Opinion: Match & Show Ratings for May 1 to May 7, 2022

Welcome to TPWW’s Emperor Smeat’s Match and Show Ratings for the week of May 1st to May 7th, 2022.

Match and show star ratings (out of 5):

WWE

WWE RAW (May 2)
* 6-Man Tag Team match – Alpha Academy (Otis & Chad Gable) & Kevin Owens vs. Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) & Ezekiel – 2.5
* Veer Mahan vs. Burt Hanson – 2.0 (Squash)
* Damien Priest vs. AJ Styles – 3.0
* United States Championship Contender’s 2-on-1 Handicap match – The Miz & Theory vs. Mustafa Ali – 2.0
* 24/7 Championship – Dana Brooke vs. Nikki A.S.H. (c) – 1.0
* Bobby Lashley vs. Cedric Alexander – 2.0
* Six-Women Tag Team match – Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, & Sonya Deville vs. Liv Morgan, Asuka, & Bianca Belair – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – Seth Rollins’ Appreciation Night segment with Cody Rhodes and the 6-Women Tag Team match.
Worst – Almost all of the 24/7 title related stuff on the show.
Show Notes – Opening Heyman & Roman Reigns typical long drawn out entrance and promo start, ambush attack by RK-Bro on the Usos, & brawl with McIntyre was all right. 6-Man Tag notable moments: S.P. & Ezekiel’s triple team dropkick to Otis sending him through the ropes. Gable’s Northern Lights Suplex counter of Ford’s sunset flip. Match itself was a solid back-and-forth bout. Edge’s rambling promo mocking North Carolina folks & threatening words to Styles was decent. Priest vs. Styles notable moments: Priest’s catch & lawn dart to the post of Styles’ running attack. Styles’ Torture Rack powerbomb to Priest. Priest’s backbreaker counter of Styles’ running attack. Priest’s sitout chokeslam counter of Styles’ Phenomenal Forearm. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth bout. Post-match brawl with Edge & Finn Balor was all right. Miz TV segment with Ali about Miz mocking Ali for going to social media to quit WWE, Ali’s dig about Miz being on WWE TV way too much, & banter with Theory was decent at best & dragged too long. Handicap match was mostly solid. Ciampa’s post-match attack on Ali was interesting. 24/7 title taped backstage segment about Brooke & Tamina’s marriages falling apart, R-Truth wanting his 24/7 title back, & Nikki’s sneak title win was a bit cringey. 24/7 title match was a waste of time. Rollins Appreciation Night segment about Rollins’ delusional praise boasting about himself and bashing Cody Rhodes, interruption by Rhodes, banter over who has the bigger ego, Rollins’ dig at Dusty, & brawl was splendid. R-Truth & Reggie backstage segment about Reggie’s failed marriage, R-Truth missing his “baby”, & R-Truth revealing he’s also a lawyer was a bit funny. 6-Women Tag notable moments: Morgan’s suicide dive to Ripley on the outside. Morgan’s arm drag & float-over DDT counter of Lynch’s Manhandle Slam. Deville & Ripley double team superplex to Belair. Asuka’s catch & German Suplex combo counter of Deville’s kick. Asuka’s hip attack to Deville on the apron into Morgan’s Code Breaker to Deville on the outside. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action match. This week’s WrestleMania Backlash 2022 go-home show was mostly average overall.

NXT Spring Breakin’ (May 3)
* NXT North American Championship Triple Threat – Carmelo Hayes vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Cameron Grimes (c) – 4.0
* Grayson Waller vs. Nathan Frazer – 3.0
* Nikkita Lyon & Cora Jade vs. Lash Legend & Natayla – 2.5
* Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs. Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) – 3.5
* NXT Championship – Joe Gacy vs. Bron Breakker (c) – 2.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – NXT North American Championship Triple Threat match.
Worst – Diamond Mine backstage promo segment and the Nathan Frazer’s corny pre-match backstage interview segment.
Show Notes – N.A. title match opener notable moments: Grimes arm drag to Hayes into Sikoa into Hayes’ rana to Sikoa. Hayes’s springboard reverse leg drop to Grimes on the ropes. Hayes’ knees counter of Sikoa’s running senton. Grimes leap-up on Sikoa’s shoulders into Grimes & Hayes superplex setup & Tower of Doom powerbomb by Sikoa. Sikoa’s powerbomb to Hayes onto Grimes. Sikoa’s spinning Uranage to Hayes. Grimes’ Poisson Rana to Hayes. Sikoa’s catch & Samoan Drop setup of Hayes’ leap attack into Grimes Cave-In finisher to Sikoa. Match itself was a great action packed bout. Mandy Rose’s tanning salon trip, Wendy Choo shenanigans, & Rose’s skin burn was a bit funny. Frazer’s pre-match backstage interview about him freaking out over his NXT debut was corny.a bit funny. Roderick Strong’s promo delivery during Diamond Mine’s backstage segment was rough. Waller vs. Frazer notable moments: Waller’s side kick & sitout powerbomb counter of Frazer’s running attack. Frazer’s superkick counter of Waller’s rolling Stunner. Waller’s rolling Unprettier to Frazer. Ouch at Frazer’s rough landing from Waller’s top rope shove counter of Frazer’s Spanish Fly. Match itself was good despite the ending shenanigans by Chase U. Escobar & D’Angelo mob meeting about their bad blood issues & business deal was splendid. Gacy’s creepy “change” backstage promo was decent. Women’s Tag was solid despite dragging too long. Choo & Perez’s stealing shenanigans to Toxic Attraction’s beach trip was goofy. Viking Raiders vs. Creed Bros notable moments: Brutus’ gutwrench suplex to Erik. Brutus’ overhead slam to Erik. Erik’s Full Nelson knee strike to Brutus. Ivar’s Liger Bomb to Julius. Ivar powerbomb to Erik onto Julius. Julius’ leap-up superplex to Ivar. Ivar’s top rope leg drop to Julius via Erik lift assist. Match itself was a very good hard hitting bout despite the ending shenanigans by Strong. Legado kidnapping D’Angelo’s consigliere was interesting. NXT title match notable moments: Gacy’s sliding rebound lariat to Breakker from the apron. Gacy’s Alabama Slam & sitout powerbomb combo to Breakker. Breakker’s dodge & spear finisher counter of Gacy’s handstand attack. Match itself was solid despite the flat ending. This week’s show was mostly very enjoyable overall.

Friday Night SmackDown (May 6)
* Charlotte Flair vs. Aliyah – N/A
* Sasha Banks vs. Shayna Baszler – 2.5
* Drew Gulak vs. Gunther – 2.0 (Squash)
* Tables match – Ridge Holland & Sheamus vs. New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) – 3.0
* Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – 2.5
Overall – 2.0
Best – Tables match.
Worst – The show opening Charlotte Flair rambling promo segment.
Show Notes – Opening Flair’s rambling promo mocking Long Island, her Beat The Clock match grievances, bashing Drew Gulak and Rousey, & mocking Aliyah was a big dud. Flair & Rousey’s brawl was the only good part of a bad promo by Flair & non-match with Aliyah. Banks vs. Baszler notable moments: Banks’ fingers bending attack to Baszler into Baszler’s kick & armbar counter combo. Baszler’s Gutwrench suplex to Banks. Baszler’s side slam counter of Banks’ rana. Banks’ cazadora counter of Baszler’s wheelbarrow suplex. Match itself was a solid back-and-forth bout despite the ending shenanigans by Natayla. Post-match brawl with Natayla & Naomi was decent. Corbin’s Happy Talk segment with Madcap Moss’ lame jokes interruption about their upcoming match & Moss’ insults at Corbin’s looks was decent at best. Gulak’s WWE jobs tryouts & getting beaten up by Flair & Rousey vignette was goofy but also a bit funny. Gulak vs. Gunther was a decent jobber destruction bout. Nakamura’s backstage interview about his issues with the Bloodline & wanting revenge was all right. McIntyre backstage interview about The Bloodline & upcoming tag match was okay. Tables match notable moments: Kingston’s top rope splash to Sheamus crashing through the timekeeper’s barricade. Sheamus & Holland’s stereo clubbing chops to New Day. Sheamus’ Irish Curse to Kingston on the apron. Kingston’s Trust Fall dive to Sheamus on the outside. Sheamus & Holland double team chokseslam to Woods through a table. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. Heyman backstage interview about him flirting with Kayla & interruption by Zayn warning about Nakamura’s revenge goal against the Bloodline was all right. Evans’ sad life story part 5 was decent I guess but these segments were dragged out too much after the first couple. Zayn vs. Nakamura notable moments: Zayn’s Michinoku Driver counter of Nakamura’s Kinshasa. Nakamura’s armbar counter of Zayn’s running attack. Match itself was decent despite the lame countout ending. RK-Bro, McIntrye, & Bloodline face-to-face segment about RK-Bro & McIntyre’s acknowledged fest over stuff and mocking Bloodline & brawl with Bloodline was all right but also a bit goofy. This week’s WrestleMania Backlash 2022 go-home show was average at best overall but also dull at times and somewhat skippable.

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AEW

AEW Dark Elevation (May 2)
* Julia Hart vs. Abby Jane – 2.0 (Squash)
* Anthony Ogogo vs. Goldy – 2.0 (Squash)
* Konosuke Takeshita vs. Rhett Titus – 3.0
* Tony Nese vs. Cheeseburger – 2.5
* Willow Nightingale vs. Gia Scott – 2.0 (Squash)
* Max Caster vs. Zack Clayton – 2.0 (Squash)
* Emi Sakura & Nyla Rose vs. Anna Jay & Kris Statlander – 3.0
* Dark Order (Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, Alan “5” Angels, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, & 10) vs. Anthony Bennett, Kori Meshaw, Mike Law, Jaden Valo, Eli Isom, & Brett Waters – 2.5 (Squash)
Overall – 3.0
Best – Konosuke Takeshita vs. Rhett Titus match and the Women’s Tag Team match.
Worst – The heavy amount of squash matches for the show’s card.
Show Notes – Hart vs. Jane opener was a decent squash bout. Ogogo vs. Goldy was a decent mostly squash style bout. Takeshita vs. Titus notable moments: Takeshita’s loud big boot to Titus into Takeshita’s flying lariat counter of Titus’ whip to the ropes. Takeshita’s snap DDT to Titus. Titus’s elbows to the back & side slam combo to Takeshita. Titus’ spinning hammerlock hold to Takeshita. Takeshita’s Blue Thunder Bomb to Titus. Takeshita & Titus’ forearms fest exchange. Titus’ stiff chops to Takeshia into Takeshita’s high angle release German suplex bending Titus in half. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth action bout. Nese vs. Cheeseburger notable moments: Cheeseburger’s standing modified Octopus hold on Nese’s back. Nese’s kick & gutbuster combo to Cheeseburger. Cheeseburger’s stiff palm strike to Nese. Nese’s spin kick & Running Kneese finisher counter of Cheeseburger’s sunset flip. Match itself was a solid back-and-forth action bout. Nightingale vs. Scott was a decent squash match. Nightingale getting her first ever AEW win was interesting. Caster’s pre-match rap mocking Ben Simmons, Amber Herd, & Clayton and his wang size was all right. Caster vs. Clayton was a decent mostly squash style brief bout. Women’s Tag notable moments: Jay’s running neckbreaker & Statlander’s sliding lariat combo to Sakura. Rose’s suplex & rolling suplex combo to Statlander. Statlander’s top rope crossbody & Jay’s running elbow drop combo to Rose. Rose’s backbreaker & Sakura’s elbow drop combo to Jay. Jay’s side kick counter of Sakura’s underhook backbreaker. Statlander’s Blue Thunder Bomb to Sakura. Sakura’s Whirling Dervish & Rose’s Swanton combo to Statlander. Jay’s double DDT counter of Sakura & Rose’s double team suplex. Match itself was a pretty good back-and-forth bout. 12-Man Tag was a fine jobber destruction squash match. This week’s show was mostly enjoyable overall.

AEW Dark (May 3)
* Ryan Nemeth vs. John Silver – 3.0
* The Workhorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake) vs. Varsity Blonds (Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison) – 3.0
* Shawn Spears vs. Lord Crewe – 2.5
* Team Taz (Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs) vs. Terry Yaki & Jay Lucas – 2.5 (Squash)
* Julia Hart vs. Jacey Love – 1.5 (Squash)
* Tony Nese vs. Leon Ruffin – 3.0
* Angelico vs. Yuya Uemura – 3.5
* Dante Martin vs. Invictus Khash – 3.0
* Diamante vs. Toni Storm – 3.0
Overall – 3.5
Best – Angelico vs. Yuya Uemura match.
Worst – Julia Hart vs. Jacey Love match.
Show Notes – Nemeth vs. Silver opener notable moments: Silver’s Liger Bomb to Nemeth. Nemeth’s spiked Pendulum DDT to Silver. Silver’s running kick & Spin Doctor finisher combo to Nemeth. Match itself was a pretty good bout. Workhorsemen vs. Varsity Blonds notable moments: Henry’s running leg lariat to Pillman Jr. into the barricade. Henry’s release German suplex to Garrison into Garrison’s discus elbow strike to Henry. Henry’s spinning TKO & Drake’s Shining Wizard combo to Garrison. Henry & Drake’s moves fest to Garrison into Varsity Blonds’ dropkick to Drake & kicks and reverse sitout powerbomb finisher to Henry. Match itself was good back-and-forth action bout. Pillman Jr. post-match promo about VB’s issues with House of Black & HoB’s attempts to take away Julia Hart was all right. Hart vs. Love was a somewhat decent mostly squash bout despite its rough ending sequence. Factory backstage interview about their upcoming match against NJPW’s LA Dojo was okay. Nese vs. Ruffin notable moments: Ruffin’s springboard dodges & dropkick counter of Nese’s attack on the ropes. Nese’s spin kick counter of Ruffin’s sunset roll-up. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. Angelico vs.Uemura notable moments: Uemura’s high angle hip toss to Anelico. Uemura’s loud stiff chop crumpling Angelico. Angelico’s low dropkick spinning Uemura onto the mat. Uemura’s arm drag & arm bar combo to Angelico into Angelico’s Dragon Screw & Navarro Death Roll finisher combo. Match itself was a very good hard fought grapple heavy bout. Martin vs. Khash notable moments: Martin’s flip over & dropkick combo to Khash. Khash’s leg yank to Martin onto the apron. Martin’s top rope kick & crossbody combo to Khash. Martin’s release German suplex, suicide dive, & Nosedive finisher combo to Khash. Match itself was pretty good. Diamante vs. Storm notable moments: Diamante’s half Camel Clutch counter of Storm’s O’Connor Roll. Diamante’s deadlift Three Amigos to Storm. Diamante’s stiff slap to Storm into Storm’s release German suplex. Diamante’s standing Slice Bread to Storm. Storm’s waterwheel drop & Storm Zero finisher combo counter of Diamante’s Code Red. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

AEW Dynamite (May 4)
* Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Qualifier match – Jeff Hardy vs. Bobby Fish (c) – 3.0
* Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta, & Jon Moxley) vs. AFO (The Butcher, The Blade, & Angelico) – 3.0
* Wardlow vs. W. Morrissey – 3.0
* Santana vs. Chris Jericho – 3.0
* Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Qualifier match – Fenix vs. Dante Martin – 4.0
* Champion vs. Champion, ROH Women’s World Championship – Mercedes Martinez (Interim) vs. Deonna Purrazzo (c) – 2.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – William Regal promo video and the Fenix vs. Dante Martin match.
Worst – Brian Pillman Jr rambling promo & brawl segment with House of Black dragging way too long.
Show Notes – Hardy vs. Fish opener notable moments: Fish’s Dragon Screw to Hardy into the barricade. Fish’s Avalanche Falcon Arrow & leglock combo to Hardy. Hardy’s Swanton Bomb finisher splatting Fish. Match itself was pretty good. Regal’s promo vignette about memory scars, stabbings, & BCC dishing out the scars was awesome. BCC vs. AFO Trios Tag was a good hard hitting bout. Morrissey being Wardlow’s mystery opponent was sweet. Wardlow vs. Morrissey notable moments: Morrissey’s leap frog & big boot counter of Wardlow’s running attack. Morrissey’s Bossman Slam to Wardlow. Wardlow’s moonsault & powerbomb finisher combo to Morrissey. Match itself was an entertaining hard hitting hoss bout. Wardlow’s post-match destruction of AEW security, heated promo with MJF over his contract issues, & match setup was splendid. Hangman Page’s heelish promo about upcoming AEW title, Hart tribute dig, Punk’s fans dig was splendid. Santana vs. Jericho notable moments: Santana’s dive outta nowhere to Jericho during Jericho’s entrance. Jericho’s springboard dropkick to Santana onto steel steps. Santana’s rolling Stunner to Jericho. Santana’s discus lariat flooring Jericho. Jericho’s low blow & Judas Effect finisher to Santana. Match itself was pretty good despite the ending shenanigans by Ortiz & JAS. Gunn Club’s scissors gift & finger scissors deal with the Acclaimed was a bit funny. Brian Pillman Jr.’s rambling promo about House of Black issues, Julia Hart’s evil eye, brawl with HoB, & Death Triangle run-in save was decent at best & dragged too long. Fenix vs. Martin notable moments: Martin’s Destroyer counter of Fenix’s leaping Nothing. Fenix’s springboard reverse Russian Leg sweep. Martin’s reverse suplex slam counter of Fenix’s til-a-whirl. Fenix’s powerbomb style cutter to Martin. Fenix’s Spanish Fly to Martin into Martin landing on his feet into Martin’s spiked Poison Rana. Fenix’s Fire Thunder Driver finisher to Martin. Match itself was a great action packed bout. Thunder Rosa’s & Serena Deeb promo about AEW Women’s title was decent. ROH Women’s title match notable moments: Martinez’s spear to Purrazzo onto the apron. Martinez’s curb stomp & surfboard Dragon Sleeper finisher to Purrazzo. Match itself was mostly solid. This week’s show was mostly very enjoyable overall.

AEW Rampage (May 6)
* Jamie Hayter & Dr. Britt Baker vs. Toni Storm & Ruby Soho – 3.0
* HOOK vs. JD Drake – 2.5 (Squash)
* Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Qualifier match – Yuka Sakazaki vs. Riho – 3.5
* Konosuke Takeshita vs. Jay Lethal – 3.0
Overall – 3.5
Best – Yuka Sakazaki vs. Riho match.
Worst – N/A
Show Notes – Women’s Tag opener notable moments: Soho & Storm’s double front leg sweep to Baker. Baker’s Flatliner into the turnbuckle counter of Storm’s running attack. Soho’s double knees & Storm’s stiff running hip attack to Baker in the corner into Hayter’s stiff lariat to Storm. Storm’s waterwheel drop to Baker onto Hayter into Baker’s Air Raid Crash to Storm. Baker’s Butterfly suplex, Hayter’s sliding lariat, & Baker’s curb stomp combo to Storm. Match itself was a good back-and-forth action bout, especially the latter half. Kingston’s phone call about his wife crying over his face burns & wanting to hurt Jericho badly to make his wife happy was cool. HOOK vs. Drake was a fine mostly squash bout. Post-match Danhausen promo asking HOOK be in his corner for his match against Nese, HOOK’s refusal, & Danhausen’s chips bribe was splendid. FTR’s backstage interview about Harwood’s upcoming match against Cole was splendid. Sakazaki vs. Riho notable moments: Riho’s all black gear is cool. Riho’s diving crossbody to Yuka. Yuka’s cannonball to Riho on the outside. Yuka’s Nothern Lights Bomb to Riho. Riho’s knees counter of Yuka’s Magical Girl Splash. Riho’s spiked Dragon Suplex to Yuka. Yuka’s rough looking Super Flatliner to Riho. Yuka & Riho’s forearms strike exchange into Riho’s Inside Cradle finisher. Match itself was a very good action filled bout. Dan Lambert & Ethan Page’s promo bashing Baltimore, Guevara & Conti, interruption by Frankie Kazarian trashing Lambert & Page and TNT title match request, & Sky honoring his deal was splendid. Takeshita and Lethal & Pals split-screen pre-match backstage interview was decent. Lethal vs. Takeshita notable moments: Takeshita’s missile shoulder tackle to Lethal. Lethal’s knee breaker & Dragon Screw combo to Takeshita. Takeshita’s stiff lariat to Lethal off the top rope. Takeshita’s brainbuster to Lethal. Lethal’s Lethal Combination counter of Takeshita’s discus punch. Takeshita’s stiff lariat & jumping knee strike combo to Lethal. Lethal’s Lethal Injection finisher counter of Takeshita’s pin break shove into the ropes. Match itself was a quite good back-and-forth action bout. Post-match brawl with Lethal’s Pals, Best Friends, & Samoa Joe was splendid. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

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NJPW, Impact, & Other Wrestling

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2022 (May 1)
* Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi, & TAKA Michinoku vs. Shingo Takagi, BUSHI, & Shiro Koshinaka – 3.0
* YOH vs. Hiromu Takahashi – 3.0
* Takahashi vs. Tanga Loa – 3.0
* IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship – Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI vs. Team Six or Nine (Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato (c) – 3.0
* IWGP Tag Team Championship Three-way match – YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto vs. Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens vs. Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan (c) – 3.0
* NEVER Openweight Championship – Tama Tonga vs. EVIL (c) – 3.0
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship – Taiji Ishimori vs. El Desperado (c) – 3.5
* Vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii – 5.0
* IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada (c) – 4.5
Overall – 4.0
Best – Vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match.
Worst – The overdone House of Torture style shenanigans during the NEVER Openweight title match.
Show Notes – 6-Man Tag opener was a pretty good back-and-forth bout. YOH vs. Takahashi notable moments: YOH’s rana counter of Hiromu’s Sunset Bomb. Hiromu’s pop-up powerbomb to YOH into YOH’s Falcon Arrow counter of Hiromu’s Victory Royale. Hiromu’s overhead suplex into the corner & Time Bomb II finisher combo to YOH. Match itself was a good action filled bout. Takahashi vs. Loa notable moments: Kevin Kelly explaining Pieter’s seductive dance being her “interpretive dance” tale of Yujio beating Loa tonight was a bit funny. Loa’s swing slam & Apeshit finisher combo to Yujiro. Match itself was pretty good. IWGP Jr. Tag title match was mostly good despite the whisky spray ending shenanigans by Taguchi & Kanemaru. IWGP Tag title match notable moments: Khan’s snap suplex & Cobb’s standing moonsault combo to YOSHI. Fale’s body slam to YOSHI onto Owens’ knees. Goto’s suplex to Khan onto Owens. Goto’s Ushigoroshi counter of Cobb’s Tour of the Islands. Owens’ C-Trigger & Fale’s lariat combo to Cobb on the apron. Match itself was a really good action filled bout but not a fan of the title change decision. NEVER title match notable moments: Tonga’s rolling DVD & Supreme Flow splash combo to EVIL. Tonga’s leap over & Gun Stun finisher to EVIL counter of EVIL’s ref shove. Match itself was a good back-and-forth bout despite the usual overdone HoT shenanigans. Good Bros post-match attack to GoD & Anderson wanting a NEVER title match was all right. IWGP Jr. title match notable moments: Ishimori’s TKO to Despy onto the barricade. Despy’s dodge & spear counter of Ishimori’s 450 Splash. Despy’s stiff punch spinning Ishimori onto the mat. Ishimori’s La Mistica counter of Despy’s Pinche Loco. Despy’s Stretch Muffler & Numero Dos combo to Ishimori into Ishimori’s modified Cobra Twist into Despy’s sitdown driver. Ishimori’s Bone Lock couner of Despy’s Pinche Loco. Match itself was a very good hard fought action bout. IWGP US title match notable moments: Tanahashi’s Dragon Screw counter of Ishii’s sulplex. Tanahashi’s Dragon Suplex to Ishii into Ishii’s Dragon Suplex in return. Ishii’s running headbutt & superplex counter of Tanahashi’s High Fly Flow setup. Tanahashi’s Twist & Shout counter of Ishii’s brainbuster. Ishii’s stiff lariat flooring Tanahashi. Ishii’s lariat & brainbuster combo to Tanahashi. Ishii & Tanahashi’s headbutts fest exchange into Ishii’s Slingblade to Tanahashi. Tanahashi’s brainbuster & slingblade combo counter of Ishii’s brainbuster. Match itself was a terrific hard fought action packed battle & strong MotY worthy contender. Post-match attack by Owens & mystery masked man, Juice Robinson’s surprise reveal as the masked man, & Robinson joining Bullet Club was cool. IWGP World title match notable moments: Okada’s big boot and Flapjack combo to Naito. Okada’s Air Raid Crash & Money Clip combo to Naito. Okada’s running crossbody to Naito sending both over the barriade. Naito’s spinebuster counter of Okada’s Rainmaker. Okada’s super powerbomb counter of Naito’s Frankensteiner. Naito’s elbow strikes & Destino combo counter of Okada’s Rainmaker. Okada’s Landslide into Naito’s Destino into Okada’s dodge counter of Naito’s Stardust Press. Okada’s escape, Emerald Flowsion, & Rainmaker finisher combo to Naito. Match itself was an excellent hard fought action packed bout. Wrestling Dontaku 2022 was a great show overall.

Impact Wrestling Impact! (May 5)
* Tables match – Brian Myers vs. W. Morrissey – 3.0
* Impact X Division Championship – Rocky Romero vs. Ace Austin (c) – 3.0
* Masha Slamovich vs. Damaris – 2.0 (Squash)
* Bullet Club (Chris Bey & Jay White) vs. Willie Mack & Rich Swann – 3.0
* Steve Maclin vs. Tomohiro Ishii – 3.5
* Monster’s Ball match – JONAH vs. PCO – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – Steve Maclin vs. Tomohiro Ishii match and the Monster’s Ball match.
Worst – The post-match X-Division title Trey Miguel’s promo segment.
Show Notes – Tables match opener notable moments: Morrissey’s running splashes & double chokeslem combo to Myers & Cardona. Morrissey’s big boot & Grace’s powerbomb combo to Cardona through a table. Myers’ broken table whacks to Morrissey. Morrissey’s Bossman Slam counter of Myers’ running attack. Morrissey’s powerbomb chucking Myers out of the ring & obliterating a table was awesome. Match itself was entertaining. X Division title match notable moments: Romero’s uppercut counter of Austin’s rebound attack off the apron. Romero’s running Slice Bread to Austin. Romero’s catch & Boston Crab counter of Austin’s springboard kick. Austin’s kicks & spin kick flooring Romero. Match itself was a good action filled bout. Post-match Austin & Miguel brawl and promo was decent. The newest mystery vignette with Eric Young & Moose was interesting. Briscoes backstage promo about VBD and Impact Tag titles match & ominous music interruption promo video by VBD was splendid. Bullet Club vs. Mack & Swann was a pretty good back-and-forth bout. Post-match Honor No More & Bullet Club mass brawl was nice. Steelz & Evans backstage segment mocking Havok & Decay’s spooky shenanigans antics was goofy. Purrazzo vs. Valkyriie AAA Reinas title match hype vignette was all right. Maclin vs. Ishii notable moments: Maclin & Ishii’s forearms fest exchange. Maclin’s Uranage backbreaker to Ishii. Ishii’s back suplex counter of Maclin’s running clothesline. Ishii’s stiff chops fest to Maclin in the corner. Maclin’s Olympic Slam & Boston Crab combo to Ishii. Maclin’s German suplex & lariat combo flooring Ishii. Ishii’s lariat & vertical drop brainbuster finisher combo to Maclin. Match itself was a very good hard hitting action bout. Monster’s Ball notable moments: JONAH’s suplex to PCO onto the ramp. PCO’s top rope rana to JONAH onto upright chairs. Yikes at PCO’s head after his rough landing from JONAH’s back drop onto a ladder. PCO’s DDT to JONAH onto a trash can. PCO’s top rope senton to JONAH on the apron. JONAH’s toss counter of PCO’s running bulldog onto upright chairs was crazy. JONAH’s powerbomb to PCO onto thumb tacks. PCO’s sledgehammer whack counter of JONAH’s suplex to the outside & JONAH crashing through a table. Match itself was a very entertaining hardcore style bout. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

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Weekly Awards:

• Best match of the week – Vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship – Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii (NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2022)
• Best match of the week runner-up – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – Tetsuya Naito vs. Kazuchika Okada (c) (NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2022)
• Worst match of the week – 24/7 Championship – Dana Brooke vs. Nikki A.S.H. (c) (WWE RAW)
• Worst match of the week runner-up – Julia Hart vs. Jacey Love (AEW Dark)
• Best show of the week – NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2022
• Worst show of the week – WWE Friday Night SmackDown