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Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Results & Report! (4/7/21)

NXT takes over television!

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TakeOver Stand & Deliver

NXT sets sail with treasure in mind!

For the first time ever, NXT TakeOver is TWO NIGHTS! Women’s title, tag titles, UK title and so much more, who will Stand & Deliver?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Preshow – Toni Storm VS Zoey Stark; Stark wins.
  • KUSHIDA VS Pete Dunne; Dunne wins.
  • NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Gauntlet Eliminator; Bronson Reed wins and will face Johnny Gargano for the title tomorrow night.
  • NXT UK Championship: WALTER VS Tommaso Ciampa; Walter wins and retains the title.
  • Vacated NXT Tag Team Championships Triple Threat Tag: MSK VS Grizzled Young Veterans VS El Legado del Fantasma; MSK wins and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai VS Raquel Gonzalez w/ Dakota Kai; Gonzalez wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the TakeOver Preshow!

Join Sam Roberts and ESPN’s Jimmy Smith in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action in just the first night of this massive Stand & Deliver double shot!

 

Samoa Joe interviews Tommaso Ciampa.

A former NXT Champion sits with another, and Joe says Ciampa has drawn the “unenviable” task of taking on NXT UK Champion, Walter. Ciampa’s thoughts? Well a big man with a 700-something day reign. This is the most excited, anxious and anticipated Ciampa has had since New Orleans with Johnny Gargano. Joe says these are not often words associated with Walter. Dread, perhaps, because they know that they’ll be changed physically and mentally. What is Ciampa’s secret to not feeling that? It’s because Ciampa’s been through it already.

Ciampa’s changed not just in wrestling but in life. His neck surgery, ACL surgery, shoulder surgery, becoming a father, all changed him. Ciampa is in the best shape he has ever been physically, mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. Going into this match, Ciampa already knows it will be physical, and he likes that. So he isn’t sure, this is a weird feeling. There are certain moments that are special, and that’s tonight. Joe knows Ciampa is known for being ruthless and taking no prisoners. But facing a man like Walter, what Ciampa has already been through leading up tot his moment, is there any lack of confidence?

Ciampa feels like at 35 years old, post neck surgery and as a father, he has so much to prove. Not only is Ciampa what he was in 2018, but that he’s even better, more dangerous and more focused. If Walter doesn’t think so, he’ll be in the night of his life. Physically, Walter can’t hang. This will be Ciampa’s first shot at this UK Championship, but what more does he want to do in his career before he retires? Well the UK title, from Tyler Bate to Pete Dunne to Walter’s, it has become one of the most prestigious titles already. Ciampa’s next goal IS that title. He’s held “Goldie,” time to hold “M’lady.”

Joe wishes Ciampa the bets of luck and is sure he can handle this. Ciampa appreciates that, and both men appreciates getting to spend this time. Will Ciampa be the first man to have held both prime NXT Championship AND the NXT UK Championship in their career?

 

Samoa Joe now interviews Walter.

Joe welcomes the UK Champion here, and notes that Walter is THE longest reigning champion in the modern era. What does that distinction mean to Walter? Writing it down on paper it’s nice, but it really means Walter has to catch up on the six months of quarantine where nothing was allowed to happen. Then it’ll feel legitimate. Wanting that time back, does that fit into his “edict of domination” he has on the UK brand? Walter wants to always put on the best performances possible. Not just for the fans but for the sport itself.

A few years ago, Ciampa was on the top of the mountain but had to give it up because of the injury. Some have said Ciampa’s changed, others have said it was a setback, but what are Walter’s thoughts? Ciampa from two years ago is very similar to Walter today. How they think and how they feel about wrestling, how it came first, was the same. But not anymore. Ciampa has changed his priorities. He succeeded, took out of this sport what he needed, and now he’s letting the focus shift. So then this challenge from Ciampa will define Walter’s legacy?

No, it is never just one match that solidifies what you do. Every step counts. Ciampa is just the next biggest challenge. Walter wants the biggest challengers possible, and Ciampa is still that. Coming here for WrestleMania Week as UK Champion, having the privilege to defend this title in front of American fans, he loves it. But priority is NXT UK. He is a European wrestler, he wants to make that brand the most exciting.

Let’s just say Walter doesn’t win tonight. Does he stay in the US to pursue the title and get it back? Or does he return to UK and Europe and continue doing what he’s doing? At some point, everyone has to make the next step. Walter doesn’t know when that is yet. Joe wishes Walter luck, and we’ll see if the Ring General still rules after TakeOver.

 

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

With the advantage of entering the Gauntlet Eliminator last, he has the best chance of winning and moving on to tomorrow night. Knight wants to “talk to ya,” and says that if you remember just last TakeOver, this guy rode in and asked, “Whose game is it?” Well one TakeOver later, he’s the man walking into the eliminator! Last week, 11 other guys got dumped, and tonight, five guys get dropped! You ask him if he’s feeling confident going into the match last, and yeah he does!

After tonight, in 24 hours, he’ll take on ol’ Johnny Wrestling, the legend of TakeOver. Well legends fall and new ones fill their shoes. And if there’s any guy who can fill those shoes and then some, it’s LA Knight as the NEW NXT North American Champion! DAMN does that sound good to say! REAL good, when it comes to L A Knight. So each and every one of you out there, keep your eyes on him. That’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life! Back to the goofs on the panel!

 

Toni Storm VS Zoey Stark!

The Lightning From Down Under is going rather M. Bison with her gear, but perhaps because this is delicious! She gets to kick off TakeOver’s two nights of action in the ring! But will it be #ToniTime when the Rising Star(k) weathers the Storm?

The bell rings, fans rally for Stark already and that annoys Toni. Toni and Stark circle, tie up, and Stark powers Storm back but Storm turns it around. They go around the ropes, corners, and then break. Fans are rallying and dueling, but the two go again. Stark waistlocks, trips Storm and gets a headlock. Storm endures the grind, fights up, but Stark throws her with the takeover. Storm pulls hair, headscissors, and pushes up to put on pressure. Stark kips free, headlocks again, and holds on as Storm tries to power out. Storm pries free, pulls hair again and gets another headlock. Stark powers out but Storm pulls hair to get the headlock again!

Storm grinds Stark down, but Stark pries free and grinds the arm. Storm grits her teeth, fights up, reaches back to headlock, but Stark powers out. Storm runs Stark over, things speed up and Storm rolls but Stark waistlocks. Storm elbows free, runs but Stark blocks a boot to spin and ROCK her! Stark goes ide to side to uppercut! Stark runs and comes back but Storm puts her on the apron. Stark ROCKS back, springboards and missile dropkicks! Storm ends up in a corner, dodges Stark’s shining wizard and throws her down HARD! Storm stomps and kicks and rains down rights but lets off as the ref reprimands. Cover, ONE!! Storm is annoyed but she clamps on with a neck wrench.

Stark endures, fans rally again, but Storm grinds forearms into Stark’s face. Stark powers to a cover, TWO! Storm shifts to a chinlock now, but Stark fights her way up. Stark elbows but Storm throws her by her hair! Cover, TWO! Storm is frustrated, but she storms after Stark in the corner. Storm stomps Stark then drags her up to reel her in, snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Storm is frustrated, she stomps Stark then gets the leg for a HALF CRAB! Stark endures, crawls, reaches, turns and kicks Storm away! Storm BOOTS Stark back down, then drags her up, but Stark RAMS Storm into a corner! Stark throws forearms but Storm gives them back!

Storm bumps Stark off buckles, then stomps her down. The ref counts, Storm lets off, and Storm brings Stark up to throw a EuroUpper! Stark wobbles, Storm throws another EuroUpper. Stark forearms and CHOPS in return, then CHOPS again! Stark stomps Storm in a corner now, but Storm tackles her to rain down fists! Storm drags Stark up, scoops her and SLAMS her! Storm then steps over Stark and goes to a corner. Storm climbs, but Stark GAMANGIRIS first! Stark throws hands, climbs up and brings Storm up for a SUPERPLEX! Both women are down but the fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!”

Stark gets up slowly as the ring count climbs, and she drags Storm up. Storm throws forearms but Stark gives them back, and we have a brawl! Stark gets the edge, fires off and ducks a corner to mule kick, front kick and kick a leg out! Stark runs, but Storm dodges the ax kick! Storm waistlocks, Stark blocks the lift and elbows free! Stark half nelsons, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Stark kips up, fires up, and SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Storm survives but Stark tries again, TWO! Stark is frustrated as Storm is still in this! Stark drags Storm up, fireman’s carries, but Storm slips off! Storm waistlocks, Stark resists but Storm Electric Chair lifts, for the SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Stark still lives and Storm is shocked!

Storm drags Stark up to double underhook, but Stark resists the lift! Stark wrenches out and SUPERKICKS! Storm wobbles, Stark pushes her over for a cover, TWO! Stark is beside herself, but she isn’t out of ideas yet. Stark drags Storm up, clubs her again and again and even throws a knee. But Storm gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Storm hits ANOTHER GERMAN! And then the underhooks, for STORM- No! Stark fights that off, and inside cradles! STARK WINS!!

Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall

That’s the biggest win in Stark’s young career for sure! She just pinned a former NXT UK Women’s Champion!! Is this just the beginning of a championship caliber career for Stark?

 

Backstage interview with MSK.

Nash Carter & Wes Lee have the biggest match in their own young careers, fighting to become new NXT Tag Team Champions. They are ready! This is what they were supposed to get after winning the Dusty Cup. They ran the gauntlet, got the trophy, now they’re after the gold. But GYV want to do them dirty and take Wes out, but what did the medical staff say? He is cleared~! Nash says this is the part where they’d say things about GYV and Legado, but it’s not about that! IT’s about MSK’s star shining the brightest! And it’ll shine even brighter with the titles! MSK all night and all day! But will Carter & Lee make the NXT Tag Division must-see?

 

Samoa Joe interviews Raquel Gonzalez.

The challenger to the NXT Women’s Championship is excited to be here, and Joe is excited to have her here. It’s hard to find anyone who has had a better year than her. While 2020 was crazy for the entire world, Raquel was excited to still be part of the action and progress and show the world who she is. And now she wants to make a statement in 2021. Well turning to her opponent, Io Shirai has been tremendously successful as champion, taking on all challengers and handled them with ease. But for the first time in a long time, there is a challenger who can threaten that reign. How does Raquel feel?

She feels great. She is honored for the greatest female wrestler to choose her as a challenger. If that isn’t validation, then we don’t know what is. She can hang with the best and isn’t just a sidekick. The fact that the champion singled her out, does that worry Raquel at all? Knowing Io and her mindset and style as the crazy wrestler who leaves nothing behind, just a little. But Raquel is confident in her abilities to handle whatever Io dishes out. And now, Raquel joins some elite company in main-eventing the evening. How does that feel? It means so much, especially after her journey to get to this point. The different matches she’s had this last year, such as Rhea Ripley at New Year’s Evil, and now Raquel is a main-eventer for one of the most unique events NXT has ever had.

Shirai is considered the best with a 300+ day reign, and there is talent from all over the world. But this is a mountain no one has been able to climb. Raquel is confident that when she beats Shirai, Raquel will smile and be full of pride and everything that has been building up to this moment. A lot of emotions, words, and just the best place in her life and her career. Will Big Mami Cool be on top of the world when she reaches the top of the mountain in NXT?

 

Now Samoa Joe interviews Io Shirai.

NXT Women’s Champion and Evil Genius took the title over 300 days ago when she defeated Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley, arguably two of NXT’s best ever. Many consider the NXT Women’s Division to be THE BEST division in the world today. How does it feel to be the champion of that division? Before coming to the US, Shirai was the top champion in Japan for over three years. She’s been the best of the best in Japan, and so she wanted to become the best in the world. That is why she came to the WWE. She is still planning to reach the top of this company.

Then touching on her challenger tonight, Raquel, and the year Raquel has had and what she’s done to get here, the question begs to be asked: Why did Shirai choose her rather than waiting? Well Shirai’s beaten Rhea, Charlotte and even Sasha Banks, all the best of each brand. The reason she chose Raquel for TakeOver is that she is a big up-and-comping star. Shirai personally looks up to Rey Mysterio Jr, and has been watching him since a young age. He was the smaller person beating the giants, so she thought she should follow in his footsteps and defeat someone literally bigger than her.

Well what does it mean to main event TakeOver, Night One? It is a lot of pressure, yes, but she isn’t just representing Women’s Wrestling, but also the NXT Women’s Title. The division has come a long way, so she isn’t just responsible for that, but for making this the best division, as well. Joe wishes her good luck in her defense, but will the Genius of the Sky still be flying high after facing Ricky Desperado?

 

Nita Strauss plays the Star Spangled Banner on guitar.

 

KUSHIDA VS Pete Dunne!

Two of the very best technical wrestlers in the world today battle to prove who is truly THE best! Will it be the Super Junior, who set the pace for Junior Heavyweight Strong Style in Japan? Or will it be the Bruiserweight who dominated alongside British Strong Style?

The bell rings and Dunne leaps to get a Triangle Hold! Kushida slips out, rolls Dunne to get an ARMBAR! Dunne slips out, gets free and fans are fired up! The two reset, Kushida tries to use his legs but Dunne stays clear. Fans duel as the two feel out knuckle locks. Dunne rolls, gets a drop toehold but Kushida fights to stay up. Kushida shifts and gets a heel hook but so does Dunne. Kushida rolls to tie up Dunne’s legs and grabs the arms for the Queen Angelito! Dunne resists so Kushida steps over, wrenches the arm and hammerlocks . Dunne wrenches Kushida’s arm back and stretches it before putting it in the hammerlock.

Kushida spins, rolls, and wrenches to a wristlock, but Dunne rolls, handsprings, wrenches, and whips. Kushida handsprings but Dunne trips him up and has the arms! Dunne drags Kushida out in that way, to then APRON X-PLEX! Kushida flounders into the ring but Dunne is after him as he hammerlocks one arm and pulls the other against the ropes! The ref reprimands but Dunne SNAPS the arm against ropes! Kushida checks his elbow, but he kicks back! Dunne stands on a foot, gets the other and twists that around to then tie up the legs. Dunne gets the arm for a half straitjacket before he just STOMPS Kushida down! Fans boo as Dunne looms over Kushida.

Dunne CHOPS Kushida, boots him, but Kushida CHOPS back! IT is a CHOP fight as they go back and forth, until Kushida KICKs the arm! Dunne BOOTS again, but runs into a hip toss! Kushida cartwheels, Dunne wants the arm but Kushida basement dropkicks first! Dunne goes to the ramp, Kushida climbs up top and leaps, but Dunne dodges! Dunne KICKS a leg, brings Kushida around to whip, but Kushida handsprings with the ropes to back elbow Dunne down! Kushida goes up the ramp for some space, and gets going to PENALTY KICK Dunne into the ring!! Fans are thunderous already as Kushida circles around Dunne. Dunne catches the Fast Ball to a HOVERBOARD?!

Dunne is stealing Kushida’s move, but Kushida turns it to his Hoverboard! Dunne clasps hands behind his back, wrenches out and ROCKS Kushida, but Kushida PELES! Kushida whips, Dunne reverses, but Kushida handsprings again, into a wrench! Elbow breaker, finger SNAP! Pump handle, but Kushida slips out to hit BACK TO THE FUTURE! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives the cradle driver as NXT goes picture in picture!

Kushida stands on Dunne’s bad arm, gets the other, and pulls them back for INVERTED DANIELSON STOMPS! Kushida shows he can be just a gritty as the Bruiserweight, but Dunne rolls, kips up and HEADBUTTS Kushida! Now Dunne has the arms for FORWARD DANIELSON STOMPS! Dunne lets off and catches his breath while Kushida stirs. Dunne wrenches Kushida’s arm, locks it on the mat, and STOMPS it! Then DECKS Kushida! Cover, TWO! Kushida survives but Dunne keeps his focus as NXT returns to single picture. Dunne runs but Kushida ducks the enziguri to PENALTY KICK the arm! Suplex to ARMBAR!

Dunne rolls, and STMOPS the arm again!! Dunne reels Kushida in, Tiger Driver to ARMBAR! Kushida rolls, Dunne dodges and ROCKS him again! Kushida ROCKS back, but Dunne ENZIGURIS! Kushida FAST BALLS!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! Kushida gets up, gets Dunne’s arms and now the two give Junkyard Dog headbutts! Kushida and Dunne get up, Dunne breaks free to ROCK Kushida but Kushida KICKS the bad arm! Kushida runs around to world to SHOTGUN DROPKICK the arm! Dunne scrambles away but Kushida is after him again. Kushida whips corner to corner, Dunne goes up but gets tripped up by the handspring heel kick!

Kushida hurries up top and fans fire up with him! Kushida drags Dunne up by his hair, gets him to the top rope, and has the HOVERBOARD, for a KIMURA SUPLEX! Kushida CRANKS the Hoverboard!! Dunne endures as fans rally up, and Dunne moves around to get a ropebreak! Kushida steps over to hammerlock TWIST the arm! And then it’s a JIM BREAKS SPECIAL!! Dunne endures and uses his foot to get the ropebreak! Kushida lets go in frustration, but he goes right to the top rope again. Kushida leaps to KNEE the arm! Dunne writhes, Kushida leaps and has the arm again! Dunne reaches for ropes but Kushida gets the HOVERBOARD on the other side!

Dunne makes it a cover, TWO, and Dunne gets the ropebreak thanks to it! Kushida holds on, but he lets go at 4 with a bit of a tweak. Kushida aims, but Dunne blocks the fast ball! Dunne twists the wrist and bends fingers to SNAP them! Kushida is in pain but Dunne STOMPS the hands! Kushida ducks the Buzzsaw to FAST BALL! But Dunne DOUBLE STOMPS the hands again! BUZZSAW! Pump handle, BITTER END!! Cover, Dunne wins!!

Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall

Dunne just shrugs, but then smirks ash he has proven he is what he said he is. Will having the title of best technical wrestler today bring Dunne to a championship title in the near future?

 

NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Gauntlet Eliminator!

William Regal’s unique take on endurance matches returns to determine a challenger for Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling! But we already know the order thanks to last week’s battle royal, and we’re going to start with Leon Ruff and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott! Can these two settle their grudge before the three minutes are up and this match gets colossal?

NXT returns with Ruff hitting a dropkick on Swerve! And that wasn’t even part of the match! These two just keep fighting without the bell, but now the bell rings and this match truly begins! Ruff dumps Swerve out, then fakes Swerve out to stomp the hands! Ruff runs to DIVE, but Swerve catches him to put him on the barriers! Swerve then runs to dropkick Ruff down to the ground! Swerve composes himself, drags Ruff around by his facial hair, then has the commentary move as he fireman’s carries Ruff. Ruff fights off the fireman’s carry and jumps to the desk, using to to launch for the RUFF CUT! Ruff puts Swerve in the ring, covers, TWO!

Ruff drags Swerve up, throws a forearm, then whips. Swerve reverses, Ruff rebounds but gets caught for a ROPE GUILLOTINE! Swerve seethes while Ruff is down and the ref checks on him. Ruff is okay to continue, so Swerve drags him up and over to a corner. Swerve climbs, reels Ruff in by his ears, and gets him up the ropes! Ruff fights back with body shots but Swerve CLUBS him back. Swerve lifts but Ruff SUPER STEINERS the powerbomb away! Fans are fired up as Ruff grits his teeth and both men are down! The countdown arrives, and time is up! Here comes Bronson Reed! Ruff climbs up to LEAP, but into Reed’s arms!

Reed TOSSES Ruff, Swerve avoids him, and fires off on Reed! Reed blocks the whip with size and strength, then whips Swerve to CLOBBER him! Fans cheer for “Big Boi Season!” as he SPLASHES Swerve in a corner! Reed brings Swerve up with a suplex, holds him, but Ruff climbs and leaps in to tip the suplex over with a crossbody! Swerve takes all the damage,. but Ruff throws forearms on Reed! Reed doesn’t flinch, Ruff ducks and dodges and fakes Reed out, but he can’t slide under before Reed SITS on him! Fans want that “One More Time!” so Reed obliges and SITS on Ruff again! Reed then drags Ruff back up to back suplex, but Ruff lands on his feet!

Ruff waistlocks but he can’t lift Reed at all. Swerve waistlocks Ruff, Reed switches to get Swerve, but Ruff desperately grabs ropes! He can’t hold on, Reed hits a DOUBLE STACKED GERMAN SUPLEX!! Ruff and Swerve go floundering around but Reed gets Swerve in a corner. Reed stomps Swerve, the countdown returns, and Reed welcomes the fourth entrant, CAMERON GRIMES! Mr. GameStonks DogeCoin Carolina Caveman is still very confident despite everything we all just saw. Swerve BLINDSIDES Reed with a dropkick, Grimes hits a MOONSAULT and Reed is down! Swerve adds a basement dropkick and Reed flops out of the ring!

Grimes is fired up, and he has a wad of cash! He gives that to Swerve for the teamwork they pulled off, and look to continue against Ruff! Grimes uses his vest to choke Ruff, then Swerve stands on Ruff’s head! Swerve stomps Ruff down, Grimes drags Ruff up and around to CLUB him on the back! Swerve ROCKS Ruff, Grimes EuroUppers Ruff off his feet! Swerve forearms Ruff again, then Grimes whips him in, but Ruff BOOTS Swerve away! Ruff dodges Grimes, ROCKS him with a right then goes around and around the corner, then under Grimes, but into Swerve’s fireman’s carry and CORNER DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Grimes throws money down on Ruff but Reed is back!

Reed ROCKS Grimes, Swerve boots and Grimes sweeps the legs! Swerve goes out to BOOT Reed from the apron! Swerve and Grimes go back to Ruff, and Grimes ROCKS Ruff with a right. Ruff fights back, runs, but into a LARIAT from Grimes! Swerve whips Ruff to LARIAT him, too! But the three minutes are up, here comes Dexter Lumis! Ruff sends Grimes into Swerve, and the Tortured Artist stares into the souls of everyone still in this match. Grimes hits Ruff with a CAVE-IN, Swerve covers Ruff himself, and Ruff is ELIMINATED! Lumis has Reed on the ramp for a DDT! Swerve runs at Lumis but gets an uppercut!

Lumis slithers in and scares Grimes out of the ring. Swerve runs in again but Lumis blocks the kick to spin Swerve, and rebound back suplex! Grimes returns but into a rebound back suplex of his own! Swerve staggers but Lumis DECKS him with haymaker after haymaker! Lumis runs in to corner clothesline then BULLDOG! And then a LARIAT! Fans rally for Lumis but Reed gets in the ring! Reed roars and the brawl is own! They go haymaker for haymaker, Reed gets the edge and whips, only for Lumis to reverse and uppercut! Lumis tries to fireman’s carry but can’t! Reed scoops, Lumis slips out and ROCKS him!

Lumis fireman’s carries but not for long! Lumis throws Reed at Grimes but Grimes dumps Reed out! Lumis then goes after Grimes and clotheslines Grimes and himself out hard! They have a nasty tumble, but it’s the final countdown~! And that of course means L A KNIGHT is here! Knight is even has a mic as he heads to the ring! He talks trash as he enters, saying “LA Knight’s TakeOver is now official!” Yeah, he’ll even help Reed to the back with a stomp! And speaking of guys taking off, doesn’t Grimes want to take off to the moon? Knight will help him with a punt into deep space! Lumis wants to paint pictures, but he should just paint a picture of getting dumped on his head!

And as for Swerve- Reed shuts Knight up by TOSSING him into the ring! Knight wants Reed to take it easy as NXT goes picture in picture!

Reed storms over but Knight throws him into ropes! Knight gets up and KNEES Reed from the apron! Reed wobbles, Knight slingshots but into a fireman’s carry, and SAMOAN DROP! Reed sees Grimes up top, Grimes leaps in, into a BIG elbow! Grimes flounders, Reed whips him hard into a corner and Grimes tumbles to the ramp! Reed sees Swerve and BOOTS him! Reed whips Swerve corner to corner hard, and Swerve crumples to the mat. Reed whips Knight to ropes, Knight knees back but Reed CLOBBERS him with a full body press! Reed drags Knight back up, headbutts him, then elbows him to a corner.

Reed whips Knight corner to corner hard and Knight bounces off buckles! NXT returns to single picture as Reed doe sit again. Knight dodges and NECKBREAKERS! Knight finally takes off his vest, but Grimes is there! Knight dodges to scoop POWERSLAM! Swerve is up top but Knight LEAPS up there to get him for a SUPERPLEX! Knight has the fans fired up but Lumis slithers in! Knight says he’ll do this again. But Grimes runs in! Lumis sends Grimes into Knight, then URENAGES to the SILENCE! Grimes is in the hold, but Knight jackknife covers Lumis! Lumis is ELIMINATED!! Fans boo as Knight gets another sneaky win over Lumis, and Knight rubs it in!

But then Swerve KNEES Knight! Grimes scoops for a SWINGING SLAM! Reed drops the SENTON! Cover, Knight is ELIMINATED!! And that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life, dummy! Knight wants the ref to reconsider, but Lumis gets Knight in the SILENCE!! Finally, Knight stops talking as he passes out! Night-night, Knight. Grimes, Swerve and Reed are the final three and Swerve CHPOS Reed! Reed CHOPS back, but Grimes SUPER FOREARMS! Grimes and Swerve throw forearms, Reed gets in on that and he CHOPS Grimes! Grimes SUPER FORERMS Reed, CHOPS Swerve, but Swerve CHOPS Grimes! Reed CHOPS Swerve, Grimes SUPER FOREARMS!

Swerve ROCKS Grimes, elbows Reed, ducks and Grimes ROUNDHOUSES Reed! Swerve throws Grimes, gator rolls, but Grimes suplexes and Reed caches Swerve! Grimes SUPERKICKS Reed, but Swerve hits the COPMLETE SSHOT on Grimes! Reed falls on both men!! All three men are down and fans are thunderous! Swerve kicks Reed from the mat, and Grimes wants the partnership to start up again. They go after Reed together with forearms and knees, but Reed just eggs them on! Swerve throws a haymaker, Grimes KICKS, but Reed is up to fire off CHOP after CHOP! Reed runs, but into BOOT AND SUPERKICK! He keeps going and CLOBERS them!

Reed keeps running, but into Grimes’ COLLISION COURSE! But a HOUSE CALL gets Grimes! Swerve half nelson but Grimes switches to O’Conner! Swerve turns that to his own, with tights, and Grimes is ELIMINATED! Now Swerve has an elimination and the money! But he still has to get through Reed! Reed and Swerve circle, fans are thunderous, and they feel out the grapple. Swerve fires off body shots but Reed shoves Swerve. Swerve gets up but Reed CLOBBERS him! Reed climbs up top, Swerve gets up to run and RYDER KICK Reed first! Swerve climbs up and brings Reed out for an APRON POWERSLAM!!! The ref checks on Reed but somehow he’s okay!

Swerve looms over Reed as fans still lose their minds. Swerve gets Reed into the ring, then climbs up top for the 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Reed lives and Swerve can’t believe it! Swerve pushes Reed around, dares him to get up, but then hits a HOUSE CALL! Swerve likes that Reed gets up again, and hits another HOUSE CALL! Swerve drags Reed up, tells him he isn’t taking this from Swerve, but Swerve choke grips! Swerve KICKS and HOUSE CALLS AGAIN!! Cover, TWO?!?! Reed might truly be a kaiju because he’s not human! But Swerve hammerlocks one arm, gets the other and pulls back as far as he can!

Reed throws Swerve away but Swerve SLAPS him! Reed SLAPS back, then POWERBOMBS! Reed brings Swerve right back up for a CRUNCHY!! Reed goes up top and fans are thunderous again, for the TSUNAMI SPLASH!!! Cover, Reed wins!!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall (advances to TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, Night Two)

The Colossal conquers the Gauntlet Eliminator! But will he be ready to crush Johnny Gargano and take the gold from him once and for all? Speaking of, Johnny Gargano walks out on stage to look Reed in the eye as he holds up the title. Will Gargano find a way to survive the Tsunami coming for him?

 

NXT UK Championship: WALTER VS Tommaso Ciampa!

The Ring General has reigned over NXT UK for 770+ days! But having this title for over two years isn’t satisfactory, he must defeat the best competition possible. The Blackheart may not be what he once was, but he’s as good as he ever was! Is that going to be good enough to take this title from Walter?

The introductions are made, the UK Championship is raised, and the biggest test in both men’s careers begins now!

Walter and Ciampa circle as fans rally and duel. Walter eggs Ciampa on and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock but just for a moment before Walter puts Ciampa in a corner. Walter lets off, Ciampa avoids the chop, and fans fire up and duel again. Ciampa gets an arm, wrenches, wristlocks, then hammerlocks. Ciampa spins Walter to a facelock but Walter puts him in another corner. Ciampa and Walter let off but Ciampa headlocks. Walter powers out to run Ciampa over! Ciampa avoids the stomps and chops and kicks back! Fans fire up as they go again, and Ciampa facelocks but Walter put shim in a corner. Walter lets off just to pie face Ciampa, but Ciampa SLAPS Walter!

Ciampa fires off hands then stomps on Walter and fans are fired up! Ciampa shouts, “You wanted the best?! You wanted the Blakcheart!?” Ciampa slaps Walter then runs side to side, into a CHOP! Walter drags Ciampa back up, scoops him and puts him on the top rope to CHOP him again! Walter then climbs up to STAND on Ciampa! Ciampa falls to the apron then the floor! The ref reprimands but Walter paces around. Ciampa slowly gets up, Walter goes out and stalks up to him, but Ciampa elbows Walter! Ciampa forearms, Walter EuroUppers! Walter has Ciampa on the announce desk, talks trash, but Ciampa avoid the CHOP! The desk hood breaks!!

Ciampa BOOTS Walter, ROCKS him and CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! But Walter APRON BACK SUPLEXES Ciampa! Ciampa goes into the ring, Walter gets up but Ciampa KICKS the arm! Ciampa drags Walter through ropes, but Walter powers through to RAM Ciampa into a corner! Walter throws forearm after forearm on Ciampa, lets off as the ref counts, and then comes back, but Ciampa blocks the chop! Ciampa throws forearms, CHOPS, and repeat! Ciampa fireman’s carries but Walter is too big! Walter gets Ciampa’s head and turns him, but Ciampa pulls the fingers! Ciampa KICKS the arm, Kowata Kick style!

Ciampa waistlocks Walter, but he can’t get Walter up. Walter buckles Ciampa off then BOOTS him down! Walter clutches his arm, grimaces at Ciampa, and stomps him down! Fans rally and duel, Walter gets Ciampa’s legs and turns him for the HALF CRAB! Ciampa endures, Walter sits deep, then shifts to an STF! The bad arm makes that difficult, Ciampa fights up and out, but Walter BOOTS him again! Ciampa goes to ropes, Walter stalks over and looms over him. Walter stands on Ciampa’s head but the ref counts. Ciampa flounders out of the ring, Walter waits on him, and Walter grabs him for a DEADLIFT SUPLEX! Ciampa flounders again but Walter kicks him around.

Walter eggs Ciampa on, kicks him more, but Ciampa smirks. Ciampa CHOPS, Walter KNEES him down! Walter sits Ciampa up to DECK him with a forearm! Walter toys with Ciampa as fans duel, but Ciampa gets up. Walter reels Ciampa in but Ciampa dodges to clothesline! Walter wobbles, Ciampa clotheslines again! And again! And again! Walter is still up but Ciampa runs to LARAIT! Walter is still up, Ciampa goes again and leaps for a BIG LARIAT! NXT goes picture in picture as Ciampa fires off on Walter at the ropes! Ciampa keeps trying but Walter is still up, so Ciampa BLINDSIDES Walter then runs again! And again! And again! Ciampa just keeps going!

Ciampa is still giving clothesline after clothesline, pinballing Walter around but not knocking him over! Just how long can both men keep going?! Ciampa has Walter literally on the ropes as the clotheslines just keep coming! Ciampa goes but Walter CHPOS him down! Ciampa is right back up!? And he CLOBBERS Walter!! Ciampa fireman’s carries and get Walter up for an AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Walter survives and the fans are electric as NXT returns to single picture! “This is Awesome!” but far from over as Ciampa finally catches his breath. Ciampa drags Walter up, reels him in, and underhooks the arms, but Walter resists.

Ciampa throws knees, tries again, but Walter back drops Ciampa up and over to a BRIDGE! Cover, TWO! Ciampa still has the arms! Ciampa underhooks, lifts, FAIRY TALE ENDING!! Cover, TWO!?!? Walter survives and no one can believe it! Ciampa goes to ropes but so does Walter. Fans duel as Ciampa KNEES Walter! Ciampa runs again but Walter gets him for a SLEEPER! Ciampa resists, pries the hold and bends fingers! Walter does his best with one arm, using his own head for leverage! Ciampa gets the ropebreak but Walter GERMAN SUPLEXES and LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa lives and Walter can’t believe it! Walter drags Ciampa up, reels him in, but Walter is dead weight.

Walter still gets Ciampa up, but Ciampa wrenches and BITES Walter’s hand! Walter KCIKS Ciampa in the back, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Walter tries again but Ciampa gets the arm! FUJIWARA with finger bending! Walter scrambles, Ciampa keeps hold, but Walter gets the ropebreak with a foot! The ref counts, Ciampa CRANKS but lets off at 4! Ciampa stomps and kicks Walter at the ropes, lets off at 4 to then hammer away with fury! The ref counts again, Ciampa lets off again, and Walter goes to the apron. Ciampa drags Walter through ropes but Walter hotshots him away! Walter climbs back up, stands Ciampa up, and CLUBS him a la Sheamus’ Bodhrain!

The ref counts, Walter stops but Ciampa CLUBS Walter’s hand over and over! Walter HEADBUTTS Ciampa down! Fans duel as hard as ever as Walter climbs. Ciampa CHOPS him first! Ciampa climbs up, but Walter gut wrenches! Ciampa resists, gets Walter up and hits a SUPER AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Walter survives again and Ciampa can’t believe it! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” now as the two slowly sit up. Ciampa stands first, and he CHOPS Walter! And CHOPS! Walter wobbles, Ciampa runs to CHOP! Walter seethes, so Ciampa CHOPS again! Ciampa CHOPS but Walter powers through it!? And CHOPS again! Ciampa CHOPS, Walter CHOPS, it’s a CHOP fight!

Ciampa gets the edge with the CHOP, but Walter catches one to SLAM Ciampa down! Ciampa bridges, Walter sits on him, TWO as Ciampa bridges again! Walter STOMPS Ciampa in the chest, and uses his feet to CRANK the neck!! Walter gets Ciampa up for a WALTER BOMB!! Walter flips Ciampa around to get him back up, for another WALTER BOMB!! High stack cover, TOW!?!?! The Blackheart proves he’s not human and the fans are thunderous again! Ciampa gets up, Walter is there and reel shim in for a SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Ciampa staggers up into a CHOP! Cover, Walter wins!!

Winner: WALTER, by pinfall (still NXT UK Champion)

The Blackheart is back, but even that wasn’t enough to finally topple the Austrian Anomaly! But Walter only wins so that he can be challenged again at tomorrow’s NXT UK Prelude! He bested Ciampa in the Capitol Wrestling Center, but will Walter still have enough to survive Rampage Brown in the BT Sports Studio?

 

Franky’s Pomeranian is on the loose again.

And this time, the pup knows exactly where to find her. She’s in the Performance Center’s ring! Franky Monet will finally show her face this Tuesday as NXT makes the move!

 

Vacated NXT Tag Team Championships Triple Threat Tag: MSK VS Grizzled Young Veterans VS El Legado del Fantasma!

While it is unfortunate for Danny Burch to go down with an injury while he and Oney Lorcan were still champions, this is now a huge opportunity for these three teams! Carter & Lee already won the Dusty Cup, will they get to add the titles to their stellar resumé? Will Zack Gibson & James Drake become the first team to have held both NXT UK and prime NXT Tag Team Championships? Or will Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde join Santos Escobar in being champions among champions?

The introductions are made, the belts are on display, and one way or another, NEW champions will be crowned as one team will stand & deliver!

This style of Triple Threat allows for each team to have a man in, so Wilde, Gibson and Lee step up. Fans are fired up already as Lee rushes Gibson but Wilde waistlocks him. Wilde shoves Lee into Gibson, then body shots Lee hard! Wilde talks trash, drags Lee up and throw shim, then kicks him. Tag to Mendoza, they mug Lee and CHOP him! Legado double whip, double elbow and throw Lee to ropes! Gibson runs but into a DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER, and Legado splits the wishbone! Legado DOUBLE FLAPJACKS Lee then double basement dropkicks! Fans duel as Mendoza covers but Gibson breaks it! Gibson back suplexes Mendoza down, then goes after Lee’s arm!

Lee fights, Gibson lifts Lee with one arm, then drops him down. Lee forearms and boots but is put on the apron! Carter tags in, Lee ENZIGURIS, then holds Gibson in for Carter’s BRONCO BUSTER! But Mendoza runs in to CLOBBER Carter, and he drags Gibson up. Gibson ROCKS Mendoza, DECKS Wilde, then tags in Drake. GYV whip, dropkick and basement dropkick Mendoza, then MAYHEM IN MOTION on Wilde! GYV are fired up, but Carter gets in, dodges and crossbodies Gibson! Drake CLOBBERS Carter, keeps him from Lee and covers, TWO! Drake sneers as he drags Carter up for big haymakers.

Carter ends up in the GYV corner, Drake talks trash and throws heavy hands! The ref reprimands and counts as Drake stomps away but he lets off. Carter throws a body shot, then another, but Drake elbows him down! Drake stomps Carter, drags him around and covers, TWO! Drake grows frustrated, clamps onto Carter with a chinlock and grinds him down. Carter endures, fights up, but Drake DECKS him! Drake paces around, taunts Drake, then BOOTS Wilde off the apron! Drake drags Carter up, scoops him and SLAMS him! Cover, TWO! Drake calls to Gibson, Lee coaches Carter, but Drake DECKS Carter again!

Drake pulls Carter’s hair, fish hooks his face, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Drake suplexes but Carter slips out ot tag in Lee! MSK fires off with kicks on Drake, then enziguris to DOUBLE STOMP! Carter goes out, tags in and Lee sets up, it’s MSK IN MOTION and Carter takes out both Grizzled Young Veterans! But Mendoza BLASTS Lee! Wilde and Mendoza coordinate, and TORNILLO TOPE COMBO!! Legado take down everyone and their fans are all fired up! Wilde puts Carter in, tags Mendoza, and then hoists Carter into the Tree of Woe. They stomp away on Carter, then go to adjacent corners. Legado gives Carter BACK2BACK COAST2COAST! Cover, but Gibson breaks it!

Gibson wants Legado to take it easy, it’s all fair in a Triple Threat. Legado stomp him down instead! Legado whip Gibson out of the ring! The ref sorts things out as NXT goes picture in picture.

Mendoza has Carter, snap suplexes then covers, TWO! Mendoza drags Carter up again, Carter throws body shots, then runs, but into a dropkick! Mendoza tags Wilde, Legado coordinates and hip toss SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Wilde rains down furious fists on Carter, drags him back up, and snapmares him for a KNEE to the back! Wilde runs to BASEMENT CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Wilde snarls, taunts Carter, and drags him up while taunting Lee. Wilde bumps Carter on buckles, tags Mendoza, and Mendoza fires off hands on Carter! Mendoza brings Carter around to whip him into the corner as NXT goes single picture! Clothesline and tag, then Wilde repeats the process!

Mendoza runs, clothesline and tag, then Wilde runs to clothesline and tag! The Legado loop continues, fans are fire dup, and then Legado double suplex! Mendoza LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Carter survives all that and Drake rolls Mendoza up! TWO!! Mendoza knees low, throws Drake away, then goes after Carter. Drake clobbers Mendoza, gets Carter, but Carter elbows free! Hot tag to Lee, he SUPER FOREARMS Drake! Uppercut for Mendoza, boot for Wilde, kicks for everyone else! Lee gives Drake body shots and a kick then snapmare, basement dropkick! Then he DIVES to take out Gibson, a nd gets in to FLY onto Legado!

Lee goes up and in and handsprings to PELE Drake down! Tag to Carter, MSK coordinates for the PUSHING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Drake survives but Carter hauls him up. Drake fights free, Lee tags in, but Gibson CLOBBERS him! Drake fights Carter off, Gibson has lee up, but Carter KNEES Drake down! Lee fights free to RANA Gibson down! Wilde ROCKS Carter, feeds him to Mendoza’s ANARCHY! Lee runs in, dodges Legado and QUEBRADAS to DOUBLE REVERSE DDT! Drake runs into Lee’s EXPLODER! Lee climbs but Gibson THROAT CHOPS him down! Gibson gets Lee’s hand stuck through a buckle pad?! Drake says GRIT YOUR TEETH, and hits the bad arm!!

Gibson tags in, he drags Lee in, HAMMERLOCK TAKEDOWN! And then SHANKLY GATES!! Lee endures, Drake keeps Carter away with a sleeper! Carter is fading, but he blocks Lee’s hand from tapping out!! Lee sees Carter going out, Gibson TWISTS the arm more! Mendoza SHOTGUNS Gibson! ROUNDHOUSE for Drake! Fireman’s carry and Wilde uses him as a boost to SPLASH Gibson! Mendoza SAMOAN DROPS Drake, and Legado picks the bones of Lee! LEGADO GAMANGIRI LEG SWEEP!! Cover, TWO?!!?? How did Lee live through that?! Legado is furious, but the stomp Carter and Drake down! Wilde has Drake on the ramp, Mendoza chases Carter to the desk.

Gibson trips Wilde up and Drake DECKS him! Mendoza clubs Carter while GYV gives Wilde the GRIZZLED DOOMSDAY DEVICE!! Carter gets Mendoza in a torture rack, Lee gets up, DOUBLE STOMP BURNING HAMMER for Mendoza!! But now it comes down to MSK and GYV, as they’ve both always wanted! Gibson tells MSK to ignore the fans, and it is just a BRAWL!! Gibson dumps Lee out, CLOBBERS Carter, and Drake hurries to get him up! But Carter slips out, uppercuts Gibson and springboards to DOUBLE CUTTER!! Lee hurries back up as Gibson flounders about! Carter tags Lee, MSK coordinates, MUST SEE HART ATTACK! Cover, MSK WINS!!

Winners: MSK, by pinfall (NEW NXT Tag Team Champions)

The boyhood dreams have come true!! More grizzled than the Young Veterans, and a legacy growing faster than Legado del Fantasma’s, and they’re just getting started! And to make it official, William Regal hands them the belts himself! Will it truly be Lee & Carter, MSK All Night and All Day?

 

NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai VS Raquel Gonzalez w/ Dakota Kai!

The Evil Genius was In Your House when she dethroned the Queen of Flair and braved the Nightmare, but that was a Triple Threat. She must face Big Mami Cool 1v1 to prove she is still the best of the best in the best division anywhere, PERIOD. Will she have a plan for the woman who has quite literally thrown her around all of the Capitol Wrestling Center?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and women’s wrestling reigns supreme as we see who reigns over women’s wrestling!

Shirai rushes Raquel but gets put in a corner! Raquel RAMS into Shirai over and over, then lets off as the ref counts, just to carry Shirai and toss her! Shirai lands on her feet but Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel gets Shirai up but Shirai throws hands, Raquel puts Shirai in a corner to stomp away on her, then CLUB her! Raquel grits her teeth, whips Shirai but Shirai RANA- No! Raquel blocks to bring Shirai up! And again! But Shirai heel kicks Shirai then whips, only for Raquel to block. Raquel reverses, runs but hits buckles before Shirai swing kicks her away! Shirai shoulders into Raquel, goes up top and leaps, for a FLYING RANA!

Raquel ends up in another corner, Shirai runs in and CROSSBODIES! Shirai CHOPS Raquel, and CHOPS, and fires up to CHOP! Shirai digs her boots into Raquel, then hits a swinging- NO! Raquel blocks the knees to then carry Shirai! Shirai sunset flips and sends Raquel out of the ring! Shirai builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Raquel hits barriers! Fans fire up as Shirai gets to the ring. But as the ref is busy with Raquel, Dakota goes after Shirai! The ref sees that and EJECTS Dakota!! Captain Kota is furious but now Raquel is up and drags Shirai back. Shirai kicks but the misses, only to mule kick! Shirai then springboards to ASAI MOONSAULT! Both women hit barriers and fans fire up!

Shirai lets off, but Raquel yanks her from the apron to LAWN DART her into the post! Raquel drags Shirai up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Raquel scowls, looms over Shirai and drags her up, to then gut wrench to a Canadian rack! DOMINATOR with a little extra! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives and Raquel seethes. Raquel drags Shirai up, Shirai hits back, but Raquel shoves her. Shirai drop toeholds and dials it up like Rey! But Raquel elbows Shirai away, reels her in, and gets her up to ALLEY OOP her onto ropes! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives and Raquel is losing her cool. Raquel stalks Shirai to the apron, drags her back in and drops an elbow! And another! And another! Cover, TWO!

Raquel drags Shirai up, suplexes, but Shirai fights! Shirai tries a cradle but Raquel powers through to suplex! Shirai slips out and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Raquel blocks to DECK Shirai in return! Raquel drags Shirai back up, gut wrenches again, and gets Shirai into a modified Gory Especial! Shirai endures as Raquel pulls on the arms! Shirai fights but Raquel flips her back throughs. Shirai bobs ‘n’ waves, and SPIKE-RANAS to then STOMP 182! Raquel goes to ropes, Shirai dials it up but still no 619! Shirai arm-drags Raquel back to ropes, 619!! Shirai springboards and missile dropkicks Raquel down!

Shirai fires up, runs and hops on, for a CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Both women are down but fans fire up and duel. Shirai goes up a corner, reaches the top, but Raquel gets her with the one arm! But Shirai shifts to roll her, to a CROSSFACE!! Raquel flails, reaches, but Shirai pulls her back! Raquel keeps moving, kicking with her legs and clawing with one hand! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Shirai lets go, and Raquel goes to the apron. Shirai runs to the corner, goes up and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS Raquel to the ramp! Fans are thunderous again as Shirai gets back to the ring. Shirai won’t settle for the count-out, either, she wants Raquel to get up! Shirai runs in with the SHINKANSEN!!

Raquel is down on the stage and the ref checks on her. Raquel is somehow okay to continue after that bullet train meteora, but where did Shirai go? She’s on top of the SKULL! Shirai LEAPS and CROSSBODIES Raquel down on the stage!! It worked at In Your House, why not here? Fans are thunderous again while both women are still down! Shirai drags Raquel by her hair, clubbing her as they go back to the ring. They get in the ring, Shirai climbs the corner, and OVER THE MOONSAULTS!! Cover, TWO!?!? Raquel survives Shirai’s best move?! “This is Awesome!” and is shockingly still going as far as Shirai is concerned!

A ring count begins but Shirai pursues, only for Raquel to BOOT her down! Raquel drags Shirai up to hit a DESPERADO BOMB to the floor! But Raquel has to win this in the ring! Fans are dueling as hard as ever, Raquel puts Shirai in the ring and stalks her. Shirai sits up and Raquel tells her, “Just stay down, huh!” Raquel drags Shirai up, Shirai SHOTEIS! But Raquel LARIATS Shirai inside-out! Raquel still staggers from that palm strike but she gets Shirai back up. DESPERADO BOMB!! Cover, Raquel wins!!!

Winner: Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Champion)

Shirai wanted to be like Rey Mysterio, but not even the King of Lucha defeated every giant in his path! And that is what happened here tonight! Raquel Gonzalez is now on top of the mountain as THE champion of THE division in the world of wrestling today! Will Shirai come back for more? Or is tonight the beginning of a new era in NXT?


My Thoughts:

What an awesome TakeOver, and what a way to end the Wednesday Night Wars as NXT is moving to Tuesdays! There are things I could be very critical about, because it’s about how WWE has to give Peacock special treatment compared to the USA Network broadcast. Ranting about Peacock is for another article that I won’t write because one day, Peacock could be as good as the WWE Network, so all the gripes will go away on that day. But because this is still a TakeOver, even the kickoff show match is good. Stark getting a surprise win on Storm is great stuff, and I feel like this could start a really good story going into the NXTuesday era.

I really like the interviews we got with Samoa Joe and the big names from tonight. I wonder if Joe will do more of these tomorrow night with Escobar, Devlin, Balor and Kross. One with Balor would be really good because of their rivalry for the NXT Championship. Kushida VS Dunne was a great choice for opener, proved both guys are definitely top technical wrestlers, and Dunne winning was probably the right choice since he spoke up first about being the best technical wrestlers. The Gauntlet Eliminator was badass, but here is one of those cases where Peacock version got the better because you don’t miss Swerve and Ruff brawling before the first bell.

Reed winning was the perfect surprise because I thought Lumis was coming back around to Gargano. It seems Lumis and Knight are starting up a feud, and it is rather fitting. Knight talks enough for both of them, and Lumis’ finishing hold being named “Silence” is the perfect counter to Knight’s personality. Reed has been wanting after Gargano since last year’s North American Championship series, so him getting his chance on perhaps the biggest TakeOver ever is great. I don’t know if Reed wins, but this is the best place for that.

The UK Championship being the middle of the card was interesting, but at the same time, with NXT UK Prelude tomorrow, it was a bit obvious Walter would win. But Walter and Ciampa gave us something akin to Walter VS Bate, and definitely on par with every other UK Championship match since this title was created. The NXT Tag Team Championship Triple Threat was also awesome stuff, especially since it was a true Triple Threat, not one of those “only two at a time” ones. MSK made natural choices given how things were meant to go before Burch’s legit injury coinciding with Lee’s kayfabe one. They’re going to be a big part of the NXTuesday era, he has to be.

And speaking of, Raquel Gonzalez winning the women’s title tonight was an epic surprise. It was an awesome match, maybe could’ve been bigger if Dakota didn’t interfere just to get ejected, but it was quick and early so it’s fine. I’ve been saying before that Shirai losing must mean she’s moving on (hopefully to SmackDown), letting Raquel carry the baton and take on some fresh competition while Sarray builds herself up from debut to eventual title opportunity. This is going to be great stuff from already the greatest women’s division without a doubt, and definitely one of the best divisions bar none.

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?


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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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