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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/9/22)

Cora Jade makes it all about herself!

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Will Cora Jade do Mandy Rose’s dirty work?

Before NXT Heatwave and the NXT Women’s Championship match, Zoey Stark has to deal with the new, selfish Cora Jade standing in her way!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Nikkita Lyons VS Kiana James; Lyons wins.
  • British Rounds Match: Wes Lee VS Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes; Lee wins.
  • Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Arianna Grace; Grace wins.
  • Apollo Crews VS Roderick Strong w/ The Creed Brothers; Crews wins.
  • Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins.
  • Zoey Stark VS Cora Jade; Stark wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes speak.

Good for Kayden Carter & Katana Chance on winning the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships, but that was last week. This week, is the British Rounds Match! Trick can show the world he has the gift of gab and the gift of jab. Float like a butterfly, cry like Wes Lee. Well, close. Sting like a bee when Trick knocks out Lee! That’s all it is, and that’s all it’s goin’ be!

But Wes Lee responds!

Tonight’s Rounds Match is about Lee coming out swinging. Lee will show that for all the jawing Trick does, Trick’s jaw is made of glass!

Cora Jade speaks.

“Tonight, I put Zoey Stark back on the shelf where she belongs when I eliminate her from this division, just like I did Roxanne Perez from my life.

Zoey Stark responds.

“Cora Jade seems to thinks she’s gonna take me out and take my spot in the Women’s Championship match. Hah, Mandy Rose, put up all the roadblocks you like, but nothing is going to stop me from taking that title at Heatwave.”

Tony D’Angelo speaks.

“Speaking of championships, Santos Escobar cast me two titles. Let’s see what he’s got to say when we meet face to face, right here!” The Don waits in the park, but will he see the Emperor of Lucha coming?

 

Nikkita Lyons VS Kiana James!

The Lioness is ready to crunch the number cruncher for all the criticisms and insults thrown her way. Will Lyons roar with a win on her way to that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament match?

The bell rings and Lyons circles with Kiana. They tie up, Lyons powers Kiana but Kiana turns it around to put Lyons in the corner,. Kiana shoves but Lyons shoves back! Kiana headlocks, Lyons powers out and runs her over! Fans fire up and duel as Lyons dares Kiana to bring it. They circle, Lyons blocks a kick but not the elbow! Kiana knees low, fisherman’s, but Lyons fights the suplex. Kiana throws a body shot, wrenches an arm and YANSK on it, then YANKS it again. Kiana wrenches, but Lyons runs Kiana over! Fans fire up and Lyons runs in but misses in the corner! Kiana wraps the leg in the ropes to pull!

Lyons CLUBS Kiana but Kiana ROCKS Lyons, to drop a knee on the knee! Kiana smirks as she stalks Lyons and grabs the leg. Kiana kicks the leg, drives a knee into it, then YANKS it! Fans boo as Kiana stalks Lyons to a corner. Kiana goes out and drags Lyons around by the bad leg, to SLAM the leg on the apron! Kiana tries again but Lyons BOOTS her with the good leg. Lyons SMACKS Kiana off the apron, then kicks, but Kiana dodges and that boot goes into the steel steps! Lyons hobbles and Kiana puts her in the ring. Kiana covers, ONE!! Lyons shoves Kiana but Kiana gets the leg to JAM it! Fans rally as Kiana gets the leg again for a standing toehold.

Lyons endures, Kiana pushes that leg way back, but Lyons claws at Kiana. Lyons uses her free leg to push Kiana, but Kiana stomps the bad leg! Kiana steps through but Lyons kicks her away, only for Kiana to stomp her again! Lyons throws hands and elbows, then a BOOT with the good leg! Lyons KICKS and KICKS and roars to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Lyons manages to kip up! Lyons roars and runs through the pain to CANNONBALL! Lyons then spiders around to get the cover, ROPEBREAK! Kiana survives by inches because Lyons didn’t calculate the cover. Kiana avoids a kick, rolls Lyons up and holds ropes! TWO!!

Lyons gets up, grits her teeth, and SPIN KICKS Kiana down! Then LYONS’ DEN! Cover, Lyons wins!

Winner: Nikkita Lyons, by pinfall

If anyone from Raw or SmackDown was watching, they now know Lyons knows how to fight through the pain. Will they have to worry about Lyons’ roar- KIANA CLOBBERS LYONS! Kiana used her purse to blast Lyons, and she says no one makes her look stupid! Will Kiana mean business when Lyons returns from SmackDown?

 

Apollo Crews watches film with the Creed Brothers.

Here it comes! Brutus SMASH! That’s great stuff, love to see it. Julius thanks Apollo for sitting with them to watch this back. Apollo is a veteran who sees things they don’t pick up on, so they’re grateful to him. Apollo says they’ve got it. He is a huge fan, after all. But then Roderick Strong walks in and asks what the hell is going on. They’re watching film. No, he knows that. But why is Apollo in here? The better question is, where was Strong last week? He said he’d be there for them and then no-showed! Strong says it was a test! And they passed! They game planned for Strong being there, but he wasn’t there, and they still found a way to win on their own. Strong is proud!

Brutus says screw “tests,” Strong out and lied to them! The Creeds can argue and fight as brothers, but they don’t lie to each other. That’s not what Diamond Mine is about! Apollo does agree here, that was shady on Strong’s part. What? What is Apollo even here for? He’s not Diamond Mine. Oh, he can’t just sit and watch film? NO! Well, then Apollo has a better idea. Let’s put that film up from two weeks ago, the Six Man Tag. How does Roddy feel about that? HoW dOeS rOdDy FeEl? How about Roddy beats the piss outta Apollo and then we watch THAT film back?!

The Creeds keep the peace, but Strong says Apollo won’t have his new buddies in his corner, they’ll be in STRONG’s! Diamond Mine forever! Well, Apollo’s gonna get that match made. Yes, you do that, thank you. Apollo leaves, but will Strong be the one getting beat?

 

Lash Legend is on the phone.

She asks where her friends are at, they have reservations. But hold on, hold on, she’s gotta go. She walks over and asks Malik Blade where he’s off to. And where’s his boy, Edris Enofe? Oh, it doesn’t matter, because she doesn’t really like him versus Malik. But did Malik see her match VS Alba Fyre? Yeah, of course he did, right? So, ya girl was looking super fly, then her music hits and she comes out, looking good as always, and then that one fan with the poster, ugh, bye. Lash keeps on ranting while we cut away, is Malik going to be okay?

 

British Rounds Match: Wes Lee VS Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes!

Just as seen on NXT UK, we take wrestling and combine it with boxing, there will be six three-minute rounds, first to two falls (submissions, pinfalls or count-outs) wins, unless there’s a disqualification, or even better, a knockout! The Must-See Kid’s got his boxing gloves ready, but will the gloves come off in this unique grudge match?

NXT returns and Trick makes his entrance, the North American Champion as his cornerman. The introductions are made, there’s a tale of the tape, and the bell rings on the first round! Lee and Trick circle, have their dukes up, but Trick JABS and JABS real fast! Trick does some rope a dope, JABS and throws a right, but Lee shrugs those off. They circle, Lee ducks a shot, and another, then fires off fast body shots! Trick pushes Lee away and falls back to his corner. Melo makes sure those gloves are secure, and fans chant “This is Boxing!” The two circle again, Lee takes another JAB, then guards the rest.

Trick tries to rope a dope but Lee stays clear of those punches! Lee bobs ‘n’ weaves, fires off body shots, Trick clinches for an STO! And some ground ‘n’ pound! But Lee turns it back around! They fire off fast hands and fans fire up! There’s still 90 seconds in this opening round, the two reset and square up again. Lee keeps his distance, Trick swings wild, and Lee fires off more body shots! Trick clinches again but Lee keeps throwing hands! Trick hits back as we reach a minute, then he throws a KNEE! Fans boo, so much for regular boxing! Trick fires off hands as he has Lee in the corner! The ref counts, Trick keeps firing off, but he backs off at 4.

Trick brings Lee out but Lee ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And then fires off body shots! Trick shoves Lee away but Lee comes back. The hands fly, Lee JABS and ROCKS Trick, then gives more body shots! We’re at 15 seconds, then 10, and it’s all Lee! Lee has Trick in a corner, the countdown is zero! Lee is barking but he lets off.

Lee: 0; Trick: 0

Melo coaches Trick up to whoop Lee! The gloves are literally off now, and we start round two! Lee runs in to MONKEY FLIP! And then arm-drag! Trick wobbles into another arm-drag! Lee ducks the haymakers to then FLYING ARM-DRAG! And DROPKICK! Trick wobbles, Lee clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up for Lee as he PLANCHAS and takes Trick down! Lee stares Melo down, puts Trick in the ring, and then hurries in. But Melo grabs at Lee! Lee BOOTS Melo, but Trick BOOTS Lee! Cover, Trick gets a fall!

Lee: 0; Trick: 1

Not even a minute and Trick scores, thanks to Melo! Will Lee be able to recover in these 20 seconds? Melo sprays Trick down with water while NXT goes picture in picture.

Melo peps talks Trick while Lee flounders away to his corner. Lee grits his teeth, the third round starts, and Trick SPLASHES Lee down in the corner! Trick drags Lee up, bumps him off buckles, then bumps him off buckles again. Lee wobbles, Trick bumps him off the middle buckle now. Trick drags Lee up, whips him to ropes, and DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! Lee is still in this but Trick talks trash. We’re at two minutes in this round as Trick clamps on a chinlock. Trick leans on the hold and grinds Lee down, but Lee fights back up. Trick puts Lee through ropes and has him for a cobra twist!

The ref counts, Trick lets off, and YANKS the ropes to send Lee down. Trick drags Lee up to scoop and SLAM, then covers, TWO! Trick is annoyed but he CLUBS Lee down. Lee crawls back to ropes but Trick CHOKES him! The ref counts, Trick lets off at 4 and Lee sputters. Trick CHOKES Lee more, then lets off again. Lee sputters and crawls but Trick stalks him. Trick CLUBS Lee again, and again! Lee gets to ropes again but Trick brings him around to whip. Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges to then sunset flip! TWO, and Trick hurries to CLUB Lee again! We’re at 10 seconds in this round, Trick whips Lee but Lee reverses to kick and trip! The round is over before the Half Crab!

Lee: 0; Trick: 1

Trick is saved by the bell again, and Melo says he’s got the gloves “fixed.” Trick says no, no more boxing, but Melo says trust him! NXT returns to single picture just as the fourth round starts. Wait, Trick seems to understand what Melo means, and is A-OK with the glove. But Lee rolls him up! ONE, Lee ducks the glove, ducks it again, but Trick kicks low! Lee dodges the haymaker, sunset flips again, TWO! Trick staggers up but Lee KICKS away on his leg! Trick ends up in a corner, Lee whips him but Trick reverses. Lee hits buckles hard, and Trick storms up on Lee. Lee avoids that left hand again, and again, and again!

Lee rolls, gets around, crucifix takedown! Lee gets the fall!!

Lee: 1; Trick: 1

CHEAP SHOT from Trick!! The ref reprimands but the shot still landed! Is Lee even able to continue now? Trick waits in his corner, the fifth round starts, and Lee stands. Trick FLYING LARIATS Lee down! Cover, TWO!! Trick drags Lee up, reels him in and suplexes to SLAM him! Trick stomps away in frustration, then drags Lee back up. Trick whips, POP-UP UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!?! Lee survives that shot and Trick is furious! Trick drags Lee up, suplexes again, then drags Lee back up for another! Trick drags Lee up again, another suplex! Not quite Three Amigos, but Trick covers, TWO!!

Trick is annoyed but the fans rally up. Lee stands as we reach 90 seconds, and Trick circles him like a vulture. SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Lee is still in this, Trick covers again, TWO!! Trick and Melo don’t understand how Lee is still in this! We’re at one minute left, Trick spins but the kick misses! Lee ENZIGURIS Trick against ropes, then runs to ENZIGURI again! Fans fire up as Lee ROCKS Trick again, again, and again! Lee backs Trick down with those bare knuckle shots! Lee whips, UPPERCUTS, then whips Trick again. BULLDOG! We’re at 25 seconds as Lee gets HIS gloves back!

Lee aims at Trick with 15, HAYMAKER SHOT!! Cover, Lee wins!!

Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall, 2-1

With 10 seconds left in the fifth, Lee made this one must-see! Will Trick be the one crying when he wakes up?

 

Andre Chase meets with someone.

He apologizes for what happened, and promises to get to the bottom of this. Someone visits, and it’s Thea Hail. Wait, Arianna Grace claims Thea gave her a black eye?! Is that true? No,  not technically! Thea and Bodhi were just playing catch in the quad, the ball got away from Thea and it hit Grace in the face! Grace says Thea ruined her perfect face! She’s a former beauty pageant queen! How can she wear a crown when she looks like this? Chase says they’ll settle this 1v1 in the ring. OMG Thea’s first match on NXT? That’s amazing! But Grace says no, she was thinking more of a lawsuit.

A lawsuit?! Are you effing kidding?! This is Chase U! They settle their differences in the ring! They can’t do that! Uh, they can! It happened on university grounds so it is under Chase’s jurisdiction. Thea is so excited but is she ready? Yes, she’s got this. Thanks so much, Mr. Chase! She’s got this! She’s got this! She’s GOT THIS! She runs off, leaving Chase falling over in her wake! Will Thea Hail score one for Chase U?

 

Carmelo Hayes is still in the ring.

“Hey! Hey, everybody, calm down, okay? Look, I’m upset, too. We were supposed to have an hour long Trick & Melobration in this ring, but Wes Lee decided he wanted to cheat!” Fans boo, they don’t believe that. But Melo says there’s time to kill and we need to talk about last week. Melo issued an open challenge for THE North American Championship, and that little peon,  Nathan Frazer, thought he was gonna pull a fast one! But just like everyone else, Frazer stepped up to get stepped on, and Melo is STILL the A Champion! That is all it is, and that is all it’s ever gonna be! But then here comes Frazer!

But wait, the British Prodigy doesn’t come out here, and surprise! From the other side of the arena, it’s Giovanni Vinci! Vinci tells Melo that he’s a top tier athlete, making the North American Championship the most important title here. But Melo’s life flashed before his eyes when he saw Vinci, didn’t he? But luckily, that goof, Frazer, saved Melo from Vinci. Vinci will deal with Frazer when the time is right. Bu tin the meantime… Vinci takes off his jacket, sets it aside, and tells Melo, “Why don’t you open that challenge back up for Heatwave? Because there is nobody standing in my way right now.”

Fans fire up for the idea, and Vinci says in Italian and then English, that while Melo says he’s THE A Champion, all Vinci sees here is a guy. Melo says hold on. If he heard correctly, Frazer saved Melo from Vinci? Nah, bro, you got it twisted. Frazer saved Vinci from Melo. Because Gio, Melo looks at your potential, but he is NOT “him.” Because Melo IS. So at Heatwave, we can put it in the pot and let it cook. But Melo will put Vinci on a shirt, and it wont’ be designer. Melo throws the mic to Vinci, Vinci throws it back, but Melo dodges the cheap shot! Vinci blocks the superkick, but Melo dodges again to SPRINGBOARD, but Vinci gets under!

Vinci kick slow, gets Melo up, but Melo slips free! The refs rush in to stop this before it gets any more heated! But will these two burn the ring down when NXT Heatwave arrives?

 

NXT looks at the NXT Championship showdown.

JD McDonagh asks if we hear the winds of change. They’re blowing here through NXT 2.0. And you know it’s for a damn good reason. And you’ll find out why soon, because you never bet against the ace. That is to say, JD pulled an ace out of the hole and clobbered Bron Breakker at The Great American Bash. The Necessary Evil has come for the Big Booty Nephew. Bron knows JD is a surgeon in the ring. JD wanted his attention so he got it! Both men pump iron and sweat it out in the gym. Bron knows the NXT Championship attracts all kinds. Those driven by fame, by legacy, by money, by power. But JD is different. He is driven by pain.

JD says Bron trains like a caveman wanting to be an alpha male. JD trains in isolation, away from witnesses. JD tests himself with the extremes. Those moments make him his most lethal, and his desire to win has never been higher. Bron will test JD’s love of pain because he’s in store for a lot of it. JD say she’ll drag Bron screaming past his limits. That is the difference between them. Joint manipulation, torture, Bron doesn’t care. His game plan is simple: speed, power and aggression. But JD promises that Bron learns once and for all to never bet against the Irish Ace.

 

Lash is still venting to Malik.

She claps at him to get him to pay attention. She had Fyre where she wanted her, one, two, and then- OH! Edris, we were just talking about you! Here, let Lash get you caught up. She was facing Fyre, like you all saw, and Edris is probably her number one fan, right? Anyway, she had Fyre where she wanted her, right? NXT cuts away from this again, will Malik and Edris make it through?

 

Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Arianna Grace!

Though she’s been on NXT Level Up a couple times, this is the first NXT 2.0 match for Chase U’s number one recruit! Will she show the former pageant queen that looks aren’t everything?

The bell rings and Grace shouts about her black eye! Thea dodges Grace, arm-drags her, then arm-drags again! Fans rally for Thea but Grace avoids the third arm-drag to kick, But Thea blocks that for a takedown! Wheelbarrow, but Grace SLAMS Thea off the buckles! And again! Grace makes Thea look at her then smacks her off more buckles! Grace snapmares, hip tosses, then grinds Thea’s face into the mat! Fans boo and the ref reprimands. Grace lets off, to then slap away on Thea! Thea guards her face but Grace CLUBS away on her! Fans rally, Grace throws body shots, and then she traps an arm!

Grace wants the other arm, Thea fights, but Grace gets it for a cover! ONE, and Thea kicks Grace. Grace clamps onto Thea again to trap the arms and dig her elbow into Thea’s face! The fans still rally, Thea endures and fights up, but Grace talks trash as she grinds Thea down. Grace keeps on Thea with that forearm in her face, but Thea reaches out. Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Thea, Let’s Go!” Thea fights to get an arm free, and she backpacks Grace for a SENTON! Fans fire up and Thea and Grace slowly rise. Thea blocks a punch to spin Grace and elbow her! Then CLOBBER her! And then again! Thea runs in at the corner to SPLASH!

Thea rolls back to SPLASH again! Grace staggers, Thea dropkicks a leg out! Thea runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Thea as she goes Ultimate Warrior! She BOOTS then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Thea drags Grace up, cravats, but Grace swings on her! Thea dodges to ROCK Grace! The black eye! Grace says it hurts, but this is a fake-out so she can BOOT Thea down! Grace fireman’s carries, for a WASTELAND SLAM! Cover, Grace wins!

Winner: Arianna Grace, by pinfall

Grace smiles big after that cheeky way to win, will Thea just have to use this #TeachableMoment for her second match in NXT?

 

Apollo Crews gets a vision of the future.

He sees Roderick Strong down in pain, but also the rest of Diamond Mine, from Damon Kemp to both Creed Brothers. Who did the damage? What does it mean? Apollo shrugs it off, his match with Strong is up next.

 

Solo Sikoa gets checked by the trainer.

The Street Champion’s got a sprained PCL, meaning it isn’t torn or broken, but he’ll be out four to six weeks. No, that’s too much time! Cameron Grimes walks over to say tough luck on the bad leg, but congrats on the big win. Solo has the doc leave them for this conversation. Solo is still feeling this, but Grimes has the whole respect of the locker room, so him saying all that means a lot. Solo mentions Vinci getting the shot at Melo, and Solo will be watching. When he comes back, he wants to get that gold for guys like them. Grimes says sure thing. Grimes then leaves, perhaps a bit bitter. Will Solo still have next? Or will someone else step up between now and then?

 

Apollo Crews VS Roderick Strong!

NXT returns as Strong makes his entrance. But despite what he said, Strong does NOT have the Creeds in his corner. Are they “testing” Strong like he did them? Can Strong still win this on his own?

The bell rings and Strong rushes in. They tie up, Strong puts Crews on ropes but Crews puts Strong on ropes in return. Strong hits a headlock takeover but Crews fights up. Crews gets the arm for a wristlock but Strong slips through. Fans rally, Strong shoots to a waistlock, but Crews switches and SLAMS Strong down. Strong moves around as Crew holds on. Fans duel, Crews facelocks, and fans rally again. Strong fights up to wrench and YANK the arm, then wristlocks back. Crews endures, Strong hits a headlock takeover, and Strong grinds Crews down. Crews keeps his shoulders up and gets a headscissors.

Strong kicks but can’t kip free. Strong moves around, headstands then turns Crews over to tie his leg sup. Strong SLAPS Crews, then scrambles to ropes as Crews storms up. Strong grins as he comes back and circles with Crews. Fans taunt Strong but Strong taunts them. Strong and Crews tie up, Crews wrenches an arm to wristlock CLUB it, and then return the slap with interest! Strong gets away and shoves Crews. Crews shoves back, Strong rushes in and gets the arm to a wristlock. Strong wrenches, wrenches and WRINGS Crews, but Crews kicks Strong away. The two reset, tie up again, and Strong trips Crews up.

Strong wants a top wristlock but Crews resists. Crews stands up, arm-drags free, then hurdles over Strong. Strong keeps moving but Crews DROPKICKS him! Fans fire up and Strong gets to a corner. Crews throws body shots, then a CHOP! Strong fires a forearm, Crews ROCKS and CHOPS Strong back! Crews reels Strong in to suplex, but Strong slips out to CLUB Crews on the back! Then Strong scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up while Strong catches his breath. Strong drags Crews up to fishhook his face and CLUB him down! Strong CHOPS Crews against ropes, but Crews ROCKS Strong back! Strong ROCKS then CHOPS again!

Crews CHOPS, Strong forearms and CHOPS, then knees low! Strong brings Crews around and scoops to another BACKBREAKER! Fans rally and Crews gets to a corner. Strong ROCKS Crews, and again, but Crews shoves him away. Crews BOOTS Strong, goes up, but leaps into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Crews flounders out of the ring. Strong storms over to the apron and drags Crews up, fans rally and duel, but Crews blocks Strong’s suplex to suplex Strong. Strong slips free to land on the apron and the two start throwing hands! Strong ducks a shot to lift Crews but Crews elbows him down. Crews fireman’s carries but Strong fights free!

Strong waistlocks but Crews holds the ropes for dear life! So Strong just trips Crews instead! Crews hits apron, but he and Strong DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men are down at ringside while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Strong has Crews in a chinlock stretch! Fans rally while Crews endures being bent bac k! Crews pries at the hold but Strong shifts to have the leg. Strong stomps Crews down and drags Crews up. Strong reels Crews in but Crews suplexes first! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Crews drags himself up the ropes, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up top. Strong trips Crews up! Crews gets stuck up top and Strong KICKS him in the stomach! Crews falls, Strong covers, TWO! Strong clamps onto Crews with a grounded abdominal stretch but fans rally again. Crews fights up, throws body shots, but Strong knees low!

Strong runs in at the corner but misses! ENZIGURI from Crews, then a LARIAT! And another LARIAT! Crews whips, and LEAPING LARITS! Crews kips up and fans fire up! Crews runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! Direct hit and Strong flounders. Crews goes up, FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Strong survives and Crews grits his teeth in frustration. “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly rise. Crews stands first, waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Crews holds on and he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Crews still holds on, but Strong throws back elbows! Strong is free and he ROCKS Apollo!

Strong runs but into a pop-up wheelbarrow GERMAN! Cover, TWO!! Strong survives and Crews shakes out the cobwebs. Fans rally and duel as both men go to opposite ends. Crews drags himself up the ropes and he storms over to Strong. Crews reels Strong in, but Strong flying-mares free! Strong BOOTS Crews, then dumps Crews out to the apron! Crews slingshots into a KNEE! Strong goes back out after Crews, reels him in, APRON BACK SUPLEX! Crews flops down to the floor and Strong hobbles over. Strong puts Crews in the ring, covers, TWO! Fans fire up as Strong gets the legs, STRONGHOLD!! Crews endures as Strong sits deep!

Fans rally and duel as Crews fights his way around. Crews rolls and BOOTS Strong all the way out of the ring! Strong runs back in, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Crews says he’ll raise the roof! He lifts Strong but Strong slips off to hit a BACKBREAKER! But Crews PELES! Strong jumps, but into Crews’ arms! Crews pops Strong up, GUTBUSTER DROP! But Strong BOOTS and ENZIGURIS right back! Only to run into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Crews wins!!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall

Crews survives the Savior of the Backbreaker and gets a big win off a former NXT Tag Team, Cruiserweight and North American Champion! Will this lead Crews to finally get an NXT title of his own?

 

Lash is STILL venting.

Malik looks bored and Edris looks upset as she goes on and on. Edris tells Lash that she lost! Now she knows he didn’t just interrupt. And Pretty Deadly walk in to defend Lash> N ever interrupt a woman when she’s talking. #YesBoy! #YesGirl! But don’t worry, they’re facing Malik & Edris next, and will wipe the floor with them! Well, Malik just listened to Lash for an hour, so he has plenty of pent-up aggression here! See y’all in the ring! OKAY~? Edris & Malik mock Lash doing her make-up, but will they be the ones venting against Kit Wilson & Elton Prince?

 

Santos Escobar is on the road.

He’s talking to someone on the phone. He’s almost to the meeting place. He promises he’s alone, just as they agreed. Santos promises to Elektra Lopez that if anything does go wrong, he’ll send the signal. The Emperor of Lucha is moments away from meeting with The Don, but will this truly be 1v1?

 

Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz vent to Sanga.

This is so annoying! They were so good in that Fatal 4 Way but they lost. Sanga, how can they improve? But then the NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Katana Chance & Kayden Carter, walk in. They’ve known Leon & Feroz a long time and they respect them. KC Squared will be fighting champions, and they will meet Feroz & Leon again. And when that time comes, they’ll be ready. Feroz isn’t so sure, and Leon isn’t sure, either. Sanga says they’re a lot like those two, though. Kayden & Katana came so close time and again, but never gave up. Now they’re the champions! So you two can’t give up. One day, you will be in that spot. You need to clear your minds.

Sanga says Leon & Feroz can learn from him how to find balance and perspective. They thank him for helping them. Will Sanga hep Leon & Feroz be Zen enough to get another golden opportunity?

 

Diamond Mine watches film again.

Damon Kemp is with the Creed Brothers, but they’re not sure what they aren’t seeing. This is the same match Crews had them watch, right? Yeah, but Julius isn’t sure what Apollo was seeing. Brutus isn’t, either. Things were good, but what about Kemp? No, he thinks they did great, though they lost. OH, wait, what was that? Run that back! But just as they want to, Strong storms in and asks where they were! That was a test, Roddy, and you passed! How’s it feel!? Strong asks what they just said. He didn’t pass, he lost! They weren’t out there with him and he lost!

Well, Roddy, they just got done through watching back the 8 Man, and there’s bigger issues here. If Julius is right, he deals with the problem next week. The problem is Crews! No talking to outsiders! Strong knows what’s best for them! Crews isn’t Diamond Mine, he’s just an idiot! And then he smashes the laptop! Will Julius have grounds to expel someone from Diamond Mine?

 

It’s time for the Final Accord.

Tony D’Angelo waits, but of course Escobar is late. “Speak of the devil, there he is.” Escobar parks and exits his car, and Tony asks if he’s alone. Of course he is. Did Tony come alone? Yeah, just the two of them. Escobar offers a handshake but Tony tells him to sit down at the table. Escobar wants to shake hands now? Last time they saw each other, Escobar got Tony with brass knuckles. Escobar’s lucky to still be breathing. Escobar says Tony thought he’d never see him again, huh? Tony and his goon put him in the hospital and almost ended his career. But Escobar is full of surprises. Last week was just some payback, nothing personal.

Tony told Escobar to stay in his lane but Escobar didn’t listen. So here we are, four months later. Escobar still works for Tony. Oh, right. But is Tony North American Champion? No. Is Tony NXT Tag Team Champion? Why is he asking questions he already knows the answers to? Escobar laughs as he says those are his favorite questions. Tony tells Escobar not to get smart with him. Tony is The Don! Yeah, yeah, he dictates the rules, the others enforce them. But Tony must know by now that this isn’t going to work. Escobar has pride and legacy. Legado was- Yeah, yeah, built on hard work. Tony’s heard that all before, too.

Escobar talks about hard work from his ivory tower with his stupid pride. But that got him walking behind Tony. Then what do they do? They don’t like each other anymore. Tony wants Escobar to do his job! Escobar has no power. Tony called the meeting to get Escobar’s head on straight. But it’s still shoved up his own ass! Oh, Escobar’s got his head up his own ass? Well, these last four months, Escobar got to learn what makes Tony tick. And Tony loves having a big feather in his cap. The only reason Tony is The don is because he sent Ciampa packing. So here it is: one final match, and they raise the stakes.

NXT Heatwave: If Tony beats Escobar, Escobar leaves,  never to be seen in NXT. Never? Never! Okay, but then Tony keeps his three sheep. Lopez, Cruz and Wilde aren’t sheep, they’re familia! NO, they’re sheep, Fine, Tony gets them. But if Escobar wins, Legado is free from the D’Angelo Family. Okay, Escobar gets his match. But under one condition. It isn’t going to be a regular match. it will be under rules they are both familiar with. This will be man to man, in a STREET FIGHT! Fine by Escobar. If Escobar wins, Legado is free. If Tony wins, Escobar is gone. Now they shake hands. And next week, we find out who is the true leader of leaders.

Tony tells Escobar to say good-bye to his people. Because he vows to rid NXT of Santos Escobar for good. Will this be adios to the Emperor of Lucha?

 

Tiffany Stratton arrives at her dressing room.

She walks inside and thinks she can relax, but WENDY CHOO is there! Wendy has night vision goggles!! She turns off the lights, then whoops Tiffany in the dark! “How do you like that, Tiffy?!” And when the lights come back on, Tiffany is a mess! Wendy tells her this isn’t over, and she leaves for now. Will Wendy turn Tiffany’s life into a waking nightmare?

 

Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS Pretty Deadly!

For whatever reason, Lash felt the need to vent to Malik & Edris, and they just about snapped! Will they take all of that out on the former NXT UK Tag Team Champions? Or will Edris & Malik be crying over some Spilt Milk?

The teams sort out and Prince starts against Malik. They circle, tie up, and Prince headlocks. Malik powers out but Prince runs him over to then say “WHOA~!” Malik scowls and gets back up. They tie up, Prince headlocks but Malik powers out. Things speed up and Malik hurdles to arm-drag! Prince flounders, Malik arm-drags him again! Malik keeps on the arm and wrenches to a wristlock. Tag to Edris, Edris climbs up and leaps to AX HANDLE Prince’s arm! Fans fire up and Edris scoops to SLAM Prince, then drops an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Edris drags Prince over, tags Malik in, then drop toeholds Prince so they can BOOT and LARIAT!

Fans fire up and Malik runs to BOOT Wilson! But Prince FLAPJACKS Malik then tags Wilson in. Pretty Deadly double whip to POP-UP UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Wilson CLUBS Malik, stomps him, then drags him up, Malik throws body shots but Wilson scoops and SLAMS! Wilson drops a knee on Malik’s face, then he stalks Malik to the corner. Malik hits Prince but Wilson fires off on Malik! Tag to Prince, Wilson cheap shots Edris before the ASSISTED GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Prince puts him on the ropes. Tag to Wilson, Pretty Deadly mock Briggs & Jensen with the “YEEHAW~!” They both slide and HAYMAKER Malik down!

Pretty Deadly strike their pose, but then Briggs & Jensen come storming down the ramp! Pretty deadly run away into the ring, then mock the UK Tag Team Champions. But they forget about Malik! Malik dodges Wilson, slides under Prince and hot tags Edris! Edris rallies on Pretty Deadly with lariats and elbows! And then a DROPKICK! Wilson wobbles, Edris whips and trips him, to then SLING-DOG! Fans fire up with Edris as he goes up top! MACHO ELBOW! Cover, Prince breaks it! Prince hurries to grab a chair from under the ring and slide it in. But Malik FLIES and takes Prince out! Wilson has the chair, but Briggs snatches it from him!

Edris runs in, but Wilson sends him into the chair and Briggs! Briggs and Edris both fall, Prince POSTS Malik then tags in! Pretty Deadly get Edris up for some SPILT MILK! Cover, Pretty Deadly wins!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall

Wilson & Prince use Briggs & Jensen against Malik & Edris! And then Lash BOOTS Fallon Henley outta nowhere!! Lash talks trash, but will she and Pretty Deadly take over from the country trio?

 

Javier Bernal calls out to Cameron Grimes.

He tells Grimes to be more careful going through the door this time. Grimes wants after Bernal but the security guard is there to tell him it’s not worth it. Grimes says he’s right, Bernal isn’t worth it. But then Joe Gacy & The Schism walk over. They ask Grimes where he is going. He’s going home. But to who? Grimes doesn’t respond, he just walks out the door. Will Gacy break Grimes down until he’s part of their movement?

 

Toxic Attraction speaks.

Gigi & Jacy held the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships for so long, those belts felt like a part of them. They can’t believe they let this happen. Gigi never knew a real home or had a constant in her life until Toxic Attraction, and until they became champions. When you lose something so dear, you either reflect, or you can rebel. Gigi & Jacy each revitalize themselves with their comfort zones. Jacy loves rock music, it is her release, because rock music doesn’t give a damn about who you are or what you do. Gigi doesn’t play by anyone else’s rules. She does her things her way and thrives. That will never change, ever!

Toxic Attraction lives the rockstar life: seductive, sadistic, and successful! They are wounded, but wounded animals are more dangerous. They ARE Toxic Attraction, and they will shatter your false reality. Is this all a sign that Gigi & Jacy are ready to revamp what it means to be toxic?

 

Backstage interview with Apollo Crews.

McKenzie congratulates him on the big win tonight. Crews says hell yeah that was big! The whole world saw it! And Crews says he doesn’t like or trust Strong. But Cres is getting win after win, gaining momentum- But Waller walks in to congratulate him, too. Yeah, thanks, that was a hard fought win. Waller says he’s gonna do McKenzie’s job for her again, and ask the hard hitting questions. WHY is Crews here? To take from Waller and the locker room? The rest of the guys are afraid to say it, but not Waller! On behalf of NXT 2.0, Crews is no longer welcome. Oh, is that true? Yeah, check his history, lad. Waller already ran one guy out of here. He has no problem making Crews next.

Then lets’ go now! Crews dares Waller to try, but Waller backs off. Crews says he’s going nowhere, but will his return to NXT bring him up to the top?

 

Zoey Stark VS Cora Jade!

The Iron Woman has her shot at the NXT Women’s Championship next week, but she talks with Lyons backstage about their coming tag title opportunity. Lyons owes Kiana another beat down, but for now, it’s Stark’s turn. Cora is not going to stop Stark from getting at the women’s title next week, just like no one will stop them from becoming WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They have a secret handshake already, will this team sweep the night? Or will Cora do the Toxic Goddess’ dirty work before Heatwave?

NXT returns and speaking of the champion, Mandy Rose joins commentary, with Wade Barrett kissing up to her immediately. Stark then makes her entrance, and she stares Mandy right down. The bell rings and Zoey circles with Cora. Fans rally, Cora shoves Zoey but she smirks. Cora shoves again but Zoey grabs her arm and reels her in to run her over! Cora scrambles away but Zoey drags her back in! Cora ducks the kick, rolls Zoey up to a cover, TWO! Fans duel, Zoey spins Cora around to a cradle, TWO! Zoey Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Cora gets up but into arm-drag after arm-drag! Cora gets to ropes for defense and fans boo.

Zoey wants Cora to come back but the ref has her back off. Zoey RAMS into Cora, throws knees, but Cora CLUBS and throws Zoey down. Cora stomps Zoey, stands on her, but Zoey shoves her away. Cora stomps and CLUBS Zoey, covers, TWO! Zoey ROCKS Cora again and again, then CHOPS and CHOPS! Zoey whips Cora, CLOBBERS Cora, then covers, TWO! Zoey keeps on Cora with a suplex, but Cora slips out and waistlocks. Zoey bucks the O’Conner Roll so Cora ROCKS her with a right! Fans boo, Cora drags Zoey up but Zoey waistlocks and SLAMS her down! Zoey holds on, drags Cora up again, and SLAMS her back down!

Cora fights up, throws’ an elbow but Zoey ducks to FISHERMAN SUPELX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, so Zoey CLOBBERS Cora in a corner. Zoey goes corner to corner but Cora puts her on the apron! Zoey ROCKS Cora, sweeps the leg, then slingshot ARABIAN PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Zoey drags Cora up to waistlock. Cora bucks Zoey now, then sidesteps to SHINING WIZARD! Fans boo while Cora swaggers and NXT goes picture in picture.

Cora stomps Zoey, drags her up, but Zoey ROCKS her! And again! Cora bumps Zoey off buckles, then stomps Zoey down. Cora digs her boots in, the ref counts but Zoey shoves Cora’s foot away. Cora drags Zoey to a cover, ONE!! Cora is annoyed but Zoey throws body shots and a CHOP! Cora CHOPS back but Zoey CHOPS again! Cora CHOPS, Zoey kicks low and ROCKS Cora with forearms! Zoey snapmares then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Cora stomps Zoey back down and has her in the corner. Cora drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Cora is annoyed but she drags Zoey up to whip to a corner hard!

Cora grins as Zoey bumps off buckles. Cora storms over, stomps Zoey down, then kicks her around. Cora drags Zoey up but Zoey ROCKS Cora again and again and again! Zoey kicks low, ROCKS Cora then whips, but Cora reverses. Zoey hits ropes hard and Cora ELBOWS her down! Cover, TWO! Cora snarls, talks some trash, then stomps Zoey down. Cora keeps stomping Zoey at the ropes, but the ref has her back off. Zoey sits up, Cora springboards to DOUBLE STOMP! NXT returns to single picture as Cora covers, TWO! Cora drags Zoey up to whip her to ropes, put her on the ropes again and KICK her down! Cora runs but Zoey dodges the elbow!

Fans fir up as Zoey jackknifes, TWO, and Cora CLOBBERS Zoey! Cora snarls and she drags Zoey up to a chinlock. Zoey endures as fans duel and Cora shifts to a neck wrench. Cora leans on the hold and traps Zoey’s arms so she can CLUB her again and again! Zoey victory rolls through, TWO! Cora CHOPS Zoey to ropes! Cora runs in to SHINING- NO, Zoey blocks that to YANK Cora down! Fans rally and duel again as Cora crawls to a corner. Cora brings out her kendo stick! Cora aims at Zoey, but Zoey dodges and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans fire up while both women are down! Cora and Zoey sit up slowly as the fans rally up.

Zoey blocks a punch to give a punch! And then again! And again! Zoey DECKS Cora, but Cora gets up so Zoey CLOBBERS her! And CLOBBERS her! And mule kicks to fire off forearms and elbows! Cora wobbles into a mule kick, then Zoey fires up! Zoey runs to SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is annoyed but Mandy isn’t worried. Zoey runs in at Cora but blocks a boot to reel her in! HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!! Cora survives and Zoey is frustrated. Cora sits up but Zoey takes aim. Cora stands, deflects the superkick and ROCKS Zoey! Cora cravats, goes up the corner, but no Sliced Bread! SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!!

Mandy is disappointed in Cora, she expected better out of her. Cora crawls, Zoey watches her go to ropes, and then Zoey goes to the apron. Zoey slingshots but Cora moves! Zoey handsprings through her own senton, runs back in, but into a drop toehold! Zoey’s on the ropes again and Cora SHINING WIZARDS! Cora reels Zoey into a HAMMERLOCK DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey survives and shocks Cora! Fans rally and duel, Cora cravats again, SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans are fired up and Cora goes back for her custom kendo stick. “This is Awesome!” and guess what! Roxie just took Cora’s kendo stick!

Cora is furious, but she turns around into Zoey’s SUPERKICK! And then GO TO STARK!! Cover, Stark wins!!

Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall

And she stares Mandy right down! Is Mandy worried about Stark now? And as for Roxie, she warns Cora that there is nowhere to hide! Roxie swings the stick, Cora runs for it, but then Mandy gets in the ring! Stark SUPERKICKS her first! And hits GO TO STARK!! Zoey holds up the title belt, is the Toxic Reign about to end?


My Thoughts:

A great go-home episode for NXT with their newest special next week. Good opening match with Lyons VS Kiana, and I figured Lyons would win here, even without the news of Lyons & Stark being in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. Kiana attacking Lyons after is a good way to keep the feud going, as Lyons & Stark aren’t the ones to win the RawDown titles. Great stuff out of Diamond Mine and Apollo, and even Apollo’s future vision ability going to a new level was clever. Crews sees the faction’s downfall, and the green light implies it’s because of him, but we all knew Strong is going to be kicked out of the group at some point. Awesome match out of Crews and Strong, too, and I’m sure Crews VS Waller will be a great one, too.

The British Rounds match here was a lot of fun, especially with how Trick and Lee started it as a boxing match and then shifted into wrestling. I almost thought we were going to get a knockout win here, but it was fair of them to let Lee win with a pinfall. Melo and Vinci have a great exchange, from both their promos to the acrobatic brawl. That title match is going to be awesome, and Heatwave is getting even bigger. Bron and JD have a good vignette, though it wasn’t quite a Prime Target. Both the North American and main NXT Championship matches feel like they can go either way, but I would be very surprised if both champions lost. Maybe HHH & HBK worked something out where Melo & Trick are moving up to one show (SmackDown) while Bron goes to the other (Raw).

Another great Chase U promo, and a pretty solid match from Thea VS Arianna. Thea’s got great Chase U ring gear, and quite the surprise that Grace won. I suppose Thea is going to go through some growing pains before she gets her first televised win. Lash venting to Edris & Malik was a hilarious way to lead us to a match. Edris & Malik VS Pretty Deadly was great, even with the mishap involving Briggs & Jensen. A Mixed Six Tag of Briggs, Jensen & Fallon VS Lash & Pretty Deadly would be a lot of fun, and so would Fyre joining Malik & Edris against Lash & Pretty Deadly. It could even lead to Edris & Malik getting a shot at the UK Tag titles while Briggs & Jensen are stateside.

Solo Sikoa being out for a month or so is a shame for him, real or kayfabe, but using him as part of Grimes’ bitterness was great continuity since Grimes was the one who first encouraged Solo in the North American Championship chase. Javier Bernal seems to be getting great little cameos as part of Grimes’ story, I wonder if a match with Bernal will be the last straw and Grimes goes Heel, finally joining The Schism. And though short, we got a really good segment out of Wendy and Tiffany with the dressing room ambush. I really hope their blow-off grudge match is No Disqualification. They did a great job with that backstage brawl, they really should up the ante, and then Wendy wins to move on and force Tiffany to have a confidence crisis angle.

We got a decent segment out of “The Final Accord,” but obviously the major development from that is their Street Fight blow-off. Escobar leaving NXT if he loses is clearly code that this is his window of opportunity to be called up. We got a good vignette from Gigi & Jacy, and we finally got to learn a bit about their characters, and it was framed like we are supposed to sympathize with them like they’re Faces after how they’ve behaved for almost a full year. But the main event was great stuff out of Stark and Cora, and of course Roxie shows up to keep Cora from cheating. However, with Stark winning the match and standing tall against Mandy at the end, I have a feeling Mandy finds a way to retain, which is a bit of a shame.

My Score: 8.7/10


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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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