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Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/14/21)

Everyone loves a good TakeOver!

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TakeOver: Vengeance Day Coverage

Whose hearts will be broken on this historic TakeOver?

NXT is taking over Valentine’s and replacing the roses and chocolates with gold and grudges! Will Finn Balor still reign after battling the Bruiserweight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez; Kai & Gonzalez win and will challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
  • NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano VS KUSHIDA; Gargano wins and retains the title.
  • Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Grizzled Young Veterans VS MSK; MSK wins and will challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
  • NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Io Shirai VS Mercedes Martinez VS Toni Storm; Shirai wins and retains the title.
  • NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Pete Dunne; Balor wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the TakeOver Preshow!

Join Sam Roberts, Wade Barrett and the host of Barstool Sports’ podcast, Rasslin’, Brandon Walker, analyze discuss and predict all the great action on this lovely holiday!

 

Backstage interview with MSK.

Wes Lee and Nash Carter are here and excited to be in the Dusty Rhodes Classic finals! They haven’t slept since Wednesday, Carter has been pacing in his house all pumped up. Lee is the same, because they’ve been in the WWE for a very, very short time and already they are Dusty Cup finalists. “It doesn’t get any better than that.” And apologies to Grizzled Young Veterans- That’s how you say it? Because every time they walk out they’re like, GRRRIZZLED Young Veterans. Well they’re going to be the GRRRIZZLED Young LOSERS tonight, second year in a row. MSK takes the cup! It’s their time! MSK all night and all day!

 

Wait, who is this crashing the panel?

“It was about that time that we went ahead and injected a little bit of star power! Let me talk to ya!” Wait, it’s ELI DRAKE! And he’s telling Sam to step back, no one is here to hear his “prepubescent voice.” At least with Wade, there’s some bass in his voice. But this isn’t about sucking up to Wade, because if he looks at Eli the wrong way, he’ll still drag Wade out of retirement just to send him back into it! “Because I’ve got the scoop!” Standing right here, in front of this awkward idiot from Barstool Sports, this is gonna go viral! NXT just got LA! Eli Drake is now LA Knight!

What that means is NXT being THE premier roster, the greatest talent, all right here. So that means it is a stacked deck. While everyone’s playing cards, he’s rolling dice and he changed the game! So then everyone back there, from North American Championship to THE NXT Championship, watch out! Knight’s coming for you! Just like these bewildered, cross-eyed halfwits behind him will be saying, everyone’s gonna go, “Whose game is it?” It’s LA Knight’s game!! Is Knight about to put every other player in check?

 

NXT, will you be my Valentine?

Wrestle & Flow, himself, Josiah Williams, breaks it down from top to bottom! Women’s Dusty Cup makes history for the Women’s (R)Evolution, the Evil Genius tries to ride the Mercedes and weather the Storm, and while some #MustSeeKids take on some Grizzled Young Veterans, the Prince protects his throne from a Bruiserweight!

 

Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon VS Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez!

History is being made once again! The first-ever Women’s Tag Team tournament in NXT has finally reached the goal, and only one duo can challenge the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! But will the wild child and Shenom Take Care o’ Business? Or will #CapKota and #BigMamiCool crush those dreams while chasing their own?

The teams sort out and Shotzi starts against Raquel as fans fire up already. Shotzi runs but gets run over, and Raquel drags her up to scoop. Shotzi slips around to a sleeper and body scissors! Raquel throws Shotzi off hard, Ember tags in, and Ember gets around to waistlock. Raquel tries to throw Ember off but Ember holds on, so Raquel elbows free! Ember comes back and tilt-o-whirls into an IRON OCTOPUS! Raquel stays up, powers up and hits a SIDEWALK SLAM! Shotzi tags back in and Raquel dares them both to bring it! Raquel runs in but into double kicks! Ember and Shotzi club, wrench, but Raquel kicks Shotzi away and whips Ember to a corner.

Ember leaps but the Code Breaker is blocked! Raquel throws Ember out, but Shotzi comes around to springboard and sunset flip! Raquel drops down to cover, TWO! Raquel brings Shotzi up and around and thrashes her into a corner! Raquel RAMS Shotzi, scoops her, and then spins around before she RAMS Shotzi into another corner! Dakota tags in, Raquel still holds Shotzi up and Dakota BOOTS her into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Dakota drags Shotzi up and whips her to a corner. Dakota runs around the world but Shotzi dodges! The boot gets stuck, Shotzi kicks the leg! Dakota shoves Shotzi away but Shotzi gets the legs for a Cloverleaf SPINEBUSTER!

Shotzi steps over and sits deep, but Dakota reaches for ropes! Dakota gets the ropebreak, Shotzi lets go to tag Ember. Shotzi puts Dakota on the ropes, and welcomes her to the BALL PIT! Ember KNEES Dakota back in then slingshot SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Ember drags Dakota back up, wrenches, tags in Shotzi, and they split the wishbone on Dakota! Shotzi gets the leg, drags Dakota over, throws forearms, then puts a leg on ropes. Dakota fights both Shotzi and Ember off, but Shotzi blocks the Penalty Kick to roll back! HALF CRAB! Shotzi sits on the leg deep, Dakota endures and fights her way up, to enziguri but miss! Tag to Ember, she and Shotzi each take a leg for a rolling TOSS!

Ember has a HEEL HOOK! Dakota endures, punches at Ember’s leg, but Ember cranks harder on the hold! Dakota drags herself and Ember, but Ember drags Dakota back the other way! Dakota endures, throws hands, but Ember hits back. Ember cranks on the heel more, but Dakota keeps kicking and crawling. Dakota reaches, but Ember drags her away from Raquel again! Fans rally while Raquel is chomping at the bit. Dakota uses her free leg to kick and stomp Ember! Dakota drags herself back over but Ember kicks and stomps her back! Ember drags Dakota over, but Raquel distracts the ref from seeing the tag to Shotzi!

Shotzi has to go back out, Ember argues with the ref but Dakota is crawling to her corner! Ember runs over to DECK Raquel and drag Dakota away! Ember gives the leg a DDT! Ember turns the leg for a scorpion crab! Dakota crawls for an open corner, rolls and throws Ember into buckles! Hot tag to Raquel! Raquel rallies on Ember, Ember dodges one clothesline but Raquel pulls hair to give another LARIAT! Raquel shoves Ember to a corner and dribbles her off buckles! The ref reprimands, Raquel TOSSES Ember across the way! Raquel sucker punches Shotzi, then scoops Ember for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel drags Ember up to FALL AWAY SLAM again!

Raquel drags Shotzi in, scoops her, and gives her a FALL AWAY SLAM! Cover on Ember, ONE!! Raquel is seething but Dakota is back. Raquel tags her in, then helps Dakota balance up top, to leap and LARIAT Ember! Cover but Shotzi sentons it apart! Shotzi throws hands on Raquel, Raquel throws her to the apron, but Shotzi drags Raquel out! Shotzi keeps throwing hands, then leaps, only for the rana to be blocked! Raquel BOMBS Shotzi into the boards! Raquel tells Dakota they can finish this now that it’s just Ember. Dakota tags Raquel but Ember runs in and dropkicks Raquel down! Ember boots Dakota away then hits a SPINNING POWERSLAM!

Raquel returns, Ember fires off on her but Raquel clinches Ember for Dakota’s DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Ember survives but Raquel drags her up, only for Ember to jawbreaker! Raquel ROCKS Ember with a right and tags in Dakota. Raquel whips Ember to a corner, Dakota runs in side to side to BOOT WASH! Dakota drags Ember to a cover, TWO! Dakota grows annoyed, but she drags Ember back up and over. Tag to Raquel, but Ember moves and Raquel CLOBBERS Dakota by accident! Ember dodges Raquel, then sends Dakota into her! Ember runs to LEG LARIAT Raquel and make her DDT Dakota!

Ember goes up top, leaps, ECLIPSE!! Cover, but Dakota distracts the ref! Dakota saves Raquel but Ember gets the ref’s attention. The count finally starts, TWO!! Raquel survives thanks to Dakota! Ember is furious and she drags Dakota in by her hair! Raquel gets Ember but Shotzi missile dropkicks outta nowhere! Cover, TWO!! Ember SUPERKICKS Raquel down! Cover, TWO!! Raquel is still in this but fans are fired up! “This is Awesome!” as Dakota and Shotzi tag in! Shotzi shotguns Dakota down, then arm-drags her around! Shotzi runs in to corner splash! Shotzi rolls Dakota to SLING-DOG! Fireman’s carry, SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Dakota survives, Shotzi fires up, but Dakota throws Shotzi into ropes! Tag to Raquel, Shotzi enziguris her first! Raquel wobbles, Shotzi cravats and goes up the corner, but no Sliced Bread! Raquel shoves Shotzi to the ropes, Shotzi elbows her back, and then cravats again, for a SUPER SLICED BREAD!! Cover, but Dakota breaks it! Ember storms right in to throw Dakota out hard! Ember opens the way, Shotzi DIVES! Direct hit takes Dakota down! Fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as Shotzi hurries back in. Raquel staggers up, Shotzi tags Ember. Ember climbs, Shotzi sets Raquel up, NECKBRAEKER to CODE BREAKER! Springboard SUNSET BOMB! Ember covers, TWO!

Ember hurries right up but Dakota is there! Ember kicks Dakota away, Shotzi grabs Dakota! SUPER DOOMSDAY!! Shotzi and Ember rise and high-five, but Raquel comes around to CLOBBER Shotzi! Ember avoids Raquel’s clothesline, and DROPKICKS her into the steel steps! Ember gets in the ring, Raquel grabs a foot but Ember kicks her away. Raquel still pursues, Ember kicks the legs out, then gets those legs for a figure four, EMBER’S LAW!! Raquel endures the crossface, but Dakota BOOTS Ember down! Dakota hurries away, tags in, but so does Shotzi! Shotzi fires off on Dakota but Dakota shoves and SCORPION KICKS!

Dakota hops on for KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, TWO!?! Shotzi survives but Dakota tags to Raquel! Raquel scoops Shotzi, Dakota runs, ASSISTED GO TO KICK! Cover, Ember breaks it! Raquel shoves Ember, and then POUNCES her out of the ring onto the ramp!! Ember crashes and burns, Raquel storms out and POUNCES her to the boards!! Raquel makes sure Ember is out but Shotzi triangle SPLASHES Raquel down! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi dropkicks Raquel, but Dakota runs over! Shotzi throws Dakota out to Raquel and they crash onto the ramp! Fans are thunderous as Shotzi goes up top, only for Raquel to shove her right down!

Raquel picks Dakota up to TOSS her onto Shotzi for a splash! Then Raquel drags Shotzi up to finish her, with the DESPERADO BOMB!! Double cover, Raquel & Dakota win!!

Winners: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall (inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup Winners)

And history has found its makers! William Regal congratulates them on stage, and the confetti flies! But this is just the beginning! When will these two have their shot against the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions? And who will they be facing when that time comes?

 

NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano VS KUSHIDA!

The Way has been doing things their way and getting away with it. But the Time Splitter wants to end that! Will Kushida start to get his way with the title?

The Way hypes Johnny TakeOver up backstage, and they head out together. But with Johnny and Candice leading the way, they don’t see Dexter Lumis KIDNAPPING AUSTIN THEORY!! Indi didn’t even notice and now they’re down the #RealSuperstar! And Gargano can’t get his No Look High Five! Candice and Indi realize Theory is gone, so they go look for him. Gargano has to focus, but can he?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, Gargano and Kushida finally have this match out!

Gargano and Kushida tie up, Gargano headlocks, Kushida powers out but Gargano runs him over! Things speed up, Gargano rolls but Kushida leaps on with body scissors! HOVERBOARD! Gargano gets to ropes right away and Kushida lets go. Kushida says it was that close, but Gargano just shakes his arm out. Gargano and Kushida go again, Kushida wants a leg but Gargano guards. They clinch, Gargano goes low to get the leg, trips Kushida, but Kushida uses legs to hold him off. Kushida shifts around, Gargano has the leg to toehold, but Kushida moves around to get Gargano’s arm again. Kushida gets a chinlock, digs his elbows in, then shifts around again to get the arm.

Fans rally as the two go back and forth, Kushida facelocks but Gargano blocks with holding Kushida’s leg. Kushida ties up Gargano’s legs for a figure four stretch, then wants an arm. Gargano blocks that but Kushida rolls to go right after it! Kushida digs forearms into Gargano’s face, pries at the arm, but Gargano shifts and gets a double wristlock of his own. Kushida fights up, Gargano facelocks, wrenches, wristlocks, and leans on Kushida. Kushida wrenches and sips around to drop toehold. Kushida shifts right to a facelock and fans rally again. Kushida wants the arms, Gargano blocks, so Kushida KNEES him in the shoulder!

Kushida holds on as Gargano rolls, then he floats all over to get the chinlock. Gargano endures as Kushida pulls back, then they fight up to their feet. Gargano powers out of the hold but Kushida runs him over! Things speed up, Gargano hurdles but Kushida leaps. Gargano ranas but Kushida handsprings through! Kushida runs into the school boy but ducks the kick! Gargano avoids a kick, too, then kicks low to whip. Kushida reverse, hip toss but Gargano rolls through to drag Kushida down to a press, then hooks the legs but Kushida escapes the ghost pin to STEAL the GargaNO Escape! Gargano scrambles to ropes, Kushida lets go, and fans are fired up for this technical exchange!

Kushida wrenches but Gargano ROCKS him and EuroUppers! Kushida fires off forearms in return but Gargano throws Kushida out. Gargano runs, slides but Kushida avoids the dropkick! Kushida is on the apron, Gargano avoids his leaping attack, then Gargano goes to the apron to SUPERKICK! Gargano drags Kushida up and RAMS him into steel steps! “This is MY world!” The ref checks on Kushida but he’s okay to continue, and fans jeer Gargano with “Johnny Sucks!” Gargano drags Kushida up, but Kushida suplexes to FALCON ARROW, to an ARMBAR! The ring count begins, it passes 5 of 10 and Kushida lets go at 7!

Kushida refreshes the count, throws off his shirt, and drags Gargano back up. Kushida hammerlocks Gargano’s arm, drags him around in a facelock, and hits a suplex ONTO the hammerlock’d arm! Gargano writhes from the chicken wing suplex, and the ring count is back up at 7! Kushida puts Gargano back in, then aims from a corner. Kushida runs around the world to dropkick the arm! Kushida stands on Gargano’s head and SLAMS the arm down! Gargano tries to leg guard but Kushida fights through it to go after the bad arm. Kushida throws down elbows, then pulls on Gargano’s arm. Gargano endures, Kushida SLAMS the arm again!

Kushida sits Gargano up, wrenches the arm, then isolates it, but Gargano powers out of the bulldog. Gargano runs into an elbow, then a boot! Kushida ends up on the apron but Gargano catches him in the ropes for a HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Kushida flops down to the floor while Gargano works on his bad arm. Gargano goes out to fetch Kushida but Kushida hits back. Gargano boots Kushida down, drags him up and puts him on the apron. Gargano SLAMS Kushida on the apron edge, then clubs him with elbows! The ring count is climbing, but Gargano gets in at 7. Gargano drags Kushida up, snap suplexes then covers, ONE!

Gargano drags Kushida up, turns him, but Kushida takes advantage of the bad arm to hook them! Gargano fights the backslide to spin Kushida for a GOURD BUSTER! Gargano PENALTY KICKS Kushida’s arm! Gargano mocks Kushida checking his watch, then stalks Kushida to a corner. Kushida clutches his arm but Gargano pulls Kushida against ropes with a chinlock! The ref reprimands and counts, Gargano lets off and brings Kushida up. Gargano wrenches, hooks up the arm and twists the neck. Gargano’s bad arm makes it difficult to hold the neck wrench, and Kushida fights free. Kushida hooks Gargano up for the IRON OCTOPUS!

Kushida gets the bad arm isolated and pulls! Gargano powers out, sits on the sunset flip, TWO and Kushida completes the flip! TWO, Gargano high stacks, ONE as Kushida pops him to a sunset! ONE as Gargano pushes to a lateral press, ONE as Kushida drags Gargano to a ghost pin! TWO, Gargano steps over an arm, but Kushida trips him up to do the same, La Magistrol! TWO, and DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as Gargano and Kushida stir. Gargano gets his bad arm moving, Kushida grits his teeth. They both rise up, Gargano throws forearms but Kushida returns them!

Kushida kicks, Gargano blocks, Kushida fires off more then atomic drops to hip toss, cartwheel and dropkick! FAST BALL!! Kushida has the arms for INVERTED DANIELSON STOMPS! Kushida drags Gargano back up, underhooks the arms, but Gargano blocks! Gargano slips out to ROCK Kushida! Kushida ROCKS Gargano! Gargano ROCKS Kushida, then intercepts the Fast Ball with an enziguri! Kushida enziguris but Gargano ducks! Kushida ducks the buzzsaw and trips Gargano up, ANKLE LOCK! Gargano endures, fights up, gets the ropes, but Kushida reels him into a GERMAN SUPLEX! BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives because of his superhuman heart and Kushida can’t believe it!

The fans rally up, Kushida wrenches but Gargano CLUBS Kushida! Gargano runs but Kushida throws him out, to then handspring kick, but Gargano gets clear! Gargano slingshots, but Kushida catches the spear! Kushida hooks up the arms, rolls, chicken wing suplex with a BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!?! Gargano escapes and fans chant, “That Was Three!” Fans duel, Kushida stalks Gargano to the apron, but Gargano resists being brought back up. Kushida gets him up but Gargano ENZIGURIS back! Gargano slingshots, into the FAST BALL! Kushida drags Gargano up to wrench the arm through ropes, to POST the arm!!

Fans are thunderous as Kushida climbs up and drags Gargano up the corner. Gargano resists but Kushida has the KIMURA! Kushida drags Gargano up but Gargano shoves him away. Gargano adjusts but Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS! Kushida sits Gargano up, positions him just right, then climbs up to get the arm! Gargano endures the Kimura, Kushida shifts, but Gargano borrows and modifies MS. LERAE’S WILD RIDE! Gargano drags Kushida up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO?!?! Kushida survives and fans are thunderous again! Gargano seethes, staggers up and drags Kushida into a scoop. Kushida fights out, waistlocks, but Gargano has the arm!

Gargano wrenches, Kushida spins and arm-drags, but Gargano dodges to tilt-o-whirl! Kushida slips free, he tilt-o-whirls and hits a takedown! But Gargano slips out, gets Kushida, but Kushida slips out! They keep switching back and forth, Kushida gets a FUJIWARA! Gargano shifts but Kushida makes it an ARMBAR! Gargano makes that a cover, TWO!! DOUBLE LARIATS! They both fall to knees, and DOUBLE LARIAT again!! The fans are into electric territory as both men are down! A standing count begins, Gargano and Kushida slowly rise, and Kushida throws a forearm! Gargano throws a forearm back, so Kushida throws another.

They go back and forth, fans duel as they go, and Gargano brings Kushida up. Gargano throws a forearm but Kushida KICKS away on the arm! Kushida whips, Gargano reverses, but Kushida handsprings, into Gargano’s TAKEDOWN! GargaNo Escape!! Kushida endures, moves around, and fans rally as he reaches. Kushida gets his one arm free to go after Gargano’s bad arm! They roll around, Kushida has the KIMURA! Gargano endures, flails, Kushida adds leverage but Gargano gets up. Kushida rolls Gargano away, but Gargano makes it a EuroClutch! Kushida makes it a EuroClutch of his own, TWO!!! SUPERKICK! FAST BALL! Tilt-o-whirl, but Gargano blocks the takedown to LAWN DART Kushida into buckles!

Both men are down again and fans hope they “Fight Forever!” at this rate. But someone has to win, and Gargano starts to rise. Gargano drags Kushida up, but swings into Kushida’s clinch. Gargano fights off the buckle shot but Kushida elbows him, then CORNER HALF HATCHES! Kushida fires up, climbs up, and fans are thunderous again! Kushida reaches for Gargano, drags him up the corner, onto the top rope, and brings him around for a SUPER ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!! Gargano flails, kicks, manages to clasp hands but Kushida punches away! Kushida pulls, breaks the grip, and Gargano is stuck!! Gargano flails, reaches, flaps his hand, but manages to turn over!

Kushida turns him again, but they’re closer to ropes! Gargano can’t reach, Kushida pulls harder, but Gargano gets the ropebreak by a foot! The ref counts, Kushida won’t let go but Gargano drags him out of the ring! Gargano grabs for fencing but Kushida holds on. Gargano RAMS Kushida into the apron, but Kushida still holds on! Gargano RAMS Kushida into the barriers and is free! Gargano scrambles back to the elevated ramp, and decides to retreat, but Kushida runs from the stage to PENALTY KICK the arm!! Maybe NOW it’s broken! Gargano staggers up, Kushida hops on, HOVERBOARD!!! Gargano stays on his feet to put Kushida in the rope and HOTSHOT him!

Kushida flops to the ramp, fans say “Johnny Wrestling” is back as he slingshots to ONE FINAL BEAT to the RAMP!!! Gargano puts Kushida back in, then crawls after with one good arm. The ref checks on Kushida, he is still okay, and he slowly rises. Gargano aims, slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT AGAIN!! Cover, Gargano wins!!

Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall (still NXT North American Championship)

This dream match is an instant classic! And Gargano won it all on his own! Is he finally going to leave the Time Splitter in the past? What challenges are in store in the future? Oh, and what about Austin?!

 

Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Grizzled Young Veterans VS MSK!

Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem are back in the finals, where they ended last year, but without the win. And now, they’re against a young team who made it here their first year in NXT! Will these #MustSeeKids, Nash Carter & Wes Lee SSSSOON~ leave GYV reliving history? Or will the hot streak end here as Zack Gibson & James Drake finally put their names on the trophy’s plaque?

Gibson has the mic to tell MSK they’ve had “quite the emotional journey to get here today.” But take this “friendly advice” from the veterans: “Wipe that stupid smile off your face and take this seriously!” This is not here for fun, and they are not going to enjoy a single second of this fight! They can take their sob stories, their flips, spins and “daft green pajamas,” and stick them all up your asses! That trophy belongs only to the Grizzled Young Veterans! The teams sort out and Gibson starts with Carter.

Gibson and Carter hear the fans rallying up, then they tie up. Gibson powers Carter to a corner, Carter goes up the buckles and pushes back. Carter headlocks and hits a takeover. Gibson hooks a leg with a leg to pry Carter off. Gibson goes after the arm and grinds it down. Carter fights up, rolls, hooks a leg and gets the chinbar, but Gibson drags Carter off. Gibson pulls on fingers, twists the wrist, and tells Carter, “This is what you signed up for!” Carter fights up, Gibson wrenches but Carter rolls, handsprings and flips to arm-drag Gibson away. Gibson rams Carter into the GYV corner and Drake tags in.

GYV mugs Carter, Drake ROCKS Carter with a right, and Drake headlocks to hit a takeover. Drake grinds Carter down, Carter fights up but fans rally. Carter powers out, drops then hurdles and runs around. Carter dodges, to springboard tornillo attack! Carter wrenches Drake and whips him to the MSK corner! Carter runs in to uppercut Drake, tag in Lee, and Lee enziguris Drake down! Lee swings in to boot Drake, then Carter runs in to BRONCO BUSTER! Carter adds some bounces, Lee drags Drake up, but Drake denies the lift! Drake wrenches out, headlocks, but Lee powers out. Gibson tags in, they play leap frog, Lee BOOTS Drake and RANAS Gibson!

Tag to Carter, Lee blows past Gibson and Carter KICKS! Lee KICKS, Carter KICKS, Lee enziguris and Carter DOUBLE STOMPS! GYV regroups on the outside but Lee builds speed to handspring, SASUKE SPECIAL! Direct hit and Lee gets back in, to be Carter’s launch pad! Carter FLIES and takes out Drake! But Gibson CLOBBERS Carter! Gibson drags Carter up, puts him in, and stays in his way to throw forearms and elbows. Gibson turns Carter to the neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Carter barely escapes but Gibson shifts to a modified half nelson. Carter gets the ropebreak with a foot but Gibson smothers him!

Gibson ROCKS Carter to the corner, tags Drake, and Drake rolls to run in for a big back elbow! Gibson adds a clothesline and feeds Carter to Drake’s windmill kick! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, ONE!! Drake is growing frustrated with Carter and he digs a knee into Carter’s back. Drake pulls Carter back with a chinlock, Carter fights up, and Carter arm-drags free! Drake CLOBBERS Carter with an elbow, covers, TWO! Fans duel as Drake stays between Carter and Lee. Tag to Gibson, GYV double whip Carter to ropes, and double clothesline Carter down! Cover, TWO! Gibson has the arm, gets another cover, TWO! Gibson shifts around, another cover, ONE!

Lee coaches Carter up but Gibson has a facelock. Carter fights up, throws body shots, but Gibson EuroUppers! Tag to Drake, GYV double whip but Carter holds ropes. Carter BOOTS Drake, goes up and over Gibson but Drake CLOBBERS Carter! Cover, TWO! Carter survives and Drake is losing his cool. Drake drags Carter and puts him in the GYV corner. Carter throws elbows and forearms to fight out but Drake kicks low! Drake reels Carter in but Carter hits the suplex first! Both men are down and fans fire up! Drake and Carter crawl but Gibson goes after Lee! Lee ROCKS Gibson but the ref separates the two.

Gibson gets in, drags Carter up, Drake climbs, GYV hit a missile dropkick complete shot combo! Cover, TWO!! Carter survives but Drake drags Carter around to throw elbows into his shoulder over and over and over! Drake looms over Carter, drags him up, snapmares and KNEES him in the back then wraps on a new chinlock. Carter endures but is starting to fade. Fans rally and duel as Lee coaches Carter up. Carter gets to his feet, throws body shots but Drake knees low! Drake wrenches, whips, and tags Gibson. Gibson runs in to clothesline, then he feeds Carter to- No! Carter slides under Drake’s windmill, hot tag to Lee!

Lee leaps over Gibson to CLOBBER Drake, then he hits Gibson after all! Lee clotheslines Drake out, fires off strikes on Gibson, snapmare to basement dropkick! GYV regroups on the outside, but Lee goes corner to corner to FLY!! Lee goes over the corner to take them both out! Lee puts Gibson in, aims from a corner, springboards and handsprings to PELE Gibson down! Cover, TWO!! That was a Must-See Kick, but it didn’t end things! Lee heads back to the corner, climbs up, but Drake anchors a foot! Lee kicks Drake away but Gibson trips him up! Lee hits the mat, Gibson slaps the stars away, and Gibson drags Lee back up. Gibson brings Lee up but Lee counters the bomb to a FACEBUSTER!

Tag to Carter and MSK coordinates, catapult into a SUPERKICK! Then an assisted shotgun dropkick to Drake! Carter fires up and the fans follow. Carter glares at Gibson and Carter asks if Gibson really wants to see the serious side of MSK! Gibson swings but Carter fires off haymakers! Carter drags Gibson down and rains down fists! Gibson gets away, Carter dodges the chop to springboard and CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Gibson survives and Carter is beside himself! Fans are thunderous as both men are down but rising again. Carter stomps Gibson, tags Lee, and MSK bring Gibson up. Gibson elbows free, elbows Lee then boots Carter! Lee hits back with body shots but Gibson throat chops!

Gibson storms over but Lee moves to ENZIGURI! Lee snapmares Gibson, handsprings but into a KNEE! Tag to Drake, Gibson lifts Lee, HELTER SKELTER to the 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!?!? Lee still lives and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” and far from over! GYV coordinate as Gibson tags, and Gibson Electric Chair lifts Lee. Lee fights, VICTORY ROLL out of Doomsday! Cover, but Drake breaks it! Gibson rains down furious fists, then gets up to tag Drake back in. GYV coordinate again, feed to the gut wrench, but Carter saves Lee! Lee shoves Drake into Gibson, GYV goes down, and MSK coordinates for the PUSH-SAULT! Lee POISON-RANAS Drake!

Tag to Carter, he goes up top, and Lee tags back in. SWANTON BOMB and TORNILLO SENTON! Cover, TWO?!?! Drake survives and MSK is in shock! Lee tags Carter, Carter brings Drake back up, and Lee runs, only for Gibson to dump him out! Drake clubs Carter, Gibson Electric Chair lifts Lee on the outside, Drake builds speed! TOPE DOOMSDAY SUICIDA!!! The fans are electric for “NXT! NXT!” again! GYV regroup to go after Carter but Carter ROCKS Drake! Carter DECKS Gibson but Drake CLOBBERS Carter! Tag to Gibson, and he drags Carter up. Carter still fires off fists and CHOPS on GYV!

Gibson ROCKS Carter, hoists him up for Drake, POWERBOMB BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!!?!? How is Carter doing this?! Drake has to exit but he wants to finish this. Gibson sits Carter up and shouts, “You are in over your head!” Gibson SLAPS Carter, tags Drake, and then feeds Carter to the gut wrench. But Lee pushes Gibson away to save Carter! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Carter tags Lee in, brings Drake up, slingshot for the BLOCKBUSTER HART ATTACK!! Cover, MSK WINS!?!?

Winners: MSK, by pinfall (2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winners)

The new kids on the block just shocked the world!! This must be seen to be believed! Regal returns to congratulate the winners, and even more confetti flies! Is this historic 4-0 from round one to the finals just the beginning of big things for Carter & Lee?

 

WWE and NXT celebrate Black History Month.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Cameron Grimes has a Wrestle & Flow song and music video!

Grimes is stackin’ up them dollar bills TOOO~ THEEEE~ MOOOOON~! And if you don’t like it, Grimes has three words for ya: KISS MUH GRITS!

 

NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Io Shirai VS Mercedes Martinez VS Toni Storm!

The Evil Genius has had a golden target on her back, and while she won this belt in a Triple Threat, she might lose it in one! Will the real Mean Mercedes or the new Lightning From Down Under be the one to shoot Shirai out of the sky?

The introductions are made, but Mercedes doesn’t wait for any of that! She DECKS Shirai out of the ring, but Toni is right after Mercedes! The bell rings but the battle’s already begun!

Mercedes brawls with Toni, Toni kicks but Mercedes blocks and spins into a SLAM! Mercedes rains down rights, but Shirai comes in with a METEORA! Cover, ONE! Mercedes hits Shirai back, whips, but Shirai reverses to send Mercedes out hard! Toni kicks and whips but Shirai reverses, only for Toni to run her over. Things speed up, Toni rolls over Shirai’s drop, Shirai runs to handspring and side-step. Shirai goes Matrix to avoid the boot, then rolls Toni. Toni rolls through but runs into a FLAPJACK! Shirai dropkicks Mercedes back out, victory rolls and STOMPS Toni down! Fans are already fired up behind Shirai, and Shirai stomps away on Toni in a corner!

Shirai digs her boots in, then swings, but into Toni’s Alabama lift! Shirai fights off, Toni BOOTS her down! Toni runs and SLIDING LARIATS at the ropes! But Mercedes ROCKS Toni at the apron, drags her out, DRAPING TWISTING NECKBREAKER! Shirai watches from the apron to MOONSAULT, but Mercedes moves! Shirai hits barriers, Mercedes throws her over and out! Mercedes stalks Toni, puts her in the ring and stalks her. Mercedes clubs and covers Toni, TWO! Toni gets up but Mercedes stays on her. Toni throws a forearm, but Mercedes hits a TWO HAND SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mercedes grows annoyed but she stomps Toni down.

Mercedes drags Toni up, brings her around, and snap suplexes! Una amiga, another snap suplex! Dos amigas, but Toni blocks the third! Shirai returns, and missile dropkicks Mercedes down! Shirai runs corner to corner, SHINKANSEN for Mercedes! Shirai runs again but Toni gives her a SCRAPBUSTER! Toni runs in to HIP ATTACK Shirai! Toni runs the other way, but into Mercedes’ SPINEBUSTER! High stack cover, TWO! Mercedes is seething and she stalks Toni. Mercedes gets the legs, ties them up and gets a chicken wing crossface for a Queen Angelito STF! But Shirai dropkicks it apart! Shirai mule kicks Mercedes and drops down to a traditional crossface on Toni!

But Mercedes gets Shirai in a dragon sleeper! It’s a chain of submissions, but who will tap out first?! Toni endures, Shirai endures, Mercedes cranks harder and Shirai lets Toni go. Mercedes hits an INVERTED SUPLEX! Mercedes runs, but Skirai dodges and the boot gets caught up! Shirai runs to 619 Mercedes down! Shirai steps up to springboard missile dropkick! Mercedes flops all the way out but Shirai wants to keep after. Shirai climbs up but Toni stops her! Toni climbs up, but Mercedes trips Toni up! Mercedes shoves Shirai away, climbs up behind Toni and clubs away on the back! Mercedes hauls Toni up, SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEX!

Mercedes sits up to see Shirai and Shirai throws forearms! SHOTEI! Mercedes holds on but Shirai adjusts, WOE STOMPS! All three women are down and the fans are thunderous! Fans rally as the three stir, and Mercedes flops out of the ring to be safe. Shirai goes out after her and clubs away on Mercedes. Mercedes ROCKS Shirai with a haymaker, then fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY into the barriers! Toni gets Mercedes now with a SIDE EFFECT! Toni grits her teeth as she gets up and pulls apart the announce desk cover! The desk falls apart, Toni was too rough with it! Toni drags Mercedes up and underhooks her arms, but Mercedes fights out to DDT Toni down!

Mercedes staggers, but Shirai is up on the girders again!! Shirai SUPER CROSSBODIES Toni and Mercedes down! Fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” all over again as all three women are down! The ref checks on them all but they’re all somehow okay to continue. Mercedes rises first and she hobbles along the ring apron. Mercedes looms over Shirai, drags her up, and THROWS her into the steel steps! Shirai writhes but Toni grabs Mercedes. Mercedes blocks the apron bump to bump Toni first! Mercedes puts Toni in, runs and KNEES her down! Toni flounders up, Mercedes has the wrists, for KAMIGOYE! And another! And ANOTHER!

But Mercedes isn’t done there, she drags Toni up and into a fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO!?! Toni survives all of that and Mercedes can’t believe it! Fans are thunderous again as Mercedes gets up. Mercedes drags Toni into a fireman’s carry, but Toni fights free! Toni rolls Mercedes to HEADBUTT! Toni underhooks, for STORM ZERO!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Toni is in disbelief! Toni drags Mercedes around, goes to a corner, climbs up top, FLYING HEADBUTT!! Cover, but OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover on Mercedes, Shirai wins!!!

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

The Evil Genius finds a solution to the Triple Threat and retains her title! What will it take to take that title away from her?

 

William Regal official signs LA Knight to NXT!

We see Regal hand Knight the contract and Knight signs it on the dotted line. Will Knight look to make major moves as soon as this Wednesday?

 

NXT Championship: Finn Balor VS Pete Dunne!

The Prince knows he is a target, and dared everyone to step up. The Bruiserweight did step up, but he did have some help from Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch. Will the Kings of NXT add another belt to the collection by dethroning Balor? Or will Balor show us what Edge meant when he said Balor’s “operating on an entirely different level?”

The introductions are made, THE belt in NXT is raised, and tensions are high as this battle of UK-Euro wrestling icons begins!

The fans are already fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as the two tie up. Balor puts Dunne on ropes, Dunne turns it around but Balor turns it back. They end up in the corner, the ref counts and Balor lets off. Balor and Dunne circle as fans rally more. They tie up with knuckle locks, Dunne brings Balor in and wants the arm. Balor counters to get Dunne’s arm and grinds Dunne down. Balor shifts to clamp onto the shoulder but Dunne gets a leg. Dunne has a toehold, fights off Balor’s forearms, but Balor avoids fingers being snapped! Balor gets the arm but Dunne gets away before the armbar is on. The two reset and tie up again, and Balor wants Dunne’s arm.

Balor wrenches to a wristlock but Dunne throws Balor down, only for Balor to hold on. Balor has a wristlock, Dunne fights up and grabs at Balor. Dunne hooks a leg, chinbars, but Balor pulls on Dunne’s fingers to bring him down! Balor has the shoulder again, Dunne moves around, and Dunne gets to his feet. Balor wrenches to another wristlock, Dunne powers him back, and then Dunne jumps up to monkey flip! Balor still has the wrist! Fans cheer as Balor stays on Dunne’s shoulder, but Dunne fights up to arm-drag! Balor drags Dunne back and is again on the arm. Dunne endures, fights free, kips up, and wrenches. Balor gets away to avoid the finger snapping!

Dunne and Balor reset again, circle more, and fans fire up as they tie up again. Balor hits a headlock takeover, Dunne grinds forearms in Balor’s face, but Balor cranks on the hold again. Dunne fights his way up, powers out, but Balor powers out! Balor headlocks to hit a takeover and grinds Dunne down again. Balor pushes the shoulders down, ONE as Dunne gets up. Dunne powers out, but Balor runs him over again! Cover, TWO! Balor has the headlock takeover again but Dunne headscissors right away! Dunne holds tight with an almost figure four necklock! Balor endures, fights his way around, but Dunne drags him back down.

Balor tries to pry the legs apart but Dunne pushes up to add leverage! Balor moves again, Dunne tries to keep him down but Balor pops free to get the headlock! Dunne headscissors, Balor kips free but Dunne handsprings up and away! Fans cheer the technical exchange and stare down! Dunne and Balor circle again, tie up, and Dunne pushes Balor to ropes. The ref calls for the reak but Dunen rams into Balor point blank! Balor staggers away, holding his jaw. Balor feels Dunne closing in and puts him in a corner. Dunne is after the fingers, Balor tries to get away but Dunne straddles Balor. Dunne keeps Balor stuck as he tortures the arm and fingers!

Balor endures but back drops, only for Dunne to sunset flip! Balor rolls through but Dunne drags him into a triangle hold! Balor moves around, pops free, hooks Dunne’s arm but Dunne resists being turned over. Balor keeps after the arm, Dunne goes to clasp hands, but Balor sneaks in to cording hold and bring Dunne to a cover! ONE and Dunne has an ARMBAR! Balor clasps hands, Dunne uses his leg against Balor’s jaw to get leverage! Balor fights up, they move around, Dunne has the arm mounted and uses his leg to pry things apart. Dunne hammerlocks an arm, stands on it, and gets the other arm! Balor endures but Dunne YANKS the arm way back!!

Balor’s caught and Dunne bends even the fingers! Balor moves around, rolls away and gets to a corner. Dunne is after him again, drags him up and wrenches to a double wristlock. Dunne drags Balor down, Balor tries to clasp hands from behind, but Dunne mounts Balor’s head. Dunne BENDS those fingers way back! And then the elbow, and Dunne has a double wristlock with headscissors! Balor endures as fans rally, and he moves around. Dunne keeps on the arm, stands on Balor’s head and digs elbows into ribs. The ref reprimands the standing on the head, Dunne stops to dig his elbow into every bit of Balor’s arm!

Dunne uses knuckles then clawing fingers, then he STOMPS the armpit! Balor clutches that side of his body, but Dunne won’t let off! Dunne gets the arm but Balor stomps Dunne’s foot! Dunne hobbles and Balor trips him up! Balor ties up the legs for a figure four stretch! Dunne endures, pushes with his arms but Balor shifts his own position to hold the legs together. Balor rolls for a modified butterfly deathlock! Dunne tries to grab at Balor but Balor adds pressure! Dunne sits up to go after Balor’s hands! Dunne jams the fingers but Balor lets Dunne go to stomp the leg! Balor shakes out his arm while Dunne clutches a leg. Balor trips Dunne and wants the Half Crab!

Dunne resists, Balor drops elbows on the knee! Balor has the toehold, Dunne tries to chinlock back but Balor pulls on the foot. Dunne wants to pull at Balor’s ear but the ref already reprimands, and Balor just adds torque to the toehold! Dunne clubs away on Balor’s back then goes after the face. The ref reprimands, Dunne stops but then sits up to give short headbutts. Balor elbows Dunne down, cranks on the leg, but Dunne sits up again to grind his forearm into Balor’s face. Dunne is free of the toehold and has a facelock! Dunne cranks on Balor in return but Balor fights, only for Dunne to give him a nasty X-PLEX! Cover, TWO! Dunne snarls as he and Balor rise.

Dunne forearms, Balor forearms back, repeat! They brawl, Dunne CHOPS and Balor ends up in a corner. Balor gets the leg to put it on the rope and drops a knee on the knee! Dunne crawls, clutches the leg, and fans fire up again. Balor gets the bad leg, trips Dunne up, but Dunne resists with an armbar. Balor has a cover from this position, ONE, and Dunne drags Balor down! Leg hook cradle, TWO! Balor grabs Dunne’s bad leg but Dunne enziguris hard! Balor comes back to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Balor seethes while Dunne clutches his leg. Balor grits his teeth as he paces. Dunne crawls to ropes but Balor stomps him down!

Balor stomps Dunne again, then moves to springboard stomps over and over! The ref counts and Balor tops it off with a springboard knee drop! Balor has the leg, clubs away on it, then drops down for a deathlcok! Dunne resists so Balor just clubs away on him! Balor reaches through and gets the STF! Dunne is caught, fading, but he pries at the fingers! Balor tells him don’t, but Dunne uses his forehead to get loose, and then Dunne JAMS the fingers into the mat! Dunne is free of the hold while Balor clutches his fingers, but the fans rally up. Balor CHOPS Dunne in a corner, pulls him against ropes, then lets off to CHOP him again!

Dunne hits back but Balor whips him corner to corner and CHOPS again! Balor stomps and chokes Dunne at the ropes but lets off as the ref counts. Balor CHOPS Dunne, Dunne CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS back! Dunne whips, Balor reverses, Dunne goes up but can’t quite go over because of the bad leg! Balor dropkicks the leg out! Balor drags Dunne right up, dragon sleeper, elbow drop- NO! Dunne arm-drags then ROCKS Balor with that forearm! Balor PELES, but Dunne catches it! Dunne throws Balor down and gets the wrist for DANIELSON STOMPS! Dunne drags Balor around, reels him in to HEADBUTT, then brings him back in for a SIT-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO!

Balor survives but both men are down. Fans fire up as the two stir and Dunne kicks Balor away from his leg. Dunne goes after Balor’s arm but Balor resists. Dunne twists the arm into the hammerlock, and STOMPS IT! Balor clutches his arm but Dunne drags him up. Dunne shoves Balor to ropes, SNAP GERMAN! Dunne DOUBLE STOMPS Balor’s hands! But Balor ducks the buzzsaw to kick out Dunne’s leg! Balor rises, fires off on Dunne, and hits a BACKSTABBER! Then the elbow drop DDT! Balor fires up, aims from a corner, and Dunne stands up to get the SHOTGUN! Balor hurries as Dunne is in the drop zone! COUP DE- NO! Dunne catches Balor to a TRIANGLE!

Dunne throws elbows into Balor’s head and Balor is already turning red! Dunne slaps and hammers Balor’s head but Balor moves around! Balor reaches, but Dunne rolls him from the ropes! Dunne squeezes even tighter, gives more hard shots to Balor’s head, but Balor scoots back! Balor finds the ropes with a foot! The ref counts, Dunne lets go but Balor might already be out! The ref checks on Balor but Dunne shows no mercy! Dunne drags Balor in, but Balor flops and gets to ropes. The ref keeps Dunne back and asks Balor if he wants to continue. Balor does, so Dunne BOOTS him in the jaw! Pump handle, but no Bitter End! Balor reels Dunne in but no 1916 as Dunne has the fingers!

Balor knees low and reels Dunne into the cobra twist! Dunne falls and Balor makes it part crossface! Dunne sees fingers and grabs at them! Dunne SNAPS the fingers!!! Balor clutches his digits but Dunne drags him up. Balor throws forearms with the good arm and he knocks Dunne down! Balor gives those Danielson Stomps back but Dunne won’t let go! Dunne pump handles but Balor elbows Dunne away! Dunne yanks the arm harder for an unofficial low blow! And he hits BITTER END!! Cover, TWO!??! Balor survives Dunne’s best shot?! Fans are thunderous for this match again as Dunne stalks Balor.

Balor sits up, Dunne DOUBLE STOMPS the hands! And then DOUBLE STOMPS again!! BUZZSAW! Powerbomb- DDT COUNTER!! Balor fires up, runs, but into an ENZIGURI! He PELES through! Dunne PENALTY KICKS from behind! Pump handle, BITTER- NO! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives, AND has Balor’s fingers! Balor tries to get away but Dunne rises! Balor stomps the bad foot! Dunne still SNAPS the fingers! Balor DOUBLE STOMPS Dunne on the back! Balor sits Dunne up, and takes his mouth guard away! Balor takes aim, to basement dropkick Dunne in the face! Dunne is down, Balor goes up top, COUP DE GRACE!!!! Balor shows no mercy, he gives Dunne the 1916!!!! Cover, Balor wins!!!

Winners: Finn Balor, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)

The Prince continues to endure and overcome immense pain to stay on his throne! Finn keeps the Bruiserweight from taking over NXT, what will it take for anyone to stop him? But wait, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch attack! They aren’t happy that their guy lost! They mug Balor, throw him back into the ring, and Dunne joins in on the mugging! Fans boo and gives thumbs down, but referees can’t stop this! Burch and Lorcan throw the officials out, that’s a fine! Balor sits up just to get punched and stomped more! But here comes the UNDISPUTED ERA!

Adam Cole, Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly run the Kings off! Kyle checks on Balor, which Balor is surprised by. Kyle says he respects Balor and offers to help him up. Balor accepts the help, and Kyle says the UE have Balor’s back when he needs it. Balor appreciates that, and fans cheer as Balor stands with them. Is he going to throw up the UE? Cole SUPERKICKS Balor?!? Kyle and Cole argue, Strong tries to keep the peace, and Cole argues with Strong now. Cole SUPERKICKS Kyle?!?!? But Kyle was Cole’s friend! Cole was supportive of Kyle this whole time and yet he does this!? Cole tells Strong to follow him but Strong is speechless. Strong is frozen in place as Cole goes up the ramp. What does this mean for the Undisputed Era as a whole?!


My Thoughts:

Was this perhaps the best TakeOver ever? This feels way, way up there! Historic nature of everything aside, the matches were all top notch, we even got some bonus Wrestle & Flow for both the intro and that Cameron Grimes recap-meets-vignette, and some shocking story progressions. We even got something in the preshow, Eli Drake is here as “LA Knight,” which is any number of references in one name. He comes in pretty much Heel, so I don’t know what champion he’s facing, because there’s any number of reasons to think Balor’s card is full from here to the Summer. Though, Kross VS Escobar could be used to allow Knight a chance to test things with Balor.

The Dusty Cup finals matches were both great stuff, but I personally am just a touch confused by the decisions, probably because I’m looking at the “big picture.” Opening with the historic Women’s Dusty Cup finals was a great choice, and that match really could’ve gone either way, but here’s the thing. Naomi & Lana VS Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler is coming, and I don’t think the Heels lose. There could be Nia & Shayna VS Sasha & Bianca on SmackDown, but again, the Heels aren’t losing, that will be used just to build Sasha VS Bianca for Mania.

I suppose the beat-for-beat of the match is just standard formula for Dakota & Raquel, but it felt very Face formula. Would Dakota & Raquel end up the Faces- Actually, yes, they would be Faces by comparison to Nia & Shayna, and it’d be great if the inaugural Women’s Dusty Cup winners also became champions to mostly bring those titles to NXT for once. Again, this is still a great moment for Dakota & Raquel, they’ve both put in so much work over the years, they deserve something. Just not sure it lasts long if they’re just going to lose to the Raw superstars on virtue of Raw is “the main show.”

Similarly, I am very surprised that MSK won, but not necessarily in a bad way. The Face VS Heel dynamic makes sense, Oney & Burch are Heels and they still have the belts. But at the same time, GYV going back to back but not winning kinda hurts them. Now, Heel VS Heel doesn’t really fit how WWE does things, or how most promotions do things, really, but I felt like a “Faces by comparison” dynamic could’ve actually worked with GYV against Kings of NXT. Kings of NXT having that arrogance and swagger a la McAfee, Gibson giving them what for on the mic like he does everyone would’ve gotten fans on his side. Despite MSK being Faces, the CWC crowd was really into GYV, so it’s not impossible for Gibson to be a trash talking Face.

I love that, while on the way to the ring, Theory gets abducted by Lumis. This really takes the story to another level. Gargano VS Kushida was perhaps the best match of the night, though that is up for debate with Balor VS Dunne doing what they did. Kushida looked like he could’ve won at any point, but it was the math that doomed him with how he stood tall for the go-home. Gargano retains, and clearly Lumis is next. With how Gargano is going, if Kushida didn’t win tonight, I have no idea who is taking that from Gargano. But at the very least, Gargano and Kushida going this strong, Gargano can definitely give Lumis some in-ring shine.

Kushida himself still seems to be floating in the middle, would he be the one to take the Cruiserweight title from Escobar? The Cruiserweight title has finally gotten out of isolation on 205 Live, and Kushida, an international name perhaps even greater than Escobar, could elevate that entire division. The Women’s Triple Threat was great stuff, though that poor desk couldn’t hold up apparently. But that’s okay, a table spot of say a back drop out of the Strong Zero wasn’t going to be all that incredible. Everything else was, and it made a lot of sense for Shirai to take advantage of Storm taking out Mercedes. After this, we’ve got to get Shirai VS Mercedes 1v1, then maybe Shirai VS Storm 1v1 at another point.

Then, as I just said, Balor VS Dunne was also up there tonight. There was great story because of Balor’s bad jaw, how Dunne went after Balor’s fingers just last Wednesday, and how Balor managed to use technical skill to match Dunne. Balor retains because there are many Heel contenders moving up, but that twist with the Undisputed Era was amazing. Thinking back, maybe Cole being so supportive of Kyle only for Kyle to fail each time is exactly why this has happened. Cole still thinks HE is leader, he doesn’t like Kyle moving up and this is him asserting dominance. But whatever the motivation, Cole VS Kyle for the first time since they were both in ROH and fighting over the ROH World Championship is going to be some amazing stuff. Strong and Fish need to choose sides, and at the very least, I’m hoping reDRagon sticks together.

My Score: 9.7/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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