Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/4/21)
Bloodlines battle over belts!
SmackDown pits history against history!
Jimmy and Jey want to reign alongside Roman, but they have to get those SmackDown Tag Team titles off Rey & Dominik Mysterio first! Will the Usos put Friday nights back on lockdown?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos; The Mysterios win and retain the titles.
- Carmella VS Liv Morgan; Carmella wins.
- King Corbin VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs; Corbin wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews VS Kevin Owens; Crews wins and retains the title.
- SmackDown Tag Team Championships (redo): Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos; The Mysterios win by disqualification and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
SmackDown opens with Roman Reigns!
The WWE Universal Champion walks out on stage, Paul Heyman carrying the title for him. Heyman hands the belt over so that Roman can hold it up under the pyro. The introductions are made before Roman hands the belt back to Heyman and they go to the ring. Heyman then hands the belt back so Roman can lift it back up and enjoy his second round of pyro. Heyman now hands Roman the mic, and he takes a moment before speaking as the ThunderDome fans boo. “I believe in being very direct about how I’m feeling. Last Friday, by the end of the night, I wasn’t happy.
“But with the counsel of a wise man,” with a wink and nod to Heyman, “and a full week to chew on it, I changed my position on this tag team championship opportunity that my cousins, the Usos, have tonight.” Roman is THE centerpiece of the WWE, but he is a giver. He is allowing this to happen. But to be very clear, Roman tells Jimmy that he said it all last week and is feeling it right now. If Jimmy says they’re going to win, then they better win. As a matter of fact, why waste any more time? There’s a lot on Roman’s plate. Wise Heyman, bring Roman’s cousins out. Heyman shouts to the ring announcer to hit the Usos’ music, the music plays and the Usos make their entrance.
Jimmy & Jey are fired up as they join Roman in the ring and get mics for themselves. Jey says, “OG, Tribal Chief, what up, Uce?” Jimmy isn’t as cordial but Roman tells him it’s his turn to acknowledge him. Jimmy thought he did. Hell in a Cell, when Roman choked him and Jey out. But that’s not what this is about. Tonight is about becoming SEVEN TIME tag team champions! Tonight is about putting SmackDown back on lockdown! Tonight is about making the whole family proud! What we gonna do, Uce? Gon’ get ’em! That’s right! SEVEN TIME champs, coming soon! Roman nods and smirks, and wishes them luck.
Jimmy called their shot, he gets that. Roman does that, too. But Roman gets the job done. So again, if Jimmy says they’re winning, then they better win. And remember, Jey knows this, but their whole family is watching. Get the job done. Bring Roman the titles when it’s over. Oh yeah, Uce! Seven time champs, coming soon! Welcome to the USO! PENITENTIARY!! Roman nods and takes his leave with Heyman following behind. The Usos are ready but here come the Mysterios! Will the first-ever father-son tag team champions lose in only their second defense?
SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos!
SmackDown returns, the teams sort out and Dominik starts against Jimmy. The titles are raised, the bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Dom puts Jimmy in a corner but Jimmy turns it around to headlock. Dom powers out, Jimmy runs him over, and Jimmy fires up. Things speed up, Dom hurdles to dropkick and arm-drag! Dom has an armlock, Jimmy fights up but Rey tags in. The Mysterios double whip and double hip toss! Rey runs and Dom helps out, POWERBOMB SENTON! Cover, TWO! Rey keeps cool and KICKS Jimmy. Rey throws hands, Jey tags in and Jimmy reverses the whip. The Usos double back elbow then double elbow drop! Jey covers, TWO!
Jey drags Rey up, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Jey glares then covers, TWO! Jey runs to a corner and runs back, but the falling headbutt misses! Rey throws hands, whips, but JEy reverses. Rey slides under, tilt-o-whirls and arm-drags Jey into ropes! Jimmy gets to check but Rey gets Jey up for knees. Rey whips, Jimmy tags in and Jey reverses. Flapjack HOTSHOT from the Usos! Jimmy covers, TWO! Roman watches backstage as Jimmy hammers on Rey. Cover, TWO, but Jimmy wraps on a chinlock. Jimmy grinds Rey down but Rey reaches for Dom. Rey fights up as ThunderDome fans rally, and he JAWBREAKERS free!
Jimmy wobbles, but he kicks Rey. Rey blocks but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Cover, TWO! Jimmy grows annoyed but he chokes Rey on ropes! The ref counts, Jimmy lets off, and Jey gets a cheap shot in! Dom protests but there’s nothing he can do. Tag to Jey, the Usos split the wishbone! Jey stays between the Mysterios as he talks trash. Rey bails out, Jey pursues, and Jey gets Rey up for a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Jey hauls Rey into the ring, drags him over, and anchors a leg to tag in Jimmy. Jimmy stomps Rey, digs his boot in, then stomps again! Jimmy sits Rey up and clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, fights up and throws elbows, but Jimmy shoves.
Rey KICKS Jimmy, gets around, but Jimmy goes to ropes. Jey tags in as Jimmy bucks Rey away, Rey dodges Jimmy and DECKS Jey! Rey springboards backwards to get on Jimmy’s shoulders! Rey headscissors Jimmy out of the ring! The Usos regroup as Rey builds speed, and Rey slides, into a fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP to the announce desk! It was double-edge for Jey but the Usos are back on top of things as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Jey is stomping a mudhole into Rey! The ref counts, Jey lets off but then Jey gets in Rey’s face and pulls at the mask! Jey sits Rey up for more stomps, then taunts Dom before running in to HIP ATTACK! Tag to Jimmy, he climbs up and Jey stands Rey up. They coordinate, AX HANDLE BACKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Jey tags back in, the Usos mug Rey, and Jey taunts Rey as he crawls. Jey clamps on a camel clutch then focuses on just the chinlock. Rey endures, fights up, and throws elbows. Rey throws hands, Jey shoves him away but runs into a drop toehold! Jey eats buckles, Rey crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Jimmy and he CLOBBERS Rey!
Jimmy drags Rey away, tags Jey back in, and Jey runs for a FALLING HEADBUTT! Jey stays between the Mysterios again and dares Rey to get up. Rey slowly rises, Jey stands him up and ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jey and Jimmy coordinate, but Rey dodges the splash! Jimmy tags in, Jey keeps Rey cornered, but Rey fights back with elbows and boots! Rey BOOTS Jimmy AND dodges Jey! Jey POSTS himself, Jimmy is down on the apron, and Rey crawls to the far side! HOT TAG! Dom DIVES and takes out BOTH Usos! Dom puts Jimmy in, springboards, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dom hits Jey with a NECKBREAKER! Jimmy mule kicks and stops the rally!
Jimmy whips Dom to a corner, Dom goes up and over and kicks low. Dom knuckle locks, CHOPS, and goes up and up for a FLYING TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives but Dom hasn’t lost focus. Dom goes up the corner, but Jimmy ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jimmy throws headbutts, climbs up to join Dom, and gets Dom up. Dom fights the superplex but Jey tags in! Dom shoves Jimmy and elbows Jey! Dom leaps but Jimmy goes under! Dom runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and the Usos can’t believe it! Dom gets to ropes, Jey tags in Jimmy. The Usos aim at Dom, but Dom ducks the superkicks! Dom dumps both Usos out!
Rey is there and he LEAPS to Seated Senton Jey! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Rey down! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Dom, but Dom drop toeholds him to ropes! Dom dials it up, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy climbs, aims, USO SPLASH onto knees! Dom gets a victory roll, the Mysterios win?!
Winners: The Mysterios, by pinfall (still SmackDown Tag Team Champions)
Wait, wait, wait! Did Jimmy get out or not? He had a shoulder up on one side, but the side the ref wasn’t watching! Jey saw it, too, but “the referee’s decision is final.” Will the Mysterios be champions much longer with this close of a victory?
Roman is not happy, either. “Bring ’em to me now.” Heyman hurries off while the Usos still argue the controversy. Will justice be served? Or simply the punishments for failure?
SmackDown returns as the Usos talk with Roman.
Jimmy explains that they got cheated! The shoulder was up, and Jimmy knows Roman was watching. Roman shouts, “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!!” To Roman, a loss is a loss. And they lost to a child! Jimmy called his shot but he lost and embarrassed the family! What did Roman say about that? The only thing they’re lucky about is that there’s still time left in the night. So go to Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville, whoever, and correct this mistake. Roman wants this fixed TONIGHT.
And before they go, they need to understand Roman’s position. “You guys are six-time tag team champions, who made the WrestleMania show once. And in less than a year with the Universal Champion, with the Tribal Chief, with the Head of the Table, Jey closed the show, walked out with his head held high, holding our culture, our heritage, our family above his head for the whole world to see.” Does Jimmy understand his position? Roman is looking at Jey… Oh, right. But the way things are going, does it matter anyways? Roman keeps rubbing salt in the wound, but will Jey stand for it much longer?
Kayla Braxton sits down for an interview with Seth Rollins.
She introduces him as a man who has had quite the impression on the WWE Universe lately, and he thanks her for having him. She asks about what he did to Cesaro a couple weeks ago. What explanation does he have for his actions? That is to say, a blindside attack on an already damaged Cesaro, then shouting in Cesaro’s face as he was being stretchered out of the building. Rollins sees the footage and just shrugs. Kayla says Cesaro always comes back and is very resilient, and Rollins stops her there. He sees how she’s faming things. “Please remember: I don’t owe you or the WWE Universe anything. Certainly not my time or an answer to your leading question.”
She admits he has a point there. But this doesn’t take away from Cesaro never giving up or backing down. What will Rollins do when Cesaro returns? Rollins takes the lapel mic off, holds it out to her, then drops it on the floor. In other words, “no comment.” Will he uses his actions to respond whenever it is the Swiss Superman returns to SmackDown?
The Street Profits speak.
“Father and son tag team champions.” The Usos di good, but- Oh, Chad Gable walks over and says he is compelled to advise them on their downward trend. He’s been doing some tape study and it is obvious. The Profits are down. For example, Montez Ford has lost at least 6 inches on his splash. And Dawkins’ “Sky High” spinebuster is more like a grounded median. But just look at what Gable has done for Otis! He can do this for them, too! They need management from an Olympian! Are they ready to unleash their inner alphas? Can Gable get the smoke? Wow he did not just… But how insulting! To think they’d need him. That’s a no from them, fam. A hard one. Will Gable make the Profits pay for passing on his offer?
The Usos find both Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce in the office.
Jimmy & Jey know they saw what they saw! They got CHEATED! The ref ain’t got it right! Yes, yes, there was a mistake. But again, referee decisions are final. Sonya agrees there, but also agrees with the Usos about there being a clear mistake. So they’re going to get a rematch? Well, Sonya and Pearce will review the footage, talk it over, and get back to the Usos before the night is over. Fair enough, right? Alright, so long as management makes it right. Which way will Sonya and Pearce go knowing the Usos and Roman want answers?
Carmella VS Liv Morgan!
Mella is money and always feeling herself. But will the UNTOUCHABLE and self-proclaimed most beautiful woman in all of the WWE have to get ugly to win against the rebel without a riot?
SmackDown returns as Liv makes her entrance. The bell rings and Mella talks trash then pie faces Liv around. Liv chases Mella out of the ring, around the ring, and back into the ring. Liv catches the sneaky stomps and drags Mella out to TOSS her into barriers! The ring count starts, Liv gets Mella up to THROW her again! Liv refreshes the count, dribbles Mella off the apron, and then taunts her before giving one last bump! Liv puts Mella in the ring at 6 of 10, but Mella goes to the other side of the corner. Liv storms over but into a kick to her leg! Mella then gets Liv with a mule kick to the face! Liv flounders to the corner, Mella talks trash and throws elbow after elbow!
Mella lets off as the ref counts, and she brings Liv up to snapmare. Cover, ONE! Mella is annoyed and talks more trash as she pie faces again. Mella whips Liv to a corner but Liv reverses. Liv runs in to back body block, then goes again, Mella dodges but Liv gets her for a WING SNAPPER and a BOOT into buckles! Liv fires up, runs and goes up the corner to STOMP Mella down! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps going, but Mella dodges ObLIVion and throws Liv down! Liv flounders up into Mella’s drop toehold! Mella floats to the CODE OF SILENCE! Liv taps, Mella wins!
Winner: Carmella, by submission
Mella calls the ring announcer over to add “the most beautiful woman in all the WWE” to her title. Looks aside, will Mella look to go back after the title soon enough?
The Mysterios are heading out.
They have their luggage ready but Pearce and Sonya find them just before they get to the door. Pearce explains that going over the footage again and again made it clear, the ref made a mistake. That match shouldn’t have ended that way, and the Usos deserve another shot. The titles will be on the line again, tonight. Seriously? Yes. Dom’s fine with that. Rey goes with Dom on this one, and they head back to the locker room. Will the Mysterios make sure they get a more definitive win over Jimmy & Jey this time? Or will the Usos redeem themselves in the eyes of Roman?
Bianca Belair heads to the ring!
The SmackDown Women’s Champion gets a mic to say, “Ever since I beat Sasha Banks and won this title at WrestleMania, Bayley has been so pressed.” But the only thing Bayley’s done about it is laugh. So you’d think Bayley would realize that the fans aren’t laughing with her, they’re laughing at her. And what is so funny? Bianca will admit that Bayley’s laugh is getting to her. And that in itself is funny. Do we really think Bayley is the first person to try her? Gurl, uh-uh. People have been keeping her down since she was three feet tall. They want her to shrink herself to help their own insecurities. They’ve been playing mind games, saying she’s doing too much and showing off.
Oh and let’s not forget when some would say she was “mannish” for being muscular and athletic. But guess what? Bianca left all those people in the dust as she won trophy after trophy and championship after championship. So yeah, Bianca’s dealt with teasers, doubters and bullies. But after it all, Bianca has never had anyone laugh at her. “That’s utter disrespect, and I’m not standing for that.” This is what Bianca proposes to Bayley: If Bayley can’t stay fresh her whole life, but if she’s that committed, then BET. Bianca wants Bayley to take her cackling self to HELL IN A CELL, and then we’ll see who laughs last! So Bayley, what’s good?
Bianca waits, watches the ringside area for any ambushes, but still no Bayley. We don’t have all night! What’s Bayley going to do about the challenge? Bayley laughs and laughs and laughs. But where is she? Oh, now she’s on the titantron! DING DONG, HELLO~! You want Bayley to go out there? When is Bianca going to learn that the whole world doesn’t revolve her? Bayley’s been laughing at people like that her whole life! And she’s obviously not at the ThunderDome, she’s here via satellite! Bayley has her Wall of Bayley, where she goes to clear her mind and find peace so that she doesn’t go blabbing her mouth like some people she knows.
But if Bianca wants to clear her conscience and have a fair rematch, Bayley accepts. Then Bayley will win, and laughing. But not alone! Bayley laughs and laughs again, but Bianca holds up her belt. Wait, the ThunderDome screens are being hijacked by Bayley! Who’d Bayley pay to do that for her? But will Bayley be laughing much longer with Hell in a Cell on the horizon?
The Street Profits talk again.
Bayley is always getting at Bianca. But now Otis comes storming in? The Dozer says they’re out of line. Gable is trying to help them and yet they mock him? They need to apologize! Whoa, Otis, they aren’t letting anyone tell them what they need to do. Ford says to calm it down and handle this like adults. The Profits don’t owe anyone an apology. But Otis, Gable is holding you back! What has Otis really done since he and Gable teamed up? Maybe Otis should get a refund. Otis SLAPS Ford and SHOVES Dawkins down!! The Dozer is dedicated to a dangerous degree! Will the Profits get back up to knock these “alphas” down?
King Corbin VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs!
The Wolf King and the King of Strong Style are tied 1-1, and the crown is still with Nakamura! With his electric guitar playing bard still by his side, will Nakamura once again rock Corbin and roll in style?
The bell rings and Corbin rushes Nakamura. They tie up, go around the ropes and end up in a corner. Corbin fires off body shots and haymakers, the ref counts and Corbin argues with him. Corbin glares at Boogs, runs in but Nakamura dodges to ENZIGURI! Nakamura puts Corbin up for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Cover, ONE!! Corbin ROCKS Nakamura, gets him up for a TWO HAND SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Corbin rains down fists on Nakamura, but swings into an ARMBAR! Nakamura pulls but Nakamura scrambles around. Corbin gets a ropebreak, the ref counts and Nakamura lets off fast. Nakamura KICKS Corbin, throws knees, and gets him up.
Nakamura whips, Corbin reverses and runs in but Nakamura dodges. Corbin slides out, DECKS Boogs, then gets in, but into Nakamura’s STO! Cover, TWO! Nakamura aims and kicks but Corbin ducks and throws Nakamura down by his hair! Prawn hold, Corbin wins?!
Winner: King Corbin, by pinfall
The king grabs his crown, but Boogs anchors Corbin’s feet! Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES Corbin down, and gets the crown back again! Nakamura puts the crown back on and Boogs plays him off! Will we ever get to the bottom of who is the rightful ruler of SmackDown’s kingdom?
Kevin Owens is preparing backstage, as Azeez attacks!
With the commander banned from ringside, he’s getting in the screwjob early! Azeez rams Kevin into the wall, bounces him off a road case, then rams a road case into Kevin! The refs and officials rush in before a Nigerian Nail can finish Kevin off! Apollo passes by, smiling and laughing, will he even have to defend his title now?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews VS Kevin Owens!
SmackDown returns and Apollo is already in the ring. He is still all smiles, thinking he’ll win by forfeit now. Kevin’s music still plays, and Kevin still walks out! Kevin wants to #JustKeepFighting, but will he #StunTheWorld by overcoming what Azeez just did to him?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the fists start flying! Apollo throws body shots and then stomps Kevin down! Apollo scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kevin sputters as he goes to a corner but Apollo drags him out to stomp him more. Apollo gets Kevin up, kicks and throws hands then stomps a mudhole. The ref counts, Apollo lets off, and Kevin kicks back! Apollo ROCKS Kevin, and snap suplexes! Cover, ONE!! Kevin is tough but Apollo digs elbows into the ribs! Apollo drags Kevin up, whips but Kevin blocks. Apollo kicks and CLUBS Kevin, whips again, and kitchen sink knees Kevin down! Apollo grins and looms over Kevin as Kevin sputters and gasps.
Apollo gets Kevin up, reels him in for body shots, but Kevin CHOPS back! Apollo kicks low and Kevin goes to a corner. Apollo wrenches, whips corner to corner hard, and Kevin bounces off buckles! Kevin writhes as so much of his body hurts, but Apollo paces around him. Apollo is a shark with blood in the water, or perhaps a vulture picking at the bones. Apollo gets Kevin up to throw body shots, whips Kevin to ropes, but Kevin kicks back and CLOBBERS Apollo! BACK SENTON! Apollo gasps now as he gets to ropes. Kevin runs over and gets Apollo up to whip, but the ribs affect the pop-up! Apollo mule kicks the ribs!
Apollo runs but Kevin dumps him out! Kevin hurries to get back up, and build speed?! But the ribs hurt just from hitting ropes that hard! Kevin goes to the apron and Apollo trips him up! Kevin hits apron, Apollo hits an OLYMPIC SLAM to the floor! Apollo gloats and Kevin gasps while SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Apollo RAMS Kevin into a corner! Kevin flounders and rolls, Apollo takes his time stalking Kevin so he can soak up the heat. Apollo stomps Kevin, gets him up, whips him to ropes and KNEES him against the ropes! Apollo throws hands, gets Kevin up, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Kevin writhes his way to ropes, but Apollo drags Kevin up. Kevin throws hands but Apollo kicks low and CLUBS him down. Apollo gets Kevin up for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Apollo gloats again as he stalks Kevin to ropes. Apollo gets Kevin up to waistlock for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but Apollo dares him to keep trying.
Kevin slowly rises, Apollo waistlocks again, but Kevin standing switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Kevin still has power despite his bad ribs! But he might have paid for it as he’s slow to stand up. Kevin throws haymakers and forearms but Apollo RAMS him into another corner. Apollo hoists Kevin up top, climbs up to join him, but Kevin holds off the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, and even headbutts, and Apollo falls back! Kevin adjusts, for a SWANTON BOMB onto knees! Apollo was ready, and he ENZIGURIS Kevin, into a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but Apollo hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!
Kevin is still in this and Apollo is growing frustrated. Apollo goes to a corner, climbs up top, and FROG SPLASHES but flops! Kevin SUPERKICKS from a corner! And then dodges Apollo to POST him! SUPERKICK again! Whip and POP-UP POWEBOMB!!! But Kevin has to crawl to the cover, TWO!! Apollo lives and Kevin is furious! But Kevin gets to the apron. The ribs slow him down as he tries to climb, but he fights through the pain. Apollo bails out to the apron but Kevin just adjusts course. Kevin throws hands from above, only for Apollo to fireman’s carry! APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Apollo shoves Kevin to a cover, and wins!
Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
The Pride of Nigeria may have won, but it took this much to do it, and that includes Azeez’s ambush! What will it take for anyone to have a fair fight with Apollo?
Sami Zayn runs into the ring! HE is the vulture as he gives Kevin a HELLUVA KICK! “Doesn’t feel good, does it, huh?! You’re already hurt, and then someone comes along and makes it worse!” That’s what Kevin did to Sami! Sami says he didn’t just kick Kevin, KARAM kicked Kevin!! But Sami isn’t done, he stomps Kevin down! Will Sami and Kevin ever settle things?
The Street Profits again try to have a conversation.
Otis just walks up and says they disrespected Gable, but Gable is the one being disrespectful. Otis wasn’t feeling their advice so there’s only one thing left to say: The Alphas better stay away and mind their own business. Because it doesn’t matter what kind of bulldozer or crane or whatever Otis thinks he is, they’re going to send him back to the dump, along with his partner, where they both belong. The Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke. Will Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins look to tear down the Alpha Academy to get back to the titles?
SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos!
Twice on one Friday night, all because management wants to make it right! Jimmy & Jey got Sonya and Pearce to hear them out, and we settle score based on the controversial call! Will this be when lucky number seven becomes a reality? Or will the historic father-son duo finish it definitively?
The introductions are made again, the titles are raised again, and one way or another, someone’s walking out of here with the tag titles!
Dom and Jimmy start again in a true restart of the first time around. The bell rings and the fists start flying! Dom backs Jimmy down, whips but Jimmy reverses to CLOBBER him! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! A third try, ONE and referee Charles Robinson is watching the shoulders carefully. Jimmy CHOPS Dom to the corner, tags in Jey, and Jimmy digs his shoulder in so Jey can hit a forearm smash! Jey brings Dom around to scoop and SLAM! Jey covers, ONE! Jey shoves Dom to the corner, Dom hits back and hits Jimmy, too! Dom swings but Jey dodges and back suplexes to a NECKBREAKER!
Dom bails out but Jey builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the desk! The Usos are on top all over again as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again and Jey rains down furious fists on Dom! Dom can only guard but Jey goes for a cover, TWO! Jey snarls and he clamps on a chinlock. Jey squeezes tight and thrashes Dom around but Dom endures. Rey coaches Dom and the ThunderDome fans rally. Dom fights up, throws body shots and gets free, only for Jey to ROCK him with an uppercut! Jey gets Dom up and whips him, but Dom reverses to a wheelbarrow that sends Jey into buckles! Dom crawls for his corner, Jey crawls for his, hot tags to Jimmy and Rey! Rey dodges, hits Jey and then rallies on Jimmy! Rey whips, Jimmy reverses but Rey dodges and springboards for a CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!
Rey throws hands, whips again but Jimmy holds ropes to elbow Rey back. Jey tags in and gets Rey in position. Jey brings Rey up, Jimmy tags back in, but Rey RANAS Jey! Jimmy rolls Rey up, but Rey rolls through to KICK Jimmy out! Rey WRECKS Jimmy with a dropkick, then builds speed. SLIDE and SPLASH hits this time! Dom coaches Rey up as he and Jimmy go to the ring. Jimmy is in at 5 of 10, but Jey rushes Rey! Rey dodges and Jey gets post! Rey hurries back in and up the corner to hit a FLYING RANA! Jimmy staggers into ropes, Rey CLUBS him then dials it up! 619!! Dom wants in and Rey gives the tag!
Dom climbs up like Latino Heat, but ROMAN REIGNS gets in!? And SUPERMAN PUNCHES Dom down?!?
Winners: The Mysterios, by disqualification (still SmackDown Tag Team Champions)
Roman shouts, “What do you think this is?!” but Rey goes after Roman for that attack on Dom! Roman shoves Rey away to then SPEAR him down!! The Tribal Chief just ruined his cousins’ chances, just because he assumes they were going to lose! Roman is upset that they’re embarrassing the family, but he makes Rey pay by TOSSING him out of the ring! Roman goes out, sees Dom getting back up, and RAMS him into steel steps! Roman drags Rey up to RAM him into barriers! Dom gets up only for Roman to THROW him into barriers! Roman goes back for Rey and gets steel steps! Roman sees Dom getting up and tells Rey to watch what happens to his boy! STEEL STEP BATTERING RAM!
Roman goes back to Rey, and RAMS him with the steps! The ref shouts at Roman to stop this but he drags Rey up to toss him OVER the barriers! Roman storms back over to where he left Dom, gets him up and throws haymakers over and over! Roman gets Dom up, puts him in the ring, and scowls at Jimmy as he rains down fists on Dom! Heyman can’t even bring himself to watch but the Usos gets back in the ring. Roman drags Dom up into the GUILLOTINE! Dom flails but he’s turning red as he fades out! Jimmy says that’s enough, Roman’s made his point. Roman refuses to let Dom go until he is satisfied. Jimmy tells Jey they should get going. “Not like this, bruh.”
Jimmy exits, Roman seems offended that Jimmy would even suggest this. Jey is heading for the ropes but Roman gets in his face first. Roman is questioning Jey’s loyalties, and Jey is frozen in place. Roman goes back to raining fists down on Dom! Jey just watches as Roman dead lift POWERBOMBS Dom!! Roman’s brutality knows no bounds, will it scare Jey into obedience?
My Thoughts:
What a wild episode for SmackDown this week. It was rather clever for them to have the SmackDown Tag title match open the show just so there could be a way to have it still main event, too. With Roman being a tyrant, it makes sense that he wouldn’t accept excuses as well as demand the Usos do something about it. I find it surprising that management went with it, but I do get that Sonya wanted to use this moment to undermine Pearce again. Both the opener and the main event were great matches, even though Roman “ruins” the main event just because it looked like the Mysterios were winning. He doesn’t know if Jimmy was going to take the frog splash, or if Jey wasn’t going to make the save, but this could still be Roman refusing to let anyone else in the family have a spotlight. This also furthers that Roman VS Jimmy is coming, and Jey’s loyalty will be tested.
With all the releases, Ruby Riott included, Liv Morgan has no choice but to go solo again. I would’ve thought for that reason, they’d give her a better showing against Carmella, but nope. Mella comes out the winner, she’ll be waiting on the other side of HIAC and face Bianca for the title, I’m sure of it. Bianca’s promo was a bit shaky at first, maybe she wasn’t sure how to go that long without fans there actually cheering her on, but she found her footing. Bayley literally laughing at Bianca and then getting all the screens to be her was strange. Is Bayley becoming SmackDown’s Joker? This might be a weird step for Bayley’s Heel persona. Just put them in the Cell and let them steal the show.
The Profits and the Alpha Academy had perhaps one of the weirder ways of getting into a match with each other. The Profits were just trying to have their conversation style promos but kept getting interrupted. Actually, that much makes it creative. But they could’ve done all of it in one section: both Gable and Otis talk with the Profits about how Gable wants to “help” the Profits; the Profits get upset and make their jokes, Otis gets upset and attacks; match is announced. I fear with all the releases both in-ring and backstage, and whatever reason for it that’s coming down the line, the flaws of Raw are invading SmackDown and dragging it down slowly but surely.
This third Corbin VS Nakamura was the worst of the bunch this week! Yes, we get it! They’re fighting over the crown. Boogs continues to be a great sidekick but he should really be showing that he can compete in the ring. Corbin VS Nakamura needs to finish with the crown officially on the line, in a Ladder Match. Maybe Corbin wins the crown back officially, maybe Nakamura wins it to keep it once and for all and forcing Corbin to change his gimmick again. Maybe someone random takes it away, spurring on a new King of the Ring Tournament, which should happen period. It’d be the thing WWE RawDown has needed to get ratings back up and get fans watching now that they’ll be back on the road. Of course, releasing people cuts down the field considerably…
Rollins’ interview promo was actually well done because it didn’t really go through. Rollins is playing this pseudo politician character very well, and he is certainly going to explode when Cesaro returns. I don’t know how many Cell matches are planned this year, but it’s not like Rollins VS Cesaro has to be in one. But at the same time, if they’re going to have more than a normal match, just going with No Disqualifications seems underwhelming. Roman VS Jimmy has to be a HIAC match to bring things full circle from Roman VS Jey. The world title, Lashley VS McIntyre, doesn’t have to be in the Cell, either, but something on Raw is getting one, and it’s either them or Rhea VS Charlotte.
The Intercontinental Championship could probably be put in the Cell this year. The match was still great, and it was clever for Azeez to get around the ringside ban by attacking backstage, and that was the key to Apollo winning this week. Sadly, with Aleister Black among the released, he could’ve been the way around the ringside ban and he’d get himself in on this title, as he should have a long time ago. Big E is without anything now other than to default back to Apollo, but at least Kevin and Sami have more. I wonder if they’d be the third Cell match and let the other titles be singles matches.
My Score: 8.4/10
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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?
Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; wins and advance to WrestleMania.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; win(s) and advance to WrestleMania.
- Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?
Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.
Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?
Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!
But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!
Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!
Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?
Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!
Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!
Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!
Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.
Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!
Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!
Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!
The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!
Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?
Judgment Day meets backstage.
Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.
The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.
Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?
The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!
Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!
Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission
Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?
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We’re just one step away from the Cup!
Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
- Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?
Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!
The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?
No Contest
What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.
The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.
Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!
Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.
The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!
All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!
Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!
Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!
The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!
Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!
Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!
One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?
The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.
They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.
Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!
The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.
Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!
Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!
But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.
The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!
Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!
Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?
As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!
The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
My Thoughts:
A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.
Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.
My Score: 8.9/10
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