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Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/16/22)

And your semifinalists are…!

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NJPW G1 Climax 32

It’s the final round of the round robin!

NJPW’s biggest G1 Climax ever is at the doorstep of the semifinals! Who will take the A, B, C and D Blocks to head forward into history?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS Juice Robinson; Ospreay wins.
  • G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.
  • G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS EVIL; Evil wins.
  • G1 Climax 32, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr; Naito wins.
  • G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS SANADA; Ishii wins.
  • G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tama Tonga VS Jay White; Tama wins.
  • G1 Climax 32, A Block: JONAH VS Bad Luck Fale; Jonah wins.
  • G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Lance Archer; Okada wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings!

A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada: 4-1, 8 points
  • Lance Archer: 3-2, 6 points
  • JONAH: 3-2, 6 points
  • Tom Lawlor: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Jeff Cobb: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

  • Jay White: 5-0, 10 points
  • Tama Tonga: 4-1, 8 points
  • SANADA: 3-2, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Taichi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

  • Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
  • Hirooki Goto: 3-2, 6 points
  • Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
  • KENTA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • EVIL: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

  • Shingo Takagi: 3-2, 6 points
  • Will Ospreay: 3-2, 6 points
  • YOSHI-HASHI: 3-3, 6 points
  • Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points
  • David Finlay: 3-3, 6 points
  • El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
  • Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED?]

 

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS Juice Robinson!

The D Block has been wild this entire G1, but it could finally settle down here. The Commonwealth Kingpin has to win and hope El Phantasmo wins to have a shot at the semifinals. Will The Booster give Ospreay a Rock Hard spoiler to open the night?

But as Juice makes his entrance, Ospreay attacks from behind! Ospreay still has beef with Juice over the IWGP US Championship debacle, so he’s not waiting for a bell! Ospreay DECKS Juice, fans fire up and then Ospreay brings Juice back up. Juice swings on Ospreay but Ospreay ducks and ROCKS Juice again! And then CHOPS him against railing! And then whips him, only for Juice to reverse! Ospreay hits railing hard, and Juice whips Ospreay the other way! Ospreay hits even harder this time! The ref reprimands but Juice scoops Ospreay as fans fire up. SNAKE EYES on the railing! Ospreay sputters and Juice rips up floor mats!

The ref reprimands again but Juice doesn’t care, this isn’t even a match yet! He drags Ospreay over to the bare patch but Ospreay fights the lift! Ospreay powers up but Juice CLUBS the back drop down! Juice puts Ospreay in the ring, the ref finally signals the bell, and now it’s a match! Juice rushes over but Ospreay dumps him out! Ospreay then builds up speed for the SASUKE SPECIAL! Direct hit and fans fire up! Ospreay shakes the railing and then drags Juice up. Ospreay ROCKS Juice, fans rally behind him, and Ospreay CHOPS Juice again! Juice is stinging but Ospreay drags him up to whip at railing! Juice reverses but Ospreay leaps up and over the railing!

Ospreay ROCKS Juice, jumps up, but Juice boots the railing and trips Ospreay up! Ospreay hits the railing hard! Fans fire up as Ospreay falls over and Juice catches his breath. Juice drags Ospreay up and turns him, NECKBREAKER to the railing! The ref checks Ospreay while Juice goes to the ring. Juice unties a neutral corner’s buckle pad while fans rally for “O-SU-PREAY!” Juice goes out and tells the ref to shut up! He drags Ospreay up and into the ring, then pulls at Ospreay’s shoulder tape. Juice drags Ospreay up and whips him hard into the bare buckles! Ospreay writhes, Juice covers, TWO!

Fans rally up while Juice argues the count. The ref says two is two, so Juice drags Ospreay up for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but Juice clamps on a neck wrench! Fans rally as Ospreay endures, but Juice puts on more pressure. Ospreay fights up, throws elbows and is free, but Juice CLUBS him on the neck! Ospreay ROCKS Juice again! Juice wobbles but he dodges Ospreay. Ospreay goes up and out and springboards for PIP PIP CHEERIO! Direct hit and fans fire up as both men are down! Ospreay drags himself up the ropes and grits his teeth. Juice stands into a strike fest!

Ospreay whips, Juice reveres but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Juice bails out so Ospreay aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit again and fans keep rallying! Ospreay drags Juice up, puts him back in the ring, and he aims from the corner again. But Juice intercepts the springboard to a fireman’s carry! Ospreay fights free, ROCKS Juice, but Juice CLOBBERS Ospreay on the apron! Juice snarls while Ospreay flounders and fans fire up. Juice goes out to the apron to drag Ospreay up. Juice reels Ospreay in but Ospreay resists the lift! Juice stands Ospreay up for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Juice talks trash and Ospreay ENZIGURIS!

Fans fire up and Ospreay looks to the corner. Ospreay calls his shot, but Juice chicken wings him! Juice turns Ospreay but Ospreay shoves free. Juice goes around the corner but Ospreay leaps over! SUNSET- NO, Juice fights it off! Juice throws down fists, but Ospreay APRON POWERBOMBS! Fans are thunderous while Juice rolls back into the ring. Ospreay goes up the corner, takes aim as Juice stands, BLINDSIDE CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Juice is still in this but Ospreay pushes him to a drop zone. Ospreay goes up top as fans rally again. Ospreay aims for the 450 SPLASH onto knees! Juice fireman’s carries to the JUICE BOX!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up while Juice pulls at his own hair in frustration! Juice drags Ospreay back up, chicken wings him and says “Nighty-night, bitch!” But Ospreay shoves Juice away at the ref! Juice stops himself, but turns around into a SHOTGUN dropkick! Juice falls into the ref and they both hit the corner! Fans rally up while Young Lions check on the ref. Ospreay drags Juice up, reels him in and turns him, but Juice MULE KICK LOW BLOWS! Ospreay sputters as he falls over and Juice grabs the IWGP US Championship belt! Juice brings it into the ring, takes aim at Ospreay, and he runs in, but Ospreay dodges to HOOK KICK!

Fans fire up as Ospreay prepares his arm! Ospreay runs in, BELT SHOT from Juice!! Juice gets the ref back in the ring and covers, but the ref counts so slowly! TWO!! Juice is furious with the ref over that! The ref defends his count given what happened, but Juice drags Ospreay to the bare floor! PILEDRIVER to the floor!! Juice puts Ospreay back in, roars and calls his shot! Fans rally as Juice brings Ospreay up, turns him, and PULP FRICTION!! Cover, TWO!?!? That was a normal count but Ospreay still survives!! Juice is almost pulling his hair out while the fans are thunderously applauding! Juice roars again and drags Ospreay back up.

Juice torture racks, but Ospreay throws elbows! Juice powers up to keep Ospreay up but Ospreay slips around to a sunset flip! TWO! Juice blocks the superkick to throw the LEFT HAND O’ GOD! But Ospreay SUPERKICKS after all! And then Ospreay springboards, into the torture rack!! Juice spins into the ROCK- NO! Ospreay lands on his feet, for HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Juice earns 0)

And the Kingpin stays alive in the block! The chaos is almost over, but it all depends on what happens in the very next match!

 

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS El Phantasmo!

We just saw Ospreay win, so all The Rampaging Dragon has to do now is win! Will Takagi be the first of Los Ingobernables de Japon to get into the semifinals? Or will the Headbanga be a Too Sweet spoiler?

The bell rings and fans rally, “TA-KA-GI!” “E L P!” and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Takagi finds leverage to put ELP on ropes. The ref counts, Takagi lets off but ELP avoids the chop to fire off forearms! ELP headlocks, Takagi power out then runs ELP over. Things speed up, ELP leaps, but into a fireman’s carry! ELP fights free, Takagi elbows him and whips him, but ELP RANAS! ELP handsprings and DROPKICKS Takagi out of the ring! Fans fire up and ELP builds speed to go up, up and THUNDER PLANCHA! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up and ELP stands Takagi up to CHOP!

ELP goes to the apron but Takagi anchors his legs. ELP CLUBS and mule kicks Takagi away, to then TOO SWEET ASAI MOONSAULT! ELP almost overshoots his target but he still brings Takagi down! Fans fire up and ELP drags Takagi up. ELP puts Takagi in the ring, climbs the ropes and springboards to SWANTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and ELP is annoyed. ELP quickly tunes the band, but Takagi gets away to the far corner. ELP CHOPS Takagi, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes up the corner. Fans rally and ELP lines up his shot to drop, into BOOTS! ELP staggers away and Takagi gets to his feet.

Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS ELP down! Fans rally up more and Takagi gives a thumbs up. Takagi storms up on ELP, runs in but blocks the boot to still clothesline! Takagi fires up and fires off forearm after forearm! Then JAB, CHOP, JAB, CHOP, JAB JAB JAB! The ref has Takagi let off and Takagi brings ELP out from the corner. Takagi suplexes but ELP slips off to CLAW Takagi’s back! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS then SENTONS! Takagi drags ELP up, suplexes again, high and hard for that slam! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Takagi looks to the camera. But ELP is lurking as Takagi says, “There’s more to come!” BUZZSAW!!

ELP drags Takagi up, straitjackets and torture racks, for the SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and ELP is seething. Fans rally up as ELP drag Takagi up and reels him in. ELP wants to tuck the arms but Takagi resists! Takagi back drops ELP away and fans fire up again. Takagi runs in at the corner, but he ducks under as ELP goes over. ELP ducks and dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO, but Takagi avoids the Lionsault! ELP keeps moving, and DIVES into a JAB! Fans fire up as ELP is slumped in the ropes! Takagi nods and this time, there’s more to come!

Takagi drags ELP out of the ropes into a fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor! Takagi gets ELP back in the ring, pushes him to a cover, TWO! ELP survives but Takagi shakes out his arms. Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “E L P!” Takagi shouts “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans clap along. Takagi runs in at the corner to clothesline! But ELP just gets in Takagi’s face! Takagi runs, ELP boots him then ENZIGURIS! But Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! But ELP stands up! Takagi ELBOWS, ELP MULE KICKS, Takagi JABS, ELP JABS, Takagi YUKON feints to the DDT! Fans are thunderous as both men are down!

ELP and Takagi stir, and Takagi crawls after ELP. Fans rally up and Takagi stands. Takagi brings ELP up and fireman’s carries, but ELP grabs the ropes! Takagi gives ELP SNAKE EYES, then fireman’s carries again! Takagi climbs up the corner with ELP and fans rally up as Takagi tucks the arm. ELP BITES Takagi’s ear! ELP then moves around, but Takagi throws body shots! Takagi shoves ELP away but ELP backflips to land on his feet! SANKAKUGERI! Takagi wobbles from that step-up enziguri, and ELP ROCKS Takagi with haymaker after haymaker! ELP goes up top now, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER!!

And then ELP goes right back up, for the THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO?!!? Takagi survives and fans are thunderous again! ELP and Takagi stir, ELP sits up first and shakes his head. ELP takes aim from the corner, BANG, and he reels Takagi in. ELP tucks the arm but Takagi fights the lift. ELP throws KNEE after KNEE into Takagi, then tucks the arms again. C R- RANA!? And PUMPING BOMBER! Fans rally as hard as ever and Takagi drags ELP up to hook his arms. NOSHIGAMI! But that’s not all, Takagi gets moving to PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP survives and Takagi can’t believe it!

Takagi pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Takagi stands again. Takagi reels ELP in, pump handle and torture rack, but ELP turns it into a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! TWO, and ELP runs, into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY!! But ELP stands back up! Takagi throws boxing elbows on ELP again and again! ELP wobbles and Takagi hooks him up, LAST- SUNSET! But Takagi rolls through, and ELP reels him in! C R 2!!! ELP pushes Takagi to the cover, TWO!?!?! Takagi survives again and no one can believe it!! ELP is beside himself as he crawls to the corner. ELP shakes his head, he vows to end this! And so, he tunes up the band!

Fans clap along as ELP stomps and stomps. ELP rushes in, but Takagi JABS and HEADBUTTS! ELP SUPERKICKS! But Takagi runs in, into another SUPERKICK!! ELP hurries to get Takagi up and tuck him in, C R PILEDRIVER!!!! Cover, ELP WINS??!!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi earns 0)

What a shocker! ELP takes down Takagi, allowing OSPREAY to advance! Will the Kingpin make the most of this good fortune in the semifinal round?

 

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hirooki Goto VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Fierce Warrior is right on the bubble! If he wins, Tetsuya Naito is OUT! If not, then the next match will have even more drama heaped onto it! Will the King of Darkness choose to spoil Goto’s or Naito’s run here in the final round?

Goto makes his entrance, and Evil attacks him from behind! The King of Darkness is copying the Kingpin! But Goto uses his staff against Evil! And then knees low and throws him away! Then Goto kicks and SMACKS Dick! And then the same for Evil! Goto CHOKES Evil with the staff! The ref rushes in and takes the staff away, but Goto just SMACKS Evil with his jacket! Fans rally up as Goto drags Evil up and CLUBS him! Goto puts Evil in the ring, the ref signals the bell, and this is a match! Goto CLUBS Evil more, then whips him corner to corner. Evil reverses but Goto comes back to run Evil over!

Fans rally as Evil crawls to a corner. Goto runs in and clotheslines! Goto pushes Evil down, fires up and climbs the corner! Fans rally but Dick grabs Goto’s feet! Evil throws hands and then THROWS Goto! Evil takes off his House of Torture merch shirt and CHOKES Goto with it! The ref reprimands and counts, Evil lets off at 4. Evil tells the ref to shut up and then he kicks Goto around. Fans rally for Goto, Evil kicks kicking him around, but Goto gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Evil whips Goto to the blue corner, and surprise! Dick has already removed the buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is in play!

Goto writhes and Evil crawls his way over to cover, TWO! Evil argues the count but the count was fair. Fans rally again while Evil paces around. Evil drags Goto up, but Goto throws body shots and haymakers! Evil knees low, runs, but Goto follows! Evil dodges but Goto deflects the boot to DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down. Goto drags Evil up, whips him to a corner, then runs in to MURAMASA! And then BULL- NO, Evil fights the bulldog, so Goto hooks him up for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Goto drags Evil back up. Evil pokes him in the eye! Evil runs, but Goto runs him over!

Evil crawls to ropes, Goto runs side to side, but Evil dumps him out! Evil distracts the ref so that Dick can whip Goto. But Goto reverses and Dick hits railing! Evil goes out, CLUBS Goto, then whips him at railing! Goto rebounds and runs at Evil! But Evil uses a Young Lion as a shield! Evil then kicks Goto low, and brings him over to snap suplex to the ramp! Goto writhes and Evil slides into the ring. Evil wants the ring count so the ring count starts. Fans rally for Goto as he crawls his way back to ringside. Goto is there at 10 but he staggers. Dick springs out from under the ring to anchor Goto! The count is 15! Goto stomps Dick, gets free and in at 19.9!!

Evil is furious and Goto points out Dick was up to no good! But then Evil clotheslines Goto into the corner, and fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but the fans are fired up! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this. He drags Goto up, spins him, but Goto fights off the STO! Evil rakes the eyes! Evil whips but Goto reverses, but Evil reverses back! Goto hits bare buckles, Evil runs in but Goto scoops Evil into the corner! DRAPING SHOUTO! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Goto stands back up and roars as he builds up power. Evil rises, into the BUZZSAW!

Evil staggers up but Goto fireman’s carries for USHIGOROSHI! Fans rally and Goto roars again! Goto drags Evil back up, clamps on the dragon sleeper, but Evil claws Goto’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then he blocks Goto’s kick! Evil throws the foot into the ref, Dick gets in, but Goto fights Magic Killer! Goto turns things around, and he uses Dick to help steal MAGIC KILLER!! Fans are thunderous as Goto drags Evil back up. Another fireman’s carry, for G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Goto drags him back up. Fans rally as Goto puts the dragon sleeper back on. But Evil turns things around onto Goto!

Evil grabs the ref to keep him from seeing Dick get in! Dick LOW BLOWS Goto! Evil then spins Goto around for EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

The Fierce Warrior has fallen! He will NOT be advancing! Will Evil expect to be thanked by whoever wins the next match?

 

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Zack Sabre Jr!

Now that Goto is out of the way, both the Uncontrollable Charisma and Submission Master have something to fight for! Will Naito make sure his last G1 is his greatest? Or will he #JustTapOut to the man who put him on the shelf last time?

Naito of course takes his time with his entrance attire. ZSJ says go ahead, he’s got time. Fans rally already, “NA-I-TO!” “Z S J!” as Naito goes even slower now. Naito throws the jacket to ZSJ, but ZSJ says no thanks and he throws it out of the ring. Fans still rally as Naito throws his shirt to ZSJ, but again ZSJ says no thanks. Naito then throws him the belt, but ZSJ puts that aside. Naito fakes throwing the pants, but he just puts it around ZSJ like a scarf. ZSJ BOOTS Naito! ZSJ fires off stomps, the bell rings, and the ref reprimands as ZSJ digs his boots in. ZSJ shoves the ref then digs his boots in again!

The ref reprimands, ZSJ really shoves the ref this time, and he stomps Naito over and over! ZSJ drags Naito up, whips, but Naito holds ropes to block. ZSJ wrenches the arm, EuroUppers and whips, but Naito slides out to slow this down. Fans fire up as ZSJ chases Naito back into the ring. Naito arm-drags ZSJ, kicks him and whips him to a corner. Naito runs in but ZSJ dodges. Things keep moving but Naito atomic drops to then RUNNING JACKKNIFE! TWO, ZSJ has the sunset flip, TWO! Naito sits on the prawn hold, TWO! ZSJ pops Naito around to drag him into another sunset, TWO!! Naito escapes and fans are shocked!

Naito gets up, he hooks ZSJ, spins him, but ZSJ avoids the enziguri! Body scissors and EURO CLUTCH, TWO!!! Naito escapes again and ZSJ is furious! ZSJ runs in but into an elbow! ZSJ wrenches the arm to PELE it, but Naito ENZIGURIS! Naito whips, ZSJ reverses but Naito leaps! ZSJ scoops, Naito knees free, spins ZSJ around to a snapmare and cradle! NAITO WINS?!?!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ earns 0)

Naito gets the ultimate revenge on ZSJ by not beating him down, but beating him quickly! ZSJ’s head is still spinning, and he throws a fit! He kicks railing, he throws the timekeeper’s table and even takes the chairs! ZSJ gets in the ring with a chair but Naito gets out of there! ZSJ continues to rampage as he SMACKS the ring post with the chair, then goes after the table with the chair! He DECKS Young Lions, and he SLAMS the bell! Naito keeps poking the bear by offering ice packs! Naito even throws one like a baseball, and ZSJ SMACKS it with the chair!

ZSJ realizes he played baseball with Naito and is even more upset! He rips up railing on his way out! Will ZSJ ever live this one down? As for Naito, will he make the most of this opportunity and take the whole Climax?

 

G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS SANADA!

Unfortunately, this is the one match that has no affect on the Climax! But pride is still important, so will the Stone Pitbull get one more win? Or will the Cold Skull finish strong?

The bell rings and fans rally already with “SA-NA-DA!” “I-SHI-I!” The two approach, tie up, and Ishii headlocks. Sanada powers out, things speed up and Sanada goes the other way, but Ishii avoids the boot. Sanada waistlocks,  Ishii standing switches and shoves Sanada to a corner. Ishii runs in but Sanada dodges, only for Ishii to dodge him back. Ishii avoids another boot, but Sanada avoids the forearm to waistlock again. Sanada also ducks the back elbow, but Ishii returns the favor as he avoids a forearm and back elbow. Ishii swings but into a full nelson, and Sanada uses that to spin Ishii around. Ishii wrenches out of the facelock to swing again!

Sanada dodges to waistlock, but Ishii switches. Sanada switches again, pushes Ishii to ropes and gets the DEEP O’Conner Roll! TWO!!! We almost had another fast one! Both men have to check to be sure, and yes, it was only two! Sanada swings on Ishii but into a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up as both men are down! Fans rally up and Ishii looms over Sanada. Ishii drags Sanada up, CLUBS Sanada down, then drags him back up to CHOP off his feet! Ishii eggs Sanada on as he stands over him, then drags him up again. Ishii CHOPS Sanada again, and CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Sanada fires a forearm but Ishii doesn’t budge!

Sanada keeps throwing forearms but Ishii eggs him on! Ishii leans into the shots and corners Sanada. Sanada keeps throwing forearms, but Ishii CHOPS and JABS on repeat! Fans fire up and the ref counts but Ishii sits Sanada down with those shots. Ishii eggs Sanada on while fans rally up. Ishii gives Sanada some toying kicks and Sanada fires up! Sanada fires forearms and Ishii feels these, so Ishii HEADBUTTS back! Ishii brings Sanada around, suplexes, but Sanada slips out to waistlock. Ishii elbows free, runs, but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up while Ishii bails out, and Sanada PLANCHAS!

Ishii avoids the hit and kicks Sanada. Ishii suplexes, but Sanada fights free! Sanada suplexes Ishii and has him draped on the apron! MAGIC SCREW! Fans fire up while the ref checks on Ishii. Ishii is okay to continue somehow, and Sanada drags Ishii up. Sanada puts Ishii in the ring and he encourages fans to cheer louder. The fans reach the right volume and Sanada goes to the apron. Sanada aims as Ishii rises, springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally and Sanada keeps focus. Sanada drags Ishii up, fireman’s carries, but Ishii fights free! Ishii has the dragon sleeper! But Sanada spins around, only for Ishii to suplex!

Fans fire up while both men are down again. Ishii and Sanada both growl as they sit up, and Ishii runs in at Sanada, but Sanada elbows him away. Sanada QUEBRADA but Ishii gets under to run Sanada over! But Sanada stands back up! Sanada gets around to back suplex! But then Ishii stands up! Sanada ROCKS Ishii, but Ishii roars! Ishii ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada ROARS! Sanada EuroUppers, but Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up while both men are down again! They rally up as Sanada and Ishii stir, and Ishii stands first. Ishii drags Sanada up, reels him in, and POWER- NO, Sanada fights the bomb off!

Ishii ROCKS Sanada but Sanada DROPKCISK! Ishii comes back but Sanada avoids the sliding forearm! Sanada runs to BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER, and then roll through to the MAGIC SCREW!! Fans are thunderous as Sanada drags Ishii back up. Fireman’s carry, T K O!! Cover, TWO!! Ishii is still in this but Sanada vows to end it! Sanada drags Ishii up into the dragon sleeper, and SKULL END! The body scissors are locked in and fans rally as Ishii endures! Ishii moves around, reaches out, but he’s fading! Ishii gets a second wind to grab at Sanada, but that goes out fast! Sanada lets go to go up top, ROUNDING BODY FLOP!!

Ishii moves just in time and now both men are down again! Fans rally back up as Ishii stirs. Ishii goes to a corner as Sanada slowly rises. Fans rally “I-SHI-I!” “SA-NA-DA!” Ishii runs in, but Sanada ROCKS him with a forearm! Ishii HEADBUTTS back! Sanada SOBATS, then dragon sleepers! Ishii fights with haymakers but Sanada DREAM SMASHER ELBOWS! Then ROLLING ELBOWS! Then RUNNING ROLLING- ENZIGURI! Ishii takes Sanada down and he roars as fans fire back up! Ishii waits on Sanada, then he runs the ropes, LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but Ishii just roars again!

Ishii drags Sanada back up, suplexes, but Sanada knees free! Sanada swings, but into a nelson, then a spin, but Sandaa shoves free. Sanada follows Ishii, tilt–whirls and dragon sleepers! But Ishii spins through to suplex, only for Sanada to SATELLITE DDT! But Ishii’s back up?! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO, to the ghost pin! TWO!!! Sanada can’t believe how close that was! The fans are thunderous again, Ishii runs in but into a full nelson! Ishii breaks that but Sanada chicken wings. Ishii mule kicks a leg out, runs back in, but Sanada gets the full nelson! Sanada then shifts to a cravat, to SHIRANUI, into the SKULL END!!

Ishii endures, spins through, but Sanada wrenches out! Ishii HEADBUTTS again! Ishii runs, but into an O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!?!? Ishii escapes by nanoseconds! Sanada is frustrated but the fans are thunderous again! Ishii and Sanada stand, run in, and Sanada fireman’s carries, to throw Ishii into the dragon sleeper! But Ishii fights to a full nelson, for a DRAGON SUPLEX! But Sanada stands back up!! Sanada runs to ROLLING ELBOW! And then TIGER SUPLEX! But Ishii rises?!? Ishii runs, into a DROPKICK! But he comes back to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Ishii is roaring and the fans are electric!

Ishii suplexes Sanada, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Ishii wins!!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

The Cold Skull could not tame the Stone Pitbull, and he finishes flat even! Will he have to try harder next time? Will Ishii also rebound from his 2-4 finish to be stronger next year?

 

G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

It all comes down to this! The winner here will advance without dispute! Will the Good Bad Guy get the ultimate revenge by spoiling the “Jay1?” Or will he have no choice but to Breathe with the Switchblade?

Tama wants after Jay now, but the ref has Tama wait for the bell. Jay and Gedo Too Sweet, and then the bell rings. And of course White bails out. White waits for Tama to back off to slide in, but then Tama DROPKICKS White down! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama is serious as he stomps and punches White in the corner! The ref counts, Tama lets off at 4, but rushes back in. White kicks low, returns all those stomps and punches, then he CHOPS! Tama just glares at White! Tama turns things back around for more forearms and stomps in the corner! Tama whips corner to corner, White bounces off buckles and into Tama’s back drop!

Fans fire up as White bails out again. Tama pursues and puts White back in. Tama rushes in, dodges White’s haymaker and back drops again! Fans rally behind Tama as he aims at the corner. Tama runs in but White bails out again. Gedo protests but Tama goes out to fetch White. Tama throws hands, then tells Gedo to stay the hell away. Jado also has his eyes on Gedo as Tama fireman’s carries White. White flails, claws Tama’s face, then POSTS Tama! Gedo laughs at Tama and applauds White, but fans rally for “GOOD BAD GUY!” White drags Tama up, brings him around and APRON GOURD BUSTERS!

Tama flops back to the floor and Gedo grins. White stretches out his back and then goes back to Tama. White drags Tama up, puts him in the ring, and takes his time stalking Tama to the corner. Tama kicks back, but White CLUBS the leg and EuroUppers! White RAMS his shoulder in, then HALF HATCHES into buckles! White drags Tama to a cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and White is annoyed. White and Gedo argue the count but the count is fair. Fans rally for Tama, White drags him up in the sleeper! Tama fires elbows, White waistlocks and SAIDOS! White flexes while Gedo cheers, and White says this is why he’s the champion. Cover, TWO!

White is almost amused, but he says he has a special gift now. Tama slowly rises and White gives him a Too Sweet CHOP! And another CHOP! White whips but Tama holds ropes! Tama eggs White on so White gives him more and more CHOPS! Tama eggs White on more, so White digs his fingers into Tama’s face! Then CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Tama sits down, White drags him back up and whips him corner to corner. Tama comes back to CLOBBER White! Fans fire up as both men are down! Tama nods as he gets up, and he rallies on White with clotheslines and elbows! Then a scoop SLAM! Fans fire up more as Tama paces around.

White gets to a corner, Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! To a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps cool and fans rally again. Tama paces around, drags White back up and throws down elbows. Tama CLUBS White more, then dragon sleepers. White fights free of that, but Tama EuroUppers him right down! White goes to the apron but Tama is after him. White HOTSHOTS Tama away! White storms in, but Tama fireman’s carries! White rakes eyes again, then hits a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Tama gets to a corner but White runs in, to EuroUpper! And then suplex for BLADE- NO, Tama slips out to dragon sleeper!

But White slips around to suplex and BLADEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! White is frustrated and he stares Jado down. Fans rally up, White drags Tama back up, and he reels Tama in. Tama fights the Urenage to SUPERMAN- COMPLETE SHOT! White drags Tama into the deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gedo is all fired up as White says, “Like a baby.” White drags Tama up by an arm while the fans rally again. White reels Tama in but Tama fights the Urenage! So White throws KNEE after KNEE into the gut! UREN- VENENO!! Tama takes White down with the DDT and fans rally again as Tama and White stir.

Tama stands up, he drags White up, but White swings a chop! Tama ducks it, fireman’s carries, but White slips off to CHOP! Tama ENZIGURIS! White goes down but Tama gets him into the fireman’s carry! S R C! Gedo is freaking out as Tama goes up the corner! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! White survives and Gedo is relieved! But Tama and Jado pound the mat! Fans clap along but White crawls to Gedo. The ref tells Gedo to get off the apron! Jado drags Gedo down! Jado keeps Gedo down while still pounding the mat! White stands, GUN- NO, White fights that off to URENAGE! Both men are down again and fans fire back up!

White shakes out his arm, crawls over to Tama and brings him back up. Fans rally as White wraps on the sleeper! Tama backs White down into a corner! White holds on to put Tama in the corner and RAM his shoulder in again and again! The ref counts, White stops at 4, and he drags Tama out and into the sleeper! But Tama throws elbows! White holds on to SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White doesn’t stop there, he slashes his throat and drags Tama up! BLADE- NO, Tama gets the dragon sleeper, and the TONGAN TWIST!! Fans are thunderous as Tama paces and takes aim! GUN- NO, still no stun! White reels Tama in, BLADE-

NO, Tama slips around to BLOODY SUNDAY!! Shoutout to the original Bullet Club leader! Cover, TWO!!! Tama is shocked but he vows to finish this off! Tama drags White up, reels him in and underhooks, but White fights that off with a back drop! Tama staggers up into BLADE- NO, Tama cradles! TWO!! White stands up, into GUN- NO, White SLAMS Tama down!! White drags Tama back up, for a SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! And then the clinch for BLADE- NO, Tama slips free! GUN- NO!! White stays up! White pushes Tama away, but Tama comes back to GUN STUN!!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; White earns 0)

Gedo can’t believe it, but the Jay1 falls apart at the end!! The Good Bad Guy is moving on into the semifinals, will he take the whole thing and head to WrestleKingdom?

 

G1 Climax 32, A Block: JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito VS Bad Luck Fale!

After crushing the Rainmaker but losing to the Murderhawk Monster, the Top Dog is a dark horse in this block! He must win, as must Archer, but will the Rogue General blow up Jonah’s chances? Or will the Grenade be no match for the Torpedo?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the giants stare down. They step forward, stare down some more, then step forward again. Jonah throws the first forearm! Fale stays up and he throws a forearm back! Jonah throws another, and fans applaud, and Fale throws another! Fans rally up as Jonah throws a heavier shot, and then Fale throws another! Jonah eggs Fale on, throws another forearm, and Fale wobbles! Fale THROAT CHOPS! Red Shoes reprimands but Jonah sputters. Fale runs, but Jonah BODY CHECKS him out of the ring! Jonah then pursues, FLYING SHOULDER off the apron! Fale is sent into railing while fans fire up!

Jonah warns Chase Owens on English commentary, but then Fale runs Jonah over! The Crown Jewel ended up a good distraction, and Fale CLUBS Jonah on the back. Jonah staggers away and Fale stalks him. Fale throws heavy body shots, follows Jonah to the ramp, then throws even more body shots. Red Shoes tells Fale to get this in the ring but Jonah throws body shots in return! Jonah ROCKS Fale with a forearm and Fale leans against the apron. Fans rally up again as Jonah CLUBS Fale. Jonah pulls on Fale’s ear, then HEADBUTTS him! Fale leans against railing and fans rally up more as Jonah brings him around.

Fale throws heavy body shots and forearms! Jonah staggers away, Fale brings him up and whips him, but Jonah reverses to POST Fale! The ring manages to stay put, but Jonah runs in! Fale moves and Jonah POSTS himself! The ring count finally starts while both men are down on the outside. Fans rally up, we’re at 8 of 20 as Jonah gets back up. Fale goes to the ring at 13 of 20 but he doesn’t get in. Jonah staggers, flounders, and both giants get in at 19! Fans applaud as the match continues! Jonah goes to a corner and Fale runs in to SPLASH! Jonah wobbles, Fale runs in to SPLASH again! Jonah flounders again and Fale runs in to SPLASH again!

Fale goes corner to corner and he runs in, but Jonah dodges! Fale hits buckles, Jonah SUPERKICKS! Then Jonah SPLASHES Fale in return! And SPLASHES again! Fans rally up as Jonah keeps moving, and he SPLASHES a third time! Fale falls over and fans fire up with Jonah! Jonah goes corner to corner, but Fale SPEARS him down! Fans fire up again as both giants are on the mat! Fale drags himself up the ropes, storms over to Jonah, and he runs to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO! Jonah is still in this but Fale prepares his best weapon! Fale choke grips but Jonah kicks free to DDT! Cover, TWO! Fale survives that supersized DDT but Jonah snarls.

Fans rally up again and Jonah drags Fale up. Jonah reels Fale in, but that’s way too much weight to lift like that! Fans rally as Jonah keeps trying, but that just hurts his own back. Jonah brings Fale up, LARIATS point-blank, then runs to LRAIAT again! Fale staggers but stays up! Jonah runs in, ducks the lariat, but not the choke grip! GREN- NO, Jonah ducks to HEADBUTT! Jonah runs to LARIAT Fale down! Fans are thunderous as Fale rises again. Jonah scoops and SLAMS Fale!! And then Jonah drags Fale to a drop zone and climbs up the corner! TORPEDO!!! Cover, Jonah wins!!

Winner: Jonah, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fale earns 0)

The Top Dog is the top monster in the G1! But he isn’t the top of the block! Will a miracle happen to allow him to advance?

 

G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Lance Archer!

In the end, the main event will determine it all! When it’s win and you’re in, will Okada make it rain? Or will Archer prove that no matter how great you are, no matter your legacy, #EverybodyDies?

Archer spares the Young Lions because he is laser focused on one target tonight. Archer even stays put as Okada makes his entrance. It’s almost like he’s meditating. Fans rally up already as Red Shoes does his check. The bell rings and Archer still doesn’t move. Okada circles around him, wondering what Archer’s strategy really is. Okada steps up to Archer, Archer looks at Okada, and then Archer choke grips! CHOKE SLAM!! Was it all just to lure Okada in!? Fans fire up as Archer fires up, and then Archer tells them to shut up. HELLICOASTER! Okada is dazed while Archer looms over him. Fans rally up as Archer drags Okada back up.

Archer says Okada’s time is over, but Okada throws a forearm. It doesn’t do much to Archer, and Okada drops to a knee over the damage he’s taken. Okada stands up to throw another forearm, but Archer taunts him! Fans rally up, Okada EuroUppers, runs, but into the DERAILER! Fans fire up as Archer snarls and Okada flops out of the ring. Archer goes out to fetch Okada, sit him up against railing, and then RAM Okada’s head against the railing! And again! And again! Archer digs his knee into Okada, tells Red Shoes to shut up, and then Archer goes to the far side. Fans rally as Archer runs in at full speed to CANNONBALL against railing!!

Fans are thunderous as Okada gets squashed by Archer! Archer then DECKS a Young Lion and drags him over. Archer scoops the Young Lion to SLAM onto Okada! Red Shoes isn’t even sure what to make of that! Fans continue to rally as Archer drags Okada up. Archer brings Okada to the ring, laughs and lifts for an APRON- NO, Okada lands on his feet! Okada kicks Archer, but Archer trips Okada! Okada crashes down, and Archer BOOTS a Young Lion! Archer’s rage is building and he’s taking it out on everyone around! Fans rally up while Red Shoes says to get this in the ring. Archer glares at Chase Owens and Chase backs up.

Archer wants El Desperado on Japanese commentary to tell fans that there will be no more Okada! Desperado says okay, no more Okada, only the Murderhawk Monster. Archer drags Okada up and into the ring, then he stomps away! Fans rally up, “O-KA-DA!” “LANCE ARCH-ER!” Archer stands Okada up to CLUB and CLUB and then SMACK off buckles. Archer knuckle locks and goes up the corner to give us some Old School! Into a MOONSAULT! Direct hit! Cover, TWO!! Archer is furious but Red Shoes says two is two! Archer drags Okada up, reels him in to scoop, but Okada slips off to ripcord and RAINMAKER!!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Okada hit his best move but he can’t capitalize from all the damage done by Archer. Archer and Okada stir and push themselves off the mat. Okada crawls to ropes and drags himself up. Archer choke grips again, but Okada DROPKICKS free! Okada ducks the lariat to DROPKICK again! Fans fire up, Okada goes to scoop but Archer’s too big! Archer scoops Okada but Okada slips off and shoves Archer to a corner! Then he scoops to SLAM Archer down! Fans fire up while Okada catches his breath. Okada goes to a corner and climbs up top, for the MACHO ELBOW! And of course, the Rainmaker Pose!

Fans fire up as Okada reels Archer in. Ripcord and- NO, Archer ducks the lariat to full nelson! Archer spins Okada around but Okada uses that to get a cradle! TWO and Okada stands up to uppercut! Okada runs, but into Archer’s DROPKICK?! Archer drags Okada up, ripcords, and steals RAINMAKER!! Cover, TWO!?! Archer can’t believe it but Okada survives! Archer drags Okada back up, puts him in a corner, and hoists him up top. Archer ROCKS Okada, then brings him out with the inverted crucifix! BLACKOUT BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Into a GHOST PIN! TWO!!! Okada survives but Archer escapes, all by mere nanoseconds!

Fans are electric while Archer seethes. Archer looms over Okada and stalks him to a corner. Archer taunts Okada, laughs at him, and then runs corner to corner and back again, BIG back elbow! Okada doubles over but fans rally up again. Archer drags Okada up, hoists him back up top, CHOPS him, then pats him on the face. Archer SLAPS Okada, tries the crucifix again, but Okada fights free to CHOP BLOCK! And then Okada gets the arm for the MONEY CLIP!! Archer endures and fans rally up as Okada squeezes tight! Archer already looks pretty red, but he gets a second wind! Archer rises up and snapmares free!

Okada rushes in, gets around, spins and DISCUS LARIATS! Archer rebounds to LARIAT Okada down!! Fans are thunderous as Archer watches Okada from the corner. Okada sits up in another daze, and Archer says “F YOU, OKADA!” But he runs into a DROPKICK! Archer stays up!! And he runs back in, into a scoop?! AND LANDSLIDE!! Okada ripcords for the RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Archer earns 0)

The Murderhawk Monster falls, and both his and Jonah’s runs are done! But in the end, Archer respects Okada and Okada respects Archer, so they fist bump. Will both Archer and the Top Dog have to try again next year?

As for Okada, he catches his breath and gets the mic. “Everyone here today, thank you for your red hot support. There’s just two days left in G1 Climax 32. However, we can still get even hotter! This isn’t all that the G1 Climax has to offer. And if you don’t think that we can bring even more fire, than you aren’t really a pro-wrestling fan!” Fans applaud that sentiment, and Okada continues to say that everyone here, your red hot support is multiplied by the power of the wrestlers, and that equals the best G1 Climax ever! So let’s finish this strong, with even more hot, hot, hot support!

Okada thanks the fans then drops the mic. Will the Rainmaker be able to do this all over again tomorrow in the semifinals? Or will another take the Climax in the end?

 

Here are the current standings!

A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada: 5-1, 10 points [SEMIFINALIST]
  • JONAH: 4-2, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Lance Archer: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Tom Lawlor: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Jeff Cobb: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Bad Luck Fale: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

  • Tama Tonga: 5-1, 10 points [SEMIFINALIST]
  • Jay White: 5-1, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
  • SANADA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Taichi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Tomohiro Ishii: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

  • Tetsuya Naito: 4-2, 8 points [SEMIFINALIST]
  • Zack Sabre Jr: 4-2, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Hirooki Goto: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • KENTA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • EVIL: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

  • Will Ospreay: 4-2, 8 points [SEMIFINALIST]
  • Shingo Takagi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • YOSHI-HASHI: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • El Phantasmo: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • David Finlay: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
  • Juice Robinson: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

What an awesome way to wrap up the round robin this year! Now, it is a shame that not every block could mathematically work to bring drama into all eight matches, but all eight matches were still awesome. The blocks going in reverse alphabetical order was a logical scheduling choice, and it helped keep the energy moving because the story of each block stayed fresh in our minds. Ospreay VS Juice was a great opener with how fast and furious it all went, and Takagi VS ELP was even stronger for how it had to follow that. Ospreay being the semifinalist when he’s also got to be in the States for AEW this Wednesday is wild, but I do appreciate that NJPW isn’t going to change their plans, even for a partner promotion. I just wonder if Ospreay will be able to properly compete on both shows.

Goto VS Evil was great stuff but of course Evil and Dick cheat to win, and that screwed Goto over hard. But that was of course going to happen to put the drama back on Naito VS ZSJ. And while I had a feeling Naito would win, I did NOT expect things to go down like that. ZSJ was doing so well this G1, but then Naito snatches it away right here. But ZSJ’s violent tantrum was still great stuff, very Minoru Suzuki-esque. And maybe ZSJ still has a route to his first singles title in NJPW. There’s still a long road to Wrestle Kingdom, so maybe ZSJ finds a way in.

Ishii VS Sanada was the only match tonight that didn’t affect their block, but that was still an awesome match between them. A shame Sanada didn’t win but it would’ve also been rough if Ishii went 1-5. Again, there are a lot of moving parts and a lot of titles to go around, both these guys can try for something between now and Wrestle Kingdom. Tama VS White was awesome, practically a title match in itself, and it was the right choice for Tama to win. Even if Tama doesn’t win the tournament, Tama has the golden ticket to be one of White’s challengers on the road to Wrestle Kingdom, and maybe White gets his revenge there, or maybe Tama shocks us all and wins the big one.

Speaking of big, Jonah VS Fale was a great match for two guys as big as them. They were perhaps playing up the slug fest, and the ref really let their brawl on the outside have time to breathe. But in the end, it made sense for Jonah to win to put the drama back on Okada VS Archer. I don’t know if Jonah’s math was right, but according to him, if Archer had won, we would’ve had three guys at 4-2, and Archer’s win over Jonah before wouldn’t have outright made him the semifinalist. Honestly, a Triple Threat of Archer, Okada and Jonah to perhaps open tomorrow’s show would’ve been cool, but it makes sense NJPW wants a clear winner in each block.

Okada VS Archer had a great start with that trap of Archer’s, but in the end, of course Okada wins. Okada VS Tama, Ospreay VS Naito, that is quite the final four.

My Score: 9.2/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
  • Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; The Awesome Truth wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; The New Day wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; Becky wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?

Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.

Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?

Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!

But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!

Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!

Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?

Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!

Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!

Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!

Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.

Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!

Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!

Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!

The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.

The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.

Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?

 

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?

The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!

Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”

Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!

Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?

The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”

Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.

But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!

How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”

Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.

By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.

Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.

Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.

Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?

 

Nia Jax speaks.

“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?

Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!

The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.

Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!

Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.

Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

Raw returns with the GM by a table, and he welcomes us to a contract signing to make official the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for WrestleMania! The fans cheer, and Pearce introduces first, the challenger, Sami Zayn! The Great Liberator makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song. Sami still looks troubled by what Gable said just moments ago, but he still high-fives fans and gets in the ring. Then Pearce introduces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The fans boo as Gunther walks in, having reached Day 647!

Gunther smiles as Sami watches him make his way down the ramp and into the ring. Pearce says we know how this works, but Gunther says before we proceed, let us call this what it is: the most important contract signing for the most important match in the history of this championship. And why, why, why is the challenger dressed no better than any of the bums in the audience? Fans boo but Sami just shrugs that off. Sami gets a mic to say that Gunther keeps sitting there all smug, and it’s really starting to piss Sami off. Gunther thinks this is just another day at the office, that he’ll steamroll through Sami like any other contender.

But with all respect to Gunther, he really has. He has beaten everyone that has come his way, and has done it on his own. Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can do it. A lot of people didn’t believe Sami at many points in his career. They didn’t believe he’d even make it to WWE, let alone win championships and main event a WrestleMania. And if you ask The Usos, they didn’t believe Sami would be one of the guys to end the longest tag title reign in WWE history, but he did! And one year later, he will make history again by ending the longest Intercontinental title reign in WWE history! Sami signs his part and pushes the contract over to Gunther.

The fans cheer Sami on but Gunther waits it out. Gunther tells Sami, what Sami should do is listen to his new friend, Gable. Gable doesn’t believe Sami can win. The people here cheer Sami, they probably even love Sami. But even they don’t believe Sami can win. And y’know, when Gunther looks Sami in the eyes, and if Sami was honest with himself, even Sami doesn’t believe he can win. So what Sami is doing right now is standing on Gunther’s doorstep and begging him to get the beating of a lifetime on the Grandest Stage of Them All! So whatever Sami has to do, from training to believing, just keep doing that. Because at WrestleMania, Sami’s dreams will meet reality.

Gunther grins and signs his part, and it is now official! Gunther then stands, title on his shoulder, and takes his leave. The fans boo, but then Sami tells Gunther to wait. Gunther steps back inside to hear Sami as Sami turns around. Gunther looks in Sami’s eyes and believes Sami doesn’t believe? Sami stands to get in Gunther’s face and dares him to look again. Get a good long look, because these are the eyes of the man who will take you down at Mania! The fans fire up, and now Sami leaves first. Gunther still just grins, but will Sami use a Helluva Kick to wipe that smile off his face?

We follow Sami as he storms backstage, right past DIY and The Awesome Truth. Truth asks what’s up with Sami, but The Miz says that is the mindset of WrestleMania right there. That’s what they need. DIY wishes Awesome Truth luck. Awesome Truth knows DIY is into the ladder match, and they are gonna have their own qualifier. Miz & Truth just need to beat… Indus Sher. Jinder Mahal tells Veer & Sanga to warm up for the match. They head out, and Truth says he feels sorry for whoever has to face those guys. Miz stares at Truth, and he has DIY hold off. Miz will explain. The Awesome Truth heads to gorilla, their match is next!

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!

Miz wants a remix of the theme song but Truth says to just follow his lead. NC State knows what’s up, but will the Awesome Truth finally reach the top of the tag division 13 years after they first teamed? We’ll see, after the break!

Raw returns as Indus Sher makes their entrance, the Modern Day Maharaja by their side. The teams sort out and Truth starts against Sanga. The fans echo “WHAT’S UP?!” but Sanga roars! Truth is scared now so he tags Miz. Truth fires Miz up, Miz runs up and dodges Sanga to fire off haymakers! Miz kicks, whips, but Sanga blocks! Sanga whips and CLOBBERS Miz! Jinder nods as Sanga then scoops Miz and brings him over. Veer tags in, Sanga SLAMS Miz, then Veer ELBOW DROPS! Indus Sher say “NAMASTE!” but the fans say “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth. Veer HIP DROPS Miz, then looms over him.

Veer eggs Miz on, drags him up with shoulder claws, and then steps over Miz for the neck wrench! Miz endures as Veer still digs a claw into his shoulder. The fans rally for Miz, Miz fights up and throws body shots! Miz reaches out but Veer knees low! Veer SHOVES Miz to the corner, runs in, but Miz BOOTS! Miz ELBOWS Sanga, but Veer catches him! Veer puts Miz back int he corner, but Miz ducks the boot to tag Truth! Truth dodges Veer and starts up the shoulder tackles! Truth gets around Veer to SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth shouts out Cena with “You Can’t See Me!” Truth runs to Five Knuckle Shuffle!

Jinder is not happy now as Truth fireman’s carries! But Veer slips free! Truth drop toeholds to the STF!! The fans fire up but Sanga stomps Truth! Miz fires off kicks on Sanga, then body shots! Truth joins in, they mug and whip Sanga, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Sanga staggers around, Veer runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth and Miz combine for a SKULL CRUSHING LIE DETECTOR!! But Sanga whips Miz away! Miz WRECKS Jinder with it, but Sanga runs up! Sanga knocks Miz down, Miz anchors Sanga, Sanga ELBOWS Truth, Truth falls onto Veer for the cover! Awesome Truth wins!!

Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The fans fire up, and Truth doesn’t even realize what happened! Miz celebrates with Truth and Truth puts it together! They’re now one of the six in the ladder match! Will this combination of teamwork and luck be just what they need to take those titles from Judgment Day?

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

Sami tells Gable to tell him why. Why what? Why does Gable think Sami can’t beat Gunther? Well you just saw why! With Gunther, it isn’t just physical, it is mental. Sami made his career out of being the underdog that crawls his way out of any hole he’s in, right? Just like last week! Sami found the window of opportunity to get out of a bad situation any time he can. Gunther’s on a different level! You gonna sit and wait for that window to appear? It doesn’t happen with Gunther! He’s a different beast, a different animal. If Sami doesn’t change his mentality, then he can’t beat Gunther. Gable leaves Sami with a lot to think again. Is there a way Sami can change enough to defeat Der Ring General?

 

CM Punk speaks.

“Do I plan at being in WrestleMania? WrestleMania is in Philadelphia, what’re the first four letters in Philadelphia? Phil. You can’t have WrestleMania Philadelphia without Phil. Whether I’m invited or uninvited, Punk will be there.” And next week in Chicago, Punk returns to Raw! Will the Second City Saint find a way to be part of the biggest WrestleMania ever?

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Terminator, or as his new shirt says, “The Savior of WrestleMania,” makes his way to the ring, NC State a bit torn about seeing him. But then Seth Rollins is here, too!? McIntyre is upset but the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out. Rollins swaggers right past McIntyre in his green storm pattern suit, and steps into the ring first. McIntyre frowns as he follows Rollins in, and sits in a corner. The fans continue to sing, which Rollins revels in for a moment. Rollins has the mic to then say, “RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!

“And Drew, hah, sorry, I didn’t even see you there. I was too busy, uh, y’know, soaking up the spotlight, right?” McIntyre has a mic to say, “Alright, here we go.” Here goes what, Drew? McIntyre says no, no, get it all out of your system, he knows Rollins has more! McIntyre can stay in the back while Rollins enjoys the spotlight, because after WrestleMania, that spotlight’s all McIntyre’s. Hey, hey, c’mon. Rollins is here with an honest cause. Rollins doesn’t like McIntyre, he thinks he’s stupid, a hypocrite, has said a lot of dumb things lately, but Rollins is here to admit that one thing McIntyre said is absolutely right and he wants to say it to McIntyre’s face, right here in Raleigh, in front of the fine people.

Now, they always say the first step to recovery is the hardest, so bare with Rollins. He has been working on this all week, but… “My name is Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and I’m a spotlight junkie.” The fans chant “Spotlight Junkie!” and also sing, but McIntyre says everything is just a joke to Rollins, isn’t it? Look at Rollins! He’s a parody of himself at this point. But honestly, McIntyre doesn’t care. He tried reasoning, he gave the answers, and now he only cares about their match and the world title. And you wanna know the real punchline, funny man? “What?” McIntyre says they say that because they’re happy McIntyre sidelined Punk, thanks for remembering!

But the punchline is when McIntyre beats Rollins for that title. The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” but McIntyre says don’t be ridiculous. Punk’s waiting until next week to return because he’d never show up in a place like Raleigh. The fans boo but McIntyre says see, they’re booing Punk! Punk is only getting off his couch to be at his local arena. Rollins tells McIntyre to shut up already. Oh, seems McIntyre got Rollins’ attention. Rollins takes off the sunglasses to say yeah, McIntyre has his attention. Because this isn’t a joke! When Rollins says he is a junkie, it isn’t a joke! He’s been doing this for 20 YEARS! Just like McIntyre!

And every time Rollins comes out of the curtain, that’s his fix. And it gets better and better every single time. Rollins comes out here, lays it all on the line, and it just gets better and better! When he hears the fans sing the song so loud, Rollins can barely speak, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” That’s Rollins’ fix! That is the spotlight he craves, and y’know what? Rollins wants the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be. So yeah, McIntyre’s been busy online entertaining people with memes, so he hasn’t been listening to Rollins. So Rollins will get this through McIntyre’s thick skull: Night One, Rollins takes the biggest star in Hollywood and his side chick, and makes them his b*tches!

Then on Night Two, the biggest spotlight possible will be shined down on McIntyre and Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship! McIntyre says all hail the savior, Seth Rollins! This is what McIntyre wanted! The passion and desire, not the stupid laughing and dancing. Rollins had McIntyre all the way to the finish. Rollins has done this 20 years, just like McIntyre. They’ve given their lives to this industry, and that is what the title is about! The wrestlers’ title, the workhorse championship! Rollins had McIntyre with him until he mentioned the bigger spotlight and how Rollins pins one of the biggest stars in the world.

Why can’t it just be about Rollins’ hard work to make that title, and all of McIntyre’s hard work to get this chance? Why can’t that be the reason they’re getting the biggest spotlight!? Rollins has had his priorities all backwards, McIntyre has been giving him all the answers. McIntyre said he is over the BS, and all he cares about is Rollins making it to the ring on Night Two. And if Rollins can’t walk, then McIntyre will wheel him down. If not, McIntyre will carry Rollins down. At Mania, McIntyre doesn’t get the moment he deserves. He gets the moment he has bloody EARNED. The fans do cheer that!

Rollins smirks and says, “Ah, Drew. There it is. That’s right, you wanna call me a spotlight junkie, but you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don’t you? You’re an addict, just like I am. And you’ve been begging for spotlight for the past four years, because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020, in an empty warehouse. And all we’ve been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years was how that wasn’t good enough. You’ve been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning that you deserve better, that you deserve more. The problem is, Drew, when everybody came back around, and the lights got bright again, what happened? You fumbled the ball.

“And that’s the difference between you and me. When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby. I shine bright. And at WrestleMania 40, the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been. And you are gonna find out you are not as good as you think you are.” Rollins drops the mic, but this time McIntyre smirks. The verbal battle continues, but who will put their money where their mouth is once this one finally happens?

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

“I’m a wanted woman, and I don’t even have the title. Yet. But we’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania, so why would I risk it all? Because I don’t know anything else. All I know is taking risks. All I know is fighting. And all I know is tonight, I’m gonna be the Last Woman Standing.” Becky is fired up to finally do what she hasn’t done in the most extreme way possible. Will she be the immovable object to Nia’s irresistible force?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy!

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have been W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, but they’ve never been a part of a title match as big as this Six Pack Ladder challenge! Will they look to be part of history once again? Or will Akira Tozawa & Otis say “A THANK YEW~!” for this golden opportunity?

Raw returns as the Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Woods starts against the tree trunk, Otis. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Otis and Woods tie up, but Woods kicks low then headlocks. Otis powers up and out then runs Woods over! Otis storms up on Woods, GUT RAMS him back down, then brings him back up. Otis GUT RAMS Woods again, then runs to CLOBBER Woods! Otis swivels his hips, the fans echo “Oh~ yeah!” Otis tags Tozawa and the Academy mugs Woods. Tozawa brings Woods around but Woods CHOPS! Woods tags Kofi, he and Kofi double whip Tozawa but Tozawa holds ropes!

Tozawa fires hands, dodges Woods then BOOTS Woods down! Kofi kicks low, whips Tozawa to a corner, but Tozawa BOOTS Kofi away! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa sees New Day regroup outside. Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit on both New Day, and Otis joins in for “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy stands tall as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Tozawa fights a chinlock. Tozawa reaches for Otis but Woods back suplexes. Tozawa lands out to then DROPKICK Woods down! The fans rally as Woods and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Kofi! Otis CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Woods runs in, Otis dodges, to LARIAT! Otis sees Kofi leap off the corner, and catches him for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis rips the shirt off, winds up the hips, and then starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Otis hurries to step on him! Tag to Tozawa, and Otis goes up!

Otis VADER BOMBS but FLOPS as Kofi moves! Tozawa hurries up top while Kofi SUPERKICKS Otis! Kofi turns around into the CROSSBODY from Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Tozawa SUPERKICKS Kofi but Woods tags in! Woods GAMANGIRIS Tozawa, then steps in to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tozawa toughs it out but Woods grits his teeth as he goes to the corner. Woods climbs, but Tozawa rises! Tozawa throws body shots, Woods CLUBS Tozawa! Tozawa throws more hands and climbs up! The fans rally as they brawl up top! Tozawa brings Woods up but Woods fights the lift! Woods throws body shots in return!

Woods shifts position to get under Tozawa for a fireman’s carry! But then Tozawa pops up to SUPER STEINER!! Tozawa rips off his shirt, climbs back up top, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Kofi breaks it! The fans fire up but Otis drags Kofi out! Otis whips Kofi at steps, Kofi goes up and jumps off the steps to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Kofi hurries back up to the apron but Tozawa SCREW HIGH KICKS him down! Tozawa dodges Woods, pop-up, but Woods blocks the rana to then SPINNING POWERBOMB! Woods sees the WrestleMania sign, hurries up the corner, and he tightrope walks! LIMIT BREAK ELBOW!! Cover, New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The New Day are the ones saying A THANK YEW~ as they put their names down for the Six Pack Ladder Match! Will they once again climb to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division and bring home those championships?

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

Becky asks if she’ll have to watch out for Liv as well. Well, you should always #WatchMe, but no, not tonight. Nia is all Becky’s. Liv just wants Becky to kick Nia’s ass. Liv leaves, will Becky kick ass and then some?

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

Rollins finds him and brings up Friday. One on one? One on one. Rollins nods and says he loves Pharaoh’s bandanna. The Visionary trusts the American Nightmare can handle himself, but will we be able to trust The Tribal Chief?

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

From the origins of “The Man” in WWE to the aftermath of Elimination Chamber: Perth, these two have battled, but never as brutally as this! They’re able to go anywhere and do anything, but who will be the Last Woman Standing this close to WrestleMania 40?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky DROPKICKS Nia and Nia goes to a corner. Becky runs in but Nia puts Becky on the apron. Becky ROCKS Nia, goes up a corner, then leaps to MISSILE DROPKCIK! Nia stumbles and tumbles out of the ring, so Becky WRECKS her with another dropkick! Becky then goes to the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! Nia stays up, Becky tries again, but Nia dodges! Fireman’s carry and Nia POSTS Becky, to then SAMOAN DROP her into barriers! The ref counts as Becky is down, but she stands at 4 of 10. Nia CLOBBERS Becky and wants the count! The count climbs but Nia is impatient.

Nia clears off the desk, Becky stands at 5 of 10, and she leans against barriers. Becky comes back with body shots and haymakers, but Nia ROCKS her with a forearm! Becky staggers away as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Becky is bringing out a table! The fans fire up as Becky sets that up ringside. There’s been a lot of chaos during the break according to commentary, from chairs to kendo sticks to even a copy of Becky’s book, The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl! But Nia storms over to stop Becky and SMACK her off the desk! Nia puts Becky in the ring, takes that table for her own and sets it up. The table doesn’t cooperate and fans boo, but Nia goes for chairs instead. She slides those in the ring, Becky manages to stand at 7 of 10, and she grabs at those chairs. Nia ditches the table, it just doesn’t wanna work.

Nia storms in but Becky JAMS her with a chair, SMACKS her with it, then clinches! Nia fights the slam, fireman’s carries Becky, and FULL METAL SAMOAN DROPS!! Becky writhes from hitting chairs but Nia looms over her. Nia soaks up the heat as she counts along. Becky flounders to ropes and drags herself up at 7! Nia sits a chair up, fans want a table, but Nia scoops Becky. Becky slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles again and again until Becky lets go. But then Becky BULLDOGS Nia off the chair! Nia is down for the count now, and Becky leans against ropes to stay up herself.

Nia stirs at 5, stands at 8, but Becky is up top! Becky leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Nia SMACKS Becky again and again and again! The fans boo but Nia finally stops. Nia puts that chair aside and goes out to get some kendo sticks! Nia puts those in, but Becky grabs one! Nia snatches it from her to SMACK! And SMACK! And SMACK! Becky sputters and staggers, Nia clinches and scoops! Nia SLAMS Becky onto chairs! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Nia wants the count and the count begins! Becky sputters as we reach 5 of 10. Becky grabs that kendo stick but Nia SMACKS Becky with a chair! And again!

Nia kicks Becky around, then uses the chair to take a seat on Becky’s body!! The fans boo as the count begins, but Becky SMACKS Nia with the kendo stick! And again and again and again, even in the butt! Nia stands up, into more shots! Becky stands and she fires away until Nia scurries out of the ring! Becky pursues but Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia pulls the steel steps apart now, and takes that top half to RAM Becky down! Becky flounders, Nia hauls her up and puts her in the ring. Becky’s on the apron and Nia takes aim! Nia runs up, APRN LEG DROP only gets apron! Becky avoids disaster, then has Nia by the steps! DDT onto the steel!

Nia is down again and the count begins. Nia stirs at 5 of 10, sits up at 6, but Becky SMACKS her off steps! Nia falls over again and the count resets. Becky hurries to go looking for things while Nia rises again. Becky has a new table! The fans fire up as Becky gets that in the ring. Nia stands at 7, staggers after Becky, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns once again and Nia mugs Becky against barriers! Nia puts Becky on a table, and surprise! There’s a ladder set up now! Nia climbs the ladder?! She also demands Pat support the ladder. But Becky gets off the table so now Nia has no reason to be up there. Nia storms after Becky, but gets a FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLAST!! The fans fire up as Becky cools Nia off, then JAMS her with the canister! Becky puts Nia in the ring, and there’s a table waiting in a corner! Becky lines up the shot, and runs in, but Nia SAMOAN DROPS Becky through the table!!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins!

Nia flounders away from the wreckage but she still needs to stand. Nia is up at 5, and she isn’t satisfied with this! She drags Becky all the way to another corner and puts her in the drop zone! Nia climbs up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia shouts for the count, the count begins, and Nia storms around as she points to the Mania sign. Becky is still down at 5 of 10, only starts stirring at 7, and she slumps out of the ring to stand up! Nia is furious, goes out after Becky, and kicks things aside to keep after her. Nia asks if Becky’s vision is blurry. Nia fireman’s carries Becky up the steel steps and along the apron, aiming for that other table!

The fans freak out but Becky fights with elbows! Becky CLUBS away on Nia and the fans are thunderous! Becky then clinches, for a MANHANDLE SLAM through the table!!! Both women are down int he wreckage again, and the count begins! Becky sits up at 4 while fans are still losing their minds! We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Nia sits up at 8 and stands at 9! But then she slumps back over! The count starts again, Nia flounders around and stands at 5. Becky goes up the ladder! Becky sees Nia approaching the desk, and then SUPER MAN’S LEG DROP through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds again while both men are down in more wreckage!

The count is 5 of 10! Becky flounders and crawls, drags herself up at 9, but Nia is still down! BECKY WINS!!

Winner: Becky Lynch

The Man conquers truly one of the most intense challenges in her career! But then here comes one of the most intense champions! The fans fire up as Rhea Ripley makes her way out, Women’s World Championship in hand. She goes right to the ring and looks at Becky. Rhea “congratulates” Becky for winning, but then Becky gets in Rhea’s face! The fans fire up, and now there are no obstacles in the way of Mami VS The Man! Who will be the champion after WrestleMania 40?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw right here, though the in-ring action kinda dipped down until that awesome Last Woman Standing main event. This is one of the times I wish they’d done picture in picture so we as the TV audience could see even more action. Great win for Becky, of course, but I also like that Becky had a moment with Liv just before, and of course she had a moment with Rhea to close out the night. Great promos with Sami and Gable that also blended into the contract signing from tonight. And I suppose Gable has a point that Sami, the comeback kid, can’t do that when Gunther has an arsenal of moves that would be “finishers” given all the different ways Gunther has won over the years.

And speaking of that contract signing segment, I really liked the segue they did in following Sami so that he’d cross paths with Awesome Truth at gorilla and we’d get their segment going into their match. WWE has been doing some really creative stuff in this newest era where Vince is truly out and apparently even Kevin Dunn has moved on. Awesome Truth had a really fun but also really quick tag match with Indus Sher, and then New Day VS Alpha Academy was solid stuff, but DIY VS Creeds was such an awesome match. For a moment, I thought Creeds were gonna take this one but DIY still found a way, and I like that DIY is in. Honestly, I’m liking that the HHH favorites are getting in, because we also have New Catch Republic on the other side that can still win into the match.

Judgment Day had good stuff tonight, too. Good group promo with Andrade to tease El Idolo possibly joining, but who knows if he does. Depends on how things go for Priest. He was watching the qualifiers, he’s not worried, but maybe he should be. Granted, he still has the MITB briefcase, he could go from losing the tag titles to taking the world title, who knows how the Judgment Day’s story is going to go as we move past Mania. Dom VS Ricochet was a really good match, and Ricochet winning was the right move to keep this feud going. I think there’s going to be Ricochet VS McDonagh next week as a rematch from the gauntlet, that’ll be great stuff, too.

Candice’s Heel turn slow burn continues as she takes advantage of the “hurt” leg. Indi also does a good job of being very conflicted about this. There’s a WWE YouTube exclusive where Ivy Nile confronts Candice so that’ll be a match, and then maybe when Candice again goes too far, Indi steps in and we get a match of Candice VS Indi at some point. Good little update promo from CM Punk, he’ll have a great homecoming moment in Chicago, but also probably McIntyre coming after him. McIntyre had a great promo segment with Rollins, and with all these continued moments where the other person gets the mic drop moment, it feels like McIntyre has to win the title.

And of course, great stuff with the Bloodline story even on Raw. Jey and Jimmy have great promos in their confrontation, and of course it turns into a brawl. Good segue from that to Heyman being here, and Heyman confronting Cody during Cody’s great promo segment. Cody really went off on The Rock, that was some wild stuff. But the supposed promise of “one on one and no one else aside from Heyman” might be kept, and we get a strong promo segment on SmackDown in a foreshadowing of the fair-and-square 1v1 match. Or it is a trap and that’s more a foreshadowing of Bloodline Rules where they can do whatever they want. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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