June 25, 2023
Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Scotiabank Arena
Commentary: Excalibur, Kevin Kelly, Chris Charlton, Taz, and Tony Schiavone
Results via Ryan Howard of F4WOnline.com
Quick Match Results
- Zero Hour Pre-show: The Mogul Embassy defeated Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, & El Desperado via Swerve Stomp (pinfall)
- Zero Hour Pre-show: 2023 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament First Round match – Athena defeated Billie Starkz via Pildriver (pinfall)
- Zero Hour Pre-show: El Phantasmo defeated Stu Grayson via CR2 (pinfall)
- Zero Hour Pre-show: Los Ingobernables de Japon defeated United Empire via Made in Japan (pinfall)
- AEW World Championship – MJF (c) defeated Hiroshi Tananashi via Pinfall
- 2023 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament First Round match – CM Punk defeated Satoshi Kojima via GTS (pinfall)
- AEW International Championship Four-way match – Orange Cassidy (c) defeated Daniel Garcia, Zack Sabre Jr., and Kasuyori Shibata via Crucifix Pin (pinfall)
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – SANADA (c) defeated Jungle Boy Jack Perry via Moonsault (pinfall)
- 10-Man Tag Team match – The Elite, Eddie Kingston, & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita, & Shota Umino via Vertical Drop Brainbuster (pinfall)
- AEW Women’s World Championship – Toni Storm (c) defeated Willow Nightingale via Storm Zero (pinfall)
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship – Will Ospreay defeated Kenny Omega (c) via Stormbreakker (pinfall)
- Darby Allin, Sting, & Tetsuya Naito defeated Le Suzuki Gods via Jackknife Pin (pinfall)
- Bryan Danielson defeated Kazuchika Okada via Modified Leg Capture LeBell Lock (submission)
Zero Hour Pre-show
The Mogul Embassy (Swerve Strickland & Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)) vs. Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, & El Desperado
(Exactly what you’d expect to kick off the show, as this was action packed, had some fun false finishes and everyone got a chance to show off their signature moves. Strickland gets back in the win column for his team following his loss last night.)
Early greatest hits from Beretta & Romero on Kaun before Taylor jumped in and caught Liona with Sole Food and charging boot. Team Strickland were all sent to the floor, as Romero, Desperado & Taylor all took turns doing dives, capped by a Beretta moonsault. Back inside, Liona flattened Beretta with a pop up Samoan Drop to gain advantage, as Beretta remained isolated. Cage connected with a DVD on the apron, but Liona missed a leaping senton, allowing Beretta to counter a Cage lariat into a half & half. Beretta dodged a charging Liona and made the hot tag to Desperado, who ran wild on Strickland. Desperado went after Strickland, but Romero had to stop him, so they could group hug and give the people what they want.
The match broke down, as Desperado ate a pop up triple powerbomb and House Call kick by Strickland. Romero & Strickland slugged it out before everyone started hitting high impact moves in succession. Strickland missed a Swerve Stomp and collided with Cage, leading to Stickland being planted with Strong Zero for a close two. Romero tried Sliced Bread, but was met with Cage, who hit a dueling F5 Cutter combo with Strickland. Swerve Stomp followed to give Mogul Embassy the win.
Winner: The Mogul Embassy via Pinfall.
Zero Hour Pre-show
2023 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament First Round Match
Athena vs. Billie Starkz
(This was a hard hitting back and forth match, with Athena advancing to the semi finals. If you’ve been watching ROH TV, you’ve seen Athena is on a whole other level right now, despite the strong effort from the 18 year old Starkz.)
Excalibur mentioned Athena’s 47 match winning streak, as Starkz got a fast start with a thrust kick and neckbreaker over the knee. Athena answered with a kip up head scissors into the corner and trash talked the crowd. A snap suplex into a front face slam kept Athena in control, as Starkz was punted in the ribs and struggled getting up. Athena took her time climbing the ropes and ate a thrust kick in mid air, leading to a Starkz Death Valley Bomb for two. Starkz went up top herself, but was crotched, as both ladies slugged it out on the ropes until Athena hit a hurricanrana and pop up powerbomb. Both ladies traded dropkicks and Starkz wanted a swanton, but Athena baited her, rolling to the ring apron. Starkz went for the dive, but Athena moved, causing Starkz to crash and burn. Athena rolled Starkz back in and hit a slam piledriver for the win.
Winner: Athena via Pinfall.
Zero Hour Pre-show
Stu Grayson vs. El Phantasmo
(I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing these two battle it out again, they worked very well together. Both got solid reactions being from Canada, as this was a strong win and showing for ELP, who as noted by commentary, is heading into his second G1 Climax tournament.)
Grayson has recently turned on Dark Order and joined The Righteous in ROH, thus explaining why Vincent & Dutch joined for his entrance before leaving. Grayson was relentless on his attack early, but ELP shot a double leg, using his speed to take over. ELP tried his springing rope walk, but dove into a waiting Grayson, who caught him with a slam. We got a loud chop exchange, turned slap battle and slug fest until ELP went for the purple nurple. Grayson didn’t stand for the nonsense and hit a slingshot senton on the apron. ELP missed a Lionsault, as Grayson bailed outside, only to get caught with an ELP tope. A beautiful senton off the top back inside got ELP two, but Grayson fought out CR2 into a spinning slam. ELP cut off Grayson in the ropes and hit a super hurricanrana followed by Thunder Kiss ’86 for two. Grayson ducked a thrust kick, planted ELP and connected on a perfect 450 splash for a near fall of his own. Grayson signaled for Nightfall, but ELP escaped with a Jody Fleisch-esque springboard spinning DDT followed by CR2 for the win.
Winner: El Phantasmo via Pinfall
Zero Hour Pre-show
United Empire (TJP, Jeff Cobb, & Kyle Fletcher) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi, & BUSHI)
(After the first few minutes, this turned into a solid little sprint to end Zero Hour. Takahashi didn’t get to show off all that much, but it was Takagi who got to hit his big finisher. The crowd was really behind the Los Ingobernables de Japon trio.)
United Empire attacked at the bell and isolated BUSHI almost immediately out of the gate. Cobb showed off his incredible athleticism with a standing moonsault, but BUSHI dropkicked the leg out and tagging in Takahashi, who ran wild. A shotgun dropkick sent TJP into Cobb, who caught Takahashi in his clutches with an overhead belly to belly, planting Takahashi on his head. Takagi made the tag and fired off forearms with Fletcher, who hit a half and half followed by a thrust kick. TJP hit his Mamba Splash, but Takagi kicked out at two. Cobb & Takahashi and Fletcher & BUSHI paired off outside as Takagi planted TJP with a pop up DVD. Takagi clobbered TJP with a Pumping Bomber, but Cobb broke the count. Takahashi & BUSHI hit dueling dives, as TJP avoided Last of the Dragon, but not Made in Japan, giving Takagi the pinfall.
Winner: Los Ingobernables de Japon via Pinfall.
AEW World Championship
Hiroshi Tananashi vs. MJF (c)
(Very few have the ability to draw fans emotions into a match like Hiroshi Tanahashi. In doing so, he hides his weaknesses, which, while few, is clearly that he’s moving very gingerly in the ring. Despite that, the heart of Tanahashi, mixed with MJF’s heel antics made this an enjoyable opener. The finish gave Tanahashi a visible pin, while MJF did what was necessary to retain the gold.)
After mocking Tanahashi’s air guitar, MJF bailed once Tanahashi took over and chants of coward reigned out, with Tanahashi conducting the fans. MJF came back and wanted a handshake, but Tanahashi didn’t fall for it, slapping MJF silly. MJF shielded himself with referee Bryce and took control, draping Tanahashi over the top rope. Dueling chants from the crowd, as Tanahashi rolled through a knee lift into a roll up, but as he charged again, MJF slapped on an abdominal stretch, with the occasional hand on the top rope. MJF finally got caught, trash talked Bryce, who kicked the hand free to allow Tanahashi to build momentum. After hitting a somersault senton, Tanahashi eventually hit a flying cross body, as MJF tried a float over in the corner, but was thrown off the top and followed by a Sling Blade. Tanahashi again took too long trying to get his feet under him on the top, allowing MJF to crotch him and follow with a superplex.
MJF wanted the Heat Seeker, but Tanahashi fought out, landing right on his knee. MJF hit a double arm under hook shoulder breaker, but did it on the bad knee, hurting him in the process. MJF spat on and trash talked Tanahashi, who fired up, only to be cut off with a poke to the eyes. MJF opted to flip off the crowd and turned into a Dragon Screw and Tanahashi Cloverleaf. MJF got the ropes, as Tanahashi responded with Twist and Shout and Sling Blade before going up top for High Fly Flow, but MJF got the knees up. MJF rolled to the floor and wanted to use the Triple B title, but was caught by referee Bryce who took damn near forever to get rid of the gold. Tanahashi had a visible pin on MJF, before MJF sent Tanahashi into the ref and hit a cheap shot with the Dynamite Diamond Ring to steal the win.
Winner: MJF via Pinfall to retain the AEW World Championship.
2023 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament First Round Match
CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima
(Punk heeled it up in this one quite a bit, much more I’d say than he did 24 hours earlier. Kojima really got the crowd behind him and had some close moments, but in the end, Punk wasn’t losing. Kojima looked strong here, even in defeat.)
Similar to last night on Collision, Punk had some fans, but the rest booed him out of the building. After an early exchange, Kojima fired off shots in the corner to annoy Punk, who charged and ate a hip toss, to allow Kojima to flex for the crowd. Punk fought back and mocked Kojima, sending him to the outside where both men traded chops. Punk was sent over the ring attendant table and nearly took out ring announcer Dasha in the process. Back inside, a charging Kojima was caught by a leg lariat, as Punk did his Hogan hand to the ear and Hulkster leg drop to really get the crowd to boo him.
Punk hit ten corner punches and very slowly picked Kohima apart, mocking him with corner lariats by yelling Kojima’s name. After throwing a Hiroyoshi Tenzan style chop, this woke up Kojima, who fired off machine gun chops, causing Punk to crumble. Kojima absolutely crunched Punk with an elbow drop off the top and Taz said it was right in Yam-bag City, which the replay showed, it was. Punk blocked a Koji-Cutter, hit his corner knee strike and his own top rope elbow, which took forever to hit. Punk slapped on the Anaconda Vice, but strikes to the head got Kojima free. More Tenzan chops by Punk, who tried GTS, but Kojima escaped into Tenzan chops of his own leading to a Koji-Cutter. Punk countered the home run lariat into a neckbreaker, tried GTS again, but Kojima countered into a brainbuster. Kojima missed the lariat once more and Punk hit a high kick and GTS to get the three. Post match, Punk helped Kojima up and showed respect.
Winner: CM Punk via Pinfall.
AEW International Championship Four-way Match
Daniel Garcia vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Kasuyori Shibata vs. Orange Cassidy (c)
(This felt like a sprint and a damn fun one at that. With this win, Cassidy has now 25 title defenses of the International Title, tying Jade Cargill and her TBS Title reign. An incredibly fun, action packed match with a nice callback at the end with the showing of respect with Cassidy & Shibata, whose friendship started at last year’s show.)
After trying his little kicks on everyone, each challenger played hot potato with Cassidy’s leg. Sabre & Shibata found themselves sent outside and Cassidy hit a dive, as back inside, everyone took turns trying submissions on the champion. While tag partners on Wednesday, Garcia & Sabre were about to fight when Shibata decided to take them both on. Garcia was almost like the kid brother being shoved away until he opted to dance, resulting in Sabre & Shibata beating him down. All four men clocked each other with a series of big boots resulting in a four way big boot into the quadruple down. Dueling Cobra Twists by Sabre & Shibata, who opted to slap each other instead of holding on, as Garcia & Cassidy got double sleepers. Everyone took turns with suplexes, until Cassidy hit a Stundog Millionaire and spinning DDT on Garcia for two.
Sabre wrenched at Cassidy’s wrist, but was thrown into the ring post, as back inside; Garcia clocked Shibata with one of the title belts, as it’s legal in a four way. Shibata started no selling forearms and starched Garcia with one of his own to set up the corner stalling dropkick. Cassidy & Shibata faced off a replayed their spot back from their match in Atlantic City last year, both sitting down and trading slaps. Shibata went for a home run shot, but Cassidy faked the hands in the pockets and hit Orange Punch. The bad hand didn’t put much behind it and Shibata flew at him with a strike. Cassidy hit a desperation Beach Break, but Sabre jumped in to stomp on the wrist.
Sabre countered the Mouse Trap and a Stundog, but as Sabre went for a submission, Shibata locked in a rear naked choke. Garcia distracted long enough to get booted outside and Sabre to get the European Clutch for a close two, which Garcia broke up. Garcia planted Sabre with a piledriver, but Shibata answered with a PK. Cassidy appeared, sent Shibata to the floor and got a crucifix pin on Garcia to win it. Post match, Sabre & Shibata both grabbed their titles and stood with Cassidy holding his, with Sabre saying they aren’t done yet. Sabre left and Shibata shook hands with Cassidy.
Winner: Orange Cassidy via Pinfall to retain the AEW International Championship.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Jungle Boy Jack Perry vs. SANADA (c)
(I liked how the match was going and it was looking to hit another gear when it just sort of ended. I understand SANADA has won matches with that moonsault, but the crowd, nor I, was expecting that to be how SANADA would retain the gold. Post match was the bigger story, as Perry finally turned heel and I’m happy they pulled the trigger now instead of teasing it a while.)
The crowd showed referee Red Shoes respect before the match began, as Perry got a quick takedown and Snare Trap, but SANADA got the rope break. SANADA tried regrouping outside, but Perry hit a tope. Back inside, both men tried the Paradise Lock, with SANADA obviously the one to lock it on to a huge ovation. Once free, Perry tried a strike exchange, but crumbled off a vicious chop. Perry leveled SANADA with a lariat and Tiger Driver for two, but SANADA responded with a neckbreaker into the double down. Both men traded strikes again with Perry trying a crucifix, SANADA getting a fireman’s carry, which Perry countered into Skull End. SANADA got the rope break and caught a charging Perry with a TKO for two.
SANADA missed his moonsault, but landed on his feet, briefly got Skull End, but Perry hit a Poison Rana. Perry tried for the home run shot, but SANADA ducked and got the swinging Skull End. SANADA spiked Perry with a Poison Rana of his own, followed by a Shining Wizard for a near fall. SANADA connected with his moonsault and got the three count, which the fans certainly weren’t expecting at that moment, so their reaction was flat.
Winner: SANADA via Pinfall to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Post match, HOOK helped Perry up the ramp and HOOK held up Perry’s hand, who clocked him with a lariat. Taz was furious on commentary, as Perry dropped to his knees, soaked in the boos and mocked the crowd waving their hands. Perry held up the FTW Title and tossed it at HOOK. Perry stopped at the top of the ramp and went the heel side to the back.
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, & Wheeler Yuta), Konosuke Takeshita, & Shota Umino vs. The Elite (Hangman Adam Page, The Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson)), Eddie Kingston, & Tomohiro Ishii
(To the surprise of no one, this match was loaded with hard hitting strikes, high impact moves, you name it. It also showed that Kingston was willing to take the bullet for Moxley, but it wasn’t the other way around. Ultimately The Bucks were upset about Kingston shoving Moxley out of the way of a Superkick and post match, Kingston was having none of their complaints. This whole match from start to finish was a lot of fun.)
Tony Schiavone joined commentary in place of Taz, who stormed to the back between matches following what happened to his son. Right at the bell, Castagnoli bailed from Kingston so Umino & Page had a fast opening sequence. Ishii & Takeshita jumped in and had an extended forearm battle and traded a series of shoulder blocks, that neither sold until both men finally collapsed to a big ovation. The Bucks unleashed fast offense on everyone until it was Kingston & Moxley standing face to face to loud Eddie chants. Moxley threw the first forearm, as Kingston lowered the straps and we had a chop battle. The exchange continued, even when everyone else started brawling on the outside, including a massive moonsault to the floor by Page. Castagnoli finally got a cheap shot on Kingston to end the chop war, with Yuta picking up the pieces. Moxley had an open cheap shot on Kingston, but just stared, as it was Castagnoli following through with a boot.
Takeshita locked Kingston in a Camel Clutch and Ishii tried to break it up, but Takeshita absolutely knocked the living daylights out of Ishii as a result. Kingston remained isolated until he blocked a Castagnoli boot, hit a lariat and was about to make the tag when Moxley stood in front of him. The chop battle continued before both collided with lariats. Ishii recovered and ran wild, countering a Castagnoli suplex into his signature brainbuster. Takeshita jumped in and hit a Helluva Kick, Umino hit a pop up knee, but Ishii sent Moxley into Umino and planted him with a back suplex into the double down.
Page & Takeshita collided when Takeshita went for a Takeshita-line and was caught with a roaring elbow. Page cleaned house outside the ring and sent Takeshita into the awaiting arms of The Bucks before hitting a running shooting star press off the apron. Page hit an awkward looking top rope clothesline back inside on Takeshita for two. Takeshita escaped Dead Eye, but ate a triple kick by The Hung Bucks, as Matt & Nick missed BTE Trigger and clunked knees. Takeshita hit a double German suplex on The Bucks, who recovered long enough for a Superkick Party. Moxley was about to be hit, but Kingston took the bullet for his friend, as Matt was planted by a Takeshita Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Takeshita crunched Matt and hit a cazadora suplex before Moxley & Umino hit a Hart Attack. The Giant Swing by Castagnoli, as Yuta hit the dropkick mid move as a nod to Tyson Kidd.
Castagnoli & Yuta went for the Rocket Launcher, but Nick got just enough of Yuta in mid air to stop the move. Ishii made the tag and hit Yuta with a massive superplex, as Kingston & Ishii sandwiched Yuta with lariats. Everyone started wiping each other out with high impact moves ending in Castagnoli eating a spinning back fist from Kingston, who turned into a Moxley cutter. Yuta avoided a Buckshot from Page, but was turned inside out by an Ishii lariat. Sheer drop brainbuster connected for Ishii, who got the pin on Yuta.
Winner: The Elite, Eddie Kingston, & Tomohiro Ishii via Pinfall.
AEW Women’s World Championship
Willow Nightingale vs. Toni Storm (c)
(This definitely felt more like a TV match than PPV one, as it was the same formula we’ve seen from The Outcasts for quite some time. I’m totally fine with that, but it really puts whoever the challenger is, in this case Nightingale, at such a disadvantage because you know what is going to happen. Regardless, both ladies did a solid job here and I hope Nightingale makes it far in the Owen tournament.)
After an early powder, Storm tried a sneak attack, but Nightingale hit a shotgun dropkick to send Storm outside where Soho & Saraya ran distraction. Nightingale was having none of it and sent both women into each other, only for Storm to fly in with a hip attack. Saraya & Soho got in their cheap shots, as Storm took control back inside with a snap suplex. Nightingale fought out of a Full Nelson into a spinning slam to create some distance to recover. While on the apron, Storm tried for her piledriver, but Nightingale countered into a DVD on the hardest part of the ring. Back inside, Nightingale hit a running DVD, but as she went for a moonsault, the referee saw The Outcasts throw Storm a spray paint can. He tossed both ladies, but Nightingale ultimately missed the moonsault press. A snap DDT, Sweet Cheek Music and another DDT connected for Storm, but Nightingale kicked out.
Nightingale started hulking up and dropped Storm with a spinebuster before locking in a figure four. Storm escaped, wanted Sweet Cheek Music again, but Nightingale Pounced her to the floor. Back inside, Nightingale hit a series of corner lariats, but Storm pulled the ref in front of her. Storm got an eye rake and Storm Zero to steal the win.
Winner: Toni Storm via Pinfall to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship.
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship
Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega (c)
(This match was absolutely phenomenal and right there with their Wrestle Kingdom match. Just when you thought this match was over, you’d get an amazing near fall and the crowd would go wild. My one complaint is why the referee allowed Callis to come back to the ring after ejecting him so early. I digress, this was unreal, I can’t wait for whenever round 3 is.)
A video is shown about unrest and violence in the streets of Canada. Will Ospreay is watching a wall of TVs of his match with Kenny Omega from Wrestle Kingdom and then makes his entrance with Don Callis and two massive security guards. Ospreay trash talks fans the entire time. Omega has his NJPW theme and gets a massive ovation from the crowd.
Ospreay was warned early about high chops to the throat, as each man countered One Winged Angel & Oscutter into the stalemate. Thumb to the eye and chops by Ospreay, who plays to the crowd and allows Omega to hit a hurricanrana and You Can’t Escape. Ospreay bailed and Omega wanted his Terminator Dive, but Callis hooked the leg and the security stepped in front of him. The referee ejected Callis, as Ospreay hit a slingshot dive and drove Omega knee first into the steps. Back inside, a spinning backbreaker led to a delayed vertical suplex to keep Ospreay in control. A fantastic looking counter of an Omega hip toss into the Cobra Twist led to a misdirect dropkick to the knee of Ospreay followed by the Kotaro Crusher. Ospreay exploded out with a wall walk enzugiri, draped Omega on the top and hit a beautiful Shooting Star followed by an Oscutter onto the apron.
Ospreay wanted revenge for Omega driving his head through the table at Wrestle Kingdom, so Ospreay did the same thing, violently slamming Omega into it, busting him open in the process. Back inside, Ospreay was relentless; licking Omega’s blood off his forearm and you can guess what the crowd chanted when that happened. Omega tried to fight back, but collapsed thanks to a roaring elbow. Ospreay connected with V-Trigger, then grabbed a Canadian flag and did his best Shawn Michaels in Canada in 97 impression before Omega fired off a lariat, choking Ospreay over the top with the flag. A running start V-Trigger nearly sent Omega himself over the barricade leading to Omega slamming Ospreay repeatedly head first into the steps, causing Ospreay to bleed a gusher. Omega followed with a DDT on the steps, as back inside Omega tried a triangle choke, but Ospreay powered up into a powerbomb.
Both men trade a series of release German suplexes with Omega hitting a V-Trigger, but Ospreay answering with a Spanish Fly for two. Ospreay locked on the Sharpshooter to a loud reaction, but transitioned into a crossface. Omega got a rope break, as Ospreay delivered Kawada kicks and chops until Omega tried to fire back, but had nothing behind his strikes. Violent thrust kicks from Ospreay, who tried a home run Oscutter, but was caught with a knee in mid air. Snap Dragons, knee strike to the back, Poison Rana and spike piledriver combo got Omega a two count. Omega connected with the leg trapped neckbreaker and V-Trigger to the corner as they went up the ropes where Omega wanted an Avalanche One Winged Angel, but Ospreay escaped into the Cheeky Nandos kick at the 30 minute call. Omega rolled outside where Ospreay immediately hit a Sky Twister Press.
Back inside, Ospreay hit a springboard forearm to the back, as Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but Omega ducked, tried a lariat, but Ospreay floated over into a Liger Bomb. Top rope Oscutter connected for two, as Omega countered Storm Breaker into almost a Dead Eye. Don Callis came back to the ring, as Paul Turner is just allowing this to happen. Omega hit repeated knees, as Callis clutched Ospreay and there was a tug of war with him between Callis & Omega. The referee stepped in, as Callis handed Ospreay the screwdriver and Ospreay clocked Omega with it before hitting Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker for two, Omega got a foot on the rope. Ospreay hit a V-Trigger and One Winged Angel, but Omega kicked out at one and the crowd erupted.
A slugfest ensued, with Ospreay hitting a hook kick, but Omega answered with a brainbuster. Omega hit Croyt’s Wrath for a super close two. Both men countered each others finishers, as Ospreay hit a ripcord Hidden Blade and a nasty Tiger Driver ’91 followed by another Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker for the win.
Winner: Will Ospreay via Pinfall to become the new IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.
Le Suzuki Gods (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, & Minoru Suzuki) vs. Darby Allin, Sting, & Tetsuya Naito
(This match, despite having a few scary looking moments, was a fun and chaotic brawl. I still can’t believe the punishment Sting takes at his age, as he continues to defy all odds during this run. I also can’t believe we just saw Minoru Suzuki in the ring with Sting in 2023, I love that.)
Naito did his signature early stalling, but Guevara responded with his dropkick, kip up and pose. Naito chucked Guevara to the floor and answered with his Tranquillo pose. Both men turned on the speed briefly before Allin & Suzuki tagged in. Allin dared Suzuki to hit him and that was foolish as hell, because Suzuki was happy to oblige to chants of Murder Grandpa. Allin nearly got a pin off a Rear Naked Choke before Sting made the tag and Jericho screamed for a tag. Suzuki reluctantly did, thus robbing us of a Suzuki & Sting face off. I’d say Sting & Jericho isn’t too bad of a face off either, as Suzuki attacked from behind and everyone brawled. Sting & Jericho slugged it out in the ring before Jericho mocked a Sting howl and ended in a Scorpion Death Lock as a result. Guevara came flying in with a cutter off the top and really folded Sting up awkwardly. Le Suzuki Gods did a glorious trio pose to get things back on track in one of the best images ever.
Sting fought back and tagged in Allin, who ran wild with a Code Red on Guevara for two. Jericho distracted long enough for Guevara to hit a top rope Spanish Fly as both Allin & Guevara clonked heads into the double down. Naito & Jericho renewed their rivalry as Jericho countered Gloria into a sleeper, as Guevara & Suzuki locked in sleepers of their own on Allin & Sting. Everyone spilled outside where Allin hit a fast dive on Suzuki, but when he went at Jericho, he ate a mid air Judas Effect. We missed Sting crashing into the barricade, as Jericho pulled a table from under the ring, setting Sting up. Jericho demanded Guevara put Sting through it and he reluctantly obliged with a 630 senton on Sting through the table.
Naito got knees up to avoid a Lionsault, but Jericho countered Destino into a Walls of Jericho. Sting rose from the dead and sank in a Scorpion Death Lock until Suzuki appeared and trapped Sting in a Rear Naked Choke. Naito broke it up, but ate a Code Breaker for two. Suzuki & Naito went at it until Sting & Naito worked together to lead to a Naito roll up on Suzuki for the win.
Winner: Darby Allin, Sting, & Tetsuya Naito via Pinfall.
Post match, Jericho attacked Naito with his bat until Sting immediately made the save.
Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
(At one point Excalibur said when you say Dream Match, you’re setting unrealistic expectations. It’s safe to say, this delivered big time. The crowd didn’t see the finish coming, but commentary did a great job explaining how if Okada didn’t tap, he’d risk a long term injury and perhaps being out of the G1, so he’d live to fight another day. Danielson won the battle, but I have a feeling the war will continue down the line.)
The Final Countdown rang out for Danielson’s entrance and I loved every second of it. Okada rained money in an equally epic entrance, as this should be one for the ages. Danielson escaped the grips of Okada early and tried for the Romero Special, but stomped on the knees instead. The match spilled outside where Okada hit his big boot that sent Danielson into the crowd. Danielson anticipated the draping DDT and posted Okada. Danielson hit a running dropkick through the ropes and follow up diving knee off the apron. Danielson zoned in on the right shoulder, then opted for chops, which just woke Okada up, as he no sold leading to a huge flapjack. A big boot dropped Danielson, as Okada hit a leaping corner splash and DDT for two. Danielson was placed in the corner and Okada dropkicked him to the outside where Danielson reversed a whip into the railing. Danielson missed a charge into the crowd and Okada hit a charging cross body over the barricade.
Back inside, Okada applied Money Clip and turned it into a nasty Air Raid Crash. Okada wanted an avalanche Landslide, but Danielson fought out and hit a huge missile dropkick. Both men trade a long series of uppercuts that get more intense as it goes on until Okada fired off a shotgun dropkick. Danielson answered with a release German suplex and hit a series of running boots in the corner, with the third Okada answering with a perfect dropkick. Danielson ducked a Rainmaker, but Okada hit another dropkick. Okada wanted a top rope elbow drop, but Danielson caught him with a Disarmer into the LeBell Lock. Okada used his height to get the rope break, as Danielson punted him to the floor. Danielson nearly dove into the clutches of a Rainmaker, but instead hit a charging dropkick and Yes Kicks. Okada caught the home run shot and connected with a Tombstone on the ramp.
Okada brought Danielson back to the ring, as this time Okada hit the top rope elbow and did his Rainmaker pose. Danielson went dead weight, as referee Bryce called the doctor in the ring, as Danielson is convulsing. The doctor oddly just leaves, as Okada tried to go to Danielson, who was playing possum and hit a Busaiku Knee into the double down. Danielson flipped out of a German suplex and hit another Busaiku Knee before opting to kick Okada’s head in, trying to apply a LeBell Lock with one arm. He couldn’t get it, so a head kick would have to suffice, as Danielson did the Yes Chants, but ran into an Okada dropkick, Landslide & Rainmaker for a close two.
Both men ducked a finisher attempt, as Danielson got the LeBell Lock applied, despite really having only one arm. Kevin Kelly said Danielson’s right arm is pretty much a passenger, but a 60% LeBell Lock is better than nothing, which was a great line. Danielson used his legs to wrap up Okada in such a crazy way that Okada had no choice but to tap, as the crowd was stunned.
Winner: Bryan Danielson via Submission.
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