The show begins with
Mauro Renallo and
Nigel McGuinness welcoming us to "Era of Excellence", live from Auckland, New Zealand! He says it is a party atmosphere here, as these fans are so excited to have big time wrestling here, and they are ready for action! The World Heavyweight champion is in the house tonight, a title that has never been defended here in New Zealand, and they are ready to see the best in the world do battle! Without further ado, they send things to the ring to
Jeremy Borash!
Borash welcomes the audience both here in attendance and around the world, and we get this show on the road!
#1 Contender to World Women's Title
Four Way Match
Dakota Kai vs. Ember Moon vs. "The Alpha Female" Jazzy Gabert vs. Kay Lee RayWe kick off the show with high action here, and the fans are loving it, as we find out who will be competing for the MUW World Women's title at "Scorched Earth" in Los Angeles next month! Jazzy Gabert was a monster in this match, as she always is, but Ember Moon would take her out late in the match with a dive to the outside. Dakota Kai would manage to come out the better in an exchange of strikes in the middle of the ring with KLR, lifting her up and taking her down with the TTYL, securing the pinfall and earning the title shot!
Winner by Pinfall: Dakota KaiJeremy Borash would enter the ring afterwards and ask Kai about her feelings in this moment of triumph; Kai says that she can't believe it, and she's been working her whole life to get this point. She says this is the biggest moment of her life, and she needs to really absorb it, because she's going to Los Angeles, and Asuka had better be ready for Dakota Kai! The crowd gives their native daughter a huge response and chant, as the New Zealand native has done an amazing thing here in Auckland overcoming three very tough foes to earn this title shot and this place is just electric with excitement!
Singles Match
Andrade "Cien" Almas w/ Zelina Vega vs. Zack Sabre Jr.Zelina would make her presence felt early, but Andrade would have a talk with her and tell her to back off after Sabre mocking him obviously got under his skin. Andrade wanted to prove he could win this match on his own strengths and merits, and he did very well, as these fans got a great little match out of these two. We saw some great back and forth counter wrestling, as Sabre pushed things on the mat and Andrade had to show his versatile skill set to overcome. Andrade would manage to get rolling with counter wrestling, reversing a Penalty Kick into a Half Crab at one point, and turning a Cross Armbar attempt into a Pumphandle Backbreaker. Sabre would try to lock on a Kimura near the end, but Andrade would send him into the buckles, followed by Running Knees and then La Sombra DDT to get the pinfall.
Winner by Pinfall: Andrade "Cien" Almas
Singles Match
Bea Priestley vs. Santana GarrettSantana had the fans behind her in this match and showed her exciting moveset throughout, her lucha inspired offense giving Priestley some trouble. Priestley, though, is a vicious wrestler, with high impact slams and strikes, as well as a very mean streak. Priestley would grab Garrett on the mat and deliver stomps from the double wristlock position, followed by a Double Foot Curb Stomp to put her down for the three count. It wasn't pretty, but Priestley made a statement tonight.
Winner by Pinfall: Bea Priestley
We get a hype video before this contest, showing the path each man took to get to this point. Each man cuts a short promo talking about wanting to get a shot at the World Heavyweight title and what it means to them, and then we head back to the ring.
#1 Contender to World Heavyweight Title
Four Way Match
Apollo Crews vs. "The Flamboyant" Juice Robinson vs. "Super King of Bros" Matt Riddle vs. "The Ring General" WALTER w/ Stokely HathawayThis was a very hard hitting match with these four heavy hitters, and these fans loved it! Riddle and WALTER especially blistered one another with huge shots throughout, causing Stokely to get on the ring apron and protest, leading him to get knocked off the apron by Juice Robinson! Juice would follow up by delivering a Crescent Kick to WALTER that sent him through the ropes and out of the ring! Riddle would deliver a SICK Bicycle Knee Strike to seemingly knock out Juice, but Crews would break up the pin attempt with a Running Shooting Star Press to whoo the crowd! Crews would send Riddle out of the ring, and then grab Juice, hoisting him up for a Military Press, but Juice slipped out of it and delivered the Third Eye palm strike, followed by The Juice is Loose, planting Crews on his head! Juice would cover and WALTER would try to come in and break it up, but he was too late! Juice got the three count!
Winner by Pinfall: Juice RobinsonAfter the match, Jeremy Borash would approach Juice Robinson with the microphone to ask a few questions. First of all, he congratulated Juice and asked what he felt about the match; Juice says he feels extremely lucky, as he was knocked the fuck out there for a second after that knee from Riddle. He's not sure what happened, but he realized he was still in the match and just kind of reacted. He says he's going to have to watch the tape later to see what's going on, and it's all a big fucking blur right now! Borash is laughing, and says Juice has been working so hard and this match is a huge win for him, and he asks how he feels about getting a title shot in Los Angeles. Juice is ecstatic, saying he's about to tear down Auckland tonight celebrating this win, he's going to love all the sexy Kiwis all over the island, and then it's on to L.A.! He says Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, baby, it's a place made for "The Flamboyant One", and he says there's no better place for him to win the World title! He says he doesn't care what it takes, he's willing to get down and dirty, pull out all the tricks, it doesn't matter who it is... Seth Rollins, Drew Gulak, some other fucking guy... all that matters is Juice Robinson is the future World Heavyweight champion!
Juice leaves the ring with that and we head back to Mauro and Nigel, who talk about the great performances by all four men in the last match and how Juice Robinson is going to be locked in like a laser now to who comes out on top in the main event.
Tag Team Match
Io Shirai & "The Pirate Princess" Kairi Sane vs. Killer Kelly & Rhea RipleyThis was a pretty short but spirited contest, mostly to allow the New Zealand crowd to see Shirai and Sane in action. We saw both work through their big moves, while Kelly and Ripley keep looking better and better as a team each time they have an outing together. Shirai would end up delivering a Standing Spanish Fly on Killer Kelly as a reversal before diving through the ropes onto Ripley on the outside. Sane would see the opening, coming off the top with her InSane Elbowdrop onto Kelly to get the three count win for her team!
Winners by Pinfall: Io Shirai & Kairi Sane
Singles Match
Buddy Murphy vs. "The Golden Star" Kota IbushiThis was maybe the best match of the night, as these two tried to tear the house down. We saw some quick back and forth mat stuff early on, but the pace picked up even further after that and neither man seemed to want to let off the gas peddle. Murphy would deliver the first dive to the outside, but Ibushi would answer not too long after with a Springboard Moonsault to the floor, smashing Buddy and getting these fans chanting, "THIS IS AWESOME!" These two would fight on the apron, before Murphy would catch an attempted Roundhouse Kick from Ibushi and hoist him up, delivering a Running Powerbomb off the apron and into the turnpost! Back in the ring, Murphy would hoist up Ibushi and deliver a Cliffhanger DDT, which Ibushi sold like death, but "The Golden Star" would manage to kick out at two! Ibushi would fight back with massive strikes, leading him to deliver a double wristclutch kneestrike to Murphy to get a two count! Ibushi would land more strikes, followed by a Standing Twisting Moonsault, but still just a two count! Ibushi would try for a Lariat, but Murphy would duck it and pull him over with a Backslide, right into a double wristclutch kneestrike of his own, followed by a DEAD LIFT REVOLUTION POWERBOMB! Murphy thinks he has it, but only a two count! Murphy tries for a Bicycle Knee Strike, afterwards, but Ibushi dodges it and leaps up, jumping onto Murphy's shoulders like he might be looking for a Reverse Rana, but Murphy tries to fall backwards, only that leads to Ibushi pulling him over the ropes and deliver a sort of REVERSE HURRICANRANA TO THE OUTSIDE, sending both men crashing to the floor! Ibushi catches Murphy a Running High Boot against the guardrail, followed by a Release German Suplex on the floor! Ibushi then gets up on the apron and tries for a 450 Splash, but Murphy gets his knees up! Ibushi is hurting, and Murphy runs and catches him with a Bicycle Knee Strike against the guardrail, smashing his head! Ibushi is staggering, and Murphy grabs him and pops him up, powerbombing him against the apron! Murphy sends Ibushi into the ring and delivers another Running Bicycle Knee Strike, but only gets a two count on a pin attempt! Back up, Ibushi shows his fighting spirit, unleashing a series of open hand strikes before delivering a leaping Enzuigiri! Ibushi proceeds to deliver a Lariat, but only gets a two count! Both men are up, and Ibushi delivers a vicious headbutt, followed by a Three Quarter Nelson Suplex! Ibushi lifts up Murphy into the Powerbomb position and looks to be trying for a Phoenix Plex maybe, but Murphy fights his way out with punches before sliding off and delivering a low Spin Kick, followed by a Spinning Brainbuster! Murphy floats over, thinking he's got this match won, but Ibushi kicks out at two somehow! Murphy rolls away and loads up, looking for another Bicycle Knee Strike, but Ibushi counters with a Lariat at the last second! Ibushi lifts up Murphy and hoists him up, pulling him by the tights and drilling him with the Last Ride Powerbomb! Ibushi is slow to make the cover, though, and only gets a two count! Ibushi is beside himself, but gets back up and measures Murphy up, delivering a Buzzsaw Kick! Ibushi then heads up to the top rope and tries to come down with the Phoenix Splash, but Murphy rolls out of the way and Ibushi rolls through it. Murphy goes for the Bicycle Knee Strike, but Ibushi dodges it and delivers a Spinning Back Elbow. Murphy is staggered and Ibushi tries to deliver another Lariat, but Murphy ducks that and proceeds to hit a series of strikes, which Ibushi dodges a knee, only to catch a Superkick! Murphy grabs Ibushi from behind and lifts him up into the Electric Chair position, only to twist and reposition, SPIKING Ibushi with a Powerbomb! Murphy rolls him through, though, and lifts him up by his arm, pulling him in and then lifting him up... MURPHY'S LAW! Murphy nails his finisher and these Auckland fans make the count! ONE, TWO, THREE, BUDDY MURPHY GETS THE WIN!
Winner by Pinfall: Buddy MurphyJeremy Borash is in the ring after the match with the mic and he says that Buddy has been on an absolute tear since PPW's inception, and asks what his plans are next; Buddy says that everybody is going to know his name, as he runs through each and every person on this roster, and what he's got his sights set on now is the biggest prize in PPW... he wants the winner of Dunne and Naito at "Scorched Earth". Mauro and Nigel are loving that idea, as no matter what, that is a huge match in what is already looking like a stacked card for PPW's Los Angeles show next month! Buddy leaves the ring to chants from the crowd, and he is looking very confident.
Singles Match
Ruby Riott vs. Toni StormThis was a short contest here that saw Riott dominating the early portion with her hyper aggressive style. Riott would kick and pummel Storm, leading Storm to yell out and show her own aggression, and she really let Riott have it. Storm would end up winning this match with a series of piledrivers she called the Rolling Strong Zero, planting Riott on her head numerous times out of anger and intensity before getting the three count. This match was really geared to get Storm over and on the winning track, and the reaction of the fans said it did just that, as they were really high on Storm by the end of this.
Winner by Pinfall: Toni Storm
These next two competitors having been going back and forth for months now in tag team action. Pete Dunne has assaulted Naito and disrespected him time and again, and now it is time to see if the champion can get even, or if Pete Dunne will end up with the last laugh and the International championship. We head to the ring for this next big title bout.
PPW International Title
Singles Match
"The Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne vs. "Reckless Genius" Tetsuya Naito (c)Dunne looked very smug and eager to fight before the bell sounded, while Naito looked very relaxed and laid back, as always, not showing that Dunne had gotten under his skin at all with his antics. After the bell sounded, the story was very different, as Naito stormed across the ring and started to pummel Dunne and get his revenge, much to the joy of this crowd! These two fought tooth and nail throughout, fighting all over the crowd and hitting each other with whatever wasn't nailed down! This had a real grudge match feel, and these two put everything they had into selling it, as they seemed to really enjoy inflicting pain on one another. Dunne would repeatedly try to mangle Naito's arm and especially his fingers, stomping them onto chairs and the steel steps, twisting his arm on the guardrail and kicking it, and even sandwiching his left arm in a steel chair and delivering a Senton onto it! Naito looked to be in a bad way, as Dunne had him in the ring and was trying to wrench the arm back and force a submission, but the fans were behind "The Reckless Genius" and he was not ready to give up! Naito would fight back and out of Dunne's clutches, and began attacking his left leg. He would drop kick it and stomp it mercilessly, slowing down the "Bruiserweight" and causing him great pain. Naito would even grab Dunne's leg and slide to the outside, where he would bash it against the turnpost! Naito would delivering a Gloria slam, thinking he might have the win, but Dunne showed his grit, kicking out at two. Naito would lock on a Kneelock variation, trying to force Dunne to tap, but Dunne would make it to the ropes to break it up. Dunne would manage to deliver a big Forearm to get the momentum going back his way, following up with a Sit-Out X Plex, but Naito would kick out, saving his title reign! Dunne would go right back to the arm, stomping it repeatedly before dragging Naito up and trying for a Tiger Suplex, but Naito would block it and take Dunne down by the left leg he'd been working, followed by a Dead Lift German Suplex for a two count! Dunne would retreat to the corner, only to get hit with a Cannonball from Naito, followed by a Missile Dropkick off the top, which earned Naito yet another two count! Naito was ready to end things, calling for Destino, but Dunne would reverse hit another Forearm, followed by a Step Up Enzuigiri! Dunne would grab Naito and try for the Bitter End, but Naito would escape and dropkick the knee again, followed by a Evolucion! Dunne is hurting and staggering after taking that slam, but he's still trying to fight, trying to get his hands up, but Naito runs and catches him... DESTINO! Naito plants him and hooks the leg! ONE, TWO, THREE, NAITO RETAINS HIS TITLE!
Winner by Pinfall, and STILL PPW International Champion: Tetsuya NaitoAfter the match, Tetsuya Naito makes it backstage, where he is approached by several interviewers and he has his translator with him. Naito takes the first question and answers that it feels good to shut up Pete Dunne and cause him pain. He says he has never wanted to beat someone so badly in his life, and he would love to do it again, as Pete Dunne is a horrible human being and deserves to be beaten. When asked about Buddy Murphy's challenge, Naito says of course he accepts. He says he saw Murphy fought his friend Ibushi earlier in the night, and while he has been impressive, he is also smug and arrogant, and deserves to be beaten almost as much as Dunne. He says Ibushi is a great competitor, but he says he is not the champion for a reason. He says he beat Ibushi, he beat Dunne, and he will beat Buddy Murphy, because he is tranquillo, he is the genius, and he has no fear of any man, and knows it takes to stay on top. Naito waves off all of the other questions, and heads to his locker room to celebrate.
Before the match, we go to Mauro and Nigel at the announcer's table, as they run down the events leading to this match, and then we head to the ring, where Jeremy Borash introduces the competitors.
PPW International Women's Title
Singles Match
Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. "The H.B.I.C." Mia YimWhile the crowd was mixed in their reaction at the start, they would end up backing Mayu near unanimously by the end. Yim has a lot of charisma and skill in the ring, and she was very aggressive throughout this contest. Mayu would take a beating early, but the champion would show why she is one of the best in the world by the end, and after weathering some heavy blows from Yim throughout, would begin to wear down her challenger and win over the crowd. Mayu would manage to kick out of both the Seoul Food and Protect Ya Neck, sending Yim into a crisis as she tried to figure out how to end the champion. Yim would look for the Package Piledriver she used to defeat Io Shirai at "Downfall", but Mayu would manage to escape and land a series of strikes, followed by a Shining Wizard for a close two count! These two would show their guts, delivering back and forth blows in the middle of the ring before Mayu would catch Yim across the face with a kick, followed by a Bridging Dragon Suplex, holding the challenger down for the three count to retain her title!
Winner by Pinfall, and STILL PPW International Women's Champion: Mayu IwataniAfter the match, Jeremy Borash approaches the champion, who looks tired, but is smiling and holding her championship on her shoulder as she is accompanied by her friends and partners,
Io Shirai and
Kairi Sane. An interpreter is beside her, ready to help her answer questions. Borash asks how she feels after another successful defense against an opponent like Mia Yim; Mayu Iwatani brushes this off, saying that she is always being counted out, everybody is always thinking the next person is going to be the one to take her belt, but she's still here! She says she is still fighting, and she will continue to overcome the odds! Io and Kairi applaud her and cheer her on. Borash asks if she felt worried at all during the contest, as she took some of Yim's biggest blows and had to gut her way through. Mayu replied that it's always a hard fight in that ring, and she definitely took some big shots, but she gave the biggest shots, and that's what matters! She says she could never afford to doubt herself, and she could not afford to quit! She says she will take on anybody, and she will continue to show why she is a fighting champion who will be here for a long time! With that, Mayu, Io, and Kairi all leave the ring looking very pleased.
Borash then turns his attention to Mia Yim, who is standing by and looking deflated. Borash says that Yim put up a Hell of a fight, and wonders what is next for Yim; Yim says all she can do is fight back to this point, and get that title. She says if you ain't trying to be the champion, there's no place for you in this business, and she says next time she has that title in her sights, she won't be leaving without it.
Mauro and Nigel start clamoring that something in happening on the stage, and it's
Jazzy Gabert! "The Alpha Female" has attacked Mayu Iwatani on the stage, and followed up by throwing Kairi Sane off the stage and is fighting with Io Shirai as officials and security look to break this up! They finally manage to pull her off, but it is clear now that Jazzy Gabert wants the next shot at Mayu Iwatani!
MUW World Heavyweight Title
Singles Match
Drew Gulak vs. "The Architect" Seth Rollins (c)Rollins had a rough night here, as Gulak was able to get him down multiple times in this match. Gulak would stretch and punish Rollins on the mat for lengths of time, getting boos from the crowd and chants of "Boring!" but it only seemed to feed into the challengers ego and strategy. Gulak's attack seemed to target the left leg of Rollins, which made it hard for Rollins to pick up the pace. Rollins would not land much meaningful offense for 3/4 of the contest, as Gulak would attack his leg, stretch him on the mat, and pin him down from the mount position, grounding and pounding him in the ribs, the kidneys, and the liver. Rollins would manage to gain some momentum after managing to hit a Sling Blade, and delivering a Glancing Springboard Knee for a two count, though his left leg was visibly a weak spot. He would try to lift Gulak, maybe looking for the Buckle Bomb, but Gulak would roll out of it and grab Rollins in the process, pulling him back and trying to lock on his Beast Choker, but Rollins would use his momentum to lift his legs up and through before Gulak could grapevine him down. Rollins would pop up, hobbling, and try for a Curb Stomp, but Gulak dodged it and grabbed "The Architect" into a School Boy! Rollins would escape the roll up, however, and deliver a Superkick to Gulak! Rollins favors the left leg afterwards but Gulak is staggered by the kick long enough that the champion is able to grab him and after some struggle pull him over to deliver a Small Package Driver, holding him down on the mat for a three count and it was all over!
Winner by Pinfall, and STILL MUW World Heavyweight Champion: Seth RollinsRollins got the win, but he could barely pull himself up off the mat afterwards, as Gulak had completely exhausted him with his relentless work. Gulak would not wait around after the match, leaving in a bitter fashion and looking very disappointed that he couldn't get the job done tonight.
Gulak gets backstage and is greeted by the rest of the Death Camp, when he is approached by an interviewer to talk about the match tonight. Gulak says winning was the only thing that mattered tonight, and he came short. He said he won 20 minutes of a match, but he allowed Rollins to come back in the last five or ten minutes, and that's all that matters now. He says it's back to the drawing board, because he knows and Seth Rollins knows that Drew Gulak could have easily been the one getting his hand raised tonight, but all that matters is Seth Rollins is leaving Auckland with the belt, and that's that.
We go back to commentary, before Rollins makes his way to the back to be interviewed, looking exhausted. The champion says that Drew Gulak is a hell of a wrestler, but he has proven time and time again that he can out last the best of them, and says he is the best in the world for a reason. He says he was having some trouble dealing with Gulak on the mat, as he was just trying to grind the shit out of him, and it was hot as Hell down there, but he says he knew he had to be patient, weather the storm, and in the end, he burned it down again and he's taking his title home back to America! When asked if he'd be up for a rematch with Drew Gulak, he says he hopes not to have to go through all of that again any time soon, but yeah, he's a world class wrestler, he deserves to be on this stage and he wouldn't be the World champion if he backed down from anybody, so bring it on! The interviewer then asks about his next challenger, Juice Robinson. Rollins says he's known Juice for a long time, they worked together and road together back in Florida when they were really coming up. He says he's a great competitor, he knows they are going to have a great match in Los Angeles, but he says without a doubt he knows he's walking out with his belt, but it's going to be a fun ride.
And with that, the show comes to a close and that's another one in the books for Prestige Pro Wrestling.