WWE Judgment Day 5/21/06 PPV Results

WWE Tag Team Titles: MNM with Melina VS Paul London & Brian Kendrick
Wow, London & Kendrick have been MNM FIVE times in a row, and only get a title shot NOW?
London & Nitro start off and London easily gets knocked down by Nitro with a shoulder block twice in a row. London trips up Nitro and hits an armdrag and an arm-bar and Kendrick & London do quick tags targeting Nitro’s arm before taking him down with a double flying forearm. Mercury tags in, but can’t match speed with Kendrick. London tags in and the challengers hit a double hip-toss on Mercury followed by a double elbow drop. Nitro comes in but is also taken out by the challengers. MNM try to regroup on the outside by Kendrick hits a BIG flip out of the ring on them.
Mercury gets back in the ring and manages to dodge a cross-body off the top from London, and the champions regain control of the match, hitting a big double gutbuster on London. Melina even gets involved and puts London in a headscissors. Mercury & London collide in the center of the ring and London makes the hot tag.
Kendrick goes to work with a barrage of clotheslines, but gets outnumbered and MNM hit the Snap Shot, but only get a near 2 count as London makes the save at the last minute. MNM take out London who hits the floor hard and go back to working on Kendrick. Kendrick counters a suplex into a small-package, but the referee is distracted by Mercury. Mercury tags in and hits a big delayed suplex in Kendrick and covers for a 2 count. Kendrick gets tossed to the outside and Melina manages to get a kicks in before Nitro throws him back in the ring. Kendrick takes a lot of punishment before finally being able to reverse a whip and ram MNM into each other.
London gets the hot tag and goes to work on the champions. London catches a boot from Mercury, but comes back with a big double clothesline and a cradle on Mercury for a near 2.9. London hits the dropsault and pins Mercury, but Melina gets in the ring and screams at the referee breaking the count! Nitro tris to hook London’s legs as Mercury pins him, but London is able to kick out. Kendrick goes after Nitro, but misses a big dive and hits the floor. Nitro grabs London and Mercury charges in, but London dodges and Mercury hits Nitro who falls on Melina! London rolls up Mercury with a jackknife pin and gets the 3 count! NEW TAG CHAMPIONS!
Great match. They played up how London & Kendrick had MNM’s number due to all the times they beat the champions in the past weeks, but they still had a big uphill battle to climb to win the gold tonight. And if they ever make a Black Canary movie, I think Melina would fit the role well considering she has a sonic scream that could stop the referee from making the 3 count!
Match Rating: ***1/2

Melina is pissed at Mercury for losing the titles and they start arguing and Melina slaps Mercury which pisses him off and he grabs Melina, but Nitro attacks Mercury! Mercury manages to get control until Melina gives him a big kick to the head and starts beating down Mercury. The referee tries to pull Melina off, but she gives him a big kick in the balls! Nitro & Melina looks to leave but Mercury attacks him from behind and the brawl continues until a bunch of referees and GM Teddy Long come down to break things up, but the GM gets knocked down during the frey. Mercury finally walks off on his own as Nitro & Melina look on. Guess we’ll see him in ECW.

Chris Benoit VS Fit Finlay
The two lock up and manages to go all the way out of the ring while hooked up! They break up, get back in the ring and stare each other down face to face. Benoit with a lighting quick double leg takedown and tries for the Sharpshooter, but Finlay is able to counter and roll into a leglock, but Benoit himself able to counter into a chinlock and a side mount headlock. Finlay gets out of it and complains to the referee that he has something in his eye, but it’s a scam so he can cheap shot Benoit.
Benoit rebounds with a chop, but Finlay hits a big drop-toe hold and clamps on a chin lock. Benoit battles to his feet and Finlay drops him with a Euopean uppercut. Finlay taunts Benoit with slaps, but Benoit comes back with a big slap of his own and batters Finlay with knee strikes and chops followed by a backbreaker for a 2 count. Benoit with a chinlock and tries to maneuver Finlay into the Crossface. Benoit manages a crucifix pin, but Finlay gets his feet on the ropes. Finlay manages a comeback with a thumb to the eyes followed by a big clothesline for a near fall. Finlay clamps Benoit in a modified submission where he pulls back on Benoit’s arms and pushes his head with his foot. Finlay changes up into a cross-arm chin lock and Benoit battles to his feet break the hold dropping Finlay, but misses an elbow drop.
Finlay tries for a clothesline, but Benoit ducks it and hits the triple German suplex! Benoit goes up top, but misses the diving headbutt! They battle to their feet and Benoit takes down Finlay with a dragon-screw leg whip and tries for the Sharpshooter again, but Finlay kicks him off and goes out to grab a chair, but Benoit baseball slides it right into Finlay on the apron! Benoit tosses Finlay back in and hits the diving headbutt for a near fall! Finlay reverses an Irish whip and rams Benoit sternum first into the turnbuckle followed by a big clothesline to the back of the head! Finlay uses a quarter-nelson pin but Benoit grabs the ropes to break the count.
Finlay in control now beating down Benoit with hard shots before putting on a modified headlock and turns it to a modified dragon-sleeper with a hammerlock on Benoit’s arm and the crowd is applauding this brilliant mat work! Benoit battles to his feet and Finlay clubs him in the back of the head several times. Benoit battles back with elbow strikes, but Finlay attacks Benoit’s shoulder and hit a few knee drops. Finlay taunts Benoit before hitting another big clothesline for a near fall. Finlay now with a shoulder nerve hold!
Benoit fights to his feet, and floats over a suplex attempt a goes for the German suplexes! He hits two of them, and Finlay breaks the third, but Benoit sends him to the outside with a big enzuguiri! Finlay tries to whack Benoit with the shaleleigh outside, but Benoit ducks it and hits a German suplex out on the floor!
They get back in the ring and Benoit suplexes Finlay into the ring and does the Three Amigos suplex and an Eddie chant starts up! Benoit goes to the apron, but Finlay knocks him off and he hits the barricade hard. Finlay goes out and beat down Benoit some more before getting him back in the ring and ramming him HARD shoulder first into the corner. But out of nowhere, Benoit is able to lock down Finlay in the Crippler Crossface, and Finlay taps out!
A hard fought win for Benoit, and an excellent, EXCELLENT match!
Match Rating: ****1/2

They stare each other down as Finlay leaves the ring. If this rivalry goes longer, I’m all for it if it means we get more quality matches like this.

A quick look back at how the feud between Melina & Jillian Hall started off.

Jillian Hall VS Melina with Nitro
No paparazzi as Melina & Nitro come out, both of them obviously not happy with what happened earlier. It gets worse as the referee ejects Nitro from ringside!
Jillian goes after Melina and hits a big kick to the back followed by a Curt Hennig neck snap! Melina rolls out of the ring, but Jillian jumps off the apron and rams Melina’s head on the barricade! Melina regains control slamming Jillian into the steps.
Melina chokes and slams Jillian several times before locking on a leg-body scissors. Jillian manages to break the hold, but Melina catches her with a face buster for a near fall. Melina chokes Jillian on the ropes before setting her up in the corner and hits a double knee press. Melina goes to the second rope and tries for a body press, but Jillian gets the knees up.
Jillian now in control and slams Melina’s head into the corner several times. Melina reverses an Irish whip and charges in, but Jillian counters into a roll up and gets the pin, but the referee didn’t see Melina had her hand on the ropes!
Good match overall, even if a little sloppy at points.
Match Rating: *

Crystal comes out to rub it into Melina, but Melina calls her a bitch and tries to attack her, but Crystal actually battles back and runs off Melina as the referee holds Crystal back!

Backstage to JBL cutting a promo on how he’s gonna end the dream of Rey Mysterio, but he than notices CHAVO GUERRERO! He asks what Chavo is doing there and Chavo says he’s there to support Rey. JBL says Chavo’s gonna watch him destroy Rey tonight like he did to Eddie years ago. Chavo tells him to stop living in the past, and gives a big Ariba La Raza to geta pop from the crowd.

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Gregory Helms VS Super Crazy
Helms comes out first, and gets the kind of reaction you expect when no one knows who you are! But Super Crazy gets a big pop when he comes out on his lawnmower!
Crazy with a whole lot of quick covers for near falls and Crazy is able to avoid getting tossed from the ring several times and manages to clothesline Helms out of the ring. HE goes for a big dive, but the referee blocks him off! When the ref turns his back tocoutn out Helms, Crazy hit a big dive over the referee on Helms outside!
Back in the ring, Crazy mounts Helms in the corner and lands punches, but Helms drops him across the ropes and takes control with a neckbreaker. Helms in control now beating down Crazy and locks on a ground abdominal stretch. Crazy counters a suplex into one of his own. Helms puts Crazy in a butterfly lock and lands some knees to Crazy’s face and pins him for a near fall. Helms with a side headlock as Tazz & Cole argue about whether Helms is a high-flyer or not.
Crazy breaks the hold and counters a sleeper into a roll up for a near fall. Helms misses an elbow drop and Crazy battles back and catches Helms with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Crazy with a standing moonsault for a near fall. He goes up top and hits a missile dropkick for another near fall. Crazy goes up again and tries for the moonsault, but Helms rolls out of the way. Helms tries for the Shining Wizars, but Crazy ducks and hits a heel kick for a near fall. Helms back with a neckbreaker but misses a corner charge, but Helms comes back with a cradle for a near fall. Helms hits a flipping neckbreaker off the second rope for another near fall.
Crazy battles back with chops but gets whipped into the corner. Helms charges in, but Crazy launches him into the corner. Crazy goes for a hurricanrana, but Helms counters it into a powebomb and puts his feet on the ropes to get the pin!
Great match, but marred by the ending.
Match Rating: ***

Backstage where Melina & Nitro charge into the GM’s office and complain to Teddy Long about the events of the evening. Long says he’s not going to anything, but Melina slaps him! Long says he knows what to do now, and that’s FIRE MELINA! Nitro gets on his case as well, so Long FIRES him too!

Mark Henry VS Kurt Angle
Henry comes out to his lame Wreckless Intent theme. The big man immediately takes apart the announce table, he grabs the mic and says he’s gonna hurt Angle like he did to Batista. I think he pauses for too long as he didn’t seem to finish before Angle’s theme hits and the Olympic Hero comes out.
Angle goes right after Henry and pounds on him. Henry whips Angle into the corner, but runs into a big boot. Angle than hits a flipping senton (!?!) and locks Henry in a front headlock. Henry powers him over and Angle tries a sunset flip. Henry tries to sit on Angle, who quickly dodges and rebounds off the ropes with a kick to the jaw! They brawl to the outside and Angle tries to German Henry on the announce table but can’t get the big man up.
Back in the ring and Angle attacks Henry’s legs but Henry is able to power out. Angle charges at Henry, but eats a big clothesline. Henry beats down on Angle’s bad ribs which are taped up. The big man sits on Angle’s back with a chin lock. Angle battles to his feet and breaks the hold. Henry catches him out of a cross body and goes for the World’s Strongest Slam, but Angle counters it into a swinging DDT for a near fall!
They get to their feet and trade strikes, and Angle manages to catch Henry with a German suplex followed by the Angle Slam, but only gets a 2 count! Henry comes back with a big clothesline followed by the World’s Strongest Slam for a near fall! Henry tries for the Slam again, but Angle rolls through into an ankle lock! Henry uses his power to escape the hold and flip Angle out of the ring!
Henry sets up Angle on the announce table and looks to splash him through it, but Angle gets out of the way. Henry batters Angle and flattens him against the corner post. Henry gets back in the ring and WINS BY COUNT OUT!
Not content with the win, Henry goes out after Angle again, but Angle fires back and hits a big low blow on Henry before whacking him in the back and leg several times with a steel chair! He locks on the ankle-lock and it takes several officials to pull him off! Henry staggers to his feet, but Angle goes after him again and gives him an Angle Slam onto the announce table which didn’t break, so he smacks him again with the steel chair and Henry collapses the announce table with his weight!
If this is Henry’s last big WWE match, kudos to Angle for giving him the win. And the match was leagues better than their Royal Rumble match too.
Match Rating: ***

Backstage with Booker & Sharmell as Sharmell praises Booker as the best king ever, even better than Don King & Martin Luther King! Booker is liking being called King Booker.

Recap video of the King of the Ring Tournament. The Finals are up next!

King of the Ring Finals: Booker T with Sharmell VS Bobby Lashley
Booker gets in Lashley’s face and Lashley knocks him down. They lock up and Lashley powers Book into the corner and breaks clean. Lock up again and Book gets Lashley in the corner and tries for a punch, but Lashley blocks it and punches back, whipping Book hard into the corner again and hits a big corner clothesline followed by a suplex for a near fall. Lashley with an armlock, but Booker gets out of it and tries for a German? Lashley reverses it for a takedown, but Booker regains control and whips him into the corner, but Lashley explodes out with a clothesline followed by a double leg pick up and slams Booker into the corner. Lashley charges in, but Booker dodges and Lashley hits the corner post and falls out of the ring.
Booker slams Lashley’s head on the steps and tries for a count out win but Lashley gets back in time. Booker now working Lashley’s shoulder. Lashley battles back to his feet, but runs into a big boot. Booker goes for the scissor kick, but Lashley hits a wicked clothesline that flips Booker in mid air! Lashley back in control now with clotheslines and an inverted atomic drop and another clothesline. Lashley tries for the Dominator, but Sharmell distracts the referee. Booker tries for the Book End, but Lashley breaks out of it. Lashley tries for the spear, but Sharmell grabs his leg giving Booker the chance to hit the Book End but only get a near fall.
Lashley catches Booker and hits a running powerslam for a near fall. Lashley misses a corner charge and Booker hits the scissors kick but only gets a 2 count! Booker misses a big kick off the ropes and Lashley hits the spear! Lashley signals for the Dominator, but Sharmell again distracts the referee and Finlay runs in and whacks Lashley with the shelaylee! Booker hits the scissors kick and makes the cover to steal the crown!
Booker and Sharmell celebrate and go up to the throne at the entrance ramp. Booker puts on his cape and Sharmell crowns him, but Lashley comes out of nowhere and spears him through the throne! Booker is still able to get to his feet with his crown and cape though.
Solid match, and it should be noted that there were boos for Lashley here. I guess there are fans smart enough to not want him to be pushed too soon.
Match Rating: ***

Video recap of the path of destruction Great Khali has been running in the past few weeks. I still find it interesting that WWE fear Khali could hurt someone, so they have him squash contracted cruiserweights, including the world champion in the past few weeks?

The Great Khali with Daivari VS the Undertaker
They stare off and Taker hit a barrage of strikes to no effect and Khali launches him from the ring. Taker back in and hits another barrage of kicks and punches. He tries for a whip, but Khali launches him over the rope to the outside. ‘Taker manages to stun Khali by dropping him throat first across the ropes. ‘Taker attacks Khali some more and tries for Old School, but Khali launches him off the top instead!
Khali pounds and stomps ‘Taker in the corner. They brawl to the outside and Khali rams ‘Taker knees first into the steel steps. Daivari takes a cheap shot as the referee is distracted. ‘Taker back in the ring and Khali slams him and hits his big chop and puts a boot on him to cover, but only gets a 2. ‘Taker sits up and Khali looks a bit concerned. They trade more strikes and ‘Taker is able to hit Old Schoold which stuns the big giant. They exchange more strikes and ‘Taker is able to knock Khali off his feet with a big flying clothesline and Khali gets caught on the ropes, classic giant style!
‘Taker tees off on Khali until Daivari distracts him. Daivari escapes a chokeslam thanks to the referee, and he frees Khali from the ropes.The Dead Man comes back and tries for a chokeslam, but Khali is able to break it and hit a big boot. He hits the big chop again followed by a kick to the head and puts a boot on ‘Taker’s chest to get the WIN!?!?
Wow. They seriously couldn’t come up with a better finish than that?!? I don’t think the match was that bad, but they could definitely do better.
Match Rating: **

Recap of the Rey Mysterio/JBL feud. Rey says being world champion is a gift, and he loves every minute of it. How true about the “gift” part, cause he sure hasn’t earned it in my book.

World Heavyweight Title: John “Bradshaw” Leyfield VS Rey Mysterio
JBL shoves Rey at the start and Rey kicks away at his legs before getting shoved off again. Lock up and JBL shoves Rey off again and Rey kicks his legs again and puts on a headlock. JBL picks him up and sits him in the corner and bad mouths him, so Rey slaps him! JBL is pissed and he batters Rey down in the corner. Rey manages to get JBL in the 619 position, but JBL rolls out of the ring before Rey could hit the move. Rey hits a baseball slide on JBL outside followed by a sitting senton out on the floor.
Back in the ring, Rey hits a cross body off the second rope for a near fall followed by a low dropkick and a leg drop to the back of the head for another pair of 2 counts. Rey mounts and pounds JBL in the corner followed by a foot choke and a baseball slide in the groin after distracting the referee! Rey dropkicks JBL out of the ring, but misses a baseball slide and JBL catches him with a boot to the face and whips him head first into the steps.
Back in the ring and JBL pounds away at Rey. One big punch sends rey back to the outside. JBL smacks Rey’s face into the steps and taunts Rey’s wife at ringside. Rey us bleeding under his mask. JBL gets a near fall in the ring and does the Three Amigos suplex before tossing Rey out of the ring again. He puts Rey right in front of his wife and kid before giving the champion a fallaway slam out on the floor. Back in the ring JBL covers and gets another near fall.
JBL slaps and stomps Rey before hitting a barrage of hard short clotheslines. The referee counts Rey down on the mat and Rey barely gets to his feet at 9 as JBL takes him down again with a big boot to the head and gets a near fall. Rey fires off a few punches and JBL hits a thumb to the eye followed by a sleeper hold. Rey manages to break the hold and JBL sets him up on the tops rope. JBL tries for a backdrop, but Rey knocks him off the top and hits a moonsault for a 2 count.
They get to their feet and JBL misses a clothesline and Rey takes him down with a springboard crossbody for a near fall, followed by a head kick for another near fall. Rey goes for the Bronco Buster, but JBL gets the boot up and Rey lands hard on a soft spot. JBL tries for a powerbomb, but Rey counters into a hurricanrana and straddles JBL in the 619 position. Rey hits the 619 and goes for the West Coast Pop, but JBL pulls the referee in the way. JBL hits Rey with a big powerbomb and calls for another referee who comes out but only gets a 2 count. JBL takes out the referee and goes out to grab a steel chair. But Rey kicks the chair into JBL’s face and hits the 619 followed by a frog splash to get the win!
Chavo Guerrero comes out and celebrates with Rey as his wife looks on from front row. Rey is on his knees in the center of the ring with a loud “Eddie” chant as the PPV comes to an end.
Solid match overall, but I thought the ending was rather weak. I would have had JBL kick out of the frog splash but get pinned by a West Coast Pop instead. I was also pretty sure Chavo was going to heel Rey, but that didn’t happen.
Match Rating: ***1/2

Overall: This was leagues better than Backlash at least. A lot of good work throughout and and you definitely get your moneys worth.

TNA SACRIFICE 5/14/06 PPV Results

No pre-show on the replay I’m watching, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in my book.

World X-Cup Match: Jushin Thunder Liger VS Petey Williams
Black heel Liger VS the biggest heel in the X-Division. This should be interesting.
CTU actually get booed for beating up Williams on the outside after all the times Team Canada has done it to everyone else?
The match itself was ok, but nothing really special since it was short. But hey, CTU cheated the win from Petey after he’s done it so many times, and that’s cool with me not just cause I’m a puroresu fan. Minoru distracted Petey and the referee and Hirooki Goto sneaks in and hits Petey with a low blow leading to Liger hitting the Crash Thunder Buster for the win.
Match Rating: **

NWA World Tag Team Titles: America’s Most Wanted (C) VS AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels
I’m not sure what it was, but something got censored out of this match by ASTRO. I was almost set to give this match an excellent rating up until the lame heel finish. Sure it was innovative to have Gail Kim up in the balcony throw down a nightstick for AMW to use, but I hate the way once great babyface wrestlers have to always cheat to win matches once they turn heel. Just another of those great matches ruined by lame finishes.
Match Rating: ***

A1 VS Raven
Hate to say it, but Raven actually looks FAT.
A1 basically dominates the match from the start thanks to a chair shot, and Raven has barely any offense in the match, but thanks to one opening Raven hits the Raven Effect to win the match.
Match Rating: DUD

Bobby Roode VS Rhino
That’s right TNA, job Rhino to BOBBY ROODE in one hell of a crapfest match on PPV where a former NWA WORLD CHAMPION gets almost ZERO offense in the match against BOBBY ROODE. The return of ECW doesn’t sound like such a bad idea now, does it?
Match Rating: DUD

The James Gang VS Team 3D
I guess Team 3D aren’t gonna be tag team champions any time soon considering they went from chasing the belts to chasing Team Canada who cost them the belts and now they seem to be totally out of the hunt altogether feuding with the James Gang.
The match was ok, but nothing outstanding in my book even if they did re-enact an old scene nobody even remembers.
Match Rating: *1/2

World X-Cup Gauntlett
No.1 – Minoru (Japan)
No.2 – Puma (Mexico)
Minoru dominates early thanks to a water spray attack. Puma mounts a comeback, but Minoru takes him down with a quick kick combo followed by a wicked fisherman’s buster. Minoru tries for a pin, but they don’t count until 2 men are left in the match
No. 3 – Petey Williams (Canada)
Petey works with Minoru for a bit before taking him down and dominating both Puma & Minoru for a bit.
No. 4 – Chris Sabin (USA)
Sabin attacks everyone and hits a corner splash on Minoru followed by a springboard moonsault on both Puma & Petey.
No. 5 – Hirooki Goto (Japan)
Goto immediately helps Minoru and takes down Petey & Sabin.
No. 6 – Incognito (Mexico)
Incognito goes after Williams and sends him to the outside following with a wicked suicide dive through the ropes.
No. 7 – Johnny Devine (Canada)
Devine goes after Incognito and hits a big corner stomp and corner knee smash.
No. 8 – Sonjay Dutt (USA)
Sonjay takes out both Team Japan members with a big plancha. He takes out Puma, and then Petey with a little help from Sabin. He then hits a wicked reverse hurrincanrana on Devine.
No. 9 – Black Tiger (Japan)
BT hits a victory roll on Petey and rolls through into an ankle lock, but Devine makes the save. Puma & Incognito try to double suplex Dutt out of the ring, but he counters it into double DDT.
No. 10 – Magno (Mexico)
The ring is full of wrestlers now that it’s hard to follow.
No. 11 – Eric Young (Canada)
Big pop for Eric Young. Sonjay Dutt hurricanranas Incognito out of the ring and both men are eliminated. Sonjay seems to have injured his ankle and has to be carried out by trainers.
No. 12 – Alex Shelley (USA)
Shelley argues with Sabin, causing Devine to hit a big clothesline on Sabin to eliminate him. Shelley immediately throws out Devine to eliminate him.
No. 13 – Jushin Thunder Liger (Japan)
Liger hits and big backbreaker on Magno and goes up top, but Magno cuts him off and superplexes him back in the ring.
No. 14 – Shocker (Mexico)
Magno gets eliminated by Team Japan as Shocker hits the ring. Shocker counters a hurricanrana into a powerbomb, and Tiger is eliminated not long after.
No. 15 – Tyson Dukes (Canada)
Shelley eliminates Goto with a superkick off the apron.
No. 16 – Jay Lethal (USA)
Lethal goes after Minoru and eventually eliminates him with an enzuguiri on the apron.
Shelley eats a big kick from Shocker, but Shocker gets eliminated by Shelley.
Liger unloads chops on Dukes & Young. He tries to throw Young over the top, but Dukes shoves him out of the ring from behind. Team Japan is out.
Lethal quickly tosses out Young, and Shelley throws out Devine.
Shelley misses a corner charge on Petey and goes over the top to get eliminated.
Jay Lethal almost gets eliminated, but gets caught by a big kick from Puma which eliminates him. Team USA is out.
Puma hits a brainbuster on Petey, but Petey comes back with the Canadian Destroyer to win the match!
The match was ok, but the ending sprint went by just too fast.
Team Canada & Team USA are now tied with 5-points each.
Match Rating: ***

Kevin Nash comes out and Jacknifes Puma before ranting on about how bigger is better.

Jeff Jarrett & Scott Steiner VS Sting & Samoa Joe
I had a lot of negative thoughts going into this one, but thank God they seemed to finally do something right tonight with the booking of this match. Joe was treated the right way here, as he looked like the future of the company the way they let him go toe-to-toe with both Jarrett & Steiner and was definitely made to look equal to his seniors in the match.
And of course everyone else in the match was also working on all cylinders to deliver an overall excellent match. I didn’t even mind the end when Joe walked out after the match and left Sting to get pummeled cause hey, he did his job.
Match Rating: ****

NWA World Title - Full Metal Mayhem Match: Christian Cage (C) VS Abyss
Basically this is was one on one TLC match. Funny how Christian Cage goes from being squashed by super-heavyweights to now have pretty good gimmick matches with them for world titles. This was a pretty good back and forth brawl, with the highlight coming at the end when James Mitchell got Rock Bottomed onto a thumbtacks before Christian splashed Abyss through a table from the top of the ladder and reclaiming his NWA title for the win.
Match Rating: ***1/2

Overall: Much like WWE Backlash, the two main events saved the PPV, but I seriously feel like I didn’t get my money’s worth for this one. It almost makes me want to question if I should even order the next PPV if they plan to continue running pointless matches on PPV and screwjob endings no matter how they try to innovate it.

WWE Backlash 2006 results

No Joey Styles? WTF? On Heat he said he’d be doing the play-by-play of the PPV. Guess I’ll just have to bare with good ol’ stutterin’ JR & King.

“The Masterpiece” Chris Masters VS Carlito
They start off arguing and Carlito slaps Masters. Masters pounds Carlito and chokes him with his shirt. Masters misses a clothesline and Carlito hits a low dropkick followed by a bulldog. Masters reverses an Irish whip and hit a big back body drop for a near fall. Masters with another Irish whip and Carlito hits a kick but runs right into a gorilla press. Carlito slips out and clamps on a full nelson! Masters easily breaks it, so Carlito sends him to the outside and hits a big plancha.
Back in the ring and more punches by Carlito. Masters takes control by dropping the back of Carlito’s head on the turnbuckle. Masters now in control pounding Carlito and hits a legdrop for a near fall. Carlito escapes a neck-wrench but runs into a back elbow before Masters again clamps on the neck wrench and hits a neckbreaker for another near fall. Carlito with a thumb to the eye, but eats a big clothesline.
Masters picks up Carlito and hits a Snake Eyes! Masters tries for the Masterlock, but Carlito counters into a rollup for a near fall. Carlito off the ropes ducks a clothesline and hits a springboard back elbow! Carlito distracts Masters by throwing his apple out of the corner than hits a low dropkick off the second rope! Carlito hits another dropkick for a near fall.
Masters rams Carlito sternum first into the corner and sets him up on the top rope. Carlito knocks Masters off the top and hits a moonsault for a near fall! Masters tries for the Masterlock and Carlito tries to reverse into a roll up again, but Masters counters that into another Masterlock attempt! Carlito rams Masters face first into the corner and hits the back cracker followed by a pin with his feet on the ropes to steal the win!
I like to see that Carlito is expanding his move set and they pull off a good match here.
Match Rating: **1/2

Backstage with Maria, and I’m not sure if it was intentional to play up her dumb blonde bit, but she says Masters just beat Carlito! We than see a video of fans being asked who will win the main event tonight, with mixed reactions. Back to Maria and Lita steps in, promising Edge will get the win, and after that they will have a private sex celebration.

Back to ringside and Alejandro introduces Umaga.

Umaga VS “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair
Umaga attacks Flair as he makes his entrance. Umaga pounds Flair in the ring, but Flair thumbs the eye and hits a low blow when Alejandro accidentally distracted the refree! Flair with punches and chops, but Umaga hits one to drop Flair. Flair avoids a corner charge and exits the ring. Umaga goes out after Flair and tries to charge Flair, but the veteran dodges and Umaga hits the corner post!
Back in the ring and Flair works on Umaga’s leg. He tries for the Figure Four, but Umaga kicks out sending Flair into the corner. Umaga sets him up in the Tree of Woe and hits a head butt. Umaga than hits a big corner splash, followed by a diving headbutt off the second rope, and hits a big strike with that heavily taped thumb to pin Flair for the win!
Flair said before he feels he has one more world title run in him. This squash is probably WWE’s way of telling him he doesn’t. Alejandro has a HUGE victory cigar in his mouth after the match.
Match Rating: DUD

A promo for the new WWE Reckless Intent CD is shown.

We than go backstage to Vince & Shane where Vince tells Shane to leave God to him tonight. Vince demonstrates his Godliness by spilling water on the floor than walking on it. He then tosses fish and bread and suddenly a lot of it gets tossed back at them! Vince walks out as Shane is all confused. Shane takes a sip from his water bottle and notices the water has turned to wine!

A look back at the long feud between Trish Stratus and Mickie James for the Women’s Title.

WWE Women’s Championship: Mickie James (C) VS Trish Stratus
Mickie comes out dressed as her old self, and Trish does the same. Not thong from Trish tonight.
They lock up and Mickie with an arm-wringer, but Trish trips her and gets a near fall. Mickie charges but Trish ducks it with the Ma-Trish, and flips into a headscissors takedown. Mickie ducks the Chick Kick, but eats a straight boot to the face sending her outside. Trish follows and hits a Thez Press off the apron to the floor. Back in the ring, Trish hits a corner splash and mounts Mickie and lands punches until Mickie flips her over the top and she takes a bad spill to the outside, clutching her right arm.
Trish manages to get back and Mickie pins her for a near fall.
Mickie slams and stomps Trish’s head into the mat and picks up one of her bangles that fell off and chokes Trish till the referee makes the five count and disqualifies her?!? Everyone is confused, and the announce team plays it off as Mickie did it intentionally to hold on to the belt.
Match Rating: DUD

Backstage to Maria and she corrects herself for her earlier slip up of the Carlito/Masters match. She then interviews HBK, who says he knows it’s just a handicap match tonight, but promises victory.

Winner Takes All Match for the IC Title and Money in the Bank: Shelton Benjamin (IC Champion) VS Rob Van Dam (Mr. Money in the Bank)
I thought this was going to be a ladder match. Guess I was wrong but whatever.
Benjamin quickly takes down RVD and slaps him. Lock up again and an arm-wringer by Benjamin. RVD reverses it and Benjamin flips off the ropes to take down RVD! Benjamin takes down RVD again with a shoulder block. RVD hits a body-scissors pin out of nowhere for a near fall, followed by a pair of armdrags to take Benjamin out of his game. RVD plays to the crowd. Lock up again and RVD hits a big spin kick sending Benjamin to the outside, frustrated.
Back in the ring again, and RVD flips over a back drop attempt and hits a spin kick and a clothesline. RVD sets up Benjamin for Rolling Thunder, but Benjamin exits the ring so RVD hits a big plancha instead. Benjamin back in the ring first, and as RVD is on the apron, Benjamin does a big sunset flip out of the ring and powerbombs RVD on the floor!
Benjamin now back in control locks on a chinlock. Benjamin mostly pounding and choking now. Benjamin hits a big running knee to the face of RVD for a near fall. Backbraker by Benjamin followed by another chinlock and a camel clutch. Benjamin hits a series of hardslams, continuing to punish the back of RVD. He clamps on another hinlock and RVD breaks out of it. Benjamin tries for the T-bone but RVD escapes and takes down Benjamin. RVD tries for Rolling Thunder, but Benjamin catches him out of it into a Samoan drop!
Benjamin sets up RVD on the top rope and RVD knocks him off, but quick as a cat Benjamin is up and leaps up the top rope to bring RVD down with a superplex! Benjamin locks on a sleeper with a body scissors now. RVD manages to avoid a dropkick and hits a big kick to the Benjamin’s face. RVD dodges the corner splash and hits a series of kicks. Benjamin reverses an Irish whip in the corner but eats an elbow and a jumping kick. RVD finally hits Rolling Thunder for a near fall.
RVD with a big slam and a split-legged moonsault for a near fall! RVD with a monkeyflip out of the corner, but Benjamin lands on his feet. RVD hits another big spin kick and goes up top, but misses the Five-Star Frog Splash! Benjamin spikes him with a DDT for a near fall as RVD barely gets a leg on the ropes. They exit the ring and RVD drops Benjamin face first on the barricade.
Bejnamin distracts RVD by grabbing the MITB briefcase, and hits RVD with a big kick. Back in the ring, Benjamin hits a big crossbody off the top, but RVD rolls through for a near fall. RVD ducks Benjamin’s spin kick and hits a big hurricanrana! Frustrated, Benjamin tries to hit RVD with the MITB briefcase, but RVD ducks and hits the VanDaminator! RVD goes up and hits the best Five Star Frog Splash since his return to win the IC Title!
Great match as expected with great pacing, big spots and a good finish.
Match Rating: ****

Recap of the Kane/Big Show feud and how Kane snapped when he realized his movie is being released soon. It can’t be that bad a movie can it?

Todd Grisham interviews Big Show, who vows revenge on Kane for what he did to him on RAW.

Kane VS Big Show
Kane tries for a cheapshot, but runs right into a big gorilla press slam by Show! Show with a headbutt and some big chops. Show charges into a boot, and Kane goes after Show’s eyes, ripping off the bandage. Show takes down Kane who goes to the outside. Show goes after him and tosses him into the ring. Kane attacks show as he gets on the apron and rams his head into the corner post.
Kane batters Show and tries to attack his arm. Kane hits a big clothesline in the corner, followed by another big clothesline to take down Show. Kane tries for an arm-wringer, but Show bodyslams him. Show misses an elbow drop and Kane stomps his arm, continuing to work it over.
Show hits a headbutt and tries for a chokeslam, but Kane breaks it and clamps on a wrist-lock. Show powers Kane over but runs into a boot. Kane goes up for the big clothesline, but Show catches him, picks him up, and hits a big fall away slam! Show rams Kane hard into the corner and takes him down with a big shoulder block. Show tries for the chokeslam, but Kane counters it into a sloppy DDT for a near fall.
Show hits a big boot and a leg drop for a near fall. Kane flips out of a bodyslam and hits a throat jab. Kane off the ropes but runs right into a bodyslam for a near fall. Show tries to dig at Kane’s eye, but Kane avoids it and knocks Show out of the ring. Suddenly the arena is lit in red light and we hear Kane’s thoughts a the date of his movie release is whispered loudly. Kane hits himself in the head to try and make the voices stop.
Show feels sorry for seeing Kane like that, so he grabs a chair and whacks him over the head with it, and that stops it alright. Big Show leaves the ring and crowd boos till Kane sits up. But the match is over?!? WTF?!?
Match Rating: *

Candice Michelle meets Vinnie Mac in his dressing room and asks to be healed of her chest cold. What follows is the stuff that makes me embarrassed to watch wrestling as Vince “heals” Candice who acts like she’s getting knocked up. Thankfully, Shane interrupts and we get set for the big tag match.

A video recap of the entire McMahonism angle.

Vince McMahon and his son Shane McMahon VS HBK Shawn Michaels & God
Vince gets on the mic and introduces HBK’s tag partner, God! What we get is a beam of light coming down the isle to holy music. Vince orders God to play by his rules since it’s in his house, he tells him to get jiggy with it and some hip hop music plays as the light goes around and enters the ring. Vince than declares the match No-DQ and No Holds Barred! HBK than makes his way to the ring. Vince tells HBK he’s gonna send him and God to Hell, and HBK explodes on Vince to kick off the match.
Shane tries to jump HBK from behind, but HBK takes him down and sends him out of the ring. HBK chops Shane up the isleway, and Shane manages a comeback and tries to piledrive HBK off the stage, but HBK escapes. Vince tries to attack HBK, but Shawn catches him and takes him down. HBK slams Shane’s face into the Backlash set, than gives Vince a big crossbody and both men go off the stage through a wooden stage below!
HBK manages to crawl back up to the stage but eats a big chair shot from Shane. Shane checks on Vince before going back to work on a now bloodied HBK. They slowly work their way back to the ring and Shane stomps and punches the bloody HBK. Shane hits a big back suplex and goes up top, but misses an elbow drop. HBK mounts a comeback, but Shane hits a floatover DDT and tags in Vince.
Vince takes his belt and we get the old government mule beating. Shane tosses in a garbage can and Vince clobbers HBK with it. Vince gets on the mic and calls out God in HBK’s corner, and then plays up that God is walking out on HBK! He then tells HBK he’s gonna kick his teeth down his throat like what HBK did to him at WM22. Vince goes for the superkick, but HBK catches his foot and takes him down. He takes down Shane and hits Vince with a flying forearm.
Shane comes in with a steele chair, but accidentally hits Vince! HBK unloads on Shane with a flying forearm, a bodyslam, and a big elbow drop off the top! HBK tunes up the band and hits Sweet Chin Music on each McMahon! He doesn’t pin them but instead goes outside and slides 2 tables in the ring! HBK sets up the tables side by side in the ring and sets each McMahon on them. He then grabs a ladder from under the ring and sets it up!
HBK goes up the ladder, but jumps off at the Spirit Squad who appear out of nowhere! The Squad eventually get the advantage on HBK thanks to the number of them and they beat down HBK before going to help up Vince & Shane. The Squad than do that five-person slam on HBK, putting him through the table! Vince than covers him for the win, and JR calls it BULLSHIT!
Match Rating: Like what JR said, overbooked BS.

By my count, we have about one hour of PPV left, and only 1 match left.

Interview with WWE champion John Cena who guarantees victory tonight.

We get an update on Trish Stratus who apparently dislocated her shoulder in her match earlier.

Matt Striker comes out for the obligatory time waster since the matches so far have mostly been short and they have too much PPV time remaining. He than brings out the smartest man in Kentucky, Eugene Bischoff-Dinsmore! He challenges Eugene’s intelligence and tells him to write his name on the blackboard. Eugene writes Matt Striker Loves Poop and picks a big booger out of his nose and sticks it in Striker’s mouth! Striker charges at Eugene but gets Stunnered!
I can’t believe I actually paid money for this show.

Time for our Main Event!

WWE Championship: Edge with Lita VS Triple H VS John Cena (C)
Edge exits the ring leaving H & Cena to duke it out. Cena takes ddown H with a shoulderblock and hits a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall. H picks Cena out of the corner with an inverted atomic drop. They trade punches again and H hits the running knee. Cena & H finally realize Edge is letting them go at it, so they bring him into the match and start pounding him.
H & Cena play a game of one upsmanship seeing who can slam Edge’s head onto the announce table harder! They bring Edge back in and H goes after Cena again, ejecting him from the ring. Edge takes advantage and rams H’s head into the corner. Edge still drowsy as he stomps at H. Edge tries to suplex H into the ring, but Cena pulls H off the apron, slamming H’s face on the mat and choking Edge on the ropes!
Cena goes up top and hits a diving body splash for a near fall! He tries for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Lita pulls the ropes down and Cena falls hard to the floor. H rams Cena into the steps and gets back in the ring giving Edge a facebuster. H runs into a boot from Edge, but Edge runs into a spinebuster for a near fall! Edge flips over a suplex and hits the Edge-ucator for a near fall. H catches Edge in a sleeper, but Edge reverses into one of his own.
Cena enters the ring and picks them both up for the FU! Edge slips off and gives Cena the spear as he was holding up H. Edge beats on H out of the ring, and Edge slingshots H into the corner post, busting him open. Edge sets up H on the Spanish announce table and gives him the Impaler DDT on the table, which doesn’t break!
Edge back in the ring with a missile dropkick on Cena for a near fall. Edge pounds Cena in the corner mercilessly. Edge drills Cena with a spear in the corner. Edge charges again, but Cena with a drop toe-hold, followed by the STFU! Edge makes his way to the ropes, but a bloody HHH stops Edge from reaching the ropes and smacks a microphone into the head of Cena!
Edge rolls out of the ring and tries to get to his feet, and H hits him with a hard chair shot sending him over the guardrail! H back into the ring, but he runs into a drop toe-hold and the STFU again! The referee checks the arm, but just gets 1 as H struggles and gets to the ropes to break the hold. Cena tries for the FU, but H slips over and tries for the Pedigree, but Cena rolls through and locks on the STFU!
Edge climbs up the top rope, but Cena sees him coming and goes after him. The referee gets bumped as Cena tries for an FU off the top, but H gets up and slams them both off the top! With the referee down, Lita tries to hit H with a chair, but gets caught with a spinebuster! H grabs the chair, but throws it down and goes out to grab his sledgehammer!
H gets in the ring but Edge catches him with a spear! Edge grabs the sledgehammer, but Cena catches him for the FU, but H catches Cena with a low blow, causing Cena to drop Edge out of the ring. H goes for the Pedigree, but Cena trips him up and flips him over for a jackknife pin and gets the 3-count to retain the title! Cena continues to defy the odds!
Triple H is irate and takes out everyone with the sledgehammer after the match. The bloodied Game walks up the isle and gives a DX crotch chop at the entrance way as the show closes with him taunting Edge & Cena laying in the ring.
Match Rating: ****

Overall: 2 Good matches a PPV does not make, and this could stand as a contender for worst overall PPV of the year.

Giant Bernard wins New Japan Cup 2006

Giant Bernard won the second ever New Japan Cup tournament, beating Yuji Nagata in the finals last night. Bernard now goes on to face Brock Lesner for the IWGP title on 5/06/06 at Fukuoka.

Full tournament show results:

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/30/06 (Samurai! TV)
Amagasaki Memorial Park Gymnasium
5,200 Fans - No Vacancy
1. Yujiro beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (7:36) with a kakaekomi crab hold.
2. Togi Makabe beat Takashi Uwano (10:01) with a lariat.
3. Jushin Thunder Liger & Jado beat Sangre Azteca & Prince Devitt (11:16) when Jado used the Crossface of JADO on Devitt.
4. Tiger Mask beat Gedo (11:02) with a flying cross armbreaker.
5. Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Black Strong Machine beat Riki Choshu, Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto (10:40) when Chono used a Shining Yakuza kick on Iizuka.
6. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue beat El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi (19:35) when Kanemoto used a moonsault press on Samurai.
7. Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Scott Norton & Toru Yano (11:06) when Nakanishi used the Mana Bauer on Yano.
8. New Japan Cup - Final: Giant Bernard beat Yuji Nagata (19:40) with the Bernardriver.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/29/06 (SXW)
Tottori Industrial Gymnasium
1,500 Fans
1. Tatsutoshi Goto beat Takashi Uwano (5:50) with a backdrop suplex.
2. Takashi Iizuka beat Yujiro (9:21) with a crab hold.
3. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue beat Tiger Mask & Prince Devitt (14:24) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Devitt.
4. Scott Norton & Togi Makabe beat Giant Bernard & Toru Yano (10:12) when Makabe used a lariat on Yano.
5. Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Black Strong Machine beat Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Naofumi Yamamoto (12:08) when Machine used a lariat on Yamamoto.
6. Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo beat El Samurai, Ryusuke Taguchi & Sangre Azteca (13:09) when Liger used a brainbuster on Azteca.
7. New Japan Cup - Semi Final: Yuji Nagata beat Hiroshi Tanahashi (18:49) with a wrist-clutch Exploder.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/28/06
Yonago Convention Center BIG SHIP
1,300 Fans
1. Yujiro beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (5:23) with a camel clutch.
2. Wataru Inoue beat Sangre Azteca (7:45) with the Triangle Lancer.
3. Naofumi Yamamoto beat Toru Yano (8:32) by DQ.
4. Black Strong Machine, Tatsutoshi Goto & Togi Makabe beat Riki Choshu, Takashi Iizuka & Takashi Uwano (8:39) when Makabe used a lariat on Uwano.
5. Tiger Mask beat Prince Devitt (8:04) with a German suplex hold.
6. Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado, Gedo (17:22) when Samurai used a chickenwing armlock on Liger.
7. New Japan Cup Special Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Scott Norton beat Yuji Nagata & Hiroshi Tanahashi (14:39) when Tenzan used the TTD on Tanahashi.
8. New Japan Cup - Semi Final: Giant Bernard beat Manabu Nakanishi (16:43) with a piledriver.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/26/06
Kagoshima Arena
1,200 Fans
1. Mitsuhide Hirasawa beat Yujiro (5:51) with a cross armbreaker.
2. Tatsutoshi Goto beat Takashi Uwano (5:06) with a backdrop suplex.
3. El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Sangre Azteca & Prince Devitt (13:06) when Taguchi used a German suplex hold on Devitt.
4. Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo beat Tiger Mask, Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue (14:26) when Gedo pinned Inoue after Jado used a chair attack.
5. New Japan Cup Special Singles: Black Strong Machine beat Takashi Iizuka (10:16) with a lariat.
6. New Japan Cup Special Singles: Toru Yano beat Togi Makabe (2:54) with the Oni Koroshi.
7. New Japan Cup - Round 2: Manabu Nakanishi beat Ryouji Sai (14:56) with the Mana Bauer.
8. New Japan Cup Special Six Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Scott Norton & Giant Bernard beat Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Naofumi Yamamoto (18:46) when Tenzan used the TTD on Yamamoto.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/25/06
Omuta Citizen Gymnasium
1,200 Fans
1. Ryusuke Taguchi beat Prince Devitt (8:12) with a cross armbreaker.
2. Naofumi Yamamoto beat Yujiro (8:51) with a backdrop suplex.
3. Togi Makabe beat Takashi Uwano (9:41) with a lariat.
4. Tiger Mask, Koji Kanemoto, El Samurai & Wataru Inoue beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado, Gedo & Sangre Azteca (16:06) when Samurai used a chickenwing armlock on Azteca.
5. New Japan Cup Special Tag: Giant Bernard & Toru Yano beat Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka (15:48) when Bernard used a corner press on Iizuka.
6. New Japan Cup Special Tag: Riki Choshu & Yuji Nagata beat Scott Norton & Black Strong Machine (9:23) when Nagata used the Thunder Death Driver on Machine.
7. New Japan Cup - Round 2: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan (14:27) with a Dragon suplex hold.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/23/06 (Samurai! TV)
Miyazaki Budokan
1,100 Fans
1. Prince Devitt beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (5:59) with a cross armbreaker.
2. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue beat Sangre Azteca & Yujiro (13:38) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Yujiro.
3. Tiger Mask, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Jushin Thunder Liger, Jado & Gedo (14:01) when Samurai used a chickenwing armlock on Gedo.
4. Scott Norton & Toru Yano beat Hiroshi Tanahashi & Takashi Uwano (11:11) when Norton used a powerbomb on Uwano.
5. New Japan Cup - Round 2: Giant Bernard beat Riki Choshu (9:11) with a Jackhammer.
6. New Japan Cup - Round 2: Yuji Nagata beat Togi Makabe (10:50) with a backdrop hold.
7. New Japan Cup Special Six Man Tag: Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Black Strong Machine beat Manabu Nakanishi, Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto (16:07) when Machine used a diving senton on Iizuka.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/22/06
Buzen Citizen Gymnasium
1,500 Fans - No Vacancy
1. Yujiro beat Takashi Uwano (9:18) with a cross armbreaker.
2. Jado & Gedo beat Tiger Mask & El Samurai (13:44) when Jado pinned Samurai after a super powerbomb.
3. Jushin Thunder Liger, Sangre Azteca & Prince Devitt beat Koji Kanemoto, Wataru Inoue & Ryusuke Taguchi (16:56) when Azteca used an Azteca-style crab hold on Inoue.
4. New Japan Cup Special Singles: Togi Makabe beat Takashi Iizuka (12:51) with a piledriver.
5. New Japan Cup Special Tag: Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto beat Giant Bernard & Toru Yano (11:24) when Nagata used a backdrop hold on Yano.
6. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Hiroyoshi Tenzan beat Scott Norton (12:30) with the TTD.
7. New Japan Cup Special Six Man Tag: Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Masahiro Chono, Black Strong Machine & Tatsutoshi Goto (9:39) when Nakanishi used an Argentine backbreaker on Machine.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/21/06
Yanai City Gymnasium
1,300 Fans
1. Yujiro beat Mitsuhide Hirasawa (6:35) with a camel clutch.
2. El Samurai beat Gedo (10:23) by DQ when Jado interfered.
3. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue beat Sangre Azteca & Prince Devitt (15:17) when Inoue used the Triangle Lancer on Devitt.
4. Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Jado (13:53) when Taguchi used the Dodon on Jado.
5. Scott Norton & Toru Yano beat Hiroshi Tanahashi & Takashi Uwano (12:48) when Yano used the Oni Koroshi on Uwano.
6. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Togi Makabe beat Tatsutoshi Goto (1:24) with a horizontal cradle.
7. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Manabu Nakanishi beat Takashi Iizuka (11:31) with the Mana Bauer.
8. Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Giant Bernard beat Riki Choshu, Yuji Nagata & Naofumi Yamamoto (15:26) when Bernard used the Bernard bomb on Yamamoto.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/20/06
Fukuchiyama Park Gymnasium
1,200 Fans
1. Yujiro beat Prince Devitt (6:52) with a kakaekomi crab hold.
2. Ryusuke Taguchi beat Takashi Uwano (10:31) with a la magistral.
3. Jado & Gedo beat Jushin Thunder Liger & Sangre Azteca (12:31) when Jado used the Crossface of JADO on Azteca.
4. Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue beat Tiger Mask & El Samurai (13:24) when Kanemoto used an ankle hold on Samurai.
5. New Japan Cup Special Tag: Tatsutoshi Goto & Togi Makabe beat Yuji Nagata & Takashi Iizuka (12:03) when Makabe used a piledriver on Iizuka.
6. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Giant Bernard beat Toru Yano (8:19) with the Bernard bomb.
7. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Riki Choshu beat Black Strong Machine (6:46) with a lariat.
8. New Japan Cup Special Six Man Tag: Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Scott Norton beat Manabu Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Naofumi Yamamoto (19:01) when Tenzan used the TTD on Yamamoto.

NJPW New Japan Cup 4/16/06 (SXW)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,860 Fans - Super No Vacancy Full House
1. Takashi Uwano beat Yujiro (8:34) with a German suplex hold.
2. El Samurai beat Prince Devitt (8:09) with a chickenwing armlock.
3. Jushin Thunder Liger & Sangre Azteca beat Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi (13:29) when Azteca used a cradle on Taguchi.
4. Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi & Takashi Iizuka beat Black Strong Machine, Tatsutoshi Goto & Togi Makabe (9:20) when Nakanishi used the Hercules Cutter on Goto.
5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title #1 Contender Match: Jado & Gedo beat Koji Kanemoto & Wataru Inoue (20:31) when Jado pinned Inoue after the Crossface of JADO.
6. Scott Norton & Toru Yano beat Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Giant Bernard (12:08) when Norton used a powerbomb on Tenzan.
7. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Ryouji Sai beat Naofumi Yamamoto (13:59) with a diving footstomp.
8. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Yuji Nagata beat Tomohiro Ishii (9:57) with a backdrop hold.
9. New Japan Cup - Round 1: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Masahiro Chono (25:12) with the Sling Blade