Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/3/22)
Fallout from the New Year!
New Year, NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion!
After plans changed for Day 1, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! Joined the WWE World Championship and won it! Will Raw become Suplex City once again?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- RKBRO VS The Alpha Academy; The Alpha Academy wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Mixed Tag: Dana Brooke & Reggie VS Tamina & Akira Tozawa; Dana & Reggie win, Dana retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Zelina Vega & Carmella VS Rhea Ripley & Nikki A.S.H; Vega & Carmella win and retain the titles.
- The Street Profits VS Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez; The Street Profits win.
- WWE United States Championship, No Champion’s Advantage: Damian Priest VS Dolph Ziggler; Priest wins and retains the title.
- AJ Styles VS Omos; Omos wins.
- WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Big E VS Seth Rollins VS Kevin Owens VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP; Lashley wins and will challenge Brock Lesnar for the title at the Royal Rumble.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw opens with PAUL HEYMAN in the ring!
The Special Counsel is here to introduce himself to Atlanta as an Advocate, and he’d like to introduce us to his client. “And NEW Reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Heavyweight Champion of the Worrrrld…! BRRROCK! LESNARRR!!” Fans are going nuts as Lesnar makes his way out, Heyman back in his corner! Lesnar takes a victory lap around the ring, then TOSSES the steel steps into the ring! Lesnar stands those up, then stands on those steps like a podium! Heyman hands the mic over to Lesnar and Lesnar says, “Before we get this party started tonight, I’d like to give a big shoutout to my good buddy, Roman Reigns.”
Roman is more than likely at home, watching Raw, and watching the NEW WWE Heavyweight Champion, the REAL champion, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! “Get well soon, buddy.” But that said, “South Carolina! Acknowledge me.” Lesnar grins as he uses Roman’s catchphrase, and he also wants to acknowledge his Advocate, for advocating free agency, advocating all those strings he pulled to make Lesnar the new WWE Champion. Lesnar thanks Heyman and Heyman is given the mic back. Heyman says, “If you think it’s interesting out here, you should see the things that go on behind the scenes.”
Heyman negotiated Lesnar’s free agency, and then on Day 1, when Lesnar showed up, looking to win a title from a champion, and one champion couldn’t make it while the other was in a Fatal 4 Way, what’s better than that but a Fatal FIVE Way with Brock Lesnar? So all the machinations and strings were pulled, Lesnar enters the Fatal 5 Way, and now what does he do as YOUR WWE Heavyweight Champion? Well reigning, and defending, at the Royal Rumble of the originally scheduled Fatal 4 in tonight’s main event. Let’s rundown the challengers! First, Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens, you lump them together because they’re a team now!
And in a match where it’s every man for himself, they figured out how to be jackals, hyenas, and go after the lions. Then winning together, they leave management to figure it out and who cares about them, right? But it’s a pretty smart thing for someone as dumb as Seth Rollins. Rollins likes to say he’s a Visionary but he’s too stupid to see he isn’t. If he had a vision for the future, he’d see that his wife is going to leave him when he fails to beat Brock Lesnar for the title! And he can’t, so who she gonna leave him for? Sure won’t be Kevin Owens! Kevin can’t beat Lesnar, either!
Maybe they should be traded to SmackDown as there’s a certain Tribal Chief who is vulnerable without his Special Counsel…! In fact, Heyman can prove it. One week without Heyman, Roman gets COVID. You can get past ‘Rona, but Karma is a bitch. Speaking of, let’s talk about MVP. No, wait, let’s not, since no one talks about MVP anyway. Let’s instead talk about Bobby Lashley. Lashley is a worthy challenger! Lesnar and Lashley hadn’t met at all before, that’s just a fact. No bumping into each other in the back, no shaking hands, it’s like they were avoiding each other. That’s not the case, cuz neither avoids anyone or anything.
But the first time they did met, Lashley speared Lesnar through a wall. Then Lesnar hit F5’s on everyone but Lashley who speared and damn near pinned Lesnar. The third time in that match, Lashley put Lesnar in the Hurt Lock and Heyman said this to Lesnar’s face, Lesnar didn’t look like he’d get out. That’s a testament to how damn good Lashley is. Except, Lashley was hitting Lesnar from a blindside. So if Lashley wins tonight and he faces Lesnar at the Rumble, he’ll have to face Lesnar face to face, and that is a whole different story. The story between jackin’ someone from behind, and just going down in history as the All Mighty Lesnar Wannabe!
There’s one more man in that match, the odds on favorite, the former champion in Big E. Heyman has nothing bad to say about Big E, that is a great champion. Big E did WWE justice and a credit to this company, the fans and the lineage of the title. Big E is that and more and would still be champion if he didn’t have to step into the ring with Lesnar. They have nothing but respect and admiration for Big E. If Big E wins and gets his rematch, then sir, it will be an absolute honor to witness that match. Big E will lose, which is no shame, but it’ll still be a honor to watch Big E lose to the greatest champion of all time, the winner of the Fatal 5 and the REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED WWE Heavyweight Champion of the WORLD! BRRROCK! LESNARRR!
Heyman and Lesnar head out and prepare to watch the main event. Who of the four will fight their way to become the one at the Rumble?
Randy Orton and Matt Riddle meet up backstage.
The Bro seems to still be in the Migos mindset as he rolls up on his scooter. Will the Stallion & Viper keep their momentum going as they take on “Master” Gable and The Dozer 2v2?
Raw returns sand Riddle rolls back in. Where has he been? And no, no, no on all that he’s got on. What? Wasn’t it awesome hanging out with Migos? They’ve got sweet connections, and Riddle can’t get their music out of his head. They could be their own rap group! The Notorious R I Double D to the L E, and Lil’ Ran-Dog. Word on the street is that “Swim Shady,” Riddle’s pet fish, is available. Orton sighs and has Riddle take off the shades and chains. Is he gonna try them on? No, he’s not putting this crap on. How does Riddle have all these celebrity connections? No, it doesn’t matter. What happened to the resolutions they made for this year?
Well, they talked about going to the Grand Canyon, grocery shopping for some things, and getting on Farmville. Oh yeah, and “Listen to Randy more.” Exactly! Last week, they were on the same page and look what happened? Riddle beat Gable and Orton beat that walking tree trunk, Otis. They also won at Day 1 to retain the tag titles. How did they do that? How? Because they are… What? Our name is… Who? Our name is… CHIKA CHIKA RKBRO! That was awesome, Randy! They are totally rappers now. Orton has Riddle focus, and they head to the ring.
RKBRO VS The Alpha Academy!
Riddle & Randy swept Gable & Otis when it was 1v1 twice in a row, but will they still be top of the class now that it’s a full tag team match? Or will Gable and #4pointOtis ruin the New Year for the old champions?
As the Academy make their entrance, Gable gloats about his Master’s Degree and how he’s handing out free lessons. Plus, look at his number one guy! Look at his face! The first resolution is for RKBRO. They’re gonna learn “acceptance.” They are going to accept that their title reign is coming to an end at the hands of the Alpha Academy. And it’ll be curtesy of the four most dangerous letters: O T I S. The Academy attacks and it’s a brawl! Gable is after Orton, Otis TOSSES Riddle out of the ring! Otis hits Orton with the WRECKING ELBOW! The Academy then goes out after RKBRO, Otis brings Riddle around to hit an EXPLODER!
The ref shouts at Gable and Otis while they gloat “FOR THE ACADEMY!” and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Riddle is firing off forearm son Gable! Riddle hits Otis, too! But then Gable DECKS Riddle, and hits a TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable gets a leg for a KNEE JAMMER, then another one! And then a YANK on the leg, before a third KNEE JAMMER! Gable has the toehold but Riddle endures. Riddle drags himself back, kicks away at Gable with his free leg and gets free. Gable tags Otis then gets Riddle’s arm. Gable reels Riddle in, flapjack to Otis’ trophy lift and SLAM! Otis covers, TWO! Otis puts Riddle in the corner, tags Gable, then they mug Riddle, and whip for a BIG back elbow! Gable rains down fists, then stands Riddle back up.
Tag to Otis, Gable scoops and SLAMS Riddle, Otis runs for a BIG elbow drop! Fans rally up for “Randy! Randy!” but Otis sits Riddle up for a neck wrench. Riddle fights up, Otis whips him to a corner. Riddle hits Gable down, then goes up and over Otis and Otis POSTS himself! Riddle crawls, Otis reels him in to back suplex, but Riddle lands on his feet! ROUNDHOUSE staggers Otis to ropes! But Gable sneaks up to the RKBRO corner and trips Orton off the apron! Orton goes after Gable but Otis SPLASHES Riddle! Otis then goes out to CLOBBER Orton! Gable tells Otis to hurry, and Otis gets in, to get a FINAL FLASH! Riddle hears voices, but NO RKO!
Otis turns Riddle around, POWERSLAM! Cover, The Alpha Academy wins!
Winners: The Alpha Academy, by pinfall
Whether or not RKBRO was on the same page, the Alpha Academy had all the answers to the test! Will Gable & Otis look to graduate from being A+ contenders to NEW Raw Tag Team Champions?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley & MVP.
If Lashley wins tonight- MVP stops there and says not to get ahead of ourselves. If we’re talking about the future, the inevitable future, the All Mighty has to overcome insurmountable odds. He has to beat Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and Big E. This is a Herculean task! Having finished being a bit sarcastic here, MVP walks off stage. Sarah asks Lashley his thoughts. “Brock Lesnar fears me!” Will the Rocky Mountain Machine repeat what he did to get into the Fatal 4 Way, just all at once?
Backstage interview with Omos.
How does he react to AJ Styles saying he regrets taking Omos under his wing, and calling Omos a piece of- Omos puts his massive hand over Kevin Patrick’s face. “That’s how I react.” Will Omos do the same to Styles when they finally face off later tonight?
WWE 24/7 Championship Mixed Tag: Dana Brooke & Reggie VS Tamina & Akira Tozawa!
Since R-Truth didn’t work, it seems the Daughter of Superfly is using the Stamina Monster as her tag partner this time. Will they be the combination that stops the Flex Appear and slick sommelier in their tracks?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and how does a tag match for a singles title work out? We’re going to find out tonight, after the break!
Raw returns and the teams sort out. Tozawa wants to face Dana but this is still Mixed tag, men face men. Reggie and Tozawa circle, approach, and Tozawa dodges to mule kick! Reggie ducks the spin kick but Tozawa slips under to sunset flip! TWO, Tozawa kicks low again then ROCKS Reggie with a jab! Tozawa grins as he suplexes, but Reggie slips out to dropkick Tozawa away! Reggie tells Dana he’s got this but then Tozawa hits low! Tozawa whips Reggie in, runs but Reggie dodges and Tozawa BOOTS Tamina! Tamina doesn’t go down and Tozawa’s frozen in fear! Tamina scowls, roars, and SLAPS Tozawa down!
Reggie is in the corner, runs and 450 SEATED SENTONS! Cover, Reggie & Dana win!
Winners: Reggie & Dana Brooke, by pinfall (Dana is still WWE 24/7 Champion)
Well, Reggie did all the work, but he’s fine with Dana still holding the gold. Tamina is down another sidekick, will she just have to do this alone?
Becky Lynch is here!
The Raw Women’s Champion is still Big Time! The Man is here to ring in the New Year, but what is next for her? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns and Becky is given a proper introduction. “Here we are, huh? 2022. There’s something about the new year that inspires so much hope in people. It doesn’t matter if you failed the whole of last year, or you failed the whole last five years. Hell, it doesn’t matter if you failed your whole life. When that clock strikes midnight, everything can change for the better. New Year, New You, huh? Yeah, now I know for a fact that all those women in the back, they have at the top of their New Year’s Resolutions, ‘Become Raw Women’s Champion.’ And I admire their ambition, I really do. But at the top of mine is, ‘Remain Raw Women’s Champion.'”
And now, if we have learned anything from the last few years, it is that Becky is the consistent homeostasis that is unyielding to the roster’s brittle willpower. Sorry, she means, they can’t beat her. Many have tried, many have failed, no one can beat Becky. But Becky would be remiss if she says she hasn’t taken the time to think back this past year. Were her decisions right? Wrong? 365 days, 365 blank canvases, what has Becky become? A work of art! Now stay with her if you can. Say you go to a museum and you see a famous Van Gogh and you look at it in awe. You may not understand all the details, the nuances, the complexities, but it makes you feel something.
Becky says she makes us feel something! That is what good art does! She makes you feel! And the other thing about fine art is that it reveals the truth. So Becky standing here as the Vincent Van Goat is going to show us that no, you’re not going to lose those last 10 pounds. No, you’re not going to get that job promotion you were looking for. And no, you’re not finally gonna get the hell outta South Carolina! And all those girls back there, they are not going to win the Raw Women’s Championship. If you don’t believe her, just look at Liv Morgan! She swore to all the fans that she was going to win the title, and on the very first day of this new year, she broke that promise.
But here comes Liv! Liv says, “Wow~! New Year, New Ugly Jacket, and same delusional Becks.” Hey, Becky likes this jacket. Uh, well she’s the only one. But Liv was hearing all this about her coming up short, so here’s something she should know: There is no one harder on Liv than herself. But Liv was just thinking… Liv knows, and Liv knows Becky knows, just how close Liv was to winning. Becky got one thing wrong, too. The only thing Liv ever promised from the moment she was old enough to dream of being in this ring is that she would give it her all and leave it all in the ring every chance she got! And that’s what she did at Day 1.
Becky says that’s lovely and all. Liv maybe will be champion one day, after Becky retires. She’s holding onto the title. This is what happens when you’re Big Time, and there’s only one Big Time, and it sure ain’t Liv. But speaking of big, here comes the EST, Bianca Belair! “Oh, just like you ain’t the EST of WWE.” And y’know what? Bianca is tired of hearing Becky talking like she’s untouchable. Liv ain’t buying it, and neither is Bianca. And Bianca doesn’t trust Becky as far as she can throw her. Oh wait, that doesn’t make sense, because Bianca could throw Becky pretty damn far.
Now, Bianca may have taken a Doudrop Detour, but she graciously stepped aside to allow others time to catch up. But now, Bianca the EST is right back in line for Big Time Becks! No no no no. Becky says these two are victims of her routine: Beat, Sleep, Repeat. But hey, maybe these two can get together and do a support group where they talk about how they almost beat Becky but came up short. Wait, that already exists. It’s the Raw Women’s locker room! Li says, “Oh haha.” What does Becky know about being in the locker room? She hasn’t spent time in there in years! And as for Bianca, but Liv says they’re in the middle of something,
Oh, y’know, Liv, no offense taken, but at the end of the day, Bianca and Becky have beef that goes back way before Liv’s. Becky says this is rather interesting. These two need to figure this out 1v1, and Becky’s shared spotlight enough for tonight. These two can get out and let Becky know later on. Becky ushers Liv and Bianca out, but she instead gets double kicks and double whipped right out of the ring! Then Liv and Bianca stare down. They each say they’re getting the belt, and then they start throwing hands! Bianca RAMS Liv into a corner, then RAMS into her more and more! Liv shoves back, boots Bianca away, then ENZIGURIS!
Liv is roaring and she drags Bianca up! But Bianca ROCKS Liv, torture racks, but Becky CLOBBERS them both! Becky reels Bianca in for the MAN HANDLE SLAM! Becky picks up her belt, but that bull’s eye is only getting bigger! Will the EST or the Liv-ing Embodiment hit the mark?
Kevin Owens finds Seth Rollins backstage.
“There he is! Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!” Does Rollins like that Kevin said it nice and loud for him? Rollins chuckles and says he’s glad to see Kevin. Maybe Kevin can help Rollins with a problem he’s having. He wants to know what to do about Paul Heyman. Does Rollins staple Heyman’s lips shut? Or just rip his tongue out? Rollins thought about castration, but it’s not like Heyman uses that all that much, anyway. Kevin likes the staples thing. They can worry about that later, after they figure out what they’ll do tonight. Rollins is listening. Well they have the same problem they had before Day 1.
This is the original Fatal 4 Way, with Big E and Lashley in their way. Obstacles, if you will, to the WWE Championship, if you will. Or rather, obstacles to the opportunity at the title. So Kevin thinks they stick to the plan, them together taking care of those two, then one of them wins, doesn’t matter who, and that person faces Lesnar at the Rumble. Then that guy who didn’t win helps the one who did so that they defeat Lesnar, and then they both go to WrestleMania, Kevin VS Rollins, for the title. How does that sound? Sounds huge, right? It’s a great plan. Rollins does love that plan. Yes, thank you! Rollins and Kevin can trust each other, sounds like a plan!
Rollins heads off laughing all the way, but Kevin hopes Rollins isn’t lying. But the question is, will Kevin stick to that plan on his end?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Zelina Vega & Carmella VS Rhea Ripley & Nikki A.S.H!
The Queen of the Ring and the (self-proclaimed) Most Beautiful Woman in All the WWE have confidence just looking in the mirror every day. Meanwhile, the Nightmare has been trying to get the Almost Super Hero to fire back up and bring that super positivity back! Will Rhea & Nikki pull it together and pull off a win to start their 2022? Or will Zelina & Mella reign eternal?
Raw returns, the belts are raised, and things start with Rhea and Vega. Nikki gets the fans rallying behind Rhea already, but Vega gets in Rhea’s face. Vega SLAPS Rhea, but Rhea SLAPS back! Rhea whips, Vega wheelbarrows and spins around, but Rhea powers out to a suplex! Rhea carries Vega around like that, with one arm, then SLAMS Vega down! Cover, TWO! Rhea drags Vega over, wants to tag in but Nikki is hesitant. She still does tag, Rhea snapmares and Nikki neck snaps! Cover, TWO! Nikki whips Vega, Vega reverses but Nikki goes up and over. Things speed up but Nikki trips, but she still hits a LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Mella calls to Vega now that she has her mask on, and Vega clings to ropes. Nikki pulls at Vega, Vega holds on, then drop toeholds Nikki into ropes! Vega rains down hammering fists, then drags Nikki around into a chinlock. Vega stretches Nikki back, but Nikki endures. Fans rally up, Nikki fights up and throws body shots, and then she arm-drags free! Vega comes back to throw Nikki by her hair! Vega takes a bow, then sucker punches Rhea! Fans boo but Vega waves, only for Nikki to kick low and fireman’s carry! Vega slips off to roll up, Vega & Mella win!!
Winners: Zelina Vega & Carmella, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Mella celebrates because she won without lifting a finger! Rhea isn’t even sure what happened there and Nikki apologizes. Will Nikki ever figure out what’s going wrong?
Johnny Knoxville wants in!
He loves being part of Jackass, but he wants to make a run for the Royal Rumble! Thirty men enter, one man left standing! He hopes the WWE is going big, because Knoxville doesn’t want to hurt anyone. He already has a shirt that says “Johnny Knoxville, World Champion,” but will that even come close to coming true?
Rey & Dominik Mysterio speak.
Rey’s been in this business for a very long time. Not only has he taken out 29 other opponents in the Royal Rumble after entering second, he got to watch his son enter his first Rumble just last year. This year, they’re both entering the Rumble to show the world that it may be every man for himself, that the Mysterios are still an unstoppable duo!
The Street Profits are here!
We’re on the road to WrestleMania, which means they’re four weeks away from St. Louis and the Rumble! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are entering the Rumble match! They’ll take care of business, even against each other. Everyone for themselves, fam. The Profits are up and #WeWantTheSmoke! But will they start that in a big tag match to kick off the New Year?
The Street Profits VS Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez!
Raw returns as the Pride of Nigeria and his bodyguard make their entrance. The teams sort out, Ford is ready and he starts against Azeez. They circle, tie up, Azeez whips Ford to a corner. Ford dodges to then CHOP, CHOP and throw body shots. Ford kicks, kicks and CHOPS, but Azeez blocks the whip to put Ford back in a corner. Ford dodges again, runs, dodges, but Azeez runs him over! Azeez snarls, drags Ford up and scoops to SLAM him down. Azeez runs for a FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Dawkins is also there, but Azeez keeps on Ford. Azeez back suplexes, Ford lands on his feet to ENZIGURI!
Azeez staggers but he manages a tag to Apollo, hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Apollo and Azeez, but then Apollo kicks low to whip Dawkins to ropes. Dawkins hurdles, then leaps for a back elbow! Apollo goes to a corner, CYCLONE SPLASH from Dawkins! Underhooks to the SILENCER! Cover, Azeez drags Dawkins off the cover! Azeez whips, Dawkins holds ropes then dumps Azeez out! Azeez drags Dawkins out with him, scoops him, but Dawkins slips off to POST him! Dawkins gets in, into Apollo’s ENZIGURI! Apollo waistlocks, Dawkins bucks the roll-up and Ford tags in! ANOINTING to the FROM THE HEAVENS SPLASH! Cover, the Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall
And just like that, the Profits are back up! Will they both reach new heights as they enter the Royal Rumble this year?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest.
What are his thoughts on the unique stipulation for tonight’s title match? No Champion’s Advantage is pretty big. We’ve all seen the side of Priest that’s furious, and that’s the side Dolph Ziggler wants. But if Priest can keep his cool, calm collected side going, he’ll win. Well, he’ll beat Ziggler either way, it’s just a matter of beating him with mercy, or if “Damian” erupts in rage. That’s up to Ziggler. If Ziggler does it straight up, it’ll be a fair fight. If not, Ziggler knows what’ll happen. But either way, Priest remains champion. Will the Archer of Infamy keep his focus and his cool to keep the gold around his waist?
Sonya Deville & Adam Pearce are excited.
The first Raw of 2022 and they have the huge Fatal 4 Way main event! Who knew? But then Piper Niven barges in and is very upset. Is this some kinda joke? Bianca and Liv want another chance at a match with Becky? How is this happening? Piper will not be cut in line again! Um, Pearce will speak for management when he respectfully asks, what the hell is she yelling about? Piper asks if grandpa Pearce is deaf! She is tired, the fans are tired, everyone is tired of seeing the same women get title opportunity after opportunity. Bianca, Liv, repeat. Piper demands, DEMANDS, that she be given her first chance!
Okay, breathe, relax. They don’t give out title opportunities. But they are in the business of giving opportunities to those who prove themselves. So how about this: next week in Philadelphia, Triple Threat #1 Contender’s Match, Liv Morgan VS Bianca Belair VS “Doudrop,” winner going on to face Becky for the title at the Royal Rumble. That’s more like it. Piper leaves satisfied, but will she be the one taking the golden ticket to St. Louis?
WWE United States Championship, No Champion’s Advantage: Damian Priest VS Dolph Ziggler!
Raw returns and Ziggler makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if Priest loses control or just the title.
Ziggler and Priest circle, approach, and Ziggler dodges to SLAP Priest! Priest grabs Ziggler, throws him to a corner and fires off haymakers! Priest lets off at 4, but Ziggler insists it was 5. Priest BOOTS Ziggler out of the ring, then goes out to run in. Ziggler dodges the leg lariat, jumps up, but no DDT! Ziggler fights and kicks off the barriers for a TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the ring count is climbing as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Priest ROCKS Ziggler with a haymaker, then dodges Ziggler’s punch to BELL CLAP! Priest throws more strikes, Ziggler staggers, Priest FLAPJACKS him! Priest roars and fans fire up as he runs corner to corner to back elbow! Priest then reels Ziggler in, but no Broken Arrow! Ziggler slips out to POST Priest, then RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down as Ziggler is beside himself! Ziggler drags Priest up to scrape laces off his face, then does it again. Ziggler pushes Priest around, wanting to bring out the rage. “Give me that title! Give me what’s mine!” Priest ROCKS Ziggler, and then ROCKS him again!
Priest KICKS, KICKS and KICKS, to then ROUNDHOUSE! Ziggler staggers, Priest gets him up for a Canadian Rack, CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO! Priest keeps his focus and he goes to a corner. Priest climbs up, fans fire up, but Ziggler leaps up to get him! Priest blocks the superplex, fans fire up more, and Priest slips down to HOTSHOT and ROUNDHOUSE Ziggler down! Priest goes back up, but Ziggler has the ref check on him. Robert Roode appears from outta nowhere to trip Priest up! Priest tumbles down, Ziggler hits a FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO?! Priest survives and the Dirty Dawgs are furious!
Priest slowly sits up, and now Damian is here! He glares at Roode, but then at Ziggler! Priest CLOBBERS Ziggler, goes out and fires off on Roode! The ring count is climbing but Priest gets a chair! Priest stalks Roode as we’re at 5 of 10, Priest hears 7! Priest gets in the ring but he brought the chair! Ziggler dares Priest to hit him with it! Priest has wild eyes, but then he sees Roode shouting on the apron, “HIT HIM!” Priest SMACKS Roode! But ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Damian is still fuming! Priest drags himself up the ropes, Ziggler runs in, but no Superkick! THE RECKONING!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The rage subsides, and Priest survives the Dirty Dawgs’ dastardly plan! Will Priest be able to continue riding the line of rage and reason as he reigns?
Austin Theory visits Vince McMahon.
Vince says he only said, “Who is it?” Not, “Come in.” Theory apologizes. But Vince doesn’t like that, either. Apologizing is a sign of weakness. Vince never apologizes. “Sor- I didn’t mean to interrupt.” No, no, when people say stuff like that, of course they meant to interrupt. Why else would they do that? Well, Theory is just here to ask about a rematch with Finn Balor. Rematch? Theory lost to him. But then he made up for it and then some with that attack from behind in the hallway. Theory beat the hell outta Finn and we haven’t seen him since. That’s rather admirable. Vince says if you can’t beat someone one way, you find another way to do it.
Right, “expect the unexpected.” Just like Vince taught him. And that is what happened to Finn. Alright, let’s have a seat. Vince has a surprise for Theory. Sit back a bit. Vince says that at the Royal Rumble, Theory will be in the Rumble match! And of course, if he wins, he’ll go to the main event of WrestleMania against the champion of his choice! Theory is speechless! Will Theory make Vince proud by winning his golden ticket to the Grandest Stage of Them All?
The Miz & Maryse are here!
The It Couple are back again, even after what happened at Day 1. What will they have to see about that Rated R surprise? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and The Miz has a mic. “I stand before you- No, we stand before you, outraged over the outcome that happened at Day 1.” Miz had Edge right where he wanted him, one Skull Crushing Finale away form defeating Edge and having the respect he deserves. Miz is amazed he has to remind us that he is the one and only TWO-TIME WWE Grand Slam Champion! That makes him an all time great and someone who has surpassed his peers and predecessors. Yet he still has to prove himself against Edge, “a one-time Grand Slam Champion.” One, uno, or in French, Err! No, ar. Ar. Oui.
But the one-time Grand Slam Champion’s resilience, and some questionable calls by the ref, kept Edge alive until that last kick out. That is when Miz saw the look of defeat in Edge’s eyes! The look of despair, the look of a young boy asking for his mommy. Or in Edge’s case, his wife. Because his wife, WWE Hall of Famer, Beth Phoenix, showed up. She interfered in the match and allowed Edge to cheat fate and steal a pathetic victory! “Edge deserved to lose! You know it and I know it!” They all know this because of what Edge did to Miz & Maryse last week! If you don’t remember, here’s the replay. It was a BROOD BATH to end the vow renewal ceremony!
Oh, fans find that funny? “YES!” They liked that? “YES!” They enjoyed that? Well that’s because your lives and relationships are so miserable, you like seeing bad things happen to good people! But your disgusting auras do not affect them, for true love always wins. Miz & Maryse kiss, and Miz says that after that night, Miz vowed to end Edge’s career. But when Miz got in that ring at Day 1, it wasn’t old Edge, Brood Edge, Rated R Edge, or even WWE Hall of Famer that Miz respected and wanted respect from. It was an Edge that hides behind his wife! What kind of man does that? Fans say, “YOU!” No, not Miz!
Edge doesn’t deserve anyone’s respect! What kind of man relies on his wife to fight his own battles? “YOU!” Who would do that? “YOU!” No, not The Miz! He is strong, brave and handsome. And that’s why Maryse married Miz. She loves him so much. They kiss again and Maryse says that Beth stole their moment. If Beth was here, Maryse would punch her right in the face! Well here comes the Glamazon! Beth Phoenix stands on stage, and here comes Edge! The Rated R Superstar and Glamazon go to the ring with mics of their own to respond to the It Couple. “You were saying, Maryse?” Beth offers up a cheek, but Edge figured they wouldn’t do anything.
Most people would just take the L and move in, Miz. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Edge knows Miz better than that. He knew Miz would bitch, moan, whine and complain as to why Edge won. It could’ve been the Browns lost last week, but what else is new? It could’ve been Miz didn’t get his socks starched. It could’ve been Miz dropped a deuce in his drawers the minute he heard Beth’s music. Does Edge really need to illustrate to South Carolina, pause for the pop, exactly what a hypocrite Miz is? Ububububub, you got nothing? “For once, Miz is at a loss for words! Did not know that was possible.”
And by the way, Edge never asks Beth to fight his battles. Everything that went down at Day 1, to be clear, was all Beth’s idea. And Edge’s idea now is this: if Miz wants to rectify what happened, even though he picked this fight with Edge and even though that result would’ve happened even without Beth, Edge is just crazy enough to give Miz what he wants. Actually, they’re crazy enough to give them what they want. Imagine this: a huge marquee, lights and letters! “The Miz & Maryse, the It Couple VS The Rated R Superstar & The Glamazon, the Grit Couple, at the Royal Rumble!” What do they say? Fans say, “YES! YES! YES!”
Miz asks, “Are you serious?” Maryse, the gorgeous, vivacious and intelligent star and executive producer of USA’s hit reality show, Miz & Mrs., the sexiest alchemist, and one of the longest reigning Diva’s Champions and the mother of Miz’s children, teaming together with him to go against Edge and Beth? A simple yes or no will suffice. What’s it gonna be? “We accept!” Maryse seems a bit surprised by that, though. They argue, Beth shows punch and Maryse falls on her butt! Beth and Edge smirk, will they finally put Miz in his place?
Backstage interview with Big E.
The former WWE Champion had the odds stacked against him at Day 1, so how motivated is he to win tonight’s match to get a chance at regaining that title? “Being WWE Champion meant a lot to me. And uh, it meant something to a lot of people, too. Now, there’s no shame in losing to Brock Lesnar. But what we don’t do is get kicked and stay down. What we don’t do is wallow in self pity. Because what we do is we make sure that our next chapter is our best chapter, you feel me?” Big E has the chance to right all the wrongs. Tonight he starts his path back to reclaiming what is his! And he’ll be damned if there’s a soul on earth who can stop him! Will we all feel the power once again after tonight’s Fatal 4 Way?
AJ Styles VS Omos!
The Phenomenal & The Colossal had their falling out, and there’s been enough talk. Will Styles be able to topple the mountain of a man now that he stands all alone? Or will he be left in the long, long shadow cast by his former protégé?
Raw returns as Omos makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two stare down and fans rally up. Omos compares their heights, but Styles KICKS away on the leg! Styles throws hands, Omos throws Styles to a corner! Styles dodges, fires off CHOPS and haymakers, but Omos backs him down! Styles bails out, dares Omos to come out after him, so Omos down, only for Styles to KICK Omos’ leg! Omos steps back in, Styles hurries after him, but Omos BOOTS Styles down! Omos CLUBS Styles in the corner, then chokes Styles before he whips him corner to corner! Styles slides but hits POST! Omos goes out after Styles and drags him up.
Omos TOSSES Styles back into the ring, stalks Styles to a corner, but Styles kicks the leg! Styles throws more forearms and haymakers, then Phenomenal Blitz! Omos stays standing through that, and fireman’s carries Styles! Styles slips off, scrambles to a corner and BOOTS back! Omos stays up so Styles BOOTS him again! Styles forearms from the apron, fans fire up, and Styles springboards, into Omos’ hands! But Styles fights that to HOTSHOT! Springboard again, PHENOMENAL FOR- CHOP!! Omos swats Styles down, and then dares Styles to get up. Styles goes to a corner, Omos hoists Styles up top and looks him in the eyes.
Omos tells Styles this is what happens, and he fireman’s carries for a SLAM to the mat! Omos hauls Styles back up, has him with both hands, COLOSSAL SLAM! Cover, Omos wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
Styles may be phenomenal, but not even a WWE Grand Slam Champion could stop Omos! Will no one stop Omos now that he’s doing what he wants?
WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Big E VS Seth Rollins VS Kevin Owens VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP!
Oh, the irony. This was meant to be the match to determine the WWE World Champion coming into tonight, but now it will be the match that determines who goes after the Beast, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! The Powerhouse of Positivity vows to fight even harder to get back to the top, while the Architect & Prizefighter look to work together again, and the All Mighty simply looks to inflict damage. Who rises up to head for the Royal Rumble?
Raw returns as Big E makes his entrance, followed by Rollins, and then Lashley. All four men are in the ring, but only one can win! We see who that is, after the break!
Raw returns again, and the bell rings. Lashley and Big E clotheslines Kevin and Rollins! Lashley goes out after Rollins while Kevin and Big E brawl in the ring. Lashley RAMS Rollins into apron, and again, while Kevin fires hands on Big E. Big E hits back, Lashley fireman’s carries Rollins to POST him! Kevin sees that and cringes, and then he gets run over by Big E! Kevin goes to the apron, Big E runs to SPEAR Kevin off! It was a glancing blow but Kevin still falls! Big E is right back up, too, and he goes back to the ring. He meets Lashley and fans fire up for this one! They circle, talk some trash, and they start throwing hands!
Big E, Lashley, Big E, Lashley! Lashley knees low, CLUBS Big E then runs, but Big E drops, hurdles, and ELBOWS Lashley! Lashley comes back to LARIAT Big E! Lashley gets Big E up, suplexes, and SLAMS Big E down! Kevin returns but Lashley spins him around for a NECKBREAKER! Lashley drags Kevin up and reels him in for a suplex! Lashley holds Kevin up before the SLAM! Lashley paces as Kevin and Big E bail out. Fans rally behind Lashley, he runs and SPEARSÂ himself through barriers as Rollins saves Kevin! They regroup but Kevin points out Big E. Rollins turns around into an OVERHEAD Belly2Bell! Kevin runs in but gets SMACKED off the desk!
Big E takes the hood off the desk, clears off the monitors, and fans fire up as he CLUBS Rollins! Big E brings Rollins over, but Kevin saves Rollins! Kevin whips Big E into steel steps! Rollins and Kevin keep working together as they get Big E up to whip him into the POST! They dump the pieces of barrier onto Lashley, and Kevin even swipes at MVP. Kevin and Rollins get Big E to the desk, and they DOUBLE POWERBOMB Big E through the desk!! The teamwork might make the dream work, but Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again, and Lashley returns! He drags Rollins out for fast hands but Kevin goes out after him! Lashley gets mugged, put back in the ring, and then Rollins & Kevin work together to mug him more. Big E is slumped in a corner, Lashley crawls to another. Rollins CLUBS away on Lashley, Kevin stomps Big E down. Kevin whips Rollins in at Lashley for a forearm smash, then Rollins whips Kevin in for a CANNONBALL! Kevin and Rollins soak up the heat, and then they repeat the process on Big E. Kevin whips Rollins in, but Big E gives him the Urenag-E! Big E runs, into a SUPERKICK from Kevin! But Lashley CLOBBERS Kevin!
Lashley snarls as MVP shouts, “The All Mighty will not be disrespected!” Kevin and Rollins regroup, but Big E and Lashley look at each other. They decide to work together against Kevin and Rollins! The chase is on, Rollins going into the crowd on one end, and Kevin the other! But Big E and Lashley chase them up the stairs! They brawl with the fans right there with them! They’re even going to the pavilion around the back! Lashley SMACKS Rollins off trash barrels! Kevin whips Big E into a light! HURT LOCK on Rollins! Kevin has a trash can lid and he SMACKS Lashley with it! But that only pissed Lashley off!
Kevin finds himself by the merch table, Big E gets him for an URENAGEÂ through the table! Big E and Lashley are standing tall in the unlikeliest of spots, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns one more time, and Lashley has turned on Big E as they brawl in the crowd now! Lashley throws hands, Big E hits back, but then Rollins CLUBS Big E from behind! All three of them are brawling in an entryway, but where is Kevin? He reappears on the railing and SWANTONS onto them all!! Fans are loving this as the ref check son all four men. Rollins is up first and he seems surprised he survived! Kevin drags himself up and Rollins regroups with him. Kevin is so fired up, he gives Rollins a kiss on the cheek! They drag Big E back to ringside, “This is Awesome!” as things go back to the ring.
Kevin hurries up top, SWANTON BOMB! Rollins hits a FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rollins and Kevin can’t believe it! Big E survives, and he’s building energy as he sits back up! Rollins and Kevin look worried, but they DOUBLE SUPERKICK Big E back down! Kevin sets Rollins up, but Big E fights free! Big E scoops Rollins, Rollins slips off and shoves Big E at Kevin! POP-UP- NOPE! Big E fights that, Kevin kicks but Big E shoves him away. No Stunner, but Rollins hits a DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Feed to the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Lashley shoves Rollins down to break it!
Lashley goes after Kevin, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Rollins gets up, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Lashley goes outside, runs and CLOBBERS Kevin! Rollins staggers up, Lashley goes in, but Rollins spins for a ROLLING ELBOW! But Big E scoops Rollins, only for Rollins to slip off again! Rollins shoves Big E into a SPEAR! Lashley is up, Rollins swings but misses, SPEAR! Kevin returns, he SUPERKICKS Lashley, kicks and- NO! No Stunner, just a SPEAR! Cover, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE World Championship)
It’s happening! It is finally happening! Lashley and Lesnar will go 1v1, and for THE WWE Championship! Will the Beast be the one conquered by the All Mighty? Or does Lesnar stay the alpha male of the WWE?
Speaking of Lesnar, Lesnar is watching and Kevin Patrick asks if he has a comment. Yes, he does. Tell Roman Reigns that Lesnar will see him this Friday on SmackDown. Whoa! Is Lesnar planning something even bigger than what’s looming at the Royal Rumble? Or will it all tie together once Beast and Tribal Chief meet on SmackDown?
My Thoughts:
This was a great Raw to start the year, at the end of the night. The main event should always be the best thing on a show, but in tonight’s case, it was not hard to be the best. In a vacuum, the Fatal 4 was still awesome, and Lashley getting the win is great for the world title story. Heyman’s great promo earlier, the second best thing tonight, gave kudos to both Lashley and Big E, but it is great that we’re finally getting Lesnar VS Lashley 1v1. Lesnar shrugging Lashley off to talk about Roman is also great, we could definitely be heading for a Winner Takes All scenario at WrestleMania. Lesnar VS Lashley at Rumble, then we also factor in the Rumble winner, and use Mania being two nights to see who comes out the newest Undisputed WWE Champion.
Everything else felt phoned in, even though we saw Vince here tonight. Vince’s newest segment with Theory was whatever, it was easy enough to say Theory is in the Rumble. He won’t win it, but I bet he’s given a really good number. And I also hope Finn uses that moment to return and screw Theory over so they can set up some kind of grudge match. If Vince still has any sense, Finn will win out so that he can be reestablished towards a title. Priest VS Ziggler was fairly good, and it makes sense Roode would wait to appear until the most opportune time. A little surprised Priest retains, but I hope what’s next is Big E. Big E could still try for the Rumble, but I want Big E to become a Grand Slam Champion. That man deserves nothing less after how his reign ended.
RKBRO had a good match with The Alpha Academy, but it went pretty quick after the commercial break. Other tag teams are entering the Royal Rumble, such as the Mysterios and Profits, so it seems pretty clear Alpha Academy is challenging RKBRO at the Rumble. They do make for a good contender team, but I’m not sure of their chances of taking the titles. Profits had a good match against Apollo & Azeez, and I feel like Ford himself is going to have a really good showing in the Rumble match. I don’t want the Profits to split up, but I do feel like Ford is the one who would be given a singles title shot.
Meanwhile, the 24/7 Championship is being used in the stupidest way possible. A Mixed Tag where the champion doesn’t even get involved? Why not have some controversy where Reggie wins the match and is the one given the title? What would’ve happened if Tozawa won? Would Tamina be given the belt or would he? Also, get more women back from the free agency void to go after this belt, at least. Dana literally just has to watch out for Tamina since the male superstars are apparently not allowed to roll Dana up. And speaking of being used stupidly, the Women’s Tag titles! How come those matches aren’t allowed to last more than five minutes?! Why don’t they just reset Nikki into her SAnitY form and let her go nuts on Mella & Vega? She might get disqualified like that but at least it’d be fun!
One thing that’s actually a bit interesting is that the Raw Women’s Championship scene is getting busy again. Naturally, Liv wants one more shot, and Bianca has been building herself back up a match at a time, but Piper has her own point about the same contenders getting more chances. Of course, this also goes back to WWE needing to get some women back in the roster instead of cutting them away. And honestly, I hope Piper wins the Triple Threat. It’ll make for something fresh because we’ll see Piper and Becky finally interact, and honestly, WWE giving us a Heel VS Heel title story would itself be refreshing. Raw needs it, the WWE needs it, and we the fans need it.
My Score: 7.9/10
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The House of Torture gets another try!
Despite losing in the NEVER Openweight Six Man title tournament, the House of Torture get one more shot against Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg! But will shuffling the deck really help the King of Darkness trump President Ace?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win and retain the titles.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo; Tsuji wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors; Takagi wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!
Don’t adjust your screens, this is not a rematch from Wrestling World in Taiwan. That’s because while The Ace, the Joker and the Rook won the tournament, they’re up against a different formation! The King of Darkness and Heel Master now have Tokyo Pimp as their third man, but will that change be enough to change the result? Or will Tanahshi-sachou and team be an undefeated combination?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Darkness Falls!
The teams sort out, and Oleg starts against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The fans rally behind “BO-LU-TIN! BO-LU-TIN!” as he circles with Kanemaru, but then Evil & Yujiro attack! The fans boo, Tanahashi & Yano hurry in but Evil & Yujiro get them first! Kanemaru drags Oleg out of the ring to stomp him down while Evil & Yujiro have Tanahashi & Yano in corners. Yujiro fires forearms, Evil CHOPS, then the House all whips. But Oleg reverses and sends Kanemaru into railing! And Tanahashi & Yano reverse to send Evil & Yujiro into each other! Oleg returns to CLOBBER Evil & Yujiro! The fans fire up as now Yano & Tanahashi intercept Kanemaru.
Tanahashi & Yano whip Kanemaru to Oleg for a scoop and SLAM! The fans rally behind the champs as Oleg paces around Kanemaru. Oleg stomps Kanemaru, tags Tanahashi, and Tanahashi eggs Evil on. Evil tags in, Tanahashi kicks first! Tanahashi fires hands, UPPERCUTS, then tears away the “President Evil” shirt to TOSS it away! Evil is furious, he made that himself! Tanahashi throws a body shot, then whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up for the air guitar and Tanahashi tags in Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad, dodges Evil, then gives Evil the pad!
The ref reprimands Evil and confiscates the pad, and Yano SLAPS Evil on the head! Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano avoids the bare buckles. Evil runs up to SLAP Yano, and shove him into the buckles! Kanemaru & Yujiro BLAST Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Evil SMACKS Yano with the pad! Evil TOSSES Yano out of the ring, distracts the ref, and that lets Dick DECK Yano! Dick drags Yano up and puts him in the ring for Evil to cover. TWO! Evil is upset with the “slow count,” and he tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru ELBOWS Yano in the head!
Kanemaru snapmares Yano down into a chinlock and drags him to the corner. The ref reprimands but Yujiro tags in. Kanemaru lets go, so that Yujiro can CHOKE Yano! The ref counts, Yujiro lets off, and he drags Yano back up. Yujiro whips Yano into the bare buckles! Yano suffers his own trick, and Yujiro brings him up to knee low. Yujiro snapmares, drops a leg, then drops an elbow! Then he drops a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro tags to Evil. Evil BLASTS Tanahashi & Oleg off the corner! Dick distracts the ref so Evil can put Yano in the COBRA TWIST, and link up with the others!
The fans boo but the House gets away with that. Evil covers, TWO! Evil is even more upset with the ref, and he drags Yano up. Evil reels Yano in for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wait, who is ringing the bell? Dick is ringing the bell, and Kanemaru is giving the announcement that they’ve won! The fans boo, this is of course a farce. Tanahashi & Oleg storm over, scaring off Dick and Kanemaru. Evil tags Kanemaru, then TOSSES Yano outside. Kanemaru drags Yano back up to whip him into railing! Then DDTÂ to the floor! Yano is down in enemy territory while Tanahashi argues with the ref.
The fans rally up but Yujiro puts Yano in. Kanemaru covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Kanemaru drags Yano around. Yano is dead weight so Kanemaru leaves him behind to BLAST Tanahashi! Kanemaru drags Yano up but Yano pulls hair! Kanemaru CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Kanemaru whips, Yano reverses and throws him down by his hair! The fans fire up as Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg CLOBBERS Kanemaru, BLASTS Evil & Yujiro, then runs in at the corner. Kanemaru BOOTS Oleg, runs, but into a POP-UP BEARHUG! Kanemaru endures, but then Oleg turns that into a BIG suplex! The fans fire up as Oleg storms around.
Oleg deadlift gut wrenches, but Dick gets on the apron. Oleg drops Kanemaru to scare Dick off. But then Yano puts Dick in! Dick prays and begs for mercy, but Oleg just deadlift gut wrenches him! Shake, Rattle and THROW! And a kip up!? Oleg then gets Kanemaru back up, Shake, Rattle, and some more shaking, and THROW! Oleg roars, runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, Evil & Yujiro break it! Then they BLAST Tanahashi & Yano! The House stomps away on Oleg, then drag him up. They double whip Oleg to a corner, then Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare, Kanemaru distracts the ref, and Dick goes up!
The fans boo but Dick hits the DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! The fans fire up but Evil tags back in. Evil and Kanemaru get Oleg up to suplex, but Oleg fights it! Oleg DOUBLE SUPLEXES back! Hot tag to Tanahashi! Ace of the Universe meets King of Darkness, and Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Evil! Tanahashi fires forearms and body shots on Evil, then scoop SLAMS him into a drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he waits on Evil. Tanahashi runs, but Evil goes to the corner! Evil LARIATS Tanahashi down! Tag to Yujiro and he storms up on Tanahashi.
Yujiro brings Tanahashi up to knee low and fire forearms. Yujiro CHOPS then runs up, to BOOT! Yujiro then runs, to BOOT again! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, but Yujiro TOSSES him out! Evil is there to set Tanahashi up for a whiskey bottle shot! Evil puts Tanahashi back in, then he and the rest go after Oleg and Yano! Yujiro gets Tanahashi up for an INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro goes for his pimp cane, but the ref stops him! That leaves Dick open to use the SPOILER CHOKER on Tanahashi!! The fans boo as President Ace suffers! Tanahashi fades out, Dick slips away, and Yujiro laughs.
Yujiro drags Tanahashi up while the fans rally. Yujiro reels Tanahashi in, but Yano gets in to grab Yujiro! Kanemaru gets in while the ref is distracted again! But Yano ducks, the WHISKEY MIST hits Yujiro! LOW BLOW for Kanemaru! But Evil LOW BLOWS Yano! So Tanahashi LOW BLOWS Evil! Dick gets in but Tanahashi kicks the ropes! Dick falls, Oleg returns, and he gets Yujiro up! Tanahashi climbs, Oleg hits the KAMIKAZE SENTON! Then Tanahashi HIGH FLY FLOWS!! Cover, Team Go Ace wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried their usual tricks, but Tanahashi’s team proved they could play that, too! The Ace, the Joker & The Rook stand tall again, will The House have to start playing a different game?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Yota Tsuji VS Gedo!
While Los Ingobernables de Japon and the Bullet Club War Dogs have already done battle on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, tonight is a best of five series! Will it be Gene Blast or Blacksmith that sets the tone for tonight?
The moment Yota hops off the corner, Gedo takes a swing! Yota dodges and GENE BLASTER!! The bell rings, Yota covers, Yota wins!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall
Well not sure about the tone but this sure set a new record! From bell the bell, that was FIVE SECONDS! Score one for LIJ already, and Yota helps roll Gedo out of the ring. Will LIJ make this a shut out? Or will the other War Dogs be a bit smarter about the pitches they throw across the plate?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: BUSHI VS Gabe Kidd!
Round two is here sooner than expected after what we just saw, and the Black Mask is up against the #WarReady Mad Man. Gabe vows to take back everything NJPW used to mean, but will he get War Dogs on the board? Or will Bushi keep things tranquilo?
Bushi climbs onto the corner and Gabe rushes him! Bushi jumps over, the bell rings and Bushi DROPKICKS Gabe down! Bushi whips, Gabe reverses but Bushi ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Gabe bails out, Bushi builds speed, but Gabe gets away. Bushi slides out, but Gabe kicks and CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS Bushi down, then drags Bushi up to dig at Bushi’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Gabe storms around and mockingly calls upon the wrestling gods. Gabe runs but Bushi dodges, Gabe crashes into railing! The fans fire up while Bushi rises. Bushi brings Gabe up, fires forearms, then brings Gabe around. Gabe blocks the bump off the apron to whip Bushi hard into railing!
Bushi flounders and Gabe snarls while the fans rally up. Gabe storms out to open the way to the orange bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Bushi, brings him around and they go up into the stands. Gabe HEADBUTTS Bushi down, shouts “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” then continues up to the next level. Bushi fights the lift but Gabe CLUBS him! Gabe lifts again but Bushi still fights! Gabe CLUBS away on Bushi, CHOPS and HAYMAKERS! Gabe backs up, flips everyone off, and he runs back in, but Bushi dropkicks the leg! Bushi SMACKS Gabe off railing, then he goes up higher into the stands! Bushi stands on the ledge, to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Gabe and the Young Lions!
The fans are thunderous as Bushi rises, and he brings Gabe up. Bushi headlocks Gabe to bring him back down the bleachers. Gabe throws body shots but Bushi throws hands in return. Bushi brings Gabe back to ground level, then through the gate. They return to ringside but Gabe CLUBS Bushi down again. Gabe HEADBUTTS, then he puts Bushi in. The fans rally, but Gabe drags Bushi around to ROCK him again. Gabe has Bushi on the apron, CLUBS him again, then brings Bushi out. Bushi fights the suplex to throw body shots! Gabe HEADBUTTS again, but Bushi fires more hands! Bushi puts Gabe in and the fans cheer.
Bushi drags Gabe up but blocks his haymaker to spin and DDT! Cover, TWO! Bushi goes to a corner while Gabe sputters. Gabe stands, Bushi runs in, but no Code Breaker! Gabe ELBOWS, JABS and YUKON LARIATS! Gable copies Takagi, covers, TWO! Gabe flips off the fans, they boo, and so he just flips them off more. Gabe eggs Bushi on, taunts him, so Bushi CHOPS! Gabe dusts himself off, Bushi CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS, says Bushi ain’t got nothing, but Bushi fires a flurry! Gabe CHOPS again, Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS! Gabe UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches! But Bushi slips free and shoves!
Gabe blocks one kick, ducks the enzigiri, but not the REWIND HEEL! Bushi reels Gabe in, for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and flounders away while the fans fire up. Gabe flops right out of the ring but Bushi pursues. Bushi drags Gabe up, but Gabe HEADBUTTS him back down! Gabe rips away the LIJ shirt to tell them to suck it! Gabe SPITS on the shirt, throws it down, then goes back for Bushi. Gabe puts Bushi in, Bushi goes to a corner, and Gabe runs in to clothesline! Gabe suplexes, Bushi slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and uses the ref as a shield! BLACK MIST!! Bushi gets the better of Gabe and hooks the arms!
Gabe fights the backslide, BOOTS the ref, so the ref can’t see the Bushi Roll! Bushi would’ve had this one! Bushi goes to check on the ref but Gabe storms up to HAYMAKER! Gabe shouts at the ref, drags him back up, and then storms over to Bushi! PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall
The series is tied 1-1, and Gabe shouts for water to wash out the mist. LIJ VS War Dogs aside, Gabe now has momentum going into his NEVER Openweight Championship match with Shingo Takagi. Will the Rampaging Dragon be just as #WarReady as Gabe after tonight?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Shingo Takagi VS Clark Connors!
Speaking of the NEVER Openweight Champion, he’s third up in the batting order, ready to drive home another run. Will the Rampaging Dragon score and soar towards Wrestling Dontaku? Or will he be struck out by 100 Proof?
Takagi and Connors get in each other’s face and talk some trash. Connors shoves but the ref has them both back down. Connors gets all fired up, Takagi says okay then, and the bell rings, only for Connors to bail out. The fans boo Connors trolling them, but he says tranquilo. Takagi paces while Connors goes around the outside. Takagi dares Connors to get in but Connors dares Takagi to come on out. The fans rally up so Connors goes back to the apron. Connors steps in, fires up, but then bails out. But Takagi pursues! They go around the ring, back in, and then Connors RAMS Takagi! But Takagi doesn’t fall!
Connors runs again, RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stays up. Connors fires forearm after forearm after forearm, but then Takagi ROCKS, KNEES, CLUBS and CHOPS! And JABS! Takagi whips, Connors ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but Connors runs him over! The fans fire up while Takagi goes to a corner. Connors runs corner to corner to clothesline, then he reels Takagi in. Takagi fights the suplex, and he suplexes Connors instead! The fans fire up again but Connors bails back out. Takagi pursues, JABS, then SMACKS Connors off the apron. Takagi follows Connors around, POSTS him, and the fans cheer.
Takagi stomps Connors, Connors goes around the way but Takagi follows. Takagi runs up to BOOT Connors, then follows him. Connors uses a Young Lion as a shield, then shoves him into Takagi! Connors then whips Takagi into railing! Takagi leans against railing and Connors UPPERCUTS! Connor opens the gate and pushes Takagi into No Man’s Land. Connors brings Takagi around to SMACK off the wood bleachers! Takagi hits back, they brawl, and Takagi knees low! Takagi whips, Connors reverses and Takagi is sent into the wall of the hallway! Connors throws up the Too Sweet but the fans boo.
Connors brings Takagi back to SMACK into the gate, then POST! Connors reels Takagi in, to snap suplex to the floor! Takagi writhes, the ref reprimands but Connors wants the ring count to start. The ring count does start, and Connors scoops a Young Lion to SLAM him onto Takagi! And then he grabs another Young Lion to SPINEBUSTER onto Takagi! Connors slides into the ring at 10 of 20 while Takagi pushes the Young Lions off him. Takagi stands at 17, hurries up at 18, but Connors SPEARS him down! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this and the fans rally, but Connors keeps on Takagi with a half nelson.
Takagi fights as Connors goes for the full nelson! Takagi reaches out but Connors keeps him from ropes. Takagi fights to his feet, powers up, but Connors keeps the nelson! The fans rally more as Takagi keeps fighting. Takagi powers the hold open, but Connors spins him to knee low! Connors whips, but Takagi avoids the snap powerslam! Takagi runs up to SLIDING- NO, Connors dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up and Takagi goes to a corner. Connors flounders around, rises up, and Takagi storms up to the corner. Takagi clotheslines, then JABS and CHPOS on repeat! Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS!
Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in to clothesline again, then short arm LARIAT! Takagi scoops Connors to SLAM him, then he goes up and up for the FALLING ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Connors up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors is still in this but Takagi looks around. The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi says, “OI, KORAKUEN! TOKI GA KITA!!” The time has come and the “OI! OI! OI!” continues. Takagi brings Connors up, pump handle, but Connors fights the lift! Connors throws elbows, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi eggs Connors on, Connors throws another forearm! Takagi fires back!
Connors fires more forearms, but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Connors HEADBUTTS, but he’s the one wobbling! Connors ROCKS Takagi with a forearm, then eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Connors with boxing elbows! Takagi runs, Connors follows to LARIAT against ropes! Connors runs but Takagi follows to KNEE against ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Connors gets under to come back and POUNCE! Then a whip and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! But Connors powers up and runs, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! The fans fire up but Connors aims from a corner! Connors runs in to SPEAR!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Connors rises, Takagi stirs, and Connors brings Takagi up. But Takagi fights No Chaser! Takagi wrenches out to JAB! And HEADBUTT! Connors dodges the lariat, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Takagi runs up to PUMPING BOMBER! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Connors shakes his head as he stays in this, but Takagi roars! Takagi pump handles for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Connors survives and shocks Takagi, but the fans are thunderous again! “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi powers up. Takagi runs, but Connors dodges! But PUMPING BOMBER still finds him! Cover, Takagi wins!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
We’re halfway done and LIJ takes the lead! Takagi has momentum for himself, too, but will the Rampaging Dragon be #WarReady for Gabe Kidd? Or will Wrestling Dontaku be the end of the road for Takagi?
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Tetsuya Naito VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Uncontrollable Charisma may no longer be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but we all know he never lets things get to him. Will he therefore stay tranquilo as he looks to win this series for his team? Or will he lose a shootout with the .44 Caliber?
As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. Drilla mockingly asks what happened to his belt, but Naito doesn’t let that get his goat. The fans rally for Naito and that annoys Drilla. Naito puts the pants away, the bell rings, and Drilla runs up! But Naito puts him on the apron, and sweeps the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Drilla down! Naito goes out slowly to fetch Drilla, CLUB him on the neck, and then CLUB him again. Naito CLUBS Drilla more, cravats for a neck wrench, and even grinds Drilla against railing! The ref counts, Naito puts Drilla in, and the fans applaud. But Drilla comes back to WRECK Naito with a dropkick!
Drilla whips Naito hard into railing, and Naito gets stuck! Drilla dumps him over, tells fans off about cheering for Naito, then drags Naito up and around. Drilla CHOPS Naito, follows him along the way, and whips him hard into railing! The fans applaud the impressive speed and strength, but Drilla leaves Naito behind as Naito slumps into the front row. The ring count climbs, Naito sits up at 7 of 20. Naito finds his way around to the gate at 12, steps in at ringside, and rolls in at 15. Drilla throws Naito’s hat at him, then stomps away! Drilla drags Naito up, HEADBUTTS him, then has him on ropes. Drilla CHOPS and Naito staggers.
Drilla eggs Naito on so Naito fires forearms! Naito whips, Drilla reverses and ELBOWS Naito down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Naito but Drilla digs his knee into Naito’s neck! The ref counts, Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face, but the ref reminds Drilla to respect his authority. Drilla kicks Naito around, steps on Naito’s head, then taunts the fans. Naito gets up to throw hands but Drilla hits back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but then Drilla CHOPS! Drilla runs, into an ELBOW! Drilla rebounds, but Naito hip toss NECKBREAKERS! The fans rally as Naito rises and Drilla writhes. Naito drags Drilla up to fire forearms and kicks!
Naito whips, arm-drags, then he ELBOWS Drilla down to basement dropkick in the back! Naito turns Drilla for a NECKBREAKER! Drilla writhes, Naito pushes him to a cover, TWO! Naito keeps on Drilla with a cravat neck wrench. Drilla endures, fights around, and he fights up. Drilla breaks free, CLUBS Naito, then runs, but Naito catches him to a dragon sleeper, NECKBREAKER! Drilla fights the legs but Naito still hooks him into the LEG HOOK NELSON! Drilla endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito again “forgets” how to undo the hold, so the ref pries the legs away.
Drilla is free and clutches his neck, but Naito paces around. Naito drags Drilla back up, but Drilla CHOPS! Naito fires a forearm in return! Drilla CHOPS! Naito forearms! The shots go back and forth, Drilla grunts and has a crazy grin. Drilla fires a forearm, Naito mocks the grunt! Naito fires back, both men grunt and fire forearms again! Drilla CHOPS, but then Naito ROCKS him, SPITS on him, and fires off more forearms! Drilla gets under, shoves Naito then hurdles, drops and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and Drilla go to opposite corners, and Drilla runs corner to corner! Drilla blocks a boot but Naito SPITS!
Naito runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Drilla horks up and SPITS a big one at Naito, then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito stays in this and Drilla is seething. Drilla slashes his throat and throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift. Drilla ENZIGIRIS Naito, then gets him back up! Canadian Rack, but Naito arm-drags Drilla into the ref! The ref tumbles all the way out, Naito atomic drops Drilla and ENZIGIRIS! COMPLETE SHOT, and then PLUMA BLANCA!! Drilla endures, flails, is he tapping? But there’s no ref anyway! Wait, David Finlay rushes out here!
The Rebel taunts Naito while swinging the shillelagh! Naito lets Drilla go, only for JAKE LEE to show up!?! Talk about a CrossOver, the Good Looking Emperor is here in NJPW and he fires hands with Naito!! The fans are going nuts, but Naito gets the edge! Only for Jake to KNEE low! Jake puts Naito in a corner, takes aim, and runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!! Or as he calls it, #FaceBreakShot! Naito staggers into Drilla’s arms, for the DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover and the ref is back, Drilla wins!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall
The Rebel gets the Madness Dark Side to help him screw over Naito, and now this series is all tied up again! But then Finlay & Drilla beat Naito down more! Jake steps in, and the War Dogs back away. Jake stands on Naito’s chest, then stomps away! Is Jake going to destroy Naito once and for all? But wait! Here comes Hiromu! The Ticking Timebomb ROCKS Jake, ROCKS Drilla, then fires off on Finlay! But then Drilla & Finlay mug Hiomru! They double whip, but Hiormu ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Hiromu goes out after Finlay, but Drilla CLUBS Hiromu! They POST Hiromu, but what about the main event!?
Red Shoes hurries out here, the fans tell Jake and Drilla to go home. Jake literally kicks Naito out of the ring and then stands him up against railing. Jake gets space, takes aim again, and Finlay makes Hiromu watch the FACE BREAK SHOT that sends Naito into the front row!! The fans boo and tell Jake to go home. Jake smirks as he takes his leave with Drilla, the damage done. Is there an alliance between Jake’s Good Looking Guys and Finlay’s War Dogs? Is Naito just the first casualty of many?
As for Finlay and Hiromu, Finlay RAMS Hiromu into railing! And then RAMS him in again! Finlay RAMS Hiromu a third time, then he soaks up the heat. Red Shoes reprimands, but this isn’t officially a match yet. Finlay takes aim, he runs in, but Hiromu sends him into railing! Hiromu gets Finlay in, the bell rings, and it’s time to settle the score!
LIJ VS War Dogs Best of Five Series: Hiromu Takahashi VS David Finlay!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay slips away! The fans rally for Hiromu as he eggs Finlay on. Finlay snarls, storms back up but Hiromu then SUNSET FLIPS! Finlay holds ropes to throw down hands! Hiromu staggers away, Finlay fireman’s carries him now! Finlay runs and THROWS Hiromu at a post! The fans boo while Finlay throws up the Too Sweet and taunts them all. Finlay leaves Hiromu behind, he tells the fans they look stupid, then he goes back to fetch Hiromu. Finlay slaps Hiromu around, drags him up, and throws him into the ring.
Finlay crawls to a cover but Red Shoes says nope, too many shenanigans. Finlay is upset, there were a lot of shenanigans both ways. But Finlay drags Hiromu up to suplex and TOSS Hiromu! Now things are fine and Finlay covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Finlay mocks the “MOTO! MOTO!” Finlay whips Hiromu hard into a corner! Hiromu falls then crawls, and Finlay taunts him that it’s too easy. Finlay stalks Hiromu to another corner as the fans rally up, but Finlay makes Hiromu smile! Finlay says smile like Tsuji! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay lets off, but then he drags Hiromu up to whip hard into another corner!
Hiromu staggers and falls out of the ring and Red Shoes checks him. Finlay waits on Hiromu while he writhes on the floor. Finlay mockingly says “Moto! Moto!” Red Shoes has Finlay stay back, and the ring count starts. Hiromu stands at 4 of 20 while Finlay lounges on the ropes. The fans rally, Hiromu rolls in at 10, but Finlay brings him back up. Finlay scoops and carries Hiromu around for a BACKBREAKER! Finlay says he’s strong AF, and then he kicks Hiromu around. Finlay mocks the fans chanting for Hiromu, and that makes them boo Finlay. Finlay pushes Hiromu around, so Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS!
Finlay dusts himself off, eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu CHOPS again! Finlay felt that one so he knees low. Finlay runs, Hiromu follows, and Hiromu RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay flounders while Hiromu goes to ropes. Finlay runs up, but into a BOOT! Hiromu then has a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go at 4 and he drags Finlay out to wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER to the floor! The fans rally up behind Hiromu and he goes to the apron. Hiromu aims as Finlay stands, FLYING SHOTGUN sends Finlay through the gate! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he pursues.
Hiromu smiles at TJP on English commentary, then gets a real “MOTO! MOTO! MOTO!” going. Hiromu gets Finlay up and in, and Finlay goes to a corner. Hiromu runs up to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps his cool and he kicks Finlay around. Hiromu drags Finlay up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu takes a swing, but Finlay catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hiromu survives but Finlay scoops him, for the SWINGING IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives again and Finlay grows frustrated.
Finlay mocks Yota Tsuji as he powers up and goes to the corner. Hiromu rises, Finlay flips him off, and steals GENE- TRIANGLE D!! Hiromu has Finlay caught and the fans fire up! Finlay flails, tries to stack Hiromu, but Hiromu squeezes tighter! Finlay is fading and the fans fire up! But Finlay gets a second wind, deadlifts Hiromu, and POWERBOMBS him down! Finlay is free of D, but both men are down as the fans rally again. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, and lifts, but Hiromu RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Finlay escapes, kicks low and whips, but Hiromu slips free of Deep Six to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT!
The fans fire up while Finlay flounders! But Finlay sneaks his shillelagh into the ring! The fans rally for Hiromu while Finlay hides the shillelagh under him. Hiromu rises, Finlay shields the shillelagh from Red Shoes but Red Shoes is suspicious. Red Shoes sees the weapon! Finlay shoves Red Shoes away and takes a swing, but Hiromu dodges! SUPERKICK! Hiromu takes the shillelagh now! The fans are torn, but then Hiromu plays like Finlay did hit him! Red Shoes isn’t sure who to believe, but Finlay really is innocent this time! Finlay argues with Red Shoes but fans boo to help sell Hiromu’s trick.
Hiromu then runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! And then fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this but the fans are still with Hiromu. Hiromu fireman’s carries again, but Finlay fights free. Hiromu elbows, runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, but into a SUPERKICK! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER, but Finlay stays up! Hiromu runs again, but Finlay catches him spins him, ROLLING ELBOWS, then runs! Into a SUPERKICK! Finlay returns, for another SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs to HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous and Hiromu gets Finlay up, suplex and INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!!
Finlay survives his own move but Hiromu won’t let that bother him! Hiromu drags himself up, dragon sleepers Finlay, but Finlay fights the suplex with knees! Finlay suplexes, but Hiromu knees free! Hiromu runs, but Finlay LARIATS! Finlay hauls Hiromu up, Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay goes to a corner as he thinks on what to do next. Finlay storms over to Hiromu, says it’s over now, and he drags Hiromu back up. But Hiromu slips out of the bomb to tuck the arms! Finlay wrenches out, but into TRIANGLE D!! Finlay flails, CLUBS at Hiromu, but he’s fading again!
Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Finlay fights to deadlift again! POWERBOMB, but Hiromu just holds onto D!! Finlay is fading, flailing, reaching out, but Hiromu squeezes tight! Finlay deadlifts again! BUCKLE BOMB, and INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Hiromu survives again and Finlay is beside himself! The fans are electric as Finlay shakes his head. Hiromu sputters but Finlay brings down the kneepads. Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! Finlay drags Hiromu back up, suplexes, but Hiromu slip free! Hiromu wrenches, pump handles, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes and Hiromu is frustrated!
Both men catch their breath while the fans rally as hard as they can. Hiromu grits his teeth, pounds the mat, and rises up. Hiromu hobbles over but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Hiromu comes back, into another UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! And another! And another, and another! But Hiromu stays on his feet, even as Finlay UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again!! Hiromu won’t stop, but Finlay won’t, either! The fans rally and Finlay eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu runs in, into another UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Hiromu roars, runs, but into an UPPERCUT!! Hiromu drops to his knees, and Finlay says this is it!
Finlay suplexes, INTOÂ OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall
Bullet Club War Dogs takes the best of five in the fifth and final round! It took much more than Finlay wanted, but Hiromu always gives it his all. Will the Timebomb be able to fire back up in time for the Best of the Super Juniors?
Wait, Drilla returns, and now the War Dogs mug Hiromu! But then Tsuji & Takagi return to run them off! The War Dogs egg them on and vice-versa, but then GABE KIDD runs in! He CLOBBERS Takagi, DECKS Tsuji, and the War Dogs beat up on LIJ! The fans boo but the War Dogs just keep stomping LIJ! Drilla stands Tsuji up for Finlay’s SHILLELAGH SHOT! Drilla gives Hiromu the DRILLA KILLA! Gabe hits Takagi with a PILEDRIVER! Drilla gets to hold on to the shillelagh so he can JAM Hiromu! Finlay gives Tsuji the OVERKILL!! The War Dogs stand tall over LIJ, but Finlay still gets the mic to talk.
“What have I been telling you people? I AM the Savage King! You all thought you saw cracks in my game, but that’s because I let you. You all thought you saw weakness in my War Dogs, but that’s because I let you. Time and time again, I have been steps ahead of everyone in this company. Time and time again, I have solved any problem that was put in our way. The only thing worse than fighting a man who knows how to hurt you is fighting a man who knows when. LIJ learned that tonight, didn’t they?” A young fan tells Finlay to shut up and the fans cheer the kid.
Finlay says you can strip him of championships, you can keep him from tournaments, but in the end, remember this: “HATE always finds a way!!” The Rebel has spoken, will he and his hateful War Dogs find a way to dominate all of NJPW whether we like it or not?
My Thoughts:
A great event for the Road to Wrestling Dontaku series. Great Six Man title match with Tanahashi’s team winning again, probably no more shots for House of Torture. Not really sure what House of Torture is supposed to do next, though. We’re seeing Narita go after Moxley and the IWGP World title, Jack Perry is technically back in AEW, Evil and Yujiro could try for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles but you know they’d lose to Bishamon. I’ve been thinking that House of Torture should join Jack in AEW for this stretch until Forbidden Door, have some interactions with The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada or something like that.
Really fun Best of 5 series, and it was hilarious that Yota beat Gedo so easily. Great wins for Gabe and Takagi going into their NEVER Openweight Championship match. For a moment, I thought LIJ was winning, given how badly the War Dogs beat up Naito with the help of their new pal, Jake Lee, a former GHC Heavyweight Champion and a big name in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. But then in the end, Finlay found a way to win against Hiromu, keeping him strong as he probably moves up from midcard titles to world title. If we go by the math, Takagi should win the NEVER Openweight title match, but it’d feed Gabe’s story better if he did get the title.
As for Hiromu, he probably gets a strong showing in Best of the Super Juniors, but since his streak of tournament championships was broken, who knows if he gets another one or if he puts someone else over.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Will the Mad Dragon Whoop Dat Trick right out of NXT?
Spring Breakin’ returns, and it is a make or break moment for Trick Williams! Either he dethrones Ilja Dragunov, or he LEAVES NXT!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Roxanne Perez VS Lyra Valkyria VS Tatum Paxley; Roxie wins and retains the title.
- Six Man Tag: The D’Angelo Family VS No Quarter Catch Crew; The D’Angelo Family wins.
- Fallon Henley VS Jaida Parker w/ OTM; Jaida wins.
- Beach Brawl: Sol Ruca VS Blair Davenport; Sol wins.
- Baron Corbin VS Lexis King; King wins.
- NXT Championship, Trick’s Last Chance: Ilja Dragunov VS Trick Williams; Trick wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
The General Managers have a meeting in the WWE Draft War Room.
Ava Raine ins with Adam Pearce in person and Nick Aldis via video chat. They wrap up and Ava thanks them for being here. This is a big night for NXT as Spring Breakin’ is now two weeks, and it is also the NXTÂ before the Draft. Aldis says congrats on the fine job she’s doing here. NXT has a deep pool of talent. To keep it 100, he’s got his eyes on quite a few NXT talents. Pearce says Aldis isn’t lying, the NXT Women’s Division is incredible, and the world would love to see them on Mondays. Aldis will be watching Dragunov VS Trick very closely. Ava agrees, and they will be changing the lives of numerous superstars, so everyone is going to be on their A Game.
But after this week, it won’t be about who goes to Raw or SmackDown but about who steps up to take their place. So one way or another, NXT will never be the same after tonight. All the GMs are in agreement there, but just what will the landscape look like after tonight’s main event?
NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Roxanne Perez VS Lyra Valkyria VS Tatum Paxley!
Speaking of that landscape, The Prodigy is back on top of the Women’s Division, for now. She thought she could just slip away while The Morrigan and the twisted Tatum fought it out, but Ava wasn’t going to let her have it so easy. The odds have drastic gone down for Roxie, will she be able to survive? Or will there be a new champion crowned to start off the night?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Spring Breakin’ is already heating up!
The bell rings and Roxie is wary of both challengers. Tatum creeps up but Lyra TACKLES Tatum! Lyra fires hands, Tatum BOOTS her away, but then Lyra runs up to kick low! Lyra stomps Tatum in the corner and Roxie seems to be getting what she wanted all along. Tatum BOOTS Lyra then rolls her up, but Roxie breaks it! Roxie TOSSES Lyra, but Tatum creeps up on her! Tatum also creeps Roxie out, and she backs up, for Lyra to trip her and drag her out! Lyra CLUBS and KNEES Roxie, but Roxie shoves her away. Tatum runs but Lyra blocks the copycat dropkick! Lyra drags Tatum out to trip her up and Tatum hits the apron!
Lyra gets Roxie up, meeting of the minds for Roxie and Tatum! Lyra then runs to WRECK them both with the dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra goes out to fetch Tatum. Lyra puts her in, climbs up a corner, but Roxie drags her down! Lyra kicks Roxie away, then BOOTS her down! Lyra continues the climb, the fans duel, but Lyra jumps over Tatum. Tatum runs up at her, Lyra dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Lyra gets Tatum up, blocks a shot and SLAPS Tatum, to then SHOTGUN her down! Lyra whips corner to corner, then reels Tatum in for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, Roxie breaks it!
Roxie drags Lyra up to fire hands! The fans duel, Roxie UPPERCUTS and whips but Lyra reverses to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans rally as Lyra brings Roxie up. Roxie fights the waistlock with elbows, then drops to victory roll! TWO, Lyra has it, TWO! Both get up, Roxie goes for an arm, but Lyra slips free. Lyra waistlocks, Roxie switches, Tatum joins in! Roxie ELBOWS Tatum, O’Conner Rolls Lyra, TWO! Roxie tumbles out hard! Tatum waistlocks Lyra but Lyra switches! O’Conner, TWO! Lyra goes up, Roxie is there to SHOVE her down! Roxie then goes up, tells Lyra off, but Tatum runs up!
Roxie ROCKS Tatum first, then CROSSBODIES! But Tatum rolls through! TWO!! Roxie knees low, says Tatum isn’t getting her title! But Tatum TOSSES Roxie out onto Lyra! The fans fire u pas Tatum says it IS her title now! Tatum says she told Lyra so, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tatum storms out to fetch Lyra up and SMACKS Lyra’s arm on the apron! Tatum CLUBS Lyra, then clamps onto the bad arm to POST it! Tatum drags Lyra back up to put her in the ring, but Roxie anchors her foot! Tatum kicks Roxie away into the steel steps! Tatum slides in but Lyra drop toeholds! But Tatum avoids the elbow drop! Tatum drops a knee on the bad arm! Tatum SLAPS the hand into a knuckle lock and twists the wrist! Lyra endures, Tatum YANKS the arm, and then brings Lyra up. Tatum whips Lyra to the corner, runs corner to corner to CROSSBODY! Roxie adds a SHOTGUN and takes them both down!
Roxie drags Lyra up, but Lyra RAMS into her! And again! Roxie CLUBS Lyra down, hauls her back up, and whips. Lyra CROSSBODIES but Roxie rolls through! Roxie YANKS the bad arm! Lyra endures as Roxie pulls on the arm, fights up to stack Roxie, TWO as Roxie kicks her away! Roxie then gets Lyra’s arm to wrench and YANK! And RUSSIAN- NO, Lyra fights off the leg sweep! Lyra pries free, throws body shots, but Roxie powers through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, Tatum breaks it! Tatum drags Roxie up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Roxie slides out and Tatum hits buckles! Roxie climbs, but Tatum ROCKS her first!
Tatum climbs up but Roxie fights her with body shots. Roxie slips under, and SMACKS Tatum off the buckles! Then Roxie goes up after Tatum, but Tatum holds onto ropes to resist! Roxie CLUBS Tatum, NXT returns to single picture, and Lyra CLUBS both Roxie and Tatum! Lyra gets them both for a DOUBLE POWERBOMB!! The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as all three women are down! Lyra fires hands on Tatum, she fires back, then Roxie joins in! Tatum CHOPS Roxie, Lyra CHOPS Roxie! Roxie CHOPS them back! Lyra ROCKS Tatum, HEADBUTTS, then she CLUBS Tatum! Lyra gives Roxie a SOBAT, KICK, HEADBUTT, SOBAT!
Tatum storms up so she gets a SOBAT, KICK, HEADBUTT! Roxie storms up but Lyra ENZIGIRIS! Tatum returns but she ducks the enzigiri! Tatum reels Lyra into a fireman’s carry, swing and- NO, Lyra slips free! Lyra kicks low, fisherman, and BUSTER! Cover, Roxie breaks it! Lyra snarls, kicks Roxie low then reels her in. FISHERMAN- NO, Roxie cradle counters! TWO!! Lyra escapes, Roxie SMACKS her! Lyra sits back, Roxie RAMS her into buckles! Roxie then runs in to UPPERCUT! Roxie goes corner to corner to UPPERCUT Tatum! Roxie wrenches Tatum, wrangles her, but Lyra runs in! So Roxie gets Lyra! CROSSFACE!!
Lyra endures, but Tatum puts a CROSSFACE on Roxie!! Roxie flails, rolls it to a cover, Lyra breaks it! Roxie gets Tatum up first to wrench and clinch, “This is Awesome!” Lyra runs in, Roxie kicks her first! Roxie reels Lyra in, DDT LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives so Roxie covers Tatum! TWO!! Roxie is losing her cool but she hurries to get Tatum up. Tatum swings, misses, and Roxie wrenches to serve SOLE FOOD! Cover, Lyra breaks it! Roxie drags Lyra up, fires a forearm, but Lyra hits back! They go back and forth shot for shot! Lyra windmills haymakers then whips, but Roxie ducks the leg lariat!
Roxie comes back, tilt-o-whirl, but Lyra turns that into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Tatum runs in, into a waistlock! But she victory rolls Lyra into Roxie’s BOOT! Roxie hops onto Tatum, Tatum shrugs her off into the HEEL KICK! Roxie tumbles away, Tatum sunset flips Lyra! TWO!!! Lyra escapes but Tatum hurries to whip! Lyra blocks, kicks, but Tatum ducks! MADE IN JAPAN!! Tatum hurries up a corner and the fans are going wild! 450 SPLASH!!! Cover, Roxie high stacks her!! ROXIE WINS!!!
Winner: Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)
The Prodigy proved she’s a prodigy in opportunism! She snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, will nothing and no one stop her now?
Fallon Henley, Kelani Jordan & Thea Hail talk backstage.
Fallon asks if Thea and Mr. Chase got everything sorted. Yes, thank goodness. But it was so rude for Jacy Jayne to put him on the spot like that. But Thea will handle Jacy next week, and that Chase U is all on the same page. And she’s thankful to have so many amazing people around her. From Fallon to Kelani to Mr. Chase to Riley and Duke. Kelani says they’ve got her. Thea says so many wonderful people make her better! Jaida Parker cannot take hearing this anymore. Fallon Henley, NXT’s hero! The most popular loner she has ever seen. Fallon should worry about herself and not give her opinion on everyone else’s life.
Fallon asks if Jaida has a problem. They can, so what’s up? Fallon is the one sick and tired of- Jaida don’t care, and she pushes Fallon. Fallon pushes back, and the rest of the locker room rushes in to stop this from getting physical! Will the Cowgirl have to show Ms. Parker that she should take her own advice about keeping to herself?
A new duo is ready to Level Up!
“What it do, NXT? It’s ya boi, Tyson Dupont, baby! He’s the BRICK!” “And I’m Tyriek Igwe. Ya bois in the building!” Next week, they debut in front of the world. They’re so strong yet so smooth, ready to go pound for pound with anybody or any team. Any team that steps to them end up under these Timberlands. When these boots start stomping and bodies start flying, grown men start crying! See y’all next week.
Backstage interview with The Diamond Mine.
Kelly Kincaid is with Ivy Nile & The Creed Brothers and welcomes them back. Brutus says they wouldn’t miss this for the world! Dragunov VS Trick, one of the biggest title matches in NXT history! Ivy remembers when the Creeds were chasing the NXT Tag Team Championships. And now, Trick’s on a chase of his own. Julius says it feels like it was yesterday. But the moment Trick’s picked up is truly remarkable. They saw from day one how Trick’s worked hard and bet on himself. Julius says Trick will slay the dragon. Brutus isn’t sure about that, but if there’s anyone who can, it is Trick Willy! The Real Dealy, lookin’ like a milli!
So then what he’s saying is… WHOOP DAT TRICK! Uh huh! I like it! Okay! The Diamond Mine heads out, will they be on the winning side of the main event?
Six Man Tag: The D’Angelo Family VS No Quarter Catch Crew!
The Don will neither confirm nor deny what they did to… handle a certain situation. However, he will ask that he is paid for services rendered. Will he, Luca Crusifino & Channing Lorenzo get their money through the winner’s purse tonight? Or will Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp & Myles Borne give no quarter, literally and figuratively?
NXT returns and NQCC make their entrance. The teams sort out and then hands start flying! The ref reprimands but Stacks TOSSES Myles out to PLANCHA, only to miss! Kemp and Luca tumble out the side, the bell rings, and Dempsey BOOTS Tony! Dempsey UPPERCUTS again and again, but Tony runs up to TACKLE him! Tony rains down fists but Dempsey gets the TRIANGLE HOLD! Tony deadlifts to POWERBOMB Dempsey! Tony says this is what they get for not paying up! But then Dempsey ROCKS Tony, knees low, and wrenches an arm. Tony RAMS Dempsey into the corner, but Myles runs up.
Tony DECKS Myles, but Dempsey CLUBS Tony! Dempsey fires more knees, Kemp tags in, and they set Tony up for a leg pick and ANKLE LOCK, then a STOMP on the leg! Kemp stomps Tony, throws hands but Tony fires hands in return! Tony RAMS Kemp into the corner, Stacks tags in! Tony sends Stacks in to SPLASH! Then Stacks bumps Kemp off buckles, brings him around, and ROCKS him with haymakers! Kemp falls over, gets up, and Stacks drop toeholds. Stacks rains down fists, then a FIST DROP! Tag to Luca and the mugging continues! Luca tells Kemp to pay up, pay up! Stacks feeds Kemp toa BOOT!
Luca gets Kemp up but Kemp SPINEBUSTERS! The two scrap, go around, Myles manages to tag in. Myles BOOTS Luca, storms up and stomps him around. Myles brings Luca up but Luca throws body shots. Myles knees low, whips Luca but Luca reveres. Luca runs up, but Myles BOOTS him! Myles goes up, leaps, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Myles flounders, comes back, DROPKICK to Luca! Cover, ONE!! Luca stays in this but Myles tags Dempsey in. Dempsey tags Kemp, but Luca fights back! That’s 3v1 so Tony & Stacks run up to fight back! The fans fire up as its chaos once again!
Tony LARIATS Dempsey up and out, he and The Family stand tall, but then they go back out after NQCC! Kemp CANNONBALLS onto everyone! The NQCC turn things around and NXT goes picture in picture.
NQCC put Luca back in, Kemp stomps and drops an elbow! Kemp drags Luca over, tag to Myles, and they double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW! Kemp DOUBLE STOMPS, Myles covers, TWO! Myles drags Luca over, tags Dempsey, and they mug Luca again. Dempsey UPPERCUTS, brings Luca around and GUT WRENCH SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Dempsey keeps Luca down with a facelock, then brings him back to the corner. Tag to Myles, they mug Luca, and Myles fires hands. Myles whips, but Luca holds ropes! Luca BOOTS back, then dodges! Hot tag to Stacks! Stacks rallies on Myles, trips him and drops down to rain down fists!
Myles gest away but Stacks DROPKICKS Myles down! Then he DECKS Kemp! Stacks drags Myles up, Myles shoves him away and then DROPKICKS him! Kemp holds ropes down so Stacks tumbles up and out! Kemp SMACKS Stacks off the apron, RAMS him in, then puts him in the ring. Myles KNEES Stacks in the back and stomps away. Myles whips Stacks hard into the corner! Tag to Kemp and he ROCKS Stacks with a right hand. Kemp stomps Stacks in the corner, whips him corner to corner hard, then back drops Stacks on the rebound! Cover, TWO! Kemp facelocks to bring Stacks up and around, tag to Dempsey.
The NQCC mug Stacks then Dempsey UPPERCUTS him down! Dempsey clamps onto Stacks and hauls him up, SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Dempsey drags Stacks around by a leg, tags Myles, and then Dempsey stretches Stacks so Myles and KICK him in the side! Myles ROCKS Stacks with a right, ROCKS him again, then tags Dempsey back in. The mugging continues as NXT returns to single picture. Dempsey snapmares Stacks into a chinlock but the fans rally as Stacks endures. Stacks fights up, pries the hold open, and elbows free! Stacks runs, CROSSBODIES, and covers, ONE!!
Dempsey stands, blocks a kick, and DRAGON SCREWS! Dempsey pushes on Stacks’ knee, has a standing KNEEBAR, but Stacks endures! The fans rally, Stacks fights, but Dempsey keeps him back! Dempsey ducks the enzigiri! Dempsey stomps Stacks, waistlocks, but Stacks powers him back! Kemp tags in, he tags Myles, and they DROPKICK GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Stacks is hanging in there but Myles stands on him. Dempsey tags in to stomp Stacks down. Dempsey hauls Stacks up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Dempsey goes right to a HALF CRAB!
The fans rally as Stacks endures but Dempsey sits deep! Stacks fights, crawls, reaches out, but Dempsey steps over for an ANKLE LOCK! Stacks fights up, ENZIGIRI! That one hit and Dempsey falls out of the ring! Myles runs in, Stacks sends him back out! Stacks hurries, but Myles YANKS Tony down! The tag misses, and then Dempsey drags Luca down! Tony DECKS Myles, storms back up, Stacks tags in him! Tony rallies on the NQCC with haymaker after haymaker! BELLY2BELLY for Kemp! BELLY2BELLY for Myles! Dempsey runs in, Tony dodges him, and then SPINEBUSTER! The fans are thunderous, Tony covers, but then moves so that the DOUBLE STOMPS hit Dempsey!
Tony gets Kemp up, but Dempsey CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Dempsey tags Kemp in, he tags Myles, and they get Tony up! OLYMPIC NECKBREAKER!! Cover, TWO!!! Tony survives and the fans are thunderous! Dempsey tags in, he gets Tony up, underhooks and BUTTERFLY SUPLEX BRIDGE!! Cover, Stacks breaks it! kemp whips but Stacks reverses to TOSS Kemp! Myles ROCKS Stacks, runs, but Luca jumps in, SHATTER MACHINE!! Dempsey KNEES Luca down! Then he has the FULL NELSON on Tony! Tony powers out, shoves, SPINEBUSTER again! Cover, The Family wins!
Winner: The D’Angelo Family, by pinfall
A huge win for The Don, the Underboss and the Consigliere, but bigger still is that now, Tony D has a win over the Heritage Cup Champion(s)! Will Tony bring that trophy home to The Family to make up for the money owed?
WWE shares a digital exclusive.
Baron Corbin was in the middle of a photoshoot in relation to the loss of the NXT Tag Team Championships. Did he know what Bron Breakker was going to say post match? No, not at all. Corbin never knows what Bron is gonna say before the match, during the moment, and we’re lucky if any of it makes sense. But then in walks Lexis King. He says it’s okay, keep the cameras rolling, this is a great moment. From a “True King” to a “pretender,” Lexis heard Corbin was leaving NXT so here’s a going away basket. Oh, wonder who put this together, with the big picture of Lexis himself in it. And the card just says, “Goodbye.”
Okay, look, Lexis is hearing people who hope Corbin is leaving. Yeah, well, Bron is on SmackDown, having the time of his life, not worried about Corbin at all. But let’s face it, Corbin will strap his wagon onto the next second generation superstar that will be bigger, better and more handsome than anyone else. And come to think of it, King accepts! And you’re welcome. King heads out, Corbin says what he does know is, Lexis is a tool and no way that beard is real. Will the Lone Wolf make sure to humble the Drama King and make him wish Corbin was leaving?
Fallon Henley VS Jaida Parker w/ OTM!
That confrontation backstage has everybody fired up, so it’s time to take it to the ring! Will it be #YEEHAWB*TCH tonight? Or will Miss Parker make this all about herself ahead of both the WWE Draft and the Women’s North American Championship chase?
Entrances are made while NXT is picture in picture. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Jaida waistlocks. Fallon switches, Jaida hip bumps free and waistlocks to SLAM Fallon down. Jaida talks trash, but Fallon SLAPS her! Jaida swings, Fallon dodges to wrench and YANK the arm. Fallon wrangles Jaida with a hammerlock but Jaida scrambles around. Fallon pulls on the arm, Jaida fights up, but Fallon wrenches to YANK the arm again! And again! Fallon wrenches again, but Jaida pulls hair and knees low. Jaida bumps Fallon off buckles, CHOPS her, then talks more trash. So Fallon SLAPS her again!
Jaida SLAPS back, whips, but Fallon goes up and over! Fallon rolls, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CROSSBODIES, but Jaida catches her! Jaida pops Fallon around but Fallon slips free! Fallon wrenches, wristlocks, but Jaida ROCKS her with a forearm. Jaida bumps Fallon off buckles, then puts her in the ropes. NXT returns to single picture as Fallon fights free! Fallon drop toehold Jaida, Jaida goes to ropes, and Fallon runs in to slide out and HAYMAKER! Fallon tells OTM is next if they don’t back up. Jaida runs up but Fallon RAMS into her! Fallon body scissor rolls, TWO! Fallon wrenches, wristlocks, but Jaida powers up and whips.
Fallon ducks ‘n’ dodges then trips Jaida, to then CALF KICK! Jaida goes to a corner, Fallon runs up but she blocks a boto! Fallon whips, Jaida reverses, but Fallon goes up, only to get thrown onto the ropes! Fallon flops down, and Jaida puts her in the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up as Jaida DROPS IT LIKE IT’S HOT! Jaida then drags Fallon up, wrenches and runs her over! Jaida drags Fallon up to run her over again, and again! Jaida drags Fallon up, whips her to ropes and KNEES her low! Fallon flounders, Jaida talks more trash then covers, TWO! Jaida clinches for a BEARHUG! Fallon endures as Jaida thrashes her around!
The fans rally and Fallon fights the hold. Fallon HEADBUTTS, runs, sunset flips, TWO! Jaida sit son it, TWO! Jaida runs to then throw Fallon by her hair! Cover, TWO! Jaida is frustrated but she drags Fallon into a seated COBRA TWIST! Fallon endures, the fans rally, and Fallon fights up. Jaida squeezes tighter but Fallon still endures. Fallon gets to her feet, pries the hold open and arm-drags Jaida away! Jaida runs up but into an ELBOW! Fallon traps the arms, HEADBUTTS, and staggers. Fallon fires forearm after forearm, then whips. HAYMAKER! Jaida gets up, Fallon LARIATS her down! And then body shot, ELBOW and CHOP!
Fallon SMASHES Jaida off her knee, then runs! FLYING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fallon is frustrated but she gets Jaida back up. Jaida wrenches free, swings, but misses! Fallon goes up and up, leaps over Jaida and rolls again, to then get around and waistlock! Jaida fights the lift, and then SLINGS Fallon into ropes! TEAR DROP!! Cover, Jaida wins!
Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall
OTM celebrates with their girl, and Miss Parker blows a kiss to the camera. Will she be the one to grab that Women’s North American Championship?
Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx speak.
The Toxic Element speaks first: “Ungrateful. That’s what I think of when I hear the name Thea Hail. I gave you a free road to success, a one way ticket to the hottest attraction in NXT. I even stood behind you in hopes that one day, you would realize that Jacy Jayne always knows best. But Thea, did you fall and smack your little head on the pavement? Or maybe I missed the part where you said ‘Thank you.’ Everything that I’ve done for you. I took you under my wing, I made you into everything that you wanted to be. You should be kissing the ground I walk on, begging for my wisdom on your hands and knees.
“But instead, all you did was show that you’re an ungrateful little girl. So next week at Spring Breakin’ week 2, I’m gonna end you. And Thea, you’re gonna learn that gratitude is not an option, but a debt that you will repay to me.” Jacy thinks Thea will see the truth, but will next week be a #TeachableMoment for Jacy?
Lola Vice speaks.
“Being a legend gives Natalya confidence, and rightfully so. But that confidence will be her downfall. If she’s confident enough to think she can handle being overseas on a rigorous touring schedule, and then waltz back into NXT, into my domain… she better think again. Natalya, come NXT Underground, you’re entering my world.” Natty wants Lola to show her what she’s made of, but while Natty is out there being a legend, Lola is becoming one at Natty’s expense. The contract signing is tonight, will there be fireworks before the fight?
Backstage interview with JD McDonagh.
Kelly Kincaid is with the Irish Ace as he’s also here to watch Dragunov VS Trick. What are his predictions? Well, he and Dragunov have history, one of the greatest rivalries in NXT. He thinks he can speak with more experience than most that the only way to beat Dragunov is to hospitalize him. And as someone who’s done both, he doesn’t think Trick Williams is up to it. Dragunov retains. But then in come the New Catch Republic! Tyler Bate more or less drags Pete Dunne along, he’s that excited about Dragunov VS Trick! Those boys are gonna smash the spuds outta each other! It’s happening, Pete! It’s happening!
Pete says his money’s on Dragunov. That’s a bad man right there. He’s absolutely solid. Bate says Trick’s always bounced back, though, so he’s got the tekkers. #WhoopDatTrick! The Big Strong Boi and the Bruiserweight are torn, who will be backing the right horse in the race?
Ava Raine is in the ring.
And fitting of NXT Underground, the ropes are gone and there are prospects all lining the ring, drumming the apron. Ava says as NXT GM, one of the most important parts of her job is continuing to push this brand into a new era, and breaking glass ceilings. That is why she is honored to host the contract signing for the first ever Women’s Underground match! At this time, let’s bring out the competitors. First, with her corner-person Karmen Petrovic, Natalya! The fans cheer as the Queen of Harts has her Canadian Connection with her as she goes to the ring. They take their seats on one side of the podium, and then Natty signs on the dotted line.
The fans cheer as Natty says she loves the NXT fans. Her part is done, so now we welcome out her opponent, Lola Vice. Fans are torn as the Mayor of Vice City struts her way out. Lola signs her part, and it is officially in the books! History: made! But then Natty says Lola sealed the deal, so who does she have in her corner? Lola says in Spanish that Natty is so stupid. Natty is more worried about who is in her corner than what Lola’s gonna do to her? But Lola will make something clear: just because she shakes her ass doesn’t mean she can’t kick your ass! And next week, they’re making history. And next week, Lola WILL break Natty.
The fans appreciate the Rocky 4 line, but Natty tells Lola that from the first moment they met, Natty knew Lola had an ego that needs to be kept in check. But one thing about Natty is that she respects Lola where she came from, how Lola was fighting in the cage. But it seems Lola doesn’t respect Natty was made in a dungeon! And if you can survive the dungeon, you can survive anything! Natty respects the superstars of the past, of the present, but if Lola wants to be the future, then Natty’s gonna beat some respect into her! The fans like that, too! “She’s The Boat! She’s The Boat!” Natty says next week, she wants Lola to bring everything she’s got, because Natty will tap dat ass out!
Lola just smiles as she says Natty can try. But when the lights dim, Natty’s fate is in Lola’s hands. The fastest hands in this division. And Lola’s training partner will make them even faster. Because it’s SHAYNA BASZLER!! The Queen of Spades is the ace up Lola’s sleeve, and even Natty knows this is going to be a hard hand to beat. Shayna stands beside Lola, fans chant “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” Shayna tells Natty that she’s smart enough to tell that her chances just went from slim to none. When it comes to fighting around here, the most dangerous woman in NXT is aligned with the baddest woman in the WWE.
So Natty, there is still time to bow out gracefully. Just take the contract and tear it up. Especially if uh, this is her partner., Shayna shoves Karmen, so Karmen ROUNDHOUSEES Shayna! And the brawl is on between Natty and Lola! The fans are thunderous as natty TOSSES Lola onto the prospects! The ante has just been raised in this match, who makes the other fold in the Underground?
NXT Media catches up with Ridge Holland.
They ask Yorkshire Grit how he feels after his return victory. It was a start. It’s been a rough few months, but Ridge wants to rack up victories and show he can earn success the right way. But then Shawn Spears applauds as he walks over. “Bravo, Ridge. For a second, it actually looked like you believe everything you were just saying.” Ridge tells Spears to leave him alone. Spears says maybe Ridge is finally seeing what he’s capable of. And that he likes it! Why not embrace it then? They both know what Ridge wants to do to Spears right now, so why not do it? Give in to those thoughts. Or better yet, let them out.
Ridge chuckles and says he knows what Spears is up to. He can’t rile Ridge up. See you around. Ridge leaves, but will Spears still pull out the “truth?”
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says, “Good evening. This is your former two-time NXT Champion just letting you know we’re about to take you back to the good old days. Where we left everyone beaten and broken. And if you don’t have an army behind you or a little miracle in your pocket, you’re going eight miles out, and six feet under.” Paul Ellering says the Authors of Pain, Akam & Rezar, have a clear destiny. They’re coming for all the gold! And that will be their dynasty. They will bring destruction back to NXT! Nathan Frazer, Axiom, prepare for the end. Scarlett says, “So saith the Final Testament.” Will NXT have no choice but to Fall & Pray?
The locker room responds.
Axiom says, “Bringing back the good old days? Destruction? These guys coming in and ruining our championship celebration…!” Frazer says yeah, they’re monsters. But he could care less! Axiom says somehow, someway, they will beat the Authors of Pain! Malik Blade says yeah, screw AOP! Hank ‘n’ Tank and the others agree. Why’re all these RawDown teams coming in here, demanding opportunities? The rest of NXT can’t even catch a break. The Good Brothers step in and say yeah! They’re so sick of all these other teams coming in here, trying to take those titles! After all, this is NXT! Edris Enofe says no one else is saying it, so he will.
The Good Brothers- OOPS! He just dropped his mirror! And it broke… That’s bad luck, isn’t it? Was Edris about to say something. No… The Good Brothers leave, has Edris just jinxed himself and all of the NXT Tag Division?
Beach Brawl: Sol Ruca VS Blair Davenport!
NXT Underground isn’t the only place where there are no rules! The Sol Surfer and the Ichiban Gaijin are throwing the rules away so they can finally get even with each other once and for all! Will Sol get snatched? Or will it be Blair who has to beware the consequences of her actions?
NXT returns and Sol makes her entrance, bringing her own surfboard to beat down Blair! Blair already has one of her own, thanks! Blair swings, but Sol dodges to SMACK Blair! The bell rings, Sol puts her board aside, only for Blair to SMACK her with the boogie board! Blair shoves the surfboard aside, goes up the steps, and leaps, into a boogie board SMACK! Sol pushes Blair into the ring, grabs some sports balls, and gets in the ring with her. Blair chucks a beach ball but Sol swats it! Sol then DECKS Blair, then she puts an innertube around her! Sol BOPS Blair with footballs and dodgeballs, then whips and CLOBBERS her!
Blair flounders out of the ring, Sol pursues, and she SMACKS Blair off the apron! Blair hits back, avoids Sol’s boot, but Sol does the splits on the apron to dodge back! Sol BOOTS Blair down and then goes to the picnic table. Sol grabs the bench seat, props it up against the apron, and then she brings Blair up. But Blair whips Sol into the bench! The bench doesn’t break but Sol still feels the pain. Blair drags Sol up but Blair fights the suplex! Sol fights free to ROCK Blair! Blair knees low, then POSTS Sol! Blair drags Sol back up, brings her back around, and SMACKS her off the apron! Blair fires forearm after forearm, then goes looking for goodies.
Blair SPIKES a beach ball on Sol’s head! Sol SMACKS Blair with the boogie board! Blair CHOPS Sol, shoves her into steps, then goes looking under the ring. Sol brings out a chair! But Sol blocks the chair shot! Sol kicks low, then runs up, to handspring through the toss! X-FACTOR into the kiddy pool ball pit! Sol shoves the surfboard down onto Blair, then stomps on it! Sol hangs ten on Blair and the fans cheer as she DOUBLE STOMPS! Blair sputters while NXT goes picture in picture.
Sol throws down balls on Blair, SPIKES a beach ball on her now, then drags her out of the pool. Sol puts Blair in the ring, climbs the corner, and CARTWHEEL- NO, Blair avoids the DDT to kick low! Blair whips, Sol goes up and out! Solo rams in but Blair dodges to KNEE her! Blair goes up and up to GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP! The ref checks Sol but she’s okay to continue. Blair goes out, looks under the ring, and brings out another chair. Blair puts that chair in, gets the boogie board, puts that in, then finds a bucket! Blair SMACKS Sol with the bucket, SMACKS her with the boogie board, then SMACKS her again! And of course, Blair SMACKS Sol with the chair!
Blair sits the chair up, makes Sol take a seat, and then fires forearms and CHOPS! Blair ROCKS Sol, CHOPS Sol, then repeat! But Sol hits back! Sol gets the edge, shoves Blair and drop toeholds her into the chair! Sol crawls her way over, props herself up with the chair, and then brings that around, only for Blair to SHOTGUN the chair into her! Solo tumbles out, Blair pursues, and the brawl is on! Blair scoops Sol to SLAM her through a surfboard! Solo writhes, Blair says this is over! Blair drags Sol up and into the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Solo is still in this and Blair is seething. Blair sets the chair up again, and pulls Sol through it!
Blair has the arms, it’s a FULL METAL CAMEL CLUTCH! Sol endures as we return to single picture, and Blair BOOTS Sol out of the chair! Sol crawls, Blair stalks her, and brings her around Sol SMACKS Blair with the bucket! And SMACKS her with the boogie board! And SMACKS her again, and again, and then gets the chair! Blair takes the chair away, but Sol dodges to springboard and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Sol runs, trips Blair, handsprings over and SUPERKICKS! Blair is down, Sol STANDING BOODIE BOARD SAULT! Cover, TWO! Blair survives but Sol drags her right up. Sol scoops, but Blair slips free.
Blair SUPERKICKS Sol, then runs! But Sol SUPERKICKS again! Blair wobbles, Sol fireman’s carries, SWINGING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Blair survives but Sol keeps her cool. Sol goes to a corner, goes up an dup, but Blair SUPER GERMAN SUPLEXES her down! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives and Blair is frustrated. Blair stalks Sol out of the ring, puts the surfboard up against the corner, and she brings Sol around. Blair whips, Sol reverses and Blair SMACKS off the board! Sol goes to the barrier, she cartwheels, but Blair SHOVES her into the Plexiglas! Blair clears the picnic table and positions it before going for Sol.
The fans rally as Blair goes up the barrier, but Sol fires body shots! They brawl int he gap, and Sol picks Blair up as a backpack! BACKPACK SENTONÂ through the picnic table!! The fans lose their minds while the ref checks. Sol rises and roars, and the fans fire up again! Solo drags Blair up and puts her in the ring. Solo then climbs to the apron, steps in and runs, springboard for the SOL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!
Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall
Now that was tubular! Sol gets her revenge, will this wave of momentum help her go all the way to the NXT Women’s North American Championship?
Trick Williams is on the phone.
“What’d the doctors say?” That she’s getting better. Trick tells Mama Williams that he’s fighting tonight, so she needs to fight. Well then she needs him to #WhoopDatTrick. Trick says, “I love you, Mama.” “I love you, too.” Trick hangs up the phone, and then in steps Johnny Wrestling! Gargano says hey, big night! How’s he feeling? Trick knows this is his last chance. His career’s on the line, but he loves this place. Gargano knows that feeling. And it’s a man Trick hasn’t beat before. he thought the pressure was on at Stand & Deliver, or last week in the cage. But tonight, this is pressure. Gargano says no pressure, no diamonds.
Trick’s lost to Dragunov before, but he needs to take all that loss, that pain, that betrayal and use it. It is not a burden, it is a weapon. It is what made Trick stronger. It has built Trick for this moment! It has made Trick who he is, there is only one Trick Williams! And Dragunov has not beaten that Trick Williams. When Gargano won the NXT Championship, it changed his life. But he had to give everything to do it. Is Trick willing to do that? Is he willing to give that much to slay the Mad Dragon and win the NXT Championship? He is. Then #WhoopDatTrick! Gargano says it is Trick’s night, but will Trick get it done?
Meta Four posts to TikTok.
Via Jakara Jackson’s account, she, Lash Legend, Noam Dar & Oro Mensah have the fans join them on the road trip to the NXT Orlando live event. They had some car troubles, though, but the ladies got it done. Then Lash plays the “Oh no, crash!” prank on them all while they were napping. And that was just the first ten minutes!
Baron Corbin VS Lexis King!
The Wolf Dogs may no longer be NXT Tag Team Champions, but that doesn’t mean The Lone Wolf sulks and returns to RawDown with tail tucked between his legs. Will he prove to the Drama King that Corbin does what he wants? Or will defeating a former King of the Ring be Lexis’ crowning achievement?
NXT returns as Lexis makes his entrance. The bell rings, they circle, then tie up. King waistlocks and shoves Corbin, then they circle again. Corbin blocks a kick to ROCK King, then has King in a corner. Corbin TOSSES King across the ring! King bails out, Corbin goes after him and sends him into barriers! The fans fire up as Corbin puts King in the ring. King comes back to ROCK Corbin! King CHOPS, then runs up, but into a CORNER URENAGE! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Corbin as he drags King up. Corbin runs to run King over! The fans cheer and Corbin drags King up. Corbin DECKS King, then has him on ropes.
Corbin CHOKES King, the fans cheer, but the ref counts. Corbin lets off at 4, has King in a corner and throws hands! Corbin then runs, runs King over again, then covers, ONE! King toughs it out, but Corbin brings him up and around. Corbin runs, but King dropkicks the legs out! King then CLUBS Corbin down and fires hands! The fans boo, Corbin shoves King away, but King runs up to CHOP! King brings Corbin around to CLUB him, then snapmare for a KICK! King HAMMERS down on Corbin, drops an ax handle, then covers, ONE! Corbin is tougher than that, but King brings him up. King whips but Corbin fights it.
King kicks, CHOPS and bumps Corbin off buckles. King then uses the ropes for leverage as he digs boots in. The ref counts, King lets off, but Corbin CHOPS back! King knees low, CLUBS Corbin down, then whips. Corbin reverses but King KICKS back! King kicks a leg out, says Hail to the King, BLINDSIDER! Cover, TWO! Corbin survives but King eggs him on. King kicks Corbin around, CHOPS, then DROPKICKS! Corbin rebounds to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Corbin shakes out the stars. Corbin then runs to clothesline in the corner! The fans cheer as Corbin back drops King away! King staggers up, Corbin suplexes for the CUTTER! Cover, TWO!
King stays in this but then bails out of the ring. Corbin pursues, but King SUPERKICKS! King returns to the ring, Corbin pursues, and Corbin storms up, into another SUPERKICK! King trips Corbin, high stacks with feet on ropes! The ref sees that and says nope! King argues with the ref, but Corbin fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! King survives but Corbin reels him in! King gets under to shove Corbin into the ref! LOW BLOW!! And then CORONATION!! Cover, King wins!
Winner: Lexis King, by pinfall
The Drama King steals the biggest win in his young career! He blows kisses to the booing fans, but will Lexis make NXT into his kingdom?
The visiting NXT Alumni join the crowd!
The Diamond Mine are behind commentary, Johnny Gargano joins New Catch Republic in the Chase U student section, and they’re all excited to watch this high stakes main event!
NXT Championship, Trick’s Last Chance: Ilja Dragunov VS Trick Williams!
After an absolute saga spanning multiple matches, many twists and turns, and both men managing to Stand & Deliver in Philadelphia, it all ends here. Either Trick slays the Mad Dragon, or he leaves NXT forever. Something’s gotta give, who comes away THE NXT Champion?
Before his entrance, Dragunov is interviewed by Sarah. We are moments away from the main event, what are his thoughts? Trick has gained Dragunov’s respect. But all Dragunov has in this life are his family, and this title. And Trick’s not going to change that. Dragunov is forever #UNBESIEGBAR. But then in steps WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Damian Priest!! From champ to champ, the Punisher wishes Dragunov luck. Dragunov goes to gorilla, and Priest asks Sarah how she doin’. We cut to Byron Saxton with Trick Williams. Byron asks Trick for any final thoughts before the biggest match of his career.
Trick says we all know what this is: Either Trick wins tonight, or he leaves NXT. Either he is the champion, or he’s a bust. Either he proves himself right or proves himself wrong, but either way he’s gonna fight! If there’s one thing you need to know about Trick, it’s that he fears no man. He can live with the results, whether he wins or he loses. But like Mama Williams said, time to #WhoopDatTrick. The challenger makes his entrance first, but will it be his last?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it all comes down to this!
The bell rings and the fans are fired up as Trick rushes in! Dragunov dodges, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Dragunov CLUBS away on Trick, then drags him up. The fans rally for Trick as he throws elbows. Trick is free, but Dragunov rebounds to PELE! Trick rebounds to LEG LARIAT! But Dragunov JUMP KICKS! Trick spins, but Dragunov blocks that kick to SLAP Trick! Dragunov winds up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Trick goes to a corner, he blocks a chop! Trick says, “Are you crazy?!” Dragunov HEADBUTTS Trick! Trick HEADBUTTS back! Trick fires haymakers, but Dragunov blocks to spin and CHOP!
Trick stays up, Dragunov runs in, but Trick dodges! Trick lifts but Dragunov SATELLITE DDTS! Dragunov runs, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Cover, TWO! Trick stays in this, shaking his head. Dragunov says it was that close. Dragunov brings Trick up, reels him in, but Trick fights the lift! Dragunov goes again, and POWERBOMBS Trick down! Dragunov checks his chin, he wants Trick to get up, but Trick EDDY GORDO KICKS! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Trick sits up, Dragunov follows, and they head for each other. They stand, get forehead to forehead, then they secret handshake and hug it out! Then they fire off forearms!!
The fans are thunderous as Dragunov beats Trick down, runs and KNEES him down!! Dragunov shouts, “This is MY ring!” and the fans fire up as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dragunov huffs and puffs and goes back for Trick. Dragunov CHPOS Trick, Trick staggers to ropes, and Dragunov CLUBS him! Dragunov CLUBS Trick again, snarls, and eggs Trick on. Trick kicks from below so Dragunov stomps away! The ref counts, Dragunov lets off, and Trick rises. Dragunov brings Trick around, snap suplexes, then jumps to SENTON! Trick sputters and flounders to ropes, but Dragunov brings him up. Trick ROCKS Dragunov, ROCKS him again, but then Dragunov gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Dragunov doesn’t hold on this time, he goes to the apron. Dragunov climbs up a corner, drags Trick up to join him, but Trick throws forearms!
Trick ROCKS Dragunov, ROCKS him again, then climbs up after him. Trick brings Dragunov up, but Dragunov throws body shots! Dragunov pries free to fire boxing elbows! And CHOPS! NXT returns to single picture as Dragunov just fires more shots! He CLUBS Trick into position, to SUPER SUNSET- NO, Dragunov’s legs give out, Trick sits down right on Dragunov! Dragunov still gets up first to KICK Trick in the side! Dragunov reels Trick in, hauls him up, and JACKKNIFE POEWRBOMBS! Trick flounders to a corner, Dragunov runs in to BOOT WASH! Trick sputters, Dragunov goes all the way to the other end.
Dragunov climbs, aims, and blows a kiss before he goes COAST2COAST!! Cover, TWO!! Trick survives and Dragunov is surprised! Dragunov goes to the apron, climbs up another corner, and SUPER SENTONSÂ into a NECKBREAKER!! The fans fire up as Trick pounds the mat! “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” echoes out as Trick rises! Trick gets Dragunov up and in, hauls him up, and POWERBOMBS! Trick storms around and tells Dragunov he’s got something for him! Trick powers up to steal the H BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives but Trick doesn’t lose hope. Trick aims from a corner, runs in, and steals TORPEDO MOSCOW?!? Cover, TWO!!!
Dragunov again survives, Trick trying to use his moves against him isn’t working! Trick runs up again, but Dragunov BOOTS first! And ENZIGIRIS! And then fireman’s carry, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” as Dragunov pushes Trick out of the ring. Dragunov roars, clears the desk, and the fans fire up again! Dragunov brings Trick up and reels him in, but Trick back drops free! The fans fire up as Trick fires hands! They go around commentary, right to the front row! Trick goes up onto the barriers and the fans fire up even more! Trick clinches, SUPER BOOKENDÂ through the desk!!!
The fans again lose their minds as both men are down in the wreckage! Even Diamond Mine is going nuts for this one! Trick drags Dragunov up, puts him in, and hurries to the apron. But Dragunov KNEES Trick down! Dragunov brings Trick to the corner, goes up, and he deadlifts to SUPERPLEX!! Roll through, and H-BOMB!! Dragunov still isn’t done, he drags Trick around by a leg to put him in the drop zone! Dragunov climbs as the fans rally as hard as they can for Trick! SUPER H-BOMB!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Trick still lives and the fans are electric! Dragunov drags Trick around again, goes back up, and SUPER H-BOMBS again!!!
But wait! Dragunov clutches his own hand! Dragunov may’ve broken his own wrist or something in that impact! Dragunov crawls to the cover, TWO?!?!?!? Trick is reaching superhuman levels! Dragunov shakes his head, drags Trick up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Trick stands right up!! TO BLINDSIDE KNEE!!! Cover, TWO!!! Dragunov survives but Trick isn’t out of tricks yet! Dragunov rises, Trick lets his hair down, and these two fire up! “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TRICK SHOT HITS FIRST!!! Cover, TRICK WINS!!!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall (NEW NXT Champion)
The arena is shaking all the way to the rafters, the fans are that elated that Trick slayed the Mad Dragon! Dragunov grabs the belt from the ref, gives it one last look, and then personally hands it over to Trick! They hug it out, Dragunov so proud of Trick in this moment! What will be next for The Czar now that he is no longer champion?
As for Trick, he raises the belt in victory, then goes out to the crowd to celebrate with the NXT Universe that never gave up on him! It is a new era in NXT, that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gone be!
My Thoughts:
An awesome NXT to start Spring Breakin’ and to lead into the WWE Draft. Great opening Triple Threat, one of the better ones I’ve seen here in NXT. Roxie got a great win out of it, and maybe she’s staying on NXT a little longer. The Draft might take Lyra away, and then we can get a 1v1 story for Roxie and Tatum going towards Battleground in June. At the same time, lots of other great developments as we draw closer to the NXT Women’s North American Championship. Good promo from Fallon, Thea, Kelani and Jaida that then gave us a really good match from Fallon VS Jaida. And then good promo from Jacy, though it repeated some things she’s said before. Jacy VS Thea is going to be great stuff, and while Thea’s team won at Stand & Deliver, maybe Jacy wins this 1v1 match.
The Beach Brawl being a themed Street Fight, it was of course a bit on the goofy side with the beach balls and kiddy pool, but Sol and Blair got to do some great stuff with chairs and tables. Great win for Sol, she might be a Face frontrunner for the Women’s NA title. And great contract signing segment tonight, great twist that Shayna is going to be Lola’s trainer and corner-person. It already felt like Lola was going to win out, but between Shayna on her side and Natty standing tall tonight, it’s very clear Lola will win, which would make her a Heel frontrunner for the Women’s NA title. And hopefully it’s a tournament that leads the way into Battleground, especially now that it’s in Vegas and in the UFC Apex, a fitting venue for Lola to walk in as the favorite.
Good promo from Final Testament, and really good promo from everyone else in the NXT Tag Division. I laughed at Good Brothers pulling the “Yes, we’re NXT, too!” And good bit of Edris breaking the mirror and now putting bad juju on him, Malik and maybe everyone Final Testament is going to face. Hard to say if Axiom & Frazer survive AOP, and I’d actually prefer if Kross tries going after Oba Femi instead of the top title. Good promo from Corbin and King to set up their match, and good win for King. A real shame that Von Wagner was among the handful of releases we just got this week, he didn’t get to finish his story with King and Robert Stone loses his third(?) stable.
Really good Six Man Tag and a great win for The D’Angelo Family. Tony VS Dempsey for the Cup is going to be great stuff, and surely Luca & Stacks help Tony out the way Kemp & Myles will help Dempsey, so it’ll be about who is the savvier team. We got a great amount of “callbacks” from RawDown, and with Gargano giving Trick that last little pep talk, that was like one last foreshadowing that Trick was winning. This has been a long time coming, and it’s rather wild that it happens here, on TV, rather than at a Premium Live Event. It might be the timing because of how they’re doing the Draft, so that Dragunov gets his call-up via Pearce or Aldis picking him, Melo goes fulltime to SmackDown, and Trick starts a clean slate going into the Summer.
My Score: 9/10
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