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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (10/21/20)

Countdown to Halloween Havoc!

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NEW NXT Coverage

NXT is stocking up on tag team action tonight!

Tonight, Breezango defend their NXT Tag Team Championships against Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish! Will it be the Second Coming of the Golden Prophecy?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • KUSHIDA VS The Velveteen Dream VS Tommaso Ciampa; Kushida wins.
  • Ember Moon VS Jessi Kamea; Moon wins.
  • Austin Theory VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins.
  • Austin Theory VS Bronson Reed again; Reed wins, again.
  • Six Man Tag: El Legado del Fantasma VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Jake Atlas; El Legado wins.
  • Killian Dain & Drake Maverick VS Ever-Rise; Ever-Rise wins, by disqualification.
  • Xia Li VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter; Catanzaro wins.
  • Timothy Thatcher VS Anthony Greene; Thatcher wins.
  • NXT Tag Team Championships: Breezango VS The Undisputed Era Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch; Lorcan & Burch win and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

KUSHIDA VS The Velveteen Dream!

The Time Splitter doesn’t want to wait, he wants his TakeOver rematch with the Experience NOW! Kushida won then, will he win again? Or has Dream learned to be more serious with the Super Junior that broke his arm?

Wait a minute! The Psycho Killer attacks Dream as he makes his entrance! Dream made the mistake of interfering with Kushida VS Ciampa and now he’s paying for it! Ciampa punches Dream down the ramp then throws him into the Plexiglas! Dream flounders but Ciampa throws him into more boards! And then into the ring! Kushida DECKS Dream, and turns out this is a TRIPLE THREAT!

KUSHIDA VS The Velveteen Dream VS Tommaso Ciampa!

Well, Dream is paying double for what he’s done! Will it be Kushida or Ciampa that gets their revenge first?

Ciampa and Kushida take turns punching Dream around the ring, then they throw Dream out hard! Kushida and Ciampa settle things with each other as they trade hands, but Ciampa kicks and punches back. Ciampa whips, Kushida ducks and dodges to handspring Dream back down! Ciampa goes out after Dream by ramming him into more Plexiglas! Kushida goes out to go after Ciampa, but Ciampa whips him into Plexiglas, too! “This is MY home!” The fans here at the Capitol Wrestling Center are thunderous as they agree! Ciampa kicks Dream, and SLAMS the bad hand off the announce desk! Ciampa throws Dream into more Plexiglas, then runs to PSYCHO KNEE Kushida! He comes back to KNEE Dream! Ciampa is fired up and the fans fire up with him!

Ciampa finally throws off the shirt, drags Dream up and puts him in the ring. Dream runs, Ciampa ducks so Dream hurdles him and then ducks Kushida’s clothesline. Dream comes back, Kushida hip tosses Dream! Ciampa hip tosses Kushida but Kushida handsprings through only for Ciampa to DECK him! Ciampa stomps Dream and stands on the bad hand! Ciampa STOMPS the cast! Dream backs off, Kushida runs in but is sent into Dream but Kushida forearms Dream first. Also, apparently Dream’s shirt has anime girl eyes on it? Ciampa runs but into Kushida’s COMPLETE SHOT into Dream’s Experience! Kushida rolls Ciampa up, TWO! Kushida stays on Ciampa with a wrench and elbows. Kushida whips, Ciampa grabs him for a facelock but Kushida fights through to get the arm!

Ciampa knees low and hard, then drags Kushida up. Dream reaches for Kushida through ropes, Ciampa drags Kushida until Dream is the one draped on the ropes! CHAIN WILLOW’S BELL! Ciampa covers Dream, TWO! He covers Kushida, TWO! Fans rally up behind Ciampa as he stomps Kushida to a corner. Ciampa stomps a mudhole into Kushida, then goes to Dream. Ciampa wrenches the bad arm and gives it a YANK! And then he CLUBS the elbow! Ciampa stands on the bad arm and drops knees on it! Dream writhes but Ciampa goes after Kushida. Ciampa CHOPS Kushida in the corner, whips him corner to corner but Kushida reverses and throws a big back elbow! Kushida drags Ciampa up, wrenches, but Ciampa hooks the ropes! Kushida keeps pulling but Ciampa rakes Kushida’s eyes!

The ref reprimands but Dream covers Kushida! ONE, Ciampa DECKS Dream! Ciampa drags Dream around, Kushida gets up, snap suplex for Dream! Ciampa drags Kushida up, wrenches and grinds the shoulder then chinbars. Kushida endures, fans rally up and Ciampa cranks on the hold. Kushida fights up, fights out and throws haymakers! Kushida whips, Ciampa reverses but Kushida sunset flips! Cover, TWO! Ciampa gets to a corner, Kushida is after him but Dream adds on. Dream CLUBS Kushida and ROCKS Ciampa! Dream stomps Kushida down, shows off the cast that’s falling apart and fans jeer with, “Dream Sucks!” Dream whips Kushida into Ciampa then poses before running into a BIG forearm from Ciampa! Ciampa CHOPS Dream, ROCKS Kushida, then puts them in the same corner.

Ciampa CHOPS Kushida but Dream feels the impact, too! Then Ciampa CHOPS Dream directly! Ciampa CHOPS Kushida again, CHOPS Dream again, repeat! Dream hits back but Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Dream tries to guard but Ciampa just CHOPS away on his arms! Fans fire up with Ciampa as he drags Kushida back up. Kushida blocks the chop, spins Ciampa and CHOPS away! And KICKS! Kushida whips, Ciampa reverses, Kushida handsprings but Dream helps Ciampa catch Kushida for a double back suplex! Kushida lands on his feet to FAST BALL Ciampa! Dream BOOTS Kushida then tries again but Kushida blocks! Kushida spins Dream, Dream fireman’s carries, DREAM VALLEY! Ciampa KNEES Dream out of the ring! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Kushida fights out of a headlock with elbows, only for Ciampa to throat chop him! The fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” as Ciampa shoves and ROCKS Kushida at the ropes. Kushida boots back and ends up on the apron! He enziguris Ciampa away then jumps Dream’s sweep! SEATED SENTON! Kushida rains down rights and gets an ARMBAR! Dream taps but it doesn’t matter on the outside! Ciampa stomps away on both Dream and Kushida! Fans are thunderous again as Ciampa drags Kushida up. Kushida turns things around and throws Ciampa at boards, but Ciampa stops himself! Ciampa swings into the Fujiwara BULLDOG! Ciampa clutches the arm, Kushida puts him in the ring and PENALTY KICKS the arm! Then whips Ciampa for a hip toss INTO ARMBAR!!

Ciampa endures, clasps hands, Dream  PURPLE RAIN MAKERS!! All three men are down again but Dream flounders to a cover, Ciampa breaks it!! Dream tried dropping in but it didn’t work out! Kushida flounders away so Ciampa ROCKS Dream! Dream rebounds off ropes to hit back, but Ciampa wobbles and comes back to hit again. Dream gets up, Ciampa kicks low and reel shim in to underhooks. Dream slips out, the ref almost ends up a casualty and Ciampa rolls Dream up! WITH TIGHTS! TWO!! Ciampa argues but Dream SUPERKICKS! fireman’s carry, DREAM VALLEY! It took a lot out of Dream to do that but he covers, Kushida breaks it! Fans are loving this as all three men reset!

Dream soaks up the heat as he swivels his hips. Dream tells Ciampa and Kushida that “The future is not yours! The future belongs to The Dream.” Dream swivels his hips more, but Ciampa CHOPS him! Kushida KICKS the bad arm! CHOP! KICK! Ciampa forearms Kushida, Kushida FAST BALLS! Kushida KICKS Dream, dodges Ciampa and Ciampa BOOTS Dream! Kushida throw’s Ciampa out hard, then FLIES out onto Dream! Kushida gets back in and FLIES out onto Ciampa! Kushida is back in and fans are thunderous again as Kushida again FLIES onto Dream! Ciampa gets in, gets Kushida, WILLOW’S BELL!! Ciampa keeps going, drags Kushida up, underhooks, but Dream SUPERKICKS! Dream fireman’s carries, Kushida crucifix takedown, TWO!! Kushida BOOTS Dream out, Ciampa CLOBBERS Kushida!

Ciampa drags Kushida up once again but has to get Dream first! Dream escapes the DDT so Ciampa kicks away. Kushida runs in, Ciampa switches on the O’Conner roll, TWO and into Dream’s CAST PUNCH! Kushida drags Ciampa up, DEAD LIFT GERMAN! Bridging cover, KUSHIDA WINS!

Winner: KUSHIDA, by pinfall

An incredible match that was fast, furious and everything in between! Is this going to be the beginning to the Time Splitter’s time?

 

The Undisputed Era speaks.

Adam Cole is via Zoom as he says, “Boys and girls, the past couple of weeks, the Undisputed Era, we’ve hit some roadblocks.” But tonight, that will change. As we all know, Cole is still out but is getting better every single day. That is bad news for anyone not in the Undisputed Era. As for tonight, Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish will succeed in bringing back the NXT Tag Team Champions. That’s right! Kyle O’Reilly says that when they first talked about the Golden Prophecy, “believe it or not, there were doubters. But look at us now. We’ve accomplished all that and more.” Fish says of course! And speaking of tonight, Breezango is one heck of a team, but c’mon. Do they stand a chance against Roddy and him? Strong says absolutely not! Tonight, the NXT Tag Team titles come back to where they belong, courtesy of the Rod ‘n’ Bob Express. Choo choo! And THAT is Undisputed.

 

NXT has some Halloween Havoc news!

On top of #SpintheWheelMakeaDeal determining what stipulations BOTH the NXT North American and NXT Women’s Championships will be fought under, and on top of Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez in a battle of alpha females, there will be Cameron Grimes VS Dexter Lumis in a HAUNTED HOUSE OF TERROR match! Just what spooky scary stipulations will this match have in store for the Technical Savage and the Tortured Artist?

 

NXT profiles The Aussie Nightmare, Rhea Ripley!

The only woman to have been NXT and NXT UK Women’s Champion in her career, Rhea is “sick and tired of all these daydreamers. This is my division now, and the Nightmare is just beginning.” She has dominated on both sides of the Atlantic, and took down all the women in NXT who thought they could take her out. “And I have brutalized every single one of them.” But that level of attitude and aggression invites even more challengers, and the Daughter of the Desperado is taking her shot. Raquel says SHE is the biggest and the baddest woman in the business today. They wanted to throw down in the Performance Center, but they’re going to have this out in the ring! Rhea isn’t afraid of a fight. Halloween Havoc will make a nightmare into reality, but for who?

 

Ember Moon VS Jessi Kamea!

The Shenom is back and is more than happy to start from scratch in the rankings. It’s a long road to the NXT Women’s Championship, will Ember’s Law be upheld tonight?

The bell rings and Ember circles with Jessi. They tie up, are in a deadlock, so Ember arm-drags Jessi down and gets in her face. Jessi sits up, Ember eggs her on, then Ember sweeps the legs! Ember pats Jessi on the head but Jessi gets up to hip toss her down! Ember gets up, Jessi dodges and does the splits to duck! Jessi runs to EuroUpper Ember down! Cover, ONE! Jessi cravats Ember, cranks on the neck, but Ember handsprings through the snapmare! Fans cheer the exchange and Ember gets attitude. Ember dodges and shotgun dropkicks Jessi! Then mule kick to front KICK! Jessi is down, Ember runs to STOMP her down! Ember walks all over Jessi before hitting a standing moonsault! Cover, TWO!

Ember keeps on Jessi with a crossface! Jessi reaches, drags herself forward but Ember taunts her. Ember cranks back, pulls Jessi from ropes, but Jessi rolls to a cover, TWO! Ember stomps Jessi down again but Jessi uses her long legs to kick back. Ember kicks and kicks, then gets those legs. Jessi keeps kicking but Ember wrenches to an ANKLE LOCK, with a deep lean like a Half Crab! Jessi endures this scorpion style hold and she drags herself towards ropes. Jessi rolls and sends Ember into buckles! Ember comes back but the back senton flops as Jessi evades! Jessi dodges again, runs back in for a LEAPING forearm smash! Jessi brings Ember out as she runs, SPINNING HEEL KICK! Ember is down, Jessi springboards to elbow drop! Cover, TWO!! Ember survives and Jessi can’t believe it! She almost beat a former NXT Women’s Champion!

Ember rises as the fans rally. Jessi whips but Ember blocks! Jessi tries again and sends Ember to a corner but Ember goes up and flies back for a CODE BREAKER! Ember has the legs, ties them up and turns Jessi over, Queen Angelito with some hair pulling into a chinlock! Jessi taps, Ember wins!

Winner: Ember Moon, by submission

That’s the first time the Prophecy of Flame won with a submission, and it definitely impressed! Whatever Ember calls that, will she be telling us all she was right to come back? But wait, someone trips Ember up and drags her out! It’s Dakota Kai, coming back for revenge! Dakota BOOTS Ember on the apron! Dakota was Eclipsed in that tag match last week, and she is pissed! “If you think you can just use me to get yourself back in the spotlight, think again!” Dakota counters Ember’s Law with an ultimatum! Will #CobraKai strike down Ember Moon before she has a chance to shine?

 

Something’s happened backstage!

Roderick Strong and NXT officials have found Bobby Fish down in a hallway! Fish insists he’s fine but he can barely stand! Kyle helps Strong get Fish up. Fish says someone blindsided him and went after his leg. And this, on the night of their NXT Tag Team Championship match! Could this be related to Ridge Holland’s attack on Adam Cole? Who is trying to eliminate the Undisputed Era?

 

Austin Theory VS Bronson Reed!

“The Real Superstar” says he can go #AllDay, but all he’s been doing lately is losing. Will that change or remain the same against the COLOSSAL One?

The bell rings and and Theory gets around Reed to shove him. Reed storms up on Theory and he goes to a corner, but the ref counts. Reed drags Theory out of the corner but Theory gets around to headlock. NXT patches in Mackenzie Mitchell with a quick update on Bobby Fish. Fish is on his way to a local hospital for an MRI on his knee. Therefore, Breezango won’t be facing Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish, but Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly, who was confirmed medically cleared this morning. Will the combination of O’Reilly and Strong once again hold gold together?

As for the match, Reed powers out of Theory’s headlock, Theory leaps but BOUNCES OFF Reed’s shoulder! Reed watches Theory flounder and whips him corner to corner. Reed runs in to corner splash! Theory flounders around again, Reed brings him back up and throws haymakers! Theory flounders even more, Reed has him in another corner and CHOPS him down! Reed brings Theory up to whip corner to corner, Theory goes up and over and rolls back to dropkick! Reed wobbles but Theory stays on him with forearms and stomps. Theory has Reed in a corner, the ref counts but Theory lets off to bump Reed off buckles. Reed CHPOS Theory and sends him rolling! Reed drags Theory up, scoops, but Theory slips out to chop block! Theory clubs Reed then clamps on a chinlock!

Reed endures, fans rally and Theory talks trash. Reed fights up, pries free but Theory kicks the leg! Theory puts the chinlock back on, but Reed endures again. Fans rally, Reed powers up and throws big body shots! Theory knees low, whips but Reed reverses to POWERSLAM! And COLOSSAL SENTON! Theory is down, Reed goes up top, but Theory fires off forearms! Theory CHOPS, climbs up to join Reed, and tries to bring him up. Reed resists, CLUBS Theory and then shoves him down! Theory is back up but sent back down with that forearm! Reed adjusts, TSUNAMI SPLASH!! Cover, Reed wins!!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall

The losing streak for Theory continues, and Reed is back on track! Will Reed continue back up towards titles? Theory gets a mic as he gasps and sputters, and says, “Stop right there!” Theory is the FUTURE of the WWE! He’s 23 and done more in the business than Reed’s done in his entire “stupid 15 year career!” So get back in the ring because Theory isn’t going to stop until he wins. Reed does get in, and this rematch is happening!

Austin Theory VS Bronson Reed again!

Theory clubs away on Reed and stomps and forearms! Theory runs but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! That had some air! Cover, Reed wins AGAIN!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall again

Theory really didn’t think that through! Now he’s 2-0 in the same night! Will Theory every figure out what he’s missing to get out of this slump?

 

Backstage interview with Xia Li and Kacy Catanzaro.

Last week, Xia asked William Regal to give her a match, and when Kacy volunteered, this is the match-up he created. Xia wants everyone to understand how important having this match is, and she thanks Kacy for accepting the challenge. Kacy says that they’ve had their differences recently, but Xia has been a friend in the past, and Kacy is always up for a challenge. So the pressure is on Xia for some reason, what has changed? It’s just very important to Xia. She has to win, she needs this match. Kacy gets it. May the best woman win. Xia says this is going to be the biggest match of her career. She HAS to win. But why is she so desperate for a victory?

 

NXT Media finds Austin Theory as he leaves.

Any comments on losing to Bronson Reed twice in one night? “That’s it. I’m done.” Done? Theory puts his things in his car, and says he QUITS NXT?! Is he serious? Or is he just saying that out of frustration? Will Mr. Regal call Theory to see if he’ll reconsider?

 

Six Man Tag: El Legado del Fantasma VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Ashante “Thee” Adonis & Jake Atlas!

Just as the saga of Santos Escobar and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott looks to be over, something keeps it going! Escobar, Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde wanted after the man formerly known as Tehuti Miles in return for him screwing up their screw job, but they didn’t expect Atlas to help him out! And now, Swerve, Adonis and Atlas form a new alliance to take on the would-be conquerors of the Cruiserweight Division! Will Swerve’s House stand tall once again against El Legado?

The tension builds as all six men are in the ring. The bell rings, Legado bails out and Escobar says he’s too smart for that. They taunt Swerve’s team, then flank the ring! Swerve, Adonis and Atlas are ready, and then Swerve rushes forward to handspring out of the ring and get in Escobar’s face! Wilde and Mendoza rush in but Adonis and Atlas are ready! Those four brawl while Escobar smirks at Swerve’s trash talk! Escobar swings on Swerve but Swerve counter punches him! Swerve fires off on Escobar and throws him into barriers! Adonis throws Mendoza out while Swerve throws Escobar into steps! Atlas is on Wilde and fans are thunderous as Atlas CHOPS Wilde! Atlas drags Wilde up to throw hands then snapmares him to KICK him in the back! Atlas keeps on Wilde with a rain of furious right fists!

Atlas lets off to drag Wilde up and tags in Adonis. They double whip, Wilde runs into a FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Adonis clubs Wilde, drags him into a chinlock and then throws forearms on the back. Adonis puts Wilde on ropes and chokes him, then lets off to bump him off buckles. Tag to Atlas, they mug Wilde in the corner, and Atlas CLUBS Wilde in the chest. Atlas snap suplexes Wilde, uno amigo! And then dos amigo! Fans fire up for “Eddie! Eddie!” as Atlas hits the three amigos! Cover, TWO! Atlas keeps focused as he stomps Wilde down. Atlas talks smack and slaps Wilde around. Atlas also clubs Wilde, then clubs him again! Atlas drags Wilde up, throws him to a corner, and Wilde ends up rolling, posting groin first! Atlas mocks Wilde’s pain before he ROCKS him with a right!

Atlas knuckle locks, runs up a corner, but has to jump over Escobar! Atlas mule kicks Escobar from the top rope, sees Mendoza running in and leaps to get him, too! Headscissor arm-drag combo! Tag to Adonis and Atlas eggs Escobar on. Escobar runs in, Atlas dodges and Adonis sends him out! El Legado regroup but Adonis fakes them out! “Got ‘im!” Atlas helps Swerve go up top and FLY onto them all! Direct hit takes out Escobar and his cohorts and fans are fired up as “NXT! NXT!” goes picture in picture!

Swerve drags Wilde up and into the ring for Adonis and Adonis covers, TWO! Mendoza gets in but Adonis sees him coming so Mendoza bails back out. But Wilde blindside knees Adonis down! Adonis tumbles out, Mendoza tags in and he drags Adonis up to throw into steel steps! Mendoza goes in to coordinate with Wilde and they BLAST Atlas and Swerve off the apron! Swerve comes back but he gets mugged 2v1! El Legado clears off the announce desk! They mug Swerve more, and then bring him up to the apron. Swerve fights off their triple powerbomb but Escobar sweeps the legs! Swerve hits the apron on the way down and then Escobar backs off to his corner. Swerve slowly stands up and goes back to his corner while Mendoza covers Adonis, TWO!

Mendoza stomps Adonis down, steps over him then brings him up for a snap suplex! Tag to Wilde, Wilde drags Adonis up and CLUBS him down! Wilde pushes Adonis then taunts Swerve and Atlas. The ref keeps them out and Wilde stomps away on Adonis. Wilde drags Adonis up, Adonis fights back but Wilde rams him into the Legado corner. Wilde CHOPS Adonis, tags Mendoza and Mendoza CHOPS Adonis! Tag to Escobar, Legado mugs Adonis then Escobar pushes Adonis into the corner to CHOP him again! Adonis fights back but gets mugged more as Wilde tags in. Wilde snapmares Adonis and drives in a knee for a chinlock. NXT returns to single picture as fans rally for Adonis. Adonis fights up, fights out, but Wilde clubs away!

Wilde bumps Adonis off buckles, tags to Escobar, and Escobar stomps. Tag to Mendoza, double whip and double elbows! Wilde runs, Mendoza and Escobar are there, rebound hip toss splash! Mendoza LIONSAULTS! Cover, Swerve breaks it with a scuff of his boot. The ref gets Swerve to stand down, but Mendoza stomps Adonis down. Mendoza grins as he drags Adonis up to wrench and whip into the corner hard! Mendoza stomps a mudhole and digs in a knee, tag to Wilde. Wilde drags Adonis up and whips him to elbow him down hard! Wilde taunts Swerve and Atlas but again the ref keeps them in. Wilde stands on Adonis’ arm but Adonis fights up. Wilde knees low and hard then brings him to the corner. Tag to Escobar, they CHOP and CHOP away.

Escobar puts Adonis in a corner, rolls back to run in, DOUBLE KNEES to the chest! Escobar pushes Adonis down to stand on him, and not even as a cover, he’s just taunting his opponents. Tag to Mendoza, they mug Adonis more and Mendoza keeps Adonis from his corner. Mendoza has the arm for a mounted armlock, grinning at Swerve and Atlas. Fans rally up as Adonis endures. Mendoza jams the arm, pulls back harder, but Adonis powers up! Adonis fights up, Mendoza knees low and bumps him off buckles! Tag to Wilde, Wilde snapmares Adonis down to drive his knee in again! Wilde drags Adonis up, Adonis dropkicks him down! Fans fire up as both men are down, crawling for their corners! Hot tags to Escobar and Atlas!

Atlas springboards in to crossbody! Wilde returns but Atlas DECKS him! Atlas DECKS Mendoza, hits everyone and then uppercuts Escobar into a GERMAN SUPLEX! And he DECKS Escobar, too! Tag to Swerve, Escobar CALF KICKS Atlas! Swerve ROCKS Escobar with fast hands and has him in a corner! Swerve shoves, ROLLING THUNDER COMPLETE SHOTS! Cover, TWO! Escobar survives but Swerve whips him to ropes. Mendoza tags in, Escobar dodges the kick but Mendoza runs into the back drop! Swerve decks Wilde and then goes out to BOOT Escobar! Mendoza ENZIGURIS Atlas but Swerve comes around! Swerve is up top, Mendoza hits him first. Mendoza goes to the apron, drags Swerve to a fireman’s carry but Swerve slips out. They brawl on the edge, Swerve BOOTS Mendoza down! Mendoza YANKS Swerve down!

The ref wants this inside the ring but Wilde runs and leaps, but Atlas intercepts in midair! SPANISH FLY onto everyone! Well, not everyone as Escobar was nowhere near! But everyone is down and the fans are thunderous! Swerve rises and puts Mendoza in! Swerve half nelsons, lifts, but Mendoza manages to arm-drag out! Mendoza fires up and runs at Swerve, Swerve dodges and Mendoza goes up, but Swerve catches him for the CONFIDENCE BOOST! Cover, but Wilde breaks it up! Swerve throws Wilde out, tags Adonis, and they go after Mendoza. Swerve helps get Adonis up in bomb position, Swerve runs but Mendoza huricanranas Adonis into Swerve! Swerve staggers, Mendoza throws him out! Escobar returns, builds speed and DIVES! The ARROW FROM HELL sends Swerve over the desk! But Atlas is there, CARTWHEEL DDT off the desk!! Atlas is fired up after taking down the champion!

Meanwhile, Mendoza waistlocks Adonis, and Wilde tags in before Adonis bucks Mendoza away! Hotshot, then the ENZIGURI LEG SWEEP!! Cover, El Legado wins!!

Winners: El Legado del Fantasma, by pinfall

The Leader of Leaders was wiped out but his cohorts took care of this for him! Escobar has the Cruiserweight Championship for now, but will Atlas rise up to take that all away?

 

The Garganos are upset.

“Why are we doing this?” Candice LeRae knows how Johnny feels about chance wheels. Yes, but- Everybody knows Johnny Gargano hates wheels! Yet here we are. Yes, but this is to prepare themselves for the worst. They are going to spin the wheel, but they can’t leave it all to chance. So Candice has created a tiny version of the Halloween Havoc wheel of stipulations to practice with. It’s literally a training wheel. Fine! What’s the worst that can happen? Johnny gives the wheel a spin, and he lands on… Buried Alive. THAT is the worst that can happen. He’ll be buried alive, with a bunch of dirt on him! What’re the odds of that, though? One in a million? Technically one in 12… Just take your turn, Candice.

Candice spins and lands on… Trick or Street Fight! That’s great! Candice can totally beat Io Shirai in one of those! Great, for her! Candice will be champion, Johnny will be six feet under! He goes again. And lands on… Casket Match! Almost as bad as Buried Alive. “Why does this wheel want me dead?!” This is why he hates them! They’re unpredictable! He can’t control them! Candice knows how he does things! He needs to be in control! “I hate you, wheel! I hate you!” Johnny storms off to go to bed, and tells Candice to get rid of the wheel. Will Johnny have better luck with the real wheel next week?

 

Killian Dain & Drake Maverick VS Ever-Rise!

While the Belfast Beast and Rockstar Spud don’t have a team name yet like Chase Parker and Matt Marthel have, Big Damo isn’t going to let anyone bully Drake, because that’s Dain’s thing! Will they at least stay on the same page here tonight?

The teams sort out, Maverick starts with Parker and they tie up. They go around, Parker pulls hair and puts Maverick in the corner. Tag to Marthel and Ever-Rise mugs Maverick. Marthel scoops, Parker runs, backbreaker and KNEE! Marthel taunts Maverick, wrenches and yanks the arm, tags to Parker, and the mugging continues. Parker stomps a mudhole into Maverick then throws haymakers. Parker drags Maverick up to shove him to ropes, and CLUB him on the rebound! Tag to Marthel and they mug Maverick more. Marthel bumps Maverick off buckle then whips him corner to corner. Tag to Parker, Parker whips Marthel for Marthel to whip Parker in for a big forearm smash! Parker feeds Maverick to Marthel’s drop toehold, then hits the BOOYAH elbow drop!

Parker taunts Dain, “This is your partner?!” but Maverick hits back Maverick swings into a back suplex but manages to tag Dain! Parker throws Maverick out but turns around into Dain’s clothesline! Dain hip tosses Marthel in, runs Parker over, and then he bumps Marthel off buckles to CLOBBER him! Dain whips Parker, and hits the DIVIDE! Marthel staggers up into the fireman’s carry but Parker chop blocks the legs! Marthel staggers away, but Dain gets up! Dain choke grips Parker but Marthel chop blocks again! Parker has the leg, turns Dain over for a HALF CRAB! Marthel makes Maverick watch “the loser” and says that’s Maverick’s only friend! Maverick gets mad and ROCKS Marthel! And then whips him into boards!

Marthel catches up to Maverick to keep him from Dain! Marthel shoves Maverick into the timekeeper’s area, so Maverick grabs a chair! Maverick JAMS Marthel without the ref seeing! Maverick gets in with the chair, the ref tells him no, but Maverick SMACKS Parker on the back!!

Winners: Ever-Rise, by disqualification

The rage of Rockstar Spud has been unleashed! He SMACKS Marthel! Ever-Rise retreats and Maverick shouts, “WHO WANTS SOME?!” Fans are thunderous and Dain is shocked! The team lost, and Maverick realizes what he did. Dain is upset, Maverick apologizes but understands if he wants to him him. Dain slaps him on the chest and says, “THAT WAS AWESOME!” Maverick actually kicked some ass! Dain wonders where THAT Maverick has been! Well, the music doesn’t help, but Dain has started to respect Maverick. A little. Will that little respect grow as the two stick together?

 

There’s been another backstage incident?!

And this time, it’s Roderick Strong! He is down in a doorway and Kyle shows up. Medics check on Strong but he looks in worse shape than Fish! Who is doing this to the Undisputed Era?! Will they even be able to compete for the titles tonight?

 

NXT returns with Regal, Breezango and others on the scene.

Regal asks “How the bloody hell did nobody see who did it?!” Danny Burch says he and Oney Lorcan at least heard something happening. Regal tells Kyle that he knows this is a rough position, but NXT promised a tag title match tonight. Kyle knows, he isn’t competing tonight. And at this point, maybe they should just give the match to the runner-ups, Lorcan and Burch. Burch says he and Oney don’t want it this way. The UE won fair and square. Maybe just have one of them substitute in. Kyle isn’t so sure about that. Kyle leaves, and Regal asks if Breezango has any objections to the change. They don’t. Then that’s that. Breezango will now defend against Oney and Burch, “best of luck to the four of you.” They shake hands, but with the way things are going, will they all make it to the main event?

 

Xia Li VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter!

The Spicy is growing a bit desperate, but with no real explanation why. Will it matter if she can get a win over the American Ninja Warrior?

The bell rings and KC circles with Xia. They tie up, go around, Xia headlocks but KC powers out only to be run over. Xia talks trash then runs, but sees KC drop down so she counters with a body scissors and clutch! ONE, KC wobbles up but into a whip. KC goes up and over, O’Conner rolls but Xia slips out, only for KC to basement dropkick! Twisting splash and a cover, TWO! KC is after an arm but Xia chinbars, and then ties KC’s hair around a rope! Xia hits the rope to pull the hair and tweak KC’s neck! Xia whips, hip tosses and CHOPS KC down! KC gets to ropes as Xia fires herself up. Xia drags KC up for knees from all sides then a hard back kick! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! Xia is furious as she tries again, TWO!

Xia argues the count but two is two. Xia drags KC back up, scoops her, but KC slips out and shoves! KC dodges and comes back with body shots! KC rocks Xia and keeps on her! KC stomps a mudhole in a corner but Xia pushes her away. KC fires up and comes back with an A-List Lariat! KC throws Xia out, HANDSPRING AX KICK! KC wheelbarrows, victory rolls, KC wins!

Winner: Kacy Catanzaro, by pinfall

Xia can’t believe she lost! She CLOBBERS KC! Kayden gets in but Xia BOOTS her down! Xia fires off on KC and bumps her off buckles! She stomps a mudhole into KC, losing her cool! But Raquel gets in to CLOBBER Xia! And then she lifts KC to throw her at Kayden! And then she drags Kayden up, fisherman POWERBOMB! Whatever problems Xia is dealing with, Raquel doesn’t care! “Rhea Ripley! THIS is what awaits you! I’m bigger! I’m badder! And next week at Halloween Havoc, I’m going to be La Diabla of your nightmare!” Big Mama Cruel wants to take over and be THE woman to fear in NXT! Will she be just that after taking on the Mosh Pit Kid?

 

Backstage interview with Cameron Grimes.

Next week, he’s 1v1 with Dexter Lumis, just as he figured it’d happen after he stomped Dexter here, there and everywhere. But what are his thoughts on it being next week- Right, Halloween Havoc! Lumis VS Grimes! Got it, Mackenzie, thanks. But it’s a Haunted House of Terror match. Wait, a what? Haunted House of Terror. The heck is that? Who said it was that? Mr. Regal confirmed it. AND LUMIS IS STARING AT GRIMES THROUGH A WINDOW! Grimes is in disbelief about the stipulation. Regal’s accent is a bit thick, maybe he said something and it just sounded like that. Is Grimes afraid? G-Grimes ain’t afraid! W-Why would he be afraid? He’s b-beaten L-Lumis loads of times, and after this H-Haunted House thing… Grimes g-g-going to the moon… Will Grimes be up all night worrying about this haunting news?

 

Io Shirai studies up on Halloween Havoc.

Spin the Wheel, Make a Deal. The Evil Genius does her research on each stipulation, and the likely outcome. Biker Chain Match, a la Brock Lesnar VS The Undertaker, “I beat Candice.” Blindfold match, another classic, “I beat Candice.” Casket Match, also a la Taker, “I beat Candice.” Trick or Street Fight, “I beat Candice.” Weapons Wild Match, a la a certain Lunatic Fringe asylum, “I beat Candice.” At Halloween Havoc, no matter what, Shirai beats Candice. Will the odds always be in the NXT Women’s Champion’s favor?

 

Thatch As Thatch Can is in the ring!

Timothy Thatcher welcomes us to a special live session of his teachings. Tonight’s lesson: success. “Now, to understand your craft and be a confident technical wrestler does not lead to success. You need to have aggression and you need to be able to show no mercy.” Tonight, Thatcher and… What’s your name again? Anthony Greene. Thatcher and Andrew here will demonstrate how to apply simple techniques in a way that causes extreme pain. So Alex, go for his leg. Greene does, and Thatcher quickly sprawls to push Greene down. So now, Thatcher easily has Greene’s head. As he tries to work his way back up, you can hook it, stop the shoulder, bar the face, use his chest to block the rise.

Now, as Thatcher went over before, cutting bone digs underneath as he lifts up. Greene taps to the modified facelock and Thatcher releases. The fans applaud as Thatcher explains it damages the neck and turns the head in an awkward angle. Alright Matt, let’s go again, and this time be aggressive. Green goes in faster, Thatcher flips him over this time and has the double wristlock. This time, Thatcher used his opponent’s own momentum against him. Thatcher grabbed the arm Greene left exposed, pulled him right over. Notice the angle here. Greene taps to the wristlock, but there’s still so much more space to take it! Thatcher pushes with his legs as he works to bring the arm even further behind Greene! Greene keeps tapping and shouts for Thatcher to left off. Thatcher says it’s no work for him, all pain for Greene.

Thatcher finally lets go and explains that the double wristlock is effective because no matter how big someone is, the arm can’t push out. Greene is upset but Thatcher pats him on the shoulder. It’s how you learn! So obviously, Greene can’t take the leg, so Thatcher offers up an arm. But Greene DOES get the leg and he trips Thatcher up! Thatcher comes back, and Greene uses what he was just taught to get Thatcher in a facelock! They end up on ropes, fans cheer as the student is punking out the professor! Thatcher pries free and Greene backs off. Thatcher is upset, but he does have to admit that was good. Greene wants to be a tough guy, huh? Well let’s move on from a demonstration to an exhibition. The referee gets in, and Thatcher DECKS Green! Ring the bell!

Timothy Thatcher VS Anthony Greene!

Thatcher throws off the shirt and RAMS a knee into Greene’s side! And again! Thatcher stomps Green, fans rally for “Andrew!” but Thatcher drags him up into a corner. Thatcher throws forearms over and over, the ref backs him up. Thatcher drags Greene up in the facelock, and ROCKS him with the EuroUpper! Thatcher has a standing heel hook, he kicks away on Greene’s back then steps over for a HALF CRAB! Greene taps, Thatcher wins!

Winner: Timothy Thatcher, by submission

But Thatcher tortures Greene’s leg with a deeper pull! Fans boo as Thatcher holds on longer. Thatcher kicks Greene out of his ring, literally, and then says, “Class dismissed.” Thatch As Thatch Can is far more than a school of hard knocks, it’s a university of vicious locks! Will Thatcher school even more of NXT’s prospects?

 

Damian Priest speaks.

While getting his tattoos touched up, the Archer of Infamy says, “Johnny, before TakeOver: 31, I understood why you came at me the way you did. I’ve been there, you know I’ve done that.” But the difference between them is that win or lose, once Priest’s handled business, he moves on. Gargano can’t do that, can he? He can’t let go because he’s still wondering, “What happened to the great Johnny Wrestling? What’s changed?” Priest will tell him: not a damn thing. Gargano is still great as he ever was. What changed was Priest showed up. Halloween Havoc’s wheel will decide the stipulation, and it could be very dangerous. Priest can take the pain. Can Gargano?

 

NXT Tag Team Championships: Breezango VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch!

What was meant to be a match with The Undisputed Era’s “Rod ‘n’ Bob Express” turned into Strong & O’Reilly, and now not the Undisputed Era at all! Will the One Two make good on this newest second chance? Or will Prince Pretty and the Lord of the Dance keep those golden accessories around their wrists?

NXT returns as the introductions are made. The belts are raised, the teams sort out, and it’s Fandango and Oney to start off this surprise turn of (main) events!

Fandango and Oney circle as fans rally up. They tie up, Oney arm-drags Fandango then the two stand off. Fandango and Oney circle again, tie up again, and are in a deadlock. Fans rally as Fandango gets a headlock. Oney powers up but can’t power out as Fandango holds tight. Oney tries again and gets free this time, to then arm-drag Fandango, only for Fandango to get the headlock back! Fandango grinds Oney down, Oney fights up and powers out again. Fandango runs Oney over, swivels the hips then speeds things up. Oney jumps but into a CHOP! Fandango CHOPS more, then whips Oney corner to corner. Oney reverses, Fandango goes up and sunset flips but Oney slips out to get a leg! Oney wants the Crab but Fandango flails. Oney still gets the HALF CRAB! Ropebreak! Oney lets go fast and the two reset.

Fandango and Oney tie up, Oney throws EuroUppers but Fandango EuroUppers back! Oney kicks and CHOPS, wrenches, tags Burch in. The One Two double wrench and double chop Fandango, then Burch EuroUppers Fandango down! Burch drags Fandango up, wrenches to an elbow breaker, then throws another EuroUpper, but into a backslide! TWO, Fandango EuroUppers Burch! Tag to Breeze, Breezango mug Burch in their corner then Breeze snap suplexes! Cover, ONE, but Breeze keeps close. Burch moves around, fights up, but Breeze clubs him down. Breeze puts Burch in the corner but Burch fights back with haymakers! Breeze powers Burch back in and rams his shoulder in! The ref counts, Breeze lets off and stomps a mudhole! Breeze digs his heels in, the ref counts, Breeze lets off.

Burch gets out, Breeze pursues but Burch headbutts low! Burch throws a EuroUpper then throws Breeze into barriers! Fans fire up as Burch brings Breeze up. Breeze pushes him away, the ring count climbs, but Burch gets in and grabs at Breeze from the apron. Burch gets Breeze in at 7 but Breeze goes out and trips Burch. Breeze SLAMS Burch’s leg into the post! Burch writhes and winces as NXT goes picture in picture.

Breeze gets back after Burch’s leg to POST it again! Burch writhes more, Breeze gets in and drags Burch up. Burch DECKS Breeze! Burch hobbles, tags in Oney, and Oney runs into an enziguri! The BritAm Brawlers are down, Breeze tags in Fandango! Fandango drops a knee on Oney’s leg then throws haymakers. Fandango CHOPS Oney in the corner, whips him corner to corner HARD, and watches Oney hit the mat. Cover, TWO! Fandango drags Oney up, swivels the hips as he facelocks and suplexes, to hang Oney out to dry! Tag to Breeze, Breezango BOOT SANDWICH! Cover, TWO! Breeze keeps on Oney, drags him over and tags Fandango in. They mug Oney, Fandango drags Oney up to throw hands but Oney hits back!

Oney CHOPS Fandango, tags Burch, and the One Two work together, atomic drop to HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Burch dares Fandango to get up, then drags him away to tag in Oney. NXT returns to single picture as Oney EuroUppers Fandango down! Cover, ONE! Oney tags Burch, they coordinate on Fandango again, but Fandango slips out to kick Burch’s bad leg! Oney is on Fandango, he ducks the back elbow but not Fandango’s LARIAT! Fandango LARIATS Burch, too! The One Two go out, Fandango follows and throws hands! Fandango CHOPS Burch, Breeze joins in to brawl with Oney! The ref has a ring count, Oney EuroUppers Breeze and Burch CHOPS Fandango! Oney gets in the ring, Burch DECKS Fandango, and Oney DIVES, into a BEAUTY SHOT! Burch throws Burch over the barriers!

The ring count starts again, Burch leaves Breeze behind but Fandango gets him for a kick and FALCON ARROW! Fandango hurries up top, leaps, LAST DANCE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!?! Burch survives but Fandango is too tired to be shocked. Breeze flounders his way back to his corner and fans are rallying hard as ever. Fandango drags Burch up and over to the corner, tags Breeze in, and the champs coordinate. But Oney get sin to throw Fandango out! Oney ducks the enziguri to get the leg! HALF CRAB! Burch adds on the CROSSFACE! The ref counts, Oney holds on but Fandango throws him out! Fandango stomps Burch then bails out! Breeze and Burch are down but so are their partners! Fandango returns to his corner first and fans rally as Burch and Breeze rise.

Burch hobbles to Breeze, Breeze trips him by the bad leg and drops elbow after elbow on the knee! Burch writhes but Breeze slowly makes his way to an open corner. Breeze climbs up, Burch trips him up! Burch drags Breeze out, LONDON TOWER! Cover, Oney tries to intercept Fandango but Fandango just barrels through to break up the pin! All four men are down and the fans are loving this! The ref tells the illegal partners to leave as the teams regroup. Burch grits his teeth, Oney snarls, Breezango DOUBLE SUPERKICK Burch down! Oney runs, misses, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for him, too! Fandango hurries up to the top rope, but a masked man shoves him down!? Who is that in that shiny mask?! He goes under the ring before the ref can see him! The ref is distracted checking on Fandango, Burch LOW BLOWS Breeze?! What is this!?

Burch and Oney get Breeze up, ASSISTED DRAPING DDT!! Cover, Burch and Lorcan win!?!

Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, by pinfall (NEW NXT Tag Team Champions)

For the first time ever in the WWE, these two are champions! But needless to say, there was a lot of controversy! Wait, the masked man returns and celebrates with these two? Who is this?! The mask comes off, and it’s… PAT MCAFEE!! “You’re NEW NXT Tag Team Champions~! Danny Burch! Oney Lorcan! And that, my friends, is Undisputed!” McAfee orchestrated the most elaborate screw job ever! “You’re welcome!”


My Thoughts:

This was a pretty great episode, with lots of twists and turns. The opening Triple Threat was incredible and a bit of a surprise. I thought we would’ve gotten Ciampa VS Dream that Kushida interferes with and then Halloween Havoc would add a Triple Threat with a Halloween theme. But either way, it’s big for Kushida to win. Maybe he is in line for the North American Championship after next week’s match. We got great promos from the Garganos, Priest and Shirai, too. Johnny is hilarious with his dislike of roulette wheels. I really thought he was going to trash the one Candice made out of anger. And also, I hope NXT didn’t show their hand by Candice landing on Trick or Street Fight. That’s a good match and all, but we need to go fairly big for the first ever NXT Halloween Havoc. If the “Weapons Wild” is implied to be the rehashed Ambrose Asylum, go with that.

I like that Grimes VS Lumis was given a stipulation to fit Halloween, and Grimes was hilarious in his promo going 180 from confident to very afraid. I don’t know what the Haunted House of Terror match is going to look like, but these two are going to make it a lot of fun. Xia’s story is intriguing, I just kinda wished Raquel let her off the hook so we could understand why Xia is desperate. But Raquel sends a message to Rhea, so she’s totally losing right? A bit of a shame in some respects. Dakota going after Ember was a good touch, though. Ember gets a win off Jessi Kamea in a really good match, but could have an extended feud with Dakota. Dain and Maverick VS Ever-Rise was good, but Maverick snapping was definitely the best. Especially with Dain actually starting to accept Maverick. Maybe they do change the theme to something they can both agree on, and that helps them really get going as a team.

I really thought Theory’s story was going to take him into The Johnny Gargano Way, but after losing a pretty good match to Reed, then demanding another only to get crushed, I suppose him “quitting” is also an interesting direction. I wonder if this still leads him towards #TJGW as Johnny reaches out to him. We also need developments with Indi Hartwell, so maybe she shows up during whatever kind of match the NXT Women’s Championship is under. Which actually might dictate that it is something more like Trick of Street Fight, or just something not in a cage environment. Thatch As Thatch Can was a pretty good segment, but I almost expected someone to go out and save Anthony/Andrew/Alex Greene. Maybe that’ll be the next time class is live in the ring.

The Cruiserweight Six Man Tag was a lot of fun, maybe just a little hairy here or there, but definitely something. And though it wasn’t obvious at first, the ending sequence definitely made it seem that Atlas was moving up. Atlas got the drop on Escobar, he is Latino and gave the smack talk in Spanish as good as the Heels, and shows a lot of promise overall with his combination of athletics and charisma. It’s a shame Swerve never got the belt off Escobar once, a bit like Austin Aries in his rivalry with Adrian Neville a couple years ago, but maybe Swerve and Adonis can be the tag team I was picturing them to be. And maybe, with everyone having seen Escobar’s tricks, Swerve and Adonis to counter Mendoza and Wilde, and Atlas’ newfound aggression, he’s the first man to dethrone Escobar.

Now obviously story of the night was the Undisputed Era being picked apart. This was actually a great way to pivot from the Ridge Holland injury. Or it could have even been the plan all along, but the injury was just an unfortunate detail that happened. Either way, PAT MCAFEE being the mastermind behind this conspiracy is incredible! He has the money from his multi-million dollar endeavors, so of course he could pay Holland enough to buy that fancy car. He lost to Adam Cole, so he wants revenge, and he got some of that by keeping the UE out of the title match. Then he screws over Breezango to help Burch and Lorcan, who could easily have been on this the entire time! Oney and Lorcan sidelining Holland could’ve been them “tying up loose ends,” or however they might say it in a crime drama series. This has to lead to McAfee recruiting a fourth, his team VS UE, at the very least in an 4v4 elimination tag.

My Score: 9/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

 


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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