Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/9/20)
The last spot on Team Raw must be filled!
Who jumps on this second chance to join the Raw Survivor Series Men’s Team?
In a huge Triple Threat, Jeff Hardy, Elias and (Matt) Riddle will battle to join AJ Styles, Keith Lee, Sheamus and Braun Strowman on Team Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Survivor Series Team Raw Second Chance Triple Threat: Jeff Hardy VS Elias VS Matt Riddle; Riddle wins and joins Team Raw.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Business Proposal: Drew Gulak VS R-Truth; Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Lana VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax; Baszler wins.
- Keith Lee & Matt Riddle VS Braun Strowman & Sheamus, Special Guest Referee: AJ Styles; Lee & Riddle win.
- WWE United States Championship: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Titus O’Neil; Lashley wins and retains the title.
- Asuka VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler; Asuka wins, by disqualification.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Lucky 7 Way: R-Truth VS ???; Akira Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Holy Hot Potato: R-Truth VS Akira Tozawa VS Drew Gulak VS Tucker Knight VS Erik VS Lince Dorado VS Gran Metalik; everyone wins at least once, Truth wins last to become the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution; Ali wins.
- Six Man Tag: Drew McIntyre & The New Day VS Randy Orton, The Miz & John Morrison; McIntyre & The New Day win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Miz and John Morrison head to the ring!
The Most Must-See Mr. Money in the Bank and the Guru of Greatness open tonight’s Raw with MizTV! And they welcome us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show to hype up the big things happening this week. First, tonight, they team with Randy Orton to face The New Day and Drew McIntyre in a 3v3 match, “where anything can happen.” Is that Miz’s way of teasing an MITB cash-in? Only time will tell. But another big thing Miz is referring to, and equally as important, is Miz and Mrs. returning to USA Network! Speaking of, isn’t there a special bonus episode airing tonight right after Raw? YES! Two episodes, one week, USA must really love Miz!
And speaking of big things- Randy Orton interrupts? He wasn’t going to be the guest for MizTV but he heads to the ring either way. Orton says Miz has the balls to say his reality show is more important than a match with Orton? They’re in the Six Man, but only because Orton wants after McIntyre. But this is a set-up because the only way Miz can take the title off him is with that case! Orton remembers when they once threw Miz out of the locker room, and Orton never wanted to let him back in. As for Morrison, he took his ball, went home, and wrestled “for the minor leagues.” And what did Miz do during that same time? NOTHING. But now he has the TV show, the movies, and that briefcase. But if Miz wants to go for it, he doesn’t have to wait until the main event. Orton dares Miz to take his shot NOW!
Miz asks Orton if he really thinks Miz is abusing his connections at USA Network to better his position in the WWE? Miz deflecting might work on someone else but this is Randy Orton! Morrison says they know who he is! He’s a legend, the current WWE World Champion! But he doesn’t need to make this about him. Tonight could be a big night for all of them. That’s why the New Day were the scheduled guests. If things go according to plan, and they as a team emerge victorious, Miz and Morrison may be in line for those Raw Tag Team Championship titles. So if that were the case- But here come Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods!
“Can you belee this here?” Doth Woods’ ears deceive him? Are two men talking about cashing in a briefcase to become WWE World Champion? And then team up and go after ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, for the W, W, E, Raw, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONSHIPS~? Ridiculous! But wow… Being that they’re all out here going at it so haaard~ with the “Verbal Strong Style,” New Day thought it’d be a crime for them to not have a live crowd here. So they’ll laugh at them in person! Scoot please so they may have seats. Feel free to entertain ya- RKO FOR KOFI!! Miz and Morrison throw Woods out, but here comes DREW! And he brawls with Orton!!
McIntyre gets the edge but Miz CASE SHOTS McIntyre! And again! Morrison returns, he and Miz feed McIntyre to an RKO! The Viper and the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century worked pretty well together there. But will that hold steady at the end of tonight?
Survivor Series Team Raw Second Chance Triple Threat: Jeff Hardy VS Elias VS Matt Riddle!
“Ladies and gentlemen,” The Drifter is already in the ring with an electric guitar. He introduces himself and says that over this last week, every night, he was jolted away with premonitions. He saw himself victorious tonight to be part of Team Raw for Survivor Series. People come up and ask, “Elias, you’re a world famous WWE superstar, a chart topping musician, what else is there?” It’s this. The last few weeks haven’t gone that well inside the ring. Hardy’s latest addiction is hitting him with guitars. But that changes tonight. Tonight isn’t just for him, but for the millions of Elias fans all around the world. The ones who bout Universal Truth to put it at the top of the charts! They understand his greatness!
So to honor them, he will sing a song right now! He waits, and no one interrupts. He says he’ll start now and… Still no one. Elias starts playing, but he’s paranoid, thinking there’s still an interruption. Well okay then! But then it happens! The Charismatic Enigma heads to the ring, followed by The Bro, and this second chance begins to rock ‘n’ roll!
Elias goes after Hardy, obviously but Riddle goes after them both! Riddle fires off hands on Hardy, brawls with Elias, but Elias shoves Riddle into Hardy’s roll up! TWO, Elias drags Hardy into a roll up, TWO! Riddle rolls Elias, TWO! The three stand off and Styles is watching as hardy goes after Elias. Riddle gets in the mix again with hands, but Hardy clubs Elias. Hardy has Elias in a corner, Elias kicks back and throws forearms. Riddle goes after Elias, Elias ROCKS him with a right, but Riddle comes right back. Elias puts Riddle on the apron, Riddle hits Elisa away then ducks Hardy’s punch to drag him out. Hardy and Riddle brawl, Elias WRECKS them with a dropkick!
Elias POSTS Hardy, and then again! Elias throws Riddle hard into barriers! And then CLOBBERS Hardy! Elias is fired up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Elias throws hands on Hardy at the ropes. Elias stomps Hardy, brings him up to club him down, then he knocks Riddle off the apron to keep him out. Elias goes back to Hardy with stomps and elbow drops. Riddle gets in but Elias is on him first with a CHOP! Elias whips, Riddle blocks and breaks free to run, but into an elbow! Cover, TWO! Elias seethes and Styles is still watching while taking to Jordan Omogbehin. Hardy jawbreakers Elias back, then throws haymakers! Hardy whips, Elias reverses but Hardy runs him over with forearms! Atomic drop for Elias, atomic drop for Riddle! Trip up for Elias, but Hardy has to back drop Riddle first! Leg splitter for Elias, and the basement dropkick! Splash, cover, Riddle breaks it!
Hardy crawls to ropes, Riddle drags him up to a fireman’s carry but Hardy slips out to shove Riddle out. Elias stands, Hardy kicks but no Twist! Elias gets Hardy for DRIFT AWAY! Cover, but a BROTON breaks it! Riddle glares at Elias and he KICKS him hard in the chest! Elias blocks a kick, but Riddle elbows him back, to then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, Hardy dropkicks it apart! Hardy drags Riddle up, Riddle gut wrenches him first! Hardy drops out of Bro Derek and boots Riddle into Elias! Hardy uses Riddle to hit POETRY IN MOTION on Elias! Hardy kicks Riddle, but still no Twist! Backslide but Hardy rolls off and they brawl! Riddle gets the edge there, but Hardy hits back!
Riddle keeps firing off, Hardy ducks a kick but swings into a PELE-, only to block it! Kick and TWIST- KNEE from Elias! Elias whips Riddle, Riddle reverses but Elias goes up! Riddle catches Elias for BRO DEREK! Cover, Riddle wins!!
Winner: (Matt) Riddle, by pinfall (joins Team Raw)
And the fifth man is a BRO! But given how he and Styles have dysfunction tracing back to SmackDown, will this superpowered team be its own Kryptonite?
Styles talks with Adam Pearce.
It would seem whatever Styles’ idea is makes “complete sense.” They shake on it, but Charly Caruso asks what that’s about. It was just them talking. Charly brings up Riddle joining the team but how does Styles feel about that? Styles says Riddle was the piece the team was missing! But Sheamus storms over to say “that shoeless Muppet” was Styles’ pick? Sheamus says that guy is nothing but an obnoxious punk! And Sheamus has no problem kicking his head off his shoulders if he steps out of line. Styles says he needs to have a winning attitude! They need to be a team! Team meeting! Styles will get the others to join in.
Right, Styles is “team captain” so how does Sheamus think he is doing? Sheamus says Styles is not his captain. Braun Strowman walks over and says Styles is NOT his captain, either. Is the ship sinking faster than “Captain” Styles can mend things?
Mustafa Ali speaks.
“Ricochet is a good man. He’ san honorable man. When he turned down an offer to join The Hurt Business, he made a conscious decision to stand alone.” Ali applauds that bravery, but also says Ricochet is a “damn fool.” One man cannot change everything. And when Ricochet accepts that, maybe Retribution will accept him.
Mia “Reckoning” Yim says it is easy to feel alone when you’re manipulated and misguided. “Where does that leave you? Barely afloat, gasping for each and every breath while some pink-green haired trash is laughing at our suffering!” Ali says no mercy was shown to then, so no mercy will be shown to them. They are the forgotten. Slapjack, T-Bar, Mace, Reckoning. “We are Retribution. And we will not rest until we shut, you, down!”
The Hurt Business talks backstage.
But then Drew Gulak comes by and says hello. The NEW 24/7 Champion says everything went to plan, but the expansion can enter in phase two. They have the United States Champion in Bobby Lashley. They have the future Raw Tag Team Champions in Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin. Now, they can add the services of the 24/7 Champion, Drew Gulak. They’d be unstoppable. So he wants in? Yes. Not a bad suit but where is the pocket square. Tada. So he’s serious? Yes. Well, on behalf of the Hurt Business, MVP says while they appreciate his offer, they are not accepting applications right now. The tie is a CLIP ON!? Gulak steps to the most stylish men in the WWE, wearing that? It’s tactical as 24/7 Champion.
Benjamin says Gulak has lost his mind. Alexander says Gulak had a point. But the decision is to beat him down! Clip on? Pff. Will Gulak be more careful trying to- Wait, R-Truth sneaks in! He and a ref are here! Cover, Truth wins!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
For FORTY-THREE times, Truth has his “baby” and takes off running! And he takes Gulak’s clip-on tie, too!
WWE and Raw pay tribute to America’s veterans.
With Veteran’s Day this Wednesday, we take this time tonight to acknowledge all those that stepped forward to defend our liberties, even at the risk of their own lives.
Lana VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax!
If nothing else, the Ravishing Russian has no quit in her! She works up the courage to be back out in the ring, even after seven different occasions of being put through the announce desk by a Samoan Drop from the Irresistible Force. Will Lana finally prove to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions that she deserves to be on Team Raw?
Raw returns as the Queen of Spades makes her entrance. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke have also appeared, but as part of commentary. The bell rings and Lana leaps on with a sleeper! Shayna throws her off hard, and is mad. Shayna KNEES Lana hard in the corner! Shayna toys with Lana but Lana kicks and kicks back! Lana goes for a clinch but Shayna powers her to a corner! Shayna fires off hands but the ref counts. Shayna lets off, Lana throws hands back! Shayna clubs Lana down, then stands on Lana’s head. Shayna twists the arm, hammerlocks it and STOMPS it!! Dana and Mandy admire Lana’s determination but she’s putting it in the wrong places. Shayna runs in, Lana dodges and Shayna knees buckles!
Lana kicks but Shayna dodges to KICK back! And then gut wrench SLAM! Lana sits up, Shayna KNEES her down! Cover, but Shayna lets off! Shayna puts Lana in the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Lana taps, Shayna wins!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission
Dana and Mandy sigh but do feel a little bad for Lana. Nia clears off the desk! She tells Mandy and Dana to beat it while Shayna drags Lana over. Shayna throws Lana out and Nia picks her up. Lana begs for mercy but Nia still fireman’s carries. Dana and Mandy hit Nia! Shayna gets in to keep the peace, they argue about trying to make this team a team, but Nia says they can’t treat their “captain” like that. Lana has been spared her eighth slam through the table, but is it only a matter of time before this entire quintet crumbles?
Dana and Mandy talk backstage.
Lana finds them and thanks them for helping her with Nia. Uh they saved her butt! Yes, thanks. Mandy says she’s welcome, but it wasn’t really for Lana, it was about stopping Nia. After all, Lana cost Mandy and Dana the tag titles. Lana apologizes for that, she was trying to help them. Well maybe next time, help but staying out of the way. Dana and Mandy head off and Lana feels very, very alone.
AJ Styles heads to the ring!
The Phenomenal “captain” of Team Raw and his very large associate in Jordan are here for the team meeting he called for. Styles welcomes us all to the first official Team Raw team meeting! Raw will be triumphant over SmackDown because he is the Phenomenal Captain! With his leadership, they will be “a force to be reckoned with.” Firstly, “a man whose power is only outdone by his intellect,” Keith Lee! The Limitless One heads to the ring, rather curious about Styles’ shenanigans. Second, the Bro that Runs the Show, (Matt) Riddle! The Bro is back and even changed gear to be fresh for this meeting.
Next, the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus! Not much more to that intro but Sheamus did say he doesn’t see Styles as his captain. The same goes for the last but not least, the Monster, BRAUN! Strowman joins his team in the ring, but Styles wants to say one more thing. He knows last week was a rocky start. Maybe a bad idea. But Styles knows why: “We were missing a piece to the puzzle.” And that’s why they got all upset. But now they have that piece in Riddle! Because you see, what he sees now is a masterpiece! Keith cuts “Mr. AJ” off, by saying Styles took the cheap shot on him last week. Keith owes him a receipt. That is unfortunate, but Sheamus says it’s funny coming from the hypocritical Keith, who attacked Sheamus. Sheamus didn’t forget.
Well good, because Keith hopes Sheamus remembers that should he try to cross Keith. Sheamus gets upset but Braun talks over all of them. He oughta whoop them both, starting with Sheamus! Styles speaks up to keep the peace. As captain- NO! You’re not the captain! Sheamus is a sore loser, so he should shut up before he #GetsTheseHands again. Sheamus says Braun is all mouth! Riddle wants the bros to chill. He knows exactly what they need to do. Styles says Riddle is the voice of reason! What’s his idea? “Sick codenames!” Styles is now Skipper, Braun’s the Mongoose! Happy birthday to Keith, who is Bro Lee. And of course, Sheamus, a tough one, but he is… Fire Face. What? Keith tries not to laugh.
Sheamus says that’s a ginger joke, right? No, it’s not, bro. You just get really angry and you turn red. Keith says that’s true. Braun agrees. Like right now! Oh… Sheamus asks what Riddle’s codename is. Is it “Dopey?” How’d he guess? Yeah, man! Styles says that’s not what they need. Do they not know what they’re up against? They’re up against SmackDown’s best! Sheamus, haven’t you seen what Jey Uso has been doing? Jey’s tearing it up! If you don’t watch yourself, he might tear you apart! And then Keith, you ever been Curb Stomped? Seth Rollins will give you one! But Keith’s powerbomb’d Rollins before. Well yeah, but still. And what is Riddle laughing out? Does he want a Kevin Owens Stunner?
And Braun, the immovable object, if he doesn’t work with this team, he’ll still go down. He might even bow down to King Corbin. Braun says no way. But then tell Styles, is that what they all want? Or do they want to work together as the #BestoftheBest? They agree with that. But now with Styles as captain- And we’re arguing again. Okay, enough! This is what Styles knew would happen. Plan B! Styles talked to Adam Pearce and he already sanctioned a match> This might sound dumb- It is, whatever it is. Sigh. But it’ll be Sheamus and Braun VS Riddle and Keith, with the Phenomenal AJ Styles as guest referee! Now they’ll have no choice but to gain respect for each other! Let’s get it done! Does he even have a ref shirt? Is this only going to tear the team apart more?!
Keith Lee & Matt Riddle VS Braun Strowman & Sheamus, Special Guest Referee: AJ Styles!
Raw returns as the dysfunction is put to the test! Will the Limitless Bros make the Monster and the Fella #BaskInTheirGlory? Or will they both just #GetTheseBrogues?
The bell rings, Keith and Sheamus start, and tie up fast and furious! They go around the ring, into a corner, around the ropes, and then Sheamus headlocks. Keith powers out and collides with Sheamus. Neither falls, Keith Lee GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! Keith wrenches, Riddle tags in, they mug Sheamus and then Riddle fires off more forearms. Riddle snapmares and KICKS Sheamus, then covers. ONE, but Riddle is right after him with an armlock. Sheamus power sup to put Riddle in a corner! Tag to Braun, Braun taunts Keith before he runs in to corner splash Riddle down! Riddle flounders, Styles check son him but Braun stomps The Bro.
Braun whips Riddle corner to corner hard! Styles tells him to be more careful but he asks Riddle if he’s okay. Braun is standing on Riddle’s hair! Styles reprimands him but Braun glares. Braun drags Riddle up and throws him to the corner! Tag to Sheamus, they mug Riddle and then Sheamus throws a EuroUpper! Sheamus throws more, then chokes Riddle at the ropes! Styles counts, Sheamus lets off and argues with Styles. Styles compliments Sheamus for stopping at 4, and then Sheamus knees Riddle. Riddle blocks a whip, Sheamus throws hands but Riddle hits back! Riddle throws forearms and CHOPS! Then he hoists Sheamus up onto ropes to get the leg! Styles says to break, Riddle lets off, and Sheamus hits back!
Sheamus CLUBS Riddle, drops a knee, then keeps Riddle from Keith to drop more knees. Sheamus KICKS Riddle in the back, Styles tells him to be m ore careful. Sheamus says he doesn’t care, and Styles isn’t captain! Well he’s the ref now, so listen to him! Riddle fires off on Sheamus! Sheamus fights back but Riddle gut wrench suplexes! Both men are down, Styles compliments Riddle, and Riddle gets up first. Sheamus shoves Riddle, Riddle kicks back! Styles checks on Sheamus as Riddle runs in, the FINAL FLASH hits Styles! Sheamus rolls Riddle up but styles can’t make the count! Sheamus gets upset but Styles explains what happened. Sheamus dodges and the ROUNDHOUSE hits Styles! Not again!
Sheamus throws Riddle out but Keith gets in to PUONCE Sheamus! Braun runs in, he and Keith collide! They keep moving, Styles staggers into a BODY CHECK SANDWICH! Uh oh. Jordan gets up because he defends Styles! Keith and Braun are ready but Styles flounders up to stop this. Styles is trying to keep this team a team as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Jordan has gone back to outside the ring as Sheamus has Riddle in an armlock. Sheamus throws elbows in but Riddle fights up to fight back with forearms! Riddle jumps but into Sheamus’ IRISH CURSE! Tag to Braun and he drops a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Braun clamps onto Riddle with a chinlock and grinds him down. Riddle endures, fights up and gets ropes but Braun pulls him from ropes to suplex TOSS him away! Braun runs in but Riddle moves and Braun POSTS Himself! Keith tags in and clobbers Braun! And then Sheamus! And then Braun, and back to Sheamus with an endless string of splashes! Keith TOSSES Sheamus at Braun!
Riddle is fired up, but Keith uses him as a weapon, SPIRIT BOMBÂ onto Sheamus! Keith then runs and builds a lot of speed to LARIAT Braun!! Cover, TWO!?! Styles says that was so close! Keith looms over Braun, drags him up but Braun back drops Keith! Both big behemoths are down and Styles asks if they’re okay. Braun and Keith each go to their corners, but Braun kicks Keith. Tag to Sheamus but Keith fights Sheamus back with elbows. Keith scoops, Sheamus slips out and KNEES Keith back! BROGUE!! Riddle tags in to get Sheamus for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Sheamus scrambles to a corner, Riddle dares him to get up! Riddle then runs in to forearm! Side to side and he forearms again! Side to side to hit Braun, but bad idea! Braun has a choke grip but Styles makes him let go! Riddle walks into a LARIAT from Sheamus! Sheamus fires himself up, but Braun tags in! Braun runs in to corner splash Riddle and then TOSS him to the corner! Braun runs in again to hit another splash! Braun scoops but Sheamus tags in! Styles points it out and Braun argues with Sheamus. Styles tells them to sort out, but then Sheamus BROGUES Braun! Riddle rolls Sheamus up, Riddle and Keith win!!
Winners: Keith Lee & (Matt) Riddle, by pinfall
Riddle wins two matches in one night! But while Keith and Riddle are getting along better, this is only working to make things harder on Styles! Sheamus and Braun argue with each other, and with “the captain!” Will Styles want to abandon ship before Survivor Series?
Alexa Bliss is picking flowers backstage.
Or rather, picking the petals off. Nikki Cross walks over and Alexa says it’s so great to see her! It feels like forever since they’ve talked. But they saw each other last week. Does she not remember? Did they? Sorry, Alexa’s been “meeting so many new people, it’s hard to keep track.” That’s what Nikki wanted to talk to her about. About Alexa and him. Oh so she’s been watching Firefly Fun House? Alexa’s having so much fun! Sorry not to invite her over. But she will soon for a “play date.” Nikki says she’s not playing. That’s too bad. No, Nikki means that this isn’t a game. She understands what happened to Alexa was her fault. If she was a better friend, The Fiend wouldn’t have sunk his claws into her.
Heh, claws. Rawr. Alexa, Nikki is apologizing. She’s sorry for not being there. But she’s here now. So while it might be “fun” now, The Fiend is pure evil! It’s time to make a choice. It’s time to walk away. Choose: Nikki or Bray? Oh, okay. Alexa chooses… to blow the petals in Nikki’s face and go off to find Bray! Well that’s not at all what Nikki wanted. Can she still find a way to save Alexa for The Fiend’s darkness? Or is there no going back after you’ve #LetHimIn?
Charly Caruso has BREAKING NEWS!
The Hurt Business have been in a great mood tonight because they were told that next week, The Hurt Business’ Benjamin and Alexander will be challenging The New Day for the Raw Tag Team Champions! Will the Survivor Series card change at essentially the last minute?
Bobby Lashley and MVP go to the ring!
The CEO of the Hurt Business, the Rocky Mountain Machine and WWE United States Champion, says he has a message for WWE Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn! We hear from the All Mighty after the break.
Raw returns and MVP has the mic to say, “Attention WWE Universe, this is an official announcement from the Hurt Business.” This is an exclusive Survivor Series preview. Spoiler alert: it will be short and painful. It won’t be New Day VS The Street Profits at the PPV, because next week, the Hurt Business get their title shot, and absolutely wreck Kofi and Woods! Then, the CEO will turn Sami Zayn “into a human rag doll,” to show the world that the US Champion and the Intercontinental Champion are nowhere near the same level. Lashley didn’t hear Sami run his mouth on SmackDown at all this week, and that’s a good thing. No way in hell is Lashley letting Sami walk out of Survivor Series with a win. The real question is, will Sami walk out of Survivor Series at all?
But here comes Titus O’Neil! The real Deal says he was just presenting an opportunity that would be mutually beneficial as he joined up with the most dominant group of men in the WWE. Titus is a businessman, but their response wasn’t business. It was disrespect. MVP disagrees. For them, it was business as usual. But as he has some respect for Titus and his charity work, MVP will do Titus the kindness of letting him walk away. Titus says he will NOT walk away. Titus tells Lashley is the US Champion, walking around here with so much pride, as he should! But here’s a question: “What’s the sense in having that title if you don’t defend it?”
Lashley tells Titus he should’ve listened to MVP. But for what it’s worth, Lashley is glad he didn’t. Lashley has NO respect for Titus. And he’ll have a little bit of fun for every second of what’s coming. If Titus wants a title shot, fine! But this will be his first, and his last. Lashley calls for a ref, and this match is on! Will Survivor Series change even more? Or will Lashley make Titus an example to “The Champion of the People?”
WWE United States Championship: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Titus O’Neil!
No need for introductions, but the belt is raised. Titus and Lashley stare down, but MVP reminds Titus, this match takes place above the ring, not under it. Titus swings on MVP for that Greatest Royal Rumble “Worldslide” joke, but that gives Lashley an opening! Titus still elbows and throws hands on Lashley! The ref counts, Titus lets off in the corner but Lashley hits back! They brawl, Titus has heavy hands again and Lashley can only guard! Titus rams Lashley in the corner over and over, but lets off just long enough to throw more hands. Titus reels Lashley in, Lashley dodges and SPEARS! Lashley finishes it with the HURT LOCK! Titus flails to fight it off! They’re in the ropes, but Lashley drags Titus off to put it on! Titus taps, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission (still WWE United States Champion)
Titus couldn’t hold Lashley off forever, and the belt stays with the Hurt Business. Will Lashley only have worse in store for The Great Liberator and his big mouth?
Sheamus finds McIntyre backstage.
The Fella vents about the team being in shambles. McIntyre could’ve been on the team to hold it together with some organization, but now there’s none! McIntyre knows, he saw what happened. Just as a suggestion, don’t Brogue your partner off the apron. But you saw what Braun did! He deserved to get kicked! Sheamus despises his teammate almost as much as he does The New Day. How can he even team up with them? McIntyre just does the “New! Day Rocks!” clap. What the hell, you lunatic? Just trying to ease the tension. Power of positivity. There’s nothing positive right now! If only they could team up like they did in the day! The two of them, wrecking the UK, throwing Brogues and boots all over!
Yes, those were great times. They were just getting started, didn’t give a damn, raised hell. Their saying was “Kicking heads and drinking kegs!” There’s that smile! Sheamus does feel a bit better. But just good luck out there, alright? Wreck the place, then hit him up for some pints. Well if McIntyre gets his chance to win the title back, they won’t just go for a pint. Not just two, three, all the pints, all the Scottish whiskey AND the Irish whiskey, they’re gonna Naitch it up all night long! Courtesy of the new champion! Now, McIntyre’s gotta go. Bugger off. Alright, alright. Go kill it!
Asuka VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler!
The Empress of Tomorrow is getting ready for The Boss, but she has to be careful going against the Irresistible Force tonight. Nia is in a bad mood since she didn’t get to slam Lana through a table, will she do that to Asuka instead? Or will the Raw Women’s Champion be dangerous as ever on her way to facing Sasha Banks?
Raw returns as Dana, Mandy and Lana have returned to ringside to watch this very closely. Sarah interviews Nia on why she would want this match so close to the PPV. “Because there seems to be a little confusion in this division on who runs things.” It isn’t Asuka, Mandy or Dana, and definitely not Lana. It’s- Shayna. She runs things. See what Nia means? Everyone, even her own tag partner, thinks they can just run their mouths. But they will all see what happens when they cross “the team leader.” And after Nia continues to dominate, and singlehandedly taking out Team SmackDown, she might just come back to beat Asuka again, and be Raw Women’s Champion. Nia and Shayna head back out to the ring, but will Asuka prove no one is ready?
The bell rings and Asuka circles with Nia. They tie up, Nia shoves Asuka down then boasts. Asuka gets up to kick away on a leg but Nia shoves her away. Asuka kicks the punch away then tilt-ow0rhils to get an arm! Nia stays up and clubs Asuka away! Nia runs in but Asuka gets around to get the arm for an OCTOPUS! Nia stays on her feet but Asuka pulls on the arm! Nia powers Asuka off but Asuka throws her down with a takedown! ARMBAR! Nia moves around but gets caught to a triangle! Nia pops free but Asuka gets the other arm! Nia is in the ropes, the ref counts, Asuka lets off! Nia gets out, drags Asuka out and SWINGS her into the barriers! The Raw Women’s Champion goes down as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Nia grinds Asuka down with a cobra clutch! Lana, Dana and Mandy rally and Asuka jawbreakers free! Asuka jumps on with a guillotine! Nia stays up, powers up and suplexes Asuka up and down! Cover, TWO! Dana and Mandy coach Asuka but Nia kicks Asuka while she’s down! Nia pushes Asuka around, saying she runs the division. Asuka kicks back, but Nia drags her up and tosses her to a corner! Nia runs in and hits a corner splash! Nia throws Asuka down to then cover, TWO as Asuka bridges up! Nia drags Asuka up by her hair, reels her in, and lifts her, but Asuka victory rolls through! TWO! Nia shakes the cobwebs out and drags Asuka up, only to get a BACKHAND! And another! Asuka mule kicks then runs, HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO!
Asuka keeps her focus while Nia slowly sits up. Asuka KICKS and KICKS, but Nia blocks the buzzsaw to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO and to the ARMBAR! Shayna gets on the apron but Lana goes after her! They argue, Shayna puts Lana in a KIRAFUDA! Asuka HIP ATTACKS them both down and onto Mandy and Dana! Nia storms over, fireman’s carry, but Asuka sunset flips out! TWO, but into the ASUKA LOCK!! Nia is caught, Shayna gets in to attack!
Winner: Asuka, by disqualification
Shayna rains down fists but Mandy and Dana go after Shayna! Lana grabs Nia but is thrown down hard! Nia BARRELS into Dana and Mandy! Shayna and Nia throw Dana out then Mandy! Lana is left all alone again… Lana tries to fight back but Shayna clubs her down while Nia clears the desk again. Shayna throws Lana out to Nia, and Nia SLAPS her! Nia says she is the leader! “The sooner you learn, the better!” NUMBER EIGHT!! Lana takes another Samoan Drop through the announce desk. “You don’t belong here. You’re going to drag us down. Just quit.” Will the Ravishing Russian finally give up the fight?
Backstage interview with R-Truth.
Truth has the 24/7 title back, but now he has to defend it in a SEVEN MAN MATCH! He doesn’t know what she’s talking about, he’s heading to do his photoshoot. He has it mixed up again. Regardless of who was champion, he was one of the seven contestants for tonight. Oh… Seven people in one match? What is he going to do with his clip-on tie then? You’re not supposed to hit a man with a clip-on tie. No, wait, that’s glasses. Does she have glasses he can borrow? Sorry, no. Does he have time to look for some? Nope, his music hits. Truth has no choice but to face the music! Will Truth escape this insane scenario?
Angel Garza speaks.
“I have been known to wear my heart on my sleeve. But when I step in that ring, I am cold blooded.” Garza fights to show every woman in the world that all other men are worthless. They do not deserve women like them. But they deserve a man who can give them everything they’ve every wanted. Someone like Garza. But before Garza gives you the world, he gives you his rose.
WWE 24/7 Championship Lucky 7 Way: R-Truth VS ???
Raw returns and we find that Truth is facing down Akira Tozawa, Tucker Knight, Erik, former champion Drew Gulak, and both members of Lucha House Party in Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik! They give Truth space to get in and the bell rings. Truth is surrounded now, and they all go after him! Actually, Akira hangs back to let them all stomp Truth down. But Truth slips out, and the other five realize they’re stomping nothing. Tozawa hits Truth with the spinning roundhouse! Everyone else is brawling while Tozawa covers, Tozawa wins!!
Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Did they forget this is sudden death? But at the same time, 24/7 rules means it’s a scramble! Erik rolls Tozawa up, Erik WINS!
Winner: Erik, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
The lone Viking Raider hurries out of the ring, but he stays too long as Gulak roll shim up! Gulak wins!
Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Gulak gets the belt back and gets back in the ring while LHP mug Erik. Tucker cradles Gulak, and wins!!
Winner: Tucker Knight, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Tucker finally has a singles title in the WWE! But then Gulak rolls him up in return! And wins!! So much for that.
Winner: Drew Gulak, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Gulak is already a five-time 24/7 Champion! But Tucker rocks the cradle back, and wins again!!
Winner: Tucker Knight, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
And now Tucker is a two-time 24/7 Champion! Then he BOOTS Lince, DECKS Metalik, but Truth hits the calf kick! Truth stalks up behind Tucker but Gulak gets in his way! Truth fireman’s carries but Gulak slips off to shove him into ACE TEN MAO from Erik! Gulak CLOBBERS Erik but Tozawa BOOTS Gulak! Tucker hits a Thesz Press but Lince hits a crossbody! Metalik hits a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, Metalik wins!!
Winner: Gran Metalik, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
But then Lince betrays him!! And wins!!
Winner: Lince Dorado, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Metalik asks what the heck, but that’s the rules! Truth shoves LHP into each other, then hits Lince with the ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cover, Truth wins the title back!!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
A whopping FORTY-FOUR TIMES!! Truth finally gets out of dodge but the chase is on again! Will this go down as the greatest night in that title’s history?
Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution!
The One and Only was as shocked as anyone that a man he called friend was actually the leader of the most chaotic faction in all the WWE. But he was even more shocked when Ali would turn that viciousness against him. Will Ricochet accept it can’t all be done alone? Or will he be shut down?
Raw returns and Ricochet makes his entrance. Ali keeps his minions at bay and the bell rings. Ricochet DECKS Ali and then CHOPS him! Ricochet throws more forearms and CHOPS, and he asks, “What’s going on with you? This ain’t you!” Ricochet CHOPS Ali, whips him, then runs him over with an elbow! Ricochet scoops and slams then runs to drop an elbow! Cover, ONE! Ali gets to ropes and he wants Ricochet to listen to him. Ricochet asks if Ali thinks “this” is the right way. Ali yanks Ricochet into buckles! Retribution cheers their leader on as Ali CLUBS Ricochet down then KICKS him!
Ali seethes as he has Ricochet in a corner to CHOP back! Ricochet gets up and Ali puts Ricochet in the corner for EuroUppers! “I am saving you!” Ricochet shoves Ali away but Ali ROCKS him with a right! Ali whips, CLOBBERS Ricochet then covers, ONE! Ali grows frustrated but he stalks Ricochet. Ali drags Ricochet up, throws haymakers, but Ricochet hits back! Ali DECKS Ricochet, but Ricochet gets up to CHOP! Ali kicks low, snap suplexes then covers, TWO! Ali grows frustrated, as does the rest of Retribution. Ali wraps Ricochet up with a chinlock and leans on him. Ricochet fights his way up but Ali clubs him down!
Ali brings Ricochet around to whip to ropes. Ricochet reverses but Ali kicks back! Ricochet walks into a CHOP but he just gets angry! Ricochet whips, and back drops Ali high and hard! Ricochet runs at Ali in the corner but is put on the apron. He counter punches Ali then reels him in to suplex. Ali lands on the apron and knees Ricochet back! Ali suplexes now, but Ricochet fights it off to shove Ali away. Ricochet tilt-o-whirls and HEADSCISSORS Ali to the floor! Ricochet drags Ali up, puts him in, but T-Bar and Mace crowd him. Ricochet worries about them as he gets in the ring, Ali hits a NECKBREAKER! Ali has turned things around and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Ali has Ricochet down with a chinlock. Ricochet endures, fights his way up, and throws body shots. Ali CLUBS Ricochet, then brings him up to whip him to a corner hard! Ricochet bounces off buckles, Ali runs to hit another neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Retribution is growing frustrated but Ali focuses. Ali stalks Ricochet and says he needs Retribution! Ali brings Ricochet up to snapmare and dropkick him down! Cover, TWO! Ali wraps on with another chinlock and he grinds him down. Ricochet fights up to his feet, Ali knees low and brings him around. Ricochet throws Ali into buckles then hits a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Both men are down and Retribution shout to Ali.
Ali and Ricochet stir, Ricochet flounders to ropes but Ali gets to the other side. Ali runs in but Ricochet counter punches him! And again! Ricochet fires off and then DISCUS LARIATS! Ricochet fires up and that angers Retribution! Ricochet waits for Ali to stand, then he runs in, but no Recoil as Ali kicks low! Ali suplexes but Ricochet slips out. Ali elbows the waistlock away, then goes up and leaps, but Ricochet blocks the DDT! NORTHERN LIGHTS, roll through to dead lift BRAIN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Ali survives and Retribution is fired up! Ricochet sits up first and aims from a corner. Ricochet drags Ali back up, puts him in the corner and then hoists him up top.
Ali hits back, Ricochet throws haymakers and then climbs up. Ali claws eyes and bumps Ricochet off buckles! Ali gets up, adjusts positions, SUPER BACKSTABBER?! Cover, TWO!?! Ricochet survives and Ali is shocked! Ali thinks on what he must do to put Ricochet down, and he shouts, “You think one man can change the world?! It takes many! Nothing will change until you’re willing to change!” Ali SLAPS Ricochet, and then drags him up. Ricochet DECKS Ali first! Ricochet gets behind Ali, POISON RANA!! Ricochet hurries to a corner, flounders up to the top rope, springboard and TORNILLO onto Retribution!! Ricochet gets back up and back in, then back up top, for a PHOENIX SPLASHÂ that flops!! KOJI KLUTCH!! Ricochet endures, but he fades out!! Ali wins!!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by submission
The Beacon is no longer the light, he put Ricochet’s lights out! Will Ali force Ricochet to see things his way in order to change Raw?
Adam Pearce talks with Randy Orton.
He knows Orton isn’t happy about having to team with Miz and Morrison, but Pearce assures him it was an order from the top brass. But there is something he might be happy about. Orton will defend his title against Drew McIntyre. Wait, who the hell does Pearce think he is? A messenger. Well Orton appreciates the message, and he RAMS Pearce into the wall! Pearce can tell “the staff” that they can go to hell! “You hear me?!” Pearce does. Orton lets Pearce go, pats Pearce on the cheek, then heads to the ring. Will Orton have to keep his head on a swivel even more than before with all of his hunters closing in?
Six Man Tag: Drew McIntyre & The New Day VS Randy Orton, The Miz & John Morrison!
Raw returns as Miz and Morrison make their entrance, followed by Kofi and Woods, and of course Drew McIntyre. McIntyre is of course in a great mood with the news we all just heard. But for that same reason, Orton is letting Morrison start against the Scottish Stud instead. McIntyre and Morrison circle, Morrison runs into a JAB! Morrison goes down and Woods talks smack. McIntyre TOSSES Morrison into the corner, and CHOPS him! Tag to Woods, McIntyre holds Morrison open for another CHOP! Woods swings again but into a spin and KICK from Morrison! Morrison headlocks, Woods powers out but Morrison runs him over! Things speed up, Woods hurdles but Morrison shoves. Woods keeps going, slides under and ROLLING ELBOWS!
Morrison flounders to the corner, tags to Miz, and Miz runs at Woods. Woods sends Miz into a shoulder from Kofi! Woods rolls Miz, Kofi tags in to crossbody! Cover, TWO! Kofi dropkicks Miz back to his corner but Orton refuses to tag. Miz says this is a team, but Orton doesn’t care. Tag to Morrison, Kofi sunset flips him down! TWO, Morrison KICKS back! Morrison throws forearms, whips Kofi corner to corner, but Kofi goes up and up and huricanranas! Morrison flounders up, Kofi DOUBLE STOMPS him down! Woods sees Miz coming and mule kicks! The New Day send Miz out of the ring, then coordinates. “One, two, three, we miss E!” The New Day build speed, Kofi FLIES and Woods WRECKS Miz, and McIntyre dares Orton to get in the ring! Orton refuses and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Miz runs but into Woods’ dropkick! Cover, TWO! Woods throws hands on Miz then whips him corner to corner. Miz reverses, runs in but Woods boots him! Woods hits the HONOR ROLL! Cover, TWO! Orton ignores what’s going on as Miz shoves Woods to the corner. Woods hits Morrison, throws hands on Miz, but Miz shoves. Woods elbows him away, Miz distracts the ref talking about his teeth, and Morrison hotshots Woods! Miz drags Woods around to put in the ropes, tag to Morrison! Morrison goes up while Miz holds Woods up in the ropes, DUMDUM STOMPSÂ to the apron! Woods goes down in a heap and Orton paces around him. The ref tells Orton to stay back but Morrison fetches Woods up and into the ring. Morrison covers, TWO!
Morrison stomps Woods, moves around, ground ‘n’ pound, then smothers Woods with a chinlock. Fans rally on their screens, Woods fights his way up, but Morrison pulls hair to keep him from the corner! Woods throws Morrison away but is caught! Woods elbows back and clubs Morrison down! But Morrison powers up to fireman’s carry and SAMOAN POP! Tag to Miz, Morrison SHINING WIZARDS< Miz BOOTS! Miz wants Orton to get in but Orton refuses again! Miz drags Woods over, Morrison tags in 21st Century Classic! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Miz, they double gut buster! Miz sucker punches Kofi and then goes after Woods with It Kicks in the corner! Miz runs corner to corner but Woods LARIATS first!
Both men are down, crawling for their corners! Hot tags to Morrison and McIntyre! McIntyre rallies with big clotheslines! And a whip, to a n OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Miz runs in to get an OVERHEAD suplex, too! McIntyre pushes Morrison into Miz, then gets them both for a DOUBLE OVERHEAD SUPLEX! McIntyre grins at Orton while he brings Morrison up for a neckbreaker! And KIP UP! McIntyre dares Orton to do something but Orton just smirks. McIntyre reels Morrison in, FUTURE SHOCK! McIntyre still dares Orton to do something, but Orton just crosses his arms. Morrison stirs, McIntyre drags him around and puts him in the corner. “Don’t be a b*tch.” They’re fighting next week, so give the world a preview! Make McIntyre’s day!
Orton gets up on the apron, reaches for Morrison… But hops down off the apron again. The Viper doesn’t care what McIntyre says, this is happening the way he wants it to. Orton takes the title and heads to the ramp, but Morrison rolls McIntyre up! Feet on ropes, but Woods pulls the feet of! Miz throws Woods down! Miz dodges Kofi, Morrison dodges McIntyre and FLIES out to take Kofi down! Miz runs in to a SPINE BUSTER! Morrison springboards, into the GLASGOW KISS!! McIntyre goes to a corner, takes aim again, and the countdown begins! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre and the New Day win!
Winners: The New Day & Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Orton avoided the fight tonight but he only has one week left! Will McIntyre take the belt back and head to Survivor Series?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good, fairly smooth flowing Raw here. Dysfunction is definitely the real subtitle of Survivor Series and I’m actually liking it. The Second Chance Triple Threat was obviously going to be Riddle’s to win with the Elias VS Hardy grudge still going on. Plus, it did make a lot of sense for the already dysfunctional Team Raw to get even wilder. They revisited history from SmackDown, but interesting that Styles shifts away from hating Riddle to accepting him for the sake of the team. I like that Styles was trying to use how they dislike the superstars from SmackDown to get them on the same page, and it almost worked, if not for him insisting he is captain. The tag match they had was great, especially with Keith using Sheamus and Riddle as human weapons. Sheamus keeps wishing he and McIntyre can be a team, but I feel like things will go sour and they’ll end up having matches against each other, which is just as good.
Poor, poor Lana. She loses to Shayna, has Mandy and Dana on her about last week, and though not right away, she eventually does get put through the announce desk again. This still obviously has to mean she’s going to help the Raw Women’s Team win Survivor Series, so the harder things are on her now, the more triumphant things will feel at the PPV. Asuka and Nia still had a really good match even with Shayna getting involved, but it seems Asuka is in a holding pattern until after Survivor Series. Lashley VS Titus was a bit more competitive than expected but not by much as Lashley still puts Titus away quickly. The 24/7 Championship hot-potato-ing was amazing, I loved it. I was hoping something like that would’ve happened at Clash of Champions but this was still great, I hope we get more at Survivor Series when SmackDown can finally get involved again.
It was a good detail for Alexa to have no recollection of Nikki talking to her, it really adds to how Alexa is being changed by The Fiend. Ali VS Ricochet was a great match, we need more in-ring reminders of how great these guys are. Ali of course wins to keep things going and perhaps even escalating. I feel like Ricochet should join up in the end, a Heel turn would freshen things up for him since WWE hasn’t done a whole lot with Face Ricochet. And the main story of the night with the world title was really good. MizTV and the brawling was a great opening segment, and the Six Man Tag was a really good main event. Orton is feeling the pressure but is still finding ways to control the pace. The rematch is going to be great, and The Fiend has to get involved somehow. At the very least, Fiend is another “guardian angel” keeping Miz from cashing in, and I think that makes for a great revisit of continuity there, as well, given Miz’s history with Bray from SmackDown and the part he played in Daniel Bryan’s feud with Fiend.
My Score: 8.1/10
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The Maniac takes on the Powerhouse!
In the wake of AEW Dynasty, in perhaps Will Hobbs’ biggest match, he takes on IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley! Will the Don Callis Family have even more gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland VS Kyle Fletcher; Swerve wins and denies Fletcher a title match.
- Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay; Mina wins.
- Casino Gauntlet: Will Ospreay wins and will challenge for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; Moxley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Elite arrives at Daily’s Place.
They roll up together in the same SUV, showing off all their gold, from Kazuchika Okada still being the AEW Continental Champion to The Young Bucks being the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions. Matthew congratulates The Rainmaker, and says he is so proud. Nicholas says he is proud of being the first-ever THREE-TIME AEW World Tag Team Champions. Wait, who is this pulling up next? It’s JACK PERRY! He just smiles at the cameraman, and Matt says alright, gentlemen, it’s a big night! They head in, but then security flags Jack down, saying he can’t be here.
Matt has security stop there, Jack is with The Elite. Hands off the merchandise. And cameraman, stick with The Elite, they’ve got some business to attend to. The Scapegoat walks with The Elite, just what will they do on this Homecoming night?
Orange Cassidy is here!
Daily’s Place fires up as Freshly Squeezed makes his way out, or rather is TOSSED out by Trent Beretta! Trent’s modified the old T-Shirt so it now reads, “Trent & Orange w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one.” Trent DECKS Cassidy down the ramp while fans boo the further betrayal! Trent DECKS Cassidy again, and Cassidy flops into the ring! Trent rains down fists, soaks up the heat, and then he gets a mic. “Chuck. Chuck, it’s time. Please get out here.” Trent waits, but tells the fans they have no idea what they’re talking about so please. Chuck walks out on stage and Trent apologizes? He is sorry…Â that he didn’t do this a long time ago!
Trent is sorry that Best Friends spent five YEARS hugging a narcissistic p*ick! Cassidy was brought in here to be their sidekick, yet somehow he made Best Friends into his lackies! Best Friends fought for Cassidy, protected him, did EVERYTHING for him, and yet Cassidy gave them NOTHING! Cassidy does NOT care about Chuck! Cassidy is NOT his friend! Trent looms over Cassidy while the fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Trent tells Chuck that Trent cares about him. Trent IS Chuck’s friend. So please… Do the right thing and give the people what they want. Trent tosses the mic to Chuck so he can respond.
Trent holds his arms open, and then Chuck holds his arms open, to then stop and say he always thought Trent was a POS! Chuck DECKS Trent!! Trent tumbles away, gets back up, but avoids Chuck’s haymaker! The Kentucky Gentleman tells Trent he knows that they won’t clear Chuck for a fight in this ring. But Chuck doesn’t wanna fight in this ring, he wants to fight in the damn parking lot!! The fans go nuts hearing that! Trent shakes his head, but will he have no choice but to fight his former Best Friend?
Jon Moxley speaks.
“I am confident tonight that I will defend successfully my IWGP Championship, but I don’t want you to mistake that for arrogance, or ignorance, or an underestimation of my opponent, ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs. I know exactly who ‘Powerhouse’ Hobbs is, what he’s capable of. A truck of a man who hits like one, too. Born and bred with a killer instinct, an instinct I can see and smell from a mile away. I’m acutely aware of what’s at stake tonight. I know it’ll only take one mistake for my entire world to come crashing down around me. And I know that this Callis Family put a hit out on my friend, so I know just how far they’re willing to go to get an edge to win.
“But nobody knows better than me what it takes to get to the top. More importantly, what it takes to stay at the top. So I know, honestly, for me, tonight’s gonna suck. It’s gonna be a walk through Hell. A march through mud and fire, slings and arrows, a march through Hell. But there’s no place I’d rather be, there’s no better way to feel alive. I don’t play golf, man. This is pro-wrestling, this is the king of sports, the greatest thing int he world. And tonight, I’m gonna remind the world just who I am, in case they’ve forgotten. When all the oxygen is pulled out of Powerhouse’s lungs and his carcass hits the canvas, they’re gonna feel it, from Jacksonville to Tokyo!”
The Maniac heads out, but will the Book of Hobbs’ next chapter be written in gold?
AEW World Championship Eliminator: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Kyle Fletcher w/ Don Callis!
Whose Dynasty? SWERVE’S DYNASTY! Because The Realest did dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television to become the NEW AEW World Champion! Prince Nana leads the way with his dance as Swerve looks to be a fighting champion! Will Swerve snipe the Aussie Arrow? Or will the Don Callis Family already have a win on a world champion to start the night?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Swerve as he stares Kyle down. They circle, get face to face, talk some trash, and then Swerve goes for a leg! Kyle facelocks to fight the takedown, then slips around to a waistlock. Swerve switches and hammerlocks, but Kyle reaches back to headlock. Swerve cranks the hammerlock, but Kyle reaches for legs. Kyle manages to switch, snapmare and then ghost pin, TWO! Kyle headlocks but Swerve slips right out to hammerlock again. Swerve grinds Kyle down but Kyle fights to the ROPEBREAK. Swerve lets off and waits on Kyle. Kyle stands, the two reset, and they tie up again.
Swerve headlocks, Kyle powers up and puts Swerve on ropes. The ref counts, Kyle lets off but then takes a swing! Swerve ducks the chop, snapmares Kyle down and slips around to roll Kyle to a cradle, TWO! Kyle hurries after a leg, but Swerve spins around, victory roll and step over, SHORT ARM SCISSOR! Kyle scrambles around to stack, TWO! Swerve gets up, Kyle goes for a leg, but Swerve steps over. Kyle dodges the dropkick, but then Swerve avoids the Penalty Kick! Both men block the other’s kick, and the fans fire up as they both let off. The two reset, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Swerve and Kyle circle, Kyle kicks but Swerve blocks, only for Kyle to ROCK Swerve with a forearm. Kyle whips, Swerve goes up and over then JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up as Kyle sputters, and then Swerve UPPERCUTS, snapmares, and goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and the fans fire up! Swerve says “DU~VAL~!” and the fans echo it. Swerve goes for Kyle but Kyle gets to ropes. Swerve waits on Kyle, goes for an arm, wrenches, but Kyle whips Swerve out! Kyle runs to CALF KICK Swerve to the floor! The fans boo but Kyle snarls and Swerve checks his arm. Kyle goes out after Swerve, brings him around, but tells Nana to back off.
Swerve BACK DROPS Kyle away! Kyle writhes, Swerve goes to the apron and he tells fans to pay attention, get off their phones. PENALTY KICK and Kyle goes down! The fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve struts around before he fetches Kyle, and whips him into railing! Swerve again tells fans to watch the show, not their phones. He fist bumps the front row, gets Kyle back up, and pushes him into the ring. Swerve has Kyle on the apron to CLUB him. Swerve then stalks Kyle to a corner, ROCKS him, then has him on ropes. Swerve UPPERCUTS Kyle, whips him to ropes, but Kyle reverses to scoop and SLAM! Swerve writhes while Kyle mockingly shouts, “Whose house?!” Kyle even gets on a corner to soak up the heat and tell Jacksonville up theirs! Kyle goes back to Swerve, Swerve throws body shots, but then Kyle swings. Swerve blocks to fire more body shots!
Swerve turns Kyle for a NECKBREAKER! Swerve drags Kyle around, covers, TWO! Kyle is still in this but Swerve clamps onto him with an armlock and chinbar. Swerve grinds his elbow into Kyle’s face, then grabs the other arm. Swerve wrangles Kyle into a CAMEL CLUTCH, but then makes it a SLEEPER STRETCH! Kyle still endures, fights free, and Dynamite returns to single picture as he stands. Kyle fires body shots, but Swerve grabs the arm. Kyle KICKS and KICKS but Swerve blocks, slips around, LEG CAPTURE BACKBREAKER! Swerve again grinds on the arms, pulls on back, but Kyle slips through to arm-drag free!
Swerve has the wristlock but Kyle fires forearm after forearm! Swerve swings, Kyle swats it to SLAP Swerve! Kyle whips, Swerve flips up and around but Kyle SUPERKICKS him! Then scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A camera is backstage, and we see The Elite plus Jack Perry walking right up to Tony Khan’s office. Matthew doesn’t even knock as he leads the way right in. In the ring, Swerve and Kyle rise while the fans rally up. Swerve goes to ropes, Kyle runs in, but is put on the apron! Kyle waistlocks to drag Swerve out, and half nelsons! Swerve fights that, slips around, APRON NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally for Swerve while he shakes out his arm, then he encourages them to get louder. Swerve goes up the corner, Kyle slowly sits up, APRON KILL STOMPS!! Swerve clutches a leg, that was a risky move that may have been double-edged! Swerve walks off the pain and fans rally up. Swerve pushes Kyle into the ring, hurries to another corner, and then runs up, HOUSE- NO, Kyle catches the foot! ANKLE LOCK!! Kyle THRASHES the foot but Swerve endures! The fans rally for Swerve as he fights around, reaches out, but Kyle drags him away from ropes! GRAPEVINE!! Swerve is caught, and Kyle is even stomping Swerve’s back!
Swerve endures, the fans are thunderous, and Swerve crawls to the ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go but keeps his eyes on Swerve. Kyle brings Swerve around to KICK him in the chest! And KICK him again! And KIJCK again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve ROCKS Kyle, Kyle ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve MULE KICKS, HAYMAKERS, and whips to HIP TOSS! Roll through to the deadlift, but the bad foot holds Swerve back! Kyle suplexes, Swerve slips around and half nelsons but Kyle breaks that. Swerve still O’Conner Rolls so that he can BOOT from below! Kyle wobbles, into the SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Swerve rolls through again, for the BRAINBUSTER!
The fans fire up as Swerve crawls back to cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Swerve is frustrated. Swerve snarls, drags Kyle up for a gut wrench, but Kyle flails and kicks his way to turn it around! But then Swerve flails and kicks to turn it back around! So Kyle drops, victory roll and deadlift, into the JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and now Kyle is frustrated! Kyle pounds the mat, Callis tells him number four, and Kyle nods. Kyle goes outside, looks under the ring, but then shakes his head. Kyle doesn’t wanna do number four, he awnts to do it his way! GAMANGIRI! He puts Swerve up top and climbs!
Kyle has Swerve up on the very top, lifts, but Swerve fights! Swerve throws body shots, haymakers, and then he ROCKS Kyle! Kyle ends up in the Tree of Woe, and Swerve hits WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Swerve just reloads! HOUSE CALL!! Cover, Swerve wins!!
Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (denies Kyle Fletcher a title opportunity)
The Realest crosses Kyle off the list, and Callis is disappointed Kyle didn’t play things how he wanted. Are tensions rising in the Don Callis Family? Who will be next to step to Swerve’s Dynasty?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
As AEW returns to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, so will The Cleaner! Kenny Omega finally makes his way back to Dynamite, what will he have to say about The Bucks’ new Elite?
Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.
Renee Paquette is with La Mera Mera and notes her being so close to winning the AEW Women’s World Championship, only to fall short. What does Rosa feel went wrong out there? Rosa says she can either stand here and complain about what happened, or she can move on. Honestly, Rosa could bring up who Deonna Purrazzo again got involved in her business, or how “Antonia Tormenta” kicked Rosa in the ovarios. But she won’t. She’s just proud of herself for- Oh, wait, Deonna walks in. The Virtuosa doesn’t get it. Rosa says she doesn’t wanna talk about Deonna, yet all she does is say her name!
Deonna dares Rosa to say things to her face, and Rosa tells Deonna en Espanol that she’s already told her before. The two start shoving, security rushes in, will we see these two have it out before one of them goes back for Toni Storm?
Mina Shirakawa w/ Mariah May VS Anna Jay!
Speaking of Toni Storm, her protege’s old mentor has been coming around AEW & ROH more and more, mostly because of Mariah May. Will Stardom’s Fighting H Cup Idol prove she’s elite? Or will Anna remind us she’s still the Star of the Show?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Anna dodges and she takes a bow. The fans cheer, but Mina says okay, c’mon now. Then Mina dodges and shimmies! Anna mockingly applauds before she BOOTS Mina down! Anna brings Mina up to fire off forearms, then shows off her assets. Anna runs, but Mina dropkicks the legs out! Mina then runs to SHOTGUN Anna down! Mina grabs a leg to SMASH the knee! Mina steps over to SPLASH onto the leg, then struts around. The fans fire up as Mina brings Anna up, ties up the legs, and then DOUBLE KNEE SMASHES! Mina gets the legs again, steps through, but Anna kicks her away.
Anna runs in but Mina dodges in the corner. Mina ducks a forearm, ROCKS Anna with a forearm, then goes up to REBOUND ENZIGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mina stays on Anna while the fans rally. Mina dragon sleepers, but Anna fight the suplex! Anna swings, Mina dodges and tilt-o-whirls, to then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Mina drags Anna by her leg, drops an elbow on the knee, and then another! And then another! And another! Mina shakes it up again and the fans cheer as she drops one more elbow! Mina steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Anna endures, crawls, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go and Anna goes to the apron.
Mina lines up a shot, runs in, but Anna ducks to CLAW the eyes! Anna brings Mina into the ropes, give her a kiss right in front of Mariah, and HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Mariah is upset but has to stay back, and Anna goes in to cover, TWO! Mina hangs in there while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Anna CHOKES Mina, lets off as the ref counts, and then she drags Mina up. Mariah says boo Anna, but Anna puts Mina in a corner. Anna digs her boot in, lets off as the ref counts, and Mina sputters as Anna brings her around. Anna ROCKS Mina, brings her around and bumps her off buckles. The fans rally, Anna CHOPS Mina, then she struts. But Mina runs up to ROCK Anna! Anna CLUBS Mina, then pushes her around. Anna stands on Mina but that’s a CHOKE! The ref counts, Anna steps away, and she blows kisses at everyone. Anna brings Mina up, to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Anna is frustrated but she brings Mina back to ropes.
Anna CHOKES Mina more, taunting Mariah to reach out, then Anna steps off as the ref counts. Mina coughs, Anna brings her up, but Mina fires body shots! Anna CLUBS Mina and has her in a corner. Anna drags Mina up, CHOKES her more, but the ref counts. Anna lets off, Mina coughs and sputters, but Anna soaks up the heat. Anna drags Mina up, cravats and snapmares, then clamps on a FULL NELSON! Mina endures, fights around, and Mariah cheers Mina on as she fights up. Mina throws elbows to fight the hold, but Anna holds tight! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mina breaks free and ROCKS Anna!
Anna comes back to ROCK Mina, but Mina ROCKS Anna again! The fans rally as the forearms go back and forth! Anna gest the edge, runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Anna stands, into Mina’s URAKEN! Anna flounders to a corner, Mina roars and runs in, but Anna puts her on the apron! Mina knuckle locks, ROCKS and climbs up to FALLING KNEE DROP onto Anna! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives but Mina keeps her focus. Mina ROCKS Anna again, brings her in, but Anna wrenches out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Shoutout to Tay and Anna covers, TWO!!
Anna is beside herself but Mariah is also worried. Anna brings Mina up but Mina fights the STO! Mina gets free, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Then she steps through on the legs, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~” but Anna endures and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Mina lets go fast to go up a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Anna staggers back up, into the GLAMOROUS SWORD! Cover, TWO!! Anna survives Mina’s enzigiri but Mina drags her into the dragon sleeper! GLAM- NO, Anna slips free to have the QUEENSLAYER!! Mina flails, reaches out, but Anna is too busy staring down Mariah! Mina wrenches out to wrangle Anna!
Mina hooks legs, GLAMOROUS COLLECTION MINA! MINA WINS!!
Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall
Anna got cocky and got caught! Mariah brings in the champagne and glasses, and they toast the victory! But then Anna CLOBBERS Mariah and DECKS Mina! The fans are torn as Anna puts the QUEENSLAYER on Mariah!! Mariah flails, but here comes Toni Storm! The champ runs Anna off to protect her protege! “How DARE~ you!” Storm checks on Mariah, but wait! SERENA DEEB is here! The Professor of Professional Wrestling is looking rather glamorous herself as she struts out, tosses Storm’s shoes aside, and looks at the AEW Women’s World Championship! Deeb sits down beside it on the ramp and has the camera come in close.
Deeb says she could hold the title up, but she won’t. Because instead, she’s going to make the AEW Women’s Division a promise: the next time she holds the belt, it will truly belong to her as the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb is undefeated, will she remain that way all the way through dethroning Timeless Toni Storm?
Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway are in the ring.
Dynamite returns as the Galaxy’s Greatest and #BigStoke are here, balloons at all the corners of the ring, and the fans cheering them on. Stokely says, “In 1977, Bill Withers created one of the greatest songs of all time, Lovely Day. And that’s exactly how I felt when one of my best friends became TBS Champion at Dynasty!” The fans cheer that! Stokely wants to know, is Jacksonville ready to partaaay~?! They sure sound like it! Stokely says Caprice Coleman is on commentary, Krissy Stat is right here, and she says this one’s for Willow.
“She is the Babe with the Power, and we are here to give her her flowers She reminds us that nothing matters and to smile anyway, because every time we see her, she brightens our day. I’m standing her in silver because she is our gold. And now, she has the TBS Championship to hold.” Stoke says with all due disrespect, that was two packs of ass! So let’s just bring out the NEW Face of TBS, “HOO! HOO!” WILLOW~ NIGHTINGALE! Coleman sings along with the theme song just like in ROH, and the Babe with the Championship makes her entrance. Willow gets the mic, Stokely says when this whole thing to started, he didn’t like her. Well she didn’t like him, either.
Stokely says Willow was like a fungus that they couldn’t cut off. But look at them now! Willow earned that title, and they are proud of her! Willow thanks Stokely and Kris, and is proud of herself, too. Because tonight in JACKSONVILLE~, the very place where she hit the big time. She’ll take us back to Spring of 2020. Willow was right here, in the front row, trying to get her big break. Then in 2022, she was in the ring, Tony Schiavone stepped in to join her, and on that big tron, we saw the graphic: Willow is All Elite! But tonight, Willow isn’t trying to catch a break, she is not a rookie. She is THE FACE OF TBS!! WHAT WHAT!
But wait, here comes The CEO. Mercedes Mone again steps on Willow’s moment, just like she did at Dynasty. But it’s already obvious why as she struts her way to the ring. Mone gets her own mic while the fans chant “C E O! C E O!” Mone tells “Jacksonviiiiille~” to say hello to the C E O. Willow tells Mone this has to be like the fourth time she’s done this. And this is Willow’s time! So it just feels like if Mone has something to say, then go ahead and say it. Mone says she just wanted to congratulate Willow! And to enjoy the celebration now, because in just 23 days, at Double or Nothing, you will be looking at the NEW Face of TBS, Mercedes Mone.
The fans are torn, but Mone says she just wanted to ask if Willow was the b*tch who attacked her in the dark two weeks ago! What? Why would she? Kris steps up to tell Mone that Willow got attacked just last week, so how do we know Mone didn’t do that? Well how do we know it wasn’t Kris?! They argue, Stokely speaks up and says while he hates getting up in women’s business, we all know it was Julia Hart. Willow says even before this whodunnit, it feels like there’s been a personal vendetta against her. Does Mone really think Willow meant to injure Sasha during the NJPW Women’s Tournament? Stokely says of course Mone thinks that, but then Kris shuts him up.
Mone asks Willow if she really just asked if Mone blames Willow for almost ending her career. Is Willow really asking if Mone blames Willow for all the pain and suffering Mone went through? Is Willow really asking if Mone was blaming Willow for taking away the one thing Mone loves most for a whole year? Willow doesn’t want the truth, she just wants to feel better about what she did to Mone. Willow says she genuinely feels so awful what happened. But there were a lot of questions and doubts for her, too. She went to hotel room, she looked at the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, and she should’ve been smiling.
But the whole time, she wondered to herself, “Could I have beaten Mercedes Mone at 100%?” And then the next day, Willow saw everyone saying that online. She heard the locker room saying it! And so that NJPW Strong Women’s title reign has quite the asterisk next to it. But THIS title reign? This? There is NOT asterisk next to this! The fans fire up for that! So at Double or Nothing, Mone, Willow wants you at 100%! Because Willow wants to show Mone that she CAN beat her, and why Willow IS TBS Champion. The fans fire up for that! Mone says to enjoy it while she can, because they both know deep down, Willow CAN’T beat Mone.
The fans are torn as the two stare down, and then Mone says bye. Kris grabs at Mone, Mone turns around and mistakenly SLAPS Willow!! Kris has to stop Willow from retaliating, and then refs get out there to stop it! Kris’s mistake only just turned up the heat on this one! Will there be no holding back from the CEO or the Babe with the Power when it’s Double or Nothing?
Alex Marvez waits outside Tony Khan’s office.
Jack Perry is the first to exit and Marvez says they’ve been in there a long time. Is Jack reinstated in AEW? Jack doesn’t answer and moves on, so Marvez asks “Okada-san” if that’s the case. The Rainmaker just pats Marvez on the shoulder and follows Jack. Nicholas, is Jack All Elite again? Matthew, please, Marvez needs the scoop! Is Jack Perry once again in AEW? Matt wishes he had a better scoop for Marvez, but things are still uncertain. One thing Matt will tell Marvez is… Tony Khan literally just agreed to talk with Jack in the ring, live here tonight. That’s still a pretty big scoop! Will TK bring the Scapegoat back into the fold?
Casino Gauntlet!
AEW shuffles the deck and puts a golden opportunity for Double or Nothing on the line! This isn’t your typical gauntlet, either! It is “sudden death,” so anyone that scores a pinfall or submission wins, BUT! There are also timed intervals, so more and more competitors will be added, meaning things can get really crazy really quickly. One way or another, the AEW International Champion will have a new challenger, but who will it be when it’s the luck of the draw?
First out, it’s King Switch! Jay White leads Austin & Colten Gunn out as the NEW unified AEW & ROH World Trios Champions, but will Bullet Club Gold be adding even more gold to the collection? Second out, Top Flight’s Dante Martin! Will Angel Dorado get himself a golden ticket instead?
Jay White VS Dante Martin!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. White pulls hair to put Dante in the corner, but Dante slips free. They circle again, Dante waistlocks but White switches. White headlocks, Dante powers up but can’t power out as White holds on. White wrenches to wristlock, but Dante flips through and breaks free. White CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CHOPS again! Dante is stinging, the fans “WOO~” and White says guns up! White whips, runs in, but Dante slips out to the apron! Dante then goes up and around, GAMANGIRIS, then springboards. White gets under, Dante comes back, and turns hip toss into RANA! Then he DROPKICKS White down! Cover, TWO!
White bails out, Dante builds speed, and Dante FLIES, but has to handspring through as White moves! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and then brings Dante around. APRON- NO, Dante slips free of the suplex to JUMP KNEE! Dante puts White in, hurries to the apron, and then slingshots to roll, only for White to catch him! EXPLODERÂ out of the ring! But here comes the third man, PENTA EL ZERO MIEDO! The Man with No Fear now makes this a Triple Threat, will he be able to survive these odds?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo!
White storms up but Penta GAMANGIRIS him away! Penta goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges then SLINGBLADES! Dante returns, but into a SLINGBLADE! Penta whips Dante corner to corner but Dante reverses. Penta SUPERKICKS back, then pops Dante up on the corner, for another SUPERKICK! Dante wobbles into Penta’s fireman’s carry, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Penta spins for the SWINGING DEATH VALLEY! Penta then goes back to a corner, climbs up, but White SHOVES Him to the ramp! White then runs up, fireman’s carries, but Penta fights free! And SUPERKICKS! White flops to the apron, Penta uses him as a step to get up and in and hit a DESTROYER on Dante!! Fans lose their minds as Penta stands, and says “CERO! MIEDO!” Dante bails out so Penta goes after White. Penta CHOPS White, then hears the fans rally up. Penta goes out after Dante, gets him in the ring, and stands him up against ropes. Penta winds up, to CHOP! Dante grits his teeth, but White BOOTS Penta down!
White stands Penta up, CHOPS Penta, but Penta CHOPS in return! Penta hears the fans rallying for “CERO! MIEDO!” and he goes back to SUPERKICK White! Penta stands Dante up, whips him to ropes and SUPERKICKS him down! But then White gets Penta for a cradle, TWO!! Penta escapes, White UPPERCUTS him down! White snarls, stomps Dante, then stomps a mudhole into Dante at the corner. White drags Dante up, whips him to ropes, and back drops him away! White covers, TWO! Penta is after White but White scrambles away as Dynamite returns to single picture. Penta brings Dante up, but Dante fights the suplex!
White storms back in, CLUBS them both down, and next up is KYLE O’REILLY! Whoa, #CombatKyle is now #CleanKyle as his hair and beard are trimmed. Maybe he’s going back to those babyface assassin days!
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly!
Kyle KICKS White down, KICKS Penta down, and KICKS Dante down! Kyle fires forearms on White, then wrenches. Dante gets up, Kyle BOOTS him away, then gives White an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle wrenches Dante, BOOTS Penta, then hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Wrench on Penta, ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle whips, Penta reverses but Kyle goes up and over. Kyle also ducks Dante so Dante’s LARIAT takes down Penta! Dante runs up, Kyle blocks the kick and gives it to Penta. Then Kyle gets one of Penta’s legs, DOUBLE DRAGON SCREW!! White KNEES Kyle low, runs but into a KNEE from Kyle! Kyle snapmares White, runs, but feints to then SLAP him!
The fans fire up while White frowns. White gets up but Kyle fires off fast strikes! KICK, LEG SWEEP, and the fans fire up! Dante wheelbarrows Kyle, but Kyle drops that into the ARMBAR! White stomps but Kyle catches that, to a HEEL HOOK! White flails, ROPEBREAK! Kyle lets go, and now we add WILL OSPREAY! Will the Aerial Assassin take his momentum from Dynasty and make it Double or Nothing?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay!
Ospreay storms right in, Kyle staring him down! They fire forearms and the fans are thunderous already! Ospreay fires up to fire off a flurry! Kyle KICKS, whips, but Ospreay BOOTS back! Ospreay goes up and out to springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Penta runs up to KICK Ospreay’s leg! Dante gets in, he and Penta double whip, but Ospreay handsprings to DOUBLE PELE! But White SLEEPER- NO, Ospreay arm-drags free! These two know each other well and the fans are thunderous to see this one! White and Ospreay shake hands, but then White CLAWS Ospreay’s face! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!
White clinches, but Ospreay fights free to CHOP! Ospreay whips, White holds ropes to bail out, but the fans boo. Dante kicks Ospreay and runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! And out comes LANCE ARCHER! The Murderhawk Monster says #EverybodyDies, will that be the case in this sudden death gauntlet?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer!
Ospreay shakes his head, but Archer storms right in! Ospreay gets in Archer’s… well, chest, but he fires off forearms! Archer DECKS him! Kyle returns, Archer LARIATS! Penta runs up, Archer LARIATS! White runs up, into a half nelson, dragon sleeper, but Dante jumps in! But into Archer’s hand! CHOKE SLAM DDT COMBO!! Penta jumps onto Archer, fires off hands, then whips. Archer reverses to CLOBBER Penta! Kyle gets up, Archer choke grips, but Kyle turns slam into GUILLOTINE! Kyle thrashes, but Archer THROWS him away! Kyle goes to the apron, Archer DECKS Kyle! Ospreay BOOTS Archer, goes up, but Archer STEP-UP KNEES!
Archer picks Ospreay up in the reverse crucifix! BLACKOUT BOMBÂ onto the others on the outside!! The fans are thunderous and Dynamite goes picture in picture!
Archer storms out to go looking under the ring. Archer brings out a TABLE! Daily’s Place loves it as Archer sets up the furniture at ringside. Archer positions that but Ospreay runs up to fire shots! Archer knees low, SMACKS Ospreay off apron, and then goes around to BOOT Kyle down! And CLUB White down! And get another TABLE! Archer drags that table over White, then sets it up with the other. Archer drags Ospreay up, but Ospreay fires forearms first! Archer RAMS Ospreay into railing! Archer CLUBS away on Ospreay, SMACKS Kyle off apron, BOOTS Dante, then CLUBS White. Archer brings White over, and SMACKS him off the table.
Ospreay fires forearms on Archer, then brings him around to SMACK off the apron. Ospreay goes up, takes aim, and FLYING- BODY CHECK!! Archer just has Ospreay bounce right off him! White ROCKS Archer, ROCKS him again, then brings him around to the tables. White fireman’s carries, but Archer’s too big! Archer CLUBS White, CLUBS him again, then ROCKS him! Archer BOOTS Penta, sends him into railing, then goes back for White. White fights the choke grip but gets an APRON CHOKE SLAM for it!! Archer roars, White dangles before he flops, then Archer goes back up the apron. Archer grins while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Archer drags White up to the apron, but next is KOMANDER! The AAA Cruiserweight Champion’s entrance distracts Archer so that White can CLAW the eyes! We’re now at a Lucky 7 Way, is this where someone’s luck runs out?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander!
Komander hurries to the corner, climbs up and tightrope walks, to FLYING RANA, but Archer blocks!! Archer brings Komander back up, only for Komander to RANA Archer down through the tables!! The Murderhawk Monster is hoisted on his own petard and even Komander is stunned! Komander hurries to springboard in at Ospreay, but Ospreay ducks! Komander rolls through, comes back and kicks, then runs, only for Ospreay to TIGER WALL KICK and- NO, Komander ducks the enzigiri, to TIGER WALL KICK back! Things speed up, Komander tilt-o-whirls around the world, DEJA VU DDT!! Cover, White breaks it!!
White clinches to URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Komander survives, but White goes back to Ospreay. But Ospreay flips up and through Bladerunner to LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives, but Ospreay takes off the elbow pad! White rises, but here comes JAY LETHAL! We’re at eight, how much longer can this go?
Jay White VS Dante Martin VS Penta El Zero Miedo VS Kyle O’Reilly VS Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer VS Komander VS Jay Lethal!
Lethal runs in, Ospreay is ready and they brawl! Ospreay kicks, whips but Lethal reverses! Ospreay handsprings through the arm-drag but Lethal still cartwheels to DROPKICK! Dante returns but into the LETHAL COMBINATION! Penta is back and he KICKS Lethal’s leg! Penta whips, Lethal sunset flips but Penta rolls through. Lethal dodges and handsprings, LETHAL INJECTION!! But White’s back to clinch! Lethal slips free, but swings into the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White hurries to clinch again, but Dante MISSILE DROPKICKS them both down! Lethal runs in, Dante goes up and over, then Dante dodges Kyle!
Kyle CLOBBERS Lethal, ducks Dante’s enzigiri, AX & SMASH!! Ospreay returns, Kyle fights the nelson to fire off strikes! KICK, KICK, but Ospreay BUZZSAWS and HEEL KICKS! Kyle yoyos to LARIAT, but Ospreay slips through to pick Kyle up! But Kyle slips free to ROLLING ELBOW! Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Kyle YOYOS into HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives but Ospreay calls for his shot! Underhooks, but wait, he hesitates. Storm Driver 93 damn near destroyed Bryan Danielson, does he want to do that to Kyle? Kyle back drops free first! Then ARMBAR!! But Komander is up top! CIELITO LINDO onto Kyle!! Cover, HIDDEN BLADE!!!
Ospreay drags Komander to a cover, OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship)
The Assassin found a target and took them out! But here comes the Undisputed Kingdom, the Savior of the Backbreaker leading the way. Roderick Strong stares Ospreay down, with Mike Bennett, Matt Taven, Wardlow and Adam Cole all backing him up. Ospreay doesn’t back down, will he simply tear that gold away from The Kingdom?
Chris Jericho is here!
And as his new theme says, he is The Learning Tree. But what we see is that he is the NEW FTW Champion after cracking Hook in the head with a baseball bat at Dynasty. Jericho smiles and waves at the fans while he gets a mic, but they’re booing back. “Hey, guys! It’s true, I’m the new FTW Champion! It’s great, right? And there’s been a lot of negative connotation with the letters F T W. Does it mean F The World? Does it mean Forget The World? No, it’s none of those things, I’m changing it right here, right now. From now on, this means FOR The World Championship, because this was FOR all of you!”
The fans boo and Taz can’t stomach this on commentary. Jericho says “we” won this together! The whole world is buzzing and he knows why. Jericho is doing God’s work. The Wrestling God, that is, and that’s Terry Funk. Terry once told Jericho that it is now Jericho’s responsibility to teach the younger generation and take them to the next level, and that is what Jericho is doing! Thank you, Terry Funk, and thank you, fans. And thanks, Hook! What a great champion and a tough competitor in the ring. Hook beat the hell outta Jericho, but his only flaw is that there are still certain things he needs to take from The Learning Tree.
There are lessons Jericho wants to teach Hook, including how to get rid of the dead weight that surrounds him: Taz, Shibata, the collateral damage, and all the clowns that support him. More importantly, Hook, you need to listen to Jericho when he says to stay down. Jericho told Hook to stay down but Hook kept getting back up. Even after two Judas Effects! Hook forced Jericho to hit him in the head with the baseball bat. So that’s on Hook. But Jericho knows Hook is listening, thinking on the lessons he learned, and that is exciting to Jericho.
What is also exciting to Jericho is the list of men and women who have been drawn into the #JerichoVortex and come out the other side even bigger and better stars! So many! Jericho is so excited- Wait! “Big Bill” Morrissey is here! Bill has a mic already as he steps to Jericho in the ring. Bill tells Jericho, “I have been in the back listening to you, and I only have one thing to say.” Jericho waits as Bill thinks on his words, and Bill says he needs The Learning Tree! The fans boo, they were clearly hoping for something else.
Bill says everyone knows Jericho is the Socrates of Professional Wrestling! Always willing to give advice, to lend a hand, and to take a less established guy and bring him up to the top with him. That is Chris Jericho to a T. Jericho nods, and Bill knows there is a long line of guys foaming at the mouth for the very opportunity to be under the Learning Tree. But Bill wants Jericho to take this into consideration: there is nobody bigger than Bill, nor better fit for the Learning Tree. Jericho knows it deep down in his heart that Bill is the very best fit for The Learning Tree.
Jericho does have to say, Bill, he has been watching Bill a long time. A fan of his for years. It’s partly why Bill is in AEW. But Jericho will think on what Bill said, and he’ll keep his eye on Bill to see if what he says is true. Bill says go ahead and do that, because he’ll do just that. Just watch him. Bill heads out, Jericho says he sure will be. Let’s celebrate together! Jericho waves and gives a thumbs up, but will Bill be The Learning Tree’s first true pupil?
Backstage interview with The Don Callis Family.
Renee is with Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Callis himself as she congratulates Ospreay on becoming #1 contender to the International Championship. Callis, the rest of the Family has had an evening of ups and downs, so- Callis “apologizes” for interrupting but he has to say, he is so happy for the “golden goose,” and now Ospreay will have the gold. An international star deserves the International Championship. The only note Callis has, that Tiger Driver 91, AKA Storm Driver 93. He had that all set up, why didn’t Ospreay use it? No, Ospreay doesn’t wanna do that anymore. Not after what he did to Bryan.
Callis doesn’t understand, what happened? Ospreay says we all saw what happened to Bryan because of his neck, and Kyle O’Reilly has a bad neck, too. Storm Driver has to go. Callis doesn’t care about any of that, Ospreay should win! Roddy’s got a bad neck, so what’s gonna happen if Ospreay shows weakness? Fletcher speaks up saying that Ospreay still won, and he’ll win at Double or Nothing, what does it matter about that move? Callis tells Fletcher shouldn’t be talking about winning after how tonight went. Ospreay WILL be International Champion because he’s gonna nail Roddy with Storm Driver, break his neck, and take his title!
Now, Callis needs to go find Hobbs, he’s gonna coach Powerhouse to a championship tonight, just like Ospreay will win at the PPV. Callis leaves Ospreay and Fletcher behind, Fletcher apologizes on Callis’ behalf. Are the former Empire boys still united despite how Callis is leading this “family?”
BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night!
Once again, Saturday nights are alright for fighting, and it will be another THREE HOUR BLOCK, but this one will be live coast to coast! The Bang Bang Gang will defend their Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships against Top Flight, will Jay White & The Gunns make Dante, Darius & Action breathe with The Switchblade? After what happened tonight, Toni Storm will take on Anna Jay, will Mariah May be avenged? And then on Rampage, Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo finally have it out 1v1, and we get the Parking Lot Brawl! Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, who proves they were the strongest Best Friend all along?
Collision and Rampage will follow NBA Playoff coverage, keep your eyes open for this one!
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!
It was a Windy City Riot when The Maniac took this title off Tetsuya Naito, and he made a point of saying he runs from no challenge. NJPW’s Ren Narita and Shota Umino are both waiting on the other side of this match, will they still get their shot at Moxley? Or will the Don Callis Family start to take over the wrestling world?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes history in this historic main event!
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out as the fans rally, and Moxley KICKS a leg. Hobbs stays up, feel things out with Mox, but Moxley KICKS again. The two tie up, Moxley waistlocks the SLEEPERS, but Hobbs RAMS Moxley into buckles. Hobbs throws elbows, stomps a mudhole, then fires hands! Hobbs puts Moxley in a corner, ELBOWS him, but Moxley CHOPS! Hobbs pie faces Moxley, Moxley CHOPS, but Hobbs ROCKS him. Hobbs talks smack, then whips Moxley corner to corner. Moxley stops himself, ROCKS Hobbs, then fires more forearms and KICKS! Moxley runs, but leaps into Hobbs’ arms!
Hobbs pops Moxley up but Moxley slips free to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! But Hobbs is right up!? The fans fire up and Hobbs grins. Moxley runs up, into a clinch! EXPLODER! Moxley writhes, bails out, and Hobbs grins as he goes out after him. Hobbs CLUBS Moxley, but Moxley fires a forearm! Moxley SMACKS Hobbs off the timekeeper’s table, but Hobbs body shots in return! Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off railing, then he runs up, only for Moxley to avoid the boot! Hobbs gets caught up on the railing, Moxley BOOTS him over! Moxley goes up the railing, Hobbs rises, but Moxley AX HANDLES him down!
Moxley headlocks, brings Hobbs around the back of the fans, and throws hands. Moxley ROCKS Hobbs, Hobbs HEADBUTTS, and they brawl! The ring count starts, both men have until 20, and we’re at 4 now. Hobbs SMACKS Moxley off a trash can! Hobbs stalks Moxley around the way, CHOPS, then brings Moxley around to ROCK him! Hobbs stalks Moxley, CLUBS him, then pushes him. Moxley hobbles his way back to railing, but turns around to fire haymakers! Hobbs KNEES low, TOSSES Moxley over railing, then storms after him. The count is 15 but Moxley gets in the ring. Hobbs follows and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Hobbs storms up on Moxley, talks trash, but Moxley SLAPS him and flips him off! Moxley eggs Hobbs on so Hobbs BOOTS him down! Moxley flops to the apron then the floor. Hobbs storms out after Moxley, and RAMS him into railing! Hobbs scoops Moxley to APRON POWERSLAM! And APRON POWERSLAM again! And again!! Hobbs snarls, brings Moxley around and SLINGS him down! Hobbs leaves Moxley behind in the ring to soak up cheers and jeers, and even make the pecs dance. IWGP rules do let titles change hands on count-outs, will Hobbs settle for that? No, Hobbs goes out to fetch Moxley, wanting to beat him directly.
Moxley blocks a suplex, fires forearms, but Hobbs hits back! They brawl, Moxley whips but Hobbs reverses! Moxley hits railing hard, and slumps down. Hobbs sits Moxley up to throw down hands, then goes up to rain down mores fists! The ring count climbs, but Hobbs still goes to TEN! Hobbs brings Moxley around to suplex to the floor! Moxley hobbles away, but Hobbs storms up after him. They go up the steel steps and into the ring, and Hobbs eggs Moxley on. Hobbs stomps Moxley, soaks up more cheers and jeers, then BOOTS Moxley down as Dynamite goes to break!
Dynamite returns and Hobbs says he’s whooping Moxley’s ass! Moxley crawls, Hobbs brings him up, but Moxley CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Hobbs body shots, then BEARHUGS! Moxley endures, even as Hobbs squeezes tight! Hobbs throws body shots, Moxley throws elbows, and Moxley is free. But Hobbs CLUBS Moxley first! Hobbs whips Moxley to a corner, then has him on the rebound. Callis doesn’t want Hobbs to wait, keep on him! Hobbs whips Moxley to the other corner, runs in, but Moxley BOOTS! Moxley runs, but Hobbs SLAMS the cutter down! Moxley staggers up, Hobbs runs in, but the splash only gets buckles!
Hobbs falls, clutching a knee. Hobbs bails out, Moxley goes to ropes and takes aim. Moxley builds speed as Hobbs rises, to DIVE! Down goes Hobbs again! The ref checks Hobbs as Hobbs still clutches his knee. The fans rally for Moxley as he rises, fires himself back up, and then gets Hobbs up. Moxley puts Hobbs in, storms around to slide in from the other side, and then waits on Hobbs. Hobbs rises, hobbles, and Moxley runs up to RAM him into a corner! Moxley goes up to rain down fists! Moxley goes way past ten, all the way to TWENTY!! Moxley keeps going past even that! Hobbs can barely guard, Moxley gives him PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO?!?
Moxley slips around to a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Hobbs sputters, flails, reaches out, but Moxley squeezes tight! Hobbs is fading, the ref calls it! MOXLEY WINS!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission (still IWGP World Champion)
Hobbs is a powerhouse, but even he needs to breathe! The Maniac has his first defense in the books, but NJPW Wrestling Dontaku is coming. Will the #SouledOut Ren Narita take this title from Moxley? Or is Moxley going to blast through him to then take on his former protege, Shota Umino? Wait! Konosuke Takeshita appears on stage. The Alpha wants his own shot at that IWGP World Championship, will he get in line ahead of Narita and Shota?
Backstage interview with Katsuyori Shibata.
Renee is with The Wrestler and brings up Jericho’s “choice words” for him. But what does Shibata have to say in response? Shibata uses his Google Translate voice-to-text to say, “Jericho called me deadweight and collateral damage. Next week, I’m going to damage him in his hometown of Winnipeg, and become FTW Champion.” So then that’s an official challenge for the title? “Yes, with FTW Rules. Jericho, I’m going to chop down your Learning Tree.” Okay then, Winnipeg, Jericho VS Shibata for the FTW title, it is official! Shibata then adds that the rhinestones on Renee’s shirt make a heart, how nice. Yes, she thought so, too.
Shibata is ready to take the fight to Jericho, will The Wrestler prove the Learning Tree is all bark and no bite?
Tony Schiavone is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen… Jack Perry.” The fans are torn as The Scapegoat makes his way out, with no music since he isn’t an AEW talent anymore. Jack takes the mic from Schiavone while fans sing, “OH~ Cry Me a River~!” Jack says first thing’s first, he wants it known that he’s had some of the best nights of his life right here in Jacksonville! The fans cheer that! Jack says tonight… they have business to handle. And he wants to handle it right here, right now, face to face… with Tony Khan! Jack waits, the fans chant “He’s Our Scapegoat!” and here comes TK. Tony Khan joins Jack in the ring, as promised earlier tonight.
Jack says it has been a long road. TK agrees. Almost five years ago was the very first Double or Nothing. And since then, AEW has gone on to change the world. But now, TK, it is no secret they’ve had their ups and downs, haven’t always seen eye to eye. But Jack will say right now, from the bottom of his heart, he swears to God, the only thing that Jack has ever wanted is what’s best for AEW. The fans cheer that and TK applauds as he agrees there. So Jack just wants to ask TK to please shake his hand, reinstate him, and let’s go on to continue to change the world together. The fans like the sound of that!
TK gives a big thumbs up, he and Jack shake hands, and they hug it out! Jack is All Elite once again, and then Jack smiles at the camera… Jack raises TK’s hand, the fans cheer, and then Jack DECKS TK!! The Elite rush out here, from Nick to Matt to Okada, and they ask Jack what the hell! This is TK, THE boss of AEW! You can’t just do that, Jack! Jack nods, backs away, and The Bucks help TK sit up, but it looks a little suspicious…! The Bucks realize the optics, as does Okada, and they all say no no no, it’s not what anyone thinks. They help TK to his feet, and then Okada says do it. Matt scoops TK!! Nick goes up a corner!! T K DRIVER ON TK?!?!
The fans lose their minds as The EVPs stand over Tony Khan’s body! Jack drags TK to the center of the ring so all four of them can stand together. The refs rush out and ask what the hell is wrong with the EVPs! Jack says he waited for eight MONTHS to do that! Matt thanks Jacksonville for a great night, they love everyone so much! Jack, Okada, Nick & Matt leave the ring to have their curtain call on the stage. The Elite is running All Elite Wrestling now, are they going to change the world and remake it in their image?
As for Tony Khan, not only do wrestlers like Top Flight, The Infantry, Penta and Komander rush out to check on him, Tony’s father, Shahid Khan, is here! Shahid checks on his son, what will be done as the consequences for The Elite’s actions?
My Thoughts:
A really good episode of Dynamite here, but they were really not handling the audio that well. It was so hard to hear quite a few of the promos, well delivered as they all were. Rosa VS Deonna being set up was a good move, that’s definitely gonna be great. Really good stuff from Jericho as he leans into the obliviously selfish veteran persona, and I was definitely surprised Big Bill wanting to join him. Shibata has a good promo to call Jericho out, but if it’s FTW Rules, pretty sure Bill is gonna screw Shibata over so Jericho wins. And great stuff with the former Best Friends, Chuck VS Trent in a Parking Lot Brawl is going to be awesome stuff, but I wonder if Orange Cassidy messes it up for Chuck.
Great stuff with the Don Callis Family through the night. Moxley had a good promo to hype up the main event with Hobbs, but unfortunately, I think the match got cut down because Hobbs actually got hurt. Moxley was of course retaining, but this doesn’t help. Konosuke stepping up is fine, though, a natural move given this BCC VS DCF story going on. Fletcher stepped up to Swerve in the match tonight, but it was also very clear Swerve was going to win. The Casino Gauntlet wasn’t really named well, and they didn’t really explain it properly before it started, but it was clearly based on William Regal’s Gauntlet Eliminator from NXT a couple years ago.
However, in execution, it was amazing! Great win for Ospreay and a great showing for all the wrestlers involved, Ospreay VS Roddy will be great stuff. But I also really like that they’re not only going with Ospreay being hesitant about Storm Driver, but they’re going with what I was hoping for. Ospreay and Fletcher are likeminded but that means they clash with how Callis wants to do things. This very well could lead to Ospreay & Fletcher VS Konosuke & Hobbs, so long as Hobbs isn’t out of action. Maybe Don Callis Family finds someone else to bring in to make up for that, but also as foreshadowing of Ospreay and Fletcher leaving the group.
I also like that they seem to be heading for another idea I had when it comes to Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa. Great match from Mina VS Anna with a good win for Mina, but also Anna going Heel on her and Mariah. For that matter, that should mean Mariah and Storm are turning Face to counter, which is fitting since the fans love them so much anyway. Storm defends Mariah, she’ll definitely beat Anna this Saturday, and then we can move into Storm and Mina fighting for Mariah’s affections. And great stuff from the TBS Championship story. Great promos, for one, and then great detail that Kris gets Willow hit. Has it been Kris behind the attacks all along? If Willow somehow retains at Double or Nothing, Kris going after her would be a wild twist.
And of course, incredible stuff out of this story with Jack Perry’s return. Good opening bit as Jack arrives and the EVPs vouch for him, and good little backstage bit to set up the closing segment. I just knew the moment Jack asked for a handshake, he was just setting Tony Khan up. The entire Elite beating TK down was wild but powerful, and this is very much their nWo moment. This combined with Kenny Omega making his return next week, there is something big brewing in a very nWo VS Wolfpac kinda way. Kenny, Hangman & FTR uniting against Okada, Jack & Bucks? Feels like an awesome 8 Man to me.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The House of Torture gets another try!
Despite losing in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title tournament, the House of Torture get one more shot against Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg! But will shuffling the deck really help the King of Darkness trump President Ace?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo; Tsuji wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors; Takagi wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
Don’t adjust your screens, this is not a rematch from Wrestling World in Taiwan. That’s because while The Ace, the Joker and the Rook won the tournament, they’re up against a different formation! The King of Darkness and Heel Master now have Tokyo Pimp as their third man, but will that change be enough to change the result? Or will Tanahshi-sachou and team be an undefeated combination?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Darkness Falls!
The teams sort out, and Oleg starts against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The fans rally behind “BO-LU-TIN! BO-LU-TIN!” as he circles with Kanemaru, but then Evil & Yujiro attack! The fans boo, Tanahashi & Yano hurry in but Evil & Yujiro get them first! Kanemaru drags Oleg out of the ring to stomp him down while Evil & Yujiro have Tanahashi & Yano in corners. Yujiro fires forearms, Evil CHOPS, then the House all whips. But Oleg reverses and sends Kanemaru into railing! And Tanahashi & Yano reverse to send Evil & Yujiro into each other! Oleg returns to CLOBBER Evil & Yujiro! The fans fire up as now Yano & Tanahashi intercept Kanemaru.
Tanahashi & Yano whip Kanemaru to Oleg for a scoop and SLAM! The fans rally behind the champs as Oleg paces around Kanemaru. Oleg stomps Kanemaru, tags Tanahashi, and Tanahashi eggs Evil on. Evil tags in, Tanahashi kicks first! Tanahashi fires hands, UPPERCUTS, then tears away the “President Evil” shirt to TOSS it away! Evil is furious, he made that himself! Tanahashi throws a body shot, then whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for the air guitar and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad, dodges Evil, then gives Evil the pad!
The ref reprimands Evil and confiscates the pad, and Yano SLAPS Evil on the head! Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano avoids the bare buckles. Evil runs up to SLAP Yano, and shove him into the buckles! Kanemaru & Yujiro BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Evil SMACKS Yano with the pad! Evil TOSSES Yano out of the ring, distracts the ref, and that lets Dick DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up and puts him in the ring for Evil to cover. TWO! Evil is upset with the “slow count,” and he tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru ELBOWS Yano in the head!
Kanemaru snapmares Yano down into a chinlock and drags him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yujiro tags in. Kanemaru lets go, so that Yujiro can CHOKE Yano! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off, and he drags Yano back up. Yujiro whips Yano into the bare buckles! Yano suffers his own trick, and Yujiro brings him up to knee low. Yujiro snapmares, drops a leg, then drops an elbow! Then he drops a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro tags to Evil. Evil BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Dick distracts the ref so Evil can put Yano in the COBRA TWIST, and link up with the others!
The fans boo but the House gets away with that. Evil covers, TWO! Evil is even more upset with the ref, and he drags Yano up. Evil reels Yano in for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wait, who is ringing the bell? Dick is ringing the bell, and Kanemaru is giving the announcement that they’ve won! The fans boo, this is of course a farce. Tanahashi & Oleg storm over, scaring off Dick and Kanemaru. Evil tags Kanemaru, then TOSSES Yano outside. Kanemaru drags Yano back up to whip him into railing! Then DDTÂ to the floor! Yano is down in enemy territory while Tanahashi argues with the ref.
The fans rally up but Yujiro puts Yano in. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru drags Yano around. Yano is dead weight so Kanemaru leaves him behind to BLAST Tanahashi! Kanemaru drags Yano up but Yano pulls hair! Kanemaru CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yano reverses and throws him down by his hair! The fans fire up as Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Kanemaru, BLASTS Evil & Yujiro, then runs in at the corner. Kanemaru BOOTS Oleg, runs, but into a POP-UP BEARHUG! Kanemaru endures, but then Oleg turns that into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Oleg storms around.
Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Dick gets on the apron. Oleg drops Kanemaru to scare Dick off. But then Yano puts Dick in! Dick prays and begs for mercy, but Oleg just deadlift gut wrenches him! Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up!? Oleg then gets Kanemaru back up, Shake, Rattle, and some more shaking, and THROW! Oleg roars, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, Evil & Yujiro break it! Then they BLAST Tanahashi & Yano! The House stomps away on Oleg, then drag him up. They double whip Oleg to a corner, then Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare, Kanemaru distracts the ref, and Dick goes up!
The fans boo but Dick hits the DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! The fans fire up but Evil tags back in. Evil and Kanemaru get Oleg up to suplex, but Oleg fights it! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES back! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Ace of the Universe meets King of Darkness, and Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Evil! Tanahashi fires forearms and body shots on Evil, then scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Evil. Tanahashi runs, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil LARIATS Tanahashi down! Tag to Yujiro and he storms up on Tanahashi.
Yujiro brings Tanahashi up to knee low and fire forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then runs up, to BOOT! Yujiro then runs, to BOOT again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro TOSSES him out! Evil is there to set Tanahashi up for a whiskey bottle shot! Evil puts Tanahashi back in, then he and the rest go after Oleg and Yano! Yujiro gets Tanahashi up for an INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro goes for his pimp cane, but the ref stops him! That leaves Dick open to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!! The fans boo as President Ace suffers! Tanahashi fades out, Dick slips away, and Yujiro laughs.
Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while the fans rally. Yujiro reels Tanahashi in, but Yano gets in to grab Yujiro! Kanemaru gets in while the ref is distracted again! But Yano ducks, the WHISKEY MIST hits Yujiro! LOW BLOW for Kanemaru! But Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! So Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil! Dick gets in but Tanahashi kicks the ropes! Dick falls, Oleg returns, and he gets Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, Oleg hits the KAMIKAZE SENTON! Then Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Team Go Ace wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried their usual tricks, but Tanahashi’s team proved they could play that, too! The Ace, the Joker & The Rook stand tall again, will The House have to start playing a different game?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo!
While Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have already done battle on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, tonight is a best of five series! Will it be Gene Blast or Blacksmith that sets the tone for tonight?
The moment Yota hops off the corner, Gedo takes a swing! Yota dodges and GENE BLASTER!! The bell rings, Yota covers, Yota wins!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall
Well not sure about the tone but this sure set a new record! From bell the bell, that was FIVE SECONDS! Score one for LIJ already, and Yota helps roll Gedo out of the ring. Will LIJ make this a shut out? Or will the other War Dogs be a bit smarter about the pitches they throw across the plate?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd!
Round two is here sooner than expected after what we just saw, and the Black Mask is up against the #WarReady Mad Man. Gabe vows to take back everything NJPW used to mean, but will he get War Dogs on the board? Or will Bushi keep things tranquilo?
Bushi climbs onto the corner and Gabe rushes him! Bushi jumps over, the bell rings and Bushi DROPKICKS Gabe down! Bushi whips, Gabe reverses but Bushi ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Gabe bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Gabe gets away. Bushi slides out, but Gabe kicks and CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bushi down, then drags Bushi up to dig at Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Gabe storms around and mockingly calls upon the wrestling gods. Gabe runs but Bushi dodges, Gabe crashes into railing! The fans fire up while Bushi rises. Bushi brings Gabe up, fires forearms, then brings Gabe around. Gabe blocks the bump off the apron to whip Bushi hard into railing!
Bushi flounders and Gabe snarls while the fans rally up. Gabe storms out to open the way to the orange bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Bushi, brings him around and they go up into the stands. Gabe HEADBUTTS Bushi down, shouts “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” then continues up to the next level. Bushi fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe lifts again but Bushi still fights! Gabe CLUBS away on Bushi, CHOPS and HAYMAKERS! Gabe backs up, flips everyone off, and he runs back in, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Bushi SMACKS Gabe off railing, then he goes up higher into the stands! Bushi stands on the ledge, to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Gabe and the Young Lions!
The fans are thunderous as Bushi rises, and he brings Gabe up. Bushi headlocks Gabe to bring him back down the bleachers. Gabe throws body shots but Bushi throws hands in return. Bushi brings Gabe back to ground level, then through the gate. They return to ringside but Gabe CLUBS Bushi down again. Gabe HEADBUTTS, then he puts Bushi in. The fans rally, but Gabe drags Bushi around to ROCK him again. Gabe has Bushi on the apron, CLUBS him again, then brings Bushi out. Bushi fights the suplex to throw body shots! Gabe HEADBUTTS again, but Bushi fires more hands! Bushi puts Gabe in and the fans cheer.
Bushi drags Gabe up but blocks his haymaker to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes to a corner while Gabe sputters. Gabe stands, Bushi runs in, but no Code Breaker! Gabe ELBOWS, JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Gable copies Takagi, covers, TWO! Gabe flips off the fans, they boo, and so he just flips them off more. Gabe eggs Bushi on, taunts him, so Bushi CHOPS! Gabe dusts himself off, Bushi CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS, says Bushi ain’t got nothing, but Bushi fires a flurry! Gabe CHOPS again, Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches! But Bushi slips free and shoves!
Gabe blocks one kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Bushi reels Gabe in, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and flounders away while the fans fire up. Gabe flops right out of the ring but Bushi pursues. Bushi drags Gabe up, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him back down! Gabe rips away the LIJ shirt to tell them to suck it! Gabe SPITS on the shirt, throws it down, then goes back for Bushi. Gabe puts Bushi in, Bushi goes to a corner, and Gabe runs in to clothesline! Gabe suplexes, Bushi slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and uses the ref as a shield! BLACK MIST!! Bushi gets the better of Gabe and hooks the arms!
Gabe fights the backslide, BOOTS the ref, so the ref can’t see the Bushi Roll! Bushi would’ve had this one! Bushi goes to check on the ref but Gabe storms up to HAYMAKER! Gabe shouts at the ref, drags him back up, and then storms over to Bushi! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall
The series is tied 1-1, and Gabe shouts for water to wash out the mist. LIJ VS War Dogs aside, Gabe now has momentum going into his NEVER Openweight Championship match with Shingo Takagi. Will the Rampaging Dragon be just as #WarReady as Gabe after tonight?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors!
Speaking of the NEVER Openweight Champion, he’s third up in the batting order, ready to drive home another run. Will the Rampaging Dragon score and soar towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he be struck out by 100 Proof?
Takagi and Connors get in each other’s face and talk some trash. Connors shoves but the ref has them both back down. Connors gets all fired up, Takagi says okay then, and the bell rings, only for Connors to bail out. The fans boo Connors trolling them, but he says tranquilo. Takagi paces while Connors goes around the outside. Takagi dares Connors to get in but Connors dares Takagi to come on out. The fans rally up so Connors goes back to the apron. Connors steps in, fires up, but then bails out. But Takagi pursues! They go around the ring, back in, and then Connors RAMS Takagi! But Takagi doesn’t fall!
Connors runs again, RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stays up. Connors fires forearm after forearm after forearm, but then Takagi ROCKS, KNEES, CLUBS and CHOPS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Connors ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but Connors runs him over! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Connors runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the suplex, and he suplexes Connors instead! The fans fire up again but Connors bails back out. Takagi pursues, JABS, then SMACKS Connors off the apron. Takagi follows Connors around, POSTS him, and the fans cheer.
Takagi stomps Connors, Connors goes around the way but Takagi follows. Takagi runs up to BOOT Connors, then follows him. Connors uses a Young Lion as a shield, then shoves him into Takagi! Connors then whips Takagi into railing! Takagi leans against railing and Connors UPPERCUTS! Connor opens the gate and pushes Takagi into No Man’s Land. Connors brings Takagi around to SMACK off the wood bleachers! Takagi hits back, they brawl, and Takagi knees low! Takagi whips, Connors reverses and Takagi is sent into the wall of the hallway! Connors throws up the Too Sweet but the fans boo.
Connors brings Takagi back to SMACK into the gate, then POST! Connors reels Takagi in, to snap suplex to the floor! Takagi writhes, the ref reprimands but Connors wants the ring count to start. The ring count does start, and Connors scoops a Young Lion to SLAM him onto Takagi! And then he grabs another Young Lion to SPINEBUSTER onto Takagi! Connors slides into the ring at 10 of 20 while Takagi pushes the Young Lions off him. Takagi stands at 17, hurries up at 18, but Connors SPEARS him down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and the fans rally, but Connors keeps on Takagi with a half nelson.
Takagi fights as Connors goes for the full nelson! Takagi reaches out but Connors keeps him from ropes. Takagi fights to his feet, powers up, but Connors keeps the nelson! The fans rally more as Takagi keeps fighting. Takagi powers the hold open, but Connors spins him to knee low! Connors whips, but Takagi avoids the snap powerslam! Takagi runs up to SLIDING- NO, Connors dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi goes to a corner. Connors flounders around, rises up, and Takagi storms up to the corner. Takagi clotheslines, then JABS and CHPOS on repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS!
Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in to clothesline again, then short arm LARIAT! Takagi scoops Connors to SLAM him, then he goes up and up for the FALLING ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Takagi looks around. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi says, “OI, KORAKUEN! TOKI GA KITA!!” The time has come and the “OI! OI! OI!” continues. Takagi brings Connors up, pump handle, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws elbows, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi eggs Connors on, Connors throws another forearm! Takagi fires back!
Connors fires more forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Connors HEADBUTTS, but he’s the one wobbling! Connors ROCKS Takagi with a forearm, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Connors with boxing elbows! Takagi runs, Connors follows to LARIAT against ropes! Connors runs but Takagi follows to KNEE against ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Connors gets under to come back and POUNCE! Then a whip and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! But Connors powers up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up but Connors aims from a corner! Connors runs in to SPEAR!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Connors rises, Takagi stirs, and Connors brings Takagi up. But Takagi fights No Chaser! Takagi wrenches out to JAB! And HEADBUTT! Connors dodges the lariat, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Takagi runs up to PUMPING BOMBER! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Connors shakes his head as he stays in this, but Takagi roars! Takagi pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Connors survives and shocks Takagi, but the fans are thunderous again! “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi powers up. Takagi runs, but Connors dodges! But PUMPING BOMBER still finds him! Cover, Takagi wins!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
We’re halfway done and LIJ takes the lead! Takagi has momentum for himself, too, but will the Rampaging Dragon be #WarReady for Gabe Kidd? Or will Wrestling Dontaku be the end of the road for Takagi?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Uncontrollable Charisma may no longer be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but we all know he never lets things get to him. Will he therefore stay tranquilo as he looks to win this series for his team? Or will he lose a shootout with the .44 Caliber?
As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Drilla mockingly asks what happened to his belt, but Naito doesn’t let that get his goat. The fans rally for Naito and that annoys Drilla. Naito puts the pants away, the bell rings, and Drilla runs up! But Naito puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Drilla down! Naito goes out slowly to fetch Drilla, CLUB him on the neck, and then CLUB him again. Naito CLUBS Drilla more, cravats for a neck wrench, and even grinds Drilla against railing! The ref counts, Naito puts Drilla in, and the fans applaud. But Drilla comes back to WRECK Naito with a dropkick!
Drilla whips Naito hard into railing, and Naito gets stuck! Drilla dumps him over, tells fans off about cheering for Naito, then drags Naito up and around. Drilla CHOPS Naito, follows him along the way, and whips him hard into railing! The fans applaud the impressive speed and strength, but Drilla leaves Naito behind as Naito slumps into the front row. The ring count climbs, Naito sits up at 7 of 20. Naito finds his way around to the gate at 12, steps in at ringside, and rolls in at 15. Drilla throws Naito’s hat at him, then stomps away! Drilla drags Naito up, HEADBUTTS him, then has him on ropes. Drilla CHOPS and Naito staggers.
Drilla eggs Naito on so Naito fires forearms! Naito whips, Drilla reverses and ELBOWS Naito down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Naito but Drilla digs his knee into Naito’s neck! The ref counts, Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face, but the ref reminds Drilla to respect his authority. Drilla kicks Naito around, steps on Naito’s head, then taunts the fans. Naito gets up to throw hands but Drilla hits back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Drilla CHOPS! Drilla runs, into an ELBOW! Drilla rebounds, but Naito hip toss NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Naito rises and Drilla writhes. Naito drags Drilla up to fire forearms and kicks!
Naito whips, arm-drags, then he ELBOWS Drilla down to basement dropkick in the back! Naito turns Drilla for a NECKBREAKER! Drilla writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! Naito keeps on Drilla with a cravat neck wrench. Drilla endures, fights around, and he fights up. Drilla breaks free, CLUBS Naito, then runs, but Naito catches him to a dragon sleeper, NECKBREAKER! Drilla fights the legs but Naito still hooks him into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Drilla endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito again “forgets” how to undo the hold, so the ref pries the legs away.
Drilla is free and clutches his neck, but Naito paces around. Naito drags Drilla back up, but Drilla CHOPS! Naito fires a forearm in return! Drilla CHOPS! Naito forearms! The shots go back and forth, Drilla grunts and has a crazy grin. Drilla fires a forearm, Naito mocks the grunt! Naito fires back, both men grunt and fire forearms again! Drilla CHOPS, but then Naito ROCKS him, SPITS on him, and fires off more forearms! Drilla gets under, shoves Naito then hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Drilla go to opposite corners, and Drilla runs corner to corner! Drilla blocks a boot but Naito SPITS!
Naito runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Drilla horks up and SPITS a big one at Naito, then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito stays in this and Drilla is seething. Drilla slashes his throat and throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift. Drilla ENZIGIRIS Naito, then gets him back up! Canadian Rack, but Naito arm-drags Drilla into the ref! The ref tumbles all the way out, Naito atomic drops Drilla and ENZIGIRIS! COMPLETE SHOT, and then PLUMA BLANCA!! Drilla endures, flails, is he tapping? But there’s no ref anyway! Wait, David Finlay rushes out here!
The Rebel taunts Naito while swinging the shillelagh! Naito lets Drilla go, only for JAKE LEE to show up!?! Talk about a CrossOver, the Good Looking Emperor is here in NJPW and he fires hands with Naito!! The fans are going nuts, but Naito gets the edge! Only for Jake to KNEE low! Jake puts Naito in a corner, takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!! Or as he calls it, #FaceBreakShot! Naito staggers into Drilla’s arms, for the DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover and the ref is back, Drilla wins!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall
The Rebel gets the Madness Dark Side to help him screw over Naito, and now this series is all tied up again! But then Finlay & Drilla beat Naito down more! Jake steps in, and the War Dogs back away. Jake stands on Naito’s chest, then stomps away! Is Jake going to destroy Naito once and for all? But wait! Here comes Hiromu! The Ticking Timebomb ROCKS Jake, ROCKS Drilla, then fires off on Finlay! But then Drilla & Finlay mug Hiomru! They double whip, but Hiormu ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Hiromu goes out after Finlay, but Drilla CLUBS Hiromu! They POST Hiromu, but what about the main event!?
Red Shoes hurries out here, the fans tell Jake and Drilla to go home. Jake literally kicks Naito out of the ring and then stands him up against railing. Jake gets space, takes aim again, and Finlay makes Hiromu watch the FACE BREAK SHOT that sends Naito into the front row!! The fans boo and tell Jake to go home. Jake smirks as he takes his leave with Drilla, the damage done. Is there an alliance between Jake’s Good Looking Guys and Finlay’s War Dogs? Is Naito just the first casualty of many?
As for Finlay and Hiromu, Finlay RAMS Hiromu into railing! And then RAMS him in again! Finlay RAMS Hiromu a third time, then he soaks up the heat. Red Shoes reprimands, but this isn’t officially a match yet. Finlay takes aim, he runs in, but Hiromu sends him into railing! Hiromu gets Finlay in, the bell rings, and it’s time to settle the score!
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay slips away! The fans rally for Hiromu as he eggs Finlay on. Finlay snarls, storms back up but Hiromu then SUNSET FLIPS! Finlay holds ropes to throw down hands! Hiromu staggers away, Finlay fireman’s carries him now! Finlay runs and THROWS Hiromu at a post! The fans boo while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet and taunts them all. Finlay leaves Hiromu behind, he tells the fans they look stupid, then he goes back to fetch Hiromu. Finlay slaps Hiromu around, drags him up, and throws him into the ring.
Finlay crawls to a cover but Red Shoes says nope, too many shenanigans. Finlay is upset, there were a lot of shenanigans both ways. But Finlay drags Hiromu up to suplex and TOSS Hiromu! Now things are fine and Finlay covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Finlay mocks the “MOTO! MOTO!” Finlay whips Hiromu hard into a corner! Hiromu falls then crawls, and Finlay taunts him that it’s too easy. Finlay stalks Hiromu to another corner as the fans rally up, but Finlay makes Hiromu smile! Finlay says smile like Tsuji! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then he drags Hiromu up to whip hard into another corner!
Hiromu staggers and falls out of the ring and Red Shoes checks him. Finlay waits on Hiromu while he writhes on the floor. Finlay mockingly says “Moto! Moto!” Red Shoes has Finlay stay back, and the ring count starts. Hiromu stands at 4 of 20 while Finlay lounges on the ropes. The fans rally, Hiromu rolls in at 10, but Finlay brings him back up. Finlay scoops and carries Hiromu around for a BACKBREAKER! Finlay says he’s strong AF, and then he kicks Hiromu around. Finlay mocks the fans chanting for Hiromu, and that makes them boo Finlay. Finlay pushes Hiromu around, so Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS!
Finlay dusts himself off, eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Finlay felt that one so he knees low. Finlay runs, Hiromu follows, and Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay flounders while Hiromu goes to ropes. Finlay runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu then has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go at 4 and he drags Finlay out to wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER to the floor! The fans rally up behind Hiromu and he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims as Finlay stands, FLYING SHOTGUN sends Finlay through the gate! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he pursues.
Hiromu smiles at TJP on English commentary, then gets a real “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” going. Hiromu gets Finlay up and in, and Finlay goes to a corner. Hiromu runs up to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps his cool and he kicks Finlay around. Hiromu drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu takes a swing, but Finlay catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Finlay scoops him, for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again and Finlay grows frustrated.
Finlay mocks Yota Tsuji as he powers up and goes to the corner. Hiromu rises, Finlay flips him off, and steals GENE- TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu has Finlay caught and the fans fire up! Finlay flails, tries to stack Hiromu, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Finlay is fading and the fans fire up! But Finlay gets a second wind, deadlifts Hiromu, and POWERBOMBS him down! Finlay is free of D, but both men are down as the fans rally again. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and lifts, but Hiromu RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Finlay escapes, kicks low and whips, but Hiromu slips free of Deep Six to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT!
The fans fire up while Finlay flounders! But Finlay sneaks his shillelagh into the ring! The fans rally for Hiromu while Finlay hides the shillelagh under him. Hiromu rises, Finlay shields the shillelagh from Red Shoes but Red Shoes is suspicious. Red Shoes sees the weapon! Finlay shoves Red Shoes away and takes a swing, but Hiromu dodges! SUPERKICK! Hiromu takes the shillelagh now! The fans are torn, but then Hiromu plays like Finlay did hit him! Red Shoes isn’t sure who to believe, but Finlay really is innocent this time! Finlay argues with Red Shoes but fans boo to help sell Hiromu’s trick.
Hiromu then runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this but the fans are still with Hiromu. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu elbows, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER, but Finlay stays up! Hiromu runs again, but Finlay catches him spins him, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs! Into a SUPERKICK! Finlay returns, for another SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu gets Finlay up, suplex and INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!
Finlay survives his own move but Hiromu won’t let that bother him! Hiromu drags himself up, dragon sleepers Finlay, but Finlay fights the suplex with knees! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu knees free! Hiromu runs, but Finlay LARIATS! Finlay hauls Hiromu up, Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay goes to a corner as he thinks on what to do next. Finlay storms over to Hiromu, says it’s over now, and he drags Hiromu back up. But Hiromu slips out of the bomb to tuck the arms! Finlay wrenches out, but into TRIANGLE D!! Finlay flails, CLUBS at Hiromu, but he’s fading again!
Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Finlay fights to deadlift again! POWERBOMB, but Hiromu just holds onto D!! Finlay is fading, flailing, reaching out, but Hiromu squeezes tight! Finlay deadlifts again! BUCKLE BOMB, and INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Hiromu survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans are electric as Finlay shakes his head. Hiromu sputters but Finlay brings down the kneepads. Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! Finlay drags Hiromu back up, suplexes, but Hiromu slip free! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes and Hiromu is frustrated!
Both men catch their breath while the fans rally as hard as they can. Hiromu grits his teeth, pounds the mat, and rises up. Hiromu hobbles over but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! And another! And another, and another! But Hiromu stays on his feet, even as Finlay UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again!! Hiromu won’t stop, but Finlay won’t, either! The fans rally and Finlay eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu runs in, into another UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Hiromu roars, runs, but into an UPPERCUT!! Hiromu drops to his knees, and Finlay says this is it!
Finlay suplexes, INTOÂ OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall
Bullet Club War Dogs takes the best of five in the fifth and final round! It took much more than Finlay wanted, but Hiromu always gives it his all. Will the Timebomb be able to fire back up in time for the Best of the Super Juniors?
Wait, Drilla returns, and now the War Dogs mug Hiromu! But then Tsuji & Takagi return to run them off! The War Dogs egg them on and vice-versa, but then GABE KIDD runs in! He CLOBBERS Takagi, DECKS Tsuji, and the War Dogs beat up on LIJ! The fans boo but the War Dogs just keep stomping LIJ! Drilla stands Tsuji up for Finlay’s SHILLELAGH SHOT! Drilla gives Hiromu the DRILLA KILLA! Gabe hits Takagi with a PILEDRIVER! Drilla gets to hold on to the shillelagh so he can JAM Hiromu! Finlay gives Tsuji the OVERKILL!! The War Dogs stand tall over LIJ, but Finlay still gets the mic to talk.
“What have I been telling you people? I AM the Savage King! You all thought you saw cracks in my game, but that’s because I let you. You all thought you saw weakness in my War Dogs, but that’s because I let you. Time and time again, I have been steps ahead of everyone in this company. Time and time again, I have solved any problem that was put in our way. The only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when. LIJ learned that tonight, didn’t they?” A young fan tells Finlay to shut up and the fans cheer the kid.
Finlay says you can strip him of championships, you can keep him from tournaments, but in the end, remember this: “HATE always finds a way!!” The Rebel has spoken, will he and his hateful War Dogs find a way to dominate all of NJPW whether we like it or not?
My Thoughts:
A great event for the Road to Wrestling Dontaku series. Great Six Man title match with Tanahashi’s team winning again, probably no more shots for House of Torture. Not really sure what House of Torture is supposed to do next, though. We’re seeing Narita go after Moxley and the IWGP World title, Jack Perry is technically back in AEW, Evil and Yujiro could try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles but you know they’d lose to Bishamon. I’ve been thinking that House of Torture should join Jack in AEW for this stretch until Forbidden Door, have some interactions with The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada or something like that.
Really fun Best of 5 series, and it was hilarious that Yota beat Gedo so easily. Great wins for Gabe and Takagi going into their NEVER Openweight Championship match. For a moment, I thought LIJ was winning, given how badly the War Dogs beat up Naito with the help of their new pal, Jake Lee, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a big name in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. But then in the end, Finlay found a way to win against Hiromu, keeping him strong as he probably moves up from midcard titles to world title. If we go by the math, Takagi should win the NEVER Openweight title match, but it’d feed Gabe’s story better if he did get the title.
As for Hiromu, he probably gets a strong showing in Best of the Super Juniors, but since his streak of tournament championships was broken, who knows if he gets another one or if he puts someone else over.
My Score: 8.8/10
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