Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/27/20)
Time to sign on the dotted line!
Raw makes the WWE World Championship match official!
Seth Rollins says he needs the WWE World Championship back, but he first needs to sign the contract! Will this face-to-face with Drew McIntyre stay civil?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio & Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas, Angel Garza & Austin Theory w/ Zelina Vega; Aleister, Mysterio & Crews win.
- Triple Threat: Asuka VS Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler; No Contest.
- Bobby Lashley VS Denzel Dejournette; Lashley wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Ruby Riott; Morgan wins.
- Jinder Mahal VS Akira Tozawa; Mahal wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews; Almas wins by referee stoppage, and retains the WWE United States Championship.
- Ricochet & Cedric Alexander VS Ever-Rise; Ricochet & Alexander win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Samoa Joe rejoins Raw Commentary!
“The Rawest Man in the Room” is glad to be back, and he gives Jerry “The King” Lawler a much needed vacation.
Raw presents the VIP Lounge!
MVP welcomes us to the show, and “the only nightclub in America still open,” his VIP Lounge. He has three WWE superstars as guests that will be competing in the most unique Money in the Bank Match in history! Because all six men and all six women will start at the WWE corporate headquarters’ ground floor, and fight their way to the roof to obtain the MITB contracts. A dozen athletes will lay it all on the line for a prize worth the risk. But to those guests, the legendary luchador, Rey Mysterio! The King of Lucha wants to finally be on the other side of the cash-in and MVP says it’s great to have Rey back in the lounge. Then the next guest, the enigmatic and dark Aleister Black! This will be the first time the Embodiment of the End has competed in any MITB, and how fitting that such a unique superstar is in this unique situation.
Aleister joins MVP and Mysterio in the ring. MVP feels Aleister isn’t the kind to frequent clubs, so just don’t break anything. Lastly, MVP says this man is his pick. It’s Apollo Crews! Crews did beat MVP for his spot, so perhaps MVP’s endorsement is from Crews also having won his respect. And now that everyone is here, what would it mean to become Mr. MITB? Mysterio wants to speak but MVP knows what he’ll say. This will cement Mysterio’s legacy and add to his already historic career. Now, for Aleister, that would catapult him to an even higher stratosphere. And for “Mr. Crews,” as much as MVP doesn’t want to admit it, he lost. What does it mean to Crews becoming Mr. MITB? Or more importantly, does he have what it takes to do it? Crews says that this year’s match-
Wait, Zelina Vega, Andrade Almas, Austin Theory and Angel Garza interrupt! Vega says that no one wants to hear Crews’ opinion. But do they know what the WWE Universe can’t get enough of? Not those three in the ring. They’re no fun. The Universe can’t get enough of the United States Champion, ANDRADE~! Not to mention the Lethal Lothario, Angel Garza, and the fastest rising star, Austin Theory! These three are the future of Raw. At one point or another, so was Mysterio, Aleister and Crews. But they don’t measure up to Vega’s trio. The future Mysterio, Aleister and Crews represent is “a bleak one.” One where the MITB contract resides somewhere other than Raw. Oh, let’s get these velvet ropes out of the way, shall we? Vega and her boys get in the ring. The future doesn’t have to be bleak. They just have to do what’s right. They just have to do what’s best for Raw. And that is to allow Vega’s three to take their place.
MVP says La Muneca has spoken. And this sounds like a challenge. Mysterio takes the mic to counter Vega. She thought they’d just go and give up their spots? Tu loca. She came out here to pick ,a fight, with them. And the brawl is on! Aleister throws out Theory, Crews stomps Garza and Mysterio runs Almas off! The MITB entrants are standing tall, but is the fighting far from over?
Six Man Tag: Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio & Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas, Angel Garza & Austin Theory w/ Zelina Vega!
It’s not! The trios go against each other with honor on the line! Will the MITB entrants maintain momentum? Or does La Muneca’s three amigos prove her point?
Garza and Aleister start the match, but Garza takes his time taking off his jacket. Garza offers a handshake but Aleister knows better. He uses it to reel Garza in! He gets Garza down and digs a knee into Garza’s knee. Garza gets a ropebreak and Aleister lets off fast to reset. They tie up, Garza wrenches to a hammerlock but Aleister moves around to drop down. Aleister gets another trip and a toehold. Garza endures as Aleister cranks the leg. Garza kicks with his free leg but Aleister just floats to a facelock. But Garza gets out for another hammerlock, only for Aleister to trip him. Aleister keeps on the leg but Garza drags Aleister down for an armbar. Aleister fights up, floats to a waistlock, but Garza picks the leg. Garza kicks away on the leg and then rains down hands! Aleister gets a leg guard and BOOTS Garza in the head! The two reset again, but Aleister hip tosses Garza down!
Aleister drags Garza into a hammerlock of his own, but Garza endures. Vega coaches him up and he fights to his feet. Garza throws body shots and throws Aleister by his hair! Cover, ONE, but Garza is still on Aleister. He whips but Aleister reverses to sweep the legs! La Magistrol, TWO! Aleister arm-drags Garza and has the armlock. Garza endures but Crews tags in. Crews takes the hand off but Garza fires off hands! Tag to Theory but Theory gets run over! Crews brings Theory up to a stalling suplex! And he holds Theory for a count of ten before slamming him down! Cover, ONE, but Crews keeps on Theory’s arm. Theory fights his way up and puts Crews in a corner. Theory stomps low then whips corner to corner. Crews goes up and over and handsprings to dropkick! And arm-drag! And again! Crews has the arm again and Theory flails!
Theory gets up again but Mysterio tags in. Mysterio kicks Theory then rams him into a corner. The ref counts but Mysterio lets off. Mysterio whips but Theory reverses, only for Mysterio to headscissor him into buckles! Cover, TWO! Mysterio drags Theory up and wrenches, but Theory knees low. Tag to Garza and they double whip. Mysterio ducks and wheelbarrows, to throw both Theory and Garza Dial it up but Almas intercepts! Almas eggs Crews and Aleister on but Mysterio pops up to huricanrana! Now Almas i son the ropes, dial it up, but Garza saves Almas. But Mysterio helps Crews and Aleister FLY! They wipe out Vega’s men and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and the ref backs Almas off of Aleister. Almas comes back for more as he mugs Aleister in the corner. Tag to Theory and the mugging continues. Theory snapmares to a chinlock and he thrashes Aleister around. Aleister endures and fights his way up. Theory pulls hair but Aleister has a leg. Theory clubs Aleister down then puts on another chinlock. Aleister fights but Theory throws knees and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO, but the chinlock is back. Aleister resists but Theory turns him over for a double knee cover. TWO and Theory KICKS Aleister in the back. Theory digs a knee in Aleister’s back for the chinlock clutch. Aleister fights his way up and pries at the hold, but Theory throws forearms into his back. Theory torture racks and throws Aleister into buckles! Almas talks trash while Theory back suplexes Aleister down. Cover, TWO!
Theory drags Aleister over and tags in Garza. The mugging returns, and Garza KNEES Aleister hard! Tag to ALmas for the cover, TWO! Almas drags Aleister back and Theory tags in. They mug Aleister more but Aleister kicks back! Theory staggers but comes back to facelock Aleister. He grinds Aleister down but Aleister fights up. Aleister powers his way towards his corner but Theory trips him up. The two scrap on the mat and Theory gets the toehold! Aleister chinlocks but Theory cranks and stomps the leg! Theory stomps Aleister down then throws more forearms into the back. Theory torture rack lifts, and throws Aleister into buckles again. But Aleister catches himself ot elbow and BOOT Theory away! Wheelbarrow takedown, TWO! Theory keeps Aleister from the corner but Aleister boots him away. Theory comes back to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Hot tags to Almas and Mysterio!
Mysterio dodges and rallies on Almas! Almas reverses the whip but gets a headscissors! Mysterio runs but is put on the apron. Mysterio shoulders back in then springboards for the seated senton! Things keep moving, but Almas sunset flips. Mysterio rolls through to BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! El Idolo still lives but Mysterio runs to wheelbarrow. But Almas makes it a facebuster! Tag to Garza and they double whip now. Mysterio pops up to huricanrana Almas out! Then he springboard crossbodies Garza! Cover, TWO! Mysterio kicks then runs but into a pop-up kick! Off come the pants! Garza slides Mysterio out and he hits the floor hard! Now Vega’s trio has control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Garza taunts Crews while holding Mysterio in the cobra twist. But Mysterio fights against the hold, only for Garza to push him down and sucker punch Crews! Tag to Theory and the mugging continues on Mysterio. Theory trophy lifts Mysterio and throws him down! Theory standing moonsaults and covers, TWO! Vega is still smiling as Theory drags Mysteiro back over. Tag to Almas and Almas stomps Mysterio down. Almas pushes Mysterio around then drags him around to stomp. Mysterio staggers to a corner but Almas stomps a mudhole in. The ref backs Almas off but he comes back to drag Mysterio up by his mask. Almas knees low then goes for a hammerlock. Mysterio spins and enziguris free! Both men are down but Mysterio’s corner is empty. Almas stomps Mysterio then drags him up for forearms. Almas shoves but Mysterio kicks back! Mysterio Quebrada, to a tornado DDT!
Both men are down again but Mysterio’s corner has partners again! Hot tags to Theory and Crews! Crews rallies on Theory and then powers him into a corner! Apollo hits Garza then corner sparkles Theory! He tags Theory corner to corner for more shoulder rams! Crews fires up, and gives Garza a SPINE BUSTER! He scoops Theory for a POWERSLAM! Cover, but Almas breaks it! Almas decks Aleister then returns to his corner. Crews gets to his feet first and drags Theory up. Theory swings and ELBOWS! Then he fisherman lifts for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Crews survives and Vega is furious! Theory sits up but Crews kicks first. Crews suplexes but Theory slips out ot kick low. Almas tags in but Crews dodges Theory to run. Almas dumps Crews out! Aleister KNEES Theory, Garza SUPERKICKS Aleister! Mysterio seated sentons Garza but Almas dropkicks Mysterio!
Almas hurries to get Crews in, and runs to boot and ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Vega is losing her cool but Almas keeps going. Hammerlock but pop-up to CREWS MISSILE! Cover, Crews and team win!!
Winners: Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio & Apollo Crews, by pinfall
The MITB entrants win, and Crews pins the United States Champion! Will Crews be able to use momentum to become Mr. MITB and possibly WWE United States Champion?
Raw celebrates HHH XXV!
To celebrate 25 years of The Game, Raw has the Top Ten Moments that Define Triple H! Coming in at #10, the second wave of Degeneration X! March 1998 brought X-Pac, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn into the fold, so that they and HHH could “take care of business that should’ve been taken care of right from the start.” The Game moving up into leadership position was a big moment, but what moments are bigger?
Raw returns with moment #9! March 2015, WrestleMania 31, HHH VS Sting! And by extension, DX VS nWo! A crazy brawl, and a showdown of bate and hammer! But in the end, HHH and DX won! And the rivalry of WWE and WCW was finally put to bed. The other eight moments will be later on tonight.
Almas and Vega argue backstage.
Charly Caruso comes by to ask what went wrong. What happened? Almas would like to know that, too. His amigos let him down. Aleister, Mysterio and Crews can’t beat Almas in a championship match 1v1. But Crews comes over to laugh at the “sore losers” for complaining. Crews vows he can beat Almas twice in one night! Almas gets mad and says that he’ll put the title up any time, just to prove Crews isn’t worthy. Then how about tonight? And then Crew SLAPS Almas! Vega gets in the way and says Crews thinks he’s so big after just one win. But if he wants it so badly, then he’ll get that shot, tonight! Crews is all smiles as he tells Almas to take care of his face. But will Almas slap that smile off his face by the end of tonight?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
At #8, it was August of 1999. It was the very first episode of SmackDown, and it was the main event for the WWE World Championship! HHH defended against The Rock, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee! In a truly historic showdown, The Rock was about to win, before getting SWEET CHIN MUSIC! HHH hit the Pedigree, HBK made the count, and The Game was still the champion! But surely, there were be many more title moments, and many more moments with HBK, to come.
Raw returns with moment #7, and in July 2000, HHH was forced to team with Trish Stratus in a mixed tag match. Trish asked if HHH could give her some training. They went through the basic hammerlock, and he taught her one of the counts. Just reach between your legs to grab his leg, and pull. She reaches down, but then Stephanie McMahon walked in and misunderstood. Steph threw a tantrum while throwing things at HHH and then ran away. That was a slightly more embarrassing moment, but still a rather memorable one.
Triple Threat: Asuka VS Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler!
All of Raw’s three women for the MITB match compete in a first-time-ever! All three are dangerous, but who comes out with the most momentum on the road to WWE HQ?
Before the match, Asuka has a mic to shout, “OI! OI! OI!” Nia, what the hell were you doing? Poor little Kairi is in no shape to be here tonight. Two years ago, Asuka beat Nia, and made her tap! HA! And that won’t change tonight just because someone else is here. MITB will- Nia interrupts by making her entrance. Shayna makes her entrance, and doesn’t even wait to get in the ring before dragging Asuka out! She clubs Asuka on the back but keeps her eyes on Nia. Nia just lets Shayna do what she wants to Asuka, which includes throwing her into a ladder. Then Nia goes out to throw Shayna into barriers! Nia drags Asuka up but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES back! Shayna adds a BOOT, then she ducks Asuka to LARIAT her down! Shayna grabs a ladder as a flashback to last week. She drags Asuka up and throws her, but Asuka sends Shayna into ladder instead!
Asuka stomps Shayna and talks trash in Japanese. She puts Shayna in but Nia bulldozes Asuka down! Nia puts Asuka in and then picks up that ladder Shayna set. Nia tosses it into the ring to show off her strength, then fetches it to RAM both Shayna and Asuka down! Asuka and Shayna flop out the other way, and Nia gets ready to throw the ladder again! Her targets move, and she drops the ladder in the ring. This match ended before it started, and it ended with the Irresistible Force standing tall. Will that be the same when the ladders stand atop Titan Towers?
No Contest
Lana gives Bobby Lashley a pep talk backstage.
He’s the amazing, almighty and just so good. Lashley knows Lana wants to help him out ringside, but maybe it’s better she stay back here. He doesn’t want her in his corner? No, it’s not that! He just says having her out there… She’s a distraction. She’s a distraction? How? What is she doing? It’s because she’s so… beautiful! He tries to focus but he sees her eyes and legs and just loses that focus. So she understands, right? Yes, she does. Lashley heads out without Lana to have his match.
Bobby Lashley VS Denzel Dejournette!
The bell rings and Dejournette dodges Lashley’s lunge. Lashley tries again, Dejournette gets the waistlock instead, and ducks the elbow. Lashley denies the suplex to give a suplex! Dejournette staggers up but Lashley trips him up to SLAP him down! Lashley drags Denjournette up and goes for a corner. Dejournette blocks the buckle bump but not the knee! Lashley then throws hands on Dejournette over and over. The ref counts but Lashley lets up at 4. Lashley runs but Dejournette drops down then hurdles to SLAP back! Lashley seethes but Dejournette runs. Lashley hurdles to kick low and CLUB Dejournette down! Then he suplexes and SLAMS Dejournette, before scooping him for another slam! Dejournette gets up, Lashley SPEARS him down! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
And the Rocky Mountain Machine had no problems with his focus. Will Lashley be able to head for a title without his trophy wife “distracting” him?
Liv Morgan VS Ruby Riott!
Last week went Liv’s way but she doesn’t want Ruby to think it was a fluke. These two friends turned enemies have a rematch already, who comes out proving their point?
The bell rings and they tie up. Ruby pulls hair but the ref reprimands her. Ruby hits an STO and then looms over Liv. She drags Liv up and into a corner to stomp away. Ruby pushes Liv around then runs corner to corner, only for Liv to drop toehold her into buckles! Liv runs back in, but her stomps miss! Ruby shoves Liv inot buckles then drags her in, only for Deadly Nightshade to be thrown down! Both women get up and Liv blocks a boot. Liv ROCKS Ruby then brings her out for a whip. Ruby hits buckles hard and Liv back body blocks! Liv runs in again but misses. Ruby spins her out for the RIOTT KICK! Cover, TWO!?! Ruby’s best move fails?! She is speechless for a moment before she stalks up behind Liv. Ruby says Liv needs to learn her place but Liv refuses. Liv swings wild but misses. Ruby stomps the hand!
Ruby drags Liv up and says she doesn’t want to do this. But Liv is making her do this. She pulls hair and has Liv against the ropes but the ref counts. Ruby lets up, whips, but Liv reverses to COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Liv wins!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
Liv wins again! She leaves Ruby in #obLIVion with that one, is she finally moving on with her life?
Byron Saxton interviews Liv in the ring and asks if this is the start of a new chapter. Liv feels like she’s had so many chapters already. But right now, Liv feels like a lot of people in her generation, in that she’s trying to find herself. She’s confident she’ll figure herself out soon enough. Will she figure that and a path to the title out at the same time?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #6 is 1997, the King of the Ring tournament finals! Hunter Hearst Hemsley and “Mankind” Mick Foley faced off and fought all over ringside, but it took two Pedigrees (one through an announce desk) to finish Foley off. And in the end, The Blue Blood was crowned King of the Ring! That was just the beginning of the King of Kings, but what five moments are even bigger?
Backstage interview with Nia Jax.
She has a lot of people talking about her actions tonight. Her actions? What can Charly do about those actions? Nothing. What can Asuka do about Nia’s actions? Nothing. What can Shayna do about Nia’s actions? Nothing. What can anyone do about her actions? Again, NOTHING! Is there really nothing that can be done when the Irresistible Force heads for the Money in the Bank contract?
The Viking Raiders speak.
“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it!” “So Street Profits, what does that tell you about your Raw Tag Team title reign?” Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are a great tag team among some of the best. But their history with Erik & Ivar “tells the truth.” The Profits won the NXT Tag Team Championships after the Raiders let them go. The Profits won the Raw Tag Team Championships after Erik & Ivar couldn’t compete. And the truth is, the Profits have never beaten the Raiders! Every time the Profits were up, it was because the Raiders weren’t around. So the Profits may have the titles now, but the Raiders know the truth. The truth is that as long as the Raiders are around, the Profits will only ever be second best. The Raiders dare the Profits to prove them wrong. Because #WeWantTheSmoke. Erik & Ivar took the catchphrase, but will they take those titles?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #5 was back in November of 2019. It was the night SmackDown was taken over by NXT! Survivor Series was now Raw VS SmackDown VS NXT, and NXT took the fight to the blue brand! HHH is the leader of the black ‘n’ yellow army, and #WeAreNXT!
Jinder Mahal VS Akira Tozawa!
The Modern Day Maharaja returns to Raw! Will he pick up where he left off? Or will the Stamina Monster be a stronger challenge than this former WWE World Champion expected?
The bell rings and Mahal ties up with Tozawa. He throws Tozawa down, then hauls him up for a BIG back suplex! Mahal grins as he drags Tozawa up to throw out of the ring. Mahal pursues and stomps Tozawa at the barrier! The ref counts as he digs his knee in, so he brings Tozawa up to ram into the LED apron! And then into the barriers! Mahal drags Tozawa up to put in the ring and stomp around. He drags Tozawa up to a fireman’s carry, for a BIG Samoan Drop! But Mahal isn’t done there, he demands Tozawa to stand. Tozawa barely sits up before Mahal drags him up. KALLAS! Cover, Mahal wins!
Winner: Jinder Mahal, by pinfall
The iron ring dismantles the Stamina Monster and Mahal is back! Will he head for a title now that things are heating up?
Almas and Vega talk backstage again.
They both know he is El Campeon, but Charly comes by to talk with them again. Vega won’t let there be any questions asked. Charly needs to talk to Vega first. Almas agrees, and heads out with Vega. But Garza comes by and says Charly is very professional. He has a great admiration for that. But maybe in the near future, they could get better acquainted? Garza gives her a rose and Charly gives him a big smile as Raw goes to break.
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #4 is June of 2006, when DX mocked the McMahons! HHH was Vince, HBK was Shane O’Mac, and it was just incredible.
WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews!
El Idolo took the pin in the loss earlier tonight, but says that it was not the same as 1v1. Crews says he can strike twice, but is tonight the night Crews finally holds WWE gold? Or will he have to fall back on his MITB opportunity?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this double header begins!
Crews and Almas circle and tie up. They go around, Almas puts Crews in a corner but Crews turns it around. The ref counts and Crews lets up. Vega protests but Almas and Crews tie up again. Almas wrenches and shoulder breakers fast to get the wristlock. Crews fights up, wrenches around and has the wristlock himself. Crews yanks on the arm but Almas endures the armlock. Almas fights up, rolls and trips Crews to the mat for a toehold. Crews fights back and has a forearm in Almas’ face. Crews manages to get the facelock, but Almas fights his way up. Almas powers Crews to ropes but they almost fall out of the ring! Crews lets go and Almas sucker punches! Almas backs off and taunts Crews, but Crews comes back to circle again.
Almas kicks low and headlocks, but Crews tries to power out. He can’t get free as Almas holds tight. Almas cranks on the headlock but Crews powers up. Crews elbows but Almas cranks harder. Crews powers out and is free this time, but the two collide and neither falls. They start shoving, then things speed up. Crews hurdles and dropkicks! Almas bails out and Vega hurries over. Crews goes out and throws hands on Almas, then lifts him to ram into the apron! Almas CHOPS back, but the ring count climbs. Crews throws hands and puts Almas in. Almas is right on Crews right away! Almas stomps and stomps but the ref backs him off. Vega likes what she sees as Almas drags Crews up. Almas CHOPS but Crews forearms back. Almas knees low and throws more forearms. He starts stomping but the ref counts. Vega says Almas is the champ, and Almas digs his knee in. The ref backs Almas off again, but Almas stands Crews up to CHOP!
Almas whips corner to corner, Crews goes up and over but Almas dropkicks him down! Vega applauds while Crews goes to a corner. Almas runs in but Crews dodges! The knee hits buckles and Almas tumbles to the floor outside! Crews gets to the apron, moonsaults, but Almas gets clear! Almas LARIATS Crews down and Vega applauds while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the ref has to back Almas off again. Almas goes right after Crews’ leg in the ropes, then basement dropkicks Crews to the floor! Almas takes a moment to catch his breath before going out after Crews. He stomps Crews around as the ring count climbs. Almas knees and forearms Crews down then leaves him behind. Crews stands at 7 and manages to get in the ring at 8, but Almas is all over him again! Almas has the leg and turns Crews for a modified Half Crab. Crews endures and drags himself towards ropes, but Almas stomps the leg down! Almas keeps on Crews but Crews kicks him away, only for Almas to come back with a basement dropkick! Almas drags Crews to the apron to throw forearm after forearm! He then goes back in the ring to stomp Crews more. Almas stomps Crews in the corner but the ref reprimands. Vega chants, “Si! Si! Si!” and Almas goes corner to corner, but only gets corners! Crews hits an OLYMPIC SLAM!
Crews can’t cover, his bad knee and overall exhaustion keep him down. But Crews and Almas slowly get to their feet, and start throwing hands! Crews counter punches and then throws haymakers! Crews pop, lock and ROCKS Almas to then LARIAT! He rams Almas into the corner then drives his shoulders! Crews backs off to then run in for a BIG splash, and OVERHEAD suplex! Adrenaline helps Crews rise up and run corner to corner! But into Almas’ BOOT! Almas hops up but Crews enziguris back! Crews trophy lifts Almas and drops Almas down! Standing moonsault hits! Cover, TWO!! Almas barely survives and Vega is panicking! Crews manages to stand but he hobbles over to Almas. Almas escapes a suplex and drop toeholds Crews into buckles! CIEN KNEES!! Cover, TWO!! Crews survives and Vega protests!
Almas stands and looms over Crews. He drags Crews up but dodges a boot. Crews dodges the boot, the elbow, and now they brawl again. Almas kicks the bad leg! Crews ROCKS Almas with a right and trophy lifts, but Almas DDT’s back! Vega applauds as Almas covers, TWO!! Now Vega is beside herself as Crews still lives. Almas drags Crews up once more, hammerlocks, but Crews resists and pop-ups, but into a sunset flip! Cover, TWO!! ENZIGURI! Crews fires up, scoops Almas, and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Almas survives and Vega is out of breath! Crews stands back up and drags Almas to a drop zone. He climbs up but Almas hurries to stop him! Almas climbs up, throws uppercuts, but Crews forearms back. They brawl up top but Almas wants the suplex. Crews resists, throws body shots and then headbutts Almas down. Crews adjusts and leaps, but Almas moves! The knee takes a bad hit, but the ref keeps Almas back. Crews is under the bottom rope and refuses to let this end, but the ref makes the decision! Almas wins!
Winner: Andrade Almas, by referee stoppage (still WWE United States Champion)
Crews’ body gave out before his spirit did, and Almas gets away with the title. Will Crews get another chance to prove he has what it takes? What about his run for the MITB briefcase?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #3 is February 2003, the debut of Evolution! HHH, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Dave Batista were “the greatest example of evolution you will ever see.” Another faction that changed the WWE forever, also led by HHH.
The Street Profits speak.
“The Viking… Raiders… say we second best, bruh.” Nah, fam, they’re the ones putting in work while the cosplayers were driving Carpool Karaoke style while eating turkey legs. They weren’t even singing! This is 2020, get on Spotify. So what else is there to say but to say that… Erik & Ivar are right. The Profits could make jokes, or they could make the Raiders wrong. Well Montez and Dawkins are free, so how about the Raiders bring the helmets and the ponytails, because they’re going to get that smoke. But who will have the titles after this intense showdown?
Raw shares part of WWE 24: Becky Lynch, The Man.
“I just wanted people to be invested in the main event.” And they were. But they were also strongly behind Becky in WrestleMania 35’s Winner Takes All. Charlotte had Ronda in the Figure Eight, but then The Man came around with that leg drop. The WrestleMania crowd was fired up as Becky and Ronda worked together to hip toss Charlotte into a table! And then Ronda and Becky fired off! Becky turned Piper’s Pit into a pin! And in the end, the world witnessed #BeckyTwoBelts become reality! Making history with family in attendance and the fans behind her, “it was overwhelming.” Charlotte says that WM35 is what they’ll be playing back for years to come. Her father says Becky has passion in spades, it’s why she succeeds. Everyone wants to main event Mania, and now anyone can because The Man, The Queen and the Baddest Woman on the Planet made it happen. Becky loves the fans, and hopes they’ll still support her. What happens when your dreams come true? You make new ones.
Ricochet & Cedric Alexander VS Ever-Rise!
It’s time to get fast and furious again! Will they get back on track using Matt Martel and Chase Parker as the starting line?
The teams sort out and Ricochet starts against Martel. Ricochet dodges and arm-drags Martel down, then brings him over to tag Alexander. Alexander knees low then sets Martel up for the neckbreaker backbreaker! Cover, ONE, but Alexander keeps close. Alexander drags Martel up with a facelock and Ricochet tags in. They mug Martel and then Ricochet dodges a clothesline. Ricochet gets distracted by Parker and Martel clobbers him from behind! Tag to Parker and Martel feeds Ricochet to a knee. Parker whips Martel for Martel to whip Parker, and Parker forearm smashes Ricochet! Parker feeds Ricochet to Martel’s drop toehold, then Martel is the step stool for Parker’s elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Parker keeps on Ricochet with a chinlock and fingers to the face. Parker drops knees then drags Ricochet up and over. Tag to Martel and Ever-Rise mug Ricochet.
Martel keeps on Ricochet with a wrench and tags Parker back in. Martel feeds Ricochet to Parker’s boot, and then Parker stomps Ricochet down. Parker wraps on a half straitjacket and leans on Ricochet. Tag to Martel, and now Ricochet is fed to Martel’s boot. Cover, TWO! Martel drags Ricochet up for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO, but Martel drags Ricochet up. Ricochet reverses the whip to feed Martel to Parker’s boot! Martel flounders to anchor Ricochet, but Ricochet keeps heading for Alexander. Both men make tags to Parker and Alexander! Alexander rallies, bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off strikes! He dropkicks Martel’s leg out, then drags Parker over. Martel is the support for the one-man magic killer! Alexander dropkicks Martel out then runs to forearm Parker. Ricochet tags in, Alexander gives Parker a tornado DDT! Ricochet hits a standing shooting star! Cover but Martel breaks it!
Alexander throws Martel out but Martel drags Alexander out. Martel slams Alexander on the apron, but Ricochet triangle dropkicks! Parker rolls Ricochet with the tights, TWO! SUPERKICK! Tag to Alexander and he drags Parker up. Hammerlock, missile dropkick complete shot!! Cover, Alexander & Ricochet win!
Winners: Cedric Alexander & Ricochet, by pinfall
“Bravo! Bravo!” MVP is on the titantron, and congratulates these men in their excellent execution. MVP has a keen eye for talent, and he thought, “Who better to reintroduce to Raw than these two?” Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink are now on Team MVP! Alexander and Ricochet beating Thorne & Vink was a fluke. But the rematch could be box office gold. No, box office platinum! Straight up BALLIN~! Ricochet and Alexander are ready for the challenge! Will this fast and furious team prove The Worst & The Smug are box office busts?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #2 is April 1998, DX invading WCW! Well, they would have if the garage door didn’t close. But it was the first shot fired in the Monday Night Wars!
Raw follows Apollo Crews in the Performance Center medical room.
Crews has his knee heavily iced and walks on crutches after the damage done during the match. Charly says it seemed like he was so close to the title. This surely hinders his progress. Crews is too emotional to speak. Will Crews be able to even compete at MITB now?
Finally, the NUMBER ONE Moment that Defines HHH!
May 2001, HHH attacked Shawn Michaels, only to blow out his own knee. But eight months later, The Game was back and stronger than ever!
Raw returns to Jerry “The King” Lawler in the ring.
The King notes this year’s MITB having the most unique MITB match ever. Six men and six women start in the lobby of the WWE corporate HQ, and could fight anywhere from the gym to the elevators to even Mr. McMahon’s office. But they’ll all work to fight their way up to the roof, where the MITB briefcases will be waiting. Those briefcases will have the contracts for a title match at any time, any place. The risk is usually worth the reward, but maybe not this year. But the PPV will also feature one of the most intriguing title matches in history. Drew McIntyre defends against Seth Rollins, but the contract must be signed first. King introduces first the challenger, the Monday Night Messiah, Seth Rollins! Rollins makes his way to the ring and takes his seat. King then introduces the champion, Drew McIntyre! The Scottish Stud struts down to the ring, and Rollins stands up to stare him down.
McIntyre joins King and Rollins in the ring, and he says King that the way this usually goes is about to go that way. King gets out of the way, and now McIntyre sits with Rollins alone. For that matter, McIntyre signs right away, and leaves it to Rollins. He tells Rollins that they can get this done in 20 seconds. Rollins takes his time picking up the pen and going to the contract. But then he asks McIntyre, “Do you think I want this?” No, Rollins doesn’t want this. He has to do this. Yes, he started it with the Curb Stomp, to get McIntyre’s attention and to get this match, so that he can get the WWE World Championship “where it needs to be.” But this isn’t about Rollins or about McIntyre. This is bigger than all of us! McIntyre will be a great champion, some day. McIntyre is a fighter, a warrior, and a great man. But he’s not a leader. Rollins is a leader. Everywhere Rollins has gone, he has led and people have followed.
Now more than ever, the WWE needs someone they can turn to and guide them. Rollins can be the light in the darkness. He suffered for that title. McIntyre doesn’t have to. Rollins doesn’t want anyone else to suffer the way he did. That title is his burden to carry, not McIntyre’s. “Trust me when I tell you, I don’t want to be the one to crush your dream.” But that is a sacrifice Rollins is willing to make for the greater good. McIntyre is smart. He will understand in time. And when that time comes, he can find Rollins, and Rollins will not turn him away. McIntyre thanks Rollins for that passionate speech. Really enlightening. Things are clear to McIntyre and the fans now. It is clear that Rollins is “completely full of sh*t.” Where are Rollins’ followers? His charming personality surely didn’t scare them off, right? It’s not Rollins’ fault. No, it’s never Rollins’ fault.
But McIntyre cuts to the chase: He doesn’t know what’s going on in that warped brain of Rollins’, but McIntyre will not let Rollins win. McIntyre gives Rollins some advice. First: shut up and stop talking, forever. No one wants to hear Rollins talk now, backstage, online or even in private. Rollins has this talent that he gets his foot stuck in his mouth, while also having his head up his arse. It’s impressive, actually. Second: Finish the job. He didn’t do that when he attacked McIntyre a few weeks ago. This time, he better go for the throat, because McIntyre will do the same. Both men stand up, and Rollins says that at MITB, the big picture becomes clear. So trust Rollins when he says that McIntyre will be better off for it. Rollins signs his part, and says McIntyre needs to have faith in- BAM! McIntyre bounces Rollins’ head off the table! And then he tosses the table out! And the armchairs! GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!
Rollins seethes as McIntyre throws off his jacket and shirt. There’s no backing out now! The countdown begins and… Buddy Murphy attacks! The Disciple appears outta nowhere to stop McIntyre with a chop block! Murphy throws hands and stomps away in the corner! Murphy helps Rollins up but Rollins doesn’t realize who it is at first. Rollins sees it is Murphy, and calms down. They hug, but then McIntyre runs in! Rollins gets clear and the CLAYMORE takes out Murphy! McIntyre says Murphy is Rollins’ “sacrificial lamb,” and he won’t have him at MITB. Will Rollins be able to survive when he’s stranded in Claymore Country?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good Raw, but something about it was very indicative of how they’re recording another episode for next week’s go-home. That go-home is going to be a lot of fun with the Raw Tag Team Championships on the line. I can’t be sure who wins, but I do hope WWE brings Sarah Logan back for a really big feud that also includes Bianca Belair. Lashley gets a win without Lana around so that’s some decent progress for their story. Jinder Mahal is back so of course he wins. I wonder if he comes around to try and start a feud with McIntyre over the old 3MB days. Liv gets another win over Ruby so I think that story is done, but I have no idea where she goes next. Ricochet & Alexander get a solid win over Ever-Rise, but I am disappointed MVP is with Thorne & Vink instead of trying to recruit the fast and furious. That is the team he should be with and he is the manager they should have. Maybe Vink & Thorne get tossed aside when they lose again.
But speaking of MVP, I had a great sense that Vega’s team would show up to interrupt the VIP Lounge wanting after the MITB spots. The spots were never actually on the line, but the Six Man Tag we got was still great. Crews’ own story tonight was incredibly well done. That SLAP to Almas and then his performance in the United States Championship match were incredible. But what a twist for him to lose because of the knee giving out. It garners great Face sympathy with this, because now he might not even be in the MITB. If so, I hope that means they’re saving him for something big with Extreme Rules or even SummerSlam. The Women’s Triple Threat tonight was great on paper, but then it became clear there couldn’t be a real loser or winner since all three are such strong contenders. Therefore, it was actually brilliant to have it be a No Contest. And with Nia standing tall tonight, I don’t think she wins MITB. It really should be Asuka to bring back some danger to her character.
The HHH countdown was a pretty good second part to the tribute, but also mostly just to fill for time. It was good to see some moments SmackDown didn’t have time to bring up, like HHH becoming KOTR, and later becoming leader of DX. SmackDown was the roast but Raw was the celebration. The ending segment was really good for a contract signing. I like that McIntyre gave King a heads up to get out. Both guys gave great promos, and the brawl was great, too. McIntyre made that table fly like it was a pillow! And having the camera behind Murphy was great for the incoming Claymore. McIntyre stands tall now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t win at MITB. At the same time, with it being MITB, a cash-in could happen the same night. It’d be fitting karma if someone cashed in on Rollins to ruin his “vision” for Raw again.
My Score: 8.1/10
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The Queen is coming for her crown!
Athena & Billie Starkz are the top champions in the ROH Women’s Division, but Queen Aminata’s coming after them! Who will she target first?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; wins.
- ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners; win(s) and
- Abadon VS ???
- Johnny TV VS ???
- Taya Valkyrie VS ???
- Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order; wins.
- Anna Jay VS Allysin Kay; wins.
- Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS ???
- Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
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The Maniac takes on the Powerhouse!
In the wake of AEW Dynasty, in perhaps Will Hobbs’ biggest match, he takes on IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley! Will the Don Callis Family have even more gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland VS Kyle Fletcher; Swerve wins and denies Fletcher a title match.
- Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Mina wins.
- Casino Gauntlet: Will Ospreay wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; Moxley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Elite arrives at Daily’s Place.
They roll up together in the same SUV, showing off all their gold, from Kazuchika Okada still being the AEW Continental Champion to The Young Bucks being the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions. Matthew congratulates The Rainmaker, and says he is so proud. Nicholas says he is proud of being the first-ever THREE-TIME AEW World Tag Team Champions. Wait, who is this pulling up next? It’s JACK PERRY! He just smiles at the cameraman, and Matt says alright, gentlemen, it’s a big night! They head in, but then security flags Jack down, saying he can’t be here.
Matt has security stop there, Jack is with The Elite. Hands off the merchandise. And cameraman, stick with The Elite, they’ve got some business to attend to. The Scapegoat walks with The Elite, just what will they do on this Homecoming night?
Orange Cassidy is here!
Daily’s Place fires up as Freshly Squeezed makes his way out, or rather is TOSSED out by Trent Beretta! Trent’s modified the old T-Shirt so it now reads, “Trent & Orange w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one.” Trent DECKS Cassidy down the ramp while fans boo the further betrayal! Trent DECKS Cassidy again, and Cassidy flops into the ring! Trent rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and then he gets a mic. “Chuck. Chuck, it’s time. Please get out here.” Trent waits, but tells the fans they have no idea what they’re talking about so please. Chuck walks out on stage and Trent apologizes? He is sorry…Â that he didn’t do this a long time ago!
Trent is sorry that Best Friends spent five YEARS hugging a narcissistic p*ick! Cassidy was brought in here to be their sidekick, yet somehow he made Best Friends into his lackies! Best Friends fought for Cassidy, protected him, did EVERYTHING for him, and yet Cassidy gave them NOTHING! Cassidy does NOT care about Chuck! Cassidy is NOT his friend! Trent looms over Cassidy while the fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Trent tells Chuck that Trent cares about him. Trent IS Chuck’s friend. So please… Do the right thing and give the people what they want. Trent tosses the mic to Chuck so he can respond.
Trent holds his arms open, and then Chuck holds his arms open, to then stop and say he always thought Trent was a POS! Chuck DECKS Trent!! Trent tumbles away, gets back up, but avoids Chuck’s haymaker! The Kentucky Gentleman tells Trent he knows that they won’t clear Chuck for a fight in this ring. But Chuck doesn’t wanna fight in this ring, he wants to fight in the damn parking lot!! The fans go nuts hearing that! Trent shakes his head, but will he have no choice but to fight his former Best Friend?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“I am confident tonight that I will defend successfully my IWGP Championship, but I don’t want you to mistake that for arrogance, or ignorance, or an underestimation of my opponent, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs. I know exactly who ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs is, what he’s capable of. A truck of a man who hits like one, too. Born and bred with a killer instinct, an instinct I can see and smell from a mile away. I’m acutely aware of what’s at stake tonight. I know it’ll only take one mistake for my entire world to come crashing down around me. And I know that this Callis Family put a hit out on my friend, so I know just how far they’re willing to go to get an edge to win.
“But nobody knows better than me what it takes to get to the top. More importantly, what it takes to stay at the top. So I know, honestly, for me, tonight’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be a walk through Hell. A march through mud and fire, slings and arrows, a march through Hell. But there’s no place I’d rather be, there’s no better way to feel alive. I don’t play golf, man. This is pro-wrestling, this is the king of sports, the greatest thing int he world. And tonight, I’m gonna remind the world just who I am, in case they’ve forgotten. When all the oxygen is pulled out of Powerhouse’s lungs and his carcass hits the canvas, they’re gonna feel it, from Jacksonville to Tokyo!”
The Maniac heads out, but will the Book of Hobbs’ next chapter be written in gold?
AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis!
Whose Dynasty? SWERVE’S DYNASTY! Because The Realest did dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television to become the NEW AEW World Champion! Prince Nana leads the way with his dance as Swerve looks to be a fighting champion! Will Swerve snipe the Aussie Arrow? Or will the Don Callis Family already have a win on a world champion to start the night?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Swerve as he stares Kyle down. They circle, get face to face, talk some trash, and then Swerve goes for a leg! Kyle facelocks to fight the takedown, then slips around to a waistlock. Swerve switches and hammerlocks, but Kyle reaches back to headlock. Swerve cranks the hammerlock, but Kyle reaches for legs. Kyle manages to switch, snapmare and then ghost pin, TWO! Kyle headlocks but Swerve slips right out to hammerlock again. Swerve grinds Kyle down but Kyle fights to the ROPEBREAK. Swerve lets off and waits on Kyle. Kyle stands, the two reset, and they tie up again.
Swerve headlocks, Kyle powers up and puts Swerve on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets off but then takes a swing! Swerve ducks the chop, snapmares Kyle down and slips around to roll Kyle to a cradle, TWO! Kyle hurries after a leg, but Swerve spins around, victory roll and step over, SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Kyle scrambles around to stack, TWO! Swerve gets up, Kyle goes for a leg, but Swerve steps over. Kyle dodges the dropkick, but then Swerve avoids the Penalty Kick! Both men block the other’s kick, and the fans fire up as they both let off. The two reset, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Swerve and Kyle circle, Kyle kicks but Swerve blocks, only for Kyle to ROCK Swerve with a forearm. Kyle whips, Swerve goes up and over then JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up as Kyle sputters, and then Swerve UPPERCUTS, snapmares, and goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up! Swerve says “DU~VAL~!” and the fans echo it. Swerve goes for Kyle but Kyle gets to ropes. Swerve waits on Kyle, goes for an arm, wrenches, but Kyle whips Swerve out! Kyle runs to CALF KICK Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Kyle snarls and Swerve checks his arm. Kyle goes out after Swerve, brings him around, but tells Nana to back off.
Swerve BACK DROPS Kyle away! Kyle writhes, Swerve goes to the apron and he tells fans to pay attention, get off their phones. PENALTY KICK and Kyle goes down! The fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve struts around before he fetches Kyle, and whips him into railing! Swerve again tells fans to watch the show, not their phones. He fist bumps the front row, gets Kyle back up, and pushes him into the ring. Swerve has Kyle on the apron to CLUB him. Swerve then stalks Kyle to a corner, ROCKS him, then has him on ropes. Swerve UPPERCUTS Kyle, whips him to ropes, but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Swerve writhes while Kyle mockingly shouts, “Whose house?!” Kyle even gets on a corner to soak up the heat and tell Jacksonville up theirs! Kyle goes back to Swerve, Swerve throws body shots, but then Kyle swings. Swerve blocks to fire more body shots!
Swerve turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve drags Kyle around, covers, TWO! Kyle is still in this but Swerve clamps onto him with an armlock and chinbar. Swerve grinds his elbow into Kyle’s face, then grabs the other arm. Swerve wrangles Kyle into a CAMEL CLUTCH, but then makes it a SLEEPER STRETCH! Kyle still endures, fights free, and Dynamite returns to single picture as he stands. Kyle fires body shots, but Swerve grabs the arm. Kyle KICKS and KICKS but Swerve blocks, slips around, LEG CAPTURE BACKBREAKER! Swerve again grinds on the arms, pulls on back, but Kyle slips through to arm-drag free!
Swerve has the wristlock but Kyle fires forearm after forearm! Swerve swings, Kyle swats it to SLAP Swerve! Kyle whips, Swerve flips up and around but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Then scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A camera is backstage, and we see The Elite plus Jack Perry walking right up to Tony Khan’s office. Matthew doesn’t even knock as he leads the way right in. In the ring, Swerve and Kyle rise while the fans rally up. Swerve goes to ropes, Kyle runs in, but is put on the apron! Kyle waistlocks to drag Swerve out, and half nelsons! Swerve fights that, slips around, APRON NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally for Swerve while he shakes out his arm, then he encourages them to get louder. Swerve goes up the corner, Kyle slowly sits up, APRON KILL STOMPS!! Swerve clutches a leg, that was a risky move that may have been double-edged! Swerve walks off the pain and fans rally up. Swerve pushes Kyle into the ring, hurries to another corner, and then runs up, HOUSE- NO, Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK!! Kyle THRASHES the foot but Swerve endures! The fans rally for Swerve as he fights around, reaches out, but Kyle drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Swerve is caught, and Kyle is even stomping Swerve’s back!
Swerve endures, the fans are thunderous, and Swerve crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go but keeps his eyes on Swerve. Kyle brings Swerve around to KICK him in the chest! And KICK him again! And KIJCK again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve MULE KICKS, HAYMAKERS, and whips to HIP TOSS! Roll through to the deadlift, but the bad foot holds Swerve back! Kyle suplexes, Swerve slips around and half nelsons but Kyle breaks that. Swerve still O’Conner Rolls so that he can BOOT from below! Kyle wobbles, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Swerve rolls through again, for the BRAINBUSTER!
The fans fire up as Swerve crawls back to cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Swerve is frustrated. Swerve snarls, drags Kyle up for a gut wrench, but Kyle flails and kicks his way to turn it around! But then Swerve flails and kicks to turn it back around! So Kyle drops, victory roll and deadlift, into the JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and now Kyle is frustrated! Kyle pounds the mat, Callis tells him number four, and Kyle nods. Kyle goes outside, looks under the ring, but then shakes his head. Kyle doesn’t wanna do number four, he awnts to do it his way! GAMANGIRI! He puts Swerve up top and climbs!
Kyle has Swerve up on the very top, lifts, but Swerve fights! Swerve throws body shots, haymakers, and then he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle ends up in the Tree of Woe, and Swerve hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Swerve just reloads! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, Swerve wins!!
Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (denies Kyle Fletcher a title opportunity)
The Realest crosses Kyle off the list, and Callis is disappointed Kyle didn’t play things how he wanted. Are tensions rising in the Don Callis Family? Who will be next to step to Swerve’s Dynasty?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
As AEW returns to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, so will The Cleaner! Kenny Omega finally makes his way back to Dynamite, what will he have to say about The Bucks’ new Elite?
Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.
Renee Paquette is with La Mera Mera and notes her being so close to winning the AEW Women’s World Championship, only to fall short. What does Rosa feel went wrong out there? Rosa says she can either stand here and complain about what happened, or she can move on. Honestly, Rosa could bring up who Deonna Purrazzo again got involved in her business, or how “Antonia Tormenta” kicked Rosa in the ovarios. But she won’t. She’s just proud of herself for- Oh, wait, Deonna walks in. The Virtuosa doesn’t get it. Rosa says she doesn’t wanna talk about Deonna, yet all she does is say her name!
Deonna dares Rosa to say things to her face, and Rosa tells Deonna en Espanol that she’s already told her before. The two start shoving, security rushes in, will we see these two have it out before one of them goes back for Toni Storm?
Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay!
Speaking of Toni Storm, her protege’s old mentor has been coming around AEW & ROH more and more, mostly because of Mariah May. Will Stardom’s Fighting H Cup Idol prove she’s elite? Or will Anna remind us she’s still the Star of the Show?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Anna dodges and she takes a bow. The fans cheer, but Mina says okay, c’mon now. Then Mina dodges and shimmies! Anna mockingly applauds before she BOOTS Mina down! Anna brings Mina up to fire off forearms, then shows off her assets. Anna runs, but Mina dropkicks the legs out! Mina then runs to SHOTGUN Anna down! Mina grabs a leg to SMASH the knee! Mina steps over to SPLASH onto the leg, then struts around. The fans fire up as Mina brings Anna up, ties up the legs, and then DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Mina gets the legs again, steps through, but Anna kicks her away.
Anna runs in but Mina dodges in the corner. Mina ducks a forearm, ROCKS Anna with a forearm, then goes up to REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mina stays on Anna while the fans rally. Mina dragon sleepers, but Anna fight the suplex! Anna swings, Mina dodges and tilt-o-whirls, to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Mina drags Anna by her leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then another! And then another! And another! Mina shakes it up again and the fans cheer as she drops one more elbow! Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Anna endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go and Anna goes to the apron.
Mina lines up a shot, runs in, but Anna ducks to CLAW the eyes! Anna brings Mina into the ropes, give her a kiss right in front of Mariah, and HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Mariah is upset but has to stay back, and Anna goes in to cover, TWO! Mina hangs in there while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Anna CHOKES Mina, lets off as the ref counts, and then she drags Mina up. Mariah says boo Anna, but Anna puts Mina in a corner. Anna digs her boot in, lets off as the ref counts, and Mina sputters as Anna brings her around. Anna ROCKS Mina, brings her around and bumps her off buckles. The fans rally, Anna CHOPS Mina, then she struts. But Mina runs up to ROCK Anna! Anna CLUBS Mina, then pushes her around. Anna stands on Mina but that’s a CHOKE! The ref counts, Anna steps away, and she blows kisses at everyone. Anna brings Mina up, to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Anna is frustrated but she brings Mina back to ropes.
Anna CHOKES Mina more, taunting Mariah to reach out, then Anna steps off as the ref counts. Mina coughs, Anna brings her up, but Mina fires body shots! Anna CLUBS Mina and has her in a corner. Anna drags Mina up, CHOKES her more, but the ref counts. Anna lets off, Mina coughs and sputters, but Anna soaks up the heat. Anna drags Mina up, cravats and snapmares, then clamps on a FULL NELSON! Mina endures, fights around, and Mariah cheers Mina on as she fights up. Mina throws elbows to fight the hold, but Anna holds tight! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mina breaks free and ROCKS Anna!
Anna comes back to ROCK Mina, but Mina ROCKS Anna again! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Anna gest the edge, runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Anna stands, into Mina’s URAKEN! Anna flounders to a corner, Mina roars and runs in, but Anna puts her on the apron! Mina knuckle locks, ROCKS and climbs up to FALLING KNEE DROP onto Anna! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives but Mina keeps her focus. Mina ROCKS Anna again, brings her in, but Anna wrenches out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Shoutout to Tay and Anna covers, TWO!!
Anna is beside herself but Mariah is also worried. Anna brings Mina up but Mina fights the STO! Mina gets free, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Then she steps through on the legs, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~” but Anna endures and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go fast to go up a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Anna staggers back up, into the GLAMOROUS SWORD! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mina’s enzigiri but Mina drags her into the dragon sleeper! GLAM- NO, Anna slips free to have the QUEENSLAYER!! Mina flails, reaches out, but Anna is too busy staring down Mariah! Mina wrenches out to wrangle Anna!
Mina hooks legs, GLAMOROUS COLLECTION MINA! MINA WINS!!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Anna got cocky and got caught! Mariah brings in the champagne and glasses, and they toast the victory! But then Anna CLOBBERS Mariah and DECKS Mina! The fans are torn as Anna puts the QUEENSLAYER on Mariah!! Mariah flails, but here comes Toni Storm! The champ runs Anna off to protect her protege! “How DARE~ you!” Storm checks on Mariah, but wait! SERENA DEEB is here! The Professor of Professional Wrestling is looking rather glamorous herself as she struts out, tosses Storm’s shoes aside, and looks at the AEW Women’s World Championship! Deeb sits down beside it on the ramp and has the camera come in close.
Deeb says she could hold the title up, but she won’t. Because instead, she’s going to make the AEW Women’s Division a promise: the next time she holds the belt, it will truly belong to her as the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb is undefeated, will she remain that way all the way through dethroning Timeless Toni Storm?
Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway are in the ring.
Dynamite returns as the Galaxy’s Greatest and #BigStoke are here, balloons at all the corners of the ring, and the fans cheering them on. Stokely says, “In 1977, Bill Withers created one of the greatest songs of all time, Lovely Day. And that’s exactly how I felt when one of my best friends became TBS Champion at Dynasty!” The fans cheer that! Stokely wants to know, is Jacksonville ready to partaaay~?! They sure sound like it! Stokely says Caprice Coleman is on commentary, Krissy Stat is right here, and she says this one’s for Willow.
“She is the Babe with the Power, and we are here to give her her flowers She reminds us that nothing matters and to smile anyway, because every time we see her, she brightens our day. I’m standing her in silver because she is our gold. And now, she has the TBS Championship to hold.” Stoke says with all due disrespect, that was two packs of ass! So let’s just bring out the NEW Face of TBS, “HOO! HOO!” WILLOW~ NIGHTINGALE! Coleman sings along with the theme song just like in ROH, and the Babe with the Championship makes her entrance. Willow gets the mic, Stokely says when this whole thing to started, he didn’t like her. Well she didn’t like him, either.
Stokely says Willow was like a fungus that they couldn’t cut off. But look at them now! Willow earned that title, and they are proud of her! Willow thanks Stokely and Kris, and is proud of herself, too. Because tonight in JACKSONVILLE~, the very place where she hit the big time. She’ll take us back to Spring of 2020. Willow was right here, in the front row, trying to get her big break. Then in 2022, she was in the ring, Tony Schiavone stepped in to join her, and on that big tron, we saw the graphic: Willow is All Elite! But tonight, Willow isn’t trying to catch a break, she is not a rookie. She is THE FACE OF TBS!! WHAT WHAT!
But wait, here comes The CEO. Mercedes Mone again steps on Willow’s moment, just like she did at Dynasty. But it’s already obvious why as she struts her way to the ring. Mone gets her own mic while the fans chant “C E O! C E O!” Mone tells “Jacksonviiiiille~” to say hello to the C E O. Willow tells Mone this has to be like the fourth time she’s done this. And this is Willow’s time! So it just feels like if Mone has something to say, then go ahead and say it. Mone says she just wanted to congratulate Willow! And to enjoy the celebration now, because in just 23 days, at Double or Nothing, you will be looking at the NEW Face of TBS, Mercedes Mone.
The fans are torn, but Mone says she just wanted to ask if Willow was the b*tch who attacked her in the dark two weeks ago! What? Why would she? Kris steps up to tell Mone that Willow got attacked just last week, so how do we know Mone didn’t do that? Well how do we know it wasn’t Kris?! They argue, Stokely speaks up and says while he hates getting up in women’s business, we all know it was Julia Hart. Willow says even before this whodunnit, it feels like there’s been a personal vendetta against her. Does Mone really think Willow meant to injure Sasha during the NJPW Women’s Tournament? Stokely says of course Mone thinks that, but then Kris shuts him up.
Mone asks Willow if she really just asked if Mone blames Willow for almost ending her career. Is Willow really asking if Mone blames Willow for all the pain and suffering Mone went through? Is Willow really asking if Mone was blaming Willow for taking away the one thing Mone loves most for a whole year? Willow doesn’t want the truth, she just wants to feel better about what she did to Mone. Willow says she genuinely feels so awful what happened. But there were a lot of questions and doubts for her, too. She went to hotel room, she looked at the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, and she should’ve been smiling.
But the whole time, she wondered to herself, “Could I have beaten Mercedes Mone at 100%?” And then the next day, Willow saw everyone saying that online. She heard the locker room saying it! And so that NJPW Strong Women’s title reign has quite the asterisk next to it. But THIS title reign? This? There is NOT asterisk next to this! The fans fire up for that! So at Double or Nothing, Mone, Willow wants you at 100%! Because Willow wants to show Mone that she CAN beat her, and why Willow IS TBS Champion. The fans fire up for that! Mone says to enjoy it while she can, because they both know deep down, Willow CAN’T beat Mone.
The fans are torn as the two stare down, and then Mone says bye. Kris grabs at Mone, Mone turns around and mistakenly SLAPS Willow!! Kris has to stop Willow from retaliating, and then refs get out there to stop it! Kris’s mistake only just turned up the heat on this one! Will there be no holding back from the CEO or the Babe with the Power when it’s Double or Nothing?
Alex Marvez waits outside Tony Khan’s office.
Jack Perry is the first to exit and Marvez says they’ve been in there a long time. Is Jack reinstated in AEW? Jack doesn’t answer and moves on, so Marvez asks “Okada-san” if that’s the case. The Rainmaker just pats Marvez on the shoulder and follows Jack. Nicholas, is Jack All Elite again? Matthew, please, Marvez needs the scoop! Is Jack Perry once again in AEW? Matt wishes he had a better scoop for Marvez, but things are still uncertain. One thing Matt will tell Marvez is… Tony Khan literally just agreed to talk with Jack in the ring, live here tonight. That’s still a pretty big scoop! Will TK bring the Scapegoat back into the fold?
Casino Gauntlet!
AEW shuffles the deck and puts a golden opportunity for Double or Nothing on the line! This isn’t your typical gauntlet, either! It is “sudden death,” so anyone that scores a pinfall or submission wins, BUT! There are also timed intervals, so more and more competitors will be added, meaning things can get really crazy really quickly. One way or another, the AEW International Champion will have a new challenger, but who will it be when it’s the luck of the draw?
First out, it’s King Switch! Jay White leads Austin & Colten Gunn out as the NEW unified AEW & ROH World Trios Champions, but will Bullet Club Gold be adding even more gold to the collection? Second out, Top Flight’s Dante Martin! Will Angel Dorado get himself a golden ticket instead?
Jay White VS Dante Martin!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. White pulls hair to put Dante in the corner, but Dante slips free. They circle again, Dante waistlocks but White switches. White headlocks, Dante powers up but can’t power out as White holds on. White wrenches to wristlock, but Dante flips through and breaks free. White CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Dante is stinging, the fans “WOO~” and White says guns up! White whips, runs in, but Dante slips out to the apron! Dante then goes up and around, GAMANGIRIS, then springboards. White gets under, Dante comes back, and turns hip toss into RANA! Then he DROPKICKS White down! Cover, TWO!
White bails out, Dante builds speed, and Dante FLIES, but has to handspring through as White moves! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and then brings Dante around. APRON- NO, Dante slips free of the suplex to JUMP KNEE! Dante puts White in, hurries to the apron, and then slingshots to roll, only for White to catch him! EXPLODERÂ out of the ring! But here comes the third man, PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO! The Man with No Fear now makes this a Triple Threat, will he be able to survive these odds?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo!
White storms up but Penta GAMANGIRIS him away! Penta goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges then SLINGBLADES! Dante returns, but into a SLINGBLADE! Penta whips Dante corner to corner but Dante reverses. Penta SUPERKICKS back, then pops Dante up on the corner, for another SUPERKICK! Dante wobbles into Penta’s fireman’s carry, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Penta spins for the SWINGING DEATH VALLEY! Penta then goes back to a corner, climbs up, but White SHOVES Him to the ramp! White then runs up, fireman’s carries, but Penta fights free! And SUPERKICKS! White flops to the apron, Penta uses him as a step to get up and in and hit a DESTROYER on Dante!! Fans lose their minds as Penta stands, and says “CERO! MIEDO!” Dante bails out so Penta goes after White. Penta CHOPS White, then hears the fans rally up. Penta goes out after Dante, gets him in the ring, and stands him up against ropes. Penta winds up, to CHOP! Dante grits his teeth, but White BOOTS Penta down!
White stands Penta up, CHOPS Penta, but Penta CHOPS in return! Penta hears the fans rallying for “CERO! MIEDO!” and he goes back to SUPERKICK White! Penta stands Dante up, whips him to ropes and SUPERKICKS him down! But then White gets Penta for a cradle, TWO!! Penta escapes, White UPPERCUTS him down! White snarls, stomps Dante, then stomps a mudhole into Dante at the corner. White drags Dante up, whips him to ropes, and back drops him away! White covers, TWO! Penta is after White but White scrambles away as Dynamite returns to single picture. Penta brings Dante up, but Dante fights the suplex!
White storms back in, CLUBS them both down, and next up is KYLE O’REILLY! Whoa, #CombatKyle is now #CleanKyle as his hair and beard are trimmed. Maybe he’s going back to those babyface assassin days!
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly!
Kyle KICKS White down, KICKS Penta down, and KICKS Dante down! Kyle fires forearms on White, then wrenches. Dante gets up, Kyle BOOTS him away, then gives White an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle wrenches Dante, BOOTS Penta, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Wrench on Penta, ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle whips, Penta reverses but Kyle goes up and over. Kyle also ducks Dante so Dante’s LARIAT takes down Penta! Dante runs up, Kyle blocks the kick and gives it to Penta. Then Kyle gets one of Penta’s legs, DOUBLE DRAGON SCREW!! White KNEES Kyle low, runs but into a KNEE from Kyle! Kyle snapmares White, runs, but feints to then SLAP him!
The fans fire up while White frowns. White gets up but Kyle fires off fast strikes! KICK, LEG SWEEP, and the fans fire up! Dante wheelbarrows Kyle, but Kyle drops that into the ARMBAR! White stomps but Kyle catches that, to a HEEL HOOK! White flails, ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go, and now we add WILL OSPREAY! Will the Aerial Assassin take his momentum from Dynasty and make it Double or Nothing?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay!
Ospreay storms right in, Kyle staring him down! They fire forearms and the fans are thunderous already! Ospreay fires up to fire off a flurry! Kyle KICKS, whips, but Ospreay BOOTS back! Ospreay goes up and out to springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Penta runs up to KICK Ospreay’s leg! Dante gets in, he and Penta double whip, but Ospreay handsprings to DOUBLE PELE! But White SLEEPER- NO, Ospreay arm-drags free! These two know each other well and the fans are thunderous to see this one! White and Ospreay shake hands, but then White CLAWS Ospreay’s face! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!
White clinches, but Ospreay fights free to CHOP! Ospreay whips, White holds ropes to bail out, but the fans boo. Dante kicks Ospreay and runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! And out comes LANCE ARCHER! The Murderhawk Monster says #EverybodyDies, will that be the case in this sudden death gauntlet?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer!
Ospreay shakes his head, but Archer storms right in! Ospreay gets in Archer’s… well, chest, but he fires off forearms! Archer DECKS him! Kyle returns, Archer LARIATS! Penta runs up, Archer LARIATS! White runs up, into a half nelson, dragon sleeper, but Dante jumps in! But into Archer’s hand! CHOKE SLAM DDT COMBO!! Penta jumps onto Archer, fires off hands, then whips. Archer reverses to CLOBBER Penta! Kyle gets up, Archer choke grips, but Kyle turns slam into GUILLOTINE! Kyle thrashes, but Archer THROWS him away! Kyle goes to the apron, Archer DECKS Kyle! Ospreay BOOTS Archer, goes up, but Archer STEP-UP KNEES!
Archer picks Ospreay up in the reverse crucifix! BLACKOUT BOMBÂ onto the others on the outside!! The fans are thunderous and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
Archer storms out to go looking under the ring. Archer brings out a TABLE! Daily’s Place loves it as Archer sets up the furniture at ringside. Archer positions that but Ospreay runs up to fire shots! Archer knees low, SMACKS Ospreay off apron, and then goes around to BOOT Kyle down! And CLUB White down! And get another TABLE! Archer drags that table over White, then sets it up with the other. Archer drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay fires forearms first! Archer RAMS Ospreay into railing! Archer CLUBS away on Ospreay, SMACKS Kyle off apron, BOOTS Dante, then CLUBS White. Archer brings White over, and SMACKS him off the table.
Ospreay fires forearms on Archer, then brings him around to SMACK off the apron. Ospreay goes up, takes aim, and FLYING- BODY CHECK!! Archer just has Ospreay bounce right off him! White ROCKS Archer, ROCKS him again, then brings him around to the tables. White fireman’s carries, but Archer’s too big! Archer CLUBS White, CLUBS him again, then ROCKS him! Archer BOOTS Penta, sends him into railing, then goes back for White. White fights the choke grip but gets an APRON CHOKE SLAM for it!! Archer roars, White dangles before he flops, then Archer goes back up the apron. Archer grins while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Archer drags White up to the apron, but next is KOMANDER! The AAA Cruiserweight Champion’s entrance distracts Archer so that White can CLAW the eyes! We’re now at a Lucky 7 Way, is this where someone’s luck runs out?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander!
Komander hurries to the corner, climbs up and tightrope walks, to FLYING RANA, but Archer blocks!! Archer brings Komander back up, only for Komander to RANA Archer down through the tables!! The Murderhawk Monster is hoisted on his own petard and even Komander is stunned! Komander hurries to springboard in at Ospreay, but Ospreay ducks! Komander rolls through, comes back and kicks, then runs, only for Ospreay to TIGER WALL KICK and- NO, Komander ducks the enzigiri, to TIGER WALL KICK back! Things speed up, Komander tilt-o-whirls around the world, DEJA VU DDT!! Cover, White breaks it!!
White clinches to URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives, but White goes back to Ospreay. But Ospreay flips up and through Bladerunner to LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives, but Ospreay takes off the elbow pad! White rises, but here comes JAY LETHAL! We’re at eight, how much longer can this go?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander VS Jay Lethal!
Lethal runs in, Ospreay is ready and they brawl! Ospreay kicks, whips but Lethal reverses! Ospreay handsprings through the arm-drag but Lethal still cartwheels to DROPKICK! Dante returns but into the LETHAL COMBINATION! Penta is back and he KICKS Lethal’s leg! Penta whips, Lethal sunset flips but Penta rolls through. Lethal dodges and handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION!! But White’s back to clinch! Lethal slips free, but swings into the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White hurries to clinch again, but Dante MISSILE DROPKICKS them both down! Lethal runs in, Dante goes up and over, then Dante dodges Kyle!
Kyle CLOBBERS Lethal, ducks Dante’s enzigiri, AX & SMASH!! Ospreay returns, Kyle fights the nelson to fire off strikes! KICK, KICK, but Ospreay BUZZSAWS and HEEL KICKS! Kyle yoyos to LARIAT, but Ospreay slips through to pick Kyle up! But Kyle slips free to ROLLING ELBOW! Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Kyle YOYOS into HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Ospreay calls for his shot! Underhooks, but wait, he hesitates. Storm Driver 93 damn near destroyed Bryan Danielson, does he want to do that to Kyle? Kyle back drops free first! Then ARMBAR!! But Komander is up top! CIELITO LINDO onto Kyle!! Cover, HIDDEN BLADE!!!
Ospreay drags Komander to a cover, OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship)
The Assassin found a target and took them out! But here comes the Undisputed Kingdom, the Savior of the Backbreaker leading the way. Roderick Strong stares Ospreay down, with Mike Bennett, Matt Taven, Wardlow and Adam Cole all backing him up. Ospreay doesn’t back down, will he simply tear that gold away from The Kingdom?
Chris Jericho is here!
And as his new theme says, he is The Learning Tree. But what we see is that he is the NEW FTW Champion after cracking Hook in the head with a baseball bat at Dynasty. Jericho smiles and waves at the fans while he gets a mic, but they’re booing back. “Hey, guys! It’s true, I’m the new FTW Champion! It’s great, right? And there’s been a lot of negative connotation with the letters F T W. Does it mean F The World? Does it mean Forget The World? No, it’s none of those things, I’m changing it right here, right now. From now on, this means FOR The World Championship, because this was FOR all of you!”
The fans boo and Taz can’t stomach this on commentary. Jericho says “we” won this together! The whole world is buzzing and he knows why. Jericho is doing God’s work. The Wrestling God, that is, and that’s Terry Funk. Terry once told Jericho that it is now Jericho’s responsibility to teach the younger generation and take them to the next level, and that is what Jericho is doing! Thank you, Terry Funk, and thank you, fans. And thanks, Hook! What a great champion and a tough competitor in the ring. Hook beat the hell outta Jericho, but his only flaw is that there are still certain things he needs to take from The Learning Tree.
There are lessons Jericho wants to teach Hook, including how to get rid of the dead weight that surrounds him: Taz, Shibata, the collateral damage, and all the clowns that support him. More importantly, Hook, you need to listen to Jericho when he says to stay down. Jericho told Hook to stay down but Hook kept getting back up. Even after two Judas Effects! Hook forced Jericho to hit him in the head with the baseball bat. So that’s on Hook. But Jericho knows Hook is listening, thinking on the lessons he learned, and that is exciting to Jericho.
What is also exciting to Jericho is the list of men and women who have been drawn into the #JerichoVortex and come out the other side even bigger and better stars! So many! Jericho is so excited- Wait! “Big Bill” Morrissey is here! Bill has a mic already as he steps to Jericho in the ring. Bill tells Jericho, “I have been in the back listening to you, and I only have one thing to say.” Jericho waits as Bill thinks on his words, and Bill says he needs The Learning Tree! The fans boo, they were clearly hoping for something else.
Bill says everyone knows Jericho is the Socrates of Professional Wrestling! Always willing to give advice, to lend a hand, and to take a less established guy and bring him up to the top with him. That is Chris Jericho to a T. Jericho nods, and Bill knows there is a long line of guys foaming at the mouth for the very opportunity to be under the Learning Tree. But Bill wants Jericho to take this into consideration: there is nobody bigger than Bill, nor better fit for the Learning Tree. Jericho knows it deep down in his heart that Bill is the very best fit for The Learning Tree.
Jericho does have to say, Bill, he has been watching Bill a long time. A fan of his for years. It’s partly why Bill is in AEW. But Jericho will think on what Bill said, and he’ll keep his eye on Bill to see if what he says is true. Bill says go ahead and do that, because he’ll do just that. Just watch him. Bill heads out, Jericho says he sure will be. Let’s celebrate together! Jericho waves and gives a thumbs up, but will Bill be The Learning Tree’s first true pupil?
Backstage interview with The Don Callis Family.
Renee is with Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Callis himself as she congratulates Ospreay on becoming #1 contender to the International Championship. Callis, the rest of the Family has had an evening of ups and downs, so- Callis “apologizes” for interrupting but he has to say, he is so happy for the “golden goose,” and now Ospreay will have the gold. An international star deserves the International Championship. The only note Callis has, that Tiger Driver 91, AKA Storm Driver 93. He had that all set up, why didn’t Ospreay use it? No, Ospreay doesn’t wanna do that anymore. Not after what he did to Bryan.
Callis doesn’t understand, what happened? Ospreay says we all saw what happened to Bryan because of his neck, and Kyle O’Reilly has a bad neck, too. Storm Driver has to go. Callis doesn’t care about any of that, Ospreay should win! Roddy’s got a bad neck, so what’s gonna happen if Ospreay shows weakness? Fletcher speaks up saying that Ospreay still won, and he’ll win at Double or Nothing, what does it matter about that move? Callis tells Fletcher shouldn’t be talking about winning after how tonight went. Ospreay WILL be International Champion because he’s gonna nail Roddy with Storm Driver, break his neck, and take his title!
Now, Callis needs to go find Hobbs, he’s gonna coach Powerhouse to a championship tonight, just like Ospreay will win at the PPV. Callis leaves Ospreay and Fletcher behind, Fletcher apologizes on Callis’ behalf. Are the former Empire boys still united despite how Callis is leading this “family?”
BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night!
Once again, Saturday nights are alright for fighting, and it will be another THREE HOUR BLOCK, but this one will be live coast to coast! The Bang Bang Gang will defend their Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships against Top Flight, will Jay White & The Gunns make Dante, Darius & Action breathe with The Switchblade? After what happened tonight, Toni Storm will take on Anna Jay, will Mariah May be avenged? And then on Rampage, Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo finally have it out 1v1, and we get the Parking Lot Brawl! Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, who proves they were the strongest Best Friend all along?
Collision and Rampage will follow NBA Playoff coverage, keep your eyes open for this one!
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!
It was a Windy City Riot when The Maniac took this title off Tetsuya Naito, and he made a point of saying he runs from no challenge. NJPW’s Ren Narita and Shota Umino are both waiting on the other side of this match, will they still get their shot at Moxley? Or will the Don Callis Family start to take over the wrestling world?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes history in this historic main event!
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out as the fans rally, and Moxley KICKS a leg. Hobbs stays up, feel things out with Mox, but Moxley KICKS again. The two tie up, Moxley waistlocks the SLEEPERS, but Hobbs RAMS Moxley into buckles. Hobbs throws elbows, stomps a mudhole, then fires hands! Hobbs puts Moxley in a corner, ELBOWS him, but Moxley CHOPS! Hobbs pie faces Moxley, Moxley CHOPS, but Hobbs ROCKS him. Hobbs talks smack, then whips Moxley corner to corner. Moxley stops himself, ROCKS Hobbs, then fires more forearms and KICKS! Moxley runs, but leaps into Hobbs’ arms!
Hobbs pops Moxley up but Moxley slips free to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hobbs is right up!? The fans fire up and Hobbs grins. Moxley runs up, into a clinch! EXPLODER! Moxley writhes, bails out, and Hobbs grins as he goes out after him. Hobbs CLUBS Moxley, but Moxley fires a forearm! Moxley SMACKS Hobbs off the timekeeper’s table, but Hobbs body shots in return! Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off railing, then he runs up, only for Moxley to avoid the boot! Hobbs gets caught up on the railing, Moxley BOOTS him over! Moxley goes up the railing, Hobbs rises, but Moxley AX HANDLES him down!
Moxley headlocks, brings Hobbs around the back of the fans, and throws hands. Moxley ROCKS Hobbs, Hobbs HEADBUTTS, and they brawl! The ring count starts, both men have until 20, and we’re at 4 now. Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off a trash can! Hobbs stalks Moxley around the way, CHOPS, then brings Moxley around to ROCK him! Hobbs stalks Moxley, CLUBS him, then pushes him. Moxley hobbles his way back to railing, but turns around to fire haymakers! Hobbs KNEES low, TOSSES Moxley over railing, then storms after him. The count is 15 but Moxley gets in the ring. Hobbs follows and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Hobbs storms up on Moxley, talks trash, but Moxley SLAPS him and flips him off! Moxley eggs Hobbs on so Hobbs BOOTS him down! Moxley flops to the apron then the floor. Hobbs storms out after Moxley, and RAMS him into railing! Hobbs scoops Moxley to APRON POWERSLAM! And APRON POWERSLAM again! And again!! Hobbs snarls, brings Moxley around and SLINGS him down! Hobbs leaves Moxley behind in the ring to soak up cheers and jeers, and even make the pecs dance. IWGP rules do let titles change hands on count-outs, will Hobbs settle for that? No, Hobbs goes out to fetch Moxley, wanting to beat him directly.
Moxley blocks a suplex, fires forearms, but Hobbs hits back! They brawl, Moxley whips but Hobbs reverses! Moxley hits railing hard, and slumps down. Hobbs sits Moxley up to throw down hands, then goes up to rain down mores fists! The ring count climbs, but Hobbs still goes to TEN! Hobbs brings Moxley around to suplex to the floor! Moxley hobbles away, but Hobbs storms up after him. They go up the steel steps and into the ring, and Hobbs eggs Moxley on. Hobbs stomps Moxley, soaks up more cheers and jeers, then BOOTS Moxley down as Dynamite goes to break!
Dynamite returns and Hobbs says he’s whooping Moxley’s ass! Moxley crawls, Hobbs brings him up, but Moxley CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Hobbs body shots, then BEARHUGS! Moxley endures, even as Hobbs squeezes tight! Hobbs throws body shots, Moxley throws elbows, and Moxley is free. But Hobbs CLUBS Moxley first! Hobbs whips Moxley to a corner, then has him on the rebound. Callis doesn’t want Hobbs to wait, keep on him! Hobbs whips Moxley to the other corner, runs in, but Moxley BOOTS! Moxley runs, but Hobbs SLAMS the cutter down! Moxley staggers up, Hobbs runs in, but the splash only gets buckles!
Hobbs falls, clutching a knee. Hobbs bails out, Moxley goes to ropes and takes aim. Moxley builds speed as Hobbs rises, to DIVE! Down goes Hobbs again! The ref checks Hobbs as Hobbs still clutches his knee. The fans rally for Moxley as he rises, fires himself back up, and then gets Hobbs up. Moxley puts Hobbs in, storms around to slide in from the other side, and then waits on Hobbs. Hobbs rises, hobbles, and Moxley runs up to RAM him into a corner! Moxley goes up to rain down fists! Moxley goes way past ten, all the way to TWENTY!! Moxley keeps going past even that! Hobbs can barely guard, Moxley gives him PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO?!?
Moxley slips around to a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Hobbs sputters, flails, reaches out, but Moxley squeezes tight! Hobbs is fading, the ref calls it! MOXLEY WINS!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission (still IWGP World Champion)
Hobbs is a powerhouse, but even he needs to breathe! The Maniac has his first defense in the books, but NJPW Wrestling Dontaku is coming. Will the #SouledOut Ren Narita take this title from Moxley? Or is Moxley going to blast through him to then take on his former protege, Shota Umino? Wait! Konosuke Takeshita appears on stage. The Alpha wants his own shot at that IWGP World Championship, will he get in line ahead of Narita and Shota?
Backstage interview with Katsuyori Shibata.
Renee is with The Wrestler and brings up Jericho’s “choice words” for him. But what does Shibata have to say in response? Shibata uses his Google Translate voice-to-text to say, “Jericho called me deadweight and collateral damage. Next week, I’m going to damage him in his hometown of Winnipeg, and become FTW Champion.” So then that’s an official challenge for the title? “Yes, with FTW Rules. Jericho, I’m going to chop down your Learning Tree.” Okay then, Winnipeg, Jericho VS Shibata for the FTW title, it is official! Shibata then adds that the rhinestones on Renee’s shirt make a heart, how nice. Yes, she thought so, too.
Shibata is ready to take the fight to Jericho, will The Wrestler prove the Learning Tree is all bark and no bite?
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen… Jack Perry.” The fans are torn as The Scapegoat makes his way out, with no music since he isn’t an AEW talent anymore. Jack takes the mic from Schiavone while fans sing, “OH~ Cry Me a River~!” Jack says first thing’s first, he wants it known that he’s had some of the best nights of his life right here in Jacksonville! The fans cheer that! Jack says tonight… they have business to handle. And he wants to handle it right here, right now, face to face… with Tony Khan! Jack waits, the fans chant “He’s Our Scapegoat!” and here comes TK. Tony Khan joins Jack in the ring, as promised earlier tonight.
Jack says it has been a long road. TK agrees. Almost five years ago was the very first Double or Nothing. And since then, AEW has gone on to change the world. But now, TK, it is no secret they’ve had their ups and downs, haven’t always seen eye to eye. But Jack will say right now, from the bottom of his heart, he swears to God, the only thing that Jack has ever wanted is what’s best for AEW. The fans cheer that and TK applauds as he agrees there. So Jack just wants to ask TK to please shake his hand, reinstate him, and let’s go on to continue to change the world together. The fans like the sound of that!
TK gives a big thumbs up, he and Jack shake hands, and they hug it out! Jack is All Elite once again, and then Jack smiles at the camera… Jack raises TK’s hand, the fans cheer, and then Jack DECKS TK!! The Elite rush out here, from Nick to Matt to Okada, and they ask Jack what the hell! This is TK, THE boss of AEW! You can’t just do that, Jack! Jack nods, backs away, and The Bucks help TK sit up, but it looks a little suspicious…! The Bucks realize the optics, as does Okada, and they all say no no no, it’s not what anyone thinks. They help TK to his feet, and then Okada says do it. Matt scoops TK!! Nick goes up a corner!! T K DRIVER ON TK?!?!
The fans lose their minds as The EVPs stand over Tony Khan’s body! Jack drags TK to the center of the ring so all four of them can stand together. The refs rush out and ask what the hell is wrong with the EVPs! Jack says he waited for eight MONTHS to do that! Matt thanks Jacksonville for a great night, they love everyone so much! Jack, Okada, Nick & Matt leave the ring to have their curtain call on the stage. The Elite is running All Elite Wrestling now, are they going to change the world and remake it in their image?
As for Tony Khan, not only do wrestlers like Top Flight, The Infantry, Penta and Komander rush out to check on him, Tony’s father, Shahid Khan, is here! Shahid checks on his son, what will be done as the consequences for The Elite’s actions?
My Thoughts:
A really good episode of Dynamite here, but they were really not handling the audio that well. It was so hard to hear quite a few of the promos, well delivered as they all were. Rosa VS Deonna being set up was a good move, that’s definitely gonna be great. Really good stuff from Jericho as he leans into the obliviously selfish veteran persona, and I was definitely surprised Big Bill wanting to join him. Shibata has a good promo to call Jericho out, but if it’s FTW Rules, pretty sure Bill is gonna screw Shibata over so Jericho wins. And great stuff with the former Best Friends, Chuck VS Trent in a Parking Lot Brawl is going to be awesome stuff, but I wonder if Orange Cassidy messes it up for Chuck.
Great stuff with the Don Callis Family through the night. Moxley had a good promo to hype up the main event with Hobbs, but unfortunately, I think the match got cut down because Hobbs actually got hurt. Moxley was of course retaining, but this doesn’t help. Konosuke stepping up is fine, though, a natural move given this BCC VS DCF story going on. Fletcher stepped up to Swerve in the match tonight, but it was also very clear Swerve was going to win. The Casino Gauntlet wasn’t really named well, and they didn’t really explain it properly before it started, but it was clearly based on William Regal’s Gauntlet Eliminator from NXT a couple years ago.
However, in execution, it was amazing! Great win for Ospreay and a great showing for all the wrestlers involved, Ospreay VS Roddy will be great stuff. But I also really like that they’re not only going with Ospreay being hesitant about Storm Driver, but they’re going with what I was hoping for. Ospreay and Fletcher are likeminded but that means they clash with how Callis wants to do things. This very well could lead to Ospreay & Fletcher VS Konosuke & Hobbs, so long as Hobbs isn’t out of action. Maybe Don Callis Family finds someone else to bring in to make up for that, but also as foreshadowing of Ospreay and Fletcher leaving the group.
I also like that they seem to be heading for another idea I had when it comes to Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa. Great match from Mina VS Anna with a good win for Mina, but also Anna going Heel on her and Mariah. For that matter, that should mean Mariah and Storm are turning Face to counter, which is fitting since the fans love them so much anyway. Storm defends Mariah, she’ll definitely beat Anna this Saturday, and then we can move into Storm and Mina fighting for Mariah’s affections. And great stuff from the TBS Championship story. Great promos, for one, and then great detail that Kris gets Willow hit. Has it been Kris behind the attacks all along? If Willow somehow retains at Double or Nothing, Kris going after her would be a wild twist.
And of course, incredible stuff out of this story with Jack Perry’s return. Good opening bit as Jack arrives and the EVPs vouch for him, and good little backstage bit to set up the closing segment. I just knew the moment Jack asked for a handshake, he was just setting Tony Khan up. The entire Elite beating TK down was wild but powerful, and this is very much their nWo moment. This combined with Kenny Omega making his return next week, there is something big brewing in a very nWo VS Wolfpac kinda way. Kenny, Hangman & FTR uniting against Okada, Jack & Bucks? Feels like an awesome 8 Man to me.
My Score: 8.8/10
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