Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/25/20)
Drew McIntyre is a VIP!
Raw will determine a challenger for the new champion!
While MVP welcomes Drew McIntyre to the lounge, Nia Jax, Natalya and Charlotte Flair will battle to challenge the Raw Women’s Champion, ASUKA!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews; Crews wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
- Kevin Owens VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega; Garza wins.
- Golf: The Street Profits VS The Viking Raiders; The Profits win.
- Aleister Black & Humberto Carrillo VS Austin Theory & Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins; Theory & Murphy win.
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Charlotte Flair VS Natalya VS Nia Jax; Jax wins and will challenge Asuka for the title at Backlash.
- The Street Profits VS Bobby Lashley & MVP; The Profits win, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE celebrates Memorial Day, and remembers those who gave all for our freedoms.
“What does it mean to be selfless?” To have the courage to put all else first for a greater cause. In every generation, there are those who do just that. This weekend, we honor them. “The brave men and women who fought for our freedom,” from WWI to Desert Storm. From Normandy to Afghanistan. Remember the moments and the events that defined our history. Remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice. As Ronald Reagan once said, as we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. Show gratitude to those that shaped us, guided us, and ensured our values would live forever. Show reverence and respect, and say, “Thank you” to them.
WWE Superstars from NXT and the Performance Center are in the crowd!
Keeping social distancing guidelines and Plexiglas windows, young prospects watch the superstars of Raw they want to be like in their own careers.
Raw presents The Kevin Owens Show!
And this time, his set is intact. The crowd cheers as he welcomes us and the future of the WWE to Raw. And more importantly, he welcomes us all to the Kevin Owens Show. They’re in for a treat, because later on tonight, KO takes on Angel Garza. Aren’t you excited? Yes! But before all that, KO wants to discuss the Women’s Triple Threat for a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship. Who better to discuss that with than THE champion, ASUKA?! The Empress of Tomorrow brings back the original gear as she walks out with mic and belt. Asuka gets everyone cheering for “Becky! Becky!” because she deserves cheers, too. Becky is going from The Man to The Mom, and the new merch is available on WWE Shop.
Kevin congrats Asuka and she is very thankful. Before getting into the Triple Threat, KO wants Asuka’s reaction to everything last week. Asuka’s celebration with Kairi Sane was rudely interrupted by Nia Jax, and it was also insulted. Nia says Asuka is in the “greatest temp job ever,” only to be replaced. Asuka beat up and kicked out Nia, only for Nia to get revenge on Kairi! So Asuka gave Nia some more! Back in the present, Asuka is still angry with Nia. She is sure Kevin understands with why she did all that. Kairi is so cute and is Asuka’s friend! But before she can say more, here comes the NXT Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair! The Queen is another of the contenders in tonight’s Triple Threat, but she joins Asuka as a guest of the KO Show.
Charlotte has a mic and tells Asuka, “I need to get this off my chest.” That title should’ve been handed to Charlotte. Does Charlotte need to remind us what happens when she and Asuka have a match? Asuka’s never beaten Charlotte. Manage your expectations, Empress. But wait! Here comes the Queen of Harts! Kevin gets his show signs out of the way so Natty doesn’t go after them. Natty gets herself a mic as she joins Charlotte and Asuka in the ring. Natty says she isn’t here to cause trouble, but to apologize. She apologizes to Kevin and his show crew for her “temper tantrum.” The crowd applauds this, but Charlotte laughs. Not even sucking up to Kevin will help Natty win tonight? That wasn’t sucking up, that was being nice. Oh, silly Kevin. But maybe Charlotte was being rude in telling Natty she’s irrelevant.
And naturally, here comes Nia Jax! Nia stays on stage as she asks all of this to stop. Everyone knows she’ll be champion, so everyone might as well just stay out. Kevin clears out of the ring as Nia joins the others. Nia wants Asuka to remember what happened to Kairi. That will be a fraction of what happens at Backlash. Kevin wants Asuka to keep her calm. Just don’t hit Nia in the face. BAKC HAND TO THE FACE! And then Natty goes after Charlotte! Asuka runs but Nia bails out while Queen and Queen fall out of the ring! It’s clear Asuka wants Nia to win just so she can go after her at Backlash. But will she get her wish when Charlotte and Natty both join the mix?
Backstage interview with Apollo Crews.
Tonight is a second chance. Is Crews ready both physically and mentally for this? Tonight is the greatest night of Crews’ career, because he will defeat Andrade Almas to finally become the NEW WWE United States Champion! Crews heads out, because that match is next! Will tonight be the night it all changes for Crews?
WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews!
Raw returns as Crews makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Crews’ chance at redemption begins!
Almas backs away to a corner and the ref keeps Crews back. Almas comes out and ties up with Crews, but Crews waistlocks and slams. Crews then gets Almas to a corner, but must back off. Angel Garza is watching backstage as Almas and Crews tie up. Crews pushes Almas to a corner and fires off hands! The ref counts and Crews lets up to whip. Crews runs Almas over with an elbow and covers, ONE! Crews is on Almas with a suplex and holds him up for a count of 10! Cover, ONE! Crews looms over Almas and drags him up for haymakers. Crews scoops but Almas slips out to boot feint and ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Crews survives but Almas says he is still champion. Almas brings Crews up, reels him in, but Crews resists the hammerlock to power up and TOSS Almas!
Crews has the crowd behind him as he trophy lifts! But Vega gets on the apron. Crews lets Almas down, dodges Almas, and enziguris him into Vega! La Muneca is down and Almas hurries out to check on her. Raw goes picture in picture as Almas panics.
Almas wants time to make sure Vega is okay, and the ref keeps Crews in the ring. Medics are called for Vega’s sake and they go to check on her. They tell Almas to go back to his match while they help her, and a ring count begins. Almas wants more time but even Vega tells him to go back. Crews steps closer but Almas stays back. Almas then suckers Crews in and goes after the recovered leg! Almas CHOPS and RAMS Crews into barriers! The count continues but Almas grabs the title belt. “This is MINE!” Almas storms over to Crews as the count climbs. Almas puts Crews in at 8 and covers, TWO! El Idolo stomps Crews and clamps on with an armlock. Crews endures and the crowd rallies up. Crews fights to his feet and throws body shots! He throws haymakers but Almas knees low.
Almas headlocks but Crews back suplexes out. Crews ROCKS Almas with a right, then another! And another, and another! And then Crews rallies! He tackles Almas into a corner, rams his shoulders in over and over, then whips corner to corner! Crews runs in to hit a splash! The crowd fires up with Crews as he goes back to Almas. Almas boots back then hops up, but Crews enziguris back! Vega is wincing and not just from her fall. Crews has Almas and climbs up top. But Almas trips Crews into a Tree of Woe! And hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! Vega is furious as Crews survives! Almas runs corner to corner, but Crews dodges! Crews lifts for the Olympic Slam but Almas arm-drags out! Crews baits Almas into a corner for an OVERHEAD suplex! Cover, TWO!
Garza is cheering but Kayla Braxton comes by to interview him. What are his thoughts? The secret to a good match is like making love. First, there is eye contact that sends a clear message. Second, there is the moment between the two bodies where they come together. Sometimes it’s gentle, sometimes it’s crashing. The tension builds as you’re thrown onto the mat. The passion of conquering the other is exhausted bliss. Then you do it all over again. Garza turns back to the screen to see his ally in Vega’s stable is in trouble!
Crews drags Almas up and in to lift, but Almas huricarnanas back! Crews hits buckles and Almas goes corner to corner! CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TOW!?! Crews survives again and Vega is freaking out! Almas kicks Crews’ bad leg over and over. Crews slowly gets up and Almas Fisherman hooks the leg. But Crews enziguris with the good leg! Crews trophy lifts and drops Almas, to hit the standing moonsault! And standing shooting star! Cover, CREWS WINS!!
Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
Incredible! Crews shocks Vega and perhaps the world as he finally realizes his potential! Is this just the beginning of Apollo’s legend?
In-ring interview with Apollo.
Congratulations are in order. What does it feel to finally win his first title in the WWE? Crews says when he first started on his journey, people closest to him told him he couldn’t do it. But he never gave up. 11 years of sacrifice, hard work and dedication, and he is finally a champion! Crews knows when his body gave out last time, people were thinking, “That’s it. He blew his chance.” But Crews never gave up. Crews has always believed in himself. He can finally say to the whole world that he is the NEW WWE United States Champion! It feels so good!
Meanwhile, Almas is throwing a tantrum, smashing up whatever he can backstage! Will El Idolo’s rage only be quelled by another rematch? Or is Crews on to a new challenge?
Seth Rollins has one of Rey Mysterio’s masks.
The Monday Night Messiah looks upon it in reflection. What does Rollins have left to say about the legend of lucha libre?
Raw returns to hear from Seth Rollins.
“Tonight is a night for celebration! Because the Monday Night Messiah is here, and I am better than I have ever been.” And that is all thanks to Rey Mysterio. We relive through footage just what happened. Rollins took offense to Mysterio’s hit, and then took Mysterio to dig his eye into the corner of the steel steps! Back in the present, Rollins speaks on that “dark, dark place” he was in. Mysterio presented himself in a time of need as a chosen sacrifice. Mysterio fulfilled his duty to the greater good. Rollins can’t imagine the pain Mysterio went through. He can’t begin to imagine how painful it was for Mysterio’s family, especially Dominic, who couldn’t be there for his father. Rollins doesn’t know what the future holds for Mysterio. But if that was truly Mysterio’s final act as a WWE superstar, then it was a courageous one. “Because it allows us to move forward into the future.”
Theory and Murphy stand with Rollins, and it is official that Theory is the newest disciple. Just as Rollins was discarded by the WWE Universe, both Murphy and Theory understand what it is to be underappreciated. With Rollins’ guidance, their ceilings are limitless. Murphy says his career faced obstacle upon obstacle and he needed guidance. He needed a mentor and a leader. He needed the Monday Night Messiah to lead him into the future. For that, Murphy thanks Rollins. Theory says that he came to Raw with who he thought were friends. But when they abandoned him, the Monday Night Messiah found him. And for that, Theory thanks Rollins. You’re welcome.
But this is just the beginning of a wonderful night. Because later tonight, they will show Mysterio “the goodness he has brought to Monday Night Raw,” when they make examples of Humberto Carrillo and Aleister Black. They will see what happens when they stand in the way of the Monday Night Messiah. Will the disciples carry out Rollins’ will? Or will they both simply #FadeToBlack?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.
The Queen winning tonight would mean a chance at becoming a Double Champion. Has she thought what this means for her legacy? Charlotte has been the most consistent and prolific women’s champion in WWE History. It doesn’t matter how many titles she has, those are just metal. She is raising the bar for every woman in this division! And no one else compares. But Asuka comes in, showing off her title. Asuka mocks Charlotte in Japanese, and says, “Red is not your color.” Asuka heads off, dancing again. Will Charlotte be seeing red when she enters the Triple Threat?
The IIconics are here!
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce let their tempers get the better of them last week. They have seemingly calmed down, but what are they planning on saying and doing this week? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and the IIconics have mics. Peyton apologizes to Billie for costing them the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Billie says she needs to apologize for slapping Peyton after. It makes Billie sick to her stomach. She doesn’t want there to be any animosity. They’ve come so far together. Peyton appreciates that, and agrees. They grew up together, signed to the WWE together, and won the Women’s Tag Team titles at WrestleMania together! They never even had a chance to defend their titles! They had things stripped and thrown into the trash! They should still be champions! So over their dead bodies will a crazy lady and “the office’s favorite blonde” going to hold what is rightfully theirs!
But speaking of, here comes Bliss-Cross! Alexa “laughs” at that last line. The IIconics had their opportunities. They’ve complained, taken cheap shots and shortcuts to get back, but they still blew their shot. Nikki starts but Peyton interrupts her. The crowd is loving the drama as Billie tells Nikki to stand there and look grateful. Grateful? The IIconics are telling Nikki to stand here and be grateful? Every step she and Alexa took to these titles, they took together! Nikki left her home of Glasgow with nothing in her pocket, and she got here! But the IIconics had each other! Nikki scratched, clawed and fought for everything! And then Lexi came along, gave her the time of day and the respect she deserves! Nikki was the misfit outcast IIconics laughed at.
But what’s funny is how the IIconics want to talk about friendship. But Bliss-Cross are the Women’s Tag Team Champions! Why? Because Lexi stops Nikki from bouncing off the walls, and Nikki has taught her something about friendship. And nothing is more iconic than that! And a fight breaks out! The IIconics beat Bliss-Cross down, then coordinate on Nikki. The crowd boos but Nikki gets the spinning heel kick! Then the IIconics POST Bliss and yank her back down! The crowd boos as Nikki reaches for Alexa, but she gets the INVERTED MAGIC KILLER! Will this battle of dynamic duos only heat up from here?
Lana confronts MVP backstage.
She glares at him while he checks his phone. Is there something she needs? They need to talk. No, they don’t. Bye. Will Lana be able to do anything about her “hawt, hawt husband” joining up with Montel Vontavius Porter?
WWE mourns the loss of Shad Gaspard.
Raw returns to the VIP Lounge!
MVP is already in the ring with his couches and champagne, and he extends a special welcome to the NXT superstars and PC trainees. Their tabs are on him. But while the VIP Lounge won’t be the exclusively open club for long, but it will be the club with the star power! Especially with his guest, the future former WWE World Champion, Drew McIntyre! The crowd cheers the Scottish Stud as he heads down the ramp and through the velvet ropes. McIntyre dumps the champagne and tosses the furniture around! “Now that we got that bit of business out of the way…” McIntyre wants MVP to bring “him” out. Who? MVP knows. Where is Lashley? Oh, no, McIntyre doesn’t have to worry about an ambush. No contract, no contact. The physicality won’t be this week or next week. It’ll be at Backlash.
But MVP wants McIntyre to remember the last time MVP graciously welcomed McIntyre to the lounge. He selflessly offered McIntyre his guidance to the very top of the WWE mountain and navigate the chaos. Does McIntyre remember? MVP does. MVP remembers trying to be a friend ,only to be repaid with a Claymore kick to the face. But after finding himself down and out, he had two thoughts: 1) McIntyre is definitely going to become WWE Champion; 2) When McIntyre loses, MVP will personally play a role in that outcome. It took Lashley 13 years, and now Lashley has his opportunity, because of MVP. Wow, 13 years. It took McIntyre 19 years! And guess what happened? McIntyre was in the main event of WrestleMania, and he beat BROCK LESNAR in five minutes! Lashley won’t be so lucky.
But yes, McIntyre remembers what he said in VIP Lounge last time. He’ll refresh our memories tonight. McIntyre doesn’t need someone else thinking for him. He doesn’t need someone else talking for him. And he sure as hell doesn’t want someone kissing his ass. Lashley said something that got McIntyre’s attention: The only way he will take this title will be by prying it from McIntyre’s cold, dead hands. MVP says that can be arranged. Because now Lashley heads to the ring! MVP welcomes him as the future NEW WWE Champion! But then MVP gets a CLAYMORE! McIntyre kips up as Lashley drags MVP out of the ring. McIntyre wants to settle this now but MVP tells Lashley to wait. The stud and the All Mighty will have this out soon enough
Backstage interview with Natalya.
Natty has a lot on her mind, but she also gets a call. It’s from TJ. Natty explains to him about her apology for her meltdown. She doesn’t need him on her case, she has her match to worry about. Natty hangs up and goes back to the interview, but their time is up. Will this only add to Natty’s problems?
Kevin Owens VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega!
The Prizefighter heads back out for the match he plugged earlier in the night. Will he add on to the problems of Zelina Vega’s stable?
But as KO makes his entrance, Garza attacks from behind with a sliding chop block! El Latino es en la casa and he SLAMS Kevin’s leg on the ramp! Garza gets to the ring, but can Kevin still fight after this? We’ll see after the break.
Raw returns and Kevin has made it into the ring. Kevin wants this fight and the bell rings! Garza runs and dropkicks the leg out! Then he cranks on it with a toehold and puts it on the ropes. Garza stomps but the ref counts. Garza lets up at four to wrap the legs around the rope! He stops at 4 again to club away on Kevin. Garza pulls on the leg in a modified toehold but Kevin gets the ropebreak. Garza is on Kevin right away but Kevin throws hands! Garza hits back and wraps the leg on the ropes again! The ref counts, Garza stops but KICKS the knee! Garza turns Kevin over, drags him around, and stands on the leg as he pulls on the ankle! Kevin endures and the crowd rallies up. Kevin crawls, and again gets the ropebreak!
Garza lets go fast and kicks at the arms now. Garza drags Kevin up but Kevin spins through to DDT! Vega is shocked at Garza getting spiked! Kevin staggers up on one good leg and CHOPS Garza down! Kevin rallies and elbows Garza down, to then drop a back senton! The crowd rallies for Kevin while Vega coaches Garza. Kevin runs corner to corner but his leg gives out! Garza SUPERKICKS Kevin down! Cover, TWO!! Kevin will not go down but Garza won’t let up. Garza headlocks and brings Kevin to a corner. Garza hoists Kevin up top backwards then climbs up behind him. Kevin fights back and even headbutts Garza down! Kevin adjusts and SWANTONS! But he can’t cover because of the bad leg bothering him!
The crowd rallies up as Kevin stands. Kevin grabs Garza and CHOPS him against ropes! And then he whips and pops Garza up, but the bad leg gives out! Garza gets Kevin for the WING CLIPPER!! Cover, Garza wins!
Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall
The former NXT Cruiserweight Champion beats a Triple Crown Champion in Kevin, but he isn’t done! He kicks the bad leg out and gloats about it on his way out. Will Kevin still be able to fight in order to get payback?
The Street Profits and Viking Raiders meet on the golf course.
We are ready~, ready~ to try the gentlemen’s game. Erik and Ivar bring a cooler, but not full of drinks. It’s mutton! Sorry, guys, no food on the course. They go over the rules and begin. A great couple of drives from Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford, but Erik misunderstands and throws the club like a javelin! After things get sorted, Erik ends up in the sand trap and really struggles. Dawkins gets one in the hole, but Ivar struggles to get one off the pin. He sure makes a good divot, though. Ford somehow lucks out that his pinball shot goes in the hole!Ivar finally gets one off the pin but forgets to give warning. So of course, someone gets hit. And then their golf cart breaks down! The course manager is furious! They get kicked out!
So instead of golf, they go to mini-golf! Time to get their Caddyshack on! Much easier holes here. Just look out for the baby gators. Ford even goes Happy Gilmore with that pool shot. Ivar forgets this is mini-golf, but Erik likes the pond shot. But once again, Ivar helps them out by being “cute” to the manager lady. But Ivar has one last putt and the game is finally finished! But who won? The final scores are… Viking Raiders: 144, Street Profits: 28. High score! No, guys, no. Golf is lowest score. The Profits win and they’re 2-1 on the series! Aw man… Ivar still wants the game ball. Wait, is that someone’s wallet? Someone’s red Solo cup? Mutton? Ivar, don’t eat it, that’s against the five second rule. The gator wants some. Well anything that gator can do, Ivar can do better. No no no.
Lana finds MVP and Lashley backstage.
She offers MVP an ice pack after what happened. Seriously, what a monster McIntyre is for kicking him. MVP accepts the ice pack but not the apologies. Does Lana think this is a joke? No, of course it is a joke! Everything’s a joke to her! McIntyre did something to Lashley, not Lana or MVP. Lashley has his first title opportunity in 13 YEARS. So what needs to happen is they need to send a message back. So if Lana will excuse them, they have work to do. Well that didn’t work. Lana is furious again, but are things beyond the point of no return?
Aleister Black & Humberto Carrillo VS Austin Theory & Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins!
The Embodiment of the End and Ultimo Ninja want revenge for what The Architect did to the King of Lucha! But first they must go through his disciples. Will Aleister and Carrillo be able to avenge the living legend and derail Rollins’ vision for Raw’s future?
The teams sort out and Theory starts against Carrillo. They circle, tie up, and Carrillo waistlocks. Theory elbows out hard then pushes Carrillo. Carrillo CHOPS but Theory fires off! Theory stomps then tags in Murphy, and Murphy adds more stomps. The ref counts and Murphy lets up, but tags in Theory. The disciples double back suplex but Carrillo escapes! Carrillo runs at Theory and springboards to arm-drag Murphy! Carrillo sends Theory out onto Murphy! Rollins coaches his followers but Aleister tags in. Aleister runs but fakes the disciples out. Carrillo FLIES to topple Murphy and Theory over! Rollins keeps his space as Carrillo puts Theory in the ring.
Aleister is all over Theory with strikes in the corner, then whips corner to corner. Theory reverses but Aleister gets him with an STO! And basement calf kick! Cover, TWO! Aleister is right on Theory with an armlock, and he tags in Carrillo. Aleister wrenches, Carrillo climbs and drops down on the arm. Rollins is frustrated as Carrillo wrenches and wristlocks. Theory breaks free to DECK Carrillo! Carrillo BOOTS Back then elbows Murphy! Carrillo elbows Theory, kicks Murphy away, but Theory torture racks and throws Carrillo into buckles! Theory hits a back suplex and covers, TWO! Rollins holds onto Mysterio’s mask as Carrillo tags in Murphy. The disciples mug Carrillo, Murphy fires off the strike fest, but Carrillo dodges. Carrillo kicks, Murphy ducks but the enziguri hits!
The crowd rallies as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tags to Theory and Aleister! Aleister rallies on Theory with forearms and elbows! Murphy gets spun into Theory! Aleister fires off on Murphy, then sends Theory’s BOOT into Murphy! Aleister sweeps the leg then thrusts the knee! He kips up and dodges Murphy to QUEBRADA both disciples! Murphy stands up to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Theory rolls Aleister, TWO! Theory walks into a rush and a back elbow! Kick and KNEE! Carrillo wants in and Aleister obliges. Tag and Carrillo goes up while Aleister aims at Murphy. But Murphy sends him down! Carrillo moonsaults over Theory to enziguri Murphy! But he turns into the ATL!! Cover, the disciples win!
Winners: Austin Theory & Buddy Murphy, by pinfall
Things were fast and furious, but it only gets worse now that Rollins’ side has won! Aleister is sent FLYING into the timekeeper’s area! Theory fetches a mic for his Monday Night Messiah, and Rollins coordinates. “He needs to learn!” Carrillo is sent out, and brought to the steps!! They want to do to him what they did to Mysterio! Rollins warns Aleister to stay where he is with that chair or else! Now shut up and listen! Rollins knows what they’re doing. They’re fighting for Mysterio, but Mysterio was sacrificed for the greater good! If they keep standing in Rollins’ way, Mysterio’s sacrifice will be in vain! Put the chair down! Aleister has no choice and does as told. Rollins does not want to sacrifice them the way he did Mysterio. Carrillo is spared but Mysterio’s mask is still Rollins’ trophy. Will things only get darker for those who oppose Rollins’ will?
Raw hears from Edge.
“Randy, a few weeks ago on Raw, you caught me flat-footed. Tongue tied.” Edge was basking in the glow of WrestleMania, but it doesn’t happen often, so congrats. Orton chose the date and the match, and now Edge finds himself doubting himself. Edge will be transparent about this. “Can I hang?” Edge was retired for 3012 days. And in those same days, Orton was in 1126 matches. Yes, Edge did the research. And now, Edge is looking at those numbers and realizes he has to prove himself to himself. So strangely, Edge wants to thank Orton for making him think about things he had buried very, very deep inside. Edge watched The Last Ride. He watched himself on there talking about when it’s time to hang up the boots. Edge was still retired back then. And here he is now. Edge understands what Taker is going through.
But to Orton, if he’s going to doubt Edge’s ability, remember that Edge has gone toe-to-toe with Taker, HBK, Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Christian, William Regal, Owen Hart, the list goes on and on. Every style, Edge adapted. When it was Edge’s job, he pulled others up to his level. Edge taught others how to get to the next level because that was Edge’s job and he was damn good at it. A five-tool workhorse for the WWE. If Orton is paying attention, and we know he is, he’ll notice Edge said all that in the past tense. Because Edge doesn’t know if he can do any of that again. But at Backlash, Edge will dig through the very depths of his soul to try. It’s all a man can do. Is this really going to be the greatest wrestling match ever?
Asuka returns!
The Empress wants to keep a close eye on her contenders after the scuffle during the Kevin Owens Show! Will she be ready for the winner of tonight’s Triple Threat?
The Street Profits and Viking Raiders talk backstage.
Ford and Dawkins can’t believe Erik & Ivar are supposedly letting them win. Just like at basketball, the Raiders let the Profits win at golf? Pause button. Bruh, Ivar had more turkey legs than balls towards the hole. Yes, many birdies. Well whatever, the Raiders choose next and they’ll go for it. Ivar wants gator wrestling, but Dawkins said that was off the table. Okay then. Do the Profits bowl? Bowling is next? Of all the things to do next.
But then MVP and Lashley come along. “Another case of extraordinary talent that will inevitably be flushed down the toilet because they’d rather golf than act like champions.” Got a problem, fam? No, no, MVP and Lashley don’t. They were just leaving, because they don’t respect clowns. They have the WWE Champion to worry about. Oh really? How is MVP’s face? Better ice up, son. MVP doesn’t need ice. The Claymore is devastating, but do you see Lashley? How about the Profits take MVP and Lashley on later tonight. If you’re up for it, bring the smoke. Things just got serious for the Raw Tag Team Champions. Will the Profits be up or down after going up against MVP and the Rocky Mountain Machine?
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Charlotte Flair VS Natalya VS Nia Jax!
The Queen of Flair, the Queen of Harts, and the ace that is the Irresistible Force. Only one challenges for the title at Backlash! Who at least thinks they’re ready for Asuka?
Raw returns as the contenders make their entrance, in that order. Asuka talks trash in Japanese to each of them and the bell rings. Charlotte, Natty and Nia circle and then Charlotte DECKS Natty! Nia tackles Charlotte to a corner and rams her shoulder in! Natty pulls Nia away but Nia pushes her down., Charlotte BOOTS Nia but Nia stays up., Nia scoops to slam Charlotte, then scoops Natty to slam her on Charlotte! Nia makes a Queen Sandwich for herself, but misses the leg drop! Charlotte stomps Nia down then Natty joins in. The two work together to whip Nia hard into the POST! Asuka laughs at Nia but now Charlotte and Natty are alone. Charlotte kicks Natty low and headlocks to grind Natty down.
Charlotte taunts the NXT members of the crowd because she’s their champion. Natty headscissors but Charlotte pops out. Charlotte drops down but Natty boots her down! Charlotte headcissors but Natty pops out! The crowd applauds that as the two circle again. Natty kicks, headlocks and grinds, but Charlotte pulls hair to power out! Charlotte runs Natty over and then ROCKS Nia off the apron! Natty rolls Charlotte, ONE! Charlotte kicks low then cheers herself. Charlotte whips but Natty reverses. Charlotte tumbles up and out and shoulders back in. But Nia trips Charlotte off the apron and CLOBBERS her! Asuka talks trash but Nia clears off the desk. But Charlotte bumps Nia off the desk first! Natty tries to baseball slide but gets caught!
Nia rams Natty on the apron then yanks her off, but Charlotte uses the desk hood to JAM Nia! Nia and Charlotte fight over the hood, and this ends up with Charlotte rammed into the apron. Charlotte gets on the apron but Nia stalks after her. They brawl on the edge and Charlotte CHOPS away! Asuka likes what she sees as the CHOPS ring out! “WOO~!” Charlotte goes to boot but Nia counters. Nia fireman’s carries but Natty goes after Nia’s ankles. Charlotte helps out, and they DOUBLE POWERBOMB Nia through the desk!! Asuka is speechless as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Charlotte has Natty down with a rear bearhug. The crowd rallies up as Natty moves around and gets to her feet. Natty breaks free, staidness switches, but Charlotte elbows back! Charlotte runs but Natty dodges, and double crossbodies cancel out! Asuka puts Nia in to help Natty get an easy win! Natty drags Nia up but Nia shoves. Natty dodges, Nia scoops, but Natty tilt-o-whirls through to get Nia down for ground ‘n’ pound! ARMBAR! Nia fights her way up to cover but then dead lifts to POWERBOMB Natty down! But Charlotte BOOTS Nia down! Cover on Natty, TWO!! Charlotte grins and the crowd cheers. Charlotte throws Natty out and stalks Nia. Charlotte drops a knee on Nia’s head! Asuka is angry now but she wants Nia to lose either way. Charltote climbs up top and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!!
Asuka is liking what she sees, even though the match continues. Charlotte drags Nia around by her leg to drop knees on it. But Natty climbs up and leaps! Crossbody hits but Natty bounces off! Cover, TWO!! Nia clobbers Natty, then clobbers Charlotte. Charlotte flounders away so Nia brings Natty up. Nia whips Natty into Charlotte and gets the Queen Sandwich splash! Nia hoists them both up in a fireman’s carry but Natty and Charlotte fight Nia off. Natty shoves Nia then pushes Charlotte. Charlotte throws Natty down by her hair then dodges Nia. Charlotte fires off forearms on Nia, then drops a knee on the knee! Asuka likes that Nia screams in pain as Charlotte has the leg. Figure Four is on! FIGURE EIGHT, but Natty dropkicks it apart!
Natty trips Charlotte and wants the Sharpshooter! She gets it and the crowd goes wild! Charlotte endures and Asuka shouts for Charlotte to quit! Natty keeps Charlotte from ropes but Charlotte refuses to quit! Nia returns to drag Natty up, for a fireman’s carry. Natty gets free but gets run over! Nia glares at Asuka and Asuka shouts back. Nia drags Natty up, fireman’s carries, but Charlotte BOOTS! Cover on Nia, but Natty breaks it in time! Natty drags Charlotte up but Charlotte throws Natty out. Charlotte goes back to Nia but Nia kicks back. Charlotte BOOTS Nia down then goes up top again. But Natty comes over so Charlotte fights her off. Charlotte keeps climbing but Nia SWATS Charlotte down! Nia headbutts but Charlotte clubs back. Nia positions Charlotte but the brawling continues.
Asuka is tense as Nia reaches the top. Natty adds on for a TOWER OF DOOM!! POWERBOMB SUPERPLEX!! All three women are down and Asuka rallies for Natty! Natty covers Nia, TWO! Natty covers Charlotte, TWO! Natty throws Charlotte out and focuses on Nia. Nia resists the Sharpshooter and Charlotte rolls Natty up, TWO! Charlotte has the legs, Figure Four but Nia drops a LEG! No Figure Eight this time and Asuka is shocked! Nia has Natty to herself, brings her up, and hits the SAMOAN DROP! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)
Asuka says, “Okay, okay!” The Empress gets her chance to make Nia pay in full for what she did to the Pirate Princess! Will Asuka make sure no one ever questions
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Well he didn’t plan on this interview but he has a statement prepared. He did not plan on giving MVP a Claymore, but MVP was basically asking for it. Kayla wasn’t going to question that. She asks if he knew about the Profits taking on MVP and Lashley tonight. Oh, well, he did not know that. McIntyre thinks he forgot something in the locker room, but isn’t going to find it until Lashley’s match is over. Will McIntyre respond to the Rocky Mountain Machine’s message with one of his own?
Raw hears from R-Truth.
“It has come to my attention the current WWE 24/7 Champion is NOT Tom Brady but one Robert James Gronkowski, aka Rob Gronkowski, aka Gronk.” Be nice to Brady, y’all. Losing the title hurts with an S. And it hurts worse losing to a friend. Shame on Gronk! Truth is coming for Gronk! He’ll tackle anyone he has to in order to get his baby back! This is a warning to all football men out there! “Especially to you, Robin Gronk!” Truth puts on the pads and is ready to go!
Gronk responds!
“R-Truth. More like R-Lies.” Gornk can’t thank Truth enough for his public declaration that he’ll be coming after the title. Bring it on! Gronk is a nice guy, so he’ll give Truth all the intel he needs. Gronk was WrestleMania 36’s host with the most, and reigning WWE 24/7 Champion. He knows Truth has a lot of memories with this title, but that was the past. Gronk is the present and future! Playing 16 years of football and growing up with four brothers has prepared him to fight any time, any place. So this is the 24/7, 7-11, I-95 South, #W9Y, The Whole 9 Yards Champion, and the title stays with him! Gronk will see Truth coming, because he has eyes on the back of his head.
Backstage interview with MVP and Lashley.
After being hit with that Claymore, why are they competing against the Raw Tag Team Champions? Lashley is why. They finish discussing the game plan, but do they have a plan if McIntyre shows up again?
Raw hears from Ric Flair!
A man that has been in more greatest matches of all time than anyone, the WWE needs the Nature Boy’s opinion on the outcome of what many are already considering the greatest ever, Edge VS Orton. Well ever since Flair gave up limousine riding, jet flying, kiss stealing, wheeling and dealing, the greatest in-ring performer is Orton! The Nature Boy’s main man will be the man that beats Edge at Backlash! WOO~!
Raw looks at The Last Ride, Part 3.
The Deadman and HBK had an incredible match at WrestleMania 26, in what would be a retirement match for Shawn Michaels. Taker’s Streak would conquer Mr. WrestleMania’s career. Many are shocked that HBK stayed retired, but that speaks to the closure between these two all-time greats in that match. Perhaps the ultimate Mania Moment also had an emotional moment backstage. Taker is envious that HBK was able to walk away and be good with it. Does Taker wish he had that clarity? Absolutely. HBK had that clarity before the match. Taker hopes that when he gets the match he’s looking for, he’ll have that clarity. Steve Austin knows Taker is struggling with giving up what he loves so much. Edge wants Taker to have that proper moment. When and if he gets it, Edge hopes Taker knows to take that opportunity to finally close the door. Watch all of this yourself on the WWE Network!
Liv Morgan speaks.
“What might surprise you about me is, my biggest stumbling block in life has been my own self-worth.” Liv can’t remember a time where she felt good enough. But she does remember being 6 years old and wondering what life had in store for her. For a long time, she felt like she was floating through life, either going to hit the sun or crash ‘n’ burn. But she found what she was missing when she got into wrestling. She may not know all the answers, because life just keeps changing all the questions. But what she does know is that she is a live and will fulfill who she was always destined to be. In the end, she’s LIV-ing her best life.
Raw has breaking news!
After everything that has been said and done over the last few weeks, and perhaps even longer than that, Rey Mysterio will have a RETIREMENT CEREMONY next week! Is this true? Is the King of Lucha hanging up the boots and mask?!
The Street Profits VS Bobby Lashley & MVP!
Whether or not the Viking Raiders keep hustling them at basketball and golf, there will be no playing around here. Will Ford & Dawkins be able to bring that smoke to the main event?
Raw returns as MVP and Lashley make their entrance. The teams sort out and Ford is fired up as he starts against Lashley. They circle and Ford dodges Lashley. Ford shows off his somersaults as he circles with Lashley again. Ford gets around, headlocks, but Lashley powers out. Lashley runs Ford over and flexes. The crowd boos as things speed up, and Ford hurdles and hurdles. Lashely goes low, Ford jumps over, but Lashley powers Ford to a corner! Lashley rams his shoulder in over and over, then brings Ford out for a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Lashley brings Ford over to bump off buckles and tag in MVP.
MVP throws body shots on Ford then rams in his shoulder. He lets up at 4 to ram Ford in again. Ford fights back and ROCKS MVP! MVP hits back and tags in Lashley. Lashley runs and RAMS his shoulder into Ford’s stomach! The crowd rallies for Ford but Lashley looms over him. Lashley drags Ford up and suplexes him, to hold him up! Ford escapes and tags in Dawkins! The Profits dodge and dropkick Lashley down! Lashley bails out and regroups with MVP but Ford builds speed and FLIES! But MVP and Lashley move so Ford handsprings to his feet. MVP swipes, Ford dodges, but Lashley BLASTS Ford to barriers! Lashley goes out and fireman’s carries Ford around the way, to POST him! Ford is down as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more and MVP grinds Ford down with an armlock. The crowd rallies up and Ford fights to his feet, but MVP knees low and throws hands. MVP keeps on Ford in the corner but the ref counts. Lashley tags in and he throws elbows on Ford over and over. Lashley clubs Ford down and then punches him down further. He taunts Ford to tag Dawkins, but Ford flails haymakers at Lashley. Lashley avoids those, to DECK Dawkins! Dawkins gets up in a huff but Lashley scoops and sidewalk slams Ford! Cover, TWO! Lashley throws Ford out then tags MVP. MVP fetches Ford and whips him at the steel steps! Ford crashes down and MVP taunts him. MVP drags Ford up and into the ring at the ref’s count of 7. Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! MVP grinds Ford down with a chinbar and armlock in frustration.
The crowd rallies again and Ford endures. Ford fights his way up and pries the chinbar away. But MVP ROCKS him with a right! MVP whips Ford hard to buckles, then runs in. Ford drops down and the boot gets caught up! Ford flounders up but MVP is on him. Ford ROCKS MVP back! Hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins unleashes the Curse of Greatness with those big lariats! And the flying back elbow! Dawkins picks MVP up for a FLAPJACK! Dawkins keeps on MVP with a whip to a corner, and the CYCLONE SPLASH! Then the BULLDOG! Dawkins fires up and the crowd is with him! Dawkins DECKS Lashley for earlier! Ford RAMS Lashley into barriers! Dawkins brings MVP up and tags in Ford. The Profits coordinate, SPINE BUSTER and FROM THE HEAVENS! Cover, but Lashley barrels through Dawkins to drag Ford up! FULL NELSON!
The ref tells Lashley to stop, but Lashley refuses! The count reaches 5, Lashley is disqualified!
Winners: The Street Profits, by disqualification
But Lashley still holds on! So here comes McIntyre! Lashley lets go of Ford now, and the crowd is thunderous for this one! McIntyre storms the ring and HEADBUTTS Lashley! Lashley tackles McIntyre back and the two scrap on the mat! McIntyre powers Lashley off and dumps him out! They fight against the barriers like a hockey fight! McIntyre hammers but Lashley shoves! They go against the boards and then the POST! McIntyre puts Lashley in the ring and grabs legs for a takedown. McIntyre grounds ‘n’ pounds and the ref calls for reinforcements. He tells the NXT superstars and trainees to be security, so a few come out and around. They try to stop McIntyre, but he bucks them off and HEADBUTTS them! They get Glasgow Kisses, but Lashley SPEARS McIntyre!
More superstars are enlisted to stop this fight, but McIntyre and Lashley shake them off, too! McIntyre throws his out, and Lashley decks his! The brawl continues, so the floodgates are open! More superstars hurry in, and some very big ones. Not even Lashley and McIntyre can break through this much. Raw goes off the air and this fight will have to wait! Who becomes not just the WWE World Champion, but the true alpha male of Monday Night Raw?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good episode! For one, I am happy to see the WWE is letting other wrestlers be the crowd for the show. However, I will say that they were behaving how I’m sure Vince wants them to: boo Heels, cheer Faces, regardless of where each individual talent’s character lands. Seeing Dexter Lumis applaud is not how he should be. He should just be staring eerily at everyone in that ring. But maybe things loosen up as the days go by. And while I can’t be sure if it was all the crowd’s doing, but the energy and pace of this episode definitely felt better. The Kevin Owens Show was a great opening segment, and we got a lot out of Asuka, Charlotte, Natty and Nia. And while the Triple Threat’s outcome was predictable, it was an incredible match that really helps Nia. It’s still a shame Shayna isn’t being pushed like she should be because of Vince’s whims, but maybe after Asuka deals with Nia, we get Asuka VS Shayna for Extreme Rules or SummerSlam.
I liked the segment with The IIconics and Bliss-Cross. There was a lot of passion, and that actually was helped by the crowd reacting to it. I’m looking forward to these two teams getting a rematch for the tag titles, and I think after a program like this, I’d be more accepting of The IIconics having another reign as champions. But speaking of champions, Crews winning tonight was a brilliant move! Crews has finally reached that level and I hope he gets to run with the United States Championship for a long time. Kevin VS Garza was a great match, and naturally Vega’s stable breaks even. Garza’s interview during the US title match was odd, both on the timing and the material. But maybe Garza challenges Crews for that title to raise Crews’ stock even higher.
Rollins had a good promo, and his “disciples” had a great match with Aleister and Carrillo. Rollins being a factor works out, and it was a strong, natural move for Rollins to threaten Carrillo’s well-being. This is really raising the level of this story, and I wonder if the Mysterio retirement ceremony has a part to play in it. There’s no way this is real, it must be bait for Rollins to show up so Mysterio can get his revenge. Edge had a great promo and it had a good tie-in to Taker’s Last Ride documentary series. Ric Flair having that promo was alright, but I swear they’re going so hard on the “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” that it has to be anything but. I will say that McIntyre and Lashley is the greatest thing on Raw right now, largely thanks to MVP. Yes, we got another Lana tantrum that’s a bit awkward, as was her tan job tonight, but everything else is perfect. MVP stirring things up, the match with the Street Profits, the brawl at the end, Lashley and McIntyre are going to tear it up at Backlash and that will be the highlight of the PPV.
My Score: 8.5/10
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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… 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! EXPLODER 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 BOMB 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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