Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (7/12/21)
One last night in the ThunderDome!
Raw prepares for Money in the Bank and a return to the road!
Before Raw says hello to Texas, it must say good-bye to the ThunderDome! And they do that with a Women’s Fatal 4 Way, the WWE US Championship and Lashley VS Woods!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Woods wins.
- Fatal 4 Way: Asuka VS Naomi VS Alexa Bliss VS Nikki ASH; Nikki wins.
- AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Ivar w/ Erik; Ivar wins.
- Omos w/ AJ Styles VS Erik w/ Ivar; Omos wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Sheamus VS Humberto Carrillo; Sheamus wins and retains the title.
- Falls Count Anywhere: Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz; Ricochet wins.
- Rhea Ripley VS Natalya w/ Tamina; Ripley wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE and Raw mourns the loss of “Mr. Wonderful,” Paul Orndoff.
Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston!
The All Mighty WWE World Champion may have put a hurting on Woods inside the Cell, but he completely overlooked the ability of The New Day as a team last week! But MVP and the ladies hype Lashley up at gorilla position. MVP is already planning to party in the VIP Lounge after this, but will Woods take advantage of a furious Chief Hurt Officer?
The bell rings and Lashley goes right after Woods! Lashley gets a leg, trips Woods up, then gets him again for a waistlock and SLAM! Lashley taunts Kofi but Woods gets up to waistlock and headlock back. Lashley powers out, Woods slides under and headlocks again. Lashley powers out again, Woods holds ropes and boots him back! Woods runs to kick a leg out, then uses Lashley as a step for a back senton! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps on Lashley with a facelock and he throws in knees. Woods fires off hands, Lashley shoves and scoops Woods to TOSS him out to the floor! Lashley goes out after Woods and stares Kofi down.
Lashley gets Woods up, gorilla press to TOSS at the steel steps! Woods smacks face first off them, and MVP talks trash on Woods while Kofi and Lashley stare down. The Rocky Mountain Machine is rolling as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Lashley fires off hands on Woods in a corner. Lashley RAMS his shoulder in again and again, but lets off as the ref counts 4, so he can run and RAM into Woods again! Woods writhes, the ladies are fired up on the stage, and Lashley puts Woods in another corner. Lashley runs in to RAM Woods again! Woods falls, MVP talks trash and Lashley is fired up, but he runs into buckles! Woods SUPERKICKS Lashley but Lashley stays on his feet! Lashley scoops Woods, but Woods makes it a tornado DDT! Kofi is fired up as Lashley bails out, and Woods grits his teeth as he gets back up. Woods builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Lashley!
Kofi is all fired up with Woods and Woods gets Lashley in the ring. Woods gets Lashley up, Lashley holds ropes and Woods loses grip. Lashley puts Woods on the apron but Woods GAMANGIRIS back! Woods climbs, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Cover, TWO! But to a CROSSFACE! The ladies panic but Lashley fights up, and turns crossface to SIDEWALK SLAM! Lashley hobbles and leans against ropes while MVP coaches him up. Lashley snarls as he aims at Woods, and he clamps onto Woods’ face to throw him down! Woods gets up in a daze but Lashley gut wrenches him to a Canadian rack. Woods slips out, but runs into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!!
Lashley gets Woods up, gut wrench and DOMINATOR! But Lashley won’t end it here, he wants to remind us why he’s leader of the Hurt Business! Lashley hauls Woods up, throws him out, then starts to smile as he brings Woods up again. Fireman’s carry, and Lashley POSTS Woods on the run! Lashley leaves Woods behind just long enough to refresh the count. Lashley puts Woods in the ring, drags him into a corner, and then aims from the other end. Lashley runs in and SPEARS Woods down! But Lashley is still not done making Woods suffer! Lashley looms over Woods as he writhes, drags him back up, but Woods cradle counters, WOODS WINS?!?
Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall
Lashley’s arrogance and Woods’ resilience get the biggest upset in ThunderDome history! The All Mighty World Champion is in disbelief! Is this proof that Kofi is right? Is Lashley getting soft under MVP’s guidance? Will Kofi make this happen again at Money in the Bank?!
Backstage interview with MVP.
Lashley was seen leaving the building, does MVP have an idea where he’s going? Yes, Lashley has left the building, but it isn’t the big deal they’re making it. Relax, rumor mongers, the champ just needs to blow off some steam. MVP guarantees that Lashley will be back for tonight’s VIP Lounge. Whatever is ailing Lashley can be fixed with some positive vibes and champagne. But is this the night where it all starts to fall apart for the champion?
Jinder Mahal again arrives on his motorcycle.
Veer and Shanky are there to greed the Modern Day Maharaja again, and present him with Drew McIntyre’s claymore sword. But will the Scottish Warrior come looking for them?
Alexa Bliss smiles.
What an exciting night! She’s facing some of her very best friends in tonight’s Fatal 4 Way, but they ALL get to compete in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match live in front of the WWE Universe! And think about how much fun she could have with the MITB contract? But Eva Marie interrupts to say that while Alexa is excited, was she ever going to introduce her- er, both Eva and “Doudrop” tonight? Yeah, sorry, forgot. Where are Alexa’s manners? Eva and Doudrop, welcome to the Playground! That’s a good name, Doudrop. It’s fun to say! Doudrop, Doudrop, Doudrop. She should try it! Piper Niven says, “Doudrop,” and Eva doesn’t like that she’s having fun.
But anyway, if “Doudrop” could summarize her time on Raw in one word, what would it be? Eva says she has this: #EvaLutionary. All thanks to Eva. Just like last week’s 8 Woman Tag: all because of Eva. Well uh… Alexa wasn’t asking Eva, she was asking Doudrop since Alexa invited her not Eva, but Eva was like a bonus! Uh, that is unacceptable. Eva tells Alexa to look at her. She is the star of Monday Night Raw, the headliner, and this will be the last time she ever steps foot in this dingy, grubby little “playground.” Eva gets up and sees why Alexa only wanted Doudrop. Now, they are going to go because the #EvaLution deserves better.
Piper has no choice but to go and Alexa mocks how “silly” Eva is being. Will Eva learn the world doesn’t revolve around her soon enough?
The WWE Best Moment of the Year goes to…
Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair! Their historic SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 37 won an ESPY last night, but will this only be the first of many more accolades for The Boss and the EST?
Jinder Mahal heads to the ring!
The Maharaja has Shanky & Veer with him, and surely they have something to say about McIntyre. Will McIntyre have something to say to them? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Mahal says he has had time to reflect. He may have taken things too far with McIntyre from taking his family heirloom. McIntyre has taken opportunities from Mahal without remorse, and that is okay. But McIntyre probably hasn’t been able to eat, sleep or train after what Mahal did. Mahal will extend an olive branch, he will apologize and shake hands with McIntyre, then give the sword back. McIntyre, Mahal is trying to do the right thing, so please come on out. Mahal and his proteges wait, but McIntyre responds on the titantron! McIntyre waves hi and asks how Mahal is doing. Mahal is a tough bastard, a decorated champion, but he is also a liar, so cut the BS!
Mahal says he is offended that McIntyre isn’t trusting him! Think of what they’ve been through together. But if this is how it has to be, that’s fine. Mahal had Veer & Shanky take the sword and have it refinished. Behold the new and improved claymore! Wait, it’s BROKEN! Oh no something must’ve happened! McIntyre knew it’d be like this. This is Raw, Mahal can’t show up with a real car or sword and not expect it to get destroyed. That sword was just a replica! What?! But this is the real one! McIntyre pulled one over on Mahal, but that’s not all! Mahal’s motorcycle surely can’t be a replica. Looks a little delicate, though.
McIntyre tugs on the tail pipe until it goes off, and then he SMASHES the face of it! And then the rims, the mirrors, and even the side of the chassis! Mahal is furious but McIntyre says no worries. It’s nothing a little elbow grease can’t fix. Then he kicks the motorcycle over! Will Mahal escalate things further with McIntyre or let this end now?
Matt Riddle spots Nikki “Ash” backstage.
Whoa, sweet outfit! It reminds him of this show he used to watch with Randy Orton while having bowls of cereal. It was about a bunch of superheroes who- Wait, is Nikki a superhero? She could just fly up the ladder and win the MITB contract! Nikki says she loves superheroes as much as anyone, but she’s only Almost a Superhero. There’s a difference. So no flying just yet. Oh, Riddle gets it. It’s like this one time, where he wanted to be an astronaut, but they told him he can’t go barefoot in space because no oxygen. And he was like, “Bro, I don’t breathe through my feet.” But the real deal breaker was that he wasn’t at NASA, but at the food court at the mall.
Long story short, he was one happy bro at the end of that field trip, if you know what he means. Not really… But she does know she has her match right now! Time to fly to the ring! Wait, she just said she couldn’t fly. Will Nikki be feeling even higher than Riddle as she looks to take one giant leap towards MITB?
Fatal 4 Way: Asuka VS Naomi VS Alexa Bliss VS Nikki ASH!
Raw returns as Asuka makes her entrance, followed by Naomi, and lastly, Alexa. The bell rings and Naomi dropkicks both Nikki and Asuka out! Naomi RAMS Alexa into a corner, rams her shoulder in more, but Alexa ROCKS her with a forearm! Alexa whips, Naomi reverses but Alexa spiders in the ropes to then CROSSBODY back! Cover, TWO! Asuka gets in to DECK Alexa, but Nikki trips Asuka to a jackknife! TWO, and Naomi whips Nikki. Nikki wheelbarrows to victory roll, TWO! Naomi and Asuka fire off Kicks on Nikki and then double dropkick Nikki out! Naomi and Asuka are friends but they’re ready for every woman for themselves!
Naomi runs, slides under, fires off forearms but Asuka gives them back! Asuka fires off palm strikes and fast hands, but Naomi ducks the backhand! Asuka ducks the kicks, but Naomi ducks one, too! DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES! Both women go down and Alexa slithers back in. But so does Nikki! Nikki and Alexa both look to the briefcase overhead, and Nikki powers up her fighting spirit! Alexa just smiles, but Nikki won’t let Alexa touch the mask! Alexa choke grips but Nikki fights out to throat chop and dropkick! Wait, Eva Marie and Piper Niven have appeared on the ramp. Eva must still be bitter about earlier, will she make her presence felt momentarily?
Nikki turns around into Naomi’s dropkick! Asuka clotheslines Naomi but Alexa kicks and DDT’s Asuka down! Cover, TWO!! The Empress of Tomorrow toughs it out, but Alexa just smiles and waves. Piper waves back and Eva is annoyed. Alexa slithers out of the ring and Eva shoves Piper at her. Piper says that was a good DDT. Alexa pats Piper on the shoulder, goes right past her, and stares Eva down. Eva is afraid for good reason, and then Alexa roars at her! Piper CLUBS Alexa, swats her around, and then fireman’s carries for a RUNNING TOSS over the barriers! Piper says everything is alright now, and Eva looks to check. Wait, Alexa disappeared?! Eva panics again as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Asuka KICKS Nikki and Naomi back and forth! SLIDING WIZARD for Nikki, but Naomi blocks the buzzsaw! Asuka blocks Naomi’s kick, gets around to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Naomi ends up in a corner, Asuka hip attacks her down! ROUNDHOUSE for Nikki, then a BULLDOG for Naomi! Cover on Nikki, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Asuka grits her teeth, keeping her eyes on the two opponents left. Naomi boots but Asuka blocks, only for Naomi to ENZIGURI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! Nikki gets up but Naomi fireman’s carries for a TKO! Naomi gets Asuka up to BACK SUPLEX right next to Nikki! Naomi runs to DOUBLE LEGDROP! Cover, TWO!!
Naomi keeps her cool and springboards, only Asuka gets the Flying Chuck! Cover, TWO! Naomi goes after Nikki but Nikki BOOTS her! Nikki goes up, clubs and reels Naomi in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, Asuka breaks it in time! All three women are down, but Nikki rises first. Asuka follows, then Naomi. Nikki dumps Asuka out, dodges Naomi and tilt-o-whirls to a takedown, LA MA- NO! Naomi trips, body scissors, sunsets, TWO! Into the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Nikki endures and Asuka gets Naomi with a BUZZSAW! And ARMBAR!! Naomi endures, Nikki jumps and SEATED SENTONS Asuka! All three women are down again as the ThunderDome fires up!
Naomi gets up in one corner, Asuka is in center, and Nikki goes up top! Nikki leaps to CROSSBODY Asuka down! Cover, Naomi breaks it in time! Naomi drags Nikki up, whips, but Nikki reverses. Naomi ends up on the apron but she ROUNDHOUSES Nikki! But Asuka gets Naomi for a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Nikki gets Asuka in a cradle! Cover, TWO!! Nikki waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, TWO into the ASUKA LOCK!! Nikki scrambles, gets back and out to body scissor and clutch, NIKKI WINS!
Winner: Nikki ASH, by pinfall
She may not be able to fly, but she is rolling towards MITB! Will her fighting spirit be what helps her reach the top and have her golden ticket?
Backstage interview with The Viking Raiders.
Erik & Ivar are ready for their separate 1v1 matches with Styles & Omos, but how are they approaching each of those? Ivar is taking on the arrogant two-time WWE Champion, AJ Styles, who has insulted their way of life! Styles says Vikings are just smelly, barbaric brutes. The truth is, Vikings are some of the most spectacular, rugged and amazing people on the planet! And they have spectacular hygiene. The ladies love Ivar. Tonight, Styles will learn to respect the Viking culture after he gets a phenomenal beating! As for Erik, he has the very, very, very tall task of toppling that colossus, Omos!
Omos would’ve given Bjorn Ironside a fight for the ages, but this is Omos’ first singles match ever! Erik will use this weakness to find a crack in the armor and carve out a victory! Then next week, live in front of the WWE Universe, the Viking Raiders will once again raise those Raw Tag Team Championships above their heads! RAID! RAID! RAID! The battle begins, will Erik & Ivar be rolling into Texas with phenomenal momentum?
AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Ivar w/ Erik!
Raw returns and Styles gets a mic. “Now before the Phenomenal Raw Tag Team Champions put on an absolute clinic, I need to get something off my chest. Ivar, Erik, I said some things about the Vikings that, well, maybe you found offensive. So I wanna apologize. I never should’ve called you guys barbarians. What I should’ve said was that you’re hairy barbarians, uneducated, Salmonella poisoned, infested, never-shoulda-got-off-your-impractical-wooden-boats to come after the Raw Tag Team Champions!”
Styles and Omos like how Styles doubled down, but Styles continues to say, “If you haven’t kept up with what’s going on lately,” well… They’ve been sticking their nose in the champs’ business and cost Styles his chance to be in the MITB match! He was gonna be in it! So tonight, Ivar, Styles will take a leg and break it in the Calf Crusher! Ivar will tap to the Calf Crusher, and after that, Omos will have his first-ever singles match! And Omos will destroy Erik so badly, Erik will wish he never took off that ridiculous horned helmet. And then, at MITB, they will destroy the Viking Raiders limb from limb in their title match, and show everyone why they ARE the Raw Tag Team Champions!
The Viking Raiders finally make their entrance, and the raid begins! The bell rings, Styles fires off on Ivar and whips, but Iva reverses. Styles rolls off Ivar’s back and CHOPS, but Ivar doesn’t flinch! Styles dodges, Ivar rolls off Styles’ back, and styles can’t even understand what happened! Styles kicks but Ivar blocks to ROCK him with uppercuts and haymakers! Ivar has Styles in a corner for more, then lets off as the ref counts. Ivar fires up, goes corner to corner, and BRONCO BUSTERS! Cover, ONE!! Styles gasps but Ivar gets him up to scoop. Styles slips off, waistlocks, but Ivar bucks him away. Ivar runs Styles over with a shoulder!
Ivar runs, but Omos is at the ropes! The ref reprimands, but Styles ENZIGURIS! Styles has Ivar in a corner and stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Styles lets off and runs corner to corner, but Ivar dodges! Ivar runs but Styles dodges, Styles runs but blocks a boot. He puts the leg on ropes to KICK it, then DDT’s Ivar down! Cover, TWO! Styles is frustrated but he pulls Ivar up by his hair to put on a chinlock. Ivar endures, fights up, and arm-drags free! Then he BACK DROPS Styles high and hard! Styles gets up, Ivar scoops him and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Ivar runs to BASEMENT SPLASH! The War Beard is fired up and he gets Styles up for a suplex.
Styles slips out, shoves, but Ivar cartwheels to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Styles survives and Ivar grows frustrated, but Erik keeps him focused. Styles goes to a corner, Ivar runs in, but Styles SUPERKICKS! Styles goes out and prepares the arm, but Ivar gets under the springboard so Styles makes it a sunset flip! ONE, and PELE! Ivar falls into a corner, Styles runs back in, but into a SEATED SENTON! Cover, IVAR WINS!
Winner: Ivar, by pinfall
Omos is shocked as much as Styles, and the Viking Raiders go up 1-0! Can Omos uses his first singles match every to tie the series back up? Or are the Viking Raiders going to be rolling into Texas?
Omos w/ AJ Styles VS Erik w/ Ivar!
Raw returns and the bell rings on the second match! Erik is ready and he rushes in for a waistlock. But he can’t even get Omos off the mat! Omos THROWS Erik away, and then just stares him down. Erik keeps cool, gets up and Omos eggs him on. Omos swings but Erik dodges to kick the leg! And again! And then he throws forearms! Omos shoves Erik down, but Erik comes back, only for Omos to BOUNCE him off! Erik gets to ropes, Omos gets him up, and Omos whips Erik to then scoop. Omos says it’s too easy, but Erik slips off! Erik gets around, KICKS the legs again, but Omso stays up! Omos corners Erik, but Erik BOOTS him back! And leaps, but into a BEARHUG!
Omos thrashes Erik around but Erik endures! Erik digs his elbow into Omos’ face! Omos lets Erik go, steadies himself, and staggers after Erik. Omos gets Erik for a TOSS! Erik gets to a corner, Omos roars and runs in, but only into buckles! Erik fires off fast hands, runs and forearm smashes! And again! Erik ducks and dodges to SHOTGUN KNEE! Omos staggers, Erik runs again but into a COLOSSAL LARIAT! Omos seethes and roars again as he looms over Erik. Omos says he told Erik this would happen. Styles tells Omos to finish this and Omos nods. Omos drags Erik up with both hands, for a COLOSSAL SLAM!! Cover, Omos wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
First singles match ever, first singles win ever! The teams go into MITB tied, but the tag titles will decide it all! Will the champions still be phenomenal? Or will the raid succeed in taking the gold?
Sheamus talks with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville.
He wants them to save the pleasantries. He knows what they’ve been saying on his voicemails. “Defend your title or there will be consequences.” Do they even care about their superstars? Do they care that his face is still smashed to pieces?! Is this a joke, Sonya? Do you want to laugh at him? He’ll explain that his nose is broken but no one cares! They only want to give the man who did this to him a title match! Well, here Sheamus is, ready to fight. Good. So we’re all on the same page? Yeah, they’re on the same page. Sheamus heads out, but will the Masked Fella humble Humberto and get payback for the busted nose?
The New Day is fired up!
And Lucha House Party walks over to congratulate Woods on the win over Lashley. Woods congratulates them over their win against Mace & T-Bar. How is the SummerSlam party coming? They’ve been scouting out great locations, but there’s still work to be done. Good luck at MITB, Kofi! Kofi thanks LHP as they head out, and then Sarah walks in to congratulate Woods on the win over Lashley. Kofi, is this a sign of what’s to come? Kofi rewinds and wants to say it again: Woods just beat the All Mighty WWE Champion, BABYYY~! Speaking of, we heard Lashley has returned to ThunderDome and will go to MVP’s VIP Lounge.
Oh of course he is! Instead of focusing on the upcoming title match, Lashley is going to be with the champagne and ladies. Maybe Kofi should thank MVP for taking Lashley off his A Game! Woods agrees, and can’t understand why Lashley is back after losing to “The video game guy.” But Kofi will beat Lashley to become champion. Kofi doesn’t care what kind of champion Lashley wants to be portrayed as, but this is all mind-blowing! Lashley of all people should know how hard it is to become WWE Champion! It isn’t about the lounges, the parties and all that. It is about being on the best grind, taking on all comers! Kofi did that, because that’s the kind of champ the fans deserve!
Fear not, because those days are about to be upon us again !Kofi is gonna shock the world in front of a live audience when he beats Lashley to become what? A TWO-TIME… W! W! E! World! Heavy! Weight! CHAMPION~! Let’s go! The New Day heads out, but will they be partying even harder after this Sunday?
Sheamus attacks Carrillo backstage!
The Fella doesn’t want to let Carrillo have a chance in their title match, so he’s throwing him all around! He tells security to back off and shut up! Sheamus looms over Carrillo as he’s down in the wreckage. Sheamus mockingly says Carrillo is falling asleep on the job! He has the title match next! The Celtic Warrior leaves Carrillo behind and security calls for medical. Will Carrillo be in any shape to fight Sheamus now?
WWE United States Championship: Sheamus VS Humberto Carrillo!
Raw returns as Sheamus makes his entrance to the ring. We check backstage and Carrillo says he NEEDS to compete. Pearce and Sonya don’t question his toughness, but they can push this back a week if they have to. No, Carrillo has been waiting months for this, Sheamus is not going to use this as an excuse! No, he is good enough to stand so he is good enough to fight for the title! Damian Priest helps Carrillo to gorilla but management isn’t so sure. Will Carrillo’s machismo help him make it through?
Carrillo makes it to the ring and the introductions are made. The belt is raised, and though Sheamus has done everything to avoid this, he finally will be a fighting champion!
Carrillo hobbles but falls to his knees! He grits his teeth, gets back up, Sheamus BROGUES him right down!! Cover, Sheamus wins!!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
This was one of the shortest matches ever for this title, but only because Sheamus made sure to win it backstage first! But the Celtic Warrior isn’t satisfied because of his busted nose! Sheamus stomps away on Carrillo, then fish hooks Carrillo’s face! Sheamus says Carrillo broke his nose, so he’ll break Carrillo’s! Sheamus stands over Carrillo, foot at the ready, but here comes Damian Priest! Priest gets in the ring, runs Sheamus out of it, and stares him down! Sheamus still declares himself winner, but will the Archer of Infamy look to shoot him down soon enough?
Riddle scoots up to Ricochet.
“Pardon me, partner. Didn’t see you in the donger.” No, it’s cool. Wait, is The Bro going to go with him to the ring? Darn tootin’! Well, that’s cool, but Ricochet is excited for Sunday. Same! They’re going to Fort Worth for Money in the Bank! Riddle is gonna make his Western Spaghetti Burritos, with real spaghetti! And then he’ll watch his favorite Western movie- Tombstone? No, Toy Story 2! His favorite part is where the cowboy finds a snake in his boot. It reminds Riddle of Randy. Though Randy isn’t really a snake in Riddle’s boot, more like snake in his heart. Miss you, Randy. Yeah, sure. But Ricochet was more excited about the MITB match.
Oh, right! If Riddle wins, he’ll surprise Orton and cash-in on the Raw Tag Team Champions! Can you do that? And Orton would have to be there, anyway. He wouldn’t be that surprised. In that case, Riddle will invite Orton over for WSB’s, tell him about the cash-in then. Even better. But speaking of surprises, Ricochet has surprises for John Morrison tonight! He won’t even see it coming. But surprise, splash holes! Morrison & Miz roll up, and Miz says, “I’m your huckleberry.” SQUIRT SQUIRT! Drip stick drive by! And they even run over Riddle’s bad foot! That Drip Drip is gonna go down at high noon! Will the One and Only get the Guru of Greatness once and for all?
Falls Count Anywhere: Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz!
No more count-outs, this can go wherever the King of Flight and the Mayor of Slam Town want! But how will it end for them with MITB just on the horizon?
Raw returns and Ricochet makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ricochet circles with Morrison. They approach, Morrison kicks low and headlocks. Ricochet powers out, things speed up, Ricochet hurdles but Morrison leaps over. Ricochet springboards to flying arm-drag! Morrison catches his breath and dumps Ricochet to the apron! Ricochet ROCKS Morrison but Morrison ROUNDHOUSES Ricochet! Morrison goes to the apron, has Ricochet in the ropes, DRAPING APRON NECKBREAKER!! Cover on the floor, TWO! Ricochet survives that nasty attack but Miz talks trash. Ricochet kicks at Miz but Morrison KICKS Ricochet in the side!
Miz laughs at Ricochet’s pain as Morrison gets Ricochet up to backslide! Miz even helps! TWO!! Ricochet escapes but Morrison has him against the barriers to KNEE him down! Morrison wrenches, brings Ricochet over, and snapmares him into barriers for a SOBAT! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives again but Morrison fires off body shots. Morrison puts Ricochet in the ring, Ricochet flounders about and Morrison stomps him down! Morrison goes up but Ricochet intercepts Starship Pain with a waistlock! Ricochet gets Morrison off the corner for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Miz grows worried, but Morrison gets up and away from Ricochet.
Morrison is in a corner, Ricochet glares at Miz and goes after Morrison, but Morrison HOOK KICKS him out of the ring! Morrison aims from the apron, KONG FLIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Morrison gets Ricochet up, bumps him off barriers, then follows him around the way. Morrison TOSSES Ricochet over the barriers, jumps the barriers, but Ricochet fires off hands! Ricochet smacks Morrison off the LED screens! Miz says respect the virtual fans, but Ricochet waves to them as he throws Morrison over the barriers. Morrison ROUNDHOUSES back, and gets up on the barrier. Ricochet joins him, and trips him up! Morrison hits the floor, Ricochet uses barriers for a 450 SPALSH!!
Ricochet’s ribs keep him from making an immediate cover but he gets the lateral press, TWO!! Morrison survives but Ricochet puts him in the ring. Ricochet ROCKS Morrison with a right, springboards, but Morrison gets out of the ring! Ricochet lands on his feet, thinks about what he could do, and uses the corner to LAUNCH himself for a SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Direct hit and both men go down! Miz freaks out and wheels over as fast as he can while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again as Morrison brings out a ladder! A preview of MITB as Morrison makes a ladder bridge between ring and announce desk. Morrison kicks Ricochet’s legs, CLUBS him down, then brings him around to whip. Ricochet slides under the ladder, ROCKS Morrison from over it, and then runs to go up and over and FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Ricochet keeps his cool as he brings Morrison up to throw haymakers. Morrison staggers, Ricochet RAMS him into the apron! Ricochet puts Morrison in the ring, aims from the apron, but Morrison scrambles away. Ricochet pursues but Morrison bails out.
Ricochet builds speed but Miz is used to block the way again! Ricochet still FLIES! He goes right over Miz to take Morrison out at the ramp! Cover, TWO!! Johnny Drip Drip is still in this but Ricochet get shim up to RAM him into barriers! Miz talks trash but Ricochet throws EuroUppers as they go up the ramp. Morrison scrambles to the stage but Ricochet clubs him down. Morrison hits low, brings Ricochet around to scoop, but Ricochet slips off and kicks low! Ricochet aims, reels Morrison in, but Morrison blocks the suplex! Morrison throws knees, tries a suplex, but Ricochet slips out to shove and RANA! Morrison hits pretty flat, Ricochet covers, TWO!
Morrison clutches his leg but Ricochet gets up. Ricochet brings Morrison over to throw at the LED board, but Morrison blocks to kick back! Morrison hurries backstage but Ricochet pursues! Miz does his best to wheel up the ramp but that’s hard. Morrison SUPERKICKS Ricochet from outta nowhere! Morrison talks trash, KICKS Ricochet in the side, and then grabs the chair to set it up. Morrison throws forearms, KICKS Ricochet into having a seat, and then SHINING WIZARDS Him out of it! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Morrison sticks ‘n’ moves with forearms. They go back to the stage and Miz laughs at Ricochet as he tumbles down.
Morrison and Miz circle Ricochet like buzzards, but Ricochet BOOTS Morrison down! Ricochet DECKS Morrison and Morrison tumbles down the ramp! Miz tells Ricochet to stop but Ricochet looks at Miz! Ricochet gets Miz’s wheelchair handles, and steers Miz at Morrison! FLYING TACKLE off the back of the wheelchair! Cover, TWO! Ricochet puts Morrison back in the ring, shoulders into him, and bumps him off buckles. Ricochet KICKS Morrison down, and then watches. Miz SQUIRT SQUIRT with the Drip Stick! Morrison rolls Ricochet up, has the ropes, TWO!! Morrison kicks low, MOONLIGHT DRIVE!! Cover, TWO!?!
Morrison can’t believe Ricochet survives, but he hurries to put him in position., But here comes Riddle! Riddle gets Miz’s chair handles, tips him back and back, and sets him down! Miz is stuck like a turtle on his back, and Riddle mocks him. Ricochet runs at Morrison but Morrison elbows him. Morrison springboards, into a RECOIL!! But Ricochet can’t cover, he’s too tired! Riddle keeps playing around with Miz, but Ricochet runs to KNEE Morrison! Morrison sits on the ladder, Ricochet goes up top!? Ricochet aims for a BIG SPLASH through the ladder!!! Riddle is shocked! Ricochet crawls to a cover, Ricochet wins!!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
Riddle tells Miz what happened, and he is fired up as much as Ricochet! But with all of this building to the Men’s MITB, what will happen when four more superstars and even more ladders are in the mix?
Tamina and Natalya get fired up backstage.
The Queen of Harts is in the Women’s MITB and she’s taking on the Raw Women’s Champion tonight! Sarah comes over to interview Natty about that very subject, and Natty says she is a standard bearer here. Every day, she wants to be better. She has a foolproof plan to do what no one has ever done in the WWE. She will be Women’s Tag Team Champion, Raw Women’s Champion and SmackDown Women’s Champion at the same time! Because she’ll beat Rhea tonight and earn a shot at that title, and then she’ll cash in THE MITB contract on the other title! Tamina is fired up for Natty, but they also hear Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke around the corner.
Tamina asks those two why they’re laughing so much, and the #SexyMuscleFriends say a plan can’t be foolproof if it came from a fool. No offense, but they don’t love Natty’s chances this Sunday. Or even her odds tonight against Rhea. And when these two challenge Natty & Tamina for the tag titles, they don’t like the odds of the champs retaining. But Mandy loves those odds for the challengers. Tamina says she loves the idea of kicking their teeth down their throats! What’s stopping her? Oh look at D acting all tough. Tamina SHOVES Dana into trunks! Mandy holds Dana back because it is only a matter of time. But whose chances will be looking up after the Queen of Harts takes on the Nightmare?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
Now that we know his family heirloom has been safe this whole time, how will McIntyre refocus his attention on MITB? Well, he won’t pat himself on the back. He has bigger things to worry about. This MITB might be his last chance to reach the top of the mountain. Do you know the story of Icarus? Some Greek kid who flew too close to the sun. Imagine McIntyre as “Tricky Icky” and the MITB briefcase is the sun, and him flying like a 6’2″ Scottish fire-breathing dragon that he is. And he’s not made of wax and paper, no! He is made of 100% Grade A Scottish BEEF, brother!
And nothing, and he means absolutely nothing, not the ladders, not 700 other guys, not even the sun, can stop McIntyre from becoming Mr. MITB! Will the Scottish Warrior slay all who get in the way of this final opportunity at a world title?
Rhea Ripley VS Natalya w/ Tamina!
Before she makes her entrance, Sarah asks Rhea why she took this match this close to her match with Charlotte Flair at MITB? Natty challenged Rhea, and Rhea is not one who backs down from a challenge. As for Sunday, Charlotte won’t have a crutch to hide behind because Rhea’s exposed her for the drama queen that she is! When Rhea wins at MITB, she will give Charlotte a reason to need a crutch. The Nightmare heads out, is she about to give us all a sample of her brutality?
Raw returns and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions make their entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Natty and Rhea tie up, Rhea wrenches an arm to a wristlock then grinds the shoulder. Natty gets up, Rhea keeps on the wrist, but Natty rolls, handsprings and rolls Rhea up! TWO, but Natty waistlocks. Rhea pries free to switch, but Natty bumps, wrenches and wristlocks. Rhea spins, gets in and lifts Natty up but Natty sunset flips! TWO, and Rhea kicks low! Rhea whips Natty to a corner, Natty reverses but Rhea goes up and over. Things speed up, then the two stand off. Tamina cheers Natty on but Rhea says neener neener.
Things speed up again, Natty arm-drags to a cover, TWO to ghost pin! TWO, Natty kicks low and CLUBS Rhea on the back. Natty whips, Rhea slips around to go for a leg but Natty sits on the takedown! TWO, Rhea sunset flips, TWO! Natty has the prawn hold, ONE!! Rhea HEADBUTTS Natty down! Rhea gets Natty up, pump handles, but Natty slips out to roll up! ONE, Natty steps through but Rhea BOOTS her out of the ring! Rhea avoids the Sharpshooter, goes outside, and runs in, but Natty moves! Tamina gets hit with the dropkick! Natty gets Rhea with a DISCUS! Everyone is down on the outside and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Natty fights Rhea up top. Rhea knocks Natty down but Natty comes back! They brawl on the top, Natty gets the edge with CLUBBING forearms, but Rhea HEADBUTTS Natty back! Rhea adjusts, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Both women are down, Natty gets to a corner but Rhea gets up. Rhea runs in, misses and gets buckles, Natty throws more forearms. Natty whips corner to corner, runs in but into BOOTS! Rhea hurries to cover, TWO! Rhea seethes, cravats and throws in knees, but Natty shoves her away. Natty swings but Rhea spins her to a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Natty gets out, Rhea pursues and brings her to a corner.
Natty throws hands, bumps Rhea off the POST, and then gets in to RUNNING POWERBOMB Rhea down! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Tamina can’t believe it! Natty keeps her focus, and gets the legs! Rhea boots her away again, but misses in the corner! Natty gets Rhea up, rebound atomic sit-down! Natty runs on Rhea, but Rhea avoids the basement dropkick! Rhea gets Natty’s legs for the PRISM TRAP!! Tamina coaches Natty but Rhea drags her away! Natty victory rolls through, TWO! Natty wheelbarrows to victory roll, then the legs! Natty SLAPS Rhea and puts on the SHARPSHOOTER!! Rhea endures, crawls, Tamina coaches Natty and Natty sits deep!
Rhea powers up and ROLLS Natty into buckles! Natty lets go and Rhea clutches her back. Natty gets up, but Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS her down! Pump handle and RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
Step one of Natty’s ultimate championship plan does not go as she hoped, and The Nightmare is still strong going into MITB! Will the Queen of Harts have better luck in the Women’s MITB match?
But then Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS Rhea outta nowhere! Where did she even come from!? Charlotte puts the leg on ropes to drop a knee on the knee! And then she gets the leg for a FIGURE FOUR! And she drags Rhea over to the apron for a DRAPING FIGURE FOUR!! Charlotte twists one ankle and bends the other with her high-heeled boots, but lets go to mock Rhea. “What’re you gonna do? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Rhea.” But will the one true Queen once again become Raw Women’s Champion at MITB?
MVP talks with the ladies.
Tonight has not been the best night for Lashley, so this VIP Lounge has to be the best it can be. Smile, dance, make Lashley feel good. Back rubs, constant champagne, the works. MVP leads the ladies to gorilla position, but will the All Mighty’s mood be any better after a little bit of fun?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.
Was that attack a preview of what’s to come? Sarah, it’s not about the pieces in the game, but the player. And Charlotte learned from the Dirtiest Player in the Game, and we will all see it is game over for Rhea at MITB.
MVP presents the VIP Lounge.
He says it is a very special edition, and says it is bittersweet. This is the last episode of Monday Night Raw from the ThunderDome! The ThunderDome saw the rise of the All mighty, Bobby Lashley, become a champion so dominant that he obliterated everyone! And MVP will fondly recall this place as the Lashley Dome. But more importantly, the Chief Hurt Officer, and the Half Man Half Amazing MVP will be LIVE in front of the WWE Universe next week! So it is his honor and privilege to introduce to us, Bobby Lashley! Uh, where is the music? Where is Lashley? MVP introduces him again but still no Lashley.
Okay, ladies, please help out. He starts up the introduction again, and the ladies join in in saying “BOBBY LASHLEY!” Finally the music plays, Lashley walks out, but his tie is loose and his vest is undone as he barely carries the title in his hand. MVP asks where Lashley’s been, but go ahead, jump right in, the water’s fine. Is Lashley alright? Ladies, help out. Lashley takes the mic to say MVP has said enough. Ladies, please excuse them so they can talk alone. The ladies leave and MVP looks to Lashley with confusion. Lashley says he doesn’t want the ladies here, anyway.
Lashley was thinking about what Kofi has been saying. At first, it seemed like trash talk just to get in Lashley’s head. But as he thought more about it, Kofi was right. Everything he’s said about MVP causing Lashley to lose his edge is right! Look what happened tonight! Lashley lost to Xavier Woods! Lashley should’ve dismantled that twerp, stacked him and Kofi as a pile of broken bones! Lashley is furious, but MVP wants to cheer him up with champagne and women? MVP, Lashley does appreciate everything he’s done for Lashley’s career, but the BS stops now! Back to business! The ONLY enjoyment Lashley wants to have from now on is destroying every single soul that steps for the title!
MVP nods and agrees, and then Lashley starts throwing things out of the lounge! MVP tries to stop him but he just glares at MVP. MVP lets Lashley chuck the tables and the couches, and even the champagne, all out of the ring. Lashley seethes as he looks at MVP, and then he grabs the mic again. “Kofi. I’m gonna do this weekend what I should’ve done weeks ago. I’m gonna tear you in half. I’m gonna go into MITB the All Mighty WWE Champion, and I’m going to leave the All Mighty WWE Champion!” Kofi can bring his family, friends and the entire WWE Universe to be behind him. Because Lashley will dismantle Kofi and do everything that he said he would do!
Lashley hopes Kofi is ready to fight not just for the title, but for his LIFE. Lashley will cave Kofi’s head in, wring his neck, and then fold him into a box and send it to a circus so he can be with the clowns! Yeah, the circus is dead. And after Sunday, so will be Kofi’s career! The wrath of the Rocky Mountain Machine is coming to Fort Worth, will Kofi be able to survive?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to be the go-home to MITB and the good-bye to the ThunderDome. There were other things that could’ve made it better, but I would’ve really loved if Bobby Lashley demolished the LED fan screens on top of the VIP Lounge at the end there. But this was a taped episode, and it was taped before they had to film SmackDown live on Friday. They could’ve kayfabe’d it and put things back together before Friday, but oh well. But it was great for story that Woods got the big upset win and made Lashley see that he needed to stop taking this lightly. I am pretty sure the math holds and Lashley wins, but I almost feel like something happens, Kofi wins, and Lashley destroys MVP for it.
The exchange with Mahal and McIntyre was good but it also seemed a bit of a shame. McIntyre having a decoy sword seemed like a cop-out just so McIntyre could get the sword back without having to fight Mahal and put stuff on the line. But McIntyre busting up that sweet motorcycle was pretty standard behavior for Faces getting revenge. Pretty sure this means Mahal, Shanky and Veer attack McIntyre during the Men’s MITB and keep him from winning. McIntyre said this feels like his last chance, so it’d make some sense if Mahal takes this chance from him and then they feud on the way to SummerSlam.
Alexa’s Playground was alright, with Alexa and Piper oddly getting along a nice detail. Eva was a proper pain in the ass, but her wanting to screw Alexa out of the Fatal 4 was a bit backwards given how she wanted nothing to do with her just before. The little disappearing act was a decent way to getting to break there, and it did effectively keep Alexa out of the finish. Nikki getting the win was great for her, but it is hard to pick out a winner for MITB here. I do appreciate Natty wanting to become ultimate champion, and she had a great match with Rhea. But Charlotte’s attack was obvious from a mile away, and it is so obvious that the math is now in Rhea’s favor.
Sheamus attacking Carrillo to screw him over even before the US Championship match seemed very Sheamus. Damian Priest showing up to help Carrillo to the ring and then after the match were clear indicators that he’s next, and Priest can have one hell of a match with Sheamus with them both being bigger, taller and are hard hitting strikers. I do like that, with SmackDown putting their women’s championship on this Friday, the Raw Tag Team Championships get put on MITB. The two singles matches between the Viking Raiders and Styles-Omos were very good. Omos winning his first singles match makes sense, since they’ve obviously been very high on him. I don’t see Styles & Omos losing the belts, we still need to see them take on RKBRO at SummerSlam, it just feels right.
Riddle had good promos with Nikki and Ricochet, and him helping counter Miz during the Falls Count Anywhere was great. The Falls Count Anywhere match itself was awesome, but again it was a case where they could’ve done more with the ThunderDome. They should’ve taken a page out of the Roman Reigns VS Kevin Owens Last Man Standing and gone up around the LED fan screens, and even break a couple. But bringing out a ladder in an MITB teaser was very smart, and that ladder spot to end it was crazy! I have a feeling this keeps Ricochet out of the running, but I feel like it isn’t going to be a Raw superstar on the men’s side anyway. The stories for the SmackDown contenders are just so strong, with Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins having their reasons to go after Roman, and Big E finally getting his own chance to break through to the world title scene.
My Score: 8.2/10
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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.
- Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; The Awesome Truth wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; The New Day wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; Becky wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?
Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.
Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?
Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!
But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!
Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!
Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?
Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!
Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!
Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!
Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.
Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!
Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!
Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!
The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!
Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?
Judgment Day meets backstage.
Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.
The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.
Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?
The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!
Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!
Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission
Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.
NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”
Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!
Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?
The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”
Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.
But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!
How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”
Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.
By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.
Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.
Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.
Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?
Nia Jax speaks.
“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?
Cody Rhodes returns backstage.
And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?
Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!
It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?
Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!
The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.
Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!
Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?
Sami Zayn is backstage.
He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.
Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
Raw returns with the GM by a table, and he welcomes us to a contract signing to make official the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for WrestleMania! The fans cheer, and Pearce introduces first, the challenger, Sami Zayn! The Great Liberator makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song. Sami still looks troubled by what Gable said just moments ago, but he still high-fives fans and gets in the ring. Then Pearce introduces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The fans boo as Gunther walks in, having reached Day 647!
Gunther smiles as Sami watches him make his way down the ramp and into the ring. Pearce says we know how this works, but Gunther says before we proceed, let us call this what it is: the most important contract signing for the most important match in the history of this championship. And why, why, why is the challenger dressed no better than any of the bums in the audience? Fans boo but Sami just shrugs that off. Sami gets a mic to say that Gunther keeps sitting there all smug, and it’s really starting to piss Sami off. Gunther thinks this is just another day at the office, that he’ll steamroll through Sami like any other contender.
But with all respect to Gunther, he really has. He has beaten everyone that has come his way, and has done it on his own. Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can do it. A lot of people didn’t believe Sami at many points in his career. They didn’t believe he’d even make it to WWE, let alone win championships and main event a WrestleMania. And if you ask The Usos, they didn’t believe Sami would be one of the guys to end the longest tag title reign in WWE history, but he did! And one year later, he will make history again by ending the longest Intercontinental title reign in WWE history! Sami signs his part and pushes the contract over to Gunther.
The fans cheer Sami on but Gunther waits it out. Gunther tells Sami, what Sami should do is listen to his new friend, Gable. Gable doesn’t believe Sami can win. The people here cheer Sami, they probably even love Sami. But even they don’t believe Sami can win. And y’know, when Gunther looks Sami in the eyes, and if Sami was honest with himself, even Sami doesn’t believe he can win. So what Sami is doing right now is standing on Gunther’s doorstep and begging him to get the beating of a lifetime on the Grandest Stage of Them All! So whatever Sami has to do, from training to believing, just keep doing that. Because at WrestleMania, Sami’s dreams will meet reality.
Gunther grins and signs his part, and it is now official! Gunther then stands, title on his shoulder, and takes his leave. The fans boo, but then Sami tells Gunther to wait. Gunther steps back inside to hear Sami as Sami turns around. Gunther looks in Sami’s eyes and believes Sami doesn’t believe? Sami stands to get in Gunther’s face and dares him to look again. Get a good long look, because these are the eyes of the man who will take you down at Mania! The fans fire up, and now Sami leaves first. Gunther still just grins, but will Sami use a Helluva Kick to wipe that smile off his face?
We follow Sami as he storms backstage, right past DIY and The Awesome Truth. Truth asks what’s up with Sami, but The Miz says that is the mindset of WrestleMania right there. That’s what they need. DIY wishes Awesome Truth luck. Awesome Truth knows DIY is into the ladder match, and they are gonna have their own qualifier. Miz & Truth just need to beat… Indus Sher. Jinder Mahal tells Veer & Sanga to warm up for the match. They head out, and Truth says he feels sorry for whoever has to face those guys. Miz stares at Truth, and he has DIY hold off. Miz will explain. The Awesome Truth heads to gorilla, their match is next!
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!
Miz wants a remix of the theme song but Truth says to just follow his lead. NC State knows what’s up, but will the Awesome Truth finally reach the top of the tag division 13 years after they first teamed? We’ll see, after the break!
Raw returns as Indus Sher makes their entrance, the Modern Day Maharaja by their side. The teams sort out and Truth starts against Sanga. The fans echo “WHAT’S UP?!” but Sanga roars! Truth is scared now so he tags Miz. Truth fires Miz up, Miz runs up and dodges Sanga to fire off haymakers! Miz kicks, whips, but Sanga blocks! Sanga whips and CLOBBERS Miz! Jinder nods as Sanga then scoops Miz and brings him over. Veer tags in, Sanga SLAMS Miz, then Veer ELBOW DROPS! Indus Sher say “NAMASTE!” but the fans say “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth. Veer HIP DROPS Miz, then looms over him.
Veer eggs Miz on, drags him up with shoulder claws, and then steps over Miz for the neck wrench! Miz endures as Veer still digs a claw into his shoulder. The fans rally for Miz, Miz fights up and throws body shots! Miz reaches out but Veer knees low! Veer SHOVES Miz to the corner, runs in, but Miz BOOTS! Miz ELBOWS Sanga, but Veer catches him! Veer puts Miz back int he corner, but Miz ducks the boot to tag Truth! Truth dodges Veer and starts up the shoulder tackles! Truth gets around Veer to SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth shouts out Cena with “You Can’t See Me!” Truth runs to Five Knuckle Shuffle!
Jinder is not happy now as Truth fireman’s carries! But Veer slips free! Truth drop toeholds to the STF!! The fans fire up but Sanga stomps Truth! Miz fires off kicks on Sanga, then body shots! Truth joins in, they mug and whip Sanga, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Sanga staggers around, Veer runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth and Miz combine for a SKULL CRUSHING LIE DETECTOR!! But Sanga whips Miz away! Miz WRECKS Jinder with it, but Sanga runs up! Sanga knocks Miz down, Miz anchors Sanga, Sanga ELBOWS Truth, Truth falls onto Veer for the cover! Awesome Truth wins!!
Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
The fans fire up, and Truth doesn’t even realize what happened! Miz celebrates with Truth and Truth puts it together! They’re now one of the six in the ladder match! Will this combination of teamwork and luck be just what they need to take those titles from Judgment Day?
Sami confronts Gable now.
Sami tells Gable to tell him why. Why what? Why does Gable think Sami can’t beat Gunther? Well you just saw why! With Gunther, it isn’t just physical, it is mental. Sami made his career out of being the underdog that crawls his way out of any hole he’s in, right? Just like last week! Sami found the window of opportunity to get out of a bad situation any time he can. Gunther’s on a different level! You gonna sit and wait for that window to appear? It doesn’t happen with Gunther! He’s a different beast, a different animal. If Sami doesn’t change his mentality, then he can’t beat Gunther. Gable leaves Sami with a lot to think again. Is there a way Sami can change enough to defeat Der Ring General?
CM Punk speaks.
“Do I plan at being in WrestleMania? WrestleMania is in Philadelphia, what’re the first four letters in Philadelphia? Phil. You can’t have WrestleMania Philadelphia without Phil. Whether I’m invited or uninvited, Punk will be there.” And next week in Chicago, Punk returns to Raw! Will the Second City Saint find a way to be part of the biggest WrestleMania ever?
Drew McIntyre is here!
The Scottish Terminator, or as his new shirt says, “The Savior of WrestleMania,” makes his way to the ring, NC State a bit torn about seeing him. But then Seth Rollins is here, too!? McIntyre is upset but the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out. Rollins swaggers right past McIntyre in his green storm pattern suit, and steps into the ring first. McIntyre frowns as he follows Rollins in, and sits in a corner. The fans continue to sing, which Rollins revels in for a moment. Rollins has the mic to then say, “RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!
“And Drew, hah, sorry, I didn’t even see you there. I was too busy, uh, y’know, soaking up the spotlight, right?” McIntyre has a mic to say, “Alright, here we go.” Here goes what, Drew? McIntyre says no, no, get it all out of your system, he knows Rollins has more! McIntyre can stay in the back while Rollins enjoys the spotlight, because after WrestleMania, that spotlight’s all McIntyre’s. Hey, hey, c’mon. Rollins is here with an honest cause. Rollins doesn’t like McIntyre, he thinks he’s stupid, a hypocrite, has said a lot of dumb things lately, but Rollins is here to admit that one thing McIntyre said is absolutely right and he wants to say it to McIntyre’s face, right here in Raleigh, in front of the fine people.
Now, they always say the first step to recovery is the hardest, so bare with Rollins. He has been working on this all week, but… “My name is Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and I’m a spotlight junkie.” The fans chant “Spotlight Junkie!” and also sing, but McIntyre says everything is just a joke to Rollins, isn’t it? Look at Rollins! He’s a parody of himself at this point. But honestly, McIntyre doesn’t care. He tried reasoning, he gave the answers, and now he only cares about their match and the world title. And you wanna know the real punchline, funny man? “What?” McIntyre says they say that because they’re happy McIntyre sidelined Punk, thanks for remembering!
But the punchline is when McIntyre beats Rollins for that title. The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” but McIntyre says don’t be ridiculous. Punk’s waiting until next week to return because he’d never show up in a place like Raleigh. The fans boo but McIntyre says see, they’re booing Punk! Punk is only getting off his couch to be at his local arena. Rollins tells McIntyre to shut up already. Oh, seems McIntyre got Rollins’ attention. Rollins takes off the sunglasses to say yeah, McIntyre has his attention. Because this isn’t a joke! When Rollins says he is a junkie, it isn’t a joke! He’s been doing this for 20 YEARS! Just like McIntyre!
And every time Rollins comes out of the curtain, that’s his fix. And it gets better and better every single time. Rollins comes out here, lays it all on the line, and it just gets better and better! When he hears the fans sing the song so loud, Rollins can barely speak, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” That’s Rollins’ fix! That is the spotlight he craves, and y’know what? Rollins wants the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be. So yeah, McIntyre’s been busy online entertaining people with memes, so he hasn’t been listening to Rollins. So Rollins will get this through McIntyre’s thick skull: Night One, Rollins takes the biggest star in Hollywood and his side chick, and makes them his b*tches!
Then on Night Two, the biggest spotlight possible will be shined down on McIntyre and Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship! McIntyre says all hail the savior, Seth Rollins! This is what McIntyre wanted! The passion and desire, not the stupid laughing and dancing. Rollins had McIntyre all the way to the finish. Rollins has done this 20 years, just like McIntyre. They’ve given their lives to this industry, and that is what the title is about! The wrestlers’ title, the workhorse championship! Rollins had McIntyre with him until he mentioned the bigger spotlight and how Rollins pins one of the biggest stars in the world.
Why can’t it just be about Rollins’ hard work to make that title, and all of McIntyre’s hard work to get this chance? Why can’t that be the reason they’re getting the biggest spotlight!? Rollins has had his priorities all backwards, McIntyre has been giving him all the answers. McIntyre said he is over the BS, and all he cares about is Rollins making it to the ring on Night Two. And if Rollins can’t walk, then McIntyre will wheel him down. If not, McIntyre will carry Rollins down. At Mania, McIntyre doesn’t get the moment he deserves. He gets the moment he has bloody EARNED. The fans do cheer that!
Rollins smirks and says, “Ah, Drew. There it is. That’s right, you wanna call me a spotlight junkie, but you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don’t you? You’re an addict, just like I am. And you’ve been begging for spotlight for the past four years, because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020, in an empty warehouse. And all we’ve been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years was how that wasn’t good enough. You’ve been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning that you deserve better, that you deserve more. The problem is, Drew, when everybody came back around, and the lights got bright again, what happened? You fumbled the ball.
“And that’s the difference between you and me. When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby. I shine bright. And at WrestleMania 40, the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been. And you are gonna find out you are not as good as you think you are.” Rollins drops the mic, but this time McIntyre smirks. The verbal battle continues, but who will put their money where their mouth is once this one finally happens?
Becky Lynch speaks.
“I’m a wanted woman, and I don’t even have the title. Yet. But we’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania, so why would I risk it all? Because I don’t know anything else. All I know is taking risks. All I know is fighting. And all I know is tonight, I’m gonna be the Last Woman Standing.” Becky is fired up to finally do what she hasn’t done in the most extreme way possible. Will she be the immovable object to Nia’s irresistible force?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have been W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, but they’ve never been a part of a title match as big as this Six Pack Ladder challenge! Will they look to be part of history once again? Or will Akira Tozawa & Otis say “A THANK YEW~!” for this golden opportunity?
Raw returns as the Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Woods starts against the tree trunk, Otis. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Otis and Woods tie up, but Woods kicks low then headlocks. Otis powers up and out then runs Woods over! Otis storms up on Woods, GUT RAMS him back down, then brings him back up. Otis GUT RAMS Woods again, then runs to CLOBBER Woods! Otis swivels his hips, the fans echo “Oh~ yeah!” Otis tags Tozawa and the Academy mugs Woods. Tozawa brings Woods around but Woods CHOPS! Woods tags Kofi, he and Kofi double whip Tozawa but Tozawa holds ropes!
Tozawa fires hands, dodges Woods then BOOTS Woods down! Kofi kicks low, whips Tozawa to a corner, but Tozawa BOOTS Kofi away! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa sees New Day regroup outside. Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit on both New Day, and Otis joins in for “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy stands tall as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Tozawa fights a chinlock. Tozawa reaches for Otis but Woods back suplexes. Tozawa lands out to then DROPKICK Woods down! The fans rally as Woods and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Kofi! Otis CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Woods runs in, Otis dodges, to LARIAT! Otis sees Kofi leap off the corner, and catches him for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis rips the shirt off, winds up the hips, and then starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Otis hurries to step on him! Tag to Tozawa, and Otis goes up!
Otis VADER BOMBS but FLOPS as Kofi moves! Tozawa hurries up top while Kofi SUPERKICKS Otis! Kofi turns around into the CROSSBODY from Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Tozawa SUPERKICKS Kofi but Woods tags in! Woods GAMANGIRIS Tozawa, then steps in to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tozawa toughs it out but Woods grits his teeth as he goes to the corner. Woods climbs, but Tozawa rises! Tozawa throws body shots, Woods CLUBS Tozawa! Tozawa throws more hands and climbs up! The fans rally as they brawl up top! Tozawa brings Woods up but Woods fights the lift! Woods throws body shots in return!
Woods shifts position to get under Tozawa for a fireman’s carry! But then Tozawa pops up to SUPER STEINER!! Tozawa rips off his shirt, climbs back up top, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Kofi breaks it! The fans fire up but Otis drags Kofi out! Otis whips Kofi at steps, Kofi goes up and jumps off the steps to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Kofi hurries back up to the apron but Tozawa SCREW HIGH KICKS him down! Tozawa dodges Woods, pop-up, but Woods blocks the rana to then SPINNING POWERBOMB! Woods sees the WrestleMania sign, hurries up the corner, and he tightrope walks! LIMIT BREAK ELBOW!! Cover, New Day wins!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
The New Day are the ones saying A THANK YEW~ as they put their names down for the Six Pack Ladder Match! Will they once again climb to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division and bring home those championships?
Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.
Becky asks if she’ll have to watch out for Liv as well. Well, you should always #WatchMe, but no, not tonight. Nia is all Becky’s. Liv just wants Becky to kick Nia’s ass. Liv leaves, will Becky kick ass and then some?
Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.
Rollins finds him and brings up Friday. One on one? One on one. Rollins nods and says he loves Pharaoh’s bandanna. The Visionary trusts the American Nightmare can handle himself, but will we be able to trust The Tribal Chief?
Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!
From the origins of “The Man” in WWE to the aftermath of Elimination Chamber: Perth, these two have battled, but never as brutally as this! They’re able to go anywhere and do anything, but who will be the Last Woman Standing this close to WrestleMania 40?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky DROPKICKS Nia and Nia goes to a corner. Becky runs in but Nia puts Becky on the apron. Becky ROCKS Nia, goes up a corner, then leaps to MISSILE DROPKCIK! Nia stumbles and tumbles out of the ring, so Becky WRECKS her with another dropkick! Becky then goes to the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! Nia stays up, Becky tries again, but Nia dodges! Fireman’s carry and Nia POSTS Becky, to then SAMOAN DROP her into barriers! The ref counts as Becky is down, but she stands at 4 of 10. Nia CLOBBERS Becky and wants the count! The count climbs but Nia is impatient.
Nia clears off the desk, Becky stands at 5 of 10, and she leans against barriers. Becky comes back with body shots and haymakers, but Nia ROCKS her with a forearm! Becky staggers away as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Becky is bringing out a table! The fans fire up as Becky sets that up ringside. There’s been a lot of chaos during the break according to commentary, from chairs to kendo sticks to even a copy of Becky’s book, The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl! But Nia storms over to stop Becky and SMACK her off the desk! Nia puts Becky in the ring, takes that table for her own and sets it up. The table doesn’t cooperate and fans boo, but Nia goes for chairs instead. She slides those in the ring, Becky manages to stand at 7 of 10, and she grabs at those chairs. Nia ditches the table, it just doesn’t wanna work.
Nia storms in but Becky JAMS her with a chair, SMACKS her with it, then clinches! Nia fights the slam, fireman’s carries Becky, and FULL METAL SAMOAN DROPS!! Becky writhes from hitting chairs but Nia looms over her. Nia soaks up the heat as she counts along. Becky flounders to ropes and drags herself up at 7! Nia sits a chair up, fans want a table, but Nia scoops Becky. Becky slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles again and again until Becky lets go. But then Becky BULLDOGS Nia off the chair! Nia is down for the count now, and Becky leans against ropes to stay up herself.
Nia stirs at 5, stands at 8, but Becky is up top! Becky leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Nia SMACKS Becky again and again and again! The fans boo but Nia finally stops. Nia puts that chair aside and goes out to get some kendo sticks! Nia puts those in, but Becky grabs one! Nia snatches it from her to SMACK! And SMACK! And SMACK! Becky sputters and staggers, Nia clinches and scoops! Nia SLAMS Becky onto chairs! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Nia wants the count and the count begins! Becky sputters as we reach 5 of 10. Becky grabs that kendo stick but Nia SMACKS Becky with a chair! And again!
Nia kicks Becky around, then uses the chair to take a seat on Becky’s body!! The fans boo as the count begins, but Becky SMACKS Nia with the kendo stick! And again and again and again, even in the butt! Nia stands up, into more shots! Becky stands and she fires away until Nia scurries out of the ring! Becky pursues but Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia pulls the steel steps apart now, and takes that top half to RAM Becky down! Becky flounders, Nia hauls her up and puts her in the ring. Becky’s on the apron and Nia takes aim! Nia runs up, APRN LEG DROP only gets apron! Becky avoids disaster, then has Nia by the steps! DDT onto the steel!
Nia is down again and the count begins. Nia stirs at 5 of 10, sits up at 6, but Becky SMACKS her off steps! Nia falls over again and the count resets. Becky hurries to go looking for things while Nia rises again. Becky has a new table! The fans fire up as Becky gets that in the ring. Nia stands at 7, staggers after Becky, and Raw goes back to break.
Raw returns once again and Nia mugs Becky against barriers! Nia puts Becky on a table, and surprise! There’s a ladder set up now! Nia climbs the ladder?! She also demands Pat support the ladder. But Becky gets off the table so now Nia has no reason to be up there. Nia storms after Becky, but gets a FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLAST!! The fans fire up as Becky cools Nia off, then JAMS her with the canister! Becky puts Nia in the ring, and there’s a table waiting in a corner! Becky lines up the shot, and runs in, but Nia SAMOAN DROPS Becky through the table!!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins!
Nia flounders away from the wreckage but she still needs to stand. Nia is up at 5, and she isn’t satisfied with this! She drags Becky all the way to another corner and puts her in the drop zone! Nia climbs up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia shouts for the count, the count begins, and Nia storms around as she points to the Mania sign. Becky is still down at 5 of 10, only starts stirring at 7, and she slumps out of the ring to stand up! Nia is furious, goes out after Becky, and kicks things aside to keep after her. Nia asks if Becky’s vision is blurry. Nia fireman’s carries Becky up the steel steps and along the apron, aiming for that other table!
The fans freak out but Becky fights with elbows! Becky CLUBS away on Nia and the fans are thunderous! Becky then clinches, for a MANHANDLE SLAM through the table!!! Both women are down int he wreckage again, and the count begins! Becky sits up at 4 while fans are still losing their minds! We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Nia sits up at 8 and stands at 9! But then she slumps back over! The count starts again, Nia flounders around and stands at 5. Becky goes up the ladder! Becky sees Nia approaching the desk, and then SUPER MAN’S LEG DROP through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds again while both men are down in more wreckage!
The count is 5 of 10! Becky flounders and crawls, drags herself up at 9, but Nia is still down! BECKY WINS!!
Winner: Becky Lynch
The Man conquers truly one of the most intense challenges in her career! But then here comes one of the most intense champions! The fans fire up as Rhea Ripley makes her way out, Women’s World Championship in hand. She goes right to the ring and looks at Becky. Rhea “congratulates” Becky for winning, but then Becky gets in Rhea’s face! The fans fire up, and now there are no obstacles in the way of Mami VS The Man! Who will be the champion after WrestleMania 40?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw right here, though the in-ring action kinda dipped down until that awesome Last Woman Standing main event. This is one of the times I wish they’d done picture in picture so we as the TV audience could see even more action. Great win for Becky, of course, but I also like that Becky had a moment with Liv just before, and of course she had a moment with Rhea to close out the night. Great promos with Sami and Gable that also blended into the contract signing from tonight. And I suppose Gable has a point that Sami, the comeback kid, can’t do that when Gunther has an arsenal of moves that would be “finishers” given all the different ways Gunther has won over the years.
And speaking of that contract signing segment, I really liked the segue they did in following Sami so that he’d cross paths with Awesome Truth at gorilla and we’d get their segment going into their match. WWE has been doing some really creative stuff in this newest era where Vince is truly out and apparently even Kevin Dunn has moved on. Awesome Truth had a really fun but also really quick tag match with Indus Sher, and then New Day VS Alpha Academy was solid stuff, but DIY VS Creeds was such an awesome match. For a moment, I thought Creeds were gonna take this one but DIY still found a way, and I like that DIY is in. Honestly, I’m liking that the HHH favorites are getting in, because we also have New Catch Republic on the other side that can still win into the match.
Judgment Day had good stuff tonight, too. Good group promo with Andrade to tease El Idolo possibly joining, but who knows if he does. Depends on how things go for Priest. He was watching the qualifiers, he’s not worried, but maybe he should be. Granted, he still has the MITB briefcase, he could go from losing the tag titles to taking the world title, who knows how the Judgment Day’s story is going to go as we move past Mania. Dom VS Ricochet was a really good match, and Ricochet winning was the right move to keep this feud going. I think there’s going to be Ricochet VS McDonagh next week as a rematch from the gauntlet, that’ll be great stuff, too.
Candice’s Heel turn slow burn continues as she takes advantage of the “hurt” leg. Indi also does a good job of being very conflicted about this. There’s a WWE YouTube exclusive where Ivy Nile confronts Candice so that’ll be a match, and then maybe when Candice again goes too far, Indi steps in and we get a match of Candice VS Indi at some point. Good little update promo from CM Punk, he’ll have a great homecoming moment in Chicago, but also probably McIntyre coming after him. McIntyre had a great promo segment with Rollins, and with all these continued moments where the other person gets the mic drop moment, it feels like McIntyre has to win the title.
And of course, great stuff with the Bloodline story even on Raw. Jey and Jimmy have great promos in their confrontation, and of course it turns into a brawl. Good segue from that to Heyman being here, and Heyman confronting Cody during Cody’s great promo segment. Cody really went off on The Rock, that was some wild stuff. But the supposed promise of “one on one and no one else aside from Heyman” might be kept, and we get a strong promo segment on SmackDown in a foreshadowing of the fair-and-square 1v1 match. Or it is a trap and that’s more a foreshadowing of Bloodline Rules where they can do whatever they want. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
My Score: 8.9/10
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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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