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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (10/28/20)

Spin the wheel, make the deal!

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NXT Halloween Havoc Coverage

NXT brings Halloween Havoc back from the dead!

Shotzi Blackheart hosts NXT’s first ever Halloween Havoc! Just how scary will it get for Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae in their TakeOver rematches?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal – NXT North American Championship Devil’s Playground Match: Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
  • Santos Escobar VS Jake Atlas; Escobar wins.
  • Haunted House of Terror match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes; To Be Continued…
  • Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez; Ripley wins.
  • Haunted House of Terror match, Part 2: Lumis wins.
  • Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal – NXT Women’s Championship TLS Match: Io Shirai VS Candice LeRae; Shirai wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

An evil has been reawakened.

Haunted houses, scary monsters of the ring, and a game of chance that will determine the fates of both champions and challengers! The scariest night in sports entertainment rises from the grave, and it’s hosted by the wild child herself, Shotzi Blackheart! Or in this case, SHOTZISTEIN! And we start off with some heavy metal as Damian Priest’s theme is performed LIVE! Priest is in the ring, shoots his arrow and bangs his head along! But next is Johnny Gargano, his own theme remixed as he SLASHES THE PUMPKIN BUDDY! Johnny Skellington joins the Archer of Infamy in the ring but Shotzi gets their attention. “It’s time! Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal!” And we land on… DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND! What does that even mean?!

NXT North American Championship Devil’s Playground Match: Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano!

The bell rings, Gargano turns around and Priest DECKS him! Priest is on Gargano with big haymakers as Vic “Waldo” Joseph explains this is an extra scary FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE match! No disqualifications, no count outs and no limits to what these two can do to each other. Therefore, Priest fires off over and over, ROCKS Gargano with an uppercut then DECKS him again! Priest whips Gargano corner to corner, runs in but Gargano boots back. Gargano leaps up but is thrown aside. Priest bell claps then LIFTING COMPLETE SHOTS! Gargano gets to a corner, Priest runs corner to corner for the LEAPING back elbow! He keeps moving for another! Gargano staggers, Priest runs corner to corner again, for a splash! Then he whips Gargano but Gargano grabs ropes. Gargano elbows back, but runs into a heel kick! Cover, TWO!

Priest keeps close and drags Gargano up to knuckle lock. Priest goes up top and goes Old School, only for Gargano to push him off balance. Priest forearms Gargano back, springboard forearms and sends Gargano out of the ring! Priest pursues, stalks Gargano to the ramp but Gargano gets in the ring. Gargano dropkicks Priest down then slingshots, but Priest gets in. Priest turns around, catches the slingshot spear and flips Gargano over! Gargano slips out, trips Priest up and slams the leg on the apron! Gargano throws forearms through the ropes, gets up to rain down fists, then lets off to bring Priest out. Gargano shoves Priest into steel steps! Fans boo Gargano, and chant, “Johnny Sucks!” as Gargano catches his breath.

Gargano backs off to start using the no disqualification stipulation. He brings out a kendo stick! Gargano wields it with a grin as he stalks Priest, but Priest has HIS BATON! Priest dodges Gargano’s swings as NXT goes picture in picture!

Priest blocks the kendo stick smack, disarms Gargano, but Gargano dodges the baton to fire off clubbing forearms! Priest lifts Gargano to RAM him into the boards! Gargano writhes on the ground, Priest drags him up and RAMS him into more boards! Priest looms over Gargano and stalks him. Gargano goes up and over steps to get away but Priest just goes around. Priest ROCKS Gargano again, then pulls off the top half of steps. Priest aims, runs and RAMS Gargano with the steel! Priest tosses the steps aside to stalk after Gargano again. He brings Gargano up to ROCK him with a right hand! They go up the ramp as Priest keeps punching Gargano. They end up on stage, Priest throws Gargano into the pumpkin balloon! And then stomps away!

Gargano frees himself from the pumpkin but Priest ROUNDHOUSES him back down! Cover on the pumpkin, TWO! Priest drags Gargano up to HEADBUTT! Gargano staggers around the stage, Priest throws fast hands! Priest CLUBS Gargano down, looms over him, but Gargano grabs at the lights. Priest drags Gargano up, scoops him, and brings him to the ramp. Gargano sips out, shoves Priest then KICKS him! Gargano gets up, KICKS Priest again, then digs Priest’s face into steel! There’s no disqualifications so Gargano goes until he’s satisfied. Gargano watches Priest flounder, and he throws forearms into Priest’s back!

NXT returns to single picture as Gargano goes to the stage. Gargano LEAPS and CANNONBALLS Priest down! Fans fire up as Gargano gloats, “I’m the best in the world!” Gargano gets the kendo stick and SMACKS Priest! And again! And again! Priest ends up in his ring, and has his baton again! Gargano shoulders low, but Priest uses the baton to SMACK the enziguri away! Gargano hobbles, Priest brings him in with the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Priest grits his teeth. Gargano grabs the baton and brings it with him to the apron. Priest ROCKS Gargano first and the baton goes flying! Priest drags Gargano up on the apron, fireman’s carries, but Gargano slips in. Priest shoves, dodges, but his kick is caught up and Gargano enziguris Priest down!

Gargano DIVES, but into Priest’s hand! Gargano sips out to RAM Priest into boards! And then SLICED BREAD onto the steel steps! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but Gargano keeps his focus as fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Gargano drags Priest up, brings him over and tornados but no DDT! BROKEN ARROW onto the announce desk! Gargano might be the broken one! Gargano is hurrying away to around the back, but Priest pursues. Priest taunts Gargano, “You feel that pain, Johnny?” Gargano and Priest brawl by the spooky set, Gargano CLUBS Priest’s back! Gargano brings Priest around the way, and he opens a casket. A prop falls out and scares Gargano! So Gargano SUPERKICK the “stupid thing!” Priest is there to kick low and kick more, then ROCK Gargano with that discus forearm!

Priest stalks Gargano further back stage, Gargano feebly throws candy at Priest. But then he uses a FIRE EXTINGUISHER! And he SLAMS Priest against the garage door over and over! Priest flops down, flails, but Gargano gets up. Gargano looks around at what he can use, and chooses a trash can. Gargano dumps the trash on Priest, sticks the can around him and dribbles him against the garage door! Gargano then grabs a cart and wheels it at Priest to RAM him! Fans boo as NXT is again picture in picture! Gargano covers, TWO!

Gargano seethes as he SMACKS Priest with a trash can lid! And then he has another trash can to SMACK Priest with! Priest staggers his way back into the arena and by the spooky set. Gargano grabs a crowbar and CRACKS Priest in the ribs! Then he drags Priest down, FULL METAL GargaNO Escape!! Priest endures the crowbar in his face! And in his MOUTH!! Priest fights up, scoops Gargano, and LAWN DARTS him into the boards!! The fans, in costume, are freaking out behind their masks! Priest clubs Gargano, drags him up and ROCKS him with a forearm! They go to the other side of the set, Gargano tries to use the second casket but Priest stops himself. Priest SMACKS Gargano with the lid! Then BOOTS Gargano through a wall!! The Archer of Infamy is roaring and rolling as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Priest throws more hands and ROCKS Gargano onto a haybale! Gargano boots back, gets up onto the upper level, but Priest TOSSES the trash can at Gargano! Gargano ends up by the wheel of (ill) fortune. Priest follows Gargano up there, looms over him, and drags him up. Fans rally for Priest as he drags Gargano up. Priest reels Gargano in, Gargano slips under and SUPERKICKS Priest down! Gargano grabs the trash can, and he SMACKS Priest with it! And again! And again! And again, and again, and again!! The can is dented into a flat shape now! Gargano sits the can up, drags Priest up, and tells the wheel this is its fault! Gargano mocks the Archer of Infamy, and he thrusts, into Priest’s ROUNDHOUSE! Gargano balances with the can, but Priest KICKS it into him!

Priest stands up, fans fire up and Priest roars again! Priest drags Gargano up, dragon sleeper and RECK- NO! Ghost Face attacks Priest from behind with a PIPE! Gargano gets up, drags Priest, and uses the wheel to hit the TORNADO DDT! Ghost Face still looms, but then leaves to fetch Gargano one of those prop tombstones! Gargano uses it to SMASH Priest into the crypt!! Priest has crashed down and fans lose their minds! Gargano hurries down, covers him, and WINS!!

Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)

All Heart, No Soul, and one mysterious friend that was all the difference! Gargano makes history as he becomes the first-ever TWO-TIME North American Champion! But will #TheJohnnyGarganoWay complete its mission with the Poison Pixie taking on the Evil Genius later on tonight?

 

Cameron Grimes mutters to himself.

William Regal checks on him, and almost scares him out of his hat. Grimes has been meaning to ask Regal a question but Regal says Grimes needs to be ready in the parking lot. There’s a van waiting to take him to the Haunted House. But that’s not where the ring is, the ring is in the arena. Surely that’s where Regal meant for Grimes to have his match with Dexter Lumis tonight, right? No. Come with Regal to the parking lot. No, the parking lot is a scary place! Even scarier than the Bar Mitzvah Triangle (Bermuda?). Regal says, “After you,” and Grimes is very reluctant. Will Grimes survive the night with Lumis inside the Haunted House of Horr- er, Terror?

 

Pat McAfee, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch are in the ring!

“Well, well, well…” Happy Halloween Havoc, everybody! Everyone’s saying that Halloween Havoc is the second best night the brand has had in the last couple months. The number one? Obviously TakeOver: XXX. That was the night when the entire world agreed that the greatest debut in the history of this business was Pat McAfee’s, bar none! People don’t agree on anything, but even the idiotic Internet Wrestling Community, which includes “these stooges” here at ringside, could agree on that. There are some clowns in the crowd, which is how they are normally anyway.

But after TakeOver: XXX when McAfee put on a show that stole the show his first time in the ring, Adam Cole didn’t come over and say congrats or that he appreciates what McAfee did giving him all he could handle. NO, “that scumbag” flexed on McAfee! McAfee walked out sore, tired, probably could’ve cost a couple more pounds and realized he made some rookie mistakes. But on his private plane headed home to Indianapolis, all McAfee could think about was how big of a BUM Adam Cole is! McAfee couldn’t come here and handle Cole himself. He had a new Sirius XM show debuting, he had a YouTube page hitting a million subscribers, he had College Gameday, and he has the biggest internet show daily! He cannot be down here to handle Adam Cole.

So what did he do? He called a man who is “a more handsome, stronger, younger version of myself” in Ridge Holland. McAfee told Holland that NXT isn’t using him right, and offered him a chance at some money. Holland doesn’t want money, he wants a car. McAfee thought Holland wanted some big car cuz Holland is a big sumbish. Holland wanted a Mercedes, McAfee said okay, and told Holland what he had to do. Holland did it, dumped Cole’s “lifeless, stupid body” over the barriers and left. It was a whodunnit, blah blah blah while Pat “Big Brain” McAfee was sitting at home watching it unfold. Then Wednesday, McAfee saw Holland, the guy he hired to raise hell on the Undisputed Era, FRACTURE HIS LEGS into 700 pieces! An expensive mistake, but McAfee had a deep thought. Is it over? Did Ridge Holland deserve to be put in this position?

McAfee didn’t give up. He reached out to the guy that took out his guy and asked them if he and his guy wanted to be McAfee’s guys. They turned him down at first, because they could not be bought. Respectable, noble. But then Lorcan and Burch lose to the UE, and go back to McAfee to talk about that deal. But McAfee said the timing is right! What did they say? Wait, where are the mics for Lorcan and Burch? The DISRESPECT NXT has shown these two continues to grow! But before Lorcan and Burch can talk, the Undisputed Era is here! Well, just Kyle O’Reilly, actually, as the others are all healing up. But Kyle doesn’t back down. McAfee mockingly asks if Kyle is here to apologize. No, because he has THE BRUISERWEIGHT with him! Pete Dunne brought CHAIRS, too! And one is handed to Kyle!

McAfee, Lorcan and Burch get out before Kyle and Dunne get in! Both sides dare the other to do something, Kyle even throws his chair down so it’ll be fair. But then Dunne CHAIR SHOTS Kyle!! WHAT?! And then a BUZZSAW! McAfee says Kyle is STUPID! Dunne, Lorcan and Burch stomp away on McAfee and McAfee just watches and applauds. Fans boo as Dunne gives Kyle DANIELSON STOMPS! McAfee says Kyle fell for the trap! Dunne wrenches Kyle’s arm, tortures the fingers and puts them on the chair to STOMP!! Oney and Burch drag Kyle up and prop him up, but McAfee has them wait so he can place a chair under the landing zone. LONDON TOWER to the chair!! McAfee says he’s smarter than Kyle and his friends. These four are the new kings of NXT, and that, “Cauliflower Kyle,” is UNDISPUTED. How did McAfee get The Bruiserweight on his side?! What will these four do next?!

 

Grimes still reluctantly goes with Regal to the parking lot.

Grimes keeps trying to reason with Regal. He can just lose by forfeit and go back to the locker room. No. How about Regal go with him? Grimes would feel much safer! No. Grimes goes outside, thinking Regal is following, but the door shuts behind him! Oh no! Grimes looks and says it can’t be… This piece of junk is the van taking him there? Well he should at least be shotgun then. OH NO who is that? A zombie?! And out of the back, it’s MICHAEL HAYES?! “Thanks for the lift.” Hayes tells Grimes he was born in a place called Party Town, on a road called Bad Street. And it’s called Bad Street because further down the block you went, the badder it got. And he’s from the last house on the block. Hayes walks away and Grimes reluctantly gets in as he complains, “I hate rednecks…” The van takes off into the night, but where will Grimes end up?

 

Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Jake Atlas!

El Legado del Fantasma won the Six Man Tag match, but the Leader of Leaders took a header thanks to Atlas’ cartwheel DDT! This isn’t for the title, but it could be an appetizer! Will it be trick or treat, victory or defeat when Atlas gets a 1v1 shot at the NXT Cruiserweight Champion?

The bell rings and Escobar ROCKS Atlas with a calf kick! Escobar stomps and kicks Atlas to the corner, Atlas hits back but Escobar stomps Atlas down. Escobar stands Atlas up to CHOP him! Escobar tells Atlas he doesn’t belong, then he whips him corner to corner. Atlas hits hard, then Escobar adds knees! Escobar throws forearms, taunts Atlas more, but Atlas grits his teeth. Escobar brings Atlas out to shove him back, then runs corner to corner for DOUBLE KNEES! Atlas flops down, Escobar drags him up to wrench and kick. Escobar drags Atlas up, SLAPS Atlas, then tells him again, “You don’t belong here! Quit!” Atlas seethes, and he blocks the punch to SLAP Escobar back! Escobar turns into Atlas’ haymakers! Atlas fires off body shots and clubbing forearms!

Atlas whips, Escobar reverses but Atlas dodges to elbow back hard! Atlas whips Escobar corner to corner, then back drops Escobar! Escobar gets up, Atlas scoops and dumps him! Atlas reels Escobar in, Escobar fights back so Atlas throws uppercuts! Atlas SNAP GERMANS! And ROLLING ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Escobar survives but he is in a daze! Atlas is up top, CARTWHEEL DDT!! Cover, but Legado get the ropebreak for Escobar! The ref suspects them, but Atlas FLIES out to take them down! Escobar grabs Atlas but Atlas DECKS him! Atlas has to fight off the others, but Raul Mendoza uses the LOADED MASK HEADBUTT! Mendoza puts Atlas in, Escobar hits the butterfly FACEBUSTER! Cover, Escobar wins!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

It was definitely the tricks that brought Atlas defeat! Will Atlas have to wait a long time before he gets sweet revenge?

 

Ember Moon speaks.

“Swimming with the sharks of this division, it motivates that last lift, that last jump, that last push.” She wants confrontation and competition! She wants it ALL! Dakota Kai stepped up, exactly what Ember wanted. When Ember left, Dakota was afraid of her own shadow. Now Dakota’s one of the best. Dakota has a sick kick, but too bad she won’t like the receipt. Ember puts #CobraKai on notice, will there be a response?

 

Our host has gone from Shotzistein to Shotzipira!

“The scares have just begun! Coming up next is the Haunted House of Terror!” Grimes’ Uber from Hell is almost to its destination, will it be his final destination?

 

Haunted House of Terror match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes!

The van pulls up, Grimes springs out of it in a cold sweat, and tells himself to be ready. “Lumis?! I hope this is the right place, Lumis, because I’m coming for ya!” Wait, what’s that? Oh, just a swing. Lumis will need more than that to s-scare Cameron Grimes! But Grimes warns Lumis now, when he finds Lumis, he’ll get him! Lumis is UP IN THE TREE! Grimes tries to stay brave as he walks inside the house. Is this the right house? Deer head! H-Ha! Almost got him. But Grimes has seen bigger bucks. But then a tricycle goes by all by itself!? Grimes is freaking out. He didn’t know Lumis had kids! Lumis is now in the pantry closet!?

Grimes keeps looking through the house, trying to bolster his own courage. Is Lumis even in here? That referee is doing a Blair Witch! HE HAS WARTS ON HIS FACE! Lumis busts in through a door and two-hand chokes Grimes against the wall! Grimes claws Lumis’ eyes, throws him into a vanity and KICKS him into the mirror! Grimes hurries away, closing the door behind him. Lumis hammers the door but Grimes holds it shut! Lumis kicks the door off the frame! Grimes goes to a bathroom and shuts himself in, but… Is someone in the shower? Oh, hello, miss. Well, Grimes didn’t realize Lumis had a sister. Maybe Grimes will wash up. Make room for- OH NOOO WHAT?! Is that the girl from The Ring!?

Grimes runs away and wants OUT! He can’t find the door he came in through! Lumis grabs him through a window!! Lumis climbs in, rams Grimes into a wall, then carries him. Grimes rakes eyes again then shoulders Lumis away. Grimes runs away but dares Lumis to try something. More people with warts on their faces!! Grimes runs down a hallway and bumps into Lumis! UPPERCUT! Grimes BOOTS and ROUNDHOUSES, and says this is over! Grimes grabs a broom but Lumis has left. Who is this now? Oh it’s Lumis’ Ring Sister!! And there’s TWO OF THEM!? One jumps off the fridge to tackle Grimes! Grimes flails about as she’s on his back! They smash through the screen door into the backyard! Grimes flails and throws the spooky ghoul off! But turns around to see the warty zombies!

Grimes finds his way back to the van and gets in shotgun. LUMIS IS DRIVING! Grimes bails out again and runs off down the street into the night! To be continued…

 

Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez!

The Nightmare and #RickyDesperado are going to bring the brutality, you can bet on that! But who will establish themselves as THE monstrous alpha female of NXT?

NXT returns as Raquel makes her entrance. The ref has to keep the peace for just long enough, the bell rings and these two tie up and go around! Fans rally, Raquel knees low and hard, then whips Rhea to a corner. Rhea dodges, Raquel rams into buckles and Rhea fires off hands! Rhea throws more haymakers, but Raquel blocks the whip! Raquel whips Rhea to a corner, Rhea goes up but gets caught! Rhea slips out, kicks low and reels Raquel in for a facelock! Raquel thrashes and powers Rhea to a corner! Raquel RAMS in, then lets off to bring Rhea around. Raquel CLUBS Rhea, Rhea throws body shots but Raquel shoves her away. Rhea boots but Raquel blocks so Rhea boots her away. Raquel blocks the punch and that shocks Rhea!

Rhea stomps a foot, HEADBUTTS, but Raquel ducks the roundhouse to CLOBBER Rhea from behind! Rhea gets up but still seems surprised by Raquel’s power. They get forehead to forehead, talking trash about who’s stronger. Raquel shoves, Rhea shoves back, repeat! Raquel SLAPS, Rhea SLAPS, and they both glare before firing off fast and furious! Rhea ducks, throws body shots, ducks again then kicks the leg. Rhea runs but Raquel throws her down! And drops an elbow! And then stomps Rhea down! Raquel drags Rhea up, suplexes but Rhea blocks! Rhea suplexes but Raquel blocks. They keep fighting for control, Raquel gets Rhea up but Rhea slips out to LARIAT! Raquel stays up!! So Rhea LARIATS again, but it’s still not enough!

Raquel blocks the third try, fireman’s carries, but Rhea slips out to fireman’s carry back! Raquel slips out, blocks the kick then throws Rhea to ropes. Raquel follows, Rhea dodges, goes the other way, DROPKICK! Raquel bails out as fans fire up! Rhea runs and wrecks Raquel with a dropkick! Raquel ends up at the desk and Rhea aims from the apron. Rhea CANNONBALLS but is caught?! Raquel brings Rhea up to POWREBOMB into the boards!! Raquel lets Rhea hit the floor as NXT goes picture in picture. Raquel puts Rhea in the ring and covers, TWO!

Raquel seethes, drags Rhea up, and whips her to a corner. Raquel stomps a mudhole into Rhea, digs her foot in, but the ref counts. Raquel lets off to argue with the ref, then drags Rhea up to CLUB her over and over! Raquel drags Rhea up, Rhea hits back, but Raquel shoves and BOOTS Rhea down! Cover, TWO! Raquel stays on Rhea with the grounded double chicken wing! Rhea endures as Raquel RAMS her knee in! And again! Raquel thrashes Rhea around but Rhea refuses to give up! Rhea fights up and out, they start throwing haymakers on the mat! Raquel ROCKS Rhea, CLUBS Rhea, then brings her up to scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Raquel grows frustrated and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns as Raquel tortures Rhea in the Gory Especial Stretch! Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Rhea endures. Raquel pulls back on the arms but Rhea powers up! Rhea pops out to sunset flip, TWO! Rhea ducks a clothesline but not the BLINDSIDE! Cover, TWO! Raquel grows frustrated again as she drags Rhea back up. Raquel whips and corner splashes Rhea, then runs in again. Rhea elbows Raquel back, and then again. Raquel swings but into Raquel’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Raquel is losing her cool. Raquel drags Rhea up, reels her in, but Rhea back drops! Rhea and Raquel slowly stand, Rhea CHOPS and CHOPS and then spins Raquel for cravat knee strikes! Rhea runs, gets around Raquel and sweeps the legs! Raquel gets up but Rhea runs to DROPKICK her down! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are thunderous as Rhea and Raquel slowly rise. Rhea has Raquel first for the straddle knockdown! And another! Rhea stomps and stomps and stomps, then gets the legs! PRISM TRAP!! Raquel endures, rolls, but Rhea sits for a cover, ONE! Rhea ends up in the ropes, Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel drags Rhea up, scoops her and swings for another POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives, reminding us why she was an NXT and NXT UK Women’s Champion! Raquel puts Rhea in the corner, throws forearms then hoists her up top. Raquel climbs up to join Rhea, clubs her, then stands her up. Rhea resists, fights back and slips inside to then haymaker and headbutt! Rhea manages a pump handle, but Raquel fights free! Raquel staggers, comes back, throws forearms, but Rhea hits back!

Rhea and Raquel brawl as Raquel climbs. Rhea boots her away, stands up, but Raquel is right back up to SUPER OVERHEAD SUPLEX Rhea!! Rhea is in a daze, Raquel covers, TWO!?!? Raquel is in angry disbelief! Raquel drags Rhea up as fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Raquel fisherman’s and lifts, but Rhea slips around the headscissor Raquel into buckles! Rhea stalks Raquel, ROUNDHOUSES her, then pump handles! RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall

The Mosh Pit Kid is STILL the dominant force of the NXT Women’s Division! Will anyone ever be able to survive her brutality?

 

Grimes is still running down the street!

But where is he in relation to the Capitol Wrestling Center? Grimes is trying to make the long, long journey, but will he make it before the show is over?

 

Backstage interview with “Hollywood” Drake Maverick.

What does he and his tag partner, Killian Dain, have planned for tonight? “Well y’know something, Mean Gene,” Dain and Maverick, “with the 2 point 4 inch pythons,” have tag team domination on their minds, brother! Well, this isn’t Mean Gene, this is- Yes you are, Mackenzie! But it is Halloween, so please play along? But then someone is being Andre the Giant! And another is the MUMMY! And Maverick is sandwiched between them! But here comes THE SHOCKMASTER! And he doesn’t trip over himself this time! Mummy and Andre back off, and Maverick wants Dain to take the helmet off. He was supposed to trip. Why? Because the Shockmaster does that. Oh, it was hard to tell when Maverick kept adding “brother” to everything. But no, Dain didn’t want to do that. Why doesn’t he like fun?

First, Dain didn’t like the gear. God no. Second, the logo. Definitely no! Then Dain didn’t like the music! Definitely did. And now he won’t even do Shockmaster right! Do you know how long it took for Maverick to recreate the helmet?! But fine, Maverick will be tiny Shockmaster. He puts the helmet on, and trips. Dain laughs at Maverick falling on his arse.

 

Grimes returns to the CWC!

Grimes is relieved to be back! He’s running out of gas as he gets back to the door. Is Grimes going to find a safe place to hide from Lumis?

Actually, Grimes ends up by ringside! And on the spooky set. He realizes that, and how there’s a lot more fog. Wait, how did creepy Ring girl get here?! Grimes begs she and her twin not do something to him! They creep and crawl their way to him and Grimes warns them! Grimes gets in the ring, warns them to stay out or he’ll get ’em! But Lumis slides in behind him!! OH NO! Lumis puts Grimes in a corner, DECKS him with uppercuts and ROKCS Him with haymakers! Clothesline and BULLDOG! Grimes flounders, Lumis runs in but Grimes boots him! Grimes runs, into a SPINE BUSTER! Lumis paces around Grimes, watches him writhe in the smoke, and then Grimes sits up. Grimes begs Lumis for mercy, but the zombies are lurking! Grimes freaks out, begs them to stop this, but then he gives one a CAVE-IN!

Lumis just stares as “his sister” crawls up. Lumis lets her climb and crawl all over him, then get up on his shoulders. Grimes begs for mercy and apologizes for everything he’s done. No go as Lumis TOSSES the zombie girl at him! Then URENAGE! Into THE SILENCE!! Grimes flails, fades, and is OUT!! Lumis… wins?

Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission

Well the smoke still fills the ringside, and the zombies creep and crawl in around Lumis. Lumis leaves Grimes for dead as the lights fade out. THE END. Will Lumis make sure things only get scarier for his next victim?

 

NXT hears from Io Shirai and Candice LeRae before their match.

The Evil Genius says #TheJohnnyGarganoWay won’t be enough to beat her. The Poison Pixie says, “Trick or treat, here’s defeat.” She got rid of the dead weight and is now where she should be: #1 contender. Shirai says biker chain match, she beats Candice. Candice says Cole Miner’s Glove on a Pole, she beats Shirai. Blindfold match? Buried Alive? Casket Match? Boiler Room Brawl? Weapon’s Wild? It doesn’t matter if it’s Shotzi’s Choice! Shirai and Candice are confident in their chances. Candice almost had Shirai at TakeOver. Tonight, she leaves NXT Women’s Champion. Shirai says it doesn’t matter, she beats Candice.

 

Shotzistein, Shotzipira, now she’s BeelzeShotzi!

Last but not least, Shotzi spins the wheel one last time for the NXT Women’s Championship! We find out what kind of match Shirai and Candice have after the break.

 

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“Week after week, I look around this place, and one thing has become abundantly clear. I don’t recognize NXT anymore.” The letters, the colors, those are the same, and the talent is still among the most talented in the world today. But the attitude and the culture, everyone walking around like they’re owed something, asking for opportunity. “Out with the old, in with the new. It’s my turn.” This isn’t a game, no one takes turns! If you’re hungry, you eat. Ciampa’s hungrier, he eats first. Ciampa says everyone wants to blame someone else for what they don’t have. “Different locations, different voices, same message. Brass ring, glass ceiling, ‘they’re holding down my talent, I’m great!'” Maybe this tweet or this post will get them buzz.

Ciampa’s heard it all before. And he knows this much: Ciampa was never handed anything! He never asked for an opportunity. He was simply undeniable. “The greatest sports entertainer of all time, and for a very, very long time, Tommaso Ciampa was NXT.” Fate took that away from him, but he’s going to take it back. “Velveteen Dream, this all begins with you. A 25-year-old prodigy, oozing It Factor, who can’t seem to get out of his own damn way. How does that old saying go? Hit me with a cast once, shame on you. Hit me with a cast twice, you’re a dead man.” Will the Dream die when #NoOneWillSurvive?

 

Candice LeRae heads to the ring.

The Poison Pixie is out first, being the Sally to Johnny’s Jack Skellington. But will Shirai make sure she’s in literal stitches after tonight? Speaking of, POPPY is back for a special performance as part of Shirai’s entrance! Poppy’s dressed up, too, cosplaying as Sayaka Igarashi of Kakeguri, it seems. But of course, it’s time to spin the wheel! And we land on… TLS, Tables, Ladders and SCARES, oh my!

NXT Women’s Championship TLS Match: Io Shirai VS Candice LeRae!

The bell rings, Candice swings on Shirai but Shirai ducks to FLAPJACK Candice down! Candice bails out fast, Shirai builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the “graveyard!” Shirai catches her breath and looks under the ring. Just as the ref finally straps the belt to the hook, Shirai brings out a ladder! Candice pushes Shirai into the apron, brings her up and throws her into barriers! Candice goes looking under the ring and brings out a TABLE! But what is that in the pillowcase stuck to it? Candice grabs the back, pours it out, and it’s BODY PARTS?! Oh, prop parts, but still! That scared Candice for a second. Shirai grabs the fake arms and SLAPS Candice with them! And SPANKS her, too! Shirai then runs, but Candice drop toeholds Shirai onto the ladder!

Candice grabs another ladder, brings that out and SLAMS it down on Shirai! Then she stands that ladder up, CLUBS Shirai on the back and follows her around the way. Candice whips, Shirai reverses and POSTS Candice! Shirai makes sure her arms are okay before bringing Candice up. Candice hits back, whips but Shirai sends Candice over the desk! Shirai clears the desk off, stands on top of it, and drags Candice up to join her. Shirai suplexes but Candice fights back! Candice uses a monitor to SMACK Shirai! Shirai tumbles down, Candice brings out another ladder! Candice makes herself a ladder bridge between ring and desk, but Shirai has a chair. Shirai TOSSES it at Candice’s head! Shirai goes under the ladder and stomps Candice. That better not be bad luck.

Shirai runs and METEORAS Candice into the side of the steps! Shirai isn’t done, she goes around and brings out more chairs! Shirai puts the chairs in the ring, Candice crawls up behind her but gets a chair to the ribs! Shirai puts the chair in the ring, then keeps adding more! There are about half a dozen chairs in the ring, then Shirai suplexes Candice to the floor! Fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture.

Shirai just keeps looking under the ring, but there’s nothing left for her on this side. She goes around the way, moves the fake body parts aside and sets up that table from before. Candice crawls up behind her again, and CLUBS Shirai on the back. There’s a chalk outline on the table! Candice RAMS Shirai into steel steps, but Shirai comes back to stomp Candice! And bump her off the steps! Shirai brings out a SECOND TABLE! Candice ROCKS Shirai with a haymaker, then another! Candice clubs Shirai, but Shirai FLAPJACKS Candice off the steps! Shirai throws Candice around, climbs up top, but Candice gets in the ring. Candice staggers up but Shirai missile dropkicks her down! Shirai Alabama lifts Candice for the AIR RAID CRASH!

Shirai goes back out, sets up the other table, and places it side by side with the other. Candice dropkicks Shirai down as NXT returns to single picture! Candice brings Shirai up, Shirai forearms but Candice returns it! They ROCK each other and the two fall over! Shirai crawls away and back to a ladder. Shirai picks it up, puts it in the ring, but Candice puts one in on her own. Shirai stands hers up first, but Candice climbs it! Shirai drags her down, Candice rocks Shirai back. They brawl, Shirai wheelbarrows, but into a FACEBUSTER! Candice stands her own ladder up in a corner. She brings Shirai away from her ladder, climbs it, but Shirai drags Candice back down. Shirai throws a SHOTEI! Candice goes down, Shirai arranges her chairs in a nice pile.

Shirai stomps Candice, drags her up and reels her in, underhooks but Candice resists! Shira still gets her up, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Shirai puts Candice on the chair pile, goes up top, and OVER THE MOONSAULTS onto chairs!! Candice moved and Shirai crashes onto chairs hard! Candice SMACKS Shirai on the back! And again! And again! Shirai flounders and writhes her way under the ladder. Candice stands the chair up, drags Shirai up and asks, “Remember this?! You did this to me!” Shirai does and she blocks the suplex! Shirai hits Candice, Candice waistlocks but Shirai spins around! Shirai suplexes Candice onto the chair!! History repeats itself! Candice is down in a heap and fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!”

Shirai crawls to her ladder, climbs back up, but Candice anchors Shirai’s foot. Shirai kicks but Candice drags her down. Candice SLAPS Shirai, but Shirai just gets mad. Candice is against a ladder, Shirai runs in, the SHINKANSEN crashes into the ladder as Candice moves!! And then Shirai barely guards herself as the ladder falls on her! Candice is on the apron, she shoulders Shirai away. Shirai clutches the leg, Candice shakes out the arm. Candice climbs up a corner, Shirai SHOTEIS again! Shirai shoves her chairs away and brings her ladder around. Shirai sets some ladders up, climbs up to go after Candice, and then brings her up. Candice fights, the two hop down, so Shirai grabs a chair and catches a leg! FULL METAL DRAGON SCREW!!

Candice drops to the apron, her foot having been wrenched in that vice, but Shirai shows no mercy! Shirai runs to Tiger Feint! Candice ducks to SMACK Shirai with the chair! Both women are on the apron, MS. LERAE’S WILD RIDE through both tables!! Now the chalk outlines are for them! Fans are losing their minds as both women are down, “This is Awesome!” But GHOST FACE is back!? They put Candice in and help her to the ladder?! And UP the ladder! Ghost Face is following #TJGW! But SHOTZI gets in to counter this! Shotzi has Ghost Face in an Electric Chair, and DROPS them on the chair pile!! But Candice is still on top of the ladder! Candice rises slowly, but Shirai has her own ladder! Shirai sets up right next to Candice and intercepts her!

Shirai stops Candice from getting the belt, but Candice RAKES eyes! Shirai drops down, Candice reaches, but Shirai SHOVES the ladders over! Candice falls through the ladder bridge!! Even Shirai realizes that was scary! Shirai climbs back up and grabs the belt, Shirai wins!!

Winner: Io Shirai (still NXT Women’s Champion)

The Evil Genius survives  that truly terrifying title match! Shirai sits atop the ladder, will anyone ever dethrone her from the top of the NXT Women’s Division? As for Candice LeRae, is she still in one piece?


My Thoughts:

This was an AWESOME episode! Opening not only with the North American Championship but having the live theme for Priest was great stuff. I was glad we got “Devil’s Playground,” because that name alone was reason to make it the stipulation. Of course it just turns out to be Falls Count Anywhere, but it turned into an awesome Falls Count Anywhere. I will say, I didn’t expect there to be someone to interfere, but I should have. Same goes for the INSANE (and honestly a bit scary) TLC match in the main event. And while it was Ghost Face each time, I bet it was two different people. Given how things have been going for the #TJGW story, Austin Theory had to be the one interfering in the North American Championship match, and then Indi Hartwell puts on her own Ghost Face costume to help Candice. I figured Gargano and Candice would split the results, so it works out that Gargano won his for some fresher match-ups for that title. And seriously, Candice fell through the ladder rather awkwardly so hopefully she’s okay.

For being a host, Shotzi didn’t do as much as I expected, but it seems costume changes take a lot of doing. She still got a great part in helping keep Candice from winning thanks to Ghost Face Indi. I feel like if Candice isn’t getting another shot at the title, she (and Indi) are going to spin off to go after Shotzi. If only Tegan Nox wasn’t actually hurt, she could come back and help Shotzi take on Candice and Indi. But after that awesome 1v1 of Rhea VS Raquel, I bet Rhea teams up with Shotzi again now that she’s gotten past another feud. Shotzi and Rhea are honestly a great combination given they’re both rockers. Escobar VS Atlas was good, but Escobar still needed El Legado to help him win, so that’s a little disappointing. I wonder if NXT is going to keep Escobar as champion long enough for him and Jordan Devlin to face off and crown our Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion.

We got a great little bit from Maverick and Dain with the costume references to the days of WCW, and it feels like Dain is starting to lighten up a little on Maverick. McAfee and his group had a great segment, because he is great on the mic talking trash, and because I did NOT see Dunne being the fourth man. But it makes sense that you get another hard hitter to fit in with Oney and Burch since Holland can’t be because of injury. And it also seems to add to my thinking that WarGames is the end result, since we’re talking 4v4, the Undisputed Era is involved, and Dunne has been a rival of theirs and even entered WarGames last year. That’s going to be a great moment when the UE regroups at 100% health and they get to give that dreaded announcement.

Ciampa issuing a warning to Dream was a great promo, and though it mainly sticks to kayfabe, I couldn’t help but feel that thin layer of meta given the real life issues Dream has been dealing with, and perhaps been creating for himself out of immaturity. But Ciampa VS Dream is going to be a great match. As will Ember VS Dakota, after Ember gave a good promo herself. Lumis VS Grimes was a great match, even with the cinematic portions. Regal was great, seeing Michael Hayes was great, and Grimes was perfect! But naturally, Lumis wins as he is the naturally scary character, and I wonder if Lumis will be the one moving up the ranks towards the NXT Championship. Finn Balor still has to recover, but I’m sure he’ll be fine. Balor VS Lumis will be an interesting route to take, too, as Lumis doesn’t really talk that much, but the match should be a bit more methodical and not so overly strong style like Balor VS O’Reilly ended up being.

My Score: 9.3/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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