Connect with us

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (8/7/20)

YOWIE WOWIE!

Published

on

WWE SmackDown Coverage 3.0

SmackDown is reeling from The Fiend’s return!

Alexa Bliss is somehow entangled in the wicked web connecting Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman! What is the fate of the Five Feet of Fury?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Matt Riddle VS Sheamus; Riddle wins, by disqualification.
  • Cesaro w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Lince Dorado w/ Gran Metalik; Cesaro wins.
  • Baron Corbin VS Jeff Hardy; Hardy wins, by disqualification.
  • Sheamus VS Baron Corbin; Sheamus wins.
  • Heavy Machinery VS The Miz & John Morrison w/ Sonya Deville; No Contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Swamp Fight had deeper repercussions than we could’ve imagined.

The Monster Among Men battled himself, Bray Wyatt, and temptation. Sister Abigail took the form of Alexa Bliss to trick Braun Strowman, and in the end that would allow the Eater of Worlds to drag him down into the depths. Firefly Bray claims he was just trying to help, “but now he is awake.” The Fiend wants the Universal Championship and will do whatever he must to get it! And so, when she was at her most vulnerable, Alexa Bliss became The Fiend’s newest victim!! “None of you are safe.” But then, why Alexa first? Is there a deeper meaning to what happened in that swamp?

 

SmackDown opens with the Firefly Fun House!

Bray has turned the Wall of Friends into the Wall of Braun! Before the fun starts, Bray wants to address something. “A bunch of haters have been sliding into my DM’s, blaming little ol’ me for what happened to Alexa Bliss last week.” Yowie wowie, if you want to blame anyone, blame Braun! How could he let something so horrific happen to someone he claims to care so much about? All Braun had to do was to give him what he wants. Now, Bray happens to know that he will be here later, “with someone very special.” He is waiting, Braun. And Bray advises Braun to just give him what he wants, or she will find out what he is truly capable of. Woo, Bray has the heeby jeebies just thinking about it! BYE~! See you later~! Will Braun save Alexa from The Fiend? Even if it costs him something he worked so hard to get?

 

Matt Riddle VS Sheamus!

Bro…! While the Wolf King wants to send Riddle back to NXT, that’s not something that can just happen. As for the Celtic Warrior, he wants to shake off his Bar Fight with Jeff Hardy to get back on track. Will Sheamus solve the Riddle problem before Chad Gable can cash in on the King’s Ransom? Or will the Fella lose big to the Bro?

The bell rings and Sheamus circles with Riddle. The crowd rallies for Riddle as he and Sheamus tie up. Sheamus powers Riddle to a corner, the two keep pushing but they break at the ref’s reprimand. Riddle and Sheamus circle, Riddle waistlocks, becomes a backpack but Sheamus gets the ropebreak. Riddle lets off and the two go again. Sheamus gets a headlock and takedown, but Riddle gets his shoulders up. Sheamus traps an arm, Riddle works on his escape, but Sheamus shifts to a keylock. Riddle gets around to waistlock, Sheamus wrenches back but Riddle rolls and gets a leg. Riddle trips Sheamus up but Sheamus gets away to stand off.

The two circle again, Riddle tests with a kick, then another. Sheamus headlocks again, Riddle powers him to ropes and throws some quick body shots. Sheamus lets go and the two stand off again. Sheamus grabs an arm, wrenches and knees low and hard! Sheamus stomps Riddle to the ropes but lets up at the ref’s count. Sheamus drags Riddle up, cranks on the arm and uses a chinbar to wrangle him down. Riddle endures as Sheamus leans on the hold. The crowd rallies up, Riddle fights up and throws body shots. Riddle gets the arm, drags Sheamus down in a partial Fujiwara! Sheamus endures, but Riddle pulls the fingers!

Sheamus crawls around, Riddle shifts to a keylock, then a mount. Sheamus moves around, Riddle makes it a cover, TWO! They separate, Riddle comes back, Sheamus gut wrenches to a POWERBOMB! The crowd boos but Sheamus throws haymakers on Riddle at the ropes. Sheamus whips but Riddle holds the ropes to deny it. The ref counts, Sheamus throws hands but Riddle still holds ropes. Riddle then hits back, dumps Sheamus to the apron but Sheamus hotshots Riddle down! Sheamus drags Riddle up to club away for the Bodhrain! Sheamus gets all 10 beats before the ref counts 4 and he lets Riddle fall. Sheamus climbs, but Riddle intercepts with a forearm, and down goes Sheamus! Riddle catches his breath while SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Sheamus thrashes Riddle around in a sleeper hold! Riddle endures, fights back, then runs, into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus gives him a second! And a third! Cover, TWO! Sheamus keeps Riddle down with a chinlock but the crowd rallies up. Riddle fights up, fights back with body shots, but Sheamus knees low. Sheamus back suplexes, Riddle lands on his feet and ROUNDHOUSES Sheamus down! The crowd is thunderous as both men slowly sit up. Sheamus stands first and brings Riddle up, but Riddle throws body shots! Riddle fires off fists and a boot, spins Sheamus around for the PELE!

Riddle kips up, forearms Sheamus in the corner, goes side to side and hits another! Then the BROSPLODER! PENALTY KICK! BROTON! Cover, TWO! Sheamus survives but Riddle keeps his focus. Riddle drops another Broton! Then he goes up top, FLOATING BRO but he lands on his feet as Sheamus dodges! Sheamus scoops Riddle and hits WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus seethes as Riddle still lives! Sheamus goes to a corner while Riddle stirs. The crowd is fired up again, even as Sheamus runs out. Riddle dodge the Brogue to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Riddle is red in the face as he runs at Sheamus. Sheamus rolls Riddle, TWO! Tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Sheamus runs but POSTS himself!

Sheamus tumbles out of the ring but Riddle pursues. Riddle comes around the way as the crowd fires up, and starts firing off Bro Kicks! Riddle throws forearms, Sheamus forearms and KNEES Riddle down! Riddle crawls and stumbles, and Chad Gable attacks!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by disqualification

Gable just ruined the match but Riddle kicks him in return! Riddle throws Gable into the boards! And then LEAPS off the steps for a SUPER BRO PUNCH! Riddle bounces Gable off the desk over and over and over! Sheamus watches as Riddle throws Gable into the steps! Riddle takes aim, and Penalty Kicks Gable even deeper into the steps! Sheamus is more upset that Gable took away his win, but the Bro moves on. Sheamus drags Gable up into the ring, glares at Shorty G as he gets up, and Sheamus BROGUES Gable down!!

Sheamus demands to get a mic, and is given one. “What you think you’re doing?! Coming out and messing up my match, for what?! For Corbin’s bounty?!” Gable took what was Sheamus’, so he’s gonna get even more pain! ANOTHER BROGUE!! Will both Gable and Corbin stay out of Sheamus’ way from now on?

 

Baron Corbin talks with someone backstage.

The King happily offers Sarah a tour of SmackDown, but Sheamus barges in. Corbin is upset, but Sheamus says he’s lucky Sarah is here. Corbin’s minion cost Sheamus over this King’s Ransom rubbish. Corbin chuckles but Sheamus says if it happens again, Sheamus will kick Corbin’s head right off his shoulders, and shove that crown right up Corbin”s royal arse. Sheamus thinks he can? Sheamus dares Corbin to try him. Corbin says Sheamus is lucky he has Jeff Hardy to worry about, or he’d put a dent in Sheamus’ skull right now. Corbin leaves and Sarah shyly follows. Is this just the beginning of the war between Wolf King and Celtic Warrior?

 

SmackDown presents The Dirt Sheet!

It’s back! John Morrison introduces himself, and says no one is as underground as him. And The Miz is the Most Must-See WWE Superstar of all time, but we all saw the most tragic thing in the WWE ever. That is to say, Sonya Deville brutally attacking Mandy Rose backstage! Smearing the make-up was only part of it, as Sonya cut pieces of Mandy’s hair away! And smiled and laughed as she did! But before things could get uglier, pardon the pun, referees and security stopped Sonya.

Morrison says that often, they focus on gossip and pop culture, but sometimes something happens and it puts you back in touch with the real priorities. The Dirt Sheet’s considerable influence to- Wait, more technical difficulties? Wasn’t this solved after Raw? Well “Retribution” or whatever you guys call yourselves, you’re not scheduled for SmackDown! You’re a Raw thing! Anyhow, Miz says they are going to use their influence and power to the victim. It is brave of her to even be here, even if it is via satellite. Please welcome… Mandy’s Hair. On the titantron is basically a wig with googly eyes. “Hi~ guys~!” Morrison’s jacket looks great, even in this heat. Thanks, but tonight is about you, Mandy’s Hair.

Miz and Morrison can’t imagine what Mandy’s Hair went through! The savagery! The humiliation! And the lack of a proper blade. Is she okay? Well she’ll be the first to admit that the attack left her “shook” but what hurt the most was that Mandy hasn’t reached out to her once after the incident! The nerve! And for years, she never let Mandy down! Yeah, Mandy’s Hair has been held back, sometimes literally! Mandy just loves topknots! And Otis is always running his grubby fingers through her while he and that idiot Tucker babble on about meats and cheeses! EW~! EWWW~! Oh my goodness, and then she gets Photoshop’d her! She has beautiful roots but does anyone know that?! It’s okay, Mandy’s Hair. If you guys want Mandy’s Hair to cheer up, give us a Hair Yeah! “HAIR~ YEAH~!”

But what’s next? Mandy’s Hair will just take some “me time” to fix her split ends. The world has a lot to offer, such as moisturizer. It may be summer but it is snowy up in here~! Mandy’s scalp has more flakes than Kellogg’s! Can we get a hair yea? HAIR~ YEAH~! The crowd boos while Miz says the future is bright. Does she want Miz’s agent’s number? No need! After the buzz she got last week, she got a call from the people at Netflix~! Whoa! That’s incredible! Best of luck, Mandy’s Hair! It is not every day that Miz and Morrison have something special like this feel good moment right here. But to be honest, the real victim hasn’t been heard from. Everyone needs to give her the attention she deserves to tell her story. Give a Dirt Sheet welcome to… SONYA DEVILLE!

Sonya?! The victim!? The crowd boos even harder as Sonya walks to the ring and joins the hosts. Sonya says Mandy’s Hair is someone she can get behind: hardworking, self-motivated, self-made! Everything Mandy isn’t! And she already has a catchphrase: HAIR YEAH! But what compelled Sonya to do that in the first place? Sonya isn’t sure why there’s confusion at all. Sonya said she’d ruin Mandy’s life, make her as ugly as she is on the inside, so what’s the issue? To make something clear, Sonya is a woman of her word. She does what she says. Did she enjoy smashing Mandy’s face off that table? Absolutely. Did she enjoy smearing that perfect make-up and cutting her hair off? Absolutely!

The best part was that Mandy was so scared! And not because of the scissors or getting beat up, but because she is so concerned about her looks! It’s all she’s ever had! The Golden Goddess, God’s Greatest Creation! It’s kinda sad, really. Sonya would feel bad, but she doesn’t. Sonya has no respect for Mandy. Mandy is so weak! She was broken physically for being beaten twice, then emotionally for getting a haircut! And now, this terrible crowd expects Mandy to show up and get her revenge, but it won’t happen! Sonya’s already destroyed Mandy, but Mandy can come out and correct her if she’s wrong! But no Mandy, as Sonya thought. We have not heard from Mandy since last week. Not one social media selfie.

That’s Sonya’s point! Mandy got in by winning bikini contests. Oh, and she does have one other talent. Mandy won a Bumpy. But for what? For making out with Otis. Can’t make that up. She has a trophy for making out with someone. Just putting that out there. The only bright side, other than ruining Mandy’s career, is that she and Otis look like a couple now. Yeah, a couple of ogres! Morrison commends Miz on that joke. But here comes Heavy Machinery! They attack Miz and Morrison while Sonya bails out! Miz gets tossed, then Morrison gets thrown into a corner! Corner splash! Morrison goes down, Otis pumps up! But Miz saves Morrison before the Caterpillar can start up! Heavy Machinery wants after Miz and Morrison some more, but SmackDown first goes to break!

 

Cesaro w/ Shinsuke Nakamura VS Lince Dorado w/ Gran Metalik!

The Swiss Cyborg and King of Strong Style were celebrating in the “champion’s lounge” but told Lucha House Party to get out since the King of the Ropes “blew it” and lost his match for the Intercontinental Championship. Now the Golden Lynx will go after Cesaro for those comments! Will LHP shift back to the SmackDown Tag Team Championship hunt with a victory tonight?

The bell rings and Lince tests the waters with a kick. Cesaro powers Lince to a corner and throws body shots and knees! Cesaro whips corner to corner, Lince goes up and over then handsprings away. Lince baits Cesaro in, dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Cesaro powers through to make it a backbreaker! Cesaro drags Lince up to EuroUpper him down! Cesaro drags Lince around but Lince kicks him back! Cesaro yanks Lince up, Lince lands on his feet, but Cesaro STO’s him back down! Cesaro knuckle locks, but Lince blocks the press to pop up and tilt-o-whirl headscissor Cesaro out! The lights flicker but Lince builds speed to FLY! Cesaro catches the senton to bring Lince up! Lince climbs the Plexiglas to come back and huricanrana Cesaro into the apron!

Lince clubs away and puts Cesaro back in the ring. Lince throws shoulders into Cesaro, slingshots up and over, cover, TWO! Lince goes back to the apron, enziguris Cesaro back, then springboards, into Cesaro’s arms! ANOTHER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cesaro is frustrated but he drags Lince back up to CLUB in the back! Cesaro traps an arm, then the other, and clubs away on Lince’s chest! He then puts Lince down to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO! Cesaro drags Lince into an armlock but the crowd and Metalik rally up. Lince fights, Cesaro has both arms, but Lince dropkicks free! Ceasro comes back but gets a jawbreaker!

Lince fires off body shots, CHOPS, then whips. Cesaro reverses, Lince boots him back, then Lince runs at Cesaro. Cesaro pops him up but Lince balances on Cesaro’s shoulders and flips back! Lince dodges Cesoar, handsprings, GOLDEN REWIND! Lince hurries to a corner and bottom rope moonsaults! Then the second rope moonsault! Lince wants the hat trick but Nakamura distracts! Lince swipes at him but Cesaro clubs Lince back. Cesaro has the crucifix lift for a Razor’s Edge, countered by a Rana! Cover, TWO! Cesaro EuroUppers Lince, Gotch NEUTRALIZER! Cover, Cesaro wins!

Winner: Cesaro, by pinfall

Though a tag team champion, Cesaro is still a superb singles wrestler! Will Cesaro and Nakamura continue to conquer the tag division one team at a time?

 

Otis’ rage is building backstage!

He shakes a frame but Tucker calms him down. They get their match with Morrison and Miz later tonight. Kayla Braxton comes by to speak to how Heavy Machinery put an end to a very disrespectful Dirt Sheet. They have a match, Otis is clearly upset, but can he channel it into the win? Miz and Morrison joke around, and Otis likes jokes, but this is crossing the line! Tucker says what Sonya did was despicable, and then Miz and Morrison pile on! Otis can handle a joke about himself, cuz he’s gotten it all since he was a kid. But when it comes to his sweet peach, he won’t stand for it! Miz and Morrison are going to find when they anger Otis, “no one is going to be laughing then!” And then Otis knocks the crate over with one hand! That rage is coming for the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century, will Miz and Morrison survive?

 

The lights start going down in the ring!

That’s because HE is here!! The Fiend is live on SmackDown!! It’s time for Braun Strowman to make his decision, after the break.

SmackDown returns to The Fiend waiting under his red lights, with the siren sound screeching, and Alexa Bliss in the ring! It’s almost as if she was trapped in time until this moment. The Fiend slithers around, but she stops him from using the Mandible Claw. Alexa touches his face as if everything’s alright, but he pushes her away. Braun speaks to the “sadistic bastard.” Braun is on screen and says if he thought The Fiend could play with his emotions, he was wrong. Braun doesn’t care about Alexa anymore. All Braun cares about is destroying Bray. Braun knew there were only two ways he was getting out: one, by becoming the most evil SOB on earth; two, as man with the satisfaction that he spat in the devil’s face and tore him limb from limb. But since Bray is still standing, clearly Bruan has become the evil SOB.

Braun resisted but was pushed to his breaking point, and has let it out. The thing clawing and scratching inside him is out, and he is fulfilling his destiny! Braun is more than a man. He is a thing nightmares are made of! He is THE MONSTER! The Fiend can have whatever he wants, because at SummerSlam, The Fiend faces The Monster. Will Bray regret the moment Braun decided to let him in?

 

Baron Corbin VS Jeff Hardy!

The Wolf King isn’t just facing Jeff Hardy, he is facing a reinvigorated Charismatic Enigma! Will Hardy’s redemption story continue as he conquers the king? Or will Corbin do what Sheamus couldn’t and write the last chapter to it?

The bell rings and Corbin tells the crew to take good care of his robe and crown. Hardy rallies the fans as he circles with Corbin. They tie up, Hardy dodges the punch to atomic drop! Hardy throws hands, Corbin rebounds and Hardy wrenches to go after the arm! Hardy rams shoulders then clubs away more. Corbin breaks free but Hardy dodges and clobbers Corbin! Another atomic drop, take down and leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick added, and then a splash! Cover, TWO! Hardy is right on Corbin but Corbin uppercuts! Hardy staggers back but dodges, Corbin slides out then in but into a kick! No Twist just yet though as Corbin spins out and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!

Corbin is annoyed but he keeps on Hardy with a right hand! Corbin sits Hardy back up to hit him down again. Hardy sits up but Corbin brings him up by his hair. Corbin throws Hardy out of the ring and then goes out to pursue. The crowd boos at Corbin as he brings Hardy up and sets him on the announce desk. Corbin rains down right hands until Hardy flops over. The ref counts and is past 5 but Corbin puts Hardy in. Cover, TWO! Corbin grows even more annoyed but he looms over Hardy. Corbin sits Hardy up to drive elbows in over and over to both sides! Then he wraps Hardy up in a chinbar half nelson to grind Hardy down. Hardy endures and the crowd rallies up. Hardy fights up, fights back, but Corbin throws him back down!

Corbin cranks harder on the hold, but Hardy still endures. Hardy fights up slowly but fights out with body shots. Corbin throws Hardy to a corner and runs in, but Hardy dodges. Corbin slides out but Hardy wrecks him with a dropkick! Hardy goes after Corbin over and over on the barriers then bounces him off the boards! Hardy puts Corbin back in, runs but into DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Hardy survives and Corbin seethes but Corbin looms over Hardy again. Corbin drags Hardy up by an arm, whips but Hardy comes back with haymakers! Hardy tries a jawbreaker but gets a KNEE! Hardy falls out of the ring but then Sheamus BROGUES Hardy!!

Winner: Jeff Hardy, by disqualification

Sheamus returns the favor and Corbin is furious! Are these two going to throw down now?! SmackDown goes to break as the ref tries to keep the peace!

 

Sheamus VS Baron Corbin!

SmackDown returns and Sheamus is already firing off on Corbin in a corner! Sheamus stomps away then throws more haymakers. Sheamus knees, bumps Corbin off buckles and then drags Corbin up to rake the face! Corbin flounders, Sheamus stomps and knees him down, then knees him at the ropes. Sheamus throws EuroUppers, drags Corbin back up and whips. Corbin kicks back, runs but into a kitchen sink knee! Sheamus stalks Corbin to the apron, drags him up, and goes to put him in the Bodhrain. Corbin keeps fighting it off, then drops down and the ref backs Sheamus off. Sheamus goes out the side instead, but Corbin runs him over!

The crowd rallies up while Corbin refreshes the ring count. Corbin throws Sheamus into the boards! Then throws body shots! Sheamus stays standing but Corbin refreshes the count. Corbin brings Sheamus to the desk to bounce him off it over and over! Corbin puts Sheamus in, but Sheamus KNEES Corbin at the ropes! Sheamus runs to clothesline Corbin back out! Sheamus goes out to throw Corbin into the barriers! And now Sheamus gets to dribble Corbin off the desk! Sheamus refreshes the count, dribbles Corbin more, then POSTS him! Corbin rolls and flops, and Sheamus talks trash. Sheamus stands on Corbin, then brings him up and into the ring. Sheamus climbs up top, takes aim, but Corbin dodges! SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!

Corbin rains down rights on Sheamus then snarls as he drags Sheamus up. Corbin POSTS Sheamus in return! And bends him back against the buckles to rain down more rights! The ref reprimands, Corbin lets off and brings Sheamus up. Corbin DECKS Sheamus with that right, then puts the chinbar half nelson on like he had on Hardy. Sheamus fights up but Corbin wrangles him down. Corbin cranks, Sheamus endures and fights up. Sheamus is on his feet but Corbin wrangles him right back down! Corbin leans on Sheamus but Sheamus continues to fight. The crowd rallies up harder and Sheamus throws body shots. Sheamus is free, he fireman’s carries Corbin, but Corbin fights out with elbows! Corbin shoves and LARIATS Sheamus down!

Both men are on the mat but Corbin gets up. Riddle flies in! Corbin avoids the flying knee, but Sheamus hits a BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

Riddle fist bumps commentary while Sheamus celebrates, because payback is sweet! Will Corbin continue to pay for putting a price on The Bro’s head?

 

The Golden Role Models meet up backstage.

Sasha Banks asks Bayley if she’s okay but Bayley says she’s fine. Is this because Sasha volunteered Bayley to face Asuka on Raw? No! Why even bring that up? Though, they could’ve talked it over. Sasha isn’t worried about it! Bayley’s got this! And Sasha needs Bayley to do this because Asuka wants a rematch for Sasha’s Raw Women’s Championship! Well, yeah, but she also wants revenge for what Bayley did to Kairi Sane so… That doesn’t matter! This is not about Asuka! This is about them! They have all the gold! They did this! Not only are their role models, but Bayley is Sasha’s role model.

But then member of the staff comes by and informs them that they need to go to the ring. They’re going to be part of a video conference… with Stephanie McMahon. What?! Things just got a lot more complicated for the #DoubleDoubleChampChamps.

 

Backstage interview with Big E!

The New Day brethren, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, are sidelined for the time being, meaning Big E gets to venture out on his own. What are his plans? For the past five years, Big E has been a man who log rolled to the ring, who poured boxes of cereal on the heads of eager adults, and a man whose popcorn eating gif is widely used around the world. A proud accomplishment, truly. Big E has been entertainer, tag partner, and friend. But now, Big E finally answers, “What could have been if they just passed him the ball?”

The support from the WWE Universe and the cosigns from Woods and Kofi could be seen as a weight, as pressure. They are not burdens, they are not anchors, they lift him up! Big E may not know where his run will take him, but he assures us that he will give nothing less than ALL of himself! Because~! Um… New! Day Rocks! What else? New Day Rocks! YEEEAH~! Will Big E rock just as hard alone as with ya bois?

 

The Golden Role Models are in the ring.

Sasha and Bayley are waiting, but then Stephanie is on the titantron. She thanks them for taking this time, and actually takes this time to congratulate them. The two of them have achieved “insurmountable goals.” They wanted to win all the championships in the WWE, and from NXT to Raw to SmackDown, they’ve done that. Sasha thanks Stephanie for that, it means so much. Bayley thanks Stephanie, they needed that because of all the jealousy in the locker room right now. Especially since all they’re trying to do is be role models for the girls around the world. Like Stephanie’s girls! They’re just finishing what Stephanie started with the Women’s Revolution.

And what a job they’ve done. Traveling to all three brands, doing whatever it takes to win. Like being a “guest referee” at Extreme Rules, or making a mockery of the stipulation Stephanie put in place when Bayley brutally attacked Kairi to make Asuka get counted out. Did Sasha not know that part? Stephanie isn’t sure about being role models, but they have everyone’s attentions. Including hers. Sasha defends that they’ve just been doing what’s “best for business,” like Stephanie! They’re following Stephanie’s example! They’re fans of Stephanie and Triple H! Everything they can on the WWE Network, available for just $9.99!

Stephanie wants them to relax. She isn’t one to hold a grudge. She is a McMahon! Umm… Well, Stephanie says she won’t lecture them, but she will challenge them. SummerSlam will see Sasha defending her Raw Women’s Championship, and it could very well be against Bayley’s opponent on Monday, “the talented, dynamic and vengeful” Asuka. As for Bayley, remember those enemies she’s made across all three brands? All of them will have a chance for retribution when they compete in a Triple Brand Battle Royal to name a #1 contender to the SmackDown Women’s Championship! “Now that’s what’s best for business.” Things are pretty bad as it is, are they only getting worse for the Golden Role Models?

 

Sonya talks with Miz and Morrison backstage.

How did she get in Mandy’s hair? Kayla comes by to interview Miz and Morrison. After tonight’s Dirt Sheet, do they regret taking things too far? Oh sorry they were too sophisticated out there. Miz and Morrison are professionals. Sometimes comedy offends. Morrison says those two ham ‘n’ eggers get confused, mad, and then make mistakes. It’s called gamesmanship. These two here are physical specimens. NO! Physical marvels! And mental giants! It won’t take much to outwit Otis. It’s like playing chess against a pig. If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Though Otis has never stayed out of any kitchen.

Kayla just wants to warn them that this is the angriest she’s ever seen Otis. Oh, what’s he gonna do? Eat them? Otis did promise that no one would be laughing. Miz and Morrison know Heavy Machinery is big, tough and ferocious in catering. So excuse them while they prepare for the match. That showdown is after the break!

 

Heavy Machinery VS The Miz & John Morrison w/ Sonya Deville!

We’ve heard enough talk, it’s time to fight! Will Otis and Tucker bulldoze the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions to finally shut the A-Lister and Guru of Greatness up?

The teams sort out, Tucker starts with Morrison and they circle. Morrison ROCKS Tucker with a right, kicks away, but Tucker gets to a corner. Tucker comes back, Morrison goes Eddy Gordo and kicks low. Tucker grabs a leg for a BIG takedown and cover, TWO! Tucker clamps on with a waistlock but Morrison gets up, only to get thrown! Tucker grinds Morrison down while Sonya tries to coach Morrison. Morrison fights up and fights free, but Tucker swats the roundhouse away. Morrison ducks a punch but not the LARIAT! The crowd is fired up while Sonya is annoyed. Tucker drags Morrison up, puts him in the corner and tags Otis.

Otis whips Tucker in for a corner splash! Morrison is fed to a BIG shoulder tackle that sends him flying! Otis drags Morrison up, whips but Morrison rolls off his back. Tag to Miz, Miz kicks the gut but that just powers Otis up. Miz kicks again but Otis only grows stronger! Miz CHOPS, but Otis just tears off the shirt! Otis headbutts, runs and belly bumps Miz down! Tag to Tucker, Heavy Machinery marches around to shout out the Bushwhackers, and then BELLY SANDWICH Miz! Miz bails out, Tucker aims from the apron, and CANNONBALLS! Tucker takes out Miz and Morrison, Heavy Machinery is all fired up as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Tucker is in a facelock but powering his way to the corner. Miz pulls hair and knees low to then BOOT Tucker away. Tag to Morrison but Tucker ROCKS him! Tucker elbows Miz away then rocks Morrison again. Miz spins Tucker around, A-List Combination with a springboard stomp added on! Cover, TWO! Morrison grounds ‘n’ pounds with a rain of forearms. Morrison circles Tucker and kicks him low! Morrison runs but Tucker kicks from the mat! Tucker rises as Morrison clutches the knee, Tucker throws a haymaker! Morrison forearms back, then hits low! SHINING WIZARD!

Tag to Miz and they drag Tucker up. They double GUT BUSTER Tucker, but that only hurts Morrison’s knee. Miz adds the basement DDT and covers, TWO! Sonya creeps closer to Otis’ corner but Miz mocks the belly. Miz kicks Tucker down, chokes Tucker on the ropes, then lets up so Morrison can get a cheap shot! “Hey hey hey! HO HO~!” MC M I Z and Johnny Drip Drip try to get the crowd going on their side, but it doesn’t work. Miz drags Tucker around, tag to Morrison, the 21st Century Classic backfires as Tucker uses the catapult to DECK Morrison! Tucker sits down on Miz, then crawls for his corner! The crowd rallies up, hot tag to Otis!

The Dozer rallies on Miz and Morrison with big lariats and elbows! FLAPJACK for Morrison! Morrison is put in a corner, Otis scoops and slams Miz, then he catches Morrison for a HUGE EXPLODER! Sonya freaks out as Otis fires up. Otis goes corner to corner to splash Morrison in the corner, then has a target in the drop zone! Caterpillar and ELBOW! Cover, but Miz breaks it! Tucker drags Miz and Morrison out, runs but is send into Plexiglas! Otis chases Miz but is sent into steel steps! Everyone is down on the outside other than Sonya, and then a short-haired Mandy attacks!! Mandy chases Sonya and they brawl against the ring! Sonya tackles Mandy down but Mandy fights back! They end up in the ring, the ref has to throw this one out!

No Contest

Mandy fires off on Sonya, Sonya hits back, the ref tries to stop this but Sonya shoves him away! Mandy tackles Sonya now, fires off more hands, but Heavy Machinery come in. They get Mandy back while Miz and Morrison get Sonya, but Mandy breaks free to tackle Sonya again! The brawling continues, the two teams pull the scrap apart, but Sonya gets free to tackle Mandy! Heavy Machinery get Mandy out of the ring to fall back, but this is far from over as SmackDown goes to one more break!

 

SmackDown returns to more brawling backstage!

Mandy and Sonya are NOT letting it end! Adam Pearce jumps in and shouts that they need to stop! Mandy just shouts at Sonya that Sonya should get closer so Mandy can rip every hair out of Sonya’s head! But then the lights go completely out, come back up, and something is happening ringside!! That group of anarchist maniacs, “The Retribution,” are invading SmackDown!! They’ve got pipes, bats and whatever else blunt to smack the ring! Run, Corey!! Run, Michael!! The five trouble starters take the ring, but they tell the camera man, “This is OUR house now!” Maybe you should leave and go home! Now the camera men are targets!! They run, leaving the cameras behind!

Now Retribution dares the crowd of NXT prospects to do something. And then they just go after them anyway! They mug one guy in particular, then dare a female superstar to do something. She tries to run but gets caught! The Retribution toy with her, then BOOT her down! And DECK her into the Plexiglas! Hair starts spilling out of the hoods but who are these five? They go back to the ring and shout, “This is OURS now!” They fires themselves up to TIP THE DESK! There’s a bag, and from it, is spray paint cans! The Retribution shake them up and start spraying on the boards. They spray an X through the WWE logos! And a line through the SmackDown logo! “All of this is OURS!” And then they produce a chainsaw?! They cut the ring apart, starting with the ropes! But who even are these five? And who can stop them?


My Thoughts:

Well damn. I’m not sure what to make of this episode, other than it was really wild. Between the extended recap, the Firefly Fun House segment and then the response segment, this story of Braun and Bray is continuing to take great twists. I don’t think they played up Alexa’s calmer reaction to The Fiend this week as much as they should have. Is it a sign that Alexa is herself starting to understand her role in this? And Braun saying he’s become a true monster, ditching the “among men” part because he’s no longer human, that was some quality stuff. I wonder if Alexa is used to cost him after all, as she and Bray doubt he was telling the truth about not caring about her. At the same time, that would just be another odd finish, and I don’t think WWE should do those anymore. The only match that ended 100% clean as Cesaro VS Lince.

Cesaro VS Lince was a great match, and it makes a lot of sense for Cesaro to win. Yes, Lucha House Party needs to look good enough to challenge the tag champions, but Cesaro’s power level is just that high that Lince wasn’t going to win. The intertwining stories of Sheamus, Riddle, Corbin and Jeff Hardy was all great, but again they all had less than clean finishes. In a vacuum, it works out great because Sheamus is riding the Tweener line against Corbin, a brilliant move, and all four guys could easily be fighting in a match to name a contender to the Intercontinental or even Universal Championship. But when you look at everything that’s happening for both Raw and SmackDown, very disappointing because it means WWE isn’t willing to commit to something right now.

I do love the position Stephanie is putting Bayley and Sasha in. Bayley is upset with Sasha for putting her up against Asuka, and she might just let Asuka win to avoid getting hurt. And now, a TRIPLE BRAND Battle Royal will name a contender, which is the best move because it means NXT still counts as the third brand when they haven’t really joined in on much since the Royal Rumble. Depending on who is in it, there might be some obvious favorites, but I hope this is a way to help someone rise up in the ranks. It could even be a way of moving an NXT female superstar to SmackDown.

The Dirt Sheet was so dorky but moderately funny. The better part, of course, was with Sonya and then the brawls and the tag match and all that. But for all the fire Otis had backstage, where was it in the match? He was basically the same as before! It feels like they forgot what they had him and Kayla and everyone else say when writing the match. Mandy’s return was great, and her cleaning up her haircut to be a nice short cut looks nice. Maybe they should’ve had Sonya do more to her hair so that she’d have to go even shorter. I fully expect a Mixed Six Tag before respective blow-offs at SummerSlam. This could even be Heavy Machinery’s way of moving into tag title contention.

And of course, the insanity that ended the night is the biggest thing. Miz and Morrison namedropping “The Retribution” and mockingly saying how they were just a Raw thing was all actually foreshadowing. As for what they did, it was the usual “this is kayfabe so no one is actually going to get hurt” level of violence. Nexus, for those who remember that, did WAY more damage. But remembering how Daniel Bryan choked Justin Roberts and that’s why Bryan was fired for that time, no “chaotic group” in WWE can ever go that far again. Which kinda hurts them being able to do these angles at all. Also, a chainsaw? I was more worried about the five people than the ring. And there could’ve actually been more chaos if SmackDown stars tried to overwhelm them before the chainsaw came out!

Meanwhile, it isn’t 100% clear who is under the masks and the hoods, but there are some subtle hints. For one, we can assume these are all NXT superstars who haven’t been on NXT for some time, because despite being called “The Retribution,” it is unlikely that WWE rehired superstars they released months ago. The ring leader could very well be Lio Rush, but that’s just a guess based on how he sounded while yelling. The hair of the one female member, that has to be Vanessa Borne. The other female member could be Chelsea Green, she fired Robert Stone and then just disappeared. No clue on the two that tipped the desk, though. Was there anyone we didn’t see in the crowd this time?

My Score: 8.3/10


Powered by RedCircle


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

Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

Published

on

Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


Powered by RedCircle


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

Coverage

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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


Powered by RedCircle


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

Sports

Entertainment

Sports Entertainment

Buy A Chairshot T-Shirt!

Chairshot Radio Network

Trending

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com