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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/26/20)

Who survived Hell in a Cell?

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WWE Raw Coverage 3.0

The more things change, the more they stay the same for Monday Night Raw.

After Hell in a Cell, Randy Orton is once again WWE World Champion! But The Miz is once again Mr. MITB! Will history repeat itself?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Survivor Series Team Raw Qualifier: Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles; Styles wins and joins Team Raw.
  • Lucha House Party VS Drew Gulak & Akira Tozawa; Lucha House Party wins.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Tag Team Interruptus: R-Truth retains the title.
  • Survivor Series Team Raw Qualifier: Keith Lee VS Elias; Keith wins and joins Team Raw.
  • 8 Man Tag Elimination Match: The Hurt Business VS Retribution; The Hurt Business wins, by disqualification.
  • Drew McIntyre VS The Miz w/ John Morrison; McIntyre wins.
  • Survivor Series Women’s Team Raw Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Lana VS Lacey Evans VS Peyton Royce VS Nikki Cross; Lana wins and joins Team Raw.
  • Survivor Series Team Raw Qualifier: Sheamus VS Matt Riddle; Sheamus wins and joins Team Raw.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drew McIntyre is here!

Despite falling off the side of the cell through the announce desk and then losing his title, the Scottish Stud is still able to make it for Monday Night Raw! McIntyre gets the mic to say, “I’m trying to think of the words to best express how I feel losing my WWE Championship nearly 24 hours ago to Randy Orton.” The truth is, McIntyre will give no excuses, but one promise: “I will be WWE Champion once again.” But thinking back to the movie Rocky, there’s a quote in that movie that McIntyre lives his life by. “It’s not about hard you’re hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” That is how you win! If you have followed McIntyre, you know that he gets back up twice as strong!

But you’re also wondering why he’s in such a good word with inspirational quotes, right? He flew off the side of the Cell, roughly 15 feet then through a table and it hurt like hell! But here’s the thing. If you could read his mind right now, if you knew what was going on up in his head, you wouldn’t think that. You’d be scared. But THE MIZ interrupts! He and John Morrison are feeling great after Miz took the Money in the Bank contract from Otis! Miz says, “Bravo, Drew, bravo. Take a bow!” Everyone watching at home should give McIntyre an encore! McIntyre strongly suggests Miz choose his words very carefully. Morrison says they just want to congratulate him. McIntyre swears he’ll drop them where he stands.

Morrison says McIntyre had a great run as champion! He beat Rollins, Lashley and Lesnar. Very impressive. Almost as impressive as become a TWO-TIME Mr. MITB. Miz says to Morrison that all good things must come to an end, including Otis’ run as Mr. MITB and McIntyre’s run as champion. Oh c’mon, McIntyre, take a joke. You’re not a loser, just not a winner. So they’re commending him on not letting that get him down. Now McIntyre won’t have to face Orton as champion. And why would Miz say that? Because, as Miz was going to say before being interrupted, Miz has the briefcase! And this makes him THE Mr. MITB, and he wants us all to know that he is entitled to a world title match any time he wants! Miz has successfully done it before, and who was it against? Randy Orton! CORRECT!

McIntyre says that if they’re going to interrupt him, at least pay attention. They continue to ignore him as Miz asks Morrison where Miz cashed in on Randy Orton. Right here in the Orlando Amway Center! CORRECT! Miz ran down, cashed in, countered the RKO to the Finale and pinned him to become WWE World Champion, #AngryMizGirl, Miz had people celebrating with him, and then Miz celebrated with then future wife Maryse. And this morning, Miz was talking to Maryse on his way here, and he said history could repeat itself! Orton is a guest on A Moment of Bliss. So McIntyre, things could be worse. CORRECT!

Let’s just hypothetically say McIntyre won at HIAC. He would be standing here with the WWE Championship, outnumbered by them. And in that case, Miz would cash in and become WWE Champion, thus putting McIntyre in the same situation he’s in right now: disappointed, frustrated and empty handed. So as embarrassing as this is on the inside, look at the bright side! McIntyre has no more target on his back, doesn’t have to worry about MC M I Z, and it just dawned on Morrison, hopefully it doesn’t take another nineteen years for McIntyre to get back tot he title. Oh, c’mon, McIntyre, it’s a joke! McIntyre doesn’t laugh, he HEADBUTTS Miz! Miz is down from the Glasgow Kiss, and Morrison tries to use the horrible Scottish accent to appease him. NOPE! McIntyre just DECKS Morrison with a right hand! And then hauls him up to whip and OVERHEAD SUPLEX! “Time to fly!” ANOTHER OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

McIntyre scares Miz out of the ring but pursues, to put Morrison back in! McIntyre drags Morrison up, Miz gets in to chop block a leg! The Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century run away, but McIntyre STOMPS the sunglasses they left behind. McIntyre has an idea that he’s going to run by management, and it’ll be a bad Monday for these “friggin’ idiots.” What could McIntyre have in mind?

 

Survivor Series Team Raw Qualifier: Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles w/ Jordan Omogbehin!

The Charismatic Enigma may not have won at HIAC, but he got to give Elias a sample of his own “smash hit.” Will Hardy rebound to join Team Raw at the battle of the brands? Or will the Phenomenal One win with his BIG back-up at ringside?

Raw returns and AJ Styles has a mic. “That’s right! 2-0 baby!” He’s 2-0 on Raw, and is dominating everyone that gets in the ring with him! It is the return of THE PHENOMENAL ERA of Raw! Surely everyone missed him, not that he cares. But let’s get to the question on everyone’s mind, including his: Why is AJ Styles in a qualifying match for Raw’s Survivor Series team? Has he not proven himself worthy? Not just in the WWE, but around the world! Who does he still have to prove himself to? Adam Pearce and the “jokers in the back?” C’mon! But not only should Styles be on the team, but he should be the captain! And it’s simply because of his face right here. The Face that Runs the Place!

And maybe you’ve noticed his new associate. Jordan Omogbehin doesn’t like to be noticed or looked at or talked to. That is a warning. But let’s talk about this match with “the biggest cheater in WWE history,” Jeff Hardy! Hardy used his illegal knee brace to win the Intercontinental Championship from Styles. But the joke’s on Hardy now! If Hardy tries what he did then here tonight, Styles’ associate will wish Hardy never put down the bottle. Hardy makes his entrance after those fighting words, will he shut Styles up and cast aside all doubt?

The bell rings, Styles kicks low and clubs Hardy down! Styles stomps Hardy, drags him up and throws haymakers! Hardy wobbles, Styles whips but Hardy ducks and slides out to dare Styles to follow. Styles does but Hardy goes in to then swing and wreck Styles with that dropkick! Hardy goes out, climbs up the corner, and leaps, but Omogbehin catches him! Omogbehin stares Hardy down this way but Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Styles cranks on a neck wrench. Fans rally for Hardy, he fights up with elbows and body shots, then runs but into an enziguri! Styles drags Hardy up, suplexes and hits a SNAP BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hardy survives and Styles is upset already. Styles paces, goes to the apron, and prepares the arm. Hardy slowly rises, hobbles away, and Styles is frustrated. Styles gets in, waits for Hardy to stand, and runs in, only to miss! Hardy comes back with forearms, atomic drop, leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick! Splash down and cover, TWO! Hardy keeps his focus but he does hesitate with Omogbehin so close. Hardy kicks, Styles blocks but Hardy spin back kicks him away! Styles is in the corner, HARDY-AC ATTACK! Cover, TWO!

Styles and Hardy are down after the swinging dropkick, but Hardy rises first. Hardy drags Styles up, Styles fireman’s carries to USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down again but Styles sits up first. Styles drags Hardy up to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz, but into the jawbreaker! Hardy gets Styles for the Russian Leg Sweep, and leg cradle! Cover, TWO!! Styles narrowly pops free but Hardy flounders back up. Hardy hobbles after Styles in a corner and hoists him up top. Hardy throws hands, climbs up and brings Styles up, but Styles resists the superplex! Styles slips through and trips Hardy up! Hardy hits buckles and flounders away but Styles brings him up to torture rack! TOWER HACK BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Hardy still lives but Styles is too tired to be frustrated.

Styles gets back up, drags Hardy up and in but Hardy resists the Clash! Hardy spins out, kicks and Twist, but Styles slips out! Styles Peles but misses, OKLAHOMA ROLL, TWO!! Hardy kicks low and suplexes, GOURD BUSTER! Hardy hurries to a corner but Omogbehin is close again. Hardy still climbs, but Styles gets up to trip Hardy up! Hardy tumbles to the apron and clutches the bad leg. Styles goes out to bring Styles up, Hardy fights back but is denied the Twist! Styles POSTS Hardy then clotheslines him into the ring! Styles aims, springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (qualifies for the Raw Men’s Team)

Raw’s team is now phenomenal, but you have to think Omogbehin was a distraction just by being there. Will Styles bring that advantage to Raw come Survivor Series?

But then ELIAS attacks Hardy with another GUITAR SMASH! The Drifter won’t let Hardy off the hook, but will he be able to focus on his own qualifier later tonight?

 

Backstage interview with R-Truth.

Truth is still WWE 24/7 Champion after defeating Drew Gulak, before having to run off again. Errybody wants Truth’s baby. But all those guys are going to have their hands full with each other in a tag match. Truth will be there to scout his competition, and to let them know that if they want a piece of the Truth, here he is. Isn’t that dangerous? Being the 24/7 487 7/11 I-95 South European Champion IS dangerous. But he eats dangerously, sleeps dangerously, and his full name is R. Franklin DANGEROUSLY Copperpot Truth. Well then will Mr. Dangerously Truth still have his name on that title after tonight?

 

WWE once again teams with Susan G. Komen to fight breast cancer.

This month, #GiveAMoment of joy, family and love.

 

Lucha House Party VS Drew Gulak & Akira Tozawa!

Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik, the Philly Stretcher and the Stamina Monster all want after R-Truth’s championship, but are looking to clear the other side out of the way first! Which duo moves into pole position for the race to capture the 24/7 487 7/11 I-95 South European Television Champion?

The teams sort out, Tozawa starts with Lince and he dodges the lunge to say STOP! Tozawa activates his ninja power to JAB Lince down! Tag to Gulak, they mug Lince and double whip to double elbow! Gulak covers, ONE, but Gulak stays close. Gulak gets Lince in a clinch, then a backbreaker and press! Lince endures, even as Gulak digs knuckles into the ribs. Lince pops free, Gulak drags him back up but Lince CHOPS! Gulak kicks low, whips but Lince rolls up and hits a FACEBUSTER! And here comes R-Truth! He’s a little late to scouting the match like he promised to do, but he goes right to commentary. Tozawa sneaks up on Truth to roll him up! TWO!! Truth BOOTS Tozawa and then throws him into barriers!

But Metalik LEAPS at Truth from the apron! Truth dodges then gets in the ring, but Lince dropkicks him down! Cover on Truth, Gulak breaks it! Gulak throws Lince away, covers Truth, TWO! Truth and Gulak get up, Truth dodges as Lince LEAPS and crossbodies Gulak! Lince covers Gulak, LHP wins the tag match!

Winners: Lucha House Party, by pinfall

But Tozawa drags Truth out to roll him up, Metalik breaks it! Metalik La Magistrol, TWO! Lince sunset flips, TWO! Gulak is late to getting at Truth, and the chase is on again! Will Truth make it out of the ThunderDome with the gold?!

 

Raw returns with Firefly Fun House!

What a spread of sweets! Huskis and Mercy and even Ramblin’ Rabbit are chowing down as the Mad Hatter- Er, Bray Wyatt, walks in! Welcome to their very first MAD TEA PARTY~! Hell in a Cell was great, Bray, cheer up! No, not that kind of mad. Now shut your carrot hole. A very special guest is here! It’s Alexa in Wonderland! And she brought tea! YAY~! Abby is being the Red Queen by saying, “Off with your head.” Ramblin’ gets a special serving of tea. What’s in it? A touch of strawberry, a hint of peach, a sprinkle of sugar, and a smidgen of a secret ingredient! YAY~! But what’s the secret ingredient? She can tell Ramblin’, he’ll protect the secret with his life! Funny he should say that! It’s arsenic. OH NOOO~! Ramblin’ is meltin’! Aww…

YOWIE WOWIE, Alexa’s fitting right in! Bray’s mad, Alexa’s mad, “we’re all a little mad down here.” How does he know that? Well she has to be, or else she wouldn’t be here. This is a very magical place where memories and nightmares walk hand in hand! A place where you don’t have to hide from anything. You’re safe because “he” comforts and heals you! There’s only one thing you have to do. #LetHimIn. Alexa’s eyes change…! And then change back. The fun is just beginning! Tonight, Alexa has a fun chat with the NEW WWE World Champion, Randy Orton! Oh… awkward… Ramblin’ is back and says, “Hey, dudes. Turns out I’m alright. Honey Bunny, I’m coming home.” Bray has the brand and SMACKS away on Ramblin’! That’s it for this week! We can’t wait o see Orton on A Moment of Bliss! It’s gonna be FIRE! YAY~! Bye~! See you soon!

 

Backstage interview with Keith Lee.

The Limitless One is angry after losing to Braun Strowman under “questionable” tactics that were anything but! Braun couldn’t win clean, so instead of losing like a man, he went below the belt and took a cheap way out? A Monster? No, the next time Keith faces Braun, we’ll see a real monster. But not tonight. Tonight is about destroying Elias, joining Team Raw, and going to Survivor Series. Will Keith #WalkWithElias and make him #BaskInHisGlory?

 

Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler find Adam Pearce backstage.

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions obviously see the men are having Survivor Series qualifiers tonight. That’s great and all, but the women won’t do that. Nia has a list of those she thinks should be on the team. Pearce will take these under consideration but Nia isn’t team captain. Shayna figured, because she has HER list for Pearce. And Nia isn’t on it?! As captain, she had to do what was best for Raw. But wait, when are they finding out who is on the team? Pearce will look at both lists, and promises an announcement before the night is over. Right, make sure team captain hears first. But wait, was Shayna on Nia’s list? You won’t know now, will you?

 

Survivor Series Team Raw Qualifier: Keith Lee VS Elias!

We heard from Keith before the break, and we saw what Elias did to Hardy. Will the guitar be the least of things broken tonight with representing Raw on the line?

But before the match, Elias is in the spotlight. He plays his guitar and notes how he took care of Hardy. Just a little bit of payback for what Hardy did with that car. But Hardy won’t keep Elias down. Elias will put Hardy in the rearview mirror. Elias won, and is celebrating his album, Universal Truth, being out on iTunes, Spotify and all that. It’ll change your life, and it is already #2 on the charts! Now it’s called Universal Truth because there is a truth we all know in our souls: WWE stands for Walk With Elias! And with Hardy behind him, Elias will keep this going with a song, because he’ll beat Keith and join the Raw Survivor Series team. So please, silence cell phones, hold applause and most of all, shut your mouths! “Keith Lee-” interrupts! The Limitless One is in NO MOOD for song and dance, the match is happening now!

The two tie up, Keith pushes Elias around but Elias headlocks. Keith powers out and runs Elias over! Elias gets up, Keith wrenches the arm to a wristlock, then collides shoulders! Keith brings Elias up to ram him again! Elias throws an elbow back, but Keith blocks the whip to reverse it and HURDLE! Keith drops down then gets to BODY BLOCK Elias! Elias bails out of the ring to catch his breath and steady himself, but Keith goes out to pursue. Keith bumps Elias off barriers and puts him back in the ring. Keith takes his time returning but Elias hotshots him back! Elias runs to wreck Keith with a dropkick! Keith stays up but Elias goes out and runs, into a POUNCE!! Elias is sent over the announce desk and Keith stands tall as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Keith grinds down on Elias’ arm. Elias fights up, throws body shots but Keith knees low and clamps harder on the armlock. Keith grinds Elias down to the mat, clubs the arm, but Elias endures. Keith reels Elias in but Elias hits back with body shots. Keith knees Elias again, reels him back in, and lifts, but Elias fights out of the bomb and huricanranas! Keith gets up but Elias KNEES him back down! Keith goes out to the apron but Elias follows. Elias runs around the way to POST Keith! And then again! And then he throws Keith into barriers and into the ring! Elias gets up top fast, leaps, and ax handles Keith down! Cover, TWO! Elias keeps on Keith with stomps! Elias drops a knee, covers, TWO!

Elias keeps his focus as he looms over Keith. Elias fish hooks Keith’s nose then clamps on a chinlock. Elias thrashes and cranks on the hold but Keith fights his way up. Fans rally up, Keith pries free, but Elias knees him in the back! Elias whips, Keith reverses and scoops Elias for a POWERSLAM! Elias goes to a corner, Keith corner splashes then TOSSES Elias across the way! Keith hits another splash, wrenches and whips corner to corner again, but Elias goes up, only to get caught! Elias still kicks Keith away, and reels Keith into a swinging neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives but Elias climbs up top. But here comes Hardy for payback of his own! Elias looks for Hardy, but Keith grabs Elias to TOSS him down!

Keith brings Elias up, pops him up, and hits the SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Keith wins!

Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall (qualifies for the Raw Men’s Team)

It seems Hardy was just messing with Elias. Either way, Keith is on the team with AJ Styles, and that’s already an amazing combination! Elias manages to stand up, only for Hardy to SMASH him after all! Now they’re even! Hardy tells Elias to believe him about the car accident already, but are things only going to escalate from here?

 

The Hurt Business is backstage.

They’re all suited up, ready to face Retribution in an 8 Man Tag rematch, but MVP shouts at the guy wanting to use the restroom. No, that’s their restroom. Ask to use it first. The guy says he’s sorry, then scurries away. MVP, Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley are laughing now, but will Retribution finally get the last laugh tonight?

 

Backstage interview with Randy Orton.

The Viper is the new WWE World Champion and will surely expound upon that during A Moment of Bliss, but Charly asks if he’s worried about The Fiend? Orton has nothing to be concerned about. He made it out of hell as a 14-time champion. So it could be The Big Dog, The Fiend or the former WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre, at the end of the day, there is only one Randy Orton. The only people that need to be worried are those that cross him.

 

8 Man Tag Elimination Match: The Hurt Business VS Retribution!

Two forces have been fighting for dominance of Monday Night Raw, and given their love of bringing the hurt, it’s clear who has the upper hand. But just as Mustafa Ali changed that in a single moment, will he and his cohorts throw away the corrupt and greedy one by one so that the truth can be heard?

Raw returns and MVP has the mic. “Attention WWE Universe, this is an official announcement from the Hurt Business.” When Retribution first showed up, everyone fled except the Hurt Business. Lashley says they stood their ground because Retribution isn’t a threat, but an opportunity. Raw is an asset of the Hurt Business, and Retribution is a liability. Liabilities are bad for business, so you eliminate them. “If you’re a good businessman, you know that if you’re good at something, you never do it for free!” So MVP struck a deal with the higher-ups and said they’d take the fight to Retribution, and that is exactly what’s happened. Once they WRECK Retribution once and for all, the Hurt Business will have completed their end of the arrangement and be looking to collect their payment. Shelton Benjamin says that payment will be in GOLD. Retribution makes their entrance and this elimination battle begins!

The teams sort out, Lashley starts against T-Bar and they tie up. T-Bar tries to power Lashley back but Lashley turns it around to put T-Bar in the corner. The ref counts, Lashley lets off but counter punches T-Bar! T-Bar keeps hitting back but Lashely clubs and knees T-Bar, then bumps him off buckles! And more buckles and more buckles! Lashley stomps, clubs and punches, but lets off long enough before going up top. Lashley rains down rights but T-Bar powers him away! T-Bar BOOTS Lashley, then CLUBS him! T-Bar shows his power as he ROCKS Lashley! T-Bar whips Lashley to ropes, Lashley dodges and runs T-Bar over! Lashley drags T-Bar up, T-Bar rams him into a corner! T-Bar throws body shots but Lashley gets him in a clinch! T-Bar fights but the COMPLETE SHOT still hits!

Lashley drags T-Bar up, brings him to the corner and tags in MVP. The Hurt Business mugs T-Bar, MVP fires off and bumps T-Bar off buckles. MVP throws more haymakers, brings T-Bar out and says Ali will get what’s coming. But T-Bar knees hard and low! Tag to Mace, they mug MVP, and then Mace drags MVP up to say this is for Slapjack! Mace rains elbows into MVP, then tags Slapjack in. Retribution mugs MVP, Slapjack snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Slapjack stays close, drags MVP up and bumps him off buckles. Slapjack fires off forearms and uppercuts! Slapjack throws haymakers, goes corner to corner but MVP drop toeholds him into buckles! MVP runs corner to corner to BOOT Slapjack down! But MVP keeps him up to EXPLODER! Cover, Ali breaks it!

MVP is angry with Ali but “Reckoning” is on the apron. She claims she’s itchy? What is she doing? She goes wild and then faints?! Slapjack rolls MVP up, Slapjack ELIMINATES MVP! The Hurt Business is down their mastermind, but Reckoning is still flailing and writhing!? What is wrong with her?! Raw goes to break as this sorts out.

Raw returns and Lashley has Slapjack in a rear bearhug. Slapjack endures, and by the way, Reckoning was FAKING it! She just wanted Hurt Business to be distracted. So the ref EJECTED her! Things are fair as they can be with Retribution in a 4v3 advantage, but Lashley squeezes tighter on Slapjack for all of that. Slapjack fights up, throws elbows, and gets around to throw body shots. Lashley throws Slapjack to a corner, runs in but into a boot! Slapjack boots again, then runs, but into a TOSS! Slapjack lands on his feet but Lashley SPEARS him!! Cover, Lashley ELIMINATES Slapjack! But T-Bar pounces on him! T-Bar elbows away, but Lashley clinches and throws T-Bar out. T-Bar drags Lashley out to join him and clubs away!

The ring count is climbing while these two are brawling! Lashley throws T-Bar into barriers then clotheslines him over! But he doesn’t hear the count anymore! They’re brawling and are COUNTED OUT!! DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Now things are fair again at 2v2! Mace goes in against Cedric Alexander, and Alexander fires off fast hands! Mace shoves him away then LEG LARIATS! Ali likes that! “Make him feel what Retribution is about!” Mace says Alexander will feel every ounce! Mace throws body shots, then runs in to back elbow! Alexander flounders, Mace looms over him, but Alexander throws forearms. Mace ROCKS Alexander with that uppercut! Mace drags Alexander from the corner, Alexander throws more forearms, but he can’t get away! Mace reels Alexander in, Alexander slips free and dropkicks legs out!

Alexander DECKS Ali, but runs into a choke grip! Alexander gets free, Mace boots him, but Alexander holds rpoes. Benjamin tags in. Alexander handsprings to NEURALIZER! PAYDIRT from Benjamin!! Cover, Benjamin ELIMINATES Mace!! And Ali realizes he’s all alone. Ali tries to reason with Benjamin but Benjamin DEKCS him! And again! Benjamin whips, Ali dodges and comes back, but is caught for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Benjamin fires up, tags Alexander in, and they mug Ali! Alexander especially fires off and whips Ali into the corner! Alexander fires off more haymakers, the ref counts and Alexander lets off. Alexander brings Ali up, whips him corner to corner but ALi dropkicks Benjamin down! Ali BOOTS Alexander then runs, but into a BIG back drop!

Ali flounders, Alexander snarls and runs at Ali to BOOT him out of the ring!! Alexander dares Ali to get up, and Alexander goes out after him. Ali USES A CHAIR!

Winners: The Hurt Business, by disqualification

Ali doesn’t care about winning so long as he can hurt the Hurt Business! But Ali forgets Benjamin is still here. Benjamin stalks after Ali and Ali is in retreat. But MVP and Lashley return to surround him! Ali gets around to the back and runs away through the screens of the ThunderDome! The Hurt Business regroups around Alexander. MVP says Alexander did good. They dominated Retribution again, will they now collect on some golden rewards?

 

Angel Garza flirts with Mandy Rose.

And he has a rose for her, too. How is Otis doing? Are they still close? Mandy says Otis has had a rough 24 hours between losing his MITB contract and his best friend in Tucker. And to answer his question, yes, she and Otis are still close. Well then, maybe Dana Brooke is interested. But then Garza is distracted by Nia Jax. She tells him to save it. This is about business. Shayna tells Garza to move along, but Nia does take the rose. But to Survivor Series. If Mandy and Dana end up on their team- Wait, their team? Yes, their team. Let’s get something straight. Well to get something straight, Dana and Mandy have been undefeated since forming this team. If the champs want to join their team, fall in line or be ready to watch their backs, and those titles. Is this Punk’d? Mandy and Dana head out while Nia smells the rose. Seriously, Nia? Garza?

 

Drew McIntyre VS The Miz w/ John Morrison!

THIS is what McIntyre was getting at earlier! He may be battered but that doesn’t compare to his anger! Will he take it all out on the new Mr. MITB, to not only assert himself as the next contender but also make sure Miz can’t even think about cashing in?

Raw returns and The Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings, Morrison slide sin but slides out, only for McIntyre to be ready for Miz’s lunge! McIntyre clubs Miz away then bumps him off buckles. McIntyre CHOPS Miz, keeps him in the corner and throws a BIG haymaker! McIntyre tells Miz to tell jokes now, as he stomps a mudhole in! Miz kicks the bad leg! Miz runs but into an elbow! McIntyre drags Miz up, throws her out, and Morrison hurries away as McIntyre goes out to CHOP Miz again! McIntyre scoops Miz, Miz slips off and shoves him into steel steps! McIntyre’s bad ribs are hit! Miz stalks behind McIntyre and back into the ring to then go after him in a corner! Miz stomps the ribs, lets off at the ref’s count, but McIntyre kicks back! And CHOPS back!

McIntyre whips, Miz reverses and kicks the leg out, to then basement DDT! Cover, ONE!! Morrison is shocked but he says Miz still has this. Miz chokes McIntyre on the ropes, lets off at 4, and Morrison gets a cheap shot in! That only pisses McIntyre off! McIntyre gets up but Miz BOOTS him! Miz throws haymakers, and kicks, but McIntyre grabs Miz by the head to throw him into the buckles! Miz dodges, blocks the boot and KNEE JAMMERS! Miz puts the leg around ropes and pulls! McIntyre powers Miz away but Miz comes back with It Kicks! The ref counts, Miz lets off and runs, but into a LARIAT! McIntyre rallies with more clotheslines, then whips Miz for the OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Miz gets up, but just gets another OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

McIntyre glares, he gives Miz the jumping neckbreaker! And kips up! “Now, Miz, you’re screwed!” McIntyre glares at Miz, drags him up, underhooks but no Future Shock! McIntyre shoves Miz, Miz throws McIntyre out and rests against ropes to distract the ref. Morrison comes around but McIntyre BOOTS the briefcase away! McIntyre gives Morrison an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! McIntyre CHUCKS the briefcase to the stage! McIntyre goes in, Miz gets McIntyre in a cradle, ONE!! Miz runs, so does McIntyre, CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

The Scottish Stud stands tall and might be back on track towards the title! Will McIntyre be the one Orton has to worry about before ever worrying about Miz or Fiend?

 

The Street- Er, New Day, are hyped up!

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~!” And they welcome us back to Monday Night Raw, fam. And in just a few short weeks, it’s that time of year when we get to see Raw VS SmackDown. That’s Survivor Series! Champions take on champions… Kofi, what’s wrong? They talked about this, you can’t go full Dawkins. Right, sorry. Champions take on champions, fam! And that means Woods finally gets to face King Corbin for his title of King of the Ring! No, fam, no. They’re taking on the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, the Street Profits. There’s the graphic. They look great there. Well then, there’s only one more thing-

Asuka shows up? She introduces herself to them, and says, “WE WANT THE SMOOOKE!!” That’s true, that’s true! Asuka, the Empress of Tomorrow, is going to beat the brakes off the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks! And the NEW WWE World Champion, The Viper, Randall Orton, take on the Tribal Chief, OOOOAH! Roman Reigns!! And of course, don’t forget the traditional men’s and women’s- MVP and the Hurt Business walk in to plug THE United States Champion bringing the hurt to the Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn. And for good measure, they have their sights set on the tag team champions. Asuka says, “Yo yo yo! You can try, and you will fail!” GOTTEE! Do you know why?! BECAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS! Asuka’s a scarier hype person than Big E, but will she be ready for Grand Slam Sasha?

 

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.

Congratulations on winning over The Miz. Is this his first step back to the title? Sure, why not? McIntyre will take however many steps it take to reclaim the title. Speaking of which, Orton is on later, right? McIntyre is going to give us a guarantee: Orton will have a moment, but not of bliss. McIntyre is keeping that promise he made from before HIAC! Will he continue to hunt down and beat down Orton until Survivor Series?

 

Adam Pearce and Pat Buck are in the ring.

“We are just weeks away from Survivor Series, the event where the best of Raw and the best of SmackDown go head to head.” We’ve already seen men fight for their spots on the team, but now we learn the five women for Team Raw! And we start with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Nia and Shayna! They walk out, and Pat says joining them will be Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke! The #SexyMuscleFriends (Asuka’s name for them) join them in the ring, but that leaves one more spot. Nia says Pearce should slow down. He’s just rushing through this that he and Pat chose? At least let the fifth person be announced by the team captain, Nia. No one said it was Nia! Nia said it was Nia.

Pearce keeps the arguing stop and is about to let us know that the fifth and final member will be decided in a Fatal 4 Way featuring: The Ravishing Russian, Lana! The Sassy Southern Belle, Lacey Evans! The Venus Flytrap, Peyton Royce! And lastly, the Twisted Sister, Nikki Cross! Nikki even has new music to commemorate the moment, that starts right now!

Survivor Series Women’s Team Raw Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Lana VS Lacey Evans VS Peyton Royce VS Nikki Cross!

Lacey and Peyton brawl while Nikki and Lana fire off! Peyton throws Lacey out, and Lana throws Nikki. Lacey drags Peyton out to join her, Lana BOOTS Nikki down onto them! The Ravishing Russian underdog stands tall as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns, Peyton has Nikki in the ropes, and then in the Motorcycle Stretch! Peyton pulls Nikki back but doesn’t have to let go because there are no disqualifications off ropebreaks. Nia sits in Byron Saxton’s seat on commentary while Shayna, Mandy and Dana watch at ringside. Lana rushes Peyton, Peyton ducks and kicks but Lana ducks that. Peyton ducks Lana’s kick and mule kicks low, to then POST Lana! Lana tumbles out, Lacey gets in and rocks Peyton. Peyton jumps the leg sweep to kick Lacey back down! Peyton goes back to Nikki but Nikki catches her to a cradle, TWO! Nikki gets up but Peyton clotheslines her down! Cover, TWO! Peyton is angry and she clubs Nikki down! Peyton rams knees in, clamps on a chinlock and pulls her back.

Nikki endures, fights up, and arm-drags free! Peyton ends up in a corner, Nikki runs in but Peyton puts her on the apron. Nikki counter forearms then bumps Peyton off buckles! Nikki LEAPS and takes down Lana! Nikki drops a senton on Lana, then goes after Lacey with a TORNADO DDT! Nikki fires up, gets back on the apron and back up top! Nikki LEAPS to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! All four women are down and Nikki fires up. Lana gets up, Nikki ROCKS her! Nikki drags Lana up, Lana KICKS her down! Lana slingshots and goes after Nikki, but Nikki spins out, WOMAN’S RIGHT takes Lana down! Nikki rolls Lacey up but Peyton breaks it! HEEL KICK for Lacey! Peyton Gory Especials Niki to GORY BOMB her onto Lacey! Cover on Lacey, TWO!!

Peyton is furious, she goes after Nikki and hoists her up top. Nikki fights back and Peyton tumbles away. Lacey goes after Nikki now, and climbs up. Nikki fights with Lacey and GOURD BUSTERS her down! Peyton HEEL KICKS Nikki! Peyton climbs, Nikki fights her off again and Peyton lands hard! Nikki gets up, but so does Lacey! Lacey CLUBS Nikki, brings her up, but Peyton adds on, SUPER GERMAN SUPERPLEX! Lana drags Peyton out and pounces on Nikki, LANA WINS!!

Winner: Lana, by pinfall (qualifies for Team Raw)

And there you have it! The Ravishing opportunist rounds out the team! Will Lana use that ability to help Raw win? Lana hugs her team, but Nia won’t let her go. Shayna clears off the table!! NOT AGAIN! This is the sixth time Lana goes through the announce desk!! Well, it seems obvious that Nia and Shayna did NOT have Lana on their lists. But will the team find a way to work together and defeat Team SmackDown?

 

Charly Caruso knocks on Randy Orton’s door.

Orton answers, and Charly apologizes for bothering him. Is he still planning on being Alexa Bliss’ guest after the Firefly Fun House episode earlier? Yes. Orton goes to leave, but Charly asks if he heard what they said. He did. So he didn’t take that as a threat? Because to some, it’s a guarantee that the Fiend is coming for him, and that A Moment of Bliss could be a trap. Orton stops Charly there. He is NOT afraid of The Fiend. “If The Fiend wants to show his ugly ass face tonight,” Orton is fine with that, because he has no problem introducing The Fiend to the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment. But will it be so easy when it’s The Fiend who can come outta nowhere?

 

Retribution regroups backstage.

Ali says that they are not family. They are not a team. “Retribution is a mission. And the good men and women that stand beside me are willing to sacrifice everything for that mission.” So we need to understand something: They win when we suffer. And they will win. Because they decide when we #GetShutDown! What will Ali resort to in order to accomplish the mission?

 

Survivor Series Team Raw Qualifier: Sheamus VS Matt Riddle!

The Fella and The Bro are ready to throw down for the third spot on the men’s team! Who joins the Phenomenal and the Limitless in representing Raw?

Raw returns and Sheamus makes his entrance. The bell rings and Riddle circles with Sheamus. They tie up, Riddle waistlocks but Sheamus headlocks. They go to ropes, go around and end up in a corner. Riddle picks Sheamus up to SLAM him down! Sheamus scrambles to get to the apron and Riddle lets off. Sheamus walks off his frustration but Riddle patiently waits. Sheamus gets back in, circles with Riddle again, and they tie up. Sheamus headlocks to hit the takeover, but Riddle moves around. Riddle fights his way up, Sheamus throws him back down. Sheamus traps an arm while grinding a headlock, but Riddle pushes back. Riddle gets up, gets the arm and shifts to an armbar! Sheamus holds it off, moves around but Riddle has the triangle! Sheamus makes it a cover, TWO!

The two reset and circle again. They tie up, Sheamus SLAMS Riddle now and covers, TWO! Sheamus has Riddle’s arm, wrenches to a double wristlock, but Riddle endures. Riddle fights up, spins through and gets a gut wrench to suplex Sheamus! Riddle just manages to throw Sheamus, and then is right on him again! Sheamus grabs ropes, the ref counts and Riddle lets go. Riddle and Sheamus clinch, Riddle gets the double wristlock but Sheamus knees low and hits the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus hauls Riddle up and hangs him out to dry on the ropes! Riddle is on the apron, Sheamus give shim beats of the Bodhrain! Sheamus stops at the ref’s count of 4, but Riddle gets the arm! Riddle has a hanging armbar but lets go at 4!

Riddle gets in, dumps Sheamus out, then goes out to PENALTY KICK! And then BROSAULT! Direct hit and down goes Sheamus as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Sheamus has Riddle down with a chinbar and armlock. Riddle fights up, fights back and fights free to then fire off forearms! Riddle runs but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Riddle is still in this and Sheamus grows frustrated. Sheamus stomps Riddle, drags him up and fish hooks the face! The ref counts, Sheamus stops and goes back to the chinbar and armlock. Riddle fights up, fights back and even headbutts Sheamus in the chest! Sheamus knees but Riddle gets around to fire off palm strikes and a boot! PELE! Handspring and ROUNDHOUSE! Sheamus sits up to get a PENALTY KICK and BROTON! Cover, TWO! Sheamus gets to a corner but Riddle fires up! Riddle runs in to forearm, then goes side to side to forearm again! Riddle brings Sheamus out but Sheamus fights back! Sheamus KNEES Riddle down! Cover, TWO!!

Sheamus is furious that Riddle survives the knee, but he goes back to a corner. Sheamus climbs the ropes but Riddle goes up to stop him! Riddle clubs Sheamus, brings him up but Sheamus fights back! Sheamus shoves Riddle down, stands, but Riddle is up top fast! Riddle hits a SUPER BROSPLODER!! Cover, TWO!?! Sheamus survives and Riddle can’t believe it! Riddle refocuses and fires himself back up. He goes to a corner and climbs back up. The fans rally as Riddle leaps for the FLOATING BRO, onto knees!! Sheamus saves himself and may have broken Riddle! Sheamus drags Riddle up, keeps on the back with big forearms, and then drags him back up. Sheamus brings Riddle up, Riddle slips out of the urenage to SLEEPER HOLD! Sheamus flails, reaches, but Riddle squeezes tight!

Sheamus rams Riddle into buckles until Riddle lets go, but Riddle just hops back on! Sheamus throws Riddle off, but misses the Brogue into a GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives but Riddle is foaming at the mouth! Riddle drags Sheamus up in a facelock, throws big forearms on him, but Sheamus slips out of the scoop to BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall (qualifies for Team Raw)

Two gladiators just fought their hearts out, but it’s the Celtic Warrior that joins the team! Will Sheamus fight even harder to help Raw win over SmackDown?

 

Raw returns with A Moment of Bliss.

Alexa welcomes us to a very special edition of her show as her guest went to hell and back in defeating Drew McIntyre. Please welcome the NEW and 14-TIME world champion, Randy Orton! The Viper makes his entrance, but he does seem a bit wary of his surroundings. Orton still enters the ring as Alexa has a sly and almost sinister smile on her face. Orton grabs his mic but Alexa says he can take a seat. She won’t bite. Orton says he’s good. That’s fine. Let’s talk about his big win last night! One for the ages! Now did it surprise Orton that he delivered “such a super duper performance?” Well what is there to be surprised about? That he won HIAC? That he became a 14-time world champion? No. But talk about surprises, does Alexa have a surprise for him? Nope! What good talk show wouldn’t want the champion on their show, duh? Especially after he and McIntyre burned the house down…!

There it is. Burning the house down… Orton wants Alexa to know he knows Bray better than anyone. He knows Bray is close, so he will ask her this once and only once: “Where is The Fiend?” Alexa smiles bigger, because here comes MCINTYRE! McIntyre’s keeping his promise! And these two brawl in the ring! Alexa watches from a corner, very amused as McIntyre throws haymakers and stomps on Orton! McIntyre tells him, “SURPRISE!” McIntyre tosses chairs out of the ring, and even the table! McIntyre drags Orton up and DECKS him! Alexa is very amused! McIntyre grins, too, as he aims from a corner. Orton flounders up, but the lights start turning off! The lights go out, and when they come back on red, it’s JUST McIntyre left in the ring!

Orton has made it to the ramp but Alexa is completely gone! McIntyre isn’t afraid, but that’s because The Fiend is behind Orton!! Orton shrugs it off, and heads for the ring. Seems he’d rather fight McIntyre than that psycho! McIntyre says that’s fine, “BRING IT, B*TCH!” He and Orton brawl, McIntyre throws Orton into barriers and then more barriers! McIntyre promises he’ll do this forever until he gets his title back! Orton tries to hit back but McIntyre whips. Orton reverses and sends McIntyre into barriers! And they brawl to the announce desk! McIntyre throws haymakers on Orton, they go around the way, and McIntyre throws Orton into steel steps! McIntyre sits Orton up to get in his face before bringing him back to the desk!

McIntyre bounces Orton off the hood, then throws more haymakers! Orton kicks back, and gives McIntyre the back suplex to the desk! Orton gets up on the table, rains down fists on McIntyre, and The Fiend just watches on! The fight rages on but Raw goes off the air! Will there be nothing but chaos now that The Fiend is aiming for the world title?


My Thoughts:

Wow, this was a great follow-up to HIAC and the start of build for Survivor Series. I’ll ignore the huge disappointing fact that NXT will, as of right now, NOT be part of Survivor Series 2020. But circumstances being what they are, maybe WWE just doesn’t want to risk COVID complications. I will say two of the three Survivor Series men’s team matches were a bit obvious given how HIAC went. Elias and Hardy were not going to be on Team Raw given they’ll be having their own feud to settle, but AJ Styles and Keith Lee make for great members. Riddle VS Sheamus was an incredible match, just like Sheamus VS Kofi Kingston was last week. Sheamus is being given a great run, and he is a great addition to the team. I’m really curious to see who the final two men will be, as well as who SmackDown will put forward.

And since Survivor Series sticks to Raw VS SmackDown, no NXT and no room for a story based elimination match, that’s the reason why we got Hurt Business VS Retribution in an elimination tag tonight. Retribution had a decent plan using Mia “Reckoning” Yim as a distraction, but I was a little disappointed they didn’t try to rope The Fiend and his friends back in. Them making Yim hallucinate something gross on her would’ve been great story, but oh well. Retribution continues to be made into jokes to a degree, even with Ali using a chair to be disqualified. I hope with time before Survivor Series, Ali does something to really stick it to the Hurt Business as they’re trying to get the Raw Tag Team titles now. The New Day cosplaying the Street Profits was funny, as was Asuka joining in on hyping up all the Raw VS SmackDown Champion VS Champion matches. Again, disappointed we won’t get NXT involved but whatever, Asuka VS Sasha is still going to be a lot of fun. I hope the Profits return the favor and cosplay being New Day.

The tag team match that was also part 24/7 Championship match was a lot of fun. I feel like that should happen way more often, just to make a point of the 24/7 Championship being any time, any where, with anyone. There needs to be a mishap where a superstar that doesn’t even want the title ends up with it, I think that’d be pretty hilarious. The women’s tag team for Survivor Series being just announced was fine. Lana winning the Fatal 4 Way wasn’t just to set up another table spot, it’ll probably set things up where it comes down to Lana against however many SmackDown women are left, and somehow Lana wins as a sole survivor. It’d be great if it was also Natalya as one of the last SmackDown women to reference their story. And then when Lana wins, Nia can still put her through the desk.

McIntyre having segments and a match with Miz and Morrison was good stuff. I like that they also referenced the history of Miz, Orton, and the MITB. Firefly Fun House was pretty good, with Alexa bringing back her Alice in Wonderland costume and helping Bray reference his history with Orton. Orton is definitely going to have the hardest time making it to Survivor Series to face Roman Reigns. McIntyre is coming for him, title match or not. Fiend is definitely after the title, but also his own revenge on Orton. And Miz has the contract so he could just swoop in during any of that and take the title while WWE is still in ThunderDome.

And while we might be wondering when Miz is going to cash in, I bet he waits until Survivor Series so that he can pounce on BOTH top champions while they’re in bad shape. I will say there needs to be a moment where Miz tries to cash in and Otis shows up despite being on SmackDown, as his own revenge. Otis has to be moving to Raw somehow, between wanting payback on Tucker and probably on Miz, but I suppose SmackDown could do something with him now that he’s completely separate from everything that used to define him.

My Score: 8.3/10


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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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