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Mitchell’s WWE Money in the Bank Results & Report! (5/19/19)

Who climbs the ladder to bring down the contracts?

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WWE MITB 2019

WWE history could be made tonight!

With both her titles on the line in one night, will Becky Two Belts have even one belt by the end? Will Kofi Kingston prove himself a worthy WWE Champion? And who will be Mr. and Ms. Money in the Bank?

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff Show: Daniel Bryan & Rowan VS The Usos; The Usos win.
  • Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Bayley wins and is Ms. MITB 2019.
  • WWE United States Championship: Samoa Joe VS Rey Mysterio; Mysterio wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
  • Steel Cage Match: Shane McMahon VS The Miz; Shane wins.
  • WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Tony Nese VS Ariya Daivari; Nese wins and retains the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Lacey Evans; Lynch wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair; Flair wins and becomes the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship, MITB Cash-In: Charlotte Flair VS Bayley; Bayley wins and becomes the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
  • Roman Reigns VS Elias; Reigns wins.
  • WWE Universal Championship: Seth Rollins VS AJ Styles; Rollins wins and retains the WWE Universal Championship.
  • Six Man Tag: Lucha House Party VS ???; No Contest.
  • WWE Championship: Kofi Kingston VS Kevin Owens; Kingston wins and retains the WWE Championship.
  • Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Brock Lesnar wins and is Mr. MITB 2019.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the WWE MITB Kickoff Show!

Join Jonathan Coachman, Charly Caruso, David Otunga and Sam Roberts as they catch everyone up and make their predictions for tonight’s PPV!

 

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch!

The only double champion in the WWE today defends both belts tonight. She was put through a table during the dual contract signing by both her opponents. Is this the end of Becky Two Belts already? What we saw on Raw was a pair of jackals taking her down because those two clowns know they can’t win alone. Tonight, Becky just evens the odds and The Southern Belle learns it’s a different thing facing The Man alone. That need to prove yourself will be Lacey Evans’ downfall. And Becky don’t need to be reminded what she’s up against. The right road isn’t the easy one when you’re blazing trails.

Becky isn’t here to have plentiful reigns, but meaningful reigns. She knows she has two rosters full of women aiming for her. But the Double Champ dishes out double beatings, because that’s what happens when the Man comes around. There’s still fire in the Lass Kicker, will she be kicking double the lass all over again tonight?

 

Lacey Evans speaks.

“Becky Two Belts? More like Becky Big Mouth, if you ask me.” She talks so much trash, but the longer trash sits, the longer it rots. Then you bag it up and take it to the curb. That’s where Becky will end up if it’s up to Lacey. Becky can talk all she wants, but it’ll be all the sweeter when Lacey wins. And then Becky’s night goes from bad to worse when Charlotte Flair takes her turn and completes the sweep so that Becky realizes a Man is no match for a Queen and a Lady. Is the Sassy Southern Belle talking too much trash herself? Or is she on the right side of this MITB gamble?

 

Nikki Cross speaks.

“When I was growing up, I was always the outcast. Always picked on, always the last one chosen.” And then Alexa Bliss made Nikki feel like she was important. Nikki will give Alexa a chance as a friend. It saddens Nikki that Alexa cant’ compete, but Nikki makes her own luck tonight. She’ll be just like The Goddess, so #LetNikkiPlay, and #LetNikkiWin!

 

WWE Hall of Famer, Beth Phoenix, joins the panel!

The Glamazon tags in for Otunga, but she’s not the only one. Sonya Deville is here to speak on the Women’s MITB and her friend, Mandy Rose. The two had to decide who would enter for SmackDown, but it wasn’t a tough choice for Sonya. She as a confident woman knows when to step up, and when to step back. But isn’t there concern that Mandy won’t win because she’s inexperienced? Not when Mandy has been a great talent in first-evers like her first Womens’ Rumble and her first Women’s Tag Chamber. Then does Sonya really have Mandy’s back should she win tonight? Of course! But then Zelina Vega comes by. Why are we talking to Sonya? Why is Zelina here?! Does Zelina even compete? Sonya gave up her spot because she’s a good friend, unlike Zelina. Zelina is just Andrade Almas’ mouthpiece!

Coach keeps the arguing down, and wants to ask questions. But Sonya says Zelina started this while Zelina goes on about Almas. Coach has things move on, because we have in-ring action!

 

WWE MITB Kickoff Show: Daniel Bryan & Rowan VS The Usos!

The new Wild Card Rule makes this match possible, and is also why this match is happening. Jimmy & Jey were upset Shane McMahon was just simply handing “The Planet’s Tag Team Champions” those SmackDown Tag Team titles. The two teams competed over the belts, and the Usos lost! Now they have a rematch, just to settle a score! Will the Uso Penitentiary coming to Money in the Bank?

The Usos again say , “Whoa whoa whoa whoa! Whoa! … Whoa!” Because tag teams are kicking off things. It’s Usos VS “Spongebob and Patrick!” They sing the theme song. But it’s time for Hartford to enter the Uso Penitentiary! The teams sort out, and Bryan starts against Jimmy.

Fans rally behind Jimmy with “Uce! O!” Jimmy and Bryan tie up and Bryan gets a headlock. Jimmy powers out but Bryan runs him over. Things speed up and Bryan kicks Jimmy. But Jimmy dodges the next kick to CHOP away on Bryan! Tag to Jey and Jey throws uppercuts. Jey snapmares to a cover, TWO! Jey brings Bryan around for more CHOPS but Rowan tags in. Rowan attacks but Jey sunset flips. Rowan blocks and shoves but things speed up and Rowan crossbodies Jey down! The Big Redwood roars while we go picture in picture.

Rowan scrapes Jey out of the ring and keeps the ref busy while Bryan bumps Jey off the apron. Bryan feeds Jey to Rowan for a springboard knee. Rowan rips off Jey’s shirt and tosses it to the fans! Rowan scoop slams Jey while we return to single picture, then drops a splash! Cover, TWO! Rowan keeps on Jey and tags in Bryan. Bryan kicks Jey down then bumps him off buckles. Bryan gives Jey CHOPS and more buckle bumps. He CHOPS Jey in the Planet’s Corner but Jey fights back! Bryan trips Jey and tags Rowan. Rowan drops an elbow then covers, TWO! Rowan drags Jey up to drive a knee into his back. He then puts Jey in the fist vice! Jey endures the squeeze on his head but fans rally up. Rowan shifts to a neck wrench and Jey powers towards his corner.

Rowan clubs Jey down then suplexes him away from Jimmy! Then he hits Jimmy just because! Rowan tags Bryan and Bryan takes his time going after Jey’s legs. Bryan hooks them and fish hooks Jey’s face! He lets up at the ref’s count, but then does it again. He lets go again and stomps the knees. Jey scrambles to an open corner but Bryan is on him with CHOPS! Bryan runs corner to corner for a dropkick! And then another! He keeps going, but gets caught into a Samoan Drop! Both men are down but fans fire up! Jey and Bryan crawl, tag to Rowan. Rowan misses and gets post! Jey tags in Jimmy! Jimmy rallies on Rowan with a rain of rights. Rowan shoves him away but he comes right back! Another shove, but Jimmy mule kicks and uppercuts. He tries to lift Rowan but Rowan slips out.

Rowan suplexes but Jimmy slips out and boots him away. Jimmy goes up, Whisper in the Wind! Cover, ONE!! And Jimmy ends up outside on the apron! Jimmy kicks Rowan away then climbs up fast. He leaps, but into Rowan’s arms! Rowan pops Jimmy up for a jackhammer! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and we go picture in picture again.

Rowan shakes his head, but keeps his cool. He drags Jimmy back up and onto the top rope. He clubs away on Jimmy then climbs up to join him. Jey returns and tags in! Jey helps Jimmy fight Rowan up top, but Rowan gives them each headbutts. Rowan makes the brothers bump heads, then grabs them both! We’re single picture again as Rowan wants and gets a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! Bryan returns and calls Rowan over. Rowan tags Bryan and Bryan stalks Jey. Fans boo as Bryan starts giving Jey No Kicks! Bryan kicks and kicks, but Jey ducks the buzzsaw! Dragon whip enziguri! Bryan roundhouses, Jey SUPERKICKS! Jey hurries up top, leaps, Uso Splash ends up in the LaBell Lock!! Bryan has Jey stuck, but Jey flails and reaches! Jey drags himself, but Jimmy saves him!

Rowan goes after Jimmy and tosses him out. But Jimmy dumps Rowan out, and DIVES! Only to be caught in the claws! Jey DIVES, but into the claws! SUPERKICK from Jimmy, SUPERKICK from Jey, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The Usos both run, and DOUBLE DIVE! They take Rowan out! Fans are fired up but Bryan DIVES, into SUPERKICKS! Jey tags Jimmy and they each climb up. They both leap at Bryan, the Double Uce! Cover, The Usos win!

Winners: The Usos, Jimmy by pinfall

The Usos still have all division on #LockDown! Will they use the Wild Card to get the SmackDown Tag titles back even though they’re Raw superstars?

 

WWE and wrestling fans mourn the loss of Ashley Massaro.

 

A golden WWE tradition returns.

This PPV will again have a Men’s and Women’s MITB Ladder Match. 81% of winners have successfully “cashed in” to become a champion. But what are the odds of a dual champion staying a dual champion when she’s doubling down? What are the odds a Beastslayer defeats the Phenomenal One? What are the odds of an underdog champion proving he’s worthy? And what price will the McMahons pay for upsetting both an A-Lister and a Big Dog?

 

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match!

Naomi is ready to float like a firefly and sting like a Bumble Bee (Teen Titans, that is). But Nikki Cross is ready to play, Dana Brooke is ready to take her turn, and The Queen of Harts is the best there is, was and ever will be. But will any of Raw’s women take it? Or will SmackDown win with the Golden Goddess, the War Goddess, the Huggable or the OG Ms. MITB?

All eight women stare at the briefcase as the bell rings. And then chaos breaks loose! Bayley has Naomi, Natty has Mandy and Carmella has Dana, until Nikki drags her out! Nikki gets Carmella and then Dana in the apron! Bayley tosses Ember out while Nikki brings in the first ladder! Nikki rams four women at once! And then becomes a crazy copter! She hits Natty and Mandy, and even Bayley! Naomi gets decked, too! Mandy again! But Dana comes in and dropkicks Nikki down! Ember and Dana both go after the ladder and it’s tug-o-war. So Ember uses it to ram Dana into a corner! But Nikki jumps on Ember with a thrashing sleeper hold. Ember backpack sentons Nikki on the ladder! Mandy throws Nikki out then gives Dana a Kiss from a Rose!

But Carmella yanks Mandy off the top rope! Mandy takes a tumble and Carmella takes the ladder. Natty puts in another ladder, but Carmella spots her. Carmella shoves Natty into her own ladder! Natty hits back and then swings Carmella into the ladder! Carmella kisses the steel, but then Naomi runs in. Natty catapults Naomi but she lands on the rungs! Naomi enziguris Natty down! Then she throws Carmella out. Mandy has a ladder, but Naomi takes it from her. Naomi swings but into a gut wrench suplex! Mandy soaks up the heat but Bayley rams her with a ladder. Bayley is all alone and stands the ladder up. But Ember stops her and they fight over the ladder. Dana copies Becky Lynch from last year and climbs anyway!

Carmella yanks Dana off and then shoves the ladder into Bayley and Ember. The ladder smacks Bayley in the hip, and Carmella adds on with a FABULOUS Kick! Carmella eyes “Frankie” but Mandy returns to kick out Carmella’s leg! Mandy stalks Carmella but Carmella slaps her away. Ember rocks Mandy with a right! Dana and Ember each go for ladders but so do Nikki and Bayley. Naomi also returns and everyone wants a ladder. Naomi hops ladder to ladder to dropkick Mandy to a ladder! But then Nikki and Ember run at Naomi! She slides under, but finds herself caught. Naomi does the splits and the ladder foursome collides! Natty returns while Carmella has medics check her knee. Natty sits Naomi on the ladder, then walks all over her! But Bayley throws Natty into the corner ladder!

Bayley elbows Naomi down, but Nikki drags up one of the ladders. Bayley bulldogs Nikki on the steel! She toughs otu her own bad leg but Dana pushes her down. Dana drags Bayley into buckles but Ember has Dana with a bac kick to boot. Ember runs but Dana dodges. Dana scoops and slams Ember on the ladder, then has her in a special Tree of Woe! Fans fire up for the handspring back elbow! Dana dumps Ember out then goes back to Bayley. She throws hands on Bayley but Bayley hits back. Dana kicks but Bayley blocks and knees like a boss! Bayley sunset flip bombs Dana onto the ladder! Everyone is down, but Bayley sees the briefcase. Bayley drags the tallest ladder up and over to be right under the briefcase. She stands it up but Mandy returns.

Mandy and Natty sandwich Bayley inside the ladder! And again! And a third time! Bayley finally falls over, but Naomi returns. The ladder stands again while Naomi gives Bayley some Starship Pain! Natty and Mandy fight over the ladder but Nikki SPEARS Natty from underneath! Naomi climbs! But Ember and Nikki stop her! Code Breaker for Naomi! Ember gets Nikki but Nikki throat chops back. Nikki gives Ember the Purge! But Dana sneaks back in and tips the ladder over on Nikki! Nikki is down and fans are fired up as Dana is all alone! Dana stands the ladder back up and starts climbing! But Mandy returns again! Mandy catches up to Dana and fights as Dana has the clip. Dana swings on the chain!! Dana flails but Mandy grabs her. Mandy gets Dana back on the ladder and they both fight for position!

Dana bumps Mandy off the ladder and Bayley yanks her off! Naomi and Bayley hurry after Dana, but Nikki scrambles up, too! Nikki grabs at the chain but everyone is fighting. Natty tips everyone off!! But wait, Ember aims at Natty, SUPER ECLIPSE!! A total Eclipse of the (Neid)hart! Fans are thunderous while losing their minds! The Shenom is all alone, with one ladder nearby! But Mandy stops her with a back suplex. Ember lands on her feet but Mandy kicks low. Mandy underhooks and lifts Ember, Pedigree on a ladder! Mandy pushes that ladder aside to go back to the tallest one. She stands it up, climbs it, but wait? Mella is back?! Mella doesn’t care she has a bad leg, she won’t let Mandy do this. Mandy runs at Carmella but gets a forearm! And bumps off rungs!

Carmella shows no mercy as she throws Mandy all around! FABULOUS Kick takes Mandy down! Carmella hobbles into the ring and to that ladder, but as she climbs, Sonya Deville interferes! Sonya won’t let Carmella win, she SPEARS Carmella down! And then she positions the ladder? Sonya fetches Mandy to get her in the ring! Fans boo as Sonya basically parallels James Ellsworth for Carmella! Sonya literally carries Mandy up the ladder! Mandy revives and climbs the rest of the way, and gets her hands on the briefcase! But Bayley gets up and stares them both down. And then shoves them both down, too! Bayley grabs the briefcase, and takes it down! Bayley wins!!

Winner: Bayley; Ms. Money in the Bank 2019

The Huggable Bayley did it, and she did it all by herself! A former Raw Women’s Champion, the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, and now Ms. MITB! As a SmackDown Superstar, could this contract make Bayley WWE’s first Women’s Triple Crown Champion!?

Charly Caruso interviews Bayley in the ring, and congratulates her. Bayley’s a step closer to becoming another WWE Women’s Champion. She and Sasha were the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. The team got split up in the Shake-Up, but Bayley is going to prove a point. She wants to remind everyone what she’s capable of. And everyone sees that now! She’s not #JustBayley, she’s Ms. MITB!

 

Triple H is backstage!

And he’s on the phone. He’s loving how the night’s going already. Bayley winning that contract, just- Sami Zayn wants to talk with HHH. Or rather, he wants to talk with Shane. Well Shane’s getting ready for that cage match. But this is important. HHH is upset he’s being interrupted, but Sami says the WWE has a big problem. Sami reminds HHH that he won against Braun Strowman to win his way into the Men’s MITB, but Strowman is coming for payback! Sami just knows it! But he can’t relax because of the fear of Strowman.

HHH tells Sami to breathe. Sami just says there’s a lot of concern that Strowman will do something. HHH will alleviate that concern: Strowman was banned from the building. Okay, then, can there be further protection? If Sami wants protection, tape up your hands and leave the office. Thanks for stopping by. Sami is rightfully fearful for his life after screwing Strowman out of the MITB ladder match. Will he be able to focus on the golden opportunity?

 

WWE United States Championship: Samoa Joe VS Rey Mysterio!

The first time around, it was a one-minute shocker at Wrestlemania where the Destroyer dispatched the King of Lucha Libre. In the non-title rematch, Mysterio got even with Joe and that left Joe very upset. Finally, a tiebreaker with the title on the line will decide which man is really better. Will Mysterio make his familia proud? Or will Joe embarrass Papi in front of Dominique all over again?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this rubber match!

Mysterio fires off hands but Joe kicks the leg! Joe kicks again and has Mysterio in a corner. Fans duel while Joe lets Mysterio get back up. Mysterio dodges and kicks back! Mysterio runs and slides then huricanranas Joe around! He fires hands on Joe but Joe shoves him away. Joe puts Mysterio on the apron but Mysterio kicks back. Mysterio springboards for a seated senton! Joe checks his nose but Mysterio fires off more kicks and punches. Joe hits back and scoops but Mysterio slips out. Mysterio gets knees and a CHOP! Joe ignores his bloody nose as he drags Mysterio up for a pomb, but Mysterio huricanranas! Cover, Mysterio wins!?

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall; NEW WWE United States Champion

Dominique cheers backstage as his father finally gets his WWE Grand Slam! But Joe is as shocked as Mysterio! Did Joe have his shoulders up? Did the referee make an awful mistake? Will Mysterio give Joe a rematch?

Mysterio gets back in the ring and Dominique comes out to join him. Father and son celebrate together as they walk back up the ramp. But then Joe attacks!! Joe headbutts away on Mysterio and puts Mysterio back in the ring! Joe drags Mysterio up for a HUGE urenage! A bloody and angry Destroyer grins at Mysterio, but then eyes Dominique. Joe drags Mysterio up again to make Dominique watch a second urenage! Dominique isn’t sure what to do, but Joe tells him to figure out something. Dominique goes to his dad, but Joe drops a senton on Mysterio! Joe leaves and Dominique goes to his father’s side. Will Mysterio have a reason to give Joe a rematch?

 

Braun Strowman ignores the building ban!

He throws whatever he can get his hands on as far as it’ll fly! The Monster Among Men is hunting for Sami Zayn! He intimidates a WWE employee but he has no idea where Sami is! Strowman spares this poor man as his hunt continues. Will Strowman find Sami before Sami #GetsTheseHands on the MITB contract?

 

Steel Cage Match: Shane McMahon VS The Miz!

They were once the Best Tag Team in the World, and certainly in the WWE. But then one loss and Shane O’Mac snapped! He betrayed his partner and attacked Papa Miz! Wrestlemania’s Falls Count Anywhere clearly didn’t settle anything as Shane rubbed in his victory and the assault on Miz’s father. But now, instead of fighting all over the arena, they’ll be trapped inside a steel structure! Will Shane run away again? Or will he man up and fight Miz in the cage?

The door is closed and the bell rings! Shane immediately hurries up to a wall! Miz drags Shane down to the mat then tackles him down! Miz rains down hands but Shane pushes him away. Shane runs away but Miz stops him again. Miz throws Shane at a wall, but Shane uses it to climb! Miz again has to yank Shane down, and then throws It Kicks into a corner. He kicks and kicks and kicks and fans fire up as Miz throws Shane down. Miz kicks Shane in the back, then circles him like a shark. He throws more kicks, taunting Shane between them. Shane sits back up, only to get more kicks! Miz takes aim but Shane powerbombs him into a wall! Shane kicks Miz while he’s down now, grinding him into the steel.

Miz drags himself up but Shane kicks him back down. Shane throws body shots and jabs now, then kicks of his own. Shane bumps Miz off the steel then clubs him down between the ropes. He Oklahoma Rolls Miz, TWO! Shane throws hands again, then big knees. Shane throws Miz face first into steel! He boots Miz down then kicks him while he’s down. Shane throws Miz into the cage again, then lifts Miz in a torture rack, for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Shane keeps his cool as he stalks Miz. He toys with Miz while fans boo and jeer. Shane puts Miz in a corner for a mudhole stomp, then he goes to the adjacent corner. He climbs up and takes aim, Coast2Coast gets caught! Into the Figure Four! Miz shouts out to Ric Flair with this one!

Shane endures and flails, then grabs a rope, but there are no ropebreaks! Shane uses that to drag himself to the door! The door opens but Miz lets go to drag Shane back! Shane kicks away on Miz and gets free! But Miz grabs him just in time! Miz drags Shane back inside, but Shane’s managed to get a chair?! Shane swings but Miz boots him down! Both men are down with the chair between them. Shane and Miz both see the chair, but also the door. Fans know “Miz is Awesome!” as he gets the chair! Shane begs for mercy, and even apologizes! But Miz doesn’t care, and he SMACKS Shane! Miz makes sure the door is closed as he gives Shane another SMACK! Shane crawls to the door but Miz slams it on his head! Miz SMACKS Shane with another chair shot, then another! And another! And another!

Miz taunts Shane as he SMACKS away! “You had enough? Nah, you ain’t had enough.” Miz circles Shane and fans want “One More Time!” He obliges, with another SMACK! Shane crawls but Miz drags him back up. Miz gives Shane a Skull Crushing Finale on the chair!! Cover, ropebreak?! But no, no! There aren’t ropebreaks in a cage match, right?! What is wrong with this ref? Unless… Is this ref kissing up to Shane? Fans call BS while Miz goes after Shane again. Miz puts Shane in a corner and on the top rope. Miz climbs up to hoist Shane back up. Shane fights off and arm-drags Miz down! Shane drags himself back up but fans rally for Miz. Miz is motionless while Shane climbs up. Shane reaches the top as Miz revives! Miz uses the chair to SMACK Shane’s leg! Shane stops and Miz catches up to him!

Miz grabs Shane and throws haymakers. Miz sits on the top with Shane and throws haymakers! Shane resists as Miz drags him back over. Miz has Shane stuck, and bumps him off the cage! And then dumps him down! To drop a splash! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives on his own this time! And gets a triangle hold on Miz! Miz flails but there’s no ropebreaks for him. Shane cranks back hard but Miz refuses to give in! Fans rally and Miz bridges back to a cover, TWO! Shane crawls away to the door, but Miz revives to stop him again! Miz drags Shane in, and catapults him into steel, but Shane uses it again! Shane’s up top but Miz hurries to stop him!

Shane is halfway again, and Miz has a sinister idea. Flashbacks to Wrestlemania as Miz pulls on Shane. Shane fights for his life as Miz keeps pulling. Shane slips out and out of his shirt! He hits the floor, and wins!!

Winner: Shane McMahon, by escape

Shane literally escapes and survives! Miz glares down at Shane, because this settles nothing! Will Shane run away to avoid the trilogy?

 

Mick Foley will return to Monday Night Raw with a huge announcement!

The Hardcore Legend is introducing WWE’s newest championship! What could it be? Or is it really a classic being revived with a new look? Only Foley knows!

 

HHH hurries backstage!

Something bad happened, and it involves Sami Zayn! He’s stuck upside-down on a wall! Cameras, get outta here! HHH and WWE have an emergency, but is Strowman really to blame?

 

WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Tony Nese VS Ariya Daivari!

The Cruiserweight Division returns to a PPV main card! But that aside, the Premier Athlete wants to prove he isn’t champion because he took it easy. He’s kept himself competing even after earning the title, and now he’ll make the Privileged Persian Lion earn it, too! Will Daivari Dinero hit the jackpot on MITB night? Or will Nese show him the power of perseverance?

The introductions are made, with Daivari driving in to the arena in a Mercedes Benz, and the title is raised as we begin this big money Cruiserweight match!

The two circle, and tie up. Daivari powers Nese to a corner but backs off to get in sucker punches! He jabs and kicks but Nese hits back. Daivari haymakers and whips Nese corner to corner but Nese stops himself. Nese elbows and moonsaults but Daivari gets clear. Nese goes Matrix to mule kick and knee lift. Daivari jumps the sweep but Nese dodges the buzzsaw to get the sweep anyway. Nese drops a leg and covers, TWO! Nese keeps on Daivari but Daivari jawbreakers back. Daivari whips but Nese reverses to hotshot Daivari down! Nese triangle moonsaults but lands on his feet as Daivari dodges. Daivari puts Nese on the apron and then grinds his face on the ropes! The ref reprimands Daivari but the damage is down.

Daivari dumps Nese back into the ring then trash talks in Farsi. Daivari bobs ‘n’ weaves with a blind Nese then clobbers him with haymakers. Nese gets to a corner but Daivari is on him with a hard corner to corner whip. Nese hits buckles and drops to the mat but Daivari grins as he looms over the champion. Daivari drags Nese up but Nese hits back. Daivari knees low then back suplexes, but Nese lands on his stomach. Nese crawls but Daivari stomps him. Daivari grabs both legs but Nese fights the turn. Daivari still gets Nese in the inverted Crab! Nese endures and crawls, then rolls to send Daivari into buckles! The ref checks on Daivari while Nese gets to the opposite side. Daivari hurries after Nese but gets a big left hand.

Nese bobs ‘n’ weaves and snapmares Daivari to boot and heel kick him down! Nese knips up and runs at Daivari in the corner. Daivari takes the back elbow but he tosses Nese to the apron. Nese kicks Daivari down then triangle moonsaults again, to hit it! Cover, TWO! Daivari lives but Nese keeps his cool. Nese drags Daivari up and pump handles, but Daivari fights him off. Nese CHOPS back but Daivari reels him in for a full nelson spin, inverted DDT! Cover, TWO! Nese survives and Daivari grows frustrated. Daivari sneers at Nese as he drags him back up. Fans rally as Nese CHOPS Daivari agani. Daivari grabs the beard but Nese shoves and forearms him back! Nese runs but into Daivari’s leaping knee!

Daivari whips but Nese slides under to pump handle! Daivari slips out and dodges to rondhouse Nese back! He puts Nese on the top rope and crosses the arms. But Nese holds on with his strong legs! Daivari CHOPS Nese again and again until Nese is in a Tree of Woe on the outside! Daivari stomps Nese out of the Tree and to the floor! He pursues Nese but Nese shoves him away. Nese runs back but is put on the apron. Nese cartwheels and rocks Daivari! He puts Daivari in and climbs up high. Daivari intercepts, crosses the arms for an arm-drag bomb! Cover, TWO!! Nese still lives and Daivari grows frustrated.

Daivari drags Nese up again, hammerlocks and swings, but Nese dodges to roll up! TWO, but Nese tosses Daivari out to FLY! A Premier Flop takes out Daivari, but Nese keeps going! He puts Daivari in, climbs up, 450 splash! Cover, TWO!! Now Daivari survives and Nese is shocked! But Daivari is in a corner. Nese runs side to side but gets a SUPERKICK! Daivari hops up, Lion Splash! But no cover, hammerlock to Lion’s Lariat!! Cover, TWO!? Nese survives Daivari’s best move!? Daivari is furious as he climbs up top. Nese SHORYUKENS and SUPER STEINERS! Daivari ends up in a corner and Nese runs, Premier Knee! Cover, Nese wins!

Winner: Tony Nese, by pinfall; still WWE Cruiserweight Champion

Daivari brought the fight, but Nese won it! The Premier Era continues, but how much harder will it get for him from now on?

 

HHH confronts Braun Strowman.

Obviously the Monster Among Men is the number one suspect in attacking Sami Zayn. But this isn’t going to get his spot in the MITB Ladder match back. Strowman has no idea what HHH is talking about. The attack on Sami! That wasn’t Strowman. HHH won’t argue about it, and won’t ask anyone to escort or arrest Strowman. But as his boss, HHH needs Strowman to leave. “Whatever, man.” Strowman actually obeys, but if he didn’t do that to Sami, then who did?

 

Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Lacey Evans!

And so the Champ Champ’s night begins! She owes the Sassy Southern Belle for several sucker punches, that contract signing beating from Monday, and just that generally judgmental attitude. Will The Man deny the Woman’s Right to the Raw Women’s title? Or will Becky Two Belts go down to one belt going into her match with Charlotte later on?

The introductions are made, the red brand’s belt is raised, and we begin The Man’s first match!

Fans chant for “Becky Two Belts!” but Lacey covers her ears. Becky and Lacey circle then Becky dropkicks Lacey to a corner! Becky fires off stomps but backs off to throw Lacey down. Lacey flounders but Becky dropkicks her back down! Becky drags Lacey up for a waistlock slam, but then Lacey crawls out of the ring. Becky builds speed to wreck Lacey with a dropkick! Fans cheer but Lacey hits Becky back. Lacey whips but Becky reverses to send her into barriers! Becky stalks Lacey to club and elbow her. Lacey shoves Becky then tries to run away through the fans! Becky stops her and throws her at the apron. Becky puts Lacey back in and stalks her to a corner.

Lacey yanks Becky at buckles but Becky stops herself. Becky hits back then baits Lacey in. Lacey blocks the jump kick to throw Becky into buckles. Lacey wrings Becky’s arm to slam her on the mat. Fans sing Becky’s theme but that only angers Lacey. Lacey dribbles Becky’s head off the mat, then drops knees on the arm. Lacey then stands and stomps Becky’s arm! Becky fights back with her good arm but Lacey kicks low for a sit-out DDT. Lacey gator rolls Becky to a corner and throws her arm on the apron. She pulls Becky into the post! The ref counts but Lacey lets up at 4, to throw the arm into the post. Becky rolls but Lacey covers, TWO! Lacey keeps her cool then goes after Becky. Becky boots back and puts Lacey on the apron.

Lacey hits back and sweeps the legs! Lacey slingshots for an elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Lacey grits her teeth and drags Becky around with an armlock and chinbar. Becky endures being bent back on Lacey’s knee. Fans rally as Becky fights her way up. Lacey throws Becky down by her hair! Lacey goes after the arm again, and bends Becky back again. Fans rally and Becky throws hands. Becky gets back up and arm-drags free. Lacey knees low and hits a neckbreaker! Somersault to a splash! Cover, TWO! Lacey pulls out her handkerchief and wipes herself off. She then rubs it in Becky’s face! Becky hits back with wild hands! She whips but Lacey reverses to put Becky on the apron. Lacey shoulders but into a kick!

Becky climbs and leaps for a flying forearm! Both women are down but fans rally up for Becky. But Lacey is up first, only for Becky to hit back. Lacey kicks and aims, but the Woman’s Right misses! Becky rallies with lariats and a calf kick! Fans fire up with Becky as she kicks Lacey more. Becksploder! Becky hits Lacey with the Straight Firearm, then climbs up high for a missile dropkick! Lacey ends up flopping out of the ring! Becky pursues from the apron, another flying forearm takes Lacey down! Becky puts Lacey back in, cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Becky wonders what she has to do. Becky drags Lacey around and climbs up top yet again.

Becky leaps but has to roll through. Lacey elbows Becky back, then uses the ropes for a springboard stunner! And a leaping roundhouse! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lacey is losing her composure. Lacey says she’ll end it, and she trash talks the “Nasty” Becky. She pulls the braids out of Becky’s hair, but Becky waistlocks and rolls her! TWO, but Becky’s after the arm! Lacey scrambles and gets the rope. Becky lets up but wants at her again. The ref pulls Becky back, Lacey chop blocks! Roll up, but Becky holds it off to get a Disarm-Her! Lacey taps, Becky wins!

Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission; still Raw Women’s Champion

Becky Two Belts is still at two belts! But Lacey was tougher than she expected, will Becky be in any shape for facing Flair yet again?

But speaking of, here comes Charlotte! The Queen is all smiles, because she’s choosing to make Becky go again here and now!

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Charlotte Flair!

The Man grins, because she realizes she should’ve expected this. Will she still be Becky Two Belts even though she had no time to rest? Or will we see the birth of #CharlotteNineTimes?

There is no need for introductions, only the blue brand’s belt is raised, and we begin again!

Charlotte is still all smiles as the bell rings, and watches Becky shake off the damage form Lacey. Charlotte tackles Becky to a corner and rams her shoulder in again and again! And she grinds a boot into Becky’s face. Charlotte lets up but runs into a forearm! Becky back kicks and gets to a corner. Charlotte runs in but into a boot! And more boots! Becky hops up but Charlotte dodges! Charlotte kicks Becky while she’s down, then throws hands. She slaps Becky then kicks her at the ropes. Becky hits back and backs Charlotte down. Becky whips but Charlotte goes to the apron. Charlotte boots Becky down, then hurries up top. Becky intercepts with forearms! Becky throws Charlotte off the top and to the mat!

Fans cheer as Becky runs to Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Charlotte CHOPS Becky! And CHOPS, and CHOPS! The Flair Chops stagger Becky, but Becky dodges to enziguri! Charlotte shakes it off but Becky keeps moving, only for her shotgun to get caught! Charlotte gets a Boston Crab! Becky endures as Charlotte bends her backwards! Fans rally as Becky reaches and crawls. Becky manages the ropebreak, and Charlotte holds on until 4. Charlotte isn’t bothered at all, because she’s still in much better shape. She runs back in but into elbows. Becky and Charlotte brawl with big forearms back and forth. They go around and around but Becky gets an edge. So Charlotte kicks out the leg! Charlotte looms over Becky and SLAPS her. She runs, but Becky dodges to forearm her down!

Both women are down again, but then they brawl as they sit up. They brawl and trash talk as they stand up, too! Becky hits, Charlotte hits, repeat! Becky gets the edge again, and wants the arm! Charlotte whips Becky off to forearm her back down. Charlotte stomps Becky around then grinds her feet into Becky’s head. The ref counts and Charlotte lets off at 4. Charlotte pulls Becky back against ropes, but again stops at 4. Becky crawls on the apron but Charlotte joins her. Charlotte goes for Natural Selection but Becky holds on! Charlotte crashes and burns while Becky gets back in the ring.

Becky leaves Charlotte to the mercy of the ring count because of Champion’s Advantage. The count begins and reaches 5, but is that Lacey Evans?! A Woman’s Right sucker punch again! Charlotte grabs Becky but Becky cradle counters! TWO!? BOOT!! Cover, Charlotte wins!!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall; NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion

The Queen gets her throne back thanks to the Southern Belle! #CharlotteNineTimes is real, but will she hold onto that belt for long?

As for Becky, she goes after Lacey! Becky has another reason to hate the Lady of WWE, and beats her up against the barriers. But Charlotte goes after Becky to save the woman who helped her win. And they both get Becky in the ring to keep up the beating! Lacey holds Becky for Charlotte as Charlotte stomps away. Becky endures double boots to her body, but then Lacey pulls Becky back while Charlotte CHOPS away! “How does that feel now?!” Charlotte climbs up, but here comes Bayley! The Hugger evens things up and saves Becky! She knees Lacey then gives her a Bayley2Belly!

Charlotte attacks Bayley with a forearm! The Queen goes after Becky again, stomping away. She goes back for her SmackDown Women’s Championship, but then runs at Bayley! Bayley dodges and sends Charlotte into buckles! Fans are thunderous, because they want Bayley to cash in! Bayley thinks about it. Charlotte is down, and the briefcase is right there. Bayley grabs her briefcase, and brings it to the ref! Is it happening? IT IS!!

SmackDown Women’s Championship, MITB Cash-In: Charlotte Flair VS Bayley!

The bell rings, and Bayley drags Charlotte out to a drop zone! Bayley climbs up high, and drops the Macho Elbow!! Cover, Bayley wins!!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall; NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion

Ms. MITB 2019 is a success! Bayley goes from #JustBayley to the top woman on SmackDown! And she’s the first Women’s Triple Crown Champion in WWE history! And she celebrates with the WWE Universe! Raw title, Women’s Tag Title, SmackDown title, she’s had them all! Is this just the beginning for Bayley’s rise to the top?

 

Roman Reigns arrives!

But the Big Dog needs to look behind him, because here comes Elias! The Drifter SMASHES Roman with his guitar! Then strolls on past him and to gorilla position. Fans sing and cheer as Elias walks to the ring and has his team set up his stool. He has another guitar, and is properly introduced.

Elias plays an electric guitar for Hartford, and says that felt good. He normally does acoustic, but obviously his guitar just broke. Elias is not only the biggest acquisition in SmackDown history but in WWE history. Vince McMahon texted Elias and gave him credit that the future of the WWE is in good hands. Elias felt good reading that, and begs the question: “With all this success, why would you come to a morally substandard toilet bowl like Hartford?” Fans are a little divided on that one. With the Big Dog down, the Era of Elias can begin. He has a song just for that, titled Long Live Elias. So please, silence your phones, hold your applause and shut your mouths! Elias begins playing his guitar again, then sings.

“You people here are so boring. Your life would suck without me. I bring energy to the world, like Vince says. Elias is my name. Roman could’ve been me, but no one wants to hear him talk. Roman, shut your mouth, Elias just took you for a walk.” Elias went to North Carolina, a beautiful place. “Now I understand why the Whalers left this city, it’s because Hartford is a disgrace.” Fans boo harder as Elias again says Hartford is a disgrace. Elias finishes up, and thanks the fans. “I love none of you.” Elias goes up the ramp to do what everyone here wishes they could do: get the hell out of Hartford.

But Elias will leave them all a lasting image: his post. Elias raises his fist, but here comes Roman! SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman’s fist leaves Elias rolling down the ramp! But he’s not done, he puts Elias back in the ring hard. The bell rings and the match begins!

Roman Reigns VS Elias!

SPEAR!! Cover, Roman wins!

Winner: Roman Reign, by pinfall

Well that didn’t take long. Elias didn’t want to give an encore, and now he can’t. Is this going to prove to everyone, but mostly the McMahons, that the WWE is the Big Dog’s Yard?

 

WWE Universal Championship: Seth Rollins VS AJ Styles!

The Architect has gone from inaugural NXT Champion to a sell-out to a Kingslayer to the Beastslayer, but there was a time when even he was just starting out. It was during that time that he encountered the already incredible Phenomenal One. Styles saw promise in Rollins back then, and he was right. Styles himself would one day arrive in the WWE, take over and make SmackDown the House That AJ Styles Built! But now, he wants to build something even better by adding this title to his legacy. Who builds their legacy with the WWE Universal Championship?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this first-for-WWE match-up finally happens!

Rollins and Styles stare down as fans duel. They tie up and it’s fast and furious already as they push each other around. Styles gets Rollins in a corner but backs off at 4 with a shove. Rollins keeps his cool as he circles with Styles again. They tie up again as fans duel even harder. Rollins puts Styles in the corner, but then gives his own little shove. Styles keeps his cool now, and they go again. Another tie up and Styles waistlocks. Rollins standing switches but so does Styles. Rollins trips Styles but Styles headscissors him down. Fans cheer this exchange as Styles dares Rollins to bring it. The two circle again, and they tie up. Rollins gets the arm and wrenches. Styles powers out and arm-drags Rollins back. Fans cheer but still duel as Styles and Rollins go again.

Rollins headlocks but Styles fights with body shots. Styles powers out and hurdles but Rollins clotheslines Styles down! Rollins goes back to CHOP Styles to a corner. He whips Styles corner to corner hard, and Styles falls to the mat. Rollins snapmares and drops a knee on Styles, then covers, TWO! Styles sits up but Rollins just kicks him right in the back. Rollins drags Styles up for more CHOPS, but Styles CHOPS back! Styles kicks but Rollins punches and whips. Styles reverses but Rollins boots him. Rollins hops up but Styles gets under and dropkicks Rollins down! Fans continue to cheer and duel while Styles kicks Rollins while he’s down. Styles chops Rollins to a corner to then ram his shoulder in. He stops at 4 but then knees Rollins down.

Styles kicks Rollins hard in the chest, then lifts him for a quick backbreaker! Styles circles Rollins and brings him back up. Rollins CHOPS but Styles hits back. They brawl and Rollins whips. Rollins hip tosses and rains down rights! He whips but Styles reverses, only to run into a buckle shot! Styles is down on the apron while Rollins catches his breath. Rollins goes around to join Styles and brings him up. Rollins suplexes but Styles blocks. Styles kicks back then brings Rollins in, for a Clash!? Rollins kicks free and lands on his feet, only to get Styles’ sliding knee! Styles drags Rollins into the ring but Rollins hits him back. Rollins goes to suplex but Styles hotshots! Only for Rollins to DIVE onto him! They both crash into the announce desk!

The ring count begins while both champion and challenger are down. Rollins and Styles both head for the ring at 6, and get in at 7. Rollins clotheslines Styles back out and DIVES again! Another crash into the desk, but Rollins puts Styles in the ring fast! He throws forearms on Styles, then runs, but into a forearm from Styles! Styles runs but Rollins follows to Slingblade him down! Rollins runs at Styles in the corner for another forearm, then dumps him down. Rollins springboards, flying clothesline! Cover, TWO! Styles survives but Rollins keeps focus. Fans fire up as Rollins hobbles back to Styles. Rollins lifts but Styles resists, so Rollins kicks away on Styles’ face! Then he tries again, only for Styles to spin out. Styles swings but Rollins spins him, ripcord, but Styles blocks the Revolution Knee! Fireman’s carry, Ushigoroshi!

But Styles is too tired to cover! Fans duel again as both men slowly move. Styles gets to one corner and Rollins the other. Styles runs in for a big clothesline! He prepares but is denied the Clash with a back drop. Rollins sits on the sunset, TWO! Sunset, TWO! High stack, deadlift! Buckle Bomb! Styles flops down and Rollins climbs up, Frog Splash! Cover, TWO! Rollins is too tired to be frustrated. He just sits up while fans rally. Styles crawls but Rollins stalks him. Rollins throws big hands on Styles, then drags Styles up. He hoists Styles to the top rope, then throws more hands before climbing up to join him. Styles hits back and sends Rollins down.

Styles adjusts but Rollins is up fast, only for Styles to slip under and trip him up! German Suplex, but Styles holds on, for another lift. Rollins rolls through with a wheelbarrow, TWO! Roaring elbow blocked by a boot! Torture rack, spin-out, Tower Hacker Bomb! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and fans are loving it! Styles thinks on what he has to do to win, but fans know “This is Awesome!” He runs in but Rollins puts him on the apron. He forearms Rollins back and springboards, but Rollins trips him up! Styles is stuck up top, and Rollins hurries to sit him up. Rollins climbs up behind Styles, and drags him up in a dragon sleeper… INVERTED SUPERPLEX! Roll through, inverted Falcon’s Arrow! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and Rollins can’t believe it!

Now it’s Rollins who has to come up with something else to put Styles away. Fans rally up as Rollins stands. Rollins still has the tried and true, “Burn It Down!” He mule kicks then runs, but Styles dodges to roll Rollins to a Calf Crusher! Rollins endures but Styles cranks back hard! Rollins rolls it back and kicks Styles away! His leg is free but it is hurting! Styles crawls away but Rollins pursues. Styles hops up, moonsault DDT! Cover, TWO!! Rollins escapes with one good leg! Styles gets back up and waits for Rollins. Rollins stands and SUPERKICKS Styles down! Both men are down again, but fans rally and duel again. Styles and Rollins crawl for each other to start throwing hands! Rollins hits, Styles hits, repeat. Rollins CHOPS but Styles punches again.

Fans duel, Styles goes for the Phenomenal Blitz, but Rollins dodges to enziguri! And dodges the Pele! Mule kick! Curb Stomp countered! STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Rollins survives THE Styles Clash?! No one can believe it, but the fans are loving it! Styles grits his teeth as Rollins starts sitting up. Styles goes to the apron, takes aim and springboards. Phenomenal misses! Revolution Knee hits! And then, SUPERKICK! Styles is on his face, but Rollins gets back up! CURB STOMP!! Rollins put so much into that, he has to crawl to a cover! Rollins wins!!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall; still WWE Universal Champion

The workhorse of the WWE, the Architect, is #BetterThanPhenomenal! Styles leaves, but then comes back? Rollins expects a fight, but Styles doesn’t make a move. Rollins raises the belt up, but Styles offers a handshake. After thinking it over, Rollins accepts it. There is now respect between them, but will we get an epic rematch down the line?

 

Backstage interview with Xavier Woods and WWE Champion, Kofi Kingston!

How does Kofi Kingston respond to Kevin Owens constantly claiming he’s only WWE Champion thanks to the New Day? Kevin is always in the wrong saying that like it’s an insult. Kofi has done a lot of great things in the WWE even before the New Day, but does have to admit the New Day helped him reach the world championship. “It is what it is.”

But Woods won’t let Kofi sell himself short. Kofi had this in him the entire time, and that’s why he was able to make it to the spot he’s in now. And now, Kevin will learn why he never should’ve crossed the New Day. Kofi will have Kevin 1v1, and this isn’t about making a statement, this is about making a huge statement! And if anyone thinks they can make a way to the WWE Championship by going after Kofi’s brothers, they’ll see that it won’t ever work. And that is why Kofi is your W, W, E, World, Heavy, Weight, CHAMPION~! But will he still be champion after finally having it out with the Prizefighter?

 

Six Man Tag: Lucha House Party VS ???

Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik bring the fiesta to Hartford, complete with pinatas! And they love that MITB is once a year. It’s like Christmas but with gold. But every day for them is a Lucha House Party! However, the party is about to be over, because here comes Lars Sullivan!

The Leviathan heads down the ramp and targets the luchadors. Metailk leaps at him but is caught in a Freak Accident! Lince leaps but he gets long dart’d! Kalisto is all alone but not backing down! He brings the fight but Lars headbutts him down. Lars is bloody from his own headbutt, but he clubs away on Kailsto’s face! Lars hauls Kalisto up, for a Leviathan Bomb! The Mile High Monster just crashed the Lucha House Party, and only enjoys his own blood. Can any force in the WWE stop the Freak? Can anyone even survive?

 

WWE Championship: Kofi Kingston VS Kevin Owens!

Kofimania was a dream come true for so many, but none more than the man himself. However, KO took advantage of Kofi’s good mood and Big E’s absence to pull off a Big O betrayal! The Prizefighter doesn’t see Kofi as a worthy WWE champion, but will he be proven wrong tonight?

The introductions are made, Xavier Woods watches backstage, and the belt is raised as we begin this championship grudge match!

Kofi and Kevin brawl with the bell! Kevin knees and chops Kofi to a corner, then chops more. He clubs Kofi but Kofi hits back. Kevin whips Kofi to a corner but Kofi comes right out with a big clothesline! Kevin bails out but Kofi pursues. Kofi leaps off the steel steps for a big ax handle! Fans cheer Kofi as he puts Kevin back in. Kofi drags Kevin back up to headbutt him to a corner. Kofi stomps a mudhole in as fans rally behind him. Kevin bails out again but Kofi pursues. Kevin tackles Kofi into the apron, then whips, but Kofi reverses to send Kevin into barriers! Kofi drags Kevin up again to whip Kevin again. Kevin reverses now but Kofi uses that to climb and LEAP for bigger ax handles!

Kofi puts Kevin back in the ring and stalks him to a corner. He kicks Kevin while he’s down, and headbutts him to a corner. Kofi whips Kevin corner to corner but Kevin reverses. Kevin gets under as Kofi goes up and over, SUPERKICK! Kevin stomps Kofi out and shouts, “That’s why this is MY show!” Kofi crawls but Kevin stalks him to a corner. He whips Kofi hard against buckles then dares fans to say something. Fans boo and jeer but Kevin goes back to stomp Kofi more. Kofi shoves Kevin but Kevin whips him corner to corner again. Kofi flops down then Kevin drops a back senton! Cover, TWO! Kevin grows annoyed already but then taunts Kofi, “Where are your little buddies at?” He stalks Kofi and clubs him back down.

Kofi crawls to the apron but Kevin drags him back up. Kofi throws forearms on Kevin! Kevin knees back then throws Kofi into a post! Kofi hits hard and then hits a camera man! Kevin shows no mercy, with the apron frog splash! Kevin roars as a ring count begins. The ring count reaches 5 before Kevin puts Kofi in the ring. Cover, TWO! Kofi toughs it out but Kevin grows frustrated. Kevin kicks Kofi in the back while fans boo and jeer. Kevin CHOPS Kofi to a corner. He clubs Kofi on the back then drops a knee. Kevin soaks up the heat but Kofi throws body shots. Kofi haymakers but Kevin trips him up. Kevin tries to turn Kofi but Kofi resists, so Kevin catapults. Kofi lands on the ropes to kick back! Then turns, only to leap into a kick!

Kevin wants to lift but Kofi back drops Kevin into buckles! Both men are down with bad backs but fans rally up. Kofi crawls away while Kevin stands in a corner. Kofi runs in but gets a boot. Kevin runs out but Kofi dodges to double CHOP! Kofi dropkicks Kevin down, then runs for a leaping lariat! Fans fire up with Kofi as he hits the New Day Boom Drop! But Kevin makes it a roll up! And turns over to a Boston Crab! Kofi endures the pain in his back and drags himself over, ropebreak! Kevin lets go, but pursues Kofi on the apron. He drags Kofi up and wants a bomb, but Kofi holds on for dear life! Kofi shoulders and punches back, but so does Kevin. They brawl on the edge, Kevin kicks Kofi away. Kofi double stomps Kevin onto the apron!

Kevin slumps to the floor while Kofi drags himself back in. Kofi climbs while Kevin stands, and Kofi LEAPS, into a SUPERKICK! Kevin puts Kofi back in, covers, TWO!! Kofi still lives, but Kevin just stands him back up. “You should’ve stayed down!” Kevin SLAPS Kofi then whips, Pop-Up but Kofi escapes! Kofi wants the SOS but Kevin slips out. Kevin wants a stunner but Kofi slips out, SOS hits! Cover, TWO!! Kevin escapes and both men are down! Kofi is surprised, but he doesn’t stop. He gets to a corner and fans rally up behind him. Kevin stands but blocks Trouble in Paradise into another Boston Crab! Kofi endures all over again, crawls and reaches, and gets the ropebreak! Kevin lets go but he’s further frustrated.

Kevin tells the Kofimania fans to shut up, but that only makes them boo more. He goes to superkick but Kofi deflects and takes Kevin down! Kofi fires forearms over and over and over! He roars as he drags Kevin up, but Kevin snapmares. Kevin pops-up, POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kofi survives and Kevin can’t believe it! Kevin shouts at the fans again, then waits for Kofi to stand. Kofi does stand, and Kevin kicks, but no stunner! Trouble in Paradise! But Kevin falls out of the ring! Kofi doesn’t want to win by count-out, he drags Kevin back in. But Kevin’s dead weight so that takes some doing. Kevin revives, kicks, STUNNER!! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Kofi saves himself!

Kevin is beside himself as has to drag Kofi back and around. He ends up even dragging off Kofi’s shoes! He throws the shoes at fans! Kevin then climbs up, Swanton gets knees!! Kofi gets up and hits Trouble in Paradise! Cover, Kofi wins!!

Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall; still WWE World Championship

He did it! And without his shoes! Kofimania rolls on through MITB, truly championship material! And he celebrates with Xavier, too! With a dream this strong, will it ever come to an end?

 

WWE Super Showdown is coming!

WWE returns to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with HUGE matches! Goldberg VS Undertaker! Triple H VS Randy Orton! Andrade Almas challenges for the WWE Intercontinental Championship against THE DEMON Balor! For the first time in WWE history, a 50-Man Over-the-top-rope Battle Royal! As if that wasn’t big enough, the Monster Among Men takes on the Rocky Mountain Machine 1v1! Will the ring survive such epic action?

 

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match!

Sami Zayn beat Braun Strowman to take his spot in this match, but with some help from the Lone Wolf and Scottish Terminator. However, someone stuck Sami to a wall to take him out of this match! The Monster Among Men claims it wasn’t him, but who else could it have been? Plus, there’s still the issue of who takes his spot! The Lone Wolf- er, “Hartford’s Favorite Son”, Extraordinary Man, Scottish Terminator, King of Flight, Beacon of Light, El Idolo and The Viper all make their entrance, but is there no (new) eighth man?

The bell rings, and there doesn’t seem to be. Randy Orton bails out while Baron Corbin brawls with Mustafa Ali, Drew McIntyre goes after Ricochet, and Andrade Almas attacks Finn Balor! Almas looks to get his shots in on Finn now before WWE Super Showdown. McIntyre bumps and CHOPS Ricochet while Corbin stomps Ali. Almas CHOPS Finn but Finn hits back! Corbin knees Ali while McIntyre bumps Ricochet off buckles again. Finn baits Almas and dumps him out! McIntyre CHOPS Ricochet while Ali tumbles out of the ring. Orton attacks Ali by giving him a back suplex onto an announce desk! Corbin goes after Finn while Ricochet dumps McIntyre out. Ricochet baits Corbin in, and then both Ricochet and Finn clothesline Corbin out!

Ricochet and Finn stand alone, but decide to work together. Orton trips Finn but Ricochet still FLIES onto everyone else! Orton gives Finn a back suplex to the desk! The Viper sees Ricochet as he comes in, and dodges to back suplex him onto the desk! Orton has a hat trick and goes after a ladder. He puts that in the ring as Hartford cheers him on. Orton takes his time standing the ladder up, then takes his time climbing up. He approaches the top but Almas springboards and dropkicks the ladder down! Orton is up but gets the elbow! Corbin brings a new ladder in but so does McIntyre. Corbin hits Orton while McIntyer hits Almas. Then McIntyre hits Orton and Finn. McIntyre stands his ladder in a corner while Corbin rams Orton out of the ring.

Corbin puts his ladder in a corner and McIntyre moves the middle one out of the way. Ricochet returns to give McIntyre a Code Breaker! Ali gives Corbin a somersault facebuster! Ali DIVES at McIntyre! Almas attacks Ricochet, but Ricochet denies La Sombra to dump Almas out. Ricochet has a ladder, but Ali is there, too. They each climb but also pull each other off. Ricochet elbows Ali, but Ali goes up and over to climb again! Ricochet yanks him down but Ali yanks Ricochet down. Ali waistlocks and back suplexes, but Ricochet lands on his feet. Ricochet puts Ali on the apron then climbs! But Ali somersaults in to follow! They brawl up top but McIntyre and Corbin return to go after each of them. The bigger men clobber Ali and Ricochet, then move the ladder aside again.

Corbin and McIntyre work together to throw Ali onto a ladder! McIntyre gives Ricochet a belly2belly suplex on a ladder! McIntyre sees Orton return but gets a hotshot. Orton dumps Corbin out and kicks him, draping DDT! Orton hears the voices in his head as he stalks Corbin. Fans want to see it, but Corbin denies it! Claymore hits Orton! McIntyre sees Finn and has Corbin take him. Finn kicks Corbin away, then goes after McIntyre. Slingblade for Corbin, shotgun dropkick for McIntyre! McIntyre hits the ladder! Finn ducks Corbin to double stomp that ladder onto him! Fans fire up as Finn stands a ladder up. But then he throws it down on McIntyre to keep him away.

McIntyre writhes while Finn re-positions the other ladder. Finn climbs and reaches, but Almas attacks him with the other ladder! Almas pokes and jabs Finn off, then sets up a ladder bridge. Ricochet returns and boots Almas. Ricochet hops up but Almas knocks him down hard! Almas leaves Ricochet behind to climb. Finn follows from the other side, and they brawl back and forth. Finn rocks Almas and reaches, but Almas hits back. Almas reaches but Finn hits back. They brawl more, and Almas climbs up, to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB Finn onto the ladder bridge!! How did either man survive!? Fans lose their minds over it!

Ali returns and elbows Corbin away. Ali leaps for a tornado DDT! HE also kicks Orton away, and then McIntyre. Ricochet returns but misses, Ali reverse-ranas Ricochet down! Ali pushes the bridge ladder out, then adjusts the main ladder. Almas trips Ali up and Ali ends up stuck in a rung. He CHOPS Ali and Ali is in a Tree of Woe on that ladder. Almas fetches a new ladder and sets it up. He stomps and kicks Ali down, and then begins to climb. Ali sits up and grabs at Almas! Ali frees himself and brawls with Almas. They both reach the top and keep fighting. Ali bumps Almas on the rung, then brings him around for a SUPER SPANISH FLY! Fans lose their minds all over again!

McIntyre returns but brings out the tallest ladder yet. Ali anchors McIntyre’s feet but McIntyre stands him up and CHOPS him down. McIntyre makes sure Ali is down before he sets the tall ladder as a new bridge, between desk and ring. He drags Ali up and slaps him around before scooping him way up. Ali escapes and SUPERKICKS McIntyre away! Corbin returns to choke slam Ali through the Spanish announce desk! Corbin smirks as he leaves Ali for dead. He helps McIntyre up, only to throw him over into the crowd! Corbin goes to the ring and stops Finn’s climb. He tosses one ladder down, to choke slam Finn on it! Ricochet springboard missile dropkicks Corbin out! Then DIVES, into a DEEP SIX! But McIntyre returns for a revenge CLAYMORE!

All seven men are down for one reason or another. Finn drags himself to the ladder and climbs. McIntyre pursues and clubs him down. McIntyre folds up the main ladder to throw it at Finn! Then he suplexes Finn onto that same ladder! But it was double-edged! Finn looks broken, but McIntyre isn’t done! He grabs Almas, Inverted Alabama Slam onto Finn!! McIntyre breaks one man with another man, then stands the ladder up. Fans know “This is Awesome!” but it’s not over. Ricochet springboard clotheslines McIntyre down! Ricochet scrambles up the ladder, but McIntyre returns to pull him down. McIntyre tosses Ricochet onto the ladder bridge!! The ladder breaks apart!!

And now, McIntyre climbs back up. But Orton yanks him off, for an RKO! Corbin throws Orton into a post! And he climbs up! Corbin reaches the top, but Ali returns! Ali climbs over Corbin, but Corbin yanks him back down, only for Ali to huricanrana Corbin out! Ali scrambles back to the ladder and climbs! He reaches the top, touches the briefcase, but is that… BROCK LESNAR?! The Beast becomes the eighth man?! He bulldozes a ladder over and wipes out camera crews! Then he leaps into the ring, and tips Ali over! Fans are losing their minds all over again as Lesnar laughs. Lesnar stands a ladder up, climbs, and takes his time enjoying the moment. He takes the briefcase down, Brock Lesnar wins!?!?

Winner: Brock Lesnar; Mr. Money in the Bank 2019

Everyone in the WWE Universe is shocked. Is Brock Lesnar really the BEAST in the Bank?! Is he about to just snatch away the WWE Universal Championship, or even the WWE World Championship, without even trying?

 


 

My Thoughts:

Well that was certainly something. WWE struggled to give most fans a reason to look forward to MITB 2019, but 90% of this PPV gave us above and beyond expectations. First, the WWE Cruiserweight match wasn’t in the Kickoff! It was a main show match! And despite what some live fans might’ve thought, Nese VS Daivari was solid. It was on par if not better than what we get on 205 Live regularly, and as it should be. Nese wins, as I figured, to grow his reign. The Usos VS Bryan & Rowan was our kickoff match, and it was pretty great, also as expected, but I didn’t think the Usos would win. Now they might have another shot at those belts where they win, and that complicates things even with the Wild Card Rule being a thing.

The Women’s MITB opening the main show was a giveaway that the winner would cash in later in the night. Carmella did a good job selling her bad leg early, but kinda forgot during her heroic return. There were great callbacks to the previous Women’s MITB, too, like Dana climbing a vertical ladder and a non-participant trying to help their friend. But Fire & Desire fall short and it’s Bayley who wins, also as expected! And then she cashes in to win! It was a great string of action with Becky VS Lacey being better than most likely thought, but at least with the right result. Charlotte was a perfect Heel daring Becky to do the double header immediately, and even their match was pretty good. Sure, Charlotte wins, but that’s so in the moment we’re all angry, for Bayley to then be the hero again! #BayleyTripleCrown yay~!

Speaking of in the moment, Joe being screwed out because of bad officiating was another odd choice, but it does keep him strong and gives him a claim to a rematch while still letting Rey Mysterio finally have his WWE Grand Slam. I expect the next US Championship match to be No Disqualifications, which can allow Dominique to defend his father and get “roughed up” by Joe. Dominique’s been training to be a wrestler just like Mysterio, so it’d be a great thing for him and the fans to see him give it a go. And with the next regular PPV being Extreme Rules, it all works. Though, if this US title match was short just so Lars could destroy Lucha House Party for fun, that’s sad. Lars can do plenty of that on TV, no need for that on PPV.

I was rather surprised and a touch disappointed in the Shane stories. First, for a cage match, Shane VS Miz was pretty good. But instead of weasel Shane escaping by his shirt coming off, make the finish about the dirty official siding with him, to play up on a similar “man VS authority” a la… Daniel Bryan. Boom, Miz is truly full circle ending up like his arch-nemesis. As for the Roman and Elias segment, it was pretty good overall, but still could’ve been better. Elias still gets to play a song, and Roman wins like we knew he would, but I can’t be sure if this is better than Shane and his new crew trying to screw Roman out only for Roman to win anyway. I’m not sure how this story with them all ends, but I’d love if we got one more team-up of Miz and Roman.

The WWE Universal and WWE World Championship matches were both great. Rollins VS Styles, truly phenomenal. And it’s actually nice to see that Styles returns to being Face even after losing, because fans still like Styles too much right now for him to truly go Heel. Kofi VS Kevin was great, but thinking about those title matches Kofi had on TV being just to boost ratings, it kinda makes the “you’re not worthy!” angle Kevin uses meaningless, because Kofi already proved he could defend the belt. But either way, Kofi wins here to at least prove it to Kevin, and moves on.

The Men’s MITB match was epic right up until the end when it just got Vince’d. There was such great action, and then Vince just had to throw Brock Lesnar back into things. It was almost too fitting that it was Ali on the ladder when Lesnar came out to bury everyone. Ali was the most underdog of the seven known superstars, and had some of the strongest fan support in this match. Though, ignoring Lesnar, it would’ve been Corbin as the only disappointing choice from how the fans were reacting. But classic Vince, he can’t let go of big beefy Brock being in the world title scene, and now makes him even more dangerous because he can just cash-in on a tired Rollins. But because he’s Lesnar, he’ll probably wait until Summerslam.

My Score: 8.3/10


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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/18/24)

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
  • Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; The Awesome Truth wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; The New Day wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; Becky wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?

Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.

Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?

Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!

But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!

Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!

Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?

Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!

Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!

Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!

Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.

Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!

Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!

Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!

The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.

The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.

Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?

 

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?

The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!

Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”

Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!

Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?

The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”

Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.

But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!

How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”

Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.

By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.

Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.

Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.

Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?

 

Nia Jax speaks.

“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?

Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!

The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.

Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!

Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.

Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

Raw returns with the GM by a table, and he welcomes us to a contract signing to make official the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for WrestleMania! The fans cheer, and Pearce introduces first, the challenger, Sami Zayn! The Great Liberator makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song. Sami still looks troubled by what Gable said just moments ago, but he still high-fives fans and gets in the ring. Then Pearce introduces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The fans boo as Gunther walks in, having reached Day 647!

Gunther smiles as Sami watches him make his way down the ramp and into the ring. Pearce says we know how this works, but Gunther says before we proceed, let us call this what it is: the most important contract signing for the most important match in the history of this championship. And why, why, why is the challenger dressed no better than any of the bums in the audience? Fans boo but Sami just shrugs that off. Sami gets a mic to say that Gunther keeps sitting there all smug, and it’s really starting to piss Sami off. Gunther thinks this is just another day at the office, that he’ll steamroll through Sami like any other contender.

But with all respect to Gunther, he really has. He has beaten everyone that has come his way, and has done it on his own. Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can do it. A lot of people didn’t believe Sami at many points in his career. They didn’t believe he’d even make it to WWE, let alone win championships and main event a WrestleMania. And if you ask The Usos, they didn’t believe Sami would be one of the guys to end the longest tag title reign in WWE history, but he did! And one year later, he will make history again by ending the longest Intercontinental title reign in WWE history! Sami signs his part and pushes the contract over to Gunther.

The fans cheer Sami on but Gunther waits it out. Gunther tells Sami, what Sami should do is listen to his new friend, Gable. Gable doesn’t believe Sami can win. The people here cheer Sami, they probably even love Sami. But even they don’t believe Sami can win. And y’know, when Gunther looks Sami in the eyes, and if Sami was honest with himself, even Sami doesn’t believe he can win. So what Sami is doing right now is standing on Gunther’s doorstep and begging him to get the beating of a lifetime on the Grandest Stage of Them All! So whatever Sami has to do, from training to believing, just keep doing that. Because at WrestleMania, Sami’s dreams will meet reality.

Gunther grins and signs his part, and it is now official! Gunther then stands, title on his shoulder, and takes his leave. The fans boo, but then Sami tells Gunther to wait. Gunther steps back inside to hear Sami as Sami turns around. Gunther looks in Sami’s eyes and believes Sami doesn’t believe? Sami stands to get in Gunther’s face and dares him to look again. Get a good long look, because these are the eyes of the man who will take you down at Mania! The fans fire up, and now Sami leaves first. Gunther still just grins, but will Sami use a Helluva Kick to wipe that smile off his face?

We follow Sami as he storms backstage, right past DIY and The Awesome Truth. Truth asks what’s up with Sami, but The Miz says that is the mindset of WrestleMania right there. That’s what they need. DIY wishes Awesome Truth luck. Awesome Truth knows DIY is into the ladder match, and they are gonna have their own qualifier. Miz & Truth just need to beat… Indus Sher. Jinder Mahal tells Veer & Sanga to warm up for the match. They head out, and Truth says he feels sorry for whoever has to face those guys. Miz stares at Truth, and he has DIY hold off. Miz will explain. The Awesome Truth heads to gorilla, their match is next!

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!

Miz wants a remix of the theme song but Truth says to just follow his lead. NC State knows what’s up, but will the Awesome Truth finally reach the top of the tag division 13 years after they first teamed? We’ll see, after the break!

Raw returns as Indus Sher makes their entrance, the Modern Day Maharaja by their side. The teams sort out and Truth starts against Sanga. The fans echo “WHAT’S UP?!” but Sanga roars! Truth is scared now so he tags Miz. Truth fires Miz up, Miz runs up and dodges Sanga to fire off haymakers! Miz kicks, whips, but Sanga blocks! Sanga whips and CLOBBERS Miz! Jinder nods as Sanga then scoops Miz and brings him over. Veer tags in, Sanga SLAMS Miz, then Veer ELBOW DROPS! Indus Sher say “NAMASTE!” but the fans say “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth. Veer HIP DROPS Miz, then looms over him.

Veer eggs Miz on, drags him up with shoulder claws, and then steps over Miz for the neck wrench! Miz endures as Veer still digs a claw into his shoulder. The fans rally for Miz, Miz fights up and throws body shots! Miz reaches out but Veer knees low! Veer SHOVES Miz to the corner, runs in, but Miz BOOTS! Miz ELBOWS Sanga, but Veer catches him! Veer puts Miz back int he corner, but Miz ducks the boot to tag Truth! Truth dodges Veer and starts up the shoulder tackles! Truth gets around Veer to SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth shouts out Cena with “You Can’t See Me!” Truth runs to Five Knuckle Shuffle!

Jinder is not happy now as Truth fireman’s carries! But Veer slips free! Truth drop toeholds to the STF!! The fans fire up but Sanga stomps Truth! Miz fires off kicks on Sanga, then body shots! Truth joins in, they mug and whip Sanga, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Sanga staggers around, Veer runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth and Miz combine for a SKULL CRUSHING LIE DETECTOR!! But Sanga whips Miz away! Miz WRECKS Jinder with it, but Sanga runs up! Sanga knocks Miz down, Miz anchors Sanga, Sanga ELBOWS Truth, Truth falls onto Veer for the cover! Awesome Truth wins!!

Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The fans fire up, and Truth doesn’t even realize what happened! Miz celebrates with Truth and Truth puts it together! They’re now one of the six in the ladder match! Will this combination of teamwork and luck be just what they need to take those titles from Judgment Day?

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

Sami tells Gable to tell him why. Why what? Why does Gable think Sami can’t beat Gunther? Well you just saw why! With Gunther, it isn’t just physical, it is mental. Sami made his career out of being the underdog that crawls his way out of any hole he’s in, right? Just like last week! Sami found the window of opportunity to get out of a bad situation any time he can. Gunther’s on a different level! You gonna sit and wait for that window to appear? It doesn’t happen with Gunther! He’s a different beast, a different animal. If Sami doesn’t change his mentality, then he can’t beat Gunther. Gable leaves Sami with a lot to think again. Is there a way Sami can change enough to defeat Der Ring General?

 

CM Punk speaks.

“Do I plan at being in WrestleMania? WrestleMania is in Philadelphia, what’re the first four letters in Philadelphia? Phil. You can’t have WrestleMania Philadelphia without Phil. Whether I’m invited or uninvited, Punk will be there.” And next week in Chicago, Punk returns to Raw! Will the Second City Saint find a way to be part of the biggest WrestleMania ever?

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Terminator, or as his new shirt says, “The Savior of WrestleMania,” makes his way to the ring, NC State a bit torn about seeing him. But then Seth Rollins is here, too!? McIntyre is upset but the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out. Rollins swaggers right past McIntyre in his green storm pattern suit, and steps into the ring first. McIntyre frowns as he follows Rollins in, and sits in a corner. The fans continue to sing, which Rollins revels in for a moment. Rollins has the mic to then say, “RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!

“And Drew, hah, sorry, I didn’t even see you there. I was too busy, uh, y’know, soaking up the spotlight, right?” McIntyre has a mic to say, “Alright, here we go.” Here goes what, Drew? McIntyre says no, no, get it all out of your system, he knows Rollins has more! McIntyre can stay in the back while Rollins enjoys the spotlight, because after WrestleMania, that spotlight’s all McIntyre’s. Hey, hey, c’mon. Rollins is here with an honest cause. Rollins doesn’t like McIntyre, he thinks he’s stupid, a hypocrite, has said a lot of dumb things lately, but Rollins is here to admit that one thing McIntyre said is absolutely right and he wants to say it to McIntyre’s face, right here in Raleigh, in front of the fine people.

Now, they always say the first step to recovery is the hardest, so bare with Rollins. He has been working on this all week, but… “My name is Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and I’m a spotlight junkie.” The fans chant “Spotlight Junkie!” and also sing, but McIntyre says everything is just a joke to Rollins, isn’t it? Look at Rollins! He’s a parody of himself at this point. But honestly, McIntyre doesn’t care. He tried reasoning, he gave the answers, and now he only cares about their match and the world title. And you wanna know the real punchline, funny man? “What?” McIntyre says they say that because they’re happy McIntyre sidelined Punk, thanks for remembering!

But the punchline is when McIntyre beats Rollins for that title. The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” but McIntyre says don’t be ridiculous. Punk’s waiting until next week to return because he’d never show up in a place like Raleigh. The fans boo but McIntyre says see, they’re booing Punk! Punk is only getting off his couch to be at his local arena. Rollins tells McIntyre to shut up already. Oh, seems McIntyre got Rollins’ attention. Rollins takes off the sunglasses to say yeah, McIntyre has his attention. Because this isn’t a joke! When Rollins says he is a junkie, it isn’t a joke! He’s been doing this for 20 YEARS! Just like McIntyre!

And every time Rollins comes out of the curtain, that’s his fix. And it gets better and better every single time. Rollins comes out here, lays it all on the line, and it just gets better and better! When he hears the fans sing the song so loud, Rollins can barely speak, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” That’s Rollins’ fix! That is the spotlight he craves, and y’know what? Rollins wants the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be. So yeah, McIntyre’s been busy online entertaining people with memes, so he hasn’t been listening to Rollins. So Rollins will get this through McIntyre’s thick skull: Night One, Rollins takes the biggest star in Hollywood and his side chick, and makes them his b*tches!

Then on Night Two, the biggest spotlight possible will be shined down on McIntyre and Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship! McIntyre says all hail the savior, Seth Rollins! This is what McIntyre wanted! The passion and desire, not the stupid laughing and dancing. Rollins had McIntyre all the way to the finish. Rollins has done this 20 years, just like McIntyre. They’ve given their lives to this industry, and that is what the title is about! The wrestlers’ title, the workhorse championship! Rollins had McIntyre with him until he mentioned the bigger spotlight and how Rollins pins one of the biggest stars in the world.

Why can’t it just be about Rollins’ hard work to make that title, and all of McIntyre’s hard work to get this chance? Why can’t that be the reason they’re getting the biggest spotlight!? Rollins has had his priorities all backwards, McIntyre has been giving him all the answers. McIntyre said he is over the BS, and all he cares about is Rollins making it to the ring on Night Two. And if Rollins can’t walk, then McIntyre will wheel him down. If not, McIntyre will carry Rollins down. At Mania, McIntyre doesn’t get the moment he deserves. He gets the moment he has bloody EARNED. The fans do cheer that!

Rollins smirks and says, “Ah, Drew. There it is. That’s right, you wanna call me a spotlight junkie, but you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don’t you? You’re an addict, just like I am. And you’ve been begging for spotlight for the past four years, because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020, in an empty warehouse. And all we’ve been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years was how that wasn’t good enough. You’ve been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning that you deserve better, that you deserve more. The problem is, Drew, when everybody came back around, and the lights got bright again, what happened? You fumbled the ball.

“And that’s the difference between you and me. When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby. I shine bright. And at WrestleMania 40, the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been. And you are gonna find out you are not as good as you think you are.” Rollins drops the mic, but this time McIntyre smirks. The verbal battle continues, but who will put their money where their mouth is once this one finally happens?

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

“I’m a wanted woman, and I don’t even have the title. Yet. But we’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania, so why would I risk it all? Because I don’t know anything else. All I know is taking risks. All I know is fighting. And all I know is tonight, I’m gonna be the Last Woman Standing.” Becky is fired up to finally do what she hasn’t done in the most extreme way possible. Will she be the immovable object to Nia’s irresistible force?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy!

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have been W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, but they’ve never been a part of a title match as big as this Six Pack Ladder challenge! Will they look to be part of history once again? Or will Akira Tozawa & Otis say “A THANK YEW~!” for this golden opportunity?

Raw returns as the Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Woods starts against the tree trunk, Otis. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Otis and Woods tie up, but Woods kicks low then headlocks. Otis powers up and out then runs Woods over! Otis storms up on Woods, GUT RAMS him back down, then brings him back up. Otis GUT RAMS Woods again, then runs to CLOBBER Woods! Otis swivels his hips, the fans echo “Oh~ yeah!” Otis tags Tozawa and the Academy mugs Woods. Tozawa brings Woods around but Woods CHOPS! Woods tags Kofi, he and Kofi double whip Tozawa but Tozawa holds ropes!

Tozawa fires hands, dodges Woods then BOOTS Woods down! Kofi kicks low, whips Tozawa to a corner, but Tozawa BOOTS Kofi away! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa sees New Day regroup outside. Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit on both New Day, and Otis joins in for “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy stands tall as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Tozawa fights a chinlock. Tozawa reaches for Otis but Woods back suplexes. Tozawa lands out to then DROPKICK Woods down! The fans rally as Woods and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Kofi! Otis CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Woods runs in, Otis dodges, to LARIAT! Otis sees Kofi leap off the corner, and catches him for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis rips the shirt off, winds up the hips, and then starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Otis hurries to step on him! Tag to Tozawa, and Otis goes up!

Otis VADER BOMBS but FLOPS as Kofi moves! Tozawa hurries up top while Kofi SUPERKICKS Otis! Kofi turns around into the CROSSBODY from Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Tozawa SUPERKICKS Kofi but Woods tags in! Woods GAMANGIRIS Tozawa, then steps in to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tozawa toughs it out but Woods grits his teeth as he goes to the corner. Woods climbs, but Tozawa rises! Tozawa throws body shots, Woods CLUBS Tozawa! Tozawa throws more hands and climbs up! The fans rally as they brawl up top! Tozawa brings Woods up but Woods fights the lift! Woods throws body shots in return!

Woods shifts position to get under Tozawa for a fireman’s carry! But then Tozawa pops up to SUPER STEINER!! Tozawa rips off his shirt, climbs back up top, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Kofi breaks it! The fans fire up but Otis drags Kofi out! Otis whips Kofi at steps, Kofi goes up and jumps off the steps to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Kofi hurries back up to the apron but Tozawa SCREW HIGH KICKS him down! Tozawa dodges Woods, pop-up, but Woods blocks the rana to then SPINNING POWERBOMB! Woods sees the WrestleMania sign, hurries up the corner, and he tightrope walks! LIMIT BREAK ELBOW!! Cover, New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The New Day are the ones saying A THANK YEW~ as they put their names down for the Six Pack Ladder Match! Will they once again climb to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division and bring home those championships?

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

Becky asks if she’ll have to watch out for Liv as well. Well, you should always #WatchMe, but no, not tonight. Nia is all Becky’s. Liv just wants Becky to kick Nia’s ass. Liv leaves, will Becky kick ass and then some?

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

Rollins finds him and brings up Friday. One on one? One on one. Rollins nods and says he loves Pharaoh’s bandanna. The Visionary trusts the American Nightmare can handle himself, but will we be able to trust The Tribal Chief?

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

From the origins of “The Man” in WWE to the aftermath of Elimination Chamber: Perth, these two have battled, but never as brutally as this! They’re able to go anywhere and do anything, but who will be the Last Woman Standing this close to WrestleMania 40?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky DROPKICKS Nia and Nia goes to a corner. Becky runs in but Nia puts Becky on the apron. Becky ROCKS Nia, goes up a corner, then leaps to MISSILE DROPKCIK! Nia stumbles and tumbles out of the ring, so Becky WRECKS her with another dropkick! Becky then goes to the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! Nia stays up, Becky tries again, but Nia dodges! Fireman’s carry and Nia POSTS Becky, to then SAMOAN DROP her into barriers! The ref counts as Becky is down, but she stands at 4 of 10. Nia CLOBBERS Becky and wants the count! The count climbs but Nia is impatient.

Nia clears off the desk, Becky stands at 5 of 10, and she leans against barriers. Becky comes back with body shots and haymakers, but Nia ROCKS her with a forearm! Becky staggers away as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Becky is bringing out a table! The fans fire up as Becky sets that up ringside. There’s been a lot of chaos during the break according to commentary, from chairs to kendo sticks to even a copy of Becky’s book, The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl! But Nia storms over to stop Becky and SMACK her off the desk! Nia puts Becky in the ring, takes that table for her own and sets it up. The table doesn’t cooperate and fans boo, but Nia goes for chairs instead. She slides those in the ring, Becky manages to stand at 7 of 10, and she grabs at those chairs. Nia ditches the table, it just doesn’t wanna work.

Nia storms in but Becky JAMS her with a chair, SMACKS her with it, then clinches! Nia fights the slam, fireman’s carries Becky, and FULL METAL SAMOAN DROPS!! Becky writhes from hitting chairs but Nia looms over her. Nia soaks up the heat as she counts along. Becky flounders to ropes and drags herself up at 7! Nia sits a chair up, fans want a table, but Nia scoops Becky. Becky slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles again and again until Becky lets go. But then Becky BULLDOGS Nia off the chair! Nia is down for the count now, and Becky leans against ropes to stay up herself.

Nia stirs at 5, stands at 8, but Becky is up top! Becky leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Nia SMACKS Becky again and again and again! The fans boo but Nia finally stops. Nia puts that chair aside and goes out to get some kendo sticks! Nia puts those in, but Becky grabs one! Nia snatches it from her to SMACK! And SMACK! And SMACK! Becky sputters and staggers, Nia clinches and scoops! Nia SLAMS Becky onto chairs! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Nia wants the count and the count begins! Becky sputters as we reach 5 of 10. Becky grabs that kendo stick but Nia SMACKS Becky with a chair! And again!

Nia kicks Becky around, then uses the chair to take a seat on Becky’s body!! The fans boo as the count begins, but Becky SMACKS Nia with the kendo stick! And again and again and again, even in the butt! Nia stands up, into more shots! Becky stands and she fires away until Nia scurries out of the ring! Becky pursues but Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia pulls the steel steps apart now, and takes that top half to RAM Becky down! Becky flounders, Nia hauls her up and puts her in the ring. Becky’s on the apron and Nia takes aim! Nia runs up, APRN LEG DROP only gets apron! Becky avoids disaster, then has Nia by the steps! DDT onto the steel!

Nia is down again and the count begins. Nia stirs at 5 of 10, sits up at 6, but Becky SMACKS her off steps! Nia falls over again and the count resets. Becky hurries to go looking for things while Nia rises again. Becky has a new table! The fans fire up as Becky gets that in the ring. Nia stands at 7, staggers after Becky, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns once again and Nia mugs Becky against barriers! Nia puts Becky on a table, and surprise! There’s a ladder set up now! Nia climbs the ladder?! She also demands Pat support the ladder. But Becky gets off the table so now Nia has no reason to be up there. Nia storms after Becky, but gets a FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLAST!! The fans fire up as Becky cools Nia off, then JAMS her with the canister! Becky puts Nia in the ring, and there’s a table waiting in a corner! Becky lines up the shot, and runs in, but Nia SAMOAN DROPS Becky through the table!!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins!

Nia flounders away from the wreckage but she still needs to stand. Nia is up at 5, and she isn’t satisfied with this! She drags Becky all the way to another corner and puts her in the drop zone! Nia climbs up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia shouts for the count, the count begins, and Nia storms around as she points to the Mania sign. Becky is still down at 5 of 10, only starts stirring at 7, and she slumps out of the ring to stand up! Nia is furious, goes out after Becky, and kicks things aside to keep after her. Nia asks if Becky’s vision is blurry. Nia fireman’s carries Becky up the steel steps and along the apron, aiming for that other table!

The fans freak out but Becky fights with elbows! Becky CLUBS away on Nia and the fans are thunderous! Becky then clinches, for a MANHANDLE SLAM through the table!!! Both women are down int he wreckage again, and the count begins! Becky sits up at 4 while fans are still losing their minds! We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Nia sits up at 8 and stands at 9! But then she slumps back over! The count starts again, Nia flounders around and stands at 5. Becky goes up the ladder! Becky sees Nia approaching the desk, and then SUPER MAN’S LEG DROP through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds again while both men are down in more wreckage!

The count is 5 of 10! Becky flounders and crawls, drags herself up at 9, but Nia is still down! BECKY WINS!!

Winner: Becky Lynch

The Man conquers truly one of the most intense challenges in her career! But then here comes one of the most intense champions! The fans fire up as Rhea Ripley makes her way out, Women’s World Championship in hand. She goes right to the ring and looks at Becky. Rhea “congratulates” Becky for winning, but then Becky gets in Rhea’s face! The fans fire up, and now there are no obstacles in the way of Mami VS The Man! Who will be the champion after WrestleMania 40?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw right here, though the in-ring action kinda dipped down until that awesome Last Woman Standing main event. This is one of the times I wish they’d done picture in picture so we as the TV audience could see even more action. Great win for Becky, of course, but I also like that Becky had a moment with Liv just before, and of course she had a moment with Rhea to close out the night. Great promos with Sami and Gable that also blended into the contract signing from tonight. And I suppose Gable has a point that Sami, the comeback kid, can’t do that when Gunther has an arsenal of moves that would be “finishers” given all the different ways Gunther has won over the years.

And speaking of that contract signing segment, I really liked the segue they did in following Sami so that he’d cross paths with Awesome Truth at gorilla and we’d get their segment going into their match. WWE has been doing some really creative stuff in this newest era where Vince is truly out and apparently even Kevin Dunn has moved on. Awesome Truth had a really fun but also really quick tag match with Indus Sher, and then New Day VS Alpha Academy was solid stuff, but DIY VS Creeds was such an awesome match. For a moment, I thought Creeds were gonna take this one but DIY still found a way, and I like that DIY is in. Honestly, I’m liking that the HHH favorites are getting in, because we also have New Catch Republic on the other side that can still win into the match.

Judgment Day had good stuff tonight, too. Good group promo with Andrade to tease El Idolo possibly joining, but who knows if he does. Depends on how things go for Priest. He was watching the qualifiers, he’s not worried, but maybe he should be. Granted, he still has the MITB briefcase, he could go from losing the tag titles to taking the world title, who knows how the Judgment Day’s story is going to go as we move past Mania. Dom VS Ricochet was a really good match, and Ricochet winning was the right move to keep this feud going. I think there’s going to be Ricochet VS McDonagh next week as a rematch from the gauntlet, that’ll be great stuff, too.

Candice’s Heel turn slow burn continues as she takes advantage of the “hurt” leg. Indi also does a good job of being very conflicted about this. There’s a WWE YouTube exclusive where Ivy Nile confronts Candice so that’ll be a match, and then maybe when Candice again goes too far, Indi steps in and we get a match of Candice VS Indi at some point. Good little update promo from CM Punk, he’ll have a great homecoming moment in Chicago, but also probably McIntyre coming after him. McIntyre had a great promo segment with Rollins, and with all these continued moments where the other person gets the mic drop moment, it feels like McIntyre has to win the title.

And of course, great stuff with the Bloodline story even on Raw. Jey and Jimmy have great promos in their confrontation, and of course it turns into a brawl. Good segue from that to Heyman being here, and Heyman confronting Cody during Cody’s great promo segment. Cody really went off on The Rock, that was some wild stuff. But the supposed promise of “one on one and no one else aside from Heyman” might be kept, and we get a strong promo segment on SmackDown in a foreshadowing of the fair-and-square 1v1 match. Or it is a trap and that’s more a foreshadowing of Bloodline Rules where they can do whatever they want. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/24)

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
  • Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
  • Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
  • Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?

Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!

The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?

No Contest

What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.

The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.

Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!

Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.

The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!

All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!

Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!

Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!

The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!

Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!

Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?

The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.

They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.

Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!

The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.

Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!

Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!

But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.

The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!

Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!

Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?

As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!

The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?


My Thoughts:

A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.

Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.

My Score: 8.9/10


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