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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/3/20)

Who is the TRUE WWE United States Champion?

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WWE Raw Coverage 3.0

Raw has so much going on in one night!

Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton come face to face, the TRUE United States Championship will be decided, and Shane McMahon returns to Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE United States Championship: Apollo Crews VS MVP w/ The Hurt Business; Crews wins and is the undisputed WWE United States Champion.
  • The IIconics VS The Riott Squad; The Riott Squad wins.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business VS R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • Shayna Baszler VS Sasha Banks w/ Bayley; No Contest.
  • Raw Underground – Daba Cato goes 2-0.
  • Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega; Garza wins.
  • Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega; No Contest.
  • Raw Underground – Erik wins.
  • Raw Underground – The Hurt Business goes 3-0.

PLAY BY PLAY

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

Apollo is back and he’s going to finally face Montel Vontavius Porter as intended at Extreme Rules! Assuming the lights stay on in the Performance Center… But technical difficulties aside, will MVP prove he is the real US Champion? Or will the real US Champion win?

The introductions are made, the two different belts are both raised, and MVP grabs the mic. MVP “drops some truth gems” that he is the REAL United States Champion because Apollo didn’t show up. Bobby Lashley put the full nelson on, Apollo made excuses and MVP made history. MVP vows he will continue to rep the Hurt Business while Apollo can hang out with Ricochet and Cedric Alexander back in catering. Apollo lets MVP run his mouth, and we settle this once and for all to start Raw!

MVP and Apollo stare down but the flickering lights worry them. They tie up, go around, MVP monkey flips but Apollo holds on. They get up again, MVP spins Apollo around, then drops down to body scissors. Apollo fights off the sleeper to throw elbows! Apollo goes after MVP but MVP avoids the cover. Apollo rolls, jackknife cover, TWO! MVP gets up but Apollo handsprings up! Apollo and MVP go again, and MVP stomps Apollo’s foot! MVP throws hands then bumps Apollo off buckles. MVP throws European Uppercuts and rocks Apollo! Apollo gets up but MVP throws haymakers. MVP whips, Apollo reverses and elbows MVP down! Apollo starts to rally! Apollo snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Another try, ONE! Another, ONE! Apollo rains down right hands to keep MVP down.

Apollo goes after the arm and wrenches on the shoulder. MVP endures, fights but Apollo digs his forearm into MVP’s face. Apollo keeps on the shoulder, MVP gets up but Apollo wrenches. MVP wrenches back and ROCKS Apollo again! And BOOTS him down! The Hurt Business likes what they see as MVP looms over Apollo. MVP brings Apollo up but Apollo hits back! Apollo fires off forearm after forearm, whips but MVP is saved by Lashley and Shelton Benjamin. But Apollo FLIES out onto all three! The real United States Champion stands tall as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns as MVP Has Apollo in a cravat. MVP cranks but Apollo endures. Replay shows us Lashley interfered during commercial behind the ref’s back! Apollo tries fighting out but MVP knees low. Apollo fights up again and throws body shots. Apollo gets free, runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! MVP tries again, TWO! MVP brings Apollo up to elbow him down. Apollo gets to ropes but MVP brings him around to throw EuroUppers. Cover, TWO! MVP brings Apollo up to club and whip and drop toehold him down! MVP has Apollo in the ropes for a camel clutch! The bad neck is being attacked! The ref counts but MVP lets up at 4. MVP drags Apollo back up, throws big forearms, but Apollo hits back. MVP snap suplexes him, cover, TWO! Apollo barely gets out!

MVP drags Apollo up, throws forearms, then has Apollo in a corner for elbow after elbow from all sides! MVP whips corner to corner, powers up and runs in, but his boot misses! Apollo enziguris back! Apollo hops up, leaps, crossbody! But he rolls off, to tackle MVP into buckles! Apollo rams his shoulder in over and over as the crowd fires up. Apollo runs to hit a huge splash! And a SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The crowd rallies up for Apollo as he drags MVP up and around. MVP fights off the bomb to waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! But Apollo rises! Apollo gives MVP the CREWS MISSILE! Cover, Apollo wins!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

But Lashley goes after him! Apollo escapes the full nelson and gets away with both United States Championship belts! Which one will he choose to keep as the rightful title?

Backstage interview with Apollo.

Congratulations are in order! How does it feel to return to be the rightful champion? Apollo likes the sound of “rightful US Champion.” But in all seriousness, Bobby Lashley’s strength is unlike anyone else’s. Because of that full nelson, Apollo literally couldn’t turn his head away from the TV as he watched MVP walk around acting like the champ. But what hurt worse was Apollo’s kids saying, “Daddy, I thought you were the United States Champion.” But it’s okay, because now he IS champion! And he will take the classic belt and hang it in his kids’ room as a reminder of their dad’s first title in the WWE ever. As for MVP’s belt, how good does it look on Apollo? It looks so good! So thanks, P, Apollo appreciates this.

MVP grabs a mic at ringside.

“Hello? Hey! You tell me what kind of operation you three clowns are running here!!” What is with the unsafe working environment of the lights? Be ashamed of yourself! Is that how Apollo wants to win!? MVP was distracted! But he’s gonna explain something. Apollo didn’t show up because Lashley made him stay at home. But then Apollo shows up and steals MVP’s US Championship! “I don’t care about your wife! I don’t care about your kids! What I care about is my rematch!” MVP wants his rematch, but Shelton gives him an idea. The rematch will be… at SUMMERSLAM!

 

There’s something going on in a private dressing room.

There’s a guard, or perhaps a bouncer, at the door as dance music plays loudly. The “brainchild” of Shane McMahon is said to be behind that door. Is there something Shane O’Mac has planned for his return tonight?

 

Backstage interview with Bayley and Sasha Banks.

The Golden Role Models are Raw Women’s, SmackDown Women’s, and WWE Tag Team Champions because to put it simply, they have #AllTheGold! #BayleyDosStraps and #TwoBeltsBanks! But will either belt be defended at SummerSlam? Not to demean Sarah, but she is so boring! Ding dong, hello! This does no justice to what these two have accomplished! They are going to spice things up and have something special! ROLL THE FOOTAGE!

Movie trailer voice says, “In a world… full of mediocrity… two women are setting the standard, creating the blueprint, of what it means to be a champion.” We relive last week’s Raw Women’s Championship main event. Kairi chased Bayley away, but the narrator explains, “What on the surface… looked like cowardice… was actually a plan… of sheer brilliance.” Bayley turning things around on Kairi and that was a distraction to Asuka. Asuka chose to save Kairi over defending her title, and that is how Sasha “won” her second belt. “Now… they own all the gold…” They are your Golden Role Models.

But Asuka interrupts! “OI OI OI OI!” Do you think you’re going to get away with what you did to Kairi?! “Revenge will be very, very sweet!” That part scares Bayley and Sasha. What the hell is this?! They’re trying to be professional and you- Shayna Baszler interrupts the “garbage.” These two must be having fun. Shayna has a complaint. Sasha “snaked” her way to this title. But Shayna has waited long enough to finally have her own fun. And she DECKS Sasha!! Bayley is in shock as Sasha checks her chin. Shayna leaves, but when and where will she strike again?

 

Kevin Owens is backstage.

He picks up something to drink at catering, but the IIconics come over. They heard a little rumor that he is hosting another edition of the KO Show, and thought that they would make great guests. They would! He loves Australia. But maybe not this week. What? He already has guests for tonight. He does plan these things. Sorry, but have a water. Kevin heads off to do just as the IIconics said, but who are his guests? We find out, after the break!

 

Raw presents The KO Show!

The Prizefighter welcomes us back from break to his show. There are a lot of things happening tonight, one of them being the return of Shane McMahon. Kevin has plenty of thoughts on that, but he doesn’t want to talk about that. Wait, why is this mic freaking out? But Kevin wants to first talk about an issue that’s been going on. This is a very talented woman and a great friend of Kevin’s, it’s Ruby Riott! Ruby heads to the ring, definitely having gotten over a challenge in dealing with the IIconics. They sit in the chairs and Kevin thanks her for being here. He brings up the IIconics and how emotional Ruby was after finally winning. Ruby says it is no secret that she’s had bad luck since coming back. She hasn’t gotten a singles win since February and the IIconics grind salt into that wound.

Ruby has dealt with women like that her entire life. “Toxic, sad broads that gotta bring people down just to build themselves up.” Ruby brought Peyton Royce down to earth and hopefully put an end to the iconic BS. Strong words, but she should be proud. The only thing that would’ve been better is if Liv Morgan was here to celebrate. Well speaking of… Kevin got her to be on the show! Ruby is actually unsure if this is a good idea, but Liv does make her way out. Liv gets a mic and stands in the ring with Ruby and Kevin. Kevin thanks her for going through with this. Liv says Ruby wanted her to hear her out, and Kevin convinced her to try. So let’s hear it.

Kevin wants to say something first. He asked them both here, because he saw them both here when they started in the WWE. Stupid mic. It was Liv, Ruby and Sarah. Sarah is moving on to a new part of her life and that’s great. But these two can’t just throw everything away. He’s traveled with them, saw them together as friends, they’re great individuals but they also bring the best out of each other. Kevin has done a lot of really crappy things to people, said crappy things, and lost friendships because he thought it was better for his career. But he feels now it might not have been worth it. They don’t have to be friends, but it is worth hearing each other out. The crowd chants, “Hear Her Out!”

Ruby starts by saying that coming back, she thought it’d be the same. BUt she was wrong. The place was different, and Liv was different. Liv was thriving, coming into her own, and Ruby felt like she wasn’t needed anymore. Then Liv beat Ruby twice. Ruby realized Liv didn’t need Ruby. This world Ruby returned to without anyone, she wasn’t ready for it and she lashed out at Liv. She is sorry for that! That was wrong to do! But every time Ruby looks at her tattoo, the one that matches Liv’s, dedicated to their debut date, she remembers the day their lives changed. Ruby is just asking for a second chance. A second chance at the Riott Squad to be stronger than ever before! But then the IIconics crash the show!

Billie and Peyton of course have mics. Kevin washes his hands of this, but Peyton says everyone is SICK of hearing them babble on about whatever, because no one cares. Liv should’ve stayed in the tub. Ruby, the IIconics are just tired of the social media posts about her one “emotional” win over Peyton! After what? 400 losses?! Maybe some facts over emotion. Fact: The IIconics have dominated- The mic is freaking out. They DOMINATED the Women’s Tag Division. They conquered WrestleMania! And they have been, and always will be, better than Ruby and Liv. Actually, look BFF up and you’ll find a picture of them.

Liv speaks up and says maybe they’re right. Liv and Ruby aren’t friends like the IIconics. But there is one thing they will always agree on: NO ONE starts a riot better than us! The Riott Squad is reunited! Kevin says the message is clear. So unless the IIconics have something better to say, maybe they can just leave. Ruby and Liv think they’re a team now? They have nothing on the IIconics. Let’s go, right now! Any place, any time! Because right now… Actually, Peyton wants Billie to say it. No, Billie says Peyton can say it. They go back and forth and Kevin asks for more technical difficulties right now. Peyton SLAPS Kevin! And Billie laughs. Was that necessary? Billie SLAPS Kevin now! “Ladies, a little help, please?” The Riott Squad pounces!! The brawl spills out of the ring as Raw goes to break!

 

The IIconics VS The Riott Squad!

Peyton and Billie got the fight that they want, but will they regret it? Or can they ruin the Riott Squad’s reunion?

Billie starts with Ruby and circle. They tie up, Billie powers Ruby to a corner but Ruby turns it around. Billie shouts for the ropebreak, Ruby lets up to shove her back. Kevin has joined commentary as Ruby wrenches Billie’s arm. Billie throws hands, Ruby ducks but the throat chop hits! Billie wrenches Ruby to a straitjacket neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! The IIconics are furious already but Billie brings Ruby over to tag in Peyton. The IIconics double whip to double forearm! Peyton covers, TWO! Peyton drags Ruby around to jam her knees into Ruby’s back then she clamps on a chinlock. Ruby endures, the crowd builds to a rally, Ruby fights her way up to fight back. PEyton throws Ruby down by her green-yellow hair!

Tag to Billie the IIconics double wrench and double kick Ruby down! Billie talks trash before she kicks Ruby while she’s down! Billie drags Ruby up to club her back, then talks more trash. Ruby pushes her away to SUPERKICK her! Hot tags to Peyton and Liv! Liv rallies with flying forearms and a hair takedown! Liv whips, Peyton reverses, but Liv elbows back. Liv goes up, up and leaps for a missile dropkick! Cover, Billie breaks it! Billie drags Peyton to the corner and tags in. Billie storms up to Liv, brings her up, but Liv rolls Billie up! RIOTT SQUAD WINS!

Winners: The Riott Squad, by pinfall

But Peyton is right on Liv with hammering fists! The IIconics get up, coordinate, but Ruby saves Liv! Ruby shoves Peyton to a corner and enziguris Billie down! Ruby and Liv coordinate now, double STO! The squad heads out, will they continue to rise together? Or are there still cracks in the foundation they must be wary of?

 

Raw checks on the status of a near accident.

Large boxes fell over, things fell out, but no one was nearby so there were no injuries. There are rumors that perhaps, the boxes falling were not accidental. MVP is upset that they’re not talking about his loss because of these glitches and power surges! Charly Caruso understands he’s upset. She informs him that Apollo has accepted the rematch challenge. Well alright then! He feels a bit better now, but of course Apollo accepted it. What would his kids think if Daddy Apollo didn’t? But then Shelton comes by and says his 24/7 Championship belt has been stolen! What?! Well, they’ll track that down. Time to teach everyone what happens when you steal from the Hurt Business.

 

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!

The WWE World Champion is not in a good mood after last week’s RKO outta nowhere! McIntyre had just settled things with Dolph Ziggler when Randy Orton made good on his threats. As such, the WWE world title is on the line at SummerSlam between the leader of Claymore Country and the Apex Predator! McIntyre picks up a mic to address this. “Randy Orton has spent 20 years preying on vulnerability.” He’s not the kind of guy who would show you how he felt with a finger gesture like Stone Cold. Or the kind of guy to take off and throw an elbow pad like The Rock. According to Orton, he’s better than those two. Orton is the kind who waits until you end an Extreme Rules match to hit you with an RKO outta nowhere.

But y’know what? That is on McIntyre. McIntyre was warned and it still happened. Lesson learned, it will never happen again. But McIntyre wants Orton to understand he knows how motivated The Viper is. He’s just as motivated to take the WWE title as McIntyre is to keep it. The similarities don’t end there. “Once upon a time, at one time or another, Vince McMahon himself looked at us, right in the eye and told us we were The Chosen One. We were the future of this industry.” McIntyre paces as he chooses his words. Things didn’t go as planned for McIntyre. But Orton admitted this wasn’t plan A, B, C or D. He didn’t lie awake as a kid in Scotland, a country of 5 million people, thinking about how he was going to make it to the WWE as one of the first ever.

Orton didn’t grow up being called crazy for dreaming so big, giving everything he could and finally pulling it off! This was handed to him! McIntyre doesn’t resent Orton for that. But he finds it interesting when Orton brags about the early accolades. The ones sped on a silver spoon because his father is Cowboy Bob. McIntyre never rode in a limo with Evolution, not that he wanted to. But the biggest part, McIntyre never had anyone cleaning up after him like Evolution did. No one had the influence like that for McIntyre. Making mistakes meant being punished, and in his case, FIRED for them. McIntyre has said it already, he did deserve that. But McIntyre has spoken to so many people over those years, those who cleaned up the literal crap Orton has left behind! Orton should’ve been fired WAY MORE times than McIntyre!

Orton appears, with Ric Flair by his side! Orton has a mic and tells McIntyre he’s gonna stop him right there and ask, “Is my respect not enough?” Orton said McIntyre had his respect, but McIntyre is repaying Orton by telling the fans all this? If Orton didn’t want to be here, then why  is he still here? Orton is here because he enjoys coming down the ramp, hitting RKO’s and punt kicking heads. Orton appreciates McIntyre’s fighting spirit, which will make it that much sweeter when Orton hits the RKO, the punt kick, and takes the title away. Now Orton should’ve been fired for all that? Well he’s right. Orton should’ve been fired multiple times! But McIntyre was because Orton is more valuable than McIntyre ever was or will be. Orton has been given third, fourth, fifth chances because he IS The Chosen One #ThenNowandForever.

Now it’s “real cute” that McIntyre is quoting legends like Edge. But Orton challenges McIntyre right now to come up with one opinion about Orton that’s his own. The key word, “original.” McIntyre puts his belt down and says if Orton wants McIntyre to “shoot,” then fine. McIntyre thinks Orton represents everything that is wrong with the WWE! Just like the others, we all watched The Last Ride. The most interesting part was Orton. Orton talked about how The Undertaker reached down, pulled Orton up to his level when he didn’t have to. HE didn’t, but why did he? Because Taker loves this industry and wants to preserve it. How many times can Orton honestly say over the last 20 years that he’s done the same? Never.

Has Orton ever sat down with a Kevin Owens, an Apollo Crews or a Mustafa Ali type, anyone at all, and passed on the knowledge that Shawn Michaels, Taker, HHH, or Ric Flair ever passed on? How about this? Ten years ago, there was a time when Orton went home and Edge reached out. McIntyre remembers being in catering, his world crumbling around him both professionally and personally. Orton could tell. McIntyre was far from home, his mother was sick, and he was self-destructing. Maybe something from Orton could’ve changed his life, but Orton didn’t even bother. McIntyre does not see a locker room leader. He does not see someone “the boys in the back” respect. McIntyre just sees “a selfish prick!”

So here is what happens at SummerSlam. McIntyre has receipts to cash in, not just from him. For guys on the current roster, from years ago, and every legend he has ever KICKED IN THE HEAD! McIntyre will RIP Orton’s head off, and Orton will sure as hell see it coming! The RKO or the Claymore, what move will decide the fate of not only the WWE World Championship, but both of these superstars?

 

Nia Jax talks with WWE official, Pat Buck.

She was fined for roughing him up last week, but it’s hard to be sure if she’s apologizing or expecting an apology. Either way, the Irresistible Force heads to the ring after the break!

 

Kevin Owens talks with Ruby and Liv backstage.

Are they good? Is the Riott Squad back full time? Before that can really be discussed, Ric Flair walks over! Ric says the Riott Squad was great, but needs to talk with Kevin. Ric has been following Kevin’s career, there’s history. Kevin is held in high esteem at the WWE. Everyone here loves Kevin. But Ric thinks Kevin is becoming the guy too worried about this and that, helping the others, when he should be helping himself! Kevin appreciates that, and all the advice Ric has ever given. Kevin isn’t being a guidance counselor, he was helping friends. He’s sacrificed friendships and done a lot of awful things just to get to the top. But now, Kevin is taking a new path. He wants to be the kind of person he’d look up to. What Orton could be if he wanted to but chooses not to. Does Ric get what he means?

Ric will let that slide as one of Orton’s friends. Instead of giving advice, Ric is warning Kevin to listen to him. “Mind your own business, take care of Kevin Owens, and maybe you’ll get a title match at SummerSlam.” Well, Ric,if you’re so worried about Kevin’s career, watch what kind of fight Kevin has. Just tell Orton to meet him in the ring next week. Really? Really, really. See you then. Will Kevin regret wanting Orton’s attention?

 

Nia Jax is in the ring.

Pat is right there with her as she has a mic. “I came out here tonight to own up to what I’ve done. And in the event you’re not sure what I’m referring to,” footage replays of Nia and Shayna brawling out of control. Nia used Pat to hit Shayna, then attacked him! Nia continues by saying she really takes to heart what the millions of fans who idolize her say. So when “a scrawny, undeserving little runt from WWE management who couldn’t cut the mustard in his own career steps to me, it’s my responsibility to step back.” Oh, hey, Pat, didn’t see you there still. She knows he wants an apology, but she’s giving him an opportunity to prove he’s wrong. Have a match against her, right now. Whoa, what? Pat tells her to hold on. He is in this ring for the apology.

Oh, Pat. You’ll get the apology after the match. IT can be settled right here! This is his big opportunity! All thanks to Nia! But she’ll do him a favor. She’ll start off real slow so his little legs can keep up. He wants the apology, nothing more. Is he scared? Even for a “little guy,” she hoped he’d have more fire. He is a ginger, after all. They don’t need to speak in private, say what you have to say. She pushes the mic into him, and he tells her, “After your unsanctioned actions against a WWE official, you are indefinitely suspended… Without pay!” Nia gets angry again, he has no authority to do that! She rips his jacket off and HEADBUTTS him! Pat can barely sit up! But Nia kicks him while he’s down! Pat flops out of the ring while Nia is fuming! How long will Nia sit and think about what she’s done?

 

R-Truth runs to the ring!

Akira Tozawa is chasing him and the 24/7 Championship belt! The ninjas are here, too! And Shelton Benjamin! They run all around ringside, but their match for that title will happen after the break!

 

WWE 24/7 Championship Triple Threat: Shelton Benjamin w/ The Hurt Business VS R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa!

Truth stole the belt but it isn’t his just yet! The Gold Standard of the Hurt Business is the one defending the belt, but can he hold onto it with two opponents after him?

The introductions are skipped since we saw them all come in. The belt is raised, and this wild situation finally becomes an official match!

Tozawa bails out but Truth throws hands on Shelton! Truth whips, Shelton reverses and hits a KNEE in the corner! Shelton snapmares Truth and rains down right hands at the ropes. Shelton stomps away but Tozawa rolls him up! TWO, and Tozawa focuses his power. Tozawa dodges, kicks, spins, slides under and fires off body shots! That do nothing… Shelton kicks low, lifts and POWERBOMBS Tozawa with authority!! Truth runs up, bobs ‘n’ weaves and throws hands back! The crowd fires up as Truth hits a leaping calf kick! Truth kicks low, runs again, but misses the scissor kick to get PAY DIRT! Shelton doesn’t cover, and a ninja handsprings in! He shows off his moves but his clothesline bounces off Shelton. Shelton BOOTS the ninja down!

Tozawa stays away as his ninja henchman is thrown out. But the other ninjas run in, only for MVP and Lashley to go after them! MVP throws one into barriers and the third endures the Almighty Full Nelson! But Tozawa hits his SUPER SENTON! Cover, Tozawa wins!!

Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

The Hurt Business is losing their gold like a bad investment! Tozawa runs away with the title, who will give chase?

 

There’s some kind of  match happening backstage?!

No ropes, a bunch of other men pounding the apron? Shane McMahon cheers them on as he talks to the cameras. He’s bringing something new to Raw, called the Raw Underground! Right here, 10 PM, more of whatever this is. See you there!

 

Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio!

The son of Rey returns again, and answers why he continues to take these risks against Seth Rollins. He knows it might be crazy, but it’s easy to know why he’s doing this. He witnessed his father be blinded. It is understandable that Dominik’s mind isn’t in the right place. If anyone thinks he’s been crazy now, they’ll really think he’s crazy to challenge Rollins to a match at SummerSlam. That is pretty crazy, but also incredible! Will Dominik’s first match be a massive upset? Or just the only match he ever has?

 

Shayna Baszler VS Sasha Banks w/ Bayley!

The Queen of Spades called The Boss out and then knocked her down! Will #TwoBeltsBanks make her pay for that? Or will Shayna make her choose between #TapNapOrSnap?

The bell rings, Shayna and Sasha circle. Sasha pie faces Shayna, then SLAPS her! Shayna ducks the punch to hit a waistlock and slam, then another! Shayna drags Sasha around, shifts to a snapmare and fakes Sasha out with the kick, to pie face her back. Bayley is upset on Sasha’s behalf, but then Sasha gets up and throws a punch. Shayna blocks it to sweep her legs. Sasha swipes but her hand gets stomped! Shayna rolls Sasha to a cover, TWO! Sasha kicks low, says Shayna messed up, and reels her in. Shayna blocks the suplex, spins Sasha around, butterfly suplex to ARMBAR! Sasha rolls to the ropebreak and Shayna lets go. Bayley gets up on the apron but Shayna makes her back away. Shayna grabs Bayley’s hair but Sasha hits the arm with a code breaker! Sasha POSTS Shayna then rolls her up, TWO!

Sasha keeps on Shayna with a kick the the arm. Shayna backs off to shake out the arm but Sasha is on it! Sasha wraps the arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Sasha lets go to kick Shayna in the corner. Sasha goes after the arm with a high keylock and Bayley talks trash. Shayna endures, fights up and throws hands. Shayna rams Sasha into buckles then rams her shoulder in. Shayna fires off, backs off at the ref’s count, and walks into Nightshade! Bayley is the only one cheering for Sasha as she kicks Shayna down. Sasha leaps, crossbody! Shayna rolls through, scoops Sasha, BACKBREAKER! The crowd rallies up as Sasha blocks a kick but Shayna blocks the knee. Kirafuda! Sasha drops, Shayna rolls her and kicks! Shayna has Sasha’s arm caught but Sasha rolls through, BANK STATEMENT!

Shayna endures the submission, pries the hold apart and fights her way up. Shayna scoops again, Sasha headscissors back! Sasha laughs, blocks a kick to KNEE, but Shayna ROUNDHOUSES back! Both women are down, and Asuka jumps Bayley! Asuka thrashes Bayley into barriers  and the ref wants her to stop! Asuka runs into the ring, the match is thrown out as the Golden Role Models regroup!

No Contest

Asuka won’t let the Golden Role Models get away from what’s coming to them! What happens to them after the break?

 

Raw returns to an in-ring interview with Asuka.

The Empress of Tomorrow relives what happened last week as footage of the main event plays again. What is the update on Kairi Sane’s condition? “Kairi will be okay. But now, she’s not here. Sasha and Bayley are here, I am here!” So what Asuka wants is a rematch against Sasha Banks for the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam! The crowd wants it, but Shayna speaks up. She’s not gonna fight Asuka right now. Shayna is cheering Asuka, really. She wants Asuka to win back that Raw Women’s Championship. Shayna will root, cheer and clap the entire time, because she is so excited to dismember Asuka and take that title from her. But the Golden Role Models have composed themselves to return to ringside.

Sasha laughs as she has a message for both Asuka and Shayna. “This is MY Raw Women’s Championship! Look at it! It’s mine!” But Asuka gets her rematch, only if she can beat a former NXT Women’s Champion, a member of the Four Horsewomen, and Sasha’s bestie, BAYLEY! Yes! Beating Bayley means Asuka gets her chance! Bayley sure seems surprised by that, but Asuka is raring to go! Will Bayley be ready for Asuka?

 

Angel Garza flirts with a young lady backstage.

He gets her number, she gets a rose. For those who don’t know, this is Demi Burnett from The Bachelor, so she knows all about getting roses. Andrade Almas walks over to say hello. Zelina Vega is right behind her. Demi doesn’t belong here. Oh yes she does! She’s a friend of Garza’s! Then they need to talk. Garza apologizes to Demi for that, promises to get her a seat and to be right back. El Idolo y El Latino both go up against the Street Profits in two singles matches! Will it be a sweep or a tie between the Raw Tag Team Champions and their challengers?

 

We check back in with “Raw Underground.”

One man counters the triangle hold into a dead lift POWERBOMB! The match is called, he is the winner! Shane says this is fun! But it looks like Isaiah “Swerve” Scott is disappointed in the other guy. Was there money on this match? And wow, there are… dancers here… Check out what more there is to come! And check on that guy, make sure he’s okay.

 

Raw returns to The Underground!

Shane is in his ring as a new wrestler steps up. He welcomes us to the hour with “very little rules, lots of excitement, carnage, chaos and quite frankly, lots of things I personally would like to see.” One thing he likes is a fight, like our  next contest. “Where is Daba Cato?” Bring him in! Daba is a BIG man! At 7′ tall, at least 360 pounds, it is DABA CATO! And in the other corner, sorry, bro. The bell rings, Daba dodges a flying knee, and then grabs his opponent. His opponent throws hands but he throws knees! And hammers away with furious fists! That’s a TKO, Daba wins!

Winner: Daba Cato

Whose got next, boys? In comes some rando, but Daba is ready. The bell rings, Dbaa waits for his opponent ot kick to then catch for an ARM TRIANGLE SUPLEX! And a rain of forearms! Daba wins again!

Winner: Daba Cato, 2-0 win streak

An incredible showing, but he isn’t done until his opponent is dumped out of the ring! Shane tells Daba he’s good, but he’s on to the third round. Anyone wanna try? No? Well alright. Will Daba pile up bodies to give Shane more of what he likes?

 

Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Angel Garza w/ Zelina Vega!

The Raw Tag Team Champions party their way through the crowd as always, but will have to be ready for the fight against La Muneca’s alliance. First up is the #CurseOfGreatness and the Lethal Lothario! Will Garza make a good impression on his special guest?

Before the match, the Profits get the mics and welcome us to the show! But speaking of Raw, the longest episodic show in history, does Dawks remember last week when they got jumped at commentary? Yessir! But if things go right, Dawkins might holla at Garza’s friend. Demi from the Bachelor, you don’t need a rose from Garza. Come get a rose from Dawks! Focus, bro. Sorry! Ford likes how Garza walks around in his velvet track suit~! Jeda, it’s August and velvet does not breathe! Better step your game up to at least a polo. But tonight, they are put to the test against two of the best of the best. Vega is the secret sauce, muy caliente. But SummerSlam will be about the Raw Tag Team Champions and a bond like James! Vega put those two together. Dawks may say “fam” a lot, but Tez IS family.

Things get serious now as Ford takes off the sunglasses. You attack him and his brother twice, the games are done. Why? Because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! With things getting fired up, Garza and company make their entrance. Will things explode with these two heated 1v1 match-ups?

The bell rings, Dawkins powers Garza to a corner and fires off hands! Garza shoves back, but gets POST! Garza flops out, Dawkins runs out to POUNCE him into Plexiglas! Garza is down in a heap as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Dawkins has Garza down with an armlock. Garza endures, fights up and fights back, knees low and clubs away. Garza runs, into Dawkin’s FLAPJACK! Cover, ONE, but Dawkins keeps on Garza with a facelock. Garza reverses the whip, hurdles over but so does Dawkins. Dawkins shoves and dropkicks Garza down! Cover, TWO! Dawkins stays on Garza while Demi watches backstage. Garza fights back and she cheers, Dawkins hits back and she frowns. Dawkins lifts but Garza fights out of the bomb. Garza gets to the corner, off come the pants! Garza leaps to missile dropkick Dawkins down! Garza is furious and dares Dawkins to get the smoke! But Dawkins powers out of the underhooks to ROCK Garza with that right!

Dawkins hits the cyclone splash then the bulldog! Ford fires up with Dawkins and makes himself dizzy. Is he okay? What happened? Dawkins checks on Ford as he leans against the announce desk. Ford says he’s okay, but Garza SUPERKICKS Dawkins down! Garza hits a basement dropkick! Cover, Garza wins!!

Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall

Demi is happy, but what happened with Ford? Ford has to have his match next, but can he?

 

Montez Ford w/ Angelo Dawkins VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega!

Raw returns with this match already underway. Ford standing switches the waistlock, but Almas pries free to hit a shoulder breaker. Almas waistlocks Ford but Ford resists the lift. Ford pries out of the hold, wrenches through, then waistlocks back. Almas reaches back, wrenches through and hits another shoulder breaker. Almas has a wirstlock, Ford rolls, rolls and handsprings to wrench and waistlock again. Ford CLUBS Almas, headlocks, but Almas endures. Almas powers up to back suplex Ford high and hard! Almas stomps Ford down then CHOPS him to a corner! Almas chokes Ford on the ropes, the ref counts and Almas lets up at 4.

Almas drags Ford up, throws knees then shoves and kicks him down. Ford is back on ropes, Almas pulls him back against them! Ford wobbles to his feet but Almas knees low again! Almas stomps Ford, throws him out of the ring, and leaves him to the ring count for a moment. Almas and Garza both go to Ford but Dawkins keeps Garza back. Almas kicks Ford, whips him but Ford reverses to send Almas into barriers! Vega coaches Almas while Garza checks. Almas and Ford are up at the count of 4, and in the ring at the count of 5. Ford stomps away on Almas now, then rains down rights! Almas slips out, staggers away but Ford pursues. Almas uses the ropes as defense to then sucker punch Ford down!

The crowd boos as Ford shakes the cobwebs out, only for Almas to BOOT him down! Almas clubs Ford, brings him up and suplexes! Cover, TWO! Almas keeps on Ford with a chinlock and grinds him down. The crowd rallies, Ford fights up, fights back, but Almas ROCKS him with another right. Ford comes back to LARIAT! Ford rallies, whips but Almas reverses. Ford goes up and over and hits a leaping clothesline! The crowd fires up with Ford as he glares at Almas with wild eyes. Ford goes corner to corner, but Almas BOOTS him right down! Almas hops up, Ford dropkicks him down first! Vega coaches Almas but Ford FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Ford gets back in to use the power of the ropes! But that again wears him out!! The ref calls it, something is definitely wrong!

No Contest

The ref tells Vega’s team to back off, they need medics. Medics check on Ford, but it isn’t clear what is going on. Will Ford be able to stand or even speak?

 

Buddy Murphy watches what he did to Aleister Black.

Just like his Monday Night Messiah, the Disciple dug the steel steps into Aleister’s eyes. Seth Rollins is there, and says Murphy made the right decision. Rollins is proud of Murphy, and Murphy should be proud of himself. The past is the past. Tonight is about the future. Speaking of that, has Rollins thought about Dominik’s SummerSlam challenge? Personally, it’s ridiculous. Dominik hasn’t wrestled a match, is not even a WWE superstar, and literally saw his father be sacrificed in front of the world. It is ridiculous, right? Rollins does not answer. Will he have an answer soon?

 

We return to Raw Underground!

Shane keeps the dancers from fighting each other, that is not why they’re here. Unless they want to get in the ring next week. But now, the Viking Raiders have joined the fun! Erik steps up, it’s time to fight! His opponent is Mike Reed, and the bell rings. Erik keeps his guard up, tackles Reed to the mat and rains down rights! Reed gets up but gets a SLAM and more fists! Then a dead lift GERMAN! Erik dumps his opponent out of the ring but that doesn’t end the fight! Ivar puts Reed back in and Erik hits big knees! Then Ace Ten Mao! Shane calls it, Erik wins!

Winner: Erik

Wow, Reed is OUT! Shane applauds Erik and raises his hand in victory! Who else will step up in Raw Underground?

 

Raw gives a medical update on Montez Ford.

Ford fainted as he did his rope shaking move, but why? Charly is at the trainer’s room as Garza walks over. Garza tells Charly not to be afraid. People like them, with full hearts, have a tendency to feel things strongly. He gives her a rose, but then Vega and Almas come over. We are all concerned about Ford. Ford is an amazing competitor, and an even better champion. But on that topic, she can’t help but wonder what this means for the titles. Come SummerSlam- Wait! Dawkins comes out. The update on Ford isn’t 100%, but the doctors are saying Ford was poisoned?! And Bianca Belair is here!

Belair was looking for Vega. She has one chance to even say what happened before she hurts Vega. Vega didn’t do anything! Uh, Belair’s husband was poisoned, so she knows one of them did something! SummerSlam is coming, and we all know Vega is the brains. Well yes she’s the brains, but she would not do something like this! Belair takes off the earrings, and SLUGS Vega! Dawkins holds Belair back, Almas and Garza both hold Vega back! Things are going down a dark path, but what is the truth behind all this?!

 

Raw has security footage!

A group of hooded figures are causing trouble?! They threw a fireball at a power generator! But then they run off before security comes! Who are these people? What are they doing!?

 

Backstage interview with The Hurt Business.

They’re dressed to leave but Charly asks them about their rough day. MVP failed to capture the United States Championship and Shelton lost the WWE 24/7 Championship. The pattern is going a certain way and- Wait, this is supposed to count as journalism? Mysterious accidents backstage, power glitches, people throwing Molotov cocktails, but she asks about their matches? Lashley mentions that Raw Underground “stunt.” She asks them not getting it done, but she should be talking about the sabotage! Shelton says this is quite coincidental with how “Raw Underground” showed up. Charly didn’t say anything about it, she just knows that’s where Raw Underground is. Then the Hurt Business has a plan.

 

Seth Rollins heads to the ring!

The Monday Night Messiah, with Disciple by his side, looks to address the WWE Universe directly. Murphy hands him a mic, and Rollins says, “Before I issue a statement regarding Dominik Mysterio and his challenge,” he and Murphy have some… “housekeeping” to do. Rollins calls out Tom Philips on commentary. “If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you a few questions.” Does Tom consider himself a professional? Does he consider himself an unbiased journalist? Rollins walks to commentary as he asks if Tom takes pride in his “body of work.” Rollins wants to ask Tom, “What were you doing last week when Rey Mysterio’s stupid kid was assaulting me with a kendo stick?”

To JOG HIS MEMORY, Tom was cheering Dominik on! Tom was inciting Dominik’s rage! Does Tom understand what that means?! Tom’s voice matters! What Tom says matters as the voice of Raw! Tom is part of the greater good, whether he likes it or not! What Tom say sis important because the fans hear it, it goes into their brains, and that is what they think. It is Tom’s JOB to call things down the middle! Not to skew things, slant things, or create bias! He is then doing a poor job. And if he is doing a poor job, then he becomes a liability. So Rollins feels the time has come to find a new voice of Raw. Murphy, take him. Samoa Joe steps up! “That ain’t gonna happen, gentlemen.”

Does Rollins think he can just bully them? Joe tells them to go back to the ring, finish speaking, or Joe can slap Rollins and beat down his disciple in front of him. If Rollins is worried about Tom, Joe will make this clear: he was laughing hardest of all! Rollins tells Joe he doesn’t want to do this. No, Seth, he does. Joe takes off the headset, Rollins and Murphy back off but dare Joe to get in the ring! Then it’s out of Rollins’ hands! The tension builds but Raw goes to break! Will Joe be able to finally humble the ego of The Architect?

 

Raw returns and Joe is still in a standoff with Rollins and Murphy!

They have chairs, he doesn’t. But while Rollins eggs Joe on, he doesn’t see Dominik return with ANOTHER kendo stick! And he SMACKS away on Rollins and Murphy! Rollins gets the stick from Dominik while Joe hops back on commentary to hype this up! Rollins swings, Dominik dodges and Murphy gets hit! Dominik TACKLES Rollins! Dominik throws fast hands on Rollins! Dominik wrecks Murphy with a swinging dropkick, then chop blocks Rollins onto the ropes! Dominik does his dad proud by dialing it up, to 6 1 9!! Rollins bails out and Dominik climbs up!? HUGE CROSSBODY! Dominik takes down Rollins and Murphy, then takes the ring back!

Dominik swings a chair but Rollins shouts! “I’ve had enough! You’ve jumped in way over your head!!” Dominik wants Rollins at SummerSlam? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!! Will Dominik finally avenge his father and everyone else Rollins has “sacrificed”?

 

We return to Raw Underground!

Dolph Ziggler is in the ring?! And he’s schooling his opponent on mat wrestling. Is that Jake Atlas? Atlas pushes Ziggler to a jackknife but Ziggler slips off to rain down rights! Ziggler turns Atlas over, has the body scissor mount and clubs away. He gets Atlas in a sleeper, Atlas taps!

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

That is what they’re looking for! The Hurt Business waltzes in and Shane welcomes them. Does MVP have something to say? Shane hands him the mic. MVP has a LOT to say. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Raw Underground, but however, I have an announcement to make.” On behalf of the CEO of the Hurt Business, this place is under new management! Lashley is in the ring as the Hurt Business has a hostile takeover in motion! They like to fight? Hurt Business came to fight! Who wants to step up to the Rocky Mountain Machine? Chase Parker does! He gets in, gets a GUT WRENCH POWERBOMB, and then gets a BIG right hand! Lashley knocked that man OUT!

Winner: Bobby Lashley

MVP wants in on this action. He takes off his jacket and “tags in.” He dares someone to take MVP, but he first picks someone out of the crowd. Shelton shoves the man. Lashley drags him up for MVP and MVP gets him with a judo takedown! And a rain of right hands! Point-blank forearms! The ref calls it, MVP wins!

Winner: MVP

Lashley dumps the rando out, but who wants Shelton? This guy just insulted Mama Benjamin! Get him, Shelton! Wait is that Brennan Williams?! Is this what he does now that he’s not on commentary? The Shogun steps up, but gets TACKLED DOWN! Shelton rains down forearms and then rams in knees! Swerve and his friends coach Brennan but he’s already beaten!

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Anyone else?! Wait, there’s someone! Uh, no, he was just… Too late! It’s a brawl! Swerve and his buddies get hurt by the Hurt Business! Anyone who can runs away before they get hit! Who else wants some!? Shane likes this! He wants the Hurt Business to stick around! That’s what it is to be in Raw Underground! But will anyone want to fight after this change in management? “Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Hurt Business. And Business is booming.”


My Thoughts:

This was perhaps the wildest Raw in a good, long time, and for the better! The ongoing thread through the night was this apparent rise in chaos backstage, with what appear to be a group of anarchists running amok. I have no idea if this is the “new faction” WWE hyped for their show, or there are wires crossed about what is happening when. But there was also the return of Shane McMahon, and the creation of Raw Underground. It had pseudo-shoot fighting, gave us the call-up of Babatunde as Daba Cato, dragged 205 Live wrestlers in to be both jobbers and fans, had ladies dancing around, and tied into the Hurt Business story. It was like part of what WWE tried to make their ECW but also a bunch of other stuff, and somehow it worked out to be really good.

Speaking of the Hurt Business, them losing their titles might have been a big part of getting involved with Raw Underground to make this a bigger story, and I for one look forward to where they’re going with this. Tozawa has the title, so he and Truth can continue their rivalry while perhaps also bringing in some new people. Of course, that implies Raw can throw anyone else in. A lot of people have stories, but this could also be the moment for someone underutilized between Raw, 205 Live and the Performance Center to shine. Apollo did what I figured in keeping MVP’s belt for THE belt, but I really liked how he framed retiring the old belt. In fact, that might be a shoot. His kids are probably holding up that belt as we speak as a great gift from dad.

Kevin Owens takes his Face turn in a new direction with how he helped reunite Liv and Ruby. Ruby and Liv had a good match with the IIconics but it ended quick, so definitely expect many rematches as a way to build up contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag titles on the side. Then Kevin tying into the Randy Orton story is great, Kevin and Orton will have a great match next week. McIntyre’s promo was INCREDIBLE! Those shots taken at Orton were strong. Their title match at SummerSlam is going to be great stuff, especially given the glimpses we got before the lockdowns. That match could go either way and I don’t think it’d hurt anyone or be a letdown.

The Raw Tag Team Championship story and Women’s Championships story both took wild but really fun turns tonight. I never thought I’d see a story that goes into someone being POISONED. It might mostly be for the sake of bringing Bianca back into this, but she needed to be a part of this anyhow. Nia getting suspended might be a way of preserving her different feuds. Shayna is going after the titles while Charlotte is resting up. Charlotte and Nia will probably return at relatively close times, probably in time for a Big Four like Survivor Series or Royal Rumble.

Meanwhile, Shayna sucker punching Sasha was amazing! A “No Contest” finish was to preserve things there, since Shayna is more than happy to wait. It speaks to her love of fighting that she wants Asuka, who is definitely considered the more dangerous all on her own. Asuka VS Bayley next week will be great, Asuka VS Sasha for SummerSlam will be great, and Asuka VS Shayna will be great. I hope they do it up big since it also boils down to proving who is the most dominant (former) NXT Woman’s Champion ever. Speaking of, how could Bayley NOT see Sasha was going to sell her out to Asuka? Sasha said she was going to choose an NXT Four Horsewoman. Sasha isn’t going to do it because she’s trying to avoid Asuka. Charlotte is out recovering and Becky is pregnant. Bayley was it by default! But hey, guess this is a way to circle back to the dysfunction between them.

My Score: 8.8/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

 

 


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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