THE CHAMP RETURNS

The show kicks off with a former Rise champion in the building as Pandora Nox battles former challenger Isis. Nox is making her return after losing the title at Nitro 11 and she hasn’t lost a step. She didn’t even need the Neck Piercer to defeat the Underground Queen, a popup Samoan Drop into a spinning Urinage did the job.

Two more rookies take center stage as Marlon Wright battles Wolf Stormsong. Stormsong came out very clearly trying to copy the mannerisms and affect of AJ Styles which did not make him any more popular among fans. But much to the fans’ chagrin, Stormsong was able to grab the win with a Pedigree of all things. After the match, he chased Wright down and hit him with another Pedigree on the outside.

We got a video package from Island Nation showing their hard road to an in-ring return after winning the Tag Titles at Nitro. 

The Rise champ returns for her first defense of Season 4 as Yamamoto matches up with Io Shirai. The veteran Shirai challenged Kacy Catanzaro for the World Title in one of the best matches of Season 3 and she brought the same level of intensity to this contest. But even without Kenny Omega in her corner, Yamamoto was too much for Shirai to handle. Moto defeated the vet with a spectacular springboard lariat.

In the main event, Max Ultimate battles Dagonite in a true David vs Goliath matchup. Neither man could get the upper hand throughout the match; the momentum swung back and forth throughout the contest. Ultimate would go for the legs of the big man while Dagonite targeted Ultimate’s throat but neither man could get the advantage. With three minutes left on the clock, a time limit draw was well within the cards. But then Dagonite went for his diving lariat. Ultimate dodged and Dagonite flattened the ref. This allowed Apex Champ Igris to hit the ring and try to basically hand the match to his enforcer. But Ultimate turned the tables. He tossed Igris out of the ring, avoided a massive Dagonite powerbomb and hit the giant with the Max Damage in spectacular fashion to win the match. Ultimate will have his chance to win the Apex Title in a one on one bout next week!