Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/5/20)
Champions UNITE!
One more Raw to say good-bye, but to who?
The 2020 WWE Draft is coming, which means superstars will be coming and going! But tonight, Raw’s champions team together to take a stand!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Woman Tag: Zelina Vega, Lana & Natalya VS Asuka, Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose; Asuka, Dana & Mandy win.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Mess Making: R-Truth w/ Lil’ Jimmy VS Drew Gulak; Gulak wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy VS Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo; Rollins & Murphy win.
- Exhibition: Keith Lee VS Braun Strowman; Double Count-Out.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Garbage Day: Drew Gulak VS R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa; Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- The Hurt Business VS Apollo Crews & Ricochet w/ Mustafa Ali; The Hurt Business wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS The Riott Squad; Jax & Baszler win and retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
- MVP w/ The Hurt Business VS Mustafa Ali; No Contest.
- Six Man Tag: Drew McIntyre & The Street Profits VS Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode; Orton, Ziggler & Roode win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw hears from Randy Orton.
“I didn’t leave Clash of Champions with the WWE Championship. Instead, I left… in an ambulance.” Orton doesn’t remember much from that ride, but he remembers the match. He remembers Big Show wrapping a hand around his throat for a choke slam through the announce desk. He remembers being ambushed by Christian at catering. He remembers Shawn Michaels kicking him right between the eyes. And he remembers McIntyre kicking Orton where he got McIntyre, putting him into the ambulance before he lost consciousness. “In those moments, I saw nothing but complete darkness.” Orton felt nothing but pain. Fast-forward the next day, McIntyre stood in the ring with his mentors on Raw, celebrating.
“Just recalling the sight of Drew standing with each of them, raising a title he didn’t deserve, makes me sick.” They laughed, they smiled, and even played some poker. They toasted with the Street Profits and enjoyed a victory lap. As the saying goes, “With every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” After the actions Show, HBK, Christian and Ric Flair took at Clash of Champions, Orton felt obligated to treat them to that equal and opposite reaction in the form of a reintroduction to the Legend Killer! Orton needed to guarantee those four men saw and felt everything Orton felt when the ambulance doors closed. The lights went out, that was the darkness he saw. And he made sure they felt the exact same pain he felt!
Wearing the night vision goggles, Orton had a front-row seat to every second of their agony. They looked here, there, but could not stop the inevitable. Show tried, started swinging, so Orton got both hands and put him through the table to end up right over there in the corner. Christian tried looking for help but there was none, and Orton whispered in his ears, “Say hi to Edge for me.” Then came HBK. HBK used the chair he was sitting in but Orton took it away and kicked HBK’s skull! Flair was grabbing for the door but Orton put his arm on Flair’s shoulder. Flair let go of the door, turned around and “met his fate.” If only Orton could’ve seen McIntyre’s face when learning the price that is paid. But the bill hasn’t been paid! Not until Orton is again WWE World Champion! This isn’t over until Orton says it’s over. Orton says McIntyre still has hell to pay!
Orton speaks to McIntyre directly here. “You tell anyone that’ll listen that you want to cement your legacy as WWE Champion. You want that legacy so badly? It’ll be waiting for you, if you survive one more WWE Championship match against me, inside… Hell in a Cell!” But then McIntyre busts into the room! And he rams Orton into the wall! McIntyre fires off fists and says he doesn’t need to turn the lights off to beat Orton’s ass! McIntyre rains down and shouts, “What do you know about Hell!?” Referees and security rush in as McIntyre keeps trying to hit Orton! The Viper slithers away but McIntyre says this is just getting started! Will the Scottish Psychopath slaughter the snake in the grass in the Six Man main event?
Six Woman Tag: Zelina Vega, Lana & Natalya VS Asuka, Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose!
La Muneca joins forces with the Ravishing Russian and the #BOAT to take on the Empress of Tomorrow and Raw’s newest additions! Will no one be ready for Flex Appeal, the Golden Goddess and ASUKA?
The teams sort out and the Queen of Harts starts with Dana. They tie up, Natty headlocks to a takedown but Dana gets up to power out. Natty runs Dana over then speeds things up. Dana hurdles, Natty blocks the hip toss to take down to a cover, TWO! Dana headlocks now but Natty powers out. Dana handsprings over Natty to come back for a swinging headscissors! Cover, TWO! Dana drags Natty up, brings her over and tags in Mandy. They mug Natty and Mandy facelocks. Mandy and Dana double suplex Natty up, hold her up and bring her down after 5! Cover, TWO! Mandy keeps on Natty with a waistlock but Natty switches. Mandy trips Natty, Natty blocks the cover and shoves, but Mandy cartwheels and dropkicks back! Cover, TWO!
Mandy keeps her cool and brings Natty up, but Vega trips Asuka! Mandy knees Natty and Dana goes after Vega. Vega gets in the ring, Mandy drags Vega up but Natty throws Mandy down! Cover, TWO! Natty pushes Mandy to a corner, throws haymakers, and Vega tags herself in. Natty didn’t like that but she lets Vega stomp a mudhole and BOOT Mandy down! Cover, TWO! Vega drags Mandy up, wrenches and hooks Mandy for a Mouse Trap to Ground Octopus! Mandy endures, pries the leg off and rolls back to a cover, TWO! Vega drags Mandy up by her hair to throw her down, then she sucker punches Asuka! Vega tags Natty in and Natty tags Lana. Natty snapmares Mandy for Lana’s sliding kick! Cover, TWO!
Lana stomps Mandy down to then bring her back. Tag to Natty, they mug Mandy and Natty scoops to slam her! Natty sucker punches Dana, drags Mandy around and gets the legs! Mandy denies the Sharpshooter, Lana tags in but so does Asuka! Asuka hip attacks Vega, side steps and runs Lana over! Fans fire up with Asuka as she hip attacks Lana! Asuka sees Vega running in and sends her into Lana! Asuka back kicks Vega, ROUNDHOUSES Natty, and pop-up KNEES Lana! Lana wobbles, Asuka shows her her sliding kick! Cover, Natty breaks it! Dana goes after Natty, handspring back elbow! Natty flops out, Asuka has Lana but Lana elbows free! Mandy tags in. Asuka runs at Lana but Lana avoids the hip attack. Lana runs into Asuka’s back elbow, and staggers into a KNEE FROM A ROSE! Cover, Mandy and team win!
Winners: Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke & Asuka, by pinfall
A big win for the champ and the new kids on the block! They all dance off together and do some flexing, will Raw make sure to secure these three in the Draft?
But wait! Here comes Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler! Vega bails out but it’s a little harder for Natty to get Lana up and running. They’re surrounded already by the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Natty hits first but Nia HEADBUTTS her down! Shayna clears the table for her, and Nia brings Natty over for a fireman’s carry. Lana saves Natty, tries to hit Nia first, but again, SAMOAN DROP THROUGH THE TABLE!! The Ravishing Russian just keeps getting wrecked! Will Natty and Lana beg SmackDown to draft them?
Raw returns to R-Truth’s Mock WWE Draft!
Truth explains to Lil’ Jimmy he isn’t done yet, but he’s got Jimmy as third overall to SmackDown. Not Truth’s decision, it’s just how he sees the Draft going. Truth doesn’t want Lil’ Jimmy to go away, either. They’re buddies. And yes, he notices the janitor. But the ref shows up! Is that Randy?! The janitor takes a swing with the mop but Truth ducks and the ref gets hit! You ain’t getting Truth, Randy! But Truth trips over the water bucket! Cover, the janitor wins!! And it’s DREW GULAK!
Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Did you have a nice trip? See you next fall! Gulak runs away, Truth says he got got! But will Truth be able to fix this before the night is over?
Apollo Crews, Mustafa Ali and Ricochet are talking backstage.
They’re worried about how the Draft will shake out, in that they might get separated. But MVP comes over and Mustafa already knows what he’s going to say. It’ll be some excuse as to why he lost last week. Wrong. They can win a match but they never win the fight. But MVP is here about the Draft, too. These guys are young and green, he’s experienced, he’s been through a number of them. It can change your career like that. Apollo was on SmackDown, “a nobody doing nothing,” and then he gets traded to Raw. Boom, he’s a champion! What is he getting at?
MVP says that this Friday, they’re all on the clock. But tonight, they’re on the clock for an opening in the Hurt Business. Alexander said no, but he came around and look at him now. It doesn’t matter if you’re on red or blue, but if you’re with the black ‘n’ gold, business is booming. Apollo says that’s just classic MVP. Let’s just get ready for the match. But is someone considering…?
Seth Rollins & Buddy Murphy VS Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo!
The Monday Night Messiah, with his disciple, Buddy Murphy, behind him, is back for a rematch with El Hijo del Rey and the Ultimo Ninja! Will this battle lead to ending the war?
Before the match, Rollins has Murphy fetch the mic. But Murphy is distracted given all that’s happened with him, Dominik and Aalyah. Rollins snaps him out of it. “Now is not the time or the place, we’ve got a very important match. Give me the microphone.” Murphy keeps the mic to get something off his chest. “For months now, I have been your ideal disciple. I have done everything you’ve wanted of me, plus more.” But these last few weeks… If Rollins still wants Murphy to be his disciple, Rollins needs to apologize. Rollins? Apologize to him? What?! No, not to him! To Aalyah! Yes, Rollins despises Rey but-
Rollins snatches the mic out of Murphy’s hand! “Do you understand who you’re talking to?! I saved you!” Rollins is the messiah, Murphy’s the disciple! That is how this works! Apologize to Aalyah? For what?! That was going easy on her! He could’ve very easily exposed all the other DM’s. You know, where she tells Murphy her true feelings! How she feels Dominik’s the favorite! He could’ve put that out there but he didn’t it! And Murphy wants Rollins to apologize?! “Get this through your head, Murphy.” You are the disciple. Rollins is the messiah. He pokes Murphy in the head, but here comes Dom and Carrillo! The tensions are running high as it is, will things only get more intense from here?
Things turn into a brawl right away! Dom is after Rollins but Murphy throws Carrillo out. Murphy goes after Dom, Dom dodges and ducks to tilt-o-whirl into a Russian leg sweep! Basement enziguri from Carrillo! Rollins runs back in but is put on the apron, Carrillo helps Dom get up to BOOT Rollins down! Dom goes up, Carrillo builds speed, CRISSCROSS DIVES!! Rollins and Murphy are down, Carrillo and Dom are fired up, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Rollins has Dom in a armlock. Dom throws forearms but Rollins whips him away to clobber him! Cover, ONE, but Rollins drags Dom back up. Rollins DECKS Dom, clubs him down, stomps him around, then drags him up again to ram into the corner. Rollins rams Dom over and over and over, the ref counts but Rollins lets up at 4. Murphy tags in without permission and stomps Dom for himself. The ref counts, Murphy lets off at 4, but he comes back to stomp Dom more. Rollins tags in because he doesn’t need permission, and tells Murphy to not tag in unless told to. Understood? Disciple: Murphy. Messiah: Rollins. But Dom punches them both back! Dom decks Murphy but leaps into Rollins’ GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Rollins is frustrated but he wraps Dom up in a bearhug. Dom endures, fans rally up, but Rollins stands Dom up for a cobra twist. Dom endures the stretch but Rollins cranks harder. Dom unhooks a leg, and hits a jawbreaker! Murphy tags in as Rollins hits the SLING BLADE! But Rollins gets in Murphy’s face again! Rollins says he had it under control and that he doesn’t need Murphy! Tag to Carrillo! Carrillo crossbodies them both down! Springboard back elbow for Murphy! And then a corner clothesline! Carrillo BOOTS Rollins, runs at Murphy but is put on the apron. Carrillo shoulders in, ROCKS Murphy and climbs up again to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Carrillo runs Rollins off, Murphy rolls him, TWO! BASEMNET DDT! Cover, Dom breaks it!
Rollins whips Dom but Dom throws Rollins out. Rollins drags Dom out but Dom bumps Rollins off barriers! Murphy throws Dom over barriers! Rollins is angry with Murphy again, Carrillo FLIES and takes them both out with the Fosbury Flop! Carrillo enziguris Murphy, BOOTS Rollins and climbs up top! And leaps into the KNEE TRIGGER! Cover, Murphy and Rollins win!
Winners: Buddy Murphy & Seth Rollins, by pinfall
The disciple wins for his messiah! But he leaves Rollins behind, so is he even the disciple anymore? Rollins did say he doesn’t need Murphy, despite what we just saw. Will Rollins continue this war with the Mysterios all alone?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
“It all depends. … I see that.” But Braun Strowman storms over and Pearce says he’ll talk to this person later. The Monster knows Raw Underground was cancelled again tonight, but he didn’t drive all this way to do nothing! He won’t leave until he’s whooped someone’s ass! Find him one or he’ll go get one! Well, Strowman is a SmackDown superstar, so he isn’t even really supposed to be here. After the Draft, maybe Strowman will be on Raw, but there’s nothing Pearce can do. Why? Let him finish. It’ll be an exhibition match. The hell is that? It’ll be an unsanctioned competition. As long as someone will #GetTheseHands, fine. Then it’s a deal. Who will Pearce find? Keith Lee walks right up and says, “Sign me up.” Limitless One VS Monster Among Men?! Is Raw going to still be standing after that battle of titans?!
Raw returns as Rollins finds Murphy backstage.
Rollins shoves Murphy and demands to know what’s going on with him! Murphy wants Rollins to apologize?! Rollins apologizes for nothing because everything he does is for the greater good! But Rollins thinks… No, he knows that given the last two weeks, Murphy should apologize to him! In fact, if Murphy wants to stay Rollins’ disciple, then he has until 10 PM EST to do it. Or else, there will be hell to pay! Will Rollins get the apology he thinks he’s owed? Or will he instead get what he deserves?
Raw presents the Kevin Owens Show!
The special SmackDown edition didn’t quite go how he wanted, but the Prizefighter is back to try things from a different angle. Will he regret inviting the host of the Firefly Fun House to be his guest? We find out after the break.
Raw returns and Kevin has the ring announcer stop. Kevin is usually very excited to host his KO Show, sit down with a guest and talk, but not tonight. There’s a different feel, because Kevin feels different. He felt it over the weekend and wasn’t sure why. Then he figured it out: People are right about when The Fiend touches you, it changes you. Kevin feels changed. On Friday, that was his first time being in the presence of The Fiend, and it’s still with him. He still feels the anger, agony and dread. That’s why tonight’s different. Because it’s not about sitting down for a nice chat, so there’s no need for the arm chairs! Kevin tosses them out of the ring, as well as the signs! Tonight, the KO Show is about this!
Footage replays from SmackDown, as Alexa Bliss described the sensation she felt and the “cleansing” she was given by The Fiend. And it shows The Fiend appearing, attacking and smothering Kevin with the Mandible Claw! Kevin says that claw is really hard to describe the feeling. The feeling of The Fiend pulling the breath from his body! Kevin was paralyzed. He isn’t sure what’s going on with the dark, tortured souls coming after him! Aleister Black, The Fiend, what about The Brood? The Ministry of Darkness, maybe? But all Kevin cares about right now is that Bray Wyatt comes out so they can “chat!” Pack up the puppets, put on a nice sweater vest and come out here, Bray! But the Firefly Fun House interrupts!
Bray waves hi to Raw and Kevin! Or should he say, bonjour! It’s nice to be part of the KO Show. That’s what friends do! And Kevin is Bray’s new friend, right? It’s always nice to make a new friend. To have someone to play ball with, or have a sleepover with, maybe make a mess finger-painting with, or even bury a dead body in the woods together with! Friends are so great! Huskis worries about The Draft. Ramblin’ Rabbit, too! Don’t worry, guys! Friends stick together no matter what! Bray even wrote a song about it! “Friends! Are very special~! Friends! The warm your heart~! Friends! What would we do without them~? Friends! ’til death do us part~!” And Mercy eats Ramblin’, again. But c’mon, Kevin! Sing along!
NO! Kevin is not going to sing. That is the only thing worse than having to watch this demented Mr. Rogers reboot. And they’re not friends! Though, they could have, until Bray attacked Kevin on Friday! Bray can’t brainwash Kevin like he did Alexa. The only thing that matters is that Bray gets in this ring so we don’t have to wait until Friday for Kevin to beat the hell out of Bray! Well that’s not very nice. And Bray doesn’t like bullies. Neither does he. As for Alexa, that’s none of your business. That’s between her and him. “IT’s quite clear that you’ve got no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.” But on SmackDown this Friday, Kevin will. So, consider this a warning! After all, that’s what friends are for! Bye~!
Well, Kevin knows what that all translates to. Kevin won’t wait until Friday, so if Bray isn’t coming to the ring, Kevin’s going to Bray. Kevin heads out but Aleister attacks!! Blindside forearm and a BLACK MASS!! The Embodiment of the End just made sure Kevin doesn’t even get to start anything with Bray! But does that mean things aren’t over between these two?
Raw returns with a backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Charly welcomes us back and welcomes the WWE World Champion. She knows for months that Orton has gotten under McIntyre’s skin. McIntyre stops her there because he knows this is about Orton. Why did he attack? How does he feel about Orton’s attack on the legends? What does he say to Orton’s Hell in a Cell challenge? McIntyre answers all of that by saying this: ” Every time I see Randy Orton, or I’m even in the same building as Randy Orton from now on, I kick the crap out of ’em.” That’s how it was at the start of the night, it will be that way to end the night, and actually, McIntyre will address Orton directly now.
“Thank you? The hell is wrong with you, Randy? The answer’s yes. We both know what that match does to people.” Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. But McIntyre isn’t going to be locked in there with Orton, Orton’s gonna be locked in there with McIntyre! If the title and legacy is on the line, Orton isn’t going to purgatory. He’s going straight to hell! Who even survives this Hell in a Cell?
Exhibition: Keith Lee VS Braun Strowman!
The Limitless One accepted the opening challenge for this exhibition against the Monster, but that might be a taller task than he thinks. What happens when these behemoths collide without having to worry about the consequences?
The bell rings and Keith stares down with Strowman as they circle. They tie up, go around, then let off when it’s a deadlock. They go again, Lee headlocks but Strowman powers out. They collide, neither even budges! Strowman brushes off his shoulder, swings on Lee but they run into each other again! Strowman rebounds to DROPKICK Lee out! Strowman goes out and builds up steam, but Keith kicks him first! Keith clubs and knees Strowman and then whips him, but Strowman reverses to send Keith into the steps! The ref’s ring count hits 10!
Double Count-out
Strowman is FURIOUS, but he won’t let things end here! Strowman BLASTS Keith through the barriers!! The Monster doesn’t care about the consequences, and that includes the damages down to the ThunderDome! Keith gets up!? Strowman doesn’t like that and he heads back after him! The refs and security can’t stop this as Keith LEAPS to tackle Strowman! They brawl up the ramp, Strowman ROCKS Keith and Strowman brings him to the stage. But Keith sends Strowman into the LED wall!! The wall short circuits, but Keith goes back to TACKLE Strowman off the stage! They crash down into spare tables and equipment!! Strowman manages to rise and pushes Keith away!
Security and referees help the two out of the rubble, will Raw and SmackDown use the Draft to keep these two apart? Or make sure one of them gets both to do this all over again?
Bianca Belair is the SmartEST.
She and some friends get together for game night, and it’s clearly trivia. Why is the sky blue? Bianca is fast on the buzzer, and says the phrasing is misleading. The sky is made up of many colors, but blue has the shortest wavelength in the visible spectrum, so that is why it appears blue. Montage mode: Genghis Khan’s empire spanned over 9 million square miles; chess originated in India; an octopus has three hearts. Oh, sorry she’s answering them all. They can, too, if they hit the buzzer faster. And also, the answer is Plato. Bianca is on fire! Michael Jordan was the GOAT, until Bianca came around! She dominated the trivia game! Just let her know who finishes second.
Raw catches up with Drew Gulak.
The current WWE 24/7 Champion hides behind a dumpster, and he talks to the belt. Gulak will write about the title in his book, Drew Gulak’s Guide to Preparedness. Chapter 1: always be alert! But then Truth pops up out of the trash! Orton, that is the worst Drew Gulak mask he’s ever seen. Gulak bumps into the recycling! Where Akira Tozawa emerges!? “YOU!!” They go after each other, Gulak boots Tozawa down but Truth dumps him in the trash! “Mah baby!” Truth AND Tozawa jump into the dumpster, fight in the bags, and Gulak gets dragged back down! Someone is covering someone, the ref counts, and the winner is… TRUTH!!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
FORTY-TWO TIMES!! Truth hurries off with the 24/7, 48/7, 7/11, 747, 1-95 South, European ThunderDome Television Championship! Will he get it washed before someone comes after him again?
The Hurt Business w/ MVP VS Apollo Crews & Ricochet w/ Mustafa Ali!
Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley are going 2v2 without MVP, but they’re confident they can handle business. Will the Gold Standard and All Mighty United States Champion show what the Hurt Business can do for one’s career?
Raw returns and MVP has joined his business partners as he gives “an official announcement.” It seems MVP needs to clear up the confusion from last week. Apollo, Ricochet and Ali did NOT beat the Hurt Business. They won the match, but they never, EVER win the fight. They’re very talented young men, yes. So much so that MVP is offering them a position in the Hurt Business. Last week’s whatever it was would NOT have happened without interference from Retribution. MVP puts them all on notice, and will make it very clear so that they can understand. “T-Bag” and his buddies wanna run around and play tough, but they’ll learn! When you see the black ‘n’ gold, prepare to fold. Retribution can wear masks, dress up for Halloween and try to scare people, but Hurt Business fit the description of “what nightmares are made of!”
Ali comes out to say there’s just more excuses. Retribution’s logo on screen scared them? But what happened was MVP pushed Ali, and Ali pushed back. But MVP is always about excuses man! Ricochet speaks up, though. MVP gave them until the end of the night to give him an answer, but Ricochet just didn’t want to keep him waiting. Ricochet’s answer is… PASS! He got them there, huh? How cute. You think you’re funny? Well Ricochet’s gonna LeBron on him with the PASS! Hah! MVP mad? No, just disappointed that Ricochet forgot he’s about to be on the business end of some hurt. Oh but he already has. He didn’t run then, and he isn’t running now. MVP keeps things from breaking down. He wants this match to happen, and to put special emphasis on Ricochet. The teams sort out, the One and Only starts with Benjamin, and we see if The Hurt Business finally gets beat!
Benjamin and Ricochet tie up, Benjamin waistlocks but Ricochet scrambles around. Benjamin CLUBS Ricochet down, brings him up and scoops him, but Ricochet slips out the back and rolls off his back to then leap! Benjamin catches Ricochet, Ricochet sunset flips but Benjamin stays up! Benjamin drags Ricochet around into a FUJIWARA! Ricochet gets a ropebreak with a foot, Benjamin lets up. MVP coaches Benjamin as he drags Ricochet up. Tag to Lashley, Lashley throws forearms on Ricochet then brings him up for a scoop slam! Cover, TWO! Lashley puts Ricochet in a corner for big forearms, then whips him corner to corner. Lashley runs in but into a boot!
Ricochet goes out and springboards to missile dropkick! Hot tag to Apollo, and they both clothesline Lashley out! The Hurt Business regroups as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Lashley mugs Ricochet in the corner then RAMS into him! MVP tells Ricochet this is what he gets, and Lashley drags Ricochet back up to suplex. Lashley holds Ricochet up for a count of 10 and with one arm! He SLAMS Ricochet down, covers, TWO! Ricochet survives and Lashley grows frustrated, but he drags Ricochet around by his arm. Ricochet gets away for a moment but Lashley puts him on the rope to choke him! MVP talks trash in Ricochet’s face, but Lashley lets up at the ref’s count of 4. Lashley chokes Ricochet again, MVP gets too close and Ricochet JABS him! Lashley gives Ricochet a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!
Tag to Benjamin, they mug Ricochet and Benjamin paces around him. Benjamin kicks Ricochet around, drags him back up but Ricochet kicks back. Benjamin catches it, ducks the enziguri but not the mule kick! Benjamin and Ricochet are down, fans rally up and hot tag to Apollo! Apollo rallies on Benjamin, hits Lashley for good measure, and boots Benjamin to hit the FROGGYBODY! Apollo RAMS Benjamin into a corner over and over, throws haymakers then fires up. Benjamin runs into a SPINE BUSTER! Standing moonsault! Cover, Lashley breaks it! Ricochet gets in, dodges Lashley to SUPERKICK! Lashley keeps going, SUPERKICK! Ricochet runs, into a tilt-o-whirl, flip and DOMINATOR! Apollo enziguris Lashley down!
Apollo lifts Benjamin but Benjamin slips out. Apollo breaks free, runs but Benjamin gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Lashley and MVP says they’re done. Lashley watches Apollo rise, runs in, but Apollo leaps over the Spear to ENZIGURI! Lashley staggers but gets Apollo for the MILE HIGH CHOKE SLAM! Lashley stalks Apollo, HURT LOCK!! Apollo endures but taps! The Hurt Business wins!
Winners: The Hurt Business, by submission
The Rocky Mountain Machine is the CEO of the Hurt Business for a reason! Will he, MVP and Benjamin continue to put the hurt on Apollo and his crew?
Murphy and Aalyah cross paths.
She wanted to talk to him all night. Murphy wants to apologize to her. This whole thing with Rollins has gotten way out of hand. It’s not her he needs to worry about, it’s Rollins. Is he actually going to apologize to him? He doesn’t know yet. There’s only a few minutes left before the deadline Rollins imposed. What will Murphy do?
Raw returns to the Hurt Business backstage.
MVP feels great after that win. They keep trying to tell those kids, but Lashley’s a good teacher. Ali finds them and is alone. Ali says he’ll be alone in the ring, but is fine if MVP brings his goons. After Ali takes care of MVP, he’ll go after Benjamin and then Lashley. MVP laughs and he keeps Lashley from putting the hurt on Ali now. Has the Beacon of Light made a very bad decision?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring.
The 10 PM Eastern deadline is almost upon us. The Monday Night Messiah wants an apology, Murphy told Aalyah he has no idea what he’s going to do. Rollins grabs a mic to say, “Alright, Murphy. The time has come. Your Messiah awaits your apology.” Murphy makes his entrance now, goes to the ring and stands before Rollins. Rollins doesn’t want to mince words or waste time. Murphy had an hour to think, so this should be very easy. All Murphy has to do is apologize and we can all move forward. But Murphy hesitates and Rollins doesn’t understand. Murphy is fine, so just spit it out, apologize, and they can continue to serve the greater good. Still, Murphy doesn’t speak.
What is eating at Murphy? Just get this over with! He doesn’t want to go down this road. We have seen firsthand what happens to those who stand in the way of the greater good. They’ve been through so much together. Rollins plucked Murphy from obscurity and saved his career by making him into the man he is right now before him. Just apologize. That’s all he has to do. That’s all… he has to do…! This shouldn’t be so hard! But it clearly is. Rollins keeps telling Murphy to apologize, and grabs him by the beard. Rollins made Murphy, so apologize! Rollins made him so he can break him! Rollins pushes Murphy, Murphy TACKLES Rollins!! They brawl, get up and Murphy BOOTS Rollins! They fall out of the ring, and Murphy tackles Rollins over the announce desk!
Murphy hammers away but Rollins rams him into barriers! Rollins hits back but Murphy keeps hitting Rollins! Rollins sends Murphy into the barriers, Murphy hits back, they brawl around ringside and Murphy bounces Rollins off the apron! Rollins flounders, Murphy drags him up but Rollins has a kendo stick! Murphy ducks the stick swing to tackle Rollins! Murphy has the kendo stick and SMACKS away on Rollins! Rollins scrambles away but Murphy follows to SMACK him more! Murphy chases Rollins back into the ring, Rollins begs for mercy! NOPE! Murphy SMACKS Rollins and demands Rollins apologizes! Rollins says he’s sorry, but again it’s not about Murphy. Apologize to Aalyah! Rollins begs Murphy stop. “Aalyah! Aalyah! Wherever you are-” SMACK! “I’m sorry, Aalyah! I’m sorry!!”
Murphy stops hitting Rollins and Rollins says he didn’t mean to bring her into this. Rollins takes his jacket off and asks for mercy. Murphy hesitates as Rollins asks Murphy stop. He’s done enough, Rollins is sorry. Murphy puts the kendo stick down, but Rollins goes after Murphy’s EYES!! Rollins rakes Murphy’s eyes and gets the kendo stick! Rollins SMACKS Murphy over and over! Rollins doesn’t show mercy back to Murphy! He breaks the stick on Murphy’s body, but he wants more! Rollins gets a CHAIR! Aalyah runs out to ask Rollins to stop. Dominik hurries out, too, and Rollins retreats.
Dom gets Aalyah away from Murphy, and now Rey and Angie are here. Rollins manages to get away on the outside, but Dom is still upset about Aalyah and Murphy. The Mysterio Family whisk Aalyah away, leaving Murphy all alone. Rollins still grins as Dom tries to get Aalyah to understand what Murphy has done to them. Has Rollins’ plan still worked out, even if he is without followers?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS The Riott Squad!
What was meant for Clash of Champions happens tonight! Will the Irresistible Force and Queen of Spades make up for the delay by making quick work of Ruby and Liv? Or will the extra time to prepare mean Ruby and Liv are even more likely to take the titles?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised and we finally see what makes a stronger tag team: friendship or business!
The teams sort out, Nia starts with Liv and Liv fires off! Nia shoves Liv down, runs in but Ruby tags in. The Squad go after Nia from all angles, chop block and blindside lariat! Tag to Liv, she jumps off Nia to piggyback onto Ruby, the Squad hits a DOUBLE SENTON! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps on Nia with haymakers, she runs and Ruby tags in., Nia CLOBBERS Liv, then fireman’s carries Ruby to put her in a Tree of Woe! Nia HEADBUTTS Ruby’s stomach, then runs into HIP ATTACK Ruby down! Nia kicks Ruby out of the ring to let the ring count handle this. Shayna wants in so Nia tags her. Shayna drags Ruby up to throw her into the apron! The ring count restarts, Shayna puts Ruby in, covers, TWO!
Shayna keeps her focus as she drags Ruby away from the corner. Shayna twists a wrist and bends the elbow. Shayna STOMPS the arm!! Ruby clutches the elbow, Liv shouts at Shayna but Shayna shows no remorse. Shayna looms over Ruby, grabs the bad arm again and has the keylock. Shayna moves around to twist the shoulder, then she goes after the wrist and fingers again, to SNAP it! Liv shouts at Shayna again but Shayna mocks the pain. Shayna drags Ruby up by the arm again for a keylock and just drags Ruby around! Ruby endures but Shayna throws her out hard! Nia tags in and drags Ruby up to RAM her into the apron! The champions are just doing what they want to Ruby as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Shayna KICKS Ruby in the chest! But Ruby eggs her on?! So Shayna KICKS Ruby again! Liv shouts at Shayna, Ruby eggs Shayna on again, so Shayna KICKS Ruby again! Ruby ducks the next kick, rolls Shayna up, TWO! Shayna grabs the arm, Ruby ROCKS Shayna with the good one! Hot tag to Liv and Liv fires off on Shayna! Nia tags in as Liv ENZIGURIS! Nia throws Liv to a corner, runs in but Liv boots! Liv hops up, huricanranas Nia into buckles! Liv runs at Shayna for a back body block! Liv gives Nia one! And then back to Shayna! Liv runs at Nia, Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia shouts and runs in but Liv boots her again! Liv goes up, Nia yanks her off and swings her up., Liv sunset flips, Nia stays up and drags Liv up to HEADBUTT!
Nia asks if Shayna’s good and Shayna says she is. She wants in so Nia tags her. The champs mug Liv with body shots, and Liv crawls to a corner. Shayna runs in, Liv dodges and the knee hits the buckle! Liv avoids the kick, Shayna gets a leg but Liv still tags Ruby in! Ruby runs past Shayna to knock Nia off the apron! Liv sweeps the legs on Shayna, Ruby runs into KICK Shayna down! Ruby runs again, hops up, Liv tags in as Ruby rebounds for the TORANDO DDT! Liv runs in, DOUBLJE STMOPS! Cover, TWO!! Ruby tags back in, she wrenches Shayna but Nia runs Liv over! Ruby SUPERKICKS Nia, but Shayna sweeps the legs! KNEE to Ruby’s head! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Ruby endures, Liv runs in but Nia catches her!! Liv can’t get free, Ruby taps!! Nia and Shayna win!!
Winners: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler, by submission (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Shayna won’t let go! Liv tries to get Shayna off Ruby but Ruby is OUT! Nia smiles as she and Shayna get their belts back and hold them high. Liv is distraught by Ruby’s side. Will the Squad ever be the same after this? And while the Women’s Tag titles can go anywhere, will the champions still be on the same brand after the Draft?
The Street Profits speak!
We are ready! They are in the main event of Monday Night Raw! Dolph and Roode ain’t ready, because it’s time to get our Braveheart on with the world champion, Drew McIntyre! Does that mean they’re gonna moon Orton, Ziggler and Roode? Is that the only part of that movie Dawkins knows? Real talk, though. The Profits don’t need night vision to see Orton. Last Monday, what he did was cold. Ain’t no flair without Ric, and Edge & Christian taught us all we could have fun while being champs. The Big Show is an honorary Viking Profit, and the Profits are showstoppers just like HBK! Tonight, they’re coming for Orton, and not outta nowhere. The Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! McIntyre walks over, and says Roode and Ziggler are all theirs. HE gets to kick the crap out of Orton. Will the champions of Raw stand tall at the end of the night?
MVP w/ The Hurt Business VS Mustafa Ali!
Montel Vontavius Porter has Lashley and Benjamin with him because Ali dared him to! Will MVP dim the lights on the Beacon to teach him another lesson?
The bell rings and Ali circles with MVP. They approach, tie up, and MVP knees hard and low! MVP scoops and slams Ali to then drop the knee! Cover, TWO! Ali gets to ropes but MVP is after him with forearms. Ali hits back, MVP ROCKS Ali. MVP brings Ali up, throws more forearms in the corner, then whips Ali corner to corner. Ali bounces off buckles into a LARIAT! MVP asks Ali how he’s feeling. Is he still feeling tough? Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! MVP rocks Ali again, has him on ropes to choke him, but lets off at 4. MVP brings Ali up, whips him to ropes but Ali ducks to dropkick MVP out of the ring! MVP regroups with the Hurt Business and a ring count starts. MVP says it’s time to teach Ali that lesson, and all three men get in!
Ali doesn’t back down but he is cornered. The ref tells them to back off, but the lights start flickering! Retribution makes its presence known again! And they’re actually here this time! T-Bar, Mace, Slapjack and the minions are all around here! Ali joins Hurt Business in this fight against them, but then Ali bails out! Ali joins Retribution instead?! MVP sees how it is as Ali sicks Retribution on them!! Mace RAMS MVP into barriers, T-Bar is after Lashley and Slapjack has Benjamin! They send Benjamin into steel steps, and then Lashley is all alone! That’s a 8v1 at least! Lashley till hits Mace but T-Bar clobbers him! T-Bar clubs away on Lashley then POSTS him! The steel steps are brought into this as they RAM Lashley into them!! “THIS is Retribution!” They are judge, jury and executioner, but have they always been with Ali?!
Six Man Tag: Drew McIntyre & The Street Profits VS Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode!
After Clash of Champions, the Scottish Stud is still the WWE World Champion, and the Raw Tag Team Championships still belong to Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins. But while the Viper wants to take McIntyre to Hell in a Cell, surely the Show-Off and the Glorious One will want after gold, too. Will this become a sampler of those title matches and more?
The teams sort out, McIntyre starts against Roode but then Orton swipes at him. Roode uses that opening to attack and he punches McIntyre to a corner. Tag to Ziggler, they mug McIntyre in the other corner and then whip him corner to corner. McIntyre dodges Ziggler’s splash and clotheslines Roode, then he CHOPS Ziggler! Orton gets in but the RKO is denied! McIntyre hits Roode, throws him out, and he glare at McIntyre. Ford runs in and FLIES to take out the Glorious Show-Offs! The champions stand tall as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ziggler talks trash on Dawkins. Ziggler pushes Dawkins around but Dawkins DECKS him! Hot tag to Ford! Ford rallies on Ziggler with clotheslines and aw hip. Ziggler reverses, Ford leaps over him and leaps to lariat! Roode runs in but into a dropkick! Ziggler back suplexes, Ford lands on his feet to back suplex Ziggler! Ford handsprings and standing moonsautls! Cover, TWO! Ford keeps his cool as he runs. Roode distracts the ref, Orton trips Ford up and Ziggler attacks! Roode tags in, Ford fights him and Ziggler off, but Roode reverses the whip for a GLORIOUS SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Roode stomps Ford, drags him up and tags Orton in. Roode throws Ford out and Orton pursues to give Ford a back suplex to the announce desk!
McIntyre glares at Orton as Orton puts Ford back in the ring. Orton gets in and drags Ford up to look at his partners. Orton stomps Ford’s hand while glaring at McIntyre. Orton brings Ford up to knock him down with an uppercut. Orton stands Ford up again, taunts McIntyre and Dawkins with a possible tag, but Ford throws body shtos! Orton kicks low and throws Ford down by his hair. Orton sucker punches Dawkins and taunts McIntyre. The ref keeps McIntyre in the corner, Ford kicks back and DDT’s! Ford and Orton crawl for their corners as fans rally up. Hot tags to McIntyre and Ziggler! McIntyre rallies on Ziggler, whips him to ropes and OVERHEAD suplexes him! McIntyre DECKS Roode for good measure!
McIntyre THROWS Ziggler again! McIntyre sees Orton getting in and bumps him off buckles first! McIntyre drags Orton into the ring, rains down rights, but Roode and Ziggler go after him! The ref tells them to stop, the Glorious Show-Offs mug McIntyre to a corner. Dawkins tags in, McIntyre pushes Ziggler and HEADBUTTS Roode! Ziggler SUPERKICKS McIntyre, Dawkins rolls Ziggler up, TWO! Ziggler runs in and counters the Anointment with the SATELLITE DDT! Dawkins tumbles down in a heap, Orton reaches out and Ziggler tags him in. Orton takes his time toying with Dawkins as he stomps him to the apron. Orton drags Dawkins through the ropes, DRAPING DDT! Orton hears the voices in his head as he watches Dawkins rise! R- NO! No RKO, ANOINTMENT!!
Tag to Ford, Ford goes up top, FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, but Roode AND Ziggler break it! Dawkins gets in, Roode throws him out but Ford enziguris Roode! Ziggler stalks Ford for the ZIG- NO! McIntyre tags in, Ford bucks Ziggler off but misses the enziguri to get a FAMOUSER! CLAYMORE sends Ziggler OUT! McIntyre has Orton all to himself now but Roode runs in. CLAYMORE for Roode! Orton waits for McIntyre to kip up, to RKO!! Cover, Orton, Ziggler and Roode win!!
Winners: Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, by pinfall
The Viper strikes the champion down!! Orton took advantage of the chaos, but it won’t be the same inside the cell! Will McIntyre make Orton pay when there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide?
My Thoughts:
An incredible episode to be the “go-home” to the WWE Draft! Obviously this is meant to at least feel like the last night some superstars will be on Raw, so the matches were all on a higher level for that reason. Orton had a long promo that wasn’t really necessary. Orton describing what he did to the legends was really just for his character’s ego, but it was great for McIntyre to attack him. McIntyre VS Orton, Hell in a Cell match for the title, is going to be great and has to be the blow-off somehow, that’ll be three matches in a row. The Six Man Tag main event was great stuff, and it works that Orton gets the win off McIntyre to make the math work in McIntyre’s favor. I’m not sure if the Draft moves Orton to SmackDown or not, he seems just fine on Raw still. But I would hope McIntyre stays because there are still plenty of people on Raw that could challenge him, they’re just in other stories.
For example, Keith Lee and Braun Strowman, who surely started a feud here tonight. The Draft will move Strowman over and they can both wreck the ring all over again! Another possibility is Seth Rollins, given his overall Monday Night Messiah story. The match he and Murphy had against Dominik and Carrillo was really good, the dysfunction with Murphy resulting in that fight was great, and while bringing in Aalyah is still an odd point, I’m still going with this somehow being Murphy’s redemption. Dom and Rey still aren’t ready to trust Murphy, but depending on Rollins’ next move, Murphy might “sacrifice” himself in saving the Mysterios.
And then there’s how things might shake out with Kevin, Aleister and Bray. The KO Show was a good segment, and Aleister attacking outta nowhere was both surprising but not surprising since that’s what he’s been doing. I feel like the easiest move is to move Kevin to SmackDown, with Kevin and Aleister have their blow-off match next Raw. Moving Aleister with Kevin means moving Vega, too. Vega may have lost to Asuka twice already, but if Bayley retains, then Vega isn’t getting a title shot because that’s Heel VS Heel, something WWE rarely does. Speaking of the Women’s Division, the Six Woman was really good but the Women’s Tag title match was incredible! Ruby basically gets Dakota’d by Shayna, she endures so much at the hands of Shayna and Nia, and in the end she is the one that takes the loss.
While they have the belts, it doesn’t matter where Shayna and Nia go, but it feels like Bayley and Sasha were the only reasons the tag belts were going to all brands. USA has been hoarding the tag titles and the 24/7 Championship, so I don’t think those champions are going anywhere. Truth, Gulak and Tozawa had some great stuff again, I wonder if Gulak is getting drafted to Raw to keep these three going. It’s a bit of a shame, WWE really should have tried to reunite Catch Point (Gulak and Riddle) in SmackDown’s tag division. And I would hope Raw makes sure they keep both the Hurt Business and Retribution, because HOLY CRAP! Mustafa Ali not just joining but LEADING Retribution!? That’s an amazing way to salvage Retribution! And I feel like it’s salvaging, there’s no way they had something this wild just waiting to be sprung on us. But now, there are four men in Retribution that can take on the four men of Hurt Business, THIS would make a great match for the traditional Survivor Series elimination tag.
My Score: 9/10
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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.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; wins and advance to WrestleMania.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; win(s) and advance to WrestleMania.
- Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?
Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.
Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?
Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!
But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!
Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!
Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?
Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!
Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!
Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!
Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.
Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!
Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!
Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!
The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!
Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?
Judgment Day meets backstage.
Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.
The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.
Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?
The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!
Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!
Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission
Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?
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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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