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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (7/13/20)

It’s Grudge Match Monday!

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WWE Raw Coverage 3.0

Raw raises the stakes before Extreme Rules!

Raw is chocked full of grudge matches! Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins have a WrestleMania rematch ahead of Eye for an Eye, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships are on the line! Will #BayleyDosStraps go down one already? Or are we moments away from Double Champion ASUKA?!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Elimination Tag: The Viking Raiders VS Angel Garza & Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega; Garza & Almas win.
  • Ruby Riott & Bianca Belair VS The IIconics; Riott & Belair win.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Apex Appetizer: R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa; No Contest, Truth retains the WWE 24/7 Championship.
  • Kevin Owens VS Seth Rollins; rescheduled.
  • Aleister Black w/ Kevin Owens VS Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins; Aleister wins, by disqualification.
  • Kevin Owens VS Seth Rollins; Kevin wins.
  • R-Truth VS Randy Orton w/ Ric Flair; Orton wins.
  • Ricochet w/ Cedric Alexander VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP; Lashley wins.
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bayley & Sasha Banks VS The Kabuki Warriors; Bayley & Banks win and retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.

PLAY BY PLAY

Raw opens with the VIP Lounge!

The “new” WWE United States Champion and his new belt open the show, because big things poppin’, little things stoppin’. MVP’s guest is so much better than the rest of us, that he is the most thoughtful and considerate individuals for taking Drew McIntyre in when he was a bum and made him into the man that is a champion. But McIntyre is so rude and disrespectful that he won’t even thank this man. Therefore, MVP’s guest is going to show-off and show out at Extreme Rules. It’s Dolph Ziggler! The Show-Off goes to the ring and sits with MVP in the lounge. Ziggler likes the new title belt. When Ziggler wins the WWE World Championship, he might do something similar. Maybe something on it will spin, real old school look. MVP says he can get his guys on that for him.

But MVP already knows McIntyre quite a bit and knows he’s legit. But Ziggler made him! So Ziggler knows what makes McIntyre tick. MVP respects that Ziggler is still holding onto the stipulation. That’s great strategy and exactly what MVP would’ve done. Ziggler and MVP are gentlemen who play the game right. Ziggler knows exactly what it takes to turn McIntyre back into the old one that got fired. IT’s a fact that Ziggler picked McIntyre out of obscurity, taught him everything he knows and yet how many times has McIntyre thanked him? Even mentioned his name? ZERO TIMES! Without Ziggler, McIntyre doesn’t beat Brock Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania and is not WWE World Champion. He’s just an unemployed loser begging for handouts.

MVP has nothing to add to that. But with what MVP went through with McIntyre, he knows McIntyre won’t do this. MVP thanks Ziggler. Thank you! All the wannabes at the Performance Center can learn from this. But it is that lack of gratitude is the same reason McIntyre loses the title. But speaking of, here comes McIntyre! The king of Claymore Country smiles as he knocks the velvet rope over and gets into the ring. McIntyre apologizes for interrupting the ass-kissing party, but promises not to tear up the set or Claymore any of them. Tonight is about Ziggler.

Ziggler brought Heath Slater back last week. McIntyre did a lot of soul searching and reflecting. The conclusion is that Ziggler uses people. Ziggler used Mandy Rose, Big E, and he used McIntyre. They were never friends. McIntyre was the muscle that did the dirty work. Ziggler may be one of the most talented wrestlers we’ve ever seen, but at Extreme Rules- Oh, Ziggler knows what he’s going to say. He’ll take Ziggler to #ClaymoreCountry, blah blah- SHUT UP!! They’re past that. Ziggler hurt McIntyre, so McIntyre will maim Ziggler. Ziggler will beg him to stop, but McIntyre will torture Ziggler and make him regret the day he picked up the phone and called McIntyre. This Sunday, what happens is all on Ziggler.

But McIntyre isn’t so sure if he can wait. He wants some action right now! Ziggler stays behind MVP and McIntyre figures he can wait. But he still JABS Ziggler off his feet! And makes MVP flinch! “But this Sunday, you’re bloody screwed!” Will the Show-Off realize why you don’t anger a Scottish Psychopath?

 

Backstage interview with Angel Garza, Andrade Almas & Zelina Vega.

Safe to say that the last few weeks have seen dissension and dysfunction between this team, so how do they get on the same page in tonight’s Elimination Tag Match? Vega doesn’t understand why Charly Caruso is pushing the false narrative that these two aren’t getting along. What they’re doing is ignoring the facts: They already beat the Viking Raiders, they teamed with Randy Orton to take down The Big Show, and they have the Street Profits running scared. No man can measure up to Garza and Almas, and women like Charly are beneath Vega. Even if you fixed that weave and traded the bargain brands for Red Bottoms-

Garza and Almas calm La Muneca down, and Garza says the beauty of an Elimination Match is like being torn between two beautiful women. But Garza can beat- Oh, sorry, he and Almas can beat the Viking Raiders easily. Almas says Garza has his back, and he has Garza’s. They will win, then move on to take those Raw Tag Team Championships. But Erik and Ivar enter, and and Erik says that for over a year, they have been the most dominant team on Raw. Garza and Almas have dishonored their competition with cheating and attacks on the Profits. Tonight, the Vikings run through Garza and Almas. As for Ivar, he takes Garza’s rose, and gives it to Charly. Is there more at stake then just a shot at the tag titles?

 

Elimination Tag: The Viking Raiders VS Angel Garza & Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega!

Both teams have has their shots at the Raw Tag Team Championships, but there’s always another chance. Which team will be left standing to head for Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins next?

The bell rings and Garza and Almas attack the Vikings! Garza throws Erik out while Almas hits and CHOPS and kicks Ivar, then chop blocks a leg out! Vega cheers but the crowd boos as Almas clubs and knees Ivar to the corner. Tag to Garza and Garza kicks and clubs Ivar. Off come the pants! But Ivar dodges those to tag in Erik! Erik rocks Garza and rallies on him with forearms! EXPLODER! Erik hits Almas for good measure, then he gives Garza Ace Ten Mao! Tag to Ivar and they drag Garza up. Erik tackles Garza to a corner. Ivar corner clotheslines, human weapon Ivar hip attack! Cover, but Almas breaks it!

The crowd rallies as Ivar tags Erik. Erik drags Garza up for forearms, whips him corner to corner but Garza reverses. Erik goes up and over but Garza dodges the knees! SUPERKICK! Tag to Almas, CIEN SHADOWS! Garza dropkicks Ivar down while Almas hits LA SOMBRA! The hammerlock DDT! Cover, Almas ELIMINATES Erik! Ivar is alone very quickly in this match and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Almas grinds Ivar down with an armlock. Ivar fights up as the crowd rallies, but Almas pulls Ivar’s hair to put him in the corner. Garza tags in, but there’s hesitation. Ivar fights back and throws Almas out. Ivar runs but Garza dropkick shim down! Garza and Almas fist bump and put Ivar back in. But then Ivar runs and DIVES to take them out! The Warbeard roars as he puts Almas back in the ring. Ivar also puts Garza in, breaks their double clothesline, then handspring back elbows! Almas saves Garza by taking the hit, Garza cradles Ivar! TWO, but Garza shotgun dropkicks Ivar down! Garza whips Ivar corner to corner, but Ivar tumbles back to ROCK Garza with a right!

Vega panics as Ivar brings Garza up for a suplex. Garza slips out, shoves, but Ivar cartwheels and clotheslines! Ivar fires up with the crowd and he drags Garza up. Ivar scoops but Almas tags in. Almas saves Garza but takes the heel kick! Cover, Ivar ELIMINATES Almas! Things are even again at 1v1, but Garza climbs up top to leap and missile dropkick! Ivar and Garza are both down, the crowd rallies up and Garza brings Ivar in. Garza underhooks but Ivar powers out. Garza SUPERKICKS! Ivar hits a SEATED SENTON! Ivar HEEL KICKS Garza down! Cover, but Almas helps Garza get the ropebreak! The crowd boos and Ivar grits his teeth but Vega and Almas are pleased.

Ivar drags Garza up, tosses him to a corner, but Garza dodges. He turns the seated senton into a POWERBOMB! Garza even has tights in the cover! Garza and Almas win!

Winners: Andrade Almas & Angel Garza, by pinfall

In a 2-1 victory, it seems El Idolo and El Latino are on the same page. Will they be able to turn things around and become tag team champions?

 

Backstage interview with Ruby Riott.

She’s lost to the IIconics two weeks in a row, but the IIconics themselves appear to recap that for us. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay know Ruby has been abandoned by her friends, and it’s very sad. Peyton beat Ruby, then Billie beat Ruby, and tonight, it’ll be both IIconics- Getting punched int he face for not shutting up? Well where they’re standing, the tag team match might be a handicap match. Because Ruby has no friends, outside of imaginary ones. “That’s your cure.” Bianca Belair is back! The EST is the strongest, the toughest, the roughest, the quickest and the baddest tag partner Ruby could have. Bianca doesn’t like the IIconics’ egos, and they can’t whoop her. What she said. Will Ruby and Bianca make this the most iconic tag team win in both their careers?

 

Ruby Riott & Bianca Belair VS The IIconics!

The teams sort out and Peyton starts against Ruby. They circle, Billie swipes but Ruby knows to elbow Peyton away. Ruby hits Billie but Peyton kicks Ruby. Peyton whips, Ruby rolls Peyton, ONE! Ruby waistlocks and O’Conner rolls, TWO! Ruby tries an Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Peyton whips but Ruby blocks the hip toss to arm-drag then STO Peyton down! Cover, TWO! Ruby drags Peyton over but Peyton whips Ruby away from Bianca. Billie tags in and BOOTS Ruby down! Cover, TWO! Billie drags Ruby up, puts her int he corner and stomps away. Peyton tags in, she stomps away then clubs Ruby down. Peyton drives a knee into Ruby’s back but the crowd rallies up.

Ruby powers her way through Peyton’s facelock towards Bianca, but Peyton knees her away! And then HEEL KICKS her down! But Ruby jawbreakers back! Tag to Billie and she hurries to grab Ruby. Ruby breaks free, kicks Billie away, and tags in Bianca! Bianca rallies on Billie with big shoulders and ax handles! Dropkick! Bianca kips up and claps back to corner clothesline and whip! Billie reverses, Bianca goes up and over and handsprings to shoulder back in! Bianca digs her shoulder in, then scoops Billie for some squats before the slam! Bianca tells Peyton to kiss this, before she handsprings her off the apron! Splash on Billie, but Peyton breaks it!

Peyton whips Bianca to a corner but Ruby enziguris Peyton down! Ruby bails out and Bianca targets Billie. Billie boots but misses, Bianca torture racks for the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca and Ruby win!

Winners: Bianca Belair & Ruby Riott, by pinfall

The newest duo beats the iconic one! Will Ruby’s new friend help her move on from Peyton and Billie?

 

R-Truth is wary backstage.

But he says hey to “Richard” winning the MVP award for Raw. Truth didn’t even know that was a thing. Ricochet and Cedric Alexander explain that Ricochet has a match with Bobby Lashley and MVP will be there. Isn’t that what Truth said? Alexander wants Truth to worry more about his match with Randy Orton. Bruh, you’re confused. Truth got challenged by Ric Flair, not Orton. No, but… Ric made the challenge for Orton. So the match is with Orton. Apex Predator, Viper, Legend Killer. Oh. Then Truth should go.

But he encounters Tozawa! He needs Tozawa to teach him how to be a black belt in ten minutes or less. Tozawa says NO! And then rolls Truth up! TWO, and the ninjas rush in! But Ricochet and Alexander back Truth up! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Truth says no one else has to get involved. If Tozawa wants the 24/7 48-7 title, then meet him in the ring right now! Truth heads out, and so does Tozawa. Ricochet and Alexander watch the ninjas closely, but will Truth have to worry more about that aforementioned Viper?

 

WWE 24/7 Championship Apex Appetizer: R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa!

Truth knows a serious threat is waiting later tonight, but there’s still this threat to handle! Will Truth handle his business and still have his baby before battling the brutal Randy Orton later on?

Truth doesn’t like ninjas lurking. He came here alone, so why does Tozawa have multiple ninjas?! Wait, wait, Shayna Baszler is here?! The Queen of Spades returns to Raw, and Tozawa uses his ninjas as shields! One gets the KIRAFUDA CLUTCH! Then the other gets kicks and KNEES! The third ninja gets a gut wrench suplex! Tozawa is all alone and decides to give up before even trying. “And don’t come back, neither!” But then Shayna turns her gaze on Truth. Truth realizes he’s all alone, and will let himself out. He tosses her the mic and exits the ring.

Shayna uses that mic to say that she has been so very patient. She has allowed everyone to have their fun, but now she’s done. “All these weak minded women’s ‘champions'” are under the delusion that they’re in control. That the terror and limbs left in her wake are a distant memory. The Queen of Spades is back to shatter that illusion, by hitting them with a hard dose of reality. “I am that reality.” Shayna has called out every single women’s champion in the WWE, but which one will she target first?

 

Seth Rollins finds Buddy Murphy backstage.

The disciple looks troubled. He says that when it’s Eye for an Eye, it isn’t literal, is it? They’re going to try and blind each other? Rollins wants Murphy to understand that nothing of significance happens without sacrifice. And remember: Rey Mysterio asked for this. So just stay here, focus on your match with Aleister Black. Rollins has a “message to deliver.” The Monday Night Messiah and the Prizefighter have their WrestleMania rematch tonight!

 

Kevin Owens VS Seth Rollins!

KO-Mania won at WrestleMania 36 by jumping off the Mania sign and onto the commentary desk. The sacrifice there was an ankle and a few months out of action. The Monday Night Messiah recovered and grew stronger in that time, and now looks to make a sacrifice of Rey Mysterio’s good eye. Will Kevin be used as an example of that tonight?

Before the match, Rollins grabs a mic to speak. “An eye for an eye.” Rollins repeats that as it sinks in. What does it even truly mean? Rollins knows what it means! But when Mysterio said it last week, he thought it was metaphorical, because that is what the saying means. But what he’s come to understand is Mysterio wants it literally. Rollins is trying to comprehend and understand how it got tot his point. All Rollins is trying to do is lead Raw to a “brighter future.” But Mysterio has resisted his part in the greater good at every step! Now they’re at a point where they’re in a match at Extreme Rules, where the only way to win is to pluck the opponent’s eyeball from it’s socket!! Never in the history of the WWE has there been such a match. It is a stipulation so sadistic and barbaric…

What Rollins needs us to understand, and he’ll keep saying it until we do, “I never meant to harm Rey Mysterio. Never!” Mysterio presented himself to Rollins “in a time of need,” and Rollins fulfilled the prophecy for the greater good! The fans asked Rollins to be this person! To be this leader to lead Raw the right way! And that is what he is doing! Extreme Rules is also being called “The Horror Show,” and that is what it is going to be. Mysterio has forced Rollins’ hand for the very last time. Rollins will rip, tear and gouge the eye out until Mysterio is completely blind, and will never watch Dominik be married, never see his wife’s face again, see another sunrise or sunset. It will be the end of Rey Mysterio.

But in many ways, it will be a new beginning. A new beginning for Raw, with a bright- Kevin interrupts! “Seth, I need to tell you this.” When Kevin came up with the stipulation of choosing stipulations at Extreme Rules, Kevin expected a Last Man Standing match or a Steel Cage match to keep the disciples out. But then he came up with “Eye for an Eye.” As disturbing as that is, what is more disturbing is that Rollins is such a scumbag, he made a truly respected man, a legend and genuinely nice guy, and turned him into someone who wants to gouge Rollins’ eyes out. Kevin understands where Mysterio is coming from, because was willing to end his own career if it meant shutting Rollins up.

So while Kevin understands all that, Kevin says Rollins shouldn’t worry. Kevin has Rollins covered. Kevin has something Rollins will be needing after Extreme Rules. Kevin’s good friends with the pirate, Jean-Pierre Lafitte, and he was given an eye patch! You think this is funny?! This is Rollins’ life! But Kevin won’t even make it to his match tonight, because here comes Murphy! But to intercept, it’s Aleister Black! Aleister and Murphy brawl ringside and Raw goes to break!

 

Aleister Black w/ Kevin Owens VS Buddy Murphy w/ Seth Rollins!

Raw returns and the WrestleMania rematch will have to wait! Murphy stomps away on Aleister as they have a rematch of their own! Will the disciple do his leader proud? Or will Aleister avenge Humberto Carrillo instead?

Aleister turns things around and puts Murphy in the corner for fast hands! Murphy shoves Aleister away but Aleister dodges to roundhouse! Murphy catches a kick and DRAGON SCREWS it back! Aleister hobbles but elbows Murphy away. Aleister fires off more strikes, whips, Murphy reverses and dropkicks the legs out! Aleister rolls to the apron but Murphy heads over. Murphy drags Aleister up but Aleister ROCKS him! Aleister goes to boot but Murphy catches it to DRAGON SCREW it back! Aleister falls to the floor and Kevin checks on him but Murphy goes out to fetch Aleister. Kevin stays back as Murphy puts Aleister in.

Murphy follows Aleister but Aleister baits him in. Murphy elbows Aleister back, hops up, and leaps into a BOOT! Both men are down and Kevin fires up while Rollins grows worried. The crowd rallies as Aleister sits up. Murphy follows and the two men slowly stand. Aleister throws a forearm, Murphy throws one back. Aleister fires more, then a strike fest, Murphy fires off forearms and kicks low, but Aleister KNEES him back! Aleister bobs ‘n’ weaves to sweep the legs! KNEE THRUST! And handspring! Aleister hobbles but grits his teeth as he runs. Murphy reels him in, ducks the roundhouse and chop blocks the leg! Murphy drags Aleister up and runs, but into Aleister’s KNEE! Cover, TWO!

Rollins is relieved but stares daggers at Aleister. Aleister lifts Murphy with a foot while staring back at Rollins. Murphy jams the knee! Aleister hobbles more, Murphy trips him up and goes after the leg. Aleister kicks Murphy off and Murphy flops to the apron. Rollins coaches Murphy up but Aleister hobbles over. Aleister drags Murphy up but Murphy kicks the leg! Murphy steps up and brings Aleister around. Murphy wants to suplex Aleister out but Aleister throws body shots. Aleister breaks free, BLACK MASS! Murphy flops down, Aleister covers, but Rollins drags him off! Kevin goes after Rollins but Rollins gets back to Murphy!

Winner: Aleister Black, by disqualification

But here are Rey and Dominik! The Mysterio men storm down to ringside and Rollins is surrounded as Raw goes to break!

 

Kevin Owens VS Seth Rollins!

Now the WrestleMania rematch happens, and Rollins has nowhere to go with Aleister, Rey and Dominik surrounding the ring! Will the Monday Night Messiah even make it to Sunday at this rate?

The bell rings, Rollins still finds a space to leave the ring, but the others close in. Kevin drags Rollins back in to throw haymakers! Kevin has Rollins in the corner but lets up to CHOP! He puts Rollins in another corner to ram his shoulder in over and over! The ref counts, Kevin lets up, but Rollins kicks back. Kevin blocks to kick the hamstring! Rollins hobbles, Kevin whips corner to corner, Rollins tumbles up and down the buckles, and Kevin DECKS him! Kevin stomps away on Rollins then drops the back senton! The crowd is thunderous as Kevin covers, TWO! Rollins wants mercy and he backs away to a corner. Kevin says NO mercy and he throws more haymakers and stomps!

Kevin lets up on Rollins and lets him get back up. Rollins goes to another corner and Kevin CHOPS him. Kevin whips Rollins corner to corner, Rollins boots back, and then Rollins hops up. Rollins aims but Aleister swipes at him! Rollins hops down and Kevin corner clotheslines! Kevin runs to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Rollins gasps for air but Kevin clubs him on the back. Kevin snapmares Rollins, digs his knee in and pulls on the arms. Rollins endures the stretch and works against the hold. Rollins turns to kick Kevin but Kevin stomps him down! Kevin throws Rollins out, and Rollins sees Dominik and Aleister approaching.

The ring count climbs to 5 of 10, Rollins gets on the apron but Kevin decks him again! Rollins knees Kevin back and throws him out! Rollins goes back out but Aleister stands in his way. Rollins asks what Aleister is doing, but then Dominik comes back. “SURPRISE!” Kevin DECKS Rollins again! Then whips him into barriers! Kevin keeps Rollins from running away through the timekeeper’s area with a CHOP! They go to commentary, then around, and Kevin puts Rollins back in the ring. Rollins crawls but Mysterio is there. And Dominik. Rollins still bails out the one side but Kevin is on him with haymakers!

Kevin brings Rollins around, bumps him off the apron then throws him into more barriers. The ring count is at 5 so Kevin goes back in. Kevin heads back out but Rollins meets him at the apron. Kevin throws haymakers then fireman’s carries, but Rollins slips into the ring. Kevin punches and headbutts Rollins down! But Rollins chop blocks the leg! Kevin bails out and Rollins runs, to DIVE! Direct hit sends Kevin into barriers! Rollins dares Kevin’s allies to do something as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Rollins chokes Kevin against ropes! The ref counts and Rollins lets up as the crowd boos. Rollins throws Kevin out but Kevin CHOPS back. Rollins throws haymakers and clubs Kevin down, then brings him around to throw into Plexiglas! The ring count climbs to 5 again as Rollins taunts Dominik and Aleister. Rollins clubs Kevin and puts him back in the ring at 7. Rollins goes in at 8 to drop a knee! Cover, TWO! Rollins keeps on Kevin with an arm stretch like Kevin had before. The crowd rallies for Kevin but Rollins hooks Kevin’s face! The ref reprimands, Rollins stops but still looms over Kevin. Rollins taunts Kevin to stay in the fight, but Kevin SLAPS Rollins!

Rollins rocks Kevin then claws and chokes him at the ropes. Rollins drags Kevin up, throws more haymakers but Kevin counter punches! Kevin forearms and chops but Rollins kicks low. Rollins whips, Kevin reverses but Rollins kicks him back. Rollins ducks the clothesline, Kevin ducks the roundhouse, Kevin kicks but no DDT! Rollins blocks a punch to rolling elbow! But Kevin back drops the bomb away, then SUPERKICKS Rollins down! Both men are down but the crowd fires up. Rollins and Kevin slowly stand, Kevin ducks, kicks and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Kevin keeps his cool as Rollins rolls away to a corner. Kevin has the crowd behind him as he runs corner to corner, but Rollins goes to boot! Kevin blocks it, but not the BUCKLE SHOT!

Rollins hops up, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Rollins grows annoyed with Kevin as he sits up. Rollins aims while the crowd rallies. Kevin blocks the superkick! Kevin spins Rollins, rolls him and SUPERKIKCS! Then a whip, but Rollins slips off the pop-up to PELE! Rollins runs, to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Rollins loses his cool but the crowd keeps rallying. Rollins aims from a corner as Kevin stirs, but Kevin avoids the stomp! Kick but no stunner! Rollins runs but is put on the apron. Rollins punches back, climbs up top, but Kevin punches him back! Kevin climbs up, throws body shots and brings Rollins up. Rollins resists the superplex, fights back, and CLAWS THE EYES!!

Kevin falls down and the crowd is booing harder than ever before! But Rollins just grins as he hops down. Aleister distracts Rollins, then so does Dominik. Rollins swipes at them, and even at Mysterio. But Kevin gets up to hit a STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin wins!!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall

The Prizefighter kept fighting, and he wins again! Mysterio grabs a mic to speak. Rollins has tried to end Mysterio’s career, and has terrorized Mysterio’s family. Rollins crossed every line he could, now it is Mysterio’s turn. Mysterio will make a sacrifice of his own. Rollins is walking into the match with two eyes, but will be carried out with only one! Is the King of Lucha Libre going to make “The Horror Show” more than just a subtitle?

 

The Big Show finds Ric Flair backstage.

The Giant wants to talk with The Nature Boy, and Ric agrees. He’s glad Show found him so he doesn’t have to find him. Remember when Flair retired? How everyone was upset because he talked so long, even though is career was 48 years. Twenty of those were with Show. They’re good friends, and Flair told Show back then that when Flair thinks about wrestling, the big men in it. Brody, Hanson, Andre, but most of all, in terms of skill and ability, it’s Show. Show has done it all! Show has unparalleled coordination, and has always been in a league of his own. But Show is picking a fight he can’t win! Look at Edge! You can’t do Hollywood and wrestling. Why do you think The Rock hasn’t come back? It’s in the back of his mind, too. Show needs to think about that, too.

Show is in Netflix now, making good money, he can’t risk this just for pride. The people won’t change their mind about Show as a man or as a wrestler. But he needs to go into the Hall of Fame healthy, not injured by Randy Orton. Orton is the best right now, and he has that scary side. Just give it some thought. It is not too late to just say he’s out. Show says Flair is trying to psych him out of this, because he is a master. Show knows what Orton has done. But Orton has never been more vicious and dangerous. Orton may be the best the WWE has ever seen, and he’s done things to Edge and Christian. Now he’s after Truth. Show’s question to Flair is: Is Flair willing to sacrifice his friendships juts so Orton can be the Legend Killer again? How about Flair think on that?

 

Raw reviews the Legend Killer’s legacy.

Or rather, his list of targets. Mick Foley. Hulk Hogan. Sgt. Slaughter. Roddy Piper. Rob Van Dam. Jerry Lawler. Shawn Michaels. Jake the Snake Roberts. Batista. Edge and Christian. The voices in Orton’s head have always been at odds, but now they’re all in agreement that they have fun being the Legend Killer.

Randy Orton speaks.

“They say you’re lucky if you make it out of this industry with a handful of friends you made along the way.” Orton had that handful. Men he bonded with and told stories with. Laughing, bleeding and fighting together. He had a handful. Edge, Christian, The Big Show and Ric Flair. Now, Edge came back at the Royal Rumble, and his miraculous return could’ve just been as Rated RKO. But Edge couldn’t trust Orton or that Orton knew what was best for him, so Orton “sent his ass home” to be a father and husband. Then Christian shows up and defends Edge’s honor. Nothing wrong with that. But the mistake was Christian selfishly wanting #OneMoreMatch. An unsanctioned match.

Then with Show, there’s history there. Orton has known Show for 20 years. Show was one of the first men to mentor Orton. Show was the one to teach Orton about the ring and the locker room, so it baffles Orton as to why Show would rather avenge fractured skulls over maintaining his friendship with Orton. Lastly, there’s Flair. Flair is like family. Flair IS family. That’s why it’d be a shame if Flair did anything at all to jeopardize what they have. As far as Orton’s opponent, R-Truth has all the respect in the world for how he’s made the WWE Universe laugh and smile. That is why it’s a shame that Truth will only amount to a chapter in the long history of The Legend Killer.

Flair walks over, perhaps not having heard any of this. Flair is excited for Orton and Orton says he’ll see Flair out there. But will Flair see Orton coming?

 

R-Truth VS Randy Orton w/ Ric Flair!

The THIRTY-SEVEN TIME WWE 24/7 48-7 7/11 I-95 South European Television Champion still has his title after his rematch with Akira Tozawa was interrupted in brutal fashion. Will Truth suffer a similar fate at the hands of a different vicious superstar?

Before the match, Flair asks Truth, “What’s up?” And Flair congratulates Truth on the most illustrious career Flair has seen in a long time. Flair wants to celebrate Truth’s two decades of rockin’ and rollin’! “So here’s the deal.” Truth needs to know Orton loves Truth just like Flair does. There won’t be a punt kick that field goals Truth across the arena. Just an RKO. Orton appears now and he goes to the ring with the Nature Boy. The bell rings and Truth wants Orton to wait a moment. “Hold up, wait a minute, I need to talk to Ric Flair.” Truth goes over to Flair, but Orton goes after Truth! Truth throws haymakers and kicks, then runs but the scissor kick misses! RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

Flair was right, the RKO hits its mark. Orton starts to leave, but then he starts to reconsider. Flair tells Orton he doesn’t need to do this. Flair promised no punt kicks but Orton still looms over Truth. Orton backs up and takes aim, but Flair stands in his way. And the Big Show heads out! Orton grabs a mic and shouts at Show that if he takes another step, Orton finishes Truth’s career right now! Orton knwos Show is angry and wants to break Orton’s body. But when Orton kicked Edge and kicked Christian, it hurt him more than Show knows. How about this? Orton wasn’t going to kick Truth because it wasn’t on the list. The name on the punt was Show.

There’s nothing going on next Monday, right? So maybe they finish what Show started in an UNSANCTIONED Match? Show says, “OKAY!” and then rushes the ring! Orton and Flair get out, and Orton lets Show know that this is going to end when he kicks Show’s head off. Show dares Orton to try! Who wins when the Viper and the Giant finally have it out with nothing holding them back?

 

Ricochet and Alexander talk backstage.

But then MVP and Bobby Lashley come by. Did Alexander get what MVP sent him? Alexander already told MVP that he’s not interested. No more talk, they’ll see MVP and Lashley in a moment. Ricochet and Alexander head out, but Sarah walks over to ask MVP about his United States Championship match at Extreme Rules. What is his game plan? MVP says he’s already beaten Apollo Crews once, so it’s a forgone conclusion. MVP will make this reign official and then break a bottle of Ace of Spades on this “dripped out championship title” to celebrate VIP style. Lashley guarantees that tonight, Ricochet will be nursing his injuries or even worse, courtesy of the #HurtBusiness. Will business be good tonight against Apollo’s pals?

Sarah moves on and finds McIntyre nearby. How is he preparing for literally anything Ziggler might choose at Extreme Rules? McIntyre says Ziggler likes to talk about how thankless McIntyre is. But McIntyre was being a nice guy giving Ziggler this opportunity. Now the Scottish Psychopath is out! But then Ziggler attacks McIntyre! McIntyre picks Ziggler up and tosses him at the spare ring! Ziggler lands on the apron to then leap back onto McIntyre! Referees rush in to stop the brawling, but McIntyre RAMS Ziggler into the apron! Raw goes to break as things subside. Will this affect Ziggler’s decision on the stipulation? Or will it matter against the Celtic Colossus?

 

Ricochet w/ Cedric Alexander VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP!

The fast and furious duo have been doing their best against the Rocky Mountain Machine and the “uncrowned” US Champion while Apollo Crews has been resting up. Will Ricochet finally turn things around against Lashley? Or will the Hurt Business continue to profit from his pain?

The bell rings and Ricochet dropkick-flips and enziguris Lashley already! Lashley stays up so Ricochet bails out. Lashley pursues, Ricochet goes back in then to the apron, but Lashley trips him up! Lashley drags Ricochet up to RAM into barriers! Ricochet writhes while MVP keeps harping on Alexander being held back. Lashley rams Ricochet into the apron, then throws him into the ring. Lashley takes his time getting in, runs corner to corner and RAMS into Ricochet! Lashley throws haymakers then stands on Ricochet’s head. The ref counts, Lashley lets up, and then brings Ricochet up to whip corner to corner. Ricochet goes up and over and rolls Lashley but Lashley holds ropes!

Lashley drags Ricochet up, Ricochet dodges and goes around to the apron. Ricochet shoulders back in, springboards, but Lashley catches him! For a popup to the Canadian Rack, TWISTING SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Lashley is on him in the corner. The ref counts and Alexander protests, but Lashley lets up at 4. Lashley elbows away on Ricochet then brings him out for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! MVP says if his name is Ricochet, Lashley should bounce him around the ring. Lashley sweeps the legs, but Ricochet ducks the lariat to enziguri! The crowd fires up as Ricochet standing shooting stars! Cover, TWO!

Ricochet keeps his focus while MVP shouts at Lashley to get up. Ricochet goes to a corner, to the top rope, and leaps! Lashley gets under but runs into a SUPERKICK! Lashley stays up and Ricochet handsprings, into the FULL NELSON!! Lashley thrashes, Ricochet taps, Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission

Lashley won’t let go! Alexander goes after him but MVP goes after Alexander. MVP misses to get the NEURALIZER! But Lashley puts the All Mighty Nelson on Alexander! MVP says to make him pay, so Lashley full nelson SLAMS Alexander down! The Hurt Business got a two-for-one tonight, but will they strike gold at Extreme Rules?

 

Backstage interview with The Big Show.

Charly asks Show about the Unsanctioned match challenge. Show accepted the challenge, so how is he feeling? Show wants to clarify something. Yes, he accepted. Show is shaking with rage as he heads out, will he use all of that to destroy The Viper once and for all?

 

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bayley & Sasha Banks VS The Kabuki Warriors!

The Golden Role Models put these titles on the line before their crucial matches at Extreme Rules! She may be #BayleyDosStraps now, but will she be down to uno after she and The Boss face the Empress of Tomorrow and Pirate Princess?

Raw returns and the tag champs have mics. “Before we get this big championship match started, we wanted to give the Raw audience a chance to see some greatness.” A movie so nice, they have to watch it twice! The tribute to Bayley and Sasha, as made by Sasha and Bayley! This is in fact the very same video that played on SmackDown a couple weeks ago, and it plays to completion. Sasha and Bayley cheer themselves, but their fun is interrupted by the Kabuki Warriors making their entrance! The introductions are made, the tag belts are raised, and this pivotal main event begins!

But before a bell, Bayley and Banks blindside the Kabukis! Sasha stomps Kairi while Bayley stomps Asuka! But Asuka and Kairi hit back! The challengers whip the champions to dropkick them both out of the ring! The “role models” regroup and are in a rage as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Sasha starts with Asuka. The bell rings and Sasha goes to the ropes! Asuka wants after her but the ref keeps her back. Sasha smirks as she comes back and circles with Asuka. But then Sasha uses the ropes as defense again and Asuka grows annoyed. They circle, Sasha dodges Asuka and tags in Bayley. No more Extreme Rules preview as Bayley and Asuka circle. They tie up, go around, Asuka puts Bayley on the ropes but breaks fast. Bayley uses ropes as defense like Sasha but comes back. They tie up, Asuka again puts Bayley on the ropes, and then blocks a kick to give kicks! Bayley catches a kick, puts the leg on the rope and throws Asuka down by her hair!

Bayley stomps Asuka, bumps her off buckles then tags in Sasha. Sasha stomps Asuka then grinds her face on the ropes! Sasha throws Asuka down, covers, TWO! Sasha drags Asuka up to tag in Bayley, and they mug Asuka. Bayley bends Asuka against ropes to throw forearms. The crowd rallies as Bayley pushes Asuka down for a cover, TWO! Bayley grows annoyed and she stomps Asuka around. Asuka kicks back from the mat! Bayley rains down rights then taunts Asuka. Asuka hits back again and pushes Bayley back, CODE BREAKER! Bayley checks her chin while she and Asuka crawl, hot tag to Kairi!

Kairi uses Bayley to leap at Sasha fore a forearm! Then Kairi BLOCKBUSTERS Bayley! Kairi throws CHOPS but Sasha runs in, only to get CHOPS! Kairi knuckle locks them both to double Japanese arm-drag! Then she dodges them for a DOUBLE INTERCEPTOR! The crowd is fired up with Kairi as she stomps to the corner. Kairi runs corner to corner to SLIDING D! Cover, TWO! Kairi drags Bayley up to throw palm strike after palm strike! Bayley shoves and Sasha tags in. Kairi kicks Bayley and whips but Bayley reverses. Asuka tags in as Kairi headscissors Bayley out! Sasha runs in, she gets thrown out, and the Kabuki double hip attack the champions down! The crowd fires up as Asuka drags Sasha back into the ring.

Asuka gives Sasha kick after kick after kick! Sasha keeps sitting up to get kicked, then Asuka covers, TWO! Asuka is after the arm! Sasha endures the mounted armlock but she fights to her feet. Asuka arm-drags her down to clamp onto the arm again. Both women pull hair and Asuka whips Sasha to the Kabuki corner. Hip attack! Kairi tags in, climbs up, but Bayley trips up Asuka! Sasha KNEES Kairi down! Cover, ONE! Kairi won’t let this end, but Sasha throws her out. Tag to Bayley and the Role Models drag Kairi up for a CATAPULT into Plexiglas! The champions have control again as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Sasha has Kairi down in a chinlock. Kairi endures and fights her way up but Sasha throws her down. Cover, TWO and Sasha is frustrated. Sasha drags Kairi over and tags in Bayley. They crisscross and whip Kairi into the corner, then Bayley digs her boot in. Bayley lets up at the ref’s count and grabs at Kairi’s arms. Kairi resists being dragged around so Bayley slaps her. Kairi fights back but Bayley pushes her around. Bayley throws hands on Kairi in the corner then tags in Sasha. Sasha swings in for a meteora! Cover, TWO! Sasha mocks Asuka’s dancing and the ref has to keep Asuka back. Bayley gets a cheap shot then Sasha covers deep, TWO!! Kairi survives and crawls but Sasha brings her around for a suplex! Cover, TWO!

Sasha tags Bayley back in, and they mock the dancing and the hip attack! Bayley pushes Kairi around, drags her up into a chinlock and leans on her. The crowd rallies and Asuka coaches Kairi on. Kairi fights her way up and hits a jawbreaker! Bayley staggers but comes back to drag Kairi away! Tag to Sasha and Sasha stomps Kairi down. Cover, TWO! Sasha shouts that Kairi should just give up but Kairi shouts she won’t. Sasha puts Kairi in the corner to throw frustrated forearms. Sasha mocks Asuka but Kairi decks Bayley! Kairi boots Sasha away, slides under but Sasha grabs a leg! Kairi kicks Sasha away, Sasha comes back, but Kairi BACK HANDS her! Kairi flops down but crawls, as does Sasha. Hot tags to Asuka and Bayley!

Asuka fires off on Bayley! She whips but Bayley reverses, so Asuka hip attacks Sasha! Asuka dodges Bayley to run her over! Bayley gets to a corner, Asuka runs corner to corner for another hip attack! Sasha returns to get a back kick! Cutter clothesline combo! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Asuka fires up! Bayley bails out, Asuka goes to the apron. Bayley blocks the kick but Asuka pushes her away. SLIDING KNEE! Asuka fetches Bayley up into the ring, covers, TWO!  Asuka keeps on Bayley and whips her to a corner. Bayley reverses, Asuka goes up but Bayley hits her first! And then yanks her down! Tag to Sasha and she METEORAS! Cover, TWO!! Sasha tags Bayley, they double wrench and lift for the SLAM! Cover, TWO!!

Bayley slaps Asuka around then Sasha sets to set her up. Bayley brings Asuka around and hoists her up top. Bayley climbs to join Asuka, Sasha tags in. SUPER STEINER! Bayley tackles Kairi while Sasha climbs, for the FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Asuka has the cover, TWO!! ASUKA LOCK!!! Sasha kicks and flails and Bayley is nowhere to be found! Bayley comes around and reaches for Sasha, but Kairi INTERCEPTORS! Sasha gets the ropebreak in the meantime, and Asuka lets her go. Asuka grows frustrated and Sasha kicks her away. Sasha back elbows her, too, but runs into the pop-up- NO! Sasha avoids the knee, spins Asuka, but Asuka drops to avoid the backstabber. Sasha pulls Asuka back up, but Kairi tags in!

Asuka kicks out of the O’Conner roll and Kairi ax kicks! Asuka ROUNDHOUSES! Kairi is up top, InSANE Elbow!! Cover, but Bayley drags Kairi off! Asuka goes after Bayley but Bayley DECKS her! Kairi knocks Bayley down and goes back to the ring. Kairi climbs again, leaps again, FLYING KABUKI ELBOW! She Alabama lifts, for the ALABAMA SLAM! Kairi runs and runs to SLIDING- NO!! BANK STATEMENT CROSSFACE! Kairi taps, the Golden Role Models win!

Winners: Bayley & Sasha Banks, by submission (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

It was so close and yet so far for Asuka and Kairi! The Boss and #BayleyDosStraps have incredible momentum, but the week isn’t over! Will Sasha and Bayley still take over the WWE Women’s Division at Extreme Rules?


My Thoughts:

Is go-home syndrome back from a few summers ago? It almost felt that way. The episode had a strong start and a strong ending, but things definitely dragged through the middle. The VIP Lounge with Ziggler and McIntyre was good, and I appreciate MVP and Lashley still going after Cedric Alexander and trying to ditch Ricochet, but to save time and get the episode moving better, how about a Six Man Tag? Ziggler, MVP and Lashley against McIntyre, Ricochet and Alexander could’ve been a lot of fun, and it’d end about the same. McIntyre and Ziggler could brawl their way out of the match to replace the backstage segment, and then Lashley still puts Ricochet and Alexander down with the full nelson to win. Saves time that could then be given to that Elimination Tag because wow, that was way too quickly finished. Seriously, I feel like I blinked and it was already done.

The entire thread of Rollins, Kevin and Mysterio was stretched out tonight, when it didn’t really need it. There was also an inconsistency. Rollins told Murphy to be ready for his match with Aleister, but then commentary says it was “impromptu” because of the brawl as Rollins and Kevin were going back and forth in the promos. No offense to Aleister or Murphy, but they didn’t really need their match tonight since it was disqualified. Rollins VS Kevin was still really good, so keep that and instead make Murphy’s appearance an attempt at interference, only for him to be stopped by Aleister, Rey and Dominik. Everything else after that is the same, though Mysterio’s post match promo seemed almost a rehash of last week’s so maybe don’t worry about that at all.

We got pretty good stuff out of the 24/7 Championship, though that also felt forced. Ruby, Bianca and the IIconics have a good tag match, but I think that is when Shayna should’ve shown up. I get there was Truth getting Shayna mixed up with Shane McMahon before, but then why didn’t she take the 24/7 title from him? Shayna making a statement in the middle of another Raw Women’s Division story brings her back to NXT Shayna levels of aggression, and makes a much better point of her threatening the champions. Orton had great stuff again tonight, and the Unsanctioned Match next week is probably going to be incredible. I fear Flair is gonna get a punt for defending Truth and probably Show next week, though.

And as I said, the main event was great. Bayley and Banks retain because for them, there is still SmackDown as the true go-home for Extreme Rules. There’s a lot of ways they can play up tension between Sasha and Bayley just in how the matches will be arranged on the card. If Sasha goes first, Bayley can be in her corner but Asuka still finds a way to win, perhaps thanks to Kairi Sane or even Io Shirai countering any cheating from Bayley. Then Bayley will insist Sasha be in her corner despite Sasha being all beat up and Bayley will selfishly not understand the problem. Either way, I don’t really see titles changing in the Women’s Division, but there can be a lot of progress made towards Bayley VS Sasha at SummerSlam for the SmackDown title.

My Score: 8/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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