QUAD CHAMP IN THE HOUSE

After a video package recapping an incredible Nitro 12 event, Storm begins with a legend. GAW Triple Crown holder Kota Ibushi entered the arena for an IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title match against Bandido. This was exactly the sort of match we wanted to see to open Season 4. It was fast and fluid and Bandido won the match with his improved 22Plex. After the match, though, Bandido was confronted by a ghost from his past. Taiji Ishimori, the man who Bandido beat to win the title last season, attacked the current champ and put him in the crossface.

New Intercontinental Champion Samoa Joe, who won the title at Nitro, stepped in to defend the title for the first time. Former champ Chris Sabin stepped in to try to win the title for the third time in his career. Unfortunately, he ran into the buzz saw that is the Samoan Submission Machine. Joe kicked out of the Cradle Shock and when Sabin went to the top for a potential match-ender, Joe caught him midair in the Coquina Clutch to force the tapout and retain. After the match, Joe took the mic and declared the Intercontinental Title the “toughest championship in the world.” With Joe as the champ, it’s hard to argue.

The US Title Barnstorm has returned for Season 4 and this week, Las Vegas native Nikita Lyons took the challenge. Lyons is the strongest woman Lacey Evans has faced during the Barnstorm but, like every other woman Evans has faced, she dealt with the challenge beautifully. Lyons had the advantage for most of the match, but Evans got a few shots in before surprising Lyons with a shockingly fast M9 to win and tie Ronda Rousey for the most defenses of the US Title ever.

In the main event, new quad champ Drew McIntyre makes his first defense of his newly-won GAW World Championship against Bobby Lashley. Lashley, a former champ in his own right and the man still hell-bent on getting his tag titles back, is as dangerous a first opponent as any World Champ has ever had to face. But McIntyre, who hasn’t lost a match in over eight months, was just a step better. The match was fought at a much faster pace than the two combatants’ size would suggest which, ultimately, benefited the reigning champ. McIntyre ended the match with a Claymore. But the biggest surprise of the night- possibly the biggest shock of the week- was still to come. Wrestling legend and ever-popular star Nigel McGuinness came down to the ring to a massive ovation and his blaring music. McIntyre, without even William Regal in his corner this week, had to face down the brit alone. McIntyre has never felt fear, but even the quad-champ had to be feeling some doubt seeing McGuinness stride down to the ring.