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Mitchell’s WWE Elimination Chamber Live Report! (2/25/18)

Published

5 years ago

on

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter.

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff Match: The Balor Club’s Good Brothers VS The Miztourage; Balor Club wins.
  • WWE Raw Women’s Championship Elimination Chamber match: Alexa Bliss VS Sasha Banks VS Bayley VS Mickie James VS Mandy Rose VS Sonya Deville; Alexa wins and retains the WWE Raw Women’s Championship.
  • WWE Raw Tag Team Championships: The Bar VS Titus Worldwide w/ Dana Brooke; The Bar wins and retains the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships.
  • Asuka VS Nia Jax; Asuka wins.
  • WOKEN Matt Hardy VS Bray Wyatt; Hardy wins.
  • Seven Man Men’s Elimination Chamber, WWE Universal Championship #1 Contenders Match: The Miz VS Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor VS John Cena VS Roman Reigns VS Braun Strowman VS Elias; Reigns wins and will challenge Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship at Wrestlemania 34.

PLAY BY PLAY

Paige joins the WWE Kickoff panel.

The Ring Leader of Absolution joins Renee Young, Booker T, David Otunga and Pete Rosenburg to support her compatriots in the historic first Women’s Elimination Chamber. She is upset she can’t join in, because she did make a major contribution to the Women’s (R)Evolution. HOwever, she has all the faith in the world for Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville. One way or another, absolution will have the Raw Women’s Championship. Is Paige not worried about their inexperience? No, because Paige taught Mandy & Sonya how to work together. Alexa Bliss isn’t actually friends with Mickie James, and Bayley’s friendship with Sasha Banks is breaking. But what if it comes down to just Absolution? Then they all win! And in the end, Paige prepared them for such a scenario, so Absolution makes history no matter what.

What is Paige’s opinion of Ronda Rousey and her effect on the Women’s Division? Well, the Women’s Division in WWE is much more strenuous, Paige wonders if Ronda can handle it. Paige knows the women are making history, like she did when she was WWE Diva’s Champion at only 21 years old. Can Paige’s faith in her proteges bring one of them to their first Women’s Championship?

 

Backstage interview with Sasha Banks & Bayley.

They’ve heard Paige’s words. How do they feel about the combined threat of Absolution? Paige can talk all she wants, but she’s not in the match. Mandy & Sonya are still too new and have a lot to learn. Lesson one: When the spotlight is on, Bank on the Boss. And if Absolution forces Bayley & Banks to work together, then who better than best friends? Then when Bayley wins the Raw Women’s Championship, she can go on to Wrestlemania again. Or, y’know, Banks could win. Either way, they’re not worried about these supposed alliances, like Mickie & Alexa Bliss. But speaking of, Mickie comes by to speak her part.

“Nobody is using me.” Mickie reminds them this isn’t her “first rodeo.” They don’t know everything. These two may be friends now, but when the title’s on the line, that friendship will be over “quicker than a hiccup.” Strong words from everyone, but who will be THE Raw Women’s Champion at the end of the night?

 

The Miz speaks.

“Tonight in the Elimination Chamber match, I’m in the number one position.” And he’s not happy about that at all. But when you’re the “Most Must-See Superstar”, you’re always number one! And tonight, Miz will prove he’s the Number One Superstar when he puts the Intercontinental Championship where it belongs: the main event of Wrestlemania! “And that is awesome.”

 

Bray Wyatt speaks.

No, wait, that’s WOKEN Matt Hardy! “As I stand within Abigail’s Room, I can sense my Sight Beyond Sight being clouded by her darkness.” It consumes his soul, but that is why he cannot allow her to spread her “Eternal Essence” any further. Hardy then returns to his WOKEN Space and says that the WOKEN Warriors’ Wrath shall cast Abigail back into the void. And then, Hardy will DELETE Wyatt!

 

Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle, joins the Social Media Lounge.

“How is your son doing?” Jason Jordan had his surgery and it was successful, but he will miss Wrestlemania. Angle is excited to see Jordan “better than ever.” “Who do you think is going to win the Chambers matches?” A tough questions, given who is in them and what’s on the line. The men, Angle chooses Braun Strowman and Seth Rollins as his favorites, especially with Rollins’ amazing performance from last Raw. But at the same time, never count out Cena. Speaking of Cena, is this his last chance at Wrestlemania? No, not at all. He may have his distractions, but Cena can get back to the title or the main event.

As for the women, Alexa might retain, but Absolution has the advantage in numbers while Mickie has experience. Bayley and Sasha are former champions, too, but Alexa should retain. Then who do you think matches up best against Brock Lesnar? Again, Strowman, Rollins or Reigns are at the top of their games and therefore have the best bet to beat Brock. Another question:

“How does Angle feel about Rousey signing with Raw over SmackDown?” Happy to have her, of course. She is one of the greatest female athletes and Angle is excited. Renee and the panel say good night to Angle so he can prepare for the show.

 

Kickoff Match: The Balor Club’s Good Brothers VS The Miztourage!

Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows are ready to beat up some NEEERDS in Bo Dallas and Curt Axel to also climb the Raw Tag Team Division ladder. Can Anderson & Gallows make this Elimination Chamber kick-off just Too Sweet?

The bell rings and we start with Axel and Anderson. The fans already chant “Too Sweet! Woop woop!” as they tie up. Axel gets the headlock, then slips to a toehold and facelock. Anderson gets to his feet but Axel switches to the headlock. Anderson powers out but Axel runs him over! Axel asks, “How ‘sweet’ was that?” while Anderson gets up. They tie up, Axel gets the waistlock and clubs Anderson in the back. He throws haymakers on the Machine Gun, then whips, but Anderson reverses. Anderson knocks Axel down with a calf kick, then brings him over to tag Gallows. Gallows kicks, scoops and slams Axel, then goes to work with body shots in a corner. He rocks Axel with an uppercut, then starts up a “NERD! NERD!” chant.

Another uppercut, then a tag to Anderson. Anderson punches but Axel elbows back. Axel tags in Bo and Bo mugs Anderson against the ropes. Bo mocks the fans before firing off on Anderson. He tags in Axel and together the Miztourage put Anderson in another corner. Axel stomps Anderson more, then whips him corner to corner, but Anderson reverses. Anderson runs into Axel’s boot but runs him over with a rally of lariats. He scares Bo off, dodges Axel then hits the jump kick. Bo tags in, and then shoves Anderson down off the top rope! The Miztourage takes over while we take a quick break.

Elimination Chamber returns, and the fans rally as Anderson fights back against Bo. Bo reels Anderson in for a lariat, then drops a quick knee. He tags in Axel, hits another knee drop, then Axel hits the neck snap. Cover, TWO, but Miztourage keeps focus. Axel drives a knee into Anderson’s back before going after him with an armlock chinbar. The fans rally again and Anderson gets to his feet. Anderson goes to fight out but Axel whips and dropkicks him down. Axel is very excited for his own move, then stomps Anderson on that bad arm. He drags Anderson over and tags to Bo. They stomp a mudhole into Anderson, then embrace the heat. Bo taunts Gallows but Anderson fights out! But numbers keep him down, Bo sits Anderson down to then drag him up for a back elbow. Bo keeps hold of Anderson’s arm to bring him back up for another back elbow. Axel says “All day!” and Bo says to finish. He brings Anderson in again, but Anderson counters with a back suplex! The fans rally, hot tag to Axel and Axel whips Anderson! Shotgun kick! Hot tag to Gallows! Bo tags back in but Gallows rallies. Gallows hits Bo with a corner splash, then the roundhouse! The fans fire up with Gallows as he hits a splash! Tag to Anderson, they focus on Bo. Axel slips in and stops the Boot o’ Doom, only to get rocked with a right. Bo goes after Anderson and feeds him to Axel’s knee! Axel takes out Gallows, Bo covers, TWO! The Miztourage were close to that steal, but no go. The fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop woop!” while Bo tags Axel. Axel climbs up but Anderson uses Bo to trip him up! Anderson then gives Bo the spinebuster! Tag to Gallows, Gallows YAKUZA Kicks Bo, then YAKUZA kicks Axel! Tag to Anderson, they lift Axel up, MAGIC KILLER!

The Club wins!

Backstage interview with The Revival.

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder are “students of the game”, but are not able to share their opinions in present company. Dawson says “these kids” all have potential, but that’s a mockery of what tag team wrestling is. Dash agrees, but a win is a win. Who will move up into the title picture on the last stretch of the Road to Wrestlemania?

 

Paul Heyman joins the Kickoff Panel.

The Advocate for the Beast speaks on who he’s eyeing in the Seven Man Elimination Chamber. He is watching all of them, because they’re all main-event players. They step up for just an opportunity against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania. The real main event is tomorrow night’s Raw, because Brock Lesnar will come face-to-face with the “survivor” of tonight’s Chamber match. Heyman’s more concerned about the man that will move on from a “defining moment” to a “self-preservation” situation within 24 hours. Heyman is confident in his client as always, but will he really have nothing to worry about given the selection of contenders?

 

The Road to Wrestlemania goes through The Chamber.

Seven men and six women will enter “the harshest of detours”. The stakes are at their highest as history is made. The Chamber will determine who will be worthy of the Grandest Stage of Them All. Who will win, who will lose, and who will survive!?

 

WWE Raw Women’s Championship Elimination Chamber match: Alexa Bliss VS Sasha Banks VS Bayley VS Mickie James VS Mandy Rose VS Sonya Deville!

History waits for no one, so why wait for history? This historic first-time-ever match will start the night! The Goddess must defend her title against the Huggable One, the Legit Boss, both Absolution’s Golden Creation and Gladiator, and even her “friend”, the six-time Women’s Champion! Who will come away from this Chamber with their ticket to Wrestlemania?

Luckily for Alexa, she starts in a pod, increasing her chances of winning. Of course, same goes for Sasha, Mickie and Absolution’s Mandy. Therefore, it is Sonya starting against Bayley!

 

The door shuts, the bell rings and we begin. Sonya and Bayley take a moment to understand what this means. They slowly circle while the fans cheer on Bayley. Bayley avoids Sonya’s grip, but Sonya still gets the waistlock and takedown. Sonya rolls Bayley around for a cover, ONE, but Sonya gets the headlock. Bayley counters to a cover, ONE, and the two stand back. The fans continue to cheer for Bayley but Sonya gets the waistlock again. Bayley gets the drop toehold counter, then runs to hit a bulldog! Sonya staggers but Bayley bumps her off a buckle. Bayley bumps Sonya off more buckles, but Sonya prevents the grand slam. Sonya throws Bayley and bumps her off buckles now, then whips her into a corner. Bayley goes up and over then runs, but into a stiff body shot from Sonya!
Sonya taunts Bayley as she stalks her to ropes. Bayley rolls under to the outside, but Sonya is upon her. Sonya grabs legs, and catapults Bayley into the steel chains!

But wait! Bayley used that to climb up! Sonya grabs at Bayley and brings her down, but Bayley slips down. Sonya keeps from being thrown into the chains, but so does Bayley. Bayley hits back, but they standing switch do-si-do, Bayley gets the last throw! Sonya hits the chains and drops down, and Bayley hurries to make the cover. TWO, but Bayley keeps on Sonya with a knee drop. She misses the elbow drop, and Sonya gets space. The two go to opposite corners, the fans cheer Bayley on. Sonya runs in but Bayley flapjacks her off the buckles. Bayley picks Sonya up, saido suplex. Cover, TWO, but Bayley keeps on Sonya. She drags Sonya towards a corner then climbs up. Bayley takes aim, but Sonya crawls away. That’s fine, Bayley just readjusts and jumps for the Macho Elbow!

Direct hit! Bayley puts Sonya in the ring to cover, TWO! The countdown begins, Bayley keeps Sonya down in a chinlock as a pod is chosen. The one to enter is: MANDY ROSE!

But Bayley is upon her already with the second rope hotshot! She keeps on Mandy by ramming her into chains, then she decks Sonya and hits another hotshot! Bayley throws Mandy into the ring and the fans are all behind her. She goes corner to corner for shoulder tackles to each. Back elbow for Sonya, then Bayley brings her out to whip into Mandy. Sandwich back elbow! Mandy dodges the second try, Sonya runs in but Bayley puts her on the outside. Bayley puts Mandy outside, too, and then chooses to keep on Mandy. Mandy rocks Bayley with a forearm, and Sonya comes out of nowhere with a SPEAR!

Absolution works together perfectly, and Bayley is gasping for air. They drag Bayley up and then slam her into the chains again and again. Mandy and Sonya mock Bayley’s best friend, Sasha, then kick Bayley into the ring. Sonya covers her, TWO! Mandy covers, ONE. Absolution isn’t frustrated, they just keep toying with Bayley. Sliding knee from Sonya, but Bayley still fights back. Sonya grabs Bayley, Mandy hits a flying knee! TWO, now there’s some frustration.
Sonya and Mandy knock Bayley around before going back outside and tying her up in the chains. They take turns hitting Bayley like a heavy bag, big kicks and swift body shots each. Bayley is stuck in a 2v1, and Absolution keeps toying and taunting. Bayley does her best to fight back but it’s still not in her favor. However, the countdown returns and next in is: Sasha Banks!

The numbers have just evened up now that The Boss is in! Sasha heads right over, taking care of Sonya. Mandy comes in but Sasha throws her right into the pod walls! Sasha furiously fires off on Mandy with haymakers and stomps. Sonya bails Mandy out and throws Sasha into chains. Sasha dodges and goes after Sonya now, running double knees into the chains! She then puts Sonya in the ring, low double knees! Cover, TWO! Sasha walks it off, then brings Sonya over to a corner. She fires off more forearms but Sonya gets a back elbow. Sonya sticks out a boot but Sasha blocks that to spin her sideways. Mandy returns to disrupt the Stock Drop but that just gets her pulled face-first into the buckle axel! Sasha goes back up and hits Stock Drop. Cover, TWO!
Sasha keeps her focus, then brings Sonya back up. Sonya yanks Sasha into buckles now! Roll up, TWO! Sasha gets space but Sonya is back upon her with shoulders in a corner. Sonya rocks Sasha with a stiff kick to the stomach. Bayley is back and rams Sonya into a post! Now the best friends go after Sonya together, double throw into the chains, and again! And then, double hip toss into the chains!

Bayley and Sasha put Sonya back in the ring but Mandy gets Bayley with a tackle! Mandy throws Sasha all the way in, then runs her over with a lariat. Mandy uses that strength, wheelbarrow facebuster! She doesn’t cover yet, she brings Sasha up. Double underhook, but Sasha slips out. Sasha dodges the knee, back stabber! Bank Statement crossface! Bayley intercepts Sonya, Mandy taps! Mandy is ELIMINATED!

No more 2v1 advantage for Absolution! Alexa smirks as Rose is forced to leave. However, we also get a countdown, and the next woman in is: Mickie James!

With the Six-Time champion Wonder Woman coming in, that means Alexa is safely last. That said, Mickie goes right at everyone, taking them all down! She fires up as she fires off forearms on Bayley, then ducks and kicks Sasha. Mickie runs and runs over both best friends before booting Sonya down. Bayley gets back up but Mickie kicks her again. Sasha rolls Mickie out of the DDT, but Mickie rolls that back, TWO. Bayley returns but Mickie quickly turns things into a neckbreaker! Sasha is up and rocks Mickie with a forearm. She runs but into the flapjack! Mickie kip-up and the fans are fired up.
Sonya returns to rock Mickie with a knee, then throws her into chains. Mickie blocks the second go and throws Sonya into chains now. SOnya keeps going and rams Mickie into the chains now! Mickie kicks Sonya away, then uses the chains for a Mick-canrana! With everyone else down, Mickie gets an idea: she goes up! Sasha tries to stop her but gets kicked down! Mickie keeps climbing, but Bayley pursues! Bayley tries to stop Mickie but Mickie hits her back. They fight hanging up from the chains, but Mickie bumps Bayley down, then kicks her completely off! Mickie makes it atop one of the pods! Everyone fires up with her, and she FLIES onto Sonya!!

Sonya is ELIMINATED! No more Absolution!

But Bayley gives Mickie no rest. She and Sasha go after Mickie, back stabber to Bayley2Belly!

Mickie is ELIMINATED!! Alexa has no ally now, and she’s just minutes away from being fed to two best friends. She’s very worried as she watches Mickie exit the Chamber. Bayley and Sasha are on the same page, they’re going to wait it out. They watch eagerly, and Alexa is afraid. But the countdown begins, and the moment of truth is upon us.

Her pod door opens, but Alexa tries to close it again! Sasha and Bayley force it open, Alexa goes out the other side. The chase is on as Alexa scrambles up and around! But unfortunately for her, there’s two of them. They’ve flanked her!

Alexa goes down the chains, but Sasha and Bayley pursue. So she goes back up! Alexa makes her way to the top of a pod, but this just makes her even more cornered! Sasha gets there first and clubs Alexa down, but then kicks Bayley down!

Remember: it’s every woman for herself. And this is the moment it truly begins. Sasha grins down at her gullible “friend”, but Alexa slips away. The Boss pursues the Goddess, who scurries back to her pod. Bayley returns and puts Sasha into a post! Alexa sucker punches Bayley! She puts Bayley in, covers, TWO! Alexa glares as she bounces Bayley off the mat, then hammers away with forearms. She drags Bayley up, then over to ropes. Alexa chokes Bayley on the bottom rope, then bounces her off the mat again before the skateboard stomps. Cover, TWO!

Alexa grows furious but Bayley revives, saido suplex! Bayley is back on Alexa with forearms and shoulders in a corner. She rolls back but Sasha returns to power Bayley to a corner! Sasha fires off forearms, but Bayley hip tosses Sasha into buckles and a Tree of Woe! Bayley stomps a mudhole into Sasha! Bayley climbs up but Alexa comes over and goes after them both! Alexa climbs up to focus on Bayley, SUPERPLEX!

Alexa and Bayley are down, Sasha sits up at the corner! She turns around and flies for the Frog Splash on Bayley!

TWO!! Sasha’s frustration is strong, because she hasn’t eliminated her “friend.” But the fans declare “This is Awesome!” Sasha puts Bayley in a corner, then hoists her into position. Stock Drop blocked, but then Sasha still pulls Bayley into buckles! Bayley rolls and Sasha hops back up. Bayley springs up, SUPER Bayley2Belly! Alexa rolls Bayley, Bayley is ELIMINATED!! Bayley again loses out on the championship because of the Five Foot Fury.

Cover on Sasha, TWO!! Alexa keeps on Sasha with furious right hands and stomps. With Sasha down, Alexa climbs up top. Alexa goes for Twisted Bliss, but Sasha’s knees come up! The Goddess writhes while The Boss stirs. Sasha pursues Alexa on the outside, but Alexa is right on her. Sasha blocks a kick, then knees Alexa again and again into the steel chains! Alexa dodges and Sasha’s leg gets caught! Alexa takes advantage with a draping backbreaker! Sasha is down, and Alexa catches her breath before looking up. Alexa climbs her way up to the top of a pod again. And just like Mickie before her, she takes aim and FLIES for a SUPER Twisted Bliss!

Sasha rolls her into Bank Statement! She rolls Alexa into the ring like this, but then they roll once too much and Alexa backs Sasha into a corner. Alexa breaks the hold thanks to buckles, then runs in, but into boots from Sasha. Sasha catches her breath and now Sasha decides to climb up high. However, Alexa messes her up and Sasha smacks into the pod. Then from the top rope, draping DDT! Alexa wins! She retains her Raw Women’s Championship in this inaugural Women’s Chamber match!

In-ring interview with Alexa Bliss.

Congratulations are in order for this history-making defense. Alexa says this victory means everything to her. The fans let her know, “You Deserve It!” Alexa thanks them, but admits that this isn’t just about her, it’s about “every little girl and woman at home who have ever dreamed big.” She dedicates her win to the women of the world. “This just proves you can be whatever you want to be. So dare to dream and dream big!” She apologizes for crying. Alexa sees her fans and true to her usual mean Goddess ways, says “none of you will accomplish any of your dreams.”

She proved that no one is on her level! “And you know what, the odds were clearly stacked up against me and I still won.” Everyone doubted Alexa, but she won. Alexa proved that she the One True Goddess of WWE. Will she continue her reign all the way to the end of Wrestlemania?

 

Kurt Angle brings the contract to Ronda Rousey’s room.

Later tonight, “Rowdy Ronda” will sign and officially join Raw. Will everything go smoothly for WWE’s newest addition?

 

Braun Strowman speaks.

“I’m chomping at the bit to get inside the Elimination Chamber.” The Monster Among Men vows that “these hands” are the only things he’ll need to win. “And then I’m stomping down the Road to Wrestlemania and making Brock Lesnar my pet Beasty Boy.” Will Strowman steamroll his way through six other men to then demolish Suplex City?

 

WWE Raw Tag Team Championships: The Bar VS Titus Worldwide w/ Dana Brooke!

Titus & Apollo have had the number of the Swiss Cyborg and Celtic Gladiator in non-title matches, but can they #MakeItaWin when it really matters?

The Bar doesn’t wait for the bell, they go after Titus & Apollo right away! They double whip but Apollo ducks and Titus Worldwide gets The Bar with double clotheslines. Titus throws Sheamus & Cesaro out, then Apollo climbs up to FLY!

Apollo puts Cesaro back into the ring, the bell rings, and now Titus goes after Cesaro with a scoop slam. Tag to Apollo, he climbs up again, and hits a splash! Sheamus breaks that, but Titus chases him out. Cesaro yanks Apollo out, then Sheamus with the cheap shot lariat. Dana protests but The Bar already did the damage. Tag to Sheamus and he goes after Apollo with European Uppercuts and clubbing forearms. Sheamus puts Apollo in the ring, then goes after him in the corner. Tag to Cesaro, they mudhole stomp Apollo down. The Bar embraces the heat but the fans rally for Apollo. Cesaro rocks him with a EuroUpper, then drags him back to a corner, TWO. Cesaro puts Apollo crews in a chinlock to keep him grounded.

Apollo endures the squeeze while Titus rallies the fans. Apollo gets to his feet and reaches, but Cesaro tags Sheamus. Sheamus kicks Apollo, then The Bar double whips and Bar Lariats Apollo down. The fans boo and jeer while Sheamus taunts Titus. Sheamus drops a knee, then covers, TWO.

Now Sheamus puts Apollo in a seated keylock, yanking and wrenching on it. The fans rally for Apollo again, and he works his way out of the hold. Apollo fights back with body shots, but Sheamus whips him to The Bar’s corner. Tag to Cesaro, and Cesaro taunts Titus again. Apollo fights out of the corner, but Cesaro keeps him away from Titus. Cesaro pushes Apollo back but Apollo pushes forward. The fans rally again, and Apollo tosses Cesaro! Cesaro tags Sheamus, and Sheamus stomps and knee drops Apollo down. Sheamus clubs away on Apollo before putting the keylock back on. The fans taunt Sheamus, “You Look Stupid!” Sheamus tells them to shut up, but the fans rally for Apollo once more. Apollo stands up, fights back, but Cesaro tags in. The Bar whips Apollo again, mule kick.

Cesaro wraps Apollo in a chinlock and brings him down. Dana takes notes while she cheers on Apollo. Titus rallies the fans once more, but Cesaro whips Apollo. Apollo side steps and sends Cesaro flying out! Cesaro returns to tag Sheamus, and Sheamus intercepts Apollo. Apollo powers his way forward, but Sheamus pushes him back. Sheamus reaches for Cesaro but Apollo powers his way towards Titus. He reaches, but Sheamus knees Apollo then knocks Titus down. With no one to tag, Apollo takes a shoulder, and Sheamus hauls him to The Bar’s corner. Apollo rolls Sheamus, TWO, so he heads for a corner. Sheamus runs in, but Apollo dodges and Sheamus hits post. Titus returns and Apollo crawls his way. Hot tags bring in Titus and Cesaro! The Gator rallies on The Bar! He throws Cesaro to a corner and chops away again and again! Titus throws Cesaro across the way!

The fans bark along with Titus, Titus runs in and hits a corner splash. He boots Sheamus away, then boots Cesaro down. Cover, TWO! Titus keeps his cool but Cesaro elbow shim away. Cesaro jumps but TItus catches him, to scoop him. Cesaro slips out and kicks out a leg. He runs but into a pop-up, only to slip out the back side. Sheamus tags in before TItus clotheslines Cesaro out, then Sheamus gets Titus with a hotshot. Titus staggers while Sheamus climbs up, flying- into the Clash of the Titus!

But Cesaro breaks the pin! He gets Sheamus out but Apollo returns. Apollo tags in, then builds speed to FLY again! The Bar goes down again, and Apollo puts Sheamus back in. Apollo climbs up once more, big flying crossbody! TWO, into Standing Moonsault, but Sheamus’ knees are in the way. TWO, and while Sheamus is frustrated, Cesaro takes Titus out at the post. Apollo springs up to enziguri Sheamus! Cesaro tags, and chop blocks Apollo! The Bar coordinates, springboard A-Swiss-ted White Noise!

The Bar wins! They finally get even with TItus Worldwide! Will Titus & Apollo ever get another chance? And who will The Bar face next in the near future?

 

The Brutal Beauty has a message for the Empress of Tomorrow.

They say “No one is ready for Asuka,” but is Asuka ready for Nia?

Asuka VS Nia Jax!

While the Empress may still be undefeated, the Irresistible Force has never been more motivated. If Nia can defeat the undefeated, Sole Survivor, and inaugural winner of the Women’s Rumble, Nia will find herself included in the Raw Women’s Championship match at Wrestlemania! Who is more prepared for victory tonight?!

The bell rings and they circle and tie up. Nia powers Asuka away but Asuka comes right back with a dropkick and strikes. Nia shoves her away again, Asuka comes back for a flying armbar but Nia just shoves her off again. Asuka rushes Nia once more but Nia grabs her around the throat. Asuka slips out and back elbows Nia. Nia headbutts Asuka but Asuka boots her. Asuka bumps Nia off buckles but Nia returns a bump back. Asuka won’t stop, even as Nia throws her down. Nia biels Asuka all the way to ropes, and for once, Asuka slows it down. Nia runs but Asuka dumps her out! Asuka runs, hip attack misses! Nia knees Asuka in the back, then reenters the ring to kick her while she’s down. Alexa watches backstage as Nia keeps on Asuka.

Nia stretches Asuka’s arms, then stomps her into the mat! The fans applaud the brutality as she drags Asuka up for a backbreaker. Nia then runs and squashes Asuka in a corner, before running for an elbow drop! She grins before covering, but TWO! Nia keeps her cool, she knows she’s in control. She toys with Asuka more, but Asuka feeds off it to fight back. Nia shoves her, Asuka rebounds and rolls into a kneebar attempt! But Nia simply pulls Asuka up and off to then ram her into buckles! Asuka is down but not giving up. Nia drags her up while the fans duel, and lifts Asuka in a torture rack. Asuka endures the bending, then elbows her way out! She comes back and grabs a guillotine hold on Nia! Nia powers up to power out, jackhammer style suplex!

No cover, but Asuka is definitely in a bad way. Nia drags her around but Asuka kicks back. Nia still gets Asuka up, but Asuka jawbreakers Nia away. Asuka kicks at Nia’s chest again and again, then runs, but into the Samoan Drop!

Still no cover, because Nia runs! Leg drop misses, Asuka hits a Shining Wizard! Cover, TWO! Both women are exhausted and sore, but they both get to their feet. Asuka kicks and back hands Nia, bringing her to a knee. Nia roars, so Asuka buzzsaws and kicks her again! TWO!! Asuka seems at a loss for what to do next, but she won’t let that slow her down. She gets up and goes to a corner to climb up top! Nia comes over and rocks her, the two fight as Nia heads up. Nia wants another drop but Asuka flails and slips out! Asuka tries but can’t sunset flip Nia, Nia fights her off. BANZAI!

But Asuka rolls out of the way! She hurries back up, kicks Nia back down, then runs again. Nia runs her over! The fans are loving this, and Nia runs for the senton, but only gets a grazing blow on the legs. Asuka doesn’t let that bother her, she gets herself to a corner and then side steps to send Nia into the post. Nia pulls herself out, but Asuka is waiting. Flying armbar takedown!

Nia endures but Asuka has her! Nia rolls into a deadlift! And she slams Asuka into the buckles! Asuka lets go, the fans are fired up for both of them. Nia returns to Asuka and drags her back up. Nia says this is for Wrestlemania, and she lifts Asuka in powerbomb style. Asuka twists and rolls Nia! Asuka wins!! She stays undefeated, and even denies Nia her Wrestlemania Moment.

This also worries The Goddess.

As difficult as it was for Asuka to defeat Nia, Alexa is no Irresistible Force. Does the Goddess have a chance if the Empress chooses her belt? However, Nia attacks Asuka from behind! She then throws Asuka out of the ring, follows her out, and easily endures Asuka’s counter attacks. She pushes Asuka into a post, then barrels her into the timekeeper’s area!

Nia pulls herself out of the rubble, and Alexa is no longer worried. She watches her best buddy walk to the back while Asuka is out cold. Renee Young comes in to ask Alexa what she thinks of what she just saw. She knows Nia is upset she lost, but Alexa is not upset with what she just saw. With only a few weeks left, it’s clear “No one is ready for ALEXA.” Will the Empress be in any shape to prove those words wrong?

 

Backstage interview with Roman Reigns.

The Big Dog responds to Paul Heyman’s claims that Brock Lesnar will remain Universal Champion regardless of who challenges him by saying he doesn’t care if Heyman thinks that. Heyman shows up just ten days a year with Lesnar, running his mouth about what someone else can do. Roman is the opposite of that, because he backs everything he says. Heyman better listen to Roman’s own “spoiler alert”: Roman is going to Wrestlemania, beating Lesnar, and taking the Universal Title for his own. Will Roman’s confidence carry him through six other main-event caliber superstars on this Road to Wrestlemania?

 

WOKEN Matt Hardy VS Bray Wyatt!

After the mortal vessel known as Matthew Hardy had a mental breakdown, he was inhabited by the eternal WOKEN Wisdom! And now, he goes after “The Consumer of Terrestrial Entities”, Hardy has the power to DELETE! Will he rid the world of Bray’s darkness? Or will this next battle in the Great War go in the favor of the New Face of Fear?

Wait, where did Hardy go? Wyatt has appeared but Hardy is nowhere to be seen. Hardy laughs from some unseen location. “Bray Wyatt, you’ll fade away and classify yourself as OBSOLETE!” Hardy sings that over and over but Bray grows frustrated. He searches high and low for Hardy, but can’t find him. “Tonight, we DELETE DELETE DELETE!” Wait, is he under the ring? Nope. Hardy finally reappears and attacks! He bumps Bray off the apron, but Bray shoves him away. They both enter the ring, the bell rings and now the match starts.

Hardy haymakers and goes for the Twist but Bray shoves him away. Bray runs but into Hardy’s boot. Hardy hits the leg sweep then laughs as he rocks Wyatt with another set of haymakers. He whips Bray but Bray reverses. Bray runs in but misses, spider-lean gets a “WONDERFUL” round of applause from the WOKEN Warriors.

The applause only irritates Bray, but he runs into a kick. Bray blocks the Twist but not the DDT! Cover, TWO.
Hardy begins the “DELETE!” chants and kicks again, but still no Twist. Bray shoves him then runs him over with the body check! Now Bray is finally in a good mood as he stalks Hardy to ropes. He chokes and clubs Hardy, then throws hands in a corner. Bray laughs as he grinds a forearm into Hardy’s face. Hardy gets to another corner, then kicks back before throwing more hands. Bray knees low and DDT’s Hardy, cover, TWO.

Bray wraps a chinlock on Hardy, but the fans rally for the WOKEN Wisdom. He grinds Hardy to the mat, but Hardy fights back. Hardy sits up and works his way out of the hold, then to his feet. He fights out but Bray throws him to ropes for a running headbutt. Hardy gets to the apron but Bray follows. Bray walks over but Hardy hits back with more haymakers. Hardy backs Bray down, but then Bray kicks low and clubs Hardy to slam him into the apron!

Hardy tumbles down and the fans boo but Bray doesn’t care. Bray goes back into the ring to leave Hardy to the ring count. Hardy drags himself to steel steps as the count climbs, so Bray changes his mind. He hits Hardy with an uppercut that sits him on the steps, then brings Hardy up again. Bray wants the yurinagi, but Hardy fights out! Hardy chases Bray but Bray clobbers him with the turn-around lariat! Bray goes to a table but then trolls the fans by putting Hardy in the ring. Cover, TWO. Bray keeps on Hardy with stomps, then haymakers. Hardy keeps laughing, even as Bray chokes him on the ropes. Bray stalks Hardy to a corner, then reels him out for a lariat. He drags Hardy up to put him in a corner. Bray embraces the boos and jeers before running corner to corner. Hardy boots Bray back, then hits a tornado DDT!

Both men are down, but Hardy is stirring. He gets to his feet and fires off haymakers on Bray. He gives “DELETE DELETE” buckle bumps! Hardy hits the clothesline but not the bulldog, so he gets a Side Effect instead! TWO, but Hardy doesn’t slow down. He climbs up and the fans come to life. Hardy takes aim and drops the elbow on Bray’s head. The fans chant “DELETE! DELETE!” but Bray still denies the Twist to hit the Yurinagi and back senton! Cover, TWO! Bray is shocked and frustrated with Hardy, so he hammers forearms into Hardy’s head. He drags Hardy around to a corner, then climbs up. Bray jumps, but Hardy avoids the back senton!

Hardy comes back over, Bray denies the Twist again. Bray splashes Hardy in the corner from behind, then brings him into Sister Abigail position. Hardy fights out, so Bray pushes him away. Hardy ducks the punch and finally hits the Twist of Fate! WOKEN Hardy wins! The Great War is now 1-1, who will win the WONDERFUL~ tiebreaker?

 

Kurt Angle comes out, contract in hand.

That’s because it is finally time for the highly anticipated contract signing. But not only is he here to preside over it, so are the COO and Principle Owner, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon!

These three powerful figures in the Raw Administration are here because the talent they’re about to sign is that important and that touted in Women’s Sports, as well as around the world. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Stephanie says to the Las Vegas WWE Universe, “we are all about to be part of history.” They’re signing one of the greatest athletes in the world today. They wanted the greatest athletes, the elites, to take WWE to the next level. The WWE wants men and women “worthy of your passion.” And HHH can’t think of a bigger recruit since the Olympic Gold Medalist. This judo champion turned Olympic medalist turned innovator of MMA, “she has paved the way for young women athletes all around the globe”, and has earned the title of “the baddest woman on the planet.” It is none other than… RONDA ROUSEY!

Rowdy Ronda gets a standing ovation from Vegas as she enters the ring. Stephanie welcomes Ronda to the WWE, then lets the fans have what they want. Ronda speaks, saying “It’s hard to even know what to say. I’m not often speechless, but to be in the ring with you guys, especially Kurt”, Ronda appreciates the magnitude of his accomplishments. The fans chant non-stop for Ronda, and she soaks it all in. She’s almost brought to tears, but she manages to give a shout out to the late-great Roddy Piper. He is the main reason why she’s here in the WWE at all, she hopes to make the original Rowdy One proud. That, and she wants to earn the WWE Universe’s respect. HHH wants this to be clear: Rousey didn’t want special treatment. No perks, no travel fare, no private cars. Rousey admits it, she wants to be treated like any other superstar. The only thing is an invite to Wrestlemania, and this contract will give her her own match!

Not for a title, however, but in a big match. She knows, she doesn’t want to be treated special, she wants to earn things. And she appreciates him doing this. Stephanie gives Rousey the contract, but then Rousey notices something with Kurt and HHH. Kurt is just “in awe” of the brilliant HHH & Steph. They’ve been talking about this for so long, they wanetd Ronda here to “manipulate” her for what she did back at WM31! That’s why there’s no special treatment. In fact, HHH said “three years in the making and now we own the bi-” Whoa, Angle, stop right there! This is not about any of them, it’s about Ronda. Tonight is about a dream come true! That’s what, and Angle is just under the weather. Stephanie can finalize this while HHH gets Angle out of here. Right, the flu, it’s so bad this year. But Angle had a point about one thing: the WWE management has been talking about her ever since WM31. Rousey embarrassed them, sure, but she impressed them, too. She is one of the greatest in the world, and that’s why WWE wants this deal to make her a superstar! But Angle manages to say “one last thing”: Steph said Rousey was a “has-been” and that even Steph could take her.

Uh oh! Rousey glares at Steph, Steph tries to explain. HHH returns, and manages to back Rousey off his wife. But Rousey steps up to HHH! He tries to defuse the situation, while Stephanie tries to escape. They both go to leave, but Rousey still stares daggers. The fans boo while HHH goes back to handle this. Rousey puts him through the table!

Stephanie is in shock but the fans are loving it! Now Stephanie gets mad, and SLAPS Rousey! The fans know that Stephanie, “You F**k’d up!” Rousey glares and Stephanie runs away. The fans boo, but then Rousey takes that contract, and signs it anyway! Rousey is officially signed to Raw, but what are the consequences for this intense encounter?!

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”

The Drifter gives us his performance from inside the Elimination Chamber. And as always, he asks, “Who wants to walk with Elias?!” This is a bit strange to perform inside the chamber, but this is Vegas, after all. Vegas must be familiar with seeing someone they love behind bars. But tonight is Elias’ night, and he’s on his way to his greatest performance on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Elias vows to beat Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship, and then the world will know WWE truly stands for Walk With Elias! Now, as the last person to enter, he can sit back and watch “as these animals tear each other apart” to then feast on the scraps. He’ll kick things off with a song, but it’s not for Vegas. No, his songs aren’t for those dedicated to sin. Elias holds himself to a higher standard, so this song is for himself. So please, silence phones, hold applause and shut mouths while he begins.

“Every man will enter, only one will win.” But Elias can tell you for sure, “it ain’t gonna be Finn.” The fans boo and jeer, forcing Elias to stop. After all he does for them, the least they can do is shut up and listen! But they don’t, so Elias decides to go sit in his pod. The fans like the sound of that. Elias hit the right pitch, though, so he’ll keep going. “Miz is delusional. He should stick to Miz TV. He’s more like a D-List celeb, not a legend like me.” Elias beat John Cena and Roman doesn’t want him again. He ain’t afraid of nothing, not even the Monster Among Men. But speaking of, BRAUN appears! Elias goes to his pod after all, staying safe from Strowman, for now.

Seven Man Men’s Elimination Chamber, WWE Universal Championship #1 Contenders Match: The Miz VS Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor VS John Cena VS Roman Reigns VS Braun Strowman VS Elias!

 

The biggest Chamber match ever, for one of the biggest opportunities ever! We know the A-Lister must start and The Drifter earned the right to enter last, but who will it be standing tall at the very end of this history-making madness?

Luckily for The Miz, Strowman won’t start first, and neither will Cena or Roman.

Therefore, the starting three are The Miz, the Extraordinary Man and the Architect.

The bell rings and our opening triple threat situation begins. All three men are wary of the other two, but that gives Miz an idea. He wants to coordinate with Rollins to go after Finn. Finn grins, he knows Rollins isn’t going for that. The three circle, but now Miz tries to get Finn to side with him. He even puts up a Too Sweet!

Again, no deal. Instead, Rollins and Finn side with each other to go after Miz! They both kick him and whip him, then give Miz back elbows. Finn throws Miz out, Rollins rolls Finn up, TWO. The deal wasn’t long-lived, but that doesn’t seem to bother Finn. He and Rollins circle, another throwback to the inaugural Universal Championship match. Finn gets the headlock takeover, Rollins the headscissors, and they’re at a stalemate again. The fans already love this as the two circle and tie up again. Finn gets another headlock but Rollins powers out.

Miz stands back up but Finn blasts him from the ropes and into the steel chains. Rollins kicks Finn and gets the headlock takeover now. The fans rally while Finn gets to his feet and the other men wait in their pods. Finn powers out, things speed up, Rollins takes his turn blasting Miz to chains. Rollins elbows Finn away but Finn pushes to speed things up again. Finn drops Rollins with a dropkick! Miz returns and gets Finn back. Miz slingshots for the sunset but Finn rolls through to dropkick him back. Cover, TWO!

Finn changes targets to Rollins, giving him a stiff chop in a corner. Then he puts Miz in a corner for a chop. Miz reverses the corner to corner whip, down to direction, but Finn goes up and over. Finn runs in at Rollins for a running chop! Miz runs in but both Finn and Rollins get clear, sending that A-List clothesline into buckles. Finn returns to Rollins, snapmare and kick, then cover, TWO. He whips Rollins but Rollins reverses, kitchen sink knee sits Finn down. Cover, TWO, but Rollins keeps his cool. He brings Finn up, suplex but Finn slips out to roll up, TWO. Miz rolls Finn, TWO, Rollins rolls Miz, TWO, and Finn rocks them both with forearms. Rollins gets around for a cradling backbreaker on Finn! He runs at Miz but Miz puts him on the outside. Rollins punches Miz away, then springboards for the flying clothesline! Rollins keeps going, suplex roll through to Falcon Arrow!

Cover, TWO! Rollins keeps his cool as he stalks Miz. Miz gets up, Rollins mule kicks him down, then runs. Miz dodges the stomp but Rollins denies the Finale. Rollins boots Miz from a corner but Finn returns. Rollins boots him back, then hops up. He takes aim, and hits a DOUBLE Blockbuster!

Cover on Finn, TWO! Cover on Miz, TWO! The countdown hits, and the next man to enter is: JOHN CENA! The 16 Time World Champion gets face to face with Rollins, and the fans already duel.

Cena and Rollins jaw back and forth, Rollins shoves Cena away. Cena laughs it off, and shoves back. Rollins swings, Cena starts rallying with those shoulder tackles. Rollins escapes the spin-out but Cena dodges the Revolution Knee. Cena hits that spin-out bomb, and everyone knows what comes next. “You Can’t See Me!” But Cena sees that kick coming, so he uses it to roll Rollins up to his feet, another spin-out powerbomb! Miz comes in, he gets a spin-out, and now Cena has two men to tell, “You Can’t See Me!” He hits a TEN Knuckle Shuffle!

Finn returns, trips Cena and hits a double stomp! Cover, TWO! But Miz is on Finn with the full nelson! Finn reverses with a victory roll, TWO! Slingblade! Finn waits for Miz to stand up, but Rollins intercepts with a SUPERKICK! Rollins sees all three other men down, and he gets going. First he forearms Finn, then Miz, then back to Finn, but Cena comes in and sandwiches Rollins and Finn. Cena hoists both men up in the fireman’s carry! Finn slips down off the top but Cena uses Rollins’ feet to smack him away. Cena then throws Rollins, but Rollins lands on his feet and hits Cena with the Pele! Miz goes after Rollins, A-Lister combo, cover, TWO!

Strowman and Roman patiently wait while they watch the other four battle. Miz stands up and goes over to Rollins while Cean throws Finn right out. Everyone is outside the ropes, and while Rollins blocks from being thrown into chains, Finn knocks Cena down! Finn stomps away while Rollins throws Miz into chains. The fans duel while Finn flexes, but Cena revives and rocks him with a right.

Meanwhile, Miz and Rollins have reentered the ring. Miz reverses a whip to send Rollins into a corner, then hits his A-List clothesline. Cena brings Finn up to the top rope on the other side while Miz climbs up top. Rollins trips up Miz while Finn fights back against Cena. Cena powers through while Rollins brings Miz up all the way, echoing SUPERPLEXES!

All four men are down with no covers, and the countdown returns. With Elias not in the running, the next man to enter is: ROMAN REIGNS! The Big Dog makes his way in and gives out uppercuts to Finn, Miz and Cena. Cena flounders, so Roman hits him again. Miz slowly stands up, Roman gives him another uppercut. Finn stands up, Roman gives him a second uppercut. Rollins stands up, and the Shield Brothers come face to face.

There are no alliances in the Chamber, not that one had time to form with Miz pushing Roman into Rollins! Miz then goes after Roman with a boot, and Rollins with a low DDT! Cover, TWO! Cena comes up but Miz kicks him back down, and Miz sees he has all four other superstars where he wants them. The fans chant “YES! YES!” and Miz checks with them. Hit Cena? “YES!” Hit Roman? “YES!” And even Finn and Rollins? Well, no, but they know Miz is going to. So Miz takes that as his cue to use the “It Kicks”!

When the others go down, Miz ends up focusing on Roman with kick after kick after kick! The fans fire up as he prepares for the buzzsaw, but Roman evades to rally back with clotheslines! Roman glares but Finn clobbers him and unleashes strikes in a corner. Rollins goes after Finn but Finn throws him out hard, only to turn around into Roman’s flying clothesline! Cover, TWO!

Roman keeps his focus as he stalks Finn into a corner. He gives Finn the close-range clotheslines in the corner, and gets all 10. Roman throws Finn out but Finn evades the boot to get the waistlock. Roman gets the standing switch and roll up, TWO, into a deadlift powerbomb! Cena returns, but Roman gives him a Samoan Drop. Cover, TWO. Miz returns but Roman blocks the kick to powerbomb Miz! TWO, and Roman can’t believe it. He looks for who else is around, and he has his pick. The fans know it’s only a matter of time before the Monster Among Men is released, and they chant “Get These Hands!” Roman hears that and says Strowman should be worried about his hand. As such, Roman locks and loads and aims at Finn, but the countdown begins! The Monster is released!

Strowman picks up Rollins and throws him into the chains. Roman comes over but gets clobbered with a solid right. Strowman rocks Finn, then Cena, and then Miz just retreats. Cena gets back up but knocked back down. Roman returns but Strowman drops him with a headbutt. Strowman also headbutts Finn, but then ends up with both Cena and Rollins. They go 2v1 against him with clubbing forearms and body shots, but Strowman stays on his feet. Rollins and Cena prepare a double suplex, but it’s Strowman who suplexes them!

Finn gets up but Strowman grabs him and pushes him to ropes. Strowman catches Finn’s crossbody, and uses Finn to knock Roman down! Once again, Miz is the only one left. Miz wants nothing to do with Strowman so he climbs up to the top of a pod. Strowman pursues! He grabs Miz by the hair and brings him back over, to then dribble his head off the glass! Then, Strowman THROWS Miz at the others!!

Everyone topples down like bowling pins, and Strowman roars victoriously. He also surveys the scene, like the king of the mountain looking down on everyone else.

The fans are thunderous for Strowman, even as Strowman climbs down to join the fallen on the ground. He has his pick of the bunch, but he wants to have Elias. Elias taunts Strowman, he doesn’t have to be part of this any time soon. Strowman stomps Miz and then clubs him down into the mat. He then brings his familiar foe, Roman, up to club him down. Strowman glares at Elias again, but Rollins attacks Strowman from behind. Strowman puts Rollins out with a loud right hand! He brings Rollins up again, to lift and throw at the wall! Rollins crash lands, and Strowman brings up Miz for the Monster Slam! Miz is ELIMINATED!

One down, five to go. At least Miz still has his title, wife, and a child on the way. Speaking of on the way, that countdown returns, and we all know who has to enter the match now! Ladies and gentlemen: ELIAS! The Drifter is as ready as he’ll ever be, which isn’t enough yet. He follows Alexa Bliss’ example and closes his pod door again. Elias is safe inside his pod, right? As for Strowman, the other four unite to go 4v1 against him! Cena, Rollins, Roman and Finn throw furious haymakers and body shots, and they bring Strowman down to his knees! The four then coordinate something: they have two Shield Brothers in, but there’s nothing keeping Cena and Finn from subbing in. Rollins and Finn bring Strowman up for Cena and Roman to hold, and hit a hybrid Shield Bomb!

All four men cover, but TWO all the same!

Cena goes back at Strowman, fireman’s carry, and hits a MONSTROUS Attitude Adjustment! TWO! SPEAR! Cover, TWO!? Rollins is up, he gets running, CURB STOMP! Strowman escapes that cover, but Finn is already perched on the top rope. COUP DE GRACE! But then Cena hits Roman with an AA! Rollins mule kicks Cena! Finn tries but Rollins denies him and whips him, they double crossbody into each other!

And with all five men down, including the Monster, Elias pounces! He covers Rollins! TWO. Finn? TWO! Roman? TWO! Cena?! TWO! Elias did not get a single elimination there. Finn gets up but Elias knocks him down. Elias hammers and stomps Roman, tears off his shirt before giving Rollins a knee. He goes to Cena, whips him to ropes, then knocks him down with a jumping knee. Elias then hurries up top and takes aim, Macho Elbow on Rollins! TWO!

The Drifter grows frustrated, but he still has his pick of the litter. He stalks Rollins to the ropes and brings him up. Elias shovels Rollins onto his shoulders, but Roman returns. Rollins slips down and Roman gets Elias in the fireman’s carry. Elias fights out and now shovels Roman up onto his shoulders. He spins Roman for the sit-out powerbomb! TWO, and Elias is further frustrated. Strowman has returned! He throws Elias to a corner, but Elias evades and sends Strowman into the post. Elias tries to shovel Strowman up but that’s too much monster. Strowman scoops and slams Elias! Elias is ELIMINATED!

The first man and the last man to enter are both the first two out. Strowman isn’t through yet, as he drags Roman up. He scoops Roman, but Rollins flies in with a knee! Finn blasts Strowman with a dropkick, then Roman adds a leaping lariat! Strowman stays standing, but Cena flies in from the top rope! Strowman catches Cena, and hits another Monster Slam! Cena is ELIMINATED!

The Monster Among Men has eliminated half the opposition by himself! Rollins, Finn and Roman all seem surprised that, of all people to be eliminated, it was Cena. Strowman looks at all of them in turn, and shouts, “WHO WANTS THESE HANDS?!” Roman stands up, and gets an uppercut! Rollins runs in, he gets an uppercut. Finn stands up and circles with Strowman, and he gives Strowman strikes first! But Strowman grabs him and pushes Finn to a corner. Finn boots Strowman away, then again, before slipping to the outside and swing kicking. Finn climbs up but Strowman brings him down, then scoops him up. But Finn slips out and dropkicks Strowman into a corner! Strowman staggers, so Finn blasts him with another dropkick. Strowman falls to a knee and Finn hurries to the top rope, Coup De Grace to the head! Cover, TWO!

Rollins gets Finn but Finn denies the Revolution. Finn fires off strikes but Rollins ducks to Pele, Finn Peles right back! Dragon sleeper, 1916!

TWO! The fans cheer for Finn but Roman is up and throws Finn to ropes. Finn dodges then hits Slingblade! He blasts Roman with a dropkick then climbs up again. Coup De Grace hits, but Strowman is back to slam Finn down! Finn is ELIMINATED!

Now it’s just Strowman and The Shield Brothers. Rollins and Roman regroup, and they stand up against Strowman. They flank him, then attack 2v1. Strowman pushes Roman away, then Rollins. He runs at Rollins but Rollins dumps him out to the outside. Rollins stomps away on Strowman, then Roman comes over to add hammering fists. The Shield boys bump Strowman off the steel chains, and again, bringing him back down. Then Rollins turns on Roman! Springboard clothesline, then a mule kick. Rollins runs but Roman dodges the Curb Stomp. He jumps for the Superman Punch but Rollins kicks that out of the air. Rollins grabs Roman and lifts him to hit a Buckle Bomb, but then SUPERMAN PUNCH on the rebound!

The Shield Brothers are both down, and Strowman starts stirring. Strowman stands up and makes his way back to the ring. He grabs Rollins first, scooping him out. Rollins grabs the chains and climbs away, kicking Strowman off him. Strowman grabs at him, but he keeps fighting. Rollins reaches a pod and keeps kicking, but now Roman returns. Roman grabs Strowman, fireman’s carry to Samoan Drop on the floor! Strowman rolls away into the ring, Rollins sees him. Rollins prepares himself, looking at the Wrestlemania sign for motivation. He takes aim and flies for a SUPER Frog Splash!

TWO!! The Monster will not die! In fact, Strowman is still able to move, rolling away from Rollins. Rollins stirs and Roman returns, but Strowman also stands up again. The Shield Brothers get back on the same page and bring Strowman up. Roman lets out the howl but Strowman fights them off! He punches Rollins then dropkicks Roman! Roman flies out of the ring, but Rollins SUPERKICKS Strowman! Strowman stays on his feet, so Rollins SUPERKICKS again. Strowman falls to a knee, Rollins runs, but into a powerslam! Rollins is ELIMINATED!

Every elimination has been by the Monster Among Men, and now it’s just him and The Big Dog. Both men are familiar with The Beast of Suplex City, as well as each other, but only one can go to Wrestlemania for a rematch with him. Strowman waits for Roman while Rollins exits the Chamber. He eggs Roman on with “Come get these hands, boy!” Roman stands up as the fans chant “Get These Hands!” He walks up to the Monster, then throws uppercuts! Strowman grabs Roman and pushes him all the way out of the ring. Roman climbs up to his feet but Strowman is there waiting. Strowman scoops Roman but Roman flails and slips down to hotshot Strowman’s back! Roman runs, then FLIES!

He knocks Strowman into the chains, but keeps going with right hands. Strowman shoves him away, then runs at him, but Roman evades and Strowman crashes into and breaks a pod! Strowman still gets back up, but Roman is right on him with a SUPERMAN PUNCH! The Big Dog follows the Monster back into the ring, reloads, and hits another SUPERMAN PUNCH! That’s not enough, so Roman lets out the howl. He runs in, but the Spear is scooped! He slips out and boots Strowman away, runs again, but Strowman lifts him up, SUPERMAN PUNCH! Strowman stays standing after three of those, but Roman runs in and finally hits the SPEAR! Strowman gets up again, though, so another SPEAR! Cover, Roman wins! Roman wins the right to challenge The Beast!

After waiting three years, The Big Dog finally gets at Lesnar 1v1 for a championship once again. Just looking up at the sign, Roman can practically see himself winning the Universal Championship.

But Strowman’s not finished with Roman yet!

He stands up and grabs Roman, to give him the Monster Slam!

But it doesn’t end there. The fans want “One More Time!” so Strowman obliges. He drags up the limp Roman, scoops him again, and slams him again. Strowman keeps going, dragging Roman to the outside, and throwing him through a pod!!

Strowman roars victoriously, even though he did not win. Roman may have a match with Lesnar at Wrestlemania, but he’ll have a face-to-face with Lesnar. Though, is he even okay to make it to Monday Night Raw?

 

My Thoughts:

This Raw exclusive Elimination Chamber will be thought back on both a good and a bad Chamber PPV. The kickoff tag match was decent but mostly filler, and The Revival didn’t even get to finish their thought about The Good Brothers, so that was kinda bad. Opening with the inaugural Women’s Chamber, which was amazing, is good. Alexa retains because the “best friends” stopped being friends, but also by being last. That way she doesn’t look too strong, but it helps keep things as planned, aka potentially facing Asuka. And speaking of Asuka, her match with Nia Jax was also spectacular, and it’s great for both that it was such a tough win. Nia looks so powerful, but Asuka looks that much tougher, and then Nia wrecking Asuka after was great because everyone loves carnage. Alexa might be getting overconfident, though, thinking Asuka won’t be ready in time for ‘Mania, but it all fits her character so that’s fine.

The Raw Tag Team Championship was a fine match, but how great would it have been if Titus Worldwide got a #TitleForTitus? The Bar retains to basically make those wins look like flukes, but now there’s a traffic jam for contenders headed towards Wrestlemania again. Perhaps two years in a row, we’ll have Raw Tag Team Championship Ladder matches to make sure the most teams possible get in on the moment. WOKEN VS Wyatt 2 did NOT go the way anyone thought, both for WWE or for the fans. I’m sure by now fans were hoping for some BROKEN Universe style pre-taped moments but we got none. The match was still good given Hardy trolling Wyatt, and Hardy gets the win to keep even, so as a feud, it’s still okay. But because of the lack of true BROKEN action, the fans lost interest, which doesn’t help the WWE any. The WWE can redeem this feud with a Wyatt Compound/House Hardy estate type build towards ‘Mania, but if there’s not even one week of that, WWE will have screwed up the easiest slam dunk ever.

The Rousey contract signing went exactly how it should have to endear the fans to her and set up her Wrestlemania match with HHH & Stephanie. Angle speaks his mind to expose the scheming of “The Authority”, and when HHH & Stephanie fail to fool Rousey, she gives us that Biggest Badass Rousey everyone remembers fondly. Assuming Angle is going to be her partner for ‘Mania, that is gonna be a fun match! And then the Men’s Elimination Match was fun, even with the ending, but that is the one sour point fans will probably come away with. It went so well that there were no eliminations until Strowman comes in, and then Strowman gets all of them except the end. Strowman becomes the most powerful full-time star the WWE has, but because of Vince McMahon, Roman finds a way. The Monster does 90% of the work but Roman still wins. At least Strowman got to decimate Roman after, but this is the Nth time WWE doesn’t accept what fans are clamoring for. Perhaps there will be a way around this with Strowman still having the power to do that post-match stuff, and maybe he’ll show up to the already announced encounter of Roman and Lesnar.

My Score: 8.5/10

 

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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/19/23)

The semifinals are here!

Published

13 hours ago

on

March 19, 2023

By

New Japan Cup 2023

The New Japan Cup 2023’s Final Four!

Four is bad luck in Japan, but these four are grateful to be in the New Japan Cup semifinals! David Finlay VS Tama Tonga, Sanada VS Mark Davis, who will win to go for it all?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Shota Umino & Oskar Leube VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; Shota & Oskar win.
  • Six Man Tag: Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Ryohei Oiwa VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi & Team Strong Style VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
  • YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher; Cobb & Fletcher win.
  • Shingo Takagi & BUSHI VS Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan; Henare & Khan win.
  • YOH & Lio Rush VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
  • New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: Tama Tonga VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances to the finals.
  • New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: SANADA VS Mark Davis; Sanada wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Good Bad Guy settled things with Bullet Club, but fate has intervened to have him face the NEW leader! Will Tama get past Finlay and into the finals? Or will the Rebel take over everything?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tama and Finlay circle, Tama claps to get the fans going more, and then he ties up with Finlay. They go around, Tama puts Finlay on ropes, but he lets off slowly as the ref calls break. Fans applaud and the two reset. They circle, fans rally up for Tama, and the two tie up again. Tama powers Finlay back but Finlay turns it around to have Tama on the ropes. The ref calls the ropebreak again, Finlay lets off slowly, but then swings on Tama! Tama dodges, then hits a headlock takeover! Tama grinds Finlay down, but Finlay keeps his shoulders up. Finlay fights to his feet, powers out, then slips around to headlock!

Tama powers out, hurdles, drops, then DROPKICKS Finlay down! Finlay bails out while fans fire up! Tama storms up to the ropes and slingshots but Finlay slides in! Tama lands on the apron, Finlay storms up but Tama ROCKS him with a forearm! Tama hurries in, and he arm-drags Finlay around! Finlay blocks the next, whips, but Tama reverses. Tama hurdles, but gets caught to a fireman’s carry! HOTSHOT, then BIG back suplex! Fans applaud, that was a good sequence, but Tama crawls to a corner. Finlay stalks Tama, drags him up, and UPPERCUTS him! Finlay whips corner to corner hard and Tama bounces off buckles! Finlay covers, TWO!

Fans rally but Finlay stomps Tama’s hand! Tama clutches that hand, but Finlay fishhooks his face! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off, and Finlay says that was the nose, not the eyes. The ref doesn’t believe him. Finlay throws Tama out! Gedo tells the ref to leave Finlay alone, but the ref reprimands Gedo for getting on the apron. Finlay drags Tama up to RAM him into railing! No Man’s Land disappears as the railing go back! Finlay rains down fists, but fans rally up for Tama. The ref reprimands Finlay but he drags Tama up and puts him in the ring. Finlay covers, ONE!! Tama is hanging tough but Finlay is amused.

Finlay digs his knee into Tama’s face, he wants the ref to Too Sweet but the ref says no thanks. Finlay drags Tama up, whips him hard into the corner, and Tama bounces off buckles again! Fans rally while Finlay taunts them, “You think Tama’s getting to the finals?” Finlay stomps Tama, then springboard stomps! The ref reprimands, but Finlay clamps on with a cobra clutch. Finlay thrashes Tama around but Tama endures. Gedo tells Tama to give up but Jado coaches Tama to hang tough. Fans rally, Tama fights up and throws hands, but Finlay CLUBS him down! Finlay stomps and elbows Tama, but the ref counts.

Finlay lets off, he brings Tama up to whip corner to corner, but Tama comes back to CLOBBER Finlay! Fans fire up but Gedo is mad! Jado coaches Tama, Gedo coaches Finlay, but Tama is the first to stand. Tama roars, CLOBBERS Finlay, and ELBOWS him! Tama whips, Finlay reverses but Tama CLOBBERS Finlay again! OFF COMES THE VEST! Finlay goes to a corner, Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then clinch, for an EXPLODER! Finlay scrambles away and out of the ring, but Tama PLANCHAS! Direct hit this time and the fans fire up! Tama slides into the ring to let the ring count handle Finlay.

Finlay sits up at 5 of 20 so Tama goes out to fetch him. Tama puts Finlay in, stalks him to a corner, and Finlay wants mercy, but gets body shots instead! Tama whips Finlay out and then back into the corner, runs in, but Finlay elbows him away! Finlay storms up, but into a scoop! Finlay slips free to CHOP BLOCK! Tama writhes and clutches his knee but Gedo is loving this! The ref checks on Tama but Tama refuses to let this stop him. Finlay storms up on Tama to sit him up, “Look at this beautiful face!” CROSSFACE FOREARM! Gedo likes those, so Finlay sits Tama up again, to CROSSFACE FOREARM!

Finlay drags Tama up again, and he fires off MORE crossface forearms! Fans rally for Tama but Finlay looms over him. Finlay drags Tama up by his hair, sits him up, and BLINDSIDER LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and Finlay is annoyed. Finlay paces around while Tama slowly rises. Finlay drags Tama up, gut wrenches and Canadian Racks, but Tama slips free! TONGAN TWIST!! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Fans rally as Tama and Finlay stir. Both men crawl over to each other, and Tama ROCKS Finlay with a forearm! Finlay ROCKS Tama right back! Finlay eggs Tama on and Tama sits up.

Tama ROCKS Finlay with another forearm, but Finlay ROCKS Tama again! Tama growls, he and Finlay sit up again. Tama ROCKS Finlay, Finlay ROCKS Tama, repeat! They throw forearms as they slowly stand, and they speed up as the fans rally! Finlay gets the edge, Tama fires off a strike fest! Finlay rebounds but into SRC!! Tama goes to a corner, fans fire up as he climbs, and Tama aims! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Jado and Tama rally the fans by pounding the mat. Finlay drags himself up with the ropes, Tama runs in, GUN- NO! Finlay rolls Tama, with tights! TWO!! GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks again!

Finlay drags Tama up with a dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, OSAKA STREET CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay aims as Tama rises, Jado warns Tama of what’s coming, but Finlay runs in, into a KNEE! Tama SUPER- NO, Finlay dodges to DEEP SIX!! Tama staggers up, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Tama survives and Gedo is furious! Finlay argues the count but the ref says that was all fair. Fans rally back up, but Finlay brings down the kneepad. “X marks the spot!” Finlay drags Tama up but Tama is deadweight. Finlay still hauls Tama up, suplexes, but Tama slips free!

Tama rolls Finlay, ties up the legs, and he has a SHARPSHOOTER!! Finlay endures and fans fire up! Tama sits deep on the hold, Finlay flails and fights forward! Finlay claws at the mat, but Tama goes deeper! Finlay fights back up, crawls and reaches out, but Tama drags him away again!! Finlay shouts in pain but he hasn’t given up yet! Another fight forward, and Finlay gets the ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go and Finlay writhes in pain, but the fans rally up again. Tama drags Finlay up, hooks an arm, but Finlay fights and RAMS Tama into a corner! And again and again and again! The ref counts, Finlay lets off and staggers away.

Tama runs in, but Finlay fights off the DDT! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay gut wrenches to a CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is beside himself but Tama survives again! Fans are thunderous for Tama but Finlay is right on him. Suplex and- NO, Tama fights, wrenches, but Finlay ROCKS him! But Tama cradles!! TWO!!!! Finlay escapes but the SUPERMAN PUNCH hits! BLOODY SUNDAY!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Finlay barely survives but Tama just pounds the mat. Finlay rises up, GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks, spins Tama, suplexes, GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks again and ROCKS Tama!

Tama roars, but Finlay fires off a flurry of forearms! Finlay spins, into a HEADBUTT! GUN- NO, Backslide! Deadlift TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Even El Phantasmo has to give old rival Finlay credit on that one. Gedo gets the mic to make the announcement official: The Rebel wins, and he just beat the NEVER Openweight Champion! Finlay will take the EFF over everything! Gedo needs the Rebel, Bullet Club needs the Rebel, and the world needs the Rebel! But will the Rebel get what he wants in the tournament finals?

 

New Japan Cup 2023, Semifinals: SANADA w/ Just5Guys VS Mark Davis w/ The United Empire!

New team, new look! The Cold Skull is looking sharp, but will he still bring about a Skull End? Or can Dunkzilla conquer the Cup on behalf of the United Empire?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Davis and Sanada circle. Davis eggs Sanada on but Sanada feels things out. They keep circling, tie up, and Sanada headlocks. Davis powers out, Sanada RAMS shoulders, but neither man falls! Sanada ducks Davis’ chop, gets an arm and wrenches, but Davis whips Sanada away! Davis CHOPS this time, and Sanada is stinging. Davis whips, Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Sanada whips, Davis cartwheels, then scoops and SLAMS! And SENTONS! Fans fire up while Sanada bails out, but Davis goes out after Sanada. Davis brings Sanada up to whip him into railing!

Sanada drops to his knees, but Davis drags Sanada up to ROCK with a forearm! Great-O-Khan is on commentary and he waves the glowstick in praise. Davis puts Sanada on the apron to CLUB and KNEE and CLUB again! Davis gets space, fans rally up, and Davis runs in to KNEE LIFT Sanada into the ring! Crowns up and the Empire high-fives. Davis gets in the ring while Sanada sputters. Davis knees for the cover, TWO! Davis clamps onto Sanada’s arm but Sanada endures. Fans rally, Sanada fights up to his feet, and he throws forearms! Sanada wrenches but Davis DECKS him! Davis drags Sanada up but Sanada waistlocks!

Davis fights free of the hold, CHOPS Sanada to the corner, then whips him corner to corner. Davis runs in but Sanada dodges the splash! Sanada reels Davis in to back suplex, but Davis turns it into a CROSSBODY! Davis drags Sanada back up and back suplexes, but Sanada lands on his feet! Sanada hits the BIG back suplex! Both men are down but their teams coach them while the fans rally up. Sanada kips up, and then he fires up! Sanada DROPKICKS Davis, Davis stays up, so Sanada DROPKICKS! And dropkicks, but misses this time! Davis runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Then he DROPKICKS Davis out of the ring!

Sanada takes aim and PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Davis! Sanada stares down the Empire, but then he encourages the fans to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada likes that. Sanada may have a new haircut but he is still Sanada. Sanada puts Davis in the ring, drags him up to fireman’s carry, but Davis fights it! Davis fireman’s carries now, but Sanada fights it! Only for Davis to rise up again! Sanada fights more, gets to the apron, and he counter punches! Sanada slingshots, but Davis HOTSHOTS him! And then TRIANGLE JUMP FOREARMS! Sanada falls, and Davis DIVES?!? Direct hit into the railing!

Fans fire up as No Man’s Land disappears again! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re both okay to continue, but their teams argue about territory. The ring count starts, Davis drags Sanada up at 7 of 20. Davis puts Sanada in at 10 of 20, aims from the corner and climbs up! Sanada rises, Davis FLYING SHOULDERS him down! Cover, TWO! Sanada is still in this but Davis keeps his cool. Davis drags Sanada up, but Sanada blocks the lift! Sanada throws down elbows, but Davis CHOPS him! Davis whips, Sanada goes up and out and springboards in to MISSILE DRPOKICK! Davis stays up!?

Davis swings, misses, and Sanada CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! But Davis KNEES low! Davis back suplexes but Sanada KNEES free! Sanada runs, into a LARIAT! Davis hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up and rally as Sanada survives. Davis drags Sanada by a leg, says it’s time to end this! But Sanada kicks Davis away, so Sanada JABS him down! Davis gets the legs, YANKS Sanada up, but Sanada rolls through! Sanada fireman’s carries to T K O!! Cover, TWO!! Davis is still in this, but Sanada goes up top! ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to roll through as Davis moves! Davis scoops to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!!

Davis drags Sanada up, wrenches and torture racks, but Sanada slips free! Sanada ELBOWS Davis, QUEBRADAS and has the dragon sleeper! Davis snapmares free to clothesline in the corner! Sanada falls over and fans fire up! Davis climbs the corner, goes to the very top, and DIVING SPLASH, but he FLOPS as Sanada moves! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto the knees!! Davis cradles Sanada, TWO!!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Davis rises first, drags Sanada up, and fans rally up. Davis swings, but Sanada blocks the forearm to fire UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT!

Sanada spins, into  JAB! But he still ROLLING ELBOWS! Davis ENZIGURIS!! Sanada is down and Davis fires up! Fans rally, Davis throws off the elbow pad! Davis waits, Sanada rises up, Davis keeps moving, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Sanada survives and fans fire up again! Davis stalks Sanada to the corner, then runs side to side, SLIDING FOREARM! Davis shouts “DEAD!” and he drags Sanada up into the torture rack! But Sanada slips free again! O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO!?! Davis escapes by nanoseconds! Sanada storms up, but Davis trips him! Davis has the legs, Close Your Eyes and Count to F@#$!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!?

The fans, the Empire and Just5Guys are all going nuts! Davis roars, he wrenches, torture racks, but Sanada slips free again! SIDEWINDER DDT!!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!!!

Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Davis drove the Cold Skull into the ground, but then Sanada did it back to him! Will Davis find his singles success another time?

Wait, David Finlay and Gedo make his way back out to the ring to see the other finalist in person. Gedo gets the mic to say they just want to give Sanada words of support. Gedo tells Sanada to do his best, because in Nagaoka, Finlay’s gonna beat his face in with the shillelagh, and throw him out of the ring like trash! “See You Next Time, Just Five Losers!” Gedo and Finlay leave, having copied and mocked Sanada’s catchphrase and his new team. Sanada gets the mic to say, “Oi, Finlay! And the people of Gunma. I promise I will beat Finlay on Tuesday, and come back here as the New Japan Cup winner.” Fans applaud that! Sanada then tells Gedo and Finlay to get outta here.

Finlay and Goto leave, flipping Sanada off over their shoulders. Sanada says this debut with J5G is a day he’ll never forget. Fans applaud that, and the mic is handed over to Taka Michinoku. Taka says, “Soon enough, it’ll be us who changes the scene here in NJPW! JUST! FIVE! GUYS!!” The Cold Skull is red hot, but will that heat bring him through to win it all?

My Thoughts:

A great semifinals for the New Japan Cup! Both matches were awesome stuff, and though Tama came close, I figured Finlay would win. He has been winning since his Heel turn and joining the Bullet Club, but he hasn’t quite won the Club over, yet they can’t really deny him, either, because he’s now in the finals of the tournament. The big things in Sanada VS Davis were Sanada’s new look, and that he buries that piledriver. But similarly to Finlay, Sanada’s getting a push because of the big change in allegiance, and now they’re both in this great match for the finals that honestly could go either way.

Gedo as booker does love to push the guys he backs as a manager, but Finlay’s story could be more about controlling Bullet Club than getting the title. And Sanada has openly stated he sees Okada as a rival and Okada reciprocated, so revisiting that now, with Sanada and Okada both having changed ever so slightly, we could get an awesome match for the world title.

My Score: 9/10


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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/23)

It’s lights out, but for who?

Published

2 days ago

on

March 18, 2023

By

New Japan Cup 2023

Who rounds out the Final Four?

The New Japan Cup is getting closer to the end! Shota VS Finlay, Goto VS Tama, who will join Mark Davis and Sanada in the semifinals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Oskar Leube & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Fujita win.
  • YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS Aaron Henare & Kyle Fletcher; Henare & Fletcher win.
  • Six Man Tag: Team Strong Style VS Bullet Club; Team Strong Style wins, by disqualification.
  • Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Chaos wins.
  • New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Shota Umino VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and advances.
  • New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Hirooki Goto VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Shota Umino VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Roughneck took The Mighty’s Front Man to the limit and then won, but now he funs into Bullet Club’s newest leader. Will #SHOOTER be the one shot down? Or will another one bite the dust as Shota brings about a paradigm shift?

The two get face to face and start shoving. Red Shoes backs them off, the bell rings and the forearms start flying! Fans fire up as they go faster and faster, and Shota gets the edge! Shota fires off in the corner, but Finlay turns things around, only to miss! Shota fires off more, and even shoves his dad aside! Shota fires off knees and he CLUBS Finlay, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Finlay up. Finlay throws forearms in return, whips, but Shota reverses to ELBOW Finlay down! Shota keeps moving to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Fans fire up again while Finlay checks his chin.

Shota kicks at Finlay, stomps him, but Finlay eggs him on. Shota stomps, Finlay throws a body shot, but Shota just BOOTS Finlay into the corner! Finlay kicks back from below, and even SPITS at Shota! Shota doesn’t flinch, so Finlay steps to him. Shota DECKS Finlay, then digs his boots in! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Shota lets off at 4 and talks trash. Shota stomps Finlay, stands him up and CLUBS him! Finlay goes to ropes, Shota ROCKS him with another forearm. Fans rally, Shota ROCKS Finlay again, and then whips Finlay to ropes. Finlay reverses to TACKLE Shota to the apron! And then all the way into railing!

Gedo likes that as Finlay RAMS Shota in again! Finlay taunts Red Shoes, then throws hands on Shota. Finlay smacks Shota off the apron, follows him around the way, and claws at Shota’s face! Finlay ELBOWS Shota down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay claims it was just the nose. Finlay stomps Shota around on the ramp, going after the limbs. The ring count starts and Finlay drags Shota up at 6 of 20 to put in at 8. Fans applaud and Finlay paces. Finlay stomps Shota down, gives him toying kicks, but Shota sits up with a frown. Finlay UPPERCUTS Shota in the back, but Shota doesn’t budge!

Finlay gets in Shota’s face, then DECKS him! Finlay stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! Shota goes to a corner, Finlay HEADBUTTS then stomps away! Red Shoes reprimands as Finlay digs a knee in. Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off at 4 and talks more trash. Fans rally up as Finlay brings Shota out. Finlay taunts the fans, “This is your boy?” Shota stands to ROCK Finlay! Shota hits back! Finlay CLUBS Shota down! Shota writhes but Finlay covers, ONE! Finlay clamps onto Shota with a cobra clutch to grind him down. Fans rally and Shota endures. Finlay shakes his head and pulls harder on the hold, but Shota still endures.

Shota fights up, Finlay knees him low and then again, and again. Finlay whips, Shota reverses to scoop, TOSS and UPPERCUT! Fans fire up while Finlay sits up in a daze. Shota storms up on Finlay, whips him to a corner, then runs in to UPPERCUT! Shota FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect so Finlay escapes, but Shota keeps his cool. Shota kicks Finlay but Finlay gives a body shot. Shota kicks and kicks and CLUBS Finlay, then brings him up. Finlay fights the clinch with elbow after elbow after elbow! Finlay runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Finlay bails out!

Shota hurries out to the apron, Finlay stands and Shota CANNONBALLS onto him! Fans fire up with Shota again as he shakes the railing! Shota drags Finlay back up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally behind Shota. Shota aims, to slingshot DDT! Finlay writhes but Shota wants him to stand. Fans rally, but Finlay blocks the kick, and he spins Shota around, only to swing into Shota’s clinch. Finlay fights free, then he clinches back, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and the fans rally but Gedo argues the count. Red Shoes says that was a fair count, so Finlay drags Shota up.

Finlay makes Red Shoes watch as Finlay CROSSFACE FOREARMS Shota! And again! Gedo likes that so Finlay gives more CROSSFACE FOREARMS! Finlay then sits Shota up to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Shota is still in this and the fans fire back up! Finlay argues the count but Red Shoes defends it was fair. Finlay kicks Shota around, waits on him to rise, and the fans rally. Shota stands, ducks the lariat, and EXPLODERS! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Red Shoes checks both guys and they slowly stir. They go forehead to forehead, and Shota throws a forearm! Finlay throws it back!

Finlay eggs Shota on, Shota ROCKS Finlay! Shota eggs Finlay on, so Finlay ROCKS Shota! Shota ROCKS Finlay again, so Finlay ROCKS Shota again! They go forearm for forearm, fans rally and the two stand. The forearms keep going, back and forth, faster and faster! Finlay UPPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Shota roars and UPPERCUTS in return! And again! Finlay rebounds into another UPPERCUT! Shota UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up but Finlay throat chops! And throat chops again! Finlay fires off HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then he rains down fists!

Red Shoes reprimands, those are closed fists! Finlay lets off and claims palms but Red Shoes can tell. Fans rally for Red Shoes as he argues with Finlay. Finlay goes back to Shota, but Red Shoes has him stay back to check. Shota is still in this, but Finlay thinks he’s won by knockout. Shota grabs at Finlay’s foot, so Finlay gut wrenches to a Canadian rack! But Shota slips free to CROSS RHODES! Shota holds on, he drags Finlay up, CROSS RHODES! Shota drags Finlay up again, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but fans are thunderous behind Shota! Shota aims from a corner, runs in, but Finlay LARIATS!

Shota stands, but into a SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Shota survives and Finlay is shocked! Finlay drags Shota up to gut wrench, CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!!! Shota survives again and the fans are thunderous! Finlay scowls at Red Shoes and argues the count, but the count is still fair. Fans rally behind Shota, but Finlay brings down the kneepad. Finlay slashes his throat and he drags Shota back up. Suplex to- NO, Shota cradles! TWO!! Finlay escapes, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Shota staggers to a corner and Finlay hoists him up top. Finlay climbs up after Shota, fires off forearms, then brings Shota up.

Shota throws body shots to stop the superplex! Finlay fires forearms and HEADBUTTS! Finlay brings Shota up again, but Shota SUPER GOURD BUSTERS first! Shota then hurries down and runs in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Shota roars and the fans are thunderous again! Shota picks Finlay up but Finlay fights free. Shota kicks low, underhooks, but Finlay powers him back. Shota sends Finlay into buckles! And then TORNADO DDTS! Roll through to the pick-up, SNAP BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Shota roars! Fans rally behind Shota and he aims from the corner again.

Gedo shouts at Finlay but the fans rally up. Finlay rises, Shota underhooks, but Finlay fights the lift! Finlay stomps the leg! And then HEADBUTTS Shota down! Gedo says Finlay’s got it! Suplex, but Shota fights free! ENZIGURI! Finlay rebounds, but swings into hooks! Finlay fights the backslide to backslide, but Shota rolls through! Finlay suplexes, Shota slips free, backslide and underhooks! Finlay spins Shota around, suplexes, TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Another hard-fought battle, and The Rebel comes out on top! Finlay stands on Shota to add insult to injury, then he throws Shota out to just add more insult! Gedo makes the official announcement that Finlay won, and then he says what Finlay did to Shota will happen to everyone else! “Okada! Okada! Are you listening? The Rebel’s coming for you! The Rebel is taking the eff over everything! I need the Rebel, the Bullet Club needs the Rebel, and the world needs the Rebel!” Will Finlay be unstoppable until he has taken everything?

 

New Japan Cup 2023, Quarterfinals: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

The Fierce Warrior and the Good Bad Guy have both had their run-ins with the United Empire, and they both came out on top to make it this far. But there’s only one spot left in the semifinals, who is the final of the final four?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. Goto and Tama tie up, Goto powers Tama back, but Tama breaks free. They reset, tie up again, and Tama powers Goto back. Goto turns things around to put Tama on the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder and fans applaud. Tama and Goto circle again, tie up, and Tama headlocks. Tama grinds the hold, but Goto powers out. They RAM shoulders, but Tama keeps moving. They RAM shoulders again, both men egg each other on, so Goto runs. Goto dodges the lariat to run Tama over! Fans fire up while Tama staggers up.

Goto whips Tama corner to corner, runs in but into an elbow! Tama runs in but into a hip toss! Tama avoids the elbow drop, headlocks, but Goto powers out, only for Tama to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! But now Goto avoids an elbow drop and fans fire up for the standoff! Goto and Tama circle again and fans rally back up. They tie up, Goto headlocks, and Goto grinds the hold. Tama powers up but Goto holds on tighter. Tama fights up, powers up again, but still can’t power out as Goto just holds tighter! Goto grinds the headlock more, but Tama fights up to throw body shots. Tama powers out this time, and things speed up.

Tama hurdles, but Goto counter a hip toss with a hip toss! Tama goes to ropes, Goto runs in, but Tama dumps Goto out to the apron! Tama swings but Goto counter punches! But then Tama GUN STUN STUN GUNS Goto down! Goto falls to the floor and Tama waits on the ring count. Goto stirs at 5 of 20, fans rally and Hashi coaches Goto up. Goto sits up at 12 of 20, but we past 15 before he stands! Goto slides in at 18! Fans applaud, but Tama drags Goto up to COHP! Tama whips, DROPKICKS and covers, TWO! Tama keeps cool as he looms over Goto. Tama brings Goto up, then CLUBS him in the chest again and again!

Fans rally while Tama paces around. Tama drags Goto back up, snap suplexes and covers, TWO! Tama clamps onto Goto with a chinlock and grinds him back down. Fans rally as Goto endures, but Tama brings Goto down to the mat. Goto kicks and flails, fights his way back up, and he throws body shots. Tama CLUBS Goto on the back, then ROCKS him with a forearm! And then another! Goto scowls but Tama eggs him on. Tama ROCKS Goto again, but Goto snarls. Tama fires off forearm after forearm! Tama then runs, but Goto blocks the boot! Goto throws the foot down but Tama ROCKS him with another forearm!

Goto blocks another boot, waistlocks, but Tama elbows free! Tama runs, Goto follows and LARIATS Tama down! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama crawls to a corner but Goto is right on him. Goto whips corner to corner and runs in to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tama survives, and Jado coaches him up. Goto brings Tama up but Tama fires body shots and low headbutts! Tama whips, Goto reverses and he runs Tama over! Fans fire up as Tama bails out, and Goto hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and both men go down at the railing! Fans fire up as both men stir.

The ring count starts but Goto is already up at 2 of 20. He drags Tama up at 5, but Tama is deadweight so Goto stomps him. The count passes 10, Goto drags Tama back up at 13. Goto puts Tama back in at 15 and fans applaud. Goto fires up and fans rally behind him. Goto climbs up a corner, but Tama ROCKS him first! Tama throws another forearm, but Goto hits back! Goto ELBOWS Tama in the head, but Tama throws body shots. Tama ROCKS Goto, climbs up and CLUBS Goto on the back. But Goto throws body shots and forearms! Tama and Goto fire off back and forth, and Tama gets the edge! Tama stands Goto up for the SUPERPLEX!

Fans fire up while both men are down again! Red Shoes checks, both men stir, and the fans rally up again. Goto crawls to a corner but Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Goto hangs tough and the fans rally up. Tama drags himself up with the ropes, and he storms over to Goto. Tama stands Goto up but Goto throws a forearm! Tama throws a forearm right back! Goto drops to a knee, but he grits his teeth. Goto stands up to ROCK Tama with a forearm! Tama shakes that off to ROCK Goto right back! Goto ROCKS Tama! Tama ROCKS Goto! The forearms go back and forth again!

Fans fire up as Tama fires off a strike fest! Tama whips, Goto reverses, fireman’s carries and USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and Tama clutches his neck. Goto roars and fans fire up with him! Goto drags Tama up, dragon sleepers, but Tama throws hands from below! Goto blocks that, spins Tama around, but Tama fireman’s carries! SRC! Tama flounders but finds his way over to the corner! Tama goes up, for the SUPREME FLOW! Cover, TWO!! Goto is still in this, but fans fire up with Tama! OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama watches Goto stir, and Tama pounds the mat. Fans clap along and build back up.

Goto rises, Tama runs in, GUN- NO, Goto blocks! Goto shoves, runs, Tama redirects but Goto follows! Tama dodges and runs, GUN- NO! Goto blocks, then deflects the boot! But Tama jumps, VELENO! Both men are down after the satellite DDT and the fans are thunderous! Tama rises first, the fans rally back up, and Tama takes aim from the corner. Goto flounders, rises, and Tama rushes in, GUN- NO, Goto puts him in the corner! DRAPING SHOUTO!! But Goto’s too tired to make the cover! Fans rally up again and Goto rises. Goto roars and Tama rises, BUZZSAW! Goto then drags Tama back up to fireman’s carry!

USHI- NO, Tama flips through! But Goto still blocks Gun Stun! Goto drags Tama back up, spins him around, but Tama SUPER FOREARMS! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives Tama’s shoutout to The Prince, but Tama roars! Tama drags Goto up, underhooks, but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches and HEADBUTTS! And then LARIATS!! Fans fire up as Tama goes flipping through the air! Goto roars and gathers all his strength! BUZZSAW!! And then another dragon sleeper! G T- NO!! Tama blocks to a backslide but Goto holds that off! Tama HEADBUTTS, and GUN STUNS!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The NEVER Openweight Champion bests one half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! The Fierce Warrior misses out on the final four, will he and Hashi simply regroup to focus on the tag titles for the Spring?

As for Tama, he shakes Goto’s hand to show respect, and the two hug it out. Goto raises Tama’s hand in victory, then lets him have the ring. Tama gets the mic to say, “HAMAMATSU~!” Fans cheer and Tama continues in Japanese,
“Really, thank you so much! Goto-san. That was amazing, thank you.” Fans cheer the respect shown, and Tama asks that everyone please keep supporting him! A short and sweet message from the Good Bad Guy, will he go all the way until he has his hands on the Cup?

My Thoughts:

Another really good night for the New Japan Cup, though not as shocking and wild as yesterday’s. Shota VS Finlay went about as expected in that Finlay goes over, but I am still impressed that Finlay is a Heel that doesn’t cheat to win. He didn’t need Gedo to do things for him here, Finlay just outdid Shota. And then we got a great main event where I was rather surprised that Tama won out. I thought Goto was going to go strong to the finals to put over the other side of the bracket. Instead, Tama gets a great win here and he’ll get to face Finlay next week, in a great rework of Tama taking on the Bullet Club.

My Score: 8.7/10


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