Connect with us

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Payback Results & Report! (8/30/20)

No Holds Barred at Payback!

Published

on

WWE Payback 2020

Payback is a dish best served cold!

Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt all want to settle the scores with each other, and the WWE Universal Championship will be the prize that is their proof! Who will get what they want? And who gets what they deserve?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – The IIconics VS The Riott Squad; The Riott Squad wins.
  • WWE United States Championship: Apollo Crews VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Business; Lashley wins and becomes the new WWE United States Championship.
  • Big E VS Sheamus; Big E wins.
  • Baron Corbin VS Matt Riddle; Riddle wins.
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Golden Role Models VS Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler; Jax & Baszler win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
  • Keith Lee VS Randy Orton; Lee wins.
  • Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy; The Mysterios win.
  • WWE Universal Championship No Holds Barred Triple Threat: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt VS Braun Strowman VS Roman Reigns; Reigns wins and becomes the new WWE Universal Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Payback Kickoff Show!

Join Charly Caruso, Booker T, JBL, Jerry “The King” Lawler and Pete Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting everything that’s about to go down!

Lawler has a medical update on Drew McIntyre! Despite taking three punts from Randy Orton, McIntyre only comes away with a hairline fracture of the jaw! Will this mean McIntyre makes a return in the near future?

 

R-Truth joins the panel.

He apologizes for being late, but late for what? He for one thinks this is Raw Talk. This is the PPV kickoff show. Oh? Go to tomorrow. Oh, sorry, his 2019 calendar was still up. They don’t blame him, given what 2020 has been. Truth remembers most everything, just not what he forgot. But great to see Truth. They can pretend he wasn’t here. They’re live, by the way. Cut! No, they said live. Oh… Well he has his Raw Talk notes, they won’t help for tonight. But he asks what they’re talking about tonight. Apollo VS Lashley coming up.

Oh Truth loves Apollo. Lashley put Truth in the Nelson from The Simpsons. Full Nelson? Yeah, that’s what Truth said. JBL needs a Truth setting on his Rosetta Stone. But Truth says Apollo needs to watch his back, front and sides, capped off and sealed from the Hurt Business. Uh… Well Booker understands, at least. Truth heads out, but will leave his mic with them. Charly loves Truth, but even she sees there are screws loose there.

 

The IIconics VS The Riott Squad!

There’s a lot of animosity between these two duos. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce are still synchronized but it’s been a bit rougher for Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan. Of course, a lot of those rough spots are because of Billie & Peyton. Will even the kickoff show live up to the PPV’s name?

As always, Peyton and Billie have mics as they make their entrances. “Aww~, how adorable~!” How long do you think this will last? Not long at all. They tried to warn Liv about who Ruby really is, but they’ll find out tonight when they’re exposed as the fraud team they are. And that will make Payback IIconic! The teams sort out, and Billie rushes Ruby! Ruby dodges the boot to DECK Peyton! Ruby and Billie brawl, Ruby throws big forearms and rocks Billie. Tag to Liv, the Squad coordinate, but Billie whips Ruby into Liv’s knees instead! Roll up, TWO! Billie DECKS Liv then tags in Peyton. The IIconics double wrench and double kick Liv down. The ref reprimands, Liv kicks Peyton back! Liv runs, Ruby tags in but it surprises Liv.

Ruby fires off on Peyton but Peyton hits back. Ruby clubs Peyton, rethinks tagging Liv, and Peyton knees low! Tag to Billie, but Ruby DECKS her off the apron! Peyton toys with Ruby’s hair, but Ruby chases her out of the ring. They go around the way, Ruby dodges Peyton’s double ax handles but runs into the SHADES OF KAY! The IIconics put Ruby in, Billie covers, TWO! Billie argues with the ref but the count is the count. Billie kicks Ruby while she’s down, chokes her on the ropes, and the IIconics both talk trash. The ref counts, Billie lets up and tags in Peyton. The IIconics double whip to double forearm Ruby in the back! Peyton clubs Ruby, pushes her around, then drags Ruby up. Ruby rolls Peyton, TWO! Ruby gets up but Peyton clotheslines her down! Cover, TWO!

The IIconics are frustrated, Peyton gets in Ruby’s face and clubs her. Tag to Billie, and both IIconics dig their boots into Ruby’s face! Billie snapmares Ruby to a seated cobra twist and clamps on tight. Ruby endures, Liv coaches her and the fans build to a rally. Ruby fights up, knees free, but Billie throws her by her hair! Billie talks trash to Liv, Liv tells her to shut up, but Billie drags Ruby back up. Billie elbows Ruby in the back, drags her up again to whip, and clobbers her with a forearm! Cover, TWO! Billie stands on Ruby’s hand to keep her grounded! Billie then kicks Ruby in the side, and tags in Peyton. The IIconics mug Ruby, the ref reprimands and Ruby crawls under Peyton! Peyton has a leg, drags Ruby away from Liv and drops an elbow! Cover, TWO!

The IIconics grow further frustrated but Peyton pulls Ruby around by her hair. The ref reprimands, Peyton taunts Ruby then digs her knee in for the chinlock. Fans rally up, Ruby endures and fights her way up, and fights out of the elbow. Ruby ROCKS Peyton with that right! Billie hurries to grab at Liv! Liv kicks her away but Peyton knocks Liv off the apron! Ruby gets up, Peyton has her foot! Billie tells Liv that Ruby hit her?! What a liar! Peyton rolls Ruby and hits the SPINNING HEEL KICK! Tag to Billie, they stare at Liv as they bring Ruby up. Double Gourd Buster! Liv looks conflicted as Billie tells Ruby that Liv doesn’t care about her! Liv is emotional as Billie keeps shouting things. Ruby enziguris Billie down!! Ruby crawls to the corner, but what is Liv going to do?! Liv gets on the apron and tags in!!

Peyton is in, but Liv fires off on both IIconics! Liv hits a flying facebuster, then kicks away for an ENZIGURI! Peyton crawls to a corner, Liv runs in but misses. Liv elbows Peyton away, goes up and up and leaps for a forearm! Liv hurries to add on, buckle bumps and the DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Peyton clutches her shoulder, Liv drags her up, tag to Ruby. The Squad coordinates again, double- No! Peyton elbows free, throws Liv out and kicks Ruby low. Tag to Billie, the IIconics hurry with DOUBLE DEJA VU! Cover, LIv breaks it!! The IIconics are furious, but they miss Liv getting Ruby to her corner! Hot tags to Peyton and Liv again, and Peyton throws a forearm.

Tag back to Billie fast, they bring Liv up. She kicks free of Deja Vu then makes the IIconics collide! Off the ropes with the obLIVion! Billie rolls Liv, TWO! Liv ROCKS Billie, tags in Ruby, and the Squad tries this again. CODE BREAKER RIOTT KICK! Cover, The Squad wins!!

Winners: The Riott Squad, by pinfall

Now THAT was payback! The Squad ignores the lies and forgets the past, they’re friends through and through once again! Will they rise up to become WWE Women’s Tag Team Contenders?

 

The Riott Squad joins the kickoff panel.

Still buzzing from that victory, Ruby and Liv are just excited. Ruby was trying to tell Liv that the IIconics were working to tear them apart. But Liv doesn’t need to apologize. This is just the beginning! The world is seeing this! The Squad is truly back, as the #LIVingRiott! Ruby riots to live, and Liv lives to riot.

 

The time has come.

“You thought it was over?” No, this is just getting started! Just because SummerSlam happened doesn’t mean anything was settled. Roman Reigns promises to make Payback a b*tch with his return match! As for the Limitless One, he seeks revenge on behalf of his friend, Drew McIntyre. Will Randy Orton #BaskInHisGlory? Prepare for the ultimate Payback!

 

WWE United States Championship: Apollo Crews VS Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Business!

MVP couldn’t get back the belt he bought and paid for, but now it’s the Rocky Mountain Machine’s turn! Will the Hurt Business get out of the red and back into the gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Hurt Business can “repo” the championship!

MVP and Shelton Benjamin complain about their seats as they join commentary. Lashley and Apollo tie up, go around and Lashley puts Apollo in a corner. The ref counts, Lashley lets up, but they tie up again. Lashley waistlocks and SLAM Apollo! And then he drags Apollo back up to SLAM him again! Apollo fights up, gets a headlock, but Lashley powers out to run Apollo over! Lashley talks trash but Apollo gets up to dropkick him! Apollo then hurdles Lashley, only to run into a knee! Lashley clubs Apollo down then puts him in a corner. Lashley digs his forearm in but the ref counts. Lashley whips Apollo corner to corner, Apollo goes up and over and handsprings to dropkick again!

Lashley stays standing so Apollo knocks him out of the ring! Apollo slingshots, lands on the apron, avoids a sweep and mule kicks, to ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Lashley, but the Hurt Business get up to check on him. MVP and Benjamin glare at Apollo but the ring count is climbing. Apollo sees Lashley coming and ROCKS him first! Apollo puts Lashley in, follows, but runs into a clinch. Lashley rams Apollo into a buckle, then again, then lifts Apollo to hotshot him out of the Complete Shot! Apollo falls to the floor and MVP says, “Business is booming!” Lashley takes a moment before fetching Apollo. Lashley drags Apollo up to fireman’s carry, and POST Apollo!! MVP loves that!

Lashley takes a moment to gloat before refreshing the count. Lashley drags Apollo back up and puts him in, covers, TWO! Apollo isn’t done yet but Lashley wraps on a chinlock. Lashley grinds Apollo down, then shifts to a rear bearhug. Apollo endures the squeeze and the fans rally up. Lashley puts as much weight as he can on Apollo, then clubs and drags Apollo up. Lashley scoops Apollo for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Apollo ends up in a corner, Lashley runs in to RAM his shoulder in! Lashley then drags Apollo up for a suplex. Apollo lands on his feet and ENZIGURIS! Lashley wobbles but stays on his feet!

Lashley knees low, reels Apollo in, Canadian rack for the DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Apollo lives and shocks the Hurt Business! MVP says try again, Lashley covers again, TWO! Apollo still has more but Lashley decides to finish this. Lsahley runs but his Spear is sent out of the ring! Lashley returns, but runs into another enziguri! Apollo hops up, leaps, crossbody! Apollo bounces off and both men are down. The Hurt Business coach Lashley up as he and Apollo rise. Apollo rallies on Lashley with forearms and a tackle to the corner! Apollo rams into Lashley over and over, then clubs away over and over! Apollo is fired up and the fans fire up with him!

Apollo runs corner to corner, BIG SPLASH! Then the waistlock and lift, but Lashley knees free. Lashley runs, into a SPINE BUSTER! Standing moonsault! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives and Benjamin discusses things with MVP. Apollo says it’s time to lift, and he military presses Lashley! Lashley slips out, wants the Full Lashley, but Apollo rams him into buckles! GERMAN SUPLEX! Lashley is right up, but he runs into another GERMAN! Apollo goes to the corner and the top rope as MVP freaks out! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Lashley survives but Apollo is too tired to be frustrated. Lashley goes to a corner, the ref warns the Hurt Business to stay in their seats.

Apollo fires off on Lashley with forearms and stomps. The ref backs Apollo off and Lashley elbows back. Lashley runs, Apollo dodges, but runs into the MILE HIGH SPINE BUSTER!! Lashley stalks Apollo, Apollo sits up, and FULL LASHLEY!! Apollo endures, Lashley drops back for a body scissors! APOLLO TAPS, LASHLEY WINS!!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission (NEW WWE United States Champion)

MVP makes the cameras get right in front of Lashley for this huge photo op! The Hurt Business has bankrupted Apollo, and now stand tall again. But Apollo fires off on Lashley!! Apollo is furious but the Hurt Business run him off. Apollo vows to get that title back, but what will it cost him?

 

Kayla Braxton is backstage in front of Roman Reigns’ room.

Paul Heyman comes by and she asks if that contract is signed. Also, how did he “squirrel” his way into being Roman’s manager? Wow. Did they not read the material first? Well if Charly is too busy, he’ll say it to Kayla. If he has to recite everything he says, we’d be here all day. Okay then. Will Roman sign the contract? Well he said he would, and Heyman believes he will, but they need to ask Roman himself. Then can we speak to him? No, you may not. But good question. Well what’s the answer to that question!?

Keith Lee prepares backstage.

JBL walks in to say hey. And JBL enjoys watching Keith, and wants Keith to be ready for his success. Here are some hedge funds he can invest in. IT takes a million dollars to get in, though. Whoa. Well thanks, but he doesn’t have those funds. Oh trust JBL. When Keith Lee gets his win, he’ll get that money. But there is a lot of pressure tonight. If Keith loses, don’t feel bad about it. Randy Orton is one of the greatest ever. But good luck out there. Will Keith need luck? Or will his Limitless power be enough?

 

Big E VS Sheamus!

AWWWW~ THUNDERDOME~! Despite what doubters like The Miz says, Big E knows he is ready to be a singles sensation! And despite what the Celtic Warrior thinks, Big E is a SmackDown locker room leader! Can Big E prove all the haters wrong?

The bell rings and Big E circles with Sheamus. They tie up, end up in a corner and the ref calls for a break. Big E lets off but comes back to tie up again. They end up on the ropes, the ref counts, but he has to pry them apart. Sheamus complains but he and Big E tie up again. Sheamus gets the arm, wrenches the wrist and pulls the fingers. They end up on the ropes again, and Big E gets away. Big E comes back to waistlock, Sheamus elbows free then waistlocks back. Big E pries free and hip tosses Sheamus down! Sheamus gets to a corner and Big E tells him to get back up. Sheamus and Big E circle, Sheamus kicks low and headlocks for a takeover.

Big E avoids the cover, rolls Sheamus to a cover, ONE as Sheamus rolls back. They stand, Big E powers out of the headlock, then drops down to hurdle. Big E dodges and runs Sheamus over with an elbow! Sheamus sits up but Big E is on him. Sheamus throws Big E out of the ring then knees him at the apron. Sheamus clubs and turns Big E to then give him Beats of the Bodhrain! Sheamus gets all 10 before the ref counts 4, then he shoves Big E down! Big E gets up to trip up Sheamus on the apron! Now Big E beats Sheamus in the chest, then turns him sideways. Big E gets on the apron for a SPLASH, that FLOPS against the edge as Sheamus moves! Sheamus gets up, stomps Big E as he gets in, and focuses his stomps on the legs. The ref reprimands, Sheamus stops, but then stomps Big E more.

Sheamus drags Big E up for a SHIN BREAKER! Big E writhes, clutching the leg, but Sheamus stomps him more. Sheams puts the leg on the rope to stand on it, then drop down on it! The ref reprimands but Big E clutches that knee again. Sheamus drags Big E up by that leg but Big E throws body shots and haymakers! Sheamus trips Big E then drops a knee on the knee. Sheamus cranks on the toehold, Big E endures and fights back. The fans rally but Sheamus stomps the leg. Sheamus watches Big E sit up and kicks him! And stomps him! Cover, ONE! Big E grits his teeth but Sheamus goes after the bad leg again. Big E endures as Sheamus cranks the leg again. The fans rally as Big E fights with his free leg.

Big E kicks Sheamus until he lets go, and then stands up, only to walk into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sheamus grabs the leg for a HALF CRAB! Big E endures all over again as Sheamus sits deep! Big E powers up, turns things back over and kicks Sheamus away! Sheamus comes back to BOOT and drop an elbow! Sheamus catches his breath for a moment before climbing up top. Big E manages to stand, Sheamus leaps, but Big E catches him for an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! And another! Then the belly2belly, but Sheamus headbutts free! Sheamus urns at the corner, into the Urenag-E! Cover, TWO!!

Big E fires up, gets the bad leg moving, and sees Sheamus on the apron. Big E builds speed but runs into a KNEE! Sheamus slingshots, for a shoulder tackle! The battering ram takes Big E off his feet but both men get up. Big E dodges the double ax handle to hit that side belly2belly after all! Big E still swivels them hips, but Sheamus gets up under Big E! Sheamus has Big E for an ALABAMA SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus is too tired to be frustrated, both he and Big E catch their breaths on the mat. Big E and Sheamus throw haymakers on their knees, Sheamus gets the edge. Sheamus gets the legs, steps through, and turns Big E for a modified Scorpion Deathlock! Big E endures and drags himself to ropes for the ROPEBREAK!

Sheamus lets go quickly, not wanting to waste his own energy. Sheamus stomps Big E, pushes him against the ropes, then runs. Big E dumps Sheamus over and out! Big E builds speed as Sheamus climbs back up, to SPEAR Sheamus to the floor!! Big E is all fired up and so are the fans! Big E puts Sheamus back in, claps with the fans, and scoops Sheamus! But Sheamus slips out to waistlock, roll and takedown for a KNEEBAR! Sheamus has the foot, too! It’s a HEEL HOOK! Big E endures, grabs at Sheamus’ beard, and clubs away on Sheamus’ head! Sheamus lets go of the leg, but he KNEES Big E right down! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down but the ThunderDome is fired up!

Sheamus gets to a corner and watches Big E as he rises. Sheamus calls for it, Big E stands, but he scoops the Brogue for a BOMB! And a scoop, BIG ENDING!! Cover, Big E wins!!

Winner: Big E, by pinfall

Who was it that can’t stand on his own?! Who was it that isn’t ready to be a singles superstar!? Not Big E! He is ready for anything! Will Big E be bringing his own gold to the New Day?

 

Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.

Alyse Ashton asks The Bro about his match with Baron Corbin in Riddle’s first ever PPV match. How motivated is he to end this King’s Ransom? Riddle is always motivated, bro. Corbin really harshes Riddle’s vibe. All these attacks, Riddle is over it. But Riddle is sure Corbin is afraid the King of Bros takes the crown. Riddle vows that he, the Stallion, will run all over Corbin. So what does he think of Corbin’s tweet saying Riddle is not only a failure in the ring, but also at home? Riddle seethes, but he has no words. Will his actions speak for him?

 

Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler meet up backstage.

The Irresistible Force doesn’t like the Queen of Spades, and vice-versa. WOW~! So observant! Hey, Nia is trying to stay positive. Nia is positive they will defeat Bayley and Sasha Banks, IF Shayna follows Nia’s lead. Is that so? Shayna thins it’s more if Nia stays out of her way. Then stay out of Nia’s face. Shayna shoves, but cools off. They’ll kill the pre-match chit-chat to focus on the fight. Will this destructive team self-destruct in their tag debut?

 

Baron Corbin VS Matt Riddle!

Well we just heard the fighting words from the Wolf King, and they were over the line as usual. Will the King of Bros show Corbin he has no idea what he’s talking about, at all?

But the moment Riddle gets in, Corbin DECKS him! The ref keeps Corbin back while Riddle hurries to get back up. Riddle demands this match happens, the bell rings, and Corbin fires off on Riddle again. Corbin stomps away on Riddle, the ref backs him off but he jukes to get after Riddle again. Corbin throws Riddle out hard, then goes after him at the desk. Corbin says Riddle doesn’t belong, and he punches away against the desk hood. The ring count reaches 5 of 10, Corbin drags him up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Corbin clubs away on Riddle with elbows to the chest then wraps on a chinbar half nelson. Riddle endures, Corbin cranks on Riddle harder, but fans rally up.

Riddle gets to his feet, throws body shots but Corbin knees low. Corbin throws forearms but Riddle just glares at him. Riddle hits back with furious forearms and kicks! Corbin shoves him away but Riddle leap son for the HOVERBOARD KIMURA! Corbin stays up to power out, scoop and slam! Riddle gets up, gets around and hops on for a sleeper hold! Corbin carries Riddle as a backpack, reaches for ropes, but he fades! Corbin gets a second wind to backpack senton Riddle! Riddle rises up to get the sleeper back! Riddle turns Corbin to be a backpack again, elbows away, clubs with crossface forearms, then wraps Corbin up again. Corbin powers up and throws Riddle off!

Corbin runs corner to corner, dodges Riddle’s counter attack and slides out, to slide in and LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Corbin is furious as Riddle survives. Riddle gets to the corner, Corbin hurries over to throw body shots. Corbin ROCKS Riddle but the ref reprimands about the corner. Corbin chokes Riddle on the ropes! The ref counts, Corbin lets off at 4, and then ROCKS Riddle again. Corbin says, “That’s why I’m the king!” Corbin toys with Riddle now, and Riddle hits back. Corbin knees low and puts the chinbar half nelson on again! Corbin thrashes Riddle around and Riddle fades. Riddle fights up as the fans rally. Riddle pries free and gets around to waistlock. Corbin elbows free but Riddle boots. Corbin ducks the clothesline to hit a sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO!

Corbin grows frustrated again and he drags Riddle up by his hair. Corbin ROCKS Riddle again and shouts at commentary that Riddle will bow down. Riddle kicks away on Corbin and fires off forearms! Riddle runs, but Corbin runs him over with an elbow! Cover, TWO!! Corbin scowls as he looms over Riddle. Corbin keeps talking trash about being a nothing in the ring and at home. Corbin throws haymakers, blocks Riddle’s kick, then hits a takedown to a Half Crab! Riddle turns it right over to push Corbin away. Corbin runs back, slides out and in, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Corbin tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up!

Riddle catches his breath before pursuing Corbin. Corbin slowly rises, and rams Riddle into the apron! Corbin puts Riddle in, Riddle comes back to spin and PELE! Corbin wobbles to a corner, Riddle kips up and hits a forearm! Riddle runs side to side, another forearm! Riddle fires up, trips Corbin for the BROTON! PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Riddle grits his teeth as the fans continue to rally. Riddle stares at Corbin as he rises, and gives the “King” some Bro Kicks! Corbin forearms back but Riddle SUPER FOREARMS! Riddle fires off palm strikes and body shots, then fakes Corbin out to KICK! Corbin ROCKS Riddle back!

Corbin leans on ropes while Riddle stirs. Riddle sits up, Corbin hobbles over, and Corbin puts Riddle in a corner. Corbin hoists Riddle up top but Riddle forearms back! Riddle pushes Corbin away, leaps over him, and comes back, into DEEP SIX!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle lives and Corbin is furious! Corbin drags Riddle around to ground ‘n’ pound. Corbin clubs away on Riddle, but Riddle drags him into a clinch for elbows and a TRIANGLE HOLD! Corbin dead lifts, Riddle shifts to KICK! Riddle fireman’s carries, BRO TO SLEEP! Corbin is down in the drop zone, Riddle climbs up, FLOATING BRO!! Cover, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Don’t call it an upset, this is the KING of Bros we’re talking about! Will Corbin’s “kingdom” finally crumble?

 

Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.

Riddle says he is moving on to greener pastures, bro! Winning this feels so good! But then Corbin attacks Riddle and throws him into tables! And clubs him so hard, the table breaks! The Wolf King is also the king of sore losers! Corbin storms off and Riddle comes to. Will Corbin only escalate things against Riddle?

 

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Golden Role Models VS Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler!

While #BayleyDosStraps still stands, #TwoBeltzBanks is no more, and somehow Bayley thinks letting Sasha Banks try was the problem! The Boss says that she is still going to hold onto this belt and there’s nothing anyone can do about that! Will the unlikely duo of the Irresistible Force and the Queen of Spades at least stay united long enough to prove her wrong?

The introductions are made, the tag titles are raised, and this battle of dysfunctional duos begins!

The teams sort out and Nia gets Shayna to let her start, but then she tags right in! Shayna and Sasha circle, tie up, Sasha kicks but Shayna kicks back! And clubs! Shayna kicks Sasha more, Sasha hits back then blocks a kick to dropkick! Shayna is in the corner, but she dodges Sasha. Sasha ends up on the second rope, Shayna tucks her in by pulling her hair! Shayna kicks away on Sasha’s head while she’s upside-down! The ref counts, Shayna lets up at 4, but Sasha hops back to become a backpack! Sasha has a modified cobra twist, but Shayna throws her down! Shayna stands on the arm, but Sasha gets away before the stomp!

Tag to Bayley, Shayna throws Sasha out but Bayley waistlocks. Shayna standing switches and hip tosses Bayley down for a wristlock. Bayley endures as Shayna wrenches the arm around to a hammerlock. Shayna has the double wristlock now, but Sasha goes after Nia! Nia kicks Sasha away but Bayley throws Shayna into her! Nia goes down hard and clutches her knee! Bayley then rams Shayna all the way into the Role Model corner! Bayley fires off body shots, Sasha tags in, and the Role Models mug Shayna. Sasha snapmares and covers, ONE! Sasha slips around for a seated cobra twist but Shayna endures. Shayna fights her way up, Sasha knees low. Sasha suplexes for una amiga! And then another for dos amigas! Tag to Bayley, they wrench and double lift for the SLAM!

Bayley runs to sliding lariat! Cover, but Nia uses Sasha to break it! Bayley runs, but Nia dodges the slide to ram Bayley into barriers! Sasha leaps from the apron, Nia catches her to swing her into the barrier! And again! And again! Nia drops Sasha then reaches out. Shayna tags her and Nia runs Bayley over! Nia throws Bayley to a corner then corner splashes! Nia keeps moving, to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO! Nia keeps her cool as she drags Bayley up. Nia scoops but Bayley slips out to SLAP her! Bayley cheap shots Shayna but Nia goes after her. The ref keeps Shayna out but Sasha chop blocks! Bayley runs to KNEE Nia down! Bayley stomps Nia, tag to Sasha, SWINGING METEORA!

Sasha runs side to side for a KNEE WASH! Bayley is fired up for Sasha as she covers, TWO! The Role Models keep focus as Sasha grounds ‘n’ pounds. Nia pushes Sasha away but Sasha dropkicks her down. Tag to Bayley, the Role Models mug Nia and Bayley drops elbows. Bayley drags Nia to the apron to SLAM the bad knee on the edge! Bayley covers, ONE!! Nia gets to the corner but Bayley is on her with a headlock. The ref counts, Bayley lets go but throws forearms. Nia shoves Bayley, Bayley dodges and leaps, but into Nia’s arms! Nia SLAMS Bayley down, and dares Sasha to do something! Sasha doesn’t until Nia fireman’s carries Bayley. Sasha saves Bayley but Nia just lifts Sasha now. Nia BOOTS Bayley then SAMOAN DROPS Sasha!

Nia focuses on Bayley, but the leg drops into a KNEEBAR! Bayley clamps on, Nia fights back with hammering hands, and then drags Bayley with her to the corner! Tag to Shayna, and she Penalty Kicks Bayley! Then DECKS her with a forearm, and another forearm! Bayley wobbles, Shayna shining wizard sin the corner! SLIDING KNee for Sasha! SLIDING KNEE for Bayley! Gut wrench SLAM and another KNEE for Bayley! Cover, TWO!! Bayley elbows back, tags Sasha back in, but Shayna gets Sasha for a gut wrench SLAM! Shayna tags Nia, Nia throws Sasha to a corner and Shayna has Bayley in the other. The unlikely duo coordinate to whip the Role Models into one corner. Nia corner splashes them both!

Nia drags Sasha out, lifts her, but Sasha counters with a FACEBUSTER!! Nia checks her nose, it might be broken! Shayna shouts at Nia to get up, but Sasha tags Bayley! Bayley climbs but Sasha tags back in, MACHO ELBOW! Bayley runs and rams into Shayna as Sasha FROG SPLASHES! Shayna still gets in for a BAYLEY2BELLY as Sasha covers, TWO!?! Nia still survives and the Role Models are shocked! The Role Models try to figure out what to do, Sasha Shining Wizards! Cover, TWO! And Nia roars! Sasha kicks Nia, gets around her to shoulder and kick from the apron.

Tag to Bayley, they double lift, but Nia is too big and strong! The Role Models shove Nia, Shayna tags in, DOUBLE BACK DROP! But Shayna gets in to put Bayley in a KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Sasha runs in, Shayna gives her a FLAPJACK! Shayna has Sasha in a Muda Lock, and then Bayley in the KIRAFUDA!! DOUBLE HOLDS!! The Role Models both scream and flail and the three move around on the mat! Sasha tries to save Bayley but Shayna uses Sasha’s arm to put Bayley in a sleeper!!! Bayley taps, Shayna and Nia win!!

Winners: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax, by submission (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Incredible! Shayna uses the Role Models against each other, literally! The unlikely duo hug in celebration! But then stop when they realize what they’re doing. But either way, this duo that hated each other has won together! Will they be the new unstoppable tag team in WWE?

In-ring interview with Shayna and Nia.

Congratulations to the new champions! And while they don’t personally get along, they did amazing as a team! They beat former champions, but Nia wants Charly to hush so they can celebrate. Shayna admits they’re not best friends, and Nia is really excited, so Shayna figures they should celebrate anyway. Will they be partying all night, just separately? As for Sasha and Bayley, who were still watching this the entire time, is this going to finally break the bond between them?

 

Keith Lee VS Randy Orton!

The Limitless One debuted just last Monday Night Raw, and he confronted the Legend Killer without even breaking a sweat. The Viper ambushing Keith’s friend in Drew McIntyre was some motivation that night, and it will be again this night. Will Keith be a powerful proxy to the WWE World Champion? Or will the Apex Predator just make Keith another victim?

The bell rings and Orton circles with Keith. They circle, tie up, and Orton headlocks. Keith stays standing as Orton grinds the hold, and even pulls on an ear. Orton shakes that off, so Keith tires a bearhug. Keith powers out of the headlock and collides solid with Orton! Orton is a bit surprised but Keith is ice cool. They circle, Orton suddenly speeds things up and Keith HURDLES over Orton! Keith drops down to then CROSSBODY Orton down! Orton bails out right away but Keith waits for him in the ring. The ring count begins, Orton takes his time and returns at 5. Orton wants Keith to give him space, then talks trash as he gets in. Orton reminds Keith who Orton is, and he demands respect. Orton then CHOPS Keith, but Keith just scowls.

Orton CHOPS again, but now Keith gets mad. Orton CHOPS again, and even hurts his own hand. Keith just shakes it off and blocks the whip! Keith reverses to then GRIZZLY MAGNUM CHOP! Orton staggers back to his feet, and Keith throws body shots in the corner. Orton knees low, clubs Keith’s back, but Keith pushes him back. Keith runs in but Orton dodges to POST him! Keith bails out, clutching the bad shoulder, and Orton brings Keith to the desk, for a BACK SUPLEX! Orton leaves Keith behind as the ring count climbs! Keith gets up at 7, hurries over at 8 and is in at 9! Orton stomps Keith’s limbs as Orton loves to do. Orton aims at the arm as he drops a knee! Cover, TWO!

Orton keeps on Keith with a chinlock and he grinds Keith down. Keith endures, fans rally up, but Orton keeps cranking on the headlock. Keith fights up, fights back, but Orton clubs him back. Orton whips Keith to a corner but Keith elbows back. Keith runs to POUNCE Orton out of the ring! Orton is shocked as he flounders to the desk! Keith catches his breath while Orton steadies himself. Keith heads out to bring Orton up, and he returns that BACK SUPLEX! Orton crashes down as he tastes his own medicine! Keith scowls as he drags Orton up and puts him in the ring at 6. Keith takes a second, but Orton kicks him between the ropes! Orton drags Keith onto the ropes, DRAPING DDT!

Orton grins as he has Keith down again. Orton looks to the ThunderDome screen wall, but he hears the voices in his head. Orton wants Keith to rise, and Keith does so slowly. Keith turns around, but denies the RKO for a pop-up! SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Keith wins!!

Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall

UNBELIEVABLE! At least, to those who do not truly know Keith Lee! The Limitless One just took out the self-proclaimed Greatest Wrestler Ever! Will Keith Lee skyrocket right to the world title with this?

 

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Kayla asks again if Roman has signed the contract to enter the match tonight. “Oh ye of little faith!” Doesn’t Kayla watch SmackDown? Roman promised to be here tonight, and he is. Roman promised he’d be in the Triple Threat, #WreckEveryoneAndLeave, and he will. Roman gave not a prediction but a spoiler that he will leave WWE Universal Champion, #BelieveThat. In fact, believe HEYMAN about it. Satisfied?

 

Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy!

Extreme Rules and Eye for an Eye was not enough. SummerSlam and a Street Fight was not enough. Raw was ruined by Retribution, so that was definitely not enough! Will Payback be where the Mysterio Family finally puts an end to the talk of “the greater good?” Or will father and son both be the Monday Night Messiah’s “necessary sacrifices” for Raw’s future?

The teams sort out, and Rey says he’ll start, but Dominik then bolts past him to clobber Rollins! Murphy hurries after Dominik but Dominik elbows him away! Dominik clubs away on Rollins, Murphy drags him off and throws him at the apron, but Dominik apron 619’s! Dominik dares the disciple to get back in, but Rollins holds Murphy back, and even slaps him! Rollins wants Murphy to let Rollins in. Murphy gets in to tag Rollins, and Rollins kicks low. Rollins headlocks, Dominik powers out and things speed up. Rollins rolls, kicks Dominik low then whips. Dominik kicks back, runs but Rollins puts him on the apron. Dominik shoulders Rollins away, springboards and flying arm-drags!

Rollins bails out and is furious! Murphy asks if he’s okay and Rollins says NO he’s not. Rollins tags Murphy in, Murphy blocks one arm-drag but not the other. Dominik runs, tilt-o-whirls and arm-drags to dropkick! Murphy wobbles, tag to Rey, and Dominik whips. Murphy reverses, Dominik gets around him and Russian Leg Sweeps as Rey runs! Rey adds a basement dropkick, covers, ONE! Murphy scrambles away and Rey dares Rollins to get in. “Get your punk ass in here!” Rollins tags in, steps to Rey, “Be careful what you wish for, Rey! Take your best shot!” Rey SLAPS Rollins then fires off body shots! Rollins knees low, Rey goes to a corner and Rollins fires off fast hands of his own.

Rollins whips corner to corner, Rey goes up and speeds up to roll and seated senton! Cover, TWO! Rollins checks his face but Rey KICKS his leg! Rey whips, Rollins reverses and fireman’s carries to a GUT BUSTER! Rollins scowls as he drags Rey up and fireman’s carries again. Rey flails free, Murphy tags in at the O’Conner roll. Rey DECKS Murphy but still doesn’t realize Murphy is legal. Rollins whips and slides Rey, onto Murphy’s knees! Things work out as Murphy throws body shots on Rey now. Murphy puts Rey in, covers, TWO! Murphy looms over Rey, drags him around and throws more heavy body shots. Tag to Rollins, Murphy whips Rollins in to RAM Rey in the stomach! Rollins laughs as Dominik coaches his dad, but Rollins tags Murphy.

Rollins whips Murphy and he RAMS into Rey. Rey flops down, Murphy crouches to taunt him. “He looks like he’s feeling good.” Murphy puts Rey in the corner again, tags to Rollins, and Murphy whips Rollins in, but Rey goes up! Rollins hits buckles, Rey wheelbarrow bulldogs Murphy! The fans fire up as Rey rolls, tag to Dominik! Dominik goes up, crossbodies, but is caught! Assisted FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rollins is furious with the ref but the count is the count. Rollins stomps away on Dominik at the ropes, the ref counts, Rollins lets off. Tag to Murphy, they drag Dominik up to mug him, and Murphy puts Dominik in a corner. Murphy ROCKS Dominik with a right and then stomps him. Murphy wrenches and reels Dominik in for a SNAP Suplex! Cover, TWO!

Murphy keeps on Dominik with a modified cobra twist, but Dominik endures. Murphy clubs Dominik in the side but fans rally up. Dominik fights against the stretch, spins around and hits a jawbreaker! Murphy wobbles but he still drags Dominik away! Tag to Rollins, they mug Dominik more, and Rollins scoops to slam him! Rollins stomps Domink right in the shoulder, then stomps the hand! Rollins toys with Dominik as he kicks him away from the Mysterio corner. “You wanna dance with the big boys?” Rollins brings Dominik up but Dominik fires off hands! Rollins kicks low and slides Dominik out hard! The ref keeps Rollins in but Murphy goes after Dominik, only for Dominik to whip Murphy into barriers!

Rollins leaps but Dominik sends him into barriers, too! Rollins hurries up and in as Dominik crawls. Rollins anchors a foot, Dominik keeps crawling, and Dominik kicks Rollins away! Hot tag to Rey! Rey fires off on Rollins, whips him but Rollins reverses. Rey dodges, tilt-o-whirls and headscissors! Rey runs at the corner, Rollins puts him out but Rey shoulders in! Rey bumps Rollins off buckles, climbs up top, QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!! Rey keeps his cool, baits Rollins in and dropkicks the legs out! Rollins is on the ropes, Rey dials it up, but Rollins ducks the 619 to kick low! Rollins brings Rey up, Rey counters the bomb to a huricanrana! Rey rolls to BUZZSAW! Cover, Murphy breaks it!

Murphy runs at Dominik, misses and gets buckles! Dominik goes up and around, TORNADO DDT!! Rollins SLING BLADES Dominik! Rey is up top, and leaps for a seated senton! Another tilt-o-whirl but Rollins makes it a BACKBREAKER! Everyone is down but the ThunderDome is fired up! A standing count begins as Rey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Rey crawls to ropes. Murphy is lurking but Dominik is there. Rey and Rollins brawl, as do Dominik and Murphy! Rey hits Rollins low, Murphy knees Dominik low. Rollins whips Rey, Rey dodges to DIVE onto Murphy! Rey hurries back up and into the ring, shoulders into Rollins and forearms him away.

Rey climbs, Rollins stands, to GUT BUSTER the crossbody!! Rollins SUPERKICKS Rey and covers, TWO!! Rollins seethes as Rey survives, and he again argues with the ref. Rollins shouts, “I’ll do it myself!” Rollins aims at Rey, Rey sits up, but Rey avoids the Curb Stomp! Wheelbarrow, but Rollins counters with a facebuster! Cover, but Dominik breaks it! Murphy gets in, drags Dominik up, but Dominik throws Murphy out. Murphy anchors Dominik’s feet, Rollins clobbers Dominik! They RAM Dominik into the barriers! Rollins hurries in to go after Rey. Rollins brings Rey out to RAM into barriers, too! Both father and son are down, but Rollins drags Rey up and into the ring at 5.

Rollins takes off the arm bands and asks Rey where his son is now. “Reach for him! Where’s your family now, Rey?! Where’s Angie, huh?!” Rollins says this is the end, and tells Murphy to kick Rey in the head. Tag to Murphy, BUCKLE- NO! Rey ranas Rollins into the enziguri! Murphy drags Rey up, Rey slips out of the back suplex to tilt-o-whirl him to the ropes! Tag to Dominik, and Dominik whips Rey out so he can SUNSET BOMB Rollins into barriers!! Dominik dials it up now, 619!! Murphy flounders, Dominik climbs up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, the Mysterios win!!

Winners: Rey & Dominik Myserio, by pinfall

Finally! After enduring so much, father and son finally have their payback on Rollins! Rollins glares at Murphy and leaves without him! Is “the greater good” halted once and for all?

 

The Hurt Business heads out, feeling great.

Tonight, they celebrate! MVP, Benjamin and the NEW United States Champion, Lashley, head out. Will they use the entire month of September to celebrate this success? Who steps up to the All Mighty when Clash of Champions comes around on 9/27/20? Speaking of championships…

 

WWE Universal Championship No Holds Barred Triple Threat: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt VS Braun Strowman VS Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman!

The Monster just lost this title last week as he finally confronted the darkest side of Bray Wyatt. But then the Big Dog made the most powerful return possible when he brutalized them both! Roman is no stranger to what Bray and Braun are capable of, and he’s willing to take them both on to get back the title he never lost! But will the newest Paul Heyman Guy be able to #WreckEveryoneAndLeave the reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion of the World?

Bray makes his entrance and gets to the ring with his surprisingly still normal championship belt, but Braun attacks outta nowhere!! The ref rings the bell so this is on the record, but what about Roman?! Braun stomps away on The Fiend at the ropes, gets him up in the corner and fires off body shots! Braun runs corner to corner to corner splash! Scoop, MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Fiend survives this onslaught but Braun just laughs. Fiend stands right up but Braun ROCKS him with right hands! Braun fires off fists and headbutts in the corner, then runs corner to corner, into a BODY CHECK! Fiend has Braun, SISTER ABIGAIL! Cover, TWO!! And where is Roman?!

Braun bails out and Fiend finally takes off his jacket. Fiend pursues as Braun staggers up. Braun choke grips Fiend, knees low and clubs him on the back. Fiend fights back, bounces Braun off the apron, then catches him for an URENAGE through the announce desk!! Fiend shouts at Michael Cole and Corey Graves and they hop over the barriers. Alexa Bliss is watching backstage, twiddling her braids. Fiend goes looking under the ring, and brings out the MALLET! Fiend’s little friend is back, and Fiend takes him over, only for Braun to CHUCK AN ARM CHAIR at him!! Fiend goes down, Braun hurries over and pulls the steel steps apart. Braun drags Fiend up and over to the steps, to CLUB him onto them!

Braun sees Fiend’s mallet, and decides to use it for himself! Braun lifts the mallet, but Fiend kicks low! Fiend throws haymakers then throws Braun into barriers! Braun almost tumbles into the wall of screens, but Fiend drags him up to throw haymakers. Fiend has the mallet and HAMMERS Braun in his chest! Fiend seems shocked and amazed by his own actions! Fiend laughs but then calms down to loom over Braun. Fiend brings Braun over to the other steel steps to bounce his head off them. Fiend then climbs the steps for the neck TWIST! Braun falls and crawls but Fiend up-ends the steel steps. Fiend has the upper half, aims at Braun, and RAMS him down! Fiend poses on the steps as Alexa keeps watching. She seems almost in awe of him…

Fiend drags Braun up, RAMS him into barriers, then clubs him up the ramp! Fiend keeps on Braun as they go to the stage. Fiend sits Braun up for another neck TWIST! Braun is almost helpless as Fiend brings him back up. Fiend aims for the screen wall but Braun pushes him into it! Both men are exhausted but still get to their feet. Braun brings Fiend around but Fiend throws an uppercut! Fiend brings Braun into position, but Braun uppercuts out of Sister Abigail! Braun stalks The Fiend to the edge of the stage, ROCKS him with a right, then TACKLES him off the stage and through a bunch of tables!! Both monsters are down in the wreckage, but Braun sits up to hammer away on Fiend!

Braun uses a trunk to stand back up, then he drags Fiend out of the wreckage. Braun brings Fiend around the stage but Fiend fights back. Braun headbutts Fiend, brings him back to ringside and puts him in. Braun takes a moment before getting on the apron. Fiend stirs but Braun has an idea. Braun goes up top!? He’s a bit wary, he barely does this. Fiend gets up to stop him with an uppercut! Fiend headbutts away on Braun, then finishes climbing up to join him. Fiend reels Braun in, for a SUPERPLEX!! The ring breaks!! Brock Lesnar and The Big Show would be proud! Both monsters are down, and NOW Roman makes his entrance!! Roman brings a chair, Heyman brings the contract! Roman signs on the dotted line, this is finally a true Triple Threat!

Roman gets in the ring and covers The Fiend, but he looks for the ref. The ref is part of the wreckage! A spare ref comes out, Roman covers Fiend, TWO!! Roman is furious, he covers Fiend again, TWO!! So Roman covers Braun, TWO!! Both monsters are still in this so Roman goes back to his chair. Roman brings the chair in to SMACK Braun! And again, and again, and again! Cover, TWO!!! Roman can’t believe this! Roman keeps his cool, looks between the two, and has his chair again. Roman aims at Fiend, Fiend grabs Roman with the MANDIBLE CLAW!! Roman LOW BLOWS free, but both men tumble down the tilted ring! Roman checks his jaw while he stands back up. Braun stirs, Roman aims at him from what was a corner. Roman runs and SPEARS Braun down! Cover, Roman wins!!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (NEW WWE Universal Champion)

Payback is golden as Roman regains the title! But he waited until the monsters wrecked each other. Will Roman be able to get away with this? Or will he only face more payback as we roll into the Fall?


My Thoughts:

WOW! I doubted doing back to back weeks of PPV’s would work out, but Payback did an incredible job tonight! But I still hope Vince never does this again. Anyway, so much of this was great, even the kickoff show material. Truth is great, as always. Riott Squad and IIconics have a great kickoff match, and it’s great for Liv and Ruby to win and basically rebrand as #LivingRiott. And now the WWE Women’s Tag Division is wide open because we have new champions in an EPIC match! I really like the reluctance in Nia and Shayna enjoying teaming together, I loved that combination of holds Shayna came up and literally using Sasha against Bayley, and I loved the energy Nia had over winning. This is going to be a real fun phase in the Women’s Tag Division, I can feel it.

The United States Championship match was really good for being on the shorter side, but it just seemed the logical move for Lashley to win. I do like that Apollo tried to take the fight back to the Hurt Business, but I wonder if someone else, even among Apollo’s friends, moves up to challenge Lashley for the title at Clash of Champions. We have an entire month to see how it builds up, so anything could happen. We got great stuff out of the three grudge matches, especially the third one. Big E keeps going strong as a solo guy, things aren’t over with Corbin and Riddle, and it’s incredible that Keith beats Orton! Fans feared he was buried over just a theme song change, but this proves he’s the exact opposite! And now it definitely makes things interesting for Clash of Champions and the WWE World Championship. McIntyre VS Keith maybe?

The Universal Championship was definitely a big way to end the show. Roman may have waited until Braun and Bray were down from that ring-breaking superplex, this works because he is clearly a Heel, which is also what many wanted out of this. No one should complain if Heel Roman actually does Heel things. Roman wins, which was inevitable anyway, but I’m really surprised about a few things. The word “retribution” was literally in the Payback description on the Network, and yet we don’t get Retribution showing up even in a teaser of chaos. And what about Mr. Money in the Bank, Otis? He should’ve run out there to remind us that he’s Mr. MITB, only to be part of the wrecking that Roman kinda sorta does. Obviously there’s still a lot of time on the MITB contract but it feels like WWE missed the window on Otis’ best chance to do it.

My Score: 9.2/10


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

Published

on

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:

 


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Coverage

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


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Sports

Entertainment

Sports Entertainment

Buy A Chairshot T-Shirt!

Chairshot Radio Network

Trending

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com