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Mitchell’s WWE Clash of Champions Results & Report! (9/27/20)

It’s a GOLD RUSH!

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WWE Clash of Champions 2020

Who will reign after the Clash of Champions?

Raw and SmackDown put up all the gold in one night! Will Randy Orton become a 14 time world champion? Or will Drew McIntyre still reign atop the WWE?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff Show – SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Lucha House Party; Cesaro & Nakamura win and retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS The Riott Squad
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Ladder match: Jeff Hardy VS Sami Zayn VS AJ Styles; Zayn wins and is the undisputed WWE Intercontinental Champion.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Wrong Turn at Ref Town: R-Truth w/ Lil Jimmy VS Drew Gulak; Gulak wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Asuka VS Zelina Vega; Asuka wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
  • WWE United States Championship: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Business VS Apollo Crews w/ Ricochet; Lashley wins and retains the WWE United States Championship.
  • Raw Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Angel Garza & Andrade Almas; The Street Profits win and retain the Raw Tag Team Championships.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Acceptance Speech Ambush: Drew Gulak VS R-Truth; Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Nikki Cross ???; Asuka wins by disqualification, Bayley retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
  • WWE World Championship Ambulance Match: Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton; McIntyre wins and retains the WWE World Championship.
  • WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Jey Uso; Reigns wins and retains the WWE Universal Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Clash of Champions Kickoff Show!

Join Charly Caruso, Booker T, John Bradshaw Layfield and Peter Rosenberg in reviewing, discussing and predicting all the action about to go down in the #GoldRush!

 

BREAKING NEWS!

Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler and Nikki Cross have NOT been medically cleared to compete for tonight, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and SmackDown Women’s Championship matches will be addressed tonight and tomorrow on Monday Night Raw!

 

Backstage interview inside the Champions’ Lounge.

The SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura, are toasting already with Kayla Braxton. She thanks them for letting her in here, but isn’t this premature? NO, Kayla, tonight the victory is guaranteed! Lucha House Party are all great athletes, individually. But together, they’re like oil ‘n’ water. Swiss, Japanese, but in the ring it is Pippin and Jordan! Hobbs and Shaw! Simon and Garfunkel! Hello darkness, my old friend~! Love that song. And tonight, they will take great pleasure in defending the titles, and watching LHP implode.

But they aren’t worried about that time LHP won? Don’t be a Debbie Downer, okay? They let her in without her actually being a champion. Please, do them a favor and show yourself to the door. Will the Swiss Cyborg and King of Strong Style still have their golden tickets to the Champions’ Lounge after tonight?

 

MVP joins the Kickoff Show via video chat.

Montel Vontavius Porter feels like MVP, aka outstanding. But with Apollo Crews constantly in the way of th eHurt Business, is MVP sick of him? No, MVP is sick of stupid questions. Apollo is not in the Hurt Business’ way. Lashley hurt Apollo’s neck, his feelings, and will hurt the feelings of Apollo’s kids, too. Booker asks how Cedric Alexander doing in the Hurt Business? Oh, MVP has plans for him. Alexander has a college education, amateur experience, and there is a lot of potential there. MVP knows that a veteran can see that potential in younger stars, so MVP just needs to mentor Alexander to greatness.

JBL says the Hurt Business is one of the greatest groups he’s seen in a long time. Business is good, but where do they feel they’ll be in six months to a year? Well, the business is a global conglomerate and will continue to grow. They will expand beyond borders. MVP is the “managing partner” and spokesman for Hurt Business, but he does see lots and lots of title gold in the future. Everyone wants to know their alignment, but the only thing that matters is gold and green.

Charly asks MVP about what happens if Apollo actually wins. MVP wants to rewind back to how they are the Hurt Business, emphasis on business. This is not personal, just business. But Apollo beating Lashley? That’s insanity! That’s like saying Mark Henry will beat up a hurricane. A natural disaster comes, you batten down the hatches and ride it out. That is all Apollo can do tonight against the All Mighty Lashley. Peter asks one last question. We saw Hurt Business fight Retribution, are they going to be a distraction? Absolutely not. It was MVP and his associates that offered to deal with Retribution. There is method to the madness and a plan in place. There are no distractions, but just part of the “business model.”

Charly wishes Lashley luck, but MVP says Lashley doesn’t need luck. MVP wishes luck to the panel instead. But will Apollo throw a wrench in the plan MVP has for the business?

 

R-Truth is a prospector?

He wants more gold! This is the gold rush, y’all! He sifts his mixing bowl and still has his WWE 24/7 Championship. No, wait, panning for gold isn’t like a frying pan. And that’s a bowl. Truth says it’s a gold rush so he wants gold. No, not that kind of gold rush< Truth. It’s just that there’s all the championship gold tonight. And as 24/7 Champion, he needs to be the most careful. And where did Truth get this costume, anyway? Did the shark attack scare him that badly? Yes, that was the highest of scarestivity. This is scaryology, JBL, you gotta study it. So no concerns about someone coming after Truth’s title? No, he’s minding his own business. Well, then be careful because all titles are on the line. Especially this title. Then get ready for hide ‘n’ seek! Off goes ol’ Truth! Shucky Ducky Quack Quack!

 

Backstage interview with Angel Garza and Andrade Almas.

The #1 contenders are ready for their rematch with the Street Profits, but how can they make sure they have a plan without Zelina Vega? Garza says playing the field can be a lot more fun. “No one needs baggage weighing them down.” Vega blamed them for their setbacks, but it was Vega instigating things. Almas says that Vega is the past, their future is the gold. If they have each other’s back, how can they lose? No one can measure up to the future Raw Tag Team Champions. They even finish each other’s sentences. The Profits want the smoke, but they need to first extinguish the fire. Will Garza and Almas bring the heat to Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins?

 

Sami Zayn interrupts the panel,

He is again upset that HE is not called the Intercontinental Champion and Jeff Hardy is. “PLEASE enlighten me, Charly, and tell me why you didn’t just refer to me as the Intercontinental Champion?” Because Hardy is- Well who pinned Hardy on Friday? And who didn’t lose the title? Sami did both of those things! Sami beat Braun Strowman! Not many people did. Sami faced Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania and Sami won! No one has defeated Sami, so how is it he is not the champion? Just because Styles won the sham tournament like a scab? And then Hardy wins it off Styles!

Sami says Booker knows etiquette, so Booker surely agrees Hardy should’ve thrown away his reign and told Sami to give him a shot at the real title, right? Booker says a champion gone as long as Sami, he could be an interim at best. Sami seems no one understands. If no one is going to show him the respect he deserves, he’s leaving. If he loses tonight, he blames the panel for throwing him off his game!

 

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Lucha House Party!

Not originally meant to be this early, things have been moved around because of the changes to the overall card. Will that barely matter to the Swiss Cyborg and King of Strong Style? Or will this mean LHP has an advantage by catching them unprepared?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, but which two members of LHP are stepping up? It will be Kalisto and Lince Dorado! They sort out, and Lince starts with Cesaro. Cesaro corners Lince but Lince gets a waistlock. Cesaro spins through to scoop and slam Lince down! Cesaro kicks Lince while he’s down, then stomps him down. Cesaro throws haymakers and Lince flounders to ropes. Cesaro whips but Lince rolls off his back! Lince runs but into an STO! Cesaro goes to cover but Lince blocks with a monkey flip, tilt-o-whirl and headscissors! Lince dropkicks and Cesaro ends up in LHP’s corner! Lince enziguris Cesaro and tags Kalisto! Kalisto gets a boost for the elevated splash! Lince adds his own splash, Kalisto covers, TWO!

Kalisto throws haymakers on Cesaro, but Cesaro pops Kalisto up! Kalisto lands on his feet, Cesaro whips him to ropes but Kalisto tilt-o-whirls into a sleeper hold! Cesaro powers up and rams Kalisto into buckles. Kalisto boots Cesaro, leaps and hits a huricanrana! Tag to Lince, Lince missile dropkicks! Lince hobbles, Cesaro tags Nakamura in and Nakamura brawls with Lince! Nakamura knees and whips Lince corner to corner, but Lince boots back! Lince hops up but Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES him down! Gran Metalik checks on Lince but Nakamura puts Lince on the apron. Nakamura taunts Kalisto before he KNEES Lince into the ring! Nakamura gets in, drags Lince up and bumps him off buckles.

Tag to Cesaro, Cesaro stomps a mudhole into Lince and throws haymakers. The ref backs Cesaro off but Nakamura gets a cheap shot in. Cesaro drags Lince up by the mask and reels him in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Cesaro puts Lince back in the corner, tags Nakamura in, and they mug Lince. Nakamura brings Lince around to KICK him in the chest! Lince wobbles, Nakamura KICKS and KICKS again! Cover, TWO! Nakamura drags Lince up, pushes him to a corner for Bad Vibrations! Nakamura lets up at the ref’s count to then dig his heels into Lince’s head. The ref counts, Nakamura lets off and drags Lince back up. Nakamura snapmares and drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Nakamura tags Cesaro and Cesaro stomps Lince. Cesaro grinds forearms in Lince’s face, covers, TWO!

Cesaro keeps on Lince with a chinlock into a camel clutch of sorts, but Lince endures. LHP and the fans rally up, Lince fights back but Cesaro whips him. Lince rolls for a SNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO, and Cesaro BOOTS Lince down! Cover, TWO! Cesaro grows frustrated but he drags Lince to the corner. Tag to Nakamura, they mug Lince, and Nakamura puts Lince on the top rope. Nakamura runs in but only gets buckles! Lince enziguris then climbs up, for a crossbody! Both men are down and the LHP rally! Lince and Nakamura crawl, hot tag to Cesaro and he BOOTS Kalisto down! Cesaro throws body shots on Lince but the ref counts. Cesaro fireman’s carries and puts Licne on the top rope! Tag to Nakamura, and now Nakamura gets his Top Shelf Knee!

Cesaro gut wrenches Lince off, Nakamura knees Lince into the suplex! Cover, TWO! Lince still lives and Nakamura grows frustrated. Nakamura rams knees into Lince over and over, as well as elbows, and then more knees! Cover, TWO! Nakamura drags Lince up, tags Cesaro in, and they mug Lince more. Cesaro brings Lince around to put in another ocrner for European Uppercuts. Cesaro whips Lince corner to corner but Lince elbows him away! Cesaro back suplexes Lince away from the ocrner but Lince lands on his feet! Lince boots, Cesaro blocks and flips him but Lince lands on his feet! Lince slides under Cesaro, hot tag to Kalisto! The self-proclaimed leader of LHP fires off kicks on Cesaro!

Kalisto whips, Cesaro reverses but Kalisto dodges and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, Nakamura knees him off! Nakamura intercepts Lince, whips him but Lince handsprings! But Nakamura blocks the Golden Rewind to back suplex, but Lince lands on his feet again! BACKSTABBER! Nakamura gets out, Kalisto aims at Cesaro on the apron. Kalisto kicks and enziguris Cesaro to then slingshot, but the DDT is blocked! Cesaro powers Kalisto up, but LInce DIVES to give Kalisto the spin! DDT! Kalisto kicks at Nakamura, Nakamura blocks but Lince SUPERKICKS him down! LHP is on the same page! They get Cesaro in the ring, Kalisto hits a bottom rope moonsault!

Tag to Lince for the second rope moonsault! Tag back to Kalisto and he’s all the way up, for the TOP ROPE MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro survives the hat trick and grabs Kalisto’s foot! Kalisto keeps fighting towards his corner, Cesaro drags him away but Kalisto uses that to slide under! Sunset flip, TWO, and Cesaro fireman’s carries Kalisto! Nakamura trips Lince and throws him into barriers! And then INVERTED EXPLODERS Lince over! Kalisto dodges Cesaro, tries another sunset, but Cesaro pops him right up! Kalisto rana roll-up, TWO! Kalisto fires off strikes, SOLIDA but no sol! Tag to Nakamura, EUROUPPER and swinging KINSHASA! Cover, Cesaro and Nakamura win!

Winners: Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro, by pinfall (still SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

LHP was on the same page, but it didn’t matter because the champions are just on a different level! Will anyone take over the Champions’ Lounge with these two in charge?

 

“You’ve worked your whole life for this.”

John Cena narrates as the superstars work hard in and out of the ring to “hold this honor. To be the best. But in the blink of an eye, it could all go away.” For there are others who worked just as hard as the champions. They say it is their turn now to be the one others chase. “So this is it. A clash of champions!” This night ends all the debates in an “all-out gold rush.” Superstars get in the ring with purpose, declare they’re champions, and prove it! Will the Claymore crush the Viper? Or will the Viper remind us all exactly who he is? Will the Big Dog still be the chief? Or will another show he is just as worthy? Will the Role Model’s dominance continue? Or come crashing down? When the moment comes calling, how will you answer? Another chaser? Or as the champion?

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Ladder match: Jeff Hardy VS Sami Zayn VS AJ Styles!

The Charismatic Enigma won the title off the Phenomenal One, the Phenomenal One won the title in the tournament, but the Great Liberator says none of that should have happened! Sami Zayn never lost the title, but he wasn’t around enough to defend it! Will Sami “fix” all of that tonight? Or will he have a hard pill to swallow when someone else brings down both copies of the Intercontinental Championship?

The introductions are made, the belts already hang high over head, and we will all see who is THE WWE Intercontinental Champion!

Sami complains again and again about this, so Styles ROCKS him! He and Hardy hit Sami, Hardy hits Styles and whips him away. Hardy hits Sami, and whips him into Styles! Hardy snapmares Styles, brings him up, and bulldog clotheslines Styles and Sami down! Hardy stomps Styles, kicks Sami and goes outside. Hardy gets a ladder already, but Styles dropkicks it into Hardy’s ribs! Styles aims and slingshots to forearm Hardy down! Styles grabs the ladder but Sami mule kicks Styles. Sami uses the ARABIAN PRESS to take Styles down! Sami almost crashed into the ladders but he gets up and walks it off. Sami brings the ladder up and aims at Hardy, to SLAM it on Hardy’s back! Sami taunts Hardy and Styles, and SLAMS the ladder on Styles!

Sami leaves these two behind to put the ladder in the ring. Sami stands that ladder up, but Hardy goes after him! Hardy clubs away on Sami as the ladder leans on ropes. Hardy whips, back drops and sends Sami onto the ladder! Sami writhes while Hardy goes to the ladder. Hardy brings the ladder off the ropes and sets it up, upside-down? Styles comes in, Hardy clubs him first, and suplexes Styles. Styles resists, rams Hardy into a corner but Hardy kicks back. Hardy hops up, Styles throws haymakers but Hardy boots. Styles baits Hardy and Hardy leaps, Styles sends Hardy into the ladder! Hardy and ladder crash down, but Styles picks up the ladder. Styles stands the ladder up but sees the supports broke so he puts that in the corner.

Sami gets up, Styles throws haymakers and then whips Sami into the ladder! Sami bounces around the corner like pinball, and that causes him to crash back down on the steel! Styles goes out to fetch a ladder that’ll stand up while Sami flops out of the ring. Styles stands this new ladder up, climbs it, but Sami returns to stop him! Sami drags Styles down and pushes him away, but Styles PELES him down! Styles returns to his ladder, starts the climb again, but Hardy returns. Hardy climbs the other side to throw haymakers! The two brawl up top, Styles wobbles down but comes back to punch Hardy. Styles throws Hardy down by his hair! Styles reaches for the titles, but Hardy returns to drag Styles back down! Hardy brings Styles back to earth and clubs away.

Styles fires off strikes but Hardy atomic drops, leg trip and leg splitter! Basement dropkick! Styles and Hardy are both down but Hardy crawls to the ladder. Styles is on the apron, Sami goes after Hardy to throw him out! Sami baseball slide dropkicks Styles before climbing the ladder! Styles hurries up and gets Sami off the good ladder to bring him to the bad ladder. Sami blocks the throw to elbow Styles away. Styles swings into an EXPLODER onto the bad ladder!! Styles writhes out of the ring where Hardy is. Sami is alone and climbing! Sami touches the belts but Hardy is back! Hardy clubs Sami down from the top, clubs him some more, then throws him out. Sami drags Hardy out to join him, and throws him into barriers and folded ladders! Styles DECKS Sami!

Styles stalks Hardy, even with his back bothering him. Styles bumps Hardy off the really tall ladder, then pushes him around. Styles makes sure Sami stays down by stomping him. Styles then runs and uses the steel steps to LEAP at Hardy, but Hardy dodges and lets Styles crash into barriers! Hardy comes back, does the same trick, and hits POETRY IN MOTION on Styles! Everyone is down on the outside but Hardy stands first. Sami HELLUVA KICKS outta nowhere! Hardy ends up down and out in front of the ThunderDome screens! Sami hurries back into the ring, hurries to the ladder, but is slowly climbing from his sore body slowing him down. Styles CHUCKS a step ladder at Sami and nails him!! Styles saves his chances by nearly breaking Sami’s arm with that attack!

Styles slowly drags himself into the ring and goes back to the ladder. Hardy flounders in, hurries over and he climbs with Styles. They both swat at each other while reaching for the gold. They start brawling again, but the ladder is wobbly! The ladder tips over, BOTH Styles and Hardy fall out of the ring!! Sami survives hiding inside the corner! Sami gets the ladder back up, climbs up all alone, but Hardy returns! Hardy grabs at Sami, Sami kicks Hardy away, and Sami starts climbing. Styles springboards, but Hardy tips the ladder at the same time! The Phenomenal Forearm gets SWATTED out of the air, but the ladder comes back to BOP Hardy! Sami is again the only one left standing!

Sami stands the ladder back up again, again begins to climb, but Hardy is there, to drag Sami down to a TWIST OF FATE! Now all three men are down! Hardy rises first, drags himself to the ladder and climbs, but Styels goes after him. Hardy kicks Styles away, reaches for the belts, but Sami tips the ladder the long way! Hardy flips over the top to be safe, until the ladder hits the post!! The ladder flips around and scissors Hardy!! Sami hurries after a new ladder but Styles is there to throw haymakers! Styles clubs Sami, makes him let go of the ladder, and bounces him off the announce desk! Styles takes the ladder of his own now, puts it in the ring, but Sami attacks! Sami POSTS Styles then takes ownership of this ladder.

Sami makes a ladder bridge from ring to desk, and brings Styles back. Sami tries to bump Styles but Styles blocks and hits back. Styles bounces Sami off the desk then climbs up. Styles kicks Sami, Sami wobbles, Styles MOONSAULT DDT’s off the desk!! Styles gets up, puts Sami on Sami’s own ladder bridge, but the bridge tips over. So Styles just SLAMS Sami on the desk! Styles resets that ladder bridge, puts Sami on the ladder and clubs away. Hardy returns?! And he RAMS Styles in the face with a ladder!! Hardy sees what’s going on with Sami and the ladder and throws off the shirt! Hardy brings a TALLER ladder over, climbs that, and relives the glory days with a SWANTON BOMB THROUGH SAMI AND THE LADDER!!!

Somehow, Sami and Hardy live! Hardy RAMS Styles with the step ladder before hobbling off after a new ladder. Hardy puts that in the ring, but Styles the ladder that scissored Hardy against him again! Styles knocks Hardy down, gets in the ring and stands the new ladder up. Styles climbs, reaches for the titles, but Hardy returns to tip the ladder over! Styles crashes down, Hardy flounders about, and somewhere, someone chants “This is Awesome!” Wait! Sami rises on rage alone! Sami throws Hardy into barriers! And into more barriers! Sami reaches inside his jacket and has HANDCUFFS?! Sami planned something all along! Sami stomps Hardy, and brings over a short ladder. Sami SMACKS Hardy with it! And then cuffs Hardy BY HIS EAR GAUGE HOLE!! Sami just made that ladder into a huge earring!

Sami puts another ladder in the ring and kicks Styles down! Sami cuffs one of Styles’ wrists, but since Styles resists, Sami kicks him more and more. Sami stands up a ladder, but Styles punches back! Styles bumps Sami off the ladder, reels Sami in, and snap suplexes! But wait, Sami managed to cuff himself to Styles?! When did he do that?! Sami laughs because Styles can’t go anywhere without him now! Styles punches and stomps Sami down for his little “magic trick.” Styles drags Sami with him as he climbs! Hardy carries the ladder that’s cuffed to his ear and heads for the ring! Styles fireman’s carries Sami to make his own climb easier, but Hardy and his ladder are here!

Sami has a key, and while Hardy SMACKS Styles over and over, Sami uncuffs himself from Styles!! Sami is free, and he cuffs Styles to the ladder! Styles is stuck halfway! Sami climbs up and over, and grabs the belts!! SAMI WINS!!

Winner: Sami Zayn (UNDISPUTED WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Still champion? New champion? Guess it doesn’t matter now! Sami has both belts, making him THE champion! And he leaves the key on the ground for the others to fight over now! Kayla Braxton is on stage to interview Sami about this big win. She says Sami recaptured, but he says that is not at all the case. The title was his all along! It should be “And STILL Intercontinental Champion,” Sami Zayn! Will Sami ever lose the belt(s) ever again?

 

R-Truth is backstage, trying to hide!

Lil’ Jimmy and Truth have wandered into the referee’s room! “My bad. We’re on the wrong set.” Enjoy your snacks, guys. Truth hurries off but the ref asks if he needs anything. Truth says back off! But Drew Gulak gets him! GULAK WINS!!

Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

The founder of Catchpoint just caught Truth! Truth blames Jimmy for this! SmackDown has the 24/7 Championship, but will they still have it by the end of the night?

 

Raw Women’s Championship: Asuka VS Zelina Vega!

Originally for the kickoff, the only women’s championship match left untouched happens now! Will La Muneca finally be the one ready for Asuka? Or is there no such thing?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the biggest test in Vega’s career begins now!

Asuka and Vega circle, tie up, and Asuka throws Vega down. Asuka taunts Vega’s talking all this time, and then calls for a test of strength. She partially teases Vega for her shorter height, so Vega kicks. Asuka avoids the kick, too, and dances around. Vega tries again but nope, Asuka still knew it was coming. Vega kicks, Asuka moves but Vega kicks again! That time she catches Asuka, and now Vega gets the knuckle locks. Vega and Asuka have a test of strength, and Asuka runs Vega over! Cover, TWO as Vega gets a shoulder up. Asuka pushes that shoulder down, TWO as Vega gets the other shoulder up. Vega stands, kicks and wrenches to kick the arm! Vega taunts Asuka now, they tie up and go around. Asuka wrenches, yanks on the arm, but Vega wrenches through.

Asuka forearms first, then reels Vega in for a headlock. Vega endures, throws body shots, but Asuka holds tight as Vega tries to power out. Vega tries again, gets free but Asuka runs her over! Asuka dances a little again, then speeds things up. Asuka rolls, Vega side-steps but Asuka blocks the arm-drag to an ARMBAR! Vega moves around, reaches and gets the ropebreak with a foot! Asuka lets go fast, Vega gets to a corner, and Asuka stomps Vega. Asuka hoists Vega up top, clubs her on the back, but Vega hits back. They brawl, Asuka gets the edge, Vega shoves her down! Vega hurries after Asuka but Asuka pushes her away. Vega still wants the arm but Asuka shoves her away. Vega comes back again, Asuka mule kicks her! Vega is on the apron, Asuka runs and hip attacks her off!

Asuka shakes out the bad arm and goes out after Vega. Vega yanks Asuka into steel steps! Vega drags Asuka into the ring, goes after Asuka’s arm with clubbing forearms and stomps. The ref counts as Vega digs her boot in, but she lets off at 4. Vega drags Asuka up to throw her arm first into the corner! Vega wrenches the arm to a hammerlock but Asuka whips free. Vega is in a corner now, Asuka runs in but Vega boots her! Asuka shares that off but runs into an arm wringer! Cover, ONE! Vega keeps on the arm with a hammerlock, Asuka endures but Vega bridges! Vega cranks on the arm, then shifts to a cover, TWO! Vega drags Asuka up, hits a shoulder breaker, then repeats! Asuka blocks the third for a chinlock! Vega pushes off buckles to escape the Asuka Lock, to an ARMBAR!

Asuka kicks around and gets out to get the chinlock again! Vega fights and snapmares free! Asuka mule kicks Vega away! Vega goes to the apron, Asuka hurries over and throws forearms. Vega hits back, Asuka kicks and runs, but the hip attack misses! Vega climbs on for a DRAPING CRUCIFIX! Vega lets go at the count of 4, climbs up top, and reels Asuka in for a huricanrana! Asuka is in the other corner, Vega hits CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and Vega can’t believe it! Asuka gets up, Vega hurries after, but the backstabber is denied! Asuka kicks but Vega ducks to roll her, for the SCHOOL GIRL KICK! Cover, TWO!!

Vega is furious and goes after Asuka, but the rocket kick is blocked! Asuka has Vega, pops her up but Vega wheelbarrows to a victory roll! TWO, Vega reels Asuka into a EUROCLUTCH! TWO, into ASUKA LOCK!! Vega taps, Asuka wins!!

Winner: Asuka, by submission (still Raw Women’s Champion)

Vega had a lot of fight, but it was not enough to dethrone the Empress of Tomorrow! Charly Caruso interviews Asuka and asks if Vega impressed her at all. Vega is “like a firecracker. Small, yet dangerous.” But Vega was NOT ready for Asuka! Vega stands up, and Asuka offers her a handshake. Vega refuses, because she BOWS! Asuka bows, but then Vega attacks! Vega is a sore loser and she throws Asuka down! Asuka gest up in a rage, and shouts, “OI OI! What the hell, huh!?” Vega wants to still fight, huh!? Asuka will fight her again, and rip her apart! Will the Empress give La Muneca another match just so she can teach her a lesson in respect?

 

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

The Rocky Mountain Machine and CEO of the Hurt Business holds the gold that has hot potato’d between the business and Apollo. Will it go back to Apollo in this rematch from Payback? Or will Lashley just put the hurt back on him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and business picks up once again!

Lashley and Apollo circle, Lashley gets a leg and trips Apollo to a cover, ONE! Lashley and Apollo go again, Lashley has the arm, MVP coaches Lashley to break the arm. Lashley wrenches, Apollo throws forearms but Lashley knees low. Lashley runs and runs Apollo over, then waits for him to get back up. Apollo does, they tie up again and Lashley again gets the arm. Lashley wrenches, steps through to trip Apollo up but Apollo kicks back! Apollo boots and clothelsines Lashley out of the ring! Apollo goes to the apron to MOONSAULT Lashley down! Apollo is fired up and Ricochet is fired up with him. Ricochet keeps his eyes on MVP while Apollo rams Lashley into barriers. Apollo puts Lashley in, but Lashley clobbers Apollo on the apron.

Apollo blocks the buckle bump to give the buckle bump then enziguris Lashley away! Apollo climbs, leaps and crossbodies! Cover, TWO! Apollo keeps on Lashley with forearms then a whip. Lashley reverses, Apollo goes up but Lashley stays back to shove Apollo into buckles. Apollo bounces off into the COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! MVP tells Apollo’s dreams are now nightmares, “nothing you can do about it.” Lashley slams Apollo’s arms on the mat then chokes Apollo on the ropes. MVP asks if they’re doing business right now. Lashley drags Apollo up but Apollo hits back. Lashley rams Apollo into the corner, throws haymakers then digs his forearm into Apollo’s face. The ref counts, Lashley lets up, but then he puts Apollo back on ropes to choke him!

The ref counts while MVP talks trash. Lashley lets up, Ricochet shouts at MVP, but Lashley suplexes Apollo high and hard! Cover, TWO! Apollo flops out of the ring and Lashley goes out after him. Ricochet coaches Apollo but Lashley gets in his way. Lashley fireman’s carries Apollo, but Apollo slips off to POST Lashley! MVP hurries to check on Lashley while Ricochet coaches Apollo. Apollo and Lashley are back in at 9! Apollo starts rallying with forearms on Lashley! Apollo rams Lashley to a corner, rams over and over, then fires up as he goes corner to corner for a SPLASH! Lashley swings but Apollo dodges. Lashley mule kicks but runs into an elbow! Lashley bails out but Apollo leaps from the apron to crossbody again!

Apollo drags Lashley back up and into the ring, climbs up top, but leaps over Lashley. Lashley runs into an enziguri! Apollo gorilla presses and dumps Lashley down, standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Lashley lives and MVP coaches him up. Apollo goes to a corner, climbs up again, but Lashley throws haymakers! Lashley climbs up to join Apollo, brings Apollo up, for a SUPERPLEX! Lashley crawls to a cover, TWO! Ricochet coaches Apollo up, but Lashley drags Apollo up into the gut wrench. Apollo lands out of the Dominator to kick and STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Apollo goes to a corner, climbs back up, and FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Lashley lives and Apollo can’t believe it!

MVP and Ricochet are both worried but for different reasons. Apollo waistlocks, Lashley standing switches but Apollo elbows free. Apollo runs, Lashley follows and he picks Apollo up for the ALL MIGHTY SPINE BUSTER!! Lashley stalks Apollo, and gets the HURT LOCK!! Apollo taps, Lashley wins!!

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

Business is booming as Apollo is hurting! Will anyone ever take this title from the iron grip of the Rocky Mountain Machine?

 

Raw Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits VS Angel Garza & Andrade Almas!

There has been much drama and action between these two teams. Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins have been firmly united but it has been a roller coaster of dysfunction for the Lethal Lothario and El Idolo. But now that La Muneca is out of the way, can Garza and Almas stay on the same page to finally take the gold? Or will their fire be put out for the Profits’ smoke?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the teams sort out. Dawkins and Almas start what could be the final chapter in this rivalry!

Dawkins and Almas circle, tie up, and Dawkins gets the arm. Dawkins wrenches to a wristlock, Almas spins through to wrench, shoulder breaker and wristlock. Dawkins wrenches back but Almas throws forearms. Almas knees, tags Garza and they mug Dawkins. Garza wrenches for a standing armbar, tags Almas back in, and they mug Dawkins more. Almas headlocks, Dawkins tries to power out but Almas holds on! Dawkins tries again and gets free to then run Almas over! Things speed up, Dawkins hurdles and whips Almas to dropkick him down! Dawkins drags Almas up, tags Ford, and they whip Almas for another dropkick! Garza gets in but he gets a dropkick! Almas clobbers Ford from behind and whips him. Ford reverses, leaps up and over but Garza saves Almas from another dropkick!

Garza tags in, whips Ford for Almas to pop him up, into Garza’s kick! Off come the pants! Garza throws them at Ford then grinds Ford down with an armbar. Tag to Almas, Almas climbs up and Garza holds Ford, for a missile dropkick! Almas looms over Ford, stomps him down, then brings Ford up to throw out of the ring. Tag to Garza, Almas goes out after Ford to sit him on the apron. Garza runs to PENALTY KICK Ford at the ropes! Cover, TWO! Garza keeps on Ford with a chinlcok and thrashes him about. Garza shifts to add a half nelson, then he knees Ford in the side over and over. Dawkins coaches Ford as Ford endures. Fans build to a rally, Ford fights up, and Ford powers up to back suplex Garza down! And then kick him for good measure!

Garza kicks Ford back but both men are still down. Garza kicks Ford again but Ford heads for his corner. Ford reaches but Garza anchors a foot. Ford gets free, hot tag to Dawkins! Garza tags Almas but Dawkins rallies with clotheslines and a leaping elbow! Garza runs into a FLAPJACK! Dawkins gives Almas an EXPLODER! Dawkins is fired up, he runs at Almas for a cyclone splash! Dawkins runs but into Almas’ dropkick! Almas has Dawkins in a corner, fires himself up and runs corner to corner. CIEN- NO! Dawkins dodges the knees, shoves ALmas, but Garza tags in! ANOINMENT SPINE BUSTER for Almas, but Garza dropkicks Dawkins down!

Ford tags in and goes up top, Garza intercepts with forearms! They brawl up top, stand up, SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Ford survives but Garza is too tired to be frustrated! Ford slowly rises but Garza goes after him. Ford DECKS Garza! Garza and Ford both wobble, Ford dodges Garza but Almas trips Dawkins in time! Garza rolls Ford up, TWO! Ford kicks but Garza catches him and KNEES him back! Garza flounders but the ref throws up an X? Almas tags in, blasts Dawkins and gives Ford CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO!?! Ford survives again and Garza looks to be out of this match. But Almas reels Ford in, Ford resists the hammerlock and enziguris! Hot tag to Dawkins! ANNOINMENT! Cover, THREE?! The Profits win!!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (still Raw Tag Team Champions)

Almas was just a half second too late, according to the ref! But replay shows maybe not? Will Garza and Almas have grounds for one more time around with the Profits? Or are the Profits moving on to new challengers? Can Garza even compete with medics checking on him?

 

The 2020 WWE Draft is coming!

Yes, it’s once again time to shake things up again! Every superstar on Raw and SmackDown, even the champions, are on the board! October 9th, as part of Friday Night SmackDown, we will see who ends up where in the WWE!

 

Backstage interview with Drew Gulak!

How did the new 24/7 Champion find himself in that position? Well, as a coach, one of his first rules is “Always be alert.” He wasn’t even scheduled to compete, but he knew he needed to stay loose. Gulak was just doing his lunges up and down the halls of the ThunderDome, and that’s when he spotted R-Truth! Truth’s guard was down, Gulak seized the moment, and now has the title! He’d like to dedicate this victory to a former champion and a former rival, Akira Tozawa, who may have been eaten by a shark. But Truth comes in, CLOBBERS Gulak with that bowl from the kickoff show, and covers! The ref is there, counts, Truth wins!!

Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

THIRTY-NINE! Truth has his baby back once again, and said Gulak should’ve had a V8. Gulak didn’t even get to finish his acceptance speech, but will he get a second chance soon enough?

 

Bayley heads to the ring!

The longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion is here, with both belt and chair, to address Nikki Cross being unable to compete. Bayley takes a seat in the chair she used to hurt Sasha Banks and sets her title on it. “Aw man, what sad news about Nikki Cross!” Nikki has to forfeit her title opportunity! That sucks, because Bayley was hoping to see Nikki would prove the world wrong and show she could actually win. Bayley even got new gear for this! But don’t worry, the most dominant champion in WWE would’ve won either way.

But Bayley won’t let us down as our role model. Tonight, she is giving the opportunity of a lifetime to any superstar in the back! It is an open challenge! Anyone? Ding dong, hello? No one here? Well that’ sit then. Cut to the chase, the ref can raise her hand now and declare her the winner! The ref gets in, Bayley runs around to celebrate, but wait. Is that ASUKA?! Well, she is anyone in the back, but the fact that she was still here is a surprise! Is Asuka going to become the Two Belt Empress?!

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Asuka!

The bell rings as Bayley swings on Asuka but Asuka dodges and dances! Bayley rushes Asuka, Asuka dodges to then follow and run her over! Asuka is fired up as she runs at Bayley for a corner hip attack! Asuka reels Bayley in, Bayley fights out but Asuka blocks a kick to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bayley bails out, takes off her jacket and says she is NOT doing this. Champion’s Advantage! But Asuka pursues, puts Bayley back in and hits the sliding kick! Asuka aims from a corner to hip attack again! Cover, TWO! ARMBAR! Bayley kicks and flails, powers Asuka to a cover, ONE! ASUKA LOCK!! Bayley gets the ropes! Asuka lets go, Bayley gasps as she gets to the apron. Asuka drags Bayley up but Bayley hotshots Asuka away!

Bayley rains down rights on the arm, having seen what Vega was doing to Asuka in that match. Bayley SAIDO SUPLEXES Asuka! Cover, TWO! Bayley is frustrated and argues with the ref but she stomps Asuka at the ropes. Bayley wraps the arm around the bottom rope, but she lets go at the ref’s count. Bayley KNEES Asuka in the corner, covers, TWO! Bayley sneers as she toys with Asuka. Bayley is after the bad arm, and hits an armbreaker DDT! Bayley dares Michael Cole to say her name again as she climbs up top. Bayley leaps, into Asuka’s CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops out of the ring and Asuka fires herself up!

Asuka aims from the apron, runs but Bayley blocks the kick to trip Asuka up! Bayley gets back in the ring, runs and baseball slides but Asuka dodges to ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka drags Bayley up for a GERMAN SUPLEX to the floor! Asuka drags Bayley up but Bayley uses a CHAIR!

Winner: Asuka, by disqualification; Bayley is still SmackDown Women’s Champion

Bayley keeps her title and keeps on Asuka with the chair! The Chairwoman keeps that reign going, but someone SMACKS her with a chair!! It’s SASHA BANKS! Sasha, bad neck and all, still gives Bayley a taste of her own medicine! Sasha clubs away on Bayley, Bayley shoves her away and scrambles into the ring. Sasha grabs at her but Bayley kicks her down! Sasha’s neck is still a target and Bayley drags her up to put her in the ring. Bayley tells Cole to shut up now, and she gets another chair! And a kendo stick! Bayley stalks Sasha, has the chair, and sits it up. Bayley gets HER chair, brings it over menacingly, but Sasha kicks her in the knees!

Sasha grabs the kendo stick and SMACKS Bayley on the back! And again! And again and again and again! Bayley crawls, Sasha stands on the chair! Sasha takes the chair for her own, Bayley begs for mercy, but Bayley gets away before Sasha can swing on her! The Boss leaves it at this because of her neck, but she has clearly put fear in the heart of Bayley! Will it only be a matter of time before these two finally put this grudge to bed?

 

WWE World Championship Ambulance Match: Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton!

The Viper went after the Scottish Psychopath with THREE punts to the head, and McIntyre had to ride to a hospital in an ambulance. But McIntyre would return the favor and hit Orton with THREE Claymores! Orton also rode in an ambulance, and only became more determined to be the Legend Killer of old. Who takes one more ride in an ambulance while the other rides off with the world title around their waist?

As each man makes his entrance, they look at the ambulance, the final destination of this match. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the difference between one man’s first reign and another man’s 14th begins!

McIntyre kicks and punches Orton first! Orton flounders around the ring, McIntyre keeps hitting him, and then CHOPS him! McIntyre stomps Orton in a corner, punches him more and follows him around the way. Orton kicks back, McIntyre throws more haymakers and a CHOP! McIntyre CHOPS Orton again, then has him against the ropes to punch him right down! “Get your ass up, Randy! Get up!” McIntyre drags Orton up, and ROCKS him with a haymaker! McIntyre whips, Orton ducks but the RKO is denied! Orton side steps McIntyre to send him to the apron. McIntyre gets back in but Orton kicks the ropes to hit McIntyre in his claymore! Orton kicks McIntyre again then drags him out for the DRAPING DDT! McIntyre is down and clutching the jaw, which is still a factor.

Orton scowls as he looms over McIntyre, and he backs up. Orton takes aim as McIntyre sits up, but who is that grabbing Orton’s foot? That’s THE BIG SHOW! Big Show drags Orton out and gives him a CHOKE SLAM through the announce desk! No disqualifications means The Giant can get away with this! Show leaves and Orton drags himself from the wreckage. McIntyre hurries after Orton and grins at what happened to him. McIntyre drags Orton up, fireman’s carries and gives him snake eyes to the barriers! The fans cheer as McIntyre stomps Orton then brings him up, for a CHOP! McIntyre bumps Orton off steel steps, then stomps one of Orton’s hands! Orton writhes and curses under his breath but McIntyre brings him up again. McIntyre whips him into more barriers!

McIntyre is having fun now as he stalks Orton. “How does it feel, Randy?” McIntyre drags Orton up by a facelock, clubs him and ROCKS him with another haymaker! Orton flounders on the ramp but McIntyre brings him up to another fireman’s carry. They approach the ambulance, and McIntyre LAWN DARTS Orton into the doors! McIntyre opens the side compartment, and brings out crutches?! And a chair! McIntyre watches Orton rise and he JAMS him with the chair, then SMACKS him on the back! Orton writhes more, McIntyre waits for him to rise. McIntyre wants Orton to look at him for this one. But Orton SMACKS McIntyre with a crutch! And then sweeps the legs with them! Orton grabs the chair and digs it into McIntyre’s jaw!

Orton throws crutches aside and opens the ambulance doors. McIntyre rises and Orton pushes him in. McIntyre fights back, puts Orton in and beats him down! McIntyre just needs to close the doors! Orton boots McIntyre away but McIntyre comes back with haymakers. Orton counter punches right to the jaw! Orton EuroUppers McIntyre, then hobbles after him. Orton brings McIntyre around to bump him off the side of the ambulance! Orton opens the driver side door and is already plotting. The Viper slithers back to McIntyre, drags him over, puts McIntyre in the cab, but McIntyre knows what he’s up to! McIntyre pushes Orton away to HEADBUTT! The Glasgow Kiss hit Orton so hard, he’s drooling in a stupor! McIntyre aims at Orton now, to run and CLAYMORE THE DOOR OFF!? Orton dodges and the door takes the shot!

McIntyre’s leg is hurting now and Orton watches McIntyre writhe as he catches his breath. Orton drags McIntyre up for more EuroUppers, then brings him over to the other side of the ambulance. McIntyre blocks a bump to bump Orton off the hood! McIntyre pursues as Orton crawls away. They go behind the curtain to a backstage area. McIntyre CHOPS Orton, follows him to an arm chair and has him take a seat. McIntyre rains down right hands until Orton flops out of the chair! McIntyre throws things aside and gets his bad leg to work. McIntyre drags Orton up to put him against the wall for a CHOP! Orton is stinging but McIntyre whips him. Orton reverses to send McIntyre into a wall! Orton also bumps into the camera man, but who is this attacking now?

It’s CHRISTIAN! At last, he is on his own two feet again! And he slides Orton across catering! The ref gets Christian to stop so Christian leaves. McIntyre hobbles over to Orton, drags him up and headlock punches him more. And CHOPS him again! Orton stumbles and staggers back to the curtain and McIntyre clubs him through. McIntyre tosses Orton on top of the hood, climbs up to join him, and brings Orton up. Orton rakes McIntyre’s eyes! Both men wobble, Orton throws McIntyre onto the windshield! Orton covers out of instinct but that doesn’t help here. Orton realizes that, and lets off to rest on the hood. McIntyre manages to get up, and he’s climbing up higher on the vehicle! Orton pursues and punches McIntyre to the very roof of the ambulance!

Orton joins McIntyre up there, but McIntyre hits back. McIntyre rocks Orton, but Orton KNEES McIntyre in the head! Orton sits back while McIntyre clutches his jaw. McIntyre ends up at the rear of the ambulance again and Orton punches him. McIntyre is hanging on but Orton stomps his hands! McIntyre clings with one hand but can’t hold on as Orton stands on the fingers! McIntyre lets go and falls to the floor! Orton looks down with a big grin before standing up. Orton turns around into SWEET CHIN MUSIC from HBK!! HBK shoves Orton off the roof and down through spare tables!! And he tells Orton to SUCK IT! Orton’s enemies continue to haunt him until the very end!

Orton drags himself from the wreckage but McIntyre is there to get him! McIntyre drags him up, fireman’s carries him to the ambulance, but Orton fights back! Orton gets off to RKO!! McIntyre is down with a dazed look in his eyes! Orton sits up, crawls over to McIntyre, and hauls him into the back of the ambulance! Orton closes one door, but he takes too long smiling before going to the other door, and McIntyre holds it open! McIntyre forces his way out, rakes Orton’s eyes, and gets out! McIntyre staggers away, aims at Orton, and hits a CLAYMORE!! McIntyre hauls Orton up and into the ambulance, but then thinks what more he can do first. McIntyre drags Orton out part way, and PUNTS Orton!! He finally returns the favor before putting Orton back in and closing both doors! McIntyre wins!!

Winner: Drew McIntyre (still WWE World Champion)

McIntyre literally shuts the door on Orton’s 14th title reign! The Scottish Psychopath holds tight to the gold, but who will come for it next? Wait, who is driving the ambulance? RIC FLAIR!! “I promise not to break the speed limit! WOO~!” Again, the sins of the Viper have come back to haunt him! Will Orton return even a little humbler than before?

 

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Jey Uso!

The Big Dog says this is HIS island, HIS WWE, and HIS right as the Tribal Chief! But for once, Jey wants to show he is worthy of the great family legacy! Will this night be that night? Or will the razing, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion of the World still be RRROMAN! RRREIGNS?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and the battle of the Anoa’i Family, by the Anoa’i Family and for the Anoa’i Family begins!

Jey and Roman stare down then circle. Jey says “It didn’t have to go down like this, Uce.” Roman sucker punched him so that’s why this is happening. They tie up, Roman powers Jey to a corner but lets up at the ref’s count. Roman gets in Jey’s face but Jey stares right back. They circle and tie up again. Roman still powers Jey to a corner then throws him across the way! Jey gets up, shakes out the arms and stares Roman down again. They circle again, Roman tells Jey he should’ve just taken the payday. Jey says he wants to get this, too. They tie up again, Roman again puts Jey in a corner and whips him corner to corner. Jey goes up and over and shouts out daddy Rikishi with the pop lock ‘n’ dabbin’.

Roman rushes Jey, Jey gets a waistlock but Roman switches and powers Jey to a corner again. Roman then throws Jey across the way again and Jey tumbles out of the ring. Jey gets up and walks around to cool off. Roman talks smack and asks, “How you gonna be the chief if you can’t stay on the island?” Jey fires himself up and shoulders into Roman! And rocks him with an uppercut! And another! Jey whips, Roman reverses but Jey ducks, only for Roman to hit the leaping lariat! Cover, TWO! Roman keeps his cool as he watches Jey crawl to ropes. Roman chokes Jey on the ropes! The ref counts, Roman says, “I told you!” but he lets off at 4. Jey gasps and Heyman tells the ref to respect the chief. Roman drags Jey up, bumps Jey off buckles, then drags him up to DECK him!

Roman tells Jey he should’ve listened to the chief. Jey gets to the apron, Roman drags him up to choke him on the ropes again! The ref counts, Roman lets up at 4 to ROCK Jey with the uppercut! Jey tumbles down to the ground and Roman paces about. The ring count climbs, Roman goes out at 4 to fetch Jey. Roman drags Jey up to bump him off the apron! Jey flounders about but uppercuts back! Roman uppercuts harder! Jey staggers to the announce desk, Roman hears the ring count and refreshes it at 6. Roman tells the ref he is the chief, he does what he wants. Roman bounces Jey off the desk! Roman says he loves Jey but this is a lesson he has to learn. Roman puts Jey in, covers, TWO! Jey refuses to lose so Roman wraps on a chinlock.

Jey endures, Roman squeezes tight but fans clap to build to a rally. Jey fights up and throws body shots to fight free. Roman headbutts Jey! Roman whips Jey to ropes but Jey kicks back! Jey mule kicks, and uppercuts! Roman rebounds into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Roman is starting to see what his cousin is really capable of! Jey gets to a corner and aims at Roman. “UCE! OH!” Jey runs corner to corner, but into the SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman takes a moment to catch his breath, but Jey flops out of the ring. Roman watches Jey crawl to the desk before going out. Roman heads over but Jey throws a forearm! Roman actually likes that! Roman forearms Jey, Jey forearms again! “What, b*tch?!” Roman ROCKS Jey with that uppercut!

The ring count is 5, Roman drags Jey up and in at 7. Roman covers, TWO! Jey still won’t stay down and Roman sighs. Heyman tells Jey he should just listen to the chief, he’s only making this harder on himself. Roman told Jey on Friday, this is that ass whooping. Just stay down next time. Roman headbutts Jey again, throws haymakers over and over but the ref counts. Roman lets up, looms over Jey, and tells Jey there are levels to this. Roman lives at this level. “I’ve been doing this.” Jey CHOPS back! Roman ROCKS him with another uppercut! Roman says Jey doesn’t pay attention. Jey crawls to a corner, Roman runs in and clotheslines him down! Roman stalks Jey to another corner, and hits another clothesline!

Jey staggers away to yet another corner, and Roman runs in, to get boots! Jey dodges the uppercut to give uppercuts! Jey shoves and POSTS Roman! Roman gets himself out of the corner and shakes out the arm while Jey gets up. Jey runs in to clothesline Roman out! Jey builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit sends Roman into barriers! Jey puts Roman back in, kicks but Roman blocks, only to get the DRAGON WHIP! Roman stumbles out, Jey DIVES again! Direct hit at the ramp and both men are down! Jey gets up, drags Roman up and brings him back into the ring. Jey goes up, leaps, crossbody! Cover, TWO! SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives the rally from Jey but Jey is too tired to be frustrated about it!

Jey goes to the apron, climbs up a corner, but Roman is up! Jey leaps over Roman, rolls, into a LEG LARIAT!? Roman covers, TWO!! Roman brings out something new but Jey survives! Roman seethes as he stands over Jey again. Jey crawls while Roman goes to a corner. Roman aims at Jey, Jey staggers up, but Jey jumps over the spear to roll Roman up! TWO!! SUPERKICK!! Jey goes back up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Roman survives again, but wait! The way he kicked out, it was like a low blow! Was it just bad positioning from Jey? Or was that on purpose? Either way, both men are down and somewhere in the ThunderDome, “This is Awesome!” Roman goes back to the corner, Jey stands, SPEAR!! But Roman doesn’t cover?

Roman watches Jey writhe and says, “I told you.” Jey should’ve just taken the payday. But he brought Roman out here. “Say it to me! Tell me. I want you to call me ‘chief.’ Acknowledge me as your Tribal Chief, Uce. Do it now and this is done.” Jey refuses. Roman grabs him by the beard and hair and tells him to say it. Jey still refuses, so Roman whips and SPEARS him back down! Roman keeps saying Jey just has to say it. Tell Roman in front of the entire world. Tell Roman he is the head of the table. Roman makes Jey look into the camera. Tell us that Roman owns it all! “Not today, Uce!” Jey is defiant until the end, Heyman tells Roman he is the Tribal Chief. But it doesn’t matter if Heyman says it. Jey needs to say it! If Jey doesn’t want to, he’ll be made to! Roman rains down furious right hands!

The ref tries to stop Roman but Roman won’t unless Jey says it! Roman pushes the ref aside and is getting frustrated with him. This is Roman’s world, so do not make him address you again or he’ll knock you into next week and into a new job. “This is family business here.” Roman goes back to Jey and again demands Jey acknowledge his place in the family. Roman headbutts and throws point-blank elbows! The ref checks on Jey but Jey says he isn’t quitting. Roman wants the ref to understand, this is how it’s been their whole life. Roman makes Jey look at the camera. The family is watching! Roman’s kids, Jey’s kids, everyone. Roman throws more forearms on Jey, but here comes Jimmy!

Jimmy isn’t cleared but he isn’t here to fight. Jimmy has a towel and tells Jey he’s about to throw this in. Jey doesn’t need to prove himself to Roman! Jey tells Jimmy not to do it, Roman dares Jimmy to do it. Roman says Jimmy needs to bend the knee and tell Roman is the head of the family. That is how this ends. Jey tells Jimmy not to do anything. Jimmy is torn, but he does as Jey says. Roman says they’ve spent their whole lives together and yet Jimmy is gonna listen to Jey? Jimmy wants to throw in the towel, Jey tells him not to, and Roman drags Jey from the ropes for MORE forearms! And haymakers! Jimmy throws in the towel!!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by forfeit (still WWE Universal Champion)

But Roman refuses to stop! Jimmy gets in to shield his brother and tell Roman it’s enough! Is this how Roman wanted to win?! They’re supposed to be family! What is wrong with Roman!? “You the chief, man. You’re the Tribal Chief.” If that’s what Roman wants, then fine. Just leave Jey alone and cool off. Roman not only takes his title, but he takes the lei Jey came out with. Roman is still champion, and is now truly, in his mind, the Tribal Chief of the Anoa’i Family. If Roman brutalized blood, will he only be more merciless towards everyone else?


My Thoughts:

All things being what they are, Clash of Champions was great tonight! Yes, we all know about the COVID concerns in Florida right now, and clearly that hit WWE at a very bad time. We did not get the Women’s Tag Team Championships match, but Raw will address that. Granted, it felt like the Riott Squad was going to lose but hopefully this doesn’t ruin anyone’s chances at these titles. Even if it has to wait for Hell in a Cell, I think that’d be fine. Nikki Cross being out is also a shame, hopefully she (and Killian Dain for that matter, as he is her real-life husband) will be alright.

I imagine much of what we got out of the resulting Bayley VS Asuka match was the same, i.e. the disqualification and Sasha attacking. It’s fine for Sasha to get some retaliation, but I feel like they aren’t really selling her neck all that much by having her back again. Keep Sasha away until the Royal Rumble and she can win to go to WrestleMania. They took the slow burn approach this long, just keep doing it. Asuka of course won against Vega, but it was a good match for Vega. Vega faking Asuka out with the respectful bow was good, but I feel like they’ll just be having a non-title match to settle things from here. And while Retribution didn’t show tonight, I wonder if Mia Yim and Mercedes Martinez, or whatever their Retribution names are, get after Asuka to go for that title.

For that matter, no Retribution during the US Championship match seemed like a missed opportunity. Lashley and Apollo had a good match, and Lashley wins so I bet Dominik “T-Bar” Dijakovic takes him on in singles competition. Odd name and ruined gimmick aside, Lashley VS Dijakovic would be a great match, so long as it’s booked like it’s still Dijakovic. I liked the little bits of the WWE 24/7 Championship we got, including Truth becoming an old timey prospector just to sell the “gold rush” subtitle. Gulak got a quick reign, it’s a shame there wasn’t a third segment for him to get it back. The WWE Draft is coming back, though I REALLY don’t want it to, maybe Gulak and a few others end up on Raw to freshen up the 24/7 Championship scene since it seems just a USA Network thing right now.

The Triple Threat Ladder match opening was a good move, but WOW was it scary! I’m really surprised Hardy isn’t injured in some way, especially from that one particular ladder spot. I did like the creativity of the match, though, such as Sami cuffing people to things. I am also surprised Sami won, but in some way it makes sense, as now Sami gets to explore the midcard, which he didn’t get to do while staying healthy during the peak of pandemic. The SmackDown Tag Team Championship match was really good, and I’m more surprised that LHP didn’t fall apart. I wonder if Sami tries to reunite with Cesaro & Nakamura now that Sami is truly a champion. I wouldn’t mind a Six Man Tag of “Artist Collective” VS LHP and THAT is how LHP falls apart.

I honestly didn’t think Profits would win tonight, but I feel like there was an audible called after Garza went down. I hope his leg isn’t too messed up. There are only so many people on any show because of the many releases AND coronavirus concerns, and even then there are fewer tag teams right now. Ivar went down so Viking Raiders aren’t going to be active, AOP was let go because they kept getting hurt, and now Garza could be out. Almas could go to singles competition, and Almas VS Lashley would also be a great match, but who knows right now.

The top titles had great matches, too. I like that Orton’s victims came back. It didn’t really hurt McIntyre to me, because it’s just natural story that they’d want revenge. Maybe this is a way for Orton to stay away for a moment while Edge recovers, and they can both return to have their tiebreaker at Mania. And Roman VS Jey, incredible story telling! It had incredible pacing as it moved from chippy competition to a serious and even uncomfortable fighting. Roman demanding Jey admit who is in charge, Jey telling Jimmy to stay out of it but Jimmy throwing in the towel, all amazing stuff. It’s hard to comprehend how this storytelling is from the same people giving us the confusing mess that is Retribution. If anything, Retribution was left off tonight so no one could compare them side by side.

My Score: 8.7/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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