Connect with us

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/11/21)

Who heads for the throne?

Published

on

Coverage Raw 2021

Raw starts their journey to crowning royalty!

While Big E and Drew McIntyre have a face-to-face, Raw’s half of both the King of the Ring and Queen’s Crown tournaments begin!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • King of the Ring Opening Round: Xavier Woods VS Ricochet; Woods wins and advances to the next round.
  • Mansoor & Mustafa Ali VS The Hurt Business; The Hurt Business wins.
  • Queen’s Crown Opening Round: Shayna Baszler VS Dana Brooke; Baszler wins and advances to the next round.
  • Matt Riddle VS Omos w/ AJ Styles; Omos wins.
  • Jeff Hardy VS Austin Theory; Theory wins.
  • King of the Ring Opening Round: Kofi Kingston VS Jinder Mahal; Mahal wins and advances to the next round.
  • Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks VS Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair; No Contest.
  • Queen’s Crown Opening Round: “Doudrop” Piper Niven VS Natalya; Piper wins and advances to the next round.
  • Big E & Drew McIntyre VS The Usos; The Usos win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!

The Scottish Warrior has his claymore, Angela, as always as he walks down the ramp. San Francisco is fired up for the former WWE World Champion as he sheaths the sword and gets the mic. “Now it seems appropriate the the Scottish Warrior is kicking things off in the home of the Warriors.” And since he won’t get to do this for some time, he gives us an introduction to Monday Night Raw! We all know Crown Jewel is coming, the thrones are on the stage, there’s Roman VS Lesnar and a No Holds Barred in Goldberg VS Lashley, and then the match everyone will be talking about, McIntyre VS Big E. And why will they talk about it? Because McIntyre will once again become champion!

McIntyre tells Big E that he has waited months for this last opportunity at the title, and he won’t let it slip through his fingers. McIntyre has a story from earlier today, but Big E’s entrance cuts it off! Big E goes to the ring and San Fran is fired up again as he gets himself a mic. Big E tells Drew that he gets it. He understands why McIntyre wants to be WWE Champion so badly. Big E has tasted the spoils and oh are they sweet. So sweet that he lets the juices of that nectar drip down his chin to his neck and “betwixt my nipples.” Drew is a specimen! Incredibly accomplished! But he will never take the title from Big E.

Big E tells Drew’s train has left the station and he has two options. He can either jump onboard, “or your big sword wielding ass can stay on those railroad tracks and get run smooth over.” McIntyre says Big E talks about the spoils, the nectar, his nipples… That rush he feels every night, how he felt when he won the title and the fans went nuts, even when he walked out here just now! Remember that feeling? Feels damn good, doesn’t it. McIntyre is a two-time WWE Champion, of course Big E’s on cloud nine. McIntyre held the title for 300 days and yet, he still doesn’t know that great feeling.

McIntyre is damn proud of his time as champion, he led the WWE through uncertain times and loved every minute but he is still chasing his moment. That moment will be Crown Jewel. And just like McIntyre defeated Lesnar, Orton and Goldberg, he will run through Big E and win back HIS title, and there’s not a damn thing Big E can do about it! Big e and McIntyre talk trash without the mics, but here come the Usos?! Jimmy & Jey are still on SmackDown and are still SmackDown Tag Team Champions, but they want to watch this. Jimmy is pumped for this match! Who’s Jey got? Jey is rolling with Big E! Jimmy isn’t sure. If Drew Mac hits the Claymore, it might be a rap.

McIntyre asks, “Why the hell are you two even here?” They’re doing what they want cuz they roll with the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, Uce! The Bloodline got drafted to SmackDown, but they are now in your city! So tonight, there are warning shots! Check it, Uce. They and they mama knows that Roman beats Lesnar at Crown Jewel, 100! But what’s going on here is, who (Who who who) is gonna be WWE World Champion. Is it Big E? Or is it Drew McIntyre? Jey tells McIntyre to be careful, or else he’ll end up in the crosshairs of the Tribal Chief on SmackDown. He might add the world title to the trophy case.

As for Big E, the Usos already have plans for his bois, Kofi & Woods, once they’re on SmackDown. So if at Crown Jewel, Big E wins, it’s him and Roman at Survivor Series. And if that’s the case, Tribal Chief already said, he’s got the same death wish as the NEW~ DAY~ are facing. #WeTheOnes, Uce. Read the shirts. But Big E says no no no no. These two can’t come out bumping their gums and just walk away. Big E is sure he speaks on behalf of Drew- No, Big E cannot speak on behalf of Drew. Well damn, they’ll speak on behalf of the Tribal Chief. McIntyre & Big E VS The Usos, tonight! Big E and McIntyre both accept the challenge, but then they get jumped! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!

Fans are fired up as the Usos leave Big E and McIntyre in the ring! The Scottish Warrior and Powerhouse of Positivity get up, both angry at the Usos but angry at each other. If they’re to have their match tonight, can champion and challenger get along long enough to win?

 

Backstage interview with the New Day.

Kevin Patrick asks how they feel about both having matches in the King of the Ring Tournament, and how they could end up facing each other in the semifinals. Kofi and Woods just laugh it off and the music hits. They say bye and we will see how the answer unfolds!

King of the Ring Opening Round: Xavier Woods VS Ricochet!

Woods looks longingly at the throne and crown, but he has to take out the King of Flight first! Will Woods ground the One and Only? Or will his dream of being crowned end already?

Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two fist bump then circle. They tie up, Ricochet waistlocks but Woods wants after an arm, only for Ricochet to get away. They reset, tie up, and now Ricochet wrenches the arm. Ricochet YANKS the arm, wristlocks, but Woods spins and wrenches back. Ricochet handsprings, wrenches, but Woods rolls and handsprings to wrench and whip. Ricochet reverses, Woods runs him over! Cover, ONE, but Woods clamps onto the arm. Woods throws elbows into the shoulder, then wrenches to a back suplex. Ricochet lands on his feet, waistlocks, but Woods switches.

Ricochet fights the lift, switches back but Woods elbows. Woods runs, but into a dropkick! Cover, ONE! Ricochet facelocks and then CLUBS Woods down. Ricochet KICKS Woods around, but Woods ROCKS Ricochet with a forearm! Ricochet comes back to ROCK Woods, KICK away on a leg, but Woods block the kick to forearm and CHOP! Ricochet snarls and comes back but is put on the apron. Ricochet shoulders in, slingshots but Woods disrupts that by hitting the arms! Ricochet crashes to the apron, Woods goes up the corner but Ricochet CHOPS! And CHOPS! Ricochet climbs up and brings Woods around. Woods fights the superplex to CLUB away on Ricochet!

Ricochet drops to the apron, but he springboards back up to the top! SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and fans fire up as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Ricochet whips Woods to ropes to then CLOBBER him with a back elbow! Cover, TWO! Ricochet keeps his cool and Woods sits up. Ricochet KICKS Woods in the back, taunts him, then brings him up for a EuroUpper. Ricochet snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Woods gets to ropes while Ricochet keeps his cool. Ricochet stalks Woods, throws haymakers, but Woods blocks the suplex. Woods turns things around to hang Ricochet out to dry! Woods goes up the corner to DOUBLE STOMP Ricochet down! Woods hurries back up top and fans fire up for the SECOND ROPE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!

Woods grits his teeth and drags Ricochet up by his wrists. Woods uses that to dead lift into a suplex, for a GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Woods is frustrated! Fans fire up and Woods aims as Ricochet rises, Ricochet ducks the knee to ROUNDHOUSE Woods down! Ricochet catches his breath, to roll into the facelock and fireman’s carry! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, to a PENALTY KICK! Woods crawls to the apron for safety, but Ricochet goes to the corner. Ricochet grins and runs to FLY over the corner! Direct hit and down goes Woods! Ricochet hurries to get back in and keep the count fresh, to then DIVE! Direct hit and Woods goes into barriers!

Ricochet just keeps moving, he’s feeling it here and he DIVES into a SLAM! Woods deflects the tope into the floor and Woods gets Ricochet into the ring! Woods pushes Ricochet around, goes to a corner and he tightrope walks, LIMIT BREAKER!! Cover, Woods wins!

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The semifinals will have the power of positivity, but will it be overflowing with it? Will Kofi or Jinder meet Woods in the next round?

 

RKBRO talk backstage.

Matt Riddle has news that is sure to blow Randy Orton’s mind. Someone challenged Omos to a 1v1 match tonight. Here’s some hints as to who it is. One: he has a sweet head of lettuce. Two: he loves Lunchables. Did Riddle challenge Omos? After the plan went so well last week, Riddle had to follow in Orton’s footsteps like a baby viper. Riddle looks up to Orton like this cool uncle. But with all this momentum going into Crown Jewel, what’s the plan? Riddle wants to know how they’re gonna get the better of AJ Styles & Omos this week. Riddle remembers in history class, learning about this guy named Jack who led a trail of beans to trap a giant!

Riddle, there is no plan and there was no plan. That was a one time thing last week. And in no way should Riddle have challenged Omos. “Bro, you’re on your own.” Wait… “No plan,” just like how they’re “not” getting matching snakeskin speedos! No, shouldn’t have brought that up. See you out there later, Randy! Is the Viper gonna have to bail the Stallion out of being thrown off the mountain known as Omos?

 

Mansoor & Mustafa Ali VS The Hurt Business!

The Star of Saudi Arabia and The Beacon are still working on this tag team thing, but they’re going against the newly reunited Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin. Have PRIMED Alexander and the Gold Standard patched things up from their time as enemies? Or can Mansoor & Mustafa take advantage of any leftover dysfunction?

Raw returns and The Hurt Business is already in the ring. Benjamin starts with Ali, and Benjamin sucker punches Mansoor! Ali rushes in to dropkick Benjamin then fire off hands. Ali whips, Benjamin reverses and then pops Ali up for a FLAPJACK! Tag to Alexander, he brings Ali around and back suplexes. Ali lands on his feet, slides under Alexander and tags Mansoor in! Mansoor CLOBBERS Alexander, whips and atomic drops to a BOOT and ENZIGURI! Alexander wobbles, Mansoor runs to clothesline him in the corner. Tag to Ali, he climbs up, DOUBLE STOMP BACK SUPLEX! Ali dropkicks Benjamin down then Mansoor DIVES out to hit him down!

Ali goes up while Alexander is still down, 450 but he has to roll through! He turns around, into a scoop MICHINOKU! Cover, Benjamin keeps Mansoor out, the Hurt Business wins!

Winners: The Hurt Business, by pinfall

No dysfunction at all between Alexander & Benjamin! Mansoor goes to Ali’s aid but then Ali shoves him down! Ali is getting sick of this, and he storms off. Is their own dysfunctional duo already done?

 

Queen’s Crown Opening Round: Shayna Baszler VS Dana Brooke!

The Queen of Spades has been getting the upper hand and breaking the arms of her opponents, but the Flex Appeal was one woman spared thanks to the courage of “Doudrop” Piper Niven. Will Shayna simply finish what she started while heading for the crown?

Raw returns, Dana is already in the ring, and the match begins. Dana rushes Shayna but Shayna sends her into buckles. Shayna fires off hands, body shots, but lets off as the ref counts. Shayna runs in but Dana dodges the knee! Dana goes to buckle bump but Shayna blocks that and elbows her away. Shayna whips but Dana reverses and fires off on Shayna now! The ref counts, Dana lets off and then bumps Shayna off buckles. Fans fire up as Dana goes corner to corner, but handsprings into a KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Dana drops down, victory rolls, TWO! Dana tries an Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Dana gets the arm, but Shayna trips her and rolls to an ANKLE LOCK!

Dana endures, rolls and sends Shayna into ropes! Roll up, but Shayna rolls through to KNEE Dana down! Cover, Shayna wins!

Winner: Shayna Baszler, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

And just like that, Shayna’s ready for the semifinals! But she wants to go after Dana more! Dana gets away and the ref reprimands Shayna. Will Shayna continues to do what she wants, all the way to being crowned queen?

 

Charlotte Flair is backstage.

“Who cares about Shayna Baszler?” And whatever happened between Bianca Belair, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch doesn’t interest her, either. They can rip each other apart at Crown Jewel but Charlotte only cares about herself. Those three are already beneath her as the most decorated female in sports entertainment history, and is already wrestling royalty. Bianca is fiery, but she doesn’t have the killer instinct to go for the throat. Becky talks the talks but never walks the walk. She just likes riding other people’s momentum.

As for Sasha, how many times as Charlotte beaten her? Charlotte actually hopes Sasha wins the title so that Charlotte can slap that stupid smirk off her face and then become a DOUBLE CHAMPION! The UNDENIABLE champion, melding the titles together! Will Charlotte have no choice but to care when she’s in the ring with the EST, The Man and The Boss?

 

Matt Riddle VS Omos w/ AJ Styles!

The Bro may have just stepped in it this time. The Viper is staying in the back, will this be a major step backwards on the road to the coming Raw Tag Team Championship match?

Raw returns and AJ Styles makes his entrance to lead the way for Omos. Riddle gets a mic to tell Omos, “Whoa, man! Before we get started, Omos, there’s a couple of things I want to say.” Riddle’s been doing a lot of thinking. He thinks all the time. Remember #Brogurt? And surely Omos knows about #Brotein, look how swole he is! Way more than Skipper Styles! Riddle claims he forgot what he was talking about, but clearly he’s stalling. RANDY, NOW! Nothing.  Classic Randy, he’s just super busy and waiting for a secret code word. Riddle starts singing Voices, but then tries, “pissed off!”

Styles gets the mic and says this is ridiculous. Riddle is stalling, everyone sees it. Even San Francisco, and they’re not even that smart! Riddle is having his head removed from his shoulders, it’s happening! Let’s ring the bell and get this over with! Riddle starts a “Randy! Randy!” chant but Styles hops off the apron. The bell rings and Riddle dodges Omos to then go after Styles! Omos drags Riddle up by his hair then TOSSES him into the ring! Omos sees Riddle go to a corner, he runs in and SPLASHES! Riddle flounders around, manages to stand up leaning against Omos, but Omos grabs him in a choke grip, for a CHOKE SLAM!

Omos uses one foot to cover but Styles wants this to keep going! They can legally beat the crap out of him for as long as they want, so here’s what they’ll do. Remember that karate lesson from third grade? Styles wants to see Omos roundhouse, so Omos waits. Riddle gets up, ROUNDHOUSE!! Styles wants to see that on instant replay! The titantron has it and Styles loves it as much the second time. What’s even better than that? Riddle isn’t getting up so why not watch it in SLOW MOTION! Fans want Randy but Styles tells them to shut up. Instant replay in slow-mo is just as good for Styles as the first time. Now, time to get rid of Riddle with the TWO HAND SLAM!! Cover, Omos wins!

Winner: Omos, by pinfall

Styles says Omos is done with Riddle, but Styles isn’t! Styles drags Riddle up, reels him in, but here comes Orton! But not from the ramp side! Styles turns around but wait, no crowd side, either? Styles tells Omos they should be ready for that anyway and he sends Omos out. Omos and Styles dare Orton to show himself from somewhere, but Orton slithers up from under the ring! Orton gets in and RKO’s Styles down! Then he gets Riddle out of the ring and RKBRO again get the drop on the Phenomenal One and the Mountain of a Man! But will they be dropped as soon as Omos gets at them in the title match?

 

McIntyre confronts Big E backstage.

Clearly he’s still upset about how things went with the Usos earlier, but Big E says the two of them will beat the brakes off each other at Crown Jewel. But if they don’t figure this thing out tonight, it’ll be a long night. The Usos are SEVEN time tag champs for a reason. So for tonight, let bygones be bygones. McIntyre says those are good points, and the Usos are here with Roman’s permission since they don’t even get to wipe their asses without it. So then the Head of the Table is scared of the both of them. As he should be! Plus, beating the Usos would be a good win for them. Yeah, and Big E did see McIntyre’s dimples talking about nectar and nipples. Freaky boy.

But that said, the two shake hands a la the Mega Powers. Will they get to savagely hulk out on both Jimmy & Jey? Or will they still be put in the Uso Penitentiary?

 

Bobby Lashley is here!

The Rocky Mountain Machine is dressed to impress, but what does he have to say about his coming Crown Jewel grudge match? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Lashley has the mic. “Unbelievable. A lot of people ask me why I decided to challenge Goldberg to a No Holds Barred match.” But before answering that, did anyone see Goldberg stand in this ring and talk about ending Lashley’s life? Goldberg said verbatim, “I’m not only next, but that No Holds Barred match gives him license to kill and that I’m dead!” That is not befitting of a WWE superstar, of a WWE Hall of Famer, and not befitting of a father. Who do you have here? Someone standing in front of you, dressed like a million bucks and who defend his WWE Championship the entire year? Or do you have that man who came with cut off sleeves, foaming at the mouth and screaming about murder?

Fans start up a “GOLD~ BERG!” chant, and Lashley sarcastically says that is classy. But that is why he challenged Goldberg to No Holds Barred. Lashley can’t go into a match, a fight, with a man screaming and frothing at the mouth like a rabid animal. “The icon of Goldberg has been reduced to a rabid dog!” And though Goldberg has a strong bite, that dog needs to be put down. At Crown Jewel, with no rules in No Holds Barred, Lashley will finally end Goldberg’s career! No longer will Goldberg be running into Raw, prancing in here and beat someone up, then ride off into the sunset. No, not again. Lashley says that there will be no misunderstandings.

Fans keep up the “GOLD~BERG!” chants but Lashley tells Goldberg that he can’t beat The All Mighty. You can’t hurt the All Mighty! Goldberg damn sure can’t KILL the All Mighty! The wrath of All Mighty Lashley is set to collide with the rage of Goldberg, with either man even survive?

 

Sasha Banks speaks.

“Ever since Charlotte’s been drafted to SmackDown, her entitlement really has her feeling like she’s in charge. When in reality, the woman who holds the SmackDown Women’s Championship calls the shots.” Right now, The Man is clutching to the title for dear life. Tonight, Sasha is supposed to trust the woman who lost said title in less than 30 seconds in Bianca Belair. Bianca needs to sit back and follow The Boss’ lead. Sasha is the standard, the blueprint, and none of them compare. Tonight, after Becky and Charlotte implode, Sasha will beat them. Then in 10 days, in that Triple Threat, Sasha will beat Bianca & Becky to become the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion. The Boss is all smiles, but will tonight be anything but #LEGIT?

 

Jeff Hardy VS Austin Theory!

It’s no mystery here, the Charismatic Enigma wants payback on The Way’s prodigal son! Will Hardy get extreme #AllDay? Or will Theory take flight using Hardy as his launching pad?

Raw returns and Theory makes his entrance. The bell rings, Hardy doges Theory then fires off hands. Hardy bumps Theory off buckles, Theory elbows back then throws forearms. Fans rally for Hardy as Theory whips him to a corner., Hardy elbows Theory down, hops up and leaps for ax handles! Theory staggers into a kick but denies the Twist! Standing switch but Theory bucks the O’Conner to slingshot, somersault and SHOTGUN dropkick! Cover, TWO! Theory clamps onto Hardy with an armlock, but wait, is that Reggie? He’s being chased by Team Maverick! Reggie LEAPS over Theory, the others get in the ring but Reggie dodges Gulak, sending Gulak tumbling!

Reggie plays cat ‘n’ mouse with Akira Tozawa, and then goes out of the ring and into the crowd! R-Truth is last but Theory has him stop. “Do you know who I am?” Truth dodges theory to go out after Reggie, Hardy gets Theory for an atomic drop! Leg splitting leg drop! TWIST OF FATE! Hardy goes up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! But it FLOPS as Theory moves! Roll up with tights, Theory wins!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall

Just as it seemed the 24/7 Championship chase turned things in Hardy’s favor, Theory turned it right back around! Will Theory use this wild momentum to climb higher and faster on Raw?

 

Bianca Belair speaks.

“I know we come from different backgrounds, but Charlotte Flair and I clearly have a different idea of what it takes to be a winner. In my life, I was fortunate enough to win with strength, with character, with heart. Charlotte Flair, she thinks that being ruthless is what it takes to be a winner, but for her, that usually just means cheating.” The EST doesn’t have to cheat and she’ll prove that when she takes the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Crown Jewel. And Sasha wants Bianca to follow her lead? Bianca doesn’t ever remember Sasha being the fastEST, but she does remember Sasha losing at WrestleMania.

And Bianca will never forget what Becky did to her at SummerSlam. But it’ll only take 30 seconds for Bianca to send Becky back to being #BeckyNOBelts. Friday, there were no issues with dropping them both through the table. A double pin could be in the future. Or maybe that’s for tonight. This is Raw, and Bianca goes here now. The EST is certainly the readiEST, but will she be able to keep things together with Sasha long enough to win?

 

King of the Ring Opening Round: Kofi Kingston VS Jinder Mahal w/ Veer & Shanky!

We know Woods is waiting, but will the semifinals be a battle of ya bois, the NEW~ DAY? Or will the Modern Day Maharaja’s boys make sure he is headed for the throne?

Raw returns as Woods hypes Kofi up. Kevin Patrick returns to ask how they’d feel about facing each other next week. Who would win? Who who who who? The music hits again and it’s time to do work! Kofi makes his entrance, Woods staying ringside to counteract Veer & Shanky. The bell rings, Kofi and Mahal circle. They tie up, Mahal waistlocks, SLAMS Kofi down, then gloats. Kofi gets up, he and Mahal tie up, and Mahal headlocks to a takeover. Kofi fights back up, fans rally and Kofi powers out. Mahal runs Kofi with a shoulder and he grins as things speed up. Kofi hurdles, Mahal fakes out the second then runs Kofi over again!

Mahal soaks up the heat then brings Kofi up to put him in a corner. Mahal ROCKS Kofi with a forearm, throws body shots, then stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Mahal lets off at 4 and then he whips Kofi corner to corner. Kofi goes up to missile dropkick! Then runs corner to corner to forearm smash! Kofi fires off, whips, but Mahal reverses. Kofi hold ropes to BOOT back, then runs to RANA! Mahal bails out, Kofi aims and slingshots. Mahal dodges so Kofi lands on the apron to PENALTY KICK! Kofi goes up the corner, SUPER TRUST FALL! Fans fire up and Kofi gets in the ring! Veer & Shanky head over to help Mahal while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Mahal has Kofi in a cobra twist. Fans rally as Kofi endures and Kofi works on an escape. Kofi pries at the leg hook, then gets free to SOS! It wasn’t very clean as Mahal was fighting the whole way. Woods and the fans rally up again, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” as Kofi gets to the ropes. Kofi DOUBLE COHPS, DOUBLE CHOPS then dropkicks! Kofi runs, Mahal dodges the leaping lariat to kick and whip. But Kofi goes up and up to CORSSBODY! TWO!! Woods coaches Kofi but Mahal shoves him away to fireman’s carry. GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Veer & Shanky cheer Mahal on. Mahal drags Kofi up in the corner to throw knees down low.

Mahal hoists Kofi up top and throws haymakers. Kofi hits back, throws fast hands and a headbutt! Mahal drops down, Kofi adjusts, SPLASH to Mahal’s back! Cover, TWO! Kofi hurries and PENALTY KICKS! Mahal is down, Kofi fires up and the fans join in! NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi goes to a corner, fans fire up as Kofi claps along, but Shanky distracts! Woods LEAPS over to hit him! But Veer CLOBBERS Woods with the Million Dollar Arm! Kofi WRECKS Veer, Mahal ghost pins him! TWO!! Kofi goes to a corner, slips out and swing kicks! Kofi goes up, leaps, but into a KALLAS!! Cover, Mahal wins!

Winner: Jinder Mahal, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Well, now we don’t have to worry about who wins in Kofi VS Woods, because Mahal is taking that semifinal spot! And he even goes to the throne to sit down and wear the crown! Will Woods avenge his New Day brethren as he fights towards the finals?

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

“For someone who likes to talk a lot, I don’t have too much more to say. Sasha, Charlotte, Bianca, they all said their little piece about The Man while I was out of earshot. It doesn’t matter, I beat them all.” Becky’s done everything she said she’d do and then raised the bar even higher. There’s a reason she was the longest reigning Raw Women’s Champion: she’s always five steps ahead. Teaming with Charlotte is as repulsive as the smell of piss in a downtown alley, but it doesn’t matter. Becky will lead her team to victory because winning is what she does. Unlike Bianca, who she beat in 26 seconds. Unlike Sasha, who runs home and cries every time she loses.

Well bring on the tears, because The Man walks out of Crown Jewel the same way she walks in: as SmackDown Women’s Champion. All four have shared their thoughts on tonight’s tag match, and that match is NEXT!

Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks VS Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair!

The Boss heads out first and is feeling herself. But will she and Bianca be able to be the #LegitEST duo once again? Or will they simply fall apart even faster than the frenemies across the ring from them?

Raw returns as Bianca makes her entrance. She and Sasha are already at each other with Bianca parodying Sasha’s pose, but now out comes Raw Women’s Champion and her Infinity Gauntlet robe! And of course, last but not least, the SmackDown Women’s Champion makes her entrance. The teams sort out, more in that Sasha pushes Bianca to the corner, but then Bianca returns the favor. Sasha pushes Bianca aside again as Becky is more than happy to start. Bianca has Sasha move back again, but then Sasha pulls the ponytail! Bianca is getting heated now and she whips Sasha into the corner! Becky attacks them both! Charlotte just goes out, but then Becky is sent into her!

Bianca and Becky brawl, Sasha goes after her, Charlotte comes back and tackles Sasha! Bianca has Becky in a corner, extra refs rush in to stop this! Charlotte stomps Sasha, Becky fires off on Bianca, but Sasha and Bianca turn it around on them! Charlotte throws Sasha into buckles, Bianca RAMS into Becky! Charlotte throws Sasha out, she and Becky work together, BECKSPLODER for Bianca! But then Charlotte BOOTS Becky! There are no allegiances anywhere, and Charlotte rushes to the corner as Becky bails out! Charlotte goes up, but Sasha stops her with haymakers! Becky yanks Charlotte down, they throw hands, and Sasha goes up! Only for Bianca to get her!

Bianca THROWS Sasha onto The Queen and The Man!! Fans fire up for The EST but now management and security rush out to stop this! Fans boo but Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville come out now. Pearce says these four had the opportunity to show the entire world what the greatest women competitors could do and this is what they choose? No! Not tonight! Sonya says these four can get back in the ring for this to restart! But Sasha and Bianca are fighting each other! Then Becky and Charlotte get involved, fighting each other again! Sasha and Bianca get in the ring, they brawl, and Raw goes to break! How is any tag match supposed to happen at this point?!

Raw returns and somehow, the teams have sorted out. Sasha and Charlotte start and the bell rings. The two slowly circle then tie up. Charlotte waistlocks, they go around, Sasha resists the lift to switch. Charlotte elbows out hard, then drags Sasha by a leg. Sasha turns Figure Four into O’Conner Roll, TWO! Charlotte kips up but Sasha RANAS her away! Sasha then wheelbarrows and victory rolls! ONE, but Sasha blocks the boot to KNEE back! Charlotte comes back to catch Sasha for a BACKBREAKER and SLAM! Charlotte drags Sasha up, bumps her off buckles, then snapmares her down to step on her. Becky tags in and Charlotte seethes, but she lets it be.

Becky runs but Sasha avoids the leg drop! Sasha runs to BASEMENT METEORA! Cover, TWO! Sasha argues the count but she brings Becky up to wrench and YANK the arm. Sasha tags Bianca in with some sauce, but Bianca wrenches Becky. Bianca tags Sasha, Sasha takes the hand-off and wrenches to YANK. Another saucy tag, Bianca hops up to ax handle, but Becky breaks free to fire off hands! Becky gets Bianca in the corner, then sends Sasha in. Bianca dumps Sasha out, brings Becky around and snap suplexes! Roll through to a dead lift and stalling SLAM! Then a running SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Becky sputters, Charlotte taunts Bianca but Bianca whips Becky. Becky reverses, Bianca goes up and tells The Man to kiss this, but Sasha tags in and dumps Bianca down! Sasha KNEES Becky, rolls her around, BANK STATE- NO, Becky slips out! DISARM- NO, Charlotte tags in! Sasha throws Becky away, Becky CLOBBERS Her, then Charlotte tells Becky to get her ass out. Becky says that’s real cute from Charlie, but then Sasha hits a BACKSTABBER! Becky and Sasha start swinging on each other again! Becky EuroUppers, Sasha blocks a kick to KNEE! Becky blocks backstabber and Bianca throws Sasha down!

Bianca then spins Sasha around for double chicken wings! GlamEST SNAKE EYES! The ref rings the bell, this is getting to be too much again!

No Contest

Becky gives Bianca a BECKSPLODER! And then clamps onto the arm! Bianca resists, powers up to a torture rack, but Becky holds ropes! Sasha hits a BACKSTABBER on Bianca! Becky sobats, but Sasha turns backslide around! Becky fights the backstabber, Sasha fights the urenage! Becky bucks the backstabber to sobat and MANHANDLE SLAM!! Big Time Becks stands tall, making the real statement! But will this be how Crown Jewel goes for The Man? Or will someone take the title away from #BigTimeBecks to change the power dynamic in the women’s division?

 

The Usos talk with Roman Reigns on the phone.

Jimmy assures “Big Uce” that everything’s on lock. They the ones! Jimmy tells Jey that Roman wants them to complete the mission. Big E and McIntyre are going to be at each other’s throats by the end of the night! Will the Usos make sure no one in Roman’s way stands a chance?

 

Queen’s Crown Opening Round: “Doudrop” Piper Niven VS Natalya!

The inaugural tournament’s opening round closes with Piper the Viper and the statement maker, bone breaker, title taker! Will Piper trump the Queen of Harts to then go after the Queen of Spades?

Raw returns as Natty makes her entrance. The bell rings, Natty stares at the happy-go-lucky Piper doing her little dance. Natty says Piper needs to take this serious, this is something the Hart family paved the way for. Then she SLAPS Piper across the face! Piper gets serious and  ties up with Natty. They go around, Natty fires off in a corner but the ref counts. Natty lets off but then comes back with heavy body shots! Piper shoves her away, Natty headlocks and throws away Piper’s flower hairclip. Piper blocks the takeover, powers up and out of the headlock, then drops. Natty rolls, Piper gets up and Natty CHOPS her! Then SLAPS her!

Natty whips, Piper comes back to run her over! Piper still does her dance then talks some trash to Natty. Piper runs but Natty avoids the back senton! Natty runs, steps on Piper then dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO! Natty tells the ref to do his job better, then she drags Piper up. Natty CLUBS Piper then wraps her up in the cobra twist! Shayna watches backstage while Piper endures and Natty pulls hair. Natty CHOPS and even SPANKS Piper, but Piper still endures. Piper fights with elbows to the leg, then she HIP TOSSES Natty down! Natty goes to a corner, Piper runs in and SPLASHES! Natty sits down, fans fire up with Piper as she runs corner to corner.

But Natty avoid the CANNONBALL! DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Piper’s still in this but Natty gets mad. Natty gets the legs, stomps Piper, then ties up the legs. Piper SLAPS Natty away, then rolls her up! Piper wins!!

Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Piper celebrates, but Shayna looks eager to get after her. Will Piper get to bully the bully? Or will Shayna find a way to break Piper’s bubbly spirit before breaking one of her arms?

 

John Morrison meditates backstage.

But Rhea Ripley asks him what he’s doing. He looks over to see her and Nikki A.S.H. Isn’t it obvious? He’s tapping into his chi so he can share his innermost thoughts with the world. There is a lot going on. Well that’s great. Everyone should follow their dreams. Rhea has Nikki move on from the Guru of Greatness, and then asks if she understand what he was even talking about. Nope! Will #SuperBrutality worry more about their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships than chi and tranquility?

 

Austin Theory snatches a selfie with Big E.

Big E lets that slide, he has bigger fish to fry. Will he and the Scottish Warrior be serving up a juicy L to the Usos?

 

Backstage interview with Mansoor.

Kevin Patrick asks about what happened with him and Mustafa Ali, but Mansoor says he isn’t sure what’s going on. Ali storms over and shouts, “You still don’t know?!” Then let him explain: Mansoor is nothing more than a giant waste of time! Ali wants Mansoor to listen. Ali wants to show Mansoor how to survive this place, but all Mansoor wants is to dance around and make friends. He doesn’t deserve to be here! Mansoor tells Ali to get it all off his chest. Ali says Mansoor is his ONLY lifeline! The only one watching his back! Without Ali, Mansoor gets eaten alive.

But in a way, this is Ali’s fault. Ali should’ve just said this to Mansoor’s face: “You’re a loser. You’re worthless. You. Are. NOTHING.” And when Mansoor doesn’t react, Ali says, “That’s what I thought.” Ali leaves, only to come back and attack! “You still don’t get it, do you?!” Ali throws Mansoor into road cases! And then rains down rights! He wants Mansoor to listen to him, even as he beats him up! “You are NOTHING!” Ali throws Mansoor down again, and then actually leaves. Has Ali just snuffed out the Star of Saudi Arabia’s light?

 

Big E & Drew McIntyre VS The Usos!

The WWE World Champion and his challenger agree that their common enemy is The Tribal Chief. Therefore, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions will have to be the next best thing until each man has their turn taking on Roman Reigns. Will the Powerhouse and the Warrior be able to show Roman what he has to look forward to through his cousins? Or will they be welcomed to the Uso Penitentiary?

Raw returns and the teams sort out. Big E starts against Jimmy, they tie up at the bell, and then Big E throws Jimmy down. Big E gets Jimmy up, reels him in for back elbow after back elbow, then he puts Jimmy in the corner. Tag to McIntyre, and he stomps away! He’s staring up the stampede! Tag to Big E, he stomps, McIntyre tags in and he stomps! These Scottish Unicorns keep going, then Big E whips McIntyre in to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! McIntyre wrenches an arm and has a chinbar. Jimmy endures, fights up but McIntyre wrenches. Jimmy headbutts free then rams McIntyre into the corner. Tag to Jey, he runs in and forearm smashes!

Jey RAMS McIntyre into another corner, whips corner to corner, but McIntyre reverses. Jey goe sup but McIntyre BOOTS him out of the air! McIntyre drags Jey up, reels him in, suplexes then covers, TWO! Big E wants the tag, McIntyre drags Jey up to wrench, then he tags Big E in. They mug Jey, Big E brings Jey up again and wraps him up in the cobra twist! Big E clubs Jey to the beat, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” then Big E shoves Jey to ropes. Jey ducks, Jimmy tags in, Big E dodges but Jimmy GAMANGIRIS! Jey ROCKS Big E with an uppercut, then Jimmy stomps away on Big E! Tag to Jey, Jey stomps away on Big E! Jimmy tags in and they give back all those stomps!

Tag back to Jey, he tops things off with one more stomp, then tag back to Jimmy. They both drag Big E out and split the wishbone! Cover, ONE, but Jimmy wraps on a chinlock. Big E endures, San Francisco is behind the Usos as hometown heroes, and Jimmy headbutts Big E back to the corner. Jimmy throws more headbutts, tags in Jey, then Jimmy tops it off with one more headbutt. The Usos point to the sky, Jey drags Big E by his legs and stomps him in the gut! And again! Tag to Jimmy, the Usos bring Big E up and they mug Big E. Cover, ONE!! Big E’s still hanging tough but Jimmy keeps Big E down with a chinlock.

Big E fights up as fans rally and Big E throws body shots. Jimmy CLUBS Big E, Big E shoves him away, but Jey tags in before Jimmy gets an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Jey gets Big E up to fireman’s carry, but Big E goes to the apron! Big E dumps Jey out, then aims at Jimmy, APRON SPLASH only gets apron as Jimmy moves! The Usos get Big E up to RAM him into steel steps! McIntyre storms over but the ref has him stay back as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Jimmy has Big E down with a neck wrench. Fans rally and duel as Big E fights up to JAWBREAKER! Jimmy staggers, comes back to kick but Big E blocks. Big E spins Jimmy but gets a DRAGON WHIP! Jimmy tags Jey, they double whip Big E for a DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Jey covers, TWO! McIntyre coaches Big E and fans fire up as Jey argues the count. Big E crawls to an open corner, Jey shouts “UCE!” and fans shout “OH!” Jey runs in to HIP ATTACK in the corner! Big E is dazed, Jey points a finger to the sky and goes corner to corner again, and he lets out another “UCE!” “OH!” Jey runs but Big E moves, Jey hits only buckles!

Big E gets up to get Jey for a Belly2Belly! Both men are down and fans fire up! Jey and Big E crawl, hot tags to Jimmy and McIntyre! The Scottish Warrior rallies on Jimmy as fans rally and duel again! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Jimmy swings but then rolls McIntyre up, TWO! McIntyre gives Jimmy a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife, TWO! McIntyre snarls, drags Jimmy back up, underhooks the arms, but Jimmy slips out, to get a GLASGOW KISS! Jey tags in and gets in as McIntyre goes after Jimmy, SUPERKICK! The Usos regroup, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Down goes McIntyre! Cover, TWO!!

Jey rains down rights on McIntyre then drags him up to a fireman’s carry. But McIntyre fights out and then ducks the clothesline to NECKBREAKER! McIntyre dodges Jimmy to NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up an d fires up and he wants the countdown! Three, two, one, and Big E tags in! Big E is turning things around from last time but McIntyre is reluctant to leave. Big E turns around into a SUPERKICK! And then another SUPERKICK! Cover, McIntyre doesn’t even flinch, TWO!! Big E survives but Jey watches McIntyre. Jey climbs up the corner, leaps, but Big E moves! Jey comes back into a scoop! Jimmy anchors McIntyre’s feet, Jey shoves Big E into McIntyre!

Jey runs in, into the Urenag-E! Cover, McIntyre drags Big E off!! Big E asks if McIntyre lost his mind! That bump was an accident. But these shoves aren’t! McIntyre ROCKS Big E, Big E fires back! They’re brawling, just like the Usos wanted! Big E smacks McIntyre off steel steps! And then off barriers! The count is climbing on Big E as the brawl continues! McIntyre POSTS Big E, then throws him over the desk! The count is 10, the Usos wins!!

Winners: The Usos, by count-out

But Big E hits McIntyre back and bumps him off apron! The Usos DOUBLE TOPE CONJILO! They take McIntyre and Big E out, then THROW Big E over the announce desk! Then they throw McIntyre into the barriers! The Usos clear off the announce desk, throw chairs out of the way then bring Big E around to throw into barriers! They TIP the desk over, but Big E OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Jey! Big E shoves Jimmy to McIntyre’s OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Big E and McIntyre get back in the ring and fans fire up as they throw hands again! Big E shoves, scoops, but McIntyre slips out! CLAYMORE OUTTA NOWHERE!!

The Scottish Warrior, a bloody, busted welt over his eyebrow, roars and stands tall! But will he end Big E’s reign at Crown Jewel to begin his third? Or will the Powerhouse of Positivity show him what he can do when he’s angry?


My Thoughts:

A pretty good Raw, but with the same problem as on SmackDown: The Queen’s Crown tournament has been booked in the most disappointing way it could be. Now, in a vacuum, Shayna Baszler should have dominated just as she did tonight. But when it follows up a pair of stupidly short matches on SmackDown, it just feels bad. Piper VS Natty was the longest of the four matches but it was still under 10 minutes. The semifinal matches better be mind-blowing or it’ll just emphasize how Team Vince just doesn’t care about the women’s midcard. The top of the card, aka the titles, got a good showing going into the tag match.

Charlotte, Sasha, Bianca and Becky all delivered good promos, but I would’ve gone in a different direction with the tag match. After it turned into chaos, I would’ve just made it a Fatal 4 Way, maybe even for the Raw Women’s Championship. I know they want Becky going into Crown Jewel with the momentum because with her and Charlotte switching brands while still champions, someone has to lose a belt. Becky VS Sasha for the “Supersized” SmackDown that’s an extra half hour longer will tell a lot about Crown Jewel, but something also needs to happen on next week’s Raw go-home to see how Charlotte loses the Raw Women’s Championship.

Speaking of go-home, tonight had a lot of Go Home Syndrome. Too many commercial breaks on top of recaps and short matches. The Hurt Business is back but Ali and Mansoor are done as a team, can’t Vince just let them all stay? More teams for the tag champions to face, but no. This week’s RKBRO segment was alright, Omos of course wins but Orton still gets the last laugh. Horrible camera direction, though. I basically just assumed he came out from under the ring because we didn’t get even a replay to see Orton appear. I feel like at this point, math would dictate Styles & Omos win, but there is now one more Heel team than Face, so RKBRO has more possibilities with Hurt Business as contenders.

Lashley had a decent promo, not really the smoothest, but he does make a good point: even in pro-wrestling, how is Goldberg getting away with threatening Lashley’s life? Well whatever, the No Holds Barred match is going to be the best way for Lashley to carry Goldberg through that match. Hardy VS Theory was a disappointing match only in that it had the 24/7 Championship division pass through just because. Hardy VS Theory could’ve been a better match if it was just a match, but nope. Maybe Theory’s drive-by selfie with Big E is a tease at what’s coming next.

The King of the Ring matches were very good, with Woods having a great one with Ricochet. Kofi VS Mahal was good, but I suppose it makes more sense for Mahal to win as WWE keeps things as Face VS Heel. I suppose while WWE doesn’t mind separating New Day, they won’t make them fight each other. Pretty sure this means Woods beats Mahal to go to the finals, then. We got great stuff out of McIntyre, Big E and the Usos, and that Mega Powers handshake was a great little bit. Great match out of McIntyre & Big E VS Usos, and that count-out finish was the best move for this, given Big E and McIntyre stand tall over the Usos and then McIntyre stands tall over all. With McIntyre going to SmackDown, it’s pretty clear Big E retains and keeps the world title on Raw.

My Score: 8/10


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

Published

on

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


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Coverage

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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Sports

Entertainment

Sports Entertainment

Buy A Chairshot T-Shirt!

Chairshot Radio Network

Trending

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com