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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (9/16/20)

ALL HAIL THE PRINCE!

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NEW NXT Coverage

The NXT landscape could suddenly shift in one night!

Finn Balor is back on his throne as THE NXT Champion! But what’s next for his second reign? Plus, BOTH the North American and Tag Team Championships are on the line!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Io Shirai VS Shotzi Blackheart; Shirai wins.
  • Tommaso Ciampa VS Desmond Troy; Ciampa wins.
  • Austin Theory VS KUSHIDA; KUSHIDA wins.
  • NXT Tag Team Championships: Breezango VS Imperium; Breezango wins and retains the NXT Tag Team Championships.
  • Xia Li & Jessi Kamea VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Catanzaro & Carter win.
  • The Undisputed Era VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Dain & Maverick win, by disqualification.
  • NXT North American Championship: Damian Priest VS Timothy Thatcher; Priest wins and retains the NXT North American Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

Io Shirai VS Shotzi Blackheart!

The Robert Stone Brand tried to wreck the wild child’s ride, and crossed paths with the wrong Evil Genius! Shirai and Shotzi took the fight to Stone and Aliyah, but Shotzi playing around only made the NXT Women’s Champion turn focus all attention on her. Will Shotzi #TCB, Take Care o’ Business, and earn herself a shot at the title? Or will Shirai show it’s still 100 years too soon for Shotzi to defeat her?

The bell rings and the crowd is fired up already. Shotzi and Shirai circle but Shotzi offers a handshake. Shirai slaps the hand away and she ties up with Shotzi. Shotzi and Shirai go around, Shotzi arm-drags Shirai then boots, but Shirai deflects it. Shirai swings into a waistlock, Shotzi ducks the back hand to shove Shirai to ropes. Shirai comes back, Shotzi slides under the clothesline to howl at the moon! Things speed up again but Shotzi holds ropes to side step Shirai. Shirai falls back off the ropes, Shotzi goes for the legs but Shirai boots her away. Shotzi roll over Shirai to bring her up for a whip. Shirai handsprings back and the two stand off as the crowd fires up.

Shirai rushes Shotzi, Shotzi sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Shirai reverses rolls with the sweep, ONE! Shirai ghost pins, TWO! Shotzi kicks low, reels Shirai in for a powerbomb and jackknife covers, TWO! Shirai sunset flips and covers, TWO! Shirai wants the Rings of Saturn but Shotzi scrambles around to make it a cover, TWO! Shotzi runs Shirai over with a shoulder, arm scissors and rolls Shirai around to get the other arm! Shotzi tries for a recliner but Shirai resists. Shotzi clubs the shoulder as Shirai endures and reaches upside-down with legs. Shotzi keeps clubbing, Shirai keeps reaching, but Shotzi cranks back hard! Shirai kicks and flails and gets the ropebreak! Shotzi lets go fast as fans rally up.

Shotzi runs in but only gets buckles. Shirai runs in but is put on the apron. Shotzi ROCKS Shirai, runs but misses the dive! Shirai mule kicks and MOONSAULTS to take Shotzi down at the ramp! The crowd is thunderous as Shirai drags Shotzi back up. Shirai puts Shotzi in, covers, TWO! Fans sing for “IO~! Io, Io, Io~! Iooo~, Iooo~!” as NXT goes picture in picture.

Shotzi gets to ropes but Shirai stomps her to a corner. Shirai throws forearms and whips Shotzi corner to corner, but Shotzi reverses. Shotzi runs in, her monkey flip is blocked and Shirai puts her up top. Shotzi tries to boot but Shirai blocks it to YANK Shotzi off the top! Shotzi crashes down, Shirai handstands to drop knees hard! Cover, TWO! Shirai keeps her cool and might even be amused by Shotzi at this point. Shirai chokes Shotzi on the ropes but lets up at 4. Shotzi gets to another corner, Shirai snapmares her out and dropkicks her in the back! Shirai rear mounts to a camel clutch and sits deep on the hold!

Shotzi endures as Shirai pulls back hard. Shotzi gets an arm free, uses it to pray at the hold, but Shirai stomps her down! Shirai stalks Shotzi, drags her up and wrenches to reel her in for a cobra twist. Shirai digs her elbows into the ribs but Shotzi endures. Shotzi fights out of the hold but Shirai counters the hip toss to an arm-drag! Shirai elbows Shotzi in the corner, then comes back to throw heavy forearms again. Shirai keeps Shotzi from getting away and stomps her down! The ref counts, Shirai lets up at 4 and taunts Shotzi as Shotzi slowly stands. Shirai comes back to throw more forearms, then she brings Shotzi out, only for Shotzi to roll her up! TWO, and Shirai dropkicks Shotzi back to a corner!

Shirai swaggers over to CHOP Shotzi in the corner. And again! NXT returns to single picture as Shirai whips corner to corner. Shotzi goes up and over, rolls and comes back to shotgun dropkick Shirai in return! Shotzi hits a corner splash and fires off furious forearms! Shotzi pushes Shirai to hit a SLING DOG! The crowd fires up with Shotzi as she KICKS Shirai! Shirai blocks the rolling elbow, ROCKS Shotzi with a right, but Shotzi comes back with forearms of her own. The two trade forearms, and CHOPS, but Shirai gets the edge! Shirai fires up but Shotzi blocks the Shotei, only to miss the roundhouse. Shotzi blocks the boot, ducks the enziguri and reels Shirai into double chicken wings, but Shirai pops free to get the arm! Takedown to a CROSSFACE!

Shotzi endures as Shirai cranks back on the hold! Shotzi reaches around, kicks her legs, and gets a ropebreak with a foot! Shirai lets go and Shotzi leans on the ropes. Shirai runs but Shotzi ducks the tiger feint to ENZIGURI! And QUESTION MARK KICK! Shirai is on the ropes, Shotzi welcomes her to the BALL PIT! Shotzi fires up, drags Shirai up but Shirai grabs the ropes! Shotzi breaks one grip, then the other! Double chicken wings, for a TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!?! Shirai manages to tip over in time, but now Shotzi makes it CATTLE MUTILATION! Shirai endures, flails with arms and legs but she’s stuck in the middle of the ring! Shirai pushes up with her feet, rolls onto Shotzi for a cover, TWO!

Shotzi brings Shirai up to a fireman’s carry but Shirai fights out. Shirai shoves and FLAPJACKS Shotzi down! Shotzi flounders up, into the TIGER FEINT! Shirai climbs up top, aims at Shotzi, for the missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Shirai won’t slow down, she goes back up top, but Shotzi trips her up! Shotzi spins Shirai around, goes up top and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi can’t believe how close yet so far she is from defeating the champion! Shotzi puts Shirai in the drop zone, heads back up top, but Shirai SHOTEIS first! Shirai climbs up, throws forearms and then grabs a leg. Shotzi resists the superplex, clubs Shirai back and puts her down on the apron! Shotzi boots Shirai, hops on abut Shirai bucks her off! Shirai APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES Shotzi down!!

Both women are down but only Shirai is on the apron! Shotzi is dazed as she slowly stirs and is somehow still okay to continue! Shirai drags Shotzi up and in to finish this directly. Cover, TWO!! Shirai is frustrated that Shotzi survived, but Shotzi is in the corner, still dazed. Shirai runs corner to corner, SHINKANSEN! Then Shirai puts Shotzi back in the drop zone before going back up top. Shirai goes OVER THE MOON!! Cover, Shirai wins!!

Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall

The title wasn’t on the line but it might as well have been! Shotzi pushes Shirai to her limit, but she doesn’t tank the Evil Genius! And Shirai does show Shotzi respect after, so Shotzi won something tonight! Will Shotzi find another way to earn a championship opportunity?

 

Tommaso Ciampa reviews his own actions since his NXT return.

He lived up to the old “Psycho Killer” nickname as he brutalized and essentially sidelined Jake Atlas just because he could. Will he decide to do even worse to another opponent here tonight?

 

NXT returns with a huge announcement!

It seems Shotzi will have an opportunity at earning a title shot, but so will ten others! Shotzi joins Kacy Catanzaro, Kayden Carter, Xia Li, Indi Hartwell, Aliyah, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, Tegan Nox and Candice LeRae in a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal next week! Who punches their golden ticket to the coming TakeOver?

 

Tommaso Ciampa VS Desmond Troy!

The song says “No One Will Survive,” but hopefully for this young prospect, it won’t be the case. Will any mercy be shown by the even more sadistic Blackhearted Ciampa?

The bell rings and Ciampa stares at Troy. They tie up, #DesTroy gets Ciampa’s leg and powers him to ropes. The ref calls for the ropebreak, Ciampa says it’s clean, but then he KNEES Troy in the head! Not really clean at all, was it? Ciampa snapmares to a chinlock and he grinds Troy down into the mat. Troy endures, Ciampa moves around to drag Troy up for a cravat and another snapmare. Ciampa goes to stomp but Troy moves and rolls Ciampa up, ONE! Ciampa stands up but Troy dropkicks him! Troy whips Ciampa to a corner but Ciampa comes back with big forearms! Ciampa corner clotheslines hard, then stomps a mudhole into Troy!

The ref counts, Ciampa lets up at 4, but then grabs the legs for a bottom buckle catapult guillotine! Tory crawls to the apron, Ciampa grabs him and brings him through the ropes, for WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, Ciampa wins!

Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall

Ciampa mercifully won quickly, but that also changes quick as Ciampa gets a chair! But wait! Jake Atlas is back and he gets Ciampa’s attention! Atlas could’ve run down there to attack Ciampa from behind, but he’s not a coward. Atlas knows Ciampa is dangerous because Ciampa has been the top of the food chain. But Atlas says that next week, “It’s my turn to eat. And I’m going to show you just how dangerous I can be.” The challenge has been issued, and Ciampa’s grin is perhaps his acceptance. Will Atlas get revenge? Or just get hurt even worse than before?

 

NXT Media catches Drake Maverick as he arrives.

Tonight, he and Killian Dain team up to take on Undisputed Era. But Dain has shown very little interest teaming with Maverick or anyone, so what is the plan for the match? Maverick says they have a common enemy, so that will help them take care of business. Sure, Maverick hasn’t heard from Dain all week, and Dain has already punched Maverick in the face a few times… Well, other than that, Maverick is confident they’ll be fine. Will it be fine? Or will it be Undisputed?

 

NXT hears from Finn Balor.

“Finn Balor. Adam Cole. Everyone wanted to know, ‘Who is the greatest?'” Adam is Undisputed, but there’s only one Prince. The questions keep coming. “What’s it like to be champion four years apart? How is NXT different then versus now? How will this reign be different from the last?” In the past, Finn did media tours, autograph signings, public appearances. He built the brand, carried it, became it. “But the future is a lot different. I don’t need the brand. I made the brand. And now the brand needs me.” Balor as champion makes the NXT Championship the most important one.

It doesn’t matter what country, NXT UK Champion Walter. It doesn’t matter what brand, Raw’s WWE World Champion Drew McIntyre, and it doesn’t matter what night, SmackDown’s WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Balor has been fighting for 20 years to be champion, so now people need to fight to face the champion. Form a queue, because the line starts here. But some advice: look both ways before you cross The Prince.

 

Austin Theory heads to the ring.

#AllDay didn’t really lost that long against the Colossal Bronson Reed, but that ego is immortal. He gets a mic to say, “Let’s make one thing perfectly clear. Austin Theory is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. And Bronson Reed, I hate bringing you up, but last week was a fluke.” Theory will prove that as fact by issuing an OPEN CHALLENGE! Anybody in the back, this is YOUR opportunity to tell the world that you were able to step in the ring with Austin Theory. Who accepts? KUSHIDA! Will the Time Splitter cut #AllDay short, too?

Austin Theory VS KUSHIDA!

The second Kushida hits the ring, he enziguris Theory down! The ref hurries in but Theory bails out! Kushida eggs Theory on and Theory gets back in, only for Kushida to trip him up! The bell rings, Kushida is all over Theory but Theory tires to counter. Kushida gets the half hatch and grinds Theory down but Theory gets the ropebreak. The ref counts, Theory is furious but Kushida lets off. Kushida eggs Theory on again, then rams into him for a takedown! Kushida floats, grabs at the arm but Theory gets away from one armbar only for Kushida to go for another! Theory pushes Kushida to ropes and hangs him out to dry! Then he LARIATS Kushida down!

Theory rains down angry left hands and stomps Kushida hard. Theory has Kushida on the ropes with clubbing forearms but Kushida hits back. Theory ROCKS Kushida, snap suplexes him and covers, ONE! Theory is cocky as he pushes Kushida around. Theory drags Kushida up but Kushida throws big forearms! Theory knees low, hits a back breaker, then toys with Kushida. All Day Standing Moonsault misses, and Kushida Penalty Kicks the arm! Kushida has the crowd fired up as he KICKS the arm, whips and YANKS on the arm to then kick and whip again! Hip toss, handspring basement dropkick! Theory flounders but the crowd is fired up as Kushida hits the handspring heel kick!

Theory bails out, Kushida aims and slingshots but lands on his feet as Theory moves. Theory kicks and aims but his forearm gets POST! Kushida wrenches that arm, and gives it a BULLDOG! The ring count climbs as the crowd is thunderous and Kushida puts Theory in. Theory stalks Theory, grabs both arms, and gives Theory Danielson Stomps! Then he wrenches the arm to the HOVERBOARD! Theory taps, Kushida wins!

Winner: KUSHIDA, by submission

But Kushida doesn’t let go! What has gotten into him!? Velveteen Dream is perhaps to blame for unlocking this side in the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Will Dream return to face the consequences of his actions?

 

NXT returns to hear from Candice LeRae.

The Pint-Sized Poison Pixie vents in a selfie video about how Tegan Nox says Candice is the one that’s changed. But at least Candice changed for the better! She offered Tegan “the opportunity of a lifetime,” and how does Tegan repay her? Johnny Gargano says it’s by breaking their television! Johnny is furious that their four-year wedding anniversary now has to be spent watching NXT on the crappy TV the put in the guest bedroom. And there’s still spaghetti everywhere, by the way! What’re they going to do? Buy a new TV? He is! And Tegan will get the bill!

But moving on, Candice has heard about the NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal. The winner goes on to face Shirai at the next TakeOver. And guess who it’ll be? Candice! Also, Johnny found the most expensive flat screen he could: 100 inch, plasma screen, with 3D capabilities. Like looking into the sun! But it won’t be here for a few days, so they are still stuck watching “Crooked Tooth Thatcher versus Bootleg Slash for the North American Championship” on the bad TV. Luckily, it’s not in HD cuz those guys are oof. But after all this is said and done, Mr. and Mrs. Wrestling will have gold around their waists, will have the brand new TV, and will celebrate. Will the Garganos put their money where their mouths are soon enough?

 

NXT Tag Team Championships: Breezango VS Imperium!

Tyler Breeze and Fandango are back on the Fashion Force! Will they charge Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner with crimes against fashionability while keeping the tag titles under their custody? Or will the mat once again be sacred?

The introductions are made, but Imperium attack without hesitation! The ref tries to get peace but Breezango dump Imperium out of the ring! Things cool off long enough to have the teams sort out, and Aichner starts with Fandango. But Barthel blindsides Breeze at the bell! Aichner clubs Fandango down and this is already off to a one-sided start!

Aichner stomps away on Fandango at the ropes but lets off at the ref’s count. Aichner scoops Fandango to slam him down hard! The crowd rallies but Aichner pushes Fandango around. Tag to Barthel and Imperium drags Fandango up to mug him. Barthel bumps Fandango off buckles, ROCKS him with an uppercut, then stomps a mudhole in! The Impeccable German lets up at 4 but Fandango CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Barthel keeps Fandango from Breeze with a bump off buckles. Barthel rains down right hands then stomps Fandango. Barthel taunts Breeze but the ref keeps Breeze at his corner. Barthel kicks Fandango then scrapes his soles off Fandango’s face! And adds a basement uppercut!

Barthel kicks Fandango to the ropes. Fandango gets up and hits back but Barthel hits a jawbreaker! Fandango is on the ropes, Aichner tags in and he chokes Fandango! Aichner lets up at 4 then back suplexes Fandango high and hard! Aichner soaks up the heat as he poses, then kicks at Fandango. Aichner drags Fandango up to whip but Fandango BOOTS back! Fandango hits Barthel but walks into a LARIAT from Aichner! Cover, TWO! Aichner grows frustrated but Fandango is also angry. Aichner toys with Fandango, grinds him with a facelock then drags him to the Imperium corner. Barthel tags in, they mug Fandango again, then Barthel chinlocks to grind Fandango down again. Barthel elbows Fandango in the head then looms over him at the ropes.

Barthel pulls on Fandango’s ear and twists it, then brings him up to whip into a corner. Barthel hits a running EuroUpper, then a butterfly suplex! Cover, TWO! Fandango endures as Barthel puts him in a seated cobra twist, but Barthel stands him up for throat chops! Fandango ends up in the Imperium corner, Barthel digs his boots in then tags Aichner. The crowd rallies for Fandango and he fights back with forearms! Fandango runs but Aichner pushes him away, into Barthel’s BLINDSIDE EUROUPPER! Cover, TWO!! Aichner drags Fandango up and sticks him in the ropes. Tag to Barthel, Imperium hit the corner dropkick sandwich! Fandango is still stuck in enemy territory and the ropes as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Barthel grinds Fandango down with a chinlock. He also trapped an arm in a high keylock. Fandango still fights up, fights free, but Barthel shoves him. Fandango kicks back and heads for his corner, but Barthel reels him back in! Fandango elbows Barthel, Barthel flounders but Fandango slows down! Fandango crawls, Barthel waistlocks and brings him back, but Fandango throws more back elbows. Barthel ducks an elbow but gets a LARIAT! Hot tags to Breeze and Aichner! Prince Pretty dodges and rallies on the Pride of Italy! Mule kick and dropkick! Aichner flounders, the crowed is fired up and Breeze forearms in the corner! Aichner reverses a whip but Breeze kicks him back!

Breeze hits a body scissor takedown to get a KNEEBAR! Aichner flails, kicks, Breeze makes it a Half Crab! Barthel get sin, Breeze ducks him and Fandango dumps Barthel out! Breeze scoops Aichner, Aichner kicks and flails to turn it around! Aichner pops Breeze into a fireman’s carry for a rolling senton! Aichner hops up, Fandango is there but Aichner punches him away! Breeze tucks Aichner in for the CHEEKY NANDOS! Aichner flops down, Breeze covers, Barthel breaks it up! All four men are down but the crowd is still fired up! Breeze drags Aichner over and Fandango is there, but Aichner uses the catapult to DECK Fandango! Breeze rolls Aichner but Aichner rolls Breeze, TWO! DEAD LIFT but Breeze fights out and gets to a corner! Barthel attacks Breeze but Aichner BOOTS Fandango!

Barthel shoves Breeze off the top and Aichner catches him for a BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, Fandango breaks it!! The crowd is thunderous as Barthel whips Fandango but Fandango throws Barthel out! Fandango drags Breeze to the corner, tags in, and he dodges Aichner to crossbody Aichner and himself out! Fandango brawls with Imperium on the outside but that’s 2v1! Breeze is on the apron but Barthel shouts, “NEIN!” He throws Breeze to Aichner again but Fandango saves Breeze this time! SUPERKICK for Aichner! SUPERKICK for Barthel! Fandango puts Aichner in, he climbs up top and aims, SUPER LEG DROP FLOPS!! Barthel PENALTY KICKS Fandango, Aichner dead lift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!!

Imperium is furious that the Lord of the Dance lives! Aichner kicks Fandango around, eggs him on, but Fandango CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Fandango whips Aichner corner to corner and runs for a TORNADO DDT! Both men are down, the crowd is thunderous, and hot tags to Barthel and Breeze! Breeze rallies on Barthel with forearms but Barthel dodges to uppercut back! Barthel runs into an enziguri! Aichner tags in, Barthel dodges Breeze and Aichner SPINE BUSTERS! PENALTY KICK! Imperium coordinates at the corner, EURO- NO! Fandango dropkicks Aichner and this sends him and Breeze towards Barthel! Breeze shoves Barthel down, huricanrana takeover to a cover, BREEZANGO WINS!!

Winners: Breezango, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

The Fashion Police win by the seat of their fashionable spandex pants! But now they’ve proven that you have to take them seriously in the ring! Will Barthel and Aichner feel like the butt of the joke when they reunite with the rest of Imperium?

 

Xia Li & Jessi Kamea VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!

It’s time to get spicy in the NXT Women’s Division as a new combination takes on the dynamic duo of KC Squared! Xia, Kacy and Kayden are part of the #1 contender’s battle royal next week, but can one of these teams show NXT is still in the running for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships?

The teams sort out and Kayden starts with Xia. They tie up, Kayden gets the arm, wrenches to a wristlock, but Xia spins through to get a headlock. Xia wrenches, Kayden rolls and uses the ropes to roll back to wrench back. Xia breaks free, boots but misses and Kayden arm-drags Xia down! Kayden keeps on the arm, shifts to a facelock, and tags in Kacy. KC and KC double whip, trip Xia up, basement dropkick and slingshot senton! Cover, TWO! Kacy keeps on Xia, Kayden tags back in, and they double snapmare to a ghost pin, TWO! Kayden drags Xia around by the arm, Xia reaches for Jessi but Kayden keeps her away. Xia knees low, whips Kayden to ropes and runs her over with an elbow!

Tag to Jessi and she runs into an arm-drag! Kayden grinds on the arm, Kacy tags in, and KC Squared double wrench, double trip and double elbow and kick! Cover, TWO! Kacy keeps on Jessi but Jessi clobbers her! Being the tallest woman in the match pays off there! Jessi tags out to Xia, Xia kicks but Kacy throws body shots. Xia clubs Kacy, bumps her off buckles and CHOPS her down! Xia fires up to throw big knees and then a back kick! Cover, TWO! Tag to Jessi, Jessi drags Kacy up to whip to the corner. Jessi hits a big leaping forearm, then snapmares to a straitjacket stretch! Jessi thrashes Kacy around, whips her to a corner, but runs into a boot. Kacy dodges the leap and this time Jessi gets buckles! Hot tags to Xia and Kayden!

Kayden rallies with fast hands on Xia, forearms and CHOPS over and over! Kayden has Xia on the ropes but Xia pushes her away, only for Kayden to dropkick Xia down! Kayden drags Xia up, whips but Xia reverses. Kayden wheelbarrows and victory rolls to basement SUPERKICK! Jessi runs in, to get a SUPERKICK! Kayden tags Kacy, and KC Squared coordinate, BICYCLE BOOT CRUCIFIX DRIVER! With a jackknife cover on top, KC Squared wins!

Winners: Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter, by pinfall

KC and KC are an incredible combination! But they show sportsmanship with fist bumps, but Xia isn’t for it? Well, perhaps Xia is more focused on that singles title opportunity coming up. Will Xia be able to rebound and earn a shot at the title?

 

Drake Maverick finds Killian Dain backstage.

“Ah, there you are! I’ve been looking for you all day! Ready?” For what? The tag match, remember? They’re up next. Dain told Maverick already that they’re not friends or tag partners. Maverick is going out there alone, so good luck. Oh. Well see you out there. Is Big Damo really going to leave Rockstar Spud all alone against the Undisputed Era? We’ll find out after the break.

 

NXT returns with Tegan’s response to Candice.

“Candice, if you wanna tell yourself that I changed to make yourself feel better, then do what you gotta do. Go right ahead.” But at the end of the day, Tegan knows the truth. The Candice she knew wouldn’t watch her best friend be put through a table. The Candice Tegan knew wouldn’t listen to her husband’s constant complaining and whining about the television Candice broke throwing something, just so they could watch themselves lose every week. But where Candice wanted a lackey, Tegan wants her friend back. Neither thing happened. Just like Candice winning the battle royal isn’t happening, because it’ll be Tegan. But the best part of next week will be seeing the look on Candice’s face when Tegan wins. And as for Shirai, “This time, everything is different.” Will the Shiniest Wizard shine even brighter on the road to TakeOver?

 

The Undisputed Era VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!

Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish were the aggressors in beating down the Belfast Beast and unwavering underdog, but now might have to face the consequences. That is, if Dain gets in the match. Dain doesn’t make his entrance and it seems Maverick really is in this all alone. Does Maverick stand a chance 2v1 against the Savior of the Backbreaker and the Infamous One?

The team sorts out and Fish starts against Maverick. They circle, Strong sneaks in but slips out before Maverick can get to him. Fish powers Maverick to the corner, Strong tags in, but Maverick fights back! That’s still 2v1 and Strong stomps Maverick down. Strong clubs Maverick, CHOPS him, and says “You made a BIG mistake!” Strong whips corner to corner, Maverick goes up but Strong avoids the over and CLUBS Maverick back down. Strong CHOPS Maverick, follows him to the corner and whips him corner to corner. Maverick dodges and Strong knees buckles! Maverick fires off CHOPS and haymakers and rocks Strong! Strong reverses the whip, falls for the up and over this time, but BOOTS Maverick down!

Fish tags in and talks smack on Maverick as he stalks him to ropes. Fish drags Maverick up, Maverick throws haymakers! Maverick dropkicks a leg out and Fish falls into buckles! Maverick knees Fish in the back! Maverick hops up, leaps and missile dropkicks Fish down! Cover, TWO! Maverick swipes at Strong but Fish clobbers him from behind! Fish drags Maverick around, headlocks and Strong tags in. Fish throws knees, forearms and then kicks but Maverick gets under! Maverick chops, boots and bulldogs, but runs into Strong’s cradle BACKBREAKER! Dain is watching backstage with NXT officials and staff, and chuckles at Maverick’s seemingly foolish bravado.

Strong gets in Maverick’s face, “HOW DOES THAT FEEL?” Half nelson urenage BACKBREAKER! Strong covers, TWO!! But Strong keeps on Maverick with a facelock, shifts to a chinlock and digs a knee into Maverick’s back. Maverick endures, the crowd rallies up, and Maverick powers up to throw body shots! Maverick backs Strong down, rams him into a corner over and over but lets up at the ref’s count. Strong comes back with another BACKBEAKER! Dain is still amused seeing this as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns, Fish KICKS Maverick’s leg out! Fish throws big forearms while William Regal finds Dain backstage. Regal can’t believe Dain is letting this happen to his tag team partner. Dain says he never signed up for a match. Strong tags in and CHOPS Maverick in the back! Regal stares Dain down, and Dain reluctantly goes to gorilla. Strong CHOPS, Maverick CHOPS, but Strong dropkicks him down! Strong tags Fish back in, the UE drags Maverick up and they mug him before throwing him out of the ring! The crowd boos, but here comes Dain! Dain picks Maverick up, puts him back in the ring, and says, “If you lose, take it like a man.” There, Dain helped Maverick. The UE thinks that’s actually rather funny.

Strong makes the mistake of talking trash, calling Dain a “fat dork.” Dain won’t stand for being called fat, but the UE throw Maverick at him! Dain dodges that, grabs Fish and yanks him into the ropes! And out of the ring! Dain gets in, Strong is right after him but Dain tosses him! Dain CLOBBERS Strong, DECKS Fish, then CLOBBERS Strong again! Dain fires off body shots on Strong, the ref tries to stop him since he isn’t even the legal man, but Dain lets up at 4. But then Fish uses a chair on Dain!

Winners: Drake Maverick & Killian Dain, by disqualification

Fish just gave them the match! And Maverick saves Dain from another chair shot by taking the chair from Fish! Fish glares at Maverick but Maverick points behind him. Fish turns around into a BOOT! Dain drags Strong up, and Maverick holds the ropes down as Dain throws Strong out! Maverick is fired up and eggs the UE on! Dain and Maverick still win as a team, and Maverick is way too fired up. He pushes Dain and Dain DECKS him! Team? Maybe. Friends? Not even close. But will Maverick’s perseverance and determination get through to the Belfast Beast?

 

NXT Media catches up with Jake Atlas.

He returned tonight to issue the challenge to Ciampa, and now he has a match. Can he take us through the thought process of this bold move? “Damn right, it’s a bold move.” When he was in the ring with Ciampa, he was excited for that opportunity. But after what Ciampa did to him, Atlas wanted to go out there and show Ciampa lit a fire under him. But now Ciampa attacks from behind!! Ciampa shouts, “You wanna eat at MY table, boy!?” Ciampa throws Atlas into the side of a production truck! And then KICKS him in the ribs!

Security and crew hurry over, and Kyle O’Reilly is the one to ask Ciampa, “What’s your freakin’ problem, man?!” This is the parking lot! You have a match with him, so save it! Ciampa tells Atlas he’ll be seeing him next week. And maybe Kyle, too. Ciampa waves bye, but will Atlas be in any shape for that revenge match?

 

NXT returns to a message from General Manager, William Regal.

“This is an exciting and unique time in NXT. Over the past few weeks, four former NXT Champions have had the opportunity to win the title. And we have crowned a new NXT Champion, in the Prince, Finn Balor.” Now it is time to determine a contender. Given the incredible depth of the roster, it has been decided that FIVE equally deserving competitors will get their opportunity. The Velveteen Dream, Bronson Reed, Kushida, Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, Cameron Grimes, and NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar are all eligible for the first-ever Gauntlet Eliminator!

Two men will start, and every four minutes, another will enter. The only way to be eliminated is by pinfall or submission! And the last man left will be THE #1 Contender and face Balor for the title at TakeOver, 10/4/2020! Regal wishes all the competitors the best of luck!

 

NXT North American Championship: Damian Priest VS Timothy Thatcher!

The Archer of Infamy still wants to #LiveForever, and holding onto this championship in his first defense would go a long way towards that. Will Priest keep the party going forever? Or is the Professor of Pain going to end all of that by taking Priest to school?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this main event of pain and punishment begins!

Thatcher and Priest circle, tie up, and Thatcher gets a cording hold on the arm. Priest endures, powers up but Thatcher knees low and cranks on adding a half nelson to the hold. Priest throws body shots, Thatcher knees again, but Priest keeps trying. Thatcher shifts to a headlock, Priest powers him off and then arm-drags him around! Thatcher sits up and Priest smirks as Thatcher has to back off to a corner. The crowd is fired up as the two reset. They tie up, Priest headlocks now, shifts to the other side, hammerlocks and rolls Thatcher up, ONE! Priest arm-drags Thatcher and clamps on this time for an armlock of his own!

Thatcher gets up, grinds his forearm into Priest’s face, and chinbars Priest around to get a headlock. Priest endures the grind, Thatcher hits the takeover, but Priest keeps his shoulders up. Priest moves around, gets to his feet, and pushes Thatcher to ropes. Priest powers out, Thatcher bumps shoulders but Priest rebounds to run him over! The crowd is fired up as Thatcher gets o to EuroUpper hard! Priest throws a big forearm, but Thatcher manages to block it! Priest shakes out his arm, throws another forearm shot, but still has to shake his arm out. Priest runs at Thatcher but is put on the apron. Thatcher runs into a ROUNDHOUSE! Priest climbs the ropes, but Thatcher EuroUppers Priest down!

Priest goes to the ramp and checks his teeth but Thatcher pursues. Priest mule kicks, throws more forearms but it continues to be double-edged. Priest reels Thatcher in, Thatcher resists the bomb lift, and then Thatcher RAMS Priest into steel steps! Thatcher uses a butterfly suplex to the floor! Priest writhes, the ring count climbs, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Thatcher refreshes the count to keep this going, and he drags Priest up. Thatcher puts Priest in, stalks behind him, and clamps on to drive in a knee! Thatcher wants after the left arm with the double wristlock but Priest resists. Priest clasps hands, Thatcher uses both arms to pull at the grip, and the two stand up. Thatcher throws more EuroUppers, Priest ROCKS him with a jab! Thatcher gets the foot, trips Priest and goes after the arms! Priest clasps hands again, but Thatcher digs a forearm into Priest’s chin. The two get up again, Thatcher knees low and pushes Priest to a corner. Priest boots Thatcher away, knees him low, then throws haymakers! Priest fires off on Thatcher, the ref backs him off but Priest comes back to drag Thatcher up.

Priest whips Thatcher corner to corner hard, then runs in, only for Thatcher to uppercut his back elbow away! Thatcher belly2belly suplexes Priest down! Cover, TWO! Thatcher doesn’t waste time being upset, he just goes for the half nelson. Thatcher has Priest in a modified twist but Priest tries to fish hook him. Thatcher shakes that off, Priest hammers away with is one arm, but Thatcher gets the leg for a cover, TWO! Thatcher still has the modified hold, and even smothers Priest’s face! The ref counts, Thatcher stops but continues to crank to a cover. TWO but Priest is still stuck. Thatcher knees Priest in the side, covers, ONE!

The crowd rallies for Priest as Thatcher brings him up for another EuroUpper. Priest fires body shots and backs Thatcher down! Thatcher grabs Priest by the face and SLAPS him! Priest staggers but is seething now! Thatcher glares, Priest glares, and Thatcher grabs Priest by the face again! Priest forearms Thatcher’s arm away! Priest counter punches Thatcher in his other arm! Priest fires off kick after kick and DECKS Thatcher! Thatcher gets up, Priest powers up and CLOBBERS him! The crowd is thunderous as Priest fires himself up in a corner. Priest tunes up the band as it were, aims at Thatcher and runs, FLYING BACK ELBOW! Priest suplex TOSSES Thatcher into the Falcon Arrow! Cover, TWO!!

Priest keeps his focus as he watches Thatcher sit up. Priest choke grips but Thatcher grabs it! Thatcher tries to wrangle Priest down, but Priest rolls and gets up to JUMPING ROUNDHOUSE! Thatcher wobbles, Priest ROUNDHOUSES him again! Priest aims as Thatcher rises, springboard but Thatcher dodges the senton! Studying film pays off, and Thatcher wants the arm! Priest resists, Thatcher uses legs for leverage but Priest gets up to his feet. Thatcher knee slow, throws forearms and uppercuts, but Priest gives forearms and knees in return! And kicks and another BIG forearm! Thatcher wobbles again, Priest kicks but Thatcher blocks! Priest JABS but Thatcher withstands it! Thatcher sweeps the leg, shifts, heel hook!

Priest endures, boots with his good leg and is free. Priest is up, but Thatcher wants the other leg again! Thatcher gets Priest down again, kicks away on Priest’s back and has the Half Crab! It’s in deep, but Priest refuses to quit! Priest powers up, reaches, turns over and KICKS Thatcher away! Thatcher wobbles but hurries after, only to get an elbow! Priest swings into the FUJIWARA!! Thatcher cranks back hard as he can, Priest bites his fingers to ignore his bad arm, and uses his legs to get the ROPEBREAK! Thatcher holds on until 3, but grimaces as Priest survives. Thatcher drags Priest up, underhooks both arms, but Priest slips out to choke grip! But that arm is in no shape to lift, and Thatcher choke grips back! But Priest ducks the slap to COMPLETE SHOT!!

Priest gets up, aims and uses both hands to SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!?! Thatcher survives but “This is Awesome!” Priest uses his good arm to drag Thatcher up, but Thatcher goes after it, too! Thatcher tries to drag Priest down, Priest hops over to the other side and SPINNING ROUNDHOUSES Thatcher! Priest hurries as Thatcher wobbles, TOP ROPE WINDMILL KICK! Priest roar,s dragon sleeper, RECKONING!! Cover, Priest wins!!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

The Archer of Infamy survives the painful precision and focused aggression to live on as champion! But with TakeOver on the horizon, who will take aim at his title reign next?


My Thoughts:

A great NXT with a lot set up for the road to TakeOver 31, which has yet to be given any special name since it’ll probably just be in Full Sail again. I would love if NXT got to be in the ThunderDome just once while WWE is using it, so maybe they’ll think about it? Opening with Shirai VS Shotzi was great, as it was an incredible match, especially for Shotzi. The #1 Contender’s Battle Royal next week doesn’t have a very big field, but it is hard to say who wins it. Tegan and Candice, with Johnny, had great promos tonight, but this all clearly means they’re not winning, so that TakeOver can be their grudge match. Rhea Ripley might win it, with her big win over Mercedes Martinez last week possibly signaling the end of that feud. At the same time, Aliyah is in the match so Robert Stone Brand might still come back around.

I’m thinking Raquel Gonzalez wins, for similar reasons to why I thought she would get the nod a few weeks ago. Sure, Dakota Kai is in there and the match can be booked to where she and Raquel work together, but there could come a point where Dakota is eliminated and Raquel can actually think about her own opportunities for once. Kacy and Kayden had a good match with Xia and Jessi, though I think that combo finisher needs some work. Kacy’s running boot isn’t enough to kick start the crucifix takedown, maybe try a shotgun dropkick instead. As much as I would like NXT to actually be included in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship scene, it feels like WWE doesn’t care to try. Of course, I don’t think KC Squared would win right now with Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax as champs, Nia could pick up both KC and KC and Samoan Drop them at the same time.

Ciampa obviously wins tonight, and I’m surprised Altas is back already. Ciampa’s attack on Atlas in the parking lot being interrupted by Kyle O’Reilly is interesting. I’m again intrigued by how Kyle is slowly turning Face while Strong and Fish are staying firmly Heel. Maverick gets a lot of Face points for facing Fish and Strong alone, and Dain reluctantly helping him is a good touch to the story. I do like that they’re taking it a bit slowly, and I’m sure at some point, Dain at least tolerates Maverick being around. The tag title match was great stuff, especially for Breezango, but as I said before, it just makes sense Breezango wins. NXT UK is coming back, so Imperium will regroup to focus on taking that brand over.

Speaking of NXT UK, I like that Balor’s promo was done to include Walter. The inclusion of Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre was also a good tease to suggest both they and Balor are going to be the top champions come Survivor Series, should we get another Triple Brand Warfare. I sure hope so, because that would be a great match, and maybe Walter shows up to get in Balor’s face at some point so that we can finally see that match happen. Also, Regal’s idea for the men’s contender’s match is basically Lucha Underground’s Aztec Warfare, but with far less entrants. Either way, that field shown was a great one, but I don’t see the Undisputed Era guys, Kushida or Dream winning. Kushida’s new edge is great, as he showed with Theory, but Kushida VS Dream is definitely going to be another TakeOver grudge match.

Depending on what Escobar’s plans looks like, I wouldn’t mind seeing him and Balor have a match. Best possible version is Winner Takes All, Balor gets to be Cruiserweight Champion at the same time as NXT Champion for his own bit of unique history. But that might also be unfair to the Cruiserweight Division as a whole, given WWE barely tries with it anymore as it is. And Priest VS Thatcher was also incredible stuff, especially with Priest lowkey swerving Thatcher on his game plan. Priest did use a lot of strikes, but he also did very well keeping up with Thatcher’s technical style. Priest definitely needed to retain, or else all the build for him would’ve been for nothing. There’s a good chance that whoever doesn’t win the Gauntlet Eliminator gets a chance at being Priest’s TakeOver opponent.

My Score: 9.2/10


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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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