Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Years Golden Series Results & Report! (2/11/22)
Will Wato be golden?

The Golden Series finally has gold on the line!
NJPW continues the New Years Golden Series, and Master Wato challenges El Desperado for his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! Will Wato truly be the Grandmaster?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Preshow – Tomoaki Honma VS Ryohei Oiwa; Honma wins.
- BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Douki & Kanemaru win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Tenzan, Goto & Ishii win.
- Six Man Tag: Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Toru Yano VS Suzuki-Gun; Taguchi, Makabe & Yano win.
- Satoshi Kojima VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
- Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Yuji Nagata VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; win(s).
- Tiger Mask VS Gedo; Tiger Mask wins.
- YOH VS SHO; Sho wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Master Wato; Desperado wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tiger Mask VS Gedo!
Bullet Club had to make adjustments, but they still got the better of the living legend in the tag match on February 7th. Will Tiger Mask get his revenge? Or will The Blacksmith forge a path back to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?
Tiger Mask gets impatient with Gedo as Gedo paces around outside. Gedo mockingly tells Tiger Mask to calm down. Tiger Mask backs off, Gedo gets in and the bell rings. But then Gedo bails right back out. “Calm down, kitty cat.” Tiger Mask demands Gedo gets back in but Gedo goes out further. Fans rally up, Gedo still trolls Tiger Mask but he eventually returns. Gedo and Tiger Mask tie up, Gedo puts Tiger on the ropes, but lets off slowly. Tiger Mask deflects the thumb to the eye! Tiger KICKS and KICKS Gedo’s leg, and Gedo falls out of the ring. Tiger pursues, puts Gedo back in, and Gedo wants him to wait. He thumbs Tiger in the eye!
Gedo whips, but Tiger comes back with a CROSSBODY! Tiger fires off kicks on Gedo and Gedo bails out again. Gedo wants a timeout, but there are no timeouts in wrestling! Gedo goes up the ramp, Tiger pursues! Tiger brings Gedo back into the ring, but Gedo bails out the other side. Tiger Mask pursues again, but Gedo swipes the bell hammer. Gedo wants Tiger to wait, then he hits Tiger in the stomach with the hammer! And then in the head! And again! The ref stops Gedo from using the hammer and the hammer is given back to the timekeeper. Gedo gets in the ring and lets the ring count start.
Fans rally for “Tiger Mask! Tiger Mask!” as he gets up and in at 10 of 20. But Gedo throws Tiger Mask back out! Gedo goes out, takes off his belt, and LASHES Tiger! And again! And again! The ref reprimands but Gedo LASHES Tiger Mask again! And again! The ref gets Gedo to back off and put the belt down. Gedo hugs it out with the ref, then goes into the ring. The ref checks on Tiger Mask while Gedo undoes a buckle pad! The ring count returns, and climbs to 10 of 20 again. Fans rally up, Tiger Mask drags himself up at 15, and in at 18! Gedo drags Tiger Mask up, and whips him into the bare buckles!
Tiger Mask goes down while Gedo taunts him. Gedo kicks Tiger around, toying with him. Fans rally again, Gedo drags Tiger up for a headlock and punches! Gedo drags Tiger Mask into a camel clutch, but he pulls the mask! The ref counts, Gedo lets off and “apologizes.” Gedo CHOKES Tiger Mask! The ref counts, Gedo stops at 4 and asks what’s wrong. Gedo taunts Tiger Mask more, drags him back up, and whips him back into the bare buckles! Tiger Mask falls and Gedo grins, but the fans rally up. Gedo takes his time going for the cover, TWO! Gedo still smiles as he stomps Tiger Mask down.
Gedo drags Tiger Mask up by his mask, brings him around, and digs his fingers into Tiger Mask’s eyes! The ref counts, Gedo lets off at 4 and “apologizes” again. Gedo whips Tiger again, but Tiger reverses! Gedo blocks, thumbs Tiger in the eye, then whips Tiger to the other corner. Tiger goes up and CROSSBODIES again! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tiger stands, runs in but Gedo BOOTS him! Gedo whips, Tiger reverses, now Gedo gets bare buckles to the back! Tiger Mask dropkicks Gedo out of the ring! Fans rally, Tiger Mask builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Gedo hits railing in front of commentary!
The ref checks on both men, they’re both okay to continue, so a ring count starts. Tiger Mask gets up at 6 of 20 and in at 7. Gedo is still down at 10 of 20, but Tiger Mask has the ref wait. Tiger Mask goes out to fetch Gedo, which fans applaud, and Tiger Mask decides to get Gedo’s belt! Tiger Mask storms up on Gedo and Gedo wants the ref to do something. The ref pretends he has something in his eyes! Tiger Mask LASHES Gedo! And again! And again! Tiger Mask throws the belt down, then puts Gedo in. The ref’s “eyes” are fine, and Tiger Mask goes up top. CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Gedo’s still in this but Tiger Mask keeps cool.
Tiger Mask KICKS Gedo to the corner, and KICKS him again and again! Tiger Mask whips corner to corner, then runs in to ROUNDHOUSE! Gedo goes down and fans fire up, but Tiger Mask isn’t done with Gedo! Tiger Mask drags Gedo up, double underhooks, but Gedo breaks free. Tiger Mask knees Gedo low, underhooks again, but Gedo drops to resist. Tiger Mask BUZZSAWS Gedo in the arm! Then KICKS him again! Then SOBATS! Tiger Mask wrenches, Gedo rolls, and Gedo catches Tiger Mask for a COMPLETE SHOT! Fans applaud, that was admittedly good. Gedo covers, TWO! Gedo gets mad but fans rally again.
Gedo stands Tiger Mask up for a JAWBREAKER! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Tiger Mask survives and Gedo is frustrated again. Gedo crawls to his corner, and in his bag, he brings out brass knuckles! The ref sees them, though! They’re too shiny not to be seen! Gedo shoves the ref away, but the ref blocks the punch! Tiger Mask SOBATS Gedo low, then BUZZSAWS him down! The ref kicks the brass knuckles outta the ring, Tiger Mask drags Gedo into double underhooks! TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!?! Gedo survives but Tiger Mask fires up! Fans rally behind Tiger Mask as he gets back up.
Tiger Mask drags Gedo up, chicken wings, but Gedo blocks! Tiger Mask spins Gedo, Gedo ducks the roundhouse to uppercut! Gedo then shoves Tiger Mask into the ref! Gedo whips Tiger Mask to ropes, pop-up LOW BLOW!! Gedo then hooks Tiger Mask up, GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Tiger Mask escapes and Gedo is beside himself! Fans rally for Tiger Mask while Gedo gets up. Gedo aims from the corner, BANG! Gedo reels Tiger Mask in, but Tiger fights out of the Half Hatch to crucifix takedown! TWO!! But Tiger has a REVERSE DOUBLE ARMBAR! Gedo endures, Tiger pulls way back on that arm! Gedo verbally quits, Tiger Mask wins!
Winner: Tiger Mask, by submission
Tiger Mask’s iconic moves didn’t work out, but he still had something up his proverbial sleeve! Will a move like that help Tiger Mask & Robbie Eagles hold onto the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?
YOH VS SHO!
Just when you thought the RPG3K fallout was over, these two go another round! Will Direct Drive or Murder Machine take this round?
Yoh enters first, but he doesn’t wait for Sho to get in the ring, he goes after Sho at the ramp! Yoh fires off forearms and knees, then stomps Sho down! Yoh drags Sho up, fires off on him more, but the ref tries to get this in the ring. Sho crawls, Yoh follows, and Sho hits Yoh low! Sho stomps Yoh down, takes off his jacket, and stomps Yoh down more. Sho reveals that he had the wrench in the shirt all along! Sho aims at Yoh, Yoh dodges, wrench hits post! Sho’s hands jam and he clutches them. The bell rings to get this on record as Yoh BOOTS Sho down! Yoh whips Sho into railing! Fans applaud as Sho goes down in a heap!
Yoh stomps Sho down, the ref insists they get in the ring. Yoh throws Sho in, then stomps Sho in the ring. Yoh drags Sho up but Sho BENDS Yoh’s fingers! The ref reprimands, Sho CLUBS the arm, then grabs Yoh’s hair. Yoh BENDS Sho’s fingers in return! The ref reprimands, Yoh headlocks but Sho powers out. Yoh runs Sho over and fans cheer. Sho bails out but Yoh is right after him! Yoh kicks and whips, but Sho reverses! Yoh stops himself, but Sho already sends a Young Lion into Yoh! Sho drags Yoh up, and whips him into railing hard! Yoh falls in a heap now, but Sho drags him up. Sho whips him into more railing!
Sho drags Yoh up again, even as the ref wants him to get in the ring. Sho whips Yoh hard into railing, and Yoh is stuck across it! Yoh flops back, Sho stomps Yoh down then puts him in the ring. Sho covers, TWO! Fans rally up but Sho stomps Yoh down. Sho drags Yoh up, fans rally, and Sho whips to kitchen sink knee Yoh down. Sho grins as he looms over Yoh, and then he drags Yoh up. Sho scoops but Yoh slips off to roll up! TWO, and Yoh kicks Sho to whip him to a corner. Yoh run sin, but Sho puts Yoh on the apron. Sho sweeps the legs, runs side to side and dropkicks Yoh off the apron! Fans applaud, that was an admittedly good combo.
Sho goes to the apron, Yoh stands up, PENALTY KICK! Down goes Yoh and Sho takes a moment to catch his breath. Sho strips a crossbar of its cover, and uses that cover to SMOTHER Yoh! The ref counts, Sho stops at 4 and Yoh flops down. Sho then brings out a chair! Sho SMACKS Yoh on the arm while the ref is busy with the crossbar! The ref comes back, confiscates the chair now, and Sho just smirks. Yoh clutches the arm as he writhes but fans rally up. Sho paces around in the ring while the ring count starts. Yoh sits up and 11 of 20, pushes himself up at 14, and he hobbles into the ring at 17!
Sho walks over, and he claws Yoh’s face! The ref reprimands and counts, Sho stops at 4, but then Sho stands on Yoh’s neck. The ref counts, Sho lets off at 4. Yoh sputters, Sho talks trash and slaps him around. Sho gives toying kicks, then he chokes Yoh on the ropes! The ref counts, Sho lets off at 4 and Yoh flops to the apron. Yoh sputters as he gets back in and the ref checks on him. Sho wants to be named the winner but the ref says no, Yoh is still in this. The fans rally, Yoh slowly rises, but Sho kicks him around again. Yoh gets up, Sho kicks him more. Yoh glares defiantly at Sho so Sho throws a forearm! Yoh grits his teeth and eggs Sho on!
Sho throws more forearms but Yoh keeps coming back for more! Sho claws Yoh’s face! The ref reprimands, Sho runs, but Yoh dodges and hits FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Yoh clutches his arm, that flying forearm was a bit double-edged. Sho gets to a corner as fans rally. Yoh runs in to back elbow! Yoh wrenches, DECKS Sho, and fires up! Yoh drags Sho up, Sho BENDS the fingers! The ref reprimands, Sho CLUBS the arm then runs. But Yoh back elbows! Yoh runs, Sho back elbows! Sho runs, Yoh DROPKICKS him down! Sho bails out but Yoh builds speed, Yoh FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp!
Fans fire up as both men are down at ringside. A ring count starts, Yoh stands at 5 of 20. Yoh shakes out the cobwebs, drags Sho up, and he puts Sho in at 12. Yoh drags Sho up to suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Yoh keeps cool and he drags Sho up by his waistband. Sho reaches for ropes, Yoh reels him into a full nelson. Sho breaks free, turns around, and suplexes, only for Yoh to slip out! Sho breaks the full nelson, Yoh waistlocks but Sho resists the lift. Sho wrenches out and BENDS the fingers! The ref reprimands again but Sho CLUBS the arm and ROCKS Yoh! Sho runs, Yoh handsprings to dodge!
Sho blocks Yoh’s kick and waistlocks but Yoh resists the lift! Yoh elbows free, runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho then SPEARS Yoh down! Fans fire up while both men are down. Sho gets up, drags Yoh up and wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Sho twists the wrist, ELBOW BREAKER! Sho whips Yoh to a corner, runs in, corner clotheslines! Sho shoves Yoh down, aims from the corner, PENALTY KICK to the bad arm! Sho then has the double wristlock takedown! Yoh endures but Sho CRANKS the arm! Fans rally, Yoh kicks and moves around, but Sho has him caught! Yoh gets his head free and scoots back!
Sho CRANKS the arm more, but Yoh still endures! Yoh reaches out with his legs, and he finds the ROPEBREAK! Sho holds until 4, but he’s still frustrated. Fans rally for Yoh, Sho tries to tune them out. Sho drags Yoh up to knuckle lock the bad arm. Sho wraps the bad arm around ropes, then he fires off forearms on Yoh! The ref reprimands but Sho shoves him away to then hook Yoh’s good arm in the ropes. Sho fires off forearm after forearm, then he runs to LARIAT Yoh against ropes! POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and Sho can’t believe it! Sho shakes his head, but fans rally up for Yoh.
Sho drags Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh jackknifes through the Snake Bite! TWO, and Sho runs to KICK the bad arm! Yoh blocks the next kick to DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Yoh clutches his arm, Sho clutches his leg, and fans rally up as they slowly rise. Sho drags Yoh up to fire off forearm after forearm! Yoh wobbles and flops back down, but Sho drags him back up. Yoh breaks free to fire off boxing elbows! Yoh ROCKS Sho, then DECKS him! Yoh has the fans behind him as he stands Sho up. Yoh runs, into a JUMP KNEE! Sho runs, into a JUMP KNEE! Yoh runs, Sho side-steps to SNAP GERMAN!
Yoh is right back up! But Sho LARIATS him right back down! Fans rally up for Yoh but Sho drags Yoh up. Sho runs, but Yoh LARIATS back!! Yoh drags himself to a corner, gets to his feet and he brings Sho back up. Yoh suplexes, FALCON USHIGOROSHI! Fans fire up as Yoh roars, and he brings Sho back around. Underhooks, but Sho RAMS Yoh into the ref! Sho crawls for his corner, and he finds the wrench! Sho gets back in the ring, he aims for Yoh! Yoh SUPERKICKS Sho first! Yoh staggers around as Sho is down! Yoh sees the wrench. Last time, Yoh used that to disqualify himself. Will he do it again?!
Yoh picks up the wrench and fans are rallying. Sho begs for mercy, so Yoh throws the wrench away to SUPERKICK Sho down! Yoh drags Sho back up, reels him back in, underhooks for DIRECT- NO! Sho BACK DROPS free! Sho blocks the superkick and sends it into the ref! LOW BLOW!! And then the House of Torture appears! Evil, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo all stomp away on Yoh! Fans rally for Chaos but Evil & Dick stand Yoh up. But here come Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto! Goto DECKS Dick and Ishii SAIDOS Evil! Yujiro still tries to use his pimp cane but Goto gets around, and feeds him to Ishii’s forearm!
Goto fireman’s carries Yujiro, USHIGOROSHI! Goto coaches up Yoh, then he and Ishii keep Evil and the others down on the outside. Fans are thunderous as Yoh stomps the mat! Sho flounders up, Yoh takes aim, but Sho ducks the superkick! WRENCH SHOT!! Somehow, he had the wrench! Sho drags the ref over and gets him to count the cover! The ref crawls into position to see, starts to count, but then he sees the wrench!! The ref questions the validity of the cover! Sho defends the wrench had nothing to do with it but wait, Evil gets in with his NEVER Openweight title! BELT SHOT!!
Sho stops arguing with the ref so that he can drag Yoh up. Sho tucks the arms, SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, Sho wins!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall
Of course the Murder Machine gets help from his team! The NEVER Openweight Six Man titles will be on the line soon enough, will the House of Torture pay for what they’ve done?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Master Wato!
The Rogue Luchador has perhaps underestimated the Way of the Grandmaster one too many times. He and Yoshinobu Kanemaru lost to Team Six or Nine on the 7th, but will redeem himself on the 11th? Or will Wato finally become the grandmaster of the Junior Heavyweight Division?
Wato has his mentors, Tenzan and Taguchi, at ringside while Desperado has his tag partner, Kanemaru. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Rogue Luchador stays golden.
Fans rally up already as the two circle. They tie up, Wato shoots in and gets the waistlock. Desperado switches, Wato switches back. Desperado pries free, wrenches to a wristlock, but Wato spins through to wrench and wristlock back. Desperado rolls, steps over, wrenches through, and has the wristlock now. Wato slips through, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Desperado drop toeholds free. Desperado floats to a headlock and grinds the hold. Wato fights up, Desperado hits a takeover but Wato headscissors. Wato holds tight as Desperado tries to kip free, so Desperado bridges back and moves around.
Desperado pops free of the headscissors, and he gets the headlock back. Wato rolls to a cover, ONE. Desperado holds on tight but Wato fights up to his feet. Wato powers Desperado to ropes and Red Shoes calls ropebreak. Desperado lets go and Wato gets away, fans applauding the exchange. They reset, fans rally up, and Wato ties up with Desperado collar ‘n’ elbow. Desperado headlocks, Wato rolls to a cover, ONE, but now Wato has the headlock. Desperado endures as Wato grinds the hold. Desperado pulls Wato’s hair! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Desperado lets go but Wato thrashes the hold.
Desperado rolls things and has the headlock back. Desperado also traps one arm and keylocks the other. Wato fights around but Desperado shifts his grip. Wato slips out the back to a hammerlock! Desperado scrambles to the ropebreak! The fans cheer the exchange as Wato holds on until 4. Desperado complains to Red Shoes but Tenzan tells him to stop being a baby. Desperado gets up, he circles with Wato, and they tie up. Desperado headlocks again but Wato powers out. Desperado runs Wato over! Things speed up but Desperado just steps on Wato. Desperado headlocks again and thrashes Wato around.
Wato throws body shots and is free, and things speed up again. Wato ducks the leg lariat, Desperado does the splits, Wato leaps over. Wato back elbows, uppercuts and SOBATS! Fans cheer while Desperado clutches his stomach. Wato KICKS Desperado in the back as fans rally, then Wato KICKS Desperado down. Cover, ONE! Wato keeps on Desperado with a chinlock and knee in the back. Wato stretches Desperado back but Desperado crawls. Wato drags Desperado up, snapmares, then headscissor necklocks! Desperado endures, even as Wato pushes up. Desperado reaches out, crawls over, and gets a ROPEBREAK with a leg!
Wato lets off quickly, then follows Desperado out of the ring. Wato puts Desperado in, dodges the haymaker and RANAS Desperado down! Fans fire up as Wato stomps Desperado down. Wato rains down body blows! Wato drags Desperado into a full nelson and fans rally as Desperado endures. Desperado pries at the fingers, but Wato powers up to put the hold back on! Desperado reaches out again, and gets another ROPEBREAK! Wato thrashes Desperado but lets off at 4. Wato keeps Desperado from crawling out, and he stomps away on Desperado! Wato drags Desperado up, but Desperado throws Wato out!
Desperado goes out, whips, but Wato reverses to POST Desperado! Desperado goes flying and Wato gets back in the ring. Wato builds speed, TORNILLO but Desperado gets in the ring! Desperado dropkicks Wato, then whips him into railing! Wato falls but fans rally up. Desperado drags Wato up, whips him into more railing, but Wato comes back to ROCK Desperado with a forearm! Desperado ROCKS Wato back with an uppercut! Red Shoes wants this back in the ring and Desperado drags Wato up, to snap suplex to the floor! Desperado gets in the ring alone and the ring count starts. Wato stirs but is still down at 10 of 20.
Tenzan and Taguchi coach Wato up, and he gets up at 15 to get in at 18! Desperado is annoyed and he stomps Wato down. Desperado then stands Wato up to CHOP him! Wato goes to a corner, Desperado stomps a mudhole into him! Desperado digs his boot into Wato’s leg, but lets off at 4. Desperado then puts the leg in the ropes to pull on it! Wato fights back with a chinlock, but Desperado runs side to side to dropkick the leg! Cover, TWO! Desperado drags Wato by the leg, YANKS and SPLASHES the leg, then covers. TWO, and Desperado is frustrated now. Wato tries to get his bad leg working but Desperado kicks at it.
Fans rally up, Desperado tells them to shush. Desperado stomps the bad leg, drags Wato up, but Wato ROCKS him with a forearm! And another! And another! Desperado kicks the bad leg! Desperado SMASHES the leg into the mat! Desperado paces around, taunts Wato, then drops an elbow on the knee. Desperado has the toehold but Wato tries to fight back. Desperado thrashes the leg, then drops a knee on the knee! Wato scrambles as Desperado pulls on the leg, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets off by dropping a knee on the knee! Desperado then eggs Wato on while the fans rally up.
Wato gets up, Desperado gives him toying kicks. Desperado offers a free shot, so Wato throws forearms! And a KICK! Desperado kicks the bad leg, but Wato resists the suplex! They struggle, so Desperado kicks the bad leg again. Desperado suplexes Wato, Wato slips out but the bad leg jams! Desperado reels Wato in, but Wato RAMS Desperado into a corner! Wato hobbles then runs back in, but Desperado dodges. Desperado runs back in, but into BOOTS! Wato runs to SHOTGUN dropkick Desperado down! Fans rally up as both men are down! Wato and Desperado rise, but Wato KICKS first!
Desperado goes to a corner, Wato runs in to back elbow. Wato pushes Desperado down, goes out and springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Wato keeps cool, gets the bad leg moving again, and fans rally up. Wato KICKS Desperado in the chest, and KICKS, and KICKS! Wato then wrenches, reels Desperado in, but no Mouse Trap! Desperado slips out, spins Wato around, underhooks, but Wato RANAS free of Pinche! Desperado bails out, Wato builds speed! Wato TORNILLOS! Direct hit at the ramp! Both men are down, Kanemaru checks on Desperado, Tenzan and Taguchi coach up Wato.
Fans rally and Wato sits up first. Red Shoes starts the ring count, Wato gets up at 5 of 20 to drag Desperado up at 8. Wato puts Desperado in at 10 of 20, then goes back to the corner. Wato climbs up this time, Desperado stands, missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Desperado is still in this but Wato fires up again! Wato wants Desperado to stand, SCREW HIGH- NO! Desperado ducks, and gets the STRETCH MUFFLER! Wato reaches out, but Desperado drags him back! Wato rolls to turn it into a cradle! TWO, into BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Desperado endures, gets an arm free, and he elbows away on Wato!
Wato pulls harder on the crossface he does have, but Desperado digs fingers into Wato’s face! Red Shoes reprimands but Wato still lets go of the hold! Fans rally while both men are down again. Wato goes to a corner, Desperado runs in, and Desperado blocks the boots! DRAGON SCREW! Wato falls while clutching the knee but fans rally back up. Desperado gets up, and he dropkicks the leg out! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Wato endures as Desperado thrashes the leg! Desperado keeps on the hold, then gets an arm! NUMERO DOS! Wato still reaches with his one free arm, but he just misses the rope!
Desperado bends and thrashes Wato around! Wato still endures, fans fire up, and Wato gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado lets go in frustration as Wato survives. Both sides coach their guy while the fans rally again. Desperado gets back up, drags Wato up, and Desperado hooks Wato up! GUITARRA- NO! Wato slips out, but Desperado fights the Mouse Trap again! Desperado powers through to a fireman’s carry! Wato slips off, but Desperado RAMS him into a corner! Desperado fires off elbows, stomps the bad leg again and again, and only stops because he runs out of steam! Fans rally as both men slowly rise!
Wato hops on, ZIGZAG!! Wato gets back up, Desperado flounders, and Wato hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! BUTTERFLY STRETCH!!! Desperado endures, Wato pulls as hard as he can on the head and arms! Desperado kicks to move around, fans rally up, Desperado keeps reaching out! ROPEBREAK!! Wato lets go quickly, to then drag Desperado up and wrench! MOUSE TRAP DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Desperado escapes but Wato won’t let off! Wato drags Desperado to a drop zone and goes up top! But Desperado gets up, and ROCKS Wato with a right! ROCKET LAUNCHER! Wato crashes down and fans fire up!
Wato gets up, runs back in, but Desperado pops him up to send him into buckles! Wato staggers backward into a SAIDO! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Wato and Desperado stir, crawl for each other, and go forehead to forehead. Wato throws a forearm, Desperado ROCKS Wato back! Wato forearms again, but Desperado hits back! They stand now, Wato KICKS a leg! Desperado CHOPS back! Wato KICKS Desperado in the chest! And again! Desperado CHOPS back again! Wato sobats, front kicks, and- HEAVY ELBOW from Desperado! Both men sit down and fans rally up again.
Wato manages to stand, Desperado goes to ropes. Wato scowls and Desperado laughs. Desperado ROCKS Wato with another elbow! Wato comes back, Desperado CHOPS him again! Wato shakes his head, so Desperado CHOPS again! Wato is fuming, Desperado CHOPS again! Wato still won’t stay back so Desperado CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Desperado runs, ROCKS Wato, but Wato SUPERKICKS on the return! Fans fire up with Wato, Wato drags Desperado up to T T D!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives but Wato goes to the corner! R P P FLOPS!! Desperado runs back in, SPEAR!!
Desperado hooks Wato up, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Desperado is furious but fans are thunderous! Desperado drags Wato back up, underhooks the arms, PINCHE- NO! Wato slips out, tilt-o-whirls and rolls him up, jackknife bridge! TWO!!! Desperado escapes and no one can believe it! Wato BUZZSAWS Desperado down! Desperado MONO LOCOS! Desperado drags Wato up, underhooks the arms, PINCHE- NO! Wato slips out the top, rolls back in, SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO! Prawn hold, ONE! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! STRETCH MUFFLER!!! Wato rolls, but into NUMERO DOS PLUS!!
Wato endures, fans are thunderous again, and Wato gets a hand free! Wato reaches out, but Desperado grabs for the hand again! Desperado gets the arm, rolls Wato from ropes, NOW Wato quits! Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
An incredible effort from Wato, but today is still not the day he becomes the Grandmaster. Will Wato be able to fight his way back up and try again? As for Desperado, he gets the mic to say, “Oi, Wato.” Desperado takes a moment to catch his breath. “Sorry for all the smack talk during the warm-ups. That was all my honest opinion. The point is, you’re just not good enough. I hate you, so I don’t want to pay you any compliments. But physically, you’re at the top of what we have here in NJPW. You just don’t have the smarts, training or the way of thinking. Why don’t you follow ‘Nobu’s lead?” Following Taguchi & Tenzan’s clearly only gotten him so far.
Desperado looks to Hiromu on commentary and says Wato’s gotten farther than either of them thought. Desperado then asks Kanemaru that he wanted to talk to Desperado while he still had the belt, right? There’s a lot Desperado wants to get to, though. Like Lindaman and T-Hawk! Fans cheer for the mention of Strong Hearts. Desperado says there are many more he wants to face, even if he has to wait a bit. But he does hope he and Kanemaru can face off soon. Desperado then asks the fans, “You want me to say something cool to end this out? Well I don’t have it right now. But… I AM your IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion!”
Desperado raises the belt and the confetti streamers fly! The Rogue Luchador has quite the wish list before facing the Heel Master, will all his dream matches come true?
My Thoughts:
This was a very packed event for NJPW, I was not gonna be able to get all of this today. As I skimmed through, I couldn’t believe Douki & Kanemaru beat Bushi & Hiromu. Good wins for the Faces in those early Six Man Tags, and it seems the stipulations for Suzuki VS Yano for the KOPW 2022 is going to be between a handcuff match and a dog crate match. A very good match between Kojima and Khan, and a big win for Khan there. A great Six Man Tag of dream team and Blue Justice against LIJ, and another rare Skull End submission win for Sanada there. LIJ is building up so much momentum, but I feel like that’s all the more reason Okada and Tanahashi are going to retain their titles.
The matches I did cover were of course great stuff. Tiger Mask VS Gedo wasn’t going to be amazing but it was really good. Tiger Mask gets the win here to build momentum towards the Junior Heavyweight Tag title match he and Eagles will have against Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo, and who knows how that one goes. Yoh VS Sho was basically on par with all their other matches, and of course there was more overbooking with House of Torture and Chaos showing up. Yoh won the last time so naturally Sho wins this time, and this all feeds into the NEVER Openweight Six Man title match. That could probably go either way, too, but with Ishii and Evil fighting over the NEVER singles title, I feel like the House of Torture keeps the Six Man belts.
And what a great main event! Undeniably Wato’s best match yet. His character as a personality has been a bit odd, but I think some of that is on purpose. But in ring, he is definitely proving he’s near the top of the Junior Heavyweight card. But in the end, as I figured, Desperado retains. I like that he wants there to be crossover with OWE, and I bet he could get some great matches out of Lindaman and T-Hawk. Of course, Desperado VS Kanemaru would be a great one, too. Either way, it just feels like Desperado is gonna be running hot and having a lengthy reign with this belt, and he’s proven he deserves it.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who runs the Women’s Tag Division?
Night of Champions has come and gone, but Monday Night Raw has one more title match! Who will be the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Ricochet VS The Miz; Ricochet wins and advances to MITB.
- Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal VS ???; Indus Sher wins.
- Imperium VS The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri; Imperium wins.
- Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi Blackheart VS Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Bayley & Iyo Sky VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler; win and are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Shinsuke Nakamura VS Bronson Reed; wins and advances to MITB.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: ???
- Seth Rollins & AJ Styles VS The Judgment Day; win(s).
PLAY BY PLAY
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!
Fans fire up as Seth Freakin’ Rollins walks down from the top of the stands! They sing his song as he struts with the new World Heavyweight Championship belt around his waist and makes it to ringside. Then Rollins takes a victory lap before getting in the ring, for streamers and pyro! He revels in the moment as fans still sing, “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins then gets the mic, fans sing some more, and he says, “ALBANY, NEW YORK! Welcome to Monday! Night! ROLLINS! I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary! I am… SETH! FREAKIN! ROLLINS!” Fans chant “You Deserve It!” and Rollins takes a moment to enjoy that.
Rollins says he is the World Heavyweight Champion, and the fans cheer. Rollins says it has been a long, long road to get here. Lots of lows, lots of highs. But standing here tonight, it just feels right, doesn’t it? HE doesn’t wanna talk too much about the past, he wants to focus on the future. “Because finally, Monday Night Raw has a champion that wants to be here, a champion that is going to be here, and most importantly, a champion that is ready for a fight!” Fans love the sound of that! They chant “Thank You, Seth!” and sing his song, but Rollins says yeah, he’s ready! He wants to fight! He wants ALL the fights!
Because it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, if you step to Rollins, the result will always be the same: Rollins, every Monday night, standing in this ring with the World Heavyweight title around his waist and the world singing his song! “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” But wait! AJ Styles is here? The Phenomenal One is a SmackDown superstar, but he’s here on Raw to step into the ring with the man he lost to at Night of Champions. Rollins looks at him over the brim of his sunglasses, but Styles gets a mic. Styles knows he’s supposed to be on SmackDown, but he couldn’t resist coming here to Raw… to say, “Congratulations.”
Fans cheer and Styles tells Rollins he gave it everything he had, left it all in the ring. It was like Rollins knew what he was gonna do before he did it. And the fans, they say Rollins “deserves it.” Styles says he doesn’t think Rollins deserves anything. Fans boo, but Styles says Rollins earned being World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins smiles and fans sing again, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Styles that he’s not too good at these things, but after the beating he gave Styles at NOC, Styles earned this: a handshake. Fans cheer as Styles accepts! There’s respect here, but then the Judgment Day comes out!
Finn Balor pretends to be sick as he has a mic of his own. He asks if this is making the others just as sick. Whatever this is makes Finn wanna PUKE! Damian Priest agrees, he’s queasy. Let’s get to something more positive. What’s that thing Rhea Ripley says? “The Judgment Day, we run Monday Night Raw!” The four get in the ring, and Priest says Rhea’s right. But after watching The Bloodline implode on Saturday, without a shadow of a doubt, the Judgment Day runs the entire WWE! And let’s not forget, Finn & Priest beat the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, something not even Roman Reigns could do!
And to Seth, from the champion to just another champion, Rollins shouldn’t get too comfortable with his new title. Because chances are, someone from Judgment Day will take it from him. Yeah, could be big Damian! Aw, thanks, Finn! He feels the same about you! Aw shucks, thanks, mate. Rhea says it could even be her Dom-Dom. Fans boo that and Rollins looks to Styles. They laugh at that! Dom asks why, what’s so funny? He beat Styles! Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” at Dom, but Finn has everyone calm down. Finn says we saw Styles and Rollins beat each other half to death at Night of Champions. And-
Dom cuts in to say that the Judgment Day will finish the job! Fans boo but Styles asks if Rollins heard that. That almost sounds like a challenge. Rhea says it IS a challenge! Then they ACCEPT! Rollins says that’s right! Any two from Judgment Day VS Rollins & Styles in the main event of his show, Monday Night Rollins! Who will step to this phenomenal dream team? And will they only get stomped into the mat?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He discusses with someone. We’re all on the same page, because Rollins, Styles and the Judgment Day want this match. And yes, he understands it flies in the face of the new brand split of Raw and SmackDown, but… Yes, sir. No, Pearce thinks this match is incredible and happens tonight. Oh, hold on, they’re right here. Pearce sees Styles and Rollins talking and steps in. He knows they all want the match, so he’s working on it. Rollins says c’mon, it’s his first night as champion. Don’t embarrass him! Make the match! Styles says Rollins doesn’t speak for him. Oh, is Styles afraid of Dom? Does Rollins really think that? No, but maybe Styles is afraid of Rhea.
Pearce has them calm down and says he’s trying to get this approved. Does everyone have their gear? Styles is a pro, of course he does! Make it official! Then get Rollins to change his pants. Oh, good point. The superstars head out, Pearce is sure you know who heard all that. Then it IS official! The main event is going to be phenomenal, but who will Judgment Day send at Styles and the champ?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Ricochet VS The Miz!
The King of Flight is ready to take his career to new heights, and we all know the Money in the Bank briefcase can do that. Just as The Hollywood A-Lister. Will Miz look to launch into a new sequel from his previous MITB runs? Or will the One and Only be the one going to London?
Raw returns as Miz makes his entrance. The bell rings, Miz rushes in but Ricochet gets around to a headlock. Miz powers out, Ricochet rolls over the drop down and ducks the lariat to handspring, but into a full nelson! Ricochet arm-drags free, things speed up again and a kitchen sink knee hits Ricochet down! Miz then runs, but Ricochet ducks the boot to kip up, spin and PELE! Miz bails out, Ricochet builds speed! Miz moves but Ricochet tumbles up and out to the apron. Ricochet avoids the sweep, PENALTY KICKS Miz, then goes up the corner to MOONSAULT! Fans fire up for the direct hit at ringside!
Ricochet drags Miz up and puts him in the ring. Ricochet goes up the corner, but Miz gets under the leap! Miz runs in to RANA! Miz surprises us with that, and then he BOOTS Ricochet down! Miz talks trash, and he looks up to the briefcase. Fans taunt Miz’s “TINY BALLS!” but he goes out after Ricochet. Miz SMACKS Ricochet off the desk, and again, then pushes him over the desk. Fans boo as Miz shouts, “MASSIVE!” Miz drags Ricochet up, brings him back to ringside and puts him in the ring. Miz then climbs up, leaps and AX HANDLES Ricochet down! Cover, TWO! Miz hurries to clamp onto Ricochet with a chinlock as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Miz is stuck in the ropes! Ricochet ROCKS him, then jumps in, but Miz avoids the stomps! Miz ROCKS Ricochet, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and Miz can’t believe it! “I springboarded and everything!” Miz is mad at the fans laughing at him, but Miz KICKS Ricochet in the chest! And again! And again! And again! Miz soaks up the heat, takes aim from a corner, but Ricochet blocks the buzzsaw! Ricochet KICKS and KNEES and runs, to CLOBBER Miz! Fans fire up, Ricochet feels it, and he runs in at the corner to RAM into Miz and go to the apron!
Ricochet bumps Miz off buckles then ROUNDHOUSES him away! Ricochet springboards, but into a full nelson! Ricochet RAMS Miz into a corner, but then Miz RAMS Ricochet into the other corner! Miz runs in, into an elbow! Ricochet goes up, Miz trips him up! DRAPING CODE BREAKER, to a BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Miz is shocked! Miz scowls and looks to the briefcase, but fans rally up for Ricochet. Miz shouts MASSIVE! Full nelson, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, Miz has it, TWO! Ricochet HEEL KICKS! And then cravat, for an ASAI DDT!
Fans fire up again as Ricochet goes to a corner! Ricochet climbs up, aims, and SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
Add it to the highlight reel, Ricochet beats the two-time Mr. MITB to go to London! Will Ricochet win the golden ticket across the pond?
Trish Stratus is here!
Albany is torn seeing the WWE Hall of Famer after she cheated Becky Lynch at Night of Champions! But what does she have to say about that victory? We’ll hear, after the break.
Raw returns and Trish has a mic. She makes sure we all see “Thank You Trish” on her back, and she thanks some fans for saying it. You know what it means to her to hear it? NOTHING! She doesn’t care what the fans say. And she hates to say, “I told you so,” but she TOLD US SO! She said she was gonna go to Night of Champions and beat Becky. And what’d she do? She beat Becky! Just like that. But you shouldn’t be surprised, this is GOAT Things! This is what you do when you’re the greatest of all time! This is what you do when you’re number one! This is what you do when you’re “It.”
And now, Becky can crawl back to that dark hole and go do “stuff.” The stuff that everyone goes through. Well, not everyone. Not when you’re thriving like Trish. But it’ll give a chance for the real superstars to reach the Big Time. Like the one who had Trish’s back. Not that Trish needed the help, but because this superstar wanted to help. “A superstar with more attituded, aggression and ruthlessness than I’ve seen in a long, long time. Someone that reminds me of me. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand on your feet, get your hands ready to applaud, let me introduce you to… Zoey Stark!”
Fans boo instead as The Hunter makes her way out, wearing a “Thank You, Trish” T-shirt. Trish applauds as Zoey joins her in the ring. They hug it out while fans boo more. Zoey gets a mic now and says, “See, I came into this business, to the WWE, to be the best and to make a statement. And who better to learn by than the OG herself? And yeah, look, I could’ve taken the long, hard, difficult road, just like what Becky Lynch did. Or I could be smart! And be led by Trish Stratus! Trish is so giving, so humble, so kind. So now that I have the floor, I would just like to say one thing. Thank you, Trish.”
Fans boo more but Trish smiles. Trish says “You’re welcome.” Oh, what’s that on Trish’s face? Where? Up here? Other side. A little lower. Oh on her chin. That would be something courtesy of Becky Lynch. If Becky ever shows herself again, for messing with this perfect face, guess what Trish will do? Trish will have her new friend Zoey show you what’s up. But then here comes Becky! The Man is still wearing her Kill Bill jumpsuit and she says Zoey is gonna show her what’s up? No, Becky’s gonna ruin Zoey’s life. And Trish, you’re still in your gear, Becky’s still in hers… “Why don’t we restart that match and finish it one on one right here, right now?”
Fans love the sound of that, but Zoey rushes out! Becky DECKS her! And THROWS her into the barriers! Trish says okay, bring it! Becky gets closer to the ring and fans are fired up. Becky steps up to the apron, steps into the ring, and runs in! Becky dodges Trish, CLOBBERS her, BOOTS Zoey from the apron, then trips Trish to rain down fists! But Zoey attacks Becky from behind! And SLIDING KNEES her down! Fans boo but Zoey throws off the jacket so she and Trish can stomp away on Becky! Trish CHOKES Becky, then lets off so Zoey can bring her up. But Becky hits back! Zoey kicks Becky low, and reels her in for Z360!!
Fans boo as Zoey and Trish aren’t done, they get Becky back up! Trish kisses the ring, to DECK Becky with it!! Fans boo as the Hall of Famer needed her new protégé and a HOF ring to take down The Man! Then they put Becky in a corner and force her to wear a Thank You Trish shirt! Zoey says it looks great on her. Will Becky be able to recover and get some big time revenge?
Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal VS Javier Bernal & ???
Veer & Sanga have already been dominating and demolishing opponents since being drafted to Raw, and they want more. Will their thirst for combat be quenched here tonight?
The teams sort out, and Veer just CLOBBERS Javi and his teammate! Sanga then BLASTS the teammate off the apron! Veer drags Javi up to RAM him into the corner, and the bell finally rings. Veer runs to SPLASH Javi, and Javi staggers around. Veer shoves Javi down, stalks him, and stomps him down! Javi flounders to the apron, Veer tags Sanga, and Veer drags Javi up onto the ropes for Sanga to BOOT down! Sanga drags Javi up, THROWS him tot he corner, and he dares the partner to tag in. The partner does, but then Sanga blocks his haymaker to a FALCON ARROW! Sanga SPLASHES Javi for good measure!
Sanga then choke grips Javi to CHOKE SLAM him onto his teammate! Tag back to Veer, and they drag the tag partner up. SIDEWALK SLAM LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, Indus Sher wins!
Winners: Indus Sher, by pinfall
Like true tigers, Veer & Sanga tore into their prey and feasted on the meat! Will they soon be tasting a tag title opportunity?
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn are backstage.
Speaking of the tag team champions, these two are still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions and are in a great mood. They’re headed to gorilla, what will they have to say about finally being done with The Bloodline?
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn head to the ring!
Albany fires up as the Prizefighter & Great Liberator make their way out. Fans sing along with Sami’s song while he and Kevin get mics. Sami is fired up now! Fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI! SAMI!” and he says that obviously, he an d Kevin are feeling pretty good tonight. “Because at Night of Champions, we won!” And not just successfully defending the titles, no. Sami means they won! They did exactly what they set out to do, they watched the Bloodline crumble, and it was the worst night of Roman’s life! Roman deserves everything he got!
This is all Sami has to say about Roman: Roman may be the greatest of all time; Roman may hold the title(s) for another 1000 days; Roman may main event another FIVE WrestleManias; Roman could even be put in the Hall of Fame tomorrow! But it doesn’t matter because for the rest of his life, when he looks at Kevin & Sami, he will know in his heart that THEY won! Wait! IMPERIUM is here! Ludwig Kaiser has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen… Impressive victory, impressive victory indeed. But was it the most impressive victory of the night? It most certainly was not more impressive than the man who extended his record-setting Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship reign…!”
Imperium walks to the ring as Ludwig introduces Der Ring General, GUNTHER! Kevin asks why they’re here. Why? Because last week, Kevin & Sami said their name, the group walked out, it made sense. But this isn’t how things work! Do they think this is the Wild West? They can just hit their music and come on out? NO! That does not make sense! You gotta wait to be called out! What the hell is this!? They broke the rules! The unwritten rules! Sami tires to calm Kevin down but he keeps shouting at Imperium. Fans cheer for “K O! K O!” but Sami has him chill. Sami says Kevin is right, though, there is an unwritten rule and they had no business coming out here.
For that matter, Imperium ahs a match with American Alpha Academy or whatever? Imperium shouldn’t want a match with them, because last time, Kevin, Sami & Riddle embarrassed them. Yep! So… Y’know… Ludwig says if they wanna talk about embarrassments, RIDDLE is the embarrassment! Take a look at Kevin & Sami themselves! Them holding those titles is an embarrassment! Fans boo but Ludwig says they are not worthy of standing on this mat, of holding those championships, or of representing Monday Night Raw. Kevin says what he wonders is… We always hear from Slenderman over here.
And sometimes, “the one with the ears” (Gunther) talks. But we never hear from the bald one ! He’s always really quiet. What’s his opinion on all this? Yeah, we never hear from baldie! We should hear from baldie! Fans chant “BALDIE! BALDIE!” and Ludwig says how DARE they besmirch them!! No one disrespects- “SHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!” Fans cheer as Chad Gable perhaps sets a world record with that one. “Shoosh, please!” Gable says it is time Imperium gets taught a free lesson, courtesy of the new and improved Academy! Gable, Otis, and the newest member of the Academy in Maxxine Dupri!
And if it is alright with Kevin & Sami, those lessons are gonna be handed out right now! Yeah, sure, but uh, can you do that thing again? Do the thing! What? What thing? The thing you say that makes Kevin laugh cuz you say it funny! That one! Oh, okay. He’s gonna say it, he’s gonna say it! “A THANK YEW~!” You’re welcome! Will Gable & Otis show Imperium what respect is really all about?
Imperium VS The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri!
Raw returns and Kevin & Sami join commentary to watch this one. The teams sort out and Ludwig starts with Gable. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Ludwig headlocks, Gable powers out but Ludwig runs him over. Ludwig “kicks rocks’ at Gable, runs, but Gable gest around to waistlock, headlock and takeover. Ludwig headscissors, Gable kips fere, but now Ludwig headlocks for the takeover. Gable headscissors, Ludwig kips free, Gable trips him to a cover. ONE, Ludwig goes for the trip but Gable avoids it to waistlock and gator roll to a cover, TWO! Ludwig gets free but fans applaud the exchange.
Gable and Ludwig go again, Gable wrenches but Ludwig claws Gable’s face! Ludwig lets off in the corner to throw hands. Ludwig then UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, but Gable blocks hip toss to give a hip toss! Giovanni Vinci runs in but Gable goes up to “A THANK YEW~” headscissor! Gable headlocks Ludwig, gets Vinci, too, and DOUBLE THROWS them both! Gable runs in at the corner to MONKEY FLIP Ludwig! “A THANK YEW~!” Kevin says you’re welcome! Maxxine cheers her team, but wait! Sarah Logan has appeared!? Why is she here? Well, it’s probably because The Viking Raiders lost to Alpha Academy…
Logan rushes Maxxine, Maxxine dodges, and then Maxxine KICKS Logan! She can kick?! But wait, Logan didn’t fall over… Logan turns around and glares at Maxxine. Maxxine runs away all the way tot he back! Ludwig CLOBBERS Gable! Ludwig stomps Gable around, drags him up and POSTS him! Tag to Vinci, they put Gable in the ropes, and they meet at the corner, DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Imperium stands tall while fans boo, but Gable crawls. Vinci hurries after him to keep him from Otis. Vinci bumps Gable off buckles but fans chant ‘BALDIE! BALDIE!” Vinci CHOPS Gable and stalks him along ropes.
Vinci scoops and SLAMS Gable into ropes! Tag to Ludwig, Imperium drags him up and Ludwig UPPERCUTS Gable! Then runs in, but into a BOOT! Gable elbows Vinci, but Ludwig keeps him from Otis! Gable reels Ludwig in, SAYANAGI! Gable crawls, Ludwig drags him away, but Gable BOOTS Ludwig out! Vinci gets back in but Gable TOSSES him! Gable crawls again, Sami & Kevin cheer him on, HOT TAG TO OTIS!! The tree trunk rallies on Imperium! Vinci dodges, runs, but into Otis’ arms! POWERSLAM! Fans fire up, Otis runs in to SPLASH Ludwig at the corner! Ludwig falls, and fans fire up!
Otis sees that, and he tears the shirt off! Otis hits the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Cover, but Vinci breaks it! Vinci brings Otis up but Otis TOSSES him out! Tag to Gable and the Academy gets Ludwig up. Gable waistlocks, Otis builds speed, but Vinci holds ropes to dump him out! Gable still gets the O’Conner Roll, TWO as Ludwig gets it! TWO, but tag to Vinci! Vinci SPINEBUSTERS Gable! PENALTY KICK from Ludwig! And then they set up quick, IMPERIAAL BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!
Winners: Imperium, by pinfall
Kevin says they’re never gonna hear the end of it. Vinci & Ludwig win out for the glory of Imperium, but will they be in line for a shot at the tag titles?
Backstage interview with Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi Blackheart.
Cathy Kelley is at gorilla with the newly reunited Ballsy & Badass, and says since this is so recent, do they feel like they have built up the chemistry to get the tag titles in tonight’s Fatal 4? Yes- But then Damage CTRL interrupts. Bayley asks, “Are you kidding me? You guys aren’t even a real team.” No offense to Shotzi, but Raquel would’ve gone with the first person to raise their hand begging to be a partner. They ain’t DMG CTRL. And speaking of, this win is dedicated to Dakota Kai. So just stay out of their way, or they’ll end up like Raquel’s old partner, Liv Morgan. Bayley mocks the shoulder injury and then laughs.
Raquel says that is interesting. Because Shotzi & Raquel were real enough to win on SmackDown last week. And since Bayley first started DMG CTRL, isn’t she the only one who hasn’t held gold? And if she’s wondering why, just look in the mirror. Ballsy & Badass go out to the ring first, but who will return to the back with the titles on their waists?
Candice LeRae speaks.
“You might be thinking, ‘What’s with the fairy wings?’ Well, I believe fairytales are real. And how could I not? I’m living one. So my wings, they represent the magic that this fairytale has brought to my life. Candice LeRae is proof that when you believe, anything is possible.”
Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Raquel Rodriguez & Shotzi Blackheart VS Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Bayley & Iyo Sky VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler!
Raw returns and the Complaint Department make their entrance. Then DMG CTRL make theirs, leaving the Baddest Women on the Planet for last. The introductions are made, the belts are displayed, and we see who isn’t afraid to fight the odds!
The teams sort out, and in this Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are legal at one time. Raquel steps up, and she starts against The Hot Mess. But Chelsea turns around to see it’s Raquel and quickly tags out to Bayley. Bayley says fine, watch how it’s done. Bayley gets run over by Raquel! So she gets up to tag out to Iyo. Then she sucker punches Raquel! Sky runs in, but Raquel blocks the rana! Raquel whips, Sky handsprings through, and then comes back to wheelbarrow, but Raquel throws her up and over! Sky lands on her feet, DROPKICKS Raquel to the DMG CTRL corner, then fires off forearms!
Tag to Bayley, she stomps Raquel, and Sky pulls hair! Bayley says they’re the champs, but Raquel blocks the whip! Raquel sends Bayley into the corner, Bayley goes up but gets caught! Bayley slips off, waistlocks, but Raquel fights to switch and SLAM her! Bayley crawls, Raquel keeps her from the corner, but Bayley elbows free! And she tags out to Chelsea! Chelsea doesn’t want to but she has no choice! Bayley runs at Raquel but into a scoop and SLAM! Raquel then brings Chelsea in with a TOSS! Chelsea runs away but Ronda & Shayna leave her hanging. Raquel then brings Chelsea around to RAM into Shayna!
Fans fire up as Raquel BOOTS Sonya, DECKS Sky, and then tags Shotzi. Fans fire up as Shotzi runs and Raquel holds the ropes open, Shotzi DIVES onto Bayley, Sonya & Chelsea! The Ballsy & Badass are standing tall, and even daring Ronda to try something, while Raw goes to break.
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Who is truly the top dog of NXT?
Lowell, Massachusetts becomes a Battleground as hometown hero, Carmelo Hayes, defends his NXT Championship in a rematch against Bron Breakker!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Wes Lee VS Tyler Bate VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine; Wes wins and retains the title.
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar w/ ??? VS Dragon Lee w/ Nathan Frazer; Dar wins and retains the cup.
- Last Man Standing: DIJAK VS Ilja Dragunov; Dragunov wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile; Gallus wins and retains the titles.
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Lyra Valkyria VS Tiffany Stratton; Tiffany wins and is the new NXT Women’s Champion.
- NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker; Melo wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the NXT Battleground Kickoff Show!
Join Megan Morant, Matt Camp & Sam Roberts in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action here tonight!
Noam Dar talks with Oro Mensah backstage.
Will Oro be Dar’s cornerman now? He got Oro a first class ticket out here to Lowell, and that 5 star hotel. Oro does like the hotel room with the jacuzzi. Dar says they can live that high life together, if Oro is Dar’s second to defend the Heritage Cup in its first match on American soil! Oro says he’ll think about it. What? But the match is tonight! There’s no time to think! Dar cradles the cup, is the Scottish Supernova gonna lose his baby?
WWE returns to Lowell!
The People’s Champion, the Degeneration X, and more, “this town has always embraced the new generation.” NXT is that new generation, is still that new generation, and yet, walking into Lowell isn’t always easy for the champions. Beneath the shadow of Bean Town is the precipice of another milestone. Who will be left standing? Who will stand tall as champions? And who will make history all their own? This is NXT Battleground!
NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Wes Lee VS Tyler Bate VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine!
The Cardiac Kid has had quite the must-see title reign, but his fighting-champion ways may have gotten him stuck between a rock and a hard place. The Big Strong Boi was his friend, but he couldn’t be upfront about wanting this match. The Schism’s sinister leader is a snake in the grass, but at least he was honest about his greed. Will one of them take this title away from the #WesSide? Or will the champion win that historic title defense record?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see which way history moves!
The bell rings and Gacy rushes Wes! Wes rolls Gacy, Bate rolls Wes, but Gacy rolls Bate! TWO! The three stand off and fans cheer. The three reset, circle, and Gacy grins as he points to Bate and WEs. But Bate and Wes rush him! Gacy dodges, and Wes gets mad at Bate. Gacy tries to turn Wes against Bate again, but Batge throws hands on Gacy! Wes throws Gacy out, but then Wes shoves Bate. The “friends” circle, feel things out, but Gacy returns to egg this on. Bate and Wes change their minds and go out after Gacy! They pinball him with haymakers and forearms! Wes puts Gacy in, Bate pushes past but Wes drags Bate out.
But then Bate drags Wes out! Now Bate shoves Wes, so Wes shoves back. They throw hands! Fans fire up, but Gacy DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and Gacy stands tall! Gacy puts Bate in and BOOTS Wes! Gacy goes into the ring but Bate CHOPS! Bate whips, Gacy reverses but Bate leaps, into Gacy’s arms! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB! Cover, Wes breaks it! Gacy ROCKS Wes and Wes flops to the apron. Gacy goes back to Bate but Bate slips under and waistlocks. Gacy pries the hold but Bate lifts him! Gacy fights with elbows, switches, but Bate goes to ropes. Wes FLYING SUNSET FLIPS and that sends Bate flying via a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Wes covers Gacy, TWO, and fans fire up as Wes stands tall. Wes throws hands and elbows on Bate and Gacy, then SUPERKICKS Bate! Wes fires off strikes on Gacy, has him down and DOUBLE STOMPS him! Wes then RANAS Bate! Cover, TWO!! Bate escapes and that’s also good for Gacy. Wes is annoyed, but he sees Gacy in a corner. Wes brings Bate up but Bate swings. Wes bobs ‘n’ weaves, throws hands and a BOOT! Bate boots back, Wes blocks, but Bate KNEES him away! Bate goes up, FLYING UPPERCUT! Bate runs at Gacy, into an elbow! But then Gacy runs into an EXPLODER!
Bate kips up, fans fire up, and Wes runs in. Bate catches Wes, to EXPLODER! Bate kips up again, to SHOOTING STAR Wes! Cover, Bate moves and Gacy drops an elbow on Wes! Bate fireman’s carries, Gacy slips off. Bate dodges Gacy, Bop up but Gacy ducks, so Bate KICKS Gacy! And then BANG! Fireman’s carry and AIRPLANE SPIN! Fans fire up as Bate goes around and around, but then he blocks Wes’ kick! Bate trips Wes, and we get a AIRPLANE SPIN GIANT SWING COMBO! He is truly a Big Strong Boi! Bate stops at 5 to SLAM Gacy onto Wes! Bate then runs to REBOUNDER on Gacy! Cover on Gacy, Wes SMACKS Bate!
Fans fire up while all three men are down! Fans rally for Wes and he brings Bate up. Bate throws body shots but Wes throws forearms. Bate UPPERCUTS, but Wes stays up to ROCK Bate! Bate UPPERCUTS again, fans rally and duel between him and Wes, but Wes fires off a strike fest! ROLLING ELBOW, then a whip! Bate reverses, BACK DRO POWERBOMB as Gacy joins in! Gacy deadlifts Wes to BOMB Bate! Fans fire up for that show of strength, but Bate KNEES Gacy back! Bate goes up, FLYING- NO, Gacy catches Bate to a dragon sleeper! Wes runs in, but into a clinch! URENAGE REVERSE DDT COMBO!
Gacy clamps onto Wes with the RINGS OF SATURN!! Wes endures as Gacy pulls back! But Bate is up, and he BOOTS Gacy! But Gacy just grins!? Gacy tortures Wes while grinning at Bate. Bate says okay then, and he fires off fists on Gacy! Gacy lets Wes go, Bate keeps on hammering and fans fire up again! Bate backs off from Gacy and goes to a corner. Bate runs in again, SHOOTING FLOP, and Gacy has the RINGS OF SATURN on Bate! Gacy thrashes Bate around but Bate endures! Wes DOUBLE STOMPS Gacy and Gacy lets go! All three men are down, Ava looks worried for Gacy, but “This is Awesome!” for the fans!
Gacy goes to ropes, Bate goes to the opposite side. Wes rises up, he ROCKS Gacy! And MULE KICKS Bate! And ROCKS Gacy again! And ELBOWS Bate! Haymaker for Gacy, but Bate UPPERCUTS Wes! Gacy ROCKS Wes! Both Bate and Gacy run, but Wes moves and the REBOUNDER collides with the UPSIDE-DOWN!! Wes has his choice, he decides to handspring DOUBLE PELE!! Cover on Gacy, TWO!! Cover on Bate, TWO!! Wes is beside himself but the fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener. All three men stir, Gacy goes for a corner, and Bate goes for the opposite, leaving Wes in the middle.
Fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Wes runs in to UPPERCUT Gacy! Wes runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Bate! Wes runs but Bate reels him in. Wes ELBOWS and ROCKS Bate, then GAMANGIRIS! Bate sits down, Wes runs at Gacy, but Gacy dodges! To then DECK Wes! Gacy runs but Wes reels him in! SLEEPER! Wes is a backpack and Gacy starts to fade! Gacy reaches out, not that ropebreaks would change much. Fans rally, Gacy picks Wes back up, and he CANNONBALLS! Gacy drags Wes from the corner, covers, but Bate TORNILLOS! And then underhooks, TYLER DRIVER 97!! Cover, METEORA from Wes!! Cover, Gacy TOSSES Wes!
Gacy has Wes on the apron but Wes GAMANGIRIS! Gacy staggers away, Wes puts Bate on the apron. Gacy runs in but BLASTS Bate! Wes comes back, ENZIGURI! Wes puts Gacy up top, ROCKS him, then goes corner to corner, but Gacy leans and Wes FLIES out onto Bate!! Fans are thunderous, Wes gets in and runs at Gacy, but into an URENAGE!! Gacy roars, runs, handsprings, but into a CARDIAC KICK!!! Cover, WES WINS!!
Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Another incredible win for Wes Lee, and now both title and record are his! Will nothing stop the Cardiac Kid from making history?
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar w/ ??? VS Dragon Lee w/ Nathan Frazer!
Forged in NXT UK to celebrate the lineage of European wrestling, this will be a test of strategy, ability and determination! Six rounds, three minutes at a time, and first to two falls wins, aside from a disqualification or knockout. Will the Scottish Supernova keep his historically long reign going? Or will the Wonder Boy be the one that finally dethrones him?
Dragon Lee has the British Rocket by his side, but last we saw, Oro Mensah left Dar hanging. Does Dar have a cornerman? Doesn’t look like it. The introductions are made, the cup is displayed, and we see if Dar will be delighted or dismayed!
The bell rings, round one begins, and fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, give testing kicks, and Dragon’s hits harder. They tie up, Dar waistlocks and drags Dragon down but Dragon slips to a facelock. Dar gets up, facelocks back but Dragon trips Dar. Dar pulls at the mask but Dragon has the leg. Dar gets an arm, they stand, and then Dar wrangles Dragon. Dar JAMS the arm, pushes on it, messes with the mask, but Dragon fights up. Dragon rolls, Dar fights the takedown to wrangle Dragon again. Fans rally for Dragon but Dar SMACKS the hand! Dar drops a knee on the arm, then brings Dragon around.
Dar wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, but Dragon grabs at Dar’s face. Dar ELBOW BREAKERS again, but Dragon rolls, wrenches and WRINGS Dar’s arm! Dragon twists the wrist and bends the fingers but Dar moves around. Dar rolls, trips Dragon, steps through for a standing deathlock, then gets the other leg. Dar wants an Indian Deathlock but Dragon shoves him away. Dar hits a headlock takeover but Dragon headscissors. We’re under a minute, Dar bridges, but Dragon pushes him back down. Dragon puts on the squeeze but Dar headstands and pops free. Dar headlocks, Dragon fights up and powers out.
Dar jumps over, stops himself, but Dragon avoids the leg sweep! Dragon sunset flips, Dar gets free, both men avoid kicks but Dar almost gets hit! We’re at 15 seconds, Dar gets up to shove Dragon. But Dragon blocks the slap to DECK Dar! Dar bails out, Dragon builds speed to WRECK Dar off the apron! And that’s the round!
Dar: 0; Dragon: 0
Fans cheer a great opener, and wait! Oro Mensah does head out here? He wants to be on Dar’s side, though Dar says it was three minutes too late. In that case, fan him! The break is over, round two begins. Dragon gets around Dar but Dar fights the lift. Dar throws elbows, but Dragon CLUBS him! Dragon RAMS Dar into a corner, runs in to clothesline, then snapmare and ELBOW! Dar gets up into another ELBOW! Dragon scoops but Dar slips off and shoves. Things speed up as Dragon ducks n’ dodges ‘n’ RANAS! Dar flounders, Dragon runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON!
Fans fire up and Dragon stares at Dar. Dar eggs Dragon on, but Dragon rains down forearms! The ref counts, Dragon lets off to run corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this and he victory rolls Dragon! TWO, Dragon dodges a boot but not the BACK ELBOW! Dar rolls with a deep bridge, Dar scores!
Dar: 1; Dragon: 0
Fans boo but Supernova 11 has the all-important first point. Frazer helps Dragon get ready, here comes round three! Dar eggs Dragon on, then bails out. Dar leads Dragon on a cat ‘n’ mouse in and out of the ring, but Dragon ducks the buzzsaw! Dragon tackles Dar, rains down fists, but Dar shifts to an omoplata! Dar CLUBS Dragon, but Dragon rolls to KICK Dar! Dragon is free and he goes to a corner. Dar runs in but into an ELBOW! Dragon goes up, but Dar trips him up! Dar then covers, TWO! Dragon is still in this but Dar drags him up. Dar goes up the corner, he CLUBS away on Dragon, but the ref counts.
Dar shoves Dragon away and shouts, “I’m the best at this!” Fans boo as Dar flexes, then Dar drags Dragon back up. Dar throws knees, but Dragon rolls Dar up! TWO, and Dragon V-TRIGGERS Dar! Dar drops to his knees, Dragon SUPERKICKS! Dar goes to a corner, fans fire up as Dragon runs, but Dar bails out to the apron. Dragon still runs in, FLYING RANA to the floor! Fans are thunderous and we’re at the last minute of round three! Dragon gets in the ring, he builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp, this is what Dragon wanted at the end of the first round! Dragon puts Dar in and then KNEES Dar down! Cover, TWO!!
We’re at 30 seconds now as Dragon thinks on how to get on the board. Dar crawls, Dragon storms up behind him, and Dragon gives toying kicks. Dragon stomps Dar, but we’re at 10 seconds. Dar gets away but Dragon fires off more hands! The round is over, Dar gets a cheap shot!!
Dar: 1; Dragon: 0
Fans boo but Dar claims he had no idea the round ended! Frazer has to drag Dragon over to the corner, that was almost a knockout in itself! Dar defends his innocence, but he’s got a huge advantage going into round four. The ref sounds the bell, Dragon drags himself up, Dar runs in! Dar only gets buckles, but then he dodges Dragon to run and BOOT! Dar snapmares Dragon, runs in and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Dragon is still in this but Dar soaks up the heat. Dar aims from a corner, demands Dragon get up, but Dragon flounders. Dar gets annoyed, he drags Dragon up but Dragon cradles! TWO!!
dragon was playing possum but Dar ROUNDHOUSES! Pop-up, ARMBAR! Dragon clasps hands, Dar kicks at the arms, and he has the ARMBAR! Dragon flails, scrambles, reaches out, but Dar drags him from ropes! ARMBAR, but Dragon stacks Dar! TWO, and Dar lets Dragon go! Dragon SUPERKICKS! And then trips, ties up the legs, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!! Dar endures, scrambles, reaches out, Oro leans on the ropes to help with the ROPEBRAEK! Frazer gets in Oro’s face and fans fire up! Oro apologizes, but then RAMS Frazer into steel steps! Dragon is distracted, Dar rolls him up, TWO!!
Dar runs in, Dragon dodges and returns, tilt-o-whirl REVERSE DDT! Cover, Dragon scores!!
Dar: 1; Dragon: 1
We’re going into the next round all tied up! Oro drags Dar to the corner now, but then Frazer goes after Oro! Fans are thunderous, Frazer SUPERKICKS Oro! The ref reprimands but Frazer FLIES out onto Oro! The cornermen scrap up the ramp and refs rush in to stop this! Seems like both men lose their seconds! This is just Dar and Dragon now, and here’s round five! They both run in, DOUBLE LARIAT! They both fire forearms, Dragon gets the edge and BOOTS! Bar blocks the knee to DRAGON SCREW, and ANKLE LOCK! Dragon rolls to send Dar to the apron! Dragon runs in again, FLYING- POWERBOMB to the floor!! Fans lose their minds as Dar puts Dragon in!
Dar ELBOWS Dragon down, covers, TWO!?!? Dragon survives and no one can believe it! Fans rally up for Dragon but Dar stands. Dar eggs Dragon on, and then KICKS him! And KICKS him! And BOOTS him! Dar slaps Dragon around, but then Dragon blocks the kick! Dar ELBOWS Daron, STEP PUNCH, but then SNAP GERMAN from Dragon! V-TRIGGER! Dragon reels Dar in, fans fire up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives and Dragon can’t believe it! We’re at one minute, and JAKARA JACKSON is here? The ref has her stay out, but LASH LEGEND is here! She SMACKS Dragon with a water bucket!!
NOVA ROLLA!!! Cover, Dar wins!!!
Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
With 41 seconds left in the fifth round, Supernova 11 gets a huge assist from two people who were hatin’ on him just last week! Why did Lash & Jakara help Dar? Will anyone ever take the cup from Dar now?
Last Man Standing: DIJAK VS Ilja Dragunov!
#HardJustice and #UNBESIEGBAR are like an unstoppable force and an unbreakable object. But will Dijak prove there is no such thing as invincible? Or will Dragunov prove Dijak has no authority here in NXT?
The bell rings and the two rush in! The hands start flying and fans fire up! Dijak powers Dragunov to a corner, and just windmills big forearms to the chest! Dijak CLUBS Dragunov, puts him in another corner and ROCKS him! But Dragunov CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Dijak CLOBBERS Dragunov! Fans fire up more as Dijak hoists Dragunov up to a torture rack! Dragunov fights free, knees low, then waistlocks. Dragunov lifts but Dijak fights free. Dijak switches, shoves but Dragunov CONSTANTINE- NO, Dijak BOOTS Dragunov to the floor! Dragunov sputters, but Dijak goes out to stomp him!
Dijak pulls the steel steps apart, but puts the top half in the ring. Dijak then puts Dragunov in the ring, but Dragunov KNEES him back out! Dragunov CLUBS Dijak, CLUBS him again, and CLUBS him again! Dijak ROCKS Dragunov but Dragunov PELES! Dragunov SMAKCS Dijak off the desk, then JUMP KICKS him down! Fans fire up with The Czar and he grabs the base steps! Fans fire up as Dragunov brings those closer, runs and jumps off them, but into a BOOT! Dijak then hauls Dragunov up, suplexes, and SLAMS him on the steps! Fans are going nuts as Dragunov flops to the floor. The count starts and Dijak paces.
Fans chant “We Want Tables!” while the count reaches 5 of 10. Dijak looks under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! Dijak stands this table up, but Dragunov runs in to BLAST through the table!! Fans love “NXT! NXT!” for this one while both men are down in the wreckage. Dijak is against the barriers, Dragunov has a cut on his chin, and the count begins. We reach 5 of 10 before Dijak stirs. Dijak crawls to the ring, Dragunov sits up. They both stand at 8, and they lean against the apron. Dijak drags himself into the ring but Dragunov returns. Dragunov throws hands, but Dijak choke grips! Dragunov ENZIGURIS free!
Fans rally as Dragunov waistlocks. Dragunov drags Dijak up in a waistlock but Dijak fights the lift. Dijak grabs ropes, Dragunov keeps trying, but Dijak bucks Dragunov off, and he falls on the steel steps! Dragunov writhes and Dijak drags him back up! Dijak aims at the steps, for HIGH- NO, Dragunov DDTS Dijak on the steps!! Double-edged since Dragunov has to hit the edge of the steps, but the fans are thunderous! The count begins, Dragunov stirs at 3 and rises at 5. Dijak stirs, is dazed, but Dragunov drags Dijak up. Dragunov puts Dijak in a corner, and scrapes his boot off Dijak’s face again and again!
Dijak sputters, Dragunov goes back to the steel steps. Dragunov picks those up, and runs in to RAM Dijak!! Fans lose their minds, but Dragunov then wedges the steps against Dijak. Dragunov flounders his way to the adjacent corner, and then he climbs up! Fans fire up, anticipating what’s coming! Dragunov blows a kiss before going FULL METAL COAST2COAST!! Fans lose their minds again while both men are down again! The standing count starts on both men, and Dragunov already rises at 4! Dijak stirs at 7, grabs at ropes, and drags himself up at 9! But Dragunov pushes the steps aside to CHOP Dijak!
And CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP! Dijak CHOPS back, SJUEPRKICKS, but Dragunov CHOPS again! And again and again and again and again! Dragunov roars, winds up, and BACKHANDS!! Both men fall, but Dragunov just throws more CHOPS from the mat! Dragunov spins, FALLING BACKHAND!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down. “This is Awesome!” as the count reaches 5 of 10. Dragunov rises first, he stalks Dijak, and he waistlocks to drag Dijak up. GERMAN SUPLEX!! Dijak almost lands on his head! But Dijak rises!? Even Dragunov is surprised! But Dragunov also likes this!
Fans fire up, Dijak choke grips, but Dragunov SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS! Dijak shoves Dragunov to the apron, but Dragunov throws more chops. Dijak APRON CHOKE SLAMS Dragunov!! Fans are shocked as Dragunov flops to the floor! The count begins again, Dijak rises at 6 and Dragunov manages to stand at 9! Dijak and Dragunov stare down, both gritting their teeth. Dijak drags Dragunov into the ring, torture racks, FEAST YOUR EYES!!! Dragunov staggers all the way to a corner, but the corner helps him stand! He might be out on his feet! Dijak is furious, he roars and storms out of the ring.
Dijak goes around the way from the outside, and he looks under the ring. Fans fire up as Dijak brings out a kendo stick! Dijak brings the stick into the ring, he aims at Dragunov in the corner, and he says that if Dragunov likes pain, he’ll love this. SMACK to the ribs! Dragunov’s legs wobble and shake but fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Dijak asks if Dragunov feels alive. Another SMACK to the ribs!! Dragunov says, “NOT EVEN CLOSE!!” Dijak CHOKES Dragunov with the stick, saying Dragunov is making him do this. A third SMACK to the ribs!! Dragunov sputters, but he doesn’t fall over yet.
Dijak shows Dragunov the blood on the kendo stick. Dijak tells Dragunov to stay down. “Don’t you make me do this.” A fourth and a fifth SMACK to the ribs!! The stick is breaking, so Dijak just finishes it with his own knee! Dijak throws the stick away, goes to the outside and he brings out a chair! Dijak brings the chair in now, and he digs it into Dragunov’s neck! Dijak says Dragunov’s forced his hand. But Dragunov throws hands on Dijak! Dijak JAMS Dragunov with the chair, then SMACKS him on the back!! Dragunov writhes, Dijak goes to the far side and winds up, but TORPEDO MOSCOW hits!!!
Fans are thunderous as Dragunov staggers all around a sputtering Dijak! Dragunov winds up, FALLING FOREARM!! Dijak still reaches for a chair but that’s about all he can do. Dragunov gets the steel steps! Dragunov stands them up the tall way, then stands on the steps. SUPER FALLING FOREARM onto the chair!!! Both men are down and the count begins! We’re at 5 and only Dragunov stirs. Dragunov rises, he stands at 9! Dijak is DOWN, Dragunov wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
And there is your proof! Dragunov is truly UNBESIEGBAR! He is the Last Man Standing, will he look to fight his way towards a championship now?
NXT checks in on Chase U.
Substitute teacher Duke Hudson says he has put in the results of everyone’s quizzes into the system, and they all did very well. EXCEPT RICKY! Ricky sucks! Aww…. Moving on, the MVP of Chase U and substitute teacher has been time consuming, as well as life draining. So he is bringing in two men to teach the Art of Catch Wrestling: Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak. And if anyone needs Duke, he is going to be in the back, working on the Money in the Bank study guides.
Gulak thanks Duke and tells the students that normally, you learn what to do. Today, let’s focus on what not to do when the bell rings. And who better to use as an example than Chase U’s own Thea Hail? Wait, what? Thea losing to Kiana James is used as the main example, and Dempsey says that Thea’s lack of grappling knowledge puts her at a severe disadvantage against every opponent. This is NOT how to become a superstar. But good news, not all students have to fail like Thea. Thea storms out, which gets Duke’s attention.
Gulak says with the right guidance, they can learn to crunch and crack opponents in half. Duke asks what the heck these two are doing, and Dempsey says they’re showing the Chase U students what not to do. Yeah, he knows that was the lesson, but they just made someone leave the classroom crying. Gulak says there’s no crying in WWE. This is a reality check. No one talks to Thea or any of Duke’s- er, Chase U’s students like that! Next week, Duke has a better lesson prepared for them, in the ring. Get out. Gulak & Dempsey leave, Duke dismisses the class, and wants someone to check on Thea.
But at the same time, looking at the highlight reel, Duke isn’t happy. Will he need to start using some tough love to get Thea’s record up?
Backstage interview with Noam Dar and his team.
They’re all celebrating but McKenzie Mitchell asks for a word. She does congratulate him on retaining, but what is this? This is history! “They” just defended the cup on American soil! The lovely Miss Jackson is holding the cup, Lash and Dar’s “main man” Oro are by his side. There’s levels to this, and THEY are at the top! CHECK PLEASE! Thank you, buh-bye! They head out, but will this Supernova squad still be partying into the summer?
The NXT Great American Bash is back!
July 30th, NXT salutes the stars ‘n’ stripes from Cedar Park, Texas, as their next Premium Live Event! Will everything be bigger in Texas?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile!
The Iron King’s return at Stand & Deliver is why Mark Coffey & Wolfgang are still on top, but now that trump card is out in the open. Will Julius & Brutus be the ones back on top now that they know all the pieces in play? Or will nothing stop Gallus from making this their kingdom?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really runs the tag division!
The teams sort out and Julius starts with Wolfgang. Julius gets a takedown but Wolfgang fights up to UPPERCUT! Tag to Mark, Gallus mugs Julius, then Mark facelocks to wrangle Julius down. Julius fights up to an armlock, they go around, and Julius wrenches to a SAYANAGI, and then another armlock. Mark fights up, Julius puts him in the Creed corner to tag in Brutus. Brutus wrenches and cranks the arm, trips Mark, and fights to a headlock. Mark moves around, Brutus has an arm but Mark turns that around onto him. Mark grinds the shoulder, but Brutus gets free, and Wolfgang tags in.
Julius backs Brutus up and the teams talk trash. The ref keeps the peace, things calm down, but then Wolfie runs in! Julius DECKS him, and Brutus fireman’s carry takeovers! Brutus has Mark’s arm, tags Julius, and the Creeds pinball Mark between knees to the side! Brutus drags Mark up to hit a BIG back suplex! Julius covers, TWO! Julius keeps on Mark with an armlock but Mark fights up. Julius arm-drags Mark, keeps on the armlock, but Mark fights up to ROCK Julius! Mark whips, Julius goes up and over and then runs. Brutus tags in as Julius ducks ‘n ‘dodges! Brutus then goes up, FLYING AX YHANDLES!
Brutus SMASH again and again on Mark, but Wolfgang distracts. Brutus runs Wolfgang off but Mark UPPERCUTS! Brutus just powers through to hit a headlock takeover! Mark keeps his shoulders up, powers Brutus to ropes and Wolfgang tags in as Mark powers out. Brutus returns into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Brutus sputters, Wolfgang CLUBS away on him, then drops knee after knee! Wolfgang CLUBS Brutus again, then clamps on a neck wrench. Brutus endures, fans rally, but Mark tags in. Gallus stomps Brutus down, Mark CLUBS Brutus, cover, TWO! Mark KICKS Brutus in the back!
Mark drags Brutus up to ROCK him with forearms, but Brutus hits back! Mark whips and kitchen sink knees Brutus! Tag to Wolfgang, BASEMENT SENTON! Wolfgang then clamps on with a cobra clutch. Fans rally, Brutus fights up, but Wolfgang tags Mark. Ripcord shoulder, then a FLYING SHOULDER! Cover, TWO, but Mark clamps on with a chinlock. Fans rally as Brutus endures and fights up. Brutus pries the hold but Mark throws him down! Mark grinds Brutus down but Brutus keeps his shoulder up. Fans rally, Brutus fights up, and he powers up to lift Mark, BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men writhe!
Mark crawls, tags Wolfgang, and Wolfgang keeps Brutus from Julius with a facelock. Fans rally, Brutus fights up again, but Wolfgang CLUBS him! And then ELBOWS Julius! The ref reprimands and Julius is mad, but then Brutus back drops Wolfgang! Tag to Julius! Julius fires off hands on Wolfgang, then clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans fire up as Julius kips up, to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Mark! Wolfgang returns, for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Julius kips up again to hit another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then another kip up for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly for Wolfgang!
Fans are thunderous, Joe Coffey can’t believe this, Mark gets another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Julius kips up, brings down the straps, but Wolfgang ELBOWS him! But Julius still OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Mark tags in, but he runs into a seventh BELLY2BELLY! SHOOTING STAR! Brutus tags in to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Fans are still fired up for the Creeds, and Brutus brings Mark over. Julius tags back in, he hoists Mark up in an Electric Chair. Brutus climbs, but Mark victory rolls! Cover, TWO! Wolfgang runs in to trip up Brutus! Mark ROCKS Julius, he and Wolfgang DOUBLE URENAGE Julius!
But Brutus is still up top! BRUTUS BALL still hits!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” as the teams regroup in corners. The Creeds fire each other up, they egg Gallus on, and Gallus fires up now! And the brawl is on!! Fans are loving it as fists fly! Mark shoves Julius but Julius SPEARS Mark! Wolfgang DEGS Brutus, Julius DECKS Brutus! Mark ROCKS Julius, Julius JUMP KNEES Mark! And then ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Julius throws off the elbow pad! Joe hurries in! The ref reprimands, but Ivy trips up Joe! Julius clotheslines Joe out!
Julius gives thumbs up to Ivy, but wait! AVA RAINE POSTS IVY!! She still isn’t done with Ivy! GALLOW’S GATE hits Julius!! GALLUS WINS!!
Winners: Gallus, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The roots of Schism’s tree reach further than expected, and it helps Mark & Wolfgang survive the Creeds! Will Gallus Boys always be on top?
The hooded attack watches her handiwork.
“I have wreaked havoc on the NXT Women’s Division for months. This Tuesday, I will reveal myself.” Who is this that has been picking apart the roster from the shadows?
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Lyra Valkyria VS Tiffany Stratton!
Between injury and the WWE Draft taking Indi Hartwell away, the title was going to be vacated, and a new champion would need to be crowned. The Morrigan fought through Kiana James and Cora Jade while The Center of the Universe made it through Gigi Dolin and Roxanne Perez. Will Lyra ride on the winds of change to reach new heights? Or will Daddy’s Little Rich Girl once again get what she wants?
The introductions are made, the belt is on display, and one way or another, we will have a new champion!
The bell rings and fans rally and duel. Lyra and Tiff circle, stare down, and then tie up. They go around, Tiff puts Lyra on ropes but Lyra turns it around. Tiff puts Lyra in a corner but Lyra pushes back. Tiff pushes, too, they tie up again, and then Lyra headlocks for a takeover. Tiff kicks and moves around, fights up to her feet, and Lyra wrenches. Tiff ROCKS Lyra, wrenches the arm, YANKS away on it, but Lyra rolls, kips up and WRINGS Tiff out! Tiff kicks around, rolls, kips, but Lyra wrangles her with a headlock! Lyra traps an arm, rolls Tiff to a ghost pin, TWO! Tiff gets away to ropes and Lyra smiles.
Fans rally up as the two reset. They circle, they tie up, then Lyra gets a waistlock. Tiff elbows free, snapmares, ghost pins back, but Lyra rolls through! Reverse sunset, TWO! Tiff scrambles away all flustered but Lyra is loving this. The fans love it, too, and the two reset again. They tie up, Tiff knees low, then headlocks. Lyra powers up and out, but Tiff runs her over. Tiff blows a kiss, things speed up, Lyra hurdles but the bad leg gives out! Lyra hurries to a corner, walks it off, and Tiff smirks now. The two approach and Tiff wants a test of strength. They knuckle lock, they go shoulder to shoulder, but Lyra rolls back to put the pressure on!
Tiff turns things around, throws Lyra over, but Lyra then MONKEY FLIPS Tiff away! Tiff staggers up, into a SWINGING ARM-DRAG! Tiff bails out, fans fire up for Lyra, and she watches Tiff go around the outside. Lyra then runs, but she just fakes Tiff out. Tiff scowls and storms into the ring. They tie up again, go around, and Lyra arm-drags Tiff out again! Fans rally again, Tiff is even more upset, and Lyra waits on her. Lyra then builds speed to WRECK- NO, Tiff blocks the dropkick, drags Lyra out and SLAMS her to the apron! Tiff then hoists Lyra up, SHIN BREAKER to the post!
Tiff looms over Lyra, slaps her around, stomps her around, then drags her by the bad leg. Tiff stands Lyra up, gets the leg again, and SHIN BREAKER to the post, AGAIN! Fans cheer and jeer while Tiff goes into the ring to let the count handle this. Tiff then goes back out, stomps Lyra, and pulls at the knee brace! The ref reprimands but now Lyra has no protection on that leg. Tiff tosses the knee brace and puts Lyra in the ring. Tiff lifts Lyra, SHIN BREAKER! Lyra hobbles, but Tiff DRAGON SCREWS her! Tiff drags Lyra up, has the leg again, SHIN BREAKER, and then another DRAGON SCREW!
Tiff smiles as she pushes Lyra to a cover, TWO!! Lyra is hanging tough but Tiff doesn’t let up. Tiff gets the leg, turns Lyra over, and then hooks the leg up. SNAP LOCK! Tiff puts pressure on the leg, stands back up, and SNAP LOCKS again! And then Tiff stands back up, ties both legs together in a deathlock, and fans cheer as she bridges back! MUTA LOCK!! Lyra endures as Tiff pulls on her! Fans rally and duel as Lyra pries the chinlock open! Tiff lets the leglock go, covers, TWO! Tiff stomps Lyra’s leg and Lyra goes to ropes. Tiff gets the leg again, but Lyra SLAPS her! Tiff SLAPS back! They SLAP fight!
Lyra kicks but Tiff ducks, then SMASHES the knee on the mat! Tiff drags Lyra to a cover, TWO! Tiff huffs and puffs but she gets the leg, for a STRETCH MUFFLER! Lyra bridges to relieve pressure and then reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Tiff lets go quickly, but then drags Lyra back. STRETCH MUFFLER! But Lyra kicks at Tiff with her free leg! Tiff lets go, clutches that arm, but she goes after Lyra again. SHIN- SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Tiff escapes, stomps Lyra, and then steps through. Lyra boots Tiff into buckles! Tiff checks her teeth, Lyra O’Conner Rolls and it’s deep! TWO!!
Lyra ends up in the corner now, clutches her leg, but she says she’s still good to go. Tiff runs in, into an ELBOW! Lyra goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK! But it proves double-edged given the leg damage! Fans rally while both women are down. They stir, Tiff crawls after Lyra and they both stand. Tiff ROCKS Lyra with a forearm, but Lyra UPPERCUTS back! Tiff SLAPS Lyra, but Lyra UPPERCUTS again! Tiff runs in, Lyra dodges to SOBAT! Front kick! HEADBUTT! AX KICK!! Lyra grits her teeth, brings Tiff up again, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridge, roll through, and then another NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridge, roll through, but Tiff kicks the leg!
Tiff runs, but Lyra ENZIGURIS!! Tiff flops out of the ring and fans fire up as Lyra slaps her leg. Lyra scowls, builds speed, and she WRECKS Tiff! Then CROSSBODIES her to the floor! Lyra drags Tiff back up, puts her back in, and hurries up the corner! The bad leg does slow her down a bit but Lyra still reaches the top. Lyra aims, for a CROSSBODY! But Tiff rolls through! Tiff powers lyra up, but Lyra CRUCIFIX DRIVERS!! Cover, TWO!!! Tiff survives and fans fire up! Lyra drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes back up the corner, and fans fire up even more! But Tiff trips Lyra up! Lyra ends up in a Tree of Woe!
Tiff runs in, she DROPKICKS Lyra out of the Tree! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TWO!??! Lyra survives and Tiff can’t believe it! Tiff scowls and she drags Lyra up. Tiff fireman’s carries, but Lyra slips out to waistlock! Tiff kicks the bad leg out! Lyra sits down, Tiff runs, DOUBLE- NO, SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Tiff grows frustrated but the fans stay fired up. Tiff storms up on Lyra, grabs the leg and then rolls to THROW Lyra! Lyra is in a corner, Tiff handsprings in, but into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Lyra roars, Tiff stands, but the bad leg gives out!!
Lyra tried the spin back kick but the leg gave up on her! Tiff drags Lyra up, fireman’s carries, ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up now, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT- FLOPS!! Lyra fights to her feet, SPINNING HEEL KICK!!! But the bad leg slows her down, she can’t make the cover! Lyra crawls to Tiffany, ROPEBREAK!!! Tiff survives by a literal foot and Lyra cannot believe it! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while Lyra grits her teeth. Lyra drags Tiff into the drop zone, goes up the corner, but Tiff goes up after her! Tiff throws forearms, Lyra CLUBS her back! Lyra digs her elbow into Tiff’s back, then adjusts position.
Lyra balances on one leg, SUPER SUNSET- NO, Tiff holds on! Then she RANAS Lyra away! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON again! And then PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!!! Cover, Tiffany wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Champion)
The Center of the Universe finally has the prize she’s been seeking since day one of her career! She may be rich, she may be a brat, but she still earned this one all on her own. Will Tiffany Stratton make this HER era of NXT?
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker!
Boston’s hometown hero is none other than HIM! Melo is back in Massachusetts, ready to have a rematch from the main event of Stand & Deliver. But while Melo is still Melo, the Big Bad Booty Nephew has changed. This dog is now #MeanerThanEvil, and he wants to bring scorched earth to Lowell! Will Bron break Melo to become a THREE-TIME NXT Champion? Or will Melo still not miss?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s a sadistic sequel to see who is really leader of the pack!
The fans chant for “MEL~O!” already and the bell rings. The two rush in, Melo dropkicks a leg out! Melo fires off haymakers, Bron shoves him away, but Melo comes back for more! Melo KICKS the leg, Bron shoves him again, but Melo just KICKS the leg out! Bron ELBOWS Melo from a corner, hobbles but runs Melo over! Fans boo, things speed up, Melo kips up to PELE! And then runs in to BOOT Bron out of the ring! Melo builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp, if only barely! Melo then rains down fists on Bron, dusts himself off, and CHOPS Bron against barriers! The fans fire up as Melo CHOPS him again!
Melo brings Bron around but Bron RAMS him into the apron! Bron puts Melo in at 6 of 10, shoulders into him, then storms in. Melo dodges, Bron dodges back, and Bron turns leap into SPINEBUSTER! Fans boo but Bron puts Melo in a corner. Bron RAMS into Melo, and again, and again! The ref counts, Bron keeps going until 4. Melo BOOTS Bron back, runs and rolls off Bron’s back, to then DROPKICK Bron to the corner! Melo runs in to forearm smash! Melo whips, Bron reverses, but Melo goes up, only to get caught! Bron TOSSES Melo away, then mocks the chants, “Let’s Go, Melo. IDIOTS!”
Melo goes to the apron, Bron brings him up, but then Bron blocks the gamangiri to DECK Melo! Bron goes out after Melo, fans boo but Bron kicks Melo into the barriers. And SMACKS him off them! Trick protests but Bron brings Melo around to put in the ring. Bron tells Trick to back off, and he goes to the apron, Melo KICKS Bron, and then HOTSHOT STUNNERS him! And then FADE AWAY LEG DROP! Cover, ONE!! Bron is hanging tough but Melo drags him to the ropes. Melo has the leg on the ropes to springboard STOMP it! Bron writhes, Melo grabs the leg and stomps away on it more!
Melo drags Bron around, steps over, HALF BOSTON CRAB! Fitting since this is #Melochussetts! Fans cheer, Bron endures, and Bron fights up. Trick demonstrates how to stretch Bron, but Bron turns things over! Bron BOOTS Melo away, then hobbles up. Melo runs back in, but Bron dodges! Melo goes up, FLYING ARM-DRAG! Melo runs in, but into a LARIAT! Bron’s good leg still has some explosive power to it! Bron hobbles around, he stalks Melo, and Bron brings Melo up, to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Melo writhes and Bron walks off the pain in his legs. “Boston sucks!” Bron then stalks Melo and drags him up.
Bron clinches, to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly again! Melo shakes his head and the fans boo Bron. Bron tells them to shut up, and he stalks Melo to ropes. Bron waistlocks but Melo holds the ropes! Bron gets in between Melo and ropes, for a SPINNING BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Bron does push-ups just to mock Melo! Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Bron but he doesn’t care. Bron scuffs Melo, says, “This is what Boston looks like?” Melo throws body shots! And a CHOP! Bron KNEES low, whpis, but Melo sunset flips! Bron stays up, drags Melo up, another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!
Bron stalks Melo to a corner, drags Melo up and pie faces him. Fans still chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Bron throws body shots on Melo. Bron puts Melo up top, but Melo throws haymakers! Bron ROCKS Melo back, climbs up and brings Melo up, but Melo fights back with body shots! Melo KICKS Bron’s bad leg! Bron staggers back, but returns, for a SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Bron smirks, he’s starting to have fun with this. Bron drags Melo up, reels him in, short arm LARIAT! Bron taunts the fans as they boo him, and he drags Melo up again. Short arm LARIAT!
Bron says this is as easy as beating up one of the fans. Bron drags Melo back up, scuffs him, but fans chant “You’re Not Him!” Bron short arm- NO, Melo ducks! Melo KICKS the legs, CHOPS Bron, then ROCKS Bron! But Bron gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bron still has power to spare, but also attitude as he mockingly chants, “Let’s Go, Melo.” Bron HIP DROPS Melo, then HIP DROPS again! Melo crawls, but Bron says it’s done! Bron hooks up an arm, Melo resists, and he gets that arm free. HIP- KNEES! Melo gets Bron low, then KANGAROO KICKS him away! Bron staggers up, kicks low, and suplexes!
But Melo turns it into a DDT!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! Trick fires up and he coaches Melo! The fans are thunderous as Melo stands up again! Bron shakes out the stars in his head, but Melo dodges the haymaker to give haymakers! Bron hits back, but Melo gives more! Bron ROCKS Melo, Melo ROCKS Bron again and again and fires off body shots! Bfron shoves Melo, Melo spins Bron around, SMASH and SUPERKICK! Melo runs to BOOT! Melo keeps moving, he springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Fans are thunderous again as Melo aims from a corner. Melo runs in, tilt-o-whirl, FACEBUSTER! Cover, ONE?!?!
Bron says “Is that all you got?!” Melo KNEES Bron in the face! Suplex CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Bron is still in this and Melo is starting to wonder what he has to do. Melo drags Bron up, SLAPS him, but Bron DECKS Melo! Fans boo but Melo gets up to throw hands. Bron ROCKS Melo with just one! Melo ROCKS Bron, Bron ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, comes back and he fires off a flurry! Bron UPPERCUTS Melo! Melo kicks but Bron blocks to choke grip! Trophy lift, but Melo hits a CODE BREAKER out of it!! Melo hurries up the corner, Bron stands, NOTHING- NO, Bron dodges! Bron runs in, but Melo POSTS him!
Melo runs, springboard- SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Bron got Melo like he did a few weeks ago, but this time Melo survives! Bron is the one shocked now, and even Trick looks in disbelief! But the fans are electric for Melo! Bron gets mad, he brings down the straps! Bron gut wrenches Melo up to SLAM him down! And then another gut wrench for another SLAM! Bron says he’s gonna end it, and he waits on Melo to rise. Choke grip, trophy lift, but Melo cradle counters! TWO!! Bron escapes, but Melo SUPERKICKS again! Bron sputters but stays up, so Melo SUPERKICKS again! Bron is still up!? SUPERKICK AGAIN!!
Bron is still up so Melo runs, springboard, FADE AWAY DDT!! Melo hurries up top, takes aim, NOTHING BUT NET!!! Cover, MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
Count it! Melo was in a shootout but he gets the game winner! The hometown crowd cheers their hero, has he dispatched of Bron once and for all? And if so, then who is next to challenge… HIM?
My Thoughts:
Awesome stuff for NXT here. Even though they call these Premium Live Events, this felt about as close to a TakeOver as we’re getting in this era. As such, this also flew by rather quick, and I’m not sure where they really could’ve given more time to anything because all these matches felt just right. The Triple Threat was a great opener, and I really liked Tyler Bate’s new robe and ring gear. And it was great for Wes to retain the title, he has done great work so he definitely deserves to be deemed the winningest North American Champion. There’s still any number of people he can face before ever losing the title.
Great follow-up in the Heritage Cup match, though boy I wish it was Sha Samuels who helped Dar win. But it is great for Oro Mensah, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all have a spot in story and on TV. No idea how this is going to go now, other than Frazer VS Oro given their interaction. Dar can also face just about anyone next, and it feels like maybe they want it to be Frazer, between them both having talk shows, Frazer getting involved on Dragon Lee’s behalf, and the history between Frazer and Dar from NXT UK. Frazer is also great, and also deserving of things, this could be a great summer build for him.
That Last Man Standing match was wild! Never seen someone get a busted open chin the way Dragunov did, but it added something to this. Dragunov winning also made sense, as he’s been a great “giantslayer” before. But I can’t really be sure where he goes next, unless it’s the Heritage Cup with Dar being the Heel champion to Dragunov’s Face challenger. Great tag team championship match, it felt like the black ‘n’ gold era’s tag team wrestling. Though I should’ve known Ava and Ivy weren’t done fighting this out, and that is why The Creeds lose. The Tony D’Angelo arrest story is going to shake out, and maybe the D’Angelo Family gets to face Gallus over the summer, but a two month build to Great American Bash might be too much for this.
Speaking of which, great to see Great American Bash becoming more than just a themed episode on TV. A little surprised they aren’t trying for a little closer to July 4th, which is a Tuesday, but I guess that’s just how scheduling their events goes. And nice surprise promo from Chase U and Not Catch Point. Duke standing up for Thea is a good detail, but I feel like he’s going to get cheated by Gulak & Dempsey. And we might even get a tag match now of Dempsey & Gulak VS Duke and a returning Andre Chase. And good promo from this mysterious attacker, good that we’re finally going to see who this is. I’m hoping Blair Davenport, but for some reason the presentation of the character makes me think it’ll be Stevie Turner, making her streamer gimmick just her façade to fool us.
And awesome stuff from both top titles to close out the show. I wasn’t sure who was going to win in Lyra VS Tiffany, but it did feel too soon for Lyra. They kept her strong by making it about the injured leg, damage done by Cora Jade, and I don’t doubt Cora will take credit for it on Tuesday. Tiffany wins because she really is great in the ring, and is just too good at playing her character because it really gets the Heel heat from me. But HBK is also of the school that the Face is better in the chase, so whoever it is, whether Roxanne Perez, Gigi Dolin or even Lyra rising back up, they’re going to go after Tiffany over the summer.
In Bron VS Melo, I feel like Bron’s logo needs to change colors to go with his Heel side. Instead of the cyan, magenta and yellow, it should be like red, white and black. He was even wearing a white wolf mask with a black hoodie that was all “torn up and bloody,” so there it is: red, white and black. But naturally, Melo was winning here, 2-0 and winning the blowoff in his hometown. Great moment that Melo got to keep, no new challenger showing up at the end to shift attention or anything. That can be on Tuesday when Trick Melo Gang surely celebrates this win. Much like Wes and his title, Melo can move on to just about anyone for a fresh new feud to truly define Melo’s reign.
My Score: 8.9/10
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