to Frost & Shaw. Frost’s cartwheel cannonball to Shaw in the corner. Purrazzo’s double German suplex to Shaw & Frost at the same time. Shaw’s superkick to Frost flooring her. Purrazzo’s spiked Queen’s Gambit finisher to Frost. Match itself was an entertaining action filled bout. JONAH vs. Dice was a mostly nothing squash bout but the post-match PCO & JONAH monster brawl was cool. Johnny Swinger’s vignette about his new Swinger’s Dungeon wrestling school with Lance Storm’s rebuttal & Impact announcers disgusted reaction afterwards was funny. Taven vs. Alexander notable moments: Taven’s twisting neckbreaker counter of Alexander’s Fisherman suplex. Alexander’s stiff discus punch to Taven. Taven’s modified Blue Thunder Bomb to Alexander. Alexander’s superplex & C4 finisher combo to Taven was cool. Match itself was a very good action filled bout. Moose creepily stopping by Alexander’s house to drop off his title match contract was all right. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

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Weekly Awards:

• Best match of the week – New Japan Cup 2022 Second Round match – Hiromu Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki (NJPW New Japan Cup 2022 Night 7)
• Best match of the week runner-up – Bullet Club (Chris Bey & Jay White) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) (Impact Wrestling Impact!)
• Worst match of the week – Sarray vs. Tiffany Stratton (WWE NXT)
• Worst match of the week runner-up – JONAH vs. Zicky Dice (Impact Wrestling Impact!)
• Best show of the week – AEW Dynamite St. Patrick’s Day Slam 2022
• Worst show of the week – WWE RAW